ever, to return.

had not heard.

the accompaniments of the passage. I ventured shortly, howMacjoy must have told him something that I No doubt it had become essential to restrain him from leaving the house in his then state of health; and as a last resource the sad facts had been communicated.

'Who? I'll murder him!' I heard him sob.

Macjoy seized the poor boy's hand in his. 'You will not murder your broth—'

He

'My brother Walter !' gasped the boy, his face changing to a livid colour, while his eyes started from their sockets. looked around the room. In the furthest corner stood an ancient cabinet, with bows and spears of Fernland warfare. Ralph spied a barbed spear; he struggled to extricate himself from his friend's grasp.

'Come-pray!' implored his friend Macjoy, his hot tears falling fast.

'His blood-his blood!' he shrieked frantically.

Summoning all his little remaining strength, with the violence of a madman, he flung himself half across the room, and fell senseless on the floor.

CHAPTER XVIII.

'Is it for this the Spanish maid, aroused,
Hangs on the willow her unstrung guitar,
And, all unsex'd, the anlace hath espoused,

Sung the loud song, and dared the deed of war ?'-BYRON. LITTLE MAUDE had only just been in time at the bank that morning.

"Nothing like doing your business yourself, my little lady,' said the manager to her before leaving. A clerk had just arrived from Maxwell's to stop the cheque! The amount, however, was already placed to her credit, she had signed her name in a big book, and was in possession of Mr. MacEvoy's receipt !

This cheque is considerably "ante-dated," as we say in business,' continued he.

I got the letter containing it after "business hours," said she archly.

'I see,--I see,' pursued he gaily; the money's yours, the cheque is ours. Nothing like doing business in your own way,— oh, and-early! ha, ha, ha!'

A few minutes after, a bustle might have been heard in the

outer office adjoining that in which Maude Trevosa and Raskall Clencher were then tête-à-têteing.

'Too late!—you don't mean it!' exclaimed Tom Doowell. 'I do though; girl in at time—such a fizzer!' said young "It sha'n't!" and I Sharpiers; I heard the head chap say, waited till she passed.'

Why didn't you come at once?' bullied Tom.

'Not a bit of use coming!' said Sharpiers, with a sneer; besides, hadn't I to go to Drownemall's for the Official List? By jingo! if that ain't the very gal herself!' exclaimed he. 'Don't pinch a fellow's arm if it is!' holla'd Tom.

'I'll swear it is,' said the other, as Maude passed them, still disguised as before.

Sharpiers, was off his stool in a moment. Opening the door, he closed it gently after her; then opened it as gently, and in another minute had returned to confirm the news. The excitement was great. Clencher had neglected his business; there would be a fearful row when Maxwell knew of it! Clencher would have to leave! Oh, it was excellent fun! The poor boys were ordered hither and thither to no purpose, Raskall cursing them And for his own forgetfulness, which they swore was too bad. little Maude was far on her road to the station by the time the lads had calmed down sufficiently to enjoy the jokes they now cracked on the whole affair!

Judging by the pile of letters on her table at Macgloom Bay, Maude had not been idle. She invariably began the day, wet or dry, with a ride on the sands, which were extensive and picturesque, practising pistol-shooting on horseback and on foot, asking herself why were not women taught these things. the expiration of two hours devoted to this pastime, she would generally contrive to work herself up to the boiling point, and come home fuming, and muttering, as she was divesting herself of her incumbrances :

At

I

'Let any one dare stand between us, my love, when once get near you; I'll fire, I'll stick, I'll run them through,-all-everybody, but I'll find you, love!'

She had once thought about the police, but had dismissed the idea as unworthy of a moment's consideration. They never find

6

6

a thing out on shore, and generally get the wrong man,' said Maude; they don't often find the right. The police catch them, indeed! besides, they're at sea. The police! oh!'

CHAPTER XIX.

'Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.'

OLD BETTY was in despair, for Ralph Osborne would not come to. The room had been metamorphosed curtains, pictures, and hangings were all removed, and the walls were now adorned with artificial evergreens and flowers instead, for Macjoy had ransacked his brain to extemporise simple and pleasing scenery, which would, on his patient's waking, call to mind other thoughts, and tend to efface the memory of the past. But Ralph wanted keeping up, his Doctor said, and he would assuredly sink unless some change immediately occurred. For several days he had been in the same half-conscious state; and I heard Macjoy telling Betty it could not possibly last much longer.

'Nor shall it last another hour!' said a voice, which Betty immediately recognised as Harry's. It was some time before Macjoy could bring himself to believe that the man before him was the gay young Bungaland soldier; but he thought he would turn his presence to account. Surmising that his sudden appearance might serve as a salutary shock to his patient,—it could not possibly be productive of harm now, he begged him to come to his friend's side.

Betty was in tears, and sat at Ralph's bedside, with her spectacles on, reading her Bible; Somers stood by her side; and Macjoy next to him. All was so silent that Death might have been there! What was it vibrated in the air, causing them all to start? Ralph had not stirred, and yet an indefinable something had taken possession of them, for Betty had ceased to read, and the others looked from the one to the other with an air of

startled expectancy. Not a word had been spoken. There was now, however, a movement in the bed, and Ralph, who had scarcely stirred for days, uttered distinctly the words, 'I hear!' The air seemed dense to suffocation, yet the windows were wide open, and the Autumn breezes playing within the room! For several seconds they remained thus motionless. At length Somers raised his dark bared arm aloft, while the perspiration stood upon his brow. They now heard, in trembling accents:

'Tis there again!' All was silent, while the patient seemed to breathe his soul to her! Beatrice,' he said, in tenderest accents, 'speak once again! Oh, answer me! murmur one faint sigh before I'm gone! give me one parting glance! Oh, for one wild embrace,-one maddening delight!'

He seemed disturbed, for Betty was sobbing by his side. She checked herself, and he proceeded in the same earnest strain, while they listened in wondering silence:

'Speak, Birdie, love! Your soul and mine are one! United by a bond-so deep, so true-which ne'er can be dissolved! Ah, Beatrice, my soul cries loud to thee! Send me one brief response, which, wafted quick through Space, shall soothe my soul's depart !'

They stood entranced, while sweetest strains of music fell upon the ear. A voice was heard to sing with thrilling pathos, midst the solemn silence:

'Foul fiends may true hearts sever,

But Love can ne'er destroy;
Your soul, so true, shall ever

Be linked with mine in joy!
Come, loved one, with me stay!
Waft me one thrilling kiss!
Our loves can ne'er decay
Through never-ending bliss.
never-ending

The wondrous cadences still vibrated, but the voice had ceased. Somers alone appeared unmoved. They stood aside. Ralph started up in bed-his listless look was gone.

'Hark!' he said triumphantly, as if he had seen them but an hour ago, 'you heard,—there again! he pointed up, with changed and radiant look, 'you hear,-now!-now, again,—listen!'

The young Marquis now entered, followed by his brother. 'Poor fellow' said he quietly; but 'tis his mind,—sad, sad indeed!'

Ralph whispered, Hush! now, no more!

Reaching out his hand, he whispered, ' Alfred !'

'Twas hers!'

He gazed upon them calmly, while Macjoy placed his hand upon his arm, and anxiously counted the throbs of life. Fetch me the wine, quick!' he said.

Sip after sip was swallowed eagerly. Tossing himself restlessly on the bed, he said—as though reasoning with some one close beside him:

No, no,-come, loved one! or-shall I go?' Amid the silence he continued, 'Yes; I will go.' Smiling, he called aloud again, ' Alfred!' and when his friend came he whispered, 'give me more wine! But Macjoy said, 'No.'

'Give me more wine, there's a dear fellow,' he cried, with warmth. Macjoy implored them not to speak, while all pressed round him.

'Some good, strong wine!' urged Ralph, in a cheerful voice.

เ

Macjoy still said, 'No.' 'Here, take my hand and feel how
brave it is,' he cried. Now, give me wine, Macjoy; don't look
so at me!' He was so earnest, none could resist. 6
quick! I faint !'

With his own hands Lord Alfred gave the wine.
"There, there!' he said, with faltering accents.

to me !

Quick,

She spoke

Trememdon's rose! Alfred, Alfred-dear Alfred !' He sank back on his pillow, the brothers both encircling him with their arms. Harry and Macjoy stood silent by; while the poor old creature sobbed forth her gratitude on her knees, where she had been some time before.

CHAPTER XX.

'A sense of an earnest will

To help the lowly living,
And a terrible heart-thrill,

If you have no power of giving;

An arm of aid to the weak,

A friendly hand to the friendless,
Kind words, so short to speak,

But whose echo is endless.'-HOUGHTON.

HAINI, the brave, wild half-caste girl,-fond of adventure, fonder of Ralph, and hating his brother with deadly hatred,— had, accompanied by her aunt, now established herself at dreary, gloomy, old Grim Castle. Harry Somers was her constant companion. They said but little; but they were soon familiar with every bay, stream, and headland in the neighbourhood. They tired out every horse, and wondered at the small amount of 'go' in all Old Countree horses.

Since his father's death, Reginald had put all his affairs into the hands of the eminent lawyers Bold and Bold, who instituted immediate proceedings against such of the Spoilers as could be reached, with a view to the restoration of his rights and property.

The B.D.V. was no longer a half-starved street orator, but once more a happy, contented farm labourer. Harry, aided by his faithful hound Lion, had sought for him far and wide. True to his nature, the dog had led him to the woods behind Grimmouth Castle. A stream had broken the scent. Just upon the point of giving up the search, Somers, descending a high wooded ridge by a long spur, thought he heard a voice below. Proceeding cautiously, and calling off his dog, the air being perfectly still, his ear caught the plaintive, solemn sounds as of a man in urgent distress.