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. ' t A ... U - i i i 1 1 i" i t .i- X. frB0FESSIONAL' CARDS T. T. , A- k:AM-s"7 ATTOks it'-Af Law 7.fCA' JATkX.'PA.- SOUTHER & WILLIS. 'cy's tit Law. Ridgway !1c can , will attend to all profession :w promptly,- r;r at ait? erwiLprn.i y fjn"vs and (. otinselers a,t Law, yilic f J -TV; . 'tnr iiE?y KitOki' I T,' I'vuihrniteplio'.) given lo dleetion.x Vrf-i.iJi memos promptly rtmiteL Will V'j jiractice in adjoining eouiiticft A O II N ' G , II A L L H AT T AW teuRIE J. BI.AKEI.Y . j , i itit vn . j ii h ;oniiTtr I'linnn K iuTTV7- rlirv i 1 HI-' r r i ,W. JAM:s BLAKELY- j 'a. in ps & invgery rUo. l'a. ORB WE LL jr r..r,cTjo.ravici as. (Lately of Warren county Pn.) tl. promptly anhwei; til professional, jv nyht or uay. llcsulonce mie, w Jvist.of liio li'.te residence of Hon. C. II. A" , Ta. K ni.iiy, . Kersey 1 Klk Will attend to all calls July 21, ISfil.., Xo.- Jay. T HOTEL CARDS. I-KK1). KDRIS'S, Iale Hotel innthersburs.'CloirEclJ County Pa. !' ' :o (I Frc'Irick Korb Proprietor; hav.- 1 4!T S(;kuilt a largdand comtnodious liouse, ' o4w prepared to cater to ttic wants oi traveling public. hthersbur's;, July IStb IBGt. ly. UTIIER SJi URCr II 0 TEL, A. .I'.LIAM SCIIWEM. Proprietor, lUuKtersburg, July 27thn8G4. tf. NATIONAL HOTKLS ner'of Peach Street and the Buffalo Road. Ji R 1 K 1J A , OS B. HOYT, Proprietor ,!s Hrase is now and fitted op r Hejpoutit cii'.j for the convenience 16001101 01 giicswi, at moaerato rates. V'-A-OOOU CT.inLTWO ATTACIIFl)"3a . t CaiANOE hoteT, "A JCuricay, r.lk county l'a., iAVTT TTTAVr.T?. Prnn'r. Up.Tkii ho;t8e in pleasantly situated on tta'-'o It of ihr Clarion, in tho lower end own, is -well provided 'Willi liouRD' ITCi Tl nj stablinjr,, and the proprietor will ftre n pains to render tho stay ot 111s lost! plcasint and ajrreeablo. Jywny July 23, 18UU. ii y de iiousi: TVfs. E- 0 Clements, Proprietress tJgway, Elk County I'en'ia fioot-iack Elk County Jf3, rH. 14 S1I0N& L'aov'u. ,'..lli'l0'Wiiy Nov. 25th,iSo:i. CXEABFIELD HOUSE, VKllJt MARKKT AND H A'l'KR ST fi Cli'trfu hl l'a COLr.l'P.N", Pitfifiui.ion pAr.Y"'S "hotel. l iil.K (''ii;Ni'V Pknna Wr.l.LENDOltK.i'rop'r. h'. JSUiONY, Proprietor. 'Udi'iug to and from the Depot trie. I N E 8 F U A It D S. OUS it WK1G11T, Clintos County Pa. ilX-S in 1' Inur, Oram and fV?i-Amir tho Pasoiigr Depot. WAD HOUSE, Main S villo Pa.,C. N. Kretz. Pivp'r XhasLcen refitted and iuruisli .. -at stylo,' anil., is every way to the waib of tho jwbllc. Klway aLarkets. jtedwceckiy: .,' (dry) " bushel S 3 - 1 4 Iwheat " 1 P. W. B A RRE T T E di'tor1,, INDEPENDENT. ' TERKS-S1' $0 per Annum.;if 'paid . in v Advance Vol s.' 18t5 . . , , - l)ntLADELPHIA & ERIE HAIL- '.v.i'- tins "i-o.it line traverses 1 V'lumvK-n to the city of Erie,- on ! Lake Krie. - niias hccnWAd by the rrr.nyka. f toad (.Vwmitf. and is opcrv. fill )tV Ihr.m ., 1W Rnure long opened lor pas-1 FojiSer and cisht business, pctobcr m.''1!8!" : L '"'""' ' ! ! 1 I .'J V. A' 1' PASSLXdEtl TRAINS .AT.1UDGWAY. . Jjrave Milliard.' Through' Sfail Train bii p.m. a. in. Aecomniodation :Lcni:f'Vatwart7. ' Through Mail Train .,1.33 p. m. ' 4v Aqco'diinodation 4 1 p. m. PasFcnjcY cars' run tlironirh without cliaoire both ways between Philadelphia ' and Eric.' Ki.f.oENT Sr.KKT'ixn Oars on Express Tiins both wayg.betwc.cn WilUjn!-poi,tnfier them, therf softly shut arid 'locked and Ualtimore, and.. Willianisport and tho door. ' ' ; '" : ' ' --'v' ': l'hiladclphia. ' " . It wa9 all done now. The iWholise - For inloruiation re? nectinor Passenircr tr.i4't-liiv)itei1 nhd fmnrKr furnttlirfil nr. busiuess arJpl V at the S. E. corner GUth , and Market Sis. And fr Freight business of tho Com pany's Air'ents: , 8. B. Kingfton, Jr. Cor. 13th and iMarkct Sts. rhiladelplwa. .11 J. V. Reynolds Etfe. ' J. M. Drill, Agent N. 0. R. R. 15al tiftiora. ' 1 II. II. IIOURTOX, Grn'l. Freight Ar'(. Putt a. II. W.OwtNfJKR, - ' GWl Ticket Ajt. I til a." j Jop. D. Potts, ' General Jllanntfer, Wmtp't. K'KINSON & Co.-DEALRsTn Morchandiso Provisions &c., on the Heady py system., at prices mnch to the advantage of purchasers. VJ. ..IT. -EaSSiaS " , Dealer in Clothing, Huts, k Men's Furnishing Goods WATER STREET, LorK Hayes, Clinton Co., Ta. i FrankX'enz if a u h 5s . Centreville, 'Elk county Pa ado "l'ViT TJMll 7" " Centre Viilc. i:tk. countv " . I pretty Mary finuyder, theliello of tho ftQ'-Gcncral Mauufuoturer of '.Vagoiis.jviilaohis Nat's wife, How his I'Uggioa iVe.-.VJ.&O l urniture, tuch ( s ISuruaus, Tables, otanus J5e.Lst?ads and Chairs. All kin 1 of llopairiu done at rea.;ou:;ble rates. , l)nVYTr OriVTVil JjJi nl iJIvSi ' ST. MARY'S. ELK COUNTY PA. ' 1 In the room formerly occupied by D iet. P.lakely. COUNTY DIRECTORY. I'fflideut Juhj6. .' ,:' ' P. G White, Wellblorotigh. dissociate Judys, X , S, Lrockway, Jay tp. E. C. Sehultzo, St. Mary's- II Hon. Hon. iSiierijf. W. Hays, Ridgway I J'luticiiuan, Jiii. and Iiec. George Ed. Weis, Ridgway District Attorney, J. C. Chapin, llidgway Treasure, Charles Luhr. St. Mary's Cuiinty Surveyor, George Valiii'.ley, St. Marys dr.umUsitjnurt, 1 - ChiiriosWvis, St. Mary's . Julius Jones, Ueuezctt Joshua Kcefur, Jonoo ' ' j ,) Auditors, ' 1 ' R. T. Kvler. - Fox o 1 Iloury Warn or- Jones ' ''!' 1L D. Pert. Bcnexett " . ' ' ' N0 TT ' r7T 0 Kbygi"Ve u TiLa t there will re a' meeting of the Stockhol. ders of the" Clarion River Navigation Company, atV'0' ' Houe of Win. II. Schram, Rr (ikv. ay villo 011 Saturduy tV ' December next, for the an'uing the company and ident auU oViuiau- he act, of iscorpo- 1 to attend, 4 i' J;' '."2 " '.' . '".V. " 1 i ' ' '.! . : ;.'; ! 1 '!' Kmc way Elk County Pkn'NA,, NAT'S WIFE p.v onAcr, rJAnrxcn. .;, r ' ,;PfjuIre, wlioiv'ij tliH piano to ?" 'Here, .in this tooiu," .nnFwereJ a licirty,: cheery vnicc. "A little ji;r ther.'Hen j'tliat's right.".' ," .'t "5ut, SqiTile, who's agoing 'to jilay rn it;; Itdonsn t go itsftll, doea it,; with a slv't'.vinlilo iil ' his litllo ffrav eyes.' ' '' ' '" ' , iW?tr in 4 ,1(J mlfiWorj wilb an ,.....4-1.k ;- . ":' 0 . " "A piano first and then a player." "Well, I 'gWcsa' thi pl.iyer's engnge icy nay there's riobody in town pla uvjm. t wies K.- nl.ivrV rn.w.riHl They aay there's liobody in town' may " e!l as' Mary Smiyder. Pho'a' brnu'r anyway' it' ever I rare one : isn't she;fom?" :f " ', ' '.' ' :f 'fliero wa)i an cxpi'esslon ot'pndn and perlcct happiness in 'the depths ofXat's rtarK eyes, hut lie turnetl away suyty' from the tnelllgent '"'glances of tha men. ' 1 ' ' .' ; . ,, ; ''Take away hll those : pnc,kin-caes, Hen, Hnd other Vubhish, an.! store them in thflold barn, nnd: o-mdi;rov fmith'. that fence'.- " '.' ' . , . Tho men turned away. Nat ; looked bent a few old heirlooms, from srarret to cellar. It stood two Btorio:f ttnd a halt" hlrh, painted white, with grben I?HiifIs taid a piazza, a little way back from tho'strect. in one ot the pleasantesc ' spots m town, -i surrounded I y ' broad fields stretchiffg' prettify-' almost, luiurlousl v. iur a jiinn noiise. 110 nan g.ono niTy mUes, and selected with tho greatest care every article bf fuVuiture with, an eye to somebody's fastc. " Nothing with in h!s nihil n onii'ld hn ton nfiil '4nr !li!,t somebody; and 80fieiiir'e Naf; hisliroad forehead corrugated with Irpwns of nnx iety, threaded his way among countless rolls of carpeting; and1' bewildering ar rays of parlor-scts and 'chamber-sots, mirrors, and etagersi,and then" stopped in helpless dismayat the task before him. After -a while, with the assistance of tho corteous upholsterer; he niade hisselee. tion, paid tho bills, gave the 'directions for their being sent, and, not a little tired with this unwonted brain and eye work, took the next train homo. For whom was all this trouble taken ? Who was this cherished somebody of whom even now Nat r.as thinking as He stood, we are sorry to say,' i'i the unro mantic attituiio of both' hands in his pockets and softly whistling, while he strolled in and out, from room to room, up stairs and down, his face radiant with happiness, his thoughts busy "with an unclouded future only Ntit's wife. J his is, Ins wile to be that nay weck- grent loving hiart 'thrilled at the thought! : Would she "bo pleased with this? Would she want that alteied? What would she say when she saw the IPlanoY fc-hc ployed on a miserable cracked thiua at home, and this was the finest instrument money oonld purchase. 1 here must have been a little romauce in Nat's coiunosilion, or ho would never have thought of keeping all Vim arrange. meiits a secret, to givo ner a piea- surprise, it was past his power (o U ttie new house a secret , else it is cort he would ; and Mary bad been Bvo'r in (linerent stages of its completi from the time Nat's strong arm 1 been necessary to help her over the J strueting timber, and half-laid floor, take .1 peep into all the parts she eo' till sho stood in it painted and plaste. ind it was pronounced finished. But since then. Nat had iuventad sorta of reasons and excuses for keepi her out, which, sunnose, he answei to bis ceiiscieneo souio way. M.' knew that it was being furnished, a had all a woman's curiosity but : had got tho impression that; everyth was to bo very plain, and yort way sure Nat did not contradict this idea -His-Mary t Would anything ever come between them to lessen their Jove and happiness? She was fragile. IJoiy tenderly he would cherish her! She must not be burdened Vith' caro and toil, as many farmers' wives were. ' Kili-J eioht belf was 'already secured,' and must be returned he could' afl'oijd', it... Thi titormi of life must not ' comk ' lieir Ins darlin'g. 'Her bltiri' 'cjis jihciuld never weep one biUcr tertr t'btoiigTi bini l.or heart never bo l'oraii instant lieavv through any ne-lect of his; 'The imjit fcieuthp tinkiMd words, tho unhap: pine?H of other homes must neven h in hU. Men yero said, to bo selfish. ,,Ho promised his own heart that ho would ever consmor iuary i.eiore inow.i. They would,. iod perbutitmg, vovr old together, loving ae.U. other wre entire ly as they nearcd .he ravet , ,f It grew twilight while he loitcrco and mused.- Heawoko to tho gatli4(. fUuwi. U went wtt, trying tne ,Qr aftp hB' had -locked d(,- 1hTon"h fate, nod .-down 'the- oadrtill to Saturday; January 1th' I'M f,w. , ".4 fit; 1 - 'm ' came to A brown cotUiire." The figurcV of two person (a , tidy and geri'laiiian) trore visible through. t'Lc pfirlar windor.s ; but ' when he entered 'inly cue was Ihai-c-hisOlury. She met him near, tlje door.. ' " 'Yoa wore not alone a moment vgi't" he nsked, shilling. 1 . . . '.'Yes no. -Mr. Lyou canio. in for Fred, but uoj, finding him went out." There was eoiis'"aint anil embarrass, ment iu horjaauuer. A fchadow.camd lur lover's face.'- r . ; 1 ' '-1 thought Jir. Lyon was t,hdv(j; gone hdiDe.yeateniay."' : "He had iutcBded to, but Fred had teaeod him to Stay, it day or twb'. linger, promitiiiig , to cdompanv liim - to the city."..-', , , ,; . Jlary was Strait all tho evening. She avoided the subject of their future. There was a straaa;e lack of interest' whon life referred to the new house, and j ho lpft- her with a . heavy, iorcboditig heart, for the first time. f , ' .The matter was explained tho next dr.y, by a h-tt'ir h? received from her, short, but to the purpose. !' 1 ''That she hoped Mr. Verner would Vift.ti blame her'booause she had ehaugo'd her mjnj. Sho .didn't believe the would be happy to marry farmer, and settle down where she had always livedl f he had begun too, lately, to think that they; were not 'congenial.' Mr. Lyon had remarked; it alao.: : Ha said '(:he was never meant;, to bo .buried in tho country, but ought to live in tho elt with nothing to do but vi.-it. dre.-s, and play the piano'. fhc" thought herself iii 1 . 1 thohtbata city-life wc.ald suit her bettci-. Sho hoped he. would release her from' her engagcnient, and not mind ,j,t(it she' did not marry him. She' knew he would likeas" well, -and who' Would bo stronger, to ibelp him in" the farm work." .. . '-s , Nat Vcrncr did not curso the faith, less girl as he road ; or, if curses were in bis heart, his lips did not utter , thorn. He sufFcred silently, with..ghastly couii. tonance, the agony, an honest loving heart like his must always suffer, when its happiness is struck down, its faith destroyed at one blow'.' , ' Perhaps a moment's temptation .as sailed him. v.hcn ho remombere'd her beauty r.nd fascinations, and felt that he 1 eomd win her now with a promise of the house might came her to relent. For the first time ho regretted Lij se crecy. ' ' " ; ' He started up at the idea. Do not think him weak, lie oould not break from tho chains she. his almost bride, bad cast around him all at once, even though she had proved herself weak and faithleps. .She was ""young, tno; ho could furgive something to her youth. Cut thii manhood returned.' It wa.-i a true woman's heart he wa-iitcd. What would this purchased thing bo worth iu, tho discipline of life ? 1 A rumor came to hitu the next day that Mary Suuyder was engaged to Mr. Lyon, and was to be married sojn.. Nat moved into hh now house. lie would have dono it bad it killed bini. Not only bis heart but his pride suffered keenly. 'The whole village knew fur whom ho. had built his limnc, for w'iom ho furnished it', ami following him w th pitying looks ; but lie carried hiiinel 0- i I J I 0 a licr. blie V-as youug, not over ttevcnteeu,- short and blight, and a woll-shapud head,, and wealth of black lair, aud sel't, dark,i in' tc'lfifrent eyes, shaded with black heavy laches, which Si3ldom, from their shy. east jooked fully atjou. Eitfior;;- .. .. ,. u ' .'.a' ' . A vivid color, came tuto; tier fu,oa at Vis.' voice." She; drew near the ; (able, Moldiua rtic candle!. .'" , ' ' ",Ehe,"'ho lep'catcd ' floldibg" "out his haid- and takinone ot hers, wnicti sho.w:u tbo shy to offeri "you know, do jou not, that Mus was to have been Toy wedding-day, iud (hfkt to;iight., am : a deceived alniiist.hiurt-brokcu, man Her fltae flushed" more dueply Trbm sympathy .and agitation. .'"Esther, cycrybod f U pitying mo. II gar.uot Uur it. : i think you like. me. 1 1 Will be kiu4 t0 J you marry me f . To.uiL'Ut r now,; , ipf. TO-pig 1 . Sha burst nto .tear strange, -tipt hiippy tears' Vat shiji loved biin ,with (wild, Idolatrous love1 ' She wduld'have NO 22 v I . r. aoncgj Tto have sated htm oac 'pan? I"' '"i ' ' i yLrvev you plcaso," sho sobbcd,nrTy.. , 1 .,..! , xVat. rose, went into the adjoining room, and gave an order to Dun. t An hbf "later and EstHbr w:ts his ', Meanwhile', Mary Pnnytler, had been regretting herprcefpitation in di?carding Mr.1 Vomer, especially as' Mr.. Lyon, nothwithstandingall the hie he had liiaDarcd to cypress bv m!fflr and look. ' had dcrtarteil vr.itKoiit proposing pauil slie could have pimhcil heisclf with vexation when sho heard bf th's luxury with which- the iSojuires new houso was furnished ; and when;slio learued oTthe 1 piano she fairly cried. Her father and mother scolded her for letting such a good chance go ; her sister taunted her, and her brother ended with tho agreea ble prediction that "Mary would 'bd an 'old maid, after al).v ' " ' ' 31 try was weak', and silly, and vie'.lla. ting y but she could make a resolution, and sho did. ' ' ' ' ' l1 , , Tho minister had departed.' Esther, ! in her new and strange position,; 'was hesitating whether to vanish M tho kitchen ot remain, feeling that the first was orjoly fitting, yet Alevimng that, her presence was halt agreeable? to her silent husband ; and. between, the two. sho stood in the shadow of the room, pre tending to put to rights some books and ornaments. : "i ! ' ' 1 .' ', 1 The door opened,- Something glided in.rthrew off some wrapping, a fid" knelt at Nat's feet iiuall the spleildor of beauty and esoitomrnt. : . 1 'hi -.?-."0 NatlYit sobbed,1 '.'t hav.v douo wrong ; but oh', I have suffered !" ' , ' ' Nat's etttong framo shook' witli isar. prise and airitation. . f 1 ' ' 'Mary I",,- , ; ,z:-lrZ Ilq ultotnptod to raisoohcr; but sho duns to his knees.. . .,. . ;u. 'iNo, Nat ! . let me be at your feet. This is a fitting place. "I, who hava wronged you so cruelly ! but O Nat-bl love you ; I Vnvc loved you all tho time. Forgive me ... - His face was luminous w'th rapture and tenderness. ' '1 "Not there, my Mary. Cijiue to' my heart !" and he raised her .-forcibly and clasped her" passionately to him,. "() God! what am I. saying! what have,. I done !" And lie tlriist her from biin. "O Nat ! are you so handhcartcd '! I thought but a minute ago you had 'for given inc. Can't you forgive me if" And she raised her beautiful face bathed in tears, to him, and fidded "her fair white arms iu dofep grief and humility. "No. Nat ; I don't deserve to be forgiv .cn ; but I love you !" ' ' He was in terrible, .excitement the veins in his forehead swollen out like cords. ,.' .; "Fool ! fool that. I have been ! Mary, stop ! Hear mo'- My. own cursed fol ly ha-; put a bar between us forever J Mary, I am married."' ' "Married!" she shrieked- To whom?" "Esther Anion." ' . -. "Esther Arden ! the girl your mother brought up ? She,' your domestic, to be mistress of all these, beautiful things? Oh, say it isn't so, Nat!" ' "Ye?, yes ; it is true ! Wretch that I am !" he said, almost besidq himself. Pale, quiet, seemingly turned to stone, Esther had remained amid all thifi cx eitonicut. ' Tl-.o worm will turn. Every feeling of womanhood outraged, she camo for ward, her usually shy downcast eyes bent large, and dark, ai.l steadily oa the excited Mary. " Yes, I am mistress ! What do you wish here ?" , . , ' ' , "Mistress !" .Mary shriokcu scorn fully ; "you claim him fpr your hus band." ' ' 1 Esther saw Nat's shuddw of loathing, heard his words of authority, "Go ' into tU-oUnMriyum, n'oii V" j hut, strong in tier indignation, quailed not,. . ""Notwhilcshe remains, she answered, steadily.' ' 1 Ho took no further uotieo of hor. He raided the uw almost insensible .Mary, called hor by every endearing name re proaching himself in every other breath for liis mad tolly. When she revived and wanted to go home, he'tendorly put 011 her . wrapping and supported her from the room., ,. , . j Esthqr stood where they Jiad left Tier, gazlrig m'ecmrically at a leco 'f)'f white paf or On the tlr near whero Mary bad knelt 1 but she did not pick it ub. Sho raised her hand to hor head, as if be wildered. She felt a score of years older than wtien tho evening.shaddws had bo-1 irim' to fall--a 'SOW of -years older through suffering, j tihe had kvown she had not Mr.jYpruor'n love; butbo had looked. ff houop iu .hiw for j oonsidom-. tion for herself. ' " , , - 1P00? Esthoi' I unloved-p'oathflJ, even yet boand Vd keeping him -bound. 3h had . been stung and torturod . into laying, what tho had but tbo flah of passion bad passed, and she reproached herself for her words. ' One thing- .only remained forhertrfldo. x !1,a ,i" 1 , J .2atoame tobishome. i He was bowed fwith "giMif.! He' oSime inlo the room ami ....I I.Li .A . . ' . ... siooa ny tno nrepinoe, wnero lately sho, his idol,' had knelt lit all her besnty and humility but oh I how vainly t The tuniUltbf his feelings wordj cannot cxT)fe.-s-l tie h"iit forgiven Mary all. 0 bVwsed wovtls I She loved him had loved him through all. Thd letter wa only n 'inoiiicnt'a cdpiioo or a moment'st n'ii"fins. I His though W came back to the pi'cseut obHtaele to their happi. unsar Ho scorned hfmwlf for it; but he knew that ho haled poor innocent Esther ; but ho hated himself most of all. . Whore Esther ?" He Soared not; ho wished he was ncTcr to see her again. ' Ile! saw tha folded papar lying on tho flour. -' He picked it p, opeucd it, rcnrignied the handwriting with a thrill. ari l reaat . , 1 , 1 . "'PKAni'.sT, swKKtKST Jui.fA : Are no( yottr poor Mary's'soriows as romantio; as any you evi;r read of iu iWels? Oh, if jjou were only hereto comfort and ad. vise. nic. ! . To jthTnk th::tVnfter all. Mr. Lyon has ginio off without 'proposing; and it has most killed your poor fr;end, fir she gave up so much iu expectation ol'it ; and he was such a love, and had such dear little hands aud feet. Don't you think it very queer, wheu heseerasd to idolize me so always complimenting my eyes and complexion, aud felling m that such beauty ought not to bo wasted on a country-farmer I" I am sure I thought he was sincere. , "Dearest Julia, I nni afraid t was not quite Wise to reject Mr. Verncr : befom 1 was sure of the other and I uuder. stand that ho MK Vernef has furnished the new hou?e beautifully, and bought tor me a splendid piano. ' "Since I heard that ttiottgh I novor liked any one so well a"! Mr. Lvon, but as I cannot have him T have niade up my mind to make up with Mr.' Veruet. I am' sure Sou would advise it, Julia, dear. They say he ha3 taken my" rcjec. tion terribly hard ; but he loves bio to distraction, acd I know lit" will forgivo roc at tho 'first word. ' ; '' "I shall tease hirn to live iu the city after'wo are married. ' Mr. ' Lyon, lives iu the city, and I hope we shall always be friendly.' ' t must' close. Will tell yoa all tho particulors in my ricxt. ' '"Tour loving , mary." '- . -i 1 Ho nldud this . precious, documcut slowly, .lie seemed dest'ieu . to go through djflerctit phases of suiTcriugthis evening; but let him bear this last un noticed,. ;. .'; ;i' .- . ;..',.., , . i he next. morning it. ffx discovered thai Esther bad- disappeared,, . Seaieh "was niade for hcf'but iu v.aiu. ' She left no traces. " '"'.; . . ' .'. ' Thd village was astonished. at the ncw3 of Squire' Nat's marriage, and tho im mediate . clisappearance 6f' the ', bride. Mary's visit,,too, to thd1 master of tho house,' some way l'oaked out. Tlic'y had not recovered from the 'intense excite ment this qaused,1 when the. report eame that the new" house 'was shut up tnd Squire Nat had entered tho army. Three ry ears ' passed. Nat. now Colonel Nat Vomer, wis with his 'regi. ment in North Carolina. He hid been in several battles, and was already' con splcuous"for his bravery. ' ' lie was one of ii group -of officers standiug near the fbrt in conversation. One of them was' saying to a nowJ comer. . .'''.'. "So you don't believe that a negro oari be made to be honest, can improve in short, that he has a soul ! Well, proof is better thftu argument. I will couvince you of part by taking you iuto sortie"' of the schools ' established for negroes. Yes, yes ; I know you think that is another quixotic scheme of the Government," but wait and ' see,1" you captious critio- '-You'll bo a convert yet,".-. ' . ..' .... Laughing gayly, he led the way to tha nearest sehoolhouse a rude building, only a temporary affair. A-fair, stately girl was giving out words in spelling to a sablo class, rang ing in years all the way from five to fifty. She turned 11s they entered. ""Please excise our intrusion, Miss Arnold, but 1 wished to conviodo a skeptic of our party of one or two fact that this visit will prove to him." Sha bowed! with dignified , grace -and motioned them to seats. As she did so, her glanca fell Colonel Vernon. She stood liko a statue far an instant, and her fade became nshy palo, but, recollect ing horsell, turned to ber class.. . - Apparently tho fair te;icber was en tirely absorbed in showing off the knowledge of her class t and Hercules, Alexander, and Scipio. Cleopatra, Joan, and Dorothea did credit to .themselves and hei ; but had they lost their way from Kngliah into Greek, sho would not have uotioed it. . , i , . .,, "Shoot me if I look at niggers when there's such a blamed pretty girl to look at '." whispered a gay captain to Colonel jVprner. "What's tho matter, Colonel.' lou JooU tierce euougn to eat me. vo you know, her? Is she anything to you?" - , "Never heard her name before," re plied the Colonel, trying to soften his features, but with, little suecoss. "She's a blamed sigbf too pretty to bo fchut up hero with, tusso animals, con. tfntjed tho Captain. "1 wonder if she's good at a flirtation. ' She seems mighty indiffereut to tho whole handsome lot of us!'' -; ' 1 Tho Colonel smiled grimly. Tho gal. hint captain stepped forward, asked her some questions .concerning .the school, but with very perceptiblp aumiration in his eyes, to which sho replied briefly, aud in a very business-liko way. .The Captain could get no eucouragement 1 to continue tho conversation ;' and soon drew back, disappointed and chagrined. ,Sbo uotioed,. Lor vibitors' departure with a sight inclination of tha head ; but only turning partially toward them. 1 JT - r n