Year: 1875

mere Infant ne had Deen pepllVed OF a
kind, generous, and devoted father,
the latter being lost at sea while on a
voyage for his health's sake; by which
sad evet.t Bayard's mother-a gentle.
tender woman-had been driven to
th.. expedient of seeking a'd from an
affluent relation who resided in the
East whittier, at the latter's sueges-
ton, she removed the family, settling
in the thri, ing city Of Florence Here
Bayard had enjoyed the advantages
for obtaining q good practical cduca-
ton, and he had availed himself of the
same. Eager to learn, and quick to
comprehend, he had readily mas
tered his studies at the are of sixteen,
when he entered a Law Office; having
chosen that profession for livelihood.
He had also been class mate Of Mel
lie Pelton at the academy, and had
eally conceived 4 strong attachment
for her, which in time ripened into 4
more tender passion, and this senti.
ment was duly reciprocatel by Nellie.
They accordingly had come to mu.
tual understanding to the effect the
sixteenth anniversary of Ncllie's birth
day should be also the day on which
their union for life should be solemn.
lied But, as doubtless the reader
has already found reason to conjecture,
the coast was not entirely clear for
the realization of their hopes. Mml;
Pelton had a long cherished scheme OF
his own. with reference to his adopted
daughter and what that scheme was
has been suggested, and need not here
be repeated. Suffice it to say that her
extreme beauty, grace and comelineSs.
has fascinated the false heart Of Gay
lord, whose only accomplishment was
his ability to make money; and that
Peltcn-having already sounded him
upon the subject, had found just how
much ready pay in dollars and cents
Nellie would "bring" at that market
would not be easily defeated in or
turned from the accomplishment OF
his purposes.


CHApTERV.


A few days after Bayard and Nellie
had SO unexpectedly met, and their
meeting had so suddenly terminated
by the taking iuto custody Of the lat
ter by an officer in the employ Of her
father, Bayard was nervously pacing the
floor of bis office, ever and anon, Civ
ing utterancps, through monosyllables
to his detected spirits, when the door
opened and Il lad appeared upon the
threshold bearing a letter in his hand
which he immediately tossed to the
young lawyer. The latter snapped
the boy Il silver coin, who then disar-
peared. Bayard mused for moment
over the letter. lie was init nately
familiar with the handwriting, and his
only conjectures were as to the char
acter of the message it bore. He
paused not long. however, but pro
ceeded to break the seal. Drawing
the billet forth from the envelope he
read the following:


"MY DEAR BAYARD 1t causes me
inexpressible grief to be compelled to
say to you what am about to do.
But it were better that 1t should he
said at once. | can never see You
again. Circumstances over which |
have no control have conspired to
render this decision imperative and
final. O! would that | had known,
Wien we so Unexpectedly met, the
other day, that our meeting was for
the last time! But regrets are Of no
avail. | cannot now explain to you
as l hope to do in another letter
which | may send. But rest rssured
that though it be permitted us to
meet not again in time, we shall meet
in eternity; there, | trust, never more
to part. o blessed thought! In the
meantime | shall endeavor to make
the most of stern necessity, anc 50
live as best to promote the happiness
of others, --even though it be to me-
as it surely will be--a life of deepest
woe. But l hear footsteps and must
conclude this. NELLIE"


Bayard's cheek blanched the pa
per dropped from his trembling hand
he sank into his chair his throbbing
brow upon his hands, he gave vent to
his emotions in sighs Recovering, at
length, a degree of composure he re-
ga,ded the matter more calmly and
thoughtfully. sand so she has been