The Mason's Daughter.

Thy face , thy form , attraction win ; To covet thee scarce seems a sin ! Thy walk e'er shows a queenly grace , As Avell becomes a beauty ' s face . Nature and study both combined

To give all talent to thy mind ; Since past thy childhood thou hast groAvn , Thou dost not live for self alone .

Taught from above , inspired by Heaven , Thy hand sends forth the Gospel leaven , Converting souls from error ' s ways—The young rise up to chant thy praise . Lives of sinfulness UOAV cease

, The works of piety increase , Youths give to God their golden hours , For Avisdom ' s Avays , the paths of flowers . A spirit quiet , meek , thy robe , Thy praise increases o ' er the globe ,

Ancl thou shalt shine as stars most bright , Hig h in God ' s firmament of light ! A . G . S ., in Loomiss ' s Journal .

Dragoni's Daughter.

DRAGONI'S DAUGHTER .

BY MAKV 1 N HYDE . CHAPTER I , " Ho , comrades ! be merry men to-night ! By the mass ! this is right good wine ! A brimming goblet to the Count Dragoni ' s

beautiful daughter . " " Ay , Elena Dragoni , the fairest of highborn Venetian ladies ! " shouted a hundred voices ; aud a hundred banditti lifted a hundred drinking-cups to their lips , drained tbem to tbe lees of the flashing Avine , and

then dashed them clown upon the festal board . A rare banquetting hall Avas that of these Italian outlaAVS . Cut in the solid rock , with no sun ray penetrating its massive wallsbut hhted by antique lamps fed

, g Avith perfumed oil—a table standing its entire length , around which sturdy , athletic men , with heavy features , hair and beards of raven blackness , and clad in a wild , p icturesque costume , reclined in cirles , and partook freely of well-cooked viands and

ruby Avine mantling high in silver flagons that perchance bad once graced a noble's board , with golden goblets , and plate of every description , richly inlaid Avith precious stones—such Avas the apartment , iu the depths of an Italian forest , where the bandits held their revels .

" 'Tis time our chief was here ; he tarries long in the city to-night . The Virgin keep him from all harm ! " exclaimed the bandit who had first spoken , crossing himself . " Holy Mary grant that old Dragoni may not discover him ! "

" Never fear for Carlo Trevorra ! " exclaimed another . "Let me tell you , comrades , that our brave young captain fears not old Dragoni ' s eagle eyes , nor the prying emissaries of the Council of Ten ; nay , not even the deepest dungeon of the

accursed Inquisition—so long as Signora Elena ' s bright eyes are the stars that lure him to her side . Ay , brothers , " said the old man , and he smote his hand heavily on the board till the goblets rang loudly , " ay , for more than two score years has Martin Monadi been a free rover , yet never served he a braver chief than Carlo Trevorra ! ' '

" Ay , three cheers for our brave young captain ! " responded the first speaker , and again their shouts Avere echoed back from tbe cavern ' s Avails ; yet hardly had the shout died away , ere the shrill notes of a bugle rose on the air , peal following peal in quick succession .

" Ha , Carlo returned I" exclaimed the men , and quickly raising a trap-door , descended a flight of steps , and hastening along a subterranean passage , they cautiously unbolted a door cut in the rock , ancl crave the newcomer admittance .

" lis a wild night , said the bandit chief , lifting his beaver and shaking the rain-drops from its waving plume . " Are the men in ? " he inquired , as they proceeded along the passage . "Ay , signer , " was the response of the manAvho held the flaming torch to light

, Mm up tbe nai'roAv staircase . Giving bis rich velvet cloak to a page , the young captain flung himself on a couch before the blazing fire . Then he arose , advanced to the board , drained a cup of Avineancl paused before his menturning

, , a bold , handsome face full upon tbem . "What tidings from Venice , signor , " exclaimed tbe old man , Martin Monadi , who seemed privileged above all others