Year: 1870

| Tree as ii we nau never met. Ana so they
parted. She to bear the sorrow of this long
separation as best she could, and he to en-
gage in the weary work of hunting up the
real criminal.


Again the sunshine played, and the June
roses bloomed around the home of Nora
Overing; yet neither line or message had she
received from Oscar. Her mothers health
was delicate, and her own cheek was pale
and her step langud. SO with Arthur they
had~resorted to fashionable watering place,
hoping that the change would benefit them
all. Nora mingled but little with the gay
crowd that as usual frequented the place, yet
some few acqua;ntances she did make and
among them was one the object of whose
attentions she would not under other circuin-
stances have mistaken. But now her mind
was wholly absorbed in the thoughts of the
absent, that things transpiring around her
seemed almost like dream, and were as
quickly forgotten. He had been introduced
by Arthur, and was received politely for his
sake, and without thinking of what she was
doing Nora had allowed him to become more
and more attentive, until one lovely night
when alone with him in vine covered ar
| boi ic iitt b'-bh W blSitut HOit NOiuS tl
love into her ear. She was both surprised
and mortified, and in order to gain time to
collect her thoughts, requested glass of wa
| ter.


lie was gone but few moments, but in
that time the vines behind her were parted
and note was dropped into her lap while a
well known and much loved voice whispered
'Read this when alone


She started ,joyfuly on her feet expecting
to behold Oscar, but the shrubbery was so
thick around the arbor that she could discov-
er no one, and had only time to conceal the
note before her would be lover reappeared
With some confused excuse and complaints
OF feeling unwell, she left him and sought
her own room in order to read the precious
epistle 1t was tender loving note from
Oscar, breathing of his unatered attachment
and telling of his laborious and fruitless
search.


She induced her mother to return home
at once, opened the house once more to her
young companions and friends, and whenev-
er an opportunity offered, expressed her firm
belief in the innocence of Oscar Stover


Mrs. Overing's health did not improve,
and the good lady really believing that her
days on earth were numbered, and that soon
she would leave her darling daughter with
out protector, continually urged her to ac-
cept the hand of her cousin.


1T is true, my dear, that only few short
months must elapse before the time allotted
for Oscars return will have expired. But
consider all the long months during which
you have heard nothing from him. Con
trast this indifference with the devotion Of
Arthur, and conclude as | have long since
done, that you will never see or hear from
him again | am growing daily weaker and
more infrm, and the thought of leaving you
alone in the world, adds greatly to my NAL
ady. If could but see you the wife Of your
cousin, should die content.


MY faith in Oscar is as firm as before we
parted, replied Nora, 'and 80 sure | do feel
that whether successful in the search or not ,
he will be here at the appointed time, that
am willing to promise that if in the course of
one month after the two years have expired,
do not hear from him, | will set your mind
at ease by becoming the wife of Arthur


Noras promise seemed to instill new life
into her mother, who quietly but busily,
made extensive preparations for the wedding.


Arthur assumed the manner of an accept
ed lover believing that ere long he should
have not only the hand but the heart Of that
fair cousin, for neither he nor Mrs. Overing
knew anything of the much priced, oft read
note, or the little miniature 50 carefully con
cealed among her treasures.


'Only one day morep said Nora TO herself,
some months later, when retiring to her
room for the night, only one day more, and
not a line from Oscar! And have staked
my hand, and would willingly have stalzed
my life upon his truth.


A light tap on the door was followed by
the entrance of maid bringing a note


This, Miss Nora was left by man who
charged me to deliver it into no hands but
your own.


1t was written in an unknown hand, and
was without signature; simply questioning,
THAT on the following day she would, in
company with her cousin Arthur, visit the
oak tree near. tie oak spring, and see the
earth on the north side dug up to the depth
of several feet and warning her not to ne
glect doing so.


Nora was startled, for she remembered



this too, be from Oscar?


This is strange request, Nora. The
old spring has not been used for years, and
the bushes and briars around it are doubtless
so thick as to be almost impenetrable.
think you might at least give me some reas-
on for wishing to visit the spot.
well, cousin, if you will accompany me
to the place, | will give you my reason as
we go along.


4 will go with you, certainly he replied,
but Nora faneied that his voice faltered a
little. They had walked some distance in
silence before Arthur again asked an explain
alton. q had dream last night, cousin,
that troubles me greatly, although | can
trace it directly to circumstance which oc-
Cured in theevening, ldreamed that saw
my dear father standing under the large oak
near the spring, and looking at me steinly, as
if ifdcmandins that / should do my duty, he