RUPERT'S REWARD.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3562, 13 March 1880, Page 3

RUPERT'S REWARD.

BY "THE VAGABOND,"

OHRIBIJIAS EVE IN NEW YORK IWENTY-liYO YEAH 3 AGO. Rupert and the doctor sit up all night talking of old times. In the morning notice is sent to the asylums, but no patients are missing from them. Then the detectives are advised, and Dr Yau Rassler's theory as to the culpable criminality of some unqualified practitioner in this case is imparted to them. These go, ofi on the trail, and although they find nothing relating to ' Eve, yet doubtless they unearth other villaines perpetrated by the sham doctors of New York. An advertisement was inserted in the Tribune and Herald that the friends of ' Eve' can hear of her at the house of Rupert Living, stone, Bleeclier-street. She for a week remains almost uncon* soious, taking very little food or stimulant, but daily getting stronger,

' Tour Eve has not yet been claimed, Rupe?' says the doctor, as he calls in one evening.

'No, the detectives have no news, and there is no response to the advertisements, But what do you think of her, doctor ?

' I think that in a day or two her physical health will be quite sound. But she has received some shock which, -with the drugs giveu hor, appears to have taken away all memory. Whether these drugs'; have been administered by some quack, with tho intention of ' curing her or of driving her mad I cannot say. They've done their accursed work anyhow.' * ' But, Van, you don't mean to say that". Eve is really a lunatic ?'

' No; I think that'with the exception of the loss of memory you will find her quiet and sensible. She will just be a great baby commencing life afresh with everything to learn. But what are you going to do with hor,

'If she is nover claimed by her friends she shall stay here.'

The doctor gets up and walks up and down the library. 'Look here, iiupe, old boy,' says he, 'you've just corno backto take your place as head of the Living-' stones in Hew York society. How, you've got a position to uphold, and mustn't get into trouble with the mothers of Goshen. This girl's a lady evidently. She's as pretty as a picture as well, and if you have a handsome girl of whom no one knows anything fooling about the Livingstone mansion your gredit will suffer. The old Knickerbockers are really virtuous, and the Spuytonduyril girls who smiled so sweetly on you the other night, and with the youngest of whom you danced often, will be sour enough if they hear of your keeping an Eve here.'

'D—»n society,' cries Eupert; 'would you have me turn this child into the street, or send her to the Island? She lay there in my porch; she came to-it' unconsciously for protection. I would not turn away a dog that thus appealed to me, I tell you, Yan, that I charge myself with Eve's future. She shall live under my roof until we can arrange for some quiet country residence for her, or until her friends claim her, and the fjpuytenduyrils may go to.the'deuce.

' It is very sad,' says the'doctor, addressing the bookcase, ' to see the evil effects pf an uugodlv Continental education ou the mind of a ropreßeulaliyo oi" one of the

oldest and most respected families in New York Stale. There lie is running counter to the feelings of, a')d rursin/;, ilia lioly tilings of Goslicu —™. l.'ifn tiie doctor changed his tone find clasped Eupert by the hand. 'Bear old boy, you'ro a true Livingstone, nnd worthy to bear your father's name.' • In another week Jivo makes her appearance in tho living rooms ot the house. Eupert has not seen her sinco the night she lay within an ace of death in his porch. He had given Aunty Juno orders that the most luxurious female attiro should bo procured for his ward, as lie now styled her. In soft dove-coloured garments she is beautiful as au angel. 'My dear Miss Eve,' said Dr Yan Eassler, Met me introduce you to Mr Eupert Livingston, your guardan, 'hero.' It had been arranged that Eupert should assume this relationship. Eve places her hand trustfully in that of her preserver. Again he feols that mysterious sensation which possessed him when he first saw her face. From henceforth Eve is thoroughly domesticated in the Livingstone mansion. Here is indeed a strange existence. Memory of the past is entirely gone. The present seems as a now world to her. She goes quietly about the house saying little. She will sit for hours on a small stool in the library watching Eupert as he ialkr with Dr Yau Sassier. Eve appears to have acquired an instinctive dog-like affection for her benefactor.

Aunty Juno cherished a superstitious leverence and lovo for tho unknown. Tho manner of her coming was so wonder ful. ' The Lord sent her straight from Heaven, I 'spoae, Mas'r L'upe,' says the old mulatto woman. Two months pass liko this, Dr Van Sassier watches Eve curiously. ' Some time,' says ho to Eupert, ' she will recover her memory. A great shock or a serious illness will do it.' The doctor has fond hopes of gaining great professional hubs by the accounts he intends to write of this most extraordinary case. One strange thing about Eve is that she will never loave (ho house. She shrinks from the sight of the busy streets. Once a carriage was brought by Eupert to take her for a drive, but she shrieks ■when requested to enter. ' She has some memories in conneclion with a carriage,' says the doctor. In all things .Eve has her own way. Sho is quite an infant in many respects. A baby with the body and will power of seventeen is sot met with every day. One day Eupert says to himself,' I will shake off this folly,' and ho takes a passage for Europe, leaving Eve in charge of Aunty Juno and tho watchful doctor. These are not surprised at his leaving Hew York. A wealthy young man must naturally love the change and excitement of travel. Eve weeps bitterly when she hears that Eupert is leaving. Sho kisses his hand and embraces him like a child. He shivers, and almost repulses her. It is nearly live months before Eupert again lands in New York. Eor a long time he has heard nothing of iive, Ho had requested the doctor not to write unless anything particular should happen, as he should be incessantly travelling. Ho wished to forget; but he is rather disappointed at his request having been kept to the letter. The haekman drives him from the Jersey city ferry to Bleechr-strcst. Annfc Juno was tho first to welcome him, but her greetings are tinged with woo. ' Oh, Mas'r Eupe! Mas'r Jiupe i' she sobs, [ What is the matter, Aunty F How is Miss Eve' ho asks, There is a deep pang in his heart. He has not forgotten. ' She am ill in bed, Mas'r Eupe'. Dr Van Eassler comesfdown the stairs. Eupert's outstretched hand is taken by him coldly, and the pressure is not returned. The doctor speaks no word, but motions his friend into the library and shuts the door.

•Good heavens, Tan, what is the matter ? Speak, can't you ?' ' Eupert Livingstone, I did not write to you when I foun out the truth. I could not trust myself. Yv e were friends. Ay, we m friend 3! Eight or wrong, I cannot take from you the affection of years. I would stand by your side on the gallows, but I would sooner have'died than have .v to tax you with your perfidy to that poor helpless girl.' Perfidy to whom? To Eve? Are mad or am IP Speak!' 'Yes you have returned in time. Eye willljshortly become a mother.' For a few seconds Eupert stands in?.' movable and thou drops into a chair, like one shot through the heart. His head falls on his hands. The doctor watches him for some minutes and then places his hand kindly on his shoulder. 'Dear Eupert, our sin always finds ua out. I have made, in my own mind, all the excuses I could. I know that vour foreign education has taught you, perhaps, to respect women less than we simple bred knickerbockers. But I placed you so high in my regard; you were on such a pedestal as the grandest gentleman I knew ;'and now—' Eupert raises his head. 'Peace!' he cries. ' I was not thinking of myself, but of her I lift my hand to my mother's portrait there on tho wall, and I swear to you.Jjy her memory that I am as innocent of this thing as you aro. Oh! Tan, Ido not suspect you,. To think that you could doubt me!' The doctor clasps his friend's hands. iorgive me, Eupert, and.l am tlip happiest man m iVew York this night.' But, Tan, about her, Tell mo jg thero any danger ?' ' She has been ill for a long time. She fell into a low state after you left. Then we found this out. She is very weak. If she lives I expect bor memory will return, an 1 we shall know the mystery of her life.' Eupert rises and walks up and down tho loom. ' What shall we do then, Eupe ?' continues the doctor.

' Listen, Yan, I love that poor helpless creature better than my life. I devoie ifc fo her. If she gets better, and her mind returns, it sho will have me, I will make her my an( j m ] eafolu , { 0 make her happy to eouipcnsa'c for the damnable treachery she must have experienced. lou may look surprised, but I liave learnt a coje oi' movality aaionpst Continental revolutionists which is ratter dilierent to the n::rro;v bitted one of your cpnyicnunyrila. Prom the iiwr, when I earned hernnuy arms,! loved her. I know that her soul tvhioh has left lier so long has been in communion v.ills imno. If it will but return—'' 'Hut, Elipe, the other man p : I ' If we meet, by the God of ray fathers I will kill him,' <J!,e lips are and the firm jlnglo-i'-axon jaw set, ! '«• the first time in his life iiuperi Livim--stono looks ugly, • v 'i; (To h continur.il) ■Uicy 0 ou( 0/ liiti;: W