Novelist. THE BLACKMAN'S LEAD. BY HENRY WINSTALIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1812, 16 February 1884, Page 1 (Supplement)

Novelist. THE BLACKMANS LEAD. BY HENRY WINSTALIN.

(CoNCLUDKn.) "V- .What ails thee, child ?" asked Vainc, v.'ho 'had heard his daughter's faint cry, and who quickly drew towards her, and passed his arm lovingly around her waist. " Aie you ill, darling? " he continued, as he noticed the young girl's pallid cheek, and felt the tremor possessed her. BM'-« Oh, father I Dear father ! Look thue," ' aid Stella, as she pointed towards the lead. pr'The old mariner looked in the direction indicated, and answeieJ, " I see nothing, my I pet, to cause you any excitement. Oi.ly a ~,<jfcowd of diggers. Probably some dispute, or, "perhaps a fight." •' No, dear father, it is an accident, and in the next claim to your own, in Gordon's claim, father, in Goi don's. Three men are killed, smothered by the foul air, and Basil — Basil — my mind tells me that dear Basil is of them," frantically ciicd Stella, as she iHiaew herself upon her" father's breast and "B'&bed aloud. S jSt "Nonsense, my darling. Do not distress ""yourself by picturing anything so ■veiy sad." "Quick, father, hasten with all speed, and learn what has happened to— to Jam. In mercy haste, dear father, and do not piolong this torturing su^pen^e," interrupted Stella, as she disengaged herself fioui her father's - arm, and entered the dwelling. Then the old mariner, with hasty steps, traversed the distance which lay between j#MB tent, and the Blackmail's lead, and arstrived there just iv time to see the doctor rise $from a kneeling posture bebide his patient, l»nd him say, "Well, men, there is £life in the poor feliow, and that's about {till, just the faintest spark. To pull him he will require the best attention and care, and that he can't get. Take him to his tent, and I'll try to get someone to nurse him." " Stay, one moment, doctor ! " said Stella's Ifttfher, stepping from the crowd. " I am not a IJjuita of your patient, but I have known him time, and can say truly thut I am his , friend. You say that "Gordon will not re oover unless he has the best of attention, and care. lam of the ?ame opinion ; therefoie, I gay, let the young man be taken to my place. I have a small tent alongside my own, in which he shall be made as comfortable us circumstances will allow, and my daughter shall ba his nurse." Loud and many were the worda of approbation which Capain Varne's geneious offer elicited from those standing round, and the doctor, grasping the old skipper by the hand, \ said, " You are a good fellow, Yarne, and mark my word, you'll never repent this act of kindness." ■jt Accordingly, a sti etcher being provided, " half-a-dozen strong fellows carried Gordon as *lcirefully as possible towards the old whaler's Varne had huiried on before, and "^had prepared everything for the sufferer's reception. Of course Stella was much giieveJ f when she heard of her lover's dangerous state. /?|Sut, at the same time, the young girl was jflSflrell aware that there was still much to be Hthankful for. Basil Gordon was not dead, fe&nd moreover he was not likely to die, lapoviding he received proper nourishment *i*pd careful nursing. And so Stella dried her ' tears, and set about her tabk, and it must be admitted that no mother ever nursed hexlittle one more tended^ in its sickness, or ,' evinced greater solicitude than did the young ", nurse for her sick and suffering charge. But the sun rose many » times befoie Basil showed the least sign of improveBgtient. In fact, life's t4per seemed to have PfPfeen well nigh extinguished, and even now it V .appeared only to flicker Op its socket. '■ However, the tender nUirsing and the fond * .and affectionate attentioxi which Stel!a_ be- \ stowed upon the sufferer as length prevailed, ' aand Gordon seemed to hava passed the crisis, ,and the medical man was now of opinion ' that his patient would very (shortly be past all \ danger. / All went on well, f or ,fcvery day the improvement in Gordon's hjealth was easily perceptible. Stella, too, was as happy as a bird, for her father's claim \vias yielding rnagnifivCBnt returns, and her lever's health was fast returning. 8 But, in the midnt of ber happiness, a dark laud appeared on £he hoiizon, which hre&tened* to dissipate all her felicity. This lark cloud was tho reappearance of liufus /,, ( :Seir, who had just arrived on Maryborough V (^f ter a somewhat longer absence than he had F* j,>O|f course Seir pretended to be horrified at iK-raie 1 dreadful news which awaited him, and |p(>ifered any sum of money for such informayLjjion^as would lead to the capture of the misH^wßt who had cut the rope. And well he Hmjpali for the arch villain knew that it was BaßjJlfto impossible for anyone to inform, as l^glPiinortal eye, save his own, had witnessed •> his cruel deed.

Uiil ullLjU'b h.s fo'.«l n fention h,v] occn fiuttiated, the s-counuiel Sir chd not de>>isi, but brooded owi and lued haid (o iu;d u. !ih \\ ; c'?cd biain a ]>kn by which he uaijjrlit rid him elf of his deie&te'] rival, Basil Gordon. Si'ir had a friend in Captain Vaine— that is, the old whaler favoured the red miner 'a suit, and would further the tame by any means '•hort of coercion, as he knew that it was entirely in opposition to his daughter's lnlciest that she would enteitam any idea of inntiying Goidon. Wheieas, on the othei hand, if Stella married Soir the latter *7-?akh ■ would afc oncj lift her to a position ot independence! E.ifu-. did not tioublo to seek an intciview with Stella for some time aflor his anhal on Blackmail's Lead, neither did he visit the caplain's tent as often as formerly, for he seemed to hiive airived at the conclusion that it was perfectly useless trying to further his suit with the young girl in the presence of the yonnwr and moie favoured lover. Poor old Scarroll did not seem to have suffeied fiom the foul air, so badly as his mate, and had it not been for the deep cuts and biuises he received on the head, when he fell in the shaft, he would have been ready to resume work the following day. However, the old fellow was veiy glad to welcome Bufus when lie leturncd fiom Melbourne, and immediately piopos°d to that individual, that they should try their cliim once more. But although Seir had not a great deal of faith in the giound, yet he was at a loss how to occupy his time, if he did not work that, or sonic other claim, he prefered to go on with the old ■-haft even <mp|josing it to be a ' duffer,' for he would have the advantage of being in daily, nay, hourly communication with the old captain, whom he might ultimately induce to put his pateinil authority in force, and compel his daughter to listen favourably to his, Seir's, oveituies. Accordingly ftuf us, and his mate commenced their labours. When they descended the shaft and examined the drives, they found that the whole of the roof, when they had opeued out under their boundary-line had fallen in, forpiing a large opening into the old whaler's claim, through which a supply of fie'<h air was constantly flowing. As Seir held up the light and viewed this gap, his brow lowered, and be gnashed his teeth with rage. Bufus was an old miner, and he could see at a glance that the ground had broken away ju&t at the very time that it should have stood, for another minute, and probnbly less, death would have set his seal upon Goidon, and remove for ever the only obstacle which stood between him and the lovely Stella. After driving some little distance aiong the side-Jine, Rufup, and his mate struck a rich seam of coaise gold, and their claim, which hitheito had never showed a payable piospect, now promised to turn out one of, if not the lichest claim on Maryborough. Goulon continued to make steady progress towaida recovery, and although still very weak, he ■ua:: pionounccd by the doctor to be past all danger. Of course Basil was well aw lie that the kind and tender nursing he had lecehed from Stella was the principal cause of lm speedy convalesence, and he was now o\eiioyecl to think that the accident had hrppi'iic-'l, for it &ecmod the only way a reconciliation could be leached between himself and his loved one. Ba&il could now often walk a shoifc distance from his dwelling, and at «uich times he was always accompanied by hi» fair nurse. Stulla was indefatigable in her attentions, pnd Gordon felt her kind solicitude, and evei afterwards looked back upon the moments theie passed in the young girl's pociety as the happiest in his life. Theie was a large fo'ee which stood a short distance from thecaptain's tent, and under its spreading blanches the young couple often sat during the heat of the long summer's day. For mutual explanations had smothed over the little estrangement which had, for a brief <-paC'3, existed between them. Here too, beneath the shade of this old monarch of the wood*, did Gordon onco more breath into the maiden's ear, his vows of love, and eternal constancy. Here too, the lovei3 built theii and castles, and in fancy sketched a future wheiein only bnght skies and sunshine seemed to exist. But all things must end sometime, and the happy, blissful hours which Basil was now enjoying, weie destined to be brought to a close soonei than it was wished foi by either of the young people. One morning, as the old mariner was about to start fiom home, he said, addie&&ing Goidon — " If you feel that you could be useful at the claim, I think you should go down. Mind, I don't wi.sh to drive you to work beforeyou are able for it ; but, at the same time, I ought to let you know that your claim is turning out immensely, and your appearance on the spot might save you a deal of annoyance in the future. So, go down and show yourself, you undei stand ?" " Certainly, Captain Varne," answered Basil. " I do not expect to be able to do much at present ; but I'll go at once." Accordingly, that same morning, both Bufus, and old Scarroll were rather surprised to find Gordon on the claim, and ready for work. He did not look sufficiently strong to be able to do much at present, but his mate 3 thought that, with a little exercise, his improvement would be rapid. A little over a weekpassed, and Basil Gordon found himself able to descend the shaft, and work beside his mates. Only one side of their claim seemed to be payable, for, as was said befoie, the reef dipped almost perpendicularly in the shaft, and where Gordon's mates had found the heaviest of the gold was in the deepest ground. So, they worked on — each washing yeilding a large amount of the precious metal — till there was only one small block of solid ground to be taken out. All along, the full length of the I claim was standing on props and seemed perfectly safe, so no danger was apprehended in cutting out thig small, and only piece of ground remaining. The party left off work for their midday meal— that is— Gordon, and the old man Scarroll had. Seir preferring to stay below, as he said that he did not feel inclined for any dinner, and while they were absent he would clear up the drives ready to take the last block out. When hi& two mates had climbed up the shaft, Seir put down his shovel, lit his pipe, and sat down to think. For now the villain did not evince any anxiety to hnrry on the work. No 1 his busy brain was maturing a scheme to biing ruin and death to his young and unsuspecting mate, as Seir well knew that in a few days their gold would be sold, and the proceeds shared amongst them. Basil Gordon would then be in possession of nearly— or quite — one thousand pounds, and the alteration in the young man's circumstances might induce the old whaler to look favourably on him as his future son-in-law, especially now that the old mariner himself had risen to a state of comparative wealth. " But I'm not afraid of the old man," Eufus mentally exclaimed, "it is that long smoothfaced Gordon whom I fear. He's foiled me once, but this time he phall die, even if I have to accompany him to the next world." Seir now left his seat and went into Varne's claim, and listened, but no sound could he hear either up or down the lead, then he returned to his own workings. Viewed by the fitful and uncertain light of the candle he carried, Eufus looked like some gnome, as he crawled along the low subterranean passages. And now the miner's movements spoke as plain as words could tell that there was not a

I lPonuTl to bi' lo t. ei/.in,^ lua viA ]l • loosened the pipe clay at the iuoi of <mcl« prop iie.n tlic block, tilfhe could pnll ihe tlinb* r a^oy by a dight effoit. The roof, for o\er a foot' thick con alsted of heavy wash, and over that, a seam of loose sand ran aciosh the dip, from locf to reef. Seir knew well that if the timbeib were not firm when the solid ground was tiken away, the headings) would part from the sand, and fall without warning. Then the villian paused a moment and viewed his devilish work, and as he did so & sarnie of h'oodish triumph flitted across his repelhiu features. And now warned of hi 3 mates' approach, he seized the pick and commenced work. Accordingly when l-ho fcwo mates i»ilurntd to their woik, S-'arroll lemalnpd at the windlass, while Gordon descended the shafL to help Seir. The piece of ground to be taken out being small, could be removed by one pick — or lather, by one man — the second man being engaged in the mean time in passing along the washdirt, and sending it up to the surface. While Gordon had been absent, Rufus had taken some of the block away, and was Ftill engaged at it whon the joung man letumcd. So Basil busied himself in shovelling the wa«hdnb towards the shaft, and continued at this work until Seir dropped the pick he had been working with, saying : " There, I've done my share. Now you iini&h it." Gordon moved over to the face of the block, md just as he was about to commence woik, several small particles of dirt iell about him. " Holloa ! What's this ? " the young man said, at the same time tapping with the haimner head of the pick the stones overhead. " Why e\eiy thing i*. as loose as it can be. "Go on, man. What I Are you frightened ? " asked Rufus, sneeringly. "No. I ha\e no fear. But at the same time, when ground is in this state, I think a ceitain amount of caution is necessaiy." As he spoke the young man struck lightly the prop nearest to him, and found it loose. "Here, again, the timber is neaily falling. Have you been meddling with these props ? " " What should I inteiiere with the timber for ?" asked Seir, with some asperity. " I do not pretend to know anything about it. I only know that the timber has bpen disturbed. However, before I take this ground out all these props must be tightened," said Basil, at the same time prepaxing to diivc the prop home. " Fool, if you attempt to meddle with them you'll bring the whole roof upon you. Go on with your work." While speaking, Ruf us had drawn close to his mate, and knelt with his back to the solid face, while one hand rested on the prop. At that moment Gordon heard a giating sound and several stones, and small pieces ot mulloch fell from the headings, and he knew that the roof was coming away. Quick, as it was possible for him to do so, the young man sprang towards the shaft, at the same time saying, " For heaven's sake, Seir, save yourself!" But the warning came too late, for before Rufus could move from the spot wheie he was kneeling, the whole of the roof broke away, and falling, buried the miner beneath the i alien debris. Gordon lost no time in giving the olaim, and immediatbly set to woik shovelling the mulloch which covered his mate. Not many seconds elapsed before several men were beside him, and by their joint efforts they very soon cleared the diit away, and lifted the injured man into the shaft, and he was drawn fclowly and carefully to the surface. Seir was conveyed to his tent and a doctor immediately sent for. But it was some time before the medical man could determine upon the extent of the miner's injuries, at the same time the medico was of opinion that there were no bones broken, the principle injuiy effecting the suffeiers head. Rufus lay m an insenbible condition for days, and was watched over and carelully attended to by Gordon, and the old man Scarroll. One night — it was after the thud day that Seir had laid on his bed, and during which time he had betrayed no sign of life, except the cold, damp pciypiration that moistened his foiehead, and his faint and seemingly intermittent breathing — his two mates were seated upon the stretcher, on the opposite side of the tent, conversing upon various subjects, when Scarioll suddenly exclaimed : " Wonder* what'll come of the ' red'un's ' sugar, peividen he slopes?" " Why, his friends will get it," answered Gordon. " But he ain't got none, and he never had none, on'y a sister, and I specks she's dead long enough ago." " Then," Basil said, " the State will take j)osseasion." " Pity that. I wish he'd a made me his air ; " then, after a few moments' pause, Scarroll continued, " What aie you going to do with yerself after we buiies the ' red'un ' and washes up ? " " I shall return to Sydney. My mother lives there," answered the young man. " Indeed. Why, I never node you had a mother. Is she a widder, and what's her age ? " asked the old man. " Yes, she is a widow, and her ago is about fourty-four " " Forty-four," interrupted Scarroll, " oh, that's nice. No other friends ? " " None. My mother came to Sydney alone. But before she left England both her parents died. Previous to that sad event taking place, she had promised them that ?he would use what little wealth they left behind in coming to Australia, "and in trying to find out an only brother who had committed himself in some way, and had made a compulsory trip across the seas " " Why, that's like a play," interrupted Scarroll. "What was yer uncle's, oc yer mother's name af @re she was married ? " " Florence Harley. Her brother was named Charles." "Oh, Lord, have mercy on me!" murmured the sick man. Gordon sprung to the suffeier's side, saying, " Are you better, Seir ? Can I do nnythingfor you?" " No, my boy. I have no bodily pain ; none that physic can reach. But I have an evil conscience, boy," cried Seir, his eyes glaring wildly on his young mate, "A fiend within me that seems to be gnawing at my very soul, a devil who has conjured up, and holds before my mind's eye scenes of the past, ■which I would fain forget. Where is Scarroll ? " " Here I am, mate," said that individual, coming forward. " Go over to the hill, and tell the old captain and his daughter that I wish to see them. Tell them that lam dying, and then, perhaps, they'll come." The old man left the tent immediately to deliver his mate's message. " Come closer to me, Basil Gordon, for I have something to impart to you, and to you only." The young fellow drew closer, and was about to take his mate's hand. "No, do not touch me, but rather shrink from contamination with so a vile thing as I am. When you have heard me to the end you might not then care to take my hand. Are you listening, boy ? " asked Seir. " Yes. But do not distress yourself by a recital of unpleasant details. Ido not wish to hear you speak of that which evidently gives you pain." " But you must hear me, boy, hear me to the end, and prepare yourself for a story fraught with sorrow, crime, and death. Listen. Twenty-six years ago, I was then like you are

I now, yoipi", an •I foil . ' j . ■ _.vv '.0,0. I h.i-1 1 boon pom" vear.T ompb r 0 d- >1. 121 a Luge \ mercantile linn in L ndj 1 ), at a "ond salaiy, and p cfcitainiy ot piomuiion. But in an c\U lnnr Iwu inlioduoed to a young gnl. I will not dilute upon the fascmatinp charms of that b pitching coafcuic, more than to pay that, sho was a bcin o ' of exceeding loveliness but with a ltiincl, blaeUne-1, and deprived, by e\ery e\il passion . I was m perfect ijrioi.ince of her evil disposition (.ill ift v/us v> late, and the irrevocable linot was tunl which made U 3 man and Aufo. I was dcvoU^ly attached to hr-r; in fact, T was iuhtualed, and blind to her evciy fault. Mj income failed to providp her v.'ith the «fcylc of living sho expected and demanded, find the ''onspqu moo w as tin!, in a weak moment. I wps ind'iccl by iier to co umiij my fu\->t ciime — forgery. But even by the piocceils of my villwiny I was unable to keep pace with h»r extravagance and the heavy sums obtained at the lisk of my hboily, and the luin of my good neme were not equal to lier demands on my purse. In she midst of my ppipk\ity end iiouhlc my wife eloped wjtn a man, whom I had called a fiicnd. Mad, with jealousy and rage, I followed, and overtook them as they changed ho.se 1 at a wayside inn. Taking a pistol fiom my breast I advanced towarde the carriage, intending to shoot my false fiiend upon the spot. But my wife's quick eye lecogui^ed me, and, gues&iag j my purpose she thiew herself upon the breast of her betrayer. Maddened at seeing my wife in such a position, I pointed my pisi.ol at her companion j head and piessed the trigger. There was a loud shiiek f 10m my wifp, who had leceived the bulK intended for her deeeivei, and as the smoke cleared away, I saw the villain unclasp her fair aims from about his neck, and lay her gently back upm the cariiage seat, dead. I hmried from the tpot ; but when the news spread I wa3 hotly persued. Failing tohndrne, they brought tiained bloodhounds and put them on my track. But they wci c to late, for I had reached the coast a full day before mv pursuers. A small vessel lay becalmed, not far out at sea, and for a few sovereigns an old fi°heiman put me on board of her. I told ii\o nia&tpr of the schooner my story tiuly, ana nc carried me to the port for which he was bailing. For ten long ycais I woikeubefoie the mast, and, duiing that time I sailed to almost eveiy countiy in the world. But at la&t, getting tired of such a life, and having a constant yearning wish to see my dear parents, and my darling little sister Floe, I ventmed back to London only to find the former dead, and that my pietty pet, my fond, and loving sister had sailed for Australia. " To drown remorse, I drank, drank hard, for I had become leckless, and cared not what became of me, and it was not long before I was identified and put upon my trial foi murder. The forgeries t had committed had been discovered, but my former employers declined to prosecute, as it was the general opinion that, for the greater crime, nothing could save me from the gallow;.." " But it was found a veiy difficult matter to piove the charge against me, as ten years had elapsed, and my appeal anco had undergone &o gieat a change that some ot the witne c .=es \seie loth to swear to my identity. So, instead of hanging me they sent me into penal servitude for futeen yeais." " My destination wai Van Diema,n's Land, and dming my captivity 1 was foitunate in saving tho life oi a ganger, or overs cci, find for that set vice half my ponteuco wasiemitted. At last I gained my hbeity, and for three yeais I searched all thiough the colonies for my poor dear si ter; but alas without succebS, and at last I gave up the search. I then tailed for California and made laige sums of money on the mines •, but,, heaiing of gold being discovered in Victoria I returned here, and ha\e continued to pile up my wealth ever since. X thought that I had shut my heart against eveiy tender influence; but no, for heie, here on this lead, I ha,ve met one. who in beauty of face and figuio had but one equal, that of my dead wife. I fcav/ her, and the Binouldeung spark of love was quickly fanned into afieicefiame. I oifeicd her wealth and position, if she would be my \\ lfe. But she scorned my love, and despised the wealth that I longed to lay at her feet— for what : a younger and penniless lival. Goaded on by jealousy and hate I swoie to compass his death. You, Cfoidon, were iLo rival whose death I sought to bung about." " I," mtenupted Gordon, shrinking back fiom the &ick man, " then the maiden's name was — " " Stella Vcirnc." Then, in a lower tone, Seir added, "yes boy, it was I who cut the iope, and left you to die a nnseiable death by the foul air. It was I, who, letuininj; to the tent, found Thumper just starting away with your suppei. Knowing hi& failing, I invited him to the bhanty to diink, and then plied him so well with liquor that it was impossible for him to return andsa\e yon. I then started for Melbourne expecting on my return here to find every obstacle vhich stood between me and Stella removed. But I found that I had been foiled, and that you lived, lived to blast my hopes of future happiness, lived to carry off the piiz;e that I had steeped my cumefctciined soul deeper in peidition for. Kuowiug that my suit was hopeless while you lived, I again planned your death. Yes Gordon, yeb 1 It was I who loo&ened the props with the intention of bringing the roof of the drive upon jou." " Horrible," shuddered Basil. " Yes, horrible indeed. But heaven in its mercy saved you fiom a cruel death, and my conscience from another crime. I've not done yet. Give me tome brandy," gasped the dy.ng man, who diank eageily. " There lad, that will do. The brandy revives me, and it seems to fan up the dying embers once more; and by its aid I may have strength to tell you all. More like a tale of wild romance is the finish of my story — the story of a parricide — yes, lad, a parricide. For though my sweet and gentle mother fell not by the violence of my hand, and though my dear father's blood was never spilled by me, still I am no less their murderer." " Nay, Seir, it is not so bad as that," consoled Basil. "Do not interrupt me, boy. Yes lam their murderer. Oh, the uncertainty, the anguish that I have suffered, the remorse, the gnawing of my cruel conscience weighs like a horrible nightmare on my guilty soul. Listen to me, Gordon, listen. ' The little sister, my gentle loving Floe whom I have nursed upon my knee, whom I have caressed so often, whose winning ways endeared her to all who knew 1 her, and whom I have hunted half tho world in vain to find, and failing, mourned her dead, that sister lives." " Indeed ! " cried Basil, in surprise. " Yes boy, lives, for I have heard her name to-night. Yes, for in the midst of my suffering her name fell like a sunbeam on my blackened soul. Oh God 1 " cried the sick man in broken aecenta, " how I have wished, longed to live, and see my darling once again. But now I dare not take her to my heart for she would despise, fahe would loathe the wretch who had twice attempted to rob her of her only comfort, and render her childless." " Of wfrom do you speak ? " asked Gordon, at the same time dreading his mate's answer. "01 thy mother — my sister — Florence Harley," answered Sier. "Heavens have mercy!" gasped Basil, recoiling, and almost falling to the ground. There was silence for a few moments, broken only by the heavy sobs of the suffering man, for the poor wretch lay tortured both in body and mind. This bodily suffering Sier bore with uncomplaining fortitude, but there ■was no rest for the mind, no stifling the bitter recollections of the past, which now

, r>\y led 111 '. 11,1.11 I>'S iipa^iudlioiv nor i;il , t.' +V-0 voieo bin wiol.nl con-eience. I> '.-,1 CorJ-^ii nf-oorl beFido tna bed, and his eouatonancG boro a stern look, as lie cast his c, ea down and surveyed the dying man. Then his features iclaxed, for hia mind wanclir^d b.ick to hi 3 far-off homo and his dear, dear mother, that mother whose only brother now lay holp l ess and dying before him. And the young man remembered also the teachings of that mother, e\en ?o far back as when he Unfit at her feet and murmured the prayer, " Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those th:vt Ivps&paia against us." And his heart melted as the wdi-remembered words came back to him. Yes, for now he forgave the wroni; Seir had done him ; he forgot the crimes that KuTus had committed, and gently naliim; the sufferer's hand in his own he leaned over the bed and pressing his lips to the cold clammy forehead of the dying man, murmured " my poor dear uncle." It was some momenta before either of the men spoke, for evidently in Seir's we<*k state, the efforts of reviewing his past life, and recalling events which he hud atriven hard to forget had been too great, and he now lay utteily piostrated. i " Can you forgive me, Easil ? " murmured Seir. The young man pressed his mate's hand in mute xcply, for his heart was too full to speak. " I have done you a gieat wiong, boy ; but I feel sorrow and I will atone, for you aie Floe's son. You will not repeat what I have impaited to you to-night, lad, not even to your mother. Will you promise?" asked Seir. "I will," answered Basil. " That is well. Now try to find some^one whom I can send to the Main-street, but do not ;;o far from the tent yourself, for I wish you to slay by me till all is over." Gordon left the dwelling, and in a few moments returned accompanied by Thumper. " Mate," said the sick man, addressing the latter individual, " you know the little lawyer who lives in the township ? ' " Yer., well," answered Thumper. " Go, then, bring him hen at once ; quick miin, for you have not a moment to lose," said Sier. The old fellow started on his"errand, and, considering the distance, it was not a great while before he returned bringing the man of law and his assistant. Day was just breaking as the Lawyer concluded his business and took his departure, and immediately after Seir called his newly found lelative to his bedside, and putting a parchment into his hand, said : There my boy, I have wronged you, cruelly wronged you , but this, I hope, will in some measure atone for all. Seir now gradually grew worse, and finally delirium set in, and before noon the spirit had passed from his world-tossed body, and stood face to face before the great, but merciful judge of all. The captain and Stella, never dreaming that the state of Seir's health was so very dangerous, did not make their appearance till the sick man was beyond all knowledge of what was passing around him. Seir was buried on the little quartz hill near to the Carisbrook road, and, as it was his wish in life, no stone, or slab marks his las'; resting place. Gordon, by his uncle's will, inherited his vast, wealth, and in company with Captain Yarne, and his fair daughter, removed at once to Sydney, where, very shortly he was wedded to the lovely Stella. Through nearly thirty years of continued prosperity, not one cloud has crossed the blight sunshine of their lives. They are changed, certainly, as Time in his flight changes all things mortal. But with them it seems more like the ripening of earth's riches, than the mark of years. Journeying on board one of the steamers which leave Sydney daily for Paramatta, the voyager can view a large and handsome freestone building, nestled in the deep green foliage of an orange grove, when the yellow fruit, looks almost like globes of burnished gold sun, as it catches the rays of sunshine on a bright summers day. Dwellers in that pleasant spot, and far removed from the noise and dust of the busy city, Gordon, and his still young looking j and beautiful wife, have bridged the long and happy years of their married life; here too their family has grown up around them. But even to his own wife, or mother, Basil Gordon never divulged the seciet of Rufus Seir, or spoke to anyone concerning the uncle whom he had so unexpectedly encountered on the Blacimian's Lead. THE KND.