of the sticking-up case at the Race Ball. The host road aloud the article in question, which contained a full account of Captain Melrose's atrocities. The bride, who naturally felt for the unfeeling conduct, turned her face towards her lover, and exclaimed, "Did you over hear of such an unfeeling monster?"
Melrose, who sat with his head bent forward, made no reply, but turned pale, and scowled with unnatural ferocity not peculiar to him, which sent a thrill of terror through her frame. Mr. Forbes now came to that portion which contained a description of the articles stolen, when the description of one remarkable and costly pair of bracelets attracted the bride's attention; she unconsciously dropped her eyes on those she was wearing, and which had been presented to her by her lover only a short time before, and which exactly corresponded with the description her father read.
A strange feeling seized her, and upon raising her eyes to Charlie, she saw him staring with eyes full of indignation and distrust at her scowling lover; springing to her foot she made an attempt to approach the open French window, but in passing round her father's chair, she fell with a scream insensible on the floor.
Charlie who was the quickest flew to her assistance, raised her, and, in entrusting her to the care and attention of her father, said, "Take your much-injured daughter; your would-be son-in-law is no other than Captain Melrose the Bushranger," then rushed from the apartment after him, he having made his escape amid the confusion.
On coming out of the house, Charlie met Munro with the horses ready, who, on seeing his master, understood the cause of his haste, and exclaimed, "There they go," pointing at the same time to the two horsemen in full gallop making towards the forest. Let us mount and after them replied Charlie, when both vaulted into their saddles, and driving their spurs into their horses' sides, flew after the fugitives.
