The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-26

lowed out, trusted Mrs. Kangei would be able to be about again in few days.
 MT. Rangel frightened up considerably when he heard this, and we chatted pleasantly together for short time.
 As he opened the gate for me he slip ped guinea into my itching palm. My first impulse was to toss the welcome coin exnltantly up into the air, and exc cute caper of triumphant delight; but resisted this temptation, and pocketed the honorarium with that affectation of inconsistencies which is invariably as- sumed by the disciples of Esculapius on such-like occasions.
 On my return found Kitty brimful of feminine curiosity to hear all about my new case. Not less fanciful and sanguine than myself, she already foresaw all sorts of splendid results arising from this visit. I expatiated upon the charming friendly manner of MT. Rangel, and, of course, in far less enthusiastic manner upon the beauty of his wife and the sweet simplic. ity o' her expression. Kitty, who is not so adverse as some of her sex to hearing any other woman praised, was greatly in- terested in all told her, and declared that as soon as Mrs. Rangel was strong again she would call and make her ac- quaintance.
 This was done in due course, and we found our new neighbors very charming and pleasant people. MT. Rangel was a most agreeable man of the world, full of anecdote and information; and his wife won our hearts by her artless manner and her beauty. We were all musical, and there was scarcely week we had not one or two delightful evenings together, either at our house or at Langford Villa. Nor were we the only people who appreciated the attractive couple; they had soon quite large circle of friends-our rector and his family being among the most in- innate. For three months all went merry as a marriage bell. l had even glided into some sort of respectable practice, all because ] was "getting to be properly known," as Kitty remarked, and rightly or wrongly, we dated the turn of our luck from the day MT. Rangel called me in to attend his wife, and we felt grateful to them accordingly.
 About half-past eleven one night was ioused up by violent ringing of my bell, and l found the Rangels' servant at my door In great state of excitement.
 She begged of me to go to her mis- tress, who "was took really bad -some'ut to do with master" she thought but she knew nothing, and had run over for me as quickly as possible, leaving Mrs. Ran gel alone, as the cook had left the pre-. vious day, and her successor had not vet arrived. hastencd to Langford Villa, but there was no smiling Mir Rangel to receive me, nor was he with the poor lit- tie creature, who was in violent mysteries in the drawing-room, her golden hair be- ing all in disorder, and her pretty face contorted by terror and grief.
 What brought this on Where is MT. RangelI" asked hastily of the ser want.
 The girl knew nothing except that MT. Rangel had left for the city at the usual hour that morning, saying that he would not be back until the last train, as he was engaged to dine with a friend. Mrs Rangel had sent her to bed little af.er ten, saying she would wait up and let MT. Rangel in, and she was reused out of her sleep by violent ringing of the bell and screaming. She rushed up stairs and found her mistress going on as if she had lost her senses, dashing herself about, shrieking and clutching a letter which she still held in her hand. From the in- coherent words Mrs. Rangel let drop, the servant gathered that something had hap pen ed 10 MT. Rangel, and she thought it best to go for me at once.
 l did all could for the poor little woman, who soon dropped back. quite exhausted by her struggles. hoped she would sleep, but in few moments she reused herself with wailing cry, and when she recognized me, she exclaimed 
 "Oh, do try to find himl It may not yet be too late l"
 "What is itp" asked gently. "As you aware would do anything to help you, but know nothing. Has MT. Ran. gel met with any accident2"
 "Worse-worse!" she cried hysteric- ally, "read that" She thrust the crum- pied letter into my hand, and burying her face in the cushions, sobbed in the most heartrending manner.
 As read the letter no longer won- dered at her grief and despair. It was from Mir. Rangel, but bore no address. He wrote:
 When you get this letter, my darling, the l man you call husband will have ceased to exist. With heartfelt contrition confess the weakness and wick kedness which | for years have kept secret in my own bosom. am gambler.
 l have not only lost every penny that was lawfully ours, but raised 900 on a forged bill, which the Westminster oank cashed. [ had every expectation of being able to take 1t up when it fell due to-day, put the man most counted on failed me at the last mo- ment, and nothing but ruin and disgrace stare me in the face. can, at least, save you from the ignominy of being a felon's wife, and leave you tree to bestow your hand on a -vorthier man in the years to come.
 love you so unselhshly that consider the sacrifice of my useless life as nothing if it lightens the burden my mad weakness has throwH upon you, am sure the Malbys and all our other kind friends will comfort and advise you in your hour of trial. pray they may not visit my shame and guilt on your innocent head, but stand by you and keep you to some