Brotherly Love.

scarcity which visited the neighbourhood , large sums of money wenplaced at the disposal of the Mayor and the clergy , for the use ot tinsuffering inhabitants , and these benefactions were traced to the mysterious resident on the Mount . A pestilence ravaged the district , and spread terror around , lhooc who were enabled to leave , fled in affright , and so fatal was the disease that it suspended during its prevalence the ordinary feelings ot humanity-. The claims of affinity were forgotten , and kindred deserted kindred when

stricken with the epidemic . . But while the disease was at its height a change was wrought ; in tie feelino-s of the inhabitants , who were inspired with courage , and brought backto sentiments of humanity by the presence amongst them ot a stranger . , knew whence he but his pecuniary resources appeared

No one came , lar ° * e , while the zeal and indifference to personal danger winch he disblfiyed in visiting and ministering'to ' the necessities of the sufferers , were the theme of praise throughout the district . Some poor cre ? . iur « whom the fear of infection had deprived of the assistance of hu fnenda aud kindredreceived at his handsmedicineand those offices requisite for

, , , the sick and dying . At last , he was recognised as the recluse ot tifc mountain , and ' from that moment he became an object of veneration amongst the inhabitants . But none ventured to intrude on his solitude , for the statements of some who had witnessed his wild demeanour and overheard' his incoherent ravings when he deemed himself unobserved ,

left little doubt as to Ms being insane at certain periods . Though curiosity was excited respecting Mm , the benevolence he had displayed and the services he had rendered during the prevalence of the pestilence , prevented any persons indulging that feeling m a manner disagreeable , by endeavouring to penetrate the mystery in winch he w-ts shroiided . The consequence ' was , that he was permitted to pass ins days

without any intrusion on his privacy . CHAPTER IV . —PALSE C ONCLUSIONS . SOME days elapsed before Simon summoned resolution sufficieuf . to venture abroadThe sense of the humiliation which he had sustained

. before his townsmen , in being flung from Ms pinnacle at the very moment when he considered hie triumph certain , made Mm fearful of encountering the ridicule of those whom he had never endeavoured to conciliate , and who , he was well aware , hated him for his intellectual superiority . But the desire to see Ida triumphed over ' this feeling . defeat excited

He had not mistaken the sentiments which his amongst his townsmen . When he made Ms appearance in the street , he was accosted by some of his acquaintances with mock condolence , aud some who regarded him with looks ' of gratified malevolence , addressed htm in terms of sympathy that stung Mm to the soul .. Others mora bold , treated Mm with derision , or passed him without recognition . With a spirit chafed almost to frenzy , and mentally vowing vengeance