VOLUME 3. Behind the Scenes. '•Four o'clock, and no Ellen yet! What can detain her go—she that is usually more punctual than the clock itself?" It was scarcely a room in which Laura Avery was sitting—rather a magnificent bay window with draperies of embroidered lice. "Poor Kllcn, she murmered, how different our lots have been ordered in this world—her parents dead, and their wialih irretrievably lost and she too p oid to accent a cent that she has not laboriously earned. Oh, dear !" and Laura sighed again just as the clock's lifjuid voice chimed the half hour. "She don't come, soliloquized the per plcxed little damsel, there's something the matter! Perhaps she's sick—oh yes, .she must be sick. I'll send James to enquire—no, I'll go myself." K"forc the sentence was out of her lips hlie v'&s up in her own room adjusting a soft gray Shawl over her black silk dress, ami tying the strings of a quite little brown velvet bonnet, whose one crimson ••ose among its trimmings of emerald moss was not unlike the bloom of her own cheek. "I don't think it's going to snow, she pondered, looking ont at the gray threat • nlng sky, hs she drew on her perfectly filling gjpves. At any v;rte I shall walk very fast." i\i f4x' came tlutngh the softly esr jictgff'YeMiliulc a ser' ant approached her. note, Miss Laura. It came fi*' minutes ago." --Ah! the rose was several the back ground now., as Laura Avery broke cipau tUe untried seal, and glmccd over tS« delicate, cream-coiled sheet, wi thl 'bright, half suppressed Miiiln dimpling the corners ol her mouth. Yet the noto Yfij a very simple one, after all. ' Mv dear Miss Avery:—May I prom ise in} self I lie pleasure of accompanying yon to hc'ir the new opera to nigh;? [jn IRSS I receive a message to forbid mo, I will c.ill for you at half-past s ven. Yuur most devoted slave it subject. 'II.uRIAN liICHLKY." Laura instai.t.y slipped the note into her boson, as if fearful lest ths yciy pic tures on the wall should catch a sight of the cleg:.nt chirograph}', and pursued her y down the gloomy street, with eyes that saw lb" murky atmosphere through a radiunt glow of ru/cnr ile ruse. Meantime the gray October twilight was fading away from a dreary room on the third story of a h mso situa el on one of those side streets where decent respect ability strides, hand to hand, with the griui "assailant, want. Strangely out ;.l keeping with a shabby and poverty stiiken aspect of the apart ment was a newly finished dress of lus trous purple silk, bright as the dyes of Tyre, that lay 10l le ! on the table beside " Jotne in," sa d Ellen, hurriedly dash ins; away the tears. "Laura, is it possi ble that this is you, dear?" „ "Yes. it iB myself, ami none other, Nell I could not imagine why you did not , eouie and fit that dress, as you had ap the reason qow.— Nelly, you artf sick. Why did ydu not sand for me?' Nelly tried to smile faintly. ''l'm not very sick, "Laura; at leist 1 have not Buffered much pain until to night, anil thu doctor says if I only 1»a,3 a little wine—'no, Laura, do not draw »your purse, she adds, with a slightly jjoijceptible sparkle in her eyes, and a ; proud quiver on her lips. I*m not quite' ao low as to aeeopt charity. .Don't look jno hurt and grieved, dearest. You know Jiow sensitive I cannot help being on ■some points. It is only for a little while. -When I am well enough to take that dress honie r aud receive the moacj for it, I shall be euabled to purchase whatever 4 may require." Lauri Avery knelt down at hsr frieud'a with Soft, pleading eyes. i < *'«'oear Ellen, you surely will not refuse • to accept a temporary loan from me. I Elleu shook her head with a grave BUlitc. ' "I caj) wait, Laura." Laura looked from the dress to Ellen with a face of pained perplexity. Sud denly-a bright inspiration seemed to strike her. "Let me take the dress home, Ellen !" she exclaimed, "The walk will bo just what I need, and I can stop at Dubour's on my way back and order the wine for you. You will never be strong unless you closet yourself up a little. You will let me, Nell ?" Ellen hesitated a i^ou-.ent. "Hut. Laura " "No buts in the matter, if you plcaso, Nell, laughed Laura,gleefully beginning to fold the rich dress into the little basket that stood upon the table beside it. Where is it togo?" "To Mrs. Rich leys, in River street.— Why, Laura, what is the matter?" "Nothing, only I am folding this wrong," returned Laura, in a low voice. It wa3 well that Ellen did not see the scarlet flush that rose to her friend's love lv cheek, as she stood with her back to the bed. smoothing the lustrous breadths of pure silk. Mrs. Richley's ! Laura was almost sorry that she had volunteered togo, but it was too late to retract ho, offer mw. "What a selfiih little creature I am, she mused. "Poor Nolly needs the money so much and cannot go for it -herself, and it isn't at all likely that I shall see Florian. 1 y,i[l go—there is an end of it." '•Thank you, dear Laura; it is so kind of you, said Ellen, fervently, as Mfes Ay cry came to the bedside with the basket on her arm, and a blue veil drawn closely ovor £Tie lirdVfri relVet bonnet. "She owes me three dollars fi>r this dress and there art* seven dollats on the account which she has never yet paid me." "Ten dollars! I'll collect it, never fear," said Laura, gaily, as she disappeared, while to Ellen, it siemcd as if the sun shine had all died out with the bright presence her beautiful friend. It was nearly dusk, when Miss Avery, summon ing up all her resolution, ascended the brown stone steps of the Rich ley mansion and rang the bell. "Is Mrs. Itichlev at home?" "What's yout business with' Mrs. Rich ley?" asked the servant, fsuspieiously scrutinizing the little basket that she carried. Laura bit her lips. This man ner from servants was entirely a new ex -perieoce to her, ybt how often must El len have endured it. "1 have corns to bring homo a dress that was finished for her," sho said in a tone of quiet dignity. '■Oh—ah—yes, well, I suppose you h d best walk in." The servant conducted hor up slairs to a sort of sitting room or boudoir, where Mrs. llichley, a poitly dame of about fifty, gorgeously dressed in a crimson silk, was sitting in hor easy chair in front of a glowing coal fire. Laura was inwardly grateful that the gas had not boon lighted, particularly wlieu sho observed that Mr. Florian llichley was lounging on a velvet sofa in one of the window rccessc. Mrs Richtcy looked up as the servant ushcied in the nevj' comer. "Well, young woman, whit do you want?' 1 Laura's chocks tinged at the tone of c larse insolence in which she was ad dressed, but she commanded herself to reply meekly: f'J have brought homo your dress, Mrs. llichley" "Whore is Miss \\ aynatl?" "She is ill." "Very well, lay down the dress, it is ' all right." But J.aura stood her ground valiantly. "Miss Waynnll would like the money to-nigh't. Madame —seven dollars on the old account, and three for this dress." ' It is not convenient to night." "But, Mrs. Bichley, Miss Waynall is, ill and needs the money," persisted Laura. "There, Florian, said Mrs. Bichley, petulantly, addressing the young man in the Turkish dressing gjwu and the elab orately arraogwl hair, I told you just how it would be." deuce is the matter now V snappishly aiked Florkn,
— — have ye, hey 112" '"'No SHch fter*«n h»B come on board." "Toriuetitpd lightning! fihe'a my wi.e" lic'screJwed; "married her yesterday.— All her trunks and mine aboard under the pile of baggage as tall as a Connecti cut steeple. The darn black nigger says he can't hand it out, and I won't leave my baggage, any how. My wife, only think of it, was to have enrne aboard at half-past four, and here it is most five. What's become of her? She caa'thave eloped. We hain't been married long enough for that. You don't think she's been abducted, do ye, roister ? Speak— auswer —won't ye ? 0'• I'm raving dis tracted ! What arc they ringing that bell for? Is the ship afire?' "It is the signal for departure—the first bell. The second bell will be rung iu four minutes." 1 "Thunder ! you don't say so ! Whar's the cap'n ?" "That gcntlcmun in the lilue coat." The Yankee darted for the captain's side. "Cap'n stop the ship foj ten minutes, won't you ?" "Can't do it, sir." "Bat you I tell you. I'll pay you fo-i it. Howjnueli will ye tax ?" "I could not do itl" "Cap'n, I'll give you tew dollars," gasped the Yankee. The captain shook his head. "I'll give you five dollars and a half— and d half—and a half!" he kept repeat ing, dancing about in his agony, like a mad jackass on a hot iron platter. "The boat staits at five precisely," sniJ the' enptuiu, shoitly, gnd turned away. « "O, you stunny-hearted heathin !" murinuicd the Yankee, almost bursting into tears. "Partin' man und wife, and we just one day married !" At this moment the huge paddle whitis began to paw the water, and the walking-beam desccudcd heavily, shak ing the huge fabric to the center. All who were not going to New Haven went ashore. The hands began to haul in the. gang planji; the fasts were already cut loose. "Leggo that plank !'! roared the Yan keq, collaring one of the hands. "Drop it like a Ijot potatoe, or I'll throw you in to the dock '' " ' "Yo—yo!" Shouted the men raejiorifs. as thej heaved oO tfce gangtfay.' ''Sbet up, y.ou braying donkeys," yell ad the maddoped Yankee, "or there will, be an ugly sort M work r ]}ut the jilapk was aboard, and the 1 boat splashed past the pier. In an in stant (he Yankee pulled off his »oat. flung his hat beside it on tlio apd rushed' wildly to the guard. « "Are you drunk or crazy ?" cried a passenger, seizing him.' "I am going to iiing myself nto the dock and swim ashore !" cried the an kee rt l musn't leave Sairy Ann alone in New York city, i'ou may divide my baggage among ye—let me go—l can swiui 1" He struggled so furiously that the con ' sequence of his rashness might have been fatal, had not a sudden apparation chang ed his purpose. A very preity young woman, in a blue bonnet, white Canton crape shawl, pink dress and brown boots, came toward him. The big, brown Yan. kce uttered one stentorious shout of 'Sai» ry Ann 1" clasping her in her arms in spite of bar struggling, and kissed her heartily, right before all the passengers. "Where did you come trom J" he in quired. "From the ladies' cabin," aaswered the bride. "You told me half past four, but I thought I'd make sure, and come it fjur." . . "A little too punctual!"-said the Yan kee. "But it's nil right now. (Jo ahead ?teamboat! Rosin up, thcr', firemen ! Darn the expenses !" When the sun set; the loving couple were seen seated on the upper deck, the big, brown Yankee's arm encircling the slender waist of the young woman in the blue bonnet and pink dress. We believe they reached their destination safe and sound. V ICISSITUD'ESITFTM i HI 0 N. At the time of our story, thcro was an auction store near the Boursa. The Viscount Robert X.de P was 25 years of age, bad an income of 25,000 livrcs, wit, good looks, an illus trious name, an'd could have made a very brilliant marriage. He ought to have been the happiest man in the world. He only hud one regret. He had to do. He needed a little bitter in his cup of sweets, but Heaven refused to grant it to him. He resolved to to other lands, the.re tn soek the fatigues, the suffering*, and the novelties he lacked. So five year* ago, he entered by chance •n auction room, just as they weraput- j ting up a capital portable writing desk. He was about to travel, and it was ju»t what he i.ecded; go he bought it for three hundred francs. It probably cost more than ten times that sum. Tn the interior there were compartments for everything, and a plate bore the name of Lord N one of the richest peers of England. He was enchanted with bis purchase, and carried it home in triumph. Some days after be set out for §jain. As bo went from Madrid to Capiz ho was stop ped by thieves who completely robbed him. Tho only thing he missed was bis desk. He prayed them to return it. They refused; but their Chief, Don .Tose Maria, promised to send it after him to Cadiz, on receipt of a ransom. Robert promised two hundred roals, and gave the address of the hotel where he meant to stop when at Cadiz. EJe sent the money and got the desk. In America, in tho wilds of Mexico, his desk was carried off by Mexicans. He thought it lrst. Four months af terwards he found it in a sbdp in Vera Cruz, and paid five hundred francs for it. In 1852, having returned to France, he thought of going to Baden. He passed tho summer there, and went to Paris, visiting Cologno and Aix la Cha peile on the way. Arrived at the frontier, which separates France from Uelgium, ho fell into the bands of the custom house officers - Some day beforo some skillful fellow had defrauded the customs to a consider able amount; consequently the officers wero on thoir guard. Tho search was long, and the Viscount became furious. " What do you fear 1" He asked m g"'y " Oh, sir, objects of groat value can be concealed in a small space." " Have I tho air of a smuggler?' - he asked. No; but there arc embassadors who smuggle without scruple." The search •continued, and the V.s count was Sstonished to see the officers open drawers in his desk, of tho exist ence of which ho was ignorant. At last, lull of imjiaticnee, he wished to reclaim it. " Now that you have soon all,' said he, 'let us not prolong this unpleasant in vestigation." "'What do you say ?" . " I say tliat you have seen all, and know that I have nothing contraband." " Your coolneu, sir, makes me pity' you. Have yoij nothing to bring forth T If you do 80, you will bo freed by paying the dues; if not, and I find anything, there will bo both a confiscation and a fine.-*' ' '<• " But you have seen all." " What.da.FOU mean by perhaps?" "It is well made. Any one but my self might have been deceived." " But I swear to you that you have seen all." : " Why deceive u« ? lam going to prove the oonlr'ary." • " If you find anything else, I'll swear I know nothing of it." NUMBER 48 " A poor expose. I warn you that I uo cot believe you." Let lis finish this bail joke as quick as possible." ( '• We will, nnd so much (lie worsa for you." , ' , And with the nail, the officer pressed against what was apparently a little orna-, meat, which flew back disclosing adrawer in which wal a paper parcel. The officer took it out, looked at it, nnd put it bajV. " That is not contraband," said he with a bow, ' and with so much money I waa worth to accuse you." Hut the Viscount wa3 stupefied witlb astonishment. " Bank notes ! But I did not put them there." " iou are very fortunate, sir, if you can forget a million so readily.". Tn fact there was a million of pounds sterling. The \ iscounl took the notes, counted them, replaced them, aqd determined.to find the owner. Arjived *t London, ha sought out Lord N , whoso name was engraved inside. The Nobleman af firmed that the money was not his. lie had given this desk to a former valet,of his, whose address he gave the Viscount. This valet was now a weal thy shopkeeper in Pull Mall lie told the Visoounf that he knew nought of the money, but while in Italy had sold the'dosk to Count Luigi Scttiuianni, who was immensely rich. and in whose service be then wa«. The Viscount set out for Italy, and went to Ravenna, where Count Settiman ni lived. He r*cogniwd the d»»k but avowed that he had nevar plaecd any money iu it. He lent tie Viieoaai, ho^> ever, to the SiguoTa Laura H —, a former prima donna of the Saa Carlo, at whose house, in hi* gay day*, ba had for* gotten bis desk. The Signoro Laura re«ognk«d the daak and related that she had given it to tho Russian I'rinft*, Alexia Bin ex change toiva pearl collar- " v - The Viscount sot out for St. Peters burg. He was vcrry happy. He now had something to do—to find the trup owLcr of the hidden money; He placed it at interest, in order that it might not run the risk of b£ing lost. Prince P knew tho desk, but declared that ho bad never concealed 9 bank note in it. lie told the Viscount that in leaving Italy lie had gone to Paris, and bad /fir en the desk to a danseuse of the opeft, Louise P , who was not in the hab it of concealing money. Robert returned to Paris. Therp he learned 4-hat. after a life of gallantry and luxury, Louise P had died in misery, and that her furni ture was sold by creditors. It was at that sale he had bought the desk. What to' do ? lie could only think that the maker of the desk had plactd the money there, or that it WM there deposited by the Spanish robber wko stole it. The maker at London wrote that bf know nothing of it, and the ViacounJ learned that the Spanish robbers who had stole it had all been hung. .. Ah ! perhaps it was deposited thereby tho Mexicans. lis went to Mexico from whence ho returned two months a g°- ' 4 He there discovered that one of those into whose hands it had fallep, was » trapper, who carried on a considerable trade in skins with the Americans. This was sufficient. He must have been tho man who had concealed the bank nobea. The viscount continued his search, *nd at last one day found at Vera Crul a pretty young girl of seventeen, the daugh ter of the Mexican by a Frenoh woman who had come to Verm Oru* as a mijlf ner. , 'ji. In answer to this question, the told hinj that ttb* new nothing of her father bat that bo was killed by a Texan ranger. She was excessively pretty, sensible fellow, ho married her, and Wr ing at last fomHhing to France with, her to