PAGE. I. Beulah Benton and the Orphan Asylum II. Beulah and Lilian in the Woods V. Beulah wearied and miserable VI. Beulah visits Mrs. Grayson-Death of Lilian VII. Beulah has Brain-fever-Dr. Hartwell watches over her VIII. Beulah recovers-Her interview with Pauline-Beulah wishes to XIII. Beulah's figure-Impenetrable reserve of the doctor - Beulah XV. Beulah reflects-Goes to hear Sontag-Her delight-Meets Cor- nelia Graham-The Doctor excited XVI. Beulah graduates-Her address-Letter from Eugene-The doctor asks her to relinquish teaching-He leaves for New York XVII. Beulah visits her late happy home-Her emotion-Clara Saunders -Beulah loves the grand and beautiful-taken to task by Clara XVIII. The stricken City-Dr. Hartwell and his patients-Beulah and his icy manner-Watching Clara-The Doctor takes her for a ride XIX. Beulah invited to Dr. Asbury's-Intellectual society-pain at Dr. Hartwell's estrangement-Return of Eugene-His reproof- -Beulah's answer-The Doctor's late wife-Cornelia Graham XX. Beulah visits Cornelia-Miss Dupres haughty manner-Returns home-Meets her Guardian-Painful scene-Clara nerves her heart for the future-Her trust in God-Beulah sceptical XXI. One year ago-Beulah's parents-Cornelia Graham's invitation-- XXIII. Beulah becomes an Author-Her interview with a Publisher-She returns Hartwell's present-Her doubts-Pauline visits Beulah 214 XXIV. Childish memories-Beulah at Church-Pauline and Beulah at XXV. Misses Asbury's young men-Antoinette's party-Beulah dis- gusted-Cornelia takes Eugene to task-Mrs. Asbury induces Georgia to dismiss Fred Vincent XXVI. The Bridal morn-Pauline's good-bye-Beulah reminds Eugene of his former resolutions-Nurses Kate Ellison XXVII. Beulah puzzled with systems-Clara asks her to sing something hopeful-Her loving appeal to look to Christ as her Redeemer XXVIII. Beulah visits the Asylum-The Matron's love for her and Eugene XXIX. Beulah visits Cornelia on her return-a mere wreck-Eugene's untruthful wife--Cornelia, her future-Black as midnight- Beulah cannot offer consolation to the dying Cornelia XXX. Cornelia-Her last requests-Leaves Beulah a legacy-Cornelia dying-Wretchedness of Scepticism-"Going out into a great XXXI. Beulah wearied-Her ambition for fame-Dr. Hartwell finds her in a nervous fever-He proposes and is again rejected—“ Chas- ing a painted spectre "-Parting XXXII. Beulah engages in discussion with Mr. Lindsay-Hartwell starts on his journey-Sends his portrait-Beulah's sorrow XXXIII. Eugene's unruly company-Thrown from a buggy-Beulah recog- XXXIV. Eugene desponding-His cold-hearted wife-He promises refor- mation-Philosophy-Lindsay wishes to criticise Beulah's writ- XXXV. The review - Beulah receives her reviewer coldly-His love- Beulah still mystified-Prays at last for light XXXVI. Eugene rises to fame-His fashionable wife-His child loves XXXVII. The Asburys going to Saratoga - Portrait of Guy Hartwell's wife-Her history-Mr. Lindsay again visits Beulah XXXVIII. Letter from Pauline-Her happiness-Beulah's reflections-The XXXIX. Beulah does not want to see Mr. Leonard-Visits her Guardian's residence-A wreck of its former grandeur-Claudia Grayson- Her pride-Her fall-Beulah's suggestion-Asbury's opposition 354 XL. Beulah longing to see her Guardian-Tries to play the Melodeon BEULAH. CHAPTER I. BEULAH BENTON AND THE ORPHAN ASYLUM. 66 JANUARY sun had passed the zenith, and the slanting rays flamed over the window-panes of a large brick building, bearing on its front in golden letters the inscription, 'Orphan Asylum." The structure was commodious, and surrounded by wide galleries, while the situation offered a silent tribute to the discretion and good sense of the board of managers, who selected the suburbs instead of the densely populated portion of the city. The whitewashed palings inclosed, as a front yard or lawn, rather more than an acre of ground, sown in grass and studded with trees, among which the shelled walks meandered gracefully. A long avenue of elms and poplars extended from the gate to the principal entrance, and imparted to the Asylum an imposing and venerable aspect. There was very little shrubbery, but here and there orange boughs bent beneath their load of golden fruitage, while the glossy foliage, stirred by the wind, trembled and glistened in the sunshine. Beyond the inclosure stretched the common, dotted with occasional clumps of pine and leafless oaks, through which glimpses of the city might be had. Building and grounds wore a quiet, peaceful, inviting look, singularly appropriate for the purpose designated by the inscription "Orphan Asylum," a haven for the desolate and miserable. The front door was closed, but upon the broad granite steps, where the sunlight lay warm and tempting, sat a trio of the inmates. In the foreground was a slight fairy form, "a wee winsome thing," with coral lips, and large, soft blue eyes, set in a frame of short, clustering golden curls. She looked about six years old, and was clad, like her companions, in canary-colored flannel dress and blue check apron. Lillian was the pet of the Asylum, and now her rosy cheek rested upon her tiny white palm, as though she wearied of the picture-book which lay at her feet. The figure beside her, was one whose marvellous beauty riveted the gaze of all who chanced to see her. The child could have been but a few months older than Lillian, yet the brilliant black eyes, the peculiar curve of the dimpled mouth, and long, dark ringlets, gave to the oval face a maturer and more piquant loveliness. The cast of Claudia's countenance bespoke her foreign parentage, and told of the warm, fierce Italian blood that glowed in her cheeks. There was fascinating grace in every movement, even in the easy indolence of her position, as she bent on one knee to curl Lilian's locks over her finger. On the upper step, in the rear of these two, sat a girl whose age could not have been very accurately guessed from her countenance, and whose features contrasted strangely with those of her companions. At a first casual glance, one thought her rather homely, nay, decidedly ugly; yet, to the curious physiognomist, this face presented greater attractions than either of the others. Reader, here paint you the portrait of that quiet little figure, whose history is contained in the following pages. A pair of large grey eyes set beneath an overhanging forehead, a boldly-projectingforehead, broad and smooth; a rather large but finely cut mouth, an irreproachable nose, of the order furthest removed from aquiline, and heavy black eyebrows, which, instead of arching, stretched straight across and nearly met. There was not a vestige of colour in her cheeks; face, neck, and hands wore a sickly pallor, and a mass of rippling, jetty hair, drawn smoothly over the temples, rendered this marble-like whiteness more apparent. Unlike the younger children, Beulah was busily sewing upon what seemed the counterpart of their aprons; and the sad expression of the countenance, the lips firmly compressed, as if to prevent the utterance of complaint showed that she had become acquainted with cares and sorrows, of which they were yet happily ignorant. Her eyes were bent down on her work, and the long, black lashes nearly touched her cold cheeks. "Sister Beulah, ought Claudy to say that?" cried Lillian, turning round and laying her hand upon the piece of sewing. 66 Say what, Lilly? I was not listening to you." "She said she hoped that largest robin redbreast would get drunk, and tumble down. He would be sure to bump some of his pretty bright feathers out, if he rolled over the shells two or three times," answered Lilly, pointing to a China-tree near where a flock of robins were eagerly chirping over the feast of berries. "Why, Claudy! how can you wish the poor little fellow such bad luck?" The dark, thoughtful eyes, full of deep meaning, rested on Claudia's radiant face. 66 Oh! you need not think I am a bear, or a hawk, ready to swallow the darling little beauty alive! I would not have him lose a feather for the world; but I should like the fun of seeing him stagger and wheel over and over, and tumble of the limb, so that I |