Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 7, Number 44, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 28 April 1877 — Page 6

THE MAIL

In cutting a coat we allow

&W&r68

Remembtr the sleeve—and "allow for the crawl 1" The statesman who asks for ourballot to

Your country, so rashly imperiled to-day, May covet an office and notbe a knave, Whulever the fierce opposition may say, But the '-ulatiorm" to which lie so valiantly clings,

By which he proposes to stand or to fall— Resolutions,1^ remember, are slippery things— And in politics always "Allow for the crawl You are deeply iu love with the sweetest of girl.",

An angel! in hoops-^only wanting the

WIHKS! .ir-i lf angels could purchase such beautiful curls) Like a seraph he smiles like a siren she sings! Ah! splendid and vast are the fancies of youth

But clown to plain facts they finally fall: And happy the couple who, finding the truth.

In conjugal kindness, allow for the crawl!" in brief, recollect that in human aflairs:

In social connections In travel and trade: In courtship, and marriage in sermons and prayers,

Borne grains of concession must always be made. In fine, be a prudent, though generous man

Unfriendly with noue, veracious with all Believe in your neighbors as much as you can:

And always be sure to allow for the crawl!"

Hidden Crime.

A TALE OF LOVE, ADVENTURE AND MASTERY.

BY MRS. LOUISA CROWE.

Author of Sybil Dcrwent," Katharine Qrcy," Rose Leigh," Etc,

IThe Hidden Crime was commenced in The Saturday Evening Mall, Vol. 7, No. 43, April 21. Back numbers can be had of newsdcule- s, or at this offlce, or sent by mall for five cents each.

CHAPTER IV.

LITTXE HARRY'S PRESERVER. When the preserver of little Harry Ashley's life recovered her senses, sbe was lying on a sofa in the oottage of the station-master. The still trembling and weeping Bessie was alternately caressing her so strangely resoued treasure, and administering restoratives to her pallid

father

ruest and the scarcely less agitated was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the medical man for whom he had telegraphed to the nearest town.

The wife's voice summoned him to her side. She has openedjher eyes, Charlie. The color ia coming back to her lips, and she breathes more freoly, now. Dear, brave girl! who is she, I wonder? "Hu»h!" her husband softly whispered. Do you not see—do you |not know And,. meeting the look of questioning surprise, he continued, "It is the young lady for whose mysterious disappearance we have, heaven pardon us, BO unjustly accused poor Clyde. Speak to her, Bessie she is conscious now!"

And the dark eyes which were slowly wandering around the apartwent, rested with a wistful expression on the faces that were bending over

be,«

Who she faintly asked, This is not my home, nor yet the miserable hut. Ah! the child—the child! Is he Baved And she would have sprung up, but Mrs. Ashley gently restrained lier. •'Yes, he is sate. Look! he is here —and it is to you that we owe his liie IIow shall we repay you?" And the overwrought mother again sobbed and lAugbod hysterically.

The young ladv attempted to extend her arms to the little buy, but with the movement a cry of pain and alarm es caped her.

Ashley hastened ro twwsure her. Do not bo frightened. Your let arm is. I fear, broken but it Is only a simple fracture, aud we are momentarily expecting the arrival of a surgeon.

She was evidently disturbed. It is not that," sbe said, as Bessie tried to soothe her with assurances that the operation of setting the bane would notbe formidable one.

If is for her,"

1\l

A. PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

ALLOW FOR THE CRA WL»

BY JOHN G. SAXE.

am not

very cowardly with r"irn-d to a little sufferng but it will rwudor me helplets and useless for some weeks, will it not? And—and—"' she spoke slowly aud hesitatingly—" the person with whom I am staying will be averse to any trouble." "Ofcourse," said Mr. Ashley, decidedly you will remain hers until perfectly recovered." And his wife hastened to repeat the hospitable dictum. She muted up in his pleasant faee with a grateful smile.

Ah, I remember! This Is not the first kiud act you have performed for me. You accompanied me to the Courton Mills that night—that terribls night!" And, stopping abruptly, she sighed while look of apprehension and sorrow spread over her teatures which were

^^^sj^haston^ to administer a tew spoon Ails of wine, while Ashley again listened tor the sound of the doctor's coming. His wife soon joined him at ike door.

44Sheis

Bbe

Friends!"

Yoa have often, no doubt, had occasion note, Thougk the garment, at first, seemed certain to please, That, after some wearing, the sleeve of your coat,

Toward tlio shoulder was crawling, easy degrees: And that's what the clothier, of course, had in mind,

When he said to his customer, "Long not at all! Thesleeve is all right—as youH presently find—

for

the*1!

the crawl!

The expression was one wholly new to me

But it sets me a thinking how well it applies Not merely to coats but to women and men,

In matters of life as they dally arise Consider the shrinkage of human aflalrs— The promise how great the performance how small! And lest disappointment should come un-

murmured," that

I wear this!" Friends, then," Bessie persisted, "to whom we can write and relate this most unfortunate accident."

Bbe

repeated, with a burst

of uncontrollable grief. I have nono! He who should have been my guide— my dearest, my kind friend has—no, no! I will not accuse him! It is not I who should condemn his actions! Friends, did you say? No, I am alone in the world now! There is no one who cares about me, whether I live or die.

But it was not thus when I saw you the other evening," said Ashley, Impelled both by curiosity and compassion to inquire into her affairs. You were tnen about to return to town as seon at your interview with Mr. Clyde wws over, Why did you not do so?" he asked, as she remained silent.

I could not!" she faltered. After his revelations, I dared not! Do not question me—pray do not! I cannot answer you. The happiness—the safety of another is involved in my reticence, and I must be si lent." "Probably you deem my questions impertnient

No, no!" she eagerly replied. heart swells with gratitude for the sympathy which, I am sure, is dictatinthem. I wish—oh, bow heartily I wis that I were at liberty to reply to them frankly and freely!"

My dear girl!" cried Bessie, impul sively' "make yourself easy on this point. We will not distress you by making any inquiries you do not choose to answer. All you will have to do is to get well as quickly as you can, and let us try and show a little of our gratitude by making you as happy and comfortable as lies in our power. You will agree to this, will you pot

But the eyes of the stranger were still fixed on the thoughtful face of the sta-tion-master, and a deep crimson mantled her cheek.

I am better," she said making an effort to rise. The old woman, Dam, Kaggly who has hitherto sheltered me who

Dame Rasely!" repeated the aston' ished Bessie. "Is it possible that you have been staying in the wretched hovel of that poor old creature

She will shelter me again," the young lady repeated. ,"I would rather go there but no^f Ashley interfered.

You must not dream ofsuch a thing. Whatever may have placed you in this extraordinary position, you are the saver of my boy's life and my guest. Hark! here comes Dr. Brown."

I see how it is, Bessie, love," he said to his wife, drawing her aside. Clyde is the evident cause of this unfortunate young creature's sad fate. It is one of those cases of broken vows and woman's weakness that we BO frequently meet.

Mrs. Ashley's reply was a vehement protest. You are wrong, Charles. I'd lay my life that you are wrong! This dear girl is as pure-minded and innocent as your own pretty sister Julia. Do not shake your wise head at me, sir! I am sure we women are not so prone to judging our own sex too leniently that yen need misdoubt my judgment now. If there are broken vows to be repented of by your friend, Mr. Clyde, there is no shame troubling the mind or clouding the eye of that brave darling. Of this I am as certain as—as it is possible to be." And Bessie, who felt too.strongly to reasen dearly, hastened to meet the surgeon, and aid him in his ministrations.

Ere long the patient girl, whom Dr. Brown smilingly declared to be a little heroine, was laid comfortably in bed and Mrs. Ashley, with a tear and a smile, kissed her, and bade her try and sleep, with well-meant imperiousness refusing to see or hear the grateful emotion and murmured blessings with whioh her tender attentions wore received.

But you must tell me your name," she said, as sbe still lingered. Helena," was the reply.

A pretty name, love, and a royal one. Helena—and what else?"The young stranger's lips quivered.

Call me Helena Cecil—It is my real name." Yes, it was her real name. But was this all? Even Mrs. Ashley—trusting Mrs. Ashley—sighed as she gently closed the door, and confessed to herself that mysteries are seldom unaccompanied by guilt and the momentary doubt made her steal back to the quiet chamber of her guest, and noiselessly open the curtains of the couch.

With closed eyes, Helena was murmuring something to herself. Bessie listened. It was a prayer and, the smiles returning to her own candid and sweet face, she softly glided back to ber husband, in his arms to utter her own fervent thanksgiving to the Merciful God who had permitted them to retain the unspeakable blessing of the firstborn child His love had bestowed upon their union.

CHAPTER V.

DAMS

RASBIiBY

IS CATECHISED.

Mrs. Asblev's report on the ensuing morning of the condition of her guest was a favorable one, and she was enthusiastic in her praises of the gentle Helena. "By the way, Charlie, the few clothes she has are at Dame Raseley's—how strange that she should have made such a place her refuge, is it not?—and I have promised to send fbr them, and let the old woman know whv she did not return. Do you think Burton would go? Can you spare him?" "If I were not so very busy with my monthly accounts, I should be tempted to do your errand myself."

Bessie shook her bead at her husband, and smiled a little saucily. "Are you troubled with that female failing, curiosity? I wonder at you, Mr. Adhley. Seriously, Charlie, dear, after what this brave young timid girl has done for us, we are scarcely justified in prying into her secrets, are we?" "I'll study the pros and eons of your view of the case at my leisure, Mrs. A. On the one aide, I'll set our obligation and her evident desire for concealment and on the other the great probability that if we knew more of her antecedents we might succeed in restoring her to her friends wad place in society. It is not fitting, under any circumstances, for her to be wandering about with no better

Sence,

calmer now, Charlie. Do you

not think we ought to ascertain whether «Ke has anv friends residing new Only •KtnV how* anxious they will be concern.

^h^v'tben returned to the couch where little Harry was now calmly deeping beaide his new frisnd.

dear."said

Mrs. Ashley, drawing

l»erfl4e^re«ingly|down her rippling tresses of black hair, "hare you not a mother?"

The eyes of the young la^lufentig filled, and she made a ^ture^ toward I a

rotectons than chance—well, Proviif you like It better—has given her In us. I think I'll contrive to go to Dame Raselev's, Bessie." "I suppose I ought to tell you," said his wife, lowering her voioe,1ithat Helena carries in her boeom a letter addressed to Mr. Clyde. It fell from her clothes last night, as I was assisting her foundress. She tried to conoeal it, but I could not help teeing the superscription." "Another proof," Ashley replied little triumphantly, "that tures are well-founded. Per letter was to have been left at the mills in the event of bis absence from home. I would give a great deal to know Clyde Innocent of wrong-dealing in this aflkirt We have always nad so high an opinion of him, that it gives one's frith In human nature an unpleasant shock. Unless oar guest proves more communicative this morning, Bessie, III see Dame Raseley before the day is out.

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EV ENIIS1 Gr MAIL.

the stationmaster fulfilled his intention. Armed with a propitiatory offering, in the shape of a little tea and sugar, he tapped at the door of the hut where the miserable creature hid her poverty and age, and it was immediately opened by the dame herself.

There was a look of expectation on her shriveled festures, which faded as soon as she saw who it was. and although she moved aside, sufficiently to let him enter, sbeoontinued to peer forth into the dim solitude and dusky vistas of the wood.

Ashley diviued the reason of her unusual actions, and promptly explained his errand, the dame listening with some interest. When he paussd, sbe gathered together a few articles of wearing apparel, tied them in a parcel and pushed them toward him. "You will want to know how Miss Cecil is, will you not?" asked Ashley, finding that she did not speak. "Will you call at my house and see her?" "What for was the ungracious inquiry, "she don't want me now, do she '•What she may or may not want has nothing to do with it," he replied "Of course as long as Miss Cecil is with us, we shall do all that lies in our power to make her comfortable but surely you will want to visit beroccasionally a person whom you know, and one who is suffering!"

Hie hag laughed a surly laugh. "Suffering, indeed! What's a broken arm, when a body's got a good roof over their heads, and a fine, first-rate doctor to attend them, and lots o' strengthening stuff to set them up again! Better her arm broken nor mine. Who would nurse me, eh? No—I don't want to visit her! She paid me for what I have done for her, and what she bad to eat—heaven knows that weren't much!—and so we're quits." "How long have you known Miss Cecil?" said Ashley, shifting his ground.

Dame Raseley deliberately lit hor short black pipe, and took her accustomed seat on a low stool which stood before the hearth, ere she replied. "Did she tell ye to ask me this?" "No," said Ashley, frankly "but, as I have no dishonorable motive in putting the question, you may as well answer it."

She smoked awhile in silence. "I ain't a mind to do that gal an harm, so I shan't say anything till knows what you'll make on't. here!" "You may be very sure that I shall do ithing to injure the courageous young creature to whom I owe the life of my

nothing to injure the courageous young

only ch'ld!" returned Ashley. "That's all well and good,'' was the equable reply: "but she's got an enemy, an' I saved her from his clutches once an' I shan't say nothing to put her into 'em again." "An enemy! Who is he? What do vou mean?"

She looked at him half cunningly, half defiantly. "Ask she, Muster Ashley if she wants'ee to know, she'll tell 'ee herself."

He colored with vexation, and instantly arose. "Perhaps you are right and I feel as if I had been acting meanly in coming here to question you. So I'll go home again. Good-by, old lady, andliere is a shilling to replenish your pipe with."

As he crossed the threshold, she called him back. "You ha'nt told me why ye wanted to know all this." "That's soon done, dame my wife and I have a notion that a nice little girl, like Miss Cecil, must have frionds somewhere who are grieying about her disappearance, and we thought it would he doing right, mind you, to try and restore her to them. You've lived in the world long enough to know that if young le make one false step, leaving their homes isn't the way to retrieve it!" "I don't know," she said dubiously, "I can't quite understand you but if ye're sure ye mean her well

What the deuce do you take me for?" exclaimed the visitor, angrily, "a scoundrel? Eh?" •Sit down again," she said composedly, "an we'll have a bit o' chat together. Do ye know when I first see her? Ye don't? Well, wait till I fill an' I'll tell ye! It was last Monday was a week," "Monday night—the 20th!" and Ash ley referred to his pocketbook. "I knows nothing about the 20th it Monday, an' I'd been down to Courton to fetch something somebody had promised to gi' to me. But that's nought to do wi' my tale only it was so heavy that when I got along the road to the town, as far as the stile into the woods, I wer glad enough to put my bundles down and ha' a rest."

Ashley knew that the dame made considerable profit occasionally by her reputed skill at fortune-telling, and could very well comprehend that some such errand had taken her Into the village, where the farmer's daughters—their wives, also—requited her predictions with gifts from the oven and larder. 5'Well, I hadn't eat there long—it wer' just after 8 o'clock, for I heard the clock strike—when two somebody's comes along at a tidy pace, till they drew nigh where I was. It was a'most too dark to tell the man from the woman but made 'em out pretty well, for they come to a sudden stop—leastways, she did, an' says, 'I'll go uo farther! Where are ye taking me?" "Then I oould hear that he wanted her to go right off to the town, an' stay there till the morning, an', then go to France, an' he swore that he would send her money enough to live upon if she wotild!" "Well!" exclaimed the breathless auditor, "did sbe agree to this?" "No. She cried bitterly but said 'no,' again and again. I can't mind (remember) half she said, but'twas all to the same purpose—that,although he promised fair

enough,

replied, a ay comecrhaps this

And as soon as he could spare an hoar

afire and sived her some hot tea to stop the sbiverfngs, and next day, and next to that, she laid here like a dead thing. 'Mint

fnr

t.hA aiohlno mnanlncp. An

'cept for the sighing an' moaning. An when she was a bit better, I got a body I knowed to sell her watch and chain for her, 'Twern't worth a great deal but it got her them few things you come to fetch, and some lace to work—she's main clever at that, too but she's done nought but roam about the woods, where she weren't likely to meet any one, an' fret, and read the old Bible there." "But the person—the man who was with her, did you not catch a glimpse of his face?"

v^i

"It was too dark for that" "Then, of course," remarked Ashley, "you cannot give any description of him?" "But I beerd his voice," said the old woman, "and I knowed that. He hit me once wi' his whip when I was picking a bit o' weod out o' a hedge, and called me an old thief. I ha'nt forgot it!" and there was a vindictive glimmer in her eyes. "Who was he asked Ashley, eagerly. "That's more nor I'm going to tell ye for when I told her I knowed him sbe begged and prayed o' me so hard that I'd never let on to anybody, that I promised I wouldn't, and I'll keep my word. But I didn't say," she muttered, "thatl wouldn't pay off old grudges when I got ft chance." "And this is a'l you have to tell me?" a&lrod ABKIaf. "AU, Muster Ashley!" was the emphatic reply "an' I don't see what you can make out of it." "Nor I either, Dame: unless Miss Cecil will will give us the clue to the mystery herself. Anyhow, her enemy— and I'm afraid I can give a tolerably close guess at him—will not have a chance of injuring her while under my roof. By heavens, I should like to have the trouncing of tbe cowardly villain!"

Dame Raseley nodded her approbation of this threatening speech, and became so gracious as to offer to bring Helena a lotion for her arm, composed of some herbs of marvelous efficacy in subduing inflammation.

Rewarding her revelation with an additional coin, Ashley retraced his steps homeward. His wife, with some anxiety, was awaiting his coming, and was speedily put in possession of the little he had gleaned. "We must wait," Mrs. Ashley observed "as Helena learns to know us better, she may freely give us that confidence it is prudent to withhold from strangers. The more I see of her the greater becomes my faith in her innate goodness and purity

And so they waited that day, and another but Helena's reserve continued. It was a reserve evidently irksoae to her naturally candid and transparent nature, but still sbe carefully preserved it. There were moments wnen the frank, impetuous Bessie grew impatient at the barrier this interposed between herself and her guest Bat a glance at the pale, sad face of tbe young girl, as she reclined in the easy chair, striving to enter into the boisterous merriment of little Harry, who had taken a violent fancy to his fair pieserver, reanimated her compassion, and, with many selfreproaches she would redouble her tender attentions.

In tbe meanwhile, where was Mr. Clyde? Ashley had asked this question of one of tbe carters who worked at the mills, and learned that he had been in London for the last three days, and that his return was uncertain. How would he behave when he learned—as Courton gossip ere long would teach him—that Helena was their guest? Charles Ashley and his wife secretly wondered and Bessie, seated at her open window to secure the last gleams of the setting sun, was pondering while sbe worked. A quick step in the flower garden caused her to raise her eyes. It was Clyde.

Dropping

The

"Sffi

she doubted him. and

wouldn't leave England unless he'd go too. "Then he and muttered, till he frigi an' then, he said she shouldn't leave him till she'a took an oath te keep what he bad done a secret I most forget what she said to that some'at abeut keeping the secret as long as nobody suffered by it but that didn't seem to satisfy him. I grew tired o' listening for, you see, I oould only Catch a word here an' there, an' wa&just about to pick up my bundle and go on, when I beard a loud scream, that fairly made my knees tremble under me!"

more angry, and swore, frightened her,

'•Go on—pray, go on, Dame?" i*, "Well, they'd got a good piece ahead _»me then, an* Iwas in a mortal pucker what to do bat I oomed bade Into the road, and was for trotting back to Courton as fast as my legs could carry me, when she comes flying back, an', catching a sight of me, gripped my arm, an' red me to save ber. He was dose _nd, bat I bed her down into the dry ditch among the ferns in a minute and, as soon as he had got by. I brought her borne as quick as I could. Small tear of his foil owl us through the wood at that time o' night!" "Bravo, Dame! I did not think you were so courageous. Did she—did Miss Cecil give yoa any explanation?" "Not a word ha'sbe told me, Muster Aahlev. I brought her home, an' made

her work with a faint start

of surprise and alarm, Mrs. Ashley glanced at her guest. Her uninjured arm supporting the little boy's curly head as he nestled beside her she was hushing him to sleep with some simple ditty, and smiling at tbe childish tyranny with which he fretfully bade her sing again, every time her voice ceased to fall upon his vtti

It was evident that she had not seen who was approaching, or that, if the momentary darkening of the casement had made her look up, the casual glimpse had not warned her of his presence.

next moment Mr. Clyde had entered, aud stood face to face with Helena.:.

CHAPTER VI.

THE MYSTERY—STRANGERS. In the haste of his entrance, and the

S[r.

artial twilight enveloping tho room, Clyde saw not that there was anybody present besides Mrs. Ashley, to whom he at once eagerly addressed himself. "I have lust this moment arrived from town and "beard from Burton how have nearly lost your heavens, Mrs. Asn

you

little son. Good

Asnley, what a shock it

must have inflicted upon you! How did it occurf" The position in whioh he stood barred tbe progress of Helena, who had risen to retire, aud she mutely retreated, while her confused and half-frightened hostess faltered, "Do you notknow? Have you not heard?" and then paused ab-

I have beard nothing more than a few hurried words from the porter, for Mr. Ashler was so buay I could not speak to him. So I ventured here to offer my congratulations upon an escape wbirh, if Burton does not exaggerate, must have been almost miraculous. The child, be told me, had strayed on to the rails, and must inevitably have been killed but for the courage of a lady, who rescued him at the risk of ber life. All honor to her for the noble deed! Who was she?" "Nay!" Baid Helena, speaking with gentle earnestness, "this is bestowing praise where praise is not due. The act of snatching up the poor fellow was but an impulsive one, wnich any one who saw his danger would have perfermed." "It is to you, then," Mr. Clyde exclaimed, turning to the speaker, and bowing courteously—"it is te you, madam, that my baby-friend owes his life? But I perceive that you did not escape without Injury. Mrs. Ashley, I must beg of you to introduce me. My surprise and regret at Burton's tidings must be my apology for coming in so radely, and overlooking the presence of a stranger."

Was this apiece of consummate acting, or did he not really recognize Helena in tbe darkness of the room?

While Bessie hesitated4ber husband, who, unseen by either of the party, bad closely followed Mr. Clyde, spoke for her. His voice was grave and stem. "I will light the lamp. It is not fitting that such a meeting as this should take place in tbe dark."

As tbe soft glimmer fall upon the group, Ashley and his wife eagerly iookea toward Clyde but not a muscle of his fece betrayed surprise or any other unpleasant emotion. He stood gazing with placid complaisance at tbe

down cast features of Helena, who had resumed her seat with &n air that expressed weariness and weakness, but nothing more. "Is ft possible?" asked Ashley, unable to control his amazement—"is it possible that you do not recognize each other? Look, Miss Cecil—this is Mr. Clyde!"

On her side, a start, a smothered exclamation, and a great effort to recover composure on his, some astonishment at Mr. Ashley's manner, an inquiring scrutiny of the lady's profile, and a halfamused, half-questioning glance at Mrs. Ashley, as if from her he sought a solution of whatever seemed odd and unusual in this introduction.

But Bessie had glided to the side of her husband, and, with her arm passed through his, stood breathlessly awaiting a reply.

Frankly and unconstrainedly it was uttered. "Miss Oecil! No, I do not think I have ever had the pleasure of meeting Miss Cecil till now. Have I, madam?"

Her face flushed, her eye sank, but her answer was a low, yet decided, "No we are strangers to each other." "Strangers!" cried Bessie. "Strangers!" reiterated her husband. "Can I believe this? Are you jesting."

Mr. Clyde's gesture of angry surprise was sufficient reply. No it was impossible to doubt his innocence and a rush of remorseful regret at the suspicions he had been cherishing made Ashley suddenly extend his hand to him and cry, "Forgive me, Mr. Clyde, I have cruelly wronged you!"

For a moment his guest hesitated, as if unable to comprehend the meaning of this speech. But the certainty slowly dawned upon him that the delicate girl wbe sat before him in her simple mour-ning-dress must be sbe with whose supposed disappearance the stationmaster had so pertinaciously coupled his name. Smilingly accepting the proffered grasp, with increasing curiosity he awaited an explanation.

There was an embarrassing pause, which was broken by Ashley, who, having in bis perplexed mind, vainly striven to reconcile tbe seeming contrarities presented to it, became Irritated and annoyed. "What am I to understand'from this? Are you aware, Miss CeoiT, that the strange circumstances attending your stay at Courton have caused much anxiety to me, and some danger to Mr. Clyde?"

Pale as death she rose from her chair, only to sink back into it faintly repeating: "Danger! and to Mr. Clyde! How? Oh, tell me!"

Strange, this extreme interest in one she bad just declared she knew not. Ashley concisely related his own great surprise at ber not returning to him at tbe gate of the mills, and the train of trifles which seemed to link the manager with the events of the night, and her subsequent sojourn at Dame Raseley's cottage.

Much of this was, of course, new to Mr. Clyde also. He listened eagerly, and when Ashley ceased speaking, he, too, gazed earnestly at the half-bidden faoe of Helena, who, by an occasional sob, testified how deeply the retrospect was t.ffeoting her.

Suddenly she dashed away her tears, and advancing toward Mrs. Ashley, as if her compassionate looks gave ber couragc to prooeed, the agitated girl spoke. "If you knew—oh, if you could but know, bow I grieve for tbe trouble my presence here has brought with it! You wonder at my reserve—at my sullen and ungrateful reception of your generous kindness. You, who have nothing to conceal, invite me by your hospitality, by the obligations you lavish upon me, to treat you as such friends should be treated to frankly say who I am, and whence I came and why this anxious, this torturing care, which is foreign to my youth, is weighing me down. And I—alas, alas!—I can not—I dare not tell you! For the sake of another, I must be silent—unless she stopped abruptly, and her eyes, lit by some inexplicable meaning, momentarily rested on the face of Mr. Clyde. But from thence they traveled to Ashley's, and she extended her arms, and bent before him. "You suspect me! Oh, Mr. Ashley, I am afraid to guess what you think of me—or what constructions you are putting upon what I have done and said."

He reddened. "All my gratitude and admiration, Miss Cecil, will not blind me to the unpleasant fact that there is much in your conduct so incomprehensible that I must beg of you to explain it."

Flushes of wounded feeling and shame dyed even her neck and brow but there was modest dignity in the air with which she quietly confronted tbe speaker. "You have already misjudged your friend,Mr.

Ashley spare yourself the

greater remorse and reproach of unjustly condemning an innocent and friendless woman."

Bessie involuntarily drew nearer to her, and laid an arm caressingly over her shoulders, while tho station-master —ashamed and embai rassed—knew not how to reply.

Just then the porter tapped at the door. "Beg pardon, sir, but the train's due."

Tbe low whining and scratching of a dog had been indlstlnctlvely beard in every pause of the voices within the cottage, ever since Mr. Clyde bad been there and now a little Scotch terrier took advantage of the man's entrance to creep in the room.

He fawned upon Mr. Clyde, who im patiently thrust him away and, shrinking fiom that upraised hand,{the creature was slinking into a corner, when he beheld Helena.

With a joyful bark be sprang to her feet, and lavished upon her such mute demonstrations of affection that it was easy to perceive he recognized in her an old acquaintance.

Instfctlvely the girl stooped to return these caresses but, suddenly gazing with a scared look at tbe eager faces around, she repulsed the dog, and, gliding from tbe room, hastened to shut herself in the room set apart for her

I cannot stay another moment." exclaimed Ashley, hurrying away, ''but if ou can wait for a few moments, Mr. yde, I will walk part of the way to Courton with you."

To this Walter Clyde willingly assented, and be and Mrs. Clyde were left together. "Is it yours?" she asked pointing to the dog, which was running restlessly about in search of Helens. "No. I brought it from our London office?. It was the property of an old derk of of ours, who dead and it seemed so delected that, when it attempted to follow me. I coald not resist the impulse to bring it away." "But Helena—the animal evidently knows her. Does this throw any light upon ber antecedents?"

Mr. Clyde thought awhile. "I oould almost say yes. Indeed, I think I can give a tolerably eleee guess as to who she is and whence she comes. Bnt why she is here, or who this person is for whom I.have been mistaken, I am unable to surmise." 'It is most extraordinary!" cried

Bessie. "Whom, then, do you suppose

Mr. Clyde irently interrupted her. "Dear Mrs. Ashley, even if I were certain that I knew the connections of Miss Cecil, would it be honorable to reveal what she is so anxious to conoeal from us?"

But now Mrs. Ashley was not listening for his reply. Her quick ear had detected some unusual sounds upon the platform. The running to and fro of many feet a woman's scream and the hum of many voices.

Did some fresh misfortune threaten them Her husband—had auy accident happened to him?

Sick, and pale with fear, she staggered to the door, but her failing strength would carry no further. "Something is amiss," she faltered, to her astonished companion. "Iam sure there is! Ob, what can it be?" "Great heavens!" ho exclaimed, "what makes you think so? Calm yourself, pray be calm. I will go and ascertain."

And, as wrth clasped hands she sank into tbe nearest chair, he quickly traversed the garden, sprang up the steps, and disappeared in the darkness of the

night.

[TO BE CONTrNUED.]

Get soar

sniRTS

MADE AT

HUNTER'S I

Shirt Factory. GOOD WORK and

Low Prices.

GO TO THE

jim'i

"CENTRAL"

.. .... -FOR-

Books,

Stationery, Blank Books

Etc.

BUTTON A HAMILTON

Main Stret.

They sine It In tlif parlora It Is whistled nil nbMit. They play It on hand orgnno

THAT

Patton Bros

KKF.H TilK

Boat Groceriw OUT Fourth PtrpM Orpo

Bite Market

TIOHKH.

TRUNKS

rigK«r l! KlephaiitH IHAVKLlKft MACJS FOR THE MILLON. Manufactured and Hold /a{

V. (i. Dickhout.

PRICES

LOW.

FOR

BABY CABS

AND

VELOCIPEDES

NCUDDER