"Mrs. Montague Mordaunt Mortimer's" note, a new theme, which Frank preferred to " teasing" his sister; and how fifty pleasant things occurred, which I have neither space nor time to relate to you, I am sure you can all imagine most distinctly. Tiny, a great favourite with every one, was their constant companion, and frisked and gambolled about as if quite unconscious that he was looked on by the world in general, and his intimates in particular, with very considerable respect. Frank no longer called ladies' dogs "stupid;' but expressed his opinion, that a large amount of canine intelligence sometimes dwelt in a very small amount of body. Susan accompanied the family to Hastings, and she too gained rosy cheeks. She was made the happiest of the happy, by learning thanks to the penny-post-that her father was sufficiently recovered to resume his usual work. There is one thing, however, I must not leave to your imagination; for I do not believe you would ever guess the exact manner in which the "horrid sovereign," after long idleness and strange adventures, resumed the lawful purposes of a coin of the realm. It was the morning of Helen's birthday, a bright morning in spring, and she woke betimes, for the birds carrolled gaily, and the sun shone in at her window. She had slept soundly, but still had a vague recollection that when 0 between sleeping and waking some one had entered her room. This had not alarmed her, for her dear mamma and aunt, or Susan, often came in after she had retired, to ascertain that her candle. was safely extinguished. But a surprise awaited her. On looking to her dressing-table, as was her custom, for the piece of gold which she had so long worn every day suspended round her neck, no trace of it was visible. But in its place, and fastened to the ribbon which had secured it, was a pretty Pearl Locket, containing a lock of her dear aunt's hair! a few words in pencil by its side explained the exchange, or Birthday Gift, whichever Helen pleased to consider it, and apprised her that before noon the next day, the "sovereign," so full of distressing recollections, would be paid away in the next market-town for some household commodities, and thus all clue to its future destiny intentionally lost. I will leave to my dear young Readers' imagination Helen's smiling, yet tearful acknowledgments for the locket, made precious for so many reasons, and bestowed with such kind and generous affection. Helen had many birthday gifts that morning to receive, but there was not one she so much valued as that of her dear aunt. It has been constantly worn ever since; and I am sure has answered every purpose for which Helen Beecham, with a right-minded selfdenial, had desired to wear the piece of gold; with this |