5 f i Ae er eortare ieee searenon eentnian-eaneniieiteent —— eee Se Vou. XXIX. MARCH. BY JOSEPH BARBER, Proprietors, The sun climbs higher day vy day, And to his realm of light Annexes duly morn and eve New conquests from the night. Fast ffom the clouded eyes of March The stormy tear-drops rush, And Nature, tranced in Winter's arma, Awakens as they gush. The life-biood in the fall-sown grain Stirs in its tender spears; The grass, baptised from death to life, In warm nooks reappears. The germs of early vernal flowers Swell in the yielding mold; And willows in the meadow lands Are faintly touched with gold, The crystal fetters of the streams, Broken by rain and sun, Are tossed like Jewels on the waves, That clamor as they ran. The hitis have dropped their white capotes, And in the lone ravines *Tis hard to find a suniess cleft That yet a snow-wreath screens, Round Southern homes the birds of Spring Are fluttering even now; The biuebirds haunt the orchard trees, The blackbirds track the plow; And soon these warblersr, ostracised, Our Northern groves shali throng, Waking, like cxiles home returned, Their native woods with sons, But many a rawand gusty nigit, And many a chill¥ day, In ambush He ’twixt early Mareh And softer days of May; And eastern gales on sleety wings Shall chant full many a rune, ‘Ere broods the robin o’er her nest, Or buds the rose of June. But pleasure were not worth a greas It skies were ever fair— Contrast to all the joys of earth Imparts a glory rare; And Heaven itself will brighter seem, Or may for aught we know, ‘Por all the penance gnd the pain Of the world from which we go. JUST COMMENCED. A Tale of the Northwest. ’ Nick Whiffles; THE TRAPPER GUIDE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. {"Nick Whiffles’’ was commenced last week. Ask your News Agent for No. 18, and you will get the first chapters.) CHAPTER V. THE MYSTERY OF THE ROOK AND LAKE. Kenneth directed pis steps to Nick Whiffles’ tent; it stood solitary on the prairie. The trapping brigade was aiveady in motion, and could be seen, ut the distance of a quarter of a mile, winding slowly toward the distant hunting-grounds. Ili at ease, suffering all the tortuics of doubt.and jealousy, he caught his horse, sadiica and Dridied it, aud, taking his arins, rode away with hot iaste, Without any definite object in view except to escape from the unpleasant thoughts iat harassed him. His steed, being in good spirits, needed the incentive of neither whip nor spur, and bore him rapidly from the scene of his morning adventure. He was a prey to the most despond- ing feelings. Wuatever he might have hoped previously, with regard to Syiveen Vander, had ceased to be among probabilities. For the first time he realized how deep an impression she liad made upon him in the few brief inter- views that had taken place. The idea, or perhaps more properly speaking, the possibility, that a friendly under- Standing existed between her and Mark Morrow, followed STREET. & SMITH, { Nos. 27, 29, 31 Rose St., Entered According to Act of Conor. | P.O. Box 4896, New York. ~,, Aer SAUL VANDER d, dy Street & Smith, in ee vn } 2 the Office of the Librartan of Congress, Washington, dD. &. ORK, MARCH 16, 1874. eurt ‘You'll understand us soon enough, I reckon!’ an- swered Currier, with a shrog. : “1 never could quite comprehend the affair of Severn River,’ returned Kenneth, determined te use as much policy as possible. “How you coukl leave a comrade to perish in the snow, is to me a mystery. I have a vagne idea, however, that we were attacked by Indians—that I received & blow upon my head that stunned me; and that you either made good your escape in the canoe, or were inade prisoners.” ; ‘ Chris and Jean looked Knowingly at each other. oy “We can talk avout them matters by-aud-by, when we've him with painful pertinacity. He recalled, over and over again, the indignant, rebuking face she had Lurned upon him at the moment when her hand struck the pistol from Mark’s breast. It appeared to him that his new-born passion was doomed to disappointment. After what had happened, he felt assured that he should never have courage to confront lier and make mention of his love. Jn this troubled frame of miud, he galloped onward un- til Red River and human habitations were left far behind. He desired solitude. When he reached a sequestered spot, he dismounted, took the saddie and bridle from his horse, and cast himself upon the earth with the recklessness of a misanthrope of fifty. He bewailed his fate, and re- proxehed his unlucky stars wilh ali the fervor of a love- jlorn swain. But all grief, however poignant, must yield to the high mandates of nature. He had slept but little the previous night, the greater portion of it having been spent in writing letters and arranging his affairs; he must therefore be deemed inconsistent or recreant to sorrow, VWortin’ elge to to,’ replied Chris. ‘Jean, keep your weapon at his head, while I tie his hands.” “Villains!” exclalmed Kenneth, “do you think I will tamely submit to be tethered like a goat?’ “Moderately, my lad,’? said Carrier, ‘what can’t be bettered must be borne. If you want to have your brains knocked ent on tie spot, make a fuss and a bother, and it’ll be done; but keep kind o’ quiet like, and it may end better than you s’pect.’’ Jean, meanwhile, held the pistol so firmly to his fore- head, that its sharp steel edges and angles well nigh drew blood; the fellow’s fingers rested upon the trigger. ‘Pub your hands behind you!’ said Carrier. Kenneth internally felt a bitter rebellion to this order; but obedience seemed wiser than resistance. Swelling with indignation, he permitted his arms to be bound— simply because lie could not prevent it. “Now,” said Carrier, “you may get up; but don’t try to run away.. Jean, bring his horse.” ‘JT insist,” said Kenneth, resolutely. “upon knowing your intentions,” “We intend that you shall mount your horse and go with us a8 soon as he cun be saddled and bridied. If you try to give us Lhe slip, we’ll shoot you as if you's a grizzly bear or a redskin! — - Jean speedily came with the horse, and Kenneth was assisted to mount him, alter which his limbs were fastened together by a lariat attached to euch: ankle, and passing beneath the unimai’s belly. ’ “Fastened on in that kind 0’ style, I allow you won’t be likely to fall off, even if you ain’t a very good rider.”’ With these encouraging words, Carrier took Kenneth’s horse by the bridle and led him froin the spot, while Jean walked in the rear, rifle in land. The young man, perceiving the order of march, ac- knowledged that the chances of escape were rigorously closed aguiust him. He was disposed to regret his. own passivity in permitting himseif to be bound and placed in # position so helpless and mortifying. While he was en- couraging reflections of this nature,g@ie golden sun went down, and twilight fell upon the northern wilds. Anon, came night with its deeper darkness; its, somberness was enhanced by the oppressive gloom that weighed upon the youug man’s spirits. Relapsing into a sort of reckless apathy, he suffered himseif to be led forward toward his unknown destination in silence. As the night advanced, the way grew rougher and the footing more precarious. because at the expiration of an hour and a half, he fell into a sleep so profound that it lasted Lill nearly night. Kenneth, in the character of a disappointed and jealous jover, had no right, of course, to sluiber upon his despair in this manner; and we can only excuse it by saying that sieep is an indispeusable condition of human existence. He was awakened by a noise near him. Starting dreamily up, he beheld two persons standing beside him, whose countenances, at the first glance, did not seem familiar. When the dubiousness and hesitation of asudden awaken- ing liad passed, he began to form a more correct estimate of bis unannounced visitors, ‘Through heavy layers of paint, and the extreme Indian fashion which they pre- sented, and the cut and wear of their habiliments, he could detect an unpleasant resemblance to the respective per- gonalities of Chris Carrier aud Jean Brand. This dis- covery was unweicoine—it was more—it was startling. In the hands of Carrier he beheld his own rifle; in the beit of Brand he saw his own pistols and hunting-knife. Two things were palpably evident; he was disarmed and at the mercy of these villains. There whirled through his brain the remembrance of their former treachery. With ‘all the strange and wonderful rapidity of thougit he re- called the horrors of Severn River—the landing; the bar- barous and unintelligible jargon; the sinister glances; the drugged coffee; the vision, that was like the phantasy of hasheeshi robbed of its ecstacy: the resistless, dizzy horror; the crushing extinction of Cousciousness; the slow and racking recovery; the awful rigor of the night; the icy north wind and the cutting sleet; his matted locks; the bloody rim upon his forehead; the terrible pain of [reez- ing; the syren somnolence that succeeded; the iatal, fascinating rapture that came to end all; and finally, the unspeakable torture of resuscitation! How incredibly quick all this swept through his mental perceptions! For & moment the fear of death by rufflan violence appalled him. The features of Jean Brand aud Cliris Carrier looked grim and menacing. With asudden recollection of himself, he cast off the inertia and indecision that recent repose leaves upon the muscies and the mind, and was in the act of springing to his feet, when Brand clapped a pistol to his head, and said; “Better be qniet, mister! The odds is agin ye, and fightin’ ’} prove a losin’ game.”’ The touch of the cold iron to his forehead made Kenneth pause.- To struggie was madness. The slight contact of a finger would send a ball through his brain, What ought he-to. do? How should he deal with these unprincipled, reckless, outlawed men? He tried to be calm and cool. * “Voyageurs,’’ he said, with as much composure as he conid command, “I did no}expect the pleasure of your company. The joke isa tolerably good oné, Take away your little instrument, friend Jean, and let us endeavor’ to understand each other.” He was aware that they were traversing a rugged portion of country, picking their way through narrow passes and rocky detiles. Occasionally, a clump of oaks or a growth of cottonwood varied the monotony. : Just as Kenneth was beginning to feel curions about the course he was traveling, and the wild and picturesque scenery around him, Carrier stopped, and he was“aston- isiied Lo see before him a lake, the extent of which, how- ever, he had no means of judging. His feet were now untied, and he was peremptorily commanded to dismount. Carrier then led the way round a projecting point of rocks, close down to the water’s edge, and our hero, fol- lowing at his heels, was surprised to find on the other side pusturage for horses. Jean quickly relieved the ani- mal Kenneth had ridden of his equipage, and turned him loose. A canoe that was drawn up among the shrubbery was then launched, and the young man bidden to take his seatin the middie. It was pushed from the shore and paddled diagonally across the lake. Presently a bold shore loomed inte view. They approached what appeareddike a lofty wall of massive rocks piled one upon another till they reached an altitude of an hundred feet. Kenneth contemplated the spectacle with wonder and awe, The birchen vessel shot into a little cove that rau under the blulf like aswallow’s nest. Kenneth looked up and saw a roof of solid rock over his head. He glanced outward and beheld the glassy surface of the lake lying ore one Silent in the lap of the mountains and the noon of night. ; Under other circumstances there would have been weird loveliness about the spot; bul placed as he was, what else would have looked beautiful, wore the dark garb of mys- tery. ‘What a spot, he reflected, for the commission of a greatcrime! Hidden from the haunts of men likea grain of sand in the sea, by what possibility could a deed of blood declare itself to the great world without? The Sete mude him shudder, and yet Kenneth Iverson was rave, “Stoop a little, and come on, Jean, trudge at his heels,” said Currier, bending, aud making his way, apparently, into the rock itself. Kenneth glinced once more at the soft surface of the sleeping lake, and with @ sigh, imitated the movements of his guide. He groped onward seyeral yurads, with his body bent nearly double. “You can stand erect here,’ said Carrier, at length. The young man heard him fumbling about in the pitchy darkness, and understood that he was searching for ma- terials with which to strike a light. Presently the flicker- ing flame of a large lamp threw jis rays across the rocky cell, the roof of which was arched, jagged, and oozing With moisture. “Your journey isn’t ended yet,” said Carrier. ‘Have patience, mister, and we'll show you what’s. known to jew; and when you retutn to your friends agin,’” he cou- tinned, with a sinister smile, ‘don’t tell’em the secret.’’ Jean chuckled and looked approvingly at his comrade. THE QUIDE, AND HIS DAUGHTER SYLVEEN. “T's extrordiner quiet-like for folks. of 4 meditative turn.o’ mind, and [ hope you'll like it well enough to stay with usa long time!” he said, in much the same man- ner that a playful hangman would address his victim. Again bidding him follow, Carrier, aftens few turns to the right and left, conducted. hitg fo auother coinpartment, larger, loftier, and drier, aid “amin: suspended from the roof. _ oe sole seen i. ins aubterra ean hall was a negro woman, who seemed safely pst ge dangerous age of ee in hers sen, hi ivdkin er, Kehnetit imine: digtely thought of the iinstyoug Blas of Santiilane, 0 WiS Veracduus Advediutee ove. Frome aad bennath. of adipocere, pre- senting 2 very atriking tHinstratiomof what-human indus- try.can accomplish in that particular line. Her lips were excessively African; her nose characteristically flat; her hair as crispy as might well be; her forehead low enough in all conscience; while her cheeks were biouted to the utmost capacity of the skin, which was lustrously enam- eled with black. This pretty specimeu of humanity, the moment she beheld Kenneth, clapped two dingy hands to her ample sides ani feil into a paroxysm of laughter that was both long and good-natured, and shook her con- federate imembers as if they were made ef jelly, or some equally susceptible material. Kenneth could see nothing to laugh at, and therefore did not join inthis innocent ebullition of feeling, but con- tented himself by glancing mechanically at the various articles that the compartment contained. In one corner was a heap of buffalo skins, in another was 2 pile of pel- tries; in this jagged niche hung a haunch of venison, in that the horus of a buck, with the foot of a panther, rest- ing against the wall; in one place might be seen some rifles and carbines with their various appointments, or, upon a jutting point of rock, pistols of various mountings, sizes, and’ workmanship. ‘A-table of hard wood rested npon a trestle in the center of the hall. “Hagar, stop your cackliw’ and git us. somethin to eat; we've got stomachs like wolves lo-night,’’ said Carrier. Hagar waddied away, and came back after a littie time with cold meat and a bottle of whisky. Kenueth’s hands were untied, and he was told that he might, if disposed, share their supper; but not being in a disposition to in- dulge the pleasures of appetite, he rejected this overture. He complained of fatigue, and casting. himself upon the buffalo skins in the corner, presently feigued sound sleep. Jean and Chris made a resolute attack upon the enter- tainment that the pegress had provided. To the. bottle they paid their addresses with particular pertinacity, oc- casionally turning their eyes toward the young man, and making him the subject of remark. Kenneth tossed about on his couch like a tired sleeper, but took the best of care to have an eye and ear at the service of the voyageurs. “That chap takes it mighty easy? Don’t think Z could sleep in such a fix, no ways,”? suid Jean. “Don't trust too much lo appearances,’ answered Car- rier, swallowing a large piece of meat that would have choked a modest dog. ‘The feller may be playin’ ’pos- sum. Takeachap like mé, that’s all the way from Tex- as, and he’s naterally hardto be deceived, because he’s seen enough of the world giner’ly to make him s’picious. ‘by Several lamps | it & consiclérabie 7] & mit himself unresi stingly to the great wrong that was bé- ing practiced upon him. The bacchanalian tendencies of the yoyageurs were pecuiiaritiies that he felt disposed to take advantage of it. 16 was with pleasure that he beheld their boid onset on the bottle. He only feared that their cupacity of endurance would prove stronger than the fiery dranughis they were swallowing.. He could not but con- gratulate himself that his hands were at liberty. Would they be suffered to remain so? He believed that it would cost them an effort to put such restraint on him again. He saw a rusty Scotch claymore hanging against the op- posite wall; if-ne could but grasp it those men should pay early, for the violence they had offered him—jne could mare well his ti pare nek thom. is . It was witit peculiar interest that he noted the move- ments of Hagar. He liked it not well that she spread their couch across the only outlet of this;dark and cheer- less retreat. When the negress had completed this motherly office, she pushed a block of wood near the spot where Kenneth was lying, and seating herself upon it, rested her elbows upon her knees, and ler chin in her hands, and took a long and inquisitive look at him. This squat and unique figure resembled a corpulent frog perched on 2 pebble-stone as much as anything that can be named as a similitude, Kenneth remembered that he had a boftle of brandy in the breast-pocket of his hunting-frock. In changing his position with the affected carelessness of a slumberer, he adroitly pushed the bottle from its place, ‘when, sliding fromthe couch, .it soon Jaid quietly at Hagar’s feet. The daughter of darkness looked earnestly at this interesting object; she reached out one of her dumpy hands and se- cured it. “She shook it, held it up to the light, theu—Ha- gar smelt.of it. Her nostrils were inexpressibly tickled— they quivered with delight, while her eyes rolled ina fren- zy of ecstatic anticipation. Wesee, we handie, we taste —this is the nature of man—and woman, too. Hagar fol- lowed in the beaten track of the world; she kissed the black mouth of the botile; she hung upon its lips with niore than a lover’s transport; she swaliowed great draughts of liquid bliss. She ceased her endearments (to renew them again, anon) and sighed that the human breath was no. longer. Kenneth felicitated himself on the subtlety of his ma- neuver. Hagar, liaving once commenced this gentle dal- liance, found it Loo sweet to be abandoned without a full cousninimation, and did not desist till she had drained the cup, or bottle, rather, to the last drop of its flowing rap- ture. Hagar grew happy and happier. She smiled, she laughed, she chatted to herself, and at length rolled help- lessly from her seat, Hagar was drank! Kenneth turned upon his side and looked at the voy- ageurs; they were lying still in the dimness of the cave. Que of the lamps had gone out; another was burning upon the table. He arose and searched for his rifle; it was resting against the wall not far distant. His pistols, much to his satisfaction, he discovered upon the table, A few cautious strides and he was in possession of these weapons. He approached the voyageurs; they seemed as torpid as frogs in winter. He was strongly tempted to shoot them; but his honest aud manly nacure shrank from such a deed. It looks like real, that sleep does, but it may be only on the surface, for all that.” Jean leaned Loward his companion, and inquired, in a jow tone, although it was distinctly audible to Kenneth: “What's the cap’n niean to do now??? “Nothin? good, [il warrant. We'll Keep him safe and snug till further orders; though, if 1 had my way, l’a—” Carrier glauced furtively at Kenneth, and drew his finger across his throat. “On account of what happened when we undertook to paddle him from. York Factory to Nor- way House,” he added, “it’ll be a great deal safer for us to have. him out o’ the way, you kuow. Some furrin country’—he pvinted to where the heavens ought to be, if a hundred feet of rock had not slut them out— will agree with him better nor this.’? . “He's rather tough in his constitution, aud hard to rub out; if he hadu’t been, he’d never revived after we ‘lert him, and lived through the bitter night that follered. Howsumever, [ don’t greatly mind his gittin’ over it, and as for the Cap'n’s affairs, he must look out for tem as he sees best,” said Jean, whose visits to the bottle began to affect him perceptibly. + The conversation grew broken and desultory. As the whisky went in, senses and cautiousness went out, Jeun dozed over his food, brightening up. occasionally to give utterance to braggartrhodomontade; while Cliris said the most inconsistent things with drunken gravity, winking and ogling at Hagar, who laughed and shook her fat sides. ; At length, it'seemed to her fitting that, these two wor- thies should exchange the pleasures of Bacclius for the more sober joys of Morpheus, and this conviction she has- tened to communicate with a bluntness not to be misap- prehended. Having spread some blankets and buffalo skins across the only possible exit frou. the sub-mundane hall, she considerateiy assisted them to dispose of theu- selves in a horizontal position upou the sane; while Car- rier charged her over and over again, with abundant re- petitions, interlarded with some imenaces and oaths, to kéep a sleepless vigil upon the moyements of Kenneth, CHAPTER VI. A PEARFUL DILEMMA. The human mind never rests contented under difficul- ties, nor yields to the pressure of untoward circumstances without a struggle. It uaturally resists oppression and outrage in all their forms. When itis deprived of what of right belongs to it, it calis in its forces aud prepares to regain iis own,’ ty ie . A young mun of the firm mental composition of Kenneth Iverson, would not, of course, lie tamely down and sub- x “It were a crime,” he muttered, “to send such rufflans into the other world.” With a lamp in bis hand, he stepped over their bodies, and had no difficulty in picking his way out in the same manner that he entered. He soon stood at tne edge of the water. The canoe was where they had left it. He pushed it off and got into it, but perceived that the pad- dies had been carried away—into the cavern, probably, by Jean. He tried vainly to find a substitute for them. lt only remained for him to scale the rocks; but that promised to be no easy task. Slinging his rifle across his back, he made the attempt, Pianting his feet in the ine- qualities of the almost perpendicular ascent, by much muscular effort he managed to make cousiderable prog- ress. He was exulting in his success, when a large frag- meut of rock gave way beneath him and went thundering down into the water, The noise of its descent was suffl- cient to have awakened the seven sleepers. Kenneth scrambled upward, little doubting the result of this acci- dent. He had conquered fifty feet of the way, when he saw Jean and Chris rush out of the cavern with their rifles, and standing up to their Knees in the lake, scan the durk fuce of tae cliff with eager attention. He ceased his efforts and shrank closely to the jagged rocks, Currier, though still confused by the lingering stimulus of his po- tations, was the first to discover him. He spoke to Jean. Lis words crept.up the dusky wall with startling distinet- ness. “There he is clingin’ like a tree-tond to the bark of atree. Wil bring him down as they bark squirrels in Texas!”? Jean, who was not yet sober, was not so clear upon this point, and Kenneth hoped his doubts would operate in his favor, “That dark shadder,” said Jean, “is nothim’ more nor Ariftin the ledge. I’ve noticed i¢ often when I come home late o? niguis.” “We'll see about that, I allow,’? returned Carrier. “Qome down from that, youngster,’? he added, ‘tor Vl fire and give you a tumble that won't be over an’ above safe for your bones |” Kenneth remained motionless and silent. Where the voyugeurs stood, his figure indeed resembled a shadow or fissure in the adamantine wall, But the eyes of Curis Carrier were not to be deceived. He took aim at Ken- neth. The stars shone dimly upon the weapon; the sights were almost invisibie; Carrier’s nerves, too, were unsteady. Objects at that distance below, though vague and imperfectly outlined, were sufficiently perceptible to allow Kenneth to perceive this hostile movement. He awaited, with what emotions may be imagined, the re- sult, The bullet was ill-sped; it went three feet wide its Three Dollars Per Year. {FRANCIS 8S. STREET, Two Copies Five Dollars. {FRANCIS S. SMITH. nn ___ ae’ — ape eae —— ay t mark. Carrier watched anxiously a moment in the ex- pectation of seeing the unfortuuate young man Gishod get. Disappointed in this, he turned with a muttered impreca- tion to his companion: “Dve missed him, Jean; give me_your rifie!’’ “No,” said Jean, “you’re toodrunk to shoot. anything there, Ul fetch it myself.’’ “You can’t hit the cliff itseif!’? returned Chris, con- temptuously, and retiriug to the mouth of. the cavern, where it was drier, commenced loading hits rifle. “It won't do,” thought Kenneth, ‘to stay here and be shot at like a bear in a tree,” and he wasou the point of resuming his efforts, when a ball from Jean’s riffe, guided more by chance than skill, struck the rock close to his head, casting stony splinters into his face. He heard the hurtless messenger, flaitened on the resisting surface, rattle down the declivity. This startling admonition of danger was not to be slighted. With desperate energy and sirength he pushed himself up the dizzy hight. “He movés, he moves,’? cried Jean. Currier, having completed loading, rushed out to see. “it’s a rift in the rock, is it, you stupid mule!’ he re- torted. ‘Who ever heard of a rift elimbin’ in that way ?? Then to Kenueth: ‘Mister, [ allow yon‘d better tisten to reason aud come down. A fall from that distance won't { leave you in a shape to be recognized by your friends. As | for settin’ on your body arter such a tumble, it woukin’s ‘be possible fora coroner to do it.” For an answer, Kenneth sent down a fragment of rock, to escape injury from which, the parties below ran into the cave. “T warn you that I’li shoot,’ cried Currier, immediately re-appearing. Kenneth had reached aspot where he could shelter part of his body behind a huge boukier that was poised precariously on a shelving ledge. He wedged his body Into the smallest possible space. “Ruffian!” he murmured, “if your aim proves fatal, you shall not have the pleasure of seetig me iali, atleast. If 1 die in this narrow niche, it shall be my sepulcire!” He saw Carrier change his, position several times to take advantage of the feeble light, and searched about, vainly for a loose stone to hurldown upon him. Doubting the steadiness of his nerves, Chris rested his rife upon the rock, and tried a long time to get the siguts to bear; but there was a blur upon them which calied more than one Oath to his profane tongue. Kennethi’s heart beat fast. It wasa terrible position, and he felt itso. He tried to remember on how many occasions he had braved death, and strove to fortify him- self by the recollection of dangers safely passed. He lieid his breath in expectation of the flash. Why was it so long delayed? When he thought the instant had come, Clris wiped his eyes, cursed the darkness, and changed his attitude. His shaggy head sank down again upen the weapon, An interval of silence, oppressive and thrilling to Kenneth—a ball struck Lhe boulder and glanced harti- lessiy upward. “Gold-blooded miscreantl’! shouted Kenneth, ‘you are baffled again.”’ i The young man had unsiung his rific, but his footing Was so precarious that he could not make use of it in his defense. He looked anxiously above and below for a sater resting-place. To his dismay, he perceived thatit was impossible to ascend further, while it was impracticable to retrace his steps. Foran instaut, he yielded to despair. Necessity suggested an expedient; he would try his strength agalust the boulder.. H he could displace it, and send it crashing down thé cliff into the lake, it would leave a niche sufficiently karge to give him ample footing. He put his shoulder to it; it rocked; it tipped; it left its home of centuries, and thundered down the deseent with a violence that shook the shore and made the solid reck tremb expectations were more than realized; for the bouider had covered a niche of considerable extent, ruuning back- ward seyeral yards. He experienced a sudden revulsion of feeling. He staggered into this retreat andsank down, nearly deprived of strength and consciousness, It wis true that he could neither go up nor down; but the rifles of Carrier and Brand could not reach him. He was saved from thé dreadful probability of fuling down the jagged and giddy hight. Whien he recovered sufficient calmness and presence of mind, he crept to the edge of his eyrie and looked below. The voyageurs were peering upward. He took up his rifle to aim at Chris; bat the wity ruffian saw the gieam of the barrel, and quickly moved out of range. Kenneth watched a long time for him to appear, but he was evi- dently too cautious of his person to expose it. Tired of this useless vigit, he groped back into his niche to await the dawn of day, Which, like everything ardently looked for, came tardily. The sun arose, at last, and Mung its rays across the face of the cliff. The red and cheering messengers of light crept into Kenneth’s hiding-place. He gazed out upon the jake; no human creature was in sight. He scanned his position; looked to the riglit, left, upward, downward. Impossibil- ities slared him in the face. Te could discover no way of escape. To ascend or descend appeared equally impracti- cable; to make the attempt seemed madness, There re- mained to hin, apparently, starvation, or the alternate of casting himself into the hake. From the latter he shrank, for it was not impossible that some person might come to his relief. He tied his handkerchief to the end of his ram- rod, and thrust the iatier into acrevice jus; below his rocky selpulchre, where it remaiued like a flag of truce. The day wore on. He began to suffer from hunger and thirst. Resolved not to succumb without doing all in his power to escape from the terrible dilemina, he loaded aud tired his rifle at regular intervals. 1t was nearly night, and he was momentarily growing less hopeful, when the baying of a dog reached his ears. Was ever sound so welcome? He discharged his pistols and riffe in rapid succession, and shouted with all his strength. The deep voice of the dog rolied down to him from the top of the clitf. He heard the animal’s master calling him ip the distance, and hallooed till he was hoarse, to attract his attention; but no auswer was returned. In his despair, he addressed the dog imploringly: ‘“Paithful companion of man! do not thon, at least, for- sake me!”? The dog’s great voice came back in answer, while his master continued to call for him to follow. Ti/e creature did not stir; but, sitting upon his haunches and elevating his nose, howled mournfully. Kenneth heard no other sounds for a considerable time. “He is leaving me!’ exclaimed the young man; ‘‘and this dumb dog alone Knows and sympathizes with my condition. Every moment the hunter is placing a greater distance between us. It would be some comfort to see the face of this sagacious friend even.’ ; Kenneth ventured out upon the narrow ledge where he had, the previous night, found such precarious footing; he heard a scratching far above, Looking up le saw the well-known face of Nick Whiffies’ dog thrust anxiously over ihe edge of the cliff. The sight made him reei, and he was obliged to shut his eyes and hold tightly upon the jagged points to prevent his falling. The thought that Nick Whiffles was so near, and yet ignorant of his terrible position, nearly overpowered him. He dared not trust himself to look at the dog again; but, when he was steady enough, worked hiniself slowly back to: his niche, to re- new, with feverish zeal, his firing and shouting. “Gome! what you ’bout there?’ cried a voice, which, though some way off, was easily recognized) by Kenneth. The dog barked violently, and told his inaster, in his way, that his presence was required, The young: man’s ain- munition was now spent, and his voice, too. ‘“Hain'’t got into no diffikilty, haye ye?» Makin’ a con- founded fuss up there, seems to me. Git up, Firebug, let’s see what. the trouble is.” Hope revived in Kenneth’s breast. - With unspeakable joy he beard the oncoming footsteps of his friend’s horse; presently his hoofs rang upon the rocks above, ~ “What's the trouble, lsay? You've gone mad! You have, I swear to gracious!’ said Nick, addressing his ca- nine companion. “Calamity” replied to these pertinent remarks by scratching with his paws, Whining, and looking over the elilf. “You allers was a putty sensible varmint, and conducted yourself as a knowin’ and exemplary dog ouglit to, but Ill be skinned if you haven’t lost your character aval de- poortment both to once! What in the name o* nabar are you lookin’ over there for? Want to git a tumble, don’t ye?’ Kenneth leaned faintly against the rugged sid¢ of his eyrie, and called feebly to Nick. “Oalamity” wagged his tail and looked triumphantly at his master. “Tuought I heerd a voicel What does it all mean, I wonder? Hullo! Anybody in diffikilty hereabouts?” A faint and gasping voice answered from below: “Oalamity,”? quoth Nick, ‘you know mere’n I do. There is diffikilty, by thunder!*’ If there’s Whifties cast himself upon his face and gazed earnestly down tie cliff. The young man perceived, wih. joy, that his - # Se it 37 a & 3 g- : ; { . d ¥ —_— “Where are you, who are you, and what’s the matter?” he cried. “It ig J~Kenneth Iverson!” answered the young man, in a stronger voice. “Beavers aud otters!’? exclaimed Nick. ‘What made you locate in sich an ungreeable place as this ?”? “You shall know al about it, my friend, after you get me out.”? ’ “ButTean’t git yon out—I can't. [swear to gracions! The devil himself conldn't git you oul. It’s a cussed little diffikilty thaVikebe-hard gittin’ over!? answered Nick, emphatically. - 9 «)) ) yay «J shall tyust-to your own ingentity,” replied Kenneth. “Ingenuity, indeedt Al bk can dois to:give you my blessin’ and leaye ye. If you’ve.got any word tosend to your friends, i’if\take il along with me. However, I'll go down below, and see howit looks in that direction, per- Vidin’ there’s any Way Of gittin’ there.” «J feel as safe a8 if lwas out already,” returned Kén- Neth, confidently. “Then you feel a condemned sighf better about it norT do; for 111 be shot if inisn’t the tightest place that I ever see a critter in! Come, ‘Calamity’ findme the way down to the lake, *thout breakin’ my neck!” “One moment,’? gaid Kenneth. ‘Look out for Chris Carrier and Jean Brand; you may encounter them be- low.” “Oh, (hey've had a hand in it, have they? Vil play the misehief with them mean skunks yet, I will, by the Lord! Why, thisis worse than freezin? to death! Stay where you be, will ye, till I git round ?? “LT think I shail,’ answered Kenneth, dryly. Nick Whiffies’ footsteps grew fainter and fainter, and presently died away in the distance. Occasionally, how- ‘ever, the young man thotght he could hear his voice, as now and then he addressed a friendly word to his dog. GIA P TER: Wit. ABRAM HAMMET, At the expiration of three-quarters of an hour—thongh* the time seemed much longer than this to Kenneth—Nick appeared at the bottom of the cliff. Having leisurely con- sidered the difficulty to be overcome, he deliberately ad- lressed himself to the task. Whiere the jagged points and projecting ledges did not present sufficient foothold, he cut holes in the rock wuth his hatchet, or drove stout sticks into the creyices. He tvorked with so much good will, and to such advantage, hat before two hours-had passed Kenneth was able to lescentd safely from his isolated percti. He looked with ome anxiety for the canoe, which he had last seén drawn up under the rocks, but itwas not to be found. Tean ana Chri’: had doubtless left the spot with it in the night. ¢ Thére was some debate between Nick and Kenneth about entering the cavern; Dut the idea was finally abandoned as being impolitic and hazardous. “Fotler me,’ said Nick, ‘‘and ll show you a better way nor that up the side of the rock. Calamity led me down like a major, by a way 1 never should have found alone, though it was @long way round, andI was obleeged to scramble right smart sometimes, and hold tight what- ever I could reach. Take a drop from my flask, man, for you'look pale asa ghost. This was rayther a dizzy place to settle in,”? he added, glancing upward, ‘but when my gran‘fathér was makin’ the tower of the world he was often in worse predicamenis nor that. He allers traveled ina one-horse sulky, did my gran’father, with the top turned back, so that he could see all that. was to be seen. Well, one day he drove up Mount Vesuvius jest to divart his mind and give his hoss, which had been stannin’ in the stable a:good eal of late, a liltie exereise. *Isn’t that rather a novel method of ascending Mount Vesuvius?’ inquired Kenneth. “Bless your simplicity, uo. Jt was very common in the time o’ my gran’father. AsI was sayin’, he drove upin his sulky, One it bein’ Sunday, the institution was putty quiet. Jt happened, as my uncle was, drivin’ round ,the crater—— » “Grandfather,’’ suggested Kenneth. 7 “T sdid gran’father. As my gran’father was drivin’ round theicrater, one wheel went over, andhe fell intoy the consarn neck an’ heels, though, fortinitly for the world, he left his manuscripts, nick-nacks and rare speci- mens in fhe sulky, which recovered its equalabraham the minute my gran’father was sloppedout. Well, my gran’- father fell nigh to a hundered feet, off an’ on, ’cording to his best calciiations,”’ ; “He was injured a good deal, Isuppose?’’ said Ken- i “Not a tall,” returned Nick, with imperturbable tran- quility. ‘He fell into a bed o’ warm ashes, and. didn’t * feel the shock none to speak on; though it raised sunthin’ ofa dust, which prevented him from ever writin’ a de- tailed description of the ‘pearance of things inside. He didn’t go to the bottom by along sight. It was so deep that you might look two days upon the stretch an’ never see the end on’t.. It was my gran’father’s opinion that it had once been inhabited by pirates; but how they gotin an’ out he couldn’t quite explain to the satisfaction of his friends,” ‘Yow did your grandfather get out?” “The next ‘ruption,’ replied Nick, gravely, ‘blowed himout; and, aschance would hayeit, set him plump into his sulky ag’in.”’ During this singular narration Nick had been picking” his way along the margin of the lake, sometimes to his waist in water, at others scrambling over a jutting point higher than his head. ‘Calamity’? sagaciously acted.as guide, in which capacity he acquitted himself with such credit that they reached the spot where Nick had left his horse after a rough-and-tumbje walk of an hour. «Twice saved by you!” said Kenneth, as wet, weary and hungry he cast himself upon the earth. » “Nothin? to brag on—nothin’ to brag on. Inever mind these little diffikilties in the Whiffles family. My mother was everlastingly in diffikilty. Beavers an’ otters. Sle had twenty-one children, all of which had a rug o’ the measles afore they could run alone. All my ants and sis- ters got into diffikilty too, in one way an’ another—mostly, in another.”? Nick looked benignantly at«‘Fireburg” and “Calamity.” Tt was evident that no “‘diffikilty’? whatever could serious- ly ruffie his good nature or cause him five minutes of real unhappiness. “This faithful animal,” said Kenneth, reaching out his hand with the intention of Jaying it upon the shaggy head of the dog, ‘deserves a much better name than you have given him.” — { hy “Calamity” growled, and retreated with surly dignity ~ from the offered familiarity. Squatting beside his mas- ter, he looked at Kenneth with an expression that could, without the least violence to dog-language, be construed as follows: “I'll help you out of ‘diffikilty’ when you can’t help yourself; but don’t presume to aspire to my friendship.” j «“‘He’s rayther misanthroatic in his feelin’s,’’ said Nick, apologetically. © “He was summat soured when he’s a pup, by bein’ a good ’eal put upon an’ bit up by dogs big- ger’n he was.” : “F{e’s a noble creature, though eccentric.. I should like to own him, if possible,’’ observed Kenneth. “Calamity” squinted up at Nick, to see what he was go- ing to say to this. A “You might own him,” replied .the latter, ‘“‘but he'd never own you. There’s nobody that suits him but me. He likes my style, does Calamity.”! ; “Calamity” said ‘“Bow-wow!’’ with startling emphasis. It was his indorsement of Nick’s style. ; “‘He knows a thing or two, that animile does! Will show ye some o’ his tricks when we have time. He un- derstan’s everythin’ that’s said as well’s we do. Tell him you're obleeged to him, and that’s all he wants for his sarvices, Save now an’ then a nice bit of meat, when you have it to spare.”? “Calamity” erected his ears, and sprang to his feet; he pushed his nose up into the air, while his nostrils quivered, “He seents somebody; that you may rely on,’’ affirmed Nick. it was now evening, but not very dark; objects could be seen at a considerable distance. Kenueth followed the di- rection of the dog’s eyes, and alter looking a moment, saw a horseman appear at the summit of a hill, about fifty rods distant. ‘Calumity” had scented him before he was visibie. “It’s no Ingin,’’ said Whiffies. “I know by his figger an’ ridin’, He comes this way at a brisk pace. I wonder if he sees us??? The herseman approached within a hundred yards of the parties before he became aware of their proximity. He siackened::his pace, scanned them attentively, then came on as before, without swerving from his course, “‘How are ye, stranger?” said Nick, as the man rode up. Nrpriena,” replied the horseman, “I am as well as Iam wont to be. [hope thou art the same.” , 4 Quaker, swear to gracious!’ exclaimed Nick. “Swear not!’? answered: the stranger, coldly. «The Lord bless your simpte soul, L don’¢ swear! It’s agin my principles. {tis, by thunder! But I had a cousin once, that swore hisself into a consumption. Howsom- eyer, that’s neither here nor there. Git off your hoss, and jine us; purvidin you haven’t nothin’ better to do. We're goin’ tocamp here for the night, and’ll haye sun- thin’ to eat presentiy.”’ “Verily ’tis a friendly offer, and I’ll accept thy hospital- ity,’ returned the Quaker, dismounting. «‘As for hospitality,’? added Nick, ‘you’ll find it mostly in the open air; for that blue arch is all the roof we shall have over us to-night.” ‘Jt is lofty enongh and good enough,’ rejoined the stranger... ‘Is there forage hereabout for horse?) he asked, “Look yonder, stranger, and you'll see Firebug making a tolerable meal.”’ . The Quaker looked at Kenneth inquiriugly. “Firebug is thename of his horse,’’ the latter remarked. “Friend trapper, if thou hast no objections, I will turn my beast loose with thine.’ “The country belongs 48 much to you as to me, for that tuatter; therefore, put your critter to pastur soon’s pos- sible, aud leave out as many thees and thous as conve- nient; for in’ truth [like not thy manner of speech,’ “Nor I thine!’ returned the stranger, quietly. «Then we are even. But what is that I see tied to your cruyyper ?? said Nick. «Ji is a haunch of venison, with which to cheer the outer man,” replicd the Quaker, with a marked nasal twangy : “Tavs lucky? Vill straight build a fire, and what with our talk, and what with our pemican, and what with thy venison, and what with our whisky, we’ll make, I allow, a right smart supper.” The stramger digencumbered his horse of saddle, bridle, and burden, and turning his head to where Firebug was feeding, sutfered ixim to go at large; then, taking a seat near Kenneth, watched the operations of Nick Whiffles With evident interest; while “Calamity” eyed him with evident suspigion. Observing that the dog cast surly SO eo S | that was a good deal Diagis that way. ” glances at the new-comer, Nick quieted any fears that he might be supposed to feel, by remarking, ‘Don’t worry yourself about that animile; he won?t be likely to touch you as long as you keep still; but whem you begin to move about, as folks giner’}y do, he may possibly give you a nip or two in the leg.” “What art thou called, friend?! inquired the stranger, bier gS “Nick Whiffles, at your sarvice,’’ replied the trapper. “Then, friend Nick, ’'d advise thee to train thy ill-na- tured cur to better manners,” responded the Quaker, coohys a “What's sauce for: the goose is sauce forthe gander,” said Nick; ‘therefore, friend Quaker, what’ art thou called?” é “Ye 5 ; ; “sDraly, Nick, mine is not a name that I should be ashamed of, inasmuch ag it hasbeen .borne with much. honor and profit by several generations. Abram Hammet is an Appellation, Il believe, that. may be spoken with credit wherever the sect of Friends is known; although I trust,’? he added, growing slightly nasal in his enuncia- tion, that it won’t be with mela cause of unseemly pride.” : te pat “J should be greatly scandalized if it did, verily,’? re- turned Nick, imitating very closely the Quaker’s manner of speaking. “Attune not thy voice to raillery and mocking, for the scoflings of the ungodly fall upon their own heads, as the vapors that ascend from the earth come back Lo us in rain.?? | : Abram Hammet laid his hands.upon his stomach, and partially.closing his eyes, and depressing the muscles of his fuce, exclaimed, ina very slow and startling tone: *O-h, a-h!? Kenneth turned an ingnuisitive and smiling look to the Quaker, While Nick stared at him with. comical earnest- ness, muttering to himself “Oh, ah!’? pitched on the same key. “Mister, I allow yorfve been tooken with the colicin your stummach of a suddint. Perhaps alittle drop 0’ the critter il ease your distress?’ suggested the trapper. “Thou speakest, Nick Whitiles, like those that follow after the vanities of this life. Know that whisky is some- thing that my palate and my principles alike hold in utter abomination!? retorted lamimet, rebukingiy. ; “But when a feller critter’s in pain like you are, tiere’s nothing betier,?? persisted Nick, thrusting his bottle into the quiet Quaker’s hand. . “Jf thou insistest, I will even defile my lips with the unhallowed beverage; though I warn thee that thou’ll not find me one addicted to swilling and gormandizing after the wicked fashion of the world and the lusts of the flesh.”? Abram Hammet threw back ‘his head until his nose pointed to the zenith, and placing the mouth of the bottle gravely to his own, held it there a long time. Nick grew uneasy; @ suspicious gurgling admonished him that his beloved beverage was traveling the wrong road with ominous rapidity. He was seated upon the ground at the moment in cooking a piece of venison upon a stick; full of direful misgivings, he arose to his knees, and in open-mouthed consternation considered the yam- pyre mouth of the stranger, who, having drained the flask to the last drop, composedly returned it. : “Verily, it is bitter as the waters of Marah, and scorch- eth like the fire of Hades as it goeth down. O-h, a-hl”? The smell of burning meatadmonished Nick that he had dropped the stick, on the point of which he had held sus- pended his supper, " He placed his hands upon his hips, sighed from the bot- tom of his lungs, looked at his blazing meat, at the empty bottle, at Kenneth, at the dog Cdlamity, and finally at. Abrain Hammet. Paving at length settled back upon his haunches and whipped his meat out of the ashes, he asked, in a voice rendered mournful by his recent loss: “Enjoy pretty good health, don’t you, mister? Ain‘t subjeck to no cussed little diffikilties, be ye?” “As for the matter of health, lum one that has passed through the furnace, and Satan has sifted me as wheat. It has pleased Providence to break up my constitution, and give unto me the cup of weakness and the waters of affliction. My strengtit has in a measure departed from me, and itis with much travail of the spirit and of the flesh iso, that [I can bear the fatigues of journeying through this land of. Belial!” : Nate 2 “Oh, you’re a broken-down critter, be you?’ as, “Truly, the glory of my strength has departed. Oh, ah!’ “Tt’s nelancholy! Hain‘'t no appetite, I s’pose??’? que- ried Nick, handing him a large piece of meat on a piece of birch bark. \ ‘ “Thou art right, Friend Nick. Iam, as it were, de? prived of the pleasures of appetite, and the enjoyment o the loaves and fishes of this world. And yet it was churl ish,’? added Abram, feelingly, ‘not to do some justice to thy hospitality. It is my duty to nourish, in a suitable degree, the outer man; though the spirit rebels against the grossness of meats and drinks.” 6 Oe o) With these words Hammet made a voracious attack upon the steam] amazon: which disappeared in a mo- ment before ee ers of mastication. = “Am feered ’tisn’t seasqned to your taste,’ said Nick, quizzically. eee es “Thy cooking is not over and «be Bt bub alioh mayest give me, if thou wilt, another piece of roasted | flesh. And, friend, let it be a trifie larger than the morsel I have just swallowed. . a ee Nick cut a slice weighing about two pounds, which he warmed a little at the fire, and pa 4o Abram in a semi- raw state, at the same time g Kenneth a sly look. This daa offering followed its predecessor with incredible dispatch. we dlee on MLE .)) 1) el “Stranger!? exclaimed Nick, n0 longer able to restrain other condemned diffikilty, ife b critt had a family o’ tapeworms in your stom: “Verily, my miud hath, at sundry times been exercised in that direction,” respon With every appearance ofinnocence. ~~ -. - “J never had a family of ‘em myself, but T ha ‘fected her diffrent from ‘what it seem to. oa ’ormous appetite, I tell’you! For the last tite her life she never left. the table. She tte bits of the Whiffles’ family, literally eatin’ ’em out 0? home. Twas calc’lated that she eat enough ¢€ to fit out a grand caravan across the desert of Sal victual a man-o’-war for a y’y’ge round the globe.” “Friend Nick, thou art addicted to exaggeration, than which nothing is more abominable.”’ Ne : ‘Lyin’,’’ asserted Nick, stoutly, “is sumthin’ that was neyer born and.bred in the bones of the Whifties’ ginera- tion. They wouldn’t *quivocate, man, woman, nor child of. ’em, to save their. lives. .My great-gran’father was burned to a stake ’cause he wouldn’t lie for the Pope 0’. Rome. That was when the Inquisition was goin’ about, killin’? believers, breakin’ up families, and makin’ diffi- kilty.”) } Ss “J perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the strong bonds of iniquity. Were I muct in thy com- pany I would strive mightily to overcome thy levity, and correct the way wardness of thy thouglits.”’ The worthy Abram Hammet again placed his hands it eaten house an’ very, year » OF upon his stomach, and said ‘‘O-h! a-h!? in an agony of earnestness. Nick dropped his supper, and, simulating the Quaker’s voice and attitude, repeated *O-h, a-h!’? with such ludi- crous effect that Kenneth could not refrain from laughter. “Hold not in derision one of the chosen people, but rather attend to thy own spiritual condition, which 1s tru- ly heathenish and abominable.” Nick lighted his pipe and smoked; while Hammet amused himself by singing a Quaker melody through his nose. “Perhaps,’’ Nick said, when these exercises had ended, ‘you'd like to lay down and sleep a bit, though the ’com- modations are none 0’ the best.’? “Accommodations and other vanities, I have already told thee, I care nothing about. I can very well lie down with nothing beneath but the earth, and nothing above but the sky,’’ returned Abram, meekly. “Possibly you won’t object to taking a corner of my blanket??? continued Nick, ironically, for his mind still dwelt upon his lost whisky. “Verily, I like to encourage a Christian spirit, and will even accept thy olfer; though I tell thee frankly that thou art unto me as an unbeliever and a Gentile!’ “Oh, never mind that!’ rejoined Nick, shrugging his shoulders; ‘‘but make yourself as comfortable as you cau.’? “Truly, friend Nick, I will be governed by thee; and, in return for thy Kindness, will pray that the Lord will have mercy upon thy dark and heathenish state.’ With these friendly words, Abram Hammet incontinent- ly rolled himself in the hunter’s blanket, leaving not so much as a single thread of warp or woof for his benefi, ‘“Perhaps,’? suggested Nick, when he had contemplated his new friend a moment in silence, ‘‘you’d like to have me put my saddle under your head? If you sleep with your head so low, I’m afeared you'll have the nightmare, lam, by thunder! My brother died of the nightmare, jest for the want of a saddle under his head.’? ‘Do as thee pleases, friend Nick, for I never use mine for that purpose; itis new and comely, and I care not to soil its leather by the moisture of the head, Thou mayest, ifthou wilt, placeit here beside me, so that I may be sure no harm wilibefallit. And, friend Nick, keep a good fire, and an eye to my horse, which is a goodly beast.”? With affected alacrity, Nick Whiffies placed the saddles in the manner proposed, and with grave, yet comical sar- casm, asked if he coula do anything more, and wished him a good night’s rest; then, stretching himself, beside the fire, on the bare ground, went to sleep muttering a thousaud absurdities, of which Abram Ha et was the principal subject. (TO BE CONTINUED.] -o~+ HISTORICAL ITEMS. THE first stocking frame was invented by William Lee, of Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, England, in the year 1599. Tradition ascribes the origin of his invention to a piqie he had taken against a towns-woman_ with whom he was in love. and who, it seems, neglected his passion, She got her livelihood by knitting stockings, and with the ungenerous object of de- preciating her employment he constructed his frame, first work- log at it himself, then teaching his brother and other relatives. THE punishment known as “hanging, drawing,’ and quartering,” is said to have been first inflicted in England on William Marise, a nobleman’s son, in! 1241, in the reign ot Henry III, The last execution of thissortin England was that of the Cato-street conspirators, in 1820. MASKS were first used off the stage by the wife of Nero, to guard her complexion from the sun. Theatrical masks were common among the Greeks and Romans, The real inven- tor is unknown, THE earliest record of falling meteoric stones, or THE NEW YORK his,admiration,,.“‘you ought to be doctored!—you had, [| ¢ Saar Co era Oe anata cote on, OF ome Ps { . 6 N r a BY HARRY. They chide you'for being so gay; You have reckless spirits, they say, And moods like an April day, * . Pauline. Reckless, and flippant, and light, Theard them call you last night; When your mirth rose to its highth, a ; Pauline. Reckless, and flippant, and light! I, who knew you aright, Knew twas a pitiful slight w ¥ "Pauline. Tor I knew, what nono of them guessed, That if your heart were at rest, Your lips would be slower to jest, Pauline. Then let them reprove as they may; If it eases your heart to be gay, To laugh ever so light, laugh away, 4 Drifted Aaunder. By Carrie Conklin, Author of THE CHILD BRIDE, LADY LKO- NORA, THE BANKER’S FOU, ete. ; [‘Drifted Asunder” was commenced in No, 12. Back num- bers can be obtained from any News Agent in the United States. CHAPTER XXI. THE TRIAL OF ALLAN IRVING. The scene told its own story tothe lookers-on. That mysterious instinct which points to the truth had led the other lodgers in the house to suspecta flaw in the rela- tionship between Mr. Rivers—tue name they went by— and the lady who called herself Mrs, Rivers. Snatches of their conversation, overheard by thé servants and care- fully carried to the other apartments, were put together and commented upon, angry werds and recriminations, in which morsels of the truth were told or hinted at, were listened to, and a certain ection at one time and uu- natural brightness at another the experienced peo- ple who watched and listened that there was an incom- pleteness somewhere. j Aud now they saw their conjectures verified, witha tragedy to end Lhe romance which had not been without its interest. The outraged husband and the lover had met, and here was the result, “J call Heaven to witness,” said Irving, “that when I entered the room the man was there exactly as he is now. if, when the gendarmes arrived, I had not been seized so abruptly, you would haveseen that my dress was in no way disarranged, That of itself would tell you I had no part in the struggle which must have taken place. The man had wrouged me bitterly, robbed me and dishon- ored me; but I did not contemplate that shape of re- venge.”? P The sight of De Vere and the danger of her husband paralyzed Clara, but she clang to Irving. . “Ailan,?? she said, “how did this happen ?? ; “J do not know. . came to speak to him, and saw him as you see him—I was in the agt of leaving the room to call this man, a al Des officer, Whom 1] brought with me to arrest Captain De Vereywhen he met me at the door. When he saw what had been done, some conyersa- tion we had together previously induced him to believe I had lost my self-control, and in a moment of rage killed my wronger. That is alll have to say.” He was quite calm “collected. He knew his peril. He remembered Chowder’s caution at the railway station, the remarks of the detective in the train, and his advice given less than twenty) minutessince. It was the most extraordinary coincidence that some unknown avenger should have stepped in to give weight and force to the re- marks that, innocent enough in themselves, took the sliape of deliberate and revengeful purpose now. ‘ When he found himself arrested he settled down into a dead calm, and contented himself by simply denying the charge. : Serainiy the evidence went terribly againsthim. The detective, with his knowledge of what lay between him ‘and the dead man, was a fatal witness. _ He was thoughtful enough to offer what consolation he ‘could to the wretched woman, who felt herself burdened with a double sense of guilt. She was at a Joss to under- stand what reference her brother’s. sudden appearance and rapid flight bore upon the case. As yet she could think of nothing clearly. The sight of es very asshe saw him with his strangled throataci the fender, had stupefied her. ‘he time was not so long since she had loved him for his grace of face and figure, -and the-spectacle of that face distorted, that figure limp and huddled ina heap, fillec her with a dull horror near akin to madness, eae SIF Sree Y ie “For his death,’? she thought, “and for anything that may happen 2 Allan, Iam resp ble. Ihave brought all this upon them both.” Ree tes vie , “It seemed the worse er i with g E a he : But you are not sure it wasmy husband?” | — _ “Well, ma’am,” he’said, ‘shaking his head gray it could not have been any one else, I cautioned him before he went in, and we talked about it in the train. Nov that I believe he intended to do it; but seeing the man in front of him, he was only too likely to forget himself, and then you can easily ee the rest.’? f In her heart Clara suspected her brother, for what other meaning could be attacked to his strange ‘appearance and hurried words? _ “As the case stands,’ the man went on, “there is not a great deal to fear. Mr. Irving had been robbed as well as injured, and that will make what they call extenuating circumstances here. They Make extenuating circum- stances’ out of nearly everything in France. If a man were to make away with lis father and mother and all his brothers and sisters, his counsel would ask the court to take Compassion on a poor orphan whio had nota friend in the faa If any one else had done it lhe would go to the galleys for life; but I should say Mr. Irving would get a couple of years at most.?? He was nearly correct in his prediction. There was very little delay in the artist’s trial. The case was watch- ed on his behalf by a soliciter sent from the English con- sulate, and he was tried with mostimpartial fairness, but the evidence was too direct to admit a doubt, His own words went against him. The detective re- lated what passed when they were at the London railway station, and it was suggested that Mr, Chowder should be sent for. There was no need, however. Valentine no sooner heard what had happened, and the peril Irving was in, then he started at once for Paris, at the risk of los- ing the only speaking part with which the thirst of his sou. had been as yet assuaged. **And the less you say the better,” the detective warned him, “‘foritstrikes me thatyou are one of them sort as is likely to do more harm than good.” He was right again. Chowder was an excellent French Scholar, ard consequently gave his evidence with a ciear- ness which lef: misapprehension out of the question. He was slightly dramatic, t00, in his defense of his friend, andjust as dramatic in his delivery of the unfortunate point which helped the condemnation. “There never was a@ more devoted husband, a truer friend, a gentler-hearted man,’’ hesaid. “His very na- ture and genius render it impossible that he should have committed this crime, He might have struck De Vere in a moment of passion; but he would not have denied it afterward.’ “Jt is then,’ said the president, “in his denial that you place your faith?” _ - “Most certainly. He is an artist and a gentleman, therefore @ man of }ionor. Whatever may have passed when he met the man who wronged him, he would never have attemped to shield himself from the consequences by an untruth,” ‘The spirit of this reply suited the chivalry of a French court, aud created a favorable impression, “You never heard lim utter a threat against the de- ceased ?*’ the president asked, ‘‘or anything which might be constructed into a threat?’ Mr. Chowder stopped on the point ofan emphatic assur- ance, and his face took a blank expression. ‘‘You need not answer that question,’’ said Irving, with asad smile, ‘I have not denied a bitter thought of the man, andit may have shown itself in my face. It was, however, only a thought, not an intention.’? Mr. Chowder was pressed on the question, ‘At no time,’’ he answered, reluctantly, ‘‘unless some words let fallin the course ofa conversation could be so construed."?” ’ ‘ “Where did the conversation take place ?’? ‘Tn his studio,” “And whiat were the words ?”? “7 forget.” _“Their substance, then??? “He spoke of the matter ina philosophic tone, rather than as if personally interested. He said it would be bet- ter in sucli a Case for the wronged man not to meet the wronger, lest the temptation sliould come,’* “The temptation to do what??? ' “To take him by the throat, and forgetting everything but the wreck and ruin wrought by him. I protest, Mon- sieur Le President, at being compelled to repeat passages ina conversation which which ought to be reproduced literally from first to last, in order to be judged properly.’ No further witnesses were called, Allan Irving repeat- ed his statement and denial, and his advocate made an eloquent defense. Based even on the possibility of his guilt, he pointed out how the accused had been touched inthe tenderest place, and the sanctity of his home out- raged by one who had been his friend. He said much more, but the mind of the court had long since been made up, and Ajlan Irving was sentenced to two years’ detention in prison—a mitigated form of pun- aerolites (air stones), is that of which Livy wrote when in 654 B. C, a shower fell on the Alban Hill, near : SW félons, and to which ina Frenchman's eye there was very little degradation attached. But to the artist it meant conviction on a charge of murder, and his heart was very heavy ashe left the court. Hé cast one glance, stern and compassionate, on the vailed figure of his wretched wife, and held out his hand to Chowder, who was trying in vain to hide his tears. ““Good-by, Val,’’ he said, with the old, sadsmile. ‘Do wiiat you can for hier, and take careof poor little Dora.” “There are plenty of Os 10 do that, Irving. Nota fellow in the city would let her want @ home if it were for ten years instead of two. You are jnnocent?”? cond : “Qn my soul, yes.” oa ay Shear “And on my soul! believe yon. I shall come and see you as often as they will Jet me.’ “4 “Thanks, Val—l know you will.” As he was led away, he turned a last stern and compas- sionate glance toward his wretched wife, in time to see her fall.back into the arms of'a bystander. Mr. Chowder went promptly lo her rescue, and took her back to her lodging. | Allan Irving, passing his first few dreary hours in a foreign prison, was happier than the woman who was the cause Of his incarceration. A grim and patfent cynicism sustained him, but she had nothing except the remorse from which there was no escape. Her penitence availed nothing now. There had been a faint hope in her heart that by years of blameless life and meek humility she would 80 Win wpon her husband as to gain a corner in his house, and be permitted to see her child—perhaps iu time to be forgiven. She had Kotze- due’s play of “The Stranger” very often in her mind, and found comfort in its shallow teaching, likening herself to Mrs. Haller, and dreaming of the same termination to her crime as is implied by the end of that drama. Mr. Chowder was kindness itself. He saw how acutely she suffered, and dropped no syllable that might have re- minded her who was to biame for the recent tragedy. “Irving trusted me more than avy one else,’ he said, “and I know what he came here for. You will let me see you safely back to your friends ?"? “Why should you debase yourself by being seen in my company ??? “He knows I shall take care of you, Mrs. Irving, and I am sure it comforts him. Are you well enough to travel to-day? We cannot leave here too soon.” Clara was aware of that. The people in the house were by no means anxious to retain a Jady who had brought them into such unenviable notoriety, and were barely civil to her. Valentine acted with more firmness and promptitude than might have been expected. He enlisted the services of a pretty, black-eyed French maid, and be- tween them they packed Clara’s wardrobe and jewelry. Clara would have left everything vehind, but Chowder would not permit it. “They were bought with your husband's money, after all,” he said, ‘‘and you may be glad of them yet.” De Vere’s property was attaclied by the detective and ged at the consulate. The man himself, whose mis- spent life had ended so tragically, was buried in an ob- scure corner of Pere la Chaise. No one came to claim him, and not a creature followed his hearse or laid a wreath upon his grave. Clara did not stay-for the funeral. Her last look at the man she had loved to her own destruetion was given as he lay with his throat across the fender, and all his grace and beauty strangled out of him. She was at her sister’s house befor ey covered the turf over him in tiat dis- mal corner of Pere la Chiaise. Ada Planter received her gravely, but not without affec- tion, and 1 ention was made of the past. She was very lium id submissive, going about the house in a shadowy, t way, and always with a haunted look upon h would not see her brother Frederick after their first meeting. Then she gave him a long and curiously-searching look, at which he cowered and turned whiter, and the few words she uttered were the strangest ever heard. “Keep out of my sight from to-day, or I shall feel that I must speak.” That same afternoon Frederick Murrell went to live with his mother, Clara preferring to remain where she was. CHAPTER XXII. ALLAN’S BROTHER. The fate of De Vere and the trial of Allan Irving created @ great deal of excitement in the press circles. One special correspondent of a London daily hailed it as a eaven-sent subject for a Parisian article, at a time when club gossip and theatrical scandal were running dry. He dished it up with an easy raciness supposed to be in the best of good taste, and a faithful reflex of the fashionable style of dealing with murder and a few minor crimes. The story found its way into the American journals, and there was read by Stephen Irving. One Englishman had killed another who had eloped with his wife, and robbed him of nearly three thousand pounds. The husband's name Was Allan Irving, a well-known London artist, and he had been considerately let off with two years’ deten- tion in a prison where, said that lively Parisian correspond- nanners aia | ent, he will haye the privilege of choosing and providing his own food, and improving his intellect in the society of two or threé duelists, and half-a-dozen politicians a little too advanced for the age, ; Stephen Irving had long since given up his brother as dead—lost in the Pharoah when that vessel went to keep the company of many other victims to overloading and bad seamanship. But«surely, he. thought,. there | was in this something more than a mere coincidence of names. He procured the London papers of that date from’ the New York agency, and found half-a-dozen various ac- counts of the tragedy... One gave full details of the trial with preliminary paragraphs of the causes that led to it, then no further information wasmeeded, ~ money taken was my brother’s,” Allan said, on he trial, ‘“‘and itsdoss at-that time must have ruined him. e Vere had that money in his pocket when he induced wife to jeave her home with him, and he was on the | point of deserting her when I arrived liere. After I had seen her I went to him, but with no,intention of inflicting personal injury. { had a detective at hand with a war- rant for his apprehension on the charge of robbery, and I was resolved to be con with the judgment of the law. When-Lentered the room some one liad been there before me, for De Vere Jay just as lie was Seen by others who en- tered immediately alter me,’? “That ismy brother, Allan, without doubt,” Stephen said to himself. ‘The poor feilow did not write, because he was ashamed to.tell me the trouble and disgrace which had befallen him. I must go to England, and at once, to | procure his release, if possible, and take care of his child,’ Stephen had long since ceased to feel. the one crisis of his mercantile career. An honorable name had brought him plenty of help at the moment of need, and things had righted themselves rapidly. He had made several weli- judged and fortunate hits during the last two years, and was quite rich enough to retire. “IT did not care for it when I thought poor Allan and his little one were lost in the sea,”’ he said; “but I have a purpose now.’? He made arrangements for the transfer of his business to another firm, and set sail for England within a week after becoming aware of what had happened. He sent a letter in advance to one of his former partmers, requesting him to find the address of the person having charge ot Allan’s child. A single advertisement in the Zimes elicited a reply from Mr. Chowder. ] That good-hearted little gentleman had taken little Dora to his own home, where she was petted by lis sisters, and had playmates of her own age. Mr. Chowder’s sisters lived in Pimlico, where they eked out a little income by letting lodgings, giving music les- sons, and taking a few day pupils—children chiefly from the neighboring houses, Valentine occupied a small an- teroom on the top of the kitchen stairs, where he kept his flute, his fiddle, his books, and writing materials. He had more than one five-act tragedy in a drawer, written with a throbbing poe, and many a dream of future great- ness, and read wlth Wondering delight many a time by the midnight oil. His affection for Dora was almost touching. Her great delight was to go with Valentine to the theater where he Was engaged, and roam behind the scenes among the fairies, as she called the ladies of the ballet and their more talented sisterhood, whose happier privilege it was to dis- pense with skirts, and not trouble themselves with much by way ofsubstitute. It was all real to her, though she saw it from the wings. The lime light came direct from heaven, and she was sure the fairies soared upward to the calico skys by means of their tissue paper wings. Valentine saw her imitating their movements inyolun- tarily, and. sometimes in the night he heard the little urchin singing bits of dreamy melodies remembered long after she ought to liave been fast asleep. She was a plaything and a favorite in the painted world shut in by the act-drop and the baize. The manager him- self, aterrible fellow, who gleamed all over with gold chains and diamonds, and had the choicest variety of startling oaths always on hand, took a fancy to her, and said she was a funny Jittle child. “A born actress, Chowder, old son,’ he said, with a friendly slap which shook every tooth in Vualentine’s head;, ‘‘and we will put her in training soon.’’ “T fancy, sir, she is rather too young.”’ “Too young! How can shebe too young? Look at me, Icameon asthe child in ‘Pizzaro’ when I was twelve months old, played the little boy in ‘The Stranger’ with Macready at five, and stormed as Hamlet atsixteen. I rose to be a circus clown before I was twenty-one, and if I hadn't grown fat I should be the finest low comedian on the stage.’? One evening, on returning home from the theater, with Dora, Valentine found. that Stephen Irving had just arrived. Chowder would have recognized him by the re- semblance to Allen... He wasa handsome man of forty, with haie and beard aes turning gray. “And this is Allen's child,’’ he said, placing her on his knee. ‘I can almost fancy you are like your father, little one.’? “She is like her mother,’’ said Valentine, in a low tone. “T have never seen her mother. Allan promised to send me a photograph or sketch of her; but he did not keep his word. Do you know what lias become of her ?”’ “Some one of us three understands every word that is spoken, Mr. Irving, and we had better say nothing till after bedtime; then I can tell you everything.” Stephen Irving shook hands with him silently. He was not accustomed yetto children and their ways; but he could see that even had he never returned to England, Dora would have been in kind and gentle hands. He was too keen a judge of character not to perceive how much wiser and more thoughtful Mr. Chowder was than, on the score of his appearance, people would have beeu inclined to think him, te CHAPTER XXIII, t “FOR WHERE IS MY PLACE IN THE WIDE WORLD NOW ?”? Stephen Irving heard that story of his brother’s trouble ishment which meant exemption from the company of : With more than one quiet sigh. He had thought himself EEKLY. #0> a great sufferer when, in the years long gone by, he set the fancy of his young manhood on a girl whom he _ be- lieved loyal and loving, till he heard of her marriage; but eet - very litle to such a wrong as Allan had sus- tained. “T never saw my brother’s wife,” he said to Valentine. “He wrote to me when he thought of marrying her; but he did not keep his praganec of, sending me her miniature or photograph. She was very pretty, | suppose.” “Yes,”? said Mr. Chowder, ‘“‘pretty and thoughtless; badly trained, and with a tamper thal must have been a sore trial tosuch @-man as drving., Yousee, he had not made inugh way at the time, or he might have gone into @ higher gphere.?? »¢ IF fs : ‘‘He made the mistake eommon to young professional | men,’ Said Stephen, «and he is paying a heavy penalty for it now, death ?”? ‘ ee is inflocent, as surely as you and [are here to- gether. 3 | “What was her infatuation?” ; ‘Heaven knows, He wasinno way Allan'sequal. He was simply.a good-looking dandy, poor fellow, with those drawing-room manners women seem to like, IL don’t Want to say anything about her. Just-now she is grieved enough, and has brought enough misery. upon herself to last the rest of her days.” The merchant assented gravely to that, Like ValentMme, he had no desire to casta single stone at ‘the unhappy fallen woman; but he could not forget the sorrow she had caused, and the shameful peril she had plaeed him in, “She shall have asmah income—enough to keep her above temptation,’’ he said; “but I will not see her. We have'muc¢h to thank you for already, my brother and B Mr. Chowder. You will increase the obligation by kindly undertaking the arrangement with her.’ _*Yes, Mr. Irving; everything I can do for the poor thing. Not that she deserves pity, you know; but you cannot help feeling sorry when a young and pretty creature, who. might have always been so nappy goes to wreck and ruin’ - that way. Whatam I to do if she asks me about seeing ora? aK ? “ell her it is impossible, The child must not know that she has a mother—such a mother—living.”! Valentine accepted that stern decision in thoughtfut sence. [t was in accordance with Allan’s own expressed desire. It was wise aud perhaps kind onthe child's account; butto Mr. Chowder, who retained his goodness of heart and simplicity of character in the midst of stage surroundings, the breaking of such sacred ties was strangely painful. : ; “I will see Mrs. Irving for you,” he said,, “and make any arrangement you wish.” F F ’ ‘Por the little one herself,” said Stephen, thanking him with a look, “Ido not quite know what is best. I shal} take a home in London now. Ishall go into business gain, I think, for the time would hang, heavily on my ands otherwise. They want. me, 00, fn the old firnz, and itis not asif Allan were here. TIshould like Dora to have more light and brightness than Leould give her in my home.” = ° me Xou donot think: him guilty of that man’s “Tt promised Allan to take care of her,’ said Chowder, timidly. He was so afraid of losing his pet and playmate that he had not the courage to speak his fear. ‘We have children here every day, you know, and mysisters will attend to her education.” ‘ “There is nothing I should like better *han for her to re- main wilh you—until sheis old enougii to hay¢ a governess at home, at least.” Valentine was delighted; but he would listen to nothing in the way of remuneration. ‘Irving and I will settie that when heis at home again,”” he said. ‘Do not forget that this yould have beer her ome had you not come to England, Tam >t a poor man either. I have expectations, althougl? my friends chafe me about them; and I can easily afford myself the pleasure of a little sister like Dora.’? : Stephen overruled that objection. His observant eye had taken notice of the well-worn farniture and thread- bare carpets, and he knew that Jadies of sufficient incomes were not in the habit of giving outdoor or home tuition for the pleasure of the work, “Let that matter remain for the present,’ he said, with agenialsmile. ‘Dora shall stay with you. I dare say I shall be able to find a suitable house in the neighborhood? There was not tire siightest difficulty. The overcrowded West was already pushing ils way into the southern dis- trict, and joining the more stately portions of Pimlico to St. James’s and Mayfair. It was out of delicate consider- ation for Valentine that the merchant chose a mansion in the vicinity—a lofty building, with a dozen rooms above the basement, and a heavy balcony, overlooking a railed garden, where dainty little ladies and gentlemen walked in state with dignified nurses, ’ Stephen Irving was a rich man now. He had made money and cultivated the natural refinement of his in- stinct at Lhe same time. He furnished with the taste of a gentleman, and spent a large sum in well-chosen pictures, for which he did not go to the Academy, or to the dealers. He found out young men of whom he could remember aving heard his brother speak, and spent Some pleasant 1ours in their studios watching the progress of the canvas estined for his walls. : | Hesurveyedwhis* house with an air of pride when the ork of decoration was finished. It was an old dream of is, a house in England when he was rich .enough to face ay future wishonh Be aes house where Allan could have studio andas of roonis, dnd sket¢cli atid paint to his heart’s content, with none of the killing - interruptions Which came with household cares. For himself, Stephen Irving had nosuchdteam. It died dut when Margaret Miller declined to share the young city man’s lot in life, and married one of whom he had often heard as a handsome reprobate, discarded by his family. He did not even know the name of this worthless rival. He accepted his. rejection with the quiet dignity very often seen in the average Englislrmen of middle class, and gave up thinking of womapkind for years to come. Not as a misanthrope—not as one who felt himself blighted, and brooded over it. He took it to heartasa lesson that he was too poor to think of such a luxury as love, and he set to work in earnest, making money. In the struggle which followed the fitful rise and fall of his fortunes, the failure sometimes of careful enterprises, the huge ‘success of an accidental speculation, and the keen competition in the American market, he found ample oc-’ cupation for his thoughts. ’ The staid and sober manof business had no great nar- tiality for feminine society. He was aware..that.he did not shine in it, being afflicted witha sort of serious shy- ness, born, perhaps, of reverence for ttre better portion o£ the sex; and it Jeft him far behind in the company of that” huge section of young gentlemen who will rush in where angels hesitate. Had he met a second Margaret Miller, the current of his existence would have changed. There isan ideality about the first love of every mar. If Stephen Irving had succeeded in fergetting Margaret, he still retained the memory of what he thought she was. If he found himself taking interest in another woman, it was because she reminded him of Margaret.’ If he felt’ disappointed in her, it was because she fell short of what © he thought Margaret would have been. And so the time” wore on, and at five-and-thirty he began to entertain the’ delusion that he was too old*to love—a delusion young” men of that ageare apt to entertain, till some unconscious * pretty piece of girlhood takes them captive again, ana@ they find themselves as helpless as a lad fresh from schoo. The merchant found the time hang heavily on his hands when the house was finished, and nothing more remainea tobe done, He had Allan’s child to care for. Dora went to Valentine’s sisters for a little elementary schooling, re- turning home every evening to dine with her uncle; but Stephen was not a child’s companion. He envied Valen- tine the natural ease with which he could convert him- self into a boy of seven, or take a juvenile delight in dolls and toys. He went into the city, and saw the members of the old firm. He invested half his capital in the concern, and re- sumed his position as an active partner. Work of that kind helped to pass away the weary days and weeks that went so slowly while his brother lingered in captivity. He went to France with Chewder frequently, to gather what tidings he could of Allan. Except such meager in- formation as told him whetier Allan was either ill or well, he could gather nothing. “The only service my friends can render me is to find the criminal in whose stead I am suffering,”? Allan wrote from hiscell. “Sothat whenIam free] may meet my fellow men with an unstained name.” Stephen tried most diligently; raked up the whole mat- ter from the outset, obtained copies of the evidence, and set Engtish lawyers and the English police to work;. but they were met at the outset by the testimony of the de- tective who had accompanied Allan to France: Inthe mind of that stolidly positive individual there did not lin- ger the slightest doubt. “There’s no use of him persisting in that fashion,’’ he said, with an evident sense of personal aggrievement. ‘Nobody blames him for what he did; and. two years are’ not much for the satisfaction of settling a man thoroughly. What’s the use of having innocent people watched ana followed, and driving the police out of their senses for the sake of keeping up such an idea?’ Wasn't I there, and didn’t I almost see him do it?” ‘‘Almost,” said Stephen, ‘but not quite. You spoke honestly, I belieye—you had no interest in speaking other- wise; but you may have been and are mistaken, If is not 80 much a matter of procuring his release as of removing the stigma from his name.*? “They didn’t say it was anything so bad as thot,” said the detective, overpowered by the word stigma- “They called it homicide, as nearly as I could’ make ort, and said it was only natural he should do it, but the Jaw must te nina That was what the verdict amovuted to in nglish. i fo Deitch: ‘ ‘Setting. aside your supposition thatitwas my broth- er,’ said Stephen, ‘‘you would have a better chance of arriving at the truth by taking a new starting point t for instance, that my brother had not gone t-’ France and this thing had happened all tlie same.” - “Ah, but it wouldn’t have happened all the same.’? “Let us suppose it did. You must have taken another starting point then—gone altogether on onother track. Now, how would you have begun ?”? he detective polished the bridge of his nose with a silk handkerchief and looked as if he was very far from making the calculation. “The first question, Lpresume,”’ said Stephen, ‘would be motive?” “Yes; and that’s where itis. The motive was revenge. It was done in broad daylight, and yy robbery was com- mitted.” “Still putting my brother out of the question,’ Stephen persisted, “such a man as he who called himself Arthur De Vere must have had other enemies.” . “Lots of them, no doubt. Now you come to speak or it, there was that young fellow whe was with him in open- ing the desk, and got twélve months—Frederick Murrell. He said some ugly things; but tien he’s such a thin, weak Kind of chap, witha cough Uiat's got a touch of the mt. oy | a (te atin #8 reesei =e a h nate SS iin ii, —s, A > ; + } } : é ~ é ie § ‘ : —— : 5 - ay ; ~ 4 ‘ i ; rf | 7 ; 5 “ - \ Ft “ #, if iH Ff sf —— s - f + i ? y . * ns ~~ as exch ries a pecaisiinantniitectrtiomanenintnaintcicit enemies isn remnants ite \ THE NEW YORK WEEKLY. & churehyard in it already. Isa good thing he didn’t do it instead of the other.’? “Why 9? . “He would haye been sent to the galleys for life, or ex- ecuted.”? ' “Well,’? said Stephen, after a pause, ‘‘take what starting point you please, but find the real criminal, and you shall have three hundred pounds for your trouble.” The thought of the reward made the detective almost certain it was possible to find aud hang somebody. “IT willdo my best, sir,’? he said, ‘You see, there’s eighteen months of the time gone now, and a clew gets lost by degrees. People who might remember bits at the moment forget in a year and a half, and are more likely to mislead than not. ‘The other six months will soon pass, and I will see what can be done by the time your brother comes to Eugland.” a The six months passed; but Allan Irving did not retur to England. He wrote a curiously sad letter to Stephen. “IT do not wish to see the face of any one I love,” he said, ‘ill ean return asl should return. You want me to havea homein your house with my child, and I need not tell you there is no wish dearer tomy heart; but you do not know what you ask. Shall I bring the brand of the prison upon an honorable man and an innocent child? ShaliI run the risk of being pointed after in London as the man who ‘had two years for murder? “You see,my dear Stephen, how impossibleitis. I have no place in the world now till the real criminal is found, and [shall shake off the prison dust in a vagrant ramble ofa yearorso. Oue thing | promise you; should { be in trouble, in want, or syck, I will seid to you at once. So while you hear nothing you may be content with the certainty there is nothing the matter.with me, not even a heartache, for { lave worn if out.’? ; (TO. BE CONTINUED.) A Designing Woman. By Marie Madetlon, ITHE PEERLESS AUTHOR] i*A Designing Woman” was commenced in No. 12. Back nnum- bers can be obtained from any News Agentin the United States. } CHAPTER XIX. So changefalis the heart. of woman that when Miss Venner began to love Lord Sunderland she forgot Frank Burgoyne, and thought that she had never loved before, She despised Frank, and even hated him, Thinking what she had done to gain him, how she had sinned for him, and to what unmaidenly devices she had been obliged to have recourse to in order to win his unwilling heart, she despised and hated herself too. Ger pallor had increased, and care had laid his finger on her marble brow; but under the influence of her nety” fancy those traces of a crushed heart or a mistaken affec- tion became eradicated. , @nce more she was radiant and lively, for a woman is nothing if she hasno one to-love. Her usually impassive countenance lighted up witha glow, which was born of her fresh love, and she felt confident she should be happy if she could only call his lordship ler husband. Thoughts of Frank and Agnes disquieted her at times, but she was not -in the habit of giving way to silly fears, and she determined that if there was any chance of mar: rying Lord Sunderland she would soon rid herself of those incumbrances ina terrible manuer, Zhe old woman, who was her only servant at the Tow- er, wrote to jer, stating that the young man did not read So much, and was always taking long walksin the coun- try, while the black girl did nothing but weep. Poor Frank! n0 wonder that he sought consolation in solitary walks. He had much to think of and much to one was dead or had forgotten me. It was the Earl of Sunderland, who weary with wait- ing, and having heard Mrs. Burgoyne’s carriage depart, thonght he was forgotten. Kate stopped abrupuy, looked at the gentleman who had accosted her, and asked: “Arthur, is it you??? “By Jove!l’? exclaimed the young nobleman, “what are you doing here, Kate? I—I did not expect to see you.?? “You know very well I am a dressmaker,’’ answered Kate. ‘Dressmakers go everywhere. Fine ladies are economical now-a-days, and milliners charge so much it is cheaper to have things:done at home. Ifyou give agirl eighteen pence a day and something to eat and drink, youcan get a great deal of work out of her from nine till seven, if you keep her under your eyes. Tell me though, Arthur, what you want with Miss Venner?” “Oh, nothing—nothing particular,’’ replied his lordship, slightly embarrassed. “is it you she is going to marry?” “No, no! Oh, dear, no, my dear child,’’ said Sunder- land, gayly. “Tam glad of that,*? answered Kate Berry. ‘Because you told me when you met me in Piccadilly last winter and the next week took me to the play that you would never love any one else. _ It is so Jong since Isaw you that I thought you had forgotten me, Ihavesent many letters to your club, addressed to your name, Mr. Williams, and you have given me no answer. it was Mr, Williams you said, was it not ?? “Yes, my dear—Arthur Williams. right.?? “When shall see yon again? You spoke s0 nicely to me and promised to take me to Richmond to dinner. Oh, I should so dearly like ‘to go. When will. you take me??? The earl reflected 2 moment. “Next Sunday,” he replied. ‘Meet ment one o'clock at Hyde Park Corner, right hand side, and I will take you up in my brougham.”’ ’ Kate clapped her hands with joy. “Tam so glad I have met you,’’ she said. sure to meet me, wili you not?”’ “Quite sure. Run along and be a good child. There is something for you to buy a new bonnet,” replied the earl, slipping a sovereign into hervyhand. Kate tripped away gleefully to go to dinner in the ser- vants’ hall, leaving his lordship biting the tips of his lavender gloves. “What a bore it is,’? he said to himself, “that a man cannot flirt with a pretty girl without the risk of meeting her in the very house where heis paying his addresses to the lady he wauts to make his wife. I thought this tittle I have not seen her for threé months, and that is an age. If she had not forgotten me, by Jove I had her. One meets so many new faces in three months. It is such a long while in London,’? he added, with a sigh. While he was hesitating which way-to go, a ladies’ maid came up to him and asked him to follow her to Miss Ven- ner, who wished to see him. He was conducted to the boudoir, where the governess, who was ijooking charm- ingly demure and. as. softly strict, if we may use the ex- pression, as When she was in a good temper with her pu- pils, Was waiting to receive him, = = The interyiew was long and sweet. Lord Sunderland, pleaded his cause warmly and Miss Venner received his: advauces as he wished. He declared that he belonged ‘to lier heart and soul, and asked her if she could Jove him in return. ‘ Birkin | . “Tam quite alone in the world,” she replied, ignoring her relations as she always did. They were poor and would be of no use or credit to her—one, Dingwall, was in penal servitude, and he certainly was best forgotten. “Mrs. Burgoyne is my only friend. I know little ef you; but I'am 80 trusting and confiding I am willing to place my future in your kands.”? . aa “Darling child,’’ said the earl, “I desire nothing better. You will find me the Kindest and most attentive of hus- You are quite “You will be regret. Poor Agnes! little wonder that she did nothing but weep in her prison of mirrors, for hers was indeed a liard fate to bear, The day after Mr. Deepwater's visit to Mrs. Burgoyne, Lord Sunderland called, dressed in the hight of fashion— bands. Dear, dear child, name the happy day, and you will never repent your decision.” “Say this day month,’ she answered, softly. He caught her in his arms, aud pressing her to hisman- ly breast, kissed her tenderly. “Thank you a thousand times!’ he exclaimed, “This dressed indeed as only a gentleman with exquisite taste and plenty of money—or, what is as good at the tume, un- limited credit—can hope to dress, “My dear Lord Sunderland,” said Mrs. Burgoyne, as he was ushered into her splendidly furnished drawing-room about three o’clock in the afternoon, ‘‘enchanted to see you. Where is my poor little friend, Miss Venner, con- stantly asking about you.”? “Really you flatter me,’? said his lordship, stroking his tawny mustache. “Not in the least. Itis you who honor my poor house- hold. The dear ohild is foolish euough to be enamored of you, but I must Jet you talk to one another alone. There are a few questions I should like to ask you though. Miss Yenner has been with me so long I cannot tell you what n interest i takein her, She was my children’s governess or many years. I feel toward her as toward my own daughter, and Ishould not like her affections to be placed on an unworthy object.’’ F “You speak harshly, Mrs. Burgoyne. I hope——! “Tut, tut, tut,’? interrupted Mrs. Burgoyne; “I know ayhat you young men of the present day are, and I really must put a few questions to you. Miss Veuner is so sim- ple, loving, confiding, just what a maidenly girl ought to be. Now look upon me as your confessor and consider that open coufession is good for. the soul,.’? “Willingly. When aman las nothing to conceal why should he shrink from confession ??? “Why, indeed. Now tell me, have you ever loved be- fore?” “Never.” “You have no ties? You are perfectly free ?’? ‘*Perfectly.”” “And you come to me as a candidate for my little pet’s hand, in all earnestness?’ said Mrs, Burgoyne. «‘T have come to ask you Lo use your influence in my be- half with Miss Yenner,” replied his lordship, because I love her dearly, and J always felt that a governess was to be my fate. Lam a Jitule unruly, and have spent more money than I could afford, yetlam not a pauper, and if my title aud what I have left are a sufficient equivalent for her love and her fortune Iam willing to marry her.” <‘Perliaps she may not consent. I will go and speak to her. Depend upon my good offices, But there is one thing more. Report has mixed up your name with that of a popular actress, Clarice Howard.’? : “Scandal! my dear Mrs. Burgoyne,’ exclaimed Lord Sunderland, “pure scandal, lL assure you. Miss Howard may have commanded my admiration on the stage as an actress, for people say she is talented, but nothing more.’ “Tam satisfied. Be good enough to wait here, my lord; while I seek Miss Venner, and I hope she will consent to see you, and that the result of your interview may be all you desire,’ said Mrs. Burgoyne, as she swept from the room, lier Jong silk dress trailing grandly behind her. She sought Miss Venner, who was waiting for her in her boudoir. é A pretty, dark-haired girl sat near the window making a dress, for Miss Venner was not above the petty ceremo- nies of life, and, having good taste of her own, liked to have her dresses made at hiome. This litle dressmaker was named Kate Berry, and as she was a very insignificant Jiltle person, according to Mrs. Burgoyne’s idea, she did not hesitate to speak before her. The governess had been. reading Byron’s “Bride of Abydos,’? and put down her book as her friend entered. “Everything has happened as well as you could desire, my dear,” said Mrs, Burgoyne, ‘He is here, and has ac- tually proposed to me for your hand. I have questioned him carefully, and [think he is one towhom you may safely confide your future happiness.” : Miss Venuer’s face flushed with pleasure and triumph- ant pride. Hier new dream of becoming a countess wwas about to be realized, and she thought litle of the poor captive in uhe Lone Tower. They might suffer and be silent; soon a time would come when they would be silent forever. “Shall I go to him?’? she asked. “Not yet.. Let him wait. It does not look well to be too impatient. .In half an hour you may seek him, and after he has asked you to be his wife youwill admit, I hope, that the debt of gratitude I owe you is settled. You have done much for me; shall {have satisfied you in making you the wife of an earl?’ “Oh, yes, & thousand times over!’ exclaimed Miss Ven- ner. “On second thought, send for him here; you are sur- rounded by flowers and birds, this boudoir is charming, you reign in the midst of its splendors like aqueen. Lam going out in the carriage with the children. When I re- turn I hope to see your dear face smiling.’ Mrs. Burgoyne kissed her aud went away, leaving Miss Venner in a delicious reverie, How much more delight it would be to have the Earl of Sunderland fora husband than Frank Burgoyne. She wondered iow she could ever haye been so stupid as to have loved Frank when there were.s0 imany men in the world so much more agreeable. But in the old days sie was poor, and had been only a overness, how she was tlie friend, the intimate of Mrs, urgoyne, and possessed of mysterous wealth, supposed to be the legacy left by an aged relation, 4 ‘oe a miinutes elapsed, and the dressmaker, looking up, said; “Pardon me, miss, but did I understand you were going to get ceeaes ie Me t iss Venner looked up 80 sharply that poor Kate Berr missed a stitch. ti a 7 «It would be more becoming in a person in your position to attend to her work instead of listening to people’s con- versation,” exclaimed the governess, “I beg your pardon again, miss,’? replied the dress- maker. “ButI thought you might give me the order for zou wedding tronsseau. I work for a well-known firm in ond street, and should get a small commission for in- trodacing your order, That js all.” “I will think about it. Go on with your work,’’ replied Miss Venner, shortly, The little dressmaker pricked her finger and her face open angrily, but she knew her position too well to say anything. ‘or some time the needie was plied busil Miss Venner exclaimed: y wee ignete eras ten yoo ae and at eh dinner or meh, or whatever vou Callit, and sen s. Bu %; maid to me,” i = Kate Berry put her work on one side, and shaking off a few pieces of cotton and silk from her dress, she left the room, while Miss Venner arranged her hair before the glass, admiring her appearance and thinking that she looked pretty and captivating, ; Scarcely had Kate reached the top of the staircase aan ” met a handsome young gentleman, who ex- med: : “Where is Misg Venner? I suppose you are one of the happiness is more than I deserve.” When he took his leave 1t seemed as if they had known one another twenty years, on such friendly terms were they. Miss Venner was again placed upon the pinnacle of her ambition, which wasever changing and before which she sacrificed everything. The Earl of Sunderland congratulated himself upon having gained the heart of a woman he really loved, though he was so often in love that he could scarcely be expected to know his own mind, but, what was of more importance, he had every reason to believe that his fiancée was possessed of a fortune which would pay his debts and place him among the rich peers of the realm and enable him to support his title properly. As for Miss Venner, her thoughts, after the first delirium of her triumph had passed, were turnedinthe direction of the Lone Tower. ; She had to disembarrass herself first of her husband, Frank Burgoyne, and secondly of Agnes Weldon, the poor girl whom she had so cruelly disfigured. Toawoman of hier disposition the task was not repug- Nant. It was, on. the contrary, almost congenial. Slie could wipe away an enemy with as little compunction as she could put her foot upon a worm and see a mouse torn to pieces by a cat, ae ver As the earl walked along the street he reflected. “The next thingsto do,” he said to ra ‘will be to see how I can get my letters, photograph, @tc., from the charming and risiug young actress, Miss Clarice Howard. Mrs. Burgoyne has heard of her, and if Miss Venner be- lieves there is anything between us she may break off the match, What an idiot a man is to write letters to wo- men; but young men, I suppose, always will be idiots.” In the neighborhood of Sloane street he was accosted by aman, who exciaimed, respectfully: ; “Good-morning, my lord!. 1 have not seen you lately.”’ “Eh! Swordarm,’? replied the earl. “I was coming to your house. You can do mea service.’’ “Your lordship las only to mention it ‘and it shall be done instantly,”? answered the stranger. “Waik with me as far as your house, and we will talk,” Swordarm bowed in recognition of this compliment, and they proceeded side by side. Mr. Swordarm was a fencing-master, who had an es- tablishment near Sloane square. He let his first floor to Miss Clarice Howard, the tress of whom we have spoken, and as she played at the Court Theater this domi- cile was handy for her. Swordarm was an excellent mas- ter of the art of fence, and thoroughly wrapped up in his art. He hada lovely wife, who found his tastes uncon- genial to hers, and consequently their home was not a happy one. ‘ , i Mrs. Swordarm was a great patronizer of circulating libraries, and before she married she founded her ideal upon the heroes she met with in books. Swordarm did not realize her ideal—far froin it. ; He was bluff, curt, unread, and could not sympathize with her in any respect. So that she lamented her mis- taken lot night and day, until she saw Lord Sunderiand, Who was a pupil of her husband’s, His lordship had the audacity to make love, not only to the actress who had lodgings in her house, but to Mrs. Swordarm herself, but it was only to Clarice Howard that he had written impassioned letters. It was part of his creed that to write to a married wo- man was not only dangerous but unnecessary. More could be done by an interview than by a ream of paper covered with love passages, for, as a rule, wives are not so impressionable and easily captivated by high-flown lan- “guage as Maidens who do not know the world. It will be seen that the earl was embarrassed by these love affairs, Which might one or ali interfere with his match with Miss Venner. } First, there was Kate Berry, the little milliner; secona- arm, Wife of the fencing-master. The earl had not gone far before Swordarm exclaimed: “Will it suit your lordship to come to my liouse in a couple of hours’ time? I have some lessons to give, and after that I shall be entirely at your service.” i “On consideration,” replied the earl, “that will do very well. I want to go to my club for letters, It is not five. At seven I will be with you—say half-past, and it will give me time to dine.” Swordarm bowed. The earl hailed a hansom, and was driven to Pall Mall, alighting at his club, where he dined and arranged the plan of his campaign. ; He had to get rid of these women, whom he had told he loved—two were single, one was married—and this, as he had to find out, was not such an easy task as he had anticipated. — CHAPTER XX, Mr, Swordarm, professor of the art of fencing, was a rough, blunt, but, withal, dapper little man, of middle age, intensely practical and prosaic. He did notlive very happily with his wife, who was young, handsome and ro- mantic. In her favorite novels she found ideal characters who contrasted unfavorably for her husband, lie suffering by the comparison, and after two years of wedded life she nade the unhappy discovery that comes like a revelation of doom to many Wives, that she did not, and never coulda love her husband, their tastes being thoroughly unconge- nial; for while she was soft, loving, sentimental, and con- fiding, he was exactly the reverse, and ridiculed her ideas instead of sympathizing with them. Lord Sunderland had for some time been a pupil of Swordarm, and during his visits to the fencing academy he had made the itiboe a of the professor's pretty wile, a flirtation ha sprang up between them, and the ay often sighed as she thought of the elegant, refined and accomplished young nobleman, who was 80 different from her husband. Mr. Swordarm was one morning walking about his academy, with his leathern waistcoat on, foll in hand, lunging at invisible pupils, and putting himself in yarious eccentriv attitudes required by the exigencies of the sword exercise, ‘4 His wife was sitting in an arm-chair near the flre-place, reading & book in which giie was much interested. Look- ing Ny she exclaimed; “What a delightful author this is! Listen. to a charm- ing passage, my dear. Edwin is in love with Angelina, and he says——” ‘Bother Edwin!’ Interrupted Mr. Swordarm. ‘I wish people would keep their appointments. Here have I been waiting a full hour for a young guardsman, who has not had the civillty to send a messenger with an apology for his want of punctuality. However, I shall charge him in the bill for the lesson, whether he has it or not.” “That is just like you!’ exciaimed his wife, with a deep and prolonged sigh. ‘You are all business. There is no communion between us.” “If 1 did not look after business, I should like to know servants here,”? what would become of us? And it would be more to your credit, madame, to see to the dinner than to be wasting your time over that trash.’ Closing the book, Mrs. Swordarm. walked. disdainfully Gat OF the room without favoriug her husband with a reply. “There is a woman for yon!’ exclaimed the irate pro- fessor—“‘ornamental but not useful: Wants her opera- box and her carriage. She should: not have married a riage is to be happy. Who's that? Come in.” opened, giving admittance to Mr. Deepwater, who, as an old pupil, was well known to Swordarm. “Good-morning, sir! Glad to see you!’? exclaimed the professor. ‘Lam very much at your service if you wish to have a bout with the foils’? : “No, thank you,” replied Deepwater. “I have come with a very different object in view.’? “What may that bé ?? “T wish to put you on your guard.’ “Against whom?’ asked the professor, not a little as- tonished. ‘*A tiled scoundrel. There is a plot on foot to under- mine your happiness, Swordarm, and I felt I should not be doing my duty if I did hetwarn you in time.” The professor wiped the perspiration from his forehead. “T have known you sometime, sir,” he exclaimed, ‘‘and I take it kindly of you to interest yourself in my welfare. In what quarter does this danger Jie?” “You lrive a wife, Swordarm!’’ ’ The little man started as ifa snake had stung him, for though rough and almost unkind ia his manner to his wife, he loved her in lis heart, and it was a peculiarity in his nature to be profoundly Jealous, - “Your wife is faithiess to you,’’ continued Deepwater; “T can bring you proof. You havea pupil—Lord Sunder- land is the man to whom I allude; he is the snake in the grass, Read this letter, which I was intrusted with a few days ago.”? Swordarm, with trembling hand, received a letter from Deepwater, aud, while a mist swam before his eyes, read: ‘May a devoted admirer of your dazzling beauty ex- pect you this evening at the old place? Your presence brings happiness, your absence misery, to your loy- ing—Ss.” * The letter was a forgery, ¢ rly executed by Deepwa- ter, but the writing being a imitation of his lordship’s, the jealous professor was easily imposed upon, and trem- bled in every limb with passion. Deepwater’s object was toprevent in some way Lord Sunderland’s marriage withMiss Venner, as hehad de- termined to marry her himself, if human means could ac: complish his end. f Knowing the irritable nature of Swordarm, he felt sure that something of a tragic nature would ensue as the re- sult of his plot. po “Sir,’? exclaimed the professor, shaking his hand warm- ly, ‘‘you have deeply wounded me, because you have at- tacked my honor; but I thank you, nevertheless, for you have shown me the gulf of infamy near which I haye been standing with my eyes shut for so long a time.” “Do nothing’rash,”’ said Deep water. “Probably his lordship willcome to-day,’’ continued the professor, musingly. ‘The fillain—the double-dyed vil- lain! to rob me of the affecti¢ns of my wile! I wonder if @ man like that thinks his tite privileges him to go about undermining the peace of simple citizens like myself? If the button was to slip off the end of my foil, and he fell wounded while taking a,lésson, Would the Jaw touch me? “Certainly not,’’ replied Deepwater, hastily catching at this muttered suggestion; “it would be a pure accident.” “Butit would look very much like assassination.”? ‘Not at all. Revenge yourself, my friend, upon this insolent nobleman. Do not hesitate,” urged Deepwater. There was another knock at the door. The professor ran and looked through a wicket. . “itis hel’? he cried, excitedly, ‘Lord Sunderland is here! Hide yourself, sir; you must not meet.” Deepwater looked round him hurriedly, and seeing a cup- board in which foils and gloves were kept, he quickly con- cealed, himself within it, leaying the door ajar, so that he might see what happened. The next moment the professor had admitted his. lord- ship, who, with a pleasant smile on his handsome face, held out his hand, saying: “How do, Swordarin? I have come to while away an hour. Get out the foils. What! won’t youshake hands with an old pupil??? —~ 1 least pressure is painful. Did your lordship ask for the | foils??? answered the professor. “Yes; if you are not engaged. I thought I heard yoices as I knocked.”” i “Only my wife, my lord, who was speaking to me.” ly, Clarice Howard, the actress; and, thirdy, Mrs. Sword- | The professor darted a quick, searching glance at his Lex agg as he spoke, and observed him visibly change color. “Ah,’? said Lord Sunderland, who could not forget that he had kissed Mrs. Swordarm and squeezed her hand on more than one occasion; ‘how is your charm ibe wife???’ “Not very weil, my lord, This is your foil, I think, On guard! So!’ , His lordship took the foil and placed himself. én garde, having removed his coat and slipped on @ Jeathern jerkin or waistcoat. as # voces a At the same moment, Swordarm, ale and tremulous, puiled the butt ay TY 3 Lath LOleKaD aaa os “Now, ,» he baid, “iet us; a master of the art of fencess@ne, t Slireoc-Bo). Well patried! A pretty thrust iv Carte. — f parried again. | Ah, that lunge in tierce has yon, No. / Again. So! Ah, Lhave you now! Good Hevyelis! Wimt is that? Can the button have fallen off my foil 7’ , With a groan his lordship sank upon the sanded floor, the blood coursing froin a wound he had received. He made no answer when spoken to, and seemed to have fainted. Deepwater, having witnessed the catastrophe, emerged from his place of coucealment., “J will send you a doctor,” he exclaimed, in alow voice. ‘Let us hope that the hurt is fatal, for then you will have revenged your injured honor.” . at “What have 1done?’? asked the professor, who, now that his jealous rage was over, was rather alarmed at see- ing his lordship’s inanimate form stretched out in front of him and lying in a pool of blood, “You have proved yourselfaman. Notaword. Keep your own counsel, If asked any questions say it was an accident. Be cautious.’’ With these words, Deepwater hurriedly quitted the fenc- ing academy, called a passing cab and drove to a doctor’s, requesting the physician to attend a wounded man at Professor Swordarm’s, and then went on to Mrs. Bur- goyne’s house, where he hoped to@ind Miss Venner at home. Nor was he mistaken in his expectation. She was within, and at once agreed to receive him, thongh in her heart, as we already know, she had no lik- ing for the crafty and designing adventurer. The governess was reclining negligently upon an otto- man, and beneath the folds of her joose morning wrap- per her tiny feet were displayed with just the least sus- picion of coquetry. Inclining her liead to her visitor, she said: “Thave admitted you, Mr, Deepwater, tainform you once for allthat your visits are not agreeable to ine, and to request that you will cease in fulure to call upon me.”? “JT have brought you important news,’’ he answered. “Of what nature ?”? “Lord Sunderland is dead or dying. He met with an accident in afencing school this morning, the button slipped off his antagonist’s foil, and he was pierced by the weapon.’? / Miss Venner turned pale, forher ambitious dreams seemed likely to turn out unsubstantial visions, “How do you kuow this? she asked, ina tremulous voice. “T was present,’? “I cannot thank you for your information,” she said, recovering herself by an effortof heriron will, for she would not have betrayed any weakness before this man for worlds. ‘You know that his lordship has honored me by an offer of his haud and name. I will hope that he may recover, andif my care and attention can lead to- ward so desirable a result they shall not be wanting, Having acquitted yourself of your amiable mission, Mr. Deepwater, may l. ask you toleaye me?”? He bit his lips, but did not move. “Surely a lady in her own house may express a wish to be alone?’ sie continued. “Oertainly. But allow me to trge my suit. I know the time is not favorable,’? replied Deepwater, ‘Yet when a man loves so passionately, as Llove you, he cannot stand upon trifles.”? ; “My love is not to be envied,”? she exclaimed. “It is the love that kills, Those whom I love are sure to be un- fortunate, but you need not fear for yourself, I can never regard you with affection. Leave me.?’ “By Heaven, I will not!’? he rejoined, ‘You shall hear me. Ifyou will not meet measafriend and lover you shall know me as an enemy??? ‘Very well, sir, as an enemy be it,’? exclaimed Miss ee rising with dignityand placing her hand upon the i : “What would you do?’’ he asked, fiercely, “Summon my servants to teach you that civility which you seem to have forgotten.” ‘Bewarel’’ he hissed fiercely through his clenched teeth. He advanced toward her threatingly. What he would have said or done it is difficult to imagine, but the scene was cut short by the opening of the door and the appear- ance of Lord Sunderland, Whose left arm was in a sling of black silk, = * He was very pale, and seemed weak and ill, but with firm purpose displayed in his face he advanced to Deep- water, o was dreadfully ome on Of his you show yourself Leave this house, sir! Your presenco is an in- “What do you. mean??? asked Deepwater, as nervously as if he had been confronting a ghost risen from the grave. This house is not yours, my lord.’? “No matter, Lam now acquainted with your true cha- racter, ordarm has conlessed all, I heard your re- marks while I laid upon the floor, faint from the pain of my ohn . » Fortunately the foil only punctured my arm and my jifeis spared, Go, sit, You aremy enemy. Do not linger or. 1 may be tempted, wounded as I am, to re- sort to violence.’’ ; : Hanging down his head, as he felt himself defeated, Deepwater slunk from the room, muttering threats which were inaudible, (TO BE CONTINUED.) el ey a . Hearing Restored. A great invention. Send stamp for particulars, to GkorGcx J. Woop, Madison, Ind. : Fe eee = poor man. Give me hands and heads before fices, if mar- |) There was a knock, and directly afterward the door : “Excuse me, my lord, T have cut my finger ate the | TO “ADVERTISERS. ‘One Dollar and Twenty-five cts. per line, CUTS DOUBLE PRICE, FOR BACHINSERTION CASH IN ADVANCE ~ wil9-2 NLY 5 CENTS EACH, ‘ Something New—Lots of Fun. 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Those senditg $20 for a Club of Eight, all sent at one time, will be entitled to a Ninth Copy FREx. etters-up of Clubs can after- “ward add single copies at $2 50 each. A Chromo will be sent only to those sending $3, for one year’s subscription. ; : ALL LETTERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ‘FRANGIS S. STREET, }* STREET & sMITH, FRANCISS. SM'!TH. PROPRIETORS, 27 .29 and Sl Rose §t., N.Y. P.O. Box 4896, SUMMER FRIENDS. One of our modern essay writers says: “You can have everything on earth you want when you don’t ‘need anything.” ~_Like many another disappointed soul she had probably learned this fact from sad experience. "NICK WHIFFLES TEE BRAVE. Air: “Hail to the Chief.” Hail to the scout that in triumph advanoes, Honor the victor of hundreds of fightst Still may the light in his bold eye that glances Frighten the “reds” and inspirit the whites. With the fierce Indian Many a shindy in His courage heroic shone brilliantly forth; Fortune ne’er fail him, then, ‘ Join me to hail him, then, Geliant Nick Whiffies, the pride of the Nerth. He is no atripling of civilization, Trained for parading—to fly from the fight; But w rude hero—the ‘reds’ ”’ consternation, The foeman of wrong and the champion of right. ‘ Reared ’mid the rifted rocks, Hardened to tempest shocks, Steady of eye and terrific of blow, Through many a dire tug He and Old Firebug _ Fought unassisted the treacherous ice, Loudly his war-cry thrilled fur Laskatchewan, When the snows of the desert were ringing with groans, When the terribie savage with fire showers of ruin Left homesteads unmarked save by ashes and bones. Mother and tender maki Low in the carnage laid, Infant and stalwart man pictures of woe; Then each unerring shot Made by the daring scout, Gallant Nick Whiffies, stretched red demons low. Arrow directly sent, ax stroke obliquel y, Dared he to rescue the wronged and oppressed ; Read his exploits in the famed New YoRK WEEKLY, Given in language sublime and compressed. From the Pole to Yo hamity Are Nick and Calamity Famed far and wide as the true and the brave; Here’s all good luck to them, Praise to the pluck o’ them, Heroes of wildwood, of mountain and wave. Think not that Nick was alone in his glory, Or only companioned by dog, gun or horse; One of the points of this wonderful story Is the great wealth of character shown in its course, Excellent characters, Worthy of star ac tors’ Bepresentation on classical boards; Nothing of myth ?bout them, Ask Street & Smith *bout them— They will indorse Dr. Robinson's words, CURIOUS MARRIAGES. An Instance of Divine Retribution. BY ~ O <-——_____—_ ITEMS OF INTEREST. 44> A couple of courageous clerks in New Haven, after throwing hard words at each otber for. an hour, determined to settle the dispute witb pistols, Nothing but crimson gore could satisfy their wounded honor. Their seconds played a joke on them by loading one of the pistols with boiled hominy, and leay- ing the otberempty. The duelists repaired to a r saloon, and stood at twelve paces and fired. One of them received the nom- iny charge in his face and thought he was mortaily wounded, be- lieving the spattering application of hominy to his exuding brains, The other fied tor the depot, and was getting upon a train when the secret was revealed. 4a An aged member of the Baptist church in Wauke- sha, Wis., who assists the failing powers of nature bya pair ot spectacles and a set of false teeth, walked hastily to his pew just as the hymn was being given out. Seizing his book he rapidly turned the leaves in an unavailing effort to “read his title clear,” when nervously snatching his teeth from his mouth, he wiped them carefully with his bandanna, and then attempted to adjust them to the bridge ot his nose, amid the illy-suppressed smiles of his fellow immersionists. So easy is it to be mistaken, even When we think we are placing things where they will do the most good. 4a A lively rumpus was caused at a Buffalo concert by a small boy tumbling off bis seat. An idiot, who had become en- tramced by the music, was rudely aroused by the noise, and shouted, ‘Fire!’ The audience bounded from their seats,-and made a frantic rash for the doors and windows. Women and children were trampled under foot, and many leaped from the windows, a distance of fourteen feet. After a general alarm of fire had been sounded, a committee was appointed to go and wake the boy up. Aa AChicago poet, who was recently informed that Mile. Nilsson had thoughtfully built a shelter for cows on her land at Peoria, mindiul of the catastrophe which Jed to the de struction of his native cily, immediately burst into the miid and beautiful frenzy of verse: “Christine, Christine, thy milking d the morn and eve between, and not by the dim, religious lizht o the fitful Kerosene. For the cow may plunge and the lamp ex- plode, aud the fire fiend ride the gale, and shriek the knell of the burning town in the giow of the molten pail!” aay Little by little woman is coming forward and as- serting her equality with the tyrart man. Some days ago she appeared in one of our police courts, charged with running a policy shop uptown, When the fair sex can fathom the mys- re 411-44, what sphere of life are they not capable of ing? a> A sharp milkman at Elmira delivers his milk in quart and pint bottles. This plan insures full measure, and, as the customer returns the botties left the day before, no pitchers, puils, or bowis are necessary. Another advantage of this sys- tem, especially in warm weather, is that each bottle is tightly corked, and can be laid in a pail or pan of cold water, keeping it fresh aud sweet, or put away in a cooler, taking up but little room. : ear The death of a beachman or wreeker, named Brock, at the age of seventy, is announced in the English papers. He was called “Brock the Swimmer,” from the fact that he onee swam und floated a distance of fourteen miles in seven hours. The boat in which he started for the relief of a vessel in distréss an capsized, and his skill and endurance as a swimmer saved im, &a—- The Speaker of the Mississippi House of Repre- sentatives, Mr. Shadd, is a negro, a printer, and has edited a Canada newspaper. A line was dropped to him, asking him to be a candidate, on certain conditions, He swailowed the tempt- ing bait, and was gloriously landed in the Speaker’s chair soon after the “last run of Shadd.” | aa The wile of Mr. J. B. McCrum, of Kalamazoo, Mich., recently gave birth to liliputian twins, @ boy anda girl, One of them weighed 24 ounces, and the other 28 Although but eight inches long, they were perfectly formed, lively and healthy. The nurse, While exhibiting them to thé surprised father, held both infants on the paim of one of her hands. &ae- The Rev. Isaac James, M. D., said to have been the oldest Methodist. preacher in America, died two weeks ago, at Bustleton, Pa, His age was ninety-seven; for eighty-four years he was a member of the Methodist Epi al ‘church, and the commencement of his munistry dates back seventy-five years. Ba> Mr. W. C. Kingsley, of the Brooklyn Bridge man- agement, is of the opinion that the first crossing of the East River Bridge will take place July 4th, 1876. Rae Chester, Oonn., had a funeral by moonlight recently. ual smiies, but to endeavor to look pleasant, animated, soulful— © a hee * ; : : deel : J i t ; : i 2 é : — — j A ; : 1 - ; j { : ; © ; } ie aa 4 : i i j ) + “ee om | e. shee wee tte | i “gulch,” said the stranger. a & Peace 7 oA oe —= WHY NOT FORGIVE HIM BY FRANCIS 8. SMITH. Why not forgive your brother If he comes to you in sorrow ? Why tot your anger smother Ere the dawning of to-morrow ? You say he has reviled you Your dearest friends among— < But has error ne’er beguijed you f Have you ne’er committed wrong ? Why not forgive hiua ? He 1s peniient and humble— He is weak and in your power— Who is not apt to stumbie When passion rules the hour ? He wrong’d you in his blindness— Now act the Christian’s part, And pour the bain of kindness On his sad, repentant heart. Why not forgive him ? Can you look for sweet contentment, Or can love your bosom fill, While you cherish fierce resentment For the one who treats you ill f No! Spite ef proud position— Of place, or power, or pelf, Unblest is your condition Ti you triumph o’er yourselé. Why not forgive him ? With grief his heart is riven— Ami can you with reason pray That your sins may be forgiven, When from him you turn away? Vaunt not your pure condition, Nor back forgiveness keep— Think of God’s admonition “As ye sow so shall ye reap!” Why not forgive him f JUST COMMENCED. A WILD CALIFORNIAN MYSTERY. BLACK ALF; THE GHOST OF THE GULCH. By Ned Buntline. {Black Alf” was commenced last week. Ask your News Agent for No. 18, and you will get the Ars chupters.} CHAPTER VI. Instantly every eye was bent in the direetion in which the hand of the girl Eldiva pointed; and, as if floating on the air, over against the very cliff near which I had seen the two men fighting, and where I had, for reasons of my own, located my claim, all saw the distinct figure of a wo- man, clad in white, with both arms uplifted, as if implor- ing the aid of the Ruler ofall, for her tace was turned to- ward the sky. it was the same figure which I had seen belore—the same face. “Ve nce ! VENGEANCE! VENGEANCE!’ Three times, in a tone, low, mourniul, and thrilling, did that word reach ourears. Then the figure vanished from view. ; At the same instant, the girl Eldiva screamed out: ‘Mother |! MOTHER!” Then she fell, and fainted. >see before I am done with the job IT havein hand. For this reason Lask for a short time that you Jeave my web alone, while I unravel another web and finish what I have been some weeks about. If you are inaiiurry, gentiemen, to find pay ground, you are welcome to use a Claim which | squatted on six weeks ago in the lower part of tNis gulch when | game here to begin the Job I have alludedto, If Keep the claim only to cover my other object.” “May I ask your name and business, sir?”? I now said. “You may call me Melrose for the present,” said the stranger. “You shall know my business soon, that is if you will aid me in my endeavor to reach proof of a great crime and to punish the perpetrator, as well as two find out the hiding place of a vast amount of treasure beloug- ing to penniless orphans.” : “That aid you may depend upon, Mr. Melrose,’ was the reply made by me and joined in by Griffiu. “Then, if you please, act strictly under my advice, and if we have any trouble, you will learn that l have help close at hand, and where it is least expected.” “All right, sir—you can depend on us. What do you desire us to do now ?”? “You will see two new arrivals here about noon. A large, bony Irishman, with a pack-mule, carrying his tools and camping fixings will come, accompanied by his wile, a womanas big and strong as he, and two young children—a boy and girl—whom they will describe as having picked up on the road out of pity, because they had no money and no friends. Employ this man and his wife, and keep them with you, though they are really act- ing for me and under my instructious.”? “Where would you advise us ‘to work a claim?’ “Just below where Dunning and his gang are at work. But keep your tent where it is, and jet Billy Flynn, as he will call himself, tent close to you. 1 shall have some fresh hands on my own claim in a day or two, and in the meantime keep your eyes and ears open and do not be surprised at anything; for you'll see stranger sights yet than you have seen!’ “Will you please auswer me one question, sir 2? asked Griffin. “As many as you like!’ said Melrose, with a smile, “if they do not conflict with my pians.”? “Did you ever see me befure you saw me this morn- ing »”” “Yes, and talked with you nearly a week ago about this very guich at Wisconsin diggings.”’ ‘e “Twas there a week ago, talking to an old Virginia negro, With white hair, but nearly double with age.” “Ali de way ffom de Rappahannock, marser!’? said Melrose, in’a tone so altered we could hardly realize it was the same speaker. “Heavens—you were the old nigger I pitied so, and shared my diuner With, as well as supplying him to- bacco ??? “Yes, marser, dat for why I done tole you *bout dem rich diggin’ in Pigtail Bend. Yah—yah!” The imitation was so perfect that even our astonish- ment could not check our laugiiter. “Were you here when | arrived ?? continued Griffin. “Twas not far away. Do you remember a man who had been in Australia playing draw-poker with Alf Dan- ning three weeks ago in the Empire saloon at lowa Hil ?? “Yes—Alf cleaned him out, or ut leust he said so, and did it by cheating!” “Well, L was that Australian, and I let him win, while I drew some information from him that wus worth more to me than the money that I lost.” “Well, Mr. Melrose, you beat all creation in disguises!” . “It is a part of my trade, sir. Through my hints, con- veyed in a mysterious letier, more than through your statements night before last, Black Alf and his murder- ous gang were induced to come down here, to a spot whiclt he has for a long time dreaded more than any place on earth. Have you any more questions to ask ?”” “Ouly this, sir. Who is the girl Eldiva, who is Kept in the power of Alf Dunning either by lear or influence?* “She is the daughter of one of his victims—not iis daughter, however. Wretchas heis, he could hardly do what lam sure he intends to do, if that was ihe case. But when she claims it, she will find protection from his brutality!’ “Then she claims it now ?” said a low, mournful yoice close beliiud us. Al this instant, I noliced that there was a new face in the crowd of men—a face I felt sure that I had seen in San Francisco, though I could not distincly localize it—and the eyes in the face of that man were bent with a searchi- ing, eager look on the countenance of Alf Dunning. There was good reason for looking at him. There was an expression of blanched (error in his face, 2 wild look, which no oue could mistake. He was fear-rooted to the spot, and did not speak or move till alter Eidiva fainted. Then he gasped out: “lt was the ghost of her mother sure enough!’ ‘ow did she die ?”? That question came, in a low, stern tone, from the man The girl had approached noiselessly, for she was bare- footed and walking on hard ground, while we were all so intent on the words of Mr. Melrose that we did not hear her. “Has he been renewing his abuse?’ asked Meirose. “Yes sir—he called me a whimpering coward—said I had seen nothing, und only fainted for etfect—anud he threatened—ah, I dare not tell you what!’ “I Know, poor girl, without your telling. should have protection, and you shall. But 1 am not ready to come out openly yet. I will tellyou what to say, the next time he gives you an angry look or word, and it will make him dumb, if do not mistake the abject moral IT gaid you whose fuce seemed strangly familiar to me—the new- comer in the crowd. Aif Dunning trembied from head to foot; but only for a few seconds was lle thus discomposed. He did not an- swer the question, but asked another; ‘Who are you, aud how came you here ?”? “lLamaman, aud walked here, Iown a claim in this “Now auswer iny question— How did Medora Roget die?’ “Medora Roget! How knew you that name?’ cried Dunning, and his face grew dark with passion. “No matter. I have asked you twice—I now ask, for the third and last time—How did that woman die ?” “Go ask her ghost!’ cried Dunning; ‘and, mark you, stramzer, keep away from Ulis cabin if you Know when you are well off 2? The stranger laughed, and then T remembered where I had geen him, Jt was in the Cuinese quarter, on Jackson sireet, between Kearney and Stockton, in a Chinese row, when he suddenly appeared, and the row was ended. by the combatants flying away in apparent terror, as he ut- tered a cry in their own language. Heseemed to me then to be a mun of power and mystery. What he was now, or intended to do here, 1 could not divine, but I meant to learn. Some of the party having carried the girl into the cab- in, I glanced inside, and saw Lhat she had recovered from her swoon, but sat near wie fire, weeping, while Dunning, who went in also, stood near, with a scowl on his repui- five tace, and his arms folded over his brawny breast, “Rather hard cases, these, sirl’? said 1, approaching the stranger, who yet stood outside the cabin, “You don’t know them, sir, and you had best give them & wide berth, if you value property and life,’? was his re- y. “You und your companion, Ned Griffin, are not iked by them,’? “You appear to know who we are??? “Perfectly welli—as well as | Know each and every one of that gaug in there. Keep your eye skinned for them. Itis a friendly warnipg, auc you'll do well to take it Good morning.” The stranger sirode away, and bending his course down the guich was lost to our sightina moment afterward, as suddenly almost as we lost sight of the ghostly visitant, ‘Thundering strange, all this!? said Griffin, his voice and looks indicating surprise. “i’m half sorry I came back down here.’ ‘Don’t siay if you are afraid!’ said I. “You need not feel delicate in ieaving on my avcount. I shall stay and see the thing out.” “So will 1, sir, no matter What comes of it, That’s a Bure thing. Vil show you whether fear is a part of my composition or not, if these devils give us a chance.”’ “Ido not doubt your courage,” was my answer. ‘I think we shall see this mystery solved before we leave. That there bas been foul murder done in this vicinity 1 do not doubt. Nordo I doubt that Alf Dunning had a hand init. And as the justice of Heaven is ever retributive, aud not so partial as that of man, I feel sure that he will be punished for his crime through Heavenly aid and ower! “Weil, sir, [hope if he has dove 2 murder here, he'll have it brougiit home to him. He killed a good friend of Tine over at Knight’s Ferry, for next to no cause at all, but he managed to make him draw first, and so kept law on his side. He is a bad, bad mant'! “| have no doubtof it. Let's get back to our quarters.”? CHAPTER VII. cowardice ofthe man. Teli him you hada dream, and dreamed three names were handed to you by a skeleton hand. I will whisper the names to you~—let him only hear them. Tell him a voice told you to reveal those names to the nearest magistrate, coupled with his own. Then if he threatens, let me, or these friends know in- stantly. Take this whistle—biow it, and we will come when the call is heard.” Mr. Melrose whispered the namesin her ear, handed her a small ivory whistle, and bade her hurry back before her abscence from the cabiti was noticed by Alf or his men, who were at work in their sluices. The giri, with alook of gratiiude and thankfui words, hastened to obey, evidently feeling that she would hence- forth find some protection from a brutalily that was wear- ing her young life away. ; And now Mr. Melrose moved away from our vicinity, taking a route which would keep him outof sight of the party of Dunning, as indeed we were in our position, thougii we could see them by looking through openings 1b a thicket of trees between us and them. The giri had alweady returned unseen to the cabin, when Griffin proposed that we should go down and locate a new claim, where we could work while we Carried on our ob- servations. +* : “Suppose that Black Alf objects to our changing base,” said I, *‘what shall we say, to avoid a quarrel! ?”? “That we locate a uew claim for ouranan, Billy Fiynnu, and he and me will work that before we do the others.” “All right—the plan is good, and will work, that is if he comes to hand, as Mr. Melrose says he will, at twelve o’cloek: I suppose you know what Melrose is?’ THE NEW YORK . ze The boy turned a quick, sharp look at him, and seemed to forin an intuitive dislike to the man; for, with a glance which expressed his feelings, he turned toward his sister, and said: ‘Julia, darling, answer no questions asked by stran- gers. I shall not.” “We'll see, you brat, if you can't answer a civil ques- tion!? cried Black Alf, and he strode toward the boy us if he intended to indict chastisement on him. “Stand back there! Shame to yer mane sowll’? cried the woman, Bridget Flynn, ina voice almost as masculine as that of her husband, ‘Lay but a finger’s weighton the lad and Vl) not lave a hair in yer head!?? “Then why don’t he answer a civil question ?? “Civil, When the growl of a grizzly Dear would be mu- sic to the way you spoke to the child!’ cried Billy, ad- vancing to the side of his irate wife. ‘Sure an? the boy is ew to have nothin’ to say to yez, and Vil uphould him in itP “Bully for you, Billy! It’s yourself that is able to take & man’s part ony day. Wiere shall we put the baste’s load down, gintlemen ??? “Up on the bill, near our own tent,” said LL go up and help you to put up your calivas,”” “We will pecially at the boy and girl, as we passed on, aud I heard a muttered curse, aud a threat, which I could not fully an- derstand, leave his lips as he surode on even faster than we toward the cabin. lie saw that the girl Eldiva was standing in front of the cabin, and that we must of course pass close by her. His words expressed Lhe cause of liis haste as he hurried on. “Into the Cabin there, you gapivgy idiot!’ he cried. “Into the cabin and attend to your work, or Pll cut ihe skin from your back with a raw-hidel? The girl did not move, for we were now very close, and our looks told her she would be protected at all hazards. “Don’t you hear me, you putiy-faced cat??? “i hear you, Mr. Dunning; but a woman, Where I ain, at them,’? she replied, in atone so fearless that his eyes dilated with wonder. “You think you've got backers, I reckon!’ heeried, add- ing 2 hameless epithet and a bilter curse as he spoke. “Ih show. you better!? ; Rushing on, he raised his hand to strike her “old, Alf Dunning, or Pi speak aloud three names given to me last night in a strange way, which other ears would take more nete of than you like. Hold down your hands, and hear me whisper Wie Lames in your ear—then sirike, if you want Lo.” ; i The astonished man bent his head to heaf the whis- pered names. ! Strange indeed was the effect which instantly followed. He fairly sprang back, while his dark fack blanched to a ghastiy pallor. “Has Satan himself been talking to you 2! he cried. _ “Yes; and revealed enough to hang you. Now, will you strike me?’ she cried, triumpliant in her firstsuccess over the brutal tyrant. “No, n0, girl; jet there be peace between us. kbow more of this,’ he said, as we passed op, “Heaven bless your sweet faces, children, Ill come to see you by and by!’ said the girl to the children, as they passed in our company. F *You’ll look through dead eyes then,?? I heard him mutter, in an undertone. , And if ever murder spoke in hateful, evil eyes, it did in his at that moment. I knew something must be done to protect her, and an instant thought flashed oyer my mind. “There are others who know the names which were whispered to you just how!” Icried. ‘Let the least harm come to that girl from your hands or by your infiuence, and to your sorrow you will Jearn that murder will out!’ “Murder ?” he gasped. ‘MURDER?’ he cried, in a louder tone, and then he rushed into the cabin alone. CHAPTER IX. We were busy fer the next hour in getting up the tents of Billy Flynn, and arranging in it two compartments, using blankets to partition the same so that the children might be by themselves when they desired. We now learned that their names were Julia and Jesse, though they gid not for some reason reyeal their last names, and though both seemed quiet and very sedate for their years, yet they were pleasant in their replies to our kindly-meaut advances, We had got the teut fixed, and Bridget was very awk- wardly trying to cook dinner, so awkwardly indeed that Billy apologized for her by saying she was used to a stove and not to an out-door fire, and Ned Griffin turned to work to heip her when Mr. Melrose suddenly appeared. Beth the children ran out to meet him with cries of pleasure on their lips, and he kissed them each of the forehead with a tenderness that seemed almost parental. ‘Then he took them one side and talked for a long time earnestly, as if he was instructing them in some plan which they inust follow. After dismissing them and tell- ing them to gather beautiful flowers if they chose, which grew in pleuty ali around, he came to where Billy Flynn, Bridget, und .Ned Griffin and myself were seated on a large rock, and with @ smile, addressed us: “fam glad to.see you ail take so kindly to each other,” he said. “Ina work like that before us, only unity of I must Alf Dunning glared fiercely at the whole party, and es- | J? is such a curiosity, and children, Loo, that 1 want to look | he did not speak for a long time. though Billy Flynn, Ned Griffin and myself were talking about work, prospects and many au other thing in which he had achance to juin. At last, he said abruptly, addressing Griffin: “You've took the old shaft for yonr claim ?? Hf “Yes,” said Ned, ‘I have, aud mean to work it by-and- y! “You'll find nothing but bad Juck in it! he said, gloomily. ‘*That’s what me and my partners found there. Not a bit o’ color even in the dirt, and only a streak here and there of sulphate in the rock! It won't pay! If I was you Pd jet it alone. There’s rich ground down the guich!? “Pil make the old shaft pay, I reckon! said Griffin, ina quiet way. ‘The ghost of that woman always stuts down near there, and I reckon that means something!” “Lord, don’t talk of it. See bow while my gal turus. I guess I'l] go back to the cabin—come gal, come!? “May I not wait for the children to come back??? she asked, ina pleading tone, “No—not now—we’ll come back and see them to-mor- mow. I want to make friends with that bright-eyed boy. I spoke rough to him to-day and scared him, but——" “Itis not so! You did not scare me! I’m not afraid of you, but I do not like you and I never will be your riend 1” it was the boy himself who spoke. Light of foot, heand his sister had come up the hill in a line with some bushes which hid them from view until Lhey were within five or six yards of our group, and Jesse had heard every word spoken by Dunning when he rose to go. “We'll see—we’ll see when I send to town and get some nice things, such as boys aud giris likel’* said Alf, with a forced smile on his face. “You’il be my friend will you not?? asked Bldiva, as she advanced to the brother and sister, who stood hand in hand, and reached out her thin white pamn. “Yes,” said both the children simultaneously. for you are not like him!} “Oh, thank you!” : Tears were in her eyes when Eldiva kissed them, and she said: “lam going now, butto-morrow I will come and see you, and together we will go to pick flowers. 1 must go and get supper for the people at the cabin—it is late and Will be dark befere 1 can getit ready!? “Take these fowers now!” said Julia, and she reached out a bouquet which she had culled. “And this wreath fron) me, tool’? said Jesse, in a warm earnest tone. Alf Dunning looked on and scowled, and then in a low tone, muttered to himseli: “To-morrow—yes to-morrow, and the sooner the better —all three at once! For 1] know them—yes I know them!? I heard his words, and I think Eidiva also did, for she Started nervously, and as she moved down the path, look- ed back several Limes, They had stayed so long, that twilight was already on us, a8 they moved away. ‘They had been gone perhaps a minute, or a little more, long enough tohave gonea couple of hundred yards, when @ wild sliriek from the lips of Eldiva, a strange cry from the man came back to us with a startling eifect. An instant afier we heard the shrill sound of the ivory whistle which had been given to the girl by Melrose, Cluiching Our weapous we rushed down the hill, {TO BE CONTINUED.) @ “Yes, Blenkarne Emeralds By Charies T, Manners, Author of “A SILVER BRAND,” “THE LORD OF LYLE,” “THE FLAW IN THE DIAMOND,” etc. {The Blenkarne Emeralds” was commenced in No. 16. Back nuinbers can be had trom any News Agent in the United States.) CHAPTER YI. “High ho! A week already in my new situation,” mur- mured Frank Osborne, leaning from the broad window of the handsome apartments allotted to his use, and look- ing down listiessly into the fine gardens beneath. “And weary already ?? spoke 2 soft, reproachful voice. Coloring slightly, Frank turned his head and saw Lady Blenkarne standing outside on the balcony, which pro- jected from her suite of rooms which were situated on the right of his, aud next to those of Sir Marmaduke. “Pardon me,’ she said, graciously, ‘I could not very well help overhearing your soliloquy when your head was out the window, Seriously, I hope you are contented and satistied.’? “T ought to be, your ladysbip, or I should be the most uugratefull wreich living. You have done everything possible to gratily the most exacting taste”? he returned, warmly. “My surroundings are those of a prince, and my tasks light, while I can scarcely reconcile it to my couscience to accept the munificent salary you have fixed upon.”? . “And yet you are already weary?” slie said, impa- feeling can beget that union in action which will easure success.”? ‘ cia “No fear, sir, but that we'll a Billy Flynn, and when he spoke leust sound of the brogue on his any sign that he had ever been was at that moment. 2 Griffin looked at him a momen right, fs $ : *“Oouldn’t you be a darkie fro asked, : “Yes, marser—dat is if 7hwot towimost any dodge dais got mo The reply of Billy Flynn was | F ce.in voice as had been that of Melrose i assuming the same character, and GriffiZ could hardly realize that he Was the same man whose former brogue was Mllesian enough to have made hint au idelin the halls of St. Tam- many. Butsoit was. His was an assumed character, and one he was well able to keep up when necessity demanded it. “How did you know my hame when you met me??? continued Griffin, addressing Billy Fiynn. “] had pame and descriplion both given me before my arrival,” replied the latter, ‘There is but one of Dun- “I can guess, sir, and if he is what | think he is, it will be our duty to help him. Black Alf has long been a terror to good men, and if he can be brought to a filling end, it will be the better for everybody but him."? “Yes, if that be the end of a rope, with himswinging at it. Buckle on. your belt, get your mining tools and measuring tape, and let us be off for the uew claim.” CHAPTER VIII. We were not long in passing over the space between our tent and where Dunning and his gang were at work. As we passed the cabin a iook was exchanged between us and the girl Eldiva, which expressed returning courage on her part and hopefullness also, and then we kept on past the place where the other men were mining, cut some stakes from the chapparal near at hand, and com- menced measuring and marking out anew claim just be- low the ground now being worked by Dunning and his ang. ; We had got down the first corners, when Dunning sauntered up, and in his usual insolent way, said: “I thought you chaps had taken your Claims elsewhere. Mining law don’t allow a feller to locate all over the diggins.’? ” “We are locating this ground for a partner who will be here before dinuer-time,’’ I suid, quietly. “Yes; Lsuppose we’ll have a cuiony before the week is out,’ said the rufflan, with an oath. “It’ll be all the better for as good a poker-player as you are,’’ said Griffin, striving to speak pleasantly. “Yes; if all new-comers areu’t as stingy in game as y be,”? growled Dunning, ‘But look here, men, if this talk about a partner is all sham, and none cumes, curse me into heaps if yowil work this claim without a fight. You hear that, don’t you?” “Yes,” said I, rather angrily; ‘‘and we don’t care a bal- ton for your threats. Thereis our new partner and his We returned to the tent, but nejther Griffin nor myself slept again that night, but freshened our fire and sat be- fore it, talking (ili the light of day ounce more revealed the scenery around us. He talkingof the strange scenes through which he had passed since °49, wheu he first landed, and I adding scraps of history gleaned by me from time to Lime in regard to the country, which corro- borated whut be was telling me. When day broke we prepared our breakfast, and ate Wilh such appetite as one must get in that pure and high ailitude, roughing it as we did, and then we began to lay plans for the day. “I think EL will explore my claim,’ said Griffin. “The way Black Alf sneered at the idea of there being any gold left in the old shaft, makes me think there 7s.’ “If not gold there may be something else which he does not care to have you see. 1 noticed his dDider look and sneer also when you told him where you had located your Gaim. And I will aid you in the lavestigation.”? “Thank you, sir. 1 will see what we need to work with, for itis a dark-looking hole aud must be deep.” An hour later Griffin and myself were standing by the side of the old shaft looking down into the gloomy depth estimatiug whether a piece of rope which Griffin had brouglit would be !ong enough te reach the bottom, as he intended to use it for a descent. Fastening a large stone to the rope, Griffin was about to iower it when the strange man who had attracted our attention down at the cabin, a little while before, hurried up to the spot. . - ) “Hold on, my friend, hold ont’? he cried, addressing Griffin. “I don’t want my spider-web broken just yet.’ “Your spider’s web? What do you mean? Are you @runk or crazy ?”? “Neither, l hope. Ibelong to Golden Gate Division of Sons of Temperance, and shall not disgrace it. And { am at work ata job which requires ull my senses iu a sound condition! “Then what do you mean f*? ‘Just what I say. 1] do not want myspider-web broken just now. Look herel’! And the stranger reached out his hand, took hold of What had appeared, to Griffin and to me, to be an ordi- nary spider’s web, of the large net-like character seen frequently siretched over chappara!, or from rock to rock, in that region, aud raised it from its attachment on the Bide of the shalt next to him, We at once saw that it was an artificial net, of the finest silk, made in such exact imitation of the usual work of tie large spider of the country tat it would deceive any one unacquainted with ils real nature. “I know what is down that shaft,” continued the stran- ger, “and I will inform you that it is not gold, but it will be worth more than goki in forwarding the ends of justice family coming down the hill,’”? “A man, woman and two brats, eh?’ said the ruffian, turning his eyes to the party, which, withaladen mule driven before them, were coming down the trail, “The women will seem like company to your gal,” said Griffin, feeling his way to learn what Black Alf thought of the new-comers, “Company be cussed! If my gal opens her lips to stran- gers I'll cut her tongue out. I’ve got her under rule— bet your bottom dollar on that.’? Aud the fellow laughed—more like a hyena than a man. He now turned to watch as we did, perhaps with even more interest than he, the approach of the new-comers. A heavily laden pack-muie preceded the party, which consisted of a tall, stout-built man, with a ruddy, intelli- geut face and a pair of sharp, gray eyes twinkling in it, a woman, very coarse in face and form, and two pale, love- iy children, the eldest a boy of not less than fourteen or fifteen years, the next a girl, probably a couple of years younger, looking so much alike that they would at once be recognized as brother and sister. The man and woman were coarsely but comfortably clothed, as were the children, though lhe clothes of the latter indicated poverty. Yet, as we said above, they were both handsome in face, and too genteel in figure and bearing to be mistaken as the children of those they came witli. “How d’ye do, Mr. Ned Griffin, how dye do, sir?’ cried tne man to Griffin and myself, as he drew near, evidently tutored ib the part he was to play. “The top of the morning to you, Mr. Bill Flynn,’ said 1. Then giving a name hap-hazard to his wife, 1 added: “How is Bridget this mornin’ ?” “Long lifeto yer honor. Sheis well barrin? the tire, for it’s a long walk up and down from the Auburn ravine, and that done since three o’clock this blessed mornin’.’? “Well, you’ve made good time, my man—buit whose children are these you’ve got along?” “Sure, sir, it is orphans they are, widout father or mother, and me and the ould woman havin’ none and never like to either, we thought we'd kKape’em wid us, rather thun see ’em worriting along alone as they were below.’ “Itshows your good heart, Bill Flynn. We've just staked out this claim for you, and we'll all work it togeth- er after we've got your ient pitched.” Allthistime Alf Dunning had stood gazing at those children, who, with blue eyes and light-brown hair, seeuied so unlike those they came with. And while he looked his fuce wore astrange expression—an inquiring, troubled look, as if he was trying to call up sume memory. “What's your name?’ he asked, abruptly of the boy, at last, in a tone and with 2 look not calculated to make a favorable impression on a cliild, . ning’s party whom I have ever seen yet. J kpow the name: and have a description of them all. The one I know is——”? “Husli—you need not explain!'? said Melrose, quickly. “Our friends here will learn ali about him, as well as the rest, iu the proper time. And now be lively in fix- ing up camp, and make yourselves as much like real miners a8 you can. Imust keep in the shade and not seem to know you. Keepaclose eye on the children, for were that wretch, Black Alf, to suspect who they are, their lives would be taken, if he could do it. All works well now; I hope it will soon work even better yet. Good- by til lcume again. Iwill be with you when least ex- pected. Three rapid shots at any time will draw me and more to your side. And now, again, good-by. Be vigi- lant while you appear careless—iet one be awake and on watch at all hours!?? We ail gave assent, and the next instant he was gone. ~Nota moment too soon, either, for in less than three minutes aflerward Black Alf was seen coming toward the spot, accompanied by the girl, Eldiva. He hada kind of sickly smile on his fuce, a look of assumed friendliness which was not well calculated to deceive Old students in face-talk. : ‘Me and the gal thought we’d come up and see you,” said Alf, ina drawling tone, “for it isu’t in woman natur to be onfriendly with her kind, and the gal says she’s took a reg’lar likin’ to them childern—which I don’t see around, by the way!’ 5 “No—they’re afther flowers, the swate crachures likes ’em so,’ said Bridget, with asmile that opened full six inches of mouth. #, “And they’re not like to be back soon, Since they had dinner afore they went. But sit ye down. If it’s civil you’d be wid us, we'll meet you half way jist!” said Billy Flynn, with a droll twinkle in his sharp gray eyes. “May Igo and hunt them up? I like to gather flowers and wander over the hills when I have a chance,’ said Eldiva, with a sigh. “Not without 7m along, gal—grizzliés are thick around here, and you might see another ghost!’ replied Alf. “| pray Heaven that I may, if it only is the spirit of my dear mother,”? “Gal—I told you not to talk of her!’’ “Well, sir, don’t be angry; Vil try and not do it again.’ “Will you have some o’ this? It is prime whisky—none of your rot that will kill at eighty rods up hill!” And Black Alf produced a huge flusk, tendering it first to me then to Ned Griffin, and last to Billy Fiyun. Of course the two first declined; and even to our sur- prise, for he had a red face, Billy Flynn did the same. “An Irishman, and go back on whisky??? exclaimed Black Alf. “Why, I never saw or heard of the like be- fore. 10s like mother’s milk to three of ’em that I’ve got in my crowdl’? , “Bad ‘cess to em, then, for it’s not Father Mathew men they are!’ cried Flynn. ‘That is what I am, sir, total abstinence from the crown of my feet to the sole of my head! Mind that, if ye plase!l”’ “Then Vil drink a share for you all !? said Alf, with an attempt at a laugh which distorted his face and made the girl shudder. “Maybe your woman will drink, though!’ ‘Me touch the divil’s broth!” cried Bridget, bitterly. “Niver the drop, while my seven sinuses are about me. Sure it has pisoued my betters and I’m not goin’ the way the drunkard travels.’ Alf tried to laugh again, but he made a bad attempt and ot GoW the effort with a jengthy draught from his ask. : ‘Is there anything in the eatin’ line we can help you with? he asked. ‘‘We’ve lots of grub down at the cabin, “We want nothing of you, Alf Dunning, but a clear coast and no favors!’ said Ned Griffin, wlio was begin- ning to tire of the presence of the fellow. “*Well—that is easy given, but because I was a bit cross & while ago, wilen I feit out 0’ sorts, you needn’t keep up the snari when I wantto be friendly. I cameup here to please the gal, for I was rough on her, and felt sorry after 7LWwas Over!?? : “Ivs all right,’? said Griffin, catching a cautionary glance from ine. ‘‘I don’t want to quarrel, but I’m notin the best humor myself. jl take a walk and see if I don’t feel better”? ¢ : Alf made no reply, but he put away his flask, took out his pipe, filled and lighted it, and sat smoking for an hour almost, while Bridget and Eldiva chatted together. Bridget had so many droll things to say, that Eldiva got te laughing as heartily as if she had meyer known care or sorrow. tiently. Be bank his head a moment seli-convicted, and then turned vehemently: “No, no, do not think itis that. I believe I am stupid day. Is it not oppresively sultry? And I fearI am dis- usted with my own vanity. I was so sanguine of my ility to impart knowledge, that I cannot help being dis- ppvinted at the iittie progress made.” “he lady clapsed her hands together with a tragic, vin- tive gesture. 5 1 understand you have had a bad day in the study. y, Unt you must be superior to such light discourage- eut, Remember you have bound yourself to remain a year, and you yourself can best guard against your find- ing the time irksome. I should recommend some sys- tematic Course for yourself as well as for your pupil. And then youth has 80 many resourcees.’? She sighed drearily as she said it. ‘Surely you hive not yet exhausted the treasures of the library and gallery ?? “My dear madame!” exclaimed the young man, in a tone of keen self-reproach, ‘you must not concern your- self about so insignificant a trifle. 1 will take 2 walk, and I assure you i shall return as gay and cheery 2s a lark. I trust lam not to make myseif such a bugbear that any shade of dullness must be coaxed away from me. Perhaps while I am gone some new method of jastruction may occur to Me, aud tO-mMorrow may fiud me jubilant m success.’? . “Go, by all means,’ she said, as she turned to re-enter hier balcony window. “You know there is asaddie horse in the stables entirely at your disposal. Il recommend a brisk canter up some shady road. Remember, whatever you Go, you must not be so near homesickness again!” Frank went down to the stable, and mounted the sleek- coated chestnut the groom told him had been set aside for his use, mentally accusing himself of the most reprehen- sible ingratitude that he could have been dull or dispirit- ed in this beautiful home to which he had been welcomed by its hauglity mistress with the kindest courtesy, and the most condescending friendliness. “When I think how scorniuily their employers look down upon other tutors,” he muttered, “I am the more amazed at my own good fortune, and ashamed of the strange sense of disquietude and suspicion that possesses me. Her ladyship is a wonderful woman. She com- mands my utmost respect, and my warm admiration. I suspect I miss my gay traveling comrades. Inrust hasten to find myself in gentlemenly acquaintances, then 1 shall be more contented.”? Here he touched the glossy flank of the chestnut, and went bounding forward at such an exhilarating pace as to forget everything but the very delight of existence. A shady road being one of the desirable routes, as her Jadyship recommended, Frank turned his horse at the first he reached, even though it seemed scarcely more than @ lane or cart path, and followed into its cool re- cesses, Marveling at finding so retired a spot in so near vicinity to Bienkarne Terrace. The tender young trees grew close against the feuce which marked off the jane, and drooped their spreading boughs over it; in some places the tall pines on either side reached out their branches overhead, aud weaving them together, made a natural archway. Already Frank’s gay spirits had returned to him, throw- ing off the vague depression that had hung upon them. The horse took his way at his own pace, and cantered briskly around a sudden curve, and at the same instant brought to view a quaintly gabled, picturesque old build- ing nestling in a cleared valley, and @ charming scene in the lane just before him. A tall, fine-looking, gray-haired gentleman standing by the fence wilh both arms thrown nround a slender young girl, Who was looking up into his face with an inde- scribably arch and winning. smile, while she playfully strove to thrpst some tiny object into his hand. The girl was nothing lovelier than many he had seen: before, fair with the grace and bloom of earliest womanhood, but there was something in the Clear, limpid eyes, the firm yet tender lips, the spirited curl of the tender nostril, that pleased and charmed hiin, half unconsciously to himself. The footfall of thehorse had not been heard, for the solt turf dulled the sound; but the next instant the geutie- man looked up, and with a sipgularly proud’ and tender gesture put her away, and stood up before her as if to shield her from rude or careless observation. “This princess has a knight of her own, albeit, it may be a paternal one,’? mused Frank Osborne, as he rode on past the pair, and forebore to turn his head and look back as he was longing to, At the house before him he gazed scrutinizingly, and found @ peculiar charm the longer he looked. That it was the home of refinement, but not of affluence, was as plain- ly tobe read asthe number of quaint dlamond-paned windows. Everything was kept with scrupulous care and nicety. Nostray twigs disfigured the neat gravel walk; there were no incongruous objects in front or rear, Pretty rustic seats were scattered in the shady garden, and trom his imperfect view even, Frank had glimpses of a dozen charming little bowers, now of roses, or vine, or hawthorne, but all with a wooing, tempting look. There Was a massive stone gateway that had evidently been a grand affair in its day, but some of the stones had fallen away and the gap been repaired with wooden rails sand- ed. The doorway, too, showed recent patching in a neat but inexpensive fashion, and one-half the great, rambling building was closely shuttered, asif uuused. What ar- rested the gazer’s attention more than all was the tall, high embankment over to the right, crowning a gentie slope ofiand. A tall partitioning barricade, as it were, formed of stone foundation, and then a tall jenee of black board- ing. The top here and there had arunning festoon of green overlapping from the other side, but the wiole aifuir had a forbidding, prison air. A second look, as the rising road gave him higher view, made him start with w A\f Dunning seemed lost in his own dark thoughts, for new and still Keener interest. Over beyond, behind this ~ e) barricade, he could see the turretted chimnies of Blen- karne Terrace, This, then, was the other side of the tangled, overrum artificial bank which had so perplexed him in the Nem- esis-guarded wilderness of Blenkarne Park. This wasthe view so remorselessly cut off, But why? Tie oid house was picturesque in the ex- treme, the sloping meadow below, the line of skirting: woods and the broad, blue flash of the river indisputably charming. Wherefore, tien, were they so inexorably thrust out of the Bienkarne vista? ‘ “lL willask some one who ought to know,’ resolved Frank, and gailoped on, The jane Jed ou the other side to an evidently much more irequently used road, and pretiy soon he was ous again on the broad thoroughfare. He turned out toward the Country instead of taking the branch: which Jed back. tothe town. Just atthe fork of the road he found a col- lection of people watching a third-rate menagerie company pitching them tent preparatory to giving a performance for the benefit of the neighborhood. A group of boys were gathered .round a tame bear. He paused ‘idly to note ijal, and then -chirruped to the chestnut and went speeding on. Two hours afterward he came back, and Will! a half-apologetic smile, Lurned the animal again inte the cross-road leading to the lane. “Maybe there’ll bea giimpse of my princess, and 9 chance fora younger knight,?? he said, jestingly, little he how speedily lis playful thought would beeome verilied, But as he cantered on through the shaded pathway of the lane, just before he came jn. sight of the quaint old house that had go fascinated lim, he heard a sudden jae in & Woman’s voice, and thena wild vociferation of cries. The horse and rider alike pricked up their ears and rushed toward the sound, At first Frank could sge but two figures, a lady in black, and the same girl he had before admired. The latter was standing in front of the other, her arms extended as if to: Shield her from some threatening danger, and at the same lime she seemed to be covering her retreat, for they were boil slowly stepping backward. Still the shrieking voice called for help, and the young knight looked around curi- ously for the object of alarm. He could not forbear a smile when he saw the bhnge, black creature that stepped awkwardly forward, making @ feins will its Clumsy paws that elicited a new chorus of shrieks; for the explanation flashed upon him istanta- neously. Thebear of the menigerie, worried by the mis- chievous boys, liad snapped his chain and made good his escape, and was here frightening the helpiess woien into believing him a veritable savage of tiie woods. He galloped forward at full speed; but thechestnut had no more complimentary opinion of the queer black crea- ture than the ladies, and shying, and then rearing, refused: to go forward after reaching within a few rodsof the scene. Vaulting from the saddle, Frauk quickly Jed the horse to the fence aud fastened him securely there, and then has-, tened forward Lo the rescue. It was almost impossible for him to keep a grave face, 80 overcome was he by the ludicrous change of perfurm- fame on the valor of rescuing kuiglt. Nevertheless, it was’ xu tame bear, and not a dragon. _ “Don’t be alarmed, ladies. Iassure you the creature is harmiless,’? he cried, and mentally pronounced the prin- cess all that imagination had pictured. She was still standing to shield her companion, her face very pale, but her eye bright and resolute, while no single cry had escaped the firm-closed lips. “Dear mamma, I beg you tube composed. He has not touched us yet. Wecan reach the house unmolested, if you are only calm,’ she said, in low, firm, coaxing tones. The elderly lady, still clutching flrin hold of her daugh- ter’s' dress, essayed a step in retreat, upon which, honest Bruin, with the most ludicrous gravity, advanced and jilted up his paw, thrusting it oul toward the young lady— innocent enough, poor beust, for he was offering to shake hands, as he had’been taught—and thereupon ithe mother shrieked and the daugiiter shrank back. 4 “Oil, sir, can you save us? He will tear us to pieces. Oh, have you no’pistol ?—no knife?” implored tlie mother. : ‘Let me assure you tere is no danger,’ repeated Frank,. this time in deep earnesi, for he saw it was no laughing: affair for either of the ladies, sincere as they were in their extreme terror. ‘I will walk between you and him. It is a tame bear. 1 saw him au hour or so ago chained by the menagerie tent on the other road., See! the creature is perfecily good-uatured.’? As he spoke, le found some sweetmeats in his pocket, and gave thei to the bear, who took them and disposed of the:n greedily; promptly presenting his clumsy paw for- nore, growing, however, more familiar than even Frank desired, since he tumbied him: over in his uncouth ate tempts at an embrace. Tue younger lady burst into a merry laugh, and the col- pre back into her face,-as their rescuer picked him- self up. “Oh, Mamma, how silly we have beent But I am not sure he will be a very comfortable neigiibor.. Let us asi the gentieman to cover our not exactly courageous, bul, under the circumstances, excusable aud prudent retreat,” But the eider could uot so readily recover her spirits. She on stil wembling from head to foot, and said, for- jornly: “I can hardly waik astep. I have been so terrified it has taken away my little strength. 1 still believe ihe her- rible creature is able and willing to tear us in pieces, And itis such a long way yet to the louse. Ah, Btiel, you shall never Coax mie so'fur again, unless Aubrey or your uncle are with me.’? “Let me give the Jady my arm, and supposing we try a coup d'état,” suggested Frank, ‘inasmuch as Bruit as proved himself, for the time being,-master of the situation. Here is a paper of bon-bous in my pocket; if the young Ja- dy Will take it and throw down one at atime, TP am con- fident we can gain the house without further molesiation. from those rude paws of his. You are not afraid?” he asked, as he handed her the little parcel, “Not in the least, vow,” she returned, with a pretty blush, and 2 diupiing smile; “but before, you know, f relly believed him some savage wild beast seeking to devour us,’? “And yet yon faced liim bravely,” complimented Frank. “Ah, that was for mamuma’s sake. Had | been alone; I daresay you would have found me sunk in. an ignourinie ous fainting fir, There, you clumsy fright! it cruelly dis+ turbs me Lo fling you such morsels of melting sweetness,” And as she spoke, the young latly tossed one of the sugared treasures on the ground, and Bruin complacently gobbled it up, and, as she ran on after tue others, came leaping behind her, “Take care, beg of youl’? exclaimed Frank, in con-- sternalion, as he saw the ugly claw make a sudden dash at the fair, white hand. “No fear of me now,’ she laughed back, as she dodged lightly. “I think ] understand the sort of tactics Sir Bruin requires; and 1 don’t mean he shali feast on al! these su- gar pluimes.”? “Oh, Ethel! imprudent, thoughtless child!’ sighed the: lady on Frank’s arm. ‘How can you beso light-hearted ? You will never see the dangers nor the troubles of this: world as they really are.” Frank saw the exquisitely cut lip quiver 2 moment, and the pensive shadows come brooding over the clear, deep eyes, u8 though something in the remark hurt a sensitive spirit; but she only said. gently: . “And is it not better so, dear mamma ?”? By this time they had reached the gateway, and the lady, relinquishing Frank's arm, casting back a shivering: glance, darled through, and ran, with new energy, intoy tie house, from which the next instant emerged a ‘tall,. guant, powerful-looking woman, with bared, sinewy arms flourishing wildly. BRS “Miss Ethel. Oh, Miss Ethel,” cried this new comer, ‘if ever anything has happened to you, my angel——” “Nay, nay, dear Margery, there is nothing the matter, only poor mlamnia Was so fyightened,” exclaimed the young lady, quickly. é “Oh, the Lord have mercy, whav’s that behind you, a Wild beast, surely??? screamed the woman, staring at bruin, demurely, bringing up the rear of the party. “What shall we do with the bear?” questioned the young lady, turning to Frank, between laughing and cry- ing. me (o sel my foot outside {he house until he is taken care of” “Tf you had a chain——"? he ventured. “To be sure, Margery, you can find a stout chain, I am certain, He must have another sugar plum, in spite of me? And sie stayed coaxing the unwieldy creature into sub> mission while the chain was found, aud then fastened se curely about his neck. Next Frank secured him at the gateway. , ‘| thank you heartily for all this trouble you have had, If only our man had been at home, or my brother, we should not have been in quite so ridiculously helpless a condition,” said the young lady, still standing beside him, waiting for the consummation of the task. “And now 1 am sure muimima will be grieved if you do not come in one moment and rest yourself, and take & glass of milk or wine, Whichever you prefer,” she said, in a gentie gracious Way Frauk Osborne could never think of resisting. ; The ‘lady of the mansion made her appearance at the same. moment, aud with rather more air and ceremony urged the same. “Tam Frank Osborne,” said the young knight, “only: a week as yet a denizen of Exeter and its suburbs, and—7? But here the lady interrupted with a stately gesture: “And we,” she suid, something after the fashion she might have introduced the royal inhabitants of Windsor Castle, ‘are the Roscoes. 1 am Madame Roscoe, and my daughter yonder is Miss Roscoe.’ Frank bowed: again, and took his seat in the pretty room which, like all the rest of the place, had its paljable signs of past grandeur as Weill as lis no less evidert be- trayal of present decliné. Margery served the wive in! Uny cut-gliss goblets: from’a massive silver tray, whieh bore an escutcheon, Frank, however, had no time to de- cypher. vere se tas While he held his glass'to the light he casually remarked upon his own searén throlgl’a famous Bollemia manufae- tory for something similar. “You live been abroad then?’ asked Mrs. Roscoe. “Jam bat three weeks returned from a two years’ de-- lightful pilgrimage,” he answered. The Jady’s opinion evidently rose. GCLOUSLY eS ; ; m “And you have only been so few days in Exeter, and have ulready rendered us such signal service. You moat. coe again: and” make my son's acquainiance. He also- has been abroad. And he will ouly be too thankful to meet with a cultivated and congenial genueman. Exeter has changed greatly in these later years.”? ~ Frank perceived the little distressed quiver that crossed Ethel Roscoe's sensitive'lips, aud ip generous: diversiox: Pavaslupeong rr eon Ty She smiled gra- ers, a lame bear scarcely being an object Lo bestow much: . “I foresee neither mamma nor Margery will allow | SSS: ey ae LOO EE oe eee Ss Se! pear yr ss ears eke eR ee oe ae os eee SS Soe TP hase _ best to give it to him. & eo eee ‘Is it possible your son can be the Roscoe who dreamed with me through a charming Venetian week? His given name—what was it——?’? ‘ “Aubrey!? exclaimed the mother, joyfully. “The very same, lamsure. Tion’t never do to wait to whittle out that ar’ canoe,” he thought, looking at the result of one day's labor—half a rib—and there ought to be about nine of them. That night also Bob kept him awake over half the time. Fourth morning—breakfast, a small handfal of wheaten cakes. Bob ate absolutely nothing; his nurse mourned that she had not a bird or a bit‘of some kind of fresh meat to make him some broth. She knew that when the fever was gone he would be dreadfully exhausted, and that he must die unless she could procure something suitable to nourish him. Although the day was clear, Robert wag so furious in his delirium that Jake did not dare leave him to the girl’s charge. Eager as he was to go the third time and study the stream, the gap, and the cavern over the no time, however, except that spent in attendance on the sick man; and by night one rib of the canoe was roughly fashioned and laid where the water from the rill would trickle upon it and Keep it pliant until it was required to be bent into shape. So much, 80 good. F Supper—the last of the potatoes. . Fifth morning—breakfast, the last of the cakes.’ Robert Clark’s delirium was now of a low, muttering kind; his pulse was very rapid, but feeble. It was no longer unsafe to leave him in charge of Minnelulu. Jake realized his friend’s danger—it was (his, even more than the scarcity of provisions, which urged him to cease work on the ganoe and Jook out, once more, for some swilter means of deliverance. ns CHAPTER XXY. THE QANOE AND ITS FATE. Again Jake sat on the boulder, moodily considering What he should do, He feltasif he could not return to his starving love and his dying friend without bringing some news to excite their ho : had trudged about untll he was uncomfortably hun- P SS es gry; yet he scorned himself for belng so, and would not touch the bear-meat whici,Minnelulu had put in his pouch. He looked at the cold green water curdiing about the jagged projectious of rock everywhere, vexing them to foain; and across at the black spot that promised some revelation, if one Could only reach it. He resolved that he would try.to swim across, The atiempt was madness. But Panther Jake was mad—mad with anxiety, care, foreboding. He stripped himself, fastened One end of his rope about the boulder, lied the other about his waist, let himself down by the Jadder into the ice-cold Water, This coldnéss of the stream Was as bad as its rapid current; it chjlled hin, and the current swept him down at once, tweftly feet be- low the spot where he touched the water, before he coula make an effort to breast it. Agile as he was, and a splen- did swimmer, he was helpless. Dashed and buffeted, he struggled withdeath. ° In vain he strove with a power mightier than his own. Down he went, whirling with the whirling current which presently dashed him against arock. Fortunately, the blow did not stun nor seriously injure him; he clung to the rock, and succeeded in climb- ing up out of the water, He was now ‘at the end of his rope,”? which had wonderfully escaped being severed by the impediments in the current, “Good-by, Minne, poor gal,’? murmured. Jake, shiver- ing and half senseless. “I'll never git out 0’ this scrape, you bet.” : After clinging to his slippery resting place a few mo- ments, he resolved that he would not give it up so, “If I’m born to be hanged, L can’t be drowned,’! So saying, he slipped back into the boiling flood. The rope kept hin from being carried farther downy; andif it Gid not snap, he was all rigut. But the strain upon it was frightful; and, any instant, some sharp rock might cut it in two. He did not try to swim, but pulled himseif up stream by the cord, which was kept taut by the strain uponit, Slowly against the strong pressure of the cur- rent he pulled himself back, fighting every inch of the iifty feet he had gone down stream, as a man only fights for his life. _ At last, the feat was accomplished; the rope had not given way; and now he clung, panting, to the ladder, too weak for a while to atten:pt to amount. “Reckon I won’t (ry that agin,’ he murmured, as he hung to the iadcer, dripping and panting. When he reached terra jirma, he was compelled to lie down and rest. Blood was streaming from a dozen cuts crushed to death amid tlie rocks, : He had risked his life, and nothing had come of it. He Was 80 exhausted that he dropped asieep for a short time. When he awoke, he was so ravenously hungry that he no longer made resistance to the cravings of his appetite, but took out the little ‘thunk?’ of dried meat, and gnawed atiteagerly. After he had eaten, he felt refreshed; put on his clothes, took up his precious ropes, and started for camp, The fifth day had passed, and nothing had been done. Minnelulu, when she heard him approachifg, whistling cheerfully as if nota bit discouraged, went .out to meet him. When they drew near ove anotier, he opened his arms, and sheraninto them; her pretty head drooped her wasting cheeks, “Oh, Jake! he so bad—he die soon,’! she said. : “}m afeerd of it, little gal. Poor Bob! 1 wish I could die forhim, We've always been such friends; you don’t know, Minnie. It chokes me P’ and the sturdy fellow tried to swahow the lump in his throat, , “He whispers all time, ‘Lolly, Lolly, Lolly.’ Oh, I weep allday. If she gone, too, ali riguti—they meet up there in spirit land.”! “Yes, my poor leeile gal. t'other side o’ Jordan, soon. If we kin all go at onct, *twou’t be so bad.” They walked slowly back tothe camp-fire, where they sat for hours holding each other’s hands, and listening to the delirious mutterings of their sick comrade, Often ° Minnelulu wet his blackened lips with cold water, and bathed his white, thin face. - It was all she could do for him. Then she would come back to Jake, and cling to his hand. Hedid not tell her how near he came to kill- ing himself; she had too much auxiety already. He only told her that the canoe was their only hope. How frail that hope was he felt the more forcibly since his experience in yenturing into that whirling current. , Sixth day. Breakfast, dried meat. Robert Clark appeared to be dying nearly all day. But Jake did not dare waste time to hold his friend’s hand. Minneluiu sat by him e¢onstantly, while Jake as con- stantly worked at the second rib of his skeleton skiff. By dusk it lay in the water beside the first. Then he and the girlate a small piece of the meat. Jake cut down another litle tree, and whittled away all night by the bedside of his friend. Toward morning Minnelulu took his place, making him lie down, When he awoke it was as light as it ever gotto be in that sunless canyon. He had slept three hours, R “‘Hush—he sleeps!’ whispered the Indian maiden, fin- ger onlip,as Jukecame tosee how Bob was getting along. She stole away from the bed, and took Jake with her. “He must not be wake too soon. He better. When he wake he be like one leetle papoose—no strength. He must have food.”? “Would to Heaven I could get it forhim, Minne! I would let him have @ chunk out o’ my arm ef I didn’t feel *twar wicked.” “Oh, Jake!’? “TJ tell you I Jove him better than a brother!’ said Jake, crying. Miunelulu cried with him. ; “See here,’’ she said, more hopefully, after a time, “I cut up dried meat berry fine, cook it guod while in leetle water, make pretty good broth,’ , No sooner said than done. There was no kettle, but there was atin cup, which Minnelulu nearly filled with shavings of dried meat, just covering them with water. The broth had stewed two hours when Bob awoke. Meantime his friend had been steadily at work; but he er laid aside his whittling and went over to the sick a. Bob’s great biue eyes were looking out of their sunken sockets with a natural expression for the first time since his relapse. His lips moved, and Jake bent down to hear his feeble whisper: f “Are we in the canyon yet? Haveyou heard from Lolly ?? “We're har’ yet, my boy. Hain’t heard from Lolly, sorry to say; but don’t doubt she’s all right. Don’t you worry ’bout her, Bob; it’s worryin’ ’bout her has brought you to death’s door, where you'll lle a good while ef you don’t make an effort not tofret. Ye see, ifyou want to get eout an’ velp Lolly, you mus’ try an’ git strong. When we git eout of this pesky canyon we'll make old Wonga shake in his boots. But 1 mus'‘n talk to yoo— you’re powerful weak, ole chap. Here comes Minne with | some broth, an’ you must drink it, every drop.” Bob did not refuse. The drink tasted good tohim; he took half of it at one time—the girl reserved the remain- der for his supper. She and Jake make their dinner onthe shavings from which the broth was manufactured. They were tasteless— all the sustenance had been cooked out of them; but noe : filled the aching void in their stomachs fora little perio and, now that it was going to take so mueh meat to make Bob's soup, they felt that they must economize to the last degree. stream, he found it necessary to remain in camp. Helost | Seventh day—breakfast, small piece of dried meat. Dinner, soup-shavings: It did, indeed, tell alarmingly on their slender store, this making meat-tea for thesick man; but he was slightly improved, and this repaid them for their sacrifices. Hap- pily, Bob was too ill to reflect upon the empty state of the larder. He took the broth when it was offered him, wish- ’ ing that he had an orange or a watermelon. f marred the sad monotony of the day. No sound—pno sig- nal came down to these forlorn ones from the ‘platform above. It was evident that Wonga contemplated no S&al- vation from their doom. All that Jake could do was to whittle away on the ribs of hiscanoe. Late that night he jaid the fourth onein the water, snatching a few hours’ sleep between that and dawn. : Eight day—breakfast, soup-shavings. Jake wrought desperately; every moment, when not in attendance on her patient, Minnelulu helped him. It was her task to make two paddies. She slowed herself as skillful with the knife as her lover. Their hungry, hollow eyes frequently left their work to peer anxiously into the little thicket of low pines from which the bear had once emerged. The sight of a grizzly would have gladdened their hearts beyond expression; for they had weapons of: attack, and could have killed any creature which ai But the deathly solitude remained unbroken, With tie exception of the eagle nothing had stirred in that deso-. jate region since the death of the two bears, They had strayed into this gorge, doubtiess, by accident, and, once in, had been unable to make their way out. If Jake could have foreseen the future and preserved a large portion of | their flesh, he would not now have been reduced to such straits, Bob was not denied, through the day, as much soup as was necessary to keep him alive; he improved slowly, and was Kept in ignorance of the sufferings of his) friends. That afternoon, searching along the base of the rock for some token from the little world above, the In- dian girl found a potato which had fatlen from the basket in its descent, when the provisions were lowered. Laugh- » ing and crying, she ran and showed it to Jake; then it. Was roasted and they shared it together, At midnight Minnelulu had finished one paddle and Jake had another | rib completed, I Ninth day—breakfast, soup-shavings, i ; “There is only enough meat for one more cup of broth¢!?. said Jake, after Robert had been supplied with his morn-; Hag portion. 1e girl nodded assent.. He took her two small hands, hogking earnestly into her thin, careworn face. 6 die,soon. No juss,’ she said, forcing a faint smile. “You, ska’n’t die, Minnie; I swear you sha’n't! We must put the canoe together to-day. Five ribs and a cross- piece must dnswer.. { will get the cross-piece made by evening; and you must sew the leather together while I> am doing it. To-night we will fasten the covering to the skeleton, and Lo-morrow morning we wid bear it down to the stream, and I will try my luok.” The two. made another bed for the. sick man from the two bear-skins which had been in their service, and care- fully transferred him to it, Jake explaining that he was manufacturing a canoe in hopes of finding his way out by the stream. Bobthought favorably of the canoe—the idea ie. him up; he asked his friend how soon it would: “To-night,’?, said Jake, and the sick man smiled—poor ino! 1e didmot realize the fearful necessity for hasten- ing the work. : : |. Minnelulu bad a bone needle which she had fastened in the bosom of her dress; she found a strong thread by un- rayeling a short, piece of the bark rope, whose fiber was exceedingly tough. To amuse the convalescent, she brought her sewing a ee in his flesh; ic was only remarkable thathe hud not been © despondingly against his heart, large teurs rolled down . I guess we're all bound for § No incident |_ - eemey ee ee Be ee ee % 2 t ‘ a ¢ ¥ : UMMA ETN y — te close to his mattress, while Jake’s work was not far away. About noon, bending. dinnerless, over her work, the poor _ child fainted away. Jake, stronger to endure than slie, only then realized how neariy starved to death she was, He ran for water, hanging over herin dumb misery until she revived. ‘oTwas nothing at all,’”’? she insisted, when she came to her seuses. Picking up her Jost needle she tried to hum a little tune as she resumed her work. After that, her lover, himself pate and wasted, kept stealing anxious looks at her while he Jabored with increased energy. At least he triedto increase his efforts; but fasting and misery were telling upon his splendid strength, so that, more than once, the knife dropped from his hand, while his brain reeled, and he felt a strange sickness creep Lo his vitals, “7 shall never be able to manage the boat if my strength gives out any more,’’ he thouglt to himself. “I musé get off in the morning.’ } About three o’clock there was a sudden fluttering and Whirring in the air, far above them, the screams of birds, and a dark shadow flitted over the gorge. Turning their dim eyes upward Jake and his girl saw two eagles in the air, apparently quarreling. They were hovering directly Over the canyon, but so highin air that he doubted his power to hit one of them. However, he seized his rifle, which lay ever athis hand, and tried to take good aim. He was so eager—and so weak—that his aim missed. Startled and squalling the two combatants parted and Sailed off in ether. Jake bowed hiis head in despair. Just then a soft, rust- ling sound caught their ears; something came fluttering down and dropped on the moss not ten feet from them. Minne flung duwn her needle and sprang to see what. it was, [TO BE CONTINUED.] A Day Too Late. ’ [A Day Too Late’ was commenced in No.1. Back numbers can be obtained of any News Agent inthe United States.] CHAPTER XLII. WHAT THEY HEARD IN THE NIGHT. There had been no correspondence between Kate and Edward Musgrave since the time when he went Lo see her in Londen... He heard no mention of her name, and never thought of her more than he could help. Whiie he led his secinded life at Greyburn, Kate was far enough away from him to be more like a@ wemory than one who lived and had been his idolatry. The days were tranquil and pleasant enough, while nothing happened to stir the old recollections. The secret which weighed upon him now and then was a misfortune ‘and notasin. It would have weighed more heavily upon him had_ he been troubled by any fear for Isabel's future; but he had full faith in Kate’s promise. There was noth- ing he need fear, neither for the lady who had supplanted her nor for the children she had borne him. He often thought of Katherine’s loss, and wondered what had become of the boy, whi, after all, was the eldest of his children, and the legal heir of Greyburn. The yis- count thought of him more frequentiy after that meeting with the grandson of Farmer Lewis. It was left for Mr. Greyilie to inform him thata chiid, proved by the strongest circumstantial evidence to be the one stolen from Emma Wren, had been found. » Mr. Greville had made Greyburn his residence as much as possible of late. His reputation was gone in London, and the penalty of being found out entailed loss of credit, . Which, to a gentleman who lived chiefly on his expecta- tions, was rather a serious matter. They were not sorry to have him asa frequent visitor in the Somewhat dreary Hampshire mansion. Earl Fer- dinand lived there in state, a yery monarch in the midst of the surrounding gentry, and the grandeur of his position reconciled him partly to his protracted absence from the metropolis. He had grown prouder and more stately than everin his old age. He close to forget the Chester- fieldian vicesof his youth and prime, and bore himself with the reserve and dignity of one who was, and always had been, beyond temptation. “Paul Greville, as an admirable chess-player and a natural diplomatist, was of service to his uncle the earl, and the ear!’s liberality was of service to him in return. Mr. Greville had made too many failures, and paid too dearly for them, to throw away the chance of Winning his uncle’s favor now. “For Edward cannot live long,’ he reflected, “and when he is gone, my excellent uncle will long fur some one to&replace him. Asfor Isabel, it will break her heart, of course, and she will be inconsolable in her sweet young widowhood for quite a year, and I think I can make myself necessary te her during that time.” He had been at Greyburn nearly a week before he took the opportunity to introduce the subject of the boy’s re- covery. It wasafter dinner, in the brief interval between the dining and the drawing-room. : : “JT saw a friend of yours as I passed through London,” said Paul; “Mr. Cleveland—you remember him ?”” ;, Yes, thongh we are but slightly acquainted.’ F ade ‘talks of you as if you were an old friend; but, then, he has that way of talking. He is, as you are aware, , on very intimate terms with that lady whose debut we + witnessed some six or seven years ago—the Lucia—you recollect ?°’ ’ ‘Distinctly.”? “He was telling me quite a small romance concerning her, or rather a child of hers—for it appears the Mesgrevi was married before she came to England; and the child was lost.” “I have some faint remembrance of it,” said the vis-} count, quietly. He had acquired more steadiness of ner¥e in the last} few years, though his health had failed him, almost im- perceptibly, yet surely. ; “J was rather interested to hear that the boy is found again—discovered in some extraordinary way by that Canadian gentleman, who is shortly, they say, to be the Mesgrevi’s husband, They found him in some miserable district, brought up in the most abject poyerty by a poor neediewoman.’? “When was this?” , “Some. time.ago. It was kept very quiet, for it ap- ears they suspect the boy’s futher of having had some fann in his disappearance.”’ “Then the boy’s father is living??? said the earl. «I suppose it is the usual story in those cases, Paul?’ **Yes,’? said Greville, with a careless Jaugh. ‘Beaunti- ful women who have sufficient talent to earn their own in- ' dependence rarely let the proprieties trammel or trouble them much.’? eThe viscount heard this with angry shame. It was of his Kate, the pure and splendid creature he liad married, they were talking solighitiy. “And she is going to marry Mr. Aylmer??? he said, with as little interest as he could possibly assume. “So the rumor goes, They drive out together in public; he is her privj ats aitendant behind the scenes, and al- most a resideitin her house. There is, I believe, some legal form to be gone through respecting her child’s father before she can marry Mr. Aylmer, and that, they say, is on the tapis now, and J] daresay we shall have a litle scandal soon, more especially as a titled man is mixed up in it—au earl or a marquis, I am not sure @which.” The viscount heard him with a sickness of the heart, What was more natural than that Kate, waiting year after year, spould grow tired of her bondage, and take steps to free herself for the sake of the man she loved? And what more natural than that she should loye the Canadian—a handsome fellow, with unbounded wealth, and tried by the test of eleven years? “But till | hear it from him or her I will not belieye she intends to break her promise, and secure her liberty at the cost of Isabel’s happiness.” . It seemed to him that there was to be no rest from that one secret of kis lif. It followed him like a phantom, haunting him everywhere, and making itself visible when he thought it laidin peace forever. He tried to retain his faith in Kate’s promise, but he had not much cause to wonder if she were to break it. He had in his own mind long since acquitted Paul Grey- ille of complicity with the woman who took Ferdinand away; but the solemn tone in which Kate had expressed her suspicion came buck to him now. He tried to read Greville’s face to see if he hada motive in what he had said, and Mr. Greville met him with a look of the most sympathetic frankness and Cousinly affection. “I wrong him,” thought the viscount, reproaching himself for the doubt, ‘‘just as they wrong me; and tliat they do suspect me is manifest, or they would not have let me remain in ignorance of his recovery.” He wrote to Kate that night. He sat up long after his father and the Lady Isabel had retired, and his face looked yery sad and worn as he bent over the paper. He used a small outer chamber next to his wife’s dressing- room, not liking the library at that hour of the night—it Wea latge and gloomy, and so far from her, “ek as heard by chance that you have recovered our boy,” he wrote, ‘‘and I need not say how glad I am. for your sake, Kate, Ido not care to speculate on the motive that neane me out of your confidence; fate has put us so far asunder, made our love so sad a memory, that I haye Sar a right to participate even in spirit in your happiness, Lam sorry we are so much like strangers to each otherpit would, I think, have been better for us to be brave and see each other now and then, I havea pre- sentiment—a Bick man's fancy, perhaps—that these are the last words I shall ever addregs to you, and so I wish to put it here on record that, from first to last, you have been atrue and noble woman to me. If I make any single allusion to.the past it is to thank you for the generous self- sacrifice which has made you deal so gently with me, and no stamps. There would be somein his wife’s writing- case, and that was in her dressing-room. As he rose and went toward the door he fancied he heard a slight creak- ing. Ile listened and it was repeated, ; “Is that you, Isabel?” he said, thinking she had left her room to jook for him. There was ho reply; but he heard the sound of stealthy, unshod feet cross the floor of the next room swiltly. He went in; the chamber was in darkness, and he re- turned for his writing-Jamp to look about him. He found a stamp ana put it on the envelope, and left it ready for the morning’s collection, Amongso many others there was no danger of its attracting special attention. The viscount went to his wife’s room then, thinking how strange it was that he, who was so true and tender to her, yet should have such a ‘secret. A baby, scarcely tweive months old, slept in a silk-lined cot by the bedside —one of the mapy who were at Kate’s mercy if she ever was to assert herself. He kissed them both, mother and infant, and sat con- templating them with an exquisite blending of tenderness and love. But for that secret, he thought, what a tran- quil life of joy his might have been. The house was very quiet; there was not even tlre rust- ling of a leaf in thestill air, and he could hear the soft breath of the babe in its quiet sleep. Hesat by the bed- side holding his wife’s hand, and drifted back into a long, retrospective review of the last twelve years. He saw himself a poor, badly-paid, overworked secre- tary to a pompous, low-minded judge, who gave his proud spirit many a sting. He could remember how existence brightened for him when he found that the beautiful, dark- eyed governess sympathized with him, ashe did with her, for both had much to bear.’ On their brief courtship he dwelt evel now, as he sat by Isabel’s side, with a vivid recollection of its sweetness and its joy. It was his first, young, passionate love, and would not be forgotten. Then there was the letter which called him home, the wreck and the loss of his bride, the meeting with Tom Aylmer, and that good-hearted fellow’s pleasant kindness (there were some things which had a distinct place in his memory, and that was one of them); then the journey to Greyburn, his illness, and Isabel’s devotion. “My darling,’’ he said, touching her lips with a gentle kiss, “I thought my heart had broken, yetI lived to love you best, for 1 know it at this moment in my soul.” At that instant he heard the creaking sound which had disturbed him once before, and listening more intently he was sure it came from the next room. He stole to tle door and opened it silently. A man about whose purpose there could not be a second doubt stood by an open drawer, with the Lady Isabel’s jewel-case before him. He was so absorbed apparently by the multitude of gems, their riclness and value, that he made no attempt yet to put them away. Now, how- ever, he began to conceal them in his yarious pockets with a celerity which told of a practised hand. The viscount had the courage of his race, and after the first moment's surprise he had his seif-possession in full. He stepped noiselessly back to the bell and rang it loudly; then, without a thought of fear, made his way into the intruder’s presence. The man had started at the first sound of the bell; he snatched up his implements with a hasty hand, and turn- ed the light of his lantern round the room. In the clean- shaven, muscular face, with its bull-dog jaw and deep set without a thought of fear he stood between the rufflan and the door. — . Richard Brondon did not speak: his safety depended on his silence and speed. He had secured his plunder, and if he got safely out of this room the way was open before him, He had left the door of the servants’ entrance open in case of accident, and his boots and hat were outside, ready to be snatched up in the event of a chase. “If Lam caught now,” he said, between his teeth, ‘it will be for life, arfd I would just as soen be hanged.” There was no response to the bell yet, and the viscount listened anxiously, The man was approaching him with some kind of weapon in his hand, aud giving a single ery for help he met the attack, and they grappled. His courage was greater than his strength, and the struggle did not last a minute. Isabel, alarmed by his cry, awoke, and peeping through the doorway saw what was going on and shrieked for aid. The man muttered a say- age oath, and the weapon he held descended twice on the viscount’s head, Edward Musgrave fell into her arms with alow moan, and Brandon léaped out of the room. Down the stairs swiftly, as he heard the sounds of hur- rying feet, and wondering voices asking one another what had happened, Down with his heart beating desperate resolve, as other bells were rung, and @ stern, command- ing voice called out to the men below to close every door. He met two servants—a footman and a groom—and he was upon them like a tiger, sending both senseless to the ground, He carried a terrible weapon, and did not spare ils use. ‘I shall do if yet,’? he muttered, ‘‘and Jane must hide me for the night.” He had only to descend another flight of stairs, and clear the long stone passage leading to the back entrance, and then the door was open. Once in the darkness he would be safe. , “I shall do it yet,’? he said again, and as he sprang to the top of that last flight, Mr. Greville, smiling like a demon, glided out of the shadow, and stood in front of him. Before Brandon had time to determine whether he met a friend or an enemy in the man whose evil work he had done, Greville sent him: reeling with a fearful blow, closed with and dashed him to the stone floor of the passage be- low. He feil clear of the stairs—the whole of that last flight—and lay huddled in a heap at the bottom. CHAPTER XLII. WHAT THE DAWN BROUGHT, Mr. Greville descended the stairs deliberately after his man, and turned iim over on his back with his foot as if he were a dog. Richard Brandou groaned and partly opened his eyes, but relapsed again into jnsensibility. | “Not dead!’ said Greville to himself; ‘the must be made ofiron. The blow itself would have killed most men.” There was plenty of help by this time. The house stew- ard and others came and carried the burglar to the servy- ants’ hall. There was no need to bind or guard him. His right arm was broken, and the surgeon who came back in company with the police said there was not much chance of his getting over it. “He will be a cripple for life,’ the surgeon said; ‘this leg is broken worse than his arm. He must have been thrown with terrible force.’* “He was,’’ said Mr. Greyille, quietly. ‘I did not want him to escape. I took him up bodily and threw him from the top of the Staircase to the passage. Do you think he will recover ?”? ‘He may. Men of this kind have plenty of vitality, but his head has sustained severe injury. Itis almost a ques- tion whether he will ever recover the use of his senses. Strongly built fellow, too,” The surgeon dressed Richard Brandon’s injuries with as much care and skill as if he had a good and valuable life tosave. There was a complicated fracture of the knee which promised to be an interesting study, and he feit sorry, professionally, at the thought of having to hand his patient over to the authorities. . “Tt will be a pity if the viscount dies,’ he said, refieet- ively, ‘‘because they will hang this fellow, and my treat- ment of his case will not aye a fair trial.” There was @ possibility of the event he thought would bea pity. They had fetched the Greyburn physician—a gentleman of some eminence in medicine, and a magis- tratein the shire. He did not give much hope when he saw Edward Musgrave. There was the shock to his sys- tem added to the two cruel blows, both of which had fallen in the same place, and left their mark on his fair forehead. He had not lost consciousness. From the moment when, quivering under the second stroke,-he fell into the arms of his wife, he retained perfect possession of his senses. The earl came in and assisted him to a couch, and then Ed- ward, holding his father’s hand, laid his aching tempies on his wife’s breast. He smiled into her face with a smile. that was worse to her than death, because of the pathos in its tranquil resignation. “J am dying,” he said. “Do not move me, do not leave me--lek me sit just as 1am, and do not have me dis- turbed.’ Eyery word fell on Lord Greyburn’s heart like a knell. This was his only son—tlie boy—the neglected boy whom he had learned to Jove too late—dying just when his young manhood should have been in its splendor. ‘‘Heayen spare me this bitter trial!’ he said, in silent prayer. ‘Do not take him from his wife and Jittle chil- dren, for I am a worn old man, and cannot live long enough to protect them.” a The viscount was breathing heavily but gently. He seemed conscious of his father’s prayer, for he pressed his hand in eet but he did not speak. He was think- ing whether at this solemn time, when he knew his life was fading away, it was his duty to tell her the truth, or let her remain ininnocence. To tell her the truth was to r destroy her happiness, to let her remain in innocence was to leave her in peril. While lie debated the subject in his mind the physician entered. He had heard what happened from the ser- vants; but he was not prepared for what he saw. From what he heard he ‘inferred the viscount had simply re- ceived a somewhat heavy blow in the heat of a strug- gle; he saw & man upon whom the shadow of death was already darkening. “You need not tell me,’ the viscount said, as the phy- Sician took his wrist; ‘‘I know the truth, and you must not deceive my wife or my father at a time so sacred. I shall not live till the morning.” “There is no immediate danger, my lord,” said the physician, gravely. ‘You yourself must not give way to despondency. The pulse is low, the system shaken, but with her who has SET an are usurped your place, I have your promise that you will not disturb her when I am dead, and that promise is a comfort tome at this hour, “I made a private will long since, by whtich the whole revenue of Linvern Chase will be paid to you and our boy jointly; itamounts to more than a third of the whole property, and will make him one of the richest com- ymoners in England. I should like you to teach him to think gently of his father—the Edward Musgrave whom you knew and loved in India. I wish to Heaven we had stayec there always. Few men have been so dearly loved; none have been 80 wretched in spite of it. Innocently enough I have wronged you both, and my life has been divided; 1 never could forget that you were mine. “while I live, Kate, do notlet my existence keep you fettered. In the long years of our separation some one must have won your heart, and Ihave no right to expect that you will let so empty a tie as ours stand between you and happiness—though even the invisible bondage will not be of long duration. In memory of the old time let me sign myse}f once more, “EDWARD MUSGRAVE.” He placed the Jetter in an envelope, addressed, and waa about to put it in the box for post, when he found he had you are young, and a few hours make a great differ- ence, “They will make all the difference,’’ said the viscount, with his inexpressibly gentle smile. ‘Do what you can for me; prolong my life to its utmost minute, but do not deceive my friends—tiime is too precious to be spent in useless hope.” The physician pressed his hand. In the face of this calm Christian courage he could not utter the usual ste- reotyped words of comfort. He knew with as much cer- talnty as the doubtiul science of medicine admits, that unless the viscount rallied at dawn, he would not see the end of another day. He had to say as much to the earl, who followed him from the room, and held a whispered conversation, For reply to the one urgent question the physician could only shake his head, “There is a chance,’? he said; “a faint one. Lethargy Will set in at five, and for one hour his life will hang by a thread. Should he be alive at six tirere is hope for him. itis now half-past two, I will remain in the house till the crisis is over.” The earl thankod him gratefully, He had little faith in eyes, the viscount saw a Sayage look of desperation, but’ medical practitioners as a rule, and yet, when the life of his son was at stake, he clung to the doctor as if he had command of some hitherto unknown mystery that was Stronger than fate. The viscount had not moved when his fatherreturned. He would have no bandage to his forehead, and he took, reluctantly, the stimulants prescribed for him. He was overpowered by that fatal weariness of spirit which made him lay his head upon the faithful bosom of his wife with a tired child’s longing for rest and peace. “Wake me at daybreak,” he said to the earl; “I have something to tell you before I die.” ‘You will not die, my boy—there is still hope.”’ ‘Yes, father—hereafter. I should like to tell you now, but I amweary. Wake me at daybreak. For Isabel’s sake and yours, I had better tell you.” Then he drooped back faintly, and motiened Isabel away. Always obedient, she left him, but remained near, with nothing but the door of his bedroom betiveen them. “Father,’? he said, ‘‘you are listening.” “Yes, Edward.’? “Theseare your tears—I never knew you weep before. Father, in case I should net wake——” “My boy!?? “Yes, butin case. Youremember Kate, my first wife?” “*Yes.?2 ‘She lives.’? 3 “Tives!? “She is the Madame Mesgrevi, the opera singer, of whom Greville spoke to-night. The boy who was lost and iS recovered is mine, the heir of Greyburn, should she as- Sert his claim; but Lhave her solemn promise that she will never come between Isabel and Edward, The secret is ours alone: it has helped to kill me.” “And you lave not told me this before,’? said the earl, with bitter regret. ‘‘What is a womau’s promise to de- pend upon?” “Hers is everything. The only one we haye to fear— for I think he Knows our secret, and Iseem to see it now that Iam dying, is——” Eari Ferdinand bent low to catch the whisper. “Tell me,’’ he said. | “Greville. Perhaps I am mistaken—I hope Iam; but he is my only fear—he is the only danger?” ‘And you think he knows?” “I fear so. Send Isabel to me now. break. I will tell you more then.’ i The last words he uttered before he sank to sleep in the arms of his wife were ‘*Wake me at daybreak,” and they watched his low, faint breathing till the dawa was gray. Then he woke, opened his eyes, and laid his lips to hers. “My darling!’ he murmured; “my Isa my poor children! Heaven pity me!” He sank to slumber again, and she sent for the physi- cian. He lay so still that she was afraid: aes came, but only to the door. He had no need t0 approach nearer. The sun was rising in a solemn, somber sky, and Edward Musgrave, Viscount Linvern, heir in prospective to the Earldom of Greyburn, was dead, At daybreak his eyes had opened in the great awakening. t Wha | happened was told by the quiet hush that fell upon the h . No ove was called to the slately room up sta at ere the slender figure of Earl Greyburn’s son lay mot ess on the bed. No one was called. There could have been nothing in common between the sympa- thy of those who might have come and such gtief as was felt by the watchers there, : Paul Greville did not go up to offer his conddlences; an instinct stronger than himself advised him to refrain, so he put on an air of mourning and went to thechildren, a sorrowlul little group, too young to Know the meaning of their loss, yetimpressed by the gloom and tears of the household. Richard Brandon was removed from the mansion, and placed in a loft over the stable pending his delivery to the Hampshire jail infirmary. When he came td his senses he found himself undressed and in a clean bed, with his arm and leg in splints, a wet band of linen round his head. Remembrauce of what had happened came to him very slowly. He had a dim recoliection of hurrying feet and stern voices hunting a desperate fugitive, and then it came upon him suddenly. He remembered muttering, ‘‘I shail do it yet,” and then being struck, grappled with, and thrown headlong down the stairs by the man who had tempted him to commit the robbery. There was a poiiceman in the room—a quiet, stolid fellow, who found occupation for his mind in scraping his flat nails with a blunt penknife, while he speculated on the possibility of his prisoner being hanged. ; ‘Am Lin prison ?”? Brandon asked. “Not yet; you will be in the course of theday. Youare to lay quiet and not talk too much, or yowll get queer in the head.”? f ‘Queer,’’ said the conyict, bitterly; ‘well, I suppose I shall be. Do yon know what it is to be hurled like a sack nearly twenty feet, and fali on a pavement of stone?’’ “Nol don’t.” “One minute more would have sayed me. No one else in the house could have stopped me, and I thought he would be the Jast to put me in for this. Haye my clothes been searched ?”? “Oh, yes. Everything is safe enough.” “And [have got all this for nothing,’? muttered Bran- don, savagely. ‘So maimed and helpless that this raw country. lout is able to keep guard over me; and I’ve Known the time when it's taken half-a-dozen warders to get me back to my cell.’’ 4 He lamented the loss of his brute strength more than allelse. it had been his pride to be a terror to the police and his own companions; and e his living honestly at Gordon took @ savage pleasure in the their lips closed in deference to was a dull, throbbing pain in hi panied by a sharp twinge, whic dogged man groan.or shriek. E together silently, and from the a Wakeme at day- spend the rest of my days a cri through him. I don’t quite kno him, whatever it is.” ; He had no further conversation with the policeman, ex- cept to ask him occasionally, with an oath, for the cooling drink the surgeon had prepared for him. His language had no effect upon the Hampshire constable; he did what was required of him as often as was asked, and only com- mitted himself by one remark. “If you have any better language,” he said, “I would use it if 1 were you.”? , ‘What for??? “The assizes come on next month, and they will hang you, as sure as fate,”? Brandon stared at himin dumb surprise; the consta- ble’s face was so serious that lie could not take itasa piece of stolid pleasantry, and lis heart failed him for a moment. Then he remembered how strangely the gen- tleman whom he struck hud fallen from his grasp. sek per gentleman?” he gasped; ‘‘the one I struggled with? “That gentleman,” said Mr. Greville, entering, ‘‘Vis- count Linvern, is dead. You may retire, my good lellow; Ihave something to gay to this man.”’ e Not quite sure that he was doing his duty by going, and not liking to question the point with Mr. Greville—not sorry, either, to get away and refresh himself in company with the grooms and coachmen, tlie man retired, leaving Mr. Greville aloue with his captive. {TO BE CONTINUED.) a eS) een The Rangers of Gold Stream. CHAPTER XXVI. THE WATER WAIF, For more than two hours Walter and Kavanah used every effort in their power to restore Winnie to conscious- ness before there were any signs of their kindly offices being rewarded. At length she heaved a deep sigh, and opening her eyes, gazed vacantly around with a look in which there was no discernible intelligence; but there was fever already at work upon the brain, aud from her tongue there fell occasional incoherent sentences, which satisfied them,beyond a doubt that her mind was wander- g. Fortunateiy Walter possessed some slight knowledge of medicine and surgery, and that knowledge now came in play. He looked reluctantly at her dark, shining curls; but there was no help for it, and he resolutely clipped them entirely off on one side; but the perfect contour of her features remainen unchanged. Now it was that he set to work in earnest to reduce the inflammation. He kept cloths saturated in spirits constantly upon the fractured part, and obtaining leeches from a stagnant pool, applied them at intervals to the forehead and the base of the brain through the night. ! “What is your opinion 2’ inquired Kayanakh—" will she weather the storm }’? : “I hardly dare hope,"’ said Walter, with a heavy sigh, which showed how deep was his interest in the subject. ‘Should she recover, and her mental faculties be not per- manently impaired from th’e sock, it wili be some days, perhaps weeks, before her physic equilibrium will be fully restored. We can only hope for the best.” “Then we shall be obliged to suspend our Jabors fora while, in order to allow you the privilege of bestowing your undivided care and attention upon this beautiful unfortunate girl. Dil tell you what we willdo. The gold in the Gold Stream will Keep, prone no one ventures into the cave to molestit. Now, while you are énacting the responsible part of nurse, supposing that I should start in the morning for Denver, and astonish my little girl, who has doubtless long since given me up for dead? At the end of a week [ can return, and if your patient is bet- ter, We can then resume our labors.’? “Any thing that will suit you, my friend,’will be equally agreea- ble to me,” said Walter. ‘ “Then I will retire to my couch,” rejoined the philosopher, gayly, “for I must be up betimes in the morning, if I wonld reach the city in season for dinner, and the previous discovery of the doc- tor’s consort—name unknown.” After Kavanah had retired, Walter Ernstein, with that watch- ful solicitude which belongs only to a pure and chivalrous loye, sat through the still watches of the night, sensitively alive to every indication of pain or disquiet on the part of the beautiful sufferer. The sight of her in her present condition had driven him almost to the verge of despair; but as the inflammatory symp- toms abated toward peroing and she became more quiet, his depressed spirits began to ra ly, and he eyen felt that he now might entertain some faint hopes of her physical restoration. e rested his wearied head on the edge of the comfortable bunk in which they had placed her, and slept soundly until he was awakened by the noise of Kavyanah moving aboutthe eabin. The philosopher had already commenced making his prepara- tions for the journey to Denver, and after completing them, started on foot for Boran’s, where he intended to procure the use of a horse or mule for the occasion. After he was'gone, Waiter sat for nearly two hours silently re- garding the sleeper, and praying inwardly that Heaven might spare her life, and not ouly her life, but her reason, While he was thus absorbed in these prayerful meditations, he heard the faint, thudlike sound of a horse’s hoofs approaching ~ @ ay" ¢ act the cabin. It was not far from six inthe morning, and ashe peered cautiously out of the four-paned window in front, the only one that the cabin afforded, he saw the horseman riding past at a leisurely pace, : “As T live!” was the mental exclamation of Walter, ‘‘that is the younggentleman we saw in company with Buffalo Jake yes- terday morning in the cavern on the mountain. He is probably now on his return to the city, having given up all future ideas of securing the treasure de ts of the Gold Stream. That leaves the coast clear for us. We sball now haye no further trouble.” attention from the subject of his previous reflections, and as he turned toward the couch he saw that her eyes were open, and that she was gazing about her with a vacant, bewildered look. “Who are you?” she demanded, raising her head slightly at his approach, and gazing at him with a suspicious, inquiring look. Her every expression denoted that painful, wandering insta- bility, which characterizes a human mind broken or diseased. “T don’t know you; but stay,” she abruptly added, and as she spoke, she gave utterance to a pleased, childish laugh, “I know foe now; and oh! Llove you so well. You were so gentle and so ind—oh! I know you very well, now; but you don't love me! I can see it in your eyes; you hate me, I think, because you be- lieve lam the daughter of a murderer, and you can not love the daughter of a murderer. But, whisper,’ and she turned her head anxiously as if to see if there were others present to over- hear what she was about to say, “I will tell yousomething, Iam not their daughter. They don’t think that I know that, and I don’t mean that they shall; but Pye overheard them talking when they supposed me asleep. But Iwas wide awake! I was too cunning for them, ha! ha! TI heard it all—I am the daughter of some other person, from whom they stole me when I was two years old; but I can’t remember that, Iwas so young. His name was Adams, but I never heard them mention his Christian name, therefore Icould not seek him out; but oh! if you_ only, loyed me, and my head did not feel so strangeiy, I think I should be very happy if I neversaw my real parents.” Though her mind was strangely unsettled and wavering, as her incautious words but too plainly denoted, yet he could not ques- tion the truth of the reveiation he had received; but the know- ledge that the fair girl was not the daughter of Buffulo Jake, de- cided him upon an entirely opposite course from what he might have otherwise pursued. He resolved to leave her pretended parents in utter ignorance of what had transpired. It was certainly his. duty as a man of honor and feeling, if she recovered, to assist her in the discovery of her real parents. It was evident in her present derapgedand bewildered condition of mind, that she had apaeined him some one else—probably the handsome stranger he had seen with her two days ago, and who had jast now passed the cabin, evidently on his return to the locality from whence he had come. For a moment the fair sufferer was silent, but she was gazing into the handsome face of her preserver all the while, with a strangely puzzled, half pleading look. “I want yeu to take me with you when you go back to Denver,” she at length said, coaxingly; ‘for 1 love you so much,” she added, confidingly,- “that I should die if you went away without me; besides I want to go away from here. Iam afraid of Arro- watha, I think I must have been taken suddenly ill, for I feel sore and lame all over; and it seems to me that something dreadful has happened. Ihaye been trying to think, but I can’t remember. I want you to take me with you. Say that you will, and I will do everything you tell me.” “TI will if I live!” exclaimed Walter, impulsively. “Iwill never desert you, my poor darling. I will,;make you my wife, my beautiful, if Heaven spares your life to me, and you shall live wes jme always. And now Close your eyes, darling, and try to sleep. ne She obeyed him as passively as a child, and in a few minutes fell asleep like a tired child, while a gentle smile of perfect trust parted her sweet pale lips, ‘ Walter sat and waiched her fora long time, wrapt in a pro- found reyerie. ; Her sleep was placid and undisturbed. He softly removed the cloth from the fracture. The swelling had nearly gone down, but there was an ugiy indenture of the skull. The cause of the mental phenomenon was obvious. é There was a cruel pressure of the fractured part upon the rain. “She will live!” was his exulting ery. ‘‘A trephine, a compe- tent surgeon—and all will be well!” CHAPTER XXVII. DR. FRANK AND THE PHILOSOPHER. On reaching Boran’s Ranch, Kavanah procured a very poor apology for a horse which the ingenious Mike had received from an Indian in excHange for a gallon of the flre-and-river,” as Sol Pinkum had aptly christened the deiectable beverage. “I did as you said,” said Boran. ‘I didn’t let on to Buffalo Jake that I'd seen you, or that any one supposed that he had attempt- ed to murder you.” “That was right, my friend; and 1 consider myself under an obligation to you, which I will endeayor to repay right honor- ably at some future day.” “Shall I look for you in a week ?”? queried the ranch-keeper, as the philosopher ambled off on his doce and: slow-moying beast. “Yes,” responded Kavanah lightly, “in one week’s time you may expect to again behold in this benighted region the light of my benign countenance.” Boran laughed and the philosopher rode on. When he had got about half. the distance to Denver, he heard some one approaching from behind, and looking over his shoul- der, he beheld Dr. Frank, and. recognized him as the young stranger whom he had seen with Buffalo Jake. Our young phy- sician, however, failed to recognize him, for he had seen him only onee before, and then under unfavorable circumstances, Our tio travelers fell into an easy conversation after Dr. Frank came up, which was pleasantly continued during the,remainder ol the journey to Denver; but Kavanah was very guarded fora while in everything relating to himself, though he did not fail to draw out his more voluble companion upon the very points on which he most desired to obtain additional light. In a few minutes he was in possession of the main facts bearing upon his late mission into the region trom whence he was now taking his departure. When he heard hisown name mentioned in connection with the late adventure in which he had so suc- cessfuily personated the phantom of the Gold Stream, he looked yery grave, as though he fully credited the transaction as a supernatural occurrence. But when the story was related of the tragical fate which had overtaken Winnie and Arrowatha, he was on the point of revealing the subsequent events we haye record- ed, and which, as the reader 1s aware, Were unknown to Dr. Frank, but restrained himself from a committal of the truth just in season to prevent the mystery, or the after facts involved, from coming too suddenty to light. He changed the subject adroitly by asking Dr. Frank if he was much acquainted in Denver, and atterward if he was eyer acquainted with a mannamed Kayanah. Dr. Frank replied that he had known aman a number of years ago of that name ina ul rural village called Avondale, in the East, who had ted with his daughter to Denver, where he had entered iness which proved unsuccessful, and had afterward the mines from whence he had abruptly disappeared ighteen or twenty months before, and was supposed by ends at the time to have been murdered by the Indians, since turned up, and was in fact the very man of whom reviously poke as haying been murdered a week be- uffalo Jake. ~ d what might your name be, my friend?’ demanded the pher, curiously. , Frank gave his name without hesitation, or without mani- ig any surprise at the question; but Kavanah had by no 3 forgotten the young fellow who had spent a summer yaca- rat Judge Wheatly’s, in Avondale, and was so excessively “soft,” as he expressed it, on his little girl, He had altered so from a@ beardiess youth of eighteen, to a polished, whiskered young gentleman of twenty-two, self-possessed and aranetvaly. dignified, that he had failed to recognize. him till after his name was mentioned, and tlie circumstances of that visit were recalled to his mind. But he did not intend at present to make himself known, and so he oe but little seeming interest, aud was very guarded in his subsequent questions, though: they all tended to the very point he desired—further information regarding his daughter, and whom she had married. “But what became of the daughter?’ he added. “Did she find any friends in a strange place, among strangers? Task, because ae to know, her father at the time he first came to enyer “Indeed! Did you know fhe daughter then?” queried Dr. Frank, regarding his companion with renewed interest. “I did, very well; but what became of the manded the p itlosopher somewhat intpatiently. “Did you know a Dr Wedgwood in Denver?” “IT did, by reputation, but was neyer personally acquainted with the gentleman. He was reputed the wealthiest man in Colo- rado, honorable and uptight to afault, and was thought a great deal of by the poor, whom he frequently assisted.” s “You do not overrate him—you cannot!” was the enthusiastic response of the nephew. ‘He is my uncle, and it was to him that the young lady we refer to was married about a year ago!” “Indeed,” said the philosopher, restraining as far as possible all outward manifestations of surprise. ‘I should say she was very fortunate,” “She was; and though so young, she makes the doctor a most excellent and exemplary wife.’? ¢ On reaching the suburbs of the city, the first person they en- countered whom he knew acquainted Dr, Frank with the melan- choly news of his uncle’s death and the captivity of Inez. So great was his own surprise and grief at the el announce- ment, that he did not notice the strong emotion manifested by his companion. — ; Lae Knowing the friendship that had existed between his uncle and Mr. Israel HiABe he resolyed to visit that gentleman immedi- ately after he had dined, and obtain what information he might poesess upon the painful subject, Kavanah asked permission to atcompany him, which was granted; and after the harrowing subject of the murder and present captivity of Inez had been discussed, as well asthe mer- chant’s plan for her recovery and the defeat of White Wolf, the conyersation turned upon the important question inyolyed in the late confession of the Buffalo. It was soon evident to Dr. Frank that Winnie was really the daughter of the merchant, and with deep reluctance he acquainted him with the facts he had obtained from the Buffalo’s own lips regarding his lost chiid, as well as the painful account of her recent horrible death, which no one could doubt excepting the two already acquainted with the cir; cumstances of her most fortunate escape. The grief of the merchant on receiving this unexpected and startling news was profoundly affecting. At first Kavanah thought he would acquaint him with the additional facts in hig possession, but on second reflection he resolved not to doso. “Alas!” sighed the merchant, when he had listened to the tragic conclusion of the story, ‘why should the cup of a momen- tary happiness be raised to my lips, in the yain hope that I might ouce more behold the sweet face of my long-lost darling, to be again dashed so suddenly to the ground, alas, forever!” “Jt was at this juncture of; the conference that Captain Lynch entered the merchant’s counting-room, and announced himself and his yolunteers in readiness for the road. ee CHAPFER XXVIII. FALL OF WHITE WOLF—ARRIVAL OF THE FUGITIVES, “Keep snug where you are,’ said Beaver Jim, ‘and I'll jest go out and reconn’iter. If there’s danger, as I conceit. there is, Pll come back; if there isn’t, Pil give the signal, and you. can poor girll?” de- co . For several minutes our little party from their place of con- cealment had been listening to the distantreport of firearms, It was a little atter sunrise on the morning of the second day since their escape trom the Arrapahoe village, When they left the village on the night in question it was not far from the hour of midnight, which allowed them about four hours of travel before daylight; but their movements were necessarily slow, for the night was unusually dark, and none of them were familiar with the lay of the country. They had forded the river at the point where they had seen White Wolf and his party cross, and then struck their course as near as they could calculate in the direction of Denver. At dayl he they estimated that they had advanced some twen- ty miles from their point of starting, and were intdoubt as to what course they had best pursue. If they advanced boldly on their journey by daylight there was imminent danger of: their being sighted by the party who had gone on before, and who were probably now concealed in some thicket or sale .coyert be- tween them and their quest of destination, If they should ‘decide to conceal themselves through the day and only travel by night, they would be in equal danger from ursuit, If there was any Way to cover up ihe tracks of their 1orses, thus throwing the savages off the trailin the event of pur- sult, it would certainly be safer for them tolay by ina secure place through the day. “Tf we could only strike ashaller stream,” said the old trap- per, reflectively, “tin all human iat lavcadngg 4 we could outwit the whole pack and throw ’em off the scent; but I don’t see nary a sign of enny run that would sarve our purpose,’* ‘“Perhapsif we move on a piece we shall find one,” moggpeted Sol. ‘We may as well rush into the fire, if I know myself, as to stay in the frying-pan and be roasted.”? The party now moved forward at a brisker pace, and soon en- tered a belt of scattering timber. : Affer leaving the timber they came upon a wide, open plain, and before they had made half the distance across it they came upon the desired stream. It was shallow and. rather rapid, the substance of its bed eee sortof yielding sand or clay, of so volatile a character as to be unable to retain impressions for any length of time. Amoment after the wholo party were in the stream, which they continued to follow for along distance—the time consumed being very near#¥ an hour—when suddenly they came upon one cay TOE OE OO A slight movement on the Pate of the fair sufferer here drew his. of those’abrupt bends in the stream previously mentioned, where the action of the water had gullied under the bank ut seasons when the current was more rapid and swollen than at present leaving a cavern-like recess beneath, from whence the water had now receded, sufficiently spacious to conceal the whole party— and so effectually, too, that they could not have been discerned even from theo 8] The sun was ut an hour high whien our little party, with their hearts full of gratings tp the Supreme Rofer, Jone y en- tered this safe retreat, which seemed almost as though f had been designed by nature fer the very pur and here they remained Once they were nota} directly above them, whose ttural intonations proclaimed them to besavages, and probably their pursuers; but the sounds ved over, dying rapidly away in the distance, and were not eard after. The moment the shades of night had fallen they again renewed their journey. The precise direetion in which elvan lay was & matter of guess-work, but they struggled on bravely through the night, confident that they would at length hit upon the right direction, This night was darker even than the one preceding, but they started three hours earlier, and at daybreak had made, as near as they could calculate, about thirty miles. This, if they had come in the right direction, would bring them in‘o close proximity with Cottonwood Ranch. They had taken to cover about an hour when the firing com- menced which they had heard in the distance. The view in the direction from whence they had heard the sounds was, obstructed fora considerable distance by a dense growth of timber. They had kept close tothe stream, whose gullied bank had afforded them the shelter of the preceding day, ea conn} find no such admirable concealment.as this had af- orded, After leaving his friends, Beaver Jim moved cautiously on through the timber for the distance of near half a mile, when he approached a diversified plain of almost unlimited extent, with thousands of cattle grazing over its irregular surface, To the right, and about two miles fromthe timber, was a col- lection of rude buildings, with an extensive corral near by. It wasfrom that direction the firing had come, and was still going on, though the shots were far less frequent than at first, indi- cating that the combatants had taken to cover and were fighting it out in a more cautious and guarded manner than at the com- mencement of the affray. . ty A careful examination satisfied: Beaver Jim that one party were Indians and the other whites; and to judge from appear- ances, the Indians were in possession of the buildings, while the invading party of whites were attempting to gain possession of 1€ Same, Amoment’s refiection, with the previous information he had received from Inez and the old trapper, convinced him that the place must be Cottonwood Ranch, and that the party of Indiaas in possession must be those who had started with White Wolf, whose scheme of extortion had undoubtedly proved a failure, which had brought down upon his own head the vengeance of some hastily organized band of regulators from Denyer. While Beaver Jim stood in the edge of timber watchfully observant of the hostile scene going on, he was surprised at the sight of a dense smoke issuing from along shed connected with the main building. It was obvious to Beaver Jim that the besieging party had fired the shed for the purpose of destroying the buildings in which their enemies taken refuge. At tice first appearance of the smoke, which was. presently followed by a bright blaze, there was a loud shout of triumph on the part of the besiegers. Presently he observed a white man, probably the one who set the fire, creeping stealthify off in the direction of the corral, and keeping 4s.much as possible out of a line of the face of the build- ings which shelpered the besieged party. | [TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT) WEEK.) se of concealment, ly jgoneenied all day. itt OUR KNOWLEDGE Box. A Few Paragraphs Worth Remembering. QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND INFORMATION WANTED.— A, E.—HOW TO MAKE SORAPPLE.—Thie following recipe is recom- mended by @ housekeeper: “Get a young pig’s head ((resh) weighing five or.six pounds, which can be bought for twenty-fiy or thirty cents—‘one from the country preferred,’ Clean it vel, cutting off the ear to enable you to clean it well inside. (Get the butcher to take out the eyes and teeth when you buy it.) Put the head in two gallons and a half of cold water. Let it boil un: til the bones can be Posty separated frem the meat. - Chop the meat very fine, put it back into. the liquor it has been boiled in, and season with pepper, salt, thyme, sage, and sweet marjoram. (Don’t put toomuch of the herbs.) Then take equal parts of buckwheat and cornmeal,and stirin until the compound is about the consistency of mush, lifting it off the fire while thick ening, to prevent it getting tumpy.. Then let it boil for’about fifteen or twenty minutes, stiffing it-to prevent burning. Turn itinto pansto cool. Cut Into thin slices, and fry brown as you want to useit. The cost will be about fifty cents.”..... B. B. Z —To SILVER BRASS.—The best way to silver brass is to get one Pounce of nitric acid, and init puthalf an ounce of mercury. Plage it in the open air until the mercury is thoroughly dissolved, as while dissolving it will give out yellow fumes, which have not at all a pleasant smel\, hen this is done your liquid is read for use; but we should always recommend you to dilute it with as much again of water, as it will answer just the same purpose. Then take a flannel and pour about four drops’ of your liquid upon it, rgb your article with it, and you will find thatit has the desired effect. Repeat this peace until you have silyered your article all over. A soft, dry cloth is better than achamois to rub EERE Cia ts ., Housekeeper,— VARNISH FOR GRATES.—To one POUR common asphaltum, fused in an iron pot, add half a pint ho boiled linseed oil; mix well, and boil an hour. When partially cooled, add one quart oil of turpentine. If too thick, add more turpentine, Apply with an ordinary paint brush. To Tin [Ron VESSELS.—The articles tobe tinned are cleaned with sand, and, if necessary, with acid; then placed ina bath prepared with one ounce cream of tartar, one ounce tin salt (protochloride of tiny, and ten quarts water. ‘This bath must be wr at a temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit in astoneware tank. When a number of articles are, to be tinned are put into and between the different articles. When the coat of tin is considered thick enough, the articles are taken out of the bath, washed with water, Ra Pred hi ae Frank Prescott.— For sympathetic inks, see No. 9.......... Ola Sailor.—To REMOVE INDIA INK MARKS.—Prick in, over the stains on the flesh, warni goat’s milk, and continue until the blood flows freely. The pra- cess is the same as thatemployed in making the marks,, Another plan is to apply to the part ablister larger than the mark, keep the spot open for a few days, then dress with some healing oinf- ment such as Canada balsam, and as the new skin grows the India ink marks will on eb.0H W. W. R.—ToO REMOVE Su- PERFLUOUS Hair.—The following recipe, if used at all, must bé employed with care, as it contains arsenic: Take of freshly slaked lime, six ounces; orpiment, halfan ounce. Mix thoroughly, and keep in well-closed botules, When used, apply as a paste, with water, until it begins to burn the’skin, and shave off with an or- dinary paper-knife..,......Ot¢awa.—aA practical painter will give the desired information... ......Brunette.—We do not favor painti ing the face, even if done-onsly for fun,;?? which you state is your only motive for.desiring to do %,, Be satisfied with the complex ion nature has piven you, or seek to beautify it only by regular 1, habits and healthy outdoor exercise..... Shot Gun.—See reply to “Housekeeper.” .....J. 7. C.—INK SPOTS may be remoyed front paper by habia yoo Reha ae J the spots with two camel's hair pen+- cils, one wetted witha solution of oxalic acid, and the other with solution of cyanide of potassium.,.,..,.. 4M. D.—HAIR-CURLING ‘LUID.—Melt a piece of white beeswax about the size of a filbert kernel in oneounce of olive oil; to this add one or two drops o£ ‘otto of roses or some other strong perfume. This preparation keeps the curls in shape for along time,........ Would-be Agent.— We never recommend such injurious beverages...... Well Wisher~ —A preparation of meltedsuetand beeswax, applied to the up- pers of boots and shoes, renders. them waterproof and durables fs should be used not oftener than orice a week, and blacking af- teryvard put on........ .. Samuel T.—The annexed directions will enable you to makea simple filter to purify cistern water: Place on the perforated bottom of a box a piece of flannel, and on this some coarsely-powdered charcoal, and then some coarse river sand, and coyer the whole with sandstone broken into small pieces, a MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. John Anderson, T. W. A., Clerk, C,H. S., HM. E. UcG., Schools Sellow, James Powell, Louisville, D. E. K,, Hippocrates, Wm. M., Unfortunate, ape L., an@ others.—Use the cold bath night and morning, if you have the proper bathing conveniences; if not, use the sponge freely. Keep your thoughts off the subject. Avoid late suppers. Be regular in your habits. Let your diet be simple and wholly free from spices of every description. Don’t touch alcoholic liquors. Mingle in cheerful company. Attend theatrical performances that please the ear more than the eye, Rise early and take a great deal ot exercise, if possible, during the day and early in the evening. In bed lie on your rizht side— never on your back. Let the covering be light. Don’t be dis! couraged if you don’t get welliin aweek-or month. Perseyere and relief from suffering will eyentually.crown your efforts. . id Soe not will find a remedy for fieshworms and pim- ples in No, 14, Lixeral Sam.—The brief description you give of the ailment is not sufficiently clear to satisfy us as to the cause. J. T. S. Gimer.—WaRTS may be removed by touching them three times a day with a stick of moistened pencil caustic. To: cure CATARRH, purchase a nose douche at a drug store, and with it apply, bt haf morning and eyening, tepid water in which has been dissolved salt in the proportion of two tablespoonfuis to a pint of liquid. James C,—See D. L. and M, C.” 4 Mrs. L, 8S. B.—The habit will be overcome as the boy grows older. We cannot prescribe aremedy. - A, F. L.—Uniess you at once desist from the course you haye followed, no treatment will aid you. See reply to “John Ander- son. ; Bertie.—An injection. prepared as follows willaid you: Five! ounces rose-water, eight grains sugar of lead, eight grains sul- phate of zine, : Cigar.—Prompt medical aid is your only hope. Your case is serious, and the personal attendance of a physician is necessary. Down-hearted.—Pitting from small-pox may be prevented dur- ing the progress of the disease by gently breaking the pustules and coyering them with styptic collodion. Painting the face once or twice a day with glycerine will also prevent pitting. We are not cognizant of any method to remove the pitting marks after the patient has recovered, Hattie Smithson.—An excellent article for offensive breattr, when caused by decaying teeth, is prepared by mixing one ounce of chlorinated .soda with twelve ounces of water. The mouth should be rinsed with the preparation two or three times a day, but do not swallow it. The most certain rethedy is to remove the bad teeth, as they will taint the breath no matter what meahs are adopted to prevent it. Frank.—Inflamed eyelids are cured by bathing them night and morning with a wash composed of twelye grains sulphate of zine, two drams laudanum, and twelve ounces soft water. Here is another remedy: Prepared calomel, one scruple; spermaceti ointment, half an ounce. Mix well ina mortar, and anoint the eyelids with the preparation each night before retiring, also plac- ing a small quantity in the corners of each eye. In the morning , wash with a linen rag dipped in warm water. While using either of the above remedies. a cure will be facilitated by keeping the bowels open with a mild purgative, : THE HOME DOCTOR, Barley water is very beneficial for patients suffering from in- flammatory diseases, Place two ounces pearl barley in two quarts boiling water; boil down to one quart, and strain. A little lemon Jar and sugar may be added if desirable. It may be drauk at pleasure, ’ i Aretreshing drinkin feversis thus prepared: Boil an ounce and a half of tamdrinds, three ounces of cranberries, and two ounces of stoned raisins, in three pints of water, till the water is reduced totwo pints, Strain, and add a bit of lemon peel, which must be removed in an hour, as.i¢ imparts a bitter taste if left too Jong. Renate of beef is best made of sliced lean beef. Put a sufficient quantity into a stout bottle to fill up its body; cork it loosely, to permit the escape of steam,,and place the bottle in a pot of cold water, “Attach the neck of the bottle, by means of a string, to thé handle of the pot, to keep the bottle upright. Boil foran hour anda half or two hours, then pour off the liquor from the mat, and skim it. Season with alt to suit the taste of the pa- tient,’ Essence of beef thus peepares. is very nourishing. Perspiration of the fat and the unpleasant odors arising from them, may be_ successfully treated. by bathing them tivice or thrice 9 week in warm water to which has been added a quart of bran to a gallon of water. When woolen stockings are worn by persons whose feet pékspire Seuseaaes they should be changed every day, and the feet washed every evening in cold water, and the soles vigorously rubbed with a coarse towel, No. 13 of the present volume in reply to'N, & Xas~ Baldwin, the clothier, has not only made himself famous as a tradesman, but he is fast making himself fa- mous asa publisher. His neat littie monthly is brim-full of good things, and the wonder is how so busy aman can find time to get up 80 faultless and entertaining a journal. ‘Everybody should read it—in fact, almost everybody does read it, (ila, Sta armed on hearing human voices simultaneously, bits of metailic zine FS ieyeh SOS Ca Sua ee a ee a sta aethaeectasteonatil at tana THE TRAPPER KING, —— Air: “See the Conquering Hero Comes.” Lo, the great Nick Whiffies comes, Clap your hands and crack your thumbs; Wreaths of éverlastings bring, © Crown. him of the trappers king. Hail him of the bravest brave, Chief of mountain and of wave. Every danger he's defied ound in plain or forest wide, {Watery deptiis and mountain hold, ‘Summer’s heats and wiuter’s cold; Dragged the panther from his lair, Grappled with the surly bear; Catamount and warrior tall He has fought and conquered alt, Wreaths of fadeless flowers quick Crown the everlasting Nick! New York WEEKLY readers sing, “Glory to the Trapper Kingt’* A MYSTERY OF PARIS, LOST IN THE CATACOMBS. BY FRANCIS A. DURIVAGB. The 8th of November, 1873, will, and must, forever re- main memorable in the record of my life, It was the last day on which any visitors were permitted to descend into the Catacombs of Paris, and I had with great difficulty procured permission from the chief engineer for a small party, consisting of a dady and gentleman from Boston, two ladies from Chicago, « professional guide, aud myself, 40 make the subterraneun piugrimage. To my Compan- fons d have stuted, word for word, what 1 am about to avrite, aud they are ready, if my narrative is challenged, to verify such portions of it as they are cognizant of, by affidavit or otherwise. ; I shall now proceed to relate what happened, without attempting any flowery or poetic embellishment, letting éhe plain facts speak for themselves, And first, it is ne- cessury to dwell one moment on a little incident, which dias an important bearing, as will be seen hereafter. A Yew days before, I had seen a little old woman feeding the Hugdish sparrows in the Tuileries garden, . She broke up a loaf of bread, threw the crumbs into the air, and the little éhings cuught them flying, as they do insecia. They were 60 taume.they would eat out of the good woman's hand, She is very poor, worked at some place far away to the wiorth of the Tuileries, aud lodges far to the south; yetshe ever fails-to visitthe gardens aud spare a loaf of her daily bread to her feathered pets, Now, I had planned a visit to the gardens on the 8th of Nevember, to try my hand at the birds, and had provided myseli with two smail loaves of bread, (petits pains,) for avhich I gave ten centimes. I calculated that I should dave tine enough to do this before the carriages came to drive us to the Catacombs, Various matters, however, delayed me, and I had to give up this part of the pro- gramme; butl kept the bread in the pocket of my over- coat, meuning Lo.bestow it on some beggar instead of the aparrows, We started at half-past twelve from the Splendide Hotel and drove rapidly to the Barriére d’Enfer (Barrier of Hell —What a name!) halting and alighting in a ‘courtyard avhere we found two or three hundred persons waiting for the opening of the low-brawed door which gives ac- cess to the-Catucombs in.that quarter of the city. There are about seventy different staircases for the same pur- ‘pose scattered through Paris. Here each person was pro- ~Wided with a candle fixed in the end of a piue stick, wilh &.smal circle of cardboard to serve as a tray and catch@ the drops of grease. Each guide formed his party into Single file, aud enjoined it upon the members to keep ciose dogetuer, and to be very careful of their footing as they went down into the durk depths below. here, occurred the first strange incident of this @icmorable day. Aman joined our party wearing the ‘dress of the Undertaker’s Company, that is, a cocked hat, Hike the first Napoleon’s, a black coat (rimmed with silver Yace, trigh Boots, and a black overcoat with a large gape. He was very thin, and his clothes hung abont him like a ghroud on a skeleton. I shall never forget his face as he turned and looked at me. The skin was like parchment, Alie cheeks hollow, and the eyes luminous and deep set dn cavernous orbits. “The look lie gaye me thriiled to the wery marrow of my bones, and when: he saw the effect it zorodueed he smiled, disclosing a set of yellow teeth, with - gn expression g0 sinister, so weird, 80 fatal, and yet so ®ad, Wiat 2 could not heip saying to inyself, ‘This is Deatni? Twas 80 overcome that I cond hot challenge his as- sumed rigit of joining our party. In a word he had com- pictely magnetized aud paralyzed me. What was strange, rom Hine to time a lady of our party turned and chatted With ime, apparently perfectly uuconscious of the bluck igure and terrible face intruded between us. And aguin, Wheu the guide counted us aloud he called out iive—the Hurwaver of our original party. The guide, then, Was as ecuncenscious of the presence of the stranger as the lady from Chicago. Was I mnad? In this perturbed state of guiud | began the descent of the Catacombs. Lhe sioue staircase was spiral, coiling down like a pet- rified serpent, along walls slimy aud humid. We had diguted our caudies, but the change from the giare of day- Sight tothis cavernous gloom” prevented our seeiug any- Shing, and we had to grope our perilous way. Suddenly @u.icy whisper, wafted on & poisonous breath, entered my-ear like a poignard. ’ + Strange things have happened in the Catacombs, mon- sieur. The dead cesent intrusion ou the last resting-place given them, after the worid has violated their first sanc- duary. Sometimes they insist on the living sharing their dard bed with them, Living men who have come down dere have never seen the pleasant light of day again.” “ft believe, mousieur,”’ I replied, in as indifferent a tone as 1 could assuine, ‘‘thiat, owing to the precautions of the authorities, uosuch accidents ave occurred of late years.” “9 am glad you think so,’? was the reply, followed by @ sneering, Mephistopholian laugi—what the Freuch call micanement. A dead-siience fell upon our party. We were walking Steadily onward, sometimes treading on loose planks, our weight sending up jets of water, vat generally ov a dry @ad solid stone pathway. The guide held up his flaring torch to the low ceiling. “Observe,” he said, ‘iat broad, black line with here and there a pointed arrow. That is the clew tothe Cata- cembes. So long as we fullow that we are-safe.”’ We soon came upon the relics of the dead. The galleries @hrough which we passed, about nine feetin hight, were @valled on eitiier sidé with human bones, piled up as reg- ‘larly as wood sawed and corded, and arranged with that artistic taste which the French display in all ihey do. The walis of bones were surmounted by a ghastly cor- mice of grinning skulls. The mortal remains of niillions ot thunian beings were here gathered from the old ceme- aeries of Paris when necessity compelled the dead to give @vay to the living. ‘ he Cemetery .of the Innocents, that of St. Medaro, of St. Laurent and others‘have contributed their quota, Here thie bones of prelate and prince, duke and peer lay side Dy side with those of peasant and proletary, thief and @ag-picker. Equualify and fraiernity! These words, which foek kke a lie ou the public buildings of Paris, were reil- dazed iu this gloomy mausoleum. } Afi tae skulls aud boties are of a dark mahogany color, for years and years liave pussed since they \were clothed Meith Mesh, . i : At intervals there are marble tablets with inscriptions an:Latin, ‘French, Greek, Notse and other languages, gatiereti from the works of preachers and poets, speaking af the vanity of human pursuits, the worthlessness of “wealth, the certainty of death, the hope of immortality. At one point of our pilgrimage we came to a chapel wilh the attar sarrounded by the silent, but eloquent memorials of humanity. Miles of the dead! How emphatic the Jesson this spectacle conveyedl “To the rigut and lett innumerable galleries branched off, amocess being debarred by iron chaius drawn across the entrances, < had lingered a little beliind my party to transcribe an dmscription, the nan in black keeping close to my side. ie seemed to have taken me under his protection and patronage. . “i can show-you something these hireling guides know mothing about,’’ he said, ‘‘for L alone know the secreis of &e Cutaconibs,’? . : He lifted one of the.chains which crossed the mouth of ® side gallery from the staples, aud moving down the Passage, turned and suid: “Follow mél’ @ have said that this mysterious being had magnetized ame. 1 was certain of it now, fur though I was anxiously ao of following my party I couid not resist his com- mand. -ie ted me away down the passage, and thence into ‘otier side passages, winding aud turning. 1 litted my torch tothe ceiling aud sav, to my dismay, that there were ho black line, ho guiding atrows ou the roof. In this crisis my will began to re-assert itself. “Take me back to my party instantly.” Tnstead of doing so, the stranger suiatched my candle dromuny band, extinguished it with a breath—he carried no Aight limsel(—aud flung ine from him with such violence thatt stumbled and-fell.. As 1 rose to my feet] heard his woice in the distance calling out: > “Strange things have happened in the Catacombs, mon- Sieur. Find your way outof themif you can. Good- might. : “Stay!” I exclaimed, in agony. ‘‘Do not leave me here ‘to perish. Save me,-if you lave the heart of a man.” “ft never listen to prayer or appeal,” he replied, with 4yis hideous, sucering laugh. ‘Lam pitiless as death.” And the echoes gavé back the awlul word—death!—till @ more dreadful sitence followed, I vas alone.in darkness, abandoned to the most horri- Hie fate. the.aagination can piciure. What sas (0 be done—what could be done in sucha vtexxibie crisis? My party would miss me, it is true, and msearch would be made for me, but a regiment of men might seek for days in this maze of labyrinthine galleries ‘without success. I must try und help myself, 1 remem- “dered that I had in my picket two boxes of waxed mach- #8, €ach one of whic would burn ten of twelve seconds. A Lighted one, and by ils feeble hgit ascertained where I as. J was in one of the galleries of the quarries, and just beside me yawned a black abyss of unkuown depth tuto wlueh a single unwary step might have precipitated qne. By keeping close to tue wall J could avoid this and siuwar pitialls. So I groped my way atung. ‘The passage that I sacrificed another match—but it would not do to be 80 lavislx To describe my sensations would be utterly impossible. My brain reeled and I was on the very verge of madness, if not past it, when I realized the terrible truth that L was lost in the Catacombs. Butafew hours since I wasinthe full enjoyment of health and life, sharing the gayeties of Paris, anticipating no evil, and now to die of starvation in this horrible cay- ern. Lthoughtof home and its dear ones, my comfort- able house in New York, my peaceful occupations there, my books, ny ¢asel, my photographic apparatus, Why did the spirit of adventure tempt me away from all the blessings that Providence vouchsafed to me to wander in foreign lands? Then my whole life passed in review be- fore me, Wilh its many vicissitudes, its sins of omission and commission, and the fuces of the loved and lost came to me With the smiles and tears of the olden time, After hours of fruitless wandering I sat down exhausted and hopeless. I was almost surprised to find myself hun- gry. Then I remembered the bread I had provided for the little birds in the Tuileries garden, I took one of thesmall loaves, asked a blessing on it, aud swallowed a few mouthfuls. The reader will be surprised to learn that after this | feit sleepy. I was astonished myself to find that I was nodding. SoIspread my thick cloak on the floor, and wrapping myself up in it was soon fast asieep. I caunot tell how long my slumber lasted. Ll woke, how- ever, (o renew my struggles at escape. I lit match alter maich and called aloud for help till my voice was utterly exhausted. Surely I must have been missed, and a searcli must be going on for me, Alas! alas! no one responded to my call. No footsteps but my own echoed through those cdismul galleries. 1 again resorted to my little stock of bread to sustain life. But now a new craving assailed me—thirst, more cruel than hunger. Lack of water kills quicker than lack of food. I no lopger thought of es- cuping from my living grave. My only cry was for wa- ter! water! But this want was soon supplied, The sac- rifice of a few more matches revealed to me a little streuin exuding from the walls, I glued my lips to it, aud though the flavor was nauseous, yet never in the heat of summer had a goblet of iced Croton been more deli- cious to my palate! How longa time I passed in my dismal prison-house it is impossible to say. Days—nights—who can measure them under such circumstances? Finally, I had exhaust- How couid I now sustain life? Oddly enough, I just then remembered the legend of the Beaumanoir arms. Beau- manoir was a gallant French character.of the olden time, who, single-handed, contended with a score of English knights. Covered with wounds he asked lis squire for water, but water was not tobe had. “Boire ton sang, Beaumanoir!? was the reply of the squire, ‘and drink thy blood, Beaumanoirl? became afterward the motto of the family., Before I died, 1 could open a vein with my knife and imitate the example of the gallant Paladin. ~ But first L would -make a desperate attempt to find an issue. Every match had. now been burned, and I had to work in utter darkness. Frenzied and desperate, I rushed from gallery to gallery, leaping the chains where they impeded my progress. At tust i thought I encouatered a current of tresh air. I seized what 1 conjectured to be a thigh bone projecting from a pile of them, and gave ita sudden wrencli, In an instant a mass of bones and skulls gave way, and rolled down on mein a& thundering ava- lanche, while a voice exclaimed: “The intruder who invades the sanctuary of the dead shall perish by the dead!’ The horror of the catastrophe overwhelmed me, and I lost my consciousness. When I recevereds I was lying in my bed in the Splendide Hotel, with the sun shining on the gluss gallery opposite my window. at my door. 1 sprung up, opened it, dnd admitted my traveling companion. “Weil, old fellow,’ said he, “how did you sleep after our visit to the Catacombs yesterday ?”’ “Yesterday ?”? “Yes, IL had the nightmare.” “Bul how did f escape?’ “Escape? What do you mean by escaping? You rode home in the Carriage with the ladies.”! “But that undertaker who ilrust himself into our party ?? “Tnere was no undertaker, my boy. been dreaming.” “Not at all—uniess I was dreaming wide awake.’ ‘People sometimes do that.” “You dul not observe anything queer abont me in the Catacombs ?"? ‘Not at all. Wide awake.” Then [ told him my story, just as I have related it. He shook his head. “Queer things have happened in the Catacombs, mon- sieur,”’ he said, “to quote the words of your mysierious friend, philosopher and guide. But 1 wouldu’t advise you to let your fancies rau away with you, for there isa place neat Paris called Charenton, and when @ fellow gets tov queer in his upper story, his friends feel obliged to pack him in & straight jacket, and send him down You must have I thought you were unusually bright and there for medical treatment. Don’t impose the unpleas- ant task on me. Aud now come and breakfast wilt us in the Caie Anglais.” That isthe wayin which the strangest occurrences of life are treated by our matter-of-fact friends. For my part, I shall always insist that my visit to the Catacombs was one of Lhe ‘‘Mysteries of Paris.’ WHY THE RATS EMIGRATED. BY ARTHUR L. MESERVE. “falking of rats,’’ said Farmer Allen to me one éyeti- ing, ay we sat about his comfortable hearth, on which a great wood fire was blazing cheerfully—they are the cunningest critters there is iu the world. It seems to me sometinies as though they must understund what a body says. If they can’t do that, [’m sure they watch their motions so that they may Kuow all that’s going ou.” “They are very intelligent creatures,” I replied. “Yet Thardly think that they understand Euglish. Yet [should not be surprised if they learned something of our inten- tions by watching our motious." “IT am sure they do,” he replied, warmly. “I’ve seen enough of the critters to believe that. I know that they have watched me when I’ve been setting a trap for ’em, and you could no more nab them then you could a streak of lightning; yet they would manage, somehow or an- other, to get the bait every time.”’ “J can well believe that, for I Know it is so,” said I. “Yet whether they were watching me or not,I do not Kuow.’? “JT will tell you a story about em,” said the oid farmer, crossing his legs; ‘‘and it is the truth, too, My son Jim, who is out in Kansas, would tell you the sameif he was here. He was wilh meat the time, aud saw the same sight I did.’ “Let’s have the story,’’ said I. ‘I wit take your word for its truth, without your gon Lo substantiate it.” The old gentleman gave the forestick a punch with the poker, and commenced, ‘Before we buill this house, we used to live in an old one that my grandfather put up when lie came into these parts to settle. Iwas born there, and so was my father before me, and we stuck by it until it became little better than au old rat-trap. It was full of the varmints, and it od seem as Luougi they would eat us out of house and 1ome, e “It had got so that it was hardly fit for human beings to live in before I mustered up courage to build a new one. It cost a good deal in these days to get things to do it with. Money warn’t so plentyas it is now. If you raised anything to sell, you couid hardly give it away. “After a good deaiof pinching aud contriving, and hard. work, we got the new house so Lliat we could move into it. Then we tore out a part of the old to put into the hew, and at last there was littie left of it except a pile of rubbish, the whole of which was hardly worth a dollar. But the rats still stuck to it. We could hear them squall- ing and fighting behind the ceiling, and we Knew that they were getting hungry. They missed the provisions they had been used to feast upon. “Ole day Land Jim were downto it looking the rubbish over. Jimdeclared that the stuff wouldn’t pay to clear it off the Jand, and that we had better set the frame on fire as the easiest way of getting rid of it. We were in what had been the old kitchen, taikiug it over, and we could hear the rats Overhead, and uuderneath, and ali about us. «We will get rid of the rats, anyway,’ said Jim. ‘If we don’t burn them up they will be as thick in the new house as they are here.’ : “I didn’t think of that,’ said I. ‘The stuff ain’t worth much, and I wouldn't have the pesky critters in the new house for a hundred dollars, We'll burn it up and them along with it. Let's carry out some of the old things we have Jeft here aud then we'll set it in a blaze.’ “Look at that old chap,’ said Jim, pointing to a rat- hole in oue corner. ‘He’s lovking round to see what we’re up to. “He pointed to a gray old rat who was half way out of his hole, staring at us with his bright, round eyes. Then Jim shied a club athim, but with a chuckle he was gone vefore it got to him. ; “We set to work and carried out what we wanted to save, aud Jim was just a-going to touch a match to the rubbish wien I stopped him. “It won't do to fire it now,’ said I. ‘The wind is blowing so it will carry the sparks toward the new house. It will Cllange at sunset, aud when the dew has fallen a litte we willdothejob.’ — . ‘About nibe o’clock that night we started out to finish up our work. The wiud had changed so there would be no danger to the new louse, ‘ “The moon was shining and we were close to the old } place, when Jim cried out: **-Whuat in natur’ is that, father? “ft looked the way he pointed, and I declare I never was SO astonished in my life. ‘ “There was the biggest row of little critters coming along the path that I ever set eyes on in my life. Ina minute Isaw that they were rais, They had found out What we were going to do, and were emigrating. “The old rat did hear what we said,’ cried Jim; ‘but they shan‘t fool us so.’ “He grabbed up a stick, and_ giving a shout, started to- ward ’em Lo drive ’em back, .But not one of the pesky critters went the way he wanted them to go, They scat- tered? into the tall grass on either side of the path, and every oue of ’em got into the uew buildings afore we got uck. “We set the old rubbish on fire, and although we lis- tened withall our ears, we never heard so much asa squeal. But that night we heard plenty of ’em at home. They had taken. possession and they kept it too. ‘‘Lalways believed that thatold rat heard and understood Syound and turped. .The horror of darkuess was so great ed my last crumb, aud starvation stared me in,my face,| There was a tap |: r shook his head, “Rats know more than you think they do,’’ he said. “J shall always believe that old sinner understood what we said.” MISS SLIMMENS’S BOARDING HOUSE. BY MRS. MARK PEABODY, NO. IV.—A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, Dora! Dora! Doral wake up—wake up, I say! Don't you smell something burning? Wake up, child! Don't you smell fire?) Good Lord! so dol, £ thought [ wasn’t mistaken. The room’s fnll of smoke. Oh, dear! what'll we do? Don’t stop Lo put on your petticuat, Weil all be burned to death. Fire! fire! dret fire! Yes, there is! I don’t know where! It's all over—our room’s all in a blaze, and Dora won’t come out till she gets herdresson, Mr. Little, you shan't go in—UIt hold ou—you’ll be killed, just to save that chit of a girl, when I—I—— He’s gone—rushed right into the Maines! Oh, my house! my furniture! all my earnings! Can‘t anything be done? Fire! fire! fire! Call the fire-engines! ring the dinner-bell! Be quiet! How can I be quiet? Yes, itis ail in flames—I sawthem myself! Where’s my silver spoons? Oh, where’s my teeth, and my silver soup-ladle? Let me be! I’m going out in the street before it’s too late! Oh, Mr. Greyson, have you. got water? have you found the place? are they bringing water?, Did you say the fire was out? Was that you that spoke, Mr. Little? I thought you were burned up, sure; and there’s Dora, too, How did they get itonut? My clothes- us iS Ld L— ia = closet was on fire, and the rooin, too? We would have been smothered in five minutes more if we hadn’t waked up? But it’s allout now, and no damage done, but my dresses destroyed and the carpet spoiled. Thank the Lord, if that’s the worst! But it ain’t the worst, What Jim 1 were talking about; and go be and ali nis tribe pulled up stakes aud heft.”’ Dora, come-along this minute to my room. I don’t care if itis cold, and wet, and full of smoke. Don’t you see— don't you see I’m in my night-clothes? 1 never thought ofit befure. I’m ruined, ruined completely! Go to bea, gentlemen; get out of the way as quick as you can. Dora, shut thedoor. Hand me that candle; L want to look at myself inthe glass. ‘To think that all those gentlemen should have seen mein this fix! Id rather have perished in the flames. It’s the very first night I’ve worn these flannel night-caps, and tobe seen in ’em! Good gracious! how old Ido look! Not a spear of hair on my head scarcely, and this red night-gown and old petticoat on, and my teeth in the tumbler, and the paint all washed off my face, and scared besides! H's no use! I never—never can again make any of (hose men believe ’m only twenty- five; and I felt so sure of some of them. ‘ Oh, Dora Adams; you needu’t look pale; you've lost nothing, I'l] warraut Mr, Little fhomets you never looked so pretty as in that raffled gown, and your hair all down over your shoulders. He says you were fainting from the smoke when he dragged you out. You must be a little fool to be afraid to come out looking that way. They say that new boarder is a drawing-master, and I seen some of his pictures yesterday; he had some such ridiculous things. He'll caricature me for the amusementof the young men, I know. Only think how my portrait Would look taken to-night! and he'll have it, 1’m sure, for I no- ticed him looking at me—the first that reminded me or my situation after the fire was put out. Well, there’s but c be done, and that’s to put a bold face on it. any more to-night; besides, the bed’s wet, inning to get dayligit.. Pll go to work and 3 for breakfast, and I'l! pretend to soine- mt Know just what—to get myseif out of this can. ood-nidrning, gentlemen, & od-morning! We had quite a fright last night, didn’t we? Dora and I came pretty neat paying dear for a little frolic. You see, we were dressing np in character, to amuse ourselvés, aid I was all fixed up for to represent an old woman, and had put on a gray wig and an old flannel gown that! found, and we'd set up pretty late, having some fun all to our- selves; and. I expect Dora must have been pretty sleepy when she was putting some of the things away, and set fire toa dress in the closet without noticing it. I’ve lest my whole wardrobe, nigh about, by her carelessness; bit it's such a mercy we wasn’t burned in our bed that I don’t feel to complain so much on that account. Isn’f it ca- rious how I got caught, dressed up like my grandmother ? We didn’t. suppose we were going to appear before so large an audience when we planned out our little fretic. What characier did Dora assume? Really, Mr. Little, 1 was so scared last night that I disremember, She took off Aer rigging before she went to bed. Don’t you think I'd personify a pretty good old woman, gentlemen—hal! hal —for a lady of my age? What’s that, Mr. Little? You wish 1’d make you a present of that night-cap, to remem- ber me by? Of course, ve no further use for it? Of course I haven’t. Ivsone of Bridget’s, that I borrewed for the occasion, and l’ye got to give it back to her. Have some coffee, Mr. Greysoun—do! l've got cream for it this morning. Mr. Smith, help yourself to some of the beel- steak. It's a very cold morning—fine weather out of doors. Eat all you can, allof you. Have you any pro- files to take yet, Mr. Gamboge? 1 may make up ny mind Rose-coiored ribbons can also be worn in the dress and hair, The Birman costume consists of a short chemise and a Joose jacket with itght sleeves. Round the waist is roiled a long piece of silk or cloth, which reaches to the feet, and sometimes trails on the ground, The hair is tied upin a bunch at thetop of the head, and bound around with a fillet, “Miss Permilla Hall.”—Nothing is a certain cure for such im- perfections of the complexion but time. Leave the spots alone and they will go away themselves, butit you are constantly pick- ing at them, of course scars will be in their plages, even if the bunips disappear, “One of the Stars, ete,’—Yes, our purchasing agency will select the clothes for you. We can buy the suit fora boy of four years of age to cost anywhere from $6 to $12, according to qualit x of material and style of make and trimming, A sailor suit would be wend for spring, or you could have Httle knee pants with vest and jacket of gray clouh., The suits Of navy blue cost more than the gray. For the girl you can get a saeque to cost any where from $5 lo $15. Pretty fur sacques can be bought for The dress may be of any material! and can cost from $5 to 20. To send measure for suit or patterns, give size of waist and bust; also be sure and mention the age ot the child, “G. M—The tower girl or the gipsy can wear a short dress, The suit fora page isa regular boy’s costume, but it is worn some- times by ladies. P “Young Married Lady and others.”—The styles now for doing air differ according to the tace of the wearer, Some comb, their hair off the face, and braid in one loose braid in the back of the head, which is looped up and the end hidden under a pompadour roll, or coronet braid. The French twist with coronet, too, is in favor, and ulso long puffs in the back, with fluger puffs im front, are much worn, Clusters of curls, too, are worn by some, “Wisconsin Girl.’'—We hardly understand exactly what you want, but think 1t must be a ‘“ficliu,” as you ask for something tor evening wear, to be made of white material, We have some very pretty fichus, which can be made of mult, muslin, or Jace. 2,846, price 20 cents, is a fichu jacket: 2,645 is a tichu with belt, price 20 cents, both high-necked. One with low neck, and long tabs iu the back, is No. 2,764, price 20 cents. Some are finished with ruffles, while others have edge of embroidery or of Valén- ciennes lace. ro not send name, address, aud six cents for one of our spring catalogues, and in it you will see the fichus above mentioned, together with other new styles. “Mrs, B.—For the child six montis old, you want to allow for growinz, so your best plan is to make the little clothes in the Most simple forms. French yokes and gored dresses are the heatest and most appropriate. For the little girl of three years there are many jaunty costumes. A stylish suit can be made of empress cloth, fuulard silk, challie, or any desirable material, Let the skirt have four sores, after pattern 2.2 price 15 cents. Trim with a side plaiting set on underneath a bias band headed ly a narrow rufiie. The polonaise fits the figure, is apron shape in front, and postillion back, The side gores are pointed and look like wings. Sleeves half loose. The pattern is No. 3,119, price 25 cents, Have a chip hat with rolled rim, full silk loops, drooping ends, and an ostrich tip, and the costume is complete. You can trim your biack and white poplin with black, or if the polonaise 13 very much soiled why not make an outside garment entirely of biagk. You will see a number of stylish patterns in_ the catalogues already sent, so you can select the ones you like best. If you do not like solid black, some very fashionable garments are made of gray materials. “Mrs, L. K.—Until further notice we will be able to buy the hair switches at reduced rates. Yes, they are of good, solid hair, in natural colors, and extremely well made. We are constantly making purchases of switches and curls, and in every instance have given satisfaction. We can get the braids at $5, $6, $7.20, $9.60, $12, and $14.40. The best switches cost from $15 to $25, the latter bemg the braid for which we used to pay about $40. GENTLEMEN'S AND BOYS’ DEPARTMENT, “Adonis.’—The Greek costume consists of large, blue trowsets, legs covered With tights and red slippers; a red sush of silk tied around the waist, aud a cloth jacket made in the Venetian fashion with seams of gimp. Fora min of mature years the bead should be covered with a fig or cloth skull cap and a blue turban. Younger men should wear a bonnet of scariet cloth, which haugs down on one side. The dress of a chiefiain of India is gorgeous in the extreme, crimson and gold. The turban should be of purple mus- lin, aud richly adorned with jeweis; the sash, too, is of tie purple inusiin. Wear on your neck two rows of large ‘pearls suslaining a cluster of diamonds. The earrings, which can be fastened on around the ear, Should consist of four large pearis and as many rubies on gold rings two or: three inches in diameter. Wear a rich bracelet ou your right arm, and a short dagger sheathed in your sash, und a broadsword at your side. The Persian costume Sfiould be luose truwsers of dark-colored cotton; a large Shirt, like a wagoner's frock, but wilh wider sleeves, and only reaching v little beiow the knee; a low cap, the sides of which are of bhick silk or satin, and the top of gold brocade or some brigit-coiored cloth; a pair of half boots of brown leather, laced or buttoned up to the calf. Over this may be thrown a large cloak of some Kind of fur or skin, Which garment is worn loose over the shoulders, with the sleeves hauging down, and reaching to the ankles, ‘‘Neal.”’—Your note reached us foo late to give the de- front. sired information in time. It was two weeks coming three hundred miles by mail. “Pp. OC. Baden, St. Paul, Minn.”’—We think you will find a@ purchaser for your skins by communicating with C. C. Shayne, dealer in furs, corner Broadway and Tenth street, opposite Stewart's. Mr. Shayne is constantly buying large lots of Une various skifis used in manufacturing the fur articles in demaud, such as cloaks, caps, muffs, buas, gloves, etc., etc. Yes—mink furs are still worn. “Mrs, Dora Wright.’—One of the prettiest suits for lit- We boys Irolu two to four, or five years of age, is the new Scotch dress, No. 3,135, price 25 cenis. ‘The frout is whole and carried far envugh buck to have the effect of side- bucks, which together will the back, takes the sembiance of a short, natty basque. The kilted skirt is neally hew- med on the bottom, wud sewed at the topto a bel. A tiny pocket-lap adorns each side of the basque, and a cull, shaped to correspond, decorates the coat sleeve, With the exception of the killed ,» al the edges of the dress are neatly bouud with braid, above which may be traced a pretty embroidery desigu. Tiny buitons may also be used as directed on the pattern. Lace gives a dainty finish to the neek, and the back Closes with butious and bulton-holes, For thaterial yotl éah tisé Scotch plaid, flannel, Erpress cloth, poplin, Lady’s cloth, or, in truth, any desirable fubric will look well made after this pattern. “Country Merciaut.’—The New YORK WEEKLY Pur- chasing Agency will buy your conipiete stock ef goods for you at Wiviesale prices, and will do better for you than you can for yourself, because the buyers for the agency ure familiar with all tne desirable houses. Yes, we can buy needles, thread, cord, etc., as well ag larger articles. Bivod’s needies are excellent. They are of good steel, do not beud, ave well finished, and have large, perfect eyes, all indications of guod Needles, . ; - PLEASANT PARAGRAPHS, [Most of our readers are undoubtedly capable of contributiny; to ward making this column an attractive feature of the New YORK WRKKLY, and they wiil oblige us by sending for publication any- thing which may be deemed of sutticient interest for general pe- rodak, It is not necessary that the articles should be penned in scholarly style; so long as they are pithy, and likely to afford amusement, minor defects will be remedied.) THE RUGG DOCUMENTS. BY CLARA AUGUSTA. T looked at my memorandum-book as I passed down the road, and found that the next person on my list was Mrs. Kezial Scroggins Welech—a resident of Pig’s-Lane—aged to set for mine before you leave us; I’ve always thought I should have it taken sometime. In character? He! he! Mr. Littie, yowre so fuuny! But you'll excuse me this morning, as Thad such a frightlast night. I must goanud take up that wet carpet. THE LADIES WORK-Box. OUR New CATALOGUE.—The new Illustrated Catalogue of the New YORK WEEKLY Purehusing Ageucy, 212 pages, is bow ready, and will be sent to any address, prepaid, on receipt of ten cents. Te those who ask for “Spring Styles,’ we state. that while basques ai overskiris are worn, we find that the polonaise is quite as much in favor as in the past, and al- though there is nothing yet particularly novel, we find quite a variety of desigus which we are suré will be pop- ular On account of beauly and convenience. A very neat garment for spring wear is No. 3,137, price 35 cents. This cau be made of cashmere, or of the material for your suit. The waist is fitted to the form, while the graceful skirt is made so by fois ana plaits. Two iines of buitons hold the center back fold in place, while the fold in each ander arm seam is sustained by a bow of silk, and aslide, The siraps on the under side prevent any displacement of the drapery. An exquisite pattern of iringe, and jet passe- menteri€ Ornaments the bottom of the skirt, while a sec- ond line of passementerie, resembling a vine, decorates the front, and continuing up over the waist, passes around the neck and is very rich in effect. The cuif projects over the outside seam Ol the sleeve aud has the end finished with fringe, while the pussementerie passes all around this cuff. Themeck and sleeves should be finished with lace or a plaiting of footing. A handsome dress made after this design was made of blue-steel poplin, and gar- nitured with fringe and passementerie. A handsome skirt to be worn with thé above, or any stylish polonaise is No. 2,208, price 30 cents. This is slightly trained, hangs nicély, and the fullness may be drawn back by tapes joined to the side-back seams, and tied beneath, e bottom can be ornamented with a flounce, widely scolloped on the lower edge, and having box-plaits laid through the shorter portions. The flounce is headed by a fold which sustains a standing ruffle, laid in clusters of two side-plaits at intervals, and then turned satin and tacked. The effect is pretty, and the labor but slight. “Mrs. L. S, B-—d."'"—Grenadine should be made over silk or farmer'ssatin. Your skirt you can make slightly trained with deep-gathered flounce at the bottom, headed by three or five ruffles, say each about four inches iu width. Line the poionaise to the waist line with silk, but have the skirt portion without lining. A stylish pat- tern to use for grenadine is polonaise No. 3,112, price, 35 cents. This has basque back, and is slighUy gathered in front, and belted in at the waist line, from the side seams. Trim your dress with black silk. “Musa, Gertie and May.\—The Swiss peasant’s cos- tume will be pretty for the brunette. The hatis a large flat, of straw, decorated around the crown ‘with four large bows of ribbon, of different colors; also a bunch of flowers. The hair is drawn back from the forehead, and falis behind in two long braids, The petticoat or pipe is short, Sometimes showing the garter, and may be of three colors, and very full. The chemise, or under garment, reaches to the throat, and has fuli round sleeves. The bodice cam be covered with embroidery, lace, chains, and buttons. The stockings should be white, and the shoes biack and neat. For the blonde, make a dress of pure white; have the petticoat rather short, but full. The bodice should be laced up iu front, with lapels hanging from the waist, sleeves long and full. The hair falls down the back in pluits, and on the head is worn a sort of white cap or hood, with a rose-colored ribbon bow in ninety-nine and six months. She was one of Washing- ton's Dry Nurses. To Pig’s-Lane [ took my way. larrived there the next day, and found Mrs. Welch without difficulty. She was on another patiern from Grandmar Tidd. She was one of the Kind tuat the news- papers tell about as being of a green old age, and retain- ing the elasticities of youth. She was a tall woman, bony and angular. She had bones enough to set up an anatomikel museum in bigness, She had on # red short gound, aud a blue petticoat, and white stockings grafied with black legs. Sie had irou-rimmed specks, and a black cap trimmed With purple, and she was a knitting ona blue siockinug, as if her infe depended on the click of them needles, i rapped, and she answered me, “Walk!” I didn’t know ixactly which way she calkilated for me to walk, but I took the liberty of walking in. *“Mornin’ miatam!’’ sez she, briskly. ‘*Coolish! cheer!"* - 1 sot down and looked her over, and made up my mind that Washington was dead jest about the time she was born. But, of course, I didu’t say so. ’Taint allers best Lo Say What youtlink. Ill makes ard feelings sometimes, “] spose your name is Welca?” sez I, taking out my book and Havea neil. - “Yes, that’s my name!” sez she, “and a decent, respectable nameitis, too! Who are you ? the senses taker? or the tax bill man ?”" “Nary one,” sez I. ‘I’m a private interviewer, I am——” “Oh?” sez she, “that means you’re a kind ot a Shakerite ? or is it one of them kind that believes in going up, and staying into for *em to cum back agin? I've heerd Squire Davis and Elder Blossom argylfy on it!” “My name is Perkius!” sez I.) “Serushy Perkins. I reseaved a letter from you a spell ago! Dry Nuss you was, I believe. Well, I’ve called on that Dry Nuss bizness.” ©Oh ? ah? that’s it, is it? Want to write it out to prent,I § ? How much do you git for doing it 7” “That’s my privit bizness!" sez IL “But Vil give you a half a dollar to tell what you know about Dry Nussing.”’ “You'll have to make it seventy-five cents, mam,” sez she, “everything has ris! Merjasses and salt fish isa cent higher than they was, and knitting’s down! Panick! that’s what’s done it. I knit for a iiving, and Sally works in the shoe firm. Sally’s a good girl, but she’s got a spark, now, and it takes all her wages tor ribbing, and freezers, to wear round her neck. Law! in my young days a gal had ruther have a feller’s arm round her neck than all the ruffs and fallals in creation, and that didn’t cost anything, but times las Changed! Yes, mam! they aint as they used to was.” “That's so,” sez I, “though to.be shure, I don’t remember #0 fur back as yourself, but I can well recollect them times you speak of, and it seems to me that if the gals shoukl once git back 10 them old ways they’d like ’em better than they do these new- fangled ones!” “Pears to ne,” sez Mrs. Welch, setting her specks up loser to her eyes, “that you hiint so young as you might be! You haint been & Nuss to Washington, now, have you?? “No, indeed!” sez 1; “I’m a young woman yet, I am!” “How old might you be, now ?” sez she, “seventy-six ?”? “Seventy-six!” sez I. ‘Do you mean to insult me ?” “No,” sez she, “not at all; but them crow’s feet and them wrinkles around your nose is uncommon deep! Bay, now, you don’t use none of these emetics on your face, do ye ?” “Mrs. Welch,’’ sez I, with dignitude, “I cum here to ask ques- tions, not to answer ’em. If I answer your questions, it will be you that must pay me seventy-five cents,” “T didn’t mean nothing,” sez she; “give me the money, and I'm ready to tell you what I know.” ’ I give her fifty cenis, and told her the other quarter was hern when her work was done, “You was a Dry Nuss ?”’ sez L “Yea, remarkably cry!’* sez she. “They did use to say that I was the dryest one for an ausur that ever was! Why, when Solomon Blivens used to come a courting of he——”’ “T want to hear about Washington, principlely,” sez I, “so we won't go into your courtship, if 1t suits you just as well. Weill let beaux go to grass for the present——”’ “I spose you think I never had no beaux!” sez she, flaring up and glowering at me through her specks like‘a mad Tom cat, “Why, 'vehad oceans of ’em! Only last week Capen Jones he perposed, aud he keeps a gray hoss and kerridge, with black It consists of a muslin vest, and drawers of | : fond ae cx3 Zz cx3 a = CS aS a = x3 C3 m Hq mane and tail, and can trot in 2 hours aad thirty minnks, fer the Capen sed so!” “Was Washington a keaithy child ” sez I, “Never was sick in bis life!” sez she. “No mumps, nor measkes 7" ges J, “Not a mump.” sez she. “Cry much ?” sez I. “No,” sez she. “Ever lie ?” sez I. “No,” sez she; “he never told a lie! I wish folks ginerally knowed it! Put that dowu strong in your book, mam. HE NEV- ER TOLD A LIK !!’ “How long did you nuss him ?” “Six year, “Did he ever “NO, INDERD “Hovor bright sez I. “Do you doubt my word, mam ?" sez she, rising from hercheer, and making a motion toward the poker—"me, that bas been a nuss tothe Father ot His Country, and has lived ninety-nine year, and knit seven thousand three hundred and eighty eight pair of epoxies and four thousand one hundred and two pair of mittens, two thousand of ’em in twisted stitch, with green an pte wheels in the wrists, and tringes!—me tell a he, ip- ee And she brannished that poker over my head in a way that made me feel sick to the stummuk, for I ‘had left my ambril in the entry, and was without anything to defend myself with. “I didn’t mean nothing,” sez. “Of course, a woman ef your age, with one toot in the grave——" “DU let you know where my foot is,” sez she; and I’m sorry to say that she histed up one foot and kicked at my bustle, but Tl whirled round so quick that she loat her ballances, and down she cum, head fust, into atten quart milk-pan of dough that wasa@ setting on a stool by tie fire a rising! It riz when she did, pan and ail, and sucha spettacle I never beheld. She was kivered with dough from top to toe, and it was in her eyes, and nose, and mouth, and on her black cap with the pasate ribbins; and there was no disputing bat she was a deugh- 2 T couldn't help laffing, and that made her madder, and she grab that poker agin, and T thought it was best to leave and save Iny other quarter of a dollar. Of course I wasn’t ateared of her, but twenty-five cents is twenty-five cents, and jest as good for me as for any other man. So I cleared out, and never stopped to listen to the bad names she was a calling of me. Yourn—J. R. PERKINS. The Steam Jackass. Aman living near Nashville, Washington County, Ill., has re- cently invented an apparatus to take the place of whistles for railroad signals, steamboats, fire alarms, factory ealls, and the like. He calls it the “Telephon,” but the popular name is the “Steam Jackass.” The inveutor is a farmer, and has de- voted much ot his time to raising mules, whose habits aud anat- omy he appears to have studied carefully. On his farm there was a muleof more than ordioary vocal power, whose voice pave any other nuss ?! he once got warmed ap to bis work. The owner computed that if he could set in motion all the air in a circle of eight milesin diameter, or twenty-five miles in cireumfereuce, or any area fifty square niles, or thirty-two thousand acres, a hundred horse power juckass could, all things being equal, rival any other noise yet discovered. He established the fact that the power of an or- dinary ass is about oe-tweltth of an indicated steam power. steam engine of one thousand horse power woukd therefore be equal to the power of twelve thousand asses, Wherefore, if one ass can fill a circle eight miles in diameter, twelve thousand jack- — asses of one thousand horse power jack:uss would fill a circle of ° ninety-five thousand iniles ia diameter. The inventor thought _ all this overcarefully, arriving at the deduction that if he coald take Nature’s vocal apparatus aud apply it to a greater power, . he could produceéa lurger and more satisfactory volume of sound. Filled wich this idea, he put the mule to death, and eare- fully severed the head from the body. He then po pt solu- > tions of chloride of zinc aud arsenic into the veins and arteries of ; the head and neck, to prevent decay of the flesh. India rubber was dissolved in sulphuric ether, and the solution forced ieee the trachea or windpipe, and through the laryux or throat, e ether evaporated, leaving afilm ot rubber on the membranes, / and the injection and evaporation were continued until the rab- ber film was found of sufficient thickness. Thesé organs were © then subjected toa vapor of sulphur heated to 300 degrees, by which pram the rubver was vulcanized, its elasticity iucreased, and the membranes rendered impervious to steam. These prep- arations completed, a short piece of rubber hose was attached © tu the windpipe and connected with a steam boiler. It was a momentof agony to the inventor as in anes the ass © headin the hands of an assistant, and slowly puiled the valve open—a moment of thrilling interest. As the steam wast a ou it passed into the windpipe, expelling the air and- producing a sigh, followed by a groan, a snort, a chuckle, then a violent coughing and sneezing. Asa full head of steam was-turiied on, the most fearful noise, the most frightful guffuw, the most vocit- erous bray that ever assailed mortal ears were produced, The lips were contracted, disclosing a terrible array of teeth; the fea- tures developed asatanic grin, and the jaws rose and fell as the Steam crowded the passages, and the ears participa in the general movement, giving to the head of the ass au animuted and excited appearauce, ; The man who was holding the head gazed upon it a momept with dilated eyes, colorless cheeks, knocking knees, and protrud- lug longue; then, suddenly losing all incerestin the performanee, he emigrated, As for the iuventor, is saccess exceeded his most sanguine anticipations, * For an instant he contemplated’ the head, his countenance working with every manifestation Of intense delight; then he too started, probably to learn the - est distance to which that voice would penetrate, leaving it still , in operation, with all the steam on. The head bad now got fully warmed up to its work, and that bray went burtling through the universe, It was an acoustic earthquake, a sky slake; it was 4 sturm, a hurricane cf sound, a tornado, a eyelone of noise; it- was a donkey carnival, a jackass Foucth of July. It was the greatest success the world lias ever known, The Gourmand of Athens, Asan original chapel apeech, a student of Rutgers Cotleges get off the following, a short time since: Regal turkey, ere I start, I to do my part, ain pl ru take a slice from cff tly breast, Aud eat it first, for that’s Lhe best, Hear my vow, tor “here I go,” Oh, my 1 Llove thee se. By those beans in yonder dish, By that bird they call codfish, that mackere! sublime hich was deemed enough for mine, By my te's fierce glow, On, my 1 I fove thee se. By that pie I’ve longed to taste, But ma louging all pungry looks that teil - en Tam waiting for the bell— By my stomach’s gnawing woe— Oh, my hash! I love thee so. Oh, my comrades! Iam gone, Abuse me not when lett aleve; qhovet Tate Tne “ et there ig alitt “pe af oy Gan Tate tal sooner? Nol On, my hast! I love thee so. Crooked Boston. “Whit, from Cambridge, Mass, says a word about the pro- yerbially crooked streets of Bostou: “People from abroad have & great deal to say about the crooked ways of “The Hub,’ but the oldest inhabitants—o! whom there are several—will tell you that they have traversed streets for many years and never found any difficulty in getting about. One clap, from Philudei- phia, who sojourned here for six months, devoting all his mind to do the intricacies of the city, at last arrived at a formuta, which he printed, that serves as « general direction for To find any given place in and ubout Boston, turn the first corner to the right upd then turn the first coruer to the bett, and you are sure to Come OVE somewhere. He says it is infallible.” : Breaches of Trust. Ye spindle-shanked dandies, . Ye conceited beaux, Whose one earthly pleasure Is showing your cluthes, Do not cheat your tailors, But pay thein what's just? Por trowsers on credit, Are of trust. : _ & Cool Rejoinder. Mr. Vimint, a lawyer, takes his tod regularly and Ata court held in Northern Jowa, upon a case being EE. JOnN H. G. thy. which V. was likely to lose his case lor want of proof te corrubo- rate his client’s evidence, he was asked by the court what ceurse he would take in the matter. ‘“‘Wiiy,” said V., “if it please sour hpnor, [ believe ‘I will take water,’ ” (a common expression, sig- nifying that the person using it 1s nonsuited.) Judge B., who was on the bench, pointedly suid, ‘{Well, brother V. you do, you will greatly astonish your stomach.” J. Z. CONNAYON. Sublimity on a Splurge. The t-laureate of Skeeterville having obtained possession of alead pencil, cither surreptitiously or through the mistaken got- erosity of some person inconsilerate of the public peace, en dangers the laurels of Tennyson & Co. in ay address: “TO A YOUNG LADY WHO HAD HER FEET FROZEN.” When angels trom their mansions in the skies, (Tempted by Kindness or by fancy’s flight To glad this dark sphere with their beauteous eyea, ~ To intersperse these shades with beams of ligiat,) Come down among us poor, rough gons of me No wonder that their co-mates should be vexed, And as a warning not to err again, ree them with some ili to be perplexed. Such was thy fate—such the hard reprimand For quitting clouds to wander o’er our snows, the clouds while things here is singed off, and the airth prepared | The envious choir forsaken gave command That thy angelic trampers should be froze. THINGUMDOB. An Umbrelis Nose. ‘ Mrs. Matilda Huggins has a very large nose. On a recent Sab- bath she said to her husband that she had not seen her brother Isaac atthe church that morning. Her husband rephed: “I don’t see how. you could fail to see him, for he was mght under your nose.” Thre conversation was interrupted by their son, who said: “Pa, he could have been under her nose easily, and she would not have been abie to see hun. Why, ma’s nose is almost as big as a small umbrella.” Riding an Alligator. Harry B., aged five years, went from his home in Lewell to Boston, in the company of some relatives, and took dinner atone of the hotels, When h¢got home he told his mother alt about the wonders of the place. *“‘And, mamma,” said he, ‘when we went to our room We did not have to walk stairs as we do here—we rode on the Ailigator.’?” He meant the elevator. Byeauina. A Banished Hackman. On acold evening last winter, a hack driver was engaged to drive two couples (colored) toa ball mM Pawtucket, RI. They arrived about ten P.M. The driver remained outside about an hour, when he thought he would in and look on. The room was full, and very warm, He had not been there very long when one of the floor managers came to him and asked him te “Jeave the room, «s de ladies objected to his presence, he smelt so very ‘hossy’.” He left. F, B. FERRIS. Sharp Shooting. Of course this story is true. for it happened in Rafherford Park, N.J., where only the strangest occurrences have the slightest chance of being believed: ‘ A hunter went out'to shoot ducks. He sawa duck, and fired at it; but the duck flew away unharmed, Somewhat astonished, he looked in the barrel of his gun and saw the slot coming out Quickly drawing back his head, he pat the gun to his shoulder, took rapid aim, and fired just in time to shoot three wa. = « We To P. P. Conrrinvtors.—The following MSS. are accepted: *‘Dutciman’s Mother-in-Law,’ ‘Looking tor Hts Cousin,’ ‘Sweet- Toothed Rats;’ ‘Not at Home,’ “fhinking Twice ;’ ‘An Inebriate Cooled; ‘Not a Certain Remedy ;’ ‘Burial of the Turkey ;’ ‘Made and Repaired;’ ‘That Brave Boy; ‘Be Brief; ‘I'll Promise Mother That; ‘Original Spelling;’ ‘Drug Store Scene;’ ‘Mary’s BWAMAD.! chases. The following are respectfully declined: ‘How It Turned Out;’ ‘More About a Mustache,’ ‘Si Wiggins,’ "The Walk- ing Dictionary;’ ‘Bright Chap;’ ‘Sam Gooseberry,’ ‘Youn America;’ ‘Tiree Valises;? ‘Dreams,’ ‘Patsey Bolliver;’ “Good Beef; ‘Polly Billinger;’ ‘Oil Rectifier ‘Humpty Dumpty,’ *Grandfather;’ ‘Fighting Cock? “Big 7. ‘Countryman’s Mistake;’ ‘Nonconductor’—old; ‘Pantaloons;’ ‘Freezing,’ “Bigot- ed Cow;' ‘And Still You Wonder at Crime;” ‘Good Sell,’ "Rhode Island Woman;’ ‘City Father; “Datchess Oologne;’ ‘Solemn Fact; ‘Gospel traths;? ‘Built Him a Fire,’ ‘Wanted ;’ ‘Opposi- tion; ‘American Smartness,’ ‘Healthy Florida;’ ‘C. W. Horion;’ ‘Trish Lad; ‘Pat O’Brien;’ ‘A’Sage;’ ‘Prayerful Auctioneer;’ ‘Pritz’s Reply;’ ‘Another Pill'’—old; * kosh Boys’—old ; ‘Under an KEelipse’—olkd; ‘Sally Van Cram,’ ‘Which Will Bext’—old; *M ni nites? ‘Bull's-Rye;’ “Saviag Her Bacon’—vld; ‘Hic could be heard a distance of four miles inevery direction when _ frequen: called, in » Se ee EO ENA NPN Cte, h ‘Pr é és ‘ | ; BS i oe - Age wh Daten { i Se x