“ALMA.”

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2053, 8 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

“ALMA.”

Ax I'u-rru. I!'. I' aI: • l.: hi - i ■ . cf x-v ■ r r : w t ■ . — _ ciiAiTioi; xxxvn. .-V.;. Toe news of their success spread fat and wide, and hundreds of men decked to Spring Creek, so that soon the flat was taken up fur neatly ■ mile below ihtir claim. But, at last, Dart began to fret, and fairly confessed that be could not rest until ho had seen Ins si.-ter. In the whirl cf excitement in which they lived Bertie had fcr.mUc-n his own car.?, and was cow, for the first lime, remind'd of them.

“ By G- u_- ’, ' ho said, “ it strikes me that we ought to hate beard something from the police by this time! if they have failed, I vow I'll -tart after that scoundrel Vandcrdecken my-e'.t 1 Yes. you had belter go dawn to town, 'old boy, and see your sister. We cannot belli be away from here at the same tints, so t'nc scon-.r yen start the better ; as I tell you wild horses won't keep me oil that fellow's trail it the pjiice have not caught him I”

“ I il start first thing in the morning,” Mid Dart, ‘ and hurry back as soon as 1 can Is tiute auytuing I can do for you in Meibom no ?”

'■ Weil, replied Bertie with a look ol em-barr»--:;i nt, ‘ you might,as an act of politeness, look in on the Harveys while you ate there.”

“ Oh, I might, as an act cl politeness, look in on the Harveys might I ? ’ replied Dart, with a laugh. “Bertie Lcracorte allow me to tell you that you are a confounded humbug 1 Why don't you speak up like a man, own that you are sweet on the girl, and ask me to give her your love?” Bertie latr/ltcd and Llurhcd—he was very young, and had not yet forgotten the artthen he made a dive at Seth and gently boxed tint young man's ears: for it was not likely that ha would atbmit to bo laughed at by a boy, ar-d master Seth had been offensively demonstrative in exhibiting his enjoyment of the =CtDP.

“ SnaU i give her year love?' 1 repeated Dart. “Confound you, yes! I'll wring your Mrs off, you young vagabond, if you grin at me lik ■ thatTnis to Seth, who, nothing daunted, continued to grin in a most outrageous manner. “ And. whilst I am about it,” continued Dart, “ I .-uppose I may as well give her a kiss, th ? '

Der.i; met this attack by throwing a pillow at his tormentor, and a bit of thoroughly boyi-h hcr-e play ensued, for which they were u n-- tfie worse ; although, no doubt, it was extrem- !y undignified, and very unbecoming in men ol their ages and standing.

chapter XXXVIII. THE YOBaiD LETTER, The change, from the sordid discomfort ol a bush public house, to the elegance of a firstclass hotel, proved very agreeable to Alma, and Susie was in the seventh heaven ol delight. In her wildest dreams she had never pictured to herself such a life as now dawned upon her. For the first time, she began to wonder whether her own people had chosen the better part, and whether it might not be more pleasant as well as more safe, to aban don the camps of the ishmaelites, and cast in her lot with honest people. Association with a pure minded girl like Alma bad taught her that there was something ignoble in lying and dishonesty, and that the class whom she had been taught especially to despise, could be good, kind, and charitable even to those who bad wronged them. She pondered over these things long and deeply.and,at last,opened her mind to her mistress.giving a full and true history of her life, and the doctrines in which she had been brought up.

Alma listened in amazement. She had known that Susie's brother was a thief, and had suspected that many of the inhabitants of Alsatia were rot much better ; but it had never enter-’1 into her head to conceive that a girl like Susie-gentle, loving and good-nature 1 -c.juM hate been nurtured in a h-lief that it was a right and proper thing to -lea!. It was awful! She did not reflect, poor child, that our gaols arc filled with criminals who have had a eimilar edu satioo; who have be r n taught (hat wrong is right; that honesty is a delusion, an t that their duty is to prey upon others, if they would not bs preyed upon themselves. She did not know that each unfortunates learn to regard imprisonment as an accident, which must, in the course of events, belal them at some time or another, and seek only to put off the evil day as long as possible. Social economy was seldom studied by ladies in those days; and, tor all that had arisen through a knowledge of its laws, it might vail be said that it was little in favor with the sterner aex. Like many another, Alma thought that criminals were made, not born criminals—had she been wiser, she would navt known that, like poets, they are born, not made. '

Bat Sane wu not t criminal: she was lonng R “ 1, wbow miallWd, led her into crime, , no * tojedoe come to her in tima •toa talked with bet long and earnestly.

and Susie inwardly swore a mighty oath that she would never enter tbc Ishroaelite camp again. The time had arrived when, according to hia promise, Harry Lascelles ought to have made his appearance ; but the day passed by and ho came not, nor sent any message to account for his absence. Alma felt vaguely uneasy, and appealed to her uncle for information. » Harry ought to have been here to-day, uncle.' 1 she eaid, as she took up her bedroom candlcrPck. *• Do you know whether he Las arrived in town yet?” i I believe so,” replied the Professor—a monstrous lie, for be knew nothing about it; hut it was hi? policy to estrange the young people, and he began to think he saw his wav. “ Vou could not expect him to leave his friends on his very first night in town, ray dear. I daresay that they are having a jolly carouse over his recovery, and, propsbly, by this time, be is in scarcely a lit elate to present himself before a lady.” Alma could not reply. She felt outraged—-indignant--hut it would be useless to declare her belief in hia incapability of misconducting himself, in the face of the stern tact that be had promised to call on her, and had not kept his word. She contented herself with wishing her uncle a cool good-night, and be. taking herself to her bedchamber, there to pour her woes into the sympathetic ears c! little Susie.

As soon as she had retired, the Professor donned bis hat, and went off to tbe escort barracks. Having learned that no news bad come to hand of Lieutenant Lascelles, he returned to the hotel in high good-humor, and made himself particularly agreeable in tbe smoking-room.

Next morning, he descended to the ball, about the time tbe post was delivered, and was made happy by the receipt of a letter with the Kilmore poet mark addressed to Miss Alma Tredegar.

Tbe perusal e.l this epistle, which was, of course, the budget written by Harry L iscelles, caused Mr. Stephen Tredegar the purest de light he had witnessed (or some time. He literally revelled in it, smacking his lips over the more fervent passages, as it be wera enjoying a basin of turtle-soup. Then he returned to his niece.

“ My dear,” he began, 11 we shall have to leave this hotel. The charges are altogether beyond my means. Indeed, lam so short ol money, that I fear we shall have to content ourselves with some very humble lodgings for the present." “I am very sorry, uncle,” said Alma, •• I bad no idea that you were pressed lot money." “ I never thought I should be, Alma ; but certain remittances that I expected from I’.nglandhave not arrived, and I invested the greater portion of the money I had with me in a claim at Snob's Gully. I think the best thing we can do for the present is to go a little way ont of town. I understand the lodgings are cheaper in the suburbs ” “ But Harry, uncle?" falterad Alma, with downcaM evee.

•• He can’ come to you there, as well as here,” replied the Professor, with not the least sign of impatience. “I will leave cur address for him, and I can call here every day for our letters.” The girl had no choice but to obey, and that afternoon they moved into lodgings at Si.Kilda. But Mr. Tredegar totally forgot to leave bis new address at the hotel as ho had promised, although he called there deliger.tly enough for his letters. D .ys passed, but still no word came from Harry Lsscclies, and poor little Alma began to despair.

“ Surely, Sti’ie,” she said to her confidante, one evening, as she was brushing her nair in the bedroom. “ Surely something must have happened to him, or he would at least have written to me?”

“But you saw in the papers, miss, that Lieutenant Lasoeiles had resumed duty, having quite recovered from his weunds,”

“It is true !” said Alma, with a eob. “ I wonder—oh, I wonder?—is it possible that he has grown tired of me ?” “ Nonsense, miss I” replied Susie, “ Don’t you get no such (oolishne<s into your head. Tired of you, indeed I I should like to see the man who would get tired of you in a hurry !”

“Oh, but you don't know the world, Susie.” said Alma, with a Minerva-like shake of the head. “ Men are so—they love you one day, and are running after another girl the moment your back is turned. Oh, I wish I knew what to behove.”

“ B Ueve ha is true till you know he isn’t, miss. Taem’s my sentiments, and you can't go wrong if you follows em.” “He may have thought me forward—anmaidenly. You know it was not quite the thing to run over and nurse him ; and then I never attempted to hide my love for him. Hiavo heard that if you want to keep the love of a man, you should always conceal your own for him.” “He wasn’t no chap o’ that sort, miss. Why, I never ace a true hearted gentleman than Mr. Harry Lascelles 1 He ain’t no deceiver. I’d co bail.”

But it was no use-nothing that Susie could say could bring consolation; and, at last, sbo again addressed herself to her uncle. “ Uncle,” she said " I wish you would try to find out for me why Mr. Harry Lascelles has neither called not written as be said he would.' "By the way," said the Professor, as if he bad thought nothing about it before. “It is rather strange that we have not heard from him. I saw in the papers that he had resumed duty. It is certainly not very courteous of him to neglect you after all your kindness to him. " I cannot believe he is doing it on purpose,” replied Alma. “If you would only tty to find him out?" “ I will certainly, my dear. He owes us an explanation of his conduct, in any event. I will call at the barracks this very day and have it out with him." ” You will net speak crossly, to him,uncle?” said Almo, imploringly, “ Good gracious, no child 1 What should I want to speak to him too crossly for ? It is tiue that if I find he has wilfully ngglected us, I shall feel it my duty to tell him a bit of my miad. as the saying is; but I am not going to be cross, my dear, for between ourselves, I do not think the young gentleman is worth the trouble I" Having launched this parting shaft, the wor'hy Professor betook himself to tnvn.and carefully avoided showing himaalf in any place where he was likely to meet Mr. Harry I.ascdUs.

That evening, ho pretented himself to his niece with two letters in his hands.

My dear,” he began, placing his hand on her iffioul kr?. with a great show of tenderness. •'1 have some painful news for you ; promise in: that you will he a bravo girl, and bear it calmly.” '• Oh, Harry is dead I” she cried, bursting into tears. “He is dead 1 I knew it—l knew B."

of the sort, child,” said the Profny “Mr. Harry Lascelles is as well as Otw to WM in bis life; but he is dead to you tettoMtoki Bit down, and listen to me quietly." fim« bomHBMH to no placed in an UB ‘ , toi£^^^Hto > seated himself ll hag hand affectionme asked tone

are so many in that locality. The door was opened to me by a showily-dressed young woman, with very red cheeks, and very black eyes. I asked for Mr. Lascslles, and was told he was out, but would probably return home in a few minutes, and she osked me to walk in and wait for him. 1 began to suspect something, and, after I got inside, I quastioned the young woman. The result of my questioning was that she admitted that she was living there, nominally as his wife, and she declared that he had promised to marry her.” Alma sobbed, and burled her face in her hands. The Professor continued ;

“ I had told tho young woatan my name, and she suddenly asked me whether I was any relation to you. I said that I was your uncle and guardian. ‘ Tnen you can tell the young woman,’ she said, ” that she needn’t come running after ray Harry any more, because he’s just thoroughly sick of her’.” Alma moaned, but her undo was pitiless.

“ I replied that, at least, we should require some other assurance to that effect, although, of course, after what I had seer, I knew you would never receive him again. Then she produced this letter and told mo that I might keep it. • That’ll about convince you of the state of things,' she eaid, ‘ you can keep it— I've got plenty more. I read the letter, and left the house; had I remained in it until Mt. Harry Lascelles returned, old as I am compared to him, I would have foiled him to tbe earth 1 Take the letter, child—l will leave you alone, while you read it—upon my return I shall have to speak to you about another matter.” He, being about as consiatantly cold-blooded a wretch as ever tortured the heart of a young girl, bent over his niece, and imprinted a kiss upon her forehead—further carrying on the deception so far as to heave a distinct sigh as he walked out of tbe room. Who could doubt such a kind, sympathising, affectionate uncle as that ? Not certainly tbe poor girl who had been in hia toils since her parents died, and left her with no other protector. The letter —a forgery which bad occupied the Professor’s leisure hours for some days—purported to come from Harry Lasoslles, and was dated from tbe Mountain Hat, during the last days of his convalesence. It began “My own darling Dolly” and, after a fulsome expression of affection, went on to recount hia mishap, and told how be had been nursed by a 11 gushing little damsel,” with whom he had flirted some time previously in Germany. “ The unfortunate young creature is passionately in love with yours truly,” it went on, " and I am obliged to pretend to reciprocate. My own pet will forgive me, under the circumstances, I know. She has even kissed mo onoe or twice, and I tried to fancy it was another pair of lips that wero pressed to mine, but it wouldn’t do, (here is a wide difference between the kiss of love and tbe kiss of flirtation.”

Alma could not read any further. She threw the letter upon the floor, and act her foot upon it, her eyes flaming with indignation.

“The coward 1” she cried, ‘‘The mean, despicable cur I Oh, shall I ever forget the insult 1”

The door opened softly, and Stephen Tredegar entered, unperoeived by the girl, who stood with hearing bosom, and dilated eyes, half mad with indignation at the horrible indignity to which she fancied she had been subjected. Her uncle coughed, and, as she turfied with a wan smile, he opened his arms, aut? received her into his embrace.

“ Forget it, dear,” he said, as affectionately as if ha had been a loving father. Forget the man and all about him. We will leave Melbourne—away from here, you will not have anything to remind you of tho past. See, I was going to show you this letter, which calls me away to Sydney at once. I had thought to leave you here during my absence ; but perhaps now you would prefer to go with me?” “ Oh, yes, yea I” sobbed the girl, clinging convulsively to his boson. “Take me away anywhere; and never, never let mo hear tho name of that man again I” Amongst the passengers by the steamer for Sydney, which started cm the following day, appeared the name of Mr. and Miss Tomkins and servant. Under another alius the Prolessor thought security was assured. The reader may ask why ho did not leave for Sydney immediately after his arrival in Melbourne; but there was good reason lor his not doing so. In tho first place, he know that Johnson could not reach there lor many days, and that it was by no means certain that Alma would have consented to accompany him, without, at least, another meeting with Harry, which it was necessary to avoid it possible. It was also necessary for the Professor's j] plans that the lovers should be estranged from one another, and an excellent opportunity offered for effecting such estrangement, under circumstances which would avert suspicion, and render a reconciliation almost impossible. Mr. Stephen Tredegar thought of everything, forgot nothing, and never allowed himself to be hurried —he was a most admirable tactician.

CHAPTER XXXIX. * MRS. SURIMPTOJJ. When Hairy Lasoelles was pronounced fit to travel—which occurred after a four days' rest at Kilmore—he hurried down to Melbourne, and, without stopping to change hia clothes, prooeedsd at once to the Port Phillip Hotel. His disappointment at learning that Alma and her uncle had gone, without leaving any address behind them, together with the exertion of a hard rido of many miles, ootnbined to bring about another relapse; but the will is very powerful over the human frame, and he so straitly determined to get well, that he soon recovered.

Anticipating an early meeting with Alma, he had not asked, or expected an answer to his letter ; but, when days passed, and his enquiries at the hotel invariably dieted the same discouraging reply, ho began to wonder why, if as he imagined, her uncle had purposely omitted to leave hia address at the hotel, she did not write to him, for she must have known he was at the barracks. He had taken steps to direct her attention to the fact that he was in Melbourne, by scouring the insertion in the papers o! a paragraph to the effect that he had recovered from hia wounds, and was able to resume duty, and the only possible solution he could imagine for the enigma was that she had been suddenly attacked by some serious illness.

When this idea occurred to him, he did what it might have been wiser to have done at first—ha invoked the aid of the detcotivo force. Now, so many strangers were daily arriving and departing at that timo, that far more remarkable personages than the Professor and his party would have been difficult to trace; but it so happened just as ha had begun to despair, the cabman, who had driven them to St. Kilda, appeared on the scene.

Harry had just dismissed the man-who had given him some clue to their whereabouts—when, to his intense astonishment, Dart Tredegar entered the room. “ Why, God bless my soul I Who would have thought to see you here ?” ho exclaimed, exchanging a hearty hand grip with the young man. “ When did you arrive from England?” “Been here some months,” replied Dart. " I can’t conceive how you don’t happen to know it, for there was quite enough about us and oar movements in the papers,”

“ I never saw your name mentioned, and I read the papers pretty regular.” ‘ N iw I come to think of it, it is quite pov-.b’a that you did net. I think they ,'.v,->ys spoke of us as Sir Charles North and puny.” “ Confound my stupid memory ("exclaimed Harry. “Of course, I heard of Sit Charles North being here ; but I quite forgot that it was to him you were about to go when yon left Greberuhal, But how is it that you did not look me up before '?” *“ Never knew you were here until the es-’ cut robbiry. Thought you were leading a birjolie 1 f ’ somewhere in (he interior of Naw South Wdi". The first 1 heard of you was when I was looking alter that wretched uncle of m : oe, and ft party informed me that you had been in charge of the escort, and had been nursed by my sister. By the way, how is tire little girl getting on ? I’ve not seen or hoard from her for nearly a year.” ” I wish to goodness I could tell you," replied Harry, gloomily. “ Why, what on earth do you mean ? You have not quarrelled surely ?” *• God blew her, no! she and T had our last quarrel, i hone, under the walls of that old cactlo where I first met her. But the fnec is, that uncle of yours has given me the slip, and carted her away to parts unknown.”

“ Then why the devil doesn’t she write to you?” asked Dart, with irritation. “ That is ju >t what troubles me. I wrote her a long letter some days ago, and the poopla of the hotel where she was staying, ttfiirm positively that she received it. She know my address right enough, and why she has not answered it I cannot conceive, unless, indeed, she is ill.” ” Have you taken no steps to find out their address?” “ Yes, and five minutes before you arrived I got tho first clue. I set the detectives at work and they succeeded in ferreting out the cabman who drove your uncle and his party from the hotel. He remembers taking them to a lodging house in St. Kilda, close to a church. The landlady’s name is Shrimpton —he is certain of that because he distinctly remembers thinking of prawns when he saw the name on the door-plate.” “ Then for goodness sake shove on your hat, and let’s run out there at onoe 1” exclaimed Dart. “ Just send somebody for a cab whilst yon are getting ready.”

“ I’ll do better,” replied Harry, ringing the tell. “ Til drive you there myself. I’ve pot a nest little dog cart, and a pony that can trot a few—we could give the beet cab in Melbourne half-an-hour’s start, and then get in first.”

On their way to Si. Kilda, Dart gave Harry a full account of hia adventures in Australia, and of the surprising good fortune which had befallen him, and his partners, Bertie Lsraccrto and Seth Parkins.

“ Now I como to look at you,” said Harry, “ I am not at all surprised to hear of your success. You’ve got a regular lucky-digger look about you. I shouldn’t feel in the least surprised to sea you light your pipe with a live-pound note, or hear you order a oharapsgno foot-bath. But who are your partncia ?”

“■The finest fellows in the world 1” exclaimed Dart, enthusisetioa'ly. “Bertie Lcraoorte is a retired middy, the son of an old friend of Sir Charles Norih—you must have heard of him? He was tried for that robbery of the Pride of the Ocean.” “ Don’t remember much about it,” replied Harry. “ I was on the station at the time, and terribly hipped. Was ho found guilty ?” “ What a question. If he had been found guilty how could he be with me now?” “ Ah, yes—l eupposa not,” said Harry. “I remember now, he was acquitted, but everybody knew he was in the swim.” “Than everybody knew what is a lie!” exclaimed Dart, angrily. “ Bertie Leracorte is a gentleman and a man of honor, and he is no more capable of meanness or dishonesty than either you or I.” “ Did you ever find yourself hungry and not know where to get a meal ?” asked Harry, quietly. “ Never, thank God I” “ Then, until you have undergone that experience, do not lie too sure about not committing a robbery. I know if 1 cafne to a question of starving or stealing, I should not hesitate one moment, myself.”

“You would steal rather than starve 7” “ I would rob a church, if nothing hotter offered. You look shocked, my dear fellow; but let me tell you that I know what starvation means. I was bushed once for four days, and Caracas near dying of hunger as a man could get and recover. Ever since that time, I have always had some sympathy for hungry people, even when they take to cannibalism.” “ It must be a very horrible death,” said Dart. “Don’t talk of it—l feel hungry .at the very remembrance of what I suffered. Now, if your ftiend, Mr. Leraoorte--’’ “ Don’t bo absurd 1” interrupted Dart. “Bertie Leraoorte was hard up, but things had not oome to that nass with him. Decides, ho Had obtained a snamtua, mid was provided for, there is no possible analogy between his case and that of a starving man.”

“ Well, I take it for granted that he is all that you say, and a great deal more. What is your other partner like ? Is he also one of Natur’ noblemen under a cloud Dart laughed. “Ho is indeed one of Nature’s noblemen, but I am not aware that he is under a cloud. lie is an American boy of about fourteen and small for his years, but the smartest, brightest, funniest, best-hearted little devil in the world I”

“That’s just the kind of boy I want,” said Harry. ■ “ Will you 801 l him ?” “ Sell him 7 Why he is a full partner in the claim, and worth at this moment some five thousand pounds at least. Besides, ha does not belong to me, enyhow—Leraoorte found him, and the boy would not leave him for all the money in Australia.” “ This must bo the chop, I think,” said Harry, pulling up in front of a house, on the front ol which there was a huge braaa plate, beating the legend, “ Mrs. Sbrimpton.” Dart jumped cut and rang the bell, whilst Harry fastened the reins to a toot-board, and then followed him.

After some little delay, during which there was some noise of shuffling and whispering in the interior, the door was opened by a tall, gaunt female in a rusty silk gown and a wonderful cap. “ I presume I am addressing Mrs. Shrimpton ?” said Dart.

“Which I am .Airs. Shrimpton,” was the reply. “ Was you come to look at the apartments?'’

“ Ws came to see Allas Tredegar,” replied Dart. “ I am her brother. I believe she and my undo are staging with you?” “ Which they was a-Hoppiug ’ere,” replied tha landlady, " but they loft us, to-morror ’ll be the third day.” “Damnation !” exclaimed Harry. Then, seeing the look of horror which the pious yhrimpton assumed, ho apologhad for using such strong language, and explained the cause of his annoyance. "Wo have been hunting them all over the country, madam,” he said, “ and you must admit is enough to make a fellow swear to bo disappointed again just when wc thought wo had found them.” , Airs. Shrirnidon moved her head heaved a virtuous sigh. “ To the awakened, uisapp’intmenta may be an doocemeut to make use of profane langWM| but them as puts their trust in the IMBB knows that such ohastenings is for the MM

of their souls, Will you step inside if you please, gentlemen—the rheumatics troubles me that bad that I dursn’t expose myself to the hair.”

They were ushered into a shifty little parlor, and Dart then asked the landlady whether she could inform him where bis uncle and sister bad gone. 11 Which, not to deceive you, gentlemen, I cannot; but our Mary Jane do say as she hear Susie—that’s the maid, gentlemen—ask Miss Tredegar how long it ’ad take to go to Sydney. By which I jedge that Sydney is the place they was goin’ to, and Mary Jane, she agrees with me.” Dart thanked Mrs. Sbrimpton tor tbe information, and handed her a sovereign for Mary Jane, which the lady promised faithfully to deliver, and they departed. 11 Bet you five to one the slavey never sees that sovereign,” said Harry, as be gathered up the reins. “I never expected she would, but I couldn’t very well offer tbe old woman money directly, so I took that method for rewarding her for her trouble.”

“ And thereby led her into committing larcenoy as a bailee,” eaid Harry, “ Upon my word, you are a nice young man-I” 11 It won’t be her first offence," Dart retorted. ” Whenever you heat a party talk about ‘the Board,’ you may rely upon it there’s a screw loose somewhere.”

They ascertained what vessel had left (or Sydney on the two previous days, and examined (he passenger lists, but without result—neither of them conceiving it possible that the Professor would assume another alias— and then they came to the conclusion that he had not yet left Melbourne.

CHAPTER XL. THE PRETTIEST LITTLE DROWN GIRL IS THE WORLD The history of speculation has yet to be written. When it is, the reader will find that not even the extraordinary vagaries, which were occasioned by what is known as the South Sea Bubble, offer clearer proof of the innate madness of Man than was afforded by the discovery of gold in Australia. We read with wonder how high bred ladies and tender girls fought with costermongers for a place in the great gambling temple of the early part of the last century, but they went merely to speculate in shares. Their madness was strange, but not absolutely without reason, for, at any moment, a lucky stroke might bring them riches. Gan we say the same of thoro who flocked to Australia during the first years of the gold-fever? These came not to speculate—to buy or sell—they came to work, for, at first, money was not to be made in any other way. Aged, broken-down, gentlemen, with growing families, young spendthrifts, with hands as soft as those of a woman, hastened to the land of gold, hoping at once to retrieve their fortunes. Alas I for such there was no place, and, after a brief struggle, they, for the most part, sank in the great gully which hides such unfortunates from view, and either died, wornout and heart-broken, or descended to menial occupations, which, needing neither skill nor strength, can never command more than a mere pittance in the labor-market. Such a fate threatened Mr. Harvey when Sir Charles North made his acquaintance and saved him. The old gentleman had made feeble efforts to earn a living, but each essay had resulted in a failure, and he was almost at the end of his resources when Sir Charles, on returning from the gold-fields, offered him the agency of his business in Melbourne. Sir Charles had purchased shares in claims, and laid out some thousands of pounds in house property and land, he needed someone to collect his rents, receive dividends <fec., and Mr. Harvey was just the man for the purpose—such an occupation was about all he was fit for.

Amongst Sit Charles’s purchases, was a pretty little cottage at South Yarra, which he had bought furnished, and here he installed the Harveys rent free. With a handsome salary, and commissions as well, Mr, Harvey was once more in a position to hold up his head in the world; and, under the cheering influences of prosperity, such as he had not known for many years, the old gentleman blossomed into quite a genial character, and gradually became a shining light in commercial circles.

Grace had borne poverty and discomfort with dignified equanimty, and, when the happy change came, she showed no exultation ; but the sweet, serious smile, with which she had been wont to greet her friends, brightened into a happy laugh, and what she lost in dignity she gained in oheeriness. Under this new aspect, she seemed to have gone back in years, and become a child again, for she was so happy she sang all day long, and danced about the house like a little fawn.

The very ancient female, who officiated as maid of all work in the humbls household, owned to her intimates that her mistress was a puzzle to her. “ She looks to be a grown woman,” she would say, “but shs's that childish, there’s times I’m minded to oiler her lollys if she’ll only be quiet. And helpful with it all—never makes no bones of doing her share of the work. Ido assure you, Mrs. Brown, mum, it’s as good a place as I’d wish to see. Not another drop for me, mum I Well, it yon will be so pressin’, I’ll take a thimbleful. Here’s my best respez, mum, and many on ’am.”

The cottage had been occupied by people of refined taste, and the furniture, though inexpensive, was nest and pretty. The tiny drawing-room boasted a bow-window, the recess of which Grace was wont to sit of an afternoon and work. She was so engaged one day when the gate opened, and Dart Tredegar entered the garden, accompanied by a gentleman whom she did not know, but who will be recognised by the reader as Harry Lasoelles. At first sight ol Dart, Grace started, and blushed violently, for she thought that the tall gentleman besides him was that of another young gentleman; but the ruddy glow on Harry’s whiskers soon dispelled the illusion, and she sank back in her chair, terribly disappointed Then, ashamed of her weakness, she jumped up and ran to let them in, lor she was alone in the house, the ancient domestic having gone out marketing.

Dart met her with a very warm shako of the hand, and could not help envying his friend the possession of the heart of such a fair creature. But he was loyal, and would no more have thought of wooing her on his own account than if she had been his sister.

“ Let me present my friend, Mr. Harry Lasoelles,” be said. “ You must have heard of him from my Bister Alma. “Mr. Lasoelles seems quite like an old friend,” replied Grace, with a amilo which Slainly told that she had been in Alma oonfienoe. "And when did you come to town, Mr. Tredegar ?” she asked, when they were seated in the drawing-room. “ Two days ago," replied Dart. “ I came down hoping to find Alma, bnt have been again disappointed.” “Has your nnelo returned to town, (hen ?”

“ Yes, and it seems probable that he has flown again. But I must give you a fall, (me and particular account of our adventures, and so I had better begin at the beginning.” He then recapitulated the story Of (he eseort robbery, and all that had oojTOed since, winding up with the visit to 'JnhShrimpton on the proceeding day. i&flMnßMinunensely interested in the rethat portion of it wbid|

dealt with the cut-o i-Mr Jvhuioo, id'uf Vanderdeekcn. “ Have the police found 'hat nun yet?” she asked, when t had Nud. u. “ You mean B-stitTo from ) ?—V.VIi, I fear not, or.wc should have heard of it. B-wiie swears ho will stun in obam himself, if fhev fail.” *' And how is Mr. l.'roeorle? ’ a: ked tlrnco, with an assumption of imih'l-ULUce.w .ieli wes too elaborate io be no'oral. "Qiite well—blooming, in r L i:;l of fact. He eats enormously, anl m as in own a.? a berry, whilst his hands r.ro as hard as those of a blacksmith.'' Grace smiled, but it wat cvM.ml that she was not too well pk-ai-vd this cisrci-pe-tful way of talking of hit lur.i, so li.ruy hastened to add that B.nio had commA. sioned him to deliver all sorts of compliments on hia behalf to her r,n 1 to Mr. ilarv.y. “He is a jolly good fellow, ’’he paid, in conclusion ; *• And I thani my stars, I've got him for a partner.” This time, the smile that illumined tho young lady’s (ace was accompanied by a bright flush of pleasure, and Dart began to (eel envious again. Just then, there was a sound of patsring feet, and rustling garments, and a swMt young voice called out "Gnwel Grace I Where are you 7 I’ve got the most lovely little dog yon ever saw—” here the door opened, and there ran in thp prettiest iittle brown girl in the world. All rose as she entered, and she stood for a moment embarrassed, and then walked slyly up to Grace, who kissed h:r affectiunamly, and presented her to the gentleman as Mi?s Aimee Urantomo.

They saw a tiny little giil—whose (leveloped figure showed that she was on the verge of womanhood—with sparkling black eyes, thick masses of unruly black hair, and a complexion of that, warm brown tint which is peculiar to Creoles. She was dreeved in black, relieved by trimming; of dark gold, and a black lace shawl was thrown over h<r bead in the fashion of a mantilla. Dart fell irretrievable in love with hrr at first right, and actually lost his voice for the remainder of the inttrriew. “ Aimee is our next-door neighbor, and the only friend I have in Melbourne,” said Grace, placing her hand caressingly on tho gill’s shoulder. “ What have you get the/e, dear?” “A dog,” replied Aimee, exposing to view a tiny rough terrier which ehu had wrapped in her shawl. “ The dearest little dug in the world. Papa has just brought him heme. Isn’t it a darling?” pin lit-: ('uxnxi ; ’>A