78 TRUE RICHES; OR,

*

‘“¢ Unreal—unsubstantial—Edward !”’ said Edith,
in reply to this. ‘Are states of mind unreal ?”

‘¢] have not always found them so,” was answéred.

‘Ts happiness, or misery, unreal? Oh, are they
not our most palpable realizations? It is not mere
wealth that is sought for as an end—that is not the
natural good for which the many are striving. Itis
the mental enjoyment that possession promises—the
state of mind that would be gained through gold as
ameans. Isit notso? Think.”

“* Yes—that i§ undoubtedly, the case.”

‘But, is it possible for money to give peace
and true enjoyment, if, in the spirit, even though
not in the letter, violence is done to the laws of
both God and man? Can ill-gotten gain produce
heavenly beatitudes ?—and there are none others.
The heart never grows truly warm and joyous ex-
cept when light from above streams through the
darkened vapours with which earth-fires have sur-
rounded it. Oh, my, husband! Turn yourself away
from this world’s false allurements,and seek with
me the true riches. Whatever may be your lot in
life—I care not how poor and hamble—I shall walk
erect and cheerful by Your side, if you have been
able to keep a conscience void of offence; but if
this be not so, and you bring to me gold and trea
sure without stint, my head will lie bowed upon my
bosom, and my heart throb,in low, grief-burdened
pulsations. False lights, bélieve me, Edward, are
hung out by the world, and#ffiey lure life’s mariner
on to dangerous coasts. Let us remain on a smooth
and sunny sea, while we can, and not tempt the
troubled and uncertain wave, unless duty requires