, 1864-03-12

VINO Is tFutn Itscll.
az rity | canrot share in so sweet de-
lision," said Grace with cool levity.
An expression of sorrow oversprcad
Clemcncy's open face as she grayely OBJ
serted, Grace, forspme time past Mr. Sher-
woods unhappiness--"
Has been into!erable," Interrupted
Grace, pecvishly.
"lIc appears wretched," urged Glenn
ency.
''Ts it my fault ?" asked Grace.
"Possibly," replied Clcmency.
"You are complimentary, truly" said
Grace.
81 am earnest, Grace Sherwood" said
Clemency. with startling vehcmence--
" Your husband loves you, truly, nobly.
Think then what must be his feelings"
~ am sorry you should waste your cham
pionship in so bad cause" interrupted
Grace, with singing sarcasm. "You may
be right in saying that Mr.. Sherwood loves,
but not his wifc-oh, no, not his wife,"
"What mean you!' asked Clcmcncy.
"Bc patient, my dear, patient as | am
compelled to be, replied Grace. His real
CHAR tclCr Will SOltl DC UUlUlucu.
81 would stake my life upon his truth"
said Clemency. warmly. FalsehoOd never
darkened his pure brow. Treachery never
lurked in his clear eye. Hear me, Grace
1t was but yesterday my husband told me
that for some time Mr.. Sherwood has been
drawing largely on his capital, under pre-
tcnce Of Specializing with the money. DO
you know that those Withdrawals have been
made fora different purpOse!'
Mr.. Sherwood disposes Of his fortune
as he chooses; do the same" was Grace's
disdaniul response.
"Do not strive to shield your errors under
a subtcrfuge so selfish" said Clemency
" Your folly and extravaganza are the worms
that have sappcd his fortune and destroyed
his happiness. His simple tastes you have
striven hard to sharpen into weapons Of
torture. You have hitherto prospercd in
your work; but beware, you have been
playing with doub!e.edgcd tools. My
friendly voice bids you pause and reflect.
Save yourself, it possible, from remorse-
less future. BE wise, before it is too late.
Goodbye, dear Grace, and may God guide
you"
She threw her arms silently round races
neck, while tears of genuine pity filed her
eyes. A hurried kiss was lett ON her old
companions cheek, and she was gone.
A drcary void of hcpelessness and misery
rose darkly before Grace. The path Of
duty had been revealed to her in no dis
gu sing words, and still she Stunned il.
Doubt and distrust Of him she loved had
blinded her, and left her prey to tOrtur-
ing thoughts. There seemed to be no life
beyond the morrow no heed for anything
beyond that one anxious hour which the
morrow was to bring; for then the golden
talisman that was to bay bare her husbands
perfidy would be placed in her hands.
The hour came. A kind of dreamy
stupor seemed to have lulled into repose the
stormy passions that held their fierce rule
over her. She had brought the casket into
the drawing.roOm, and sat gazing at it with
vague, mechanical EXPIRE 'sion, when Sir
Everard DOyley was announced. Forsome
moments she scarcely seemed to be aware
of his presence. The baronet, completely
fIiled by her strange demeanor, began to
fire of volley Of pretty prOtestations.
His studied, daintily selected words were
nicely garnlshed with sentimental tlattcry'
but they failed to Frducc the re lulred I'M
precision. -,
Suddenly, like statue starting into life,
G'race bounded from her chair saying
iiercely, Have you Kept your word ! Have
you performed your task y
I" The word Of gentleman is as sacred
rs his honor, replied Sir Everard dcpfe-
catingly.
4" Fulfil that sentiment, she said lmpe-
rionsly' The key give 1t TO me
ner vehcmenI ouiDnrst startled 'no par,
Ine., pI' "o I n9isousiy ' ur:m ino A'y "Ju, s%"
n's PpcSe. anu prese"sgu y 70 neri y ~ guy s"S
clu.cncu ',e Ncy he se']eG ner , "Iuu u'. u,'u
enaeaHorsu ~ carry ltto n,S I'Ps Du. sae
w.Incleu u irIIn nun WIN suc,' an WV"
VI ioa'nlng' sue" looH VI "i."csI"S 0J
tempt, 'nal nc '9rneu iron her WIN '"o
SHIN ol w"'Ppeo cur go
The talisman was in her gr'sp' ana stIii
she paused; the "OPen Sesame was hers
and her tongue failed her She stood on
the threshold Of Blue Boards forbidden
chamber, but dared not enter. WIN u
brcuthlesS effort she at length placed tile