Ten minutes later, Clancy marched proudly into the presence of his wife, and laid his turkey before her. [Illustration: “Mike.”] “Mike,” she said, “where did you get that turkey?” “Mike,” she said in a louder tone, “did you steal that turkey or beg it?” Mike did not reply to the calumnies of his wife. He was asleep. MUSIC HATH CHARMS. MUSIC HATH CHARMS. DANA D. WALLACE. [Illustrations by A. W. Stone.] They sat upon the wide piazza of the St. Sauveur hotel, gazing through the August twilight upon the extended purple of Frenchman’s Bay, the low-lying islands and erratic cliffs that have made Mt. Desert the Mecca of so many pleasure-seekers. “It is strange that we should have come here together!” exclaimed Grace Egerton, folding her wraps about her gracefully. “It is, indeed,” responded Ralph Leighton. “Of course, Grace, we rather hoped to meet you here; but you, George, who would have thought it!” “It was certainly a pleasant surprise to meet you,” answered George Wardsworth. “I must truly consider myself fortunate,” with an emphasis on the last word, as he glanced at the beautiful face of Grace Egerton. The glance was intercepted by Ralph, who was becoming annoyed at his friend’s earnest endeavors to be agreeable to his betrothed. It was with great pleasure that Ralph heard his sister’s voice asking George Wardsworth if the evening air wasn’t becoming a little chilly. Compelled to respond, George gallantly escorted her into the parlors. Drawing his chair closer, Ralph dwelt with loving words upon his favorite topic, their engagement. “And when that happy day shall come,” he said, “when our engagement is over and real love begins, do you think, Grace, that we will be happier? “No, Ralph; for it is already over.” “What! My God—not that, Grace: why, but yesterday you vowed you loved me!” “Yes,” she interrupted, her eyes seeking the ground. “You are right: one day ago I was yours, to-day I am another’s. Then I thought I knew what love was, but I find that I was ignorant of that passion. It is cruel,” she said, “but with my soul in sympathy with another’s, I could not be faithful to you, Ralph. Forget me, as unworthy of your love. I regret the pain I have caused you. But I”—— “Stop,” he cried. “It is true you never loved me. Oh! that I should be deceived by a woman’s love. Go, and may the curse”——but with an angry movement she was gone. With a muttered curse for George Wardsworth, whom he knew too well was to be Grace’s successful suitor, and almost maddened with grief, he strode down the gravel walk and was lost in the gathering night. An hour later he returned, haggard and broken-hearted; and with little wonder, for in a few short minutes all that earth held dear had been ruthlessly snatched from him. Yet not all: there was his sister, whom he loved so sincerely, she would be his one comfort in life; but ever before him lingered the vision of Grace Egerton’s lovely face.