THE MYSTERY OF HADDON'S FERRY.

By B. D. E. N Southworth.

CHAPTER VI.

A,- TEARFUL MYSTERT.

ThOtt tiwnblert; ana the wUtonMB of thy check 3b apter than thy tonjjuo to toll thy errand! Eton suoh a man, \o faint, so spiritloaa, 3o dull, so dead in look, so woo-begone, IJrew Priam's curtain in the cUad of nignt, And wonid havo told him half his fjoj was burned

SHAKE3PEARE.

"SAIAY I 01), I am so glad you have coma. Though you needn't have butfcocl me' over for all that!" exclaimed Patricia, recovering the balance that Mr. Salluat Rowley's impetuous entrance had nearly overset. "But where is Colonel Fitzgerald ? Why doesn't he come in ?" she inquired, peering beyond him into the, darkness, of the early dawn

"Pon'b ask me, Pat! that's a brick !" cried the young man, in a tremor. _ "Why, Sallusb Rowley, what is the matter with you ? You look as white as a. sheet, and you tremble like a leaf. hat on earth ails you?" demanded Patneia,notic ing for the first time his panic-stricken aspect. „ " Don't ask me, Pat; that's a. trump ! exclaimed Sallust, between his chattering teeth.* . " I w>»tf ask you, and you shall tell me. What have you been up to? You look as if you expected to be shot the next minute. What have you done ? Have you slain a man in your wrath, and a young man bo your hurting ?' sharply persisbed Patricia. The youth turned paler than he was be fore, but he did not reply. ■ ; , v; '"What in bhe deuce ails you, boy? Ravt you robbed a bank ?" demanded Patricia. "No; but I dread to meet Aerr ex claimed Sallusb, shaking. . "To moefc who?" cried Patricia, Im patiently. , „ '' Iltr-Gerry. What can I say to her V ho groaned, shivering. " If you hava anything to say to vw, Mr Sallust Rowley, you had better say it at onoo," suggested a calm, stern voice, aa Geraldine Fitzgerald came from the draw ing-room and confronted him. Ballust Rowley drew back, aghast. "Why Is not Colonel Fitzgerald, with you ? Where, did you leave him ?" inquired Geraldine, in, a voico forced' by her own Btrong will into tone 3of calmness. . "Don't ask me, Ger—Miss Fitzgerald, I mean. And doa't look at me SO, pleaso. Your eyes go through and through me like a knife. . Don't, please, that's a brick;—l mean a lady. Let me go in and rest myself, pl^e. Tarn tired almost to death, indeed lad in his agitation, Sallust, Rowley for got his politeness,, pushed past the young ladies, entered the drawing-room, and threw himself down in th« arm-chair lately oc cupied by Geraldine. They followed him—Geraldino speechless in astonishment and indignation—Patricia^, noisy with fright and anxiety. ; " Sally !" she exclaimed, peremptorily;, " you- talk and act like a lunatic, and. I, am not agoitig to stand it—there ! You shall' tell u3, this very moment, what you mean by your mysterious reserve !" ' "I,can't tell you, Patricia! I can?b in deed ! Upoamy soul and honour, I. can't! Don't ask me '.—that's a, b^ick?',flr\e.4. the ■ victim, in despair. .. ■ ■. . "I will ask you, and I will make, you tell, too! you xed-headed ape T .Why did not Colonel Fitzgerald keep.his appoinb menb and come down with you. f! , , "I can't, tell you ! Indeed, goodness : knows X can't!" "whispered. Sallust. • ""Wheredidyouleavebm?" " "What's the use of asking me,, if,. I can't tell, you I" It, only,,torments me and enrages you, for nothing!" "I'll torment you ! Since Colonel Fitz gerald has nofc come- down • to-night, when is he comuig' down? This morning? This evening ? Whm ? persisted the girl. ~?'!. caainot. tell you," perseyered., the

youth. . "Has anything happened to him ? If so, what is it ? What has happened to him If* Btubbornly cpntinuei Patricia., '-'I cannot tell you," stolidly repeated Sallust. "And I will not.! . There now, Miss Patricia 1 I would not—uo, not if, I waa:«tobeput upon the. rack and screwed limb from limb r ■ ■.' , " Wish I had the power to. do it.! Fd put you to the, test. I'd screw you," mut tered Patricia; grinding her teeth ; " but never mind. Uncle Fitzgerald will ; make you tell, I'll bet!" "No,,he. won't neither. And even if he ahovid you would wish he AacZ^'i,. now mind you. If ever there was a case whera igno rance is bliss this is one. But he vron'bj'll bet. I shalT be off from this place in ten minute^., I am : going away. , I am-going to leave the oountry!" he exclaimed, in great emotion.

"It may be for. years, • ■' Audit may be lor ever I' . 1 only dropped in to tell you -to put off the wedding-guests as well as you can. For there can be no wedding without the bridegroom, arid the. bridegroom won't put in an appearance;" Geraldine Fitzgerald had up-to this time stood silent and motionless, witlvher hands' resting on, the back of hqr chair, and f her dark eyes fixed steadily on th&face of thp speaker. Now she -addressed him in atone of quiet authority. .. ~,, j: " One thing I think you will tell me,: ]$r. > Rqwley., Does, Gerald Fitzgerald; still, liy«?"' !,;';" ...'",' . _v ■ •

"Yes, he still lives," answered Sallust: Bulkily.. "' : . - ■ ; "So far. good. Another question I think, you will answer me: li^CbtoholFitzgerald in good health?" ": "Yes, he is in good health." •'Haii. he sent, by you, any message,, or any note of explanation as. to his failure, to keap his appointment,here?" ", , " No, ma'am,, he haa riot sent,by me any messago or any note of explanation, a? to his failure to keep his .appointment, her,©; nor, if ho had, would I, under the circunv stances, have delivered it. There,'l have answered throe questions. Now, the rack shall not wring another word of information from mo on that subject," exclaimed Satluat Rowley, grimly. . : '-' "It is quite enough. I dp hot wish ■'■ to ask you anqtheP question/ muttered Geraldine, between her set teeth and white ; lips; "' Colonel Fitzgerald1 is alive and well, and yet he comes not ,to keep* his* en ? gag^ment onhis wedding day, and, sends no, explanation of his conduct," . . ),, And with these words, she sailed'■■out-- of tharoom. ! ;,:^;'\ ' ;; :. ", "There, youlifctJaTillaiia, seft,,:w£afc,X?u hara donei!" exclaimed Patricia, jnj)a fury. '' ' '"'! "Upon-my-Honl; I didn't dor anything;" pleaded Sallust ' . " You.Ka.ve.said, too.little.b'c: too much." j " I didn't mean to say anything, but she compelled mo>"t' , , •(■>(:>-!•■ " JBeftei- you had> kept, silent©; than, have •^iwfeabyoudid."' ■ ■; ',"■ "I- It now it;- and* I wanted, to, keep <|[enee ? .>u,t,sh i e e wouJdnQt i le.t.mQ,'' ~; vv "/* Then,'since you .w.erfi.forced to speak, t& would have been better tMt you liajd told the worst, whatever "that%6rst may be, than to leave suclrvague homirs to be inferred" from' your reservey"- said- Patricia, sternly.. •.. ', '•; l<j;;; ,-.,-'';':'. I ;,'; •,! • r...,." Ay;;" : th^!s:be.cause yo^ don't: krio^r any thing aboubit., ButiXsayi /;must beroffi-'" "Stop! You, to^ your cousin' that, Golohel* Jfttegwalel^ ie: alive, and: wellj..| arid c 1 ,« « *'■ " """ "

yet sends no note or message explanatory o£ his strange conduct, : How,'. answer me this question, which, I think, could never have occurred bo Geraldino, or she would have asked;, it: Is Colonsl Fitzgerald at liberty?" • "Now look here, Miss Pat. I see what you are up to.' You want to get at the case by a method bhab examining detectives call exclusion, and by finding out what is not,, to discover -whab is. No, I thank you. I shall answer no more questions. Good bye, Pat. I'm sorry to leavo you, bub tUO. best of friends must part," said the young man rising and taking his hat. . "Stop! You shall nob go until you have seen my uncle and given him some explanation, if you will not give ib to any one else!" cried Patricia, flying to the bell and ringing it sharply. ' . " What 19 the «se of your doing that ? There is nob a servant, in bho house out of bed at thi3 time of bho morning," said Sallusb, drawing on his gloves. . " Tru6 ! True ! I will go to uncle s room myself!" exclaimed Patricia, flying out of the parlour and up the stairs. Bub before she knocked at her uncle's door sho remembered that she must nob alarm him, so she moderated her haste and knocked softly. • 11 Who is that?" inquired tho voice of Mr Fitzgerald from within. "It in I, uncle—Pat." " What did you want, my dear?" " Only to tell you that Sallust has arrived, and that there is some little delay in the coming of Cousin Gerald." " Delay "m the coming of Gerald ! Is he ill•?"■' demanded Mr Fitzgerald, in anxious tones.

" Oh, no. He is quite well, I assuro you. But something has occurred to delay his arrival." " What has occurred ? Can't'you speak,

Patricia V"

"I do nob know, uncle. Sallusb refused to explain to me or. to Geraldino, bub per haps he will to you." " Will Gerald'bo here this evening, then, in time for the wedding';" '' ' ' . "I do not know, sir. Sallust can explain. Shall I send him to you '!" "Yes; tell him to como up at onco. All this is very strango and disagreeable !" ex claimed Mr Fitzgerald, moving as if he woro about to rise from his bed.

Patricia flew down stairs to intercept tho departure of tho visitor, but when sho reached the drawing-room sho found that visitor gone and his place empty. She rushed out into the hall and tore open the front door only in timo to hear the ring ing hoofs of the rider's horse as he galloped furiously away by the bridle-path bhab led down the mountain side to the turnpike' road leading to Wildcville. " He'll break his neck, and a good job, too, for a mean scamp ! Ibmay savo Jack Ketch some trouble. Fled—actually Hod like a criminal and a coward rather than 3tay and meet Mr Fitzeeralcl with any explana tion of this 9trange mystery !" muttered Patvioia, as sho peered through the faint light of the early dawn in the direction of the flying horse and his mad rider.

"What, can bo, the > niatter?"she asked herself,' as, she ■ retreated into tho -house. " What can have happened, to Gerald' Fitz gerald to keep him/from his appointment with his promised bride upon her wedding day ? If he wore dead, or if ho were ill, one coitfd understand it;, but he. is alive and well.' And his conduct; is, quite;incompre hensible. 1 It is a great mystery; And it \9 said that wh^re there is mystery there is* always guilt. Bub guilb in connection with Gerald Fitzgerald's, name? Impossible! For never. •»I«SJ**«-«« I"

1 Has falsohood or disCTaco Boon seen to soil Fitzgerald's plume, Or mantle in his face.'

$6 sang the old family minstrels, and it must have been true ; and I am prouder of their unsullied honor than their lineage of a thousand years.", • A's Pa'tVi'cia/ Centered the drawing-room she found a sleepy servant, apparently just risen, and engaged in opening the shutters. "Did you ;see Mr Sallusfc Rowley this, morning?":site inquired. '.'•'"; ••■* Yes, Miss. He left his horse in the stable and borrowed a fresh ono, Flash o' Lightning, and he says, With' his compli ments, aa he will leave it at Wildoville stables to be sent back here, and we can keep his horse until called for," replied the man, • '■>'■ ' '' •>

". That1 is cool, upon my vrbrd anrl honor! I w.onder if he thinks they keep a livery stable here !" muttered Pat to herself

,; AtthisniomentMi:Fitzgernld'sold body servant entered the room, sayino- resipect fully: ' . ~ t;.

' "Please, Mfss," old mai'stor say how he, is waiting for Mr Sallust." :'' Tell' you r master that Mr Sallust has left the-house. Or, stay! Is Mr Fitz gerald-up and; dressed ?" "Yes,-MiSB. I]cs' done put him in his easy-chair." ' ; "Then I will go to him myself- Go on and tell him so," said Patricia.

The servant bowed, and led the way to the chamber of his master. •

Patricia found her. uncle seated in his easy-chair by the front window, with his gouty foot' upon its rest, i; ■ !

"0h,.! is it you, my dear? Where is Sallust-?" said the old gentleman, put ting but his hand and drawing a chair near his own, and pointing for Patricia to .tjokeit... \| y ;_ ~,, ....,, ~; ~ ■

The young girl sat down, and, answered, cautiously: . . . ;f" Sallust'has gone, uncle. He had al ready gone when I returned to the draw ing-room." , ■: ■■,

13 ''But that is very strange," said'the old gentleman, in a displeased tone. And then he commenced and questioned Patricia; closely as to kll that, passed in her interview With the. myaterious visitor. ' ' '

I ; Patricia answered with all the tact and diseretionl of which she was' mistress, and found, to her great relief, that the invalid ;Wa3. not. nearly so upset:by;tho news, or the lack of news,, as. she had expected to find him;; ■' ! •.■; , '■■ .:: ! ■' ■■■

''It iiaaall very Btranga ; but, of course, Gerald ds right. > It is probably some other .man's.interest or honor that is somehow in volved,! and Gerald cannot explain without some breach, of trust. '' I hope Gerald will .be able to reach here this evening before she hour appointed for, the. wedding; cere mony. But however that may be, or what ev.or tho mystery may be f my confidence in 'my son's honor is immovable," exciaimed the old gentlenmn. emphatically./ ! " So.is mine, uncle,' ridded Patricia, ear nestly, "r\ ' ,'" . ' '■■;'_ "I. thank ypu, my dear. But what does lGeraidine^y l f )t'heanxibusly infjuirecll '"'". 1 "'She'!says; very'' little^ uncle," Patricia cautiously;replied. >; si i- ! • ' >si ff , i; ■.-'M.fjear she,is.vexed.." , i\ur,v.\(A'.n j j k ; **.^hoj4i<i nofc.say ; s<>." ,•- : . , .f/Oh,,;no,,she would ne^er aay so! She ,|would: die; firs£ [ : \ Ah, well,, it will; all be right when, Gerald comes -this-, evening. If ■he does notirknow.ihpw,. to, sooth'e.aigulky (^e^etheart, ,he ,is s n0.,, true Fitzgerald ! r There,,;my dear, ,you need.not.,wait. .Tell them to.sendj me ; up my cup. of, chocolate." ,",7-So.;dismissed, Patricia left,the.room, and yisai dpwn^ ~Btairs,. and, gave Hec uncle's iorde.T.tOjthehousekeeper.' :. .',■, , •.;. '-c

She;npjyrfo.und all; the,rooms open, and ;the, rgys. ,of the : rising, sun > streaming' into all the east: iwindows thab, faced,the river, and lightingup thajiouse.: ~ «« She 'passed" !owt'of' the front-door, and •Wenb" down updh,the terrace overhanging the riveil, to wq,lk-there for a while, to rid 'herself;'-"if;■"•"possible,1 ;of the anxious and •'glbomy thoughts ■inspired by the strange denieariour of her cousin, Sallust Rowley; ---■ ' The: su'miijer morning ' succeeding' the storni''was Splendid' beyond description. The scen^riy^yiasjniagnifidenfc- >■>. The sun was .jiis^.spai'klingfUPrfi'oin behind the Eagle '.Bdqsfe Ridge, andirradiating all the wooded .Kills, mountains^,brooks, and river into, a 'dazzling^pnflffgfatio^.of mg^ujng g10EX, ; .,.

CHAPTER VI.

THE PURSUERS,

Adown the glen rodo armed men. Campbell,

When gazing in breathle33 awe and ad miration upon this scene the sound of horses' hoofs struck upon her ear.

She turned in tho direction of tho sound, half: expecting to see Sallusb Rowley como riding back. Slie did not sco him, bub she saw four strange men gallop up to the house and dis-

mount.

Grooms, that wore always in attendance to wait on visitors, came up and took their

horses.

Tho men walked up 'the terrace steps. They; stood upon the terrace for a moment looking about .them, and then the oldest man, who seemed to be tho leader, came up to Patricia, bowed and said : " I beg your pardon, Miss, but we wish to see the master of tho house."

Patricia, stricken with terror, and con necting this strango visit with the still stranger conduct of Sallusb Rowley, an swered : " 1 do nob think that you can see Mr Fitzgerald. His .health is in a very critical condition. He is coniined to his chamber with an attack of gout, and is forbidden by the doctor to see. any stranger or to have any excitement. Will nob Ido as well ?" " Soarcely, Miss. Is there no other man about the house, besides the master, then, that wo can sco ?." inquired bho stranger. "There is no one here except th» master and the men-servants. lam afraid you will have to confide your business to me," said Patricia, gathering courage. " Well, Miss, it is nob a pleasant thing to say to a young lady ; but time presses. In fact, we have a warrant here for the arrest of one Sallust Rowley," said the stranger. " A warrant! For the arrest of Sallust Rowley ! Good Heaven !" exclaimed Pat ricia, in amazement and horror ; for to her apprehension a warrant and an arrest was the very consummation, of mortal misery and disgrace. "Do not be alarmed, Miss. We do nob intend to hurt him. Where shall wo find tho young man ?" inquired the ofticor. "I do not know. He ia nob here. Ido not know where ho is ; but for Heaven's sake, tell me:—what has ho dono ?" " It is nob necessary to go into that, my dear young1 lady. Tell us whero we can find tho young man, so that we can make the arresb quietly without causing an un seemly disturbance in a gentleman's house. Gome-whero is Mr Sallust Rowley ?"

" I do not know—indeed I do not know. Ho is nob hero," said Patricia, in a panic. " Come, come, Miss. We know that he crossed Haddon's Ferry ab midnight last night, and rode hero, vouching the house ab dawn this morning. We know this for a fact, BO tbttb if you do not give him up quietly we shall bo obliged to search tho premises," said tho officer, kindly but reso lutely. " Oh, for the lovo of Mercy, do nob think of searching tho house ! Ib would kill my uncle, in His prescnb critical state. And you would not like to cause the dsath of an old man, would you?" exclaimed Patricia, wringing her hands in great trouble. "Of course nob; bub it is you, my dear young lady, who are endangering your uncle s safeby, by refusing to-give up the man we wanb. and compelling us to make a disturbance by searching the house. ' Show us the young man, and wo will take him quietly, and go about our business.1' " But Ido not know where he is. I only know thab ho is nob here," persisted Patricia, in great distress. " Oh, tut, tub, tut, tut!" exclaimed the sheriffs officer, incredulously. "But, indeed, I speak tho truth. Do you suppose for a moment thab I am capable of telling a falsehood, even to shelter him '!" demanded Patricia, her face llushingcrimson at the implication. , " I beg pardon, Miss; bub what are we to think if"

" Listen, and I will tell you all I know about it. Sallust Rowley did arrive here very early-this morning. He stayed about half an hour, but seemed during that timo to bo in; great, haste to bo oil'again. lAt the end of that timo lie went off, leaving his tired horse hero and taking a fresh one. Ho .has been gono nearly an hour. Ido not mind giving you this information, because I think it will do him no harm,' and he lias made good his escape, and it will prevent your disturbing an invalid gentleman by searching the. nouso. If you still doubt me, and think that my story needs con firmation, you can go down ta the stables, 'and question the coachman and groom." The men exchanged a few words apart with each other, and then the elder said : " Wo will, 'at'xiny rate, go to the stable, find hear what the people there have to say, before we proceed to search the house. If they put us on the right track, we need not return here again to molest you, Miss." And with these wOrdrf the oiKcer mounted and rbdo off to the stable, followed by his companions. "Well," said Patricia, looking after them, " I would have been worse than a traitor to have given them1 any information, if it had not been to save unclbfrom danger ous excitement,and if'l had not known that ■Sallust had gob beyond their pursuit by this time. But ah ! what has that wretched boy been-up to? f And is it this business that Gerald Fitzgerald is' mixed up with? I forgot to-ask thorn. Or, rather, it never oirce entered 'my distracted head to ask them. I shall not say a single word to uncle about this visit, and I must caution the servants not to do so.' • Oh, dear mo, how glad I am the girls are all sleeping late this morning after their restless niglit. I hope they won't wake up until noon. I aml sure, if they don't, I will not have them called. And this is the wedding day. And Wehave to think of the wedding guests who will soon be assembling. What on earth can we tell'them? Then uncle feels so sure that Gerald will be hero in time, > while I know' that, he will not be. Or, even if, by a sort of miraole, he should come, his •first groomsman will'not be in attendance. What a complication ! If only, something would happen that everybody could under stand to put, o ( ff the wedding—something like an earthquake, or a conflagration, or a caso of small-pox, or anything under the Sun that'we could explain ; anything but this mystery with its navourlof guilt. Oh, dear, life is a great bore," sighed Patricia, ;as she turned into, the house again. : Aunt Hetty, tho, old housekeeper, met her, Saying: 'VDebreakfas! is all ready and sp'ilin', .ftliss J?aJ>y but npnoob.cle.young, ladies is 'down'yet. What is to be done ? j' - "Nothing Let them rest. They were up; nearly all night,,. Het. They were frightened by the storm, and would not L go. to bed. Has uncle had his breakfast ?"' ..." La,.yeSj honey, long ago ; all de break fas'he ebber takes—his cup o' chocolate and bifc.o'dry.toas'." . • ■

J "-Well;;then 5 . you. may just bring me a cup of coffee here, and-put the breakfast back until the young ladies', rise," said Patricia,throwine; herself into an easy-chair by thojfiront window of the drawing-room. " Berry, well,'honey ; jes' as you say," answered the old woman, retreating. [,;,?',Stay, iHet.v 11 Has any message come from. Miss Maxima Rowley, to-day ? Any .newsof General Slaughter's, condition ?" ' "No, honey, not, since last, night, when word, come as,he was mych wuss^ an' Miss Maxima, couldn!t leave him.." ■ . , ,; , ~

,;.:" Yes, I know;;, that,will ; do, Het. , You need not wait.", ■ ..> ~•„,. . : L , ;"'.' Yes,;honey,; I bring;your,j,cup, o' cofie.Q immediate,", said the w.oman,. finally;,re- ; .treating.,,, ,' : , ■•■'. ~■ ~., ;.- , 7 .. ;; ... ,j ; . , She.sopn reappeared-.with aslight^break faat^arranged ion. a ; waiter, which she .placed upon.a,.stand^ near, th^ypung-lady.;, ■ ;, \

Pat, who thought she could take nothm but a cup of coffee, managed to dispose also of a couple of rolls, a fried perch and an egg. i Then Heb removed the waiter,' ana Patricia began to walk uneasily up ft"c' down the floor, until she was startled by the sound of horses' hoofs galloping She ran to the window and looked*oub, and saw bho sheriff's officers riding-away. "Leb bhem go. They will never cabch my Sally now ! But oh ! what Acts the un lucky chap been up to, to have tho sheriff s officers in pursuit of him?" she groaned, wringing her hands as she resumed her uneasy walk up and down tho length of the room. The sound of the sheriff's horses' feeb had scarcely died away in tho distance before another horso was heard galloping towards the house. " Good gracious ! what is coming now . One would think this house was bhe head quarters of a cavalry regiment, or of the flying artillery !" she exclaimed, hurrying once more to the front window.

It was a negro horseman on this occasion, who rode directly up to the front of the house, threw himself from his horse, and ran up the steps and knocked at the door. Without waiting for the slow motions of a servant, Pab rushed bo bhe door and tore it

open. " What is the matter now ? What news have you brought?" she inquired of the agitated messenger. " Berry bad news, Miss. I'se sorry to say old Marse Gen'ral is gone, Miss; passed 'way a little arter midnight dis mornin', Miss.' " 01), thank Heaven !" fervently ejacu lated Patricia.

" Miss !" exclaimed the messenger, look ing aghast. " Oh ! I didn't mean that—of course I didn't! Of course, lam very sorry for the poor old gentleman," amended Patricia, gravely. " She's 'fused in her mine 'long o ac grief. I oughtn't to a-broke ib to her so suddinb," said the messenger, musingly. "But it will put off the wedding, won b ib ?" exclaimed Pabricia.

"In course it must, Miss ; which was the berry reason why Miss Maxima sent me off in sich hot haste to bell you ; 'case, she says, it wouldn't be decent to have no marrying nor giving in marriage going on wid sich a near relation ob do family lyin' dead in his house. So she sent me off quick to stop it." " Did Miss Maxima write?" " No, Miss ; sho hadn't no timo to write. Sho sent mo off soon 's ebber do breaf was out 'n do ole marster's body.so you and dem here would have a chance to send round the news and stop do weddin'ers from comin' to de houso ob mournin'. I couldn't see Marse Fitzgerald, 'liver ob my message ?" " No, you could not. He is not well, and ho must not be disturbed. I will take him the message by and by. Go now and get some breakfast in the kitchen. You must bo hungry after your long ride."

" Dats so, Miss Pat. You nebber epoke a truer word in all your life. Dis poor ole nigger's front waistcoat is gone clear to his backbone along ob emptiness," said tho messenger, as he led his horse away to tho stable before going himself to the kitchen. Once more Patricia sought the chamber of her invalid uncle.

Sho found him as she had left him, sitting in his easy-chair at the front window, with his afllicted leg in its rest. "Well, my'dear, have you heard any thing from Maxima this morning ?" inquired the old gentleman. ' • Yea, uncle," replied Patricia, availing herself of this favourable opening for her grave news. " Well, my lovo, what does, she say ? Is the general any better ? Will she bo hero in timo for the wedding?" " The wedding will have to be put off, I fear, dear uncle.'.'

" What! Is he so ill as all that ?"

"He is gone, uncle. A messenger has just cptno from Hill Top Hall to bring the news." . ■ '

"What! Gone, is he? Poor old fellow ! Well, this w sudden ! Yes, old as he is— thirty years older than I am, my dear—it w sudcieii. Death always seema sudden,,l do suppose. As you say, the wedding must be puVoff, Where is Geraldine ?" " She has not yet left her room. She lost a. great deal of rest last night, and is try ingi to take some thia morning, I suppose," said Patricia.

" Then, my dear, in tlio absence of Gerald and Geraldine, I must ask you to take some orders in this crisis. Send off as many men as our stables can mount, with messages to all, our invited guests, informing, them of the dpath of General Slaughter, and the consequent post ponement of the wedding. Send them in different. directions, and gi.vo each man a list of the people he is to call on. Can you do this, my dear child ?" .

" Certainly I can, my dear uncle. I will set about it immediately!" eagerly ex claimed Patricia, as she hurried from- the

room,

" Oh, my good gracious me, what a fortunate thing. Ah, how wicked of me to say that. But I can't help feeling so much relieved to think that now we hare a good excuse that everyono can understand for putting off the wedding that couldn't come on,", she said to herself, as she hurried down Stan's, ontered the breakfast-room, dfnd rang the bell foi', the housekeeper.: '

"Young ladies ready for breakfas' yeb?" inquired. Aunt Het, as she came in.

"No; but nevermind them now. Have you seen Saturn from Hill Top?" " Yes, honey, I done seen Satan. Any sponsors in bdbtisnv to name a Christian baby arter de debbil, and call him Satan. I don't beliebe in no such doin's, 'deed I don't," grumbled Heti " Well, but you have seen him and heard his news." • , .

" Yes, honey. Ole Morse Gen'al Slaughter gone. Well,'honey, nothin' bub what might a been 'sp'ecteddese twenty" years'or more. Why, honey, dat ole man is 'siderable ober ninety year ob ago 1: 'Deed, dear knows, ef it had been me leP so long, I done been afteared as de good Lord had forgot to. call me, an' I might keep on libbin'. till I dried up an' blowed away. But he's gone at last. .Ah ! but he was a saint on dis yeth ! We dem hab sperienced a great.loss in him, rest his soul ! sighed Het, wiping her tearless eyes, for Het was one of those people who consider it a sacred duty to praise and weep for the departed under all circumstances.

" And now you know, Het, that the wed ding which was to havo been celebrated to night must be; put off,"said the more matter of-fact Patricia. '

" Yes.. All is wanity an' wexation ob do sperrijbg'.' Little do us feel like makin' merry .wid music ah' dancin', wid'sich agood ole man lyin'stark dead in his house an1 gone td-glory," said Het, with no more in consistency than is to be found, in the talk of better educated people; • ;

" I want you to send the head groom to me for orders, Het.' We'shall' have to des patch messengers in every direction to stop the'wedding guests from coming," said the more"practical Patricia!' " ' " Yes, honey* in course. Igo send him right straight up to you," sighed Het, hurrying away from the room.' Patricia walked about the floor' while waiting for the. messenger to do her errandl i Patricia | never could sib .still while she was disturbed inimihd.. . ij -■_. •;. . ■ : ~

Presently the door, opened,; and the venerr able old i white-headed,, groom i entered j the , room,: bowing ,respegtfuliy.i,:.;.:_,, ;-, ! 'vDpmitian, we have had!grave.news this morning. General) Slaughter has departed this life," said the young 1ady...;,; . o j & The; old; servant bowed, solemnly.' • ij -■ - i "The wedding must be deferred-in honour of this event. Your, master desires that you have,every horse.in the stable. saddled, and a, man; mpunted.on.eachi.tp despatch with the news to ouv friends to prevent

their coming here this - ; evening. Ab the men mount let them ride up to the house one by one, to take further orders from me. Hasten now, Domitian, and do your er- old man bowed even more solemnly than before, and left the room. Patricia passed into her uncles Stuay, seated herself ab his desk, and wrote out a list of names for each messenger s route. When she had completed her task she gathered up the slips of paper, and went out upon the front terrace to give them to her messengers. She found about a dozen mounted men awaiting her orders. , At a signal from her they rode up one by one, received each a list of names, whicn. she was careful to read over to them, having to trust rather to their memory than to their knowledge of letters. . Having despatched all her couriers, she returneato the house. She was met in the hall by all the young bridesmaids, who had come down in a body, and now gathered around her and greeted her with girlish delight. " Oh, isn't ib a glorious morning after tne storm !" exclaimed Horabia Rowley, the pretty little, red-headed sister of Sallust. " A perfectly lovely day for awedding ! chimed in May Faire, the golden-haired orphan schoolmate of Geraldine Fitzgerald. ," Blessed is the bride thab the sun shines on," quoted dark-eyed Anna Conde, the special friend of Horatia. " Yes, yes : it is a glorious morning after the storm, and a lovely day for a wedding, and blessed is the bride that the sun shines on. You' are all right. Only there will be no wedding; and no bride \" exclaimed Patricia. The news fell like a thunder-bolt in the midst of a clear sky. " No wedding and no bride?" exclaimed Horatia.

"What on earth has happened?" cried May Faire. "Has the gout flown to Mr Fitzgerald's stomach abilasb T anxiously inquired Anna Conde.

"Is General Slaughter much worse?" asked Horatia.

"General Slaughter died last night, a little after midnight. A messenger from Miss Rowley brought the news this morn ing. Couriers have just been despatched in all directions to cany the news to our many distant friends, and have them the useless trouble of coming to a wedding that is not going to bo celebrated." "Oh, dear me, what a very shocking thing !" exclaimed Anna. "What a terrible l disappointment!" cried Horatia.

"What does Geraldine say aboub ib?" inquired May. "Horrible!" chimed in Horatia and Anna.

" 'Poor, dear Geraldine' don't know it yet. She has not left her room, and I do nob mean that she shall be disturbed until she does. And now, girls, we have nothing bo do but to eat our breakfast with what appetite we may. It has been waiting long enough, until I don't know which is the most spoiled—tho breakfast or the cook's temper," said Patricia, as she led the way down the hall. But even when they were gathered around the table, where a tempting morn ing meal had been laid, the young people could nob eat or drink for chattering. '"And to think that Colonel Fitzgerald and his groomsmen will arrive here to-day ignorant of all that has happened! Oh, won't it be a heavy blow to a bridegroom ?" cried May Faire.

In the midst of their chattering the door quietly swung open and Geraldine Fitz gerald entered the room. She was clothed entirely in white from head to foot. There was nob a speck of colour aboub her morn ing dress. Her face was deadly pale, and in contrasb to the raven blackness of her hair it seemed as white as her dress.

• She bowed in silence to her young friends, advanced quietly and took her place at the table.

Her presence fell like a damper upon the flow of girlish talk. " You have heard what has happened, Geraldine,". said Patricia.

" Yes ; I have heard what has happened. Desireo told me when she came to dress me. Give me some strong coffee, Patricia," said Geraldine, with stolid calmness.

" Tho young girl handed the cup of coffee in silence. She knew well that it was not the.death of General Slaughter, nor yet the postponement of her wedding, that bad stricken all the colour from Geraldine'sface; ■but tho mysterious absence and still more mysterious silence of her destined bride groom, that had fallen like a death-blow on the beautiful and blooming bride-elect.

As soon as the uncomfortable breakfast was over carriages were ordered, and the young "bride-maids took a reluctant leave and departed. ,; Patricia was left alone in the morning sitting-room with her cousin. " Tell me now frankly, Geraldine, wox\ld you prefer that I, too, should go, or that 1 should stay here with you?" " You must go, Patricia, and I shall go with you. I will not pass another -night or day under the roof of Colonel Fttzgerald," said the young lady, resolutely. "Geraldine! Oh, don't .talk in that way, my dear! Wait and. see. Gerald may conic this .very day and answer for himself \'[ exclaimed Patricia, in alarm but still trying to hope against hope. "Or he may not come. ; 1 will not wait his lordly pleasure," grimly replied the young lady. ..';.' • •Ho may still write and explain, dear Geraldme. .-Wait until the boy comes from the post-office, to see whether thero is a letter-for you," pleaded Patricia. " I tell you I will not wait the arrogant pleasure of Colonel Fitzgerald !" exclaimed Geraldine, haughtily., "I have "ordered ithe carriage, and we'shall leave this place within an nour.".- j> it ,• ■ •

t " Thank Heaven, here" comes Bob from the post-office !" exclaimed Patricia, start ing up and flying out to seize the mail-bao fohe flew back again into the parlour opening the bag as she came, with fingers that trembled so much they could scarcely porform their task.

Geraldine looked on with haughty glance and "lips that scarce their scorn forbore "' "There_! I told you. so. A letter from Colonel Fitzgerald for you. It is the only one in the bag, too. Take it and repent your haste !' exclaimed Patricia, throwing a thin, white envelope into the lap of her cousin. r

Geraldine commanded herself as only a proud woman could have done. Bhe did not anatch the letter; she took it up slowly opened it deliberately, and re*d-first to herself and then aloud—to Patricia. _ The letter was without date or signature It contained but two lines :

"Geral&inc, trust me in this.-day-as I should trust you all days!" ,' ' * ■I' 1 will. not trust him/since he docs ■ivS t '« me •" mii Snantly exclaimed Geraldine,; throwing the note from her, i nave trusted him too lone- nnrl {■« fatally ! suffered. myself tSe bought here to his house, as a .bond maid to her master. And my humility has fenf r6P^ ld v iTl^ rfaft&PV- and con tempt I shall leave this house to-day. of v "f° h y°U) Pf ricia' to the home of your worthy uncle,., my other good guardian. ,1 thank Heaven I have-that other guardian for.arefuge in this time of M--t RA^ Gref nleaf does 'not make the boast of his race that never. • .

;, V,'Hasfalsehood or disi?raco » ,?,ut I,think J.may quite as safely trust his '^ n? n?- f:^ 111 stay at Greenwood'until age! Then: ,1 will take,up my abode at: one of-my own manorsv But. never again will I enter the/ ;nousa of;tho traitor' Gerald" Fitzgerald.;', -

( To bt Continued?J'<

THE AUCKLAND .EVENING STAR, WEPNESDAY, JUNE^Jgg?.

6



Drapery, Clothing, &c. fib? ■ I \ .HOBSO.N-ST. IJf. ' \\ %> ■- VISIT if? I CASH AND DEFERRED PAYMENT TAILORS, DRAPERS, AND HABIT MAKERS, HOBSON-STREET. We respectfully Invite attention to our Largo StoGk of NOVELTIES for the present season. Our Great Variety and Choice of the Best Fabrics, with the Skill and Talent we employ, and the groat success of our efforts to produce Superior Garments, PERFECT in FIT, and UNEXCELLED in CUT and STYLE, gives us every confidence in respectfully soliciting the favour of a visit. All Tweeds thoroughly shrunk before being made up, and fit and workmanship guaranteed. The Dkijerred Payment System has' been found to be a great boon, by enabling those with limited incomes to procure necessaries in the easiest possible way. All Goods are marked in plain figures. Cash Customers receive 5 per cent, discount (one shilling in the pound sterling) on all parcels of 20s and upwards. INSPECTION INVITED.' Tramcar3 pass the door. TTNEXPECTEDLY. U We have opened Tip another line of Velve teens in all shades, for Is. per yard, by orderof the Executors of the late Thomas Short, C 0 FLANNELS \r SHEETINGS g § Z 'SHIRTINGS pjg O <tf &< g CALICOES Mg gj c- CRETONNES H-§ Ly DRESS MATERIAL g CC OF EVERY KIND GRAHAMSTOWN, Thames. MUST BE OLE AX E D nnHE Executors of the late Thos. Short JL finding an ENORMOUS ACCUMULA TION OF REMNANTS of every description in each department from the Great Clearance Sale, have decided to CLEAR THE SAMJb, REGARDLESS OF COST. MOMMTSR, SHALDERS, AND GO.. FOR, NEW . : $Q? McMaster, Shalders and Go, ■kj- 204 & 206, QUEEN STREET. "m/jrUFFS 1 MUFFS ! ..MUFFS ! CRINOLINES! CRINOLINES CRINOLINES! A T P. DA VI S O NT'S BABY LINEN & LADIES' UNDERLINE!* WAREHOUSE. • 180 MUFFS to be sold at the following low prices :—Black Astrachan Muffs at Is lid worth 43 lid; Cold Black and Fancy Satin Muffs at 2b 6d, worth 6s 6d; Cold Plush and Satin Muffe at 2s lid. worth Ba.fed; Cold Plush Muffs at 3s Hd, worth 12s 6d. . 60 Crinolines at 2a Ua, ■worth 7s 6d to 12s 6d Splendid Assortment of NEW BABY LINEN. m Pc^ s? es' from 2s lia- to 30s; Cloak's, •4s 60/ to 2os; Robes, 3s 6d to 255; Night and Day Gowns, Is 6d to 6s <sd; Infants' Hoods, Hate Bonnets. 23 6d to 16s6d; Merino Frocks, Is 6d to 5s 6d; Flannels, Short and Long Slips,- Squares Bibs, Shirts and Bands. Waterproof Sheets' Napkins, Aprons, and Bibs. A large variety to choose from at the very lowest prices. no. 9. junction queen & grey s s. !_ Established 1859.] : 4^l be & potter, co achbuilders, VJi; LORNEaNdRUTLAiVD.Stkeets. _ Qoaches,; Carriages,: Waggonettes, Buggies, -tT»ny Carriages, Cart 3, 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 ara being executed. ; -. C< PECIALTY in Macintoshes at, jr. C fO Dalton's, Tailor. Victoria-streetEastV



ENGLISH ' AND PARISIAN ' MILLINERY .AT -. ."'.,'i "*'■ JUST- _OJ E. N Yd VARIETY AND 'STYLE U^^ PRICES UNPRECEDENTED ' ' Ladies will do well to take advantagen(L rare opportuaitj-, - ;' "m GET YOUR DRESSES MADE AT I'm, BON MARCHE FOR 12s 6d, and ensure the: best fit L '■, procurable in the CoLom^l -!rla AN ENDLESS VArTeTY of fh» t . NOVELTIES in Dress Fabrics to £le^ which for value cannot be surpassea:'?''< . ASK FOR THE LOUIS VELVET^,. Stamped on every half-yard, for Is "luA i 2s lid per yard, greatly under wholraale^:. PATTERNS POST FREE.. [ BON MAROHE, | QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND Three doors from WeUesley Str^E -t ' ,: '■ ..... .. f .. f .,,..,. ( "» rjIHE NORTHERN CASH.DRAPER AND CLOTHING COMPANY, 108, ' • Manager : Mb J. R. Yaiie, •■ ■ Will Opex on • TUESDAY NEXT, JUNE 7,1857, When the first shipment of Goods just ts'lifij, will be Sold at ; ;. CLEARING RATES, , on account of the forward state of 'the "seasaa, and to be ready for_large consignment to arrive and now afloat. Our complete arrangements for ;follo7Jiog supplies will ensure to our numerous customers ' the best value' in the city in response to of orders entrusted to us. TUESDAY NEXT, OPENM} SALI j EXTRA PAIR OFv.TROJJSERSr ■ : ■ /^ I' TAILOg I^^-X ' I <%yr to . . ~ gd MIA.gTJ-EE. h « 50a. 555. 60s. gj , tq g 655. 70a. ■ ' 755.- "? a \ fi 8 80s. 85s. 90i"%o]l! f£ _ ■ : —' •- _y H. EOBINSON;, Tahob, - * S VsN%S. corner OP ,\jwA ■ 5 Coo- & Ghey Sis. ]/W. S \(r\ GREZ STKSEI'3." | ■*«/■. r EXTRA; PAIR OF TROUSEKS . STOCK r New Goods In Men'a, Youfis and . J |^LOTHtNG! Tf^ 8! J^ 1 HOSIERY! SHIRTS!^^| | &c., &c., &c, /^IrM !» jH ' invited . Spil^^^^^ as every Department | | |MJ^|ofe^ contains somQ' ' . Which can only be socure^: l^i^l :■.,■..! : making an ' EARLYyiSCTjJ ny^OLF E ' S; SGHNAPPp^: • W stimulant and tonic in fl^rV^; ware of imitations ' ■■■'- r^r\'-\ W'~ OLFE'S SCHNAPPS j^^S ■ . lief inrhematism. lnfinitel^yr^^ 1 brandy ovvrttisksz^^ SURREY nm& BEKy fflg^Hjil THAMES W-2"""!^