ion. Eliza would not live with me longer
and I went away, but pined so for my child that I contrived to steal
her, and carried her to my mother, where was the other one. 'Twas there
you tracked me, Densie. You came one day, enacting a fearful scene, and
frightening my children until they fled in terror and hid away from your
sight."

"I remember, I remember now. That's where I heard the name," 'Lina said,
while the convict continued:

"I said you were a mad woman. I made mother believe it; but she never
recovered from the shock, and six weeks after your visit, I was alone
with my two girls, Densie and Adaline. I could not attend to them both,
and so I sent one to Eliza and kept the other myself, hiring a
housekeeper, and to prevent being dogged by Densie again, I passed as
Mr. Monroe Gordon, guardian to the little child whom I loved so much."

"That was Adah," fell in the whisper from the doctor's lips, but caught
the ear of no one.

All were too intent upon the story, which proceeded:

"She grew, and grew in beauty, my fair, lovely child, and I was
wondrously proud of her, giving her every advantage in my power. I sent
her to the best of schools, and even looked forward to the day when she
should take the position she was so well fitted to fill. After she was
grown to girlhood we boarded, she as the ward, I as the guardian still,
and then one unlucky day I stumbled upon you, Dr. John, but not until
you had first stumbled upon my daughter, and been charmed with her
beauty, passing yourself as some one else--as George Hastings, I
believe--lest your fashionable associates should know how the
aristocratic Dr. Richards was in love with a poor, unknown orphan,
boarding up two flights of stairs."

"Who is he talking about, Hugh? Does he mean me? My head throbs so, I
don't quite understand," 'Lina said, piteously, while Hugh held the poor
aching head against his bosom, crushing the orange blossoms, and
whispering softly:

"He means Adah."

"Yes, Adah," the convict rejoined. "John Richards fancied Adah Gordon,
as she was called, but loved his pride and position more. I'll do you
justice, though, young man, I believe at one time you really and truly
loved my child, and but for your mother's letters might have married her
honorably. But you were afraid of that mother. Your pride was stronger
than your love; and as I was determined that you should have my
daughter, I proposed a mock marriage."

"Monster! You, her fathe