almost the same number at a ruin about cave. Into this I descended with a light, two miles from Dahlieb, called Khurbet and found myself in a circular under: Semakha, where are also to be found the ground chamber one hundred feet in cir. remains of one of the eleven Jewish syoa. cumference, the roof supported by a rude gogues of old date which have been as yet column of the living rock. Loose stones discovered in the Holy Land. I unearthed now cover the floor to a depth of two feet; my roller, which now decorates what I but when they are cleared away, it will hope some day to call a lawn. It meas. give a height to the roof of about eight ures eight feet loog, two feet six ioches in feet, which can easily be increased if nec. diameter at the centre, but tapers to two essary. It had a second small opening feet at one end, and has four parallel rows uoder a rock at the opposite side, and of grooves. Each groove is about a foot near it what appeared to be a blocked-up long and two inches deep; they are a foot passage. This I had cleared out, and apart.

found that it led to a second smaller cav. It has been conjectured that these roll. ero very much choked with stones. A ers form some part of an olive-pressing dozen yards lower down I found the en. machinery; but I have failed in imagina- trance under a rock to a third cave, which, tion to construct a machine in which they I suspect, communicates with the other could be employed – though it is evident, two. They do not appear to have been from the remains of the olive-mills at Du- used as tombs, though the rocks have bil, that it was a great centre of an olive been hewo in places, especially at the oil industry. There are some prostrate entrances. In their immediate neighbor. stones there ten feet long, which were hood the field is strewn with tessere and evidently uprights, and which are perfo fragments of pottery and glass, and the rated with holes and carved with slots and natives tell me that if I dig, I shall find grooves, showing that they formed part remains. This has produced a disagree of a massive mechanism connected with able conflict of sentiment in my mind. the huge circular millstones in their imme. Regarded from a purely practical point diate vicinity; and in some instances the of view, I think it will pay better to rollers above described are near these. plant this field out in vines than to exca. But the most fortunate discovery — and vate in it. On the other hand, I feel I this was not made till the house was built bave already done a heathenish thing in – was an ancient cistern, which luckily building a house on the top of the foundadid not happen to be in the middle of the lions of one of the Byzantine period, withsitting.room, but just outside the back out examining them thoroughly. From wall, exactly where I should probably have the relics I found, my predecessor must had to build one. The use of the groove have been a man of wealth and position, in the stone floor of the back passage was or he never would have used such elabonow evident. It was to conduct the water rate wineglasses; and it may be that I am into this cistern, which had an opening, living, now on the top of something in. eighteen inches square, into the solid rock, teresting. But had I, as I was sorely and swelled out below into the shape of a tempted to do wben I found the carved bottle fifteen feet deep and eight feet in cornice, gone on digging, I should have diameter. As the rock from which it is turoed the site of my future house into a hewn is very hard, the ancients have saved pit, broken my contract with the builder, me from 20£ to 30£ in providing me with and had no place to come to this summer this reservoir, which I am enlarging, and - all which would have involved great shall have to cement, as the old cement, loss and inconvenience, on the chance of though still adhering to the sides in many contributing my mite to the existing colplaces, has of course become useless. It lections of Palestine antiquities. I conwas full of earth and débris to the brim; sole myself, therefore, by the reflection and in clearing it out I got much fine that these remains are relatively modern, mould, besides a great quantity of broken aod that the chance of there being a tripottery, and some stems and fragments of lingual stone with an inscription which glass vases, the rims of which were turned may throw light on the earlier religions of over and lined with silver - unfortunately mankind buried under my bedroom is ex. none of them perfect.

ceediogly remote. Rather than spend my In front of the house, about twenty substance in seeking for it, I will convert yards from the verandah; I observed a fig. what the ancieots have left me to practical tree growing out of a suspicious-looking purposes. There is a hole iwo feet deep hole, and on clearing away some bram- and two feet square hewn out of the solid bles, perceived that it led down into a rock near where I propose to build a

stable, which I will turn into a horse. I the thick green leafy screeo lay between trough. These caves shall become cel. the two. lars; the modern wines of Carmel shall There was no mistaking, however, the be stored away in its old tombs, the bot. age of the invisible speaker. Youth, tles packed neatly into loculi or stacked youth, was in every tone of the voice, in away io kokim, and the various vintages every word that fell on the listener's ears. allowed to mature in the sepulchres of a “Do not walk so slowly, Elise,” in fluent bygone race. I will put hogsheads into but unmistakable English-French. “Supe the caverns once occupied by hermits; the pose – just suppose that we should grottos of ascetics shall become store. miss the train." houses for the ruddy juice that maketh “Mademoiselle will have twenty mio. glad the heart of man; and the irony of utes to wait at tbe station, if not half an fate shall, through my instrumentality, hour." work its revenge upon the haunts of these An impatient exclamation from the first misguided anchorites. As for the evi. speaker; then silence for two or three dences of luxury that I come across, they minutes, whilst the three — the two womonly aggravate me. When I think of my en and the lonely man - pursued their Byzantine predecessor seated beneath way. marble porticos, drinking out of the most silence, broken then by something like exquisitely shaped flagoas of delicate blue a cry of despair. glass, golden and silver tipped, bis eye “ Elise, Elise! I have not brought my ranging over the same view that mine purse! Have you? No, don't shake does the same, and yet so different, your head, — feel in your pocket." with its hanging forests and terraced vine. “Mademoiselle, there is not the slight. yards, its columned temples, its teeming est use; I have no money with me. But population - and compare the mud-built there is plenty of time ; have I not just village, ruined terraces, naked hills, and told mademoiselle so? We will go back uopeopled valleys, with all this vanished to the convent." luxury and beauty, I don't want to find “Oh, is there indeed? Well, I will go, anything that reminds me of the contrast, but not you. I can run much more The future, not the past, seems to claim quickly. You walk slowly on towards the our energies and resources. When every station, and I will return." man, free from the tyranny of the unjust Almost involuntarily'the man, at the judge or the extortionate tax-gatherer, can first sound of the discussion, had put his sit in peace and happiness under his own hand in his pocket and drawn forth his vine and his own fig.tree, it will be time purse vague ideas foating through his enough to begin to excavate under them. mind; but as the young voice told its Meanwhile, be mine the task, however plan, and repeated, “You are sure, Elise, seebly, to labor for the restoration of this sure that there is plenty of time," he took land to its former condition of fruitfulness out his watch, and from it glanced to the and abundance.

small station, that a sudden dip in the
road disclosed to view beneath them
then backwards towards the white build.
ing, that he knew to be the convent of the

Sacré Cour.
From Blackwood's Magazine. "If her feet are as young as her voice,"
DOROTHY: AN INTERLUDE.

he thought, "she will do it easily.” And

so thinking, sighed, perhaps almost uoOf his own happiness is artisan."

consciously envying her her youth, and On one side a white glaring road, upon feeling hardly used, that his own should which the sun, early as it yet was, shone have slipped by; missing, in the swift burning down; on the other, a narrow retrospective glance, the brilliant gleams path by a sweet-scented bean.field, the of color that had lightened his path at morning dew still sparkling on the delicate times, and which made the surrounding blossoms, and between the two a tall di- blackness so much blacker ; failing ed. viding hedgerow, crowned with honey. tirely to acknowledge the justice of the suckle and wild roses.

law of compensation, the justice of that A man sauntering slowly along the law which gives us everything for which dusty road paused involuntarily as the we are willing to pay. sound of a voice disturbed his reverie. A few steps more brought him to the So close was it, that he looked up as if stile, which served as the narrow means almost expecting to see the speaker, but of communication between the road and

Man

what lay hidden from sight by the high straight on to where the two officials rose-crowned hedge, and, arrived at it, he stood by the already closing door. paused and looked over; but the sweet “Let me in," she cried. Then the door bean-flowers softly stirring in the early was thrown open, a hand, slender and breeze, the glittering dewdrops still upon brown, was held out and clasped hers, their leaves, were all that rewarded his and a second later she was in the carriage, hasty glance. Even Elise was hidden and an angry voice was pouring forth a from sight; or she had perhaps turned fierce list of broken rules and consequent back with her young mistress.

penalties, through the open windows, the He felt a sensation of disappointment, while the owner of the said voice was as he took his arms off the narrow wooden turning the key in the lock. But what bar, and resumed his walk. Apparently cared she? For the moment nothing Elise bad a little exaggerated the time to mattered, now that she was in the train, spare, io her eagerness to demonstrate safe so far, on her journey: she was right, or perhaps the watch to She leant out of the window, nodding which she had trusted did not coincide and smiling towards the platform, where with the clock which created time for the Elise, dusty and hot, stood watching the village of Trécour; anybow, when the receding train. man's slow steps had led him down the All the disagreeables were forgotten little steep hill, across the broad, unfre. the hot walk, the steep hill down which quented road, and he found himself stand. she had run so fleetly, whilst Elise stuming on the small, deserted platform, the bled on behind, grumbling loudly the massive hand on the clock above his head while. pointed already to a quarter past seven, And quite forgotten also the fact that and in five minutes the train would be she was not alone ; that the window out of due.

which she leant and nodded was usurped; He walked up and down several times, that its rightful owner, to whom she had always lengthening his walk, till no inter- so much cause to be grateful, was fain to vening building lay between him and the be content with other than the one he bill that led to the beao-field; but the bad chosen, or do without altogether. minutes slipped away one by one, and Her unconsciousness amused her fel. with the last a white puff of smoke came low-traveller; it fitted in, all unconsciously, round the sharp angle which seemed to with the preconceived opinion of her that cut off the railway line a few yards ahead, he had formed as he had listened to ber and the train moved slowly into the sta voice. tion.

She was just what he had pictured The one porter rang the bell, and called young, very young, perhaps not more than out to the passengers to take their seats sixteen. English, of course, that he had

-; then followed a long list of un- guessed ; not beautiful, but as pretty as iotelligible games, given in the voluble bright brown hair, and soft grey eyes, and French tongue, and the one passenger a mouth as full and red as a pomegranate, catching the word Sérizay, nodded lazily could make her. And, in addition, youth to the porter to unlock the door of the and innocent enthusiasm in every tone of carriage by which he found himself, his the voice, every movement of the slight head turned all the time towards the spot figure. Suddenly, as he watched and where, close at hand, on the sunny shad. speculated as to what especial form of owless hill, were visible two dark figures pleasure this day's outing tended, she - one running with fleet young footsteps, turned her head, and faced him with a with which the other strove in vain to keep look of blank despair. up.

"Monsieur," speaking so hurriedly that "Wait one minute," the solitary trav- he could scarcely follow her words, “what eller said to the station-master, standing shall I do? I never took a ticket!” by his side. " Yonder comes a lady who The movement of the train unsteadied is most anxious to catch this train." her, and he held out his hand, fearing she

The man paused, whistle in hand, to would fall, as she stood thus before him; tura in the direction whither he pointed, and as he did so, the sight of it recalled and even as he looked, through the dark the assistance he had before rendered narrow entry ran a slight girl's figure. her. She did not hesitate, though the slow “Tell me," she cried, sinking down into train, which called at every village between the seat opposite him, " what must I do?" Trécour and Sérizay, was already, though "Oh, it will be all right," he answered almost imperceptibly, in motion; but rao quietly. “Do not distress yourself. I

for

6

will speak to the station-master at Séri-edly, her eyes wandering over the small, zay."

dark head, where one or two grey hairs “ Thanks, a thousand thanks. How showed. “Not handsome," – slowly, – good of you! I was so afraid for the “no, not handsome, but possibly might moment that they might send me back. have been long ago when he was young." Do you know, Í have never travelled Then her reflections were cut short by alone before, and I have been most unfor. a pair of dark eyes suddenly meeting hers, tunate."

and the doubtful “I think” was changed “Yes,” he assented. "First, you left for a decided “I am sure he has been your purse behind; then - No," he handsome.” Thus sixteen epitomizing went on, "I am not Mephistopheles, you eight-and-thirty. A few minutes later, the need not look so startled. I was on the story of this sudden, unexpected holiday other side of the hedge when you found it was being told him. out."

“My uncle, Monsieur de Croye, is at She gave a low laugh.

Sérizay for two or three days, and he “How very amusing,” she answered, remembered I was at the convent at Tré. " that you should have met me again! cour, and has sent for me to spend to-day What a curious coincidence that you with him. And if I had missed the train, should have helped me twice! First, with as I so nearly did, and all through Elise's your hand; for, I am sure, if it had not obstinacy, I should not have been able to been for you, they would never have let go till three this afternoon: the whole me in. Did you hear that the porter kept day would have been lost." saying, 'No, no!' when I cried to get “And what are you going to do at Séri. in ?"

zay? It is not a very lively place." "I was not observing him, but he was “Oh, but moosieur, I don't think you very angry afterwards."

can know it, for indeed it is. And I will “Yes,” she laughed again.

tell you what I hope" - her voice fell a And then for one brief moment there little. “To-night there is a dance at the flashed through her mind all the lessons Casino, and I hope from something my she had received anent men. How men, aunt said in her leiter, that they are going. and, above all, strange men, were, as a If there is one thing I long for, it is to go race, to be avoided, and only spoken to, to a dance. I have never even seen one." even those whose antecedents were unim- Her eyes travelled past the man oppopeachable, when protective females were site towards the brilliant summer sunshine at hand, ready to turn aside the dangerous outside, and up to the clear, blue, early shaft which the stronger sex only sought morning sky overhead, her lips parting time and opportunity to let fly:

into a little smile at the joyful prospect But those men of whom, in her careless her words had conjured up. youth, she had received so many warn. But suddenly the eyes returned to his ings, were quite different from this one, face, the mind's flight was checked, those she decided confidently.

accents of despair that he had learnt to Those of whom she had heard as preju. know fell on his ears. dicial to the safety and happiness of girl. “ Elise had it," she cried. “Oh, I hood were young ihemselves, – blond and wonder what she did with it? Did you blue-eyed, stalwart and strong, rejoicing see? No, of course you were not looking in health and strength; such a one would out. I never thought of it for one mobe known afar off.

ment. It was my bag,” she went on in a But this man was very different; and more explanatory voice; "she was carry. she raised a pair of frank, grey eyes to ing it. On, what shall I do?" take note of his appearance, by way of "Surely she will send it after you. proving her carefulness.

You say there is another train at three." He whom she watched noted in a mo- " Yes,” despairingly; "but Elise is so ment the little check when, the anxiety stupid.” subsiding, she was enabled to review her Well, you must telegraph,” he said position, and was well aware of the feel. decidedly. “We shall arrive at Courville ing that had prompted it, or, at any rate, in five minutes, and you must send a made a good guess at it.

message from there." He drew a letter out of his pocket and A look of relief passed over her face. read it through, whilst his opposite neigh. He took out a pocket-book aod tore off a bor took a few brief notes.

sheet. “Not at all young!” That was the “ Have you a pencil?” he asked; and mental summing up. “Not at all,” decid. when she shook her head, he uofastened

a small gold pencil-case from his watchI in as few words as possible. At last she chain and held it out to her. She took lifted her head, a frown on her smooth it absently, unbuttoning her gloves, the white forehead. while her mind sought the right words in “If only Sister Clementine had been at which to frame her message; but at the home," she sighed, “it would have been sight of the little gold toy, the perplexity all right; she would have understood.” for the moment was banished.

Then her anxious glances encountered “ How very, very pretty!" she ex his, and, “It is really very important," she claimed.

said hesitatingly. His eyes following the direction of hers, And he understood, as well as if she noted the little pencil-case, made in the had explained it in words, that the bag form of an anchor.. “Yes," he said, “I contained the requisites for the possible have had it ever since I first went to ball. school. There is the anchor itself to rep- “Of course it is most important,” he resent hope; on its two points are en. assented, rousing himself and leaning for. graved the names of my sister and myself ward; “ but between us we will overcome - she gave it to me Louis and Cécile. all the difficulties. You write the mes. It is very small. I dare say you cannot sage, and I will get out at Courville, and make it out."

see that it goes.” “Oh, but I can — quite easily; and "It is very good of you;” but she was there is a cross engraved above for faith, thinking far more of the probabilities of and" - she paused, her eyes roving over the three o'clock train bringing her that the little ornameat for the third symbol of which she stood in need, than of the that of charity.

polite answer to his speech. “ The little piece of gold cord that fas. She wrote in silence for a moment, then tens it to my watch-chain is meant to rep handed him the slip of paper. resent love," he said, in answer to the “I don't think they can make any mis. inquiring look.

take; do you?” “Of course, the threefold cord that is

A very slight smile, so swift that it had not quickly broken. It is one of the pret. scarcely' time to lighten for a second the tiest things I ever saw. And you say gravity of his eyes, appeared, as he read your sister gave it to you when you first the words, – went to school. You must have taken “From Dorothy Vyse to Sister Jose. great care of it."

phine. Send my bag by Three train. “It was a long time ago ;." and he Very important.' smiled, but a moment afterwards sighed. “ Yes, Sister Josephine is the best per

“Yes,” she assented, “it must have son," she repeated meditatively. been."

is younger, and more likely to under. “I was ten, and she a little girl of eight stand.” - a very pretty little girl; and she gave “I think it is sure to be all right,” he me this because she was so unhappy at assented; you must make your uncle my going – we had never been separated send some one to meet the train, so that before. My father gave me a watch and you get it at once." chain by way of inaugurating my entrance “Yes, I might do that.” into life, and Cécile brought me this, her A moment later the train drew up at chief treasure, for my further adornment." Courville, and Miss Vyse was left alone

He smiled a little sadly as he spoke, whilst her fellow.traveller got out to send watching the pretty girlish face listening off the message. so interestedly, and brought his mind She stood at the window watching back from the past into which it had where he had vanished through the door strayed, with a little effort.

that led into the telegraph office, and the "It must be very pleasant to be two,” train was on the point of starting when he the girl remarked thoughtfully, fingering reappeared. Here," she called, as she the little ornament; "to have either a saw him glance up and down in uncer. brother or a sister. I have always wished tainty, and, guided by her fresh voice, he for one. But I am quite forgetting the made a few hasty steps towards where telegram,” begioning hastily to write. the brown head and slim young figure And a minute later her fellow.traveller awaited him. Then the door was noisily saw that he, his words, everything about slammed, and they were off again. him, was forgotten in the all-absorbing "I thought you were going to be left anxiety of striving to bring, home to behind this time," she said, laughing. Elise's mind the necessities of the case " Yes," he answered, “but we have

“She