WOODCLIFF. BY HARRIET B. McKEEVER, AUTHOR OF "EDITH'S MINISTRY," "SUNSHINE," "FLOUNCED ROBE," ETC. PHILADELPHIA: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 1865. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN & SON. PRINTED BY SHERMAN & CO. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.--The Sea-Shore II.--A Ride on Horseback III.--Maddy's Triumph IV.--Too Proud to Bend V.--Youthful Visions VI.--A Scotch Matron VII.--The Cottage and the Hall VIII.--Boston Relatives IX.--Home Again X.--Sunshine at the Hall, Shadows at the Cottage XI.--A Mother's Life Sorrow XII.--Stars in the Night Season XIII.--Driftwood XIV.--Excelsior XV.--Strife XVI.--Rugged Hills for Weary Feet XVII.--Mirage, or Madeline after a Triumph XVIII.--The Early Dawn XIX.--"Auld Lang Syne" XX.--Out in the Light XXI.--Searching for Scottish Friends XXII.--Mist on the Mountain XXIII.--Graham Hall XXIV.--Wings Clipped that had Commenced to Soar XXV.--Parting from English Friends XXVI.--The First Link Lost and Found XXVII.--Hearts' Ease XXVIII.--Seaweed XXIX.--Beatitudes XXX.--Fellow Heirs of the Grace of Life XXXI.--Reunion WOODCLIFF. CHAPTER I. THE SEA-SHORE. It is a summer afternoon--the light fleecy clouds float lazily over the glowing landscape--the sun is shining brightly over the deep blue waves, gilding their crested foam with sparkling diamonds, and lighting up the golden hair of a little girl, who sits upon the beach, gazing out upon the wide-spread ocean. It is a graceful form which sits there, tapping her dainty little foot, and laying her hand caressingly, every now and then, upon the head of her favorite old dog, Hector. Her hat is thrown down by her side, and leaves uncovered a head of remarkable beauty: the deep blue eyes, fringed with their dark lashes, express a world of feeling; the delicately arched nostril and curved mouth betoken pride, but a troop of dimples is playing around that expressive feature, lighting up the whole face with arch humor; the transparent complexion, through which glows, in rosy tints, the feelings of her sensitive nature, lends its finishing touch of enchanting loveliness to the sweet picture; and, as the sea-breeze lifts the flowing ringlets which lie in such rich profusion around her shoulders, seldom could be seen such a revelation of bright and happy childhood as the young being who sits there, singing one of her favorite songs. A passer-by, who knows something of the thorny paths of life's pilgrimage, would scarce know which to do, to sigh or smile at the glimpse of such a beaming face; but the ever-changing expression and flitting color would be most likely to cause a sigh, as one might anticipate the discipline which such a spirit must taste in a rough and stormy world.