The daily gazette., 1875-12-24

, up In tne morning ana hastily drc5HHg
himself, walked forth in the hope that
the sharp air might brace his nerves.
1t was during his absence that Percy
Melville called again at the house and
obtaining the letter hurried away.
When Mr.. Hervey returned to the
house his daughter was already waiting
for him in the breakfast room, and he
noticed that her face was pale and her
whole manner betrayed mental dis.
quietude. Nor was his own bosom
free from dark cloud that spread q
gloom upon his otherwise happy coun-
tenance. The meal was eaten with
little conversation between father and
daughter. They both seemed to feel
security in silence.
Ella Hervey was to have married
Percy Melville at Christmas. 1t was
less than twenty days OF, and her
father had been purchasing her some
splendid presents during her absence.
AS they arose from their seats, Mr.
Harvey said:
My daughter, | will give You dur.
ing the dag something that I know
will please you. think your wed
ding troussedu is now complete"
Ada raised her eyes languidly to her
fathers face as she replied
Thank youforyour great goodness;
but | fear that event will have to be
postponed for a while at least"
- Rufus Hervey did not start like one
who for the first time hears some sud
den and unwelcOme announcement
A sigh, heavy and deep, escaped his
| lips, and he turned away without ask
ing any explanation, Ada was no
little perplexed at his conduct; but she
was too unhappy to seek for informa-
tion on the point, and SO they separ-
ated, both bearing away their own un-
happy thoughts,
Spring had come, and already the
voice OF birds and the budding of
| flowers met the eve and ear. but
! brought no comfort or pleasure to the
inmates of the Hervey family. Indeed
among many of the inhabitants of
c. there was deep feeling of un-
easiness and gloom.
Percy Neville was the occupant Of
a prison cell, having voluntarily sur
rendered himself to Justice on the
the nature of his care we must return
10 tue tlult kudb Aud AlGINGI nOuI W
visit some friends in the previous
winter. Soon after her arrival in the
city, Percy Neville came to join her
by appointment. He was accom-
panied by his younger brother. A
young man named Perry had long en-
tertained mad passion for Miss Her.
vey ,..and had so conducted himsef in
consequence of her declining his at
tentions, that Ada found 1t necessary
to meet and pass him without notice
Perrys habits were wild and unruly,
and being pampered from his child
: hood, his temper had become ungov-
ernable.
Ada and Percy were one evening re.
turning across a bridge that connected
the city with the suburbs, when they
met Perry under the influence of IL
: quor, and in high state of excite
E ment.
He placed himself directly in their
: path, and made use of an exceedingly
L insulting expression. Neville carried
3 heavy cane in his hand, and no soon
c er had Perry spoken than Percy strucl
!, him q heavy blow on the head, anC
the unfortunate man t0ttered to the
7 side of the bridge and fell into the
river. The water was deep and thu
current strong. Ada and Hsrcy hearc
d the plunge, and the latter was on thu
y point of springing into the water
when Ada, grasping him ismly witt
Is both her hands, prevented him. Jus
then Meville's younger brother cam
le up, and was much distressed at learn
st ing what had taken place.
All three watched the dark water
a in the hope of seeing Perry rise to tn
At surface, but nothing in human form
- appeared, and they turned away ful
IS of apprehension and fear. I0un
1t Melville FASTENED along the river bank
in the hope Of hearing that Perry hst
Id gained the shore, but when midnigh
) came and he returned to his brother
} it was with the announcement tina
Perry must certainly have drowned
ID Percy Melville would have surrsndere
y himself at the moment, but at Ada
in request he went Immediately homS
ly while his brother remained to seek ia
m further intelligence of the missin
ut man.
,d III it becomes necessary to stan
IN YOUR trial" said Ada, "you can surreI
he der yourself at home few week
us II Cak hohS oNN A'NNA~ NN-@S'
ence as to the issue.
% YoungMelvilleh had been unremittin
- in his endeavors TO discover whethe
% Perry was living OK dead, and ha
~ come TO the conviction that he wa
% really drowned. Therefore, whe
-. Ada returned 20 her home, he sent
q letter to his brother advising him
Nd confess his deed and stand his tria
nv Mna Rufus Hervey had possessed himse
IS of the secret by the means that v
IL have already seen.
IA Melville's trial was brief. Ada ar
~ ~ the younger Melville had given the
n testimony and the jury had retired.
s seemed almost certain that Perc
n;. would be acquitted, but there was
,;s doubt among many present d
might have to serve term in priso
:, and this, however short 1t might b
"a would forever be stain upon his nan
,is and life.
ns ~, The jury was only absent a sho
he time when they returned to the bt
n3 n3 prepared to render verdict. IT
ue iudge had already propounded tl