"No, please don't take Miss Grey away just yet," Victor said, addressing himself straightway, and with eyes of unutterable cordiality and good-fellowship, to the poet. "I haven't spoken a word to her yet; and I have to go away soon." "I'll go with you to your sister, Mr. Blanchet," said Lucy, taking his arm forthwith. "I haven't seen her all the evening, and I want to talk to her very much." So Lucy swept away on Mr. Blanchet's arm, looking very fair, and _petite_, and pretty, as she held a bundle of her draperies in one hand, and glanced back, smiling and nodding, out of sheer good-nature, at Minola. Victor Heron sat down by Minola, and at once plunged into earnest talk. TRIED AND TRUE. Year after year we'll gather here, And pass the night in merry cheer. Through storm and war, o'er sea and land, We'll come each year to Neckar's strand: In war and storm, on land and sea, To this our pledge we'll faithful be, _And each to all be true_. So sang three students one March night-- Without the storm wind blew, Within were wine and warmth and light And three hearts brave and true. "To-morrow morn we all go hence," Said Wilhelm, speaking low. "For Emil fights for Fatherland, Franz o'er the sea doth go, "And I in Berlin, with my books, Will lead a scholar's life-- In toil, and war, and foreign land, We thus begin the strife." Three glasses then with Rhineland wine Unto the brim were filled, And to the sacred parting pledge Each heart responsive thrilled. Three years went by, and so the friends Unto their faith were true, And spent the night in merry song And lived the past year through. When came the fourth reunion night Without the March wind blew, Within were wine, and warmth, and light, And one heart brave and true. For Emil died for Fatherland, And Franz went down at sea-- In war and storm, in life and death, They said they'd faithful be: And so Wilhem three glasses filled. Of one he kissed the edge; Two shadow hands the others raised-- The friends had kept their pledge! SYLVESTER BAXTER. ABOUT CIGARETTES.