cident, and Kate dared not
whisper in his presence, nor even exchange a look with another, without
exciting a whole flood of doubt and suspicion in his mind.

To allay, so far as might be, these disordered terrors, they assumed
the utmost frankness in all intercourse with him, and even took pains to
exhibit an undisguised freedom on every occasion.

The letters which arrived by each morning's post were always opened in
his presence, and his prying, eager glances showed that the precaution
was not unneeded.

"What is that?" cried he, suddenly, as Kate, after reading the address
of a letter, hastily threw it on the table, and covered it with others.
"Let me see that, Kate. Who is it for?"

"It bears your name," said she, anxiously, "and has an Irish postmark;
but the hand is not known to me."

The youth took the letter in his hand, and sat gazing on it for some
minutes together.

"No," said he, at length, "I do not remember to have seen the writing
before. Read it, Kate."

She broke the seal, and at once exclaimed, "It is from Dr. Grounsell,
Frank,--a very dear and kind friend."

She ran her eyes rapidly over the lines as she spoke, and twice her
color came and went, and her hand trembled as it held the paper.

"You have bad news for me?" said the boy, with a slow, but firm
utterance; "but so that it be not of Nelly, I can bear anything!"

"It is not of Nelly," said Kate, in a tremulous voice.

"Then let me hear it," said he, calmly.

She tried to read, but the effort was beyond her strength; and although
her lips moved, no sound issued from them. At last she gained sufficient
strength to say, "It would agitate you too much, my dear brother, to
hear this now. Let us wait for a day or two, till you are stronger, and
better able to think about it."

"I have told you already, that if it be not of Nelly, I can hear it with
indifference. Read on, then, Kate."

"The meaning of it is this, Frank," cried she, hastily. "There was a
fearful crime committed some years back in Ireland,--a relative of ours,
named Godfrey, was murdered."

"Yes--yes--I know it. Go on," said he, eagerly.

"The circumstances have never come to light, and now, it would appear,
some efforts are being made to connect our name with this dreadful act;
and--and--in fact, Frank, Dr. Grounsell wishes to learn from you where
we were residing at the period in question; and if you be possessed of
any letters or papers which could show the relatio