The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-08-03

Hugh. Why, she will live to green old
age, for the Leytons and their kin never die
young, unless-unless-they die before they
get old"
He smiled at his own words, then struck
his steed with the spurs, and galloped on TO
| Passac.
At tho inn he paid the landlord some
money then said goodbye, and rode away
never to return as John Dreski, the Swede
and agent of John Clymer, or Master John.
1t was not long after his departure from
Drearimoor that a young man came to the
mansion, and sought Vivienj who started
when she saw him.
"Vivien, who was that man 7" he asked,
| in an excited manner.
"What inah, Kirk2"
"Why, the one who Just left Drearithour.
lie was riding down the hill as l left a
short time ago, and tarried to see how long
he would tarry here. Lh, Vivien, pardon
my inquisitiveness, but did not like his
bearing though l saw it from distance.
He rode just as old Hugh Leyton used to
ride up and down the Passaic, on his chest
nut horse, and for moment thought it
was Hugh's ghost"
Vivien, who was listening seriously,
laughed when her lover had finished, and
then told him all about John Dreski's visit
"And you sent by him letter to your
Cousin John ?" asked the young man, with
a smile on his countenance,
al did, and trust he will think kindly
of us, when he reads it."
"Here is the letter." said the youth, draw
ing two pieces of parchment from his bosom.
"See our mail carrier has torn it, and the
pieces are well soaked with water"
Vivien's face became quite pale, as she
reached forth trembling hand for the mu-
tilated letter, which she at once recognized.
"Where did you get them, Kirk?" she
asked, with eagerness
"Let me tell you," he said. al saw your
visitor depart, and strange, unconquerable
curiosity made me follow him. He rode
| along the rivers bank, and all at once he
came to halt. Then, in the light OF the
moon and the stars, he opened and read
| your letter, tore it atwain, threw the pieces
into the water, and resumed his journey. I
went down to the waters edge, and found
your letter already flung back upon the
shore by the waves. How surprised was,
Vivien, you may imagine. l watched the
man as far as could sec him, and then
came hither to tell you about my dis
coveries."
A minutes silence followed Kirk Gar
dyn's last word
"Oh, Kirk, what do YOU think all this
meansS" asked Vivien, with frightened
| face.
"That man, in the first place, is not John
Drieski, and, in the second, he is John
Clymer..'
"Cousin John Clymer2" echoed Vivien,"
"Yes: and l believe him to be bad man
"a very bad man, Vivien."
"Why came he not in his true character"
she asked.
at did not suit the hated role he is play
ing AS John Dreski, he can play the part
of the spy, ana plan according to the state of
affairs at Drearimoor. Oh, Vivien, l fear
something dreadful is going to happen
here" and the young physician took the
girls hand. "But l will soon be nearer
than ever to you, for, tomorrow, please God,
in this old house, we will be made man and
wife, and then let this bad man come between
us, if he dare"
"Yes, yes, Kirk, let him tear Drearimoor
from me then l will possess fortune worth
to me, more than thousand such estates"
He looked with pride into the glowing
face that nestled in the hollow of his arm,
and kissed Vivien's forehead before he step
ped from her side,
"Where are you going" she asked.
"I shall ride TO Passiac yet tonight" he
answered. "John Clymer is there, and il
he knows that we are to have a wedding
here tomorrow, he will need watching"
So the twain parted, and Kirk Gardyn
rode to the village to learn that the man
calling himself John Dreski, had departed
several hours before in the direction of
Trenton.
"No fear for tonight, them" said the
young doctor, and so he retired to his apart
ments, and fell asleep.
Viven did not remain awake long after
her lovers departure.
His revelations had startled her but the
events Of the morrow occupied her mind,
and it was not long before she had forgotten
her unexpected visitor, and was sleeping on
her couch, with the September moonbeams
on her face.
By-and-by clouds obscured the face of the
moon, and the queen of night did not see
the dark figure that entered the sleeping
girls boudoir, through the window that
looked upon the lovely Passac.
Three minutes sped away, and then the
figure emerged from the house, and drop
ed from the roof of the veranda like a cat.