638

HARPER'S

NEW

MONTHLY

MAGAZINE.

stant'y, and I don't care two straws for the expense 1" " Suppose we telegraph to my father, Sir?" suggested the judicious Pedgift, "It's the quickest way of expressing your feelings, and the cheapest." "So it is," said Allan. "Thank you for reminding me of it. Telegraph to them 1 Tell your father to give every man in Thorpe-Ambrose the lie direct, in my name. Put it in capital letters, Pedgift-put it in capital letters !" Pedgift smiled and shook his head. If he was acquainted with no other variety of human nature, he thoroughly knew the variety that exists in country towns. " It won't have the least effect on them, Mr. Armadale," he remarked, quietly. "They'll only go on lying harder than ever. If you want to upset the whole town, one line will do it. With five shillings' worth of human labor and electric fluid, Sir (I dabble a little in science after business hours), we'll explode a bombshell . in Thorpe-Ambrose I" He produced the bombshell on a slip of paper as he spoke: "A. Pedgift, Junior, to A. Pedgift, Senior.i--Bpread it all over the place that Mr. Armadale is coming down by the next train." "More words," snggested Allan, looking over his shoulder. "Make it stronger." "Leave my father to make it stronger, Sir," returned the judicious Pedgift. " My father is on the spot, and his command of language is something quite extraordinary." He rang the bell, and dispatched the telegram. Now that something had been done Allan snbsided gradually into a state of composure. He looked back again at Mr. Pedgift's letter, and then handed it to Mr. Pedgift's son. "Can you guess your father's plan for setting me right in the neighborhood?" he asked, Pcdgift the younger shook his wise head.

"His plan appears to be connected in some way, Sir, with his opinion of Miss Gwilt.' "Iwonder what he thinks of her?" said Allan. "I shouldn't be surprised, Mr. Armadale," returned Pedgift Junior, "if his opinion staggers you a little when you come to hear it. My father has had a large legal experience of the shady side of the sex, and he learned his profession at the Old Bailey." Allan made no further inquiries. He seemed to shrink from pursuing the subject, after having started it himself. " Let's be doing something to kill the time," he said. "Let's pack up and pay the bil!." They packed up and paid the bill. The hour came, and the train left for Norfolk at last. While the travelers were on their way back a somewhat longer telegraphic message than Allan's was flashing its way past them along the wires in the reverse direction-from ThorpeAmbrose to London. The message-was in cipher, and, the signs being interpreted, it ran thus: "From Lydia Gwilt to Maria Oldershaw-eGood news! He is coming back. I mean to have an interview with him. Every thing looks well. Now I have left the cottage I have no women's prying eyes to dread, and I can come and go as I please. Mr. Midwinter is luckily out of the way. I don't despair of becoming Mrs. Armadale yet. Whatever happens, depend on my keeping away from London until I am certain of not taking any spies after me to your place. I am in no hurry to leave Thorpe-Ambrose. I mean to be even with Miss Milroy first." Shortly after that message was received in London Allan was back again in his own house. It was evening-Pedgift Junior had just left him, and Pedgift Senior was expected to call on business in half an hour's time.

THJ<JRAISING OF THE FRIGATES.

watery grave, The brave old warriors of the untamed sea, And let them float once more upon the wave To bear aloft the banner of the Free! Let it wave proudly from the tapering mast, That harbinger of hope to younger lands, Unclouded by the battle's echoing blast, Se~ure against the reach of traitor hands. Lift them again, and make their ribs of oak Strong to resist the angry raging tides As when from out their ports the cannon spoke, And the black monster gored their serried sides. I hear again the battle's deafening noise; The rebel Captain, arrognnt and vain, Cry, ~'Strike your flag 1" I hear our gallant boys Cheer in reply; and Morrls speaks again 1

A Y, lift them up from out their

Crash go the timbers! Reeling with the shock, The gallant frigate settles in her grave, As one that strikes upon a treacherous rock, And o'er her deck rises and falls the wave! Long shall the tale be told of that fierce fight In Hampton Roads, where our brave squadron lay; God grant that never more the warm sun's light May shine upon so sad and dark a day I For Right has triumphed; back into the gloom Shrinks _ Treason branded with the mark of shame; And dark Oppression in her place gives room To costly Freedom with her glorious name 1 Ay, lift them up from out their watery grave, The brave old veterans of the untamed sea, And let them float once more upon its wave To bear aloft the banner of the Free!