great deal," he would affirm solemnly, "and pins. How
much pin-money had the princess royal? Put down fifteen thousand dollars
for hair-pins, black pins, white pins: what other pins do women use?"

"But," I would expostulate, "you must attend to this."

"And why?" he would ask, turning his fine melancholy eyes upon me.
"Don't tire me out, Floyd."

We were alone, although my mother and Helen were almost within hearing
on the balcony.

"I am willing to do everything for you, sir," I said, "but nevertheless
it seems to me that it is scarcely prudent for you to entrust me with
your duties. I am totally inexperienced; my knowledge of finance is the
mere mastery of figures; I am--"

"Look here, dear boy," said Mr. Floyd in a kind but weary voice: "I am
only trying to save you trouble. When I die you will take my place as
Helen's executor and trustee. It would be harder then for you to learn
the mystery of all these details by yourself. Now I am here to teach
you."

ELLEN W. OLNEY.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

TO THE RAINBOW.

O Iris! bringing balm for Summer's tears,
So lightly gliding down thy bridge of rose,
I know not why my spirit drinks repose
Soon as thy footfall the horizon nears.
Spellbound I watch the crimson-shaded piers
As arch by arch the blooming pathway grows,
And where the richest flush of color glows
I trace thy trailing garments. Sighs and fears
Have vanished: in one long and ardent gaze
Thy steps I follow down the heavenly slope.
Iris, be mine thy message! Let thy rays
Write out how I with destiny may cope.
Ah! spanned with light would be all coming days,
Could I but read thy oracle of hope.

FRANCES L. MACE.

THE PARIS EXPOSITION OF 1878.

III.--FINE ARTS.

It is the "Memorial Hall" of the Champ de Mars--the Gallery of Fine Arts
which there takes the place of the familiar building in Fairmount
Park--that has decided the really great success of the Exposition of
1878. The unanimous verdict of popular admiration was given at
Philadelphia to the machinery: in Paris it is as strongly pronounced in
favor of the fine arts. Paris is, indisputably, the capital of modern
art, and her title to this proud distinction is to-day confirmed by the
assembled peoples with all the solemnity and authority of a