A Mason's Story.

" Ah ! hum ! " exclaimed Mr . Flowerby , dubiously , when he had perused it , " you want to see my photographs , do you , and go out with me some Sunday . Well , we'll see . Where d ' ye come from ? " Penrhyn explained that he was fresh from the North , and was anxious to see some of the beauties of the South , before leaving for India . " Come through this way , then , " said Mr . Flowerby , seizing his hand and

shaking it rapturously . " Why didn't you tell me before you were from the North ? I would have held out the hand of brotherly welcome to you sooner . I come from Leicestershire myself . I went up there only the other day , to record my vote in the general election for the Conservative members . I suppose , being at Lord Anglesea ' s , you are a Tory . " Penrhyn confessed that he was perfectly independent—that is , neither Whig , Radical , or Tory . " Then the sooner you become a Conservative the better , " said his new PtMpnrl

While he was speaking he had been turning over a portfolio of valuable photographic scenery , which had been taken b y himself on his sabbath excursions . These he gave Falconer to look over , ancl begged his acceptance of one or two of the largest and best . It was like thee , Flowerby , to part with thy best scenes . None but those who knew thee could ever know the true kindliness and worth of thy character . I was strung to bear the parting with thee , when I left thee ; God knowsthou wast the best friend that I ever had .

, It was on the following Sunday that I made Penrhyn Falconer ' s acquaintance . Henceforth a new life was opened up to us all . We were admirably fitted for each other , as we all had our peculiarities and eccentricities strongly developed . Penrhyn could not diminish any of my love for Charley Flowerby , but I found a niche in my heart for him , and the ties of a pure friendship bound us strongly together .

We went out on our expedition that spring afternoon , but we did not take any views . We enjoyed immensely a fifteen miles' ramble by Leigh , and Deane , and Sidloe , crossing and recrossing the sluggish river Mole , whose quicksand banks treacherously deceive many an unwary mortal . But I must not linger over that or any other pleasant days which in pleasant places we spent together . I was then a lonel y lad in a strange place ,

and the acquaintance formed with these two noble souls had a purifying influence on the whole of my after life . When we got to know each other better , Penrhyn confided to me the story of his love , and its consequent misery . I tried to console him , and to show him a path which I thought would be better for him , and give him a chance of winning the consent of Mary Morton ' s father . But it was in vain . Penrhyn ' s

mind was not yet fully alive to any religious influence , and I desisted . His time was not yet come . It was to come , however ; and in the meantime the best thing to do was to lead a consistent life , so that he , seeing others' good works , might become even as they . In the pleasant summer evenings we would roam together mid the forest paths , and Penhryn would quote poetry as we wandered on and on . I remember one piece , which he used to be very fond of . He copied it for me , and I often turn to it now . It is from Speed ' s " Marmaduke Clifford . " 1 used to think it applied to his case , and I was not wrong .

But wheresoe er he went the beauteous image Of Adeline would to his mind recur ; He walked in woods amidst high trees , whose grim age Mocked human patriarchs , and heard the stir Of their unnumbered leaves ; there in the dim age Of day , br at deep noon , he'd dream of her j He roamed alone ' midst nature ' s forest aisles , Or in her hilly galleries—the proud pile *