9 JZSrSTE B1EIS.

to look upon the silvery garment gleamingamong the white furnishings of the bed, for shewas that very morning to have assisted in array-ing the bride in those robes of beauty. Her owncareful fingers had laid out all the bewilderingparaphernalia of the dressing-room-sash andgloves, and handkerchief and laces. Just in thatvery spot had she stood only yesterday, andtalking the while with Abbie; had altered aknot of ribbons, and given the ends a moregraceful droop, and just at that moment Abbiehad been summoned below stairs to see Mr.Foster-and now h'e was waiting down there,not for Abbie, but for the coffin and the grave,and Abbie was-- And here Ester gave a low,shuddering moan, and covered her eyes withher hands. Why had she come into that roomat all? And why was all this fearful timeallowed to come to Abbie ? Poor, poor Abbie,she had been so bright and so good, and Mr.Foster had been so entirely her guide-howcould she ever endure it ? Ester doubted muchwhether Abbie could ever bear to see her again,she had been so closely connected with all thesebright days, over which so fearful a pall hadfallen. It would be very natural if she shouldrefuse even to see her-and, indeed, Ester almosthoped she would. It seemed to her that thiswas a woe too deep to be spoken of or endured,