The Black-Sealed Letter / Or, The Misfortunes of a Canadian Cockney.

hich a part of the proceedings is described. We shall now continue our

r than Charles Holstrom. So passing hurriedly onward without being recognized he crossed over at the first corner to the other side of the street and walked back. When nearly opposite the house referred to the door opened and a young woman, alone, whom he knew to be Clara, came out. She hurried forward only a few steps when Holstrom wheeled around and addressed her; and having received her hand on his arm they

also. Ah! the syren that she is! No longer shall I breathe her name but with feelings of hatred and disgust. Ah! that villain too, who is leading her headlong to her own ruin! I hate him also. His affection towards me as a friend and companion has only served as a mantle to cover his deceitful heart. He is

had made him recklessly desperate. His savage nature was aroused. He was, indeed, no longer himself. Like a wild beast he w

ater fierceness. But at that moment, when ready to put his threats into execution the right hand of his soul arrested suddenly the uplifted w

here was no rest there for his unhappy soul, which, even during a few moments

creased illness as the cause, entered his room. Fred looked up with a woe-be

r interrogated. "I don't feel qu

she. "Why Fred, my son, you are quite feverish," she exclaimed resting her h

of sufficient sleep last night has had a tendency to make me feel d

of coffee and a slice of toast as quickly as possible. Shortly afterwards Mrs. C. en

is mother having cooled his face with a wet towel he laid himself down to repose, and the others withdrew from the room. Ere long the tend

as considerably better, and con

visit, as he said, to see Fred; but neither of them saw him as his room-door was locked, and he was supposed to be fast asleep. In less than a week afterwards Clara ag

, she endeavored as well as she could to restrain her feelings. The others of the family also noticed the abrupt mariner in w

lara was gone, "what caused you

sprang up as if you had been sta

going to play 'hide-and-go-seek', with Clara,

the play," said Mrs. Charlston,

is!" exclaimed Fred irrit

hy all this! are yo

have been bitten deeply enough to ha

us what is the matter with you t

cord; but since you demand an explanation, I will give you my reasons, a

had seen and heard respectin

y them?" said his mother, whe

oment attempt to doubt

a comes here, I will question her plainly about it. I shall then hear her version of the story, and will be enabled to jud

peak to her again," said Fred, and walked off to his room

rtesy were disposed of, Mrs. C. requested Clara to walk into the library room as she desired to speak a few minute

Clara, and related all the particulars she knew re

I have patiently listened to your narration, will you now, as

I shall," re

said Clara, "I desire tha

l, however, find an opportunity of bringing the matter

home stepped in for Emma; but Mrs. Josleyn informed me that she had gone out with her own daughters to spend the evening with an acquaintance; and, perhaps, added she, they may not return for an hour or two. Unwilling to wait so long I took my departure; but had not gone far when Charlie Holstrom stepped forth, and requested the privilege of seeing me home. The nig

d again repeated; and when I suggested the adequate necessity of having them fulfilled he treated me with contempt. Where, I ask, is the happy home he promised me at Tiverton. Where, also, are the half dozen of homes he has since reared for me in London. He also promised me a home in Canada; an unjustifiable plea, as I may term it, to smoothe down his intention of deserting me and my dear child, leaving us to be subjected to the biting scorn of the uncharitable world, and without even the nominal existence of a home that we could call our own. Agai

at shall I do?" she hysterically exclai

ng her eyes also, "I shall have pity upon you; and although your friends should become enemies t

med Clara, "but my heart is un

my dear, with the assurance I

iends, I shall endeavo

ately by the hand they sat together until they had