, 1864-03-12

was opened, and John Rudderforth entered,
followed by Clcmency. John advanced
and took the Hand of his friend In silence,
while Clemency clung with a loving embrace
round Grace's neck.
"Wclcome, my kind friends. welcome"
said Hugh. You have come in time to
witness, if not to share, the happiest hour
IF my life'
WHAT cried John, Frightening up;
" then that note Of yours was all pleasant
Jest, eh Sent, suppose, to make sort
of April fool Of me. Well, well, l forgive
you"
"Alas, old friend" said Hugh, "my
ruin is no jest, but stern reality"
"Eh, what?" exclaimed John, with
shiver; sit is true, then? 2"
"Quite," replied Hugh, with laugh at
his friends incredulots stare:
Hang it, don't laugh, there's good
fellow, > said John, very grayely; "a dis;
honored eheque, with no effects at your
bankers, is no laughing matter"
"But l am richly compensated" said
Hugh.
Compensated ?-how T" said John.
81 have lost my fortune, but have found
the true heart of my wife, replied Hugh
"but now to business. What is your an
swer to my note!'
John turned his face aside and brushed.
q tear from his eye. Then, in tone of
smothered emotion, replied, "Too late;
the vacancy is filled. Besides, fear the
position would scarcely suit you"
A shade of disappointment mantled
Hugh's brow as he heard the words "I
AIN sorry to hear this" he murmured.
"Are you 2" said John, unable longer
to control his pcnt-up feelings. "Hark ye,
Mr.. Sherwood. Ruin yourself if you like
fifty times over, but don't come to the man
whose fortune you have made, who owes
everything he has in the world to Stu-
position, prospects, wealth, happincss-the
man upon whose head you have never wea-
ri,d in hcaping benefits and kindnesses-
don't, say, ccme to him after you have
done ull this and insult him."
"Insult him! !" said Hugh, with be:
wildered gaze.
"My clerk ~ said John; "Hugh Sher-
wood the clerk of John Rudderforth! How
pleasantly it jars upon the car. A pretty
monstrous seoundrel you wish to make me -
al" exclaimed Hugh.
"0ne Of the firm, Rudderf rth & Sher:
wood" continued John, in vehement
strain. "Give me your hand and say il
shall be so, or | will leave"
but am without means, without capi-
tai" exclaimed Hugh.
"Had any capital till you feht me
yours, and took my integrity for your bondT,
cried John, with growing indignation. "If
you don't take this hand, and clench the
bargain, I'll never call you friend again"
The hand was taken with loving, CRATE
fal grasp. an John said, at broken inter-
walls, Thank you, thank you, am not un-
grateful-no, no; and l thank God, WHO
has given me the means of proving H.
Like bread upon the waters, Hugh, your
kindness comes back to you. The past
shall be retrieved, fear not"
"John Ruddcrforth,' said Hugh, striv-
ing to speak with calinneSs, 4 ani nor en-:
ter.ng the lists Of liie's great battle; and,
whether am the Victor or the vanquished,
Tan never forget the brave friend who has
come so nobly forward, and armed me for
the strife"
:" And have holy memory to cherish,
too" said Grace; and one that will give
a blessed lustre to our simple, hoa1ely joys
The ebony casset, husband, the woald Of
riches it disclosed to me, VIII hang round
my heart in radiant truth when the winter
Of age shall have frosted our lives"
"There is the key, wife," said Hugh,
with sunny smile. II give it 70 yod
now and IT hereaftcf the evil spectre Of
thoughtlcss vanity should rear its smitten
head, turn then to those records Of your
husbands unselfsh love-"