Year: 1876

lent as sensibly as it should have done. He
merely muttered, "What's in the wind nowf"
and adding some irreverent remark about
"stuff and nonsense" used the tender missive
as means of igniting his cigar.


Mr.. Chase, as time went by, gradually re-
covered his strength, and on Christmas day
was able to dine down stairs, for the first time
since the commencement of the winter season.
His nephew and niece We'd with each other
in paying him attention, and testifying their
pleasure at his restoration to his place in the
family circle; while the old gentleman, on
his part, secretly kept vigilant eye on them
both, that he might judge from their manner
to each other what chance there was of the
fulflment of his plans regarding them, Of
which he had spoken to Arthur during his
illness. He made no farther allusion, how
ever, to the unwelcome topic, perhaps judging
it expedient to await the farther development
of affairs without fastening its progress by
any open effort of his own. g


Arthur had by no means relinquished the
idea which he had impaired to Mr.. Chase
that of going out West and there seeking to
discover some traces of his lost relatives,
whose fate was still shrouded in mystery. He
knew that he would have great difficulty in
obtaining his uncle's consent to this move,
but thought that if he waited until he came
of age he might then, by persuasion, succeed
in doing so. He felt that he owed the old
gentleman too much, wilfully to 60 contrary
to his expressed wishes. He could not have
experienced greater kindness and more sffec-
tionate treatment from his own parents, had
they been living, than he had received from
his adopted father since he had become an in
mate of his home, and he felt that it was bis
duty, as we'll as his pleasure, to render bis
declining years happy and comfortable by
every means in his power.


An unlocked for incident occurred at length,
which did more to farther the accomplishment
of his cherished plan than months Of argu-
ment and persuasion on his part could have
done.


In one of the daily papers an account ap-
peared, which created quite sensation, Of the
unexpected discovery and Identification of
beautiful girl who had. many years before,
been supposed to perish in storm which
overlook travelling party in the Rocky
Mountains. She had been at that time child
of four or five years, and her parents, a broth
er, two sisters and herself we're all reported
lost, in company with the remainder of the
party. 1t appeared, however, that she had,.
through what seemed a miraculous interposl-
ton of Providence, found shelter in the crevice
of a rock, and after remaining there nearly
two days, had been discovered and carried
away by mountaineer journeying westward,
who kept her under his care, and broughther
up as his own daughter. Now, after the lapse
Of twelve pears, a member Of her own family.
following the same track, had by singular
conjunction of events been led to the very
cottage inhabited by this rough mountaneer
and his adopted child, now fearless, hardy
but lovely maiden just blossoming into wo'
manhood. Her history was related, dates were
compared, her identity was established beyond
doubt, and the little lost wait, rescued from
death and brought up by charity, was restor-
ed to her own home and her own people, and
found herself one of the richest heireSses in
that part of the world. The story went that
her rough but kind protector. broken.hearted
at losing her, had pined and died since their
separation but that the ungrateful girl, less
tender-hearted, revelled in all the enjoyment
of her new-found wealth, and wore her pros
perity with graceless satisfaction, apparently
bestowing no thought on him whose hand had
rescued her from terrible fate, and guarded
her from harm for twelve long years.


Arthur found his uncle one day studying
this history with grave and earnest face. He
had already perused it several times, and it
had evidently made deep impression on his
mind.


"Arthur," said be, looking up as his nephew
entered the room, "do you know, it strikes me
that if this account is true-which see no
reason to doubt-there may yet be chance,
a faint chance, that some of that unfortunate
emigrant band may have been saved in like
manner-who can tell? Some of the chill
dren, possibly-little creatures who could not
afterwards give an account of themselves, may
have survived the others, and be now living"


"Why of course, uncle" cried Arthur, ca
gerly. "That is just the idea that has occur
red to me so often"


"Not that think" continued the old gen.
tleman, "that there is much ground for hope.
There is only the merest shadow ola possibili-
ty, and nothing more. Still, if there were
any means of finding out"


"If were only there" interrupted Arthur,
II am sure I might find out something. l
would travel all about, and make the most
diligent inquiries. I could advertise in all the
papers, at every town came to. Indeed, un-
Gle, it would be worth the efort-let me go"


"My dear boy" said Mr.. Chase with
troubled look, "such an undertaking would
involve immense difficulties, though you speak
of it so lightly. You can not realize the time
and trouble it would cost you-the dangers
that may stand in your way"


"Time and trouble would not matter, and
as for the dangers, uncle, I'm not afraid of
them" said the young man, boldly. 81 should
delight in the adventures I met with-and
then think what might be gained in the end p


"And what might be lost" said Mr.. Chase,
sadly. "I might lose you. Arthur. What
would my feelings be if suffered you to sac