her undying spirit.

He returned home one evening earlier than usual, and going up to Cora,
threw something into her lap.

"That is for the bank, my singing-bird: it is a long time since I made a
deposit, is it not? Oh, Cora!" and Lewis's deep voice faltered as he
said it--"oh, Cora, if you knew how I dreaded to have you tell me that
it was all gone, when I had no more to give! What hours of misery I have
endured, my darling, since I came so near actual want! And you, my
noble-hearted wife, how bravely you gazed at the coming clouds--how
firmly you awaited the storm!"

"And has the storm ceased, Lewis?--is the sunshine returning?"

"There is a glimpse of it shining through the crevice, Cora, and I dare
hope for better times, even with no prospects. I feared this, dearest,
when my poor father sent me on the wide world with the slender sum I
placed in your hands. It must be all gone now; is not your drawer empty?
for, with your strict economy, it has lasted beyond my expectations."

Cora smiled, and brought a little chair to sit beside him. Fondly he
stroked her shining hair as she leaned her head against him, and all
sense of sorrow left his breast as this, his treasure, was so near.
Holding one little hand, he watched the arch smile upon those beautiful
lips.

"Tell me, rose-bud, how is your bank now? Have you not also dreaded to
mention its emptiness to your gloomy husband?"

"I have, indeed, Lewis; but there is something yet in the drawer, and I
shall not touch your present supply for a while, as I do not need it."

"You do not need it, Cora! Surely, dearest, you must have used all that
I gave you at first; it was not even sufficient for our wants till now;
for I have often wondered at your ingenuity in providing as you have.
You have not parted with anything you valued, Cora?"

She shook her head--

"Not at all. Do you miss any of my pet china, my silver, or my cherished
books?" asked she, laughingly.

"Then how is it, Cora, that you have managed so well?"

"Oh, I was blessed by the fairies at my birth, and am a successful
mesmerizer, too. I have the power of making you see more than is before
you."

"Let me see your account book, then, queen of spirits. I had no idea
that I had married a banshee. Where is your book?"

"I keep my own accounts, Mr. Lewis, so please you. This is a liberty I
will not allow." And Cora ran to her drawer and turned the key, thus
preventing the discovery of her labor of lo