Your greatgrandfather and mine were friends, boon companions, but one fatal night, when more wine than usual had been drunk, there arose a fearful quarrel between the two, and with a knife snatched from a sideboard standing near, Murdock gave his comrade a blow which resulted in his death.

Sobered at once, and nearly beside himself with terror, he rushed frantically to the chamber of his sleeping wife, and laying his blood-wet hands upon her brow, screamed for her to rise, which she did immediately, nearly fainting, it is said, when by the light of the lamp her husband bore, she saw the bloody print upon her forehead.

Three months afterward my grandfather was born, and over his left temple was the hated mark which has clung to us ever since, and which a noted clairvoyant predicted would never disappear until the feudal parties came together, and a Murdock wedding with a Richards.

The offspring of such union would be without taint or blemish, he said, and I am told, sir, your boy is fair as alabaster." Dr.Richards, to whom this appeal was made, only stared blankly at him, like one who hears in a dream, but 'Lina, catching at everything pertaining to the doctor, said, quickly: "His boy! Where is his boy?
Oh, what does it all mean ?" "Poor girl!" and the convict spoke sorrowfully.

"I did not think she would take it so hard, but the worst is not yet told, and I must hasten.
I ingratiated myself at once into John Richards' good graces and when I knew it would answer, I suggested a mock marriage.