Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 45, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 6 May 1876 — Page 6

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'THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

THE OLD PASTOR'S DISMISSAL.

UY CUZAUKTIl ccxisas.

Wo need a younger man to stir the people And lend them the fold," The deacons said "we ask your resignation

Because—you're growlngold." The pastor bowed Bis deaeonsout In silence, And tenderly the gloom Of twilight hid him and hU bitter anguish

Within the lonely room. Above the violet hills the sunlightV glory Hung like a crown of gold, And from the great church spire tu6 Ix'Ua sweet anthem

Adown the Htiilnem rolled. Assembled were the people forOoasworship

Bat In his study chair

millll

The pus tor sat unheeding, whl the south I wind

Caressed his snow-white hair. A smile lay on his lip*. His *M the secret Of sorrow's glad surcease. XJpoH hW forehead shone the benediction

Of everlasting pracc. The ways of jrrovlilenco are most myste rious," The deacons gravely said. As wondering eyes, and scared, the people crowded

About their pastor—dead. .*•»»»»*

We loved him!" wrote the people Ju the COfilD) In wonln of shining gold And 'bove the broken heart they seta statue

Of marble, white aud cold. The end? Ah no, the undiscovered country Somewhere in brightness lies Though only space and stars may be discerned rw

By man's short-sighted eyi s.

O IR -A.

7

THE LOST WIFE.

BY BKLIiA Hl'KNCKU. Author of Tiled and True," etc.

tensely Interesting story was com-

iteueed lu The Sat unlay Kveplng Mall. Vol. Ik No. 11—April », ISTti. Back nurabem an b» had at The Mall office, or sent to any .(hires* fbr five cents a copy.}

CHAPTER XIII. I

The little clock upon the mantel chimed the hour of twelve, as Nina glided again into the cottage, and she was about to ascend to her room, when the .ow hum of voices fell upon her ear. The parlor door stood open, and a single Ctream of moonlight fell directly upon he sofa, where sat Edward and Alice. N'ina shook violently, but a spell riveted her to the spot, and, in tlio deep stillness, every word that was uttered sbe jeard as distinctly as though it had

Veen spoken in her very ear. There were low wordis of tenderness, ?.nd vows of eternal affection interhanged, and the young wifo seemed oongealing into stone, as sho heard one, %vho hiul solemnly promised, before

Jod's altar, to love, cherish and protect .er through life, breathing in another's «ar more passionate words of love than ~ho—his wifo—had ever hoard him utter, ."hen, to some of his fond assurances, :he low voice of the syren came in re-

And Nina, your wife, what is to beome of her?" Nina Oh, Alice, do not speak to ae of her now was the quick reply. "I am sorry for her, poor child, but I .tnnot help it. She is not capable of estowmg upon mo the great love with vhleh you can enrich my life. She is -uly a simple, silly child, and you are grand, beautiful woman. I n^ver oved her—I knew not the true meanlgof the word love till I beheld you, Alice, my own my beautiful!"

Oh, God this, then, was the reward years of devotion and almost blind lolatry! Sho had poured out her vealth of treasure at his feet, and he trampled upon it as nought but dust, iter brain reeled, and she was unable to move from the snot but she did not taint or uttor the least cry. Agony and despair gavo her strength, and she battea bravely with her weakness. 8ho had heard enough! Her husband 3 longer loved her—had never loved her, according to his own words—and tae poor, broken-hearted wifo looked :'-rth into the future, as the weary traveler gazes far out upon a barren waste where ho is compelled to go, but which will afford neither food nor drink to appoase his gnawing hunger}or quench mo raging thirst that consume* him.

With a violent effort, Nina shook off .the awful lethargy that was beginning steal over her, and darted quickly up tho stairs.

IH

a moment's time she

had decided upon her course and now. action alone remained for her. She did .it pause or falter now. .Strong in the intensity of her despair, she heeded iothing but what she hadtodo. 8he ghten a lamp and going to the wardrJbe, took down a black dress, which she hastily donned, and then, collecting few of her most valuablo articles, and packing a change of apparel for herself r.ad child, in a small satchel, she threw on her cloak and advanced to tho little crib, whore the child was so sweetly «,e*ping.

Hhe bent over her a moment, as If engaged In prayer, and the bright tear* Jjl f*»t upon tho little one's shining

jdcurta: hut the babe slept on unconscious x# 'sorrow and suffering. At last the mother rose and lifted the *tle one gently from the crib, and foid-

VIft warm cloak about the tiny form hen putting on her own hood, and tak•*gthe satcliel iti on* hand, .-*he made tier way noiselessly down tho front Ctairway, and cautiously opening the wr, passed out of the cottage. She aard the low murmur of voices still in •lie parlor, as she passed under tho wlniSr and her hoart almost stilled as the *ntid of thai loved one fell, perhaps for last time, upon her ear but she ided swiftly on, and panned oat of the ..ulogate Into the open highway.

One moment she paused upon a little knoll, and gazed wistfully upon the eotX%b\ where she had known so much :tppin«n, and the tears rained over her heck*. she murmured a farewell to the .. «ne* sbe had so much loved, and the bs came thick and fast, when sbe tarned away, mu ran ring— *Oh, Kdward! Alloe! (iod pity »nd

and

"»ss

morning, when, siir-

,r:sed at his wife's non«aDpearanees EdvArd Plercelie sought her room, he

that mother and child had both

we,

no

one

knew wblth^r.

j"n»nj that hour, Edward rlercelle was retched, remorse-stricken man. Then tfa® -en's chains no longer enfettered him, II '.uJbesaw how cnmlly urOusthe hsd ivMn to one. who, though scorned and ww ye* too pur© and noble

Sfd toTpiSch wm for his ba*-

15or old So# lw««»»led, loudly her uistrW Um, WARMEST

indignation, cbargwi wr

a

your own servant to abuse us, Edward she asked passionately, as Sues indignant accusations poured forth la torrent.

He did not reply, and Alice rose to her feet, trembling In every limb. Leave the room," she commanded, asgrlly. "How dare you utter such words as jou have done, to my face 1"

Because dey's de truf, an' ye can't deny it. You's not only broke my poor dear Missis' heart, but you's made yoursolves de by-words of de whole country." ««It is false 1" cried Alice, passionately. "A falsehood of your own coinage? No one would dare to utter a word against my fair fame, because I accompanied my oousin in his rides."

Maybe dey wouldn't, 11 you'd a had dat cousin's wife along wld you, or even a gone only 'casl®nally out ye went ebry day, from mornin' till night, an' she sat here alone, or worked her linger nails off for you, blisterin' her sweet face an' hands by de fire, to make you a nloe cake or pie, while you was disgraoin' her and yerselves, an' breakin' her hoflrt"

Great God! Edward, will you permit that creature to go on thus?" and Alice's face was white as a sheet, with passion. "We deservo it," he said, humbly, "How can we deny her accusations, when we know and /eel their justness? Oh, Alice, how blind we have been 1 But I can see it all now! Oh, Nina, Nina, my poor injured wife!" He sank back upon the sofa, and the proud girl stamped her foot impatiently upon the floor. '•Leave the room, I say!" and she hurled a book at her, with such force that, in dodging it, it missed Sue's head, and shivered a large mirror, near which she stood* into a thousand pieces. Seeing the old negress still disposed to disobey her, she seized a chair, and would have hurled that, also, but Sue. seeing the danger, and really terrified at the fiendish expression of ner face, hastily left the room, muttering bitter anathemas against them both. "Nobermine," she said, closing the door behind her. "Ye'll repent this, sometime, and, when ve'r on yer dyin' bed. hated and despised by everybody, ye'll be sorry for the misery ye've made for one whose greatest fault was to heap kindness on you, when she ought to kicked ye, like a dog, from her door," and Sue was gone.

Alice turned to Edward Piercelie. This weakness surprises me, Edward. Have you gone mad, tnatyon can hear yourself and me insulted, iu this manner, and not use vour authority to prevent aud punish such insolence? If that negro belonged to mo, I would whip her within an inch of her lite for tbls."

I will not!" said Edward, rising and pacing the lloor. "Sho is tho only one who caied for, while we blindly wronged and neglected her. Oh, Alice, you ask mo if I have gone mad, and I would give worlds ITI could only answer 'yes,' and feel that all this injury, inflicted upon that pure, angelic girl, was but a freak of madness, on my part, and not blind, deliberate cruelty!" "Poor weak fool!" sneered Alice, whose anger deprived her of her prudence. "How long is it since you confessed to me that you Jiad never loved the woman whom you foolishly made vour wife?"

All the fire and resentment ot' Mr. Tiercelie's nature was roused at her tone and sneer, and a fierce quarrel ensued, and, on tho same day, Alice Murray, disgraced, aud smarting under the disappointment and overthrow of all the schemes she had built up, left Rose L'ottago to return to Richmond. Then, without delay, Edward Piercelie departed in search of his lost wife..

But this was no easy matter, for he had no cluo to the direction she had taken, and she had left no word or line by which he might be guided. He made inquiries in every direction, but no one had seen such a person as he described, and weeks and months passed away in fruitless wandering.

Old Sue was disconsolate, and declared she knew her poor Missis nad drowned herself in the river and as the time passed on, without any more success than had attended him through his fruitless inquiries, Edward began to fear that ner surmises were true, and Nina had indeed put an end to a miserable existence.

Then tho little cottage was deserted, and Edward Piercelie became a wanderer. But how different from the gentle being, whom his Inconstancy had driven from him. Both had gone forth, it is true, with sorrow and agony at their hearts but one bore a consciousness of having done her duty, so far as possible, as a true wife, while the other was stung with remorse and shame, for his cruelty and.injustice.

CHAPTER XIV

Out onco moro, alone and friendless, in tho uncharitable world. But again with shame and indignation 1M

her

heart, and a fir© in her Drain that robbed her of reason. Sho had taken up her child at midnight, and stolen forth Into the street, Intent alono upon one thought—escape. She wanted to floe from Ir. Clifton's anger. Too much had been crowded upon the poor woman in her phvsical weakness. A tit of mental aberration was the result, in which she went out from amongst her friends, and took her lonely way toward a distant part of tho city.

On and o, she wanderod, scarcely feeling the weight of the little form which at another lime, she oould not have carried.

At last she come to the Batterv, and there sinking in a friendly shadow, bowed her head over the child, who at length had closed her eyes with wear! ness after a season of quiet wonder at the strange proceedings of the mother.

What passed through her mind du:ing the remaining hour* of night, was the wild thought of a maniac, and hears no record. She must have slept, at length. When tho day dawned, restored to consciousness, she gazed around her iti blank dismay, striving vainly to account for her presence in such a plaoe.

The hum of life was rising deeper and deeper abroad. Wheels rattled over the htone*, and horses feet pattering before them, chimed in harshly with the rough jar. Th'-re were sound* of footsteps upon tb« pavements, and every where, indication* of re-*wakened Hfe.

Weak, trembling, perplexed, Ora rose and walked away with her BOW almost insupportable burden. This could not last long. A temporaiy pUeeof rest muwt bcfouinl, where she oould reflect what was to be don*.

She was not long

HIM-

ter and AU^u W ^bwaking her h«art, and driving her fbrth ttom home, alone to wander-among stran^-per-jikpa to die of want—* charge whlen on« rvoeived with humility—the other, with

^^WUl you sit here,sod thus permlV

,n

Boding second

class boarding bouse, where she resolved for the prwoat to seek shelter. Sbe reflected that h«re sho would bo more secure from observation and curiosity than amongst a higher class of people, and though her thoughts turned in disgust from Its ooarse appointments and associations, sbe felt that abe must sooner or later accustom herself to adapt herwsll to circumstances. Misfortune waft jmmrlrtg her relentlessly. To what might It not drive her in the end

Him rapped at the door, which was opened, and a shabby girl showed her

into what she termed a parlor, but which was in reality, a most miserable excuse for a oommon,altting and dining room combined.* She atated ber business briefly.

The landlady was a widow a li'.tle, sharp, parchment-visaged wortian, with small, glittering black eyes, and a cunning, dlsagroeaDle expression of countenance. that Ora did not like but she reflected that she knew nothing of the woman, and ahe might be much better in heart than her lice indicated and, at most, ir it should provq otherwise, sbe would only remain a day or two, perhaps, and, if she should display an inclination to annoy her, she could easily seek other quarters.

I s'pose," said the woman, eyeing her keenly, as she took a seat and lifted Ada to her lap, "that you can pay your board in advance? It takes money to buy food, and I can't supply my boarders with necessary articles, unless they give me the means beforehand to do it."

In a short time the woman returned with a cup of tea, and a dry, hard looking piece of brown bread. Ora turned from it in disgust.

You'd better drink it," urged tho woman. "There's nothing half so strengthening as a good cup of tea. It refreshesone^mazingly. Drink it, do."

No. thank you, I cannot," replied Orn, "I only lieed rest to refresh me. If you can havo a nice piece of toast and a cup of strong tea for me by dinner time, I think I may feel more like eating."

,l

Well, just as you like," returned her hostess, in a tone that savored of displeasure. "Bat I thought you might feel faint, and a good cup of tea would do vou good."

I'm sure I thank you kindly, for your thoughtful attention, and I am sorry for tho trouble you havo had to get it, since I have no appetite for It."

Mrs. Meredith's manner was so gentle, while uttering these words, and her faco shone so full of touching sadness, that the woman forgot her displeasure at once, in contemplating the beautiful but sorrow-stricken woman before her.

Her next words, however, proved that ber Inquisitive propensities predominated over her sympathies.

_,TERKE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL.

I will pay you now for one day and night. After that may go away. But if I remain longer, I will pay you punctually every morning."

Well, you can do as you like, but if you're In search of work, I'll warrant you don't get a place inside of a week, and you'd just as well pay me for a week in advance, and have the trouble off your hands, at onco. What are you goin' to do?" "I cannot tell. I shall probably get a situation as governess, somewhere."

Tho woman shook her head positively. Can't do it. Pooplo don't get governesses for their children nowadays. Just as quick as they'ro out of tho cradle they sends them whoppin' off to boardin' school, and keeps them there till they're fifteon or sixteen, and then they brings them out and marry's them right off. No use for governesses, you see."

Ora smiled, in spit© of herself, nt this, and replied, with an offort to bo grave: I presume governosses are not wholly excluded. At least I have just loft a place where I held such an oflice."

What made you leave? Was it a nice place "Very nice," paid Ora, replying to the last question, and taking no notice of the first. "They gavo you good wages, I reckon?" glancing at her neat black silk, and the child's tastefully embroidered frock.

Very good," returned Ora. quietly. "Many children?" Three

How long had you been there "Three months." "The childron had got through, I s'pose, with thoir studies "No."

Then, what made you leave such a niceplaco? I reckon, though, you had some difficulty with them." "No. Circumstances, which could not interest you, caused me to leave," answered Mrs. Meredith, wearied with the woman's inquisitiveness, and fearing for tho length of the interview.

But I am worn and tired, and would be glad to go to my room, if you will be se good as to show to it," she con tinued, rising.

Oh, sit down. I'll havo to have one fixed up a little for you first, and you just lay your little girl on the lounge there, while I have something brought in for you to eat."

Mrs. Meredith sank back, wearily, and the woman loft the room. She felt that she had not chosen the best of boarding houses, as she glanced around the little apartment, filled with greasy, shabby furniture. She shuddered, as she laid Ada's little head upon the soiled pillow of the lounge but her arms ached with her weight, and through trouble and exhaustion, sho felt as though she would faint.

You'vo been married, I suppose?" Yes," replied Ora, with nslight start. IIow long ".Six years."

Six years! Why, bless my soul, yon must havo been almost a baby six years ago, from vonr looks now!"

I was fifteen," said Ora, with a faint smile at tho woman's astonishment. "Fifteen! Well, that's a heap too voting to marry. You ought to have staved at homo with your mother a whllo longer, and then there'd been plenty time to see trouble." "Alas!" replied tho lady sadly, "I had neitbor father nor mother. I was an orphan."

How long have they been dead I was but ten when they died." Poor thing!" with a touch of pity, "An orphan at ten, and a widow at twenty-one! Well, well. Trouble comes to all of

HH.

I lost my poor, doar hus­

band, Mr. Ichabod Jenkins, tbls ten years ago, and I've had to scuffle mighty hard to git along, but some way I always done it. I ain't like some people, who set down and cry, with their hands lyin' idle in their laps, when trouble comes. I know I loved my pooroll man jist as well as any woman ever could but when Hod saw fit to take him from me, I said, 'God's will be done,' for, surely, if He deprives me of one, Ho will, in His mercy, send another to comfort me and so I've managed to git along this fer, and am waiting patiently for the protector. I feel He will iitYt fall to sendf one to me."

Now," sbe continued, settling herself comfortably in her arm chair, and taking up a bluo stocking, whose color could scarcely be discerned for dust and grease, "If I was to marry a hundred times, I'd never gitslch another man as Mr. Jenkins was, 'cept by the rarest chance. While he lived, I always had •ome otto to work for me, and keep me in plenty while, at the tame time, 1 always biid my own way about everything. I're always thought a woman no wed better bow to manage things than men. They git along so much nicer with everything. Men are such great gawky, awkward things, generally, they do nothing but botch and blunder if It wasn't for the women. I've told my poor, dear Jenkins many and many's the time, that be would starve

to death If it wasn't for me, to tell and direct him about everything, and he was smart and sensible enough to seethe truth of it."

Ora saw that Mrs. Jenkins was disposed to be communicative, but it was more agreeable than being questioned, and she suffered her to go on without interruption. Sitting with her face to the window, where ebe could look out upon the street, and watch the throng as it surged on, she almost forgot her, indeed and it was only the incessant bum of her voice that kept her coguissant of her presence.

But you know," resumed Mrs. Jenkins, "thst it's a hard thing to lose a good, kind husband and more especially when he's descended from one of the first families in the old country. Yes, Jenkins was one of the proudest names that graced the annals of the whole united continent. No man could boast of a prouder, than my poor lest Ichabod." "He was borned and raised on the land of a real lord—Lord Wentword, of England—and was rallied in the first style. When he was only fourteen, he served as a sort of valet to young master Wentworth, and after he had giown up to be a man, bocamo head valet—that was after his old master died, and mes ter Frederick fell heir to the estate— and I'm sure, Lord Frederick thought tho world and all of him.

But some people say somebody they call Fortune, 'is a fickle iade,' and I s'pose it's so, for my poor, dear Ichabod didn't keep his place long after his old master died. Lord Frederick Wentworth came home one morning, after a ni^ht spent in carousai, and found his handsomest diamond ring was missing and someway it happened that the worst suspicions fell on my poor husband, and ho was searched,- and not having the stolen ring about him, they had his trunk searched, and there it was, sure enough, whore somebody had put it, no doubt, to get my husband locked up in jail, through motives of levenge. At any rate, I always thought so, and I had the best of reasons: for a young man I knew, one of the lower servants, had had a'grudge against him ever since ho married me, which was just about two weeks before Lord Wentforth died.

He had begged me to have bim again and again, on his very knees, but I always wouldn't. I had done surrendered all the great wealth of my spotless affections to my Ichabod, and there was no room in my heart for oven the shadow of another's image. "So, as I said, I always thought he put that ring there, just through pure revenge, and he might a thoughtifhe conld once get Ichabod out of the way. he'd maybe get a chance to carry me off by main force. However, be that as it may, my poor husband was sent off to prison, and I thought I should go crazy when thov took him from mo. Oh, that WJIS a sad, sad time, but 'the darkest hour come jist before day,' you know, 'md one morning who should come into my room, jist as it was beginning to get light, but Ichabod himself, creeping on tiptoe and looking skeered half to death. 'Betty,' said he, in a quick whisper— 'What do you want, Ichabod savs I. "'Git up and dress,' says be. 'Iam going away, and want you to go with me.' 'Why, where are you going?' says I, :n surprise. "'To America,' says he. 'To America,' says I. 'What! away across the ocean 'Yes,' says he. 'Make haste, or w«5 will be too late for the ship that's going out.' 'But, Ichabod. I don't want to go,' says I. 'What are 3rou going there for?' "Listen, Betty,' says he. bending down close to my ear, 'I've jist escaped from jail, and I won't be put back there again for stealing a thing I never saw and I'm going to leave these cursed wretches, and go where gentlemen are treated like gentlemen. Now, Betty, you know how I've always loved you better anybody in the worid, and if you have tho least bit »f love for me you'll be quiet, and git up at once and go long with me.'

I couldn't stand it when he talked so affectionate to me, and I got right up, without another word, and gathered up my things and followed him to the ship where we took passage for America, and we came right here, where we lived ever since, till, poor, dear Ichabod died, and left me a poor lone widow, without anyljpdy in the wide world to do anything for me, since he's gone."

Here Mrs. Jenkins covered ber eyes with her blue checked apron, and gave way to an imagfnary fit of tears, Inly wondering, all the while, that her guest should seem so little impressed with her pathetic story.

CHAPTER

Madeline, my daughter, what is tho matter?" Lina sat with palo features and comprossed lips behind the coffee urn as her lather entered with tho greeting above recorded. She answered In simple and quiet sorrow: rs. Merodlth is gone, papa." "Gono! Mrs. Meredith gone!" ho repeated. "Why, where to—when

Last night sho must have left the house, but where to, God and herself alone know. Oh, papa, I cannot tell you how grieved I am. I bad so much faith In her. I trusted her, and loved her in ppite of everything, but this last act has completed her overthrow. If sho was innocent, and knew it, why did she leateus? Ah! I cannot express tho pain I feel at this step. Yet It has saved me the trouble of turning her away."

Gone, and without a word of explanation or self defence. Poor, misguided woman! What is to become of her? Lina, she must have been out of monev, very nearly. I have not paid her for the last month as yet, and with all her little needs, she could not have had much left. Did sho not send to you for any at any time sinco this affair

No, sir. I have not seen or spoken to her since the occurrence of yesterday. I Intended to have gone to bor last night, I pitied her so much, but It was Tate wnen I

WHS

left at liberty, and then I

supposed she bad retired, as every thing was still In her room." Well, well!" the Dr. sighed heavily. "It is a sad affair all tho way through, and I can't just see my way clearly how to act* Yet her last step removes the necessity of investigating tHte niatter in ber twhalf. Tho beet we can do, is to leave the whole thing to die away, and sav no more about It?'

Poor Una was willing enough to drop it, for it was a subject fraught with such pain, the shrank instinctively from openly canvassing It.

A new thought, however, seemed to strike ber as she,sat thoughtfully waiting the entrance of tbe other members tbe flimlly. Sbe lifted to her father, pair of eyes it*which fear shone deep-

Papa, what If sbe should destroy herself." He too looked disturbed, but a moment be replied reassuringly: do net think we need fear so baa an end as tbls, Lf sbe could do such a thing, I am much mistaken in her character—in all respects!" he added emphatically.

Yet, remember how sensitive she is, and the fact that she took nothing but her child with her, and the clotbee tbey wore. We cannot tell how the thought of disgrace amongst us who have treat ed ber so well, would work upon her feelings. Oh, I fear I shall never rest again until I know where she fs. and wbat sbe isdoing, if indeed alive. Papa, in pity for her, poor, forlorn, and as you say, misguided woman—institute a search. It will relieve my suspense."

He promised to do so, and on the entrance of tbe little girls, shortly followed by Harry, they all sat down to breakfast.

The young man looked haggard and worn a) if he bad not slept. Madeline's gaze rested on his face anxiously, but to her kind inquiries, ho replied shortly that be was "well enough," and dispatched his breakfast silently.

When he rose from tho table, Madeline followed him into the hall. Brother, Mrs. Meredith went away last night."

He was lust in the act of taking bis bat from tne rack when her words fell upon his ears, and he wheeled upon her almost fiercely.

What! gone! You are mad! How could she leavo the house without anybody knowing it?" "Brother!"

Tho sister's grieved, astonished tone recalled him to himself a little. SUter, pardon me. I do not mean to speak unkindly, but I believe that woman has completely upset us all! In the name of all that is good, whv did she leave us in this manner? She is either guilty or a pitiful coward I was disposed to credit her forsomething better." llo turned and strode up the stairway, instead of going out as at first he bad intended to do, his face stony, lips sternly compressed, and dark eyes blazing.

Madeline looked after him, inwardly wondering why he should be so strongly moved but all thought of his strange conduct fled when she discovered Agnes at her side, with tight'y locked hands, and a face from which all color had fled. Sho appeared scarcely to breathe as she whispered gaspingly.

Mna, Lina! did you say she had gone "Why, yes, child. But—Agnes, Agnes! Papa, Come!"

Tho first words had scarcely left her Hps ere the child sank lifeless at her foet, white and still as if death had smitten her. Dr. Clifton hastened forward and took her from his daughter's arms, carrinc her into the breakfast room and dashing water over her face.

In a minute sho recovered consciousness, but turned her facc into the sofa pillows on which they laid her, and re fused to be comforted.

I declare," exclaimed Kate recovering from her terror. "I do believe our governess was a witch and has left a spell upon us all. Who would have thought Aggio could caroso much about anybody?"

Hush my lovo," commanded her father. lie bent tenderly over the grieving child.

Aenes, darling, don't bo so disturbed. We all feel very much grieved, but I am afraid sho is not worth the feelings we have wasted on her."

With the a°pect of a little fury she started up now, aod confronted him with blazing eyes.

Don't say that! Don't anybody dare to say that of her! Sho was worth all and more than we could give her! She was as good as an angel. I could kill anybody, to hear them say one word against her! I won't hear it! Oh! lovod bar so much and now she's gone —been driven away by a bad, bad man Oh! there is nobody to love me now! I shall die!"

Choked with anguish, she sank back and sobbed bitterly. Madeline, take'this girl in charge, my love. I don't know how to manage her," said the Dr. pityingly, but wearily. Kate stoutly declared "she ought to be well whipped for beingso saucy to papa," and Mary looked on curiously. With tears streaming over her face. Madeline gently slipped her arm around Agnes' waist and drew her from the room leading her up stais in silence. With her woman's heart, sho comprehended, in a measure, something of tbe wild grief that stirred the little bosom of the passionate orphan, and there was more of sorrow than anger in the quieting words sho uttored, when she had taken her kindly to ber own room and tried to soothe her.

Meantime, did Ora remember, sitting in tho loneliness of her miserable chamber, how this child would sorrow for her? Yes, and wept many, many bitter tears over tho memory.

Sinco the moment of her waking, she had striven to account for the manner in which she left the house, but vainly. She recalled plainly the event of the precoeding day, and that which followed in the evening but beyond that, all was blank until she found herself alono, with her child in her arms, seated by the walls of tho Battery. A thought of Harry, and that passionate confession, crimsoned her brow with shame,—of Agnes, and hor gentle heart ached with anguish—of Madeline, of Dr. Clifton, and she was overwhelmed with contending emotions of shame, regret, gratitude. What would they thlnlc of her now! Ah, she felt but too well that all their good opinion of her formerly muBt givo way now, and they would dospbelier forever! She mu*«t have fallen asleep, and in that state left the house. There was no other way In which conjecture could run. If they had put her out, it would not have been In the middle of the night—it could not havo been done without some knowledge of the act on her part.

The day passed drearily away. Nothing occurred to distract her thoughts from ber misery, except necessary care of Ada, and Mrs. Jenkins* officious attentions. Tho prattle of the former was unceasing. Sho was full of wonder at their strange surroundings, and asked numberless questions. The poor mother was glad when slumber at last laid a temporary seal upon tho curious eyes, and bushed the childish voioe to quietude, as night softly folded hor dark mantle over slumbering Nature.

A week passed away In this miserable state. All of tbe meagre sum her purse contained, was at length expended, and Ora was obliged to sell her watch tosupply ber wants. It was hard to part with •o useful an article, endeared to her by long use and past associations. But.she could not bear the thought of indebtedness to tbe coarse*curious woman under whoae roof she bad taken shelter, and as yet sbe could not muster courage to go forth in tho world, seeking for tabor which ahe felt bersolf unablo to per-

f°There

were a few other female board­

ers in the bouse, of whom sbe caught a glimpse occasionally. They came and went every day, as If intent upon their several avocations. One frail, sallow looking being, with a dry, hard cough, passed ner room every morning with a bundle under her arm which sbe carried to her own chamber, taking it away again in the evoning. »ra, surmised rightly, that tbe woman waa a seamstress, bringing and carrying away ber daily work.

One morning she accosted bar as ahe

ilSfc:

went by, with a question. Good morning. Is that sewing yon have with you

The woman looked at ber and answered shortly. "Yea."

Pardon me, but where do you get it? Can .1 obtain some from the same place I want to do something."

I don't know." The woman said stopping and turning square around. "Perhaps you can, but you don't look much fit to do it, any more than myself."

Her language though half rude In tone, was not without an air of culture. She spoke like an educated person. Looking at her intently, Ora became interested.

I should really like to try, if you will tell me where to go. Is it asking too much of you?"

No, I will help you if I can. You havo a child, haven't you Yes." "Then if the work can be bad, tomorrow morning I will bring a double poition so you need not leave ner. You can take the work to your room and try it, qnd get your part of tho pay when it is done."

Thank you you are very kind, but The woman did not stop to hear ber finish the sentence. Entering her chamber, she closed tho door abruptly.

The image of this hollow eyed, sallow faced woman haunted Ora all day. She could not rest when she remembered how frail and worn she looke^l.

Mrs. Jenkins with a species of rude delicacy, sept or brought Ora's meals to her mom. After dinner on that day^, when the things had been cleared away^ she went resolutely to tho stranger's door and knocked. Sbo expected to be repulsed, but a good impulse was forking iu her heart, and sho determined tc* persevere in tho purpose which had taken possession of her.

The first tap was unheeded. The second brought tho inmate to tho door. Sho looked surprised when she saw who her visitor was, and asked ungraciously

What do yon want?" I am doing nothing, and feel tired of idleness. Lft me help you with tho work yoH have on hand."

I can't do it. I havo need for all I shall get to-day for my work." You mistake mo. I do not want the money. I havo enough for present purposes. I only want something to keep mo busy. You are looking tired, too, and if I help you, you will get done sooner, so you can rest."

Ora's voice was full of sweet womanly sympathy. The stranger looked at her sharply, but was evidently softened by her manner, even whiie answering her in the samo abrupt tone.

Poor people cannot afford to work for anybody but themselves, and you are poor, I fancy, or yon would not bo here. When you have toiled as long for your daily bread as I have, you will know better than to give away your timo and strength for nothing."

Ah, but remember that my time isf better spent in aiding you, when I see' you lookina worn and ill, than in doing nothing. The busy fingers, you know, always load the brain away from that which most wearies it. You will do me a kindness, to let me help you."

Well, if you are determined, you may wait here I will get tbe work for, you."

Sho closed the door in her face, andi left her standing thero for several minutes. Then she came out and gavo her a garment placed and basted ready to sew.,

Do you know anything about such work?" sho asked as Ora took it from^ her hands. "O, yes. I think I can sew most any-^ thing, respectably."

Ora smiled pleasantly as sho said the words. Iler heart was very heavy, but: she 9aw a woman, poor and friendless like herself, toiling on alono. The time, might come when smile and word of sympathy would appear like a priceless* boon to btr weary soul, even as a smilo and kind word might prove to this stranger. ii

When vou get tired, como and give it back to" me. Don't weary yourself too much with it." iI 1

No fear of that." Each went into their own rooms, andj Ora's swift fingers plied tho noodle,, steadily, while her thought' were busy with her neighbor.. It was well that something had come between her and the brooding thoughts of personal suffering, and that interest in another won her from heiself. She was fust becoming unfitted for struggling with tho difficulties of her new position.

Ada took a little pilo of blocks which, Mrs. Jenkins had given ber. and amusod herself with building houses and prattlinu of a thousand thi igs while so# engaged. Sometimes the mother pausotf to watch her, and with loving kindness, answer her questions. But thought of the palo woman across tho hall, would again set her fingers to going, and before (lurk, she had finished tho work very neatly, and carried it to tho owner jj

Standing closely in the door which*? she opened but slightly, the woman ex-1 am in it in el ok and said:

You sow very well, and have donelt.^ quickly. Ithmk you foryour aid." Without farther word#, she turneaf and again shut the door in her face. Evidently she willod to live in severo' seclusion. Ora wa* too refined, and tender of other's feelings to wish to pry Into their lives, but sho felt strangely In* 1 greeted in this poor forlorn being, and was almost dlsjKsed to feel disappointed at the decided treatment she received at her hands. j.

At the moment she turned away, Mrs. Jenkins came up stairs. Wbat," she said. "Have you been trying to git acquainted with that queer bird You'll find It hard work, if that's^ your gam®. She has been in that room over a month now, and not a blouse®soul has seen tbe inside since thar she'** been. Once I went to have a little chat cause she appeared so lonesome like, but she gave me to understand that my room was better than my company, an'* refused to lot me In. I pretended to bo offended that I couldn't visit ladies Inmy own house, an' hinted as mucht to ber, when she up an' said so proud like: 'Madam, I pay you wbat you ask for tbe room. While I do this it Is mine, and I shall receive whomsoever I please. Understand, that I have no time to wast in gossip, and no desire for such pastime if I bad.'"

Sbe puts on airs, I tell you, but pays me a good price, regwlar evei_, week to tbe day an* hour, so I heeps ber. But she's mlgbty queer."

Ora bad no desire for a gossip witl her communicative landlady, and on trifling pretext, entered ber room Moon as she oould break away.

A few more days paaaed, bnt now employment rendered tbe weary woman more content with her changed estate. Everv day ber neighbor brought her work* from the store where she but nod her own, and carried it back when done. The pittance gained was slight, bnt every night it waa punctually paid inu her hanu, and it was that uiuoh assut ance against future want. [TO BB OOirriNUKD.]