Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 4, Number 45, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 May 1874 — Page 1

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Vol.

4.—No.

45.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE. LIFR BARRY OWUnTALU We are bora we l&ugtt wo „.

We love we droop we dies Ah! wherefore do we laugh or Why we live or die Who Known that

deep?

AUu not I!

Why doth the violet spring r»«eeu by human eye? Why do the season* brtn*

Kwerft tho®u that quickly By Why do oar ivud heart* cling To things that die We toil—through pa It) and wrong

We tight—a uu fly We love: we lose and then. «-rt» long, Stone u«ad we lie O lift*! is *U thy scm* "Endure and—di«?'

A Life in the Balance.

BY I'HARUSsJ MORRIS,

Author of thf "Piamond Sleeve Button." CHAPTER XII, We lack term* to express the effect of Miss Reynolds' letter upon its recipient. There are no words, in fiact, to name the transport of emotions that filled his mind, and we must leave their nature to the reader's Imagination.

For a full hour his soul walked the prison-house of the flesh, as a newlycaged tiger will track the close limits of its den, not. in fierceness alone, but in astonishment, dismay, rage, stupefaction, every passion in varying combina tion.

Then his cousin Laura unceremoniously entered his office, which had fortunately not been invaded during the torrent ot his emotion. He was vigorously striding the floor with a wild look in his eyes, and his hair tossed back like the mane of an enraged lion.

She looked at hitn with a surprise, that in her merry soul quickly changed to a laugh.

Robert Wilmer. what under the sun ails you she cried, catching him by the arm, and forcing him to stop. 'Are you composing an ode to the moon 7 I am iy but a poet jn the moment of inspiration coula roll his eyeballs so sublimely.'

Her raillery had more effect in bringing ht*n to his senses than could its tenfold equivalent in persuasion.

He nung )timsell heavily in a seat, the letter clutched as with a death grip ill his hand. •What has gone wrong she asked, with more of sympathy. 'My cousin Robert does not put on such high heroics without adequate cause.'

Read that letter, Laura. I know that I can confide In you.*

should think you might, with perfect safety/ she answered. 'There is nobody better adapted to take and break secrets than your adorable cousin.'

She read the letter with that hasty grasp of its contents with which, in some ladies, reading approaches intuition, then turned to him with every ray of mirth gone out of her eyes. 'As I am a living man, Laura,'he broke out, 'I don't know what she means. That I did make a hasty marriage in my youth, I have er denied, though I never liked to of it. But, as you well know, my wife is dead years ago, and I had no child. Can you explain all this?'

Am I to understand that you have declared yourself in love with Clara Reynolds, and that is her answer to your proposal she asked, in something of her mother's tone.

Yes. Ana I not pleasantly answered?' 41 think, cousin, thft you were too hasty in asking. Are you quite sure you "know your own mind in the matter? Could you affirm that you have not been taken captive by

voice?'

41love

pretty fitce and a soft

her, Lams and for much more

than her face."

And she loves you- Can you not see that this letter is the ontcry of a wounded heart? She baa been given reason to believe all iihe says. I know her to be as true as alie is frank. The counterfeit in woman does not

E^LY WN

current

with me, xny dear co *rt. Do von know who is th* .«I

who has

Ixyn so kind to your rre?' I believe it to be that fklse-hearted villain Josephs. He has been playing fair and false with me for a month. Mrs. May told me that he visit: Miss Reynolds the evening and running of her departure, and from what she overheard fudged that they had gewe to Phil-

IphLa together.' It tit her she cried, excitedly. 'I have long thought Mm a rascal. I know how he

FEAN ApmcJmM

Yoa is

for Miss Reynolds.

have I him our pr

al, and i«, Its* ta^i*this\^ a to d« 1 v-M! hopes o^suoee*.' •Hut the wife? The certificate

How can I answer May not that l»e hi* work topr Will have hi* lift!'«rKsi the Twctor, springing up, with dangerous glare in nis evm

You.will do nothing of tke

MAD,'

said the undUmsyed young lady, rising and confronting him. 'You snail not break the law, and so give him a double advantage over you,' •Rather, I %nppose. Yield myself the dupe of his trktkery

11ion*t

see that'that follow*,'

He has made a dupe of roe before, Laura. Cheated me into investing1 lit his oil speculations,'

Against which I would have warned you. nad I dreansed of yoor foolish intention*. I don't claim to be very wise, hut ram good enough judge of characactor to know that this man is not to lie trusted. People say that he has speculated beyond his means, snd is in danger of Mlnre, I suraiose your investment has gone to aid some of his shaky speculations.*

'm\ have been sueh an idiot."

it k«k» like it/ she replied, with a traew «f her old mirtt. *1 h»t« some friends who *p«

and

that

LIE

i|of Mr. Jfef

IWI WY

fai

mo 7. del of late years,

„ra'tIt

ever W

DELUDING largely ONBFEIMINT^ Yon know bm*

he is lt«r

i)flieve you have hit the mark I* be cri«Ki, in an excited voice. 'Yon

have

told me no how how 1 sJ»all outwit tew."

IMujMfcwte*.

•yf-'-i-u*.,-

You havegot yourself into thedr y,»n want :«.• to uui of ii, she ret 4

the merry iaugL what yoi

don't kfi vf what you marry inued, easting at'hira a glance that gli^ened with amusement,

best do, 1 less it be

the aunt,' she eontin

He turned from her with a hasty exclamation, that had in It more of anger than politeness.

If you won't take my advice, you might reject it more courteously, she said, in a tone of affected pique.

Ft :"ve me, I^aura, But vou si ild not talk nonsense to a utan so much in earnest as I am, and so much in need ot serious advice,'

And what business liave vou to sav that I am not serious? By what course of reflection have you decided that my adviee is not the very best, under the circumstances? There! my dear cousin, don't look so solemn! I acknowledge that it was all in jest, and I hope you will do nothing of kind!'

Miss Reynolds is laboring under an unpleasant error in this letter. If I could but her for an hour—for five minutes, even—I could easily clear myself from this charge.'

4And

have you tried all

means to Aim! her?' Yes—for several days of incessant searching.'

If it were my case, it should be several weeks, or several months, if necessary.'

You are right. I have been much too easily discouraged. I will return to the search, and mako it weeks, months even, so that I will find her.'

Well said, worthy lover 1 But how about your practice

It will have to take its chances. Suppose I leave my patients in your hands till I return.'

No! no! I would have all Salem buried before you got back. You would need to go into the tombstone business.'

will relieve you, then, as I have no taste in epitaphs.' There is one thing that you must bear firmly in mind,' she replied, as she stood with the street-door half open.

What is tbat? he asked. That I am lovely in white. A perfect sylph as a bridesmaid, in faict. Don't forget to whisper this in Miss Reynolds' ear, if you can find room between your love-speeches! I want to lead this lamb to the sacrifice!1'

Dont fear but that I will present your claims with all the eloquences at my command,' he replied, roused into momentary cheerfulness.

With all that is left at your command after your own have been presented,' die replied, laughing gayly.

He was as good as his word. For weeks he sought his lost love, by every means in his power, through the streets and lanes of the city. Directories *ere exhausted in his untiring quest—a hundred families of the same name visited, bnt all in vain but no trace was found of the lady so persistently sought.

With unwonted perseverance, for him, he continued his search. Not without weariness, not without haltings bv the way. for he grew wretched with deferred hope, ana the shadow of despair fell him often in his unrewarded quest. re had he pursued any object with such persistence all his former 1mmlses would have died ont as an unfed ire dies out, with a tithe of such discouragement. But never before had he felt the impelling force of a strong passion—a vivid, undying flame that burned but the brighter for discouragement.

npot Nevi

Yet it was not the nature of Doctor Wilmer to sustain such disappointment without frequent depression. Thoughts alien to his purpose would en-up in. Chief among these was that tl. ire for revenge upon his enemy which he bad felt atflr-* ts a sudden pn-^!r.n, which was now »wlnginto th gth of an enduring'desire. How happy might ho not have been at this moment In the warm return of his love by his lost lady, but for the iured ton of this remorseless tiuJn! She. whom he now sought with the persistence snd hopelessness with which the knfrr^ta of romance sought the Holy Gi 1, wonld have been his, I tjipy and yn nn*happi new in the joy of fulfilment, but that this serpent had crossed thoir path, i' left ''p his lies upon tlx Mybonk! W»al 1.1 -t ween their Marts.

ItttUrrly be roflee*M on how bin confidence had been a' :«d, Ms love outraged, by one whom he had vs* as his best friend in the town, and v. u_m he had been drawn by feelings of friendlin ne. he not be revenged? But how For the ftret time since their interview, there rose in his mind his '""'isio's ietfing adviee, but with a 1 roe lea he had n« doomed itcou itn. He had hvird it at first itba sensation of abhorrenoe, had foil that to f-r*ain for a mr-m-ntri'-'h a f^Trrht be to :..'te t!- bmni-'fv of tii-- love wh

he 11 giVen to t3i'

•ii*4"-*tof hu ftui in a momenta! ,,r «t ever jre. ni»g her—deepalr Iitisii.'?--* W itn 1 revenue .up-w his iah» flrfc-n-i gmwao! strong wttnin to actrr^abte,forthe Ttus b-oig, th«- thooj::i!of mainrisiie with auii: amarr that wouid wounff w* Utxay in atost, vital point—his poeh.

It was not etM 'h 10 1 force of a« upon The law would protect the la any phystaal assault. But ii in kl ontwit him} best him at his own i~ 11 »««•»!«. »|l« 11, Ofant: He knew nau iig ning tL on

ij»

hi* invent ment, but took Laura's oni 11 without f"^*ttlon, doubting nof had bo*& 'i.detMduptor a vi um ""Tr'itft, Would it not '1 'n be a waruiUJte aeh ement to i^.Ae e«od the loan with the aunt's money, aw! .» once •rfevo himself and ptt^'nh hiatradn not Mian iteym 1 too re lv

I --T-iril I Tfrffl'T

JDALZICL Ji

4Good-

by, and g(xd fortune, fond lover! Remember me to my dear Miss Reynolds and if you Ml to "find her, never tell me again that you have the soul of a troubadour!' And she vanished through the open door.

character, too readily deserted him on the first whispor of reproach, given him no opportunity for explanation? Men sore at heart are seldom sound of brain. Her letter appeared cruel to his cxcited feelings. lie felt only what ho deemed its harshness, and was deaf to its plaintive undertone. She had bidden him forewell in words whose force thoro was no mistaking. Was not his failure to find her proof that she had placed herself intentionally beyond his reach? In his despair he .gave full sway to his desire for revenge upon his unscrupulous enemy.

Miss Gordon, at least, was his social equal, iVee from any doubtfnl connections. She was but a few years older than himself, was wealth}', educated, polished, and attractive in manners and

gad

ersonal appearance. To crown all, she virtual lv confessed love for him. He certainly did not return it. But then he respected her, and enjoyed her society. Love would grow. The feeling ho had been accustomed to consider love might prove as transient as hasty. True love was slow in growth, but eternal in duration.

So he argued to himself for hours, filling his mind with sophistries against which his heart strove with unceasing reproof, hardening himself with argument against the wrath of his lost love that would not be laid. Weary in brain and sick in body, he took the cars for Salem, yielding to the impulse of this new object despite the outcry of liis heart against it.

The strain to which he had been subjected for the last month had told seriously on his strength. He reached Salem in a state verging on brain fever, the natural result of such an absorbing and mind-convulsing emotion upon one of his temperament.

Tho natural result was, that he was found in bis office in a state of insensibility, burning with fever, and with every indication of a dangerous illness. Ho was removed to bis aunt's house, where he lay long in the grasp of sickness, his insensibility being succeeded by a mental derangement that continued for several weeks. It was pronounced a serious affection of tho brain, from which recovery was doubtful.

But the invalid's constitution proved stronger than tho disoaao. This nativo strength was aided by the careful nursing which he received at the hands of his cousin Laura, and of Miss Gordon, who was dssiduous hi her attentions.

After tho crisis was once passed, he grew rapidly better under these careful ministrations, recovering his reason, and strength in rapid ratio. The*

nder nursing of his cousin wasaccept»"v.pt it—as a matter of course. Tho atli n'lons of MissGor-

ed—as men will

ftrr

Ile

don affected him very differently. felt that he bad no special claim on tbls lady .yet she waited upon him with an un 1 Isliness and an untiring assiduity tlia 1 woke a sense of deep gratitude in his mind. That she loved nlm with all the wanr'Ti of nature, was manifest to htm in Ipt action, and duty and thankfulness impel! 1 him,mora strong iy than all his form* reasoning, to reward such devoted iifection by the offer of his li.md. Ill Heart was not to give. Yet had lost ill hope of over gaining the lady of his ehoi and he began to feel that he owed something of society— something to tho woman wjio had given him the tv-i mil ofher soul—and that he, was no iionyci- instilled in saddening both bis mul iiat of another by end1! brooding over an unattainable visi"!l. llereare, in Jiwaa no un using to be much i'»u b^r atrprtutli, F«t week i- for* he was able to vfniun* from tiw a!i" i'

--i

to 1

V» It C: i. «n!

{la :. ', ftnti she did li»t .Inn-1 bet if to aught but g^uiui

tf-rv

... k"

POISONING," WAS THE REPLY.

ipi

fear not.' he replied, taking his seat beside her. 'You have worn yourself out in your kind care of me, and have given your strength to overcome my weakness. I owe you a debt, Miss Gordon, which duty and desire impels me to repay.'

Tliero was little in tho words, but much in the tone and accompanying Sdance. A warm blush crimsoned her ace. Her eyes sank under his strong gaze. Her bosom heaved and fell as if her heart would burst its bonds. She made no other answer.

That you already love me I hope and believe,'" he continued.

A day had not passed before he became doubtful of the prudence of his action. As a week rolled 011 he felt that ho had moved with foolish precipitancy. It was plain to himself that ho had no feeling toward Miss Gordon that approached love, lie might, indeed, have rown to feel bitterly toward her, for er unexplained part in his loss of Miss Reynolds, had she permitted the progress of such a feeling. But she was so oving and so solicitous of his comfort, allowed her long-hidden feeling to blossom out in such tender tones and gentle actions, hovered round him, with such warm assiduity, so utterly ignored self when there was any question of his pleasure or of his opinion, that she won aim into a subdued liking, despito himself, and was in a fair way to spoil him as a lover and ruin him as a husband.

It was the one strong fooling of the old maid's life. To be doomed, apparently, for twenty years to single blessedness and then to "win the hand, and, as she did not doubt, tho heart of the only man slio had ever loved—it was a blissful consummation of her early dream of lifo which slio had long ceased to hope for and she was drawn as well by gratitude as by lovo toward tho man who had laid the amaranth of happiness on her onward path of life. His comfort, his wish, his feelings, weighed with her fnr above any consideration of self. Absent from her, he was sure that I10 actcd a foolish and ill-advised part. In her prosonco be fielded to that enjoyment which one 'eels in being macio idol of, worshipped and tended as though a being of superior mold. Ilia visits were more frequent than they would otherwise have been for the allurement of comfort and womanly consideration, in contrast to tho loneliness of his office and tho bitterness of tiw thoughts that would Intrude upon him went stronger incitements than oven that senso of honor which impels a true hearted man to live up to his tsmmgementa.

He was, as

it obligi io^la-

coiit iiu. her M-tia. lu\lng bt. inean invalid hem if. as hi* aunt did not fail to inibrm Jkiin. TliMrj^h vm l»t* thf iMil

was, as we have said, a being of impulse and emotion rather of reason, and as such gave way to his feelings when 1 cooler judgment would have counselled differently. Human selfishness thrives in the atmosphere with wbkh Miss Gordon surrounded hitn. He waa already growing imperative with her. from her obsequious subserviency to his wishes. Not markedly so, of course, and not with knowledge of intention. It waa simply that settled tone in wblrh no opposition is 1 foamed of, but w!h may grow into an imperious iiuuxner, overruling ail opposition. He m« kind and tender with her. How eoul.l he be otherwise under the cirninistancns* ofher wkt ful affeeii*n, and th. "nthni-'d weakni that made 1 still his patient? But he did not 1 .vh#»r. It wa» comfort mther than zx'ij»roution that made him yit ld to the enH,viH' !t nT Ts^i -'M.-i. mid pei'M,ti:ii rt i« a iiiur. well*... lab'd take captive th- soul that yields too easily wits demand*.

Alti hfa Hi St I-T?. nfi'-r »ti!r to vexiiure Into liie was 1" Iht house. $l" sat in her chair u«r

thn Are,

«. 1 Bp but! 1 •be^-'Siin^

Kh" tvfit yi4 o'-Iicd H' ii'.o.uh the ilowt wer.Jin nt -idf. 1'" !"i|

iih it 1 hi- (.'lit'.. Itns: aih, but «i!li the fl *. in oilIt I.'.: ttJO CiaM p. and too 'litiiri'?' s!e a*-k«'d» thou4 full .. 1 MQ tir of p!a1ng invalid, and tt "1 tr n:~ iav old tol- "fdoctor. It! :»!•-lit to-dsy?' 'Cured of everything but shuln^ to

«T»" ahen

his of

TUT FAT YOU her face

in.* healthy tanaui

•j«v

And so it was that Doctor Wilmer be-t-aiue a '••n- *nt visitor at tli deti uf t.is ,,ihod, and she gr sttjiri III" content of satisfied love.. v, passed by while ever wen .1. iii liu verging toward this co riuMoii. Dr. "Wilmer felt, whenaloie with hardly a trace of alleviation, stress and blit rnasaat the loss of th woman the strength of his lo for raSl

whom he had i,ot realised until h_ had lost her

3!mvef.

OF TH* 11

i, mmc jf u.

yr mm

jt~~

~s rjSrr-sssr*

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 9, 1874. Price Five Cents.

ani here to

day to roward that faithful and untiring love by asking you to accept my hand in marriage.'

He was much too sudden in this busi-ness-like request. The lady turned pale as death, gasped as if vainly striving to speak, and then fel^ back in her chair, and quietly fainted.

CHAPTER XIII. LOVE'S RECOMPENSE.

Discretion is the daughter of time. Judgment and haste are natural enemies, as Doctor Wilmer was destined to find, to bis cost.

What still soemed to

Mt,! i.or :iilnr«'k» f-^Heve a and

!.ti:1iitale

of i.i:aadu_ n:.:nv:i!!y

FT'** F~

«"!&,

continued absence of bis enemy, convinced him that he was right in his surmises.

The transient anger he had felt against Miss Gord»n was now added to bis revengeful feeling against Josephs. He felt sure that the nephew had poisoned the mind of the aunt, and that in her action she had been innocent*of the personal feeling with which he had mentally charged ner. Besides, lie was ignorant of the nature of the mystery which overshadowed and had so painfully affected Miss Reynolds. It might, it must have been sufficient to warrant the actions of his betrothed. Miss Gordon was

not a woman whom ho could, knowing her as he now did, imagine capable of an unworthy action or a dishonorable sentiment. He viewed it as a proof of her correctness of feeling that sne made no effort to bias his mind against Miss Reynolds, by a revelation of that secret which he was sure she well understood. He dared not let himself ask for it— would not for worlds have exchanged the hope of its lightness for the possible certaintv of its weight of disgrace.

Ilad Josephs returned in the first fury of his anger, ho could scarce have restrained himself from the impulse to repay injury by personal chastisement. As time were on, the desire to revenge himself more deeply on his foe grew upon bim. His engagement with Miss Gordon gave him a hold upon the wily schemer that would enable bim to wound his enemy in the most vulnerable point—his pocket. He had lately gained information that added certainty to his cousin's surmise, that Josephs was in danger of financial failure, and was holding on desperately with the hope thai his delicate aunt, who had already in her life passed through several alarming sicknesses, might not be of long life. That she would make bim her heir nobody doubted. He was her nearest relative, and bad taken the best of care to keep in her good graces.

Tne Doctor determined to meet him quietly, and let tho feet of his engagement with his aunt fell upon him like a thunderbolt, being satisfied that the probable loss of his inheritance was the deepest punishment that could be inflicted.

Ho had other warrant than the above for his revengeful feeling. No man likes to bo duped. Still less so when the loss of his whole fortune is the result of the overreaching schemes of his foe. To be made a catsjaw of by this man, cheated and beggared to suit the purposes of a false hearted villain, might well make him furious, and instigate bim to a revenge in kind,which his frank and earnest nature wouid, in any less flagrant ease, have shrunk from.

He had discovered that the fears he had been led to entertain as to the security of bis oil investment were wellfounded. It proved, on close investigation, to be a speculative scheme from beginning to end. The profit it bad produced had been to the originators, who had pocketed the cash of their credulous dupes, taking care to waste no more of it than could be avoided in boring and pumping for hypothetical oil.

Had the man haled him from the start he asked liimselt Had his belter fortune in winning the love of Miss Reynolds incited this rival to seek his ruin? The supposition gained color from the subsequent action of his foe. in bis pre-occnpation with warmer and stronger feelings ho had thought and cared little for the possible fiato of his investment. Money is a minor object to him who bus just become possessed of that greater treasure called love. Moreover, the shrewd management of the speculator lias prevented nis having other than passing suspicions of its safety.

It was his first direct business communication to Miss Gordon when he, smarting the pain of this new-dls-oovensd '"'jury, told her plainly the story of his investment and loss. She \\as even more indignant than himself, and heard the name of her nephew in connection with the affair with a surprise that quickly turned to anger. 'I ha mi known that man much better than he imagines,' she said, 'end am aware of his being engaged in i»' than one dishonorable action but I did not

luto tiic, dream of such villainy as this.' 'HE

has taken caw that you should NEE AIY too best side,' answeml the Do-'."r. 'He is tried toMeeeive me I know,' she rt piied. 'And 1 h*xe allowed him to thbi him ]fsu«- S8AiL He was my pbcw, and nearest heir, and I did not wish 1 eompromise of position by appearing notice the points of baseness Tn hte rWaeter. But whatever else I

*ed over, he has sinned beyond

.'. Ki:.,III'I -aMM—M I W 1 1

impelled him to anger, and was of his inc itements to constancy to his new engagement. That she did ftilly believe it he bad no doubt", and his distress had all the utter hopelessness of despair. He whs so convinced of tb unchanging firmness of her resolution that he supinely accepted as final verdict that they had parted forever, and no longer dreamed of building plans of life in whose fulfilment she waa an essential element.

V*\ 1

forgiveness. Not one cent of my

swered. "The occasion dignation on my part, and— RAnd for much

rupted.

These, we have said, were his feelings when alone, and under the sway of that deiression to which such naurcs are liable. In society he was readily susceptible to (he influence of his surroundings. Particularly with Miss Gordon was he inclined to yield to the pleasurable conditions which she assiduously prepared for him, and banish irorn his mind all thought of the lost one who had yielded her faith to the envenomed sting of an enemy's tongue.

Against this enemy he daily grew more embittered. That it was Josephs he had no doubt. Circumstances pointed to bim with what seemed to the Doctor indubitable certainty. His last interview with this man came more and more clearly to his mind. He began to realize that in that interview be had virtually made confession of als love, a fact which ho was sure he had shown to none other, either by word or look. What he had learned from Mrs. May and what Laura had told bim, coupled with the

Oh! if that is all

MANOR

shall ho ever inherit.' I do not wish to cause enmity between you and your nephew,' he ancafis ft)

for some in-

of mine,' she interI allow you to be*winno anger against your

'Shall

died, and feel

lied, ana ieet no anger against yo deceiver?' she continued, fondly suok he reclined in an your quarrel

of my own, and

but his hair. chair beside him. All are henceforth mine. you wounds me in a vital part. I feel this almost as if my own hand had dealt tbe blow, and for the honor of my fluni lv cannot permit it to pass by. neb, Robert, and intend to mak debt loss.'

He who

hurts

I am this a

to repay your

Indeed, you will do nothing of the kind,' he replied declaively. 'Nowyou dear, determined fellow,' ahe replied, bending fondly over him, aud laying her cheek on his shoulder, 'you would like to have everything your own way, I know but you will find that there is some decision in the Gordon blood. You will have to yield in tho end, and might as well do so in the beginning.'

Not 11 Not for one cent!' he replied, 'much less for the bagatelle, as you view of it, of ten thousand dollars.'

And is it not a trifle, compared with what you have given me? Now you shall yield, or I'll not love you any longer.' And she looked into his lacb with all the pleading fondness of which her naturo was capable. 'Say no more about it' he replied, smiling. 'I hope you did not suppose for one moment that I would listen to such an idea. There, now, I am in earnest!' he continued, with a firm decision of tone, as she would have answered.

And I am in earnest,' she said to herself, perceiving plainly that ftirtber entreaty would not avail, yet determining jarry out her plan.

There is one tiling, at least, you must do for me,' she said aloud, with a tenderness of voice and manner of which no one would have supposed the stately Miss Gordon capable.

Love is a great wizard, performing its transformations

011

the human character

which it changes into unrecognizablo forms with magical quickness and completeness. Such a change had oomo upon Miss Gordon—a change of whose herself aware. Its

full effect she-was not value was about this: she had been selfish for one—herself she was selfish for another—her betrothed.

Anything in reason,' he replied 'I must trust in you to ask me nothi reasonable.

ing un-

I want you to write me out a blank form of a will. Something to this effect, leaving all my property to—'

Why not get your lawyer to do this ho interrupted, shrinking from tho name he feared she was about to utter.

Because I want him to know nothing about it. I have mentioned no name. Leave the name blank. You will do this for me

That is all. I wish it to look somewhat respectable and in proper form, which it would not do if did it mvself. Of course it does not affect you, and you are to know nothing of the name of my legatee.'

There was a smilo upon her face, that told bim more plainly than words could have done her nill intention. Yet, as he argued to himself, for what other purpose had be consented to marry her? It was her wealth rather than herself that incited him, revenge upon tho nephew rather than love for the aunt. Who could tell what might happen? She had been affected more than once in a way that puzzled him, despite his confident prescribing there was something in her face to-night that looked premonitory of another attack. This will might become necessary to the consummation of bis revengeful scheme. It was not love, this cool speculation 011 the chances of the lady's death. It was undeniable hatred of nis foe that prompted him to accede to her request.

Well, then, I will do it for you,' ho replied, in a careless tone, striving to keep from his face all traces of his rapid reflections. 'It is a little matter to write down the form of a will, and as I am positively not to know who shall lie nelr, you may command my useful services.'

Miss Gordon, with a sudden impulse to which she had not before given wav, throw her arms round his neck arid warmly kissed him.

Ah! the lovo that prompted and burned in this caress struck on his soul like a blow. We cannot prevent involuntary thought. It was not tho thought itsoll', but The knowledge that such a conception had found refuge in his mind, and had oxcited speculation rather than horror there, that made him feel like a criminal, and this love-laden kiss like a punishment.

Miss Gordon was strongly inclined to be caressing in her manner, as wa havo already intimated, an inclination which met with no return from her suitor, though ho accepted her advances with as good a grace an possible. He etdoyed her tenderness, in feet, however little be was disposed to repay it in kind. But no kiss had as yet passed between them, though her loving soul hungered for this evidence of affection and the ardent impulse which now prompted her was the fruit of many wistful days. She drew back, frightened at her own temerity, blushing into unwonted beauty, downcast and shrinking with maidenly shame.

There,there,my dear child,' he said, rising and putting his arms around her with an unusual tenderness. 'Don't bo alarmed. I will not set you any heavy penance in return.'

He lifted lier the warm beautiful wi and pressed on her trembling lips a kiea aa fervent as her own. It was no counterfeit caress. The contrast of her devoted love with his selfish feeling had suddenly moved him into tender admiration for the woman, who at the moment seemed infinitely above him in worthiness of soul, and be laid all the strength snd warmth of this impulse upon her lips in that ftret kiss, pressing her to his breast with the ardent totdttnM of love. •.

Hie excitement was too great for her strength. She fell back in the chair in which he placed iter, breathing heavily and deathly pallid, yet with a happy [coxniroxD

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