use The Jiorthern Lights. says uncle, 'and let's see where you are doubt. Notwithstanding his politeness, He turns away as if to return to the garden. his arm and makes me keep pace with hurt and with that he helps him to limp I determined not to take the card, which him, while he indulges in dismal forebodings A NORSK SUPERSTITION. into the house. Sit down and rest yourselfmake I firmly believed to be what Jane described "Now or never!" I say to myself, and as to the condition in which mv Hay, inoher,nay the pictured coal is glowing yourself at home and uncle as the warrant. with a rapidly-beating heart I begin: prisoner will be found. He rings the iuli end redly on the hearthstone there brings but his owh"arm-ch"air. 'Thankee, "As you please," I answered, curtly, changes on suicide and melancholy madness. "Ahem!- would you not. lik to so in ^MSdttr^ain?''_ onwasno flame of caieless idlers' throwing, I will,' grinned the old rascal* plumping and, With a stiff inclination of rn*%ead, I i^i\ I The ruin is at last reached". Tho orrocket flashing through the startled air his ugly seuinto the chair. -I'm the hurrf info the housekin delicate aroma pf a fragrant cigar' "which 'Twas but i ihe gleaming of the Northern a great "baste of l-i-C-_ Ll .J_._#l. speak'*uv.?ari iifeinu,&,tin tine, 4 tersest he shoul|iurj afteriLm^d. man in posession,' says he, and pulls the Lights salutea^ouf nostrils tends to remove our stupid h|art Jhumpk skjba^fc Ah, there again they reddened Huntcliff warrent out of hiscr-pocket 'so fork oui,my jforce his way in. g anxiety as to the prisoner's being totally rwondef he does Sbf helirif." heights. good Samaritian, or else I sell every I fastened the door, and peeped out of the desjitute of comfort *My father pushes "Is it really a ruin?" he asks. blessed stick you've got.'" side window. There 'he'" stands where I TaM'o'bTrg'sa'to 'aamit that iVW'tMj me toward* the door. "So, let me raise you softly on the pillow And so Jane rattles on with anecdotes left hin*. He is actuallylighrhjg a cigar. See, how the crimson lustre flares and dies, "Open it, girl!" he says, with melodramatic of thl sharpness and scrupulomsness of men What impertinence! "feel aylrifle 'softened Turning to red the long heave of the billow, sternness. And the great arch of all the starless skies in possession, until I begin to regard as my nose informs me that the" cjj. I am trembling all over, but with great see^suchjhings. ,,^MW_ The fisheis say such beauty bodes them sor them as something more than mortal. 4 gar is a good one. I like the aroma of a effort I manage to turn the key and give ,."Thank you all the same7' hTTays, row, After the beakfast things have been removed, good cigar about a place. It makes it so the door a feeble push. I felt the door 'ihut I think I will content myself with Tc'lmgof btorm,and wind to blow to-morrow." I perform my usual household masculine. I am obliged to admit to pulled open. I dare not look. My eyes an outside view I dare say it is full of duties -for I have been papa's housekeeper myself that it this one is a specimen of "'Wo, child, the busy wife may bait her lines are cast to the ground, and my cheeks earwigs and spiders, very unpleasant And net and gear lie ready for the morning, since dear mamma diedand his class, bailiffs must be very handsOme are on fire, as in a scarcelv audible voice creatures to have tumbling "about one, No presage in that wavering glory shines, then, taking a book with me, I go on the men. How well rhji3 shpotjing-suit fits I say, "I am so sorry, Mr.'Barton. I did don't,you think so?" No doom in the rich hues the clouds adorning veranda to have a quiet read before him! It is so neat in pattern-and color "Yes," I Slowly assent, adding quickly, not mean toI took you for aa" It They do but say the lingering hours are past, luncheon. The reading has not advanced a quiet gray, the pattern so small as to The gates,the golden gates, unclose at last. is top much. I break down, and, ingnominiousfy as I am seized with a likely idea, "6, veiy tar when I am startled by an aggonized be almost invisiblenot a gigantic check* bursting into tears, run to my yes! I am so-terribly afraid of them and yelping and barking just outside like walking window-panes. He takes "Won, the long hill so steep and drear to father and bury my face on his shoulder. papa will ma-ke 'me keep my gardening climb, the gate off his "dear stalker" to shade the fuzee tools in there, so that I am always prevented "There, there, my giil!" cries my father, Done, be long task so bitter hard in learning from the wind, ,and I notice that he has "I am sure that is Tiny's bark/.' I say from gardening unless William is soothingly. He holds me to him. and, The tears are shed, and garnered up by time, beautiful brown hair, very thick and curly. to myself. She must have crept under The heart beats, freed from all its lonely yearning "here to get them for me. I wanted to do softly patting me with one hand, he turns "What a pity,' I sigh to myself, the gate, and is now fighting with some a little gardening now," I continue, to Mr. Barton, and says, "We must ask but 1 suppose lt "that such a nice*-looking fellow should' timidly The bar swings back, and flooding seas and other dog. Naughty, quarrelSqWe little glancing at your forgiveness, Mr. Barton and I am r* be a horrible baniff!" bklCS, thing! She will be killed!" I must "wait till I find William," and*I sure you will give it when I explain how Bm out the deathless lights of Paradise. Starting from my seat, I seize the key But what am I t do? I-feel sure tha try the effect of a little sigh. my little girl has made a great mistake. of the gate and a large garden broom the stroll about the grounds is only pre *Set, sea, by the great valves of pearl they In fact, she took you for a Country Court Success! My fish nibbles! Now to which happens to be standing near, and, fence. No, he must be concocting tome stand bailiff!" and my father explains every land him! friends, children, husband see glad hands heedless of executions" and men in rtfse by which to gain an entrance into the thing to him. "Can't I act as William's substitue^" outreaehing! possession," I open the gate and rush out house. I resolve to prevent him. "Is not ITor me, for me, the undiscovered land, And, without waiting for my permission, When he was finished, I raise my head, into the road, there to see my poor little a woman a macch in wit and resorce for it3 promise in that roseate signal teaching the unfortunate bailiff braves the and, looking snyly at Mr. Barton, say: Tiny in the grip of a mostdisreputab leleoking any man?" I argue to myself. "A bailiff, Aye, kiss me, child (he lips will soon be dumb earwigs and spiders and enters the trap. "I am so sorry. I do not know how I That yet in earthly words can say, 'I come'" cur. My efforts to part them after all, is only a man." I commence "Thank you!" I cry, excitedly. "You could have made such a mistake. It was are at first fruitless but at last, after one cogitating over all kinds of plans untill I will find them in the recess behind the so foolish but I was so frightened!" A.jjaia the banner of the Nothern Lights or two vigorous pushes with the broom, give myself a headache.' I am just about door." It would be useless to relate the many Waved broad and bright across the face of I succeed. Tiny is rescued, but at my to confess that I am defeated, when the Heaven kind things Mr. Barton said. He made Hastily following him, I pull the door, expense, for the angry cur directs his idea so long fought for comes. I see it And the cottage on the rugged heights, so many excuses for me, and was so kind turn the key with a desperate wrench, warth against me. Terribly afraid, I all in a moment. The game is my own, The passing radiance by their glory given, and good-natured, that by the time we Sliwwed a pale orphan weeping by the bed, and, covering my ears with my hands, I turn to run, but my opponent is too quick. if I have nerve enough to take me through had reached the house I had recovered Vnd the calm smiling of the happy dead. fly like a hunted deer toward the house He seizes hold of my dress and shakes" "it "it I think I have. "I will lure him to the my self-pofsession sufficiently to be able Poor Jane's wits are nearly scared as if it were a rat. I scream to Jane fpr 'Wilderness,' and lock him up in the ruin to laugh at an amusing anecdote he related away when I relate to her my adventures. assistance, but relief is at hand. A gentleman till father cames home! He will most THE MAN 131 POSSESSION* to us. She declares that bailiffs always hunt in rushes forward, and with one or two likely bring young Mr. Barton with him, Fertunately dinner had not advanced couples/and that there is sure to be another 'I won't pay a farthingno that I smart raps of his stick drives the dog and then we shall be all right.'" I think very far when I discovered my mistake. lurking about the place. So, to won'tnot if 1 have to go to prison for away. I snatch up Tiny and make a that a real lawyer must prove more than We made a very merry party that night. prevent a surprise, we carefully lock and jt!'" And down comes my father's clenched start for the garden before the attack is my bailiff can withstand. My father brought out some"of his cherished bolt all the doors, and, notwithstanding band on to the table with such a renewed. Fate, however, is against me. The "Wilderness" is a wild, deserted port that saw the light only on very that it is early in the afternoon, close and thump that it makes the reels in my The horrid little dog has torn my dress, spot at one end of the grounds, and far great occasions and as he insisted on Mr. fasten the shutters to all the windows on basket jump as if suddenly attacked with and of course I must put my foot through from the road. It has been allowed to Barton staying all night, and the next the ground floor, i St yitus's dance. the hole and awkwardly stumble. A run wild on account of its picturesqueness. morning in saying "Good-by" gave him strong arm outsretched in tim^ just saves How slowly the time passes' Three Yesterday my father had made his A broad fussy stream falls over some a pressing invitation to come and see us me from measuring my length in the o'clockfour o'clockno father! If he first acquaintance with the County Court rocks to a depth of sex or seven feet, making very often, I think I am justified in believing dust. does'not catch the four o'clock express having been summoned by a tradesman a terrible noise, and widening into a that my prisoner had created a from Bardmoor, he will not reach home tor the balance of an account which my small lake, on the bank of which stands "Don't be frightened," I hear a pleasant very favorable impression on that adamantine till seven. father had declined to pay, as he a mock ruin covered with ivy. It consists cheerful voice exclaim "theie is no danger. structurea father's heart. firmly believed it to be a gross overcharge Another hour before he can arrive! of a solitary tower with two or three narrow The .little dog has beaten a retreat." Three months later. A sharp winter but facts went against him, and try to read, but cannot settle my ideas. silts for windows, and rejoices in the "Bow-wow-wow!" yelps the little has set in, and the stream still. The lake he was ordered to pay. My It is equally useless to work, I torture Keep. I rememDer with joy that it has a monster in contradiction as, executing a is frozen over, and I am sitting on the father vowed that he would do no such my&eli' with all kinds of horrible stout oak door with a very strung lock. cautious side movement, he renews the bank while Mr. Barton is assisting me to tluug. He called the judgment "iniquitous thoughts, but at last the hands of the I creep out softly through' the conservatory, attack. There is nothing for it but to lemove mv skates I have been receiv and one-sided," and ultimately expressed cleokpointto*half-past five..- He.jnust, locking'"the door after me, and run and run I do, not stopping till ing my first lesson in skating. I twas eo his determination to emulate be,here soon I go to my bedroom dodge between the shrubs. uniH I have reach the garden gate, the little dog at pleasant! I was not at all afraid. My dear old Mr. Pickwick, and go to prison window, and watch the road till I see him placed a safe distance 'ojstw^en myself full speed after me. But my deliverer is', teacher's arm was so strong and he held I hear my if necessary, rather than submit to such coming, and then I rush to the door, where1 and the flower-garden, equal to the occasion. He makes a rapid my hands so tightly! an injustice. and, opening it on the chain, cautiously, victim walking. In a breathless state of plunge, and seizes the dog by the feack of "Do you remember the af ternoos when whisper to him: "But, father," I ask, in an awe-struck excitementM reach the Keep. I push the its nackwhich unexpected attack so I locked you up?" I ask, as wc carry our "Be careful, father, and when I open the tone, "vwiatwill they do if you don't pay? door open, and enter. Ugh What a alarms the animal that it suffers itself, skates into the ruin. door come in as quickly as you can but Shall we all have to go to prison?" nasty, damp, miserable place it isjust without a snap or a bit, to be lgnominiously "Remember?" he cries, looking me full look round first and see if any one is 'No, my deart" like a dungeon in some old castle! There replies my father expelled from the garden and the in the face. "I should think I do! It watching, as the bailiffs are here, and ^aiming down "not exactly. The court is nothing inside but a spade and a rake gate closed upon it was the happiest day of my life." have been trying to get in." will issue what is called an 'execution,' and an old garden-stoolthese I carefully "O, thank you!" I hurridly exclaim. Stupid little goose that I am, I begin I cautiously unhook the chain, and and try to put a man in possession but I remove. I hesitate over the stool, but "I hope you are not hurt?" to tremble, and my foolish cheeks flash open the door sogingerly that father has think I shall prove more than a match for compassion is overcome. "No," I say to For the first time I ook at my preserver the tell-tale color. The skates fall to the to give it quite a push before he can get a County Court bailiff." myself, "out you must g$! If he is tired and meet a pair of merry brown eyes ground as my hands are quickly grasped in. Father smiles while saying this, as if the he must sit on the ground. You would looking at me with an amused twinkle. and my prisoner makes me captive. I "O, dad, dear," I cry, as I kiss him, I latter person were a very contemptible be too handy as a battering-ram"and I "Stupid fellow!" I say to myself. "I try to release myself, but my efforts am so glad that you are come back. IVe *nd insignificant thing. throw it out alter the 'spade and rake. wish he would not stare so. I don't know cease as my captor, in almost breathless had such an awful fright. The bailiff has "Execution!" "Man in possessson!" My next proceeding is to carefully examine what to say to him." words, tells me he loves me. I do not rrne been here, and would have/got into the What do they mean? I am afraid to ask the lock. This nearly foils know whether I give any answer, but in To add to my discomfort, I feel my house but that I was too clever for him," my father, he looks so cross, so I go on it is so stiff that I can hardly ,turn it. 1 a moment he has drawn me to him. I cheeks getting crimsonI have such "a And I clap"tny hands and laugh gleefully quietly with my work, waiting until the am at a loss what to do, when* I"catch pillow my head on his breast, his arms tiresome habit of blushingand a truant as I relate to my father the excit' trnwn shall have]left his brow. sight of a small bottle of oil and a feather are around me, and I know that I am his lock of hair will keep blowing about my ing events of $ie day and he calls me standing on a little ledge. I joyfully "Mary," at last exclaims my father, "I and that he is mine! forehead. I wish that he was a little his "brave little girl,'' and "a heroine," seize them. "Just the thing!" I cry. The have to go to Bardmoor, and I was thinking "Hey-day!" exclaims a voice, as my awkward or bashful. I always have and only laughs when I assure him that bottle is verv dirty and sticky, but I am that it might de a wise thing to consult father suddenly appears on the scene. plenty of self-possession, when talking to the bailiff looked "quite like a gentle- too excited to heed such petty discomforts, young: Barton he has just come from "What does this mean?" a shy person: their diffidence gives me man." so I pull out the feather and begin A large office in London tohelp his uncle "Only the man in possession!" replies through the keyhole. courage. I push the hair from my fore-, lock*1 to oil into the"" I don't know much about him, but old .Wy^Well, dear," my father begins, as wo Mr. Barton, grasping my father's readilyoutstretched head with an impatient hand, and, raising Barton has always been considered "O* you, nasty, tiresome thing!" silts down to dinner, "I saw old Mr^, Barton, hand. my eyes to his as he is assuring me that g'jod lawyer, and perhaps the nephew I cry, pass?6nately, stamping~%ie ground. and he ha advised me to pay, and he is quite unhurt, I catch a glimpse of" a mat be following in his uncle's steps. At "Who, lor the lock?" ,And, turning settle the matter at oncein fact, he A Trial For Murder that rJnded with blue, official-looking* paper which has any rate, I will make the the attemp, and around, I beheld my victim regarding candidly told me that he thought I was Iho Marriage hervlce, worked its way out of his packet. Allat sec if he can't save ine from this atrocious me with a slightly astonished yet amused in the wrongso after dinner we will release once it flashed across my jnj&dthe "man swindle. wrote yesterday, asking him look. I,am too much nonplussed to reply- your friend. I dare say something A greater transition from stress of mental possession!" He ntust bga bailiff, and to cail here, if passing, as I wapted to warm for his inside .^andt some golden anxiety and possible woe to buoyant I have let him in, and papa will come see bim about those leases but I suppose ointment for the palm of his hand will Can I assist youf he inquires and, life and happiness can hardly be imagined back to find his home devoid of furniture he has been too busy, or perhaps my letter soon pat matters right. Old Barton is without waiting for my permission, the than'was recently presented in a California everything seized. I have no doubt has not reached him." ageing ye$y much," my father continues, bot^e and feather are taka frOm me, and court-room. It was a case of murder, that he has plenty of assistants waiting My fathar does not volunteer more information, as he reflectiv( ly sips his Wine. "He was my,voluntary assistant^tjieedless of the but, in' tead of having to pronounce outside. so I wish him "good-night," very pleased to see me. I had quite a dirtyjnoss-eoverd step, is on his kness the death sentence, the Judge performed "I am very much obliged to you"I and retire to rest, to dream of executions long chat with him. He says that his busily working away at the lock as if he the much more agreeable duty of reading try to say it willingly, but fear and indignation AI Newgate, and that the murderers ex nephew, whom he intends to succeed huri had been a locksmith ^Ij^nis life. He the marriage service and joining the drive all softness from my piating their crimes are the "men in pos is very clever. He is a fine-looking fellow, works onjjuietly for a little time without prisoner in wedlock. It happened in voice"I won't trouble you any longer," speaking,r,jwhile I stand by confusedly session." I should say, judging from his this wise: Joachim Hanks, captain of a I continue. "I am not at all afraid." The next morning, on coming down to photograph. His uncle gave me one. trying to think of sOme means by which fine schooner lying at anchor in the San And I hasten to the gate to open it for breakfast, 1 find that my father has start I've got it in my pocket somewhere." I can trap my game. Tnere is the prison, Joaquin River, had a night's drinking his departure but that wretched animal, d by the early train for Bardmoor, and and there is the prisoner but how is he And, after searching for some time, my bout in the neighboring town of Antioch. with revived courage, is waiting outside, has left positive orders that during his to be put inside it? "What a strong father pulls out from a packet of papers The next morning, George Mitchell, a and as soon as my hand touches the latch, absence the gate is to be kept locked, lock this is! I should not .care to be behind a small-sized carte-de-visite, which he whisky-drinking ne'er do-well, was iouad "Bow-wow!" it yelps, springing savagely *ny no oneadmitted under any pretence if fkhljmtj jr /"crowtoar.Tni^emarks. hands to mc. I take it from him, and tumbled off the wharf in the mud, deads at the gate. whatever look at it. One glance is sufficient. I I answerk$tlhg/but, 1 anr readv to Suspicion fastened, upon Hanks as his yexa^bttt**F'wisK" fhat^I was -as I jump back with a start, the impudent But tell me why, Jane?" asked our dash it from me, and, burying my face in cry of murderer, and he was captured by officer, toailiff actually smiles: I suppose I old cook, who had been with us longer my hands, I cry out: stiong as an elephant, so that I might after an exciting boat race towards the must have looked veiy funny. Seeing thati I can remember, and to whom the "O, dad, dad, the bailiff!" pusli him in nolens volem. schooner, which the captain sought for my look of annoyance, he takes no notice wders have been given. "Where^ where, girl?" asks my father, I think you will find it all right now. refuge. Close by the captain's side of my discomfiture. '^To keep out the bailiffs, miss," replies springing, from his seat, and upsetting hia Itvis still a little stiff, but you wilT be through ihe Jtxial sat Mary Raymond a Jane. "Not that it will be any "Pardon me," he ev"-. poUtely raising wine, as he'looks eagerly about the room, aide to turn it." haedsbnie, elpgantly-dressed young woman, ro myself how it gcflSd, for they are ^*ts sharp as needles, his hatand I wonder as if expecting an ambuscade of county And, rising'from his Knees, the victim who watched with painful anxiety r* TTtl" arret nothing can koep^'em out if they've is that a bailiff can io^ and behave so court myrmidons. ~n faces me with a grave face, which'afi at every development. It soon became apparent a mind to get in." much like a gentleman- --'is not this once breaks into an irrepreasible smile of "Q4 to the court-room aud ence that what shall I do?" LexclaW, fSTell Wha* is an 'execution,' or a 'man in Holmfield, Mr. Moiton's pi-sec?" amusement that he vainly stuves to .conceal. me, I implore you, father, that is not Mr. Mary Rayniont had a more then common possession?'" I ask. "Did you ever see "Yes," I reply, wirn as mucn dignity Barton's likeness! you are only jqking I stake in the fate of captian Hanks, one?" as I can scrape together.-*^his is Holmfield, I flush angrly at what I* considerhia know you are!'' and I looked at him piteously.' who, by the way, now that he was sober Only one, miss, and that was quite Mr. Morton's plac* but papa is impertinence. Afterwad, when I g$e"-my rj *f 1 and well dressed, was as fine and gallant enough. A bailiff is the man in posession, out. and I do not know when he/will be self in the glass, my fonder is removed"-- '.'Joking,vjnrU'' he ?rjepeal i a fellow to look upon as you often see. and when he or his men get into back, so I do not think it will be any ou mean? Whose likeness dovouimagit my dressiNall torn and creased, is srrtudged The general atmophere of sympathy a house they sell all the furniture and good for you to wait. Perhaps, you had to be?" all down the front with, green moisitand finally became so intense that the Judge, every thing they can lay their hands on better call again." "The bailiff'sthe man I've fodked up rust, while across jnyrforhead-isJ a*, gfeat in making his charge, considered it his must ^*mftmose and that is what they call an execu- or!.1 I wait, hoping that he will eo. But, the ruin!' streak of dirty duty to caution the.iury against allowing tion." no he hesitates: and then slowly taking have used my greasy hands^ as Lan' impromptu "Whew!'' whistles my father, "That's it to influence their verdict. The exhibitfbn But, Jaue," I argue, "if we keep the some papers from his pocket, be says: hair-brush, withoiftj tWktng,of it, is it? Here's a pretty kettle of fish! of devotion and affection, hje allow&ljjwasvery doors locked, how can they get in?" "I should be very sorry to jrosr seeing the improvement I was adding to my you've locked up the young lawyer from touching'* & $ beautiful, Lor, miss," answers Jane, "you don't him. I have come some distance. It is beauty. My voluntary assistahStoops to London! Gentlemanly bailiff indeed! Actionfb but neither he nor the|p, he remarked know how artful they are! If they want about some legal business. I think he cleanJhis hands, and as tier,is wiping false imprisonmentdjaraage|l ten with cruel judicial logic",f had any'more to get into a house very much, they will has been expecting me and ne looks, at theme his handkerchief, I ntftice Vvery thousand pounds. Well, you are a nice to do with the woes of, these' disjtresied disguise themselves like play actors do. me inquiringly and I make no response handsome antique ijing on, flfe little^fihger young ladyquite a heroine!" lovers than they had with the loves of I remember when my Uncle John had so he continues: "With yojur permission of his right haadv^lleei^ my 16ok, Abelard and Heloise. Luckily, the My father's eyes twinkle merr ily as he the 'bailiffs in. He had kept them out I will wait for him. I canganiuse^|nyselt he remarks: ^:5$&S/ evidence was not conclusive, and the fires off hisjokes^jat my pxpeijse. I do for nigh .three weeks, when one day an very well strolling around thes^nice "I am rather proud^WHSKs ring lfchas jury, eniy too glad not to ruthlessly sever not mind his chaff but I* thirfr it too old cart broke down just outside his door, gardens, if you will allow me t&'do so been in our family for generations, Tt 3s two hearts that beat as one,1v speedily bad that he should-^ make m.e.g.0, with las he insists and tho driver was thrown off his seat But may I hand you my cardJJ'^w-% very iti^ch ^drnired b',ednoisseursj" returned a-verdict of not, guilty," and bim to release my prisoner, ujkii*inTe for inspecFion. and fell into the*"road, where, he lay as if And he takes one from a caWcase and he^pldsit then, so quickly-ks to take the breath on calling him.. .Xtj^t, into tiie, .dark we he was too much hurt to move. "TJftele I persistently refuse to ste it, for" feel ^1 decline toTook at it, coldly observing awa^ frorn the woman spectators of the go. I lingei^eb^a^pin^Jhat my had a kind heart, so he ran into the road certain that he must be a bailiff. His that I was no antiquary and I smile to trial, ihe blissful couple stood up in the father would arrive at the run before I 0!' 4 and helped the driver on to his feet. reference to papa's expecting him and the myself at the idea^of a bailiff talking of presence of the Judge and were made do** j^^'bp^as^no sucji b^ehti$n,|cr,he groans the man. 'Come in and rest a bit,' legal business have removed my last "generations," as if he had an ancestry. man and wife. calls me to him,he places my nand under t'l'W.tivTrr' in MI tin** ?W A. i, \-M '/'l-!, ft //It/ i