A Life's Hatred.

lad ' s luggage having been secured by the guard , Air . Mordaunt gave his protege a warm parting shake of the hand and said , " God bless you , my dear boy ! Keep up your courage , write as often as you plcaso , and so good-bye till Eustcr . " The youth sprang lightl y besides the coachman , turned round in his scat , with a face all smiles and tears like a t ypical April day . raised his cap to his kind protector , and muttered some broken words of farewell .

In a few moments the coach was in full career , but ( he lad continned to wave his cap in adieu until a , turn of the highway hid Mr . Mordaunt from sight , who then returned home in a melancholy mood , lie wandered from room to room in a very restless stale , as if in search of something . The fact was he missed the boy ' s bright and cheery conversation . He tried to occupy his mind with reading but found no solace therein .

Mrs . Ambrose noticed his disturbed manner and guessed the cause . She also was attached to j'oung Lee , who had become a general favourite with the household . Ho had a winning way with him which no one appeared able to withstand . Even Annand . the stern West Indian , was not free from the influence which the youth appeared to wield over all those he associated with .

During the progress of dinner , which was served under the ej * e of the housekeeper , Mr . Mordaunt took an opportunit y in the absence of the other domestics , to speak a few words to the old lady . " Mrs . Ambrose , " said ho , " I dare say I shall startle you by telling j * ou that I firml y believe wo shall never soe Richard again . "

" What makes j * ou think that , sir Y " she asked in great surprise . " Surel y yon do not imagine that he will ho so ungrateful as to run awaj * from school and rejoin his kindred ?" " f cannot , give you any explanation , " was the reply . " I have a weight at my heart , a foreboding of coming o \ il . I reiterate , I believe a calamity * is hanging over mc , and that Richard is in

some measure connected with it . " " Fray dismiss such thoughts from your mind , Mr . Mordaunt , " remarked Mrs . Ambrose , "the lad is a good one , I am sure , and you will never regret your kindness to him . Last , ni ght before lie went , to bed he was telling me , in his artless way , what great , things hc intended to do for yon when hc grew older . If yon had been his father , sir , he could not have spoken of you in more dutiful terms . "

"I dp not doubt Lee ' s integrity or sincerity in the least , nij' good woman , " said the gentleman , with some asperity . " Bless the boy ! ho is the very lean ideal of a fearless , f ruth-loving and affectionate British youth . I hope , " he added , " thai my misgivings after all will como to nothing , ami that we shall see him at home again safe and sound in the Easier recess . You need not stay any longer , Mrs . Ambrose , if I require anything 1 will ring . "

1 he housekeeper having left the room , Mr . Mordaunt lingered over his wine somewhat longer than usual , and at nine o ' clock retired to his bedchamber . Having undressed , he wrapped himself in a capacious dressing gown of warm Indian silk , seated himself in a large arm chair and placed his slippered feet upon the fender . In

this cosy position hc remained for a considerable time with hii eyes 'ixed on the embers that blazed brightly in the grate . Hi . s thoughts were evidently of a serious nature , for he occasionall y sighed heavily and his eyes became moistened with tears . In this desponding stale he remained for a considerable time , until wearied tit last he sank to sleep .

'I ho fire graduall y burnt itself out , and thc air of the room became colder aud colder . All at once the sleeper awoke with a start , shivered violently , and started suddenly to his feet as if frightened . What is that hc hears Y A sound of paltering overhead like the footsteps of a child .

"How ridiculous it is of me to give way to such weakness , " he muttered . " The apartment above this is unoccupied and contains nothing but lumber . Master Richard ' s home-leaving has given me a fit of the vapours . How stupid of me to fall asleep before the fire . It must be very late though , as the candle has nearl y burnt away . By Jove ! I am in darkness . "

A Life's Hatred.

This ejaculation was caused by the fact that t ' ne remains of the taper had suddenly gone out with a splutter . " Well , I can easily find my way to bed , that is one comfort . " Ho was upon tho point of disrobing- when his attention was further ath'ricted by hearing the footfall of some person coming downstairs .. Curious to ascertain who it could be perambulating

the house at that advanced hour , ho cautiousl y opened hi . s door and peered forth . The staircase and passage were quite dark , consequently he could discern nothing , but as he stood on tho threshold he fancied something passed with a gentle rustle , and he distinctly caught the sound of bare feet traversing the corridor .

Jlc followed , and at the head of the next- flight of stairs he paused once more lo listen . The footsteps went tripping lightly downstairs towards the basement . If was a well staircase , and was principally lighted by a large window on tho first landing . On the night in question the moon was shining bri ghtly through the casement and lighted up the surrounding space .

"I shall bo able to see hy the moonlight who the nocturnal visitor is , as she or he most presently pass the window , " murmured Mr . Mordaunt . Tho footfalls noared the easement , but strange to say , the owner of the mansion saw naught , although he clearly heard the

sounds pass the spot , and continue downstairs to the lower oflices ; this circumstance occasioned him some surprise . However , as he was without a light , and there being no chance of obtaining one without arousing thc household , tho puzzled Mr . Mordaunt philosophicall y went to bed .

His sleep , however , was not peaceful . He dreamt he was the horrified witness of a tragic incident , llie murder of a little child . Under the influence of a species of ni ghtmare , he thought lie was compelled to gaze upon thc awful consummation of the crime without being able fo move hand or foot to prevent it . The scene of fhe vision was a large old-fashioned room . The most

important feature of the place , was a commodious four-post bedstead , which p iece of antiquity was decorated with massive curtains and hangings of sombre hue . The sole occupant of the apartment was a pretty boy , whose bright cheeks , sparking eyes , and long curling hair , presented a beautiful object . He was clad in a long white

night-robe , damttly trimmed with line lace , and was engaged in looking over a book embellished with highly-coloured engravings . Ever and anon , ho smiled as if pleased with some of the fanciful things depicted therein , and an occasional ri ppling laugh escaped him .

It was truly a pretty picture , the fair spiritiicl child , and the quaint , richly furnished chamber , a happy combination of innocence , health and luxury . Apparently , unheard by the boy , a man of tall proportions had stolen into the apartment , and stood within the shadow of thc curtains regarding tho charming scene like a spirit of evil . The little fellow closed the book and rose from his seat . As

hc crossed the room he was confronted b y the intruder . With a cry of joy he darted towards tho man , and held out his tiny hands as if pleased to sec him . The brute , however , pushed the child rudely aside , ami it appeared fo the dreamer , that the man was speaking harshly to the hoy , as the hitter , thus cruelly repulsed , crept

disconsolately away to a distant corner , and cowered in terror to the floor , Thc fellow presently followed and caught the innocent in his powerful grasp ; there was a brief struggle , the little mouth moved convulsively as if uttering a cry of pain , and al ) was over ; the hoy , brutally strangled by the rullian , lay rigid and motionless .

The murderer stood looking at the inanimate form for a short time , and then stooping to the floor , raised the bod y in his arms and disappeared . Air . Mordaunt awoke , and started to a sifting position . So vivid was the dream , that in his great distress , his lips opened to call for

help , but as the familiar surroundings of his own room were revealed to him by the daylight . streaming in , he felt relieved to think ( hat he had been merely the victim of a terrible incubus . The livid features of the murdered child , however , as hc lay extended on the floor with the fitful light of the lire playing fantastically on the bri g ht disordered carls , the large eyes gazing vacantly , anil bearing

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