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at the house of Karl Rosenfelt for Edith; say you come on business of life and death from us. When you see her, tell the whole truth, and all that can be done for you and him shall be done. Lose no time: go.'

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'I will go. There is a horse in the stable: I will reach Ghent as soon as Peter. God speed you. If you cannot get out of yourselves, you shall soon be released.'

The window closed, and the girl was heard descending the old ladder of the mill. The instant she reached the inn, she locked the door, and, mounting a horse, galloped along the road to Ghent; she looked not to the right nor the left, but went on. Her pace was wild and rapid; and so little did she take note of events, that within two or three miles of Ghent, she passed Peter Krubingen refreshing himself at a road-side inn. The man muttered an imprecation, leaped on his horse, and galloped after her; but she did not follow the main road, and he did not overtake her. He entered at one gate, she at the other, and their arrival at the banker's house was almost simultaneous; hence the terror and alarm of the young man after his interview with his father.

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Meanwhile the two prisoners had made good use of their time; and about half an hour after the flight of Poleska, they were free. They bounded to the road, and found some carriers beating at the inn-door. A few words stopped them; and then Paul, whose money and papers of value were all on his person, readily obtained the use of two horses. Away they galloped on to Ghent; and in two hours entered the town by different gates, bat both of which they gave a full description of Peter Krubingen. They met at the guard-house of the burghers, and thence the news flew to the other gates. Half-a-dozen men followed them to the banker's house, in a low tavern near which the inn-keeper was arrested. The rest is known already.

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The arrival of his

It was a proud day in Rosenfelt House. brother in person was at first a great shock to the banker, while at the discovery of the cheat practised on him he felt humiliated. It took some time to explain to him the real state of affairs. The mixing up of the name of Rigardin with the matter made clear much that had happened. He scarcely knew on whom most to lavish his caresses; he gently chid Leon for leaving them, and thus risking results so terrible.

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But his conduct to his brother brought tears to the eyes of all. He was never weary of gazing at him; he asked him incessant questions; he scolded him for being silent for so many years; he thanked God for preserving him, and for the opportune meeting with Leon Gondy.

'But what have you done for more than a score of years—since

your flight after that stupid quarrel with your father?' he asked at last.

'My dear Karl, in the pride and anger of my heart, I had vowed that none of mine should ever know of me again. I embarked for Spain as a common sailor, suffered hardship, heat, and cold, and starvation, and then sailed for America, where Í resolved to take up my residence for ever. I became at first a hunter, then a soldier; and rising more from my wild determination than any other merit, became an officer. Nearly sixteen years ago, I married the widow of my colonel, a woman of vast wealth; we lived very happily together, until two years ago, when she died. I had now nothing to attach me to Mexico, and age and reason had brought repentance. I could not hope to see my father again, but I might see my brother-my good brother Karl.'

"God bless you, Paul, for thinking of me!'

"Yes; once the thought of you entered my head, it remained there day and night; it haunted me incessantly. I began to realise my fortune; but this took some time, as it was necessary to be done by stealth. At last I had remitted the whole to a banker in Rotterdam, one Peter Kelps '

A good man-my correspondent: your money is safe,' put in the wealthy banker, smiling.

'I started then for Europe, and, eager to find you, came hither direct from Spain on horseback. The rest you have learned already. But now, what is to be done with the knaves to whom I owe a cord and gibbet?'

'Paul Rosenfelt,' said Leon quickly, 'our troubles are now over -let us not avenge. These wretches deserve condign punishment, and society will seek to punish them; but recollect my vow to Poleska: the boy must not be harmed.'

'Leon Gondy,' exclaimed Paul, 'I owe you too much not to acquiesce in anything you ask of me; but these knaves must not run loose on society, to trick and rob others.'

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Certainly not; but Poleska may save them: she loves the boy -let her marry him. Once her husband, she will master him completely. Then let them answer for the father. Send them back to the inn, knowing that our eye is upon them. Let your brother see that the place be watched, and there will be little fear of their doing harm."

I consent,' said Paul approvingly, though the father deserves

a halter.'

"I think Leon's project wise,' put in Karl. 'I do not want exposure, though the events of the last month must be explained. First, however, let these knaves leave the town. No time is to be lost. Leon, do you have them sent for, that they may be examined; do you, Edith, produce Poleska.'

The two lovers hurried away; and half an hour later, the prisoners and their old servant were in presence of the chief-magistrate of

Ghent. The pretended Peter Krubingen looked defiant; his son hung his head, and wept; Poleska was very pale.

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You are aware, Rigardin, that your life is forfeited?' began Karl.

"Take it then!' said the prisoner sullenly.

'Not only your own life, but that of your son.'

Louis trembled like a waving leaf; Rigardin gulped down a heavy sigh, and the expression of his countenance softened; while Poleska leaned against the wall for support, her hand pressed convulsively upon her heart.

'I know it, Karl Rosenfelt,' said the man half sullenly, half imploringly; but take my life only, for that boy is innocent, save of obedience to a bad father.'

The three men looked at each other; Paul, Karl, and Leon whispered together.

"That word, Rigardin, has saved you,' said Karl, suddenly turning round: 'there is one green spot in your seared heart yet. But you are aware of the affection of Poleska for your son?'

'I am,' said the man almost savagely.

'Then consent to their marriage-swear to live with them, to treat them as your children, and you may have a conditional pardon. You will be bound down, under penalty of being transported to America, never to go one mile beyond your inn, until such time as we see fit, from your good conduct, to relax our severity.'

Peter Rigardin looked stupidly astonished; he could not understand such clemency on the part of the injured.

You seem surprised. Learn that you owe this to the man most injured-to Leon Gondy. He would not have his marriage made sad by the sorrows even of the guilty. But speak: do you consent?'

'I do; and by every saint in heaven I swear'

'Swear not. I will take your word, though using all just precaution. Now, Louis, do you consent to marry Poleska, and be unto her a husband?'

'I thank you all, my masters,' replied Louis in a timid tone; 'but Poleska '

Will be your wife so long as you keep from guilt. But the day you again look at crime, I leave you to your fate!' said Poleska firmly and resolutely.

'The strong woman will save the weak man,' whispered Paul to his brother.

Next day

Karl nodded, and then the prisoners were removed. Louis and Poleska were married, and they went back to the inn. It was reopened, and, with the aid of money given by Leon, repaired and replenished. The father accompanied them. His first act was one that shewed his desire to keep his word: he boldly told all his evil associates what had happened, and then added, that if they did anything to his knowledge, they would be

denounced; while, in case of any harm happening to him, a list of their names was in the hands of the chief-magistrate of Ghent. Then he set to work, to aid his children. They had now a manservant and a chamber-maid, both watches over Peter; and as the house became clean, the accommodation good, and the neighbourhood got cleared of the alarmed ex-confederates, the house was frequented, and prospered. The man was not cured in heart for a long time, but he had good watch kept over him; and in course of time, finding a life free from crime very much easier and happier than one of guilt, he became at all events a respectable man. Poleska became a portly hostess. She ruled Louis kindly but firmly, and was thorough mistress of her house. Supported and protected by a woman of energy, loved by her, Louis got cured of the evil-teaching of his youth; and at forty was a jolly, talkative, gossipping, but honest host, with half-a-dozen children, the delight of a strange and somewhat grave old man they called grandfather.

At

Leon and Edith continued to protect them. When it was seen that they all kept firmly on the right road, the vigilance of the magistrate relaxed, and they were not only pardoned, but treated kindly. As for the young lovers, they were very happy: they married, and lived still in Rosenfelt House for some years. the death of Karl, which took place ten years later, and one year after that of Paul, the young man found himself so rich, that he sold his bank to two of his wealthiest correspondents, and retired to Paris, where the son of the jeweller became count and lord, taking the name of Leon de Gondy. Had the wealth of the banker fallen into the hands of the young impostor, it would have melted like water, for money is a good or an evil as we know its use and value. Gold--like the Indian plant which, cut in its raw state, is death, while prepared, it is the bread of life-is a balm, a talisman, or a deadly poison, as it is used ill or well.

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HE principal coal-field which has for ages supplied Great Britain with the best, the clearest, and the hottest burning of domestic fuel, lies almost exactly in the north-east corner of England. The word field, however, although generally used, might be advantageously changed to basin. All, or nearly all, coal-formations are basin-shaped, with long and gradually sloping sides, dipping down to a common and profound centre. This centre in the northern basin lies about Sunderland, and there, accordingly, we have the deepest pits. From that point, too, the strata begin on all sides to rise, until they attain, or nearly so, the level of the surface-earth. This attainment is technically called 'cropping out.' Thus, the northern edge of the basin begins to crop out about the Coquet, a Northumbrian stream, which cuts the county nearly into two; and the southern edge of the basin rises into day in the Valley of the Tees, the river dividing the counties of Durham and York. The western rim of the plate or basin fades away as it is heaved up in the earth some twenty miles to the west of Newcastle; and the eastern extremity comes, of course, bootlessly up to the bottom of the ocean. In general terms, the basin may, therefore, be described as lying half in the land, half under sea; and as comprehending the lower portions of the two great valleys of the Tyne and Wear-the one river running by Newcastle, the other by Sunderland. The

No. 12.

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