The Heir Of Bendersleigh; Or, The Freemason's Promise.

"lam sure you do Harriet , " continued Mr . Grainger ; " and I know you . will think that I am advising you for the . best . " " I do not understand you , Sir . " " In brief , then , the object of my visit here to day , is to convey a proposal to from friend Mr . Augustus Baker" said Mr .

you your , Grainger , emphasising deeply the word " friend , " and gazing as bespoke , full into Harriet ' s face , " a ' proposition , " continued he , " which I trust will lead to happy results to all of you . Mr . Baker , as you are aware , las succeeded to his property , and he is naturally anxious to settle in life ,. a desire which I need hardly say I have applauded . He has ' iven to understand that his

been a frequent visitor here , and I am g admiration for you is not altogether unknown to you . " Harriet , as tlie old man earnestly addressed her , bent her gaze upon the ground , but as she did so , it was plain that she was agitated by the strongest emotions . Her bosom heaved convulsively , as she tightly dasned her hands before her . but she 'did not attempt to interrupt

Mr . Grainger . He , therefore , proceeded . " Do you hear me , Harriet ? " he said , mildly , " I would see you well and * happily married , and though I perceive , ' that what I thought was but an ordinary friendship , has grown into a feeling , which ,. as you see , can only produce . pain ; yet I find satisfaction in it too , because it may be ' the means of teaching you , how incapable we are of

judging of those things -which are for our own especial benefit . Mr . Baker is young and rich , Harriet , and through me he offers you : his hand and " fortune . " He paused , as he thus' abruptly arrived at the object of his visit , but Harriet made him no reply . . "You do not speak to . me , Harriet , " continued Mr . Grainger , gently taking her ( hand in his own . "Consider" said hehesitatingly'Uhat

, , , the offer that I have been empowered to make to you , is a most advantageous one . Why are you silent ?" "Alas ! Alas ! " exclaimed Harriet , again burying her face in her hands . . . . ..

"I cannot understand this agitation , Harriet , " said Mr . Grainger . "What : —what can it mean ?" "Can you ask me , Mr . Grainger ? " at length expressed Harriet . "Can you think or believe that I can receive such a . proposition as that which you have just mentioned with indifference ? Oh ! can you , Mr . Grainger , believe that I can calmly entertain it ?"

And as she bent her dark and swimming eyes ' . upon the old man beside her , there was something in them which made him pause . for a moment in his object , and an expression of indecision appeared upon Ms countenance . Only for an instant , however , for he rejoined ; " Consider , Harriet , the position you will attain . " "At the sacrifice of my happiness ? " she replied , sadly .

"With the security of happiness , if you would obtain it , " replied Mr . Grainger . : "But really , Mr . Grainger , " exclaimed Harriet , in a changed tone and rising from her seat , " really , Mr , Grainger , I know not whv I