Mr. Wilton soon returned to say that Julia wished very much to go to the Springs, and Clara would like it, if it were perfectly agreeable to him, and her dear mother could spare her. "Dear child," continued Mr. Wilton, brushing a tear from his eye, 66 we do not know how to spare her a single week; but we will not be selfish: she needs some recreation. You may go, George, but keep a careful eye over your pretty sisters there. It is the haunt of fortunehunters."

George was not very much pleased to owe his father's consent to one whom he styled a pert little miss, who had unaccountably gained the ascendency over her doting father."

Everything was soon put into a regular train of preparation. George superintended all things-giving directions to the mantua-maker about sleeves, boddice-waists, and frills; very much to the amusement and annoyance of the village artiste.

Two hundred miles are nothing at all in these railroad times. "Everything in this country," says the American authoress of this narrative, "drives too fast. An impetus has been given that has sent us fifty years too far ahead." But to our story.

"This is a brilliant assemblage," said George, as he promenaded the ball-room of the - at Saratoga, with Julia

and Clara; "I am not ashamed of it."

“You often make use of that expression, George. Why should you be ashamed of your country or your countrymen?" asked Clara.

"I shall be ashamed of one of my countrywomen, if she chooses this time and place for a sermon."

They were interrupted by the approach of the Hon. Mr. G, a United States Senator, who had become acquainted with both the girls, when on a tour to the West the preceding summer. Julia introduced him to her

brother.

"Allow me to rob you of one of these ladies," said the honourable gentleman, offering his arm to Clara. She

modestly accepted it, and thus they promenaded the room until the dancing commenced.

The beautiful sisters attracted much attention. Julia was pronounced, by connoisseurs, a belle, the leading star of the season. Clara, from her animated conversation with the senator, and her decidedly intellectual physiognomy, was declared a blue. With a sensible man like Mr. G―, she was perfectly at ease. His conversation interested and amused her, and her own became animated and brilliant. Her countenance was as variable as her feelings, and ever a true index to them, the vivacity and spirit which now illuminated it, gave a new brilliancy to her eyes, and a finer glow to her complexion.

"That is the finest face that I ever saw," said an elderly gentleman to his friend; "who can it be?"

"You observe Mr. Gis the gentleman in attendance." "I did not observe it before. I must seek an introduction," said the first speaker, who was one distinguished among his countrymen.

Although Julia's beauty had at first attracted universal admiration, at the end of a week Clara was the centre of attraction. George was surprised to hear her now talking French with a foreign minister, perfectly self-possessed; then conversing, with the same simplicity and ease as she would have done with her father, with the gallant senator. "I might well say I did not know that girl," thought he. In spite of all his efforts to be distingué-his wines, gastronomic science, &c., &c., with the efficient aid of Monsieur Toupet at the toilet; poor George was obliged to owe his distinction and the attention he received to the beauty of one sister, and the talents and charming manners of the other. He had to submit to being constantly named as "the brother of the Misses Wilton." He was acting a part that sat ungracefully upon him, and made pretensions which everybody's pride resisted. Clara, on the contrary, was independent and original, without being conscious that she was so. She pleased, because she made the grave and the gay, the young and old, pleased with themselves. Her

object was not to attract attention, nor to compel admiration, but the same that it had been habitually at home-to make every one happy. Of course, those who approached her put on their holiday faces, and appeared to the best advantage. There was a truthfulness in her very nature that won confidence. She gave her opinions, when they were asked, with unshrinking moral courage, but obtruded them upon no one, and was ever the gentle but firm advocate of virtue and right principles. Vice stood abashed in her presence, and "felt how awful goodness is, and truth how lovely."

George paid but little attention to his sisters. They had found an excellent friend in an aunt of the Hon. Mr. G―, an elderly and very intelligent lady from the South, who took a truly maternal interest in them. Mr. Ghimself was constantly of the party, and rode, talked, walked, just as it suited their pleasure.

66

Girls," said George, one morning as they walked in the piazza of the hotel, "I have spent my last penny-I am literally sans argent. This Saratoga is a horrid bore after all, where one spends money terribly. Your purses, girls, if you have any to spare." The sisters handed them most readily; they had been scarcely touched.

'Pay our bill," said the straightforward Clara, "and let us go home immediately, George, if you have enough."

66

O, cannot we stay a little longer, Clara?" said Julia, eagerly; "I do not wish to leave yet."

دو

"Stay! to be sure we can," replied George; "and I have no idea of quitting yet. You must write home to the old gentleman for more money, Clara; you can get anything out of him."

"What shall I tell him you have done with the ample funds with which he supplied you?"

"Nothing; the old man knows there are ten thousand ways of disposing of the needful."

"I beg of you, George, to speak more respectfully of our kind father."

"Spare your eloquence for the Hon. Mr. G- -," said George, hastily quitting the room.

The next morning found George Wilton extremely ill, threatened with fever. He insisted upon going home immediately. As Saratoga was no place for them under these circumstances, they immediately consented. "But what shall we do?" said George; "I spent all your money last night at the billiard table. I came home somewhat oblivious, I believe; for I have a faint recollection of scolding and kicking Toupet, and the rascal has decamped with my watch, brooches, rings, and even my snuff-box." The girls looked at each other in consternation. Just at that moment a knock was heard at the door of George's room, where they were holding this consultation; a waiter handed a letter, saying it had been sent by express. It contained the melancholy intelligence that Mr. Wilton had been seized with a fit of apoplexy, and was in imminent danger. William had not yet returned. Mrs. Wilton and Mary begged the immediate presence of George and his sisters.

"What will our poor father do without his Clara?" exclaimed Julia, bursting into tears.

about

"We must start for home to-day, live or die, Clara," said George, “and you must go and consult Mr. Gthe readiest means of conveyance."

Poor Clara blushed, and for a moment hesitated. "It is no time for fastidiousness," said George.

"It is no time for reproaches," thought Clara, and went to ask for an interview with Mr. G- in the drawing-room.

With modest embarrassment, she asked his advice and assistance, candidly stating all the difficulties in which they were involved.

"My dear Miss Wilton," said Mr. G-," the pleasure I feel in being able to assist you in the slightest degree has one drawback; gratitude is not the only sentiment that wish to inspire in your heart. I am grieved to place you under the least obligation to me for a moment."

"You need not regret it, since I am not unwilling to incur such obligation."

"There spoke my noble Clara I thank you a thousand

times. And will you allow me to accompany you home? My carriage will be easier for poor George than any other conveyance."

Clara's heart throbbed, and she could only say, "O, sir, you are very kind."

“I would, Clara, that any other time had offered, rather than this, to urge my hopes and wishes. It seems almost cruel to improve this occasion; but your frankness and independence are such, as to leave no doubt on my mind that you will act freely. Will you, at no distant day, give me a legal claim to be your protector: You have known for some time how entirely my happiness is in your keeping."

Clara replied, her eyes filling with tears: "We shall soon see my dear father. I must hasten to tell George and Julia of your arrangements for our return."

George's illness increased every hour, until at length, when they reached home, he was in a violent fever, attended by most alarming symptoms.

Although Mr. Wilton had apparently nearly recovered his bodily health, his mind was hopelessly impaired, and it was deemed imprudent to mention George's illness in his presence. He was delighted to see his darling Clara again, and wondered at her frequent absences, while she was in her brother's room, ministering to his comfort. He seemed, indeed, to have forgotten his son's return from Europe, for now he never spoke of him.

Mr. G———— left the village soon after seeing the family reunited. Although Mr. Wilton was in such a state as to be entirely oblivious to many things, his mind was not altogether deranged. To the proposal of Mr. G, he yielded a pleased consent, saying his beloved Clara would do honour to any station. It was affecting to hear him, at the same time, solemnly commit her to his care, as if she were still a little child, imploring him to be gentle and kind to the helpless lamb that he spared from his own bosom.

George, whose constitution had been injured by excess in the luxuries of the table, continued alarmingly ill, and he was himself entirely hopeless of recovery. Julia had