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with unmoving attention: she listened with an interest beyond what she had ever before experienced. At times, a silent tear stole down her cheek, and told the powerful feelings of her mind. At length, unable longer to contain her emotions, she rose, and walked out by herself into a small paddock, which lay through a little garden adjoining the house, and there gave uncontroled vent to her feelings. Eustace had marked her grief, and now observed her departure. After waiting with anxiety for her return, he felt alarmed at her absence, and walked out to seek her. It was some time, however, before he could ascertain the way she had taken. At length he discovered her at a distance, evidently almost overcome by the feelings under which she laboured. He instantly passed hastily through the garden towards her. She turned, and seeing him approaching, motioned with her hand for him to go back. With reluctance he obeyed, and again entering the house, made such an apology for her as seemed necessary; and shortly afterwards, with Laura's female friend, bade its inhabitants farewell, and hasted to join her.

The road by which they returned was in another direction from that by which they came. A lofty hill lay before them. Laura leaned on Eustace's arm, as they ascended; while her female companion, like a bounding roe, skipped on before them. They gained the summit, and again gazed, with admiration, on the gorgeous scenery.

But, while they gazed and commented on its beauties, a distressing conviction seized the mind of Laura, that they should no more visit that spot in company. This she expressed to Eustace, upon whose mind a class of emotions of the most crushing influence descended with the intelligence. They passed on. The angle of a copse was crossed by them: a narrow pass required Eustace's assistance,—it was given: every touch,—every look was now thrillingly felt. Their friend was still skipping on in front of them, through a scented field of clover flower. They still followed; and as they passed, a declaration-chaste as it was sincere met the ear of Laura; while a reciprocity of feeling was experienced and expressed.

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Weeks and months passed, and still their affecgrew; when an unexpected circumstance arose, and pointed to a period, not far distant, when, that which to each of them appeared but as the prelude of death, Separation!—must take place. The effect produced upon the constitution of Eustace, was not less deep and destructive, although less perceptible, than on the delicate frame of Laura. The time drew rapidly on, with-in appearance to them-unusual celerity; one day only intervened, when the painful farewell sound was to be heard. That day they walked again over the ground which they had before walked in company; and for the last time, visited some spots, on which memory had affixed a signet, never to be obliterated. The shades of evening gathered,-night came on,-the

last chaste embrace was given, their hands seemed unable to let go their hold of each other, but they parted. The adieu was felt, rather than heard. They parted for ever! Morning dawned again, but not as formerly for Eustace and Laura. He took one long, agonizing look at her window, and then rushed to the conveyance, which was to bear him far, far away from her who was dear to his heart; and

"Midst earth's gay millions liv'd alone."

The distress of mind under which Laura had laboured, during the hours of the past night, had so far overcome her, that her enfeebled system was sunk in profound sleep at the time of Eustace's departure; but when, at length, the oblivious influence of slumber wore off, she awoke to all the anguish of a mind to which, now, no earthly specific could be applied. She arose, and as the painful conviction pressed upon her, that every passing moment bore Eustace still farther and farther from her, an agony, almost insupportable, was borne by her. She looked back to the past evening, to the comparative happiness she enjoyed while in his company, and then, dwelling once more upon her present bereaved state, clasped her hands, and sighed out, as she paced her room, "Oh! what a change will not a few hours effect!"

Once after Eustace's arrival at the place of his destination, Laura received from him information of the fact. He endeavoured to console her, but

the unmanageable wildness of his own anguish was too plainly discoverable, in the disjointed epistle which he furnished, to be passed over. Affliction is keen-sighted,—and Laura's eye, naturally so, now became doubly penetrating.— Eustace directed her to Him who is a "very present help in time of trouble ;" and to his protection and blessing commended her. The comfort was received, but the consolation could not save a shattered frame :-she drooped for a few weeks, -sunk, and died!

By her express desire, a journal of her own keeping, was forwarded, through a friend, to Eustace. He pressed the pledge of undying affection to his bosom; and, in a short period after its arrival, his spirit followed Laura's, in the full assurance of faith, into that world,

"Where virtuous friends shall meet;
Shall meet, to part no more;
And, with celestial welcome, greet,
On an immortal shore :

Where kindred minds, array'd in light,

High thoughts shall interchange;

Nor cease, with ever new delight,

On wings of love to range."

A PROVIDENTIAL JOURNEY;

OR,

THE TWO-BEDDED ROOM.

"Occurrences may be accidental, and contingent, with regard to us, who are not acquainted with the plan to be executed and developed; but they are not so with regard to Him who sees the end from the beginning, and worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."

JAY.

WHO has not read, or heard (with feelings of lively admiration,) of the hero of Preston Pans, the immortal Colonel Gardiner; and in his experience beheld a refutation of the antiquated notion, that religion cannot exist in the camp; or, that peculiar circumstances render eminent piety impossible? Like the pious commandant at Cesarea, and the Centurion, whose prayers and alms ascended as a memorial before the throne of the Eternal, he feared and obeyed God.

We are favoured to live at a period, when numbers who draw the sword for the protection of

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