The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-26

And woe betide the innocent
Who falls beneath their wiieS
When they have singled ont their pray,
They make a cat-llke spring;
Or hug them like a serpent, ere
They plant the fatal sting
And then they wash their guilty hands,
But don't efface the stain,
These very greedy cannba's
That live IN Scandal lane
THE HIDDEN HAND.
By MRS. soUTnwoRTH.
Author of "Thc Bride OF an Evening"" ''The De.
serted Wife," &c. &c, &c.
CHAPTER I.
THE FORCED MARRIAGE.
Colonel Gabrielle Lie Noir, Virginia nabob, in
order that he might inherit the paternal estates,
hired an outlaw named Black Donald, TO murder
his elder brother, Eugene lie Noir He then shut up
Euqene,s widow in his residence, known as the
Hidden House, and as he supposed, made away
with her newborn infant But Eugene's infant child
was saved, and finally got into the possession Of
Major Ira warfeld, q tempestuous old neighbor and
relentless foe Of Colonel LIE Norris On account Of
Major warned's irrepressOle temper he wasSalled
Old Hurricane and his residence was known as Hur-
ricane Hall.
Years before our story opens Colonel lie Nor had
caused separation between Major warfleld and his
wife, and the latter, under the name OF Marah
Rookie with her son Traverse had had q bitter
struggle for bread. But they had got along and
Traverse had become physician and was petrothed
to Clara Day, the only daughter Of q rich doctor.
But DR.. Day dying suddenly Clara had come under
tn control OF the INSCRIPTIONS Colonel LIE Nor,
the executor OF the Doctors will and her guardian.
The Colonel had turned Mrs. Rookie and Traverse
own residence, the Hidden House. where he tried to
compel her to marry his son, Craven Lie Noir. But
Capitola Black, the heroine OF our story and
who, though now grown up, was TIE same infant
child Of Eugene LIE Nor that the Colonel supposed he
had senced forever. and who is as keen as an eagle
and brave as lion) undertook to get Clara out of
the clutches OF her prosecutors.
Itas desperate game that capitola undertook
to play for the lie Noirs both father and son. were
INSCRIPTIONS and cruel to the last degree. Ghey
would not hesitate to commit murder to carry their
point II they could not gain it by the preparation OF
lesser crimes But nothing daupted, the spirited
Capitola determined aid her friend Clara, and for
that purpose rsked visit to the Hidden House while
Colonel lie Noir was at home. Sine learned from
Clara that the Colonel and Craven were going to
takeher to an out OF the way chapel in the evening
and force her into a marriage against her will
1.-THE officiating clergyman Is their friend" said
Clara; land even II could consent to act deccitful
part and should go to church a. IL marry Craven
and upon getting there, denounce him, instead OF
receiving the protection OF the clergyman, should
be restored to the hands OF my legal guardian, and
be brought back here to meet fate worse than
deas,.y Thus Clara spoke in a tone Of despair.
Capitola did not at once reply, but fell into deep
ing more gravely than she had spoken before, she
sald:-
'There Is but one plan Of escape left, your only
remaining chance, and that full OF danger" Sew
soh why should fear dangers What evil can
beall me SO great as that which now threatens me ~
said clara.
''Ths plan requires on your part great courage,
self.control and presence Of mind.n
''Teach me- teach me, dear Oapitola. win be an
apt pupil"
81 have thought 1t all out and viii tell you my
plan. 1t 10 now eleven O'Clock in the forenoon, and
the carriage ia to come for you at six this evening,
believeri
eyes ycsw
ssThen you have seven hours in which to save
yourself And this is my plan:-First, Clara, you
must change clothes with me, giving mo your snit
OF mourning and putting on my riding habit, hat
and veil. Then leaving me here In your place, you
are TO pull the veil down closely over you face and
walk right ont OF the house. NO one viii speak
TO you, for they never do to me. When you have
reached the yard spring upon my horse and put
whip to him for the village OF Tip Top Ny servant,
WOOL will ride after you. but he win not speak to
Jon or approach near enough to discover your iden-
ti;yfor he has been ordered by his master TO keep
me in sight, and nc has been forbidden By his mis-
tress to intrude upon her privacy. You viii reach
Tip Top By three O'Clock, when the staunion stage
passes through. You may then reveal yourself 20