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FARMER JOHN; OR, "THE BEST…
FARMER JOHN; OR, "THE BEST OF A JOURNEY IS GETTING HOME.' Home from his journey Farmer John Arrived this morning safe and sound. His black coat off, and his old clothes on, Now I'm myself," says Farmer John; I And he thinks, "I'll look around." Up leaps the dog Get down, you pup! Are you so glad you would eat me up ?*' The old cow lows at the gate to meet him; Well, well, Old Bay! Ha, ha, old Gray! Do you get good feed when I sm away P" es You have not a rib! says Farmer Jdhn; The cattle are looking round and sleek, The colt is going to be a roan, And a beauty, too; how he has grown! We'll wean the calf next week." Says Farmer John," When I've been off To call you again about the trough, And watch you, and pet you, while you drink, Is a greater comfort than you can think!" And he pats old Bay, And he slaps old Gray « Ah, this is the comfort of going away I" "For after all," says Farmer John, The best of a journey is getting home. I've seen great sights but would I give This spot, and the peaceful life I live, For all their Paris and Rome ? These hills for the city's stifled air, And big hotels all bustle and glare; Land all houses, and roads all stones, That deafen our ears and batters our bones ? Would you, old Bay P Would you, old Gray ? That's what one gets by going away! 11 There money is king," says Farmer John, And fashion is queen: and its mighty queer To see how sometimes, while the man, Rakes and scrapes for all he can, The wife spends every year, Enough you would think for a score of wives, To keep them in luxury all their lives! The town is a perfect Babylon To a quiet chap," says Farmer John. You see, old Bay, You see, old Gray, I'm wiser than when I went away." "I've found out this," says Farmer John: That happiness is not bought and sold, And clutched in a life of waste and hurry, In nights of pleasura and days of worry: And wealth isn't all in gold, Mortgage and stooks and ten per cent., But ia simple ways and sweet content, Few wants, pure hopes, and noble ends, Some land to till, and a few good friends, Like you, old Bay, And you, old Gray That's what I learned by going away." And a happy man is Farmer John: Oh, a rich and happy man is he; He sees the peas and mangolds growing, The corn in tasael, the buckwheat blowing, And fruit on vine and tree; Tha large, kind oxen look their thanks As he rubs their foreheads and etrokes their flanks The doves light round him, and strut, and 000, Saya Farmer John, I'll take you, too. And you, old Bay, And you, old Gray, Next time I travel far away!" —F. T. Trowbridge.
A CHINESE NOVEL.
A CHINESE NOVEL. EXCEPT the three short novels translated into English in 1822 by Sir John Davis, hardly any specimen of Chinese fiction has reached English readers. Of these three novels, "The Shadow in the Water" was a pretty, simple love tale; "The Twin Sisters and the "Three Dedicated Chambers," stories which merely gave us a cleaier view of Chinese manners and opinions. A far more characteristic Chinese novel has, how- ever, lately fallen into our hands, and we pro- ceed to abridge it for our readers. It forms the twelfth section of the Kin-koo-ke-kwan," a cele- brated Chinese collection of short novels. Our story is called "Friends till Death," and idealises a friendship as staunch and true as that of Damon and Pythias. The allusions are quaint and curious, and one can fancy three Chinese girls, in pink, blue, and yellow silk, cross-legged on the ground, with their backs to a great illuminated screen, listening to a fourth maiden, who, seated on a pile of silken cushions besMe a jar of flowers, reads The Friends till Death." The novel commences thus: Once upon a time Yuen-Wang, King of Tsoo, invited to his court all en- lightened scholars who needed employment. A vir- tuous scholar named Tso-pih-Taou, living in the Tseih-shi-hills of Se-Keang, hearing the proclamation of this just and virtuous monarch threw a sack of books over his shoulder, bade adieu to his friends and neigh- bours, and hastened by by-roads to Tsoo. It was the winter period of the wind and the rain when by easy stages he had reached Yung-te. He had now to buffet, head downwards, with the wind and rain, and the lead was heavy on his bent back. One day towards sunset, with clothes soaked with rain, he per- ceived in a bamboo wood a hut with a broken window, from whence streamed a welcome light. Pushing through the low hedge that encircled the hut, he knocked humbly at the wicket. A person at once came out. The applicant, giving his name and describing the object of his journey, prayed for a night's shelter, as the rain was heavy and no inn was near. The tenant of the hut at once exchanged compliments and led him into the hut. Tso-pih-Taou looked round and saw nothing but a couch strewn with books, and knew at once that the owner was a literary man, and turned to perform the compliment of bowing to him." "Do not stand upon compliments," said his blunt host, it is better to dry your garments;" and so saying he lit some broken bamboos for a fire, and got out food and wine for his guest. The owner of the hut then told Tso-pih-Taou that his name was Yang-Keo-Gae that he had in early life lost his parents, and dwelt there alone; that his farm He: he had abandoned and that his present good fortune was great in thus meeting with a learned doctor from a distance, and that he only regretted the bare- ness of his house, and humbly entreated the learned doctor to forgive it. "In such a storm," replied Tso- pih-Taou, under the favour of your shelter, and in addition receiving food and wine-how can I ever forget to thank you ? That night the two lay down to rest, but they conversed of their studies half the night, and did not fall asleep till the dawn. The rain still lashing down, Yang-Keo-Gae detained his guest, using up all that he had, and waiting upon him, till they mutually vowed to live as elder and younger brothers. guest was five years older than his host, so Yang-Keo-Gae offered him the respect due to an elder brother. After three days the ruin ceased, and the roads became dry. Tso-pih-Taou lamented his younger brother's departure, and expressed a wish to accompany him. "Come, my friend, said the other, the King of Tsoo is seeking for scholars, let us go together. I wish, said Tso, "to obey in all things my elder brother s com- mands I go." He then collected some bread and rice for the journey, and leaving the rush hut behind them, the two journeyed gravely southward. They had not gone more than two days when the bad weather returned, and they were obliged to halt at an inn, where they consumed most of their food. At last, as only one packet of food was left, the two carry- ing it by turns, once more braved the weather and pushed on. The rain was incessant, till one day it changed to a heavy fall of snow. The silky willows were ruffiecl-the eider down snow blew disorderly by. The faithful friends now passed southward, and took the road across the Keang-hills. On inquiring of some woodcutters, they were told that from that spot the road went for a hundred le across lonely hills, and large, barren, uninhabited moors, infested by wolves and tigers and the woodmen entreated them to turn back. What does my virtuous brother think of it? said Tso-pih, doubtfully. But nothing shook Yang-Keo. Life and death are pre-determined," he said; "and having got so far we should only think of pushing on, without a thought of retura." So on they tramped, these poor, bravo searchers for truth, and at nightfall lodged in some ancient sepulchres. Their clothes were thin; they were hungry; the icy wind pierced to their very bones. Next day the cruel snow fell heavier, and on the hills it rose a full cubit's breadth. Tso-pih could bear the cold no longer; his heart sank. "In this hundred le, Yang-Keo," he gasped, "no shelter; scanty dress; little food; if we both go we shall be starved alive, and then frozen to death. One alone, however, might arrive at Tsoo. Now, hear me, brother; let me take off my clothes and give them to my virtuous younger brother, whose life is dearer j to the gods; he can then take the food and gain strength and end the journey. I shall stay here and pray till death comes, and when my brother has seen the King of Tsoo and obtained employment, it will not be too late to return and bury me." Out upon I such a plan," cried Yang-Keo although we two are not born of the same parents, friendship is dearer than bones or flesh. How could I leave you and go < off, and beg for promotion?" so he helped Tso-pih further. But ten le further the poor fellow broke down, and could go no further, so the two friends took I shelter under a decayed mulberry tree, whose trunk time had hollowed into a cave. There was room only for one. Yang-Keo assisted Tso-pih to enter and sit 11 down, and Yang-Keo went to look for two flints, so that he might make a fire of the rotten wood. When he returned to the tree, to his astonishment he found Tso-pih naked, and all his clothes lying in a heap. Yang-Keo exclaimed, "My brother, why hast thou done this?" There is no other resource left us," answered Tso-pih. "Let not my brother delude him- self; he must put on these garments, carry these I rations, and go forward. I will die here." Yang-Keo embraced him, and burst into tears. "We two," he said, "are true friends, and we must live and die to- gether death only shall part us." Yang-Keo replied, Let not my brother contend; my brother is strong; I I have been weak from youth he is deeper read and better informed than me. If he only sees the King of Tsoo, he is sure to be made an important Minister. For my death who cares ? Remain not a moment, but go at once." "To leave you starving in a mulberry tree," said Yang-Keo, "while I go and seek promo- tion, is not the act of a just man. I will not go." "Of my own accord, and led by no one," answered Tso-pih, "I came over the Tseih-shi-hills to my brother's house. The wind and rain are adverse. This is my fate, and I must undergo it; but should I cause my brother to perish it would be a sin upon me." He then tried to leap into the stream before them and die. Yang-Keo embraced him, and bit- terly weeping, covered him with his garments, and led him back to the mulberry tree; but again Tso-pih threw off his clothes and renewed his ex- hortations. Suddenly Tso-pih's colour changed, the cold was gnawing at his heart; he motioned his friend to go. Yang took the clothes again to carefully cover him over, but he was already dying. His hands stiffened, his legs fixed. Yang-Keo stood and thought—"If I stay here long mourning for my brother I shall also be frozen to death, and then, when I am gone, who will bury my brother?" Then, in the snow, worshipping his brother, he cried "Your degenerate younger brother, departing hence, prays the assistance of your shade and should he only obtain the lowest appoint- ment, he will return and give you a sumptuous funeral." Tso-pih bent his head in assent, and, trying to answer, gave up the ghost. Sorrowfully Yang-Keo took up the dead man's clothes, and, with head turned to look on him, weepingly began his journey. An ancient ode in his praise begins: The cold came and the snow was three cubits deep; He tramped upon the road for a thousand le. Virtuous indeed was Tso-pih-Taou." In laying down his life he manifested the beauty of a perfect man. And here we must quicken the story, as our space is short. Yang-Keo arrives at Tsoo half- starved, rests in a caravanserai that night, and in the morning hurries straight to the examination hall, where Pei-Chung, the chief, kindly welcomes him and gives him wine and food. He passes his examination so well, this virtuous scholar, that the mandarin at once recommends him to the King, who at once ap- points him a Ta-foo of the second class, and gives him a hundred ounces of gold and a hundred ells of varie- gated silk. As he bows and pays obeisance, the good man's tears break forth, and being asked the reason by the kindly King, he at once re- lates the story of Tso-pih's generous self devotion. The King and his officers are touched, and the King then gives him leave of absence to bury his friend, dis- burses the expenses of the funeral, promotes the dead man to the rank of second Ta-foo, and sends a retinue to attend the chariot of Yang-Keo. They find the corpse untouched by decay. Yang- Keo, weeping, sends for old persons of the district to choose a place for burial by divination. They select one overlooking a stream and encircled by mountains. The corpse is washed in scented water, dressed, decked with the cap of a Ta-foo, and buried in a double coffin; a mound is raised on the four sides and girt with a mud wall. Trees are planted near, and at a distance of thirty paces a small temple is built, inclosing a terra-cotta image of the nohle Tso-pih. It is decorated with flowers and shrubs, and a tablet is fastened in front. At the door they make a small apartment for the watchman. Then shedding tears, they offer up the usual sacrifice. That same night Yang-Keo, with lamps burning, was there weeping. On a sudden a gust of wind came whistling and howling in, the lamps almost went out, and on their reviving he saw a shadow of a person sobbing and reluctant to advance. On looking closer he saw it was Tso-pih. He said, "I thank my brother for his faithful recollection. The beauty of the coffins and shroud are beyond praise but my tomb is close to that of King Ko (a rascal who was killed for an unsuccessful attempt on the King's life), and his spirit is majestic and fierce, and every night he comes with a sword and asks how a frozen and weak rascal like me can come and lie on his shoulders, and threatens to overthrow my tomb and cast my corpse on the moor. I beg my younger brother to remove my tomb, that I may avoid this menaced calamity." Before Yang-Keo could ask a pardon the wind arose and the shadow vanished. The next day Yang-Keo went with his followers to King Ko's temple and reviled his image, threatening, if he oppressed the dead scholar, to destroy his sepul- chre and overthrow the temple. That night as he watched the shadow again appeared and sighed. King Ko," it said, "has many followers, and sacrifices are offered to him. My brother must make grass and reeds, and make images of soldiers, clothe them in colours and give them weapons, then burn them before my tomb." He did so, and on that night there was a sound as of wind and rain and men fighting. Then the shadow ap- peared again and said, "King Ko has got help; the men my brother burnt are of no use; remove my corpse and save me, or it will be thrown out of the sepulchre." "How dare he insult my elder brother, the virtuous scholar," cried Yang-Keo, I will help him with my own sword." Alas said the shadow, we are but spirits, and living man cannot war against them, and your effigies showed that they could not drive back King Ko and my enemies." Depart, my brother," said Yang-Keo, "and to-morrow you shall have a quiet grave." The next day, Yang-Keo went to King Ko's temple, reviled him, and smashed his image, and would have set fire to the temple, had not the elders of the village entreated him, for fear of calamity, not to overthrow the people's sacrificial fire. Yang-Keo at once wrote to the King, thanking him for his pro- motion, and begging the King to suffer him to de- vote himself to death, and recompense his brother, who had done so much for him. He then went to Tso-pih's tomb, and said to his followers, weeping- "My brother is persecuted, and I die to help him against this strong spirit. Bury my corpse to the right of his tomb. In life and death we will be near together. I will endeavour by a last effort to recompense his friendship." So saying, he stabbed himself to the heart, and he died, and they buried him beside Tso- pih's tomb. That night the wind and the rain were fearful, and between the flushes of lightning there came shouts of battle heard for many a le. Suddenly King Ko's tomb rent apart, and the bones were scattered on the moor. The fir tree near was plucked up by the roots, and the ancestral temple burst into flames. The astonished elders came to the tomb, and bowed down and burnt Incense. The King, hearing of this, at once ordered a temple for the deceased, which he called the Temple of Brotherly Fidelity, and set up a tablet to record the event promoting the brave and loving King Ko to be chief of the Ta-foo. From that day to this the fragrant fire has never been extinguished, but, although King Ko's soul was destroyed, the villagers on the four seasons of the year still offer sacrifices for the redemption of his spirit.-Globe.
IN BONDS FOR LIFE; ©B, ; WHY…
IN BONDS FOR LIFE; WHY DID HE MARRY HER? -+- f CHAPTER XVII.-(Cmdinued.) "WHAT an entertaining creature Mr. Grey is!" said Miss Alicia, with a half sigh; only I cannot always tell whether he is in earnest, and sometimes I do not quite understand what he means." With these reservations you must find him charm- ing company," Clara was tempted to say, but her good nature prevailed, and she did not utter the sarcasm. During the conversation, Miss Stuckup had been playing the agreeable to Luaaley in a very animated manner. j I thank you very sincerely Mrs. Pierre, for bring- ing your friend to call on me. I have heard something of your romantic history, Mr. Lumley, and I am dying to have some of the incidents confirmed by yourself. Is it true that you have been a prisoner in Turkey, and one of the Sultan's wives fell in love with you, and ? eloped with you ?" This was a pure invention on the part of the lady, suggested by a sudden reminiscence of the history of the most extraordinary John Smith who has figured in the annals of that extensive family. í Lumley stroked his moustache in a self-complacent I manner, as he replied- "If such an incident occurred, I have no recollection of it, ma'am. I do not wish the impression to get out that any lady had claims on me before I returned to this j garden of beauty, this land of the free, and home of j the brave, which should read the land of the fair, for j no woman can compare with my own countrywomen in j beauty." j "What, not even the enchanting Circassians, from I whom Powers has modelled his Greek Slave ? j With all due deference to Mr. Powers' genius, and j his marble woman, too, I have seen handsomer crea- tures in the parlours of this city than she ever was." j "Marble woman ha, ha I perceive, Mr. Lumley, that you are an original. We really feel flattered that j so great a traveller as you have been, should, give the | "Marble woman ha, ha I perceive, Mr. Lumley, that you are an original. We really feel flattered that j so great a traveller as you have been, should, give the | palm to the ladies of America." I "I will not only give the palm, but my whole hand, to one of the fair enchantresses, if_ she will only con- sent to take it," replied Lumley, with a glance toward j Clara which filled Miss Stuckup with rage; but she sweetly said— "What wit, yet what impulsiveness of nature you must possess, Mr. Lumley I declare it is quite re- freshing to meet a person so unsophisticated amid the heartless routine of our life of conventions." "What is that about conventions ? I understood that you women in this free country have taken to holding them. I hope you are not one of the strong- minded, Miss Stuckup." The lady was quite aghast. She exclaimed "Dear me, Mr. Lumley, you have lived on the sea until you strangely confound terms. I meant nothing of that sort." "Ob, if I am allowed to confound things in such a highfalutin set as yours, I'll do it without stint. All this making believe to be one thing when you're quite another is a confounded bore, I must say. Here am I, plain Albert Lumley, sailor and freeman, who can't be received in the set to which my father belonged unless I put on fine airs and graces that are not natural or becoming to me. I say again, confound the whole thing, since I'm free to say so to so fair a lady as yourself." Mrs. Pierre repressed an amused smile, and gravely said: "Really, Mr. Lumley, you shock Miss Stuckup. I had no idea that you ignore forms to such an extent, and if I am to act the part of your patroness in society, you must consent to pay a little more regard to them." "Beg pardon, ladies, if I've said anything beyond rules. Can't lay aside the natural man and become a fine gentleman all at once. Don't forget that for more than twenty years I have lived on the sea, and consorted with sailors. They are very good sort of people in their way, but not up to fine fixings and genteel doings. With a little training I'll answer the bit finely, but just now I can't help running restive a. little when the liberty is granted me. I'm glad to find one woman above nonsense, Miss Stuckup, and. you're that trump." And with great appearance of cordiality Lumley offered his large hand to the lady, who touched it with the tips of her delicate fingers, as she said— Your originality is charming, Mr. Lumley. I have no doubt that we shall understand each other better when we are longer acquainted, and I assure you, as a friend of Mrs. Pierre, that you will always find a wel- come among us." Oh, hang it, Miss Stuckup if a fellow cant be received on his own account, his welcome aint worth much, I'm thinking." "Upon my word, Mr. Lumley, you are a most extra- ordinary person," faltered the deeply-shocked young lady, struggling between her desire to claim this new lion as an acquaintance, and her deep disgust at his want of cultivation. "Pray do not misunderstand me wilfully, for I meant to give you a cordial invitation to visit our family." Now that is something like! always speak out what you mean, and then there will be no danger of a mis- understanding. Don't make one thing stand for another, as my cousin did with her father-in-law s tombstone." Though Mrs. Pierre affected to be engaged in con- versation with Miss Seraphina, she was really listening to this strange conversation with extreme amusement, and she now asked- "How was that, Mr. Lumley? Pray explain your allusion." It's a queer story, but it's true. My cousin was a great housekeeper, and for a long time she tormented her husband to get her a marble slab to make biscuit on but he was a stingy old hunks, and wouldn't get one himself, nor let her do so. One evening she was walking past the family burying-ground, and she ob- served that the slab over the grave of her husband's father had fallen in. A bright thought came to her which she acted on without asking anybody's leave. She had the marble thing taken to her kitchen, thoroughly cleaned, and laid upon a table with the smooth side up. It answered the purpose of a biscuit board admirably until one unlucky day when she had quite a large company." What happened then ? I hope her husband found out the desecration she had been guilty of, and punished her as she deserved." "You shall hear. Some connections of the family were dining at my cousin's. One of them was an old lady, who was very rich and extremely particular. She had been a warm friend of the deceased Dr. Plummer, and held his memory in great respect. This same old lady was very fond of a certain kind of thin biscuit, rolled out to a considerable size, and baked crisp. Par- ticular orders about these biscuits were given but the cook got muddled with liquor, and turned over the tombstone so that the lettered side came up. When dinner was served, the old dame had a plate of her favourite bread placed near her. She saw some singular protuberances.on the surface, and put on her specs to examine them. Imagine her horror when she read 'Uriah Plummer—died.' Then there was an hiatus; but on lifting this, she found on the under one, 1836 —Bequiescat.' There was another break, but that was enough The reader fainted. "I leave you to imagine what followed. None of that dinner was eaten by the old dame, and, what was worse, none of her fortune came to my cousin's hus- band, though he, poor man, was not to blame, and did .til he could to restore himself to her good graces. So the moral of this story is, that his stinginess to his wife cost him a fortune." I hope he had the tablet restored, and repudiated the heartless woman who had been guilty of such disrespect to the ashes of his ancestor." "No; he was too sensible to do either. The mis- chief was done, and it was useless to make himself un- comfortable about it. His wife wouldn't leave him, neither would she give up her biscuit board, unless he would get her another. He refused to go to that ¡ expense, and they compromised, by having the name chiselled off the thing, and kept it in use as long as they To'express in words the horror of the three ultra- refined daughters of the house of Stuckup, at this re- lation, would be impossible. Mrs. Pierre could stand no more she arose, and, hastily bidding them adieu, the three departed. When Mrs. Pierre had set Clara down at her own door, and the carriage rolled away, she gave free vent to her mirth. At length she said— "Amigo, that scene among those horrid girls was too good But really, now, are you not afraid they will represent you as a bear to all their friends ?" I I can't help it, Lonore I am a rough fellow, and I I can't be anything else, try as much as I will. I've concluded to play my own part naturally for half the people I meet will call rudeness originality, as Miss Stuckup did, simply because I am known to be the claimant of a large fortune, and have a history attached to my name." Mrs" Pierre looked grave. Nature made you rough, it is true, but unless you put some curb upon yourself, you will have no chance of success with Clara Euston. I could see this morn- ing, that she was amused with your conversation with that absurd woman, but repelled by your want of refinement." "Miss Euston will never accept me with her own consent, but that does not signify much. With the power your intimacy with her places in our hands, she can be decoyed from her home, carried off, and mar- ried in spite of any opposition she could offer. I can arrange matters so as to spend our honeymoon in Cuba, where she could appeal to no one against me, and her mother might take her own time to become reconciled I to the match. I can see plainly enough, that this will be my only chance." But really, I have hardly made up my mind to aid you to that extent," she nervously replied. i It matters not, Lonore; you will do it, for you j dare not refuse to aid me when I demand it, in the way most likely to win the stake for which we play." way most likely to win the stake for which we play." Mrs. Pierre became deadly pale. She firmly said— I Oh that must be your last resource. Do you understand me, amigo, must is the word I use?" I He shrugged his shoulders- "It sounds very pretty and imperious from your whitening lips, and means as much as such words usually do with your sex. Bah! Lonore, don't be a fool, and spoil everything by affecting compassion for the bird you have limed for the fowler's snare." But this is far more than I expected. I trusted to the chances of the suit in your favour, and the natural unwillingness of the heiress to relinquish her fortune, when she can so easily retain it by becoming your í wife." I "And a charming fate would that be for one so daintily reared as she had been," he bitterly retorted. I I cannot see that it will make any difference, if she marries me either with or without her own con- ¡ sent." "Then why seek to marry her at all? The award j may be in your favour. Then you can act magnani- mously, by waiving your claim to repayment of what has been spent out of the income, and leave Clara still independent." This advice is very different from that you have hitheito given me; and now, just as it becomes ne- cessary to act with vigour, you show the white feather." feather." "Ha3 anything happened to defeat us?" she ap- prehensively inquired. Only thh-that the true man has disappeared from the room in which I kept him, and I cannot trace him anywhere." Lonore fell back nearly fainting she gasped Tell me-tell me—do not keep me in suspense." You know the clairvoyant I called on at your sug- gestion, who gave me the clue to the hiding-place of the papers ? Well, it seems that she has called to see the puling idiot more than once since, and gained ac- cess to the roooa by means of the chambermaid's key. Last evening she came in a carriage and took him away with her. I felt confident it could be no other person, and this morning I went to her cottage. It was c'osed, and an old woman came out from the house next door, and told me the family had gone into the country." 9" And what have you done ? "I set a policeman to find out what has become of her that is all I can do for the present." "Is there no chance for a compromise yet?"she asked, in a tremulous tone. None—I have seen old Spring again, but he is too keen for me. I can't cope with him." Get some one that can, then," she impatiently rejoined. Employ a man skilled in all the subtleties of the law, who can meet your antagonist on his own ground. Frighten him with a show of your proofs, and make your own terms." The last is sooner said than done, Lonore though I shall do as you advise. I will save your fair friend from the stupidity of her counsel, if I can. I really have no desire to do what I hinted, if it can be avoided, for a wife would be a dead bore to me." Oh, means can be found, must be found, to release me from the necessity of throwing Clara Euston into your power." If they are not, look to the fulfilment of your part of the contract; fail me, and the brilliant belle falls from her position to-her true level." With this parting threat, he left her. CHAPTER XVIII. THE EMBARRASSING QUESTION. FROM the night of the party at the Stuckup's, Mrs. Linden seemed to have made up her mind to annoy her husband and his family in every possible manner. Her caprices, her irritable temper kept the house in constant commotion, and the health of Mr. Linden visibly failed under this new and trying phase of existence to one of Blr" his tastes and habits. Mrs. Harper was one of those quiet, self-sustained women who manage e/erything 'u under their control without trouble or confusion, and the elegant repose which had grown to be the habit of her. father's life was necessary to his happiness. This the turbulent and uncontrollable daughter-in law was resolute to destroy, because in doing so she rendered the whole family miserable. Day by day Mrs. Linden watched the shadows deepening upon the brow of her husband with a feeling of vindictive triumph. She exulted in the thought that she possessed thepowertorender him so wretched since she could not make him happy, she would fulfil her threat and become the torment of his weary existence. If she could have read the remorseful struggles of his heart, she would have known that his sufferings were great enough without the daily annoyances she inflicted upon him. Cherishing a passionate fondness for children, Linden never saw an attractive child that he did not yearn with feminine tenderness to take it in his arms and caress it, and the agonising thought ceaselessly haunted him that his own—his son—that should have been the joy of his life, actually lay perishing in some den in that vast city—perishing of want, while he revelled in luxury! He could not find a clue to the retreat of the hapless Madeline. Day after day he visited the office of Drew and Co., but no application had been made there in answer to his advertisement, and he turned with loath- ing from the costly viands daily spread before him, with the agonising thought that the deadly pangs of hunger were probably endured by those he would have given his heart's blood to be able to succour. Ernest Linden was not a bad man; he was only a weak and self-indulgent one, and he could not thrust away the hideous phantoms that came to him both waking and sleeping. That pale wasted face, with its wild eyes and imploring manner, haunted him without a moment's repose. He would start from his fitful, broken slumbers bathed in perspiration, with arms stretched forth to grasp the flitting form of a worn woman who held towards him the emaciated form of a dying boy—and then with a mocking cry, would chide his frantic efforts to pursue her. Linden broke through the deep reserve of his nature, and entreated his sister to make every effort to dis- cover the abode of Madeline. Mrs. Harper also en- listed the sympathies of Mrs. Euston, but both had hitherto signally failed in their efforts to gain a clue to her whereabouts. His family saw with sorrow that from day to day his health became more feeble, and they had almost o-iven up the hope that his native air would prove efficacious in restoring to him any portion of his early vigour. It was morning, and a singular scene was passing in his apartment. Linden lay upon a sofa drawn near the fire. in a fitful half slumber, and his wife stood beside him looking down upon him with a rapidly varying ex- ) pression upon her face. At moments she looked almost like the picture in the library, for a soft and loving ex- pression lighted up her common-place features; some bitterly painful recollection would sweep this away, and in its place came rage, jealousy, and despair, to efface the flitting charm with which softened feelings had in- vested her. She suddenly put forth her hand, and grasped a dagger that lay upon a table close at hand. I could kill him as he sleeps," was the savage thought that | came as a temptation to her; "I could stab him with his own weapon as he lies so utterly at my mercy! Yet I dare not—neither do I really wish it, even if I could escape the consequences of the act. Sweeter will it be to destroy him by slow torture. Like the cat which suffers her prey to fancy it may escape her deadly clutches, only to spring upon and secure it again, I will stealthily sap the springs of life m the heart 1 which cherishes the image of another, while I am only i a wife in name. Oh, bitter doom to chng to that I which loathes and would spurn me if it dared. The hand though won by stratagem, is at least mine, and it I shall never be claimed by another. Whowasthat { woman who stood in our path the other night? Whats the tie between them? Oh I would-I would that I could fathom it She bent forward, and the sleeper stirred uneasily, as if oonscious of the baneful glance that rested upon flm' Presently he unclosed his eyes, and seemed startled by the near approach of her face to his own. Jm i he.I4 ^e dagger clasped in her hand, and suddenly r using himself up, he asked with scornful bitterness— Are you meditating the crime of murder, Mrs. Linden, or only that of suicide ?" Perhaps I thought of committing both," she coolly replied. I could not of course outlive a model hus- band like yourself; our domestic happiness is so per- fect, that life must be worthless to me except in your companionship, either in life or death." Linden regarded her with grave sadness. Amelia, it seems to me that you could lead a peace- fullife here, if it were in your nature to do so. I have given you all that you could have expected from our ill-omened union—position, fortune, a home that was at least the abode of contentment till you entered it. What more do you require of me 1" She passionately replied- Don't taunt me with the poor worldly advantages you have bestowed upon me, when that is withheld that can alone give them any value—your heart recoils from me. Every glance of your eye betrays the repul- sion which you dare not otherwise express." He sadly asked- "Did you expect any other result from our most unsuitable union ? The marriage bond made me your husband, but a mere legal form cannot blend two an- tagonistic souls into one. Priestcraft can never accom- plish a miracle like that." "Yet the minister said, 'whom Gael hath joined to- gether. A union sanctioned by Heaven should have some truth for its foundation. Tell me, Ernest Linden, were you free to make the pledge that gave your love- less hand to me ? Before you ever saw me, was there not another who in the sight of God was your wife ? A fearful convulsion passed over his face, and he covered it with his hands to shut out the burning gaze that seemed to penetrate his shrinking soul, but no reply to this demand came. She frigidly said— I am answered. That woman we so strangely met a few nights ago is the true wife. Who was she? Where does she conceal herself from my vengeance ? Were you ever legally wedded to her, and is the tie that unites us but a rope of sand that can be severed at any moment ?" Linden arose in a paroxysm of intense passion. Illo-nan who gave you the right to question me thus ? to infute such infamy to me as this ? That wretched woman was a friend of my early days-her parents were kind to me. and the claims of herself and her child are sacred to me. Let this suffice, and do not seek to invade every corner of my miserable heart with your prying spirit of curiosity. I warn you that I will not bear it." I only seek to learn that which is of vital import- ance to me," she defiantly replied. "Am I the legal possessor of your name, or am I not ? Linden regained his self-control, and sinking back, he feebly asked— "Is this a new device to torture me, Amelia? Your ingenuity must be at fault when you seek so absurd a ground of quarrel as this. I shall reply to no such query." Because you dare not," she triumphantly said. I hold the clue in my hand, and I shall surely follow it up until I find the secret of your renunciation of Ellinor Graham. I suspect it now, and if I gain its confirmation, but one thing will withold me from dis- gracing you before the world. I would be glad to abase the pride of -those who look down on me as an inferior, by showing them, and those whose respect they prize, how lew the idol of their pride has fallen." He sternly said— I doubt not your will to do so, Amelia, if you possessed the power-but you have it not. Besides, self-interest is all powerful with you, and you would lose everything by such an expose." That is true," was the cool rejoinder. I suppose that I must bear with you and your indifference, to in- sure the magnificent reward I have in view. Your father cannot live much longer, and it will be grateful to me to be queen in this house, where I have been looked on as an upstart and a nobody. You are his heir, and when you claim your own, I know one woman who will have to seek another shelter." Why should you speak of me as my father's sole heir ? He has another child." Oh, Mrs. Harper is only a daughter, and therefore is not entitled to more than a few thousand pounds. You, as the eldest and only son, will of course take the paternal mansion and family estate. I will reign in state, then, and your sister may seek another home. There will be no room for her in mine." Linden regarded her with a mingled expression of disgust and surprise, as he asked- "Are you really so ignorant of our institutions as to imagine that I shall inherit my father's estate to the exclusion of my sister ? The laws here give me only an equal portion with Cornelia, and if the family mansion ever becomes mine, it will be by an arrange- ment to that effect between my sister and myself. I shall probably permit her to remain its mistress, for she loves every stone in its walls, while I have been a wanderer until I care very little about claiming it as my own." Are you really telling me the truth ?" asked Mrs. Linden with an expression of dismay. "Can I never turn that hateful woman out ?" It is so very true, that my father can disinherit me, if he chooses to do so, and leave the whole of his property to Mrs. Harper. If he should survive me, you could legally claim nothing more than he might choose to give you." And am I to be defrauded of fortune as well as love ?" she passionately asked. "No intentional fraud was practised on you, Mrs. Linden," was the pointed reply. A question of for- tune was the last I supposed in your mind when— when- Linden paused as if struggling with some bitterly painful feeling, and his wife sarcastically completed his unfinished sentence "When you conferred the high honour on me of giving me your imperial hand, which it seems after all, only weds me to poverty, if the old man should beat you in the race you are both running toward the grave." Bold and reckless as she was, there was something in the expression of her husband's eyes that made her re- coil. He slowly said I trust the old man of whom you speak so irreve- rently will long survive his hapless son, to enjoy what belongs to him. For me, all joy in life is gone—self- respect is buried in the grave of my past misdeeds; ambition has flitted before me as an unstable shadow; re- morse darkens my life, and I am ready to lie down in my grave, a wretched failure. Upon my tomb shall be inscribed, 'Unstable as water,'for my own weakness has made me what I am. You, madam, will be suffi- ciently provided for; you have borne the name of his only son, and my father will be liberal to you for my sake. She proudly tossed her head as she said: I sh"ll seek and find other means to loosen his purse-strings. I do not choose to remain dependent on the caprices of an old man almost in his dotage, who would be entirely under the influence of a woman that hates me." "lam at a loss to conjecture what those means can be, and I am very sure that Cornelia has no such hostile feeling towards you. She forbears towards you every way." "Yes—I dare say-I hate her for that insolent superiority she habitually assumes. If she would lose her temper and retort on me, I should like her better; but to be treated like a petulant child is enough to make me angry every hour of my life." Oh, well, I am weary of this discussion, and there comes an opportune knock upon the door to Mrs. Harper came in, carrying a glass of jelly in her hand. She said to her brother- "You took no breakfast, Ernest, and I have made this for you, myself. I beg that you will try and eat a portion^! people wouldn't take the trouble to wait on my husband:" rudely said ^Mts. Linden. "I regard that as my right; but in this house I'm not con- sidered as having any rights." Mrs. Harper flushed deeply, but she regarded her sister-in-law calmly as she replied- "I should be sorry to invade your privileges, Amelia, but a sister also has strong claims upon an only brother. I hope that, on my part, nothing has been said or done, which would lead you to imagine me willing to infringe the sacred duties of a wife towards her husband. Can we not come to a better understanding, Amelia, than has lately existed between us, and become sisters in something more than the name ?" 1 (To be continued.)