Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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tfPSHSaSHSHSHSHSHSiSTciS^ j | ?THE=| | WEB OF FATE 1 ? Or, A Revolutions; y Scout g C] jji | By BYRON DOWL1NG Ci ^.sasEsasasasHsa SHSHSH/?? i u s %v:iy." ho said; ami t'oun IJuport found himself looked up in a high square log house, built for curing and i ho safe keeping of the winter .apply of ba< on. In a state of vague inxi. ety, und with a heavy heart, he paced to and fro. occasionally stopping to gaze through one of the many crevices at the scone without. A numerous guard surrounded liis place of imprisonment. and soon the remainder of the "Sharpshooters" were formed in a hollow square before bis door. The meaning of these preparations he knew !co well, and searching were the questions that lie occasionally asked himself, but ids conscience was unsullied. He could but repine, however, -iit hi? lot, for just as jhe bright run shine of Aurora's love had begun to j beam through Ids stormy life, a death- i n loud had come to oppose ii. No matter. lie was innocent. When the square was formed. Dan- i forth accompanied by the other ofll- i c?>ra. entered it. * Soldiers.^' said he. "1 only hnhl autho-lty from your suffrages, although J.j these perilous hours we are not too nice upon the points of etiquette. Hut ii it your minds that Itupert Loudon lie now tried by a drum head court martial, for charges to be preferred against him by Sergeant .Tones?" There was a itninaiuous shout, that echoed fearfully in Itupert's heart, of ' V y!'* Then, adjutant, select the (lie senior commissioned oilieers." said Dan- ' forth. ""Ids was soon done, and when they i had advanced into the centre of the . squire. Danfortli commanded: "Now . b; t!i" prosecutor stand forth! \dju- | tar.t. bring out your prisoner!" A ; moment more the key grated in the 1"rk, and Kcuert. in. obedience to a , frem l.ylstou. went out. with a j 11?? step, to f.i e his accuser. solemn as is a < ..;trt <>f .instil o. when j r crime ar tried, it is surpassed in ft-.trfui dignity liy a court martial. No qulbbtng lawyers pleading on t Do f'd whi h pays tl.nn. make a mock- j cry of .in- ice?*v? obsolete forms or rutlquated mist ws are observed | v/Jjilo lifo is at make but the culprit I this accuser. and in the ltands of *, is judge- is li>- earthly oxistem e. , f'ueh were the thoughts of itupert 1.oudo:i.xfcj !i ' e.i ored tlte liollow F-luure. tueqdiy erect in the conscious- 1 liess of inno.Tnee. y.-f not daring to ! >4>1; around. I . t ho should moot un- j friendly c'anir- from those he liad ' sever injured ii thought, word or ?ieed. "Sergeant .Io.k-s." said Oanfnrth, you will Plate your ehargos." "Murder and treason. Nothing jdiort." "Mr. Ignition," s.iid Hanforth. "It is rny peculiar and unpleasant duty to try you, w ..un I had fondly expected to have obeyed as my commander, on these charges. Tills Is not. 1 know j u regularly organ i/.od court, hut were It no in sers'.on. flies., exasperated 1 , V*n around von would have taken the j 3**? into their own hands. Tc gi\e ! -vo:? ji chance to exculpate yourself. I j a<k y.e.i to plead to the charges." Not guilty of cither, as God i- my j| judge." firmly replied Hup rt. laying his hand upon his hear:, and raising h'.s eyes t?? lie.iven. Yet dauntle ? as v.ns l.is demeanor, he fell heart-sick ;a! his isolated. friendless position. , "Now. tSer403l?t .lone, for your .charges." j j Pulling forth a dirty slip of paper. ! ns ;f to refresh his memory, the ex- ' aspirated sergeant commenced. s "f irst end foremost. he came with a ! Itritlsh otll. er from Carolina and - op p'd at old Maxwell's alter that story had humbugged us. from there he came to our camp, pretending 1 ? have 1 escaped. When at old Maxwell's he 1 rohahly was taken with Miss 'Uora. 1 on his way hero, he followed AdJa'fti'. Lydston. and watched hi in meet iipr J s ?W liiiu i.s I \v:is lont.-iiie ntt-.r ! partridge:*. The ne\t night. feeling i Jealous, I s'pose. he trie.l to <tal? Adjutant I.ydston while he was asleep?" A murmur of censure inn n ap cd Ihe excited sergeant. and ltupirt foil .a deadly fatutntss steal over his frame ?out he quailed not. ! 1 'Tlii*." eon tin ued thr pccuser, 'could have been nroved l v Unit Kco'eh trumpeter, hut when the critter ; told tut- of it. he M*id jhat the major J was a countryman of hi*, ami was yrg 1 >.??* him to desert. Sure enough lie .-outfit t?ut. Well, no sooner was tlr-?oys* jv?ne to '(Susta. than the major 1 j was n missing. 1 trailed him tliough, f-'.vj him with g redcoat just a hove ' phove here, and put out so tell Stpiito I thniorth. l>it)n't I r" ,'Vou dhl. (lu on, said Hnnfovth. In a husky tone of voice, for he felt outraged hy the apparent dnjdlciiy (,t' j i tilpei't. "1 hadn't more than goim. tho'jgl . ( when lie sent the trumpeter to old Maxwell's, where a troop of dragoon* had mine meanwhile, and the next ( morning lie came here t<> moot them. ^ I saw him, for. 1 had hurried hack, j "Well, he sent the trumpet* r to show tKcm Jha way through Rocky Run to the camp. He went back to old Maxwell's. Thev dragoons didn't make much, r.o he has come back again. If this Isn't trying to murder, un*l ?< ; | ' ting a man to/desert, and giving itj- | ( formation to the enemy, an? all sorts of treason, I'd like t<? know what iq thunder treason isV" said the excited sergeant. Rupert listened io all In silence. TTla 1 countenance, although it hetrnyed no signs of weakness, whs pale, and the Tuusctes around itis mouth were occasionally nervously agitated. Truth 1 mid innocence were stamped upon his ' *?rowi and yet the greater portion of the "Sharpsluiojters" evident ty he- ' lle'"?d hint guilty. t.owering hi> brows and muttered Imprecations In one In- ' stance broke forth in tho menacing , 1 "Words, "Hang him to the next treol" I jrcmBi uuen u?u imjrvi . - " turn ex< iaiitM-i!: "Listen! Miss 'Ui>ra Maxwell writes Hiii;-: 'The dragoons. no wishing a repetition of last night's i>n?mnter, are preparing to leave. 1 listen lo re pro thoy leave, for you have little Idea of what is going on.' Now, my lads, saddle your hoi and fall in.'' "Hut what do you do with Major Loudon In the in antime?'" asked Lyd< on. "What can IV" said Dapforth. "I tvish to tal c i v ry man with me." "Mr. 1 tanfor;h," remarked Iiupert4 >u a determined tone. "1 eaino here nV light the ltritish. Let me aeompany you If 1 falter, shoot me ss you would a dog And after the struggle, I as your prisoner, will surrender myself for trial." "t'onsarn it. let him go!" exclaimed Jones, who had lingered about. "I'm afraid I've wronged yon. major. I'm afraid I have, ltnt if I have, that confounded trumpeter is the anso, and I hope you'll forgive me." "At any rate." said Danforth. "yon two ride sitle l?y side. So Jones, gi r Major London my spare horse. I hope sincerely tha" all this may yet be explained." Half an hour afterwards and the "Sharpshooters" moved off. In the centre of the column, between the horse and the foot, rode Sergeant Tones and Major Loudon. CIIAl'TKU XVI. A SAP FINAL!-! TO (H ILT. It had been an eventful morning at the "Stronghold." Mr. Maxwell was awake when Mr. Vernon knocked a' liis door, and t o ing. he threw on dressing gown?then admitted him. The lawyer had so n a great change In bis former patron iho night previous. but in the broad sunlight the haggard and hloodlos Ili- hair. Mire as black as the raven's win::, was now nearly white, and buns in re>g. io tr.l locks, flood morning. Mr. Maxwell, I am L'! ! to see you Up." Thank you. Vernon. 1 have slept hut little." "I'.ut you must recruit sir. You must Jrink sonorous wine, banish . are, and regain your former manliness, or when you visit the Highlands, the elan will wy that the American air does not icreo with you. Come. sir. Supposing I give you some good news, will not that revive you a little?" "lias that infernal Trevor gone?" racantly asked the heart stricken man, ns if that would lie 'ho best intelligence that could greet his oars. "No! Hut do not care about 1dm. Aurora's hand ts pledged to your son, you k?ow, and that shuts out the red oat. lie's an impudent puppy, and 1 long to te'i liiiu so." "My son! Do you know that I have been thinking of hint all niglit, and vainly end< axoring to imagine how he looks? Hut 1 can lix upon nothing but the twin cherries on his shoulder." Twin cherries!" repeated Vernon, " 'ih some hesitation. Then. as if rem~mm??? < " braved tlie grim monster upon the battle-Held. yet now tliat lie was to meet a felon's doom he felt sick at heart. Strange images floated through his mind?hopes which had no basis save In fancy?chances of escape which wero madly impossible ? torturing doubts which raced his spirit?and in a few seconds the whole Incoherent ma>s of ideas became amalgamated into a sensation of indefinable misery. 'Silence!" commanded Itanfcrtli, and os he spoke it was evident that if the ninii were excited, their leader was perfectly sell" posso-u"* d. His siern countenance betokened a dot ermine tion to execute justice, hut not to suffer an abuse of power. "Just keep quiet," he continued, "and do not 1?. your feelings lead you astray, Prisoner! what have you to Bay i:i reply to these charges?" As ltuport essayed to speak, lie experienced a momentary giddiness, with n choking emotion, but It soon passed fuviy. A faint lie- tic flush lit up his cheek, as he said, in a manly, dignified tone; "1 came in o this portion of the world at the request of those around tee animated by a sincere desire to aid them in battling for their freedom. I brought with me uiy sword, which ha ; be-n drawn in"defenre of colonial lights my commission signed hv the illustrious Washington, our commander in-chief ? and my good name. Solemnly, before Heaven, do I declare tlia* I have committed 110 act to sully these, my earthly all. Circumstances. based on "the natural suspicion against foreigners, have prejud'eed Miis worthy 111111 against hp?vrt I do not b"l!eve that lie would wrong me uiicni mnai'y. i;n. I?; -? elm rges?if they are deliheiate idiarg a upon wliieh snv "If*' depend*. are utterly ungrounded -all l ask for Is justice. I nin ready t.i in. i any proof that can po?-?;il !y lie brought "orwatd. Hut. as a stranger in a s. urt? land. I demand a fair tiiil at at* hands ?.f those who Invited me hero- whose interests I have never hetrayed?In whose hand.- ! leave niv fate." These few words, uttered with heart felt eloquence. were listened to with hroathle - suspense. and their manly frauk::< . s evide.i ly |irodnced an immediate revulsion of fe lini*. The young otlicer's very appe.iran<e, as he p-noil like a lion at hay. eonfronting his pursue-s wis in itself more eloquent than wonts. 1Tis brow was ?aim his eyes were clear and fearless. Indeed, his whole hearing was exactly the reverse of what tr would have heen. had ho been guilty. "Mr. f'oniniandor." raid Adjutant T.ydston. "there must h some mistake here, rely upon it. So ft r as i am concerned ! feel confident that ti > attempt was made upon my life and I know that on two occ.isons when Major T.oiulon may have a:i opjtortnutty of disproving them." A mttrninr of a sent rree'cd this freindly proposition, and Rupert's eyes glanced true thank- at liis ally. ' Will you serve as the prisoner's conns. IV" asked Hanforth. ' Then It mtiv he t.e-t to adjourn?** Il?*re ho was Interrupted by the sergeant of the patrol, who came galloplug up. "What news?" asked a dozen voices. "lie-re is a letter for Major Loudon, pent by a black girl from old Maxwell's. who raid that it was very urgent." l.ydston took the note, and handed Jt to Rupert, lie tore it open glanced over the eon exits, and said: "(Jentlenn n here are tidings of your enemies that you may not consider treasonable." And he handed the note to Danforth. who in his turn read it? covering himself, ho suhl, "yes. foul maybe those marks are obliterated lie's a Hue lad. though. Ituther wild pei-Imp*. fout he'll foe the steadioi when his wild oat* are sown." "IIow I long to see hlni." "Not more than lie does to see you I hope that before night?" "What!" Interrupted Mr. Maxwell, rising. "Your wjsli will ho grat'fled. Now my dear sir. do not become excited, Alexander is in this section of country. and has been wounded in lighting km ii - kiiijt. a i u r inar will l- ll Rroatly to tho credit of both of you at court." "No: dangerously, I hope?" "A more scratch. Indeed. you are tho creator Invalid of tho two. V.iit i this morning ho needs rest When lie : Is recovered, my plan Is this. If there soldiers insist upon their matrimonial I project (which *rives one a rich wife and the other a step 1 i ranlcl. why not j marry the young cousins at 0:1 e?" "What will Aurora suyV" "Say? Why of course she will obey you." "I am not so positive." said Mr. | Maxwe'I -baking his head. "Never i.i'n 1. I.et rraHcrs come tn a crisis, and I'll warrant she'll pro, for i Maxwell to a fortune-hunter." | "How 1 wish it c iuld he s-? t!e:l so. ! At any rnte. you say I shall see my I son to-day." "ltcf.ire sun-et. M anwhile. sup: posing yon dress yourself and come i down stiiirs. I must Rive these red| coats a lesson for having let an important prisoner escape." Who?" "One taken yesterday. A fe'iow named Loudon." "Nay. I am delighted. l>o you kr.ow I tha* lie is a Scotsman by It'r'h. A noble-hearted young man. and a gentlej man too. lteally I am triad that ho has ; a Rain atone clear." "Mvery one to their liking." "Yes. Now there wan n ra--ally . trumpeter, who has deserted from ci < side to the other until he don't know ! where he d< < s lu l :v.r. Wi h sn u r- ne | ptades I h tve no sympathy?but I tell | you frankly that had it n t ! e-n ir.r I Alexander I should ha ve- '..---n a ?" "llush! hush!" eagerly interrupt e-l | Vernon, his face iltishiutr a lu* f; ??{? "Pon't he s i h.ivty in forming op uj Ion-. Hut I inn t xo down stairs nsw I and hop-- to so you th "*e seen" j "Send Cato o r.c. if y.-.i s -e "n'm." "t'ato If I am not mis a'.cen tievI was great Inpiiry him a'-mf I break fa-1 limn. I wi.l t y to have bir.i ; found, tliouy.li. a -d - or to yon." Vernon then 1 t and descended the I s atrs in a co-itcnted -tate of in'nd. only clouded by (he remark about the h'liinnrfdr -Tlot * - , |< V?.. ^ Hum ??:>, MX a I I!'? I \vas a lawyer, not only by edu< alien, i l>nt l?y instinct. f.;s every action. from ehlldho ?il. ha i been in neconl| ance with seine studied plan, uncurbed j by principle, and based'In la or years i upon a consummate knowledge of mankind. First of nil. it was his purpose to make the interests of others subservient to his own advancement, sn that he had risen upon tlie ruins ; of the fortunes and hopes of others, un'.il lie now approached the climax : of his desire.-. s If-complacency was one of his prominent traits, and when he again entered the breakfast room, lie was offended at Captain Trc. vol's salutation: "hook h re. oi l cock-of-the-wslk, what are you calling so loud for Cato for?" "Sir." said Vernon, haughtily drawing himself up. "Why Cato has gone to gel soma lint and here you are calling him." "Who has a better right to, sir?" "There'- * good joke, old moonshine. Come, take a drink, and then I'll tell you." Vernon shook his* head negatively. "Won't drink, oh! Well. 1 shall own that darkoe before night, and , neither you nor any other man shall j order hint around." ! "You own him. >ir!" "O. humbug; None of your parchnten' airs and pettifogging dignity, j Oldn't you p-omise to marry ine to Miss Maxwell only yesterday, and now you're tp.rbl ling? 'Twont do. old one." "Such language, sir!" "O. pooh! You needn't think that because Foster is in command, you can snub me. Just look at him poring over that map, studying the be. t way back into Carolina. l?t?t 1 don't go unless ! leave a wife here, in a nest to ijv b. > k 'o. when there rebels are once whipped. So my o! 1 covey?" "1 tell you. sir. such language?" "Is good enough for a pettifogging lawyer. I suppose you wish your foe 1 in advance. W? .1. you shall have it, al l dcu'llb.f \Vl.nf< ?>i? a .... ...x-. ? mighty man of l:i\v?thou disciple of Kljcksmne and admirer of Coke?" "Captain Foster." euc'ainud Vernon. for on o in his life i?egau to | lose liis t. rnpor. Sir." coldly replied the captain, without even lifting his eyes from a ; map which lie was intently studying, atisoibcd in deep thought. '1 ask yon Captain Fo-ter. if one of ! i m.i ;<vtv's justices is to be thus in 'sited*;" "S rry." wt- t'u- t ift reply, "hut my hands ;:re full just now." "11 is mdy'tf tin Co dicks.' hiccupper Trevor. "Well t) " sr. riot the enraji 1 liv; r. "I tell ! Hh of ymi that you nr. no g.-utlerucn. If von think you t in intitiii ! He me with your < atnp -wng ; t-a-'s. you ?r mistaken, and y. u i : 1 ? this day. I w|?h y> u , go -d un rn.ag." No yon i| >n't," said Trevor, spring1 ing to the door, which lie closed and ! stood before. "You've no bailiffs hero, I my hearty." "If I had. I'd soon have you locked , up. I wish to pass." "Say when you'll marry uio then. Rut it must ho within an hour or two. i Old Tempos keeps fugTng it. as you j scholars say." j "What mean you by this Insolence? Am I. one of his majesty's Justices, to he kept prisoner by i d-unken soldier? It will he a long hour before I marry you." "Come. come, said Captain Foster, in a conciliatory tone. "l?o marry them if Trevor insists upon it. for we shall soon need him I fear tlint ihesa rebels, emboldened by their last night's success, may attack us." "Yes," hiccupped Trevor, whose potations wore cvhh-n Iv taking more ef feet. "Make me promise to love, honor and endow myself with all her worldly goods. that old Maxwell has been hoarding up for some son of his. The rascal?if 1 had him hero. Id teach him to aspire to her hand." This last remark roused Vernon's passion. "What!" he shouted, stamping his | foot In rage. "You ate not lit to dean | that youuK man's shoes. No. Nor can you ever touch n farthing of Miss Maxwell's property, you fortune-hunting. ilrunkeu scoundrel." "Say that attain!" said Trevor, who was somowlia cohered by thir, abuse. \ urnon threw into hij scornful eye an:1 curling Hp nil the detestation that eocid he concentrated on tlio visage r?f f> n Inflirl'l tori ilamon e???rl ror.ro. * -wl I ? - . .. .... ...I > MVWIV.I, UMU ?vj/*-,w vu In ? deep. distinct voice: "Scoundrel!" Captain Trevor star cd as If stru'lc by a heavy blow?the rod blood lied from lils cheeks and lips?a gleam of Intense tiro shot from Ids eyes, ami ho appeared as ono at whose feet n thunder bolt had fallen, while the livid lightning still played on his fave. An histan . and recovering himself, ho said in u perfectly cool and deliberate tone: "Von will retract that remark, sir!" The coolness of Captain Trevor, as j Is usual in similar cases, but increased the irritation of his adversary, wiio ' now lost all control of himself, and actually foamed with passion, as he i retorted: "Never, you despicable fortune hunt, or Your attempt to defraud a worhy young man Is us mean as it is base." "Are you ntadV" said Trevor. "Mad* 1 ant sane enough to etch your villan* . Now leave that door. J wish t > pass out." "Not until you apologize for your outrageous language." "You will not stand one side, eh7' shelled Vernon. In a voice rendered shrill bv fury, and he advanced In a ; menacing at.itudc. "Keep off!" The caution was unheeded, for Ver! non. grinding his teetli with r.tge. sprung at the officer with nervous en: ( r.*y. seized him by the collor of his ! < >.'. and was about to drag hint from j ti o door. Tiavor. maddened by this additional | insult, caught his angry assailant by I his cravat, which was of cambric. will 1 >11 *r ends, and after a twist in order to pet good liold. he east him from lilin with great force. Whirled round, the unfortunate man fell headlong, lii3 temple striking the sharp corner of a mahogany sldeboaid, against which the skull was crushed like an eggshell. "My son! my son!" ho shrieked. Then falling heavily over, there was a rattling sound In Ills throat?his limit' moved convulsively?and his spirit ascended to Judgment. "Groat t.v.d!" exclaimed Foster, iri a h-.rror-sti U-ken voice, "you have kiiicc bici!" "Killed him!" echoed Trevor, a lor por s ealiug like a dark cloud over hi? senses, as he stood like one entran cd. "Yes. lie's deacl!" solemnly repllcil Captain Foster, who was feeling the unfortunate man's pul-e. "Life Is extinct." "God pardon me!" exclaimed Trevor, and throwing himself upon his knees, ho bent over the lifeless body with a sick heart and a giddy brain. "Dut can nothing be done?" "Nothing " lust then there was a loud,knock 1 at the door, and both ollicers started I to their feet, i "Who's there?" asked Captain Foster. "Sergeant Ilowe. sir. The men you sent out on the road say that about two miles from here they met the advance guard of the rebels, coming this way." "How strong is the main body? Did they, see it V "They did. sir. from a hill, and they j think that there is at leas four hundred men." Confusion!" muttered Foster. "What can we do?" "Leave this terrible place," replied Trevor, in a sad tenet that showed his deep contrition. 11 is features, that had been stern on bloody fields, where he had cut down his fellow-men without mercy, were now shaken with the convulsive struggles of heartag< ;;y. "1 will?1 wiU." said Captain Foster. Then, going to the door, he gave hi* orders to the sergeant. "Have all the wounded men who can ride, in their saddles. Then form the troop. ami I will lie ready to take command. | to art as a rearguard, and to protect ! their rotroa'." The sergeant left, and Captain Fos- > P r. returning into the breakfast room. J said to his sorrow sticken comrade. ^ "Come Trevor. What is done ran | not lie helped, and surely you h id , I great provocation. Now lot us lay die ' poor fellow upon the sofa, and then i leave. Nothing can restore hint to life, ami there Is no use In remaining here to paiti ipate in his sad fate." As he spoke, the loud, dear notes of the trumpet sounded "hoot and sad die." and when ho had concluded he pointed towards the door. Well has it been said that the human heart is | the mystery of all mysteries, and here was an example of two of Its wondrous pliv When the otllee- was in Vernon's power, as it were--insulted by him ",'s sopl rose up in ingor. But ; no v that the tables were completely 1 turned, ti e vie; >r felt his pnger swal- ; 1 lowed up In vain regie;:;. and slowly I i turned a mourner from his side. A few nuitr nts n ore and the lira | ( goons left the ' S rongiud 1," with j el nale.l brows ami a der.ic inor the , \erv i . t rse of the careles- bravado ' i which had characterized them when ; they came. The terrlllc fire of the | "Sharpshooters" had not otdr deel- ! mated their ranks. but had chilled j their enthusiasm, blunted theli honot land destroyed their self-eonfl lenee. The often ridiculed 'ploughmen' tliey now were forced to >egard as their conquerors?they left as mourners, saddest of the -ad was the once volatile Captain Trevor. Hardly had the rear of the column filed away from before the house. miittii .'ir. mux won, wnn iremnnne , walk, entered the breakfast room, /here be expected to 11 nd his legal ! ally. "What!" said he. "are you taking a i iian thus early?" and advanced to the aofa. Hut no sooner did he sea the sad spectacle, than he started hack itf hnrror. The bloody wound gave th? lawyer's face a fiendish expression, nd his glassy eyes glared hatred even in death. A haze came over Mr. Max* I well s faculties, like the dim mists of I the valley of the shadow of death, and ho sank heavily on the floor, j where he lay in that state of senii-ln* I sanity In which the brain. refuses to i , act. ' I CHAPTER XVII. REPENTANCE AND ATONEMENT. 1, Aurora, meanwhile, gat by the bedaide of the suffering Alexander, who J had slowly recovered his consciousness I Poor girl. As >-he ga/.ed at hlui with a mingled oppression of sorrow and of Indignation, a variety of emotions filled her heart. Before lier lay one who lind deeply Injured the Idol of her atfe- tlons. and who had laid plans, whieb. If successful, would wrest from her all she liehl dear on earth. At first, when he had revealed his treachery. Indignation had prompted to leave him in disgust, but then came an idea. Could she not induce him to <o:ifesa publicly what she had learned during his deliriumV It was a happy thought. "You fee-! easier now " she asked. "Yes. thanks to you," he replied, in a faint tone of voice. "Hut 1 cannot live, and <). I am unfit to die." "There is pardon." said Aurora, "for those who repent." "l'ardon! <?. but not Tor such as I am. You little know my past career." "Nay! 1 know all!" "Know all!" exclaimed the sufferer, clasping his hands together. "And do you not despise raeV Hut who '.old you? <). has that had man betrayed his own child, ^vhen he flud3 him no larger able to answer his ovu pur- j poses?" "No. Alexander, your father has net revealed a word." "Who then has?" f-aid he. and a> he spoke he writhed in pain. "You. yourself!" "I! How?when?" '"litis morning, ere you recovered consciousness, your guilty < onscienee disclosed it- burdens. Now. Alixandor. make am 'ad", before it is loo late." "I will?I will. But how can I? How?'" The opening of the door in errupted hint, and he saw enter Itupert Ixtudon. }cc m. ani <1 by Danbirth and Sergeant Joces. No sooner di 1 Aurora see her : !orcr enter, than she sprang to her feet, clasping her hands convulsively, and exclaimed: "Providence has sent you." Then turning to the bedside, she continued: | "There. Rupert, lies one who has done you gtea' wrong, but who now repents." "I do! I do!" said Alexander, la a mournful tone. "Forgive me before I die." "Tint I will." replied Rupert "Surely. however, your offences against me cannot be many." "Water!' gasped the sufferer. Taking a long draught, he drew breath, and said, in a sad voice, scarcely audible: 'I.ir.ten! When 1 tan fir3t recollect. I was a hay at school in Edinburgh, where my mother had lived and died. Once a year, my father, a harsh, auelere man. came to see me. lee.ured nn and left. At las however?it was soon after my twelfth birthday?he told me I was to accompany him. Any change from that dreary school wawelcome and with a glad heart I went, lie took me to Paris, and there told me that I was not his son. it was a falsehood-?I knew It was?but I concealed my feelings. Well, bringing me back to Scotland, he presented mo as the son of a man adored by his tenantry, but then an exile. The clan hailed titeir young chieftain with jov. and I. miserable dissewnter, played my pari well. Year after year was the deceit carried on. until one day i gave way to a lit of passion, and struck the housekeeper of the man whom I no longer called father. What!' exclaimed the old dame, 'am I to bo abused by a hawkling who has taken the eaglet's nest?' And she sought her master. in a fearful passion. Alas! she never left his loom alive! That night I was forced to aid I In interring her, and then, over her , grave, did 1 learn the dreadful secret. ' To gratify hi- cupidity, my father had passed me off as another?as a young man who was then in Fran o. ignorant of his position, lie had been carried from Scotland by one who had loved his mother, but the death of his guard. Ian had kept him in ignorance of his family." , 'Heavens!" said Rupert, with hi> features blanched by emotion, and a : quivering lip. "Who?" "Hush!" interrupted Aurora. "On not bewilder him." Then I half Inanimate vming man. she hold a glass <>f water to his feverish lips. When he had drank, ho .-ontinued; "l will not offend you with a reeapttnlation of my wro cited life. Whenever in ditlUulty 1 had to throabn my fath r with exposure, to make him disgorge his ill-gotten gains. Miser, hard-hearted man that he was. he staked everything upon my future exaltation. and under his guidance T played my part. At length, in a tit of ; passion. I stabbed a h >on rompanlon t?. the heart. My father was away. Rro-ikir.g open los iie-k. I abstracted sulllrtent money f..r my Might, and ?oon reached London where 1 abandoned myself to vi o. Soon my money war spent, and in a lit of desperation [ en I is ed. having always been some what of a rot.si. an. What a change, i l'r.-m being a pettc.l heir spoiled by all around me. I became a menial, ( f .. d t.> p rat i. u.o-t degrading i otli cs. Ibit my s v?-n :h fails roc. j Soon after I tva?h I the scat of war I desertel. and v.-.tnilc: ing into the country, jo ned the Simrpsh.iOtcra. There I found?" "Me!" interrupted Rupert with the most intense anxiety. Tesi You! Alexander Maxwell, bet- j tor known as Rupert Loudon. At first 1 was tempted to tell ymi alt. To expose the Imposture of my father. To restore you to your rights. Put my evil genius prevailed, and--may <5od , pardon nte!?I attempted to assassinate yon. In the dark I missed my victim, but when I found that Mr. Lydston had been mistaken for you, ; my evil genius again instigated me to ( injure you, by throwing the suspicion on you." "How could I he such a fool!" blub- | bored Jones, whose rage at havlne i been led to accuse Rupert found vent In a flood of tears. "My duplicity from that time I need I no recapitulate I.ast night. after beins brought here wounded, 1 unoxpect- | edly met my father, ltut he atern and ; relentless, only spoke to me of tho | accomplishment of his schemes. 1 was to l?e wedded at once to this angel, in order to keep the e*tn es from the hand of some other Intriguer. This, too. when I was dying. Hut then, as 1 if sent from alove, on me she whom I [ was to have deceived. 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