Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-23

Contfnue0 from 0x1t page
1.-THE handwriting is not familiar
mo. II is merely rude scrawl, as
you see," said the banker. 1T suggests
notbinG-except that it is evidently dis
guised y ~ ka. GA
Again there was profound silence,
"Our child is seventeen years old
now Ut length murmursd Mrs. PEBBLE,
her voice trembling. "She is on the
threshold of womanhood. No doubt,
during all these years, she has yesrned
for us, wherever she may be, as We have
yeerned for her i'l4 ~ "a ~ a.
bat where is she r. asked the physi-
cian--And now bis voice WIS broken by
his deep sympathy with The agonized
parents "Where can she be X w " n
+" Heavtn only knows, answered the
mother. Perhaps in San Francisco
perhaps in some rude hut in the interior,
with some obscure farmer, and under O
name that is not hersr / think her alb
ductor would have carried her to some
lonely region of the interior, among the
valleys and mountains. Yet never see
a yeuDg girl in the streets without turn
ing to look at her. / never hear girl
ish voice without listening eagerly, half
fancying tina. il msy prove the voice OF
"On, plying heavenr' sighed Dr..
Hutton, dashing flood OF tears from his
eyes. "Wlll this long agony never be
over2"
ave hope go, and even believe so,"
answered Mrs. Preble, with the frmHess
of an unfallering trust in Gods mercy.
1.-THE last message we received from our
enemy seems to point to some kind of
change.
"True, assented DIR. Hutton, looking
at the message in question. " 1t is nm
like the others. Itsays that his reward
is at hand He means either that he
intends to marry your daughter, or that
he Intends to demand money of you for
bringing her back-or BOTH"
1--WE shall soon know" said Mrs.
Preble, with forced cslmness. To day
we shall have another message, no doubt.
What will it be r M Ef8
The banker turned restlessly on his
sofa, and his face grew even paler.
Whatever it is, let it GOMEZ be muir
INJURED. "A1ytbing can be borne better
than this awful suspense. Lett come
As if his impatient words had precip-
itated crisis, step was heard on the
walk at this moment, and ring at the
front door followed.
Another messsge!" bresthed the
banker.
A servant soon entered, bearing let
fer. which he extended to Mr.. Preble,
saying: -,
1.-THE bearer is in the hail.
With an eager gaze, the banker glanced
at the superscripfiou of the missiye.
at is from him 7" he faltered.
He tore the envelope open.
II contained slip Of paper, of we'll
known shape and Appearance, upon
which was scrawled q single line, in an
equally well-known handwriting, which
the banker exhibited to his wife and the
physician. VFsgsFga
The line was as follows: W ~
August 9. 1868. At sic ,cia call"
A shock of wonder and herror shook
the three simultaneously. M aEz a
"Will CALL" cried Mr.. Preble, starting
TO bis feet, and glaring wildly around
us coming here2 cried Mrs. Preble,
also arising. !.
at seems So" said DR.. Hinton, his
eyes again revertipg to the message. "He
will be here at six o'clock, and see it is
six already "
Even es be spoke, the clock on the
mautel-piece commenced striking the ap-
pointed hour, end at that instant heavy
footsteps resounded in the hall, approach
h. ,hroru
at ia he'll" cried the doctor. also
arising. .tssD
As the last stroke Of the hour re-
sounded, the door leading from the hall
sgsin opened.
One long and Mortified glance cast the
banker and his wife 10 that direction, and
then che fell heavily to the floor.
Her senses had left her. The above
we publish as specimen chapter; but
the continuation of this story will be
found only 10 the N. Y. Ledger. Ask
for the number dated December 4tb,
which can be had at any news-ofice or
bookstore If you are not within reach
of news-office, you can have the Ledger
mailed TO you for one year by sending
three dollars to Robert Bonner, pub
Usher, 1872 William street, New York
The Ledger pays more for original con-
tributions than any other periodical in
the world. It will publish none but the
very, very best. Its moral tone is the
purest, aud its circulation the largest
Everybody who takes it is happier for
having it. Leon Lewis, Mrs. Harriet
Lewis, Mrs. Seuthworth, Mr.. Cobb. Pro-
faasor Pack. Mary KYLE Dallas. Fanny
Fern and Miss Dapuy will write only for
the Ledger hereafter.
Mr.. Bonner, like other leading pub
fishers, might issue three or Eve papers
and magazines; but be prefers to con-
centrate ell his energies upon one, and
in that way to make it the best. One
Dexter ia worth more than three or five
ordinary horses.
One science only can one genius TT,
So vast Is art, so narrow human wit.
A woman's Kiss.
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