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mont n 1 wers, 1 vH C M U M w io WOV ce hi ind ao edvaldciaed as tre rms ave â€"arrived One of the of age, wWAas ms with his »r. A woundâ€" ty men were r section to cors. â€" But on sh force the »wildered, as ETLE 1 Childre s been marâ€" d by first econd._ _ His 104. He has a surprising i the Transâ€" rill cease if npound Tron equpâ€" n were geants fficers, SALVBE wn â€" Nails & V t# n *ranm uie ransâ€" 1 his iInde a t roops \Ov with Mr Ned the iith bi xp)Ja LLLER i1 w resse it Oops e no sicke W in rp qual i rueâ€" ning . ticâ€" rl ronâ€" rces W 1€T nal my N ine inst tOT ts the i te Â¥n 1( D6 18 re 18 "I have known her ever since I was ten years old. Ruby, dariling, I do not wisl: to distress you, but I am very mach afraid that there has been a plot laid to part us, andâ€"to comproâ€" * Why, Walter, what can possibly have put such an idea into your head?" Ruby exclaimed. 4 *Wi.l you tell me just how you hapâ€" pened to come out to this place to spend the summer?" he asked. _ She told him, relating how her sisâ€" ter had seen the advertisement, and what we a‘ready know of her account of the circumstances. "Has it not appeared rather strange that you cou‘:d securse such a residence all to yourselves, the attendance of servants, and the us of horses and carrlage, upon sucn exceedingiy fayâ€" orable terms?"‘ Walter omestioned. . "Yes, I did think we were remarkâ€" ably fortunate ; but I know that some peop.e prefer to have their houses*ept open.. Este:le said the arrangement was made chiefly to keep Mrs. Coxon from being lonely, and make her conâ€" tent to remain here while the family was absent. She said also that the owner preferred to have us use his horses, as they needed the exercise." "Have you any idea who the owner »f this property is ?" Walter questionâ€" ed, wondering to see how completely she had been hoodwinked. "Yes. Estelle said his name wasâ€" Edmunds, I believe," Ruby replied, thinking a‘ll this crossâ€"questioning a little strange. T "Walter"‘ exclalimed the young girl, starting to her feet, a look of consternation upon her lovely face. Ruby pleaded, clinging to him as if "It is true, my darling. Edmund Carâ€" penter is the owner of this beautiful place, which was also my home for wmany years, and now you can unadorâ€" stand how Mrs. Coxon happens to he "Ruby, bis name isâ€"Edmund Carâ€" penter I" an old friend. Sho was always very kin‘\l to me, and I havo boeen in the habit of visiting her occasionally since Edmund informed me that 1 had been a dependent long enough." " Whon shall you be obliged to go back to Chester?" Ruby â€"asked, after a thouzhtful pause. "By the first of next woeek. I have a good many orders to give for our building, and there are some aliterations to be made in the plans that wiil take a day or two." "WThon 1 shall remain here until after you go, and you will see me oftern until then, will you not?" she feit a new dependence upon him. "Certainly, if I may," bhe answer "‘Then 1 shall remain here untlii after you go, and you will see me oftern until then, will you not?" she feit a new dependence upon him. "Certainly, if I may," bhe answer ed, eagerly. * Of course, you may. I _ shall tell Estelle immediately of the reâ€" lations existing between us, and give her to understand that I resent anything like what has occurred toâ€"night, or any further piotting or interference regarding my â€" future," Ruby said, with an air of decision. "You have & â€" strong will, my darling, if you and frail in body." "I am oid enough to choose for mysel{ in matters relating to . my vital interests." "Well, dear, it is growing late, and I will not keep you longear," the young lover returned, "I wil} run out again toâ€"morrow evening, with your perâ€" misszion, and, Ruby, since you deem it best to tell your sister of our engageâ€" ment, may I bring you a visible seal to our compacet ?" _ hE "If you wish, ing, yet feeling glad to have it _ And then the young man bade her a foud goodâ€"night, and went away with a light heart, in spite of his repugâ€" nance to her remaining an inmate of Edmund Carpenter‘s home, and a reâ€" cipent of his bounty, for it amounted to that. (obgk p Ruby went thoughtfully upstairs, after his doparture, but just as she reached her own door, Mrs. Gordon put her head out of hers, and asked : "Is that you, Ruby ?" "Yes, Estelle. Aro you still up?" "Yes, it has boen so warm thas § have not felt like going to bed. . But where have you been ? I thought you retired longe ago." A ‘"*May I come in, IESteil6, ii yOU dl" u0t ready to go to bed just yet?" Ruby asked, unheeding her question, and resolving to settle matters then and there. d L Something in the grave decision of the young voice arrested Mrs. Gorâ€" don‘s attention, even startiing her, and opeaing her door wider, sho said : "Â¥aeq ecome in if you like. But you **Yes, come in i you lixe. DC . d‘d not tel! me where you have bee "I have been down in Mrs. Cox:â€" on‘s sittingâ€"room," Ruby stated, as she entered the room â€" and seated herself in a rocker, where she could look her sister full in the face. "Pray, what have you been doâ€" ing there?" "I had & caller." " &A caller! And in Mrs. Coxon‘s room at this time of night! Who? Mrs. Gordon questioned, growing A triile pale, as she began to suspect the truth. * Walter." " Walter!" echoed the woman, her ire rising as she realized that she had been outwitted, and was about to be calied to account for her deâ€" ception. * Waliter who, pray ?" "Estelle, you know; Waiter Richâ€" ardson." " "Indeed! But I did not know that you were upon such familiar terms with him that you addressed him by his Christian name." " Why did you treat him so, Esâ€" telle?‘ â€" demanded â€" f#uby, ignOoring her sister‘s sueering remark. °* You knew where I was, and you should have called me." p * Tuges * An€e why ?" " Because bhe is no fit associate for you." ® "Why ?* Ruby repeated. "fle is as poor as povertyâ€"a nobody â€"ankl I d» not wish your name to be coupled with his." _0 _ _ i aw here." â€" "But it will be, Estelle, henceefforth, as long as I live, forâ€"I have promised to marry him!" cHAPTER XXIX. Ruby‘s LDecision, not approve of his visiting ~Ruby replied, blushâ€" that she should be Estelle, if you are "C soge reso|ute are slight you crazy ?" en MPSDg C "Not at all. I have been engaged to him nearly ever sinceâ€"Robert died," The sweet voice faltered a trifle â€""Ah! hbe took advantago of Your weakness, d‘d he, and wrung a promâ€" ise from you at such a time as that?" _ ‘"He had gained my respect and adâ€" mirationâ€"yes, and loveâ€"long belfore that." Rub, said, calmly. _ 5 "You are a little fool, Ruby, and do not know what you are talking about," retorted her sister, angrily. "Isn‘t it enoug‘t that you are almost a beggar yourself, without lowering yourself by marrying another °" "Don‘t you think you are using rather strong language to me. Esâ€" teile?"‘ Ruby asked, quietiy, though her eyes glittered with a dangerous light. ‘"No one is a beggar who is able to take care of one‘s seif. EAamund Carâ€" penter tried to make Walter one by turning him out of the home that had been his for years, aud which he believed he still had a right to share, even after the death of Mr. Ralph Carpenter ; but by his own efforts he has r‘gen to an honorable pos!tion, ard one which promises to pay him well in the <near future, I do not cons‘der that the obnoxlous term which you have used apâ€" plies to me, eithor, sincs I have shown that I am able to provide for my own wants for nearly a year, COnâ€" sequently can do so in the (uturo._" T "You have earned your own clothâ€" ing and pinâ€"money, I know ; but if you had been obliged to pay for your board and lodging besides, I imagins you wou‘ld not speak quite so indeâ€" pendently. You know that Robert provided for you as long as he lived, and since his death you have been my special care, and I shall consider you very ungrateful if you thwart all my plans for you," Mrs. Gordon reâ€" turned, with an injured air. * "What plans, Estele ?" "Why, you must know that I deâ€" sire to see you nice‘ly settled in lifeâ€" to have you occupy a position becomâ€" ing your birth and education." _ _ "In other words, your heart is still set upon my marl_'y_'mg‘Mr. Carpenter‘!" ca 4 ts 2e uid ons Whccetcadie P im c P onactiets ie e "He is very rich; he wou‘d make you an excellent â€" husband. You wou‘ld never want for anything." "I shou‘d not want for anything but happiness, whicu I should never have. Estelle, you and I had better understand each other, once for all. £ sha‘ll never marry Edmund Carâ€" penter. I have to‘d you so once beâ€" fore; but if I knew I shou‘d have tn live single all my life otherwise, and work for every morsel I ate, I wou‘ld nsver be hbhis wife. And now I want to te.l you that I know you bew= not been dealing fairly with me â€"that you have leut yourself to an ignoble schome to entrap me in some wn{, so as to bring this about." "What do you mean?" interrupted Mrs. Gordon, with an angry flush. "You need not feign ignorance, Esâ€" telle, and I intend to tell you all that I know, for I have made up my mind to settle this matter toâ€"night and for all time," replied Ruby, with a resolution that astonished her sigâ€" ter. "I know that you have deceived me rboat coming here to spend the summer ; it is all a plot between you and Mr. Carpenter to compromise me. L do not know just how, nor how far you would have carried your schemes, but even the matter of obligation that I have unconsciously incurred is more than I can tamely submit to. I know Mr. Edmund Carpenter owns this place and what we pay is not a tithe in return for what we are rocoivin@‘ that the horses and carâ€" "Goocd heavens! Ruby Gordon, are this place and what we pay is not a tithe in return for what we are receiving; that the horses and carâ€" riages which we bave been using so freely, instead of belonging to a ‘gentieman who is arxious to have them properly exercised, have been placed at our disposal by him to help on an unworthy cauwse. I have thought from the first it was rather strange you were able to secure all these luxuries upon such easy terms, but I never suspected the truth until toâ€" nicht." "Pray, who enlightened you . to snch an extent?" demanded Mrs. Gorâ€" don, with angry sarcasm. "My own common sense, as soon as I knew that we were living in _ Mr. Carpenter‘s house. Now, Estelle, I utteriy refuse to remain here ; I will not be under such obligrations to a man whom I despiseâ€"â€"" "I do not know what right you have to despise him," interrupted Mrs. Gordon, spirited‘y. & P W "What I_ have learned toâ€"night would be sufficient of liself to make me do that," Ruby returned, comâ€" posedly ; "but there are other things. I believe he is a thoroughly unprinâ€" cipled man; if he had not been, he never wou‘ld have threatensd a young girl, simply because she did not choose to marry him ; or a young man because he saw fit to bestow cerâ€" iain attentions upon me. More than all this, Estelle, if the truth were known, I believe he has been withâ€" ho‘lding propsrty which rightly beâ€" longs to another." 4 Â¥f yM "I suppose it cannot be proved," Ruby returned, with a sigh. "But that is neither hsre nor there; yOu have heard what I said, and I want aNUERIgNE GNCC PPNCU GACa UE "You might find it rather difficu‘t to prove that statement," said Mrs. Gordon. 8 P you "Do you mean to te‘l me that you will give up ail these comforts and go back to the hot city ?" cried her sister, angrily. C 1 to it. "I mean that I shall not stay here ; I will go with you, Estelle, anyâ€" where e‘se that you may choose, but if you persist in remaining here, I shall leave you by yourself." . CHAPTER XXX. An Eavesdropper. She was aware that EAmund Carâ€" penter intended to call the next mornâ€" iug to invite Ruby and hersol{ to visit a point of interest several miles disâ€" tant ; but she knew well enough, too, that Ruby would refuse to go; while she feared that she might betray something of the spirit of the previous night to him; so she persuaded her to co into town to do a little shopping for her, ‘n ordor to gain an uninterâ€" rupted interview with the obroxious lover. to understand that I sha‘ll live up en he came, she related what occurred the previous evening, MA se c 0n Saee ts oi s :oi is insy 1. s : " «t osmprerin in 10 ie e filerce with anger. © "That boy will cross my path once too often yet," he muttered, threatâ€" €ningly. "But," he added,"I did not believe that Ruby Gordon would really stoop to marry any one so far beneath her." "Ruby bas some pecullar ideas, reâ€" garding casww," Mrs. Gordon returnâ€" and the man‘s face grew dark and ed. ‘"Monay and position appear to have very iittle value in her estimaâ€" tionâ€"a stainless name and a noble character are more to her than unâ€" limited possessions would be." _‘Edmund Carpenter started and cover a flaw in her idolâ€"if he should be found gullty of some crims or wrong doing‘? he asked, with a peâ€" cullar look. "If anything of the kind should be proved against him, I am sure that ber dream of love would be overâ€"or, at least, that she would refuse to marry him." Do you suppose my prospects would be any better in that event?" "There would surély be quite a formidable obstacle removed from your path," Mrs. Gordon replied, evasively. "It shall be removed, then!" her companion responded, with compressâ€" ed lips. "Whether I succeed, or not, that proudâ€"spirited beggar shall be removed from my path." "How wiil you manage it?" "I do not know yet ; there must be some way to accomplish it." "Ceax her to stay," said Mr. Carâ€" penter. "Coax her‘" repeated his companâ€" lon, with an expressgive shrug of her shapely shoulders. " Mss Gordon is not easily coaxed when thero is a principle at stake, as I have recently learned to my mortification." _ "Play the invalic, then, and keep her with you. She surely woulid not leave you if you were ill ; it would be a question of ‘duty, you know.‘" During the next day or two Edmund Carpenter set himsel{ diligently to work to asceortain what Waliter‘s paus were. He found what we already know ; that he was only in the city temporarily ; that he was engaged upon a contract at Chester, and would leave Philadelphia the first of the coming week, and this expiained why Ruby had also dec‘ded to leave on Monday for Redvilie. He did not present h‘mself once during the interval at Forestvale, but he watched and played the spy upon the lovers, and waited his opportunity to spring some trap upon them that should ruin thelr happiness forever. The last night of Waliter‘s stay he followed him as he went to pay his final visit to lils betrothed. Reaching his estate he hitched his horse to a tree in a secluded spot outâ€" side the grounds, and then stole softly up to the house, liko a thief, hoping to overhear something that would help him in his schome. He was not disappointed, for, as he drew near, he heard voeas upon the veranda. . Heo know ins.inctively to whom they belonged, and creeping softly nearer upon the velvet turf he stationed himâ€" self behind some vines which grew over on» ond of the plazza, and where he cgould. easliy overhnear all that passed between Waiter and Ruby. The night was sultry ; the sky was heavy with clouds, making it very dark, while low and frequent mutterâ€" ings in the west told of an approachâ€" ing thunderstorm. " Estelis hae not been well today," Ruby was saying, just as the eavesâ€" drosper settled h‘mself in his position. "I hope she is not going to be lill, for just as soon as I receive a reply to my letter I shall go to Redville." " Haven‘t you heard from Mr. Rugâ€" gles yet ?" Walter asked. " No; and I cannot nnderstand it, for there has been ample time." "Then you have nos been able to persuade Mrs. Gordon to go with you ?" d " No; she does not appear to want to, though I am going to make one last attempt to induce her to accomâ€" pany me.â€" "I wish you were going toâ€"morrow," Walter said, gravely ; " I shall feel far safer about you when I know you are with our good friend, though it will take you so far from me; but I shall try to be patient until the time arâ€" rives for my vacation, when I shall come to you." & The listener behind the vines ground his teoeth as he overhkeard this plan, and mentally vowed that Walter at least should not spend any portion of that summer at Redvilie. CHAPTER XXXIL An Accident. A window opened from Mrs. Coxon‘s room upon the veranda, and Ruby unâ€" fastening a blind and putting her nead inside saw the woman seated at her table darning stockings. _ _ _ "Mrs. Coxon, have yeu a spare bed toâ€"night ?" she asked. as the houseâ€" keeper looked up at -f.lf'e intrusion. "Yes, ha‘f a dozen. Who wants one?" she replied, suspending ber darning operations, and glancing up over the rim of her spectacles. se 1i o _ "A benighted and weatherâ€"bound traveler, who is aiso a favorite of yours, I believe." [d ud S oo dinie e is a ie y C m e o@eeitcte te "I have but ons favorite, and that is Walter; if he wants a bed he‘s we‘come to the best in the house," Mrs. Coxon returned. "Ah, I see," she added, as Walter bent his tall form and looked in upon her, "you‘ve been caught in the shower. Come in, you reackless young folk, out of the rain, or you‘ll caten your death of cold. She arose, and unfastened the door for them, and her face was aglow with pleasure and hosp‘tality, as she shook hands witi Waiter. " Where are you going to put me, Mrs. Coxon ? Almost â€" anywhere will do," said Walter, not liking to make trouble. x "I guess ‘almost anywhere‘ won‘t do," she retorted. * You‘ll _ have your own room, of course. No other would ssem like home to you." a And she bustled away, while the lovers sat down to enjoy another chat until sho should return. They were, of course, unconscious that they had been followed, and that Edmund Carpenter had crept upoun the veranda, and close vuuder the still open window, intent upon learning more of their plans. He was boiling with rage over Mrs. Coxon‘s plain speaking regardâ€" ing his father‘s will, and began to feel that she might be a dangerous person to have about the bouse. He had always felt very â€" secure . roâ€" garding the will until now ; but it his housekeeper was as suspicious as she appeared to be, there was no knowing to what lengths _she might carry her interest for Walâ€" ter, and he began to grow uncasy, she should suddeniy disâ€" wÂ¥ in her idolâ€"if he should e fu. Nepion®c s and to wish that the document was destroyed, and beyond all danger of discovery. ke remained nearly an hour beâ€" neath the window, learning all that was possible of the lovers‘ plans, and when at length Walter‘s room was ready, and he took leave of Ruby, knowing he would not see her in the morning because of being obliged to go away so early, Edmund Carpenter stole away in the darkness and storm, maturing a plan to ruin the young man. The storm continued throughout the night, but the morning broke as clear and tranquil as if no cloud had ever obscured the sky. _ _ _ s Walter arose with the dawn and stole quietly from the house in orâ€" der not to disturb anyone, and made his way as rapidly as possible back to the city, where he partook of an early breakfast, after which he took the 6 o‘ciock train for Chester, where he was superintending the erecâ€" tion of a handsome edifice. $ As hbe alighted ana turned to leave the station he saw an elderly woman just getting out of the Southern Exâ€" press. She was tall and commanding in figure, with brigh., pleasant black eyes, and rather massive features, yet upon the whole very attractive, while her forehead was crowned with clustering masses of snowâ€"white hair, which gave her a very venerable apâ€" pearance. She was richly, though not showily, clad, and she moved with an air of dignity and pride. 5 ul _ She stopped as she stepped from the car, and appeared to be looking {for some one. 6 P oc sA d At this moment a heavilyâ€"loaded baggage truck _ came thundering along. _ The platform was i jittle on the down grade just at that point, which gave a sudden impescs to the truck, and the woman, gee ing it, stepped back against the car to be farther away from it aad out of danger. _ i C 4 L d UT MR E* But whether the man who had charge of it was careless, or someâ€" thing in the formation of the platâ€" form sent the truck out of line, no one was ever able to tell; but it suddenly veered to the right, and before Walter, who instantly saw the danger, could spring forward to render assistance, it had run direct: ly into the nobleâ€"looking . stranger and pinned her close against the car. " What are you thinking of ?" Walter shouted to the truckman, as he dashed to the rescue, and, exâ€" erting all his strength, pushed the heavilyâ€"laden â€" vehicle to one gide, and released the sufferer from her perilous and painf{ful gituation. E0 on se n td The woman had not cried out â€" Or made a sign that she was hurt, but her face was as white as the hair clustering about her temples, and as she was freed from the crushing weight that had been fore: ed against her, one Arm dropped broken and helpless at her side, and the other hand, frem â€" which the glove had been torn, WAas badly bruised and bleeding. _ " You are seriously hurt, I .fear, madam," Walter said, as he stcoped to recover her travelling bag, which she had dropped. " What can I do for you?‘> .‘ ied : 6 Before replying she lifted her keen eyes and searched his face. Evidently she was satisfied that he was trustâ€" worthy, for she said : i _"If you will kindly assist me to the ladies‘ room I will thank you." She spoke composedly, but her very lips were white now, and Walter could see that it was only by a mighty efâ€" fort of her will that she concealed the agony the was suffering. "Certainly," he said, a~s supporting her by the arm, for s*o was unable to take his, he led her into the ladies‘ room and seated her in a chair. â€""You are very kind," she murmurâ€" ed; "and now have you a sharp knife ?" *3 3 C 4 "Yes, madam." And he. drew it quickly from his pocket and opened it. "Please cut off my gloves," _ she said ; "my hands are swelling rapidly and they are painful." Walter knelt before her, and, takâ€" ing the hand that he had noticed was bleeding, quickly cut the glove away, revealing more plainly the livid and mangled flesh and bruises beneath. He then turned to the other arm, which still hung limp and helpless at her side. o t Lo 3 "Lift it into my lap. It is broken, I fear, for I have no power over it but the glove must come off immeâ€" diately," the woman said, as he hesiâ€" tated to touch it. _ He 4‘d as she commanded, but the sight that met his eyes whem he had removed the glove nearly unmanned him ; for the bones of the wrist were broken and almost protruding through the flesh, while he was sure there was still another break farther up. But she was very brave and selfâ€" possessed, thanking him for his aid, and she even smiled upon him as he lifted his own pale face to hers, sayâ€" ing : "Let me go for a surgeon." "No, not yet," she replied, "I must get home first. I expected my carâ€" riage to be here to moet me, but I saw nothing of my coachman and fear my telegram was not received. If you will gat me a publ‘c conveyance and help me into it, I will trouble you no further." "Havre you baggage?" Wailter inâ€" quired, springing to his feet to execute her®ecommi{iss‘on, and thinking she was the bravest lady he had ever seen. He secured a carriags, and then asâ€" sisted the man in transferring the baggage to it, notins that ‘the trunks werse marked "Mrs. M. E. Howland," ard that they had come from St, Lou‘ls. This accomplished, he returned to the waitingâ€"room for the injured wQâ€" man, whom he assisted to the coachs where he made her as comfortable as ‘t was possible to do, and then asked _*"Yes, and I shall need will find my checks in t my travellingâ€"bag." _ | room. her address. "Ko. 6 â€"â€" avenue." she told him, and would have thanked him for his kindness, but he qu‘eckly: closed the carr‘age door, and, springing upon the box with the drivor, told him to get her home with all possible despatch. Arriving at No. 6 â€"â€" avenue, Mrs. Howland appeared somewhat . éurâ€" prised when Walter again presented himsolf at the door to ass‘ist her to alight. But she looked gratified, too, in spite of her pain, which was every moment increasing. Very gently ho helped her into the house, which, a single glance was sufflcient to tell him, was a most luxurious one, and when in less than throe minutes she had as many serâ€" vants about her, eager to give her the care and assistance she so much Her first order was found them, and darted from the for her coachâ€" I it, too. You the pocket of man to go for a surgeon, and then she calmly gave directions for certain remedies to be brought and applied to relieve her untll he should arrive, and was so brave and cheerful, in spite of her helplessness, that Walter was filled with admiration for her. He helped the driver get the trunks into the house, paid and dismissed him, and then went and asked if there wae anything more he could do. ‘‘Yes, my young friend ; tell me your name, that I may know to whom I am indeobted for so much kinduess," Mrs. Howland answered, while she studied his fine face earnestly. ‘"‘My name is Richardson â€" Walter Richardsoun," the young man replied. | "In Philadelphia, usually ; but just at pressnt I am engaged upon a buildâ€" ing contract in this place." *"*Where do your parents reside ?" "I have none; I was born in New York city, where both my father and mother died. But, madam, pray do not let me trouble you with my affairs while you are suffering so. I had betâ€" ter leave you now," Walter concluded, seeing how very ill sho suddonly secemed to have grown. Lo ‘"Walter Richardson!" she repeated, ‘fl a? pecullar tone. â€" ‘"Where do you live 2" **Yes," she returned, lean‘ing wearly back in her chair, while her face was ghastly white, though her eyes woere fastened with a, look of eager inquiry upon his face, "yes, go now, but promâ€" tse that you will come to see me again soon ; I must see you again, forâ€"for you have been very kind." _ _ t But all day long, and for serâ€" eral days, his thoughts were with that grand woman who had disâ€" played so much nerve and courâ€" »ge at a time when almost any one eise would have been prostrated by the painful ordeal through which she had "I will come," Walter nrom‘ised, and then went away, just as the surgeon came bustling in, and repaired to his place of business. 4 cHAPPER XXXIIL An Arrest. Madams Howland, as she was known m the suburban city where she te sided, was a very proud and wealthy womanâ€"or &o considered by people who only krew her in a general way. She had belonged to one of the oldest families of Baitimore; had been reâ€" garded as a beauty and a belle in her early life; had been married tw.es, each time to a rich and cultivated gentienman, and bad _ naturally held herself wâ€"th all the prie which usually attends such unexceptional birth and position. | ‘She hbhad no childrenâ€"though report said that she had lost, years ago, one idolized sonâ€"and lived alone in her grandeur, with . only â€" her servants about her ; was considered exceedingly exciusive and coldâ€"hearted by society, though it was whispered among the poor that her purse and heart wore always open to their needs and supp}iâ€" cations. Walter calicd at hor door every moruing during the woek after her accident, to inquire for hber, and was glad to jlearn that she was doing very weli, although her wmjuries â€" hau been of a _ very serious nature. Her right wrist and arm hbhad been broken in two places, besides being bad‘y bruised, while the left hand had been shockingly lacerâ€" ated, though no bones were broken in it. .“.At the end of a week Walter was invited to enter, being to‘d that madâ€" am desired to see him. _ He was conducted to her private par.orâ€"a beautiful room in the secâ€" ond story of the house, where he found her sitting in a huge invalidâ€"chair, both hands bandaged and he‘pless, and looking somewhat worn from the pain that she had suffered, but still bearâ€" ing herse‘f proudly, and with the disâ€" tinguished air that had so atitracted Walter when he first saw her. _ She glanced up as he entered, in a bright and animated way, saying : "We‘l, young men, you find me still crippled, and I imagine it will be some time yet before I shall be able to shake that good right hand of yours that did me such efficient service. However, I wanted to see you. Bo draw a chair near to me, and ta‘k to me for a little while." h (Wa‘ter obeyed, remarking as he sat down, that he was glad to find her so much more comfortable than when he saw her last. _ "Yes, if you call it comfortable to be a literal example of what it is to have your hands tied," she respondâ€" ed, laughingly. She was a charming old lady, and entertained her young guest bri}â€" liantly for half an hour, and ignoring herself, gradually led him to talk about his own life, questioned him about his business, and at last adroitâ€" ly managed to draw from him someâ€" thing of his history. Ho was very much attracted by her, and was surprised at the earâ€" est she manifested in him. "What can I do to reward you for your kindness to me?" she â€"asked, with a benignant smile, when hefinâ€" ally arose to leave. 8 "Pray never mention the matter again in that way, madam," Waliter responded, flushing, and drawing himâ€" self up a trifle proudly. "I am only too glad that I was able to be of service to you, and I hope if there is anything that I can oo at auy time, you will command me." "Thank you, and I will take youat your word instantly," madam replied, smiling. "You can be o[ use to ine, for you have cheered me wonderfully this‘ morning, and I shall command that you come to see me often.". s da l e 429 hi lc As 2. Retvaliths ts iitin sn "That is a very agreeable order, and one which I am sure 1 shall take pleasure in obeying," Walter returnâ€" ed, smiling also. She jlooked at him earnestly a moâ€" ment, then said: i EPn ReF nR o 0 wie 3 %you, young man; you make me .t â€" ofâ€"of some one whom I used to know ; and it will do me good to have a young face in the house. So please drop in frequently, whilo you remain in the city." k ieX “::.I“mw‘i.‘:l,â€"'thvzi;;k' you," he replied, heartily, feeling that it would be deâ€" lightful to have the privilege. who TORONTO "An officer to arrest some one here {" ‘"Yes, madam." "Whom ? Te.l me instantly, and end this supense." "The young gentleman, madam," Barah fa.tered, with a deprecating look at Walter. The young man looked astonished. "Did I _ understand rightlyâ€"that there is an officer be.ow who asserts that he has come here to arrest me!?" be asked, turning to the gir‘l. "Yes sir; so he says." "Madame Howland," Wailter continâ€" ued, turning to his hostess, and speakâ€" ing regret{fully. "I am very sorry to have you so annoyed, and there is surely some mistake. It cannot be that I am the persn for whom the officer is searching, since I have done nothing to be arrested for. I will go at once and have the mystery exâ€" plained." _â€"*"No," said madam, making a little authoritative gesture; "stay . where you are, if you please." . CY k â€" Then, turning to the girl, she added : T _*"Sarah, go down and ask the ofâ€" ficer if he will do me the favor to come up stairs." _ se *L ow Walter protested against this, for he could not endure the thought of ber being annoyed on his account; but she insisted. "Ol course it is all a mistake," she said; "but it may be a mistake that may cause you some trouble, and I should mot rest until it was exâ€" plained. Go, Sarah." ‘The girl retired, but soon returnâ€" ed, accompanied by an officer, who, the moment he saw Wailter, ap proached him and arrested him " in the name of the law." "What does this mean?" the young man inquired, looking greatly disâ€" turbed. "It means that I have orders to take you into custody, and I am simâ€" p‘y performing my duty," the man returned, reading his prisoner‘s face with a searching glance. _‘ _ What is the charge against him‘ %manded Madame Howland, haugh Â¥. "I regret to say, madam, that it isâ€"pobbery," the officer returned, reâ€" spectfully. Tth. ons ; .4 "Robbery !" exclaimed both of his listeners, in one breath, while a vivid crimson shot over Waiter‘s face, then quickly receding, left him pale as death. "Yes, that is the charge," the man answered. ; "Whom have I robbed ?â€"what am I accused of having taken ?" cried the young man, proudly. "Money and jewels." "Money and jewels?! I have no money but what I have honorably earned, and as for jewels I have no use for them," Walter replied, with a scornâ€" ful curl of his lips, "That may be, my young friend, still I must do my duty, and you must prove your innocence before a judge and jury," the officer answered, but not unkindly. f S "Pray, Mr,. Officer, explain what this proceeding means?" madam now inâ€" terposed, looking flushed and anxious "This young gentleman has been very kind to me, and I am interested in him ; he has been coming to my house nearly every day for a week, and he certainly does not appear like one who has committed so grave a crime." "That is true, madam," the officer returned, studying Waiter‘s {frank, manly face, and beginning to feel very favorably disposed toward him. "But quite a sum of money and some valuable diamonds were missed a week ago toâ€"day by a lady, Mrs. Robert Gordon, who is at present living in the house of Mr. Edmund Carpenter, of Philadelphia. A thorough search was at once institute!U for the missing valuâ€" ablesâ€"the servants© and housekeeper were questioned and examined, but no clue could be discovered, and at first no one could account for the robbery, as the house did not bave the appearâ€" ance of having been forcibly enterâ€" ed, and nothing else was taken, though there was much in the house that was valuable which a practiced | cracks man would surely have made . way with. Several days passed, and then it was remembered that this young man hbad passed the night in the house, having been detained there by a severe storm, and having left the place very early in the morning beâ€" fore anyone was astir, suspicion naâ€" turaily fell upon him. If, however," the man added, in conclusion, "he can prove his innocence, he will be reâ€" leased immediately." "This is very disagrecable," said Madame Howland, turning to Walter, and regarding him with a troubled look. He was still very pale, and his wore an anxious expression, for it suddenly flashed upon him, as remembered Mrs. Gordon‘s treat of him, and all that Ruby had him regarding her wishes, that should marry Edmund Carpenter, this might be a plot to entangle and to ruin him in the eyes of world, and thus blast every hop ever winning Ruby for his wife. ever winning Ruby for his wile. "Mrs. Howlana," he sald, lif.ing troubled eyes, and meeling her ; frankly, "what the officer has you is trueâ€"I did pass the nigh Mr. Carpenter‘s houss a week ago _as. night. I went thera to ca‘l upon Miss Ruby Gordon, the lady to whom I am betrothed, and who is the sisterâ€"inâ€" law of Mrs. Gordon, who, it is assertâ€" ed, has been robbed. A severe thunderâ€" storm came up whie I was there, and I was prevaied upon co remain unâ€" til morning. I loft very early, as Mr. Carpeater‘s residence is quite a disâ€" tance from the city, and I wished to catch the early train for Chester in order to be on hand hbere when my men began their work. I did not leave my room after entering it until I left the house, and you can testify that I came directly hither, as that was the morning on which your accident ocâ€" curred. More than a‘l this," Walter added, with a disdainfw. look, "it is not l!ikely that I would be guilty of robbing the sister of the lady whom I hope to marry." _ s "Of course not," rep‘ied madam ; "and, Mr. Officer, what he says is all true; the train in which I was comâ€" ing from St. Louis reached the station just about the time of his arrival here. I met with a severe accident just after alighting from the car, and he came at onee to my assistance. He had not the slightest appearance of having done anything wrong then, nor since, for he has been coming here nearly every day, and I believe 1 could vouch for his integrity under any cirâ€" cumstances." f "No doubt, madam, no doubt," reâ€" turned the official, blandly, "and it wi‘ll probably all come out right ; but my orders are imperative. I have a warrant for the young man‘s arrogt, and I must do my duty." (To be Continued.) No man is free who cannot comâ€" ‘mand himsel{.â€"Pythagoras. y be, my young {friend, do my duty, and you must innocence before a judge the officer answered, but Gordon‘s treatment hat Ruby had told r wishes, that she und Carpenter, that lot to entangle him in the eyes of the blast every hope of y for his wife. " he said, lifiing his d meeling her gaze he officer has told d pass the night in ouss a week ago |ast rre to ca‘ll upon Miss o ladv to whom I am 16 rC( h« | P [\ ®