the stage coach
between Lexington and Cincinnati. All search in that quarter was
unavailing, and over her fate a dark mystery lay, until Julia suddenly
appeared and threw light on the matter. The afflicted father (for she had
no mother) was sent for, and when told where his child was laid, asked
permission to have her disinterred and taken to his family burial place.
His request was granted, the grave was opened, and then refilled and
leveled with the earth. The monument Julia took care to have carefully
preserved as a memento of the olden time.

As will be supposed, Julia's return furnished the neighborhood and
surrounding country with a topic of conversation for many weeks. At first
nearly all treated her with cool neglect, but as she kept entirely at
home, curiosity to see one who had, as it were, come back from the dead
triumphed over all other things; and at last all who came to see Fanny
asked also for her sister.

Among the few who at once hastened to give the penitent girl the hand of
friendship was Kate Miller; and as she marked her gentle manner and the
subdued glance of her still somewhat haughty eyes, she wound her arm about
her neck and whispered, "I shall in time learn to love you dearly for the
sake of more than one."

Julia comprehended her, or thought she did, and answered, "Oh, Mrs.
Miller, that one dreadful crime has troubled me more than all the rest. I
killed him, your noble brother, and from the moment I deliberately
determined to do so I became leagued with the tempter, who lured me madly
on. But I outdid myself, and was entangled in the snare my own hands had
laid."

"It is ever so," answered Kate. "Our most secret sins will in the end find
us out."

The reader is perhaps anxious to know whether back across the Atlantic,
Ashton brought his Spanish bride. Yes, he did. Mr. William Middleton
accompanied him to the house of Sir Arthur Effingham, whom they found to
be dying; his property was gone, and he feared that he must leave the
youthful Inez to the cold charities of the world and a miserly brother.
When Mr. Middleton made himself known, the dying man pointed to Inez, and
said, "You once loved the mother; care for the daughter when I am gone,
will you?"

"I will," answered Mr. Middleton, "on condition that you consent to having
a young friend of mine share the care with me." At the same time he
presented Ashton.

Sir Arthur recognized him immediately and answered, "Willingly, most
will