name of an office until nearly twelve o'clock. As he was about | be safe in your bed. I knowed him by de ole hat he had on, to leave, a timid knock came to the door, and he opened it. To his all knocked on one side." surprise, he recognized Sambo, the former servant of Richard Having ascertained that the man had disappeared, Arthur Wentworth, whose arrival in Mississippi should have been duly sought for some matches, and relighted the lamp. As he held chronicled as occurring many months before this time. The it over the face of the man, who proved to be quite dead, he old negro had chosen to spend his last days with the child of thought the features familiar to him. Causing Sambo to rethe master he continued faithfully to love, when he had estranged move the hat and a wig he wore, he at once recognized him as himself from other friends. the incendiary he had believed safe in the penitentiary in the Clayton saw that his unexpected visitor was much excited, neighboring State of Arkansas, and the negro also exclaimed: and he said:

"Well, dis beats all! Ef dis ain't Bob Waters, what used to

"Come in, Sambo, and tell me what brings you hither at so be 'mong dem knobsmen in Ole Virginny, I'll give up! What unseasonable an hour?" bring de creetur here, I wonder?-and what for he have a grudge against you, sir?''

With one spring he bounded in, closed the door rapidly, and then, before the astonished young man could speak, he blew out the lamp that dimly burned upon the table. In explanation, he made violent gestures toward the window, which had neither curtain nor shutter, as he whispered:

"White men on your track !-gwhine to shoot you through the winder ef ole Sambo hadn't a-heard 'em plannin' it. Look dar! See now ef 'twa'n't right

to get rid o' de light."

Arthur looked in the direction in which he pointed, and saw, by the clear starlight without, a head thrust close to the window, which was presently joined by another, and as the last comer moved his arm, he saw the glitter of a pistol-barrel. Why they sought his life, and with such deadly intent, he did not know; but in a moment his blood was seething, and he was ready for the fray, even against such odds. Fortunately, he had a pair of revolvers in his pocket with which he had that morning been trying his skill with a

young companion in shooting at a mark, little dreaming it would so soon be called into play. He knew they were both loaded, for he had just prepared them for another round when the other party was called away. He gave one of them to Sambo, and whispered:

"Now call up all your courage, old man, and pick off one of these fellows, while I deal with the other. They are outside preparing for a rush; but, as I am on my guard, we will try and prove more than a match for them."

A slight shuffling and sup

"It is only the old grudge of the detected thief against him who aided in punishing him."

It is not our purpose to follow him in the steps taken to have Waters identified, and the true circumstances of the fray made known. A pocket-book was found in the dead man's possession, which Clayton undertook to examine; and he was truly

thankful that the task devolved on him, as he found there such information concerning his unhappy cousin, and the man she had married, as he would not have had fall into the hands of any other person.

There was a letter from Arnold informing Waters of his union with Miss Clayton, formed in the belief that her first bridegroom had perished; but the news had come as a thunderbolt to him, that Arthur Clayton yet lived; and he urged his agent, by every tie that bound them together, to rid him of his rival without delay-that, in learning news so fatal to her peace, Otelia might at the same time learn that she could legalize her marriage with himself. A draft for a large sum, drawn in Arnold's name, and payable in New Orleans, was folded in this. After reading it, Arthur sat in a species of bewilderment, trying to arrange his ideas, and see what must be the result to his hapless cousin.

That she was married to a villain was plain; that the tie was legal he had strong doubts, though both parties must be held innocent in contracting it; so Clayton made

pressed whispering was heard, and then the men seemed to sta- | preparations to set out for Virginia without delay. Otelia must tion themselves near the door, as if expecting their intended victim to issue from it, unsuspicious of the danger that lay upon his path.

Five minutes passed in suspense, during which Clayton had great fears that his sable ally would find his courage oozing out at his finger ends; but Sambo manfully stood his ground, with his weapon resolutely pointed in the direction of the door. Suddenly it was thrown open from without, and four pistols were simultaneously discharged.

When the smoke cleared away, one of the assailants lay upon the floor apparently dead, and the other one fled from the scene with a severe wound in his arm, while Sambo was entirely uninjured, and Clayton only had his hair a little singed by the bullet that was aimed at his brain.

Sambo knelt down by the man on the floor, exclaiming: "I kilt dis here, Marse Clayton; caze he's de one I fired at. I meant to kill him, for he said as loug as he lived you'd never

be shown the precipice on which she stood, and rescued at all hazards from the wretch into whose power she had fallen. The cold-blooded carnestness with which Arnold urged his own destruction filied Arthur with horror.

He decided to go to Virginia by the way of New Orleans, as that would afford him an opportunity of seeing Dora before he left, and informing her of the new phase his affairs had assumed. His bride wedded to another, would she still refuse him hope for the future? In a state of feverish restlessness, he took passage on the first boat that passed down the river, and on the evening of the second day after his departure was landed in New Orleans.

With a heart beating with renewed hope, though in its depths lay a heavy load of sorrow for her toward whom he journeyed to reveal that her fortune was so awfully blighted, Clayton ascended the flight of steps which leads into the rotunda of the St. Charles Hotel. He felt his hand grasped immediately on

and when he hears what has occurred here, he will doubtless have destroyed me, but for my awakening at the critical mocome back at once."

Until then, let my young lady remain in ignorance of this news, I entreat. Mr. Arnold has written-when he receives the confirmation of the fact, then let him act. I must tell you, Mr. Carleton, that my young lady suffers from palpitation of the heart, and a sudden shock may be fatal to her. Remember how her father died, and be careful what you do."

"I would spare her as long as possible, but I must have a few words with Mr. Arnold before I leave. Go to him, and tell him I must see him on a matter of vital importance to himself." Anita unwillingly obeyed. Arnold at first refused to leave the table, but a few whispered words from the messenger caused him to rise and follow her with unsteady motion into the presence of Mr. Carleton. He spoke in maudlin tones:

"Well, my venerable and most respected old reverend, you've come here to warn me that I am a poacher on this manor, eh? All I have to say is, that I'm not going to be pitched out of this saddle by Arthur Clayton, when the reins are in my own hands. I don't care the gnap of my finger if he is living, when the heiress of the property is mine in heart and soul."

"But if she is not legally your wife, Otelia will refuse to live with you; and I wish to consult with you about revealing to ber what must be so terrible a blow to her."

"She shan't be told till I see the reason for so doing myself. I don't choose to believe that Clayton is living, unless he comes here and shows himself. No one knows of the first marriage, but you and those here who will keep the secret; and I would advise you to keep this news to yourself, unless you wish to get into a worse scrape than marrying Miss Clayton to me has already brought you into."

His defiant and insulting tone convinced Mr. Carleton that nothing was to be gained by reasoning with such a man, and in a state of miserable uncertainty as to what he should do, he mounted his horse and rode away.

"No time is to be lost now," muttered Anita, as she watched his receding form from a window. "That charm don't work, and I must. I must watch my opportunity, and get rid of him before the other comes; for my darling will go mad if she knows the true position she occupies. She can't grieve for this man much now, for he has shown all his baseness and selfishness to her."

ment. I demand of you that secret which has given you such
power in this house, for I need it for a similar purpose. I have
been revolving in my mind the means of wringing it from you,
and you have furnished me with them now."
"My own

"I will never yield it to you," she firmly said.
life is of trifling importance in comparison with that."
"We shall see, Madame Anita. When death stares you in
the face you may think differently. I have here the means of
taking your life at once," and he pressed the muzzle of his pis-
tol to her side; "but that shall be the last resource.
have attempted to destroy me, and it becomes necessary to kill
you. I have only to produce that vial which lies upon the
floor, swear that I but defended myself, and who will interfere
with me?"

You

Anita knew that he spoke but the truth, and a fearful convulsion passed over her face as the reality of her position forced itself upon her. With all her pride, all her native defiance, she had a cowardly fear of death. Arnold placed the pistol out of her reach, and taking a silk handkerchief from his pocket, rapidly made a noose of it, which he could slip or tighten at his pleasure. She put up her hands to prevent him throwing it over her head, but she was no match for him in strength; he seized them, held them down in a grasp of iron, and put the noose around her throat. The next moment she was suffocating under his clutch—and he hissed in her ear:

"Hold up your hand as a signal that you will do my bidding, or I will choke you to death, you old villain."

When consciousness had almost subsided he loosened the knot, and threw water over her until she recovered breath and volition. He then asked:

"Was that enough, or shall I try it again?"

"The secret is of no value to you; it only concerns my young lady," she muttered, as she pressed her hands upon her eyeballs, which seemed as if starting from her head.

66

For that reason I choose to have it. I will be Otelia's master, if I am proved not to be her lawful husband; so confess, or I'll—”

He stood over her, and again grasped the murderous handkerchief. Anita felt it tightening, and she believed this time it would prove fatal-she threw up her hand convulsively, and he again gave her breathing space. She sat up, collected her thoughts, and with her old vindictive glance said:

"I warn you, Mr. Arnold, that this revelation will give you no new power over missy. I believe, on the contrary, that when you know all that I can tell, you will yourself leave the Park and its ill-starred owner to her sad fate."

"Bah! don't think I'm such a fool. Come-begin; I am anxious to fathom this mystery which has puzzled me so long." At that moment there was a slight movement behind the curtain which vailed the oriel window, and a faint glimpse of a

Anita took from its receptacle the tiny crystal vial with its tightly-fitting glass stopper and kid covering, to preserve the deadly liquid within, and placed it carefully in her pocket. From that hour she watched the steps of Arnold with a solicitude that finally met its reward-though weeks elapsed before she surprised him lying apparently in a sound sleep upon the sofa in the library. It was verging toward twilight, and the sombre appearance of the room was increased by the heavy curtains, which were lowered in front of the deeply embayed win-pale, pale face was visible one moment, as an incautious movedow we have before described. They were drawn together, and Anita glanced cautiously around the room to ascertain that her intended victim was quite alone. He lay upon the sofa on his left side, with his hair tossed back from the opposite temple, and if he had purposely placed himself at her mercy, his position could not have been more favorable to her design.

With compressed lips, and fingers that did not even tremble with agitation, she rapidly unclosed the vial, and was in the act of tilting it above his car when he suddenly turned, half unclosed his eyes, and in an instant comprehended her design. To seize her hand with a grasp of iron, wrench the vial from it, and dash it from him, was the work of an instant. Then the two stood face to face, and Arnold sardonically said:

"So-I have you in my power at last, and I will now wring from your fears what you have so pertinaciously refused to tell

me.

He strode to the door, locked it, and put the key in his pocket. He then coolly drew from his breast a loaded pistol, and cocked it.

What do you mean to do?" she asked, with tremulous eagerness, for the savage glare in his eyes appalled even her courageious spirit.

ment drew the drapery aside. It fell back immediately, and
the two near the fire were unconscious that a third person
listened, with such keen intensity, as almost to still the throb-
bings of her agonized heart.
"Have you

“Oh, must I tell you?'' pleaded Anita, hoarsely.

no mercy? No pity on yourself-on her, whom this revelation will so degrade? She has held the place of your wife-you have loved her; leave this cruel secret buried in the heart that would take it to the silence of the grave."

"You are not the only one who possesses it; Arthur Clayton discovered this mystery, and that is why he abandoned his bride at the moment of wedding her. Come, be quick-there is no relenting in my heart. Death or confession!"

The sorely-pressed woman glanced upon his face, and read there the truth of his words. She felt that her hour had indeed come, unless she did the bidding of him in whose power she was, and she passionately said:

"Hear it, then-Otelia Clayton is not the legitimate daughter of her father; nay, more-she is of mixed blood, and my own grandchild."

There was a sudden gasping for breath behind those shrouding folds which concealed the unsuspected listener, and a help

"Purchase your life, or I will kill you as coolly as you would less sinking down upon the cushioned seat which filled a por

tion of the window; but sufficient consciousness remained to prevent her from crying out, for it was of vital importance to her to hear the whole confession that must follow.

Arnold gazed with blanching lips and glaring eyes upon the face of Anita, which had now assumed its hardest and most repulsive expression. He slowly said:

of her father seemed to cling to her from the first moment he felt her little hands upon his face.

"Day by day I took pains to increase that affection, until it deepened almost into idolatry. Then I made the proposal I was resolute to accomplish. Let him transfer the fanciful name Mrs. Clayton had given her daughter to this child, and place

"How has it been possible to practice such a deception, and her in the position of her dead sister. The suggestion was what became of the daughter of Mrs. Clayton ?"

Singularly calm were the tones in which she replied: "I destroyed her, that my child might take her place."

grasped at at once, for it offered him the means of silencing the pangs of conscience in some measure, and of providing, in a manner consonant with his great pride, for the helpless little

Even Arnold, hard as he was, recoiled from this avowal. He being who claimed him as her father. He abjured all thought said:

of ever marrying again, and devoted himself to the daughter of Nanine. We traveled with her until she was four years old, and then returned to the Park, with the certainty that no one would detect the counterfeit. It was not suspected, until in a moment of forgetfulness a secret drawer was left open in yonder old secretary, and our evil genius sent young Arthur Clayton to it on the eve of his marriage with missy. He found there a miniature of my daughter, which bears a striking resemblance to Otelia, for as she matured she grew like her mother. Upon the back of the case Nanine's age and name were engraved, and Arthur comprehended why General Clayton insisted on his giving his hand to his cousin. She could have no claim on the estate, unless it came to her as his gift. The boy, in a fit of generosity, married her, that his uncle might die with the assurance that the property would be hers; but he refused to live with her. Mr. Arnold, I have finished-now let me go from your presence forever. The secret, such as it is, can be of service to you, but for your own sake you will never divulge it."

"One thing more: why did you manœuvre to make me the husband of Miss Clayton, and then attempt to take my life?" "Because I was fool enough to believe you loved her, and if this fatal record of the past ever chanced to come to your knowledge, you would not scruple to conceal it, as long as your own interests bade you do so.”

It was the natural result of many causes. I had one child-a daughter who was fairer than I, for she claimed more Saxon blood. I left her in her beauty and her youth, and went with my young mistress when she married-I would have taken my child with me, but she preferred remaining, and I did not know for many months afterward that it was the influence of William Clayton that kept her at the Park. It is but a new version of of the old story of Hagar, the bondwoman, driven into the wil-no derness by the influence of the wife. William Clayton saw a fair girl in one of his visits from home; she showed him some signs of preference, and he married her after a few weeks' acquaintance, and brought her here as his bride. There was soon unhappiness in the great house, and misery in the cabin, and it ended in the most helpless one being sent from the plantation. Nanine and her infant were sent to a neighboring State, and things went on more smoothly at the Park; great rejoicings took place when the daughter of Mrs. Clayton was born, and a grand dinner was given on the day of the christening; when the lady had received the salutations of her last guests, twilight was coming on, and she walked alone, as was often her habit, to the brow of the precipice, half a mile from the house, from which the last flush of daylight can be seen. She stood there absorbed in thought, not dreaming of the danger that approached her. Suddenly a maniac form rushed toward her, clasped her in her arms, and leaped over the brow of the cliff. The injured and injurer were found crushed into lifelessness to gether; but poor Nanine was removed before the body of Mrs. Clayton was brought to the house, and means were used to prevent the true story from being known.

"My mistress died, and I returned to my old home to hear this awful story of crime and death. I was placed in the nursery, and took charge of the motherless infant; but my heart yearned toward the other child who claimed my blood, and I finally wrung from William Clayton his consent that I should seek out my grandchild, and, if I chose, remain with her. The infant of Mrs. Clayton was delicate, and required change of air; as the summer came on, I made that a pretext for my departure, and took her with me to a watering-place in Pennsylvania, near which my daughter's child had been left, when she in her madness deserted her. I found the little one -placed her side by side with her half-sister, and discovered a marked resemblance between them. This suggested to me the diabolical plan I put in execution. One evening the babe lay sleeping on my lap; I dropped a single globule from yonder vial in her ear, and she awoke no more. She was better off to escape the sorrows of life so easily, and my child was benefited by her death. I knew that I could not conceal from William Clayton that the daughter of his wife had perished, and substitute the elder one in her place; but the rest of the world could be so deceived. I summoned him to the burial of the little Otelia in a retired farmhouse, whither I had gone before perpetrating this crime. He came and wept with anguish over the little waxen form, until I brought his other daughter and placed her in his arms. She was a very engaging child, and the heart

"Right-and I shall conceal it now. I will at once gather such money as I can lay my hands on, take Otelia with me, before she has an opportunity of learning that Clayton yet lives, and embark for Europe. The property can be managed by an agent, and the boy who has acted so Quixotic a part toward her will scarcely interfere with this arrangement."

"Save her from the knowledge of all this misery, and I can almost forgive you for the treachery by which you won her for your bride."

Arnold regarded her sardonically, and all the hard cruelty of his nature gleamed out of his eyes, the which could assume the softest and tenderest expression when it suited his purpose to do so. He coolly said:

"Do not congratulate yourself too much, for it is only fair to tell you that I do not consider your granddaughter as my lawful wife, nor would I have her such if I had the power to do so. I make her the companion of my travels, as long as the fortune her cousin was fool enough to give her lasts. Then she may learn that her haughty family pride is to one, in her real position, but an empty mockery."

"She will not have it then to learn," said a clear, calm voice, which struck the two mute with fear and surprise. They turned in the direction of the sounds, and beheld Otelia holding back the crimson folds of the curtain which had concealed her from observation; the bright glow of the setting sun filled the recess beyond with a light which threw her figure out in strong relief. She was as pallid as death itself, but all the regal pride of her nature shone in her glittering eyes, and curved her scornful lips. She dropped the curtain, advanced into the room, and confronted the two, as she said:

"I have heard it all and live! Does not that prove to you that I am really a Clayton, with the indomitable will-the power to sustain myself, which has ever been one of their characteristics? I am my father's true child, Mr. Arnold, and such I will prove myself. Leave this house within the hour, and never show yourself to me again. William Clayton's daughter herself refuses to recognize the tie which binds her to you as valid; nor would she render it legal if the power were hers to do so."

"Otelia, do not goad me into retaliation; my power is not to | and brain, which had been so long held under control by her be defied with impunity, now this humiliating secret is made known to me."

The overstrained nerves relaxed; the acute tension of heart see him without delay."