husband as another. But he objects to any husband for his daughter, as I gather; at least, during his lifetime. Her first duty, he remarked, is to her father. He has had her educated and brought up at considerable expense; he has never yet reaped any benefit from the capital thus laid out, and he intends, again to use his own expression, to make his money of her now. He has no notion, he says, of some good-looking gawk-don't be angry-stepping in and carrying off his child, just when she is beginning to afford some return for what she has cost. In short, he considers that, as her father, he has the best right to her services. And really, Caleb,' concluded Uncle Ferril, offering me his snuffbox, "the colonel's position is, legally, so entirely unassailable, that I do not see what can be done. Try the mixture; it's genuine blackguard, I assure you." angle of the road, I had not encountered and almost trodden under foot the colonel's Hindu servant, Johtee Lall. Ordinarily, I shunned this man. There was a writhing servility in his manner, so different to anything I had heretofore encountered in persons of a similar class in my own country, that I could hardly bear to speak to the fellow civilly. Even his color was a fault in my prejudiced eyes. But there were other circumstances which swelled the dislike I entertained. The Hindu was a coward and a bully: I had seen him frighten children, when he thought himself unnoticed, with hideous faces and uncouth gestures, un,"til the little things ran shrieking for refuge behind their mothers' gowns. Let but a sturdy laborer approach, whose Saxon heart and strong right arm were ready to protect the helpless, and Johtee, fawning with obsequious grin, would try to attract the tiny creatures he had just repelled. The spiteful mischief of the ape, the sinuous, gliding motion of the snake, and the ferocious appetites of the tiger, where their indulgence appeared secure, seemed mingled in the fellow's nature. Thinking of Johtee, I have wondered sometimes at the siege of Delhi, but could thoroughly understand the horrors of the Indian mutiny. "Done, unele?" I repeated, aghast at this unexpected turn of affairs. "I'll tell you what's to be done! If I can't get Letty with her father's consent, I'll have her without it. I'll carry her off to Scotland, and marry her at Gretna. That's what's to be done, if we can't bring Colonel Stark to reason.” "There's only one trifling obstacle to that course, Caleb," returned my uncle, "and it happens to be precisely the one the colonel expects you will adopt. His last words to me, in fact, were: Tell your youngster, Ferril, I wouldn't advise him to beat up my garrison in search of the prize; I'm too old a soldier to be taken unawares. A lawyer's skin may be of parchment, but it wont keep out a brace of bullets."" "The brute!" I ejaculated in dismay. Then, uncle, what on earth is to be done?" "For the present, I should recommend nothing. Perfect quiet and apparent resignation. For a time, of course, the colonel will be upon his guard, but his vigilance will soon wear off. Time and a little patience will solve the difficulty, I make no doubt. I'll trouble you for Mr. Verney's deed-box, if you please." Therewith the subject dropped. But it was impossible for me, however easy for my uncle, to bury my sorrows in Mr. Verney's deed-box; and, catching up my hat, I rushed away-out of the office, out of Bayfield, out of the world I half intended, in the madness of my rage. What might have occurred, I hardly know, if, turning a sharp In my present frame of mind, however, the sight of the Hindu was welcome. Two bribes he found it impossible to resist-his fingers always closed with an instinctive clutch on gold, and he could never withstand the temptation of a glass of brandy-pawnce, or grog. From him, therefore, I knew I could obtain valuable information as to the colonel's proceedings at the Ferns; perhaps I might even persuade him to convey a note to Letty. Telling the Hindu to follow, I went straight to the bar of a country inn upon the Bayfield road, and administered a strong dose of the liquid bribe. It proved only too effectual. His weak head was unable to bear the liquor; and although I gained the intelligence I desired, I saw it would be too hazardous to intrust him with anything which, in his intoxication, he might easily betray. That same evening, shortly after dusk, I set out to reconnoitre the enemy's position, for you may easily suppose I was not to be deterred by Colonel Stark's threats from attempting to gain an interview with Letty. I walked slowly down the road, and it was dark when I passed the swing-gate on the path leading to the Ferns. Treading very servants' offices, and looked in at the kitchen gingerly-partly from professional caution, windows. The prospect here was not more partly from dread of man-traps-I approached promising than in the dining-room. The the house. Lights shone from the dining- evening being cold, the servants were gathroom windows, lights streamed from the case-ered about the fire in a group. How was I ments of the servants' offices. Cautiously I to gain speech of one of them alone? Forstepped up to the dining-room, and breathing tune here stood my friend. The man I deupon the rime-clothed panes, peeped in. sired to speak with was the gardener. Letty was fond of flowers; she must be often in the greenhouses and garden; this man would have frequent opportunitics of conveying a note. As I was thinking how to get hold of him, the man rose, grumbling that he must go out in the cold to look after his fires. He lighted a lantern, opened the door, and stepped into the garden-I followed. When he was a little distance from the house, I called him in a low voice. The man turned, held up his lantern, saw my figure, looming large through the darkness, advancing towards him, was seized with sudden panic, and fled with a shout back to the house. The enemy was seated at the table, alone, over his wine, big and burly. Behind his master's chair stood the Hindu with folded arms, his dark features glistening over his white robes and beneath his gaudy turban, the light falling upon the yellows of his gleaming eyes. Something had evidently put the colonel in high good-humor; perhaps he felt pleasantly replete with dinner; perhaps he was meditating upon the success with which he had that morning repelled my uncle. Whatever the cause, he laughed aloud, and called to Johtee to bring him the big bamboo. The Hindu glided to the corner where this instrument was usually kept, raised it reverentially between his palms, and laid it, with a low salam, before his master. The colonel took the bamboo, poised it like a sceptre in one hand, and ordered his slave before him. "Now, Johtee, you see this?" said the colonel. "Iss, sahib." "You know what I keep it for, eh, boy!" "Iss, sahib." "Well, then, now listen to me. If ever you come home drunk again, Johtee, as you did this morning, or carry any messages, Johtee, or letters, Johtee, except for me, or break any of the rules and regulations of this garrison, Jobtee, do you know what'll happen to you, you scoundrel, eh?” "Thieves-thieves! murder! robbery!" yelled the gardener, as he burst into the kitchen, arousing a chorus of shrill screams from the terrified women. Anathematizing his cowardice, I beat a hasty retreat, and retiring behind the shelter of a friendly bush, awaited what should follow. To the voices of the frightened women were speedily added the gruff tones of Colonel Stark, calling to Johtee to bring his pistols, and inquiring why they were making all this hubbub. Gazing from my concealment, I saw the enemy's portly frame blocking up the doorway, while the women peeped timidly from under the shadow of his wing. Next moment he rapidly fired a couple of barrels right and left, one ball singing closely enough over my head N-n-n-no, sahib," stuttered the trem- to enable me to realize being under fire. bling wretch. 66 Why, I'll flog you within half an inch of your life first, then clap you in jail for five years, and have you blown from a gun afterwards. D'ye hear, ye rascal?” roared the colonel, as he brought down the big bamboo upon the table with a rap that made the decanters reel. "Iss, sahib," stammered affrighted Johtee, with a lower salam than ever, as he received back the instrument of torture and reconveyed it humbly to its appointed place. Leaving the colonel to the magnanimous amusement of practising upon this wretched creature's fears, I slid on tiptoe round to the "What savages these old soldiers are!" was my involuntary exclamation, as I crouched closer than ever to the ground, and wished my protecting bush of twice its size. The house was now thoroughly alarmed, and further attempts at exploration uscless. As noiselessly as possible, I regained the highroad, and made the best of my way back to Bayfield. Next morning, I received the following characteristic note from Colonel Stark : "YOUNG PARCHMENT.-My house was disturbed last night. The ass of a gardener, whom I've just sent about his business, says by thieves; but it's my belief that you were the culprit. Now, mark this! I've just sent this forever; either you must give in, yield up to town for a couple of the fiercest bull-all claim, and shake hands amicably, or I dogs that can be bought for money. They must carry Letty away somewhere-to town, I will be here to-morrow. Look out, therefore, for the safety of the professional hide. or abroad, or even back to India-where you Letty knows I'm writing, and sends word can't follow. Hey, what do you say to that, she has nothing to say to you. youngster?" 66 "Truly yours, JOSIAH STARK." This was atrocious. I ground my teeth as I handed the epistle to my uncle, who pe rused it with a smile. Upon the whole, Caleb, not unpromising, I think," he said, as he returned the billet. "It is something to have made the enemy speak. Now, keep quiet for a little, and let us watch the effect." I could only reply that, much as I should regret to be the cause of Colonel Stark and his daughter, even temporarily, leaving the Ferns, I could not consent, in fairness to the lady, to give up the hold she had assured me I possessed upon her heart, save at her own desire. Very good. That's as much as to say you wont give her up. Now look here. I've come to propose an arrangement. You have plenty of assurance, 1 know, and no doubt fancy you will ultimately win the day. I have a fair share of experience in strategy, and I don't think you can. Let us put the matter to the test. Try you for the space of six months, to take me in, deceive me, clearly, plainly, in my own house, under my own nose, if you like, so palpably that there shall be no mistake about the matter. If you succeed, I'll surrender Letty. If, on the contrary, you fail to hoodwink me within those six months, you shall give me your word and honor-even a lawyer's got some, I suppose -to draw off your forces and raise the siege. You shall relinquish all right, claim, title, and all the rest of your jargon, to take advantage of any promise my girl may have given you, and leave her free and unmolested to marry or not to marry as she and I may settle. Now, there's a fair, straightforward proposal, and I'll give you ten minutes to think about it." Well, I took my uncle's advice, and restrained my ardor, though Heaven knows it was a difficult task. I went about my ordinary duties, made no attempt to communicate with Letty, behaved as if there were no such tormenting little person in the world, for full a month; then, also by my uncle's advice, I recommenced hostilities-in a clumsy way, however, and by channels sure to be detected, if the colonel exercised ordinary sharpness. I bribed the laundress to smuggle in a note with the house-linen, taking care to be previously seen talking to the woman by one of the servants at the Ferns. Next day, the colonel came down to the office in high glee, and with quite a polite air handed me my note, remarking he should be sorry to detain any property upon which I possibly set a value. Similar measures were met in the like manner, until at last sagacious Colonel Stark, convinced of the utter futility of any efforts of mine to break his blockade, and strong in the conviction of his excessive cieverness, came forward with a proposal which, at a given period, should terminate the strife. "Uncle not in, young Pounce?" said the colonel, swinging one morning into our office My uncle luckily coming in at this moment, with an easy air. "No matter. It's you II laid Colonel Stark's proposition before him, want to speak to principally. Now, just and requested his advice. When the aplisten to me. For the last six weeks you've pointed time had expired, the colonel emerged been trying your utmost, in one way or an- from the newspaper. other, to communicate with my daughter Letty behind my back. Letty's a good girl, and I don't believe she would have anything to say to you against my wish. However, that's not the question. The plain state of the case is this; you say you love Letty, and want to get her. I say I've got her, and I mean to keep her. Now, it's quite evident we can't go on playing hide-and-seek like The colonel placed his watch before him upon the table, took up the Times, and plunged into a leader. "Well, youngster, what's the decision?" he inquired. "Colonel, I accept." The conditions of this curious compact were speedily reduced to writing. The document was signed, sealed, and delivered. A duplicate was prepared for me; the original was handed to the colonel, who buttoned it with a chuckle securely inside his breast-pocket, asked if he should give my love to Letty, and | Stark's want of urbanity formed the topic of with this Parthian shaft departed on his way. discourse. I wish he'd fall ill, and call me You see, Colonel Stark had such profound in, Ferril. Wouldn't I physic him? Aha!" reliance upon his own sharp-sightedness, and and the doctor glared balefully over his specfelt so thoroughly convinced that he must tacles, in a manner intended to signify that win. the pharmacopoeia would hardly afford the tremendous compounds he should like to inflict upon his enemy. CHAPTER III. OPEN hostilities were therefore now declared-Stutely versus Stark, Themis against Mars, Bayfeld and the Ferns the scene of action, six months the duration of the campaign. After the colonel's departure, my uncle and I held a consultation. Our deliberations resulted in the conclusion that some means of communicating with Letty must positively be found. The colonel's vigilance was only to be baffled by securing an ally within the garrison. None could be so effectual or valuable as Letty, if we could only engage her upon our side. Now, how was this to be accomplished? We were lawyers, and between us we conceived a plan. It was stagey, romantic, and hazardous; its success was very doubtful; its failure would only cause the enemy to double his watchfulness. But his insolent defiance had put us upon our mettle, and we resolved to leave no wile untried to secure victory. Not far from my uncle's house lived an old college chum and lifelong friend, Dr. Polt. Like habits, like tastes, like politics, like bachelorhood, bound the two strongly together. The doctor was the oldest medical man in Bayfield. He was in very tolerable circumstances, and had of late years almost retired from practice, maintaining his connection only with a few families, many of whose members he had introduced into existence. The intimate terms upon which Uncle Ferril and Dr. Polt stood rendered the latter fully cognizant of all the circumstances attending my troubled lovepassage, and his warmest sympathies were for our success. Much of this feeling may have been owing to the colonel having upon several occasions treated the doctor with considerable rudeness. Colonel Stark, crammed with Indian prejudices, did not see why he should be civil to the "vet.," as he chose to call our old friend. Dr. Polt was a short man, and short men are touchy upon the point of personal dignity. "Big, blatant blusterer "exclaimed the doctor to my uncle one evening, when Colonel Dr. Polt entered heart and soul into the little plot my uncle and I had devised for Colonel Stark's confusion. 66 Ay, ay, boy," he ejaculated, rubbing his hands gleefully, when I told him what had been resolved upon, and asked his assistance -"I'll help, I'll help willingly. Twill be almost as pleasant as prescribing this niggerflogging colonel assafoetida and creasote. Ay, ay, I'll be ready." Riding into Bayfield, therefore, according to custom, one frosty forenoon, it happened that my usually well-behaved mare began to grow restive as I approached the house of Dr. Polt. Feigning to lose temper, I punished her pretty severely about the head and ears. The mare began to kick; I began to reel in my seat; a sentimental cheesemonger's daughter tripping past, with a three-volume novel under her arm, began to scream; the mare started, reared, my feet left the stirrups, and I went to the ground with a crash just opposite the doctor's door. The mare galloped wildly down the street. Dr. Polt was upon the watch, and pounced upon the case in an instant, like a vigilant spider upon a heedless fly. "Hullo! hullo! What's the matter? How's this?" exclaimed the doctor, as naturally as if the whole thing had not been prearranged. "Who's this, tumbling off his horse like a sack of oats? Why, dear me! Can it be? No! Yes! Positively, so it is. Bless my soul, my young friend Stutely! Dear, dear! What a sad piece of business! No bones broken, I hope. Let's see. Im! hm!" passing his hand limbs as I lay upon the to restrain my laughter. no, no, impossible-too thick. young gentleman, if you please. Collar-bone all right. Radius, ulna-no damage right or left. Not broken his neck-time enough for that to happen-nor yet his spine. Any ribs. smashed? One-two-three-four-fiveand the false ones; no; all in order. Now let's try his legs-right leg: femur, tibia. rapidly over my ground, hardly able "Skull not cracked; Lie still, patella; all straight. Left-ah! something management connected with the Company's wrong here. Dear, dear!" with a very sol- native forces in Bengal. As we had anticiemn face, and a learned shake of the head, to pated, the bait was greedily swallowed. Nothimpress the half-dozen idlers who had gathered ing could have been more congenial to Colround. "Severe fracture of the os cosmo-onel Stark's lofty opinion of his own consegraphicensis; displacement of the head of the quence than such a summons. The opportu quan. suff.-most important bone that: ex-nity was favorable. His enemy was out of tensive luxation of the tendo Achillis. Dear, the way, and he could leave home for a short dear! More severely injured than I thought. period with a quiet mind. Four days later, Bring him into my surgery, my friends, and my uncle hurried to me in the afternoon with I'll soon set him to rights. Gently, gently; the news that he had seen the colonel set off don't displace the quan. suff, any further, or in a post-chaise half an hour previously upon I wont answer for the consequences. Bring his road to town. him in-bring him in." Preceded by Dr. Polt, enjoining upon my bearers the utmost caution, I was carried into the house, placed upon a sofa, and left in due professional care. Within half an hour all Bayfield rang with the exciting news that young Mr. Stutely had been thrown from his mare opposite Dr. Polt's door; that the mare had fallen upon and crushed him, breaking several of his ribs, his cosmos, the head of his panstuff, and his tender killings. Later intelligence added that, in spite of these desperate injuries, Dr. Polt still entertained hopes of the poor young gentleman's recovery. Another bulletin declared that the doctor had been heard to say Mr. Stutely might recover, but would certainly remain a cripple for life. The very latest news averred that the only doubt Dr. Polt felt was whether the fractured limb would be two inches and a half or three inches and a quarter shorter than the other. As the plotters intended, the report of the accident was not long in travelling to the Ferns. I must confess to some compunction at the alarm I knew it would cause Letty, although I was consoled, upon the other hand, by picturing to myself the glee with which the heartless old colonel would rub his hands and growl forth: "There's a stopper to young Parchment's exertions for the next few months at any rate. Bravo! Josiah, my boy; the game's your own." This gave the signal for action. Despite the colonel's departure, I dared not show myself openly at the Ferns, for there could be no doubt the servants were all in the colonel's interest, and would not risk their places by disobedience; but a letter was despatched by a trusty messenger to Letty, to whom access during her father's absence could not well be denied. In this I briefly acquainted her with the actual state of affairs, and implored her, with all the epistolary eloquence at my command, to meet me after dusk at the corner of Burnt-ash Lane, a secluded winding thoroughfare hard by the Ferns, leading at some distance to the north main road. Here a chaise should be in readiness to carry us at once to Scotland. If she consented, I begged her to send a few words by bearer. 66 Within an hour, the answer came. It bore no signature, and was laconie enough, consisting only of the four words: "Your request is granted." Still, the note was in Letty's well-known hand, and the assurance it contained too precious to criticise. She may not have liked to write more," I thought. "The dear girl's sensitive modesty would not allow her to dilate upon so delicate a theme. For me must be reserved the pleasing task of overcoming her scruples, and of persuading her to unite her fate with mine." At the appointed time, behold me, therefore, at the corner of Burnt-ash Lane, anxThe colonel having been induced to believe iously awaiting the beloved of my heart. that I was helplessly shelved, we were ena- Some little distance down the lane, well out bled to proceed with the next item of our of sight from the main road, was the chaise scheme. My uncle communicated with a that was to bear us off, as fast as four spankfriend in town, by whose instrumentality a ing steeds could gallop, to Scotland and to letter was addressed to Colonel Stark, osten- blies. In my anxiety and eagerness, I drew sibly from the India House requesting his ap-nearer and nearer to the Ferns, watching the pearance before the Board of Directors upon instant when fate and love should bring Letty a day named, they being informed he was able to my desiring arms. It was eight o'clock of to give valuable evidence respecting details of a November evening, pitch dark and bitterly |