A1VT /"^ T r YT T 
 HBBBB
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 A NOVEL. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE ODD TRUMP," "HARWOOD," "THE LACY 
 DIAMONDS," ETC. 
 
 forfe: 
 E. J. HALE & SOtf, PTJBLISHEES, 
 
 MURRAY STREET. 
 1876.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by 
 
 E. J. -HALE & SON, 
 in the office of the Librarian of Congress at "Washington.
 
 s 
 
 C 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In criticising an American Novel, a late writer remarked 
 that it was impossible to construct a Eomance that should depict 
 even a few distinguishing traits in American character. The di 
 versities separating sections of this great country are, perhaps, 
 as strongly marked as those that distinguish different nationali 
 ties in Europe. And in the social lives and habits of the many 
 classes, constantly increasing in America, and constantly diverg 
 ing more and more distinctly from any established standard, the 
 romance writer may find types enough to fill a series of Novels, 
 while he cannot exhaust the supply in an ordinary lifetime. 
 
 The present volume does not even attempt the analysis 
 of character. In so far as ethical or philosophical questions are 
 touched at all, they are only touched as incidental parts of the 
 narrative. All temptation to descriptive writing has been stead 
 fastly resisted, and the only effort has been to draw, in outline, 
 a few characters for the reader's entertainment. 
 
 YORK, May, 1876. 
 
 892601
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PA8K. 
 
 CHAPTER I. The Storm 7 
 
 II. The Travelers 12 
 
 III. Mrs. Norman 16 
 
 IV. The Rtithvens 21 
 
 V. Miss Abby Keith 25 
 
 VI. Rupert's Commission 30 
 
 VII. Two Soliloquies 34 
 
 VIII. Helen 38 
 
 IX. Dutchy 43 
 
 X. Vendetta 48 
 
 XL Mr. Skillet 52 
 
 XII. Moving 57 
 
 XIII. Tige 62 
 
 XIV. A Letter 66 
 
 XV. At Work 71 
 
 XVI. Nina 76 
 
 XVII. The Meeting of the Worthies 81 
 
 XVIII. Darcy's First Visit ,. 86 
 
 XIX. The Foremost Man of the Age 91 
 
 XX. TheGoldRoom 96 
 
 XXI. Title Deeds 100 
 
 XXII. The Wanderer's Return 105 
 
 XXIII. Watched 110 
 
 XXIV. A New Departure 115 
 
 XXV. Mr. Donis 120 
 
 XXVI. Baffled 125 
 
 XXVII. NellGaston 130 
 
 XVIII. Cross Purposes 135 
 
 XXIX. An Angry Household 139
 
 Vi CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. Found 144 
 
 XXXI. Mediums 149 
 
 XXXII. The Sealed Envelope 154 
 
 XXXIII. Mr. Skfflet'g Sympathy 159 
 
 XXXIV. Miss Abby's Visit 164 
 
 XXXV. Nina's Dilemma 169 
 
 XXXVI. The Outlet. 174 
 
 XXXVII. Followed Again 179 
 
 XXXVIII. A Declaration 184 
 
 XXXIX. The Little Game 188 
 
 XL. The Old Church 192 
 
 * XLI. Mr. Skillet's Plan 197 
 
 XLII. The Red Spots in the Snow 202 
 
 XLIII. The Friends' Parting 206 
 
 XLIV. A New Relation 211 
 
 XLV. Helen's Story 216 
 
 XLVL The Dark Chamber 222 
 
 XLVII. The Partition 229 
 
 XLVIIL Blake and Bloke 234 
 
 XLIX. And Last 241
 
 FLESH AND SPIRIT.* 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 THE STORM. 
 
 DAECY GASTON stood at the window, watching the whirling 
 snow. The great flakes slanting from east to west, Were 
 interlaced with millions of erratic crystals, darting in all direc 
 tions, and formed a white network that hid the dark pines skirt 
 ing the garden. The windows on tlie eastern side of the room 
 were blocked up by miniature drifts, and all the paths around the 
 house were obliterated. 
 
 A horseman, powdered from head to foot, passed the window, 
 and dismounted at the porch. Before he had done stamping, 
 and shaking the snow from his hat and garments, Darcy opened 
 the door to admit him. The horse had walked off soberly, in 
 search of shelter and provender. 
 
 The new comer divested himself of overcoat and leggings, 
 entered the warm room, and stood with his back to the roaring 
 wood fire. A large, comely man, thirty-five, with kind eyes and 
 smiling mouth. His name was Henry Gaston, but at college he 
 had been nicknamed " Tiger," because he was so invariably sweet 
 tempered and gentle. No man had ever known him to manifest 
 temper, and no man ever dreamed of offering him an affront. 
 The county would have risen, as one man, to resent an injury 
 done to " Tige" Gaston. He was a lawyer, without practice, 
 except in the way of gratuitous advice, which he gave freely to 
 all applicants ; a farmer, with five hundred acres, which he valued 
 chiefly on account of the quail he shot in the broad fields in the 
 autumn ; a country gentleman, with a wife who believed in him 
 without limit, and no kindred excepting the boy who watched 
 him so anxiously, as he stood near the blazing hearth. 
 
 " Well, brother?" said Darcy, at last. 
 
 " All up, Darcy !" replied Tige, " and I'm glad of it ! Suppose
 
 8 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 we had won that suit, arid turned out poor old Tom Phillips ! 
 Why the man has a dozen children." 
 
 "You will not appeal, brother?" 
 
 "Certainly not! What's the use? We have plenty. Since 
 I left Coviugton, I have thought it over. I am going into the 
 law, Darcy, and you must take this confounded farm. Hist ! 
 Here comes Nell !" 
 
 To them enters a bright little lady. Tige stoops down and 
 kisses her, as a matter of course. 
 
 " Boots wet, Tige V she said ; " No ? I tell you they are ! 
 Here, Nanny ; bring Mr. Gaston's slippers. What about the ver 
 dict r 
 
 u Gone against us, Nell, darling. It is all right. Darcy was 
 more interested than 1 5 but he would have given up the case, if 
 he had heard the testimony." 
 
 " Well, I'm glad it is settled at last," said Mrs. Gaston. " I 
 thought it would end in this way, and I have made a plan for 
 Darcy." , 
 
 "What is it, sister?" 
 
 " Splendid ! Tige shall open a law office in Lexington, and 
 you shall be a student a year or two, and then a partner." 
 
 " You and brother have been holding a caucus," answered 
 Darcy, laughing ; " but I think I shall spoil your scheme. I have 
 expected defeat also, and have gradually perfected a plan. I am 
 going " 
 
 " Where ?" said Tige and his wife, in a breath. 
 
 " Into commerce," said the youth, waving his hand, as if he 
 would take in the visible horizon. " Commerce ! That for your 
 law," and he snapped his fingers contemptuously. 
 
 " I shot two ducks yesterday," interrupted Tige, " and the 
 odour of dinner followed Nell when she entered. I am famishing. 
 After dinner we will renew the discussion. I'll wash my hands, 
 change my coat, and be down before you are ready." 
 
 They were all seated before the blazing logs an hour later, all 
 thinking of the same thing, and each reluctant to break the 
 silence. Tige was wondering if he had used due diligence in 
 "working up the case," and was conscious of laxity of mind cer 
 tainly, and perhaps of indifference as to the result of the trial. It 
 was an old suit, and during Darcy's minority there had been a 
 vague expectation that the verdict would give the youth a com 
 petency, as well as add to his brother's moderate estate. In their
 
 THE STORM. 9 
 
 later conversations, Darcy had detected the doubt in his brother's 
 mind concerning the justice of their claim, and had caught his 
 feeling of indifference and non -expectation. And his thoughts 
 were now busy with the purpose he had formed to enter the 
 world, and contend for fortune in the marts of commerce. Nell 
 was furtively watching the boy's countenance, looking for disap 
 pointment, and finding an expression of calm confidence instead. 
 As the silence must be broken sooner or later, Mrs. Gastou, of 
 course, broke it. 
 
 " Darcy ,'' she said, drawing her chair nearer to him, " I have 
 thought of all the merchants in Lexington, and if you are really 
 going to make your fortune in that way, it must be in Millikeu's." 
 ' "Millikeu's ?" said Darcy, 
 
 " Yes," she answered, decidedly ; "he is a cross-grained old 
 wretch, I know, but he is rich, and he has made his money since 
 I was a girl. You can ride in I'll give you luncheon to take with 
 you and you can ride back to dinner." 
 
 " Milliken's ? Lexington I" replied Darcy. " What do you think 
 about it, brother f 
 
 " Whatever Nell thinks," said Tige ; " she is always right, 
 you know. Milliken was poor as a rat when he came." 
 
 " I don't think Milliken will do, brother. I thought of going 
 further." 
 
 They were all silent again. Somehow, they all thought simul 
 taneously of a little mound under the snow, where Tige and his 
 wife had left their only child, a baby boy, ten years ago. He died 
 while his age counted by days, and the scar made by his departure 
 had not been very deep. It was disappointment rather than sor 
 row that troubled them when they remembered him. 
 
 " We have nobody but you, Darcy," said Mrs. Gaston, plaint 
 ively. 
 
 " And you will not lose me, sister dear," answered he, taking 
 her hand ; " I can and will write to you as often as you say. 
 Only a day or two between us " 
 
 " A day or two !" said Tige ; " are you going to open shop in 
 London or Paris f 
 
 "Do you remember that smart gentleman we met last week, 
 brother ? I mean at Judge Hammond's." 
 
 " You mean the Yankee, who talked of nothing all evening, 
 except " 
 
 " N'Yauk !'' answered Dare}*, laughing. " Well, sir, he won my 
 heart. N'Yauk is the field for iny genius."
 
 10 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Here was a bombshell ! Mr. Gaston, whose knowledge of geog 
 raphy was not trustworthy, could not remember whether New 
 York was a thousand or six thousand miles from Kentucky. He 
 knew it was a vast wilderness, infested by ravenous beasts, and 
 paved with dollars. He had an indefinite hatred of the locality, 
 mingled with a dim apprehension of the fact that New York was 
 certainly the most promising field for commercial enterprise on 
 the continent. 
 
 Mrs. Gaston had a swift apprehension of numberless snares and 
 pitfalls, constructed especially to entrap young gentlemen from 
 Kentucky, all which were covered over with such skill as to defy 
 scrutiny. Darcy was so good and gentle and unsuspecting ! To 
 think of this exemplary youth falling into babits of dissipation, 
 losing his acute sense of honor, having his conscience seared with 
 the hot irons that abounded in that Sodom, whence came those 
 lovely silks which Mrs. Judge Hammond wore on great occasions. 
 
 " Darcy," said Tige, " you are old enough to know your own 
 mind, and I suppose you have weighed all the chances. It seems 
 to me that you will have great difficulties to encounter from the 
 first. You know nobody in New York " 
 
 " Excepting Mr. Foster, brother," said Darcy. 
 
 " Mr. Foster f ' 
 
 "Yes. The gentleman at Judge Hammond's. I had a little 
 talk with him. He was kind enough to say he would be glad to 
 see me, should I visit his city." 
 
 " Do you know the nature of his business ?" said Tige. 
 
 " Not accurately. Something about stocks. He says anybody 
 in Wall street could direct me to him." 
 
 " And you were laying your plans a week ago," said Mr. Gas- 
 ton with a touch of reproach in his tone. 
 
 " Not I !" answered Darcy ; " it is true that I was attracted by 
 Mr. Foster's stories of rapid money making. All my plans have 
 been laid to-day. You know Judge Hammond gave me a hun 
 dred dollars the only money I ever earned for preparing his 
 boy for college. I thought I should like to commence on that 
 capital, and New York is my objective point." 
 
 " Why don't you say something, Nell ?" said Mr. Gaston, after 
 another pause. " What do you think about it ?" 
 
 " I think Darcy has made up his mind," answered Mrs. Gas- 
 ton ; "it is dreadful! But if I could only know just what the 
 poor boy was thinking and doing all the time, I might consent
 
 THE STORM. 11 
 
 to let him try. When he gets fairly afloat in that whirlpool he will 
 forget us." 
 
 " Sister !" said Darcy, " you two are the only friends I have in 
 the wide world. None will ever love me as you two love me, and 
 I will never love any mortal as I love you. When I forget you I 
 will have no memory of anything else. When I conceal any 
 thought or purpose from you two, I will be so utterly lost to all 
 considerations of gratitude, of honor, of manhood, that you will 
 be glad to forget me. Can you not trust me ? I will promise to 
 put aside enough money to pay my way back to you, and when 
 I have no other money left I will return. I will write to you 
 every night, and I will look every day for letters from you. If I 
 fail 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 " If I fail a hundred dollars will only last a few weeks. I will 
 soon be able to decide as to my chances. I will not take one cent 
 from you, brother. I have resolved to carve my way upon my 
 own resources ; and if I cannot win success with this beginning, 
 I should fail with ten times as much. But go I must ! Don't you 
 see that I am obliged to go ? Would you have me, with such 
 abilities as you say I possess with perfect health, with a liberal 
 education, and with Gaston blood in my veins would you have 
 me live like a drone among your books, or vegetate among your 
 sheep on the farm ? I tell you, I fairly pant to encounter the dis 
 couragements, the disappointments, the l hard knocks' that Mr. 
 Foster warned me would be in my path ! and I mean to triumph 
 over all obstacles, or " 
 
 " Or what ! 
 
 " Or come back and vegetate among the other sheep !" 
 
 "I think he will have to go, Nell," said Tige. "As soon as 
 spring opens, Darcy, Nell and I will take you to New York." 
 
 " You mean, you and sister will pay me a visit ?" 
 
 " When do you think of going ?" said Tige, doubtfully. 
 
 " To-night ! The train that leaves Lexington at eleven will take 
 me."
 
 12 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 THE TRAVELERS. 
 
 rj^HE snow storm which began in Kentucky "worked its way 
 -1- eastwardly. After crossing the Ohio, the train that carried 
 Darcy Gaston gradually fell behind time. On the second night 
 it came to a full stop, half way between stations, and the conduc 
 tor announced to the two hundred querulous passengers, that 
 further progress was impossible. " The snow put out the engine 
 fire." Another train would be due about daylight, and mean 
 time there was nothing to be done, but keep up the fires in the 
 cars and wait. Darcy listened to the comments of the passengers 
 with eager curiosity. 
 
 " Misa'ble management ! " said a gruff gentleman a few seats 
 off. " This cussed corporation is a fraud ! If they had put two 
 ingines on to the train at Larkville, we'd a' ben in N'Yauk to 
 morrow noon. I'm bound to be in N'Yauk to-morrow !" 
 
 Nobody answered. There were sixty-four passengers in this 
 car, and sixty-two of them thought the gruff gentleman had 
 no right to monopolize the injury. Confound him ! Did he sup 
 pose anybody cared whether he ever reached New York or not ? 
 Darcy alone gave him a grain of sympathy, and wondered how 
 much he was bound to be in New York, and if the obligation were 
 strong enough to overcome two feet of snow on the level, and ten 
 feet in the drifts. After a short pause, he resumed his mono 
 logue. 
 
 " Narrer gauge road too ! If we had took the other route we'd 
 a' ben a good deal nearer home, and ben more comf able. Good 
 sleepin' coaches too !" 
 
 " Must be long in Erie ! " said a voice near the door : " long 
 in Erie, and bullin' the stock !" 
 
 There was a titter first, and then a prolonged guffaw, in which 
 the gruff gentleman joined. This had the effect to give a more 
 cheerful tone to the conversation. 
 
 " Su'thiu's got to be done ! " said the gruff gentleman, rising ; 
 we can't set here five or six hours. I move that we send back 
 to Scrabbletown, and try to git up another ingine. If we had two, 
 we could push ahead. Let's look for the conductor." He walked 
 down the aisle as he spoke, and catching Darcy's eye, nodded 
 to him.
 
 THE TRAVELERS. 13 
 
 " Come, young gentleman, you and me will be a committee of 
 two. We can't set here, like knots on a stump ! Let's find the 
 conductor." 
 
 Darcy rose at bis invitation, and passing into the next car, they 
 found the conductor, who was endeavoring to reassure an old 
 lady, by promising relief at daylight. 
 
 " The express will bring two locomotives," he said) " and if we 
 can get through this cut, the drifts will not be so heavy 
 beyond." 
 
 " We've come to see you on that business, Mr. Conductor," said 
 the gruff gentleman ; " we're a committee from the next car." 
 
 " Well sir," replied the official, " what do you propose f 
 
 " We think you might send back to Srabbletown, and git an 
 ingine from there." 
 
 " I have to send a brakesman back to give warning," said the 
 conductor j " but I don't know 
 
 " I'll go with him 1" said a passenger, rising " I want to stretch 
 my legs anyhow." 
 
 This car was furnished with reclining seats. A young girl was 
 in the chair next the window, apparently asleep. He looked round 
 at her a moment, and then taking a ticket from his pocket, he 
 slipped it into a satchel that lay on her lap. 
 
 " In case of accidents," he muttered, rebuttoning his overcoat 
 all ready, conductor !" 
 
 " Can I do anything?" said Darcy, touching his arm, as he fol 
 lowed the conductor j " shall I go with you f 
 
 " Thanks ! no use. The walking will be rough. You can do no 
 good by going." He paused, and regarded Darcy intently by the 
 dim light of the lamps. " Would you uiiiid have you any com 
 pany f ' 
 
 " None ; I am alone." 
 
 "Well, suppose you take my seat? When she wakes you 
 might tell her where I have gone. Would you mind f 
 
 " I will do it with pleasure." 
 
 " If anything should happen Pshaw ! What foolery ! The 
 truth is, my whisky flask is empty and I should get the hor 
 rors before morning without a nip. Just tell her where I have 
 gone that's all. Good night !" and he passed out. 
 
 Darcy quietly took the chair he had vacated, and looked 
 curiously at the sleeping girl. Her hat was in the rack above, 
 and a woollen hood was drawn over her head, concealing most of
 
 14 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 her face. One straggling curl of golden hair had escaped the 
 hood and lay over her shoulder. Her head was resting upon her 
 muff, a little white hand holding it in its place. She was sleep 
 ing profoundly. 
 
 Was she a child or a woman ? The one hand visible was so 
 small, that he concluded she must be a school girl. Tolerably 
 well grown too. The other hand was gloved, holding the satchel. 
 How fortunate that she was asleep ! Perhaps she would not 
 waken until her protector returned. By the bye, he had not said 
 what relation he sustained to her. Father, of course. Too old 
 for her brother. If anything should happen to awaken her, 
 what the mischief should he say ? Eeally this was a nice 
 mess for a fellow to be in ! Suppose the man did not come back 
 at all ! 
 
 Meanwhile the girl's protector was plodding through the deep 
 snow, accompanied by the brakesman, who carried a red lantern 
 that threw lurid streaks upon the white snow, looking like blood 
 stains. The station they were seeking was some miles off, and 
 part of the walk was exceedingly dangerous. The railway wound 
 round a spur of the mountain range, and one curve was cut out of 
 the face of the rock which rose fully a hundred feet, almost per 
 pendicularly from the margin of the river that washed its base. 
 In summer the trains went slowly over this part of the road, giving 
 travelers an opportunity to take in the enchanting view of valley, 
 river, and distant hills. Now everything was hidden by the whirl 
 ing suowflakes. Fortunately, the wind had blown the snow from 
 the track at this point, and they passed it safely. Scrabble town 
 was reached at last, and the solitary hotel opened its hospitable 
 door to them after a brief delay. There was a stove in the bar 
 room, and the passenger hovered over it while the landlord filled 
 his flask and concocted a fiery compound for his present use. The 
 brakesman steadfastly declined to partake of a similar draught, 
 saying, he was " On dooty, and it was agin orders." If he had told 
 the whole truth he would have added, he was a Son of Temperance. 
 
 Their journey was fruitless. The engine they expected to get 
 had been sent back ten miles to meet the express train, and aid in 
 pushing through the drifts further eastward. There was a tele 
 graph station here, and, after sending warning to the next station 
 of the whereabouts of the embargoed train, the brakesman an 
 nounced his intention to retrace his steps. 
 
 One more hot todd3* for the passenger, and then they began the 
 return tramp.
 
 THE TRAVELERS. 15 
 
 When they reached the narrow ledge over the river, the brakes 
 man, who was ahead, was startled by a sudden cry from his com 
 panion. He turned in time to see him disappear over the brink of 
 the abyss ! Another cry, far down the face of the rock, and then 
 silence, except for the murmur of the river and the pulsations of 
 his own heart. 
 
 He peered anxiously over the fatal edge of the precipice, but 
 could see nothing beyond a few feet, where the unfortunate pas 
 senger had plowed his way to destruction. He had slipped on the 
 rail, blinded by the snow, and probably the worse -for his double 
 dose of toddy, had staggered to his feet on the wrong side and 
 shot over the edge, almost within reach of the brakesman's arm. 
 
 No possibility of giving aid. Nothing to be done, but get back 
 to his train and report the disaster. Only one minute ago he had 
 cautioned him to follow closely and keep near the face of the rock, 
 towering up like a great wall on the left hand. 
 
 Darcy was dreaming of college days, drifting away from him 
 into the Past, when he was roused by the conductor. He fumbled 
 in his pocket for his ticket, but the man beckoned him away. As 
 he left his seat he glanced at his companion sleeper, and met her 
 calm, grey eyes. In the uncertain light, he half fancied he saw a 
 wistful expression in them that he remembered afterwards. 
 
 At the end of the car the brakesman stood, his red lantern still 
 in his hand. Two or three passengers with appalled faces were 
 listening to his story. 
 
 " No chance for him, eh F said one, as Darcy drew near. 
 
 " Not a grain !" replied the brakesman. " He went over just at 
 the curve at High Bend. He must have been killed a dozen times 
 before he got to the river." 
 
 " Of whom are you speaking ?" said Darcy, the terrible truth 
 beginning to dawn upon him ; " not the gentleman who went with 
 you V ' 
 
 " Yes," replied the conductor ; " I thought you would tell the 
 lady. He sort o' left her in your care, didn't he ?" 
 
 Darcy recoiled. He could not face those grey eyes with so hor 
 rible a story, 
 
 " He said," continued the conductor, "just as he was stepping 
 down from this platform, that Mr. Gaston would explain to the 
 lady." 
 
 " Mr. Gaston !" said Darcy, aghast. 
 
 " Yes ; I heard him say that," put in the brakesman.
 
 16 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Darcy tried to recall the brief colloquy between the lost man 
 and himself. Certainly he had not told his name. And how could 
 the conductor learn it ? 
 
 " Tell me exactly what has occurred," he said at last. 
 
 The man told the story of the walk to Scrabbletown, of the delay 
 at the hotel, of the despatch to the next station, and of the return 
 walk. In describing the fatal accident, his story was concise and 
 direct. His eyes were upon his companion all the time, excepting 
 the moment when he fell. He heard him cry out the second time 
 after he disappeared over the verge. 
 
 " And then I knowed he was a goner !" he concluded. 
 
 Darcy walked back to the vacated seat. The girl was sitting 
 upright, and wide awake. He endeavored to arrange in his mind 
 the approaches to the catastrophe ; but he was stunned and bewil 
 dered. 
 
 "Something has happened, sir!" she said, suddenly. "What 
 is it !" 
 
 " I have a terrible story to tell you," he answered, " and I do 
 not know how to begin. May I venture to tell you the exact 
 truth r 
 
 " Do not hesitate," she replied, steadily ; " I shall not faint or 
 cry out. I am accustomed to terrible stories. What is it ?" 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 MRS. NORMAN. 
 
 ON Fifth avenue, New York. Brown stone mansion, of course. 
 The town residence of Mrs. Norman, widow ; rich, old, bed 
 ridden. She had been ailing all summer, at Saratoga and New 
 port, and, since her return to the city, had not been out of her 
 luxurious chamber. The medical attendant had informed her 
 nearest relations, two grand-daughters, that the case was " seri 
 ous," and suggested the propriety of calling in other physicians, 
 to divide the responsibility. So others were invited to a consult 
 ation, and pronounced the treatment already employed precisely 
 that indicated by the symptoms. Nothing to be done but sustain 
 Nature. 
 Nature ? however, had nearly reached her limit. That is to say,
 
 MRS. NORMAN. 17 
 
 the time had arrived when Nature would perform an evolution, 
 in accordance with her own inflexible laws, and disintegrate the 
 particles of matter that were cognizable by the sensuous per 
 ceptions, and eliminate something that gave the atoms cohesion, 
 and which could not be measured by the faculties that investigate 
 the phenomena of matter. Mrs. Norman was taking her last look, 
 with mortal eyes, at the sunlight. She was a good woman ; her 
 long life had been adorned by many deeds of kindness and charity ; 
 and she faced the messenger, whose dusky wings overshadowed 
 her couch, with calm confidence. 
 
 Her grand-daughters stood at her bedside, vieing each with the 
 other in watchful attention to the few wants of the invalid. The 
 elder, Mrs. Bragdon, was a cheerful young matron, who had two 
 new links in husband and baby attaching her to the things of 
 earh, and who therefore looked with more composure upon the 
 approaching separation from her life-long friend. Her sister, 
 Nina Norman, had never left her grandmother, even for a day, 
 and the prospect of her grandmother's death, which she knew 
 was near and inevitable, filled her with horror and dismay. To 
 her, perhaps more than to any one else in the world, the stealthy 
 footfalls of the grim king sounded like the tramp of a cruel mur 
 derer, whose assault upon her friend and guardian was a menace 
 addressed to herself; and she was conscious of a vague longing 
 that her own life might terminate when the placid face of her 
 grandmother should settle into cold rigidity. 
 
 "Children!" said the invalid, "I shall sleep presently. I do 
 not suffer now, in mind or body. Nothing but weariness. You 
 must remember that hereafter " 
 
 " Do not talk, Grandmother," said Nina, "if it tires you." 
 
 " It does not, child. I have only a word to say. Euthven if 
 your Grandfather had not quarrelled with Euthven " 
 
 " Who is Euthven, Grandmother f ' said Nina. 
 
 " Ah ! you do not know ; and I cannot tell you now." 
 
 She closed her eyes, falling into a quiet- sleep. Mrs. Bragdon, 
 leaving her sister at the bedside, stole softly out. She had heard 
 her husband's voice in the passage. Would return in a minute. 
 Would make John exchange his boots for slippers, and bring him. 
 The minute was multiplied by ten, and Mrs. Norman awoke before 
 she returned. Nina was kneeling at her side. 
 
 " A drop of wine, Nina," she said. 
 
 " What did you wish to say about Euthven, Grandmother P said 
 Nina, giving her the wine. 2
 
 18 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 li Euthven was your Grandfather's nephew. They quarrelled, 
 and the boy disappeared. It was forty years ago. I have never 
 heard of him but once since. If they had not quarrelled Mr. 
 
 Norman would have left him . I cannot tell the story. There 
 
 is' a packet in my writing desk. Take it and read the will. He 
 made another will later, leaving me everything. There is the 
 desk. Get the packet now." 
 
 Nina opened the desk, and after a short search found a bundle 
 of legal looking documents. 
 
 " Here is one, Grandmother, marked l Will.'" 
 
 " That is it. Keplace the others. If I had lived, I thought I 
 
 would find Euthveu and give him Ah ! kiss me, Nina, my 
 
 darling. I am going to sleep again. You and Mary can settle " 
 
 and she dozed again, leaving the sentence unfinished. 
 
 The house was on the corner, and the last beams of the setting 
 sun came in at the west window. The faint ray, subdued by the 
 lace curtain, flickered upon the face of the sleeper, and she awoke 
 for the last time. 
 
 " Eupert is in the hall, Nina," she said, in low tones, clear and 
 distinct; "call him. Stop !" she added, as Nina moved to the 
 door. " It is too late. You had better send him Kentucky. He 
 will know. Poor child ! Do not mourn ! Obey the will ! the 
 will !" 
 
 And, as Nina knelt by her, a solemn quiet spread over the 
 pallid face. The sun was gone, and as the shadows gathered in 
 the darkening chamber, Nina hid her face in her hands to shut 
 out the sight. 
 
 They found her there a minute later, insensible, and carried her 
 to her room, Mr. and Mrs. Bragdon, the Doctor, and Eupert. It 
 was sudden, the Doctor said, but he had expected that termina 
 tion and had warned them. It was a comfort to know that it was 
 a painless death. Miss Norman was worn out by her prolonged 
 vigils. Let her sleep if she would. It was only a swoon ; she 
 would be quite well in the morning. All that human skill and 
 care could do had been done ; but the case was utterly hopeless 
 from the first. He would look in to-morrow and see Miss Norman. 
 
 Eupert had remained in the death chamber, while the others 
 carried Nina to her room. When they returned, he was at the 
 window. He did not mention the fact of his having explored the 
 writing desk during their absence, or the further fact of his failure 
 to find what he sought there.
 
 MRS. NORMAN. 19 
 
 " Can I serve you in any way, Mary ?" he said. 
 
 " No, I think not ; unless you will ask Doctor Blair to calL 
 We ought to tell him, John." 
 
 " Oh, certainly !" replied Mr. Bragdon. " And Mr. Grey had 
 better see him. It would be more decorous." 
 
 Mr. Grey walked soberly down stairs, and into the street, his 
 handsome countenance grave and sad, as became the occasion. 
 Stopping at the next corner, where the Eeverend Dr. Blair 
 resided, he sent in his card, and was speedily ushered into the 
 study. Here he delivered his message in mournful accents, 
 dwelling a moment upon the many virtues of the dear deceased, 
 and left the venerable clergyman in a glow of sympathy, that was 
 heightened by the stern composure wherewith Mr. Grey repressed 
 his tears. ' 
 
 Proceeding down the avenue, he reached the hotel, and met an 
 acquaintance at the entrance. The immediate consequences of 
 the meeting were two glasses of whisky and bitters, and an invi 
 tation to dinner. The acquaintance was from Chicago, and after 
 dinner added an invitation to Mr. Grey to accompany him to the 
 theatre ; but this last courtesy was declined, as there had been 
 " a recent death in the family," and it " would not do" to indulge 
 in ordinary frivolities until after the funeral. 
 
 Accordingly, left to his own resources, he found a seat in an 
 obscure corner of the smoking-room, and, secure from interruption, 
 smoked and meditated. 
 
 He was a showy looking man, about thirty-five, well formed 
 and well dressed. A black moustache, hiding a mouth that was 
 rather sensual, and contrasting with his sallow cheeks. Black 
 eyes, that were keen and bold, a little insolent perhaps, defiant, 
 certainly. Catching a glimpse of him in the corner as he sat 
 there, moody, resolute, watchful and being ignorant of his 
 previous history, one would instinctively conclude that he was a 
 man engaged in a warfare with society. A longer look would sug 
 gest the probability that the conflict had gone against him on the 
 whole. Still, there was no indication of surrender. On the con 
 trary, there were a calm consciousness of strength, and the ability 
 to adapt himself promptly to the surrounding circumstances, 
 whatever they might be, and a certain reliance upon his known 
 powers, all of which were elements of ability. If Bupert Grey 
 had been cast upon a desert island, he would have done all any 
 mortal could do with the appliances he found there.
 
 20 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 At the present juncture Mr. Grey was perplexed. He had been 
 waiting with exemplary patience for Mrs. Norman's release from 
 her sufferings. The old lady was ripe for translation, and she had 
 been specially kind to him of late, and he had been specially atten 
 tive, calling every day to inquire as to the progress of the disease, 
 and getting two good views of the packet in her writing-desk, 
 when she dozed he being alone with her in the chamber. Once, 
 when she was sleeping profoundly, he ventured to glance through 
 one of the papers in the packet, and saw his own name. He had 
 not time to read all the particulars, as he heard a step on the 
 stairs. This afternoon he had looked again, but the paper had 
 disappeared. No matter. The lawyers had it, no doubt. After 
 the funeral everything would come out. It would have been a 
 bad business had there been no will. Mary and Nina would 
 divide the entire estate. The thought made him shiver ! 
 
 Among his other attainments, Mr. Grey included a good 
 knowledge of law, especially that portion of the profession that 
 related to inheritances. Mrs. Norman dying intestate, the entire 
 estate would go to her only son's daughters. All collateral 
 branches of the family were entirely and equally cut off, and the 
 only expectations Eupert had, were founded upon late expres 
 sions of kindness from the old lady, the memory of sundry liberal 
 gifts of money from her, when he had been in straits, and the 
 sight of his name in the will. The enforced haste with which he 
 had examined this document prevented the recognition of the 
 fatal fact that it was legally worthless, as it was an old will of 
 Eupert Norman's, which had been set aside by a later one, leaving 
 all his possessions to his wife. 
 
 " I have made a mistake," he muttered, as he passed out into 
 the street. " I should not have shocked Nina by showing her my 
 liberal notions. She is terribly pious, and terribly obstinate, and 
 ha,s a terribly retentive memory. I suppose I might do some 
 repenting, and all that sort of thing, upon this auspicious I 
 mean melancholy occasion ; but she will be cut up by the old 
 lady's death, and would not listen to me for six months to come. 
 Bragdon is sharp as a needle too, and would be quite apt to warn 
 her against me. There must be something left to me. But my 
 luck has been so uniformly against me, that I cannot place con 
 fidence in it now ! And it will be a week before the will comes 
 to light, anyhow." 
 
 Mr. Grey's ill luck consisted in a pair of fast horses in the
 
 THE RUTHVENS. 21 
 
 earlier part of his business life very expensive little dinners at 
 Delmonico's, and very extensive wagers upon horse-races, pigeon- 
 matches and elections, and a very cold-blooded set of creditors, 
 who, dissatisfied with his offer of twenty-five per cent., had put 
 him into bankruptcy, and left him, a helpless orphan, upon the 
 cold charities of N' Yauk. 
 
 CHAPTEE IV. 
 THE EUTHVENS. 
 
 rpEN days after the funeral, Mr. Grey climbed the stairs which 
 -J- led to a number of lawyers' offices, far down Broadway. On 
 the second floor, in the front room, he found Philemon Coke, Esq., 
 the recognized legal adviser of the Norman family. He desired 
 to know if a will had been left, and therefore he had concocted an 
 introductory matter of business, that would naturally bring the 
 facts in the case to the surface. Mr. Coke's table was filled with 
 deeds and leases, and he seemed to be busy. 
 
 " Good morning, Mr. Coke !" he began, " may I trespass upon 
 your valuable time long enough to ask a question or two P 
 
 "Certainly," responded the lawyer, "anything about the 
 estate ?" 
 
 "Yes! No! That is, I don't know. Grandmother Norman had 
 arranged with me to get me out of this infernal bankruptcy busi 
 ness. You know I have not been discharged." 
 
 " Exactly j" replied Mr. Coke, "your assets failed to rea 
 lize " 
 
 " Yes ; she understood the difficulty. It has only been a month 
 since she proposed to relieve me from all entanglements, and I 
 suppose her sickness prevented " 
 
 " You call her grandmother," said Mr. Coke. 
 
 " Yes j she was not my real grandmother my grandaunt in 
 fact," 
 
 " Oh ! ah !" said Mr. Coke. 
 
 Mr. Grey felt uncomfortable. Mr. Coke appeared to think the 
 relationship was very distant, and it suddenly occurred to Eupert 
 that Mrs. Norman might have left some documentary evidence 
 of a slight inaccuracy in his statement. There had really been a
 
 22 FLESH AND SPIEIT. 
 
 proposition made to " fix up " his unfortunate bankruptcy, but 
 Mrs. Norman had not made it. The lawyer took off his spectacles 
 to rest his eyes. 
 
 Mr. Coke was near-sighted. When he removed his glasses he 
 was practically blind. So, while he gazed blandly at Mr. Grey, 
 he also gazed blindly, conscious only of the presence of a bulk 
 of humanity sitting opposite. But his mental vision was not de 
 fective. It was his habit, when arguing knotty law points before 
 the court, or addressing a somnolent jury, to escape distraction 
 by removing his glass eyes, and thus, being oblivious of the phe 
 nomena of visible things, his mind worked with lucidity and pre 
 cision. And in the present instance he looked into the mind of 
 Ms visitor, and discovered the object of his visit. 
 
 "You are aware, Mr. Grey," he said, "that the estate of your 
 grandaunt is inherited by her two grandchildren in the absence 
 of a will." 
 
 " Yes, certainly ; that is I suppose so." 
 
 " There is no doubt about the law," responded Mr. Coke. " In 
 volume four, New York Eeports, page two hundred and six, 
 the case of Snooks versus Snooks " 
 
 " Oh, it is all right, Mr. Coke, you need not refer to cases. I 
 suppose any agreement made by the deceased before death, would 
 not bind the property f " 
 
 " Certainly ;" said Mr. Coke, " a contract duly authenticated 
 would be binding. It is of the nature of a debt, and can be 
 enforced by process of law." 
 
 " Duly authenticated f said Grey, " that is, signed and sealed, 
 and referring to heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and 
 all that sort of thing." 
 
 " Not necessarily, my dear sir ! Any one can present an account 
 against the estate. I have quite a number of small bills on file 
 here now, which will certainly be paid. Here is one from a dress 
 maker, which I shall pay to day, by Miss Norman's order." 
 
 " It is certain there was no will ?" said Grey, after a pause. 
 
 " By no means certain," replied the lawyer, resuming his spec 
 tacles. "There may be a will, but having found none among the 
 papers and I may add having drawn none, as the legal advi 
 ser of the family I am inclined to think Mrs. Norman died intes 
 tate." 
 
 " If there had been a will," said Eupert, slowly, " you would 
 have drawn it, of course. Yet she might have made one at New 
 port or Saratoga."
 
 THE BUTHVENS. 23 
 
 " In which event," said Mr. Coke, " it would probably have 
 been entrusted to me on her return." 
 
 " She was bedridden, you know," persisted Mr. Grey. 
 
 " Yes," replied the lawyer, dryly, " yet I got her signature to a 
 lease two days before her death." 
 
 " And she mentioned no will F 
 
 " No." Mr. Coke did not think it necessary to say that Mrs. 
 Norman had plainly stated there was no will. She desired her 
 estate to fall into the hands of her granddaughters. That Grey 
 had some decided expectations from the estate was evident, and 
 the lawyer detected a tone of assurance that he was certain 
 was based upon something more substantial than had yet 
 appeared. He was too astute to ask any questions, knowing that 
 Grey would reveal himself in due time, if not put upon his guard. 
 
 "Am I taking up too much of your time, Mr. Coke F said he, 
 after some quiet cogitation. " Speak frankly." 
 
 " Certainly not," replied the lawyer ; " I am not busy to day. 
 These papers will wait. Nothing urgent." 
 
 " I am almost emboldened to ask if I may smoke," continued 
 Eupert. 
 
 " Undoubtedly ! I do not smoke, but I like the odor, especially 
 when the cigars are so good as yours are sure to be." 
 
 This was a gentle thrust. Mr. Coke thought Eupert could pay 
 a better dividend if his habits were less expensive. 
 
 "Ah, that's the trouble !" said Grey, coolly, as he proceeded to 
 light his cigar. " I can possibly do without smoke, but I cannot, 
 possibly, smoke cheap weeds. If you will allow me to take a puff 
 or two my mind will work more smoothly." 
 
 He puffed away a few minutes, packing a little cloud around his 
 head, and trying to arrange his questions. He was after informa 
 tion, and the lawyer always closed his jaws with a kind of snap 
 after exactly answering his interrogatories. The old gentleman 
 had bewildered too many witnesses in his day to be voluble for 
 nothing. 
 
 But while Eupert smoked his energies returned. The blank 
 denial of Mr. Coke had settled the will business, and the shock of 
 the disappointment affected him no little; but the man was a 
 philosopher after a fashion, and, accepting the inevitable for the 
 nonce, he reflected more calmly as he inhaled the fragrant smoke. 
 Suppose Mrs. Norman had left him a few thousands. It .was 
 pretty certain the bankruptcy business would swallow them all up.
 
 24 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 That cursed bankruptcy ! It was clear that he could get no comfort 
 from Mr. Coke. It was very doubtful whether he could gain any 
 information either. Suddenly a thought struck him. Now pro 
 ceed cautiously ! 
 
 " Mr. Coke, do you happen to know anything about the Euth- 
 vens ?" 
 
 The lawyer started, and Grey saw it through the smoke. 
 
 " Eutiiveus ?" he answered, slowly. " What Euthveus do you 
 mean ?" 
 
 " Indeed I don't know," said Grey, indifferently ; " there is a 
 fellow named Euthven must be related to me, I suppose never 
 saw him or heard of him until recently." 
 
 " What did you hear I" 
 
 " Very little. By-the-bye, he is not related to me ; he was Mr. 
 Norman's nephew or cousin. My relationship is to Mrs. Norman ; 
 that makes a difference." 
 
 " I do not understand," said the lawyer, dryly ; " do you refer 
 to any possible interest in the estate ?" 
 
 " No ! Yes ! That is, I suppose the Euthven interest would be 
 excluded, as he was not related to Mrs. Norman." 
 
 " There is no possible interest either way. Mrs. Norman held 
 her property under the will of her husband. She had one son, who 
 died intestate in her life-time, leaving two daughters. These 
 daughters inherit all the property, real and personal, and no pos 
 sible claim could divert the inheritance from them. Mr. Euthven 
 has no more interest in the property than Mr. Grey !" 
 
 Through the smoke Mr. Grey detected the spiteful snap of 
 the near-sighted eyes. Decidedly, Mr. Coke was in favor of ex 
 cluding both Grey and Euthven. Eupert waited to hear more. 
 
 " Has Miss Norman mentioned the the Euthvens to you f ' 
 said the lawyer, after a brief pause. 
 
 " She did not send me to you," answered Grey. " I saw her 
 yesterday, but she said nothing about the Euthvens then." 
 
 The whole truth was Miss Norman had never spoken to him 
 on the subject ; but he had seen the name in the same document 
 that contained his own that is, in the old will of Eupert Norman 
 and the half petulant dismissal of the possible claim of the 
 " Euthveus " by Mr. Coke, convinced Grey that their case had 
 been debated before. His own knowledge of the family was very 
 vague and unsatisfactory. There had been such people about New 
 York years ago, but they had all disappeared. So he sat there,
 
 MISS ABBY KEITH. 25 
 
 smoking and cogitating, when Mr. Coke brought matters to a 
 crisis. 
 
 " The Euthvens, as you call them, Mr. Grey," he said, " are all 
 included, so far as I know, in the person of Mr. Darcy Euthven, 
 formerly of New York, but for long years a citizen of Kentucky. 
 I obtained his address, in 1861, with some difficulty, and acting 
 under instructions from the late Mrs. Norman, I wrote him, pro 
 posing to transfer certain property to him as a gift from her. The 
 mails were unsettled at the time, and I had no reply from him for 
 a mouth ; but it came at last shall I read it to you ?" 
 
 " If you please," said Grey, much interested. The lawyer got 
 up, and, taking a parcel of papers from a tin box, selected the 
 letter, which he handed across the table to his visitor. Eupert 
 opened and read : 
 " To PHILEMON COKE, Esq., New York. 
 
 " SIR : I have your letter of 3d ultimo, and in reply I have to 
 say I decline the gift you proffer. To-morrow I shall begin a 
 march, which I expect to end in your city, and I hope to set fire 
 to the property in question. 
 
 "DARCY EUTHVEN, 
 
 " Captain, C. S. A." 
 
 " Whatever intentions Mrs. Norman may have had," continued 
 Mr. Coke, replacing the letter, " were entirely abandoned, of 
 course. We have heard of Captain, or rather Colonel, Euthven 
 occasionally, since the war began, but his name has never been 
 mentioned by the late Mrs. Norman since the receipt of that letter. 
 Certainly, with her decided views, she would never have left her 
 money to any of the name." 
 
 Mr. Grey took his hat to depart. There was some mystery 
 about the business. He would have to investigate further. No 
 information to be got from Mr. Coke. He would try Nina. 
 
 CHAPTEE V. 
 Miss ABBY KEIIH. 
 
 NOEMAN recovered slowly from the shock of her 
 grandmother's death. The girl was sensitive and passion 
 ate keeping her attendants in perpetual dread and anxiety, 
 bothering the Doctor by the sudden presentation of new symp-
 
 26 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 toms, half mental and half physical, with intervals of serene sub 
 mission, the more noticed for their rarity. She refused all inter 
 course with the outside world, was not well enough to see Dr. 
 Blair, and finally requested her sister, Mrs. Bragdon, to visit her 
 only once in the day, and without nurse and baby. 
 
 u Nina's mind is certainly not right !" said Mrs. Bragdon, in con 
 fidential conversation with the last mentioned individual, " to 
 refuse a 'ittle, peshus suga'-plum, who loves his Auntie Nina 
 too !" 
 
 " A-goo !" replied John Bragdon, jr. 
 
 Thus confirmed in her suspicion of mental derangement, Mrs. 
 Bragdon suggested to the Doctor the propriety of ministering to 
 the mind diseased. 
 
 " Time, Mrs. Bragdon," said the Doctor, " is the great restorer. 
 Miss Norman's symptoms are by no means alarming, though they 
 are somewhat perplexing. If we could manage to get her a con 
 genial companion " 
 
 " I proposed sitting with her, and to take baby to amuse her 
 with his little pranks, but she declined." 
 
 " Urn, ah !" said the Doctor. " T think she would progress 
 more rapidly with an older companion." 
 
 " Really, Doctor," replied Mrs. Bragdon, " if Mna would take 
 any interest in anything, Johnny would amuse her. That child is 
 perfectly won-der-ful ! He can almost talk !" 
 
 Johnny was five months old. His prose vocabulary was limited 
 to the dissyllable above mentioned, and his poetry to a succession 
 of howls, when suffering with colic. Nurse translated the latter 
 into an instant demand for catnip tea. 
 
 " I cannot think of anybody," continued Mrs. Bragdou. " She 
 seems to prefer her own society. It is enough to put her out of 
 her senses to sit all day in that dull room. She don't even read 
 that is, the papers. She is quite devoted to Thomas-a-Kempis, 
 however." 
 
 " Ah, well !" said the Doctor, " that will not last long. It very 
 frequently takes that form, but it is a transient symptom. Pos 
 sibly, the mental organism, being dyspeptic, takes that sort of 
 hum ! stuff more safely than solid reading. Not that she would 
 get much solid matter out of the papers, either. Does she take 
 no interest in dress, for instance ?" 
 
 " Not the least," answered her sister, " and that is the next 
 thing to being indifferent to baby ! I asked her about her mourn-
 
 MISS ABB Y KEITH. 27 
 
 % 
 ing, and she said her dressmaker needed no instructions. She 
 
 has not tried on any of her things." 
 
 "Without being exactly alarming," responded the Doctor, "that 
 last mentioned symptom is certainly unusual. Are the dresses 
 made in the latest fashion P 
 
 " Of course !" said Mrs. Bragdon ; " Madame O'Eafferty has not 
 been from Paris over a month. There is a grenadine there that 
 cost frightfully, I'm sure ! Nina sent her a note consisting of two 
 lines : ' Dear Mrs. O'Eafferty Please make me some clothes !' " 
 
 There was something heinous about this. Mrs. Bragdon paused 
 to recover breath. The Doctor was stunned. 
 
 "In the old practice, Mrs. Bragdon," said the Doctor, after 
 some minutes of silent meditation, " I should iiave said quinine 
 was indicated. Perhaps I should have alternated with tincture of 
 valerian. But with better light, I am. convinced that we are 
 pursuing the proper treatment, rhus tox. and aconite! Good 
 morning !" 
 
 As the Doctor passed out at the street door a lady passed in. 
 She gave a card to the servant, saying, 
 
 " For Miss Norman." 
 
 " Walk in the parlor, mum," said the servant ; " I don't think 
 Miss Nina will see you, though. She is quite unwell. Shall I 
 take your card to Mrs. Bragdon P 
 
 " Miss Norman, first," replied the visitor, quietly. 
 
 There will be enough- time to investigate this lady before the 
 servant returns. 
 
 Under the fragment of straw and other fragments of lace and 
 ribbons, which, when combined artistically, was called a bonnet in 
 those days, you can see glossy black hair, smooth and even, over a 
 smooth, white brow. You are perfectly certain that the hair is 
 parted exactly in the middle. She does not know what " dishev 
 elled locks" means. Black eyes fearless, if not bold correspond 
 ing with the firm lines of her mouth. You cannot deceive this 
 lady with complimentary speeches. She looks underneath your 
 polite smiles and sees what you think. She has no doubt about 
 her own status. You cannot condescend when you talk to her, 
 nor can you flatter her by pretending to recognize her superiority. 
 Altogether, there is an air of hardness about her, modified some 
 what by her round chin, slightly prominent. Prompt, decided 
 and quiet ; accustomed to rule. You can see that plainly enough. 
 Her dress is perfectly neat, and so constructed as to escape notice 5 
 not extravagantly fashionable, yet not out of style.
 
 28 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 This was Miss Abby Keith. 
 
 The servant returned. Miss Norman would be pleased to see 
 Miss Keith. Would she please walk up stairs ? 
 
 Miss Keith's face was a study, as she entered Nina's room. 
 
 First: There was a decidedly sympathetic expression. She 
 had heard of Nina's seclusion, and her persistent refusal to see 
 visitors. Mrs. Bragdon and Nina had been pupils in Miss Keith's 
 select school, two or three years. They were favourites. Their 
 recitations were generally faultless. The teacher was an accom 
 plished teacher. She was mistress of all the branches she taught, 
 and she admired Nina greatly, chiefly because she really studied 
 for the sake of knowledge. The two girls had left her for a more 
 pretentious institution, but the friendly relations between them 
 and their first instructress were always maintained. Mrs. Brag 
 don was slightly afraid of her, but Nina, brave as a lion, knew 
 no fear. She was her grandmother's idol, and Miss Keith fully 
 appreciated the strength of the affection that bound these two. 
 Hence her countenance recognized Nina's late loss. 
 
 Second : There must be a limit to mourning. There must come 
 a time when Miss Norman should appear once more in society. 
 So Miss Keith modified the sympathetic expression by raising one 
 eyebrow in deprecation of too much prolonged grief. 
 
 Third : There was Miss Keith's habitual defiant air. She was 
 always candid. Candour was her special weakness. No humbug 
 with her, if you please. She was over thirty, and safe from all 
 kinds of soft nonsense. She lived in Brooklyn, and enjoyed the 
 ministrations of the Eevereud Horatio Slam Dragger. Dragger 
 was a foe to all sorts of pretence, theological or secular. Those 
 little peculiarities, such as reverence for old forms or old creeds, 
 that other reverend gentlemen, and all reverent people favoured, 
 were a stench in the Dragger nostrils. It was unmanly to be tied 
 up by these old leading-strings. Let every man make his own 
 creed, out of the depths of his manhood, and cast Athanasius and 
 the fathers of the Nicene Council to the moles and bats ! Be 
 manly! Yet some straight-laced old theologues in New York 
 and elsewhere had a disagreeable habit of saying that Dragger 
 doctrine was not only manly, but also slightly devilly. But Miss 
 Keith swallowed Dragger without winking. It may be noted 
 here, that she spoke two distinct languages. One, her habitual 
 tongue, fairly pure English, that is, new English ; and the other, 
 the Dragger dialect, properly called Gush. The new English was
 
 MISS ABBY KEITH. 29 
 
 for ordinary converse. The gush was only employed when meta 
 physical topics were discussed. It was rather hard on Miss Keith's 
 interlocutors, as metaphysics ought to be bad enough, when 'pre 
 sented in ordinary tongues. But the mixture of High Dutch 
 philosophy, poetry, infidelity, Eenan, Strauss and Herbert Spencer, 
 all elements of the gush lingo, would drive any sane man mad if 
 too much prolonged. But Dragger made it popular somehow, 
 and his disciples in Brooklyn and Chicago are pouring out diluted 
 streams of this same gush to-day to delighted auditors. 
 
 " How are you, Nina, my dear?" said Miss Keith, kissing Nina, 
 with the sympathetic expression most prominent. 
 
 "I am glad to see you, Miss Abby," answered Nina 5 "it was 
 kind of you to come ; sit here beside me." 
 
 " It was a clear call of duty," replied Miss Abby ; " I heard of 
 your persistent seclusion" here the sympathy dried up, and the 
 candid Dragger philosophy became pronounced "and I felt 
 impelled to call and talk to you. My dear, you must go out !" 
 
 " I have almost decided to go out of the country, Miss Abby," 
 said Nina, wearily. " If you will go with me, I will go to Europe." 
 
 Miss Keith made up her mind on the instant. 
 
 " My dear girls !" she said, shaking her head ; " how gladly 
 would I go with you, Nina, but my girls ! I have twenty-two 
 engaged for the next session, and most of them are in my bible- 
 class, too!" 
 
 Nina made up her mind too. 
 
 " You cannot make a thousand dollars a year, Miss Abby. You 
 told me so yourself. I will gladly pay a thousand dollars for 
 your society. Say you will go, and I will begin my preparations 
 at once." 
 
 " Don't you think, Nina," said Miss Keith, wisely dropping in a 
 little opposition ; " don't you think you have a mission here, in 
 your own country ?' ' 
 
 " Perhaps. But it will wait, I suppose. I must get away from 
 all these surroundings for a year or two. Will you go ? You 
 shall not suffer any pecuniary loss." 
 
 Nina's maid entered, with a card. Nina glanced at it, and con 
 tinued : " You must decide, Miss Abby, before I see this visitor. 
 Will you go P 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Ask him to walk up, Hannah."
 
 
 30 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 RUPERT'S COMMISSION. 
 
 MISS Norman's room was on the second floor. It was fur 
 nished with severe plainness, containing only a centre table, 
 sofas, etageres and chairs all of black walnut, antique and ven 
 erable. The new comer found Nina and Miss Abby seated on the 
 large sofa. 
 
 " I am glad to see you, Rupert," said the former. " Miss Abby, 
 this is ray cousin, Mr. Grey; Miss Keith, Rupert, my old teacher 
 and friend." 
 
 " I almost know Miss Keith," answered Grey, shaking hands 
 with the ladies. " You have so often spoken of her, Nina, though 
 we have not met hitherto. Ah ! Miss Keith ! you are to be en 
 vied ; your vocation ennobles the worker." 
 
 " All work is honorable, Mr. Grey," responded Miss Abby, " un 
 less it is work that injures another." 
 
 " Of course ! of course ! How are you, Nina f 
 
 " Quite well. I have been anxious to see you upon matters of 
 business " Rupert started, and Miss Abby rose. 
 
 " I will go down and look for Mrs. Bragdou," said she. 
 
 " Sit still, Miss Abby," replied Nina, " the business is not at all 
 private, and I shall need your advice, probably. You have heard 
 of the Ruthvens, Rupert ?" 
 
 " Ruthvens ? Yes, certainly. That is a Mr. Darcy Ruthven 
 a Rebel colonel in the war somewhere out West." 
 
 " Yes. He is the man. Do you think you could find him ?" 
 
 " No doubt. That is, if he is alive. Have you heard from him 
 since since our sad bereavement ?" 
 
 " No," answered Nina. " I have never heard from him. But I 
 very much wish to see him. Indeed, I must see him. Can you 
 aid me in the search ?" 
 
 There was such an air of earnest determination about Miss 
 Norman, that Grey swiftly concluded to acquiesce in any plan she 
 proposed. He was very much bewildered, however. 
 
 " Have you consulted Mr. Bragdon ?" said he, after a pause. 
 
 No." 
 
 " Or Mr. Coke ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 '< Or Mary F
 
 RUPERTS COMMISSION. 31 
 
 " No. I have sent for you, in order to escape consultations. I 
 must see Colonel Euthven. If you cannot find him and bring him 
 to me, I shall go look for him myself." 
 
 " Are you in earnest, Nina f ' said Grey. 
 
 " Dead earnest ! I can know no rest, until I discharge a an 
 obligation until I see and have speech with this man." 
 
 Grey reflected. He remembered the note he had read at the 
 lawyer's office, every word of it. Defiant, truculent and scornful. 
 Did Nina know of this letter? and if not, was it politic to tell her? 
 Should he ask Philemon Coke, Esq. ? Better not. Nina was diffi 
 cult to manage alone. Nina and Coke combined would be totally 
 unmanageable. How much did that sly looking schoolmistress 
 know ? She sat there with eyes half closed, apparently inatten 
 tive, or absorbed in the music of the spheres, yet certainly hear 
 ing every word and concocting schemes enough, no doubt. What 
 a demure looking old grimalkin she was, to be sure ! 
 
 " Can you tell me the nature or extent of this obligation!" he 
 said, at last. 
 
 " No ! certainly not;" replied Nina, decidedly. " Indeed, I do 
 not myself know the extent of it. I think I can ascertain, how 
 ever, in due time." 
 
 An expression of gushing candour overspread Eupert's hand 
 some visage. Miss Abby suddenly decided that he was the 
 handsomest man she had ever seen. 
 
 " I must tell you something, Nina ;" said he. " This Mr. Euth 
 ven or Colonel Euthven, was requested to communicate with 
 grandmother Norman, five years ago, preparatory to a transfer of 
 property of some sort " 
 
 " Yes," answered Nina, " I know that." 
 
 " Well ! he rejected the proposal rudely I was going to say 
 insolently ; and so far as I know, his only motive was his hatred 
 of everything Northern. He was a rebel, dyed in the wool !" 
 
 " And is so still, no doubt," replied Miss Norman, composedly. 
 " But his political proclivities have nothing to do with the matter. 
 I must see him." 
 
 " If he is still alive " suggested Eupert, tentatively. 
 
 " And if not his heir or heirs will do : " said Nina, firmly. 
 " Can you go ?" 
 
 " Certainly, if you wish it. It seems to me this is not only a 
 wild goose chase, but a very expensive one. It will cost two or 
 three hundred dollars !" Nina walked over to the centre table,
 
 32 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 where there were writing materials, and wrote a line or two, hand 
 ing the paper to Mr. Grey. 
 
 " Is that sufficient P she asked, when he had read it. 
 
 " More than sufficient I will account to you " 
 
 " I don't want any account. I want Colonel Ruthven. When 
 can you start P 
 
 " To-morrow ;" and seeing Mna's discontented expression, he 
 added, " or to-night, if you prefer it. Shall I write to you P 
 
 " If you meet with no unusual difficulties, you will be back 
 within a week, but if your absence is necessarily prolonged, you 
 had better write to me care of Mr. Coke. You are very kind, 
 Eupert, to undertake this service, and I am grateful. Please grant 
 me one more favor. Keep this whole business secret for the pres 
 ent, until I give you leave to speak of it. Miss Abby, you and I 
 know of it, and none besides. Mr. Coke may give you some infor 
 mation " 
 
 " I know as much as Mr. Coke knows," answered Grey. " I 
 will proceed with due caution, and the secret shall not be revealed 
 by me." He took out his pocket book, wrote an address, and tore 
 out the leaf. " Here is my address ' Gait House, Louisville.' I 
 hope you will not need it. Good bye ! Good morning, Miss 
 Keith !" 
 
 " My dear," said Miss Keith, after Rupert's departure, " you 
 seem to repose unlimited confidence in this gentleman. No doubt 
 he is eminently worthy of it. I was greatly impressed with his air 
 of candour. He is your cousin, is he not P 
 
 " Yes ; that is, he is related to my grandmother's family. You 
 had better not place too much confidence in his candour, however ; 
 my trust in him is not unlimited." 
 
 " Yet you have sent him on this mission, which I do not clearly 
 understand " 
 
 " No, I suppose not. I can probably explain to you hereafter. 
 But I was obliged to send him, first, because he was designated ; 
 and secondly, because I could find no other messenger ; and I may 
 add, he is thoroughly capable, and will find it more profitable to 
 serve me faithfully in this business than to thwart me." 
 
 Wholly unconscious of this complimentary discussion, Mr. Grey 
 entered a Broadway car and rode down to the Astor House. His 
 first business was with Mr. Coke. This must be delicately man 
 aged ! As he ascended the stairs leading to the lawyer's office, he 
 arranged the mode of attack.
 
 RUPERT'S CONFESSION. 33 
 
 " Mr. Coke !" he began, after the preliminary salutations, " if I 
 find a friend to purchase Squeeze and Skinnem's claim, is it prob 
 able that I can obtain my discharge in bankruptcy $" 
 
 li Very probable," answered the lawyer, taking off his spectacles. 
 
 " Their claim is nearly five thousand ?" 
 
 " Forty-nine hundred and twenty-two," said Mr. Coke, consult 
 ing a schedule. 
 
 " They will accept fifty cents, I presume f ' 
 
 " Not if they think they can get fifty-one," replied the lawyer. 
 
 " I don't think they can get fifty -one," said Rupert, with a mel 
 ancholy smile. " By-the-bye, Mr. Coke, will you allow me to look 
 at Colonel Euthven's note once more ? I want to see the signa 
 ture." 
 
 " Certainly," and Mr. Coke produced the paper. 
 
 "Lexington, Kentucky," said Mr. Grey, mentally. "What a 
 curious signature !" he added aloud. " It is very peculiar ; I think 
 I would know it again. Thank you ! I will ascertain if I can 
 make that offer to Squeeze and Skinnem ; the assets will pay the 
 others twenty-five at least. I must get out of that mess somehow." 
 He took up his hat and moved to the door. " Ah ! I had nearly 
 forgotten !" he said, suddenly. " My memory is not worth a cent. 
 Here is a commission that had almost escaped me !" and he pre 
 sented Nina's paper to Mr. Coke. 
 
 The lawyer examined it carefully. It ran thus : " Mr. Coke will 
 please .pay Mr. Eupert Grey one thousand dollars for my use. 
 
 "NINA. NORMAN." 
 
 " I do not understand this, Mr. Grey," he said at last. " Miss 
 Norman has not advised " 
 
 " Oh 1 very well, Mr. Coke !" interrupted Eupert, heaving a sigh 
 of relief. " If the thing is informal, please consult with Nina your 
 self. Of course, if I cannot get the money, I cannot comply with 
 her instructions. Suppose you keep the paper ? I will just write 
 across the back that you decline payment " 
 
 " But I do not decline payment," answered the lawyer, testily. 
 u I only require to know what use how this money is to be em 
 ployed." 
 
 " Very sorry I cannot enlighten you!" said Grey, coolly. " Niua 
 requested me to get a thousand dollars from you in fifty dollar 
 bills. If you haven't the money, or if she has none in your hands, 
 the matter ends there." 
 
 " Suppose you leave the order and call to-morrow ?" 
 
 3
 
 34 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " I shall leave New York this evening. I am going to dine with 
 a friend at the St. Denis an hour hence, then pack my valise and 
 start for Philadelphia at five. I will send a note to Nina from the 
 hotel." 
 
 Mr. Coke produced his cheque book, wrote a cheque for the 
 required amount, and handed it across the table to Eupert. 
 
 "I suppose it is all right!" muttered Mr. Coke. "But it is 
 infernally irregular !" 
 
 "Never have money transactions with women!" said Eupeit, 
 irreverently. " They transgress business principles perpetually ! 
 Good morning !" 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Two SOLILOQUIES.' 
 
 IN order to preserve the coherent drift of the story, it is neces 
 sary that the reader should know the secret thoughts of 
 the two ladies from whom Mr. Grey parted in the previous 
 chapter. Miss Keith was prevailed upon to stay and partake of 
 luncheon, and Nina, as in duty bound, partook of a dose of 
 St. Thomas-a-Kempis. While she perused the entertaining little 
 volume, her thoughts wandered, which was a fortunate circum 
 stance for her, mentally and morally. 
 
 " There can be no mistake," she thought, " about Grandmother's 
 earnest desire to do what I purpose doing. It is the more certain 
 because she was very emphatic in her dislike of Southern people. 
 And there can be no doubt that I shall have to do whatever is 
 done, alone. Mary would not be willing to part with so large a 
 sum of money, and Mr. Bragdou would not be likely to permit 
 such an outlay. I don't think I shall consult either of them. I 
 don't think it would be right, either, as Mary is married, and I 
 shall never marry. Never ! Then it is certain that Eupert is the 
 proper person to find the Euthvens. Grandmother certainly told 
 me to send him ; and I have sent him, with no instructions what 
 ever, except to find Darcy Euthven and bring him here. What is 
 Darcy Euthven like ? He must be fifty years old. How will I 
 know that Eupert does not bring the wrong man ! Does Eupert 
 know or suspect what I intend, I wonder ? Impossible ! 
 
 " I must arrange for the division of the estate. Mr. Coke says
 
 TWO SOLILOQUIES. 35 
 
 it is important to fix ownership at once. I will write a note, tell 
 ing him I am ready. I wonder if there are any disagreeable for 
 malities, such as going into court. 
 
 u Dear me ! I have read three pages of Keinpis, and I do not 
 remember a word. I must read them again. 
 
 u I wish Eupert were more trustworthy. No, I don't, either. 
 The great struggle of my life will be to modify my hatred of that 
 man. He is a wretch ! But all men are wretches ! 
 
 " I have done well to secure Miss Abby. I must make some 
 provision for her, in case of my death. Shall I consult Mr. Coke ? 
 No. Grandmother has told me a dozen times to consult Mr. Skil 
 let on all matters of business. He is a disagreeable old wretch. 
 But she knew best. I will write to him, also, to-morrow. 
 
 " To-morrow will be Saturday. Fll go to church on Sunday. 
 
 " I have never examined my dresses ! I'll do it this very day. 
 That will be a treat to Miss Abby, also. She shall stay after 
 luncheon. It was certainly wise to engage her. I can go where I 
 please with her, and we will go to Europe as soon as I settle this 
 Euthven business. Mentone or Cannes for the winter. How can 
 I get the special property I want ? Mr. Coke can arrange no, 
 Mr. Skillet. How can I account to him for desiring this special 
 property ? I need not explain at all ! Suppose it is a mere whim j 
 who will question my right to indulge it 1 I will write to Mr. 
 Skillet at once !" 
 
 She drew her chair to the table, and wrote the note. While she 
 is thus employed, the reader can investigate the course of Miss 
 Abby's reverie. 
 
 " It was a good spirit in attendance upon me this morning," 
 thought Miss Abby, " that impelled me to call 011 Nina to-day. 
 The prospect of visiting the classic shores of the Old World is 
 very inviting. It is sad to miss Mr. Dragger's sermons, but I can 
 read the old ones. I wonder what Nina is thinking about ? She 
 is evidently in deep thought. What will Mary think of this new 
 move ? But it makes little difference, as Nina was always the 
 stronger, and she is free now to choose her own companions. Her 
 share of the estate will be im-mense ! No one knows the value of 
 the Norman property. I am not going to give up the Institute, 
 either. I will find some capable woman to take charge in my 
 absence, and keep control in my own hands. I need not tell Nina. 
 A thousand dollars, and all expenses of course. It is far better 
 than twenty-two scholars, with rent and board to pay, especially
 
 36 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 as only half are m the first class, aud half of the second class don't 
 pay their bills ! I can give a capable woman five hundred dollars 
 a year, and make her responsible for the rent. That will be the 
 plan. 
 
 " What elegant gloves Mr. Grey wears ! He is certainly the 
 handsomest man I ever met ! Nina does not like him. That's a 
 comfort ! He seemed very eager to comply with her wishes. That 
 was the money ! 
 
 " I wish it was luncheon time ! 
 
 " Of course it was the money ! He looks like a man who could 
 spend any amount of money. If I were to marry such a man, I 
 would teach him to earn money too ! 
 
 "They used to have splendid luncheons here, while the old lady 
 lived ! 
 
 "Nina will wear black at least a year. She must have any 
 quantity of colored dresses. Probably she will give them away. 
 She had a lovely ashes of roses at the concert last month per 
 fectly new, 
 
 " Really, I am half starved ! 
 
 " European travel enlarges one's ideas amazingly. Anna 
 Squills, who spent only a year abroad, is really a diiferent girl. 
 She actually speaks English with an accent ! She was in Paris 
 seven or eight months, and jabbers French on all occasions. I 
 hope Nina will spend some time in the German capitals. I should 
 like to become acquainted with some of the advanced thinkers of 
 the Old World. Mr. Dragger admires them, I know. Really, 
 theology is a science I must study a little more carefully. But 
 with the higher spiritual insight, one does not need old-time 
 creeds. There is Squizzim. He is a duck ! And he makes him 
 self a new creed as often as he likes. Mr. Dragger says he is a 
 wonderful man ! Won-der-ful ! He seems so spiritual ethereal ! 
 The fire of his genius lifts him above mere temporalities ! 
 
 " I've a great mind to ask Nina for a cracker ! 
 
 " Would it be possible to lead Mr. Grey to an appreciation of 
 the capabilities of the spiritual life? Is there not in the profound 
 depths of manly, human consciousness, the rich soil of native 
 nobleness, some germ of the higher soul-life, recognizing the 
 dynamical principle of affinities ? And if so, might not the true 
 soul of this man be reached, by persistent effort ? The incrusta 
 tion of selfishness, which the antagonisms of busy life and the 
 chemical reactions of conflicting interests deposit upon the soul
 
 TWO SOLILOQUIES. 37 
 
 surface, may oe dissolved or broken up by appeals to the affec 
 tions ! And then the limitless capacities of the diviner nature, 
 that unfailing impress, which centuries of alienation have not 
 entirely effaced, since the creation or development of man, would 
 unfold and expand, beautifying the earth, and banishing to the 
 moles and bats the figments of harsh creeds, resolving all ques 
 tions by the unanswerable logic of Love. 
 
 " I should like to write that down, if I had paper and pencil. 
 I don't see how any ordinary man could resist it. 
 
 " Nina will have to wait a week or two for Mr. Grey's return. 
 In the meantime, I can arrange the affairs of the Institute. 
 Where can I find a competent person ? Let me see. First, I 
 must find one whom the landlord will be willing to trust. I do 
 not propose to incur responsibility for the rent. 
 
 " What in the world is Nina writing ? A note to somebody. 
 I never heard of her having any male friend, except Mr. Grey. 
 She has addressed the note to mister somebody. I'll go over to 
 the register to warm my feet, and can perhaps see the address. 
 I took great pains with Nina, especially in penmanship, and she 
 writes plainly. Ah ! indeed 1 Mr. Timothy Skillet, Wall street, 
 New York. 
 
 " Now, Mr. Skillet is the very man for me to consult. He has 
 a niece at the Institute. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet has no appreciation of the inner light however. I 
 think I shall consult a Medium. If I could only get Mr. Dragger 
 to investigate spiritual phenomena ! With his wonderful appre 
 ciation of character, he would make a grand conductor of spiritual 
 seances. His antithetical references last Sunday were perfectly 
 splendid. I intended to write that sermon down, but I have been 
 so occupied. Perhaps I can remember it. Let me see! The 
 reliance upon mere sensuous perception, is the common mis 
 take of humanity. Those truths that we know most thoroughly, 
 are not those that we have learned with our eyes or ears. But 
 man is endowed with other faculties, by which he apprehends 
 abstract truths, and truths of such dimensions as may not be 
 compassed by the use of outward organs. Thus, we see the 
 myriad stars, sparkling upon the midnight, numberless, and we 
 even give names to clusters and constellations. Yet the ignorant 
 Arab of the desert did this, before Anglo-Saxon civilization began. 
 These nomadic tribes had a name for Sirius, corresponding with 
 Dogstar, before Alfred reigned in England ; and it may be, that
 
 38 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 the astrological lore of these children of the tropics, whereby they 
 foretold, with amazing accuracy, the rise and overflow of the 
 Nile, was an attainment a step higher than the astronomical 
 knowledge of to-day. Who can tell the capacity of man for the 
 reception of truth ? Or who can estimate the power of this native 
 insight? The anguished longing for higher attainments, spring 
 ing up from the hidden depths of human nature, ennobled by 
 suffering, breaks forth ever and anon, and through the long annals 
 of the race marks the eras of progress. Contrasting Sherman 
 with Attila, Grant with Sidney Johnston, Fizzlebacou with St. 
 Augustine, or Squizzim with Solon, we may find where that spirit 
 ual perception which grasps unseen realities has most distinctly 
 shown its power. 
 
 " Dear me 1 I have not forgotten a word of it. But the trouble 
 is, to know exactly which of the worthies thus placed in contrast 
 is the better. I would ask Mr. Dragger, only he would think I 
 had not a grain of sense not to know. I must really read up 
 ancient history. Mr. Dragger also spoke of beans, and made it 
 very clear, that if their axils (I wonder what the axils are f) were 
 properly managed, they might bear Bartlett pears. I wish I had 
 about six Bartlett pears now. 
 
 " There is the luncheon bell at last. Mna looks as if she could 
 live on air. Yes, my dear, certainly. I walked all the way from 
 Fulton Ferry, and the exercise has given me quite an appetite." 
 
 CHAPTEE VIII. 
 HELEN. 
 
 AT the opening of the year 1861, Darcy Euthven, Esq., was prac 
 ticing law in Cincinnati. By the time the spring buds made 
 their appearance, the climate of that prosperous city had become 
 unsalubrious to him and his household, simply because he was an 
 outspoken man and very decided in his political opinions. Con 
 sequently, he sold his possessions in Ohio, and removed to Lex 
 ington, Kentucky, which was his wife's birthplace. The air was 
 filled witli warlike rumours, and when the sun began his return 
 journey from the Northern tropic, Mr. Euthven was captain of a 
 cavalry company, enrolled in the service of the Confederate States
 
 HELEN. 39 
 
 He was a colonel when lie was brought back to Lexington to die of 
 his wounds, in 1864, and before the grass appeared upon his last 
 resting place, it was reopened to receive the body of his heartbro 
 ken widow. 
 
 None of the other horrors of war can compare with its culmina 
 ting horror of orphanhood. And Helen Euthven stood by her 
 mother's grave, filled with an unspeakable longing for death. 
 She had been well instructed in those grand doctrines, under 
 whose power all endurance is possible ; and she would have 
 answered her pastor's whispered consolations with meek submis 
 sion, if the death she coveted had only been impending over her. 
 But the consciousness of sound health, the conviction that she 
 had a course prescribed for her, through a howling wilderness, 
 wherein no mortal life could be found in sympathy with hers ; 
 and the possibility of separation from her beloved, to be measured 
 by scores of years, rested upon her heart and mind. There was 
 mingled with her sorrow a sense of gratitude also, that these dear 
 ones would sorrow no more ; and the calm, hopeless, purposeless 
 drift of her life, had this much of promise in it. As the Giver of 
 good had so tempered this double bereavement, that the death of 
 her mother was a ground of thanksgiving, because of her deliver 
 ance from the woes of widowhood, Helen looked forward to a time 
 in the near future, when the same peaceful end might possibly 
 come to her. 
 
 There was a better promise than this, however. There were 
 girls of her own age, hovering around her, with tearful eyes, and 
 these also were suffering similar bereavements. Among her school 
 companions and friends it might be said, as was said of Egypt at 
 the date of her last plague there was not a house in which there 
 was not one dead ! And Helen, touched by the unselfish sympa 
 thy of her companions in suffering, learned new lessons of endur 
 ance, as she mingled her tears with theirs. 
 
 A week after her mother's death, Helen learned her own utter 
 poverty. She was alone in the world, and had to choose between 
 a life of dependence or immediate exertion to win her daily bread. 
 She was a guest at her pastor's house, and she reached the deci 
 sion of the question in this wise : Henry Gastoii, Esq., who had 
 some legal business before the court then in session, called at 
 the parsonage one afternoon, and requested an interview. 
 
 " I come with a message from my wife, Miss Kuthven," he said, 
 after a preliminary greeting. " She begs you to return with me
 
 40 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 to-morrow to our country home. It will be dull in comparison with 
 Lexington, but we will endeavour to make your time pass as 
 pleasantly as may be." 
 
 "You are very kind, Mr. Gaston," answered Helen, " but I can 
 not visit Mrs. Gaston just now." 
 
 " Visit f ' said Tige " we don't invite you to visit, but to take 
 up your abode permanently with us. You see," continued Tige, 
 in answer to her perplexed look, "your father and mine were 
 partners in Cincinnati. My brother is named Darcy Euthven, 
 after your father, so we are almost related." 
 
 " I don't think I quite understand you," she said, doubtfully. 
 
 " Oh, it is all plain enough. You have no relations nearer than 
 my wife and myself, and there was never a final settlement of 
 accounts between your father and mine." 
 
 " Do you mean to say your father was indebted to mine f 
 
 "Yes. That is there was no formal settlement. The law 
 business in Cincinnati was left by Mr. Euthven, in the charge of 
 his partner. I was taken into the office just after your father 
 came to Lexington, and I remember several cases that were after 
 wards tried in the courts in which Gaston and Euthven were the 
 attorneys." 
 
 " Well f 
 
 * Well ! Mr. Euthven was clearly entitled to half the fees in all 
 such cases. When we get home you ami I will go over the records, 
 and reach a settlement." 
 
 " I think I do understand you now, Mr. Gaston," said Helen. 
 " My father had no possible claim upon any business done in Cin 
 cinnati after his departure. He has told me more than once that 
 Mr. Gaston made him a handsome allowance at their separation, 
 paying him far more than his just proportion for the unfinished 
 business. You have imagined all you have told me, or you have 
 invented the story to conceal your generous purposes." 
 
 " Eeally !" stammered Tige, "you are mistaken. I am sure some 
 money is due to you and anyhow, Nell and I are so lonesome that 
 it would be a great charity to come. We have set our hearts upon 
 it, and I would not know how to face Nell without you. We did 
 not know until yesterday that you that your mother " 
 
 " That I was an orphan," said Helen, mournfully. " Ah, Mr. 
 Gaston ! I appreciate your kindness ; but you know my father's 
 daughter must earn her living by honest labour." 
 
 " I am sure I don't know what sort of labour you can make profit 
 able," said Gaston ; " can you plough, for example ?"
 
 HELEN. 41 
 
 " I can teach French and music, I think," answered Helen, with 
 steady composure. " I have a list already prepared, of gentlemen 
 whose influence I hope to secure. I have your name and Judge 
 Hammond's, and I intended to apply to you for aid and advice to 
 morrow." 
 
 " That is it, exactly ! Come out with me this evening and we 
 will consult Nell V ' 
 
 " I cannot go this evening, Mr. Gastou ; Mrs. Crowder is coming 
 here this evening to see me by appointment." 
 
 "Mrs. Crowder!" 
 
 "Yes. She has three daughters, and wants a governess." 
 
 " Governess!" said Tige, slowly. " I don't know how that will 
 work, Miss Helen ; Mrs. Crowder lives in Cincinnati." 
 
 " Yes ; I should regret leaving Lexington, and all my kind 
 friends here ; but, if I should suit Mrs. Crowder, it would be very 
 foolish to reject any offer she might make." 
 
 " I don't know what to say about this business !" said Mr. Gas- 
 ton. " You are a mere slip of a girl, and the idea of your going 
 out to service I mean, taking charge of those abominable brats 
 of Mrs. Crowder's is perfectly absurd! You would die in a 
 month !" 
 
 " Alas !" answered Helen, " I have been wicked enough to hope 
 so. Don't encourage such evil thoughts in me, 1 pray you !" 
 
 " I'll bring Nell in to-morrow !" said Tige, desperately. " If she 
 don't knock this Crowder matter in the head, I'm much mistaken." 
 
 An hour or two after Mr. Gaston's departure, Mrs. Crowder was 
 announced, and Helen went down to the drawing-room with con 
 siderable trepidation. Her visitor was a meek looking little woman, 
 dressed in funeral black. All her exterior indications were gentle. 
 She was deeply pious, and her eyes were habitually half closed, as 
 if to shut out the view of distracting temporalities, while her spirit 
 indulged in heavenly musings. Helen's entrance called her down 
 from the spheres. 
 
 " Well, my dear Miss Euthven," she began with a preliminary 
 sigh of sympathy, " I hope you feel resigned and submissive !" 
 
 " I am trying madam," answered Helen. 
 
 " This world is all a fleeting show !" said Mrs. Crowder, solemnly. 
 " There is no such thing as happiness to be found here, except in 
 the contemplation of a better one beyond the skies I When you 
 reach my age, my dear, you will know how empty and unsatisfy 
 ing all earthly joys must be!"
 
 42 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 ; < Yes, ma-am !" 
 
 " I sometimes think," continued Mrs. Crowder, " that it is a sin 
 to smile ! But it is so natural ! Yet Grace can overcome Nature ! 
 Add to your Faith, my dear! Keep adding! Faith without works 
 is dead !" 
 
 " Yes, ma-am," said Helen, submissively. 
 
 " Add to your Faith Virtue !" continued Mrs. Crowder. " Virtue 
 is the crowning grace ! And as faith is a silent, unobtrusive grace, 
 so virtue must be in the heart. The sentiments must be virtuous. 
 Submission is a great virtue, and, no doubt, submission is the very 
 grace referred to in the passage !" 
 
 " Dr. Graves says virtue means ' courage ' in that passage," 
 observed Helen. 
 
 "Does he P answered Mrs. Crowder, with a sniff. " Ah, well ! 
 the courage of submission, probably. But my time is limited, my 
 dear, and time is a talent which must not be buried in a napkin ! 
 I called to inquire if you would like to undertake the charge of my 
 dear girls in their studies, I mean. I cannot offer you a very 
 large salary ; but the duties will not be onerous. You sew remark 
 ably well, I am told. I have a sewing machine Singer's. I 
 should like you to assist me with the sewing, when not engaged 
 with the children." 
 
 " If you think I am competent, Mrs. Crowder," said Helen, " I 
 will be very glad to instruct your daughters. I think I am equal 
 to ordinary English studies and French and music " 
 
 "Oh, we will make due allowance for your inexperience," said 
 Mrs. Crowder, with a smile, subdued but cheerful. " You have 
 been accustomed to Singer's ?" 
 
 " Yes, ma-am." 
 
 " Well, then, Miss Euthven, if a hundred dollars a year with 
 your board, you know " 
 
 " I will be very thankful, Mrs. Crowder," said Helen, when Mrs. 
 Crowder paused, " to earn a hundred dollars a year, and I will do 
 my best." 
 
 " And you don't object to the sewing ?" 
 
 " Oh no, ma-am ! I will sew as much as you like." 
 
 " Then," said Mrs. Crowder, rising, " the only point remaining 
 to settle is the time ; can you come at once f 
 
 " Whenever you please, ma-am." 
 
 " I am going to Cincinnati this evening ; do you think you 
 could get ready to accompany me !"
 
 .DUTOHY. 43 
 
 " I will be quite ready in an hour- 
 
 " You are very prompt, my dear. We shall get along famously i 
 I will call for you at three o'clock ; good morning ! Give my 
 regards to Dr. Graves. Perhaps you may as well let the terms be 
 confidential at present good morning ! At three, punctually." 
 
 At half-past three o'clock there were two cards left at the par 
 sonage for Miss Euthven. One was inscribed " Darcy B. Gaston ;" 
 the other, Mr. Eupert Grey." The servant, not knowing of 
 Helen's final departure, merely informed the two gentlemen that 
 Miss Euthveu was out. 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 DUTCHY. 
 
 "^TOBODY knew where Dutchy came from. He did not know 
 -L-N himself. As far back as his memory extended he had been 
 a New Yorker. He was a newsboy at first. He had a dim recol 
 lection of his inauguration into this vocation, and his first venture 
 in the 'Erald and Trybune. He infested hotel corridors, ferry 
 landings, and street corners, and sold his wares. At night he 
 expended a large portion of his gains in the Bowery Theatre, 
 where he refreshed himself with pea-nuts. When he outgrew the 
 proportions to which newsboys are limited, he went into the petty 
 larceny business, and was reasonably successful, getting " sent 
 up" once and again, but coming down always with larger experi 
 ence and increased ability. He knew all the " cops" that were 
 dangerous, and as he could count them on his fingers, he easily 
 avoided their beats. He was matured when the war began, and 
 was quite prosperous as a bounty -jumper for a year. But he fell 
 into a streak of ill-luck, and took his last bounty in a city regi 
 ment, where the corporals and sergeants knew him and his previ 
 ous history, and, being carefully watched, failed to "jump" before 
 his regiment started for the seat of war. His company was sta 
 tioned at a little village on the border, to guard the railway that 
 passed through it. Here he encountered the horrors of war, by 
 getting into a fight at a political meeting, where he managed to 
 murder one bucolic voter and maim another. To avoid scandal 
 he was transferred to another station, where warrants could not 
 reach him, and one tine night he deserted. Travelling on the rail-
 
 44 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 way was attended with difficulties, as lie was adorned with the 
 uniform that was not supposed to be journeying northward, and 
 New York was his objective point. He got a coat and a straw 
 hat without a brim from a scarecrow in a friendly cornfield one 
 moonlight night, and walked ten miles before he found a barn 
 with a window open. Here he was found by the farmer, while he 
 was enjoying his beauty sleep, and promptly ex-plained his tres 
 pass by telling the agriculturist a harrowing story of a widowed 
 mother left destitute and sick, when the cruel draft tore him from 
 her arms. He had received a letter from her a few days before, in 
 which she depicted her privations in language which his sobs kept 
 him from repeating. So he had crawled out of the hospital and 
 started homeward. His trousers had betrayed him, and he thought 
 it best to make a clean breast of the desertion part. The only 
 drawback to the remainder of his narrative was his ignorance of 
 the main facts he recited, as he really did not know that he had 
 ever had a mother. The farmer (it was in Pennsylvania) was 
 visibly affected by the dismal story of his unbidden guest. . He 
 took him to the kitchen and gave him a breakfast, which Dutchy 
 pronounced " heavenly." After the meal his host gave him the 
 choice between two days' work, without wages, in the cornfield, or 
 immediate deliverance to a military station a mile off. Dutchy 
 longed for work, and, armed with a hoe, went from the breakfast 
 table to the cornfield. He did a man's work and ate a man's 
 rations at meal time. At night the farmer escorted him to a gar 
 ret room, and locked him in. Dutchy slept the sleep of the just, 
 untroubled by dreams. 
 
 The next day the farmer worked by his side, and lightened the 
 labor of both by cheerful conversation. He asked numberless 
 questions about the war, and Dutchy gave him details as vera 
 cious as the cotemporaueous " extras" furnished the citizens of iSTew 
 York. At supper time Dutchy expressed himself so well content 
 with agricultural employment, and so anxious to continue the 
 peaceful, innocent life of the country, that the farmer was fairly 
 captivated, especially as the soldier was indifferent about the 
 matter of wages. 
 
 " Anything you please, boss," he said, in conclusion ; " I am 
 green about this here business, but I'm larnin'. Pay what you 
 likes at the end of the week." 
 
 That night the farmer did not lock him in, and Dutchy, being 
 somuambulic, wandered over the house, in the small hours. At
 
 DUTCH7. 45 
 
 early dawn the farmer sought him, but found only the scarecrow- 
 coat and hat, with the blue trousers which the Government had 
 furnished Dutchy at the beginning of his military career. It was 
 a curious coincidence that the farmer missed corresponding articles 
 of attire from his own wardrobe, and he tore his hair in voiceless 
 agony when he remembered that he had left United States cur 
 rency, amounting to ten or twelve dollars, in the pocket of a miss 
 ing garment. At the same moment Dutchy was exchanging some 
 of this identical currency for breakfast at a smart restaurant in a 
 railway station a dozen miles from the farmhouse. 
 
 To illustrate the far-reaching consequences of apparently trivial 
 actions, it may be stated here, that the political complexion of that 
 Pennsylvania district was materially affected by this little play 
 ful exchange of Dutchy 's. That agriculturist had voted against 
 "Jackson and liberty" all his mature life, before the fatal morning 
 when Dutchy left the blue trousers. This useful, not to say orna 
 mental part of the military dress of the period, had been furnished 
 the Government, by a contractor, at six dollars and ninety -eight 
 cents, and as they were composed, in the main, of shoddy, the 
 profit of the contractor was about six dollars a pair. The acute 
 judgment of the farmer quickly detected the flimsiness of the ma 
 terial, and by a swift process of reasoning, he pronounced sentence 
 against the paternal authority that clothed Dutchy in habiliments 
 so far inferior to those he had taken. The farmer tried on the 
 blue garment, and being agitated as well as unpractised, he thrust 
 his nether limbs entirely through the fragile material. In attempt 
 ing to withdraw his limbs he made another grievous rent, like 
 that of envious Casca, and involved the whole affair in remediless 
 destruction. 
 
 " Dese pe Gov'ment preeches!" he muttered, sorrowfully survey 
 ing the wreck ; "und dey vas made by New Yauk teifs, I schvear! 
 I votes mit Shackson nex time. Sturm wetter ! " 
 
 It was a sad sight to see that respectable father of a family, 
 stalk up to the polls on the next election day, holding open in his 
 hand one of those time-honored tickets adorned with a hickory 
 tree, over which floated a scroll, bearing the inscription" Jack 
 son and Liberty." The Keystone State has been gradually grow 
 ing Democratic ever since. 
 
 Wholly unconscious of the evil he had wrought, Dutchy took 
 the first train running east and north. He saw the telegraph 
 poles flitting by, as he sped along, and had uneasy visions of cops
 
 46 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 at the end of the journey. The train slackened speed, as it ran 
 through Jersey City in the twilight, and Dutchy got on the rear 
 platform and dropped safely on the track. An hour afterwards he 
 crossed the river by the Hoboken ferry, and once in the great city, 
 he was comparatively safe. Before he got off the train, he 
 stumbled over a carpet bag belonging to a sleeping passenger, 
 and desiring to save the other travellers from a similar stumble, 
 he took the carpet bag with him. He found a change of raiment 
 in it, when he had time to examine it in a cheap lodging-house in 
 the Bowery. The bag itself, with a tooth-brush and comb, which 
 were useless to him, and unpawnable, he carefully lost in a vacant 
 lot, a mile distant from his lodgings. The bag needed some re 
 pairs, as he had been forced to cut it open, having no key to fit 
 the lock. 
 
 Dutchy lived a virtuous and harmless life for several days. He 
 ventured out after night fall, with his face wrapped up in a hand 
 kerchief, suffering from the memory of a toothache which had 
 haunted his juvenile days. Cops passed him, glancing at him in 
 curiously, as he plodded by. His habiliments were respectable, 
 and fitted him reasonably well, but his supply of currency was 
 diminishing. During the first week, he managed to make an 
 honest living, by pawning all the articles of dress he had obtained 
 in his homeward journey, excepting the one suit he wore. At the 
 end of the week, in a private conversation with himself, he thus 
 stated his condition. 
 
 " Flat busted ! that's so ! Last shirt gone, and on'y got two 
 shilliu' left. Landlord wants pay beforehand, and to-morrer ends 
 the week I've paid for. Sumthin's got to be done! Had to take 
 a ten cent hash to-day. Can't stand that long !" 
 
 He resolutely faced the situation, and brought into play all the 
 keen logic of which such men have a stock. Not hampered by 
 ethical considerations, the conditions of the problem were easily 
 stated. 
 
 " Bounty-jumping is played out !" he thought " it won't do to 
 be cotched any more, and I don't want to git into no more guard 
 houses. I might sew up one arm, and grind a organ but I can't 
 buy nary organ for two shillin'. It's a mean business anyhow, 
 and some cussed cop would find me out. I'll go down 'long shore 
 to-morrer, and git some work !" 
 
 No man who has been accustomed to useful occupation, can ap 
 preciate the heroism of this resolve. Since the day he gave up
 
 DUTCHY. 47 
 
 the newspaper business, Dutchy had never done anything like 
 work, except upon compulsion. A brutal lieutenant had obliged 
 him to carry a log of wood a half day, while he was a warrior, as 
 the penalty for some breach of discipline. The sun was hot and 
 the labour monotonous and profitless, and Dutchy promised to 
 murder that lieutenant whenever he could do it safely. As work 
 is the one beneficent provision against madness or idiocy, that 
 has been implanted in the nature of humanity, Dutchy, who con 
 tradicted all normal instincts, hated work especially. 
 
 It was therefore a refreshing sight, to see him the next day 
 cheerfully toiling on one of the piers. He had found work, on his 
 first application. A steamer loading with cotton, was to sail within 
 the week, and rather larger wages than usual were offered to any 
 willing laborer who would meet the emergency " by doing his best." 
 At the end of the week, he had more earned money in his pocket, 
 than he had ever honestly owned before. The effect was to hu 
 manize the man, and he actually felt some respect for himself, as 
 he sat on the edge of the pier, counting his currency. It might 
 have been the turning point in the man's history ; the first step 
 from vagrancy to respectability, but for a sudden temptation which 
 the watchful enemy passed swiftly before his startled eyes. 
 
 The ship was slowly moving, a tug drawing her out into the 
 stream. The purser leaning over the bulwark, was talking to the 
 stevedore who had just paid Dutchy his wages. There was some 
 controversy between them, relating to the lading of the ship, and 
 the stevedore, who had a bulky wallet in his hand, thrust it hastily 
 into an outside pocket, just as he passed Dutchy, near the end of 
 the pier. The latter saw the money wallet, coveted it greedily, 
 and with practiced fingers twitched it out of the other's pocket 
 and thrust it into his own. One minute later, he was on the next 
 pier, hidden behind a long gangway, his heart thumping so loudly, 
 that he thought it could be heard twenty yards off. But he was 
 apparently sleeping soundly, when a watchman shook him 
 roughly, and ordered him off the pier. He did not know how 
 much time had passed, but he staggered on to the street, and 
 with well counterfeited drunkenness, slouched along, across the 
 entrance of the pier he had left passed the stevedore, whose 
 pale face glared upon him in the twilight, as he recounted the 
 story of his loss to an attentive cop, unknown to Dutcby. Two 
 or three streets further down the river, he was swallowed up in a 
 throng of people rushing to a ferry house. He allowed himself to
 
 48 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 be carried on with the crowd, and imitating his " file leader " as 
 they passed the window, bought a ticket for Newark. 
 
 A citizen of that prosperous city kindly directed him to a cheap 
 boarding house, and here Dutchy philosophically rested, paying 
 his board regularly, but speaking to no one. 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 VENDETTA. 
 
 rpHE pocket-book that Dutchy found, almost ready to drop from 
 -L the pocket of the chief stevedore, contained sundry memoranda 
 relating to the lading of the sbip. These, with the wallet itself, 
 Dutchy cooked in a brisk fire. The wallet also contained three 
 hundred and ten dollars in crisp, new greenbacks, mostly of the 
 denomination of five dollars. These did not need cooking. 
 
 Dutchy read the New York Herald daily. For two weeks after 
 his removal to Newark, that enterprising journal had something 
 to say about him, more or less interesting. He learned first, that 
 he had stolen the wallet some hours before the ship sailed, and 
 had secreted himself in the hold, among the barrels and bales he 
 had rolled into their places. Consequently he would not be heard 
 of until the return of the Hecla, bound to Havre first, and thence 
 to Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope. She was to bring a return 
 cargo of wool, already engaged, and would be due in New York 
 in the early winter. The next report contradicted this statement, 
 as he had been seen in New York, and the police were on his 
 track. This did not disturb him much. The solitary considera 
 tion that affected him, almost to tears, and quite to profane ejac 
 ulations, was the knowledge that the " Boss" had paid fifty men, 
 himself included, out of the same wallet only an hour before he 
 had conveyed it. His knowledge of the exact sciences was limited, 
 but he was able to estimate the loss to himself at about five hun 
 dred dollars, a loss caused by the premature payment of those 
 fifty laborers. 
 
 " He had no call to pay in such a cussed hurry !" muttered 
 Dutchy, day after day, as he brooded over the matter ; " nobody 
 axed him to pay before sundown. Cuss the luck !" 
 
 The next day brought a new development. The boss, who
 
 VENDETTA. 49 
 
 was only the representative of a firm, had been arrested. Some 
 thing had transpired to awaken the suspicion that he had robbed 
 himself. The man had borne a good character hitherto, but the 
 temptation to possess himself of " nearly a thousand dollars" was 
 too much for him, and the pretext that his pocket had been picked 
 was too transparent. 
 
 " Sarved him right I" commented Dutchy. "On'y he was too big 
 a fool for that dodge. Anyway, he won't stay in long. Election 
 first week in October. He knows too many woters. l Thousand 
 dollars J I Did he have two wallets ? Cuss him 1" 
 
 There were no more references to the " robbery on the pier" for 
 several days. Dutchy read the paper carefully, and began to be 
 uneasy. One day he saw a New York " cop" lounging down the 
 street, in plain clothes. He knew the cop, and as he peeped 
 through his shutter, he felt very grateful for its shelter. That 
 night he left his lodgings, and walked on the railway track to 
 Elizabeth. He took passage on a second-class train for Trenton, 
 then walked again on the Philadelphia road through the 
 day, reaching Kensington at nightfall, footsore and weary. He 
 was devoured by a double dread. He feared the loss of his cur 
 rency, and also the return to the unwholesome restraint of the 
 army. His brief experience of military life satisfied him that he 
 was not intended by nature to seek the bubble reputation at the 
 cannon's mouth. He would like to be a sutler or a quartermaster, 
 but these attractive vocations could not be had for the asking. 
 He found lodgings at a carpet weaver's, and fed frugally at cheap 
 eating houses, changing frequently. One morning he found a 
 copy of the Herald, a day old, and while he waited for his break 
 fast, he studied the paper, and at last found a paragraph that 
 took away his appetite full five minutes. It was headed, " The 
 pier robbery," and ran thus : 
 
 " There is no doubt that the pocket of Mr. Lapp was picked by 
 one of the labourers, and the police have positive information of 
 his present whereabouts. He has been hiding in a neighboring 
 city for some weeks, but mysteriously disappeared a few days 
 ago. It is another case of police blundering, or perhaps of collu 
 sion, but he is certain to be caught before the week is out." 
 
 Dutchy tore the announcement out of the paper, and scattered 
 the fragments of it over the sanded floor. Then he took his 
 breakfast. It was raining ; the wind from the east, and when he 
 left the eating-house, he thought it would be safe to stretch his 
 
 4
 
 50 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 legs with a good walk. Taking the railway track once more, he 
 walked out to the crossing of the North Pennsylvania road, arriving 
 in time to see a freight train run off the track. He had been idle 
 and housed so long, that work was a positive luxury, and throw 
 ing off his coat, he laboured heartily two hours or more. A 
 brakesman had been hurt, and carried away, and the conductor 
 touched Dutchy on the shoulder as he was resuming his coat. 
 
 " Say ! Are you on this line F said the conductor. 
 
 " Yes," answered Dutchy, promptly. 
 
 " I'm two hands short. Bill is hurt quite some, and I started 
 with one man too little. Can you brake F 
 
 " Dun'no," said Dutchy, doubtfully ; " d'ye mean screw up them 
 wheels atop of the cars F 
 
 " Ezackly ! Pooh ! its nothin' to do. One whistle is for down 
 brakes. Then you wind em up like blazes. Can't you come 
 along ? This is the through freight." 
 
 " And lose my place at the depot," said Dutchy, deceitfully. 
 " Not if I knows it." 
 
 " You won't lose anything," replied the conductor. " I'll make 
 it all right with the superintendent. He's my uncle. Mr. Grimes." 
 
 " Ya-as," drawled Dutchy. " I guess I know Mr. Grimes, and 
 he'd blow me up prime, and stop my wages too." 
 
 " No danger !" persisted the conductor, eagerly. " Here ! I'll 
 write you a note at the first stop. It's allers allowed to take a man 
 when we're short on brakes. Got thirteen cars, and all heavy. 
 Here ! I'll give you the rear brake come along !" 
 
 Dutch y shook his head in outward discontent as he clambered 
 up to the car roof. He kicked out the lever, releasing the brake, 
 : growling and muttering, while he inwardly chuckled. He rode all 
 that day exposed to the storm, going farther and farther westward, 
 with peace in his bosom, because no cop would dream of seeking 
 him among the brakesmen of the " North Penn." The conductor 
 wrote a formal document, addressed to the superintendent, exon 
 erating John Smelzer (which was the name Dutchy took with his 
 first brakes) from all blame, on account of absence from the main 
 station. At the western terminus of the line he was regularly 
 enrolled as brakesman, paid liberally for the service already ren 
 dered, and assured of prompt settlements at the end of each fort 
 night thereafter. 
 
 So passed the autumn. In addition to the new greenbacks, all 
 of which he sewed up in the lining of his coat collar, Dutchy ac-
 
 VENDETTA. 51 
 
 cumulated sundry greasy notes from honest wages. He had few 
 opportunities, and no temptations, to spend. The letter to Super 
 intendent Grimes he tore into small pieces, and sowed them along 
 the line of railway one windy day in the early winter. 
 
 One day John Smelzer was detailed to assist in braking a long 
 passenger train. He had the rear platform. The track was hidden 
 beneath the snow, only a few inches deep, but sufficient to make 
 the track slippery and braking troublesome. He was in an ill 
 humour when night came, and disposed to be gruff and quarrel 
 some. A passenger came out upon the platform to smoke, and 
 addressed some remark to Mr. Smelzer in a tone that was not con 
 ciliatory. The brakesman looked steadily at him, and recognized 
 the lieutenant who had forced him to " nurse the log baby " at 
 the far-off military station. The officer unfortunately had a reten 
 tive memory also, and being accustomed to quick obedience and 
 the show of outward respect, swore at the brakesman first for his 
 surly demeanor, and then recognizing him, exclaimed : 
 
 " Dutchy ! Deserter ! I'll fix your flint P 
 
 As he turned to re-enter the car, Dutchy drew the iron pin from 
 the coupling and struck him on the back of the head. As the 
 warrior stumbled forward and fell senseless on the floor, Dutchy 
 dropped deftly on the track, and by the time the startled passen 
 gers had raised the soldier and examined his cracked crown, the 
 train was a mile or two beyond the scene of the " accident." 
 
 Because it was an accident. The lieutenant had a military cap 
 on, and the wound was not visible, until a passenger found the 
 blood dripping over his arm, supporting the officer's head. A doc 
 tor was found in the next car, and, after a hasty examination, he 
 pronounced the hurt fatal. Dutchy had committed his second 
 murder, though he did not know it. As soon, as he had delivered 
 the blow, he tossed the coupling-pin into the snow, and mechanic 
 ally closed the car door before he dropped from the train. 
 
 " He struck his head agin this iron stanchion," said an on-look 
 ing passenger. " He came in from the rear platform and kind o' 
 whirled round, and fell heavy like." 
 
 " Something must have knocked him," said the doctor; "his 
 head looks like it had been smashed with a hammer." 
 
 " How long will he last, doctor F asked the conductor. 
 
 " Last ? He won't last at all. You had better carry him to the 
 baggage car." He felt his wrist a moment. " It's about over with 
 him just a flutter. You had better get an inquest, I suppose.
 
 52 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 These gentlemen, who saw him fall, can give their testimony what 
 made him fall. That is the only question." 
 
 . "Little tight, I guess," ventured another passenger. "These 
 military men are hard drinkers ! I noticed him a minute ago as 
 he went past, and he was walking stiff and dignified ; you'd a 
 thought he was commander-in-chief." 
 
 " Only leftenant," said the conductor ; " here's his shoulder 
 strap. About two miles to Scrabbletown. We'll stop in five or 
 Six minutes, and have it all done regular." 
 
 " I'd like to have him on a table," observed the doctor, " to 
 make a satisfactory examination. You might as well lay him 
 down 5 he's done with all earthly troubles." 
 
 The sudden death, which would have cast a gloom over that car 
 load of passengers a year or two before, was almost forgotten 
 when the train stopped at Scrabbletown. The body was taken out 
 and placed on a bench in the station house. A statement was has 
 tily drawn up by the conductor, signed by half a dozen passen 
 gers, the doctor's certificate added and the train only delayed 
 about ten minutes. 
 
 "All aboard !" shouted the conductor, at last. " Jim, have you 
 seen that new brakesman f 
 . " No." 
 
 " He's gone off somewhere for a drink, confound him !" Jim, 
 take the rear brake ; I'll not wait another minute ! All aboard !" 
 And he whirled his lantern in a circle "All right!" and the 
 train plunged into the night with a prolonged shriek, as if wailing 
 for the dead passenger. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 MB. SKILLET. 
 
 WHEN Darcy Gaston sat down by the side of the young 
 girl, with his mind oppressed with his dismal story, the 
 conductor slipped away, to escape the coming fainting scene, and 
 the cries of distress that were sure to follow the recital. On 
 the contrary, the gruff gentleman, who had first accosted Darcy, 
 quietly dropped into the seat behind him, evidently intending to 
 hear the revelation, and doubtless intending to " assist " in any
 
 MB. SKILLET. 53 
 
 subsequent demonstration. There was sympathy in his counte 
 nance, certainly, and a business-like air of preparation, also. As 
 Darcy glanced at him, over his shoulder, it occurred to him that 
 the old gentleman was probably an undertaker. 
 
 " The gentleman who sat beside you," began Darcy, " put your 
 ticket in your satchel, when he left his seat." 
 
 "Is he gone ?" asked the girl, startled. 
 
 " Ye's. He requested me to explain You were sleeping " 
 
 " No. I was awake. Where is he ?" 
 
 " It is uncertain," said Darcy, slowly ; " the brakesman who 
 went with him cannot tell positively he may be hurt by his fall. 
 He fell from the track, and down the hill side. Nobody can tell 
 positively until daylight. My name is Darcy Gaston." 
 
 " Darcy Gaston," answered the girl mechanically. 
 
 " Yes. I don't know the name of the gentleman who was with 
 you, but it seems he knew me. One or two of the officials tell, 
 me he mentioned my name, when he left the train." 
 
 " Did he ?" There was a pause of some minutes, Darcy wonder 
 ing at the quiet self-possession of the girl, and burning with curi 
 osity to know her relationship to the missing man. The silence 
 was broken by the gruff gentleman behind them. i 
 
 " I think you ought to know, Miss," he said, " that the chances 
 are agin your friend ! He slipped over a high bank, and I guess 
 he is some considerable hurted." 
 
 "What must I do?" said the girl, plaintively j "can I go to 
 him?" 
 
 " Not by no means ?" replied the gruff gentleman, heedless of 
 grammar ; " it is not possible and anyway you could do nauthin'j 
 in my opinion, he's past help !" The girl started, and looked to 
 Darcy for confirmation. The boy's eyes answered her, as the old 
 gentleman continued : " It's jest one of them cases, where nauthin' , 
 is certain, but where it is safe to expect the worst. Was he your 
 father F 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Oh ! your uncle ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Um ! Ah ! your brother pr'aps ?" 
 
 " No. Will you please tell me what I should do ?" this was ad 
 dressed to Darcy j "I know there is some terrible duty that I 
 must perform : I am ready to do whatever you tell me, Mr. Gas- 
 ton."
 
 54 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 11 You were certainly under this gentleman's protection," said 
 Darcy ; " may I ask his name F 
 
 " His name I am not sure that I am at liberty to tell you. Not 
 now, certainly. Yes, I was going am going to New York, in his 
 charge, to meet relations that I have never seen, and scarcely 
 heard of. I do not know where to look for them, or what to say, 
 if I find them. All this, I am compelled to tell you, but I cannot 
 explain anything that appears mysterious. I am under obligations 
 to remain silent, at least at present. And I am so confused by this 
 new calamity, that I do not, cannot think of the proper course for 
 me to pursue !" While she said all this with outward composure, 
 the tears were dropping over her cheeks and falling, unnoticed, 
 upon her dress*. 
 
 " If you will trust a stranger," said Darcy, earnestly, after he 
 had looked back at the gruff gentleman who was apparently indulg 
 ing himself in a peaceful nap ; "if you will allow me to serve you, 
 as I would serve my sister, I will do all a man may do in your be 
 half, without any explanation." 
 
 "If you are Mr. Darcy Graston," answered the girl, "surely I 
 will be glad to trust you. And I am grateful too. If you will al 
 low me to think over the matter, a little, I will tell you as 
 much as I dare. I may say this much : I bless the Divine mer 
 cy, that sent your father's son to me, in this dire emergency !" 
 
 Darcy looked at her in blank astonishment. He had all along 
 been talking to her, feeling that she was inexperienced and de 
 cidedly young. And now there grew up in his mind, the convic 
 tion that she was a matured woman, capable of deep emotions, 
 and acutely conscious of the delicacy of her situation. He was 
 burning to ask her directly, what relation she sustained to the lost 
 passenger, but something in her manner deterred him. He was 
 bewildered by her reference to his father, and while he was try 
 ing to frame a question in answer to her last remark, she turned 
 to him suddenly and continued : 
 
 " I know your family that is your brother. I think I remem 
 ber your father also, but am not certain. But I know he was a 
 gentleman of spotless honor. My name is not Mary Harding, 
 but I am not free to tell you what is my real name, and if you 
 will please accept Mary Harding until until I am released from 
 the compulsion that keeps me silent, I will be very thankful. The 
 name I have given you is on a grave stone, in my native town, 
 and was borne by my earliest friend "
 
 ME. SKILLET. 55 
 
 " You are Helen Euthven !" said Darcy, impetuously ; " Oh, Miss 
 Euthven do not answer me I know all about it now. Tige told 
 me. My brother, I mean." She covered her face with her hands 
 as he went on ; "I will call you Miss Harding I will ask you no 
 questions. You have no brother. If you will honour me so much, 
 I pray you to consider me your brother. I will serve you in any 
 way, and will relinquish the title whenever you bid me. And now 
 I will say no more. Ah! remember only what my father was to 
 yours and trust me." 
 
 She put out her hand which he seized and pressed, and when 
 she withdrew it she leaned back in her seat and drew her hood 
 over her face. Darcy felt it was a compact between them, and 
 'his heart beat a little faster as he reflected upon his new responsi 
 bilities. 
 
 " I must write all this to brother Tige !" he thought, " and ask 
 his advice. But may be I am not at liberty to ask anybody ! I 
 will wait until we reach New York. I must take her to some 
 hotel, of course. How ignorant and inexperienced I feel ! Tige 
 would know exactly what to do. Perhaps she will let me write 
 to ./Nell but that would be the same thing as writing to,Tige. 
 Dear me ! She is going to sleep. Poor girl ! Hillo ! What the 
 deuce Oh ! excuse me, sir." 
 
 The gruff old gentleman behind him had poked him in the back 
 with his finger, startling him in the midst of his cogitations. He 
 was standing up when Darcy turned, and beckoned him away to 
 the other end of the car. 
 
 " Do you smoke ?" said he, as Darcy followed. 
 
 " Sometimes, sir F 
 
 " Wa-al, come into the smoking car. I've suthin' to say to you. 
 You and me is responsible that is, sorter responsible, for this 
 business. And I'm going to see it out. I am, by thunder !" 
 
 Darcy followed him, and passing through two or three cars they 
 reached the smoking car. The old gentleman pulled out his cigar 
 case, presented it to Darcy very politely, and, seating themselves 
 in a quiet corner, they blew a double cloud. No question about 
 the quality of the weeds, Darcy thought. 
 
 " You see, Mr. Gaskins that's your name ?" 
 
 " No, sir ; Gaston." 
 
 " Oh 1 ah ! Wa-al, Mr. Gaston, let's come to business. You 
 see, we was the committee that started this thing. And I was the 
 primary caucus. Did you ask the young lady if she had any 
 money V 1
 
 56 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Certainly not, sir !" answered Darcy, indignantly. 
 
 " Wa-al," said the other, composedly, " we must find out, some 
 how. If she's well to do we can syinathize, and all that sort 
 o' thing. But if she arn't, we must do suthin'. What do you 
 propose ?" 
 
 tl Propose f I I have made no proposition, sir." 
 
 11 Exactly. But what do you propose F 
 
 Darcy was learning a new lingo. He made a mental note 
 " Propose " meant " intend." 
 
 " You mean, what are my intentions F he asked, doubtfully. 
 
 " Ezackly. What do you propose F 
 
 " I hardly know, sir. I thought I would take the lady to a 
 hotel " 
 
 " Fi'th Av'noo, of course," said the old gentleman, nodding ;. " or 
 the Brevoort is more nobby, and more expensive. I should think 
 it would not be amiss to find out how long her purse is, first. 
 P'raps you have plenty of beans yourself?" 
 
 " Beans !" 
 
 *' Ya-as ! beans spondulies stamps. But she don't look like 
 a gal that would allow a stranger to pay her expenses. That chap 
 arn't eomin' back. He's tother side o' Jordan, and I guess he took 
 his wallet with him. Did she tell you who he was F 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " How does the weed smoke pooty good, eh ? Partagas. You 
 come from down South somewhere, and so does the gal ! I s'pose 
 you air a rebbil F 
 
 " I was in the Confederate army, sir," answered Darcy, stiffly ; 
 " but I was captured and released upon condition that I should 
 take up arms against the United States Government no more." 
 
 " Ah ! Wa-al, it's no consekense," said the old gentleman ; " the 
 foolishness is pooty nigh over, anyway. You did not git hurt in 
 the war F 
 
 u No, sir. I was captured in my first battle." 
 
 " That's lucky ! What is the young lady called F 
 
 u Miss Harding." 
 
 " Urn ! Miss Harding." He took a card from his pocket and 
 wrote a few lines on the back of it. Darcy glanced at him while 
 he was thus engaged, and the harsh accents, gruff manner, and 
 general quaintness of the man, all faded from his memory while 
 Darcy studied his countenance. There was an expression of 
 genuine kindness in his eyes, blue and gentle j an air of unfliuch-
 
 MOVING. 5T 
 
 ing determination about his mouth, and in spite of his gossiping 
 manner, a quiet dignity in his tout ensemble, that impressed the 
 youth strongly when the old gentleman handed him the card. 
 
 " Head it, please." 
 
 Darcy read : " Mrs. Camp, No. 96 Camden street. Mr. Gaston, 
 the bearer, has a lady in his charge, whose protector was killed on 
 the railroad this evening. Please give her a room and such atten 
 tion as she may need, until she finds her relatives in New York, 
 and oblige yours, T. S." 
 
 " My name is on the other side," said the old gentleman. " Mrs. 
 Camp is the wife of my bookkeeper. He told me he would like to 
 let a vacant room to some respectable lady, with board. It will 
 be comfortable and safe and respectable. Don't make up your 
 mind in a hurry ! This is the sensible and right thing to do. And 
 now go back to the young lady. I am going to smoke another 
 cigar !" 
 
 Darcy turned the printed side of the card to the light as he 
 walked down the aisle. The inscription was, " Timothy Skillet, 
 Gold and Stocks, No. 55 Wall street, New York." 
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 MOVING. 
 
 ALONG straight street, with flaring gas-lights on either side. 
 A fog brooding over the city, which seemed preternaturally 
 quiet. On the left-hand corner nearest him, Darcy noticed an old 
 church with stone steps and an iron railing enclosing them. He 
 walked over to examine it more closely, and by the dim light read 
 the inscription on a square stone set in the brick wall. It was only 
 the name of the sexton, " Patrick McGinn," and his place of abode. 
 Darcy wondered at the strange quiet of the street, and suddenly 
 remembered that it was past midnight. He had no definite pur 
 pose except to get to bed and rest. The charge of the girl, which 
 he had so promptly assumed on the train, oppressed his mind, 
 arid he was revolving a dozen schemes, in all of which she played 
 an important part. He had not asked her if she had any money, 
 and had paid sundry small sums for her, merely remarking, in 
 answer to some faint expostulation, that they " would settle here-
 
 58 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 after." The'condition of the girl was desolate enough, swallowed 
 up in the great city, with no friend but himself, and he poor and 
 a stranger. But while he reflected, there grew up within him a 
 resolute purpose to find employment and make money. " Once 
 engaged in some occupation," he thought, " the result is certain. 
 The faithful discharge of duty will bring the proper reward." 
 
 He had not written to Tige. He would do that before he slept. 
 Only a few lines to tell of his arrival. Nothing about the accident 
 on the way, and the detention, and the charge. What would 
 Tige do if he knew Helen Euthven was in New York, looking for 
 kindred, of whom they had never heard? By-the-bye, it was 
 strange that Darcy had never met her, until he encountered her 
 on the train. He remembered that he had called at Dr. Graves's 
 house some months ago, with a message from Nell, but she was 
 out. She had been out on two other occasions, when he called at 
 her mother's house. Suppose he had met her four or five years 
 ago, when they were both comparatively prosperous ? Pshaw ! 
 They were mere children four or five years ago. Very likely they 
 would have fought over each other's toys. 
 
 What is that at the other corner? Something moving in the 
 misty street. With the prompt decision that was characteristic of 
 the youth, he crossed the street, and found a bundle of old clothes 
 crawling on the sidewalk. He could not see the crutch, but heard 
 the dull thump on the pavement, as the creature shuffled along. 
 As he drew back to give the cripple passage, he passed into the 
 gaslight, and Darcy noticed the old blue overcoat and cape, and 
 the military cap, before the newcomer disappeared down a side 
 street. A soldier, wounded in the cruel war, no doubt. Perhaps 
 he was needy, too. A dollar from an old enemy would get him 
 food and lodging. He would follow and accost him. 
 
 As he turned down the street it was on the corner where the 
 old church stood a man pushed open the iron gate and confronted 
 him, with arm extended, as if to bar his progress, and Darcy 
 thought his attitude was half menacing. The only remnant of his 
 military equipment was the six-shooter on his hip, hidden by his 
 coat. Darcy put his hand under the skirt, and with his thumb 
 on the hammer, drew near the stranger. 
 
 " Good morning," said the unknown, courteously. 
 
 " Good morning, sir," responded Darcy. 
 
 " Will you excuse me if I detain you a moment ? You are Mr. 
 Gastou, I think ?"
 
 MO VINO. 69 
 
 * Yes, sir," replied Darcy, trying to recall the voice. 
 
 " Ah ! this is a fortunate meeting. I hope your charge has not 
 been troublesome." 
 
 " I do not understand you," stammered Darcy, feeling certain 
 that he did understand. 
 
 " Indeed !" responded the stranger, pushing his hat back. 
 " Well, I think you were kind enough to take charge of uin ! um ! 
 a young lady on the train, you know." 
 
 " Yes, I remember," said Darcy, feeling for the trigger of his 
 pistol. There was an air of conscious strength and a mocking in 
 tonation in the voice of his interlocutor that irritated the youth. 
 He suddenly resolved that he would not relinquish the charge, at 
 least not just yet. 
 
 "I cannot thank you sufficiently," continued the stranger, 
 smoothing his black moustache, with gloved hand, " but I can at 
 least relieve you. I left rather suddenly." 
 
 " How did you escape P said Darcy. " I thought you were cer 
 tainly killed ! That terrible fall !" 
 
 u Ah, yes !" said the other, quietly ; " it was rather an adventure. 
 But men like me are hard to kill. I came in by the next train. 
 Where is she V 
 
 Darcy heard the thump of the crutch as the cripple came round 
 the corner and approached them. He did not appear to notice 
 them, but halted by, passing between them. When he reached 
 the lower end of the church railing, he turned and limped back. 
 The stranger watched the lame man intently. The dull thud of 
 the crutch on the hard pavement sounded louder, by reason of the 
 quiet that prevailed. As the cripple came slowly and painfully 
 towards them, Darcy drew back to the church rail, cocking his 
 pistol silently. He had taken it from his pocket a moment before, 
 feeling that a crisis was approaching. 
 
 "The girl!" said the stranger, imperatively. "The girl! 
 Where is she, I say P 
 
 " I cannot tell you," answered the youth, firmly. " Take care 
 what you do. I am armed." 
 
 The lame man shook out his defective leg, then stood upright 
 and raised his crutch. Darcy felt a hand seize his wrist, and his 
 weapon was twitched from his grasp. At the same moment he 
 heard a prolonged shriek, as he recognized Helen standing by his 
 side, with his pistol in her hand. He awoke. 
 
 The train was moving, and the shriek came from the engine.
 
 60 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 He gazed confusedly around him. The passengers were all talk 
 ing at once, and rejoicing in the prospect of home and fireside. He 
 closed his eyes again, and the brick wall of the old church, with 
 the gray stone inscribed with the sexton's name ; the cripple with 
 uplifted crutch, grim and menacing ; the tall stranger with black 
 moustache and mocking smile, all came vividly into view. Then 
 he turned cautiously to the girl at his side, and saw that she was 
 watching him intently. 
 
 " You have been dreaming," she said. 
 
 " Yes," he answered ; " I thought you had wrested my weapon 
 from me and were taking sides with with my enemy !" 
 
 "You called my name," she said, "and I saw this in your 
 hand," and she handed his pistol. " What were you dreaming f" 
 
 " I thought he came back and demanded you." 
 
 " He ? Of whom are you speaking f ' 
 
 " Listen !" said Darcy, in strong excitement ; " I will tell you 
 now as coherently as I can. I thought I was in New York, where 
 I have never been. I saw the long street nay, I see it still when 
 I close my eyes with rows of gas lamps on either side ; an old 
 brick church on the corner ; a lame man brandishing his crutch 
 over my head, and the man who left you to-night, and who fell 
 over the brink of that terrible precipice, standing before me, de 
 manding you you ! Some vague sense of danger to you impelled 
 me to refuse, and his manner grew threatening. Then I drew my 
 pistol, and you suddenly appeared and disarmed me. The feeling 
 that most oppressed me was the conviction that he had the right 
 to demand you, and that you recognized the right, and, therefore, 
 aided him and opposed me. Ah ! what a horrible nightmare ! 
 Perhaps," he continued, after a pause, during which he noticed 
 the pallor spreading over her face " perhaps I will forget all this 
 vision, amid the busy realities that are probably before me ; and, 
 therefore, I tell it to you now, while the scenes and events are ap 
 parently so near. I am ashamed to confess how deep an impres 
 sion it has made upon me. Never before have I had so life-like a 
 dream. I have stood for hours in the midst of battle noises ; have 
 heard the roar of artillery, and the continuous snapping of mus 
 ketry. I have seen men fall near me, shot to death, and have 
 been compelled to stand idly waiting for some bullet to find me ; 
 but never before have I sufltered torture to compare with the agony 
 of this transient dream !" 
 
 She looked at him while he spoke, half in sympathy and half in 
 terror.
 
 MOVING. 61 
 
 "Do you know," he continued, impetuously, "that while the 
 mere legality of this man's claim seemed beyond question, in my 
 dream, there was a burning conviction in my thought that he had 
 obtained the right by fraud ! It was that overbearing conviction 
 prompting me to desperate resistance ! I felt that I was defying 
 law and its penalties, but I had no thought of yielding. How can 
 it be that such impalpable matter as the stuff that dreams are 
 made of could excite me so desperately?" 
 
 " No one can account for dreams," she said ; " you have been 
 unusually excited by the events of this day, and " 
 
 " Pardon me !" he answered, interrupting her. " You are mis. 
 taken. There are just two theories. First : the dream is induced 
 by the intercourse of other Intelligences with the human mind. I 
 reject that theory. Second : the dream is the clearer vision of real 
 events or circumstances clearer, because the testimony of the 
 senses does not hinder the working of the mind. This is far more 
 plausible. Therefore, I conclude thus : My impressions, caught 
 from such brief intercourse as I had with the lost man, came upon 
 my mind freshly, when all surroundings were lost in sleep ; and 
 with swift intuition I detected meanings, motives, purposes that 
 I could not have seen in my waking hours. And now, hear one 
 final word : Should any such circumstance occur hereafter as that 
 I have seen in my dream do not be startled I tell you once for 
 all that I will remember you are Darcy Ruthven's child, and I will 
 die a thousand deaths before I will see you wronged ! We will 
 never discuss this matter again, perhaps. By to-morrow, the im 
 pression that is now so distinct, will, perhaps, have faded, never 
 to be recalled, unless some contingency lies in the future to re 
 awaken it. But you will remember what I have said." 
 
 She sat silent as the train sped on. There was an air of weari 
 ness about her that was entirely different from that produced by 
 physical fatigue. She had reached a conclusion, to wit : that life 
 had for her nothing but sorrow, bereavement, doubt and anxiety. 
 Nothing kept her from blank despair but the heroic faith of a 
 Christian woman, which, in its normal exercise, more excites the 
 wonder and admiration of angels than the noblest deeds of knightly 
 prowess, shown by the stronger sex. 
 
 " Ladies and gentlemen," said the conductor, rapidly passing 
 through the car. " We shall be in New York at ten o'clock this 
 blessed morning. Four hours late F
 
 62 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 TlGE. 
 
 HENRY GASTON, ESQ., Attorney at Law, otherwise known 
 as Tige Gaston, had an office in Lexington. He was 
 trustee for half a dozen large estates, and his chief professional 
 revenues were derived from these administrations. He was a 
 lawyer of rare attainments, and once or twice in the year he had 
 very important cases in charge ; but he was careless about fees 
 and not greedy of gain, and these yielded more reputation than 
 emolument. 
 
 Two days after his visit to Miss Euthven, armed with argu 
 ments and peremptory messages from his wife, he called again. 
 Miss Euthven had left Lexington. He asked for Dr. Graves, and 
 being ushered into the study, found the reverend gentleman writ 
 ing his next Sunday's discourse. 
 
 " I will only trespass a moment, Doctor," he said, shaking hands j 
 " my business is with Miss Euthven." 
 
 " Ah ! she has gone to Cincinnati," replied Dr. Graves. 
 
 " Yes, sir ; so I inferred. She told me two days ago that Mrs. 
 Crowder had invited her to go there." 
 
 " She went the same afternoon. I did not like to part with the 
 child she is only nineteen, you know but she seemed so eager 
 to go. I thought change of scene and new occupations might 
 divert her mind and make her less sensible of her recent bereave 
 ments, so I had no heart to resist her. Your brother called an 
 hour after her departure." 
 
 " I sent him," said Tige. 
 
 " Another gentleman I forget his name from New York, also 
 called," continued Dr. Graves ; " he came again in the evening. 
 He asked a number of questions about your brother, too. He had 
 met him in the hall, he said, and was struck by his appearance. 
 He is a handsome youth, by the bye, Mr. Gaston." 
 
 " Darcy, you mean ?" replied Tige, absently. " Yes, sir. He is 
 like Father in his young days, I am told. What did the New 
 York man want ?" 
 
 " Miss Euthven. Some legal business. He took memoranda 
 of the deaths of her parents, getting dates and circumstances. In 
 fact, he got a formal statement from me, and brought a notary to 
 take my statement down. The sum of the matter was to show 
 that Helen was the sole representative of her father's family."
 
 TIQE. 63 
 
 " Ah ! indeed," said Tige, getting interested ; " did he get her 
 present address ?" 
 
 " Oh ! yes. Mr. Thomas Crowder, 10 Eiver street, Cincinnati. 
 He went there to-day." 
 
 " And I will go to-morrow," said Tige, rising. " There may be 
 some Kentucky laws in the way, which this New York gentle 
 man will not understand." 
 
 But Tige did not go the next day. A poor client had an im 
 portant " case in court," and Mr. Gaston could not leave it. When 
 this was brought to a triumphant conclusion, Mrs. Gaston was 
 ailing, and Tige could not leave her. Then his own case came on 
 u Gaston versus Philips" and this consumed some weeks. 
 Then Darcy suddenly determined to seek his fortune in New 
 York, and Tige went with him as far as Cincinnati, and so got 
 the opportunity to seek Miss Euthven. 
 
 At No. 10 Eiver street he found Mrs. Crowder. Likewise, Mr. 
 Thomas Crowder, who does not occupy a very important place in 
 this history, and whose chief occupation was pork packing. Like 
 wise, Miss Jane Crowder, aged sixteen, who was deeply pious, 
 like her mother. After the usual exchange of greetings and such 
 a settlement of the weather as would have been invaluable to Old 
 Probabilities, Mr. Gaston asked for Miss Euthven. 
 
 " Ah !" said Mrs. Crowder, with a sniff of pious resignation, " I 
 am sorry to say Miss Euthven has left us." 
 
 " Without notice, and giving no address," added Mr. Crowder. 
 
 " And without her last quarter's wages," said Miss Jane. 
 
 " The quarter is not out yet, my dear," observed Mrs. Crowder, 
 "but I should not have refused payment for so much as she 
 earned. She left yesterday, and I suppose she has gone back to 
 Lexington. It is a very serious inconvenience to me, as the 
 children are quite backward in their studies, and were getting 
 along nicely." 
 
 " Perhaps she will return," suggested Mr. Gaston. 
 
 11 Oh, no !" replied Mrs. Crowder, decidedly ; " she told me she 
 was dissatisfied, and desired to make a change. To be candid 
 with you, Mr. Gaston, I must say, her conduct has not entirely 
 pleased me, of late." 
 
 " Her conduct f " said Tige. 
 
 " Yes. You must know," she continued, with a gush of con 
 fidence, " a gentleman from New York a Mr. Grey has been 
 visiting here, and the poor girl was evidently infatuated. He is 
 quite handsome, and immensely rich."
 
 4 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Did he pay any special attention to Helen ?" said Tige, begin 
 ning to get angry. 
 
 " Oh, no !" replied Miss Jane. " He talked to her sometimes, 
 of course. But she always managed to get near him and waylay 
 him in coming from church, and walk home with him. And he 
 talked to her in French a great deal, to improve her accent, he 
 said. It was very kind of him, too. Only night before last they 
 jabbered French here a full hour, and yesterday she told Mamma 
 she was going." 
 
 Tige kept his temper down. He had a " case," and was about 
 to put these witnesses under cross-examination. 
 
 " Why did you not expostulate with the girl, Mrs. Crowder ?" 
 he said ; " you have experience and age on your side, and might 
 have prevented " 
 
 " Mamma expostulated enough, Mr. Gaston !" said Miss Jane, 
 viciously; " she told her she would not have any such conduct in 
 her house. You ought to have seen Miss Helen ! she answered 
 Mamma as if she owned Cincinnati !" 
 
 " Hush, Jane !" interposed her mother. 
 
 , " Well she did, Mamma !" answered the young lady ; " she as 
 good as called you a Yankee ! and she said she could get better 
 wages for working on the sewing machine than you paid !" 
 
 " Do hush, child," said Mrs. Crowder, impatiently ; " Miss Euth- 
 ven was your governess. You should not speak of her as a sew 
 ing-girl. And she behaved herself with perfect propriety until 
 she became infatuated. Mr. Grey is deeply grieved, too !" 
 
 "Have you seen Mr. Grey since Helen's departure?" asked 
 Gaston. 
 
 " Oh yes ! he was here an hour after she left us. Jane told him 
 she had gone." 
 
 " And where is he now ?" said Tige. 
 
 " Gone to Chicago. He is a great friend of Professor Hang " 
 
 "Professor Hang?" said Tige, aghast. 
 
 " Yes. You certainly know him. He has published a delight 
 ful book. There it is on the centre table. It is called Lies for To 
 morrow. You may take it and look over it." 
 
 " I don't think I will have time to read it to-day," said Gaston, 
 rejecting the offered volume. " Can you describe Mr. Grey to me ? 
 I should like to know him, if if I should happen to meet him." 
 
 " Jane, get your album. He gave his photograph to Jane sev 
 eral weeks ago. Ah, here it is. Very handsome, I think." 
 
 Tige examined the picture carefully. Black eyes, bold and
 
 TIGE. 65 
 
 rather insolent. Black moustache, the ends waxed and sticking 
 out like two little spikes. Eather large nose, slightly aquiline. 
 The nether lip projecting, giving a pouting expression to the 
 countenance. Still, there was an air of conscious strength about 
 the face. Bad face, altogether, Tige thought. 
 
 " This picture is capitally taken," he observed at last j " was it 
 done here, Miss Jane F 
 
 " Oh, yes Brixby, in Main street." 
 
 " Brixby ? How long have you known Mr. Grey, Mrs. Crow- 
 der F 
 
 " About three months, or less. We met him at church. He is 
 quite serious, though not a professor. He seemed very anxious 
 to converse on religious topics, especially with me. And he has 
 spent his evenings here, generally. He has enjoyed Professor 
 Hang's book immensely ! I mean the Lies." 
 
 " Well," said Tige, putting his glove on ; " if I address Mr. Grey 
 in care of Professor Hang by the bye, what does he profess F 
 
 " Professor Hang? Oh, he is a minister," said Mrs. Crowder. 
 
 "Yes, ma'am, I understand. But does he profess anything be 
 sides the l Lies for To-morrow?"' 
 
 "Of course !" replied Mrs. Crowder. "I suppose he was Profes 
 sor in some Seminary. You really must read the book. Must you 
 go ! I heard you had lost the Philips suit." 
 
 " Yes, I'm thankful to say, I did. It was Darcy's case, not 
 mine." 
 
 " I always hoped Darcy would turn his attention to the minis 
 try," observed Mrs. Crowder, as Tige moved to the door j " he 
 was so naturally pious when he was a child ! But I suppose he 
 will go into law F 
 
 " Not he," answered Mr. Gaston. li Darcy has decided to try 
 commercial life. He is on his way to New York now." 
 
 " And snow a foot deep !" said Mr. Crowder, " there will be 
 some terrible accident in to-morrow's paper. " Did he go by the 
 lower route F 
 
 " Yes," answered Tige, startled j " why do you ask F 
 
 " Ah ! that road was cut up so often by both armies ! It is in 
 a dreadful condition " I 
 
 " But he was going by the North Penn., I remember," said Mr. 
 Gaston. " I cannot tell where he changed Pittsburg, probably." 
 
 "Ah, that is worse I Track good enough, but a bad Hue for 
 snow-drifts. Well, a day or two will tell. Good morning !" 
 
 5
 
 66 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " This is a nice business," said Tige, as he strode down towards 
 Main street. " What will that boy do if anything happens to his 
 train ! Confound old Crowder ! He never speaks except to say 
 something disagreeable Hillo ! here is Brixby's sign. I'll look 
 at his pictures." 
 
 Mr. Brixby was idle that morning. Tige was hard to please in 
 styles. He was going to take his carte home, as a present for 
 Nell. So he turned over the great mass of pictures in Mr. Brixby's 
 case. At last he selected one. 
 
 " Do you sell these P he asked. 
 
 " Not usually. You can have that one, though, if you like. 
 Stay ! there is a companion picture a young lady, 
 deuce is it ? Oh ! here it is. I took 'em together, 
 a dollar. Will you be taken now f Walk in. I'll be ready in five 
 minutes." 
 
 Tige placed the two cards in his pocket-book, and then sat in 
 moody silence while Mr. Brixby " took him." Pictures would be 
 ready in the afternoon. Would send them to the hotel at five 
 punctually. Very fine picture. He sat like a statue. Five dol 
 lars. Thanks ! 
 
 Nell looked through the package of photographs a day or two 
 afterwards, when Tige was not with her. A good fire was blaz 
 ing on the hearth, and Mrs. Gaston placed the package in the 
 warmest part of it. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 A LETTER. 
 
 " NEW YORK, I5tk December, 186-. 
 
 66 ~ii J~Y DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER: One whole day gone 
 -1A-JL since I arrived, and now it is near midnight. But I am 
 wide awake, and have so many things to tell, that I cannot post 
 pone my present pleasant duty. I have wished for you a hundred 
 times, brother, since we parted. You have erred in teaching me 
 to rely upon you so entirely. Don't you remember Looney, your' 
 Celtic client, who said his father had ' trated him with mistaken 
 kindness when he kicked him out o' doors one fine inornin', and 
 compelled him to depind upon his own resources.' I have
 
 A LETTER. 67 
 
 thought of him several times in the past three days. And you 
 too, sister, have done your i level best,' as they say here, to spoil 
 me. Positively, I am at a loss to decide, at times, what to eat, 
 when I am iu the midst of edibles. 
 
 " But while I am seated up here in my little room, with a bright 
 gas burner over the table, and all the house quiet, I am momently 
 getting nearer to you, dear friends, dear brother, dear sister. 
 And it seems to me that we three are more closely bound together 
 than any other three on the face of the earth. Sister Nell, if you 
 will write me word that you are not anxious about me, but are 
 satisfied and hopeful, I will promise to send you a camel's hair 
 shawl about a year hence. 
 
 " Because I am in business. What do you think of that, 
 brother Tige ? 
 
 " It all came about thus : On the second night out, that is, last 
 night, we were detained by snow-drifts. A passenger, Mr. 
 Skillet, invited me to join him, and thus 'form a committee' to 
 wait upon the conductor. I went, more from curiosity than any 
 other motive, and the result of our conference with the conductor- 
 was to get a messenger sent back to Scrabbletown for assistance. 
 Just before he left, a gentleman came forward and said he would 
 go also, and he requested me to inform a lady, then asleep, why 
 he had left her, and to promise his speedy return. He did not 
 return, brother. The brakesman came back in two hours, with a 
 horrid story of a bald precipice, a slippery path, and the sudden 
 disappearance of his companion over the brink. 
 
 " I had to communicate this dismal intelligence to the lady, who 
 was coming here in search of kindred, I believe. Mr. Skillet, 
 who was very kind, aided me greatly, and he and I took her to a 
 quiet boarding-house, where she now is. In a few days we shall 
 learn something more definite about her relations. At present 
 she is not able to get the luggage, as the lost man had the checks 
 in his pocket, and she had only a small satchel with her. I sup 
 pose when the trunks are delivered (Mr. Skillet is looking after 
 them), there will be some address found, and my little adventure 
 will end with the discovery of her kindred. She calls herself Miss 
 Harding. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet is in communication with the railway authorities, 
 and will have some positive information from the scene of the ac 
 cident to-morrow. The telegraph wires were down to-day, but 
 we are assured that all will be repaired to-morrow.
 
 68 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Sister Nell, you have always said I was superstitious. I have 
 been dreaming about that lost man, and now that I am broad 
 awake, cannot see what my dream portends. The man was my 
 enemy. And there is upon my mind a constant conviction that I 
 shall encounter him or his ghost hereafter, and try conclusions 
 with him or it. 
 
 11 How can I tell you coherently about this man ? When he 
 spoke to me the other night, I recoiled from him. He was a 
 stranger to me, of course, yet I felt sure that I had met him some 
 where. I remember in that short conflict, hand to hand, before 
 I was taken prisoner, that I noticed the expression in the faces of 
 the men who were chopping at me with their sabres, and at first 
 I thought I had encountered him there. But I was mistaken. 
 They were all avowed enemies. But he, with his treacherous, 
 smooth face ; his black, bold eyes ; his sleek, black moustache, 
 waxed at the ends a la Napoleon JJJ, nicely fitting kid gloves, 
 and a tout ensemble indicative of cold-blooded badness, is totally 
 different from the men I met in the heat of battle. Moreover, 
 against these I harbour no thought of enmity, while towards this 
 man I feel positive dislike that would ripen into deadly hostility 
 if he were alive. 
 
 " For he is certainly dead. He fell five hundred feet, and en 
 countered a dozen deaths before he reached the base of the cliff. 
 The conductor told me there was not a spot on the line of his 
 road where so fatal a precipice as this could be found. It is an 
 old quarry, consisting of a succession of narrow ledges, beginning 
 at the river bank, and running across the face of the hill about 
 half way up. I expect to identify, or try to identify, his shattered 
 body to-morrow or the next day. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet is from the Hub of the Universe. My knowledge 
 of geography has been gathered from books that are no longer 
 trustworthy. I have had a vague idea that this city was slightly 
 larger and richer than any other American city, but this is a mis 
 take. Boston is larger every way. You cannot lose yourself 
 readily in New York, but in Boston you can get hopelessly lost, 
 by turning any corner you please. Mr. Skillet tells me a New 
 Yorker laid a wager that he could find his way unassisted from 
 the old State House to his hotel, the Tremont, I believe. Well, he 
 started, turning his back upon the State House, and after walking- 
 two days and nights, turning no corners, he found himself, on the 
 third day, facing the State House again. It is a great city.
 
 A LETTER. 69 
 
 Seriously, if you make allowance for this harmless vanity, Mr. 
 Skillet is one of the best men I have ever met. He affects a 
 certain roughness of manner, but he is kind and considerate. 
 He recommended the boarding-house to Miss Harding, and when 
 we arrived this morning (or rather yesterday morning, as I just 
 heard twelve sounded from a neighbouring steeple) he took us in 
 his carriage, which was waiting at the ferry, drove up to Camden 
 street where Mrs. Camp lives, and where Miss Harding is ; thence 
 to Delmonico's, where we had breakfast, and while we were dis 
 cussing that meal, he engaged me at a salary of eight hundred 
 dollars, and you will please address me as indicated by the card I 
 enclose. 
 
 "You will desire to know, Brother Tige, what my duties are, and 
 I will recount my conversation with Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " I'd like to know what business you have in liPYauk V he 
 began, over his second cup of coffee. 
 
 " My business, sir, is to look for business," I answered. 
 
 " Urn ! Ah !" he said. " What do you know ?" 
 
 " Latin and Greek and mathematics." 
 
 " Very fine things !" said Mr. Skillet, coolly. " But there ain't 
 no shop as I knows on, in N'Yauk, where they are specialties ; do 
 you know how to keep books, for instance f" 
 
 " Yes, sir j that is, I know the general principles of the science." 
 
 " And what will you do while you are learnin' how to apply 
 your principles ?" 
 
 " Any sort of work I can get. I intend to look for work, while 
 my money lasts, every day. I thought I would go into all the 
 offices in a certain street and ask for employment '' 
 
 " Got any references ?" said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 No yes ; I can refer to Judge Hammond." 
 
 " Does he live in N'Yauk F 
 
 " No, sir, in Lexington." 
 
 " Wa-al, people ain't got time to write to Lexington for refer 
 ences, and if they had, they don't know Judge Hammond from a 
 side of sole leather !" 
 
 " I never thought of references," said I, dismayed. 
 
 " I s'pose not ! Young men from Kentucky mostly don't think 
 of references ; but they du think N'Yauk was built for them, and 
 they have only to offer themselves on Broadway or Wall street to 
 make all the merchants and bankers cut one another's throats to 
 git the first chance at them P
 
 70 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " You don't encourage me much, sir," said I. 
 
 " I s'pose not ! That ain't in my line. I have a boy in my office 
 who gets three dollars a week ; he knows where the post-office is 
 where every bank in the city is where all my customers are. 
 He can't do any Latin or Greek or mathematics, but he can carry 
 a straight message and bring back a straight answer. Have 
 another chop f 
 
 " Thank you, no," I said, pushing my plate back. " I am glad 
 I had my breakfast before we began this business talk, as my 
 appetite would not have been so vigourous otherwise." 
 
 Mr. Skillet laughed uproariously. He seemed to think my dis 
 comfiture the best joke of the season. 
 
 " Sorter took the starch outen you ?" he said at last. " Wa-al, 
 it won't do you any harm. And now I'll offer an amendment. 
 S'pose you come into my office say for a month and see what 
 you can do f 
 
 " But I have no references," said I. 
 
 . " Oh wa-al, we'll write for 'em later. I'll give you let me see ! 
 say eight hundred dollars a year." 
 
 " I am very grateful, Mr. Skillet," I answered ; " I will serve 
 you as well as I can, and I don't want any salary until I learn to 
 be useful find out the location of banks and offices " 
 
 " All right, Mr. Gaston ; I'll git the amount of your salary out 
 of you, never fear." 
 
 " What will my duties be, sir ?" I asked, doubtfully. 
 
 "To du things I can't tell till the occasion arises. Eight 
 o'clock in the morniu' ; quit at five. Camp will put you through 
 a course of sprouts, I guess ! When '11 you begin f 
 
 " Immediately, if you will allow me." 
 
 " All right ! That's the grit !" He took out his pocket-book, 
 selected a card, and wrote on the back : 
 
 " Mr. Camp. Set Mr. Gaston to work. Get more margin from 
 Spriggins. Yours, T. S." 
 
 " There !" he said. " Go in and win ! You can't swear to a 
 man until you've summer'd him and winter'd him, but I guess 
 you'll du. Don't be skeart. Talk like thunder to people, and say 
 nauthin' all the time. Keep your mouth shet, as a general rule, 
 but when you must talk, don't let the other fellow find out any 
 thing you know. If I don't have to raise you to fifteen hundred a 
 year hence, I'm mistaken in you, that's all ! And now go 'bout 
 your business, please! Tell Camp to send my letters to the 
 heouse !"
 
 AT WORK 71 
 
 " That is all, Brother Tige. I have been working all day, and 
 have become acquainted with multitudes of 'ropes' about the 
 office. Chiefly, my work will consist of examinations of accounts, 
 and I have learned numberless technicalities already. Mr. Camp 
 is splendid ! But I will reserve him for my next letter, only say 
 ing, that he was kind as possible, and when I asked his advice 
 about getting lodgings, he offered me this comfortable little hall 
 bedroom in his house, charging me three dollars a week. I get 
 my meals at restaurants, and feel wonderfully elated at my suc 
 cess. Thankful also, dear sister Nell ! 
 
 Your loving brother, . DAECY." 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 AT WORK. 
 
 ON the day following Helen's arrival in New York, Mr. Skillet 
 called at No. 96 Camden street, and asked for Miss Harding. 
 When she came into the little parlour she saw a well dressed, mid 
 dle aged gentleman, with blue eyes full of kindness, and an 
 expression of straightforward honesty that was reassuring. On 
 his part, he saw a tall, slender girl, in a plain black dress, rather 
 pretty, and if her sad, grey eyes could be lighted up with smiles, 
 he thought she would " make any young fellow's heart bounce." 
 But instead of smiles she wore a careworn expression, modified by 
 an air of resignation, or rather unmurmuring submission, that had 
 grown habitual through dismal experiences. 
 
 11 Fine morning cold ! " said Mr. Skillet, when Helen was 
 seated. 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Have you been out to-day ?" 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " Ah ! wa-al. You hadn't ought to set about the heouse. You 
 might walk down two blocks, and git in the cars. It'll do you 
 good." 
 
 " I don't know the city," said Helen. 
 
 " Wa-al, you'll never learn while you set in the heouse. I've 
 been to the depot." 
 
 "Yes, sir."
 
 72 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " There's nauthin' there. No baggage. They want checks. I 
 s'pose we can make 'em show their hands, by law. Could you tell 
 me the color of the trunk?" 
 
 " I could not, sir." 
 
 "There is nauthin' from the road, neither," continued Mr. 
 Skillet. " No body found, nor nauthin'. The superintendent says 
 there never will be any body found !" 
 
 Helen was silent. Mr. Skillet looked puzzled. 
 
 " You see, Miss Harding," he observed, after a little pause, " I 
 hardly know how to talk to you on this subject. I've forgot what 
 relation you said he was." 
 
 " I did not say anything about it, sir," replied Helen. 
 
 " Exactly !" said Mr. Skillet, not the least disconcerted ; " the 
 Herald has a pooty fair account of the accident, and says the 
 gentleman was named Mr. Eupert Grey." 
 
 " Mr. Eupert Grey," repeated Helen. 
 
 " Ya-as. It says he was connected with some good family in 
 N'Yauk, but had no family of his own." 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " It seems to me," continued Mr. Skillet, " that you take the 
 matter considerable cool. I was down to Alexandria a while 
 back, and I seed a young woman there, who had travelled from 
 Maine just to git a body. It was her husband, she said, and she 
 was about as cool as you, and when I seed her, she was a quar 
 relling with the railroad men about the freight on her body." 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " She wan't quite sure of the body, she said, kind o' confidential 
 like, to me, as it hadn't any head ; but she took it. He didn't fall 
 over a bank, neither, but had got killed in a battle. He was a 
 kind o' third leftenant, or suthin'. Anyway, she got a Gov'ment 
 pass for her body, and took it to Maine. I've thought since, she 
 was considerable cool." 
 
 " Mr. Skillet," said Helen, " I don't want Mr. Grey's body, if he 
 is really killed " 
 
 "Killed!" said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Yes. I am not sure he was killed. But, dead or alive, I hope 
 and pray that I may never see him again ! I cannot tell you any 
 more, because I do not know that he is dead. If his body is found 
 and identified, I will tell you all my reasons. You have been so 
 kind to me " 
 
 " It's no consequence," said Mr. Skillet, starting up. " I see
 
 AT WORK. 13 
 
 that s'uthin's wrong. Sorry I asked you. What do you pro 
 pose P 
 
 " Propose P 
 
 " Ya-as. What do you intend to do P 
 
 " Oh ! I want to earn my living. I want to find work. I can 
 teach ; I can sew. Can't I get work in this great city P 
 
 " Work teach sew ? They do sewing by machinery now." 
 
 " Yes, sir. Can I find work'of that kind V ' 
 
 " Certainly. I know a place now. Do you understand all about 
 machines P 
 
 -"Yes, sir." 
 
 " Wa-al ! I'll go with you when you are ready. There is a 
 man on Broadway who makes hoop skirts by hullsale. He has 
 forty girls sewing in the top lofts, and they make as much clatter 
 as a iron mill. Should you like to try him"?" 
 
 " Oh ! Mr. Skillet, if you will only get me such work as that, I 
 would never forget your kindness. I am ready to go when you 
 please." 
 
 " Git your hat," said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet," said Helen, as they walked down Broadway, " I 
 have brought my pocket-book with me ; I have a little money, 
 and I wish to pay Mr. Gaston some little expenses. Please take 
 my pocket-book and settle the account." 
 
 " It's all right," answered Mr. Skillet, " I'll fix it with Gaston. 
 It's no consequence. Young gentlemen always pay these little 
 matters." 
 
 " But it is not all right," persisted Helen, pressing the book 
 into his reluctant hand ; " I am very uncomfortable about it. I 
 don't know why I did not pay at the time." 
 
 " Wa-al, that's the true grit. Take back your money. I'll pay 
 him, and you shall pay me rto-morrow. Did you know Mr. 
 Gaston out yonder," and he pointed westward, vaguely. "I 
 mean, had you seen him before you met on the cars?" 
 
 " No, sir ; I never saw him until he sat down by me that night." 
 
 " Oh, wa-al. I thought mebbe you could tell me suthiu' about 
 his people." 
 
 " They are all free now, sir." 
 
 "Free?" 
 
 " Yes, sir. He had a great many before the war." 
 
 " You mean his slaves ! I was talkin' about his kin." 
 
 " Oh ! they are the best people in Kentucky."
 
 74 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Indeed ! I thought you said you did not know him." 
 
 " I had never met him, sir. I know his brother, and his bro 
 ther's wife. All the Gastons are good." 
 
 " Including Dassy ?" said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Darcy. Darcy Euthven Gaston. He was named for the best 
 and noblest man that ever lived .!" and the tears, so long re 
 pressed, gushed from her eyes. 
 
 " Dear me !" said Mr. Skillet, thoroughly miserable, " I've gone 
 and put my clumsy foot into it agin ! Never mind. It's no con 
 sequence. Here we are! Now we have seventy-two steps to 
 climb. Take your time." 
 
 Mr. Tilter was in his office five floors above the street. He 
 was a little, bald headed man in spectacles. He wrote with a 
 quill pen, and carried it in his mouth constantly, when he was not 
 writing. 
 
 "Mornin'!" said Mr. Skillet, panting. "Them steps will be 
 the death o' me, Tilter. This young lady wants a job ; she knows 
 all about them clatterin' machines. Great Ca3sar ! how they do 
 clatter !" 
 
 " Much obliged, Mr. Skillet," answered Mr. Tilter, with the im 
 pediment in his speech. " We can find the work. Wages ? Eight 
 dollars a Aveek. Eight to six. One hour to dinner. Satisfac 
 tory f ' 
 
 Helen bowed her head. 
 
 " All right then ; call this half a day. Mr. Donis !" 
 
 Mr. Donis appeared. He was a young man, with flaxen hair 
 and moustache, gorgeously attired. 
 
 " Mr. Donis," continued Mr. Tilter, pointing to Helen, "a new 
 hand. Understands the Singers. Show her in. Begins now. 
 Call this half a day. Eight dollars." 
 
 " Yessir, " said Mr. Donis. " This way, please." 
 
 Helen shook hands with Mr. Skillet, and followed the stunning 
 youth. 
 
 " Tilter, you old miser !" said Mr. Skillet, when they were alone, 
 " eight dollars is not enough." 
 
 " Eegular wages, Mr. Skillet ! Let's see what the young woman 
 can do first. If she gets along well, we'll give her a rise." 
 
 " Ten hours a day, you old reprobate !" said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Only nine. One hour to dinner, you know." 
 
 "Wa'al! its no consequence. That's a slick lookiu' fellow 
 you've got for a boss."
 
 AT WORK. 75 
 
 "Donis? Yes. Pooty smart. Takes watching though. I 
 think he likes to crook his elbow too much." 
 
 While Mr. Skillet retraced the seventy-two steps, Mr. Donis 
 led Helen into the work room. One hundred feet by twenty-five ; 
 excepting the little office at the head of the stairs. The roar of 
 twenty sewing machines, drowning out all other sounds. Twen 
 ty girls bending over the machines. Two others over a silent 
 machine, with some complicated appliances. Mr. Donis motioned 
 Helen to join these two. 
 
 "Can you see the difficulty F roared Mr. Donis in Helen's 
 ear. 
 
 She took the chair vacated by one of the girls, and tried the 
 tension, rearranged some minor parts of the machinery, and then 
 taking up the muslin, passed it rapidly through, sewing per 
 fectly. 
 
 " Ah !" said Mr. Donis. " It's the new fangled feller ! All right, 
 you'll do !" 
 
 Helen worked away without reply, and he nudged her elbow. 
 
 " I say !" he continued, " if you can manage the fellers, you are 
 all right you know ! he ! he !" 
 
 Helen looked at him in mute amazement, while he twisted his 
 watch-key, smiling graciously. 
 
 "You had better keep this machine," he resumed; "number 
 eleven. If you can teach one or two of these other girls Here, 
 Jane ! This young lady beg pardon ! I did not catch your name 
 to put in the books you know." 
 
 " Harding," said Helen, coldly. 
 
 " First name, please ?" 
 
 "Mary; but I am called Miss Harding, usually. 
 
 " Oh ! all right. Jane, Miss Harding will show you how to 
 manage the fellers. He ! he ! When you are aw fay, you can take 
 another machine ;" and he swaggered grandly out of the work 
 room. 
 
 " Dang'd pooty gal !" he muttered, " but shy as a kitten in 
 a strange garret! Must git her sociable. She'll come out all 
 right." 
 
 At the same moment, Mr. Skillet, striding up Broadway, was 
 meditating about Mr. Donis. And his thoughts ran thus : 
 
 " That simperin' young jackass will put his foot into it before 
 the week is eout ! He'll say s'uthin' sassy to the gal and she'll 
 put a mansard onto him quicker 'an litenin'!"
 
 76 . FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 ME. SKILLET turned out of Broadway and walked briskly up 
 Fifth avenue. Arrived at a corner house, brown stone front, 
 he rang the bell, and, inquiring for Miss Norman, was admitted. 
 Miss Norman would be down immediately. Would Mr. Skillet 
 take a seat in the drawing-room ? While he waited, he tried to 
 remember what the sallow child he had known slightly several 
 years ago looked like. And when Nina appeared at last, he found 
 that she had entirely grown out of his memory. He must begin 
 the acquaintance anew. 
 
 She was a slight girl, with brown hair and eyes, a healthy com 
 plexion, and an air of resolution in face and manner that modified 
 the fragile suggestion of her slender form. Her black dress and 
 quiet manner were set in opposition to the determined expression 
 of a woman with a set purpose, and Mr. Skillet found himself in 
 voluntarily preparing to combat resolutions that might prove 
 unwise or impracticable. He had been frequently consulted by 
 Nina's grandmother, in' matters relating to money investments, 
 and the girl remembered that the old lady had always spoken of 
 him as thoroughly honest and thoroughly sharp-witted. 
 
 " I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Skillet," said Nina, seat 
 ing herself by his side, " for answering nay invitation - " 
 
 " Ya-as !" said Mr. Skillet. " I was eout in Chicago, and only 
 got back yesterday. I found your note last night." 
 
 " I knew grandmother always consulted you, and I was anxious 
 to get your advice and help, perhaps in the settlement of the 
 estate." 
 
 "Oh! Ah! Ya-as!" said Mr. Skillet. "But you will have to 
 git a lawyer to fix property things." 
 
 " No ; I don't want any lawyer in this matter," answered Nina, 
 " there is no will, and the property will be divided between my 
 sister and me. I want certain pieces of property, which I will de 
 scribe to you, and I very much desire to have them apportioned 
 to me in the settlement." 
 
 " Oh, wa-al ! There's no difficulty about that. You just git the 
 hull property appraised, and then you can take turn about in 
 choosiu'." 
 
 " I thought," said Nina, after a momentary hesitation, " that
 
 NINA. 77 
 
 it would be more equitable to put up the separate properties at a 
 kind of auction, and let us two bid ; you know, I might fancy a 
 certain piece of land that my sister would choose, if we had equal 
 opportunities. But if the auction method is adopted, she who 
 will pay the most can take it.^ 
 
 " Ezackly !" said Mr. Skillet. " I see. I see. Now, do you 
 happen to know all the property ?" 
 
 " No, sir 5 I only know there is one large parcel that I must 
 have." 
 
 " Must have V 
 
 "Yes," said Nina; "it is very probable that Mary or Mr. 
 Bragdon would also prefer that special property. I am quite will 
 ing to pay, out of my portion of the estate, something more than 
 they will be willing to pay." 
 
 Mr. Skillet mused. Was the girl going to speculate in corner 
 lots? 
 
 " S'pose you make a list of the property you mean the real 
 estate, of course and let me investigate a little ?" 
 
 " Well, sir, when will you have the list ?" 
 
 " To-morrow. I will send my clerk to see you." 
 
 " Let him ask for me, please ; what is his name ?" 
 
 " Dassy," said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Dassy I Very well. I will see Mr. Dassy to-morrow say at 
 eleven o'clock." 
 
 " Not Dassy neither 1" said Mr. Skillet. " What a blunderin 7 
 old cuss I am, to be sure! Dassy is his given name Mr. Gastou, 
 I had ought to have said." 
 
 " Gaston. I will remember." 
 
 " You had better tell him jest what you want ; he is true as 
 steel, and close mouthed, and smart as a trap. I haven't sum 
 mered him and wintered him yet, but I guess he'll do. I picked 
 him up on the train t'other night. Oh ! wa'nt Grey a relation of 
 yourn ?" 
 
 "Yes!" said Nina, startled. "What of him! Tell me in- 
 stantly !" 
 
 " Oh, it's no consequence !" said Mr. Skillet, alarmed by Nina's 
 vehement manner. " Dassy knows ; you can put him through to 
 morrow. There was some story about his gittin' hurted some 
 where out West ; don't know the particulars, for certain Dassy 
 can tell you. Bless my heart ! Twelve o'clock ! Gold room 
 closes at three. Good mornin' ! I'll send Dassy eleven, prompt."
 
 78 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet !" said Nina, catching his arm as he rose. " You 
 must tell me about Mr. Grey ; did you see him out West T 
 
 No." 
 
 <4 Did Mr. Gaston see him ?" 
 
 " Oh, ya-as ; certainly." 
 
 " Catft you tell me anything about him ; where he is, or what 
 he is doing ?" 
 
 " Them's the very p'ints I'm not posted on," answered Mr. Skil 
 let. " I'd give a new hundred dollar greenback this minnit if I 
 could git that information. It's no consequence ! Better see what 
 you can git out of Dassy good morniu'." 
 
 While Mr. Skillet jolted down the avenue, in the omnibus, he 
 arranged his plans. 
 
 " I must caution the boy to keep his eyes skun, and his jaws 
 shet," thought he. " Bless my heart ! The gal is sharp as litenin' ! 
 Now, it's a fair tussle between 'em, and I've a mind to let the 
 young whelp tackle her without any warnin' no harm to find out 
 what he thinks, though. Seems to me that Mr. Grey was pooty 
 much of a devil !" 
 
 Mr. Darcy Gaston was at his desk, immersed in debits and 
 credits, and interest calculations, and charges for commission on 
 purchases and sales. It was a long account of " gold operations," 
 in which a highly respectable and substantial firm on Broadway 
 had been " gambolling," as Mr. Skillet expressed it, for six months. 
 This firm had suddenly discovered that it was not profitable, and 
 Darcy was preparing the account for settlement. It was excellent 
 discipline for him, but abominably perplexing. Mr. Camp, head 
 bookkeeper, was at another desk, furtively writing poetry. It was 
 the one amiable weakness, the solitary foil that served to set off 
 the brightness of Mr. Camp's character. It is only just to add, 
 that Mr. Camp always tore up the poetry into small fragments, 
 and scattered it to the waste-basket. In most cases there were 
 only three lines and a half, as Mr. Camp had a chronic impedi 
 ment in rhyme or rhythm, which always forbade the completion of 
 the fourth. In accordance with the invariable law of incongru 
 ities, under whose inexorable sway poets generally live, Mr. 
 Camp was always unhappy in his selection of subjects, and more 
 unhappy in his treatment of the subjects when selected. At 
 present he had plagiarized the opening sentence, " Hail, gentle 
 Spring," and had added from the recesses of his own imagination, 
 whose balmy breath." The stumbling block that corrugated
 
 NINA. 79 
 
 his brow, was his inability to think of any other rhyming word 
 than " death," which was objectionable, as he intended his poem 
 to be cheerful, and suggestive of sweet repose in some rural 
 paradise, which he usually kept in his mind's eye. 
 
 Your city man who deals in figures from morn to dewy eve 
 always does have a rural paradise in his mind's eye. If he can 
 get holiday at midsummer, for ten days or less, he seeks some 
 leafy covert, and is always discomfited to find gnats and flies 
 there before him. It is always hot in the shade too, and one can 
 not get ice water in the country. The roads are always dusty, 
 except when it rains, and then they are quagmires. There are 
 pigs and cows in the country, and they have no " realizing sense" 
 of the importance of city people. So when the holiday is over, 
 the city man heaves a sigh of relief, and flies back to counter or 
 counting-room. There are arrears of work to get up. There are 
 odours that differ from those of the country. So he dreams eleven 
 months and two-thirds of some other rural paradise, where there 
 shall be no cows or pigs, and next summer he disenchants himself 
 again. 
 
 " Mr. Camp," said Darcy, looking up from his work, "when will 
 you want this account P 
 
 " Any time to-day will do," replied the bookkeeper, gently ; " do 
 you find a hitch anywhere ? Ask me without hesitation whenever 
 you are stumped." 
 
 " Thank you," said Darcy, " it is only this horrid interest." 
 
 " Dear me," said Mr. Camp, looking over Darcy's shoulder j 
 " you have not been calculating all that interest, surely F 
 
 " Certainly." 
 
 " Why, my dear sir, here are the tables. Any sum at five, six 
 and seven per cent, for any length of time. Nobody dreams of 
 calculating interest at this day. It's all done by machinery. You 
 have only to find the sum, then the days, and here you have it to 
 a fraction. 
 
 " Hail, gentle Spring, whose balmy breath 
 
 " That is never mind." 
 
 " No use to be hailing gentle spring," muttered Darcy, " with 
 the thermometer at zero. Here comes Mr. Skillet." 
 
 Mr. Camp tore up gentle spring, and dived into a big ledger. 
 Mr. Skillet passed into the back office, and divesting himself of 
 hat and overcoat, called out : 
 
 " Gaston ! Won't you come in here, please !"
 
 80 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Got a nice job for you," he said, rubbing his hands together. 
 " You must go up Fifth Av'uoo to-morrow. Eleven A. M. Miss 
 Norman. Stop! I'll write the address. There! I told her you 
 would call at eleven to-morrow. How much does Miss Harding 
 owe you f She offered me her pocket-book, and I said I'd settle 
 with you. She's got a situation." 
 " A situation?" said Darcy, aghast. 
 
 tl Ya-as. She's dyin' for work. Means to earn her livin', she 
 says. I found her a place in a sowin' shop. Eight dollars a 
 week. 'Taint much, but she is mighty glad to git it. Look here 1 
 You must be shady about that Grey man. S'uthiu' wrong about 
 him. It's no consequence. But I mean to find out what in 
 thunder it is !" 
 
 " Grej man ? something wrong ? I don't understand, Mr. 
 Skillet," 
 
 " No, I s'pose not. I don't understand myself. But she flew 
 at me when I said he hadn't been found. You saw the Herald 
 to-day?" 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " Oh ! Wa-al, nobody has found any corpse or anything. He 
 slid over the bluff, or else that brakesman was lyin', and there 
 had ought to be some bones or s'uthin' found below. But there is 
 nauthin." 
 
 "You are speaking of the man who was lost on the railway," 
 said Darcy ; " does the paper tell of any search for him F 
 
 " Certainly. Here is the Herald. Better read it for yourself. 
 But about Miss Norman. She wants to do s'uthin' about property 
 more law than finance. She hadn't ought to bother me with it. 
 What the dickens have we to do with law F 
 
 " I am a law student, Mr. Skillet. Perhaps I know enough to 
 do what you require. What is the point F 
 
 " Ah ! there's the rub ! I don't know exactly. She wants to 
 secure certain parts of an undivided estate. So ! You know law, 
 do you ? Wa-al, it's no consequence. I guess she has a lawyer 
 already. Jest you go up there, and see what it is. You had 
 better be shady there, too. What do you think of that sliding 
 down hill ? I mean out on the railroad. Kead the Herald. Fifth 
 page second column." 
 
 Darcy rapidly ran through the article. It was a tolerably ac 
 curate account of the accident, and concluded with the announce 
 ment that Mr. Kupert Grey was connected with some of " our first 
 families."
 
 THE MEETING OF THE WORTHIES. 81 
 
 u Mr. Rupert Grey," said Darcy, as he laid the paper aside. 
 " I'll remember." 
 
 " Remember what ?" said Mr. Skillet, curiously. 
 
 " Eemember to avoid the mention of his name," answered 
 Darcy, slowly. " That is what you said." 
 
 "He was a nice man," said Mr. Skillet, "connected with first 
 families. A great loss if he is dead, hey f " 
 
 " I don't know, sir," replied Darcy, bewildered; " if lie is dead, 
 let him rest. But the constant thought in my mind is, that he is 
 alive, watchful, and devilish." 
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 THE MEETING OF THE WOBTHIES. 
 
 WHEN Dutchy alighted from the train, he stood a few min 
 utes, watching the lights on the rear platform, that looked 
 like two red eyes glaring at him, and threatening vengeance for 
 his last crime. If the man had been of finer sensibilities, he 
 would have felt the influence of the dismal portent. But he was 
 not troubled with childish superstitions. 
 
 " Cuss his hide!" he said, savagely, " I did not knock him half 
 hard enough. Wish I had him out here ! How it snows ! About 
 two miles from Scrabbletown. I'll walk back to the shanty. It's 
 a mile, cuss him !" 
 
 As he plowed his way through the accumulating snow, Dutchy 
 meditated. Man's inhumanity to man, was the thing that made 
 this angel mourn. The fierce assault of the lieutenant, with no 
 provocation on his part, hurt his feelings. He endeavoured to ac 
 count for it, upon some rational grounds, in vain. Zeal for the 
 public service did not enter into Dutchy's estimates of motives. 
 There was no sufficient cause for the officer's harsh manner. 
 Dutchy had been insubordinate in camp, and had exhausted the 
 penalty. So that account was balanced. 
 
 " It was pure cussedness !" he thought ; " he had no call to 
 rear on me. S'pose I did desert I it didn't cost him nothing. Arid 
 here 'I was earnin' my livin' honest and square, and he had to 
 turn up and blow ! cuss him !" 
 
 The shanty was a rude structure near the track, built of rough 
 
 6
 
 82 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 boards, to shelter the workmen who had been repairing the 
 bridge spanning a ravine near by. There was a little stove here^ 
 and plenty of fuel. Dutchy collected some splinters and soon had 
 a glowing fire. While he smoked, squatted down before the stove, 
 he concocted various schemes for the future. 
 
 " Must git out of this ; nothin' to do but git tip and git. He 
 will come stompin' down the road to-morrow, with a file o' men 
 on the hunt o' me. He's got a blessed sore head, I'm thinkin' too, 
 but that will only make him madder. Can't go to Scrabbletown, 
 not much ! Can't go anywheres on this line. Must cut across 
 country. Will start by daylight." 
 
 He stretched himself out on the floor, when his pipe was 
 finished, and fell asleep. He dreamed the lieutenant was coming 
 after him by rail, followed by a brigade of soldiers, and he heard 
 the roar of the train as it approached. Then, wakened by the 
 noise, he pushed the door ajar, and, sure enough, a train was pass 
 ing the shanty, going East. He watched it passing down the 
 line, and saw it stop, less than a mile below the shanty. Looking 
 for him, doubtless ! His fire had gone out, and he dared not re 
 kindle it. Nothing to do at present but watch the train. 
 
 How long he watched he could not tell, but after a time he saw 
 a light moving towards him. Some one coming back from the 
 train. Ah ! they knew the shanty was there, and were coming 
 for him ! As he pushed the door open he was surprised to see the 
 depth of the snow. It had increased a foot since he fell asleep. 
 But there was a snow shovel on the engine and the track was 
 comparatively free. Leaving the shelter he darted upon the track 
 and raced away, looking back once and again at the red light, 
 which gradually fell behind. They were not gaining on him. 
 
 Half a mile from the shanty the ground fell away, and Dutchy 
 remembered that the track passed over high ground, a little fur 
 ther on. He turned off, plunging through the deep snow, and at 
 last stopped, panting, under the shelter of the cliff, far below the 
 iron road. Here was present safety. 
 
 He was greatly demoralized. The snow swept by him in gusts, 
 sometimes being caught up from the ground near him, and some 
 times coming down the face of the rock in fine powder. In exposed 
 places the earth was bare for a few short minutes, and then, as the 
 wind came roaring round the crag, bearing great clouds of flakes, 
 a miniature drift would pile up, growing into a little mountain, to 
 be levelled and blown away by the next blast. Just below his
 
 THE MEETING OF THE WORTHIES. 83 
 
 shelter, tbe river ran by, tossing ice islands upon its bosom, or 
 wrecking them on the rough bank. Watching the current, and 
 wishing for an ice-floe large enough to bear his weight, Dutchy 
 suddenly remembered that he had noticed a boat hauled up on 
 the shore near the shanty. If he could get that boat and push 
 off, he might manage to float or paddle across to the other side. 
 It was a terra incognita to him, but it would be out of the line of 
 the present pursuit. 
 
 But that lieutenant would scour the whole country ! He was 
 passably mad before Dutchy struck him, and he had always been 
 vindictive and morose. Guard-house and log babies would be 
 nothing in comparison with the new torments the officer would 
 invent if he caught him. And if he got away at last, there would 
 still remain the "civil" process. Would he never know peace 
 again? Cops and sogers! Would the world never get rid of 
 these pests ? 
 
 Perhaps he was threatened with that stevedore Nemesis ! Sup 
 pose the soldiers had tracked him from the old camp, through 
 Pennsylvania into New York and finally to the pier where he had 
 made his latest "financial arrangement 1 ?" Suppose, by some 
 fiendish ingenuity, the two forces, civil and military, should be 
 brought to bear against him at once *? He might escape the for 
 mer by crossing State lines. But the army regarded no lines, 
 and Dutchy was filled with the common conviction among soldiers, 
 that officers were above all law and absolute in authority. 
 
 " The cussed little whelp could hang me up, and no questions 
 axed !" he murmured, " and if he wanted law, he could git that 
 stevedore to swear my life away ! I wish there wasn't no law, no 
 leftenants, no stevedores ! Hollo ! what's that 1" 
 
 The red lantern swinging to and fro, as the man who carried it 
 crunched over the snow. Another man with him. Both up on 
 the hill top on the railway level. They are moving slowly and 
 cautiously ; must lie close up against the rock, lest they should 
 look over and see the blot his body made on the white snow. 
 
 Looking for him ? of course. What else would stop the train 
 out there. No station within a dozen miles. 
 
 He crawled along cautiously, hidden by the rock, but in a lull 
 of the wind he heard their voices distinctly, and holding his 
 breath, he listened. 
 
 "The snow blinds me," said one, " and your lantern makes it 
 worse. I can scarcely tell whether I am on the track or no."
 
 84 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 11 Keep a sharp lookout, sir f replied the other, this is a nar 
 row cut. Once apast High bend, we can see the train. They'll 
 wait for us, he ! he !" 
 
 " Where is High bend F said the first speaker. 
 
 " Eight here. Kock runs straight down to the river. Fine view 
 in summer time. Keep close, sir ! Track runs close to the edge." 
 
 They were overhead now. Dutchy crouched down in the snow 
 at the very base of the cliff. 
 
 " I believe I see the river, and ah! Help !" 
 
 The snow had piled itself in great drifts against the face of the 
 rock, resting on ledges that traversed the surface in horizontal 
 lines, from the river bank to the summit. The masses of snow 
 overhung the narrow pathway where Dutchy crouched, and with 
 the cry came the rustling sound of the avalanche, as it slipped 
 from ledge to ledge ; then a ton weight of snow, rushing over and 
 around him, striking him down, and burying him in an instant. 
 If he had not been resting upon a drift, two or three feet deep, 
 which gave way as he fell, he would have been killed outright. 
 Then came a solid mass, crushing through the snow that covered 
 him, and flattening him out with the weight and shock. And 
 while he debated in his mind the question as to whether he were 
 killed or no, this solid mass seemed to rear up, and Dutchy 
 shouted out in terror. Then a pair of gloved hands came out of 
 the mass, grappling him by the shoulder and throat, and Dutchy 
 rolled over, dragging the new comer out of the debris with him. 
 The soft hands still clutched him with the tenacity of death. 
 
 "Lem'me go!" murmured Dutchy, half strangled. "Lem'me 
 go, cuss you ! I surrender ! Got nary knife, nary pistol. Who 
 would guess that a cussed cop would come for a feller over the 
 rock !" 
 
 The stranger released the terrified rascal, and stood apart, 
 coolly surveying him. 
 
 " Air you goin' back to the train ?" said Dutchy. 
 
 " We will consider the point," replied the other ; " what have 
 you been up to ?" 
 
 " Guess you know well enough," said Dutchy ; " what do you 
 want me for F 
 
 " Ah ! one never knows ! Here ! brush the snow from my coat. 
 Are you cold f 
 
 " Freezin' !" 
 
 " Well, take a drop of this. Stop, I'll take a taste myself first.
 
 THE MEETING OF THE WORTHIES. 85 
 
 Excuse me !" and he put the flask to his mouth and indulged in a 
 long swallow. "There! you may have the rest; plenty left to 
 warm you." 
 
 " You ain't nary cop !" said Dutchy, as he returned the empty 
 flask. " Cops don't give away that sort o' stun you're a cappen P 
 
 " Well f ' 
 
 11 And the leftenant sot you on, cuss him P 
 
 The stranger meditated. He was shaken and bruised by his 
 tumble, and had escaped instant death only because the snow 
 drifts had broken his fall from ledge to ledge, and because he had 
 fallen upon Dutchy at the bottom. The last words of Dutchy 
 recalled some story he had heard at Scrabbletown, of a dead officer 
 whose body then lay in a side room in the station. It would do no 
 harm to connect Dutchy with his death, tentatively. 
 
 " The lieutenant will not bother you any more," he said j " he is 
 lying cold and quiet at Scrabbletown." 
 
 " What killed him I" said Dutchy, huskily. 
 
 11 You mean who killed him. Well, nobody knows. What is 
 your opinion ?" 
 
 " I don't know nothin' about it. What did he say f 
 
 "He did not indulge in any conversation after the accident. 
 Come ! I am not a cop j I am not an officer. I shall not interfere 
 with you. How did you do it and why ?" 
 
 " I don't know nothin' about it," repeated Dutchy. " What air 
 you goin' to do ? We can't stand here shiverin' all night." 
 
 " I am a stranger in this part of the country," replied the other, 
 after a short pause ; " we need shelter and warmth at present. 
 Where can we go f 
 
 " Is anybody lookin' for me, or anybody, on the train *?" 
 
 " So." 
 
 " Well, there's a shanty half a mile off with a stove in it ; I work 
 on this road. I cau make a fire, and we can get thawed." 
 
 " And afterwards?" 
 
 " I dunno !" replied Dutchy, irresolutely. 
 
 " Let us go to the shanty first," said Mr. Grey ; " I have a plan 
 half formed. I will develope it as we smoke. Come on ! I feel 
 pretty stiff after that slide ! It seems to me that I fell on your 
 carcase ?" 
 
 "Mashed the life out'en me!" growled Dutchy. "What did 
 you choke me for, after mashiii' me fust f ' 
 
 " I did not know that I had reached bottom," said Grey, apolo-
 
 86 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 getically. "Excuse me! I only caught at the first thing my 
 hands touched. It was quite providential that you were reposing 
 just there ! Only think of it ! A foot distant on either side, and 
 you would not now be enjoying this conversation ! Nor I, either." 
 
 " Well ! you're a cool one, you air !" said Dutchy. 
 
 " Quite cool j indeed, rather too cool for comfort. How far off 
 is that infernal shanty f" 
 
 "Jist round the bend. Don't you want to catch your train 
 agin ?" 
 
 " I believe not. We'll think about it. I have a scheme ; wait 
 until we get fire. Any sleeping accommodations at your shanty ?" 
 
 " A fust rate floor !" said Dutchy, with a grin. " Never mind ! 
 There's plenty o' blocks around. We can set up awhile. I've got 
 my pipe." 
 
 " Pipe !" answered Grey, disdainfully. " Partagas, my friend ! 
 If you have never indulged in that weed, prepare yourself for a 
 surprise ! Ah ! this is the shanty, is it ? Accommodations some 
 what limited. Walk in !" 
 
 CHAPTER XVHI. 
 DAKCY'S FIRST VISIT. 
 
 NINA NOEMAN knew Mr. Skillet's punctuality, and when 
 Darcy sent his card in she was waiting in the drawing 
 room. Darcy was a thoroughbred, and his demeanour was perfec 
 tion. This was the first thought that shot through Nina's mind 
 when he bowed and took the seat she indicated. He waited a 
 few minutes for her to begin the conversation, and as she main 
 tained silence, he was forced to take the initiative. 
 
 "I am instructed by Mr. Skillet to receive your commands, 
 Madam," he began. 
 
 ""Yes, sir. Mr. Skillet said he would send a gentleman this 
 morning. Did he tell you the nature of the business f ' 
 
 " He told me nothing, except " and Darcy paused, remem 
 bering Mr. Skillet's exact words. 
 
 " Except," said Nina. 
 
 " Except some cautionary suggestion, that was purely personal." 
 Nina looked surprised, and a slight color appeared on her cheeks
 
 DARCTS FIRST VISIT. 87 
 
 and forehead. " Mr. Skillet perplexes me sometimes," continued 
 Darcy, " as I am not yet familiar with his idioms. ' But the sum 
 of his caution, as I understood him, was, that I should be dis 
 creet ' 
 
 " Have you any objection strong enough to prevent your telling 
 me his exact language P said Nina ; u because I understand him 
 perfectly well." 
 
 " He said," replied Darcy, slowly, " that I was coming to see a 
 lady of no ordinary sharpness pardon me, but I am giving his 
 own words and therefore it would be advisable to to " 
 
 " I am all attention, sir," said Nina, mercilessly. 
 
 " Keep my eyes open and my mouth shet !" blurted out Darcy, 
 " which lam doing with a vengeance ! Really, Miss Norman, you 
 have forced me to say exactly the wrong thing !" 
 
 Nina laughed. Darcy had unconsciously imitated Mr. Skillet's 
 voice and manner, and had extorted the first laugh from Nina 
 since her grandmother's death. 
 
 " There is no need for extraordinary caution, Mr. ," and she 
 
 glanced at the card which lay on the table, " Mr. Gastou. Darcy 
 Euthven Gaston ! Is it possible that this is your name P 
 
 " Yes, Madam," answered Darcy, astonished at her excitement. 
 
 " Darcy Euthven !" she continued ; u surely this is an uncom 
 mon name. Are you a native of this State P 
 
 " I am from Kentucky," replied Darcy, with a certain intona 
 tion, which meant, being translated into English, " I do not take 
 on any airs on that account, however." 
 
 " Kentucky !" echoed Nina, " and your kindred are named 
 Euthveu P 
 
 " No, Madam. Colonel Euthven was my father's law partner 
 and friend, and I am named for him." 
 
 " And not related P 
 
 " Not related," and Darcy suddenly remembered Mr. Skillet's 
 caution. Perhaps this very topic was one that he should avoid. 
 
 " And can you tell me anything about the Euthvens P said 
 Nina. 
 
 . " Very little. I saw Colonel Euthven only once since my boy 
 hood, and then I had no conversation with him." 
 
 " Where was it P said Nina, imperatively. 
 
 " In Kentucky, Madam;" 
 
 " Yes. So I suppose. What part of Kentucky f if you please." 
 
 " Near the Tennessee line. I ana not sure of the county."
 
 88 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 u What was he doing when you saw him ? Excuse me, but I 
 have particular reasons for all my questions. Do not answer any 
 that are improper." 
 
 u He was riding at the head of his regiment, and about to 
 attack a redoubt. I have not seen him since." 
 
 u Were you in the same regiment ?" persisted Nina. 
 
 " No. I was in the cavalry. I was taken prisoner half an hour 
 later, and though we won that fight, I was carried away in the 
 retreat." 
 
 Miss Norman had always cherished the conviction that rebels 
 were children of the devil. She was accustomed to think of them 
 as truculent savages in' red flannel shirts, long knives in their 
 belts, and bearded like the pard. There was in her inind a min 
 gled sentiment of horror and wonder when she reflected upon the 
 desperate stand they had maintained through four years of war 
 fare. And she looked at the smooth face of the youth before her 
 with an astonishment that she did not attempt to conceal. 
 
 * May I ask how it happens that you are free now ?" she said 
 after a short silence. " Excuse me, if I should not ask ; but I have 
 never seen a rebel before, and you do not look like my conception 
 of them." 
 
 Darcy laughed. Something like the reality of her conceptions 
 dawned upon his mind. 
 
 " I was sick, Madam," he answered, " and the doctor said I 
 would die in the prison. My brother obtained my release, upon 
 my promise to take up arms against the Government no more. I 
 was only eighteen, and when he bade me take the pledge, I was 
 forced to obey." 
 
 " Your brother ?" 
 
 " Yes. He is the head of my house, the representative of my 
 Father, and I could not disobey him. He is loyal, as you call it." 
 
 " And yet you entered the army with his consent "?" 
 
 u Oh, no 1 I ran away from college. He did not know I was in 
 the army until I wrote to him from prison. Pardon me ! But you 
 cannot be interested in such matters, and I am neglecting my 
 duties. How can I serve you, Madam F 
 
 " One more word, please," said Nina ; " what have you done 
 since your release !" 
 
 " Studied law." 
 
 Nina arose, and with a word of apology, left the room. She 
 returned in a few minutes, accompanied by Miss Abby Keith.
 
 DAECETS FIRST VISIT. 89 
 
 " My friend, Miss Keitli, Mr. Gaston," she said. "Take a seat, 
 Miss Abby. I have brought you down to introduce you to an 
 actual rebel. Mr. Gaston has been in arms against the Govern 
 ment!" 
 
 Miss Abby looked at the young stranger, her countenance 
 expressive of pious horror. 
 
 " Do not look aghast, Miss Keith," said Darcy ; " I was only a 
 short time a soldier, and did not kill anybody, though several fel 
 lows tried to kill me." 
 
 " I suppose," said Miss Abby, " that rebellion is a pardonable 
 sin. But there should be a very hearty repentance first." 
 
 " Well, I have not had time to do much repenting," answered 
 Darcy, stoutly. " But I have promised to rebel no more, and I 
 will keep my word." 
 
 " Rebellion," said Miss Abby, quoting Dragger feloniously, il is 
 a sin that is akin to witchcraft. Such is the testimony of Scripture. 
 But the gravamen of the offence consists less in its defiance of 
 Divine authority than in its contradiction of the civilization of 
 the nineteenth century. In this age, when humanity is emerging 
 from the tyranny of creeds and confessions, and when the mental 
 and moral development of the race is so rapidly progressing, a 
 warfare that is avowedly waged for the perpetuation of a bar 
 barous institution, is a high crime against humanity. No excuse 
 can palliate the turpitude of the crime. The age demands obe 
 dience to its sentiment. The crowning virtue of the age is Love j 
 and any organization, any institution, any code of morality, any 
 antiquity of custom that may be athwart the path of Love, must 
 perish beneath her chariot wheels. Her divine mission is to 
 elevate, to ennoble, to enfold in her comprehensive embrace all 
 the families of earth. And as age follows age, through the long 
 annals of time, she has gradually but steadily enlarged the borders 
 of her wide dominion. Not much longer will she tolerate the 
 existence of those who resist her gentle sway. The time is near 
 when the cultivated scholar, surrounded by all the appliances of 
 modern civilization, will spontaneously seek the companionship 
 of the bushman, because the cardinal principle of this heaven- 
 born affection is the essential equality of the race. It levels all 
 distinctions. And as we find the tokens of high sentiment in the 
 domestic animals around us, it may be that the approaching 
 Golden Age will dawn upon this sphere, when man ceases to 
 recoil from his nearest link in the great chain of development, 
 and with cheerful composure takes the gorilla to his bosom."
 
 90 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 11 1 had never thought of all that," answered Darcy, stunned. 
 
 " No," said Miss Abby ; " moral questions of that nature are 
 not often discussed in your latitude. Have you ever heard Mr. 
 Squizzein's lecture on the cultivation of the species f 
 
 " No, I never heard of Mr. Squizzem." 
 
 " Never heard of Mr. Squizzem ? Nina, my dear, he never 
 heard of Mr. Squizzem. Mr. Gaston, you can scarcely be abreast 
 of the age if you don't know Mr. Squizzem. It is conceded, I 
 believe, in all civilized countries, that Squizzem is the foremost 
 thinker of this century. Stay ! Here is Mrs. Bragdon's album ! 
 She has his photograph, of course. Ah ! yes. Look at that 
 countenance, Mr. Gaston, and tell me what you think." 
 
 Darcy studied the picture, with the direct purpose of estimating 
 the character of the original. A beardless face, surmounted by 
 a profusion of wavy hair, brushed backward, intellectually. A 
 prominent nose, something like that part of the sun-dial that casts 
 the shadow, and over all a thick layer of egregious conceit and 
 self-assertion. 
 
 " Well P said Miss Abby. 
 
 "He looks like he wrote verses," replied Darcy, doubtfully; 
 that is, he looks like he thinks he can." 
 
 " Would you not take him for the foremost man of his genera 
 tion?" said Miss Abby. 
 
 " I cannot say that I would. But 1 am sure he takes himself 
 in that way ; so it's no consequence, as Mr. Skillet says." 
 
 " I don't know whether you are serious or not, Mr. Gaston," said 
 Miss Abby ; " but you are the first gentleman I have met who 
 did not think Mr. Squizzem has a striking countenance." 
 
 "I think it is quite striking, Miss Keith. And I am sure he is 
 either an intellectual giant, or else" 
 
 " Or else what ! 
 
 " Or else very much mistaken." 
 
 Miss Abby closed the album with a snap, and Nina once more 
 indulged in a good healthy laugh. 
 
 " I will only say a word more, Mr. Gaston," observed Miss 
 Abby. "Laying aside all prejudice, please tell me your estimate 
 of the African mind." 
 
 " African mind ! Do you mean the American negro ?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I am hardly competent to judge," said Darcy, musingly. " My 
 life has been spent among these people, servants mostly, born in
 
 THE FOREMOST MAN OF THE AGE. 91 
 
 my father's house. Under tutelage and restraint, I think they 
 make the best peasantry on the face of the earth. But while they 
 have quick intuitions, I think they have none of the logical power 
 that belongs to the white race. I have never known one that 
 could apprehend the syllogism." 
 
 " And this mental condition is the result of generations of 
 bondage," said Miss Abby. 
 
 " Hardly," replied Darcy. " So far as known, the African in 
 his native land is no wiser than his descendants here. I foresee 
 that he is about to enter a new sphere, and I have none other 
 than kindly feelings for him, but I have not much hope for him." 
 
 Miss Abby was about to answer, when the door opened, and 
 admitted the original of the photograph. He shook hands im 
 pressively with the ladies, and was presented in due form to 
 Darcy. 
 
 " Mr. Gaston, Mr. Squizzern !" 
 
 CHAPTEE XIX. 
 
 THE FOKEMOST MAN OF THE AGE. 
 
 *' /"\H, Mr. Squizzem !" said Miss Keith, rapturously, "lam 
 \~s so glad you have come ! Mr. Gaston has just asserted 
 that the African mind is incapable of the apprehension of the 
 syllogism !" 
 
 " Indeed 1" said Mr. Squizzem, loftily ; " we must introduce Mr. 
 Gaston to Frederick Douglass." 
 
 "Who is Frederick Douglass 1 ?" said Darcy. 
 
 " Do you really not know P asked Mr. Squizzem, surveying 
 Darcy incredulously ; " well, Mr. Douglass is one of the foremost 
 men of this age ! With most acute perceptions of truth, and 
 with few opportunities for culture, he has attained the front rank 
 among the master-minds of this century. I look forward to the 
 time, in the near future, when he will occupy the Presidential 
 chair ! and I should be proud to be his Foreign Secretary." 
 
 " There are so many foremost men," observed Darcy, " that I 
 fear the standard is not very high. How large is the master 
 mind, for example ?" 
 
 Mr. Squizzem rested his elbow on the mantle and struck an at-
 
 92 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 titude. He expanded his manly bosom. He straightened out 
 his elongated legs and brought his right boot handsomely to the 
 front. This young man must be exterminated. 
 
 " Perhaps you have never heard my lecture on the l Euclid of 
 Mortality?' " he began. 
 
 " No. I have but recently arrived. That pleasure is in store 
 for me. The title is very striking." 
 
 "Iii that lecture," continued Mr. Squizzem, "I have endeavoured 
 to demonstrate, with mathematical accuracy, the falsity of the gen 
 eral idea of property. Ownership in anything that interferes 
 with the voluntary methods by which the human race finds hap 
 piness, is so near akin to robbery, that the differential points are 
 too infinitesimal for scrutiny." 
 
 " Pardon me !" said Darcy, " am I to understand that lands, 
 houses, moneys, inherited by legitimate children, are included in 
 this sweeping postulate P 
 
 " Around the world, yes !" answered Squizzem, in thunder 
 tones. 
 
 " I don't mean around the world. I mean here, in New York." 
 
 " And I mean," retorted Mr. Squizzem, severely, "that the last 
 development of human wisdom is in the formation of a league 
 that ignores all property titles. The commune is the hope of the 
 world. In all the down-trodden governments of Europe this 
 bright spirit of liberty is cabined, cribbed, confined. And on 
 these shores, the hospitable retreat for the oppressed of every 
 clime, the true principles of liberty are destined to find their 
 legitimate outgrowth. The beneficent genius of the age has 
 stricken the shackles from the free limbs of manhood, and now 
 invites the rapt attention of the universe to the apotheosis of Free 
 dom! In this free land, the former slave to creeds and customs 
 will find the true scope of his normal powers, in possessing him 
 self of all the good within reach of his hand, without the irksome 
 restraints of law. Do you not see there could be no thefts if 
 there were no property 1 All through the long epochs of the dis 
 mal past, the smothered wail of humanity teaches the same les 
 son. The noble spirits, that have been the very off-scouring of 
 society, tabooed or banished, or held back by gyves and prison 
 gratings, to prevent their violation of some absurd feudal mons 
 trosity called law, are now calling to us from their dishonored 
 graves to take up the battle gage !" 
 
 " There must be truth in what you say," said Darcy, as the
 
 THE FOREMOST MAN OF THE AGE. 93 
 
 orator paused for breath j " I have noticed that officials, in various 
 places throughout the land, are literally fulfilling your words, 
 and taking whatever their hands can reach. Pray go on, sir. I 
 am deeply interested." 
 
 The orator glanced at his watch. It was not profitable to de 
 liver his lecture gratis, and he did not like Darcy's prompt agree 
 ment with his gushing doctrines. 
 
 " Some other time," he said j " at present I am hurried. I called 
 to see Mary. Is she at home F 
 
 Nina touched the bell, and when the servant appeared, asked 
 for Mrs. Bragdon. She was in the library. Would Mr. Squizzein 
 please walk in there I Mr. Squizzein walked in, and Miss Abby 
 followed. The lofty utterances of Squizzem were too precious to 
 be lost. 
 
 "What do you think of Mr. Squizzem P asked Nina, when she 
 and Darcy were once more alone. 
 
 " I have not known him long enough to judge him," replied 
 Darcy, cautiously. " He is a very ready speaker." 
 
 "You are remarkably conservative, Mr. Gaston!" said Nina. 
 "What do you know about Mr. Grey P 
 
 " Mr. Grey P 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " I saw in the paper yesterday, that some Mr. Grey had dis 
 appeared 
 
 " You were on the train with him, Mr. Skillet told me." 
 
 " Was I ? Well, if it was Mr. Grey who fell from the cliff, I 
 hardly saw him. It was in the night, and we exchanged a few 
 words only. I believe I never saw him before that night." 
 
 "You believeF 
 
 " One cannot be certain," replied Darcy. " It seems to me now 
 that his face was familiar. We may have met somewhere. Was 
 he in the army F 
 
 " Oh, no !" said Nina, disdainfully ; " men of that sort don't 
 go into the army !" 
 
 " I did not mean in our army," said Darcy ; " I thought he 
 might have been among the two or three hundred men that rode 
 down upon me and over me, down there in Kentucky." 
 
 " Oh no !" said Miss Norman. 
 
 " Well, then, I cannot account for the impression that we have 
 met somewhere ; he certainly knew my name." 
 
 " Some one told him, perhaps."
 
 94 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " No ; that was not possible. No one on the train knew my 
 name. I never heard his until yesterday." 
 
 " Then you can tell me nothing about him ?" said Nina. 
 " If you could trust me enough to tell me what you desire to 
 know, I would gladly serve you. Mr. Skillet sent me here for that 
 purpose, and it is my clear duty. Besides, I would be bound to serve 
 any lady, to the best of my ability, whenever she honoured me by 
 demanding service. Can you not consider me Mr. Skillet for the 
 nonce P 
 
 " I think not," replied Nina, smiling. " But I will do better. I 
 will tell you something that Mr. Skillet does not know ; it was I 
 who sent Mr. Grey to the West. It was a special mission, and he 
 was cautioned to keep the object secret. I have had but one letter 
 from him ; here it is. Eead it, and tell me precisely what you 
 think it means." 
 
 Darcy took the letter and read it carefully. It was written on a 
 sheet of note paper in a dainty hand : 
 
 "CINCINNATI, Tuesday. 
 
 " DEAR COUSIN NINA : I have not found that for which you 
 sent me ; but I have found the next. The first does not exist ; the 
 second I will present to you within a week. RUPERT." 
 
 " Cousin Nina !" said Darcy, returning the letter. " I did not 
 know that Mr. Grey was related to you." 
 
 " Yes," replied Miss Norman ; " but you do not say what he 
 means." 
 
 " .How should I know ?" said Darcy. 
 
 " Have you nd theory upon the subject F persisted Nina. 
 " Listen ! I am the seventh child of my father, and he was the 
 seventh child of my grandfather. There is some superstition that 
 gives special insight to- the seventh child of a seventh. Have you 
 never heard it ? You have ! Well, I believe in it so strongly that 
 I never distrust my instincts ; and now I have two. The first is, 
 that a man is bent with desperate determination upon the solitary 
 purpose to deceive me ; the second is, that you will aid me in my 
 desperate determination to thwart him ! And I seem to see that 
 you know the man, and are at this moment hiding from me the 
 extent of your knowledge. I have inherited great wealth, some- 
 part of which I hold in trust for another. I seem to see that this 
 watchful, relentless adversary is intent upon securing for himself 
 that identical property. I am sure you are a gentleman ; I am 
 certain you will not deceive me, though you may refuse to enlighten
 
 THE FOREMOST MAN OF THE AGE. 95 
 
 me. But I can never be happy until I dispose of this property, 
 and the first thing for you to do is, to devise a plan whereby I can 
 obtain possession of it ; it is part of an estate not yet divided. If 
 I should avow iny purpose to part with it, those who have a joint 
 interest in it would take steps to prevent me, no matter why. 
 Now, sir, can you and will you undertake this case f 
 
 " Mr. Skillet," began Darcy, strangely moved by her words and 
 manner "Mr. Skillet instructs me to render you whatever 
 service you may require. But, surely, this is a matter for law- 
 
 " The only lawyer I know, or desire to know, is Mr. Coke, and 
 he is the legal adviser of my family. I cannot engage him to as 
 sume a position that even appears antagonistic to other interests. 
 No ; you are lawyer enough for this emergency." 
 
 " If I should attempt to meddle," said Darcy, rising and stand 
 ing before her, " your friends and kindred would say you were 
 misled by an unknown adventurer. How long would you be able 
 to resist the multitude of innuendoes they would launch at you f 
 And when you fiually yielded, and dismissed me, your case would 
 be worse for my interference ; besides, I am only the clerk of Mr. 
 Skillet " 
 
 " That is precisely the strong point. Let Mr. Skillet be the os 
 tensible adviser and friend, and do you manage all the details. 
 Do not tell Mr. Skillet any of your plans " 
 
 " Madam," said Darcy, interrupting her, " you require impossi 
 bilities. I am sent by Mr. Skillet ; I am in his service. He pays 
 me for the hour I have spent here. It is not possible to conceal 
 one word from him, if he should question me." 
 
 " Suppose l my friends and kindred ' should not be able to make 
 me distrust you," said Nina, " what effect would injurious sug 
 gestions, affecting your integrity, have upon you ?" 
 
 " If a man should openly charge me with fraud," replied Darcy, 
 slowly, " I should be bound to resent the insult " 
 
 " And if a woman P 
 
 " If a woman, I should be equally bound to endure the imputa 
 tion in silence." 
 
 Miss Norman tore off the blank leaf from the letter she still 
 held, and rapidly wrote a few lines upon it with a pencil. Folding 
 the missive, she addressed it to " Mr. Skillet." 
 
 "I will not detain you longer now," she said, rising; "please 
 give this to Mr. Skillet Here comes Miss Abby. Good morning, 
 Mr. Gaston !"
 
 96 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 THE GOLD BOOM. 
 
 c ' rpHIS is a nice business, I don't think !" said Mr. Skillet, 
 -J- after reading the note brought by Darcy; "kinder cool 
 and collected like, too ! Did you read this note ?" 
 
 " Certainly not, sir !" said Darcy, insulted. 
 
 " Why, it warn't sealed ! Did she tell you not to read it ?" 
 
 " No, sir," replied Darcy, coldly. 
 
 "It's cu'rous," observed Mr. Skillet, still perusing the note. 
 " I'd like to know what you said to her and what she said to you." 
 
 " I will recount the entire conversation, sir. First, Mr. Squizzem ; 
 no, first, Miss Keith was presented " 
 
 " Miss Keith ! Schoolmarm ! What did Miss Keith say ?" 
 
 " A great deal, sir. She must have studied the speech. It was 
 about rebellion and love " 
 
 " Ya-as ! About love. Go on !" 
 
 " I cannot remember the words. She concluded by saying I 
 ought to hug a gorilla." 
 
 " Bully for Miss Keith !" ejaculated Mr. Skillet. " She got that 
 from Dragger. I seed it in one of his printed sermons. Great 
 man, Dragger! Pews rent same price as a four-story brown stone 
 front on Fi'th Av'noo ! A feller ran off with another feller's wife ; 
 T'other feller shot him. Before he died he wanted to be married to 
 t'other feller's wife, and Dragger and Fizzlebacon fixed 'em up. 
 Bully for Dragger ! Go on." 
 
 " Then, Mr. Squizzem came," continued Darcy, rather stunned 
 by this outflow of contemporaneous history ; " and he lectured 
 me on the foremost man of the age. I thought he meant himself, 
 but he said he meant some Mr. Douglass." 
 
 " Oh, aye ! Fred Douglass 1 First class barber, I guess. Bright 
 m flatter. Smart, too. Go on, please !" 
 
 "Well, sir, Mr. Squizzem left the room, and Miss Keith fol 
 lowed " 
 
 "Of course!" said Mr. Skillet, rudely; "the women all believe 
 in Squizzem. He kisses 'em, bless you, right and left ! Pop'lar 
 lecturer. Leonidas Squizzem ! They do say he is goiu' into the 
 spiritual dodge, now. Go on, please I" 
 
 " Then Miss Norman requested me to undertake some partition 
 of property in which she is interested ; to form plans, and keep 
 my plans secret, even from you "
 
 THE GOLD ROOM. 9t 
 
 " Stop, please !" said Mr. Skillet, holding up his hand, " you've 
 got to the jumpin' off place, I guess. Now, read this note." 
 
 Darcy took the open paper and read : 
 
 " Miss Norman presents her compliments to Mr. Skillet, and 
 requests that Mr. Gaston may call on her to-morrow, at the same 
 hour, and also that Mr. Skillet will allow Mr. Gaston to maintain, 
 for the present, perfect silence in relation to the business matters 
 under consideration." 
 
 " Now," said Mr. Skillet, "do you suppose she means to include 
 me, when she says l perfect silence,' underscored P 
 
 " Yes, sir ; in fact, she said as much." 
 
 " And what did you say F 
 
 " I told her I could have no secrets from you; that I was acting 
 as your representative, under salary, and I advised her to employ 
 some competent lawyer instead of me.' 7 
 
 " Wa-al ! it's no consequence," observed Mr. Skillet, after a 
 pause, during which he had a mental struggle, and achieved a 
 victory ; " you will have to humour her, I guess. The case is in 
 a nut shell. The young woman is full of whims, but her grand 
 father raised me. I was clerk in his office ten years, and then 
 he set me up when he retired. Then her father stood by me when 
 I had no capital to speak of. He gave me lots of business, and 
 brought other customers. Her grandmother always sent for me 
 to consult about investments. It's a risky business, though, and 
 you must keep your eyes skun and your mouth shet, pooty gen 
 erally. It's a safe rule. You can talk like thunder two hours, if 
 you're smart, without saying anything. Don't write anything. 
 You can do all by talking. And if any writing has to be done, in 
 the way of memorandums, you can jest let her do it herself. And 
 now, please keep your jaw ! If I should forget, and ask you any 
 questions, jest remind me that you are on confidence. Two o'clock ! 
 Go round to the gold-room, please, and see what you can find out 
 about the market. Here, you must have a pass ' Mr. Gaston, 
 attorney for T. Skillet.' That'll do." 
 
 Darcy gained admission to the Gold Exchange, and found him 
 self suddenly in the midst of a room full of maniacs. There was a 
 fountain in the centre of the room, with an iron railing around it. 
 Two or three dozen maniacs were leaning over the rail, with out 
 stretched arms, wildly gesticulating, and shouting out bids and 
 offers. The presiding officer sat in an enclosed desk, reading a 
 newspaper as composedly as though he were reposing in some 
 
 7
 
 98 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 sylvan solitude. The circle of " operators" was three or four deep, 
 and nine-tenths of them were bawling offers to buy or sell fabulous 
 sums. Enough millions to pay the national debt were offered by 
 seedy looking individuals, who would not sell for ten dollars 
 apiece in any second hand clothing shop. " I'll give a quarter 
 for any part of a million !" shouted one, whose exterior did not 
 indicate the ownership of five cents. " I'll sell any part of a mil 
 lion for three-eighths !" said a madman on the opposite side of the 
 circle, who looked wealthy enough to go into partnership with the 
 other. 
 
 Darcy walked around the circle, looking with great curiosity at 
 the faces of the people, so intent upon their traffic that they did 
 not notice him. A bright looking youth standing near him, 
 when he stopped, touched his arm. 
 
 u Can't get her up," he observed, in reply to Darcy's inquiring 
 look. 
 
 " Get her up ?" repeated Darcy. 
 
 " Yes ! All Bull dodge ! Hasn't been a real sale to-day over 
 a naith." 
 
 " A naith f ' 
 
 "Yes. Seventy-four bid; seventy-four and a naith, asked. 
 Jings J Mok twenty at a naith. Had an order. All them bids is 
 bogus." 
 
 " How can that be ?" said Darcy, beginning to understand. 
 tl There is a man bidding a quarter for a million. Listen how 
 eagerly he bawls !" 
 
 " Oh, yes. That is Spang's attorney. Hillo ! There goes the 
 president's hammer ! Let's see what's up ?" 
 
 The president pounded on the block about five minutes. The 
 room gradually became quiet. 
 
 " Gentlemen !" said the president, " Mr. Jings claims a pur 
 chase of one hundred thousand at a quarter, of Mr. Spang. Mr. 
 Spang claims the purchase of the same amount from Mr. Jiugs. 
 All those who saw the transaction will please vote. Those who 
 give the purchase to Mr. Spang will please hold up their hands. 
 Eleven ! Those who give the purchase to Mr. Jings will please 
 hold up their hands. Four! Spang has it." And he took up 
 his newspaper and was absorbed in two seconds, while the room 
 resumed its uproar in the same space of time. Darcy's interlocu 
 tor nodded triumphantly. 
 
 " Told you so," he said.
 
 THE GOLD BOOM. 99 
 
 " I do not understand," replied Darcy. 
 
 "Come over here and sit down, and I'll explain. You see, 
 Spang and Jings are both bullin' the metal. They made up 
 that little dispute, just to fix a quotation. Now listen ! There's 
 ten voices offering to sell it at a quarter. Only three or four 
 bidding a naith." 
 
 " How does the market look f" said Darcy, remembering that 
 this was the point in which he was interested. 
 
 " Down ! Be off two points to-morrow. Gov'ment going to tilt 
 ten millions. I'm five hundred thousand short at a quarter." 
 
 " And do you feel no apprehensions ?" said Darcy. " Suppose 
 it should go up a point or two to-morrow f" 
 
 " Ah ! well," replied the other, " I should only have to wait a 
 day or two. Sure to come down. Gov'ment bound to sell. Hillo ! 
 there is a real sale at three-eighths !" 
 
 Darcy walked across the room, and accosted a sober looking 
 old gentleman, who seemed to be watching " the market" very 
 intently. 
 
 " Excuse me, sir," he said, " but I am so confused by this 
 uproar, which is entirely new to me, that I can form no judgment 
 as to the tendency of the market ! Will you favour me with your 
 opinion ?" 
 
 " Ah !" said the old gentleman, politely, " you are new at the 
 business !" 
 
 " Yes. This is my first visit here." 
 
 "And you find it difficult to decide which way to operate I" 
 
 " Operate f ' 
 
 " Yes. You want to speculate, I suppose." 
 
 " Not I," answered Darcy, with a shudder. " I should go mad 
 if I were to incur the frightful risks that are so lightly regarded 
 here. That dilapidated gentleman yonder has sold five hundred 
 thousand at a quarter, and now three-eighths is bid. There ! It 
 is selling at a half." 
 
 " That dilapidated gentleman is worth two millions. He is the 
 coolest operator in the room. Always wins. See ! He is selling 
 now at a half." 
 
 " Where can he find the gold to deliver to-morrow f asked Darcy, 
 in wonder. " I have counted more millions sold here this morning 
 than could be found in the whole country." 
 
 The old gentleman looked at the youth in surprise. 
 
 " Why, my dear sir, none of this gold is delivered. They pay
 
 100 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 the difference between the sale and to-morrow's quotation. Or 
 they borrow or lend as the case may be, if they desire to continue 
 the risk. As for the probable course of the market, the old apple 
 woman sitting at the entrance there, knows just as much as the 
 best operator in the room. If you want to win here, always bet 
 against your judgment." 
 
 Darcy went back to the office with a very unsatisfactory 
 report. The Government was going to tilt uncounted millions 
 upon the market to-morrow. And while everybody seemed to 
 know the fact, the quotation had increased. It was seventy -four 
 and three quarters when he left. Mr. Skillet received the news 
 with a grin and without comment. 
 
 That night the gold-room sat on Darcy's breast, a huge night 
 mare. The presiding officer pounded him on the head with his 
 mallet, calling him to order, though he was quiet as a mouse. A 
 little red haired man, with eyes that were constantly threatening 
 to pop out of their sockets, was swinging his arms over an iron 
 rail, and roaring in a voice totally out of proportion to his size, 
 
 " I'll sell any part of a hundred thousand billions at an aith !" 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 TITLE DEEDS. 
 
 ON. the succeeding day, Miss Norman gave Darcy sundry doc 
 uments relating to the Norman estate ; consisting of attested 
 copies of title deeds to real estate, and schedules of stocks, bonds 
 and other personal property. With these, she also placed in his 
 hands an envelope, sealed and addressed to Darcy Euthven Gas- 
 ton, Esq. 
 
 " I will be greatly indebted to you," she said, " if you will make 
 a list of the personal property, affixing to each portion the present 
 value. If you can discover, without direct inquiry, the approximate 
 value of the real estate, I should be glad to know that also, in 
 detail. You cannot question property agents without exciting 
 suspicion, and inducing the very discussion I wish to avoid. Do 
 not open the sealed package, until you finish the other papers. 
 And please return all to me, with any comments or suggestions 
 you may think requisite."
 
 TITLE DEEDS. 101 
 
 Darcy took the papers, glanced at the titles, and put them in 
 his pocket. 
 
 " How long a time will you require ?" said Nina. 
 
 " I cannot say until I examine the papers ;" replied he. 
 
 " I am going to Europe on the 22d ; two weeks from to-day. In 
 the mean time, I very earnestly desire to to obtain exclusive 
 possession of my portion of the estate. It is by no means indis 
 pensable, however, and if you find any reason for delay, do not 
 hesitate to inform me." 
 
 " I will do my best, madam," replied Darcy. " I understand you 
 to say that I must tell no one what these papers may reveal ?" 
 
 " No one, " said Nina, promptly. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet kindly consents to that arrangement," said Darcy. 
 " I will begin to-night, in my own room. It is possible that I can 
 give you the needed information within the time you mention. I 
 may go now ?" 
 
 " I should tell you," said Nina, as he took up his hat, " that the 
 names in the sealed paper are all fictitious. That is, the initials 
 do not indicate the real persons." 
 
 u They will reveal nothing to me, certainly," answered Darcy, 
 smiling, u as I am a stranger to all parties. May I ask if your 
 stay in Europe will be prolonged f " 
 
 11 1 don't know," she replied ; " I only know that I am dying to 
 get away from New York. Away ! Anywhere !" 
 
 Darcy looked with surprise at her flushed countenance. 
 
 " I beg your pardon !" he said ; " good morning, madam." 
 
 She held out her hand to him, amused at his penitent look. 
 
 " You were surprised at my vehemence. Nothing in your ques 
 tion induced it. You are very courtly, or very kind. I am sure 
 you would not pain me intentionally. Good morning. Please 
 come one week from to-day." 
 
 " If I were impressible," thought Darcy, as he walked down the 
 avenue, u I could fancy myself ready to fall in love with this im 
 pulsive young lady. What a soft little hand she has ! I wonder 
 if it is the New York fashion to shake hands with a lady the 
 second time one meets her ? She put out her hand to me, cer 
 tainly. Now, I cannot write a word of this business to brother 
 Tige, either, as I am ' on confidence.' What can be in this sealed 
 envelope ? This day week I am to go back, she says. That means 
 I am not to go sooner. Perhaps it also means that I must not 
 presume upon my business acquaintance. Don r t be alarmed, my 
 lady!
 
 102 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 11 Fall in love, indeed ! Not I. Too many title deeds and too 
 large a schedule of personals. Too decided in her opinions. Too 
 resolute and self confident. Strong minded, I suspect. A friend 
 of that Squizzem, probably, with his nose in the air. He is the 
 kind of fellow we used to call a l sucker,' at college. What an 
 unlimited ass he is, to be sure ! 
 
 " The girl interests me greatly ! She has some scheme in her 
 mind that she does not reveal. Once or twice she has halted in 
 the midst of a sentence ; and she has been tortured by some devil 
 of a man. Aha ! I see it. That Grey fellow. 
 
 " No ! She never cared a straw for him. But he may have 
 cared for her. She is not the sort of woman a man would go mad 
 about ; but if she liked a fellow at all she would like him tre 
 mendously ! and if she knew a fellow was a sucker she would be 
 apt to tell him so. Evidently, that is her estimate of Grey. 
 
 " She has not pitched into me once about rebellion and all that 
 sort of stuff. I am totally bewildered whenever I try to make her 
 out. I wish I could ask Tige. How would it do to state a hypo 
 thetical case ? Won't do ! Tige is so sharp he would smoke me 
 out in two minutes. 
 
 " I wonder what Mr. Skillet thinks about it. He would natu 
 rally resent Miss Norman's cool manner and her request to mind 
 his own business. He is a regular old brick, though. Kind and 
 thoughtful as he can be. 
 
 " I intended to have an interview with Miss Euthven to-night, 
 but I must get at these papers. But I will find out how she likes 
 that sewing place and how they treat her there. The idea of 
 Colonel Buthven's daughter making her living by sewing ! Yet, 
 why not ? She looked better satisfied last night quite composed 
 and dignified. l She is not going to live on anybody's charity.' 
 That is what her manner said. I'll ask Mr. Skillet if he cannot 
 find a more congenial vocation for her, though. If she could out 
 grow that mournful expression she would be positively lovely ! 
 Somehow, when I look at her I am filled with grief. I mean to 
 have a little talk to-night, anyhow." 
 
 But the fates were against him. Miss Harding had a headache, 
 and was not visible. Darcy dined down town, and consequently 
 missed seeing her at dinner. He thought he would ask Mr. Camp, 
 the next day, if he might board as well as lodge at his house, and 
 then he went to his room and unfolded his papers. 
 
 The personal property was soon disposed of. He had a list of
 
 TITLE DEEDS. 103 
 
 late quotations, and could easily affix the estimates of value. 
 Then he made a list of the real estate. Numerous stores, some on 
 Broadway, and some in the vicinity of Wall street. A large 
 parcel of unimproved ground, far up town, and a separate parcel 
 of three acres called " Euthven's Folly." 
 
 This was the last deed, and he had reserved it for the last, 
 because it was bulky. He was attracted by the description, 
 which was very elaborate, giving the streets that passed through 
 it, and the numbers of the lots on the city map, and then, quoting 
 from former transfers, gave the courses and distances as of a 
 farm, and finally referred to a still prior deed, in which the name 
 of the tract was given, " Euthven's Folly." The deed recited the 
 transfer, " being the same land conveyed by Arnold Grey and 
 wife to Norman Euthven, and recorded, &c." 
 
 Here was a discovery ! The Normans, and Greys, and Euth- 
 vens, had made these transfers two or three generations ago. 
 
 He read the deed all over again. It was a transfer from 
 Norman Euthven and wife, Helen, to John Norman, and referred 
 to a mortgage debt due by the former, which was cancelled by 
 the transfer. It also referred to a bond of conveyance from 
 Norman to Euthven, by which provision was made for the re- 
 transfer of " Euthven's Folly." upon the fulfilment of the bond, 
 the terms of which were not recited 5 and at the bottom of the 
 deed there was a formal relinquishment of the rights conveyed in 
 the said bond, for the consideration of ten thousand dollars, duly 
 paid, receipt of which was therein acknowledged. This was 
 signed by Helen Euthven, widow, and Darcy Euthven, heirs of 
 Norman Euthven, deceased, and witnessed by Philemon Coke, 
 and then the signature of the Surrogate. 
 
 Darcy was devoured with curiosity to see that bond of convey 
 ance and learn its provisions. He knew enough law to infer that 
 these late signatures were added twenty years after the ori 
 ginal deed had been made, for the purpose of perfecting a title 
 that was possibly defective without them. While he pondered 
 these matters, he heard Helen's voice in the hall below, and 
 sweeping all the papers into the drawer, he went out and met her 
 on the stairs. 
 
 " I am glad to meet you, Miss Harding," he said : " I heard you 
 had headache. I hope it is gone." 
 
 It is better." 
 
 " Will you please come down into the parlor j that is, if you are
 
 104 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 well enough. I want some information, which you can probably 
 give me." 
 
 She followed him down stairs, and into the parlor. Mrs. Camp 
 was sewing, and Mr. Camp was seeking a rhyme for " breath" 
 with knitted brows. He had read " Hail, gentle Spring," to his 
 wife forty-eight times, and she, good woman, had listened atten 
 tively every time, and smiled approval at ea'ch dismal repetition. 
 He was going to offer the "lines" to Fiddler's Monthly, when 
 completed, but they were still in the singular number. That 
 " balmy breath" termination of the initial line had smothered the 
 poem before it was born. Darcy politely addressed a few sen 
 tences to Mrs. Camp, and then drew a chair to the opposite 
 window, where Helen was standing. 
 
 " Take this seat," he said ; " I will not detain you long. The 
 questions I ask are for the purpose of of unravelling some legal 
 matters. Did Colonel Ruthven ever say anything to you about 
 some New York property in which he was interested P 
 
 Helen started. " Who told you about it ?" she asked. 
 
 " No one." 
 
 tl How came you to know of any such property ?" 
 
 " By accident. Do not ask me. And do not answer any ques 
 tion that I should not ask. I have seen certain papers, but not 
 all that I need. If you do not object to the question " 
 
 u Father told me once, I don't know how long ago, that he 
 would have inherited some valuable property in New York, but 
 for some fraudulent transaction of which he was the victim. It 
 was at the beginning of the war, and I remember he said he 
 would perhaps have the pleasure of applying the torch to the 
 property wrested from him." 
 
 " Did he say his rights were entirely gone ?" asked Darcy. 
 
 " Yes. And yet he said the present owners were willing to pay 
 him something, if he would accept it." 
 
 " And he would not I" 
 
 li Oh, no ! I think there was an offer made to him by a lawyer. 
 But there were some conditions annexed which he rejected. Will 
 you tell me how you happen to know " 
 
 " I cannot tell you. I am bound to secresy. Hereafter I will 
 tell you all I know, probably, as the injunction will be removed 
 by and by." 
 
 " Then I will tell you," said Helen, rising. " You have received 
 these papers from one who is intent upon the attainment of a 
 solitary object ?"
 
 THE WANDERERS RETURN. 105 
 
 
 
 Darcy, stricken dumb, looked at her in amazement. 
 
 11 And that object is to secure possession of property held by 
 kindred, and to secure it either by some legal trick or by the 
 practice of actual deceit." 
 
 The blood mounted up to Darcy's temples, as he noted the 
 tokens of hot indignation in her voice and manner. A dozen 
 speeches rushed to his lips, but remembering Nina's charge, he 
 maintained silence. 
 
 11 And 3 T ou," continued Helen, in low, distinct tones, scarcely 
 above a whisper, " and you ! Darcy Ruthven Gaston ! Can it be 
 possible that you are aiding in this villainous scheme? Oh! 
 what would your father say if he were alive ? What would my 
 father say ? What will Henry Gaston say when he hears of your 
 first exploit in this wicked city 1 Oh ! you make me more thorough 
 ly wretched than ever." 
 
 And sweeping by him, she passed out, and while he still stood 
 stupefied by her dreadful words, he heard her close the door up 
 stairs with a crash. 
 
 CHAPTEK XXII. 
 THE WANDERER'S RETURN. 
 
 WHEX Dutchy and his compagnon de voyage reached the hut 
 on the river bank, they were both pretty well exhausted by 
 their tramp through the deep snow. A fire was soon crackling in the 
 little stove, and the shanty reeking with unaccustomed perfume 
 from the Partagas. Dutchy, squatted in a corner, with his cap 
 pulled down over his eyes, was blinking at the other, wondering 
 whether he had really come down the cliff, or had suddenly risen 
 out of the ground, under the High Bend. In either case he was 
 a mysterious personage. If he had come over the cliff he must be 
 akin to the angelic host, as no mortal could possibly take such a 
 slide and escape death ! And if he had risen from beneath, there 
 was some dim apprehension in Dutchy's mind that good people 
 did not inhabit the locality known as u down below." 
 
 Seated upon a block, and propped up against the wall of the 
 cabin, Mr. Grey meditated. He did not know exactly what to do 
 with Dutchy. If any special rascality, requiring brute force and 
 bull-dog courage in its performance, were to be done, he knew in-
 
 106 FL^SH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 stinctively that Dutchy would prove an efficient agent. But be 
 was restive under restraint, and possibly not trustworthy. Grey 
 did not indulge in any sentimental dreams about gratitude or dis 
 interested attachment, even if he had any claims upon the uncouth 
 mortal in the corner. 
 
 " Not many travellers upon this road, I presume T said he at 
 last. 
 
 "Nary road," answered Dutchy, seutentiously, "nary trav 
 ellers." 
 
 " How shall we go to get out of this happy valley ?" asked Grey, 
 after another pause. 
 
 " Can git on the track, just up yonder," replied Dutchy, jerking 
 his thumb over his shoulder. " Or can git a boat, pole across the 
 river, and git into Pikeville. Railroad bridge over the river ; sta 
 tion at Pikeville. 'Commodation trains all stop." 
 
 " Pikeville !" said Grey. " Yes, I remember. Suppose we visit 
 Pikeville after resting awhile here f Then we can take the first 
 train in the morning." 
 
 " Fust train which way P said Dutchy, cautiously. 
 
 " East, of course ! New York ! Does anybody want you in New 
 York V ' 
 
 " Shouldn't wonder," responded Dutchy, with a grin. 
 
 " Well, then, New York is your safest locality. Nobody will 
 dream of looking for you there, and if they do " 
 
 " Well ?" 
 
 " Then we could try a little bail, or a little grease. I think I 
 can promise you safety there. I may want you to attend to some 
 business for me. It is getting quite comfortable here ! I believe 
 the stove gives light enough to distinguish the pictures ! Do you 
 understand these f 
 
 " Keards !" said Dutchy. " I'm in ! Euchre or poker ! Who'd 
 a thought of playin' keards in this hole ! I haven't touched a 
 keard for a spell ! What is it ? Euchre deck f 
 
 " Yes," answered Grey, laughing ; " draw up a block and we'll 
 see what you know. Cut ! By-the-by, my friend, suppose you 
 wash your hands a little ! You have gotten some smut on your 
 fingers, and will mark the backs of the cards. I forget what you 
 said your name was ?" 
 
 " Bloke !" answered Dutchy, promptly. 
 
 " Ah, Bloke ; and where from ?" 
 
 " Pittsburgh," replied Dutchy, who had never visited that popu 
 lous city.
 
 TEE WANDERERS EETUEN. 107 
 
 " And bow came you in New York ? First Jack. Your deal. 7 * 
 
 " Went to New York to get my brother out of a difFkilty. He 
 was a Gov'inent contractor, and had to give security. J went se 
 curity and " 
 
 " Spades ! I pass. Well ? You went security V 
 
 " And he busted, cuss him ! And I had to skedaddle." 
 
 Mr. Grey regarded the capitalist with undisguised admiration. 
 The probabilities in the case did not disturb him in the least j 
 but the readiness with which Dutchy conveyed the information 
 charmed him. 
 
 " And you have been living in this neighbourhood since ?" said 
 he. 
 
 "No. Went to Gal iforny; got back last week. Been specula- 
 tin' in town lots. What are we bettin' on this game F 
 
 " Five dollars," answered Grey, laying a greenback on the 
 block that served for a table. " My deal." 
 
 " Pass !" said Dutchy. " You take it up ? Both bowers and 
 ace ; that makes four. My deal." 
 
 " You have better luck with me than you had with your security 
 business pass! Ah, you win! Game number one. Here is 
 another five." 
 
 At the end of an hour their second cigars were smoked out 
 and Dutchy was twenty-five dollars richer. Mr. Grey put the 
 cards in his pocket and proposed walking. They found the boat, 
 which Dutchy borrowed, by pulling out the staple, leaving the 
 chain and lock upon the bank. There was some ice in the river, but 
 they had little difficulty in reaching the opposite shore. Leaving 
 the boat to drift with the current, they plodded through the snow, 
 and reached Pikeville before the dawn. 
 
 " Mr. Bloke," said Grey, as they entered the village, " I have 
 decided upon my course. I fell over that cliff back yonder, and it 
 will be unanimously decided that I am dead. Now, I think of re 
 maining dead for a time. What will be said when they look for 
 my body and fail to find it P 
 
 " Fell in the river and swept away," answered Dutchy. u If 
 you hadn't fell on my back, and broke it, you would have gone 
 into the river at the next bounce !" 
 
 " And our foot prints in the snow f ' said Grey. 
 
 " Foot prints ! Look back over the road ; the wind is blowing 
 the snow every which way ! It will all be smooth in five minutes. 
 When you came down the rock was bare one minute and covered 
 with a drift the next j no foot prints there now."
 
 108 FLESH AND SPIRIT, 
 
 " And the cabin ?" 
 
 " Same thing. Fire will be out, and cabin snowed under, just 
 as like as not." 
 
 " Well," said Grey, thoughtfully, " we will try that plan. Your 
 name is Bloke mine is Blake." 
 
 " Werry good name, Blake," said Dutchy, gravely ; " I know'd 
 a gent of that name in Pittsburgh. Any relation o' yourn F 
 
 " Possibly," said Grey; "we are a numerous family. Here is 
 the station. Hillo ! It is open. We can go in and get thawed 
 before train time." 
 
 There were two or three officials in the waiting room. Dutchy 
 slunk behind the stove. Mr. Blake accosted them with easy 
 grace. 
 
 11 Good morning, gentlemen ! When will we get a train east F 
 
 " Fifteen minutes. Express went down an hour ago. Eoad 
 clear, but all trains late. Buiinin' wildcat." 
 
 " What train will we take F 
 
 " Ten forty accommodation. That is, ten forty last night. Left 
 Scrabbletown twenty minutes ago. Better get your tickets." 
 
 Grey invested the necessary amount, tearing the ticket he had 
 bought at the beginning of his journey into small pieces. Observ 
 ing Mr. Bloke's anxiety to keep hidden, he obligingly moved 
 between him and the light. Nobody seemed to notice them par 
 ticularly. Bloke recognized all the men as acquaintances when 
 his name was Smelzer. When the belated train arrived he entered 
 the smoking car, followed by Grey, found a vacant seat, and the 
 worthy pair indulged in refreshing sleep, while the train gradu 
 ally worked eastward. At one of the stopping places ten minutes 
 were allowed for " breakfast." Hot coffee and sandwiches were to 
 be had at the bar counter. Mr. Bloke had a raging tooth, and his 
 face was enveloped in a red handkerchief, but he took enough 
 nutriment to last him the day, while Mr. Blake nibbled a cracker 
 and imbibed a bottle of Scotch ale. Once more gliding along, 
 their train switching off every hour or two, to allow the passage of 
 down trains, waiting sometimes an hour or more, as they were 
 " accommodation," and therefore bound to keep out of the way, 
 but gradually approaching the great city. 
 
 "Mr. Bloke," said Grey, "I am going to Brooklyn, when we 
 arrive. That is, after dark. Suppose we get a room apiece, in 
 Jersey City, and try for a little sleep say, till eight o'clock? 
 Then we can make some changes in our habiliments, and go to 
 Brooklyn by gaslight. What say you F
 
 THE WANDERERS RETURN. 109 
 
 " All right, boss !" answered Dutchy ; tl am I agoin' to Brook 
 lyn with you P 
 
 " Certainly. I cannot tell yet what amusement I can provide 
 for you, but you will have enough to eat, and shelter, and will be 
 out of reach of any Government officials who may be hunting for 
 that security money. I suppose you have no suspicion that / 
 am looking for you." 
 
 " No," answered Dutchy, slowly ; " you aint nary cop, and you 
 aint nary Gov'ment officer. You are up to som.e game, but I can't 
 guess wot it is. I'm not afeard of you, 'cause you want me for 
 somethin' or other. Don't know wot, and don't care !" 
 
 " You are partly right, Mr. Bloke," said Grey, coolly ; " I think 
 I can find occupation for you. Meantime, let us have a little gush 
 of confidence. I have reasons for hiding at present, though 
 nobody is looking for me. You have a similar desire, because 
 several persons are looking for you." 
 
 Dutchy grinned and nodded. 
 
 " Well," continued Grey, " I suppose your searchers are chiefly 
 cops P 
 
 " Werry likely," replied Dutchy. 
 
 "Now, uothiug can be more simple than to beguile the average 
 cop. You have only to squat down under his nose and you are 
 safe. I will arrange your attire to-morrow in such a fashion 
 as to defy scrutiny. Let me see ? Have you had any military 
 experience P 
 
 Dutchy winced. He remembered how he had " shouldered 
 arms" with a log baby. This Mr. Blake might be a cussed leften- 
 ant, after all. 
 
 " Don't know what you mean," he grunted surlily ; ll I belonged 
 to a wolunteer company in Pittsburgh, some years back, but I had 
 enough of sogerin' !" 
 
 "Have you speculated in bounties, for example P said the other, 
 with a quiet laugh. " Ah ! Mr. Bloke, I am afraid you have 
 defrauded your bleeding country ! Never mind, man ! she is able 
 to stand a large amount of bleeding, and in the near future the 
 most successful citizens will be those who bleed her most lavishly. 
 You have only anticipated a little. Some geniuses are born too 
 soon." 
 
 " Don't know uothin' about it," responded Dutchy. " What 
 kind o' sogerin' do you want P 
 
 " Oh ! nothing of importance. A certain familiarity with
 
 110 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 soldier phrases, and some slight knowledge of camp life ; drill, 
 sentry duty, guard house, and the like." 
 
 " I could laru all them," said Dutchy. 
 
 " Very well. I will unfold my plan to-night. And now I am 
 going to try for a nap. Waken me when we reach Jersey City." 
 
 When these companions crossed the river that night, Mr. Grey 
 wore a second hand white overcoat and a felt hat with a wide 
 brim. His trim, black moustache was concealed under a fiery red 
 one, with side whiskers to match. Dutchy had on a suit of half- 
 worn soldier clothes, with the inevitable blue overcoat and cape. 
 His left arm was gone, and the empty sleeve was pinned grace 
 fully across his breast. His right foot was encased in enormous 
 bandages, and he hobbled along in ungainly fashion, on a crutch. 
 If the bandaged foot happened to touch the ground he groaned 
 dismally. 
 
 " Piece o' howitzer shell in the ancle jint," he observed 
 to a sympathizing old gentleman in the cabin ; " got it at 
 Getty sburgh." 
 
 The old gentleman slipped a ten cent note in his ready hand, 
 sighing over the ingratitude of a country that made no better pro 
 vision for its martyrs. 
 
 They stopped in Brooklyn at a house in a quiet street not very 
 distant from the ferry. Dutchy was able to read the inscription 
 on the door plate while they waited for the response to their ring. 
 It was, "Doctor Lamis, Test Medium. Seances, Wednesdays 
 and Saturdays, at 8 P. M." 
 
 CHAPTER XXHL 
 WATCHED. 
 
 AFTER his brief interview with Helen, Darcy returned to his 
 room feeling very much like the man who was shot out of a 
 coal car into a huge hopper, and who found himself in a heap of 
 the black diamonds at the bottom, after sundry revolutions, and 
 read the inscription over his resting place " Screened, riddled 
 and broken." He mechanically took out the title deeds again, and 
 set to work anew. Once and again he took up the sealed enve 
 lope, but remembering Nina's injunction to reserve it for the last
 
 WATCHED. Ill 
 
 
 
 
 work, and being a true gentleman, he was compelled to lay it 
 aside without investigation. He felt that he had not yet mastered 
 the details in the other papers. The night was clear and cold, and 
 he suddenly resolved to walk out to the locality described as 
 Ruthven's Folly, and examine it by moonlight. The streets were 
 named in the deed, and he could easily get information as to the 
 exact site from policemen. 
 
 The cold air revived him, and the blessed elasticity of youth en 
 abled him to throw off the numbness induced by Helen's heavy 
 blows. He was conscious ol pure integrity of purpose, but felt his 
 cheek grow hot at the thought of aiding in fraud, however inno 
 cently. And the suspicion that he was led into evil by Nina, who 
 seemed so open and ingenuous, stung him to the quick. You can 
 not put a worse affront upon a youth of generous impulses than 
 beguile him by a woman's agency, especially if she be young and 
 attractive. 
 
 " She thinks I will be so impressed by the tokens of wealth 
 around her," he thought, " and by the details in these papers, 
 that I will not dare resist her. So obstinate and wilful ! And she 
 has mistaken the natural sympathy enkindled by her sad face and 
 wearied manner for a softer emotion. Perhaps yonder hint of hers, 
 to avoid her for a week, was to warn me against too much pre 
 sumption ! And yet she is willing to exert whatever influence she 
 has gained over me to make me help her in her mysterious schem 
 ing ! What devil's work can she purpose ? What can Helen know 
 about it? How could Helen learn as much as she evidently 
 knows ! By George ! How lovely she looked when she was be 
 labouring me so cruelly ! It would be profitable to get her into a 
 good rage every day and so wear away her melancholy. She 
 looked exactly like her father looked that morning when he 
 plucked out his sabre and rode down upon the enemy ! ' Villain 
 ous scheme !' she said. And she politely referred me to Tige Gas- 
 ton. Oh ! if I only had Tige Gaston here ! But I could not tell 
 him a word, as that she-angel has bound me up as tightly as I 
 would be under oath ! I'll go mad if I think any more about it ! 
 I'll dismiss the topic and look at the sights in the streets, and tackle 
 it afresh to-morrow night." 
 
 He was walking up Broadway, several squares above the Fifth 
 Avenue Hotel, and there were not many unusual sights to attract 
 his attention. He paused at a window to look at some water-col 
 our views, and, while thus engaged, he heard the dismal wail of a 
 hand organ near the picture shop.
 
 112 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 
 
 A one armed man, turning the crank, grinding out an asthmatic 
 polka. He was clad in a blue military overcoat, rather the worse 
 for wear. One foot was swathed in bandages, and a crutch lay 
 beside him on the pavement. He looked forlorn enough, and Dar- 
 cy's sympathies were excited. He approached the man and ac 
 costed him : 
 
 " Cold we'ather, my friend !" he said. " You look like a soldier. 
 Have you been in the army P 
 
 " Cold enough, sir !" answered the organ-grinder. " Army ? I 
 should think I had ! One arm gone and t'other pretty nigh worked 
 off turnin' this cussed crank ! I fit for the country though !" 
 
 " So did I a little. Where have you left your arm !" 
 
 " Gettysburg," answered the other, promptly. " Them rebs 
 guv us fits there ! Thankee, sir ! This is the first shin-plaster I've 
 got to-day. Most people drop a peony, when they drop auythink. 
 Most of all don't drop nothink !" 
 
 " What corps were you inP asked Darcy, glancing at the man's 
 cap. 
 
 " The cavaltry," replied the soldier ; " hoss killed by a shell. 
 Was taking the saddle to the rear, when another shell took my 
 arm. Don't remember nothink else, 'cept the horspittle. Laid up 
 four weeks." 
 
 " Who commanded your corps V persisted Darcy. 
 
 " Don't remember his name. He was a wolunteer giner.il. He 
 got hurted too. Disremember his name ; think it was Jones." 
 
 " What ails your foot P said Darcy. 
 
 " Minnie ball in it. The doctor rammed and poked about for it 
 half a day ; couldn't find it. Anyhow, I was done up, and they 
 sent me on to New York." 
 
 A tall, slender man stopped to listen to the last remark. He 
 had keen, almond-shaped black eyes, and a profusion of red beard 
 covering his mouth and chin, and flowing over his breast. There 
 was a jaunty air about him, in spite of his dilapidated appearance, 
 in a white, seedy overcoat and a broad brimmed felt hat. He 
 looked fixedly at Darcy a moment and then addressed the soldier. 
 
 " Well, comrade !" he said, " you have selected a cool evening for 
 your promenade ! Had any luck to-day P 
 
 u Got about two shillin' in pennies, and this gentleman gave me 
 a dime note. I'm goin' further down town ;" and he gathered up 
 his crutch, swung his organ on his back and stumped away, down 
 the street, followed by the last comer. Darcy resumed his 
 brisk walk up Broadway and was soon lost to view.
 
 WATCHED. 113 
 
 " Did you notice that man F asked the gentleman with the red 
 beard, as he walked slowly by the side of the soldier. 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Would you know him again ?" said the other, eagerly. 
 
 " Certainly. Not many men like him. He would be an ugly 
 cuss to tackle in a scuffle. Do you know him ?" 
 
 " I think I do. He would not be apt to recognize you, if you 
 were fixed up a little. I shall want you to watch him." 
 
 " What fur?" said the lame man, gruffly. 
 
 " No matter. To see that he don't take cold. You get along 
 pretty well with your crutch. He will be likely to come back 
 this way. Give me your organ, and keep your eyes open. If he 
 should return, follow him and see where he goes. Thunder 1 
 Why this thing weighs half a ton. I can't carry it." 
 
 "Better^ leave it with me," replied the soldier. "I can get rid 
 of it, not fur off. I'll put it away, and come back here. How 
 long must I wait F 
 
 " An hour or so," said the other ; " say until ten o'clock. I'll 
 walk a little way after him now. Maybe I can overtake him." 
 
 But he underrated Darcy's pedestrian powers. The night was 
 cold, and he walked the more briskly on that account. When 
 the stranger had passed five or six squares, he gave up the chase 
 in disgust. He was wise, as Darcy was moving about five feet to 
 his four. 
 
 The number of a cross street was painted on the lamp at the 
 corner, and Darcy found himself in the vicinity of the property 
 he was looking for. The houses were new, and many of them 
 unoccupied, and the street had a generally new appearance. 
 Here and there he saw vacant lots, with masses of rock cropping 
 out of the ground, in sharp contrast with the trim, new houses in 
 the neighborhood. The cross-streets were not curbed, and he was 
 somewhat bewildered, as he was beyond the region of brilliantly 
 lighted shops. But a few questions to a stately policeman gained 
 him the requisite information, and he was able to identify the 
 tract with tolerable accuracy. 
 
 The most of it was vacant land, though there were two un 
 finished houses with brown-stone fronts on one of the corners. 
 The doors and windows were boarded up, and little snow heaps 
 lay on the sills. Darcy stepped the boundaries, and estimated 
 the area, remembering the general descriptions^ in the deed, and 
 then turned his face towards his lodgings. 
 
 8
 
 114 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " This property is or will be very valuable," he thought, as he 
 approached the more populous part of the city ; " and it will not 
 be easy to ascertain the value. I must get acquainted with some 
 real estate broker. When I get to Camden street, I'll go to bed, 
 and quit thinking about things. And to-morrow night I'll take 
 another careful survey of those papers, and perhaps get to the 
 sealed envelope." 
 
 Passing the Fifth Avenue Hotel, he thought he would walk 
 through the passages once or twice, and get thawed. The house 
 was warm, and the bar-room was full. He strolled about aim 
 lessly a few minutes, and then pushing the swing door back, he 
 brushed past the red whiskered man in the white overcoat. He 
 was just conscious that he had seen him before, and did not look 
 directly at him, but he thought the other drew back rather more 
 than was needful to give him egress. A minute later he was on 
 the street, and there, standing by the lamp-post, was the lame 
 warrior, leaning on his crutch, but without his organ. As Darcy 
 passed him, he heard the clump of the crutch, following. 
 
 " That fellow wants another ten cent note," said the youth to 
 himself, "but won't get it. I must husband my resources, and 
 not duplicate my charities. Besides, I have an uncomfortable 
 suspicion that he was lying about the < cavaltry.' He is a good 
 walker, if he has a game leg. I have half a mind to put him on 
 his mettle. I will, by George *? Let us see what he can do !" 
 
 And stretching his long legs to their best stride, he walked 
 straight down Broadway, darting out of the way of passengers 
 who were going in the opposite direction. Fifteen minutes 
 brought him to the Saint Nicholas Hotel, and without pausing, he 
 entered the passage. As he let the door swing back, he distinctly 
 heard the clump of the crutch behind him. He walked through 
 the long passage, into the billiard-room, and getting a seat in a 
 remote corner, watched the door. In two minutes after his arrival, 
 be saw the almond shaped eyes and red beard. 
 
 " This is not accident," thought he ; " these rascals are follow 
 ing me for some purpose. And now to baffle them." 
 
 He walked quietly out, passing the stranger, who was absorbed 
 in a game at a near table, and apparently unconscious of Darcy's 
 existence. He waited at the entrance to the elevator a moment 
 and then entered, and ascended to the third floor. Coming imme 
 diately down the side staircase, lie gained the parlor floor, and 
 walked gingerly out at the ladies' entrance. The lame soldier
 
 A NEW DEPARTURE. 115 
 
 was at the main door, watching, and Darcy sped down the street 
 at a great pace. And when he let himself in at Cam den street, 
 with his night key, there was no other passenger visible in the 
 quiet street. And the red whiskered man was inquiring at the 
 office desk, if Mr. Gaston, of Lexington, Kentucky, was a guest 
 at the house, and seemed incredulous when answered in the 
 negative. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 A NEW DEPARTURE. 
 
 DARCY did not regret the absence of fire in his room, as he 
 disrobed and prepared for bed. His race had set the vital 
 current in rapid motion, and he was aglow when he slipped in be 
 tween the cold sheets. 
 
 u Now, then," he thought, " the plot begins to thicken. Let me 
 think the matter over. That whiskered chap knew the soldier. 
 It struck me, when he first accosted him, that they were acquaint 
 ances. Then they were together at the Fifth Avenue Hotel ; then 
 at the Saint Nicholas. It was a sharp dodge, as Mr. Skillet would 
 say, to go up three floors, and then out at the side door. I have 
 certainly baffled them for the nonce. Now, the question ! Who 
 are they f what are they after? 
 
 " That one-armed rascal is certainly a stranger ; but whenever 
 I think of the black-eyed one, it seems to me that we have met 
 before. I must track back, and see if I can recall him. He was 
 smoking ; and while I watched him in the billiard-room, I noticed 
 a peculiarity, when he took his cigar out of his mouth and when 
 he replaced it. That is, he poked out his arm as though his coat 
 sleeve cramped his motions, and then slowly bent his elbow until 
 he reached his ugly mug. There was an air of importance and of 
 perfect self satisfaction about him that was aggravated by that 
 peculiarity. But, pshaw ! I have seen over a dozen jackasses do 
 the very same thing. There was that first-class jackass, Spooner, 
 at college, who entered the Soph, class with a plug hat. He 
 used to crook his arm in precisely the same fashion, and he 
 thought he was the biggest man in the class. When the fellows 
 wished to make an extravagant bet, they used to say ' Spooner's 
 estimate of his own value.' And Squizzem, too ; he poked his
 
 116 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 arms out in just the same style when he was giving me that second 
 hand lecture. I cannot identify the black-eyed scamp on this 
 track ; he has too many congeners. 
 
 " Black-eyed ! bold, bad eyes ; insolent ! I felt my temper ris 
 ing when he looked so steadily at me. If we meet again, I'll try 
 the strength of his eyes. Pooh ! I am not foolish enough to get 
 up a quarrel for nothing. I cannot identify the man. He is just 
 the embodiment of cold-blooded effrontery. 
 
 " Next. What was he after ? Me ! Well, what did he want ? 
 Did he intend to pick my pocket ? Do I look like a green coun 
 tryman, I wonder? It could not be that. While I do not seem 
 particularly impecunious, I do not carry any tokens of affluence 
 about me. He was after something else. Ah ! I have a clue. 
 
 li Miss Norman's affairs. This fellow has been put on my track 
 by some one interested in the settlement of the estate. Let me 
 fix that idea clearly in my mind, and then I'll go to sleep. 
 
 " She is intent upon one scheme. And this scheme in some 
 way runs counter to other interests. By George ! I'll go see her 
 to-morrow, and tell her I must know more, or quit her service. 
 But I cannot do that, poor girl. I cannot be so rude. Ah ! How 
 could Helen say such cruel things about her ? 
 
 " Have these two women met ? Impossible. Yet, how could 
 Helen know of Nina's desire to gain possession of certain prop 
 erty ? And this very Euthven's Folly probably is the property in 
 question. Has Helen any interest, real or imaginary, in it H Im 
 possible. The deeds are in perfect order, and the transfer of title 
 is complete and final. Indeed, the transfer of Darcy Euthven 
 and his mother was an unnecessary addendum to the original 
 document. I will see Miss Euthven in the morning, and get more 
 light. And now for sleep." 
 
 The morning sun wakened Darcy by shining on his face. He 
 rose and, dressing rapidly, descended the stairs, and met Helen in 
 the hall. She was just leaving the house. 
 
 " Allow me to walk a little way with you," he said, with grave 
 politeness ; " your parting words last night demand some explana 
 tion from me, at least, and perhaps from you also." 
 
 11 1 spoke hastily," she answered, coldly, " but I meant no 
 offence." 
 
 " I think there is a mistake somewhere," said Darcy ; " do you 
 know that I have been a law student ? Well, I have, and proba 
 bly would be admitted to practice with some slight formalities if
 
 A NEW DEPARTURE. 117 
 
 I should make the effort. The matters I have in hand are, there 
 fore, entrusted to me by one whom I may call my client " 
 
 " Did your client mention me P said Helen, abruptly. 
 
 " No ; certainly not." 
 
 " Are you at liberty to tell me your client's name I" 
 
 " I think not," answered Darcy, after a pause ; " may I ask you 
 if there is a name by which you can identify the property you 
 spoke of?" 
 
 " Yes," said she, promptly, " it is called Euthven's Folly." 
 
 " Ah ! And you thought I was working against your inter 
 ests " 
 
 " I have no interests," she answered, vehemently. " I will never 
 have an interest in this land. Certainly not by the means you 
 will probably employ. I will not be a party to a scheme that is 
 essentially fraudulent, and I have already announced that deter 
 mination as emphatically as possible. Please say to your client 
 that my first act, if the property were forced upon me, would be 
 to donate it to a hospital." 
 
 Darcy walked by her side, silently meditating. In due time 
 they reached Broadway, and Helen stopped at the door of Mr. 
 Tilter's establishment. Darcy glanced at the sign, " J. Tilter. 
 Hoop Skirts." 
 
 " You stop here," he said. " Listen to a word more. Do you 
 think I could take part in a fraudulent scheme !" 
 
 " The law," murmured Helen, " the law may be clear, when the 
 equity is doubtful. My father has often told me that a lawyer 
 was bound by every consideration of honour to stand by his 
 client." 
 
 " But your father would never have a rogue for a client. And 
 if I ever practice law, which is not probable, I will never let the 
 law excuse me for advocating injustice or fraud. I would starve 
 sooner. And I am perfectly sure that my client would not swerve 
 one hair's breadth from the path of rectitude to obtain possession 
 of ten times the value of Kuthven's Folly. If I am mistaken in 
 this," he continued, noticing her gesture of dissent, " I am surely 
 not mistaken in counting myself incapable of such .baseness. I 
 would not dishonour my name, even to regain your good opinion. 
 Good morning." 
 
 She stood in the doorway watching him as he strode down the 
 street. He was evidently wounded, and she had been harsh and 
 petulant ! Could she be mistaken, or was he misled by one wiser
 
 118 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 and unscrupulous ? Filled with doubts, she began to climb the 
 steps, and was overtaken at the second landing by Mr. Donis, 
 coming up three steps at a time. 
 
 " Aha ! Miss Harding," he said, with a grin, " you have been 
 taking a mornin' walk with a feller, after all !" 
 
 " I do not understand you !" said Helen, haughtily. 
 
 " Oh ! we need not put on any airs !" replied Mr. Donis, taking 
 off his glove. " Bless you, IVe met a many of your sort ! Shy as 
 a kitten and skittish as a colt 'till the right feller comes. I think 
 you might be a little more friendly with me, though ! Come ! I'll 
 say nothin' about your mornin' walk ; let me help you up stairs," 
 and he passed his arm around her waist with a chuckle. 
 
 Helen dashed his arm down very much as she would have shaken 
 off a snake, and, after a momentary hesitation, turned and went 
 down stairs. 
 
 " Time's up!" said Mr. Donis, gayly, as she reached the door. 
 " If you arn't at your machine in five minutes you will be docked 
 two shillin' ! He, he ! How spunky we are, to be sure 1" and he 
 continued the ascent, humming " Tramp, tramp ! the boys are 
 marching P 
 
 " This cannot be endured !" said Helen to herself, when she re 
 gained the street. " He was insolent enough before, but to touch 
 me ! I'll go back and tell Mrs. Camp ! No, I won't. I'll go tell 
 Mr. Skillet; but it is too early to find him. I will wait until 
 noon." 
 
 A troop of girls came thronging in the doorway, and, joining 
 them, Helen went up the steps once more, and entered upon her 
 regular duties. Mr. Donis, in no wise abashed, passed her twice 
 or thrice during the morning with a pleasant smirk on his face. 
 He was too noble minded to harbour resentment, and, in fact, con 
 sidered the little rebuff he had met on the stairs as the inevitable 
 preliminary to a better acquaintance. It was a little curious that 
 Helen's meditations at the same time were upon the question as 
 to the relative degree of cruelty involved in burning him at a slow 
 fire, or drowning him in a shallow pond ; and upon the problem : 
 if five grains of strychnine would kill a big dog, how many grains 
 would kill a puppy. If the puppy had been endowed with the or 
 dinary instinct of his kind, he would have discovered her repug 
 nance. But he was clad in the triple armour of conceit, and hap 
 pily unconscious. 
 
 At noon Helen extravagantly spent ten cents in omnibus fare,
 
 A NEW DEPARTURE. 119 
 
 and rode down to Wall street. She had learned Mr. Skillet's ad 
 dress from Mrs. Camp a day or two before. The old gentleman 
 had been so kind to her that she felt no sort of hesitation in apply 
 ing to him, but when she reached his office, she found a sudden fit 
 of shyness taking possession of her. She would probably see Mr. 
 Gaston if she went in ! she had not thought of that. While she 
 doubted, the omnibus rolled on, and before she had decided what 
 to do it had reached the ferry, and she got out with the other pas 
 sengers. 
 
 " This is mere weakness P she murmured. " I must get away 
 from that horrible den. Mrs. Camp was talking last night about the 
 high prices paid to house servants. I will certainly hire myself as 
 seamstress or nurse in some decent family, if I cannot otherwise 
 get a.way from that odious brute ! After all, it would only be a 
 renewal of my Cincinnati life, where I was veritable nurse and 
 seamstress, though I was called a l governess.' Fll go to Mr. Skil 
 let at once !" 
 
 She stood aside to give passage to a troop of men pouring out 
 of the ferry gates. After the first burst passed, the ladies began 
 to appear, and among them a prim-looking damsel, escorted by Mr. 
 Skillet himself. The old gentleman was all politeness and atten 
 tion, and Helen saw him assisting the lady into an omnibus, shak 
 ing hands at parting, and bowing to her as the vehicle drove off. 
 As he replaced his hat Helen touched his arm. 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Skillet," she began, " I am so glad to meet you here P 
 
 " And I am glad to see you," he responded, shaking hands cor 
 dially. " Why, I was thinkin' of you this very minute ! Been to 
 Brooklyn V 
 
 "No, sir; I came down here to see you, and when I reached 
 your office I I thought I could not go in." 
 
 u It's no consequence P replied Mr. Skillet, " that is, I told 'em 
 I should not be back. I expected to stay longer to Brooklyn, but 
 I got through sooner than I expected. What's up ?" 
 
 " I want to get away from Mr. Tilter's, sir, please," said Helen, 
 half crying ; " I think I would like to sew in some private family, 
 or teach children." 
 
 " Has that jackass been impudent to you T I mean that young 
 whelp." 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " I'll put a head onto him 1" said Mr. Skillet, in wrath ; " or I'll 
 tell Dassy ! Yes, yes ! I'll tell Dassy. And if he don't have on a 
 two-story Mansard before night I'm a Dutchman ! that's all P
 
 120 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 "Please don't tell anybody, Mr. Skillet," said Helen, "but just 
 find me some hiding place where nobody can find me " 
 
 " Except me and Dassy f 
 
 " Except you, sir. I don't want Mr. Gaston to know where I 
 am either," continued Helen, blushing. " I don't want even Mrs. 
 Camp to know. Oh ! if I could only get back to Cincinnati !" 
 
 " Well, well !" ejaculated Mr. Skillet, " this bangs the witches ! 
 I think the devil has broke loose ! But it's no consequence ! Why, 
 my child, I have already arranged for a hiding place for you, 
 where nobody will find you, and I was going up to old Tilter this 
 very afternoon to tell you about it ! Git in this 'bus and go home. 
 Git your satchel and come right back to this ferry. I'll meet you 
 at three o'clock, right in there at the ferry house, and you will be 
 as snug as a thief in a mill before dark. Don't cry now ! I tell 
 you it is all right. Jest keep your mouth shet, and be punctual. 
 I'll say nauthin', and if you would rather not, I won't put a head 
 on that little whelp either. Cuss his impudence ! Here we are ! 
 Good inornin' 1 Three o'clock, sharp !" 
 
 CHAPTER XXY. 
 MR. DONIS. 
 
 BY an odd coincidence, it happened that Darcy Gaston was 
 engaged in pleasant conference with Mr. Donis at the very 
 moment that Mr. Skillet employed in delivering objurgatory 
 remarks to Helen concerning the same attractive individual. Mr. 
 Tilter had sent the young gentleman to Wall street to purchase 
 exchange for remittance by the next day's steamer. As Mr. 
 Tilter was an " associate member" of the Gold Exchange, Mr. 
 Donis had the entree to that quiet resort, and while the very pillars 
 shook with the shouts of the operators, Darcy was introduced by 
 a fellow clerk, with whom he had some slight acquaintance. This 
 last mentioned youth was also an occasional " operator," on his 
 own account, and he had just " made a turn," that is, he had 
 bought ten thousand dollars and sold it again at one-eighth 
 advance. His name was Jackson, and he represented an exten 
 sive firm in unlimited credit, that has since retired from business, 
 after paying ten cents in the dollar of an indebtedness counted by 
 millions.
 
 ME. DONI8. 121 
 
 " Come, Mr. Gaston," he said, flourishing some greenbacks in 
 his hand ; " come, Donis ! Let us go to Delinonico's and lunch. 
 I've got the money for that turn. Twelve fifty. Let's get outside 
 of it." 
 
 Darcy hesitated. He did not like to be " treated" to lunch. His 
 habit was to dine at four or five o'clock, at a quiet restaurant, 
 where the roast beef was exceptionally good and the prices 
 moderate. Yet he had some curiosity to see the interior of 
 Delmouico's, and the thought passed through his mind that Mr. 
 Jackson's money had been easily made and would be readily spent 
 anyhow. 
 
 " Come along !" continued Mr. Jackson, " Delmonico will give 
 us some stuffed tommartisses." 
 
 " I want a filly !" observed Mr. Donis. 
 
 " All right ! Come on ! Come, Mr. Gaston, I want you to try 
 the tommartisses." 
 
 Darcy followed, registering a vow that he would return the 
 treat to-morrow. The waiter, selected by Mr. Jackson, led the way 
 to a private room on the third floor. 
 
 " Stuffed tommartisses for two, Augooste, and a bottle of the 
 Widdy Cliquot. Give your order, Donis." 
 
 "Filly de boof, ox champingons !" said Mr. Donis, in choice 
 French. 
 
 " Oui, monsieur !" said the waiter, and vanished. 
 
 While they waited, Mr. Donis twisted his waxed moustache 
 and studied Darcy's plain exterior. It was at a time when young 
 men indulged in large plaids and monkey jackets, and Darcy had 
 not adopted the fashion. 
 
 " What are yon after to-day, Donis P said Jackson, while the 
 waiter arranged their repast. 
 
 " A little sterling," replied the other ; "Tilter wants to remit by 
 to-morrow's steamer." 
 
 " Tilter ?" said Darcy ; " up Broadway, hoop skirts ?" 
 
 " Exactly !" answered Mr. Jackson. " Donis has a soft thing. 
 About forty girls rattling sewing machines." 
 
 " It's a plaguey noosance !" said Mr. Donis. "You have to keep 
 'em at work, and a feller don't like to order girls about." 
 
 "But you have lots of chances to court 'em," observed Mr. 
 Jackson, with a grin ; " nobody to interfere with you." 
 
 " Don't know about that," said Mr. Doiiis. " I've been a little 
 sweet on one of 'em, and this morning I saw her walk up to the 
 door with another feller !"
 
 122 FLESH AND SI'JUIT. 
 
 " Why didii't you put a head on him ? Come ! Set np ! 
 Augooste, draw the cork." 
 
 " No wine for me, thank you," said Darcy. 
 
 11 What ! You are not temperance, are you H" 
 
 " Yes," said Darcy, decidedly. 
 
 ," Well, that's a pity. But Donis and I can dispose of this bot 
 tle. Say ! Donis, why didn't you put a head on that feller ! He 
 was a poachin' on your property." 
 
 " I was a block off when Mary left him, or when he left her. 
 But I caught her on the steps and told her I had seen her beau. 
 Bless you, she was as spunky as a cat ! But I just gave her a 
 little hug and let her go." 
 
 " Are you going to leave it so," said Mr. Jackson. 
 
 " Not much ; I'll be all right in a week ! Wish I could see that 
 feller, though." 
 
 " What's name ?" said Mr. Jackson. 
 
 " Dunno. She was not disposed to communicate any informa 
 tion. But I'll find out." 
 
 il How did the young lady receive your caress ?" said Darcy, 
 with his mouth full of " tommartiss." 
 
 " Oh ! just like 'em all ; pretended to be very indignant, of 
 course, and knocked my arm off. Young lady ! He ! he ! She 
 is only a sewing girl !" 
 
 " Has she been long with you," continued Darcy, his voice still 
 affected by his efforts at deglutition. 
 
 " Only a few days. Old Skillet brought her ; picked her up 
 somewhere. Quare old chap ! Augooste, give me another drop 
 of the creamy. You had better take the rest, Jackson. I've had 
 inor'n my share." 
 
 This was a very true remark. 
 
 Darcy had but little appetite. He sat quietly munching a 
 crust, and trying to decide whether he would be justified in throw 
 ing Mr. Donis out of the window, or not. But he reflected that it 
 was three stories from the pavement, and concluded that it would 
 be unsafe, as he might fall on the head of some innocent pedes 
 trian and possibly hurt him. 
 
 They walked down stairs. Mr. Jackson paid the bill, and hur 
 ried back to the gold room. Mr. Donis turned down into Pearl 
 street, Darcy following, until they reached the front of the Cotton 
 Exchange. There had been an auction sale that morning, and the 
 street was filled with bales of cotton, and they had to thread their
 
 MB. DONIS. 123 
 
 way between tiers of bales, piled near the sidewalk. Mr. Donis 
 had imbibed about two-thirds of the champagne and saw more 
 bales than the auctioneer had sold, 
 
 " Excuse me", said Darcy, " if I transgress in asking, but I have 
 a curiosity to know the name of the sewing girl you mentioned." 
 
 " Humph !" said the other, gruffly. " I don't know as it is any 
 of your business." 
 
 " Certainly not," replied Darcy, with increasing politeness j "but 
 it occurred to me that it was something unusual among gentle 
 men, first to insult an unprotected girl, and then to boast of it." 
 
 There was such a marked disparity between his tones and his 
 words, that Mr. Donis was sobered a little. He leaned on his 
 cane and reflected, putting his hand up to his moustache. Darcy 
 noticed that he tossed his arm forward, and gradually brought 
 his fingers to his mouth, very much like his pursuer of the previous 
 night. There was something about the motion that increased 
 Darcy's ire. 
 
 " A man with human instincts," continued Darcy, after waiting 
 in vain for a response, "could hardly do what you say you did. 
 The fact that the girl was poor enough to be obliged to work for 
 her living, would be a shield of adamant to a gentleman." 
 
 " Do you mean to say I'm no gentleman H" said Mr. Donis, 
 fiercely. " Look here ! You can take yourself off if you like, or 
 you can have your head knocked off! Whichever you please." 
 
 " Stop !" said Darcy, catching his arm, as he raised it threaten 
 ingly. " You have had too much wine to-day. Wait until to-mor 
 row, and I will call at your place, and repeat my remarks." 
 
 " You will, will you ?" said Mr. Doiiis, furiously. " Well, I'll 
 put a mark on you, so that I'll know you again ;" and he raised his 
 cane suddenly, and aimed a terrific blow at Darcy's head. 
 
 That amiable young gentleman heaved a sigh, partly of regret, 
 and partly of heavenly relief. He had been burning to throttle 
 Mr. Douis for half an hour, and now it was a clear case of self- 
 defence. They were standing in a little area, surrounded by cotton 
 bales, part on the sidewalk and part on the street, and were 
 therefore hidden from the passengers on either side. Darcy 
 started forward, caught the descending cane on his left arm, and 
 disarranged Mr. Donis's necktie with his other hand. The cane 
 dropped in the scuffle, and so did Mr. Donis. Darcy rolled him 
 over into the gutter, which was full of slush, and spoiled the ap 
 pearance of his hat and monkey jacket. Then he caught his
 
 124 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 collar again, and bobbed him up and down in the water eighteen 
 times, spoiling all the exhilarating effect of the champagne. He 
 did not strike him at all. At last he drew him out upon the curb, 
 and propped him up against a cotton bale, limp and exhausted. 
 
 "My name is Darcy Gaston," he said, as he released him. " I 
 may be found at number fifty-five, Wall street. I am disen 
 gaged generally until noon, and will be at your service whenever 
 you may want me. Good morning !" and he walked gingerly out 
 of the area, leaving Mr. Donis in doubt as to the reality of his 
 surroundings, or as to the present money vaue of his attire. 
 
 "What ails your arm?" said Mr. Skillet, suddenly pouncing 
 upon Darcy, as he was wrapping the injured member in a wet 
 towel. 
 
 " Oh !" said Darcy, " excuse me, sir ! I did not know you were 
 in. My arm ? Oh ! I struck it against something, down in Pearl 
 street." 
 
 "You did?" responded Mr. Skillet; "and your face and hair, 
 too ? It's no consequence ; but it looks as if you had struck agin 
 a streak o' lightning !" 
 
 " Yes, sir !" replied Darcy, in some confusion, glancing at the 
 reflection of his scratched countenance, and tumbled hair, in a 
 mirror on the opposite wall. 
 
 " I was going to ask you to go up Broadway, with a message 
 to old Tilter. ^Verbal. Talkin' is safer than writin' sometimes. 
 Can't sue you for damages or nauthin !" 
 
 "Tilter!" said Darcy, in dismay. The poor youth thought 
 Helen would see him, scratched and disfigured. 
 
 " Ya-as ! I want you to give him my compliments ; blast his 
 picter ! and tell him that whelp of hisen, Doiiis, that he sent down 
 here after exchange What's the matter ?" 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Skillet, pray don't send me ; Mr. Donis is not very 
 well. In fact, he was with me, when I got my arm hurt." 
 
 " The dickens he was !" said Mr. Skillet, eyeing Darcy keenly ; 
 " and did he git his arm hurt ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir at least he got somewhat damaged chiefly in his 
 habiliments. You see, sir," he continued, humbly, " he was telling 
 of his exploits among the sewing girls and you know Miss 
 Harding is there, sir, and I ventured to expostulate and he struck 
 me with a stick and " 
 
 "Proceed!" said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Well, I rolled him in the gutter, sir. I did not notice the
 
 BAFFLED. 125 
 
 water in it until it was too late. I see it splashed on me also. 
 But I don't like to take any message that will add to his trouble. 
 I think he will do for a day or two." 
 
 " All right I" said Mr. Skillet, " it's no consequence ;" and he 
 retired into the back office, where he rolled over on the lounge in 
 security, while the tears rolled down his rosy cheeks. 
 
 " Gosh and Gemini!" he said, when he regained his voice; " a 
 nice, quiet, sweet tempered Dassy I've got, I don't think ! The 
 pesky young cuss ! The unreconstructed young rebbil ! Bully for 
 Dassy I" 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 BAFFLED. 
 
 ME. DONIS, who was greatly discouraged by the little skrim- 
 inage at which he had assisted, sat leaning against the 
 cotton bale, looking at his soiled garments, and mopping his 
 dishevelled tresses with his handkerchief. There was a brisk 
 air stirring, and as he sat in a draught, the evaporation made 
 him feel cool and collected. Something had to be done, however, 
 and he scrambled to his feet, picked up his hat, late so trim and 
 glossy, and tried to twirl his moustache and look fierce. But it 
 Was a failure, as the wax had been washed off by his numerous 
 submersions. He thought he would like to swear, but could not 
 think of any customary expletives that would do justice to the 
 circumstances. Darcy had knelt on his slender legs, and Donis 
 thought they were broken, but they were only damp and decidedly 
 cold. 
 
 " Ruined !"'he muttered ; " sixty-five dollar suit, not to mention 
 the hat. I want a gallon of that fellow's gore." 
 
 He picked up his cane, and began to thread his way out of the 
 area. At the entrance he met a stranger, who looked at his 
 splashed attire, and drew aside to give him passage. 
 
 " Had a fall, sir f said he. " Ah ! I see ; you slipped on the 
 curb. There ought to be a law against blocking up the street in 
 this way. Not hurt, are you F 
 
 " Not much," answered Mr. Donis ; " it was not exactly a fall. 
 That is, I had a tussle with a blackguard, and he tripped me up, 
 and then run. I'll be even with him yet."
 
 126 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Better call a policeman in such cases," observed the stranger 
 lt Would you know him again ?" 
 
 " Know him ! I should think so, confound him ! I don't know 
 how I am going up Broadway in these clothes, though." 
 
 " Why didn't you give him a taste of your stick P said the 
 other. u It is a good tough stick." 
 
 " I gave him one wipe, curse him 1 But he tripped me up the 
 next minnit." 
 
 " What did you quarrel about ?" Donis looked more intently 
 at the questioner before he answered. He wore a seedy white 
 overcoat and a felt hat, but he had nicely fitting kid gloves on his 
 hands, and had a thoroughbred air that impressed his inter 
 locutor. He had almond shaped, black eyes, a hooked nose, and 
 under it, a volume of red beard. 
 
 " About a woman," replied Mr. Donis, reluctantly. " I saw 
 him walkin' with her this mornin' ; but I didn't know him 'till we 
 had the tussle. She didn't mention his name, neither. But while 
 he was aggravatin' me in there, it just flashed on my mind that 
 he was the same feller. And when he told me he was at 55 Wall 
 street that's old Skillet's I knowed I was right, because old 
 Skillet brought the gal to our place." 
 
 " Skillet!" said the other; " the stock and gold broker?" 
 
 " Yes. This Gaston stays with him. I met him in the gold 
 room. What can I do with these clothes ?" 
 
 " Come with me," said the stranger, courteously. " I know a 
 place where you can get dried, anyhow. It is close by. Here in 
 Pearl street." 
 
 It was a dingy looking cellar, where lager beer was dispensed. 
 But there was a great red stove in the centre. They drew their 
 chairs up, and the stranger called for two glasses of beer. Drink 
 never came amiss to Mr. Donis, and although he had so recently 
 imbibed two-thirds of a bottle of Cliquot, he accepted the lager. 
 The wine had probably got somewhat diluted in his tussle. 
 
 "Now take off your coat, and hang it on the chair back. Hans, 
 bring another chair. So ! You might take off your pantaloons, 
 if you like. Nobody here, but beer-swilling Dutchmen. 
 
 " I'll lend ter shentlemans a pair of overhalls," said Hans, 
 obligingly; " dey are cleans. Schlippers too." Hans thought 
 they would drink the more lager, the longer they staid, and had 
 some visions of a possible quarter, also. He produced the articles 
 in a moment.
 
 BAFFLED, 127 
 
 " That is sensible," observed the stranger, approvingly. " Now 
 Hans, see if you can't brush up this hat. We shall want two 
 
 more lagers presently. Mr. I beg your pardon, but I have 
 
 forgotten your name." 
 
 " Douis." 
 
 " And mine is Blake. It is rather odd, but I have a little 
 business with your friend. What did you call him ? Gaston I" 
 
 " No friend of mine," said Mr. Donis, roughly. 
 
 " Quite as much yours as mine," replied the other, showing his 
 white teeth j " it is quite likely that we may be too much for him 
 hereafter. He has well he has tripped me up, metaphorically, 
 also. And when he tripped me, he ran, as he did from you." 
 
 " Give us your hand, Mr. Blake !" said Donis, eagerly. " I'll 
 join in any arrangement to put a head on that Gaston. Did he 
 interfere with any woman of yours ?" 
 
 " Well, yes. But not seriously. My complaint against him is 
 more on account of his leading me a fool's chase, about two miles, 
 and then slipping out of my very fingers. I tracked him to Skillet's 
 this morning. Two more, Hans ! What sort of girl is yours F 
 
 " Big grey eyes. Very stiff and proud. One of our sewing 
 girls in fact. Name of Harding Mary. She beats the witches 
 with the Singers. I believe she could take one to pieces, and put 
 it together again inside of ten minutes." 
 
 " Don't you know where she lives F said Mr. Blake, carelessly. 
 
 " Oh, yes. I followed her home last night." 
 
 " Near your place F 
 
 " No. Down in Camden street, Number ninety-six*" 
 
 " And your place " 
 
 " Tilter's. Hoop skirts. Broadway." 
 
 , "Oh, yes ; I know the locality." He took out his watch and 
 started up. "Bless me! It is nearly three o'clock! I have an 
 appointment at three. Will you excuse me, if I leave you ? Your 
 clothes will be dry in half an hour, and Hans will brush the stains 
 off. Give him a quarter, and it will be all right. I'll see you 
 again ; good day 1" 
 
 Mr. Tilter was at the top of the seventy-two steps, when Mr. 
 Blake presented himself, at three, fifteen. Mr. Blake begged per 
 mission to say a word to Miss Harding. 
 
 " Harding F said Mr. Tilter, with the quill in his mouth. " Let 
 me see," and he consulted a memorandum book ; " Oh, yes. Not 
 in j sick, I suppose. Not been back since noon."
 
 128 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Mr. Blake walked down to Camden street. Number 96 was a 
 cosy little brick house, three stories. Very respectable neighbour 
 hood, certainly, but no brownstone fronts. After some hesitation, 
 he rang the bell. 
 
 " Is Miss Harding in T he asked, when the door opened. 
 
 " No, sir," replied the girl. 
 
 " Are you sure F 
 
 " I am, thin," responded the girl. " I put her in a 'bus wid her 
 satchel an hour ago." 
 
 " Is Mrs. Camp disengaged f said Mr. Blake, his black eyes 
 snapping with rage ; " Please ask her if I can see her a moment." 
 
 " Sure you can, sir. Walk into the parlour, plaze." 
 
 When Mrs. Camp appeared, Mr. Blake had regained his com 
 posure. He had rapidly made up the outlines of a story, while he 
 waited. 
 
 " I am sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Camp," he said, politely ; " but 
 I had an urgent message for Miss Harding." 
 
 " Oh, from Mr. Tilter ? Yes, sir, she said he might want to 
 
 know But how did you find her address ? She told me Mr. 
 
 Tilter would not know where to send. Take a seat, sir." 
 
 Mr. Blake resumed his seat. It would not do to come from Mr. 
 Tilter, evidently. 
 
 " Mr. Tilter ? Oh, no, madam. My message is from Kentucky. 
 " Your servant said Miss Harding was out." 
 
 "Sarveut!" muttered Bridget, who was listening in the hall. 
 " The divil take his impudence, thin ! To call a dacent girl a sar- 
 vent, when she is only a help." 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied Mrs. Camp; "she has been gone since half- 
 past two." 
 
 " Do you know when she will return f I must deliver my mes 
 sage this afternoon, if possible." 
 
 " Well, sir," said Mrs. Camp, " I am sorry I cannot give her ad 
 dress. She has left for good, and I have no idea where she has 
 gone." 
 
 There was an unmistakable air of truthfulness about Mrs. Camp, 
 and Mr. Blake dismissed the first suggestion to wit : that she 
 was deceiving him without hesitation. He was greatly dis 
 turbed, evidently. 
 
 " It is highly important that I should see Miss Harding," he 
 said ; " can you suggest any one to me, who would probably know 
 where to find her F
 
 BAFFLED. 129 
 
 " Indeed, I cannot, sir. I have not the most remote idea." 
 
 u Would you object to telling me what she said, when she left 
 you V said Mr. Blake ; " perhaps she may have left some clue that 
 I can follow up." 
 
 " She just came to my door, and said l Mrs. Camp, I am obliged 
 to leave you for the present. It is like leaving my home again, 
 and I am sorry j' and she put some money in my hand, for her 
 board, and kissed me. I asked her where she was going " 
 
 " Well, madam," said Mr. Blake, anxiously. 
 
 " I can't understand her answer, at all, sir ! She looked so 
 quiet and cheerful, and good, that I was not able to question her. 
 She said she would write to me soon, but at present she could not 
 say where she was going! And ever since she left more than an 
 hour ago I have felt like blaming myself for not locking her up 
 in her room ! I don't know what to think !" 
 
 11 Will you allow me to call again, Mrs. Camp, some days hence ?" 
 said Mr. Blake, rising. " Perhaps she may give an address in her 
 note to you." 
 
 " Certainly, sir. But I don't expect a note." 
 
 " Did she say she would write ?" 
 
 " Yes. But she may forget that." 
 
 " Never ! She would keep her word, if death were the penalty." 
 
 "I am greatly distressed. But, patience! We must wait. 
 Good afternoon, madam." 
 
 Mr. Blake made a very indifferent pantomime of patience as he 
 left Camden street. His eyes glittered, he ground his teeth, and 
 stamped with fiendish rage upon the stones he traversed. 
 
 " Baffled again!" he whispered to himself; " baffled, and by a 
 slip of a girl, and this miserable little Kentucky ignoramus ! 
 Baffled by a hair's breadth ! Ten thousand million devils ! Is the 
 very best and most promising scheme of my entire life to be 
 thwarted by such as these! Is Rupert Grey to be the laughing 
 stock of the civilized world ! I am beside myself with rage and 
 disappointment. And to make the humiliation complete, there is 
 the consciousness that I was within one hour of success ; only sixty 
 minutes ! Ten thousand million billion devils !" 
 
 And in this pleasant frame of mind, Mr. Blake, or Mr. Grey, 
 walked down Broadway. Arrived at the Saint Nicholas hotel, he 
 went into the billiard room, and, lighting a cigar, sat apart in a 
 corner, revolving new schemes, and tossing his arm out in the old 
 conceited fashion, as he gradually regained his equanimity. 
 
 9
 
 130 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVH. 
 GASTON. 
 
 <<""VT~ELL !" said Tige Gaston, as he and his wife sat at their 
 
 -i-N glorious hickory wood fire one evening; "Nell, my 
 darling, my mind is ill at ease. I am like old Pegtop." 
 
 " Who is Pegtop, Tige f responded Mrs. Gaston, drawing her 
 chair nearer to him, and leaning her head upon his sturdy arm. 
 These weak-minded people had been married a dozen years, but they 
 still hugged the delusion that they were lovers. Each thought 
 the other a thousand fold more beautiful and good than their 
 most extravagant estimates were when they were only lovers. 
 There had been a time since their marriage when a rosy, rollick 
 ing boy had drawn from them a new set of emotions, all flowing 
 with accurate regularity from the parental relation wherein man 
 attains the fullness of godliness attainable no otherwise beneath 
 the stars. And when the little mound in the churchyard was all 
 that was left to them in the world's estimation, each secretly clung 
 with ineffable comfort to the conviction that the relation was only 
 modified, not changed; and each waited with calm confidence for 
 the time, sure to come, when the boy still Little Hal should 
 welcome them to that Land where he waited for them. And while 
 there was but little converse betwixt them upon the topic, each 
 knew the other's thought ; and so they drew closer, each to the 
 other, while the flowers bloomed and faded on the mound. 
 
 " Pegtop," said Tige, slipping his arm under her head, and so 
 bringing her soft eyes nearer to his own ; " Pegtop was a gentle 
 man, whose short biography may be found somewhere in Marry- 
 att I cannot tell the story in his expressive language, but the 
 facts are as follows : Pegtop had a son. The son embarked upon 
 the treacherous ocean - " 
 
 " He couldn't embark anywhere else, Tige," observed Mrs. 
 Gaston. 
 
 " Don't interrupt me, wife ! Yes, he could. He might have 
 embarked on a pond. But it was the ocean, and neither young 
 Pegtop nor young Pegtop's bark were ever heard from. So old 
 Pegtop was wont to say his mind was ill at ease, because he did 
 not know his son's fate. But one day a shark was captured some 
 where in the tropics, and being cut up, a silver watch was found 
 in his stomach. And the watch was identified as young Pegtop's
 
 NELL OASTON. 131 
 
 watch. Then old Pegtop said his mind was at ease, because he 
 now knew exactly what had become of his son." 
 
 " Well," said Nell, knitting her brows, " whose shark, or whose 
 watch do you want, Tige ! It's a horrid story, though." 
 
 u There, now," replied her husband, " you are off again with 
 your literal interpretation. I only said I resembled old Pegtop, 
 because my mind was ill at ease. I don't want any watch." 
 
 "Is it Darcy ?" 
 
 " Of course, it is Darcy. Nobody else has a watch, bat Darcy. 
 Ah, Nell ! You gave your watch to Darcy, and thought I would 
 not find you out." 
 
 " But I had two watches, Tige," answered his wife ; " you gave 
 me this on my last birthday. I could not wear two watches, 
 you know. Darcy lost his watch when he was captured over 
 there." Tige and his wife always referred to one of the bloodiest 
 battles of the war as " over there." 
 
 " Oh, it's all right," said Mr. Gaston j " but let us return to the 
 original topic. I am anxious about that boy." 
 
 " What makes you anxious ?" 
 
 " His letters," and he produced a small packet. " Here they 
 are, you have read them all. Now, what do you think ?" 
 
 u I think Darcy is not telling us everything," answered Mrs. Gas- 
 ton, positively. " He don't say one word about his occupations 
 of an evening. Does he go to theatres and balls! Has he fe 
 male acquaintances I A young man cannot be satisfied without 
 some sort of society. Why don't he describe his evenings ?" 
 
 " Why, Nell," said Tige, " you forget. Here is to-day's letter. 
 Listen ! ' I was up quite late last night. After I posted yester 
 day's letter, I had some papers to examine, as I have a case in 
 hand, partly legal and partly financial. I find my legal lore very 
 valuable, brother, in many ways. I think of getting some books, 
 and reading up o' nights. If I study the New York Code a little, 
 I can get into a law office here, work up cases, and finally obtain 
 admittance into the profession. After I had worked on the 
 papers a while, I walked out to the Park. It is going to be a 
 great park, Sister Nell, one of these days. Well, after I got back 
 as far as Twenty-third street, I stopped in the Fifth Avenue 
 Hotel. I noticed an ugly rascal there, and he seemed to notice 
 me. Then I walked down to the St. Nicholas, and there was my 
 red whiskered beauty again. So I just got into the elevator, 
 went up two or three floors, got out, tripped down the side stairs
 
 132 FLESH AND SPIRIT 
 
 and into the street by the ladies' door. Then I made tracks. If 
 the fellow followed me, he must have had wings to his boots, like 
 Mercury. By the bye, Mercury is the god of thieves !" 
 
 " The boy will get murdered in that dreadful city !" ejaculated 
 Nell. 
 
 " Murdered ! Pooh ! No danger of that. The fellow saw that 
 watch chain of yours, no doubt, and was after that. What the 
 dickens did the boy go poking about the hotels for! Then he 
 goes on : ' I was all aglow when I reached my room, and was 
 mindful of my promise to Sister Nell to take care of my health, 
 so I tumbled into bed while the circulation was rapid. I write 
 this by the grey light of dawn, as it is too early to go down town, 
 and I am too wide awake to go back to bed.' " 
 
 tl It is not natural, Tige," observed Mrs. Gaston, " for a healthy 
 young man to object to bed. I am sure you would lie abed half 
 the day if you could get breakfast." 
 
 " But I am not a healthy young man, Nell," said Tige ; " I feel 
 quite feeble. I was thinking to-day that I ought to take a little 
 trip somewhere." 
 
 " Little trip ?" 
 
 " Yes. With you, of course. How would you like to travel a 
 little?" 
 
 " To Omaha, Tige ?" said Mrs. Gaston, deceitfully. 
 
 tl No, I thought we might go to Cincinnati, and perhaps to 
 Pittsburgh ; and if I could stand the fatigue " 
 
 " Go on, you old hypocrite 1" said Nell. ' You want to go to 
 New York !" 
 
 "Well, of all the women I have ever met you take the lead !" 
 said Mr. Gaston, in a burst of genuine admiration. " Here I have 
 been blundering along, trying to find out your sentiments, and 
 you just pounce upon mine upon the slightest hint ! Now, I will 
 make a clean breast of it! I met Mr. Burton in Lexington 
 to-day " 
 
 " Yes !" said Mrs. Gaston, sarcastically, " I remember Mr. Bur 
 ton. You undertook his case without a retainer, fought it through 
 a whole term, gained it at last, and then sent him a check for his 
 claim without deducting a fee !" 
 
 "Exactly!" said her husband, " so to-day he gave me a thou 
 sand dollars ; and it is in bank this minute ! And I thought you 
 and I could indulge ourselves with a peep at Darcy. Oh, Nell, I 
 am so hungry for a sight of the boy !"
 
 NELL GASTON. 133 
 
 " Me, too, Mars'r Tige ! as Nanny says !" rejoined Mrs. Gaston. 
 " Let us go without notifying him, and may be. we'll catch him un 
 awares ! You talk about being hungry ! Why, I am aching all 
 over to see him 1 When can you go, dear ?" 
 
 " To-night !" said Tige, starting up. " Why not ? Can't you 
 put a few things into a trunk and drive to Lexington in forty min 
 utes ? Certainly ! I have enough money in my pocket for the 
 trip, and my check book is in my desk. Here, put it in. I don't 
 want anything but two or three shirts. You may fill up the 
 trunk with your own furbelows ! Women can't travel without a 
 trunk any more than an elephant ! But you are such a darling little 
 woman, that you shall have ten trunks if you like ! Kiss me, and 
 go pack up !" 
 
 " There are those hams I" said Mrs. Gaston, reflectively. " They 
 ought to come out of pickle on Friday ; they will be ruined. Six 
 teen of them, and perfect beauties !" 
 
 " I'll give you a check, Nell, for their^full value ; will you be 
 gone !" 
 
 " No, sir !" she answered, with dignity. " If you have gone 
 stark crazy, I have not ! Nanny might remember to take the hams 
 out, but " 
 
 u Nell !" said Tige, imploringly, " it is ten o'clock ! The train 
 leaves at eleven thirty !" 
 
 " Well, sir f ' 
 
 " And you will require at least an hour to pack that trunk !" 
 
 " Don't bother me, Mr. Gaston. Nanny 1 Do you think you 
 can remember to take the hams out on Friday ?" 
 
 " You done tole me about de hams, Miss Nell," answered Nanny. 
 " You tole me dis mornin ! And I knows about 'em anyhow. 
 Take 'em out in de full ob de moon, wid de sign in de heart. And 
 de middlins gwine to lay in pickle two days longer. De moon 
 fulls on Friday. Can't forget dat, 'kase my rheumatiz allers comes 
 on reg'lar when she fulls." 
 
 " Never mind about the moon, Nanny " 
 
 " Werry well, den ! You jist hang dat bacon, wid de moon on 
 de wane you'll see !" 
 
 " Well, then," said Mrs. Gaston, " Friday will be all right. And, 
 Nanny, take care of the eggs. If you can keep that speckled hen's 
 eggs separate, I should like to have a setting 
 
 " Settin' ! La ! Miss Nelly, wid snow on de ground ! 'Taint no 
 good time, nohow ; wouldn't have no luck wid chickens. Massy ! 
 You done tried dat oncet. Pickin' out eggs is jist temptin' Prov-
 
 134 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 idence. You seems to be forcin' on de hen chickens she had no right 
 to raise. What right has she to sot on other hens' eggs ! Den 
 she don't have no motherly feelin' for de chickens, and don't half 
 huddle 'em. Besides, Miss Nelly, you done tole me about de 
 chickens dis mornin' !" 
 
 ' It seems to me," quoth Tige, " that you have made all and 
 sundry arrangements this morning, Nell !" 
 
 " Don't bother me, Mr. Gaston !" replied Nell. " And Nanny, 
 you can send the last churning to Lexington. Send two pounds 
 to Mrs. Graves, with my compliments, and send the rest to Milli- 
 kin's." 
 
 " Must I send your compl'ments to Mr. Millikin, wid de butter P 
 
 Certainly not ! The old skinflint 1" 
 
 il Well, den, Miss Nelly, you done tole me about dat dis mornin', 
 when you was packin' de trunk . " 
 
 " There ! Get out Nanny I Tell John to drive up ! You see, 
 Tige, I knew your heart was set on this journey, so I made all 
 needful preparations this morning. You old goose ! I knew you 
 would want to rush off by the first train. Really, Tige, at your 
 age, you should be more sober and less impulsive. Why couldn't 
 you wait until to-morrow ?" 
 
 " True enough, Nell 1" replied Tige, deceitfully. " We can wait 
 Fll tell John to put up the horses. It is a cold night, anyhow." 
 
 *' Cold ! What an absurdity ! No, sir ! I am not going to do 
 all my packing over again ! If you are really bent on this trip, 
 the sooner it is over the better. Besides, you have made me thor 
 oughly uneasy about that boy ! I want to see that Skillet man, 
 too. Ah ! that boy would make friends anywhere ! I want to see 
 if Mr. Skillet keeps him bent double over a desk. Darcy has a 
 weak chest, anyhow. Put on your overcoat ! It would be a nice 
 business to miss the train, after all your preparations. And I 
 should have my hands pretty full, keeping you quiet another 
 twenty-four hours ! Oh, Tige ! if you would only learn to be less 
 headlong you would be perfect ! What in the world are you 
 laughing about f ' 
 
 " Nothing, Nell ; only at the idea of my perfection. All ready ! 
 How bright the stars are ! Good bye, Nanny ! Don't forget the 
 full of the moon ! And, Nanny, discriminate between the eggs ! 
 All right, John P 
 
 " 'Scriminate eggs ! Mars' Tige '11 be a boy ef he lives till he's 
 a hundred ! Dere dey go 1 Moon on right shoulder ! Good luck, 
 anyhow V
 
 CBOSS PURPOSES. 135 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 CROSS PURPOSES. 
 
 ON the morning succeeding Mr. Darcy Gaston's flight from the 
 threatening arm of Mr. Donis, Mr. Skillet was late at the 
 office. He found Darcy at his desk, and the youth started up as 
 soon as he entered, and followed him into the back room. Mr. 
 Skillet proceeded to open the morning letters, with his usual com 
 posure, and was entirely unconscious of Darcy's high excitement 
 apparently. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet," he began, " I am terribly distressed ! Miss 
 Harding has disappeared." 
 
 "Miss Harding!" said Mr. Skillet; "Oh! ah! Ya-as. You 
 mean the young lady at Camp's ? Well, ask Camp " 
 
 " No use to ask Mr. Camp, sir. She left yesterday, a little after 
 noon, and I am sure she purposely concealed her intentions and 
 destination from Mrs. Camp." 
 
 " Changed her boardin' heouse !'' said Mr. Skillet. " Well, I 
 s'pose the cookin' didn't suit her. It's no consequence ! She'll 
 come out all right. She's true grit ! Here's a remittance from 
 Scraggs, at last ! the pesky whelp ! I guess this will be margin 
 enough." 
 
 " She has left the hoop-skirt place, sir," continued Darcy ; " I 
 called there this morning. I did not sleep all night. I am filled 
 with a horrible dread, to which I can give no name. I would give 
 one of my arms to know that she was safe." 
 
 " Whew !" whistled Mr. Skillet ; " Jerusalem ! Did she owe 
 you anything." 
 
 " No, sir," answered Darcy, indignantly ; " but I owed her a 
 great deal. I owed her protection and defence, and I parted 
 from her yesterday morning in ill temper. And now she is gone, 
 gone P 
 
 " And you are a goner 1" said Mr. Skillet. " It's no conse 
 quence ; that is, it's no business of mine. But I crave to know if 
 you have been kind o' flirtin' like with her !" 
 
 Oh ! Mr. Skillet." 
 
 " Exactly. She's an el'gant gal ! Very natural for a young 
 man to be sparkin' a little. I used to be a fool myself, when I was 
 abeout your age. But you'll live to outgrow it. 'Taint half as bad 
 as measles. Now, here's another letter from that hound, Brown.
 
 136 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 He says we threw his gold overboard, and he'll sue us for the 
 margin. I think he must be of the Hebrew persuasion. By the 
 bye, a chap was here yesterday evening that must be of the same 
 persuasion. Black eyes, a hook nose; English Jew, I guess. He 
 wanted to know about Miss Harding, too. Said he was from 
 Lexington. He came in while you were in Broad street. He had 
 been to Mrs. Camp's, too. I heard him talking to Camp, and 
 pumpin' him tremendous! It was a dry suck, though. Camp 
 didn't know no mor'n you do. What do you propose P 
 
 " To find her, sir. I thought you might advise me." 
 
 " Advise you ? Ya-as ! But I crave to know what you propose 
 to do with the young woman, if you find her." 
 
 "Do with her," said Darcy, startled. "I don't know, Mr. 
 Skillet. I had not thought of that. But surely, it will be time 
 enough to debate that point when I find her.'' 
 
 " It seems to me," continued Mr. Skillet, " that you will hardly 
 have enough sewing to keep her employed. It seems to me that 
 she has taken some pains to git out of reach. And it seems to me 
 you are undertaking a considerable job in hunting for a young 
 woman in a city like N'Yauk !" 
 
 " That is all true, sir," replied Darcy ; " but no such arguments 
 weigh a feather ! You know that it is impossible to relinquish 
 the search for this lady. You know that every consideration of 
 manhood of common humanity, will compel me to hunt until I 
 find her. How could I rest while uncertain of her fate I" 
 
 " Tell me what you propose, then," said Mr. Skillet ; " some 
 times you can learn suthin', if you listen, even from a fool ! I 
 don't mean you're a fool. I'ts no consequence." 
 
 " I thought of applying to the police " 
 
 " Oh, Gemini !" said Mr. Skillet, in high derision. " I take that 
 back. You mayn't be a right down fool, but if there's a fool killer 
 anywhere around, you'd better git your life insured. Police ! 
 Great Caesar I Where was you raised P 
 
 There was something so stunning in Mr. Skillet's contempt that 
 Darcy was silenced. He sat down, leaned his head on his hand, 
 and reflected. Mr. Skillet watehed his changing countenance with 
 great interest. He was studying the habits of a new animal, and 
 each new trait of character appeared to entertain him. At last, 
 Darcy rose and moved to the door. 
 
 " Wa-al," said Mr. Skillet, " what's up now ? I see you have 
 some new project."
 
 CROSS PURPOSES. 187 
 
 " I thought I would go up to that hoop-skirt place, sir," said 
 Darcy. 
 
 " Indeed ! And what do you propose to do there ?" 
 
 " I thought that little devil, Douis, might be there, and I could, 
 perhaps, cut his throat ! I am certain she left the place to escape 
 his insolent attentions." 
 
 " That would be sensible," observed Mr. Skillet, sarcastically. 
 " Now, you came in here for advice, and you go out without gitten 
 a word. That shows how much advice is worth in this world ! 
 Young men think they have forgot more than old men ever knew. 
 Suppose I should tell you what I propose ? It's cur'ous, now ; but 
 you have jest concluded that Miss Harding has no friend in the 
 world but you." 
 
 " Ah ! Mr. Skillet," said Darcy, returning, " I beg your pardon ! 
 I might have known that your kind heart would prompt you to do 
 all that could be done. Advice ! I promise to do exactly what 
 you think best." 
 
 " You do ! Well, then, let her set." 
 
 " Let her set ?" said Darcy, aghast. " I don't understand you." 
 
 " I s'pose not, but it's no consequence. I say, let her set ! That 
 is; keep your mouth shet, and listen to all you hear. Be as 
 ignorant as a mule, when another fellow is talkin' and let/tim know 
 everything. Maybe you can learn suthin' from him. He'll think he 
 knows everything, if you just let him set, and he'll think you are 
 next door to a fool if you only keep quiet. Then he won't be 
 in competition, and suthin' will leak out that may be useful. Now 
 I propose to find out exactly where Miss Harding is, and what 
 she is doing. She hadn't ought to bolt off without tellin' a 
 soul where she's gone, and she is not the sort of gal to do it. 
 And she is not the sort of gal to do any rash thing either. She 
 is all right ! I'll engage to -have a satisfactory account of her 
 within twenty-four hours. My advice is jest to keep quiet, go 
 about your business, and wait. Will you take it !" 
 
 " Yes, sir," said Darcy, with alacrity. " I will not stir hand or 
 foot for twenty -four hours, or twenty-four days, if you think it 
 best. My mind is entirely relieved." 
 
 " Take old Brown's letter then, and answer it. I'm going down 
 to Cuuard's to select a state-room for Miss Norman and Miss 
 Keith. I'm coming back in an hour with the ticket. And she 
 requests you to take the ticket to her at noon to-day. Here's her 
 note. * Miss Norman's compliments, and will Mr. Skillet please
 
 138 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 select a state-room for her and Miss Keith, by the China, and 
 Mr. Gaston please bring the ticket to-morrow at noon.' That's 
 all. I 'spose she don't propose takiii' you to Europe, or she would 
 order another state-room! Git out, please! I must write a 
 note !" 
 
 When Darcy closed the door behind him, Mr. Skillet indulged 
 himself in a noiseless laugh. 
 
 " The pesky young cuss !" he muttered ; " he looked so blamed 
 sorrowful and anxious, that I pooty nigh let the cat out of the 
 bag. I have been thiukin' all along that he was swallered up in 
 Miss Norman, and that she kind o' leaned towards him. But he 
 is sweet on the Harding gal, by Gosh ! And no wonder. I fooled 
 him nicely though, sharp as he is." 
 
 Darcy's cotemporaneous meditations, on the other side of the 
 door, ran in this wise : 
 
 " The blessed old brick ! He knows where she is. She is safe ! 
 She is safe ! He has taken her to his own house ! I saw it in his 
 eyes. And now I must be cautious, and not let him discover how 
 much I know. It would spoil all his arrangements. But I'll go 
 up there to-night and may get a peep at her through the window. 
 I Tcnow she is there, but it would be a comfort just to see her, if 
 only for one moment." 
 
 Mr. Darcy Gaston prowled around Mr. Timothy Skillet's resi 
 dence that night for a full hour. But he got no glimpse of Helen. 
 Indeed, he would have needed visual organs equal to the double 
 million magnifying glasses of Mr. Samuel Weller, to have seen 
 through the blocks of houses on Manhattan Island, across the 
 East River, and through the walls of the highly respectable 
 boarding-house on Jerryboblum street, Brooklyn, where Helen 
 sat demure and placid, annotating compositions that had been 
 presented by the pupils of the Jerryboblum Institute at the end 
 of the last session. 
 
 But Darcy had a little adventure during the day. At noon he 
 visited the Fifth Avenue mansion, in obedience to Miss Norman's 
 mandate, taking the steamer ticket with him. He was shown into 
 the drawing-room, where he found Mr. Squizzem and Mrs. Brag- 
 don. They merely acknowledged his polite salutation with the 
 customary society nod, and then resumed their colloquy, totally 
 ignoring his existence. He withdrew to the front window so as 
 to be out of earshot, and they immediately began to discuss him. 
 Mrs. Bragdon learned that he was a " friend of Nina's," and an un-
 
 AN ANGR Y HO USEHOLD. 139 
 
 believer in the progress of ttye age, and probably a sympathizer 
 with the accursed rebellion. Nina delayed her coming, and while 
 he still waited, Mr. Bragdon also came in, and honoured Darcy 
 with a very searching stare. Then Mr. Squizzem took his leave, 
 and Mr. and Mrs. Bragdon sat idly waiting for Nina, intending 
 to discover what possible business the handsome young stranger 
 could have to transact. Then Nina came, and with the swift 
 perception of her sex, read the thoughts of her sister and brother- 
 in-law, and with equally swift perversity postponed her iutended 
 interview with Darcy. She took the steamer ticket, thanked him 
 for his "trouble," and requested him to inform Mr. Skillet that 
 she would decide about the amount of British gold she would 
 require, and communicate with him. And so she dismissed him. 
 As he went down the steps, when the door closed behind him, 
 he was somewhat surprised to see a black eyed and red- whiskered 
 man on the corner, tossing his arm out from the shoulder, as he 
 placed his cigar between his white teeth, and staring at Darcy 
 with an expression of countenance that was partly astonished, 
 partly indignant, and wholly insolent. 
 
 CHAPTEE XXIX. 
 
 AN ANGRY HOUSEHOLD. 
 
 "TTPON my word, Nina!" said Mr. Bragdon, "I think you 
 vJ might treat us with some small show of consideration, 
 in our own house !" 
 
 " What do you mean by consideration F said Nina, composedly. 
 
 " I mean that it is due to Mary and to me, to present your visit 
 ors, when we happen to be in the room !" 
 
 " And what do you mean by your own house F continued Nina. 
 
 Mr. Bragdon's face became crimson, and Mrs. Bragdon held up 
 her hands. 
 
 " Until the estate is settled, the ownership in property inherited 
 by Mary and me, jointly, cannot be determined positively ;" ob 
 served Nina, after a short pause. 
 
 " Exactly !" replied Mr. Bragdou ; " when do you propose to 
 arrange for the division f '
 
 140 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 11 1 am waiting for a proposition from you," replied Nina, cau 
 tiously. 
 
 " I suppose the courts will arrange all that. But this has noth 
 ing to do with your visitor. My idea is, that some slight respect 
 is due to the head of a household, from all the members of it. This 
 person whoever he is, may be an improper person, and we 
 are bound to maintain appearances. Nobody knows his rank in 
 society !" 
 
 "He is probably quite equal to Mr. Squizzem," retorted Nina. 
 " In all that constitutes a gentleman, I think he is far superior." 
 
 " Squizzem is a fraud !" said Mr. Bragdon, violently ; " if I had 
 my way, he would never show his smooth face in this house again ! 
 But he says this Gaskins is a mere Western bumpkin, an ad 
 venturer, without any sort of position, except that of a broker's 
 clerk !" 
 
 " I have procured a ticket for Liverpool," said Nina, " and shall 
 sail on Wednesday next. In the meantime, I shall see any visit 
 ors I please, either here or at the Fifth Avenue Hotel ; and I shall 
 not be at home to Mr. Squizzem, either here or there. His rank in 
 society is not mine !" 
 
 " I am sure, Nina," put in Mrs. Bragdon, " that Mr. Squizzem is 
 admitted everywhere. He is somewhat eccentric, perhaps, but I 
 believe he is generally considered the foremost man of this age." 
 
 11 Foremost Fiddlestick !" said Mr. Bragdon, irreverently 5 " he is 
 the most stuck up, conceited old fraud in New York or Brooklyn. 
 Nothing keeps him afloat, but his unlimited cheek !" Mr. Bragdon 
 had caught some of the slang phrases of the age, which he em 
 ployed when he lost his temper. At other times he rather prided 
 himself upon his general elegance of demeanour and language. 
 Mr. Squizzem was the champion kisser of the age, and Mr. Bragdon 
 had an uncomfortable suspicion that he had kissed his wife, though 
 he did not know it, and was afraid to ask. Mrs. Bragdon had her 
 little tempers too, and her fortune was in her own right. And she 
 believed in Squizzem, and always made Mr. Bragdou escort her to 
 his lectures, when they were delivered in New York. 
 
 "I think," continued Mr. Bragdon, "that a fellow that goes 
 about town, kissing all the women he knows, and calling them by 
 their Christian names, ought to be put down !" 
 
 "Eeally, John!" said his wife, tartly; "you allow your preju 
 dices to overcome your reason. Mr. Squizzem does not take any 
 improper liberties with ladie's, except where he is very intimate.
 
 AN ANGEY HOUSEHOLD. 141 
 
 Mr. Dragger kisses all the members of his congregation, I am 
 told ; Miss Keith says so." 
 
 Miss Keith quietly glided into the room at this juncture. 
 
 " Miss Abby," continued Mrs. Bragdon ; " did you not say that 
 Mr. Slam Dragger kissed all the female members of his church f 
 
 "My remark was scarcely so sweeping!" replied Miss Abby. 
 "I don't think he kisses Mrs. Grizzly; she is about ninety. I 
 think he rather regards her with reverence. But he is superior 
 to the bondage of custom or conventional rules. He kisses his 
 children, and the members of his congregation are in one sense 
 his children, and doubtless he feels a Father's affection for them." 
 
 " Excepting Mrs. Grizzly !" observed Nina. 
 
 " Yes. Probably he would not object to Mrs. Grizzly kissing 
 him. But a man of such purity of mind might do many things 
 that would not be proper or becoming in others. He is so entirely 
 above the ordinary class, that his peculiarities cannot be measured 
 by ordinary rules. The true soul-hunger for sympathy, and for 
 the spiritualistic communings of the higher life, must be esti 
 mated by something higher and grander than the obsolete laws of 
 society. In some parts of the world, this soul-intercourse is beauti 
 fully indicated, among the untutored inhabitants, by rubbing their 
 noses together. In England and America, the inhabitants usually 
 shake hands, except where the soul-throbs pant for more ex 
 pressive signs. If you can rise above the prejudices of education 
 and custom, you will readily admit that the contact of noses is as 
 innocent as the contact of hands, and kissing is only the contact 
 of lips. So long as one can rise and soar into those unfathomable 
 depths of the spirit-life, all of these outward manifestations sink 
 into insignificance. You are not shocked when you see a brother 
 kiss his sister. Now, consider all men and women, as the brothers 
 and sisters of one great family, and the objections all disappear!" 
 
 " I look forward," said Nina, while Miss Abby recovered breath 
 " to a sojourn in Europe with more pleasure, because I shall be 
 out of reach of this uncertain state of morals !" 
 
 " Do you intend Mr. Gaskins to be your escort f said Mr. Brag 
 don, sarcastically. 
 
 " Perhaps. I have not met Mr. Gaskins yet, and, therefore, can 
 not decide. But, if so, you will not be required to disburse any 
 money for his expenses ; and, I suppose this point being settled, 
 you will not think it necessary to interfere with my plans. Mr. 
 Coke tells me that I can immediately have all the money I need."
 
 142 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " It is a strange freak, Nina !" said Mr. Bragdon, " and your 
 relations and friends will not know what to think starting off to 
 Europe in this way, in winter, alone " 
 
 " I beg your pardon," said Nina ; " Miss Abby kindly consents 
 to accompany me." 
 
 " Well, that does not change the case materially ; the world 
 will say that you have quarrelled with us. If you wait until 
 spring Mary and I will probably accompany you." 
 
 " Many thanks," replied Nina, coldly ; " but I prefer my pres 
 ent plans." 
 
 " And how long shall you remain abroad ?" 
 
 " A year ; several years, perhaps. I shall be governed in that 
 matter only by my own inclinations." 
 
 " Of all the cases of moon-struck madness !" said Mr. Bragdon, 
 in a towering rage, " this is the worst. I really think I would be 
 justified in putting you under restraint !" 
 
 " You could not get possession of my inheritance if you did," 
 replied Nina, contemptuously ; " and it is very doubtful whether 
 any court would give you control of my person. The law allows 
 you to tyrannize over your wife, but not your sister-in-law; and, 
 if it did, I would go to some country beyond the reach of the law." 
 
 " Nina !" said Mrs. Bragdon, " I am ashamed of you !" 
 
 " And I am sorry for you, Mary," replied Nina, moving to the 
 door. " Come, Miss Abby ! we will go to the hotel before din 
 ner, and will have to do a little packing. Mr. Bragdon, I will in 
 struct my legal adviser to see you, in relation to a partition of the 
 personal property, at least. This is imperatively necessary. Ex 
 cuse me, please !" she continued, as he started forward with 
 inflamed visage, ''excuse me; I am not well enough to contend 
 with you to-day, and I must really decline a renewal of this dis 
 cussion. Lawyers can arrange everything between us, without 
 insulting each other. Come, Miss Abby !" 
 
 " John !" said Mrs. Bragdon, " you have really gone too far ! I 
 am positively shocked ! Nina ! if you leave this house this after 
 noon I'll never speak to you again ! Never !" 
 
 Nina crossed the room and kissed her sister. 
 
 " I do not expect to speak to you again, Mary," she said, gently; 
 " you are bound to stand by your husband, and I do not intend to 
 allow him to speak to me henceforth. I forgive his insolence for 
 your sake, but we are strangers from this hour. Good bye ! Come, 
 Miss Abby ! The atmosphere of this house maddens me 1" And 
 she swept out of the room.
 
 AN ANGR Y HO USEHOLD. 143 
 
 " Well !" said Mr. Bragdon, his thin lips quivering, " well ! of 
 all the she-devils I ever saw or heard of, Miss Norman is the most 
 pronounced ! It will avail nothing to cry, Mary ! This had to 
 come, sooner or later ! I hear a squall in the nursery. You had 
 better run up. Very likely your amiable sister is strangling the 
 baby ! And I'll go see Mr. Coke." 
 
 Mrs. Bragdou, catching at the suggestion, rushed up the broad 
 stairs. The infant Bragdon was bawling himself black in the face, 
 because he could not swallow his fist. He inherited temper. 
 Nurse was offering him a libation of catnip tea, dashed with pare 
 goric, and he had just knocked the spoon out of her hand, and 
 was yelling with impotent rage, because he could not knock off 
 nurse's head. Nina had locked herself in her own apartment, and 
 was indulging in the luxury of a quiet flood of tears. Miss Keith 
 was packing a trunk in business-like fashion, and enlivening Miss 
 Norman with Dragger quotations. 
 
 " The infelicities of life, my dear," (she said " my dear," instead 
 of " my brethren ") "are so many stepping-stones to the higher 
 spiritual state. Theology is always lamentably pugnacious; and 
 nearly ail the disputes in the world have their origin in diversity 
 of creeds. All creeds are shackles. The economies of this pres 
 ent life all tend to freedom ; and from the rich, warm soil of human 
 consciousness, spring up the flowers that refuse to bloom in the 
 arid desert of creeds. It may be that creeds have their uses, just 
 as the murky vapours of the storm-cloud, charged with devastat 
 ing forces that threaten destruction to all beneath their dismal 
 canopy, really purify the circumambient fluid, and " 
 
 u If I only knew !" said Nina, suddenly starting up, " if I only 
 knew, positively, what my grandmother would have me do, all 
 would be easy and plain 1" 
 
 Miss Abby regarded her intently. 
 
 " Is there no way to decide the question f continued Nina. 
 " Can 1 find out possibly what she would do with that Miss 
 Abby, how can I extricate myself from these toils ?" 
 
 " What do you wish to know ?" said Miss Abby. 
 
 " I wish to have some clear announcement of I cannot tell 
 you 1 My grandmother gave me certain directions which I desire 
 to fulfill. But obstacles have arisen, and I cannot do exactly what 
 she required me to do ; and now I am tormented because I cannot 
 decide what is nearest to her wish that is still possible. Can I 
 find out, by any means, what her wish would be under these 
 changed circumstances V 1
 
 144 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Nothing easier P said Miss Abby, in a half whisper. " Let us 
 finish packing, and get away. You can have your doubts resolved 
 before you sleep ! Don't ask me now, I will tell you at the hotel, 
 after dinner. Set your mind at rest." 
 
 CHAPTEE XXX. 
 FOUND. 
 
 A FTEB Darcy's fruitless promenade in the neighbourhood of 
 -A_ Mr. Skillet's residence, walking up on one side of the street, 
 crossing, and then down on the opposite side, he went back to 
 Camden street. A watchful policeman, who had followed his 
 monotonous march with sleepless vigilance, trying to discover 
 which house in the block Darcy intended to enter burglariously, 
 was totally discomfited when the youth turned out of the street. 
 He was hopelessly lost in the throng of passengers when the 
 officer reached the corner. 
 
 Arrived at Mr. Camp's quiet fireside, which consisted of a re 
 gister in the wall of the living room, Darcy watched Mr. Camp 
 as he struggled with his ode to Gentle Spring. The appalling 
 fact that death was the only known rhyme for balmy breath re 
 mained, and tortured Mr. Camp's soul. 
 
 " What rhymes with breath, Mr. Gaston ?" asked Mr. Camp. 
 
 " Death." 
 
 " That's it !" replied Mr. Camp, grinding his teeth ; " it seems 
 to me the words were invented just to torment a fellow." 
 
 " What is the trouble ?" said Darcy, kindly. 
 
 "Why, I have got the first line all right," said Mr. Camp. 
 11 1 Hail, gentle spring ! whose balmy breath ' ' 
 
 " Why don't you change it V said Darcy. " Suppose you say, 
 1 Hail, gentle spring ! whose breath of balm.'" 
 
 " Urn ! Yes ; that might do. I have a word that will rhyme 
 with balm ; and I've had it in my mind forty times to-night. But 
 I guess it won't do. Have you seen the paper ? there it is. Not 
 much news. Dragger is going to make a speech, over to Brook 
 lyn to-night, on l Spondoolicks.' If it wasn't so cold, and if I had 
 this thing in shape, I'd go." 
 
 " I've never been in Brooklyn," observed Darcy. " Half past
 
 FOUND. 145 
 
 six. Plenty of time. I believe I'll go. I should like to hear 
 Mr. Dragger, and I can't spare Sunday for that sort of amuse 
 ment." 
 
 " Great man, sirl" said Mr. Camp. " Foremost man of the age ! 
 Great treat to hear him." 
 
 " Well, Til go, then. What is the route ?" 
 
 " Fulton street stage. Take the horse-car on t'other side. Con 
 ductor can tell you. Got your night-key? All right. Good 
 night!" 
 
 Instead of the Fulton street stage, Darcy took his own elon 
 gated extremities, and strode down Broadway at a good pace. A 
 passenger on the ferry boat, of whom he made inquiry, was going 
 to hear Dragger, too, and would show him the way. Fine night 
 to walk, and abundant time, so they declined the horse-car. On 
 a corner, half a mile from the river, Darcy paused to admire the 
 exterior of a church. The congregation was gathering, going in 
 the side door by twos and threes. 
 
 " Doctor Sturdy's church," observed the stranger ; " he is a good 
 preacher, but s'uthiu' of a Copperhead, j^ever would histe the 
 flag onto his steeple." 
 
 " Why, he is the very man I have been desiring to hear," said 
 Darcy ; " and if you will excuse me, I think I will go in here, and 
 postpone Mr. Dragger." 
 
 "Jest as you please," said the other, " but Doctor Sturdy don't 
 preach politics. Good night." 
 
 The service was in the lecture room, in the basement. Darcy 
 took a seat near the door. The room filled rapidly, and he moved 
 up in the corner to make room for two ladies, who arrived rather 
 late, escorted by an elderly gentleman. Thick veils hid their faces 
 as the night was cold but before she threw her's back, Darcy 
 knew that he was sitting beside Helen Kuthven. She had not 
 seen him, and he drew farther back, and shaded his face with his 
 hand, while his heart struggled to get out of his body. 
 
 Doctor Sturdy might as well have preached to a stone as to 
 Darcy. He did not see him, did not hear the sound of his voice. 
 When the hymns were sung, he heard Helen's voice, and nothing 
 else. And while the discourse was being delivered, Darcy was 
 investigating the emotions that are popularly supposed to belong 
 to the hydraulic organ that was thumping against his ribs. 
 
 He was conscious of a blissful feeb'ng of contentment. The 
 mere fact that he was near her again was enough. But why did 
 
 10
 
 146 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 this fact make him oblivious to all other facts ? Was it because 
 he was now assured of her safety ? No. An hour ago he was 
 perfectly certain that she was under Mr. Skillet's roof. It was 
 not that. How came she there ? How did it chance that he was 
 there to find her ? He had uo faith in chance. It was an omen 
 full of glorious promise. Did Mr. Skillet know where she was ? 
 Beyond a doubt he did. Had he placed her in Brooklyn to hide 
 her from him ? Impossible 1 And he revolved these and kindred 
 questions in his mind during the forty minutes which Doctor 
 Sturdy consumed in his discourse. Then another hymn, a plain 
 tive minor, and Helen's voice again, and suddenly he discovered 
 that he loved her. 
 
 Loved her ! of course, with every drop of his blood ! How 
 blind he had been ! He had been loving her ever since that 
 night on the train. The first glance of her great eyes had en 
 slaved him for life. Now, he could recall the thrill that passed 
 through his frame as he discovered that she was not a child, but 
 a woman. And he gave full play to the tumultuous thoughts and 
 memories crowding upon his mind, and rose mechanically with 
 the rest when the benediction was pronounced. As she passed 
 out, he leaned forward and whispered, 
 
 " Allow me to escort you." 
 
 She started at the sound of his voice, and turned, facing him. 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Uaston 1" she said, " I did not expect to see you 
 here." 
 
 " Heaven is kinder than we think," he replied. " I have been 
 very unhappy about you, and now may I walk with you ?" 
 
 " Mrs. Bruce, this is Mr. Gastou, a friend of my father's. He 
 came with me from Kentucky." 
 
 " Happy to see you, Mr. Gaston," said the elder lady ; <k will 
 you walk round with Miss Harding ? We will follow in a short 
 time. There is a meeting of the session, and I will wait for Mr. 
 Bruce, and you will wait at home for us." 
 
 Darcy bowed, offered his arm to Helen, and passed out, under 
 the stars. There were several millions of them, and he thought 
 they were all winking at him. He winked back. 
 
 " Did Mr. Skillet tell you anything?" said Helen, when they 
 were in the street. 
 
 " Nothing. I did not know you were in Brooklyn, until you sat 
 down by me. Ah ! then I knew." 
 
 She looked at him inquiringly, but said nothing.
 
 FOUND. 147 
 
 " Last night, when I learned from Mrs. Camp that you were 
 gone, and that she did not know where you went, I was filled 
 with apprehensions. I spent the night in the streets." 
 
 u In the streets !" said Helen. 
 
 "Yes. I wandered about, aimlessly, hoping some fortunate 
 chance would reveal your whereabouts to me. Chance ! How 
 dare I say chance ! I mean, I hoped for Heavenly guidance. I 
 dreaded a, thousand evils, to all of which I thought you might be 
 exposed ! I prayed as I never prayed before, only asking that I 
 might get where my arm would reach you. I thought, in all that 
 vast multitude in the great city, I alone could defend you, and 
 that I would gladly peril my life, if need be, to place you in safety 
 once more. Look you ! If you had known that a dog was suffer 
 ing the tortures I endured through the long hours of darkness 
 you would have pitied him 1" 
 
 "I did not think" said Helen, overcome by his tremulous 
 accents, " I did not know you would " 
 
 " No matter, now," said he, " my prayers are all answered now! 
 I have found you again." 
 
 " J was obliged to come away from that place in Broadway. I 
 could not stay longer, and Mr. Skillet brought me here. I have a 
 school, and am so thankful for the occupation. If I had been 
 allowed to select for myself, I could not have asked for circum 
 stances so favorable. Mr. Bruce has three daughters at my 
 school, and I board at his house." 
 
 " May I come here sometimes f said Darcy, timidly ; " pray do 
 not say no. I will only come at such intervals as you please to 
 appoint. But if you deny me ! Alas ! You are angry because I 
 have been working with some law papers " 
 
 " I have no interest in the law papers," said she, firmly ; " I am 
 resolved to repudiate all connection with them." 
 
 "I will abandon the matter at once," said Darcy, " if you will 
 only look kindly upon me once more. I do not know of any pos 
 sible interest you can have in the property. But I will quit the 
 search if you wish me to do so. It is all mysterious to me, and I 
 am sick of it, anyhow." 
 
 " You say you do not know of any interest I can have," said 
 Helen, doubtfully ; " why did you ask mo about the property, a 
 few days ago F 
 
 " I cannot tell you," answered Darcy, in some confusion, " be 
 cause my duty to my client keeps me silent." 
 " If you relinquish the case I" said she.
 
 148 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 "Even then," replied Darcy, "I should be bound to remain 
 silent. I am so much mortified to find that you think me capable 
 of fraud " 
 
 u I never said that," objected Helen ; " I said your client pro 
 posed fraud. I am sure of that at least. Here is the house. I 
 cannot decide at once about your visits. But I think you " 
 
 " Please allow that point to remain unsettled," said Darcy, 
 earnestly. " I will not come for a long, long time. But let me 
 come again, if it is only to learn that I must come no more." 
 
 " You will have to come in now," answered Helen ; " Mrs. Bruce 
 told you to wait for her. It would be rude to refuse. And about 
 the property, I think you had better ascertain what the legal 
 rights are ; and I rely upon you to tell me exactly my position 
 with reference to it, or to any part of it. Can you engage to do 
 this P 
 
 " Certainly. If I find you have any interest, or are in any way 
 concerned in the distribution, I will tell you first." 
 
 " Before you tell your client ?" 
 
 " You are my first client !" answered Darcy, passionately. 
 " Your claims upon me override all other claims. Oh, Helen ! if I 
 
 dared , but I do not dare ! I may come, then when I finish 
 
 my investigation P 
 
 " Yes." She looked at him, astonished at his excitement, as he 
 caught her hand and pressed it against his breast. 
 
 " Then I will come to-morrow evening," said Darcy, trium 
 phantly; "I will open the sealed envelope this blessed night. 
 What street is this ?" 
 
 " Jeryboblum." 
 
 " Four doors from the corner. I feel like making poetry 
 
 " ' Hail ! gentle Spring, whose balmy breath *' " 
 
 Helen led the way into the house, feeling her heart sink, as she 
 recognised the evident tokens of inebriation. So young a man, 
 and so short a time in that wicked city, and already a victim to 
 the prevalent vice of the age ! Would it be very improper if she 
 should write to Henry Gaston, Esq., begging him to use his influ 
 ence with his young brother, and warn him against the horrid 
 demon of drink ! 
 
 Meantime, Darcy, in the pangs of delirium that Helen's eyes 
 had created, sat quiet in the handsome parlour, while Mr. and 
 Mrs. Bruce put him through a polite catechism, touching the 
 main points in Doctor Sturdy's excellent discourse. It was a
 
 MEDIUMS. 149 
 
 tough ordeal, but he passed it safely, chiefly because the old 
 couple were won by his handsome countenance and sparkling 
 eyes. When he arose to depart, they cordially invited him to 
 repeat his visit. He shook hands with them, and with Helen, who 
 went to her room immediately, mourning that this promising 
 youth should put a thief into his mouth to steal away his brains- 
 Darcy walked back to Camden street, audibly invoking " Gentle 
 Spring," at every step, while the frosty air made his ears tingle. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 MEDIUMS. 
 
 rpHERE had been some " business" relations, of a questionable 
 -L character, betwixt Mr. Eupert Grey and Doctor Lamis. 
 The latter had been regimental surgeon early in the war, and 
 Mr. Grey was commissary. The accounts which were rendered, 
 certified " upon honor," and supported by vouchers in duplicate, 
 were according to the regulations, but it was said by some ill- 
 natured copperheads, that they had been "cooked," and both 
 officers resigned in indignant haste, after a short service. As Mr. 
 Grey had no experience in culinary matters, whatever cooking was 
 done, was done by Doctor Lamis, who got a portion of broth for 
 his pains. He had been quite impecunious before the war, but he 
 had bought the residence in Brooklyn since his retirement from 
 the array, which he had paid for, opened a spiritualistic medium 
 shop, and joined Mr. Dragger's church. That is, he took a pew. 
 When Mr. Grey blossomed into Mr. Blake, he went directly to the 
 Brooklyn residence for two reasons: First, because it was in a 
 retired street, and he had reasons for keepiug out of view; and 
 second, because, being dead, he thought some one might desire to 
 commune with his spirit, and he desired to be on hand when the 
 occasion arrived. 
 
 Doctor Lamis had a seance on each Wednesday night, and 
 when Darcy, as recorded in the previous chapter, was giving un 
 divided attention to Doctor Sturdy's Wednesday evening lecture, 
 Doctor Larais was stirring up the ghosts in a neighbouring street. 
 There were two ladies, closely veiled, who had come in a carriage, 
 and they sat apart from the rest, while the first relay of spirits
 
 150 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 were being interrogated. The "test medium" was a slender, 
 hollow-eyed woman, twenty-five probably, who seemed to be on 
 tolerably intimate terms with spirits that had shuffled off their 
 mortal coils at periods more or less remote, as well as with those 
 whose departures from the present sphere had been recent. 
 
 With the questions and responses that occupied the earlier part 
 of the seance, the present story has nothing to do. The hollow- 
 eyed young woman was evidently out of health, and at nine 
 o'clock Doctor Lamis announced that she was too much indis 
 posed to continue her mediation. The larger part of the com 
 pany retired, leaving the two veiled ladies, who had thus far 
 received no benefit from their attendance. There was a fee 
 always paid at the door on entrance, and Doctor Lamis approach 
 ed them to give them some small return for their outlay, in the 
 form of spiritual lore. 
 
 "There was some obstacle to-night, ladies," he said, bowing, 
 " that prevented as clear manifestations as usual. You did not 
 take part ?" 
 
 " No," answered the shorter lady ; " we wished to wait until we 
 could have a more private seance. My friend thought you could 
 perhaps furnish another medium " 
 
 " It is not customary to renew the seances. The spirits do not 
 respond so readily. You should have joined the circle when you 
 arrived." 
 
 " We understand," responded the taller lady, " that the seance 
 is over. We would, if convenient, renew the sitting," and she held 
 out her hand with a crisp, new ten dollar note in her gloved 
 fingers. The Doctor instinctively took the money. 
 
 " It is irregular," he muttered ; " but if you will excuse me for a 
 few minutes, I will see what can be done," and he Left the room. 
 
 The Doctor was absent a full half-hour. Just before his reap 
 pearance, the ladies noticed the solitary burner that was lighted, 
 gradually growing dim. They both manifested some uneasiness, 
 and were about to retire from the gloomy room, when he re-en 
 tered, followed by a tall old gentleman, perfectly bald, but 
 adorned with a silvery beard flowing down upon his breast. He 
 wore a black robe, with loose sleeves, something like the gown of 
 a priest. A pair of spectacles with side shades concealed his 
 eyes. He supported his steps with a long staff, though he 
 exhibited no signs of feebleness, as he crossed the room, and took 
 the seat lately occupied by the test medium. The light gre\v 
 dimmer.
 
 MEDIUMS. 151 
 
 " I cannot promise success, ladies," said the Doctor gravely, in 
 a low tone ; " but my venerable preceptor consents to make the 
 effort. Will you please sit at the table, and remove your veils I" 
 " Is that imperatively necessary W said the taller lady, as she 
 took the seat indicated. 
 
 " No 1" replied the old man, in a husky voice ; " it will make no 
 difference. Place your hands on the table, thus ! Now remain 
 quiet" 
 
 After five or ten minutes of silence, there was a ticking sound 
 on the table, like the click of a telegraphic instrument. 
 
 "Proceed !" said the old man; "mention no names, but state 
 your wishes. With whom do you wish to commune ?" 
 
 " With him I sent on a mission recently, from whom I received 
 one message." 
 
 The ticking sound on the table continued, while the old man 
 sat mute, his white beard floating over his breast, his head bowed 
 down. 
 
 & I found not that for which you sent me, but I found the next," 
 he muttered. " W T hat do you desire ?" 
 
 " The next !" said the tall lady, in visible excitement. "Where 
 is the next T 
 
 " In due time you shall know fully. You know much already." 
 " Then I am right," said the lady. " When shall I know ?" 
 "It depends upon yourself," replied the medium, huskily. 
 " When your purpose is distinct and positive, summon me again." 
 " One word more," said the lady; " is the person I seek in New 
 York?" 
 
 " You know !" was the response ; " violate not the truth, even in 
 your thought. Ask me only that which you do not know." 
 
 The lady was silent. There was a crash on the table, that 
 sounded like the blow of an open palm. The ticking sound ceased. 
 " Gone !" said the old man. " What more F 
 " I should like to ask a question of of a relation who was 
 dear to me. But I shrink from the thought." 
 
 " Courage and truth need know no fear," replied the man. 
 " One question only," said the lady, hurriedly ; " if I may." 
 There was a longer silence. Then a little musical box standing 
 on the mantel began to play. It was a plaintive air, and when it 
 was finished the click of the spring that stopped the machinery 
 was distinctly heard. 
 Another brief interval of silence, and then there were light ticks
 
 152 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 heard on the table. All the surroundings were impressr 'e. The 
 darkened room, the quiet so profound that the occupants heard 
 each other breathe. The veiled women bending over the table 
 with white hands outspread upon its polished surface. The old 
 medium, with snowy beard, his head bent down, waiting. 
 
 " Eeluctant !" he murmured ; " nevertheless, ask your question." 
 
 " I cannot do exactly what was required of me," said the lady 
 slowly, " and I am doubtful about my duty!" 
 
 " Fulfil the will !" answered the medium. There was another 
 blow upon the table, and the ticking ceased. " We are alone," he 
 continued, pushing his chair back from the table. They all arose, 
 and the old man, with stately dignity, walked out of the room. 
 The gas gradually grew more brilliant, and the two ladies, bidding 
 the Doctor good night, departed. As they passed through the hall, 
 the taller lady was several steps in advance. Doctor Lamis held 
 the outer door open for her egress. A side door in the hall swung 
 back, as the shorter lady passed, and she saw the old man, stand 
 ing within the dark room. He arrested her steps an instant, beck 
 oning her nearer. 
 
 " Come alone to-morrow night," he whispered, and immediately 
 retired, closing the door noiselessly. The carriage was at the curb, 
 and the ladies entered and drove off. 
 
 "Now, Nina," said Miss Keith, "tell me just what you think 
 about all this !" 
 
 "Wait a little, Miss Abby," replied Nina; " everything is so 
 strange ! I cannot make up my mind. I am not sure that I have 
 done right to come. Yet I feel better satisfied, too. I must sleep 
 upon it. To-morrow I will tell you." 
 
 When Doctor Lamis closed the door, he went back to the side 
 room, and found the venerable medium divesting himself of spec 
 tacles and beard. He turned up the gas, drew a comfortable arm 
 chair to the register, and lighted his cigar. The Doctor watched 
 his proceedings in silence. 
 
 "Well, Lamis," said the medium, "you have had a tolerably 
 successful night. Those last goers appeared to be liberal." 
 
 " They did not pay enough to compensate me for. the fright," 
 answered the Doctor; " you are certainly the most brazen man of 
 my acquaintance. Did you know them ?" 
 
 The other straightened out his arm, and bringing his fingers to 
 his mouth with elegant deliberation, removed his cigar, and ble\v 
 out a succession of smoke rings. Replacing the weed, with the 
 same elaborate precision, he shook his head, negatively.
 
 MEDIUMS. 153 
 
 "Then what the deuce did you* mean by t fulfilling the willf 
 The first thing I thought when you began, was, that you knew 
 the parties." 
 
 "Through their veils?" said Rupert; "pooh! You don't make 
 any allowance for a fellow's discernment. When you get two 
 women together, all you have to do, is to let them contradict each 
 other a short time, to find out whatever you want to know." 
 
 " But they didn't talk at all. One of them never said a word/' 
 persisted Doctor Lamis ; " what did you mean by the will ?" 
 
 Another pause, while Rupert went through his graceful per 
 formance with his cigar, and blew off another series of rings. 
 There was an air of cold blooded insolence in all that he did, that 
 was highlj* attractive. 
 
 " Hum !" he said, thoughtfully ; " the will ! "Well, I know very 
 little about the will, and I have been meditating upon that very 
 topic since the ladies left. It* you will wait twenty-four hours I 
 may be able to tell you more. As for the existence of a will, that 
 was clearly revealed by the tall lady's questions. I intend to 
 know more about the will to-morrow ; and, in fact, I invited the 
 other one to return tomorrow night alone." 
 
 "You did!" said the other, aghast; "when did you give the 
 invitation ?" 
 
 " While you were doing the polite at the door. Bless you, 
 she'll come ! Curiosity will bring her, if nothing else; and what 
 ever she knows, I shall know, I presume." 
 
 " You are mighty close and mysterious, Grey," said the Doctor, 
 irritably : " I believe there is some trick about this business." 
 
 " Well," responded Grey, coolly ; " suppose there is ? It seems 
 to me that you have not lost much thus far. You said they gave 
 you a new fee before I went in. How much !" 
 
 " Five dollars," said Doctor Lamis, keeping back a part of the 
 price. Rupert had an easy habit of borrowing, and no sort of a 
 habit of paying. 
 
 " I don't want any," observed Rupert ; " you may collar all the 
 dollars, and I will take my share in information. Don't be so sus 
 picious ! I am telling you the exact truth. There is some sort of 
 a will, and if judiciously managed, there may be some profit in it. 
 But I don't know its provisions," and here he removed his cigar, 
 ground his teeth savagely, and replaced it. " I have a suspicion 
 that I know some things about it; but I don't know enough. 
 Ah!" he concluded, with a gentle sigh, "let us be patient. 
 Patience always conquers."
 
 154 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Perhaps you can explain what you meant by l not finding 
 that for which you were sent, and finding the next.' There must 
 have been something in that, for the young woman was impressed." 
 
 Rupert leaned back, and laughed. 
 
 "My dear Lamis," he said; "you do not discriminate! You 
 saw me before I put on these," and he touched the beard and 
 glasses, and you knew who was behind them. But these ladies 
 had no reason to suspect anything unreal. They were already 
 somewhat awed by your former operations, and when I came in, 
 they were prepared for some stunning revelations. All I had to 
 do was to keep solemn, and say nothing. All that tomfoolery 
 about " the next " was just as good as any other humbug. When 
 I found I was getting out of my depth, I dismissed the spirit, and 
 broke up the seance. What the deuce ! Do you wish to mon 
 opolize all the humbug ! Let's go to bed !" 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 THE SEALED ENVELOPE. 
 
 DARCY reached Camden street in due time, that is, an hour 
 before midnight. Mr. Camp had been floored by the balmy 
 breath of gentle spring, and was dreaming of stocks and bonds. 
 It is a remarkable fact in psychology that poets never dream 
 poetry, but invariably fall back upon the prosaic events of daily 
 life and occupation when they get into dreamland. So Mr. Camp 
 bothered his restless brains, even while he slept, in calculating 
 safe margins on stock operations, and the shrill whistle of the 
 winter blast that shook his windows suggested no thought of the 
 rhymeless breath of the coming season. Anyhow, it was far more 
 satisfactory to make furtive dives after the missing or reluctant 
 syllable during business hours, as there was always present to 
 Mr. Camp's mind the conviction that Mr. Skillet would put him 
 in a lunatic asylum if he ever caught him in the fine frenzy of 
 poetic composition. 
 
 Mr. Gaston locked the street door, and, taking off his boots, 
 ascended the stairs in his stocking-feet. He was tired, and, like 
 all heedless boys, he threw off his overcoat, and stretched himself
 
 THE SEALED ENVELOPE. 155 
 
 at full length on the lounge to rest. The register in his room was 
 open, fortunately, but as he fell asleep in two minutes, and 
 slept profoundly three hours, he contracted a very respectable 
 cold. There was an alarm of fire in the neighborhood, and the 
 rattle of the engines under his window aroused him, and consult 
 ing his watch, he found it was two o'clock. Starting up, he got 
 out Nina's packet, and selecting the sealed envelope, he opened 
 it, and took out the documents it contained. 
 
 There were several papers, all written in Nina's hand. He took 
 up the first, which was endorsed " Extracts from the will." As 
 he glanced over this paper, he noticed the absence of names, and 
 the substitution of initials wherever the description of persons 
 was necessary. 
 
 " I give and bequeath to A. B. all that parcel of land known as 
 Number One, with all the improvements thereon, and I direct my 
 executors to give a clear title to this property, free of all charge 
 for taxes, assessments or commissions, to the said A. B. And if 
 from any cause this transfer shall be delayed, either by reason of 
 any difficulty in finding the said A. B., or by reason of his refusal 
 to accept the same, or on any other account, I direct my executors 
 to fulfil these instructions at date of transfer, whenever that may 
 be. And if the growth of the city in that direction shall enhance 
 the value of this parcel of ground a hundred fold before the date 
 of this transfer, I charge my executors to disregard this fact. And 
 I expressly forbid any compromise or composition, such as the 
 substitution of other property for this parcel Number One, or the 
 assessment of money value, with or without the knowledge and 
 concurrence of said A. B., or any other settlement than the trans 
 fer of the ground itself, every acre, rood, perch or square inch, as 
 fully described in the mortgage from the father of said A. B. to 
 me, and also in the 'formal release of title, signed by the said A. 
 B. and his mother, then a widow." 
 
 " Ituth ven's Folly !" said Darcy ; " we are getting along. Num 
 ber One is identified, anyhow. And now to pin Mr. A. B." 
 
 He took up the old deeds, and looking through them, found the 
 release of title. 
 
 "Darcy lluthvcn! A. B. Ah! I begin to see light," said 
 Darcy. " Now, I wonder if I am justified in going any further? 
 She has substituted these initials for the very purpose of conceal 
 ing from mo the true names, not knowing that the deeds would re 
 veal them to me. Oh, Helen ! it is really in your interest that I
 
 156 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 am working now! If this will is valid then Helen is an heiress 
 and I shall be stricken dumb. I must read to the end now." 
 
 The next extract from the will contained a description of the 
 house erected upon the property, and a memorandum of the cost 
 of building, which amounted to forty thousand dollars. Then fol 
 lowed memoranda relating to the removal of various liens, some 
 held by bankers, and some imposed by the builders in default of 
 payment. All of these were recorded as against " C. D., his heirs, 
 executors, administrators or assigns." It appeared from one of 
 the other papers that the whole property, Number One, had finally 
 been sold under process of law, by the sheriff, to satisfy these num 
 erous claims, and " bought by me at said Sheriff's sale, as recorded 
 in a certain Court, and by me transferred to said A. B.'s father 
 for the consideration named in a mortgage executed on the same 
 date, with bond attached, &c." 
 
 " This costly house," continued the record, " gave the name to 
 this estate." 
 
 " Euthven's Folly ! Built by the elder Euthven," said Darcy to 
 himself, " and thereby involving the estate, and creating these 
 various liens. It seems that this testator either stepped in to save 
 the builder from ruin, or to get a valuable property at a nominal 
 price." 
 
 " Although the title to this property, Number One," continued 
 the record, " is legally in me, yet the present value is so far beyond 
 all my outlays, that a large sum is due, in equity, to the former 
 owner. It was also agreed between the father of A. B. and my 
 self, that my apparent ownership should remain until his son was 
 of age; and to reimburse me for all my expenditures, certain 
 other parcels of ground were transferred to me. But when A. B. 
 attained his majority, I refused to execute the deed for prudential 
 reasons, and A. B. and his mother united in a formal relinquish- 
 ment of all claims upon Number One, after prolonged discussion, 
 conducted in very bad temper on both sides. 
 
 "But my purpose has always been fixed to restore this property 
 whenever it could be safely done. A. B. removed to Cincinnati, 
 and is now practising law in that city. The final altercation be 
 tween us was of so serious a nature as to preclude the possibility 
 of friendly conference on either side. And this tardy justice is 
 done to A. B. in the hope that death will have softened all asperi 
 ties between us. 
 
 " And if it should happen that A. B. also has departed this
 
 THE SEALED ENVELOPE. 157 
 
 life, when the provisions of this will are to be carried out, then I 
 hereby direct ray executors to see that his heir, or whosoever 
 shall bear his name, shall be placed in peaceable possession of 
 Number One, according to the instructions hereinbefore given. 
 
 " And failing this that is to say, if no heir or representative of 
 the said A. B. can be found, I then direct my executors to pay to 
 Rupert Grey, during his life, a sum equal to the annual interest 
 (at seven per centum ) on the assessed value of said property, in 
 quarterly payments year by year, while the property itself shall 
 remain in possession of my natural heirs." 
 
 There was a note appended in parenthesis. 
 
 (" This last provision is expressly revoked in a codicil.") 
 
 The paper ended here. Darcy read it all over again, and tried 
 to recall the explanations that Helen gave. Colonel Ruthven had 
 died in the assurance that this property was wrongfully wrested 
 from him, and in undoubted enmity against the testator. Darcy 
 remembered a dozen stories, told him by his own father, of Ruth- 
 ven's haughty refusal to receive fees, honestly earned, when his 
 clients intimated that they were excessive. He was morbidly sen 
 sitive upon all topics in which money was involved ; and it is 
 probable that the dispute with Mr. Norman over this identical 
 property had heightened this sensibility. The reader will remem 
 ber that Mr. Coke held a note from him, rejecting with disdain a 
 quasi proposal to restore Ruthven's Folly, which was made by 
 Mrs. Norman, recently deceased 5 but neither Colonel Ruthven 
 nor Darcy had the slightest idea of the present value of the prop 
 erty, which had enhanced enormously since the war began. And 
 in the first flush of his military ardour, Colonel Ruthven was more 
 earnestly set upon the destrution of this special house, where his 
 school days were spent, because it was now in possession of those 
 who were doubly his enemies, who insulted him with suggestions 
 of an "amicable settlement" at the very beginning of hostilities. 
 
 But what was Nina's design ? So far as the will went, there 
 was no need of anything beyond ordinary formalities, to give the 
 property into Helen's possession. She seemed to dread some in 
 terference, but certainly no claim could be set up that could over 
 throw the will. 
 
 There was a second paper, however. Darcy took it from the 
 envelope, and, unfolding it, found it was a note addressed to him 
 self. 
 
 " Mr. Gaston will have discovered," it ran, " from the extracts
 
 158 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 given, that some irregularity must have attended the transfer of 
 Number One ; but I have learned that the title is undoubtedly in 
 the estate not yet divided. The will has no value, as a legal doc 
 ument, as a later will was made, giving sole possession of all the 
 estate to my grandmother. I have given Mr. Gaston all these ex 
 tracts, and have specially followed the references to property Num 
 ber One, because I wish him to devise some method whereby I can 
 have certain special parcels of property conveyed to me, so that I 
 may be able to sell or otherwise dispose of them, without consult 
 ing the desires of other heirs to the same property. And if Mr. 
 Gastou will prepare such documents as may be needed to effect 
 this, I shall be greatly obliged to him. Take Number One as an 
 illustration, and perfect the papers that will convey to me, in my 
 sole right, the ownership to that, and by this means the transfers 
 of other parcels will readily follow. 
 
 " And Mr. Gaston will doubtless understand that I desire to 
 obtain exclusive possession of this or any other property belonging 
 to the estate, at the proper value, and not otherwise. In fact, the 
 only obstacle to be feared is the possibility that others who have 
 a joint interest with me, may also desire special portions for ex 
 ample : Number Oue. In which event, it is my earnest desire to 
 pay out of my own inheritance as much more than the actual 
 value, as may compensate the other parties in interest for their 
 relinquishment of a similar preference. But I for special reasons 
 object to a partition of certain parcels Number One, for ex 
 ample. And Mr. Gaston will render me the greatest service, if he 
 can arrange matters so that I can attain my object without con 
 tention. The question of price to be paid is entirely secondary. 
 The main point is to get sole possession of such parcels as I may 
 designate Number One, for illustration by any legal means, 
 and by the payment of any sum, just or exorbitant. 
 
 " Mr. Gaston will now perceive the necessity for the secrecy 
 that has hitherto been observed in the initial steps. If the other 
 parties in interest should discover my preference for special por 
 tions of the inheritance, it is highly probable that they would in 
 terpose serious obstacles to the accomplishment of my designs. It 
 is not necessary to explain the reasons that would actuate them ; 
 nor is it at all necessary to acquaint them with my purposes. 
 Without accurate knowledge of the law, I am still persuaded that 
 I could attain my object by legal proceedings, which would, how 
 ever, be very objectionable and very distasteful to me ; and I can
 
 MB. SKILLETS SYMPATHY. 159 
 
 only say, in conclusion, that I rely entirely upon Mr. Gaston's dis 
 cretion and judgment, and confidently expect him to devise a plan 
 whereby the partition of the estate can be amicably arranged, not 
 only in the way that I desire, but also in such a manner as will be 
 perfectly equitable, or, rather, far more profitable to the other 
 heirs than to me. Only, I must have at least one choice. 
 
 " Monday night. " N. N." 
 
 " This is a stunner !" said Darcy, as he undressed and prepared 
 himself for his peaceful couch. "This Miss Norman has a mind 
 of her own ! She talks about law-points, as if they were the ob 
 stacles to be overcome, whereas the real task is to circumvent that 
 sharp looking fellow, Mr. Bragdon, who stared so insolently at me. 
 One thing is clear. Helen has no interest under that old will. 
 Shall I tell her about its provisions I Ah ! here is a nice question ! 
 If I could only get at Brother Tige !" 
 
 Darcy would not have slept so quietly if he had known that 
 Brother Tige was at that moment approaching New York at the rate 
 of thirty miles to the hour, rolling from side to side in a sleeping 
 car, and dreaming about him, and Helen, with occasional dips into 
 the private history of Mr. Kupert Grey, some of whose later ex 
 ploits Tige had investigated while he waited in Cincinnati for the 
 eastern bound train. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 MR. SKILLET'S SYMPATHY. 
 
 ME. SKILLET was an early riser. His bachelor household 
 was a model of punctuality and order. His breakfast was 
 always ready at seven o'clock, at all seasons of the year, and 
 while he discussed this meal, he usually gave orders for his din 
 ner at six. On the morning succeeding the events last recorded, 
 he was crossing Fulton Ferry at about eight. 
 
 Arriving at Jeryboblum street, he found Helen in the parlour, 
 still wading through the rhetorical flourishes in the pile of " com 
 positions " that had been presented by her pupils on the previous 
 day. There had been a holiday of two weeks, between sessions, 
 and Miss Keith always improved these shining hours, by giving 
 the young ladies some abstruse topic to write upon, requiring
 
 160 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 them to present four pages each at the re-opening of the Institute. 
 It is to be regretted that these specimens of light literature never 
 got into print; not so much on account of the substantial loss in 
 curred by the reading public, as because their publication would 
 have revealed a startling similarity in logic and rhetoric, to the 
 discourses and lectures of the renowned first men of the age. 
 Those of the girls who were deeply pious, fell into the same strain 
 as that adopted by the Reverend Dragger. Those who were not 
 troubled with piety, but took philosophy as a substitute, employed 
 the more felicitous expressions of the other first man, Mr. Squiz- 
 zein. In the main, and viewing the matter in its moral aspect, 
 there was no material difference between the philosophy and the 
 piety, as the first contradicted all established laws of logic, and 
 the second scouted all popular creeds. Both classes were com 
 posed in the gush dialect, which had this advantage : The mean 
 ing of the words employed was transitive, and the same words 
 and sentences would serve to indicate a strictly original postulate 
 in social economy, (that had been exploded for twenty centuries), 
 or to illustrate a novel proposition in Theology, which had been 
 propounded to Eve by her interlocutor nearly six thousand years 
 ago. This peculiarity of the gush tongue was one proof of the 
 progress of the age, as the sense of the passages depended en 
 tirely upon the tones or expression of countenance, on the part of 
 the reader. A solemn air indicated theology; an air of suppress 
 ed wisdom indicated philosophy. 
 
 Helen would have been overwhelmed, if it had not been for 
 her previous training in Cincinnati, where Mrs. Crowder had in 
 doctrinated her in the philosophy and religion of Professor Hang, 
 who also dealt exclusively in gush. She had been required to 
 read " Lies for To-morrow " in her daily instructions to Mrs. 
 Crowder's daughters, and she had only the grammatical construc 
 tion of the sentences to bother her, as the sentiments of the Es 
 says, being in gush, made no impression upon her mind. 
 
 " I am so glad to see you, Mr. Skillet," said Helen, " I have 
 been reading these compositions, and I really don't know what I 
 ought to do about them." 
 
 " Exactly ! " said Mr. Skillet, "I see ! Ya-as ! How are you 
 to-day?" 
 
 " Quite well, sir. And I can never tell you how deep my debt 
 of gratitude to you " 
 
 "Oh! it's no consequence," said Mr. Skillet; '-I'll send in my 
 bill. Let it set, please."
 
 ME. SKILLETS SYMPATHY. 161 
 
 " The change from that horrid place, to this ! Oh dear ! How 
 could I live as long as I did, where that wretched man was ! Mrs. 
 Bruce is so kind, and her daughters are charming ! And I heard 
 a real de-light-ful discourse last night from Doctor Sturdy : almost 
 equal to Kentucky 1" 
 
 " Well," said Mr. Skillet, " you kicked up quite a considerable 
 rumpus, yesterday ! The whole of N'Yauk was in an uproar. 
 There was Dassy sot up all night, and then whaled your man at 
 Tilter's." 
 
 " My man at Tilter's f said Helen, astonished. 
 
 " Ya-as ! I mean that slick young whelp, Donis. He came 
 down town and made some brags about courtin' you, and Dassy 
 heard him. He put a head onto him in about two mi nits ! I seed 
 the chap afterwards, a comin' out of a beer cellar, lookin' quite 
 seedy. His hat was stove in, and all the tar was washed outenhis 
 mustash. Bulty for Dassy ! I was a goin' to old Tilter to enter 
 a complaint, but I thought after I seed him I mean Don is that 
 I could let him set ! I guess the young cuss won't bother any other 
 gal this week !" 
 
 " I am very sorry," said Helen, piously repressing and trampling 
 upon her first feeling of delight ; " I hope Mr. Gaston did not hurt 
 him seriously." 
 
 "Oh, it's no consequence!" replied Mr. Skillet; "when I see 
 Tilter, I'll tell him to swop that whelp off for a kitten, and then 
 drown the kitten to keep t'other feller from swopping back! 
 But what am I to tell Dassy f 
 
 " I don't understand, sir." 
 
 " Why, he was half demented ! He wanted to hire the police 
 force to look for you ! He kinder feels like he had a lien on you, 
 since you come on the same train with him. He said he would 
 give OITC of his arms or legs to know you were safe ! I promised 
 him to find out by to-day, and now I crave to know what Fm to 
 tell him !" 
 
 " Suppose he does not ask youf said Helen, demurely. 
 
 " Oh ! he'll ask fast enough. I shall find him at the office when 
 I go back waitiu' for me." 
 
 " If he asks, you may tell him I am quite safe and well. You 
 might say I am teaching school." 
 
 "And shall I tell him where the school is?" asked Mr. Skillet, 
 shutting one eye ; " he might want to put in some compositions 
 himself." 
 
 11
 
 162 FLESH AND SPIRIT. * 
 
 " I don't think it will be necessary," answered Helen, blushing 
 a little ; u don't you think it will be better to make no excep 
 tions ?" 
 
 " It's no consequence," said Mr. Skillet, somewhat disappointed j 
 " but I may tell him I know where you are, and have seen you ! 
 It will be quite like a cold bath to the boy, too ! And now I must 
 go. What is the matter with the compositions?" 
 
 " Oh ! I had forgotten. Miss Keith gave the young ladies a topic 
 to write upon during the vacation. It is " The Cognition of the 
 Inner Life," and I don't know what she meant, and am afraid none 
 of the young ladies knew either. I have read them all, and I 
 cannot find one word of sense in any ! I did not know such 
 stuff I was going to say, could be written. May I read one to 
 to you ? " 
 
 Mr. Skillet started to his feet and seized his hat. 
 
 " Jerusalem !" he ejaculated ; "five minits of nine. I must git 
 across. That boy will hang himself on a hat peg in the back 
 office. Good mornin', Miss Harding." 
 
 " That was a narrow escape !" he muttered, as he raced down to 
 the ferry ; " if I had stayed there another minit, she'd a read that 
 pile of she-literatooi to me. What in the dickins can I tell Dassy? 
 He'll put me through as soon as I tell him I know where she is. 
 She is pooty and slick as molasses candy, by Gemini ! But she 
 don't care no more for Dassy than for old Camp ! Wimmen is 
 mighty tickelish securities to invest in, anyhow ! You can never 
 tell how much margin to ask. Dassy may as well hang up his 
 fiddle !" 
 
 As he predicted, Mr. Skillet found Darcy at the office. The 
 young gentleman was poring over a complicated account, and was 
 apparently far more interested in the figures which related to 
 investments in sundry stocks than to any investments in the 
 securities that Mr. Skillet had just apostrophized. The old 
 gentleman slipped into the back office, and busied himself with 
 the morning letters, dreading the interview that he was sure was 
 impending. 
 
 In due time, Darcy came in for the letters. Mr. Skillet had 
 made pencil memoranda upon them, which he explained volubly. 
 
 " This cheque is from Scoop," he said, " and you must write 
 polite to him. He wants gold for sterling, and not for specula 
 tion. Tell Camp to charge him a naith commission. That's regu 
 lar, anyway, and he won't think he's cheated if we charge full
 
 MR. SKILLET'S SYMPATHY. 163 
 
 commission. He has not sent quite enough for the ten thousand, 
 but it's no consequence. Buy it for him regular, as soon as the 
 Board opens, and send him statements. This is Brittle's letter. 
 He says, sell out and close his account. All right ! Charge him 
 a sixteenth both ways. Camp will tell you his balance. I think 
 we are carrying Fifty for him." 
 
 " Can't we take ten of it for Mr. Scoop ?" said Darcy. 
 
 " No ! Let every tub set on its own bottom. My rule has 
 always been to keep each transaction separate. Don't mix things. 
 If you once learn to stick to your commissions, through thick and 
 thin, you'll come out all right. That's the first principle. The 
 other is : keep your margins up. It's no consequence who your 
 customer is. If it's your father or your mother-in-law, always git 
 your margin. If you want to turn plaguey fool and squander 
 your earuin's, you can always give them to a hospital ! But don't 
 give 'etn away while you are playing at business. Hadn't you 
 better git out now, and go round to the gold room ? I'd like to 
 git Scoop's ten at the opening." 
 
 " Fifteen minutes of ten, sir," said Darcy ; " I wanted to ask 
 you about * 
 
 " All right !" said Mr. Skillet ; " when you come back." 
 
 " Only one word, sir " 
 
 " You can't say nauthin' in one word !" objected Mr. Skillet, 
 testily. " Oh ! about the gal I Wa-al, she is all right, safe and 
 sound !" 
 
 " Yes, sir," replied Darcy indifferently ; " thank you, sir. But 
 I desired to ask you what I ought to do if I knew that a man was 
 following me and watching all my movements." 
 
 " Following you T 
 
 " Yes, sir. There is a great red whiskered rascal that I have 
 found two or three times dogging my footsteps. There is no 
 doubt about it." 
 
 " Dogging your footsteps ! Wa-al ! I've got an English mas 
 tiff to my heouse. I'll lend him to you, and then you can dog his 
 footsteps, and mebbe a small slice of one of his legs. You'd better 
 come round to-night and git a little acquainted with l Towzer.' 
 He is not much friendly at first, but you can git him to know you. 
 Have you spoke to the man F 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 " Why not ? w 
 
 " Because I I thought I might get into a quarrel. These New
 
 164 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 York policemen are so thick that one can't knock a fellow down 
 without being caught." 
 
 " It seems to me," quoth Mr. Skillet, u that you knocked that 
 Donis cuss around quite considerable, yesterday, without gitten 
 caught !" 
 
 " Yes, sir ; but that was in Pearl street, and we were behind 
 the cotton bales. Ah ! if I could only get the other fellow there !" 
 
 " Wa-al ! S'pose you did what then P 
 
 " Then I could speak to him, sir. You don't know how annoy 
 ing it is to be followed and watched. Three minutes of ten I'm 
 off', sir." 
 
 "Wa-al!" said Mr. Skillet, solus, "this bangs the witches. I 
 can't understand these young whelps any more than the wimmen. 
 He cares no more for Miss Harding than she does for him. I 
 s'pose it's all right. Here I sot, getting ready to bust into tears 
 of sympathy, and he just nods his head and goes about his busi 
 ness. I can't understand it ! Yesterday he was all afire, and 
 ready to engage the mayor and aldermen in a hunt for my little 
 school-marm. To-day, he only wants to go for some red whiskered 
 chap and put a head onto him. It's a clean waste of raw material 
 to be gettiu' up sympathy, and I'll quit that line of business. 
 Hello ! What is it, Jim ?" 
 
 The office Mercury presented a ne'at little note, written on 
 mourning paper. 
 
 "Miss Norman presents her compliments to Mr. Skillet, and 
 will thank him to call some time this morning, at the Fifth Avenue 
 Hotel." 
 
 " Fifth Avenoo Hotel !" said Mr. Skillet. " Some fine mornin' 
 I'll get a note from Eome or Jerusalem, asking me to step across 
 and have a talk. Fifth Avenoo ; two miles, good. But it's no con 
 sequence. I'll have to go. What the dickens is she doin' at the 
 Fifth Avenoo Hotel F 
 
 CHAPTEE XXXIV. 
 Miss ABBY'S VISIT. 
 
 mysterious invitation which Miss Abby received from the 
 -1- venerable medium, possessed her mind the whole succeed 
 ing day. She felt that it was private and confidential, though 
 she did not precisely understand whether the message was from
 
 MISS ABBTS VISIT. 165 
 
 the spirit world, or from the medium on his own account. During 
 the day, which was ostensibly occupied in preparation for the 
 coming voyage, she studiously avoided conversation with Nina, 
 who, in turn, was preoccupied and silent. The sober light of day 
 dispelled some of the mists of the previous night, and the realities 
 of living interests around her displaced the unnatural excitement 
 that attended the seance. Still, Nina was not able to shake off 
 the influence entirely, especially as the mysterious injunctions 
 she had apparently received, chimed with tolerable accuracy 
 with her previous purposes. She finally decided to send for Mr. 
 Skillet, and resolved to be guided by his advice, in the matter 
 that most specially interested her. 
 
 It was about noon, when Nina announced to Miss Abby that 
 she expected Mr. Skillet, who would probably accept an invita 
 tion to lunch with them. 
 
 " Then I will go to Brooklyn after lunch," said Miss Abby, " as 
 you will want to talk business; and I have to arrange finally for 
 the conduct of the Institute during my absence. Mr. Skillet 
 assures me that the young lady he recommended is eminently 
 qualified, but I should like to see her myself." 
 
 When Mr. Skillet arrived, Miss Keith metaphorically collared 
 him on the threshold. 
 
 " Excuse me a moment, Nina," said she; " but I will not have 
 another favourable opportunity to consult Mr. Skillet about the 
 Institute. What is the lady's name ?" 
 
 "Oh! Ah! You mean the school-marm ? Miss Harding." 
 
 " Miss Harding. Yes. Do you happen to know anything of 
 her inner life *? I mean her spiritual perceptions ?" 
 
 " Exactly !" said Mr. Skillet. " I don't think she has any. She 
 goes to hear Dr. Sturdy preach, over to Brooklyn. I recom 
 mended Dragger, but " 
 
 " She did not accept your advice F 
 
 " Wa-al, it warn't exactly advice. I only told her it was a good 
 place to hear first-class hifalootiu. Great Caesar ! Nobody can 
 come up to Dragger in hifalootin. Miss Harding had a lot of 
 writing about the ' inner life,' which the scholars brought in yes 
 terday." 
 
 "Yes," said Miss Abby, complacently; "I gave them that 
 topic at the end of last session." 
 
 " Wa-al, that's jest in Dragger's line, you know." 
 
 Miss Abby winced. The model essay upon the topic was one
 
 166 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 of the Keverend Dragger's sermons. She thought Mr. Skillet a 
 disagreeable old heretic. 
 
 " Dragger preached last Sunday," continued Mr. Skillet, " about 
 the imaginations of men's hearts, and he proved that all religion 
 consisted in the imagination. The Herald says it was a masterly 
 effort." 
 
 " Yes," answered Miss Keith ; " I heard him. But Miss Hard 
 ing went to Dr. Sturdy's, because the Bruces go there. You said 
 she lived at Mr. Bruce's ?" 
 
 " I wanted she should go to your old boardin' house," said Mr. 
 Skillet, " but Mrs. Bruce kind o' took to her." 
 
 "It would have been more judicious to have gone to Mrs. 
 Smith's," observed Miss Abby. "Mrs. Bruce always pays her 
 bills, and Mrs. Smith don't. However, you have arranged it all, 
 and I shall not object. I have not met Miss Harding, though, 
 and I am going over to Brooklyn to-day to ascertain the extent of 
 her scholastic attainments." 
 
 " Do as you please," replied Mr. Skillet ; " but I advise you to 
 let her set! If you put her through Dragger, she won't go up 
 head. But as for regular schooliu', I guess she can stand. But 
 if she don't seem to suit, you can git another, and I'll take her for 
 governess to my nieces. Miss Norman, what are your orders?" 
 
 "First, to take off your overcoat, and join us at lunch," replied 
 Nina," and afterwards to advise me about a personal matter. 
 Miss Abby is going to Brooklyn, presently. You had better take 
 the carriage, Miss Abby." 
 
 " I shall not return until late, probably," said Miss Keith. 
 
 " Then it is more important to have the carriage. We are 
 ready, Mr. Skillet." 
 
 When Mr. Skillet left the hotel, early in the afternoon, he was 
 in a very confused mental state. Miss Norman had, to use his 
 own words, knocked the spots out of him. 
 
 " It's no consequence !" he cogitated ; " but she is dead set in 
 her intentions. It is the quarest business I ever mixed in. But 
 she is dead set ! She wouldn't listen to any objections. And I 
 happen to know that Bragdon is jest as dead set on the same 
 property. I can't see my way out, and I mustn't ask Dassy. It 
 won't do for him to be mixed." 
 
 Miss Keith had sundry things to do in Brooklyn. She called 
 at the Institute, introduced herself to Helen, and then sat by, 
 observant, while she heard recitations. It was history day, and
 
 MISS ABBTS VISIT. 167 
 
 the classes were not as well prepared as was desirable, being the 
 second day of the session. But the new teacher was patient and 
 sympathizing, and the pupils got through the trial without serious 
 failures. Miss Harding complimented them upon their previous 
 training, very justly, for Miss Keith was a highly accomplished 
 instructress. And the latter was duly impressed with the Ken 
 tucky girl's readiness, in helping the stumbling pupils through or 
 over the hard places. Helen did not know she was being inves 
 tigated, and therefore felt no trepidation, and made no failures. 
 Miss Abby left the Institute at five o'clock highly pleased with 
 her successor. Somehow she did not get her own consent to dis 
 cuss the relative merits of the two schools of theology represented 
 by Dragger and Sturdy. There was a certain air about Helen 
 that restrained her. The carriage had been dismissed, with in 
 structions to the coachman to present himself at Doctor Lamis's 
 at eight o'clock. 
 
 Miss Abby dined with Mrs. Smith. It was a farewell visit, as 
 she would sail the next week. Mrs. Smith, by an effort of will 
 that made her feel quite limp afterwards, took twenty dollars out 
 of her pocket-book, and paid it to Miss Keith " on account." She 
 had two girls at the Institute. 
 
 It was seven o'clock when Miss Keith arrived at the spiritual 
 mansion. She was shown into the side room, now brilliantly 
 lighted, and was courteously received by the venerable medium 
 himself. 
 
 " Did you come alone f he asked, standing behind her chair, 
 which he had wheeled up to the grate. 
 
 " Yes 5 you said come aloue." 
 
 " True ; there are so many scoffers in the world that I always 
 feel doubtful. Are you convinced of the reality of spiritual mani 
 festations ?" 
 
 " Undoubtedly," answered Miss Abby. 
 
 " Well, did you think all the responses last night were from the 
 spirit world f 
 
 " Yes ; I haffno reason to doubt it." 
 
 " Ah ! you were mistaken ! There is such a thing in psycholog 
 ical science as the domination of living souls, by mere force of 
 will. I was under such domination last night. One of the re 
 sponses was from a living man ! Do not move ! Wait while you 
 count fifty, and he will present himself." 
 
 Miss Keith was strong minded. But while she counted fifty
 
 168 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 silently, she thought she could hear her own heart beat. A step 
 on the soft carpet, barely audible, and Eupert Grey stood before 
 her, with the same bold eyes, the same dressy exterior, the same 
 smooth moustache, with the even white teeth glistening under it. 
 She glanced around the room. The medium had vanished, leaving 
 no trace behind. 
 
 " I am charmed to see you, Miss Keith," said Rupert, holding 
 out his -white hand. " Pray do not be shocked by my sudden ap 
 pearance ! I am quite full of vital energy, I assure you." 
 
 " I thought you were killed !" faltered Miss Abby. " The Herald, 
 to-day, said no traces of your body could be found !" 
 
 " Precisely," replied Rupert, with easy indifference ; " I do not 
 intend it to be found at present except by my friends. I hope I 
 may count Miss Keith among them !" 
 
 " I am entirely bewildered !" said Miss Abby. " Does Nina 
 know ?" 
 
 u I trust not, answered Rupert ; " my chief motive for remain 
 ing dead is to mislead Nina. And next to the pleasure of seeing 
 you again, the most agreeable part of the present interview will 
 be the formation of an alliance between us." 
 
 " An alliance against Nina !" said Miss Keith. " I cannot take 
 part in any scheme against her." 
 
 " Certainly not !" replied Eupert, drawing a chair up and seat 
 ing himself beside her. " I purpose no harm to Nina. On the con 
 trary, I hope to aid her in some pet schemes of hers ; but, to suc 
 ceed, she must remain ignorant of my existence, while you must 
 enlighten me upon two or three points. First : what business has 
 Mr. Gaston in charge for her !" 
 
 " I don't know," said Miss Abby, shortly. 
 
 "Positively?" said Grey, eyeing her keenly. 
 
 " Positively ! He has seen her several times, but I have no idea 
 of the nature of their conferences. Something relating to the 
 estate, I presume, but this is mere surmise. He was sent at first 
 by Mr. Skillet." 
 
 " And the lady ? Mr. Gaston has taken a lady to Nina's house, 
 certainly. Where is she, And who is she ?" 
 
 " No lady ever came with Mr. Gaston. Nina has no house ; she 
 is at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. We are going to Europe by the 
 1 China ' next week." 
 
 " We ?" 
 
 " Yes ; Nina and I."
 
 NINA'S DILEMMA. 169 
 
 " And uo one else !" 
 
 " No one else, excepting Nina's maid." 
 
 Mr. Grey pushed back his chair, muttering something very like 
 an oath. He was so positively assured that Nina was harbouring 
 Helen that he found himself repeating the fact to his own mind, 
 while he reflected upon Miss Abby's denial. He strode about the 
 room, pulling his black moustache, and labouring to devise a new 
 plan. His effort with Miss Keith was an evident failure. At last 
 he pushed his chair nearer the grate, and once more sat down 
 beside her. 
 
 " Part of my plan," he said "indeed, the culmination of it 
 related to you ! After I accomplish my purpose, which is merely 
 the enforcement of a legal claim against the Norman estate, I in 
 tend to win your confidence and your regard. I trust you to 
 remain silent about me until the time arrives for me to see Nina 
 and the Bragdons. There is your carriage, I presume ; it has 
 stopped at the door." He took her hand, pressed it gently, 
 and before she knew it, he had leaned forward and kissed her. 
 She was rather shocked, but, as they were alone, she speedily re 
 covered her composure. 
 
 " If I take him," she murmured, when the carriage arrived at 
 the hotel, " I'll stop his smoke ! And I don't see as I have to tell 
 Nina anything about him at present." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 NINA'S DILEMMA. 
 
 more Miss Keith thought about her interview with Eu- 
 -L pert the more dissatisfied she felt. And while she was in a 
 little flutter of pleasant excitement whenever she thought of his 
 concluding remarks, she still resented the cool impudence of his 
 " approaches." He seemed to take for granted that he had only 
 his own consent to gain. This is a very comfortable frame of mind 
 at the beginning of a courtship, but it is not lasting if the femi 
 nine part of the courting is thoroughly done. The natural law, 
 which requires a certain amount of wooing from the dominant 
 power, is inexorable. If Mr. Grey, who could simulate all tlie 
 virtues, had manifested some timidity, or distrust of his own
 
 170 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 fascinations, he would have accomplished more. But the unfor 
 tunate conceit, that ruins so many of the stronger sex, could not 
 be hidden, and it happened to spoil all his plans in this instance. 
 
 u Nina," said Miss Abby, " I suppose you made an attempt to 
 confer with the spirit of Mr. Grey, last night F 
 
 " Yes," replied Nina, starting. " I was thinking of him this 
 minute." 
 
 " What were you thinking, dear ?" 
 
 " It seems a shocking thing to say, Miss Abby," replied Nina, 
 " but I was asking myself if it was probable that dead people ever 
 told lies. What is the doctrine of the Spiritualists upon that 
 point ?" 
 
 " Spirits," said Miss Abby, " that is, real spirits, always tell the 
 truth. The revelations from the spirit spheres would be infallible 
 if we could always have a reliable medium. I suppose all the 
 cases of false teaching or false revelation may be attributed to 
 the fault or iucompetency of the medium. What is it that you 
 doubt!" 
 
 " I hardly know," answered Nina, wearily ; " I am so tired of 
 distrust ! And I had so firmly decided that I had found one man 
 of unswerving integrity. But I have been all day asking myself 
 if Mr. Gaston could be misled by Eupert ?" 
 
 Miss Keith devoured Nina with her eyes. 
 
 " You know, Miss Abby," she continued, " that I am the 
 seventh child of my father, who was the seventh of his. I cannot 
 shake off the superstition that this gives me peculiar insight into 
 the thoughts and motives of people. And I have always felt, 
 when conversing with Mr. Gaston, that he was dealing with per 
 fect candour. But there was some concealment of his thoughts, I 
 remember, when I asked him about Rupert. Can it be possible 
 that these two have formed a compact to deceive me '?" 
 
 Miss Keith reflected, liupert was a nice man, and wore such 
 elegant gloves! But he was impecunious at present, and Nina 
 was rich. And, then, that septenary arrangement made her shiver 
 in spite of her good sense. Moreover, she was passably honest, 
 and candour was her favourite weakness. 
 
 " Nina," she said, oracularly, " I don't like Mr. Gaston. He is 
 a rebel, and he is as full of conceit as he can be. But he don't 
 tell lies. I am sure of that. You might be deceived, but no man 
 could deceive me." 
 
 " Conceit ?" said Nina. u That sounds like a harsh judgment,
 
 NINA 1 8 DILEMMA. Itl 
 
 Miss Abby. I Lave seen no evidence of it. But it was a strange 
 coincidence that he should have been on the train with Eupert, 
 and yet not know him " 
 
 " But Mr. Grey knows him, 7 ' replied Miss Keith. 
 
 " Knows him ? You mean he knew him." 
 
 u No, I don't. I mean to say Mr. Grey knows him, and knows 
 ho has been visiting you." 
 
 " Oh !" said Nina, " I understand. You refer to Eupert's spir 
 itual state. I was speaking of Mr. Gaston's knowledge. He said 
 he met Eupert on the train, but did not even know his name 
 until after his arrival in New York. The papers described the 
 fatal accident, and announced that Mr. Eupert Grey was the 
 victim." 
 
 " I don't refer to the spiritual state," said Miss Abby, posi 
 tively; "I don't think Mr. Grey has any spiritual state. I don't 
 believe there was any fatal accident. I believe Mr. Grey is alive, 
 and as well as you are. And I think he has some designs against 
 your estate, and does not show himself, because he expects to 
 succeed better by employing other agencies. There ! I have 
 cleared my conscience now, and you can draw your own con 
 clusions." 
 
 Nina regarded Miss Abby with wondering eyes. She spoke 
 positive^, snapping out her sentences with emphatic precision ; 
 and Nina began to recall her first interview with Darcy, and tried 
 to remember his exact words. 
 
 " Miss Abby," she said, after a brief silence, " you have said 
 too little or too much. Do you think Mr. Gaston is aware of 
 Eupert's existence, if he is indeed alive ?" 
 
 " I don't know," replied Miss Keith. 
 
 " But you have just said that Eupert knows him." 
 
 " Yes. I cannot say whether Mr. Gaston knows Mr. Grey, or 
 not. You ought to be able to use that peculiar insight of yours, 
 and decide that point for yourself." 
 
 " But, Miss Abby," persisted Nina, " you were present last 
 night, and heard the responses " 
 
 " You did not call Mr. Grey by name," said Miss Abby ; " I 
 am not at all sure indeed, I am quite sure Mr. Grey's disem 
 bodied spirit did not answer you. There !" 
 
 " And the other F said Nina, tremulously ; " if I were sure the 
 whole thing was a deception! But it would make no difference. 
 My course is perfectly plain. Miss Abby, was the whole affair a 
 sham f
 
 172 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 \ 
 
 " I don't know !" snapped Miss Abby. " The medium you had 
 was a sham, I really believe." 
 
 " Then 1" said Nina, starting to her feet, " then it was Eupert 
 Grey ! Nobody else could know how to answer. Ah ! I see now. 
 But how did it happen that he was there ? Oh ! dear. Shall I 
 never get out of these toils ? If I live another day 1 will terminate 
 these doubts. And if Mr. Gastou has deceived me I will never 
 trust mortal man again !" 
 
 Miss Abby cogitated. Darcy had offended her mortally, more 
 by his disdainful manner than by his words. Her confidence in 
 the native intelligence of the black race, founded upon the rhap 
 sodies of Squizzem and Dragger, had been rudely shaken by 
 Darcy's cold assertion of its essential inferiority, and his simple 
 analysis of some of the gush lingo had displeased her also. But 
 there was a streak of honesty in her character that perpetually 
 asserted itself, and she could not even remain silent and allow 
 Nina to suppose she shared her doubts. 
 
 " I am sure I don't know what is the extent of your confidence," 
 she said, at last ; " but I have no reason to think Mr. Gaston 
 insincere. Indeed, I think he is entirely truthful and ingenuous. 
 He looks like a man who says just what he thinks. But I do 
 think he is a very dangerous man ! And I am not willing for you 
 to repose unlimited confidence in him." 
 
 Nina crossed the room and kissed her. 
 
 " Now, Nina," said Miss Abby, tossing her head petulantly, " I 
 don't wish you to misunderstand me. These Kentucky people are 
 perfectly hateful." 
 
 " Why, you never saw any Kentucky people, excepting Mr. 
 Gaston." 
 
 " Yes, I have !" replied Miss Keith ; " that teacher Mr. Skillet 
 found is from Kentucky. She is thoroughly educated, no doubt, 
 and I leave the Institute in her hands without the slightest appre 
 hension. But ' 
 
 " But what r 
 
 " But she has that same abominable air of self-satisfaction. I 
 was positively afraid to ask her a dozen questions, all of which I 
 had arranged in my mind what is it ?" 
 
 A servant had brought in a couple of cards. 
 
 "Mr. Timothy Skillet," said Nina, reading the cards, "and 
 Henry Gaston, Esq. Bequest the gentlemen to walk in." 
 
 Mr. Skillet was in a high state of excitement. His companion was
 
 NINA'S DILEMMA. 173 
 
 a large, well-formed man in the prime of life, sedate in demeanour, 
 with honest eyes that roved around the spacious apartment, even 
 while he made his polite salutations. 
 
 " I hope you will pardon this unseasonable intrusion," he said ; 
 " but Mr. Skillet told me I should find my brother here. I have 
 just arrived and cannot sleep until I see him." 
 
 " Mr. Darcy Gaston P said Nina. 
 
 " Yes, Madam." 
 
 " He has not been here to-day." 
 
 Tige was discomfited. He had just told his wife that she should 
 see the boy in five minutes. Nina noticed his disappointment. 
 
 " He is quite well," she continued, kindly ; " though Mr. Skil 
 let can give you more recent intelligence about him." 
 
 " It's no consequence," said Mr. Skillet ; " but I was sure he was 
 here. He left the office at five. He was perfectly well, except a 
 kind o' sneezin'. Caught cold, I guess. Let's go to Camp's, Mr. 
 Gaston." 
 
 Tige followed him to the door and then turned back and stood 
 a moment before Nina, reading her countenance with sober 
 anxiety. 
 
 " I am afraid I transgress," he said, with a deprecating gesture ; 
 " but my poor wife is devoured with anxiety I don't know why. 
 Mr. Skillet has assured her that Darcy is safe and well, but she 
 refuses to believe him. . She has no one but Darcy in the world ; 
 and after two clays of tiresome travel she insists upon finding him 
 to-night. And I thought if I might bring her to you only for a 
 moment and let you tell her that he was well." 
 
 " I will go to her," said Nina, promptly. 
 
 " Nay. Let me bring her to you. She is in the parlour, close at 
 hand. How kind you are. Darcy's letters about you have seemed 
 to me extravagant until now." 
 
 " Bring Mrs. Gaston," replied Nina, a rosy hue overspreading 
 her forehead and cheeks. " We will try to entertain her while 
 you are gone." 
 
 " And you jest stay, too, Mr. Gaston," said Mr. Skillet. " I will 
 go to Camp's and bring Dassy. No earthly use for you to go. If 
 he is not there I'll find out where he is, and come back for you. 
 He was as lively as a cricket only four hours ago. Anyhow, the 
 whelp is big enough to take care of himself. And Miss Norman 
 can give you the information you want about t'other one, too." 
 And Mr. Skillet bustled out without waiting for a reply.
 
 174 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Tige brought his wife, who was courteously received by Nina. 
 It only requires fifteen seconds for two truthful women to become 
 intimate. Nell was drinking in the refreshing streams of informa 
 tion that Nina was able to supply, touching Darcy's appearance, 
 seasoned with bits of conversation of no importance, but invalu 
 able to Nell, who could recognize " her boy" in phrases and senti 
 ments that Nina remembered. 
 
 Mr. Gaston, like a true gentleman, took a seat near Miss Keith, 
 who had been rather overlooked in the hurried introduction and 
 interview. He got a gallon of gush in five minutes. But he had 
 heard a hundred addresses to gentlemen of the jury, in cases 
 where an appeal to the tender sensibilities of husbands and 
 fathers was the only leg the orator had to stand upon. So he 
 took the gush without winking, and Miss Abby began to think 
 Kentucky was a good sort of a place, after all. Tige was a born 
 courtier. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 THE OUTLET. 
 
 THE swift interchange of question and answer, all relating to 
 Mr. Darcy Gaston, his looks, his habits and his purposes, 
 occupied the attention of the two ladies, while Tige and Miss 
 Abby vapourized gush in the opposite corner. Mrs. Gaston had 
 been troubled by dreams and presentiments, and she found a ready 
 listener in Miss Norman, who was greatly attracted by the little 
 lady's earnest devotion to the youth. She referred to " Tige," 
 once and again, in her fluent recital, until Miss Norman interrupt 
 ed her by askiug who Tige was. 
 
 " Mr. Gaston," answered Nell ; " his name is Henry ; but at col 
 lege he got this nickname, because of the invariable sweetness 
 of his temper. No one ever knew him to be angry." 
 
 " And his brother resembles him, I suppose f said Niua. 
 
 " Well, not exactly. Darcy is the best boy in the world, but 
 he has a fiery temper. And when his mind is made up, he is 
 adamant ! He was at college when the war began. Mr. Gaston 
 had written and spoken a great deal against the whole theory of 
 secession, and he corresponded with Darcy on the same subject, 
 and really thought the boy held his views. But one dreadful day,
 
 THE OUTLET. 175 
 
 we got a letter from him, that only contained a few words; it just 
 said : ' Dear brother Tige, I can't stand everything. I am off to 
 the army. Captain Kuthven went last night.' And we heard no 
 more of him until the surgeon of the prison wrote to us, saying 
 Darcy would die, if we did not get him out." 
 
 " Captain Kuthven," said Nina* "Ah! Was that Mr. Darcy 
 Euthveu ?" 
 
 " Yes," answered Nell, surprised. " You have heard of him f ' 
 
 " Oh, yes. I heard that he died or was killed." 
 
 " Yes. He died at home. He had been desperately wounded, 
 two or three times, and at last was left at Lexington, when the 
 Confederate forces retired from the town. His wife died soon 
 after." 
 
 " And he left no family !' ' 
 
 " One daughter. Helen. The sweetest girl in Kentucky." 
 
 "A daughter," said Nina, eagerly. " Oh ! Mrs. Gaston, is she 
 still alive?" 
 
 " Certainly ! That is, I have not heard of her death. But she 
 has disappeared unaccountably. Sbe went to Cincinnati not long 
 ago, to take charge of the education of some children. Tige went 
 there to look for her, very recently, but she was gone." 
 
 " Gone !" said Nina, wringing her hands. 
 
 " Yes. My husband has sought for her in Chicago, where she 
 was supposed to be. He spent a week there, but found no traces 
 of her. Tige, dear, please come over here. Miss Norman is in 
 terested in poor Helen's story." 
 
 " Interested 1" ejaculated Nina, as Tige came obediently. " Mr. 
 Gaston, if you can bring this girl to me, you will relieve me of the 
 only anxiety that troubles my life. Why have I not heard that 
 Mr. Kuthven had a daughter ? Why has your brother never told 
 me?" 
 
 " Darcy never saw her, I believe. Nell sent him to Lexington 
 to see her, and convey some message, but she had already gone to 
 Cincinnati. I went there a short time afterwards, and learned 
 that she had mysteriously disappeared. She was governess in 
 the family of Mrs. Crowder. While there she had become ac 
 quainted with a man who was supposed to be a gentleman, but. 
 who was a great scoundrel, and under his evil intluence, she 
 secretly left the city. This man was a friend of Professor Hang, 
 of Chicago at least, so Mrs. Crowder said and he had also dis 
 appeared, saying he was going there. I went to Chicago a little
 
 176 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 later, found Professor Hang, and learned that he had never seen 
 or heard of this man." 
 
 " And his name ?" said Nina, leaning forward, eagerly 
 
 " I think I will not tell his name," replied Tige, slowly. " I am 
 on his track, if I am not greatly mistaken. Everything depends 
 upon the first steps. I dare not whisper his name, lest he should 
 hear, and escape me ! He certainly came to New York." 
 
 " Have you seen him ?" asked Nina. 
 
 " No. But I have his photograph." He took out his pocket- 
 book and selected the picture, which he presented to Nina. A 
 deadly pallor overspread her face, as she looked at the bold, black 
 eyes, so resolute and insolent. She returned the picture with a 
 tiembling hand. 
 
 "And this is the only clue you have ?" she said, as Tige replaced 
 the card. 
 
 " Not entirely. I found another scoundrel in Cincinnati, who 
 knows this one. He had been a client of mine in a criminal suit, 
 and I got him off. I afterwards learned that he was certainly 
 guilty. Heaven forgive me ! He was at the hotel in Cincinnati, 
 drunk, and while he and I sat in the smoking-room, only three 
 nights ago, he revealed two or three important matters to me. 
 I shall find him anon, and then !" He paused, and a ferocious 
 expression crept over his countenance, transforming the gentle 
 Tige into an incarnate fiend. " If he once comes within reach of 
 my arm," he continued, " he may go scot free if he can." 
 
 Nina and Nell looked with apprehension upon the funereal face 
 of the handsome athlete. 
 
 " Mr. Grastou," whispered Nina, after a momentary silence j " this 
 man is Rupert Grey." 
 
 "Ah !" said Tige; "you know him then ?" 
 
 "Yes. But he is beyond your reach. He is dead." 
 
 " Dead !" said Tige, incredulously. 
 
 " He was killed on the railway ; he fell over a great precipice, 
 and no vestige of his body has been found. A careful search has 
 been made, and I am assured that he fell into the river, -at the 
 foot of the cliff, and was swept away, miles below the scene of the 
 accident." 
 
 " Indeed 1" said Tige indifferently. " Well, to return to Helen. 
 Can you tell me why he sought her out." 
 
 " Yes. I sent him to find Darcy Euthven or his heirs." 
 
 " You !" said Tige, recoiling, " you !"
 
 TEE OUTLET, 177 
 
 "Yes, I," responded Nina: " resume your seat, please. I have 
 charge of certain property in which Darcy Euthven or his heir 
 is interested. And I sent Eupert Grey to find him, and bring 
 him to me. He wrote me from Lexington, I think, or perhaps 
 from Cincinnati, saying Euthven was dead, but he had found the 
 heir. I thought he meant another. He did not tell me of the 
 daughter. And now I begin to have some glimmering of the 
 truth ! Eupert has somehow discovered that Miss Euthven would 
 inherit property, and has married her." 
 
 " No," answered Tige, slowly ; " he has not married her." 
 
 " Are you sure ?" said Nina, doubtfully. 
 
 " Quite sure. Can it be Euthven's Folly that you mean by the 
 property !" 
 
 " Euthven's Folly !" said Nina. 
 
 " I thought it might be that, because I have heard of the Euth- 
 vens' interest in it. But you are mistaken, if that is the land you 
 refer to. I investigated that title ten years ago. The Euthvens 
 have no more claim than I have. The transfers are all in order." 
 
 "Mr. Gaston," said Nina, desperately, " I will tell you everything! 
 That laud came into my grandfather's possession wrongfully !" 
 
 " Yes," said Tige, " I know that, too." 
 
 a Do you ? Well, the settled purpose of my heart is to restore 
 that identical property. 1 could not rest in my grave if I failed 
 to give it back. And I have had your brother investigating 
 deeds, and had almost arranged for the restoration of the land to 
 him " 
 
 " To Darcy ?" said Tige, interrupting her. 
 
 "To your brother. Because his name is Darcy Euthven. I 
 thought the proper owner had died childless, and my instructions 
 are explicit, requiring me to give it to ' whoever bears his name.' 
 And the only obstacles now in my way are two. First : the property 
 is the joint inheritance of my married sister and myself. I need to 
 gain a clear title. Second : to find Helen Euthven, and give her 
 the deed. How can I accomplish this ?" 
 
 " Is the estate undivided?" said Tige. 
 
 " Yes. I am going to Europe within a week, and before I sail 
 I hope to secure this property. If I tell my sister and her hus 
 band that I intend to transfer it away from the family, they wiK 
 leave no means untried to prevent me. I do not know the value 
 of it. But I am resolved to get it, at any cost. And I am resolved 
 
 to dispose of it as I have said." 
 
 12
 
 178 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " There is another obstacle," said Mr. Gaston, reflecting, " and 
 I am inclined to think it more serious than either you have named. 
 If Colonel Ruthven were alive, no power would be great enough 
 to make him take the property." 
 
 " But he is dead." 
 
 "True. And his daughter inherits his resentments! She will 
 not touch a penny of it." 
 
 "Ah! if I could but see her!" said. Nina, plaintively. "Only 
 tell me how to gain exclusive title. I will risk the rest." 
 
 " There is no difficulty there," said Tige, composedly j " I will 
 tell your legal adviser how to arrange it." 
 
 "But I have no legal adviser. Mr. Coke is the family lawyer, 
 and he has charge of my sister's interests as well as mine. I re 
 lied upon your brother to devise the plan. I have placed all the 
 papers in his hands." 
 
 " Well, I will tell him the outlet. Dismiss your anxiety. I am 
 sure you can get this identical property without trouble. To find 
 t be child is another matter. Ah! here is Mr. Skillet? Alone!" 
 
 " Over to Brooklyn !" said Mr. Skillet, " ten o'clock, too. Took 
 his night key. Said he would stay until midnight p'r'aps! I be 
 gan to think I was a blamed old fool ! But it's no consequence. 
 Dassy is too cute for me, and so is the school-marm ! Bless 'em, 
 how composed they both looked when I knowed it was jest as nat 
 ural for them to be bilin' over, as for a kittle on a red hot stove ! 
 But they pulled the wool over my eyes, slick ! He was there last 
 night, the sly young cuss ! Went to hearDragger, he said. Nary 
 Dragger ! It was the school-marm. Your school-marm, Miss Keith ! 
 She came from Kentucky with him. Same train, I mean. She 
 was with that Mr. Grey that got smashed onto the rocks ! Dassy 
 sorter froze to her, when the brakesman came back. It's no conse 
 quence ! What in thunder are you all starin' at ? She is just as 
 pooty as a pink ! but she is sly as a weasel ! Dassy seed her last 
 night. He up and told Mrs. Camp this evening, because she was 
 a frettin' about the gal. Took me twenty minits to git it out of 
 her. But she didn't know where she was. Dassy wouldn't tell. 
 He just said he was goin' to see her, and he bolted, soon as it was 
 dark. And now, what will you do ? Let 'em set or go after Dassy? 
 I'm all ready, Mr Gaston, if you want to go. I can put my finger 
 onto him in thirty-five minits !" 
 
 " Go, Tige !" said Nell. 
 
 " Of course. Miss Norman, I will not apologize for asking you
 
 FOLLOWED AGAIN. 179 
 
 to wait also. Look !" and he took another carte from his pocket 
 book. " Who is this, Mr. Skillet F 
 
 "The schoolmarm! Miss Harding. Pooty as a pink, by 
 Gemini !" 
 
 " Who is it, Nell F 
 
 " Helen ! Oh, Tige, is it indeed Helen F 
 
 " Beyond a doubt ! Come, Mr. Skillet, we shall have a jolly 
 supper together before midnight. Miss Norman, will you join us P 
 
 " With great pleasure, and I will keep Mrs. Gastou until you 
 return. Au revoir /" 
 
 " Here 1" said Mr. Skillet to Tige, " you've dropped your picter. 
 No ! It's a man! by Gemini ! It is that ugly cuss that got smashed 
 out on the railroad. Wa-al ! it's no consequence ! But I'd as lieve 
 carry a picter of the devil in my pocket ! Come on !" 
 
 CHAPTER XXXYII. 
 FOLLOWED AGAIN. 
 
 DAECY counted the hours impatiently as the long day waxed 
 and waned. When Trinity steeple banged out five o'clock, 
 after the usual preliminary chime, he donned his overcoat and has 
 tened to Camden. street. He would not have gone, but he was 
 becoming fastidious about his attire. After bestowing unaccus 
 tomed labour upon his outward adornments, he read the papers 
 all over again, and, taking compassion upon Mrs. Camp, he told 
 her he had found Helen, and that she was well and happy. He 
 was not at liberty to say where she was, but it was quite possible 
 that he would see her to-night, and he would take Mrs. Camp's 
 love to her with pleasure. His own, too, he added, mentally. 
 
 He was going to walk down, so as to give them time to finish 
 dinner at Mr. Bruce's ; but he had dallied over the law papers, 
 and it was near seven. So he took a Fulton street omnibus. As 
 he took his seat, after paying his fare, another passenger entered. 
 He had almond-shaped black eyes, and enough red beard to stuff 
 a small mattress. He was totally oblivious of Darcy's existence, 
 though that sweet tempered youth was scowling at him with 
 vengeful brows. The stage rolled down Broadway, and Darcy 
 made up his mind. He would ride down to Fulton street, then get
 
 180 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 out, walk back to Ann street, race round to Nassau, and back into 
 Fulton. If Mr. Redwhiskers followed he would have an under 
 standing with him. Nassau street would not be infested by cops 
 at that hour, and he would not detain the gentleman long. 
 
 Fulton street was reached at last. Darcy had moved near to the 
 door, and he slipped out, darted up Broadway, and down Ann street 
 to Nassau, and then walked quietly down to the corner. Nobody 
 insight. In fact, the red whiskers had not stirred. Their owner 
 had tried Darcy before, and, with half a minute's start, he knew 
 he could not get up with him. So he kept his seat. 
 
 As Darcy passed through the ferry gate he heard the boat's sig 
 nal of departure, and hastened down the slip. Before he stepped 
 on board he saw the red whiskers just behind him. Darcy decided 
 to wait for another boat, and drew back. So did red whiskers. 
 The boat glided out into the darkness, and Darcy walked back to 
 the waiting-room. Looking through the window, he saw the other 
 lighting a cigar, and apparently waiting composedly for the next 
 boat. There were too many people thronging into the ferry house 
 for a private interview. A scrimmage, which, of course, would 
 follow his address, kept him quiet. He had half made up his mind 
 to step out, knock the cigar out of the fellow's mouth and then 
 walk back. The other boat came into the slip, and he slipped out 
 with the rest. He brushed by the red whiskers just as he straight 
 ened out his arm to withdraw the cigar, with the old, insolent air. 
 Darcy thrust his clenched fists deep down in his overcoat pockets, 
 and held them there by main force. There was a fracas between 
 two truck drivers, and a policeman sauntered down the slip, parted 
 them with a word or two, and then marched back with martial 
 step. As he passed, Darcy touched his arm. 
 
 " May I say a word to you ?" said he, as the officer turned. 
 " This person," and he pointed to the gentleman with the red 
 beard, " has followed me once and again. I think he is a pick 
 pocket. Will you please investigate him ?" 
 
 " Hi, now !" said the officer, " what game are you up to, Cap ? 
 What are you follerin' this gent for f 
 
 " To steal my watch," replied Darcy, confronting the almond 
 eyes; "and, policeman, if you will promise not to arrest me, I 
 will knock his two insolent eyes into one !" 
 
 "Hi, now!" repeated the majestic cop, " none o' your foolish 
 ness here. Do you make a complaint agin this gent ?" 
 
 Darcy had a wholesome dread of the station-house. If he
 
 FOLLOWED AGAIN. 181 
 
 should make formal complaint he might be detaiued on the New 
 York side. He had been rash ! If he had waited until they both 
 reached Brooklyn, he could have led his follower to some quiet 
 spot and settled the business without the aid of law. 
 
 u Ask him what he follows me for f ' said he at length. " He has 
 not answered you." 
 
 "I beg your pardon !" said the stranger. " Are you speaking 
 to me ?" 
 
 " Come out of the gangway !" said the policeman. " Here, 
 Cap, let's have a look at you by the gaslight." 
 
 The stran 6 er followed composedly, and Darcy reluctantly. 
 
 " Now," said the officer, as the trio stood under the gas at the 
 door of the waiting-room, " now, Cap, seems to me you've got 
 more red whiskers than ever growed on your own chin. It is 
 pooty nigh as bad as the shiguons the wimmen wear P and he 
 took the flowing beard in his fingers and slipped it off the smooth 
 chin, while the almond eyes snapped viciously. The boat was about 
 to start. Darcy heard the rattle of the chain and the clang of the 
 engineer's bell. He walked swiftly down the slip and leaped on 
 board, when the boat was three feet out. He caught a final 
 glimpse of the baleful eyes as the stranger adjusted his rosy beard. 
 In another minute he was out in the stream, and Mr. Grey was 
 baffled once more. 
 
 " Thousand devils P said that worthy, wrathfully. " Your cursed 
 interference has forced me to lose him again ! Could you not see 
 what was the matter? That infernal young cub has carried off my 
 woman ! and I have been following him in this disguise a whole 
 week ! Can't you tell a gentleman when you see one P 
 
 The masterful air of the man, as he swept his arm round and 
 replaced the cigar in his mouth, awed the policeman. Grey took 
 a bank note carelessly from his waistcoat pocket, and put it into 
 the ready hand of the officer. 
 
 " This is all irregular, Cap'ii !" he said, apologetically ; " it's 
 clean agin the law to go about with false beards, and old white 
 coats. I was obliged to haul you up when he called me." 
 
 "Too late to talk about it now," answered Rupert; " I'll find 
 him some other time. Here is the other boat. Ten minutes start 
 of me ! It is perfectly hopeless to-night. No matter ; I am sure 
 to wiu at last." 
 
 " Well," said the watchful guardian of the peace, as Grey walked 
 quietly down the slip, " he is a cool one he is ! You bet ! But
 
 182 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 t'other feller was quite some savage, too. If them fellers meet in 
 some quiet spot there will be some fur flying. You bet! A woman 
 in the business, of course. And I can't say as I blame her much 
 if she has run off with t'other one. This black-eyed chap is a 
 reg'lar devil. You bet ! He'll be took up for murder some day, 
 and git off with justifiable homicide, or by the insanity dodge ! 
 There goes that lame soger, again. Some day I'll just tread on 
 that game foot of his'n, and see if he squeals. Lame sogers is 
 pooty nigh played out, anyhow. Hello ! he's talking to my Bed- 
 whiskers. There they go into the gents' cabin. Some devilment 
 hatching there, you bet I" 
 
 " Mr. Bloke !" said Grey, " you are half an hour late. If you 
 had been here on time you might have followed our young friend 
 and found out his hiding place." 
 
 "Couldn't help it!" growled the soldier; "had to dodge a 
 cussed cop. I'm gitten werry uncomfortable, anyway. That cop 
 at the ferry looks at me every eveiiin' as if he'd like to git 
 acquainted with me. I'm goin' to cross at Wall street after this." 
 
 " The cops are against us," said Grey. " The youngster we 
 are looking for just handed me over to your ferry cop." 
 
 " He did 1" said Bloke, aghast. 
 
 " He did. He said I wanted his watch." 
 
 " Cuss his impudence !" said the soldier. " Why didn't you put 
 a head onto him, boss ?" 
 
 " The opportunity was not favorable," replied Grey ; " but while 
 I was explaining to the policeman, he slipped away and got off on 
 the last boat. I had followed him from Camden street all the way 
 to the ferry. He dodged me once, but I was sure he was coming, 
 so I waited for him. It never occurred to me that he would dart 
 off as he did. He leaped aboard after the boat started. He must 
 have jumped ten feet." 
 
 Mr. Grey's estimate was not far wrong. Darcy's first thought, 
 when his feet struck the deck, was that he had pretty nearly 
 jumped across the boat. He scrambled out of the crowd and 
 gained the bow, where he had plenty of room. The night was 
 cold, and the shivering passengers kept the cabins. 
 
 " That scowling face," thought Darcy, as he paced the narrow 
 passage between the chains ; " surely I have seen it before. The 
 black moustache under the red one ! Why cannot I recall that 
 face I It is not possible that 1 should feel this desperate enmity 
 without cause. Was he one of the officers at the fort, where I
 
 FOLLOWED AGAIN. 183 
 
 was imprisoned I No. I remember every one. Besides, I har 
 bour no resentment against them. They were rough men, but 
 they did not maltreat me. This man has exhibited malice some 
 time, or I could not thus desire to throttle him. Pickpocket ! 
 Not he. Why cannot I remember I Is there another man in the 
 world who throws his head back, who swings his arm out in that 
 conceited, insolent way, whenever he fingers his beard I 
 
 " Why does he dog me ? It is absurd to think that he only 
 wants to rob. He would not select me, certainly. Is he trying to 
 discover any one else, through me ? Ah !" 
 
 He leaned against the rail and looked up at the sparkling 
 heavens, while a torrent of suggestions swept through his brain, 
 confusing, bewildering, almost stunning him. 
 
 u I thought I would wait a little longer," he murmured ; " but I 
 should go mad if I did not sift this mystery to the bottom. This 
 night will I know, if ever, what hold that villain has upon Helen. 
 For it is Grey ! I remember now. I remember how I shrank 
 from him on the train, and how I dreamed about him afterwards. 
 Grey ! Alive and resolute and strong. Oh ! miserable civiliza 
 tion. If we had lived a hundred years ago, I could have waited 
 here for his arrival and invited him to retire with me and end 
 this contest with our own hands ! It may come to that at last. 
 Somehow, I know that he stands between me and Helen. Some 
 how, he has estranged her and made her repulse me. Somehow, 
 he has poisoned her mind against me. How could she charge me 
 with fraud if this man had not belied me ? And his name was in 
 that old will. Is it possible that Helen thought I was working in 
 his interests ! Is it possible that Helen knows he is alive I Patience I 
 In a few hours I shall know." 
 
 The boat slipped into her dock, and Darcy sprang ashore. 
 Only ten minutes between him and Helen. And he found the 
 time short enough, as he stilled his tumultuous thoughts and 
 smoothed his brow, before he rang the bell in Jeryboblum street.
 
 184 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 A DECLARATION. 
 
 T TELEN was seated under a drop-light, busy with needle- 
 J L work, when Darcy entered the comfortable " sitting room" 
 in Jeryboblum street. Three young Braces were on the opposite 
 side of the round table, conning their lessons. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Bruce were out "to spend the evening." Darcy made a polite 
 speech, regretting their absence, but it was a hollow mockery- 
 He would not have wept profusely, if they had taken the three 
 interesting girls with them. They were charming girls, for they 
 gathered up their books, half an hour after he arrived, and retired 
 to an adjoining room where they were in sight, but out of 
 earshot. 
 
 "I have some information for you," he said, "and I am happy 
 to think you will be pleased to hear it." 
 
 She looked up at him, noticing a certain huskiness in his 
 voice. 
 
 " You have a cold ?" she said. " Don't talk if it troubles you." 
 
 " But I must talk, and you must listen. First : You have no 
 possible interest in the Norman property, at present. There was 
 only one portion of it in question, and that belongs to the estate, 
 beyond a doubt." 
 
 " Euthven's Folly," said Helen, quietly. 
 
 " Ah ! you have heard of it. Please tell me who enlightened 
 you." 
 
 " My father told me some parts of the story," she answered 
 reluctantly. 
 
 " And have you learned more, since since you left Kentucky?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 He waited for more explanation, but she kept her head bent 
 over her work, and added nothing to the monosyllable. 
 
 " I will not ask you any questions," said Darcy, " at least not 
 now. Shall I tell you the rest P 
 
 She bowed her head, without looking up. 
 
 " Well," said Darcy, slowly, " I think the owner of Euthven's 
 Folly intends to give you a clean deed " 
 
 " I will never take it !" she said, looking at him with flashing 
 eyes. " I have no claim under the law. My father has told me 
 so many times."
 
 A DECLAMATION. 185 
 
 "True," replied he, surprised at her vehemence, "no legal 
 claim. But Miss Norman is intent upon this solitary purpose. 
 To transfer this land to you, and so resolute is she, that she will 
 listen to no opposition. It is some matter of conscience, I think. 
 Perhaps the original transfer was unfair. I do not know this, but 
 infer it. The value of the property must be large. I have been 
 over the land. I have learned the price of contiguous property. 
 Euthven's Folly is worth more than a hundred thousand dollars. 
 I am satisfied that it rightfully belongs to you!" 
 
 " One dollar or one hundred millions !" said Helen, resolutely ; 
 " I tell you I will not receive a penny of it. If it is forced upon 
 me by law, I will transfer it to a hospital as soon as my owner 
 ship is assured. I do not desire the possession. I only ask for 
 permission to earn enough for my needs, and I am doing that 
 now." 
 
 " You make me happy," said Darcy, passionately ; " if you are 
 resolved to refuse this gift." 
 
 "I am resolved!" said Helen, with haughty vehemence; "who 
 dares to offer me a gift !" 
 
 Darcy arose, and took the seat nearer to her. There was a 
 little book with a tortoise shell cover on the table. He took it up, 
 and examined it. It was a copy of the New Testament, and bore 
 the marks of use. On the fly leaf was written, "To darling 
 Helen, from Father and Mother; Christmas, 1860." He drew 
 back a little behind her, and furtively kissed the book, while the 
 thought passed through his mind that he was swearing allegiance 
 to something or somebody. She half turned towards him, and he 
 thrust the little book in his breast, under the fold of his waist 
 coat. 
 
 " I dare !" he answered ; " but first, I must tell you something 
 more. The man who left you on the train, the paper said his 
 name was Eupert Grey the man of whom I dreamed that night 
 do you remember V 
 
 A pallor spread over her face, but she looked steadily at him 
 without reply. 
 
 " The time has come when you must tell me what interest he 
 has in you, or you in him!" continued Darcy. "He is alive! 
 I saw him within the hour. I have seen him repeatedly, disguised 
 under a red beard, but to-night I saw him, with the beard plucked 
 away. He followed me to the ferry, where I accosted him, and 
 finally handed him over to a policeman."
 
 186 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 She covered her eyes with her hands for a moment, and when 
 she withdrew them, Darcy was appalled at the expression of 
 anguish and honor upon her countenance. 
 
 " Stop a moment," she said ; " do you say you have had no 
 intercourse with him hitherto f 
 
 " Not a word since we parted on the train. I have thought the 
 story of his death was true." 
 
 "And this investigation, I mean your search into the legal 
 title to Ruthven's Folly, did he not instigate that?" 
 
 "Certainly not!" replied Darcy; "I have been acting under 
 instructions from Miss Norman. I tell you the man has been 
 dead to me, except for a strange presentiment " 
 
 " And to me also!" she said, wringing her hands. " Oh, wretched 
 woman that I am ! I have hoped and prayed for the assurance of 
 his death. And now that I know that he is alive, there is nothing 
 left for me but death! Oh, forgive me!" and she caught his hand 
 which he had stretched out to her "forgive my cruel words to 
 you, my cruel suspicion! I thought you were aiding him in his 
 wicked designs against me!" 
 
 " Oh, Helen !" he murmured. 
 
 " All that miserable day on the train, before he disappeared, 
 she continued, " he was unfolding his villainous schemes to me. 
 And when the story came you told me of his certain death, I 
 felt that Heaven had given me sudden deliverance. And when 
 you came to me the other night ah ! you asked me precisely the 
 same questions he had asked I thought you and he had concocted 
 a new scheme, and that his pretended death was part of it!" 
 
 " How could you think this," whispered Darcy, drawing still 
 nearer to her ; " how could you fail to see that I loved you that 
 my life was bound up in you! " She held up her hand, re 
 pelling him, but he caught it in his, and poured out his soul in a 
 torrent of passionate words not heeding her dismay. " Nay, 
 listen to me! When I found you might inherit all this money, I 
 drew back, because I am poor. But when you avowed your deter 
 mination to refuse it, joy came to my heart again, for I can work 
 and earn, and the obstacles that are in my way are but shadows. 
 Oh, Helen ! if you will only allow me to love you, I will not come 
 near you again, until I can say I have enough. Enough ! I have 
 enough now. My earnings are already far beyond my needs! 
 But you have not known me long enough, though your father and 
 mine were life-long friends. Let me come once a week, if no more,
 
 A DECLARATION. 187 
 
 and just say, 1 1 love you,' and I will wait for years if you will, 
 for your response !" 
 
 "You are mad!" she said, recoiling; "say not another word! 
 I must not listen " 
 
 " To-morrow, then !" he pleaded ; " don't answer me now, but 
 tell me I may come to-morrow evening !" 
 
 " Never ! Never come again ! Never say such words to me 
 again!" 
 
 " Listen !" said Darcy, seizing her hand again ; " you must hear 
 me ! I divine 4hat this wretched scoundrel who has dogged me 
 nearly every night for a week, this Rupert Grey, has some strange 
 influence over you! He is between you and me, Helen! I will 
 cut him into a hundred pieces before I will relinquish you. Do 
 not be controlled by so shallow a rascal. Oh, if I dared to plead 
 with you to give me a husband's right to defend you " 
 
 " Be silent !" she said, with white lips ; " you are talking to 
 Eupert Grey's wife! Do you hear? His wife !" 
 
 Darcy dropped her hand, and turned away. The agony in her 
 tones and manner was as nothing, he thought, compared with that 
 which he endured. Married ! And to Kupert Grey ! 
 
 The three girls in the other room, were reciting their tasks to 
 each other. Darcy listened with dull ears, catching the monot 
 onous sentence a dozen times repeated : " A verb is a word which 
 signifies to be, or to do, or to sutler ; as, I am, I love, I am loved." 
 
 " I am so stunned by this intelligence," said Darcy, gravely, 
 after a prolonged silence, " that I hardly know what is decorous to 
 say. I have.said some things about your your husband !" and 
 he gasped, " that I should recall. I had not dreamed that such 
 horrors could be in real life. It is not proper to ask you any fur 
 ther questions. And I am torn asunder by two different feelings ; 
 joy a fierce, devilish joy, in the conviction that this horrible mar 
 riage is horrible to you ; and unfeigned sorrow that the man is so 
 far unworthy of you, and that he gives no token that will warrant 
 a hope for anything better. I will say nothing about the shock to 
 me. I will not apologize for the professions I have made, in happy 
 ignorance of your true relations. And in the midst of the horror 
 of great darkness, that envelopes my life, I can only see one 
 certain ray of light. It would be unbecoming in me to ask it 
 would be more unbecoming in you to tell anything that Mr. Grey 
 would keep secret. But I am the sou of your Father's trusted 
 friend j a friend who loved your Father so truly, that he gave me his
 
 188 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 name. And it is plain to my mind that I may ask you to remember 
 this. Think of me only as a man who would worthily bear the 
 name of your Father, and honour me by demanding any service a 
 gentleman could render to a dear sister, whenever the need may 
 arise." 
 
 " You are kind, and I thank you," she murmured ; " and it is 
 due to you and to me to say a word more. I have been weak and 
 foolish, but I have tried to do right always. I have been rash, 
 was ignorant, and easily entrapped. But while I remember that 
 you bear the name of Darcy Euthven, I will also not forget that I 
 am his daughter, and I will never participate in dishonest plans 
 or- purposes. I will not have a dollar from the Normans, or from 
 Kuth ven's Folly. Alas ! The true name of the property is Ruth 
 veil's Curse! Are you going ? Goodnight!" 
 
 As Darcy passed up through the hall, he heard the old song 
 again. " A verb is a word which signifies to be, or to do, or to 
 gutter ; as, I am, I love, I am loved." 
 
 " If they would leave oft' the last three words," thought Darcy. 
 " I think I might pass for a Verb !" 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 THE LITTLE GAME. 
 
 A FTER dismissing Miss Abby Keith, Rupert ascended to 
 -O- his own chamber, the front room on the second floor. He 
 had a habit of taking the best places in all houses, by the aggres 
 sive force of sheer effrontery. He was always well placed in 
 hotels, and when he returned from his Western journey, and 
 decided to favor Dr. Lamis with a visit, he coolly requested his 
 host to give him this chamber, " as he liked to have a view of the 
 street." Dutchy, alias Bloke, occupied the little hall-room, on the 
 same floor. Mr. Grey found this worthy waiting for him at the 
 head of the stairs. His lame foot was still in bandages, but he 
 was without his crutch, and he followed Rupert into his comforta 
 ble apartment, without limping. 
 
 " Take a seat, Mr. Bloke," said he, politely j " I have two pills 
 to take now, and two more at bed time. Lamis says I am threat 
 ened with a return of those cursed chills I found in Virginia."
 
 THE LITTLE GAME. 189 
 
 He took a pill-box from a drawer in the bureau, and while 
 Dutchy watched all his proceedings, he cut an apple in half, 
 scraped a portion of it upon the end of a paper knife, imbedded 
 two of the pills in the pulp and swallowed them. 
 
 " Nice?" asked Dutchy, with a shudder. " K'neen, I'spose ?" 
 
 " Yes," replied Bupert; "very nice. Will you have the other 
 two? Quinine, two grains each! About the size of pistol 
 bullets." 
 
 "Thankee!" said Mr. Bloke; " I guess I won't take any. 
 What do you want with that young feller we've been follerin' f ' 
 
 " Well," answered Grey, meditating, " I think you will have to 
 knock him in the head for me. But do not be hasty. I must get 
 some information from him first. He will go back to New York 
 to-night. Say about ten. We will watch the ferry." 
 
 " Pooty cold work 1" said Bloke ; " Boss, I'm gittin' sick of this 
 here business ! All the cops in N'Yauk will know me before 
 spring. I think I'll move away somewheres." 
 
 " Pooh 1" said Kupert, " you are frightened at shadows. I'll 
 get you a place in the Custom House, and you will be perfectly 
 safe. We need not go to the ferry until ten, or thereabouts. 
 How will you amuse yourself?" 
 
 " If we had keards," said Bloke, " we might try a little 
 euchre." 
 
 " Cards ! Of course. Here is a new pack. But I am not going 
 to lose this time. Have you any money ?" 
 
 " Guess I can cover your bets," said Dutchy, with a grin ; 
 " How much will you go ?" 
 
 " Five dollars a game, and ten on the rub," said Grey, shuffling 
 the cards ; " how much can you afford to lose I" 
 
 " Much as you can win, I guess," responded Dutchy, drawing 
 up his chair ; " Here's my five. Cover it !" 
 . After four or five games, Dutchy being loser in all, he produced 
 a long pocket-book from some unexplored recess of his habili 
 ments, and took out a package of bright new notes. 
 
 " Cussed bad luck ! " he muttered, " Boss, let's double the bet." 
 
 " Agreed," replied Grey, " you will be out of your misery all the 
 sooner. Where did you get this clean money? You must have 
 negotiated a loan at some bank with a crowbar !" 
 
 " Never you mind ! " said Bloke ; " win it, and theu it will be 
 yourn. Spades !" 
 
 The little clock on the mantel struck nine, as Dutchy put his
 
 190 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 empty pocket-book on the glowing coals in the grate. Eupert 
 was putting his in a deep pocket, in the inside of his waistcoat. 
 The fatal cards were still on the table. Dutchy gathered them 
 up, and, slipping half of them in his pocket, threw the remainder 
 in the fire. 
 
 " I'll be ready, Boss," he said, as he moved to the door ; " you 
 can call for me at ten. Mebbe I'll git a nap." He stood a moment 
 watching Eupert light his cigar, and manipulate it between the 
 first and second fingers of his right hand, as he removed it from 
 under his black moustache, blowing out the rings of smoke. 
 Phrenologists say the organ of self-esteem is situated on the back 
 of the cranium. When it is so well developed as to merge into 
 conceit, its gravity tilts the head back, and the chin up. And as 
 Eupert moved his cigar back and forth, straightening his arm 
 out, and tossing his chin upward, Dutchy appeared to be fasci 
 nated. He closed the door after him, and walked softly down the 
 staircase and into the quiet street. 
 
 There was an oyster-house on the corner of an alley, and Dutchy 
 dropped in here, ordering a "plate o' fried and a lager." While he 
 waited for the meal, he sat at a corner table, and examined the 
 cards he had slipped into his pocket. They were checker-backed, 
 and Dutchy scrutinized them closely under the flaring gas-light. 
 When the oysters came, he put the cards away again, and fell to. 
 
 " All the Jacks have a wide streak in the checker ! " he mut 
 tered, " and all the aces have a narrer streak. He might as well 
 have stole that money. Must git it back! And I will !" 
 
 On the opposite corner was an apothecary shop. Dutchy paid 
 for his feast, and then went across and looked through the win 
 dow. A smart-looking youth was seated behind the counter, 
 reading the U. S. Pharmacopeia. Dutchy walked in boldly, and 
 addressed the erudite youth : 
 
 " Say, Mister !" he began with doleful accents ; " I've got a 
 pet dorg. Newfinland. Big as a small hoss. But I've got to 
 kill him, and I want to do it with doctor's stuff." 
 
 " All right, sir," said the youth ; " what'll you have ?" 
 
 " Guess you know best," replied Dutchy. " I wan't su'thin that'll 
 kill him quick, without hurtin." 
 
 " Strychnine 2" said the young man. 
 
 " Is that strong stuff?" 
 
 "Guess you'd think so," said the apothecary, "if you'd try a 
 grain or two." He took a small bottle from the case, and shook 
 the crystals. " Enough in this bottle to kill a regiment."
 
 THE LITTLE GAME. 19 1 
 
 " Can't you make it into a pill f ' said Dutchy. " You see my 
 dorg has been bit by a mad dorg, and I am afeard o' him. If you 
 can make it in a pill or two, I could put it in a bit of meat." 
 
 The young Esculapius was ambitious. He was not often left in 
 charge of the store, and he burned to show his mastery of his 
 dreadful art. However, there were certain formalities. 
 
 "It is not regular," he said, "to sell strychnine, without a 
 doctor's prescription. You see it is dangerous stuff." 
 
 " Ezackly !" responded Dutchy ; " it's dangerous stuff I want. 
 No doctor is goin' to give me a prescription for dorg-pizon. Cuss 
 the dorg ! I'd shoot him, and be done with it, only he's a pet. 
 My children would go crazy, if I was to shoot Bull ! But if he 
 dies, you know, they can't say nauthin', and they won't git bit 
 neither. Does the stuff cost much ?" 
 
 " I s'pose a dollar will do. Pills ? You can sprinkle the powder 
 on the meat " 
 
 " Pills is the best," said Dutchy, positively ; " make me a 
 couple. Here is the dollar. Cuss the dorg ! He is as expensive 
 as a human." 
 
 The apothecary retired behind the screen over the prescription 
 case, took a little paste on the end of a spatula, and rolled out the 
 pills. 
 
 "Mark 'em pizon, please," said Dutchy, as the other rolled the 
 pills in flour ; " that is, mark the box." 
 
 "Of course, replied the dispenser; "label has skull and cross- 
 bones on it. Now just please write your name and address in this 
 book. We always take the names of people who buy poisons." 
 
 " Ezackly," said Dutchy, readily; "only I'm done with writiu. 
 Been in the war, and got a ball in my right elber. My writin' 
 days are done. You write it down, and I'll make my mark. 
 Cap'n Thomas Smith, N'Yauk Zooaves, two hundred and sixty- 
 nine, Burton street." 
 
 " Where the dickens is Burton street ?" said the apothecary, 
 writing the address. 
 
 " Half a mile off," replied Dutchy, pocketing the pills, "and I've 
 got to walk. Snowin' too ! Cuss the luck ! Good night." 
 
 Dutchy had a latch key. He gained his hall chamber, and 
 threw himself on the bed, not to sleep, but to meditate. He heard 
 a murmur of voices down stairs, and distinguished the tones of 
 his friend, Mr. Blake, in conversation with Doctor Lamis. With 
 the prompt courage that would have been heroic in a better man,
 
 192 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 engaged in lawful enterprise, he walked into Rupert's room. The 
 gas was burning, and the pill-box was on the mantel. Dutehy 
 took it up, threw the two pills it contained into the grate, replaced 
 them with his recent purchase, and then walked soberly back to 
 his virtuous couch. 
 
 Rupert wakened him from a profound slumber, five minutes 
 later. 
 
 " Come, Mr. Bloke," he said, gaily; " let us take a promenade." 
 
 " Cussed cold," growled Dutchy, sitting up on the bedside. 
 
 " Well, the exercise will warm you. Better bring your crutch 
 too. It would be useful, if we have to scuffle." 
 
 " Got su'thin better nor that," said Dutchy ; " I'm all ready." 
 
 He followed Rupert across the hall and into his chamber. The 
 latter took his hirsute adornments from the bureau, and was 
 about to put them on. But after a moment's reflection, he thrust 
 them back in the drawer. 
 
 " I think I will dispense with that rosy beard hereafter," he 
 said ; " the policeman pulled it off to-night, and it is a nuisance, 
 anyhow. And now I'll take the other pill, and be done with, it." 
 
 The little clock on the mantel struck ten. 
 
 "Too late! Can't stop to scrape apples now. Will do when 
 we return. I say, Bloke ! the bank notes I won from you to-night 
 are exactly like those described in the stevedore robbery. Same 
 bank, and all new." 
 
 " Cuss the bank." replied Bloke, rudely ; " never you mind the 
 bank, boss. Wot you want with that pistol F 
 
 " Ah ! I don't know," said Rupert ; "but it is handy to have a 
 Derringer. Come on." 
 
 As Dutchy limped down stairs behind him, he thought if he 
 should find an opportunity in the street, he would try the thick 
 ness of his patron's skull. That Derringer was an insult to him, 
 personally. 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 THE OLD CHURCH. 
 
 WHEN Darcy Gaston turned away from Mr. Bruce's door, 
 he was muttering to himself the sing-song repetitions of 
 the girls' lessons, in Lindley Murray: "To be, to do, and to 
 suffer 1"
 
 THE OLD CHURCH. 193 
 
 " It is an easy problem to solve," he thought; "to be a man ; 
 to do known duty: to sufter such experiences as come providen 
 tially. The light has gone out of my life for the present, but I 
 can find duty in the midst of darkness. What inexplicable fate 
 could have given this gentle girl to yonder brute ! She shudders 
 at the very mention of his name, and if he should maltreat her, 
 I dare not interfere !" 
 
 He walked down the street, while the snow spotted his coat 
 and hat. It was falling in little flakes, and very gently, just 
 whitening the ground. So filled with the memories of the last 
 hour, that he did not notice his route, turning the corners when 
 he came to them, and walking rapidly on. When he looked 
 around him at last, he was at the door-step again. He had gone 
 around the square, unconscious. He felt as a man feels who 
 has taken an over dose of opium. 
 
 " This will never do," he murmured ; " I am behaving like a 
 school- boy. Now for home, and bed ! Home ! Ah, what a dull 
 business this life is ! Nothing but eating and sleeping. I cannot 
 see before me anything worth striving for. I'll fast all day to 
 morrow, and see if I can't get hungry. Here is the corner, and 
 the ferry is off' here to the left." 
 
 He fell into a semi-stupor again, and, gradually slackening his 
 pace, he stopped at last, and leaned idly against an iron railing 
 fencing in an old building. Looking incuriously through the 
 bars, he noticed the outlines of the house. The gable facing the 
 street, and a steeple upon it. Surely he had seen it before ! A 
 gray stone was let into the red brick wall, and some sort of in 
 scription upon it, hidden by patches of snow. He tried to read 
 it, but could only make out one word : " Sexton." He looked 
 down the long street, noticing the gas lamps on either side, and 
 noticing also the portentous quiet. Then he heard the thud of a 
 crutch clamp ! clamp ! coming down a side street, and finally 
 saw the cripple turning the corner. He watched him, fascinated, 
 as he limped past the church, clamp, clamp ! down to the next 
 corner, around it, and out of sight. 
 
 Wide awake now, and alert. The next event would be the 
 appearance of Rupert Grey. He took his revolver from the 
 pocket on his hip, and, with his thumb on the hammer, thrust it 
 into the outside pocket of his overcoat, and waited. 
 
 The church was on the corner, surrounded by an iron railing. 
 There was a narrow passage between it and the next house, 
 
 13
 
 194 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 closed by an iron grating. As the clamp of the crutch died 
 away, this gate was pushed open, and a man stepped out upon the 
 snow-covered pavement. Darcy turned as he approached, and 
 faced him. His pulses were not accelerated, but he gathered up 
 his faculties, feeling that a catastrophe was impending. There 
 flashed across his mind the memory of his only battle-field, and 
 of the supreme moment when an overwhelming force of cavalry 
 galloped down the hillside upon him, surrounding him with a 
 forest of glittering sabres. 
 
 "Good evening," said the stranger, courteously. He removed 
 his cigar as he spoke, and, blowing a cloud of smoke into the 
 frosty air, replaced the cigar with elaborate grace, bis head 
 thrown back, and his chin upturned. 
 
 " Good evening," replied Darcy, with cold composure. 
 
 *' I have desired an interview with you," said the new comer, 
 " since I left you so abruptly on the train." 
 
 " Yes," said Darcy, " you have made several attempts to find 
 out my habitation and habits. I hope you are satisfied with your 
 success." 
 
 "Only passably," returned Mr. Grey; " I am afraid you rather 
 shunned me. Once or twice I was quite within reach of you, but 
 you seemed to evade me very adroitly. That was a good dodge 
 to night, when you handed me over to a policeman. But the 
 contest is unequal, my dear sir. And you are probably aware of 
 the fact that you are cornered, if I may use the expression." 
 
 "What do you desire ?" said Darcy, calmly; "I thought you 
 meditated robbery, until I saw you with your red beard displaced. 
 Perhaps I have not been mistaken, after all. I have but little 
 worth stealing, and there would be some risk involved in taking 
 that." 
 
 " Your candor charms me," responded Grey; "I only desire the 
 return of the property I left in your charge. The young woman." 
 
 " Ah !" said Darcy, startled, " I cannot comply with your 
 request. She is not under my charge." 
 
 "But you can probably find her!" said Eupert, drawing nearer; 
 " you will perhaps see her again." 
 
 " I think not. I do not expect to see her again." 
 
 " Well," said Kupert, throwing his cigar at his feet, " you will, 
 perhaps, oblige me by saying when and where you saw her last?" 
 
 Darcy meditated. The crisis had arrived. He drew back the 
 hammer of the pistol, still in his hand. At the same moment
 
 THE OLD CHURCH. 195 
 
 the thought that he could not kill this particular villain, because 
 of his relationship to Helen, dawned upon his mind. How could 
 he ever go to her again, with bloody hands ! And yet if he were 
 only dead ! 
 
 " I cannot answer your question," he said, at length ; " I know 
 nothing that I can reveal. And I must terminate this interview. 
 It is growing late." 
 
 Clamp ! clamp ! The dull thud of the crutch coming around 
 the corner. The cripple appeared, and, painfully limping, ap 
 proached. Darcy placed his back against the railing. 
 
 " Mr. Bloke !" said Grey, " this gentleman is reticent, and all 
 my eloquence is wasted upon him. Mr. Gaston," he continued, 
 suddenly, " you are in peril ! Answer my question, or take the 
 consequences ! You will not ? Then, curse you ! I'll see that you 
 do not answer any other ! Go for him, Bloke !" 
 
 As Dutchy raised his crutch, straightening himself upon his de 
 fective leg, Darcy darted forward, and caught Kupert by the 
 throat with his left hand. He drew forth the pistol with his right, 
 and aiming at the repulsive visage of the soldier, fired. Dutchy 
 pushed the muzzle aside, almost as it touched his face, and two 
 of his fingers dropped in the snow. At the same instant Eupert 
 pressed the derringer against Darcy's breast, and pulled the trig 
 ger, as Dutchy's heavy crutch descended upon his head. Darcy 
 fell forward, rolled over once, and then lay motionless. The white 
 snow was stained with crimson. The murderers pushed the iron 
 grating open and rushed through the narrow alley, as -a carriage 
 turned the church corner. 
 
 " Don't run," whispered Kupert, as they emerged upon the next 
 street, " walk quietly. Where is your crutch ?" 
 
 " Broke it over that feller's head ! Was that a kerridge that 
 come round the corner P 
 
 " Yes. But it can't come through the alley. We've killed him, 
 Bloke !" 
 
 " You bet," answered Mr. Bloke. 
 
 " It is a bad business ! Curse his obstinacy ! We must get 
 out of this neighbourhood without delay. Are you sure he was 
 dead ?" 
 
 " I smelt his coat burnin'," replied Dutchy j " your pistol was 
 touchin' his breast ; if it shoots strong, he's as dead as a hammer, 
 and if his head arn't made outen iron, it's mashed in two inches 
 deep. Let's go down this street."
 
 196 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " You are mad !" said Rupert, " tMs street will take us back 
 to the old church." 
 
 " Yes. I thought I might find my fingers !" and he held up the 
 bleeding stump. " Don't hurt much ! Feels kind o' nuinb like. 
 But I must wrap it up. Lend us your hankercher !" 
 
 Rupert looked at the stolid face of his companion, with undis 
 guised admiration. 
 
 " You should have been a soldier, Bloke," he said j " I would 
 give all the money I have to bring that youth to life again !" 
 
 " You'll have to give me some of it for helping to kill him !" 
 said Dutchy ; " my fingers was worth two hundred dollars apiece, 
 if only for stealin' ! What a cussed young wildcat he was ! If 
 I hadn't been there, boss, you would have been a layin' with your 
 toes turned up !" 
 
 They gained the house unmolested. Dutchy followed his pa 
 tron into his room. Doctor Larais was summoned, and after co 
 pious washings of the wounded hand, he cut away the torn flesh, 
 secured the little arteries, and dressed the wound artistically. 
 "He was foolin' with Mr. Blake's pistol," he said, "-and it went 
 off in his hand." 
 
 " Now, Boss," said Dutchy, when the Doctor retired, " if you'll 
 give me one of them prime smokers of yourn, I'll take a whiff or 
 two before I go to bed. And you had better settle up with me for 
 all this business, too. I shall move to-inorrow pooty early." 
 
 " How much do you want ?" said Rupert, giving him the cigar. 
 
 " Well, say four hundred dollars !" 
 
 " Four hundred devils !" replied Rupert ; " do you think I have 
 a bush that bears greenbacks *?" 
 
 " Shouldn't wonder," said Dutchy, gruffly ; any way you win'd 
 three hundred clean dollars from me to-night. I want them and 
 another hundred." 
 
 " Your demands are too heavy, Mr. Bloke," said Rupert, coolly ; 
 " I will give you say fifty dollars. Not a cent more ! No use to 
 debate that point !" 
 
 He turned his back upon Dutchy, and leaned his head upon the 
 arm of his chair. Dutchy felt in the pocket of his overcoat for 
 the " billy" he habitually carried. His mind was made up. He 
 would tap his patron gently on the temple, and would then " set 
 tle " according to his own ideas of justice. Before he drew the 
 deadly little weapon out, Mr. Grey arose. 
 
 " I had nearly forgotten the pills," he murmured. Dutchy
 
 ME. SKILLETS PLAN. 197 
 
 dropped the billy, and stretched himself out upon the lounge, 
 smoking vigorously. 
 
 Mr. Grey scraped the apple again, dropped the pills into the 
 pulp, covered them up carefully and swallowed them. 
 
 Mr. Dutchy, overcome with fatigue, fell asleep, after tossing his 
 cigar into the fire. 
 
 CHAPTEE XLI. 
 ME. SKILLET'S PLAN. 
 
 AS the carriage rolled down Broadway, conveying Mr. Skillet 
 and Mr. Henry Gaston, the former entertained Tige with 
 voluminous accounts of the doings of " Dassy," from the catastro 
 phe on the snow-bound train down to the present day. He had 
 an attentive listener, and Mr. Skillet, charmed out of his custom 
 ary bashfulness, " talked right along," to use his own expression. 
 
 " I seed that the boy was ra-al grit," he said, " when he first 
 sot himself down by Miss Harding. That Grey chap kuowed him. 
 He mentioned his name before he left the car." 
 
 " Yes," answered Mr. Gaston; " he met Darcy in Lexington. I 
 heard of it recently. He had noticed him particularly, though 
 Darcy did not remember him when they met." 
 
 " It's no consequence !" said Mr. Skillet. " You see, I had pro 
 posed the trip to Scrabbletown, and I felt sorter responsible, so 1 
 sot down behind him and put in my oar when he got aground. 
 Miss Harding would not tell what relation she was, though I gave 
 her a hint or two. After he got through with his story I took him 
 back to the smoking car and put him through sprouts. I asked 
 what he proposed, and he! he! ho! he didn't understand me. He 
 don't know good English, but he's larnin'! He's awful smart. 
 Won't do to tell him that, though! I haven't summered him and 
 wintered him yet, but there's mighty good stuff in him, by Gemini !" 
 
 "You have been very kind to him, Mr. Skillet," said Tige, 
 " and my wife and I have felt very grateful to you. Darcy's letters 
 are full of your praises." 
 
 " It's no consequence !" replied Mr. Skillet, visibly gratified. " I 
 jest nat'rally froze to the boy from the fust. Wan't it curhis now, 
 that I should pick him out of all them passengers to jine me on
 
 198 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 the committee to interview the conductor? Well! I found out he 
 had no business, and was going to hunt up a place for himself, 
 without references, without any knowledge of business, except 
 Greek and Latin !" 
 
 " He would have left no means untried," said Mr. Gaston; "he 
 was resolved to find employment here." 
 
 " And he'd a' got it," replied Mr. Skillet; "some feller would 
 have been smart enough to gobble him up. What the dickens do 
 you carry that ugly whelp's picter for f I mean Grey ?" 
 
 " I discovered that he had some rascally scheme, involving 
 Helen Euthven, and I wished to study his countenance a little." 
 
 " Helen Euthven F said Mr. Skillet, confused, " what in thunder 
 does it all mean ! You said Miss Harding's picter was Helen." 
 
 " Yes. She has changed her name, probably at the instigation 
 of Grey. She is the daughter of my Father's partner. An orphan. 
 with no relation in the world." 
 
 " Don't know about that!" said Mr. Skillet ; " if she is the darter 
 of that rebbil Colonel Euthven, she has some relations in N'Yauk!" 
 
 "Ah, yes!" replied Mr. Gaston; "you mean Miss Norman!" 
 
 " No, I don't mean Miss Norman! It's no consequence! Let 
 her set! I must think it over a little. Jerusalem! Who would 
 have thought it!" 
 
 Mr. Skillet wriggled about in his seat, venting sundry ejacula 
 tions, and evidently much exercised by his reflections. He put up 
 the carriage window, and as the snow blew in he closed it again, 
 apologizing to Mr. Gaston for exposing a Southerner to the wintry 
 blast. When the carriage drove up on the ferry boat Mr. Skillet 
 found his voice again. 
 
 "I knowed your brother was named for Colonel Euthven, for 
 he told me so. But I did not know that he left a family." 
 
 " Only this daughter," said Mr. Gaston. 
 
 "Did you happen to know his wife?" 
 
 " Oh, yes! She was a most excellent lady. She died very soon 
 after her husband." 
 
 " You didn't know her maiden name F 
 
 " Certainly. Miss Delancy." 
 
 "Oh! Ah! Yes!" said Mr. Skillet; " it's no consequence. Jeru 
 salem ! If I hadn't been a blamed old fool I'd a knowed what made 
 me take to the child; of course!" 
 
 " I'm afraid I don't understand you, Mr. Skillet," said Gaston. 
 
 "No! I s'pose not. Jerusalem! I can tell you the story in few
 
 ME. SKILLETS PLAN. 199 
 
 words. Old Eupert Norman, the grandfather of the lady at the 
 Fifth Av'noo, was my fust boss. He raised me, in fact. When I 
 growed up he .gave me a hint that he had picked out a wife for 
 me. It's no consequence I but it was a woman I couldn't tackle 
 noway! Jerusalem! she had a chin a mile long! But that was 
 only a part of the trouble; I had picked out another for myself, 
 and her name was Helen Delancy. She was as poor as git out, and 
 so was I. She had nauthin' but her schooling and I was gitten 
 eight hundred dollars a year. Mighty big wages for them times, 
 too! There was another fellow after the chin woman, who had 
 beans enough to cover her chin, and she kind o' leaned to him, but 
 her people wouldn't hear of him. He was a raal good fellow, and 
 told me all his troubles, and I lent him a hundred dollars to run 
 away with the chin woman. He was a amiable cuss, and she 
 whaled him like blazes before thej r had been married a month. Then 
 I persuaded Helen to marry me privately, over to Jersey City. She 
 didn't tell even her sister, who lived with an aunt in Lexington, 
 and she died the very day Mr. Euthven married his wife. Some 
 how, I've always hated even to hear his name mentioned. It's no 
 consequence!" and Mr. Skillet wiped away a tear or two "but 
 I buried her in Greenwood. I wrote to Euthven, and just said 
 she was dead and buried, but he_had gone off to Canada on his 
 wedding trip, and did not git my letter for a month. I never told 
 a soul about my marriage, until to-night, and I'm jest tellin' you 
 to let you see that Helen Euthven is my niece. Blood is thicker 
 nor water, and that's the reason I took to the child without know 
 ing her!" 
 
 " But she is not a blood relation," said Gaston,who was greatly 
 interested ; " she is Mrs. Skillet's niece " 
 
 " Well !" responded Mr. Skillet, obstinately, " don't the Scripter 
 say l bone of your bone, and flesh of your flesh f She is my bone 
 and flesh relation, and that is good as blood. She r s my niece, by 
 Gemini ! Here we are, in Brooklyn. Driver ! turn down to the 
 right ! I'm goin' to take you past the boardin'-house where I lived. 
 It's next to an old church, where we both attended. When I got 
 some beans of my own I bought that heouse, and I own it yet. 
 Hello ! what's that P 
 
 Two pistol shots, so close together that they almost sounded 
 like one report. The carriage turned the corner. 
 
 "Hi, driver!" said Mr. Skillet. "Stop! Su'thin' is up here! 
 There is a man on the sidewalk ! Hi ! hold up !" and he scrambled 
 out and approached the prostrate body, followed by Tige.
 
 200 FLESH AND SPIEIT. 
 
 " Blood on the snow !" said Mr. Skillet, as he leaned over the 
 motionless form and peered into the upturned face. " Ah ! oh ! 
 Mr. Gaston, git into the carriage again, please, and drive to the 
 second corner, and bring the doctor Doctor Chase ! It's no con 
 sequence ! You needn't stop to look ! Git out, please ! Don't 
 stand fooliu' there ! You needn't look !" 
 
 " Oh, Darcy !" said Tige, falling on his knees in the trampled 
 snow. " Oh, my poor boy ! Have I indeed only found you to see 
 you die ! Oh ! Mr. Skillet, my place is here ; go you for the doc 
 tor. He is not dead ; I feel a feeble pulse. Oh, my brother !" 
 
 Mr. Skillet scrambled into the carriage, while Tige gently raised 
 his brother's head and rested it upon his arm. He tried to take 
 the still smoking pistol from Darcy's hand, but he clutched it with 
 so firm a grip that Tige relinquished it after the first effort. He 
 noticed the broken crutch, and, under the light of the gas lamp, 
 he saw two bloody fingers lying beside the splintered wood. He 
 looked at Darcy's hands and found them both uuwounded. 
 
 " Oh, yes !" murmured Tige, " he fell with his weapon in his 
 hand, and he has maimed his murderer for life. The boy was sur 
 prised, or was overpowered by numbers. I would have ventured 
 him against any solitary assailant. Ah 1 here is the carriage ! 
 How can I ever face iNell with these dreadful tidings F 
 
 The doctor was a deliberate old practitioner, who took all sorts 
 of events with unshaken coolness. He touched Darcy's wrist, 
 lifted one eyelid, felt his face, lifted the pistol arm, and, with ex 
 pert fingers, twisted the weapon from Darcy's grasp. 
 
 " Is he dead f ' whispered Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Certainly not ! I must get him into the light. Where shall 
 we take him, Mr. Skillet ?" 
 
 " Eight here !" responded Mr. Skillet. " Mrs. Baker ; boardin'- 
 heouse ; there's a paper on the door : ' Eooms to let ' hold on ! 
 I'll ring." 
 
 " I am afraid to ask a question, Doctor," said Tige, plaintively ; 
 " he is my only brother 1" 
 
 " I could not answer you, my dear sir, if you did," replied the 
 doctor ; " there is a good deal of life in him yet. I can tell you 
 better when we get him into the light." 
 
 " My compliments to Mrs. Baker !" said Mr. Skillet, as the door 
 opened " Mr. Skillet's compliments and tell her I want the best 
 room in the heouse !" 
 
 " Mrs. Baker has gone to bed, sir !" said the frightened servant.
 
 ME. SKILLETS PLAN. 201 
 
 " All right ! It's 110 consequence ! Jest go holler at her door 
 that Mr. Skillet wants a room !" 
 
 The girl attempted to close the street door, but Mr. Skillet 
 kicked it wide open and entered the hall. 
 
 " If you don't go for your missus !" said he to the domestic, who 
 recoiled as he approached, " cuss me, if there won't be a funeral 
 issuing out'n your room to-morrow mornin ! d'ye hear ! Git out 
 then !" 
 
 The servant fled, and Mr. Skillet ran down the steps and assisted 
 Tige and the doctor as they raised Darcy from the pavement. 
 They carried him into the hall, and to the foot of the stair-case. 
 Mrs. Baker appeared at the head at the same moment. 
 
 " I've got no rooms !" she screamed, " and I don't know any 
 Mr. Kittle!" 
 
 " It's me, Mrs. Baker," said Mr. Skillet, " I've a friend here who 
 has got hurted, and I must have a room." 
 
 " Oh ! Mr. Skillet ! I beg your pardon, sir ! Bridget said Mr. 
 Kittle. First floor, sir ; front room. Bridget, light the gas !" 
 
 While the doctor was examining the wound in Darcy's breast, 
 Mr. Skillet discovered another on his head. The doctor took a 
 small book from Darcy's bosom, bound in tortoise-shell. The bul 
 let had gone through both covers, splintering the shell into a hun 
 dred pieces, and had entered his breast. The doctor cut away 
 waistcoat and shirt, turned him half over, and found the bullet 
 under the shoulder blade. 
 
 " The book saved him !" said the doctor. " It deflected the 
 ball, which has not entered the ribs. See ! It ran round under 
 the muscles, and came out here. And now for the other hurt." 
 
 After an examination that lasted five minutes, but which 
 seemed to Tige to be five hours, the doctor arose, went to the 
 basin and washed his hands. 
 
 "The hurts are serious, gentlemen, but not necessarily fatal. 
 With youth and a sound constitution on his side, I think good 
 nursing will bring him through !" 
 
 " And I'll carry out my plan, by Gemini !" said Mr. Skillet, in 
 a whisper to Tige. 
 
 "What plan, Mr. Skillet F 
 
 " None of your business, by Gemini ! But keep your mouth 
 shet, please, and leave it to me ; I'll manoeuvre him !"
 
 202 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 THE BED SPOTS IN THE SNOW. 
 
 THE wounds in Darcy's breast and back were speedily dressed, 
 after Doctor Chase had carefully followed the track of the 
 bullet, and satisfied himself that no serious damage had resulted 
 from the pistol shot. But there were two separate wounds on his 
 head ; one over the eye, and the other on the side just above the ear. 
 Mr. Bloke struck him with the top of the crutch, and the trans 
 verse piece had evidently inflicted the more serious hurt, which 
 would have been instantly fatal, if the force of the blow had not 
 been divided between the two wounds, and if his hat had not 
 somewhat defended his head. After nearly an hour's skilful 
 manipulation, Doctor Chase announced that he had done all that 
 was possible, and that there was no immediate danger. 
 
 " He will be conscious presently," said the Doctor; " his pulses 
 are improving. Keep the room dark, and keep him quiet as pos 
 sible. I will return at daylight. Goodnight." 
 
 " My dear Mr. Skillet," said Tige, " will you please return to the 
 hotel, and bring Mrs. Gastou f 
 
 " Not much !" replied Mr. Skillet, emphatically. " Do you s'pose 
 I'm made outeu stun I It's pooty bad cheese, to see Dassy a 
 layin' there so quiet ; but it's a sight wuss to face the women with 
 such a story. Go yourself ! You're no use here. I'll stay till 
 you git back." 
 
 "But, Mr. Skillet " 
 
 " Go about your business, please ! Don't you see he's goin' to 
 wake presently '? Now if he sees you here, he'll git excited, but 
 he won't mind me. You'd better git out." 
 
 " That is true," answered Gaston ; " you are always right, Mr. 
 Skillet." 
 
 " Most generally," acquiesced Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " I will go back, then. Eleven o'clock. Oh, Mr. Skillet, I can 
 not thank you as I ought for your kindness " 
 
 " It's no consequence ! Please to git out ! And don't slam the 
 door after you. And if you bring any women back with you, tell 
 'em to do their howlin' in the carriage! We hadn't ought to 
 have any fuss here. Hist ! Git out !" 
 
 Mr. Skillet drew his chair to the bedside, and took Darcy's 
 hand in his. The old gentleman had repressed his own feelings
 
 THE RED SPOTS IN THE SNOW. 203 
 
 while Tige was present ; but when left alone with the young man, 
 he quietly let some tears drop out of his blue eyes. There had grown 
 up between these two a far stronger frieudship-than either of them 
 dreamed of. Darcy was so outspoken and loyal, that his em 
 ployer believed in him implicitly, and daily studied his straight 
 forward, manly character, with increasing admiration. On the 
 other hand, Darcy had recognized the substratum of genuine 
 kindness, underlying the rough exterior, and admired the shrewd 
 practical wisdom of Mr. Skillet's business maxims, as he saw their 
 application day by day. 
 
 14 Brother Tige !" murmured Darcy, " I can't see you, but you 
 are here." 
 
 "Keep your mouth shet, please,"- whispered Mr. Skillet, in 
 reply. " It's me. It's no consequence about Brother Tige jest 
 now." 
 
 " Yes, sir," said Darcy, obediently j " but Helen ! Helen 1" 
 
 " Ya-as P said Mr. Skillet, "it's all right. Let her set. Ill 
 attend to her. She's all right. Don't bother your brains about 
 her. The Doctor says you must keep quiet. You've sorter had a 
 fall, but it's no consequence, if you jest keep still." 
 
 Darcy lay still, with his eyes closed. The gas was turned down, 
 and Mr. Skillet, who kept his hand, could feel the nervous twitch 
 ing of his fingers, but could not see his face. 
 
 " You may ask me one question," he said, " if you will be still 
 afterwards." 
 
 "Helen!" 
 
 " She's all right ! I'll send for her in the mornin' " 
 
 " No, no !" replied Darcy ; " don't send. But see that he don't 
 find her. I mean the devil." 
 
 "He's a tolerably hard customer to stave off !" muttered Mr. 
 Skillet ; " but we'll manosuvre him. Don't distress yourself about 
 him." 
 
 There was another long silence, and Darcy apparently slept. 
 Mr. Skillet mentally swore at the doctor for leaving the case, but 
 uttered no sound. The street was very quiet, and the watcher 
 could hear the tinkle of the bells, as a horse car passed the corner 
 below. Then he heard midnight announced from a steeple four 
 or five squares distant. 
 
 " I say !" whispered Darcy, suddenly j " there were two of them, 
 you know ?" 
 
 " Oh, ya-as ! certainly !" replied Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Two devils."
 
 204 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Ya-as ! I know more 'n two hundred myself. But it's no con 
 sequence. We'll manoeuvre 'em." 
 
 Asleep again. Mr. Skillet felt Darcy's wrist. The blood was 
 bounding through its appointed channels with steady regularity, 
 but Mr. Skillet thought the pulses too strong for the circumstan 
 ces. Fever coming on, no doubt. 
 
 Tige had taken a latchkey with him, and while Mr. Skillet was 
 debating with himself as to the best way to recall that cussed 
 doctor, the door opened gently, and Mr. Gaston and his wife 
 stole softly into the room. Mrs. Gaston deposited her bonnet and 
 wrappings on the lounge, and then motioning Mr. Skillet aside, 
 quietty took possession of his chair. There was a business-like 
 air about all her movements that awed the old gentleman, and he 
 retired into the hall, beckoning Tige after him. 
 
 " She's a hull team, she is !" he whispered ; " I guess we'd 
 better let her manosuvre him now. He has been talking." 
 
 " Has he f said Tige, excitedly. 
 
 " Ya-as ! It wan't much, though. He fust called for brother 
 Tige." 
 
 " Did he ! I'll go to him now." 
 
 "Not much 1" replied Mr. Skillet; "he is sleeping agin, and 
 anyway he pooty soon quit you, and went for Helen. Didn't stay 
 long there either. Then he went for the devil." 
 
 " His mind was wandering," said Tige. 
 
 " Mebbe so !" said Mr. Skillet ; " but he seemed tolerably level 
 too! He said the devil was after Helen. Then he said there was 
 two devils, and I knowed he was right. Then he dropped off to 
 sleep agin." 
 
 " Now, Mr. Skillet," said Tige, " I insist upon one thing ! You 
 must have some sleep ! Can you sleep here, or will you take the 
 carriage, which waits at the corner, and go back to New York ?" 
 
 " Will you mind your business, please !" replied Mr. Skillet ; 
 " I am not going away from here till Dassy is up! There ! You 
 and your wife have been travelling and you'd better go to bed ! 
 I'd rather set up as not!" 
 
 " Well, if you won't go, I'll dismiss the carriage. I will return 
 in a minute." 
 
 But he was gone several minutes, and when he returned, there 
 was a look of grim ferocity on his amiable visage, that startled 
 Mr. Skillet. Tige beckoned him out in the hall. 
 
 " When I had sent away the carriage," said Tige, " I stopped
 
 THE RED SPOTS IN THE SNOW. 205 
 
 to look at the bloody snow on the corner. I found some drops on 
 the sidewalk near the church railing. Then I saw the drops fol 
 lowing footprints through a narrow alley, between this house and 
 the church. I followed the tracks, finding blood drops occasion- 
 alty, but footprints in the snow until I reached the house where 
 they ceased. The door plate bears the name of Doctor Lamis." 
 
 " Why he's the spiritooal hound," said Mr. Skillet ; " plenty of 
 fools in X'Yauk and Brooklyn. He is coining money." 
 
 " Yes," replied Tige ; " but I happen to know who lives with 
 him." 
 
 " Indeed !" 
 
 " Yes. It is the present habitation of Mr. Eupert Grey. And 
 Mr. Grey has attempted murder, if he has not succeeded. And 
 I intend to have a settlement!" 
 
 "D'ye mean fightP said Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " It depends ;" replied Tige ; " I intend to see that he does not 
 escape. If the law cannot reach the case, I will take it in hand. 
 The man who harms Darcy Gastou puts his life in peril, if I can 
 reach him." 
 
 " Fightin' is a bad business," observed Mr. Skillet, shaking his 
 head j " still, if it must be done, the sooner the better. Let's go 
 round there now, and shake up the heouse ! By Gemini ! I'll 
 take a hand, if the game ain't fall already !" 
 
 " We must get policemen," said Tige, "and let them watch the 
 house." 
 
 " Policemen !" answered Mr. Skillet, " Oh, Jerusalem !" 
 
 " But we must keep within the law," insisted Tige ; " if we get 
 the police force on the track of this murderer, we can watch also, 
 if necessary." 
 
 " Brother Tige," murmured Darcy. 
 
 " I am here, Darcy, bojM" answered Tige, rushing to the bedside, 
 and taking Darcy's hand. 
 
 " I can't see you, Brother. Sister Nell, you are here also ?" 
 
 " Yes," whispered Nell ; " but you had better keep quiet, Darcy. 
 To-morrow we will talk." 
 
 "Helen, brother! Save Helen!" 
 
 " She is safe, Darcy. Compose your mind and go to sleep 
 again. I know where to find your assailant. He shall not 
 escape." 
 
 " Let him go, Brother ! I charge you. If he will go, let him 
 escape. Has he killed me ?"
 
 206 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 "Not much," said Mr. Skillet; "the Doctor says you are all 
 right. Don't talk any foolishness about killen' !" 
 
 " Promise me one thing, Brother," said Darcy, in a tone of en 
 treaty, " Go, find Grey, and tell him to flee. If you will do this, 
 I will be quiet." 
 
 " I will do it, Darcy." 
 
 "Now, Brother, now !" 
 
 " Very well. I will go at once." 
 
 " And I'll go with you," said Mr. Skillet, following Tige ; 
 " mebbe it will take two of us to persuade him. Put on your 
 overcoat. I'm all ready." 
 
 They walked out into the quiet street. Tige, confident in his 
 strength, thought of no weapons. With his naked hands he could 
 tear the wretch to pieces. Mr. Skillet saw Darcy's pistol on the 
 table, and quietly slipped it into his pocket. Did not want to use 
 the thing, but it was convenient to have it about one. Might be 
 mad dogs or something of the sort, in the street. 
 
 All was dark and still at the house of Dr. Lamis. Mr. Gaston 
 rang the bell, and the window over the front door was opened and 
 a man looked out. 
 
 " Who is there ?" he said. 
 
 " We want Mr. Grey," replied Tige. " Let him come down for a 
 moment." 
 
 " Who are you ?" said the man. 
 
 " No matter. It is of great importance to Mr. Grey, that we 
 should speak with him instantly. His life may depend upon it." 
 
 "Git him out onto the sidewalk," whispered Mr. Skillet. "If 
 you shoot him inside the heouse, he can take the law of you !" 
 
 " Mr. Grey cannot come," said the man at the window. " He is 
 dying or dead !" 
 
 CHAPTER XLIII. 
 THE FEIENDS' PARTING. 
 
 Ql OMETHING uncanny about Dutchy's appearance had excited 
 O suspicion in the mind of the apothecary, while they were de 
 bating over the bottle of strychnine. Suppose this grizzly looking 
 customer should happen to have evil designs against some more 
 important personage than a dorg ? And suppose the sale of vir-
 
 THE FRIENDS' PARTING. 207 
 
 ulent poison should be hereafter traced to this identical Dispen 
 satory ? The young chemist shuddered as he estimated the pos 
 sible consequences ! On the other hand, if by the substitution of 
 some other drug, the dorg should have his life prolonged, and 
 accidentally happen to bite the customer, it was an open question 
 whether or not society would be shaken to its foundations. He 
 would rather take that risk anyhow. So at the last moment, he 
 deftly changed bottles, and made the two pills of Bi-carbouate of 
 soda. 
 
 Dutchy waited a full half hour, while he lay so quietly on the 
 lounge, to see the effect of the deadly pills. His knowledge on 
 the general subject was limited, and he expected to- see his patron 
 fall suddenly into convulsions, grow black in the face, and then 
 expire. 
 
 Instead of meeting these reasonable expectations, Mr. Grey 
 arose with a yawn, and announced his intention of seeking tired 
 Nature's sweet restorer, if Mr. Bloke would have the goodness to 
 retire. 
 
 Dutchy arose also, a portentous gloom gathering upon his face. 
 
 " Give me what money you're goiii' to give, Boss !" said he ; "I 
 arn't goiii' to risk my neck in this town." 
 
 " Where will you go, Bloke I" 
 
 " Dunuo. Must git up and git outen here, though." 
 
 Mr. Grey took out his pocket book, and drawing a chair to the 
 table, sat down, and counted out some money. He was oppressed 
 with a new sensation; a feeling of remorse, tinged with some 
 dread also, and his mind was preoccupied. Dutchy stood near 
 him, a little behind, and watched the counting. 
 
 u How much, Boss ?" he said, in a husky voice. 
 
 " Fifty Dollars." 
 
 " Look at them keards, Boss," said Dutchy, suddenly laying a 
 half dozen on the table, face downwards. " I can pick out all the 
 jacks and all the aces." 
 
 " Ah !" said Eupert, coolly, " you are a dangerous man to en 
 counter, Mr. Bloke !" 
 
 " I guess you're right, Boss," replied Dutchy ; " but don't you 
 think you could give me back them three hundred dollars f 
 Them is the same jacks and aces that win'd them often me !" 
 
 " What the devil do you mean !" said Rupert, starting up and 
 facing him. 
 
 "This!" replied Dutchy, raising the billy, and striking his 
 patron over his almond shaped eyes.
 
 208 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 He caught him, as he fell forward, and laid him gently on the 
 hearth rug. There was an iron stand, holding shovel and poker, 
 near his head, and Dutchy moved the body towards it, so that the 
 round bar at the base of the stand was stained with the blood. He 
 took the pocket-book from the relaxing grasp of his associate, 
 gathered up the notes that were counted out on the table, and 
 then sat down to consider the situation. First: Lock the door. 
 
 As he sat there, smoking a cigar, which he had taken from 
 Rupert's case, he recalled the circumstances attending their short 
 acquaintance. Grey had been kind to him, on the whole. The 
 truth was though Dutchy never dreamed it that Rupert felt 
 under heavy obligations to this savage brute, because his body 
 had certainly saved him from sudden death, when he fell upon it, 
 at their first encounter. And he had been pleased with the read 
 iness wherewith Dutchy evaded him, with lies of unusual pro 
 portions, so grotesque in conception and utterance. And he 
 thought he might be able to utilize Dutchy's genius in carrying 
 out such parts of his plans as might require bull dog ferocity and 
 unblushing effrontery. 
 
 " He was werry good to me," thought Dutchy, as he smoked ; 
 " and I didn't like to hit him. That cussed pison cost a dollar, and 
 wasn't worth a cent! And now I must git! I'll take nothin' of 
 hisen 'cept this money, and I'd a won it if he hadn't cheated ! So 
 it's as good as mine anyway. Guess I'll take his red beard, too. 
 He'll not want it ! Cuss me, if I don't dress up in his good 
 clothes !" 
 
 He rummaged in the bureau and wardrobe, and selected a suit, 
 which he exchanged for his military rags, very rapidly. He fitted 
 on the red beard and the broad brimmed hat. He took a handful 
 of cigars and thrust them into the pocket of his overcoat, and 
 then burnt up his own attire in the grate, a few rags at a time. 
 When they were all consumed, he stood before the glass, and 
 practised the motions of the arm, in removing the cigar from his 
 lips, in his late patron's elaborate fashion. 
 
 "Think I'll do!" muttered Dutchy. "Now for the Bowery! 
 and to-morrow, I'll take the first train; there's a train at two 
 o'clock to-night. What a fool I was to forget it. All right. Good 
 night, Boss." 
 
 He turned down the gas, unlocked the door, and passed down 
 stairs. The front door was chained and barred, and he could not 
 open it without dangerous noise. So he went to the parlour, opened
 
 THE FZIENDS' PARTING. -209 
 
 the inside shutters, raised the sash, and finding the street quiet, 
 dropped safely down. The policeman who had pulled aside the 
 red beard, early in the evening, nodded civilly to it again, as 
 Trinity steeple announced midnight. The policeman remembered 
 the greenback, that concluded the former interview and gilded it 
 with the hue of romance. The red whiskers passed majestically 
 through Fulton street, up Broadway to Chambers street, and 
 finally disappeared in the cars of the Hudson River Railroad. 
 
 Beneath these fictitious adornments Dutchy carried a moustache 
 of his own. It was a fierce collection of bristles, of which he was 
 rather vain. So, when he walked into a barber shop in Albany, 
 and demanded a clean shave, he parted with the last possibility 
 of identification, as he had preserved this pet growth through all 
 his former disguises. He gazed at his image in the glass, trimmed 
 and brushed, his countenance burnished, and his very eyebrows 
 smoothed, and mourned the departure of his old likeness. At a 
 neighbouring shop he bought a hat with a round top ; and all his 
 former foes, the cops of ^ew York, would have passed him under 
 review, without recognition. Dutchy was extinct. He bought a hair 
 brush, four paper collars, and a small satchel with a gorgeous strap, 
 all from the same shop, boldly paying with clean five dollar notes. 
 After a comfortable breakfast he took the western bound train, and 
 with twenty-five cheap cigars in his new satchel he disappeared 
 from the surface of the society that had known him hitherto. 
 
 But while he was crossing the East River, at the beginning of 
 his journey, Doctor Lamis, who had looked into Grey's room acci 
 dentally, was horrified at the appearance of things in that cosy 
 chamber. Rupert was senseless, and apparently dead. The Doc 
 tor drew his body under the chandelier, and in the midst of his 
 examinations Mr. Gaston's summons called him to the window. 
 After a brief colloquy he descended the stairs and admitted Mr. 
 Skillet and Tige, who followed him to the room above. 
 
 The blow had been delivered with a vigorous hand. The Doc 
 tor washed away the blood, and with the assistance of Mr. Gaston, 
 placed Rupert upon the bed. Tige furtively examined the two 
 limp hands and found the usual complement of fingers on each. 
 
 "I am at a loss to account for this!" said Doctor Lamis ; "I 
 left him only fifteen or twenty minutes ago no; it must have 
 been near an hour and he was perfectly well. His head was 
 near the poker stand, and the base of it is bloody. But I cannot 
 conceive how so violent a fall was possible." 
 
 14
 
 210- FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Was he alone ?" said Tige. 
 
 " No. Bloke, that is the lame soldier, was with him. Stay ! I 
 will call him up and question him." And he left the room. 
 
 "He is gone !" said the Doctor, returning in a minute; "his 
 room is empty. Gentlemen, I fear there has been some foul play 
 here. This soldier came in here only two hours ago with two 
 fingers shot off. I now believe Grey shot him ! See, here is his 
 pistol. And after I bound up his wounds I left them here, evi 
 dently repressing strong excitement, and the quarrel was, doubt 
 less, renewed, and Bloke inflicted this wound !" 
 
 " You say ' his pistol,' " observed Tige, taking np the weapon ; 
 " whose pistol ? Bloke's ?" 
 
 "No; Grey's," replied the Doctor. Tige put the pistol in his 
 pocket. 
 
 " Did he and this soldier come in together f asked Mr. Gaston. 
 
 " Yes. Grey had a latchkey. They have been together all the 
 evening. This is a horrible calamity. Hist ! He is stirring !" 
 
 " Go for him, Bloke !" muttered Rupert, stariug vacantly at the 
 three men. 
 
 " How do you feel, Grey ?" said the Doctor, starting forward. 
 
 " Shaky ! That devil struck me with the poker, I suppose. 
 There is a flask on the mantel. Give me a drop or two." 
 
 The Doctor poured out a tablespoonful, diluted it, and raised 
 Rupert's head while he slowly swallowed the liquor. 
 
 " Who are these gentlemen, Lamis I" whispered Rupert. 
 
 " It's no consequence !" replied Mr. Skillet ; " we had a little 
 business with you, but it will keep." 
 
 Rupert, still dizzy, felt in his breast pocket. No pocket-book. 
 
 " Lamis, please look on the floor and the table," he said ; " I 
 had my pocket-book in my hand when the ruffian struck me. Ah! 
 you do not find it. Gone ! gone ! Robbed and almost murdered 
 here in my own room, by so base a hound ! I must get up and 
 hunt for him !" 
 
 " No use, Grey !" said the Doctor ; " he is out of your reach by 
 this time. You might as well hunt a needle in a haystack. He is 
 across the river, of course. To-morrow we can put detectives on 
 his track. But now you must positively keep quiet. You have a 
 broken head to nurse." 
 
 " Pooh !" said Rupert ; " it is a hard knock, I know ; but I shall 
 be all right in an hour. What time is it ? My watch is gone ! Ah ! 
 Mr. Bloke, you did your business by wholesale." And he sat up 
 on the bedside.
 
 A NEW RELATION. 211 
 
 " It is the whisky, Grey," replied the Doctor ; " and when the 
 effect of the stimulant wears off, you will be shaky enough. Will 
 you be able to undress, if we leave you ? It is midnight." 
 
 " To-morrow morning, then, gentlemen," said Rupert, " if you 
 will excuse rne till then. Ten thousand devils ! How my head 
 aches." 
 
 When his visitors retired Mr. Grey locked the door. Then he 
 looked for his Derringer. It was gone. He listened to the depart 
 ing footsteps of the strangers, and when Lamis came up stairs 
 again, he asked him half a dozen pertinent questions about them 
 and their inquiries. Then, dismissing the Doctor after he had 
 dressed his cracked crown, this iron willed man dressed himself 
 anew, in the best clothes Dutch y had left him, and at two o'clock 
 A. M. Mr. Grey was in the station at Cortlandt street ferry, 
 getting the lost passenger's baggage, for which he produced the 
 check, and having it rechecked for Washington, District of 
 Columbia. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIV. 
 
 A NEW RELATION. 
 
 DARCY was awake and quite composed when his brother re 
 turned with Mr. Skillet. Tige, assisted by sundry ejacula- 
 tory amendments by Mr. Skillet, recounted the interview with Grey 
 and Doctor Lamis. 
 
 " I found two fingers where you had fallen, Darcy," said Tige ; 
 " did you shoot ?" 
 
 " Yes. I shot the lame soldier ; I thought I had certainly killed 
 him. He had his crutch uplifted to strike. That is all I know 
 until I heard your voice." 
 
 " And the other I mean Grey F 
 
 " I had my left hand on his throat ; then I fell." 
 
 " But what did Grey do F 
 
 " I am not certain," said Darcy, reluctantly ; " get him away 
 and I will recall- the circumstances to-morrow. Will he be able 
 to travel to-morrow ?" 
 
 " This murdering villain shot you, Darcy !" said Tige. " You 
 know he did. Why do you try to screen him ? You would not 
 be alive now if this little book had not been in your bosom."
 
 212 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 " Ha !" said Darcy, " the book ! She took away my weapon 
 and shielded me with the Gospel of Peace!" 
 
 " It's no consequence !" said Mr. Skillet, fidgeting in his chair, 
 thinking Darcy was becoming incoherent again. " You'd better 
 shet your mouth now, and go to sleep ! Come, Mr. Gaston ! Mrs. 
 Baker says we can have this next room. Mrs. Gaston won't go, I 
 know !" 
 
 " Not I !" said Nell. " 1 slept three hours in the cars. I am 
 going to stay with Darcy until daylight. Go, Tige ! I'll make him 
 go to sleep when you are gone." 
 
 " Brother Tige !" said Darcy, " will you see Grey early to-mor 
 row, and send him away ? Tell him I will charge him with assault 
 with intent to kill, as soon as I am able to walk ! No safety for 
 him on this Continent! And, brother, if he has not enough money 
 to get away, give him what is necessary; everything depends 
 upon his escape !" 
 
 " Be content, Darcy," answered Tige, " it shall be as you wish j 
 but if he will not go f 
 
 " Then you won't mind killing him, brother ! He ought to die, 
 on many accounts ; but I cannot harm him." 
 
 " Well," said Mr. Skillet, " it seems to me that you are level at 
 one minnit and mad as a March hare the next. But Gosh and 
 Gemini! you'll talk all night if we stay. Git out, please, Mr. Gas- 
 ton ! Good night, Mrs. Gaston. You can call if you need us ; 
 only the next room." 
 
 " Now Darcy, boy," said his sister, when the gentlemen retired, 
 " you must go to sleep. I promised for you." 
 
 " Sister Nell," answered Darcy, " push the lounge up here. 
 Take one of these pillows and lie down there. As soon as you are 
 quiet, I will go to sleep if I can ; there is no need to watch me." 
 
 Doctor Chase's examination the next morning resulted in blind 
 ing the patient, by covering his eyes with a multitude of band 
 ages. The eye was hurt, and the cautious surgeon feared inflam 
 mation. The other wounds were doing well, and if he kept dark 
 and quiet another day, and if no new symptoms appeared, he 
 might sit up the next. Better not talk much, especially upon ex 
 citing topics ; somebody might read the paper to him. Tea and 
 toast, and, if he desired it, ice cream. 
 
 " How much ice cream, doctor F murmured Darcy. 
 
 " How much do you want V 
 
 " A gallon."
 
 A NEW RELATION. 213 
 
 " Very well. You had better take half a pint at a time say at 
 intervals of three hours. This gentleman is certainly a Southerner," 
 he continued to Mrs. Gaston ; " all Southerners are the old boy on 
 ice cream! It is terribly poor stuff, too, but it is harmless! Let 
 him have it. And I think I may say he is doing well. You need 
 not apprehend serious consequences. The eye is the only trouble, 
 and darkness is the best treatment. Good morning !" 
 
 When Tige awoke, at eight o'clock, Mr. Skillet informed him 
 that he had already been round " to see that spiritooal cuss," and 
 that Mr. Grey had disappeared during the night. The old gen 
 tleman had left Mr. Gaston asleep and greeted him with this 
 intelligence as soon as he opened his eyes. 
 
 " He was too smart, for us, Mr. Gastou !" said he. " He seed 
 you was a lawyer ; could tell you by the cut of your jib ! and he 
 concluded it wau't best to stay. And I think his head was level 
 on that p'int. Blast his picter ! And now let's git some break 
 fast. Mrs. Baker has the best coffee in Brooklyn." 
 
 After the morning meal, Mr. Skillet watched Darcy fifteen min 
 utes, while Mrs. Gaston fed him on ice cream. Then he went to 
 Mrs. Brace's, hunting for his niece. 
 
 " Put on your overshoes !" he said, as soon as she appeared. 
 "Fine bright morum', but snow on the ground. Git on your 
 wraps, and come out ! I've su'thin to tell you." 
 
 "Oh, Mr. Skillet," said Helen, "please excuse me. I don't 
 want to go out ; I'm afraid." 
 
 "Afraid of that Grey devil !" said Mr. Skillet. . "It's no conse 
 quence ; he'll not trouble you. He's off, with the law after him. 
 Come out, and I'll tell you all about it." 
 
 Helen took his arm, as they emerged into the crisp morning air, 
 wondering what strange revelations were coming. 
 
 " How much can you stand ?" said Mr. Skillet, eyeing her curi 
 ously. " You always seemed to have plenty of grit. But I've got 
 two or three things to tell you that will surprise you mebbe shock 
 you, too ! I duuno! It's hard to tell how you'll take it." 
 
 " Do not fear for me, Mr. Skillet," answered Helen, " I am so 
 unhappy that no new misfortune can terrify me." 
 
 " Indeed !" said Mr. Skillet; "well, one misfortune at a time. 
 Your name is Helen Euthven, and your mother's name was 
 Delancy." 
 
 Helen looked at him in terror. 
 
 "Don't be skeart, child! That ain't the wust of it. Your
 
 214 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 mother had a sister, Helen Delancy. She was privately married. 
 She died before you was born. But her husband is your uncle, I 
 calkilate." 
 
 if Yes, sir." 
 
 " And you are holdin' on to that uncle's arm this minnit. There ! ' 
 Now is your time to faint ! How do you like findiu' an old uncle 
 like me ? Tell the truth, child !" 
 
 " Oh, uncle!" said Helen, turning swimming eyes upon him. 
 
 " Ah, well ! Don't turn on the waterspout jest yet. You'll 
 want all the tears you've got direckly. I felt a drawiu' to you, 
 child, from the fust. And all I've got to say is, that my heouse is 
 yourn. And you will comfort the few remaining days of your old 
 uncle if you will jest come and live all over it. Three-story brown 
 stone front, English basement, gas and water all over the heouse, 
 and stationary tubs in the basement." 
 
 " Dear uncle," said Helen, " I will do whatever you bid me. 
 But tell me how you learned all this. Did Mr. Gaston tell you my 
 real name ?" 
 
 " Ya-as. Stop here, Helen. I attended church here with your 
 Aunt Helen, twenty years ago ; and we lived to that house." 
 
 " Uncle, there is blood on the snow !" 
 
 " Ya-as ! There was a scrimmage here last night. Nobody got 
 killed, though. Remember that. Do you mind heariu' about it ?" 
 
 " I am anxious to hear. Don't fear to tell me, uncle. I won't 
 faint, or cry out." 
 
 "Wa-al, you're true grit, child!" said Mr. Skillet; "I allus said 
 so. It makes me feel warm all over to hear you call me uncle. 
 It's cur'ous now, but my two nieces at the Institoot, who are niy 
 own brother's children, don't seem as near to me as you do. But 
 s'pose I was to tell you that somebody me, for instance, was in 
 that scuffle, and got hurt " 
 
 " But I see you alive and well." 
 
 " It's no consequence. I'll break it by degrees. There is a 
 young man that came here to Brooklyn last night, to visit a lady ; 
 and he had been followed by an ugly cuss from N'Yauk ; and I 
 s'pose the ugly cuss was layin' in wait for him, and found him 
 here. And they had some words " 
 
 "Oh, uncle!" said Helen, clinging to his arm, while the color 
 forsook her cheeks. 
 
 " There, there !" said her uncle ; " I knowed you would go off. 
 Nobody killed, I tell you. But one of 'em got hurt some ; and we
 
 A NEW RELATION. 215 
 
 took him right ill there, to Mrs. Baker's, number twenty-nine, and 
 he's there now. And the doctor says he's all right, if we keep the 
 room dark a day or two. His brother and sister are with him 
 this ininnit. Come all the way from Kentucky to see him. There!" 
 
 " Was it Mr. Gaston, uncle ! Ah ! I see it was. He came to 
 see me last night. And Mr. Henry Gaston is here F 
 
 " Eight here ! We'll go in and see him. There was some 
 shoot in' done last night, but nobody killed. Dassy had a little 
 book in his pocket, with a hard back onto it, and it turned the 
 bullet. That's all the story, child, and every word is true." 
 
 " Did he know the man ?" said Helen, eagerly. 
 
 U I guess he did. It was a fellow that was supposed to be 
 dead. Ah, Helen ! When I asked you before about that devil, 
 Grey, I did not know I was your uncle. But now you will tell 
 ine. Dassy knew, and Dassy said he could not shoot him, because 
 you disarmed him. And when Dassy come to last night, the first 
 words he said were : i Tige, go tell Grey to escape !' And the 
 next words were : 'Tige, save Helen!' What in the dickens are 
 you crying about I It's no consequence, I tell you. Nobody got 
 killed." 
 
 " I will tell you everything, uncle. Oh, wretched woman that I 
 am ! How can I ever explain my folly and my wickedness !" 
 
 " Never mind, Helen," said Mr. Skillet ; " don't tell me a word. 
 I don't crave to know. The devil's gone. Let him set." 
 
 " But I must tell you, uncle. Nobody but you can deliver me 
 .from that wretch. And you and Mr. Gaston can do it, I am sure. 
 I will endure all the shame and contempt. Oh, how I despise 
 myself! But I will tell the truth, and all of it." 
 
 " That's allus safe, child. Come in. We'll find Mr. Gastou in 
 two minnits. Thefe is his wife at the window now, holdiu' her 
 arms out to you. Gemini ! but she's a stunner!" 
 
 The extended arms caught the weeping girl and drew her into 
 the house as soon as Mr. Skillet opened the door. Kind, loving 
 Nell Gaston was sister, mother, friend everything. She kissed 
 away the tears, laughing with delight and thankfulness. 
 
 " Don't cry, my darling 1" said Nell, " but help us all to rejoice. 
 We thought our boy was killed. But he is safe and getting well. 
 And we have found you, my poor child! Oh, how could you 
 leave us in ignorance of your fate so long ? Tige went to Chicago 
 to look for you, and we have been so unhappy about you. Here, 
 Tige ! Mr. Gastou !"
 
 216 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Her husband came in answer to her summons, and greeted 
 Helen, his handsome face covered with cheerful smiles. 
 
 " My dear Miss Helen," he said, "things are not so bad as you 
 think. I can promise you deliverance from all that troubles you. 
 Darcy is sleeping, wife. Come, Mr. Skillet ; come, Miss Helen ; 
 let us all go into this room, and exchange stories. You shall tell 
 the first, and I will follow. We can hear Darcy if he wakes. 
 Begin, Miss Helen." 
 
 CHAPTEE XLY. 
 HELEN'S STORY. 
 
 6 * ~TT is not possible to tell you, dear friends, how I shrink from 
 
 -L the task you have set me." 
 
 Tige took her hand in his, and Nell, passing her plump arm 
 around Helen's slender waist, drew her head down upon her 
 shoulder. 
 
 " You should know, first," resumed Helen, " that my life at Mrs. 
 Crowder's was one long misery. I did not appreciate my orphan 
 hood in Lexington, because everywhere I met with ready sympa 
 thy and kindness. My only trouble was in resisting the gentle 
 charities that were offered me. You know, Mr. Gaston, that you 
 came to take me to your house, pretending you owed my poor 
 father money. Dr. Graves was eager and earnest in his invita-. 
 tioiis to make my future home with him and his children. Judge 
 Hammond sent his carriage, with peremptory orders to his coach 
 man not to return without me. So, when I crossed the river with 
 Mrs. Crowder, I felt that I was leaving everything that I loved in 
 the world, and thenceforth could expect nothing beyond the 
 mere human interest of mere strangers. 
 
 " But I did not know how bad it was. Although I worked as 
 well as I could, Mrs. Crowder contrived to remind me constantly 
 that I did not nearly earn the little sum she paid me. I was 
 ostensibly the teacher of her children, but the time spent in hear 
 ing recitations and in directing their studies was the only time in 
 which I rested. She apparently had long arrears of work to 
 gather up, and I was really her seamstress. I do not complain of 
 this, however, and it may be true that the small wages she paid 
 me more than equalled the value of my work. But the constant
 
 HELENS STORY. 217 
 
 pressure of her piety makes me shudder when I think of it. There 
 was something ghastly about it. Always pronounced and always 
 ghastly. The earth was one vast cemetery, and the joys of life 
 one combined delusion. She required me to attend her church, 
 where I sympathized with nothing I heard, except the brief portion 
 of Scripture that was read or quoted. She required me to read 
 some printed sermons, called " Lies for To-morrow," preached by 
 Professor Hang, and I, who had been so carefully instructed in 
 theology, was less horrified by the profaneness of the heresy he 
 taught than by his sickening emptiness of matter, and pretension 
 of style. But she made the book a text book for her children, and 
 when my conscience compelled me to dissent from his conclusions 
 she severely lectured me for my presumption, and that before my 
 pupils. 
 
 " Mr. Crowder spent his life in hunting for disagreeable things 
 to say. I am sure I never heard him utter one sentence to his 
 family that had not a sting in it. And the three girls I professed 
 to instruct were worthy children of these parents. I am ashamed 
 to say these things of a household where I was fed and sheltered 
 so long, and I shall never say them again. But I tell you, dear 
 friends, in order to account for all that follows. 
 
 " One night a str.inger came to Mrs. Crowder's pew and sat by 
 me. I remember now that I glanced at him as he took his seat, 
 and instinctively shrank away from him. 1 turned my head away, 
 and then I knew that he was watching me. I felt his eyes ; bold, 
 black, bad eyes ! And ever since that night, when he has been 
 near me, I have had the same experience. I could always feel him 
 looking at me when he chose to make me feel his power. I 
 don't know how he got into Mrs. Crowder's family, but he was a 
 constant visitor there, after that first evening. His name was 
 Kupert Grey. 
 
 " He came night after night, always welcomed by Mrs. Crowder, 
 and especially welcomed by her eldest daughter, sixteen years old, 
 and to her he professed a special attachment. He kept up a kind 
 of playful courtship, with just enough appearance of sincerity to 
 charm the girl, while he carefully maintained the air of playful 
 ness, as if to warn every one else that he was only in joke. But 
 he succeeded in making Jane so madly jealous of me that another 
 affront was put upon me, in her petulant and passionate appeals 
 to her mother to send me out of the room when Mr. Grey called. 
 I learned afterwards that this was part of his plan, and also
 
 218 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 that be insisted upon my presence whenever he was in the house. 
 He told Mrs. Crowder, with to use his own words u with gush 
 ing candour," that he would discontinue his visits if they drove 
 her governess out of the room. He told me this, himself. 
 
 " If you ask me how it was possible for this man to gain so 
 strong an influence over me, I cannot answer you. Since I have 
 been delivered from his presence I have thought there must have 
 been some occult power in his wicked eyes, that subdued my 
 will and overcame my repugnance. When his attention was 
 attracted to others in the room I would find the feeling of restraint 
 and compulsion wearing oft', but if he suddenly turned his eyes 
 towards me, which he frequently did, I would be conscious of a 
 vague sense of his domination, and of the reality of my miserable 
 submission." 
 
 " Poor child !" said Tige, " it was a clear case of animal magnet 
 ism. If a hideous snake can charm and capture the beautiful 
 bird, why should not a worse reptile possess a similar power? 
 My belief is, that this unnatural ability is inherited directly from 
 the original snake that beguiled Eve in the garden !" 
 
 " Mr. Grey met me one day in Main street," resumed Helen, 
 " and after a few introductory remarks, informed me that ' it was 
 necessary that he should have my photograph, to perfect certain 
 business arrangements.' He was so masterful that I could not 
 resist him. After the picture was taken he dismissed me, saying, 
 1 1 would have to accompany him to New York, shortly, as I was 
 a party to the arrangements he had in hand.' When I got back 
 to Mrs. Crowder's ray original horror of the man returned, and I 
 suddenly resolved to quit Cincinnati and return to Lexington at 
 once. A small satchel contained all my property, and was soon 
 packed. My departure was hastened by an unusually stormy 
 interview with Mrs. Crowder, who charged me with going out to 
 seek Mr. Grey, and who also referred to my father, the sainted 
 gentleman, as the very offspring of Satan, because he died in 
 arms against the Government. I was provoked out of my cus 
 tomary silence, and replied with scorn and wicked anger." 
 
 " It was a case," quoth Mrs. Gaston, " in which you fulfilled the 
 Scripture injunction 'Be angry and sin not!' You need not 
 mind repenting of that, my dear." 
 
 " It was snowing when I left the house. I walked down to the 
 station, and found I had to wait three hours for the train. I sat 
 in the waiting room, reading iny Testament yes ; this one
 
 HELENS STORY. . 219 
 
 when I was suddenly conscious that Mr. Grey was near me. I 
 looked up and saw him at the door. He beckoned me out, and I 
 was compelled to follow him. I am only able to recall this much 
 of my sensations. The shuddering repugnance I felt when he was 
 absent that I feel this moment was so far modified that I 
 experienced only a dull indifference about him. There has never 
 been an instant when I was attracted, even when I most promptly 
 obeyed him ; aud the events that occurred in quick succession 
 seem to me, now, like the dim memory of an awful dream ! lean- 
 not conceive it possible that I really did the things and spoke the 
 words he commanded with his demon's eyes ! I remember that 
 he took my satchel and led me to the street, aud that the snow 
 was falling thickly. He handed me into a carriage, followed, and 
 sat beside me, and the driver, closing the door, mounted the box 
 and drove off. 
 
 " ' So !' said Mr. Grey, ' you meditated a flight, it seems f 
 
 " ' Yes,' I answered, indifferently. 
 
 " ' Well, it was unwise. First, to attempt to thwart me ; second, 
 to run counter to your own interests.' 
 
 ' 1 1 have no interests,' I said ; ' where are we going ?' 
 
 " ' Not far j you will know shortly. Would tobacco. smoke offend 
 you ?' 
 
 " l Nothing offends me.' 
 
 " He smoked in silence until the carriage stopped at the Buruet 
 House. He gave me his hand as I left the carriage, and led me 
 in, I following him mechanically. We entered a handsome par 
 lour, on the second floor, when he took my waterproof cloak and 
 shook oft' the snow flakes, while he pointed to a chair near the 
 grate. There were three men in the room one an Episcopal min 
 ister and the others apparently servants of the hotel. Mr. Grey 
 sat opposite me, and took my hand in his, looking into my face 
 with his cold, cruel eyes, until I found my eyelids drooping. I 
 felt as I did once before under the influence of opium : no inclina 
 tion to resist anything, or choose anything- ; just helpless and 
 indifferent. 
 
 " ' Helen,' he said, slowly and distinctly, l I have prepared, as 
 you see, for our marriage. It is not proper for you to travel with 
 me to New York in any other relation, and we are going immedi 
 ately ; are you ready ?' 
 
 " ' Ready,' I said. 
 
 u The minister canie forward with a book in his hand, and Mr.
 
 220 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Grey assisting me to rise, we stood before him. I don't remember 
 anything he read, but I recollect noticing that part of one ear was 
 cut off. He put his hand up, as if to pull his hair over the ugly 
 place, once or twice. Then, I remember that Mr. Grey said in a 
 whisper : 
 
 " < Say " I will !" Helen.' 
 
 " ' I will !' 
 
 " I signed my name in a book and he signed his, and the three 
 men signed theirs. The clergyman filled up a printed form and 
 signed it, giving it to Mr. Grey, who rang the bell as they retired, 
 ordering the servant to bring in dinner. It came in a few minutes, 
 and he bade me sit at the table and eat. I cannot remember any 
 thing, except that a cup of tea seemed to refresh me. In a short 
 time afterwards, while the servants were still removing the dishes, 
 he put my cloak around me, took me down to the carriage, which 
 had his trunk strapped on the back of it, and we drove to another 
 station through the deepening snow. We were soon seated in the 
 car, and the train moved out, as the night gathered around, and I 
 remember a dull feeling of relief came over me, under the conviction 
 that the future certainly could have no horrors in store for me 
 that would be worse than my present desolation. 
 
 " He did not talk to me during the night, but slept in his seat, 
 and while he slept, I gradually recovered my senses and meditated 
 upon the distracting fact that I was married to this wretched man. 
 He had the certificate at that instant ! I remembered noting how 
 he threw his arm forward, as he dropped the paper in the breast 
 pocket of his coat. I involuntarily turned towards him, and saw 
 the edge of the paper, and, hardly knowing what I did, I drew it 
 out and read it by the light of the lamp overhead. Yielding to a 
 sudden impulse, I tore the paper into small fragments and threw 
 them on the floor. 
 
 u During the next day he was generally silent upon any topic ex 
 cept the scenery, the snow storm, the state of the track and other 
 indifferent matters. I was reading my Testament just before dark, 
 on the second day, when he suddenly leaned towards me and whis 
 pered : 
 
 " i You run the religious machine, I see ; I've no objection. The 
 Book you are reading will tell you that you owe me unanswering 
 obedience ! Now, listen and remember ! There is a piece of prop 
 erty called Euthven's Folly in New York, and I am persuaded 
 that it can be secured to you by the observance of a few rules.
 
 HELENS STOEY. 221 
 
 First, do not speak of your marriage to any mortal ; second, do 
 not mention my name, or your own I mean, your maiden and 
 married name, both or either until I give you permission.' 
 
 " * I have no title to Ruthven's Folly,' I answered, steadily, 
 * and I would never accept it if I had !' 
 
 " ' Pish !' he said, rudely, i do not be so positive ! I will see that 
 your rights are secured in due time. Only obey me. On your 
 religion, I charge you !' 
 
 " These were the last words he ever spoke to me. The train 
 stopped almost as he spoke, and it was soon announced that we 
 could not proceed. You know the rest of the story." 
 
 " Yes," answered Tige, with exulting eagerness, " yes, Helen ; 
 and I know a part of the story that you don't know. My dear 
 child, you were not married !" 
 
 " Not married ?" said Helen, her eyes dilating with delirious 
 joy. <4 Oh, Mr. Gaston, you would not tell me an untruth !" 
 
 " Not I !" said Tige. " I know that one-eared clergyman ! He 
 is a vile scoundrel whom I defended once in a criminal suit. He 
 told me, three days ago, that he had been well paid by Grey to 
 personate a minister and perform that bogus ceremony, and I 
 have his deposition in due form to that effect, attested by the 
 same witnesses who saw the pretended marriage. It was from 
 him that I learned that Grey was at the spiritualist's Doctor 
 Lamis, I mean." 
 
 Helen hid her face upon Nell's breast, while the latter coo'd and 
 cheered her in her own fashion. 
 
 " Cry away, my dear ; it does you good ! I'm crying myself. 
 Tige ! you hard-hearted old wretch, why don't you cry ?" 
 
 " I'd rather laugh, Nell," answered Tige. 
 
 " It's no consequence 1" said Mr. Skillet, openly wiping his eyes. 
 " But if I ever get sight of that chap agin, and don't put him out 
 of the notion of gitten married dern his picter ! you may jest 
 sell me for a quart of peanuts, and cheat the peanut seller when 
 you do it that's all ! Helen, child ! will you come home with me, 
 to-day F 
 
 " Friday, Uncle, composition day ; to-morrow will be a holiday, 
 and I can help dear Mrs. Gaston, maybe." 
 
 "Yes, indeed ! Mr. Skillet, Helen is not going until I go ! and 
 I am not going until Darcy goes !" 
 
 " It's all right !" said Mr. Skillet, " I cave ! But I must go to 
 Wall street, and I'll come back at dark."
 
 222 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 "And Fll come back after school! Oh, my heart is so light 
 that all my past sorrow and shame seem as nothing. If I could 
 only be assured that this murderous wretch were imprisoned for 
 life I don't think I should ever murmur or repine again. Dear Mr. 
 Gaston, how kind you have been ! Oh, Uncle ! this gentleman, if 
 I had yielded to his earnest invitation, would have kept me in 
 Kentucky and then I should never have known you." 
 
 " Ya-as ! It's no consequence, but them Gastons is a bad breed ; 
 they want all the good lookin' gals they see !" 
 
 Helen blushed, laughed, and, kissing Nell six times, tripped 
 away. 
 
 As the shadows lengthened in the evening she returned. Darcy 
 was much better. He had eaten nineteen saucers of ice cream 
 during the day. But his eyes were bandaged up, poor boy. 
 
 Might she watch him, while dear Mrs. Gaston got a little nap ? 
 
 Certainly ! He would only want ice cream ; it was in the 
 freezer, just outside the door. If he spoke to her, she could just 
 pass herself off for a Sister of Charity. 
 
 Tige was in New York, attending to some law business. 
 
 CHAPTER XLVI. 
 THE DARK CHAMBER. 
 
 . The sleeper in the darkened room, his other senses rendered 
 more acute by reason of his semi-blindness, was wakened by the 
 stealthy footfall c* the Sister of Charity, as she approached his 
 bedside. He could only distinguish the outlines of her form, but 
 he could hear the rustle of her dress, as she seated herself in the 
 chair near him. 
 
 " Nell ! Sister, is it you ?" he said. 
 
 " No !" she whispered ; " Mrs. Gaston is sleeping. What will 
 you have ?" 
 
 " Light !" 
 
 " Ah ! the Doctor says you must wait." 
 
 " How long have I been here f ' he asked, after a pause. 
 
 " It is seven o'clock now. You came at eleven last night. You 
 have been here twenty hours." 
 
 There was another pause. Darcy was trying to recall the
 
 THE DAEK CHAMBER. 223 
 
 > 
 
 events of the previous evening. The encounter at the Ferry. 
 Then Helen ! When he endeavoured to collect the sequences in 
 that interview, he found himself perpetually overleaping the in 
 tervals arid reaching the terrible culmination : "His wife! Do 
 you hear f Then suddenly he remembered the book, and felt in 
 his breast for*t. He only found a wound, smarting under a mass 
 of bandages. 
 
 " Pardon me !" he murmured again ; " are you the nurse F 
 
 " Yes. I am watching you while Mrs. Gaston sleeps." 
 
 " Please tell me the truth ! Does the Doctor say " 
 
 " The Doctor says quiet is important ; and darkness. Your eye 
 is hurt, and he fears inflammation." 
 
 " What makes my breast so sore ?" 
 
 " You were hurt there also. It is not serious." 
 
 " I had a little Book in my breast. Did you see it f 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 After another short silence, Darcy began to whisper to himself. 
 She leaned forward to listen. He seemed to be reciting a task, 
 with great deliberation. 
 
 " A Verb is a word which signifies to be, or to do, or to suffer ; 
 as : * I am, I love, 1 am loved !' Then a pause, as though he were 
 meditating upon the meaning of the sentence, and then the repe 
 tition of it. 
 
 " What are you saying ?" whispered the nurse, uneasily. 
 
 " I am a Verb!" answered Darcy ; " Nell loves me ; Tige also. 
 Those are all !" 
 
 The nurse was dismayed by this reply. He spoke so smoothly 
 and coherently, that she rejected the first impression his words 
 produced. His mind was not wandering. 
 
 " Tliat Book !" said Darcy j " is it here f ' 
 
 " Yes.' 
 
 " May I see it ? Only a moment." 
 
 " You cannot see anything," replied the nurse, after a momentary 
 hesitation ; " your eyes are bound up. A few hours' patience is 
 all that is required of you. The Doctor says he will take off the 
 bandages to-rnorrow, if there are no new symptoms." 
 
 " You whisper all the time !" muttered he, fretfully. " Nothing 
 ails my ears ! Why cannot you speak out P 
 
 " I must not." 
 
 il I cannot tell whether I dream or no !" said Darcy. " I remem 
 ber a savage fight. I remember drawing my weapon, and Helen
 
 224 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 pulled it away ! But that was an old dream, I swear ! But I 
 could not shoot him, so I shot the other one. His wile ! do you 
 hear. O monstrous fraud ! There are certain propositions which 
 the mind cannot entertain, even when supported by indubitable 
 proof; and this is one of them. 1 have dreamed all that wild 
 story. I did not see her. I did not steal her Bootf ! Ah ! kind 
 nurse, let me hold the Book in my hand !" 
 
 The nurse's eyes were overflowing. She drew the Book from her 
 bosom and placed it in his hand. He felt the shattered covers, 
 with tremulous fingers, and then slipped the volume under his 
 pillow. 
 
 " Common honesty, you know," he whispered, apologetically; 
 "I took it without her knowledge. I must get it back to her 
 somehow. That was in the dream also. Darcy Euthven Gaston 
 stealing a book ! Ha, ha ! But it's no consequence. I beg your 
 pardon. Do you know Mr. Skillet ?" 
 
 " Yes. He's my uncle." 
 
 "Ah !" said Darcy, with a sigh of relief; "that accounts for 
 your kindness, then. For he is the kindest man alive. And you 
 are in the the Institute ! He told me he had two nieces there. 
 His brother's daughters." 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 "Then you know Miss Harding ?" 
 
 There was no answer. He had pushed back the bandage that 
 covered his eyes, and she was leaning over him, readjusting it. 
 She handled him tenderly, but with resolute hands. 
 
 " You must keep your eyes covered," she whispered, as she 
 resumed her seat ; " Doctor Chase left that as his parting in 
 junction." 
 
 " To hear is to obey," said Darcy ; " but, Miss Skillet, please 
 tell me how you happen to be here." 
 
 " My uncle brought me." 
 
 " Kind uncle! Do you know that a tear dropped on my cheek 
 while you were leaning over me ? Ah ! I offended you, ignorantly, 
 by imitating your excellent uncle just now. Believe me, I honor 
 him as truly as yourself, and I did not mean to offend." 
 
 " It's no consequence," she answered, with a little ripple of a 
 laugh, in a whisper. 
 
 " By George !" exclaimed Darcy. 
 
 " Say ' By Gemini!' That is the way Uncle Skillet swears." 
 
 Darcy put out his hand, groping in the dark for hers. She drew 
 shyly back out of his reach.
 
 THE DARK CHAMBER. 225 
 
 " I beg pardon," said he, withdrawing his hand ; " I only wished 
 to shake hands as a token of my gratification. I did not think 
 you were able to laugh." 
 
 She leaned over him again, and wiped his pallid cheek with a 
 napkin, and then put her soft hand in his. His fingers closed 
 upon it, and then came to pass one of those inscrutable phenomena 
 that baffle the investigations of philosophers. As he held her 
 hand a faftit color spread over his face, and he felt the thrill that 
 passed through his body accelerating his pulses and deepening 
 his respirations. 
 
 " Oh, Helen !" he murmured, at last ; " is it, indeed, you ?" 
 
 The little fingers trembled in his grasp, but she did not answer. 
 
 " I should call you Mrs. Grey," he continued, " but I cannot 
 yet." 
 
 "I am not Mrs. Grey," she whispered; "I am only Helen 
 Euthven." 
 
 This youth of quick perceptions, endowed with that prompt 
 decision of character which is the prime factor in mental dynam 
 ics, rushed to a swift conclusion. 
 
 " You are kind to me," he said, " because I lie here helpless, 
 and perhaps dying; and you tell me anything to quiet me. I 
 did not dream all that horrible scene last night. Here is the 
 Book !" 
 
 " Yes, with the covers shattered," she replied. " The bullet 
 that would have killed you was turned aside by these broken 
 shells !" and she furtively kissed the Book. 
 
 " And you told me just now," continued Darcy, " that you are 
 Miss Skillet, " 
 
 No." 
 
 " You said Mr. Skillet was your uncle." 
 
 " Yes. That is true. He says so, and I believe him." 
 
 "And you told me last night that you were Rupert Grey's 
 wife P 
 
 " Yes. But I was mistaken. He pretended to marry me a few 
 minutes before we took the train, when I met you. I will tell you 
 when you are well enough. You are not dying." 
 
 "Oh, Helen! lean never be well enough! You must have 
 loved that man " 
 
 "Never !'' she answered, vehemently. " I never looked at him 
 or thought of him, except with abhorrence. And when you told me 
 on the train that he was killed, I could have wept for joy. In all 
 
 15
 
 226 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 the world there is no reptile that I hate, as I hate that wretched 
 man ! Love him ! Ah, how could you say such cruel words to me !' ? 
 
 He still held her hand, while his own trembled. 
 
 " Do you not understand ?" she continued, softly. " By some 
 witchcraft, he controlled my will. I felt as one feels who is 
 drugged, or somnambulic, led along without even the desire to 
 resist. His object was to gain, through me, possession of the 
 property he expected me to inherit, and he deceived me by the 
 pretended marriage, knowing that my conscience would compel 
 me to obey a husband's authority ! Ah ! Do you not see now, 
 why I could not listen to you last night !" 
 
 He turned towards her, hurting his wounded breast horribly r 
 without heeding it, and drew her head down upon it. It seemed 
 to him that the wounds healed rapidly. 
 
 " If I dare understand you to mean this," he whispered, " my 
 life will not be long enough to tell you the story you interrupted 
 last night. May I tell you now, Helen f 
 
 " It's no consequence !" said Mr. Skillet, who had entered the 
 darkened room softly, lest he should disturb the patient ; " but 
 it seems to me that you are gitten along pooty smart !" 
 
 " Yes, sir," replied Darcy, while Helen shrunk back into her 
 chair ; " I am well enough to get up, if the doctor will let me." 
 
 " Not to-night," answered Mr. Skillet. " Chase says your eyes 
 must be kept covered. Hay ! Hello ! Is it you 1 I thought it 
 was Mrs. Gaston." 
 
 "Mrs. Gaston sent me in, sir," replied Helen ; "she did not 
 sleep at all last night, and she *' 
 
 " All right !" said her uncle ; " it's no consequence. Seems to 
 me you looked some sleepy yourself. Wa'nt you a leanin' over 
 like ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir. Mr. Gaston was asking a question " 
 
 Mr. Skillet beckoned her away from the bedside, to the oppo 
 site corner. 
 
 " Did he git a look at you f he asked, eagerly. 
 
 " Oh, no. His eyes are bound up. Besides, the room is quite 
 dark." 
 
 " Then he don't know you I He ! he ! That's prime !" 
 
 " But I told him I was your niece, sir," said Helen, deceitfully, 
 " and he called me Miss Skillet." 
 
 "Did he?" said Mr. Skillet, delighted; "bully for Dassy! 
 And did he ask if you was at the Institoot? I told him my nieces 
 were at the Institoot."
 
 TEE DARK CHAMBER 227 
 
 " I think be did, and I said, yes." 
 
 " That's right. Let her set, and go about your business, please I 
 You can come back after a while. I want to talk a little to him. 
 Might ask him su'thin you hadn't ought to hear." 
 
 " Yes, sir. I left my handkerchief there. I'll get it, and go." 
 She walked softly across the room, and bent over the blind 
 youth. 
 
 " I must go now," she whispered ; " but I will come again when 
 I can. Give me my Book." 
 
 " I won't !" replied Darcy. " Excuse me ! I mean I can't. It 
 is in the old place over my heart. My darling !" 
 
 " Hush !" and she put her hand on his lips. He kissed the 
 dainty fingers, and she did likewise, as she whisked through the 
 door. 
 
 " Can't see nauthin f observed Mr. Skillet, drawing near. 
 
 " No, sir. I think the last thing I saw was the ugly face of 
 Eupert Grey. Mr. Skillet, I found out that he was the man who 
 followed me in New York." 
 
 " Did you ? Ah, well ! He's gone ! No sign of him anywhere. 
 Skedaddled. Your brother and me went for him last night ; and 
 he had got a bad knock in the head, and we thought he would 
 keep till mornin'. But he was off before daylight. Clean gone !" 
 
 Darcy waited to hear more, but Mr. Skillet paused for a reply. 
 
 " I thought you might say what you said about old Brown, sir, 
 the other morning something about his picture." 
 
 "Certainly," responded Mr. Skillet; "cuss his picter! Dern 
 his picter ! if that makes you feel better." 
 
 " Thank yon, sir," said Darcy, faintly ; " you see I don't like to 
 swear while I am so ill ! When I get well, I'll 
 
 " Better let him set. The other robber knocked him in the 
 head, and stole his watch and pocket-book. It's no consequence 
 about him. You'll be all right to-morrow, I guess ?" 
 
 " I am quite well now, sir," replied Darcy ; "only a little weak. 
 If they would let me get up, I think I could walk out." 
 
 " No use to walk out, now. Night. What did you do with the 
 Norman papers ?" 
 
 " All in my drawer at Mr. Camp's. I gave brother Tige the 
 key to-day. He has gone to New York to settle that business. 
 I see, now, all that Miss Norman desired to do. She is a noble 
 woman, Mr. Skillet. I admire her greatly." 
 
 " You do ! Well, it's no consequence, but mebbe you'd like to 
 spark her a spell ?"
 
 228 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 11 Oh no, sir !" said Darcy ; " I could not think of such a thing. 
 Miss Norman can go to Europe and marry a duke. Do you think 
 I would have the impudence to court such a lot of money ?" 
 
 " Money don't make a grain of difference, if there's plenty of 
 love," said Mr. Skillet. " She's got it all in her own right, and 
 nobody could say a word agin it, if she wanted to marry an alder 
 man." 
 
 "Marriage is a very serious business, Mr. Skillet," replied 
 Darcy, after reflecting a few minutes. " I must wait until I make 
 some money of my own, before I think of matrimony." 
 
 "When you first come to," observed Mr. Skillet, cautiously, 
 "you was a ravin' about some Helen. Mebbe you have been 
 doin' some courtin' unbeknownst like ? You did not say who 
 Helen was. You seemed to want her saved though, pooty con 
 siderable." 
 
 " Yes, sir. But I was not thinking of courting then." 
 
 " The dickens you wan't ! What was you so anxious about 
 then ?" 
 
 " I thought the the devil was after her," said Darcy. 
 
 " Well, you was not far wrong, I guess. The devil is after most 
 people that I know. Who was you talkiu' to when I came in just 
 now ?" 
 
 " Oh !" replied Darcy, " that was she said she was your niece, 
 sir. She was very kind, indeed. But I would have known that, 
 if I had known she was related to you, Mr. Skillet. Since I have 
 been lying here, all in darkness, I have thought of all your 
 kindness to me, many times. You took me into your office, 
 though I was totally ignorant of the commonest business rules. 
 You did not scold, though I made so many blunders ; but you 
 have patiently endured my ignorance, and have encouraged me in 
 a hundred ways. And you make me think, sometimes, that I shall 
 really learn to be valuable to you. And when that time comes " 
 
 " Gemini!" interrupted Mr. Skillet, " you'll _talk yourself into a 
 regular fever ! It's no consequence. You're learniu' ! Keep 
 your margins up, and don't speckillate yourself. Git your com 
 missions, and bag 'em. If you feel like takin' a flyer in gold or 
 stocks on your own account, jest wrap a wet towel round your 
 head. Them is all the business rules you want. And here is 
 Mrs. Gaston. Good evening, ma-am ! Dassy is talkin' quite 
 reasonable to-night. Chase says he may git up to-morrow." 
 
 " Sister," whispered Darcy, as Nell bent over him, " I have not
 
 THE PARTITION. 229 
 
 seen your dear face. May I take this horrid bandage off? Only 
 one eye hurt ! Oh, thank you! Bless your kind eyes. And, 
 sister Nell ! Please bring bring Mr. Skillet's niece in, and let 
 me get one glimpse of her ! Oh, you darling sister ! I'll make 
 Tige buy you a stunning silk dress to-morrow." 
 
 " It's my opinion," said Mr. Skillet, who had overheard the last 
 request, " that you are a deceitful young cuss. Come in, Helen ! 
 It's no consequence." 
 
 CHAPTEE XLYII. 
 THE PARTITION. 
 
 ~\ /TE. COKE was poring over deeds to the Norman Estate, 
 .1X1- when Mr. Henry Gaston presented his card, bearing the 
 various legal titles that he had won in his profession, and with it, 
 a note from Miss Norman, introducing Mr. Gaston, and referring 
 Mr. Coke to him for a full explanation of her desires in the mat 
 ter of the partition of the Estate. The note concluded with the 
 announcement of her wish for an immediate transfer of titles to 
 the Real Estate, and an equitable division of the personal prop 
 erty, as she hoped to sail for Europe in a few days. 
 
 " Take a seat, Mr. Gaston," said the New York lawyer, politely ; 
 " we shall have no prolonged litigation in this case. Have you 
 any suggestion to offer, relating to the settlement 1 ?" 
 
 " I wait for you, sir," answered Tige; " Mrs. Bragdou will, uo 
 doubt, have preferences, which must be consulted. By the bye, I 
 am instructed to say to you, that Miss Norman entrusts me with 
 the charge of her interests in this division, because she desires 
 Mr. Coke to be entirely free from any embarrassment, in advo 
 cating the rival claims of her sister." 
 
 " Eival claims ?" said Mr. Coke, taking off his spectacles ; " there 
 cannot be anything like rivalry. There are two heirs, and they 
 take equal proportions. Have you a list of the property ?" 
 
 "Yes, sir," answered Mr. Gaston, producing Darcy's list; 
 " please examine it, and correct any errors." 
 
 " It needs no correction," said Mr. Coke, after reading the doc 
 ument. " The balance of cash is set down in round figures, and 
 the valuation of some of the bonds differs slightly from mine. But. 
 there is really no need of valuations, as each party in interest will 
 take one moiety and pass receipts."
 
 230 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 "But you cannot divide houses, Mr. Coke," observed Tige; 
 " and iny principal business to-day, is to hear your proposition for 
 the division of the Kealty." 
 
 " Mr. Bragdon suggests that the separate parcels be put up at 
 a sort of auction " 
 
 " Nothing could be more reasonable," replied Mr. Gaston ; 
 11 when shall the sale take place H" 
 
 " Mr. Bragdou will be here immediately," said Mr; Coke, " and 
 I think he will be prepared to arrange the settlement at once." 
 
 " My dear sir," said Tige, " it seems to me that my presence is 
 a mere formality. I am going down Wall street, and will return 
 within an hour. And if you will, in the meantime, get from Mr. 
 Bragdon his bids upon the separate parcels, I will obtain Miss 
 Norman's bids also. The whole business can be settled to-day, if 
 you will examine this deed of partition, which includes all the 
 property, leaving only the names in blank. No doubt you will 
 find some blunder in it, as I am more familiar with Kentucky 
 forms, than with those of New York." 
 
 " Let me understand you, Mr. Gaston," said Mr. Coke, as the 
 other put on his hat ; " you propose to make separate bids " 
 
 " No, sir. I thought that was your proposition." 
 
 " Ah, well ! no matter. It is all in the family," said Mr. Coke. 
 
 " And therefore should be the more carefully guarded. If Mr. 
 Bragdon or rather Mrs. Bragdon appro ves,.let her fill up the list, 
 affixing the amount she will pay for each parcel. Miss Norman will 
 offer a similar list. And when we compare the two papers, the 
 highest bidder will take the property, piece by piece. Of course 
 the balance on either side will be settled by the cash and bonds 
 at an agreed valuation. Mrs. Bragdon may desire some special 
 parcels, and will therefore bid higher for them, or vice versa. 
 Neither will know the other's estimate, and therefore the partition 
 must be entirely equitable. Good morning! I will be back at 
 noon." 
 
 " Now," thought Mr. Coke, " this Kentucky man has con 
 structed the very scheme that Bragdou suggested ! It is very 
 curious that they should agree so thoroughly." 
 
 In due time Mr. Bragdon arrived. He was charmed with the 
 method of settlement suggested, and to make assurance doubly 
 sure, requested Mr. Coke to " fix a document " that would make the 
 bids equal to a regular transfer of title. When informed that this 
 could not be done, by any forms known to New York lawyers, he
 
 THE PARTITION. 231 
 
 suggested that an agreement might be drawn up, binding each 
 of the high contracting powers to abide by the result of the bid 
 ding, under a penalty to be decided upon when the ladies arrived. 
 
 Notwithstanding Tige's modest depreciation, the partition deed 
 was found to bo correctly drawn. Mr. Bragdon drove up town for 
 his wife, and at noon, Mr. Coke introduced Mr. Gaston, as the 
 representative of Miss Nina Norman. Mr. Bragdon's first ques 
 tion related to the amount of the penalty. 
 
 " I have a paper here drawn by Miss Norman, and duly attested,'' 
 said Mr. Gaston, " by which she binds herself under a penalty 
 of one hundred thousand dollars to accept the results of this bid 
 ding. If Mrs. Bragdou will sign a similar paper, it is already 
 drawn, and only needs her signature and Mr. Bragdon's. Mr. 
 Coke and I will witness the signatures, and we will then ex 
 change the papers. Miss Norman has made all these preparations, 
 because she is eager to make a prompt settlement." 
 
 " And the bids P said Mr. Bragdou. 
 
 " Miss Norman's bids are in this sealed envelope," said Tige. 
 " There are nine separate parcels enumerated, and she bids on 
 each. Here is the duplicate paper, with the amounts in blank. 
 Mr. Bragdou has only to affix the amounts he is willing to pay, 
 and a few minutes will settle the question of ownership." 
 
 " Miss Norman is not coming, then ?" said Mr. Bragdon. 
 
 " No. She requests Mr. Coke to present the deeds at the hotel 
 to-day or to-morrow." 
 
 After a brief consultation with his wife, Mr. Bragdon filled in 
 the blanks, and all the preliminary papers were signed, and handed 
 to Mr. Coke. The envelope was opened, and the slips containing 
 Nina's bids taken out. Mr. Coke read aloud from the separate 
 lists. u Number One ! Mrs. Bragdon bids one hundred thousand 
 dollars for dwelling on Fifth Avenue. Miss Norman bids fifty 
 thousand. It is therefore Mrs. Bragdon's." 
 
 That amiable lady heaved a sigh of relief. Mr. Bragdon ground 
 his teeth. 
 
 " Number two !" continued the lawyer. " Mrs. Bragdon bids 
 seventy-five thousand dollars for the Wall street offices. Miss 
 Norman bids eighty thousand. It is therefore Miss Norman's." 
 Mr. Bragdou ground his teeth again. 
 
 " Number three ! Mrs. Bragdon bids fifty thousand dollars for 
 the Canal street store. Miss Norman bids thirty thousand. Num 
 ber three goes to Mrs. Bragdon. Number four ! Mrs. Bragdon
 
 232 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 bids fifty thousand dollars for the store on Bond street. Miss 
 Norman bids thirty. It goes to Mrs. Bragdon. Number five ! 
 Mrs. Bragdon bids two hundred thousand dollars for the stores on 
 Broadway. Miss Norman bids two hundred and ten thousand. 
 They go to Miss Norman." 
 
 " Curse the Broadway stores," muttered Mr. Bragdon. 
 
 " Number six ! Mrs. Bragdon bids fifty thousand dollars for 
 the Newport house. Miss Normau bids ten thousand. It goes to 
 Mrs. Bragdon. Number seven! Mrs. Bragdon oilers one hundred 
 and fifty thousand dollars for the farm near Youkers. Miss Nor 
 man offers fifty thousand. It goes to Mrs. Bragdon. Number 
 eight! Mrs. Bragdon bids forty thousand dollars for the house in 
 Saratoga. Miss Norman bids thirty-five thousand. It is Mrs. 
 Bragdon's." 
 
 " Cursed dear too !" muttered Mr. Bragdon. 
 
 " Number nine !" continued Mr. Coke ; " Mrs. Bragdou bids two 
 hundred thousand dollars for Kuthven's Folly. Miss Norman bids 
 three hundred thousand. It is therefore Miss Norman's !" And 
 Mr. Coke took off his spectacles. " That is the last." 
 
 "Three hundred thousand," said Mr. Bragdon, starting to his 
 feet ; " the girl is insane ! I really protest against so reckless a 
 proceeding ! Three hundred thousand !" 
 
 " It is only one hundred thousand more than Mrs. Bragdon's 
 bid," observed Tige, as he collected the slips. " I fancy it is 
 cheap ! The rumour now current is, that the city will condemn 
 this property very soon, and add it to the Park." 
 
 " Who says so?" said Mr. Bragdon, furiously. 
 
 " Oh, several well informed people ! And now, Mr. Coke, there 
 will be one hundred and fifty thousand dollars due the common 
 fund, from Miss Norman ; that is, she will have to transfer seventy- 
 five thousand dollars from her moiety of the bonds, to Mrs. Brag- 
 don* She instructs me to offer Mrs. Bragdon her choice of the 
 bonds at the assessment, and if you will appoint the hour for the 
 exchange of titles, we will be ready." 
 
 "At four o'clock this afternoon," said Mr. Coke, "if that hour 
 will suit Mrs. Bragdon. The deed is ready now : or, if you please, 
 I can fill in the spaces, and take Mr. and Mrs. Bragdou's signa 
 tures now, and get Miss Norman's this afternoon." 
 
 " That will be the better plan," said Mr. Bragdon. " I have no 
 desire to encounter that peppery young lady " 
 
 " Who is not present," said Mr. Gaston.
 
 THE PARTITION. 233 
 
 " I do not need any hint from you, sir," said Mr. Bragdori, white 
 with rage ; " Miss Norman is the sister of Mrs. Bragdon " 
 
 " Who is present," interrupted Tige, " and we therefore cannot 
 discuss any questions that might provoke intemperate contro 
 versy. I am at the Fitth Avenue Hotel, and will be happy to meet 
 you there, or elsewhere, at your own convenience. I beg your 
 pardon !" he continued, with a sweet smile, " but in my country 
 gentlemen never have altercations when ladies are present. I 
 will give you all the opportunities you desire, to to compare 
 notes." 
 
 Mr. Bragdon looked into Tige's handsome face, so placid and 
 friendly, and saw danger. Darcy had told his brother something 
 about his meeting with Mr. Bragdon, and Tige remembered it. 
 Mrs. Bragdon, deceived by the dulcet tones of Mr. Gaston, saw 
 nothing of the devil that was in his eyes. 
 
 " John," she said, " I hope you will not make any trouble. Do 
 let us get this business settled, and be done with it." 
 
 Mr. Bragdon subsided. 
 
 In tbe interval between this meeting and four o'clock, Mr. Gas- 
 ton went to Brooklyn, and had a long interview with Helen. And 
 when he waited upon Nina, in the afternoon, he took Mr. Skillet 
 with him. Miss Norman received them graciously. Tige had 
 sent her a telegram directly after the meeting at Coke's, contain 
 ing only two words, " property yours." 
 
 He gave her a list of the bids, but said nothing about Mr. 
 Bragdon's comments. Nina does not know to-day how sorely she 
 had disappointed her brother-in-law, who had learned under the 
 seal of confidence that the City would purchase the property 
 known as " Kuthven's Folly." He had also learned that the assess 
 ment would be over the amount of his bid. But Tige had ascer 
 tained, as he supposed, the highest possible sum it would com 
 mand, and by Nina's orders added fifty thousand dollars to that 
 estimate. 
 
 " I believe all your wishes have been accomplished, Miss Nor 
 man," said Mr. Gaston, shaking hands with her ; " I mean, relat 
 ing to the partition of the property. You have obtained the par 
 cels you desired, and you have paid much more than Mrs. Brag 
 don bid for them. Her bid for " Kuthven's Folly" was one huu- 
 dred thousand dollars less than yours." 
 
 "Hi!" said Mr. Skillet; "'Kuthven's Folly!' Gemini and 
 Gosh ! It's no consequence, but Bragdon has been pumpin' me
 
 234 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 about that same property, forty times. And now, Miss Nina, 
 you've got it. Gemini ! Jest let it set." 
 
 " I saw Miss Euthven," continued Tige, " and conveyed all your 
 messages. She was greatly touched, but inflexible. She refuses 
 to accept the property, positively, saying her father would rise 
 from his grave to rebuke her if she did ; and she declares she will 
 instantly transfer it to the Hospital in Lexington, if the owner 
 ship comes to her in any way." 
 
 " Then I will carry out my original plan," said Nina. " I will 
 give the property to your brother." 
 
 " I am afraid you cannot do that either, Miss Norman. Indeed, 
 I am sure you cannot. The Gastons never accept gifts ! I have 
 not spoken to him on the subject, but I am quite sure he would 
 decline as obstinately as Helen does." 
 
 " Has he ever spoken to Miss Euthven on the subject H" said 
 Mna. 
 
 " Possibly. The boy is over head and ears in love with her !" 
 
 A paleness overspread Nina's face. Tige saw it, but, being a 
 gentleman, turned away and addressed Mr. Skillet. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet," he said, " cannot you devise some plan by which 
 Miss Norman can accomplish her desire ?" 
 
 " Nauthiu' easier !" said Mr. Skillet; "jest you go about your 
 business about half an hour. I'll mano3uvre 'em all. You can 
 come back at four o'clock." 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIII. 
 BLAKE AND BLOKE. 
 
 IF Dutchy had known that his friend and patron had two 
 " places of deposit," his soul would have been filled with 
 shame and self-abhorrence, as he sat in the smoking car on the 
 New York Central Railroad, that frosty morning. He would have 
 lamented more than did Lord Ullin over the loss of his daughter 
 that he had not " gone through " his late boss, while he lay 
 senseless on the floor. The pocket-book he secured contained two 
 or three hundred dollars, but Mr. Grey had a larger sum, buckled 
 around his body in a money belt ; and with this capital he began 
 a new career in Washington. The New York Herald gave a
 
 BLAKE AND BLOKE. 235 
 
 graphic account of the murderous assault upon Mr. Dossie Gas- 
 kius," with an accurate description of the locality, near the old 
 church, where the murder had been attempted ; and the para 
 graph concluded with the announcement that Mr. Gaskins' hurts 
 were slight, " the bullet having been deflected by his watch case." 
 All this Mr. Grey read a day or two after his arrival. With his 
 native hardihood, he decided to run the risk of arrest, if Darcy 
 should make complaint, and boldly resumed his proper name, 
 and began business as " claim agent," with one client. This was 
 an impecunious army contractor, whose demands upon the Gov 
 ernment were not properly drawn up, and who offered Mr. Grey a 
 moiety of his claim for collecting the total. 
 
 He had an extensive acquaintance among the officials, and his 
 success with this initial claim brought him more business. Within 
 a month his office was fairly organized, and he was beginning to 
 be known as the most successful lobbyist at the Capitol. The 
 memory of his altercation on the old church pavement was fading 
 away, when two gentlemen presented themselves in his private 
 office, one day, and brought all the events vividly before him- 
 The visitors introduced each other 
 
 " Mr. Timothy Skillet." 
 
 " Henry Gaston, Esquire." 
 
 " Ah ! take seats, gentlemen !" said Mr. Grey, with charming 
 politeness. He kept two supplies of cigars in different drawers 
 of his desk. One drawer the upper one contained fragrant 
 weeds, made of Connecticut tobacco, and perfumed lavishly with 
 valerian. The lower drawer contained genuine Partagas. He 
 usually presented his visitors with native growth ; on the present 
 occasion he proffered the imported article. The gentlemen de 
 clined, and Mr. Grey, with a word of apology, selected and lighted 
 one for himself. 
 
 " We have some private business," said Gaston, gravely, " and, 
 perhaps, it would be better to have no witnesses." 
 
 " It's no consequence !" said Mr. Skillet u that is, to us. But I 
 guess you might as well send out your clerk, and let him shet the 
 door after him !" 
 
 u Certainly," said Mr. Grey, nodding to his clerk, who van 
 ished. 
 
 " We only want your signature to this document," began Mr. 
 Gastou, handing a paper to Grey ; " it is a full account of your 
 adventures in Cincinnati, and of your subsequent attempt at
 
 236 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 murder in Brooklyn. We require your signature, which we will 
 witness, and, perhaps, a notarial seal also." 
 
 While he read the paper, which he did with great deliberation, 
 Eupert performed his accustomed cigar exercise throwing his 
 arm forward, elevating his chin, and blowing out the smoke-rings. 
 Gaston regarded him with cold gravity ; Mr. Skillet watched him 
 with growing admiration. 
 
 " May I inquire," said Grey, " what use you intend to make of 
 this piece of romance F 
 
 " We need it at present," replied Mr. Gaston, "to satisfy a lady 
 who was almost your victim, and who still remembers you with 
 unspeakable loathing. We cannot say whether it will be used 
 against you in legal process or not. Probably not, unless you 
 should be troublesome hereafter." 
 
 "And if I decline to sign F said Mr. Grey. 
 
 "Then we will obtain the same facts from the records of the 
 court, which will answer our purpose." 
 
 " The court F said Grey, his face flushing. 
 
 " Yes ; the Criminal Court," answered Gaston, coldly. " We 
 have the necessary papers with us to secure your attendance. We 
 have all the witnesses we need Lamis, Brown, of Cincinnati, who 
 officiated as clergyman for you, and one of the witnesses to the 
 bogus ceremony ; we have Miss Norman's and Miss Keith's testi 
 mony in legal form ; we have the offer of the testimony of John 
 Dutchy, alias Bloke, for a price moderate enough, if we need it 
 and we have Darcy Gaston and Helen Ruthven, ready to complete 
 the case, whenever you desire the trial." 
 
 " Quite a formidable array of names !" said Mr. Grey. 
 
 " Quite formidable," replied Tige. 
 
 " It appears to me, gentlemen," said Grey, after some delibera 
 tion, " that this paper is very much like a dying confession. If I 
 sign this interesting narrative I take away its present fictitious 
 character, and give it the force of veritable history. If I refuse to 
 sign " 
 
 " If you refuse to sign," interrupted Gaston, " you will please 
 prepare for a journey to New York by the afternoon train. The 
 policeman, who pulled your red beard off at Fulton ferry, waits 
 outside first, to identify you, and second, to escort you north 
 ward. Personally, I shall be gratified if the affair takes this 
 course. I make the other proposal in deference to Miss Norman's 
 wishes, and also to save Miss Ruthven from the notoriety that 
 will follow your trial and conviction."
 
 BLAKE AND BLOKE. 237 
 
 
 
 " And you offer me no guaranty that this paper will not be used 
 against me hereafter?" 
 
 " None !" answered Tige, with cold ferocity. 
 
 " Not even a promise P 
 
 " Not even a promise. The word of a Kentucky gentleman 
 would be all the guaranty you would demand ; but you cannot 
 have that." 
 
 " Then I throw myself upon the honour of the Kentucky gen 
 tleman," said Rupert, " who will make some allowance for the vio 
 lence of my passion, even though hopeless, and my consequent 
 jealousy " 
 
 " Be silent 1" said Tige, sternly. 
 
 Rupert shrugged his shoulders, then took up his pen and signed 
 his name with a flourish. The others affixed their signatures as 
 witnesses. 
 
 " Mr. Skillet," said Tige, " will you please call in the notary ? 
 The legal formalities had better be complied with." Mr. Skillet 
 nodded his head and retired. " If you and I ever meet again," 
 continued Gaston, in measured accents, " where any pretext will 
 excuse the act, I will kill you !" 
 
 " There may be an opportunity," replied Grey, smiling. 
 
 " And if Darcy Gastou ever gets near enough to cover you with 
 his pistol, he will not wait for a pretext 1 I pray you, go out of the 
 country and begin a new life. A life-long repentance will not 
 atone for your past wickedness in this world, but you may modify 
 the retributions that will find you in another." 
 
 The entrance of the notary, with Mr. Skillet, prevented a reply. 
 The customary certificate was added to the document, Mr. Grey 
 sworn upon a little Testament produced by the notary, and the 
 gentlemen prepared to depart. Mr. Skillet lingered a moment to 
 pay his parting respects. 
 
 " If you ever visit N'Yauk," he whispered, " come to Number 
 fifty-five Wall street and ask for Timothy Skillet, and if I am to 
 home when you call, there will either be a funeral to my heouse, 
 or I'll put sich a head onto you that will make the dome of the 
 Capitol look like a pimple! Dern your picter ! Good mornin' !" 
 
 To escape the rigours of a northern climate, Mr. Grey removed 
 to Mississippi very shortly after the interview above recorded. 
 The long war had impoverished that State, but Mr. Grey picked 
 up a livelihood by playing poker (draw poker), after the most 
 approved rules. His name was Martinbird, and he bestowed this
 
 238 FLESH -AND SPIRIT. 
 
 
 
 euphonious name upon a widow lady, three or four years ago, who 
 was fourth cousin to an official who dispensed gifts. This lucky 
 marriage secured him the appointment to a foreign post, with 
 small salary, but with large opportunities, and, under a tropical 
 sky, Mr. Martinbird dispenses princely hospitalities to wandering 
 Americans to-day. Those of them who learn draw poker, under 
 his tutelage, swell his revenues ; and there, as Mr. Skillet would 
 say, let him set ! 
 
 In parting with this man, it is proper to say a word touching 
 the peculiar power he sometimes exerted over persons of sensitive 
 organism. Psychological phenomena are of such a character as 
 to elude scientific scrutiny, and the asserted facts of animal 
 magnetism are not so well established, or so accurately described, 
 as to give it a place among the exact sciences. But there are 
 certain analogies that are well known, relating to the domination 
 of one will over another, which, being exaggerated, form the 
 staple of sensational stories. Eupert Grey, being endowed with 
 an iron will, and being utterly remorseless, exerted so much of 
 this occult power as he possessed, whenever he encountered anew 
 victim ; and it is probable that he relied upon this influence to 
 keep Dutchy in subjection. 
 
 But Mr. Dutchy not being sensitive, was restive under restraint. 
 He also was born to " take things," and it was not possible to 
 keep him for any long period out of his natural habits. And 
 when he " went West," with a certain snug capital, it was with 
 the intention of finding some locality where stealing was the 
 chief occupation of the inhabitants. 
 
 He spent a week in Cincinnati, reading New York papers 
 diligently every day. The escape of Gastou from bludgeon and 
 bullet was totally inexplicable. And he was devoured with 
 anxiety to know the manner of his patron's death, as he had an 
 uncomfortable suspicion that he was poison-proof, and totally in 
 vulnerable. And as the papers were silent upon this topic, Dutchy 
 was ill at ease. 
 
 One day, when he was standing at the newspaper file, in the 
 reading-room of the hotel, a man touched his arm. It was Doctor 
 Lamis. 
 
 " Hardly knew you," said the Doctor. " How long have you 
 been here ? I've been looking for you." 
 
 " Have you ? Well, what do you want ?" 
 
 " Why, how you've changed ! Nobody would know you, since
 
 SLAKE AND SLOKK 230 
 
 you've shaved ! I have been studying you ten minutes, and 
 was about to give you up, when you tossed your arm out so ! 
 with your cigar in your fingers ; and then 1 knew you were imi 
 tating Grey. You see I have known Grey so long." 
 " Yes," replied Dutchy. 
 
 " Well. I saw Grey's pants on you. I thought I could swear 
 to them. The figure is peculiar. Very !" 
 " What do you want ?" said Dutchy. 
 
 " I may want your testimony about that little affair where you 
 lost your fingers. Mr. Gaston has got your fingers, in alcohol. 
 But all I want is the facts about Grey ; the shooting, and the ar 
 rangements you made before you started. Grey has skedaddled !" 
 " What do you want I" repeated Dutchy. 
 
 " I tell you I want or Mr. Gaston wants your deposition, 
 telling where you met Grey, and all tbat he did." 
 " A hundred dollars !" said Dutchy, stolidly. 
 "A hundred dollars?" replied Doctor Lamis. "Why, he can 
 get all he wants by arresting you." 
 
 " Werry well !" said Dutchy, obstinately ; " let him try. I can 
 be found here, I s'pose. If he wants me to squeal on the boss, 
 he's got to pay a hundred dollars. That's all !" 
 " Well. I'll telegraph him." said Lamis. " Wait here for me." 
 " All right," said Dutchy. resuming his study of the newspaper. 
 And as Doctor Lamis passed into the telegraph room, Dutchy 
 passed into the street. Heroically resolving to sacrifice his per 
 sonal property, he left his new satchel, containing the paper 
 collars, the hair brush, and ten or twelve cigars that had cost him 
 three cents a piece. His anguish was modified by the reflection 
 that he owed about twenty dollars at the hotel, wbich the urgency 
 of his present business forbade him to pay. 
 
 He concluded that safety was not to be found in any northern 
 State, and he therefore decided to settle in the devastated South. 
 He wandered through Kentucky, down into Tennessee, and 
 finally reached the low country of South Carolina, travelling in 
 the track of General Sherman. The war was over, and the people 
 were impoverished. Nothing left for Dutchy to steal, so he bought 
 a plantation, paying three hundred dollars in new bank notes on 
 account, and leaving a mortgage debt upon it. He got a crop 
 planted, working early and late, and compelling the negroes he 
 employed to work also, by the sheer force of brute pluck and in 
 domitable perseverance. Before his crop matured, he sold his
 
 240 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 plantation, taking cotton in payment, and actually doubled liis 
 investment. He was pronounced in his loyalty, and the negroes 
 followed him blindly, and at last sent him to the State Legisla 
 ture. Here he was a great success. He catalogued the votes 
 that were purchasable, and farmed them out, selling his bonds 
 for whatever they would bring in ready money; and by the time 
 the work of reconstruction was accomplished, he was ready for a 
 larger field of usefulness. He announced himself a candidate 
 for Congress, and was triumphantly elected. 
 
 The honourable gentleman from South Carolina was very quiet 
 during the first session. Pay and mileage sufficed for his moder 
 ate needs. When the second session began, he was known to the 
 lobby as the one member who had a price, and who could 
 " arrange" with several other members for a consideration. If the 
 lobby did not respond to his just demands, he was wont to shake 
 his mutilated fist at it, referring to the two fingers "he had left at 
 Gettysburg," and finally clawing the considerations that came in, 
 with the remaining digits. He was " long," as Mr. Skillet would 
 say, in Credit Mobilier, Back Pay, and other Congressional en 
 terprises. When election time arrived, he stumped his district, 
 flourishing the same honourable scars in the faces of his black 
 constituents, and secretly dispensing large charities in exchange 
 for votes. 
 
 The name he bears is neither Bloke nor Dutchy ; but he has 
 found a level where his genius is manifested. He does not bore 
 the House with speeches, but he is looked upon as a rising man. 
 He is surrounded by competitors who give him more uneasiness 
 than the cops who threatened the peace of Dutchy's mind in the 
 forgotten past ; not that he dreads detection and exposure, but he 
 keenly feels the loss of the two fingers he left at Gettysburg, as he 
 can only steal with one hand while his competitors can steal with 
 two. 
 
 So, as he passes out of this history, the reader,, who has followed 
 his fortunes thus far, can safely leave him in the service of his 
 country. Eepublics are proverbially ungrateful, but while this 
 untiring public servant has one finger left, he can " point with 
 pride " to his prowess at Gettysburg, and can steal more and lie 
 more than any ten men in the ordinary walks of life. And if his 
 towerir.g genius shall ever lead him to attempt the theft of a red 
 hot stove, and he should fail (which is not probable) and perish in 
 the attempt, the unanimous voice of his country will invoke peace 
 to his " ashes."
 
 AND LAST. 241 
 
 CHAPTER XLIX. 
 AND LAST. 
 
 Paris, June, 1872. The beautiful city, scarred by the Com- 
 JL inune, but full of attractions. The broken column in the Place 
 Vendome fenced in, looking grim and desolate. The ruins of his 
 toric palaces a little lower down, with spruce soldiers on guard, and 
 busy sight-seers prowling around them. But all the boulevards 
 thronged with passengers. A grown man on a bicycle, darting 
 along the Eue de la Paix, avoiding carriages with French dexter 
 ity, and making great time. All the shops gay and brilliant. 
 Along the Boulevard des Italiens multitudes of cafes, with little 
 round tables on the pave, two chairs to each, and most of them 
 occupied by idlers, sipping eau sucre', or Vin Ordinaire. 
 
 A little after mid-day. For three or four hours the Bois de Bou 
 logne will be a solitude. With a pocketful of cigars, and no 
 care to vex the soul, one can loiter about the shady drives in bliss 
 ful idleness, hearing the distant note of the cuckoo, and the warb 
 ling of unnumbered nearer birds, darting about in the green can 
 opy. Go down into the Eue Scribe, just below the new Opera 
 House, and select your carriage. 
 
 " A Fheure, Monsieur P said the driver. 
 
 " Oui ! Just one o'clock stop ! Who is this coming up the 
 Eue Scribe? Mr. Skillet!" 
 
 " Is it you P said Mr. Skillet, joyfully ; " wa-al, this is a treat ! 
 Where are you goin' P 
 
 . " To the Bois de Boulogne. A dozen cigars in my pocket, and 
 three hours of quiet. Come and talk to me. I am starving for 
 the sound of a friend's voice. Come !" 
 
 " Sackery blew !" responded Mr. Skillet ; " now that's cur'ous ! 
 But I was this minnit wishin' for some fellow to talk at. Got de- 
 junny at noon, ben down to Munro's, and was jest goin' back to 
 sleep till dinner time. It's no consequence ! I'm in I" 
 
 Through the Champs Elyse'es, with fountains playing then long 
 streets, then the dusty road. We smoked in silence as we bowled 
 along. But at last came the cool green woods, with flowers all 
 along the roadway, and finally the little waterfall, and the grotto 
 with grotesque carvings on its sides. So we halted here. 
 
 " Now Mr. Skillet ! It has been seven years since I left New 
 York, and I do not know one item of American history since the 
 close of the war. Begin !" 
 
 16
 
 242 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 Mr. Skillet propped his body up carefully in his corner, put 
 his long legs on the front seat, lighted a fresh cigar and threw his 
 hat on the grass. 
 
 " Fust of all, then, the Normans. Nina went to Europe." 
 
 " Yes. The l China.' I came out at the same time. But she 
 was not visible during the voyage, and we only exchanged greet 
 ings as the ship passed Sandy Hook." 
 
 " Wa-al then, she jest fixed up her property in two days, took 
 her old school-marm with her, and skedaddled ! And she has not 
 been back since ! I have charge of her stocks and rents and 
 bonds, and I jest remit her a thousand pounds every three months, 
 and buy Gov'ments with her suplus revenue. She lives to Mentone 
 and Eome all winter, comes to Paris in June, and spends the 
 summer in Switzerland. Don't write a word to nobody 'cept to 
 me, and then she only says, ' I received your note of sich a date, 
 with the enclosure, and beg to return my thanks !' She might as 
 well have 'ein printed. Do you know that I can't make up my mind 
 to call upon her U She is in Paris now. Found her address at 
 Monroe's to-day. But I kinder draw back from seein' her, be 
 cause she mightn't like to be reminded of the old times ! She is 
 smart as a steel trap, but she and her school-marm have sot up a 
 private spiritooal shop, and they have a hull lot of tomfoolery all to 
 themselves. I have heard that she can git a revelation whenever 
 she likes. It's no consequence. But it; is a cussed shame that so 
 smart a woman should be sucked in so easy. But let her set. 
 
 " Tige Gaston ? Certainly ! Got a letter from him this very 
 day. Here it is. May as well read it to you. No secrets ! It's 
 my belief that Tige Gaston couldn't keep or have a secret five 
 minuits at a thousand dollars a minuit ! 'Taint in the breed. Dassy 
 can keep his mouth shet, because I've learned him ; but if he 
 heard two fellows talkin' about the locality of a gold mine, where 
 anybody could go and fill their pockets for nauthin', instead of 
 listenin' like any other man, he'd jest pin his ears down and whistle 
 out loud ! But I'll read the letter : 
 
 " MY DEAR ME. SKILLET : I was delighted to hear that you had 
 really sailed for Europe. Darcy. wrote me, enclosing your kind 
 note, and, this being the first day I have had since its arrival, 
 when urgent business did not occtapy me fully, you will excuse the 
 delay. Nell, who sends you kind greetings, says I shall quit law 
 and settle down to plain farming ; but I have grown so fond of my 
 profession, and am getting so penurious and grasping, that I think
 
 AND LAST. 243 
 
 I shall continue the practice a little longer. My country home is 
 a perfect paradise, though. When you return, I intend to have 
 you here to spend six months at least. I used to think this quiet 
 country beautiful seven years ago, when the best music 1 heard 
 was the songs of the birds ; but my two youngsters, Darcy and 
 Helen, aged respectively five and three, fill my house with far 
 more delightful music. My friend, there is no such thing as life 
 for human beings, in its full development, except where the voices 
 of children are constantly heard " 
 
 "Guess that's enough for Mr. Tige. He jest keeps on writin' 
 about them two brats, as if the sun and moon rose and sot for 
 them ! Sackery blew ! I never met a man that was so swallowed 
 up as Mr. Gaston. Two more pages here and nauthin' in 'em, but 
 Dassy and Helen ! It's no consequence ! 
 
 " Grey ? Ah, now you've got me. I called onto him down to 
 Washington a mouth after you sailed. He was a claim agent ; 
 but he didn't seem, to like our visit. Mr. Gastoii was with me. 
 We kinder give him a hint that we thought he ought to be hung, 
 and we got some documents that he thought -might be trouble 
 some. Anyway, he left for parts unknown. Mna told me he was 
 a kind of mesmerizer, and she was afeard of him. She never let 
 him come where she was, without having somebody else with her. 
 He was a rare devil ! Cuss his picter ! I believe the old he Boss 
 Devil jest carried him off, as nobody could find hair nor hide of 
 him. 
 
 " The Norman property ? Oh, it was all divided fair and square. 
 Nina had set her heart on a patch o' land that joined the Park, 
 and she bid a cool hundred thousand more than old Bragdou 
 would pay. I beg pardon ! Is Bragdou a relation o' yourn If No ? 
 Well, you're lucky ! So, when she got the deed, the fust thing 
 she started was a transfer to Helen my niece; but she was 
 spunky and wouldn't have it. The reason why Miss Xorman was 
 so set was, fust : an old will that had been superseded by a later 
 one ; and second, some devilish spiritooal humbug, that made her 
 as obstinate as a niuel. Then, when Helen positively refused, she 
 tried to give it to Dassy, because he was named after the proper 
 owner. But that was wuss ! You had ought to have seen that 
 whelp when she made the offer! He was settin' up. It was the 
 day after he was wounded, and she drove over to Brooklyn to see 
 him. He delivered a moral discourse to her about receiving gifts. 
 It was beautiful ! 1 thought he was a tarnation fool all the time,
 
 244 FLESH AND SPIRIT. 
 
 mind you ! but there was su'thin grand about the way that boy 
 talked! So we went back to N'Yauk, her and me, and then we 
 manosuvred 'em ! Sackery blew ! 
 
 " How was it managed ? It's a secret, but I can trust you ! She 
 jest sold Euthven's Folly to Timothy Skillet for three hundred 
 thousand dollars, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and 
 cetera, though I did not pay her uary cent, and I signed my will 
 in her presence, leavin' the same sum of money to Dassy Euthven 
 Graston and Helen Euthven, either or both, or the survivor of 
 them, and to their heirs, administrators, executors and assigns. 
 And that will is sealed up and in the hands of Philemon Coke to 
 day. It's no consequence, though ! 
 
 " Why not ? Because I've made a new will ! 
 
 u The city took the property and paid me three hundred and 
 forty-two thousand dollars, in seven per cent, bonds. The papers 
 raised Cain about Mr. Skillet's foresight and so forth. The Herald 
 said Mr. Skillet was the only man in N'Yauk that knowed the 
 true value of property ! I wrote to Nina tellin' her I had made a 
 new will, jest leavin' them same bonds, instead of the even money. 
 And I have ben creditin' Dassy's account with the interest ever 
 since, and he is worth a hundred and forty thousand dollars on 
 my books this day ! I am payin' him a salary of twenty-five hun 
 dred a year, too ! 
 
 " Dassy ? Sackery blew ! I don't know how to tell you about 
 Dassy. As soon as he sot up, after that murderin' hound had 
 shot him, dern his picter ! he says, l Mr. Skillet, I want to marry 
 your niece, and whenever I am worth enough salary, please give 
 me enough to get married on !' That's his style ! I gave him fif 
 teen hundred on the spot, and he went for her the next ininuit ! 
 
 " I tried to mancBuvre 'em, but 'twant no use. They was too 
 heavy for me. Helen refused to quit schooliu', because she had 
 agreed with Miss Keith to keep the Institoot for a year. And she 
 didn't give up tiH Miss Keith wrote to her from Florence, six 
 months after, to hand the Institoot over to one of Dragger's mem 
 bers, who was spiritooally-mmded. And she is ruunin' the Insti 
 toot this minnit. 
 
 " Married ? I should rather think so ! Got married in Sep 
 tember, and went to Kentucky for a weddin' tower. And they are 
 jest as big fools over one another to-day as they was in the honey 
 moon. 
 
 " But, Jerusalem ! I mean Sackery blew ! that ain't the wust
 
 AND LAST. 245 
 
 of it ! They live to my heouse, of course. Fd a sot it afire with 
 out insurance if they hadn't come, and they knowed it. And the 
 Boy was born there ! And he lives all over the heouse, and he 
 owns everybody in it, and if he should take a notion to howl for 
 the moon, cuss my buttons if Dassy wouldn't git it for him ! 
 
 "His name? Ho! ho! Timothy Skillet Gaston ! Sackery 
 blew I
 
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