step once more upon the earth. On his appearance a shout of applause greeted him from the crowd, who, though individually too selfish and cowardly to risk their own safety, were not insensible to the merit of him who did so. Kindly and carefully did Ralph Howard deposit the still fainting youth on some garments, which one of the more humane bystanders provided for the purpose; and those who would have abandoned him but a few moments before to the most terrible of all deaths, now bent curiously, and apparently with sympathy, over the unfortunate being. And now through the surrounding group pressed the elder of the two women whom Ralph had so nobly aided, and thrusting aside the spectators, she cast herself beside the pale and prostrate form, and pressed it to her breast with passionate fondness; while her over-wrought feelings found vent in sobs which seemed to come from her very soul. No one attempted to stem the torrent of her grief; even Howard felt that it would be mockery to offer her consolation at such a moment, and he turned in search of her companion with the kind intention of lessening her suffering, if possible, by words of kindness and sympathy; but a glance towards the pale features of the young girl, who stood at that moment beside him, shewed that the horror of her position had for the time paralyzed her very thoughts. Her dark eyes were fixed and rayless with the heart's deepest despair, and the hue of death rested upon her brow; the young merchant laid his hand kindly upon her arm, and inquired in softened tones if he could be of further assistance to herself or family, and whither she proposed removing the sufferer; the touch aroused her attention and broke the spell which had kept her silent, and her tears flowed instantly. "We are destitute!" said she, in a broken voice, "and are this night deprived of even a shelter for his head whom you have so nobly saved. Alas! he is reserved perhaps to die in the streets."

And she turned away to conceal the anguish which this thought appeared to excite. Ralph Howard's heart beat tumultuously with that most painful of all feelings, deep pity; and he inwardly resolved to finish the good work he had begun, and save the wretched family from the sad fate which threatened them. While these thoughts passed through his brain, he again turned his eyes towards the group, and perceived for the first time a man near it, whose skrinking attitude betrayed the consciousness of guilt or shame. His ghastly, haggard countenance, and the disorder of his dress, spoke forcibly of poverty and mental suffering; yet, notwithstanding his wretched appearance, there was still a faint trace of the time when he had been among the respectable members of society. A murmur, indicative of disgust and indignation, ran through the circle who surrounded Howard: "Wretch!" "Coward!" "Blackguard!" were uttered audibly, as this miserable-looking object made a step forward, and many shrank back, as though to avoid contact with him. Instinctively the young merchant turned to a bystander, and

inquired the reason of so outward a demonstration of dislike.

"He deserves it," was the reply; "his dastard cowardice of to-night will long be remembered; but independently of that he is a suspicious character, and, as many say, a desperate drunkard; indeed, one has only to look in his face to discover the truth of it.""

of the reputed drunkard, and his eye rested with Ralph glanced again at the dark countenance for it seemed to him as though he had beheld it a strange fascination on its haggard lineaments, in times long passed, or in a dream; an impulse which he could not resist prompted him to inquire from his informant the unfortunate man's name, and whether he was a native of D—. swered the stranger, "and is thought to have "He came, it is believed, from London," anseen better days; his name is William Howard."

A thrill of shame, amounting almost to agony, shot through the heart of the listener as these words fell upon his ear, for he knew beyond a doubt that his father's brother now stood before him; revealed as the most degraded and despised of men; branded by an epithet which was infamous, and (as he could not doubt) deserved; and shunned with aversion by even the humblest of the crowd. As these painful thoughts passed through his mind, a host of emotions, foreign to his nature, awoke within him, and excluded for the time all outward things; he felt only that his mission had ended in disgrace and disappointment (for until that moment he had secretly hoped that all he had heard upon the subject might prove false), and in the bitterness of his spirit he determined to fly that very night from the place which contained his degraded relative, and spare himself the pain of further investigation.

Meantime, the youth he had been instrumental in saving had recovered from the death-like state into which fear and horror had previously thrown him, and now leant exhausted but conscious of surrounding things upon the elder female's breast, while his gaze wandered listlessly over the scene.

It would have been impossible to view unmoved so sad a spectacle, or to feel aught but the deepest sympathy with such sufferings; and least of all could a heart, warm, generous, and unselfish, like that of Ralph, remain untouched by its influence. Galled, indignant, and even bitter as he had been but a moment before, no sooner did his eyes fall upon the group than all his nobler and better feelings returned, and the obvious cruelty of leaving them thus, without doing all in his power to assist them in seeking shelter for the night, presented itself to his mind. The drunkard still stood beside them, but in ungracious and callous silence, and the young man's heart beat with painful rapidity as he approached the spot where he stood; but he conquered the emotion, and bent kindly over the poor youth while he inquired where they wished to remove. The woman looked up gratefully into his face, and would have spoken, but

tears stopped her utterance; and she could only murmur some inaudible words.

"I trust that my being a stranger will not render you averse to accept my services, and that you will allow me to assist you in seeking shelter for the night," said he with delicate kindness, which found its way at once to the heart of her whom he addressed; "believe me I am grieved to see you in so painful a position." "I have no words to thank you, sir," replied the woman through her tears; you have indeed behaved most nobly to us, and though I can never in this world prove to you the sincerity of my gratitude, He who reads the hearts of men knows that I shall retain to my latest hour the recollection of it, and most thankfully do I accept your offer of assistance for the sake of my poor son, who will die unless some one has sufficient charity to take us in. Alas! we have need of pity, for we are destitute!"

The sick youth had listened earnestly, and he now turned his eyes towards the speaker's face, and whispered a few words with an effort; the mother heard and understood him, and glanced instantly towards the drunkard, who obeyed the appeal and moved mechanically to the spot; she laid her hand upon his arm when he stood beside her, and said almost sternly, "Husband, you have yet to thank the deliverer of your son."

The drunkard's usually wild and fiery eyes were dim and meaningless as he turned them towards the countenance of Ralph Howard, for the terrible events of the night had struck con- | sternation to his guilty soul; but their expression changed quickly as a sudden stream of light from the still burning dwelling fell upon the pale and agitated features of the young man, whose fortitude almost forsook him beneath the shock of being so unexpectedly brought into contact with his unhappy relative. Great, however, as was his emotion, that of Howard was scarcely less, although of a character more fierce and uncontrollable, and which caused the dark hue of mingled fear and hatred to dye in an instant his swarthy and forbidding visage.

As we have said, the countenance of the former was at this instant fully revealed by the light which rested upon it, and as the drunkard's gaze fell upon the downcast eye and quivering lip, the resemblance of the face before him to that of his almost forgotten brother (which had indeed been always remarkable) struck him so forcibly as to leave little doubt on his mind that he at that moment beheld him; for in the bewilderinent of the moment he thought not of the many years which had elapsed since they had last met, and remembered him only as of youthful and attractive appearance.

It were needless again to recur to those events in the past life of Howard (among which might be numbered the harsh repulses of his more fortunate brother), which had been the original cause of his present vice and misery, further than to remark, that the recollection of them had so rankled in his heart as to produce a bitter and revengeful feeling, which needed but

the slightest opportunity to break at once into open and furious hostilities towards its object.

The sight (as he believed) of the being who had so injured him, kindled in an instant the flame of deadly passion in his breast, and yielding to its impulses, he sprang fiercely to the side of Ralph, and seizing his arm with violence, exclaimed in the hoarse tones of anger, "Speak! why are you here? and do you come to mock again my misery?"

"Remove your grasp," said the young man sternly, "or I must punish your audacity. My object was to save your helpless family; with yourself I have naught to do; release me then, or I will fulfil my words."

"Villain!" shouted the drunkard, clutching his generous nephew by the throat with the determination of insanity, "you are in my power at last. I will be revenged for all your past conduct."

But while he spoke a dozen hands seized and wrenched him from his victim, and held him bound in thraldom from which he could not escape; a dozen voices cursed his name and execrated the base ingratitude which had prompted the deed.

"Release him, my good friends," cried Ralph Howard, advancing; "he is under some delusion concerning me; let us turn our attention rather to the means of assisting this poor youth, whose exposure to the night air may perhaps hasten his end; any service done to him I shall take as a personal favour, and reward accordingly."

So liberal a promise roused immediately in the sordid hearts of the assembled multitude a desire to take advantage of it, and instantly a number of persons surrounded the speaker, and proffered their services in behalf of the persons in whom he took so great an interest.

Meantime the drunkard, released from the grasp of those who had thwarted his base endeavour, rose to his feet (discomfited, and with a countenance livid from mingled rage and disappointment), and casting a glance of hatred at Ralph Howard, he pushed fiercely through the crowd, and was lost to view in an instant.

What is there that gold cannot achieve! Within a short hour after these events, Mrs. Howard, her daughter, and scarcely animate son, were lodged in a neat and cheerful apartment, and surrounded by every comfort their situation required. Ralph Howard did not defer even until the morning informing the poor mother of his relationship to her family, assuring her of his kind intentions towards them; and though her heart filled with gratitude to heaven at the glad tidings, a tear of natural sorrow rose to her eye as she looked on the sleeping face of her dying son, and thought that for him all this happiness came too late.

CHAP. V.

William Howard lay upon the bed of death, and all whom he had ever loved were assembled around his couch. It seemed as though heaven

had spared him until then, that he might con- | template, ere his departure, the brightening prospects of those whose dark hours of sorrow he had shared so long; and merciful indeed was the decree, for the last thorn in his bruised heart had been extracted, and unbroken peace reigned in his spirit.

The kind and pious woman who had been their friend in the sad past, stood beside him, but the words of consolation she would have spoken died away in tears, for the scene before her brought to her mind with the freshness of yesterday the hour when she had watched the last moments of one as young and tenderly beloved; and in William Howard she mourned afresh her departed son. Mrs. Howard leant, weeping, upon his pillow, but her grief, though profound, was unmixed with bitterness; for even her love could not wish to retain longer upon earth a being whose mortal frame was wasted from disease, and whose soul longed earnestly to be at rest.

How beautiful, how blessed a sight is the Christian's exit from this vale of tears! How glorious are the hopes that wait upon his departure, and make even the dark valley of death welcome for the brightness beyond, and render the sorrow which accompanies the knowledge that he can never rise again from the bed of sickness, more for ourselves than for him! As the poet has remarked in the beautiful lines

"Tears be for those that are left behind,
And not for those that fall."

And the poor mother, who now bent over him and gazed into the faded countenance of her dying son, acknowledged to her own heart the truth of the sentiment which they convey.

Josephine wept likewise, but, truth to say, her grief was less softened than that of Mrs. Howard, for she was at the age when impressions, whether of grief or joy, if less lasting, are deeper than in after-years; and when the heart revolts, as it were, at afflictions which it feels to be undeserved. It was hard to part for ever from the companion of her life, and to know that soon, very soon, she should see him no more! And as these thoughts passed through her mind, she felt that, though she had beheld him sinking for so long a period, until that day she had not ceased to hope.

The chamber was darkened, but through the partially opened casement came the soft balmy morning air, bearing upon its wings the perfume of early flowers, and a low, but sweet murmur from the garden without. William Howard lay scarcely breathing; and his closed eyes and the perfect repose of his features shewed that his soul was already abstracted from earthly things. A slight sound broke the stillness which had hitherto reigned, and caused the poor youth to look around, when his gaze encountered the form of his cousin Ralph, who had entered the apartment, and now closing the door behind him, advanced softly towards the bed. The cripple's dim eyes brightened visibly at his ap

proach, and he made a faint sign, expressive of a desire to be raised, with which the kind-hearted young man immediately complied, placing pillows to support him. It was evident that the former wished much to speak; but some moments elapsed ere he had sufficient strength to fulfil the desire, and when he at length succeeded, his voice was so faint as to be scarcely audible. "Give me your hand, cousin," whispered he with difficulty, for his breath came shortly, and apparently with suffering; "while I am yet able, let me thank you for your generosity to us, and believe that my gratitude is sincere, though I have no way of proving it but by words."

Ralph drew near, and seating himself beside the invalid, took within his own the thin damp hand extended to him, and pressing it kindly, desired he would not waste the precious moments that remained in empty thanks, but to say whether aught yet weighed upon his mind, and if it were so, entreating that he would express his wishes on the subject. The radiance of hope and gladness flashed in an instant into the pale, languid countenance of William Howard, as he turned his eyes towards the speaker, and a faint colour rose to his sunken cheek as he said, with more animation than he had yet shown, "I feel that I have but a short time to live: pardon me, then, cousin, if my dearest hope finds vent in words. Yesterday I could not have met death as I can now; for the thought of leaving those I love to the same dreadful fate they have endured so long, haunted me, whether sleeping or waking, with an intensity beyond expression-dreadful! But the last few hours have removed this burden from my mind, and rendered me perhaps sanguine; in a word, I cannot think that one who has already shown himself so full of pity for them as strangers, will now withdraw it, and abandon them to want and misery. Speak, cousin; am I deceived ?"

Ralph Howard's warm and generous nature could not resist an appeal so touchingly made at such a moment, and a glow of kind feeling towards his unfortunate relatives made his voice tremble, as he replied, "You have guessed rightly, my poor cousin: I do, indeed, sympathize with all you have expressed on the subject, and entreat you to rest assured that all your fondest love could desire shall be done to obliterate the past. I also will watch over their happiness and comfort, as I shall expect to be one day accountable to heaven for my actions here on earth."

"God's blessing be upon your head for ever!" murmured the youth, in a tone of deep thankfulness: my last earthly wish is fulfilled. Now Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace," continued he, clasping his hands fervently, and raising to heaven his eyes illuminated with an almost seraphic light, while a glow of ecstasy passed over his calm pale countenance, imparting to it an ethereal and heavenly beauty, which seemed to those who watched him as the reflection from those glorious mansions towards which his chastened spirit was fast hastening.

The grief of all present prevented utterance,, and no sound broke the stillness save the scarcely audible murmur of the dying youth's voice, in deep and solemn prayer; but the excitement he had just undergone was too much for the exhausted frame of the poor sufferer, and scarcely had a few moments elapsed ere his eyes, overpowered as it seemed by an irresistible languor, closed gradually, and the uplifted hands sank upon the bed, while his head drooped upon his bosom in profound repose. Alarmed at these symptoms, which he imagined were the precursors of death, Ralph Howard, with the gentleness of a woman, placed and smoothed the pillows of the couch so as to ensure its occupant's comfort, and then seated himself beside the open window, to breathe for an instant the inviting freshness of the morning air.

It was evening ere William again awoke, and in the interval the medical attendant, whom the kindness of his cousin had provided, had paid his second visit for that day, and on perceiving the almost death-like slumber of his patient, declared that he would most probably not survive the night. The crimson sunset shed its radiant glory upon his features, as the young man lay calmly awaiting his summons to depart, and happy in the knowledge that his earthly trials were so near their close; yet, though he had not spoken it, one thought which he could not banish reverted unceasingly to his mind, and rendered him more anxious than he had expected ever to be again. At this affecting moment, when about to take an eternal leave of those who had cherished him so long, the cripple's heart yearned towards that father who had been the cause of his chief sufferings; and he longed to see his face again if but for a moment, to hear at least one word of affection from his lips, and give his entire forgiveness of the cruelty and harshness which he had received from him.

Since the night on which the disastrous events which we have endeavoured to describe had occurred, the wretched Howard had not been seen by any of his family, and they had obtained no clue to his retreat; but the anxiety they would have felt on his account was absorbed in the stronger feeling of sorrow for the condition of his son. William glanced at intervals at the glorious sunset without, and the mournful faces which surrounded him, and raising himself partially on his elbow, said in a low tone," Mourn not, dearest mother and sister, because my hours are numbered: I go 'where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.' Have I not need of rest? and can you wish me to stay?"

Tears were the only answer to this question, and the speaker asked, after a moment's pause, whether he should not see his father again, expressing, at the same time, great anxiety on the subject.

"I will seek him, cousin," exclaimed Ralph Howard, rising as he spoke." He is doubtless in the neighbourhood, and when I tell him of your desire, will hasten hither, Rest tranquil

until my return;" and so saying, he left the chamber, determined, though he had little hope of finding him, if possible, to discover the reason of his absence.

Sunset had given place to the grey hues of twilight, and still he did not return; meantime the invalid, worn out with expectation and watching, sunk again into a lethargic slumber, and fearing to disturb his repose, the three women remained wrapped in silence and painful thought beside his couch. For some time they listened in trembling anxiety to his laborious and unequal breathing; suddenly it stopped; a low, gurgling sound, as of one in the agony of suffocation, met their ears; a convulsive shudder shook the sleeper, then all was still, save a faint sigh, which told that a spirit was released -William Howard was no more!

It was on a morning bright, fresh, and glorious as ever shone upon the earth, that the mortal remains of him who has borne so important a part in our tale, were consigned to the grave. There were but few mourners, and those few attended chiefly at the instigation of Mr. Percival, who, willing to obliterate the unfavourable impression his former conduct had left on the mind of Ralph Howard, now concurred entirely in the young merchant's kind plans for the comfort and consolation of the afflicted family, and insisted on sharing his self-imposed duties towards them.

As the sad cortège advanced into the churchyard, it was followed, as usual, by a crowd of persons, whom curiosity had drawn together to behold the ceremony, for a whisper concerning the strange meeting of Ralph with his relatives had already gone abroad. The beautiful and affecting service for the dead had commenced, when a slight movement occurred among the crowd, and the next instant a pale and haggard form pressed fiercely forward, and tottered towards the open grave, on the edge of which the coffin had been just deposited. Ralph Howard turned indignantly towards the intruder who thus violated the sanctity of so sad a moment, but one glance at the wild and suffering face before him changed instantaneously his anger to feelings of the deepest and most painful commiseration. It was the drunkard, whom Providence (let us not say chance) had led to the spot, in time to witness the last mournful duty which his injured son could claim.

For a few moments he stood in silence, as though bewildered at the scene, until the solemn ritual drew to a close, and the body was about to be lowered into the earth; the hollow sound of the dust cast upon the coffin seemed suddenly to arouse his dormant faculties, and recall him to a sense of outward things. A fierce light gleamed from his eyes as they wandered restlessly over the many faces which surrounded him. Clasping his hands convulsively, he raised them on high, and with a cry which sounded to the trembling hearers more like the expression of anguish from some tortured spirit than the