A SHIP OF '49.

A ROMANCE OF CALIFOSNIA-

In Three Parts.

By Bbei Ha nit

CHAPTER VIII.

Madkoxo Cottacie lay at the entrance of a. little Canada alueady green with tho early winter rains, and nestled in i thicket of the harlequin painted trees that gave it a name. The young man was a little relieved to find that Rosey had gone to tho Post-office mile away, and that ho would probably over take her or moot her returning —alone. Tho road—HtWo moro than a trail—wound along the crest of the hill looking across the canada to the long, dark, hoavilywooded flank of Mount Tamalpais that rose from the valley a dozen miles away. A cessation of tho warm rain, a rift in tho sky, and tho rare spectaclo of cloud scenery, combined with a cortain sonso of freedom, restored that light-hoarted gayety that became him most. At a sudden turn of tho road ho caught sight of Rosey s liguro coming toward him, and quickened his step with the impulsiveness of a boy. But she sud denly disappoarod, and when ho again saw her she was on the other side of the trail, apparently picking tholoavesof a manzanita. She had already seen him. Somehow the frankness of his greeting was checked. She looked up at him with cheeks that retained enough of their colour to suggest why she had hesitated, and said : . You hero, Mr Renshaw ? I thought you were in Sacramento." "And I thought you wero in Potaluma," he retorted. " I havo a letttr from your father. Tho fact is, ono of those gentlemen he has sren haunting the ship actually made an entry last night. Who ho was, and what he camo for, nobody knows. Perhaps your father gives you his suspicions " He could not help looking at her narrowly as he handed her the note. Except that her pretty eyebrows were slightly raised in curiosity, she seomed undisturbed as she opened the letter. Presently she raised her eyes to his. " Is this all father gave you!" "All." "You're sure you haven't dropped any thing?" "Nothing. I have givon you all he gave me." "And that is all it is." Sho exhibited the missive, a perfectly blank sheet of paper folded liko a note ! Renshaw felt tho angry blood glow in his cheeks. " This is unpardonablo ! 1 assnro you, Miss Nott, there must bo some mistake. Ho himsolf has probably for gotten the enclosure," ho continued, yet with an inward convictisn that the act was perfectly premeditated on the part of the old man. The young girl held out lier hand frankly. " Don't think any more of it, Mr Renshaw, Father is fprgetful at times. But tell me about last night." In a few worda Mr Renshaw briefly but plainly related tho details of the attempt upon the Pontiac, from the moment he had been awakened by Nott to his discovery of. the unknown trespasser's flight by tho open door to the loft. Wh«n he had finished he hesitated, and then, taking Roaey's hand, said, impulsively : " You will not bo angry with me if I tell you all ? Your father firmly believes that the attempt was made by the old Frenchman, De Ferrieres, with a view of carrying you off." A dozen reasons other than the ono her father would have attributed it to might have called the blood to hor face. But only innocence could have brought tho look of •stonishel indignation to her eyes as she answered, quickly: " So that was what you wero laughing

"Not that, Miss Nott," said the young man, eagerly, " though I wish to God I could accuse myself of nothing more disloyal. Do not speak, I beg," ho added, impatiently, as Rosey was about to reply. "I have no right to hear you : I have no right oven to ■tand in your presence until I have con fessed everything. I came to the Pontiac ; I made your acquaintance, Miss Nott, through a fraud as wicked as anything your father charges to De Forrieros. lam not a contractor. I never was an honest lodger in the Pontiac. 1 was simply a spy." " But you didn't mean to be - it was some mistake, wasn't it?" said Itosey, quite white, but more from sympathy with the offender's emotion than horror at the offence. "I am afraid I did mean it. But bear with me a few momenta longer, and you •hall know all. It's a long story. Will you walk on and—take my arm? You do not shrink from me, Miss Nott. Thank you. I ecarcely deserve the kindness." Indeed, so little did Rosoy shrink that ho wa» conscious of a slight reassuring pressure on his arm as they moved forward, and for the momont I fear the young man felt like exaggerating his offence for tho sake of pro portionate sympathy. "Do you re member," he continued, " ono evening when I told you some tea tales, you said you al ways thought there must bo somo story about the Pontiac? There was a story of the Pontiac, Miss Nott—a wicked story—a terrible story—which I might have told you, which I ought to have told you ; which was tho Btory that brought me there. You were right, too, in saying that you thought I had known the Poutiac boforo I stopped first on her deck that day. I had." He laid hia disengaged band lightly across Rosey's, as if to assure himsolf that she was listening. " I was at that timo a sailor. I had been fool enough to run away from college, thinking it a fine romantic thing to ship be fore tho mast for a voyage round the world. I was a little disappointed, perhaps, but I made the best of if, and in t-vo years I was the second mate of a whaler lying in a little harbour of one of the uncivilised islands of the Pacific. While we were at anchor there a French trading veseel put in, apparently for water. Sho had the dregs of a mixed crew of Lascars and Portuguese, who said that they had lost tho rest of their men by desertion, and that tho captain and mate had been carried off by fever. There was something bo queer in their fttory that our skipper took the law in his own bands, and put me on board of her with a salvage crew, But that night the French crew mutinied, cut the cables, and would havo got to sea if we had not been armnd and prepared, and managed to drive them below. When we had got them under hatches for a few hours they parleyed, and offered to go quietly ashore. As we were short of hands and un able to take them with us, and as we had no evidence against them,wo let them go, took the ship to Callao, turned her over to the authorities, lodged a claim for salvage, and continued our voyage. When we ro turned we found the truth of the story was known. She had been a French trader from Marseilles, owned by her captain ; her crow had mutinied in the Pacific, killed their offi cers and the only passenger—the owner of the cargo. They had made away with tho cargo and a treasure of nearly half a million of Spanish gold for trading purposes which belonged to the passenger. In course of time the ship was sold for salvage, and put into the South American trade until the breaking out of the Californian gold excite ment, when she was sent with a cargo to San Francisco. That ship was the Pontiac which your father bought." A slight shudder ran through the girls frame. " I wiah—l wish you hadn't told me, shesaid. "I shall never close my oyes again comfortably on board of her, I know. " I would say that you bad punned her of all stains of her past; but there may be one that remains. And that in most people s eyes would be no detraction. You look puzzled, Miss Nott: but lam coming to tho explanation and the end of my story. A ship of war was sent to tho island to punish the mutineers and pirates, for such they were, but they could not bo found. A private expedition was sent to discover tho treasure which they wore supposed to have buried, but in vain. About two months ago Mr Sleight told me one of his ship masters had sent him a Lascar sailor who had to dispose of a valuable secret regarding the Pontiac for a percentage. That secret was that the treasure was never taken by the mutineers out of the Pontiac ! a hey were about to land and bury it when we boarded them. They took advantago of their imprisonment under hatches to bury it in, tlie ship. They hid it in tho hold co securely and safely that it was never de tected by ua o<- the Callao authorities. I was then asked as one who knew the vessel to undertude a private examination with a view of purchasing hor from your father without .awakening his suspicions. I assented. You have my confession now, Miss Nott. You know my crime. lam at

your mercy." Roeey's arm only tightened around nia own. Her eyes sought hip. "And you didn't find anything ?" she said. ' ThequentionMu>ide<l sooddlylikeSlefgnt s thnt Ren&haw rel.urned stiffly :

«'I didn't look."

'• Why ?" asked Roaey Bimply.

» Because," stammered Renshaw, with an uneasy consciousness of having exaggerated his sontiment, " it didn't seem honourable ; itdidn'tseemfairtoyou."^ " Oh, you silly ! You might havo looked and told me." "But," said Renshaw, "do you think that would havo been fair to Sleight ?" "As fair to him as to us. For don't you see, it would't belong to any of us. It would bolong to tho friends or the family of the man who lost it." " But there were no heirs," replied Ren shaw. "That was proved by some impos tor who pretended to bo his brother, and libelled tho Pontiac at Callao, but the courts docided he was a lunatic." "Then it belongs to tho poor pirates who risked thoir own lives for it, rather than to Sleight, who did nothing." She was silent for "a moment, and then resumed with energy. " I bolicve he was at the bottom of that attack last night." " I have thought so, too," said Renshaw. "Then I must go back at once," she con tinuod impusively. "Father must not be loft alone." " Nor must you" said Renshaw quickly. " Do lot mo return with you, and share with you and your father the trouble I havo brought upon you. Do not," he added in a lower tono, " deprivo me of the only chanco of expiating my offence, of making myself worthy your forgivoness." "I am euro," said Rosey, lowering her lids and half withdrawing her arms, " I'm sure .1 havo nothing to forgive. You did not believe the treasure belonged to us. any more than to anybody olse until you know

" That is true," said tho young man, at tompting to tako her hand. "1 mean," said Rosoy, blushing, and showing a distracting row of little teeth in ono of her infrequent laughs, "oh, you know what I moan." She withdrew uor arm gently, and became interested in tho selection of cortain wayside bay leaves as they passed along. " All tho some, I don't believe this treasure," she said abruptly, as if to change the subject. " I don't believe it ever was hidden inside the Pontiac."

"That can easily be ascertained now," said Renshaw.

"But it's a pity you didn't find it out whilo yon were about it," Baid Rosey. "It would have saved so much talk and trouble."

" I have told you why 1 didn't search the ship," responded Renshaw, with a slight bitterness. "But it seems I could only avoid being a great rascal by becoming a great fool." "Younovor intended to bo a rascal," said Rosoy, earnestly. "And you couldn't be a fool, except in heeding what a silly girl says. I only meant if you had taken mo into your confidence it would have been better."

" Might I not say tho same to you re garding your friend, the old Frenchman?" returned Renshaw. " What if I were to confess to you thatl lately suspected him of knowing the secret, and of trying to gain your assistance ?"

Instead of indignantly repudiating the suggestion, to tho young man's great dis comfiture Rosoy only knit her protty brows, and remained for some moments silent. Proscntly she asked timidly : "Do you think it wrong to tell another person's secret for their own good ?" "No,"saidßeiißhaw promptly. " Thon, I'll tell you Monsieur de Ferri eres's ! But only because I balieve from what you havo just said that ho will turn out to havo sotno right to the treasure." Then, with kindling eyes and a voice elo queutwith sympathy, Rosey told tho story of her accidental discovery of Do Ferrieres mis erable existence in tho loft. Clothing it with the unconscious poetry of her fresh young imagination, sho lightly passed over his antique gallantry and grotesque weak ness, exulting only his lonely sufferings and mysterious wrongs. Renshaw listened lost between shame for his late suspicions and admiration for her thoughtful delicacy, until she began to speak of Ferrieres's strange allusions to the foreign papers in his port manteau. "I think some were law papers, and I am almost certain I saw the word Callao printed on one of them." "It may be so," said Mr Renshaw, thoughtfully. "The old Frenchman has always passed for a harmless, wandering eccentric. I hardly think public curiosity has ever even Bought to know his name, much loss his history. But had wo not better lirst try to find if there is any prop erty before we examine his claims to it ?" " As you please," said Roaoy, with a slight pout; " but you will find it much easier to discover him than his treasure. It's always easier to find the thing you're not looking for." "Until you want it," said Renßhaw with sudden gravity. "How pretty it look 3 over there," said Rosoy, turning her conscious eyes to the op posite mountain.

"Very." They had neared the top of tho hill, and in tho near distance tho chimney of Ma drono Cottage was evon now visible. At the expected eight they unconsciously stopped — unconsciously disappointed. Rosov broko tho embarrassing silence. _ " Thero's another way homo, but it's a roundabout way," sho said timidly. " Lot us tako it," said Renshaw. She hesitated. "The boat goes at 4, and wo must return tonight." " The more reason why we should make the most of our time now," snjd R'-nshaw, with a faint smilo. "Tomorrow all things may bo changed : to-morro-,7 you may find yoiirsolf an hoiress, Miss Nott. To morrow," ho added, with a slight tremor in his voice, " I may have earned your forgive ness only to say farewell to you for ever. Let me keep this sunshine, this picture, this companionship with you long enough to pay now what perhaps I must not say to morrow." They wore silent for a moment, and then by a common instinct turned together into a narrow trail, scarce wide enough for two, that, diverged from tho straight practical path before them. It was indeed a round about way homo, so roundabout, in fact, that as they wandered on it seemed even to double on its track, occasionally lingering long and becoming indistinct under the shadow of madrono and willow; at one time stopping blindly before a fallen tree in the hollow, where they had quite lost it and had to sit down to recall it; a rough way often requiring the mutual help of each 1 other's hands and eyes to tread together in security ; an uncertain way, not to be found without whispered consultation and con coseion, and yet a way eventually bringing them hand in hand, happy and hopeful, to the gate of Madrono Cottage. And if there was only just time for Rosey to prepare to take tho boat, it was due to the deyiousnoss of the way. If a stray curl was lying loose on Rosey's cheek, and a long hair had caught in Renshaw's button, it was owing to the roughness of the way ; and if in the tones of their voices and in the glances of their eye 3 there was a maturer seriousness, it was duo to the dim uncertainty of the path they had travelled and would here after tread together. CHAPTER IX. Wires Mr Nott had satisfied himself of Ren shaw's- departure, he coolly bolted the door at the head of the companion way, thus cutting off any communication with the lower deck. Taking a long rifle from the rack above his berth, he carefully examined the hammer and cap, and then cautiously let himself down through the forehatch to the deck below. After a desperate survey of the Btill intact fastenings of the hatch over the forehold, he proceeded quietly to unloose them again with the aid of the tools that still lay there. When the hatch was once more free he lifted it, and, withdraw ing a few feet from the opening, sat him self down rifle in hand. A profound silence roigned throughout the lower deck. "Yo kin rize up out o' that," said Nott. " Thero was a stealthy rustle below that seemed to approach the hatch, and then withasuiden bound the Lascar leaped on the deck. But at the same instant Nott covered him with hi? rifle. A slight shade of disappointment and surprise had crossed the old man's face, and clouded his small, round eyes at the apparition of the Lascar, but his hand was none the less firm upon the trigger as tho frightened prisoner sank on his knees, with his hands clasped in the attitude of supplication for mercy. "Bf you'rothinkin'o'skippm aforo I ye done with yer," said Nott with laboured gentleness, "I oughter warn yo that it's my style to drop Injins at two hundred yards, and this deck ain't anywhere more'n fifty It's an uncomfortable style, a nasty style—but it's mi/ style. I thought I'd tell vor so you could take it easy where you air.' Whore's Ferrers ?" Even'iu the man's insane terror, his utter bewilderment at tho question was evident. " Ferrers ?" he gasped ; " don't know him, T nwear to God, boss." '•P'r'ap» "raid Nott with infinite cunning, " vor don't know the man ez kern into the ut the evidence that his vision of last night was a livin" man. " PVaps you and him didn't break into this ship last night, jut to

run off with my darter Rosey. Praps yer don't know Rosey, eh? P'r'ape yer don't know ez Ferrers wants to marry her, and hoz been hangin' round yer ever since he loft— oh ?" Scarcely belioving the evidence of his senses that the old man whose troasuro he had been trying to steal was utterly ignorant of his real offence, and yet uncertain of the penalty of the other crime of which he was accused, the Laßcar writhed his body and stammored vaguoly, " Mercy ! Mercy I" "Well," said Nott, cautiously, "ez I reckon the hide of a dead Chinee nigger ain't any more vallyble than of a dead Injin, I don't care of I let up on yer—seein' the cussedness ain't yours. But ef I let yer off this once you must take a messago to Fer rers from me." " Let mo off this time, bo3s, and 1 swear to God I will," said tho Lascar, eagorly, "Ye kon say to Ferrers—let mo see " deliberated Nott, leaning on his rifle with cautious reflection. "Ye kin say to Ferrers like this—soz you, ' Ferrers,' sez you, ' the old man soz that afore you went away you sez to him, sez you, "I take my honour with mo," sez you'—havo you got that?' interrupted Nott, suddenly. " Yos, boss." "I take my honour with me,' sez you, ro poated Nott slowly. "'Now.' sen you, 1 tho old man sez, sez lie—tell Forrers, sez he, that his honour havin' run away agin, he sends it back to him, and ef ho ever ketches it around aftor this, he'll shoot it on sight' Ifov yer got that ?" " Yes," stammerod tho bowildored captive.

"Then git!" The Lascar sprang to his feet with tho agility of a panther, leaped through tho hatch above him, and disappeared over tho bow of tho ship with an uuhositating directuess that showed that every avenue of escapo had boon ulroady contemplated by him. Slipping lightly from tho cutwator to the ground, he continued his flight, only stopping at the privato oltico of Mr Sleight. When Mr Kenshaw and Rosey Nott arrived on board tho Fontiac that ovening they wero astonished to find tho passage before tho cabin complotoly occupiod with trunks and boxos, and tho bulk of thoir household goods apparently in tho procoes of romoval. Mr Nott, who was superinten ding tho work of two Chinamen, betrayed not only no surpriso at tho appearance of the young people, but not the remotost ro cognition of their own bewilderment at his occupation.

" Kalkilatin'," ho romarked casually to his daughter, " you'd rather look artor your fixin's, Rosey. I've loft 'em till the last. Praps yer and Mr Renshaw wouldn't mind sittin' down on that looker until I've strap ped this yer box."

"But what does it all mean, father?" said Rosey, taking the old man by the lapels of his pea-jacket, and slightly em phasizing hor question. " What in tho natno of goodness are you doing 1" "Breakin' camp, Rosey dear; breakin' camp jiat ez wo uster," replied Nott, with cheerful philosophy. "Kindor like 010 times, ain't it? Lord, Rosoy," ho continued, stopping and following up the reminiscenco, with the end of tho ropo in his hand as if it were a clue, " don't ye mind that day we started outer Liverinore Pass, and seed tho hull o' the Californy coast strotchin' yonder —eh? But don't ye be skeerod, Rosoy dear," he added quickly, as if in recogni tion of tho alarm expressed in her face. " I ain't turning yo outer house and homo ; I've jist hired that 'ere Madrono Cottage from tho Poters ontil wo kin look round."

" But you'ro not' leaving tho ship, father ?" continued Rosey, impetuously. " You haven't sold it to that man Sleight ?"

Mr Nott roao and carefully shut the cabin doer. Then drawing a largo wallet from his pocket, he said: "It's sing'lar yo should hey got the name right the first pop, ain't it, Rosey? But its Sleight, sure onough, all the time. Thisyor cheque," ho added, producing a paper from tho depths of the wallet—" This yor cheque for 25,000 dollars is wot he paiil for it only two hours ago." "But," said Renshaw, springing to hia feet furiously, " you're dupod, swindled, bo trayed I"

" Young man," said Nott, throwing a certain dignity into his habitual geeturo of placing his hands on Konshaw's shoulders. " I bought this yor ship fivo years ago jist w she stood for 8,000 dollars. Kalkilatin' wot f»ho cost me in repairs and taxes, and wot she brought me in Bince thon acconlin' to my figgerin', I don't call a clear profit of 15,000 dollars much of a Bwindle." "Tell him all," said Kosey, quickly, more alarmed at Renshaw's despairing face than at the news itself. " Toll him every thing, Dick—Mr Renshaw; it may not now be too late."

In a voice half choked with passionate indignation, Renshaw hurriedly repoatod the story of a hidden treasure and tho plot to rescue it, prompted frequently by Rosoy'a tenacious memory and assisted by Rosey's deft and tactful explanations. But, to their surprise, tho imperturbable countenance of AbncrNott never altered ; a slight moisture of kindly paternal tolerance of their ox ravagance glietencd in his littld oyos, but nothing moro. " Bf there was a part o' this Bhip, a plank, or bolt ez I don't know, ez I hevn't touched with my own hand, and looked into with my eyes, thar might bo sutliin' in that story. I don't lot on to bo a sailor like i/oii., but ez I know the ship ez a boy knows his firefc hoas, ez a woman knows her firat babby, I reckon thar ain't no treasuro yor. onless it was brought into tlw l'ontiac last night by them chaps." " But you aro mad ! Sleight would not pay throo times the value of tho ship to-day if he were not positive ! And that positivo knowledge wa3 gained last night by the villain who broke into tho l'ontiac— no doubt the Laecar." "Surely,"saidNott, meditatively. "Tho Lascar! Thore's suthin' in that. That Lascar I fastenod down in the hold last night unbeknownst to you, Mr Renshaw, and let him out again this morning okally unbeknownst." .... "And you l«t him carry his information to Sleight—without a word !" said Renshaw, with a sickening sense of Nott'B utter fatuity, "I sent him back with a message to the man he kern from," said Nott, winking both his eyes at Renshaw significantly, and making Bigns behind his daughter's back. Rosey, conscious of her lover's irritation, and more eager to soothe his impatience than from any faith in her suggestion, interfered. " Why not examino tho placo where he was concealed ? Ho may have left some traces of his Bearch." The two men lookod at each other. " Seem' ez I have turned tho Pontiac over to Sleight jist ez it stands, I don't know ez it's 'za'ctly on the squaro," said Nott, doubtfully. " You've a right to know at least! what you deliver to him," interrupted Renehaw, bruskly. " Bring a lantern." Followed by Rosey, Renshaw and Nott hurriedly sought the lowor deck and the open hatch of the forehold. The two men leaped down first with tho lantern, and thon assisted Kosey to descend Renshaw took a step forward and uttertd a cry. The rays of tho lantern fell on tho ship's side. The Lascar had, during his forced seclusion, put back the boxes of treasure and replaced the planking, yet not so carefully but that the quick eye of Renshaw had discovered it. The next moment ho. bad stripped away the planking again, and the hurriedly-restored box which the Lascar had found fell to the deck, scattering part of its ringing contents. Rosey turned pale ; Renshaw's eyes flashed fire; only Abner Nott remained quiet and impassive. " Are you satisfied you have been duped ?" aaid Renshaw passionately. To their surprise Mr Nolt stoopod down, and picking up one of the coins, handed it gravely to Renshaw. " Would ye mind heftin' that 'ere coin in your hand—feelin' it, bitin' it, scrapin' it with a knife, and kinder seem' how it compares with other coins?" ~ " What do you mean ? said Konfhaw. " I mean that yer coin—that all the coins ip this yer box, that all the coins in them other boxes—and there's forty on 'em—is all and evory one of 'em counterfeits !" The piece dropped unconsciously from Renshaw's hand, and striking another that lay on the dock, gave out a dull suspicious ring. • " They waz counterfeits got up by them Dutch supercargo sharps for dcaiin' with the Injins and cannibals and South Sea heathens ez bows clown to wood and stone. It satisfied them ez well as them buttons ye puts in missionary boxes, I reckon, and 'cepting ez freight, don't cost nothin'. I found 'em tucked in the ribs o' the old Pontiac when I bought her, and I nailed 'em up in thar lest they should fall into dishonest hands It's a lucky thing, Mr Renshaw, that they comes into the honest fingers of a square man like Sleight—ain't it ?" He turned his small, euileleas eyeß upon Kenshaw with such child-like simplicity that'it checked the hysterical laugh that was rising to the young man's lips. "But did anyone know of this but yourself?" "I reckon not. I once suspicioned that old Cap'en Bowers, who was always foolin' round the hold yer, must hey noticed the bulge in the casin', but when he took to axin' questions I axed others—ye know my style, Roeey? Come,"

He led the way grimly back to the cabin, the young poople following ; but turning suddenly at the companion way he observed Ren^haw's arm around the waist of his daughtor. Ho said nothing until they had reached tho cabin, when he closed the door softly, and looking at them both gently, said with infinite cunning : "Ef it isn't too late, Kosey, ye kin toll this young man oz how I forgive him for havin' diskivored The Tbeasurk of the Pontiac."

It was nearly eighteen months afterward that Mr Nott one morning entered the room of his son-in-law at Madrono Cottage. Drawing him nside, he said, with his old air of mystery, " Now ez Rosey's silin1 and don't seom to be so eager to diekivor what's become of Mr Terrors, I don't mind tellin' ye that ovor a year ago I heard ho died suddenly in Sacramento. Thar was suthin' iii the papor about his hem' a lunatic and claimin' to be a relation to somebody on the Pontiau, but likes oz not it's only the way those newspaper fellows got hold of the story of his wantin'to marry Roeey." Bret Harte.

DONALD'S PLOT.

' A STORY OF A.n Unfaithful Guardian.

By SYLVANUS COBB, Jr.

CHAPTER I,

THE DVIXCI MOTHER —AN AUDUCTIoN

The timo: an ovening of late autumn, A.D. 18G0. Thosceno: British India; a substan tial brick dwolling, overlooking Wollingtpn Square, in Calcutta.

In a comfortably furnished chamber, with hero and thero traces of former luxury, upon a bod from which she was never again to arise in lifo, lay a woman, of middle ago, still beautiful despito tho wear of timo and the ravAgo of disoaso. Sho was a widow — hornamo, Mary Aehlon.

By hor sido, with gentle hand smoothing away tho nut-brown troesoa from hor marble brow, stood her only child—a girl of sixteen; of medium height, poesossing a beauty like what hor mothor's must havo boon in its prime. Hor hair was of a rich golden brown, clustering in bewitching curls about a por fect femalo hoad ; hor eyos, of a deep warm hazel, wero full of liquid light—truly a love light—smiling iv joy, and infinitely tender at all times; her face was more th vi beauti ful—it was charming in its heart-given loveliness, with a sweetness and truthful noss at onco winning and assuring.. Her voice WPB all music ; her smileß, lurking about her dimpled chooks and sparkling in hor goldon eyos, were entrancing; her every movemont, by its rhythmic oaso and grace, giving token of a character as mild and unobtrusivo as it was firm and reliable

" Doris I" —tho voice was faint and laboured—" I think I will havo my head raised. I do not broathe easily lying thus."

"0, mamma ! has that cruel pain como back again?" "><o, darling. No, no,—it is not so much pain as it is heaviness—a weakness —a sort of—ef -suffocation. And I foel it hero, too," placing her hand over her heart. The daughter slightly tinkled a small eilvor handbell that stood upon a table at the bod-side, and then gently lifted the sufforer'ahoad, holding it againat her bosom until help came. Holp quickly appeared in .the porson of a native Hindoo maid, named Leila Saba. Sho was twenty years of ago; a small, bright-eyed pretty girl, full of life and energy, and devotedly attached to hor beautiful young mistress, whom eho had served from earliest childhood. Hor mothor had boon in the employ of Doris's father, and in that service had ended her life, and tho relations of mistress and maid between tho two children had begun when Doris was threo and Loila Bovon. The Hindoo child had grown until sho had roached tho age of fourtoon, after which not an inch was added to hor stature, nor tho atom of a span to her size ; but sho had grown keen and sparkling, developing intellectual capacity of high ordor, at tho (amotimo retaining tho unsworving honour and truth of childhood, with a lovo out! dovotion that know no variableness nor shadow of turning. When Mrs Ashton had been raisod to a sitting posture, with plenty of pillows for the support of her back, she sweetly smiled hor gratitude, and breathed with less of painful effort. But Doris, after a Httlo wait ing, was not satisfied. " Dear mamma !"—vith her arms around tho loved one's nock —"this must not be. You aro suffering as you have never suffered boforo. Tell mo, truly—is it not so ?"

The failing woman would have persisted in a negative had not the symptoms boen too apparent for denial. As it was, sho was forced to admit tho truth.

"O ! I knew it—l have soon it since tho middle of tho afternoon. Now, mamma, dear, not a word. Do you just mind mo, and bo good, and let mo do what I wish, I shall leave Leila to wfttoh with you while I go for a doctor. I shall not think of rost until ho has seen you."

'■No, no, darling!" cried tho fearing mothor, putting forth a thin, wasted hand imploringly. "Think of tho darkness of tho night, and the distance, and-O, my own procious child !—tho dangor !" "Mamma, mamma, do not, I beseech you, lot your fears run away with your judg ment. Where can there bo dangor ? Only across tho square, and a few stops beyond. I can run to the docter's house in a few minutes, and I will come back with him."

At this point tho little maid put in hor plea. Moving lightly to Doris's side, and taking one of nor hands in both her own, she said, with heart-sent earnestnoss : " Dear lady, lot mo go for the doctor. 1 know where he lives-close by tho Union Church ; and—"

But Doris did not allow hor to finish. Sho had in mind the mossage—the instruction —which she wished the doctor to receive, and aho would not trust it to another.

L«ila could bo persistent, when sho felt in hor heart that sho was right, as well as could her mistrose.

" Doris," sho said, roaching up to rest a hand upon the girl's shoulder, " you know what you and I have both agreed upon. Your mothor says truly. Thero is danger - or, at least, we have reason to believe so. Until we can know something more—some thing definite and positivo- of tho man who so mysteriously hovers near you, and who, I am euro, has more than once sought to do you harm—until wo can know that, you ought not to expose yourself needlessly." " 0, pshaw I" cried tho eagor girl, with a slight tap of her foot upon tho floor. "I have talked with George about the matter, and he agrees with mo that tho man is but a whimsical fellow, who seeks to amuse himself by hailing young girls on tho streot. If he had meant me harm, he would have done it long ore this, for his opportunities have been many." " Dear, dear Doris," pleaded tho faithful maid, "George, in the goodness of his heart and in his great lovo for you, seeks to allay your fears, being determined to stand between you and harm. That he suspects thnt strange ruffian of evil intent I know. He may be near us at this very moraont. If you will go for thedoctor, let me go with you. Mrs Driscoll will come and eit with your mother. You can trust her. I was in her room when you rang your bell, and I know she is at leisure. Lot mo call bor."

As the mother added her earnost plea, Doris finally consented that Loila might bear her compiny ; and she smilingly added that companionship would be agree able on the street at night. So the maid went upon her errand, and presently Mrs Driscoll came. Shb was a pleasant-faced, middle-aged woman, wife of a captain of heavy artillery stationed at Fort William, and occupying apartments in that same house. She was strongly attached to both tho widow and her daughter, and it gave her pleasure to assist them in any way within her power. On the present occasion, she came with a smile and a word of cheer and brought light and blessing, so that Doris could jro away, taking Leila with her, without feel ing that she was neglecting hor mother. When the girl was ready to set forth upon her orrand, she came and gave her mother a kiss of love, as Bhe always did when going out. '■ Now mind, darling," the sufferer said, trying to smilo in the old fond way, "you will not frighten good Doctor Bloom. It is only this strange feeling here. I never had anything like it before. He will know how to help me, I dare say." When Doiis had reached the door, and partially opened it, Mrs Driscoll, who had been sitting by the bedside holding one of the sufferer's "hands, quietly called her by name, at the same time rising from her seat aud approaching her. "Doris, I have just thought of a word that I wish io send to Dr. Blcom. If it will not bother you, I will get you to deliver it."

She joined Doris at tho door, and, gently pushing her out into the hall, went out after her, where, in a whisper, she quickly said, and earnestly : " Dear girl, tell the doctor that your mother is very low. He must not tarry a moment"

"O, Mrs Driscoll, do you think mamma is dying!" " sh ! I will not cay that; but she is in a very critical situation. Her heart is weak and fluttering. Your own judgment will tell you what that may signify. There —that is all. Do not be long away."

Tho anxious daughter would have ques tioned further had not fear of exciting her mother restrained her. She pressed tho good woman'B hand in token of her grati tude and her confidence, thon turned, and was soon in the open air, with Leila by her side.

Wellington Square was an open park, of soveral acres in extent, bounded on the south by Dhurrumtolla-stioot, tho other three sides being flanked by some of tho most desirable roeidoncos in tho city. The house in which our frionds rosided was at the north-west comer of tho squaro ; tho rosidence of Dr. Bloom was on tho street above mentionod, a little distance to the eastward, m that Doris would/make a saving of time and travel by crossing the square diagonally, which blio could easily do, as walk? .vero laid out in all directions

Side by side the two girls croseodtho car riage-way, entering the spacious park by ono of tho lighted arches, and striking at onco into a path that would load them on their course direct. Tho night was dark ; thero was no moon, but plenty of light was afforded pedestrians in this part of the city by tho numerous gas jots that (lamed in all directions The twain had gone halt tho distance between tho point of ontranco and tho centre of the square when Leila touched her mistress upon tho arm, at tho same timo pointing to two shadowy figures ahead. "They are going tho samo way that wo are," said Doria. " Yob," answered tho other ; " but whero did they come from ? They wero not in the path a moment ago—of that lam sura." "Thsy may have come in from another walk." " Thoro is none between us and them." " You see a bugboar, Loila." But her boldness was on the surfaco. Though sho spoko lightly she slackened her pace, and took her companion's hand. Presently tho two figures came within the glare of a gas-light, upon which they woro soon to bo men of ordinary sizo and appear anco, and woll dressed. Thoy woro not gontlemen, howover, for thoy woro hoavy boots, and their garmonta had a look of the sea in their cut and fashion. Moreover, they walkod with a slouching gait, dragging their feot like men used to devious ways. Doris was upon the point of suggesting a halt, when the strangers turned abruptly to the loft into a cross path, nnd woro soon lost to sight beyond a flanking of flowering shrubs.

" Hark!" whispored Loiln, stopping and bonding her oar. "I wondor if thoy aro moving on." "Yos," said Doris. "I hoar them plainly." "No; thatistho stop of a horse in tho main path." "I am sure I hoard a human footfall be sides. Lot us move on. Ido not think there can be any danger."

" Doar lady," urged tho maid, taking her mistress by the arm, " if you will liston to mo you will turn back at onco and tako the open streot." "No, no, Loila. I must not wasto tho precious moments. Thero can bo no danger from thoso mon. Thoy would have turnod back upon us whon thoy had tho opportunity if they meant us harm." The Hindoo girl said no moro. Thoy kept tho extreme right-hand eido of tho path and moved on. A few stops brought thorn to tho crossing, whero thoy qubkoned their pace almost to a run ; but thoy wero not pormittod to go much farther. Doric, thinking herself safe, was beginning to slacken her spood, when a quick, heavy step behind caused the pair of thorn to start into a still swifter run. But their running did not avail them. Scarcely a dozen paces had thoy accomplished after taking tho alarm, when, at tho samo moment, both woro caught—Doris, with a groan of dis tress—Leila, quicker to think, with a shriok for holp—only a Bingle cry, howovor, as on tho no.xt instant a coarpo. filthy sack was thrown over her head, nnd a moment more sho was lifted into a pair of »trong arms and borne swiftly away. In liko manner had her mistross been treated, both of thorn being well-nigh t mothered by tho dust and dirt that was shaken from tho foul sacks.

It would bo impossible to picturo tho anguish of Doris upon finding horsclf thus arrested on her way to tho doctor's. To herself or to what might bo tho result of tho outrage so far asshe was alonoconcornod, she gave not a thought. She thought of her mother—perhaps dying, porhaps dead, if tho doctor did not como in season —and her heart seemed bursting with its volumo of agony. She did not try to call for holp ; the only tried to imploro the ruilian who bore her that he would lot hor po upon hor errand; but she could not speak. If she oponed hor lips in the attempt tho foul dust tilled hor mouth and her throat, and the effort was vain.

Whon she had givon over all hope of at tracting tho attontion of her captor, sho gnvo thought to horsolf. 0 ! why had sho not givon hoed to tho advice ol Loila ? As she now i lowed tho matter, after tho calamity hud fallen, sho was surprised that she could have been so blindly wilful. Hor own seneo should have led her back to tho 'open streot as Boon as those two men had disappeared from the path. By-and-byo a gleam of hope gaveslight re lief to tho darkness of hor despair. She said to herself : " Geor£rowillcomothisevoning,l am very sure. He will bring the doctor, and—O !ho will search for me. Georgo ! George !— O ! if you could know whither they are carrying us !" Ah! whither? And what did it mean? Why had she been singled out for persecu tion ? This was tho first time a violent hand had over boen laid upon her; but ovil eyes had haunted her, and moro than once, eho had reason to believo, only tho unexpected presence of others had prevented overt villainy. Hark ! The mon had stopped. How fur they had gono Doris could not judge, though sho know that they had been going down hill, consequently towards the rivor. " Say, Jake, whore's tho boat goin' to meet us ?"

"That's what I'm trying to git through my wool, Joney." " Whoro'd you tell 'em ?"

"That's where I missed it. I told Obod to be on hand ovary night this week, but I didn't tell him whether hereaway, or down towards tho fort."

" Well, it don't much matter. We can go down by the Town Hall and Court-House, to the landin' there, and if we don't find him, wo can keep along on tho Strand to tho Old Stairs."

"Aye, 'twon't bo far out o' the way, any how. Hoavo ahead I" And tbey sot for ward again, walking swiftly, and ovidently keeping well in tho shadow of flanking walls and buildings. Doris knew that tho clistanco from Wel lington Square to tho river was a inilo and.a quarter ; and that from tho landing of the Court-Houßeof the Old Stairs towards Fort William was something over half a mile more. In going that distanco might not help come ? O! if she could only make her ; voice heard. But soon a new horror aroee. She felt that she was smothering. The dust had so filled her nostrils that^ie breathed with difficulty, and she was forced to open hormoutli. This was dreadful. The dust would soon clog up her lungs. She could not endure it, and in her groat agony she struggled mightily. " I said, Jack, thn galsifi smotherin'." " Well, it! let'em smother !". "No, no, I wouldn't do that. If they'll swear't they won't make no racket, lot's give 'em a bit of fresh air." Presently the men stopped again, and both the girls were set upon their feet. Then the man called Jack addressed Doris : " Say, Miss, d'you want a bit o' fresh air ?" Doris answered as best «ho could : " 0, yes ! in Heavon's name yes I" ■ " Wai, now look 'o ; ef we'll lot you have yer heads out, will you swart you won't try tor holler ?—'at you won't make no noi3e anyway ? 'Caueo, 'f you don't, you shan't have ic." Doris assented, as did her maid ; and after a few precaution?, intersporeed with direful threats and terrible oaths, tho sacks were opened, and the captives' heads were set free. 0 ! how sweet, how grateful it was. Doris filled her lungs with heaven's own fresh, puro air, and for the moment for got all other suffering. The relief was so great that her heart swelled despite the terrors that remained.

The placo where they had stopped was neirer to the river than she had thought. By the dim light of a gas jet at a distant cornor, she could see that they wero close in ngainst a hiprh dead wall, with a gloomy looking buildinii, without a lighted window anyvvhois, on the oppos.'to side of the way. The hum of travel she could hear behind them, while ahead, at a short distance,

she could here the puffing of a steamboat, and she thought she heard the splash and rattle of oars. At all events, the river waa clo3e at hand, as 6he could see tho reflection of the stars in its^unruffled waters.

"Now mark, gals. If you open them 'ere pertatortraps o' yourn, it'll be woree for you. The chances are that you'll git yer heads stovo in, 'cause we won't put up with no foolin', mind that. Come, Joney, let's heave aheid."

Dorfs turned her head in season to see Leila lifted in the arms of the man called Jonoy, and on the next she was herself lifted in like manner, and borne on down to the water's side. Sho recognised the Court-Houso landing, and she could see boats floating alongside; but she saw no boats with men in it. The men stopped here, and again set tho girls upon their \ feet, whilo thoy looked over the boats that j wore moored along the quay._ " He ain't hore, that's sartin." I " He'll bo at tho Old Stairs; so here's off agin." " Say, Jake, why not let the gals walk ? Wo can pick 'oin up if there should be any need." Jake considered for a brief space, and seemed rather to like tho idea. "Look'o, myswootlittlocrooturs, of we'll take theso 'ero bags ofTmyou, will you walk right along and keep quiet? By the big horn apewn ! you'd better do it, now, I tell you I" Thus far, it will bo understood, the girls had boon kept in the dirty sacks, their heads alone being out; but if thoy were to walk tho sacks would havo to bo entirely romovod. " I promise," cried Doris, anxious to be freed from tho foul environment. "And you, my littlo ducklin'," said tho other ruflian, appealing to tho Hindoo girl, " will you give your promise too ?" She gave her promiso readily enough, but evidently with a mental reservation. Tho ruffians looked around the Strand, and bent their oars to listen, and having assured thorn.selves that no one was near to trouble them, they turned to tho left towards the fort, and walked as swiftly as thoir captives could be made to go. They had left tho government buildings behind them, and wore nov upon a stretch of road not built upon, and seemingly deserted. As they passed out from the shadows of tho high walls Doris looked up at the face of tho man who draggod her along, but his features wore hiddou by a mask—apparently a pioco of crape, with openings for the month and oyos. Sho had just made this discovery when sho felt her hand grasped moro tightly, her conductor at the same timo turning hia hoad to lock behind him. "Hi! Jonas!—l beliovo wo'ro tracked. Pick up yor gal, and run for it! By ! wo'll slip 'em yet! Obed '11 be sure to bo on hand. 'Taint a great way off. Now! Away wo go 1" Onco moro tho girls wore takon up in tho arms of thoir captors, who now ran as for dear lifo ; but thoy were not to got away without a note of warning ; for Leila, mind loss of tho result to herself, sent forth a scream that fairly split tho air—scream upon scream,—until tho man who bore her, with horriblo imprecations, and throats of throat cutting and hoart-stabbing, had got his broad palm ovor her mouth. Thon thoy ran swiftly—ran with all thoir might and main—pasaing soverul men on tho road who thought not of troubling them —ran —ran —ran—with no sign of fainting or tiring, until at length the pier-heads of tho Old Stairs wore in sight, and a man standing near to them. " Obod !—Obed !" "Aye, aye !" "Good! Hore wo aro. Whoro's yor boat?" "At tho foot of the stairs." " All right. Down you go! Quick! The blood-hounds aro closo aboard! Wherc'r yor mon ?" " In the boat, all roady." "Ayo, aye—down ! —down! Cast off! Out with yor oars 1" It was tho man called Jake who gavo thoso ordors, shouting them forth as ho and his companion bore their fair burdens down tho landing-stairs, nnd into the boat, Jonas and Leila were first en bond ; then ho and Doris ; then ho Rhouted: " Look alivo, boys! Lot full. Pull away. Pull for your lives ! Ho ! We'll—" CHAPTER II A CHASE. Nut move than ten minutes had passod after Doris and Leila had loft tho house, whon Mrs Driscoll's attention was called to a light footfall upon tho'stairs leading up from the lower hall; and shortly thereafter a gentle rap was given upon tho door of tho sick-room. Tho watohor aroso and answorod the sum mons, giving ontranco to a young man whoso presenco called a smilo and a flush of ploasuro to tho wan face upon tho pillow. Wo will introduco him at onco ; and as he is to boar a prominent part in our story, you shall know what manner of man ho was.

George Bertram, aged onoand-twenty ; tall nnd perfectly proportioned, with a mus cular development that might have been tho onvy of a professional athlete ; his hair, of a light brown colour, was thrown back from his expansive brow, falling in silken curls over liia collar; his oyos woro grey, full of light nnd life, and brilliantly expressive; tho other features being all that could bo re quirod to till up tho sum of manly beauty. His was a strong faco—tho face of ono truthful and just; full of kindly sympathy, yet as bravo as tho bravest; ono who hold his honour of more valuo than an empty life ; whose word was a bond ; and whoso ready hand loft no possible good undone. His mothor had died while he was yot a child. In his oarly youth ho had been sent from England to join his father, who was a colonel of cavalry in the British army. Ilia father had died—killed in a skirmish with rebellious uative troops—two years previous to tho opening of our story, leaving him of worldly goods a few thousand pounds, and a lucrative oHico—a clerkship—in tho employ of tho Military Department of tho Bast India Company. Though a clerk, ho yot had gained a thorough military education ; and, partly as a token of respect for his father, but not without merit of his own, ho had boen commissioned as a Lieutenant of Hussars, and had soon hard sorvico. Touching his associations with tho family of Aehton, we will simply say, Col. Bortram and Col. Ashton had been comvados in the same corps, and warm porsonal frionds for many years. Upon Goorgo's arrival in India, at tho ago of thirteen, ho had found hia father and Col. Aahton occupying the same quarters, co Doris, then a sparkling, laughter-loving child of eight, had boon his first playmate, and since that time tho twain had been firm and steadfast friends, 'loving one an othor with fervent truth and loyalty. Georgo went to the bedside, and pressed a kiss upon the sufl'orer's brow, and then asked for Doris. When told that she had gone for tho doctor, he started with quick alarm, though ho sought to hide his emotion from Mrs Ashton. " Leila wont with her," Mrs Driscoll said, who had boen quick to road the youth's feel ings. "Could not Loila have gone alone '!" " Aye, she was very eager so to do, but Doris would not listen. She felt that she ought to eeo tj-.e physician hersolf. I do not think she will be long gone." " How long since she laft?" " Not more then ten minutes. Perhaps a minute or two more." " I think I will join her." And he looked towards the occupant of the bed to see if tho proposition mot with her approval. "Aye/'shespprovedheartily. "I am glad you are going, George. I cannot banish the fear that haunts mo when Doris is exposed out of doors. Though she may go and come in safety, yot there is danger." "Of enurse there is danger," George echoed, more emphatically than he had in tended ; and, without further remark, he aroso from his seat and took his hat. " I shall probably find her at the doctor's," ho said, as he movod towards the door. " She had no other errand ?"

" Nothing more" "Then keep up a Rood hoart. \Ye will be with you very soon, and, I trust, bring Doctor Bloom with us." And in a moment more he 'wan gone. Arrived at tlie nearest corner of the squaro, he considered whether he should crosa it, or go around by the way of the streot. "Of course," he said to himself, " Doris took the upon street. She would not have ventured in such darkness to thread tho narrow paths to the park. Tho distance is but little rnoro. I will follow in iier track ; that will bo safest. And then, if anything should have happenod—" He left tho sentence unfinished, and moved rapidly on down tho west side of the square to the Dhurrumtolla ; there turned to the left, and held hia pace at a double quick until he reached the residence of the doctor, which stood by the sida of the Union Church. Hia 6uinmona at tho doer was anßwernd by a servant, of whom he in quired if Dori3 Ashton wag there, or if sbo had been thero. No; no one had called sincß darl< ;) "Sot been here? Are you sure? " I am. I nlono nnswnr tho door-bell, and you are tho first caller this evening,"

" Is Doctor Bloom in V "He is." "I will step in. I must see him in stantly." " You know where his apartment is. He is there." • George knew the arrangement of the house well, and went at once to the doctor? sanctum, where he found him with a book in his hand. ( " Doctor Bloom, pardon my intrusion. I am very anxious. Have you seen Miss Ash ton this evening?" " Doris ?" "Yes." "No." " She left her homo, not half an hour ago, to como hither in quest of yourself to attend upon her mother, who ia suffering anew." " She may have gone upon another orrand first." " No, she had no other errand ; and it is not like her to loiter, especially when on suehbueiness. Either an accident, or worse, must have befallen her." "Worse?" " Aye, worse, I fear. But I must not stop to explain. You have, of course, hoard mention made of the lurking scoundrel who so mysteriously hangs upon tho dear girl's footsteps, and who lifts more tli&n once DG trayed an unmistakeablo disposition to abduct her," "Yes, I have heard something, but I never rightly understood it. My supposition has been that tho fellow was a senseless loon, attracted by the damsel's oxtrome beauty." " No, no ; tho bruto knows nothing of beauty. But let that pass for now. If you will hasten to Mrs Ashton, I will set forth, calling lielp if I can find it, and do what I can to discover Mies Doris." The youth, in his eager haste, had turned towards the door, with his hat sttllin hand, when tho doctor stopped him. "Bertram ! you spoak of a lurking scoun drel who would abduct our littlo Doris. Is thero more than one ?" Goorgo started. "Ah ! for a time there was only one ; but of late—for hix months, or more—l think there has been another. Why do you ask?" "Because I saw two men this evening, as I was on my way home, and the thought has at this moment for the first time occurred to me that they had an eye upon Mrs Ashton's residence. I was deeply buried in study at the time, and passed them with out giving a thought to their presence; but I can call to mind now that they wore looking up at the chamber windows of that house. This I saw as I came in sight of that angle of the square. After that they turnod and wont in under tho Doric arch, where I passed them." "Can you tell me what they looked like!" " I only looked at ono of them. It was just at dusk, you will understand, so that I could not see plainly; but I could see that the man nearest to me was a broad- Bhouldered, slouching fellow, with a garb that smacked of the Eea." '' That is tho man ! I must away at once. You will go—" "I will look to tho mother. But—a word : Are you armed ?" " No." " Then take this. It is loaded, and I will warrant every cap and ovory cartridge. You will be safer with such a friend." " Ayo, and I thank you'for it. 0! if tho villain would give me good and sufficient causo to shoot him, I think I would bo thankful." It was an army revolvor of American manufacture, with six chambers. Bertram put it away in his breast pocket, and as he moved towards tho door he said :

"The two men woroin the squaro the last you saw of them V

" Yes, —within a few yards of the en trance, and slowly coming this way. I passed them." The youth thanked him again, and hur rod away. It was now almost nine o'clock, and but few people were stirring out of doors. There would be more after the placos of amusement woro emptied. Upon reaching Wellington Squaro ho enterod, feeling now assured that Doris had started to come that way, and took tho diagonal path which she would have followed had sho accomplished her purpose Ho dared not hesitate. He judged as best ho could, and acted quickly. Near tho centre of tho park ho met ;i policeman, of whom ho inado inquiries. The man had been on duty Hnco dark, and ho was very sure no fomalo hod passed his beat; nor had he seen any men answering to tho description which George gave.

On again, across the square, and down into the broad street running from tho ox tromo eastern road to the Strand, a distance of two miles, or more. At the coiner of tho squaro and Dhurrumtolla-street ho met another policeman, of whom he made further inquiry. This man startled him. Half an hour beforo ho had scon two men goiDg down towards tho Strand who seemed to have come from tho streot flanking the equaro on tho west side. They woro sailors, ho thought, with their clothes-bags on their shoulders. Ho had thought at first of stopping them, but thoy were at a consider able distance from him—he had seen them as they passed under a gaslight—and, like his confrere in tho park, he had not cared to lsave his beat.

This our hero deemed of importance, and ho resolved to act upon tho information thus roceived. Having been assured that tho man wont towards the river, ho started in pursuit—started upon a run, which ho kept up until he had reached the Cbauringhi Hoad, a thoroughfare running parallel with the strand, and three-fifths of a mile distant from it. He stopped hero becauso ho saw a numbor of p:oplo standing upon one of tho corners, by a strong gas-light, and two policemen with them. And this was not all. Hi3heart gave a grateful bouniaa he recog nised auiid the group two of his dearest friends - Dick Alford and Mark Mottling— one a clerk and the other a lieutenant, both employed in tho same office with himself

" Goorgo, what has happened ? Are you running a race 1 Where is your—" George, is soon as he could rogain hig breath, put out his hand and stopped his friend where he was.

"It is serious, Dick. That double dis tilled villain has got Doris within his grasp, after all. I have told you of him."

" Good heavens ! Where is he ?" "That is the question. Let me ask this officer."

He approached one of the policemen, and asked him if ho had ecen two men, with sicks on their shoulders, pass that way. The man thus questioned was shaking his hoad in token of No, when policeman Number Two, who had overheard, volun teered a response. "The sacks weren't on thoir shoulders, but carried in thoir arms. I saw -'em not moron fifteon minuteß ago. They seemed to bo goin' along on their own business; and as I was pertickerlily engaged just then, I didn't trouble 'em. I took 'cm to be sailors goin' aboard their ship." The policeman had been particularly en gaged at the moment when thoao two men had passed his post, as he had been for a considerable time before, and for several minutes afterwards, in an interesting conversation with a couplo of females well known on his boat. Being further questioned, he said that the two men had gone directly down to wards the Strand, where, ho had no doubt, a boat had been in waiting for them. " Dick ! Mark ! Will you go with me ?" "Of course we will. Have you got your barker, Mark?" "Yes." "So have I. And you, George?" "I have one that Dr. Bloom let me. Come on. O, if we can find them !" " We'll find them, if they are this sido of the river. Quick's the word!" They rcade a race of it to tho Strand, covering the distance in a very few minutes, and did not stop until they had reached the boat-landing by the Court-Houee, where they found a solitary man in the act of making fast the painter of his boat to one of tho ring-bolts on the pier. Him our hero addressed. He proved to bo a Lascar, though clad like an English seaman. Yes, he had seen the two men, and ho was afraid of them, and his fear had caused him to lie still in the bottom of his old boat, and give no sign of his presence. He had just come to the landing when they arrived upon tho pior, aud, knowing them to be up to mischief, ho deemed it safest to keep out of thoir sight; so ho had quietly drawn his boat in the well under the shadow of the pier-head, and there lain quiet. " Did they have sacks or bags with

them?" "Aye; and wonderful bags they weie. The men had brought a girl down in each bag, but before starting away they had set their captives free from the bags and allowed thorn to walk." " How lone ago was that?" Lascar hell up his hand, with the ringers spread, intimating that the men had not been gone much rrore than so many minutes.

Bertram was anxious, but there was one question more that ho must ask. " Look you. You say you know one of those men." Who and what is he?"

As near as could bo mado from the Hindoo's wrenched English, the man was known as Jacob Wenzell, Ho was an

American, and people thought ho had been a pirate. At all events, a pirate "brig was known to have beon in the river, and the man Wenzell wont freely on board,

"One question more. Can you tell me whithor those men meant to carry their cap tives ?"

Ye?, ho had heard thir destination spoken. The pirate brig, he waa vory sure, was at that moment somewhere between Diamond Point and Calcutta. They were to carry tho girln to the Old Stairs, near tho Fort, where a boat was waiting for them.

" We may be too late ! 0, the precious time wusted ! But we'll overhaul them yet." "Aye; wore good for it," responded Alford.

Nottling added his word of cheer as the three sot forth upon tho run. The road was hard and .smooth, and they went swiftly ovor it. Shortly after they had left tho last of the government buildings behind them, Bertram, who was a few paces in advance, criod out that he paw something ahead that looked like men walking. " Ayo," ho cried, a few moments later, " I see them plainly ; and the girls, also. Ha ! they are off upon tho run ! They have picked the girls up in thore arms, I do believe. Yes, they are carrying them."

It wfis now a chase for dear life. The pursued were heavily burdened, but thoy wore strong men, and desperate, and ran swiftly. Moreover, they wore not far from tho objective point. As nearly as C4eorgo could calculate, tho Old Stairs were less than a quarter of a mile distant, while the ruffians must bo almost there. The only hope was that in detention at the landing. The boat might not be ready to put off. Could they have but ono poor minute— it might be a precious minuto—could the boat be hindered from putting off, be it for never so short a space of time, they might come up in season.

" Ha ! they are there !"

So shouted our hero as he saw tho fugi tives turn sharp to tho right, down to tho river's side. He drew his pistol and dashed on, his companions closo behind him, and anon by his sido. As they reached tho head of tho stairs, they saw the boat, with a number of men in her, the two girls being in the stern sheets, and at that moment nearest the shore.

As George's feet touched the topmost landing of the stairs, lie saw the oars lifted and he heard a man, in quick, eager tones, shout:

" Let fall! Pull away ! Pull for your lives ! Ho I we'll—"

Ho hoard no more, for at that point hia own voice was raised in a loud cry to Doric. The boat's head had been pushed oIF, and he saw that if the girls would leap into the water, ho and his companions could save them. At all events, that was the only way, as ho couid hope to gain nothing by leaping into the boat. So ho called out at the top of his voice, at the same time stretch ing forth his arms : "Doris ! Doris ! into the water ! Leap ! I will savo you ! Leila ! jump with Doris !" At this moment the men Jacob and Jonas having seated their fair captives in the sternsheots of the cutter, were in the act of stopping over the thwart next forward, tho first'named at the samo time giving the orders to the crow which we have heard: so they did not hear, or did not notice, the call of Bertram to the girls ; but there was a man who did hoar —a man who stood with a boat hook in his hand, having just given the last push from the landing. "Oump! Jump !" Doris had known tho voice from the first and now she could recognise the well-known form and features of her dear lover. At that moment she had no fear of the water she knew that Georgo would save her. "This way! Leap towards me!" cried the eager youth, as ho saw his darling ready to spring. She had stepped upon the little comb dock, ready to go over the Btern, whon the man neareßt her drooped his boat-hook, and caught her arm. " No, no, my little one ! Not quite so—" He did not livo to finish the sentence. Dick Alford had anticipated a movement of tho kind, and was prepared for it. He had held his pistol ready, and when tho need had come, his. aim had been unorring. The bullet went crashing through the pirate's brain.

luckily Doris did not lose her presence of mind. She know that the man who had grasped her arm bad been shot, and she saw that his fall had thrown the ruffians momen tarily into confusion ; and at that momont sho sprang to the water, Leila following close by her sido, and so luckily had they made tho leap that Bertram was ablo to reach them both from the bottom step of tho stairs.

"Back! Back! If you put a hand on that girl, you are a dead man." It was the man Jake who had sprung aft. and was in the act of reaching after the floating skirt of Doris's dress, but he caw tho muzzle of Alford's pistol, and he evi dently did not consider the game worth the risk. At all events, he drew quickly back^ whilo tho two girls were drawn safely to the' stairs and carried to the landing.

Dick Alford, by virtue of his rank, wore tho uniform of tho Royal Hussars, seeing which tho rascals in the boat probably thought thoro might be a squad of troops from tho fort close at hand, else they would not have fled as they did ; for there were certainly eight of them, all told,—eufficent to have quickly overcome our three friends had they landed for that purpose. As it was, however, as soon as it had been seen that their late captives had escaped them, tho order for pulling away was given, and tho boat was soon lost in tho distant gloom,

(To be Continued.)

A Japanese Servant Interpreter.

That ho would tell a lie if it served his pur pose, and would " squeeze " up to the limits of extortion'if ho could do it unobserved, I have not the slightest doubt. He seems to have but little heart or any idea of any but "vicious pleasures. He has no roligion of any kind ;.he has been too much with foreigners for that. His frankness is something startling. He has no idea oi reticenco on any subject; but probably I lsarn more about things as they ljDalJy aro from this very defect. In virtue in man or woman, except in that of his former master, he has little if any belief. He thinks that Japan is right in availing horsolf of the discoveries made by foieigners, that they havo as much to learn from her, and that sho will outstrip them in the race, because elia takes all that is worth having and rejects tho incubus of Christianity. Patriotism is, I think, his strongest feeling, and I never mot with such a boastful dis play of it, except in a Scotchman or an American. He dispises tho uneducated, as he can road and writo both tho syllabaries. For foreign rank or position he has not an atom of reveronco or value, but a great deal of both for Japaneso officialdom. He des pises the intellects of women, but flirts in a town-bred'fasluon with the simple tea-house girls. Ho is anxious to speak tho very best English, aifd to fay that a word ia slangy or common interdicts its u«o. Some times^ whon tho weather is fine and things go smoothly, he is hi an excellent and com mnnicntivo humour, and talks a good deal as we travel. A few days ago 1 remarked, " What a beautiful day thia is!" and «oon after, note book in hand, he said, " You say, 'a boautiful day.' Is that bettor English than 'a devilish fine day,' which most foeignors say!" I replied that it was "common," and "beautiful" has been , brought out frequently since.—" Unbeaten Tracts in Japan, In Isabella L. Bird.

The Majors Playful Way

O.N'Ji evening in tho autumn of '56, word reached tho Major that a party of prospec tors had jumped the "Nip and Tuck," claimed by him. The next morning tho Major buckled on his favourite bone-handled revolver, and started out to expostulate with tho boys in his peculiar way. Expecting to find them at work in tho tunnel, he walked carelessly toward its mouth. Tho boys were "lay ing for him." Ashereachedthedumppile commanding a view of tho tunnel, he saw tho muzzles of three guns frowning through a clump of bushes at his mouth, and threw himself backward just as tho boys blazed away. The ambushing party rushed out elated to look at tho fallen Terror of tho Mines, Jim Turner, a wild Texan, who feared not oven the Major's aim, being in tho lead.

Tho Major, who ent upright at tho foot of the dump-pile unhurt, with his revolver ready, " pinked " him promptly. The dis cussion which followed was concise and somewhat technical. "Gentlemen," said the Major, turning to tho other two as eailants who stood with unleaded guns, " 1 see your blind and straddle it; I hold a full hand (nodding tobiß favourite bone-handled), and here (producing another) is my straight flush." "Major, bodad, I pass !" said Tom Burke, a man from Galway, dashing through the chapparal. " I chip," said the Major, still speaking in gaming-table slang rand as ho spoke, the man from Galway yelled at tho sting of a bullet, where it plflughed deep but broke no bones. "Boney, where'il you havo it?" said tho Major, turning to Wia remaining assailant. Boney had prudently diaoppor.rod >n *ne deptha of tho tunnel.—" Manchester Times,"

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1885.

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