, 1881-02-18

threw HIM crown, desiring HIM to drink
his health with it.
The coin fell unnoticed at the SER
geant's feet, for the door was open,
and Mrs. Edgeworth entered, fol
lowed by Amy Bradley, on whose arm
leaned, or rather clung, pretty, child
like little creature, her pale young face
impressed with the sadness of heavy
heart. She did not raise her eyes to greet
her future lord, who bobbled over to her
side. and the hand which he took lay cold
and passive in his own.
1t was painful sight. that iQ-mated
couple standing before the clergyman to
utter vows that to one, at least, must
seem a death knell. Painful indeed it
must have been TO the manly heart OF
the sergeant, for his cheast heaved with
suppressed emotion. He rose from his
chair, but sat down again, passing his
hands over his eyes. He saw John Edge
worth's face whiten with intense agony
he saw the bowed heads of Mrs. Edge
worth and Amy Brady; he heard the
low voice of the clergyman falterlngly
begin the marriage ceremony, as II he
felt that the blessing which he would in
woke would be mockery. He saw all
this, repeat, until the clergyman, turn
ing to the poor girl, asked her I" if she
would take that man there present for
her lawful husband" then springing up,
he shouted
"Never, Matte never, my sister p
but the rest of the exclamation was lost
IL the cries of Harry !" that burst from
the lips of the astonished women, and
the next moment they We're clinging
around him. weeping, heartily enough to
be sure, but their tears were the blessed
tears of Joy.
Harry, Harry, my dear boy? 2" fall
tered John Edgeworth. still half incred
ulous.
/ "Yes, father" returned the sergeant,
removing from his face at the same time
! the beard and mustache which had dis
/ figured it, ''your son, indeed, who has
returned to ask your forgiveness, to
I ST atch poor Matte from a miserable
! future, and if Amy loves me yet, and
won't say no, why to become her hus-
band"
And hid her blushing face on his
shoulder, Whispering
/ Indeed won't say no, dear Harry"
"Oh, Harry, darling, are you in
earnest?' Matte cried, still clinging
around his neck. "Oh, l know you are
and won't have to marry him p
''That you won't poor little thing"
said Harry.
( Where was old Frazer during this in
teresting colloquy ?-where, indeed, but
standing over by the window, gnawing
his lips, and forcing his nails INTO his
clencbed hands.
/ My money! my seven hundred gold
guineas, John Edgeworth" he gasped.
There's your money, old Shyiock!"
Harry said, throwing a well-flled purse
4 lna ho
quit Well, yes, satisfy yourself, and
count it. You'll find it right, for I as
sure you it was placed in there for YOU"
Old Frazer deliberately emptied the
purse of it's contents on the table, and
finding the sum to be correct, nervously
thrust the coin and bills back into it,
and turned to leave the apartment. In
doing so, his foot struck the crown piece
which he had thrown to the sergeant on
his entrance. He stopped down, and
picking it up, hastened from the room
without casting glance behind him.
| "Has he gone ?" asked Matte, fear
fully. raising her head from harry's
shoulder.
''He has, but somebody else is to
! come, Matte" said barry.
AS he spoke, Nancy came into the
room, followed by a tall, handsome
! young fellow, who, no sooner had he
I perceived Matte, than, regardless of all
! present, he held her in his arms.
$50, Philip, my boy" laughed Harry.
''you took me for sergeant, and thought
you had really listed 2"
! HE couldn't believe me for o long
| time. Mr.. Harry, DEAR" sobbed Nancy.
Il found him sitting so disconsolate in
/ the little room where you left him."
( ''TOok you for a sergeant, Harry"
! Mrs. Edgeworth, eying the clothes, ''but
are You not one?"
! My dear mother" he answered, 'I
am not a soldier; and, though incur
my fathers displeasure, confess I am
an actor
Forgive me, my dear boy" John
Edgeworth said warmly pressing his sons
hand. 81 was too hasty in the past. 1
have long since overcome my foolish
! prejudice against the theatrical profess
sion, and to convince you, 1 say that 1
would find a true intellectual gratifica-
ton in Witnessing the powerful delinea-
tions of the great Warden tomorrow
night"
''You have witnessed one tonight,
father-I am her'
"Oh, goodness graciousr' cried Nancy,
clapping her hands. Mr.. Harry, the
great actor! Oh, Miss Amy. can't you
now be proud of him?"
II trust she may" Harry said; draw
ing Amy Bradley 10 his side, he ex-
claimed; ''Since 1 have played the part
of sergeant, may my performance Of q
happy husband be far more successful,
and with blessing of kind Heaven be
longer upon the stage"