"There is a flaw, certainly, and a very rious one."

"I was sure of it, from what Larkin said. e's never at fault in matters of this kind." "You aimed a heavy blow at Mr. Lee, my iend," said Mr. Earl. There was a quick ange in his manner, followed by a pause. hen he added:

"But it passed him unharmed, and struck other!"

"Who?" eagerly inquired Elder.

"Yourself!" was the startling response. "Me! I do not understand you, Mr. Earl!" he countenance of Jason Elder had been ddenly overspread with alarm.

"Mr. Lee's title is perfectly good." "It is ?"

"Yes. But-yours is defective!" "Impossible!" exclaimed Elder, turning

le.

"Not at all. Mr. Larkin is rarely at ult in matters of this kind. He knew ere was a flaw somewhere in the property at once belonged to my uncle's estate, but red in this instance. Mr. Lee is safe, but our title is not worth a copper. I am much oliged to you for hunting up this windfall or me-I should hardly have come across it yself and in consideration thereof, will eal with you as leniently as possible. Of ourse, I do not expect you to take my

word in regard to the flaw. Its existence, however, will soon be demonstrated. You had better see your lawyer, and ask him to call on me. In the meantime, I will say that, for various reasons, I am ready to compromise. I don't wish to encounter the vexations, delays, and expense of legal proceedings: and, therefore, if you are disposed to meet me amicably, I will not be too exacting. In a word, then, I have in my own mind the sum for which I will execute a quit claim to the property. That sum is 120 pounds.

Jason Elder groaned aloud.

"If my claim to the property is good, and I know it to be," resumed Mr. Earl, “I can recover three times that sum. If you compromise, I will act in a spirit of great moderation. But if you compel me to resort to law, I will take all the law awards."

Poor Jason Elder! The blow was a heavy one, and it staggered him. A careful examination by his lawyer only proved the assertion of Mr. Earl. His title to the property was not worth a shilling. Glad enough was he to accept the proffered compromise, though at a clear loss of over £120!

Well for Mr. Lee was it, that the blow aimed with such bitter malignity, did not execute the will of him by whom it was given. The consequence would, to all hu

A

THE

FRIEND OF YOUTH,

AND

CHILD'S MAGAZINE.

NEW SERIES, NO. LXVI. -JUNE, 1865.

WILFULNESS:

OR, THE HISTORY OF ALFRED ASHTON.

[Continued from p. 136.]

LFRED sat with the open letter and the draft of his father before him; the matter would never be suspected, his father would think no more of the circumstance. Alfred hesitated-he looked at the letter, then the draft, thought of the boating party-hesitated again-and, finally, throwing the letter with an effort on the fire, took up the bill, and sought the counting-house of Messrs.

Here was another unpleasantry to encounter: Baynton managed all the money affairs of the house, and he would, of course, feel some surprise at Alfred's presenting his father's order for so considerable a sum. NO. LXVI.-VOL. VI. 6

162

But hesitation was now mistimed, and, assuming all the firmness he could muster, and, perhaps, hoping too from the slight coolness that had latterly imperceptibly

grown

between them, Alfred held out the
draft to Baynton, briefly observing, "Harry,
can you let me have the money now?"
Baynton was indeed surprised, when he
beheld the substance of the paper, and he
incontinently said, "What, you have heard
from Hawkswood?"

Alfred crimsoned to the eyes, and he an-
swered with ill-affected calmness, "Merely
a short letter from my father."
Baynton shook his head, meaningly, and
looked as though he would have questioned
Alfred; but, noticing the fixed and dogged
expression of his features, he contented
himself with handing the money to him,
and quietly asking after the health of his
father and sister. Alfred satisfied him as
well as he could, and, both young men feel-
ing mutually uncomfortable, they soon se
parated.

The morning appointed for the excursion,
to enjoy which Alfred had, for the first time
in his life, condescended to do a mean ac-
tion, arrived. The little party, in high
spirits, embarked at Westminster Bridge.
Alfred was in his glory: to his care was
committed the management of the boat.

hey got underweigh in prime style, and opping down with the tide, rapidly passed e thousand vessels that crowded the river low London Bridge.

The weather was delightful; the youthparty in high spirits, and in high good mour one with the other, passed the time easantly enough. There was nothing of elf, perhaps, censurable in the thing, but tainly the means by which Alfred Ashhad become partaker in it, were highly pable. It is somewhere observed, that barriers of virtue once broken through, inroads are no less sure than fatal; so it uld appear in Alfred's case.

For the first three or four days, the noty and consequent excitement of their rits, gave a charm to everything; but 3 wearing off, the young men, on their irn homewards, began to think it a great e, watching the distant and receding res as they swiftly cut through the er, or the vessels sailing down the chan; then they began to yawn, and declare y wished they were at home-they would er stew themselves again in such a pesat little boat for days together; in short, spirit of ennui and disgust completely nded over the whole party.

Alfred, my boy, how do you manage at for so many months-it must be a horrid