BACHELOR BIM,

OR THE MAGIC OF A LAUGH.

BY HATTIE.

You know her, do you? the bright-eyed, kindhearted, happy Fannie,-she, the light and joy of a wide circle of friends, who luxuriate in her loving smiles as in the sunshine of spring, who laugh because she laughs, and carol their sweet songs because she leads the way with her chirruping voice. O, you know her; I know you do. I can see it in the dimpling smile that sleeps within your cheek when I mention her name; the bewitching glance of your eye when I tell you of her.

She is always happy. She sees nothing in nature but gladness; nothing in its God but goodness; and blending these together in one sweet, harmonious whole, she worships with all the devotion of an innocent love.

Fannie was born in the spring, and whether or not the fact is to be attributed to such a birth time or not, it nevertheless is a fact that she delights in the spring time and beauties. As it advances, and its "ethereal mildness" wafts the sweet fragrance of wood and forest to her cottage home, she instinctively hies away to the home of the birds and flowers. She calls around her half a score of loved companions, and hand in hand romps with them in Nature's festival hall, tapestried with green leaves, bright blossoms, and budding vines.

They wander by brook and brae, and bind wreaths for their friends at home, whose avocation or ill health prevents them from being participants in their out-door sports.

Adventurous was the spirit of Fannie. She delighted to clamber over the rude rocks, and cast the bright glances of her eyes into nooks and crevices never before illumined by so fair a light. Nor was her limit the forest and field, as the sequel will show. There was an old, large, dilapidated building, situated about a quarter of a mile from Fannie's dwelling. The reputed owner was a bachelor, one of those creatures who are so fond of themselves that they desire no other companion-no warm heart to beat in unison with their own, no hand to press the aching