her treachery. Nevertheless, when her hus- [on my gray hairs!" The pistol went off at band entered, in less than half an hour, her the instant he seized it: the ball entered his usual self-command had composed all traces eye, and he fell dead at his son's feet! of agitation, and she was able to meet him At the same moment Mrs. Winifred rushed with her usual soft and quiet manner. He in from the pantry door, screaming, "Wilton inquired for Wilton. She said he had ridden what have you done! My child! my masforth. He took it for granted that Wilton ter! my dear master!" and flinging herself had gone to a neighbor's, where both were on the floor by Mr. O'Donnell, endeavored engaged to a bachelor dinner: so, seating to raise and revive him. But life was exhimself beside her, he said playfully,Well, tinct. Wilton sank down stupified at this as he has gone to Turner's, I will even stay unexpected result. He seemed incapable of at home with you; this snow-storm is ex- motion, and only uttered almost unconsciouscuse enough for an old fellow like me."

ly the words, "I have killed him!" The Helen was well pleased that he did not shock was so great-his grief and horror so follow Wilton: it deferred at least the evil intense, that he seemed not to remember that hour; but it was no easy task for her, prac- he might be held to answer for the deed. tised as she was in dissimulation, to converse The servants crowded in, and Helen was with her husband in the easy manner habit- found insensible on the stairs, where she had ual to her; and she was relieved when, just fallen. She was removed to bed. In a few after dinner, a summons to the nursery en- minutes the steward and overseers were on abled her to quit him without suspicion. Here the spot, and messengers were dispatched to she sat pondering deeply on the events of the neighbors. On the arrival of a magisthe morning, and the possibilities of the fu- trate, Wilton was removed to another room, ture, until the twilight deepened into gloom. and placed under guard to await legal invesAt length she was startled by the rapid tread tigation. Hs seemed indifferent to all that of a horse it stopped suddenly: her heart concerned himself, and submitted at once to throbbed audibly; and such was her agita- what was ordered.

tion, that for a moment she could not even The next day the coroner's inquest was think. Her apartment, it will be remember- held. Mrs. Winifred's evidence was directly ed, was above the old dining-room. She against Wilton, and the evident reluctance heard the outer door open and Wilton's step with which it was given made it the more on the floor. Words were spoken; the tones forcible. Mrs. O'Donnell was too ill to be were hasty, earnest, abrupt; she laid her examined. The verdict was wilful murder sleeping boy in his cradle and ran quickly on the part of Wilton. He was taken to down the old stairs in the corner of the room. prison. Before the examining court Helen The door was slightly ajar: Wilton stood in appeared. She testified that she heard high the middle of the room; his hand in the words from Wilton-that she rushed down breast of his coat. His father had risen from the stairs-saw Wilton draw the pistolhis seat, and stood transfixed with astonish- heard her husband's exclamation, and saw ment, as Wilton poured forth his bitter re- the pistol fired: but she suppressed the seizing proaches. of the pistol by her husband, and Wilton's "I had told you I loved, and that my love pointing it at himself! Wilton was fully was returned; yet you sought her hand and committed for trial, amid the execrations of leagued with her father to buy what you could the whole community. There was somenot win. Had this wrong been done me by thing so fiendish in the unprovoked murder another, I would have avenged it on him, but it is my father! Since he who gave me life has rendered it worthless, nought remains but death."

of a parent, that we cannot wonder at the abhorrence felt for the murderer. Nor did he attempt any exculpation of himself. In fact, excitement, horror, remorse, (for he felt As he spoke, he drew forth a pistol and that his father's death truly lay at his door, placed the muzzle to his head: at the same mo- though not in the manner it was believed,) ment his father sprang forward, and wrenched rendered him incapable of judging for himHave mercy self, and he had no friend to think or act for

the pistol round, exclaiming,

him. Before his return, Trevor had been what he had actually done, would have been summoned back to England, as the heir pre- enough to destroy him, even had he not felt sumptive to his noble uncle, who had lost his so acutely as he did, that he was an object only son. All Wilton's other friends were of abhorrence to all whose good opinion he still more the friends of his father. valued, for that of which he had not been guilty.

Mrs. Winifred, who, although she could not avoid giving testimony which bore most His kind friend tried to rouse him with the hardly upon him, still could not believe him hope of life; but it was in vain. He visited guilty, was debarred from any intercourse him constantly, and was soon convinced that with him, from the fact of her being a wit- poor Wilton was more sinned against than ness against him. She was, however, per- sinning; but when he would urge on him that mitted to send him clothing, and she sent he should make exertions and prepare for his with it his mother's bible, as the only solace defence, and endeavor to exculpate himself she could offer him. Immediately after his from this horrible charge, he would reply return to prison, the over-worked frame, mournfully: "Why should I desire to live: yielded to the disease which had been op- life has nothing to offer but remorse; for my pressing him since the fatal morning of his headstrong passion caused my father's death, conversation with Helen, and he lay for days in the raving delirium of brain fever.

CHAPTER VIII.

although I did not seek it. I am willing to live through my appointed time, even though it should bring me still farther degradation; but I thank God, I shall not now, as then, be without hope in the future. God has been merciful to me, and I now kindly wait his

A week passed away. Wilton had receiv-will." ed the necessary medical attendance from He was permitted the use of pen and pathe honest old Scotch physician who had per; and, as he now was fully assured that known and loved him from childhood, and Trevor would not return during the short time who could not help saying it was half a pity it was likely he should live, he drew up for to save his life, poor fellow, for the hangman him a full statement of the intercourse beto take it. When Wilton came to himself, tween Helen and himself-the letters that however, he was a changed person. He de- had passed between them, and the feelings clared to the Doctor, who, after awhile, spoke that had prompted his remaining so long to him on the subject always uppermost in abroad; he went on to narrate what had octheir thoughts when together, that he had curred after his return home; the affectionate not intended to kill his father, and that it was manner of his father, and the return to old in the endeavor to save him from suicide, habits which had characterised their interthat his father met his death. Of the causes course; then that conversation with Helen; which had led him to the rash attempt, he his being compelled, despite his will, to give said nothing, nor did he seem desirous to credence to her tale, and the state of frenzy live. In fact, his whole demeanor was un-in which he fled from the house on that facomplaining and hopeless; nothing could an- tal morning. He went on thus: "I rode I imate him. The only wish he seemed to knew not whither, until some time before have, was that he might see Trevor before night-fall, I found myself on the brink of an his death. 'Ere many weeks passed, it was overhanging precipice, beneath which the evident that this gratification would not be swollen river rushed murkily on. I had, from his. The exposure on that terrible day to the time you left me in Paris, my dear Trethe storm, the neglect of the cold taken, for vor, been much in the habit of indulging in so many days, fastened it upon his lungs: so called philosophical speculations, and had and it become evident to his experienced phy- convinced myself that no one was accounta sician, that, without some great change, he ble for suicide, except so far as he might inwould not live to meet his trial. Such a jure others by his death. It was no wonder, change could not be expected, for the utter then, that at this moment, I felt a friend was depression from his grief and remorse for near, and was about to make a fatal plunge,

when a negro, whose hut in a cluster of pines' doubt, or even to have any feeling but that I had not noticed, suddenly ran out. I drew of submission to an Almighty Being: and, back my horse from the leap, and striking my though for many long days and weary nights spurs into his sides, sped in an opposite di- my submission was a hopeless one; yet, the rection. I know now--for I have probed the light hath shone upon the darkness; comfort depths of my own sinful heart, and I wish hath come even to me. I feel that I, too, not to deceive you that, in what followed, I have a hope for eternity, such as my dear was actuated as much by revenge as despair. father had long since made his own. I look I remember riding the most direct way home- forward with humble trust to rejoin him in ward, passing by the steward's house where the light of perfect day. I do not think I had left my pistols the day before, when we I shall live to meet my trial; and my only had been shooting at a mark, going into the earthly wish is, to see you once more. I do house and taking one out of the box and pla- not see that it would benefit the dead to let cing it in my bosom. I met no one, nor was my unhappy story be known; nor would I, to I an instant in the house; for I knew where gratify the curiosity of the world, and perhaps the case had been put. I remounted, and I gain some commiseration for my own fate, can now recall the fiendish exultation I felt, blight the young life of that unfortunate inas I thought how bitterly my death by my fant, the only one left to bear our name, by own hand would avenge me on my father. making public the cruel falsehood of his moOh, God! the horrible revulsion of feeling, ther. No! let him live respected, so far as when I saw him dead at my feet, and knew depends on me, and only to my dear old he died to save me. I have but indistinct nurse, Winifred, do I wish this painful hisrecollections of what passed afterwards. I tory to be told. I do desire, in the most auheard myself branded as a murderer, and I thentic manner, to declare my innocence of could not deny it; for I felt myself guilty and the intent to take my father's life; but with accur-ed-a second Cain, yet worse! when the motives which led me to attempt my own, before the examining court, I could not com- the world has nothing to do." mand my ideas. I feared to speak, lest I A week before the trial was to come on, should say what it might wrong the dead to and six weeks before Mr. Trevor's arrival, utter; nor did I, indeed, come to a full con- Wilton breathed his last in his solitary prison; sciousness of my real situation, until after only cheered by the presence of the kind old the crisis of brain fever had passed. I then Doctor, who remained with him until the last. could remember all I have now told you; and Into his hands he committed his will and the I learned, too, what that wretched woman's letter to Trevor, from which the above exevidence had been. I truly forgive her; but, tract is taken. To him, he also gave a deoh, Trevor! can she forgive herself. If she claration of his innocence of any intention to saw what she swore she saw, she must also take his father's life. On Mr. Trevor's arrihave seen enough to exonerate me from the val, he received the papers. Wilton had left charge of attempting my father's life: she all his property, (with the exception of a memust have seen me point the pistol at myself! mento to his friend, a legacy to the Doctor, What her motives may be for blackening me and a provision for Mrs. Winifred,) to his more, if possible, than I deserve, I cannot brother: and requested that Trevor might be tell; but at least she gives me back my faith his guardian.

in that dear father, who is, I honestly trust, Mr. O'Donnell had also appointed Trevor receiving the reward of his just life in this and Wilton his executors: and as Cedar Farm world. I feel now that she was the sole plot-(Mr. O'Donnell's own estate) had been setter against my peace: and I trust I do not de-tied on Helen at their marriage, Wilton's ceive myself in thinking that I parden her as property was nearly all the child inherited I hope to be forgiven myself. during his mother's life. Very soon after

When, my dear Trevor, I recovered from these events, the war of Independence commy delirium, I found myself at once divested menced. Mr. Trevor was, under any cirof atheism. I saw too plainly the evidences cumstances, compelled to return to England, of a ruling power in all that had occurred, to and Mrs. O'Donnell agreed to the propriety

of his taking the boy with him, though only influence it was permitted to exercise in the three years old, whilst she remained, to secure, if possible, the property to her son, whichever side should prove victorious.

CHAPTER IX.

a

councils of the nation. The learned professions, too, were represented most efficiently. Marshall, Washington and Wickham adorned the bar; Blair and Buchanan the pulpit. and McClurg, as remarkable for his wit and literary taste as for his professional talents, Mrs. O'Donnell remained at Oatlands for upheld the honor of the healing art. In this few years longer; but a residence there be- society Helen was distinguished. Her woncame so distasteful to her, as to compel a rederful beauty, still in admirable preservation, moval. The painful circumstances attending her manners and accomplishments, rendered the deaths of father and son, caused many to her house attractive to young and old; anċ recollect the rumors which had existed before thus did she wish it to be, for she desired, Wilton went to Europe, of his attachment to ardently, that her son should find it too pleathis lady; and, although Mr. Trevor strictly sant to exchange it for Oatlands. The first kept Wilton's confidence, and in obedience few months after his arrival, he was easily to his wishes, had even forced himself to induced to delay going there; and when at show her the outward respect and observance, length Helen, in compliance with his earnest which, as his ward's mother, seemed her due, entreaties, accompanied him thither, she easyet there was not wanting many a keen re-ily managed to induce him to give but a day mark, or slighting look, which gave the alarm to an inspection of the farm, and to return to her guilty conscience; and finally, she de- home at night. termined to remove to Richmond, (then a mere Autumn, however, approached; and the village,) which, offering her the choice of time for his coming of age drew nigh. He some change of society, yet afforded her the announced his intention of celebrating it at means of visiting her own or her son's estate at pleasure.

Oatlands. His mother would gladly have opposed it: but too wise to make an opposiDuring the military movements in Vir- tion without hope of success, she contented ginia, Oatlands was occasionally occupied by herself with delaying it until it was settled both parties. On the last of these occasions, that they should go down about a week before it took fire in the new building, which was his birth-day. They went; and each day entirely destroyed; the old part being still was a living torture to Helen. Her son was left standing, though much defaced and in- now just about the age of Wilton at the time jured. of his return from Europe. Their long sepa

When the war was over, Mrs. O'Donnell ration had caused her, perhaps, to fancy a permitted the Steward to have such rough greater likeness between the brothers, than repairs put upon the house as might serve to really existed: for the difference between render it habitable; but she had taken so Redmond, (he bore his father's name,) as he great a dislike to the spot, that, although she was when a child and as he now appeared, sometimes visited it, she never stayed all made it more easy to trace the resemblance night. She continued to reside at Richmond, to Wilton, than to the infant she had parted which began, almost immediately after her with. Helen had allowed her terror at Oatremoval thither, to grow into importance; and lands to become morbid, and now she feared at the time young O'Donnell returned, some she knew not what. years after the war was over, to reclaim his The morning of the birth-day came. Many property, (to which, as he had been under of the old neighbors were invited to dinner, age, there was no hindrance,) he found the and also some friends from Richmond. They society polished, talented and refined, to a breakfasted in the old room; and, after breakdegree that surprised him. Richmond was fast, Redmond called his dogs as he was wont now the seat of Government of the State; to do for hunting; and, putting on his hunting and the Legislature of Virginia, composed of accoutrements, took his fowling piece in his the first men in the commonwealth, in those, hand and was about to leave the room: Helen her palmiest days, was worthy the powerful called him back. He returned and stood in

the door-way, with his gun resting on the floor. She reminded him of the company they expected, and begged him not to be late in returning. He smiled as he answered"Oh, I shall be back in time." One of his pointers at the moment leaped up on him. "Down Ponto," he exclaimed: and as he spoke, the foot of the dog struck the trigger, and the unfortunate youth fell dead-his brains besprinkling his mother's dress!

One scream, and she, too, fell motionless; but when the servants raised her from the floor, they found she was not, (as they at first thought) dead. She breathed, and after a while, moved; but remained silent, though her lips moved inaudibly. Mrs. Winifred, who lived in the little cottage near the run, (now the miller's house,) was sent for, and watched over her. All necessary duties were paid to the remains of the last of this unhappy race, but Helen seemed unconscious of what was passing. She never appeared to notice anything, except the endeavor to put

THE MAID O' COQUET SIDE.

Air-The Lass o' Gowrie.

By Coquet Side there dwelt a maid,
The fairest girl that e'er was seen,
Her locks in dark black tresses strayed
Aboon her sparkling hazel 'een.

Her broo it was sae white and fair,
Might rival with the drifted snaw;
Mang a' the bonnie lassies there

She was the bonniest of them a'.

To hear her speak, to see her smile,
To gaze upon her lovely face,
I've aften walked for mony a mile

To meet her at the trysting place

Where we've sae often side by side,

O'er Coquet's bonnie banks and braes,
Frae morning-noon till even-tide

Spent thus our early happy days.

SHALL VERSUS WILL.

Your Petitioner SHALL humbly represents,

a cap on her head, or to induce her to get To The Southern Literary Messenger, into a carriage. These two things she resisted; but in all else, she was passive. Mrs. Winifred remained with her until her death, That Your Petitioner knows not where he which did not take place until after my father had removed to this house; and I can distinctcan look, if not to you, for redress of the ly remember her when I was still able to run grievances he has now to complain of: That. about, and used to play in the field on this his place and powers have been lawlessly side of that estate. She was a tall woman, usurped by his twin brother, WILL, to an exvery thin, always in black, and bareheaded, tent which threatens your Petitioner almost with banishment from the English Language. and her hair as white as snow. I do not think she lived many months after we came; Both he and his said brother are signs of the but after her death, Mrs. Winifred came to future tense in grammar: but the occasions nurse and take care of me, and told me all on which each of them is to be employed, these things. She said that Mrs. O'Donnell are unmistakeably settled by ancient usage; never spoke a word aloud after her son's and are almost as distinct as the uses of the death; but frequently spoke to herself. After present tense and the future tense. The res a long time, she found it was a single word pective provinces, or functions, of SHALL that she uttered, and that word was "RE- and WILL are determined clearly, though clumsily, by an old grammarian, in these lines:

TRIBUTION!"

Hood, in his "Ode to Rae Wilson, Esq.," thus hits off the super-sanctimonious

A man may cry Church! Church! at ev'ry word
With no more piety than other people-
A daw's not reckoned a religious bird
Because it keeps a cawing from a steeple.

"In the first person, simply SHALL foretells;
In WILL a threat, or else a promise dwells:
SHALL in the second and the third does threat;
WILL simply, then, foretells the future feat."

That is, in the second and third person, we change offices; SHALL performing what was in the first person WILL'S office, and WILL performing that which was SHALL'S office.

More plainly it may be said,-SHALL, in