may as well speak the
farewell which must be spoken--but I could endure my part, if I had the
hope that you will be happy. Will you promise me you will try to be?"

"No, Alice, I cannot promise you that; if happiness were in our own power,
I would not be looking on you, whom I have loved all my life, for the last
time.

"But I will hope," he continued, "you may be fortunate enough to forget and
be happy."

"Children," said Miss Janet--for she had gently approached them--"do you
know when and where happiness is to be found? When we have done all that
God has given us to do here; and in the heaven, above those stars that are
now looking down upon you. Look upon Alice, Walter, with the hope of
meeting again; and until then, let the remembrance of her beauty and her
love be ever about you. Let her hear of you as one who deserves the pure
affection of her young and trusting heart. You have lived as brother and
sister; part as such, and may the blessing of God be upon both of you
forever."

Walter took Alice in his arms, and kissed her cheek; all sternness and
pride had gone from his handsome face, but there was such a look of
hopeless sorrow there, as we would not willingly behold on the countenance
of one so young.

Cousin Janet led him away, and with words of solemn, deep affection, bade
him farewell--words that came again, for a time, unheeded and
unwelcomed--words that at the last brought hope and peace to a fainting
heart.

Cousin Janet returned to Alice, whose face lay hidden within her hands:
"Alice, darling," she said, "look up--God is here; forget your own grief,
and think of one who suffered, and who feels for all who, like Him, must
bear the burden of mortality. Think of your many blessings, and how
grateful you should feel for them; think of your mother, who for years wept
as you, I trust, may never weep; think of your kind uncle, who would die to
save you an hour's pain. Trust the future, with all its fears, to God, and
peace will come with the very effort to attain it."

"Oh, Cousin Janet," said Alice, "if Walter were not so lonely; he knows not
where he is going, nor what he is going to do."

"It is true," said Cousin Janet, weeping too; "but we can hope, and trust,
and pray. And now, my love, let us join your mother in her room; it is a
sad parting for her, too, for Walter is dear to us all."

* * * * *

Reader! have so many years passed away, that thou hast forgott