Not for an instant 'did she dream of accepting it, and she shrank shudderingly from widening the breach which already existed, by a refusal. Locking up the slip of paper in her workbox, she returned the watch to its case, and carefully retied the parcel. Long before, she had wrapped the purse in paper, and prevailed on Clara to give it to the doctor. He had received it without comment, but she could not return the watch in the same way, for Clara was now able to attend regularly to her school duties, and it was very uncertain when she would see him. Yet she felt comforted, for this gift assured her, that however coldly he chose to treat her when they met, he had not thrown her off entirely. With all her independence, she could not bear the thought of his utter alienation; and the consciousness of his remaining interest thrilled her heart with gladness.

CHAPTI R XXIII.

BEULAH BECOMES AN AUTHOR-HER INTERVIEW WITH A

PUBLISHER-SHE RETURNS HARTWELL'S PRESENT-HER DOUBTS-PAULINE VISITS BEULAH.

0

NE Saturday morning, some days subsequent to her visits to the Grahams, Beulah set off for the business part of the city. She was closely veiled, and carried under her shawl a thick roll of neatly written paper. A publishing house was the place of her destination; and as she was ushered into a small back room, to await the leisure of the gentleman she wished to see, she could not forbear smiling at the novelty of her position, and the audacity of the attempt she was about to make. There she sat, in the editor's sanctum, trying to quiet the tumultuous beating of her heart. Presently, a tall, spare man, with thin, cadaverous visage, entered, bowed, took a chair, and eyed her with a 'what-do-you-want' sort of expression. His grizzled hair was cut short, and stood up like bristles, and his keen blue eyes were by no means promising, in their cold glitter. Beulah threw off her veil, and said, with rather an unsteady voice: You are the editor of the magazine believe ?"

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published here, I

He bowed again, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his hands at the back of his head.

"I came to offer you an article for the magazine." She threw down the roll of paper on a chair.

Ah!-hem!-will you favour me with your name ?"

"Beulah Benton, sir. One altogether unknown to fame."

He contracted his eyes, coughed, and said, constrainedly: "Are you a subscriber ?"

"I am."

"What is the character of your manuscript ?" He took it up as he spoke, and glanced over the pages.

"You can determine that from a perusal. If the sketch suits you, I should like to become a regular contributor."

A gleam of sunshine strayed over his countenance, and the editor answered, very benignly:

"If the article meets with our approbation, we shall be very happy to afford you a medium of publication in our journal. Can we depend on your punctuality ?”

"I think so. What are your terms?" "Terms, madam? I supposed gratuitous," said he, very loftily.

that your contribution was

"Then you are most egregiously mistaken! What do you imagine induces me to write ?"

"Why, desire for fame, I suppose."

"Fame is rather unsatisfactory fare. I am poor, sir, and write to aid me in maintaining myself.'

"Are you dependent solely on your own exertions, madam ?" "Yes."

"I am sorry I cannot aid you; but now-a-days, there are plenty of authors, who write merely as a pastime, and we have as many contributions as we can well look over."

"I am to understand, then, that the magazine is supported altogether by gratuitous contributions ?" said Beulah, unable to repress a smile.

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Why, you see, authorship has become a sort of luxury,” was the hesitating reply.

"I think the last number of your magazine contained, among other articles in the 'editor's drawer,' an earnest appeal to southern authors to come to the rescue of southern periodicals ?"

"True, madam: southern intellect seems steeped in a lethargy, from which we are most faithfully endeavouring to arouse it."

"The article to which I allude, also animadverted severely upon the practice of southern authors patronizing northern publishing establishments ?"

"Most certainly, it treated the subject stringently." He moved uneasily.

I believe the subscription is the same as that of the northern periodicals ?"

A very cold bow was the only answer.

"I happen to know that northern magazines are not composed of gratuitous contributions; and it is no mystery why southern authors are driven to northern publishers. Southern periodicals are mediums only for those of elegant leisure, who can afford to write without remuneration. With the same subscription price, you

cannot pay for your articles. It is no marvel that, under such circumstances, we have no southern literature. Unluckily, I belong to the numerous class who have to look away from home for remuneration. Sir, I will not trouble you with my manuscript." Rising, she held out her hand for it; but the keen eyes had fallen upon a paragraph which seemed to interest the editor, and knitting his brows, he said, reluctantly:

"We have not been in the habit of paying for our articles, but I will look over this, and perhaps you can make it worth our while to pay you. The fact is, madam, we have more trash sent us than we can find room for; but if you can contribute anything of weight, why, it will make a difference of course. I did not recognize you at first, but I now remember that I heard your valedictory to the graduating class of the public schools. If we should conclude to pay you for regular contributions, we wish nothing said about it."

"Very well. If you like the manuscript, and decide to pay me, you can address me a note through the post-office. Should I write for the magazine, I particularly desire not to be known." She lowered her veil, and most politely he bowed her out. She was accustomed to spend a portion of each Saturday in practising duets with Georgia Asbury, and thither she now directed her steps. Unluckily, the parlor was full of visitors, and without seeing any of the family, she walked back into the music room. Here she felt perfectly at home, and closing the door, forgot everything but her music. Taking no heed of the lapse of time, she played piece after piece, until startled by the clear tones of the doctor's voice. She looked up, and saw him standing in the door which opened into the library, taking off his great-coat.

"Why, Beulah, that room is as cold as a Texas norther. What on earth are you doing there without a fire? Come in here, child, and warm your frozen digits. Where are those two harum-scarum specimens of mine ?”

"I believe they are still entertaining company, sir. The parlor was full when I came, and they know nothing of my being here." She sat down by the bright fire, and held her stiff fingers toward the glowing coals.

"Yes, confound their dear rattlepates; that is about the sumtotal of their cogitations." He drew up his chair, put his feet on the fender of the grate, and lighting his cigar, added:

"Is my spouse also in the parlor ?"

"I suppose so, sir."

"Time was, Beulah, when Saturday was the great day of preparation for all housekeepers. Bless my soul! My mother would just about as soon have thought of anticipating the discovery of the open Polar Sea, by a trip thither, as going out to visit on Saturday. Why, from my boyhood, Saturday has been synonymous with Scouring, window-washing, pastry-baking, stocking-darning, and numerous other venerable customs, which this age is rapidly

dispensing with. My wife had a lingering reverence for the duties of the day, and tried to excuse herself, but I suppose those pretty wax dolls of mine have coaxed her into 'receiving,' as they call it. Beulah, my wife is an exception, but the mass of married women, now-a-day, instead of being thorough housewives (as nature intended they should), are delicate, do-nothing, know-nothing, fine ladies. They have no duties. O tempora, O mores!" He paused to relight his cigar, and just then Georgia came in, dressed very richly. He tossed the taper into the grate, and exclaimed, as she threw her arms round his neck and kissed him :

"You pretty imp; what is to pay now? Here, Beulah has been sitting, nobody knows how long, in that frigid zone you call your music-room. What are you rigged out in all that finery for ?"

"We are going to dine out to-day, father. Beulah will excuse me, I know."

"Indeed! Dine where ?"

"Mrs. Delmont came round this morning to invite us to dine with some of her young friends from New Orleans."

"Oh, you are not expected, sir," laughed Georgia, brushing the grey locks from his ample forehead.

"Not expected, eh? Does your lady mother contemplate leaving me to discuss my dinner in doleful solitude ?"

"No, mother has gone with Mrs. Rallston to see about_some poor, starving family in the suburbs. She will be back soon, I dare say. Mrs. Delmont has sent her carriage, and Helen is waiting for me; so I must go. Beulah, I am very sorry, we have been cut out of our practising. Don't go home; stay with mother to-day, and when I come back we will have a glorious time. Can't you now? There's a darling."

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Oh, you wheedling, hypocritical madcap, take yourself off! Of course Beulah will try to endure the stupid talk of a poor old man, whose daughters are too fashionable to look after him, and whose wife is so extremely charitable that she forgets it begins at home.' Clear out, you trial of paternal patience!" He kissed her rosy lips, and she hurried away, protesting that she would much prefer remaining at home.

"Beulah, I gave Hartwell that parcel you intrusted to me. He looked just as if I had plunged him into a snow-bank, but said nothing."

"Thank you, sir."

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Oh, don't thank me for playing go-between. I don't relish any such work. It is very evident that you two have quarrelled. I would about as soon consult that poker, as ask Hartwell what is to pay. Now, child, what is the matter ?"

'Nothing new, sir. He has never forgiven me for turning teacher."

"Forgiven! Bless me, he is as spiteful as a Pequod."

Begging your pardon, Dr. Asbury, he is no such thing," cried Beulah, impetuously.

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Just what I might have expected. I am to understand, then, that you can abuse my partner sufficiently without any vituperative assistance from me?" He brushed the ashes from his cigar, and

looked at her quizzically.

"Sir, it pains me to hear him spoken of so lightly."

"Lightly! Upon my word I thought Indianic malice was rather a heavy charge. However, I can succeed better if you will allow"

"Don't jest, sir. Please say no more about him."

His face became instantly grave, and he answered earnestly:

Beulah, as a sincere friend, I would advise you not to alienate Hartwell. There are very few such men; I do not know his equal. He is interested in your welfare and happiness, and is the best friend you ever had or ever will have."

"I know it, and prize his friendship above all others."

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Then, why did you return that watch? If he wished you to wear it, why should you refuse? Mark me, he said nothing about it to me, but I saw the watch, with your name engraved on the case, at the jewelry store where I bought one just like it for Georgia. I surmised it was that same watch, when you intrusted the package to me."

"I was already greatly indebted to him, and did not wish to increase the obligation."

My child, under the circumstances, you were too fastidious. He was very much annoyed; though, as I told you before, he made no allusion to the subject."

Yes; I knew he would be, and I am very sorry, but could not think of accepting it."

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Oh, you are well matched, upon my word."

"What do you mean?"

"That you are both as proud as Lucifer, and as savage as heathens. Child, I don't see what is to become of you."

"Every soul is the star of its own destiny," answered Beulah. "Well, very sorry_destinies the majority make, I can tell you. Have you seen Mrs. Lockhart and Pauline ?"

"No. I was not aware that they were in the city."

"Lockhart's health is miserable. They are all at Hartwell's for a few weeks, I believe. Pauline has grown up a perfect Di Vernon beauty."

"I should like very much to see her. She is a generous noblesouled girl."

"Yes, I rather think she is. Hartwell said the other day, that Pauline was anxious to see you; and since I think of it, I believe he asked me to tell you of her arrival. Now, I will wager my head