men in the recess of Congress touch the secret springs of the great political machinery, to keep it in mɔtion, or haply to stop it altogether. St. Gerald should be up and doing, for now is the "tide" in his affairs, which "taken at the flood" may bear him on to fortune-aye, ultimately to the Presidential chair. St. Gerald should be active, stirring-for every day is destiny! But the young statesman is doing absolutely nothing. He is withering in inaction, because his bride is withering from his side.

Colonel Ashley perceives it all. And can he see the brilliant fortunes of his proud boy thus wrecked, if the sacrifice of Rosalie will help to avert the ruin? No, Rosalie! Only give yourself to Mark Sutherland, and coax him away to "parts unknown," to that "bourne whence no traveller returneth," if possi ble, and your uncle will smooth your path-he will try to persuade Clement Sutherland to forego his wrath and hate, and yield you up your own fortune-he will give you his blessing, and as much assistance of every kind as your independent spirit will permit you to accept.

Colonel Ashley, in fact, gave his full consent and approbation to the engagement of Mark Sutherland and Rosalie Vivian. He even joined Mr. Suther land in persuading Rosalie to fix an early day for the solemnization of the marriage.

And, having settled that matter to his satisfaction, he next sought his friend, Clement Sutherland, and, having informed him of the betrothal, entreated him to make some provision from the bride's fortune for the young couple, or at least to settle an annuity upon

her until she should be of age, and enter upon the possession of her property.

But Clement Sutherland was proof against all arguments and entreaties. He locked his grim jaws fast, and would yield not a cent or a kind word. At last Colonel Ashley left him in indignation and despair. He did not then know that hate and revenge were not the only reasons that constrained the guardian of Mark Sutherland's young bride to hold a death-grip upon her purse-strings. No one then suspected that the money-grasping passion of the man had tempted him into ruinous speculations and embezzlement of the orphan's funds. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof;" therefore, let them not dream it yet!

A week after this betrothal, Mr. Lauderdale arrived, to fulfil his engagement with the "sparkling" young widow. He was received with the utmost pleasure by his old friends and acquaintances, and welcomed with cordial hospitality by Colonel Ashley.

The next week witnessed two bridals. Mr. Lauderdale and Mrs. Vivian were married at Ashley Hall, by the pastor of the parish; and at the same time and place, by the same minister, Mark Sutherland and Rosalie Vivian were united in that bond that only death can sever.

The next day there were two departures: Mr. and Mrs. Lauderdale bade an affectionate adieu to their friends, and set out for their palace home in the South; and Mark Sutherland, and Rosalie, his wife, departed for their log cabin in the West.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE JOURNEY.

"If any two creatures grew into one,

They shall do more than the world has done;

Tho' each apart were never so weak,

Yet vainly thro' the world would you seek

For the knowledge and the might

Which, in such union, grew their right.”—Browning.

"ROSALIE, my own blessed wife, you spoke the truth, or, rather, you applied it fitly-out of the heart are the issues of life!' I feel and recognize it now. It is with far different emotions that I tread this deck, that bears us on to the great West, to those which oppressed and discouraged my soul two years ago. Then, dearest, I went forth alone, unloved, unloving; now your form hangs upon my arm, not an incumbrance, but a source of strength and joy. But, O Rosalie, how is it-how will it be with you? Can you love the wild West as you love your own sunny South ?"

"Westward the star of empire wends its way. Who can look upon the shores of this great river, and note the many thriving new villages, without joyfully perceiving that? The South is a beautiful, a luxuriant region, where, 'lapped in Elysium,' you may dream your soul away; but the West is a magnificently vigorous land, whose clarion voice summons you to action. The South might be illustrated by a beautiful epicurienne, like India-the West only by a vigorous young Titan, like".

"Whom?"

"Mark Sutherland!" answered Rosalie, with her eyes sparkling with delight.

They were standing upon the hurricane deck of the steamer Indian Queen, which was puffing and blowing its rapid course down the Ohio river. She was leaning on the arm of her husband; their heads were bare, the better to enjoy the freshness of the morning air; her eyes were sparkling, and her cheeks glowing with animation, and her sunny ringlets, blown back, floated on the breeze.

From their elevated site they commanded a view of both shores of the river, and turned their eyes alternately from the north to the south side.

"Does my dear Rosalie perceive any very remarkable difference in the aspect of these opposite shores ?" asked Mark, bending his serious gaze upon her.

"Yes! I notice that one shore is thickly studded with thriving villages and flourishing fields, while the other is a comparative wilderness, with here and there a plantation house, and at long intervals a stunted town. What can be the reason of this?"

"Have you not already surmised the reason?"

The thoughtful eyes of Rosalie roved slowly over the scene, and then raised and fixed their earnest gaze upon her husband's face, and she said—

"It is so. There is only one set of persons in the civilized world who are more unhappy than the negroes."

"And they are".

"Their masters."

"Yes Rosalie; and it is from among their number

that the first great successful reformer of the great evil must arise !"

"Why do you think so, Mark?"

"From fitness: we are unwilling to be taught our duty by an antagonist who reasons in partial ignorance of the facts, judges harshly and unjustly, and speaks not the truth in love so often as falsehood in hatred; and from analogy: all great successful reformers that the world has ever known, have arisennot from the outside, but from the very midst of the evil to be reformed. Martin Luther sprang, not from among the Illuminati, but from the bosom of the Roman Catholic Church and priesthood. Nay, Christ himself came not in clouds of glory, clothed with the majesty of Godhead from Heaven-he arose from the midst of the people whom he came to redeem. So, Rosalie, the apostle of liberty must arise in the South."

She had listened to his words with loving and reverent attention, and now she fixed her gaze upon his eyes, and said, with penetrating earnestness

"Mark Sutherland-Thou art the man!"

His very soul thrilled to her inspiring words and glance. He walked hastily from her side in agitation, but, soon returning, said

"Nay, Rosalie, nay; this mission is not for me. I hear no voice from heaven calling me to the work!"

"Have you listened? The voice of God speaks not often in thunder from Heaven. It is a 'still, small voice,' breathed from the depths of your spirit. "The word of God is within you.'"

He pressed his hand to his brow, throwing back the