After All;

gushing glee , as they shook the spangling dew-drops from their silky plumage , and seemed to live in a new world . To one , however , this seemed to have a melancholy import ; he could not appropriate the exuberance of the atmosphere ; it seemed to be mocking him with others' immunit y from anxiety ancl disaster . This was no other than Mr . Phanewhoalthough exceedingly glad that his daughter was improving ,

, , was much troubled about his business prospects , which affected her happiness as well as his own . The tangled web of commerce had been too closely woven with his life , until his every action ancl motive tended only in one groove . Domestic affairs , pleasures , recreations , all things were saturated with the speculative calculations of business , until the straining monotony grew almost unbearable ; ancl now that a calamity seemed impending , after all his unwearied

exertions , it was heart-rending to think that the sickening toil of a lifetime should end in a disastrous failure . He had struggled ancl fought that he might have left his beloved daughter a handsome fortune , and have watched her prosperity in his old age ; and now she would be penniless . Hard , hard fate ! It nearly turned his brain to think of it ; ancl yet there was no escape ; disgrace was inevitable . So the bright morning beamed not for him but to

taunt him with the thought that he could not enjoy it . What were its beauties to him , viewed from the trembling brink of a precipice , with visions of a stony dungeon ? Better had it rained torrents from a leaden , relentless sky ! Better had his fate been learned from the fatal lightning flash , amid ' the reverberating roar of thunder ! Far , far better that all should , be ominously horrible than that the calm , bri ght clay should mock him with its gleeful prospects .

With weary steps and bent head he slowly walked towards his place of business ; a business he had caref all y built up and watched all his life . Many and many were the plans he had worked out on the same road , with painful calculation for the success of his designs ; aud now he was travelling towards it , perhaps for the last time , to watch it totter to ruins . What he had a short time ago considered a substantial fabric would soon be a crumbling memorya tarnished name ! While he thus wanderedrather than walkedhe was

over-, , taken by Arthur , whose exuberant spirit strangely contrasted with his own . " I thought I should catch you , " he said , cheerily . " You do not seem to be hurrying this bright morning ! " " One does not generally hurry to hear one ' s death sentence , " answered Mr . Phane , gloomily . " ComecomeMr . Phanemy dear father that is to beyou must not

, , , , despond like this . We have our little plans for defying misfortune , and there is hope yet . All is not lost ; it may even turn out upon investigation that our fears are perfectly groundless , Even if the worst come ( which is highly improbable , and , I trust , impossible ) we have health and strength—two bounties more than equal to any wealth—aud our own clear Olivia is better , too . Cheer up , sirall will be well ; at present all augurs for good . Cast away haunting

, suspicion for one clay , at least , and think of all your causes for happiness . I have just left my darling looking wonderfully better , happy , and cheerful , except that she is troubled with the shadow of your careworn looks ! " " I would I could look otherwise !"

" Try , my dear sir ; you must , for her sake . She is a real treasure , and we now thoroughly understand each other . You have a perfect angel for a daughter , sir' " said Arthur joyously , and endeavouring to raise Mr . Phane ' s spirits . " Thank you , thank you ; you are very good , Arthur , and I feel that I hardl y deserve it . You have clone me good , and I will endeavour to be more cheerful , and bear up against my misfortunes more like a man . " " That ' s right ; but do not give any hint to Mr . Bulliker . Let him suspect nothing , and to-ni ght we will clear up ( if we can ) the mvstery that seems