* * * * * =HOURS IN AUGUST.= =BY MRS. J. H. THOMAS.= Softly as the star-beam slideth From its halls of blue; Gently--gently as it glideth Lily bells into-- And, with kisses unimpassioned, Greets the vestal dew-- Falls this mellow August sunlight, Darling! upon you. Warmly through the bending branches,-- Through the slumbrous air-- Like a thought of joy it glances On thy forehead fair; Softly wreathing o’er the midnight Of thy shining hair, Till the gleam of starry pinions Seems to linger there. Sweetest eyes of softened splendor On me faintly beam; Lips most proud, and yet most tender, Move as in a dream; While our boat beneath the willows Sleeps upon the stream-- Moveless, save its idle rocking In the golden gleam. Hours of faint and drowsy sweetness ’Mid the silence go-- Idle hours, that care or fleetness Scarcely seem to know;-- Lightly rest! nor dream thou, darling, Of time’s onward flow, Till, upon yon wall of sapphire, Sunset banners glow. Then, from out the brooding silence, Softly will we glide Past the myriad happy islands Sleeping on the tide; Home with joy! though hours as golden Long must be denied, Clasping thus their haunting sweetness Naught we’ll ask beside. * * * * * =ANNIE.= =BY D. W. BARTLETT.= Her brow is very beautiful-- The lily’s spotless hue; Her eyes, which ever follow me, Are heaven’s own blue; Like rose-buds are her little lips, Her motions full of grace, And spiritually clear and fair Her innocent young face. Her smile is sunshine to my heart, Her silver voice a tune I always love to hear--her breath Like that of flowers in June; She is my first, my only child, And has no mother’s love To gather closely round her heart-- _She_ is in light above!