, 1864-03-12

While speaking, his hands wandered to
his pocket, where, to his amazemenr, he
found his own key.
mo, ! am deceived" he said, as he drew
the key from his pocket. ' There is even
deeper stain Of guilt upon you than be-
lieved possible. | find you have resorted
to the treacherous expedicnt of midnight
robber. | demand, Mrs. Shcrwood-.you
hear met is your weak mole of a ius.
band who is speaking-I demand to know
by what means that false key came into
your possession ?"
The weight of rcmorselul conscience
burdcned Gracc's tongue and held her
speechless.
"Perhaps," said Hugh. turning to the
baronet, g Sir Evcrard will grant me solu.
tion Of this problem 2"
The baronet smiled, bowed, shrugged his
shoulders, and stammerins forth remark
about domestic disagrcements, was about to
beat retreat, but Hugh, with determined
obstinacy, stood in his path.
"Sir Everard D'Oylcy can confirm my
statement" said Grace, Is that those letters
have been unread by me-
"When culprit can only obtain the
evidence Of an accomplice to clear away
his guilt, suspect his case is desperate -
said Hugh.
Really, Mr.. Sherwood, you are too Sc
we're, exclaimed the buronet.
"If my language is distastelul to Sir
Everard D'Oyley, he will please to select
another time to remind me Of it," retorted
Hugh proudly. "Mrs. Sherwood, you
have thought proper to pry into my secrets !;
be it so. That letter, which you hold in
your hand, may be instructive to you, if
not to your friend here. lIumor me by
reading it aloud"
The cool firmness of his voice and man
ner, the proud, stern expression Of his eye
and feature, touched Grace with feeling
of awe. "Sparc me" she murmured, with
u supplicating look of sharp anguish.
100 late, madam" replied Hugh, al
most harshly. "a work SO nobly com.
menced must be finished. Read, insist. !"
"Do not be merciess,' she cried.
DO you not perceive the anxiety of our
dear friend here ?" asked Hugh, mock
inply. "Wby will you not end his sus-
pen:e ?"
The pitilcss CLEAN of her husband S
eve told Grace that she had no other alter.
native than 10 obcy him. She unf,lded
the letter. and, with emphatic slowness. be-
pan to read il : each word fell like distilled
gall on the baronet's ear: and ere she had
concluded hastood n crouching abiect thing
in human form The letter was worded as
follows.
My DEAR HUGlI-iou make an ap-
peal to me on the ground OF our old college
'ep, .',ea''p D"s ;",''n,;,inI @ lie c,,,mno no;,hor
W., m' T ii;o"nso,i lm g.. ,Lo saIl;os and
an, ~" on"%~ ;'SproIonoo W P ~ rorr In,o uncIe md
5;s v,;n dan,htor TIo other crcd;tors I
n,s MS .n I uuus"'er, La ,n,hnr,o% mo " anS ;s am
~, =, 80 n,i,doJ IN ,Lo;r ,rmbor sboII
NV u. %meS ,"S'"uoL 'i o ,%o i,'o NJ R,h"n
oe .o''s,.,"eu ~ P"'S ,I1y ' s :; H. H. 60, ef
p.,lu,.',o,." ~" 80 " ~ " 'e O
Graee's quivcrinS lip and faltcring voice
pauaed when she had read the las: sCn-
tence. -,
Rather a relentless creditor" said
Hugh; :" don't you think so, Sir Everard ::
circumstances possibly drove him to
extremit;es, was the baronets embarrassed
reply.
:" Read on, madam, said Hugh, with
implacable sternnessj there Is something
more"
Slowly weighing each syllable with a
marked expression OF contempt, siie con-
tinucd, Receive, my dear friend, the assu-
rance Of my sincere attachment.
EVERARD DoYLEf'
"True ~ exclaimed Hugh, with mock
;ug Glance n, the borouet. "Why, the
letter came from YOU! What made me
G,rcct Il ,"
shall ever remember t." murmured
Grace.
Tho baronet made n rnpid movement to.
wards the door. but Hugh's strong hand
cauoht him in It's powerful grasp.
!" Nat vet: I cannot mart with so dear a
friend 40 soon. said Iiuch, with cutting
irony
take your hand from me-" cried the
baronet with a ncnacing gesture.
!" Ro calm nv dear sir" said Hugh.
tiybteninr his grasp, until Sir Evcrard
writhed with pain.