I
 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 " Stop, sir! You are cruel, cruel! " Page 10.
 
 Right and Wrong; 
 
 OB, 
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 
 
 WITH OTHER STOEIES. 
 
 BY BELLA Z. SPENCER, 
 
 AUTHOR OF "TRIED AND TRUE;" " ORA, THE LOST WIFE," 
 ETC., ETC. 
 
 SPKINGFIELD, MASS. : 
 W. J. HOLLAND & CO. 
 
 1871.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 
 W. J. HOLLAND & COMPANY, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 SAMUEL BOWLES AND COMPANY, 
 
 PBINTEB8, ELECTROTTPER8, AND BINDERS, 
 
 SPRINGFIELD MASS.
 
 PS 
 
 INDEX TO CONTENTS. 
 
 EIGHT AND WEONG. 
 
 PAO. 
 
 CHAPTER I. The New Teacher and his School Un 
 ruly Pupils Flogging of John Truslow Geraldine 
 Interposes, and what comes of it Heart-Power 
 versus the Rod, 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. The Odd Young Lady at Prince Hill 
 Funny Roll-Call An Incipient Rebellion A Holiday, 26 
 
 CHAPTER HI. Geraldine Visits John Truslow's Home 
 A New Mother-in-Law Startling Suggestion, . . 36 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Mr. Prince's Marriage Venture He 
 Takes Counsel A Fatal Omission, 49 
 
 CHAPTER V. Excursions A Disagreeable Intrusion 
 Mr. Garten's Story Embarrassing Questions Home 
 and a Smiling Wife, 58 
 
 1592780
 
 iy CONTENTS. 
 
 ?AOH. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. The Truslow Cottage Dick's Tricks 
 The Sot A Knight's Winning Ways, 73 
 
 CHAPTER "VTI. Something Wrong Terror of Mrs. 
 Prince on Discovering Garton Her Efforts to Pre 
 vent Disclosure to her Husband Feminine Skirmish 
 ing A Difficult and Dangerous Part, 83 
 
 CHAPTER VHL Touching the Supernatural An Inci 
 dent Garton Watchful Mrs. Prince Seeks an Inter 
 view His Warning, 96 
 
 CHAPTER IX. The Artful Woman Man's Uncharity 
 Sharp Words The Midnight Meeting Strong Evi 
 dence Met by a Square Denial Garton Puzzled, . . 107 
 
 CHAPTER X. More Deception Efforts to Discover 
 Mrs. Prince's Accomplice Fears of a Premature Dis 
 closure, 116 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Garton Gains a New Ally Narrow 
 Escape The Hidden Papers, 125 
 
 CHAPTER XII. Miss Eldridge and her Lovers The 
 Sabbath in Princeton A Woman Evangelist Mrs. 
 Prince Elated, 142
 
 CONTENTS. V 
 
 FAQB. 
 
 CHAPTER XHI. Mr. Prince's Eyes Begin to Open 
 His Dreadful Suspicions The School-master must 
 Depart, 159 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. Garton is Found Murdered Arrest 
 of John Truslow for the Crime Strange Doings at 
 Prince Hill, 170 
 
 CHAPTER XV. Sunshine after a Storm Questioning 
 the Dead An Answer that was not Expected, . . 188 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. Suspicions against Mrs. Prince Her 
 Efforts to Destroy the Proof Action of her Husband, 200 
 
 CHAPTER XVTI. A Squatter's Cabin Two of the 
 School-master's Pupils The Dream, 212 
 
 CHAPTER XVm. Mr. Prince Has a Strange Visitor 
 Cunning and Cupidity Encounter with Rufus Knight 
 A Daring Charge Death of Geraldine, .... 225 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. The Private Journal of the Murdered 
 Man It is Submitted to a Lawyer Mrs. Prince Im 
 plicated in the Crime, 238 
 
 CHAPTER XX. The Woman and her Accuser The 
 1*
 
 v i CONTENTS. 
 
 PAOB. 
 
 Farce Ends Narrative of a Checkered and Sinful 
 Life, 246 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. John Truslow Released Mrs. Prince 
 Pardoned The Fate of the Guilty Conclusion, . 281 
 
 WOMAN IN THE WAR. 
 
 A Story of One, Illustrating the Spirit of Many Giving 
 her All Working and Waiting Among the Soldiers 
 "A Friend in Need" The Villainous Cook 
 " Grit "News of a Battle To the Bloody Field- 
 Incidents The Hunt, 285 
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 CHAPTER I. A Case of Circumstantial Evidence The 
 Strong Proof The Innocent Victim His Prison Ex 
 perienceComfort and Companionship of a Child- 
 Release by Death The Heritage of a Bad Name, . 313 
 
 CHAPTER n. A Seminary for Fashionable Young La 
 diesOlive Winfred and Agnes Ives A Phase of 
 Human Nature Stooping to Inferiors Which was 
 the Lady? The Word in Due Season How a Prize 
 was Won, 325
 
 CONTENTS. yii 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Olive Winfred in a New Sphere The 
 Power of Song A Wedding, but Not the End, . . 339 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Four Years after Marriage A Night 
 Scene Singular Coincidence Reappearance of an 
 Old Enemy Malice and Calumny Effect of Kind 
 ness A Case of Conscience The Innocent Vindi 
 cated" Coals of Fire," 342 
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 A Night on a Mississippi Steamer The Passengers 
 Their Amusements A Marvelous Story The Pre 
 sentiment and its Fulfillment A Guerilla, .... 357 
 
 THE COQUETTE'S FATE. 
 
 A Belle's Conquests The Victims An Appeal How 
 the Heartless Beauty was Paid in her own Coin, . . 379
 
 RIGHT AND 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MUCH IN LITTLE. 
 
 THERE was a stir, followed by profound silence in 
 the village school-room. The new master, notwith 
 standing a most kind and good-natured face, was 
 about to prove himself master, indeed, of that little 
 world where the small people had hitherto governed 
 themselves according to their inclinations, and decid 
 edly mischief-loving propensities. There was some 
 thing terrible, now, in the dark flashing eyes and 
 upraised hand of the master that slender hand, 
 grasping a rod yielding as willow, but strong as 
 steel. The little sinner under the threatening in 
 strument, looked up with flinching eyes, and flesh 
 that crept, in momentary dread of the blow. 
 
 "I give you one last chance of saving yourself 
 from a severe punishment," said the man, in deep, 
 suppressed tones. " You understand me, John 
 Truslow, and must learn this day that I mean pre 
 cisely what I say. Are you sorry for being dis 
 respectful and disobedient?"
 
 10 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 One moment the boy hesitated and shrank more 
 visibly under the rod ; then he answered with a 
 brave, clear ring in his voice : 
 "No, sir, I am not." 
 
 That was enough. Blows, thick and fast, fell upon 
 the shoulders, cohered only by a light linen, for he 
 had been commanded to remove his coat, and stood 
 in his shirt-sleeves. Some of the children covered 
 their eyes and sobbed ; others set their teeth and 
 looked on horror-stricken, while a few sprang to 
 their feet, too excited to remain in their places. 
 Then there was a sharp, sudden cry, accompanied 
 by an action which electrified both teacher and 
 scholars. A very slight girl, of ten years, darted 
 into the middle of the room, and stamping her foot, 
 imperiously shouted : 
 
 " Stop, sir ! You are cruel, cruel I " 
 Mr. Garton dropped his hand and looked at the 
 girl, then back at the boy, writhing in pain, and 
 drenched with the crimson tide freely flowing from 
 his lacerated shoulders. This it was which had 
 caused such horror among the scholars, and made 
 one of them utterly to forget herself. He understood 
 it at a glance, but knew too well the value of power 
 to risk it now by yielding an inch, though his own 
 heart was tender, in defiance of his anger ; and his 
 eye shrank from contemplating what he had done. 
 It had not been his wish to be quite so severe. Pas 
 sion had betrayed him into it. Yet he would turn 
 this to use. 
 
 " Miss Prince will resume her seat, and await pun 
 ishment for rebellious and unbecoming conduct."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 11 
 
 The passion of the child sank under his severe, 
 freezing tone, and she returned to her desk, awed 
 into silence. Her excitement had reached a turning- 
 point when she gave utterance to those words, and 
 his commanding manner did the rest. Humiliated, 
 and filled with apprehension for what was to come, 
 she bowed her head upon the desk and sat still. 
 
 "John Truslow, resume your coat," continued Mr. 
 Garton, "and stand beside me until school is dis 
 missed." 
 
 John obeyed readily, but managed to make an 
 ugly grimace while his back was turned from the 
 master, which action failed to produce the desired 
 effect. No one was disposed to laugh, then, before 
 the pallor had left their faces, or the tears could dry 
 upon their cheeks. So he stood up behind Mr. 
 Garton and dropped his eyes gravely. 
 
 " Before I dismiss the school, I desire to say to my 
 pupils that I am sorry to have been forced to use 
 such severe measures with any one placed under my 
 care. But this must be fully understood I will 
 have obedience and respect. I have come here to 
 do you good, and require only that the rules laid 
 down shall be strictly observed. I am still more 
 sorry that John Truslow should have been the first 
 to force me into so painful a position, because he 
 had been represented to me as the worst boy in 
 town, and I had made up my mind, when I looked 
 into his face, that my informers must have been 
 mistaken." 
 
 John sent a glance of surprise to Mr. Garton's 
 face, and a peculiar expression came into his eyes.
 
 12 EIGHT AND WRONG; OB, 
 
 The gentleman met it with a calm, steady gaze, but 
 continued : 
 
 " My rules are simple and plain ; and I took the 
 greatest care to impress upon every one present my 
 intention of having them strictly observed at the be 
 ginning. John has chosen to break two of them, and 
 you have seen the consequence. Let this be the last 
 time I shall have anything to do so painful. I do 
 not want to rule you by fear, however. If you do 
 what is required of you, no friend will be so kind, or 
 love you so dearly as myself." 
 
 The words, spoken in an earnest and sorrowful 
 voice, made a visible impression upon the school. 
 Mr. Garton deliberately scanned each little face, and 
 concluded his wisest course would be to say no more. 
 As he took his seat, the boy who had just been pun 
 ished, stepped out before him, and asked respectfully : 
 
 "Please, sir, may I speak ? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Well, sir, I want to say that I am now sorry for 
 being disrespectful to you. But it was not the whip 
 ping that made me sorry." 
 
 "What then?" 
 
 " What you have just said, sir. I was wrong to 
 disobey you ; but it was fun to do it, and I would 
 not say I was sorry for it, when I wasn't." 
 
 " Not even to escape a whipping?" asked the mas 
 ter, curiously. 
 
 " No, sir ; I never told a lie in my life, and I am 
 not a coward. Besides, I've got used to being 
 whipped, both for my own faults, and for what other 
 boys do."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. '13 
 
 " Very well. You can stand aside now. I accept 
 your apology, hoping that in future we may under 
 stand each other better." 
 
 John bowed, and without glancing around the 
 Bchool as usual, became occupied with his book. 
 During the remainder of the afternoon the most per 
 fect order reigned, though the child at the desk never 
 lifted her head, nor was John permitted to sit down. 
 At four o'clock the little band was set free, and evi 
 dently escaped with much joy, casting sly glances at 
 their companion, as they went. John departed with 
 the others, and was the center of attraction as they 
 turned their steps homeward. 
 
 " I say, John, ain't he a stunner ? " began one of 
 the older boys, eagerly. " He made all my hair rise 
 on my head, when he got up there! Such eyes as 
 he has, when he is mad ! And then, don't he lay it 
 on to a fellow, heavy ? " 
 
 John took out his knife and deliberately cut a 
 stick, which he whittled as he walked along. The 
 children waited to hear what he had to say. 
 
 " He's a regular brick ! " came out at last, rather 
 stunningly, from the boy. " I like him, and I don't 
 mean to be half so bad as I have been. He suits 
 me." 
 
 The children laughed, and the first speaker con 
 tinued : 
 
 "You don't mean to be so bad, 'cause you don't 
 dare to. He would whip every drop of blood from 
 your body before he'd give in. I saw that in quick 
 time." 
 
 John's lips curled.
 
 14 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " You know I ain't afraid of being whipped. I've 
 taken many a one for other boys, and two or three 
 for you, Charley Turner. But I like him because he 
 means what he says, and won't fool with us. We 
 never had a teacher that we couldn't badger into 
 anything. Remember how many we have driven 
 from the place. Mr. Garton won't stand trifling." 
 
 " He beat you like a dog," said Charley. " If he 
 was to do so to me, my father would not let me go to 
 school to him. " 
 
 " Well, if you don't mind him, he will do it ; so 
 look out, if you want to get any good out of him. 
 For my part, I think we ought to set to and try and 
 learn all we can. He knows a great deal, Mr. Prince 
 says, and I don't see the use in spending so much 
 time and money without getting something for it. 
 We can't have fun as we have had with other teach 
 ers, so we had better make up our minds to get 
 knowledge, and be men, not muffs, all our lives." 
 
 44 Hurrah ! here's a go ! " shouted Richard May, 
 swinging his cap. " John Truslow, the worst boy in 
 Princeton, has turned, preacher. I expect we'll all 
 be turned into regular saints in short order, now that 
 John has found his master." 
 
 " I say he's a trump," put in Charley again, in his 
 defense. " If John is bad, he is never mean. He 
 don't tell lies, and he ain't no coward; neither does 
 he abuse littler boys than he is. He stands up fair 
 and square, and when he is wrong, he ain't afraid to 
 say so. You have no right to badger him." 
 
 A warm discussion now rose between the two 
 boys, and John left them abruptly, to argue his cause
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 15 
 
 to their hearts' content. Whistling softly, still at 
 work upon his stick, he took a little by-street and 
 soon disappeared. The other children separated 
 singly and in pairs, till the crowd was dispersed. 
 
 In the meantime the teacher and his erring pupil 
 who still awaited punishment, were alone in the 
 school-room. Mr. Garton patiently allowed every 
 child to get beyond hearing, and a profound silence to 
 fall upon the place. He watched the sunbeams re 
 ceding from the oaken floor ; she sat still, her face 
 hidden by her heavy black hair. 
 
 " Geraldine," he said at length, and softly. 
 
 " Sir," without rising. 
 
 " Come to me." 
 
 She got up slowly, put back her hair, and con 
 fronted him with a pallid face. His hand caught 
 hers, and drew the little figure to his knee, where he 
 placed her gravely. 
 
 " I threatened to punish you," he began, " and I 
 must do it ; not as I punished John Truslow, for 
 open and deliberate defiance of my authority, but in 
 a manner befitting your offense." 
 
 " Indeed, sir, I am very, very sorry, and deserve to 
 be punished. Yet it seemed so dreadful, and. made me 
 so wild with pain, I forgot myself. If it had been to 
 save my life, I could not have helped it." 
 
 " It is more than possible that you mistake your 
 self, I think. You did not take one moment to re 
 flect that it was not your place to chide a grown-up 
 person, and your teacher. I am grieved, mortified 
 and disappointed in you. Above all others I had de 
 pended upon you to help me keep harmony and peace
 
 16 RIGHT AND WROXG ; OR, 
 
 in the school, and here I am forced to punish you 
 amono-st the first offenders, and before the first week 
 
 o 
 
 has ended." 
 
 Tears which had refused to come through all the 
 pain of the afternoon, now rose and flowed freely. 
 Bowing her face upon her hands, she sobbed as if 
 her little heart would break. 
 
 " Do you think, child, I have not tried to under 
 stand you, for your own welfare? For one month I 
 have been in your father's house, and in this time I 
 have made you a study. I know that you are high- 
 tempered and impulsive; that you are sensitive to a 
 high degree ; also, that you are truthful, honest and 
 kind. What I did not know of you was that you 
 could be capable of doing as you did to-day spring 
 ing up like a little fury, stamping your foot at me, 
 and commanding me to stop ! More than that, you 
 took it upon yourself to judge me by calling me 
 cruel before the whole school." 
 
 " Oh, sir, you hurt me ! " sobbed the child, " a 
 great deal worse than you hurt John. I could not 
 help it, then ; it seemed as if every blow fell upon 
 me ; but it was the sight of the blood that made me 
 forget myself." 
 
 For awhile both were silent, Mr. Garton's thoughts 
 were complicated. Geraldine evidently had some 
 thing else upon her mind besides her own fate, which 
 finally came out, much to the gentleman's surprise. 
 
 " I am sorry for John Truslow, always." 
 
 "And why, pray?" 
 
 "Because people have made 1 him bad by charging 
 him with every bad thing that is done and punishing
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 17 
 
 him for it. Mamma used to say they would harden 
 him into a villain, and all because he was naturally a 
 bold, merry, mischief-loving fellow, who only needed 
 proper treatment to make him superior to any other 
 in town. His father drinks and abuses him, and his 
 mother never had any control over anybody. It be 
 gan by making these people despise and ill-treat 
 their child, and he would 'always be even with those 
 who abused him. Then they took to getting him 
 punished, till finally there was not a bad thing done 
 in Princeton that was not laid to his charge, whether 
 he did it or not. Mamma used to cry about it, and 
 say it was enough to make any boy utterly reckless." 
 Mr. Garton sat still, allowing her to talk on as 
 long as she would ; and from her words he gleaned 
 a whole volume of meaning. They decided him to 
 look more closely into the character of the little 
 " scape-goat," against whom everybody had warned 
 him. If Mrs. Prince had defended him, there was 
 reason for it beyond what he had yet seen. She 
 was a lady of remarkably clear judgment and justice 
 of disposition, a part of which had descended to her 
 daughter. Geraldine had loved her mother with an 
 
 c5 
 
 idolizino- devotion, and seemed never to forget one 
 
 O ' ff 
 
 word of what she had heard her utter, quoting her 
 actions and opinions as the highest and holiest au 
 thority by which her life was guided. 
 
 " Doubtless your mother was right," said Mr. Gar- 
 ton, at length, "and I will try in future to correct 
 some of the many errors existing here. But I want 
 you to tell me what she would have thought of her 
 daughter, could she have seen her actions to-day?"
 
 18 RIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 "O, she would have been overwhelmed with grief! 
 Pray, pray don't speak of it any more ! Whip me 
 as you did John, if you like, but don't talk about it 
 any more." 
 
 " Get your hat and we will go home." 
 
 She obeyed him, and yet lingered in going out. 
 
 " What is it, Geraldine ?" 
 
 " I am so ashamed, so sorry for what I have done ! 
 Won't you say you forgive me, before we go ? " 
 
 " No, dear ; not yet. I have not punished you 
 sufficiently." 
 
 She stepped out and he followed, closing and lock 
 ing the door. He did not put out his hand to her 
 as usual, and though she walked close at his side, 
 the loving familiarity that had existed between them 
 since his coming appeared to have been suddenly 
 lost. Her eyes brimmed, and her little throat swelled 
 achingly with sobs pride could not let her give vent 
 to. 
 
 The school-house stood upon the border of a beau 
 tiful woodland, and a broad field lay between it and 
 the village. They crossed this silently, passed up 
 the straight main street to a large stone house on 
 the hill at the opposite end, and entered. By thia 
 time a new terror had restored Geraldine's courage. 
 
 O 
 
 She caught Mr. Garten's hand imploringly. 
 
 "Please do not tell papa of me!" 
 
 "I must," he answered, gently, but with an inflex 
 ible purpose in his tone. "The faults of children 
 should never be concealed from their parents. We 
 shall find him in the library. Come." 
 
 Mr. Prince was seated before a bright fire, a favor-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 19 
 
 ite book in his hand, when the young man entered, 
 leading Geraldine. He looked up, and seeing that 
 something unusual had occurred, asked what was 
 the matter. Mr. Garton deliberately stated that he 
 had found it necessary to punish very severely one 
 of his scholars, and that Miss Prince had flown into 
 a passion, ordered him to desist, and constituted her 
 self his judge. Mr. Prince looked shocked, and the 
 child ready to drop with shame and distress. 
 
 " The offense being against me, her teacher, I pre 
 sume you will deem it best to leave her wholly in my 
 hands," he concluded. 
 
 " By all means ! " was the grave response. 
 
 Mr. Garton bowed and led Geraldine from the 
 room and across the hall to the foot of the broad 
 staircase. There he paused. 
 
 " You must go to your room, and not think of joini 
 ing us as usual this evening. Your supper will be 
 sent up to you. The only thing I shall give you to 
 do is the task of examining yourself and reflecting 
 upon the talk we had last Sunday about self-govern^ 
 ment. I told you then that it was the imperative 
 law controlling the wise and good." 
 
 Without another word he left her then, and she 
 crept sobbing up the stairway, entered her own room 
 and threw herself prostrate upon the floor.. 
 
 Poor child! Her punishment was more terrible 
 for her than all the blows that had fallen upon him 
 for whose sake she suffered. Mr. Garton knew it, 
 and for this reason chose to leave her for a little while 
 entirely to herself. Still he was not wholly wise in 
 his course, since it was not possible for him to com-
 
 20 RIGHT AND WKOXG; OK, 
 
 prebend the character of his little pupil under all cir 
 cumstances, and he might not gain the desired result 
 from this rigid and cruel course of action. Cruel it 
 was, but not intentionally so. Between the firm, 
 strong man and this child had sprung up a strangely 
 tenacious and peculiar friendship because, perhaps, 
 he had many childlike qualities, and she many that 
 might be called womanly. Yet it was not in the na 
 ture of things that there should be a perfect sympathy 
 between them. Without this sympathy, how was it 
 possible for him to judge the effect upon her of his 
 hard code of government. He meant it for the best, 
 having at heart her earnest good ; and in seeking to 
 establish it through his own judgment, overreached 
 himself! 
 
 It was not natural that the two gentlemen could 
 forget the child through all that long evening, as 
 they sat chatting in the library, for her accustomed 
 chair was empty, and they missed the fair little face 
 and intelligent eyes. But they purposely avoided 
 speaking of her the teacher reluctant to allude to 
 her punishment, the parent throwing into his young 
 friend's hands the whole responsibility of his charge, 
 with a determination not to interfere. Mr. Garton's 
 wholesome rule was greatly needed in Princeton ; Mr. 
 Prince had been the first to propose and induce his 
 coming, and he would not be the first to put himself 
 in the way of his chances to do good by questioning 
 the wisdom or justice of his course. So it happened 
 that while Geraldine wept, and writhed upon the 
 floor in her disgrace and wretchedness, her name was 
 not once mentioned below, except by the servants,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. Cl 
 
 who secretly murmured against the " hard young 
 master," of whom they stood in awe while they liked 
 him. 
 
 Mr. Garton's room, for the sake of convenience, 
 had been appointed him in conjunction with the li 
 brary, so that he had only to throw open a side door 
 and enter it after bidding good-night to his friend and 
 patron. Then he sat down, leaning his head upon 
 his hand, when the glow of a pleasant little fire 
 flashed across his features. The nights at Princeton 
 were nearly always chilly, even in summer time, and 
 the young man had a great love for the little sparkle 
 and glow upon the hearth which made the room so 
 cheerful. He sighed now, thinking of his pupil, who 
 dearly loved to be allowed to sit beside him and talk 
 in their strangely familiar way, after study hours. 
 Geraldine was in nothing like other girls of her age, 
 and never retired until she chose to go of her own 
 free will. Many things were more singular at Prince 
 Hill than this, as we shall see in time. It was not so 
 very odd, however, that an only daughter, made 
 motherless in her sixth year, should have had her 
 own way in everything all her life ; and this thought 
 gave a more serious import to the punishment he had 
 inflicted upon her, when Mr. Garton had time for 
 more quiet reflection. 
 
 Suddenly the young man withdrew his glance from 
 the tiny heap of ruddy coals, and looked up to see 
 the object of his thoughts only a little way from him, 
 standing with her hands upon the back of a high 
 chair, and her burning glance fixed with a strange, 
 fierce glitter upon his face.
 
 22 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " Geraldinc ! is it possible that you are here ! and 
 at ten o'clock nay, it is almost eleven ! I thought 
 you asleep." 
 
 She did not seem to heed his surprise, and was in 
 tent only upon giving expression to her own feelings. 
 Her words, uttered in a clear, bitter tone, startled 
 him. 
 
 " I felt ashamed and sorry to have been rude to you, 
 and I begged you to forgive me. If it had been my 
 mother, she would have drawn me to her bosom, 
 and kissed me ; and then I should have felt glad and 
 happy, and would have resolved never again to pain 
 her. I would have been able to lie down in my little 
 bed and sleep, like a good child. But you refuse to 
 forgive me ! You shut me up in my room with my 
 miserable shame and angry thoughts, and think to 
 subdue me. You cannot do it ! You are cruel and 
 unkind, and you make me feel too wicked to think 
 of anything good. If you treat me this way when 
 I feel so badly, I shall hate you, for I do not deserve 
 to be treated so. I spoke the truth ! " 
 
 " Geraldine, what is the matter with you?" he 
 cried in amazement. " This cannot be my gentle 
 little friend, with whom I have been so happy. Come 
 here and let me talk seriously with you." 
 
 " No," she answered stubbornly, " I am not gen 
 tle I cannot be, when you are unjust. I did speak 
 the truth you were cruel to whip poor John Trus- 
 low so dreadfully, because he was honest enough to 
 speak out and say he was not sorry when he was 
 not. If he had lied and said he was, you would 
 have let him go, and he'd have done the same thing
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 23 
 
 again. But he told the truth like a brave boy, and 
 took a beating for it. Then when I spoke you pun 
 ished me too. I couldn't help it, and I was sorry to 
 have been disrespectful to you, and you might have 
 forgiven me." 
 
 Mr. Garton was not angered by this freak of his 
 little favorite. On the contrary, something in her 
 voice and manner showed him that she suffered 
 keenly, and made him question earnestly within him 
 self. With one stride he caught the little burning 
 hands, drew her to his knee ./esistingly, and sat 
 down, holding her fast. 
 
 "My child, have I indeed been cruel to you? 
 Have I almost broken your little heart?" (He felt 
 that it throbbed painfully against his arm.) " Let us 
 be patient for awhile. I think we have not quite 
 learned to understand each other fully. Now. I see 
 by this hot cheek and blazing eye, what I had not 
 intended to excite. Take my forgiveness, Geraldine, 
 and let us be better friends." 
 
 She laid her head wearily against his shoulder, but 
 though the strained expression passed from her face, 
 she did not look satisfied. Thoughtfully watching 
 her, he asked : 
 '"What is it, child?" 
 
 " I cannot understand it at all things are so deep. 
 You have so often told me the importance of self- 
 control always." 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 " And you lost yours to-day you forgot your 
 self, and beat John until the blood ran in a stream ! 
 Oh, it was awful ! "
 
 24 K1GHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 It seemed as if she could not banish that picture 
 from her mind, and shuddered violently, hiding her 
 eyes. He was very grave, feeling an uncomfortable 
 justice in her rebuke. 
 
 " And have you disobeyed me a second time 
 come out of your room to me here close upon mid 
 night to impress upon me the necessity of casting 
 the beam from my own eye before plucking the mote 
 from my brother's?" 
 
 Mr. Garton hid a smile behind her heavy black hair. 
 
 " I felt as if I should go mad up there. If I had 
 not come, I should have been very ill, and I would 
 rather be punished for both at once, than to stay 
 there. Besides, I want to know why every one 
 even you, tells me that things are wrong, then does 
 them in spite of their being so. I cannot under 
 stand it." 
 
 " Things that are wrong for you might not be for 
 me." 
 
 She looked up into his face with her clear, search 
 ing eyes. 
 
 " My mother told me that those things which in 
 volved great principles, were the same in child or 
 man. She never told me .anything that was not 
 true." 
 
 This staggered him so strange and positive, com 
 ing from such childish lips. There was no real cow 
 ardice in the action, but he did feel the need of think 
 ing deeply before coping with so exacting a mind as 
 Geraldine's. So he put her off his knee gently, and 
 said, looking steadily into her face : 
 
 " Sometime I may be able to make you understand
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST.' 25 
 
 why there cannot be discussions of this nature be 
 tween us. Wait until you are in a calmer state, and 
 I able to explain these things to you better. I am 
 weary now, and ^ou ought to be asleep. Come, I 
 will take you to bed." 
 
 She suffered him to take her hand, but sighed 
 heavily as he led her out. 
 
 "It is always the way! If I cannot understand, 
 and want to, I am always told to wait." 
 
 " Because it is best for you. Child, you are too 
 impatient, and are trying to live ahead of your time. 
 I promise you to try to help you the better to under 
 stand people and things in the future. Now promise 
 me to go to bed will you ! " 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " There ! That is like my Geraldine as I thought 
 her. Good-night." 
 
 He put her gently through the door, drew her 
 back again to kiss her, then shut her out. 
 
 She went to bed, and soon fell asleep. He, in very 
 singular mood, paced his room nearly all night. 
 3
 
 26 EIGHT AND WRONG; OB, 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 A RARE BIRD. 
 
 " AUTHORS are often accused of exaggeration in 
 their descriptions of children. I wish the cavilers 
 could see your daughter at this moment." 
 
 Mr. Prince who had just entered the library, while 
 waiting for the breakfast bell to ring, came smilingly 
 to Mr. Garton's side, as he stood at the window, 
 overlooking the large rear yard. 
 
 "Few will stop to think that those prodigies are 
 selected from the rare ones," he answered. " Yet I 
 scarcely blame them, since it needs the personal in 
 terest of parent, kindred or dearest friends to invest 
 them with wonderful charms. Geraldine is odd, and 
 has interested her teacher, for which I am thankful ; 
 but to most people she is a wilful, saucy child, excit 
 ing more anger than love, I fear." And he sighed. 
 
 "How can you say it?" said the young man in 
 warm deprecation. "In all my life I have never 
 seen her equal. She puzzles, perplexes and makes 
 me love her, but I cannot be vexed in the least de- 
 .gree. Her powers of thought amaze me, and her 
 decision of character is quite as remarkable. Such 
 a memory is rarely bestowed upon any one, while
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 27 
 
 the use she makes of the knowledge she gains, is not 
 only odd, "but amusing. For the last quarter of an 
 hour, I have been watching and listening without 
 her knowledge, and I have made a new discovery." 
 
 "What is it?" 
 
 " That this strange little daughter of yours has a 
 reason for everything she does, and attaches some 
 especial meaning to everything around her. It was 
 but a day or two ago, that I came in here, and found 
 her with a large Bible upon her knee. Not seeming 
 to notice her, I passed curiously around where I 
 could see the portion she had chosen, when all at 
 once she shut the book with a snap, exclaiming : 
 * There ! I have a name at last for my speckled hen! ' 
 and ran out of the room. This morning, the mys 
 tery has been solved. Having my attention drawn 
 by her manrcuvres, to a very wicked little hen, I ob 
 served that she was speckled, and heard the little lady 
 call her Jezebel ! " 
 
 Both gentlemen laughed. 
 
 " Did she ever ask you for your Christian name?" 
 inquired Mr. Prince. 
 
 " Yes the first day of my arrival here. Perhaps 
 I owe to that fact, her sudden and almost perfect 
 confidence in me. It is decidedly flattering." 
 
 "Nathaniel 'the good.' Rather, I confess; but 
 I must say that your face and manner probably had 
 a good deal to do with it. I have been surprised to 
 find at times how acutely she analyzes character. In 
 nearly everything, my child is like her mother." 
 
 Instantly Mr. Garton was interested, it was so 
 seldom his friend allowed himself to speak of his
 
 28 EIGHT AND WRONG; OK, 
 
 dead wife. To draw him out more fully, he re 
 marked with all sincerity : 
 
 " Mrs. Prince must have been a very rare woman." 
 
 "I have never seen never can. see her like on 
 earth. If mortals can be purely faultless, she was 
 so. Yet she was strong in every trait of character 
 not merely mild, insipidly good. She could meet 
 the world, mingle with it, combat its evils, root out a 
 few, soften many down, and yet receive no stain. 
 Geraldine inherits her peculiar beauty of form and 
 feature, her deeply searching nature and her loving- 
 ness of disposition. Probably when she grows older 
 she may have her clear strength of judgment and 
 self-control. Yet I fear not, at times." 
 
 "I have often wondered where the child could 
 have gained all her peculiar traits, since there is not 
 one in the house who is like her. That which would 
 at once attract the attention of a stranger, is her pre 
 cision of language. I have scarcely been able to de 
 tect in her a single error in her choice of words and 
 construction of sentences, while she seems to have a 
 particular aversion to abbreviations. With an this 
 precision, her language, while it is odd, is never stiff." 
 
 " All from her mother. While she lived, Gerald 
 ine had no other constant companion, and it is not 
 surprising that she should have grown into her 
 habits. Besides, the poor little thing worshiped her ; 
 you have noticed that?" 
 
 " Yes new proof every day. I think Geraldine 
 possesses an unusually impressible and tenacious na 
 ture, especially where her affections are engaged. 
 And I have been thinking this morning how fearful
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 29 
 
 it would have been, had she been brought under dif 
 ferent influences in her earliest years. Now the 
 greatest danger is past, for she is no tame, yielding 
 thing, even where she loves, as I have discovered." 
 
 Mr. Prince looked inquiringly at him, and the 
 young man explained what had happened the night 
 previous. 
 
 " I can trust you to be careful, Garton," said the 
 father gravely. " Do not lose your mastery over 
 her, or I may sometime have reason to be very sorry. 
 You will do her good, if you can only manage her." 
 
 " Thank you, my friend ; and believe that I am 
 grateful for your confidence and good opinion. As 
 my life, I will faithfully guard the welfare of your 
 young daughter." 
 
 Just then the subject of conversation looked up 
 and discovered the two pairs of eyes bent upon her, 
 smiled brightly, nodded, and resumed her occupation 
 with her pets, which were many and varied. From 
 the beautiful young horse straining vainly at his hal 
 ter in the stable, down to a lame puppy in the ken 
 nel, she had won love, abundant and faithful, which 
 she returned with fervor. For every one according 
 to its recognized disposition and value, she had a 
 name that was significant, obtained no one knew 
 how, but when analyzed, always found to mean just 
 what she intended. 
 
 " Seeing her surrounded by that brood of chick 
 ens, reminds me of something that greatly amused us 
 at the time," said Mr. Prince, still regarding her 
 with his fond smile. "When she was about three 
 years old, her greatest delight was to be carried into
 
 30 EIGHT AND WRONG; OK, 
 
 the poultry-yard, and to count, in her baby fashion, 
 the new ones added to the lot. But one day she was 
 taken ill, and we soon found that she had a light at 
 tack of that unpleasant disease, the chicken-pox. 
 For some time she was kept in the house, but the 
 first thing she asked for on recovering, was the ' 'ittle 
 chittens.' Accordingly, she was carried out, and 
 looked long, and with earnest purpose, amongst the 
 swarms of little chirpers. Finally, with most amus 
 ing gravity, she pointed at one poor, stunted thing, 
 that had been pecked half to death by the stronger 
 ones of the brood, and said, solemnly : 
 
 ' You are the chitten that gave me the chitten- 
 pox.' " 
 
 "Just like her," laughed Mr. Garton ; and then, 
 as the bell rang, turned with his patron to the break 
 fast-room. Geraldine was there as quickly, looking 
 fresh as a rose. First kissing her father, she ran to 
 Mr. Garton, and after a like salutation, whispered in 
 his ear : 
 
 " I want you, please, to let me stay at home from 
 school to-day. May I ? " 
 
 " What for ? I must have a good reason." 
 
 " Oh, please, trust me this time. I will study to 
 make up the time lost, at home. I want very much 
 to do something here." 
 
 " Shall we consult your papa about it ? " 
 
 " If you please to do so." 
 
 "What is it?" asked Mr. Prince, overhearing. 
 
 O 
 
 " Miss Prince desires a holiday for some reason of 
 her own, which she declines to give. Do you think 
 I may indulge her?"
 
 SHE TOLL) THE TliUTH AT LAST. bl 
 
 "Act precisely as you think best, as it is a matter 
 that comes under your direction alone." 
 
 " Then I will grant it, provided she gives me ex 
 planations at a more convenient season." 
 
 " if it is to be a conditional permission, I will with 
 draw my request," she answered, taking her place al 
 the table ; and during the meal she was grave and 
 silent. 
 
 In the interval between breakfast and school-time 
 Geraldine disappeared. But when the young master 
 stepped from his room into the hall, she was there 
 awaiting him. For a moment he was tempted to bid 
 her remain, if she wished it, but reconsidered the 
 matter, and they went out together. No sign of re 
 bellion appeared in their quiet walk to the school^ 
 house ; she was quite docile and obedient by will and 
 manner that was plain. He made a few remarks 
 which she answered simply, and so they entered the 
 school-room, where the whole school had gathered in 
 confusion. Loud disputing had been perceptible be* 
 fore they reached it, which subsided at once on the 
 master's approach ; but his keen eyes saw that some 
 thing was amiss. Geraldine glided to her place 
 through the crowd, while the master stood up in 
 their midst and demanded the cause of such confu 
 sion. Pretty soon he learned that some injudicious 
 persons had chosen to take exception to his rules, 
 and their heedless discussions before the children 
 had sown the seeds for an incipient rebellion. There 
 were signs of a necessity for his abdication, or prepar 
 ing himself for open war. Some one said that John 
 Truslow's father had flown into a rase and had beaten
 
 32 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 his son again for having allowed the school-master to 
 flog him ; and under its smart the desperate boy had 
 threatened to kill Mr. Garton. Others said their 
 parents had declared no man should whip their chil 
 dren so, and the master must take a different course, 
 or leave the town. Under all this, Mr. Garton re 
 mained perfectly calm, and in the midst of the grow 
 ing clamor, called the school to order. 
 
 As usual, the roll was called. John Truslow, being 
 the eldest, was first upon the list, but did not respond. 
 A moment afterwards, however, he stepped in, took 
 off his hat and bowed respectfully, then assumed his 
 proper place. One quick, keen glance showed Mr. 
 Garton that the boy was very pale and looked weary ; 
 but there was nothing evil or vindictive in his face. 
 
 As the names were called, responses at first came, 
 promptly and respectfully. When it reached the 
 middle class of boys, neither large nor small, there 
 was a general stir, anxious and expectant ; then one 
 eaucy little fellow cried out boldly : 
 
 " On hand, like a burnt boot." 
 
 Mr. Garton did not seem to heed. The next name 
 was pronounced, to which a like answer came : " On 
 hand, like a sick kitten." 
 
 " Thomas Carlisle," said the master, still oblivious. 
 
 " All right, like a squirrel with head and tail up." 
 
 At this there was an explosion, and Mr. Garton 
 stopped short. 
 
 " Young gentlemen, I am confident that you have 
 been incited to this by other parties. Stand out here 
 and tell me instantly, who prompted you to such acts 
 of insolence and disrespect."
 
 SUE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 33 
 
 His manner was too positive and terrible for dis 
 obedience, yet they seemed half inclined to rebel 
 against the command. When they stood before him, 
 he repeated the question. 
 
 " We won't tell," said the first boy, sturdily. 
 
 " You will tell me this : -Was it John Truslow ? " 
 
 " No," simultaneously. 
 
 " I knew it was not. Go to your seats. I will 
 deal with you another time. John Truslow, I want 
 to say to you that I am glad to find you had nothing 
 to do with this shameful matter. But it has been 
 said to me this morning, that you threatened to kill 
 me. What answer do you make to the charge?" 
 
 " That it is not true." And Mr. Garton knew he 
 spoke the truth. 
 
 " Is it true that your father punished you a second 
 time ? and for allowing yourself to be punished by 
 me?" 
 
 John hesitated, then answered with ashen lips and 
 eyes that glared, 
 
 " Yes, sir, it is true." 
 
 " How is it that I find you here so promptly this 
 morning, after such hard usage ? You are reported 
 to me as one who attends school when it pleases you 
 not otherwise." 
 
 " My father did forbid my coming, sir, but I pre 
 ferred to come. My schooling is paid by the county, 
 and as I work nights and mornings in paying for 
 what I eat and wear, I do not consider he has a right 
 to command me when his commands are against my 
 best interests. I have made up my mind to study 
 and try to become a useful man."
 
 84 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 The clear, honest tone in which the boy uttered 
 the words, caused Mr. Garton's blood to tingle along 
 his veins pleasantly. He looked into his eyes and 
 said with sincerity : 
 
 " I believe you will, John, and I do also believe, 
 in spite of your waywardness and bad reputation, 
 that at heart you are a noble and generous boy." 
 
 " Thank you, sir. I will never forget your words 
 while I live ; and you will see, sir, that I can be 
 good, though I have been very bad." 
 
 " Very well. Now young gentlemen, you are to 
 take your hats and leave this room in order, and 
 with perfect respect. The boy who dares to infringe 
 upon one rule of politeness in the slightest degree, 
 shu^Hae made to feel my displeasure .quite as severely 
 as John has felt both mine and his father's. For 
 this day go ; you have a holiday. To-morrow I 
 shall expect every one of you back, and that you 
 will come prepared to act as pupils guided by a 
 master not as rebels against his authority." 
 
 Greatly astonished, the boys obeyed. This was 
 an entirely new method of dealing with their daring, 
 and they could not guess what was to come. As 
 they trooped off in various directions, some sadly 
 frightened, others bent upon a merry day, Mr. Garton 
 took Gerald ine and walked rapidly back to Prince 
 Hill. On the way he never spoke once, but looked 
 very pale and stern. Iji the hall, however, he 
 stooped to her tenderly, kissing her troubled brow 
 with a brother's fondness. 
 
 " Do not be troubled, my child ; all this will end 
 to-day. Take the holiday you asked, which I must
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 35 
 
 now give you perforce, and let no thought of what 
 has happened mar your happiness." 
 
 " Only tell me you will not go away," she begged, 
 with an anxious voice. 
 
 " I will not." 
 
 He was confident, and she was satisfied. While 
 he went to seek Mr. Prince, she flitted away, intent 
 upon some project of her own. 
 
 For a time the two gentlemen gravely discussed 
 the occurrence of the morning, after which, horses 
 were ordered out, and they mounted for a tour 
 through the district of which the school was com 
 posed. What arguments were used to convince 
 people that Mr. Garton was not an ogre, and that his 
 judgment might be fully trusted, are not known. 
 But it is certain that the tide of popular opinion 
 changed, and that the young man resumed his duties 
 with the certainty of their co-operation. For the 
 first time in years, the teacher was suffered to re 
 main in the school unmolested, after that first onset, 
 and not only gave satisfaction, but was induced to 
 remain when the trial term expired.
 
 36 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A BODY WITHOUT A SOUL. 
 
 No sooner had Mr. Prince and his friend ridden 
 from the house than Geraldine, with her usual free 
 dom of manner, slipped through a side gate into a 
 lane and ran down the hill, from the foot of which 
 she turned off into a miserable street leading to Mrs. 
 Truslow's cottage. She found the woman sullen and 
 gloomy, dolefully sitting. over her neglected work, 
 whilst John tried to comfort her. The child was no 
 stranger to this abode, evidently, and glided in like 
 one who had a right to expect a welcome. She had 
 it, John rising hastily to place his own stool for her, 
 which his mother as hastily brushed off with her 
 apron. 
 
 "You have been crying again," said Geraldine, 
 compassionately. 
 
 " Tears ain't no new thing to me, you know, miss. 
 I was born into sorrow, and I shall die of it at last. 
 For my part I can't see no use in such miserable 
 critters comin' into the world." 
 
 " Mother's fretting because she thinks the school's 
 broke up and I shall get no more learning." 
 
 Geraldine's face flushed all over with a sudden 
 joyful light.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 37 
 
 " John, I bring you good news. Papa and Mr. 
 Garton have gone out, I think, to visit the people, 
 and as he started, Mr. Garton promised me he would 
 not leave ; so I know he will arrange matters some 
 way." 
 
 John looked at her earnestly. 
 
 " If he promised you to stay, he'll do it, and I 
 am glad. He makes me feel like trying to be some 
 thing, and I like him. If it's a whipping he prom 
 ises, why a fellow is sure to get it ; and if it's a good 
 word he says, there is some comfort in believing he 
 means it." 
 
 " Yes, indeed," cried Geraldine, warmly, pleased 
 with John's confidence in her friend, " and I do think, 
 John, that he means to be good to you. I talked to 
 him about what mamma used to say of you, and he 
 seemed very much interested." 
 
 " What did she say of me ? " and a faint glow be 
 gan to rise on John's brown cheeks. 
 
 " Kind things, you may be assured ; when was my 
 mother ever unkind to mortal ? " 
 
 " She was good," averred Mrs. Truslow, who had 
 resumed her doleful posture and her pipe, a black 
 thing whose odor made her visitor shudder with dis 
 gust. " You'll never get such another mother as she 
 was. Indeed I do pity you when I think what you 
 may have to go through in the future. Step-mothers 
 is nearly always bad." 
 
 " What do you mean ? " asked the child, with 
 wondering tone and eyes. "I do not understand 
 you." 
 
 " Oh, well, never mind ! Time enough to meet
 
 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 trouble when it comes. I never have to go far to 
 find mine, but it's different with you." 
 
 " I must know what you mean," cried Geraldine, 
 now roused and fearful, seeing how vainly John's 
 warning glances strove to check his mother. 
 
 " Is it possible you do not know your father's go 
 ing to get married again ? I thought he'd 'a told 
 you his only child." 
 
 " Oh, mother, it's only the town gossip, and who's 
 going to believe that unless it be some new evil 
 against me ; then everybody will believe it, of course. 
 Now I come to think of it, do you know, Miss Prince, 
 who told Mr. Garton I had threatened to kill him?" 
 
 " No. It was one of the boys up at the school- 
 house ; but in the confusion I cannot say which one." 
 
 " I wish I could find out." 
 
 "What for?" 
 
 " To teach the fellow that truth is better than 
 falsehood sometimes. How I hate liars ! I had 
 rather be skinned alive than tell a lie ! " 
 
 " Never mind the others then. If you try to find 
 out, perhaps it will get you into some foolish trouble, 
 which is useless, since Mr. Garton believes your as 
 sertion that you did not make the threat." 
 
 " But you know John couldn't live if he wasn't 
 always gettin' into somethin' or other," snapped Mrs. 
 Truslow. " He's got the name of bein' bad, and goes 
 on to worse day after day. He gets into fights, then 
 gets whipped at school for fightin', then he comes 
 home and gets whipped for bein' whipped at school. 
 The boy'd better been born dead than live the dog's 
 life he's livin' ! "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 39 
 
 " It will not last always, mother. Only wait until 
 I get enough education to make a showing, and I 
 will find some kind of work to do that will pay better 
 than the little father gets. Then we will live in a 
 nice house, and you shall have good clothes." 
 
 At this Geraldine, who had remained very thought 
 ful for some moments, looked up and smiled, as she 
 took a small roll of something from her pocket. 
 
 " I brought something for you to make John some 
 nice collars and a bosom," she said, and I had in 
 tended to ask you to cut them out and let me help 
 you to make them to-day, so he could look nice at 
 school, you know. Now I think I do not feel like 
 staying ; but I will help you some other time. It is 
 very odd ! " 
 
 " What is odd ?" asked John. 
 
 " Why, that the things we wish most to do should 
 be done" through difficulties. I asked for a holiday 
 to-day, just to come here. But Mr. Garton refused 
 me because I would not tell him what I wanted to 
 do. When he dismissed the school, I thought then 
 that I was free any way ; and now, I am here, I do 
 not want to do the work." 
 
 " Mother has troubled you with all that non 
 sense!" cried John, regretfully. "Don't mind it, 
 Miss Geraldine." 
 
 " I cann6t help it, until I ask my father if it is true." 
 
 She uttered this in a low voice, as if it was an 
 effort. Then after a few more words she ran off 
 saying as she went out : 
 
 " Do not forget Saturday, John. You will come 
 and help the gardener."
 
 40 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " Yes, I'll be sure to come." 
 
 That was the way John was to pay for the new 
 collars. This odd little lady was not chary of giv 
 ing aid to those around her, but she always found 
 something for them to do in return, that they might 
 not be gifts so much as payment for labor. She 
 had early learned the lesson of inculcating prin 
 ciples noble and worthy; arid this, too, from that 
 matchless mother sleeping in the distant church 
 yard, whose white shafts and glaring monuments 
 shot up dazzlingly in the bright sunlight of this 
 lovely morning. 
 
 That was a wretched day for poor Geraldine. 
 She wandered through the house aimlessly, from 
 the house to the garden, and all through the shrub 
 bery. She gathered flowers and filled all the vases 
 in parlor, library and chamber; then she tried to 
 read, and finding she could not sought her pets, 
 where the great absorbing interest of her heavy lit 
 tle heart made it impossible to enjoy being with 
 them. 
 
 At length the gentlemen rode, laughing and chat 
 ting, under the archway and dismounted. Geral 
 dine was down stairs in a moment, and flew to meet 
 them. But it was Mr. Garten's hand she caught 
 first. 
 
 "Is all the trouble over?" 
 
 " I think so, my anxious little pupil. At any rate, 
 I shall not go away yet awhile. Look at her cheeks 
 and eyes, Mr. Prince. Are they not flattering testi 
 mony of pleasing interest in my welfare ? " 
 
 " Very. Well, daughter, what is it?"
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 41 
 
 Geraldine had slipped from her teacher's clasp, 
 and had hold of his hand. She was tremblino- like 
 
 O 
 
 a leaf: 
 
 " Papa, if you please, I want to speak with you 
 alone for a few moments," she faltered. 
 
 "Heyday! what important subject demands con 
 sultation now. Has Jezebel met her fate, and been 
 eaten by the dogs?" 
 
 " Oh, papa, please ! Do not laugh at me. I want 
 you very much." 
 
 " Very well, child ; but wait until I have had my 
 dinner. Be useful ; run and tell the housekeeper 
 to order it served at once ; we have fasted since 
 breakfast." 
 
 She loosed his hand and sped away swiftly ; and 
 then waited with throbbing heart and burning cheeks 
 for the wished-for hour to arrive, when she might 
 know the truth. During dinner the gentlemen 
 seemed in high spirits, recounting the adventures of 
 the day with much relish. But though she was 
 keenly alive to all that concerned Mr. Garton, the 
 little creature ate in silence, putting no question to 
 either, answering them only when necessary. 
 
 This excitement and pre-occupation did not escape 
 the observing eyes of Mr. Garton, and he tried to 
 aid her by going at once to his own room the 
 moment they left the table, wondering meanwhile, if 
 she would tell him likewise, what had so much dis 
 turbed her. 
 
 Mr. Prince went whistling into the library, a 
 youthful habit which had returned to him quite re 
 cently, and had forgotten the child's eagerness for a 
 4*
 
 42 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 private interview, when her troubled face appeared 
 before him, as he sat down by the window. 
 
 " So, so ! I had forgotten you, pussy. "Well, now, 
 let us have the secret." 
 
 "Oh, papa, answer me quickly, please; 'yes' or 
 'no.' Am I going to have a step-mother?" 
 
 He started as if a pistol had gone off near him ; 
 but her slender hands caught his and held them 
 fast. 
 
 " Where on the earth did you get such an idea?" 
 he asked when he could command himself, thrilled 
 by her intense, burning gaze. 
 
 " Only tell me if it is true ? " 
 
 " But there are some things little girls cannot 
 question their elders about, and preserve a proper 
 delicacy in handling sacred matters." 
 
 " Papa, papa, you torture me ! Only in this, do 
 tell me!" 
 
 " I believe you have lost your senses, child! Still 
 I will tell you, what you must know sooner or later. 
 I shall bring a new mistress to Prince Hill, this 
 autumn a beautiful, grand new mamma, my Ger- 
 aldine." 
 
 White as death she sank upon a stool and cov 
 ered her face with trembling fingers. To her this 
 blow was awful, and he could not see how he had 
 hurt her, though an undefined dread had sealed his 
 lips upon a hint of the coming change in his home. 
 Perhaps he had thought it best to bring home the 
 new wife, and trust to her powers of fascination over 
 this little worshiper of the dead. 
 
 " Papa," she gasped, " how can you ? No one !
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 43 
 
 Oh, there is no one so good, or that can be so beau 
 tiful, ag my own mother ! " 
 
 " Why, darling, as to that, I think you are not a 
 judge," he answered, touched by her overwhelming 
 distress, and feeling the old tenderness of hL> first 
 love sweeping full upon him as he stooped to draw 
 her up to his bosom : " You will learn as you grow 
 older, that the world is filled with beautiful women, 
 many of whom are good and true. You kuow I 
 would not bring any other, knowingly, to reign 
 where she has reigned. See, Geraldine, how lovely 
 she is." 
 
 He lifted her drooping brow with his hahd and 
 gently placed under her gaze a miniature. She seized 
 it with a gesture almost fierce, and gazed with eager 
 eyes and parted lips, her breath coming fast and 
 thick. Startled at this phase in her character, not a 
 little awed by the force of her passion which he was 
 made to feel, rather than see, the young father re 
 garded his child while she scanned the picture hun 
 grily. He hoped to see the dark eyes soften, the 
 parted lips close contentedly under the spell of 
 beauty. But she dropped it slowly, and, leaving 
 the golden case lying in his hand, sank once more 
 upon the stool at his feet. Her action had been that 
 of a child thirsting for a draft from a cup suddenly 
 revealed. She had stretched her hands too quickly 
 for denial, drank with avidity, and found the taste 
 too bitter for her childish philosophy. 
 
 " Geraldine, my daughter, how strangely you act ! 
 What have you to say of her whom you will one 
 day know, as next dearest to you, with myself? "
 
 44 JUG in AND WKO.NG; OR, 
 
 To his profound astonishment, she answered him 
 with a single terse sentence, rendered still more 
 startling by the manner in which she uttered it : 
 
 " Corpus sine pectore ! " 
 
 With that, she fled, and he heard her swift feet 
 pattering upon the hall floor until the sounds were 
 lost on the carpet stairway. A great heaviness set 
 tled upon his heart. This child was very dear to 
 him, and he was going to render her miserable, per 
 haps. And yet, as he sadly pondered, distress gave 
 place to hope. He trusted so wholly in the power 
 of his new love, it seemed impossible that any one 
 ever could be unhappy under her influence. When 
 did man's philosophy ever fail to gather strength 
 from the tender passions? He wished that this thing 
 might be, and his own infatuation told him that 
 it was easy of accomplishment. So he dismissed 
 troublous thoughts, and took his cigar out upon the 
 piazza where he was soon joined by Mr. Garton. 
 
 They sat talking quietly for an hour ; but often 
 through the lulls of the conversation, the father 
 seemed to hear that passionate reply to his question, 
 which sounded so strangely from the lips of such a 
 child. At length he said, as if seeking some relief 
 from the thoughts it called up : 
 
 " I see you have been teaching Dine Latin." 
 
 "I? No. I have frequently observed that she 
 used Latin phrases, but do not know where she ac 
 quired them, if you did not teach her." 
 
 " I am not fond of teaching children, and by no 
 means apt to teach them dead languages. She has 
 picked this up, I suppose, as she does everything."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 45 
 
 Nothing more was said on the subject, and shortly 
 afterward the gentlemen returned to the library, 
 their usual evening haunt. Each took a book and 
 was soon absorbed in the contents, so when Geraldine 
 crept slyly in, her face pale and tear-stained, neither 
 noticed her presence for some time. She managed 
 to slip a chair along the book-case where she could 
 reach the volume she desired, and taking it to a low 
 seat just back of where Mr. Garton sat, became as 
 much absorbed as he. 
 
 Thus the three sat for nearly half an hour, until 
 the silence was disturbed by Geraldine, who glided 
 to her father's side and placed her open book upon 
 his knee. Her finger pointed to an engraving, rep 
 resenting Catherine de Medicis, the features so start- 
 lingly like those of the miniature, that Mr. Prince 
 turned pale and trembled. There was the large dark 
 eye, the delicate yet pouting lips, the straight nose 
 and oval cheeks, with the chin so indicative of subtle 
 and deadly power. As he looked into the child's sad 
 eyes fixed upon his full and steadfastly, he felt that 
 she had gained a singular power over him. 
 
 " What am I to understand by this ? " he asked, 
 more disposed to question and argue, than to com 
 mand. 
 
 " This history says the engraving is from a picture 
 painted from life and very like. I have studied it a 
 great deal, and whenever I saw people who had any 
 features like hers, I tried to study them also; to see 
 if they had any traits of character like hers. At first 
 the coloring of miniature made me forget whom it 
 resembled, and it was so beautiful I did want to love
 
 46 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 her. But all at once I saw the same features, and I 
 thought of the description I had seen of her hair and 
 eyes. Then I knew that she was ' a body without a 
 soul.' " 
 
 " Suppose I grant the wondrous resemblance ? 
 You will admit that I ought to know the vast differ 
 ence in real character ? " 
 
 " Nature does not lie," answered the child firmly. 
 " Besides, you could not see it, perhaps ; because, as 
 mamma used to say, it is so hard to see evil in 
 those we love. Catherine de Medicis was noted for 
 her fascinating manners, which, together with her 
 beauty, gave her unexampled power over various 
 minds. Her youth was a deception, her middle age 
 unnatural and shocking. She lured her own chil 
 dren into debaucheries that she might by weakening 
 their minds the more easily control them as she 
 pleased. Then came the murder of the Calvinists, 
 in which it is said forty thousand souls were sent to 
 their Creator through her instrumentality. Oh, it 
 was awful ! Yet how many, how very many really 
 good people loved her." 
 
 Mr. Prince would not have been willing to ac 
 knowledge that she made him nervous by this dis 
 section of character for his benefit. But when he 
 tried to laugh it off her grave eyes checked him, 
 changing the uneasy feeling into decided anger. 
 More harshly than he had ever spoken to the petted 
 child, ae he shut the book he bade her go to her 
 room and have done with nonsense. When he 
 needed her assistance or advice, he would call upon 
 her.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 47 
 
 The angry words and tone did not cause her to 
 flush, as was usual with her. On the contrary she 
 grew paler, and her lips quivered as she turned to 
 obey. Before reaching the door, she came back and 
 laid her arm up over his shoulder, pleadingly : 
 
 " Papa, if I am naughty and annoy you, for my 
 dead mother's sake forgive me." 
 
 The tone and action went to his heart.' With a 
 sudden impulse he caught her tightly in his arms, 
 and kissed her several times with fervor, his angej 
 swallowed up in self-reproach. 
 
 " There ! go, dear you strange, strange child." 
 But instead of letting her go, he held her still, look 
 ing into her sad, dry eyes. When he freed her at 
 length, he followed her to the door, sent her off, and 
 stood as if in deep thought until she had time to 
 reach her own room. Mr. Garton, who had heard a 
 little, and witnessed the closing scene, waited with a 
 good deal of interest for the explanation Mr. Prince 
 should give ; but after a short deliberation that gen 
 tleman went out, and did not come back again before 
 the school-master retired. 
 
 Even after Mr. Garton had entered his room, he 
 saw Mr. Prince in the garden, pacing slowly up and 
 down, smoking his cigar, sufficiently restless to show 
 that he was troubled. He longed to go out and with 
 the privilege of a friend seek a share of that which 
 had come in to disturb the harmony of the two lives 
 dearest to him. But Nathaniel Garton was too truly 
 delicate and unobtrusive to ask to be admitted to 
 family secrets. 
 
 "He will tell me in his own good time, I suppose,"
 
 48 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 was his self-consolation, " and if my little pet re 
 covers her spirits and happiness I can wait without 
 impatience." 
 
 How little either of them dreamed of the changes 
 that were soon to come. Geraldine, with her pas 
 sionate heart-protest against what seemed to her the 
 desecration of her mother's memory, had no concep 
 tion of a real sorrow. Alas I she had to learn all too 
 eoon.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTII AT LAST. 49 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 LOVE CONQUEKS , ALL THINGS. 
 
 ALTHOUGH Mr. Prince dismissed at the time any 
 uneasy feeling called up in his mind by the distress 
 of his child, a few days served to fix it with perti 
 nacious influence in his thoughts. She uttered no 
 word after that night which could lead him to be 
 lieve she retained a painful memory of their inter 
 view on the subject ; but he knew well that it 
 haunted her continually. With most scrupulous 
 care she avoided the mention of it ; and he saw with 
 much distress that she rather avoided him, as if fear 
 ful he would renew the conversation which he felt 
 had been so hateful to her. Consequently he pre 
 served a silence as profound as if no thoughts of so 
 important a change had ever entered his brain, and 
 as she avoided him, sought her with more demon 
 strative tenderness, striving mutely to establish a 
 perfect confidence between them. 
 
 The silent struggle had an interested spectator in 
 the person of the young teacher, who observed, 
 wondered and made no sign. But it surprised him 
 greatly that his friend should drop no hint concern 
 ing the nature of his growing uneasiness, or that
 
 50 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 Geraldine, so frank and free always with him, should 
 have no word to say. And day by day she grew 
 more thoughtful, more reserved ; while her step was 
 slow and her eyelids drooped heavily over burning 
 orbs, which seemed striving to shrink from betraying 
 what was in her heart. 
 
 As a natural consequence, the freedom and har 
 mony of life at Prince Hill gradually faded away. 
 While the three important characters of the house 
 hold followed without interruption their usual occu 
 pations, a perceptible restraint had fallen upon all, 
 that rendered one moody, another thoughtful, and 
 the last morbidly unhappy. 
 
 So it continued until the first tints of the autumn 
 painted forests about Princeton in rich and varied 
 pictures. The time was drawing near when the 
 secret would be a secret no longer, and the burthen 
 that had grown upon the mind of the master might 
 be removed. 
 
 It happened one day that the mail which should 
 have come in the early morning, did not arrive until 
 late in the afternoon, just after Mr. Garton reached 
 home from school. Mr. Prince, with a pile of letters 
 before him, sat at a table by the south window, leav 
 ing Mr. Garton to peruse one from a widowed 
 mother, whose faithful hand penned a long epistle 
 weekly to her only son. Geraldine sat down before 
 Mr. Garton with a weary sigh, which made him 
 glance from the beloved page to her delicate face, 
 where his gaze lingered sadly. Unconscious of his 
 regards, she sat still for a moment, watching her fa 
 ther as he broke the seals and glanced rapidly
 
 SHE TOLD TIIE TIIUTH AT LAST. 51 
 
 through his correspondence. Suddenly he saw her 
 eyes dilate and gleam with a wild, eager stare. Her 
 lips dropped apart, and her steadfast look never quit 
 ted her father's face until he slowly broke the seal 
 of a small white envelope, which he had been exam 
 ining with a lingering tenderness of manner unlike 
 that called forth by any other letter in the heap. 
 Mr. Garton, alternately observing the two, saw a 
 happy smile creeping about his friend's mouth, while 
 his eyes softened and grew inexpressibly tender. The 
 child's lips became white and shut close, her bosom 
 heaving as if she had to struggle hard to keep back 
 sobs. The white forehead wrinkled heavily with the 
 brows drawn down in a frown over the flashing eyes. 
 And while her teacher gazed in astonishment at the 
 sudden transformation, she rose and glided stealthily 
 from the room, her hands wrung together and held 
 tightly over her bosom. 
 
 A half audible exclamation from Mr. Garton 
 caused Mr. Prince to look up and meet his friend's 
 questioning eyes. For a moment the smile lingered 
 still about his lips, but a flush spread over his face 
 as a second look showed him Geraldine's empty 
 seat. In much confusion he flung the letter upon 
 the table, and, rising, paced the room several times 
 before speaking. 
 
 " Garton, I suppose you are wondering what it all 
 means ? " he said at length, but without pausing in 
 his hasty walk. 
 
 " Yes, and I have wondered for some time ; but 
 you need not tell me until entirely disposed to do so. 
 I would not force your confidence."
 
 52 RIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 "I know it, and I have been wrong to withhold 
 from you that which you should have known. No 
 lack of trust kept me silent, you may be assured. 
 The reason lay in my cowardice. I was reluctant to 
 speak of those things nearest my heart, and sacred, 
 the more especially as they have been the cause of 
 visible unhappiness to your little friend and pupil. 
 You have seen it, Garton ? " 
 
 " Yes, with a heavy heart." 
 
 The young man's answer produced an unexpected 
 effect. Mr. Prince shrank and caught his breath 
 quickly, after which he recovered himself and came 
 with hasty abruptness to the point. 
 
 " You will be surprised, but the trouble has risen 
 wholly from one simple fact. I am about to bring a 
 new mistress to Prince Hill." 
 
 Mr. Garton was surprised. He had not dreamed 
 of this as the cause of their trouble. 
 
 " Is it not a sudden determination ? " he asked. 
 
 " No, I have been engaged nearly a year, but pre 
 ferred to wait, for several reasons. In this time I 
 have made few visits to Eastbrook, where my affi 
 anced resides ; but our correspondence has been un 
 interrupted. Only for some officious gossips, Dine 
 would have known nothing about it until my own 
 good time ; but some rumor got afioat in the village, 
 I know not how, and came to her ears. From that 
 time she seemed to have grieved silently, but will not 
 talk about it, and of course it disturbs me. I cannot 
 wish to purchase happiness at the price of my child's, 
 you know." 
 
 His tone was questioning at the close of the
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 53 
 
 sentence, and, as he paused, he regarded his friend 
 earnestly. 
 
 " You should know best whether in such a step 
 there is any real danger. The character of the lady 
 would determine the effect of her presence upon your 
 child. After the experience you have had in asso 
 ciation with so noble a woman as Geraldine's mother, 
 I should not think it likely you might be easily 
 pleased with another." 
 
 " True ! One year of life with her was enough to 
 make me fastidious for the remainder of my exist 
 ence. To tell you the truth, Garton, I do not know 
 my own mind just now. When I had that talk with 
 Geraldine about it first, I was wholly confident that 
 it might all be right in the end. The lady is a very 
 superior one in every respect, and has a most won 
 derful influence upon all with whom she comes in 
 contact. But I am ashamed to say the child's fool 
 ishness has affected me. I showed her the miniature 
 I have kept since our engagement, and she startled 
 me by pronouncing it a body without a soul. Fur 
 thermore, she brought out an engraving of Catherine 
 de Medicis, and pointed out features that were like 
 hers, indicative of certain treacherous and subtle 
 traits of character." 
 
 Mr. Garton burst into a fit of merry laughter, in 
 which Mr. Prince joined. When he proceeded, it 
 was in a lighter tone. 
 
 " Since then I have been silly enough to compare 
 the two, and find a great resemblance so far as per 
 sonal appearance goes. But the frank, pure tone of 
 her letters is too eloquent of goodness for a thought 
 5*
 
 54 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 of distrust to come in while I am reading them. I 
 wish from my soul the subject had never risen, for I 
 am afraid my over-sensitiveness with regard to the 
 child of my dead wife may make me unjustly suspi 
 cious of the living one that is to be." 
 
 " I hope not. You should think more of the in 
 fluence a good woman may exercise over a character 
 like Geraldine's, and nurture confidence. To begin 
 by distrust would be certain death to your happi 
 ness." 
 
 " I know it, for suspicion once engrafted in the 
 nature of a Prince is hard to root out. When I am 
 with her it is as if a spell chained me to her side. I 
 live only in her. She fascinates, entrances, bewil 
 ders and intoxicates me with a delirium of happi 
 ness. All the sensuous emotions of my nature are 
 kindled to vivid life, but held in absolute check by 
 intellectual powers which grow stronger and stronger 
 under her influence. I am enslaved, heart and brain, 
 and would not free myself from my chains. Yet I 
 know myself so well, were any positive sign of 
 change in her to show me a phase of character like 
 that which I hate in others, it would subject her 
 from that time forth to a cruel and jealous regard 
 from me, which would feed upon the merest trifles. 
 What shall I do, knowing this, Garton ? Is it safe 
 to go on?" 
 
 " Can you withdraw honorably ? It seems to 
 me you have gone too far for that; and further 
 more, you may be foolishly sensitive in questioning 
 the safety of the step. So delicate a matter cannot 
 be advised upon well by a third party, however.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 55 
 
 Since your passion does not enthrall your judg 
 ment, it were better to act for yourself without in 
 terference." 
 
 " Perhaps I claim too much for myself, in assert 
 ing freedom of judgment. All my heart and soul 
 and mind and strength lean to this union. I am 
 afraid, not fpr myself, but for my child, should I be 
 mistaken. How can I tell that my love for her has 
 not so swayed my judgment in her favor as to render 
 it impossible for me to feel the truth in connection 
 with her?" 
 
 He spoke with passionate excitement. 
 
 " If you doubt the wisdom of the venture, there is 
 but one course for you," answered Mr. Garton 
 quietly. " It would be better to break off at once, 
 than to take the step which would doom your peace 
 ful household to helpless misery." 
 
 " But as you said, I cannot do it with honor," 
 declared Mr. Prince, hastily ; and Mr. Garton smiled 
 at the justice of his friend's self-judgment. He was 
 not fit to take a stand against his own happiness. 
 
 " Then why torture yourself with the doubts and 
 fears, which may be doubtless are wholly ground 
 less?" 
 
 " Certainly ! why should I ? The reason lies in 
 the fact that love makes fools of us, my friend ; and 
 my wayward, spoilt child,- has helped me on to ren 
 der myself ridiculous ! " 
 
 " One word more : will the change render it nec 
 essary to alter my plans?" 
 
 " By no means. Go on just as you are iintil after 
 the wedding, which will take place in November.
 
 56 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 We shall make a short tour before coming home, 
 about which time you will probably feel like visiting 
 your mother, during the children's vacation. By 
 the time we shall have been settled a week or two, 
 you can return to your duties and the home to which 
 you will always be welcome." 
 
 Mr. Garton extended a hand in silent, response to 
 the warm words his host had uttered, which was 
 clasped and wrung hard. For a moment Mr. 
 Prince's arm rested on his shoulder, and his eyes 
 filled. Both gentlemen were strongly moved by 
 some secret emotion which seldom came to the surface 
 in more than general ways of kindness and esteem. 
 When Mr. Garton did venture to speak, his voice 
 was broken and husky: 
 
 " Dear old fellow ! May God be with you always, 
 and grant that you may be as happy as I wish you 
 from my soul ! " 
 
 " Thank you. I hope I may never grow more 
 unworthy of your friendship, Nathaniel." 
 
 " Nor I of yours." 
 
 A few moments later as Mr. Prince stood by the 
 window, looking afar off to the purpling hills, he 
 said wistfully : 
 
 " Garton, may I trust you to help me to root out 
 Geraldine's prejudice against her new mother?" 
 
 " I will do all I can, assuredly." 
 
 Still he stood dreamily gazing, while his hand 
 glided within his bosom and rested upon the minia 
 ture lying warm above his heart. A foolish pride 
 caused him to disregard the impulse to draw forth 
 that beautiful face and show it to his friend. Had
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH- AT LAST. 57 
 
 he done so, his entire after life would probably have 
 been changed. And not his only. The history of 
 the three persons most dear to him would have been 
 differently written, if indeed it had been written at 
 all. But he let the momentary desire pass away, 
 and his fate was sealed. 
 
 Truly, " love conquers all things."
 
 BIGHT AND WRONG; OK, 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 HOME AND A SMILING WIFE. 
 
 PRINCE HILL awoke from its sleepy quiet to un 
 dergo a change, the master presiding with fastidious 
 care. He had left it until the last, that everything 
 might appear fresh and attractive to the bride who 
 was to leave a gayer home for this plodding little 
 town of Princeton. So the rich old tapestries were 
 removed, that richer and brighter might replace 
 them ; and carpets laid that a queen might have 
 trodden with a sense of fitness in their magnificence. 
 From top to base, the grand old house which had 
 sheltered his mother in her youth, in which he had 
 been born and to which he had brought his first 
 
 O 
 
 bride with proud delight, must be renovated and 
 adorned with livelier hues to suit the peerless beauty 
 of one yet to come. 
 
 Teacher and pupil saw little of the work only the 
 changes as they were completed. Mr. Prince liked 
 to have things done without confusion, and managed 
 that they should be accomplished without interfer 
 ence with any family comforts habitual to the little 
 circle. On those days when there was no school, 
 Mr. Garton would take Geraldine away to the mount-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 59 
 
 ains botanizing, or gathering specimens for her cabi 
 net from rock, tree and river. She passionately loved 
 nature, and when wandering thus with him, forgot 
 the haunting misery of her young life, seeing which, 
 he sought oftener for opportunities to get abroad into 
 the grand old woods. 
 
 Brief and few as they were, those last days before 
 the coming of the bride were merry ones. Mr. Gar- 
 ton reveling in the freedom of action after close con 
 finement, his young life stirred and quickened by the 
 pure, bracing air of the mountains the spicy fra 
 grance of the pines and cedars became a most de 
 lightful companion. He would climb a tree like a 
 squirrel, to pluck a tuft of moss from its branches, 
 or peer into the deserted nest of some little bird, to 
 see if there might be left an egg, perchance, to grace 
 his little pupil's cabinet. Ravines were traversed, 
 caves explored, pebbles gathered from the river side, 
 ferns plucked and classed and pressed with the 
 most scrupulous care. Rocks were turned up for 
 snails, bark peeled from trees in search of bugs, bats 
 and beetles routed from their nooks in caverns 
 until the room which Mr. Prince had appointed for 
 her use at the top of the house, fitted up with 
 shelves and cases, presented a strange and interest 
 ing appearance. 
 
 While thus engaged one day near the river, Mr. 
 Garton, who was seated upon a huge stone with Ger- 
 aldine at his feet, watching the arrangements of some 
 autumn leaves with pebbles and shells, was surprised 
 to see floating down the stream, a skiff painted in 
 glaring red colors, in which sat a man of singular
 
 60 EIGHT AND WRONG; OK, 
 
 and striking exterior. His dress was a suit of black, 
 with a flashy neck-tie and a large pin flaming in his 
 bosom. Over his brow was carelessly thrust a 
 slouched hat, tipped just enough to one side to give 
 it a jaunty air, and allow the gleam of a dazzling 
 white forehead. 
 
 Seeing people on shore, he gave a stroke with his 
 oars that turned his little bark in their direction, and 
 coolly stepped to the ground with a familiar 'nod, 
 when he had brought it close enough : 
 
 " Fine day this, for the season, stranger," he re 
 marked. 
 
 "Bather," answered Mr. Garton, with some re 
 serve, yet looking steadily into the sunny face of the 
 man before him. 
 
 " May I ask what occupies you so pleasantly ? 
 That seems to be rather a curious affair," indicating 
 the leaves and pebbles with a careless gesture. 
 
 " It would be difficult to give a name to it, since it 
 is merely the working out of a fancy of my own. I 
 have chosen these leaves of various colors, as you 
 see, and am trying to match them with pebbles of 
 like colors. I class the leaves and the stones, and 
 find some interest in tracing something of a relation 
 between them." 
 
 "Humph! Stuff!" 
 
 Geraldine's eyes flashed at this rude response to 
 her teacher's remarks. She looked up quickly : 
 
 " Sir, you were not invited to land, that I am 
 aware of; and if you can find no better amusement 
 than to be insolent to those who treat you civilly, we 
 can dispense with your society without delay."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 61 
 
 The stranger burst into a merry laugh, and sat 
 down upon a stone opposite them with a free and 
 easy air, amusing, while it nettled the young gentle 
 man who had become the subject of a threatened 
 dispute between them. In order to prevent further 
 words, he began to gather up his treasures. 
 
 " Pray do not let me drive you away. I do not 
 mean to be offensive, I assure you. In answer to 
 my little lady here, I would ask her if God's free 
 earth is not open to all. What better right have 
 you here than I have, eh ? " 
 
 " I have a much better right, since this land be 
 longs to my father, and I am on my own rightful 
 dominion," she answered disdainfully. 
 
 " Ah, indeed ? That alters the case, and I must 
 apologize. I suppose that is your house, then, just 
 discernible beyond this hill, on the rising ground?" 
 
 " Yes, that is Prince Hill." 
 
 " Prince Hill ! So, so ! Mr. Prince, I have heard, 
 is a very wealthy gentleman, and much respected in 
 these parts. Let me see ! He's lately married, is he 
 not?" 
 
 The question was addressed to Mr. Garton, who 
 answered very coldly, displeased with the man's 
 manner. 
 
 " No, he lost his wife some years ago." 
 
 " But I heard he was to take another," said the 
 stranger, in no way disconcerted. Geraldine became 
 white as marble. 
 
 " Let us go home," she whispered. " This man 
 makes me feel wicked. Why does he ask these 
 questions ? "
 
 62 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 Mr. Garton rose and took her hand, nodded 
 slightly to the inquisitor and turned with deliberate 
 coolness toward home, without deigning to reply to 
 the last remark. 
 
 The sunny face clouded, and the eyes burned 
 angrily, but without uttering a word he got up, and 
 beginning to whistle, stepped into his skiff and 
 floated out into the river. 
 
 The incident, small in itself, made an impression 
 upon Mr. Garton's mind that was not pleasant. 
 Strangers were few in Princeton, and the manner of 
 his approach was singular. Geraldine's remark as 
 they proceeded onward seemed very near the truth. 
 
 " He acted just as if he wanted to find out some 
 thing without letting you know it," she said wonder- 
 ingly. " Why should he care to know if if " 
 
 " If your papa was going to marry again," sup 
 plied Mr. Garton boldly. " I cannot guess, I am 
 sure. My child, why do you so dread this marriage? 
 Your father is far too young a man to condemn him 
 self to a life of loneliness." 
 
 "I do not know, but the thought of it makes me 
 sick. I can never, never bear to see any other 
 woman sit where my mother sat, and be treated 
 as she was treated by my father. It will kill me ? " 
 
 " Foolish child ! Why, Geraldine, do you not 
 know that you are acting very selfishly." 
 
 " No, I am not selfish ! How can my father for 
 get my sweet mother, and let another take her place? 
 It is not right, and I shall never, never love her. I 
 believe I shall hate her, and it makes me afraid, be 
 cause my mother told me never to hate any one!
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 63 
 
 Oh, I live such a torturing life ! If my father would 
 only pity me ! " 
 
 Mr. Garton, much disturbed by this passionate 
 mood, sat down upon a fallen log and drew her to his 
 side. From the depths of his heart he pitied this 
 poor child, struggling with her jealousy and tortured 
 by fear lest she should hate where she ought to love. 
 As was his habit, he began to reason with her as he 
 would have done with an older person. 
 
 " Your mother was right ; you should hate no one, 
 and you are correct in your eiforts to overcome such 
 a sentiment. But I think you are wrong to construe 
 your father's actions into a lack of respect for your 
 mother's memory. Had she been a coarse, cruel or 
 evil woman who rendered his life unhappy, do you 
 think he would dare to venture again into such a re 
 lation ? On the contrary, he might have learned to 
 dislike and doubt all womankincj. As it is, he fur 
 nishes the highest proof that man can give of his 
 appreciation of truth and virtue in your sex." 
 
 Geraldine laughed disagreeably, plucking at the 
 > crimson leaves of a gum tree over her head. 
 
 " I am a child, but you cannot cheat me with 
 sophistry !" 
 
 " Sophistry ! Heaven forbid ! " cried Mr. Garton, 
 surprised out of his self-complacency. "Do you 
 think I would try to influence you with that ? Come, 
 you are unkind to me, now, as well as your father." 
 
 " How am I unkind to my father ? " she asked 
 quickly. 
 
 " You want to cut him off from the sweetest asso 
 ciations that make* man's life beautiful and good.
 
 64 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 His house must be dreary always no light step to 
 meet him when he comes, no sweet voice to bid him 
 welcome, no tender hand to smooth his brow when 
 weary, or his pillow, if ill. I do not know what 
 could be more selfishly unkind." 
 
 Geraldine bent her head against his shoulder, a 
 crimson stain upon her cheeks and brow. 
 
 " If this is unkind, I deserve all you have said, for 
 it is truth. I think of it often, and I know how I 
 shall feel to see her and hear her when she meets 
 him and talks to him and caresses him! Do not 
 talk any more about it, for these are the thoughts 
 that drive me crazy with hate and fear. I wish I 
 could die without ever seeing her ! " 
 
 " Geraldine, hush ! You do not know what you 
 are saying, child." 
 
 " Yes, I do. It is you who will not understand 
 me nobody ever can or will as long as I live, and I 
 wish I had died and been buried with my mother." 
 
 How to deal with her now was something of a 
 puzzle to the young man. After sitting silently 
 awhile, however, a bright thought came into his 
 head. 
 
 " I am going soon to visit my mother, Geraldine. 
 How would you like to go with me and remain 
 through vacation ? " 
 
 " Oh, very, very much ! Then I need not see her 
 come, you know. Where does your mother live ? " 
 
 " A long way from here ; but it is a beautiful 
 country, and you would see lovely scenes. Then my 
 home, though not a fine one like Prince Hill, is very 
 dear to me, and my mother an angel much like
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 65 
 
 what your own mother was, I fancy. You would 
 love her." 
 
 " Has papa ever seen her ? " 
 
 " Yes, many times. He used to go home with me 
 from college, and have rare hunting times in our belt 
 of woods." 
 
 " I have never heard you say so before. How 
 nice it was to know him then was it not? For he 
 was so bright and handsome. Papa was always 
 bright till mamma went away to the angels ; but he 
 is handsome still. I never saw any other gentleman 
 so much so, till you came." 
 
 Mr. Garton laughingly acknowledged the compli 
 ment, adding : 
 
 " Being older than he, I had not hoped for the fa 
 vorable impression I have made upon his daughter." 
 
 " You older than papa ! It seems impossible ! 
 Why did you never marry ? " 
 
 A sudden faintness swept the color from Mr. Gar- 
 ton's face, and his brow drooped to his hand, invol 
 untarily hiding its pallor. He seemed not to have 
 heard her until she repeated the question. 
 
 " Why ? I could not well explain to you, Geral- 
 dine. So many things come into the lives of men of 
 which they cannot speak, of which they would never 
 think if they could control thought as they do speech. 
 When your father married we were both young, and 
 his was the fulfillment of an engagement entered into 
 long before, whilst I had no attachments outside of 
 my home. Soon after my collegiate course ended, 
 my father died ; then misfortunes began to flow in 
 
 upon us. Nearly all our property had been involved 
 6*
 
 66 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 in some way, and ere I could get hold of the end of 
 the snarled affairs pertaining, all was swept hope 
 lessly away. Can you imagine what I had to do 
 then, little friend ? My dear mother was widowed 
 and homeless. I must set about my work with earn 
 est vigor, and redeem the shelter endeared to her by 
 life-long associations. Of course such a life could 
 furnish me little time for society, and sentimentality 
 were best left out of the bargain." 
 
 He did not say that it had been left out. Only 
 that " it were best left out ! " Geraldine took it 
 up quickly, thinking she saw a deeper meaning 
 now than his light tone, half playful in closing, con 
 veyed. 
 
 " But you have had a good deal of trouble, have 
 you not ? " she asked, pursuing the subject. 
 
 " Why do you think so?" 
 
 " I do not know, quite. Probably because you 
 eeem to understand everybody so well and have 
 sympathy for them. If you had not known trouble 
 you would be careless and easy, and never stop to 
 think if other people suffer. I have noticed that 
 those who have been most afflicted are always the 
 kindest and best" 
 
 " Or the worst. Trouble either softens or embit 
 ters. Yes, I had trouble, as you will understand, 
 naturally. How could it be otherwise ? " 
 
 " Of course, I know ! You grieved for your father, 
 and loss of property must have vexed and annoyed 
 you. But I feel something else I do not know 
 what. You appear to have been tried, and act as if 
 you always want to control yourself to suppress
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 67 
 
 something. The need of it makes you think of it, 
 and try to impress it upon me as very important. 
 You must have some particular reason?" 
 
 She turned her eyes full upon him in questioning, 
 and he met her gaze too much disconcerted to answer 
 at once. Why must this child forever make direct 
 applications of principles he strove to impart in gen 
 eral forms? With her searching mind and extraordi 
 nary powers of analysis, coupled with her precision 
 of speech, she was often too much for him. When 
 brought thus closely in contact, his wish was always 
 to escape, and he did it as people are apt to do any 
 thing without proper meditation abruptly, and with 
 a touch of impatience. 
 
 " Do you know this habit you have is very embar 
 rassing, Geraldine? One cannot feel like disclaiming 
 euch applications as you make,_and it would be infi 
 nitely more unpleasant to admit them. If you go on 
 always in such a searchingly personal way, it will 
 cause you innumerable entanglements and annoy 
 ances. The world will not bear it. Be content to 
 take people and events as they come, and if you 
 must study them, reserve your thoughts more care 
 fully until facts develop themselves, and prove to 
 your own satisfaction whether your impressions are 
 true or otherwise." 
 
 " How can I accept your teachings in all things 
 when they are inconsistent?" she again asked, though 
 evidently pained by his tone. 
 
 " Inconsistent ? How do you find me so ? " 
 
 "If I understand you, the present lesson is to 
 teach me reserve ; and manv times as an attribute
 
 68 EIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 of truth, you urge me to entire frankness. How can 
 I act as you wish me, understanding as I do ? " 
 
 " My child, we are not necessarily lacking in 
 frankness because we happen to deem it wisest to 
 remain silent. I might let you talk to me always 
 with perfect freedom of your thoughts and feelings ; 
 but if I let all occasions pass without cautioning you, 
 you may some time speak in a like manner to others, 
 when it would be wrong, and result in trouble. Are 
 you satisfied ? " 
 
 " Yes better, though it seems as if you said most 
 of this because you did not want to answer my 
 question." 
 
 He drew a quick breath and his teeth closed 
 tightly over his lip. As he rose up, he felt his brow 
 to be flushed, and the blood tingling through his 
 veins with impatience. She was unwittingly press 
 ing upon unhealed wounds, and it angered him to 
 feel the smart, and know that his mightiest will, his 
 deepest self-respect, could not banish the lingering 
 tenderness that made him shrink from an unwonted 
 touch. 
 
 "Have I vexed you?" cried the child, in peni 
 tence, seeking to read his averted face. " Do forgive 
 me, dear Mr. Garton." 
 
 " Forgive you ? My child, I have nothing to for 
 give ; but you do try my patience sorely at times. 
 And let me say to you now what I wish you to re 
 member. If you would avoid giving me pain, do 
 not try to get beyond what you see, or take more 
 than I give you. I have weak points of which you 
 can know nothing, and when you blindly assail
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 69 
 
 these, you not only pierce me, but wear out my 
 strength." 
 
 How pityingly she gazed at him now he so 
 seemingly strong, owning a weakness, and pleading 
 with her, a child, to spare him ! Both little hands 
 closed over the one by which he led her, and with 
 her tender heart on her lips, she bent them to his 
 fingers, there to press a silent, tremulous kiss. As 
 if an adder had stung him, he snatched his hand 
 away: 
 
 " Geraldine ! What are you doing, child ? Has 
 some sprite taken possession of you that you should 
 do as dear heaven ! I have frightened the poor 
 child to death ! " 
 
 Kemorsefully he stooped to gather the little one in 
 his arms from the ground, where she had fallen in a 
 sudden swoon. She was too delicate for such hand 
 ling, and his violence had smitten her down as with 
 a blow. In a moment he had lifted her, and run to 
 a little brook where he dashed water over her face 
 until she was restored to consciousness, all the time 
 reproaching himself. 
 
 "What did I do to you?" she murmured, strug 
 gling to sit up. He held her firmly, pressing her 
 slight figure in his arms. 
 
 " Listen to me one moment, dear. I alone was to 
 blame, and I am very sorry. Your caressing action, 
 which was intended to convey a sweet and assuring 
 love, had the effect of recalling something that hap 
 pened to me once something that I cannot remember 
 without pain. I did not mean to startle you so much ; 
 but was surprised out of my self-control. Can you
 
 70 BIGHT AND WKONG; OR, 
 
 forgive me, little friend ? for I fear I have made all 
 this afternoon miserable for you." 
 
 " Do not mind me ; it is over now. I am so sorry 
 I made trouble for you. Please let me go home." 
 
 She was so weak, however, that she staggered as 
 she attempted to walk, and he took her up in his 
 arms like an infant, carrying her until they reached 
 the lawn gate. Here she insisted upon walking into 
 the house, for fear " papa should be frightened." 
 
 That night Mr. Garton begged to take his pupil 
 home with him for a visit ; and after a good deal of 
 hesitation and argument, Mr. Prince consented. 
 
 A few days later, they departed for his home in 
 another county, two hundred miles distant. 
 
 It was an auspicious day for the coming home 
 of the bride in the fading glory of an autumn 
 sun. Servants with horses met them at the station 
 six miles above the town, and they rode down 
 through the spicy woods, now flaunting their royal 
 hues before gladdened and admiring eyes. The 
 bridal trip had been very J>rief, and in returning, 
 Mrs. Prince had invited a choice party of friends to 
 meet and accompany her home. So it happened 
 that a gay train swept into the pretty main street 
 of Princeton, at which many a bright pair of eyes 
 peered from the shelter of their windows as it 
 passed. At its head rode Mr. Prince, looking hand 
 some and happy, while the stately figure at his side 
 became more gracefully beautiful as a consciousness 
 of her position dawned in the lustrous eyes of the 
 bride. A dark blue velvet riding habit set off the
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 71 
 
 loveliness of her form, and the glossy black plumes 
 drooped low against a flushing cheek. Many a 
 young man exclaimed at her beauty ; many a young 
 girl heaved a gently envious sigh, as with curious 
 gaze they watched the train sweep into the drive and 
 wind more slowly up to the hill. 
 
 Before the great front entrance they halted, and 
 the master sprang lightly to the ground, ready to lift 
 from her horse the woman upon whom he looked 
 with proud and glistening eyes. -The other gentle 
 men followed his example, and amid a gay and mu 
 sical little ripple of words and laughter, the ladies 
 were safely placed upon the ground. Broad streams 
 of crimson sunlight poured over the hill and flowed 
 down upon them ; and in this sunny glare, Mr. 
 Prince led his wife up the steps into the hall where 
 the servants were gathered, and with loving grace, 
 bade her welcome home. One quick glance from the 
 brilliant eyes took in the scene, and she seemed 
 pleased. Her lips smiled her glance rested ten 
 derly on his face, and her kindly nod to the servants 
 made them welcome her presence there with less of 
 fear and more of joy than had shone upon their faces 
 at first. But as the bride's foot pressed the thresh 
 old of her own chamber, the sun sank behind the dis 
 tant hill, and a cold, gray light wrapped the hitherto 
 happy homestead. All at once the pretty room 
 looked cheerless, and she shivered, but turned to her 
 husband with a smile. 
 
 " God grant that you may be happy here, my dar 
 ling," he murmured, touching her brow with his lips. 
 
 " I must be since you are here," was her answer,
 
 72 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 low murmured and thrilling, as she fixed her eyes 
 upon his face, bent so devotedly toward her. And 
 in his intoxication he stood there looking into her 
 eyes, feeling her warm, fragrant breath upon his 
 cheek, the witchery of her influence penetrating his 
 whole being forgetful of the feet that had trodden 
 that floor, the eyes that had beamed upon him, the 
 holier love that had passed out with the dead. God 
 help him!
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 73 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE EXPERIMENT OF THE CEOSS THE DECISIVE 
 TEST. 
 
 THE Truslow cottage looked less dismal than 
 usual. It was about a week after the arrival of the 
 bride at Prince Hill, and John, who had been lucky 
 enough to win favor there in several quarters, had 
 come home laden with delicious freight. Mrs. Prince 
 had given a grand party to which all Princeton was 
 invited, and from the rich store her kitchen afforded, 
 all the poor were made glad. 
 
 A crackling fire blazed upon the hearth, for the 
 night was chill ; and before this genial blaze sat 
 John, Mrs. Truslow and little Dick, perched upon 
 his small stool in one corner, raised to the seventh 
 heaven of enjoyment by the possession of various 
 riches hitherto unknown in his childish catalogue. 
 In truth, Dick's appearance is worthy of description, 
 as he sat there upon his stool, greedily devouring 
 sundry delicious morsels rare in that humble house 
 hold. 
 
 First, he had John's sunny blue eyes, but deeper 
 set and amusingly cunning in their quick and eager 
 rovings about all objects which came within their 
 7
 
 74 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 range. His hair was a bright yellow, curling tightly 
 about his little round head, and the tiny face was 
 piquant and pretty, in spite of its pallor and thinness. 
 In truth, the child's mouth was beautiful a pair of 
 exquisite lips parting over a row of pearls rarely dis 
 played, but fascinating when revealed in a smile. 
 His tiny hands were white and dimpled, now 
 crammed with pieces of cake, slices of bread laden 
 with salad, nuts, candies and other dainties. As he 
 sat there with one small leg thrown up over his knee 
 and his tight nankeen pants showing their slender 
 proportions, he presented a grotesque figure to those 
 unused to the sight. A body of the same material, 
 fitting close to the skin^ was a decided auxiliary to 
 the grotesque picture, which was finished off by a 
 pair of boots three sizes too large and coming up 
 over the tight nankeen pants, giving a singular finish 
 to the simply ridiculous costume. 
 
 John sat near his mother, and watched the little 
 creature with unbounded delight. 
 
 " Is the cake good, Dick ? " he asked, regarding 
 him amusedly. 
 
 " Yeth," lisped the little one. " Bring me thome 
 more every day, won't you ? " 
 
 " I wish I could," said John, and then he turned 
 to his mother. 
 
 " Oh, if you could have seen the beautiful lady, 
 mother ! She came out into the dining-room where 
 they were laying the table. I was helping Jim to 
 carry in the silver that made the table glitter, and 
 when she saw me she asked if I was the boy that 
 helped the gardener ; and when he said I was, she
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 75 
 
 said : 'Give him all he can carry home of the very best 
 the house affords. And see that all the other poor 
 people in the town have something nice. I could 
 not be happy if I thought they were contrasting our 
 plenty with their own wretchedness.' Oh, mother, 
 you can't think how sweet it sounded ! I could have 
 gone on my knees to her dear, beautiful lady ! " 
 
 "What a pity Miss Geraldine ain't at home! I 
 wish she was." 
 
 " So do I, for I think she would feel better. Did 
 you notice how pale and thin she had grown before 
 she went away ? " 
 
 "Yes, indeed! I knowed she'd fret her life away. 
 Do you think the new lady will be good to her, 
 John?" 
 
 " Good ! Why, bless you, mother, she couldn't 
 be anything else than good to everybody ! " 
 
 " I'm glad, for the poor little thing deserves to be 
 well treated. She is her mother's own child for 
 goodness." 
 
 " Mother," said John, mysteriously, " do you 
 know I think Geraldine won't live long? I have 
 heard the housekeeper talking and worrying about 
 her a great deal of late. She says that the slightest 
 shock makes her faint away, and she looks littler 
 every day. Besides, she says the girl is too sweet 
 for this world." 
 
 At this moment a knock came upon the door, 
 much to John's annoyance. But he admitted a 
 stranger w r ho accompanied his father home, with as 
 good grace as he could muster, and politely invited 
 him to be seated, while he put his inebriated parent
 
 76 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 to bed. Such incidents were no novelties at the 
 Truslow cottage. 
 
 Accepting the invitation, the man sat down before 
 the fire, and after winning the wife to him by a few 
 judicious remarks, completed the conquest by turn 
 ing his attention to little Dick. 
 
 " Hallo ! my young friend, you seem to be doing 
 finely over there. Pray where did you get those 
 splendid boots ? " 
 
 " Clinthem Peter made 'em," answered small Dick, 
 greedily munching a candy bishop. 
 
 " He means Peter Clinchem," graciously explained 
 Mrs. Truslow. " He's the shoe-maker just over the 
 way." 
 
 " An' Docty Colt cut off his leg to pay 'im for 
 'em," volunteered Dick, steadily gazing into the fire, 
 with his mouth very full. 
 
 " Indeed ! A most delightful way to meet obliga 
 tions, truly especially for men of the Esculapian 
 profession. I must be allowed to say, however, that 
 I'd much prefer paying small debts in some other way 
 than by the sacrifice of so important a member of my 
 physical system. What do you think about it, hey?" 
 . " Jus' tho," nodded Dick, so knowingly that the 
 visitor seemed exceedingly to relish it as a rich joke. 
 
 "Rather a smart young 'un," he said to Mrs. 
 Truslow, who looked delighted and prepared to en 
 tertain him with the prodigy's tricks. 
 
 " I reckon you'd think him smart if you could see 
 him at some of his pranks. I do <get scared half to 
 death sometimes, but I can't help laughin' at him 
 neither. Why, it was only last Sunday that I went
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 77 
 
 out for a few minutes, and, when I came back, there 
 sat Dick upon his pap's stool before the lookin'- 
 glass, with a razor open in his hand ! I could 'a' 
 screamed, I was so put about. When I did get my 
 breath to ask him what he was doin', he turned to 
 me as innocent like, an' said kind of surprised : ' I'm 
 only thavin' mythelf ! ' You bet your life he got a 
 good spankin' fur the scare he'd give me. But 
 when I'd set him down on his little stool an' told 
 him not to dare to stir till I told him to, he kept still 
 as a mouse for ten minutes. Then he looked up at 
 me and says, quite like : ' Dot over yer bad feelin's, 
 mammy ? Feel any better now ? ' Oh, he'll be the 
 death of me some day, I know," at which delightful 
 prophecy the mother laughed until the tears came 
 into her eyes, joined heartily in her mirth by the 
 stranger. 
 
 " Well, but you haven't told me how it happened 
 that Dr. Colt came to pay for your boots ? " again 
 addressing the child. Dick's round eyes winked 
 gravely for a moment, after which he concluded that 
 he could not express himself with sufficient clear 
 ness, therefore had better save his credit by remain 
 ing silent. Having come to this decision, he rather 
 deliberately changed his position by taking down 
 one leg and putting up the other across his small 
 knee. This done, he discovered some very attractive 
 qualities in some nuts and raisins. Mrs. Truslow 
 was less cautious, and became the brilliant medium 
 through which information might be conveyed with 
 out too much risk to the happy possessor of the 
 
 boois. 
 
 7*
 
 78 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 "You see, sir, Dick was named for Doctor Colt, 
 an' he's such a cute child, the Doctor likes to make 
 him a present now an' then." 
 
 " I s'pose the Doctor must be rich, isn't he ? " 
 asked the stranger, seemingly much interested in 
 Dick's welfare. 
 
 " Oh no, not to speak of. He's got a house of his 
 own, an' a horse an' gig, besides mod'rate practice." 
 
 "Ah, well, out of that he can afford to do some 
 thing handsome for his namesake. Now, if he'd 
 been named for me, I won't say what I'd done for 
 such a bright and promising bairn. Pity I could 
 not have made your acquaintance sooner." 
 
 " Oh, that don't make no difference not the least 
 in the world ! His name's never been set down in 
 the family Bible, an' it'ud be easy enough to just put 
 any name you like before the Richard, you know." 
 
 The visitor had heedlessly given the proud mother 
 an opportunity for an admirable effort at finesse, and 
 she was not slow to use it. Before he was aware, 
 he found himself very neatly trapped, a fact which 
 he rather enjoyed than otherwise, as one might have 
 seen by the smile that crept about his lips. 
 
 " Much obliged to you, I'm sure," he said, good- 
 humoredly. " But you see he knows one name al 
 ready, and it would not be easy for you to get into 
 the habit of calling him by any other. I like to hear 
 my namesakes called by my own name." 
 
 " An' pray what is that, sir may I be so bold as 
 to ask ? " 
 
 " Not a very pretty cognomen, I am compelled to 
 own. Knight Rufus Knight."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 79 
 
 " Why, that wouldn't be a bad name at all Rufus 
 Richard Truslow! Indeed I think it's real nice. 
 Here's the Bible, sir, an' if you like, you may just 
 write it yourself. I'm sure it would be for good 
 luck." 
 
 She brought the Bible, dusty, and covered with 
 cobwebs, from an old book-shelf, not forgetting a 
 quill pen and old-fashioned inkhorn. The pen was 
 found to be in need of mending, for which service the 
 gentleman took out a bright, new knife, and leisurely 
 trimmed the point to his liking. John, who by this 
 time had quietly resumed a seat near the fire, looked 
 on the process with all a boy's genuine admiration 
 for glittering steel, a fact which did not escape the 
 stranger's notice. Indeed, he seemed to see and un 
 derstand everything without effort. If he asked 
 questions, it appeared that his inquisitiveness arose' 
 out of a desire to talk more than to gain infor 
 mation so easily did he pass from one subject to 
 another. 
 
 " Now, my young hero," he said, addressing Dick 
 without looking at him, " in less than ten minutes 
 you will have taken upon your shoulders a weighty 
 responsibility. If I give you a grand name, vou 
 must bear in mind that it is your bounden duty to 
 do it honor equal to that it does you. I am sure 
 you will, however. Dick Sheridan's boy was noth 
 ing to what you will be, particularly after the acqui 
 sition you are about to add to your already brilliant 
 pretensions. He thought the sun must hide his face 
 in shame when Master Tom condescended to open 
 his eyes of mornings ; but not sun, nor moon, nor
 
 80 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 stars, will ever shine again with undimmed luster J 
 You will pale their puny lights by contrast, my in 
 fant Phoebus ! Thou shalt go forth to create won 
 der, admiration and delight ; but let the powers 
 beware, or the huge Cyclops of the world may grow 
 blind, and give up the ghost at thy hand! There, it 
 is done. Rufus Richard Truslow, henceforth my 
 blessings shall attend you ; and as an evidence of 
 good intentions see ! here is something to buy 
 goodies with when the gracious lady upon the Hill 
 grows weary of benevolence." 
 
 He carelessly tossed a bright gold piece, which 
 fell into Dick's boot, and occasioned him some scram 
 bling before he could bring it up to regale his de 
 lighted eyes, and the eyes of the mother, who was 
 half beside herself with his good fortune. As care 
 lessly he tossed the pretty new knife to John. 
 
 " It's against all rules to give sharp things away, 
 so I lend it to you, if it will be of any use. If you 
 forget to return it why, I suppose I can buy an 
 other. The old gentleman appears to be in a happy 
 state." 
 
 This last was occasioned by the sound of a deep 
 snore escaping from the little chamber adjoining. 
 
 " He always sleeps well when he drinks," an 
 swered John, stoically. " Where did you find him?" 
 
 " At the public house, where he seemed to be dis 
 posed to get into a row ; so, as nobody else was round 
 to care for his welfare, I inquired where he lived and 
 brought him home." 
 
 John thanked him, while turning over in his 
 brown hands the knife, to him the most exquisite
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 81 
 
 piece of workmanship in the world, with its fine sil 
 ver mountings. 
 
 "I seem all of us seem to be in luck," he re 
 marked. " How long will it last, I wonder ! " 
 
 " I trust, until you are rich and prosperous ; be 
 cause I think, if I am any judge of faces, you've got 
 the stuff in you to become a great man. Since I 
 have been in town, a good deal has been said about 
 you to me, and you will find me a friend that never 
 will forsake you, if you will try your best to see 
 what you can do for yourself." 
 
 " Thank you, sir I mean to. The lady up at 
 Prince Hill has been very kind to me, too, and it 
 makes me feel like trying very hard." 
 
 " Right. I doubt not she is a munificent lady, and 
 may help you a great deal, if you will only manage 
 to keep in her good graces. You must show an ap 
 preciation of all she does, though, in a delicate and 
 unassuming way." 
 
 " I don't know much about fine ways, sir a poor 
 boy like me can't. But I'll serve her willingly, 
 whenever I can." 
 
 " Right again. I like your spirit, and I will make 
 it a point to give you a hint sometimes, as I may be 
 around here for some months. Think some of going 
 into land speculations. But I am making a visita 
 tion. Drop round to my rooms at the hotel, some 
 times, my boy, and if you should want a helping 
 hand, don't be afraid to signify it. Master Ruftis 
 Richard Truslow, I have the honor to bid you good 
 night," he said, rising. " Mrs. Truslow, if I see your 
 husband again trying to walk on both sides of the
 
 82 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 pavement at the same time, I shall consider it my 
 pleasurable duty to convince him of the impossibility 
 of such an achievement, and bring him safely to you. 
 John, take care of yourself, and keep le couteau until 
 I call for it. Good-night." 
 
 And with the easy, half-swaggering air of a good- 
 natured, generous and indolent man, he sauntered 
 out and walked down the street, whistling. Mrs. 
 Truslow launched forth a small torrent of praises, in 
 which John joined more temperately, but in hearty 
 sincerity, while small " Rufus Richard " : 
 
 " Dest he was a whopper ! " 
 
 If Mr. Knight had set out to win the hearts of 
 these humble people, he was eminently successful.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 83 
 
 CHAPTER 
 PERHAPS A LITTLE SPARK IS CONCEALED. 
 
 THE guests had dispersed to their own rooms to 
 dress for dinner, and the great drawiug-room had 
 but one occupant when the carriage drove up un 
 der the archway, and Garton sprang out to place 
 Geraldine in her father's arms. A few cheerful 
 words were exchanged between the friends as they 
 mounted the steps, and then Mr. Garton hastened 
 to his own apartment, while Mr. Prince took charge 
 of his daughter. He turned toward the drawing- 
 room. 
 
 " Come in here, love. You are cold, and there is 
 a splendid fire. Besides, we shall find mamma here, 
 and alone." 
 
 She did not hesitate, though he felt a sudden tre 
 mor run through the slight frame. Advancing to 
 where Mrs. Prince reclined in an easy chair, the 
 child held out her hand. 
 
 " Oh, you are come ! " said Mrs. Prince, starting 
 up and taking the slender fingers within her own. 
 " I did not hear the carriage. And you are shiver 
 ing with cold. Sit here, dear, and let me take off 
 your wrappings so you can get thawed a little."
 
 84 EIGHT AND WRONG; 'OR, 
 
 Geraldine suffered herself to be placed in the chair 
 Mrs. Prince had vacated, and sat passively, while the 
 white fingers undid her wrappings. Cloak and hood 
 were removed and laid aside, then the lady looked 
 closely into the little pale face and smoothed back 
 the silky black hair from the forehead. Seemingly 
 satisfied with the scrutiny, she bent to press a soft 
 kiss upon Geraldine's lips, murmuring: 
 
 " I am glad the journey is over, and to have you 
 where we can make you comfortable, my child. Are 
 you not tired?" 
 
 " Not at all ; but I got very cold." 
 
 " Yet you traveled all day ? " 
 
 " Yes, since dawn this morning." 
 
 " And not weary ? Why, I should have been 
 terribly fatigued. Are you warm now ? Will you 
 go and have some dinner immediately ? I am sure 
 you must need it." 
 
 Geraldine rose and gave her father her hand, sig 
 nifying that she desired him to go with her. As she 
 was about to leave the room, she turned and lifted 
 her solemn eyes to the lady's face. 
 
 " You are very beautiful," she said, " and if you 
 will make my dear father happy, I will try with all 
 my soul to love you. Good-night." 
 
 " Then you will not come down again ? " 
 
 " I had rather not this evening, thank you." 
 
 " Be it so. Let me see you looking a little more 
 rosy in the morning. I do not like pale cheeks on 
 childish faces." 
 
 " I never have color except when much excited, 
 or angry. It is not natural to me."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 85 
 
 " We will see if we cannot make it so. I shall 
 take you in hand for this purpose at once." 
 
 Geraldine only bowed and retreated, anxious to 
 escape to her own room. Evidently the husband 
 and wife had come to an amicable understanding 
 about her, judging by the glance that was exchanged 
 as he went out. When the door closed upon father 
 and child, she sank back in her chair, a very pecul 
 iar expression upon her fair face. 
 
 " Has made up her mind to be magnanimous, and 
 love me conditionally, if she can," she murmured 
 with a soft little laugh. " I wonder if I have not 
 gotten my hands full since I volunteered to put her 
 in training ? We shall see ! " 
 
 Sitting still, the ruddy glow of fire-light falling 
 all around her, softly and slowly folding over the 
 shining silk of her crimson dress, with pearly white 
 fingers on which blazed costly jewels, the lady pon 
 dered long. It would be half an hour before the 
 last bell would ring, and she enjoyed the luxurious 
 loneliness of the great room, where dusky shadows 
 played at hide and seek with flashes of light from 
 the coals in the grate. Opposite her chair, a large 
 mirror reflected the elegant figure, to which she 
 lifted her eyes languidly now and then, admiring in 
 a passive way her own peerless beauty. To-night 
 she wore a changeful crimson silk with heavy black 
 shadows playing over it as she moved, bringing out 
 the pearly whiteness of her skin in strong relief. A 
 narrow lace collar, rich and fine, was fastened at the 
 throat by a large opal brooch bordered with dia 
 monds. Slender pendants to match graced her ears ;
 
 86 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 and a diamond clasp fastened a snowy camelia with 
 a faint blush of red in its heart, upon her lustrous 
 hair. The silent voice of the flower told the story in 
 a sentence " Perfected loveliness." In her attitude 
 of easy grace, shrined in the rich beauty of her sur 
 roundings, she formed a picture that would have de 
 lighted the eye of a Paul Veronese, though here no 
 incongruities were seen. Everything was in per 
 fect harmony or in splendid contrast. Perhaps she 
 owed to her exquisite taste in dress much of the 
 charm her beauty cast about her. Few women 
 know how to adorn themselves as best becomes them 
 at all times ; but Mrs. Prince was one of these few. 
 
 Mr. Garton coming in unheard and unheeded, 
 thought of the " burning eastern lilies " of which 
 .Aldrich passionately sung, with the first glance. 
 But that first glance had only revealed a portion of 
 her side face, turned from him in a study of the 
 lighted marble hearth. When he had gained a more 
 advanced position, his arm sunk upon the mantle- 
 piece, where he stood with whitening lips, support 
 ing his brow and looking at the royal face with 
 sickening pain at his heart. Probably if she felt a 
 presence near her, she thought it one of the guests, 
 and was not disposed at once to rob him of a quiet 
 contemplation of her charms. 
 
 The sound of a quick-drawn, quivering breath 
 reached her ear as a glimmering smile began to 
 dawn upon her lips, and then, as if surprised, she 
 looked up. In an instant she was upon her feet, 
 staring at him as at a specter. The soft smile was 
 frozen the warm glow dashed from her cheeks.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 87 
 
 " My God ! my God ! " came in a stifled voice 
 from her cold lips. 
 
 And so they stood, face to face, both white as Pa 
 rian marble both stricken mute by the painful force 
 of an unexpected meeting. He was first to break 
 the dreadful silence that followed. 
 
 " Then it is you whom my friend has married ? " 
 with an indescribable tone, and a dash of unspeaka 
 ble bitterness. 
 
 "Yes ! and you are the school-master of whom I 
 heard my husband speak. I knew the name was 
 the same, but oh, I did not know that it was in 
 truth yourself who bore it." 
 
 "And you never suspected it?" 
 
 " Never once ! Good heavens, no ! God forbid 
 that I should have crossed this threshold knowing 
 it ! /should never have come, or you had never re 
 turned." 
 
 " I believe you," he answered, very bitterly. " Oh, 
 you would not have dared ! But it is fate, you see. 
 Pity one of the fatal Three had not led me to a 
 knowledge of this truth ere my poor friend was sac 
 rificed. In stabbing him, I shall as fearfully wound 
 myself; and you know better than any one, perhaps, 
 how selfish is human nature." 
 
 " Oh, Nathaniel, you cannot you will not be so 
 ungenerous as to tell him ! " she cried, imploringly. 
 " He knows nothing, and he is so happy ! You 
 would not kill his peace to gratify a selfish and un 
 worthy revenge ! " 
 
 " lievenge ! I revenge myself upon you ! It could 
 never come to that, you well know. Men do not
 
 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 cast women aside, then turn and talk of vengeance. 
 No. I do my duty through different motives. My 
 friend has been duped, and I reveal the treachery 
 of which he has been made a victim that is all." 
 
 The expression that passed over her beautiful face 
 was terrible hate, fear and anguish, mingled with 
 passionate love. She struggled for composure to 
 speak, but could not for several moments. By this 
 time there was the sound of passing feet in the hall, 
 and rustling silks on the stairs. The guests would 
 soon be in the drawing-room. 
 
 "Only promise me one thing!" she gasped, hur 
 riedly ; " promise me that you will not say aught to 
 my husband until I see you once more." 
 
 " You expect to charm me from my purpose ? " he 
 sneered. 
 
 " No," she said, haughtily, " I expect to speak a 
 word to Mr. Garton's reason which will have the 
 effect to make him pause before he brings irrepara 
 ble ruin to a household like this." 
 
 "When shall this word be spoken? As soon as 
 possible, I hope." 
 
 " Yes ; as soon as possible." 
 
 " I will wait to hear it." 
 
 She waited for no more, but glided through a side 
 door, leaving him alone. A moment later, two ladies 
 entered, followed by as many gentlemen. One of the 
 latter, a slight man with a frank, open face and man 
 ner, walked up to Mr. Garton and held out his hand. 
 
 " I should know George Garton's son by his re 
 semblance to his noble father. Allow me to intro 
 duce myself Frank Bruce son of Edward Bruce."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 89 
 
 Mr. Garton warmly grasped the offered hand. 
 
 " Son of my dead father's dearest earthly friend ! 
 Indeed I am glad to meet you. When I came home 
 after a long absence once, I heard of little else than 
 Frank Bruce, Midshipman in the U. S. Navy. What 
 is his present rank ? " 
 
 " Was a Lieutenant have resigned, and am noth 
 ing now in consequence." 
 
 "How was that?" 
 
 " Got tired of the service, and preferred living on 
 a snug little income left me by a maiden aunt, to 
 * sailing the seas over,' Enoch Arden like. But par 
 don me allow me to present you to my friends, Mrs. 
 Darby Miss Eldridge Mr. Garton, Mr. Darby." 
 
 The ladies bowed graciously ; the gentleman cor 
 dially offered his hand, after which the party were 
 seated and entered into general conversation. Du 
 ring this interval, Mr. Garton had time to observe 
 that Miss Eldridge was a slight and graceful blonde 
 with a dreamy, half sad countenance, while Mrs. 
 Darby was a sprightly little brunette, with a sunny, 
 saucy face, set off by a wealth of very short, cluster 
 ing curls. They were dressed alike, in flowing white 
 cashme*re, but trimmed differently Miss Eldridge 
 affecting blue, while Mrs. Darby wore red. The 
 husband of the latter was a young man, very tall and 
 slender, at whose side his wife would have looked 
 like a child in anything but a sweeping dress. 
 
 Pretty soon he discovered that the little lady was 
 not only witty but daring, as she proved by a re 
 mark she managed to edge in when a short pause 
 occurred in the conversation.
 
 90 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " You cannot think how glad I am that you are 
 come at last, Mr. Garton. I am dying for somebody 
 to flirt with, having grown tired of all the gentlemen 
 here." 
 
 Such a remark from any other might have embar 
 rassed him greatly ; but seeing the amusement of all 
 the party, he joined in the general laugh and an 
 swered in the same tone : 
 
 u I owe you thanks both for the compliment and 
 the warning. Forewarned, forearmed, you know." 
 
 " Oh, I don't mean to say that there is the 
 slightest danger where you are concerned. But I 
 have known all the gentlemen here so long, there is 
 not the slightest amusement to be got out of them. 
 They are like the tasteless pulps of oranges long 
 since drained of their sweetness." 
 
 " You acknowledge, then, that there was sweetness 
 once upon a time ! " put in Mr. Bruce. " Thanks 
 for this much, at least. I had not flattered myself 
 that I had ever been more than a mere 'pulp' in 
 your estimation. Doubtless the other gentlemen 
 will join me in a vote of thanks as soon as they hear 
 of this concession." 
 
 " Do not be in too great a hurry, Mr. Bruce. 
 You must remember that politeness forbids us to 
 speak of the qualities of persons in their presence, 
 therefore you could not have been included." 
 
 " I am no less indebted, fair lady, since in that case 
 I must be excluded also from the pulpy character 
 istic which excites your disgust, so strongly." 
 
 " Oh the vanity of man ! " cried Mrs. Darby. 
 " But I will not add fuel to yours, sir, by talking
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 91 
 
 with you all the time. Mr. Garton, why did you not 
 come sooner to attend the party here, last evening?" 
 
 " I did not like to leave my mother sooner than 
 was positively necessary. Besides, I think my par 
 tiality for parties has passed away with the need to 
 grasp life in more earnest ways. You must know 
 that I am not a man of ample means and leisure, 
 like our friend Bruce. Only a poor village school 
 teacher." 
 
 " That's a comfort," answered the lady quickly. 
 " Because a school-master may still be a gentleman, 
 while his work forces him to dispense with a vast 
 deal of nonsense inflicted upon us by those beper- 
 fumed and becurled gentlemen of leisure we too 
 often find in society." 
 
 She cast a sly glance at Mr. Bruce, who only 
 laughed good-naturedly, while her husband pinched 
 her cheek, and advised her to take care that she did 
 not become too personal in her remarks. 
 
 " No fear of that. No one is called upon even to 
 try if the cap fits him. Therefore, there can be 
 nothing personal about it. To return to the party, 
 Mr. Garton I enjoyed it mightily the only one I 
 have enjoyed in an age. Your young Princetonians 
 are so very droll." 
 
 "In what respect, may I ask?" 
 
 " Oh, a number of respects ! In the first place, 
 they are as numerous as the Danaides, and almost as 
 ferocious as the little warriors who sprang from the 
 Dragon's teeth. I judge that young ladies must be 
 very scarce in Princeton." 
 
 " They are ! Probably that will account for their
 
 92 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 ferocity. They have learned it through rivalry for 
 the attention of the few their native place affords." 
 
 " Just so, precisely that is my idea. You ought 
 to have seen them. If one young Apollo led out a 
 blushing nymph, and another dared to look at her 
 while under his care, the eyes of the successful one 
 shot daggers through him mercilessly. If it was not 
 for the stupidity of the race of beaux, one might 
 have royal fun exciting their jealousy of each other. 
 But once get them started, and they'd never know 
 where to stop and I, for one, would not like to have 
 blood on my hands ! " 
 
 " What dreadful things are you saying, Mrs. 
 Darby?" asked Mrs. Prince, coming in with a num 
 ber of the other guests at this moment, followed by 
 her husband, who presented her to Mr. Garton as to 
 a stranger. She bowed with a changeless cheek, and 
 again turned with easy grace to hear Mrs. Darby's 
 answer. 
 
 " Sensible things, ma petite cherie, not dreadful ! 
 What a talent you have for misnomers." 
 
 " But you were talking about blood upon one's 
 hands with a shudder?" 
 
 " Oh, I was only saying what fun it would be to 
 excite the jealousy of the Princeton youths against 
 each other, if they were not so stupid as to render it 
 dangerous. I dearly love to get people into a 
 ' muss ' where there is no danger of duels and mur 
 ders, and such little amusements." 
 
 " Amusements ! Horrible ! You ought to have 
 lived in the reign of Robespierre when women sent 
 men of gentle blood to the guillotine and from their
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 93 
 
 windows amused themselves with counting the sec 
 onds, and calculating when their heads would fall." 
 
 " Oh, now you are unkind. I said were it not for 
 the danger, and now you would make the danger my 
 real amusement. Bah ! I'll talk about my nice lit 
 tle foibles to my husband after this. He'll under 
 stand me won't you, Pert?" 
 
 " Dare say I shall understand the foibles but 
 whether they are nice, is another question." 
 
 " There, now ! Even Hubs is going to turn against 
 me. I declare it's too stupid. Mr. Prince, do you 
 think the dinner will be announced soon ! " 
 
 " Doubtless for there is the boy bowing in the 
 door at this moment, which he has thrown open, in 
 viting your exit. I am glad to find our mountain 
 air gives you an appetite ! " 
 
 " On the contrary, I am absolutely pining away ; 
 but rny philosophy points me to the table, where, if 
 sharp things must be dealt with, it may as well be a 
 knife as any other destructive weapon." 
 
 Mr. Prince glanced at Mr. Garton as he offered 
 his arm to Mrs. Darby, requesting Mr. Darby to 
 conduct one of the other ladies out. There was no 
 escape, therefore, and Mrs. Prince was thus forced 
 upon his escort. A great repugnance to the duty 
 was in his heart, but he could not refuse this act of 
 courtesy to his friend's wife. 
 
 Once as they proceeded he glanced at her features, 
 marble-like, save where a touch of carmine took the 
 pallor from her cheeks. Her face was not unlike the 
 camellia in her hair, snowily fair, with its faint blush 
 of red. He felt her hand tremble, light as was its
 
 BIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 touch upon his arm, and knew that she struggled be 
 neath that icy calm even as he was struggling within 
 himself. But women are better at acting than men, 
 and while his voice faltered slightly in answering the 
 questions she put about his journey and visit, hers 
 was clear and sweet. 
 
 Dinner was served under a fire of wit and repartee 
 from all parties, after which, according to the English 
 custom, the ladies rose to withdraw and leave the 
 gentlemen over their wine. At the same moment a 
 servant entered, and, before Mrs. Prince could leave 
 her place, presented her with a bouquet of flowers. 
 
 " How queer ! " she exclaimed, taking them from 
 his hand, " where did they come from ? " 
 
 "John Truslow left them, madam, and begged 
 that you would accept them as a very small tribute 
 from a poor boy you'd been very kind to. He has 
 nothing else to offer." 
 
 " How very, very funny ! " said Mrs. Darby, com 
 ing closer to examine them. " Your rustic admirer 
 exhibits strange taste. Pray who is he ? " 
 
 " Only a very poor boy, as you have just heard, 
 who helps the gardener sometimes. I ordered some 
 thing to be given him from the* table last night, and 
 he takes this mode of thanking me ! Shall we ad 
 journ to the drawing-room ? " 
 
 She led the way, holding the flowers carelessly, 
 with a somewhat imperious and haughty step and 
 manner. Mr. Garton alone had noted a quick move 
 ment of a hand that was pressed tightly over her 
 heart, and the pallor of the lips no longer protected 
 by carmine. Her agitation could not have risen
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 95 
 
 from the simple act of the humble boy. She was not 
 likely thus visibly to betray an emotion of such a na 
 ture; consequently he remained quiet after the ladies 
 withdrew, pondering the incident and puzzling him 
 self as to its meaning. Something beyond his power 
 of comprehension was enshrined in this homely of 
 fering an unseen spark whose flame she dreaded 
 perhaps. And his mental resolve was, for his friend's 
 sake to seek for the key to all mysteries wherein she 
 might be concerned, and thus gain a controlling 
 power over her.
 
 95 RIGHT AND WKONGJ OR, 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 AN EMPIEE WITHIN AN EMPIEE. 
 
 "I'M delighted that this is Saturday instead of 
 Monday, Mr. Garton." 
 
 Mrs. Darby looked up from a trifle of embroidery 
 that occupied her fingers as that gentleman came in 
 with his pupil from a long walk. 
 
 "Thank you ; but you have a reason for honoring 
 me with so pleasing a compliment ? " 
 
 " Certainly. Being Saturday, you have no school, 
 and I am selfish enough to wish to be amused, espe 
 cially as Celia is too indisposed to come down. My 
 husband has gone off with Mr. Prince for a ride, Mrs. 
 and Mr. Goodman are driving, and the others are 
 luxuriating in their rooms. Consequently I am 
 thrown upon Mr. Bruce entirely, and he has grown 
 too stupid to be longer endurable." 
 
 The gentleman alluded to bowed lowly, laughed 
 and resigned his peat, taking another near by. But 
 a glance showed Miss Eldridge sitting alone in a dis 
 tant window, and as soon as he could disengage him 
 self without rudeness, he left the sprightly little lady 
 for her more quiet friend. She was seated upon an 
 ottoman, her cheek pressed upon her hand, looking
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 97 
 
 off at the distant mountains. She did not look up as 
 he approached, but spoke quietly: 
 
 "I have just been wondering whether I should 
 envy, or, following the example of our darling little 
 friend yonder, take liberties and scold you." 
 
 " You alarm me. What have I done to deserve 
 the latter?" 
 
 "Nothing terrible," now lifting her blue eyes with 
 a smile, to his face. " Only it is such a grand morn 
 ing for a scamper over the hills, and I saw you going 
 out with your pupil. I could not help envying 
 you." 
 
 " If I had only known it I But I really thought 
 you still asleep when we went out, and I could not 
 know that you loved the woods. There is a keen 
 frost, moreover, that might have bitten your fingers 
 rather more than would be pleasant to a delicate 
 lady." 
 
 She laughed. 
 
 " I see you judge me by the general standard. 
 But I can assure you, though I am pale and slight, I 
 am not at all delicate. Nor do I ever sleep later 
 than seven ; while J dearly love the keen air, and 
 the biting frost which stings the cheeks of Nature to 
 such glorious blushing." 
 
 " Can it be possible that you rise so early ? I con 
 fess myself interested to hear how you carl amuse 
 yourself so long before the others are up." 
 
 "I wonder at your implied question, since you 
 have tasted the excellencies of Mr. Prince's library. 
 The companionship of books is an unfailing source of 
 pleasure to me." 
 9
 
 98 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 Something in her tone and expression charmed 
 and set him at ease. He took a chair to which she 
 pointed invitingly, and sat down near her. A 
 volume lay closed upon her lap, and as his eyes 
 glanced toward it she handed it to him laughingly. 
 
 "Do not imagine that my choice of reading, I 
 pray you. A mere incident made me take it up this 
 morning." 
 
 " Ghost stories ! Certainly I should not charge 
 any lady with a choice of such things as these," he 
 said, elevating his brows. "I believe the whole race 
 too universally timid." 
 
 " Allow me to say that you are much mistaken, 
 sir. To most ladies there is a fascination about the 
 alleged supernatural which makes them read while 
 they quake. I am not complimented by being in 
 cluded in the timid class, however." 
 
 " Then you are not superstitious ? " 
 
 "Not in the least. At the same time, I like to 
 read about mysterious things. At one time in my 
 life, the terrible old legends from the German were 
 my favorite books, I like now to read such things as 
 'Owen's Footfalls on the boundaries of another 
 world.'" 
 
 He looked at her curiously. 
 
 " Do you ever read ' Swedenborg ? ' ' 
 
 " Yes ' Heaven and Hell ! ' is a favorite book." 
 
 " Why? because of its Spiritualism?" 
 
 "No. I like the wonderful and original beauty of 
 his ideas. That our friends can come back to ua 
 after death, I have never believed for an instant. 
 But the idea of eternal progression is very fascina-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 99 
 
 ting. Eobert Browning has* grasped it, and em 
 bodied it most beautifully in his ' Evelyn Hope.' " 
 
 " You believe, then, that to each is assigned a 
 position in heaven, higher or lower as the case may 
 be, according to their merits ? How is your faith in 
 Biblical history?" 
 
 "Almost perfect. Many things I cannot under 
 stand ; and I am perplexed by the frequent contra 
 dictions that meet me in my reading. But so far as 
 it bears upon the coming of Christ and the redemp 
 tion of the world by His death, I have no doubts or 
 fears of its truth." 
 
 " With this faith, how do you reconcile Sweden- 
 borg's idea with the Savior's parable of the laborers 
 in the vineyard the last of whom were paid as 
 much as the first who had wrought all day in the 
 burning sun?" 
 
 " I have often thought of that, and I do not 
 know that I can give you a satisfactory answer. 
 Justice is doubtless one of the greatest of the Di 
 vine attributes, and if the husbandman deemed it 
 just to pay the last equally with the first, it must 
 have been that the capacity of the last was greater, 
 and consequently they in a short time were en 
 abled to do what the others had accomplished in a 
 day." 
 
 "You have no authority for such a conclusion. 
 The husbandman answered the murmurers that it 
 was lawful and just to do as he willed with his own, 
 and that they had agreed with him for a penny a 
 day ; therefore they had no reason to expect more. 
 He did not plead their superior abilities, or say that,
 
 100 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 though hired at the latest hour, they had wrought 
 as much as the first." 
 
 " I know it, and you are right in reminding me 
 that we can overreach our authority to satisfy a fancy 
 of our own. To me it seems incredible that the low, 
 plodding, half-besotted intellect can rise equally 
 high with 'the brilliant soul that God has touched 
 with sparks of His own glorious light. Can I rec 
 oncile it with my idea of His justice to believe that 
 the soul who has through a whole mortal career 
 trampled upon His laws, and insulted God by sin, 
 profanity and negligence, can stand side by side 
 with the pure and humble worker that lived only 
 for the glory of the Father? Oh, no, that is impos 
 sible." 
 
 " But His mercy is farther reaching than His jus 
 tice. For that reason He sent His Son, by whose 
 death the door was opened for every sinner that 
 could believe and repent." 
 
 " Do you think there can be any repentance when 
 the flame of life has burned to its socket ? I have 
 no faith in death-bed repentances. If we would 
 hope to have paid to us the penny for our labor, we 
 must go into the vineyard while there is yet time to 
 work. It is so far from my idea of a great and true 
 God, I am revolted by the pretensions of some who 
 claim that the soul growing sin-sick from terror in 
 the last moment of his life, cries out his repentance, 
 and is placed at. the right hand of the Father with 
 the Son who died for such as he." 
 
 " If the world could look upon it as you do, fewer 
 would be so tardy in entering the vineyard," an-
 
 SHE TOLD TI1E TRUTH AT LAST. 101 
 
 swercd Mr. Garton, thoughtfully. " But to lay 
 aside these prolific questions for theological hand 
 ling you have not told me what incident made you 
 choose this book for your morning's reading." 
 
 Now she did not smile, but said gravely, looking 
 out upon the fiery dahlias : 
 
 " I am reluctant to mention it, for I am satisfied 
 that a practical solution might easily be deduced 
 from what I choose to characterize as a mystery." 
 
 She paused, and he waited for her to proceed. 
 
 " Yet I dare say I ought to tell you, as an inmate 
 of this house, and one likely to be interested in what 
 concerns it. To be brief, I was sitting by my win 
 dow last night, enjoying the moonlight on the beau 
 tiful mountains, when I saw a man's figure stealing 
 through the shrubbery toward the garden. There 
 another figure met him, whether man or woman I 
 could not tell, for it was slender and enveloped from 
 head to foot in a long cloak. I might have thought it 
 a romantic tryst from the lower circles, the kitchen, 
 had it not terminated so soon. The man seemed to 
 stop but a moment, then glided hastily away while 
 the other disappeared in an unknown direction. Of 
 course I choose to look upon it in its most irresponsi 
 ble light ; but if you will take the trouble to warn 
 Mr. Prince without making my testimony a necessity 
 in the matter, it may be that he will save his favorite 
 horse, or that the contents of the silver closet may 
 remain intact." 
 
 For a moment he regarded her searchingly. 
 
 "You imagine it to be thieves?" he asked, at 
 
 length. 
 
 9*
 
 102 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " More probably they than anybody else," she re 
 plied ; and her face showed no other suspicion. 
 
 " I will do better than to warn my friend, by tak 
 ing pains to look into the matter myself. Allow me 
 to thank you for your kindness in telling me this." 
 
 " There is nothing in it to thank me for. Had I 
 told Mr. Prince, he would have told Celia, and she is 
 timid enough to feel worried. To have recounted 
 the affair to any other gentleman in the house would 
 have been folly. An unpleasant stir would have 
 been the inevitable consequence, and I dislike any 
 such excitements especially if I would be in any 
 way connected with them." 
 
 " How did you know I would not plunge you into 
 one, eyes deep ? " 
 
 She looked at his smiling face, and their eyes met. 
 
 " I knew you would not from a brief study of your 
 face last night. There is Geraldine looking at us 
 shyly from the door. Does she want you ? " 
 
 Seeing herself noticed by them, the child came up 
 to Mr. Garton and delivered a message from John 
 Truslow. He was anxious to see him as soon as 
 convenient. 
 
 " Where is he now ? " asked Mr. Garton. 
 
 " I told him he might wait in the library till you 
 could come to him. He seems troubled and anxious 
 about something." 
 
 " I will see what it is at once, if Miss Eldridge 
 will excuse me, and you will entertain her until I 
 return." 
 
 "A good arrangement, for I want to get ac 
 quainted with your little friend," said Miss Eldridge,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT I/AST. 103 
 
 pleasantly, taking the child's hand. And as he rose 
 to go out, he was pleased to see Geraldine settle 
 down with a confiding air at the lady's side, though 
 her manner was marked with a shyness and reserve 
 which he knew would rapidly pass away. 
 
 Crossing the hall, he passed down the corridor and 
 entered the library where he expected to find John, 
 but he was not there. The door of his own sitting- 
 room stood slightly ajar ; so, thinking still to find the 
 boy, he pushed it open and went in. There, instead 
 of the one he sought, he found the wife of his friend. 
 She was standing before the lighted grate, the warm 
 gleams flashing over her white cheeks and rounded, 
 polished arms, from which the flowing sleeves of the 
 dark blue wrapper fell away. As his look of sur 
 prise fell on her face, she crimsoned deeply. 
 
 " Pardon this unseemly intrusion, but necessity 
 hath no law, you know, and I could not rest until I 
 could see you. I came down the back stairway and 
 to the library, when I found John Truslow waiting 
 to speak with you. So, as he said Geraldine had 
 gone to fetch you, I sent him down to the kitchen 
 for half an hour, then slipped in here, believing it to 
 be safer." 
 
 " And now that I am here, what have you to say 
 that can convince me it is my duty to hold my 
 peace ? " 
 
 " God knows whether I can say anything that 
 will move you, Nathaniel. But you will listen to me, 
 at least ? " she answered, passionately, turning with 
 a half-imploring expression to face him fully. 
 
 " Go on. "Who knows but you may be able to
 
 104 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 rule me still even now? I find that you have 
 not lost much of your old power over the objects you 
 make up your mind to charm. GeraJdine told me, 
 with a burst of penitential tears, not two hours ago, 
 how she had wakened last night and found you sit 
 ting by her bed, with her hands pressed softly in 
 yours, and pearly drops on your fair cheeks. You 
 are a quick-sighted woman, to see your shortest 
 route to her heart so soon. But I am not surprised 
 at that." 
 
 " Curl your lip as you will, and show me as you 
 will, how utterly you despise me ! I know my own 
 heart, and that my motive for winning the love of 
 my husband's poor little sorrowful daughter, is pure. 
 Has my life been so happy, think you, that I can 
 afford to trample all chances for the future beneath 
 my feet? Do" 
 
 He put out his hand imperiously. 
 
 " Celia, no more of this ! Your real motive I can 
 not fathom yet ; but I will in time. I know you too 
 well to be made to believe for one instant that you 
 are capable of an unselfish action. Let the child 
 alone, or I warn you that the day will come when 
 you will repent it in sackcloth and ashes." 
 
 She let her cheek droop to the corner of the man 
 tel-piece, her lips quivering, her bosom heaving with 
 suppressed sobs. 
 
 " You are cruel, cruel. You would force me back 
 from all hope of earthly happiness, and crush me 
 down beyond the possibility of rising. Have you 
 no pity in your heart for a miserable woman, who 
 sees only wretchedness before her?"
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 
 
 " Pray, why should you be miserable and 
 ^wretched ? You have won a husband who not 
 only idolizes you, but has all your heart desires of 
 wealth and luxury to lay at your feet. I should 
 say that having reached this triumphant end to your 
 aim, you have no reason to complain." 
 
 " No reason to complain with you here to im 
 pute to me the unworthiest motives, and betray my 
 past misery to my present destruction. It would 
 have been dreadful enough to meet you here, after 
 what has passed ; but to have you array yourself 
 vengefully against me, is maddening. Oh, Nathaniel, 
 hear me this once, and spare .me, as you hope for 
 mercy in your own extremity." 
 
 He stood before her, looking at her beautiful face, 
 while she poured forth a torrent of eloquent en 
 treaties. All that she said we will not repeat now, 
 but he listened with a mixture of incredulity, pity 
 and scorn. When she had done, and tremblingly 
 waited his answer, he said, solemnly : 
 
 " I give due weight to all you have said, and I am 
 willing to offer you a fair chance to redeem the past. 
 What is done now cannot be helped, and I would 
 spare your husband's peace, while I feel myself 
 bound to guard his honor. But if I forbear, you 
 are to prove to me by your daily actions, that you 
 are sincere in the professions you have made to me. 
 Be kind to my little Geraldine, but no more. Let 
 her affections alone. And see that every action shall 
 be so open and pure, I shall have no cause to doubt 
 you. Otherwise, so help me heaven, I will reveal to 
 him all that you implore me to suppress. God for-
 
 106 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 give me if evil to him or his should arise out of this 
 concession to you. I warn you that I put no faith 
 in your promises, while I give you fair trial. From 
 my heart I believe the child was right when she de 
 clared that yours was * a body without soul' a fair 
 beautiful cheat."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. ll)7 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 THE ART IS TO CONCEAL ART. 
 
 " You are disposed to be complimentary," she an 
 swered in proud bitterness. He saw that his words 
 stung deeply, and that she chafed restively under 
 his powerful hold. By her beauty, her wit, and in 
 telligence, she had been used to rule at will ; but 
 here her power had a limit and the queen found her 
 master in one she had sought to make her subject. 
 The thought was very bitter, but womanlike, she 
 submitted to present necessity, that the end might 
 recrown her victorious. 
 
 "I am in a fine mood for compliments," he said 
 coolly. " To deny your charms would be folly, for 
 I think I never saw a fairer type of human loveli 
 ness than you are at this moment. I call you a 
 cheat, because I have been cheated by you, affording 
 me good proof upon which to base my assertion. 
 You are a living embodiment of a heartless woman, 
 using your beauty as a snare for unwary men whom 
 you choose to play with, as a lioness plays with a 
 kid before tearing it to pieces." 
 
 She raised her eyes and fixed them upow his 
 face in a steady gaze, and her lip curled while
 
 108 EIGHT AND WRONG J Oil, 
 
 ber bosoin rose and fell with the force of an inward 
 struggle. 
 
 " At least be just to yourself, if you will not be just 
 to me. Do not utter things you know to be false." 
 
 " You know I utter only truth." 
 
 " You do not ! I never was the heartless thing 
 you paint me, and never took pleasure in giving 
 pain to mortal man or woman. I have been truer 
 than you have ! and I would not stoop to the mean 
 ness of torturing a creature held in my power, as I 
 am in yours. Is it nobler for the lion to goad his 
 helpless victim, or less cruel than the play of the 
 lioness? Truly men are noble creatures, and mar- 
 vclously generous with themselves ! For the sins 
 that fall to the lot of humanity, they can pat their 
 own shoulders and complacently cry ' good boy ! ' 
 But woe to the luckless woman who chances to be 
 at their mercy ! They will plant a foot upon her 
 neck, and with a sword's ppint against the breaking 
 heart, coolly tell her of her sins and exult in her 
 helplessness oh, noble and generous man ! How 
 dearly we should love them, should we not? How 
 we ought to glory in the power they have to break 
 our hearts?" 
 
 He had grown very pale under the scornful pas 
 sion her words expressed. A troubled and doubtful 
 expression swept over his features. 
 
 " Celia, answer me truly. What was your object 
 in marrying Mr. Prince?" 
 
 " You have done me the honor to answer your 
 own^c question. He is young and handsome, and 
 rich. He lores me. Perhaps I love him ! why
 
 SUE TOLD THE TKUTII AT LAST. 109 
 
 not, as a dutiful wife should? It surely is not im 
 possible for a woman to love twice. Her affections, 
 for the sake of her own peace, should be as con 
 veniently flexible as the men at whose mercy she is 
 placed, that being her only protection." 
 
 " You trifle with my question ; but listen : If I 
 could be assured that you loved him, that you would 
 be to htm a good and true wife, you could ask no 
 friendly help that I would not give you. It is the 
 fear that you will cause him to drink of the cup 
 which 1 have tasted, that makes me harsh and stern 
 with you." 
 
 Again she looked into his eyes, throwing back her 
 head proudly. 
 
 " I will not try to win your leniency by professing 
 that which I do not feel. Whatever you may choose 
 to think, I did not marry him for his money ; neither 
 did I marry him for love. It would be equally un 
 just to him and myself, were I to profess such a 
 sentiment. But I do honor and esteem him above 
 all other men. If I gave him no heart, it is because 
 I had none to give. That was buried with my best 
 hopes long ago. It is a weary while since life looked 
 bright to me. Darkness deeper than Egyptian black 
 ness fell upon me years ago, and left me groping 
 hopelessly after the light that can never come. He 
 found me and loved me. I thought that in trying to 
 make his happiness, and in caring for his child, I 
 might learn peace and contentment at least. Judge, 
 ihen, how bitterly I meet my disappointments, and 
 how hard to see my one last little hope drifting away 
 
 from me ! " 
 
 10
 
 110 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 
 
 " Celia, are you speaking the truth the whole 
 truth?" 
 
 He snatched her hand and wrung it hard in his 
 clasp. 
 
 " If I had chosen to lie, I would have told you I 
 loved him." 
 
 " Oh, I would to God that I could trust you, 
 woman ! " 
 
 The hand was flung back to her side, and he 
 paced the floor several times in excitement and un 
 certainty. Her softened voice recalled him. 
 
 " You may trust me, Nathaniel. I have no 
 earthly thing to live for now outside my husband's 
 home. Scan my actions as you will, and you will 
 never find a fault henceforth. Only, let the past lie 
 in the grave ; looking at the corpses of my dead, 
 sickens me, while I learn too sadly to know that my 
 heart, though buried too, has retained its trick of 
 aching." 
 
 " I do not comprehend you. That it must be dis 
 agreeable to have the past recalled, I can imagine, 
 but why it can pain you, is beyond my power to 
 conceive." 
 
 " You too say this ! But this is not a subject to 
 discuss longer. If you have no more to say to me, I 
 will go." 
 
 " You are right," he answered, with a sudden 
 coldness, " and I will not encourage you to imply 
 things you could not speak, or I hear, without dis 
 honor to my friend, were they even strong enough to 
 shake my unbelief, which they never could be. One 
 thing more before you go. After what you have
 
 SUE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. Ill 
 
 said, you cannot refuse to tell me why the receipt of 
 a homely bunch of flowers should affect you as you 
 were affected last night." 
 
 Without any visible surprise, she answered,. qui 
 etly: 
 
 " You warn me to remember that you Jiave taken 
 Ascalaphus for your model, and I may expect to be 
 called to account if I am red or pale ! There was 
 something in that little bouquet that reminded me 
 of days gone by something that I banished long 
 ago from my sight as too suggestive of hours once 
 happy and precious." 
 
 He pressed her mercilessly. 
 
 " What was it ? " 
 
 " Arbor Vitas." 
 
 He recalled the time when he had placed a fra 
 grant sprig in her hand and asked her if she could 
 read its language ; and her only answer was a vivid 
 blush, as she pointed to a ring on her third finger. 
 His lip trembled. 
 
 " Will you let me see that bouquet, Celia?" 
 
 " Certainly, if you desire. Test me as you will, I 
 shall not murmur, though you heap insults upon me 
 to the very last extremity." 
 
 " I do not want to insult you, but to learn faith. 
 Go bring them to me." 
 
 She obeyed him with a queenly step and patient 
 air. While she was gone, he stood leaning his brow 
 upon his hand, his handsome face overspread with 
 deep sadness. In dealing with her the whole of his 
 kindly nature seemed changed, and he realized it 
 with a heavy sigh.
 
 112 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " Can we, when once wronged, ever be just to 
 those who wronged us ? It may be that she speaks 
 the truth, and deserves for her patient forbearance 
 more than I. If T could believe what she would 
 have me understand, I should not wonder at her 
 agitation poor heart! But I cannot, cannot trust 
 her." 
 
 She came back soon, the withered offering in her 
 hand, and gave it to him. 
 
 " There it is the poor little boy's honest tribute 
 of gratitude for a broken heap of luxuries from my 
 table." 
 
 " Celia, if I had thought it an honest offering, 
 prompted alone by that boy's grateful impulse, no 
 suspicion had ever been expressed." 
 
 " Why, what could you think ? " she asked, won- 
 deringly. Nathaniel Garton found it hard to resist 
 the fair face lifted openly to his gaze, to all appear 
 ance innocent as a babe's. 
 
 " Will you look me in the face and tell me that 
 this seemingly harmless thing has no deeper meaning 
 than you claim the boy has given ? " he asked, turn 
 ing and scanning the flowers. His face was gradu 
 ally hardening. 
 
 " I do not know what you would have ; but I do 
 know that the martyrdom of endurance is worse than 
 the martyrdom of action ! God pity the woman 
 whose life is wrecked by a worthless love who car 
 ries a cross on her heart to which the iron spiked 
 cross of the devotee were rest and ease and yet 
 must go out into the world with a smile upon her 
 lips, lest it should see and mock her shan 1 I
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 113 
 
 promised too much when I said that I would not 
 murmur. You make my burden too heavy by con 
 verting trifles like that into objects for analysis." 
 
 "Wait I You may say too much before I have 
 done. Whom did you meet in the garden last 
 
 night?" 
 
 It was a random shot, but it went home with tell 
 ing force. The quick start and telling look of terror 
 cast at him involuntarily, betrayed what she thought 
 she had concealed from all eyes. 
 
 " Ah, I see how it is ! And you had a double mo 
 tive for your tender vigil by the bedside of the hap 
 less child who is bound to look upon you as a 
 mother. My God, to what lengths will not head 
 strong women run ! " 
 
 " Your system of espionage must be complete in 
 deed, if you succeeded in discovering me in the gar 
 den last night." 
 
 There was a strangely taunting, scornful look in 
 - her eyes now, as she rallied from the effects of the 
 blow. It stung him into exposing himself, and he 
 answered, imprudently : 
 
 "I have organized no system of espionage, and 
 did not claim to see you. Others did, however, and 
 it ought to prove to you that nothing imprudent can 
 be done without danger of exposure." 
 
 " Who under my roof dares to say he saw me." 
 
 " No one claims to have seen you, but some one 
 was seen. I could not be far wrong in fixing upon 
 you as the only one likely to indulge in such myste 
 rious trysts. All your actions tend to prove it no 
 
 other than yourself. " 
 
 J 10*
 
 114 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " You cannot point to a single proof. " 
 
 " Not even the vigil by Geraldine where if you 
 should be missed by Mr. Prince and occasion inquiry 
 or search, a touching and telling explanation might 
 ensue?" 
 
 " That is no proof, but the coloring given to a 
 simple action by an unkind and suspicious mind." 
 
 " But I have yet another." 
 
 " Name it." 
 
 He went to a table, and taking up a piece of 
 paper, began to turn the bouquet in his hand, *nd 
 make notes. Watching him intently, she became 
 still paler, but made no sign. Presently he returned 
 to her side, and held up the paper before her eyes. 
 
 " Here is the story told by this trifle. I begin 
 from the point where the ribbon is tied, and read 
 around the first circle. By supplying a few words, 
 the result is : 
 
 " You are the queen of coquettes. Constant and 
 devoted, I am forsaken. I am slighted you are 
 treacherous. Have I not suffered enough? Pity 
 me give me some encouragement. Meet me in 
 the garden. I have a message for you." 
 
 He waited for her to speak, but she was silent, 
 and he continued. 
 
 "Your correspondent has shown marvelous tact, 
 for where autumn will not supply a June flower to 
 do his bidding, he slips in a good imitation from the 
 milliner's shop which passes muster exceedingly well 
 tintit the others fade and the rainbow hues of the Iris 
 refuse to grow dim. What have you to say to my so 
 lution of this little mystery, or the proof it gives ?"
 
 *' Here is the story told by this trifle." Page 114.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 115 
 
 " Nothing, for I might waste words until dooms 
 day without one atom of faith as the reward of my 
 words. Your confidence in your own sagacity is too 
 great to be overturned by a denial from my lips." 
 
 " Dare you deny it." 
 
 "I do, most emphatically. You have read a mean 
 ing in that paltry thing of which I never even 
 dreamed ; and I can take my oath that I did not 
 once put my foot beyond the door after sunset." 
 
 She turned haughtily, and swept from the room 
 without another word, leaving him perplexed and 
 doubtful. 
 
 " It cannot be possible that I am mistaken," he 
 mused. " I know her old passion for the language 
 of flowers, and how perfectly she could read a mes 
 sage through my beautiful offerings. And yet 
 perhaps I may have been too hasty. She betrayed 
 no uneasiness when I asked for them. As she said, 
 my lack of faith may make me unjust in everything. 
 Yet how shall I explain her agitation when I asked 
 her whom she met in the garden ? This bouquet 
 asks for a meeting in the garden, and is the plea of 
 a slighted lover that she will relent and pity him. I 
 will get to the bottom of this thing ! Artful as she 
 is, she shall not conceal her art from me to my 
 friend's destruction. My God! to think that I 
 should be brought to wrestle with such a demon in 
 human shape ! Heaven grant it may not terminate 
 disastrously to one or both." 
 
 He threw the flowers in a drawer, locked it and 
 went to seek John Truslow.
 
 116 RiGiiT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ARMED WITH TKIFLES. 
 
 IN the hall Mr. Garton met his friend, who had 
 only a few moments before returned from the ride. 
 The latter stopped him. 
 
 " Have you seen Mrs. Prince lately ? I cannot 
 find her." 
 
 "I think I heard one of the ladies say she kept 
 her room with headache this morning," he answered 
 evasively, feeling a weight upon his heart that would 
 grow heavier from day to day, as he was forced to 
 deceive the trusting husband. He longed to link 
 his arm within that of Mr. Prince, and openly 
 tell him all he had reason to fear. But his judg 
 ment bade him wait spare his friend and give the 
 woman a chance to redeem herself, if indeed there 
 was an atom of good in her nature. So he stifled 
 the impulse and stood for several moments talking 
 to him. 
 
 " I have not had time to get a word with you 
 since your return. Tell me what you think of her?" 
 
 " Your wife? that she is beautiful as woman can 
 be," he answered with a smile. 
 
 "Ah, yes, I know, but it is not that exactly,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 117 
 
 Nathaniel. Everybody will acknowledge her beauty ; 
 but I want to know how she impresses you." 
 
 Mr. G art on regarded the happy, fearless face of 
 his friend, and knew that there was no room for dis 
 trust in his fond heart, now. The thought of it 
 seemed cruel. 
 
 " You forget that I have not had time to pass 
 judgment safely," was his guarded reply. 
 
 " When you come to know her, I am assured of 
 what the verdict will be : that she is as good as she 
 is lovely. You will spend this evening with us in 
 the drawing-room ? " 
 
 " I would rather be excused." 
 
 " Oh, no ; be social. We shall have the old quiet 
 again ere long." 
 
 " I will come if you wish it." 
 
 "Then you will be with us," and Mr. Prince 
 sprang lightly up the stairs, suffering Mr. Garton to 
 proceed in search of John. Evidently John had 
 grown weary of waiting, for the cook said he had 
 loitered about the door for some time, and then he 
 went off, she could not tell where. 
 
 Still intent upon the talk he desired with the boy, 
 Mr. Garton gave a look round the premises to see 
 that he was not there before strolling down to the 
 
 o 
 
 cottage to find him. But he was equally unsuccessful 
 when he arrived there. Mrs. Truslow said he had not 
 been home, and she was quite certain he must be up 
 at the Hill, as he seemed anxious to see Mr. Garton. 
 " Do you know what he wanted with me ? " he 
 asked, declining the stool she offered with a wave of 
 the hand.
 
 118 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " No, sir. I tried to find out, but he wouldn't tell 
 me. You know he is a headstrong boy." 
 
 " Perhaps he will be the better as a man for 
 that, though I certainly would rather see him re 
 spectful to the wishes of his parents." 
 
 " He's been good to me, sir, but he never could be 
 respectful to sich as us never ! a drunkard, an' a 
 poor ailin' critter that can't do much but scold." 
 
 " Look at my new clo'es ! " cried little Dick, 
 thrusting himself into sight to display a new suit 
 of bright blue which made him look exceedingly 
 smart. " Ain't they nice ? Stranger man give 'em 
 to me." 
 
 " Indeed I And who is this liberal ' stranger 
 man ' who can afford to dress you out so trimly ? " 
 asked Mr. Garton, kindly, stooping with a pleasant 
 smile to stroke the yellow curls. 
 
 "He's a stranger man 'at's dot lots o' shiners. 
 He gi' me ten dollars. Mammy hid it to keep pap 
 from gittin' it to buy whisky." 
 
 " It's a kind gentleman, sir, as took a fancy to the 
 young un, an' promised me to be a good friend to 
 him ef I'd change his name an' give him a part. We 
 call him Dick when nobody's by, 'cause you see it 
 comes so handy. But when the gentleman's about, 
 we call him Rufus that's his new name." 
 
 " Well, Rufus, or Dick, are you coming to school 
 shortly ? " 
 
 "No." 
 
 " Why not ? You are getting large enough to 
 learn to read." 
 
 " Don't want to ; want to stay home an' wear new
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 119 
 
 breeches an' eat goodies from the big house up yon 
 der. John's going to bring me some more." 
 
 At this Mr. Garton turned away ; and whatever 
 the thoughts the child's allusion called up might 
 have been, they were not agreeable. His brow 
 clouded, and he sighed heavily. With another pat 
 upon Dick's curly pate, and a nod for the mother, he 
 walked away and took the road back to Prince Hill. 
 Half-way up the lane he met the boy, who, seeing 
 him, crimsoned, and looked as if the meeting was 
 anything but agreeable. 
 
 " Why, John, I have been looking for you. 
 Where have you been ? " 
 
 " Up at the Hill, sir. I hope you had a pleasant 
 visit, sir." 
 
 " Yes, thank you. Have you been a good boy in 
 my absence, John ? " 
 
 "Not very, I'm afraid, sir; but as good as I could. 
 It isn't easy for a boy like me to try to reform. You 
 know everybody's bound to put me down." 
 
 " I know it, my poor little fellow. But you will 
 persevere, won't you ? Show them what you can 
 become in spite of their opposition. I have not 
 thought of any other of my pupils with such anx 
 ious interest as of you." 
 
 John colored with pleasure, and assured him that 
 he would always try to be better, to deserve his in 
 terest. 
 
 " I heard that you wanted to see me particularly. 
 What is it?" asked Mr. Garton, curiously watching 
 the boy's face change to its first confused and troub 
 led expression.
 
 120 EIGHT AND WRONG; OE, 
 
 " Oh, nothing much, sir ! I wanted to see you 
 after being away so long, and I took the liberty of 
 going up." 
 
 "But there was some other reason, I am sure. 
 You waited in the library until Mrs. Prince came 
 and sent you away. Where did you go then ? " 
 
 " To the kitchen, sir." 
 
 " When I came out to find you there, you had 
 gone. Where were you then ? " 
 
 " I took a little walk out to the stable to see the 
 lady's new pony. She's ordered one for Geraldine, 
 and is going to teach her to ride." 
 
 But John could not hide his uneasiness, and Mr. 
 Garton pressed him cautiously, suspecting that there 
 was more behind than his worst suspicions could 
 fathom without difficulty. After a short, thoughtful 
 pause, he remarked, in a casual way : 
 
 " You seem to be getting on remarkably well with 
 Mrs. Prince, John. How did you manage to get so 
 entirely into her good graces ? " 
 
 " I'm sure I don't know, sir. She has been very 
 kind to me." 
 
 " How came you to send her those flowers last 
 night ? It was a bold, odd thing for a boy like you 
 to do, and I cannot help thinking it was at some 
 body else's suggestion. Am I not right ? " 
 
 John's confusion was so painful now, Mr. Garton 
 pitied him ; but he could not recede from his purpose. 
 
 " You know, sir, a poor boy like me has not much 
 to offer in exchange for kindness. I did not intend 
 to be bold," he stammered, shuffling his feet clum 
 sily, and looking down.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 121 
 
 " That is not a satisfactory answer. Who told 
 you that it would be right and proper for you to 
 send flowers to a strange lady so far above you ? " 
 
 " "Who should tell me, sir ? If it was wrong, I 
 must bear all the blame. I'm used to being blamed 
 for what I do." 
 
 John concluded his answer with a mixture of 
 trouble and defiance. Looking steadily at him, Mr. 
 Garton felt assured that while the boy would not tell 
 an absolute falsehood, he had made up his mind not 
 to explain further than he had done already. It 
 vexed the young man exceedingly, and his fine face 
 clouded with deep displeasure. 
 
 " John," he began in a hard, sharp tone, " what 
 ever your reasons may be for declining to answer my 
 questions, I feel constrained to tell you that you are 
 wrong. Already I am pretty well convinced of the 
 truth, and your refusal to enlighten me will not make 
 much difference. There is a stranger in the place, 
 who has been making presents to your little brother. 
 It was that man who either gave you the flowers, or 
 advised you what to get. Do not deny it, but an 
 swer me this ; what do you know of him ? " 
 
 " Nothing sir, except that he is a pleasant gentle 
 man, and says he is going to buy land somewhere 
 round." 
 
 " That may be, but I have reason to doubt it. 
 John, will you listen to me and take my adyice? 
 Keep as much aloof as you can from this stranger, 
 and do not let him make a tool of you. Otherwise 
 the time may come when you may be made to suffer 
 for your indiscretion." 
 11
 
 122 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 "I think you are wrong sir, for I'm sure Mr. 
 Knight wouldn't hurt a kitten. He's one of you* 
 easy-going, good-natured sort of fellows. Every 
 body likes him." 
 
 " Allow me to say that you can scarcely be a 
 competent judge of his character on such a short 
 acquaintance." 
 
 " But you judge him without having seen him at 
 all," answered the boy, quickly. Mr. Garton's 
 severe expression softened involuntarily. 
 
 " True ; but I do not like the idea of his taking 
 such liberties. It seems to me he is trying to place 
 you under obligations to him, and win your confi 
 dence for some purpose you cannot now understand. 
 Do be careful how you make the acquaintance of 
 strangers and suffer them to control your actions." 
 
 The warning made no visible impression on the 
 boy. He evinced a desire to escape Mr. Garton's 
 presence, and that only. The confusion so visible 
 at first, had evidently given way to wilful self-confi 
 dence, and, convinced that he would be wasting time 
 to tarry longer, Mr. Garton dismissed him, and pro 
 ceeded slowly up the hill. 
 
 The more he thought of what had passed, the 
 more he became vexed and worried, being con 
 vinced that John was acting under influences that 
 might prove ruinous to more than one. He had 
 little doubt of Mrs. Prince's movement in the mat 
 ter. When she went out for the flowers, it was 
 more than probable she had used some means of per 
 suasion to induce the boy to keep her secret ; and 
 having become her sworn ally, he was sure to prove
 
 SUE TOLD TIIE TRUTH AT LAST. 123 
 
 faithful. Accepting this explanation, he must as 
 sume that he had been correct in all his surmises ; 
 and ' being correct, what duty lay plainest to his 
 view ? That was the most perplexing point of all. 
 He might step between his friend and the blessed 
 ness which had flowed into his solitary life, and 
 check the warm current forever. But the result ? 
 He knew Mr. Prince would not doubt him, though 
 his words should blast every hope of his existence. 
 Man's love is often paramount to honor, in its first 
 intoxicating sweetness, and he will barter his all on 
 earth for the one bright object of his passion. Mr. 
 Garton knew that his friend, while capable of an in 
 tense love, was not cast in such a mould, however ; 
 and for the sake of his honor, and his daughter's 
 future, he might be changed from the fond husband 
 into the jealous tyrant. He had but to go to him 
 with a history of the past in which he had been too 
 sorrowfully mixed, and all responsibility would pass 
 from his shoulders forever. But, in easing himself 
 of the burden, he would crush his friend hopelessly, 
 strike from his lips every drop of earthly joy his 
 present brimming cup contained. 
 
 " I cannot do it," he said mentally, as he crossed 
 the threshold and heard Mr. Prince's light, happy 
 laugh from the parlor. "I must be patient and 
 silent, and whatever comes, may God help me." 
 
 Mr. Garton did not leave his room again that day. 
 Locking the door on the inside, he sat down with 
 his face hidden in his folded arms as they rested 
 upon a table. A more bitter, miserable and un 
 happy day he had never known, and he was unwil-
 
 124 RIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 ling to cast the sombre shadows of his own spirit 
 over others. Once Geraldine tapped softly at the 
 door; but he let her go away without answer. 
 Later he heard the gentlemen, passing to and fro, 
 talking cheerfully. Still later the sweep and rustle 
 of silks betrayed the presence of a lady in the li 
 brary. A delicate, yet subtle perfume crept through 
 the crevices and floated about him. Was it Miss 
 Eldridge ? He felt tempted to go to her, hoping to 
 grow better under her gentle influence. But the 
 next moment Mrs. Darby's voice challenged the in 
 mate of the library from the door, and Mrs. Prince's 
 clear, sweet tones replied lightly. Hearing it, a bit 
 terer wave swept through his soul, and bore away 
 tender plants growing there, leaving it more waste 
 and desolate than before. He got up, grinding his 
 set teeth with a fierce self- denunciation, muttering 
 under his breath : 
 
 " Shall I let that woman embitter my whole life ? 
 Oh, if I could escape from the torture she brings to 
 me wherever we meet and I will do it ! " 
 
 He lit the gas, and saw the reflection in the glass 
 of a deathly face, which, by its fierce and direful ex 
 pression, startled him. Then he took a decanter 
 from a closet, poured for himself a glass of wine, and 
 drank it ; after which he made his toilette carefully 
 and went to dinner.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 125 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 IT INCREASES AS IT TRAVELS. 
 
 THE ladies were gathered together in the draw 
 ing-room. The gentlemen had not yet left the table. 
 Miss Eldridge sat apart as usual. Two fair, good- 
 natured young matrons occupied the sofa in quiet 
 conversation, and on the opposite side of the hearth 
 Mrs. Prince reclined in a luxurious chair, with Ger- 
 aldine on a low stool at her side. One hand toyed 
 with her silky black hair, the other was surrendered 
 to the child's close clasp. The little girl's head had 
 dropped against the lady's lap, and her eyes were 
 lifted in rapt admiration to her beautiful face. Mrs. 
 Darby, who was tormenting a pretty lap-dog at a 
 short distance from them, looked up to say, pertly : 
 
 " I declare, Celia, it seems as if you must be a 
 regular sorceress ! Cannot you trace your lineage 
 directly to Circe? That child looks as if she was 
 bewildered. Take care, Geraldine ! I think I see 
 bristles and hoofs growing, and my ears ache in an 
 ticipation of the sound I expect to hear; and I never 
 could abide the squealing of pigs ! " 
 
 " Oh, please do not talk so ! " 
 
 Geraldine put out her little hand deprecatingly. 
 
 11*
 
 126 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 "All, it hurts you, does it? I see you are familiar 
 with the story, so if you run into danger with your 
 eyes open, I shall not feel myself at all responsible." 
 
 "I think you must have been one of the things 
 which Epimetheus let out of the box sent to his 
 brother, containing Pandora." 
 
 "What! a plague? Upon my word, Celia, sho 
 deserves to have her ears boxed for being so saucy." 
 
 Mrs. Prince's clear, sweet laugh rippled out in an 
 swer ; then she took Geraldine's face between hef 
 two hands, and bent to press a lingering kiss upon 
 the delicate lips. Mrs. Darby exclaimed against 
 such punishment, but her bright, laughing face was 
 much at variance with her assumed severity of tone. 
 
 " Self-defense is a first law of nature, you know," 
 returned Mrs. Prince, at length. " My little daugh 
 ter is only striving to protect herself from your teas 
 ing propensities." 
 
 " Doubtless just as we probe an aching tooth, to 
 give it something to ache for. I assure you, Geral- 
 dine, that it is very dangerous to play at tit for tat 
 with me. Be wise and let me alone." 
 
 " I am willing to declare ' quits ' whenever you 
 please. But I am not afraid of you. I had much 
 rather you would let me alone and not tease me, 
 however, for it makes me unhappy." 
 
 " Oh, poor little baby ! It sha'n't be made un 
 happy, so it sha'n't," mocked the little lady, will 
 fully. "Bless me! don't I wish I had such a littlo 
 darling to take care of! Only touch it, and like the 
 delicate sensitive-plant, it curls all up." 
 
 " The simile is inapt," said Mrs. Prince, " for the
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 127 
 
 sensitive-plant appeals mutely for pity, while my 
 pet, though as tender, throws out defenses with 
 which nature has provided her. Were she only aa 
 plain and uncouth, I would sooner liken her to thi> 
 ' fretful porcupine.' Her quills fly when she is at 
 tacked, and they prove barbed and stinging." 
 
 k ' I hope you do not speak from personal expe 
 rience, my urbane and bewildering young step 
 mother ? " 
 
 "No; I judge only from the few passages it has 
 been my lot to note between yourself and others 
 who chanced to attack her." 
 
 By this time Geraldine's cheeks were hot and 
 crimsoned. The lady bent again over her, and whis 
 pered, tenderly : 
 
 " What is the matter, dearie ? Do we annoy you." 
 
 " It is not annoyance, but I cannot bear to be 
 talked about in my own hearing. Please do not no 
 tice me." 
 
 At this moment Mrs. Darby's attention was called 
 from the two by the entrance of the gentlemen. She 
 turned immediately to them and commenced a vigor 
 ous attack upon Mr. Goodman, while the others dis 
 posed of themselves according to taste. Pretty soon 
 a whist party was made up, and Mr. Bruce chal 
 lenged Miss Eldridge to a game of chess. She de 
 clined to accept it, and Mrs. Darby consented to be 
 gracious. Mr. Garton, therefore, assumed a seat near 
 the young lady, and began to point out certain places 
 in the drawings she had been turning over idly. 
 
 " This is your home ? " she said, taking one up 
 from the heap.
 
 128 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " Yes. It was sketched a good many years ago. 
 Since my father's death I have been compelled to 
 spend much of my time from home, and it is not so 
 beautiful in consequence. I am pained to think 1 
 have so sadly neglected to keep it up." 
 
 " Geraldine speaks glowingly of it still." 
 
 "Yes, the little one liked it. All these scenes 
 were familiar to me as a boy, and have been under 
 lock and key until to-day. She succeeded in per 
 suading me that you wanted to look at them." 
 
 " It has been a source of pleasure to be allowed to 
 do so. You sketch well." 
 
 " Scarcely so well as I once hoped. At one time 
 I cherished glowing dreams of an artist's career ; 
 but misfortunes sent me from pallet and pencil to 
 the rod and ferrule. Truly it may be said, in this 
 case, that there is but a step from the sublime to the 
 ridiculous." 
 
 "I hope you do not deem it 'ridiculous' to teach, 
 as your words would seem to imply." 
 
 " Certainly not. But from the artist's easel to the 
 master's birch we must admit there is a broad space. 
 The contrast is striking. I would not have you im 
 agine for one moment, however, that I am discon 
 tented. The necessity was imperative, and I could 
 not wait for the fruits of toil which, too often, come 
 tardily. My mother's present comfort must super 
 sede all other aims or wishes, and I deem it an honor 
 to labor for her in the humblest station, if I cannot 
 enhance the honor by a higher walk in life." 
 
 Miss Eldridge glanced at him quickly, her dreamy, 
 blue eyes lighting with sympathy and respect.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 129 
 
 " The time will come, I hope, when you may find 
 your reward. Such devotion is ennobling, and 
 worthy of praise." 
 
 " Oh, no. No man deserves praise for doing his 
 duty, when his happiness and his honor are involved 
 in that duty. As for reward I have it every day 
 beyond my deserts." 
 
 She smiled, thinking how happy the mother must 
 be who was blessed with such a son. But her face 
 became serious as a shade crossed her mind, bring 
 ing up a vision of that gentle mother in loneliness 
 and desolation. 
 
 " How she must miss you," she said, feelingly. 
 " I was thinking about it to-day while Geraldine 
 was talking, and wishing I lived near to cheer her.'' 
 
 " That would be delightful for her, indeed." 
 
 " And for me, having no mother myself." 
 
 " Then you are an orphan ? " 
 
 " No. My father is living ; but he is never much 
 at home, and I have no one to care for particularly, 
 which is unfortunate, since a woman only half fulfills 
 her destiny without some one to be dependent upon 
 her for happiness." 
 
 " Yours has scarcely begun, and the time has not 
 yet come for the development of your capabilities in 
 that line." 
 
 His meaning glance brought a faint rose to her 
 cheek. 
 
 ", I doubt if it ever will. There is such a thing as 
 being choice in the subjects upon which to expend 
 what is best in us, if nature denies us those who 
 have a lawful claim."
 
 130 RIGIIT AND WRONG; on, 
 
 " True. I wish I had it in my power to recom 
 mend a worthy candidate for your care. Were it not 
 for the presumption of the suggestion, I might " 
 
 Here an exclamation interrupted him, and his eyes 
 fell upon a drawing she had just turned over. In 
 stantly his face became white, and his lips closed on 
 a curse against his folly in allowing the drawings to 
 leave his possession without previous examination. 
 He put forth his hand and she gave it to him in 
 silence the head and bust of a woman. For a 
 moment his heart had been warmer and lighter in 
 
 O 
 
 her presence. He had it on his lips to say things 
 which might have awakened sympathy, perhaps in 
 time a deeper feeling when fate seemed to check 
 him. All the past with its stinging pain and hid 
 eous mockery of truth and goodness rushed back 
 instantly, freezing him to silence. But she had rec 
 ognized the features, and he was in honor bound to 
 explain away the seeming mystery, that she might 
 not mistake him in her judgment to the ill of others. 
 " I was not aware this still existed," he said con 
 strainedly, and in a cold measured tone. " Years 
 ago it was drawn when the original and I were 
 friends. We ceased to consider ourselves in such a 
 relation, and I thought to bury the remembrance 
 until a short time since, when I unexpectedly found 
 her here." 
 
 " Then you did not know it before?" 
 
 " No ; and I shall endeavor to forget it in future." 
 
 She thought she understood him, and was silent. 
 
 Now things but dimly seen before with a woman's 
 
 keenly penetrating glance, seemed clear to her.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 131 
 
 From the fair face of Mrs. Prince she glanced at 
 the pale, stern face of the young man, and pitied 
 him as women pity those whom they believe to love 
 hopelessly. 
 
 He folded the paper and put it in a side pocket, 
 intending to destroy it on reaching his room. The 
 restraint which had fallen upon both did not pass 
 away, however, and she was glad when he asked her 
 to play for him. After leaving the piano, she sought 
 Geraldine whom Mrs. Prince had abandoned for a 
 time to take part in a game of whist, and coaxed her 
 from the room. Mr. Garion was thus relieved of a 
 painful tete d tete. 
 
 "Where are you going?" asked Mrs. Prince 
 glancing from her cards, as the pair was leaving 
 the room. 
 
 " To see Geraldine's famous cabinet which she to 
 day promised to show me." 
 
 " Oh, horrors ! It is at the top of the house, and 
 full of bugs, beetles, bats and snakes ! Better put 
 it off until next week and take daylight for it, if 
 you do not wish to enact a scene in Inferno while 
 sleeping to-night." 
 
 " I will risk it, I think," replied the young lady, 
 and they disappeared. Holding by Miss Eldridge's 
 hand, the child led her up flight after flight of stairs 
 until they reached the top of the house. Here they 
 paused upon the landing until Geraldine could light 
 a taper lying ready upon a shelf beside the door. 
 "With this they entered, and Geraldine applied the 
 taper to a wide-spreading chandelier which depended 
 from the ceiling in the center. In a moment the
 
 132 RIGHT AND WRONG; OH, 
 
 cabinet was brilliantly lighted, and the visitor ut 
 tered an exclamation of delight and astonishment. 
 
 " Why not call it a museum ? You have every 
 thing rare and beautiful here." 
 
 Geraldine's face lighted with pride and pleasure. 
 
 " le it not nice? My mother put the idea into my 
 head, and ever since I was a tiny little girl I have 
 been collecting these things. When Mr. Garton 
 came he asked papa to help me, and all these cases 
 were made under his superintendence. See how 
 beautiful they are, and how perfectly he has ar 
 ranged all the specimens they contain." 
 
 Miss Eldridge passed from case to case, admiring 
 the corals, geological specimens, mosses, insects, and 
 birds. At the upper end of the room a beautiful stag 
 threw up his head, with his wide-branching antlers, 
 and seemed ready to dart off in affright. At the 
 other crouched a tiger, in the attitude of prepara 
 tion for a spring toward the stag. At her feet 
 coiled snakes of every species the country affords, 
 with stuffed toads, terrapins, turtles, and tortoises. 
 Branches were cunningly arranged about the room, 
 with the nests of birds just as they had been built, 
 and adorned with their proper eggs. And beside 
 their nests perched the birds, looking life-like and 
 natural. The entire room gave evidence of great 
 care and rare taste, and the young lady thought the 
 more kindly of the man who had spared so much 
 time to gratify the peculiar tastes of his interesting 
 pupil. 
 
 " I think you must bring me here every day while 
 I stay, that I may study these things," she said,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 133 
 
 kindly. " They are invaluable, and unlike any collec 
 tion I have ever seen in the possession of so young a 
 naturalist." 
 
 " You cannot give me that title with justice, for I 
 am much too deficient in knowledge of natural his 
 tory. But I will ask Mr. Garton to come with us. 
 He understands so well, and makes things appear so 
 very interesting and beautiful." 
 
 " Where did you get so many snakes? Are there 
 many in these mountains?" 
 
 " Yes, quite a variety. If you will come and visit 
 us next summer, I will show you a place where they 
 come down from the cliffs to the river, and have 
 worn a hard, smooth path. Sometimes I have seen 
 fifty or more lying in the sun near the water, and 
 stretched out upon the rocks." 
 
 " Were you not afraid to get so near them ? " 
 
 " Oh, no. You see, snakes never hurt anybody 
 unless they are disturbed, or you happen to step too 
 close to them by accident. Usually they run away 
 the moment anybody approaches. I killed that great 
 black snake by the other that large rattlesnake." 
 
 " You ? How was it possible ? " 
 
 " Easy enough. One day we were fishing, and I 
 heard the rattle of that old fellow a short distance 
 from where I sat. I knew something had made him 
 angry, so I slipped over the rocks in the direction 
 of the sound, and saw those two close together. You 
 cannot imagine how splendidly they looked the one 
 with his shining black skin, and his body all in wavy 
 curves ; the other with his beautiful spotted sides 
 
 and erect head. I was careful to keep out of their 
 12
 
 134 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 reach, and watched them. After a moment's threat 
 ening they darted upon each other, and the struggle 
 was fearful. They writhed, and twisted, and bit, and 
 the rattle sung a perfect song while it lasted. But 
 the black snake was the strongest, and in less time 
 than I thought it possible, he had slain the other. 
 Then he seemed exhausted, and stretched himself out 
 in the sun to rest. While he lay there, I took up a 
 stone as heavy as I could throw with force, and 
 struck him on the head. It pinned him down, and I 
 then left him there until quite dead. By this means 
 I got the skins of both perfect and unbroken. John 
 Truslow took them off and stuffed them for me." 
 
 They lingered awhile after this recital, and then 
 put out the lights and went down stairs. Geraldiue 
 would not again enter the drawing-room. 
 
 "It is late for me to be up," she said; "I must 
 retire." 
 
 "Well, kiss me good -night, and remember that I 
 depend chiefly upon you for the pleasure of my visit. 
 I like to see odd and pretty things, and you have 
 not shown me the pictures yet, which we were talk 
 ing about this morning." 
 
 " If you like, we will look at them to-morrow." 
 " Very well. Good-night, dear little Geraldine." 
 The young girl took the little creature in her arms 
 and held her there closely, kissing her many times. 
 Geraldine returned the caresses impulsively, and 
 Miss Eldridge resolved to use her entire influence in 
 keeping her beside her as much as possible. She 
 had noted the expression of pain that flitted over- 
 Mr. Garton's face when he saw how absorbed his
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 135 
 
 little friend appeared on entering the room after din 
 ner, and imagined that she could now understand 
 why the idea of her devotion might be disagreeable 
 to him. Without knowing it, Mr. Garton was gain 
 ing to his cause a strong and faithful ally. 
 
 " Here, Katie, take my place, will you not ? I am 
 weary of being beaten, and think you may change 
 the tide of luck in my partner's favor," cried Mrs. 
 Prince, as she entered. Without demur, she com 
 plied, and Mrs. Prince resumed her former seat, 
 sinking into its luxurious depths languidly. Mr. 
 Garton followed, and drew a chair near her. 
 
 " I presume you have come to lecture me," she 
 said in a low voice. His face was from the others, 
 and she alone saw its stern, unhappy expression. 
 But though bitterness rankled in her heart, the 
 placid face was smiling and quiet. The perfection 
 of her acting galled him, for he was incapable of de 
 ception without a deep sense of self-loathing as the 
 result, and she was forcing him every hour to hate 
 himself. 
 
 " No, I come only to warn you. By an accident 
 Miss Eldridge has discovered that we are not stran 
 gers to each other, and knowing it, she must under 
 stand necessarily that we are not friends. It is ad 
 visable, therefore, that you should guard yourself 
 well, as I shall endeavor to do, lest she should think 
 that which would be disagreeable to us all." 
 
 "I presume this fact will account for the young 
 lady's sudden interest in Geraldine," she said sus 
 piciously, and with a slight tremor that betrayed 
 uneasiness.
 
 136 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " By no means. I hope she has not detected in me 
 the repugnance I feel toward the course you are tak 
 ing with the child. And here I must say again, that 
 if you are not wholly lost to all sense of goodness, 
 you will desist, and leave her in peace. Once win 
 her love as she is capable of bestowing it, and in 
 your fall you crush her hopelessly." 
 
 " Really, you are kind to anticipate so confidently 
 such an event." 
 
 " It is inevitable, sooner or later. As Sampson in 
 his wilfulness and blindness pulled the walls of the 
 temple about his own ears, so will you destroy 
 yourself." 
 
 " There will be one great consolation when I think 
 of the catastrophe beforehand. My enemies must 
 perish with me." 
 
 There was a strange glitter in her eyes. He 
 looked at her and shuddered, believing her capable 
 of desperate deeds, and feeling vaguely that he 
 might yet be the victim. Her words confirmed the 
 half-formed thought. 
 
 "Leave me in peace, Nathaniel, and allow me to 
 deal with my own as it pleases me. Otherwise I 
 may forget my late submission, and rebel. If you 
 tread upon the worm, it is bound to sting you ! " 
 
 Strange words to fall from such proud, imperious 
 lips. Even he had not power to subdue her wilful 
 spirit to her fate. Her words roused all the opposi 
 tion that was within him, and he answered positively : 
 
 "I will let you alone on condition that you deal 
 with me according to promise. But if you step one 
 inch beyond the limits I have marked, the crash will
 
 SHE TOLD THE TliUTH AT LAST. 137 
 
 come and so the end rests with you entirely. This 
 is my final warning." 
 
 " Be it so. Let the future take care of itself! 
 We shall each see in time who wins the stakes for 
 which you are playing so high a hand." 
 
 At this moment the whist party broke up, and 
 after a short desultory conversation, they separated 
 for the night. Mr. Prince was last to leave the 
 room, and as he did so, a folded paper rustled under 
 his feet. He picked it up, and saw penciled upon it 
 a little verse of Byron's, rendered into Spanish. The 
 initials below were Mr. Garten's, and as he read the 
 lines he smiled meaningly. 
 
 " So rny good fellow," was his mental comment, 
 " you have not escaped after all. Sly old boy, not 
 to tell me a word about it." 
 
 He thrust the paper into his pocket and would 
 soon have forgotten it, had not Mr. Garton un 
 expectedly reappeared looking anxious and em 
 barrassed. 
 
 " What's the matter, Nat ? Lost anything." 
 
 "A paper. Did you see it?" 
 
 The expression of his voice was so peculiar, Mr. 
 Prince laughed outright. 
 
 " Come, this is too good. I have half a mind to 
 punish you for being so close in Us affaires du cceur. 
 
 Listen : 
 
 ' Hay un labio que el mio ha comprimido, 
 Y que antes otro labio no estrecho. 
 Luro hacerme feliz, y envanecido, 
 Mi labio lo comprime y otro no 1' 
 
 " You must pardon me, Garton, for the liberty I 
 
 12*
 
 138 EIGHT AND WRONG; OH, 
 
 took in reading, but I really could not avoid it. Be 
 sides, being only a quotation, however expressive, 
 renders it a pardonable action. Who is the fair 
 lady, whose lip has been hallowed to your touch 
 alone ! Come, I must know." 
 
 He held the paper in his hand, his merry face 
 kindled and glowing with mischief. Through the 
 mind of the tortured man before him ran a remem 
 brance of what he had once said with regard to the 
 nature of a Prince when once suspicion was aroused, 
 and cold drops rose like dew upon his forehead. 
 
 "You do not know you have not examined the 
 paper ? " he faltered. 
 
 "No. What is it? shall I look?" and he was 
 about to open it. 
 
 " For heaven's sake no, my friend ! Give it to 
 me," and he almost snatched it from his hand to hide 
 it instantly in his bosom. The merry face clouded, 
 whilst an expression of surprise and wounded feeling 
 dawned there instead. 
 
 " Nathaniel, is this the way to treat a friend ? 
 You looked as if you feared I should look into your 
 secrets in spite of you, which does not betray a 
 friendly trust. If I thought to amuse myself at your 
 expense, I disclaim any dishonorable intentions of 
 taking further advantage of your carelessness, if 
 there is in truth need for a disclaimer." 
 
 " Indeed there is none ! " Mr. Garton hastened to 
 say, much hurt and troubled at the changed tone. 
 " Forgive me for my impatience, and be indulgent 
 still if I decline to explain anything about this unfor 
 tunate paper. It has reference to a miserable pas-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 139 
 
 sage in my life, and could give you only pain without 
 bringing me relief. Will you try to be satisfied with 
 this?" 
 
 " Yes but trust me, Nathaniel, and do not fear to 
 share your troubles with me, whatever they may be. 
 I do not say this to compel your confidence, but to 
 assure you of my sympathy and my aid wherever 
 human love and service may be welcome." 
 
 A keener pang never convulsed the heart of man 
 than that which wrung Mr. Garton's at that mo 
 ment. He surrendered his hand to the pressure of 
 his friend's, but his voice was too husky for the ad 
 vent of intelligible words. Looking into his eyes, 
 Mr. Prince saw womanly tears had dimmed them, 
 and his lip trembled. Never before had he known 
 him so moved. 
 
 " It must be a sad passage indeed, whose memory 
 can so disturb you now. Is there no help, no relief 
 in the world ? " 
 
 " None in the world. If I could wipe it out by a 
 sacrifice of one-half my future, I would gladly do it. 
 But that cannot be, and this talk is foolish. Only 
 tell me I am wholly forgiven for having pained you, 
 and that you will not withdraw your regard and con 
 fidence because I am forced to appear reticent ? " 
 
 " Certainly, and since it distresses you so, think no 
 more about it." 
 
 " You know there are things which cannot be con 
 fided to the dearest of our earthly friends ; and yet 
 it is not for lack of trust that we withhold them." 
 
 " True. Pray do not consider further protest nec 
 essary. Eest in peace, and for whatever pain you
 
 140 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 suffer, may heaven grant a balm, and speedily. 
 Good-night." 
 
 For a moment they looked into each other's eyes, 
 then separated, Mr. Garton hastening back to his 
 own room in an agony of distress which he longed 
 to indulge without the witness of that gentle, noble 
 eye. Once there, safely locked in, he dropped into a 
 chair, and covered his face with his hands. The es 
 cape had been so narrow the danger had been so 
 fearful, he stood appalled in remembrance. Without 
 dreaming of ill, Mr. Prince had held in his hand the 
 instrument of destruction. It had lain near his lov 
 ing, trusting heart, and wakened no fear. One 
 glance inside the paper, and how different had been 
 the scene ! The thought of it sent his blood chill 
 ingly through every vein. 
 
 Hour after hour he sat there, struggling with him 
 self for the mastery over feelings that would arise in 
 defiance of his will. Once he took out the drawing 
 
 O 
 
 and was going to burn it, but a spell seemed upon 
 him. He could not see it wither and curl up in the 
 flames the fair semblance of what he once loved 
 with all his soul ! Instead, he laid it away in a se 
 cret drawer with a few other things sacredly kept, 
 and locked it securely. Then he took out a journal 
 and added many pages to the history there penned, 
 after which he paced the floor until daylight. He 
 could not rest, and what he did seemed a necessity, 
 as if in preparation for some great change. He 
 wrote minutely and clearly, though without dream 
 ing that the words would meet other eyes than his 
 own, and thus bring to light the hidden facts of a
 
 SII.V TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 141 
 
 history which even he had imperfectly read. But to 
 mortal eyes the future is impenetrable. Not the 
 faintest gleam of light reaches beyond the hour in 
 which we live; nor can we know, in closing our eyes 
 for a brief rest, if they may ever open again upon 
 earth.
 
 142 EIGHT AND WJJONGJ OB, 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FORE SH ADO WINGS. 
 
 THE Sabbath rose bright and clear. Down from 
 the gorgeous hills swept a gentle breeze laden with 
 spicy autumn odors, and swaying softly the stately 
 dahlias and snowy chrysanthemums. Overhead the 
 sky hung spotlessly pure, with not even a fleecy 
 cloud floating against the pale azure. Blue mists 
 curled over the mountains, and the quiet was so 
 profound, the roar and rush of the river as the wa 
 ters dashed through the shoals far below Princeton, 
 could be distinctly heard. 
 
 Miss Eldridge stepped out upon the terrace, 
 around which a few hardy vines still clung, laden 
 with crimson flowers and looked abroad with a 
 alm, yet intense worship of the beautiful in her 
 heart, and serenely shining through her gentle eyes. 
 Here were no rude rush and jar no glaring incon 
 sistencies to pain the sight. Mansion and cottage 
 were wrapped in the same holy hush of Sabbath 
 loveliness, and the streets were free from all objects 
 that could break the silence with a sound of .-discord. 
 
 A row of rustic seats were ranged upon the ter 
 race, and, brushing the leaves from one, she sat
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 143 
 
 down, leaning against the arm dreamingly gazing 
 over the landscape with soulful eyes. 
 
 While she sat thus the door opened, and a light 
 step sounded upon the stone floor. She did not look 
 around, but a faint tint, like the delicate flush of a 
 sea-shell, mantled her cheek. The moment after 
 ward, a shade of disappointment crossed her feat 
 ures, as Mr. Bruce bade her good-morning in a 
 genial tone. 
 
 " I do not wonder to find you out in the enjoyment 
 of such bewildering beauty. One falls hopelessly in 
 love with the country, having it presented from such 
 a stand-point as this. How beautifully these hills 
 rise and fall in abrupt and picturesque views ; and 
 how lovely the gleam of the river skirting the town. 
 Of what does it remind you ? " 
 
 "A description in Aldrich's poem, Castlenoire: 
 
 ' Here the land in grassy swells gently broke ; there sunk in 
 
 dells, 
 
 With mosses green and purple, and prongs of rock and peat, 
 Here, in statue-like repose, an old wrinkled mountain rose,' " 
 
 pointing to a large mountain rising north. " But 
 the likeness there ceases, for his head is crowned 
 with hues as gorgeous as the ' tiger lilies ' of which 
 my poet sings. I can imagine those trees stripped 
 bare, and snows lying whitely upon the summit of 
 the hills. The glitter of ice-drops on the boughs 
 in a winter day, and the sullen murmur of waters 
 locked under the frozen crystal of the river, would 
 make this place no less attractive than now." 
 
 Mr. Bruce shrugged his shoulders and made a 
 grimace.
 
 144 RIGHT AND WRONG; OH, 
 
 "Beautiful it certainly would be, but cold! I love 
 warmth and vivid coloring too well to long for a 
 glimpse of winter's handiwork in these fair mount 
 ains. Here it would be like a Chinese community in 
 mourning. His white robes would too painfully re 
 mind me of the dead summer the passed autumn ; 
 and when he shakes his snowy lucks over my rain 
 bow tints, and sweeps from the woods their odors of 
 spice with his icy breath, I shall rejoice in being 
 cosily shut up in my bachelor quarters, with the rush 
 and turmoil of the metropolis around me." 
 
 " Tastes differ, and it is well, I suppose, for the 
 sake of variety. I have accepted an invitation to 
 remain for some weeks, and I expect to enjoy the 
 scenes you dread, ere I return to the city." 
 
 Mr. Bruce appeared surprised and not a little dis 
 appointed : 
 
 " I am sorry to hear this. We shall miss you in 
 our circle sadly, and while I cannot feel it otherwise 
 than selfish to urge it, I am still disposed to express a 
 strong desire that you may reconsider your decision." 
 
 " Why should I ? No one will miss me, and I 
 shall be far happier here." 
 
 She regretted her speech the moment it was ut 
 tered, for it gave him an opportunity to say what 
 she did not wish to hear. 
 
 " Is it kind to say this ? You know that all will 
 miss you, and I especially. Oh, Miss Eldridge, if I 
 could hope to produce any impression upon you by 
 the avowal, I would tell you how constantly you are 
 in my thoughts, and how happy I should be to know 
 that you do not wholly dislike me."
 
 SUE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 145 
 
 " I have no reason to dislike you, Mr. Bruce ; but 
 it is worse than vain to waste thoughts upon me. I 
 am ungrateful enough to feel no pleasure in your 
 avowal, and too selfish to forego my visit here for 
 the sake of pleasing others." 
 
 Her reply was purposely cold and ungracious, but 
 in her heart she felt the pain his face plainly .ex 
 pressed. He sighed, and said, regretfully : 
 
 " I know, at least, that you avoid me, and more 
 especially since we came here. Once I hoped it 
 might be different. Am I never to cherish that hope 
 again ? " 
 
 " No, Mr. Bruce," she said, rising and assuming 
 a serious tone that was honest and positive without 
 being cold. " By my manner I have endeavored to 
 spare both myself and you. Finding now that I 
 cannot, I am forced to speak plainly, and beg that 
 you will seek elsewhere the interest which it is not 
 in my power to give in return for that you have ex 
 pressed toward me." 
 
 "And which you have probably given elsewhere," 
 he replied, with some bitterness, his brow flushing. 
 
 " I do not know what you mean." 
 
 "Then you are less discerning than most ladies. 
 Prince Hill appears to possess various attractions, 
 and while I cannot be expected to appreciate them, 
 I am assured that you will not be at a loss to find 
 sympathy in your pleasures." 
 
 Neck and brow crimsoned angrily at this ungen 
 erous attack. She turned her eyes full upon him, 
 now scornful and fathomless in their depths of out 
 raged feeling. He quailed under them, and en- 
 13
 
 148 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 deavored to stammer an apology. She did not 
 deign a further reproof, but turned and walked 
 proudly to the other end of the terrace. He hesi 
 tated and looked penitent and mortified at his own 
 folly. In another moment he would have followed, 
 humbly to plead forgiveness for the offense of which 
 he had. been guilty, but his intention was frustrated 
 by the appearance of Mr. Garton, whom he had be 
 gun to look upon as a rival. Mr. Bruce answered his 
 salutation as graciously as he could, and beat a hasty 
 retreat, leaving the open field to Mr. Garton. That 
 gentleman saw at a glance something had gone 
 wrong, and thought his coming inopportune. It 
 was too late to retreat, however, and he made his 
 way to her side. Her greeting was cold and con 
 strained to a degree that was surprising, and his 
 fears instantly pointed to a different cause. Was 
 she thinking of that drawing? And had she, after 
 a night's reflection, concluded that it was best to re 
 pel what she must have considered a dawning inter 
 est, as his words were intended to prove ? The 
 position for both was embarrassing in the extreme. 
 
 " I fear my coming must be unwelcome, Miss 
 Eldridge. If so, do not hesitate to send me away." 
 
 " No one can be quite so welcome as Mr. Garton," 
 she answered, frankly, her manner changing at once 
 on perceiving the absence of Mr. Bruce. The tone 
 was so sincere, the expression of her face so sweet, 
 he felt himself soothed and comforted in the wretch 
 edness that had overtaken him. Very gratefully he 
 thanked her, and accepted the temporary respite her 
 presence gave to his gnawing pain.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 147 
 
 " How pale and weary you look," she exclaimed, 
 suddenly, observing his haggard face. "I hope you 
 are not one of those 'midnight students o'er the 
 dream of sages,' who consume the proper hours of 
 rest by improper labor." 
 
 " No ; but I sometimes pass sleepless nights, nev 
 ertheless ; and I had that disagreeable experience 
 last night." 
 
 " Horrible ! to lie and coax the somnolent god in 
 vain ! If Young conceived all his ' Night Thoughts ' 
 in the night time, truly, he must have been a misera 
 ble man, and purchased his fame at heavy cost to 
 mind and body." 
 
 "Doubtless he did, and we are gamers by hia 
 loss. But I ? who shall be the better for my night 
 watches ? I am sometimes tempted to think life a 
 very miserable farce, indeed, where some people are 
 concerned so little are they of consequence in the 
 world." 
 
 " Oh, you have risen with a pair of ' discontented 
 spectacles ' on this morning." 
 
 "By no means I did not rise at all, not having 
 lain down. But I have no doubt my mood is less 
 gracious than usual, which is not saying much for 
 myself. Possibly a good breakfast and a substantial 
 sermon may have the effect of taking off the discon 
 tented spectacles which you just now thought you 
 had discovered. Are you going to church ? " 
 
 " Yes. It is a glorious day for church-going. 
 One feels reverent and desirous to be good before 
 hand ; therefore the good seed may not fall in stony 
 places altogether."
 
 148 EIGHT AND WEOXG ; OK, 
 
 " Let me have the pleasure of accompanying you. 
 Who knows but a germ may be planted in my stony 
 nature, to spring up and bear fruit to my everlasting 
 good?" 
 
 " That may rest largely with yourself. Is it not 
 in our power to clear away the stones and till the 
 soil for the reception of divine truths, sown by the 
 laborers He has called to His work ? " 
 
 " I do not know. My personal experience has not 
 led me to believe so comforting a doctrine. I want 
 to give root to the seed, and feel its strength a sup 
 port when I am weak ; but I cannot do it any more 
 than Pharaoh could relent when God had hardened 
 his heart." 
 
 " Do we, in this day, need proof of God's great 
 ness, and goodness, and power ? If He hardened the 
 hearts of the Egyptians, it was only to show to the 
 oppressors and the ignorant how infinitely beyond 
 them His power extended. Since that age, a living 
 truth was sent to us through a glorious medium, and 
 He no longer hardens the hearts of men against 
 Himself and His commandments. These are the 
 words He lovingly utters to every soul now : ' Come 
 unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and 
 I will give you rest.' " 
 
 " Rest," he repeated, with a deep inspiration, 
 " The word has a sweet sound but is impossible in re 
 alization. There is not a heart on earth which knows 
 its full meaning or can, till the end. tlow near or 
 how far that may be from us, who can say ? * We see 
 through a glass, darkly,' and my eyes are weary striv 
 ing for the light. Do you often think of death ? "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TIIUTU AT LAST. 149 
 
 " Yes. I was thinking of it when I came out here 
 this morning, and wondering as I looked at the beau 
 tiful world, whether we could gather from it any real 
 idea of what is to come." 
 
 " How can we know that there is anything to 
 come ? " 
 
 He searched her face earnestly, a wistful question 
 ing in his eyes. 
 
 " You do not doubt it," she returned, smiling up 
 at him confidently. 
 
 "No, but there are moments when such thoughts 
 take possession of us all, I presume. If we indulge 
 them, the result is a perplexity that drives us hither 
 and thither, like fragments of a wreck upon a tem 
 pest-tossed ocean." 
 
 " Then why indulge in them ? A season of doubt 
 is a season of torture. My faith is like a child's, and 
 I would not give it up for all the glories of this 
 world. I feel that I was not created for this little 
 span of life alone, where we are too often fretted and 
 vexed through a miserable existence. That within 
 me, which I cannot understand, is still potent enough 
 in power to make me feel its greatness above simple 
 clay. It points to the all-enduring work of God, 
 showing me how all things die to live again in fairer 
 and in different forms. And I am assured that I 
 shall rise from my sleep in the grave to a grander 
 life, as the butterfly escapes from its shell to spread 
 golden spotted wings to the sun." 
 
 " But the after life ? What is that ? If we could 
 but know ! All histories are faulty ; and who shall 
 prove those things on which we base our faith and 
 13*
 
 150 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 hope, wholly true? Bright are the dreams we 
 dream, colored by this faith and shaped by this 
 hope. But from the invisible world no disembodied 
 soul has ever returned to tell us of its after fate." 
 
 " We cannot know this. Often it would seem as 
 if invisible agencies must control our actions when 
 we are forced to do things wholly at variance with 
 judgment and inclination, and which result in our 
 own good. I imagine better influences around me 
 always, but I have no faith in their ability to hold 
 communion directly with the material world." 
 
 " Could that be possible, doubts would no longer 
 exist. No. If the spirits of the departed could re 
 turn, surely it would be to those struggling ones 
 who long for a clear knowledge of the truth, and 
 not to the ignorant, careless, thoughtless class claim 
 ing to hold converse with angels ! Bah ! I am so 
 sick of trickery and deception where the purity of 
 truth alone should exist. How shall I escape it? 
 You are not driven restlessly to and fro by uncer 
 tainties. Can you teach me a part of your cheering 
 philosophy, that I may be able to accept whatever 
 may come contentedly ? " 
 
 " I fear not, for you would not accept my teach 
 ing. A woman's faith is all she has, no matter how 
 she comes by it. If we tell you, a thousand argu 
 ments are launched against us. What we receive 
 as simple truth, you seek to undermine, laughing 
 the while at the ignorance which leaves us in bliss. 
 Were we to seek for flaws in our priceless jewels, 
 contentment might flee us also." 
 
 " Well, if the flaws were not in your jewels, you
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 151 
 
 could not find them by the most minute search," he 
 smilingly argued. 
 
 " Those who want to find them may do so. There 
 are such things as optical illusions, and tricks of the 
 imagination, to say nothing of the self-conceit which 
 may lead us to declare against the established truth 
 of ages. If, as some seem anxious to prove, the life 
 of man ceases with this world, why should all the 
 beings of the earth cherish the same vain dream ? 
 Why did the Greeks worship their gods, or the 
 Hindoos set up their gaudy idols ? Why should the 
 Indian talk of the * happy hunting grounds,' or the 
 Kirghis bury with their dead the best dress, hunt 
 ing-knife and rifle, and the faithful horse and dog, to 
 render him presentable in the new land to which he 
 is traveling? Throughout the earth some mode of 
 worship proclaims man the possessor of the inherent 
 belief that something within him must live after 
 death. The Japanese deify their great men, and 
 pray to them, as the Catholics pray to their saints ; 
 only the heroes are themselves the controlling pow 
 ers, while the Catholics own a God and Saviour." 
 
 "And these things are proofs to you of the immor 
 tality of the soul ? " 
 
 " Yes, as satisfactory as I can ask, in conjunction 
 with the Book which has been given us. And they 
 all teach the one lesson which Tennyson expresses in 
 a verse of his Introduction to In Memoriam. He 
 
 says: 
 
 ' We have but faith, we cannot know, 
 For knowledge is of things we see ; 
 And yet we trust it comes from Thee- 
 A beam in darkness let it grow.'
 
 152 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 Take this ' beam in darkness,' Mr. Garton, and let 
 it grow in your heart. There is no other comfort in 
 the world, apart from faith." 
 
 " Is yours strong enough to sustain you under all 
 difficulties ? " 
 
 "Perhaps I cannot answer positively as to that. I 
 have not been very seriously tried. But I believe 
 that I can bear any blow that may come to me, and 
 feel resigned." 
 
 " Even were you to find yourself stripped of all 
 you held dearest in life, and had no reason to hope 
 that joy could ever again come to you ? " 
 
 " It is a hard question," she said, her ardor damp 
 ened, her face serious. "I know how the human 
 heart rebels against trials, and I should have to strug 
 gle. But I should conquer at last, and be happier 
 in the belief that God knows what is best for me." 
 
 " You cannot think that He takes cognizance of all 
 earth's miserable creatures, and controls them to cer 
 tain ends ? In that case, do you suppose a loving 
 and just God could create and lead us on to the de 
 struction we have held up, a crying terror before 
 the eyes of sinners ? " 
 
 " If the hairs of the head are numbered, and no 
 sparrow is allowed to fall to the ground unheeded by 
 Him, there is no reason in doubting that He will 
 control those who give themselves to Him and His 
 work. All of us are born in sin ; but He has pro 
 vided a means for our salvation, and leaves us to 
 choose. If we come to Him, we are guided by Him ; 
 if we go from Him, dare we say He leads us to our 
 own destruction, after having created us ? "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 153 
 
 " You should have gone into the ministry, Miss 
 Eld ridge. I could more easily be* converted under 
 you than by one of the long-faced priests who take 
 pleasure in assuring me that I have an immortal 
 soul, doomed to eternal punishment." 
 
 Something in his expression made her feel vexed 
 and uneasy. She thought he had been forcing her 
 to talk for his entertainment, and was no more a 
 skeptic than herself. 
 
 " Now you do me injustice," he said, reading her 
 face. " I acknowledge myself in an unfair mood 
 this morning ; but I have not tested you without 
 purpose. What you have said has done me good, 
 and I shall remember your words gratefully. While 
 I have not lost the faith my mother taught me, I am 
 often sadly tossed by doubts and fears. For some 
 reason they have taken stronger hold upon me now 
 than usual, and I want to get rid of them." 
 
 The church-going party gathered in the hall at 
 the appointed hour, and walked down the Hill to 
 gether. But at its base they separated. Princeton 
 boasted of four churches, and each was destined to 
 the honor of hearers from Prince Hill. Mrs. Darby 
 and her husband accompanied their host and hostess 
 to the Presbyterian, by far the most handsome and 
 stately edifice in town, of its kind. The others went 
 to .the Methodist and to the Baptist, while Mr. Gar- 
 ton and his fair companion quietly walked into the 
 little white building whose stained glass windows 
 and cross-crowned spire proclaimed its denomination. 
 
 During the services, he sat at her side, knelt by 
 her, turned the leaves of her prayer-book, and joined
 
 154 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 in the responses with a clear, precise voice. Her ear 
 detected the mechanical tones, utterly devoid of feel 
 ing, and her warm heart ached. She went to church 
 with a pleasurable, sense of duty, a longing to be 
 taught a desire for more devout and direct com 
 munion with Gotl. Could it be possible that any 
 soul was so shut out from the warmth and light of 
 His love as to be unable to feel an interest in acting 
 and hearing that which constitutes the laws of the 
 Father ? In darkness and blindness he was groping 
 hopelessly, and her soul was moved to compassion. 
 An intense longing entered her heart ; all her silent 
 prayers were for him, this stranger whom she had 
 known but a little while, yet whose salvation had 
 become a dear and first wish. The thoughts that 
 crowded upon her forced tears to her eyes, that 
 brimmed over the white lids and dropped down 
 upon the leaves of her prayer-book. Her hand 
 trembled and her bosom heaved with silent sobs, 
 which Mr. Garton could not but observe with won 
 der. What was there in the services to move her 
 so? Nothing that she was not accustomed to see 
 every Sabbath. The minister who ascended the 
 pulpit was neither learned nor interesting. On the 
 contrary, his oratory lacked force, and his reasoning 
 lacked power, and not a word he uttered was calcu 
 lated to stir the fountain of tears. Still her tears 
 fell, as he saw by occasional sly glances at her 
 flushed face, which the thin veil refused to conceal. 
 Both were glad when they were able to pass out 
 from the eager, curious glances bent painfully upon 
 them, and breathe the calming spicy air.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 155 
 
 As they descended the steps, he took the book, 
 and they walked away silently, moving with slow 
 steps to the brow of the hill. There he paused 
 where a by-path led off through a line of stately 
 oaks and pines skirting the lawn, and for the first 
 time spoke to her. 
 
 " It will be some time before luncheon. Will you 
 walk through this path with me? I will take you 
 through the shrubbery and garden as we go back, 
 and the walk will do you good." 
 
 She threw back her veil and looked up gratefully 
 in thanks for his consideration. They turned into 
 the path and proceeded onward to a huge, moss- 
 covered stone, and there sat down in the sunshine. 
 
 " Now tell me," he begged, " what has occurred 
 to disturb you so much ? Of course I do not wish 
 to be impertinent, but you cannot wonder at my de 
 sire to know." 
 
 A burning blush stained her cheeks, but she an 
 swered candidly : 
 
 " I was thinking of all you said to me, and was 
 pitying you, Mr. Garton." 
 
 " And were those blessed tears shed for me ? " he 
 asked, a surprised and eager expression spreading 
 over his face, as he reverently unclosed the book and 
 looked at the blistered leaves still damp with them. 
 
 " Yes ; I could not help it." 
 
 He turned away his head, and his lips moved. 
 Underneath the calm she did not try to penetrate. 
 The heart of the man was beating fast. Every fiber 
 of his being thrilled to a sense of delight, a revelry 
 of silent joy at being so cared for. He saw the
 
 156 EIGHT AND WKONG; OR, 
 
 pure sincerity of her nature, and knew that no art 
 prompted the action he had witnessed. She had 
 tried to conceal her emotion, and being unable to do 
 so, she had confessed its cause frankly. Her truth 
 and goodness inspired him with respect. Her sim 
 plicity shaped a hope he had not dared before to 
 cherish. He caught it joyously, and enshrined it in 
 his heart, with a murmur of thanks that reached no 
 human ear. 
 
 What he thought and felt she could not divine, 
 until she caught a glimpse of his radiant face. But 
 without looking at her, he tore a tear-wet leaf from 
 its place, and hid it in his bosom. 
 
 " This shall go with me my priceless amulet 
 the first tears ever shed for my unhappy soul, and 
 consecrating the words to me that shall henceforth 
 be mine. What good angel sent you across my path, 
 at this, of all times ? If ever the tears of repentance 
 moisten my eyes, they shall fall where yours of com 
 passion have fallen." 
 
 Her lips quivered, but she dared not trust herself 
 ,to speak, and he took her little gloved hand and 
 pressed it gently. 
 
 " Just now all my heart and soul are stirred," he 
 said, retaining the hand he had taken. " From the 
 depths of my nature, 1 desire to be all that God in 
 tended the men He created to be and to accomplish. 
 Yet I know myself so well, I am assured that all this 
 will pass, unless I have some one to help me keep 
 these wishes alive. Will you do it? With your 
 aid I may yet be a happier and a better man." 
 
 What tender-hearted woman, thrilled with syinpa-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 157 
 
 thy for an unhappy man, could resist such an ap 
 peal ? Her eyes filled again, and her voice trembled 
 in answering : 
 
 " If aid of mine can accomplish such a work, you 
 shall not strive in vain for the peace that ' passeth 
 understanding.' " 
 
 He thanked her only with his eyes, but his joy 
 was great, and surpassingly sweet. 
 
 " For this day, at least, I will be happy," was 
 his mental resolve, and he was so. He talked much 
 and well, betraying the current of his feelings so 
 plainly, that her heart was kept in a continually 
 pleasant flutter. 
 
 When they returned to the house, his mood did 
 not pass. It lasted throughout the day, and ex 
 tended charitably to all. Even Mrs. Prince, between 
 whom and him only the most formal courtesies had 
 passed, felt the change gratefully. He was now 
 courteous and kind, and woke in her a hope that 
 was refreshing. Womanlike, she could not forbear to 
 question him, as he stood at her side for a moment 
 by the window, ostensibly looking out at the shrub 
 bery, lighted by the splendor of the autumn sun. 
 
 " What has put you into such gracious spirits ? " 
 she asked ; and his unexpected answer amazed her. 
 Taking the torn leaf from his pocket, he read in a 
 low, exultant tone from the Litany : 
 
 " That it may please Thee to give us true repent 
 ance ; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, igno 
 rances ; and to endue us with the grace of Thy Holy 
 Spirit, to amend our lives according to Thy Holy 
 
 Word." 
 
 14
 
 158 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " You speak in riddles a sphinx. Explain," she 
 demanded, seeing that he meant to give her no other 
 answer. But he smiled, carefully returned the leaf 
 to its hiding-place, and walked away. 
 
 " Ah," she murmured, with a low laugh, " I see 
 what it is now. My quondam lover is in love once 
 more. Be it so ! I may hope then to find some 
 peace ; for what man in love ever troubled himself 
 about anybody else ? " 
 
 Accordingly her spirits rose also, and she was de 
 lightful all the evening. 
 
 When Miss Eldridge went up to her room for the 
 Alight, she found an elegant prayer-book lying upon 
 the toilette-table. The fly-leaf bore her name, writ 
 ten in a bold, manly hand. A little note accompa 
 nied it, begging that she would accept it in the place 
 of the one he had despoiled of a treasure. The mes 
 sage was simple and earnest, and closed with a hope 
 that the angels might guard her innocent slumbers. 
 
 And she? she knelt in her spotless robes and an 
 gelic beauty, praying for him, as those pray only 
 whose hearts are wrapped in their petition. With a 
 beautiful blush at her own action, she took the note 
 up and kissed it, after which she turned out the light 
 and lay thinking of him until she fell asleep the 
 missive pressed against her soft cheek.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 159 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 WAKMHSTG A SNAKE IN ONE'S BOSOM. 
 
 ONE little week brought a variety of changes to 
 the people on the Hill. All the guests, with the ei^ 
 ception of Miss Eldridge, had departed, an:3 Mr. 
 Garton had resumed the routine of duties which 
 brought him to Princeton. In the quiet that suc 
 ceeded, Mr. Prince found more time to look into 
 the workings of his own household, and had seen 
 things that were not calculated to render him at 
 ease. 
 
 This came about by a more acute observance of 
 Mr. Garton's conduct toward Mrs. Prince. He was 
 naturally anxious that they should be friends, and 
 was not a little puzzled to understand the peculiar 
 ity of the gentleman's manner. Always when Mr. 
 Prince was near, he was polite and respectful, but 
 rather reserved. On several occasions, however, he 
 had come upon them in the parlor or library, en 
 gaged in more earnest conversation, which dropped 
 invariably into studied formality, at his approach. 
 He one day questioned her concerning it, and elic 
 ited nothing satisfactory in reply. 
 
 " I have observed that you seem to treat Nathaniel
 
 160 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 oddly," he said. " "What is it about him that causea 
 you to be so different with him from all others ? " 
 
 They were in their own apartment, and she leaned 
 her head confidingly against his shoulder, as she an 
 swered : 
 
 " I believe there is a natural antipathy between us. 
 We can never agree on the subjects that happen to 
 rise in our conversations, and I am too impulsive to 
 hide my feelings ; consequently we sometimes argue 
 them till they nearly amount to casus Idli" 
 
 "And does it vex you, my dear wife? If so, I 
 could sooner dispense with him than to allow you to 
 be made unhappy." 
 
 "What, your Pythias! False Damon, even to hint 
 at a separation ! " 
 
 " Now you are laughing at me. Be candid, Celia, 
 and let me know your w4iole heart in all things," he 
 urged tenderly. " While I should regret to see him 
 go from my house, I could do it, and be none the 
 less his friend." 
 
 "There is no need, for he will not cause me any 
 unhappiness. Besides, it would spoil everything." 
 
 " Of what are you speaking?" 
 
 " Have you not seen what a pretty little drama is 
 being enacted in the house ? He likes nothing better 
 than to question me about his lady love her ante 
 cedents, her goodness, her amiableness, merely for 
 the sake of talking about her." 
 
 "You mean Katie Eldridge?" 
 
 "Certainly; who else could I mean. Perhaps you 
 may be called upon to supply his place ere long, and 
 he will go without being sent."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 161 
 
 44 It would be a good thing for him, as she is rich 
 enough to place him above the necessity of drudgery. 
 I hope it may turn out so." 
 
 " So do I," and this time she spoke truly. To 
 draw the breath of freedom once mote had become 
 a passionate longing that she dared not gratify by 
 accepting her husband's generous offer. There was 
 a risk in sending him away, which might be avoided 
 by allowing things to take their course; and she 
 was forced to curb her impatience. 
 
 No more was said, at this time, but he was not 
 satisfied. Thoughts returned to him again and again, 
 until suspicion was fixed in his mind she never could 
 root out by all her loving arts. It was on Monday 
 evening, precisely a week from the departure of their 
 friends, and on going into the conservatory to cut 
 some flowers to be laid in the coffin of a neighbor's 
 dead child, he found them standing at the far end, 
 her face flushed, his passionate. He did not catch 
 a tone of either voice, and the evident confusion they 
 betrayed on seeing him fired his heart with the 
 keenest anguish. Instantly she bent down and began 
 to clip off some flowers with the scissors she held in 
 her hand. But he stood still, battling with the 
 feelings that surged hotly within his bosom. Mr. 
 Prince came up and regarded them keenly. 
 
 " I fear you have been quarreling," he said, in a 
 husky, constrained voice. " May I ask the cause of 
 your evident disagreement ? " 
 
 "It is all my fault," she exclaimed, rising quickly. 
 " I have taken it into my head that he shall change 
 
 his treatment of a pupil of his to whom I have 
 
 14*
 
 162 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 taken a fancy John Truslow. He refuses, and 1 
 have said hard things to him." 
 
 "Has any new trouble risen with him?" asked 
 Mr. Prince of the school-master. 
 
 "Nothing very unusual. Lately John has been 
 very negligent about his studies, and two days cho^e 
 to absent himself from school altogether. He has 
 fallen into bad company besides, ami answers me in 
 solently when I advise or chide him. It seems as if 
 all the good I hoped to do him has passed entirely 
 beyond my power." 
 
 The look which Mr. Prince now turned upon his 
 wife asked plainly, "What have you to do with the 
 boy?" 
 
 "Geraldine is his sworn ally, as you know, and 
 there is something about the child I like. His fate 
 has been a hard one, and I pity him. Gentler meas 
 ures were better than the harsh course Mr. Garton 
 has chosen to take, and I have taken the liberty 
 of saying as much." 
 
 " I think we may give Mr. Garton credit for un 
 derstanding what is best for a bad boy like John, 
 rather than you who are a stranger ; therefore you 
 had better allow him to pursue his own course," said 
 Mr. Prince in a lighter tone. 
 
 She turned pale at the rebuke and lifted her head 
 haughtily. The next moment she was sweeping 
 away toward the glass doors, whither her hus 
 band followed her. But by the time he reached 
 them she had disappeared, and he turned a look 
 backward to Mr. Garton, who stood leanino- his 
 
 f O 
 
 brow against a marble vase, his face deathly pale.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 163 
 
 "With steps as rapid he returned and grasped his 
 arm : 
 
 "For God's sake, Nathaniel, tell me what all this 
 means?" he cried, shaking the arm in an agony of 
 apprehension. " I have been blind, but I cannot be 
 blinded longer. Eemember that your are my friend, 
 and she my wife ! " 
 
 "I never can forget that," was returned in a voice 
 of such utter wretchedness as he had never heard 
 issue from mortal lips. The young man seemed so 
 racked and shaken by the violence of his feelings as 
 to be unable to stand without support. One hand 
 clung to the marble rigidly ; the other was thrust 
 into his bosotft. 
 
 "This is not the result of a mere quarrel about a 
 bad boy," continued the husband striving for self- 
 possession. "And what am I to understand by your 
 present agitation? For some days I have been forced 
 to notice your formality to her in my presence, and a 
 greater intimacy when you thought yourselves alone. 
 But I have not till now conceived one suspicion 
 against you or her. It is insupportable, and I must 
 know the truth." 
 
 Mr. Garton groaned and murmured too low for 
 Mr. Prince to catch his words : 
 
 "My God, my God ! it has come at last!" 
 
 " What are you saying ? " demanded Mr. Prince, 
 his self-control fast giving way. 
 
 The other lifted his head and looked at him 
 mournfully, his lips tremulous and white. 
 
 "Then you do doubt me?" 
 
 "I must doubt you or her, or both unless you
 
 164 EIGHT AND WKONG ; OE, 
 
 can so clearly explain away this mystery as to set 
 my mind at rest forever." 
 
 " She is your wife, and I conjure you to spare 
 yourself and her. Let no suspicion against her mar 
 your love. Remember you are bound to her, and 
 sworn to cherish her for life." 
 
 "And do I not love her? My God, how I have 
 loved and do love her ! But least of all on earth, will 
 I tolerate deception in those I love." 
 
 " Spare her from your wrath ; and since I have be 
 come an element of discord, let me depart. The 
 man is accursed who comes between a man and his 
 wife. I will go." 
 
 " By this you acknoAvledge yourself*tfti worthy the 
 place I have given you. I have nourished a serpent 
 where I thought a dove reposed, and it has stung me 
 to death?" 
 
 He staggered back and sat down upon a bench, 
 panting heavily ; and a pair of dark eyes saw him 
 through the plate glass door. But the white face 
 was screened by the curtains within, and neither dis 
 covered it. Mr. Garton took a hasty step toward 
 his friend and lifted his hand. 
 
 " I swear to you, before high heaven, that I have 
 never in my life done you an injury ! In every 
 thought and action I have tried to be the honest, 
 faithful friend whom you honored, and sought only 
 for your happiness." 
 
 Struggling once more for self-command, Mr. 
 Prince rose and confronted him. 
 
 " I have warned you of my nature, and in justice 
 to her you must prove every word you utter. Plor-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 165 
 
 tr 
 
 rible thoughts have come to me. You have acted 
 strangely, and all brings me to the verge of an awful 
 gulf. Whose picture was that you refused to let 
 me see a few nights since ? " 
 
 'f You must allow that I have a right to decline 
 answering such a question." 
 
 " What, under such circumstances ? Oh, man, 
 beware ! You know not what you are doing ! I 
 must and will know ! " 
 
 " You have no right to demand it, and you never 
 will know from me." 
 
 " Then by heaven " 
 
 What he would have said cannot be recorded. 
 Aware that he was beside himself with excitement, 
 he used all the power he had left to check the 
 words, and turned abruptly away. When half way 
 to the door, he turned and said huskily : 
 
 "When we are both calmer, this matter must be 
 settled between us. Now it must drop." 
 
 "It is well. A blinding flash of lightning may 
 serve to show us a danger at our feet ; and it were 
 best to think before you cast off on such unreason 
 able grounds the truest friend you ever had on 
 earth." 
 
 With this they parted. Mr. Garton went to his 
 room, but soon came out again in search of Miss 
 Eldridge. He found her alone in the drawing-room, 
 trying to read. 
 
 " Come out upon the terrace with me a little 
 while, won't you ? " 
 
 "It is bitterly cold. See how the hoar frost 
 whitens the panes."
 
 
 166 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " No matter. Let me thus mantle thee." 
 
 He took a warm shawl belonging to Mrs. Prince 
 from a sofa, and wrapped it around her. His face 
 wore an expression that was startling. 
 
 " What is the matter ? Something has hap 
 pened," she cried in alarm. 
 
 " Come ! " was his only answer. Silently they 
 went out, and the cold moonbeams lay whitely upon 
 the stone floor of the terrace. The frost glittered 
 there, and the wind blew cuttingly from the river. 
 He did not seem to feel it, and bared his head, as 
 if seeking to cool its fevered throbbings. 
 
 "Katie ?" he began, " there are times in the lives 
 of men, when a great calamity crashing out from 
 some hidden nook, treads down all forms, all rules of 
 conventionality. Such a time has come to me. 
 Something has happened which will force me to 
 leave Prince Hill, and you ! There is not one 
 moment to lose. What I can say now I may not 
 have an opportunity to say at another time before 
 this anticipated change, and I must say it. Look 
 up into my eyes and listen." 
 
 He paused at the end of the terrace, where the 
 moonbeams fell full upon his face ; and she raised 
 her eyes anxiously. 
 
 " In one little week I have learned to love you as 
 I thought never to love again. Once I poured out 
 my heart's best treasure on a woman who proved un 
 worthy. But the time came when I despised where 
 I had loved, and I thought the sentiment strangled 
 forever within me. Lately I came and found you 
 here good, pure and artless. My maturer judg-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 167 
 
 ment told me on reflection, that I was not deceived 
 this time and I gave myself up to the joy of loving 
 a good woman. Oh, how happy I have been in 
 my thoughts of you, even in the midst of misery. 
 I have hoped, for you let me do it, that you 
 would put your hand in mine and promise to be 
 my wife. I have a home to offer you with my 
 mother, and a name that has never known dis 
 honor. I will love you as a strong man alone 
 can love, and you can make me what you will. 
 Give me your answer quickly, Katie. If I go 
 from this house, as I must, some one will soon take 
 my place in the school, and then I shall be free to 
 claim you." 
 
 All this was so sudden and overwhelming, she 
 stood trembling, without a word of response. He 
 bent to her, whispering : 
 
 " Oh, Katie, do not tell me that I have been mis 
 taken ? Can you love me ?" 
 
 For reply, she dropped her burning face upon his 
 arm. 
 
 " And will you be my wife ? share my humble 
 lot contentedly?" 
 
 "I could ask no happier future," she murmured 
 and he drew her to his breast, folding his arms 
 closely about her. She felt her brow lifted up 
 gently and a kiss pressed upon her lips a linger 
 ing, burning kiss that she never forgot. For a few 
 minutes they stood thus oblivious to all the world 
 apart from themselves, and deliriously happy in each 
 other. 
 
 " And now, darling," he said at length, " now that
 
 168 RIGHT AND WEONG: OK, 
 
 I feel safe, and am assured of your love, I must let 
 you go into the house. I could not tell you there 
 what was in my heart; the same air breathed by 
 others should not bear one thought of mine to you 
 through the medium of sound. Here I have spoken 
 with God's pure heavens above us, and only the 
 stars to look with mine into your sweet eyes! Come, 
 dearest one ! " 
 
 He led her tenderly to the door, saw her inside, 
 then turned back. As he ran down the steps to the 
 graveled walk, a figure stole away under the shadow 
 of the shrubbery, and was swallowed up in the 
 darkness beyond. He did not see it, but walked 
 briskly up and down the garden paths, till we-ary. 
 It was late when he went to the window opening 
 into his room and tried its fastenings. They were 
 not secured on the inside, so he threw up the sash 
 and stepped in. Here the air seemed hot, for a 
 great fire still smouldered in the grate, and he left 
 the window wide open when he sat down, and, shad 
 ing the small lamp that stood upon his desk, took 
 up a pen to write. 
 
 The varied scenes he had passed through in so 
 brief a space of time had left his nerves unstrung 
 too completely for that exercise. After vain efforts 
 to compose himself for the task, he gave it up and 
 leaned his arms upon the desk. Gradually his 
 head sank upon them. He was not conscious of 
 drowsiness, but a faint and peculiar perfume seemed 
 to rise about him. Soon it wrapped his senses in 
 a delicious languor. He forgot his troubles ; he 
 thought only of his love. Dreamily his hand
 
 SHK TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 169 
 
 searched for a pencil ; languidly he wrote in faint 
 and uncertain characters the endearing words that 
 went floating through his brain. And then he 
 slept 
 
 " Slept the evil sleep that from the future tore the curtain off." 
 15
 
 170 EIGHT AND WRONG J OB, 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 REST IN HEAVEN. 
 
 IN the cold gray of a chill morning Miss Eldridge 
 was awakened by the touch of a little icy hand. 
 From her sweet and innocent dreams of a first pure 
 love she started in affright to see beside her bed the 
 white-robed figure of Geraldine Prince, standing 
 there with chattering teeth and livid lips. Her first 
 thought was that the child had been dreaming, and 
 too frightened for rest had come to her, and involun 
 tarily she put out her hand to draw her into her own 
 warm bed. Geraldine drew back. 
 
 " What is it, little one ? What brings you out of 
 your nest at such an hour ? " 
 
 " He is dead ! " gasped the child in an almost in 
 audible voice. 
 
 " Who is dead ? I think you are not awake yet." 
 
 " It is you who are not awake ! I heard a strange 
 stir in the house, and got up to listen. At the head 
 of the stairs I stopped and heard them say somebody 
 had murdered Mr. Garton! How could anybody 
 kill him?" 
 
 " Dead ! dead ! murdered ! Oh, my God, it can- 
 Qot be possible ! "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 171, 
 
 She sat up in bed appalled, and wrung her slen 
 der hands frantically. Geraldine stood still and 
 tearless, looking at her with dilated eyes. 
 
 " Child, child ! are you sure you know what you 
 are saying? Who could murder him my my 
 promised husband ?" 
 
 "Did you promise to marry him? "asked Geral 
 dine, drawing nearer. 
 
 " Did I promise him what ? To marry him ? 
 Yes, only last night. Oh, heavens, this is too awful 
 for belief! I will not believe it. Nathaniel, Na 
 thaniel ! " 
 
 Too much beside herself to know what she was 
 saying, one thought uppermost in her mind, she 
 sprang from the couch and rushed out. Her white 
 robes streamed about her, and her feet gleamed 
 pearly white on the dark carpet. Down over her 
 shoulders streamed her long, fair hair, and her hands 
 were clasped over her bosom. Thus she glided 
 swiftly to the foot of the stairs, her face pallid her 
 eyes staring. Mr. Prince, who at that moment came 
 into the hall, saw her making for the library, and 
 caught her in his arms. 
 
 D 
 
 "Katie, what would you? where are you 
 going?" 
 
 "To see if it is true! Let me go! I must see, 
 or my heart will break." 
 
 She struggled like a wild bird, and he could 
 scarcely hold her. 
 
 "Indeed you cannot go! To look upon such a 
 sight would kill you. Oh, heavens, what misery 
 has fallen upon this house ! Whence comes this
 
 172 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 curse so black and bitter ! My child, be still. It is 
 too late ! We can do nothing." 
 
 " Dead murdered ! " she murmured, sinking pas 
 sively in his arms. Then her eyes closed and she 
 was as pale and still as the dead lover whose warm 
 lips last night had kissed her. With a groan he 
 lifted the slight form and bore her back to her 
 chamber, where in a few moments several servants 
 were summoned to apply restoratives. Seeing her 
 well cared for, Mr. Prince hastened away the mo 
 ment signs of life appeared. The household was in 
 confusion, and his own wife lay in hysterical convul 
 sions in her room. As he went springing down the 
 steps, his daughter suddenly appeared before him. 
 She had slipped a wrapper over her night-dress, and 
 put her feet into slippers, while all this was going on 
 around her. 
 
 "You, too, my dear?" he cried. "I shall be 
 driven frantic ! " 
 
 " No, papa ; I will not give you any trouble. I 
 want to help you if I can." 
 
 " To help me ? you ! What could you do ? Go 
 back to your little bed, my darling, and lie still 
 awhile." 
 
 " Oh, I cannot. Tell me who did it. I want to 
 know everything." 
 
 " Nobody can tell. Like a thief, the destroyer came 
 in the night, and he is gone our friend ! My sweet 
 one, you look white and sick. Here ! lay your little 
 head on papa's heavy heart and cry. Come ! " 
 
 He sat down on the stairs and drew her to his 
 bosom ; but she still resisted sympathy.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 173 
 
 " No. I cannot, I am too cold to cry. I feel as 
 if my heart had turned all to ice. Let me go and 
 see him, papa." 
 
 " Not for the world ! such a horrible, horrible 
 sight. The coroner has been summoned and will 
 soon be here ; and until all this dreadful business is 
 over you can best aid me by trying to keep things 
 quiet. Can you not do something for poor Katie?" 
 
 " I will try. He loved her best of all." 
 
 " How do you know that?" he asked quickly. 
 
 "She told me that she had promised to be his 
 wife." 
 
 "When?" 
 
 " This morning when I told her he had been mur 
 dered. It came out in spite of herself, and it was 
 only last night she made the promise. Do you think 
 it will .break her heart ? " 
 
 " Oh, hearts do not break easily, or mine would 
 be shattered to atoms. Go to her, little one, and try 
 to bear this thing as well as you can." 
 
 She obeyed him, and went at once up the stairs ; 
 but it was with a step as heavy as lead, and a face so 
 ashen, his throat swelled with a sob of anguish, dry 
 and bitter, as he watched her. Then he wandered 
 all over the house, finding something to do every 
 where except in the room where his wife lay sob 
 bing, moaning and wringing her hands, with her 
 frightened maids around her. He could hear her 
 cries, but kept as far off as he could, until the dis 
 mal sounds ceased, and the confusion became less 
 confounding. 
 
 Before sunrise, the coroner came, and an inquest 
 15*
 
 174 RIGHT AND WllONG ; OK, 
 
 was held on the body. The facts brought out were 
 few, but tended to fasten suspicion upon the boy, 
 John Truslow, whose knife still remained in the 
 deadly wound, inflicted as the sleeping man sat 
 bowed over his desk. The aim had been sure and 
 true, the keen, slender knife passing under the left 
 shoulder-blade to the region of the heart, and al 
 lowed to remain. The cook who had risen very 
 early, seeing the window of Mr. Garton's room 
 open, had ventured to peep in, and discovered him 
 in the attitude described, the handle of the knife 
 contrasting with the black coat he wore, and stained 
 with his blood. Her first action was to call up Mr. 
 Prince's servant, who after a peep into the room 
 through the window to be assured of the horrible 
 truth, rushed up to his master's room to arouse him. 
 To his first knock, no answer was made; to the 
 second Mr. Prince responded, demanding to know 
 the cause of the disturbance. In telling him, Mrs. 
 Prince shrieked out, having overheard the news, and 
 from that the confusion spread. When Mr. Prince 
 reached Mr. Garton's room, the servants were gath 
 ered about the door and windows, but no one dared 
 to touch him. He rushed forward and lifted the 
 dead man's head. Icy cold, and rigid in every limb ! 
 He must have been dead some hours. Seeing this, 
 he bade them all keep away from the body, and dis 
 patched a man to fetch the doctor and the coroner. 
 In the investigation, it was proved that the knife 
 found in the body belonged to John Truslow, and 
 furthermore, that he had threatened to kill Mr. Gar- 
 ton at the time of his severe punishment ; and this
 
 " He rushed forward and lifted the dead man's head." 
 
 Page 174.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 175 
 
 was deemed sufficient for his apprehension. A war 
 rant was made out for his arrest. The officers found 
 him sleeping soundly in his bed, and dragged him 
 out to prison, feeling that he was the most hardened 
 little sinner it had ever been their fortune to deal 
 with. 
 
 No wonder, for the poor boy, who was used to be 
 ing roughly handled, believed it all a joke, and could 
 not credit what they said until the faces of tho 
 people proved the truth of what had been said to 
 him. Then he became so frightened as to lose for a 
 time his presence of mind, and confuse everybody. 
 Finally, by dint of a little tact on the part of Mr. 
 Prince, who kindly addressed him for the purpose, 
 he became calmer and answered more composedly 
 the questions that were put to him, before the 
 magistrate. 
 
 '* Where were you last night between the hours 
 of ten o'clock, and three in the morning ? " 
 
 "At home in bed." 
 
 " Where before ten o'clock in the evening ? " 
 
 John was confused and hesitated. 
 
 " I can't tell," he said at last. 
 
 " Boy, remember that your life depends upon your 
 truth, and do not trifle now," demanded the exam 
 iner solemnly. "If this murder can be proved as 
 the work of your hand, you will be hung for it." 
 
 " Oh, I swear I never did it ! 1 never threatened 
 to kill him ? It was all a lie, and I would not have 
 hurt him to save my own life. Oh, Mr. Prince, you 
 will not let them hang me," turning appealingly to 
 him.
 
 176 EIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 " Try to prove your innocence speak out hon 
 estly, my poor boy," was the reply. 
 
 " "Well, then, this much. I went to carry a note 
 from a gentleman to a lady ; but I promised not to 
 tell who it was, or to say anything about it." 
 
 " Was the errand performed in the vicinity of 
 Prince Hill?" 
 
 John hung his head, and still refused to answer. 
 When the question was repeated sternly, he said : 
 
 " I was not to tell." 
 
 " It may cost you your life to refuse." 
 
 " No matter," now said the boy, his spirit roused, 
 " I promised not to tell, and I won't. I did not kill 
 Mr. Garton, who has been kind and good to me, 
 even when I vexed and troubled him ; and that is all 
 I have to say." 
 
 Further than this they could not get out of him. 
 To all questions he was dumb, and stubbornly re 
 fused to answer. 
 
 The interest which Mr. Prince manifested in the 
 examination of Jojin Truslow, was peculiar, being in 
 tense, but apparently free from suspicion. He had 
 carefully taken notes of the points made out against 
 him ; and when the evidence seemed so strong as to 
 justify his committal for trial, and the boy began to 
 sob and tremble in his terror, the gentleman bent for 
 ward and said distinctly : 
 
 " Do not be afraid, John. If you are innocent, you 
 shall be saved from injustice. I will find the mur 
 derer of my friend, if it requires every dollar of money 
 I possess to accomplish it ; so, if you are free from 
 the black sin of this deed, you have nothing to fear."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 177 
 
 John's glad, grateful eyes were lifted to his face, 
 with a beam of hopefulness in them that was in it 
 self a proof of innocence. Nevertheless, he was 
 taken away in a violent paroxysm of weeping, be 
 moaning his fate, compassionating his mother, and 
 wondering what now would become of poor little 
 Dick, with no one to take care of him. 
 
 Mr. Prince returned home, with the boy's lamen 
 tations and the details of the examination painfully 
 prominent in his mind. There no comfort came into 
 his heavy heart. The surroundings were all calcu 
 lated more fully to bow his head in grief and per 
 plexity. Gloomy and desolate seemed the lately 
 bright and happy household. The servants crept 
 about solemnly, or talked in hushed tones at times, 
 gathered in groups about hall, piazza and kitchen. 
 Above it was no better. Miss Eldridge reclined 
 upon a sofa in her sitting-room, pale and silent, at 
 tended by Geraldine, and would notice nothing. 
 When he approached and spoke kindly to her, she 
 turned her face into the pillow, and moaned ; and he 
 left her with tearful eyes, knowing that silence was 
 kindest. But on the threshold he paused and 
 brushed the mists from his eyes to look back, and 
 take in the dreary picture without flinching. The 
 utter abandonment of the woman to her sorrow, and 
 the stoical strength of the no less loving child, fur- 
 pished a curious and striking contrast. Geraldine's 
 face had assumed a strange stoniness, like chiseled 
 marble, lighted by burning eyes, still dry and mov 
 ing only with slow, deliberate glances. All the rest 
 less fiery impulses were smothered by the magnitude
 
 178 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 of her woe. No complaints escaped her. She was 
 the embodiment of tearless despair of calm, self- 
 possessed misery, looking past herself to others with 
 out hope or interest. Even the tender feelings of 
 the morning seemed to have been paralyzed, and 
 what she now did was mechanical, slow and mean 
 ingless. 
 
 Once more a groan passed the man's lips as he 
 turned again to depart. Reaching the hall, he took 
 a few steps toward Mrs. Prince's apartments, but 
 hesitated, and leaned his brow against the post of 
 the balustrade at the head of the stairs. Over his 
 face swept an expression of anguish too deep for 
 portrayal. His eyes closed, his brow contracted, and 
 his teeth were set over his nether lip as if to crush 
 back words that sought advent bitter, anguished 
 words that might ease the tortured heart. 
 
 " Not now ! not now ! " he muttered. " I could 
 not bear her eyes. Oh, my God, can the innocent 
 produce results like this ? I must know I " 
 
 The remainder of the day was passed in an ob- 
 Bcure apartment, little used, in a wing of the build 
 ing. Once or twice servants sought him there for 
 instructions, which he gave shortly, without altering 
 his position. He sat with his arms resting on a ta 
 ble, and his head bowed upon them. No message 
 could induce him to move ; all refreshments wero 
 refused, and the intruders were bidden to let him 
 alone. 
 
 " How strange he does look ! " said one of the 
 servants to another coming out of the room to join 
 his companion who had waited curiously to see if he
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 179 
 
 would answer a message from Mrs. Prince to come 
 to her. " If you'd only seen him ! " 
 
 " Well, how does he look strange ? " 
 
 " White and fierce. He just lifted his face for a 
 second, and his eyes flashed at me as he said : ' Tell 
 Mrs. Prince to wait ! ' He must feel awful to send 
 such an answer as that to her. I know'd that he 
 loved Mr. Garton, but I didn't know how much 
 before." 
 
 " Do you suppose it's all grief for the school-mas 
 ter that cuts him up so ? " 
 
 " To be sure that and the shame of having him 
 murdered in his own house. Who wouldn't feel cut 
 up, I'd like to know ? " 
 
 " You're right. It is awful. But I don't believe 
 John Truslow killed him. He's a bad boy, but I 
 don't believe he has pluck enough to kill a man." 
 
 " Pshaw ! he had pluck enough to kill a hundred 
 if they gave him a chance." 
 
 " No, he hasn't. I'd be willing to bet you any 
 thing you like on it." 
 
 " And why ? " 
 
 " Because he believes in ghosts ; and superstitious 
 hags are the worst cowards in the world when it 
 comes to blbod-sheddin'." 
 
 " May be so." 
 
 This conversation, though carried on in a low 
 tone, was heard by Geraldine as she stood watching 
 them. She knew that her step-mother had sent to 
 him, and she had cautiously followed to discover 
 why her father chose to remain alone. She was in 
 hopes that she might enter and talk to him, having
 
 180 IUGHT AND WKONG ; OK, 
 
 grown too weary to keep her silent vigil by Miss 
 Eldridg^e. But, as she stood in the gloomy corridor 
 and heard his sharp answer, she crept quietly after 
 them, and could not help hearing what the servants 
 .said. In a moment they separated, one proceeding 
 below stairs, the other to his mistress's room ; and 
 the child, pondering deeply, stole with soft steps 
 back to the sofa where the young girl lay, and again 
 eat down beside her, mute and tearless. 
 
 Shadows deepened throughout the dwelling, while 
 the murmurous sounds of the outer world gradually 
 died away. Princeton gathered around firesides and 
 in bar-rooms to discuss the event most prominent in 
 all minds, and exchange opinions freely. Both Mr. 
 Prince and his beautiful young wife were objects of 
 commiseration with all, while the mystery of the 
 school-master's death furnished food for warm dis 
 cussions. A few were inclined to give the boy 
 credit for better feeling ; some thought him too 
 cowardly at heart, but the majority fixed the crime 
 upon him without the benefit of a doubt. Who 
 was there to do it, if not he? Mr. Garton was 
 not known to have an enemy beside. All had 
 liked him; none seemed to think badly of him; 
 and John Truslow was the only being who had 
 fared so ill at his hands as to give grounds for 
 suspicions through a motive for revenge. Men had 
 seen him talking to the master, evidently vexed and 
 ill at ease. Boys declared to many threats having 
 been uttered in their hearing; and, as is ever the 
 case in a thing so exciting, each story gathered force 
 as it went, until no hardened villain, no abandoned,
 
 SUE TOLD THE TliUTH AT LAST. '181 
 
 world-defying man, old in sin and crime, could have 
 been painted in blacker colors than the poor boy who 
 lay shivering and tearless on his hard prison bed, too 
 miserable to give even this natural vent to grief and 
 fear. 
 
 In the meantime Mr. Prince roused himself from 
 his severe and rigid self-examination, and cast from 
 him all the weakness that for a few hours had bat 
 tled mightily with his resolves. The mobile features 
 became like granite, stern and unbendkig now. The 
 purpose he meditated had taken root in his heart, 
 too deep for uprooting, though the strained chords 
 of life might snap in pursuing it. 
 
 He raised himself from his bowed and abandoned 
 position, and looked out into the corridor. All was 
 still and dark. He shut the door behind him, 
 walked with deliberate steps through the gloom, and 
 descended to the main hall. There he found the 
 hall chandelier burning brightly, but the library 
 door was closed, and on entering the room a few dim 
 tapers alone showed him that the place was unten- 
 anted. Surprised at this, he stepped hastily to the 
 bell, intending to ask why the watchers had riot 
 taken their place in the discharge of a duty imposed 
 upon them. But while his hand was on the cord, 
 a figure glided from Mr. Garton's chamber and con 
 fronted him. 
 
 " You here, madame ! " he demanded, sternly. " It 
 is no place for you." 
 
 " I know it," she faltered, leaning for support^ 
 against the pedestal of a bust near the door. 
 
 " Then why are you here ? " still more sternly. 
 16
 
 182 EIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 " Speak, for now I will know all you are striving to 
 conceal." 
 
 " Don't look so I Don't speak in that way ! 1 
 could not help it, indeed. Oh, my husband, do not 
 be so cruel to me. No drop of traitorous blood ever 
 beat in that heart, now so cold ! Why should you 
 so bitterly condemn him ? " 
 
 " He would not prove himself loyal. If you can 
 prove what he declined, it must be at the expense 
 of all faith in you. I warn you to beware." 
 
 " Alas ! what can I say ? You will not hear rea 
 son. If I defend him, your curse will fall upon me. 
 And to let him suffer no ! he cannot suffer more I 
 
 poor ! Oh, I cannot, will not let you wrong 
 
 him ! You never had a better friend ! " 
 
 "How do you know that?" he asked, grimly, his 
 eyes mercilessly searching hers. 
 
 " You have said it yourself," she answered, rally 
 ing under his look. " And I have seen it I have 
 
 c5 
 
 heard him speak tenderly of you." 
 
 " That goes for nothing. It is the love that we 
 take deepest within our hearts, that can turn to bit 
 terest gall. But I will know the truth yet wholly, 
 entirely. Even the grave shall not shut it from 
 me!" 
 
 She met his look now with one of trembling ter 
 ror. He seized her hand and drew her to the door. 
 
 " What would you do ? " she gasped, struggling 
 to free herself. " Not there I Oh, not there again I 
 It will kill me!" 
 
 " Hush ! " was the colder, sterner command, ut 
 tered in a low voice. And as he spoke, he drew
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 183 
 
 her inside the door of the dead man's chamber, and 
 turned the key to keep out intruders. Still hold 
 ing her hand in an unyielding grasp, he drew her 
 to the couch where the dead reposed, and put back 
 the curtains. 
 
 " Look ! " he whispered. " See in what an icy 
 sleep cold death has laid him. But I will make him 
 the instrument of knowledge to me yet. Cold and 
 rigid as he is, he yet has power to speak to me." 
 
 " My God, he is mad ! " she breathed, turning 
 more deadly pate with fear. 
 
 " No I am not mad. But I bid you look into this 
 dead face, and swear to me, by all your hopes of the 
 future, that you never loved him." 
 
 The question paralyzed her. Against her will 
 she seemed constrained to speak, yet had not the 
 power. With a shivering sigh she sank down by 
 the couch, and hid her face in her hands. 
 
 " Oh, you dare not speak ! You cannot deny it. 
 And while you have lain upon my bosom, while 
 your arms have encircled my neck ! while your red 
 lips pressed their sweet kisses upon mine, in your 
 false heart you have cherished another image. Kise, 
 traitress! You shall not insult my sight with this 
 lingering virtue, shame ! Such feeble good must 
 die like the rest, and leave you a fit object for loath 
 ing and contempt, without a shade of pity." 
 
 All the sense of justice all the chivalric delicacy 
 that man extends to woman by force of habit and in 
 herent refinement, were swallowed up in his jealous 
 passion. He looked down at her with withering 
 scorn, cowering upon the floor, stricken and abased.
 
 184 RIGHT AND WROXG ; OR, 
 
 Hard and cruel thoughts took entire possession of 
 his mind. And as the drowning man is said to see 
 a panorama of his past life in a moment's time, 
 now he seemed to see how all her course had 
 tended to prove her the personification of falsehood 
 and deception. Had he loved her less, he might 
 have been charitable, and sought excuses from his 
 harsher judgment. As it was, standing in the midst 
 of a desert, with the scorching, withering, unshaded 
 rays of a merciless sun upon him, he could feel only 
 his hopeless thirst, and the cruelty of the wrong 
 which led him here to die in worse than loneliness. 
 Jealousy founded on a love like this, becomes in 
 sanity; and in this insanity he felt a cruel pleasure 
 in nursing the thought of destroying her. To see 
 her lying in her matchless beauty, cold and still as 
 the treacherous man who had stolen her heart from 
 him,, would have yielded at that moment a sense of 
 ecstatic delight. Involuntarily he looked around as 
 if in search of some instrument by which to accom 
 plish the mad desire; but seeing nothing, contented 
 himself with drawing her roughly to her feet, and 
 bending the full force of furious glances on her 
 face, more terrible in their silent concentration than 
 more cruel violence could have been. She quailed 
 and trembled, her heart throbbing with quick, ir 
 regular bound in her breast, until the evidence of her 
 deathly fear wreathed his pale lips with a scornful 
 smile. 
 
 " Traitress, sorceress, unworthy woman, false 
 hearted wife ! " he hissed. " Well may you tremble 
 and quake before the man whom you have wronged
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 185 
 
 as never man was wronged. Oh, it is easy for a 
 woman to blind a man who loves her. Wrapped in 
 the veil of your peerless beauty, you could hide the 
 arts that killed my honor, like a beautiful, slender 
 serpent creeping noiselessly through flowers to sting 
 the happy idler, basking voluptuously in the shade 
 of fragrant trees. You could woo me into confi 
 dence by your voice of music, your honeyed words, 
 and your enthralling smiles by the cursed art with 
 which woman appeals to the self-love of man, and 
 pleases him with the bewitching thought that he is 
 loved above all others ! But it is past. I have rent 
 the veil asunder. Hideous in all your beauty, you 
 stand revealed before me, and I can curse you, as we 
 have a right to curse the murderess who slays men 
 without pity and glories in the number of victims 
 lain upon tke sacrificial altar of her selfishness and 
 her vanity. You are true neither to the one nor the 
 other, but loving him deceive me, and when I find 
 you creeping like a thief from his chamber, where 
 you have stolen to caress, perchance, the dead, you 
 would appeal to me by lying looks, themselves a 
 mockery to the fear and agony in your heart. A 
 faint protest you made in his favor, it is true. But 
 an animal is nobler than you ; for what animal will 
 not strive to defend her dead mate from the de- 
 spoiler? You would creep away, and were I still 
 blind, nestle in my bosom to grieve for him ! Ah,, 
 the farce is played out and the laugh that woke con 
 tagion on the stage sounds hollow and mirthless be 
 hind the curtains. The queen is uncrowned the 
 
 faithless, false, dishonored woman grovels at her 
 10*
 
 186 EIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 husband's feet in fruitless prayers for pity ! What 
 if he should dash into tragedy and kill her, in jus 
 tice to his wrongs ? He has a right to do it." 
 
 All this burning tirade she had received without 
 attempt to answer. But her pale cheek kindled, 
 and her drooping eyelids hid the smouldering fires 
 his fierce words wakened. By the time he reached 
 the close, pride and passion steadied the quivering 
 nerves. Her head rose proudly, and her eyes flash 
 ing under her veiling lashes, rebuked him as scorn 
 fully as his had accused her. 
 
 "Kill me if you will!" she cried in a low, clear, 
 thrilling tone. " It were better to die than live with 
 one who can so wrong me on such slight grounds 
 who can condemn me unheard. But before you do 
 the kindly deed, it is my right to clear myself from 
 so base a charge, and I swear before high heaven, in 
 the presence of the dead, that you wrong me bit 
 terly. No love brought me to this place to-night. I 
 hated him living, and pitied him dead. My sense 
 of justice would not let me rest, and as a sort of 
 atonement for my unreasonable dislike, I came here 
 and nerved myself to look upon him the man you 
 loved, and of whom I, your wife, was madly jealous. 
 You praised him, confided in him. He stood be 
 tween us, and divided your heart. That, my nature 
 rebelled against, and I hated him. I could not help 
 showing it. Whatever he did, I found occasion to 
 criticise ; I chided him, I vexed him ; I tormented 
 him as much as was in a jealous woman's power. 
 But love him I did not ! And now that my remorse 
 is gone, you may think of him as meanly as you
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 187 
 
 will. Woman will bear much, but outraged honor 
 endures a certain limit only." 
 
 She turned from him proudly, and passed through 
 a side door leading to a private stairway. Before he 
 realized it, she had gone, and he lifted his head with 
 a gesture of bewilderment. Like a man rousing 
 from a nightmare to meet the smiling assurance of 
 Nature, it was but hideous dreams that peopled his 
 night with horror, he felt the revolution within him. 
 The cruel light died out of his eyes, and the scorn 
 ful lip was as soft and quivering in a moment. Over 
 his whole face the sudden joy spread like a radiance. 
 He panted, he trembled until he could scarcely 
 stand. Then he darted after her, and went with 
 swift, springing steps to her chamber.
 
 188 KIGHT AND WEONG J OK, 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 TEUTH IS MIGHTY, AND WILL PREVAIL. 
 
 ON reaching her own room, Mrs. Prince hastily 
 took a small key from her bosom, and locked it 
 within her jewel-case, the first receptacle that pre 
 sented itself in her excitement. The unnatural ten 
 sion of the nerves was giving way, and a moment 
 after securing the treasure she threw herself upon a 
 couch and burst into tears. 
 
 Soon the sound of steps on the floor reached her, 
 and she felt herself lifted up within her husband's 
 arms. A passionate, broken voice was in her ears ; 
 hot, passionate kisses showered upon her face. This 
 storm of remorse was almost as violent as his anger, 
 so wild are the extremes of strong and excitable na 
 tures. 
 
 " Oh, my wife, my darling, can you forgive me 
 for the wrong I have done you ? It was my bound 
 less love, my jealous selfishness, that made me so 
 unjust. Had I loved you less, I could not have 
 broken your heart so cruelly. But I was beside my 
 self. I have left you to grieve alone ; I have in 
 sulted you ; I have wronged you shamefully, but I 
 have nothing to plead beyond this love. Speak to
 
 SITE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 180 
 
 me ! say that you will forgive me, or I shall go mad 
 in my utter grief and shame ! " 
 
 She drew herself from his passionate embrace, 
 only to take his brow between her hands and kiss 
 it tenderly, a mute seal of forgiveness upon all the 
 past. Overpowered by the magnanimous goodness, 
 the nobility of the action, thrilled by the entrancing 
 proof of her love, that could look past such bitter, 
 burning words as he had lately uttered, the husband 
 dropped his face against her bosom and wept 
 great, hot, happy, yet remorseful tears, that rained 
 swiftly upon the little hands imprisoned within his 
 own. Many a time the tender eyes had filled ; but 
 these were the first tears that had fallen from them 
 since Geraldinu's mother had been laid in the 
 church-yard. They relieved they softened, they 
 purified him, as swollen waters will sweep obstruc 
 tions from the bed of the stream. He let them flow 
 unshamed by the childish indulgence, until her 
 drooping frame refused him longer support, and he 
 raised himself to find that she had fainted. 
 
 Quickly and tenderly, he applied himself to the 
 work of restoration ; but he would call no help. He 
 bathed her face and hands with cologne ; he chafed 
 them, calling her name with passionate love, re 
 proaching himself in humiliation until she recovered 
 consciousness and again smiled confidingly up at his 
 anxious face. Transported, he cradled her in his 
 arms, and the reconciliation was complete. Never 
 had he loved her as now. Never had she seemed so 
 good and beautiful as when she lay like a flower 
 crushed by his hand upon his breast. At such mo-
 
 100 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 ments it would be well to die. The human heart, 
 rising from pain, to feel the thrilling tides of happi 
 ness pulsing through, were better stilled in the very 
 height of bliss, than to grow cold under following 
 blows ; or lie, like a mountain whose center has been 
 drained of its molten seas, crusted over by the frozen 
 lava no more pervious to heat, and covered by ashes 
 of the things consumed. 
 
 He remained, wrapt in the sweet oblivioti that 
 clouded all things but one, until her gentle voice 
 begged him to take some rest. 
 
 "I cannot, sweet love," bending murmuringly to 
 her ear. " I am too happy for a thought of sleep. 
 But rest yourself, and I will watch you." 
 
 Resistance was vain. She longed to escape the 
 searching glances of his loving eyes ; but he would 
 not be sent away longer than to suffer her maid 
 to attend her. Smothering the hot impatience of 
 her irritated nature from his sight, she allowed him 
 to sit beside her pillow, holding her hand and 
 breathing fond endearments, until fatigue stole in 
 sensibly away, giving place to sleep. 
 
 He was happy then happier, he thought, than 
 he had ever been, after the terrible ordeal that-had 
 snatched from and restored to him his love. The 
 silken masses of her shining hair lay scattered over 
 the lace pillow. Fair and soft as an infant's were 
 the rounded cheek and arm supporting it. On her 
 brow the peacefulness of rest was supreme, and the 
 dark eyes hidden by the sealed lids left the face 
 without a trace of will a sign of opposition. Aban 
 doned to his love, helplessly confiding in slumber,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 191 
 
 she made him adore her with a wilder passion. 
 With her .breath upon his face, he closed his eyes 
 and wished then that death would seal this reunion 
 of their hearts beyond the possibility of severance. 
 The very fullness of his joy made him cowardly for 
 the future. He was afraid to look beyond this hour, 
 lest the sweetness of his cup should receive from 
 some demon hand a drop of gall. 
 
 Can we tell by what process the mind passes from 
 the dizzy heights of delirium down to the cold plains 
 of reason ? We wake from our fervid dreams to find 
 gentle, friendly faces around us ; but we miss the 
 fiery beauty of the tropical lands, remembered but 
 vaguely, perchance, yet never to be forgotten. So 
 this man gradually came out of his insanity to meet 
 facts as friends, and be guided by them to a sure 
 foundation of strength. He thought so, at least, as 
 he moved softly away from the side of his wife, a 
 smile upon his lips, unspeakable tenderness in his 
 eyes. 
 
 " My darling, I will place doubt beyond a possi 
 bility in the future," he said, whimperingly, while he 
 lingered regarding her. " If 1 have wronged both 
 the living and the dead, I must atone ; but it will 
 make my happiness and yours, my wife, my idol ! 
 Oh, love, thou blissful tyrant, to whose power we 
 alone bow proudly ! how wholly hast thou made me 
 thy slave ! " 
 
 He came back and bent over her ; and, half wak 
 ing, she felt the soft pressure of his lips upon her 
 own. He saw her smile and heard her indistinct 
 murmur, as if responding to his caress ; then he
 
 192 IUGHT AND WRONG; OK, 
 
 glided away and was lost in the gloom of the corri 
 dors, until the pale light of the tapers round the 
 dead man's couch, showed whither his steps had 
 tended. 
 
 A moment since, the silent man had stood over 
 the living image of beauty. Here the mystery of 
 death disclosed only the door through which the 
 soul had passed nothing beyond. With subdued 
 eyes he contemplated the marble features, mark 
 ing the contrast, and wondering if any part of him 
 lived to see what was passing around the clay, so 
 calm and peaceful now. There was a thought of 
 the mother, who would come on the morrow to re 
 ceive the remains of her only son, and the heart al 
 ready softened grew still more sensitive to pity. He 
 was her all on earth, and the assassin's hand had left 
 her desolate. Who was that assassin ? A thousand 
 times this question came up, but he could not accept 
 public opinion. Sealed in a mystery, as impenetra 
 ble as death, was the name of the murderer. Would 
 he ever know the truth ? Hope whispered that the 
 time might, nay, must come ; but when ? 
 
 There is something subduing in the contemplation 
 of death. Unless too utterly wrapped in our own 
 feelings to take cognizance of the lesson it teaches, 
 we are drawn to reflect with an awful sense of cer 
 tainty upon the end of all earthly aspirations. Into 
 the mind of Mr. Prince's thoughts peculiarly solemn 
 came now, when the silence was most profound, and 
 the deep night added impressiveness to the scene. 
 This calmer moment led him more firmly to feel his 
 late desire for the endless rest his friend had found,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 
 
 and his answer was less positive. No ! He did not 
 want to die now. The momentary passion was gone. 
 Dearer than ever was the life beating in his veins. 
 He put his hands on that icy one, and recoiled, ap 
 palled at the touch. So lately that hand had grasped 
 his ! So lately those sealed eyes had looked into his 
 own ! and this thought led him to the last scene in 
 the" conservatory. Every look and tone rushed back 
 overwhelmingly, bending him as a sapling is bent 
 before the blast. 
 
 " Oh, Nathaniel, Nathaniel ! " he groaned, " death 
 has parted me and you, and my last words to you 
 were words of anger. But, if to the enfranchised 
 soul all the things that are dark here become 
 known, you must understand now, and I shall be 
 forgiven." 
 
 The longing desire for truth, that is in every hu 
 man heart, sometimes finds comfort in coincidences. 
 Skeptics will call it chance; Christians say it is 
 Providence. But who shall say what it is, since we 
 can live only by faith and not by knowledge ? Mr. 
 Prince rose from his knees, where had rested his 
 head against the icy shoulder of the corpse, and af 
 ter covering the face with the sheet, sat down by the 
 desk on which lay the prayer-book, from which a 
 leaf had been torn, and a little Bible. The latter he 
 lifted, and the leaves parted as if by a hand, reveal 
 ing a verse enclosed in pencil marks, and deeply un 
 derscored. 
 
 " And I sviy unto you, ask, and it shall be given 
 you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
 
 opened unto you." 
 
 IT 
 
 i A J
 
 L94 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " If this be true, then I shall know that this dead 
 man's heart never did me wrong or I shall know 
 his treachery so well as to lose all pity. Surely 
 where so much may be at stake for me and mine, I 
 shall not be doomed to darkness and doubt if God 
 hears and answers the prayers of His creatures." 
 
 His purpose had not been defined until now. 
 That he came to satisfy any lingering doubt, seeded 
 the strongest idea, but how to do it had not yet pre 
 sented a conclusion to his mind. He looked about 
 him carefully, but saw only those books, and the 
 scrawled lines upon the paper which had been the 
 last thoughts of the young lover. 
 
 Why had he not examined them more closely be 
 fore ? They bore evidence of an absorbing passion, 
 and there was a name written there which he did not 
 notice when the paper was pointed out to him in the 
 morning. Faintly that name was traced, and in a 
 smaller hand. But he recognized it and sighed, 
 thinking of the young girl above, lying crushed 
 under the blast that had swept away her first sweet 
 dreams of love poor Katie Eldridge. 
 
 Carefully folding the paper, he put it in his 
 pocket, murmuring : 
 
 " I will give it to her, and she will prize it as an 
 evidence of how he loved her. And now shall I 
 leave the place, or seek for other proofs? What 
 has come over me, that I cannot stifle the prompt 
 ings of my jealous heart?" 
 
 Once more he rose and wandered searchingly 
 through the room. Finally he opened the drawers 
 of the bureau, and took out a little box bearing a
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 195 
 
 silver plate upon the lid with the words " Nathaniel 
 Garton " and below it a card labeled " Private 
 Papers." His heart beat fast. One look into that 
 box would set his mind at rest forever. Had he 
 any right to open it ? Yes, for Nathaniel Garton 
 had been his dearest friend, and he had distrusted 
 him. His actions had caused suspicion, his prop 
 erty must effectually clear him ; so he looked for the 
 key, but could not find it. The keys of his own 
 private drawers were in his pocket and he tried 
 them. One fitted and turned the lock. Opening it, 
 he saw several loose papers, and the diary which 
 Mr. Garton had kept so faithfully, so sacredly ; and 
 with the box in his hand, he sat down by his desk to 
 look at those sad relics. 
 
 First of all, he took out the folded paper which 
 had caused the first sense of pain that had ever 
 risen out of Mr. Garten's actions. The lines of 
 poetry were now so nearly effaced as to be illegible, 
 as if a rain of tears had washed them away. Un 
 able to forget the impatient eagerness with which 
 this paper had been snatched from his hand, he hes 
 itated before opening it ; and once his fingers moved 
 to put it back ; but a second impulse conquered the 
 compunctions of conscience or honor, and he looked 
 at the drawing. 
 
 Had the head of a Medusa been suddenly held up 
 before him, his face could not have expressed more 
 horror or assumed a more terrible change. Smiling 
 eyes and mouth, and flowing silken hair, were life 
 like as the breathing ones lately touched by his im 
 passioned lips. The blood leaped to his forehead,
 
 196 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 and his bosom heaved with a return of the jealous 
 storm just quelled. Now there could be no more 
 dallying with his fate ! Now the truth must be 
 wholly revealed ; and with bitter murmurs on his 
 lips he crushed the miniature in his hand, and turned 
 determinedly to the perusal of the dead man's diary. 
 
 In the cold gray of the morning, Mr. Prince came 
 out into the hall. A servant who had all night 
 watched outside the chamber door, started at seeing 
 him, but said nothing. Something in his face never 
 seen there before, and rendered more forbidding by 
 the dreary light, made words, had they been desired, 
 impossible. He drew aside to be farther out of the 
 way, and his master passed him without even seem 
 ing to see that he was there. He had reached the 
 main entrance, and had his hand upon the door, 
 when another servant came and touched his arm. 
 
 " I have been looking for you, sir, to go to Miss 
 Geraldine." 
 
 "Is anything the matter?" 
 
 '* She has been taken ill in the night and we found 
 her lying upon the floor of the room where Miss 
 Eldridge lay yesterday. The doctor is with her 
 now, and Mrs. Prince has taken care of her since we 
 discovered that anything was the matter ! " 
 
 "How long ago did you find her?" 
 
 " A little while after midnight. Mrs. Prince sent 
 at once for the doctor." 
 
 "Why did you not summon me at once?" 
 
 " We could not find you, sir. I went all over the 
 house, except into Mr. Garton's room, and the door 
 of that was locked."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 197 
 
 "True," answered the master, remembering that 
 it had never been unlocked since he turned the key 
 upon his wife. When they left the room, it had 
 been by the private stairway, and by the same he 
 returned again, later. 
 
 Dismissing the boy, he went up to Geraldine's 
 room, but she was not there. Mrs. Prince had 
 caused her to be carried to her own. On his way 
 thither he met the housekeeper, who was going be 
 low to get something for the doctor. He stopped 
 her to ask a question. 
 
 "Is the child dangerously ill?" 
 
 " I am afraid so. You see the poor little thing 
 was so still, and everybody was so confused, no 
 notice was taken at all of her, and she probably sat 
 alone in that room after Miss Eldridge went to bed, 
 until she had one of her bad fainting fits. I woke 
 up feeling uneasy, and went over there to see how 
 the young lady was ; and I found Geraldine on the 
 floor. Jim was in the hall down stairs, so I called 
 him to help me, and when we got her into Mrs. 
 Prince's room, I sent for the doctor." 
 
 " That was right," he answered calmly, and went 
 on. The housekeeper had expected a great show of 
 anxiety, and was surprised to see how quietly he 
 took the alarming intelligence. There was no time 
 for reflections, however, and she hastened on to do 
 her errand, while Mr. Prince entered his wife's 
 chamber. 
 
 A low couch had been drawn up before the east 
 window, and upon that lay the child, raging in a 
 high fever. The doctor sat gravely upon one side 
 17*
 
 198 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 of the couch, and the young step-mother bent weep- 
 ingly over the other. Instantly, when he entered, 
 she sprang to her husband's side and took his 
 hand. 
 
 " Oh, dearest, we have searched for you every 
 where." 
 
 " Well, I am here now," he said, putting her 
 away from him with his prisoned hand. His answer 
 was low, and the doctor, who was delicately ab 
 sorbed with his patient, neither saw nor heard. A 
 moment later the lady glided into an adjoining 
 room, and the father sat down in the chair she had 
 vacated. 
 
 " Is she dangerously ill, doctor ? " was the ques 
 tion he repeated without any previous sign of recog 
 nition or a word of greeting. 
 
 The doctor hesitated. 
 
 " I do not like to say yet," was his cautious reply 
 at length. 
 
 " I desire that you will speak plainly." 
 
 "Then I fear she is. The housekeeper tells me 
 that she is e,asily startled, and has had several faint 
 ing fits, that I do not like. And now this blow has 
 been too much for her. Had I seen her yesterday, 
 so quiet and tearless as I am told she appeared, this 
 evil might have been averted. She ought to have 
 been made to weep freely. I wonder you did not 
 see the danger yourself." 
 
 "I do remember now that she was unnaturally 
 calm and strange ; but the calamity that had fallen 
 upon me rendered me blind to the extent of hei 
 danger. Poor little suffering daughter ! She loved
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 199 
 
 Mr. Garton with all her heart. No wonder it is 
 breaking now." 
 
 "If we can only break this fever a little and re 
 store her consciousness, perhaps we can make her 
 cry. But if that cannot be done, I will not promise 
 that I can save her."
 
 200 KIGUT AJSID WltONGj OB, 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 HE CONQUEKS WHO CONQUEKS HIMSELF. 
 
 MRS. PRINCE did not return again after being dis 
 missed by her husband. His manner and look had 
 set her blood on fire with fear, doubt, suspense ! 
 What could have changed him in so short a time ? 
 Where had he been all night, and how occupied, to 
 come to her with such a face as that which had 
 shone upon her with terrible sternness for a mo 
 ment ? 
 
 For a time she stood still in the middle of the 
 floor, with her hands pressing against her temples, a 
 wild tumult in her heart. Had he come back to her 
 with the look and smile and touch of last night but 
 faintly repeated, she could have waited in peace. 
 Now it was impossible. Those who risk all upon a 
 single throw, after a desperate game, are rarely more 
 cool than when the first loss tempted them to try 
 again and retrieve themselves. And she, while feel 
 ing that one step more might ruin her forever in her 
 husband's opinion, could not wait longer to assure 
 herself of safety in a last venture. Soon as the key 
 had been turned between her and the gentlemen, she 
 took the hidden treasure from her jewel-case and
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 201 
 
 stole softly out through another door. This led her 
 into a corridor branching off from the main upper 
 hall, and favored her journey down the private stair 
 way leading to Mr. Garten's room. There she 
 paused and listened, then tried the door. It was 
 not locked, and she went in upon tiptoe, with the 
 awed face and hushed breath one cannot avoid in the 
 presence of death. Cold and dark and dismal, with 
 the faint odor of flowers stealing from the pillows 
 where some friendly hand had placed them. Objects 
 became more distinct when her eyes grew accus 
 tomed to the darkness ; and the intense desire to see 
 those flowers conquered her reluctance to draw near 
 the couch. She approached it, lifted the sheet with 
 shaking fingers, and saw a bed of beautiful bloom 
 about the still face. Flowers that spoke of delicacy, 
 of purity, of love, of remorse! Could the hand 
 that placed them there have been moved by a con 
 sciousness of their worth ? She knew that they had 
 been clipped from her own conservatory, and her 
 heart throbbed yet faster as she questioned within 
 herself who had been here to heap them round the 
 murdered one. 
 
 " It must have been my husband," was the final 
 conclusion ; but while she suffered the whisper to 
 escape her lips, the weakness of her frame forced 
 her to lean against the couch for support. " And if 
 it was, he has " 
 
 What! No other words were fashioned by the 
 white lips, and her explanation was in action alone. 
 Rousing herself, as to a desperate deed, she crept 
 softly to the bureau, took from the drawer the box
 
 202 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 that was there, and bore it to the window where a 
 brighter light shone through the blinds. Here a 
 sudden terror seized her. With chattering teeth, 
 and limbs that almost defied control, she hid the box 
 upon the floor in the deep shadows beneath the desk, 
 while she went to the door and cautiously turned the 
 key. Then she listened at the other to assure her 
 self no one was near before stealthily unlocking the 
 box to discover if the contents could touch her des 
 tiny with a record of ill. 
 
 She did not know that he kept a journal, but 
 thought it possible that a man of his strict habits 
 might be constrained to do so. His wonderful mem 
 ory of the details of small events even, had led her to 
 question whether this might not account for the abil 
 ity he had shown in stating things long past with an 
 accuracy that was almost marvelous. To learn the 
 truth had brought her here on a previous night ; but 
 she had only secured the key, and her courage failed 
 her before her design could be carried out. A step 
 had frightened her, and, as we have seen, brought 
 her face to face with her husband. Now she was 
 wrought up to that point from which no backward 
 step can be taken. To go forward was the only path 
 by which she could hope to gain an advantage ; and 
 yet, how horrible it was to stand in that room, with 
 the cold stillness of death pervading it, the odor of 
 flowers steeping her senses with their sickening per 
 fume, and the fear of discovery beating in every 
 pulse. The beautiful lips were drawn in, and the 
 pearly teeth pressed closely upon them. She struck 
 her hand against her heart with a passionate "be
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 203 
 
 still" on the hushed breath. And then when her 
 determination was at its height, a reaction came 
 which steadied her nerves. She opened the box, 
 looked swiftly through the contents, and smiled 
 with exulting joy to find nothing there which could 
 harm her. If anything ever had been there, had 
 not the key been in her own possession, and lain 
 near her while her husband's loving care enshrined 
 her ? The hot tides of blood went down, and she was 
 cool, clear, light-hearted. Even the disgust and fear 
 of death seemed to vanish. She put away the box, 
 came back and stood over what remained of the man 
 who had once loved her fondly. Slow memories 
 flowed back that made her heart very soft and piti 
 ful. She could bend down and look at his face, even 
 touch his white brow with her fingers, murmuring : 
 " Poor Nathaniel ! " 
 
 " Oh, woman, most beautiful of all created things, 
 And yet the most unfathomable and strange." 
 
 When she reached her room again, the doctor was 
 still with her husband, and she could hear them 
 talking in subdued tones. Still more reassured, she 
 quietly returned the key in the lock, dashed some 
 cologne upon her head and face, and threw herself 
 into an easy chair. 
 
 Until now, not one moment had been given her to 
 think calmly over all that had passed since roused 
 to learn Geraldine's illness. It was a comparatively 
 easy task now to arrive at a more satisfactory con 
 clusion with regard to his conduct. He had been 
 sadly overtaxed for several (lays, and the child's 
 danger following so swiftly upon all other ills, had
 
 204 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 been more than he could sustain. Perhaps he at 
 tached some blame to her for giving way to her dis 
 tress, and so wholly neglecting the child he loved so 
 deeply. He had confided to her the nurture of his 
 daughter, the need for more than ordinary care and 
 tender handling ; and to do her justice, she had fully 
 meant to do what she fairly set herself to accom 
 plish. She could not foresee this catastrophe, and 
 was not prepared to meet it ; therefore her husband 
 had seen cause to feel hifrt and angered. There 
 was another thought, sweet in the midst of all 
 storms. His love for herself had won him from his 
 child so far that he could put her first before Geral- 
 dine. Remembering this, the first pain of the shock 
 might waken a sense of remorse, and it would be a 
 natural thing for him to show it while the feelino- 
 
 o C5 
 
 lasted. No matter now. At peace with herself, and 
 secure in the knowledge of her power, she gave up 
 all thoughts that could disturb her mind, and ere 
 long fell into a quiet slumber. 
 
 When she awoke, her husband stood before her 
 chair, looking down upon her with unfathomable 
 eyes, his arms folded across his breast in an attitude 
 of sad contemplation. It was not sadness alone his 
 eyes expressed, nor pity, nor anger ; but a mingling 
 of all, and a questioning. 
 
 "Have I been asleep?" she cried, starting up. 
 " Ah, how selfish and you have wanted me, per 
 haps." 
 
 " No," he answered gently. " It is well if you can 
 sleep. I think it must be sweet to be able to close 
 one's eyes and forget everything in this weary world."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 205 
 
 He walked to the window, and looking out sighed 
 very heavily. She followed him and laid her hand 
 upon his arm. 
 
 " My husband, I wish that I could comfort you." 
 
 "Do you?" and again that strange, deep, ques 
 tioning look was turned upon her. 
 
 " Can you doubt it for one moment ? Oh, I 
 thought all doubts had been dissipated, and no 
 more should come between us." 
 
 He turned his head quickly that she might not 
 see the frown which knit his brow. His next words 
 were wholly unexpected and startling. 
 
 "Do you know that my daughter will die?" 
 
 " Die ? Oh, no I It cannot be so bad as that. I 
 was aware of danger, but not sudden or positive ; 
 and I hoped the tender care I am prepared to give 
 might restore her. Do not despair so soon. Every 
 thing shall be done everything skill and love can 
 devise. Oh, dearest, can you ever forgive me for 
 having neglected her so sadly yesterday? I never 
 shall be able to forgive myself." 
 
 " Yet you could sleep peacefully while she lies 
 dying in the other room." 
 
 The rebuke was so keen and so well-deserved, she 
 could not but quail under it. Womanly wit came to 
 her aid with a ready answer, however. She spoke 
 sharply, like one in pain. 
 
 " You sent me away with a manner and a look 
 that forbade resistance. I would gladly have re 
 mained." 
 
 " How I acted or looked was of little moment, 
 
 since it could not disturb your rest." 
 18
 
 -06 EIGHT AND WEONG J OR, 
 
 " I see you will be wounded with what I have 
 done. Weariness I will not plead when I recall that 
 you have taken no rest for two days and nights. But 
 I will accept all your chidings, and never cherish a 
 word as unkind against you. To have wounded you 
 is sufficient punishment for ray lack of strength." 
 
 Not now could such seemingly generous words 
 move him ; and the sweet, sad, self-accusing voice 
 had lost its power. Yet he preserved his gentleness 
 in speaking to her, and studiously kept guard over 
 himself lest his strength of endurance should fail. 
 
 " To chide you was not my intention ; and to pun 
 ish you for lack of strength would not be just. What 
 I came to say is that Mrs. Garton will be here to 
 night, and that I must go back with her to lay the 
 remains of her son in the family burying-ground. It 
 would not be seemly to let her return alone, after all 
 that she must hear at at I must go ! Meantime 
 my own child may die, and but no matter ! Better 
 now than later. I can give her up while this awful 
 blow is still smarting and lacerating my heart. Only 
 tell me before I go what shall be done to aid you till 
 my return? Are any of the servants competent to 
 the task ? or shall I find some one outside to assist 
 in nursing her?" 
 
 " Do nothing, but leave all to me, if you must go. 
 I will care for her as never mother cared for her 
 child ; and if care can save her she shall not die." 
 
 " Nay, I hope and pray that she may find rest. 
 This world is no place for such a tender plant as my 
 little daughter. God in his goodness will not leave 
 her here to suffer as I must till the end comes ! "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 207 
 
 "Alas, what can I say to you ! I know, dear hus 
 band, how dark the world must seem to you now; 
 but it will pass after awhile. Have you never seen 
 a storm in the mountains, when the clouds hung 
 blackly over them and the rains beat in torrents 
 when the winds whistled in the trees, and writhed 
 their limbs with the force of an awful fury? And 
 yet a day brings a change the clouds pass, the 
 winds are still, and the sun shines as brightly as ever 
 over the hoary brow of Nature." 
 
 " Storms may pass, and the sunshine will come 
 again as bright as ever. But the tree uprooted by 
 the storm no more can rise to its place. A little 
 while its leaves will keep their green ; a little while 
 life will refuse to leave the hardy trunk ; yet death 
 must come at last, and the thing that stood so 
 proudly with heaven-reaching boughs, lies in the 
 dust." 
 
 " We will not talk more of this now ; you are too 
 sad. When the worst is over, hope will return 
 again, and my love shall comfort you." 
 
 He groaned. 
 
 " Oh, God, my burthen is heavier than I can 
 bear." 
 
 She laid her cheek against his arm, and kissed his 
 hand as the tears rolled over her cheeks, but said no 
 more. Words were too tame for a woe like his. The 
 tremor that ran through his frame at her touch, 
 seemed but a stronger proof of the agony that finds 
 no outlet, and must spend itself within the helpless 
 heart. 
 
 While they stood thus, a tap came upon the door
 
 208 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 and she sped to it quickly, deeming it a summons to 
 Geraldine. The housekeeper stood there anxiously. 
 
 " Is Mr. Prince with you ? " 
 
 " Yes," answered he, coming forward, " what ia 
 it?" 
 
 "James has been up to say that somebody is in 
 quiring for you down stairs. Shall I tell him to send 
 the person away?" 
 
 " No, I will go down." 
 
 He first went to Geraldine, and kissed her with a 
 passionate tenderness that brought tears to the good 
 woman's eyes. Then he hurried away, as if trying 
 to escape his anguish. 
 
 "Ah, madam, you have need to love him much," 
 she said to Mrs. Prince, wiping her eyes as she sat 
 down by the couch. " The best devotion of woman's 
 heart will be little in compensation for what he has 
 now to suffer." 
 
 Mrs. Prince ventured no reply to this. Her feel 
 ings were too much moved, and her tears that were 
 flowing before now fell afresh as she leaned over the 
 child and took her little hot hand. If tears can 
 wash away a multitude of sins, hers should have 
 been effaced then. They came from her heart, pen 
 itential, sorrowful, womanly tears such as the Peri 
 bore, a welcome gift, to the gate of Paradise. 
 
 Geraldine was sleeping now, a heavy, feverish 
 sleep that rendered her condition far more painful to 
 witness. 
 
 " If she wakes from this unnatural sleep, and we 
 can make her remember and cry, we may save her 
 life. Oh, we must make her cry away this killing
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 209 
 
 grief ! Poor little lamb the knife of that bad boy 
 has killed his two best friends at one blow. It is 
 awful to think of the depravity of such a child." 
 
 "You condemn hastily," said Mrs. Prince, raising 
 her head. " That poor boy was never guilty of such 
 a deed." 
 
 " Who was it then ? Ah, it could be no other." 
 
 "I cannot think so. Some day we shall know 
 better." 
 
 The housekeeper could not be convinced, but 
 would not venture to argue the matter with the 
 young mistress, whose disposition she had yet to 
 learn. Further remarks, had they been intruded, 
 would have been cut off by the entrance of Miss 
 Eldridge, who had glided in like a shadow. Mrs. 
 Prince started at seeing her, and colored violently. 
 
 " Katie ! is it you, dear ! Poor child, how stricken 
 you look ; but we are all stricken sorely." 
 
 "Yes, very sorely," answered the young girl, 
 without any attempt to conceal her feelings. " Few 
 enough real hopes and promises of happiness come 
 to us in this life. To see the brightest and only that 
 one has ever possessed, swept away at a blow, as 
 mine were, requires all the strength we have." 
 
 " He loved you, Katie." 
 
 " I know it." 
 
 "And you reciprocated" 
 
 " Beyond the power of words to express ! But 
 do not talk of it. The struggle is past now, and I 
 am resigned. Once I thought I never could be, but 
 this poor little sufferer taught me better, by remind 
 ing me of what I had said to him of faith that could 
 18*
 
 210 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 sustain us under all afflictions. Oh, Geraldine, faith 
 ful little heart ! She did not leave me more than a 
 few moments all day yesterday." 
 
 " If she had, it would have been better for her," 
 said the housekeeper bluntly, forgetting caution. 
 "No one could love Mr. Garton better than she 
 did, as any one may know by looking at her now. 
 She will prove it by dying, if what the doctor 
 says comes true, and then you will both suffer the 
 remorse of having given way so entirely to your 
 own grief as to be unable to see how others were 
 afflicted." 
 
 Miss Eldridge took the reproof as just, making 
 no reply, while Mrs. Prince turned quickly to her. 
 
 " Whatever our faults may be, it is not pleasant, 
 under present circumstances, to be criticised in such 
 a way as you have chosen," she said, with some 
 asperity. " My nerves could not bear the shock ; 
 and if it rendered me helpless, how much more must 
 Miss Eldridge have felt his promised wife." 
 
 " I did not know she was to marry him," an 
 swered the housekeeper. " Pardon me, Miss, for 
 speaking so plainly. You have enough to bear." 
 
 The same apology was not extended to her mis 
 tress. Shocking as the event was, in reality, she 
 could not see why it should render her oblivious of 
 everything but herself. Now that Geraldine hov 
 ered on the confines of her grave, from want of care 
 and tender treatment, her sore heart must give vent 
 to its pent-up grief, which had discovered, in re 
 proaching itself, that she was not alone in fault, to 
 answer for her life. An awkward silence followed,
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 211 
 
 broken by Mrs. Prince, who remarked that as she 
 was not needed just then, she had better look to 
 other things; and if any assistance was required, 
 she would send for her. 
 
 The housekeeper made no reply, but rose with a 
 bow, and retired, looking grieved and indignant.
 
 212 BIGHT AND WKONG; OK, 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 COUKAGE SURVIVES THE GRAVE. 
 
 ACROSS the hills from Princeton, where the gorges 
 were deep and wild, and the rugged cliffs added 
 grandeur to the stately lines of giant trees, a narrow 
 road led to a small cabin, whose surroundings indi 
 cated not only poverty, but the primitive habits of 
 an earlier date by full a quarter of a century. The 
 cabin stood upon a hill-side, a small enclosure serving 
 for garden, corn-patch, and poultry-yard. At one 
 corner of the enclosure stood the hen-house ; in the 
 other was built a pen of rails, where a fine pig wal 
 lowed lazily, or lay snugly curled up on a bed of 
 straw. Below the cabin, stretched a long, narrow 
 valley, a portion of which had been fenced in, and 
 devoted to the cultivation of flax. 
 
 The cabin itself was of rough, unhewn logs, into 
 which two small windows had been let. The chim 
 ney was 'built on the outside, a frame- work of logs 
 carefully filled up with chinks and mortar, and lined 
 with stones, after the fashion of many chimneys still 
 to be seen in portions of the South. A glance inside 
 will show us as quaint a habitation as ever graced 
 the country in its earliest settlement, when women
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 213 
 
 sat trembling by the hearth, and men kept their 
 weapons loaded, and their knives sharp, against the 
 attack of the stealthy red man. 
 
 There was but a single apartment, serving as 
 sleeping-room, kitchen, dining-room, and parlor ; 
 and the walls had been covered all around with old 
 newspapers. Two small beds occupied the further 
 end of the room, and on the wall, back of the house, 
 were hung the wardrobes of the inmates, plain home 
 spun dresses, with one or two of calico, which served 
 as Sunday finery. For ornament, a small looking- 
 glass hung upon one side of the wide chimney- 
 place, and a picture, torn from an old magazine, 
 framed in pasteboard, and trimmed with little 
 knots of red ribbon at the corners, upon the other. 
 The floor was of broad, heavy puncheons, hewn 
 smooth, and worn glossy by frequent scrubbings. 
 Overhead, the beams, that were of rough logs, 
 the frame-work of the cabin, bore a floor of loose 
 planks, forming a " loft " in the roof, to which ac 
 cess was gained by a ladder standing in one cor 
 ner. An old chest, one or two stools, an arm 
 chair, quaintly fashioned, of hickory, and a rough 
 table, composed of pine boards, completed the furni 
 ture, unless we add the cooking utensils that stood 
 upon the hearth. 
 
 The inmates and owners of this simple dwelling 
 were a mother and two daughters. The eldest of 
 the daughters was a blooming, modest girl of six 
 teen. The youngest, slight and pale, with a beauti 
 ful eye, and a wealth of golden hair, never left her 
 little bed in the corner, where the light from one of
 
 214 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 the windows fell on her, winter and summer, in cold 
 gray or rosy warmth. 
 
 We present this trio to our readers on the morn 
 ing following the murder of the young schoolmaster. 
 And in strange contrast was the quiet of this habita 
 tion, the harmony and peace pervading it, with the 
 wild tumult of consternation at Prince Hill. The 
 invalid lay toying with the leaves of an open book, 
 intently watching the movements of her sister, who 
 sat on a low stool by the fire, paring apples. The 
 heat had flushed her round cheeks, and her red lips 
 were pouted in earnest forgetfulness of everything 
 except her occupation. 
 
 " How pretty you look, Angie," said the low, child 
 like voice of the sister from the bed. 
 
 Angie answered by a quick look and smile : 
 
 " I'm glad you think so ; it's such a pleasure to 
 look at handsome people." 
 
 " I did not say you were handsome only pretty, 
 Miss Vanity ! " laughed the invalid, childishly. 
 
 " Where's the difference ? I can't see any." 
 
 " Oh, but there is, a great deal." 
 
 " At any rate, it's all the same to me. I'd as lief 
 be pretty as handsome, if it's as agreeable to you." 
 
 " Either way I should love you," answered the 
 sister affectionately, " because you are so good, and 
 that is better than beauty. I wonder if everybody 
 is happy and contented as we are. Wouldn't you 
 like to see the great, busy x world, Angie? I should 
 very much, just to find out how other people look, 
 and think, and feel about life. It seems as if they 
 caa't be so different as we are led to believe."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 215 
 
 " But you know they must, though. No two 
 people can be alike, and it's just as well they can't." 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 " O, because it'd be so stupid, you know. How'd 
 you like to be just like somebody else, and not your 
 own sweet self, that nobody can't help loving ? " 
 
 " There it is again ! Bad grammar, Miss Angie. 
 What shall I do to make you speak properly. I de 
 clare it's quite discouraging." 
 
 " Oh, bother, with your grammar ! Grammar 
 won't never do me any particular good." 
 
 " So I should judge from present indications," 
 answered the sister, laughing again, her sweet, glee 
 ful laugh. *' But seriously, Angie, you ought to pay 
 more attention to putting into practice what you 
 have learned. Who knows what changes may come? 
 I am a frail girl, and cannot last very long, perhaps ; 
 and then mother is very old, and old people may die 
 any time. You are the only one who has a prospect 
 for a happy future. After we are gone, you can't 
 live here all alone ; and if you must go into the 
 great world, you ought to be able to go with the 
 best, without being ashamed. I'm sure no girl can 
 be smarter or prettier than you." 
 
 Angle's lip trembled, and her eyes filled. 
 
 " I wish you wouldn't' talk so ! It's foolish. 
 Whatever happens, I never mean to live anywhere 
 but here." 
 
 " Ah, Angie, you don't know yourself now. If 
 the time comes, as it must, you'll feel very differ 
 ently. A little, lonely, out-of-the-way place like 
 this would soon become unendurable, and you'd
 
 216 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 have to go. Besides, you don't think Eufus would 
 ever consent to stay here, do you ? " 
 
 " Eufus ! What's Rufus to me, Rose ? " cried An- 
 gie, blushing prettily. " I declare you are too bad. 
 Nobody ever thinks of him in this way but you." 
 
 Rose regarded her sister with roguish eyes, forget 
 ful of the momentary seriousness that had shaded 
 her tones but a moment since. 
 
 " I wonder why you blush so, then, if he is noth 
 ing to you. Why, what a silly little thing you are ! 
 You are not going to get angry with me ? " 
 
 Angie had risen hastily, and was thrusting the 
 apples, which she pared and cut fine, into the pan 
 of hot fat with more spirit than the occasion re 
 quired. Instead of answering, a sharp cry broke 
 from her lips, and she lifted herself up to examine 
 her arm, now tinged with a long line of fiery red. 
 Rose started up from her pillow anxiously. 
 
 " Oh, dear, you have splashed your arm with the 
 hot grease, haven't you ? Get some flour and bind 
 on it as quick as you can. Don't wipe off the 
 grease." 
 
 Angie ran to the flour barrel and dusted her arm 
 freely, her pretty face painfully expressive of suffer 
 ing. Rose tossed her own handkerchief from the 
 bed, and the injured member was soon bound up. 
 In turning round from this occupation, Angie caught 
 her sister's eye and burst into a laugh. 
 
 "You look as doleful as if I'd killed myself. Why, 
 sis, it is nothing much, and won't hurt long." 
 
 " It would not have happened if I had not teased 
 you about that ugly Rufus. I wish "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. *217 
 
 " Hush ! " cried Angle, with a finger on her lip, 
 " you must not talk so loud. I wonder if mother 
 ain't getting hungry. It's high time breakfast was 
 over, and that flax got down from the shed loft. I'm 
 going to break it to-day. By Christmas it's got to 
 be in a web of linen, ready for bleaching in the 
 spring." 
 
 "I wish I could help you; but oh, dear! I'm 
 worth nothing, and can only make you trouble." 
 
 " Now you just stop talking that way, or I'll tell 
 Mr. Garton." 
 
 " Oh, my ! that reminds me that I have not half 
 got my lesson, and he will be here to-day. Hurry 
 breakfast, Angie, and then we can be quiet when it's 
 all over." 
 
 " Yes, very quiet ; with mother poundin' away 
 at the loom, and me breakin' the flax, and only a 
 thin wall between us. I guess you won't hear that, 
 though, when he comes." 
 
 " No, indeed, I shall not mind it a bit ; for he al 
 ways contrives to make me forget everything but 
 niy lessons. How good he is, Angie ! I wonder if 
 the time will ever come when we can show him how 
 grateful we are." 
 
 "Perhaps so." 
 
 Both were thoughtful for several minutes, and 
 Angie bustled about busy with breakfast, while Rose 
 lay quite still looking at her, but evidently thinking 
 of something else. 
 
 " Do you ever dream bad dreams, Angie ? I had 
 a horrid dream last night." 
 
 " What was it ? " 
 19
 
 21& EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " I thought I was lying here waiting for Mr. Gar- 
 ton to come, when somebody came and stood outside 
 the window at the head of the bed. It seemed as 
 if the sun was shining, and I was trying to read, but 
 could not. Whatever or whoever it was, it cast a 
 strange shadow on my book, and I could not see the 
 lines. But when I looked out, I could see nothing 
 except the slope, the brook, and the autumn-tinted 
 trees on the other hill. I wondered what it could 
 mean, turned again and again to my book, yet could 
 not get rid of the feeling. At last, when I was be 
 ginning to feel nervous and unhappy, I looked once 
 more, and there stood Mr. Garton, his face very pale, 
 and his eyes half shut, as if he was dreadfully sick. 
 In alarm I asked him what was the matter ; but he 
 only smiled, without -answering, a slow, sad smile, 
 and then he seemed to float away. When I woke 
 and found it was all a dream, I was so glad I could 
 have clapped my hands for very joy. That's what 
 put me into such good spirits all the morning. 
 That's what made me tease you about Eufus." 
 
 " An excellent reason, indeed ! " said a manly 
 voice, apparently over their heads, which made both 
 girls start and blush vividly. The moment after, a 
 handsome, laughing face was thrust through the 
 square aperture of the corner where the ladder 
 stood, and a pair of mischievous eyes glanced around 
 the little room merrily. 
 
 " I say, Kose, you have quite a genius for dream 
 ing. I never used to believe in dreams, but shall 
 
 D * 
 
 after this, doubtless. Is breakfast most ready, 
 Angie-? I am as hungry as a wolf."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 219 
 
 " You don't deserve to have any at all, because 
 you wouldn't cut up that wood for me when I 
 wanted you to last night. I guess somebody '11 have 
 to go without the apple fritters somebody likes so 
 well, just for that piece of contrariness." 
 
 "Now you wouldn't be so cruel, I know, as to 
 deny me those delicious fritters nobody can make as 
 you can. Consider, my little beauty, that I had 
 promised to go and see a pretty girl, and I was in 
 honor bound to keep my promise. You wouldn't 
 have me do anything dishonorable, I hope." 
 
 Angie turned very red at this, and pouted visibly, 
 to the delight of the tormenting spirit above. 
 
 " Oh, of course not ! You can go and see your 
 pretty girls, and leave me to chop wood as much as 
 ever you please, but you won't get any apple fritters 
 for your breakfast." 
 
 " Come, now, don't be hard on a fellow ! As for 
 my going to see the girls, you don't care for that. 
 What am I to you ? And wood-chopping has been 
 a common amusement for nearly all your life. You 
 don't mind it half so much as you pretend, but only 
 want to tease me. Isn't that it, Rose ? " 
 
 With the question he suddenly let himself down 
 through the loft by his hands, and dropped to the 
 floor like a cat, upright and unruffled. Without cer 
 emony he marched up to Angie, and catching her 
 round the waist, kissed her heartily. 
 
 " There, now, let us be friends, my pretty Angie." 
 
 For response she dealt him a stinging blow upon 
 the cheek, and turned away angrily. 
 
 " You mind how you take liberties, sir ! If you
 
 220 EIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 want kisses, go to your pretty girl ! / don't mean 
 to let you take such liberties with me ! " 
 
 Mr. Rufus sat down upon a stool, leaned his head 
 back against the wall and laughed, twirling his 
 moustache saucily. 
 
 " Why, Rose, look at her ! I do believe she is 
 jealous ! " 
 
 " Jealous, and of you ! I hope I've got better 
 sense ! " 
 
 " I declare," he continued, still addressing her, " it 
 makes her really handsome to be in a bad humor. 
 I'm afraid, Angie, if you were to invite me to come 
 over and sit down beside you, I should be fool 
 enough to do it." 
 
 " Then you may place it beyond my power to 
 tempt you so near me, as it is against my principles 
 to make fools of people. Nature has done enough 
 of that already." 
 
 " Bravo ! You are as sharp this morning as a 
 newly filed crosscut-saw ! Did you have any re 
 markable dreams to put you into such a glorious 
 humor, ma petite ? " 
 
 " Yes, I dreamed that you came in, and I mistook 
 you for a gentleman," answered Angie, with more 
 readiness than truth. Rose looked anxious, but the 
 good-nature of the young man was proof against all 
 such assaults. The sharper the retort the better he 
 was pleased and the greater his enjoyment. Still 
 leaning back, he laughed more merrily than before, 
 and pursued her tormentingly. 
 
 " So you mistook me for a gentleman ! What a 
 pity to have been so disappointed when that com-
 
 SUE TOLD THE TKUTII AT LAST. 221 
 
 modity is so scarce in this part of the country. Did 
 you ever see a lady, Angie ? " 
 
 "A few times." 
 
 "When?" 
 
 " When I looked into the glass." 
 
 " Whew ? How modest you are ! Did you ever 
 see an ape ? " 
 
 "Yes, there is one present at this moment, and his 
 tricks are far from agreeable. Rose, will you look 
 out and see if mother is milking the cow ? I don't 
 hear the loom any more." 
 
 Eose raised herself upon one arm and looked out 
 through the window. 
 
 " She has finished and gone to put the milk into 
 the spring-house. Peter Jenks is talking with her." 
 
 "He's out early. Which way is he goin', Rose?" 
 
 " Home, I think. I guess he has been over to 
 Princeton. Yes, he is going home, and now mother 
 will want her breakfast." 
 
 The young man sprang up, set the homely table 
 into the middle of the floor, and spread the cloth 
 upon it before Angie had time to intercept his move 
 ments. Next, he ran to the little square cupboard 
 and brought out plates, knives and forks, and a stock 
 of cups and saucers. 
 
 " There ! wouldn't I make a splendid husband for 
 a rustic lassie? You'd better reconsider your bad 
 opinion of me, Angie, for I shall probably be a can 
 didate for that honor some of these fine days. Hallo! 
 Mother Ritter, how are you this morning ? What's 
 the news from Princeton ? " 
 
 Mrs. Ritter came in and set her empty tin pail 
 19*
 
 222 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 upon a bench before answering. Her face was very 
 grave and troubled. She glanced first at Rose, then 
 at Angie ; then turned to the young man, who had 
 stepped into one corner, and with his hands thrust 
 into his pockets, quietly waited her answer. 
 
 " There's been a great deal of trouble and sorrow 
 in the world since Adam was a boy," was the some 
 what unexpected reply. And then she sat down 
 and took a pipe from her pocket. 
 
 " Don't smoke now, mother ; breakfast is ready. 
 I'll have it on the table in a minute." Mrs. Ritter 
 paid no attention, but deliberately filled her pipe and 
 lighted.it. 
 
 " It's strange, but I suppose it must be so. Some 
 families is born'd for misfortune, and all the good 
 things that comes to them is took away as fast as 
 they begin to feel 'em. I'm about ready to give up 
 the hope of ever gettin' much good out'n anything 
 any more. It just seems as if a cuss had allus hung 
 over my family, and I can't withstand it. I never 
 done anything to bring it on me and mine, I know." 
 
 " Why, mother, what has gone wrong now ? " 
 asked Angie, without any anxiety, however, for 
 they were used to hearing their mother's com 
 plaints. 
 
 "What's gone wrong? Everything. It allus 
 does go wrong where we're concerned, don't it?" 
 
 " O, I think not You are out of spirits a little 
 tliis morning," said Rose cheerily from the bed. 
 " Never mind, mother ; if things do not go just as 
 we want them here, they will sometime, when we 
 are all angels."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 223 
 
 Mrs. Eltter grunted, and the young man laughed, 
 looking over at Rose. 
 
 " I doubt it, little Rosy. Some folks never will be 
 contented, even as angels. Only a little while ago, 
 I heard a preacher speaking of this class of people, 
 and his remark was to the point, I assure you. He 
 said even as angels, they would fuss and fume, and 
 say ' their legs were too long, or their wings were too 
 short.' I'm inclined to think your mother'l put her 
 name on that list." 
 
 These remarks called a savage frown to the old 
 dame's face. She looked up angrily. 
 
 " I'd like to know, young sir, where you learnt 
 politeness ? When I was young, I never would 'a' 
 demeaned myself by speakin' in such a way of my 
 elders, and to their own children." 
 
 "I beg your pardon, Mother Ritter. On my honor 
 I did not intend to give offense. But what is the 
 bad news Peter Jenks has been retailing at this early 
 hour?" 
 
 Mrs. Ritter turned round and looked at Rose. 
 
 "Poor little thing!" she muttered, "your only 
 comfort's gone now. Nobody '1 ever be good to you 
 like he was. But it's the way of the world, and 
 the poor must suffer in more ways than one. You 
 may shut up your book. Mr. Garton won't come 
 to-day, nor never any more." 
 
 Rose half sprang from her pillow, her lips sud 
 denly blanched white. Angie paused in her task 
 of dishing up the fried apples, and Mr. Rufus re 
 garded the mother intently. 
 
 " Oh, mother, what do you mean ? " gasped poor
 
 224 HIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 Eose, trembling violently. " Surely nothing has 
 happened to that good man my kind, kind teacher ? 
 Do speak quickly." 
 
 " Bad news comes quick enough," was the stolid 
 answer. " Maybe he's forgot that he promised to 
 make a scholar of you, so you could teach Angle to 
 be a school-mistress. Maybe he's gone away and 
 won't come back any more." 
 
 " Mother," cried Angie piteously, " Don't be cruel 
 to poor Rose. Don't you see you are nearly killin' 
 her ? What has happened to Mr. Garton ? " 
 
 " He's been murdered ! " 
 
 Rose dropped back upon her pillow, and Angie 
 flew to her side to fold her within her arms. Then 
 both broke into wails and sobs of distress, while the 
 old woman puffed at her pipe vigorously, and Mr. 
 Rufus, after giving vent to a prolonged whistle, sat 
 down and began to eat his breakfast.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 225 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 A STEANGE VISITOR SUSPICION AND TERROR. 
 
 WHEN Mr. Prince reached the hall after leaving 
 Geraldine, he found awaiting him an old woman to 
 whom a servant was speaking insolently, ordering 
 her to go away and not trouble people who had 
 enough to annoy them without the help of strangers 
 at such a time as this. On his master's approach he 
 ceased to scold, and remarked that she had better 
 state her business at once and be off. 
 
 "What are you saying, James ? " demanded Mr. 
 Prince severely, catching his tone and detecting his 
 insolence. " What does the woman want ? " 
 
 At this she pressed forward eagerly, before the 
 boy could reply. 
 
 "I come to see far myself whether poor Mr. 
 Garton has been murdered, as they say. I want to 
 see his dead body ! " 
 
 " Why, my good woman, this is somewhat ex 
 traordinary. It is too true that he has been mur 
 dered ; but I can not understand your interest in the 
 affair. Who are you, and where do you come 
 from?" 
 
 " Humph ! pity your memory's so short. I live
 
 223 RIGHT AND WRONG OR, 
 
 on your own land, Mr. Prince, not half a dozen 
 miles from your own house. Don't you remember 
 Joe Hitter, that'd become a common drunkard, an' 
 ye let him settle over yonder if he'd stop drink ? 
 He built a cabin an' cleared a flax patch, an' then died 
 an' left me to take care of my poor girls, an' one a 
 helpless cripple. We're poor, mis'able critters, but 
 he didn't think us so fur beneath him he couldn't 
 find out where we lived an' give us a helpin' hand." 
 
 " Do you mean Mr. Garton ? " . 
 
 "Aye! who else should I mean? Didn't him and 
 Miss Geraldine come to my house many's the time 
 together when they went walkin'. An' didn't he 
 insist on teaching Rose, days that's the cripple 
 so's she could teach Angie o'nights when the work 
 was done? He said if Angie'd be smart like Rose, 
 maybe he'd find a little school fur her some day in 
 the country, where she could make a decent livin'." 
 
 " All this is new to me, I assure you," said Mr. 
 Prince. " The good works of my friend were done 
 so unostentatiously, I was not aware of these actions 
 at all. Poor Nathaniel ! " 
 
 He ended with a deep sigh, but suddenly touched 
 his forehead, as if a new thought had flashed into his 
 brain. 
 
 " A. and R. I wondered whom he could mean. 
 Ah, I understand now, dear, good Nathaniel. Poor 
 children ! They no longer have a teacher, conse 
 quently no hopes for the future." 
 
 The old woman began to cry. 
 
 "None in the world ! An' what'll become of them, 
 poor girls, when I'm gone ? I can't last long, an'
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 227 
 
 they'll be left alone an' helpless. Oh, if I could 
 know who killed him ! Who did they say it was 
 that done it ? " 
 
 " Never mind now. It is a doubtful case, and I 
 think it will be hard to fix the crime upon the right 
 person. But if it can be done, I will " 
 
 He stopped appalled and wiped his face with his 
 handkerchief. 
 
 "What am I saying?" he gasped hurriedly. 
 " Mrs. Ritter, I am deeply sorry, believe me, and I 
 will see that your children shall not be left destitute. 
 Would you like Angie to be sent to school ? I will 
 send her if you will let me. And Rose what shall 
 be done for her? " 
 
 Mrs. Ritter regarded him cunningly, and burst 
 into a short laugh. 
 
 " You think I can believe you, but I've learnt 
 better. In two hours after I'm gone you won't think 
 a word more about it. Besides, I can't spare Angie 
 from home. She breaks the flax, an' spins while I 
 weave, an' I couldn't get along without her to help 
 me, an' wait on Rose." 
 
 " Then tell me what you would have me do for 
 you. Do you want money ? " 
 
 "Money? No! What could I do with money, 
 unless I had enough to buy a town-house and send 
 Angie to school ? Keep your money, Mr. Prince, 
 until I'm gone. Then if you want to help the chil 
 dren with it, you may. What I want now, is to see 
 the corpse ; an' what I'm going to do, is to find out 
 who killed him. I'll do it, as sure as there's a God 
 that is just ! "
 
 228 RIGHT AND WROKG; OR, 
 
 The pallor of Mr. Prince's face was so extreme as 
 to cause alarm. James hastily poured a goblet of 
 water and presented it to his master. 
 
 " Let me drive her off, sir ! She is an impudent 
 old piece." 
 
 " No, no," answered Mr. Prince, hastily. " Take 
 her into the room and let her see what she wants 
 it can do no harm. Go." 
 
 James scowled and obeyed, preceding Mrs. Hitter 
 unwillingly enough to the door. Mr. Prince re 
 mained where he had stood all the while, his hand 
 resting heavily against the balustrade, his eyes bent 
 upon the floor. He did not move until the old 
 woman returned and laid her hand on his arm, caus 
 ing him to start as if a serpent had stung him. In 
 turning his eyes he rilet an almost diabolical glance 
 as the old woman hissed through her broken teeth : 
 
 " The devil's own child could do a deed like that ! 
 I'll be sworn that a woman is at the bottom of it, an 
 I'll find out who it is before I die, mind if I don't."' 
 
 " What do you mean? " he cried fiercely, shaking 
 off her hand. " Tell me this minute. Whom do you 
 suspect ? What right have you to suspect anybody 
 without proof, woman ? Why do you come here to 
 torment me ? " 
 
 " Softly, softly, good sir. There ain't no use in get- 
 tin' excited. I come here because I wanted to. The 
 poor don't have so many friends that they can afford 
 to lose 'em without knowin' how they've been lost. 
 I say that a woman's at the bottom of it, because 
 there never was a black deed like that done yet, when 
 one of 'em wasn't in some way mixed up with it."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 229 
 
 "Remember that you are a woman, and that you 
 have daughters," said Mr, Prince, rebukingly, with 
 a deep breath of relief. " It is horrible to hear such 
 sentiments as those you have just expressed from a 
 woman's lips." 
 
 " It's all the same if it's the truth," was the curt 
 answer, while her cunning eyes never left his face. 
 " If it wasn't so true as it is, there'd be no sense in 
 the way you take it. You know as well as I do, 
 that it will all come out some day." 
 
 " God knows I hope " 
 
 Again he checked himself with a bitter groan, 
 and waved her off, tossing his purse as he did so. 
 
 " Take it and go," he cried desperately. " I am 
 not fit to talk on this subject any more. Go ! " 
 
 "Go ! is it? Well, I will; but when I come again, 
 maybe I'll be more welcome." 
 
 Notwithstanding her previous refusal of the 
 money, she took the purse and hobbled off stiffly, 
 thrusting it deep into her capacious pocket as she 
 went. She chuckled to herself a dry, mirthless 
 chuckle that sent the blood chilling through the 
 veins of the man, who stood looking after her as if 
 he had escaped a plague. 
 
 "It won't be the last he'll give me," he heard 
 her mutter. " No, indeed, not the last by a good 
 deal." 
 
 Mr. Prince turned into the library quickly, again 
 passing his trembling hand across his forehead, where 
 the cold drops gathered constantly. 
 
 " One night's misery made a coward of me. Oh, 
 
 anything else but this I could have borne like a 
 20
 
 230 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 man ! But now, how shall I ever be able to hold up 
 my face again among my fellow-men ? " 
 
 Any one who had known Mr. Prince previous to 
 the misfortunes which had overtaken him, would 
 have thought him changed indeed to have seen him 
 now, pacing the floor in his agitation. The clear, 
 frank, manly glance was drooping, the open brow 
 contracted, the once smiling lips pale and com 
 pressed. At every sound he started and trembled 
 like a guilty man, wrapped in the tormenting folds 
 of a sleepless fear. 
 
 Throughout the interval between the interview 
 with Mrs. Hitter and the coming of Mrs. Garton, he 
 avoided every one. A message from Mrs. Prince, 
 saying that Geraldine was worse, failed to bring him 
 from his dark retreat in the closed library. The 
 sounds of confusion fell upon seemingly deaf ears. 
 Not once would he stir outside the door until time to 
 go to the cars for Mrs. Garton. When the hour 
 came, he donned his hat and cloak, and was leaving 
 the house without a sign, when 'Miss Eldridge came 
 feebly down stairs. 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Prince, you will not leave the house 
 now. Send the carriage, and come up to your 
 child ! " 
 
 " Katie, I can not see her suffer ! Go back, dear, 
 and say that I can not come." 
 
 " But you must, you must ! " she said, clinging to 
 his arm. " Come and help us to save her. We may 
 pave her yet if we can bring tears. Oh, can you 
 think of nothing to do for your only child ? Come, 
 do come ! It is cruel in you to keep away."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 231 
 
 " Let her alone, Katie, for it is too late. Better 
 that she should die now than to live on through 
 years of suffering, perhaps shame. Can you doubt 
 that I love my child ? And yet dearly as I love her, 
 had you come and said to me, ' She is dead,' I would 
 have wept more readily for joy than sorrow." 
 
 " Is it then true, as Mrs. Prince feared ? Has all 
 this misery touched your brain ? " 
 
 He laughed bitterly. 
 
 " Does she think I am going crazy, Katie. There 
 is no such blessing in store for me. There are times 
 when even madness might be welcomed as a boon 
 beyond price, and this time has come to me. I wish 
 that I could think it madness which has conjured up 
 all the horrors which surround me." 
 
 " You will not come up stairs ? " she repeated tim 
 idly, retreating. 
 
 "No. Say that I am gone for Mr. Garten's 
 mother. And, Katie, you come down to meet her 
 you take charge of her, will you? Mrs. Prince is so 
 occupied with Geraldine, there will be no other to 
 come if you do not, and it would be hard to confide 
 her to servants only." 
 
 "I will come," answered Miss Eldridge quietly. 
 "Nathaniel's mother shall ^not want proper care while 
 I am under the same roof with her." 
 
 " Thank you ! I am relieved and grateful." And 
 he looked so indeed as he pressed her hand. 
 
 Hurrying away, he sprang into the carriage and 
 drove rapidly down the hill, his white face pressed 
 to the window, his eyes uplifted to that part of the 
 house where his child lay. Hot and bitter tears
 
 232 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 rolled over his cheeks. He might never see her liv- 
 ino- face again. But he would not turn back would 
 
 O O 
 
 not venture into the presence of a mortal anguish 
 which could wholly unstring his nerves, while such 
 heavy duties lay on his hands as those that were yet 
 to be performed. 
 
 On reaching the depot, he had to wait a short 
 time, and occupied himself in walking up and down 
 the platform. The station stood in the midst of a 
 heavy belt of woods, and along a foot-path from an 
 opposite direction to that by which he had come, a 
 young man walked briskly toward him, a cane in his 
 right hand, and a carpet-bag swung over his left 
 shoulder. 
 
 "When he reached the platform, he flung the car 
 pet-bag down with a careless movement, dropped 
 upon the step, and taking a match from a little box, 
 lit a cigar. 
 
 " Happy man," thought Mr. Prince, looking into 
 his handsome face. "No care weighs him to the 
 earth. Young, free, joyous I What is it that makes 
 the difference in the fafe of men ? " 
 
 His walk brought him close to the stranger, and 
 their eyes met. Nothing in the serene, quiet eyes 
 could warrant the sensation, but with that look a 
 sickening, shuddering chill ran through his whole 
 frame. He withdrew his eyes, then looked again, 
 but the young man seemed to take no notice, and 
 smoked his cigar with apparent enjoyment. 
 
 Ten minutes passed, and still the train did not 
 come. Mr. Prince looked at his watch, and the 
 etatien master remarked that the train had not
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 233 
 
 started on time from Eastbrook. It would be in 
 soon. Was he expecting anybody? 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 He did not say whom, but he saw that the ques 
 tion had wakened an interest in the stranger, who 
 
 D * 
 
 gave one quick, searching glance in his direction, 
 then relapsed into dreamy contemplation of the land 
 scape. 
 
 " Perhaps you expect some of Mr. Garton's 
 friends ? " pursued the man. 
 
 " Yes, his poor mother ; " and again a quick 
 glance flashed from the stranger's eyes. Mr. Prince 
 sauntered over to where he sat, and surveyed him 
 from head to foot with a k;een, searching eye. In a 
 moment the stranger looked up and remarked coolly : 
 
 " I hope, sir, you will remember me, should you 
 have the fortune to meet me again/' 
 
 " That is my desire." 
 
 " May I ask the cause of your very surprising in 
 terest ? " 
 
 Mr. Prince drew still nearer. 
 
 " You are the murderer of Nathaniel Garton ! " he 
 answered lowly. 
 
 In an instant the man's face was as white as ashes, 
 and his eyes flashed dangerously. But he did not 
 lose his self-control for a moment. 
 
 "I think, sir, though I have not the honor of 
 knowing you or the man of whom you speak, that 
 the best place for you would be a lunatic asylum. 
 No sane man could wantonly insult a stranger with 
 such a charge." 
 
 Mr. Prince pointed to the carpet sack lying upon 
 
 20*
 
 234 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 the platform, on which were distinctly marked the 
 initials R. K. 
 
 " Do not be too hasty," he said, still in a low tone. 
 " You are the man who call yourself Rufus Knight. 
 In reality you are Richard Kelton." 
 
 " You seem to be well informed," answered the 
 man accused, with a tremor he could not repress. 
 "I must be allowed to say, however, that you are 
 wholly mistaken. Neither of these names are known 
 to me," and he deliberately drew a case from his 
 pocket, took out a card, and with a half smile pre 
 sented it to Mr. Prince. 
 
 " Ralph Kendrick," repeated Mr. Prince, reading 
 the name on the highly embossed card. " Really, 
 sir, if I have been mistaken, I beg to apologize. But 
 the description of person and initials wholly misled 
 me." 
 
 Mr. Kendrick bowed, touched his hat and walked 
 away, indicating that he would accept the apology, 
 but no more. Mr. Prince hesitated a moment, then 
 went into the station and spoke to the agent. 
 
 " That man to whom I was just now speaking, has 
 not bought his ticket?" 
 
 No." 
 
 " Keep a memorandum of the place, and telegraph 
 the description of his person to the Chief of Police. I 
 want detectives kept upon his track until further no 
 tice from me. The expenses I will defray, of course. 
 Speak to the conductor about him." 
 
 The agent nodded. 
 
 "All right. There's the whistle." 
 
 Mr. Prince hastened out, and the train whirled up
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 235 
 
 to the station. For a few moments there was 
 confusion and bustling about, during which one 
 gray-haired man stepped from the cars and looked 
 anxiously around him. Mr. Prince grasped his hand. 
 
 " Mr. Graves, is it you, and alone? I thought she 
 would have come also." 
 
 " She is not able. This blow has well-nigh killed 
 her, and I have volunteered to do all she would have 
 done. For heaven's sake tell me, has the murderer 
 been caught?" 
 
 "Ask me nothing here. When we reach home I 
 will endeavor to tell you all I know. The carriage 
 is waiting." 
 
 The old gentleman, a lawyer, and an early friend 
 of the Garton family, sadly followed Mr. Prince to 
 the vehicle and entered it. As the gentleman sprang 
 in after him, he cast a sharp glance round for Mr. 
 Kendrick. That worthy was standing apart from 
 the crowd, and lighting another cigar. He caught 
 a glimpse of Mr. Prince, and mockingly touched his 
 hat, at least the gesture seemed to convey that im 
 pression to Mr. Prince. 
 
 "Look well at that man, Mr. Graves," he said 
 hurriedly, pointing him out ; " do you think you can 
 remember him?" 
 
 "Very well; but why?" 
 
 " No matter. I only want to attract your atten 
 tion to him now. Nothing may come of it but I 
 suspect there may. Drive on, Charles." 
 
 Very little passed between the gentlemen on their 
 way to Prince Hill. On reaching that place, they 
 descended, and Mr. Prince remarked sadly :
 
 236 KIGHT AND WliONG ; Oi:, 
 
 " A sorrowful welcome I have to offer you. Death 
 and sorrow have taken possession of my home." 
 
 The housekeeper stood inside the door, with Miss 
 Eldridge near her. Both were weeping bitterly. 
 The latter slightly retreated when she saw Mr. 
 Prince was accompanied by a gentleman instead of 
 the bereaved mother ehe expected. 
 
 " This is Mr. Graves, Katie, and he comes to tell 
 us that Mrs. Garton is unable to make such a jour 
 ney. Miss Eldridge, Mr. Graves, and the dearest 
 friend our poor Nathaniel had." 
 
 His meaning glance was sufficient, and the old 
 lawyer took the young girl's hand, tears in his gen 
 tle eyes as he scanned her drooping, tearful face. 
 The housekeeper seized the moment to speak with 
 Mr. Prince. 
 
 " It is all over, sir." 
 
 "All what?" 
 
 " Oh, sir, our blessed little darling, our sweet 
 Geraldine. She was taken with spasms, and she 
 is " Her sobs choked her, and she could not finish 
 the sentence. 
 
 " Do you mean that she is dead ? " 
 
 The housekeeper pointed to another streamer of 
 crape that had been bound to the door with a long 
 white ribbon. The father's eyes half closed, and his 
 hands clutched at the back of a chair convulsively, 
 but his deep voice uttered an unfaltering " Thank 
 God!" 
 
 "Mr. Prince I " cried Mr. Graves, while the others 
 stood horrified, "do you know what you are say 
 ing?"
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 237 
 
 "Yes, too well. Be patient, man. In time you 
 will understand me. Now forgive me if I commend 
 you for awhile to the care of my housekeeper. She 
 will make you comfortable, and as soon as I can, I 
 will see you to settle this sad business." 
 
 He went up stairs, sought the room where his 
 child lay, and locked himself in. 
 
 All was peaceful now. The fever had died out. 
 The sorrow that had charged her little heart, was 
 felt no more. To join him she loved she had 
 
 " Gone in her childish purity 
 
 Out from the golden day; 
 Fading away to a light so sweet, 
 Where the silver stars and sunbeams meet, 
 Paving the way for her angel feet, 
 
 Over the silent way."
 
 238 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE DIE IS CAST. 
 
 SOME time had elapsed ere Mr. Prince again made 
 his appearance. Mr. Graves had been shown to a 
 room where a fire burned cheerfully, and a warm 
 dinner was served immediately. After things had 
 been taken away, his host came down. 
 
 " If you are prepared to hear me, I will now say 
 what I have to say." 
 
 He spoke with the abruptness of a man who had 
 made up his mind to do a disagreeable thing. The 
 lawyer read in his face sorrowful determination and 
 self-sacrifice, but no indication of insanity. 
 
 " Go on," he said, kindly. 
 
 "You must remember that I am not only speaking 
 to you as a friend of my own, and of the Garton 
 family, but as a lawyer. This interview must be a 
 professional one." 
 
 "A moment, my dear sir. Have you no coun 
 selor nearer home to whom you could go more prop 
 erly than myself? If what you are about to say 
 should require any action on my part, it may be 
 awkward for both of us. You will not act hastily?"
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 239 
 
 " I am acting hastily, but not unwisely, I am sure. 
 You are the staunch friend of my friend, and for 
 that reason I prefer to take you into my confidence, 
 and ask your aid. This day I have been made child 
 less, and I have nothing left on earth, but to do my 
 duty to the dead and the living, made desolate by 
 his death. When that is done, death cannot come 
 too soon to me." 
 
 "My dear sir, you do not forget your young 
 wife?" remonstrated the old gentleman, and he was 
 puzzled by the expression that immediately changed 
 Mr. Prince's features. It was hard, bitter, merciless 
 for a moment, but softened presently into pity and 
 pain. 
 
 " I do not forget," he answered briefly. " Let us 
 understand each other, fully, however. I may de 
 pend upon your services ? " 
 
 " Yes, as far as I may be useful to you." 
 
 " Very good. Now to business. First, these pa 
 pers must be examined," and he thrust a package 
 into the lawyer's hands, his own trembling violently. 
 " When you came, the thought crossed my mind 
 that there was a fatality in it. All the way home I 
 could not get rid of the idea, and now the die is cast. 
 Let worse come to worst, I must meet it." 
 
 The lawyer undid the package, adjusted his spec 
 tacles, and began the examination of the papers. 
 Minutes slipped into hours, and the old man read 
 on. Mr. Prince paced softly back and forth, a 
 ceaseless beat of hardly curbed suspense. Finally 
 he stopped as the lawyer laid the last paper on the 
 table and wiped his glasses.
 
 240 EIGHT AND WKONG; OK, 
 
 "I understand now why you could thank God 
 that your child has died. This is terrible." 
 
 " Then you do think " 
 
 " The worst that one can think from such evi 
 dence. There is scarcely ground left for the shadow 
 of a doubt." 
 
 Again Mr. Prince strode up and down the room 
 in great agitation, his lips working convulsively. 
 
 " What is to be done ? " he rather gasped than 
 asked, at length. 
 
 " That must be decided after due reflection. The 
 boy must not die." 
 
 " No, no ! the boy must not die," was answered 
 vehemently. " Nor should the innocent be suffered 
 to lie in prison through the long, dreary winter, wait 
 ing for the spring term to get cleared from a deed 
 he never was guilty of. " 
 
 " This boy is poor?" 
 
 " Yes, very poor." 
 
 " What are his parents ? " 
 
 " The father is a worthless drunkard, the mother, 
 a whining, complaining, foolish woman, who doubles 
 her troubles, though the real ones are enough, heaven 
 knows." 
 
 " What was the boy'e character ? " 
 
 " Bad as it could be. He has for years been the 
 scape-grace of the place, a convenient tool for the un 
 scrupulous, and a ready escape for all who chose to 
 lay their sins to his charge. As a natural conse 
 quence, he was a hardened, reckless fellow, despised 
 by all, pitied by few indeed. Geraldine's mother 
 insisted that there was good in him, and the child
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 241 
 
 religiously believed it also. Then Mr. Garton be 
 came interested in him, and hoped to make some 
 thing of him as a man. One trait of his character 
 is remarkable. He will not lie, and if I am a judge, 
 will be faithful to a trust, even unto death." 
 
 " Noble and redeeming traits, surely," said Mr. 
 Graves. "From these memoranda, I see the evi 
 dence is not remarkably strong. The knife may 
 have belonged to him, and he may have threatened 
 Mr. Garton's life. But these are not proofs that can 
 do him serious injury, if he is able to prove his 
 whereabouts at the time of the murder." 
 
 " That will not be so easy. His mother claims 
 that he was home by eleven o'clock, while the mur 
 der must have taken place later. But her evidence 
 will not go for much, and popular opinion is greatly 
 against him. The knife he acknowledged readily as 
 having been a gift from a man who for sometime has 
 been about the neighborhood. The threat against 
 Mr. Garton's life he has denied from the beginning." 
 
 " Who is this man the one who gave him the 
 knife?" 
 
 " I suspect the one I pointed out at the station to 
 be the identical villain, but I am not sure. You al 
 ready have his history there," pointing with white 
 lips to the papers. 
 
 " You think this the same then who broke off the 
 marriage years ago, with Garton and " 
 
 " My wife," he finished grimly. " Yes, it can be 
 no other, of course. The similarity of names, the 
 stolen interviews, the flowers there can be no 
 doubt." 
 
 21
 
 242 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " I think there can be no doubt. We are investi 
 gating this matter, however, and it is not a time to 
 reach conclusions. Would it be possible for us to 
 see the boy to-night ? " 
 
 " I fear not. See, it is nearly twelve o'clock." 
 
 " Then I must come back to finish my investiga 
 tions. Meantime, I see but one endurable way for 
 you, and I can conscientiously point it out." 
 
 " Well." 
 
 " Let things take their course. You must see to 
 the family, that they are not in want ; and you can 
 provide all the comforts needed for the boy. As for 
 his reputation, it can be no worse for his imprison 
 ment. There he may be cared for, kept out of mis 
 chief, and learn a life-long lesson of wisdom. I re 
 peat it will not hurt him. Meantime you will have 
 a duty here, I one abroad, to keep us busy. When 
 the trial comes on, see that the boy has proper coun 
 sel, and try to prove an alibi. If it cannot be done, 
 and he should be found guilty, there will be but one 
 course to pursue." 
 
 Mr. Prince dropped into a seat and covered his 
 face with his hands. 
 
 " Come, come, my friend, this is vain. It is just 
 possible that this deed may have been committed, 
 without the instigation of another party. We dare 
 not judge until proofs stamp guilt upon the heads of 
 the guilty. When we examine the boy, something 
 may be gained ; and I must find that man besides. 
 To do more than keep him in sight will not be pos 
 sible ; but if things go wrong at the trial, our course 
 must be shaped accordingly."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 243 
 
 " You will take every precaution to guard against 
 exposure ? Oh, think of my horrible, horrible posi 
 tion!" 
 
 " I do think of it, and from my soul I pity you 
 with a pity that cannot humble, for it is born of 
 honor. Eouse yourself to bear manfully the terrible 
 load laid upon you. God never deserts the good 
 and true." 
 
 " But he hides his face unaccountably from us. Is 
 it a sin for a man to love, that such a punishment 
 should follow him as that which has pursued and 
 found me ? Oh, my little daughter ! How much 
 wiser was she than I ? And yet, even she was lured 
 from her better judgment, and has lost her life in 
 consequence. My God, my God ! The enormity 
 of sin I see, is enough to strangle all pity, that un- 
 trameled justice may have full sway." 
 
 "Nay, nay, you are losing yourself again. Sup 
 pose you should be wrong? Is it not bad enough 
 anyway?" 
 
 " Heaven knows it is ! Ah, you do well to check 
 me, for I am well-nigh beside myself." 
 
 " With good reason, I admit. Still, human life 
 cannot be trifled with lightly, and you must wait. 
 Leave these papers with me for the present. I must 
 examine them again, and in the course of a week you 
 may expect me back again." 
 
 "As you will." 
 
 " Apd now," continued the lawyer, kindly, " take 
 my advice and go to bed. You must have some rest." 
 
 " Eest, rest ? It is impossible ! " 
 
 " No, it is possible. Do you want to get ill, or go
 
 244 RIGHT AND WROXG ; OR, 
 
 crazy ? I see you are not yourself now. Before you 
 leave me, one more word. Is Miss Eldridge a per 
 manent resident here ? " 
 
 " No, only a visitor. Garton loved her, and she 
 had promised to marry him ! " 
 
 " How long have they been engaged ? " 
 
 " A very short time. In fact, their acquaintance 
 was short, and I presume the engagement was has 
 tened by the quarrel that took place between us the 
 night before the murder. No one but my wife knew 
 of that quarrel, and I remember hearing Nathaniel 
 go into the parlor shortly after I left him in the con 
 servatory. I know, too, that Miss Eldridge was 
 there, and that they went together upon the terrace. 
 From what followed, I infer the engagement was 
 then made with the idea before him of his departure 
 from my house." 
 
 " Did Miss Eldridge inform you of her engage 
 ment herself?" 
 
 " No ; she betrayed it to my little daughter in her 
 anguish on hearing of his death, and the child re 
 peated it to me soon after." 
 
 " You were very jealous of Mr. Garton," queried 
 the old man, with a scrutinizing glance. 
 
 " Madly, but I would not have harmed one hair 
 of his head for worlds. In the midst of that quarrel 
 I broke off and left him, because I could not trust 
 myself to say in my passion that which never could 
 be unsaid in cooler moments. Do you wonder at my 
 jealousy ? " 
 
 " No ; I only wonder that you have been blind so 
 Ions."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTU AT LAST. 245 
 
 "Ah, you were not in love as I was," answered 
 the wretched man, with a bitter laugh. "And I 
 would have trusted Nathaniel with my life, before 
 those strange meetings and evident disagreements 
 woke my suspicions. Once having suspicions, I 
 could no more quell them than I could have changed 
 the course of the clouds. Now, when I think of 
 what he bore to spare me, it almost drives me mad. 
 He loved me, he pitied and strove to protect and to 
 spare me ; and yet my last words were angry and 
 bitter!" 
 
 " You blame yourself too severely. Let all that 
 go, and try to become master of yourself. Does 
 Mrs. Prince suspect your thoughts on this subject ? " 
 
 " No, for I have put an iron rule over my actions, 
 while I felt ready to crush her ! She knows I act 
 strangely, but not exactly why, unless she judges 
 from her own premises." 
 
 "It is well. Come now and lie down. I shall 
 make you sleep with me." 
 
 Mr. Prince regarded the old gentleman for a mo 
 ment fixedly, then smiling sadly, submitted, and lay 
 down without undressing, while the lawyer sat be 
 fore the fire pondering upon the papers beside him. 
 
 21*
 
 246 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THROUGH RIGHT AND WRONG. 
 
 " KATIE, Mr. Graves has returned to spend a few 
 days with me, and he has brought a letter for you 
 from Nathaniel's mother." 
 
 "A letter for me?" 
 
 Poor Katie looked up quickly at Mr. Prince, a 
 faint color staining her transparent cheek. In an 
 swer he put the missive into her hand, saying in a 
 low tone as he bent nearer to her : 
 
 "You will not lightly regard what she asks of 
 you, my dear girl. Remember that she is old, and 
 left very desolate now." 
 
 Mrs. Prince who was lying upon a sofa on the op 
 posite side of the hearth, spoke quickly : 
 
 " What is it, Kate ? Your face looks ominous of 
 evil to me. Bear in mind that, whoever wants you, 
 I cannot spare you yet." 
 
 For a moment Miss Eldridge was too absorbed to 
 answer. When it was finished, she dropped her 
 head upon her hand, and with the letter lying upon 
 her lap, tearfully gazed into the fire. 
 
 " What is it ?" again demanded Mrs. Prince, with 
 some impatience.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 247 
 
 " Mrs. Garton begs me to come to her for awhile 
 she is so lonely and heart-broken," answered the 
 young girl, smothering back a sob. " Read the let 
 ter it is very touching." 
 
 Mrs. Prince took it ; her beautiful brow knitted 
 as she read. 
 
 " Of course you will not think of going to that 
 out-of-the-way, desolate place, with no other compan 
 ion than a sad old woman for society ? It is quite 
 bad enough here, but there it would be horrible." 
 
 " She is very wretched, and I know how much 
 she must need some one," answered Katie, gently. 
 " You have still your husband, and at home I am 
 not at all needed. What better can I do than to go 
 and comfort his poor mother?" 
 
 " Take care of yourself; or rather stay here and 
 let me take care of you." 
 
 An involuntary glance went from Mrs. Prince's 
 eyes to her husband's face. Katie's rested there 
 also, and she was startled at the strange expression 
 it wore. A warning sign from Mrs. Prince fol 
 lowed, and she kept silent until asked what she 
 meant to do. It was Mr. Prince who asked the 
 question. 
 
 " I will go I could not refuse," she said appeal- 
 ingly. "It is hard to leave you, Celia, when you 
 are so unwilling for me to go. But you can do 
 without me better than she." 
 
 " Very well, if that is your decision I must sub 
 mit," was answered icily. 
 
 " Then," said Mr. Prince, " you will be ready to 
 go back with Mr. Graves when he returns. Un-
 
 248 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 derstand me, I am not trying to get rid of you. It 
 will be a pain to see you go ; but we owe to that be 
 reaved mother more than we can ever repay, and 
 must make sacrifices for her sake. I will write that 
 you are coming." 
 
 He went out, and Mrs. Prince put her handker 
 chief over her face. Katie flew to her side instantly. 
 
 " Oh, Celia, do not think me unkind to leave you 
 now. What could you do in such a case ? She has 
 no one?" 
 
 " And I have no one," answered the lady, bitterly. 
 " Must you choose like this between a friend and a 
 stranger?" 
 
 " Celia, you have your husband to comfort you." 
 
 Mrs. Prince took the handkerchief from her eyes, 
 and looked into Katie's face. For a moment neither 
 spoke ; then she said in a slow whisper : 
 
 "Katie, my husband will never forgive me for 
 that day of helplessness. I feel that he lays the 
 death of his idolized child at my door. Oh, it is 
 dreadful, and it will break my heart." 
 
 Again the eyes were covered. 
 
 " It cannot be possible," said Miss Eldridge, sooth 
 ingly. "All that has happened has changed him, as 
 I can plainly see, but he will get over it, and will 
 not be unjust to you. How could you help sinking 
 under the shock? Was I not crushed? and I 
 thought I could bear anything." 
 
 " Ah, but he was your lover, and he could think 
 such weakness natural in you. But what excuse 
 had I, apart from my poor nerves ? No, no, he will 
 never forgive me."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 249 
 
 " In time he will. Only be patient and try to 
 make him forget the past in your love. Remember 
 that he needs it now more than ever ; and forgive 
 me, Celia, I have noticed that you seem rather to 
 shun than to seek him. Why don't you try to 
 cheer him out of this dreadful gloom?" 
 
 " It is not a one-sided question, I think. A wife 
 has a right, to expect some consideration in sorrow, 
 some tenderness and care. In his own troubles, he 
 has forgotten that I have feelings, and caji suffer." 
 
 " Oh, Celia, I beseech you, do not let such 
 thoughts divide you. Hard enough the trial will 
 be for both when borne together. But apart, it will 
 be like death to each. It is a woman's place and 
 privilege to make the first advances if an estrange 
 ment has risen between her and her heart's choice, 
 and her pride should never stand in the way. Had 
 he lived to make me his wife, my poor Nathaniel 
 should never have had one reason to feel or speak 
 coldly. I would have given up everything for him." 
 
 " You think so, poor foolish girl, now that he is 
 gone. But if he had lived, experience might have 
 taught you a wiser lesson than to suffer the man to 
 whom you had given yourself to be loved and cared 
 for, to make a slave of you to kill you with jealous 
 exactions." 
 
 " Nay, the man I love, could not exact too much 
 from me. But we think differently on this subject, 
 and had better drop it. You and I are very unlike. 
 I am not so proud. But then I never have been 
 petted and made much of as you have. Until I 
 loved Nathaniel, I had no love that could give e
 
 250 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 joy. He became my world, and I could have lived 
 a blessed life with him, had God permitted it." 
 
 A very heavy sigh escaped the lips of her com 
 panion. Something in her heart had been touched 
 by the words she heard. She put up her hand and 
 stroked back the fair hair from the young girl's face. 
 
 " Poor Katie, poor Katie. It is awful to lose all 
 one has. I pity you, sweet ; and if it will comfort 
 you to go to his mother, go without a thought of 
 me. I will try to be brave and bear my cross till 
 relief comes. Time is the great healer, as you say, 
 and I will hope my wounds may not smart always." 
 
 Katie stooped quickly to kiss the beautiful lips. 
 
 " Dear, generous Celia ! Some day I will come 
 back to you again, if you wish it." 
 
 " There is no necessity for repeating my wishes, 
 Katie. When you will come, I shall be only too 
 thankful." 
 
 The conversation of the morning made a deep im 
 pression upon the mind of Katie Eldridge. Looks 
 and tones as well as words, seemed to forebode a 
 deeper trouble than had before been apparent, and 
 she began to cast about in her mind for a means of 
 bringing harmony between these people. So sad it 
 seemed to her, that they should bear their heavy 
 burthen apart, uncheered by loving sympathy and self- 
 abnegation, each for the other's sake. But how to 
 carry out her yearning desires, was a more difficult and 
 delicate matter than she knew how to cope with, and 
 it was not until a late hour in the evening that she 
 decided to speak to Mr. Prince. To talk to the wife 
 she knew would be vain. The opposition which
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 251 
 
 arose from the stubborn pride of Mrs. Prince, was 
 not an easy barrier to break down, and she who 
 shrank from contention as from a pestilence, dreaded 
 the trial that would end, perhaps, in a deeper deter 
 mination to hold her ground against her husband. 
 Besides, was not Mr. Prince unjust? and was it not 
 his place to deal more tenderly with a woman whose 
 nerves could not, like his, withstand the shocks she 
 had been compelled to sustain ? Thinking over the 
 matter so earnestly, Katie succeeded in creating a 
 little excitement for herself, which had the effect of 
 bracing her with sufficient courage for the attempt ; 
 so it was with quite a show of purpose and self-pos 
 session that she detained Mr. Prince after Mr. 
 Graves retired. Under the plea of illness, Mrs. 
 Prince had not been down at all, and the burthen 
 of the entertainment had fallen entirely upon her. 
 
 " Give me just a few moments, please," she said, 
 looking at him, her sweet eyes full of solemn sad 
 ness and gentle pity. " I want to talk to you about 
 yourself." 
 
 "A wretched subject," he answered, a forced 
 smile upon his lips as he spoke. " Cannot you 
 choose a better ? " 
 
 " No, I can think only of you and Celia. She 
 suffers terribly." 
 
 " How do you know ? Has she told you she suf 
 fers?" 
 
 "Could you imagine it could possibly be other 
 wise, after all that has happened ? But what is 
 breaking her heart, is the thought that you charge 
 her with neglect toward Geraldine. She thinks you
 
 252 EIGHT AND WRONG; OK, 
 
 never will forgive her, and she is grieving bitterly. 
 Oh, dear Mr. Prince, she needs comfort ! Do not 
 blame her ; try to forget it, and make her cease to 
 remember such miserable things. You cannot go on 
 living in this way," 
 
 His face was turned from her when she said this, 
 and she could not see his expression as he answered : 
 
 " No, we cannot go on living in this way. So you 
 think me unkind to my wife, Katie ? " 
 
 " I surely cannot think you kind, if you let such 
 things make her so very unhappy," she answered 
 boldly, but she was amazed at her own temerity, 
 and waited breathlessly for the angry words she ex 
 pected to follow. His voice had not sounded very 
 conciliatory. 
 
 " Better so, better so," he muttered. 
 
 "What are you saying? I did not understand 
 you." 
 
 " Well, never mind." 
 
 Now he turned to her and spoke with an effort at 
 cheerfulness. "Content yourself. You have done 
 your duty and shown me what a bear I am, and it 
 only remains for me to do my duty. Are you satis 
 fied?" 
 
 " If I have not offended you by this meddlesome 
 spirit of mine, you must think me bold and lacking 
 in respect to you to speak so freely." 
 
 " On the contrary, I take it as a proof of your 
 kind regard for our happiness, and thank you for it." 
 
 She put her hand in the one he held out, frankly, 
 a glow of satisfaction on her lovely face, unlike any 
 that had rested there since the death of her lover.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 253 
 
 " How glad I shall feel to think of you now," she 
 said softly. " When my thoughts wander back to 
 this place, as they must, daily, I shall not grieve in 
 feeling you estranged, and suffering alone." 
 
 An exquisiteness of sympathy in her tone, a no 
 bleness and strength in her candid words, touched 
 him, and moved him very deeply. He could not 
 keep back the tears in thanking her, and she went 
 to sleep that night with the memory of his tearful 
 look haunting her. She thought the discordant 
 string had been touched and strung to harmony, and 
 was happier in the belief; he knew how far she was 
 from the truth, and sighed bitterly, but felt thankful 
 for her mistake. 
 
 The next day but one, under the charge of Mr. 
 .Graves, she set out for the home of Mrs. Gar ton, 
 and the miserable pair at Prince Hill found them 
 selves alone in their home for the first time. 
 
 But never had he felt a keener pang than at the 
 moment when his foot passed the door of his cham 
 ber after returning from the depot, where he had 
 gone to see liis friends off. Snows lay white on the 
 hills, and the sky was wintry, cheerless and threat 
 ening. The fire burned dimly in the grate ; the 
 room was worse than desolated. Was this the real 
 ization of his cherished dream ? No bright face was 
 
 E9 
 
 there to smile on him ; no round arm to glide lov 
 ingly around his neck ; no sweet lips to murmur 
 words for which his heart hungered and thirsted so 
 madly. He had never pictured this hopelessly 
 dreary scene as the first he should realize with her 
 whom he had so fondly called wife, when their guests
 
 254 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 should all have departed, and left them to them 
 selves. He thought of her now, lying upon her sofa 
 in the next room, brooding over her own thoughts, 
 forgetful, perhaps, of him careless of him. Of 
 what was she thinking? Oh, for a moment to look 
 into the workings of the busy brain and see if there 
 was one trait left for a softening impulse to build 
 upon. His yearning made him pitiful. Hardly as 
 he had condemned her in his own mind, if he could 
 see one trace of real suffering, one sign of remorse 
 or repentance, he could 'have found excuses for her 
 he would have tried to palliate the enormity of 
 her sin. But no ; she had deceived him, she had 
 wronged him, she had lost the one object for which 
 she had striven, and now gave herself up to stubborn 
 pride and icy coldness of manner. More, she knew, 
 that others must see that a trouble existed, and had 
 taken pains to give a false impression of the cause. 
 Well, he could bear that the blame should all be 
 laid on him. Nay, he would not have it otherwise. 
 Safety lay in this alone, and he must continue to 
 make this impression, for her sake. For her sake ? 
 Oh, it was once a bliss to utter the words that 
 pressed to his lips when he could find an opportu 
 nity to serve and give her pleasure ! And now ! 
 now he must serve her in humiliation of spirit, in 
 bitterness of soul, and suffer in the serving ! 
 
 " God, my God, why do I live to curse my life ? " 
 was his cry as he dropped upon the sofa, face down 
 ward, and strove to smother the dry sob swelling in 
 his throat." "Oh, my dead wife! Oh, my little 
 daughter, how gladly would I sleep beside you ! "
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 255 
 
 She had come in unperceived and stood beside 
 him now, the pale, proud, beautiful woman. She 
 heard his cry, and turned again to leave, her dark 
 eyes flashing, her lips compressed. A second 
 thought checked the impulse, however, and she 
 glided close to the couch, slipping her white fingers 
 caressingly into his hair as she knelt upon a cushion. 
 
 "My husband, why do you shut me from your 
 heart to grieve alone! Am I never to be forgiven ? " 
 
 He sprang up as if a serpent had stung him, his 
 pale face suddenly stained with two deep crimson 
 spots. Unconsciously his hands were clenched as 
 if he would strike her to the dust, and his eyes 
 glared upon her. She remained in the position his 
 sudden movement had caused her to assume, her 
 eyes uplifted, her lips parted in affright. 
 
 " Woman, what would you ? The farce ends here ! 
 The curtain has fallen; the guests are departed. Do 
 not longer mock me by acting a part." 
 
 She rose up haughtily, and stood face to face. 
 
 " If you have a right to treat your wife so rudely 
 and cruelly, explain the cause. What have I done ? " 
 
 For a moment he regarded her with a fixed and 
 searching stare. Was this beautiful, imperious crea 
 ture the guilty thing his honor and his manhood 
 urged him to despise ? A crisis had come. There 
 was no escape now. The farce had been played out. 
 
 " Oh for one hour more of unclouded and unbi 
 ased reason," was his silent prayer, " and God help 
 me to be just." 
 
 "Let me ask you one question," he said aloud, 
 still keeping her fixed with his glance.
 
 256 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " Speak ! " she demanded. 
 
 " Do you intend to let John Truslow die for the 
 murder of Nathaniel Grarton?" 
 
 Her beautiful eyes dilated, and her compressed 
 lips parted in a bewildered expression of surprise. 
 
 "J let him die ! what have I to do with him ? 
 Guilty I do not believe him, but how can I prove 
 his innocence?" 
 
 " By declaring who the guilty one is," he an 
 swered sharply and angrily. " I warn you, if you 
 seal your lips, mine shall not be sealed. Another 
 murder shall not steep my hearthstone with inno 
 cent blood, though the whole world rise up to hoot 
 at me as an unnatural monster." 
 
 " What do you expect or wish of me ? " she asked, 
 her voice sinking. 
 
 " You know who murdered my friend. Expose 
 the murderer ! " 
 
 She crimsoned, then turned pale, her head droop-, 
 ing like a broken flower. The agony of that mo 
 ment was a season of unspeakable torture to him. 
 Cold drops gathered and shone like dew on his 
 brow. Presently she raised her head with a gesture 
 of desperation, and cried out passionately : 
 
 " Believe me, believe me ! I do not know ! That 
 I have suspected I will not deny, but that suspicion 
 was an unworthy one, and I have crushed it." 
 
 "Whom did you suspect?" 
 
 She would not answer. 
 
 " Tell me ! " he demanded fiercely. " I will know. 
 Speak this moment ! " 
 
 " Oh, forgive me, but I cannot."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 257 
 
 "You can and must, if you do not desire to 
 be abandoned to your fate utterly. I can bear 
 much, but there is a limit to my endurance. Take 
 heed what you do now, for this may be the last time 
 a chance for mercy may be allowed. For the last 
 time, I ask, whom do you suspect?" 
 
 " Then if you will know you quarreled that day 
 and you know you did not come to me until very 
 late ! Forgive me if I thought if I sometimes 
 feared if if Oh, God, I cannot say it ! " 
 
 " Say what ? You shall speak ' He seized her 
 arm and held it so tightly as to force her to shrink 
 with pain. Anger helped her to fashion the words 
 he demanded to hear. She lifted her face again and 
 fixed her eyes upon his steadily. 
 
 " I thought you did it, if you will know ! " 
 
 " I ? Woman, you" 
 
 What he would have said we cannot record. He 
 checked himself on the instant ; but if a shell had 
 exploded at his feet, he could not have been more 
 astonished. Wholly unprepared for this answer, he 
 had no fitting reply, and could only gaze speech 
 lessly into the beautiful, defiant face. Her gaze 
 softened. 
 
 " I told you that I had killed that unworthy sus 
 picion," she said in addition. " Forgive me that I 
 harbored it for a moment." 
 
 "Did you never suspect any other?" he found 
 voice to ask, Now his expression was unfathom 
 able, but she answered boldly : 
 
 " Whom could I suspect ? I did not know he had 
 an enemy."
 
 258 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " Then you did not believe the boy to be guilty ? " 
 
 "I did not at first, but now I have come to judge 
 differently. If he is not the guilty one I am sure I 
 cannot imagine who is. Don't look at me that way. 
 Why do you doubt my words ? " 
 
 " Because falsehood seems a component part of 
 your nature. Cease these efforts to deceive me, 
 madam. You are only plunging yourself deeper into 
 sin, and God knows you have no need to do that ! " 
 
 " What do you mean ? Are you still jealous of 
 Nathaniel Garton and he in his grave?" she re 
 torted with a curling lip, stung by his an'svver be 
 yond the limits of prudence. 
 
 " Oh, no. A less worthy object has wrecked me. 
 There would be less shame in the thought that you 
 betrayed me for him. Alas, we were both betrayed 
 poor Nathaniel. Loving him you would not have 
 murdered him." 
 
 She had turned from him while he spoke, but now 
 her face turned slowly back, mantled by an expres 
 sion of bewilderment. 
 
 " What an actress you are ! How like you are to 
 that soulless woman, Catherine De Medici ! The 
 child was right! It should be wri.tten upon your 
 forehead, Corpus sine pectore." 
 
 " For God's sake tell me what you mean ! I can 
 not comprehend you." 
 
 He laughed icily, and walked to the window. 
 She followed him, grasping his arm with trembling 
 hands. 
 
 " Tell me, tell me ! Oh, do let us understand 
 each other. Speak out plainly."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 259 
 
 " Can I speak more plainly than I have spoken. 
 I say that you could not have loved Garton. Lov 
 ing him you would not have murdered him." 
 
 " You believe I killed him ! " she gasped in a hor 
 ror-stricken whisper. 
 
 " Or caused him to be." 
 
 " Just Heaven, it can not be possible ! I, your 
 wife? Why, what do you take me for? You 
 would make me worse than any demon. As there 
 is a living God " 
 
 " Hold, you shall not steep your soul deeper in sin ! 
 I know everything. Do you think that I would 
 act as I have acted if I had not known how vilely 
 treacherous you are? On that night when I found 
 you stealing from his room, I accused you ; you swore 
 that you did not love him, and I was determined 
 to place your word above my own jealous doubts. 
 I went to his room ; I found a key amongst my own 
 that fitted his private box, and opened it. In that 
 box I found a journal, and that journal contained a 
 history of the past. Can you imagine what my 
 feelings were when I read it ? Dear heart, he dealt 
 gently with you, and you had wrecked his life you 
 who had been little better than a pauper! You 
 who had been reared upon charity, and kept as a 
 lure to the rich and unwary. I can understand how 
 Nathaniel came to love you so beautiful, so seem 
 ingly guileless. And he would have married you, 
 and worshiped you, had not his good angel stood 
 between. Before it was too late, he discovered your 
 arts, and cast you off, as you deserved. You could 
 descend to love the low, ignorant, debased compan-
 
 260 EIGHT AND WItONG J OK, 
 
 ion of your beggared childhood, and plot to deceive 
 good and true men for his sake. More than this, 
 you could entrap me without a pang of pity. I 
 found you with those I deemed honorable, and was 
 easily duped poor fool. And then you could let 
 him follow you, and feed upon my possessions like a 
 leech, too greedy to be filled. Pour Natty thought to 
 save me, but it cost him his life. You got rid of 
 him, and thought me powerless, no doubt. But you 
 have overreached yourself. Shall I tell you now 
 what is to become of Eichard Kelton." 
 
 She did not answer. 
 
 " Listen,'-' he continued ; " he is the murderer, 
 and it was you who instigated the deed, hoping to 
 screen yourself from exposure to carry out your 
 nefarious system of deceit. But detectives are on 
 his track, and when Richard Kelton comes before a 
 public tribunal to be tried for his life, you cannot 
 hope to escape. Rather than see the innocent suf 
 fer for your crime, I, your husband, will denounce 
 you!" 
 
 " Wretch, monster ! " she gasped. " Do your 
 worst, if you wish to ruin yourself in your mard- 
 ness. I am not guilty, and am not afraid to prove 
 it. If Richard Kelton is the guilty one, I do not 
 know it. From me he never had a word that could 
 indicate such a wish as you declare against me. I 
 did not desire his death, and I had nothing to do 
 with it." 
 
 Mr. Prince stood immovable, his arms folded 
 stoically. Desperation had rendered him proof 
 against outward signs of emotion.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 261 
 
 " You will not believe me," she cried appealingly. 
 
 " No. It is impossible." 
 
 " You hate me you will try to destroy me ? " 
 
 " All the papers I found all the evidence against 
 you, are in the hands of a lawyer." 
 
 This produced the effect he desired. A look of 
 genuine fear shot from her beautiful eyes. She 
 paled and trembled in helpless terror. 
 
 " You can not oh, you can not want to kill me," 
 she cried, falling at his feet and clasping his knees 
 with her arms. " My husband, oh, my husband, 
 spare me, pity me ! I have been wicked I have de 
 served to be censured where I have been loved, but 
 I am not the horribly guilty thing you think me." 
 
 He stooped to lift her up and place her in a large 
 chair. The action was silent, and seemed gentle 
 while his hands clasped her ; but one look into the 
 cold, resolute face, chilled her. To her it seemed 
 pitiless and cruel. She felt as if she had gone be 
 yond the limits of his mercy. Yet who will not 
 struggle for the dear life imperiled ? She clung to hers 
 the more wildly now, as she began to see her danger ; 
 and fear strangled the insolent, defiant pride that 
 had risen against him. She addressed him humbly, 
 and in a tone that went to his heart. 
 
 " Will you listen to me for a little while ? and I 
 will tell you all the truth without reserve. Nothing 
 else can avail me, if you believe me a murderer, and 
 are bent upon my destruction. I know how much 
 reason you have to doubt me, having become pos 
 sessed of my history. Still, if you will listen, I be 
 lieve you can no longer charge me with a greater
 
 262 RIGHT AND WROXG ; OR, 
 
 guilt than I have ever taken upon my soul. Oh, I 
 did not, I did not harm Nathaniel by word or deed, 
 nor wilfully cause him to be injured." 
 
 He drew up a chair and sat down before her. 
 
 " If you can justify yourself in any way, I will 
 listen. But remember that as I know you guilty 
 of many falsehoods, you cannot expect credulity. 
 Plausible stories will not move me." 
 
 Anguish and despair convulsed her face for a 
 moment. Each tone of his once loving voice, now 
 so icy and cutting, seemed to leave a leaden weight 
 upon her heart. She bent her head to the arm of 
 her chair and wept hysterically. He did not move, 
 but sat patiently waiting. When the storm of tears 
 had passed, he remarked quietly : 
 
 " I am ready to hear you. Proceed." 
 
 With a struggle for self-control, she sat erect, 
 keeping her eyes upon the borders of the handker 
 chief with which her trembling fingers toyed. 
 
 " You found a journal ? " she began tremulously. 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " You say it gave you the history of my past 
 life?" 
 
 Yes." 
 
 "A part it may have given, but not all the de 
 tails. You know that I was orphaned when young?" 
 
 " No, abandoned to the charity of strangers. Go 
 on." 
 
 " I beg your pardon. My parents, who were of 
 gentle blood, died when I was a child, and very 
 poor. Their marriage was against opposition on 
 both sides, and they were abandoned in consequence.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 263 
 
 All parties were proud, and a reconciliation never 
 was effected ; so when the little money my father 
 possessed was gone, there were none to help him, 
 and he had not been reared to any trade or profes 
 sion. Under the difficulties that arose, he fell ill and 
 shortly died. My mother was left widowed and 
 desolate before I was born, and it was under the 
 roof of a miserable hovel that I first saw the light 
 that roof afforded by the charity of the poor. Want 
 of care and proper treatment brought on a fever, and 
 when I was three weeks old my mother died, leaving 
 me in the care of people who had kindly sheltered 
 her. They gave me away to others, a childless pair 
 who wished to adopt me for their own. It was by 
 them I was abandoned when only six years old. 
 Why I never knew ; but some trouble arose, and 
 they fled the country, leaving me behind. After 
 that another woman took me, a good, kind-hearted 
 soul. She had one little boy, and we became at 
 tached. Then he was a bright, sturdy little fellow, 
 planning always for means to support his widowed 
 mother, until we one day lighted upon what ap 
 peared to be a splendid scheme. We were sitting 
 by the window shelling peas for dinner, when a 
 man paused with a flute and began to play. A 
 little girl accompanied him and joined her sweet 
 voice in a pretty ballad. I was enchanted, and Dick 
 dropped his pan to lean out and look at the little 
 vocalist. 
 
 " ' How I wish I had a penny to throw to her,' I 
 said regretfully. ' Come away, Dick, and don't seem 
 to listen, or they will be disappointed.'
 
 264 BIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 " He came reluctantly, and when they had gone, 
 sat a long time in silent thought. Finally he said 
 with abrupt confidence : 
 
 " ' Tid, you and me can make a great deal of 
 money, if we try.' 
 
 " ' How ? ' I asked, amazed. 
 
 " ' Why, very easy. I can play the flute most as 
 well as that man, and you've got a real sweet voice. 
 If we were to practice some ballads together, I know 
 we could make money. And then wouldn't it be 
 nice ! Mother wouldn't have to kill herself over 
 that horrid old sewing.' 
 
 " I clapped my hands with delight, but a sudden 
 thought damped my enthusiasm. 
 
 " ' You haven't got a flute, Dick, and where's the 
 money to come from to get it ? ' 
 
 " ' O, you never mind that. I'll find a way to get 
 a flute. Will you go with me if I do ? ' 
 
 " ' Yes, indeed,' I answered heartily. I thought 
 it would be the greatest delight life could afford, to 
 see all the fine people looking out at the windows, 
 and listening to us. Then to see the bright coin fall 
 upon the sidewalk and to run and pick it up, ap 
 peared the most interesting prospect possible for a 
 poor little pair of half-starved children for whom a 
 sick woman toiled, and to whom a dish of green peas 
 late in the spring was a holiday luxury. We could 
 think of nothing else, and talked of it incessantly 
 when out of Mother Kelton's hearing, till finally 
 Dick came home with an excited glow on his face, 
 and drew me aside to whisper his good fortune. He 
 had got a flute, and we must take our chances to
 
 SHE TOLD THE TKUTH AT LAST. 265 
 
 practice when mother was out, She was to know 
 nothing about it until our first earnings were thrown 
 into her lap. 
 
 "All that week we practiced every opportunity, 
 and the following, when she sent us upon an errand, 
 we concluded it to be the best time to begin, and ac 
 cordingly turned into the more aristocratic streets of 
 the city. Dick had slipped his flute into his pocket ; 
 but when we were safely out of hearing, he took it 
 out, screwed it together, and had it all in readiness. 
 
 " By and by we came into a beautiful, shady 
 street, and paused in front of a large house. I was 
 awfully frightened, but Dick looked so brave and 
 confident, I was ashamed, and determined to rally" 
 my courage. We began and got through the first 
 nicely, so it was easier to commence the next, and a 
 sweet little girl came to the window to listen. Pres 
 ently I saw her turn her head, and her lips moved. 
 Then a lady came, and the child ran away. In a 
 moment she came back, a servant raised the window, 
 and she threw out a gold coin that looked like a for 
 tune to us, though it was only a sovereign. 
 
 " ' Come every day,' she said in a sweet voice, and 
 I nodded, my heart throbbing with a great happiness, 
 as she withdrew, and watched us with her lovely eyes. 
 
 " That day we carried home ten dollars, the pro 
 ceeds of our first day's labor ; and we were happy, 
 happy children when we saw Mother Kelton's glad 
 tears dropping upon the coin in her lap. She knew 
 that her strength could not last long, and was glad 
 to think we would have even this means of support, 
 were she to be taken away from us. 
 23
 
 266 EIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 "After our first successful effort, you can easily 
 imagine what followed. Poor, obscure, without a 
 thought of the degraded position we occupied, 
 we went out, day after day, pursuing the avocation 
 we had chosen, and returning at night with varied 
 success. Sometimes, we made what to us seemed a 
 fortune, though rarely exceeding ten dollars. At 
 others, a few pence were our sole reward. Only the 
 little fairy who claimed us every day, seemed faith 
 ful to us and our interests. She was always at the 
 window, and never failed to throw something to us, 
 saying as we turned to leave : ' Be sure to come to 
 morrow.' So it happened that never a day passed, 
 for months, that we did not stand with our flute and 
 tambourine before the window of that house, with 
 her sweet eyes fixed earnestly upon us. 
 
 "At length a change came, just as the summer 
 was closing. We went one day, as usual, to find 
 the windows shut, and after a long deliberation, 
 when we concluded to play, a servant came out and 
 told us the child was very ill, and we must wait till 
 she got better before we played again. The day 
 was a sorrowful one to us. We wandered all over 
 the city, but without thought except of the dear lit 
 tle child we had learned to love very much ; and the 
 next morning I stole away early, and went to the 
 house, which was still closed, to ask the servant how 
 she was. I could not rest, thinking her ill ; and 
 when the lady heard I was at the door asking for 
 the child, she sent for me to come into the room 
 where the little one lay. 
 
 " I never shall forget the feelings I experienced as
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 267 
 
 I passed through the luxurious rooms into that lovely 
 little chamber. The mother sat by the child alone, 
 looking pale and weary, but kind. The child was 
 propped up by pillows and looked at me with large, 
 bright eyes as I entered. In a moment she put out 
 a little hot hand, and I took it shyly. 
 
 " ' How kind of you to come and ask for me. 
 Mamma, isn't the little girl kind ? ' 
 
 "But the mother was weeping, and did not an 
 swer. 
 
 "'Poor little girl,' said the child again. 'Are 
 you very poor, that you go singing about the streets 
 for a living ? ' 
 
 " ' Yes, very poor,' I answered. 
 
 " ' Where do you live ? ' 
 
 " I told her. 
 
 " ' And have you no mother,' she continued piti 
 fully. 
 
 " ' No, my mother is dead. She was a lady,' I ad 
 ded with a sense of pride in the thought. ' If she 
 had lived, I should have had some one to take care 
 of me, as you have. 1 
 
 "At this the mother raised her head and looked 
 at me earnestly. After that she asked me a great 
 many questions, and sent me away. Four days 
 later, when I went to the door there was crape on 
 it, and the grief that seized upon me was so deep, I 
 fell sobbing upon the steps, and remained there until 
 some one took me away. At first, I did not know 
 what had happened to me, but when I could calm 
 myself to look around me, I was surprised to find 
 myself in a beautiful room, with luxurious things all
 
 268 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 around me. After awhile a lady came in whom I 
 recognized to be the child's mother, and she told me 
 to lie still where I was till she came again. She 
 took my hand softly, and bending down kissed my 
 forehead. Then she went away and I remained 
 alone for many hours. I closed my eyes and thought 
 of the lady's kiss ; and I fell asleep dreaming of it. 
 When I awoke, it was by the opening of the door, 
 and she came to sit down by me, sobbing bitterly. 
 
 " ' My little darling begged that I should take 
 you,' she said at length, when she had grown calm, 
 'and this is to be your home in future. Do not 
 worry about the Kelton's, I have seen Mrs. Kelton, 
 and she has given you wholly to me. Now you 
 must forget all the old associations, and remember 
 only, that you are my daughter.' 
 
 "I was happy indeed. Elegance and luxury I 
 loved dearly, and the thought of filling that sweet 
 child's place, was an unspeakable delight. I seized 
 her hand and covered it with tears and kisses, and 
 from that hour I never left my new home. 
 
 " Years passed, and I was sent to school, cared for 
 in every way, as a child, by the wealthy people who 
 had adopted me. Old associations I never forgot, 
 but I felt glad to be lifted above them. They had 
 always been poor and lowly. With me it was differ 
 ent. I felt the throbbing of prouder blood in my 
 veins, and rejoiced in the good fortune that had 
 lifted me to my proper sphere. So it happened that 
 I had reached womanhood before fate threw Richard 
 Kelton in my way again. 
 
 "Gradually, as time passed on and I became more
 
 SHE TOLD THE TEUTH AT LAST. 269 
 
 observing, the character of my new mother was de 
 veloped to my understanding. She was a beautiful 
 woman, and had been much petted before her mar 
 riage. Mr. Osbret was much older than she, and less 
 fond of society, naturally. But to please her, after 
 the loss of her child, he went out with her more. 
 Before I had grown up, however, he fell into his old 
 habits of seclusion, and she was forced to relinquish 
 what she could not well live without. It seemed a 
 necessity of her nature to be cared for and admired. 
 Probably the thought of what I would one day be 
 to her, made her more tender of me as I grew nearer 
 womanhood. I knew that she bestowed infinite 
 pains upon me, seeking to make me as attractive as 
 possible ; and that she counted much upon the time 
 when I should enter society. 
 
 " Finally that time came. I made my debut, and 
 was lucky enough to please my mother thoroughly. 
 I was called handsome, brilliant, intelligent, and was 
 pleased with the homage that was offered me from 
 all sides. Our house was often thrown open to 
 guests, and we drew many people constantly around 
 us. Papa Osbret was proud of me, and mamma 
 Osbret adored me. Ah, I was a very happy girl in 
 those days ! and I thought they would last always, 
 poor little fool ! " 
 
 She paused, but Mr. Prince would allow her no 
 time to indulge regrets. His eyes never left her 
 face. 
 
 " Go on," he demanded abruptly. " When was it 
 you again saw this Kelton ?" 
 
 " It was at the end of my first season. We met 
 23*
 
 270 RIGHT AND WRONG ; OK, 
 
 accidentally on the street, and he recognized me at 
 once, though he had been from the city so long, and 
 had grown so much, I never should have known him 
 again. He looked handsome, was well dressed, and 
 appeared gentlemanly. Fortune, he said, had been 
 kinder to him than formerly in all respects save one. 
 He had lost his mother soon after I had left them for 
 my new home. Then he went into the world alone, 
 and had conquered it. He had made some money, 
 had been to college, and had traveled extensively. 
 All this he told me as we walked home, and I was 
 delighted. When we reached the door, I urged him 
 to come in, and after a little hesitation he did so. I 
 introduced him to Mrs. Osbret, and told her who he 
 was, but was pained to find that she treated him 
 coldly, and, after he was gone, scolded me heartily 
 for speaking to him. She forbade my receiving him 
 again in her house, saying she had raised me above 
 such associations, and would not permit me to take 
 up those that had been dropped years ago. A good 
 match she had always intended I should make, and 
 she would put herself between me and all dangers 
 of thoughtlessness and folly. 
 
 " ' What do you mean ? ' I asked, half crying with 
 vexation for having been lectured. ' I can see no 
 danger in receiving him. He was a kind friend to 
 me when a child, and his mother gave me a home 
 when I had none. It seems heart4ess to treat him so.' 
 
 " ' Pooh ! I suppose you would like to get up a 
 romance straightway, and fall in love with your old 
 playfellow ! ' 
 
 " I laughed at the idea.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 271 
 
 " ' You are not afraid, I see, but let me tell you, 
 Celia, that I gave you more credit for discretion. 
 Even if you are in no danger yourself, he is a young 
 man, and I dare say not proof against such charms 
 as yours. You have no right to risk his happiness, 
 and there would be great risk in associating with 
 him, were it at all allowable on other grounds.' 
 
 " I had not thought of it before ; and it was not 
 unnatural that I should feel a secret sense of pleasure 
 in the possibility of such an event as his falling in 
 love with me. He did not come to the house again, 
 for he knew he was not welcome, but I saw him 
 several times ; and in some way it came about that 
 I could not resist his influence. If he asked me to 
 meet him I could not refuse, it was done in such an 
 earnest manner, though I knew all the time how 
 wrong it was, and how madly I was rushing into 
 trouble. When I walked he joined me, and some 
 times he would come to my favorite arbor in the 
 garden, and entertain me with stories of his travels. 
 He taught me to converse with flowers, and often 
 sent beautiful messages through them to me. I 
 would find them in the arbor when I went there to 
 read in the morning, and at night upon my dressing- 
 table, left by some unknown messenger. Never was 
 a passage in woman's life so strangely sweet, so full 
 of an excitement that was blissful without a founda 
 tion of love. That he loved me madly, I knew only 
 too well, and I enjoyed it while fearful of the result. 
 But love him I did not. The thought of being his 
 wife gave me no pleasure. I never could imagine 
 myself in such a relation with him.. Such thoughts
 
 272 RIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 were always dismissed at once from my mind, if 
 they crossed it, and I gave myself up to the singular 
 fascination of his society, stolen though it was, and 
 worse than foolish. 
 
 "At length, among others who came to us was 
 Nathaniel Garton. He loved me from the first, and 
 he sought my hand. I will not deny that I learned 
 to love him. He was noble, handsome and intelli 
 gent, and I could respect him. He pleased my 
 friends, and I became his betrothed. At this time 
 more than a year had passed since Richard fir ft 
 made his appearance, and in the interval, though I 
 had received attentions from many gentlemen, I had 
 accepted no especial attention from any one. I 
 thought, however, that Richard fully understood 
 how impossible it was that we could ever be mar 
 ried, and would never ask me to marry him. But 
 it proved different. He became madly jealous of 
 Nathaniel when he saw him so much with me, and 
 grew to hate him with a deep, fierce bitterness that 
 frightened me. I was afraid to let him know that I 
 loved Nathaniel, lest he should be driven to do him 
 some secret injury. So I laughed about him, and 
 sported madly with my own best feelings, lest some 
 harm should come to my betrothed. Oh, how 
 gladly would I have rid myself of him forever then. 
 Once he did go away, and I began to think he 
 would not come back. Nathaniel and I were very 
 happy then in that brief season. We walked, rode, 
 strolled through the gardens and sat in the arbor. 
 There, in my thoughtless heedlessness, I taught 
 Nathaniel to read the language of flowers as it had
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 273 
 
 been taught to me. By that means I armed him 
 against me. Richard returned, and his messages 
 came to me in the old way. They were passionate 
 protestations and jealous threats which made me 
 miserable. If I could only have summoned courage 
 to tell Nathaniel frankly how matters stood, it might 
 have been well. I think he would have forgiven me 
 and passed over my folly. But I never could bring 
 myself to do it. I thought only of keeping the 
 truth from Richard until after my marriage, and 
 then we would be away, far beyond his reach for 
 some time, after which we would settle where he 
 would not be likely to follow us. It seemed as if it 
 must all be right then. Once married, Richard 
 would see how utterly hopeless pursuit must be, and 
 would leave me in peace." 
 
 " Mrs. Osbret must have reared you with a very 
 remarkable love for truth," remarked Mr. Prince, 
 sarcastically. 
 
 " No, I was not taught to consider truth a great 
 virtue," she answered quietly, lifting her eyes to his. 
 " The lesson has come to me in bitter experiences 
 which have served to show me its value. Then I 
 cared only for safety." 
 
 " So it seems. But how did your plans end ? " 
 
 " You must know something of it. I was one 
 day in the arbor with Nathaniel, and we were in ex 
 cellent spirits, happy and joyous as two children. I 
 remember his breaking off a sprig of arbor vitas and 
 presenting it to me laughingly, asking me if I could 
 read its language. I instantly pointed to my en 
 gagement ring and asked if that was not a satisfac-
 
 274 EIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 tory answer. Then he threw his arms around me, 
 fondly kissing my forehead and cheek, until my 
 heart was full. I caught his hand, drew it to my 
 lips with an impulsive caress, and he smiled down at 
 me with an expression I never can forget. 
 
 " ' Proud little Celia,' he said, ' I know you love 
 me, or you would not do that.' 
 
 "Ah, I could have died to prove how much I 
 loved him then ! " 
 
 " Do you remember what you swore to me that 
 night over his dead body?" demanded Mr. Prince, 
 huskily. 
 
 " Be patient. What I spoke there was truth, as you 
 shall see. The day after that of which I have been 
 speaking, Mr. Garton went away from the city, and 
 I did not expect him back for some time. Almost im 
 mediately after his departure Richard appeared more 
 furiously infatuated than ever. He implored me to 
 fly with him, and so alarmed me by his threats if I 
 refused, I did not know what to do. It required all 
 my tact to calm him, and I never was so kind to him 
 as on that day, when every throb of my heart was 
 heavy with fear. He kissed me, and I dared not 
 resent it. I was even weak and foolish enough to 
 return his caresses, and to crown my folly, laughed 
 at the suitors of whom he had been and was still 
 jealous. Yes, I laughed at Nathaniel also, while my 
 heart seemed breaking for his sake, and made sport 
 over having duped him to the blinding of my friends 
 as well. All the mad folly I was guilty of in that in 
 terview should have sent me to an insane asylum. But 
 I had my punishment. Nathaniel came in the midst
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 275 
 
 of it and heard what we were saying, saw him kiss me 
 and had a right to despise me ever after, as he did. 
 
 " The moment Mr. Garton was discovered, Rich 
 ard made his escape, coward that he was, and left 
 me face to face with my enraged lover. All that he 
 said I cannot repeat. Bitter, burning words, such 
 as I had never heard from mortal lips, were showered 
 upon me. He cast me off utterly, and I had no ex 
 cuses to offer. It was too late then. I saw how des 
 picable my course had been, and could utter nothing 
 in extenuation. 
 
 " What passed between Nathaniel and my adopted 
 parents, I do not know. But it was given out by 
 them, that Mr. Garton had lost all his property, and 
 they considered it their duty to break off the match. 
 After that we went traveling, and I never again saw 
 Nathaniel till I came here. It is needless to go over 
 that period when you met and became interested in 
 me. All of this you know. I thought I should be 
 happy at last, when I became your wife. Such 
 stormy years had rolled between me and the last in 
 terview with the only man I had ever loved. I did 
 not love him when I married you. His bitter words 
 and all the after sufferings I endured, had the effect 
 of curing me of my passion. I think I hated him ; 
 and when he came here, I was overwhelmed with 
 fear and anxiety." 
 
 " I told you that Mr. Garton made my house his 
 home. Did you not then suspect it might be he?" 
 
 " Not once. Nathaniel Garton as a school-master 
 seemed an incredible idea. I never had believed the 
 story of his failure. That, I supposed to be a fabri-
 
 276 RIGHT AND WRONG;- OR, 
 
 cation of my friends to shield me, so I had reason to 
 be surprised when I discovered the truth. Our 
 meeting was not pleasant, you may be assured. I 
 seemed to see myself upon the verge of ruin. To 
 deny what had passed, would have been impossible. 
 To explain it satisfactorily to you, was also impossi 
 ble, to all appearance, and I found myself in a strait. 
 With a due knowledge of my danger, came a due 
 sense of my regard for you. Let me be truthful 
 here, though I pain you. When we were married I 
 did not love you. There was a quiet calm regard, 
 deep as I thought it possible for me to feel for any 
 one after what I had experienced. But I learned to 
 love you more and more, day after day, as I had to 
 struggle to maintain my place. Nathaniel thought 
 himself bound to protect you, and I saw that I had 
 it in my power to wound and make him miserable. 
 To him I denied any tender regard for you, and 
 while using all the art of which I was mistress to 
 keep him silent, I goaded him with fears that were 
 only in part reasonable. To crown my distresses, 
 Richard had traced and followed me here. He sent 
 me flowers by that poor boy, and in my terror of a 
 new danger I was compelled to meet him, that I 
 might induce him to leave me in peace. Nathaniel 
 saw me when those flowers were brought, as you 
 will remember. It was the evening he came back, 
 and his keen glance detected my emotion. The day 
 following he requested me to show them to him, and 
 I was compelled to do so, seeing that he was suspi 
 cious. I did not know that he would remember the 
 language as I did, or that he really suspected Rich-
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 277 
 
 ard to be as conversant with it as we were. Now I 
 think he must have guessed it was he who taught me. 
 And I remember he told me in a rather stormy quarrel 
 we had, that he once met Richard when he and Ger- 
 aldine were walking on the river-bank, and he did 
 not recognize him then. Afterwards he was haunted 
 with the thought that he had somewhere seen him. 
 It was only for a moment that he did see him, and 
 Richard had changed greatly in the time that elapsed 
 ere he saw him again. I scarcely knew him myself. 
 
 "Although he would not go away, Richard did 
 not trouble me often, as I had feared. He managed 
 to get such an influence over John Truslow as to 
 make him the medium of communication between 
 us, and two or three times insisted upon seeing me. 
 Then it was to demand money, and I gave it to him. 
 I never listened to a word of love from him. If he 
 began to speak, I hushed him. Desperation gave me 
 courage for that, and though I am well aware that he 
 still loves me, I have never wronged you by suffering 
 him to speak. The wrong I did was in purchasing, 
 or trying to purchase, his silence. I was in hopes 
 he would go away, and that I might then be allowed 
 to take rest and comfort in your undisturbed trust. 
 Oh, you do not know how I dreaded the thought 
 that you should learn all my sinful folly you, my 
 husband, irrevocably bound to me, and who had 
 made me love you as my own soul. I would have 
 risked my life to spare you pain and shame, such as 
 I knew would fall upon you in such revelations as it 
 was in their power to make. 
 
 " Thus the time has passed here. You must see
 
 278 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 how I have suffered, and what excuses I have had 
 for every unworthy deed. The errors of the past 
 were renewed and multiplied. I was forced into 
 them. They closed around me like serpents, and I 
 could not escape. If I had not loved you, I could 
 have yielded all. Only my love gave me still a mo 
 tive for struggling against my fate." 
 
 " What took you to see the corpse that night I 
 met you coming from the chamber where it lay?" 
 he asked tremulously. 
 
 " I did not go to see the corpse. Fully impressed 
 with the necessity of self-protection, I went to dis 
 cover if among his effects there were any things that 
 could do me injury in your estimation. I had time 
 only to get the key to his private box, when a noise 
 frightened me. The back stairway door was locked 
 on the outside, and I was forced to go through the 
 library. There I met you." 
 
 " Did you go again ? " 
 
 " Yes, the next day. I found the box and opened 
 it, but there was nothing there to alarm me. Re 
 assured, I went back to my room. Yet after that 
 you acted so strangely, I often wondered if you had 
 not made some discovery. To ask you I did not 
 dare, and after perplexing myself with all kinds of 
 conjectures, I at length came to the conclusion that 
 the disasters which had followed in quick succession, 
 must have confused your brain. It never occurred 
 to me that you could suspect me of having a hand in 
 the murder of Mr. Garton." 
 
 "But you suspect that Richard Kelton did the 
 deed."
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 279 
 
 " Yes, I will acknowledge the fact now, though I 
 have no proof. I never heard him utter a threat, 
 though I all the time feared injury to one or both of 
 you. One thing alone, apart from what you know, 
 would seem to make it most probable that he did it. 
 You remember coming upon us in the conservatory, 
 and we were quarreling. Mr. Garton had detected 
 me receiving a note through the hands of John 
 Truslow, and threatened to expose me. When I left 
 you, you were quarreling, and I hovered outside the 
 door until you turned to come out Then I fled to 
 my room, wrote a line and slipped it in a purse with 
 all I had, and ran again down stairs. In the kitchen 
 I found John, and gave him the purse for Eichard, 
 saying that he must go away. On the paper I had 
 written that it was impossible to see him. As I re 
 turned, I heard Katie and Mr. Garton on the ter 
 race. She had on my shawl, and we know that it 
 was on that night that they were betrothed. Rich 
 ard was perhaps near enough to see them, without 
 being able to distinguish who she was, and suspect 
 ing it to be myself, got into one of his mad fits of 
 jealousy. It was Richard who gave John the knife, 
 and that knife was used to murdef. Nathaniel. This 
 is all the grounds I have had for my suspicions. You 
 must think as you choose. All my faults, sins, er 
 rors, I have admitted fully. More I cannot do. You, 
 too, have a right to despise me, and I can now ask 
 no more than that God will take me away misera 
 ble, wretched creature that I am ! " 
 
 Mr. Prince was looking at her with pale, trem 
 bling lips, and heaving breast. As she concluded,
 
 280 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR, 
 
 he got up and walked the floor once or twice rapidly, 
 pausing at her side to say, through half-stifled sobs : 
 
 " Celia, I know now that you have told me all the 
 truth. By the history he has left behind, and which 
 you never saw, I have proved you, and and, deeply 
 as you have sinned, I I forgive you ! " 
 
 She sprang up, lifting a wet, white face to his 
 gaze. 
 
 " Oh, do you mean it ? can you, can you really 
 forgive me? I do not deserve it. I am unworthy 
 of anything but contempt. Why, even to this last 
 hour I persisted in my sinful deceptions ! And yet 
 you forgive me fully freely ! " 
 
 For answer, he took her in his arms, and held her 
 beautiful head against his breast, great tears drop 
 ping down upon her hair. 
 
 " In confession, you have won pardon. A persist 
 ence in trying to deceive, after I told you I knew the 
 truth, would have hardened me against you forever. 
 I have made you do what I wished, and now I know 
 that you are guiltless of his death. Now I may pur 
 sue the murderer without a fear that his exposure 
 will prove the guilt of my own wife. Oh, this alone 
 is joy enough to purchase your pardon. You are 
 not guilty of that I can forgive all else ! " 
 
 Here let us close the scene upon the noble, gener 
 ous man, and the humbled, penitent wife. Sin al 
 ways brings its punishment, and she had suffered. 
 If he, knowing the whole extent of her folly, could 
 forgive her, what right have we to cavil at his ac 
 tions, or longer invade the sacredness of the restora 
 tion and reunion by our presence ?
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 281 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 A DEATH-BED CONFESSION CONCLUSION. 
 
 A FEW days later, Mr. Graves suddenly made his 
 appearance at Prince Hill, having been summoned 
 by Mr. Prince. For some hours they were closeted 
 together, to the evident satisfaction of both. 
 
 " Thank God, I can work now without fear," said 
 Mr. Prince as the conference was concluded. My 
 dear friend shall be avenged." 
 
 " Yes, since the exposure will be so comparatively 
 slight, you can give yourself to the duty without a 
 scruple. A man can submit to make some sacrifices 
 for such a friend." 
 
 " Feeling her innocent of crime, I can bear any 
 thing else," was the earnest response. 
 
 By this the reader will see that they had made 
 up their minds to bring Richard Kelton to justice, 
 whatever the consequences might be. Some ex 
 posure of the part Mrs. Prince had unwillingly 
 played in the tragedy, they fully expected ; but a 
 man like Mr. Prince, loving justice as life, and above 
 all selfishness, would not shrink from the lesser evil, 
 the greater having disappeared. It is not to be sup 
 posed that all the trouble was gone. His trust had 
 21*
 
 282 RIGHT AND WRONG ; OR, 
 
 received a shock, his love a humiliation, and he could 
 not rise above it at once. In his nobleness he could 
 forgive her, but he never could feel the unbounded 
 happiness again, that had been his in the first days 
 of his married life. His implicit confidence in her 
 truth was gone, and with confidence respect. Pride 
 stood eternally over passion, and strove to shame 
 him from the course he was taking, but Charity and 
 Goodness said : " If you abandon her she is lost," 
 and he could not send her adrift upon the world, 
 unguarded and uncared for. Besides, he saw with 
 a growing clearness that she had not only done but 
 Buffered wrong, and that, too, at the hands that 
 were truest and dearest. The wounded feeling of 
 Mr. Garton had betrayed him into unconscious in 
 justice ; he had judged her harshly from the mo 
 ment when he learned that she could be guilty of 
 falsehood, and thus when he again met her as Mrs. 
 Prince, instead of aiding her efforts towards a truer 
 life, he had goaded her proud spirit almost to des 
 peration. Geraldine, too, the gifted, keen-eyed 
 child, had carried her marvelous penetration farther 
 than the truth would warrant. Whatever else she 
 might have been, this erring, struggling woman was 
 not a body without a soul. He had sought her in 
 epite of doubts and warnings ; his own hand had 
 placed her in a difficult position, and she had a claim 
 upon his aid in striving to fill it as she might. The 
 conflict ended with a resolve to guard her, to deal 
 tenderly with her, and by doing his duty faithfully, 
 to make her the good wife his love had deemed her 
 before the terrible awakening.
 
 SHE TOLD THE TRUTH AT LAST. 283 
 
 Having reached this point he was ready to do 
 anything that was right and just. The first duty 
 was to release the innocent and bring forward the 
 guilty for trial. The evidence they deemed suffi 
 cient, after a careful investigation of all they had 
 gathered, and they were about to act upon it, when 
 a startling dispatch reached them. Richard Kelton, 
 alias Rufus Knight had escaped, and the closest vig 
 ilance had failed to detect his hiding-place. 
 
 This was destined to be followed by a still more 
 important event in the little village of Princeton. 
 John Truslow, doubtless assisted by some person or 
 persons unknown, had broken jail and disappeared 
 also. 
 
 "Kelton had done it, you may be assured," said 
 Mr. Graves to his friends in the midst of the confu 
 sion. " The fellow has some good in him after all." 
 
 " Evidently, since he provides against the boy's 
 chances on trial. But we must have him yet." 
 
 It was a hot chase that followed, the authorities 
 assisted heartily by Mr. Prince and his friends. But 
 the fugitives probably took to the mountains, in the 
 caves of which they hid themselves too effectually 
 for detection. After the lapse of two weeks of 
 fruitless search, it was given up, and it was nearly a 
 year ere a trace was gained of them. Then the 
 man Richard Kelton, was stabbed in a drunken 
 broil, and on his death-bed confessed to the crime of 
 murdering Nathaniel Garton, at Prince Hill. 
 
 On receiving this intelligence, Mr. Prince at once 
 started in search of John Truslow, whose mother 
 and brother had been objects of special care. He
 
 284 RIGHT AND WRONG; OR 
 
 found him in very bad company, becoming more and 
 more reckless, but finally prevailed upon him to 
 leave them and put himself under his guardianship. 
 In a short time he placed him under private tutors 
 to prepare for college, at the same time giving Mr. 
 Truslow a tenancy on his own lands, on condition 
 that he would abandon intoxicating liquors. Thus 
 a whole family were redeemed from poverty, and its 
 attendant evils. 
 
 Soon after Mother Hitter's ominous visit to the 
 Hill, she fell sick and never recovered. After her 
 death, Angie came to live at the Hill as maid to the 
 mistress, while the cripple was comfortably provided 
 for. Mr. Prince felt that he could not do too much 
 for those who had been objects of interest to his lost 
 friend. 
 
 Miss Eldridge never married. Her time was 
 divided between her own home and Mrs. Garten's 
 during the life of the latter, and all the offers that 
 were made her to change her condition firmly re 
 jected. Mr. Bruce renewed his suit more than 
 once, but failing signally, at a late period in his life 
 married Mrs. Darby, who was widowed about a 
 year after her visit at Princeton.
 
 THE 
 
 OR, 
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 
 
 AT Paducah, Kentucky, I first realized what it 
 required to be a soldier's wife. I had seen much 
 before, and borne a great deal, yet it seemed but 
 little, comparatively, when I came to take leave of my 
 husband, and turned back to my lonely room to 
 await his return. 
 
 True, I had expected this was prepared for it in 
 a measure ; yet a strange and overpowering sense of 
 my position came over me that I had not felt before, 
 when I stood by the window to catch a last glimpse 
 of the beloved form. He was standing upon the deck 
 of a large boat, with hundreds of others around him ; 
 yet I seemed to see him only, his sad face turned to 
 me in a mute farewell as the bell clanged and the 
 ponderous vessel swept slowly out into the stream, 
 and turned her prow toward the mouth of the Ten 
 nessee. It was but a moment, during which I leaned 
 against the casement, breathless, agonized. There 
 the waters lay cold and glittering under the spring 
 sunbeams, and the sadness of utter desolation seemed 
 to have fallen upon my spirits.
 
 286 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 I am ashamed to say that I shut every ray of the 
 bright, beautiful sun from my room, feeling as if it 
 was a mockery too bitter to endure in that hour ; 
 that I threw myself upon my couch and wept as if 
 my heart would bre,ak, for the time forgetful that 
 there were any in the world more sorrowful and with 
 deeper cause for sorrow than I. But it is true, and 
 here I confess my selfish weakness repentantly, glad 
 to be able to say that I have since that time learned 
 to think less of myself and more of others on whom 
 the hand of affliction has fallen heavily, while, I am 
 still unscathed. 
 
 After the first burst of grief I roused myself with 
 the question, "What shall I do?" and the answer 
 came so quickly that my cheek was dyed with 
 shame. What should I do, with three hospitals in 
 sight of my window ? No need to ponder the ques 
 tion long. The call of duty was loud and strong, and 
 I obeyed it without delay. 
 
 It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when I 
 first entered the Presbyterian Church, which had been 
 converted into a hospital, and walked up its aisle un 
 der the gaze of a hundred eyes. The very remem 
 brance of that time thrills me again with the same sen 
 sation of pity and pain that rose in my heart as I looked 
 upon the pale, emaciated faces around me. Near the 
 pulpit two men were standing, whom I rightly sup 
 posed to be the doctor and steward. Toward them I 
 went directly, and addressed the tallest of the two. 
 
 " Is this the attending physician of the hospital ? " 
 
 " It is, madam. Dr. L , at your service. What 
 can I do for you?"
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 287 
 
 " Tell me, sir, how I can make myself useful to 
 others. My husband has gone to Pittsburg Landing, 
 to be aw^y for several weeks, perhaps, during which 
 time I shall have nothing to do, unless you make me 
 useful here. Can I be of service ? " 
 
 "Look about you and see. There has not been 
 a lady within these walls since I came, nearly five 
 weeks ago. Your voice is soft, your hand light and 
 skillful all women's are and I have no doubt but 
 your eyes will be quick to see what should be done. 
 I shall be glad to have you come." 
 
 " Thank you. I may come to you for advice when 
 I want it ? " I asked. 
 
 " Certainly. I shall be happy to assist you at all 
 times." 
 
 I bowed and turned away, feeling as if about to 
 realize, indeed, some of the terrible consequences of 
 war. In a few moments I had laid aside my hat and 
 cloak, rolled my sleeves away from my wrists, and 
 constructed an impromptu apron of an old sheet 
 which I found among the bandages in the linen room. 
 Thus prepared for the work which I saw before me, 
 I went out to the kitchen and obtained warm water 
 a tin wash-basin, and some towels. For combs and 
 brushes I was compelled to send out before I could 
 do any thing. 
 
 Then the work began in earnest. Commencing 
 with the lower berth, I went up the entire length 
 of the aisle, taking each patient in his turn until I 
 got through. Grimed faces and hands were to be 
 bathed, hair and beard trimmed and brushed a long 
 and distressing task. But I had undertaken it with
 
 288 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OE, 
 
 a will, and, though my arms and neck ached, I would 
 not yield until the last sufferer had been relieved. 
 
 It was half- past eight o'clock in the evening before 
 I had done, and when I reached the hotel I could 
 scarcely stand for very weariness. Such duties were 
 new to me then, and the excitement helped to wear 
 away my strength. But the memory of grateful 
 thanks, tearful eyes, and broken, trembling exclama 
 tions of relief more than repaid me. Even as I sat 
 beside them, passing the cool sponge over their faces 
 or brushing the tangled hair, many of the sufferers 
 had fallen asleep. 
 
 I slept little that night. It was vain to attempt 
 sleep after such an experience. Moreover, an idea 
 came to me that filled me with unrest. I had ob 
 served when tea was brought in how coarse and un 
 palatable the food was, and that many turned from it 
 with loathing. There was hard, brown bread crisped 
 to a blackened toast ; some fat bacon, and black tea 
 without milk served to the men on that evening. 
 The tea was sweetened with very coarse brown 
 sugar, stirred into it with large iron spoons. They 
 drank from tin cups and ate from tin plates. This 
 would have made little difference had the food been 
 nice and palatable, which it certainly was not. Some 
 of the men told me, in answer to my questions, that 
 they could not have swallowed a mouthful to save 
 their lives. 
 
 I rose very early the following morning, filled with 
 the idea that many of those brave sufferers were 
 actually starving, and determined to look into the 
 matter more closely. But few of the nurses were
 
 A HUNT FOB A HUSBAND. 289 
 
 astir in the hospital, and I went to the' kitchen, 
 where the cook had just commenced the prepara 
 tion of the morning meal, and was greeted with 
 a surly " Good-morgen" in mixed German-English. 
 In a moment I saw that I should not have a very 
 pleasant time in my examinations. After a few 
 careless remarks, to set the man in a good humor, 
 I asked him to show me the hospital stores for the 
 day's consumption, which he did ungraciously enough. 
 A moment's observation filled me with horror and in 
 dignation. 
 
 " Do you tell me that you are going to cook all 
 this stuff for those men in the other room?" I said, 
 indignantly. " Look at this tea, black and mouldy 
 as it can be, and this bacon is one living mass ! Here 
 are salt fish laid upon boards over the sugar-barrel, 
 the brine dripping through into the sugar ? I hope 
 you have not been using this for their tea." 
 
 " It is not my fault. I am not ze prowider fur ze 
 hospital," growled the cook in response. " I does my 
 duty so fur as I can. I cooks ze rations zat is bring 
 to me, and zat is all so fur as I go." 
 
 " Well, that is farther than you will go in less 
 than a week from now !" I answered, quickly. " If 
 you had the soul of a man in you, you would refuse 
 to have any thing^to do with such horrible things as 
 those ! Poor boys ? No wonder they turned away 
 from such food in disgust. Some of those men are 
 starving to death. Do you know it?" 
 
 He stared at me aghast and made no reply. 
 
 " It is really true, and I know it. How can they 
 eat such bread and meat drink such tea as this? 
 25
 
 290 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 They are weakened by illness, and require delicacies. 
 It would be utterly impossible for many of those 
 men to swallow coarse food, even if clean and pala 
 table. How then can they eat this ? " I repeated, 
 looking at him steadily till his head drooped, and I 
 began to suspect that he was even more guilty than 
 at first appeared. Afterward I found that he had 
 carefully put aside all the delicacies that found their 
 way to the hospital, and feasted upon them, while 
 those for whom they were intended, faded and pined 
 day by day under his eyes. 
 
 When Dr. L came, I went to him at once and 
 
 told him how I had been engaged, and what I had 
 found in my researches. He looked so much sur 
 prised that indignation was redoubled, and I could 
 not forbear expressing it in plain words. 
 
 "Can it be possible that you, the physician in 
 charge of a hospital, do not know, after five weeks' 
 service r what your patients have to eat?" 
 
 "I am not here when the meals are served. I 
 give orders for such diet as my patients must have, 
 and my steward's business is to carry out my in 
 structions." 
 
 " Do you never inquire into the condition of the 
 stores ? Have you never examined to see if they 
 were as they should be ? It seems to me you ought 
 to know all about what is going on here. If three 
 hundred lives were in my hands as they are in yours 
 I should not dare to trifle with them thus ! " 
 
 " You are severe, madam ! " 
 
 " Ask yourself if I am unjustly so, sir. I do not 
 desire to appear rude or assuming ; but indeed I
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 291 
 
 won't look upon this unmoved. What I saw last 
 night and this morning has opened my eyes to a 
 condition that is a shame to any hospital. See the 
 confusion all around us ! Remember how helpless 
 men have lain without even a face bath or a wound 
 dressed for three days, to say nothing of the more 
 dreadful, slow starvation to which they are subjected ! 
 If all hospitals are kept like this, God pity the poor 
 soldiers ! " 
 
 " Since you see the evils so plainly, perhaps you 
 can suggest a remedy," remarked Dr. L sarcas 
 tically. 
 
 '* will try, if you will act upon the suggestion," 
 I answered quickly. 
 
 "Well?" 
 
 " In the first place, then, what do you do when a 
 man fails to draw his regular rations ? " 
 
 " He is entitled to its value in money, if he wishes 
 it." 
 
 "Then why not refuse to draw such rations as 
 those, and with the money buy food that can be 
 eaten ? " 
 
 " It might be done, if there was anything to buy. 
 I am afraid it will be hard work, if you attempt it." 
 
 " No matter ; it must be done. If you will fur 
 nish me with a boy to do errands, I will see if I can 
 not get fresh butter, eggs and chickens, at least per 
 haps milk also. These would prove invaluable just 
 now. To-day I intend to send to a society for some 
 sheets and mattresses ; and, if you have no decided 
 objection, will try to bring order out of chaos, if 
 possible."
 
 292 WOMAN IN THE WAR ; OR, 
 
 " I see you are one of the working kind," said the 
 doctor. " Do all you wish, and call upon me when 
 I can render any assistance." 
 
 " That will be very frequently, I assure you." 
 And with that I turned away, still too much in 
 censed to treat him civilly. He was willing enough 
 to let other people take his work off his hands, since 
 he would come in for a full share of the credit in the 
 end. At least that was my uncharitable thought at 
 the moment ; and I am not sure now that I was far 
 wrong, as I know his character better. 
 
 The same day I went to him again about the boy, 
 but he had forgotten all about the matter ; so I went 
 to the quartermaster instead. He furnished a horse, 
 and I sent my own waiting-man out to the country 
 for supplies, making him -take a receipt for every 
 penny he paid in his purchases. This was for the 
 purpose of ascertaining precisely how much was 
 spent, as I desired to render a faithful account of my 
 stewardship. I was fully aware that the ground I 
 was taking might easily prove a dangerous one, 
 should I fail to keep precise accounts of my expend 
 itures, and resolved to give no chances for misrep 
 resentation. Every receipt and bill of sale, after 
 being duly copied in my own account-book, was 
 carefully filed in the quartermaster's office, subject 
 to the inspection of any who chose to examine them. 
 
 Mr. P , the quartermaster, was a kind, gen 
 tlemanly man, in whom I found an ever-ready assist 
 ant. He had received a donation in money, for the 
 benefit of the wounded, from some one in Illinois, 
 which he begged me to use as designed, and I did
 
 A. HUNT FOB A HUSBAND. 293 
 
 BO gladly. Even with that I had not enough, and 
 was often compelled to draw from my own purse the 
 means wherewith to supply the many wants of the 
 patients. 
 
 It took me a week to get fairly started in my vo 
 cation as hospital nurse. There was such an entire 
 absence of system in the establishment, that it seemed 
 almost impossible to bring it into anything like order. 
 The nurses were detailed each day from the conva 
 lescent corps weak, spiritless men, who thought 
 more of themselves than of the charges placed in 
 their hands. I had seen them lounging about and 
 sleeping while the sicker men, failing to make them 
 hear, would try to struggle into a sitting posture to 
 get at the medicines to be taken from time to time. 
 
 All this had to be changed, and strong, able men 
 detailed for duty. The ward-master drank fearfully, 
 and I was compelled to report him and get another 
 man put into his place. With the assistance of these, 
 however, after the changes were made I got along 
 very well. Every morning we had the floor nicely 
 washed, and when the sun shone the windows were 
 opened to let in the fresh, balmy air, the effect of 
 which was almost magical ; eyes would brighten, and 
 lips wreathe in pleasant hopeful smiles, beautiful to 
 behold. 
 
 It was with more joy than words can express that 
 I observed the rapid improvement of the men under 
 careful attention. When the new sheets and com 
 forters, with pillows and mattresses came, we were 
 able to keep the place perfectly fresh and comfort 
 able. But it required the most constant attention. 
 25*
 
 294 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OK, 
 
 I went to my hotel only for my meals, devoting the 
 day, from half-past five in the morning to nine in the 
 evening, to the care of the sick. I must be there at 
 every meal, or many would go without anything at 
 all. Some of the feeblest had to be fed like children, 
 and what they ate could be prepared by myself only. 
 I must toast the bread and make the tea ; then I 
 must sit down and support their heads with my left 
 hand, while with the right I conveyed the food to 
 their lips. Such constant care was very wearing, 
 and I was often tempted to steal away for an hour's 
 rest, trusting to some one to take my place for a 
 time ; but when I gave it a second thought the 
 temptation faded. Suppose the man should die, 
 could I feel that I had done all in my power to save 
 him ? Not if I should yield to the inclination I felt 
 to abandon my post ; so I remained, and tried to be 
 patient. 
 
 Two hours each day were devoted to letter-writing 
 for those who were unable to correspond with their 
 friends. And sometimes, after tea, I would send for 
 my guitar and sing for them, at the request of the 
 music-loving ones under my charge. So the days 
 sped, and all things began to run smoothly for a 
 time, at least. Death was not banished from our 
 midst, however. Sometimes it was my fate to walk 
 up the aisle in the morning and find some berth 
 empty in which a favorite patient had lain. I might 
 here go into particulars, and detail some of the most 
 touching scenes in life ; but I will speak of only one 
 case : 
 
 One evening I was sitting by a dying man, reading
 
 A HUXT FOR A HUSBAND. 295 
 
 a favorite chapter in the Bible, to which he listened 
 eagerly, even while his eyes drooped under the 
 shades of death. One clammy hand groped for 
 mine, and clasped it with a feeble, tremulous touch, 
 and as I finished, his lips moved painfully : " Write 
 to my wife and children. Tell them I can not come 
 to them, but they may soon follow me to that place 
 of which the Saviour said, 'In my Father's house 
 are many mansions : I go to prepare a place for 
 you.' Oh, how sweet and comforting ! ' Let not 
 your heart be troubled : ye believe in God ; believe 
 also in me.' Jesus, Saviour, I do believe in Thee. 
 Receive Thou my spirit ! " And the voice sank 
 softly. A few moments later the last fluttering 
 breath went out, and the mysteries of the unknown 
 world were mysteries to him no longer. 
 
 Tears fell fast as I pressed the white lids over the 
 blue eyes, thinking of those who were far away, and 
 denied the sad privilege of paying the last tender 
 rites to the dead. Poor children! Poor mother! 
 How my heart ached to think that mine must be 
 the task to tell them the story of death, of which, 
 perhaps, they were not dreaming now ! 
 
 Before I had finished, a boy came in hurriedly and 
 eaid something to the steward, of which I caught 
 only the words, " been fighting all day . . . rebels at 
 tacked them this morning . . . had a very hard time 
 of it." 
 
 I grew for a moment sick with a terrible fear. A 
 battle had taken place, and who should say how 
 many lives in a few short hours had been crowned 
 with the thorny wreath of affliction? It might
 
 296 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 be that I, too, was destined to feel the force of an 
 awful blow. If so, God help me! 
 
 I could gain no particulars at the hospital, and 
 was forced to wait until I reached home. There I 
 learned that an attack had been made upon our 
 forces Sunday morning, and the Confederates had 
 occupied our camps for ^ome time. Afterward they 
 were driven out again, but we had lost many lives. 
 They were still fighting an hour before nightfall. 
 Further than this nothing was known. 
 
 All night I walked the floor in an agony of sus 
 pense and dread. Would the morning's dawn come 
 to me with a message of gladness, or should I rank 
 among the doomed, who henceforth must walk the 
 
 O * 
 
 earth in the darkness and gloom of utter desolation ? 
 
 Ah, how I prayed that night ! How I wrestled 
 with my own fearful heart, and chided myself for 
 the lack of faith which should have borne me up in 
 that hour ! 
 
 Monday came, freighted with death to thousands ! 
 All day the battle raged, and at night it was said 
 that the federals had achieved a great victory. A 
 victory it was ; but oh ! at what a fearful cost ! 
 How many hundreds of young heads were that day 
 laid low in the dust, never to rise again ! How 
 many hopeful hearts throbbed their last impulses of 
 human aspiration and ambition ! 
 
 Tuesday and Wednesday brought hundreds from 
 the field of action. Some of the wounded were 
 transported to Paducah, and I was called upon to 
 dress their wounds and to assist in amputations, 
 which required all the strength I possessed. The
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 297 
 
 duty was a terrible one ; but I nerved myself reso 
 lutely to perform it, hoping that, if need be, some 
 one would as willingly attend to one of whose fate I 
 had as yet learned nothing. 
 
 On Thursday morning the St. Francis Hotel was 
 alive with officers from Shiloh, but still I was left in 
 ignorance of my husband's fate, and the suspense was 
 becoming insupportable. Every excuse that could 
 be made for a delay of tidings had been utterly ex 
 hausted, and I felt now that he was either killed or 
 wounded. 
 
 In the hope of hearing something definite I went 
 out to the table for the first time since the battle, 
 and took my usual seat, near which sat two wounded 
 officers. One had his head bandaged ; the other's 
 arm was in a sling ; and both were pale and weary- 
 looking. But they were talking of the late contest, 
 and after listening for a few moments I yielded to 
 an uncontrollable impulse and asked the one near 
 est me if he knew anything of the fate of the 
 
 Regiment. 
 
 He turned politely, with a look of interest I could 
 but remark, and answered : 
 
 "I am sorry to say, madam, that it fared very 
 badly. Some other regiments of the same division 
 showed the white feather, and, perfectly panic- 
 stricken, broke ranks and fled. That o-allant re-i- 
 
 O t? 
 
 ment alone stood its ground, and was literally cut to 
 pieces. Those who were not killed were taken 
 prisoners, only a few escaping." 
 
 "And the officers were they all ?" I could 
 not finish the sentence for the deathly sickness that
 
 298 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 was choking my utterance, and he answered it 
 gently : 
 
 " I believe every one was killed. Did you have 
 any friends among them, may I ask ?" 
 
 " My husband," I gasped. " Captain S " 
 
 I saw them exchange glances ; and then, as if in 
 a dream, a voice seemed to murmur afar off amidst 
 the rushing of waters. 
 
 " Poor thing ! He fell in the first onset. But 
 see ! She is falling ! " 
 
 A strong hand grasped my arm, and a glass of 
 water was pressed to my lips ; but the shock of 
 that deadly blow was too heavy, and I sank slowly 
 into utter oblivion, conscious of a wish, as sight and 
 sound faded, that I might never waken again ! 
 
 It was an hour before they brought me back to a 
 sense of my bereavement, and then I turned from 
 the kind faces clustered about the couch to which I 
 had been borne, and gave vent to a bitter cry. 
 
 " Ah ! why did you not let me die ? The world 
 is so cold and desolate ! " 
 
 Two firm, soft hands clasped mine, and drew 
 them away from my face, and I saw the mild, re 
 proachful eyes of a stranger gazing into mine. He 
 was an old man, with hair as white as the snows 
 of winter, and a voice soft and gentle as a tender 
 mother's. 
 
 " My child, you are rebellious ! Rouse yourself, 
 and learn to say, * Not my will, but thine, O Lord, be 
 done!'" 
 
 "I can not! I can not bring myself to feel that 
 there is any mercy or love in the power that could
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 299 
 
 deal such a blow. God knew that he was all I had 
 on earth, and he has taken him from me. It was 
 cruel!" 
 
 " Hush ! Resignation will come when you have 
 time to think. Perhaps, after all, it is a mistake. 
 There has been no official report of your hus 
 band's death, and he may only be wounded or a 
 prisoner." 
 
 I started up, wild with the hope his words 
 awakened. 
 
 "Nay, be not too hasty! I only say it may be 
 possible." 
 
 I was silenced, but the hope was not crushed. It 
 stung me to life again, and made every idle moment 
 seem like an eternity of agony. 
 
 In a few moments they began to leave the room, 
 and only one or two ladies remained in conversation 
 with the old gentleman, who was a physician, and 
 had been summoned hastily when I fainted. Seeing 
 them thus engaged, I formed a sudden resolution, 
 and raised myself from the pillows. 
 
 " What are you going to do?" asked the doctor, 
 turning his face toward me. 
 
 " Find my husband dead or alive," I answered, 
 getting off the bed. 
 
 " My dear child you are mad ! " he expostulated. 
 " You can not do anything. Look at your face it 
 is as pallid as marble, and your eyes would frighten 
 any one." 
 
 " That is because I have not slept or eaten scarcely 
 since last Saturday night," I said, in reply. " Be 
 sides, I have been half mad with suspense. Only
 
 300 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 for the sick at the hospital, who claimed my care, I 
 don't think I could have borne it all." 
 
 " Go back and lie down on the bed," pleaded one 
 of the ladies. " It makes my heart ache to look at 
 you." 
 
 " How dreadfully you must have suffered ! " 
 
 " God and my own heart only know how much," 
 I answered, forcing down a sob. Her tone of wo 
 manly sympathy shook my strong self-control till I 
 trembled. Then I broke down entirely, and with a 
 bitter cry fell upon my knees by a chair. 
 
 " Oh Charley, Charley ! my heart is breaking ! " 
 
 Instantly her kind arms were twined around me 
 her soft lips pressed to my forehead. She held me 
 to her heart, and suffered me to weep until the foun 
 tain of my tears was exhausted. 
 
 "There! you feel better now, don't you?" said 
 the doctor, kindly. " You must lie down and keep 
 quiet awhile, or you will be ill. Your hands are 
 like two burning coals now, while only a moment 
 since they were like ice. You must not fall ill." 
 
 " Oh no ! I can not afford to be ill. I must search 
 for my husband," I answered, rising. " There it 
 is over now ! I am done with tears for the present, 
 and am ready to work. If I do not, I shall soon 
 lose my reason. Don't talk to me, any of you ! " I 
 cried, as I saw them about to remonstrate. " I am 
 determined to go up the river, and if I should never 
 return, try to remember me kindly." 
 
 " The authorities will not permit you to go," said 
 the doctor. "An order has been issued to allow no 
 lady to pass up the river, and Colonel N has
 
 A HUNT FOB A HUSBAND. 301 
 
 locked himself up to escape the importunities of the 
 people." 
 
 " I shall go, nevertheless," was my reply. 
 
 " How will you manage it ? " asked the old man, 
 curiously. 
 
 " I don't know yet. But I shall go. Before 
 night I shall be on my way to Pittsburg Landing." 
 
 They looked at me pityingly ; but I paid no at 
 tention further, and when they left the room I began 
 to pack some articles in a small trunk which I could 
 easily take with me. 
 
 About noon a boat, chartered at Cincinnati and 
 sent after the wounded, touched at Paducah, and I 
 obtained passage. Fortune seemed to favor me 
 here, for I not only found myself able to carry out 
 my design, but came into the midst of sympathizing 
 friends, who received me cordially, and did all in 
 their power to make me comfortable. 
 
 There were a number of surgeons and their assist 
 ants on board. Three Sisters of Charity and two 
 ladies from Cincinnati completed the list, and in 
 about an hour we entered the mouth of the river 
 and proceeded on our sorrowful errand. 
 
 I will not dwell upon the tediousness of the trip. 
 To me it seemed like an eternity of misery. On 
 Thursday, about one o'clock, we left Paducah, and 
 did not arrive at Pittsburg Landing until Saturday 
 night, near eight o'clock. 
 
 I shall never forget that night or a single incident 
 connected with it. As we made fast to the shore I 
 was standing upon the hurricane deck, looking 
 
 abroad, with my heart full' of a wild and bitter 
 26
 
 302 WOMAN IN THE WAE ; OR, 
 
 fear. Here was Shiloh ! There were the black, 
 forbidding bluffs directly over my head, the banks 
 of the river lined with boats from which profane 
 and noisy men were unloading Government stores. 
 Across the river two or three gun-boats stretched 
 their black, snake-like lengths along the waters, and 
 from them only a fiery gleam was now and then dis 
 cernible. Above, the sky was clear and blue, and 
 studded with myriads of stars that looked oh so 
 calmly! down upon that terrible spot. There, 
 where rivers of blood had flowed, lay the silvery 
 white moonbeams, and on the death-laden air floated 
 the rich perfume of spring flowers. 
 
 Even while I stood looking around me the Conti 
 nental swung loose from her fastenings, and rounded 
 out into the stream followed by half a dozen others. 
 Now the lights blazed from every vessel, and a band 
 struck up " Dixie " in the most spirited manner. 
 
 General Halleck was going up the river to de 
 stroy a bridge, and, convoyed by two .of the gun 
 boats, they started two and two abreast, keeping 
 in this order until a sudden turn hid them from 
 sight. 
 
 Turning my face once more toward the shore, 
 some dark objects became visible lying some dis 
 tance up the side of the hill ; but I could not dis 
 cern precisely what they were, and the next moment 
 my attention was absorbed in a painful scene taking 
 place on the deck of a boat just along side of the 
 Lancaster. 
 
 There were a number of men lying upon berths 
 in the open air, and around one of them was a sur-
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 303 
 
 geon and his group of assistants. The wounded 
 man had his arm bared to the shoulder, and had I 
 not seen the glittering of instruments in the light of 
 the numerous lamps held around him I should still 
 have divined his fate. Poor fellow ! I heard him 
 sob and plead piteously, " Oh, doctor, don't take my 
 arm off! If I lose it' my little sister will have no 
 one to work for her. I'd rather die ! " 
 
 "Die you will if it does not come off, and that 
 very soon," was the response. " No help for it, boy, 
 so be a man and bear it bravely." 
 
 The next moment a handkerchief was held to his 
 face, and after a brief struggle he yielded to the 
 powerful influence of chloroform. I hear the deep, 
 quick gasping so painful to the listener, and the 
 tears ran down my cheeks unrestrainedly. 
 
 Captain Y came up to me. 
 
 "Mrs. S , I have been making inquiries for 
 
 you, and can gain no intelligence whatever concern 
 ing your husband. I see no way but to wait until 
 daylight, and then I will find a conveyance and send 
 some one with you." 
 
 " Can not I go to-night ? It seems as if it is im 
 possible to wait." 
 
 " No, it is out of the question. The mud is two 
 feet deep on shore, and it is quite dark in the woods. 
 I am sorry for you, but it will be only a little while 
 longer. Try to be as patient as you can." 
 
 " Thank you, I will. But it is very, very hard." 
 
 " I am sure of it. But let me say a word to you 
 
 here, Mrs. S . I fear you are hoping too much. 
 
 Eemember he fell early on Sunday, and the chances
 
 304 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 are that he was hastily buried with many others in 
 the trenches." 
 
 " For heaven's sake, go no further ! " I implored. 
 "My husband buried in a trench ! Oh, God forbid ! " 
 
 He took my hand, and drawing it within his arm, 
 led me to the ladies' cabin, which now presented a 
 singular appearance, converted as it was into a hos 
 pital, and peopled by the wounded which the men 
 were carrying on board. 
 
 There were three rows of mattresses spread upon 
 the floor, the one in the middle capable of accommo 
 dating two patients, and one on each side a single 
 man. 
 
 All these were filled already, and the clamor was 
 terrible. Some called for food, others for water, and 
 a few lay moaning piteously, their hunger and thirst 
 forgotten in the sharp pain of undressed wounds. 
 
 One boy near the stern of the boat seemed to be 
 in such distress that I hastened to his side and bent 
 over him. 
 
 "Where are you wounded?" I asked. 
 
 "In the shoulder. I got it Monday, and it's never 
 been dressed. I can not get at it myself." 
 
 Hastily getting a basin of water, sponge and band 
 ages, I exposed the inflamed and swollen shoulder, 
 and began to bathe it carefully. He regarded me 
 for a moment with wide, fearful eyes, then, as he 
 felt the gentle touch and cooling sponge, his eyes 
 closed, and he heaved a great sigh of relief. 
 
 " Ah, that is so nice ! " he murmured, presently. 
 " I tell you it's hard enough to be shot down like a 
 dog ; but when it comes to lying out for a whole
 
 A HUNT FOB A HUSBAND. 305 
 
 week in the open air, with only a blanket, a cracker, 
 and a slice of dried beef, with an occasional drink 
 of water, it's harder still. I thought I should starve 
 to death before they could get a boat to take us off, 
 and if I could only have had my shoulder dressed ! 
 Oh, how good that feels ! " 
 
 I had just laid a folded napkin wet with ice-water 
 over the wound, and it was this which called forth 
 such an expression of delight. 
 
 " I am glad you feel better. Now I am going to 
 bring you a cup of tea, with some bread and butter. 
 If you are so nearly starved, it is time you should 
 have something to eat." 
 
 "Oh, thank you!" 
 
 I hastened away, and in a few moments came back 
 with the tea and bread, which he ate like a man who 
 was indeed starving. The glare of his large, dark 
 eyes was perfectly terrible. 
 
 " More, more ! " he gasped pantingly, swallowing 
 the last drop of tea at a draught. 
 
 " Not now. In half an hour you shall have more. 
 To give it you now will do you more harm than 
 good. We must try to keep down fever. Now, 
 shall I bathe your face and hands for you ? " 
 
 "If you please," with an eager, wistful look at 
 the empty cup and plate that made my eyes grow 
 humid. 
 
 While I was engaged in the operation, Doctor 
 P , from Cincinnati, passed me. 
 
 " Who taught you to nurse? " he asked. "I wish 
 all women would take right hold of the boys as you 
 
 do. There would be less suffering." 
 
 26*
 
 306 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 " They have surely earned this much at our 
 hands, at least," I said, in reply. 
 
 "Ay, to be sure. But I know of plenty who 
 would never get down on their knees on the floor as 
 you are doing, and take hold of an object like that." 
 
 " I hope not. I believe there are few who would 
 not do it if in such circumstances. There is not one 
 who has a father, brother, or husband in the service, 
 who would refuse to do it, I am sure." 
 
 He passed on, with some careless reply, and I 
 continued attending the soldiers until it grew late. 
 After three o'clock I threw myself upon a sofa in 
 the chambermaid's room, and slept until half-past 
 five. Then I rose and went again among the 
 wounded until such an hour as I could set out upon 
 my journey over the field. 
 
 I will here mention a case that may seem incredi 
 ble to many ; but if so, it will not surprise me, for I 
 could scarcely believe the evidence of my own senses, 
 when one of the surgeons came to me directly after 
 I entered the cabin the night before, and asked me 
 to come and " see a sight." I told him I would as 
 soon as I finished " feeding my patient ; " and did 
 so, he meeting me half way when he saw me coming. 
 
 About midway of the cabin lay a rebel prisoner, 
 badly wounded in the head. A ball had passed be 
 hind his eyes, forcing both upon the cheeks, where 
 they lay in a most horrible and swollen condition. 
 From the wounds in each temple a portion of the 
 brains was slowly oozing, and the doctor pointed to 
 it, saying : 
 
 " In all my life I have seen nothing like that. He
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 307 
 
 has been lying here for the last ten minutes in that 
 condition, quarreling with this federal soldier just 
 opposite." 
 
 " Surely he can not know what he is saying ! " I 
 ejaculated. 
 
 " Yes, he does, perfectly. You should hear him." 
 
 I had an opportunity soon, for in a moment he 
 called out : 
 
 " Say ! look here, Yank ! I want a drink of wa 
 ter ! " 
 
 "All right! You shall have it in a moment," an 
 swered one of the men in waiting. " I'm tending to 
 a feller, and shall be done in a minute." 
 
 " Oh yes, I'll be bound you'll tend to your Yanks 
 before you do to me ! But when a man's on his last 
 legs you might stop a moment to give him a drop of 
 water. I sha'n't ask it of you more than an hour or 
 so longer. " Then I'm going straight to ! " 
 
 I shuddered and retreated from the spot. Such 
 profanity and recklessness upon the very brink of eter 
 nity ! It was awful ! 
 
 " Poor wretch ! God pity and have mercy upon 
 you ! " said the doctor. " You have none for your 
 self! " 
 
 " I don't want any of your cant, sir," said the 
 man, in reply. " My soul is not yours, and you 
 need not trouble yourself about it in the least." 
 
 When I came again into the cabin the following 
 morning he was just breathing his last going home 
 to his Creator hardened, reckless utterly careless 
 of the fate that awaited him. 
 
 An hour later Captain V sent for a convey-
 
 308 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 ance, but could get none, to carry me over the field in 
 search of the camp from which I hoped to gain some 
 intelligence that should end suspense. While striv 
 ing to devise some means the medical director of the 
 
 Division came on board, and offered me one of 
 
 his horses, proposing himself to guide me to the place 
 
 where the Regiment was camped. There were 
 
 but few left he said, but what fchere were had pitched 
 their tents about five miles distant, and he thought 
 he could take me to the place without difficulty. 
 
 Thanking him warmly I accepted the offer, and 
 ere long found myself mounted and laboring through 
 the mud up the side of the bluff. 
 
 The path led round it, ascending gradually to the 
 top ; and once upon the shore, I discovered the dark 
 objects that had puzzled me the night previous were 
 human bodies lying under the broiling sun waiting 
 for burial. 
 
 Through the mud, over fallen trees, broken artil 
 lery, and pieces of shells, the carcasses of horses and 
 mules, and by strips of woodland cut down like grass 
 by the rains of iron and lead ! How strange and 
 solemn and fearful it seemed ! Giant trees pierced by 
 balls and shorn of their bark till the trunks showed 
 a hundred grinning scars ; boughs severed and hang 
 ing by a single fibre, or lying prone upon the ground, 
 trampled and blood-stained ! 
 
 Our progress was slow. It was long past noon 
 ere we reached the little hollow in which the tents 
 I sought had been pitched ; and then, as we came in 
 sight of the little blue wreaths of smoke, and saw a 
 few solitary men moving about, I began to tremble.
 
 A HUNT FOB A HUSBAND. 309 
 
 I knew that I was about to meet my fate, and the 
 thought of what it might be almost deprived me of 
 the necessary strength to go on to the end. 
 
 Presently, after passing through several encamp 
 ments, we descended into the hollow and alighted 
 before the officers' quarters, which seemed almost 
 deserted. There the doctor bade me go in and wait 
 while he made inquiries of those around outside. 
 
 On first entering I saw nothing but a berth, on 
 which lay a man with his face turned from me ; but 
 in a moment I discovered that another was seated be 
 yond, his head resting against the side of the berth, 
 fast asleep. A pillow supported the right arm of the 
 invalid, and by the bandages I knew he had been 
 wounded. My heart swelled with pity, and stealing 
 softly toward the bed, I leaned over to catch a 
 glimpse of his face. 
 
 Pale oh, so pale and wan ! with the rich brown 
 hair pushed back from the broad brow, pure and 
 white as marble. The blue eyes were half closed, 
 and the lips parted with such an expression of suffer 
 ing that a loving woman's heart might almost break 
 in looking upon it. Yet I did not moan, nor faint, 
 nor cry out. I only fell upon my knees, and taking 
 the white, clammy fingers of the left hand in my own, 
 covered it with warm tears and gentle kisses for it 
 was my own dear husband, whom God had spared to 
 me, and I had found him at last ! 
 
 " I thank Thee, O my Father ! " was the cry of 
 my soul in that hour, and my lips breathed it audibly. 
 With the sound Charley opened his eyes and looked 
 into my face with a bewildered stare. Then a light
 
 310 WOMAN IN THE WAR; OR, 
 
 broke all over his pale face, and his glad smile sent 
 happy tears raining over my cheeks. 
 
 " Is it you, darling ? I thought you would never 
 come ! " he breathed faintly. " But you are here 
 now, and you will not leave me again, will you ? " 
 
 "No, indeed. I will take care of you, and get 
 you well again. Ah, how you must have missed 
 me!" 
 
 " Missed you ! It has been an eternity of misery 
 since I fell, and I have called your name vainly a 
 thousand times." 
 
 " They told me you were killed ! " I said, chok 
 ingly. " I waited for tidings from you till I thought 
 I should go mad, and then they said you were dead, 
 and when I declared my intention of finding you, 
 tried to keep me from coming. But I would not be 
 stayed, and, thank God ! I have found you alive." 
 
 "Ay, thank God from your soul, for it is one 
 of His greatest blessings that he is here now ! " said 
 the doctor, who had entered and laid his hand upon 
 my head. 
 
 "Tell her all about it," whispered my husband's 
 faint voice, and as his fingers clasped mine closer, the 
 old man sat down upon a camp-stool and began : 
 
 "I have just heard the story from one of the 
 boys, and it is a wonder to me how he lived through 
 that long time without the least care. He must 
 have crept into the thicket where they found him 
 very soon after falling, and there remained for four 
 days. There was a dead soldier near him, and from 
 his canteen and haversack he managed to obtain 
 water and food ; but his wound bled terribly. They
 
 A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. 311 
 
 say, to judge by the stains around and where they 
 came across him, he had just a spark of life left. He 
 will need you now to nurse him back to life again, 
 and it will take nice nursing too." 
 
 " Will he lose his arm, doctor ? " I asked, in a 
 suppressed voice, lest Charley should hear. 
 
 ".I will tell you after awhile," was the answer ; 
 and accordingly " after awhile " he examined it 
 closely. As he left the tent I followed him out. 
 
 "Well, doctor?" 
 
 " All right, my little anxious woman ! The Cap 
 tain can carry that arm through several campaigns 
 yet, I hope," he said, heartily ; and I went back to 
 my boy, my eyes wet with glad tears. 
 
 Three weeks later we were within our own quiet 
 home, where I was nursing him back to strength 
 to be ready for the fall campaign.
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 "OLLiE, my daughter, what are you doing ?" 
 
 "Looking out of the window, papa," answered the 
 sweet, clear voice of a child, as she turned and came 
 toward her father's cot. A pale, suffering man, was 
 that father ; very much emaciated, and, as he lay 
 stretched upon the rude mattress in his prison cell, 
 resembling a corpse more than a living being. Only 
 the large restless eyes, full of a troubled light, saved 
 his face from an appearance of utter ghastliness. 
 
 "And why were you looking from the window?" 
 he asked again, as he clasped one frail, little hand, 
 and gently stroked the brown curls falling over the 
 child's forehead. 
 
 "I was trying to think how I should feel and act, 
 were I to go out there among the green trees and 
 fresh grass, and could hear the birds singing among 
 the pretty leaves," returned the little one gravely. 
 
 A spasm of agony contracted the prisoner's brow, 
 which was beaded over with large drops of perspi 
 ration. For one moment the restless eyes closed, and 
 his lips moved ; then he looked up, and drew the* 
 27
 
 314 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 child closer to his side, with wistful tenderness upon 
 every feature. 
 
 " And would my little Ollie love to go out there 
 on the green grass to play?" 
 
 " I don't know, papa ; I think so. It seems very 
 nice. I can just see the tops of the trees over the 
 walls beyond ; and if all the grass looks as fresh as 
 the little patches that grow here and there in the 
 yard, I think it must be delicious. I can see the 
 cage hanging from the matron's window, where the 
 little birds sing all day ; and I imagine I can see 
 those trees full of them, and hear them twittering 
 everywhere. Would it not be very nice to go out 
 there, papa?" 
 
 A sad smile parted the father's lips. " Yes, dear 
 little Ollie, and it will not be long ere you can go 
 forth among green fields and flowers. God grant 
 this prison odor may not taint their fragrance with 
 its bitterness for you, when that time shall come. 
 Ollie, these walls are very dark and dreary. I am 
 weary of them. "Will not you be glad when I, 
 too, can go forth and know their gloom no more?" 
 
 " O, yes, yes, dear papa ! Are you going ! 
 When ? Ah, how nice it will be ! " 
 
 "Yes, my child, and the time is drawing very 
 nigh. My deliverer is close at hand, and soon his 
 merciful hand will fling wide these ponderous doors, 
 and I shall pass out to return no more." 
 
 The little girl's face was radiant, and both hands 
 came together joyously. Her voice was intensely 
 tremulous with feeling, as she exclaimed : 
 
 " Oh, how happy we shall be. We will go away
 
 TIIE PRISONER'S CHILD. 315 
 
 into the beautiful forests that you have told me 
 about so often; where there are clear, sparkling 
 streams, and the loveliest flowers and plants ! Ah ! 
 how happy we will be ! " 
 
 What a hard thing to check the poor child's joy, 
 and force upon her mind the painful truth ! How 
 could loving lips speak such sickening words ! Yet 
 it must be done. 
 
 " Yes, Ollie, we shall be very happy, no doubt. 
 Freedom is the sweetest earthly blessing, and after 
 we go forth, we shall both be like different beings. 
 How do you think you could enjoy it, if you went 
 without me?" 
 
 " Oh, not at all. I should not know what to do 
 without you, and would not want to be there." 
 
 " Ollie," asked the prisoner painfully, " do you 
 remember what I have told you of the great world 
 beyond these walls?" 
 
 " Yes, sir," was the ready response. " You told 
 me it was a very beautiful world, where there are a 
 great many good, lovable people ; and that there 
 are a great many, also, who are cold and cruel. 
 You said there were those who, for lack of charity, 
 would watch every word and action, to construe 
 them into evil ; and through selfish motives, would 
 not hesitate to trample us down to utter ruin, if by it 
 they might themselves rise to power and greatness." 
 
 " Ah ! you are an apt scholar, my little daughter, 
 and have learned the sad lessons taught you but too 
 well ! You remember, too, how I have told you the 
 cold world will look upon you, at some future time. 
 My poor baby, this is a sad dower I leave you an
 
 316 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 insight into the heart of the world, with a dark 
 cloud upon your young life as you start in it ! But 
 remember this in all time never forget for a mo 
 ment : God has endowed us all with intellects, from 
 which judgment of good and evil must spring. We 
 must use them. If one person tells us that one 
 thing is right, or that another thing is wrong, we 
 must not take it for granted that it is right or wrong 
 because they think it so. We must consider it, use 
 our own powers of thought, pray to God for guid 
 ance, and act upon what we ourselves are finally led 
 to believe right. When we reach that point where 
 we conscientiously feel that we are right, let nothing 
 turn us from our purpose. If we let the world 
 sway us, and listen to the varied opinions of the 
 many, upon things important only to ourselves, we 
 become weak and characterless unfit for decided 
 and righteous action. I tell you these things to 
 make you self-reliant, for you will have need of it, 
 and it is not without purpose that I have tried to 
 show you the necessity of firmness, in whatever you 
 may undertake. Do not accept conclusions hastily. 
 Take time, and let your own heart be the judge of 
 your actions. When you have thought well and 
 prayerfully over anything, then act without fear. 
 You may find hundreds to condemn, where there 
 will be one to commend. Yet the commendation of 
 that one is worth more than all else, and is an ade 
 quate reward, for that one will understand your 
 nature and motives. Never violate your own self- 
 respect by an unworthy thought or action, and you 
 may hold up your head and command honor. Do
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 317 
 
 not be hasty to condemn others yourself. Be chari 
 table. Many actions appear what they are not, and 
 many long years of suffering spring from miscon 
 struction. Give people all the credit for good mo 
 tives and generous feelings you can, and do not be 
 lieve them guilty of evil, unless you know them so. 
 You will see enough. Le.t the rest pass. I scarcely 
 know how to make you understand what I wish. My 
 feelings are conflicting. I want you to be generous 
 and charitable toward mankind, and still watchful 
 and wary. You must trust the world but little. It 
 is full of deceit and cruelty. I shudder to send you 
 into it, in your helpless innocence and ignorance. 
 
 " Oh ! my God," he groaned, covering his thin face 
 passionately with trembling hands. " It is a bitter 
 cup to drink in my last hour. Help me to drink it 
 humbly, and in faith of Thy mercy toward my little, 
 lonely lamb ! " 
 
 Ollie stood terrified beside him, now listening 
 with strained glances and parted lips to this burst 
 of agony. 
 
 " Oh, papa ! papa! what is it?" she pleaded, striv 
 ing to uncover his face in her fright and distress. 
 
 O cj 
 
 He looked up at her through blinding tears, but 
 the old, troubled light was fading from his eyes, and 
 his voice was very sweet and tender as he answered : 
 
 " Nothing now, my child. The spasm is past. I 
 am reconciled, I trust, to God's will. My little one, 
 you remember, among other things, what I have said 
 to you about death ? " 
 
 A shadow fell upon the child's face. 
 
 " Yes, but papa " 
 27*
 
 318 THE PRISONEE'S CHILD. 
 
 " What, love ? " 
 
 " You do not mean oh you do not mean that it 
 is coming here ? " 
 
 The poor little girl's lips had grown very white, 
 and her voice husky, while the slight frame shook 
 convulsively. 
 
 " Yes, my precious. I must tell you the truth, 
 and not let it come upon you unawares. It is pain 
 ful, yet it ought not to be. Stop crying, Ollie, and 
 listen to me. You know that death only can deliver 
 me from these stone walls, where the best part of my 
 life has been dragged out in expiation of another's 
 crime. Were I to go out among men, I should be 
 scorned and shunned for another's deed, and no ac 
 tion of my life could wipe away the stigma that rests 
 upon it, and sets me up as a mark before my kind. 
 I could not bear it. Death holds out to me a far 
 more pleasant asylum than the world can give. By 
 his hand and through his gates I shall enter into 
 eternal rest, where music, flowers, and all things 
 fair and beautiful are perpetual. When we go 
 forth, as we were speaking of doing a little while 
 since, one of us will be borne to the resting-place of 
 the dead. The other will be led by the living into 
 the busy haunts of life, to meet its duties and diffi 
 culties. You love me, my child, and, I am sure, will 
 be glad to know that I shall suffer no more. Think 
 of me in the world, meeting cold words and harsh 
 looks, scorned and despised turned from by those 
 who are in every respect my inferiors. Could you 
 bear that ? Then picture me in another world, where 
 the redeemed of God are washed white in the blood
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 319 
 
 of Christ, and where trouble, sorrow, or pain can 
 never come. A few years of patient toiling and 
 struggling, and you can come to me. Then we shall 
 never part again. Ollie, look up, my child, and tell 
 me which you would choose for me life, misera 
 ble, agonizing, and full of shame or death, through 
 which I pass to rest, peace, love, and life eternal in 
 the glorious Heavens." 
 
 A white, still face the child lifted to the prisoner's 
 gaze, and a strained, unnaturally calm voice an 
 swered very sadly and gravely: 
 
 " Death, papa and life." 
 
 " Eight, my own darling. I see you understand. 
 Now, Ollie, kneel beside me, my love, and pray that 
 God will give you strength and judgment, and make 
 this affliction to you endurable. He is merciful, and 
 though you will feel my loss very much, He can give 
 you a cheerful, contented spirit, and reconcile you to 
 His will." 
 
 With the same unnatural, calm, pervading voice 
 and manner, little Ollie knelt beside the cot, fold 
 ing her hands reverently over the rude covering. 
 Thus, for ten years, had she knelt, morning, noon 
 and night, and repeated with her father the simple 
 prayers she learned first to lisp unmeaningly, then 
 with the faint dawning and final upward growth of 
 thought and feeling. Her little eyes had first seen 
 the light within the self-same walls, and the ten 
 winters that threw their white mantles and gloom 
 over the earth, were followed by summers fresh, fair 
 and beautiful, which this child of misfortune had 
 never seen, except from grated windows, and little
 
 320 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 flights into the prison garden, where she was per 
 mitted to wander, at times, when she could be in 
 duced to leave her father's side. 
 
 James Winfred had been tried for murder and 
 robbery, and upon circumstantial evidence, impris 
 oned for life. His position had ever been one of the 
 utmost respectability previous to his trial, and every 
 thing in his nature and bearing, had gone to sub 
 stantiate his denial of the crime. Still, proofs were 
 so strong against him, as to seem beyond dispute. 
 Any other man might have been hung. He was im 
 prisoned for life. 
 
 And to prison he went in the bloom and fresh 
 ness of his manhood, followed by his young wife 
 whose heart broke under the burthen he could ill 
 sustain, and live. Better far, had both young lives 
 gone out together. But God willed it otherwise. 
 The devoted creature stayed with him day after day, 
 refusing every effort or entreaty to leave his side, 
 until little Ollie first opened her brown eyes to the 
 light. Then as the first pulses of a new existence 
 throbbed upon earth, the life that had created it, 
 slowly ebbed away. Mrs. Winfred died two hours 
 aft|r her child's birth, and was buried from the cell 
 of her husband's prison-house. 
 
 Ollie was, for the first few months, the charge of 
 the kind-hearted matron. But the yearning heart 
 of the sorrowing father refused to give her up to 
 strangers. He would beg her for a few hours, and 
 fondle her with such tenderness, that the woman 
 could not bear to keep her from him. Soon he was 
 suffered to keep her all day. By-and-by, she slept
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 821 
 
 upon his bosom became his idol. Day and night 
 he clung closer and closer to this last earthly tie. 
 She was everything to him. The glance of her 
 pure eyes, was his sole light ; the sound of her 
 baby voice, his only music. She combined every 
 thing that he had lost love, honor, freedom all, all 
 of earth ! What wonder that he worshiped her. 
 And yet, though he taught her little feet their first 
 steps, and guided her child-tones in the sweet lisp 
 ing of his name though as weeks, months and 
 years rolled on, and she was his companion, receiv 
 ing all that she could know of the outer world, 
 through his experience, and was moulded in mind 
 and manner after his ideal though she became 
 more than the life pulsing at his heart the only 
 thing he could leave behind him, for her, was a 
 memory of his shame. She would carry that into 
 the world, and the world would fan the sparks she 
 could scarcely comprehend, into an undying flame. 
 Perhaps the fire would burn up and extinguish all 
 else in her heart. The sufferings that the unfor 
 tunate entail upon their innocent children, often 
 crush the remembrances of love and gentleness, and 
 they are made to see and remember only the evil, 
 cursing the hour that brought them into an exist 
 ence blackened by shame. Would it be so with 
 James Winfred's helpless daughter? A pang of 
 inexpressible agony shot through the long-tried 
 heart of the dying man, as he asked himself the 
 question. Would his child ever be driven from a 
 remembrance of his love, and made to remember 
 the sin the world had charged upon him, and > ^ch
 
 322 , THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 he had been made to expiate through years that 
 had traced through his soul like waves of consum 
 ing fire ? God forbid ! 
 
 " Oh," he breathed, as the dash of the waves 
 broke louder and louder upon the ear, stilling to 
 earthly sounds, and waking to the throbbings of 
 eternity. " Father, take away this last cloud from 
 my life. Let me die with the hope that my memory 
 may not in after years be despised by my innocent 
 child when I shall have passed from the sufferings 
 Thou hast been pleased to make me endure ! Thou 
 eeest me innocent let her not suffer the conse 
 quences of guilt. Or, if it please Thee to order it 
 otherwise, give her strength to bear. But, oh God, 
 let not my child, whom I so love, ever grow to hate 
 the memory of her father." 
 
 The last sentence was breathed audibly, and fell 
 upon the child's ears. She lifted her face from 
 where it rested beside him, and said in clear, thrill 
 ing tones : 
 
 " My father, be not afraid. I feel that you have 
 suffered -unjustly. You have a thousand times told 
 me so. Through my whole life you have impressed 
 me with truth as the one great and beautiful princi 
 ple of life. In your death-hour, could I believe you 
 capable of falsehood ! You say you are innocent, 
 and no trial, however great, could make me think 
 you guilty, or ashamed to call you father. I shall 
 never forget you. I shall always love you. Should 
 I live an hundred years, you will live in my heart 
 as the very embodiment of all you have taught me 
 to believe noble, generous, pure and good."
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 323 
 
 Even to James Winfred's ears, the tones of his 
 child's voice seemed unnatural in their grave ear 
 nestness. Old-fashioned and unchild-like she must 
 naturally be, with none but a sorrowing, embittered 
 man for a life-long companion. Still, such words 
 were strange to come from her lips. Was it a 
 divine influence that prompted it to set the soul of 
 the dying man at rest? He accepted it as such, 
 and folded his hands while a peaceful smile crept 
 around his lips. 
 
 Slowly, slowly the shadows crept over the wan 
 face. The troubled eyes were calm, at last ; the 
 purple lips smiling. A great, sublime faith stilled 
 the tempest of grief that had arisen for the helpless 
 child he was leaving behind him. God, the Father, 
 would watch over her. Through all his suffering, 
 he had not lost his trust in divine mercy, though in 
 hours of intense agony, he had sometimes rebelled. 
 Had not Jesus suffered more? Why should he 
 refuse to taste of a cup the Saviour had been com 
 pelled to drink to the dregs ? 
 
 An hour passed without a word having been 
 spoken, after Ollie's voice had uttered the answer 
 to his prayer. She clasped his cold hands in hers, 
 and stood with her little white face bent above him 
 her brown eyes gathering the shadows that passed 
 from his. 
 
 Ah, it was a sorrowful picture that little child 
 watching alone over a dying father, from a morbid 
 sense of duty crushing down the sorrows of her 
 bursting heart, and no voice to soothe and comfort 
 her with words of sympathy.
 
 324 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 Who shall describe the darkness and misery of 
 the hours that followed? She never once moved, 
 or took her eyes from his face. She saw the eyes 
 fix at last in the glazed stare that heralds death, 
 and felt that the struggle was nearly over. Colder 
 and colder .grew the hands in her clasp. Whiter 
 and whiter became the face. She heard the faint 
 breathings dying to still greater faintness, and then 
 it was hushed. At last she put one little hand into 
 his bosom, feeling for his heart. The pulse was 
 still. Not a throb fed the spark of hope struggling 
 in the child's breast. Then she knew he was dead. 
 This was what he had described to her many a time, 
 and it had come. She did not shrink away in fear 
 and awe as most children would have done. But 
 she felt that a great change had come, and that a 
 wide gulf separated her from her dear father. It 
 was as if a light, guiding her steps through the 
 vastness and unexplored depths of an unknown 
 wilderness, had suddenly been extinguished, and 
 she was left to grope helplessly on alone, amid 
 dangers that might rise on every side. In all its 
 bitter fullness, she felt her deep loss, and with all 
 the strength of a strong, wild nature, she sorrowed. 
 No need, now, to hush the moans of agony. She 
 knew, poor child, that they could no longer pain 
 him. He had passed beyond the sound of her dis 
 tress. With her white, wet face pressed upon the 
 still heart, she moaned in the bitterness of her be 
 reavement wept, till strength gave way. And 
 when the turnkey came, he found her cold and 
 senseless, upon the bosom of her dead father.
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 325 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A DEEP undercurrent of excitement was running 
 through the great body of Madam Lansing's fash 
 ionable seminary. Groups of girls were gathered 
 everywhere, talking in subdued tones. Something 
 unusual had occurred. They were busily preparing 
 for examination, and, as is usually the case, became 
 earnest, eager, and fearful as to the result, when a 
 new stimulant was added to their energies. An 
 unknown gentleman had appeared, and offered a 
 splendid diamond bracelet as a prize for the young 
 lady who should prove herself the most perfect mis 
 tress of music. She must play piano, harp, and 
 guitar. The thing was unusual, and very exciting. 
 Madam Lansing boasted a few very good musicians, 
 and had given permission to her pupils to compete 
 for the prize. It would be something for her school 
 to turn out so accomplished a scholar as must win 
 such a prize, and she was eager and anxious as well 
 as they. She was too wise, however, to let her 
 anxiety be seen, and forbade the discussion of the 
 subject after having given her approval, and enjoined 
 them to make good use of the time allowed for their 
 preparation. But she could not still the strong tide 
 of excitement that ran through the school. Some 
 28
 
 326 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 were wild with hope ; others, less fortunate in their 
 acquirements, were in despair. Every moment they 
 dared give the subject, was seized for its discussion, 
 under cover. There was little promise of study for 
 a few days to come, after such an event as that. 
 
 In a far corner of the recitation-room sat a tall, pale 
 girl of seventeen or eighteen years. She held a 
 book in her hand ; but her eyes were fixed upon the 
 clouds which she could see from the window, and 
 there was a thought in their depths beyond the light 
 babble of the many tongues chattering around her. 
 Something remarkable there was in her whole ap 
 pearance. It was a very girlish face, taking it in a 
 casual light. A fair, high brow shaded by soft, 
 brown curls, that fell in a wealth of rich beauty 
 over her shoulders ; a cheek full and rounded, with 
 regular, ivory-white teeth, and a general contour of 
 feature very pleasant to behold. But in the deep 
 brown eyes, fringed by their long lashes, lay the 
 chief beauty of the girl's face. Their expression 
 was enhanced and deepened to a great degree by the 
 full, rosy lips ; and in both combined you read firm 
 ness, deep, earnest feeling, and high resolve. There 
 was that in both eyes and mouth that spoke of suf 
 fering suffering too intense for expression. The 
 wells of those eyes carried unutterable sadness. 
 The lines drawn about the mouth traced deep wea 
 riness, but sweet patience. 
 
 She was very slender, and the black dress fitting 
 closely to her rounded form, contrasting with the 
 pearly whiteness of her skin, gave her an elegant 
 appearance few young girls possess. There was
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 327 
 
 stately dignity and girlish grace in every movement. 
 This fair young girl was called the " prodigy " by 
 less favored ladies of the school ; but it was in bitter 
 mockery that stung, and petty envy that gave birth 
 to contempt. She was undoubtedly the best scholar 
 there. Her intellectual powers were beyond medi 
 ocrity. By some she had been already dubbed 
 " blue," because no one was so perfect in every 
 branch of her studies as she. No mind grasped, 
 analyzed and absorbed ideas, putting them to use, 
 as did hers. And yet she was despised by all, or 
 almost all around her despised for her beauty, her 
 talents, her acquirements. Poor and obscure, she 
 had still steadily mounted the ladder, and, in spite 
 of every barrier, had attained a point they might 
 not hope to reach. What wonder if ire was excited? 
 It is human nature. Do any of us like to see others, 
 struggling and toiling through difficulties, outstrip 
 us in an object, when we have every advantage they 
 lack, and still can not attain it ? No. And it brings 
 us very, very bitter and unholy feelings, sometimes, 
 to see ourselves defeated under such circumstances. 
 
 Still, absorbed in her own thoughts, the girl sat at 
 the desk, when a rude voice broke in upon her rev 
 erie : 
 
 " I say, Olive, are you deaf? I have spoken to 
 you three times. Why do you not answer me ? " 
 
 The young lady turned with a stare and a shiver, 
 but said politely : 
 
 " I beg your pardon. I did not hear you. What 
 is it ? " 
 
 " None are so deaf as those who do not want to
 
 328 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 hear," was the insolent response. " Some people 
 take airs upon themselves with precious little 
 grounds. I asked ^pu if you meant to compete for 
 the prize? " 
 
 " The prize ? What prize ? " 
 
 " Tush ! "What an actress you are ! To pretend 
 you don't know what ' prize,' when the whole 
 school's gone mad over it ! Of course you will, 
 though. You've got too high an opinion of your 
 abilities, not to show them off on such an occasion." 
 
 " I am sure I do not understand your meaning," 
 she replied gravely. " You are talking riddles ! " 
 
 " I know better ! you do know. Why, it is impos 
 sible not to have heard about the splendid diamond 
 bracelet that has been offered as a prize, by some 
 old, eccentric nabob, who chooses to throw away his 
 money for the small pleasure of seeing who can 
 drum the hardest upon the piano." 
 
 Her listener sat passive and dignified. She did 
 not know anything of the offer before, and cared 
 little for gossip. She knew too well how excitable 
 school girls are over trifles, and had deemed the 
 present stir of no importance. The haughty girl 
 addressing her now, fired up at her look and became 
 more insolent. 
 
 " You are provoking beyond measure ! I hate 
 self-importance and deceit above everything ; and 
 you are the quintessence of both." 
 
 A flush mounted to the fair forehead, but faded 
 instantly. A slight, gentle, blue-eyed girl close by, 
 spoke up stoutly now in her defense : 
 
 " Miss Ollie, why do you permit such insolence ?
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 329 
 
 I could not hear myself called deceitful and self-im 
 portant, openly, and not openly resent it." 
 
 Olive turned her large eyes gravely upon the 
 speaker, and answered with quiet gravity : 
 
 " Nay, Miss Giles ; if people forget to be ladylike, 
 we need not make ourselves their equals by like ac 
 tions. A lady will not insult me without reason. 
 With others I have nothing to do." 
 
 A" passionate outburst followed this speech, and 
 the girl who had first spoken came up close to her, 
 and clasped a hand tightly over her arm, hissing out 
 in her hot passion : 
 
 " Olive "VVinfred, if you dare to use such words 
 again in reference to me, a gentleman's daughter, I'll 
 have you turned from this school, as sure as my 
 name is Agnes Ives. You to speak thus ! You ! 
 What are you, pray, that you set yourself up for 
 riding on such high horses ! The daughter of a 
 felon! A prison child all your life, with its taint 
 still around you ! I will never bear more from you 
 after this, let me warn you. I have borne enough in 
 times past. Now you must look out for yourself." 
 
 Olive rose from her seat, white and quivering. It 
 was not the first time she had been stabbed in a like 
 manner. For five years she had borne it from every 
 little, petty-minded thing who chose to make her 
 misery their amusement. But feeling was not dead. 
 The stings grew keener as the wounds were probed, 
 and were becoming unbearable. 
 
 " Oh, for shame, Agnes I " cried Helen Giles, her 
 heart full of pity and indignation, as Olive crossed the 
 room. "How can she help what her father did?"
 
 330 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 " If she can not help it, she should still remember 
 her place. A more hateful thing does not breathe 
 than she ; but she has the air of a queen. One 
 would think her the finest lady of the land, judging 
 from her own actions." 
 
 " A neat compliment," replied Helen significantly. 
 "It is not all persons who can.be judged ladies 'by 
 their actions.' But you have expressed it precisely. 
 I never saw Olive Winfred otherwise than perfectly 
 ladylike in my life, and yet no girl in the school has 
 been so tried as she. Her notions of right exceed 
 the standard of the masses, and she carries out every 
 principle she holds, most beautifully." 
 
 Agnes stood before her school-mate, her angry 
 eyes flashing wondering glances on the fair face, now 
 lighted by a lovely impulse. She was struck dumb 
 by this unexpected defense. 
 
 " I think you have taken leave of your senses ! " 
 she said, at length. " You have, or you'd never take 
 up for that girl insolent thing ! But I am served 
 rightly for noticing her at all. When people stoop 
 to their inferiors, the consequences are sure to prove 
 mortifying. It shall be a lesson to me. Henceforth 
 I do not notice her, and those who value my friend 
 ship will not. More than this, Madame will send 
 her from this place soon, or the best scholars she has 
 will be withdrawn. I shall take care to mention 
 what kind of people we have to associate with." 
 
 She turned and joined another group, where the 
 topic was discussed excitably till called to order and 
 study by, the bell. Then Olive again made her ap 
 pearance, and, more than usually quiet, took her
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 331 
 
 place at her desk. There were tears still on the 
 calm cheek, and for a long time they hung silently 
 upon the lashes. Helen's sympathizing glance and 
 the angry looks bent upon her from resentful eyes, 
 were alike unheeded. She was busy with her own 
 thoughts. 
 
 How hard a task it was, with her proud, sensitive 
 nature, to bear patiently that to which she had been 
 subjected so long. Sometimes she felt as if she 
 should go mad. Would it ever be thus ? Must she 
 go on through life thus scourged daily scoffed at, 
 despised, scorned ? What were her gifts or acquire 
 ments, if they must ever prove useless to win love 
 and happiness? The past was bitter; the future 
 looked dark. She could hope for nothing better. 
 It was her dower her only dower from childhood 
 up. And yet, just so must life go on, till the sands 
 run out, and she was left in peace beyond the reach 
 of human stings. 
 
 Something like despair bowed the young head 
 when the duties of the day were past, and she could 
 sit down in her own room to think over the bitterness 
 of her lot. Tears were spent. Only moans came 
 faintly over the white lips now. She felt as if life 
 was no longer worth the struggle to maintain it, and 
 wished she might die and be at rest. 
 
 A light tap upon the door roused her at length, 
 and to her faint " come in " one of the teachers en 
 tered. She was a grave, pleasant-faced woman. 
 Kind to all, she won especially upon the feelings of 
 the lonely and desolate who longed for sympathy. 
 Now with gentle mien, she came and sat down be-
 
 332 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 side her grieving pupil, and took the bright head on 
 her knee. 
 
 " Do not despair, my child. Helen Giles has told 
 me what passed to-day, and I feel deeply grieved 
 and indignant that it should have occurred. Yet 
 be patient, dear. All will grow brighter after 
 awhile. I have come to comfort you, and to tell 
 you that I am proud of your behavior under the 
 trials put upon yyu by the more fortunate of your 
 school-mates. Not one of them can boast such ac 
 quirements, such native talent, or wondrous self- 
 control as yours. You are a noble girl, and carry 
 out most beautifully the great principles of life you 
 have adopted. Again I say that I feel proud of 
 you. So does the lady principal. She appreciates 
 fully your character, and she bade me say as much, 
 and also to tell you that it is her wish that you 
 enter the lists as competitor for the prize." 
 
 Ollie lifted her pale face quickly, her breath com 
 ing in short, quick gasps. 
 
 " She bade you tell me that? Why?" she asked 
 tremblingly. 
 
 " Because she has confidence in your power, and 
 wishes you to be appreciated by those whose opinions 
 are of value. You are here for the education of a 
 teacher, my dear; and such a success would prove a 
 card of inestimable value. It will prove good for the 
 school, also, and there is not one in it to whom we 
 could wish success so heartily as to yourself." 
 
 The girl's tears came now, thick and fast. -She 
 clasped the teacher's hand to her lips gratefully. 
 
 " Oh, it is worth something to hear this from
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 333 
 
 you ! " she murmured. " My patience has not all 
 been vain, my struggles useless ! " 
 
 " No. Far from it. They have won our esteem 
 and love, as no others have. Your trials, borne so 
 meekly, must have won admiration and respect any 
 where. It is only thooe who sink in the scale be 
 side you, who could dislike or injure." 
 
 "Thank you for this sweet comfort," said Ollie 
 gratefully. " Yet, should I do this, I will make en 
 emies of the whole school," she continued thought 
 fully. " If I entered the lists, I should do my best 
 to win not for the sake of the gift, but my repu 
 tation. If I succeeded, they would all hate me 
 for having dared to rival them. Oh, I had better 
 not!" 
 
 "Nonsense, child. What will it matter? You 
 leave the school this vacation, and could not feel 
 annoyed by them in future. They would soon for 
 get it. If people hate us without just cause, there 
 is no need for us to crush or retard our own interests. 
 You have equal right to this advantage. Use it." 
 
 "Suppose I fail?" 
 
 " When did you ever fail in an undertaking you 
 entered into with your whole heart ? Is it not your 
 repeated success which has made you so many 
 enemies?" 
 
 " Not altogether, I think, ma'am. My poor 
 father's misfortune and my poverty have had much 
 to do with it. How can they bear that a child of 
 charity, on whom rests the stains of a dishonored 
 parent, should meet with them on equal ground? 
 To them, I am inferior. They think I should be
 
 334 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 kept back, and allowed fewer advantages than 
 themselves." 
 
 " Well, it does not matter, so long as you are in 
 nocent, good and noble in yourself. You are more 
 than their equals, and you have no right to abuse 
 God-given power by self-depreciation. Ollie, you 
 will do your best to win this prize ?" 
 
 " Yes," she responded slowly, after a moment's 
 thought. " I will try, for your sake and my dear 
 lady principal's. You have encouraged me so 
 kindly through these long years, I owe you a debt I 
 would fain repay. I will gratify you in this. It is 
 for your sake I shall strive and pray for success 
 not my own." 
 
 The teacher stooped and kissed her, and then left 
 the room. 
 
 Time sped away, and the grand examination drew 
 nigh. The general excitement had spread far and 
 neav. Relatives and friends of the pupils, drawn by 
 the peculiar interest of the occasion, came flocking 
 in, and on the evening in which the trial was to be 
 made, the house was filled to overflowing. Wreaths 
 of flowers twined every pillar, festooned every arch 
 in the long room devoted to the exhibition. A 
 raised platform at one end bore the various instru 
 ments, around which the teachers were ranged in a 
 semicircle. A little to the right of this platform, 
 and communicating with it, another platform was 
 raised for the accommodation of the lady principal 
 and her distinguished guest. The audience gath-
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 335 
 
 ered beneath, were packed as tightly as seats could 
 be placed for their accommodation, while over the 
 whole, many colored lights broke gorgeously, and 
 the spirit of excitement stirred like the vast waves 
 of the mighty deep. 
 
 One by one the pupils were led forth, dressed in 
 light, flowing robes, looped up with ribbons and 
 flowers. Six comprised the whole number an 
 nounced for competition, and Agnes Ives, reserving 
 her strength for the effort, declared her purpose of 
 waiting until the last. She was buoyant and confi 
 dent. She knew she played well, and depended 
 upon the last impression to win the prize. 
 
 All, however, acquitted themselves well. The 
 principal's lips were wreathed in smiles of triumph 
 ant pleasure, as they retired amid bursts of applause. 
 
 And now a flush of proud consciousness was on 
 the cheek of the brilliant beauty as she was led forth. 
 More regal in her person and tastes, her dress dif 
 fered as well from the simple robes of her mates. 
 She had assumed a rich dress of white silk, over 
 which a fine robe of lace floated, looped up with 
 sprays of pearl. Her white arms were banded with 
 shining jewels, while a tiara of the same beautiful 
 and chaste ornaments she had chosen for her dress, 
 rose above the midnight blackness of her hair. Ap 
 plause greeted her appearance. Applause broke 
 forth at each effort she made to prove herself the 
 queen of song. She left the stage amid thunders 
 of delight delight wakened as much by her per 
 sonal beauty as her skillful performances. 
 
 It was so arranged that each pupil, as she retired,
 
 336 THE PRISONER'! CHILD. 
 
 could take a seat just in the rear of the teacher's, 
 and as Agnes assumed hers in full view of the audi 
 ence, her heart throbbed with expectation. She 
 looked for the old white-haired man, seated by the 
 principal, to rise, and coming forward in full view 
 of that great, enthusiastic crowd, clasp her arm with 
 the sparkling diamonds she could almost see flashing 
 beneath the closed lid of the case beside him. 
 
 There was a hush, sudden and profound. A light 
 figure was led forward. No one recognized it in the 
 first moment of bewildered surprise. The soft folds 
 of pure white muslin were confined at the waist 
 with a shining belt of gold, while loose sleeves 
 of the same, open from the shoulder and flowing 
 from the arms, gave it the appearance of angelic 
 beauty. Soft, lustrous brown curls swept back from 
 the broad, white brow, fell away to her waist in free, 
 luxuriant masses ; and the pale face, with its calm 
 yet soul-lit eyes, beamed full upon the waiting as 
 sembly an embodiment of perfect beauty. 
 
 A ballad first, accompanied by the guitar, sitting 
 with child-like grace at the feet of the music-master. 
 Then followed a grand instrumental piece, written for 
 the piano. It was very difficult, exceedingly sweet 
 and powerful. Agnes had chosen the sublime, and 
 bewildered her hearers with that grandeur. Her 
 rival had chosen the grand also, lifting her hearers 
 gradually to the most elevated point of interest, and 
 then held them thrilled by tones of such heavenly 
 sweetness and power as seldom wake the sparks of 
 divine appreciation within us. Then she brought 
 them back slowly, sadly, out of the great world of
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 387 
 
 sound, fading upon their senses, in light, rippling 
 waves, dying at length in soft, purling murmurs. 
 
 Her success might have been complete here, with 
 out addition ; but the grand finale was reserved for 
 the harp, before which she at last sat, flushing and 
 quivering with excitement. The soul of music was 
 stirred within her. At that moment everything else 
 was forgotten. The brilliant lights and assembled 
 faces faded from sight as her light hand swept the 
 trembling chords, and her voice rose solemnly in a 
 song of praise beneath whose power every heart 
 thrilled. Now the large eyes grew deep and humid, 
 lifting upward their intense glance as if to pierce 
 and penetrate the throne with their profound ado 
 ration of the divine. The little pearl-white finger 
 stealing softly over, yet drawing full, rich notes from 
 the chords ; the flowing hair and airy drapery all 
 combined, rendered her a creature of more than 
 earthly beauty. Not a sound arose to jar upon the 
 waves of melody that flowed from her lips. En 
 tranced, subdued, enthralled, they listened till she 
 had finished, and then a roll of applause as of rever 
 berating thunder, shook the building to its center. 
 
 Agnes Ives covered her face with her handker 
 chief and groaned. The gentleman was at Ollie's 
 side, the sparkling jewels glittering in his hand. 
 He led the young lady before the audience again 
 ere she had time to seat herself, and in clear, distinct 
 tones, awarded to her the prize put up that night for 
 competition. His judgment was applauded spon 
 taneously by the audience as one voice, and turning 
 his face to her, he clasped the bracelet on her arm. 
 29
 
 838 THE PKISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 Congratulations followed. Teachers and pupils, 
 with some exceptions of the latter, crowded around 
 her, and in the confusion that succeeded, Agnes Ives 
 made her escape, burning with rage and mortifi 
 cation.
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 339 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 MONTHS had passed away. A great change had 
 come over Ollie Winfred. The unnatural gravity 
 and dignity of manner, had given way to a more 
 girlish lightness and gaiety of manner. Clouds 
 were slowly rolling from the sky of her young life, 
 and the dawn of love was brightening it to rosy 
 light. She had found one who could look upon her 
 in full appreciation of her merit, who standing be 
 side a pillar of the school-room on that night, had 
 witnessed her approach with feelings akin to bewil 
 derment . Her voice carried him away with its 
 matchless power and beatity, and he could not rest 
 until he had sought an interview with the lady 
 principal, and learned something of the young 
 songstress. 
 
 She told him her painful history frankly and fully, 
 urged to it by Ollie, who, learning his motive, re 
 fused to be sought except through a full knowledge 
 of that history. She told him of the father's un 
 happy death, and the child's removal to her school, 
 where a charitable association had educated her for 
 a teacher. 
 
 Yet what did all this signify to him who sought 
 her? Brilliant, beautiful and good, she was fitted
 
 340 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 to adorn society as no other he had ever met. He 
 would take her to distant climes where, safe from 
 old prejudices, he could proudly call her his, and 
 claim for her the homage which was her due. 
 
 Ollie found him generous, manly and noble. He 
 won upon her regard by his manner, almost imper 
 ceptibly. His respectful tenderness of manner was 
 as if he addressed a beloved queen. Shut out from 
 elevated associations on equal grounds, and all her 
 life starved for true unselfish affection, what wonder 
 if she yielded herself to the entrancing sweetness of 
 this new existence, and forget past sorrow in pres 
 ent joy? 
 
 We will not dwell upon the few bright weeks that 
 preceded the wedding of Ollie Winfred the poor 
 prisoner's only child. Suffice it to say that in hap 
 piness and joy the ceremony was performed in the 
 church where she had heard the word of God 
 preached for five years. Solemnly and with deep 
 reverence she took upon herself the vows that bound 
 her to another, her whole soul elate and profoundly 
 happy with the knowledge of the great duties that 
 were to crown her future life and fix her in woman's 
 destined sphere of usefulness. 
 
 Immediately after the ceremony, they entered a 
 carriage and were driven away. Four days later, 
 they embarked for Europe, and set sail under the 
 happiest auspices. 
 
 Dear reader, would that I might here let fall the 
 curtain and leave to your imagination the coloring 
 of the picture I have drawn but faintly. Yet I may 
 not do it, for the most important period of life does
 
 THE PKISONEK'S CHILD. 341 
 
 not pass with one's girlhood. We do not close the 
 gates of interest on the boundaries of wedded life. 
 It is then that the real and solemn interests of life 
 begin. For a little time we must still trace our her 
 oine through the mazes of an eventful existence. 
 29*
 
 342 THE PRISONERS CHILD. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A WILD, tempestuous night ! Winds wailed 
 around the building, windows rattled, trees writhed 
 beneath the fury of a beating blast. 
 
 Seated before the glowing grate in her own luxu 
 rious chamber, Olive Alban listened to the saddening 
 sounds with starting tears. Four years a wife, yet 
 little changed, except it be that she was thinner and 
 paler than when we last saw her at the marriage al 
 tar. Happy she had been, yet changes had come. 
 A little girl, with a fair face and sunny temper, she 
 had laid to rest in the church-yard, and to-night the 
 beloved father of that child slept upon the field of 
 battle, exposed to the wind and rains. 
 
 Many another wife and mother had sat as did she, 
 with tear-wet cheeks and sorrowing hearts. Yet few 
 bore the trial with more strength and cheerfulness 
 generally. She felt that he had done right thus to 
 leave her side and home for freedom's sake, and 
 though her yearning heart bowed sadly under the 
 need of his absence, she would not murmur nor 
 repine. 
 
 Presently she rose and went to the piano. Sad 
 notes only could come from her lips on a night like 
 this. She remembered when her voice had won her
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 343 
 
 her dearest earthly treasure, and wished now that he 
 might hear the cry welling up from her heart, to 
 tell him of her love to breathe to him encourage 
 ment. 
 
 " How sadly and coldly the wind wails to-night, 
 How heavy the passage of him in his flight ! 
 My heart's reft of sadness, my voice of its cheer, 
 For one who hath blessed me with love is not here. 
 The damp earth receives him the earth, bare and cold, 
 While dark clouds their mantle will over him fold, 
 And the wild winds will whistle a drear lullaby 
 While I sit me here sadly to weep and to sigh. 
 
 " Yet, while hundreds are sleeping the slumber of death, 
 And others are resting the heavens beneath, 
 While the lashes of many lie wet on the cheek 
 With the sorrows that tears and prayers only can speak, 
 While hearthstones grow cold, and music is hushed, 
 And cheeks with the tint of the rose no more flushed, 
 While sad hearts must break 'neath the woes of this war, 
 I rejoice, my darling, to know you are there. 
 
 " My dearest one, rest thee, God help thee to rest, 
 Though to-night with no kiss will thy slumber be blest, 
 Though my bosom may pillow no more thy dear head, 
 And to-morrow thou sleepest 'mid thousands of dead. 
 Thou hast left me, thy home and the pleasures of youth. 
 And offered thy strength in defense of the truth ; 
 And God, who is strong in the cause of the just 
 And the right, will shield and protect thee, I trust." 
 
 Tears still hung upon her lashes when she left 
 the piano, but the light of a trustful heart shone 
 from the depths of her eyes. Ah ! why should 
 such light ever be doomed to fade! 
 
 Wailing winds continued. Mournful as a funeral 
 anthem, they swept around her. Lifting the curtail
 
 344 THE PIUSONEK'S CHILD. 
 
 and throwing back the shutters, she looked forth 
 upon the night with pitying eyes, thinking of the 
 hundreds who were stretched for scant repose upon 
 the storm-drenched earth. 
 
 Her eyes fell in their wanderings, upon the gate 
 leading into the road beyond the lawn. For one 
 moment the clouds drifted from the face of the 
 moon, and by her obscure light, she saw a form 
 pass through and come toward her. He wore the 
 uniform of a brigadier-general, and it needed no 
 second glance to tell her who it was. With trem 
 bling eagerness, she dropped the curtain, and flew 
 down stairs to the hall to welcome her husband 
 home ; words of joy and thankfulness upon her lips, 
 ready to pour forth as soon as he should reach her 
 side. 
 
 One minute. He did not ring. She could not 
 wait. Unfastening the bolts with her own trem 
 bling fingers, she flung wide the .door, suffering the 
 wind to sweep with a hiss and gust into the hall. 
 
 Again the moon was hidden. Black darkness 
 was beyond. She was glad the light streamed 
 brightly from the hall chandelier to guide her dar 
 ling's step to the loved shelter awaiting him, yet she 
 strained her eyes vainly to catch a glimpse of his 
 form. He seemed long in coming. Growing im 
 patient for the sound of his voice, she called his 
 name. 
 
 " Horace ! Horace ! Ah, how glad I am to bid 
 you welcome to your home this stormy night! 
 Hasten, dearest ! " but no manly voice with its 
 hearty ring of cheer responded. A nameless chill
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 345 
 
 crept over her, and she called again, but almost 
 fearfully. 
 
 " Horace, where are you ? " 
 
 Still no response. She waited a minute, shivering 
 in the chilly air, but no steps were heard upon the 
 marble porch of the dwelling, and feeling convinced 
 of having been deceived, she turned once more to her 
 lonely chamber; a nameless fear and dread deep 
 ening the sadness that weighed upon her heart. 
 
 Hours passed ere sleep visited her tear-wet pil 
 low that night. She could not banish the painful 
 illusion. She had seemed to see her husband so 
 plainly, she could not give up the hope that he 
 might have returned and would still come to her yet. 
 But when hours had sped, and still he came not, 
 she knew that fancy had deceived her, and at length 
 calmed herself to slumber. 
 
 The little clock upon her mantle striking four, 
 awakened her. A light from the grate glowed and 
 flickered over every object, showing them distinctly, 
 and there, in his large easy chair, sat her husband, 
 his arm on the arm of the chair, his cheek resting 
 upon his hand. He seemed regarding her with inef 
 fable tenderness, a sad and mournful smile hovering 
 about his lips. The first rapid glance showed her 
 all this ; also that a broad, red scar crossed the high, 
 white brow in an oblique line. 
 
 "With an exclamation of mingled joy, grief and love, 
 she sprang from the couch, and with extended arms 
 approached him, throwing herself at his side, the 
 better to clasp him in her arms. But instead of 
 folding him in a loving embrace, a cold wind swej>*
 
 346 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 over her, and her frame felt a jar as of an electric 
 shock. A sudden blindness seized her, as if a mist 
 had gathered over her eyes. When it passed away, 
 she was kneeling by an empty chair ! 
 
 " Missis Ollie, Mrs. Pearly has sent up to ask will 
 you please come down to her house a little while. 
 Her baby died last night." 
 
 Olive lifted her white face from the cushion by 
 which she knelt, and asked sadly : 
 
 "Dead, you say, Mandy? Poor babe! poor 
 mother ! Yes, tell her I will come at once." 
 
 " Oh, you are ill yourself, " cried the girl, as her 
 mistress rose from the carpet. " Don't go, Missis 
 Ollie. You are as white as a sheet. Let me tell 
 her you are sick." 
 
 " No, say that I am coming," returned the lady 
 steadily. " Never mind me, Mandy. I am not ill ; 
 only a little nervous and disturbed." 
 
 The girl turned away reluctantly, and Mrs. Alban, 
 going to her wardrobe, took from it a dark street 
 dress, and calling her maid, arrayed herself for a 
 walk. 
 
 She had not far to go, and soon reached the house 
 of mourning. There she found the mother wild 
 with grief, while the little form of her babe, white 
 and still, reposed in death, free from its sufferings. 
 
 Shedding tears of genuine sympathy, she took 
 the poor mother's head upon her gentle breast, and 
 strove to soothe and comfort her. No touch than 
 hers could have been softer, no voice more sweet 
 and tender. With a heavy weight upon her own
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 347 
 
 heart, she took up another's grief and tried to 
 lighten it. 
 
 All day she remained near her, with busy fingers 
 smoothing the difficulties that lay in the path of the 
 mourners. They were poor, though of the best par 
 entage. Reverses had come, and she had on many 
 previous occasions found means of helping them in a 
 manner that had won their deepest gratitude and love. 
 
 Now she sat near the bereaved mother who lay 
 upon a sofa, and while breathing words of sympathy 
 and kindness, cut and fashioned the little garments 
 for the dead. A sweet earnestness was in her face ; a 
 tender light in her eye, while the dark velvet of her 
 bodice, made her pale face appear more pale. The 
 father sat near, and regarded her through his tears. 
 Every look and tone touched his heart strangely. 
 He noted the soft bands of brown hair, the sweet, 
 grave mouth, the little white fingers so steadily ply 
 ing the needle ; and a reminiscence of some one 
 whom he had met years ago, seemed slowly rising. 
 He nearly forgot his sorrow in the effort to recall 
 the features so strikingly like those before him. Al 
 most bewildered, he sat for hours watching her as 
 one entranced, until she rose and went into the room 
 where the dead child lay. 
 
 She had finished what she had been working 
 upon, and now arrayed the babe in the little white 
 dress that was to take the place of a shroud. Almost 
 like life the little creature looked, and she felt pleased 
 with the effect. She thought it cruel to have the 
 last impression of a lost one engraved upon the 
 mind, arrayed in long robes that speak only of the
 
 348 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 grave. As nearly as possible, she preferred to see 
 them look as when in life, wearing some dress famil 
 iar to sight. Thus might it seem the more true that 
 " they are not dead, but sleep." 
 
 A mist gathered over her eyes as she gazed at the 
 beautiful little face. Slowly it seemed to fade from 
 her sight, and in its place her husband lay, every 
 outline of form and feature distinct. 
 
 With a half smothered cry, she clasped her hands 
 over her eyes to shut out the sight. When she re 
 moved them again, the vision had fled, and the child 
 lay in its calm beauty before her ! 
 
 Who shall tell what a sad and troubled heart t-he 
 carried in her bosom after these strange events ! 
 Several days passed as in a dream. She attended 
 the funeral, afterward selecting and arranging mourn 
 ing for the lady, busying herself forcibly to drown 
 the sad thoughts and fears that haunted her. 
 
 On the fifth night from that on which she had 
 seen her husband approach the house, a letter was 
 brought her, penned in a strange hand. 
 
 Premonitory fear told her the contents. When 
 her trembling fingers broke the seal, she expected to 
 read the death-knell to every hope, and she was not 
 mistaken. In a late battle, amid the bravest of the 
 brave, he had fallen, surviving his wounds but a few 
 hours. A few lines penned by his hand in his death 
 hours, fell from the missive, in which he bade her 
 farewell. The date was five days back the hour 
 of his death the same in which she saw him seated 
 in her chamber. He wrote : 
 
 " My wife : I have received my death wound. I
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 349 
 
 have only a moment to breath undying love, a 
 prayer for you, and a farewell. I am with you in 
 spirit, dearest. I see you as you sit thinking of me, 
 and my soul yearns in tenderness over your tender 
 ness, and pity for your grief when news shall reach 
 you of my full. Good and blessed angel wife, we 
 shall meet again. I grow faint! In God's care I 
 leave you, commending you to His mercy for com 
 fort in your affliction." 
 
 The trembling hand had essayed more, but failed. 
 No more should she listen to the dear voice ; no 
 more gaze upon the loved features. Widowed and 
 childless, once more alone, the long maintained 
 struggle against sorrow gave way, and for a time 
 oblivion wrapped her in a merciful unconsciousness. 
 
 The remains of the beloved lost one came home, 
 and the sad funeral rites were performed. Heavily 
 affliction had laid her hand upon this child of sor 
 row. She had fondly dreamed a different fate had 
 dared to picture a future of pride and joy the good 
 and brave only may hope to win from noble deeds. 
 Her husband in his true patriotism and strong man 
 hood, was sufficient to call up visions of this glori 
 ous future we all love to dream of and hope to en 
 joy ; and yet where do often these visions end ? 
 Alas I the grave covers many a hope as fair, and 
 death cuts down relentlessly every aspiration that 
 springs in the human heart. 
 
 Wearily she took up the burden of life, now 
 lonely and desolate. The only pure joy her life had 
 
 known was in the years of her happy wifehood. 
 30
 
 350 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 Now the future, stripped of that blessing, looked 
 blank and joyless. Had Olive Alban been less 
 noble in her nature, and content to live without a 
 purpose, 'she could not have endured the long pros 
 pective future blank that stretched out before her. 
 But she was not of that cast, and straightway began 
 to look about her for greater means of usefulness, 
 that she might the more readily learn to bear her lot 
 in patience. 
 
 Useful she had ever been, and beloved by all who 
 came within the circle of her influence. But now, 
 fired by noble impulses, it spread wider. A pleasant 
 circle of friends she had about her, whose esteem and 
 gratitude were very dear to her in her bereavement. 
 There was something to live for in their affection ; 
 and as she grew more accustomed to her loss, she 
 appreciated this kindly feeling the more as extend 
 ing her sphere of usefulness. 
 
 Wealth, gentle manners and sympathetic feeling, 
 paved her a free way into all classes, giving her 
 power none used so wisely. And thus for years it 
 must have gone on, had not an old enemy, sprung 
 from some unknown quarter, once more crossed her 
 path and sowed the seeds of bitterness which were 
 to yield sorrowful fruits for the last years of her un 
 happy life. 
 
 One morning a friend called some time after Mr. 
 Alban's death, and imparted a piece of news. All 
 news connected with those around us, have more or 
 less interest, and Ollie was not free from this strange 
 feeling when her friend mentioned names known 
 to her.
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 351 
 
 "Young Gerald Marcy has brought home a 
 bride," she said pleasantly. "A most beautiful, 
 sparkling creature, though I confess there is a fierce 
 independence in her dark eyes that rather repels me. 
 I have just been to call upon her, and cannot im 
 agine where that harum scarum fellow could have 
 found her. She is, as I say, beautiful, and very 
 accomplished, with a winning fascination of manner 
 very peculiar." 
 
 " Do you know who she was," asked Ollie. 
 
 " No. A Miss Ivers, Kivers, or something of 
 that sort. I can't remember the name. I think he 
 met her first at a fashionable watering-place, where 
 she was a great belle afterward visited and mar 
 ried her, though I hardly remember where. Her 
 reception was splendid." 
 
 " Will they reside here ? " 
 
 "O yes. Mr. Marcy will be one of our nearest 
 neighbors. They have taken the Bower cottage." 
 
 "Indeed? That will be pleasant for you !" 
 
 The conversation changed to other topics, and 
 after awhile Ollie thought but little more about it, 
 except the usual interest of giving a pleasing addi 
 tion to their circle of society, until they met. Then 
 in Mrs. Marcy, she at once recognized her old tor- 
 menter, Agnes Ives. The recognition was mutual. 
 One who had so mortally offended her as Ollie 
 Winfred, never could be forgiven by the haughty 
 girl, and she hated her too much to strive to con 
 ceal it. 
 
 Those who witnessed the meeting were surprised 
 beyond measure. Agnes drew herself up haughtily
 
 352 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 while Ollie's paling and flushing face told painfully 
 her remembrance of past wrongs. When questioned, 
 generous Olive was silent on the subjects most pain 
 ful to her enemy, quietly answering that she was a 
 pupil in the same school, and that they did not get 
 on together very well. Not so lenient was Agnes. 
 She proclaimed in haughty confidence her sovereign 
 contempt for the " charity child, the felon's daughter, 
 whom all the girls at school had despised." Every 
 body was dumbfounded. Curiosity and excitement 
 were rife and Agnes gloried in giving her own ver 
 sion of their old school life. 
 
 Ollie's friends were numerous, and many refused 
 indignantly to believe, others generously defended, 
 but as she held herself aloof, forbearing to make 
 good her own part by exposing Agnes, the latter 
 soon gained ground, especially amongst the younger 
 classes, and in a very little time, her enemy had 
 shattered and scattered her adherents as the autumn 
 blasts shake the many colored leaves from a tree, 
 leaving her nearly stripped and bare of a single 
 friend, while they, faithless, turned their worthless 
 allegiance to her destroyer. 
 
 Strange how soon evil can eclipse good influences, 
 and public opinion change ! All the great kindness 
 she had shown, and the good done them, seemed 
 forgotten in a little while, or regarded more as a 
 condescension to accept than a favor received. What 
 the lady of wealth and spotless character gave was 
 forgotten when a felon's daughter became the al 
 moner. All the old bitterness of life came back with 
 redoubled intensity, and at a time when grief and
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 353 
 
 affliction rendered her less fit to cope with it. Day 
 after day, Ollie Alban faded and pined away beneath 
 her unshared burden. Agnes standing proudly aloof 
 and witnessing the fruits of her labor, gloried in the 
 downfall from the hight of respect, love and power ! 
 It were a bitter thing to have seen Ollie maintain 
 ing her place at the head of a circle where she was 
 ambitious to move its queen, and all the fibres of her 
 nature had risen against it. The complete success 
 was satisfying even to her. 
 
 At last the suffering woman sank under her afflic 
 tions. She could not leave her room, and the ru 
 mor went abroad that she was dying. A few, firm 
 in the end, though moving at the first onset against 
 her, remorsefully came back to comfort her last hours. 
 But for her, one comfort only remained for earth to 
 afford ; and that was a strange fulfillment of a life 
 long desire. 
 
 One day Mr. Pearly came and begged to be al 
 lowed to see her. He had them raise her up with 
 pillows, and at his urgent entreaty leave them alone. 
 His manner was painfully agitated, and his hands 
 shook as he nervously brushed the hair from his 
 brow ere he began. 
 
 "Mrs. Alban, you see before you a miserable 
 man. I dared not let you die without easing my 
 heart of some of the pain which is fast killing me. 
 Of late I have heard your name mentioned often, 
 and the discussion led to a knowledge of your his 
 tory. I learned your maiden name, and then it was 
 that I remembered whose features yours resembled. 
 On the day my boy died and your kindness aided 
 30*
 
 354 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 
 
 us to bury him, I was strangely troubled by some 
 thing in your face, which seemed to recall some one, 
 and until a short time since, remained in doubt. It 
 was your mother," he went on, growing more and 
 more agitated. " I saw her once or twice, and never 
 forgot the sweetness of her fair young features. 
 Your father was once my friend. But I wronged 
 him, and we parted. After that I fell into bad 
 habits, got into trouble, and in a desperate moment, 
 was guilty of a crime. The story is too long to re 
 late now, but by strange circumstances, I escaped 
 suspicion, and they fixed upon Mr. Winfred. Glad 
 to see this loop-hole through which I might pass, 
 and elated at my power of gratifying a grudge, I 
 left him to suffer for my crime. But no peace has 
 been mine since that day. "Wealth, power, friends, 
 everything, have melted and faded away. From 
 place to place I have wandered, burying one after 
 another of my children, until my last now lies be 
 neath the sod. His grave-clothes you prepared, his 
 funeral expenses, your bounty defrayed. You, the 
 daughter of my victim, have been our kindest friend ! 
 Innocent, good and pure you have suffered the wrong 
 of my doing, even unto death, as did your father 
 before you, while I, in my cowardice, have never 
 dared till now, when you are near the grave, attempt 
 to repair the wrong. I do not ask forgiveness. Too 
 great has been my crime. But God has punished 
 me terribly, and His justice I acknowledge. Too 
 late I come to you with my confession except to 
 render your dying hour sweeter with the knowledge 
 of his your father's innocence."
 
 THE PRISONER'S CHILD. 355 
 
 He ceased, his white face convulsed with remorse. 
 Hers was lifted with grateful thanks, and a breath 
 of thrilling sweetness bore a prayer to the throne 
 of God : 
 
 " Father, thy innocence I knew, but now, that 
 innocence proved, I come to thee rejoicing that my 
 faith in thee has wavered not ! Oh, God ! receive 
 my thanks. I die in peace ! " 
 
 Four days later, Olive Alban was laid beside her 
 husband and her child. In her will, all her wealth 
 had been assigned to benevolent purposes, among 
 others a handsome legacy for Mrs. Pearly, whose 
 position she had often thought upon with com 
 passion. Strange how mysterious powers work out 
 Divine vengeance on evil-doers ! The wretched man 
 could not bear this last unconscious act of retribution. 
 Driven wild by remorse and fear, he wrote a full 
 confession of his crime, sent it to proper authorities, 
 and then deliberately put an end to his miserable 
 existence.
 
 AXD 
 
 HOW THEY WERE FULFILLED. 
 
 I SHALL never forget that night upon the broad, 
 shining waters of the Mississippi ! The weary day 
 had gone by, and with the evening shades, revived 
 our drooping spirits, luring us to the pilot-house for 
 social chat and music, spite of the danger lurking 
 among the green leaves and blooming flowers upon 
 the banks. 
 
 I well remember the picture as I took it then in 
 my eye. The pilot stood at his wheel, apparently 
 engaged in the management of the Imperial as she 
 steamed royally over the flashing waves ; but there 
 was a half smile upon his lips, which betrayed a 
 hearty enjoyment of the gay sallies of wit shooting 
 around him. Below us, the water glowed with 
 ruddy gleams of light, such as can only light up the 
 beantie* of the Mississippi to sunset radiance. Pur 
 ple t hades crept in with the gold and crimson along 
 the green banks, and the monotonous, yet musical 
 splashing of the waves under the vessel, helped to 
 kindle the romance of our natures beyond the limit? 
 of total reticence.
 
 358 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 We were a large party, and the little pilot-house 
 was full. The captain sat at my side, holding the 
 guitar which he had brought up from the cabin, 
 with exemplary patience, while the first clerk fin 
 ished a story he was relating to an officer's pretty 
 young wife opposite. The others listened in amaze 
 ment, or looked out upon the scene, as best pleased 
 them. When it was ended, a song was called for 
 unanimously. 
 
 I did not feel like singing, yet the sweetness of the 
 hour made me obliging. I took the guitar and ac 
 companied myself in a gay little song from " La 
 Traviata," which met with such signal success as to 
 seal my doom for the remainder of the evening. 
 Duets, trios and quartets followed, and we entered 
 into the spirit of what we sang, after a while, most 
 heartily. The sun was gone ; the night deepened, 
 and the moon rose calm and white over the still 
 earth. Out upon the night, mingled with the rush 
 of the waves, floated the voices, and the woods 
 caught the echoes to send them back faintly, when 
 we swept by a hill in our steady stateliness. By 
 and by, I played only, while others sang, listening 
 with all my soul alive and reveling in sweet sounds 
 listened till my arms wearied and my fingers fell 
 limp among the strings of the instrument. 
 
 "Thank you, Miss," came from the pilot with a 
 deep breath of satisfaction, as the music ceased. " I 
 have passed many a night on this river, and have seen 
 beautiful scenes ; but no night has ever been happier 
 and more beautiful than this. If I never see an 
 other, I shall not forget the pleasure this gives me."
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 359 
 
 Something in his last words struck me as sad, al 
 most prophetic. As we made a curve round a bend 
 in the stream, the moonlight fell full upon his face, 
 and I saw that it was earnest, his dark eyes dreamy 
 and sad. Yet as his glance met mine he smiled 
 cheerily, and again glanced at the guitar. 
 
 " It is a little thing to give so much pleasure." 
 
 " Our chief pleasures come from little things 
 often," I said. 
 
 " Yes. After all, though, it only speaks through 
 some kindly hand not of itself. A moment since, 
 it almost brought tears to my eyes. Now it lies 
 mute and lifeless," and he sighed. 
 
 Here a merry laugh rang out, and the captain's 
 blue eyes turned roguishly upon the bronzed pilot. 
 
 "Romantic and sentimental, as I live. Why, 
 Powell, what has come over you, man? You are 
 not often guilty of such weakness." 
 
 "I guess it's the influence of the company I'm 
 in," answered Mr. Powell, with a laugh. 
 
 " To be sure," broke in the pretty little creature 
 opposite, whose soldier husband waited her at Mem 
 phis. " You forgot, captain, that the lady by your 
 side is a ' story writer.' Oh, my ! we must all 
 look out, or the first thing we know, we shall all be 
 in print." 
 
 I laughed, perhaps was guilty of a slight blush, 
 but thought to myself that they need not be afraid. 
 Alas! that fair young creature little thought how 
 soon the public prints would take her name and bear 
 it far and wide over the country, or under what 
 mournful circumstances.
 
 360 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 " Can you tell stories as well as write them ? " 
 asked the captain, turning to me. 
 
 "I do not know. The little ones at home used 
 to think so, when they gathered about me in the 
 twilight." 
 
 ' They are good critics, and I have a childish 
 fondness for stories myself. Ladies and gentlemen, 
 I vote for a story. What say you? Something 
 impromptu and original." 
 
 " Yes, * a story ' 'a story,' " ran through the group, 
 and I was helpless. It did not please me wholly, to 
 be set up as 'entertainer general' to the party, but 
 I had nothing better to do, and the next moment 
 smiled at the momentary feeling of annoyance the 
 request had called up. 
 
 " I will gratify you on one condition," I said. 
 " You are to believe what I shall tell you religiously, 
 and at the same time acquit me of any element of 
 superstition in rny nature. I shall tell you a very 
 marvelous story, if any at all." 
 
 " Oh, of course we will believe you, and not think 
 you a bit superstitious. Marvelous stories are ex 
 citing. Pray let us have it at once." 
 
 The captain's tone was playfully mocking, but I 
 leaned back in sober earnestness against the glass of 
 the window, and began without preface, as the little 
 incident drifted to my mind : 
 
 "I was "quite a young girl when the event occur 
 red which I am going to relate perhaps not more 
 than ten years of age. Timid I had never been. 
 On the contrary, I was rather rash and fearless than 
 timid. Old stories of ' ghosts ' and ' hobgoblins ' only
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 361 
 
 made me laugh, while the faintest whispers of a 
 mysterious thing, set me into a search for an expose. 
 I generally inferred that there was a natural cause 
 for everything, which a practical person might easily 
 get at, with a little patience, and it was my delight 
 to unravel mysteries and have a good laugh at the 
 expense of others. 
 
 " One night our house was crowded with guests 
 from the country, who had come into our little town 
 to attend a ' protracted meeting,' as it was called 
 there. These 'meetings' generally lasted a week, 
 two, and sometimes three, were added, if the excite 
 ment could be kept up and now every available 
 chamber was brought into use for the guests, until 
 this interesting time should be over. 
 
 "I had been promoted from the nursery to a dear 
 little white chamber of my own, but had to give it 
 up to two young girls on this occasion, and share my 
 sister's lower down the corridor. The door to it 
 opened from the first landing above the main hall, 
 and the light from the hall lamps lighted it brightly, 
 so I was in no hurry to get up-stairs on account of 
 the gas being extinguished above. 
 
 " The family, save my mother, were all at church 
 that night. She remained at home to tend a little 
 baby brother who was ill, and as my father was 
 absent, my thoughts constantly turned to her until 
 the excitement in the church completely absorbed 
 my childish interest. 
 
 " When it was over I stole away from the others, 
 and as it was but a little distance, ran home and hid 
 
 myself in the recess of a window, where I sat think- 
 31
 
 362 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 ing over the scene and trying to get rid of the dole 
 ful sounds of weeping and lamentation which still 
 rang in my ears. 
 
 " No one found me out. After awhile they went 
 up-stairs, and I could hear the merry little peals of 
 laughter peculiar to young girls when three or four 
 get together, floating down-stairs now and then. 
 Gradually all grew still. A servant came and put 
 the lights out in the parlor. Still I sat where I was 
 for some time till every one except mamma was 
 asleep, indeed ; then I stole softly up to sister Lillie's 
 room. 
 
 "As I opened the door a long line of light fell 
 across the carpet. As hers was extinguished, I left 
 the door open in order to see where to put my dress 
 when I disrobed, and sprang thoughtlessly into bed 
 without closing it. Lillie was tired and slept well. 
 She had not heard me, as I moved about softly, and 
 just as I was going to lay my head upon the pillow 
 I bethought me of the door. 
 
 " ' Pshaw,' I said, and a little flash of annoyance 
 came over me. 'I have left the door open and 
 must get up again to close it. What a silly little 
 girl!' 
 
 " One more moment and I should have been upon 
 the floor had not an object attracted my attention 
 which prevented the quick movement I contem 
 plated. A large cat came upon the threshold, 
 crossed the bar of light and stood out in the dark 
 ness of the room. I then perceived that the crea 
 ture had innumerable eyes, at which I gazed steadily 
 in wonder, but with no thought of fear. I even
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 363 
 
 laughed a little hushed, amused laugh at the ' funny 
 Tommy' which had so suddenly made its appear 
 ance. I could remember no cat in the neighbor- 
 
 O 
 
 hood so large as this one ; certainly none with so 
 many eyes ; and while I was puzzling myself over 
 it the thing disappeared as quick as it came, though 
 it did not go out at the door. 
 
 " As I went to the door to close it, I heard the 
 sharp cry of my little pet brother from mamma's 
 chamber on the first floor. She had let the nurse 
 go home that night, and with the thought that she 
 might want assistance with the sick child I went 
 below. I found her sitting in a large chair hushing 
 Neddie to sleep again when I entered. I told her 
 what I came for, and sat down beside the grate, in 
 which a pleasant little fire glowed brightly. Pretty 
 soon Neddie was deposited upon his bed, and mamma 
 drew her chair near the grate. She seemed wearied 
 and sad, scarcely noticing my presence as she rocked 
 herself back and forth gently. 
 
 " While I sat watching the flickering light upon 
 her pale, sweet face, the soft, distinct pat of little 
 feet fell upon my ears. I turned my head involun 
 tarily and saw the great cat spring from the lower 
 stair through the open door, and walk directly 
 toward me. As it passed, I noticed that the color 
 was gray, barred with black stripes aronnd the 
 body. Brushing against my side as it passed, the 
 creature walked up to the wall, turned around, and, 
 lifting itself upon its feet rabbit fashion, seemed to 
 brace its back against the marble most determinedly. 
 
 " Filled with wonder and amazement, I took up
 
 364 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 the poker and touched it. To my astonishment it 
 resisted me like a stuffed figure, without life or mo 
 tion. A cry of surprise and consternation burst 
 from my lips ! 
 
 " ' Mamma ! see what a strange cat ! I saw it up 
 stairs awhile ago. Now it is here. Just take the 
 poker and r~z what an odd thing it is.' 
 
 " Mechanically she took the poker into her hand 
 and touched it, an amused smile upon her lips. But 
 the same instant a shade of surprise passed over her 
 features, and she bent an earnest look upon it which 
 doubly excited nv wonder. My mother was no 
 timid visionary woman, but earnest, sound and 
 practical. I could trust her face as I trusted God's 
 beautiful sunshine, as an indication of genial Nature's 
 blessings and good- will to man ; therefore her swiftly 
 changing features told me of alarm as well as sur 
 prise. 
 
 " In a moment she checked herself suddenly and 
 leaned back in her chair. 
 
 " ' Child, go to bed ! Why do you sit up so late ? 
 I ought at once to have sent you back, for you ought 
 to have been asleep two hours ago.' 
 
 " ' But the cat ? ' I said persistently. ' Isn't it 
 queer ? ' 
 
 " ' Queer ! what cari there be in a cat that can be 
 called queer? My child, go to bed, and trouble 
 yourself no more about such silly things.' 
 
 " I obeyed her from a habit never to hesitate in 
 this always to me pleasant duty. I loved my 
 mother fondly, and her word was law. But as I 
 went up stairs it occurred to me that she sent me off
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 365 
 
 merely to prevent my growing excited over a really 
 mysterious thing. She had always taken pains to 
 root all fear and superstition from our natures. I 
 had often heard her say that nothing could pain her 
 more than to see a child of hers growing up a cow 
 ard, either morally or physically. 
 
 "I had not more than reached the chamber before 
 that strange thing cat, or whatever it might be 
 was beside me. 1 heard it pat, pat, pat up the stair 
 way, and then it touched my garments as it passed. 
 You may not believe me, but I closed the door and 
 went to bed, absorbed in thought of my strange vis 
 itor, but not at all frightened. Once or twice I 
 looked out of my nest to catch the gleam of those 
 kindling eyes, but it was gone at least it was not 
 visible to me. 
 
 " On the following morning, I, of course, told 
 the story to the others of the family, and got well 
 laughed at for my pains. A vivid imagination had 
 always been imputed to me, and in the face of all 
 my fearlessness and freedom from superstition, they 
 would insist upon it that I had been * deep in some 
 of my wild legends from the German, and that my 
 imagination had played a trick upon the strength of 
 them.' Expostulations were vain ; they only laughed 
 the more. In despair I appealed to mamma, but she 
 only shook her head and smiled. Thus beset, I be 
 came proudly silent, till on the succeeding night, 
 when the same ' vision ' appeared to me. At the 
 first glance I started up in bed and called out to 
 Lillie. I had not expected to see it again, and the 
 eight rejoiced me, as I thought it would prove that 
 31*
 
 366 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 all was not attributable to my ' legends ' and my 
 ' imagination.' 
 
 " Sister half rose upon her elbow, eager and trem 
 bling, but saw nothing, and fell back laughingly. I 
 continued to talk fast, and try to point it out, until I 
 grew excited and angry. She would not look, but 
 only laughed the more, while I sat there in bed, 
 looked at the strange, twinkling, perplexing eyes, 
 and wept with vexation. 
 
 "From that time forth my 'ghost' was the pet 
 joke of the household. I heard nothing else. They 
 twitted me about it from morning till night, and 
 usually my greeting upon leaving the bed was, 
 'Well, how's your ghost? Are his lordship's eyes 
 as numerous and bright as ever?' Whereupon I 
 would close my lips in proud disdain, and keep my 
 own counsel. It came every night, invariably. No 
 matter if the doors were shut or not. If I fell 
 asleep without a glance from the bright eyes, I was 
 sure to wake before morning and see them some 
 where in the room. But what was strangest of all, 
 those eyes disappeared one by one, till only a single 
 orb remained. Suddenly, while I gazed at that, 
 sparks seemed to fly from the outer circle of the 
 fiery globe, and continued until it was gone, and 
 there was no more to be seen. That was the last 
 visit I ever received from the mysterious cat, and 
 ends my story." 
 
 A little storm of applause followed the effort I 
 had made, mingled with merry laughter and jesting. 
 Only the pilot was serious enough to ask if anything 
 strange happened after that in the family.
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 367 
 
 "Neddie died," I answered with a great sob 
 swelling suddenly in my throat at the pain recalled 
 by his loss. " After that, my beautiful mother, 
 whom we laid to sleep beside him ere the grass 
 covered the little grave that held so much of our 
 hope and joy. But if I talk this way you will think 
 I am superstitious ; so we will have something 
 pleasanter. Though I acknowledge myself power 
 less to solve the mystery of my cat's visits, I still 
 insist that there must have been a natural cause for 
 this singular occurrence, and will not think of it, 
 save to amuse myself and others. Suppose, friends, 
 we go down to the cabin, and have a game of whist 
 or chess." 
 
 The proposition was accepted readily, and the 
 party descended the stairs merrily. In leaving, Mr. 
 Powell detained me to say good-bye, and express 
 his thanks. A depth and earnestness in his voice 
 thrilled me as he held my hand for an instant in his 
 hard, rough palm. 
 
 " Thank you for your music and your story, miss. 
 When you are sleeping, I shall remember as I drift 
 along the stream, how kindly you have tried to 
 amuse us, and it will help me to pass the lonely 
 night. It will be lonely, for I am very unaccount* 
 ably depressed this evening. I am not often sad < 
 seldom foreboding." 
 
 " But are both to-night, I see. I dare say i| 
 arises only from the sweet soft beauty of the night, 
 and the dangers that lurk among those fragrant 
 thickets we may pass. There are many dangerous 
 places."
 
 368 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 " Yes, we can't tell when a pack of those soulless 
 guerillas may pour a volley of shot and shell into us. 
 But I am used to that now, and scarcely think it 
 troubles me. Don't let me detain you longer. 
 Good-night, and God bless you." 
 
 A smile was upon my lips as I went below, for I 
 was really amused at what seemed mere sentiment. 
 Still, when I had time to think of it more, it im 
 pressed me to a restlessness I could not overcome. 
 We played a game of whist after going to the cabin, 
 then separated for the night, and it may have been 
 only fancy, but I thought that there was more of 
 earnestness than usual in our leave-takings, more 
 of kindly interest and feeling expressed than on any 
 other occasion. The gentlemen each shook hands 
 with us, and the ladies left kisses upon each other's 
 lips before entering their state-rooms. The pretty 
 little wife of the young officer waiting at Memphis 
 came up to me with a sweet, child-like manner that 
 won my heart at once, putting her arms round my 
 neck, and leaning a bright little head with a wealth 
 of glossy tresses against my bosom. 
 
 "It makes me sorry to say good-night," she said, 
 with a soft little laugh. " I'm sure I don't know 
 why. Perhaps it's only because I've been so happy 
 this evening, and am not sleepy now. Besides, you 
 know we shall get to Memphis to-morrow, and I 
 may never see any of you again. This is the curse 
 of travel. All the nice friends we meet, drift away 
 from us, and that is the last we know of them, nine 
 cases out of ten." 
 
 " You will find a good substitute for all you have
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 369 
 
 met on this trip," I smilingly said, looking down at 
 her till the quick blood leaped to her cheeks in crim 
 son spots, and a glad light beamed from the blue 
 eyes. 
 
 " Yes," softly and tenderly. " I shall find my 
 own dear husband." Tone and words said: "All 
 my world," in the frank utterance. 
 
 When she was sweetly sleeping hours later, I still 
 sat inside of my state-room door, but looking 
 through it and out into the calm night. I could not 
 sleep, and my restless wakefulness made me inex 
 pressibly sad. The thousands of stars beaming from 
 a clear sky, were but as pitying eyes bent upon the 
 earth, now the scene of contention and war such as 
 history had never recorded. I was thinking of the 
 many desolated homes ; the many crushed hearts 
 whose hopes had gone out with the red tide of 
 warm young blood upon many battle-fields. Even 
 that river, could it yield up its secrets, would tell 
 tales of sorrow and bereavement almost surpassing 
 credulity. 
 
 A sudden grating sound made me look out towards 
 the shore. The Imperial had landed for wood, and 
 in a moment more, the crew had planted a blazing 
 torch upon the lower deck, by the light of which 
 they worked sturdily till the huge pile of dry 
 hickory had diminished. 
 
 Leaning over the guards, I watched the rough, 
 uncouth figures as they passed between me and the 
 ruddy light, thoughts of that strange, wild scene in 
 the " Fire-worshipers " passing through my mind. 
 While I looked, a splash in the water just beneatk
 
 370 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 me, called my attention to the spot, and I saw the 
 figure of a man lift itself from the water to the deck. 
 It might have been one of the crew, who had taken 
 an impromptu bath ; but it did not seem quite likely. 
 There was a cautiousness and silence in his move 
 ments suspicious, to say the least, and he had glided 
 from sight too quickly to satisfy me that all was 
 right. All my restlessness had gone in a moment. 
 Ideas and visions floated away. There was neces 
 sity for immediate action, and I went straight to the 
 stewardess to waken and send her to the captain. 
 
 Contrary to my expectation, she was sleepy and 
 cross, uttering a prompt refusal to be "bothered 
 with timid white folks' whims." So I went away, 
 resolved to find the captain myself, and tell him 
 what I had seen. 
 
 The Imperial was under way again, when I went 
 out upon the guards. With steady clang the pon 
 derous wheels began to move, propelling us swiftly 
 down the stream. In a few moments the captain 
 passed up the guards to ascend to his room in the 
 Texas, and as he neared me I accosted him with my 
 brief story. He listened with attention, and went 
 immediately below to institute a search ; but nothing 
 being found, he soon came back, smiled a little at 
 what he evidently considered my womanly timidity, 
 and bidding me good-night a second time, bowed 
 himself into obscurity. 
 
 The prescience of coming evil grew strong upon 
 me so strong that I was angry at the seeming in 
 difference displayed by the captain. The sentinel 
 still paced upon the lower deck, and the whole crew
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 371 
 
 was there. Still I was dissatisfied and sat down 
 upon the side of my berth in thought. That evil 
 was near, I felt rather than feared. But the shape 
 did not define itself in my mind. Speculation did 
 not avail me in rendering the matter any clearer, as 
 the hours sped by, and I should at length have re 
 tired, endeavoring to forget my restlessness, had not 
 a singular odor penetrated my state-room just as I 
 rose to disrobe. 
 
 Softly unclosing my door, I looked out and saw a 
 thick cloud of smoke rising along the side of the 
 Imperial from the lower deck. That instant I knew 
 that the vessel was on fire, but even then, paused to 
 assure myself. By leaning over the guards, I could 
 faintly see through the smoke, a red glare, and a 
 line of flame leaping along a quantity of hay which 
 was stowed away in large bales on deck. Near 
 these were some barrels of oil which I remembered 
 to have seen when visiting the machinery below, and 
 this had taken fire. Though I had not paused the 
 space of a minute, the terrible element was making 
 rapid leaps toward the cabin, while the confusion on 
 deck had become awful. The men shouted hoarsely, 
 while the horses plunged in mad fright, screaming 
 with almost human voices in their agony. 
 
 I have always thanked God for presence of mind 
 during moments of danger, and it was not denied 
 me in that awful time. In less than a minute I had 
 thrust my purse into my bosom, dropped all super 
 fluous portions of dress, and taken off my shoes. 
 The next thing was to tie on a life preserver which 
 hung by my berth, and then to run to the other
 
 372 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 state-rooms. I knew by the commotion that tl e 
 inmates had been awakened, and it was now my 
 purpose, having prepared myself, to aid them all in 
 my power. 
 
 The scene which met my gaze in the next moment 
 beggars description. The state-rooms were vacated, 
 the inmates rushing out into the cabin, pallid with 
 fright, and giving vent to such screams as never be 
 fore greeted my ears. The fatal truth had spread 
 already, and the word "fire" quivered upon every 
 lip. The gentlemen had rushed out also, without 
 dressing, save in their pantaloons ; and many were 
 as feeble and helpless in their fright as the ladies. I 
 saw at once that little help could be expected from 
 them. 
 
 " Friends," I cried earnestly, " try to calm your 
 selves for a moment and act. Let each lady tie 
 about herself the life preserver in their rooms. Do 
 not try to save any baggage or articles of dress. 
 Life is worth more than all these, and we must take 
 to the water. Be quick, and do it without confu 
 sion. I will help you." 
 
 Some obeyed readily ; others fell helpless to the 
 floor, while a few rushed about wildly, screaming, 
 not knowing which way to go. Amidst the clamor 
 and confusion, I made myself understood sufficiently 
 to give directions to their movements. 
 
 " Go to the stern of the boat and stand still. The 
 fire is nearer the bow, and you cannot escape for 
 ward, even if they succeeded in running in to the 
 shore. Those who cannot swim will have to be 
 taken off in the boats. But for your lives do not
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 373 
 
 rush about so confusedly. You expose yourselves 
 to the danger you would avoid." 
 
 All now burst through the door, and I hastened 
 to find Mrs. Nelson, the officer's wife, whom I had 
 missed in the excitement. She was lying upon the 
 floor of her room in a deep swoon. To seize a life 
 preserver, tie it around her waist, and then dash water 
 from a basin in her face, was the work of a minute. 
 She gasped, started up and looked at me wildly. 
 
 " Be quiet," I said as assuredly as I could. " We 
 are in danger, but a little care may save us all. I 
 can swim, and with this life preserver on, you cannot 
 sink, so if we get into the water, as we must, I will 
 help you to the shore. Only be calm, and do not let 
 fright unnerve you." 
 
 She clung to me like a child, while I half carried, 
 half led her out. But what folly to hope for reason 
 in a moment like that ! With all their efforts, they 
 could not run the ponderous vessel ashore, before the 
 whole of the lower deck was enveloped in flames, 
 now leaping in great red tongues along the guards, 
 till the heat scorched us. The boats had been cast 
 to the water, and one man, braver and steadier than 
 the others, seemed to have taken into his hands the 
 management of them. The captain, in despair of 
 saving us by other means, had by this time made his 
 way back to the stern of the vessel, and began to 
 lower the ladies into the boats. 
 
 The first two loads went ashore safely, but as the 
 fire roared nearer, the people grew more mad and 
 rash, leaping into the water headlong. Holding 
 
 Mrs. Nelson by the hand to keep her back, I saw 
 32
 
 374 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 them go down rise, sink again, and rise struggling. 
 Some struck out for the shore ; others went down 
 to rise not again, swallowed up by the waves, now 
 lashed into billows by the rocking of the vessel. 
 Suddenly, with a wild plunge, Mrs. Nelson escaped 
 my grasp, and leaped down to the water. I saw the 
 flutter of her white night-robe for a moment, then 
 followed her. My heart was in it. I thought of the 
 waiting husband at Memphis, and for his sake re 
 solved to save her if it was in human power. Yet 
 as I rose to the surface of the water, I could scarcely 
 buffet the strength of the troubled waves, and it 
 was a minute before I saw her. She had risen a sec 
 ond time, and quite near me. The force of the 
 water drove her under, but could not keep her there 
 with the life-preserver on, and I took courage. By 
 a few strokes I reached the little white form, and 
 bore her up with one hand. 
 
 A glad cry burst from her white lips, now vividly 
 lighted up by the burning steamer. Her eager, wild 
 eyes were fixed upon me with a look I can never for 
 get. Both little hands grasped me like a vice. 
 
 " Don't do that ! " I gasped. " Let go, and trust 
 yourself to me. We are near the shore, and the 
 current is not strong. You must lie still I will 
 swim out with you. But if you do not obey I must 
 let you go, or both will be drowned." 
 
 With a still more frightened look, she released 
 me, resigning herself to my care. I would have 
 died to save her then, in her child-like beauty and 
 helplessness. With one hand I kept hold of her, 
 bearing her along as I swam, and slowly reared the
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 375 
 
 bank. It was laborious work, but the glimpses I 
 caught of her sweet, white face, nerved me afresh, 
 and gave new impetus to my motions. Six yards 
 more would have landed me safely, when a long 
 black object drifted directly across us. I could see 
 that it was ponderous, but could not tell what it was. 
 The end struck Mrs. Nelson's temple with a dull, 
 heavy sound, driving her against me forcibly, but, 
 with the quick instinct of self-preservation, I dived 
 beneath, bearing her down with me. We rose be 
 yond by a little more than a yard, and a few more 
 strokes brought me to the land. 
 
 Fortunately the steep bank at that point had been 
 worn down in ruts, and afforded me a species of 
 steps by which I endeavored to mount to the level 
 earth. Mrs. Nelson was a dead weight, and, wearied 
 with the double effort of swimming and taking care 
 of her, it was a minute before I could recover 
 strength to proceed, and rested myself upon the 
 end of a log lying on the edge of the water. I 
 thought my charge had fainted, and just there a 
 shadow concealed her face from me. But as soon 
 as I could get breath fairly, I took her arms, and 
 placing them round my neck, clambered up the 
 bank. Then I was so intent upon success, I scarcely 
 heeded the weight of the tiny figure which I held 
 with one hand while assisting myself with the other. 
 
 A moment's hard labor brought me to a place of 
 safety, and I laid my burden down upon a little 
 grass-plot. The flames rose high and fiercely now, 
 and the water was still full of the struggling pas 
 sengers. The captain had leaped from the guards,
 
 376 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 and I saw him swimming toward me, a figure held 
 above water by one arm. But all seemed to have 
 been rescued from the steamer. Not even one of 
 the crew was left. All had leaped to the water and 
 made for the shore. With a great sigh of relief, I 
 bent down over Mrs. Nelson. 
 
 There was no sign of life. The pale face was up 
 lifted, every feature lighted up by the glare from the 
 fated Imperial. A second glance showed me an ugly 
 black mark upon the temple, where that thing had 
 struck her, extending back under the hair. On close 
 examination, a deep dent in the skull struck a chill 
 to my heart. I felt her pulse her heart. They 
 were still. In my very arms, so near to safety that 
 my heart had beat with grateful thanks, she had 
 been smitten dead in an instant ! 
 
 I could not help it then. All the pent up feeling 
 which I had resolutely locked within my own bosom 
 burst forth now, and on my knees beside her I sob 
 bed bitterly. I had done all I could exhausted my 
 strength to save this one, and in the last moment 
 failed. Now with bowed head I heard as in a con 
 fused dream the roar of the flames the cries of the 
 people the lashing and hissing of the water as the 
 flaming objects fell into it. I only raised my head 
 when a more fearful excitement broke forth, and a 
 look at the burning steamer revealed to my startled 
 gaze the pilot, Mr. Powell, standing still at his post, 
 now powerless to help himself. He had labored to 
 the last vainly trying to land the steamer, but, de 
 serted by all the others, found it impossible to accom 
 plish his purpose. Now he stood with wistful eyes,
 
 PRESENTIMENTS. 377 
 
 looking down from his perch, while the smoke and 
 flame curled around him. 
 
 " Jump into the river, Powell ! " shouted the cap 
 tain, who had just landed, pantingly. But the ad 
 vice was vain. There was no path left by which he 
 could reach the side of the boat without rushing: 
 
 O 
 
 into the fire itself, and the next moment he was hid 
 den from sight. 
 
 At this moment the steamer trembled violently 
 gave a great leap forward, and scattered thousands 
 of burning fragments into the air. The boilers had 
 exploded, and poor Mr. Powell was in eternity ! 
 
 I can not dwell upon the horrors of that night 
 longer. Just at day dawn, those left of 'us, were 
 taken on board another steamer bound for Memphis, 
 and I had Mrs. Nelson conveyed to my room that I 
 might take her to her husband. An hour or two 
 would bring us to that point, and I knew that I was 
 able to do tnis much for him at least. 
 
 Others of the dead formed the complete list on 
 that sad passage. A dozen or more lay sheeted upon 
 the deck the stiff outlines of their figures showing 
 through the white folds chillingly. 
 
 When we landed at Memphis there was a rush on 
 board from the wharf, and then oh ! what a scene ! 
 J could not bear to witness it. In my room, with 
 that little figure laid out upon the berth where I 
 had composed her in that last sleep, I sat down and 
 waited until a hand fell on the door, and a pallid 
 face shone in upon me. I knew whose it was. He 
 was searching for her, and with one fearful groan 
 fell upon his knees at her side as I pointed to the 
 32*
 
 378 PRESENTIMENTS. 
 
 bed. I had heard her describe him, and his cap 
 tain's uniform confirmed the impression, the moment 
 he came, of his identity as her husband. 
 
 Gently I drew the sheet from her face, then slip 
 ped from the room through the door opening upon 
 the guards. I heard his sobs, deep, fearful, heart 
 breaking as I stood outside, and the tears ran down 
 my cheeks like rain. It seemed then as if my heart 
 must break. 
 
 Later, he came to thank me for what I had done ; 
 but it only added to the pain I suffered. I am afraid 
 I felt rebellious, and ill-disposed to acknowledge the 
 blessing of the life spared to myself. 
 
 Those that followed were sad days at Memphis. 
 Some were buried in a strange land, others em 
 balmed and taken home. Some were so badly 
 burned that they died soon after, while others suf 
 fered for weeks ere they recovered. Mrs. Nelson 
 was one that was buried there, and I thought with 
 agony, as I saw the loving husband bending speech 
 lessly over her grave, of the different meeting she 
 had anticipated. Poor little wife ! Poor husband ! 
 
 When, a few months later, I heard that Captain 
 Nelson had fallen before Vicksburg I was glad of it. 
 It seemed a merciful shot which reunited them in 
 eternity, and I knew that it was best. What hap 
 piness is there in life when the heart is utterly 
 bereaved ? 
 
 It was, doubtless, a guerilla who had succeeded 
 in secreting himself on board the Imperial and des 
 troyed her. But the truth has never been ascer 
 tained fully.
 
 THE COQUETTE'S FATE. 
 
 " OH ! Nellie, Nellie ! Oh ! Nellie, Nellie I " 
 A tiny pair of white hands raised deprecatingly, 
 and a pair of large, violet eyes sought her face, bear 
 ing in their depths an expression of entreaty beauti 
 ful to behold ; but the proud face of Nellie Raymond 
 turned away, perhaps to shut out that beautiful vis 
 ion, and a low, trilling laugh ran over her red lips. 
 
 " Oh ! Nellie, how can you be so heartless ? How 
 can you lead a man on to believe you love him, and 
 then, when his heart is yours, with all its great, 
 deep font of manly love and tenderness, laugh in his 
 face and bid him go from your presence hopeless, 
 despairing. I tell you, Nellie Raymond, you will 
 some day have to account for the misery you have 
 wrought." 
 
 " Do you think so ? " lightly. " Ah, well ! " 
 " But it will not be ' well.' You will see it in a 
 different light some day. I could not close my eyes 
 an hour in peaceful slumber were my life so weighed 
 down with evil deeds such as yours." 
 
 " Evil deeds ! Really, Alice, you are harsh ! " ex 
 claimed Nellie, a flush of momentary mortification 
 and anger staining her white forehead.
 
 380 THE COQUETTE'S FATE. 
 
 " Dear Nellie, what is the use of calling things by 
 other than the right names ? If I seem severe, I 
 only tell you the truth, and you know that I have 
 ever been your best friend candid and frank." 
 
 " Well, Allie, you might have a little more regard 
 for one's feelings." 
 
 " Have you regard for the feelings of others, Nel 
 lie ? There is a good old book in which a glorious 
 teacher said : ' Do unto others as you would have 
 them do unto you.' Now, how far do you carry 
 out this rule?" 
 
 "Oh, Allie, spare me, for pity's sake don't 
 preach to me now ; I'm not in a mood for it." 
 
 But Allie was relentless. 
 
 " You did not spare poor Horace Morton, whom 
 you so cruelly deceived, and then drove him from 
 you with despair in his heart, and the burden of a 
 hopeless life. The green sod of an Italian vale to 
 day covers two hearts that loved you but too wildly, 
 and whose reward was a pistol-shot after weeks of 
 weary wandering, and a hopeless, pining life, which 
 soon sank beneath its weight of sorrow. Then 
 there is another a widow's only son and pride 
 who frets his life away in a mad-house a mad 
 house, Nellie, to which your cruelty consigned him. 
 Oh ! Nellie Raymond, better a thousand times de 
 spoil your rare face of its dangerous beauty than 
 bear the load of sin it brings upon you, for it is 
 fearful." 
 
 A slight quiver in the erect frame of the beauti 
 ful girl was the sole response, and Alice continued 
 sadly
 
 THE COQUETTE'S FATE. 381 
 
 " Poor Walter Mayfield ! Sometimes I pass the 
 window of the cell in which he is confined, and 
 catch a glimpse of his haggard face, and he always 
 smiles like a pleased child when he catches sight of 
 me. Then I contrast him now with what he once 
 was, and weep in spite of myself over the wreck of 
 a strong, great life. He used to be so pleasant and 
 gay always, yet he was strong and self-reliant when 
 anything occurred to call forth energy or action. 
 Oh ! he was a noble, handsome man, and now he is 
 a frail, helpless, feeble man a hopeless maniac! 
 God help him!" 
 
 Nellie's face wore an expression of mingled grief, 
 defiance, and mortification ; but she remained silent 
 for a few moments, watching the tears as they rolled 
 slowly over Alice May's cheeks. In a little while 
 Alice looked up and said mournfully : 
 
 "And my own dear, only brother will be your 
 next victim. Oh, Nellie, he is all I have I am 
 alone in the world with him only to love me spare 
 him to me, for the love of mercy!" 
 
 Nellie rose with a hotly flushed cheek and flash 
 ing eye. 
 
 " Allie, how can you talk thus ? But I tell you, 
 Allie May, if art or beauty can bring your proud, 
 cold brother to the feet of woman, he shall come to 
 mine. He shall love me." 
 
 " And if he does, and you turn him from you, you 
 will murder him. Once unbend his proud nature, 
 and unlock the founts of tenderness in his heart, and 
 then cast him from you, and see the consequences. 
 Oh ! Nellie Raymond, there are enough murders on
 
 THE COQUETTE S FATE. 
 
 your soul already. Spare yourself, if you spare no 
 other." 
 
 The last words were unheeded, for Nellie had 
 swept from the room, and then poor little Allie May 
 bowed her head upon the sofa cushion and sobbed 
 piteously. She had warned her brother repeatedly, 
 but he seemed heedless, and with an aching heart 
 the gentle little sister looked forth to a hopeless, 
 desolate life for him who had ever been her all on 
 earth. 
 
 Several weeks passed away, and little Allie May 
 stood before the altar. The man she had chosen was 
 noble, true, and good, and for her feet a bright path 
 lay before her ; but there was another to whom her 
 eyes wandered uneasily Clarence May and who 
 hovered incessantly round the gay butterfly form of 
 the proud syren, Nellie Eaymond. Her dark eyes 
 flashed with triumph, and a low laugh bubbled con 
 tinually over her lips, as the proud man bent his 
 handsome, stately head with such devotion. Allie's 
 sweet lips quivered when she saw him bend down 
 and whisper in her ear, and hear the request that 
 she would walk with him upon the piazza, and the 
 two wandered off. 
 
 The moon shone brightly, and Clarence May, 
 drawing Nellie's arm within his own, walked slowly 
 down the broad gravel walk, his face upturned to 
 wards the calm stars, and a smile of infinite hap 
 piness softly wreathing his sweet mouth. 
 
 " Nellie ; " he spoke very low and softly. " Nellie, 
 I am very happy to-night happier than I had ever
 
 THE COQUETTE'S FATE. 383 
 
 hoped to be, and I want some one to sympathize 
 with me in it. Allie has another just now to occupy 
 her attention. May I tell it you?" 
 
 " Yes," she whispered softly. " None can share 
 your happiness and sympathize with you more 
 freely. Tell me all." 
 
 For a moment he was silent, only stretching out 
 his hand to draw her down upon a seat beside him. 
 After awhile he began half dreamily and very softly : 
 
 " I once believed that I could never find a woman 
 whom I could love fully and truly with such a love 
 as I must cherish for the woman whom I would call 
 my wife ; but I have found her, Nellie why do you 
 tremble so a sweet, pure-faced little thing, fresh 
 and fragrant as a budding rose, gentle as the sum 
 mer breezes, and gay and glad as the lark whose 
 eong she trills the whole day long. Tell me that 
 you rejoice in my happiness. Tell me that you will 
 love my little wife that is to be, sweet Lilly Wal 
 ton?" 
 
 But Nellie's lips were rigid and ashen, and she 
 rose up, quivering like an aspen. 
 
 " Oh, I am ill ! " she gasped. " Take me in the 
 house." 
 
 Clarence May rose hastily and supported her with 
 his arm, but she nearly repulsed him as she planted 
 her foot fiercely upon the gravel. She had learned 
 to love the man with all the hidden passion and fire 
 of her strong nature, and now he told her he had 
 won another, and that other was only a poor, but 
 beautiful seamstress, in a rich man's family. Oh, it 
 was too much ! He knew Nellie Raymond's" weak-
 
 384 THE COQUETTE'S FATE. 
 
 ness, and he had punished her fearfully, though he 
 believed in his heart that she was incapable of deep 
 feeling. 
 
 Alice went to her in answer to her brother's call, 
 and, when every one was gone from the room, she 
 held out her arms to her, white and stricken, with 
 an anguished moan 
 
 " Oh, Allie, I gave him my whole heart, and he 
 loves another!" 
 
 Then she sank down white and lifeless, and it was 
 many weeks ere Nellie Raymond woke to life and 
 consciousness. Then she was a changed, repentant 
 woman ; but it was hard to feel the soft touch of a 
 little hand, and see the light form of his wife bend 
 ing so pityingly. Oh, the punishment of her " evil 
 deeds" had come, and it was heavy and bitter! 
 
 Nellie Raymond is Nellie Raymond still, but she 
 has grown into a calm, dignified, but lovely woman. 
 She can sympathize with the suffering, because she 
 has suffered ; and strives, by tenderness and love to 
 her fellow-men, in a measure to atone for the misery 
 she wrought while yet in the noon of her pride and 
 selfish love for admiration.
 
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