SCENE II.--_The drawing-room at_ JUDGE BOLTON'S.

_Enter_ JUDGE BOLTON.

JUDGE.

The day of destiny for me has come! Strange how the aspect of the outer world Changes beneath the changes of the soul! This morning is a glorious one to sense! But Hope, the sun that lights the inner man, And warms the mind to noble energy, Giving the will its giant power to sweep The clouds of doubt and dark distrust away, Even as the risen sun the morning mists-- Hope comes not to my soul! (_Enter_ REV. PAUL GODFREY.) Ah! Godfrey, welcome! You look as you had brought her in your heart, This truant Hope, to render her to me. I never felt the worth of friends till now. My life has been one long unclouded day. I had almost forgotten my dependence On Him who sends the sunshine as the storm.

GODFREY.

A dangerous state. The Bible tells us, truly, That "They who have no changes fear not God." And fear is the beginning of our love, And love brings trust, and trust true confidence-- Not in our own deserts, or powers, or wealth, But confidence, if we pursue the good With firm resolve, that all will work for good. This, the true wisdom, man but seldom learns, Except 'tis taught him by adversity. Thank God that this, your trial, has not come As punishment of your misdeeds--but sent, As 'twere, like Job's of old, to try your faith In truth and justice and God's righteousness! Keep your integrity--all will be well. _Enter_ DR. MARGRAVE _hastily._

DR. MARGRAVE

Joy! joy!--the clue is found!

JUDGE.

What? Where's the child?

DR. MARGRAVE

The child! Inquire for the young lady now-- For such, I trust, you'll find your Isabelle. I've seen the nurse who carried her away: 'Twas she who sent for me--that dying woman. Let doctors take encouragement from this, That in their duties they will gain rewards.

JUDGE.

But Isabelle, my ward--where is she now?

DR. MARGRAVE

I'd leave my bed again to-night to seek her, Only it would be groping in the dark. Pray, do not look so sad--we'll find her yet; I have the clue, here is the deposition-- I took it from the dying woman's lips. She died an hour ago. She hither came To find you out and own her crime.

JUDGE.

The child-- Where did she leave her?

DR. MARGRAVE

Have a moment's patience. The woman said she did not dare to carry The child among her kindred at the West; They would have found the imposition out, As Isabelle resembled not her daughter. And so the woman traveled to Virginia, And there, with a kind family, she left The orphan to her fate.

JUDGE.

With whom?

DR. MARGRAVE

The name She has forgotten--but she left a token, Half of this severed chain (_takes out half a necklace_), with "Isabelle" Engraven, as this has "De Vere" upon it.

JUDGE. (_snatching the chain_).

Ah! this was Isabelle's--her mother's, too! This is a clue indeed. I'll go at once To seek her out and find the other half.

GODFREY (_taking it out_).

'Tis here. And thus may Truth be ever found By all who seek her earnestly, and wait Her advent in the time and way appointed! The way is righteousness--the time is God's.

JUDGE.

I am confounded by these miracles. Explain--where did you find this precious token?

GODFREY

'Twas given me by Professor Olney--he It was who took the little Isabelle And reared her as his own.

JUDGE.

What Isabelle? That daughter of the pedagogue my son Is seeking for his wife?

GODFREY

The very same. And Romeo did not love his Juliet more Than your son loves this charming Isabelle; And she, like Juliet, loves him in return.

JUDGE.

Thank Heaven for this! (_Enter_ HENRY BOLTON.) Ah! here he comes! Now, Henry, What says your lady-love? Is she inclined To trust your constancy for one long year?

HENRY BOLTON.

I cannot wait the term; and I have come To ask your pardon, and retract my word. Isabelle has no home; Professor Olney Is not her father.

JUDGE.

Ay, I've heard the story. And you resign her now?

HENRY BOLTON.

Not while I live! I mean to marry her at once--to-day; Before this only father she has known Is dead:--he will die soon.

JUDGE.

Wed her! this unknown! Ah! Henry, this to me! Why, you are mad!

HENRY BOLTON.

My father, I have told you my resolve; You've heard me own my love for Isabelle; To have your approbation of my choice Would fill my cup of earthly happiness; But I shall marry her e'en though the act Bring banishment from you.

JUDGE.

You promised, Henry, To wait a year.

HENRY BOLTON.

And so I would have done. To gain your favor, I would suffer this Delay and cross of love. But now I feel That duty, honor, manly sentiment Compel me to the side of Isabelle. She is alone; I must and will protect her.

JUDGE.

She has no name.

HENRY BOLTON.

She shall have mine: a name My father has made honorable.

JUDGE.

Henry, You have no fortune. How support your wife?

HENRY BOLTON.

I'll work. I have been flattered for my talents, But never yet have had an aim or motive To test their worth and energy. I'll work. The rich man's son may live in idleness, The great man's son reflects his father's light, And thus their genius and their noblest powers Are often unemployed, obscured, and lost. 'Tis better I should have to make my way; And with my guiding angel, Isabelle, And the example of my noble father, I surely shall succeed.

GODFREY.

Give me your hand. You are God's noblest work, an honest man; True to the witness your own spirit bears; And so does every man's, would they but hear And follow as you do--that worth is won, And not inherited. 'Tis circumstance That makes the difference in our mortal lot; And Providence arranges this at will. How kind the lot that gives you Isabelle!

JUDGE.

My son! my son! may you be worthy of her, And love her alway. Know she is the one That, in your boyhood, was your "little wife!" The Isabelle De Vere we mourned as dead. You stand amazed; but all shall be explained.

HENRY BOLTON.

Oh, let me go and tell her!

GODFREY.

I'll go with you: And, as we go, will make the mystery plain.

JUDGE.

And bring her here. Order the carriage, Henry, And bring her home with you. Tell her I long To fold her to my heart and call her daughter. [_Exit_ YOUNG BOLTON _and_ GODFREY.

DR. MARGRAVE.

How strangely and how wisely Providence Directs the course of life! How oft we see That bitter medicine was kindly given. Had Isabelle remained your ward, brought up With Henry here, they might, indeed, have married; But never would have felt such certainty Of true, unbribed affection as will be The blessing and the memory of their life.

DENNIS _and_ MICHAEL _are heard singing as they enter._

DENNIS _and_ MICHAEL (_song_)

The rogue and the ruffian love darkness and night, But we will go forth when the morning is bright, And the joy of the world shall the happiness be Of Dennis O'Blarney and Michael Magee.

DENNIS (_seeing the_ JUDGE).

Bless your honor's house--the rogues are taken.

MICHAEL.

They've taken Captain Pawlett and another.

DENNIS.

The other murdering villain entered here.

MICHAEL.

The officers are coming now to search.

(_As the_ OFFICERS _enter, the report of a pistol is heard._ LUCY BOLTON _and the maid_ RUTH _rush in._)

JUDGE (_catching_ LUCY _in his arms_).

What is it, Lucy? What has happened, bird?

LUCY.

Oh, father, he is killed!

JUDGE.

Who? who?

LUCY.

Frederick! He's shot himself, and in his mother's room. Oh!

(_Shrieks and faints._)

DR. MARGRAVE.

I'll go and see what can be done. [_Exit_ MARGRAVE _and the_ OFFICERS.

JUDGE.

Lucy! She is reviving! Quick, give me the cup. Here, drink, my love; the water will revive you. Nay, do not speak; be silent and be calm. The angels, as they watch this guilty world, See every day such sights of wretchedness Think of the angels in that world of joy, Where Death can never enter. Do not weep. Ah, yes! you are a mortal and a woman, And tears of pitying grief for other's woes Are human offerings Heaven will ne'er reject. Weep for Belinda's sorrow; weep for her.

_Re-enter_ DR. MARGRAVE.

DR. MARGRAVE.

'Tis over! He has gone to his account.

JUDGE.

Where human judgment never may intrude. We'll leave him to the One who reads the heart, And knows its wants, and woes, and weaknesses. Lord, keep us from temptation!--this should be The daily prayer of all--with thankfulness For daily blessings given--and here come mine.

_Enter_ GODFREY, _followed by_ YOUNG BOLTON _and_ ISABELLE.

GODFREY (_to the_ JUDGE).

We bring you the lost pleiad of your heart.

HENRY BOLTON.

My father, Isabelle.

JUDGE.

And yours, my daughter! (_Embracing her._) Come to my arms, my long-lamented child; I welcome thee as one restored from death. This house and all I've called mine own are yours, And now shall be restored.

ISABELLE.

Dear father, no But take me as your own, and let me live Thus in the warmth and light of this dear home: I shall be rich, beyond my wildest dreams. I only wished for wealth to give away To those I loved, and those who were in need. And now the world o'erflows with happiness. I am so rich in friends and hopes, I feel Half fearful it will prove a fairy tale; It seems too sweet for earth.

MADAME BELCOUR _rushes in, her hair disheveled, followed by attendants._

MADAME BELCOUR.

He's dead! he's dead! I've murdered him! He's dead! My falsehood poisoned him; and so he died. He did not kill himself! Say not a word. My heart and brain are both on fire! His blood Is here, and here! (_Sees_ ISABELLE.) Oh, save me! save me now! She's come to witness here against my soul! You cannot see her; she is like an angel! I know her well! She's there! Begone! begone!

(_Faints exhausted on the stage. Attendants raise her._)

JUDGE.

Poor broken-hearted mother! Bear her in, And tenderly. Her mind is quite o'erthrown. [MADAME BELCOUR _carried in by the attendants._

DR. MARGRAVE.

These alternations make the sum of life: Thus sorrow treads upon the steps of joy. A bridal here; and from the neighboring door Comes forth a funeral tram.

GODFREY.

And both are well. We live to die, and die to live again; And evermore the day succeeds the night. And those who see the sunshine on their path May walk in soberness and yet be glad.

JUDGE.

The cloud conceals, but never dims the star; And Youth and Happiness will twine their wreath Even on Thalia's brow. My children, come; It is my birthday; all our friends are here, And they return our smile of thankful joy That Isabelle is found. Our task is done; And, if approved by you, our cause is won.

END OF THE PLAY.

SUSAN CLIFTON OR, THE CITY. AND THE COUNTRY.

BY PROFESSOR AIDEN.

(Continued from page 250.)