MRS.

BELL ONE DAY, taking a pensive afternoon stroll along one of the many bridle-paths which wind among the shady groves in the neighbourhood of Taloo, I was startled by a sunny apparition.

It was that of a beautiful young Englishwoman, charmingly dressed, and mounted upon a spirited little white pony.

Switching a green branch, she came cantering toward me.
I looked round to see whether I could possibly be in Polynesia.

There were the palm-trees; but how to account for the lady?
Stepping to one side as the apparition drew near, I made a polite obeisance.