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RACHEL RAYMOND; on, LOST AND…

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RACHEL RAYMOND; on, LOST AND FOUND. BY THE AUTHORESS OF Allan Thornton," "Effia Batrd," "Almost a Criminal [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.} CHAPTER XV. ROME AGAIN. Herbert Temtlf/s voyage was not destined to end »8 cam ae it bad commenced. The soft, balmy j summer breezes gave way to raw gusty winds, • J in return, were succeeded by heavy gales from the j north-east, through which the Dover Castle battled her way stouclv, anJ, save for the loss of one of her boats, and some top gear, arrived at length safely in port, and landed her passengers at Liverpool. The weather they had encountered had been so severe and without cessation that Herbert had never resumed his conversation with the captain, whose ahry respecting the veilow-haired singer at the New York concert hail had so bewildered and distressed him Tlie voung man pondered long and deep1} o\ e wliat he hear>l, with a sick feeling of dread at heart, as he thought of what mbht be. heart, as he thought of what mbht be. "Could it be porsible," he thought, "that they had all been mi^tuken, and that his broth. r's first, Unhappy wife, poor Rachel, had survived when they ail thought her dead ?" A shudder passed through him at the bare^ sus- picion but no. he would not believe it He called to mind the abundant proof they bad received of her death-Lionel's prompt and searching enquiry, and came at last to the conclusion that this woman that he had seen was, perhaps, the same who had been enquiring after Isaac Raymond, and the retemWance he had fancied merely a coincidence. But then, again. the man Bossanquet—- he felt assured that he had not been mi&tak n there, and that the shabby hahiiue (,f the JTolian Music Hall was. in very dppd, !hA once dashing man of the world, to whom they all owed so much sorrow. The more he thought of it, the stronger grew his convic- tion that he had not blundered on this point, notwith- standing the vehement denial which the man himself had made. 1 Lionel was at Liverpool to meet him, and they shook hands heartily-wit h a strong grasp, indeed, but no more outward show of emotion-which is a thing the average Englishman rarely, if ever condescends to In. [ iulse himself in. By Jove old fellow," said the younger brother, we had almost given up all hope of seeing you. The gales had delved the Dover Castle two whole days beyond the time when she had first been locked for; and I was beginning to think I should have to return the eompliment you paid me, and go in for a suit of "Yes we had rather a ticklish time of it off tha Irish coast," Herbert replied. But all's well that ends well,' and I am safe. How's everybody at k°And so on—the usual running fire of questions and answers which always recur on such occasions. But Lionel was not s'o-.v to perceive that, through it all, his brother seemed to be preoccupied in manner, and at last taxed h m with it. You've got something on yourself, he said, and may as well disburden yourself at once. I shan't be able to get a word with you for a week at least after we reach home. Come, out with it." They were seated in a compartment of the night mail, for Herbert would lose no time in hastening on when he landed, and they had taken the first train which served. Herbert did not answer at once, for he wanted to think how much he should tell his brother, but at last made up his mind to say nothing to him respect- ing the singer with the fair hair, and eyes so mueh Wc e the dead Rachel's. If she were dead," he involuntarily thought. But it's time enough to bid good-morrow to a sertain old gentleman when you meet him," was his philosophic, objection and, after all, it was but a suspicion on his part. Still his brother's question remained unanswered Mid Herbert determined to tell him his suspicion regarding Bossanquet. Lionel listened in amaze- ment. I'm only sorry for one thing," he remarked when Herbert bad finished. "And that is?" -i.jp That I didnt meet the scoundrel instead ot you." "Oh, is that all? Well, I daresay I should wish the same if I were in your place; as it is, I can only remark that it is iust as well you didn't, as your impetuosity might have led you into danger." I should have killed him, I verily believe." Precisely and brought, no end of misery and what-d'ye call-it on your wife and all who love you." Ah. Herbert, you cannot feel as strongly on this Bub'ect as T do Can't T. old boy? Well, T don't know. I suppose you think I ought to have pitched into the fellow at fJPlcP-riven him one. two on hit3 face, and begged his pa-don afterwards, if I had found that I bad been mistaken, and he wasn't the man at all." Nonsense. You know I meant nothing of the tort." -1 Well. perhans not but, to tell you the truth, it was the course I was very nearly pursuing, so sure was I of his identity, notwithstanding the emphatic denial he made but it was not an over respectable Blare, and the scoundrel vas surrounded by a score fIIf desperadoes, who only wanted half a word to turn nponme: and so, under the circumstances I ex- ercised the better part of valour and apologised for my mistake." Apologised Well, yes yon spe T couldn't very well help my- self. and to give the fellow his due. if it tms he, he didn't take advantage of the chance he had to serve me out." „ 'f course I ran't expect you to feel as I do, sai I/onel again buf he may thank his lucky stars it was not I who met him. I'd have torn his lying tongue from out his throat, had he been surrounded by a thousand companions." „ Ah, Lionel! let the dead past bury its dead If it was rpallv ROlIRanflll'-t-and I am morally con- ▼Wd it was-tbinef; have not prospered with him, for anyone more seedy and disreputable it has seldom been mv lot to see." T I'll find out where he is. I'll write to Longhurst —he's in the War Office, you know. Perhaps he 11 be bl.. to tell me what's become of him." You'd better let him alone. It's not at all likely that you'll ever meet asain." "It won't be well for him if we do," was all the reply but th" tone spoke more than the words, and Herbert Temple thought, that it might., indeed, be well for Lieut. Bossanquet that his brother should never Sieet him. The subject was dropped between them, but Herbert could see that his hro'her was brooding over it, and almost regretted mentioning his suspicions. But, as time passed on. his home duties drove the recollections of his adventure in America out of his head, for his mother was growine sadly feeble now, and required more watching than was good for his delicate F.mih. whose health gave him great anxiety, so that, altogether, he had his hauds and his heart full. But still both these Cornish homes belonging to the brothers Wf'r" thoroughlv happy homes, and they often looked back at the nignt, which was so short an actual time air0. and yet so long in eventful history, when Lionel came over, as they thought, to Emi'y's death bed. Ids own heart heavy with the weight of one untold sorrow-one that he could not, at that time, share with anv of his kindred. And vet it was but four short years since Rachel s death, and his own supposed loss, and now ho has happily and prosperously settled in life, with a loving wife and prettv baby-boy and the squire rejoiced in his prattling infant, and the renewed life of his darling Fmily. .1 Miss Temp'e was still unmarried, and she declared that nobodv should ever tempt her from the place where she was s'i 1 the ruling spirit in both house- hold where her temper—for she had one—made it- self fe't at times; but all felt her sterling worth and respected her oddities. She heard from Lionel what her brother had told him, and counselled him to let Bossanquet and his wickedness alone but Lionel could not forget so easily, and he wrote to the fnend he had spoken of to Herbert. Lionel despatched his letter, but it was some few weeks before he received an answer, as the gentleman to whom it was addressed was recruiting his strength with a holiday, after the serious fatigue of sitting d" y in a m nil-padded chair from eleven till three but as soon as he returned he penned an answer', in which, after apologising for the delay, he Went on to say— You'll be subjecting yourself to an action for libel one of thftsp.l.'vs mT young friend. What do you S in'Sdnvin scoundrel/ villain/ of any man, in S f f, p„rh-ii>9 you'll answer that ita tho truth. .Wc^rt' Are ^not aware that 'the greater the innocei.t & J in tue purblind eyes of truth the greater tiie use such very plain the law. A ^mpoite!-tho genu jbout it. you ask if 1 term8 about is never liKUj to V-ll-not quite and. to tell know what has bourne 01 mm. lcn0i7 what did become of yma the 'ruth I don t waait t ^t,en courting him about two years back; ) proceeding, which or gettns marned-ov some otnif:,ters—you would lenders p.ople oblivious to fill 'M? ffair created some have kncM T, too I have no d. -nbt for the afta«^ .et little rtir in military circleR. though .tLnnuet wm, metA- J>osBible for the honour of the service, him to sell, phoricalli, kicked out <>f h.s corps they al 1]ncn at It's aiwa' g as well, i" those oases t-o wash your homo, you know but they wouldn t stand any hooe after tii.it btory of )ourB got afloat; particularly when-Ibope I'm not touching on a forbidden topic, but you Jr tell you everything I could-it was urrently reported hud s .irited away your wife and that in a manner wh Jx-rixl it. i]r:iK>s«]bl"o for any honourable man to A him, There were other little things against him, too tdtling to nieniiou such as lxsiug remarkably lucky in always turning p the kin" >'bell he required it and chicken hazard seenieu to have no'Vie-.i ? for him either at all events, he had to go. and, 1 have heard, 1 as sunk into just such a pickd-up of uncon. s^e'eti tr ees' a, You describe Auy way. lid has vanished from (lie hrUntc- of'men, and » very good thiisg for the men, I •he Jd V aid if 1 wero you I shouldnt trouble my lie,id f urtlitr"abcJut Wrn. He must be going to the dogs faet onou^la, a^ d if ,ho doMl bxsat ft'ready claimed bim toi h,e own c-eoe^l upon it that is only for the very wJdMit reason that he's a! \i iVft rea.lv to ba laid hands upon I don t know all the ni^bavs for ensuring «>. » Jon sav.' but. I iw^, don't; toucli pitch,Iffet jt the.. •' Yours very truly, A- H. liOVSHi'SST- This letter did not tell him much, but Lionel wrote back to his Irinnd. tanking him tor the information it contained, and telling him, also, the true circumstances respecting Iiachrl—he cou'd n"t bear to thmt a even in her grave h'S poor lost oarling s should tie held in sce.rn. and i-he whom he had loved should he held in sce.rn. and i-he whom he had loved so well, regarded as an abandoned woman and so he wrote with all the force and energy which tru. can give to repel the foul slander which Bossanquet ^Uon.Tas well as Mr Lot ghnrst. of course, deemed that their correspondence was private; but even in the sacred yrecn.ct* of offica .sm and rep-taps letters may be subjected to more eyes than the writers ever dream of. Attached to the place as messenger in Mr Lonehurst's department was a man who had once belonged to Bossanquet's regiment, and a devoted panderer to all that gentleman's vices, large and small. It was not a place of trust that Job Rawson filled at the Horse Guards but his sleek, respectable demeanour made him more trusted than he would have been had his real character been known; and things were spoken of, and names mentioned before this "worthy, in tho manner that people wi;l speak before their underlings who move about so quietly and never betray the slightest consciousness of hearing anything, but treasure up every scrap never- theless. Hear all, see all, and say nothing," is the maxim of the class to which Mr. Job Hawson belonged, and he stuck faithfuliy to the tenets of his creed. The names of Lionel Temple and Lieut. llossanquet, mentioned in his hearing by Mr. Longhurst, set him thinking. He knew where his old patron was to bo found, and was still in his pay, we were going to write hut as it was a labour of love as far as money was concerned, employment would be a better word; but it was hardly that even, though Job Rawson, with a lively recotlection of past favours, would often send scraps of information which he had picked up across the water to his old employer. He was perfectly aware of this feud which existed between Bos anqul-t and Lionel, and the mention of their names set him spying and thinking. He was not particular as to the means he took to acquire information, and a search in the pocket of Mr. Longhurst's office coat, that gentleman being very carelPES in his b. its, was rewarded by finding Lionel's letter, and she answer being entrusted to his care to post, was subjected to the steam from a tea kettle, by wh'ch means he arrived at its contents. H'm he said, pas ing his grimy hand over the stubbly beard which adorned his chin. That's plain talking-that is-I wonder how Iiossanky will like it; hawsomever, I'll write and tell him." Which he did, and in due course his letter reached Mr Bertie Grant, who, of course, was no other than the man Herbert Temple had taken him for. After telling him all the reader knows of the letters, Mr. Rawson added a few lines I heard more than this In the office, though, I can tell you 1 gathered from what young Tima 8Md, and he's a rare one to talk, he is, that they are determined to find you, over a more .>eiious affair than loaded dice. couldn't make vut what it was. but it's something hasn't long been found out—a word to the vise, you know, I thought you might like to hear-I hope you are quite well, as this leaves me at present, '• Your humble servant, "J. Rawson. «' p s. I think it must be something serious about it, for there was a letter went np to the Chief. I haven't been able to lav my hand-* on it, but I heard Tims say it was an extradition caise ;so if yon krow wlnt it means, and have any fear, I »hould t&y—m&i.e tracks." CHAPTER XVI. NEW YEAR'S BVE. Rertib Grant, to give him the name he chose to be known by, was alnnein his squalid lodging in the Empire City, and Job Rawson's letter lay in his hand; it was sufficiently alarming, and he read it over and over again with an evil scowl on his dissipated face. Hah at length he muttered. What can they know ? All the fellows that were mixed up in that affair are in America still, and if they were in England they could tell nothing to harm me. Be- cause an old fool took more than was good for him, and died in a fit of apoplexy at a gaming party are they to say that 7 Hfted my hand against him ? But I know who has set the ball rolling, and let him look out. for, by Heaven if ever I set foot on English soil again, it will be a black day for you Lionel Temple." Ho clutched tho letter, as he spoke, with a fierce grasp, as though it had been his hated enemy's throat. 11 I must alter my hand," he said, looking at the trembling fingers, which almost refused to hold the glass he lifted to his lips. "Xo more of this stuff, for a time at least. I have work before me." And. indeed, it seemed so for, from that hour, he made an effort to retrieve his fortunes. He drank less, and, as a consequence, played more steadily at the dens to which he still resorted for his unholy gains, winning more frequently; and, within a month, he looked an altered man. He stdl kept up the enquiries he h id commenced respecting Miss Amaranth, but continually without success no enquiry or bribery of any of the hangers-on a1: the .Eotean could give him satisfactory information of I her wlx-r^ahouts "Miss A ma' anth had left," was all that he could If-arn and no one conld say where she was gone. But Mr. Fiiote's servai. s did not th nk it necessary to toll him that it would be more than their p!acps were worth to give him the intelligence he sought for, though they were all perfectly aware that the poor girl waR 8a fA in another town, under the protection of their mistress. So at last Fertie Grant gave up the search with an oath, and devoted himself to one object—the obtain- ing enough money to pay his passage to England. "They'll never dream of my putting my head in the lion's jaws," he said to himself besides, while I shall be safer there for that very reason, I shall find an opportuning of having it out with that fellow -d-n him." And so be went on in his old courses, with the ex- ception that he was much more sparing in his use of liquors, and waited his opportunity. It came at last, as it will always come to the patient watcher, whether for good or evil, and hv a successful roup he made a lanre haul in one night in the gambling J hell to which he resorted to in the city; and, though there was more than a suspicion of foul play and hocussing, and people said openly that the affair was robbery, before the victim was roused from his drugged sleep, and could put the officers upon his track, Bertie Grant was safe on board a coasts 7 ship for Newfoundland, whence he took ship tc England, flush of money, which, though it was ill-gotten, caused no trouble to his elastic conscience. The whole city was ringing with all sorts of tales concerning him, and the amount of plunder he had carried ofT, end amongst others it reached the ears ef Mr Foote, who wrote to his wife and told her that the coast was clear, and that she might return to New York with her charge. That, fellow's grne—and. woats more, it won't be safe for him to return—so get back, and quieten that poor thing's fears the business is going to the deuce for want of her. The young fellows laugh at Maria's fat arms and squeaking voice, and won't have her at any price. Promise the girl what she likes, only bring her." And so it came about rnat Mrs. Footo and her charge returned to the ^Eolian, but no notice of Miss Amaranth appean o in any of the papers. Miss Dacia Brooke was tiie reigning star at Foote's nlace of amusement, a very handsome young lady, jut—she had red hair. And so the scene changes back again to England. It is the Eve of the New Year—not then, as in her northern sister, the time of all festivities, but still observed in many places with solemn rites, much opening of doors, and superstitious observances as r,, who shall lie the favoured mortal to fir*t cross the threshed alter the church clock has struck the hour which announces that the Old Year has departed from us, bearing with it many memories of joy and sorrow, both commingled. On this particular New Year's Eve the snow was lying everywhere, feathery and soft, clothing the hushed landscape with a pure robe of fairy radiance, which the soft clear moonlight lit up into millions of brilliant sparkles-snow lying in its purity on every tree and hedgerow, dropping in fantastic pendants from every drooping branch, whil3t everywhere reWied peace, and calm, and stillness. A fami:y party sat round a blazing fire in the drawing-room at TregartLen. Both households were assembled there to i.ee the New Yeiir in-- Herbert Temple and h s family Lionel, with hio fair young wife and child, as well as Lord and Lady At'lt washat the senior Mrs. Temple's request that this gathering took place. Sho was rapidly wearing away to another world by this time, and she petitioned her son to bring them all together once ^This is the last New Year that ever I shall see/ she had said; and Herbert, though grieving at the spirit which had prompted her request, was fam to comply with it, and bade his family to lregarthen, where all assembled; and the servants mademerry in the lower regions, while the family exchanged greet- MrsP Temple seemed stronger and better with the excitement, and exchanged many reminiscences with Lord Addeleigh. Her sons were pleased to see her so cheerful; and his lordship whispered to Lionel that his mother might live to see many New Years et. But the young man was not deceived by her tran- sient gaiety. He knew how Mrs Temple had been fa.il- ntrfor the last few months, and felt an inward convic- ion that hpr presentiment was true. There was no suffering in her d joline—nothing to cause any grief ■■o the spectators of her calm decay but she was id'ng visibly, though gently; and, while her family vould mourn her loss when the hour arrived which ivoijid remove her from them, their loving hearts would not he wrung by witnessing pain which they were powerless to alleviate. Emily's health was no longer the subject 01 uneasi- ness to them it had been-delicate she would always r>e but there was hope now of seeing her children ',w up round her. There were two, a second Emily, blithe little fairy sevt n 5'ears old> who to°k upon 'lf with all the gravity of womanhood, the r,f li^r baby eou"iu, Clare's nix months old haTter • and then theTe was the little heir, who Lbout upon his sturdy lege, in all the dignity rrw terbSers, a fair, attractive-looking boy, with ,t kmcberb which no one passed without .ritag flattery »»4 Herbert the second wM la a fair wav of being damaged, Altogether it was not a party full of boisterous glee, for adding to the failing state of his mother's health, Herbert himsplf had not hem very well —a cold caught In plodding over the ( State had k1 pt. him prisoner for a few days, but he was better and had joined the family circle now, and sat beside his mother, her withered hand lying lovingly and trustingly on his, and her af'e 'tionate eyes gazing into his manly face as though thev wnuld never have their fill. I never thought my last New Year on earth would be so happy," she said, hreaking the silence of a few i Moments. The Lord has been very merciful to us, | my children." I "To all of us," responded Lord Addeleigh. But you mustn't talk of dying for many a long year yet; we cannot do without you." I shall never see the roses, nor hear the nightin- gales again," she answered. My work in this world is done, and I thank Heaven for letting my last days be so peaceful." There seemed to be a strange and holy calm upon her this New Year's Eve. Could it have been a presentiment of what was to come that hung over her ? Who knows ? She sat and talked on, with her son's hand clasped in hers, till even the prattling children stopped their play, and looked up with silent awe at grandma, who seemed in such an unwonted mood to-night. Well, Turner, what is it ?" asked Herbert Temple of the butler, who had entered the drawing-room, and stood looking at his master with rather a curious look upon his face. I want to speak to you for a minute, sir, he replied, and Herbert rose and went outside. Weil, what's the matter ?'' he repeated. I didn't like to tell you inside, sir," before madam, seeing as she's so weak; but old Mr. Deacon is dying, and they've sent up to say that be has been asking to see some of the family." Mr. Deacon had been the lawyer to the Temple family for many years; and, more than that, a valued friend to the senior Mr. Temple and his wife -the silver-haired old lady who was even now passing away so quietly. Herbert was his godson, too, and the summons was not to be disregarded so dismissing Turner he went back into the drawing- room. What has happened, Herbert ?" asked his wife in eager tones. Hush hush my love," he answered, looking anxiously at his mother, but her thought were far away, and she did not notice that anything was going on. "Poor old Deacon is dying and has sent for me. I must go, dearest," he continued, seeing the look of anxiety in her eyes. "The summons of a dying man is not to be disregarded. I shall be back soon-in an hour at the outside." But, Herbert, dear, it is such a night, and you so i unwell, too." | » Nonsense, darling I'll wrap myself well up, and the cold won't get at me. Come, don't bo foolish, I don't want my mother to know what has called me away, she has been brooding too much over death and the grave to-night." He called Lionel on one side, and explained where he was going. The young man offered to ac- company his brother, but Herbert would not hear of it. »«I shall not be long away," he said, and kissing his wife, Herbert Temple hurriedly left the room, and was soon upon his road to the village, where dwelt the old lawyer. He was in time to take the hand of the dying man, but all was nearly over, and, within an hour from the time he left Tregar- then, Herbert Temple had closed the eyes of his dead friend, and was returning in a saddened spirit home. The Rev. Mr. Emberley, the clergvman at Polperro, accompanied him as far as the lodge gates when they stood talking for a few moments over the scene they had just left. then they parted, the minister to his midnight service in the little parish church, while Herbert Temple, passing through the gate, made for his house. They bad neither of them seen, under a elump of trees which faced the lodge, two figures who stood there. One of them was so muffled up that his com- panion, who was a tipsy reveller returning from the Kiddle-a-wink, a little public house upon the borders of the village, could not see his face, but he had the bearing of a gentleman. Who are these gentlemen ?" he asked the Cornish- man, as the figures of the clergyman and Mr. Temple appeared on the road from the village. n It's the clergyman and young Mr. Lionel, answered the bumpkin, unhesitatingly. Lionel Temp'e; are you sure ?" Sure! of course I am. Wouldn't 1 know him amongst a thousand ? There's no one hereabouts wears a cap or coat like that; besides, I know Mr. Lionel as well as I know my own brother." "Well, I told vou I'd give you half-a-crown if you showed me the house. You have done more, you have shown me the man I want, so here's five shillings for you; and now be off. You can get as drunk as a lord on that." Ay, that can 1. You're a rare good sort, and if you like to come up to the Kiddle-a-wink. I'll give you as good a tumbler of grog as you ever tasted. You won't? Oh, very well, if you prefers being out in the cold. all that I can say is, I pities year taste. Good-night." And he staggered back on the road he had come, leaving the stianger in the shadow of the trees, when he witnessed the parting between the minister and Herbert, who opened the park gate with a check key, and let himself in. But he was not alone within the park. The dark form of the stranger had climbed the wall, and was even now close upon his track. Haste, Herbert, haste! Your are in danger. Alas! No warning voice was near; and the bright moon looked down, as did the myriad twinkling stars, unmoved at what •^ # they were the only ones to see. I What a long time Herbert is gone," said Emily to her brother-in-law; they spoke in whispers, for no one else present knew of what had called the master I of the house away. "I am getting quite uneasy," she continued. Why, what harm can possibly come to him between here and the village ?" I don't know it's very foolish, I suppose; but I have such a strange, sad feeling I can hardly ex- plain what I mean, but as if there were some terrible misfortune impending." You are nervous, Emily," said Lionel. But will go and meet him if you like. "No, no; it's very stupid of me. Hark, eleven o'clock. Oh, I hope he will be back soon. I shouldn't like the New Year to pass without his being hel e. We shan't do that," broke in old Mrs. Temple, dreamily. Either in body or in spirit we shall be together, if not in this world in a better." Mother rambles a little," whispered Emily. "I wish that she wouldn't harp so on death and separa- tion to-night it seems almost prophetic." Superstitious, Emily ?" "No, not quite. I'm low-spirited, I fancy. Well, then, I'll make Clare sing something to liven you up. Herbert's absence seems to have given us all the blue3." Clare was by no means unwilling, and going to the piano rattled over piece after piece, but still Herbert did not arrive, and Lionel began to feel rather uneasy ^H^rk' what was that ?" cried Emily, in terror, and Clare suddenly ceased playing, while everybody started in alarm as a wild. mournful cry sounded in the air. and, as it seemed, close to the house. Fam and terror, an appeal for help and succour rang in it, and the hills seemed to echo it back upon the calm, Still air. »' What can it be ?" asked Clare, while Emily "airily strove to conceal the scream which rose to her white lips. Something must have happened," cried Lionel, throwing open the window nearest to him, and look- ing out upon the snow-covcred lawn, as lie had done five years before, to hear, as he fancied then, Rachel's voice calling on him for help. Hallo Is anybody there ?" he called but no answer came back, and the cry was not repeated. All was still, and calm, and quiet outside no foot- marks sullied the white purity of the snow, no sigr, of any living thing was to be seen. You'd better send out some of the fellows to see if anything is the matter," said Lord Addeleigh, who had joined him at the casement. Whoever howled like that must have hurt himself. I expect some poor devil has tumbled down whilo crossing the park" Nobodv would be crossing the park at this time of night except Herbert," said Emily, her vo'ce trembling very much. Oh, Lionel let us make hasto and see. I feel convinced that something has happened to him." Nonsense, dear-sit down," answered Lionel Nothing could happen to Herbert. But 111 go and see, if it's any satisfaction to you." It is the death wail of our house exclaimed the old lady, suddenly starting up from her chair, and pointing out of the window. "It was no morfal crv. I see her she is beckoning me! Look where she foes yonder, over the snow It was for mo she °a™nd indeed, it did seem that a white figure flitted along by the edge; and the gentlemen rushed out into the grounds, to try and find a cause for the cry th.y had heard. The whole household was soon alarmed, ana lanterns were called into requisition to search the park. Alas the search was not a long one asudden ex.-la- mation from one of the servant drew all to the spot where he stood, and in another moment Lionel Temple was kneeling beside a dead man. whose blood stained the cure snow with hideous splashes. It was his brother Herbert, struck down by an assassin's hand, within a stone's throw of the bright room'in which his wife and family were waiting him 1_within an hour of the New Year's morning. (To be ccntinmd.) 1iL.

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GOSSIP ON DRESS.

.-GARDENING FOR TEE WEEK.II

VOLUNTEER ORGANISATION.

TENANT RIGHT CASE.

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SIX WOMEN MURDERED AND MUTILATED.

AN UNDERGRADUATE DROWNED.

LIBEL AGAINST MRS. WELDON.

END OF A MURDER CHARGE.

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