EVERLEY.

"Our lives are rivers gliding free
To that unfathomed boundless sea,
The silent grave!

Thither all earthly pomp and boast
Roll to be swallowed up and lost
In one dark wave.

Thither the mighty torrents stray,
Thither the brook pursues its way,
And tinkling rill.

There all are equal. Side by side,
The poor man and the son of pride
Lie calm and still!"

LONGFELLOW.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY JOSEPH MASTERS AND CO.,

ALDERSGATE STREET.

EVERLEY.

CHAPTER I.

"Have the wild birds, and have not we a Guide?" HEMANS.

"OUR last evening together, Evelyn!"

"Oh! Georgy, don't speak of it. I have been trying so hard to forget it. What shall I do without you, Georgy ?" The speaker, a young girl of about seventeen, covered her face with her hands; her companion, who was apparently rather older, passed one arm round her waist, and said, as she kissed her forehead, "You will have your sisters, dearest Evy, they will be more to you than I have been, and then we shall write very often."

"My sisters," repeated Evelyn Falconer, gazing at the fire in a dreamy thoughtful way. "Yes, there will be Augusta and Mary, but I have not seen them for four years, and how can I tell what they may be like now ?"

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"You forget their letters," observed Georgina. "I have had very few," replied Evelyn. Only two from Augusta all the time, and about a dozen from Mary. It was mamma who used to write!"

B