THE MYSTERY OF HADDON'S FERRY.

8r E.8.8.5.S OTIB"' OKTH'

CHAPTER XXI MAGDA-A.

-Tfcourmadneighbour.-SHAK-PEKE. <(lTi ,MagdaW' said Ben Bowers and . «mtly t°*ard the woman' y" ißtZ i« her arm, said: "Come, H d sh-- y°u musfc leave fche room' "*■. IS see that we have company here ?" long arm she across the floor, as she

'ffi.'.S great drone! Don't come «gboo! JW6 j h n 0 hlve fco . _. rvVtrude, half in terror, half in fSeshCk nearer to her guardian. P»TtisMagdala, a poor mad woman, who 1 _-. vftars asro, from the munda _S °f II was a stranger in the neighbour- bbewas" ty conveyed to Rock hoodthfh;teat olold Judge Sallust !&_. the father of the present Mr She has remained there Salilce-£isto say, they give her a f r %c whenever she chooses to stay *?tf&Xe- is very much addicted to at fIV and sometimes ior weeks to "riSS dtappears and is not seen or P^f„f foi* you see, my dear, she has been Htit S that terrible night of her DB. nd rescue So mad that she has X been able to give any account of her if and no one Has ever been able to ffud * who <he is; though for years we con l .7from time to time, to insert notices Se'Spapei^ for her friends-if she •".Snvoman^Dr. Goodwin r ii yes my dear. <«Did grandfather ever tell you anything mm me all about you, my child." "Then You know he found me among the rite water-lilies, washed ashore in my Lie on the morning after the great flood.' ..yeg, ray dear, 1 know it. ii And no one knows any more of my his tojy than they do of that poor woman rt a?" "Vo my dear, although for your friends, to many advertisements were put in the papers, and continued for years after you were found." . "Could there have been any connection between me and that poor woman, Dr. GSe"whatever, my child. This woman vas found full twenty miles from Haddon s Terry and on the other side of the river. Besides to 66t all doubt about that at re3t, -iefas'brought to the ferry, and you were placed in the cradle in which you were found and shown to her. She did not know yon, and took not the slightest interest in jot This conversation had been conducted in rapid whispers, which had not reached the care of the strange woman, whose eyes we still roving wildly about the large anddeeplv-shaded room. Suddenly those wild eyes fell on the face of Gertrude, which was now turned toward her. And to th. girl's extreme amazement, _ the woman now strode up to her, and fixing a steady gaze upon her face, seemed to read her very soul, as she said, in slow and iotaa tones

"Gfftrude Fitzgerald, you have received ish jour heart a deadly serpent. Cherish ittiere and it will sting you unto death • kit tsar it thencs, though bo do so may lacerate your bosom. Sbrangle ib and casb it far from you, and you shall dp well. Meanwhile, arise and fly from this fatal roof! Fly for your life while bhere is yeb tip] Woe! woe 1 woe to you and obhers if you disregard my warning ! Lo ! bhe destroyer is at hand; his foob is even now npon the threshold 1" And with these awful words upon her lips _. weird woman lifted up her hands high store her head, and sbrode from bhe room. "Oh, Dr. Goodwin ! Dr. Goodwin ! what did the m-afl?"" gasped Gertrude, shivering as she clang to her guardian's arm. "She does not know herself, my girl. She is as mad as a March hare. She always is at the full of the moon. Come, . . rup," said.the minister heartily. "She called me Gertrude Fitzgerald ; and ysuknow we really have no clue to my true Mme. If she should liave one now ?" sug gested the girl. "Nonsense, my lore. She meant Ger trude Haddon, poor addle-pate that she is. Come, think no more of her. Here is Mis 3 Greenleaf."

As the minister spoke a tall, stately, fair- Mmplexioned and refined-looking lady, of about forty-two or three years of age, entered tie parlour. • Although it was still morning she was dressed in a rich black silk, fith fine lace ruffles at her throat and wrists, wd her brown hair was carefully arranged ■j" pulls on the crown of her head, and fees down on the forehead. Dr. Goodwin arose on her entrance and (wed with old-time stately courtesy. lhen taking Gertrude by the hand, he said : 'MissGreenleaf, permit me to present to you Miss Gertrude Haddon, the young iL°l wllom I sPo!te to you yesterday." Thanks, Dr. Goodwin, for bringing her I* soon. My dear, you are welcome to weenwood. I am very glad to see you. "c are not quite strangers, you will re •^ber," said Miss Greenleaf, taking the ffing girl's hand and kissing her Cheek ; "c kindness of the lady's looks and tones w-npensating for the somewhat old •^oued formality of her words. Ten. t' you' dsar madam; y°u a ?*e Got j to I" emember me," answered dlffltTi inalow voice, for it was always "™oult ■«» her to speak to such a stately ' ftii iw?w, ,,ave been with y°u before W v *$£_?« but I was detained, as I 2 ™ Bowers explained to you, by that i"63^ 6 ' -Jfeg^ft who has been mm about the neighbourhood here for hw ees». and who ™me to the house SW T* OUr Vo™* tfitf'Mui _ _ J vas w,fch BOrne difficulty I m -T^ -? w intrasion* However, Cti an ?i d Suitar- and her J to the sou h porch to strum it, and WrLS 6 *l in <l.i e«»g»er," said with a smile. ?W°tt in l n, d Gertrude exchanged ■*SiSrS m eit _•.of thorn sp°ke °r 3Btt#| undeceive Miss 53fi_*? took it upon "Then t¥' "&ht- by exclaiming : W&T^^ y°u- Cousin d) n.here and g^e this ~tf mY a pi*etty fright " °m-d 1.!. W• ' The canning of WSftSffi'W Dr- Goodwin, iatefS 186 and carriage put up V^MiXf U a Prisoner here to gsft dear madam>" ft?H i i shit,, Co ve' ta *y de» Miss h^P^pai*edf oryou^ OU the room we have

White bare walls, and yellow, polished bare floor. The window-curtains, bed draperies, dressing-table, chair, and sofa covers were all of dimity. Bedstead, bureau, and washstand of curled maple wood. Upon the whole, it was a spacious, clean, cool, and dainty room. "My sister, Mrs Fitzgerald, and my young niece, Patricia Fitzgerald, have the adjoining room, my dear. I trust you will be pleasant neighbours. Across the hall. Miss Geraldine Fitzgerald has the room opposite to this. I have the room at the back of hers, and opposite Patricias. The gentlemen of the house, my dear, have their bed-chambers in the other wing, over the drawing-room and long dining-room. My sister and myself do not think it convenient to have the gentlemen's apartments on the same side of the house with our own Our new guest, Mr Benjamin Bowers, has a room in what we call tlie garden wing -an extension of this end of the house. 1 hope you will find every convenience you need here, my dear. I will send up your trunk directly, and also one of the maids to assist you. In an hour I will return to take you down to the drawing-ioom and introduce you to the young ladies of the family. Now, my dear, is there anything else 1 can do for you just at present ?" "Nothing, thank you, dear Miss Green leaf. Indeed, you quite confuse me with all your goodness," said Gertrude, with a low voice and blushing cheek. Miss Sue smiled and patted the girl s head, and withdrew from the room. Gertrude went to the front window to look out upon the new scene while waiting for her trunk. The view was circumscribed. There was nothing to be seen but the deep green lawn, shaded here and there by heavy forest trees, and the surrounding forest inclosing it. But it was such an ample wealth of greenness. ''It is rightly called 'Greenwood.' I never saw so much unvaried verdure in my life," said Gertrude to herself, as she looked out upon it, tracing the grass-grown drive, by which she had reached the house, from its termination at the entrance hall back to its junction with the forest road. As she looked, a gentleman on horseback, followed by a mounted groom, emerged from the forest road, and cantered up the drive toward the house. And Gertrude's heart stood still as she recognised in the foremost rider the commanding form and dark Italian beauty of General Fitzgerald.

"Now, why does the sighb of thab gentle man disturb me so much ? What does ib mean ? 1 never seb my eyes on him before lasb night, and 1 never expecbed to see him ao-ain. He is nobhing whatever to me ! Can be nothing for ever to me ! Why do I think of him ab all ? Why do I grow sick ab heart when I think of hira as-as—Oh, Heaven, help me ! I hope I am nob growing morbid !" said bhe girl to herself, as she watched bhe stately horseman, unbil he drew rein ab bhe house-door, dismounted, threw the bridle to his groom and disappeared within the door way. Gertrude was about to turn from the window, when the sound of wheels struck upon her ear, and the next moment she saw an open carriage issue from the forest road and turn into the drive coming toward the house. The carriage was drawn by a hand some paii* of bay horses, and within it were seated three ladies - a fair and stately lady of about forty-five, dressed in elegant widow's mourning, an imperial, dark-eyed beauty of twenty, in a carriage costume of dark "blue silk and black lace, and a youn<* girl of fifteen, in a white muslin dress, red ribbons, and a straw hat. Gertrude guessed that these ladies were Mrs Doy Fitzgerald and the Misses Geraldine and Patricia Fitzgerald. The carriage drew up to the house and the ladies alighted and disappeared from view under the verandah. A knock.at her chamber door called Ger trude from the window.

She opened the door and found a negro man there with her trunk, and a quadroon girl waiting to serve her, ".^ The man brought in tlie trunk and set it down, and having received the thanks of the young lady, together with a small gratuity, retired. With the help of the little quadroon maid she unpacked her trunk, arranged its con tents in a wardrobe and in bureau drawers, and then changed her black cashmere travelling dress for a black silk, trimmed with crape, and finished with white cr<_pe lisse ruffs and cuffs.

When she was dressed she dismissed her

little maid, and sat down and waited for Miss Greenleaf to come and take her down into the parlour. While she sat and waited there, she

heard the sound of many light footsteps on theMairs, which, lightly as they trod, rting clearly on the bare boards, for in this mid summer weather no carpets were laid down anywhere in Greenwood Farm-House. The tripping steps came up into the upper hall, where they paused a moment, When the sound of girlish voices was heard.

" Yes," cried one, in laughing tones. " • Young Lochinvar has come out from bhe West at last.' That is to say, Colonel Fitzgerald has arrived from Washington. Hannibal says he rode up here just ten minutes before our carriage turned into the yard. Ahd his groom told the old man that his master reached Haddon's Ferry last night, and was brought over by Ger trude Haddon in the storm. What a brave girl that is, by tho way! lam so glad that she is coming to live here. I forgot to ask if she had arrived. Now, to return, to young Lochinvar — that is to say, to Colonel Gerald Fitzgerald. Well, lie reached the Summit Manor House some time be tween cock-crow and sunrise, and finding his ' fair Helen' flown, he scarcely stopped to change his dress and eat his breakfast before he set oub for this house. And, as I said before, he arrived about ten minutes ago. He will dine with us, of course. Look your best, ' Fair Helen.' Wear your peach-coloured taffeta and pearl jewellery." .' Have you quite done, Patricia, or are you only out of breath ?" inquired a proud and measured voice. " Quite done, Geraldine, unless you Wish me to begin again," replied the saucy tones. " Then all I have to say is, that if Colonel Fitzgerald is to dine here, I shall not go downstairs," said the cold .and, haughty voice. "Oh, my dear, you are wrong. You are very wrong to trifle so with your happi ness. You cannot suppose that Gerald Fitzgerald has been to blame in this unfor tunate delay, or than he will brook even the suspicion of blame," spoke another and a graver voice that had yet been heard, bhab of Mrs Doy Fitzgerald. " Colonel Fitzgerald owes rhe an apology, madam. And until he makes it, I must decline to meet him," said Geraldine, loftily. And then the voices passed out of hear-, ing. About fifteen minutes elapsed, and then the light footsteps and the voices Were heard again in the hall, as the ladies Went from their chambers downstairs to the drawing-room. They had scarcely passed out of hearing when Miss Sue Greenleaf entered the room and said :

"I have come to take you downstairs, now, my love. How pretty you look ! How very pretty you do look ! You remind me of ' Emmeline, or the Orphan of the Castle.' did you ever read that book, my dear ? It is very touching. I have it, and will lend it to you if you would like to read ib." . Gertrude thanked the lady, and told her that she had not read the book, bub Would like very much bo do so. "Come, my dear, leb us go down. We have an unexpecbed visibpr—Colonel Fitz gerald, the betrothed husband of Geraldine, and one of the most elegant young men I have ever seen. He quite reminds me of Lord Mortimer, in the Children of bhe Abbey."

j" I have met Colonel Fitzgerald. He crossed the Ferry last night," said Gertrude, in a low voice, as she followed her con ductress downstairs.

When they entered the drawing-room they found there the whole family circle and all their guests, with the exception of Geraldine Fitzgerald. Royal Greenleaf left a group of ladies and gentlemen, and came to welcome the ferry girl as if she had been a little princess. Then Colonel Fitzgerald stepped out, and bending his dark eyes earnestly on the young stranger, with that fixed and wistful lock which was peculiar to them, said : " This is indeed asurprise and a pleasure, Miss Haddon. lam very glad to see you here."

Gertrude bowed and cast down her eyes. She could.not have answered him in words if her life had depended on her doing so. " Miss Hadddn is to be our guest for an unlimited period," said Miss Sue Greenleaf, kindly, as she passed on and presented her young protegee to her sister, Mrs Fitz gerald. Mrs Doy Fitzgerald was older and hand somer than her sister Sue, to whom, how ever, .she bore a very strong family like ness. She was clothed in a rich black silk dress, and wore an elegant widow's cap. She received the orphan girl with great kindness, and immediately introduced her to Patricia, who gave her a hearty kiss by way of welcome. "We are waiting for Geraldine," said Mr Royal Greenleaf, impatiently. "Geraldine is too much indisposed to como down. We shall have to dine without her, 1 regret to say," Mrs Doy explained. " ' Indisposed !' Yes, indisposed to come," whispered Patricia to Gertrude. Dinner was announced. Mr Royal G reen leaf gave his arm to his widowed sister, as he always did. Dr. Goodwin offered his to Miss Greenleaf. Mr Ben Bowers tucked Patricia's little hand' under his wing. Then Colonel Fitzgerald came up to Ger trude, smiled, and offered his arm, saying : " Shall I have the honour ?"

CHAPTER XXV.

THE MIGHTIEST SPELL.

A spell-the mightiest spell on earth- Is o'er her being cast. She loves. Philips. Gertrude trembled with delight, shyness, and embarrassment as Gerald Fitzgerald drew her arm within his own, and followed the little procession of his elders into the dining-room. With graceful courtesy he seated her at the table, and took his place by her side. On his other side sat Patricia Fitzgerald. Opposite them Mrs Doy Fitzgerald, with Dr. Goodwin on her right hand, and Mr Bowers on her left. At the head of tlie table Miss Sue Greenleaf, and at .he foot Mr Royal. Gertrude had eyes and ears for no one but the magician beside her. The " magician ;" for, consciously or unconsciously, he had cast a spell, over her from which nothing but death could ever disenchant hor, if, indeed, death itself could have power to do sb. She saw " the goodliest man," and seeing, " loved him with a love that was her doom ;" not even knowing that she loved, only feeling thrilled with delight to be near him.

Do not blame her; she was but fifteen years of age, and had never known a mother's care. She gave her soul away, rejoicing in the giving, not knowing what she did.

The dinner, because of the absence and sulkiness of Geraldine, was a dull one to everybody except Gertrude ; to her it was delightful; for she sat next to one whom she was learning to worship with all her young heart's devotion, and who gave her his undivided attention.

Bub dulness and delighb are equally evanescent. The dinner came to an end ab length, and the party adjourned to the drawing-room. In those days, and in that neighbourhood, it was not customary for the ladies to retire firsb from bhe dinner-table, leaving* the gentlemen " to their wine ;" but ladies and gentlemen left at the same time, and in the order in which they had entered it. Colonel Fitzgerald led Gertrude back to the drawing-room, placed her in a pleasant seat, bowed and left her. And the poor child, sitting alone, iel'o as if all the light and life of her soul had gone away with that stately soldier and accomplished gentleman. Colonel Fitzgerald crossed the room to the bay-window, within which sat Mrs Doy Fitzgerald and Patricia. "I trust," he said, " that Geraldine's in disposition is not very serious ?" " Oh, no, ib is not at all so," replied Mrs Doy, with a sliglib smile. "lb does not confine her to her bed, I hope ?" " Oh, no." " Then may I not hope for the pleasure of seeing her, if only for a few moments ?" " It is not likely that she can be induced to come down to-day." "I do not presume to expect such a favour; but may I not be permitted to wait on her in her boudoir ?"

"It is doubtful," answered Mrs Doy, hesitatingly. " Will you be so kind as to send this by a servant ?" inquired Colonel Fitzgerald as he took a card from his pocket, wrote a few lines on it, inclosed it in a small envelope, and presented it to the lady. , "Give it to me, Colonel. I will take it up to Gerry myself, and bring yoii ah an swer," said Patricia, with eager kindness, as she intercepted his hand and took posses sion of the note before ib had bouched her mobher's finger. " You are very good, my bright little cousin, and I thank you very muoh. Pray add your entreaties to mine to gain me a hearing from my liege lady," said GeVald Fitzgerald gaily, as he arose and opened the door, and held it until Patricia had darted through it. She sped upstairs and into Geraldine's chamber.

Geraldine had changed her carriage dress for a whibe India muslin robo-de-chambre, dnd she lay reclining on bhe sofa, while her unbasted dinner stood on a little table beside her, and her French maid loitered in attendance.

"Gerry, if yoU will send Mademoiselle away, I have something to show you," said Patricia, going up to the sofa. " Leave bhe room, Desiree, if you please. I will ring when I wanb you," said Geral dine, languidly. The girl curtsied and withdrew. "What is that you want to show me, Patricia?" inquired the young lady, with an air of perfect indifference. "This, Gerry, dear," answered Patricia, giving her the Colonel's card. Geraldine received it very coldly, drew it from its envelope, and read :

"My Own Ger alpine,—l am grieved to hear that you are not well; yet Mrs Fitzgerald gives me hopes that you are not so unwell as to pre clude the possibility of your receiving me in your boudoir. May I como ond give an account of myself?"

" Do you know the purport of thi6 note ?" inquired Geraldine, lobking up from the card.

"I can guess it. Colonel Fitz wanbs bo gee his dear Gerry," saucily replied Pabri cia. ... . .

Geraldine's proud eyes flashed fire for an instant, and tl. iw they fell again upon the card.

" If /were Ms dear Oerry, I would pocket all my just indignation and see him," added Patricia:

" Why, pray ?" inquired Geraldine, with a curling lip, and without raising her eyes from the caid.

" Because I would not fling his heart away, lest some other fellow should catch it in the rebound and keep it," replied Pat ricia, meaningly.

"Pray explain yourself," said Geraldine. " Well, then, I will. There is just tho very loveliest brown-eyed beauty down stairs that oyer was seen in this world. Colonel Fib_! tdok her ii; to, dinner, placed

himself beside her at the table, devoted himself to her, brought her back to the drawing-room, seated her as if she had been a queen, and bowed over her hand when he left her. And she—she worshipped him with her soft, shy, meek, brown eyes, as only such an unsophisticated child could do. Well, you know any man's vanity is his weakest point anyhow, and so *a word to the wise is sufficient for them.'"

" Who and what, on. earth are you talking about, Patricia." haughtily demanded Geraldine.

" B-o-o-o-o ! Don't flash your blazing black eyes at me, Gerry • for, not being afraid of them, I am perfectly impene trable ! Reserve your fire for the gallant Fitz. It is of him I talk, and of the dove eyed darling who is melting his heroic heart," replied Pat, mischievously. "Who is this girl, then?" sharply de riianded Geraldine, completely thrown off lier guard. "Who but Miss Sue's last heroine !" " • Miss Sue's last heroine !' What non sense are you talking ?" "No nonsenso at all. You don't know our Aunt Sue as well as I do, or you would understand me. Aunt Sue is always trying to realise her romances, but they always prove failures. Once she tried to make out Magdala to be a shipwrecked princess, or something of the sort, but Magdala turhed out to be a mad woman, pure and simple, and nothing else. Then she tried to dis figure Ben Bowers into a disinherited knight; but he persisted in remaining a lazy, idle, sensual spendthrift, a good-for nothing deadbeat, who had squandered all his own fortune, and was doing the best he could to squander those of other people !" " What do you suppose I care for all this, Patricia ? I inquired of you who is this girl of whom you have been talking," ex claimed Geraldine.

" That is just what I am coming _o, ma'am. ' This girl' is our Aunt Sue's last romance. I don't know whom she identi fies her with—whether with Amanda, Eve lina, Isabella, or whom. But she has ccvs- tainly taken a great shine to her," said Pat, provokingly. " But who is she, then ?" "My good gracious me alive, haven't I told you who she is ? Dr. (.Godwin's ward, old Gabriel H.iddon's heiress, Aunt Sue's prot(.gi_e—Gertrude Haddon !" exclaimed Patricia, in a tone of surprise expressive of having given this explanation long ago. "'Gertrude Haddon!'" echoed Miss Fitzgerald, in amazement.

"Tho same," replied Patricia, with comic gravity. " A common ferry girl!" commented Geraldine, in a tone of disgust.

" Begging your pardon, no, ma'am, not a common ferry girl, by any means. A very ....common ferry girl ! a born beauty ! a princess in disguise! the ideal of Miss Susan Greenleaf! the enslaver of the gal lant Fitz ! the rival, if she doesn't look to her laurels, of the queenly Geraldine," said Patricia, with pretended enthusiasm. Tho eyes of the beauty smouldered and flashed.

" And do you presume to suppose," she began, "that I would descend for one in stant to such a base, degrading rivalry ?" " Oh, no. I never presumed to suppose anything. I only warn you," said Pat, with a shrug of her shoulders. "Then I nope that for the future you will be a little more discreet in the use of your tongue, Patricia." " Certainly. And to begin with being discreet, what am I to say to him who sent me ?" inquired the girl. Geraldine took up her lover's card, and read it again,murmuring ovor to herself tho last lines : " May I come and give an ac count of myself ." And adding aloud :

" It may be well if he can do so." " Shall I say that to him?" saucily in quired Pat. " Say to Colonel Fitzgerald that I will see him in the little parlour."

" Aunt Sue's parlour?" questioned I'at

" Yes," curtly replied Geraldine. Patricia arose, and gaily humming a line, left the room. .' '

Geraldine rang for her maid, nnd when Mademoiselle Desiree entered, said :

"Dress me quickly. I shall join the circle in the drawing-room." " What dress will Mademoiselle please to wear ?" respectfully inquired the girl. "Black Spanish lace robe,, diamond jewellery, scarlet fuchsia flowers." The quick and skilful fingers of the French maid soon completed the toilet of the beautiful Geraldine, and, lastly, placed in her hand a black feather fan, adorned in the middle by a humming-bird. Then Geraldine descended the stairs. Both the front and back doors of the cen tral hall stood open on this warm July evening, but the hall itself was deserted. Geraldine turned and opened the door lead ing into the sister's parlour, which we have already described. Colonel Fitzgerald was already there, standing by the fireplace, with his elbow leaning on the mantel-piece. "My dear Geraldine," he warmly ex claimed, hastening to meet her with out stretched hand.

But she drew haughtily back, passed him, and seated herself in the high-backed armed-chair, saying, coldly :

" You expressed a wish to see me. sir, that you might give some account of your self, which would certainly seem to be called for. You see me, and lam ready bo hear you." , Gerald Fitzgerald stood for a moment transfixed with amazement by the manner of his betrothed wife. He had known her from her childhood, but had never seen her in such a mood before — never even imagined it to be possible that she could ever show- such a proud and scornful spirit. In another moment, however, he recovered himself and went to her, saying, earnestly: "Geraldine, it is not possible that you are offended with me ?"

She did not deign to answer him even by a look, but kept her eyes fixed upon tho humming-bird on her fan, whose brilliant plumage she was smoothing down. " Geraldine, have 1 been so unhappy as bo offend you ?"

She smiled scornfully, but did not reply either by word or glance. " Will you not speak to me, Geraldine?" he earnestly pleaded, standing before her.

" I understood, Colonel Fitzgerald, that yoU desired to see mo for the purpose of giving some account of your very strange conduct, which seems to be called for, and not to question me. I am ready to hear anything you may have to say, but I must request you to be brief, as my time is limited," she Said, with cool insolence.

"My dear girl, it seems I have really been so stupid or so unfortunate as to have unwittingly offended you, though in what manner I cannot see. Surely, surely, it cannot be the delay of my arrival that has annoyed you? Certainly yoU must have known, arid must know that my cruel de tention in Washington was much more painful and embarrassing to me than it could possibly have been to you ; especially as I was unable then, and, indeed, am unable now, bo explain it. Assuredly, my dearest one, you must know the fault was not mine."

"I know nothing of tlie sort, Colonel Fitzgerald !" exclaimed Geraldine, rising, and beginning to lose her proud self-control —"I know nothing of the sort, and Ido not even believe you when you tell me that the fault was not yours." "Miss Fitzgerald!" exclaimed the colonel, as the hot blood rushed to his face and crimsoned his brow.

"No, sir ; I neither know what you say I know, nor believe what you tell me. But

t do know that you have dared to put upon me the most insolent affront, the most de grading insult, tiiat any man could ever offer to any woman, such as no t/entlemah ever before" offered ; such as no lady ever received ; such as you, 'Colonel Fitzgerald, Would: sever have dared to oifer me had I

possessed a father's or a brother's protec tion ! But I was defenceless, and you thought you could affront and insult me with impunity!" she continued, vehe mently, casting all reserve to the winds. "Geraldine!" said her lover, sternly, " not even from you will I endure such charges— not even from you, deeply as I love you 1"

i(tLove me!'" she echoed, with supreme scorn. " Littlo you ' love' or ever loved me, Gerald Fitzgerald ! You loved my broad land and spacious manor halls, but little you loved me 1" "Geraldine!" lie exclaimed, crimson-

" It was a very great thing for the penni less cadet, the Government pauper wearing the livery of the United States, to aspire to the heiress o_ a half-dozen manors and half a thousand slaves; and a very shrewd thing to entrap the infant orphan into a betrothal that deprived her of her freedom of choice before she should understand the ceremony. A fine stroke of diplomacy !" "Geraldine ! Be silent!" he exclaimed shaking with emotion. _ But regardless that she was lashing his high spirit to frenzy, she continued in withering scorn: '' And I presume, if your elder brother had lived, you would have been so good as to have married the young heiress, and squandered her fortune for her. But your elder brother died, and enriched you by his death. It wa3 no longer necessary that you should marry for a living, or even con tinue to be a Government pauper ! You had greater liberty of choice both in the selection of a wife and of a career. So you bceran to neglect your betrothed and to defer the fulfilment of your engagement, expecting, of course, that she should see your meaning and release you from your bond. But sue proved to be so blind that you were compelled to open her eyes by an open and public affront! So you failed to keep your appointment with her on her wedding-day. Colonel Fitzgerald, she understands you at last, and she releases you from your betrothal!" concluded Ger aldine, drawing from her finger the magnifi cent sblitairc diamond that he had placed on it live years before, and handing it to him.

" Miss Fitzgerald, I accept my release, and I thank you for it. I think you are quite right. The man who could act from tlie motives you havo ascribed to me is cer tainly unworthy to be your husband. On the other hand, the woman who could con ceive such motives in my conduct can never be my wife. Good evening, madam." And with a face livid with suppressed passion, Gerald Fitzgerald bowed and withdrew from the room.

Geraldine had not expected this result. With all tho strength and fire of her im passioned Irish-Italian race she loved her betrothed husband.

Out of this burning love had blazed up the furious jealousy which had inspired thoso bitter words of scorn and hatred with which she had driven him from her pre sence—words that could never be forgotten or forgiven. But she had not thought that he would so suddenly have acted upon them. She had supposed that her charges against him would have been repelled with denial in self-defence, and that her rash sentence of banishment upon him would have been met by hesitation and expostulation.

She had not paused to take into con sideration the high and haughty spirit of Fibzgerald, which could no moro have deigned to deny or defend himself against her degrading accusations than he would have stooped to the base conduct with which she charged him. Simply, without condescending to denial or self-defence, he had taken her at her word and departed, leaving her in despair. Her jealous rage had spent its utmost fury. Tho reaction had already commenced. She threw up her arms with a gesture of desperation, dropped upon tho sola, buried her face in the cushions, and burst into wild bears and sobs.

Meanwhile Gerald. Fitzgerald quickly passed out of the great central hall by the front door, and, bareheaded as he was, walked "up* and down before the house-to cool himself and recover his composure be fore returning to the drawing-room. It was a clear and brilliant starlight night, and the midsummer air was cooled with a heavy dew and light breeze. While he walked to and fro on the deep grass he espied Hannibal, the little old groom, sit ting at the foot of ono of the great elm trees, regardless of the damp ground, and enjoying the aromatic luxury of smoking a corn-cob pipe. Colonel 1 itzgcrald called the old negro, and beckoned him to approach. Hannibal started to his feet and skipped up to the gentleman as nimbly as if he had been only nineteen instead of ninety. " Old man, do me the favour to go to the stables and order my horse to be saddled and brought around," said Colonel Fitzgerald, quietly. " Sartainly, Marse Gen'al, if you says so, dough I hopes you aint a thinkin' ob re turnin' away from de house to-night, sar," replied the groom, with all the freedom of a favoured old family servant.

" Thanks, Hannibal; but affairs call me away and I must go. You will oblige me by obeying orders." " In course, Marse Gen'al, jes' as you say, sar," replied Hannibal, with a bow, as he turned and skipped in the direction of the stables.

Gerald Fitzgerald, having recovered . his self-possession, returned to tlie house and re entered the drawing-room, where he found the circle there enjoying themselves in tlieir own way. Mr Royal Greenleaf, Ben Bowers, Mrs Doy and Miss Sue were assembled around a card-table, profoundly inter ested in a game of whist, in which Mr Bowers and Sirs Doy appeared to be beating their antagonists, Mr Royal and Miss Sue. Gertrude and Patricia sab side by side on the sofa, falling in l°ve with.eacll otber after the manner of very young girls. Dr. Good win had retired to rest. At the entrance of Colonel Fitzgerald the whist party all politely discontinued their game. . " Pray do not let me interrupt you,"said Fitzgerald, courteously. "I have only looked in to say good-night. My horse is at the door." . ...... A pprfec't volley of remonstrance and ex postulation followed. No one would hear of his going. But the colonel met all resistance with smiling firmness, and when "the old groom Hannibal appeared at the drawing room door and announced that "Marse Gen'al's horse was saddled and bridled, and attending his pleasure," Colonel Fitzgerald took leave of his friends, mounted his horse, and rode away from Greenwood, followed by his servant. " I'll bet anything in the world Gerry is at the bottom of all this. She has sent him away with ' a flea in his lug,' " whispered Patricia to her new friend. " With a-what?" inquired Gertrude, in perplexity. " With ' a flea in his lug,' my dear. With biting reproaches ringing through his ears. Ah, mat Gerry of ours is inyans when she i gets ready." "She is—what?" questioned Gertrude, with a puzzled look. " Inyuiis, inyuns ! Onions, onions ! Bit ing, pungent, when she's vexed." "Oh!" said Gertrude, falling into deep thought about something else. "Yes, Gerry has quarrelled with him and driven him away, just as sure as shoot ing ! She'll repent ib, too! See if she don t."

While this whispered conversation was e*oing on between the two girls, the mem bers of the whist party, who had reseated themselves at the card-table, and recom menced their game, were also discussing the mystery of tho gallapt soldier's abrupt departure. Mrs Doy Fitzgerald said nothing in reply

to bhe remarks of the others. She quiebly laid her. ace of brurhps upon her brobher's king, remarking: " The odd trick ! This gives us the game, and the game gives us the rub ! We have beaten bhem again, Mr Bowers !" " We always beab when we are partners, Mrs Fibzgerald ! Oh, that we could be partners lor life ! Then we should always, and in all things, be victorious \" whispered Mr Bowers.

"Ib is eleven o'clock. Royal, ring for bhe bed-room candles," said Mrs Doy. The request was complied with ; the candles were brought. The circle separabed and rebired bo resb.

(To be Continued.)

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST _<J, l»8'<.

7



Household Words. In England, " Cadbury's Cocoa Essence " have become "Household words," and the Cocoa itself a general household friend. The reason is that, being both genuine and economical, and having met the public taste, those who have once tried it do not care to be again without it. Use colonial productions. Try our Portland Cement and Hydraulic Lime. Infor mation free on concrete.—J Wilson & Co., Cus toms-street West.—(Advt.) Watches. rpHE CORRECT TIME! WITHIN REACH OF ALL. TEN YEARS AGO STEWART DAWSON & Co., Liverpool, Struck the keynote of sound commercial trad ing by opening the portals of their Factory to the actual consumers, THl_ GENERAL PUB LIC, thus sweeping away at one blow the exor bitant protits of the Middleman and Retail Dealer. The results attendant on this, the only real and beneficial system of trading with ad vantage to the buyer, has been An Unqualified Success, Unprecedented iv the annals of English Watch making. USB- READ THIS. Just 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 them being quite new, and are no part of Bank rupt's Stock, or old fashioned Jewellery, to be disposed of at any price. Tho readers aro invited to call and inspect the Goods. Every article guaranteed, and marked lowest possible price, as usual with S.D. & Co. r?o -i Ko—S.D. and Co.'s well-known English eE/O xoa Silver Hunting Levers. X>A 1 Kb— S. D. and Co.'s English Silver _-»"* XOa }lanting Levers, chron. balance, extra jewelled. Worth £8 Bs. £■_ 1 PI«— •"■>• D. and Co.'s new Excelsior 3- O xv._> p ] ate EiigUsh Levers. The Model Watch, well worth £1010s. _pq 1 Xq— S. b. and Co.'s Ladies' English Sil -3_o _._>**_ ver Hunters. Will last a lifetime. -P.i 1 '.<.""" *•"*•Jj* UlU** <-!o*'s Superb Hunting s&u JLt-D chronograph Levers, worth £12 10; or Crystal Giass, &£> 15... jpft 1 ne_!S* l-*"- and Uo-'H Silver Keyless S&u xvrs Hunting Lever, value for £10 10s. Open face, £5 lOs. •Pi l^c—Tho wonderful Sterling Silver 3JX XOC3 Defiance Hunter, worth £3 10s. ODen face, £17s Gd. _Pfi 1 0.~ S- D- aml Co*'s omc' al Railway &_\j iw EnsrlishKeylcssLcvcr,unequalled at £1010s. £1210s, £15 10s, £18 10s, z. _____?*>>,!_— S.D. and Co.'s Superb 1 -carat *■ 3J6<> Gold English Lever and Half Chronometers, never equalled under 10 per cent more. £6 10s & £7 lOs-i^P-. ajt c <^ Gold Keyless Watches, perfectgems, worth £1010s. 10s & ,£ll 10s & £14 10s —S.D. & Co.'s Ladies 18-carat Gold English Lovers. Save at.least 50 per cent, by purchasing from the makers. £11 10s & £12 lOsi^' worih /"D1. c. /-on 18-carat Gold, worth £60. S.D. £.___< K^OV. anc i co.s New Patent Eng lish Double Chronographs, with indepen dent start, stop, and. fly back minute and second hands. For quality and accuracy never equalled at any price. Obtained Prize Medal Inventions Exhibition last year. Special pamphlet on this watch, post free, for'id stamp.' EVERY WATCH FULLY GUARANTEED. Sterling Silver Hallmarked Alberts, 9s (id, 12s Gd, l_s6d, and 15s 6d, Newest Patterns, atnearly Half usual price. The WEALEMEFNA, in Sterling Silver, 12s0d. By simply passing it over surface tho exact distance of feet and inches is recorded on tho Dial. Also, forms a splendid appendage for the Albert. GOLD ALBERTS, Ladies' and Gent's Newest Styles, Wholesale Prices, all illustrated in Pamphlet CANNOT BE EQUALLED. REPAIRS. Note. REPAIRS. Wanted Known, Best Watch Glasses fitted. 3d each. Charges for Watch Repairs—no matter . what maker or where bought—equally cheap. Ar rangements made to turn but ISO repairs per week. All Watche_ cleaned arc guaranteed at Stewart Dawson and Co.'s Great English Watch Exhibition, 91, Qucen-str-et. Call and receive gratis a copy of our Splendid, New Illustrated Watch and Jewellery Pamphlet,.and read full par ticulars and most wonderful testimonials. FOR REAL VALUE VISIT STEWART DAWSON & CO.'S GREAT ENGLISH WATCH EXHIBITION; 91-QUEEN-STREET-91 (Opposito Wyridhain-strect), Auckland. Arcliicccts. P. HERAPATH, F.8.1.8.A.] [S. M. HERAPATH T> HERAPATH and SON, •jt • ARCHITECTS, Colonial Bank Buildings. TRI-DWARD BARTLEY, ARCHITECT, STICHBURY'S BUILDINGS. QUEEN-STREET. MR. P. f. M. B URRO W S, ARCHITECT AND BUILDING SURVEYOR. A.M.P. Society's Buildings. THI D WARD MAHONEY AND SON, ARCHITECTS, QUERN-STREET, AUCKLAND. \\7'ILLIAM ERRINGTON, M. Inst. C.E., M. Inst. lvi.E., CONSULTING ENGINEER. AUCKLAND.



Medical. DENTISTRY. Mr. A. L. SMITH, SURGEON DENTIST, OSBORNE HOUSE, orner of WELLESLEY AND HOBSON STREETS, Supplies Artificial Teeth without extracting stumps, but if decayed teeth are taken out a temporary denture is fitted while the gums are healing, doing away with the inconvenience of being months without teeth. OTHER DENTISTS' WORK REPAIRED OLD SETS REMODELLED. Charges Moderate. Gas administered. Tram Cars pass the house. EATING'S LOZEJ.GES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. Oldest and Best Cough Remedy. KEATING'S LOZENGES. " Any Doctor will tell you ' there is no better Cough Medicine than KEATING'S LOZENGES. One gives relief ; if you suffer from cough try them but once ; they will cure and they will not injure your health ; they contain only the purest drugs, skilfully compounded. Sold everywhere in small tins. KEATING'S WORM TABLETS, A PURELY VEGETABLE SWEETMEET, both in appearance and taste, furnishing a most agreeable method of administering the only certain remedy for INTESTINAL or THREAD WORMS. It is a perfectly safe and mild pre paration, and is especially adapted for Children. —Sold in tins hy all Chemists. Proprietor, THOMAS KKATING, London. Mxvort Chemist and Druggwt. A WONDERFUL MEDICINE. BEECHAM'S PILLS §Aro admitted by thousands to be worth a Guinea n, Eox for bilious and nervous disorders, such ns wind, imd pain in the stomach, sick hendacne, gid diness, fulness aud swelUngaftermeals. ; dizziness and drbw sincES, coM cixlls, flushings of he*_t, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, cost.. eness, ccurv blot-mesou th n s .i?v disturbed siecpj frightful dreams, ftnd all nervous and trembling sensations, &o. T__ flrst close will givo relief in 20 mimit _s. This is no fiction, for they have done it in thousands of ca«e3, I. rary sufferer is earnestly invited to try one box of thase Pills, and they will be acknowledged to be WORTH A GUINEA A BOX. For females of all ages these Pills are invaluable, as a few dos.s of them carry oil all gross hnmours, open all . h_truetions, and bring about all that is required. Mo females should be without them. There is no medicine to be found to equal BI.ECHA_i'S PILLS for removing any obstruc tion or irregularity of the system. If taken according to tho directions given with each box. thoy will soon restore females of all ages to sound and robust hoalth. For a we;ilc stomach, impaired digestion, and all disorders of the liver, they act like " MAGIC," and a few doses will be found to work wonders upon tha most important organs of the human machine. They strengthen the whole muscular system, restore tho long lost complexion, Tiring back the koen edgo of appetite and arouse into action with the ROSBB UD of health the whole physical onergy of tho human frame. Those tire "FACTS" admitted hy thousands embracing all classes of society; and one cf tho best guarantees to the nervous and debilitated is, Boecham's Pills have: the largest 3alo of any patent inediciao in the world. BEECHAM'S MAGIC COZTGHPILLS As a remedy for Coughs in genen. 1 .Asthma, Diffi culty ill Breathing, Shortness of B.'aath, Tightness and Oppression of the Chest, .. heozing, &c, thoso Pills stand unrivalled; and anyone labouringunder any of the abovo complaint- noed only try One Box to prove that they are the best ever offered to the public for Asthmatic and Oo.nsrtmptive Coughs, Hoarseness aihd Oppression of the Chest. They* speedily 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, when neglected, dangerous complaints. Let any person troubled with any of the above complaints give Beec-Cah's Cough: Pills a trial. The most violent Cough will in a short time be removed. Ciunoy.—Tbe public aro requested tc. notica that the words "Beecuah's Pills, St. Helens," _vra 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 bores nt is. ljd. and. 2s. 9a. each.—Sold by ail Druggists and Patehr Medicine Dealers throughout the Colonies. N.B. —Full directions are given with each box. IVTOTICE OF REMOVAL. MR. T. TRAFFORD, SURGEON DENTIST Desires to inform his Patients ahd Friends that he has removed from Wakefleld-street to more central offices QUEEN-.Street, over Mr. Wayte*-, Bookseller, opposite Wyndham-street Hours from nine a.m. till five p.m. IT is singular hew blind people are to their own interests, by selling imitations of tlie genuine Wolfe's Schnapps. Business Notices. /The .American .CORN BROOM CO. EXMOUTH street. mO TOBACCO GROWER S. SEED. SEEDT SEED. The undersigned has just received a parcel of new Toboeco Seed from. America, containing the following varieties: Kentucky, Broad Leaf Connecticut, Golden Leaf, and Dark Virginia (these descriptions having proved most suitable for the various districtsin this colony). Packets containing sufficient seed for one acre, of any of these varieties, may be obtained on application; price, .s per packet. AUSTIN WALSH, July 23,1857. • Tobacco Factory, Auckland. M~ I i S~~ S M I T H, CORSET & BANDAGE MAKER, Has always on hand a Good Supply of Stay . .Matei'ial., STAYS MADE TO ANY PATTERN. Riding Stays, Slays for Invalids, Bandages, and Shoulder Braces on the most approved principles. . , STAYS CLEANED AND REPAIRED. Ladies waited on by sending address to ESKBANK COTTAGE, GUN DRY-STREET, NEWTON, by New Epiphany Church. "*¥/r—CT"N "v ~M ~M~- N~ T~ i ITALIAN AND VERMONT MARBLES, AND ABERDEEN GRANITE. HEAD STONES IN MARBLE AND STONE. Iron Tomb Railings at Moderate Prices. Prices and Designs Sent post-free. Country orders carefully packed. TAIT BROTHERS, Monumental Works, Corner of Rutland and LOme streiets (near Queen-street Junction), Aucklapcl. C- 6 S T E R 3 (LATE OF-QUEEN.-STREET), TOBACCONIST, &c, KARA.NGAHAPE ROAD (iioxb G-trrebt, Bubclier). Finest Brands of Cigars, Tobaccos ahd Cigarettes, Sundries, etc. CUT TOBACCOS A SPECIALTY. Every description of Pipes Mounted and Repaired to order. , [A CARD.] ■yn~ E. THOMAS (Twenty-four venrs with H. M. Customs), CUSTOMS, SHIPPING, AND GENERAL COMMISSION AGENT, BROKER, ACCOUNTANT, and PUBLIC AUDITOR. Offices Firtfi's Buildings, 75, Queen-street* Auckland,