Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 November 1889 — Page 3

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER "6, lSyia .

IN A PLACE OF SECURITY. CHAPTER I. "There was a sound of revelry by night" withiu the usually quiet precinct of IVdford square. Carriages and cabs drove up in quick succession and deposited their inmates upon the strip of carpet that led the way up the broad steps of No. 88. Hriped awnings fluttered overhead, and l.he nolid old house vibrated to the footsteps of dancers and ran:; with the tuneful ;trainsof fiddles and clarionets. It was iot exactly a fashionable gathering, periaps, although rank and fashion were Inly represented ; hut there were literary ions in plenty; learned proftssors brought heir wives and daughters; dark-skinned ri ntals were there in flowing robes and domed with glittering jewels. Lut, of all of the youg women present, lere was none to compare at all events the opinion of Herbert Shepstone, the Idest son of the house with pretty f -iiso Cornel, with her dark, wavy hair, lassie profile, and deep-violet eyee, that lone upon the observer with a soft, mysrious radiance when ehe raised her dark--inged eyelids and turned toward him. Louise was a friend of the' house, and, ehe had a chaperone at all it Mas Mrs. hepstone herself, who, in her capacity of oet'.sf, was much too busy to look after er. Hence there was nobody to tell her SÄia?s7u- wa V.ancing too much with Mr. ferbert. But then he was much to blame )r insisting on filling up her program, nd, after all, she liked him boßt. and it as a real pleasure to dance Mith him. As -r Col. Shepstone, who might have given is son a hint upon the matter, he was uite out of his element in a ball-room, nd had retired to a quiet corner with two r three learned friends, where they were iscueeins; some interesting point confeted with Buddhist inscriptions in Inia. Col. Shepstone was noted as an rientalist, and also as a rich virtuoso colctor. But the talk between the colonel and his iends was not altogether of a rigidly :ientic character. There was an elelent of personal gossip in it. "I see you have got Cornely's daughter ere," wid l'rof. Iliggins, a man with a ery ugly but kindly and humorous face, and a pweet looking young thing ehe is," ntiniu-d the professor. "I hope she has eard nothing " "Alout what?" asked the colonel larply. "Oh, there is nothing definite; but tere are rumor? that Cornely's expeditm lias conie to grief, and there are fears a to his safetv." "Oh. Cornely is all right," paid the coloel dogmatically. "A man like that hows how to take care of himself." From Col. Miepstone's manner it was rideut that Mr. Comely was no irreat famte of his. Comely, indeed, might be ailed a professional explorer. lie hunted own buried cities and ancient burial faces. He dug, he excavated, he brought Jmie all kind of objects, and sold them ometimes to public museums, loth home nd foreiirn, sometimes to private coilectra like Col. Shepstone, Some hard barpins he had driven with the latter lid irritated the colonel against him. .nd then Comely, who was a great linjiist, had severely criticised some of the fdonel's transactions. Still, Shepstone vis too just a man to visit the misdoings c the father upon the daughter. Touiflo was the bosom friend of Iii daughter Lessie, and he had

viier., in the course f the evening, a pood-aatureu feirale friend inquired "If it wen really the cae, as everybody said, that Herbert was encaged to Miss Comely his attentions were so luaikcd," tho eo'one, while dismisijig the notion with a laugl, inwardiv resolved that be would give .Master Herbert a good talking to ou the rmrrow. Hut the evils of procrastination were once noro exemplified. Itefore tho evening wis over Herln rt had plainly told his love t I)itise, and had made the delightful di-coverv that his affection was warmly reciprocated. All this hal been f ttled lurinr the progress of n dance which the lovers had sat out together in a sheltered nook of the conservatory. The girl's c hief misgiving was, "What will lW-ie nay to me!' for certainly their fricndhip had not been designed for any mich remit. The two girls had drawn from the name cast at the museum; it van Antinous, and certainly, now thit I.Mie came to think of it, the head was ju-t like Dertie's. They hal etudicd th same books, practiced the name music, and lud agreed that one day they would f-hare tlio name studio, and devot thetnnelvcs to art and tokindred subjects in the f pint of free and unfettered womanhood. Hut all this time Hertie was an unknown quantity. was with his regiment in t tie Fast, and it was only within the last four months, when the young man had l-een ouartered at Aldcrahot, that lionise had come to know him ; and thero was something o fresh anil new about him that when he began to make love to her she found him quite irresistible. And Bessie was indeed angry and indignant when in the course of the evening I'm rtie whispered to her the wen t. "Rubbish," she said. "Father will never permit if. And Louise is a regular little scrl nr. Why, only a little while ago, I know she thought of nothing hut her father's handsome secretary, (Ieorge Melitus, and I ara sure she wears his portrait next her heart. I have noticed it ever eince he left, and she will not show it to me or to anybody." Hertie told his sister she was a little traitrfss, which did not mend matters. Hut H-ssie had landed the shaft of jealousy fairly and truly in his manly breast. For he had noticed this locket, or whatever it was that Louise thus cherished, nvlcd snugly within her corsage, just rJ l-'uv- except when partially re- . T t r 1 i ßrort i-in r.f tl. dan T ie next waltz that he danced with Louise. U w i 1. S' w fjrl sis s ICU1 KJm 11 Herbert artfully introduced the subject: "Dearest," he whispered, as they rested for a moment after a long spin, "you must wear my iortrait now instead of that locket you treasure so carefully." Louise looked up with a shade of alarm in her violet eyes. "It is not a locket," she said "it is an amulet, i charm." "May I look at it?" asked Hertie, holding out his hand. "Indeed, no!" said Louise. "It is my secret, and you must not ask anything alout it." He tie's face clouded a little. "Ui.t if I were your husband and now I am vour promised spouse yon would tell me.'" , Louise !ooked distressed as nhe replied: "I can't make such wild suppositions; but when my father comes home, which will be soon, I hope, then I can tell you all atiout it." "Ah ! then George Melitus will be home too," suggested Herbert jealously. "Has Hessie been talking to you about Jeorg"?" asked Louise, with an injured air. "He is a Arind of cousin, you know. Hessie does not like him ; but he is a nice boy a distant cousin, of ours, and so devoted to panx Hut you don't know all oor family, she continued, as if anxious to change the subject' "There is Aunt Irene; she Is so kind arid good, but sutlers - - L Iii . A' . I r'j iiiucu ; anu mere is v7iManiia, ueorge a sister, you know. who helps me to take

care of aunt. I ara glad vou did not see Constantia first; she is like me, people say, the same size and figure." "I can imagine she is charming," said Herbert, with an adoring smile. "Ah ! but she is more so." Just then a clock on a bracket hard by gave a warning note, and lionise glanced hastily at her watch. "It is midnight, Bertie, and I must be eone. Will you see if anvbody has come forme?" "Don't your spells work after midnight, you little witch," said Hertie, laughing. "No, indeed, vou shall cot go yet." But Col. Shepstone himself appeared upon the scene. "Miss Comely, your people have come for you. I am sorry we are to lose you so soon ; but I know bow anxious you are." And the colonel, taking Ixmise under his wing, conducted her to the hall, where her faithful attendant, Lnigi and Nurse Blake, were waiting to convey her home. Bertie equld only wave a silent farewell ; for the colonel angrily ordered him ofF to look after his other guests, and the colonel's word was law in his own household. It was only a stone's throw from Bedford square to the Kussell mansions, where the Cornelys occupied a flat on the first floor. Kverything was handsomely appointed about the place. Cornely's profession might be a risky one; but apparently it was lucrative enough, for the whole household bore the appearance of comfort, if not of opulence. Turkey carpets deadened the footsteps. Indian rugs and richly-carved objects in black wood and sandal word were scattered about. A musky, oriental perfume hung about everything. As Louise entered the portals of her own home, a young woman it was Constantia glided to meet her. "All is well, dear," she said, kissing her. "Your aunt is enjoying a peaceful sleep; andnow I will help you to undress anil put you to bed." "Indeed, you will not," said Nurso Blake, who had closely followed her young mistress. "Nobody touches my young lady's things while I am here to do it." "Ileallv, you must humor old nurse," whimpered Louise, "and get some rest yourself; you want it more than I do." Constantia sent an evil look toward Nurse Blake and swept gracefully away. "Oh, ye serpent, ye viper," muttered nurse as she followed her young lady into her room. But Blake was by no means active as a tire-woman, and Jouise soon sent her oil to bed; and seating herself by the fire, for the evening was chill', fell into a pleasant reverie upon the new and indefinite but brightly tinted future that imagination opened to her. Then suddenly she was disturbed by what felt like the touch of a cold finger on her neck. It was her amulet, which she must have pressed unconsciously. And then she remembered what her father had told her, half in jest it seemed, that this talisman would warn her of coming danger, if she paid heed to its indications. It was strange, too, how much importance her father attached to that precious amulet. Sho was to wear it night and day; on no account remove it from her neck. The silken cord by which it hung covered a rliam of steel, thin, but very strong. The amulet itself was of steel, damascened with gold, with an inscription in Arabic letters on the front of it. This little casket might not be opened. Her father had shown her the secrretof it; but he had forbidden her to open it unless in dire distress, or in the event of certain knowledge of his death. As a check upon a natural feminine curiositv, he told her that, if once opened, no human power could close it again, and that she would incur by her thoughtlessness the anger of the guardians of the talisman, whoever they might be. The house was now perfectly still, and even the distant roar of London streets had ceased, while the church clocks nil around unheard and unthought-of in the bustle of daily life could now be heard, one taking the note from another, as they tolled out the mystic hour of three. How quickly the time had flown. Then, in the stillness of the nigld, she heard the handle of her door gently tried. The door was not locked, and it opened softly. The hangings of tho bed wero between Louiso and the door, and she could not see who entered. But some one had entered, had parted tho bed curtains, and finding the couch untenanted, was coming, with quick and stealthy tread, across the rootn. Ixniisc caught a glimpse, in the pier glass, of a strained, white face, and of a hand that bore aloft some glittering instrument. And then the sped thnt bound her to her chair was overcome by the force of her terror. She sprang to her feet and confronted Constantia. There was no mistaking tho momentary gleam of nnger and disappointment in Constantia'a eyes, but it was only momentary. "You wicked girl," she cried gayly, "I knew you wero asleep in your chair. Come, get to lied, or you will look like a ghost to-morrow, or, father to-day." "Hut you look liko one now," said Louise, shuddering. "('(instantia, I tlioniht you had come to murder nio." "What, with these nail-scissors ?" said Constantia, showing for a moment a pair of bright ntoel pliers. "A formidable weapon, is it not? Hut, dearest, what a curious thing that is about your neck. May I examine it?" stretching out her strong, white arms toward tho amulet, which, just at that moment, seemed to lionise to give a throb in answer to the throbbing within her own bosom. Hut just then Aunt Irene's bell rang. Nurse Blake and Luici were stirring at once at the sound. Constantia glides oil in the same direction, followed hv Iu:se, who, throwing a wrap about her shoulders, hastened to see what was the matter. Aunt Irene seemed to have suffered some kind of a seizure. She was slightly delirious, and did not recognize those about her, and she talked quickly and incoherently, while her mind seemed to bo occupied with scenes long since past. It is terrible not to be recognized by those whom we love; to meet the vacant regard of eyes that are accustomed to rest upon us with affectionate glances. Ixjuise was full of grief and distress, hut Constantia moved about with au easy, confident air. "There is no danger," she said calmlv. "since I am here to look after her. I will give her some of her drops, and they will quiet her at onte." And, indeed, the medicine worked like a charm, and Aunt Irene fell into a profound and apparently dreamless slumber. And the house resumed its quietude. "Ah, ye'U be dropping her ofF to sleep po as she'll never waken," muttered Nurso Blake, ns she sought her couch once more. In the morning Aunt Irene was still in a comatose kind of slumber, and continued in a drowsy, unconscious state. Her symptoms perplexed the doctor, who could only recommend extreme care and quiet. Until some time after her brother's departure, the elder Miss Comely had been the ruling spirit of the. household, although something of an invalid. But latterly she had become quite incapacitated, and the direction of alfairs had insensibly passed into the hands of Constantia, who had n-en taken into the household since tho departure of its head. After the declaration of the night before, it might be expected that llerlnrt .Shepstone would le heard in some way or other; and, in fact, very soon there came a note from him, beginning, "Dearest Louise," and telling how he had been summoned, by telegraph, to rejoin his regiment; but that he would return as soon as he could obtain a few hours' leave. It happened, however, that Col. Shepstone had written to his friend, the

colonel of Herbert's regiment, asking him to keep the young man at work, "like the very deuce, and to stop all leave on any pretext whatever a request which was so entirely consonant with thegrim commander's notion of what was fit and right that there was no chance for Herlert of showing his nose beyond tLe precincts of the camp for some tiiu to come. But there was more serious cause for dismay before long. It was close upon midnight, shortly after the .Shepstones' ball, when there was a summons to the outer door, and Louise heard tbe voice of Georpe Melitu?, her father's secretary and assistant. "Papa has come back," cried Ivouise, joyfully, as she darted into the hall. There was George, dusty, ragged, broken, M ith unkempt hair, and bandaged arm; in his eyes a staring, wild look, and altogether a figure suggesting ruin and disaster. At the sight of Louise he flung himself on his knees In fore her, covering his face with his hands. Louise turned white, her knees shook under her; Nurse Blake ran to support her. "Dearest mistress," cried George, in a broken voice, "forgive me that I live to tell the tale. I would have died to save him." "Ho is dead, then? My poor father 1" wailed Louise, "Dead! dead! dead!" repeated George, in a tone of agony. And ye killed him, ye he-reptile," muttered nurse to herself, but loud enough to be overheard by Constantia, who was weeping silently and wringing her hands, but who, nevertheless, kept a keen eye and ear for what was passing. Luigi, too, came forward, bewailing his master's fate; and in the midst of it all, thrusting back the portiere of her bedroom, stood Aunt Irene, a tall, ghastly white figure, who watched the scene with wild, unmeaning eyes. George's story, when it could be told in a coherent manner, was plain and short. Kvervthing had gone well with the expedition ; the excavations had been most successful, humorous and valuable objections of art and archeology had fieen recovered, includingmany in solid gold and silver. But the news of the treasure trove had excited the cupidity of a tribe of Kurds, who had swooped down upon the camp, murdered Comely, the leader of the expedition, pillaged and carried off every article of value, and left (ieorge among the rest for dead, over the body of his master, which he had valiantly defended. Then, after much sutTering and privation, (ieorge had dragged himself home with the news. CIIAPTKR II. An account of the disastrous end of the Comely expedition, drawn from the narrative of the sole survivor, appeared in the morning papers, and brought to Louise many letters of sympathy and regret. But it brought also a visitor, who, disregarding the protestations of the servants that the family wero in great atlliction and could see noliody, forced himself into the hall, and insisted on an interview with Miss Comely. When Louise consented to see him, he introduced himself as Mr. Papyrus, a friend and admirer of the unfortunate deceased. So creat had In-en his admiration and friendship that he hail advanced to Mr. Comely the sum requisite for the expenses of his expedition. These sums amounted altogether to 10,000, for which he held hills signed by Mr. Comely, none of which had leen paid. IiOuise was thunderstruck at the magnitude of the claim, but she tried to explain that she knew nothing of her father s pecuniary atTairs, and that her aunt, who might "be better informed, was too ill to be questioned on the matter. "But that Mill not do for me!" thundered Mr. Papyrus. He was stout, oily, middle aged, M ith a beak like a vulture's, and a manner that was alternately fawning and threatening. "I must have my money, or if not money, I will have security. Come, my dear." he said, assuming suddenly his wheedling manner; "your father M as rich, no doubt ; he had bonds, shares, plenty of stutr. You look, my dear, and find them, and I shall have just what Mill cover my debt that you owe me. Or, if you do not bo," ho thundered, seeing no acquiescence in the girl's face "yes, I will have judgment, execution, and I will put you all into the street." Luigi Mas routed in a moment, Mhen ho attempted to dismiss the unwelcome visitor, and he retired to tho kitchen to sharpen a knife, which he declared should reach tho miscreant's heart. Constantia advised concession. "1't ns search your father's cabinet," she said; "we shall find, no doubt, evidence of the wealth ho has left. We Mill show this to your Mr. Papyrus, and he will be pacified." While this wns going on, Col. Shepstone called and asked if he could lo of any sen ice to the ladies. Iouiso welcomed him, ami explained tho dilemma she Mas in. "Of course the man must go," paid tho colonel, inwardly congratulating himself that he had so cleverly put an end to Bertie's entanglement. Anil by dint of judicious firmness, the colonel prevailed on Papvrus to leave the house. But ho went, threatening that he would come again on tho morrow, anned with tho powers of the law, ao.d sweep them all into the street. And tho colonel advised Louise to follow her friend's advice, and make diligent search in order to discover a will, or some evidence of her late father's actual position. In tho meantime, Colonel Shepstone undertook to see tho late Mr. Cornely's bankers, who happened to bo also his own. "They are all paupers together," said the colonel, swinging his stick as ho went along. "Would a man borrow of a usurer if he had any available funds of his own?" Certainly the report of the bankers threw no light upon the matter. The colonel returned Mith his report, and ascertained that the search among Mr. Cornely's papers had produced nothing of any value. "Then, my dear Miss Comely," said the colonel, "you must really face the matter calmly. With your accomplishments and culturo you will find no diiliculty in finding employment as a teacher. As for your aunt, should she recover, I have some interest with the asylum for decayed gentlewomen. Give your servants notice at once; go to your banker's and draw Mhat balance you have, to keep something in hand; and abandon everything elso to the creditors." Louise hastened to dismiss the colonel, and, sbntting herself in her own room and locking the door carefully, threw herself upon her knees, and took the amulet from about her neck. It was but a straw she clutched at, as one who drowns; but even a straw gives the struggling arms a moment's strength. "Dear father," she said, looking ujward, "you would not surely have ' left me penniless and unprotected to tho mercy of jiolished gentlemen and unpolished rogues." And M ith that she opened the casket, as she hail been instructed, by touching a secret spring; and there fell out a key and a paper. ' Dear daughter," Mas written in the paper, "take this key, go alone secretly, and yet at midday, when tiro city is busiest. The address is engraved upon this key. Demand secretary, produce this key anil this letter, and be guided by M hat you seo and hear. Thine affectionate father. LrciEX Cor.xely. It mos too late to go this day; but tomorrow Louise Mould surely go, and in the meantimo to keen the key and letter safe. As her father had warned her, she could notclofo the casket, and, therefore, could not wear it or replace the key within

iL And she felt, deprived of her charm, ,

a certain dread and insecurity. She fancied, too, that Constantia Mas Matching her intently. George, too, came, to seek an interview. He had clothed himself in deep mourning, and looked very hand8ome and interesting with his wounded arm. George had heard of the visit of the inexorable Papyrus; anil now, with feelings of the greatest diffidence and humility, he had come to lay himself at the feet of Louise. He could give her a home, at all events; an honest if not a splendid home. For he had already obtained an appointment in the city, which secured bim a competence. Her father's last words to him had been: "Guard my treasure." By this he understood him to mean, not the treasure he had recovered from the earth, but that more precious treasure of a daughter, left at home. Hut how could he guard and protect her unless she gave him a husband's right? There Mould be a home also for his master's beloved sister. George spoke M'ell, and M ith such earnestness and humility that Louise was profoundly touched, contrasting his disinterested conduct with the desertion of her fair-Meather lover for such she M-as compelled to think Bertie had been. And had she not wronged Constantia, M"ho perhaps, as well as her brother, M as one of her few true friends? There was no talisman now at her bosom to give a warning of dangers. But her own instincts forbade her to accept such an offer, and she told George, with many kind M-ords, that she could never be more than a friend to him. Then the young man's true nature broke forth. He began to threaten, to hint darkly that she and all belonging to her were in his power, and that she might come to beg for M hat she now refused. Louise indignatly rang for Luigi, to show the young man out, a service which the serving-man performed with much secret joy, and so zealously that he followed him down the staircase 'and even into the street, and around the corner beyond, to make sure that he quitted the neighborhood. "And, signorita," he cried, breathless on his return, "the young rascal and the old one are together. The Mretched Tapyrus was waiting for him, and they walked away in company." That "night Nurse Blake insisted on sleeping in her young mistress's room, while Luigi M rapped himself up in a rug and slept in the passage outside the door, with the knife he had so carefully sharpened for Papyrus lying ready to his hand. But nothing occurred of a disturbing character. True to his promise, Papyrus appeared next morning, soon after breakfast, but ho was unaccompanied by the myrmidons of the law. He was in a more melting mood than before ; protested that he Mas being ruined by this delay; and plaintively raised his voice ever' noM and then to cry: "Where is my tea shousant pounts?" Louise slipped away and left the man to talk to the four Malls; and, having charged Nurse Blake to keep watch on Luigi, and to take his knife away if he began to get angrv, she put on the least noticeable costume she had, and started for t he city. On the very staircase she met Hertie. Bertie had cornethe moment he heard of her trouble, and he had everything arranged. He bad bullied his colonel into a fortnight's leave; and before the end of that time they would havo a home of their own, and they could snap their fingers at all the rest of the world. "But nil that was impossible," said Iniise. Still, she was heartily glad to see him, only she could not stop to talk to him now. She really Mas about important business, and he must not oCer to accompany her, or ask where she Mas going. Bertie grumbled, but submitted. "Well, 1 shall walk about hero till you come back." Louise assured him that he would get tired long before that; hut left him invery good humor, and quite sure that he should prevail on her to carry out his plans Mhen they had been fully explained to her. Hut hardly was Imis out of sight, when Bertie caught sight of a young man who had evidently been Matching Uussell Mansions, and who cautiously followed in the track of tho young lady who had iust left them. A dark, handsomelooking fellow, too. Hertie- and George Melitus had never met but tho former was quite sure that this was the man; and the inference plainly was that Louiso had gone out to meet him. An accesa of jealous rage came over Herbert Shepstone; but a moment's calmer thought brought the conviction that this was not the right explanation of the matter. And then, although forbidden to follow IMiise, ho determined to keep in sight tho man m ho Mas shadow ing her. The dark young man took a hansom, and Hertie followed his example, telling the driver to keep the other one in sight. The first cab was evidently following an omnibus; and Mhen it stopped, ami a young lady trot out at the corner, the young man dismissed hiscah, and followed at a respectable distance on foot; and Hertie did precisely tho same. Bortio kept Iiis eyes fixed on tho felt hat of the dark young man and would see nothing beyond; and yet lie could not help noticing that the original young ladv was ascending the steps of a large building in NisiPrint lane. By this time he had almost como up Mith his quarry, who had now stopped, and who M as watching the young ladv s entrance into the building. "I havo it now 1" ho exclaimed, M ith irrepressible exultation. Evidently he had found out what ho wanted to know, and now he turned suddenly in the opposite direction, and disappeared. Bertie, too, felt that he had no moro business here; and wandered eloMly eastward. Meantime Jxmisc found her mission unexpectedly easy. She found tho address indicated on the key without any difficulty. It was that of the offices of tho Securities deposit company. And she Mas received very courteously by tho secretary, M ho remembered perfectly that Mr. Comely had a safe in their establishment, and that he had registered tho name of his daughter as joint tenant of tho safe, having paid a couple of years' rent in advance. Mr. Comely had also, according to custom, furnished the company with a photograph of his co-tenant, a glanco at whic h M as decisive of the young lady's identity. And presently Louise was handed over to tho caro of an attendant, who led the wav through a beM ildering maze of dry, welllighted vaults, and at last pointed out tho safe, the number of widen corresponded M ith that on her key. The key fitted, the lock flew easily back, the heavy iron doors swung open. What had 1OUise expected to find? She hardly knew. What she actually did see m as not very formidable. Simply a numler of bundles of papers, inclosed with bands of the same material sti IT, crackling papers, with strange water-marks, and stamped in various colors. Then she caught sight of a largo envelope, open, and marked simply "Louise," Within Mas a long list of ltonds and shares, and a letter which she eagerly read before looking at anything else. "Dear Iuise," ran tho letter, "don't hesitate to take possession of the little fortune I leave for vou here. It m-ss your mother's, and therefore rightly yours at my death. I havo never fullv told yon the history of my marriage, so lfsten now: Your mother was the daughter of a rich Armenian banker the only daughter by his first marriage; but there was a second wife, a violent, grasping creature, and a numerous second family, and some of an earlier marriage of her own; true children of the horse-leech, these. All these were bitterly opposed to me; and the old man himself Mas afraid of

them. So he gave your mother her portion secretly in jcM-els and specie, and bade us run away together and get married, to save him from reproaches on all sides. This mc did; and we might havo lived a long and happy life together but for these wretched relatives of hers. They spent all their share of the old man's mouevjand then they followed us, and tried by every means, M-hether of law or of robbery and I class the two together to deprive us of our justly acquired fortune. I believe that they cut short tho days of your poor mother, who died of a mysterious disease that baflled the skill of the physicians. "Happily, there is only one of the old lot left an old villain who bears the name of Papyrus. But there are young ones groM'ing'up. Still, I think I have secured (ieorge by kindness; but do not trust him too far. So beware of all these and keen your money out of the reach both of law- and of robbery. To make all this easier, I invested everything insecurities, M ith coupons payable to bearer. Inclosed you will find the name of a man who M ill buy the coupons, and that is better than getting the money through a bank, as you 6ave income tax. Be careful to cut otl all coupons due and coming due within the next three months. There is a pair of scissors in the envelope. Do not come here often, or at regular intervals. Above all, tell nobody. Also I forbid you to pay anything to rogues M ho pretend I owe them money. Take care of the amulet of Sidi Ben Nouman. It has alM-ays brought me good fortune, and may it be equally propitious to you. Now may Allah have you in his keeping." At the foot of this was a rough calculation of the present value of various securities, by Mhich it seemed that they represented a fortune of about 50,000. IiOuise hastily examined some of the bundles of papers, fearing that the whole thing was a delusion, and her poor father's wealth merely imaginary. But clearly the bonds M ere "genuine and of great value, representing almost every description of currency, M ith Chinese and Japanese figures among tbe rest. But the girl Mas too much agitated and excited to examine anything else, or to go through the formidable process of cutting off and disposing of her coupons. She thrust all the papers back, locked up the safe and found herself in broad daylight again. Louise thought it necessary to explain to the secretary that she had not time to finish her business that day, but would probably come again on the morroM. "We shall be delighted to see you whenever you like to come'" was the official's smiling reply ; and Louise jumped into the cab that had been summoned for her with a feeling of relief and triumph, and yet of terrible responsibility. And Papyrus, that terrible Papvnis, was still in possession. Louise heard his voice the moment she entered the house, as he reiterated, in strangely varied tones, his plaintive inquiry: "Where are my ten shousant pounts?" But Louis1 Mas bolder now M ith the consciousness of her neMly found wealth. She confronted Papyrus with the request that he would M alic out of tho house, for she would never pay him a farthing. Papyrus regarded her with something like respect. "What, you you little sing!" he said. "You was an infant. 1 shall put you in chancery in tuo minutes. Yes, in two minutes, the law have hold of you, and make mc your guardian." Inspired with this new idea, Papyrus put on his hat, and rushed out of "the house. Before long Col. Shepstone came in to see how matters Mere going on. He had made arrangements that Aunt Irene should be received as an in-patient at hospital. "Hut she is not going to a hospital," said louiso firmly. "I am going to have a nurse for her two nurses, indeed, ono to watch by night, and one by day." "Hut, Louise 1" cried Constantia, turning palo, "I have not agreed to abdicate my functions." "You are going to live M'ith (ieorge," said Ivouiso calmly. "He has an excellent appointment now, he tells me, and he is able to oder you a home. I am sorry that wo cannot keep you after to-night." Constantia seemed strangely quelled and subdued. She retired in tears, and the colonel glanced at Louise. He thought she had taken leave of her senses. "Perhaps it is of no further uso mv offering advice just now," said the cofonel, grasping his hat, and making a hasty departure. Hut m hen he had gone, tho girl's courage broke down. The burden of things m as too heavy for her to hear. Why did not somebody come to help her? Where was tho genius of the talisman? Or, moro desired still, Macro Mas Bertio? f ItAPTKa in. All this time Bortio was miserable enough, wandering aimlessly about in the city, wither he had drifted Mithout any deiinito purpose, and having lost sight of George Melitus. He was not at all pleased Mith his sweetheart's secret visit to the city. And he had an uneasy feeling that Homo danger hung over her which he was powcrlcsB to avert. That dark young man's look of exultation and triumph when he had marked down Louiso to her destination betokened something dangerous. And yet what could lcrtle do if Imise would not tako him into her confidence? The young man drifted on till he got among the docks and shipping, and, loitering along one of the wharves that border the river belcw-bridge, he noticed a black, ugly-looking steamer, which was just completing her cngo alongside. She M'aa a foreigner evidently. Her name was painted in Greek characters on the stern Krapoticas, or something similar. The master of tho craft, a swarthy Ievantine, Mas pacing up and down on the small strip of quarter deck that was clear of cargo, and ho m as conversing eagerly with a companion, whom Bertio recognized as the dark young man who had shadowed Louisa. Presently the young man stepped over the vessel's side and came ashore. "Yes, sir." said a man belonging to the wharf, to whom he addressed some inquiry, "it m ill be full high-Mater just abrut noon, and she'll get away on the top of the tide. And your things Mill be marked M in a diamond. I'll look after "cm." In the course of tho afternoon Bertie made an excuse to call at tho Kussell mansions. To his delight he was received, and found Louise in a much aoitened mood. Not a word was said about the visit to the city; but Louise gave a description of Mr. Papyrus and his departure, and of his terrible threat to take her over in chancery. Bertie was alarmed. "There is no saying M'hat these felloM-s can do," he said, "with a scampish lawyer or two in their pay." And if Louise were in chancery, it M'ould be a high contempt to marry her. The moral that Hertie drew from this was that she should marry him at once and adopt him as her guardian. Louise was half convinced. "But then," she said, "you can't marry Aunt Irene, too, and nurso and Luigi, and I can't desert them." There was another M-ay, but Louiso did not venture to suggest Bertie might leave the army and come and live there. She had enough for both of them. But how could sho explain all that in denanco of her father's prohibition? And Bertie Mas dismissed with tho understanding that he should come again on the morrow, M hen some plan should be decided upon. And now, in considerably better spirits, Louiso began her arrangements for tho futwe. The nurse had arrived, Constantia M-a finally banished from the sick-room. She M as now packing all her belongings.

It was surprising how calmly she took the matter. Nurse M'as a little disappointed she M ould have liked to see her downfall accompanied by signs of rage and discomfiture; but "Constantia M-ent about with the meekness and patience of a sister of mercy. In due time her baggage was ready many heavy cases, "whereas," commented nurse, sarcastically, "when Bhe came she had nothing but a little handbag." And the packages were -ill neatly marked in M'hits paint withe the M inclosed in a lozenge-shaped figure. A baggage-van came and took them away after dark. And then Constantia came to say goodbye, still meek and forgiving. Louise felt remorseful and ill at ease, feeling that she had done the girl an injustice. She had ordered some supper for her; but she Mould partake of nothing but some chocolate, which the girls partook of together. "I shall be gone before you are down tomorrow," said Constantia, "so, good-bye." Tears stood in her eyes. Louise also m as weeping in sympathy, and Constantia folded her in an embrace that was almost fierce in its intensity. Was it affection or a desire to cut her throat? Louise could not tell. But she had no longer any fear. She had hung her key round her neck, and, knoM-ing it safe, there was nothing more to dread. But, when Constantia had retired, a strange drowsiness came over Louise. The excitement of the day, no doubt, would account forthat. No; she Mould not have nurse to sleep in her room or Luigi to watch outside. There M as no more danger now. She locked her door carefully, tint Mas all, and fell into a heavy, dreamless sleep the moment that her head touched the pillow. There Mas good news for Iouise next morning. Aunt Irene had passed an excellent night, and had recovered consciousness so far as to ask for her niece. Constantia, too, had departed; and nothing had been seen of Mr. Papvrus, although he had promised an early visit. But Louise was asleep still; and at noon, when Bertie came to see her, 6he still slept. "I'm not going to Maken her," said nurse. "She has had trouble enough lately, poor child ; let her sleep it off." But in a feM moments there Mas heard a cry of alarm and distress from LouLse's room : "My key, nurse ! I have lost my key!" "And if you have lost a key, dear, what does it matter?" cried nurse soothingly, as she entered the room. The door M-äs unfastened, although Louise had locked it the night before. "But, nurse, you don't know; it is the key of everything of life, happiness of everything." . Louise had gone to sleep M ith the key safely hanging from a ribbon round her neck. The ribbon Mas there, cut in two, but the key was eone. And certainly there Mas the mark of a chisel on the door-jamb, as if somebody had forced back the lock. Was anything else missing? Nothing, as far as could bo seen at a hasty glance, except yes, Ixxiise's hat was gone, and the costume she had worn the day before, when sho M-ent into the city. Hertie was waiting in the drawing-roora, and Ixniise ran to him in dressing-gown and slipners, and with hair hanging down. "Oh, Herbert, help me! I have been robbed of mj key of everything." And in a few hasty words sho told him of the fortune that "had been locked up in tho iron safe and of the imminent peril there was of losing it. For now the plot wan evident; and Ftill more evident Mhen Bertie revealed M hat he had seen the day before. Oh, that he had M-arned her! Oh", that she had trusted him ! Constantia had carried out tho scheme, no doubt, which her brother had perhapn suggested. Constantia had drugged the chocolate. Constantia, in her treacherous embrace, had felt the key as it hung by her friend's throat. She had forced tho door, taken the key, and clothed in Ixjuiso's costume, and resembling her in bight and figure and general appearance, she M'ould have had no diiliculty in obtaining entrance to the vaults of the security company, when her key would place the contents of the safe at her mercy. And Constantia had been given several hours' start ; and as for tracing her, M hat Mas there to trace her by? Kvcn the list of securities Mas with the rest, and beyond Louise's vague recollection of certain bonds among them, there Mas nothing to identify the spoils. All Mas lost, the dream of a day had departed, and once more the specter of poverty und social extinction resumed its sway. And, to crown all, there could be heard in the hall the stentorian tones of Papvrus, evidently in terrible auger. "Where is my ten shousant pount? Come, where is my ten shousant pount?" "Oh, treacherous talisn.au.' cried IiOuise, bursting into tears. "Why did you not M-arn me of all this?" Hut it was not the fault of the talisman, which had lain neglected in the voung lady's drawer ever since she had discovered the key of tho safe. Hut now, as she held it in her hands, the casket o!oed and fastened at a touch, although before she had long tried in vain to shut it. Still tho voice of Papyrus could ho heard : "Ot), where is my ten shousant pount?" And at that momen something like an inspiration darted into Herbert's mind. He ran out to meet Papyrus. "Where is your ten thousand pounds? Why, sailing down the rivcrin the Krapoticas, while (ieorge and Constantia are sitting in the cabin counting their money, and laughing at vou for an ass." "What, what!" roared Papyrus. "Doy have run away and robbed mo! Oh, tho scoundrels, the villains!" "Come along, then, M-e will stop them," cried Bertie, pushing Papyrus toward the door. "There is nothing like setting a thief to catch a thief. Good-bye, dearest. I will come back M'ith fortune on my wings." The day passed slowly and dismally enough with Louise. A telegram came from Bertie, dated Gravesend. They had t'ust missed the Krapoticas. But" they toped to have better luck at Dover. Then, just at midnight, came another telegram from Dover: "Krapoticas sunk in the Downs in collision. Some of crew saved, but passengers droM-ncd. Divers will be employed, but Papyrus claims all salvsge. Position difficult. Consult lawyers." Louise left this telegram open on the table while she went in to pay a final visit to her aunt. Tho patient had revived wonderfully since Constantia' departure. She recognized Iconise and could scak a little, though evidently her head was not yet clear, for she talked about her brother, and how glad she was that he had returned. Hut when Louise returned to the sittingroom, she saw a strange figure seated at the table, perusing the telegram just received, through a pair of eye-glasses. "Look here," said the intruder, without looking up; "tell them not to bother about divers and lawyers, for I've got the swag myself." Louise screamed, and then ran into tho visitor's arms. Tho face, the voice, M-ei o her father's; and he was no ghost, but solid, substantial flesh and blood. "It was just this," said Mr. Cornelr, as he sat refreshing himself, after a long, fatiguing day, Mith a pipe and a glass of toddy. "There were no Kurds at all about the business, but just (ieorge, who cut me down as we were shooting in tho mountains, and left mo there for dead. Still I got one at him, and I think I broke his arm. However, not IWng dead, I Mas picked up by some of those same Kurds, who have got such a bad name in the business, and very kindly they treated me. Getting a little better, I found thstmy camp had been broken up, and all my treasures taken to the coast, and there thejr

were lying still, with the government seala upon them, waiting till it was safe for th,o rascals to ship them. Well, I got home as fast as I could by a cargo-steamer that passed that way, and landing at the docks, it struck me that I would go and lx;k after our little store in the city, just to make eure it was all right. At the very door I met that girl. She wasn't George's sister, by the by. And there was George, waiting for her. " "Secured at last,1' he said m ith a charm ing smile. "Yes, that's just what you are," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. "George dropped. He thought I was a ghost come against him. And Mhen he recovered a bit, he didn't show any more fight, but the pair of them came with m as quiet as lambs. And when I had looked through the bond?, and found them all right. I said : " 'Now, you two were going to hook it. Well, go! Here's a hundred" pounds for j-our expenses, and try to lead a better life.' "I did this, Louey, you know, not wish ing that any of your mother's relations should te hanged. But it seems thev met with judgment all the same. As for Papyrus, he'll never show those bills again. Of Mr. Papyrus, indeed, nothing more was heard. He did not venture to pro duee his bills, and if he spent any money expecting to recover treasure from the KrajMDticas, it is to be feared he was disapp tinted. But as to whether (ieorge and Constantia were really drowned or w hether they Mere taken on board some ship and preferred thereafter to sink their former identity, it is not possible t" speak with, certainty. There was a gay wedding in Hanover square Mhen the lovely daughter of that distinguished orientalist, Lucien Cornely, was led to the altar by Herbert, the son of the equally famous "Col. shepstone. It was Cornely himself who hung around the neck of the hanpv bride an amulet, curious and beautiful, hut of no great intrinsic value. "Hut the key is inside," whispered Lucien to his blushing daughter, "and all the little fagots are put back in the pafo, fo if your husband keeps you short of coin, you know where to go." "I shall always Mear the amulet for your sake, father," said Louise, kissing him gratefully, "but the key is too muco, responsibility; and, with your have" taking it out and popping it into her husband's M-aistcoat pocket "I will put it into a place of security." MARVELS OF MEMORY.

Soma Great Men Whose RetcotlTenett f Furt Vfnn Rrmarbahle. Blackwood's Majazin. There have been Mnpendoue memories enoogh in ancient and modern times to tapper beliefsuch a tliose. of TheoJectes and Ilortenoiua and Cinea, of whom Cicero Fpeaks, nd in ourlater days, Pascal, who, it m Raid, never forcot anythin? he had seen, heard or thought; and Aviccnna, who repeated by rote the entire Koran when he was ten years ol.l;aml 1'rancisSuarer, who.StraJa tells us, h.id the whole of Jst. An tontine in his memory enough, one would think, to dtstroy all his mental power of rtigestion; and J ustus Lipsius. who on one occasion offered to repeat all the "History" of Tacitus without a mistake on forfeit of his life; and, in our own days, Jedeiliah Buxton, and Zerak Colburn anion c others, who had such a proditr ions power and rapidity of calculating in theirininds. CoN burn, it is said, could tell the numbcrof seconds in fifty-eifht years almost before the question, could be repeated. The story is told that Jede diah Huztou was onre taken to the theater to see Garrick, and that he was observed to pay an unremitted attention to the great actor throughout the play. When he went out. Lis friend, who accompanied Aim, akrd him how he had been impressed by the ac ting, and Jedediah answered by statine the numlwr of words and syllables that (iarrick had spoken. Ilia mind had been interested solely in this enumeration. I dare say it was a purely mechanical operation of mind with him, and I rather think that with, all these memories it is the same. As I have not a good memory, I wih to decry it, out of pure envy. I wish I could sar that prent mcu never have great memories, t'ofor tunately, it is not true. The names of rascal, A victims, Sraliger, who committed to memory the whole of the Iliad and Odyssey in three weeks; old Ir. Thomas I'ullcr, whose memory wns equally remarkable to say nothing of Cyrus, Hoi tensins, Mithridates are so terribly against me that I give up such a proposition; and 1 hare serious thoughts myself, despite its disgusting ingredients, of resorting to th learned (irntsroli of Ileriratno's recipe for im rovinij my own memory. He (rives several, nit one above all others as efficacious and comforting to the memory. It is this: To male a mixture of mole's fat, rab-ined human hair, cumin and bear's grease, and swallow a pill of t he in of about the size of a harelmit at bedtime. Th M le Mti In ttie World. L'nlon I.ilKrale of The oldest man in the world is a ritien of Ilocota, in the republic of San Salvador. This new Methuselah declares that he is IV vrnrs old, and it would seem that he Hatten iiimself, for his neighbors cive the assurauc thnt he is older than he says he is. He is a half-lined, named Michael Polin, vhose existence was revealed to Dr. Louis Hernandez by one of the oldest planters in the loenhty, who as a child knew .olis as a centur i.ni. They hare found in the year 1712 his Signatur ainontt those of persons who contributed to the building of a 1 rauciscan convent whic'a exists near San Lebeatien. His skin is like parchment, his long hair of the whiteness of snow envelopes his head like a turban, and his look is so keen that it made a disagreeable impression on the doctor. Interrogated by the doctor, he answered em plnisantly that his great affo was due to his regular mode of living, and to his never Riving up to any excess of any sort whatever. "I never eat but once a day." lie said, "bat I never use any but the strongest and tno;t nourishing foods. My meal lasts half an hour, for 1 believe it is impossible to eat more in that time than the body can tlipest in twenty-four hours. I fast the first and fifteenth duy of each month, and on those days I drink at much water us I can bear. I always let my food become cold before I touch it. It ia to thesa things I attribute my great age." A Hull Market. Timed First Tramp: "Did you hear 'bout then sellin' babies for ten dollars apiece in Netr York?" Second Tramp: "Naw! yer don't mean tef nay that a little squallin' baby brines ten dollars. Did yer notice any quotations for full grown babes of about my ize? I wouldn't mind btin' lumped off to some kind-hearted woman who'd take a motherly interest in me and was wilJin' to furnish square meals and fiudin's." 1'reparation. ISoxton Courier. Smith "What did your physician say?" Jones "He advised me to prepare for another world." hmith 'The deuce he did !" Jones "Yes. he says it is all up with me."i Fmith "Ana you have begun your prepare tion?" Jones "Yes, I've forgiven everybody that I've injured." Marriage Not a failure. (Timed "How is your darter Nancy gittin' 'lontrsicta she married an' moved ont ter (.'aliforny '' said the first Indiana man. "Is she doine well?" "Doing wed!" Why, bless ye, she'a rittin' 'lone perfectly lovely. Her first husbanddied, leavin' her fvi.000 in cold easn, an' 'twar'n three month 'fore che tied on ter a consumptive worth SlO.UOO. Oh, but she's a rattler, that gal is!" llie Coldest Spot and Coldest Day. San Francisco Examlner.1 The coldest redon In the United Ptates is the stretch of country on the northern border from the Minnesota lakes to the west line of Dakota. At Pembina, which lies near the forty-ninth parallel, the lowest temperature recorded in the great storm of the winter ot 1873 was fiftysix degrees beiow rero. This ia believed to be the lowtst temperature reached in the United States. ' Kamly Surprised. (MMdletown Arcus. J ' A benevolent lady in a prominent church of this city was so surprised Sunday night during the collection, because a rich sister member w hem she was with, failed to drop anything on the plate that she herself let it pass by. If all the members were so easily frightened it would make the collections very light.