Year: 1870

pathy universally expressed when
the former, a man of middle age
only. died suddenly at his residense
in the vicinity of fifth avenue. For
years previously to this occurance
Mr.. Horton had dwelt with his part
ner and his family, and Mrs. Arch
bold, on her husbands demise, could
look to no frmer friend than he; so,
after the accounts Of the firm had
been settled and she knew the
amount of the income she would be
entitled to enjoy, she begged him
still to remain at her house on the
same footing as before. This ar
rangoment would be all the more
pleasing to her, inasmuch as she was
the mother Of three daughters, who
were just ripening into womanhood
and would feel the benefit of male
friend, almost old enough to be their
father, and who had so long been
associated with them by terms of the
closest intimacy. Mr., Horton was a


man of about forty-tiye years, who
had long been separated from his
wife by mutual agreement, but did
not suffer in the esteem of his neigh
bors on this account, as it was gen
erallv conceded that the fault lay en-
tirelv within the lady, and he invari-
ably himself deplOrcd the mis-
understanding that had arisen. In
word Mrs. Horton, was jealous,
and yet was unable to assign any
cause for being so. During the few
| years in which she and her husband
| lived as man and wife, she was con
tinuaIly accusing him of infidelities,
of which she could produce no proofs
and their lives had been rendered so
miserable by this continual pickering
| that they had decided to live apart
for the1uturc. AS they were separ-
ed by no judicial decree, it was
| not legally incumbent on her hus-
band to provide for his wife's main
Itainance, still he did 50, although
the lady described the sum paid her
as being totally inadequate to her
condition, and was ever striving to
collect evidence of Mr.. Horizons al
legged irregularities, that she might
be enabled to procure a divorce and
compel him by law to contribute
more bounteously to her support.
This evidence, however, was not
forthcoming, and Mr.. Horton was
accounted a man of excellent
moral character and behavior by the
society in which he moved, and was
blamed by none, but pitied by all.
Personally he was handsome, of tall
stature and good presence, and pos
sessed Of a most wining tongue,
which not only was of the greatest
service to him and his business, but
made him a universal favOrite with
the fair sex.


When Airs. Archbold represented
her forlorn condition to him,
he at once entered fully into her
plans. Anything that he could do.
che averred," to serve the widow
and orphans of his lamented friend,
would afford him heartfelt joy, and
as he was unblessed with children of
his own, in consequence of unhappy
relations existing between his wife
and himself, lie would, to the best Of
his powers, save Mrs. ArchbOld ev-
ry Unnecessary trouble, and stand as
far as possible in the place of a
father to the three girls. Matters
were thus amicably arranged, and
Mr.. Horton in time came to be rec
ognized as master Of the house, and
whispers were circulated abroad that
were it not for the obstacle in the
shape of his wife, he would have ac-
tually become so by contracting q
marriage with the relict of his de-
ceased partner.


AS we have only to deal with the
eldest daughter. Mary Archbold, it
is needless to introduce her sisters,
or their uncle, who likewise formed
one of the household. Mary was a
charming girl of twenty, who had
been completing her education a
broad, at the time of her fathers
death, and had only recently return
| ed. As it was known that she would
inherit a considerable sum on her
marriage, she was much sought af-
ter, and no dance or reception was
thoroughly successful unless she
was present. More than one gentle
man was pointed at by rumOrs as
likely to win the prize, and the home
circle we're ever urging her to make
her choice quickly. That her heart
was engaged in some quarter or
other was the universal belief, as her
manner was strangely altered since
her arrival from the Continent. She
grew thoughtful, and not unfrequent-
| " was discovered III tears, but ever
refused to give any clue to the why
or the wherefor; attributing her sad
ness to her not feeling quite well, or
some other eQuale trivial eXcusly.
Thinking that it would be best to
allow matters to take their own
course, and totally unsuspicious Of
any impending evil, her mother ceas-
ed to speak with her on the subject,
and endeavored to dissipate melan-
choly by providing all kinds of am
usements to divert her. All was in
vain, and one day the house was
thrown into the greatest grief, and
alarm by her disappearance. She
had gone out, as she said to post a
letter, and nothing unusual was not
ed in her manner, but from that er-
rand she did not return, and her dis
tracted mother was almost heart
broken,


No one felt the blow more than
Mr.. Horton. After she had been alb
sent for some hours, he had been
sent for from the Office, and his pale
looks and evident agitation, proved
that he feared the worst But he did
not at all waste time. The evil was
done, and the remedy was to be
found.


1T may be-" he said, ''only girl
ish freak. She may have run away
to some Of her friends. Let US i'm
midiately communicate with all to
whom she is in the least likely to
60 He assured Mrs. Archbold
that all would yet be well, and as
serted that it was preposterous to
think of any great harm happening