probably being satiated, and supposing him dead, had concealed the body until itself and cubs could feast thereon. Before mutual explanations could occur, or Seaforth thank his deliverer, the peculiar cry of a panther rang in their ears. Morris hurriedly conveyed Seaforth some distance from the spot, leaving Dick to support him; then, enjoining the latter to keep the dog quiet, and concealing the lantern, he hastened back. He procured a log, covered it up in the manner in which Seaforth had been found, and renewing the priming of his rifle, ascended a tree near at hand. Scarcely had he done so, when, by the dim light, he discovered a large panther a rod or two off, with two half-grown cubs. Leaving her cubs, and advancing a short distance, the panther reconnoitred; and finding, as she supposed, all correct, called her young, and prepared for a leap.

The eyes of the animal became at once as living coals. All the worst passions seemed aroused; and giving the usual cry, she bounded on the centre of the wood, making the bark fly in all directions with her knife-like fangs. As she discovered the trick that had been played on her, her rage knew no control, and she eagerly sought for the author of her disappointment. Morris, in endeavoring to secure a favorable position to fire, caught his knife in a twig, causing it to fall to the ground. The animal quickly seized the blade, grinding it between her teeth, determined on revenge; but she soon unloosed her hold in great agony. Looking up, she espied her enemy, and then rapidly

His life now depended

ascended the tree where he sat.

on his rifle. When within a short distance of her prey, the enraged beast paused, and shaking her gory head, bespattering him with blood, leaped toward him. As she did so, he fired. The fatal ball sped true. Without a groan,

she fell headlong to the ground.

As the shot reverberated through the woods, Rover sprang from his covert, and hastened to his master. The half-matured cubs gathered around their lifeless parent, and, on seeing the dog, both attacked him. A desperate fight ensued, the result of which for a time seemed doubtful; but Morris, joining the affray, effectually silenced one with the but-end of his rifle, while Rover killed the other.

Seaforth was conveyed, on a litter formed of boughs, homeward by Morris, and every care taken on reaching there to counteract the effects of the exposure, but without avail. He opened his whole heart to Morris, who deeply sympathized with his sorrows, and endeavored to divert his mind. The attending physician advising his return to ⚫ his home, Morris procured him a horse, and he departed

-not, however, until he was made sufficiently comfortable for the journey. The parting between Seaforth and the athletic pioneer was a source of grief to both, and the hope of again seeing each other was never realized. He never lived to repeat his obligations to his brother of the Order for his miraculous preservation from a horrid death.

While he progresses homeward with heartfelt acknowledgments toward his much-cherished brother, a glance at others that figure in this tale will not be amiss.

Morton, out of revenge, or to soothe his disappointment, had taken in partnership with him the man he had intended for the husband of his daughter. But the haughty and pompous millionaire, with his titles and his courtly breeding, in the end proved to be an impostor and a renegade, and adroitly managed to rob the house by forgery and otherwise of an immense amount of money; and, superadded to their other losses, some heavy reverses happening to them about the same period, caused the house to become irretrievably bankrupt. This was too severe a blow for Morton's pride. On the facts becoming known to him, he resorted to the cowardly alternative of self-destruction. Still relentless, he induced his wife to leave home for a few days; and when she returned to the family mansion, she found it in possession of strangers, and her husband consigned to a suicide's grave! Thus deprived of all she possessed, she at once left the city, and took up her abode with her son-in-law; at a time, too, when her careworn daughter needed a mother's presence. Seaforth loved her as a parent. His aunt had married in France, and apparently forgot both him and his.

Seaforth at length reached home, much enfeebled by his journey. But he was received by the open hearts and outstretched hands of his brothers. To his family, it was a source of joy. His business was soon closed up, leav

ing him only under obligation to his warm-hearted brothers. Their soothing and sympathetic hands sustained and comforted him amid the sorrows that settled on his mind. For months he lingered under the deceitful illusions of hope, which that fatal disease, consumption, is so well calculated to beget. Anon he would sink into despondency, and despair of life. But hope of restoration to health at length finally fled, and he prepared himself to die.

Now follow me into the presence of remorseless Death. Behold, on that sad couch, propped up with numerous pillows, reclines a dying brother! His sand is almost run. He is beyond all mortal aid, and the retiring physician has exhausted the last skilful alternative-alas! in vain. His eyes, although glassy with death, yet recognise the loved forms around him. His ears drink in the sound of wailing and of wo. See the tender and affectionate partner of his joys and sorrows, as she has thrown herself, disconsolate, convulsed with agony, across the form of her idolized husband; while he places his cold hands on the head of her and his darling boy, and silently invokes a blessing from his God to enable him to succor and protect his mother! Around him are his brothers - not in the worldly acceptation, but in the spirit and truth of OddFellowship. Mark the maternal fondness and anxious solicitude of his widowed parent, who, while supporting his aching brow, endeavors to prepare him for the abyss he is about to pass! He dreads not the trial, although

his mind seems troubled the thoughts of wife, and children, and mother, and what would be their destiny, alone disturb the calm serenity of his mind. How could he leave those beloved ones to the cold and scanty charities of a heartless world? How could he endure the thought of their poverty, and want, and sufferings, without a husband's and a father's hand to defend and to sustain them in their pilgrimage through life? How could he die in peace, while they must live to suffering and to sorrow?

In the midst of these moments of hopelessness and wo, angels of mercy approached him: they were the visiting. committee of the Order to which he belonged, and they came to administer succor and consolation in a dying hour. He faintly addresses one of his warm-hearted and sympathizing brothers; the others are too much affected to be his counsellors. Listen to what they say! it is well worthy of your serious consideration :—

"Brother Seaforth, I have noticed that something ye remains untold. Are you not willing to confide in us? Speak, brother, speak! and in behalf of our lodge, which, I fear, is soon to lose one of its most cherished members, your wishes shall be gratified. Is it that you fear to leave your wife and children without proper protectors? Fear not that the ample protection of the Order will be thrown around them."

"Brother Forrester, you have guessed aright. That alone makes me unhappy. Feeling as I do, that Death is about to claim me as his own, how can I leave my grief