After All;

£ hing will lie speedily cleared up and Olivia ' s convalescence continue favourably . She must not know that I attempted to save her from death , as I do not wish to claim her gratitude , but simply to know if the old , old love of long ago still exists for me . I had been asking her that very night , and she could not answer me , " said Arthur , bitterly . " M dear fellow , ' don't think that ; I am certain she loves you devotedly .

y But to-morrow you will be able to clear your character , and I shall do all in my power to repair the past wrongs I have done you , though that will never be fully possible , " returned . Mr . Phane , feelingly . A friendly grip of the hand was Arthur ' s only answer , as he prepared to depart , just as Olivia ' s nurse came down to announce a sudden improvement in the condition of her charge , who was now able to recognise those around

her , and talk with them . She had asked for Arthur , so he and her father immediately attended the welcome summons . Before entering they consulted as to the advisability of entering too suddenly . Mr . Phane went in first , and was immediately recognised with a cry of joy from Olivia . " I am so glad to see you , papa . I have been asleep so long . But where is dear Arthur ? I dreamt that he had been running after me , to save me

from falling down a precipice , or something horrible . Oh , no ! it was Merrisslope , the mad Merrisslope , who ran off with me . Ah , yes ; I remember it all now . Oh , it was fearful ! He took me up and ran off with me , and I believe I screamed . Then I thought I saw Arthur a long way behind , trying to get up to us , and after that I forgot everything until I felt something cold and choking me . How long since was it , and where have I been , and how did it

happen ? " she asked , eagerly . "Hush , hush , my child ; you must not ask now , " said her father , soothingly . " I remember , too , that night Arthur asked me to be his own sweet darling , and I wanted to say yes , but couldn't , " she went on , when Arthur opened the door and chimed in , "Ton did , my angel ; " and she exclaimed deli ghtedly , " My Arthur , " as he kissed her thin face , and her eyes sparkled with joy . "Bless you , my children , " said Mr . Phane reverently . ( To be continued . )

Literary Gossip.

LITERARY GOSSIP .

J lHERE is , this year , quite a deluge of Christmas literature . Annuals and numbers of magazines and journals swarm in the news-shops and on every extra bookstall : but while all are interesting and generally a propos of the season , we do not think the Christmas of 1881 will be remarkable for the popularity £ f the coloured presentation plates which it has called forth . " Mother ¦ U-ubbard , " painted by Mr . J . E . Millias from the same girl model which gave last

us year the much admired " Cherry Ripe , " is anything but as successful as its predecessor . A prominent London weekly summing up the Tuletide special issues now before the public , applies an adaptation from Longfellow ' s Psalm of Life , " slightly varied : "Tell me not in mournful Christmas numers . " The fact of the matter is , that quality has given place to quantity . The Christmas number of Harper ' s Magazine is , however , an excellent one ; ^ . perfect harmony in black and white , as far as illustrations go . The art splayed , and its engraving also , are simply superb ; while many of the