Forgotten Stories.

With some difficulty , and not without the aid of a conveyance from a neighbouring farmer , we brought our companions in safety to their father ' s door . We were , of course received with an invitation to remain under shelter till the weather

should clear up ; and of course we felt no reluctance to accept the offer . The house was very neatly furnished , principally by the care of the two young ladies ; but here again the diversity of their manners showed itself very plainly . The useful was produced by the labour of Emily ; the ornamental was the fruit of the leisure

hours of Matilda . The skill of the former was visible in the sofa-covers and the curtains ; but the latter had decorated the card racks , and painted the roses on the hand-screens . The neat little bookcases too , which contained their respective librariessuggested a similar remark . In

, that of the eldest we observed our native English worthies—Milton , Shakspeare , Dryden and Pope ; on the shelves of the sister reclined the more effeminate Italians , — Tasso , Ariosto , Metastatio , and Petrarch . It was a delightful thing to see two amiable

beings with tastes so widely different , yet with hearts so closely united . It is not to be wondered at that we paid a longer visit than we had originally intended . The conversation turned at one time , upon the late revolutions . Matilda was a terrible Radical , and spoke most enthusiastically of tyranny and

patriotism , the righteous cause , and the Holy Alliance ; Emily however , declined to join in commiseration or invective , and pleaded ignorance in excuse for her indifference . We fancy she was apprehensive of blundering against a stranger ' s political prejudices . However that may be

, Matilda sighed and talked , and Emily smiled and held her tongue . We believe the silence was the most judicious ; but we are sure the loquacity was the most interesting . We took up the newspaper . There was

an account of a young man who had gone out alone to the rescue of . a vessel in distress . The design had been utterly hopeless , and he had lost his life in the attempt . His fate struck our fair friends in very different lights . "He ought to have had a better fortune , " murmured Matilda ; " or more prudence , " added

Emily . " He must have been a hero , " said the first , — " or a madman , " rejoined the second , The storm now died away in the distance , and a tranquil evening approached . We set out on our return . The old gentleman with his daughtersaccompanied us a small

, part of the way . The scene around us was beautiful , the birds and the cattle seemed to be rejoicing in the return of the sunshine , and every herb and leaf had derived a brighter tint from the rain-drops with which it was spangled . As we lingered

for a few moments by the side of a beautiful piece of water , the mellowed sound of a flute was conveyed to us over its clear surface . The instrument was delightfully played , at such an hour , on such a spot , and with such companions , we could have

listened to it for ever . " That is George Mervyn , " said Morris to us . " How very clever he is ! " exclaimed Matilda ; " How very imprudent , " replied Emil y * "He will catch all the hearts in the place ! " said Sensibility , with a sigh ; "He will catch nothing but a cold ! " said Sense , with a shiver . We were reminded that our

companions were running the same risk , and we parted from them reluctantly . After this introduction we had many opportunities of seeing them ; we became every clay more pleased with the acquaintance , and looked forward with regret to the day on which we were finally to leave

so enchanting a neighbourhood . The preceding night it was discovered that the cottage of Mr . Lowrie was on fire . The destructive element was soon checked , and the alarm quieted ; but it produced a circumstance which illustrated , in a very

affecting manner , the observations we have been making . As the family were greatly beloved by all who knew them , every one used the most affectionate exertions in theiivbehalf . When the father had been brought safely from the . houseseveral

, hastened to the relief of the daughters . They were dressed and were descending the stairs . The eldest , who had behaved with great presence of mind , was supporting her sister , who trembled with agitation . " Take care of this box" said Emily ;—it

, contained her father ' s title-deeds . " For Heaven ' s sake preserve this locket ! " sobbed Matilda;—it was a miniature of her mother !