, 1875-05-01

I ASA3 gOu oCOH lOdSb 0ACltcu
What is the meaning of all this?
We have ascertained that the
young woman you have sheltered
is most abandoned creature, said
Dick, and have deemed it proper
at once to apprize you of the dis
covery. Should she deny the ac-
epsatiou, We are prepared with
abundant proofs. And the two
cousins took their leave with an
air of exalted virtue.
Mrs. Varley was a lady of strict
propriety and severest morals.
Much as she pitied the friendless
girl, she must be promptly freed
from this foul and dreadful charge
or cross her threshold never to re-
turn.
She went directly to Hester's
chamber.
You must tell me your past his
tory, child, said Mrs. Varley, in a
determined, but not unkindly tone.
o madam, l pray you pardon
me; but 1 cannot, cannot tell it!
Then it has been one of shame
and guilt?
For a time, of shame, madam,
answered the young girl, with
flushed cheek, but never of guilt.
What was it that caused Mrs.
Varley to start so suddenly, and
stagger half fainting to a seat at
Hester's dressing table?
Who---whose likeness is that2
she exclaimed,poi to an open
miniature on the table.
Ny mothers, Hester answered.
Then you are Florence Marvin's
child?
That was indeed my mothers
name.
More, you are the daughter of
my only brother, George Hay
Ewood. for Florence Marvin was
his wife. s.s.--ls--l.
With a stiAed cry, she who had
believed herself alone and friend
less in the world, fell on her kins-
woman's neck and wept tears of
mingled glsdness and sorrow.
Her story, which Hester had re-
fused to confde to strangers
ears, she now willingly impaired
to one from whom she felt she had
no longer right to withhold it.
1t was sad enough: After a few
toilsome, but not unhappy years,
for they were spent in the loved
society of his wife and child, 81
dire calamity had fallen upon
George Haywood. He came un-
der suspicion Of a fearful crime.
A net work of circumstances too
intricate for mans wit to olsen
tangle enyironed him, and be was
condemned to die. The stern
judgment was carried into effect,
and the executed murderer's de-
spised widow sought concealment
for herself and child in a change
of place and name. Long years
afterward, the truth was discover
ed, but the Judicial murder was
passed among the things irrevoca.
Bile. The poor widow died at last,
broken-hearted, but with one con-
solation---she had lived to see her
husbands innocence yindicated.
And this, poor child, is the
shame of which you spokeP
Myife has known no other.
Not many days after, Hester
was sent to one of the FIRST semi
naries in the land, and she and
her aunt kept their own counsel.
After a time, Mr.. Parker, Mrs.
Abigail's lawyer was sent for; and
after that the good lady seemed
wonderfully revived in health and
spirits. At her next birthday,
the prospect of "many happy re-
turns" produced anything but a
happy effect on the two expectant
cousins, who began to think that,
after all, the life tables were not
infallible. But her time came at
last, and, within a decent period
after the sad event, cousins Roger
and Dick we're duly summoned to
attend the reading of Abigail Var
ley's will.
They were a good deal startled
at the sight Of their old enemy,ths
strange girl.