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vol. r. JOHN H. SEALS, | proprietor! ■ 1 ' ' ' 111 1 ■ ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1875. terms,j NO. 13. [For The Sunny South.] 8 ON G. (From the French of Victor Hugo.) BY KAMBA THORPE. Is there a pleasant lawn, By dews of heaven fed, Where, every opening dawn, Some flower uplifts its head ?— Where gleams the jasmine spray, W*>odbine and lilies gay ? There would I make a way For thy dear feet to tread. Is there a loving heart, By honor's seal impressed, Where gloom hath found no part With constancy confessed ? Oh! doth it ever beat — That heart with faith replete? I'll make it the retreat Where thy dear head may rest. Is there a tender dream, Illumined by the rose, Where each new day doth seem New beauties to disclose?— A dream that Heaven hath sent, Where soul with soul is blent ? I’d make of it a tent For thy dear heart’s repose. [Written for The Sunny South.] TWICE CONDEMNED; OB, The Border Mystery. BY MARY E. BRYAS. •HE DREW THE HAND GENTLY AWAY, CARRIED IT TO HIS LIPS. AND THEN HELD IT CLOSELY CLASPED IN HIS. - CHAPTER XVn—Continued. He felt a light touch upon his arm. ••Look, Islimael!—it’s her!” said Maneh. “She’s holding out her hand to you.” It was Melieent who had touched him. Still kneeling by the prostrate form of the man she had known as her father, she held out her hand trembling with unutterable feeling. “It is \ “you are not needed here any longer: you can to the husband of her youth, with no word upon Manch—little Manch you liked so much. He j do him no more good, and I will see to the re- lier tremulous lips, but with a look full of deep- lives,T-he is here !” moral of the body. Come, let me put you in est gratitude, sympathy and kindness. His heart She turned her eves- whiain.. through tears, the carriage ami have yon d.rivpn home- ” ’ t tnniultuovsly as he l> ld the , lender hand upon the Ljj. - - ~ * '-Thc'u£iia~ m:'T7Hu~uAlr-iTcenfs an instant in his trembling clasp. Old memories The dying man roused from his titful stupor, had been stirred by the succession of stormy groaned, and looked around for Melieent. feelings that had swept across it— astonishment, “If I could know the child lived,” he mur- remorse, pity love, anguish- Now, as he leaned mured, the gleam of intelligence momentarily ! over Melieent, his cheek was pale and his eye lighting his eye. full of tenderness and compassion. you, and give me a chance to redeem myself in your eyes.” Then the carriage drove rapidly away, and soon set Melieent down at her new home. Mel ieent, the beautiful, the relined, the accom plished, at the “Wild-Cat’s Den,” the compan ion of Mad Hagar and poor, half-witted Harriet! What a change 1 What a contrast between her her clothes, books, and some of her girlish keep sakes. A few hours after, these trunks were brought, and with them came two others, filled with all the gifts she had received from Mr. Avery during their married life,—books, toilet articles and elegant souvenirs, among them a beautiful watch, an ormolu dressing-case, work- box and writing-desk. Melieent permitted Harriet to have the rare delight of examining and unpacking the things. Down upon her knees by the open trunks, the girl unwrapped paper parcels and peered into boxes and caskets, uttering little childish cries of admiration over each beautiful object and holding it up for inspection, with her black eyes dancing and her curly hair quivering with delight. Neil was seated near, carving a toy ship for Manch, who sat at his side. Melicent's eyes were bent upon a book, whose pages she turned too fast for any coherent reading. Was she afraid to trust herself to look at these souvenirs lest they should speak too eloquently of the one who gave them ? At length, Harriet came upon a small, silver- inlaid, ebony casket that contained some pieces of jewelry—presents from Air. Avery, which Melieent had not seen since she placed them in his trunk when she left his house to return to her ‘father. Harriet lifted out a tiny, elegant chain, to which was attached a small enameled locket. “May I open it?” asked she: and before an answer could be given, the spring gave way and the case fell open in her hands. “Oh! what a grand gentleman! Why, it’s the Mayor himself—the Mayor that Pretty Lady used to ride with. What a beautiful mouth— sweet enough for a queen to kiss !—and all smilin’; not solemn and grumptious as he looked t’other day. Pretty Lady, why don’t you make him smile like he used to ? Why don’t you ride with him some more in his grand carriage, and wear his picture around your neck ?” She held up the miniature to Melieent and made a motion of throwing the chain around her neck. But Melieent put back the hand that held the picture with a quick, agitated ges ture. “Take it away, Harriet; put it up, please,” she said. “This casket must go back, and many of the other things.” “Oh! will you send them back — all your pretty things? And your rings, too, with the former beautiful homes and the brown, four- writin’ inside of them ? You took ’em off last roomed cottage she was now to occupy ! .... night: T saw vpu cryiu' y> ^.pjrfftsJ" »' Ul / ll ,1t tin /v*' y»V ‘ 1 ' J 1 ' “ *'— * * * * lJSSTKeiicent hardly thought of the change in little box, and you kissed the plain one before her outward surroundings. Old Hagar’s strong you laid it away ” ‘ Oh ! Harriet!” -exclaimed Melieent. deeply upon ti,e toy.- • ' — w ~ * 7"i TTie' liiriiir iu'~lu!u"~’uq^\T>lT ; iTcenTs~"arhr was “My child !” she cried, and caught him to her struck off suddenly, and the bony fingers of old crowded upon him—long-silent accents thrilled bosom, clasping him in a passionate embrace I Hagar Griffin grasped his shoulder and thrust arms lifted her from the'earriage as tenderly as upon his ear. Her voice recalled his wandering and sobbing over him in wordless emotion. him aside. though she had been an infant, and half sup- distressed, for she knew that Neil’s eyes were senses. N Suddenly, she felt his arms relax and drop “She'll never go to a home of yours !” she ported her along the graveled walk, past Harri- upon her, and she felt the blood surge to her “ Help me persuade him to leave this place,” from her neck. She gazed with dismay at his cried. “My son's wife goes to his own Lome, et’s tiny, sweet-smelling garden and into Har- brow, and then receding, sink like a cold weight she said. wan face and pale, parted lips. Yonder is the death-cart that brought him here riet’s own clean little room, where, laid upon upon her heart. For Captain Brown — or Judge AVeir, as we “My God !” she exclaimed.' “Have I found to the gallows and that was meant to carry back the fresh, white bed. with Harriet to bathe her “ Have I vexed you, Pretty Lady ?” asked the him only to lose him ?” his murdered remains. But God has shown face, and kiss and-wonder delightedly over the simple creature, turning round on her knees, “Give him to me,” said a gentle voice at her himself above the devil to-day, and that humble little, white, ringed hands, she fell into the taking Melicent’s hands and patting and kissing side. “He has only fainted.” vehicle shall take back my living son and his deep sleep of weariness and exhaustion. them. “I won’t hurt the things, and I will put Neil took his boy in his arms, chafed his hands : wife; and the coffin that was meant for him them all back so nice.” and forehead a moment, and then the child drew shall hold the body of the man who wronged CHAPTER XIX. “Very well, my dear,” said Melieent, control s' sobbing breath and opened his eyes—opened them both and repented of it. You have nothing xhe funeral was over- the earth had received bn !r! herself and speaking gently as she rose and may call him—refused to be taken down from the scaffold. He lay upon the floor, supported now by the stalwart arms of Dick Allan. The Sheriff had gone below, and his place upon the platform was filled by old Hagar Griffin. She stood over the fallen man like an eagle over its prey, but her fierce eye softened as she saw his condition. She had been his bitter foe in days gone by, but she had always admired his prow ess and daring. This last act (that of saving Neil by his voluntary confession) wiped out for her many of the old scores against him, and to them to meet the tender, loving ones of the friend to whom he had been so faithful. “My father!” he uttered, and clasping his arms around Neil’s neck, he buried his face in his bosom. The sore-tried and long-suffering man felt at her lialf-savage judgment there was nothing so that moment a thrill of unalloyed joy. dark in the passion-stained record he had given of his life. Revenge was a portion of her creed, and she was ready to shake hands with the fallen chief in his hate for Marmaduke Archer. ••I'll bear a hand, Dick, and we’ll help him to more to do with us. We will bury our dead, and shed our tears, and rejoice over our found without your interference. Go and find a bride somewhere else, Alexander Avery; you have no claim upon Neil Griffin’s lawful wife.” She waved him down with a tierce, impera tive gesture, and stepped between him and Mel ieent. But their eyes had met. and a look had passed between them that would never be for gotten by either. And there was another who would remember it to the^kour of his death. Neil Griffin had seen the look of vearning devo- into its all-embracing bosom what remained of the proud, passionate man who had sinned and' suffered punishment from the hands of God, if not of man. No thought of reproach or of accu sation crossed Melicent’s mind as she looked for the last time on the majestic face—nothing but grief and love. As she stood under the gray- clouded sky in the misty rain and watched the body lowered into the earth, a feeling of desola- ‘ you have cut off the went away. “Father,” said Manch, figure-head.” “Have I? Yes, I see. I wasn’t thinking. Well, the ship’s spoiled, but I’ll make you an other this evening. My head aches now, and I’ll try a little walk.” He went out. He walked slowly down the hill to the bayou—to the old ash, on whose great, As the eyes of the man who had injured him so deeply fell upon this moving picture, a shadow of agony passed over his face. gotten by either. And there was another who tion came over her—a wild longing to lav her gnarled roots he and his Milly had sat and fished “It is I who have so long deprived him of a would remember it to the*iour of his death, head —tired and giddy with the tossings of fate in the summer days he used to love to recall. father’s happiness,” was perhaps the old man’s Neil Griffin had seen the look of yearning devo- U p 0n that same calm resting place. But she Their memory had been sweet, if sad, unmarred get down from this before they have a noose remorseful thought at that moment. Or it might tion upon one side, of anguish and tender for- felt the sympathetic clasp of Manch’s little fin- hy any shadow save the tender one of regret, around his neck, —they’re so fond of tying the have been bodily pain that convulsed his fea- giveness upon the other. g ers U p on j lft r own , and she looked down and Then her spirit had seemed to hover about him— hemp cravat. God grunt I may see it twisted tures, for his eyes had grown vacant and glazed The body of Judge Weir was lifted and borne gathered strength to live from the loving eyes of to be ver y near in dreams > and in those moods, around some of their own throats yet before I again. They moved around once, twice, as it to the death-cart that had brought Neil Griffin her child. Her child! There was sweetness that were half dream and half memory; nothing die,—the sneaking foxes! Come, Captain-can in vague search lor something they knew not t o the gallows. As the men were about to place and comfort in the outflowing of this fountain : but a breatb had seemed to divide them. But yon help yourself a bit i what. Then, they fell upon the face of Dick p fa the cart, a tall, pale gentleman came up of maternal love that had been newlv unsealed now a more deep than death seemed to But the “Captain" motioned them aside. Allan bent over Ins old comrade, and full of rtn d spread upon the floor of the rough vehicle in her breast. At that moment it strengthened yawn between them. Living, yet lost to him ! “No.” he said feebly; “I am a dying man, ... - ...... . ■= and here is the right place for me to die, is where I ought to have stood seven but I had not the courage to face the shame'of ing tones: it also in the cart. Then he signed to the bear- Mr. Avery stood opposite to her on the other the desolate aching in his heart increase as he such a death, and I could not bear to leave Milly. “Come, boys-follow me ! ers t0 lav tlleil . b un i en q own npon t ] lese . The side of tile grave, with folded arms and pale, felt tbat sbe could never be his Mlll y a 8 am - Come close to me. my darling. I’ve wronged The ruling instinct was strong in death. The samP tllj ’ n , pa l e gentleman then spoke to Hagar troubled face. He did not speak to her himself, “Free and happy !” Dick Allan’s words had raised arm dropped heavily, the tire died out in ;in( | offered her his carriage to take herself and but she saw him put his umbrella into the hands denied a mockery to him, even then in the hour Melieent home. of the gray-haired minister and say a few words b i § deliverance from death. He had no faith “She could not ride in that thing with the. to him in an undertone, and when the reverend in the promised happiness He did not rebel coffin and the dead body,” he said.’with a shud- gentleman came to her side with a respectful against fate, he did not complain of his lot, or dering movement of his shoulders that made greeting and held over her an umbrella to shield poor, heart-sick Melieent instantly recognize ber from the fine, misty rain she was scarcely in the thin, closely-shaved gentleman. Colonel conscious was falling, she knew by whom the Archer, changed by the fever that followed his kindly act was prompted. It was not the only wound, and still something of an invalid. It l )roof « be bad of Air. Avery’s interest. He had was probable that Hagar did, not know him as superintended all the arrangements for the bur- the “spy” whom she had execrated so often. bd > alld had sent the plain but handsome coffin that received the body, and the hearse that bore vou, but I loved you for all that: and I’m dying, Millv.” “Not dying, my father. You were so much better just now.” ••It was dying strength; it was the flash before the tire went out. It was given me to make some amends—at this late day—for the wrongs done to him and yon. Poor girl! I have wronged you out of father and mother - out of husband ahd child.” “Child, father! What can you mean?” “ Your little babe. Melieent. That night—the night I burnt the house—I left it. Its little piti ful face has haunted me so. The thought troubles me now.” “My poor little babe was dead, father. It had never drawn breath. If it was burnt up in the house, it could not feel the flames. Don't let that trouble you now.” “It was not dead,—it was not burnt.” “Not dead? Merciful God ! Where is it? Oh, father, tell me ! Speak to me !” He looked at her without seeming to compre hend. His eyes took on the dull, vacant look they had worn before; his lips moved in a vague, muttering way. Melieent bent over him until her breath mixed with his. “Will you not tell me what yon did with my child, father ? ” she whispered imploringly. “Toil said you left him that night we went from the burning house? Where did you leave him, father?” “It was—yes, I left him at her door.” “Whose door, father?” “Hagar Griffin’s—his grandmother’s.” Melicent’s swift glance went over first to the amazed face of old Hagar. who leaned opposite, and then to that of Manch. The old dame nod ded eagerly. “ That’s him !” she cried, pointing to Maneh. “Harriet found him at our door that night, wrapped in a blanket. I never once mistrusted whose child it was: but he had the Griffin eye, ■ and folks swore he was Harriet’s child, —the jslandering devils.” the glazing eyes, the firm mouth quivered, fearful tumult convulsed the majestic brow one moment -and then passed - and he lay in death, calm and grand as the sculptured form of the Roman Ciesar. The authority of the Mayor and his corps had been needed to restrain the crowd while this strange scene was passing upon the platform of the gallows. Now. their pent-up excitement broke bounds, and they pressed around the ,. „ . , , ,. . , . , . ... scaffold and gave vent to shouts and curses, and At brst sb ? decllned “> bls , f tb ? seemed ready to shake the platform from its carnage The way was short, and she preferred foundation in their eagerness to obtain a sight to walk but she saw that Melieent was hardly of the actors in the wild drama, whose last scene able st, ! nd ' , Mebcent must ride, and it did had just closed on the floor of a gallows. Dis- * eem bard lo !' ber to S° “ deatWiU 't w \ b appointed in the promised entertainment of a the coffin and a corpse in it. So. tor once, she hanging, they were determined not to be deprived ° vercom . e her - sava S e independence and accepted of the tragicspectacle which they were compelled he c f" m « e 1 ^ Ve • T ?* to accept as its substitute; and while Melieent h ? n! f* and half-fainting hardly heard a word oMiVyo i jo.c. i* ’ r * r 4.1 ot what was being sanl. She only looked to see sobbed over the liteless torni ot her toster-tatlier. , , . n , on i t-w - • a* ,•,i that the body in the cart was caretullv disposed and Dr. Wilson, attera Uriel examination ol the XT -i 4. 1 1 • ■» i Lrxdx. xT-zxrxf ♦ 4.^4.;*, * 1 of, with Neil seated beside it. and then suffered body, went down to testily to its decease, the , , 1 * * • 11 * „ i ^ „ ‘ -1 n , i-.r. j . . V j hersell to be led to the carriage and helped to a crow d surged against the platform and inveighed . ■ •. ,, , }11 . against the authorities who requested them to eat n “ SOtt nd sbaclecl reces • keep back. As he closed the door, Colonel Archer lingered Air. Avery had not lived so long among these an instant, looking compassionately at her white wild AVestern men without knowing the one blce and sorrowful £y,es. way there was to deal with them. Springing “I deeply regret having been the canse of add- upon the steps of the scaffold, he drew a revol- ing to your unhappiness, dear lady. ' he said, ver from his belt and coolly declared himself | “i shall feel remorse whenever I think of that ready to fire upon the first one who should ap- sad face of yours. I would to God I had never proach within a yard of the scaffold unless sum- stirred in this dreadful business, but had left question its justice; he was not cynical or repin ing, but he had an instinctive doubt that any sun would shine into his life. And the instinct, it seemed, would prove pro phetic. The freedom was not complete; it had come too late. The years of fugitive life, of watchfulness, suspicion and haunting fear had left their traces on his mind more indelibly than moned to render assistance. Then he called revenge to the Great Avenger; as you prayed me his praise of Air. Avery. upon the Sheriff and two others to bring down to do. I have done myself no good, and have Three days had passed since the funeral, the body of Judge AVeir. brought much trouble upon others. It will Alelicent had received a formal note from Air. “Hold, one moment.” he said, as they were make me a changed man. I think. AA'ill you Avery, asking what disposition she wished to about to ascend the platform. He replaced the shake hands with me. Alelicent, and say that you revolver in his belt, and his face underwent a will try to forgive me?” change as he turned and approached where Alel- Her lips moved to murmur the words “for- icent knelt. As he had stood below and listened give.” and she laid her little, wan hand in his. to the wild story of confession and explanation He pressed it warmly. which freed Alelicent from blame and revealed “ If you ever need a friend. Alelicent. I entreat the sad trials she had passed through, his soul you to believe in the brother’s interest I feel for the marks of the chain-links upon his limbs. Every footfall startled him as though it was the tread of a pursuer; he looked wildly into every face that passed; he shrank from every strange voice or touch; he hid himself from the visitors that came to congratulate him upon his deliver ance—some coming from curiosity, and a few out of admiration for the self-abnegating spirit he had shown. These last were very few. There were few who could understand or appreciate such a crucifixion of self through devotion to another. “A poor simpleton.” “A crack- brained fellow.” “A spiritless dolt.” These epithets were bestowed upon him by the many, and they marked the light in which his self-immo lation was regarded. He himself did not see it in any heroic light. It had seemed to him a simple duty that he should shield Alilly’s father in the first instance, since he had a sad, unexpressed conviction that she loved her father better and would grieve more for his loss, and he had also an humble belief that her father could do more to make her happy and advance her socially than he could do. AA'hen he was taken up and condemned the last time, his silence was due partly to his make of her furniture and other property that knowledge that if he should speak now and de- remained at his house. Did she want it sent to nounce the real murderer, he would not be be- her present abode? If so, she would please let lieved. It would be regarded as a lame inven- him know. She answered in the same business tion, since there was no proof to corroborate his way, requesting him to let the furniture be assertion, and the man he would have accused taken to the auction rooms, and to send her was supposed to have been dead for seven years, only the trunks in which were already packed This was partly the reason of his silence, but^ it to the grave. He also sent the carriage that conveyed Alelicent to the funeral. Old Hagar had bitterly resented what she called the interference of the meddling, high headed Alayor, but Neil’s quiet determination overcome her vehemence, and the coffin was brought in. He had seen that it was the wish of Alelicent. He refused to send back the carriage as his mother insisted should be done, and she cried angrily: “ Are you the fool to let her ride in a carriage he has sent!” Neil answered gently: “AA’e have none for her to go in, and she is not able to walk. I think it would hurt Air. Avery’s feelings by refusing his kindness. It was thoughtful and kind of him.” He did not know that Alelicent was near until she. stepped upon the porch from the door-way where she had been standing and thanked him by a look. That look, kind as it was, sent a pang to his heart. He felt she was grateful for TKRTT'KIPT PR TNT