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"Philosophy can hold an easy triumph over past and future misfortunes; but those which are present, triu difference in personal appearance was presented by the cousins, as they stood together Florence, though soer, was taller by several inches, and her noble and erect carriage, in connection with the haughty manner in which her head was thrown back, added in effect to her height Her hair and eyes were brilliant black, the latter particularly thoughtful in their expression The forehead was not reht, but was unusually pro the eyes Thebeautifully toward the full dih intellectual, and artistically beautiful, was not prepossessing The expression was cold and haughty; and for this reason she had received the appellations of "Minerva" and "Juno," such being considered by her fellow-pupils as singularly appropriate

Mary, on the contrary, was slight and drooping, and her sweet, earnest countenance, elicited the love of the beholder, even before an intiht to view the beautiful traits of her truly airls, dia to each other with a strength of affection only to be explained by that strongest of all ties, early association

Florence broke the seal of her letter, and Mary walked to theIt looked out on a narrow street, through which drays rattled noisily, and occasional passengers picked their way along itstheto pass dry-shod, when a low groan startled her; and turning quickly, she perceived Florence standing in the center of the roorown very pale, and the large eyes gleaely

"Oh! Florry, what is the matter? Is your father ill--dead--tell ly she clasped her hands

Florence made a powerful effort, and spoke, in her usual tone: "I was foolish to give way to s, even for a moment--my father is well" She paused, and then added, as if painfully, "But, oh! he is alh she could not co

"Yes, Mary, he has been very unfortunate in his speculations, obliged to sell our plantation and negroes, and now, he says, 'a few paltry thousands only remain;' but, oh! that is not the worst; I wish it were, he has sold out everything, broken every tie, and will be here this evening on his way to Texas He writes that I ht"