Cousin Ann.

I like to say all this , because , after it was all over , I felt pretty sure that Ann was in safe hands , and with one who could admire her , appreciate her , and advise her . One fine morning—I remember it as if it were but yesterday—my good old aunt took me into her snuggery , and telling me she had something to say to me , asked me to sit clown . I think I see her still , ivith her kind smile

and her little nervous way , and those friendly eyes , as if she felt the news she had to tell me might fry me somewhat . " Frank , " she said at last , "I think it best to let you know first of all that Ann is going to marry Mr . Maulevi-ier . She has asked me to tell you . It was settled yesterday . They are to be married immediately , ancl are to go to India soon after . "

How odd it is in life , the things we dread the most do not affect us as much as we feared ; while petty affairs , twopenny-halfpenny things , worry us ancl annoy us for clays . But as I was partly prepared for the news , I took it , as I thought , calmly ancl philosophically . I suppose , however , that I looked rather blank ancl miserable , for my good old relative went on at once to say ,

" You know , Frank , much as we love you ancl like you , we could nei'er have given our consent to the marriage of tivo cousins , ancl I believe Ann had quite come round to our opinion . As it could not have been , we hope that you will take it UOAV as we take it , as it is quite approved by us all , and that you will stay and make us all happy , for Ann , you know , is very fond of you , and wishes you particularly to be present at her marriage . "

What could I say or do , kind reader ? I never could quite understand why young ladies wish those whom they kiioiv to be somewhat upset by their marriage with , another , always to be present at their marriage ; but so it is ; let anyone explain it who can or will . It has always been to me a deep ancl striking mystery in female pysckology . However , I stayed and saAV Ann dul y married , gave her my present , and was warmly thanked .

Even at this hour her graceful appearance seems to me a picture from the old past ; so beautiful , so striking , ancl so affecting . It has gone with me through life ; I believe it will linger with me to the grave ! Poor Ann , who Avas married so happily ancl Avent off from her old home under cheery auspices , died in India , a young , fair wife , leaving her husband ancl her friends disconsolate . Indeed , I think the blow killed the old people at the Hall !

I have gone there since , but always unwillingly , for every room is full of "Ann . " Her own little boudoir , the "idle club" of glad clays , is still kept much as she left it , for the squire , her brother , like to us all , believes that there never was any one like her , ancl never will be again . One always expects to see Ann appear , to hear her silvery voice , to watch her merry smile ! But alas , no ! such things once are in the history of life , they are not , they disappear , they never return . !

The wife of my bosom who faces me , sedate ancl serene , comely and compact , pleasant and presentable , the best of friends and the truest of help-mates , is ancl has been all a man can desire . But I fear me ; yes , I fear me , that very often today , when I sit , surrounded by all the world calls happiness , such is the waywardness of the human will , such the perversity of the human heart , that my thoughts are farfar awayand overleaping intervening are lingering in

, , space , an old house with that fairest and best of creatures , with whom I communed so pleasantly in life ' s young morn , who was the ideal of my dreams ancl the guiding star of roving clays ; she who left us all too young—charming , capricious , loving , ancl lamented Cousin Ann .