ong, while Mrs. Grimes took refuge in a flood of
tears.

"I have but one cause of complaint against you all," said the
injured lady, "and it is this. A charge of so serious a nature
should never have been made a subject of common report without my
being offered a chance to defend myself. As for Mrs. Grimes, I can't
readily understand how she fell into the error she did. But she
never would have fallen into it if she had not been more willing to
think evil than good of her friends. I do not say this to hurt her;
but to state a truth that it may be well for her, and perhaps some
of the rest of us, to lay to heart. It is a serious thing to speak
evil of another, and should never be done except on the most
unequivocal evidence. It never occurred to me to say to Mrs. Grimes
that I would pay for the lawn; that I supposed she or any one else
would have inferred, when I said I would keep it."

A great deal was said by all parties, and many apologies were made.
Mrs. Grimes was particularly humble, and begged all present to
forgive and forget what was past. She knew, she said, that she was
apt to talk; it was a failing with her which she would try to
correct. But that she didn't mean to do any one harm.

As to the latter averment, it can be believed or not as suits every
one's fancy. All concerned in this affair felt that they had
received a lesson they would not soon forget. And we doubt not, that
some of our readers might lay it to heart with great advantage to
themselves and benefit to others.

THE HEIRESS.

KATE DARLINGTON was a belle and a beauty; and had, as might be
supposed, not a few admirers. Some were attracted by her person;
some by her winning manners, and not a few by the wealth of her
family. But though sweet Kate was both a belle and a beauty, she was
a shrewd, clear-seeing girl, and had far more penetration into
character than belles and beauties are generally thought to possess.
For the whole tribe of American dandies, with their disfiguring
moustaches and imperials, she had a most hearty contempt. Hair never
made up, with her, for the lack of brains.

But, as she was an heiress in expectancy, and moved in the most
fashionable society, and was, with all, a gay and sprightly girl,
Kate, as a natural consequence, drew around her the gilded moths of
society, not a few of whom got their wings scorched, on approaching
too near.

Many aspired to be lovers, and some, more ardent than the rest,
boldly