Year: 1867

Nulcu liucu either slue VI tue naii. hlter
trying several keys, he at last opened the
door, aud lighting the small lamp in my
room, was left to myself. The air was
hot and close in the room; | raised the
window, when l found it to be sprinkling,
as an occasional drop would fall on my
hand; also noticed at the same time that
my room was next to the street. was
soon in bed, however, and found no trouble
in getting to sleep.


was awakened from my deep slumber
BY hearing the call for breakfast, followed
By the loud ringing Of the gong. Dressing
myself as quickly as possible, went
down stairs, finding the bar.room full OF
persons, the most Of them talking about
the fre---all. however, waiting apxiously
for the word to be given for breakfast.
While We were thus waiting, stepped to
the door and found that considerable rain
had fallen during the night, and Il was
again clearing up nicely, leaving tho air
cooler and fresher than before. Breakfast
being now announced, l again took my
seat at one Of the tables, aud after eating
pretty freely Of the nice things spread out
before me, returned once mere TO the
bar room. Drawing up chair, seated
myself again beside the open door, taking
from one Of my pockets my Uncle's ad-
dress, which my father had given me. /
ran my eyes across II several times, but
was thinking more what had occurred the
evening before. Especially was thinking
Of the beautiful one had sared. Putting
the card in my pocket, arose from my
seat. and, lighting Havana, started in
quest Of my Unole's rcsidencc.


Walking leisurcly along, | found myself
to be nearing that part Of town In which
| had lecn at the FIRE. | found no diff.
Gully In Guding house with the
corresponding number 10 that which
my address bore, but was surprised nj SEQ.
ing TO the left Of Il the yet smoky ruins Of
the house at which / had taken an active
part only few hours before. Could this
ine, large mansion in front Of which
was now standing and gazing belong to
my unclcl IL seemed to me, as was try
ing 10 estimate the value Of II, that
could not realize that IL belonged to m
Uncle of mine. While l was thus half
questioning, half doubling myself, the
heavy pannelcd front.door swung open,
disclosing to NE the features Of tho very
man had got out Of patience with on the
ears. AS he stepped down on the pavement
approached him with feelings which l
shall never forget as long as live.
Touching him lightly on the shoulder, he
turned, and he, too, was surprised at see


me there. Afier exchanging hurricdly
tho "good morning." hc seemingly was 60.
ing TO have no more to do with me than |
had with him the day before, by starting
off rather abruptly. when asked him il
he could inform me whether Mr.. Hampden
lived in that house. pointing to the one he
had just come out Of.


Reader, you can probably imagine part
Of my embarrassment, when he told me he
was the man himself. / now felt / was
blushing in spite of my efforts TO keep
from it. But | introduced myself in as
brief manner as possible under the cir
cumstances, and with a hearty laugh ho
turned round, and opening the door, in.
vited mo in. We entered large. nice
sitting room. I was about to scat myself,
when, glancing around, found myself to
be in the same room to which l had borne
the lovely young girl. | looked towards
the sofa, but the one thought to see was
not there, which left me to wonder where
she could have gone. At this moment my
Uncle introduced me TO pleasant looking
woman who had just entered, as my Aunt.
We recognized each other as having met
the evening previous. l now seated my.
self. answering the many questions con-
cernipg our homo and folks, and | am
rather inclined to think that hc found me
paying more attention 10 him than | had
the day before. In fact, so we'll was re.
ceiyed by them, that could not retain
any Of my doubt as TO their hospitality.
My Uncle arose, and exeusing himself,
said he must 20 Immediately TO attend TO
some business at his office. lIo owned a
large Wholesale dry goods store up in the
central part Of tho city. This was the
place ho had started to when | aeeostod
him.


Part Of his business, my Aunt told mo,
was TO look for another clerk, as ono OF
his clerks was going TO leave In few days.
Hearing this, | said nothing, but had
made up Ia my mind 10 ask my Uncle ut
dinner 4 he would take mo into his employ
to GIL tho vacancy. laughed TO myself
as / thought how absurd II would be for
mo to think for moment that no would
comply. However, meant to give II n
trial. Dinner camo, and my Uncle was
very much disappointed, as ho had not
been able to find one that suited him. La
halfjoking manner he asked me the
question, how | would like TO live with
him and serve In this capacity? OF course
1t just suited me. Thus it did not take
long TO settle that point. had q good
education, could flourish pen we'll, and
he at once accepted me, telling me that
need not enter upon my duties until the
next week. Thus, with this prospect
ahead, passed pleasantly to me the remain
der of the week, visiting once and while
the store with my Uncle, and would have
the pleasure Of driving out with the
carriage in company with my Aunt.


While we were returning home from n
pleasant. mornings ride in the country,
| turned to my aunt and asked her where
the young girl had gone to whom =.


She interrupted me by saying that 1
need not explain, for she knew the whole
circumstances.


"But first, aunt, tell me her namc.'


"The one," continued she, whom you
have reference to, is Lollie Seton, and il
was her fathers house from which you
rescued her, and which was, as you know,
| buruod IN fha r~o,od H.. p.tbn. M N