Year: 1871

pTeUenCe Oh friendship 10 me. sometimes
l mathematical Ned his handsome face
and winning sailor frankness, his court
affair and friendly acquaintance with me
in fact, everything that had brought to his
notice and admiration my beautiful Spanish
flower, but more frequently accused my
my own ill-luck, and grew morose and mis-
anthropical. But at length conscience
spoke too loudly to be unnoticed.


Grouse YOURSELF" it said, "and be a
man, and shake off these womanish hu-
mors. Deal honorably with your friend
and yourself. Is it not right he who wins
should receive the prize? Enter the lists
openly and fairly, and if you lose, be gen.
erous enough to congratulate your sue
cessful rival.'


" / will do it," answered 1; "his suit at
law l am bound to aid in every possible
way, but as for the suit in love, I'll plead
to the best Of my powers on the contrary
side but if the beautiful judge awards the
case to him, I'll not forget my old friend
ship, nor let my loss make me angry with
his gain"


was happier after that decision. l
was assiduous and watchful in my atten-
tions to Carlota, and exerted all possible
influence to make myself agreeable and
entertaining, but l could not help often
laughing secretly (though in bitter lach-
rynfose way, to be sure), to see how heed
less and careless she would appear after my
most ambitious efforts, while just glimpse
of Ned Wilkins face, or the simple sound
of the doleful sigh he INDUCED in, pretty
often of late, would send the color drifting
in crimson waves over her cheek, and
brighten the lustre of her eyes, as if the
most eloquent Grafton had stirred her heart
to its inmost depths.


have often noticed that nothing so wins
upon woman's sympathy and subsequent
love, as melancholy or disaster. l believe,
sometimes, the most successful candidate
for fair lady's favor is brigand, or fell
ON or suspected thief even-any one clothed
in the bewitching mantle of mystery and
sadness Gentle pity is the precursor of
love, and soon realized it was useless for
me to cherish any hope of success since the
chief recommendation to Carlotas favor
could urge, was being the friend and
counsellor of Ned Wilkins in his forth
coming trial. In regard to the trial, we
were still at an utter loss for any clue to
serve us in the defence.


Poor Sam was half distracted with grief at
the injury he had done his generous patron
and remorse for his own carelessness. He
followed me from the Office to my boarding
place one afternoon, half crying with vexa-
ton and impatience.


81 only wish had hold of that black
skinned villain" groaned he. "Wouldn't
| make the rascal sweat ~


I could not help laughing, notwithstand-
ing the poor fellows distress. Just then
the chambermaid passed by my open door.
To my astonishment Sam sprang up as if
fire alarm had rung in his ears, screaming
out


"Stop her stop her!


The fellow looked like lunatic, but |
stepped to the door at once.


"Wait moment, Ann, if you please, l
have an errand for YOU"


The girl paused on the stairs, and went
back to Sam. The perspiration was stream
ing down his face, and his eyes glowed as
have seen mems when wild with the de-
lirium of fever.


"Did you see what she had in her hand o.
he asked, in a voice husky with excite
ment.


actually believed his wits astray, and
replied, soothingly, Nothing to hurt you,
Sam don't be alarmed -


"But it was carpet-bag sir, the carpet
bag, believe, as Pm a living sinner"


"WhewP' cried ], full as eager and alert
as he, now that caught the drift of his
meaning. But can you identify com
mon carpet-bag so easily as that 20


"Wait," said Sam, shutting his eyes
tightly, the better suppose, to recall the
appearance of the fatal carpet-bag. 81
didn't say anything about it before, but I'll
tell you how we can make sure. The bag
that girl had was just like Alden's. l shall
know the looks of it fifty years from now,
if live so long. But if it is the identical
bag there will be stream Of ink, down
through a large yellow tulip, just about
two inches below the lock. was filling
the inkstand over the shelf where the bag
lay in the Office that day, and oyerhowed it
so it ran'down upon the bag. 1 couldn't
we'll wipe it out, SO | left it just as it was
hoping the owner wouldn't mind it till af-
ter he was out of my sight, at any rate
Now, sir, so and see." Concluded next