“How blest could I live, and how calm could I die!”

And daily, as the years were added, each bringing its increased burdens of care and business, would he look forward to the “good time coming,” when he could shut behind him forever the doors of the warehouse and counting-room, and step forth a free man.  Of the strife for gain and the sharp contests in business, where each seeks advantages over the other, his heart was weary, and he would often sigh in the ears of his loving home-companion, “Oh! for the wings of a dove, that I might fly away and be at rest!”

And at length this consummation of his hopes came.  A year of unusual prosperity swelled his gains to the sum he had fixed as reaching his desires; and, with a sense of pleasure never before experienced, he turned all his affections and thoughts to the creation of an earthly paradise, where, with his heart and home treasures around him, he could, “the world forgetting, by the world forgot,” live a truer, better, happier life, than was possible amid the city’s din, or while breathing the ever-disturbed and stifling atmosphere of business.

And now his work of creation at Woodbine Lodge was complete.  Everywhere the hand of taste was visible—­everywhere.  You could change nothing without marring the beauty of the whole.  During all the years in which Mr. Markland devoted himself to the perfecting of Woodbine Lodge, there was in his mind just so much of dissatisfaction with the present, as made the looked-for period, when all should be finished according to the prescriptions of taste, one in which there would be for him almost a Sabbath-repose.

How was it with Mr. Markland?  All that he had prescribed as needful to give perfect happiness was attained.  Woodbine Lodge realized his own ideal; and every one who looked upon it, called it an Eden of beauty.  His work was ended; and had he found rest and sweet peace?  Peace!  Gentle spirit!  Already she had half-folded her wings; but, startled by some uncertain sound, she was poised again, and seemed about to sweep the yielding air with her snowy pinions.

The enjoyment of all he had provided as a means of enjoyment did not come in the measure anticipated.  Soon mere beauty failed to charm the eye, and fragrance to captivate the senses; for mind immortal rests not long in the fruition of any achievement, but quickly gathers up its strength for newer efforts.  And so, as we have seen, Edward Markland, amid all the winning blandishments that surrounded him on the day when introduced to the reader, neither saw, felt, nor appreciated what, as looked to from the past’s dim distance, formed the Beulah of his hopes.

CHAPTER II.

A few minutes after Mrs. Markland left her husband’s side, she stepped from the house, carrying a small basket in one hand, and leading a child, some six or seven years old, with the other.

“Are you going over to see Mrs. Elder?” asked the child, as they moved down the smoothly-graded walk.