the forehead, was braided in two thick braids and fastened in the neck; on the forehead, not remarkably high, could be seen when she was earnest in her work, those lines which are not yet wrinkles, but the traces of which were observable even when she was more quiet. The whole face indicated plainly that the seriousness of life had left its marks there.

Through the song of the lark in the air, and of the finch in the trees, the long-drawn, shrill whistle of the locomotive resounded from the distance. The lady made a few more quick strokes, closed her book, put it out of sight, resumed her hat, folded her arms, and seemed to wait quietly again.

A servant in brown livery stepped up to the driver who held the reins, and raising his hat with its black cockade, said to the lady-he called her "Miss "-"The train is signalled." He opened the carriage-door and made a movement as if to assist her to alight. But without turning towards him and with eyes fixed on vacancy, she said, "I shall not get out; bring Miss Korneck here." In the tone there was a commanding, perhaps also a vexed expression.

Louise Merz, that is the name of the owner of the carriage, awaited a friend of her younger days, with whom she had had the intimacy of school life, which is but rarely continued, but which was bere maintained with a devoted assiduity. It seemed as if the expected person induced already the restlessness which she always brought with her; for Louise stood up, then seated herself again; she seemed to be considering whether she ought not to alight from the carriage to greet her friend; but as she now observed that the depot-officials, who had stepped out on the platform, were looking at her, and even pointing her out to others, she became quiet again. The people should not notice that she had a friend of such an excitable mood, who would be sure to do something extraordinary, and in some way attract attention to herself. The whole country around should know that Louise Merz had settled herself in life and that she at least had a matronly deportment.

The horses must now be held by the bridle, for the train came rushing on. A white bandkerchief waved from a car of the sec

VOL. XLIV.-2

ond-class. The train stopped. A lady gave carefully into the arms of one of the attendants an infant closely wrapped up, and then herself alighted; she was of a slender figure, and gayly dressed; she nodded back towards the car, and forward to her waiting friend under the tree. There was a sprightliness in her movements, and she looked around into the faces of the people as if she were constantly asking if there was nothing to laugh about. Boxes and bags were quickly set upon the ground. The new-comer took again the closely-wrapped child in her arms -it seemed to be a young babe--and holding it carefully, she hastened towards her friend. The attendants followed with the baggage, and even the railroad-inspector carried a bag for her. He knew the traveller; her father had been his Captain.

As she stood by her friend's carriage, she exclaimed with a loud voice, "Louise, what do you say to this, that I have brought a baby with me?"

Before her astonished friend could reply, she unfolded the numerous wrappings, and out of them sprang a brown and white spaniel, shaking his long ears, as if just coming out of the water, and springing back and forth, looking up to his mistress, who however vouchsafed him not even a look, but amid the laughter of the bystanders, turning now to the Inspector and now to Louise, she cried :

"Is not that a nice child under ten years of age? Those railroad officers with their obstinate regulations would not allow me to take my well-bred friend Sheck into the cars with me. Now then! Tyranny makes men cunning! I disguised Sheck as an infant, and have had the gayest adventures with him. The custom, now prevalent, of letting houses to childless tenants only, has extended itself to the railroads. In several of the cars, where I would enter with my supposed child, the people called out to me very humanely, No room here!' and when at last indignant I found a seat, the women all wanted to see my veiled child; and a widower, still very presentable, to whom I must confess I had no husband, half made me an offer of marriage. Now, Mr. Inspector,and she turned towards him as he stood there laughing heartily-Mr. Inspector, I hope you

And as the dog, who might know he was the subject of conversation, now sprang upon his mistress, she turned to him saying, "Yes, you behaved very well; you have really as much sense as a human being."

The railroad employees and the travellers who had alighted here, stood around laughing; even the servants from the restaurant near by joined in, and the cook appeared at the door of the kitchen, looked at the group, then at her dress, which however did not permit her to leave her own domain. But the dog seemed to have a presentiment that there was a kind heart for him, for he suddenly disappeared.

In the midst of this merriment, Louise looked on exceedingly vexed. She begged them to hasten; this wanton jesting of her friend was very unpleasant to her. Trunks, bags and boxes were soon packed, and as they were about to leave, Sheck was missing. After repeated calls, he came from the kitchen, licking his lips, and looking back at his benefactress. He was soon placed in the carriage beside his mistress; the servants with difficulty restraining their laughter.

The carriage rolled away over the main road, while those remaining at the depot looked long after it; the Inspector informing those less familiar with the neighborhood who the two ladies were; the landlord and landlady completing the story-but yet they did not know all.

II.

THE DAUGHTER OF THE PARLIAMENT.

enthusiastic spirit, since they rejoined in a government which harmonized essentially with the general tendency of opinions.

Mr. Merz had scarcely had to contend with an opposition worthy the name, and he accepted the position so much the more readily as by nature he was not inclined to belong to an earnest opposition, but rejoiced to be able to be loyal, yet true to his principles. To be sure, it became difficult for him to leave his extensive manufacturing business, however faithful the agent employed, but be hoped through change of residence and new activities to conquer, and in time to forget the deep sorrow of his life; for he had, a short time before, lost his wife, with whom he had lived in a perfectly happy marriage.

In the hired house in the Capitol to which they removed, a comfortable home-life was soon arranged; over which the mother-inlaw, who accompanied her son and granddaughter, presided.

The public reports detailed no speeches of Mr. Merz, but so much the more effective and valuable were his labors in the committees; he worked with great zeal in those tasks which, like the foundation-walls of a building, do not appear in sight, but which sustain the whole edifice.

Half the day long sat the grandmother and Louise in the gallery reserved for the friends of the Deputies. The gentlemen below in the hall looked up often at the worthy matron and the beautiful maiden at her side, who in her mourning dress appeared still more attractive. Often also in the intermissions, or in the tedious roll-counting, one and another of the nearer friends among the Deputies came up into the gallery to the ladies, and entertained themselves with them. Louise was generally silent, but the many things which she heard formed a peculiar element in her inward life.

life.

When she came back again to the "Residence" in the fall with her father and grand

mother, and now no longer in mourning dress, she was greeted as a familiar acquaintance by many friends. Other Deputies had brought their wives and daughters with them, and a circle of their own was formed, which had this special charm, that not only peculiar natures out of all parts of the country found themselves here collected, but also that for months together they lived in an unfamiliar city with a peculiar domestic

life.

In the third year a fresh novelty was found. A school friend of Louise's, Maria von Korneck, had removed with her father to the Capitol. The two young girls had been friends at the academy without forming such a connexion as to retain the relation after separation. But now it was as if they had stood in the most intimate friendship; they had youthful remembrances in common; they had much to tell each other of their scattered companions; to recall to mind the pedantries of governesses, and also of that teacher in History with whom all the girls

were in love.

Just the opposite traits in the natures of the two maidens seemed to act as a fresh, attractive power. Marie had a somewhat soldier-like decisiveness; she was always ready in reply, and looked upon life as a gay sport. Louise on the contrary had something thoughtful in her character; she had no ready suggestions to make, no apt reply to give; she listened attentively and quietly, and if she then expressed herself, it was done in a well-ordered, decisive speech. The fathers also formed friendly relations with each other, and since a Liberal ministry was now in power, as whose support the party of Mr. Merz appeared, Major Korneck had no objection to associating in a friendly manner with a man of decidedly liberal opinions. Marie von Korneck entered quickly into the social pleasures of the "Residence;" she soon knew the best dancers, the most amusing old gentlemen; and the young Ensign Birkenstock, who was a distant relation and might address her as "cousin," was her ready admirer, and also showed himself devoted to her friend.

Louise was soon drawn in to the whirlpool of winter gayeties. To the Deputies and their families the saloons of the Ministers

and the first social circles were open. Through many a ball-room Louise and Marie walked arm in arm, attracting the gaze of many eyes.

There was much said about the suitors for Louise's hand; but she was equally friendly to all, and showed preference to none. She was an animating element in the gentlemen's circles, ready for argument and decided in her replies; not in vain had she listened to the debates in the Chamber of Deputies, taking part now with this speaker, now with that; she had recognized that she was deficient in independence in judgment, until the latter was well-formed.

An entirely new life opened before her, when with Marie she entered a school for painting, which a noted artist established exclusively for young girls. Marie understood well the drawing of human figures, but was particularly fond of making caricatures. In the studio, Marie took the lead in talking; she knew about all which was going on in the Residence, but especially in the military circles. But as if of itself, came the habit of looking upon Louise as the most judicious, and when her opinion was asked, she gave it with such profoundness and such a consideration of objections which might be made, that she, as with one accord, received the name of the "Daughter of the Parliament."

Marie was exceedingly gay and even jovial in her disposition, and especially so

with father Merz. The latter had resolved after the death of his wife to live exclusively for his child and the common concerns of his country, but already in this first winter, as Marie came daily to his house, he found such pleasure in the society of one who enlivened every hour, that he began to waver in his resolution. Marie, whom this inclination on the part of Mr. Merz did not escape, had nothing to object; she became even very confidential in her manner to him, while the Major deported himself towards his friend, as if he were constantly saying, "Why are you so timid, old boy? The business could be settled with two words."

For weeks long, Mr. Merz heard nothing of the debates which were held in the Deputy House; for he heard only the debates within himself, and these were so stormy, the

parties contended in such an unparliamentary manner, that the president, calm reason, must often call them to order.

Mr. Merz who wished to apply himself still more to political life, and who held it to be a duty for men in an independent position to devote themselves entirely to such a life, now sold his manufactory. He would have remained permanently in the Capitol, but by Louise's persuasion, he retired to a country-seat which he possessed in the moun tains. But in the very year after this, when he had just made himself perfectly free, in order to devote himself to political duties, he was not re-elected. After the first mortifica

He

Mr. Merz conquered his feelings, and repeated intentionally as well before Marie as before her father, his resolution of absolutely renouncing for himself any renewed participation in life, and that he expected nothing for himself except through Louise. hoped "that his child would soon find a husband who would know how to value this fulness of heart and soul, and these intellectual endowments." Louise also was frank enough to confess that she wished to marry; but year after year passed, she stood in friendly relations with the best men in the land, yet she remarked, at first in jest, then more in earnest, it seemed as if only the married men were sensible and straightforward; the single men she always found foppish or sentimental, and at last the believed that one and another only paid her their attentions on account of her expected wealth.

In the summer came a letter from Marie informing them of the death of her father, and that she now stood bereaved and alone in the world. Louise wished that her father should offer Marie a home in his house, but he, who otherwise never refused a desire of his child, now declined in the most decided manner. He maintained "that Louise by so close a connexion with her friend would surely acquire no real life of her own; she should not be without a certain longing desire to have a household, a home of her own;" thus he spoke, but also he had a secret aversion to Marie, which strange to sy, originated in his conquered inclination for her. Soon after, Marie wrote that she had determined to accompany an old lady friend on a journey.

honestly-it was not mere words-that there were so many capable men who could represent the interests of the country. He often said, one must obey the summons, but one must also be able to wait quietly when one is not summoned, till the time for it comes again.

Just then there came a change in political affairs, which, from his disposition, made it very desirable for him not to be forced to belong to the strong opposition party. For he was of no combative nature, which enjoys sharp contests; he loved to be at peace with all, of course only so far as this was compatible with his principles.

Now he could quietly await in his comfortable ark, the deluge which the chaos (so he believed) seemed to bring. The doves which brought him news of the condition of the waters outside, were the newspapers. With great avidity he read the reports of the action of the Chambers; he had striking, well-ordered, even eloquent replies in his head, which, alas, he could no longer deliver. He devoted himself with greater zeal to the affairs of the town and to agriculture, but he still experienced an emptiness in his life, and only hoped to revive his interest through Louise's marriage. But she had passed a quarter of a century, and now said openly that she had done with life as concerned herself, and should devote herself to the improvement of her small talents.

After travelling for several years, Marie was living with the old lady as companion in a garrison-city. When she had paid her first visit at the country-house of Mr. Merz and was alone with him, she quickly recognized what his trouble was, and said in her gayest

tone:

ON ONE'S OWN GROUNDS.

At a quick pace the carriage containing the two ladies drove along the road.

"Ah! how happy you are to call such a carriage your own!" exclaimed Marie. "It is not to be believed that one could look so dismal inside here, when one rides along in one's own carriage."

Louise knew well the constant struggles of her friend in her straitened circumstances, and she said to herself that Marie through her sportive humor made herself cheerfu! and almost independent in a really forlorn and dependent position. Marie may have guessed her friend's train of thought; for she declared that life after all is nothing but an idle puppet-show, and that the best way would be, to join gayly in the play; then related with great merriment the adventures she had had on the way.

Louise turned the conversation from this point, and inquired how she was situated with the lady with whom she now lived as companion.

"Ah!" exclaimed Marie, "she is always complaining to me about her former companions, and I am sure she complains about me to others. The noble lady is always wishing to be very much beloved, and wishes to pay very little money out! A broom and a duster crossed should form her coat-of. arms; for sweeping and dusting are the two great aims of her existence. Every evening her servant must tear inte bits an old newspaper; these bits she scatters in all the corners of the rooms in order the next day to be sure that every part has been swept."

"Still you must be very happy to have a vocation," said Louise, seeking to give another turn to the conversation.

No; do not be offended, but on the contrary you are too tame, I mean too cultivated."

"Too cultivated?"

"Yes, you have seen too much, thought too much. You see the deficiencies in every one, and then you think to yourself, "he does not want me; he wants my money.' With every new appearance there opens in you a parliamentary debate. You are the 'daughter of the Parliament.'"

66

Enough! Now you have said all; now I beg you speak no more on this point."

Louise spoke in a decided tone, and they rode on in silence for some time. They soon approached the farm-buildings which were at a short distance from the mansionhouse. The dogs began to bark; they noticed the new comer, and Sheck like his mistress was quick and ready in his reply. But Marie bade him not persist in having the last word, and he obeyed and became silent.

The carriage stopped before the steps of the house, and Mr. Merz came to bid Marie welcome; on the old gentleman's smoothly shaved face a slight flush appeared; perhaps he had not yet wholly overcome the feeling that he had once cherished a passing but conquered inclination for the friend of his daughter. Marie addressed him at once in her most sportive tone and he replied with friendliness.