the point of death. The young prince was violently agitated at this unexpected intelligence, and Mary melted into tears. He was her father, although she had not the courage to pronounce the word.

"I have yet a sister!" said the prince, after he had somewhat collected himself, and pressing her to his breast, "Thou shalt soon learn that I am thy brother," he continued; " and thou, old man, shalt receive thy name and thy possessions again."

"Leave them to God!" interrupted the recluse. "The old lord of Rothegg is dead, and Brother Elias will leave his forest church no more. All he needs now, is a little sunshine and a grave. These be my inheritance here, and then, above, where I shall go earlier than you, I will prepare a place for you."

As he uttered these words, a sudden change seemed to pass over him. His features grew set and rigid, his eyes closed, a light shudder passed over his frame, and he stood leaning motionless against the altar. Brother Elias was no more!

"May we die like this patient martyr!" solemnly exclaimed the prince;" and may our last end be like his." And, taking the hand of Mary and Mornau, he led them from the church, lest grief might overpower them.

The remains of the recluse were laid in the grave which bore his name, and Mary and Mornau, whose future residence was at Rothegg, often visited it; and, after fifty years had gone by, surrounded by their children and grandchildren, often celebrated their singular nuptials in the Forest Church.

10

JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHT

JUDGES XI. 34, 35.

BY MISS S. C. EDGARTON.

FORTH from the flower-wreathed arches before

palace door,

Brave Jephthah's bright-eyed daughter the sward can dancing o'er;

Her fair hand struck the timbrel, her sweet voice raised

the song,

To welcome home her father with his victorious throng.

Her soft hair flowed in clusters of rich and wavy curls,She was the loveliest damsel mid her train of beauteous girls;

But the beauty of her spirit exceeding far outshone All the brightness, and the glory, o'er her outward being thrown.

The sun, in all his searchings o'er the spheres that round him move,

Meets with nothing half so glorious as a maiden's filial love;

And never felt a daughter affection more sublime,

Than this flower of Jephthah's bosom, in her beauty

and her prime.