Year: 1877

YORKVILLE, s
and come out still unscathed. But it was her
great love that sustained her, and turned her
weakness into power. She had girded herself
about with armor to be ready to serve him,
her lost idol, when occasion required, and for
his sake she bore it all, and would not yield.


At last, one day, there came to her note,
crumpled and soiled, but directed in his hand.
Her heart at first beat almost to suffocation,
and she feared to open it; but at last she
gained courage, tore open the envelope, and
read


"My o,on Euelyn, my best stbsloved: am per-
mitted to send you this, through the favor of
one who has been kind to me since 1 have
been here. I am we'll in bodily health, but dis.
tracted in mind, at the thought of the suffering
/ have brought upon you and yours. l can
never, never forgive myself for the unworthy
part I played, in not freely confessing to you
the stain that lay upon my past life. But it
is useless to speak of that now. Unfortunate
ly, atonement to you, for this wrong, is no
longer possible. My own dearest, 1 have
vague hope that may be allowed to see you
before long, if you should find it possible to
come to me. Do not, however, exert your.
self beyond your strength. If 1 find out GER
tainly that visit from you will be sanctioned
by the authorities here, I will Immediately
notify you; therefore, take no steps in the
matter without hearing from me again. Fam
told that my trial will not, probably, come off
before October. What the result of it may
be, is, of course, entirely matter of uncer-
tainty. try to put my trust in God, and
hope for the best. think of you night and
day, and pray to be forgiven for the wrong
have done you. I am too pressed for time
now to write more, though could fill many
sheets with what desire to say. You can
send me line in answer by the bearer of this,
who can be relied upon. If your kind, good
father and sister will consent to receive mes
sage from me, tell them shall never cease to
be grateful for all they have done for me. l
had not time, the morning left you, to say
a tenth part of what was in my heart.


"Adieu, my beloved, until we meet! May
that day not be far eff. Heaven bless and
keep you, prays your devoted JULIAN"


Evelyn kissed these precious lines again
and again. She few to her desk, and with
hurried, trembling fingers, indited such low
ing, tender epistle as must surely bring COM
fort and gladness to the heart of the poor
prisoner, lonely and oppressed with grief in
his distant cell. The messenger, young
driving wagon, came in at her
summons to receive it from her hands. She
gave him many charges concerning the safe
delivery of it, and learned from him that he
was performing this mission secretly, solely
through the connivance Of one of the prison
officials, who knew Julian's melancholy his.
tory, and had interested himself in his behalf.


eff be was to be found out, madam, he'd
lose his office. But I told him he could trust
me, and I reckon he knows I'm to be depen-
ded upon" said the young WAGNER, who had
an honest, open face, and blue eyes that rest
ed with frank sympathy and admiration on
Evelyns beautiful, sad countenance. "1've
been drivin' this team back and forth for nigh
upon three years, and have done some small
Jobs for him afore this"


"May God bless him, and reward him for
his Kindness" cried the poor young wife, fer
vently. II hope, however," she added, "that
you are. not incurring any risk by undertaking
this errand ?"


"Oh! no, madam, I'll take care of myself;
never fear," said the man, cheerfully. 81
have good many chances of seeing this gen.
tleman, and nobody'll suspect me. I'll be as
precious of your letter as if it was pure
gold," he added, as he carefully slowed it
away in the breast of his coarse blouse. Be-
meath that shabby garment, as Evelyn had,
afterward, good cause to know, beat heart
as generous and warm as ever throbbed un-
der the costlest vestment. Even now, though
she had not yet by experience learned his
sterling worth, she read something of his
character in his face, and felt, instinctively,
that in him she had found humble but
trustworthy friend.


"shall you be coming this way soon again ?"
she asked wistfully, as she saw him preparing
to 60. @r


Il don't know yet, madam. The fact is,
this amt exactly my regular route" he an
swered with smile. II stretched point to
turn out of my road, on account of seeing
you and I'll have to hurry up a little bit 80
as to get back again in the right time, and
not excite suspicion"


Evelyn drew out a gold piece from her
purse, and half shyly offered it to him.
"Please take it" she said pleadingly, as he
drew back. "It's not for payment-for your
kindness is far more than can repay but
only to show you that am grateful. You
will make me feel badly if you refuse"


""Well, if you really mean that, I'll take
it," said the WAGNER, "but tell you, don't
want no pay for lending folks in trouble
helping hand. I'm poor man, and don't
deny that I'm obliged to you for your pres
ent. I reckon I'll buy my wife a Sunday
gown with it, though I won't tell her where
it come from, for if did, I'm afraid my Be-
cret wouldn't be secret long"


Evelyn, when she had seen him set off with
her letter, turned again into the house with a
heart overAowing with thankfulness, and
buoyant with freshly kindled hope. She felt
no doubt that in very short time permission
to visit Julian would be extended to her.


TO BE CONTINUED.


A SMART DoDGE.-The following very
clever and sablimely impudent dodge was
some time ago adopted by Partisan thief: