Year: 1863

that, aunt she replied. Il hate both
Of them as much as ever Ezekiel
Doble Is brute, as you win discover
IN time, and as for the science, I'll not
give fg FOR Il. SO may 50 with.
out the ornaments, suppose


"No, VIII" replied Miss Priscilla.
81 like you better for being candid. |
see you don't wish 10 cheat me. But
can you take care Of the diamonds p
They are worth a fortune, and they
viii all be yours some day. ! would
not have a stone lost for worlds


"Tl be very careful, said Will
gleefully, Please get them aunt
long 10 see them


miss Priscilla left the room, and
came back ia few moments with a
casket in her hand, from which she
drew necklace, bracelets, brooch,
and earrings Of glittering diamonds,
spreading them on the black velvet
cushion of sofa for their better ex-
position, and dilating on their worth
and antiquity. In a little while she
fastened them on the arms and bosom
OF her niece, and even in the pink lit-
tie ear she had boxed in her forgotten
anger, and VIII danced il the sunlight
until they glittered again. "lIow they
will all envy me" she cried, "and
how these stones will sparkle by lamp
/ light? Don't | look like queen,
aunty?" She turned towards the glass
as she spoke, and started back with q
shrek, for reflected in its polished
surface She saw the dark face Of the
oyerseer. He stood at the door oppo-
site and now entered with an awkward
bow. His ostensible purpose was to
ask some question relative to next
days operations on the plantation, and
he did not seem to notice the yonng
lady or her decidedly unconplimenta-
ry scream. Neither Of them guessed
4 that he had been silent auditor Of
Tie Whole conversation, or saw him
I turn with a menacing gesture toward
4 the window as he stood upon the YER
andah without. An hour after Miss
viii rode away with the casket Of dia-
monds fastened to her girdle, and look
ed back TO exchange greetings with her
aunt. who stood upon the threshold
"Ride fast, my dear" said Miss Pris-
ella. at is late in the afternoon, and
the way is lonely


"Too lonely not to be safe" replied
the girl. 81 never meet any one
coming or going. Besides | shah be
home long before dark. Good by
And she kissed her hand and rode
away.


Was there nothing TO bid her pause Z
no sign Of danger upon the sky or up
on tle pleasant rode? Were there
no good spirits among the woodland
fairies to tell Of the figure which
crouched already in lonely spot in
the heart ofthe dark wood /? Notone.
All was peaceful, and he rode on,
dreaming Of the morrow, and Of her
own bright beauty, to be 50 well set
off by those fair gems. BY and-by
she rode more slowly, and from pure
light-heartedness began 10 sing and
at last she paused entirely, and dis
mounted beside little fountain which
played amongst grass and moss over
snow-white pebbles. In the security
Of solitude she spoke aloud How
delightful it viii be" she said. u
shall be the best dressed and--Well,
yes and the prettiest girl there. and
shall dance With Charlie Irving, and
perhaps


What was il that made her pause
with the words frozen on her lips, and
turn with an awful shudder5 Had
that dark form which had been crouch
ing just behind her ali this while re-
yealed itself at lastS And what was
it--man, CT beast, or repiile2 No
wild thing Of the forest could have
given such a pang Of fear TO that poor
girls heart as that human face which
bent above her, and which she knew
at that first terrified glance to be that