instant he detected the flash of his sharkship's white side, as he turned to seize his prey.

But with a violent start and a smothered exclamation, our hero resumed his task, replying to Myra's demand, "A touch of cramp in my right foot, but it has gone. Thank God! the boat at last! Now, now reach your father's hand!" As he spoke, the boat dashed up, and both were taken bodily from the brine by energetic hands, more than one of the boat's crew exclaiming, "Thank God!" as their captain fell back fainting, in the stern sheets, with his child fast locked in his embrace.

"I thought the thing was settled between the parties ?"

"It may be. But I am not the girl's confidant in such matters, you know."

"I trust it may, for I am eager to see one within my childless home whom I could take to my heart as a daughter. I have had Bloodgood with me since-soon after you sailed. But there! He is only a sister's son, and try as I will, I can bring him no nearer." Poor old man-the aching void in his heart could be best filled only by the absent, though he knew it not.

But the desire for the union of his nephew with the fair Myra Williams was doomed to present disappointment. That gentle young lady rejected the renewal of attentions, which she had received

Nine months later Captain Williams entered the counting-room of Felton & Bloodgood-the style of the new firm formed by the association of the merchant'e nephew and late head clerk-with him in business. The senior partner was expecting a visit, and hastened to greet him with: "Welcome, captain! What news? You bring tidings of-of that scape-grace boy; I trust you❘ have him safe? Is he well? Can you make anything of him?"

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for a foreign clime, and to the young man's urgent solicitations of her favor, and offer of his band and fortune, interposed a decided negative.

"He must seek a bride elsewhere," she said; "she had no inclination for bridal honors; still less to leave her parents. 'Twould be time enough to think of a husband seven years hence, or-if she lived so long-when the demise of her parents left her unprotected."

The persistent lover pleaded in vain; then declared he would wait, and he did, through a dreary lapse of years, during which he derived his only hope from the fact that Myra Williams turned a deaf ear to all her suitors, and still avowed as firmly her determination to remain a maid.

"Why?"

"He deserted in Macao."

"Deserted ?" and a frown settled on the merchant's brow.

"Ay. At a time, too, when I would have given all my wealth to have retained him," and the seaman added a lengthy detail of the incidents of the outward passage, including those already laid before our readers, when Mr. Felton responded: "Ah! Cowardice was no part of his composition. Pity he possessed a tendency to crime." "Pardon me, sir! You could not convince my wife and daughter of that, and for myself, I must say that I think you are mistaken."

Impossible, my dear sir! The proofs are too strong. I knew not half the evidence against him fill after he had gone. In fact, I am almost pleased to hear of his desertion, and trust he may never return, to blast my vision with his presence."

**Still, I incline to the belief that you did not know him. I confess, I was grievously mistaken in his character, my estimation being founded on your sketch of his conduct."

Well, we will not discuss him, captain. You know that I have associated Bloodgood with me in business. He is an equal partner, and as his prospects for a fortune are brilliant, I trust I may carly have the pleasure of greeting your estimable daughter as my niece."

"Because I love Myra, and can afford to wait. Besides, my dear sir, her father's demise would seriously disarrange our business, you know he has such a vast amount embarked therein."

"True, true! Well, please yourself." And thus the matter rested for another series of years, when a great financial crisis came sweeping over the land, sapping the foundation of the strongest houses, and spreading devastation through the commercial world.

All bowed to the terrible simoon, and many fell, scorched and seared to death, beneath its blasting power; but the house of Felton & Bloodgood seemed to withstand the tornado, upheld by its former reputation and alleged ample resources; so well secured that none who had business relations therewith, doubted for a moment its stability, and by their confidence aided in upholding it.

'Twas in the midst of this crisis that Captain Williams entered the port with a highly valuable cargo on his own account, purchased on short credit, and for which he had given bills of exchange on Felton & Co., of which fact he immediately apprized them. A second cargo, as valuable as his own, was on its way to port, and both had cost him the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, including all expenses, for which amount he had pledged the credit of his bankers.

That sum comprised his whole fortune, and more; and the prospect of speedy realization upon

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GLEASON'S

his goods being but meagre, he was obliged to store them to await an improvement in the market. In the meantime, the agents of his creditors received and presented his drafts, which Mr. Bloodgood-to his senior's consternation-declared the firm unable to pay at short notice, and requested time-a week-to collect the funds.

It was granted; but when the period expired he was still unprepared, and so confessed, when the agent levied upon the goods in bond, and a general run upon the firm ensued.

Mr. Felton met the storm and his creditors manfully, and announcing his suspension, demanded an investigation of his affairs, declaring his readiness to render up his assets, and his firm conviction that they would be found to exceed his liabilities by a hundred per cent.

His creditors' confidence were unshaken in his integrity, and the result was an offer of every facility to guard his interests from serious detriment; so he mentioned on change that day as merely suspended, to resume forthwith.

Yet he sought his home with a heavy heart, that eve, to find a note in a strange hand awaiting him, the writer alluded feelingly to his trying position, and begged his acceptance of an accompanying package, to be used as he should deem most advantageous in the liquidation of his liabilities, and at the same time, enjoining him to secrecy, adding that he would be present at the meeting of his cred itors on the morrow, to receive his acknowledgment of the loan, and if necessary, increase it, and enjoining its reception as a favor to the writer, signed himself, "A nameless friend."

Mr. Felton tore open the package, to find deeds, bonds, bills of exchange and available securities to an amount covering all his liabilities and a few thousands to spare, and in blank amazement demanded from his servant a description of the party who had left the package.

"A dark gentleman, well dressed, with a foreign accent, and slightly lame," was all he could learn. But that was enough to lead him to accost the proper person, when that party entered the counting-room the next morning with a bevy of creditors.

"A word with you, sir!" he whispered in the stranger's ear, and leading the way to his private office, he continued:

"You are my nameless friend?"

"An East Indian merchant! Seek to know no more, my dear sir; at least, for the present, but hasten to accept and use those funds at your disposal, and. rest assured that in so doing, you are but reaping the return of bread long since cast upon the waters.'"

The grateful merchant raised his head to respond, but his benefactor was crossing the threshold, and he was obliged to follow where his presence and announcement, "Gentlemen, I am happy to state that I am prepared to meet all your claims in full, on presentation, and request those desirous of immediate adjustment to step up to the cashier's desk," clothed every face with smiles, when, seizing the arm of his unknown friend, he whispered, "you must dine with me."

66

'Nay, sir, you must excuse me at present. Three weeks hence, when you have thoroughly investigated your business, and are prepared to set a time for the liquidation of my claim, I shall be most happy to avail myself of your invitation," and bowing urbanely, he limped away, leaving the grateful merchant just a little chilled by his allusion to pecuniary matters.

"Yes. He is right," he murmured. I must unravel that mystery regarding the coupons and other securities I deemed so safe."

That investigation resulted in the startling disclosure of propensities in his youthful partner, that he had never dreamed of. Suffice it, that when cornered, that worthy confessed to large, unsuccessful speculations in foreign stocks and commercial bubbles in secret, which had swept away piecemeal the vast funds of the firm in reserve. The intelligence fell like a leaden weight on the merchant's soul. How could he meet his strange creditor?

But he did meet him. The latter proved punctual to the day named, and his ring was answered by a servant, who ushered him into the merchant's

"You would save me from ruin," and the merchant's eye glistened, while his tremulous tone betrayed his emotion. "When I asked for time, yesterday, I deemed that I had available assets to cover all my liabilities, and a handsome residue; but since then investigation has disclosed a confusion in my affairs that has amazed me, and must remain a mystery until explained by my partner."

of Captain Williams and his daughter.

"Make my excuses, Martha, and say I will meet them at dinner," said the merchant as he wrung the stranger's hand in a convulsive grasp.

"No, no! If you please, sir, the captain and I are old acquaintances, and I should be pleased to meet him here."

"Send him up, Martha. I have no secrets from him, or should have none."

"And he can serve as a witness to our business

risk cheerfully."

"Who are you, sir?"

"Who is this gentleman, captain ?” "I thought you knew him."

"As my greatest benefactor; but he will tell no

more.

"Nor must I while he is mute, though I've carried many a valuable invoice between you."

The stranger smiled, and resuming his seat said: "Now to business, Mr. Felton. What has been the result of your investigation?"

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quietly remarking:

"Just as I expected."

"You ?"

"I've long suspected Mr. Bloodgood of underhand dealing with his partner. But of that anon. When can you repay me?"

"I cannot say. I am in your hands, sir, and must rely upon your generosity."

"Which shall not fail you, worthy sir; yet I require payment now."

"How? Impossible!"

"Nay, sir. One waits without who will tell you how it may be effected. May I request her attendance ?"

The merchant bowed mechanically, and our heroine entered at the stranger's signal, when the former exclaimed:

"How!-Miss Myra!-what mean you, sir?" "What I have said, my friend. She will explain."

"Yes, Mr. Felton. I am commissioned by the gentleman to say that a restoration of your name to the child you once adopted, and cast off, will be liquidation in full of all demands."

"Hermann alive? Does he desire it?" "He does!"

"Sir-Myra! Tell me! Has he aught to do with this? Where is he?"

"Here!" said Myra, laying her hand on the stranger's shoulder-" My own dear, noble Hermann, who has wandered so long without a name."

My boy! my son!" and the gray-haired merchant tottered to the open arms of his benefactor.

At that instant, the haggard face of Edgar Bloodgood protruded into the apartment, and was seen by his partner, who started, exclaiming:

"Here, Edgar! You owe me one more explanation. I remember you were very watchful over the morals and conduct of my adopted son in days gone by, and furnished me with numerous clues to what I then deemed his rascality; but now in view of recent facts, I doubt. How say, you, in his presence, are not you the two-fold guilty party?" "His presence? Hermann, the benefactor of the firm ?"

"Ay. But answer me. Remember, if you have wronged and in wronging him, caused me to do likewise, you owe him more than a confession of the crime. Did you not charge him with your own crime?"

The real culprit stood confessed and cowering beneath his guilt, until the generous outcast touched him, saying:

"Look up, Edgar. Let the past be forgotten, as by me forgiven. I would not have this day, for which I have toiled so long beneath foreign skies, clouded by a care or grief. Let nothing mar our joy; nothing embitter the happiness we jointly owe to my Myra here, whose winning gentleness arrested me when fairly embarked for ruin, and who, aroused to interest in the outcast, affected his salvation by a kind word."

live, and love to welcome THE DISOWNED.

A RETURN.

"Do ye not know me, Donald ?”—
Pushing back her gray hair-
"Can ye not speak to me, Donald-
Me who was once so fair?

"Many years have gone over us-
Fortunate years for thee;

When I see thee they seem not so many-
Only when thou seest me.

"For I wear the snow of winters

No sun and no summer can change;
Yet I seem to hear the spring coming,
And the bluebird beginning to range,
"As when in the old days together
We wandered and talked by the stream,
Of thy life in the far new country,

And our love. Was it all a dream?

"For what could I be to thee, Donald,
A man grown to honor and land,
With a choice of the whole world before thee,
While I could give thee but my hand!
""Twas long that I stayed by the brook-side,
In the dews and the dark of the eve,
Through winter and summer thereafter,
Ere I could forget to grieve.

"For thou wast my first love, Donald-
Thou the first love of my heart;
Why should I not tell thee, Donald,
What sadness it was then to part?"
"I cannot recall thee, woman;

And yet, when I hear thy voice,
I hear the low rippling river,
I see the girl of my choice.
"Can ye not tell me of Janet,

Something of her I once loved?
She gave me a wing for my bonnet;
I gave her a ring ere I roved."
"Think ye on her sometimes, Donald?
Can ye remember the ring?

It is worn now very thin, Donald;

Yet perhaps you'll remember the thing.
"It is here on my hand still, Donald;
I cannot remove it again;

I have kept it through labor and sorrow;
It is grown now a part of my pain!"

A deacon in one of the Auburn (N. Y.) churches found last Sunday, in the contribution-box, an old faded piece of paper, which proved to be his own outlawed note for $30, which the holder, unable to collect, had turned into the box for the deacon's edification.

PRINCE HUSSEIN'S BRIDE;

APRIL is derived from the Latin, aperiere, to open, and is the only month in the year to which a name is given expressive of the appearance of nature. The Saxons called it Aster-monat, or Easter month, because some say, their goddess Eostro vas particularly worshipped at this time. Among Christians it is so styled by reason of its being the Arandest festival of the Church, celebrated in comLemoration of the rising of the Lord from his rave. Easter is styled the "Feast of Feasts" nd the "Sunday of Joy," in memory of a resurrection which inspires gratitude and devotion in ll hearts.

The first Thursday in Easter week is known as Maunday Thursday, presumably from maud, Saxen for basket, in allusion to gifts to the poor on that day being made in baskets. Some authors thus contend it is in consequence of the Last Supper, when Christ gave bread and wine to his disciples, after washing their feet, and bidding them do Mkewise to each other.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was appointed in obedience to the Saviour's injunctions at this feast. From this came the ceremony still observed in the Roman and Greek Churches, of the highest dignitaries washing the feet of a number of poor persons.

The Friday before Easter Sunday is Good-Friday, and has always been held as a day of solemn fast by Christians, in memory of the crucifixion, which took place on that day. It is often called "Holy Friday," and the whole week, "Holy Week."

The sun in his journey along the zodiac enters the sign of Taurus, or the bull, on the 19th of this month. The 23rd is St. George's Day, the patron saint of England. Little, however, is known of his history, as the legends told of him are unworthy of credit.

The first of April is known as All Fools' Day. Singularly enough, a corresponding custom previls in most civilized countries. It is a very ancient observance, and can be traced back to most romote times. From daybreak to "dewy eve," old and young, rich and poor, daft and wise, are on the watch to salute on this day of universal negative compliments their fellows with, "Oh, you April Fool!" at the slightest inclination of the head to a question. Sometimes the fun and merriment is harmless enough in its broad application; but it is too often rendered dangerous when rude, practical jokes are played upon the very confiding and simple victims of its useless errands. When such is the case, the sooner, as Tom Brown has it, folly is dead," the better for April fools and their victims.

Angling begins in April. The fish which have Lid themselves in deep holes during the winter, ome to the surface to bask in the sunshine and eck food. So the ponds, rivers and fields are qually alive, for simultaneously many elegant tribes of insects begin to sport about the reedy anks of pools and stagnant waters, dressed in brilliant colors, winging their way in all the gladness of new life.

OR,

THE RIVAL BROTHERS.

BY C. H. WEBSTER.

CHAPTER I.

THE RESCUED CHRISTIANS.

N the brow of the lofty hill of the Albaycin, the

highest part of Granada, which rises from the narrow valley of the Darro, stood, many centuries ago, the royal palace of Badis Aben Habus, a Moorish Sultan of great wealth and power.

His abode was filled with every luxury which the unlimited treasures of the realm could buy, or taste could devise, and seemed more fi.ting for the home of the beautiful gentler sex, than the old widowed monarch, who, with his two sons and heirs, held court amid a train of Moslem nobles and faithful slaves.

Badis Aben Habus' two sons were both tall and handsome young princes, of fine proportions and noble features, and at the time of our story, Ruyz was twenty-one, and Hussein about nineteen years of age.

One day, the old sultan, who was far advanced in age, as his long flowing beard and dimmed eyes, and bowed figure gave evidence, as he sat in one of his cool and fragrant apartments, was interrupted in his morning siesta by the appearance of his youngest son, Hussein, who came quickly into his presence, and without waiting for the usual formal salutation, exclaimed with rapid words and excited manner:

"Oh, my excellent father, give me thy commands to take some of thy servants here and go forth into the public vivarrambla, and rescue a fair and beautiful lady from a crowd of Moors who have gathered about her and an old man who seems to be her father. I durst not go without thy permission, for fear my brother Ruyz may think I am interfering with the power with which thou hast so lately invested him, since the arrival of his birthday. But so thou, my father, tellest me what to do, then I am safe in performing thy bidding!" and the handsome young Moorish youth paused in restless anxiety, and awaited his parent's reply.

"How camest the lady and her father here, in the hands of our good Moorish people? Whence camest they, and whither are they going?" questioned the sultan, as he rubbed his eyes open, and deliberately asked these questions cre replying to the young prince.

That I know not yet; but give me thy permission to rescue them from the gathering mob, who began to look at them threateningly when I ran in to you just now, and I will hasten out again, and take them within our palace out of harm's way!" entreated Hussein.

part to the fulfilment of his kindly mission.