"Oh," said St. George, "I saw her this morning."

66

Aye, and you think once in the twenty-four hours quite often enough to see her, do you? But you don't seem in the humor to retaliate to-day. What is the matter?"

At these words St. George shuddered, and became pale. He knew that she alluded to his habit of bantering her about Wentworth, and when he suddenly recollected the fate of that young man, he felt a cold chill strike to his heart. But then, he thought to himself, I will communicate it to her in such a manner, as to render the shock as light as possible. Science is true, or it is not true; if this is true, she shall not feel the pain, that she otherwise would at such a horrible announce

ment.

"Well," continued Anne, "you are really the Knight of the rueful countenance, to-day! What in the world can be the matter?

"I ought to ask you that question," said St. George, "for you look dreadful.”

'Oh, I have a headache."

"I have a sovereign remedy for headache."

"And for low spirits?"

"Yes, a certain cure for low spirits also," he answered. “Then I can say unto thee, in scriptural language, Physician, heal thyself!'"

'Oh, it is not applicable to myself; but I really have a remedy for headache, low spirits, etc., in others."

"But do you really mean to say you have, in earnest.” "Most distinctly. Will you allow me to try it on you? "Well, yes-what must I do?"

Nothing, only sit still, do not think, and close your eyes." Oh, you are going to black my face, you did that once before," she cried, laughing.

"Upon my honor, I am serious," said St. George, placing

his hand upon her head; "now close your eyes, and compose your thoughts. "There! " he exclaimed, your headache is

gone!"

"So it is, I declare!" she cried in a tone of surprise; "Well, you are a wonderful doctor, and effect extraordinary expeditious cures !

"Stop! stop! I must now restore your spirits; you will soon be as light-hearted, as a nightingale singing. He bent down, and mingled his breath with hers, keeping his hand on her head, until a certain amount of the nervous energy possessed by him pervaded her whole system-" There!" he continued, passing his hand before her face, you are now become as joyous as if there was not such a thing as care or trouble in all this world."

"It is true!" she cried, "I never felt such a buoyancy of spirits in my life," and she laughed immoderately.

"You feel so happy," said St. George, himself elated at the success of his experiment," that nothing I could tell you, however gloomy, would depress your mind?"

"Psha!—there are plenty more lovers," she replied, laughing. "You would not mind it, were I to tell you, that you would never see him again?

"Not at all," she answered-"Can I not get them by dozens?"

"Well, Anne," he said, keeping his hand tightly pressed on her forehead," it is true-you will not see him again—but, you will feel no regret on that account-I will it."

"I know that—but what has happened him?"

"He is dead!

And strange to say, she did not express any regret at this startling announcement. To those who do not understand

the nature of the extraordinary science of Biology, or Pathetism, this will appear unnatural and absurd; to those who do understand that science, it will appear rational as well as credible.

"Wonderful science!" exclaimed St. George, mentally— "Well may I cry- Eureka! I have found it!" Then he continued aloud-" And now, Anne, what are you going to do for a sweet heart?"

"I don't know," she replied.

"Do you not know," he continued, passing his hand before her face, and mingling his breath with hers," that you have long loved me-and that I return your love ten-fold—that we have loved each other from childhood-answer-do you not know this?"

She blushed, and hung down her head.

"Speak!" continued St. George; "I will it!"

"Yes, I love you-have always loved you," she faltered. "And that we are betrothed," he added, "and that you

prize me above every thing else on earth."

“Oh, you know I do," she exclaimed passionately, clasping his hand; "my whole soul yearns towards you! I am yours now and forever," and she pulled him towards her by the hand. He sat down beside her, and clasped her in his arms. He became excited; how could he avoid becoming so—a woman in the deep bloom of female loveliness, was caressing him he felt her warm against his side-her heart throbbing against his-her arms encircling him round, and her eyes beaming fondly and passionately on his—it was in vain for him to resist. Unhallowed fires were kindled in his soul-his blood rushed madly through his veins-his pulses throbbed tumultuously, and his heart beat fast under the influence of the wild excitement that pervaded his whole frame.

"And you love me, Anne, with your whole soul," he said, "sweet one, you will love me more and more."

"Oh! is not this happiness!" she cried, clasping him still more tightly. 'Oh, to remain forever thus ! Oh! St. George, say you will never-never leave me-you will never desert me for another!"

"Never-never!" he whispered, pressing his lips to hers; passionately she returned the caress.

Unwinding her arms from his neck, he disengaged himself - from her embrace, and standing before her, with his hand extended towards her, he said,

"Anne, I am going to make you sleep. You will sit down on the sofa; now you feel an inclination to sleep you cannot shake off." As he said this, her head fell heavily to one side, and she closed her eyes. "Now sleep!" he cried, extending

his finger-"I will it !"

In the next moment the defenceless and innocent girl, lay extended on the sofa, wrapped in profound slumber, and at the mercy of a heartless and unprincipled villain. Yet by what strange means and unworthy agents does an Almighty Providence sometimes work his ends !

Just as his last command had been obeyed, and Anne Ashton had sank placidly to slumber, St. George imagined that he heard a slight noise outside. He started, and turning round suddenly beheld a face at the window, and a pair of eyes gazing through, and intently observing the whole transaction.

The face was that of Fergusson.

"Thank Heaven," muttered St. George, "I have been spared this piece of villainy! But yet it is annoying that that fellow should have discovered this! All right!" he continued, addressing Anne, who started from her slumber, and gazed round confusedly. "I have cured your headache-I

have brought back your spirits—I have given you an antidote against sorrow and now, Anne, good-bye-I must go!"

66

'Oh," cried Anne, "where have I been, or what have I been doing. Oh! such a strange dream as I have had !—but St. George, why do you go?"

"Retain those feelings!" cried the young man, passing his hand before her; "retain those feelings which you just now possessed, until I return again. Adieu!" and he rushed from the cottage leaving the young girl's mind a chaos of confusion, doubt, and mystery.