| eer a= anne a i a ieee SIN 1 eA eee | . D EA D LETTE RS. creasing gentleness. “All other claims against the estate | Even the reference to the household expenses was to re- | the sting consisted in the proof that the banker—the fine as f ‘ baie have been paid off; and, what is better still, Harry’s con- | mind her how utterly she was in his power. She felt that | gentleman who had selected her for his admirationdid Peeves ie Potts the Pinch eteeealateoe be BY M. EDESSA WYNNE. duct has not. been called in question. I shall, myself, | he believed, despite her indignant protest, that sooner or | not esteem her equal to the position of his wife. _ She be- | now strong within him, and at the first alarm he WAnO ——— make good Doctor Bazzard’s loss, as I have others. Not} later she would yield to him and to the circumstances | lieved that with elegant dress and improved opportunities | foot and among the most active in obeying th eet sof | Throw them down with quiet scorn a soul beside ourselves will know of Harry’s rashness.” | which surrounded her. Sie thought of Harry’s reputa- | she would soon have been able to compete with the ladies | his master . Veer ree oF Se grammy Say Neer and det case atlusions toher husband's mis: | "0, Heaven! was I not sad enough before?” sh | acho BG nom und Has ghoot halt ati Baik hefae ene of For file faith watch was her dae 1 ast ¢ ; sions to her hus S$ mis- “O, Heaven! was I not sad enoug ore?” she whis-| She had enjoyed many opportunities of studying these | the house mai startled | shrieki From her errant knight forsworn! conduct; yet she had to bear them, believing, as she did, | pered, lifting her pale face in appeal to the Power Su- | same ladies, trom her unnoticed position in Her little sew- | child Se ell 4 aA aaa tens tis PY eAtiie gic ay te Ss ; that Harry’s vagaries had been the result of some insid-}| preme over all—even the wickedness of His creature, | ing-chair, at the fashionable dress-maker’s where she was | the room, under he: impression “that aMiialy was il, | When this woman deemed you true ous of il and body. | Bpiderby meant art for | man. : j employed. She had copied their styles of dress in more | the house maid had found the boy sitting up in Nod and | Bovior atta poet’s'axk be eee mS and a ne HP eaieaen Fas out aaune gor we ee rere ran —, ee she had studied their manners, the | roaring with all the energy of his little lungs. His ‘little 43 : Hy é 2 ; a : or, in search of her sis- | tones i ices; i j ae i Could she take the two apart— the criticism of those who would have judged him less fa- | ter. p > Ss: mee i. ci ee voices; and had noticed the subjects of a ped ene ee bee pull, and were tugging at it Love your works, and not love you? vorably! How generously he had submitted tohisown| Katrine was softly playing and humming one of those Consider the passions at work in this girl’s breast! Three ‘Manin mamma!” Ke “eee eee se losses! es ; a airs which she had sung on Christinas day, when Alice of the strongest feelings which can urge a woman to des- *‘Hoity toity! young sir—here’s a noise,” and the girl your memory be long, You are very good! she said, earnestly. ‘‘Not one | came in, like a wild creature, rushing toward her andj peration. Disappointed love, mortified vanity, and intol- | turned angrily toward the nurse “Mercy on ant Surely you will not deny man in a thousand would have been as patient and con- dropping at her feet. ; érable jealousy. The habit of repression, of quiet endur- | look at me that way,”’ she added e , y ie : That you said with lip and eye, siderate. You are B real friend to my dead Harry and to “What is it, my own darling? asked Katy, much | ance, of modest shame, taught through all her life, was} Then the stiffened’ form, the fallen jaw, the cold, glar- 3 “Only you shall hear this song!” me, Mr. Spiderby. ; : alarmed, but thinking chiefly cf the business matters | not strong enough to hold this fierce trio well in hand. | ing eye, at once told the dreadful truth. a oa : Bis. eee, sad face upturned to his with such perfect aba she knew were to have been discussed that even- te some shape—could hardly fail to come of “Murder! MURDER! Fire! fire!’ shrieked the girl, and But the memories of man, ‘ i 5 . them. ‘ Sader ‘ ’ (Women know it to their cost,) ia oon apa tare be sunly, might nee. shrank from these The reply was @ burst of hysterical weeping. Little the banker dreamed how this poor girl, whom he hereeneta TO CANT wee: he ee eee: SO AONE Tn theid toll fox beead, akatoat eee; ~ X e - ee a ee as it was, | pow too Katrine went down on the floor beside her sister. would have spurned with his foot did not prudence prompt | _ To describe the scene that ensued, the bursting open of i a Laie precious to Spiderby. Notwithstanding an inward spasm Don’t be discouraged,” she said. ‘I’ve always felt | him to flatter her, dogged his footsteps at night, studied | doors, the questions, the strange appearance of guests ¥ pan. convulsed his heart, he could not deny him to look in| capable of earning my living, and I can earn yours, too. | his face. and his voice, when he came to her mother’s, set | and servants, the frenzy of Mincham, the clamor Would he aan i bibcaend aio einid be tras these eyes—to accept this woman's gratitude. His eager | It will be splendid! . y - little traps in seemingly innocent speeches, until she had | need more space than we can give in a@ narrative so rapid * ent y gaze lingered on hers so long that her own glance “It is not that,’ sobbed Alice. Sheraised her head, and | convinced herself wh . f Dba To your voluntary vows!” drooped. . a flood of color dyed her face.and frreat—the Wud of ee erself who was the lady he was. about to | and full of Sant as ours. Suffice to say, that everybody am ) . ‘ i : ( be : rr ) . was soon on foot, asti ressi ; ry Pe | : And her lack of pride allows “And now, will you tell me, is there anything left, Mr. | shame and anger. ‘Katy, he dared to speak to me of his At first, as was quite natural,she had suspected Miss | and went, guided ty the Gieeea ta ie Miley susthed be . Her to write such words to you! Spiderby ” “4 love, and Harry not four months in his grave!’ Bromley; but her sharpened observation enabled her to | eleven, which for years to come was to be gazed at with Pa og: There is not a dollar, Mrs. Glaston.”’ : It was a minute before the other comprehended this | correct the mistake very soon. horror in that house ; Clinging to the worthless dream “At least, assure me that I am free from debt!” __ | confession. ‘She stared at Alice in such a way that the Mrs. Glaston! He came out in a few minutes, pale, his teeth chatter Conjushl dp to Bilt youll the; “To every one but me. What is owing me, surely, will | blushing face went down in her hands. Aha! here was the motive which led to that dark drama, | ing, speechless, but with the sebkiee child in his arms i It hung so heavy. Ah! your rhyme oe on, poses br! CS apd ore: me e “Don’t niga me, Sass ae think word or look of | enacted by the flickering light of a candle, with one hid-| “Take this boy to your mistress,” he said, as soon as ani lees you what you nent ul T i tam . ow muc pan saved By abe of hie ie ee hoe cutee? oes as ba ae crouching in fear and horror in the shadows * sean bey oe i his voice; ‘‘the woman’s stone itt ; : i a : Q : . : ead—poisoned. eaven! what will become of us?’? alk. cua MA Comins age tale lane s ine Je nothing yet. Pree eee ree en 2 aaa him!’ speaking of herself as if she were a third (fo be continued.) _ At this moment his wife appeared before him pale and . 2 7 ? : : = 2 ; l For another hears your rhyme, interest-on’ them—if 1 pay off these, you. will owe| “I could kill him!” burst forth Katrine. “I always dis-| "WAU" WILDER, the Texan Ranger, plays @ prominent iarne pood Freeh wom ta dealt? he repaehid ‘ideal Smiles and helps you kill your time= twenty thousand dollars. However, it is not a debt which | trusted him. 1 hated him so, [ran away to-night to con- part in Captain Mayne Reid’s great story of “Tue Lone | and there has been foul play. Mz I am ities aml a ‘ Let them shrivel in the grate! I can ee aah Ee Sev eNe. the forge ; Ifl rene = coal it. Make, oe a you, oy spec 1 only wish ithad | Rancue,”” which will be commenced next week. Walt | done!” play. Mary, ; : assume it, it wi y own business. course, I's nm tome! Ha! ha! ha! Iw he’d been tender with 3 : : ee ‘ i 7 ife. & ‘ : And, why else was beauty made assume it. The debt will be only a debt of honor, you| me! I should have been worse than a cat! He would not Wilder is a thoroughbred Indian fighter, with a fertile Gagne -adee ean terre i noueeg pony ae But to gild your poems round? see. Andas you have no property, I certainly cannot ex- | have escaped with his eyes! Insolence! presumption! OQ, brain to conceive and the courage to execute the most in- “T am sure of it,” continned ery wildly; ‘‘never did All her heart’s wide rooms you found pect you to pay it. syne: _ | my poor Alice, are you to be treated thus because your] genious and daring stratagems. Every scheme, every such a thing happen in the Red Lion efore.”? ‘ett adisice rare rnlaid} Her knitting dropped in he? lap as she leaned back in eso husband is under the sod, and cannot defend you? i ‘‘Parsons,’’ cried young Mrs. Mincham, “send for ad A f her chair, gazing at him with anxious eyes, very child- | 1°ll defend you, my darling, as ably as the best man that movement, planned by the fearless ranger to outwit his | tor_make haste—the first you can find.’ Lose no time.’ Tuough her heart be cold and sore ae ae pe a ge ee ao nee ca ever lived! Mr. Spiderby shall deal with me!” cunning foes, is bold, startling, and entirely original. Now it was that Jack entered the hall, and that the col- Whence you took those Bektuties out, n. Very woman-ik Pebay laying bs is e on- a aia onel opened the door, while Mincham, losing his presence Dass bat blow amanaeaeienniess or, nes Geneee ene ra are eer ges money " . “CHAPTER XVI. of mind, shouted for the coroner. ate Coa Ceti to incor aulgatons of tis Png [7 Gr, CLT/TEE RRMMORRBSR ERNE ee Ae Wn” Rah Pitett Jack Gout not help xing hs eyes cuously on the oo: ss than Alice. Her fingers worked together “betraying her |. Mr. Treddie had gone to Chicago on Mr. Spiderby’s bus- ry outer. a. ‘diet Guhae wanes Be bts icon mee rete ‘é If she did not weep your loss, perplexity. She could not have her huskand’s mistakes | Mess, after all. He was led to this decision more by the - Mrs. Ma Mifichani consi 4 “the ehild. to th Something else would claim her tears, exposed; she ones to nore fe pe Sea lose his Se on ees oe fetes | ante oan Jane, and then though shuddeckile ‘at the neeseety. ae Riuaikh toe aloha nulierauss lable money even morethan to have the loss fall on Spiderby. | 1° ¢ stances which “continually embarrasse into t er m 8 i * Ned hbk hes . A SUERT Sa watch But to live on under the weight of such a debt, no matter | him at home, than by any other one motive. és TALE OF CRIME AND RETRIBUTION Re aah ce hi Sete iiiar CAObO ie pienone ond iii hedr abodt this cross! ie e debt, no The fact that “Effie Co : z 4 close, and mechanically she opened the window. So 1ow freely he forgave it; appeared to her crushing and| ‘The fact was that Effie Cooper's assertion that Peter great was her agitation that its not being fast ~ When you lay your writing down, intolerable. : ~-* fowas deceiving him—concealing important facts, while yet [The “‘Arch-Plotter” was commenced last week. Ask any News | caped her at the moment 2, a Pera oes Telling conscience to be still, “Ah me! if I worked my fingers to the bone I could | trying to urge him on to make public accusation against | Agent for No. 40, and you will get the first part of the story.) She dared not touch the body. Indeed, Harry, who fol- ini ae douht.consciuce will never earn that amount,” she sighed. “I have no rela-. his. employer—annoyed and perplexed him more than ; -. | jowed her instantly, told her not to touch an “thin in the Straig cae meted : tive who will give it tome. You will never, never get it, | anything which had occurred since Peter first made his CHAPTER II. en bl = ets tha the ieiacte Straightway sleep; and cross‘wins crown. : ere eas : ad qo ¢ 1 yevelation. This, together with the! f his Oe room, and even blamed her for opening the window a ae ; Mr. Spiderby, unless Uncle Bromley dies and leaves that lation. this, togetin : eloss of his pocket-|. We must now make the reader acquainted with the | which he accordingly closed and fastened , | While you live *tis well, indeed; much to Kate and me. I know Katrine would give me | book containing the paper-which he had abstracted from | movements of Jack Hopton after he left the room of the| Jack came running in. He looked anxious and alarm While she lived‘her sky is.gray. her share, rather than that I should owe anybody—even Spiderby’s desk, so disconcerted him as to make him really | French nurse. The thought of evil had taken such fast | ed, but not, in the eyes of any there, more than the o aca Both must die What Wibepad baw a friend like you, Mr. Spiderby. Here I am, talking as i1| ill. He would have grown fo regard Peter's whole story | possession of his soul that the deed he contemplated in sion warranted : rT Wiens : Bis se L wanted my good uncle to die,” she added, the next} asa bugbear of his imagination—or an act of malicious | his own mind was as good as done. He longed, as the| ‘Master B Kford |”? i i : cll en you meet her spirit freed? moment. ‘I don’t mean it. But O, how, how shall Ij revenge for the insult offered his sister, and in which he | thirsty traveler longs - for water, to count the riches he T. Begkton d Srexeaiuned ‘the EGG efile. 10.4 ever repay you, Mr. Spiderby?” ! deed 20m cunning enough, sograsis the cashier to share, as being | supposed to be contained in the pouch of the French ividual, about forty yeain ae tae wid ne “T don’t want to be paid,” he said, bending toward her, | 2 Person 0 more influence ~ himseli—had it not been | nurse. He already began to think of himself in the new rith a quiet step, and a curiously cunning The V V ife Ss F oe a paren te gh CSA RE MRRP L A HENEY 8 te Se St pone Sens which he had made in going over | character of a wealthy man. He clothed himself in fine ve, ‘here's a sad affair.” 19 and pr . +i: : * Pare. ‘ garments, rolled about in his chariot, received visits from uid the officer, 100ki i si 4 OR’ THE : “[ know you are only too good to me. What shouldI| Certain that he held the key to Spiderby’s, infamous ac- | humble friends. The lust of ill-gotten wealth favors not the body, ‘‘quite dead ! Me ae arial athe od : > have done had you not been so considerate? But even to -cusations against Glaston, he was not yet fully prepared | the development of kindness. The scorching blast of cu- f almonds—suicide or murder !? he continued ~ . Sk ] t . th Bank ) C! you, friend and counseller as you are, I cannot bear to | 60 openly charge upon him the murder. Peter had | pidity swept through his mind, drying up the springs of ig to himself. : 5 eleton 10 @ ers loset. be so indebted."? : acted differently, he doubtless would, despite the loss of | goodness and charity, and left nought but a desert behind. why should the poor creature have committed su- He bent still nearer; his dark eye glowed; she could j the scrap of paper, the very next, day after its loss, have | Jack entered the stable and ascended the ladder which ?) said Mary Mincham, faintiy. ‘She was a fine A STORY OF BAD LOVE AND GOOD not bear its fire and yet she did not understand its lan- | applied for a warrant for Spiderby’s arrest.. But the small | jed to his room—a kind of loft, which, however, was made | young woman. bringing a child over, I suppose to its pa- ' guage. It Beopanin a gt yt: menanase be so pre- carson bey eo Re eres of Cis tats octet 4 | Nery comfortable, It had a bed, a chair, and box. Jack | rents.’ ; aie ta cipitate. But this proxi o the woman he had so long ne ELE , y-accepted | threw himself, all dressed as he was, upon the bed “ \) i By Mrs. M. V. Victor, sogretly, lowed, this re of her pot and, this confiding. learned ho pant ok Reapeinais aaesiees eyes were tried to think calmly. But in cane His ideas were we Ona. weeny. nee et Author of “WHO OWNED THE JEWELS,” | 100k of her innocen face, burned away, as if they a psens anger, and a feel- | whirl, his temples throbbed violently, his heart beat; but ne poor creature came by the packet last night. SI i “DEAD LETTER,” “FIGURE EIGHT,” * | were of flax, the bonds of self-control which had bound — as if yee — ee So he consulted | rather at the thought of what he was ‘about to gain by bis $1 ty exhausted,” Fepiied Tay, sal aye her this ‘ “PHANTOM WIFE,” ete his passion. ‘ ; i with we si er 0 a piderpy’s. offer to give half of evil deed than because of, its sinfulness. r and supper. You see she has both eaten and ° ode “J ae tell rae is a hundned. times more than ee r. “sabre Ata would go onout West and col-| And oy he lay for hours without moving, listening for | drank.” u [The Wife's Foe,” was commen¢ed’ in No. 34. Back repay all your obligations.to me, dear Alice.” ef iM ABO B8k. J . ; Bi every sound, and waiting, as the colonel had waited, for “Came by the packet,” t ; —* fs hi can be obtained of any News Agent in the United imey «She wa a little startled at-his manner; but stillslie did} {‘t shallnot be gone more than one month,” he added. | all in the inn to retire to rest. At length he felt satisfied | Bottle got Sonne? oh ae ene Seer iad ainnee ; ‘ 2 aos not comprehend to what it was leading. v7” SE would not have you lose such an opportunity, just to | that all was still. He rose cautiously and peeped out of his | anybody?” : CHAPTER XV. “Q, tell mehow ?” was her earnest reply. a st here to cheer us up,’’ she said, W it prompt bravery. | window, which faced that of the nurse. Ail was quiet in And Beekford turned sharp round to the anxious land- UNEXPECTED. bs eae = ee eae eri /-_ —_ Pierson — ieee ae aa Jam sure, Vain er room; she slept upon a chair, and her candle burned | lord, who listened as if in a dream to all the other said. " aide s in astonishmen | uink we could | OW. | : ; Te 3 7 { ‘ One bitter-cold evening, sometime in February, the two| “I mean that the gif¥ot this little hand will cancel all| ‘“Thirty-five hundred dollars is as much, nearly, as I) Jack drew:a long breath, and crawling slowly across his esuspect > neo. Whom "ehould. ‘i suspect ’ *Nopody ladies sat in Mrs. Glaston’s sitting-room, each of them | and every obligation. Hush, dearest Alice,»do not speak | Cal cat 1 two years, Katrine—think of that! I shall | room crept down the ladder and stood in the stable. Still | seems to know her,” said poor Mince with a bit of fancy-work in her hands. The room was as | for one moment. - I do not ask for it yet— tila prop- | feel rich enough to startin business for myseli—or to buy | no sound disturbed the midnight marauder. He raised the} “It may be robbery?” asked Beekford “once more peer- beautiful, as luxurious as ever; the lavish light of the’| erlength of’ time has expired. Make- bation as y,very modest little home. I have always thought | latch and passed into the open air. ‘The wind blew, the | ing cautious y about the room ; chandelier over the table at which they sat, illuminated | long and severe as your sorrow dictates. | that | that aman in good health, with ever so small a home paid | heavens were dark and gloomy, and the echoes of the] “I can’t say; don’t know what she had about her,’ re- ‘ the faces of two as lovely women as could be grouped to- | —when you can again take up life as it is, sunshine, ie quite prepared to take a wife. What is your) storm came dull and heavy over the house tops. Evil | plied Harry; “now should 1?” . gether,—one fair and pensive, the other dark and bright. | part shadow—promise that I may and, | opinion, mademoiselie ? * * spirits seemed to be shouting one to the other through the | Beekford unceremoniously put his hand into the wo- Except that she was so very pale, Mrs. Glaston was | Mea , all that has been yours shall cc to be so. |. ‘Oh, I haven’t formed any opinion on such subjects yet. | night. ~ | man’s pocket, and drew forth a purse of gold and silver more beautiful than in her happier days. The childish, | This House—these servants—every luxury. you | Don’t forget what I told you, Mr. Treddie—that I am en- Fack felt for a ladder which generally stood in one | and two or three lumps of sugar, which he threw down clinging tendrils of pale-gold hair curling about her fair | are accustomed. I would have you deny yoursel ng. | gaged to my sister |” place in the yard, drew it gently along, and placed it|withasneer. : eee ee ee eet > eee ee All . a is ae viens =a eee istering >) sone wishes. be en it, Katy, but I have my hopes of you, | against the wall right under the nurse’s window. ~~} ‘“Reg’lar French ’un,” said he, with profound contempt; ; which she | And I am willing to wait. I Know your f—I share in p all. : The clocks of all Douro began striking twelve, “ i ; < like. “y i : wore. Whenshe went to church, which she occasionally | it. But it will not, cannot last forever. You are very And thus, with plenty of c0pversation of interest only | Jack thought, in sucha Ineabriods and mamta tana SRG er oF08 cceO es neat tiaeant PIS did, she wore a widow’s cap; but at home it was laid | young—and I have loved you long. Give me the first | to themselves, they settled thé question of the business | that he stood forsome ten minutes shaking and trem-| “Got a passport, I suppose ??? wom Beekford, again aside, as she seldom saw a visitor, and then only her in- promise. suakiral Ashi _ trip. Onee settled, it did not take Treddle long to prepare | bling at his post, almost inclined to abandon his nefarious } ru fg her pocket, but in vain. “Come in Jones ” timate friends. She was knitting a pair of little red| She had torn her hand from his grasp and risen toner | for it. In less than twenty-four hours he was off, by ex-| design. But he roused himself as he thought of, the con- | he exclaimed to a subordinate, who appeared at the door. x sockings ae was Pee ee ea poor oe pea oee ae had ke —_ oe. giving him os eee g Kamins ee aenens, the depressing in- | tumely he met with on all hands. The demon of revenge | Jones came in. ‘He was a young man, with a round £ 1 needed them. é ttle. ti into | tunity to finis i . She struggled to s , for her’ a uded her, a# best s combined with the demon of avarice to urge him on- | face, little go le eyes, and an expression of general in- : “ moets Cea vane age eres wae oe st all taste for: but ae ae peas surpr anda nger that she could Spiderby’s waxy compiexion & ; 4 He climbed ‘upward with a steady foot, and anity that one said served only oe disguise his knowing : ce ee ete cea ee not = el ee SED (GE phi’, ing to Har i . d at with a.firmness that showed he would} and cunning eee ‘He touched his cap both to his arrows to remem she found ; that you a Speak : W FOlOMb eo Rice Se pone ee, _ .| superior officer and tothe landlord and hi “ee ats _ ane pe ee ‘pain — oa en she asked) 38> use i148 eit Te ou ‘ is eet ris foot rested on the last rail, and he peered cauti- Row tones.) said Beekford, aang one meat on the = rae oa ner sexes ee eas mn : eee er om speaking to his widow. BePaWe itr something for her Tieean aia ts alegre a ously and earnestly into the room, he scarcely repressed a'| side of his nose, “‘here’s a rum case. Woman found dead . caer conreseindy witht list hick dren yor. im ance, i Reta eas wd btaic 7 ee the Tehune aes spt me. | shriek, and clung wildly to the ladder to prevent his fall- | —poisoned—French woman just landed—suicide not like- “= yb roe cate , Not with me! Our marriage was jor eternity as well | She were on Eoy side, I shou 1 far more sfire of my | ing backward. ; . ly—bottle of poison labeled ‘London’—no papers.” atrine was crochet ng opine Jainty trifle for her own |‘as time. You shock me so, Mr. Spiderby; you insult me al Ajice’s favor. Confound it! Imust make her] He had discovered 4 man standing beside the nurse, his | ° “No papers,” repeated Jones, shaking his head. wear. a face, hit ft re ee perious, did not | with such words. Indeed indeed, I can’t bear them!” believe I am doing great things fr Treddie. If the other | hand resting on her arm. Then began a conversation of | ‘ “That’s no circumstance,” continued Beekford, stoop- weer a appy expression. She- Rut, often, as she | and she burst into tears. ‘ oné were as easily disposed of, I believe I should begin | which Jack caught only a few indistinct words, in a lan-|ing and examining carefully the box and carpet-bag. worked, curling her red lips into a silent curve of scorn. e liked the tears far better than the scornful blaze | to sleep again of nights.’ guage he did not understand. ©. st ’ : “Hem! no name—card torn off—odd—no passport—no Mrs. Glaston, looking up, caught one of these looks, and | which was extinguished in them, and which had made _Never, never, Mr. Spiderby! There isa burden some-|~ The lad recognized Colonel Medway, and was over- | letters.” abate ‘ Se = pre a as little ee her heart. - | thie gentle Alice appear like another woman than her own | times borne by the mind of man which is so heavy as to | whelmed with astonishment ana terror; another instant, | ‘No letters,’’ said Jones gravely, as if fastening every . sik ane at - rou - peepee Mh aagtie bo = a was timid self oF Bs : produce a hideous nightmare fatal to all peaceful sleep: | and he would have been in the room in the very act of | link of evidence in his mind—hooking them on firmly to- oe Deis e ae Pave aa ve oii oe 3 a a ps. — bese on pee — — very tweet “Down went the dorbhe with hotter ph : theft. The boy’s teeth began: to chatter, and his every.| gether, as if afraid they would drop to pieces and vanish. grief of at own. I am so disappointed in Mr. Treddle! | [ acaiéels how how Twaniod uni etm ayeait: fone kee anpbed) ia bloody hands ss anh ws conld not rhove from. his it. ta ' fe os th cietine hake of the t aoe WI ni ‘ ! know to: 1 y y ; as ill. i . He clung | ford,: a.k i x ad. woes het eee arn ey eerie Waccuister a that thie Sight of you—so down-cast, so poor and helpless, And washed my forehead ¢ool. 4 fapeipated by curiosity and bamed cuplaity. He “Bat all her papers ote one” PG do8 see, Mr. Min- tk t a nd T'sh ud be Jeet 1 to act! oy So strange | yet so proud that you could not endure to feel yourself in And Peace went with them, one and all, | {glared at. intruder with ‘a fierce and savage mien, | cham, no Frenchee could come away Without a passport hat you and I shou St ed ition such a par t. Or- | my debt—-moved my hidden love for you to speak out. I And each calm pillow spread; A which him perfectly hideous, little aware at the mo- | —a direction—something!” phaned = our Pi cad aan : rae at twenty; and | wished to show you that you had not, lost all—that you| _ Re ee Ga berlain ment that Colonel Medway would have been far more ter- | , “She had to come to the Red Lion, and wait for her you are deceiver , in your girlhood, by the man you trust- | had me, my heart, my fortune to command. I did not} © es mete, Le cutthins round’ rified than himself had his presence been suspected. ~~ | employer, I understood,” replied Harry, who was ‘every ed,” —ending with oes long, trembling sigh that had be-| wish you to say that you returned my love, or could re-} With fnwess brace rel Bronte nD _ Presently the colonel rose and left the room. Then the | moment more horrified and more puzzied. come habitual with her, ; __ | turn it for a long, long time, until the old wound had time | i te damandaeent dared haces, _|nurse drained off a glass of wine, and settled herself in | ~ ‘She told you so?” asked Beekford. “Don’t waste yout" pity On me,’ said Katrine, with | to heal; but wished you to realize how entirely T was | cated cohen ac Bicep’ her armi-chair to sleep once more. . ~' «Lord bless you—she can’t speak a word of English. I flashing eyes. ‘I could bear to be mistaken a dozen | your friend. Alice, say that you are not offended at-me.” ~~ ¥or Sin had rendered unto her Jack looked at her eagerly, and was soon satisfied that mean she couldn’t, poor thing!—Thompson told me.” times before it killed me. . If that was all the trouble we | “T don’t know how to excuse: you, she said’ “I any! . . . The keys of hell to keep. ~ ‘ghe really was in a heavy slumber. Cautiously and slowly “Oh! eh! Jones, go and fetch Captain Thompson. Say, had we ene be fortunate. Indeed, darling, it don’t | offended.” HER Mid eivalos- 64 a ' ‘And still no peace for the restless clay : he pushed up the window. When it was half up, he | sorry to disturb him, but he must come,” added Beekford. worry me half asmuch as you think,” she added in a} “Reflect,” he went on, growing paler and darker ather} = ~~~ Will wave or mold allow; looked again, and listened. The woman never moved. “Must come,’? repeated Jones, and turning round he gentler tone, for she never could be harsh with Alice. | answer. ‘Do not cast off your only sriend—Harry’s The horrid thing pursues my soul—+ ° He again raised the sash, and quietly slipped into the | prepared to depart. I’m a great deal more anxious to hear what the adminis- | friend, too. I must tell you ail, now that I have begun,” r 21.11. qtemdp balonp-me NOW in - 5 es _ | apartment. He had taken off his shoes, so that he made | In the doorway stood Colonel Medway. , Peter Cooper might have trembled in his shoes were it | no noise. He passed the table and stood beside the bed. trator has to say, than I am to hear from Chicago. How prettily your hair curls to-night—it glitters like so much spun gold,” : Mrs. Glaston put up her little hand and pulled out a ; glistening tendril to its full length. . “T suppose I ought to brush out all these obstinate curls and twistmy hair up in a knot behind. I’ve no doubt people make remarks. But Harry always would make me wear itin this fashion. He loved my pretty curls—he has covered them with kisses a thousand times, and I feel as if Imust wear them for his sake. Do you know, it seems to me asif he could see me, although I cannot see him; and as though he would like me to remain un- changed.” Me «Well, Mincham,” he said, entering, ‘‘is this terrible story true? Poor thing—I see—suicide, I suppose?’ he added, with a calmness which to himself was terrible. “No, Colonel Medway,’ replied Beekford, with profes- sional pride, ‘‘nvurder!”? “How so??? continued the colonel, with a secret shud- der at the word. “Because you see, Colonel Medway,” said the officer— ‘first, it ain’t likely a Frenchwoman as had never been in England, ’ud have a bottle with ‘London’ on it.” “Perdition!” muttered Colonel Medway, turning away and looking so pale that the officer was surprised and confounded; but he knew the person to whom he was speaking, and so continued without haying conceived “Tloved you the first night I , He knew it, yet he would | not for two small facts which interposed in his favor—any accident happening to a second person about the bank might arouse investigations; and, secondly, the porter might have made confidences in the bosom of his family which would proveidangerous. — -" Therefore, Spiderby clung to the policy which he had- begun, from the. first hour in which he had suspected. his porter of a deeper knowledge of his affairs than was de- sirable. It would be impossible to tell what first awak- ened his fears. The rustle of aleaf affrights the hidden fugitive. Some insolence of the man,—some cunning look of the eye, or emphasis of a word,—had placed him onhis guard: Since, he had renewed his extreme kind- He went often to sit an hour with he continued, hurriedly. met you. Harry was my rival. not retire from the field—and he won. The day on which 1 brought you the set of pearls, I came to offer you my hand. Harry had been before me. You accepted, as a wedding-present from a friend that which I had intended as my own bridal gift. I-wassilent. I tried to conquer myself, and to rejoice at seeing you so happy with Harry, But when a man of my age, mature in years, difficult to please, slow to take, fast to hold, becomes as infatuated with a woman as I did with you, the cure of his folly is impossible. I have loved you, every moment since I first saw you, with a complete devotion. d have borne the tor- ment of my situation with the fortitude of a man, until -A sigh, light and indistinct, came from near the wall. Jack drew his hand away from the pillow and looked at the child. A pang of bitter anguish crossed his heart as he reflected that he was, perhaps, robbing that innocent babe, which lay there so frail, so calm, so weak. He shut his eyes and drew forth the pouch, which he thrust hastily into one of his capacious pockets. Yhe deed was done, and Jack Hopton was a thief. A cold shiver passed through his whole frame. It was his first evil deed, and awful visions of prison cells, of the ' gallows, rose before his affrighted imagination. Jack crept away, avoiding the sleeping form of the nurse, and once more gained the window. 2 VY SS “It is a natural feeling, dear; I wouldn't have you straighten a single ringlet—not for all the gossips in Christendom.” - ' apy? “am Harry’s wife still,’’ cried Alice, in an almost wild tone. ‘All, all his. I am trying to please him, in all my thoughts and actions. If I live to be a hundred—which pray Heaven L[may not—I shall still be his girl-wife, just as he saw me last! Ah! to think that I must change, and wrinkle, and grow old, while he will be always young and beautiful. Have I changed-much yet, Katy? ° Mrs. Glaston threw down her knitting and wen@ana stood before the tall mirror which filled the space between the windows, and took a long survey of herself. “Tl am so pale,”? she said; “I am growing ugly,” An observer might have thought this a piece of femi- nine vanity, proving that she was returning to the ambi- tioas of society; but Katrine knew better; she knew that her sister was thinking oniy of Harry—cherishing a mor- bid, perhaps, but still comforting fancy that he was con- — of her looks, and took a fond pride in them as of old. wn. don’t say that!’? exclaimed a soft voice behind em. Tyetotas : It was Mr. Spiderby’s. The ladies had not noticed the | ton, you try me too severely—’’ then, white with wrath | that he said to himself: ; ys iIfmen could know beforehand the tortwre they are pre- | proval of so important a personage as a colonel in the door-bell, and the servant, knowing they were quietly seat- | as he was—his face like iron brought to a white-heat, “She would die sooner than harm mie. In her, I have | paring for themselves by crime, prudence would oftenér | British army; ‘‘well, you see, the nurse killed, the papers ed at their work, and that he was a friend of the family, | catching sight of the expression on her’s he stopped short, | an ally.” than it does come to the’assistance of virtue. gone, the child becomes nothing, instead of somebody.’? hadopened the sitting-room door to him without previous announcement. I There was something so flattering, so insinuating in his tone, that Katrine felt as if she could have slammed the door in his face. She knew what Alice meant, and the worldly construction their visitor had put upon it; and her fiery spirit resented it. Even Mrs. Glaston, filled as her soul» was with the sol- _ emn emotions of one who feels herself. half in the spirit- pore was rudely recalled from that world, and blushed eeply. : ' Perhaps Spiderby felt- encouraged by that blush. At least, a look of pleasure lighted up his cold, smooth face, and his manner was impressively warm as he shook hands with the ladies. Katrine just touched his with the tips of her reluctant fingers, and drew them away again asif they had come in contact with a hot griddle. Her aversion to the gen- tleman increased with every visit he made them. Yetshe realized that he was almost their only friend, and that she had no right to displease him without better cause than her wilfulfancy. ‘To-night, however, her equanimity, had received Such a shock by the manner of his entrance, and the silly compliment which had announced it, that she could not smooth her feathers all at once. “Alice, excuse me a little while,” she said; ‘I must find my pattern.” And gathering up her work, she retreated in disorder. ‘ Mrs. Glaston had resumed her seat and nervously taken up her knitting. banker drew his chair quite close, apparently for the,convenience of the table, on which he laid a bundle of legal-looking documents. Alice glanced at these papers uneasily. , “T am glad to see you aione,”? began her visitor, in a very low, confidential voice. ‘Mr. Hervey, the adiminis- trator appointed by the court, has now completed his present duties. Everything has been gone over and re- duced to order. The result, in one sense, is satisfactory.” She looked up inquiringly. “That I am your only creditor,’’ he continued, with in- now. Now, Alice, my heart is bare before you—bare, in all the terrible strength of its despairing passion. Yet I’ will not despair. You shall learn to answer it. When you have done crying and bewailing that which cannot return, you must come to me for comfort. I have your welfare in my keeping. Without me, you are poor and neglected; your husband’s hame, of which you are so care- ful, tarnished. With me, your beauty and youth will shine out more resplendent than ever, You will marry me; and we will go away from here. We will forsake this spot, full of unhappy memories. In the city, we can be- gin life anew. In two years, oreyen one, dearest Alice, I shall hope for this.” “Never! never! I do not dread poverty. It will be wel- come to me, if it enables me to prove to Harry how wholly I was his!’ Her repeated reference to Harry exasperated him. “Poverty is not the worst. It shall be disgrace. The system of robberies, of false entries, of forged certificates, shail all be exposed. I will show to the world the true character of this husband on whose grave you are bound to immolate yourself, Hindoo fashion. You reject aliving gentleman for a dead scoundrel. By Heaven, Alice Glas- walked away a step or two, and back—‘‘Forgive me,” he said, conquering himself, ‘‘do forgive me, Alice. I am so mad with this long, hidden love for you, that I say and do what I cannot mean. Forget all that I have said; only let me continue your friend, as ever, ready to serve you. I promise not to bring up this subject again in months, if you wili overlook my rashness, and allow things to re- main on their old footing. I should be miserable if I thought you needed me, and would not come to me as a friend, because of this betrayal of what I should have kept from you.” : , “You have made me very unhappy, Mr. Spiderby. I feel so shocked at what you have dared to say—O, it teaches me to what the poor and friendless are exposed!’ “There, there, don’t put such a construction on may words! My heart spoke out because you seemed to nee F my help. I’msorry. I will be patient. I will not offend again. Shall we look over these papers, now, Alice et? ‘JT cam’t, to-night. Will you come again, toxnokay, anytime? I could not fix my mind on them to-night. - “You could not, Isee. I regret frightening and dis¢om- posing my little friend. You are such a delicate child,my sweet Alice—I might know that a breath would set you trembling. I shall be so careful, after this. You will find how considerate I shall be. As for these tiresome papers, do not think of them. I will come again, in a few days—perhaps to-morrow evening. Forget what I have said of you, for the time being. It is a matter solely between ourselves. It is not even necessary that Miss Katrine should know of it. Good-night, Alice; and try and think kindly of me; and, if there are house-bills at want settling, send them to me, will you?” . She stood where he had left her for five mint after he went out. The scene through which she had passed seemed to have turned her to stone. But the outraged, suffering heart was struggling within that marble statue. Outraged beyond endurance by his tones, his looks, on go- ing away. omen ¥4 Humble as were his words, his manner was that of one ness to the family. them, as in those days when he was pursuing the young sister with an objeet which the stern New-England virtue of the family happily frustrated. He was so penitent,— he desired so earnestly to be placed on’his old footing, confiding to them that he intended soon to marry, that they scarcely had firmness to resist his advances. Mrs. Cooper, regarding him with unutterable horror—patiently waiting for her son to get ready to denounce him—endur- ‘ed his visits very muchias she would have done those of his Satanic majesty, had he ceed ae his last new fash- ionable out-fit, and played the agreeable to her. | Chilled with dislike and fear, she yet smiled when he smiled, blaming herself when he went away for not being able to wholly resist the.blandishments of the tempter. tg 4 The man of the world was not long in detecting. his in- fluence over poor Bifie.’ Hesaw the flutterings of heart which she flattered herself passed unnoticed. He noted the fluctuations of color in her fair cheek. He knew why her eye avoided his,’ That she was glad -to have |himr come—that she waswretched when he went. away—he saw, with triumph; not that he any longer proposed to make use of her love to tempt her. to a wrong course; but That this was truth. her interview with Treddle shows, us. ‘ ‘’ Butshrewd and tpoliticas was the courtly banker— versed in women’s hearts—he did not count upon another passion in Effie’s breast as strong as her love, and which When he announced his speedy marriage, he had not yet. discovered how madly the girlwas infatuated with him, and had sought only to place her mother and herself at pee with regard to his’ intentions inrenewing his friend- ship. He could not guess the wild and bitter jealousy which his statement set growing.m the heart of a maiden appa- rently so meek and undemonstrative as Effie Cooper. No one could have guessed it. She, herself, was ignor- ant of her own nature, uhtil she felt the whirlwind raging. Effie had grown up in the knowledge that she was hand- “Jady-like” appearance. Quietand modest as she really was, she had that indomitable ambition “to be as good as the best,’? which is indigenous to New England. Her humble origin and her:present ‘poverty were no ‘barriers, in her eyes, to her some day becoming a merchant's or banker’s wife.’ Then, too, she had a keener intellect than many fashionable young ladies,—she loved reading, had a taste for poetry, a longing for all the refinements of life. She might have married some intelligent mechanic—have kept for him a pretty and tasteful home, and together they might have climbed several rounds in the social lad- der. But the attentions of Mr. Spiderby had been fatal. She never confessed to her mother that she had dreamed of becoming his wife,—that he had won her affections, excited her fancy, kindled her ambition to the highest. In that first pain and mortification of his insulting pro- position, her pride had come to her aid, enabling her to conceai how deep was the wound both her heart and her vanity had received. She prof to have looked up to him with esteem and gratitude Fie he Oo} But oh! her heart wassore! The wound was a poisoned in possession—master of that house aud of that woman. one—that festered, and would not heal. The venom in throve so raakly as to:threaten'to uproot its companion.. some, and—what was still better, in her estimation—of’ An awful groan, low but distinct—a groan of pain and anguish—made him stagger against the wall. He turned his glaring eyes back. The nurse appeared suffering from some hideous nightmare. Her lips moved, her face was distorted, her hands were clenched, and she appeared about to rise. The lad stood aghast, unable to move, his knees knocking violently one against the other, his looks bent in agony on the woman. She gave’a deep sigh, and then all was still again. Jack hastily gained his ladder, and drew down the win- dow. To descend, to put the ladder back in its place, were tlie deeds of a few minutes. Thelad’s head was turning, his brain was reeling, as he cast himself almost insensible upon his bed. - “But his prize! The thought now flashed across his mind for the first time that diligent search would certainly He then rose wildly be made forthe missing articles. from his bed, and looked about for a place of concealment. He- could see none that was not likely also to strike the Terror now took the place of every He thought he should gain nothing by his theft, but, oh! the agony of that officers of justice. other feeling—terror and remorse. night. Jack began‘ to look upon the property he had stolen as ) He scarcely dared touch or look at it, until at length, obeying, as it were, some mys- ‘terious hint. coming from the depths of his conscience, he determined. to restore the thing which had already cost an enemy and an informer. him much bitter anguish and sorrow. He rose more calm than he had yet been that night, and again crept down stairs, again fetched the ladder, again placed it against the wall, and again ascended to the win- dow. This time a sickening sensation of despair came over him 4s he gaw the door once more open and give entrance to Colonel Medway, pale, haggard, ghastly in his emotion. The lad at once saw that he was not the only criminal, and a vague suspicion of the truth came over his soul. The agonized face of the woman, her glaring eyes, her clenched hands, her wild exclamation, which Jack heard without understanding, the horrid face of the colonel, made him suspect that worse than theft had been committed His senses appeared about to leave him as he reflected that for some purpose, which he could not un- derstand, the nurse had been, foully dealt with by Col- that night. onel Medway. He saw him search boxes and bag, the bed, every cor- ner of the room, the woman’s pocket, and he saw that he searched for something which he did not find. Jack could endure this terrible excitement no longer. He slid down the ladder, he placed it back again in its place, he reeled across the yard, ascended to his loft, and opening his window, crawled out, seeking a spot in the thatch, where already were his stores of coppers and small change, placed the pouch under all, and then returned to his bed, into which he crept, almost fainting with fear. A dreadful presentiment made. him certain that the woman was dead, and one idea almost drove him mad. If found out to be the thief, would he not be accused of the murder ? : A sickening sensation came over him, and there he lay long with chattering teeth, the very image ofone whose waking was to be the gallows. any suspicion. “Then, though her money is not touched, all her papers are gone.”? “Exceedingly conclusive,” said Colonel Medway, with a polite sneer, immensely relieved by these words—‘“‘but that does appear strange.”’ #I was just remarking,’ observed Beekford, upon whom the sneer was lost, ‘‘that this ain’t no ordinary murder. Ifmurder there is, the nurse has been put out of the way.” “Oh! put out of the way,’’? repeated the colonel, calmly —yery calmly, though had he been alone with the oflicer, in some retired spot, he would have brained him as he spoke. “It’s my opinion—my decided opinion—that child’s somebody’s child! when I say someboay’s child, I mean somebody as is of consequence—that’s why I say some- body’s chile.” Mr. and Mrs. Mincham listened with the most intense interest. : “Very lucid, and very likely,” observed Colonel Med- way, who was now completely on his guard. “Thank you, sir,’? said Beekford, flattered by the ap- “But,” putin Harry, “there is noone in the house whom we can suspect. None of the passengers knew anything about her.’’ “Was there no one inthe house belore?”’ asked Beek- ford, musing. “Only ourselves and Colonel Medway,” replied Harry, in a hurried tone. . “Very mysterious,’ said the officer, ‘‘very; all the pas- sengers must be examined. Good morning, Mr. Went- worth.”’ “Heaven bless my soul!’? cried that gentleman, burst- ing in; ‘‘very sorry, Mincham, very sorry. Mrs. Mincham, your most obedient; Colonel Medway, yours. How do you do, Beekford? this is the unfortunate creature.*? He took her cold hand. “Dead some hours ago!’ he cried; ‘‘ah! oil of almonds —poor creature—what could be her motive ?—where’s the child ?”’ “Sirl? said the officer, drawing him on one side, “a word with you.” “Mincham,’? observed Colonel Medway, before leaving the room, ‘if I can be of any use, pray commandme. [| intend going on to Hythe, but I shall see this sad matter out. “Thank you, Colonel Medway,” replied the landlord, bowing low; ‘‘I am very much obliged.” The officer, meanwhile, conveyed his suspicions to the mind of the surgeon. “Strange!’? said Mr. Wentworth, musing. ‘Tis true, IT should never have suspected her of committing suicide myself, but neither can I guess how she has been mur- dered.’’ ' “The door was not fastened?’ asked Beekford, turning to the landlord. “No,” replied Harry, gravely; “it was not fastened—the girl found it on the latch.” “Any one sleep on the same floor?’ continued the of- ficer, curiously. “Only Colonel Medway,’’ hurriedly replied the landlord; ‘nota soul else.’?