NAMELESS; OR, NOBODY'S DARLING.

BY JENNY WHEN.

(Written for the "Star Supplement.")

CHAPTER IV. THE CANKER i' THE BIRD. It was a very secluded life that Miss Rachel led at Panmure. On week days there were the dairy and garden to supervise, and it was not long before Namie- learned the mysteries of milk ing and butter-making from the faithful Peggie, whose special pride was her spotless dairy and unrivalled butter.

Miss Carthrew speedily put her plans into execution, aud workmen busily plied ham mer and sawin the erection of a " respectable wing " to " EcoriaCottage," comprising two large, handsome rooms, to be used as par lour and studio, which she furnished with her customary elegance and good taste " Miss Carthrew's wing," asTeg-gie called it, was the admiration of the simple vil lage folk, and Miss Carthrew herself became thesubject of much curiosity and conjecture. On fine Sabbath mornings the ladies would attend the neat little church in the settle ment, where their presence aroused the interest of the kindly clergyman, in common ■with tho comparatively few Protestant families in this purely pensioner settle ment." The pleasant-faced lady in the plain brown silk dress and black lace shawl, who ■was always accompanied by her niece, and sometimes by Miss Carthrew, became an object of comment, and not unkindly criti cism, those Sabbath mornings ; yet they made but few acquaintances in their secluded home. There was one individual, however, who was destined to become a true and valued friend to the little family at Ecoria Cottage. It happened to be a particularly dry summer that season, and as they had as yet uo well, and tho supply of water in the tanks was quite exhausted, they were obliged to fetch that necessary from the well of a, more for tunate neighbour, who had rather reluc lantly consented to allow them to draw. One sultry day in January, poor Peggie being very ailing, was unable to accompany Namie on her usual errand. Miss Carthrew had protested against the arrangement, and declared her intention of engaging " a boy " to carry water, cut wood, &c. ; but as there wasfno "likely lad" in the vicinity of Ecoria Cottage, she was obliged to submit until she should go to Auckland, where, doubtless, she would find one to her mind. So Namie set out with her empty pails, liko a rentable Rebecca, of old "drew water from tho well" of tho before-mentioned neighbour. When about half-way home with her brimming buckets, Namie, feeling rather languid and weary, set them down and stood under the grate ful shade of an'overhanging peach tree to rest awhile. A few of the luscious fruit had fallen from the branches that overhung the low stone wall, and rolled to her feet. Without a thought, save that she was tired and thirsty, Namie stooped to pick them up, when suddenly a gruli' voice accosted her from over the wall. "Bless my buttons! So that's how the old man's peaches go, is it ? We must see to this, ray pretty maid. What's your name, pray?" Startled Namie could scarcely credit her own ears as the harsh voice accused her of theft, and in another moment a somewhat quaint figure stood be side her, and a strong hand was laid upon her shoulder. " Indeed, sir," cried the now frightened girl, " I had no intention of stealing your fruit. These three peaches rolled to my feet, and I being thirsty, picked them up • but if you will set a price upon them, I'm sure my aunt will gladly pay you their full value. The queer little old gentleman retired a few paces, and, with a quick motion of his wrinkled hand, removed his three-cocked hat, as he lowered his voice to a respectful deference, exclaiming, "I beg pardon, Miss Flidgett, for I presume you are that young lady ; I thought you were quite a different party; and really 'tis amazing how my peaches have disappeared of late, so that I have naturally been on the watch for the delinquents ; but if you will pardon an old man's blunder and come into the orchard, yon are welcome to gather aa many as you will." He held out his hand with such apparent frankness of apology that Namie instinctively grasped it, and fearing to give offence or pain if she- re fused, followed him through the little gate he held so invitingly open. " And have you far to carry water? may I ask?" inquired the old gentleman: "it is rather heavy work for a young lady, whom I should presume to be unaccustomed to such tasks." "Sir," replied Namie, "Aunt Rachel has no help but me just now, our good Peggie being indisposed, and I could not think of fatigue in her service who has been so very good to me." The cocked hat was perched a little higher on the broad, sun-burnt brow, and there shot a sudden gleam of sympathetic ap proval into the clear, searching eyes, as the old gentleman looked into Namie'.s honest face, exclaiming : " That sounds like the ring of true metal, my girl; forgive my boldness, but it does an old man's heart good to see such grateful affection in a young heart. See here," he continued, " these are real Royal George's, just fit for the Auckland market ; I know your aunt has none such, for I have been through that orchard when there was no tenant. You shall take her some of these, with my com pliments, if she will not think it a liberty." Namie remonstrated, but he continued to gather the ripest and most tempting of fruit with which to fill a kit that hung near; meanwhile desiring Namie "to eat and be welcome, and forget the fright he had given her." Having tilled the kit, he led the way to the house—a pleasant cottage standing in the midst of a very " sea of roses," and almost covered with the bright foliage and gay blossoms of luxuriant creepers. " Look there," said he, " this is a pretty spot, is it not, little one ? I love the flowers, they are my dearest friends ; I am only a lonely old man, child; who has known many troubles, and is just waiting here among the peaceful beautios of Nature's fairest scenes, &yes, waiting," he added, dreamily, leaning upon his stout walking stick, and looking far beyond that fragrant rose garden into the veiled vista of futurity—"until Colin comes home." Namie, charmed beyond measure with tho beauties of the place, scarcely heeded the old man's singular distraction in her ad miration of the splendid cloth of gold roses that twined themselves around the rustic porch. "Ah, little one!" cried he, "you may gather them; they are very sweet, but'mind the thorns? Ah, the thorns will wound thee." A strange, wistful expression rested, for a moment on his count

enanco as he stood regarding the young creature who had so strangely come under his notice ; and Namie caught the scarcely audible words that seemed almost liko a prayer, "God keep thee, child, from the thorny places, the pitiless wounds of this hard world." He turned quickly away, and as he entered the house he gave three vigorous knocks with his stick upon the floor, calling in" a shrill tone, "Archie, my boy, Archie Campbell, come, here's a visitor to Rosy Retreat." " Indoed, sir," exclaimed Namie, " I must be getting home, or Aunt Rachel will won der what la detaining me." "That you shall, Tittle one," replied the old gentleman, " but Archie shall carry the buckets, while you bear tho more befitting burden of flowers and fruit that we will send to the ladies. They have not such roses, eh, child? And perhaps it would not be amiss if I were to walk up with you, and explain.'' Just then a tall, handsome young fellow, who called the old gentleman " Uncle," ap peared at the cottage door, regarding Namie with wondering, though respectful gaze. " See now, my boy," exclaimed the old gentleman, " I have just been frightening this young lady nearly out of her wits, and we must do our best to atone for her misad venture ;eo come along novr, and bear a hand with her water-pails, while I carry these peaches to Miss Flidgett, our new neighbour at Ecoria Cottage." Underderstanding ut last "who the bash ful-looking young girl could be," Archie made his most gallant bow, and expressed his readiness to "bear a. hand." Willingly enough, two strong hands grasped the brimming buckets, and the little party walked up the green road that led to Namie's hoir>e. Miss Rachel was standing on the verandah, shading her eyes, looking for Namie, when to her sur prise the gallant old gentleman opened the gate, and came forward with his most cour teous manner and military salute, intro ducing-himself as "Captain Cartwright, of Her Majesty's — Regiment, whom he hoped Miss Flidgett would favour with the honour of her acquaintance as a near neighbour." Of course, Miss Rachel invited her visitor into her neat little sitting-room, and ex planations followed, during which the observant eyea of the eccentric Captain made several observations, one of which was, "That Miss Rachel wasN unmistakably a 'lady,'" and another, "That she had evidently known sorrow." Namie's adventure amused her, and the Captain's kindness found a response in her loyal heart as he told of the young girl's naive defence and denial of the charge he had so unwittingly brought against her. Meanwhile Archie had carried the water round to the kitchen door, and been rather shyly thanked by Namie,Jwho excited his most ardent admiration by the simplicity and frankness of her manner as she askod him " to come round to the front and be in troduced to Aunt Rachel." " Mies Carthrew had goneoutfor a walk," Miss Rachel said, " but she hoped to have the pleasure of introducing her visitors to that lady on another occasion." After that day Namie never had to carry water up the green roads past the Captain's oottage, for every morning Archie ap peared with his bucket*, and filled up the cask for their daily supply. Miss^Carthrew, of whom the young man^stood somewhat in awe, was wont to call him " the Knight of the Fountain," and Namie's conscious blushes caused Rachel's placid brow to grow suddenly thoughtfnl with a peculiar tender ness and solicitude. Every Sunday, the gallant Captain would wait at the door of the little church, or stand on the picturesque bridge, seemingly lost in contemplation of the beauties of the scene before him, which certainly, from that point, was worthy of an artist's pencil, until the ladies from Ecoria Cottage made their appearance, when he would doff thfe inevitable cocked hat and salute them with grave humour or respect ful inquiry. Thus the pleasant summer months glided by, the rains of autumn filled the water tanks with a plentiful supply, and there was no further need of Archie's daily visits. Sometimes in the early mornings the Captain would "drop in " to inquire after Aunt Rachel, or in the pleasant twilight, among the deepening tints of autumnal beauty, Archie would wander through the^reen lanes,till,quite by chance, he f«und himself at Miss Flidgett's gate, when, of course, he would not like to pass, but must enter with some suddenly-remem bered message from the Captain, or some fresh curiosity of Nature to show Miss Namie. Oft times Miss Rachel would ques tion her own heart as to the advisability of revealing the story of her little foundling, but involuntarily shrank from doing so. Clinging to her with almost maternal affec tion, she could not bear the idea of dis pelling the illusion that she was indeed her only living relative and natural guardian. Meanwhile, Archie having expressed a wish "to take holy orders," the Captain decided that the lad should go to college forthwith, and to Miss Rachel's secret satisfaction the young people were parted for a while. Miss Carthrew shared her friend's feeling in thiß matter, and exerted all her powers to turn the channel of Namie's thoughts into another direction than that of her absent "knight." " The girl vras too young yet to think of love," said Rachel to herself; "it was only natural that she should regard Archie Campbell as a friend, her acquaintances in this quiet place being so few." Towards the beginning of winter there came a letter from England telling of Adam's safe arrival, and of many embarrassing circum stances that had arisen respecting the pro perty. In the secret drawer of an old cabinet there had been discovered a MS. purporting to be written by the late Reuben Flidgett some few months before his death, the contents of which had caused Adam great anxiety and perturbation of mind. He, Reuben Flidgett, thereby declared that some time before his father's death he had married a maiden, who, although below his position as the eldest son of a wealthy squire, was his superior in all else save this important point. He had loved her well; but, through fear of his father's displeasure, had married her secretly. By-and-by complications and dissensions had arisen, which had re sulted in their ultimate separation, the young wife refusing to remain unacknow ledged any longer. She claimed this recog nition on behalf of her infant child, the law ful heiress of Oakleigh ; and, after a scene of violent altercation, in which Reuben vainly urged her to wait until after his father's death, she suddenly disappeared with her little one, and never since had the repentant husband been able to discover her hiding-place. This had been the death blow to Reuben's happiness, for he had truly loved his young wife ; though he had lacked moral courage to face his proud father's displeasure at this misalliance. The MS. further set forth the writer's firm con viction that the child, if not her hapless young mother, lived; and strictly enjoined his brother Adam, the succeeding heir, to prose cute all possible inquiries on her account; and, if successful in finding her, to hold the estate in trust for her until she came of age, when the entire property, with the exception of a liberal legacy to Adam and Rachel, waa to revert to the young heiress.

All this Adam wrote to his sister, ex pressing his undisguised regret that such a paper should ever have been found, and his conviction that "neither mother or child would ever turn up " to dispute his claim. Yet it was evident thatjhis mind was greatly disturbed by the fear lest his newly acquired treasure should be wrested from his grasp, and Rachel knew that, although her brother was living in ailluence and luxury, this " canker i' the bud "was under mining his happiness, and embittering every draught he quaffed from the gilded chalice of prosperity.

CHAPTER V. " SILVER GKKY." It was a dreary winter evening. The wind whistled round the angles of Ecoria Cottage, and drove the heavy raindrops against the window-panes with every angry gust. Miss Rachel sat in her easy chuir, watching the swaying branches of the leaf less trees ; her knitting lay idly in her lap as she indulged in a reverie of the past. For just eighteen years ago this night little Namie had been left on the threshold of Adam Flidgett's dwelling, unloved, un cared for, till the tender heart that still throbbed with fondest love for her took her into its kindly shelter. " Eighteen years," mused Miss Rachel, " how quickly they have passed ; I have always called this day her birthday, and the child knows nothing more. I wonder whether we shall ever know her real name and parentage?" Tho dull light of the sombre July evening was fast fading, and Miss Rachel bethought her of the necessity of replenishing the fire. "How late for Namie to stay out," was her reflection as she piled on tne logs and lit the lamp, preparatory to laying the tea table, when at the moment a quick rat-tat was heard at the door. "The Captain !" exclaimed Miss Rachel, " what can be his errand upon such a wet evening 5" hasten ing to admit her visitor. " Good evening/ said the old gentleman, as he entered ;" I fear I have taken you by surprise; but a little bird told me it was Miss Namic'.s birtmiight, to 1 have come to drink tea with you, if you will accept the company of .such a bluff old fellow as I, and to offer the young lady a slight token of my esteem." "Indeed, Captain," replied Miss Rachel, "you are always a vvelcome guest, but I wondered to see you out on such a rough evening. Namie is not in at present. She went over to see Dame Green's sick child this afternoon, and take it some tempting morsel she had prepared, and she is staying rather late." "I will just step over, then, and bring her home," said the Captain, "I have a larger umbrella than common—'twill shelter her well. I know Dame Green. Her wretch of a husband (pardon my strong words, but ho deserves no better name) has abandoned himself to drink and his family to want. I hardly know how the poor soul makes both ends meet." He did not say most of the food the poor woman had for her three children this hard weather came from his own table, or that he had, that very day, sent her a ton of fire wood ; but hurried out again to fetch his favourite home underhis capacious umbrella. Arrived at Dame Green's cottage, or—more properly speaking—whare, he tapped at the low door, and entered. There sat Namie, beside the fire, nursing the little sufferer, whose hectic cheek and fevered limbs told their silent tale of suffering. The other children sat beside her, while the mother busily prepared their supper, with anxious, troubled, though grateful, glances at Namie and the little ones. " Well, Dame," cried the old gentleman ; "what have we here, eh? Little Patty sick 5" " Yes, indeed, sir," replied the mother; "and what I'd do only for Miss Namie's kindness, I don't know. Peggie sat up with me last night, and Miss Rachel has been so good making bits of things to tempt Patty to eat." " Oh, Captain Cartwright," cried Namie, "I am so glad you have come. I did so wish to let auntie know how ill the poor child is, and ask her leave to stay all night with her. Poor Mrs Green is so worn-out with watching these three nights that if she does not get a little rest she will be ill too ; and then who will look after them all ':" "Just hear her now," exclaimed the poor mother. Indeed, Miss Namie, you must not do that; yell be eick yourself if you do. Just go home now with the Captain, and give my best thanks to Miss Rachel for the jelly she sent. She will be lonely -without you while Miss Carthrew is in Auckland." "We quite expected her home to-day," replied Namie ; " indeed, it is just powible that she may have arrived by the lai.': :bus. Auntie would not he lonely with Peggy, and perhaps," she added naively, "Captain Cartwright would stay the evening'with her." " Yes, little one," replied the old gentle man, "Ihadintendeddosoinany case; butas a certain young lady was the heroine of the evening, it was her whom we all were delighted to honour." "It is your birthnight, Miss Namie," said Mrs Green; '' indeed you must not stay," and she attempted to take the child from Namie'B arms, but the little hot hands clung to her dress, and the feoblo voice pleaded to "stop wid Miss Namie, it was so com-fa-ble ;" till the young nurse prevailed on the mother "to let her be awhile," and requested the Captain kindly to ask Miss Rachel to allow her to stay. The old gentleman saw the state of affairs at once, and with words of kindly cheer to the poor woman, he left the house and returned to Ecoria Cottage. Divesting himself of his great coat, he explained matters to Miss Rachel, declaring "that it was a great shame the child's birthnight should be spoiled, but that she was drawing down a richer blessing for herself in thus helping those who were in trouble." "I will go for her again in an hour or two," he added ; " I doii't think it right she should stay all night, and if the child is not better I will watch with the mother till the morning." " Indeed, I cannot allow you to do that," replied Miss Rachel; " Has the doctor been to see the child to-day !" "Yes; and he says to-night will be the crisis. He has done all he can for tho poor little thing. How fond it is of Namie !" "Yes," rejoined Miss Rachel; " Patty has always been a pet of Namie's; but she has a strange charm with children. She has made friencU with allot them about here, and will often stay to talk to one or another in the road till she quite wins them over." "God bless her!" exclaimed tho old gentleman. "llaay years of happiness be hers, and richer blessings than we can ask, for she is one of the loving souls who live not to this world alone." '' I believe in Christianity, madam, "he continued, "that shows itself in gentle words and loving deeds ; that seeks to follow the example of Him whose life was one long service of love ; but I cannot recognise the counterfeit article that professes so much charity and yet leaves out the two great ingredients—love and self-sacrifice." "I quite concur with you in that senti ment, Captain," -c&id a voice, and there in the doorway stood no less a personage than > Miss Carthrew, who bad entered by Peggies |

special domain, and having dispensed with her wet ulster, &c, had proceeded to an nounce herself in the parlour.

"Oh ! Miss Carthrew," exclaimed the Captain, "I did not think you could pos sibly arrive this wet evening; you must have had an unpleasant journey." "Well, certainly it was rather wet, but not sufficiently inclement to deter me from returning this evening-," replied Miss Car threw. "Of course, you expected me, Rachel ?" 6he added, coming up to the tea table and taking her accustomed seat. "Yes, dear," replied Miss Rachel, "until evening cloned in, when I thought, perhaps, you had been detained in Auckland and had missed the 'bus." " You were quite correct in your con jecture," was the reply 1"I did miss that extraordinary vehicle ; but to remedy that misfortune I hired a cab, as I did not wish to be absent on Namie's birthnight. By the way, where is our little Namie, Rachel ?" " She is absent on an errand of kindness, Esther," replied Miss Rachel. "Dame Green has a little one very ill ; indeed, 'tis Namie's peculiar pet, little Patty, who is suffering severely with worm fever." " And Namieis nursing her?" interrupted Miss Carthrew. "Give me a cup of tea, Rachel, and I will step over ;it lias ceased raining. The girl will be quite wearied out, and on her birthnight too : but I'll undertake the charge of the patient now, and send Namie home." "She begged to be allowed to stay," remarked the Captain. "The child clings to her so ; and I hare promised to fetch her in an hour or two." " Very well," replied Miss Carthrew, " do so, pler.se, Captain, and I will relieve guard. Only fancy, our little Nainie in the role of sick nurse !" "She is a very efficient one, too," said the old gentleman, " according to Dame Green's statement, especially with child ren." "I do not doubt it," said Miss Car threw ; " she has a true, unseliish nature— there is the foundation of a nobic character in our little Narnie. I believe, with careful culture nnd nnder favourable auspices, she will develop into a splendid woman." "Thank God," murmured Miss Kachel softly, as tears of genuine affection gathered in her eyes; "bread cast upon the waters shall be found after many days." For a few moments there was silence, save for the clicking of the tea-cups, or the merry crackle of the burning logs. Miss Rachel sipped her tea contemplatively; the Captain evidently enjoyed his toasted tea-cake. " Another cup of tea, Captain '. asked his hostess at length. " No, I thank you," was the reply; "I have done splendidly. I only want little. Namie's company to be most supremely comfortable." "Dear child," said Miss Rachel, "she would not let me go over to Dame Green's to-day, as I had suffered so with my head last night, bat I really fear she will be overdone." "She has never been very robust; indeed, as a child she was often rather delicate, but I thank God, who has allowed me to keep her until now, for life would be dreary indeed without my little Mamie's love." "Ah ! you are rewarded for your care of the orphan, Miss Rachel," replied the old gentleman, "for such I presume she is, having never heard either of you mention her parents." Miss Rachel did not reply for a moment ; then with sudden earnestness, she ex claimed— "Esther, I am strongly tem|3ted to tell our friend the Captain the story we have ke.pt secret so many years. Do you not think it would be advisable to take him into our confidence for special reasons it" "I have long thought so, Rachel," re plied Miss Carthrew, but I hardly liked to propose it to you. The time approaches when it must no longer be preserved a secret, even from Namie herself." The old gentleman became much in terested, and Miss Rachel proceeded, " Captain, you will doubtless be surprised to hear that Namie, or ' Agnes,' as fhe is rightly called, does not herself know her parentage. She thinks she is my niece, but it is not so. She was sent to me by One who careth for the sparrows—laid upon my doorstep, helpless, forsaken, just eighteen years ago this very night. Nobody's dar ling, she has crept into my heart, that so needed something to love, and I have never told her the truth, fearing lest, the sweet delusion ended, she might no longer regard herself as my darling, and I might lose my hold of her affections." The Captain's speon remained balanced in his cup, while his honest grey eyes ex pressed his astonishment as Miss Rachel re lated the whole of the circumstances con nected with her young pi'olcgc, and appealed to him for advice in the matter of telling Namie the true state of affairs. " I have been thinking of another matter, too," added the lady, slowly. "It is evident that between Archie and Namie an attach ment is surely springing up that, perhaps, ought not to be allowed to grow in this peculiar case." "This idea has often given me sincere pleasure," replied the Captain ; "although they are both too young to think of marriage yet ; but I shou'd certainly advise the cautious revealing of the truth, especially as it may relate to this circumstance. Archie, my only .sister's only child, is a noble fellow, and would think none the less of ' his darling ' for the knowledge of this ; and, if I mistake not, Namie will but cling the closer to the hand that rescued her from neglect and abandonment. Who would have thought it ? bless my buttons ! but it strikes me very forcibly that we shall yet discover the parentage of the child, and that there will be some mysterious due to this seeming heartless desertion of earth's closest relationships. Well, well ;so our pretty Namie is ' Nameless.' Who would have thought it ? bless my buttons I" The impulsive old gentleman seized Miss Rachel's hand with sudden fervour, adding earnestly, "Friend, I thank you for this confidence, and in return for it (if it would interest jiou to know the sorrows of a lonely old man) I will tell you the story of my life." Miss Cnrthrew had left the room to as certain from Peggie the certainty of a tempting little supper for Namie, and to unpack various art treasures she hod brought home. "Esther has gone to 'her donas she calls it," remarked Rachel; "I dare say she is anxious for the safety of her curios ; if it will not grieve you, I should indeed like to hear your story." The old gentle man drew his chair nearer the glowing tiro, and proceeded: " I was a wild lad in my youth, and re fused to work at my father's trade, to his great disappointment and poor mother's sorrow, for she had ,% great dread of a sol dier's life for me, and that was the life I had chosen for myself. I enlisted, was drafted out to India, served there some years, got sent home invalided Justin time to receive my poor mother's dying blessing. We buried her, and a few months later my father lay beside her in tho quiet church yard of that pretty village. My brother succeeded to the business, offered me a share, but I wos far too restless to settle down to work, so as soon as my health was [ recruited, I rejoineil my regiment, and soon

after was drafted to New Zealand. The excitement of the war aroused ray ambition. I determined to distinguish myself. In time, I did so ; was promoted, and rc.-oto the rank of Captain, when I was made pay master. Then camo temptation. During a short stay in Auckland I had met andi fallen in love with a noble girl, who, 1 soon found, riciprocated my afiec'ion. But her parents being wealthy people, of course wished their only daughter to form a higher alliance. Bless my buttons, what store folks set on gold-dust ! Well, Silver and I, (did I fcell you her name was Silver Gray?) determined to remain true to each other to wait and trust. But I grew impatient. I loved her so ; I dreaded the influence of others upon my darling's sus ceptible heart, and I devieed a plan (nh ! what a fool was I !) whereby to obtain the wealth I needed. I have said that I was then paymaster ; and 1 resolved to purloin and secrete from time to time certain money from the Government purse in such a man ner as to elude suspicion, yet to be perfectly secure. I chose the bottom of a water tank as the hiding-place of my stolen treasure; and there I hid the gold (all gold) I had thus meanly appropriated. Some time passed. I thought 1 was safe ; but at length suspicions were aroused. I was arrested, and lodged in gaol. Poor Silver! She was heart-broken at first; but, protesting that I was innocent, sho insisted on riding daily to the gaol to visit me, iit spite of the threats and entreaties of her friends. Strange enough, the charge was never proved against me, although the gold, which amounted to £350, was discovered in the bottom of the tank. I was discharged ; and that very day, although to her I had acknowledged my guilt, Silver laid her little hand in mine, and we wore quietly married. I was so far dishonoured that I was expelled from the regiment, and I knew not where to seek a home with my young wife. Ido not excuse myself. I was a mean, detestable knave; utterly unde serving of the loving trust of the loyul heart that beat so truly for my saktJ Yet I often question the justice of the laws that permit the wholesale robbery of the people's birthright, the land that God gave to man for an heritage. I deserved blame and punishment for deducting this mouey from the pay of Government servants ; but why do these sleek, aristocratic robber* go in and out blameless and prosperous ? Why, bless my buttons ! the men are blind who vote these land-ringers into office, and allow the splendid land of this fine country, that should be the portion of the sons of toil,to be monopolised by capital ists, who fatten upon the labour of the pro ducer. But I am wandering. Kxcuse an old man yielding to sudden impluse, and speaking out of the fulness of his heart, 'Tis said ' these matters are not ladies' affairs,' but it strikes me that until the ladies do take up the cudgels, and our youth are trained in their own homes, and taught the secret of universal poverty amid accumulated wealth, we shall never make much progress towards universal proa perity."

" You should talk to Esther about this," exclaimed Miss Rachel. " She is an ardent admirer of Mr George's principles, as set forth in his book ' Progress and Poverty,' and her noble mind can grasp high things, and unravel intricate problems, that such quiet folks as I cannot understand or fathom."

" I only wish she would take up this question as a study," replied the Capt-ain, eagerly; "'tis anoble cause,the emancipation of labour from the tyranny of Wealth. But to resume my story. About this time there was a new rush in another province, and I hurried thither with my young wife, bravo fj;irl that she was. We had to rough it for a time, but after a while I had a run of luck, and was able to count my thousands into my darling's lap. 'Twos for her sake I wished for riches, and ] can tell you we camu back to Auckland in grand style. 'That little affair' was quite forgotten, wiped out, covered over with gold-dust, ami we were received like returning prodigals, with open arms. We purchased a nice little property in Auckland, and my Silver resumed her proper position in society. B!et;s her, siie was my guardian angel. 1 could not lean 'to the luff while she was by my side. Ey-and-by, a greater joy came to our hearts. A little son was given to us, the pride of our lovely home. Bless my but tons ! What a child ! Our little Colin had his mothor's fair hair, aud blue eyes, though folks persisted in saying 'he was the image of his father,' but he was a splendid little chap. Well, the years rolled quickly by ; Auckland became a prosperous .town ; our boy a young man, while his mother and I began to show gray hairs. He was our only child, and perhaps in our fondness we had over indulged him. However that may have been, poor Colin was always getting into trouble, and his mother was always getting him out. The natives rose again; Colin was drawn for the militia, and I for the Contingent ; and the day we bade his mother good-bye closed the laafc chapter of that happy first volume. Bless my buttons ! how proud I was of him, though. He looked so noble in his regimentals, he was so gay, so universally admired. 'A pro mising young fellow, ' said an ctticer to mo one night; 'he will 6Gon rise.' Alas poor Colin!" (and the old man's voice faltered) " his rise was quick, his fall wan sudden. In a mad fray at the billiard-table over some fancied insult, his hot, young blood rose, and he fired at a fellow-officer, it was supposed fatally wounding him, but the man ultimately recovered. He escaped justice, but to this day I know nothing more of the fate of my poor, wilful boy. His mother never smiled again. The reefc of her life was spent in watching and pray ing for his return, and her last breath in a blessing for her erring boy. Just two years after that sad day, I laid poor Silver in her last resting-place. Sorrow had streaked the fair hair with grey, and ploughed many o furrow across the broad, cairn brow ; but the dear heart beat warm and true to the last breath ; and 1 feel her presence near me very often as J sit in my lonely home, waiting, still watching, for Coliu's return,"

The old man ceased, while down his fnr rowed check the tears flowed fast and silently.

Miss Rachel had sunk on her knees besidehim,andhidde;i her facein herhands. Presently she raised such a tear-stained pain-drawn face, and inquired eagerly, "Captain, how many years is it since Colin went away ?"

"Bless my buttons !" cried the old man, " it seems so long, it seems a whole life time since his mother died, but it is twenty years ago, Miss I'achel, since my boy went away."

Then a sudden shyness seemed to seizo Miss Rachel, as she murmured softly to herself, "Colin, come home to thy father and—mo ;" while a soft tint of colour rose to cheek and brow as she met the old gentle man's inquiring gaze, and answered it by seizing his wrinkled hand, and letting her tears fall upon it, as she said gontly : _ " Yes, I loved him too; he asked me to be his wife the very day before it happened." " Was it so?" cried the Captain excitedly ; ."then you are the 'Rachel' whose name is mentioned ia an unfinished letter we found in his desk? Poor child, yon have suffered,- and if he lives, as something tell me he does, he is* suffering too. Bless my buttons! you are almost my daughter

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, SEPTEMBER 29, 1883.

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