the landlady opened the door, she said, `I
will call to-morrow, and give directions about the infant, and
everything which is necessary.'--`I never went through such a trying
scene,' said Miss Barbara; `she was an old school-fellow of mine, who
entreated me to come to her in her distress. She died giving birth to
her infant, and it was, I presume, with that presentiment, that she sent
for me and entreated me, on her death-bed, to protect the unfortunate
child, for she has been cast away by her relations in consequence of her
misconduct. You have never had the small-pox, Martha, have you?'

"`No, miss,' she replied, `you know I never have.'

"`Well, it was having the small-pox at the same time that she was
confined, that has caused her death, and that was the reason why I did
not send for you to come up and assist.'

"`My daughter made no answer, for Miss Barbara was of a haughty temper,
and she was afraid of her; but she did not forget that the doctor had
told the landlady that Miss Barbara had stated the lady to be her
sister. My daughter had thought it very odd that Miss Barbara had not
told her, during their journey, where she was going, and who she was
going to see, for Miss Barbara had wrapped herself up in her cloak, and
pretended to be asleep during the whole time, only waking up to pay the
post-boys; but Miss Barbara was of a very violent temper, and had, since
her sister's marriage, been much worse than before; indeed, some said
that she was a little mad, and used to walk at moonlights.

"`When they arrived at the hotel, Miss Barbara went to bed, and insisted
upon my daughter sleeping in the same room, as she was afraid of being
alone in an hotel. My daughter thought over the business as she lay in
bed, and at last resolved to ascertain the truth; so she got up early
the next morning, and walked to the lodging-house, and when the door was
opened by the landlady, pretended to come from her mistress to inquire
how the infant was. The reply was that it was doing well; and then a
conversation took place, in which my daughter found out that the lady
did not die of the small-pox, as Miss Barbara had stated. The landlady
asked my daughter if she would not like to come up and look at the
corpse. My daughter consented, as it was what she was about to request,
and when she went up, sure enough it was poor Mrs Dempster, Miss Ellen
that was, who had run away with the colonel.

"`An't it a pity, ma'am,' said the