Mildred: An Autumn Romance.

The General , thinking the attractions of Lady Ida have something to do with his son ' s disappearance , takes little heed of his departure , and Mannaduke is soon by Mildred's side turning over her music . The keen eyes of many of the guests are upon them , and Marmaduke finds but small opportunity of making his peace with her . One observation , however , is caught by Miss Bethune , who chanced to pass by the grand piano to speak to her old friend , Mrs . S p inks ; it was this : —

" Did you receive my letter , Mildred , a long time ago ? " " I did . " " Well , I have never altered ; have yon ? " " I never change . "

Whether the General saw anything he did not like as he entered the drawingroom with the other gentlemen , it would be difficult to say , but it made him resolve that night to press his son upon what was nearest his heart . Accordingly , when the guests had all gone , he asked Mannaduke into his study , and entered into a long and prolix list of reasons why his son should marry—the advantages which would accrue from his doing so , and the handsome competence he was willing to settle upon him if he married according to his wisheshinting at the

, same time that Lady Ida was of all young ladies the most desirable . " But Lady Ida Glenorne would not marry me if I asked her , father . " - " How do you know until you have tried ? " " Well , I don't want to marry her . " " Your affections are not otherwise engaged , I suppose , young man ? " the General said , uuth a scrutinizing glance and in a slightly satirical tone .

Without heeding his father ' s question , the young soldier , who waxed a shade or two paler , and who after a moment ' s silence seemed to have come to some sudden resolve , merely replied in the weary tone which was so habitual to him now , " I coidd not marry Lady Ida if I would . " " And why ?" " Because I am married alread y I "

Marmaduke never forgot the angry pallor which came over his father ' s face when he said these words , but he was resolved that the truth should be told at last , and he told it . ( To be continued . )

The Early History And Antiquities Of Freemasonry.*

THE EARLY HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF FREEMASONRY . *

REVIEWS .

r PHE more we see of Bro . Fort ' s Book , the more we like it , the more we appreciate its -f- worth and reality . For though here and there it is just possible that we do not quite coincide with its able author in the views he propounds and the conclusions he arrives at , yet , as even these divergences of opinion are few and far between , we feel strongly what a debt of gratitude all Masonic Students owe to Bro . Fort's remarkable publication . AYe have ourselves laboured in the dust y " high-waj 7 s ancl by-u ays " of Masonic archfoology ; we have collated anxiously , and studied diligently , and read much , ancl we know well what were , what are still the difficulties of Masonic research , and what a