VELLA VERNELL: OR, AN AMAZING MARRIAGE.

By Mrs SoaSSS Hayden,

Author o£ "Little Goldio," "The Midnight Marriflse,*" '"Goraldinc," etc, etc.

CHAPTER IX.

A STRANGE BRIDAL,

And all theao thinßs were and wore not!' —Tennyson.

In* the drawing-room belosv wore oa simblod a very few intimate friends. Mr Clnllin, in broadcloth and diamonds, waa ri. i ulously roay and radiant. Ho nooded but a powdering of snow and a sprig of lio lv to look like the King Christmas of chimney fame. Tho guests with a doublo moaning whispered " December I" The twi.lo nppoared palo, drooping, but very graceful and lovely, notwithstanding. Her co.tuuio of silver-grey was a marvel of quiet elogonco. Tho wide plumed hat to match smiled the fair faco. Tho fourth linger of the left glovo waa ripped as is customary. Tlie minister stood waiting. Bride and advanced. The guests formed

:i si mi-circle. A few words, questions, re -I' ui-'os, then it was all over.

Tho bride turned to Aunt Dorothy, kissed her once, twice, many times, then rol.-ip.od into silence and listlessncss. Then

followed a sojourn to tho dining-room. There was much glitter of silvor, sparkle ■it cut glass, popping of champagne corka, buzzing of conversation, congratulations of ■tho guests, hilarity on tho part of tho groom, oxuborant satisfaction on that of Colonel Vornoll, tho gonoral pandemonium, which, in however small a gathering, follows a woddii g. Some one suddonly discovered it was very late. Thoy would miss tho train. 'They must make hasto. Tlio carriago was i-tthouoor. Tho tnmks wore all up, yes. And now, good-by, and good-luck ! And where was tho nioco? And who would volunteer a slippor, what solf-contidont Cinderella? And now tho hasty farewells w.rj said. And now tho brido takos hor husband s arm. They run down tho etopa. Thoy are in tho carriage, Tho steps are white with rico. Tho driver cracks hia whip importantly. Tho horsoa strain. The wheels turn. They are oil. And in tho house they leavo the spasmodic and fictitious gaiety goesoof like n snuffed canals. The few women whisper to each othor that it is a sacrifice. And the mon de clare confidentially that it is a beastly shame. Colonel Vorncll alono is jubilant. Voyle's absence is plausibly explained. Soon all disband, finding tho excitement of half an hour ago Hat and doad as yesterday's cham pagne. And little Aunt Dorothy creeps .away to her room, leaving Vornell sitting in solitary state and satisfaction over hia bottlo of Cu.acoa, creeps away to sob, and shako, and weep till her poor old eyas are dim and weary.

Meanwhile at Madison-street and Wabash Avenue the bridal equippage comos to . full stop. Jonaa looks out.

"What are you stopping for! Go on!" he shouts.

" Can't, sir ! Cant get through. There's somo kind of a row."

Sure enough, Tho carriage ia densely surrounded.

"Go back then. Go round by State street !" he yells. "Can't do that neither, sir. Can't get out at all. It's a fire, Have to wait till the engines pass." And wait they do. When the engines hove passed Jonas pulls out his watch and consults it. Again he leans out of the window.

" It's too late to try and make the train now. Drive to the Palmer House."

There at tho desk he makes inquiriea. Yes, the bridal apartments on the first floor are unoccupied. He may have them. Mra Claflin playfully takes the koys from hia hand aa they go up in the elevator. At the door of tho magnificent suit she turnß to him coolly. " Good-night. You will ploaso procure another room." _"■ What!" 'Ho s, taggers back blankly. " I say you shall not enter i" And now the voice that spooks is ourlously doep and resolute. " Good heavens, Vella 1 Don't bo foolish, child. You're my wife now, you know." It is well the long corridor is deserted. "If I am," in eudden paasion, "you know what has made me such—fraud, .scheming, foulest treachery. If as you aay I am your wifo, I Bhall be—liaton, Jonas ■Ckflin, listen!" for he actually shrinks away from that death-white face, those Homing eyes, "if I am, as aurely aa there is a heaven above ua I ahall be your wife in namo only—now go !" There is tho swish of ailvery draperies. Tho door oloaes. The key turna—clicks —locks,

CHAPTER X

" You will not compasß your poor ends, not you,

A LEAF FKOM THE PA9T,

Ei B. Browning. Without an eerio wind was rising. With in, for hours, there had been no sound. The wax-lights on the mirrored cherry sideboard sputtered down in their Bilver sconces. The curacoa bottle was empty. And still James Vernell sat at the head of the deserted table i twirling his glass, and gazing into apace with half-stupid but exultant eyes.

He was safe. For tho firat time he felt secure. Jonas had got all he wanted. He wouldn't break his word. His last words had been: "It's all right, Vernell. Vella's kiss will seal my lips for ever." Memory'a shallpp onoe fairly launched, it drifted back—back. Back to the dayß when ho and Will had been lada together. Several yeara his junior was Will, and a wild, hand eomo, big-hearted, devil-may-care boy, who one fine morning ran away to sea. Soon afterward an orphan couain sought the ahelter of the old homestead—a gentle, 3weet-faeed, low-voiced girl, with a smile like sudden sunshine. Straightway he had fallen in love with her, but she was yet " too young for a dream or thought" of such things, so he said no word. Five years passed. Now it was his courage which failed him. One day, as abruptly and unceremoniously as he had left, Will came home—a bright, breezy, inspiriting presence. And with his coming they all fore_aw juat what would and did happen. When he spoke, it was too They were married, and went back to Will's adopted land, Auatralia. There the following year the children had been born. "What ahall we call them?" Will hod questioned. . ... , . . . And Muriel, who, liko most women, had in her composition a good deal of sentiment, and a shade of Bupersti-ion, had answered : " There ia on old East Indian legend I onco read which avowa that good fortune waits on twina who bear the names of Voyle and Vella. In caae of threatened evil to one, the love of the other is sure to avert dißaater." Will had Bhoken hia head disaentmgly, pondered, and acquieaced. "I had thought of giving them our namor, These are very fantastic." " That is why I want them. I think it is shameful to brand a poor baby with aa un lovely name when lovely ones are juat as get-at-able." .... . , , Ho had laughed at the coined word. "As you will, little woman. They alliterate nicely with Vernell, anyhow." And that had settled it. Will had made money in Australia hand over list. Two yeara later he came back to Now York and erected a magnificent home. But, with their occupation of it, an unin vited guest also took up hie residence there in— fovor. Muriel died. From the day of her death Will was a changed man. He lost strength and vitality. Tho doctors gave liia disease a learned name. It aerved the purpoaeaa well a8 any other. Lonoliness, or heart-hunger, would hove been more ac curate, if displaying less erudition. Five yeara later both were endod. Before hia death ho aent for hia brother, and to his care confided the little ones, with a full and explicit statement of his affairs, financial and otherwise. Ho had been a poor man the day he had re ceived the telegram, "William Vernell is dying." A few months later in Chicago whore directly no questions are asked—he built a palace andinatalledhissiaterDorothy —a little old maid, older even than he- Ten years went by. In that time ho had prospered beyond his highest hopes. His apeculations were one marvellous round of successes. He came to be known aa "the lucky colonel." All he touched turned to gold. But one day—just six months ago it was—Jonas Clafliii called. He had just re turned from Australia. He coolly locked tho library door, sat down facing tho colonel, mid deliberately sot himself to ask the latter some very direct, pertinent, embarrassing questions. A*d the colonel, taken un-

nwarcs, and becoming, as the saying is, " rattled," as good 'aa verified the well grounded suspicions of Mr Clallin on tho apot.

■' I'll mako restitution if you don't expose mo publicly," ho had protested, fervently. "I'll give it back to thorn—every cent I

"Hold up. I don't want your money, darn it 1 l'vo got enough of my own. As to tho boy's getting any of it, I'm not sufficiently philanthropic to care a con tinental about that. All I nsk for my ailonco if the girl. If you work this racket successfully for mo-I'm not a good hand at that sort of thing my. nlf--she shall never miss tho wealth sho'n beon swindled out of, and I swear I'll hold my tongue in tho bargain. *'

It has boon a long, closo, hard hand-to hand combat that which followed. But ho had won. It was over now—dono with. Ho would quako no more at a girl'? caprice, for fear it should incur destracti.o .rath. No more. Volla was Mv_ Jonas Clallin now, and ho—ho felt as light, free, invigorated as"a, man released from corporeal thraldom. Now ho would begin to onjoy life; ho war giving too much timo to more money getting. Had he not already as much as— without extraordinary recklo-.ticss—ho could spend in tho rest of his dnya . Ho would not only onjoy life, Hut ho would enjoy it brilliantiv. Ho would da_zlo Chicago. Ho Would build a private art gallery. Ho would p.rchaso fast horses. No team on tho boulevards should boat his— no, sir ! And ho Would—yea, by jingo !ho iro. Mftot married, Tho thought fairly took his fllOnth away. But why shouldn't he. VVas ho to livo alono all hia Hfo because of a memory—a shadow. No! ho would marry, and ho would marry Mrs Cham. Who else would presido over his house with such dash and distinction? Ho admired mature bounty, wit, improssivonoas, lack of gnucherk, ond he wos Buro alio had a sneaking penchant for him yot. She had helped him out bravely, too, In this rieky business. In vory gratitude ho oUght to maVry hor 1 The wind without grew loudor, keener, but he never heard, hooded it.

\ ros, ho told himself again, ho was a happy mr.n, above want, above suspicion, without fear.

Do yon wonder ho a.it thoro lost in reverie, fingering his glass and smiling ': Smile on, dream on ! Though no remorse for tho death-bed promise made your brothor wring your soul—though no regret for the wrong dono an orphan child touch your hardened heart—though you justify all your deeds with tho endless luito you have borno for eighteen years tho brother you played and prayed with and tlio woman you iovod—though Nemo-ia shows not his awful face, and Hope holds out to you hor brightest apples—beware ! for tho beauty you grasp is ruin ! tho sunshine you stretch your arms to, death—all, in Christ's supreme juatico, retribution!

CHAPTER XI,

home again

"Morning camo. Furrowing all tho orient into gold " Sharks. _ are.

Dawn ! Over a great city it broke, cool, fair, silvery. A new day. A coin of pure gold tossed down by God's hand, fresh from Hismlnt, stamped with Ilia image. Another day to bo onnobled, boautitiod, blessed, honoured, cherished, remembered, oxalted, glorified, onjoyed.conaocrated; to bed.cried, bemirod, trampled, ignored, loßt, despised, unrevorenced, even crime - oncrimaoned. Already the city stirred aa may a sleeping lion, grew sentient, restless. Belated revellera boaided Btreot-cara and tumbled into hacks, leadon-eyed and haggard-faced. Now and then flitted by the repellent visage of some nocturnal prowler, owl-like, seeking shadow. Boys of all ages and bkos hurried down to wards the offices of the great "doilioa," somo striding over manhood's threahold, somo mere "bairnies," almost too tiny still to run without tho ateadying guidnnco of a mother's hand, but all tilled with tho spirit of a buay city, ihspirited by its thunder, fired by its progress, ambitious because of its examples.

At the Union depot a train hod just ar rived. It stood on tho wide track, panting, puffing, steaming, like a huge exhausted beast. Diagorging, too. Down its fow steep steps poured travellers—prosperous, poor, shabby-genteel, woory, energetic, wrap-burdened, basket-incumbered. And leaping lightly from the platform, walking rapidly between the high, gaping gates, past the blue-coated, brass buttoned attendants, up tho flight of wide shallow stone stops, across tho tiled entrance floor, through tho massive doors of the " new depot" out on Canal-street, wont Captain Marc Tracy.

At the curb-atone the uaual close files of equippago3 wereatonding, while before them their drivers paraded, cajoled, geaticulated. "Cob, air !" " Hock, air !" " Carriage, eir I"

Tracy shook hia head. To enter a close, atuffy vehicle this glorious morning ! No, indeed ; not he! He felt young, elastic, vigorous—aa if he could walk miles without discomfort or fatigue. Half way to New York he had received a telegram stating the financial enterpriao concerning which he had been summoned had ateadied itself on ita paralytic logs, grown in a raarvelloualy short apace conval escent, and waa now completely out of danger, so there remained no necessity for the continuation of hia journey.

Gladly he hod turned back, back to Chicago—to Volla. And what a wonderful, fair, bright world it was, to bo sure I And what a dear, delightful city, after all, was this aame amoky, dußty, buay, buatling, wicked, lovable Chicaeo! How stolidly cheerful looked the fat old policeman at the corner of Canal and Madison atreots I How much life and followahip, and warm, cloao humanity was suggested by the steady procession beginning to flow down over Madison-itreot Bridge ! A groat deal which at another time he would not have noticed juat now touched Mare Btrangely— touched him, too, aa "romantic, poetic, and tender." The car* crowded with down-town clerks, labourers carrying lunch canß, prompt buai neas men; the few boats on the muddy river; the goaaipy, fusay littlo tugs jerking lakeward great, white, stately, submissive ships J the hum, Btir, commotion—all. And ho heard everything with Buoh eager oara, aaw everything with aueh clear, glad eyes, felt everything with such a quick, gay, thankful heart, bocauso within this big, prosaic town which ho had idealised dwelt a girl who had lifted to his her aweet brown eyes and said in answer to his pleading, " I do love you, Marc —I will love you blways!" And thia mado Chicago heaven. Ah, truly, '• All la brinht, and beauteous, and cloar. And tbemeoncat thlnKinoat precious and dear, AVhen the mogio of lovo ia preaent. Love that lenda a aweetnoaß and graco To tho humblest .pot and the plainest f oco. That turna Wildorneaa Row into Paradise Place. __, And Garlio Hill to Mount Pleasant. Over the bridge he atrode down to Market street, and atill on eaatward. He walked well—a Bimple accomplishment, but one by no means common. The tall, well-knit figure in the grey tweed suit went paat Clark-streot to Dearborn. More than one abatracted countenance broke into a sympathetic smile 88 thehaud some, boyiahly radiant face flashed by. " Youth, youth I" sighed an old man, and ahook his head with tho half-pitying envy of age. ' "My love ahe'a but a lassie yet!" he hummed, blithely, aa he walked.

CHAPTER XII.

A MEETING

" Oh, false heart! oh, woman, woman, Woman, would thy treachery Had been leas I For aurely no man Ever loved aa I love theo!" Owen Meredith. "' A lassie yet—a lassie yet' Here boy, give me a paper I'" , /He took the paper from the diminutive, barefooted newsvendor, and turned down broad, imposing State-street. At Monroe he entered the great rotunda of the Palmer Houee. So early was the hour it was not yet, as it is invariably later in the day, aswarm with people. As he crossed the checkered marblo floor to the office he came face to face with Mr Jonas Claflin, very red-faced, very per turbed-looking.lvery elaborately costumed. The younger man raised bis hat and smilod. Poor old chap! he had been awfully " struck "on Vella. Surely ho who had won her could afford to be generous. Mr Claflin responded to the salutation with a scowl of his dyed eyebrows, and has tened on. Marc glanced after him and laughed. " Civil customer that!" He turned again aa he reached the desk, and sent anothor look backward to the rotund personage ascending .tho stairs with elophantino agility. He was murmuring something under bis dark moustache. •'See ahoraeat-iodoor, . And little King Charley snarling. " Go back, my lord, across the moor, You are not her darling!"

He laughed again, flinging up his head as he repeated :

" Go back, my lord, across tho moor, You aro not hor darling 1" " Rogiater, sir ?'' Ho wheeled round at tho sound of tho clerkys voiVo. "Certainly." As ho walked towards tho olovntor ho Opened his paper. Aa ho aacended ho glancod at ft. And this wa« tho vory first paragraph whirl' met his gaze : "Last evening, at the town residence ot the bride's uncle, Colonel .lames Vornell, by tlio Reverend Doctor Henry, Volla, daughter of the line William ami Muriel Vornoll. to Mr John Clallin, of this city. No curds." There it was, plain as print oould bo. Plain aa daylight. lie road it-. Ho road it over. Ho stood still as stono, his hand clutching tho sheet, his eyes glued to the linos. Ho stood so after tho elevator had stopped, and tho boy hud slid back the door. " Parlour lloor !" What in tho namo of heaven did it moan ? A joke? Of course it was -id list i>o a joke, but it must, lio n cursed bad ono. It waa - " Parlourl'ooV, sir!"

Published ) Hot- sweet name Hunir like a bono to tlio gaping curs of gossip—/ic/v! whoovcr was responsible should answer for it—should answer to him—

'" Parlour lloor, sir !" For tho thirdt imo ho was reminded, and now with a nudge of irritation. "Anything tho mutter, sir';" lie started, roused himself.

" No, no!" hastily, and passed out. Ho wont up tho wido, lofty corridor to tho parlours. Just without ho sank into ono of tho crimson arm-chairs which lined tho hall.

Hia brain wivs In a whirl. Hugo, dis gust, revenge thort) alternated. Novor though for oven ono instant, crodonco. Who was that a little further up tho inter secting corridor, standing immediately without tho doors of ono of the state cham bers? Mr Clallin. Tho door was oponcd from within. A lady oamo out and down tho corridor with him—a lady of about medium height, clad in a rich travelling oostumoof ail very-grey, long ijants tie Suede on her slender hands, a great plumed hut on hor short, crisp, golden curls.

! Marc rose. ilo stood waiting them. Was ho dreaming or going mad ? The muscles round hia heart contracted pain fully. He could fool tho very blood in his i-eins congealing. Ho breathed with diffi culty. They came noarer. Tho laily glanced up, recognised him, started, bowod, snjilod. Piido, tho peremptory instincts of n gentleman, camo to hia aid. Ho lifted hi* hat. A triumphant, dotiant, malignant, sneering, aggressive glare from Clallin— then they had passed on. Mare Tracy stood whore they had left him.

And all ho is conscious of, can think of, sco, hear, fool, is a pure, trustful, childish face, sweet, shy, serious-lifted oyoa, a little, trembling band upon his arm, and a dear voice whispering soft and loiv :

"Idolovo you, Marc. I will lovo you always !"

CHAPTER XIII.

AX EARLY SUMMONS,

" The best laid plans o' mlco and men Bans att agley!" IIITUNS.fi With dawn, a note was recoivod at the station where was confined tho prisoner accused of tho Vcrnoll theft. Since tho oxit of tho prisoner of tho day previous, tho in mate of cell No. 23 had lain on the bod, a coverlet drawn to tho chin. Supper had been rofusod.

" Remorsj I" decided an otlicial. "Sulks!" gruntod another, Bo that as it might, thoro was no longer necessity for retention.

" Tho arrest was an error," tho note in question explained plausibly. "My sister had given tho boy the money and neglected to inform me. This sho was at liborty to do, as the money was hers and only in my hands for safe-keeping. You will please see that tho prisoner is immediately roloaacd, tho unfortunate blunder kept out of the papors, and tho wholo all'air, aa far as pos sible, auppresaed. I am, yours, etc., Jam us D. Vbrxkia." Tho lottor having boon proven authentic, tho prisoner waa informed of tho contents. " Will you do mo a favour ?" Tho arrest was a mistake. It might bo to hia interoat to sorvo ono of tho rich Vornolls. The officer was obsequious ac cordingly. " Yea, air," " Will you go or send at once a message for me ?" "Where?" "To Dearborn Avenuo. tiivo mo a loaf from yout notebook and a pencil. " I'll write a lino. Pleaso get mo a drink of water,." When he had gone, n hnnd reached from under tho coverlet took up the pencil and bit of paper, laid tho latter against tho wall, and wrote rapidly : " Don't wait to question or wonder, but come to mo. For my aako —for Mare'a aoke* —Heaven's aako, como at once. V. VERMK_t,." Tho noto lay folded on tho counterpane when tho man returned.

"Tho water? Thanks. Loavo it there, No, I don't wish to go till after I havo seen tho lady to whom this is addrosaed. You will see that it is dolivored as soon aa possible ?" "As soon aa posaiblo !" in briak repeti tion. And he waa gono. Mra Sylvio, turning ovor from her morn ing nap, waa awakened by a knock at tho door. She rose, flung on a wroppor, and opened it. Hor moid atood boforo nor with a scrap of folded papor. She took it—read it. "Velio's writing!" aho cried. Como to her? Whot ia tho troublo at homo? " For Marc'a eako—Hoavon'a Bako 1 Is the child daft?"

" The messenger aay a, ma'am, it's from tho Harriaon-street atation. Mr Vernell ie there under arreat."

Mra Sylvio'a bluo eyea, atill heavy with sleep, widened. "Undor arrest? Mr Vernell. That ox plains a littlo. Then it is Voylo 1 Do they ovon writo alike ? Now, what acrapo has the lad got into ? How can I sorvo him ? Why on onrth doean't ho aond for hia undo inatead of mo ? Tell tho moasongor to aay I'll cO. And, Jano, havo Robert waked, and tell hifn I want tho coupe. Then come back and holp mo to droBH. Bless my heart, what a tragical littlo lottor, and," with a yawn, "how I do wish it had come just thirty minutes later !" In twenty minutoa aho was dreasod and ready to go. Iter husband openod his eyea, and struggled stupidly back from the land of Nod aa she bent ovor him,

"By-by, Ed—l'm off " By birth a Cuban, ho had been christened Eduordo Rodrica, but to hia cheery wife and friends he was simply •'Ed."

"So early? Where?" "I've just got a moat urgent note from young Vornell, sent from tho Harrison atrect station. Ho hoa evidently got into some scrape, and wants my holp to extricate him." "Don't you think you had better lot mo go ? Tho visit is hardly a pleaeant one for a lady." "Blgbs your heart, no! If ho had wanted you ho would havo sent for you. If I should not ace you again before you go down town, remember and secure aeats for the concert to-morrow night. Here's one kißs to enaure recollection, and onofor luck. Good-bye." She wont out into the corridor and down the stairs-a trim, plump figure in her braided brown cloth walking-suit, a bro cadod parasol to match in her chocolate kidded hands, a coquettish little toque on her head.

As she opened the door to pass out she recoiled with a cry of surprise— "Marc 1"

CHAPTER XIV,

"good-bye !"

" Shall I porish with the whole Of the coming yeara in view Unottompted 1 To the soul Every hour brinns something new. Still suna rise; atill ogea roll. Still aomo deed ia left to do. Some—but what 1 Small matter now! For one lily for her hair. For one rose to wreath her brow, For one gem to aparkle there, I had—worda, old words, I know— What was I that ahe should care!" Lytton. He was coming up the steps. " When did you return ? Or is it poaaiblc you did not go to New York after all? Why. of course, you hove not had time to '■" She broke off abruptly. " What is tho matter?" He had just lifted Ida face. It startled her. It was white as death. Tho vory lips under the heavy moustache wore ashen. His bluo eyes had a curiously dry, bright, dilated look about them. Ho pushed paat her into the drawing room. Full of alarm and amazement, she followed him.

Ho tumoi, and, still without a word, hold forth tho papor to her, pointmg to ono paragraph. His hand did not tromblo, but aa sho took tho sheet from him she noticed that tho fingers sho touched wore icy cold.

Her glance foil to tho spot indicnted. She road tho lines. Tho paper fell to tho floor. (_io Btooil a moniout as if dazed, then broko out in vehement assertions, con tradictions.

"It is a joko —a horrid practical joko — don't you soo? It is a slmmo—it—" His lilted hand stemmed the verbal torrent. "Itis no joko. It is true. It is not an hour since thoy passed mo in tho corridor of tho Palmer." "Marc!" For the life of hor sho could utter no other word. He smiled. Sho would rather ho had wopt 'Do you romoiiibor tho refrain of that cynical litflo song you used to sing? ' l.'uiiioiir fait bctuieuup, nuns Vargent fait tort.' That is the explanation. 'Love does much, but money does everything.' Lovo !" ho repeated. " Mart: !" reiterated hi. sister, feebly. A Hash leaped into his eves, " We ivero to havo been married," ho said, speaking in n low voire, but every iiiiiilal white heal, quivering intense with pain and passion. "She said sho loved mo. We," with a harsh laugh, "aro easily duped, we men. Wo niiiko the gross error of believing a woman. Sho vowed sho would love mo always. That was the very night before I left. Do you know how long to lior was 'always?' Three days!"

Was that tho man who had leaped gayly from tho train and walked with such a brisk trend down Bast Mndison-stroot but a few hours before—who had sung Burns's niorry ballad through sheet' glad-liearteditoss as ho swung along, and doomod Chicago a parodiao boeauso it harboured an nngol— this palo-chookcd, lightning-oyed young fellow, protesting against lovo, and truth, und trust botruyed ?

" I can't think it is ao. I was just going to see V'oylo. Wo hoard nover a word. Wo "

Sho stopped. A lump in hor throat ehokod her ; her tears blinded hor. Sho loved her brother dearly. She was so happy n few days ago when ho had told her his . ocrct. Tho sight of Ida niisory now was like death to hor. With an olfert ho controlled him.olf. Ho eanio a step nearer, put his arm round her, bent his head and kissed her. "tiood-liyo, Lucie. lam going away." "Away!"—blankly. " Whoro?" "Where? I don't know; and, by Heaven," llatniug out recklessly, "I don't euro !" Sho broko down in a fit of sobbing. "Oh, Marc! Mare!" " Don't worry, dear. You aro tho only ono that knows, or that will know. I -ho'ii't go round ranting about my sorrow. It is a bad policy to scatter your socrots for public footballs. Good-byo !" But sho clung to him. 110 had atrivon to speak airily to eootho her, but sho saw straight through the effort.

" Don't go yet. Think it over. Perhaps —perhaps— Ah, don't let your fuith in life dio bocaiuo of a woman's falsity—be cause, forsooth, a girl turns down hor dainty thumb, na did Poppaja of old. Bo braver than that, Marc. There are other ivomon " He tore himself from hor clinging arms. " Hush ! Not that ! There never waa a woman in the world for mo till I locked on hoi awcot fare. Tl'oro is not now. Were sho a thousand times a wife, till death there never enn bo !"

Then ho was gone, and Lucie Sylvio slipped to tho tloor, pallid and inert.

CHAPTER XV,

"808 ___U_RBON."

"In my heart l.ietbero whathidileu woman's four there will!" As You Luck It. Etc.HT—nine—ten ! Throe hours had ticked away thoir respoctivo sixty minutoa. Still Mrs Sylvio did not appear in coll No. 23.

All was quid. It was, in this part of the building, too early yet for much bustlo. Tho door stood ajar, literally and legally. l_'e\v noticed the slim, boyish figure which passed through tho gaunt waiting-room and out into the brightening sunshine of tho Soptombor morning. A hack driving by in leisurely fashion was eagerly hailed and quickly entered. It drew up boforo a downtown bunk. " Wait for me," directed tho occupant, alighting. Within, tho blonde little clork bestirred himself in an access of attentive deforaiico at sight of Ilia visitor. "Good -morning, Mr Vornell. What can I do for you, sir?" " You have a trifle of initio in your hands, 1 boliove. Not my imclo's—mine. Throo hundred, is it not'; I wish to uso it to-day." "Certainly. How do you wish it? A chock ? .Notes ':" "Notes, if you ploaso." And then, a few minute. I'itor, " Yes. That is quite correct. Thank you. Good-morning !" Tho cab ro-onterod, tho drivor rocoived tho ordor : "The Clifton House." There arrived, he waa paid and dis missed.

Several in tho rotunda glanced up at tho palo, weary-looking Raph.l-faced young follow approaching tho counter. " Givo me a room. I may havo to loavo suddenly any time this evening, so shall pay iv advance. Luggago?No. Plcoao send a message to mea-soonaapoasiblo. Register? Oh, yes." Tho name' signod, "Rob Hendorson" took tho clovntor. And onco within tho comfortable room and tho door fastened, tho first act of t'n'H same Rob Henderson waa o very strange ono. It waa to tear off tho hat pressod so closely down on the crisp curls, laugh oxultnntly aloud a moment, and then fall faco downward on tho bod, and lio thore aobbing—aobbing, in weak, hyatorical, Womanish faahion.

" Oh, what on ordeal it had beon !—what a night of dread susponee, of self-doubt, of maddening emotiona, of nomoleaa terror— what a night I

Rop-tap-n-tap ! Henderson sprang up, unbolted tho door, oponcd it. A boy atood without, an alort, sharp-eyed, businoss-liko lad of liftcon or thoroabouta. Ho ton-hod his hat, with a glanco of quiet cuiioaity at tho tear reddened oyos übovo. " You sent for mo?'' " Yoa. Como in and ait down while I write you a note for dolivory." Ho did as ho was bidden.

And now camo tho search for papor and pencil. Evidently Mr Hendorson had vory confused ideas as to tho uaual whoroabouta of such nocesearies.

Tho trousora pockots were first examined, tho piatol-pockot, tho watch-pockot, tho coat-pockets. " I'm afraid you will havo to go down to tho desk," began the aaaiduoua seekor. " Ah, hero they ore I" As though acting on a flash of inspiration, a hand had beon thrust inside the vest, and from thence hod abstracted a pencil and notebook.

Tho boy waa doapatchod for an envelope while tho moaaago was boing written. Before ho was intruatod with it ho waa given minute inatructiona. "You are to take this to the addroaa on the cover and as-k for Mias Dorothy Vornoll. If she ia out, say you will call again. You look like a shrewd boy— shrewd enough to mako cure you have the right person before you deliver it. She ia small, and rosy, and old, and plump. If you manage tho affair correctly alio will give you live dollars. I have told her in this note to do so. Ro membor it won't do to give it to some ono who will promise to give it to her. You must do so with your own handa. You understand ? That ia right. Now go 1" And just as good luck would have it, it waa Miss Dorothy herself who oponod tho door to the lad half an hour later. Sho had beon about ascending tho atairs when the shadow on tho stained glass of the vestibule door had caught her oyo, and boing an energetic littlo lady for her years, she had turned promptly and Hung it wide " Ia Miß3 Dorothy Vornell at home ?" " 1 am she."

Ho regarded her critically. Yes, she an swered tho description. Small, plump, rosy old. There was no miatako about it. Ho handed hor the letter, and stood wait ing. , . _ " There is an answer !" he said.

Tho chirography on tho envelope was strange to her. She fumbled in herpocketfor her glosses, produced them, adjusted them, broke the seal, unfolded the Bheet. She started violently. Immediately though, with an effort, ahe recovered herself. The lad' 3 inquisitive 0*7.3 warned her against betrayal. Sho pnt her hand in the pocket of her brown merino dross, and fished tlierefrom her pocket-book. With fingers which trembled in spite of all Miss Dorothy's endeavours to steady them, she pried off tho encircling elastic, and with much seductive clicking abatracted from the interior five shining silver dollars. "Thia is the only answer there is," ahe eaid.

The moasenger thanked her, touched his cap, and ran off. Miss Dorothy thrust tho noto in hor bosom,

"The poor child I tho poor, poor lamb— oh, James ! how-how you startled mo, .lames !"

Startled her ! Startled prosaic, phleg matic, iinouiotional Dorothy ! Colonol Vcrncll, passing through tho hall, .spruce, alert, airy of trend, attired ill light pantaloons, blank cutaway coat, high white hat, snowy Cravat, and Byronie collar, atca roso in his buttonhole, a cigar betwoon hia faultlessly glovodfingers, paused in surprise. " Your noi-vos must bo out of ordor I" ho averred. "Take a tonic 1"

And then ho smiled, and nodded affably, and wont on hia Way. What occasion had he to look grim and lowering this sweet September morning ? What indeed I

And on in Volla's room—Velio's dainty, louoly, desolate little room, Aunt Dorothy sunk into a boribbohed rattan rockor, and ro-reiul tho few nervous, .pleading linos sho hail just received. Sho waanotabonuty, Aunt Dorothy. Even in youth sho had not, been. In disposition she resembled neither of her In'ol hers. Sho was not royally high spirited like Will, nor taciturn and saturnine liko .lames. Shu wit. juet a cheery, ._mmon.pl-.eo sunshiny lillli) old lady, with a heart too big tor hor small body, and ngenerous alacrity in love's son-ice which was apt to give hor rheumatic twinges in all her dear, willing old bones. Now in tho faded blue eyes tciu'H gathered largo and fast. She reused herself suddonly.

■ "What on oarth is coming ovormo? Am I getting daft to sit here bemoaning instead of holping tho child?" Sho made up for lost time. In fifteen minutes she rang tho bell, aa sho stood beside the. mantel, bonnoted, shawled, a hoivy valiso on the floor beside hor. " Eliso, ordor a cub for me—quick. Then come back and take this valiso downstairs."

With wrathful brow tho girl did aa alio was biddon. Tho fact that alio had last night been debarred from assisting at the t.iilet of hor mistress—Miss Dorothy being installed in hor plane—still rankled. A few minutes later a carriage rolled north on Prairie Avoniio to Eighteenth^west to Wabash Avcniio, and north again to Munroo. There it drew up.

Misa Dorothy declined offers of assistance with hor valiso. Sho would have no ono present at Ihe meeting. Third lloor ? Yes. Sho know tho number,

She knocked. Tho door was opened. It closed behind hor as sho entered, laboriously tugging at the valise.

And what do you -iippono that that erratic individual who appears on the hotel register ns Hob Henderson promptly and vigorously does ?

Why, llings a pair of loving arms around Miss Vernoll, and kisses and hugs hor, und trembles, and laughs, and crys, and breaks down laughing and crying together through sheer excitement, and all in one breath, and thus pantingly nddroaaca her : •' Yon did, como—you dear, darling, old Aunt Dolly—and I didn't marry him—did 1 * And I'm not going to—not any ono but Mure—and poor Yoylo—and it's all over, und doos any ono know, and—oh, Aunt 1 Dolly— Aunt Dolly 1" (To be Continued.)

TWO ROBBERS ON A TRAIN

I>ASSENGEKS AT MARYLAND PLUN DERED AT THE PISTOL'S MOUTH.

The Outlaws Colloot Valuablos ol all Sorts and Jump off While Going at High Spood.-Soon Captured with Their Booty.

Baltimoue, Jon. 3.— A apeciol to tho " Morning Herald " from Rising Sun, Md., gives theso dotaila of tho train robbory on tho Baltimore Control Railroad, a branch of tho Philadelphia, Waahingten and IJalti moro Railroad :—When train No, _G, be twoon Baltimore and Oxford, Pa., atoppod at Rising Sun last ovoning at 7.30 o'clock. two men, apparently farm hands, jumped aboard tho cars and quiotly took seats. Tho train consisted of one baggage car, a smoking car, and a passenger coach. Con. doctor X, ].. (lilligon took up the tickets ot tho men on the smoking car. Thoy were bound for Dulmur, tho next station, about five minutoa' ride from Rising Sun.

K. If. Tarring, brakeinun, who was in the smoker, noticed that uno of tho men had a revolver at his bolt, but did not pay any attention to tho fact. The brakesman passed through into tho ladies' or rear car, and when he got to the roar door started to loverso tho seats. As lux straighted him-

Mill' up, after adjusting tho aoata, ho found hi nsclf looking into tho barrel of a pistol, which ono of tho supp.sod countrymen was pointing at him, with tho injunction to " keep quiot." Tho astonished brakomun looked at tho man and at the pistol, and quickly dropped his hnnda to his sides. Meanwhile tho other countryman quietly kopt his soot, attentively looking on, Tho robbor mado a stop toward tho passongors on the car when Tarring mado a movoment forward, but tho countryman, quick as lighting, pointed his woupon, and cried : "Stand quiot, or I'll blow your hoort out."

Tarring romaindod quiot. Tho robbor walked ovor to a colored man and said, "Givo me your monoy nnd jewellery." " Boss, Iso got no jowellory. I'll gib yor all do monoy,'and tho soblo passongor wont down into his pockots. Whilo ho was collecting his funda the robbor walkod over to Mr Gary, editor of tho " Star," at Northeast Md., and covering him with the revolver, demanded Ida monoy Tho editor began to romonatrato, and finally aaid ho had no monoy about him. Tho robbor heeitated, and, glancing round, saw tho coloured man with his right hand extended, clutching a dollar bill, which ho seemed anxious to got rid of. Tho whites of his oyea wero enlarged conaidorably, and ho tromblod liko an aspon. Tho robber walkod ovor to tho waving greonback and Bwopt it in. Going up tho oislo, all tho while having tho brakoraan under covor, ho noticod that Mr Clary woro a watch chain. Ho de manded of tho gontleman : " Hand over that watch."

Mr Gary quickly complied. Moanwhilo a Mr A. C, I'assamoro, a Baltimore and Ohio Railroad contractor, who had consider able monoy about him, sat quietly taking in tho situation, oxpecting to bo called on noxt. Whon Mr Gary handed o.or hie watch Mr I'aseamoro quietly slipped his own into ono of his boots. Tho brakoman, by a dexterous flank movemont, had by this timo succoodod in getting the door of tho wash room, againat which ho was loaning, partly open, and, aoi/.ing an opportunity, quickly jumped ineiie, and, alamming tho door, locked himself in.

All this occurrod in about three minutes. Tho robbora thon went to go through tho oight othor pasaongora on tho train. Ono of them covorod tho crowd with a rovolvor, whilo tho othor loisurely went along the aialo domonding monoy and jowollery, Whon thoy secured all the booty poaaiblo, aggregating in valuo about 700dols or 800 dols, they mado a aimultancous dash for tho roar platform, and just 08 the train begnn to slow down thoy jumped off and plunged into tho woods.

Tho conductor, who was in the smoking car, know nothing of tho affair until ho was told of it at Dolmar by tho brakeman. Tho excitomont when tho affair was mado known waa very great. Tho train waa stopped, when the robbora leaped off, and backed to tho point whoro thoy disappeared. Tho railroad company has instructed all its agonts to look out far the robbers, as it is probable in jumping from the train while" it was going at nearly full spood thoy wcro mora or leas injured, and will likely mako for some Btation on tho Maryland division.

Thoy are doacribed as looking liko countrymen. One is of light complexion, and the other is dark, with a clean- shavon face. Tho latter is iivo feet eight inches tall, and wore a dark overcoat, black alouch hat, and coloured shirt.

Superintendent L.K. Lodge was notified, and aent a special train to Philadelphia for tivo of Pinkerton'B men to work the case. Thoy arrived at 2 o'clock, and in two houra the men were captured and placed in Elk ton gaol. Their namoß are Bud Griffith and William Trainor. They say they live at Brick Meeting House, Cecil County, Md., near where they were captured.

Th. marriage is announced of the Princess Dolgorouki, the morganatic widow of the late Czar, and Count di Avarna, who some time ago resigned the post of Fir-1 Secretary of the Italian Legation in Paris. On the lady's side the union is one of affection and of oxpedioncy also, she having much busi nees to transact in Russia, and fearing tol, return there unless under the protection of a foreign Power. She is still an attractive woman. Her eldest son is the image of the late Czar.

MISTRESS KEZIAH'S PRIDE

A Romance of tho Amorioan Revolution.

In tiik yoar 18-10, whoti tho country was in tho heat and turmoil of a unique and ex citing canvass for the election of a .resident, a gentleman withdrew from business in Now York city to his farm in a quiot nook in upper YVoatchoster county, t'ossossod not only of tho tastes of a litterateur and an tiquary, but of tho mouns of gratifying them, it was hia delight to spond his days in delving into tho traditions with which • lint country so richly abounds. Horotho boisterous energy of the politicians did not reach and the ijustlo of the world seemed never to have penetrated. Among other tales of older times that ho gathered wiia one that so greatly interested him that ho caused v permanent and visible romumbrunco of it to be sot up. This was a plain marblo shaft, placed in tho village burying ground, at tho head of two mounds that wind and ruin and .now had almost levelled to tho natural contour of tho earth. On it was inscribed thoso words : Nathan—l _M-_.h. Hepiiraioil in tilo. Uliitod in Uciali.

Tho story which was thus commemorated was written out by tho gontloman aa follow a :

On one swoot-acontod Sunday morning in Jnuo, in tho year 1771, Pastor Matthews preached to tho congregation assembled in the old brick church on Salem Hill a Sermon than which none of his was more terrible. Tho patriarch know his pooplo well, and it was his way when thoro wore tempests without to urge upon his children tho graces and tho comforts of religion, but if tho sun sliono and the air was wafted into tho church, then fragrant with blossoming clover or the porfumo of tho flowers on the fruit trees, tho awful truths of Calvin wore in argumonts of liflhlies und sixthlios, driven homo with prodigious and dramatic force. On this day Pastor .Matthew., discoursed on tho sinfulness of pride, and to such effect that the farmers nut upright against the straight-backed pews, nor did one of them sleep, while tho matrons hushed tho chil dren with bits of dried and aromatic herbs, and with stern frowns, and pursing of the lips that suggested the word "Hush." it was observed that now and then tho eyos of the preaehor would rest for some moments on v pow just benoath the high perched pulpit, and that it was then in his most powerful tone*, echoed down from tho maasivo sounding board, that ho would deliver awful warnings for tho.o who lived in prido.

Se before tho sermon was finished, the congregation, casting about to lind that ono to whom tho sermon had special application, and being somewhat instructed by the glances from tho pulpit, lixed upon tho young man who sat within this pow aa tho sinner.

Yet tho farmers could not feel that Na than Foster was without provocation for his sin. They rememborcd his splendid mea dow land, that his cattle whore many and prolitablo, that nono of them had fields bo promising of rich harvests in the near at hand, and many of them had reason to know that Nathan was ready to help a neighbour who was in distreas. Nor could tho matrons lind it in their hearts greatly to accuse him of such sin. Ho was well favoured ; nono of tho formers thereabout were so courteous and kind ; he did not patronise nor cause annoyanco by condescending manners, and, without flat tery, ho yet was used to pay those com plimonta to ench that pleased her moat. Thoroforo, though tho matrons knew Nathan to bo a man of pride, yot they werediapoaed to fool annoyed at tho preacher for remind ing them of it, more than displeasure with Nathan for yielding to such anarea of the Evil One.

As for the maids, Nathan had offended none of them, for ho hud beonmoßt cautious and impartial in such attentions as a.hand some fellow of twenty live or six is bound to .-how- to tho maidens of his neighbourhood. So they too were indignant, more or leas according to the nature of each of them, at iho pastor, and thoy coquetted witih their thoughts as they cost furtive glances at this young man, who snt so straight with uplifted oyos on the pulpit. No wonder was it that ho found favour in their eyes. Ho had ix forehead smooth and white as a child's. His cheeks, smooth shaven, were ruddy brown, and tho contour of hia face was as sharply defined as though cut by tho keenest chisel. His jot black hair was gathered, after tlio manner of that day, into a queue. So tall was ho that hia bud waistcoat was visible over tho pew top, and everybody knew that his sinewy logs were oncasod in black silk knee-breeches, with polished buttons at theknoos, and that ho wore black silk stockings and silvor buckles on his alioes.

Nathan, if ho was conscious of the furtive glances that were sent his way, seemed not so to be. He was, in fact, like men of keon intellect, holding silent disputation with tho minister. Ho had not the slightest suspicion that ho was tho chief sinner among thorn. His thought was that in nU that gloomy church there was no one who dwelt more in pride and Was less conscious of it than tho preacher himeolf. There came to Nathan's ear a cry as of cattlo in distress, and ho turned toward the window that ho might look beyond. But his glance did not stray so fur. Ho on ciuntored that which stayod furthor wan dering of his oyos—tho dark and handsome oyes of Mistress Kozinh Husted. This maid sat with her father in ono of tho square boxos which tho architects of that day placed at tho oxtromity of churches, and from which a profilo view of tho preacher was qbtainod. It was a seat that afforded choieo opportunity of glancing about tho church, and so it happened that for a longer time than sho had boon owaro Mfstrc-s Ko.iah had suffered hor eyes to rest on Nathan's features. That sho had dreamily permitted a moid's blush-making thoughts to bo stimulated by her observa tion was beyond doubt, for the aUddennoas with which Nathon turnod that way and tho plump, square mooting of tho eyo to oyo that followed wore all too quickly done for the exorcise of any of tlm arts of con cealment of which Mistress Kozinh was as fully posaossod as any of her mates. Tho colour ran up hor nock to hor chooks liko tho flush of rod tint on a cloud at sunsot. She dropped her oyes in the confused tnnnnor that no art can .simulate, and mado groator betrayal of hor awakened conscious ness by gently reproving hor littlo sister, who sat bosido hor, and who showed somo indignation at tho unmerited constire. But all this was for an instant only. In a tnomont tho maid demurely lifted hor oyos, fixed thorn on tho clergyman, and elowly swayed hor fan of white turkey's fcathors. Littlo more of that sormon hoard Nathan Foster. Though from his youth up ho had often aeon Kezinh'a oyos, and had admired them too, and though bo had kissed horat tho huskings and danced with her at the house rnisinge, and had riddon in the groat box sleigh with hor on moonlight and crisp winter nights, yet now ho seomed to soo her for tho lirst time.

Itevolation camo to Nathan with such suddenness that ho aoomod almost atunncd. "Siater," eaid Nathan a week later aa thoy sat on his porch looking at the sun that waa sotting far away ovor the Hudson. " I am going to tako a wife." Sister Nancy dropped her Bible into her lap, forgot to mark tho toxts of the day's aormons, and fastonod hor wondering eyes on hor brother.

"It will not make any difference with you, Nancy," ho said. " You will live with us just tho same as now. She will bo glad to have you."

"Nathan, don't trillo about aerioua matters."

"Indoon, I speak truth. I shall bring a wife hero, peradvonture, when tho harvest is over." " Who—who is she, Nathan ?" " Mistress Keziah Husted." " I surely did not know that your atten tions to her had been made, Nathan." "Nor have they." " But—why, this is strange, Nathan." "You don't object?" "I! Ah Nathan, not I. You must wed \ aome day. But it ia ao sudden, and yoa havo seemed always to have thought more of the farm and harvests than of gentler matters." " Yet, Bister, I have given this matter much coneideratiou. It has been in my mind all the week, and now I am deter mined." "All the week only? Surely you have not seen Keziah thia week." " No, not till this morning, aince the laßt Lord's day." " You did not apeak to her this morning." " No, for I had not opportunity." " How, then, Nathan, can you speak of bringing her here you brido ? \ou have not even wooed her." "There is no need of that. I will woo her after I have her promise." "Nathan," continued the sister, after some moments of silence, "if I mistake not, your pride mialeada you. Dost think that a maid like Keziah can be had for the asking?

No, no. You little know a country mold's •"what, sfete., 6_.'*>o-i think when I offer her my hand she would dosttlfe to'take it l '-Ifsbodidnot, at such short notice, a sorry wife shod make you." "Nancy," ho said, "not a maid in all this country would refuse mo ill asked. " If you won her, none would ; Dot «ucn a maid us is lit to be your wife, Nathan, must bo won boforo alio can bo had, sou cannot get a worthy sponsors you would got your cattlo, by a bargain. h "Yet I do know that Mistress Koziah thinks well o', mc." . "Then give hor tho happiness ola wooing." , ~ Nathan said no inoro, but when the aim went down ho arranged himself in manner befitting his purpoao, and sot out with a hoart strong with confidence. Not long was his good horse in making tho distance to the home of tho fair Ke/,iah, for, though Nathan's farm was ill the Now York colony, ami that of Kodak's father ovor tho bound ary lino in Connecticut, yot ._ >ir holds ad joined, and their houses were not more than a mile apa.t. Keziah, fiom hor upper window, saw the well-favoured young man fasten his Horse to tho great stone hitohing-post, and, though it was dusk, she perceived that Nathan's dress was that which he UonncJ only on important occasions. What wonder, then, that alio sur mised his meaning, and, to givo slight hint of oncouragom'ont, bedecked herself with such simple finory as tho .fluids of that day possessed ? „ , ■ i "'Tis fine weather, Nathan," alio aaid, as alio entered tho best room, whoro Nathan sat, chatting with her father and her sister. "Aye; so fine that I bethought myself that 'twas long since I paid you a friendly visit." "Indeed it is. But you aro very busy

now." "And havo need to be," said Farmor Hu.tcd. " Tho cropa will be fine thia year, and, Nathan, you will harvest more hay and corn than over." "A fair amount, neighbour, I trow. Tho weather favours you too, mistresa ;" and Nathan made thia first stop with an admiring glance, and his eyes fell upon tho fair neck of tho girl, and her pink blood, and her low, broad fore head, the whiteness of it, and hor other graces, ao that he wondered that he had not hooded them long before, while ho said to himself, "To-night she will pledge her troth to me,"

Now, tho maid's intuition waa keen enough not to misleud her, and though sho was dumure, and sometime.* coy, yet her innocent cunning, stimulated by Nathan's blunt admiration, led her to display to the full hor charms of speech and manner. Sho showed him some of tho family treas ures, but when he drew too near she skilfully placed a tantalising distance between them. When, too, Nathan, in lower tones than waa his custom, began to Bpeak to her, hoping that she would take advantago of hor fathor'a sleepy nodding to return such token of confi dence in kind, the artful maid took aomo innocent occasion to awakon hor father. Sincerely did Nathan wish that tho farmer might betake himaelf to hia bed, but the hints that he made of such wiah fell on un heeding eara. At length, in doapair, Nathan seized, tho family Bible, and, opening to the register wlieroiu were recorded tho birtha, marriages, and deaths, ho placed hia finger on the blank lineß on the marriage page, and aaid, " My name and youra will aoon be written hero." Then when ho looked at her he saw aho amiled, but ao unused was he to a young woman'a way that ho knew not whether it was the smile of assent or of simple amußo ment.

" It shall bo," ho said again. " Perhaps," she answered ; "who knows? Aro you audi a prophotaa to predict thia ?" she added archly. So ho went away that night without greoter eatißfaction, and while Keziah knew aho had a lover, tho young farmer was conscions that he had not yot a promise. Thednys passed until the leaves turned rod and brown, mid the apples were gathered and the corn huakod, and tho fat beoves and awine selected for aiaughtor. In all this timo Nathan had indeed wooed tho mistress of his heart, and many a time had ho urged her to accept his hand. Yet, though ho doubted not that ho ahould posaeas her, ho had opportunity to learn by experience that a maid worth poeaessing desorves the paina and patience of winning.

In tho late fall Nathan Foster was suddenly called upon to make a journey to tho South. Estates of some value that had boon the proporty of kin of his mother were devisod to him. His mother, who was born in England, was found and married in Virginia by his father, and taken thenco to the Westchester homo

On tho ovoning before his departure Nathan said to the girl, "Keziah, I did hopo before thia to have wedded you, but you would not perceivo my meaning and givo mo opportunity. I may bo absent sotno weeks, but when I return then I shall claim yon, for I know you have given me your heart," Sho gave him her hand and suffered him to press it, but she said, " YV'hon you come baok, Nathan, then I will givo you answer." Sho thought to teat hia constancy by absence.

Montliß passed beforo Nathan returned. Tho law'a delay detainod him. While ho was away came the roll of musketry at Lexington that was heard around the world. No more sturdy patriot lived than Farmer Hustcd. Ho was on fire, and, though in that vicinity thoro wore many of his old frioiida who wore loyal to King Goorgo, tho farmer carriod his zoal so far us to coase to spoak, except with contempt, to thoso who did not capouso tho cause of tho coloniea. Of his moar.B and hia time ho gave liborally, and later on served himself in the field.

Ono day hosuid to his daughter: '' Keziah, my child, you uro a comely womon ond will soon, it may bo, bo sought in marriage. Pro mise your father that you will nover wod a Tory. It would break my heart wore you to be separated from your family by a marriage with one not a patriot, and thoro are many well favoured younp men hereabouts of auch dispoaition." Koziah aaid promptly : " I promise you, father, that I will wed no Tory." The maid had given that promiso without cost, for sho said demurely to horself: "Am I not to wod Bomo day Nathan Fostor, and ia ho not a patriot?"

When Nathan returned there was tho awful prosago of war, and ho determined speedily to claim Keziah, that ho might givo her protection, and because ho know not what tho coming war might develop for himsolf.

" Let us bo wodded in two weeks from this day," ho said to hor on tho ovoning of his return, and she placed hor hand in his and smiled upon him. "Nathan," sho said, a few moment, later, "I did givo a promiso to my father that waa not hard to make. Ho is a warm patriot, aa I am too, and ho aaked mo not to wed a Tory. How easy it camo for me to givo tho promise when I surmised a litt'e that you would claim me. Why, what ia tho matter, Nathan ?"

Sho saw that his faco had grown set and hard ns sho was speaking.

" You promiaed your father that you would not wod a loyal subjoct of tho King ?" "In truth I did. Why not, Nathan ?" " And you havo promised to wed me in a fortnight ?"

" Yes, Nathan." " Which promise will you keop ?" "Why, what is it you mean, Nathan ?" "Do you not know that I am and ever ahall be as loyal to the King aa any of hia subjects ?" "Nathan! Nathan!" "My mother was born in England. By her 1 was taught to rovcro the King. I cannot ho a traitor to him, and would not if I could." The girl's face was now as white as the arm that ahe placed on Nathan's sleove. "Ah, my bride," he said gently, " what have you to do with theso things ? I am your only king and you shall be my queen." She did not speak.

"You believe in Scriptm'e," he said, " and you know that therein is written that a wife shall cleave unto her husband." "Ah, Nathan, you are not now my husband."

" You will break your word to me ?" "No, we cannot bide the future; our test ia now. If I go, Keziah. I shall not come to you again until you bid mo." The girl trembled, and then, looking with the determination of pride upon him said "That, Nathan, I shall never do," ' ' He said no more, but went. In a few days he received a commission in the King's army. b

Eight years later Captain Nathan Foator returned to his farm, where his sister had dwelt during his absence. He had given it to her as he went to the war, both to save it from confiscation and to provide her with a home.

" You will not deed it back to me," he said to hia sister when he returned. "We will live hore together, and the farm shall shall be ours in common."

The sister wondered if he would bring

home a bride, as years before bo hod said ho ahould, but ho modo no mention of such a PT F O-ureintl.o field bad bronzed his face, and hi. figure was erect and hw walk martial. " A splendid man ho is, thong tho sister: »J& will marry soon. Hut SlOn7ho'suild«y^tor,hiH return Captain N.dba,,res,,,nedhi,pJHc4intho^pcw at the brick mooting housO. Thel aged pastor had pawft. away, and soVtt tftbo Farmers had grown grey,. »"' tft^* nlacos told of others killea m battle. Inc Sons, too, wore stouter, and those whom he had known as children wars strapping lnda and handsomo maids. , They greeted the Captain as he enterert the porch go'g. norouslv that he was touched and glad that ho had determined to re main and apond his days among them. Tho old friends thought him changed for tho bettor, and they wore proud of their townsman, though he had fought against them in the King's army. . As Capt. _. eater took his seat in his pow ho glanced about, and encountered tho eyes of Miatross Keziak. She sat in her old plaeo. He nodded with such slight indica tion of recognition as is permissible in church, and she returned hia courtesy alter >-_ m_rfner. Not again during tho service did he lc _C that way. " You terrify me, Na _ia 1. Do not be so fierce. Vet I will say, Nathan, let us for fie time leave mutters as they wore," "That would bo cowardly. You havo promised mo." . |( "Yes, but under misapprohonsion. " Of my alloction ?" '• No, rx?. You are too cruel. I did not dream that yO. '-wo not a patriot." " Keziah, woulc. yew let my duty come between our love ?" " Nathan, would you have I*7 duty un done by my affection ? Nathan, roiwunce tho King."

" I will not." . "Then I must withhold my promiao to y°Sho said it bravely, though every word cut hor like a knife "You lovo me ?" he asked. " So much I would gladly die for you. " If so much you will wed me." " Not so long aa you are an enemy to our country and my people," " I was a fool to believe in tho constancy of a maid. What is tho affection that can bo snooped at tho whim of a farher ? I bid you farewell, mistresa. If it be consolation for you, rest assured that you have my heart."

Ho turned to go. . "Stop, Nathan. Let ua wait patiently until the outcomo of the war is deter mined.'' After the benediction, aahe stood, after the custom of the place, on the church steps chat ting with tho farmers, Keziah passed by._ He extended his hand, and as he did so Ke ziah could not fail to notethathisexperiences whatever they were, had taught him grace and elegance of manner. "It scarcely seems eight years since I waa here," he aaid, and she was quick to think that he did not Bay it waa so long since he saw her. "He has forgotten," she thought, but sho Baid : "The time must have flown more quickly for you than for us. You have led a life of such great excitement." " Happily that is over. I grew very tired of it, and am glad to be again in my old home." " Then you will remain here 1 "Yes. Why not?" " We have beard that you might remain below, in New York." " No. I have no such intention. Where ia your sister Martha ? I did not see her to-day." " Martha lives below with her husband." " What! Martha wedded ? I thought of her only as a child." " Eight years ia long enough to make a child a woman, air. Then he thought. " She has forgotten," and yet when she told him of others of whom he asked, who were married, hodid not bear in mind that she almost alone of all of them was still unwedded. It seemed to him that she was more beautiful that when she had given him hor promise, and the years had seemingly passed ovor her without heeding her at all. " She will give me sonte hint," he thought as ho walked home, " if so be she still cares for mo," while the young woman meditated in the quiet of her chamber, "Ho is still proud, but he is bo handsome, and will he remember ?"

Hut the days passed swiftly by, ono like tho other, and three years had gone when Farmer Husted died.

"What will you do ?" Capt. Foster asked Keziah after tho funeral. During these years thoy had metaa friends and neighbours meet, and ao kindly circumapect waa each to the other that auch bocamo their con firmed habit. In the disguise of kind friendship and neighbourly offices the love that was burning within them waa con cealed. So be had, as her next neighbour, asked her what aho would do now that her father was dead. Even then he found himsolf hoping that sho would cay one word, express one desire, whereby he might find opportunity to say what had been in hia hoart to say all these years, But ahe answered him with another ques tion. "Do you not think the farm too large for me ?" "

" Will you livohoro?" " Yes. I Bhall omploy my neighbour Moses and his wife. Thoy will live with me and take care of tho farm. Thoy aro good people." " Yes. I know them. I will gladly buy such of your land as you do not neod," and ho spoke of cortoin raeodowß that adjoined his, mentioning a price and deede of solo and tho like.

" Ah, but if she had said one word, or looked with ono such glance as she used to bo.tow uponmo, I would havo risked another mortification, and told hor how I yearned for hor," was Nathan's despairing thought as ho went away. And the woman—when ho had gono sho wept for hor lost lover. Nino years went by. Nathan's hair was whitening a little, but his form was erect and his step vigorous. It had come to bo that Keziah consulted him on auch business as her little farm required of her, and she intrusted to him tho inveatment and care of aome money sho had inherited. Then, too, in tho long winter time she would, for the sake of company, spend a week or more with Nathan and his sißter at their farm.

Sister Nancy had novor naked a question. For many yoars she had fondly hoped that Nathan would bring Keziah home, but aa tho months pasaod and he did not do so, sho at last know that it would never be. Yet Nancy Foster saw that the happiest moments of thoso two wore when they were near each othor, and sho at last surmised that, having passed tho ardour of youth, they had by force of habit drifted into auch relationship aa brought thorn pleasure, and that both wore unconscioua that it waa so. Timo flics so gently over uneventful lives ns to leavo nothing for memory to graßp whereby his passing may be brought to mind. So it happened that year after year passed away, yet Capt. Foster heeded not that Keziah was growing feeble by reason of the forty yeara that had fled aince he had her troth ; not did sho bear in mind that this white-haired man, who now was often racked with the painß of the aged, was no longer the handaome youth to whom ahe once gave her hand ? As ho still had her heart, he was unchanging and unchange able to her aa Bho to him.

One day there camo the inevitable. Sister Nancy camo to her brother in the night time and awakened him. " Let us hasten," she said. " Moses has como to say that Keziah is dying." They went out into the cold night, thia aged brother and sister, and not a word did either speak till they reached Keziah'. homo.

Tho old housekeeper told them that Keziah had been ill for a day or two, but not so seri ously as to givo alarm till that evening, when, after a severe spasm of pain, she began to sink. " She knows me," said Moses's wife, " but she will not livo tho night out."

Thon they entered tho chamber; the room where Keziah had slept from child hood ; the sarao from whoso windowa she had seen young Nathan Foster, riding up so handsome, forty years before, on that Sunday evening. The stir of their entrance aroußed her from her lethargy, and, though too weak to move, Bho lifted her eyoa until they met Nathan's.

For him her look obliterated time and place, and he aaw her then aa he had aeon her on that Sunday morning when the preacher discoursed on pride. She could not speak, but ahe seemed content to lie there, with her eyes fixed o 1 hia. Tho sudden transfiguration which sometimes procedes dissolution brought to her face tho look of youth, though it caused Nancy and the housewife to exchange a glance, as though to say, "It is tho end." But ho seemed not; to have observed it. Ha stood rigidly, his face set as in a trance, for he was not there in spirit, but back with her twoscore and more years. Her eyelids drooped, yet he did not atir, but stood there gazing at her, but when sho at laat opened her eyes and smiled, then he spoke.

" My betrothed," he • ik^y^ Sho heard him, for she 31 hor lips moved aa though SHI Sister Nancy bont g o ;:?Wj whisper, and when she lift.',-'_. £__#< -'rJsm «s;:"--«ic r<Come brother!" saidH,,, • ' l-i ____!.. gone." T-^ffi Jte tinned nron hnr c; .-'■'!■ P^ionofyo.,A!s%a| a*or. *i»;,| Uiayo uh. She \» M __ ■,; trothod.' The siater h_.SI brother tbu.v but.she „M ama>;ed,fershemdnoK3l these two. ""WiJjjJ "Leave them," fa w jjM woman. He 1. unnerved "u^k after a while." .'S| They waited long b ♦i M '''f.. They had heard one sob, as oH^i of long pent passion, and __\*^ befitting, the chamber vrassil.T' 1 At. length thov opened S| found him kneeling at the ____m resting on her hand. ThevfaS"' but ho answered not. He faS-

A Graphic Sketch of the Trial.

New Yokk, January _._jy|ffl Pariacwblo gives the following ds^! Mine. Hugnos'trialyeaterd.y^W reading of the indictment. W Maitro Galineau for the defence t„j Angelo for the persecution-b^* preparatory passes and feints X like trained fencing-masters, _M and witty, and speak with conS the point. The Judge read ®ffl the foul, and libellous post^C Mme. Hugues, first warning tt B U ent that detaila of the most shock! would now have to be read, 7-jSJ ladies present, howovw, awn Wi as wink, but the pn'sonerdnnngH., ing details " scene took out Wk salts and held them to her wm* (£ minute.. The interrogationol'jk then followed: The President—You admltjjM author of tho murder committedn ber 27th upon Francois Moruutfl do Justice ? Tho prisoner—Yes, sir. \m_ The President—A rengeancepjji to commit thia terrible muttf*. yourself. The prisoner—You ate, M&f affair originated in the eepaati, and Mme. Lenormand: yon aiti the infamy to which I waa sobjed the up_hot of it all was that mat up my mind to kill Morin, .Ay The President—What day Wk The priaoner —November l|| moment that I received the Map Morin at the Tour Courts of Ap The President—Sou .adpij tion? ,'yAi The priaoner—l admit it,'l* mined not to sit in the Court of Ail beside the man who had » Tity me and called me "celtf flkl cetle rouleuee." . v ,-. The President—You admit Wm in cold blood ? §■ The prisoner (very di!fian%)4 in cold blood. '-'I s The Judge seemed eevttijaffl made an unfavourable impnnln cool and somewhat defiant mum talked like an actress, volubly v She had learned her part. Sheitl quently all the old story of-flfi when she was Mile. Royannej,il| and told how Mme. Lenornutitll preesed, coaxed and wheedled t^ to get her to confess havtosjlft mand's mistress. " See,"mß need not hide it from me, la woman, yet even I fell in loiifti Why should not a young w___\ There is no harm in it." I■: ft The priaoner in this recital adi she would have killed Mmi:la had she had a chance. ThiiWW a sensition in the court-room.'S went into the Morin mdgtgjn the assertion made to her D/.IW ployer, that Morin had been life that he had gone on witli'tMla job on hia own _s.cco_.nt. ; SheW proofs brought to her that f .M«t mand had paid 25,000 franostd^ to collect false testimony agSMli also caused a great sensafc"'. Mme. Clovis-Hugues ajiiwaV I to spend my life in Bpi&\t false charges brought agaiiftw woman ? No. I could m Bettor a thousand times ton together with the. *l&n.§| coup de revolver." At mB audience seemed to rea_£|| Cloy is-H ugues ought to httwTO She is a much better epeaTO husband, and never losesjtjjffl does. The prisoner contintietttf tion : " Put yourself liwffl yourself in the place of thewwj only to live at peace with* tori}* children. Think how she''wfj and persecuted, and yoUjsM tho motive which led to theJß man Morin." There wasaM.j in tho Courtroom. WSSL audience looked at her with -aom she uttered theso words.: S| of the audience seemed leaiw Judge laid merciless stress mm tion with which eke awg__l Morin, and at this point MM* the lirst time lost her ha^rM hotly with the Judge, _*«*« dieted hersolf, boosting iktfl' had avenged her honour, tM killed Morin to wash her honoiij dent listened courteously'apilf' but steadily returned to hi«*l that Morin waa killed Sltji tho outrage for which he ««! and if the prisoner shot MB* these postal cards, it.wottH? presently by the eridenwili he never wrote them. »:*■ emotion among the spff|ffl torted flippantly, " Oh, if it .«_ it must at least have mm frienda." ?'* i The attitudo of the pnwwjj damaging to hor, and mmU tho Court. She evidently^? tho gravity of the'situ-tiolU* near me remarked: "Itmay^ that out of hor own mouM* stand condemned." AjßUfl1 was made by the President if» count of tho operation and MM agony of Morin before bedgffi "I believe what you say.off suffering, but 1 ask**!! suffered most-you or her = _..- The prisoner (oaltnlyjrrJJS Indignant murmurs fol.w|f Among the spectators-row g bers of the German Eniba^g ish Legation, the diteotfßH of St. Germain, and,h#«| celebrated and da_-h ? g Quartior Broda.AM.jjl witnesses were called, but JWJ already familiar to toe pubto^. Mme. Hugues talked, .wmflu the prevailing opinion at *f| bo that she had a good 60* M hers.lfinto five or ten imm At 1.30 o'clock tie imM twenty minutes they return*^ dent put the usual:<gfH| murder?" "No." " Wm« tion?" "No." .The■ pngjfl acquitted. MondXiWSH 2,000 francs damages, by tWffl prisoner was overjoyed, aag| by the crowd. Il_ MM Palais were thronged. «ij^ that, by a strange cciocideOTga the unwilling cause of W J which ended in MorinV«| ried to-day to the wUm9M going to the altar he dgfflH| be-to f his knowledge'^Ml Mile. Royannez, no%m£M that all the past was Vss||

An Eccentric Game.

Every one has beard of ir u__M Cam.dias," of court*! ...^U Camelia "ia the 6lBMfM§ gives to a sketch of one.".-Sjtffli figures to be seen on tie &S3M Though invariably «'?"J.M attire-for excellent «^M in question is never« *£&& white camelia at his or two ago he had, r_f^_om luck at the green table, lJ^_M prudence he M*<!>flUM tho season of ■ _ 18.. fI W _Jl whatever deprivations« :-^m wheel migfft bring W&^W want for his fnvou. *dilf.'-'i she would take camelia every day'i^^pßß The amount lixed one, as may bo supp«s ea i. , -0m spot; and now the f^Mm daily along the «#' * $Pk possession of a ame"'7"y A. than the coat it adotW.; v > •

THE AUCKLAND KVEKiau STiii.. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, lfrSg

6



" BOCHU PAIBA."_CkiIA. <so_ple~>mie. all __no.hu Kidney, Bladder <MJd Urinary Di*_Ms. At D_t«ißl_ _________ _3mPtte__« tnu_ -Co., Ai-iti, -_"_•_-