Year: 1868

fections from her, and should never meet
her on earth, am sure of her in Heaven"


"You are a noble man, Clifton If should
die, would you promise to allow my wife to
remain here, under my mothers protection Z
cannot endure the thought of Abilene, alone
and unprotected in the world. Will you al
low her to live here?"


"Why do you speak Of death? Yet in
case of such sad event, will do ell You wish" :,


nThank you, my brother. Goodnight"
and clasping the form of his brother to his
heart, he went to his apartment.


"How strangely nervous and excited Clar-
ence is tonight. Yet l do not wonder at it |!
If it had been Agnes who had spoken to
another as Abilene has spoken to me, Ishould
have been raving with anger. must not al
low Clarence to 60 away from me tor few
days until his feelings have calmed. Oh!
how much misery that beautiful fend causes
wherever she allows thespoison of her breath
to rest," Clifton murmured.


Clifton retired to his couch, and had slept
for several hours when there came low rap
at his champer door, which aroused him.
Spriuging from his bed, he hastily dressed and
hurried to open the door. Abilene stood
there, in cl0se wrapper, and bare feet thruat
into slippers.


HDo you know where Clarence is to be
fouad? He came in soon after you left the
parlor, and heard him 90 to our rooms AT
ter an hour, I followed. had thought ne
would seek me, but hearing nc:ning, l con-
cluded that he had retired, and on searching
my chamber, was surprised to find that ne
had not been in bed. Papers were scattered
about the table, and I found among them this
Will. leaving half bis wealth to me, and the
other half to his mother. What is this 2"


/ glanced to the carpet AID sound a note,
which had been thrust under the door. lax
ing + to the gaslight l read:


mn dear Brother Look for my body a the
stables: cannot live longer. Say nothing Of
this to any one. They will think it was by ,cci-
dent My will was drawn up when was irst
married, from o strong presentiment that should
not live long, You have wealth enough and do
not need any of mine. Respecting your honor,
ask YOU to treat Abilene with kindness. Farewell! !!


CLARENCE"


"Look at your work, fendl" he exclaimed
'hoarsely, and thrusting the paper into her
hand, rushed to the stables, hoping to beln
season to save bis life if it were possible. He
remembered with sudden horror, hearing
the violent stamping of the horses some two
hours after he had retired to his room, and
was in measure prepared for the sig ht which
met his eyes, as he entered the stables, with
lantern. The body of Clarence was crushed,
and mangled almost beyond recognition by
the hoofs of his favorite. horse. a servant
was called, and together they bore the life
less body Of Clarence Seymour to the house,
where it was decently composed and shrouded.
Abilene kept her room until informed that all
was in readiness for the remains to be seen
Mrs. Seymour was still sleeping, and not until
the morning did Clifton inform her that death
had entered the family while she was sleeping.
Clifton told her of the death of his brother,
as gently as possible, and allowed her tothink
it the result of accident. Abilene pretended
to be wild with grief, yet Clifton knew that
she was acting, knew. that she was secretly
glad that death had removed from her path
the only obstacle to the consummation OF her
wishes. The funeral ceremonies were scarce.
lsanser. before she again renewedgh attack
upon Clifton. He told her finally; that un.
less she refrained from speaking of this most
disgusting love, he would at once leave the
house forever, or at least so long as she re-
manned there. Fearful of losing sight Of aim
again, and preferring to be content 9TH SEQ
ing him daily, rather thar drive him from her
forever, she promised to be silent. If this
woman had met Clifton Seymour by chance,
and he had become infatuated with her
charms, she would have, very likely, refused
his love but being attracted towards him,
and meeting only repulse, she had, with a
womau's usual obstinacy, followed this love,
allowing herself to consider it the one aim OF
her life to obtain his love. Such is woman
Show her what might constitute apeacetul
happiness through life, and she rejects it. But
let her chance to fix her tender regards upon
q man who may be utterly unworthy OF her
esteem, much less hep love, and if that man
refuses to become her slave, she Immediately
considers him the one object to complete her
happiness, and biindly walks over all the
truth and purity of her life, to obtain aglance
or word of love from him. Poor hlind hu'
manityl


To DE CONTINUED.