"George, I can, now, only thank you for the lives of my sister and aunt," said he, taking Melville's hand.

His

Melville smiled upon Frederick-his answer. smile seemed to say, "Frederick, even life would have been well spent if yielded for such a cause."

"We must look this sad event sternly in its face, George. I am glad this occurred in Aurora, where our efforts to sympathize with you cannot be refused, or joined in. Dr. Bond, can Mr. Melville be removed to my father's residence?"

"Not at present, Frederick."

"I fear we shall have to force upon Mrs. Jewett what, to her, will be a burden," said Frederick.

"I require no urging," interposed Mrs. Jewett; "the very necessity would make the duty a pleasure, if, indeed, I owed nothing of sympathy, who have received so many proofs of kindness from your family, Mr. Mortimer."

"What can't be cured must be endured,"" said Frederick. "One thing is certain, George will be the gainer, now that he has lost his locomotion for a season. A better nurse than is Mrs. Jewett don't live in Aurora."

"You judge from hearsay, Frederick," said the lady in question.

"Public opinion, Mrs. Jewett," replied Fred. "Which often manufactures character to order," said Mrs. Jewett.

"This time, if I am a judge, my friend Melville found it ready made," said Frederick.

"Such as it is, he will have to abide by," said Mrs. Jewett. "There! is that more comfortable, Mr. Melville? Let me moisten the bandages once more.”

"Thank you, Mrs. Jewett," replied Melville. "Now he must have rest. No more talking,” said Dr. Bond, "I prohibit it."

That night, Bell, Mrs. Jewett, Frederick Mortimer, and Dr. Bond watched over George Melville.

Some days passed before the surgeon deemed it safe to remove Melville to Mr. Mortimer's house. It was done at the earliest moment practicable. Up to this time, both Bell and her brother had remained constantly at Mrs. Jewett's. If duty demanded this, the duty was certainly fully performed.

It was a clear star-light night, about a month subsequent to Melville's injury, that Bell and her brother Frederick might have been seen in the front parlor of their father's house, sitting upon a sofa drawn before a grate, full of glowing Scranton.

"How is George, Fred?" said Bell.

"Quite comfortable;" replied Fred. "Where did you obtain that beautiful bouquet, Bell?"

"From the Bk Nursery at Auburn," Fred. "Those flowers are welcomed up stairs. Bell, I want to ask you a home question. You need not answer it unless you choose."

"I have no secrets from my brother," replied Bell.

"Bell," continued Frederick; "has George Melville taken advantage of circumstances, to turn your gratitude into a warmer sentiment?"

"He has not, Frederick; but, forgive me brother, in not speaking this from my own impulse, his love is mine and it is reciprocated."

"When did he speak this Bell?"

"He has never spoken it, Frederick." "Never ?"

"He is too honorable to ask my heart as a proof

of gratitude."

"Are you engaged to each other?"

"We love, Frederick. This is mutual; but, no words have passed between us on the subject. If our lives are spared, George will become your brother, Fred. Trust me that he has not transcended the sphere of friendship in this matter."

"Well, and what of Mordaunt ?" asked Fred.

"Father can never have his wish gratified in his behalf," replied Bell.

"Suppose he demands that you marry Mordaunt." "My brother will shield his sister!"

"Suppose, if he dare not make such a demand, he does prohibit a union with Melville?" asked Fred.

"Then he will see his daughter droop and die"and Bell nestled her cheek in her brother's bosom.

The throbbing pulse, the contracted brow, the earnestness of truth, but no gathering tears, told Frederick Mortimer, that Bell's were not idle words. His sister's happiness was really at stake; perhaps her life. He knew his father and mother better than did Bell. He knew they were determined upon Bell's union with Mordaunt; and, while he felt that his father would never actually force Bell to his wishes, Bell could not marry another with his consent. As he informed Bell of this, he advised her to keep her own secret at present.

George must graduate and study a profession before you can be united. There is no necessity of borrowing trouble in advance. Again, Bell; if father and mother are informed of this, and oppose you for Mordaunt's advantage, they will make Mordaunt their confidant, and thus set a bitter enemy at work

to ruin George Melville. This must be prevented. If we can keep entirely this visit and accident from father and mother, it would be better. We will try to, and if they discover it by accident, they will set it down to our own fear of frightening them. They will not return until some time in March. How fortunate, Bell, I have never mentioned the affair in my Washington letters! But we must not forget our patient. Good night, Bell. I approve your choice. If that will bring sleep to your heavy eye-lids, I shall feel a conscience clear."

(We may as well here inform the reader of Hon. B. F. Mortimer's reëlection to Congress.)

"It will, dear brother! Call me, if necessary." Kissing her brother, Bell retired to her pillow, but not to sleep: a presentiment of coming evil "cast its shadow over her soul," making thought to glow with intensity.

The first week in April, Melville, accompanied by Frederick Mortimer, although yet unable to use his right limb, went by easy journeys to his home. His history, since January, detailed to Melville's parents by Frederick, caused a sensation indeed. But the battle had been fought and the wounded cared for. Sympathy and sorrow were rendered, therefore, unwelcome. The joy of Melville's parents at his preservation mingled with the pride which naturally would flow from such an exhibition of true courage and manhood. In reply to repeated queries from his father, George always insisted that he never knew when or how he had broken his leg. The only hypothesis he offered on the subject was, that after he had caught hold of the horse's mane, his right leg might have struck upon the road.

XXIV.

Commencement Day at Hamilton College-William Hastings-How a Clerk in New York City may obtain a Partnership.

"WELL, Tom, we are together once more, all safe within the precincts of 'Alma Mater.' Sincere thanks are due for all trials endured on my account. And you say my absence has been voted necessary by the august Faculty; so that in the August month I shall obtain my sheep-skin, in common with the class of 18-"

"Yes, George," replied Griswold, "but I have been a miserable dolt about everything else. I might have suspected you had broken your head or understanding, and were too proud to acknowledge it. A little exercise of mother wit might have excused me from college duty for the months of January, February and March, in attendance upon your broken leg."

"True; and then you would not have gained the honor of having become, late in life, a reading man," replied Melville. "There goes the chapel-bell! Excuse me to the professor, on the plea of indisposition to call upon him. I go to dream-land instead of recitation."

On the 27th of July, subsequent to the above con.