For the Term of His Natural Life

to his name and fortune. In other words, John Rex had successfully carried

hat period, it was not unusual for assigned servants to marry among the free settlers, and when it was heard that Mrs. Purfoy, the widow of a whaling captain, had married John Carr, her storekeeper, transported for embezzlement, and with two years of his sentence yet to run, no one expressed surprise. Indeed, when the year after, John Carr blossomed into an "expiree", master of a fine wife and a fine fortune, there were many about him who would have made his existence in Australia pleasant enough. But John Rex had no notion of remaining longer than he could help, and ceaselessly sought means of escape from this second prison-house. For a long time his

ith grim complacency; "but your life is in my hands,

ath or some lucky accident should rid him of her, and leave him free to follow out the scheme he had matured. "Once rid of her," he thought, in his solitary rides over the station of which he was the nominal owner, "the

k. "I have bought you, John," his partner had laughed, "and you don't get away from me. Surely you can

Carr retorted. "Let u

o do. You would be master there. You would take my money, and leave me to starve. I know you, Jack. We stop her

-dev

you like, Jack. Beat me if you will, but d

an!" he cried, in sudd

I love you because you are a villain. A be

left Port Arthur. Better t

e consoling himself with the hope that the day was not far distant which should bring him at once freedom and fortune. One day the chance came to him. His

which could help to knit the meshes of his net the closer. Such loose ends were not numerous; the prodigal had been too poor, too insignificant, to leave strong memories behind him. Yet Rex knew well by what strange accidents the deceit of an assumed identity is often penetrated. Some old comrade or companion of the lost heir might suddenly appear with keen ques

which he had been ousted. In Spanish America he had striven to accumulate that wealth in vain. As vequero, traveller, speculator, sailor, he had toiled for fourteen years, and had failed. Worn out and penitent, he had returned home to find a corner of English earth in which to lay his weary bones. The tale was plausible enough, and in the telli

according to Sir Richard's prudent calculation exactly compensate for her loss of interest, the remainder going absolutely to the son, if living, to his children or next of kin if dead. The trustees appointed were Lady Devine's father, Colonel Wotton Wade, and Mr. Silas Quaid, of the firm of Purkiss and Quaid Thavies Inn, Sir Richard's solicitors. Colonel Wade, before his death had appointed his son, Mr. Francis Wade, to act in his stead. When Mr. Quaid died, the firm of Purkiss and Quaid (represented in the Quaid branch of it by a smart London

estate, he put all the floating capital into 3 per cents., and was content to see the interest accumulate. Lady Devine had never recovered the shock of the circumstances attending Sir Richard's death and, clinging to the belief in her son's existence, regarded herself as the mere guardian of his interests, to be displaced at any moment by his sudden return. The retired pair lived thus toget

Mr. John Rex, on the first night of his reception. "It would be most ungrateful of me to do so. My

once. I am no man of business, you kno

d I am happy." Lady Devine, with a loving tender pity, for which John Rex could not altogether account, consented, and "Mr. Richard" soon came to be regarded as a martyr to circumstances, a man conscious of his own imperfections, and one whose imperfections were therefore lightly dwelt upon. So the returned prodigal had his own suite of rooms, his own servants, his own bank account, drank, smoked, and was merry. For five

he poor lady said one day, "but if my lifelong love

who did not in the least comprehend wha

ics, with envy by respectable folk-of being deferred to in all things-was novel and pleasing. They were so good to him that he felt at times inclined to confess all, and leave his case in the hands of the folk he had injured. Yet-he thought-such a course would be absurd. It would result in no benefit to anyone, simply in misery to himself. The true Richard Devine was buried fathoms deep in the greedy ocean of convict-discipline, and the waves of innumerable punishments washed over him. John Rex flattered himself that he had usurped the name of one who was in fact no living man, and that, unless one should rise from the dead, Richard Devine could never return to accuse him. So flattering himself, he gradually became bold

ave the art of getting drunk after a humorous fashion, that robs intoxication of half its grossness. For John Rex to be drunk was to be himself-coarse and cruel. Francis Wade was away, and Lady Devine had retired for the night, when the dog-cart brought home "Mr. Richard". The virtuous butler-porter, who opened the door, received a blow in the chest and a demand for "Brandy!" The groom was cursed, and ordered to instant oblivion. Mr. Richard stumbled into the dining-room-veiled

e table, sir," s

other table. What's table t'you?" "

c'ert'nly? What do

not, sir," re

ere-I'd make you-hic-

Mr. R

nd for servantsh and have d

r. Ric

hing one day, Tomkins! Here! Halloo! Mary! Susan! Janet!

or bed, Mr. Richard?" one of

t daylight far too long. We'll have 'luminashon! I'm master here. Maste

Yes, Mr.

l threats of what the inebriate would do when he was in possession. "Bring up some brandy!" Crash goes the bottle in the fire-place. "Light up the droring-rooms; we'll have dance! I'm drunk! What's that? If you'd gone through what I have, you'd be glad to

rd," cried Tomkins, aghast, attempting

t o' bed," cried John R

rrified, asking if it's "fire?" and begging for it to be "put out". The whole house is in an uproar, in the midst of which Lady Devine appears, and looks down upon the scene. Rex catches sight of her; and bursts into blasphemy. She withdra

clined to see her son, though h

by wine last night," said he to Tomki

e quite ill, Tomkins. Did I

r obstropolous

for you, Tomkins.

hard. Most gents do when they've

are." He was right. He was going the right way to spoil everything. However, for this bout he ma

ex, "and feel at times out of place in your quiet home. I think

she blamed herself-assented, and supplied w

s of the bush. Master of a large sum of money, he had intended to spend it as he would have spent it in his younger days. He had forgotten that since his death and burial the world had not grown younger. It was possible that Mr. Lionel Crofton might have discovered some of

his grave, and Mr. Richard Devine, trusting to a big beard and more burly figure to keep his secret, was compelled to begin his friendship with Mr. Lionel's whilom friends all over again. In Paris and London there were plenty of people ready to become hail-fellow-well-met with any gentleman possessing money. Mr. Ric

n of taste. His bankers and his lawyers knew him to be of independent fortune, but as he neither mixed in politics, "went into society", betted, or speculated in merchandise, there were several large sections of the community who had never heard his name. Many respectable money-lenders would have required "further information" before they would discount his bills; and "clubmen" in general-save, perhaps, those ancient quidnuncs who know everybody, from Adam downwards-had but littl

, and urged his nephew to bring his affairs to a final settlement. Richard Devine-in Paris, Hamburg, or London, or elsewhere-could never be got to attack business, and Mr. Francis Wade grew more and more anxious. The poor gentleman positiv

uaid look into the business

aid Richard. "Do wh

came morose, peevish, excitable. She went privately to the family doctor, who shrugged his shoulders. "There is no danger," said he, "if he is kept quiet; keep him quiet, and he will live for years; but his father died of heart disease, you know." Lady Ellinor, upon this, wrote a long letter to Mr. Richard, who was at Paris, repeated the doctor's opinions, and begged him to come over at once. Mr. Richard replied that some horse-racing matter of great importance occupied his attention, but that h