, 1862-10-25

the verge of fever. He fell, on the wayside, a
little way below, and Bruce found him as he
came back from stabling your horses. He is
worn to a skeleton with fatigue and privaton-
shall we take him in ?"
"Certainly," said Mr. Irving, rousing himself
with an effort from the train of thought in which
he had been wel-nigh absorbed; ''let the SER
wants see that he has every carel"
"But Hugh, dearest, pleaded the wife, look
ing with grieved, terrified eyes into his own, "will
you come and see him? We have laid him on
the sofa in the ante-room."
"If you wish it my dear, certainly" said Mr..
Irving "Why, what is the matter9 You trem-
Bile like leaf'
"Oh, my husband' murmured Ellice, pausing
as their feet touched the threshold of the door,
"only remember the Bible words, Blessed are the
mereiful, for they shall obtain merey.w
Hugh Irving had not time to ask an explana-
lion of her words ere he found himself in the an
te-room from which the servants had all been
dismissed. There, upon the sofa, lay wild-eyed
man with dusty garb and bleeding feet, his
clothes in tatters and his face shadowed by a
beard of several days growth. AS Mr. Irving
approached he gave a faint cry, and endeavored
to spring from his couch, like one who would fee,
but weakness and approaching illness overpow-
cred him, and he sank back on the sofa, covering
his face with his skeleton hands. And, as he
did So Hugh Irving knew that he stood in the
ghasty presence of his deadlieSt foe, Frazer Mar
tin!
"Have they come to arrest me ?" shrieked the
poor, halfdeliriouS creature. Il have fled long,
but was not fast enough for them. am weak
and ILL., l think l am going to die. But send
HIM away. Don't let HIM see me l knew il
would be detected, but thought could replace
the money before he knew it did not dream
that it would all be swallowed up in that msera-
bic speculation Is it he, or only another troub-
led vision ?"
at is I, Frazer Martin" returned Hugh, coldly
"What have you TO say for yourself?"
81 can say nothing. l have no excuse to
plead but for Gods sake do not deliver me into
the hands of the law would have fled beyond
its reach, but you see how weak l am Have
mercy on me! Oh, Hugh Irving, for her sake
be charitable to me l shall soon be beyond the
reach of earthly aid or pardonp p
His pteously implorng voice-almost abject
in its entreaty-ja Jared on Irving's ear. He turned
to Eice, who stood silently at his side.
"Ellice, if pursue the plans had arranged
the officers of justice will be here at noon to-
morrow if not"
''But you will not dearest Hugh!" cried his
wife, whose quick eye had detected the relentng
change in his face. "You will forgive, as we our
selves hope, one day, to be forgiven For my
sake, dear lovel"
"For your sake, sweet wife, and Heaven'sp p
And Frazer Martin knew that he was safe
The next morning Mr.. Irving entered the dark
ened room where lay the rival of his youth-the
doggug enemy of ripper years. The dim eyes Of
the sick man turned wistfully toward him, as the
feeble hand was stretched forth.
"Do not fear, Frazer" said Hugh, encour-
agingy. 81 have sent letter to the Bank in
closing the amount by which my account is over
drawn. Rest in peace, for no act of mine shall
ever disturb your safety"
A sudden flush mounted to the wan cheek
where healths rosy tide should never mantle
more:
at is most generous-noble-of you, Irving
and feel acutely how little it is deserved. No
revenge could cut to my heart like this: l shall
not live long, but it would have been hard to end
my days in prison cell. Ellice--ior may cal
you once more by the sweet old name of oul
youth-I am glad you married Hugh Irving. He
is worthy of you never was {"
A few days afterward he died, holding with hi,
last grasp Hugh Irvings hand, and only relaxing
the chill pressure when, at last his soul passed
out into the great Unknown, where neither friend
ship nor enmity could follow him.
The five thousand dollars-need we say it p
was never missed but in its stead there came a
deep peace far more precious to Hugh and Ellice
than the gold of Ophir or diamonds from Col
conda. The sun of Frazer Martins life had moi
gone down upon their wrath!