THE MYSTERY OF HADDON'S FERRY.

(Bγ B. D. E. N. Southworth.)

CHAPTER XLV. pray* , felioia Hemans. . To Geraldine's astounding annunciation Gertrude made no reply. Geraldine gazed on her quiet face with astonishment, and exclaimed : "Did you hear what I said? Do you understand it? Have you ears ? Have you renson?" " Yes I heai'd and understand you, Miss Fitzgerald," replied Gertrude. . " I scarcely believe that you did. 1 told -*ou that your marriage with Gerald Fitz gerald was a sacrilegious farce. I told you that Colonel .Fitzgerald knows that now, •and he has left you for ever. You will never gco him nidre." " That is what you told me," quietly re plied the young wife. " Well !" exclaimed the lady, amazed at her calmness. "Ido not believe it. Miss Fitzgerald," gaicl Gertrude, emphatically. ' ; What!" exclaimed Geraldine, in in dignant amazement. ■ • I dp not believe it," reiterated Gertrude, even more emphatically than before. •' How dare you—how dare you say that ? Di you presume to doubt my veracity ?" de jrmnded Miss Fitzgerald, bending her burn ing black eyes upon the young being before hei*as;i£ she would consume and shrivel up her slender form. f#>'K6, madam, I do nob presume to doubt your veracity; but I know that you are mistaken," said Gertrude, with the most provoking pertinacity. •• Ah I you know that I am mistaken. Pray, how do you know that ?" sneered Geraldine.

•• Because I know* that our marriage is a true and sacred union, and I know my husband has not left me for ever, and that lie will surely soon return," answered Ger trude, with a quiet faith that infuriated her hearer.

" Yon cannot deny,' , exclaimedGeraldine, white wifch suppressed rage, "you cannot deny that ho went out lust-meht without a word, a message, or a noto of explanation, that he remained away all night and has not oven vet returned ?*'

■• No," said Uertrurlc, putting a severe constraint upon herself, '"I cannot deny that. Yet 1 fool sure that he must have hren called away suddenly, unexpectedly, and detained by .sonic unavoidable circum stance." •• Indeed !" cried Geraldine, with ;i ourl fng lip. " Why, then, has ho not sent you k message or a note 'i Tell me that, it you

please." "I cannot tell yon. I do not know. Possibly lie lias sent me one or the other." "Really! If so, why have you not re ceived if.'"' _ •'Notes and manages sent sometimes tail to be delivered." Geraldine sprang up from her scat and be"an walking up and down the floor with impatient steps : presently she paused be fore the quiet, solf : con trolled little wife, and said : •• What if this man has sent you no word of his absence ?" •■ Then he will explain it hereafter. ' ; Suppose he fails to do so J" '•It will be because he has some honourable motive for his silence." ;; .B.ur!" exclaimedGeraldine with afierce stamp of her foot. "You are the most con temptible idiot 1 ever saw in my life. Look licre 1" she added suddenly throwing her self, into her chair ; " listen to me ! If you had not been the most pitiable of fools you never would have married Gerald Fitzgerald under the circumstances. :, "If I liad been such as you represent me, Mins Fitzgerald, Colonel Fitzgerald would never have made me hi* wife," re plied Gertrude, with a meek dignity pecu liar to herself. " Oh, yes he would—under the circum stances ! * Jfc was because; he knew that you were an idiot that he asked you to be his wife. He knew well enough that none but an idiot would have accepted him at such a time. Why, he only married you to ro ven«e himself upon me, hi 3 beloved and betrothed bride, with whom he was in sanely angry. He bitterly repents now, and he would give his right hand to undo what he has done ! Ho never loved you ! Yon do not presume to think he ever loved you ! Why, he never even pretended to love you ! for with all his faults, Gerald Fitzgerald is a truthful man, and would make no false, professions to any woman. I defy you to say that ho even pretended to love you when he asked you to marry him ! exclaimed Geraldine, in triumphant scorn.

Gertrude was silent. "Why do you not answer me? 1M Gerald Fitzgerald ever profess to love you ? Answer mcfl say, directly." li Mies Fitzgerald, I consider it improper of you to ask such a question. It would be still more improper of me to answer it. Surely, you know that the confidences be tween a husband and wife should bo held sacred," mildly replied Gertrude. I Jeraldine. sprang to her feet with, the spring of a tigress. '' Why cannot I blasther where she stands -with one blaze from my soul!" she cried, as she walked up and down the floor. At length, once more she came and threw herself down into the easy-chair, and said, -with a slow, deliberate, scornful cutting in tonation :

" 'Confidences between a, husband and ■wife,'—' confidences between' Gerald Fitz gerald and youi-ryou ! iia! ha! Precious little confidence between yon, I should jndije, by what I witnessed while I had the' doubtful honour of travelling in your company ! Why, he scarcely spoke to yon, or even looked at you. Confidence !ha ! ha ! ha ! ;; Gertrude remained perfectly quiet under this onslaught. ,; Listen, girl!" continued her tormentor. "You l'ef used to answer my question. I will answer it for myself. Gerald Fitz gerald never pretended to love you. He is the , soul of honour, and never stooped to false pretensions. He never loved yon, and yenh know il." Gertrude was silent.

"And now he loathes you. And ymi "know it J" ' • No, Heaven forbid! I do not know that," replied Gertrude, gravely. »• Whether you acknowledge it or not, it is true. Gerald Fitzgerald loal/m you as the embodied ruin of his Hie—despises you, as the contemptible creature who could catch a man at a rebound and hold him fettered against his will—fettered against his will for life. Yes! Gerald Fitzgerald pot only never loved you, but now loathes enrl despises you, as he took no pain§ to conceal, but openly displayed in his every word, look and act, tfuring our two days' journey together. I defy you to contradict me I" exclaimed Geraldine, fiercely. Gertrude did not contradict the state \ ment, bub quietly pub put her hand and fe; Wiled the bell-rope that hung within her \ \ach. .. ~ Vl am waiting for an answer, said •. after scornfully regarding the *tt<m2jL i will have one , ; m ~a, A i&answered Gertrude, calmly. .. *' OosJ&g 6 to the door. !i ~ , BaidGerbrttde.

A waiter entered, bowed, and inquired

" Did you ring, madam ?" " Yes. Be so kind as to show this young lady to the street door. Good-morning, Miss Fitzgerald," said the young wife, rising courteously and passing on toward her bedroom.

Geraldine Fitzgerald stood for a moment astounded. She had not expected any such move from the meek Gertrude, the humble "ferry-girl." The waiter bowed, and stood ready to attend the lady out. " You can retire. I shall not leave just yet," said Miss Fitzgerald, haughtily. The polite waiter bowed again and with drew. Geraldine walked up to the chamber door, opened it without ceremony, and passed in. She surprised Gertrude, in a pensive at titude, seated by the window, looking vacantly out upon the open avenue. She went behind her and tapped her smartly upon the shoulder. Gertrude started and looked round in surprise. " Thanks for your courtesy in calling a waiter to attend me, but 1 am not quite ready to depart yet," said Geraldine, in a mocking voice. Then changing her tone to one of haughty scorn, she continued: "Pray, did you imagine that / could be dismissed at your pleasure, like any other unwelcome visitor ? No, you do not get rid of me so easily." Gertrude gazed on the speaker in utter astonishment. She had not expected to find such a want of dignity, courtesy, and even common self-respect in one of Miss Fitzgerald's birth and breeding. Gertrude was too inexperienced to know that pride, propriety, decorum—all minor considera tions are swept away by the impetuous torrent of a passion and a purpose such as propelled Geraldine now. '' No, our interview is not at an end yet. I have something more to say to you," continued Geraldine.

"If you must resume your conversation with me, I must request you, Miss Fitz gerald, .to put some restraint upon your self. Your word.? not only wrong me— which is of little matter, indeed—but they assail my husband's truth and honour. To such words I connot, and —excuse me—l will not listen," said Gertrude, firmly.

"Ah !" sneered Geraldine, " you see?» to love this husband, as you call him, very much. But do you really, now ? Answer me !"

" My husband is the only one who has tho right to ask that question of me, and to him only will 1 answer it," said Ger trude, quietly. Geraldine gave a fiery stamp of impa tience, but almost immediately controlled herself and remarked:

" You still refuse to answer my questions. Then I must still answer myself. Yes, you do love Gerald Fitzgerald, although you know your love is not returned. -, Gertrude was silent.

" Such a loyo would seem to be pure and unselfish. It is nob Uie trading love of ordinary lovers, who exchange love for love ; it gives itself away for nothing-," said Miss Fitzgerald, who, having failed to terrify or to exasperate tho gentle, loyal young wife, now essayed to rule her through her disinterested affection and seH-dovotion. Gertrude listened, wondering what the lady meant now. Uoraldinc continued : " Such is tho love you bear Gerald Fitz gerald. You do not love him for your own sake, but for his sake. You did not marry him to please your.scU, but to please him—" " Oh, but I must interrupt you here, Miss Fitzgerald. I did marry to please myself as well as to please him. Ho willed me to be his wife. 1 delighted to submit myself to his will. I would rather, since he wished me to do so, have become his wife, unloved as I was, than to have fulfilled the most brilliant destiny on earth," said Gertrude, taken off her guard. Gcraldine made a gesturo of impatience, but controlled herself and continued : "Yes, and why? .Because you thought your compliance with his wishes would please him, would make him happy. Did you not ?" " Yes," replied Gertrude, in a low voico. " But you'must sec that it has not made him happy ; on the contrary, it lias made him miserable by ruining his life. And your only object, then, was his happiness?" " Yes," amrmured Gertrude. _ "And your only object now is his happi ness ?" . " Yes," repeated Gertrude, coming more and more under the influence of the stronger nature by which she was begin ning to be magnetised. "You would do anything now to rein state him in happiness, would you not ?" " Heaven knows that I would do any thing right to mako him happy. Anything wrong would never do so," said Gertrude. "Of course not. Now, my girl, I see that you are a different person from what I had supposed you to be. You arc not tho selfish, forward, artful girl people be lieve you to be. I am very sorry that I, among others, mistook you. lam sure now that you would do anything you could to re-establish Gorald Fitzgerald in his broken life. Shall I tell you how you may do it ?" " Yes, if you please, Miss Fitzgerald." "Bub it will require somo sacrifice on your part." " That is not worth a moment's thought. Tell me how I can serve Colonel Fitzgerald's besc interests." " I thought you would say that Listen then. Y"ou can restore Gerald Fitzgerald to his happiness by an act of the highest virtue and self-devotion. It is needless to remind yon, my poor girl, that he married you, whom he did nob and could not love, in a moment of frenzied anger against me, to whom he was betrothed, and whom he had loved for years, and does love still, and must ever love, and that consequently this mad marriage has made him utterly miser able. I say I need not remind you of all this, for you yourself know it well." Gertrude sighed. . "How then can Gerald Fitzgerald be saved from the, lasting consequences of his own rash act ? He can do Only you can do anything to relieve him." " Oh, how ?" sighed Gertrude. "By a high act of self-sacrifice, as I told What shall I do ?" " Listen : When I first came in this even ing, I told you that your marriage with Gerald Fitzeerald was a sacrilegious farce. It was aeorrowfultruth, though too bitterly frilri " " Oh! Miss Fitzgerald—a truth?" moaned the young wife. " Yes; for a man to marry a woman whom he does not love is sacrilege. I told you, further, that Gerald Fitzgerald had left you for ever, and that you would never see him more." " Oh, Miss Fitzgerald \ But that was not the truth," sighed Gertrude. " Yes, it was the truth, for you will make it so. If you love Colonel Fitzgerald, as you say you do —if you value his welfare more than your own—if you prefer his happiness above your own—then, Gertrede, your own self-sacrifice for his sake will make my words true. Are you ready to make the sacrifice '!" solemnly'demanded the young lady. "oh, Miss Fitzgerald, I do nob under stand you—at least I hope Ido not," said ihe young wife in a great trouble. " I think you do ; bub I can explain more clearly. If you love Gerald Fitzgerald more than you love yourself, so that you aro will ing tosac«!sce yourself for him, you may make true by going away to-day, and never seeing.him more." 1 (' ilisa Sifif erald ! You do nob mean it J" cried Gertrude, aghast. "HwshJ do not interrupt me, my gin. I wish to enlighten you. Your marriage with Gerald Fitzgerald is sacrilegious upon more accounts than one. For at least a half a dozen reasons, either one of which would be enough to purat »(/" „.

Gertrude groaned and dropped her faco upon her hands. "Shall I recount these reasons? First then, the marriage is sacrilegious because it was contracted without love on the bride groom's pare. Secondly, because it was done for revenge. Thirdly, because it was done in the face of a solemn betrothal ex isting between the bridegroom and another woman. Attend particularly to this point. Gerald Fitzgerald is a loyal son of the Roman Catholic Church, as all his fore fathers have been for a dozen centuries. I also am a faithful child of the Church, as all my ancestors have been for centuries. In our earliest youth Gerald and myself were solemnly betrothed, with prayer and benediction by a holy priest. In our holy Church such a betrothal is held to be almost as Sacred as marriage itself—so sacred, in deed, as not to be broken by sin or by death. But Gerald Fitzgerald broke through it to marry you. Therefore was his marriage unholy and unlawful. And being so, the union may properly be dis solved. I have thus shown you the counts upon which your marriage with Gorald Fitzgerald is sacrilegious, as he. knows it to be as well as we do. And not only is it sacrilegious in itself, but so unseemly ass to impair his worldly position as a gentleman, and so repugnant to his feelings as to ruin his whole life's happiness. Yef ho can do nothing—as a gentleman, he can do nothing to free himself. Only you can [yeo him." "How?" breathed Gertrude, in an expir ing breath. " By going away at once where he never will see you again. That will, after afew years, give him an opportunity to obtain a legal dissolution of these unholy bonds." _ "Is that what you wish me to do, Miss Fitzgerald? , ' "Yes. And understand mo. lou shall not go unprovided. i will give you a thousand dollars, in fifty dollar notes, and repeat the donation every six months until you re-marry, as you will some day." " So that is what I must do ?" " Yes ; that is what you muse do." "Miss Fitzgerald, it is my sentence of death." " Nonsense : you will get over ib. "It is my sentence of death, and 1 am willing to suffer it for my husband's sake." " Noble girl ! I knew you would be ! " But, Miss Fitzgerald", I must receive that sentence from my husband's lips alono —-from no others—not from yourts," said Gertrude, with a sweet solemnity, peculiar to herself in her graver moods. "What?"' demanded Geraldine in her consternation.

"I must receive my sentenco only from him to whom I have given myself ; to whom my lite belongs ; who has the whole dis posal of my fute." " Then you will never servo him, for ho will never consent. Gertrude, you must leave this place without seeing him it' you would servo him," exclaimed Goraldine.

" No. I must not, I will not, I dare not. To do so would be to break my marriage vows. I will lay the whole caso before my husband and abide hiy decision, whethor it be for lil'o in his presence, or death in banishment from him."

"Girl, yon know that ho will ncvor con sent to send you away, however it may wreck him to keep you. You must leave him without consulting him, if you really wish to secure his future happiness, Cnnio, you need not fear for your future. 1 will give you a thousand dollars, in fifty-dollar notes, which I have brought with in.-, if you will take your departure within an hour. I will repeat this sum every six months, so long as you may need it. ex claimed Gemldine, drawing a porteinonnaie from her pocket, and beginning to count the notes it contained.

Gertrude's pure, pale fao.o flushed, ycb she controlled herself, and spoke gently :

"JMitiS Fitzgerald, pub up your money. It seema strange that you should permit yourself to offer me such an aiiVont, or that you should not know tliat in »o caso could I touch it. For the rcfib, I repeat that .!. will refer this proposition to my husband, and bo guided by hin will, as 1 have been from the moment he made me his wife."

" Viper ! J. Sco your art !" fiercely ex claimed Ucraldinc. "You know that Gerald Fitzgerald never put you away, however much it may blast his life to retain you. In his Quixotic senso o£ honour ho would even think ifc wrong to do so." "Then, Mifcs Fitzgerald, if he should think ifc wrong, it would be wrong ; I'm- he is the best judge—the only judge," said Gertrude, gravely. Geraldine made a gesture of norco im patience ; but controlled herself in a moment, and said: "Well, granted for argument sake tha.b it might seem wrong in him to repudi ate you now, yet still in your ease it would bo right, noble, heroic in you to withdraw yourself from him. Women, pure-minded, self-saorifying women, situated oh yon arc, havo done such things before. Devoted wives, knowing themselves unloved, feeling themselves to be obstacles to their hus bands' welfare and happiness, have with drawn into solitude and oblivion." "I havoreadand heard of such women,butl have never understood them, i could not bo like them. I could not break my marriage vow by leaving the protection of my huaband without his knowledge and consent —no ! not under any circumstances whatever," replied Gertrude. Geraldine stamped her foot impatiently, but again governed herself, and continued : "Know that this marriage of yours is not held sacred. In every point of view you must see that it would be the one right and proper thing for you—to withdraw yourself from Colonel Fitzgerald," " I will refer the question to my husband, and be guided by his decision," said Ger trude, firmly. Geraldine Fitzgerald sprang to her feet, her face livid with passion. "So this is your game, then, is it ?" pho fiercely hissed between her closed teeth. " This is your game—to frofem a deep self devotion that you do not mean to practise \ To pretend to submit to Gerald Fitzgerald's will while you hold him in the bonds of loveless, wicked, hateful marriage ! Oh, subtle deceiver ! Oh, plausible hypocrite ! I know you ! Know yon now ! Know you now ! I knew you from the first ! But listen, minion I" she said, dropping her voice to its lowest, sternest tones and fixing her burning eyes fiercely upon those of Ger trude—" Listen to me ! Your life with Gerald Fitzgerald will bo a hell on earth bo long as it lasts, for lie will hate you as he hates Satan ! Ho has already begun to hate ypH, you must see and feel that he has. / savy it in his demeanour towards you during the stage-coach journey ! Your life with him will be a living death for as long as it shall last ! but it shall not last long, for, by my soul's salvation, I swear that I myself will end it, in one way or other."

And with this sinister threat the furious young woman turned and left the room.

CHAPTER XLVI. HEALED.

Lov(\ was to her impassioned foiil, Not as with others, a more part Of its existence, but the whole— T.ie very life-breath of her heart. Moore. As soon as her fierce tormentor had de parted and left her alone, the firmness which Gertrude had kept up so long - , at such a cost to her nervous system, suddenly broke down, and she bowed her face upon her hands and wepfc bitterly.

While weeping, she examined her heart without mercy. Had she been too hasty in accepting the marriage ofl'er of Gerald Fitzgerald? }Y as she selfish in resolving to hold her position as his wife? Would her persistence in doing so really destroy his happiness and ruin his prospect? ? Would he really come to hate and scorn her as.an ignominious ob- Bfcacle to his happiness and prosperity ?

To all these questions she could answer nothing—she could only weep. Ccraldine had utterly confused and bewildered her mind upon all these points. But had he gone and loft her for ever, without a word of adieu or explanation, as Geraldine had assured her ? No, she felt certain that he had not. Whatever might be the cause of his mys terious absence and strange conduct, it could be nothing that could reflect upon la's honor. He would return to her in good time, whether her society afforded him happiness "or gave him misery. Did she regret her stranjje marriage with Gerald Fitzgerald ? No, no, no ! Come what might in the future, she felt sure that she never could i egret the act that made her his wife. Would she bo willing to leave him ? Never ! For though sho would consent to do so if he wished it, and in loyal obo.li enco to his will, sho could never bo willing to leave him. Life with her worshipped husband, under any circumstances, would be the happiest life she could lead. If sho might only be permitted to live with him, sco him, hoar him, even though she knew herself to be unloved, she would be far happier than she had ever been before he married her, or could over bo should ho send her from him. Upon these questions she could have no doubt.

Besides, " a still, email voice " from the depths of her spirit mado itself heard through all the turmoil of her bosom, whispering that this man who had taken her to wife, and whom she loved with all her being, was indeed and in truth her husband for time and for eternity, and that some day ho would know her and love her perfectly. With theso whisperings in the spirit, tho heavy storm of trouble in her bosom subsided, her tears ceased, her sobs became softer. While she sat thus she felt a pair of caressing hands laid around her bowed shoulders,

Sho looked up in .surprise, and saw Gerald Fitzgerald standing besido her, bending over her.

"Why, what is the matter, my poor little girl? Yon have been crying," he said, in a gentle tone. "Oh, Gerald! Oh, Gerald!' , she said, with a little sob.

" Why,what is the matter ?" he inquired, seating himself beside her and taking her hand.

His kindness made her weep again. "Is it because you have been left alone here '!" ho asked.

" Oil, no, no! not; that." sho answered, drying her tears, and trying to compose herself.

" No, of course ; for you must have got my note of explanation.' , "Igotnonoto or message, bnfc I knew you must havo been culled away smlclcnly, and that you would return as booh us you could. And I was not tifniid, for 1 know I ehould bo fcafo in any ]>i;xco whero you had left uu. , ," .sho answered, smiling through hor tears, for liiw kindness nuido her very huppy.

" You dear, trusting child ! How difior onfc from—but no mutter. You did not out my note of explanation, you sny, Olor tiude V Ifc must have beon from gros.< neglect on the part of t/hopeop!o downstair*. 1 must moo to them. Yon woro not frightened or distressed at heing left, alono through the night, yon lull me. What, then, was it that grusved you, my child?' , ho inquired, tenderly smoothing , her dark hair away from her forehead.

"Oh, Oarald, Miss Fitzgcmld wan here this morning," who whispered.

" Gcmlriinc ! Good Heaven!" Gertrude phuddcrod, ns much at his look as at her own iveulleetionH.

" Why did .she come? Whutdid sho want? What did she say ''."'

Kow Gertrudo did not mean to accuse Miss Fitzirerald, nor bo " make mischief" between Gorald and his cousin ; but it never entered her loyal heart to keep a secret from tbo husband she loved so truly..

"What did sho say V repeated Colonel Fitzgerald, shortly. '•Oh, Gerald, lirst of all sho told mo that you had left mo for ever ; thai i should never sou you aguin." " You did nob believo (hat?" " Oh, no, not for an instant." "How could blio have stooped to such a base falsehood? JSho must have been in sane." " I do nob think she recant to toll a false hood. Ido not think h!k: would do that," .said (iertrude, generously. " What do you moan, child, by such 31 ran go talk ':" demanded Colonel Fitz gerald. '•1 mean that she intended to make her words true. Sho intended that i should never ace you again." "By what method did sho expect to bring that to pas*, i weuder '.' Tell me, if you know, child. And don't look so dis tressed." ' : Sho told me, in effect, that you had married me during a transient fit of mud ness ; that you bitterly repented the mar riage ; that it wa.s considered a sacrilegious union ; that it would ruin your happiness and blast your prospects ; that if 1 loved you, and eared for your honour and welfare, i ought to steal away and hide myself where you could never fiud me, so that, after a proper time, you might procure a legal dissolution of what she called your un holy bonds. She said if 1 did not do so you would grow to loathe and despise mo as an obstacle in your path of life." " And did you believe all that to be true ?' " I did not know. I wa.s ,«o confused and distressed that I could not think. Ib wan all I could do to keep from crying," sighed Gertrude. " How did you.answer her ?" "I said, of course, that i could not for a moment think of .such an act as to leave your protection without your knowledge and consent." "What said she to that?" " She lost patience—" " No, my clear, sho did nob. She never had the least patience to lose I" exclaimed Fitzgerald. " Well, then, .she showed impatience ; bub still urged me to follow her counsel." " And then?"' " Finally I told her that I would refer the whole matter to my husband, and be ruled by hia will. '

"Ha! ha ! ha!" laughed Gerald Fitz gerald.

Gertrude gazed at him in bewilderment. That this grave and stately man should break into such mirth at such a time was incomprehensible to her. Besides, she had never heard him laugh before. Ho took her little hand and kissed it, saying:

" My sweet little girl, I had no idea that you were so wise." " Was it wise ? I thought I was only duti ful," murmured Gertrude.

•' Why, little one, if instead of being the simple, innocent child that you are, you had been the deepest diplomat that ever confounded the councils of a nation, yon could not have answered Miss Fitzgerald better. What next ?" " She was very angry, and she hurried away, saying that she would find some meaiiß to break this unholy marriage." "She is mad, Gertrude, simply mad. Well, she went away. And as soon as sho was gone, you indulged in what women call ' a good cry. ' " " Yes, Gerald, 1 could not help ifc." " But you should not have cried after that last stroke of yours. You unhorsed your antagonist by that, and came off victor. Now, Gertrude, yon have only given me tho ' heads ' of your interview with Miss Fitz norald. . I want you to begin and give mo a regular circumstantial detail of aU she paid and did from the moment of her entrance into this loom until tho moment of her de parture from it. I have a particular reason for wishing to know,"

Gertrude gave him the story as he asked

for it- , He sat in deep thought for a while, and, then, nodding grimly several times, he said :

" She referred to my manner during our ■journey together in tho stage coach '!" "Yos." " That was the most diplomatic thing she could have done ; for I fear that I behaved like a bear on that occasion, my little " Oh, no, no, you were only thoughtful, and abstracted. I know that now, Gerald, though I did not know it then." " Ah, ray child, it was a trying position to hold for two days and nights contin uously," sighed Fitzgerald. " Oh, indeed, I know it," assented Ger-

trude. "Yes, wretch that I was, I must have wounded you, my little dove," muttered Gerald Fitzgerald to himself. Gertrude did not catch his self-accusing words, or sho would surely have set them aside. Silence fell upon tho pair fora few mo raents. It was'broken by the soft voice of Gertrude. " Gerald, I must say something."

" Well, dear?" " Oh, Gerald ! if it bo indeed true what your cousin said—if our marriage is held to be sacrilegious—if I am to be an obstacle to your happiness and prosperity —if you wish me to depart, Gerald—send me away. I am willing to go," she said with an eflort to be firm ; but he could hear the half-sup pressed sob in her voice. Ho put his arm around her waist, and drew liev head upon his bosom while he questioned her. "Arc you sorry you married me, Ger trude ?" "Oh, no, no, no! lam glad! I have been so happy even in this little while. 1 will always have it to remember," she earnestly replied. " Then why do you wish to leave me ?" "Oh? I do not! I do not! I do not, unless you want mo to go. I only think of yon, Gerald. I know it would be so wrong for a littlo thing like I am to spoil tho life of a man like you. So, if you wish me to depart, I am willing to go." " My poor child, where could you go ? What would be your fate—your future ?" "Oh ! I do not know. That i 3 nothing now. I could think of that afterwards. 1 only want to see your life go on happily, prosperously, gloriously to its earthly end."

" And then Gertrude—you V" "I? Well, perhaps up there, in that higher life-—" "My littlo angel," ho said, tenderly taking hor delicate face between his hands, and gazing wistfully into her fioft brown oyo3, " 1 am all unworthy of your pure devotion; but lam not ho evil us to take you at your word. Nor shall you again be tortured as you have been this morning. I will protect you from a repetition of that assault, as well as from all other injuries. You arc my honoured wife, and nothing but death shall part us." Her faeo changed and grew radiant through her tear?, glorious as a sunburst through sliowcra.

He stooped and kissed that beautiful and beaming tnee, gazed on it with t>. smile for an instant, and then drew her close to his heart/. " Ah ! now I think—" murmured Ger trude, in low music. " What do you think, darling?"' "I think—oil ! indeed I do I —that some day you will really know me, and lovo me. Jam so young now, and ko littlo. lam not what I nhall grow to be by your side. When 1 shall be, you will lovo me," she murmured, blushing intensely at her own words. " I lovo you wow, my little angel ! How can i help it ? 1 lovo you now !" ( To be continued. J

TflE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER % IBCT,

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Tailoring. MASHER WITHOUT : How the doose is it, Fred, your trousers never bag at the knees ? MASHER WITH : Something in the cut, old fellow. Try WOOLLAMS, OF SYDENHAM HOUSE, GREY St. He has cut my pants for years. EXTRA PAIR OF TROUSERS « fcUITS X 503. 555. 60s. S W- o ~ 655. 70s. 755. " so il TEOUSEKS §3 S a 12a. Gd. 15s. 17s. 6d. | § 20s. 22e. 6d. 255. ef≤ Xx A H. ROBINSON, Tailob, a « > COHNEU OP Mh , P S Cook & Grey Sts. jSsy \ I GKKY STRtCBTB. \V . H. ROBINSON. in> EMEMBER, if you leave your order at JS\i .1. H. Dalton's for a Suit, you get a choice of tliree thinsys—an Extra Pair of Trousers Water bury Watch or JO per cent. Price 50s, ■pAPERHA-N 0 I N G S. w. phillipFs & son Have received, ex late arrivals, 185 -PACKAGES—IBS Containing 55,000 ROLLS OF PAPERHANGINGS. Consisting of NEW PATTERNS For Drawing, Dining, Bed Rooms, Hall and Staircase, suitable for the Mansion or Cottage. Beautiful Designs, and best value over offered in Paperhangines. 916-PACKAGES-916 SCRIMS AND HESSIANS, Plate and Sheet Glass, White Lead, Oils, Turps, Varnishes, and all Trade Sundries, W. PHILLIPPS & SON, 95 AND 97, QCKKK-STRKKT,



Watches. rnlfirTToiTEircT time] WITHIN REACH OF ALL. TEN YEARS AGO STEWART DAW-SON & Co., Liverpool, Struck tho keynote of sound commercial trad ii>ir by opening the portals of their Factory to the actual consumers, THE GENERAL PUB LIC thus sweeping away at one blow the exor bitant protit.B oil the Middleman and Retail Dealer. The results attendant on this, the duly real and beneficial system of trading with ad vantage to the buyer, has been An Unqualified Success, - Unprecedented in the annals of English Watch making. $ar READ THIS. The*-, to hand, ex s.s. Kaikoura, a Large Stock of GOLD AND SILVER JEWELLERY,Iatest fashions. These Goods having left Liverpool on the Ist June last, our Customers can depend on thorn being quite now, and are no part of Bank rupt's Stock, or old fashioned Jewellery, to be disposed of at any prico. The readers are invited to call and inspect tho Goods. Every article guaranteed, and marked lowest possible price, as usuil wiUi S.D. & Co j-> o 1 r e -B.U. anq 00. s wen-Known Jlnglis sJO i-Oo yiiver Hunting Levers. J? A 1 FLq—& D. aud s English Silver ak'i XOa Hunting Levers, chron. balance, extra jewelled. Worch £B ßs. J}~ Iflo- ,1 fine * P o, ' B new Excelsior 3 gjD iUo plate English Levers. The Model Watch, well worth £10 10s. jf?Q 1 Flo - "S- •'-'• anc * Co.'s Ladies' English Sil -SC/O xOo ver Hunters. Will last a lifetime. £}(' 1 Kn—S. i>. «•"<! Co.'s Superb Hunting obO XOr* -chronograph Levers, worth £12 10; or Crystal Glass, £5 15s. r>n i f\ o — ri. D. and Co.'s Silver Koyles3 300 lUb i-iuntinaLever, value for £10 10s. Open face, £510s. JPI 1 So—The wonderful Sterling Silver 7jl lDb Defiance Hunter, worth £o 10s. Open face, £17s 6d. -Pβ 1 Ac-S- W. and Co.'s Official Railway 300 xUo jSntriishKeylessLever, unequalled at £1010s. £12 10s, £15 10s, £18 10s, t I^'~>^— S.ls. and Co.'s Superb 1 -carat & oQ-'-> Gold English Lever and Half Chronometers, never equalled under 40 per cent more. £G 10s & £7 lOe-ifc a ? B d .S G old Keyless Watches, perfectgeras, worth £1010s. £$ 10s & £11 10s & £14 10s —S.D. & Co.'s Ladies 18-carat Gold English Levers. Save at least 50 per cent, bypurchamng from the makers. £11 10s & £12 10s-^ o s^f' worth /*O7 t 18-carat Gold, worth £60. S.D jL^ , ' OXJ and Co.'B Now Patent Eng lish Double Chronographs, with indepeu dent start, stop, and fly back minute and (second hands. For quality and accuracy never equalled at any prico. Obtained Prize Medal Inventions Exhibition last year. Special pamphlet on this watch, post free, for2d stamp. EVERY WATCH FULLY GUARANTEED. Sterling Silver Hall-marked Alberts, 9s 6d. 12s Gd, UsGd, and 15s6d, Newest Patterns, ataearly Halfusual price. The WEALEMEFNA, In Sterling Silver, J2s6cL By simply passing it over surface the exact distance of feet and inches is recorded on the Dial. Also, forma a splendid appendage for the Albert. GO ALIJM/RTS, Ladies' and Gent's Newest tyles, Wholesale Prices, all illustrated. in Pamphlet CANNOT BE EQUALLED. R AIRS. Note. REPAIRS. "Wanted Known, Dest Watch Glnsses fitted, 3d each. Charges for Watch Repairs—no matter what maker or where bought—equally cheap. Ar rangements made to turn out 150 repairs per week. All Watches cleaned are guaranteed at Stewart Dawson and Co.'s Great English Watch Exhibition, 91, Quecn-strHct. Call and receive gratis a copy of our Splendid New Illustrated \V'atch and Jewellery Pamphlet, and read full par ticulars and most wondorf ultestimonials. FOR REAL VALUE VISIT STEWART DAWSON & CO.'S GREAT ENGLISH WATCH EXHIBITION", 91-QUEEN-STREET-94 (Opposite Wyndham-stxeet), Auckland. Business Notices. RV" A P POlVT*^^^ |^*^'^'^^^^'^ll 'fef'" E*W T TO niS EXCELLENCY THE GOVEKNOB. mHAiMES CARRIAGE AND DRAY J. FACTORY, VICTORIA-STREET EAST AMD HIGH-STREET, AUCKLAND. Telephone, 30S. JAMES MACKIE, Coachbuilder, MANAGER. BuiMer of every description of Vehicles. Repairs in all the branches of the trade faithfully executed. Vehicles Bought and Sold on Commission. Coach builders' Requisites in Stock. The Trade Supplied. Country Orders punctually attended to* Cash Customers liberally dealt with. IriISHER & 0 0.. 1 WHOLESALE SHIPPING AND BUTCHERS Established 1864. By Special Appointment to His Excellency the Governor, Sir W. F. Jervois: His Excellency Sir James Ferguson; and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh; also, Kosha Butchers to the Jews. QUiSEN-STttEET, AUCKLAND, N.Z. Families waited on in Town or Suburb! POULTRY of all kinds DRESSED to ORDER. Dealers in Game Home-cured Hams and Bacon Corned Beof in Large Quantity. Imports of Sausage Casings The Trade Supplied N.B.—Calves' Rennets. «?s}, Customers Supplied with Ice. Telephone No. 358. P.O. Bos No. iU GO T O BA. T H to ROTH'S PUBLIC HuT, COLD, AND SHOWER BATHS, Victohiα-street East. Charge-UNE SHILLING. Open all week days from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and SUNDAY MORN INGS from 6 till 10 a.m. Tho bath-rooms are all private, and supplied with every convenience, Turkish Towels, flesh and hairbrushes, combs, respirators, soaps, etc. Select Bath-rooraa (urivate) for ladies every day. at alt hours, with female attendance, One Shilling and Sixpence., Pleaso note the address—Victoria-street East, above the Greyhound Hotel, and next the Cheap Bedding and Furniture Mart, Auckland, N. 8,: Barber In attendance.



Medical. 11, » in,--. -.—— ■ • -■■ .. l(ll i,, IS a Regular Graduated Physician, Edu cated at Harvard College, U.S. Young Men" and. Middle-aged Men, who suffer from Nervous and Physical Debility, Lors of Energy and Memory, Eruptions on the Face. -Mental Depression, Kidney and Bladder Troubles, etc. will do well to consult Dr. Steer. All applying to him',will receive his Honest Opinion of their Com plaints. No experimenting. He will GiiaranteeVa Positive Cure in Every Case ho ; undertakes, or Forfeit £200. Consultation in Oflice or by Post FREE. N.B.—All'Medicines necessary for a Complete Cure can be sent secure.from observation on receipt of symptoms. The Doctor's lamous Pillg, a sure cure for In digestion, Is and 2s per bos. Ointment. 2s per box. This Ointment positively cures irritation, itching, and all skin diseases. By post, 2d extra Charges moderate. Examination and Advice Free. Call or address—Dr. H. J. SPEER Northeen Chambers (Next Empire Hotel, Wellington. Office Hours—lo to 12 a.m., 2 to 4. and 6to 8 p.m. Sundays, 10 to 12 a.m. P.O. Box 346. N.B.—Aβ a Test DR. SPEER will send a trial bottlo of his medicine free of charge (carriage excepted) to any person appiy/ng to him who will give full particulars of their trouble. This will demon strate bis unbounded confidence in these ■wonderful remedies, which aro only known to himself, and which for over two years have achieved nuch unvaried success in his New Zea land practice. All applicants for a trial bottle of his medicine must enclose 2d stamp for reply. .....<s,<-, : , KEATING'S POWDER. ~ KEATING'S POWDER. KEATING'S POWDER. KEATING'S POWDER. KEATING'S POWDER. KEATING'S POWDER. KILLS BUGS, FLEAS, MOTHS, BEETLES, HARMLESS TO ANIMALS, HARMLESS TO ANIMALS, HARxMLESS TO ANIMALS, HARMLESS TO ANIMALS, HARMLESS TO ANIMALS, HARMLESS TO ANIMALS, but is unrivalled in destroying FLEAS. BUGS, COCKROACHES, BEETLES, MOTHS IN FURS, and every othor species of insect. Sportsmen will find this invaluable fo>' destroying fleas in thoir dogs, as aleo ladies for pet dogs. The PUBLIC are CAUTIONED that packages of the genuine powder bear the autograph of THOMAS KEATING. Sold in Tins by all KEATING'S WORM TABLETS. ' KEATING'S WORM TABLETS. KEATING'S WORM TABLETS. KEATING'S WORM TABLETS. KEATING'S WORM TABLETS. A PURELY VEGETABLE SWEETMEAT, both in appearance and taste, furnishing a most agreeablo method of administering the only certain remedy for INTESTINAL or THREAD WORMS. It is a perfectly safe and mild preparation, and is especially adapted for Children. Sold in Tins by all Druggists. Proprietor. THOS. KEATING, London. A WONDERFUL MEDICINE. BEECHAM'S PILLS .^•""TJ" 1 Aro admitted fey thonaands to be rs worth a Guinea a >T i*k ox * or bilious and #■$>/ \U*\ nervous disorders, flsi/f \>>i\ Bu ?k "* 'n'ind, and !'.>/■« • nM*iTin' \"/in \ paininthestoDiach, I / PATENT \' • I sick headache, gidl |W| m, a ac- ieß ?' fulness and IHI I PI Li-Si /A? I swelling after meals, Ivjil /fcfl dizziness and drow- ""•• /ffi s™ ess i coM. cbills, • /y&a flu shino3 of heat, yt&TM 08S appetite, shortness of breath, , costiyeness, Bcurvj , blotches on fh 9 skis, jggl%r' disturbed Bleep, %&0A frightfal dreams, and all nervous and tremblinff sensations, &c. Tho first doso will give relief in 20 minutes. This is no fiction, for they have done it in thousands of coses, E very sufferer is earnestly invited to try one box of these Pills, and they will ba acknowledged to be WORTH A GUINEA A BOX. For females of all agostheae Fills are invaluable, as a fow doso3 0f them carry o2 all gross humours, open all ohatruction3, Mid bring about all that is required. Vo females should be without them. There is no medicine to bo found to equal BEECHAH'S PILLS for removing any obstruc tion or irregularity of the system. If taten according to the directions given with each box they will soon, restore females of all ages to sound and robust health. For a weait stomach, impaired digestion, and all disorders of the liver, they act like '* MAGIC," and a few doses will be found to work wonders upon the most important organs of the human machine, They strengthen the whole muscular system, restore the long lost complexion, bring back the koen edge of appetite and arouse into action with the ROSEBUD of health the whole physical enerpry of the human frame. Those are "FACTS* , admitted by thousands embracing all classes of society; and one of the best guarantees to the nervous and debilitated is, Beecham's Pills have the largest salo of any patent medicine in the world. BEECH AM'S MAGIC COUGH PILLS As a remedy for Coughs in general, Asthma, Diffi. culty in Breathing, Shortness of Breath, Tightness and Oppression of the Chest, Wheezing, Ac, these Pills stand unrivalled; and anyone labouringunder any of the above complaints need only try One Box to prove that they are the beat ever offered to the public for Asthmatic andConaumptive Coughs, Hoarseness and Oppression of the Chest. They B.peetlUy remove that.sense of oppression and diffi culty of breathing which nightly deprive the patient of rest. They give almost instant relief and comfort to those afflicted with the above distress ing and, whan neglected, dangerous complaints. Let any persou troubled with any of the above complaint 3 give BEucHiM'e Cough Pills a trial. The most violent Cough will ia a short time be removed. Catjtiojc.—The public aro requested to notice that the words " Bbeoham's Phls, St. Helens," Mβ on the Government Stamp affixed to each Box of the Pills. If not on they are a forgery. Prepared only and sold wholesale and retail by the proprietor, T. Beecham, Chemist, St. Helens, Lancashire, England, in boxes at Is. lid. and 2a. 9d. each.—Sold by all Druggists and Patenr Medicine Dealers throughout the Colonies. N.B.—Full directions are given with each box. WE know that Wolfe's Schnapps is a first-class article, and. can recommend it as such to our readers. _^ A MAN is wise when he knows what he is drinking. Wolfe's Schnapps may be relied upon as a pure spirit. IT is astonishing' the favour in which Wolfe's Schnapps is held-We suppose because it is a first-class article. Business Notices. Established 1859. GEE & POTTER, COACHBUILDERS, ' LORNE AND RUTLA'ND-STRBETS. Coaches, Carriages. Waggonettes, Buggies, Pony Carriages, Carts, Drays, and every de scription of Vehicles kept in 'stock, or built to order. The trade supplied. N.B.—Traps lent to customers whilst repairs are being executed. CJYMONDS STREET BOOT FACTORY. T. B. HEATH, Being about to remove to his New Shop and Factory, will continue for a fortnight Specia Clearing Sales of his valuable and varied stocjr of Ladies', Gentlemen's and Children's Boots and Shoes for Cash Only. JTJ" O W l> E N, a ' JO. WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, QUEEN-STREET, Una now convenience for making and repair ing of Jewellery and for the repairs of every description of Watches. Chronometers, &c, &c, . imd to further increase Ms repairing and manu facturing department, ho Is disposing of the remainder of his PIANOS at and under co3t. Persons having old gold jewellery can have it raads.np into now arid fashionable articles to :rJ.cr,and all the be titer class of watches and chronometers rcccivoiiia personal supervision. liotherhama' Gontune English Loverjin staok . \'r AKNOCK ImROtSeRS, f'Y «*i.' Established 1862 ■OAP AND CANDLE MANUFACTURERS, COX'S OHEEK, AUCKLAND. Jlanul'iitiiurera of Wβ Celebrated Kxtract of oiui, JJteinfectant Powder, First Prize iellow -tue JtioUied;' Double Orbvvn, Economic, and .ousehold* Carbolic, and other Medicinal and oiiot Soaps, made from tho purest or Tallows, OEcos-Du'rHAM-STREET, . N.B.- Cash 4jurchJ&er3 -o£ Tallow, Wool, ■Shogpskins, andJßftnea. f ' ' rfirfEßvst Gift for Home Mends is X Brett's Atiokland "Almanac, containing a Pictorial Representation, of Queen-r-treet, »e ---sejipUon of the PrpvinetWlttßttleW Now Guide (0 Hot Lake, &o,,&o.



T HE NEW ■ ■ , COMITY ?Q^^3 faring purchased the &w ; i The largest ana best stock to . ' " ' Deliverie3M^^^b^^; he BEST IN THE mS^^W, YOU "CAN'T AFFORD homes of New Zealand must f fl n !■„ pIWe <*« BURNS'S Al SOAP. It is a simple but useful ariaolc ThesewkcM touseitare still more simple,and aoSs , useful. ;. ;, • " You may have heard of it a THOtfSAvn TIMES without using it ONCE, 'If W«a reverse the position and ■ USE IT OICE You will praise it to others a , MOUSAND ilMJßib.—l have spent hundre&sofpouhdsiii convincing the women of New- Zealand tint their labour can he greatly lightened fensine BURNS'S Al SOAP (THE WOhedSS Cleanser!), but I have fallen shortOflytiii bition if I have failed to CONVINCE TOU. ■ ; «fle r , ** ' ■■'-' ■'■''■''' ■'■ : *l~ •■ wholesaleTgent- A. BUCHANAN, CUSTOMS STREET EAST. iFg-ar and -fix DYERS, ESTABLISHED 1861 ■ STILL DTING TO LIVEAXDLIVIKQIODIt Ladies': and Gentlemen's Wearing AppMJ Cleaned, Renewed, or I>ed any colour. Daroaji Curtains or Table Covers Cleaned, Rfflewwj Dyed. Feathers and Gloves Cleaned aid W» any shade.. Lace or other CoMrB mm* Dyed. •• ; ~ '- : ■ •• '■■" ■■' EDGAR, Dyer, WELLESLEY-STREET EAST, *w> BIOS' ■ • MOND..COX'S'CHEEE. ' TP "B A C; 0 : 'C % • OPTICIAN, Mathematical' and . KW ls *® Maker, SHORTLAN^STKEET, Spectacles and Eytglasses of every oi*[ accurate fit g uaran . '" ' Just Received- ;. . ~ ... settlor, ■Toleseopes, powerful, portable f SettSVoscop^xnagnif^gJ.^ AlsS&manaElcctroMotprW^?^ and Steamers. , , GROUND UJffl Fob Saik, ■'„.' ' hapoßoade.,, '"■ . :■■■■-:. ,/