- .-..---...- , -,.,-,,,,, ..,-;-? -. - 1. 3 . .. . _ . ... .. ...,, 1 • .- . ~ :.,- . . i ...:' . I .111 N Si -41•1, 2 . ..,.. . . . . . ... 411,- . . . . • Ai 1 .' .. . . .. ! Al - . . .. . . -... . . ... . .. . . . • I. 1 . . . . . • - . 1 3' -; fl Ocrritsou, Vabtiqtr. Englishronarchs; , - First WJUiam e Norman: Then 'William, his Son, Henry, Stephen and Henry; -Then Richard and John..., Next Henry, the third;' • • Edwards, one, two, three; And again after . Richaid, Three Henrys wo see, Two Edwards, third' Richard, Two HenryS z ixth Edward, tau een Mary,-Queen Bets; - Then James. the Scaehman, - Then harles, \whom thersiew, _ Yet received afier Cromwell, - Another Charles too;t, Next James the second A.cended.the throne; ... • : Theri good William , arta 'Mary Together came bn, • 'Till Anne, Georges four, And fourth WilliaM all past, God sent, us Victoria, Igaj , Fhe long be.the last!. Trom.the Golden Priid AGNES ARNOLD; On, THE STORY OF A WILL. BY gAIIcEL YOUNG IL A PTE, P. IX . Aro , • TILE REVELATION. The lawyer remembered that, at the &par :ture of his elient,..he manifested cotisiderable uneasiness at the seemed to be on the watch for some person in the vicinity.— This hal *retried misgivings in his, mind, which be thought might lead to something explanatory cf the deep mystely hanging Around his chent'aca.e. - - • • But the difficulty *as to obtain .a clue to the cause of - the action un the. part of Luke Arnoldi'•44 was curious' to 'see hiM peeOng -out before he ventured to go forth, and -it was very strange I to observe his abrupt de pasture. j Fortune might yet favor hiM, and I k e would bide his time. • • Since our hero had opened his law office, he had failed ( to attend the• parties, soirees, and other _places of amusement, as snitch formerly, and his cornpinions missed him • - very much froinlheir coterie ; and the ladies were in agonyin tieing-thus deprived of his delightful. presence. . But- Joseph never once . -thought of thesellivolo'ns 4natters. For this he may be termed a se!firh fellow, and sitb j!ct himself to very ungenerous remarks; but tie cared not for - these. . His mind was .ti gressed 'in one only Sul jeer, and tbat'was the unraveling' of . the.mystetious Will case, and - the first rre..had everltied, On - his table t4ere several scented notes, inviting-his pres. ence at a social reunion, or a gathering-of his male'friends for-a social patty of pleasure; but his reply was brief toall—business before ' anything else. "Hating returned from his trip Po a.d fully satisfied. that he, Was now in a fair Way to save his ~client from any t-ery great trouble in havin.:7 the Will properly proved, and entered .upti probate; but. he thought the probability of seeming - the property to the prc4ent. claimant .Was,.. to say the -least, - very doubtful. About eight o'clock that evening, Joseph found himself on his way to the residence of. Mary De Vere; It was true, he did not g for the purpose , Of extending to that aged dv any further assistance In the way of chari ty, nor from any idle motive, or to gaze upon their poverty. "No, indeed I The young lawyer had a higher purpo4 in view. And to accomplish this wasodiesolject of his visit at this time. He had been careful to provide himself with suitable weapons ot defence, for the locality into which he was going, was so notoriously. dangerous, that he deemed it only safe to prepare himself 'for such emergencies • as had recently ,occurred. As he stepped up to the door of ,he hovel, he paused for'a moment, but hearing rothing, unusual from'within, gave a rap on the door. a*moment it was opened, and Aggy pre : sented herself. When she recogni z ed Josephr a glow of pleasure lighted up her fice, awl. she hadellim error. _lle was sonlewhat Sur prised to find a third 'occupant of the wretcha. ed home: but be was soon in possession pf the facts which - bad transpired since his for , finer visit, and he c,heerftilly entere.i into con tersation with'the invalid. ' " He is very weak yet,;' said the kind heart. ed girl," andcannothear to talk much." • •• Well, I shall. not intrude 'myself upon hi but a few Simple questions Will suffice to . answer my pnTose." And our hero con= versed with him on Matters relating to his present" condition, and' the causes' leading thereto. .r• it appears that during the evening on 'Which he was so badly hurt ; he hsd been In tomilany with two or three persons drinking, and after he hats become somewhat intoxica ted, they invited him •to=accompany them down street for a walk. To this he had as sented, and the result was the blow and the stab. • " And du you assign no cause for this? asked Joseph. 1" ft is strange that men would "thus seek to die your life without some mo tive" "There wai - a motive-- - --no,doubt,a substan -tial one. Thee men belong , to the worst gang of rowdies in the city, and wlio - Jor a few - dollars, would be guilty of alutrout any act. -. ', "And what reason, have you forFtlii - nking that your gooks sought hy these men for a reward-l" queried Joseph, hig interest inborn log - Toe strongest reason in the world. The taine.man who incited them to do it, once hired an assassin to lodge. a ballet in my brain, but. 'the attempt failed." Here, reader, we have" Tom Brunton—the same man who had performed an itct_iif vil lainy for - Luke Arnold, and whose life had been sought by that, man, in order - that his . fearful secret might he forever bidderr.in the grave. _ "My friend, you are. a sDange:r to ine,", said Joseph, in a eympathising, voice, "and it seems that you are - surrounded with con stant danger - . It -is yottr dtrtY•tO:take such steps - as . will 'effectually prevent. a rectirrence of these attempts uponyour life , ‘" • "How am Ito I Their= who seeks my life stands high in the world,and. tug poor voice &add neierjeacti hien - f and the taut sighed .htavity. But;' Itskraititia birnself is he spolter,:and e)evated his :Clenched hand above his head, " but there's an hbur of retribution aptiroaching, and perhaps what I can tell will ,sink him lower than I -harks' fal len—and that is' low enough; God knows."— He sank back Upon the pillow,,exhausted. Agg,y and her foster-mother were silent witne,ses of thiS scene. Aggy was about to igterfere, to keep our hero from prolonging Me-convers ation, but Joseph waived her back with his band. • " t• A few word. more; Aggy, and - I will bare done with him. -Be not alarmed." Joseph paused untkthe sick man had re covered, when he bent-over him, and kindly taking his right hand in bis, stooped down, and asked, in a '„whisper,— 1 . Will ,younot caufide - to me The name of the man who yon say is placing your life in jeopardy I I will keep it proPoundly secret if you wish. 4'an you trust me 'I" and Jo seph gazed earnestly, into the face of%he " Bend vdur scar l6wer," and the invalid whispered two Words into his eager ear. "Is it possible I" cried the lawyer, starting up: "Then you. know him I" •- Know him said iirtinton, with asheer, " know him I AlAs I too well I know him. He. has been the bane of my existence. He haS placed a devil within my breast Which torments me continually: I shall never know peace it: this world, and t fear.none in that which is to come.3' " Say, my good friend, do hot despair There is hope foryou. There was hope for the thief, even in the laut hour.';. " Yes, yes, fur ,a thief," exclaimed the Tan, as though his aoul was enduring ter4ble pant , " yet, for the thief—but not for the murderer." Murderer!' and Joseph Fluted back frotn:the bed, as - if a serpent had stung him-; and Amg,y and her -faster-mother fled toward the - doOr in alarth. The thought 'WM terrible. A murderer beneath their humbhi roof, the recipient of theirkiminess! !lad his hands been stained w.th human blood! "Terrible, indeed !" said Joseph. " But, Aggy, be not shinned. Perhaps this is but a will delirium which has seized his brain, mid conj,tres up strange fancies." "Merciful father, that y( ur words were only true! But, alt s 1 I feel too deeply the awful truth, which forever tortures hie, whether asleep or awakel" Joseph again drew nigh. lie looked upon` the now Bushed face and burning eye of Brunton. fie• must know the terrible se cret from the guilty Man. " Will you not un'burthen your soul of this awful crime of i which you speak I I will promise you that I will not info,rtn on you to cause your arrest. I will rather use my best efforts to save your life, if it be in danger for this crime." - - " I will tell yautellyou all, for this prior bosom has borne the pressure of the fearful secret too longJ Listen- to my story—for I will be btief—and judge for yourself bow far_liam guilty of the crime. It is over ten _v_eariiaince I was in the.employ of Luke Ar nold,,r of W ,in Luzerne county. I was engaged as his !tastier. Two years previous to me leaving there. John Arnold, the. broth-'' er of Luke, died and left all his vast, property_ to his chly daughter, Agnes. The will ns3de provi=lon that ; io case . of the death of Agnes, •all the,property Should pass into the hands of Luke: At the expiration of tab •yeers, this man,. Luke Arnold, came to me in a COD& , lential manner,•and told me that it was his wish to have hiS niece Agnes removed quietly from his borne, so that she might never return. 'lle offered me one thousand dollars to take her away in such a manner that no person would tie aware of I li. The Money tempted me to fall in with 1.13 scheme, and I under took the_removal of the girl. ilt was urkder--. staed that, if by ;ny accident the life of the innocent girl should be destroyed; - so much tfitetetter ; but if that failed, ta , convey her to some distant place, and there desert her.— I started with the child, fully resolved to de stroy ber, but myiheart failed me and 1 bro't her this-cityl. ; rid deserted -her. I never returned to W—=--, but - securing a berth on shipboard, went to sea, and did not re _terillere for five years. At the end of that time, I came to phis city, without money, and without friends, .• I dated not go back to W-:,=-- - - --,and ((line into bad company here, I soon sank to!the lowest degradation. - An attempt was made upon my life ; at the insti gation of. Luke Arnold, who discovered me here. -But I escaped. I met him again, a few days ago, and charged him with the crime, and threatened to reveal his villainy in having the .tltild abducted. For ils4, I have.no - doubt,l my life was sought again; but again have I escaped. Luke Arnold has a heart as black as. night, and for money , would parse stip° act to obtain it. Ile loves i money, mid ma l kes it his God. You have - briefly my secret. „ Joseph was utterly eonfouh . Whit dede 1 Brunton was speaking, Mary De Vete drew 1 closer to the bedside, and listened eagerly to! every word-as it fell from the lips of the/ speaker, and Aggy could hardly control her; 'emotions, for she felt - that this story of wrong,' had stlmetbing le it which related to herself. "The toysi ry no longer surrounds the! t case," were the quickly uttered words.of Jce•! seph. Then turning to Brunton, he said,! " You regard,yOurself in the light of a in derer, in baying been the instrument, in tire hands of LukeArtiold in removing this childl"! "I do!" - and Tom Brunton buried his face in the pillow, as'if- to hide the terrible tho'ts; from his mind. • " What would be your feeling's if this child! still lived, and would -soon be fully restored, to all her rights, I" " Ah I I would- not exchange my position l i for all the world's.wealtb. -A kingdom , could) not buy the happiness which that fact would bring me." . - 1 ~ 1 "-Then,my poor friend, let me usher that joy ! . into your soul. That girl still lives, Rod will; ere lung, be -proclaimed the rightful heir of that wealth of which a eillaieoua relative seeks to depriVe her." • - "Say you so• I r-still lives!" Bring her to me, that I may look upon her—beg her pardon! and,d*." , _I, 1- 1 "Nay, sir, there is happiness even for you Li ve am pit shati see all thesethings consumf mated." ~ 1" .: , . ' I "Thank 01-41 4 and ilr tuiton, overcome with the. feelings which ibis last assurance prof . dpced, dank back .tipon Idi pillow, unable 1.6 1 niter his-joy fit wads. _.,_ , But wink mere the feelings of Aggy and her fester- niofheri as' these strange reveletlor4- • - ! • ii < <•ORE GOD AND TWlti -4CONSTITLITION.s'Yitiites Sontrese, SustAanna Conntg, trApttsbaD morning, Zulu 10, 1&5& 411 upon their astonished ears? , Feelings too deep for utterance had taken possession of them, and they stood awe-struck. Thestbought was's() greats the prospect so brilliant, that the pale girl was speechless. The foster mother caught Joseph by the Arm, and gazing intently into his face for a moment, asked— " And. is this truer Joseph was disposed . to smile at her Aq ionisliment,- but' knowing that, it would be the greatesi happiness to the aged woman to he confirmed in the trhth of vThat she had lust hearth assured her that it was all true. "God be praised!" and the poor woman was to overcome by her *Motions, that she could 'lay no more, but sought a seat, and sank in to it,,appareutly powerless. , . • "Aggy, my poor girl, you seem bewildered. This is glogous news for you. Do not longer doubt the goodness of Providence. His ways are inscrutable, but always marked with wis 7 . om. Though you have suffered wrong, and hrough that wrong, endured much privation, yet your dap of sufferirg are passing away, and all is bright antl cheering on your future i.inthway. Come sit down beside me, and let me have a few moments' prisie conversation With you, in view of what has passed this vening." hThey sat down togi Cher and held a con tersation of considerable length, in an un ertone, and at • its conclusion, they afose. It was now late, and Joseph must he welding his Way home. Before leaving he had a few words with poor Brunton, who thanked him froirt his heart, for the consolation he had ie heived from his assurance, and he now asked that his life thight'be spared to confront Luke Arnold at the 'proper time and place, and punish him fbr what-he had done in the past. lo,=eph did not irittoeuce Aggy to him as the heiress, but left the future to bring that about oseph bade theta all good•night, and retired. 1 - CLIAPTER X.' I' MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. The usually quiet town of W- was omewbat relieved of its monotony by the ppearance of a beautiful and very interesting young lady, unaccompanied tt'y any person save an aged mother. Tlrey took up their .itlence at the best hotel in the place, and the young gentlemenwere on qui vice in re gard to the suiden, though very welcome ddition to ;the society of W-. It was l'e ,o rted that the young I.dy was an heiress, nd this fact added to her beauty, rendered er an °Neat of admiration to those who, /Paving no fortune of their own, wEre very / amiably disposed to look for it in others, where, esrecially, esrecially, the chances were that they aright win and wear it. Miss Agnes Arnold, a the yourm,lady was called, was frequently he guest of the best families in the place, :nd among the rest, she was pressingiy in -ited to take tea at the house of Luke Arnold. . . Like Arnold heard the lath's name bruited bout, but it necei raised a suspicion in his mind. He . saw het aged mother, and, like oseph Costar, at - his first interview with Aggy, paused when he-got thus far, for the ',comparison could go no further. i Miss 4.lrnold atid her Mother were hospita bly entertained 'at the Arnold manson, a splendid home, by-the-ray, surrounded by all the luxuries and beauties which a quiet sub urban residence should possess. The after noon and evening glided - delightfully away, and the hour of departure had arrived. A carriage was in waiting to convey the visitors to the hotel, when Mr. Arnold, in a-plsasant conversational tone, rallied Miss Agnes on the similarity of her name with his. "It is strange," he said. _ "It does seem .strange," replied Agnes, looking archly into his face, and smiling. "and 'it is still stranger, Mr. Arnold, when understand that you had a niece whose name was the same as mine.". "That is true," said Luke in a deprecating voice. "But the poor girl she is gone from us. rter fate was no donlea hard one." "Why so, Mr. Arnoldi" asked Agnes, wish ing to lead him on, as she had evidently an I ulject in 'view in doing so. "She was heiress to fifty thousand dollar's and was dearly beloved by the - whole house. She was our pet." "Indeed she was the light of our home," said• Mrs. Arnold, and a tear started in her eye-a. "Poor thing. And have you never heard of her I" inquired Agnes. "Never!" said- Luke emphatically, and if he had spoken his thoughts he Would have added, "and I hope I never will," but he paused ere his thoughts found -utterance. "t remember," said Agne', "of often see ing a young gill in Philadelphia, whose _name was Agnes—often I have conversed with ter when she came to the kitchen door, seeking cold victuals. She told me she had once teen happy—lived in a fine house and all shat—bnt had been taken away and brought to the city and deserted." "Oilr -poor Agnes, I am sure," said Mrs. Luke Arnold, and fresh tears started to her eyes: "Can't be," . iaid Luke, and his voice quiv ered as he spoke. "if it were our lost girl. she would have found some means to get horte—stieh a short distance." "Poor, poor child, what she must have suffered—and perhaps died from want," and Mrs. Arnold melted again. "I think shy is still living," said Ague.. "It is not very long since -I saw her. She bad learned to cew and was working for the elOth iers." "Indeed !" and Luke Arnold trembled all ovlra c iAre jou not mistaken, Miss Ar n "No, sir, the girt is the same.. She has a hard time of it. Without friends in the world, she is Strpggling to gaid a miserable sub- sisten6e." "Ob , dreadful !" Mts. Arnold bent ou ap. pealing look upon her-husband—but he saw it not. His mind was too busy with the fast crowding toughts; that rose up lilte ghosts-to frighten hint Agnes bad aceompliShed her purpose. Alarm had taken possession of Luke Arnold, and be feared that his long cherished secret would be revealed. h was s night of s tor ment to bini. the ladies were escorted to the carriage and bade adleo,lo their entertainers. Luke Arnold did not close his eyes to slombef that Efis tided 'was upon the rack. Pivot, sena alarmed, him, and he Would start al if some terrible Vision was phi sing befOrd Then sit a Luke Arnold's hour of satiation: Had Ett" then •retraced his ,steps=-b i nd be their scrie - irkleitore tbe WE= girl to ber rights—lad he then foregone his purpose of dishosei r tly enriching himself, he. might have beer happy, and secured that peace of mind which was now forever passing away. But the Rubicon bad been passed and instead of calla raflection Fris i atirid was leeniing with desperate purpose to accomplish what he bad Undertaken. So it is ever. That man who will permit himself once to commit a wrong, op - ens the way for fresh innorat ton and before he is a• ware, his moral character is stained with crimes which woOd have . mado him - shudder ' , to contemplate, waen his heart was pure. , Man is prone to err, and it, requires •to con stant exercise othg best faculties to keep him from the commission of wrong. Such is ba , Mani tv. The scene enacted in the - parlor of Luke Arnold on the previous evening soon found its way among the gossip-loving pOrtion of the community, and proved to be more than a nine days wonder. Many things• were.re vived which _hail been :forgotten, and the sudden disappearance of the innocent Agnes was talked-about, atd new curiosity aroused. Fresh suslicitns wehrt aWakenedand many facts traced to living sources, which years ago had been hushed up, lest their repetition_ might affect the 'reputation of Lake Arnold, who stood highin the community and whose Irndness to the pretty young_ heiress was s matter of remark among all who were on te?tris of intimacy with the family. One fact bad been entirely overlooked at the time of the unexplained disappearance of Agnes. Toni Fronton, who for many years bad been. in the employ -of Luke Arnold, at the same time left his place, but no one ever thought of connecting him•in any Way, with the citcumstances which hung around the fate cf the abducted or lost girl. It was strange, too, that it was not so,for the exite trent in regard to her disappearance was very intense--and every suggestion was made that would, in any manner,i serve to throw.light upon the mysterious transaction: But now, since the advent of the young lady and her mother, and the conversa ion in the "parlor of Luke Arnold, these things and many,sitnilar stories were brought to light.alt bearing upon ,the interesting subject: Luke Arnold felt deeply the position in which cir• cuinstances had suddenly place I him.. Ile knew that suspicion _was._directed at him— and he felt as a Criminal only can feel who knows his guilt, and fears the evidence which will .sonvict him of the charges laid against him. The amiable wife of Luke Arnold suffered much from the reflection which occupied her mind since the conversation in the parlor It was her unutterable conviction that Agnes Arnold, the lost heiress; still lived; and she urged upoh her husband the necessity of at once making some efforts to reclaim her. But to these appeals Luke was deaf. To attempt this_ would overthrow his whole fabric of hope which ho had been years in building. And not onlyso, but it would ruin him in charac ter. 'He must appear as 'a felon before all honest men—and with a conscience already seared with an infamous act, and , his reputa tion sullied by the breath of suspicion. What could he do but fly from those who kneW him i . '•lf I can but obtain the probate of the will and at once be put'in possession of the proper. ty, methinks I will be sal... Before this time the only man I feared is out of the way. As for the gill, she can never appear against me, fir she has, no friend_ who will 'step in to in. terfero in her behalf. I will write at once to my lawyer to mme on and have the business elwei up. Raymond will be here in s a day or two, and then I may-bid defiance to the world." Luke Arnold wrote to his lawyer, Joseph Custer, requesting, his immediate presence, and on receipt of the letter Joseph sent a line to M•. Raymond, wishing, him to return home at once. In the meantime, Tom Brunton was rapid ly gaining:strength Old was preparing to -ac company the lawyer k W--- - -. Joseph had everything properly arranged to proceed in the matter and only waited until Brunton should recover and RaymOnd return home before he would begin the proceedings. The young lady and her mother still sre maimed at the hotel, and the interest which had been aroused in regard to them still con tinued to increase; and even some people hinted that the:young lady bore a res.emb lance to the Arnolds of that vicinity, and went solar at to assert that there was a strong probability that she was really the heires. But these were only surmises and bad nothing solid to rest upon. Even Mr. Luke Arnold beard these things hinted at and he grew uneasy. He felt the importance of at once closing up the matter, Slid for this purpose waited with the ulmo , t impatience the arritil of the lawyer and the witness, Raymond. He had /aid his plans well, still-be was fearful in view of recent events, that something mightoccur to inter-• fere with his schemes, and at times would give way to the deepest despondency. He felt nervous and easily alarmed,• and when he noticed the suspicious glances which met him at every turn, be - felt very uncomfortable. He giKenn to see difficulties : shhere none existed before. He knew well that, if his right.as claimant under the will would be • Contested, a suit to establish- him in his as serted rights must inevitably follow; and if this should occur and there were any living witness whose testimony could create a doubt as to the justice of his claim, or thrOsi a sus picion over his• past action, then would his chances be impaired— and this very doubt aid suspicion be enough, to render him an Uneasy posseltot, as . well as the object of con tinual-charges. Would he sulject himself to all this co olumely_—would he trail his "Web fished honesty ih the dust Would he have himself proclaimed a villain to the ,world, and ruin not . oaly himself', but destroy forever the hanpineis of his family! . W . 4.•sha I see. • Haying all his airangements completed, Joseph started for For several days he had been maturing projects in his mind, and felt confident that everything would -re• stilt as he anticipated. He was comfortably lodged in the town, and as matters must soon he brought b eaut ifule had no ime to lose. ite bad seer the Agnes t Arnold and ==3 CHAPTER XI THE APPROACHING CRISIS dArtift QUARREL. 44:;!!• - •'..?•;" ':4, I==J her motherspent an half hour in a delight ful fete a fete with. them nut kade them adieti for the evening, with .many reiffers — that he was compelled by business to deprive himself of further pleasure in 'their company for - Abe present. Several young getitlemen who were th4re were of the decided- opinion that the young and handsome Philadelphia lawyer had made an impression on this heart.of• Miss Arnold, and thus lessened their own chances of securing a hold upcn her affections. "Deuced unlucky, 'pon honor, that this Philadelphia gent made MS apperurtrce at this mom( n'. I flattered myself that I was making an Impression—but such is my luck?' ' This soliloquised Mr. Adonis Eglantine, very elegant and very fascinating young gen tleman of --, but alais, ho was doomed to grievous disappointment. . That evening Luke Arnold balled to see Joseph Custer. Joseph appeared pleased to see him, and was informed by his client that Mr. Raymond had returned and everything was ready to have the will authenticated and entered upon probate. "Are you sure the mist is dear—nothing in the wat r and Joseph seemed to wear a suspicious look as he bent his scrutinising gaze upon Luke. "In tho way," said Luke, starting, "what do you mean, Mr. Custar I 'Have you made any discoveries which might give tis any trouble 'I" "That depends somewhat on the way we look at matters. There have been hints thrown out, which,. jf they have any grounds, will givens considerable trouble." "Well, upon my - word,that appeats strange. If you had any hints affectik, my claims, why did. you not inform I f . sooner?. You have let matters go too far- tire consulting me." Luke was angry—and looqil-uneasi ly . up on his lawyer. Had he heard any of the re ports respecting the girl being alive, or worse —had Tom Brunton given him any inform ation I Luke really felt _tilarmed, - which, added to his anger at the prolpect of defeat, just on tle eve of victory,was.enough to Make him. feel very unhappy. "These hints have reached me from various quarters and though nothing :more perhap= than merely supposition, yet I have felt in clined to attach some importance to .theni," said Joseph Custar, and he kept his eye fixed on his client, to mark the effect of his words, . , 'yon think them important, eh I Well and if they are so, will they amount to any thing ?" And Luke was all anxiety to hear the de cision of his lawyer. . "They are not only impOrtani, Mr. Arnold but if prod' can-be brought -to sustain them then you must give -way -to another elaiman , under this Will. "And who is that, Costar, who ?" Arnold advanced .close to the lawyer as he spoke. "Agnes Arnold!! "Who !" exclaimed Lute, while he stood a picture of despair. "Agnes Arnold !" "Impossible 1" cried the client with d,sper stion in his tones. "It its impossible, Custar, she does not, live to make a claim." "flow you know that, Luke Arnold l" de manded Joseph with emphasis; and looking him's:traight in the eye as he spoke.. "I suppose so," was the uncertain re- • sponse, "Luke Arnold, and as the lawyer spoke lie rose to his feet and pointed his finger at i client. "Luke Arnold, you are known to tl e world as an honest man thus far—yThatever of evil attached to you has been . kept' prO foundly secret—hence you stand fair against Mere irhinuations. Thus . you•came to me, your pretensions made the think you honest, and 1 dnderook your,ease. But many events have very recently transpired, which lead me to think that von have only. presented your fairest character.' "Si r,"and as Luh Arnold •spoke,he Clencli• ed his bands in a menacing manner,and strode to the side of the . lawyer. "Sir, do 'you mean to charge me with wrong in this mat ter T" "I undertook this (rise as a lawyer, but never for a moment thcrught that I must aid in consumating a villainous project: I find, sir, that a great wrong exists somewhere, and that to serve you further, would implicate me in perpetrating wrong, I, decline most em phatically to act for you longer." Tustar--;" and LulteX face instantly As sumed an imploring expre:stion. "For heav ens sake, do not desert me now." "Answer me a single question. Your re ply may change my mind in regard to my decision. Do you knot, of did you ever know a man named Thomas Brunton I" The color instantly deserted the .face of Luke, and he shrunk bask from the. lawyer as thongh ri demon menated him. It was several mothents before he 'could find words to reply. "Brunton, 'Brunton, why yes, he was my hostler once." bince ?" "About ten years-- , " "Enough. If I am Correctly informed he left your house at the same time that ,your neice disappeared.; d d discharge 3run ton, or was he entrusted 'with funds and ran off with the money 1 LdlFe Arnold, solve this mittery • Luke Arnold was thunderstruck. He could not speak. It was true, then, that his secret was out and,that the band of fate was against him,. "Take my advice; Arnold, and ultbdraw your pletetwons to this property. It is not too late—you can save yourself from infamy and ruin. Will you pause I" Luke was overcome with contending emo- tions. If he paused now lie might save him- self, but then all the wealth , which he had promised himself, would pass like a dream from his grasp. No, no,- le could not give up so easily: . Eta would . stand 'firm in his purpote, and yet irintnph. ovir - all. There could no witness appear against hit clairn,and he felt e:ure of success, although the difficulty grew mote overwhelming every day. Tet,he Would stiuggliori. If he' Moir it could be no worse—and if be won, then the reward would amply nonipensate him foi what he must endure Joseph had waited to bear tlie'denisioa of tukis Aliold, aDd it caina. "I. will Dever yield my claim until' com• pelled by law and evidence. You have answer.' "We part. Ton have aboset a fatal cop- . . elision," and Joseph md tkoned his late client to withdraw. Arnold retired without a word. ,Josepb at once took the proper stern to contest the Will with Luke Arnold. Arumge- Ments were made for a speedy trial--and in a day or two the•decision would be madeknown. CHAPTER XIII. coseLc,sloN.' The day oftrial had dawned. It was a day fraught with the -most important inter ests and results: The wholecommunitY Were on the tip-top of expectation. The friends of Luke Arnold were conSdent he would gain the suit and, he was unable to discover in what *av he could- be denrivetaf that which he considered his rights. Others sagely shook their beads and thought that . something would transpire on the trial, which would up- set his pretensions, and leave him without a hope. Such were the various feelings MRII2- tained, and the subject was•freely \ discussed pending The trial. On the evening preceding the trial, Joseph Custer held a conversation with Agnes in re lation to the important case, and she expres sed her feats that perhaps she would be un able to fully establish her identity as the heiress, and the failure to do so,would plunge her into still deeper misery. But her feats were removed by the arguments of the law „ter, and she resignedlherself to whatever des tiny awaited her. . Agnes bad acted well the part *she was now playing. She bad appeared as we have described in accordance with the suggestions of Joseph. The design was to arouse suspi cion in the minds of the - catnmunity, as well perhaps alarm Luke, who reposed in such fancied security. Thiibad been accomplish ed, and the natural inquiry in the minds of the people 1.11 them to form very different eonclbsions touching the past conduct of Ar -nold, and cast 'a suspicion around him, which would to a great extent impair his pros pects. The 4egister's court was in re sion. The judges were seated upon the' bench, the law yers were busy preparing to hear .witn toes And take notice of testimony. Every inch of spare room was occupied by the interested citizens. Silence was strictly observed, and all waited with interest the cominencement °Mlle proceedings. .The Court was fulls , pre pated to pri a ed with the business berore it. Joseph Custer, who was now the counsel for the contestant 'bf the Will; arose. He "Erized 'Upon the multitude of people around, and for a moment; his heart sank within him. It was to be his first attempt to address a court, and holfelt a strange sensation as he paused - to collect his thoughts. But feeling the importance and righteousness of his case, he calmed his mind for the effort. All eyes were bent upon him middle knew that much depended on what be' would Utter. We shall not attempt to g've his wdrds as they fell fr.ma his lipt,but we will merely state in brief what his position was. After addressing the judges, and stating the object he had in view , in Grinning this suit, he went on to say that. never had there been a better came present. ed to the judgment of a court, but that like wise there bad rever been a case in which lainy and fraud Were so mixed up. It was true that the character of the man who set up his claim to' the provisions of the Will stood high, no stain bad ever publicly been attached to him ; fthe world . had known him only as an honorable citizen. But he would, in the course of this trial,:remove 'the-veil which concealed his private life; and show as black a record as ever stained the annals of humanity. He would prove by incontestiLle evidenee that Luke Arnold,at the time of the sudden 'disappearance of Agnes, his ueice,was aware of the moment , of her departure-and that further, be had paid one thousand dol lars to have the gill carried away so that she might never return, and - that the agreement' for her removal even extended to the taking, of her life, if required to place her beyond the possibility of return. He would prove by a living-Witness, that the life of the person so taking the heiress, was Arnold. wice attempted at theinstigation ofLuke o A thrill cf hot tor . ° pervaded . every heart in the court-house, and all eyes were bent upon Arnold who sat beside his „lawyer. Luke paled for a moment, but instantly recovered, and though he could not meet . the gaze di rected at him, hemanaged to banish that anxiety which guilt will impress upon the features. . "These facts," continued Joseph, "will be ) 1 proven. I wait to hear the oppos . te side, when the proper witnesses will be call d." The lawyer whom Luke Arnold It d em ployed; .after Ctistar had declined, now a rose. Ile waatt pan of forty-five, and rather prepossessing in his appearanee. Ile spoke without effort, and' though having but It brief period to prepare for the trial, be spoke well. He presented the character of his client as a wall of brass against the attacks of the op posing counsel, and felt confident that he would come mit of the ordeal, unscathed. lie said that the sreliance of the opposition was based upon flimsey suppciitions, the merest hints of busy gosaippeis, and had no sub stantial basis* whatever. his client's past history , was a clear guarantee of the purity of purpose -nosy; and that be had no other,object in view 'llan merely to obtain -possession of what had-become legally his, in the absence of the other ell imant named in the Wilt now under' consideration. lie asked that the court would receive the prayer of the petitioner, end place him in possession of the property. The subscribing witnessess were called, who proved the validity of the Will. The court wished to know if there were any other wit nesses ready. Joseph Custar arose, and stated that there was .one Very important witness whom he wished called. "Thomas Brunton!" Was called, and considerable excitement followed - the antiounceMent of • the name. Luke Arnold started to his feet, but instantly sat driwo. his alarm was sudden, and be could no longer control his feelings. All eyes were turned, to the passage. Presently, eman, pale and wasted; but respectably eltid,was seed to' ailiance and take his stand. The oath was administered, and he proceeded to give in his testimony. What he, stated to the Court was the same in suhstrince as Which . the reader has already beard. His identity. was clearly iroVen, and he took his seat The evidence was it terriLliblciw to Luke.-who suit as immovable as a marble statue. ' Every matt in that assemblage believed him guilty, and he feared' ttie . terrible frown wbieh would tneet.bitn if be dared to raise Via ises:, - One other wiinere remain - ail to - be 6alledi 7 1 ...i^i.4 ,, !t folinit 15, IgnAttr 21 and then, said Joseph, w i e.will permit the that to reEt with your honors for a jecisioti. "Agnes Araold!" And as the tips tiff called the familiar name, a , wild thrill went to every heart,and every ,person seemed ko holittheir breath io awe, as though they erected to .{ see - the den& t [Oise. , A shuffling of feet was heard, and in a moment the beautlful.young lady who bad created such a ftzroreamong the citizens of W—, came forwarc. Mthe witness-stand. She was recognized b t many who were pros:. ent, and .evep. Lnke aised his eyes to gaze; upon her; and whilel is lips : Quivered with emotion, and -hist (rape seemed to shudder with the fearful fate which now threatened; :red, so as to be beard,:— he involuntarily mutte) `-"li—is—herl" , A painful.silence by one of-the judge. Agnes: When her idi tibly established, the and the mass dispersed) news. Lake Arnold sat st his fellow-citizens. ued. Butit was I?rokeu asking a question of :ntity was incontrover rowa breatbe4 freer; to 'spread the wondione 11. He feared to face guilty as he was, he knew not but that his life viould pay the • forfeit of his villainy. Wretched man! But he was permitted to e. cape. None could itir jure the unfortunate who-thus had ruined himself, and involved is family in his fall. No steps were taken to prosecute him for his crimes, and in the stillluessof the..night he fled, none ever knew ivliat was his.fate. Agnes was immediately placed in Possession' of her property., 'She r gave to the distressed family of Luis+. Arncild the homestead they occupied, and'a sumqt money to render theta free from want. Shci resolved to provide for her aged foster-mothr, and bestow upon hey competency, but she refused it, and only esired that she usight.be • permitted. to pass her few teMaining days . with her dear Agg,f.'' his was cheerfully'granted: Tom Brunton was riot forgotten, and though the wrongs of which he was g uilty in his past • , life had rendered his dyistetsce less happy, stilt he sought. to atone fo his errors, and his life pagled smoothly. But, reader, hew this red- .• table history? It is not deinanded that we should prolong it,s.thqt we give-you in detail. all the -trifling minutiae which followed the 'decision in favor of Agnes Arnold. She was now a wealthy heiresb,\ and had taken up ber residence in the city of Philadelphia. She moved in the most refined Arcles, and was everywhere .receiyed! with that eclat• which ever welcomes the rich. After the lapse of a year,Joseph Custar and Agnes Arnold were wedded. Their's was happy lot, and life flows on ,in uninterrupted pleasure. Our ben) no,longer practices law, but having wealth,he.bas chosen a delightful , home near Philadelphia, where he is passing his days, surrounded by every comfort, and in the full and blissful enjoyment of every so cial blessing -whicha pleasant companiod can bring. [THE END] A PASSISO IricroxXi.—As a man of. generi rous heart from the country was guiding, a .1 few days since, his load of hay to the matket, we saw following him; and gatherin the ! wisps of bay which fell frotri the load; a poor woman' and two lads, the latter of ""perhapti the ages of seven and nine years. Our atten tion was specially draWnto them, by -obse rv lug that the man 'frequently took pains to 1! throw whole handfuls of hay down 'the side of the load, in order, as was quiffs aPparent; to, convey,in as quiet a manner as possible, 1 1 sentiments of comtoit to the-hearts of these suffering poor. - AsOur;,walk lay. in the direo tion of the market; we determined to witness I the conclusion M this 'exhibition of sympathy' '! arid generosity. By-and-by the gleaning became so abun dant, that the poor woman could refrain froni her expressions of gratitude no'longer; and bursting into tears, she beckoned, .the an to 'stop and then, in a manner whinh indicated both intelligence and a delicate \sense of her wretched condition, besought Mid to.permit her a single word of thankfulness for his kind ness. " Madam," said the man, "I, too, have been in the vale of poverty, and seen the tint' , when a lock qt . bay would have been consid ered a treasure. friend - by an act of kind- ness, of less value in itself - tb - an the one I had done to you, saved me from despair, and made, me hopeful for better days. Years-have passed now,. and kind Provi dence has hlessed me with a good fdrin.and a happy home. For years as I waked each !. morning, I have seemed to bear a sweet voice i whispering, ' this slay remember the ioor.'":- As he said this lie raised the fork and threw in the woman's . Ordikas great a quanti ty as she and the lads could carry, and then drove onward, with a countenance , etpressive of the truth—" It is better to give than to re ceive." We turned from. the scene to read again, and with greater profit than ever, the story of Ruth, gleaning iii the fields of the. generous - Ron, and of the kindneis of the reapers to the destitute and successful gleaner. THE CliViES.—ln acouhtry where the : . . roses have - no fragrance, and the . Wpmen no petticoats ; wkre the laborer has no Sabbath; at.d the matErate . no sense of honor • where the roads Veer no vehicles, and the ships no keels.; where old men, fly kites; Where the needle points to the south, and the sign" of being .puzzled is to scratch the antipodes of. the head; .where the place of henot is onthe left hand, and the seat of intellect is in the , stomach; Where to take off your hat,is iniolent gesture, and to wear white garineati is to put „yourself in mourning--=we ,ought not to he astonished to- find a literature with , out an alphabet and , a language without a grammar. If we add that, for countless cen turies the tievcrement has been in the handi of State philosophers, and the vernacular dia lects haie seen 86411(16110 to 'the laborieg classes, we must not be startled_thfind that. this Chinese language is the most intricate,. i cumbrous, add -unwieldy iehiele• 41. thought that ever obtained attiong 44 . peonle: There are eighteen diStinct languages in China, besides the Court, dialect; an . al-. though, by a beautiful 'invention desorsik of all imitation, the written language iirso , contrived as to *ate hy, the same Citaracter the sounds of each of 'the nineteen different words, all of which it. equally_ represents, this is of no great its° among the multitude who, cannot read. . There ii noi a man among oar Chinese' saholari Who 'can speak tilt of these lair- , guageswith fluency; and the his no oite whoi can safely either write or interpret an import-' dirt . giate pacer without the asaistanie of a " toaehei."—li r- ong Kong. Correspondent of /*Oar' Tintts. • ,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers