Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-26
CHAPTER XIV.

By and by she opened her eyes, and they
rested upon my face. 1t was obvious that
she saw me; her blindness had been cured.
Almost at once, however, she closed her eyes
again; and for little while she lay still,
like one half asleep.
Suddenly she drew quick deep breath,
sat up, and looking me intently in the eyes,
asked, "Well? Is it over?''
''Yes, dear, it is over" replied.
"Well, then, it is a failure, total, alb
ject failure. have not lost my memory.
have forgotten nothing. Iremember every
thing. Ny memory was never clearer or
more circumstantisl. And you-you said
there was no chance of failprer'
With these words, she sighed, and fell
back upon her pillow while 1, with deadly
sickness at the heart, realized that the worst
which had feared had come to pass. She
was Louise MaSsarte now. Where was
Miriam Benary? She was Louise Massarte
She had begun at the exact point where
Louise Massarte had left of. And the
operation which she had in mind when she
asked, SIS it over?" was the operation that
had performed upon her nearly five years
gone by.
Where was Miriam Benary? What had
become of that sweet and innocent personal
ity? And of the love with which she had
blessed our ives?~
"Yes, you have failed, you have failed"
she said again. Then all at once starting
up, and speaking passionately, "0h, why
did you interfere with me last night? Why
did you cross my path and thwart my. will?
Why did You not let me die then, when it
would have been so easy? Why did you
bring me here to your house, to fill me and
intoxicate me with hopes that were doomed
TO be disappointed? Oh, it was cruel, it
was cruel, of you. I was insane to listen to
you. I was mad to place any sort of cred
ence in what you said. 1t was SO palpable
q fairy tale. 1 ought to have known that
you promised the impossible. 1 ought to
haye-~But it is not too late. Leave me.
Leave the room. Let me get up and dress
myself and go away. Where is your sister?
She put away my clothes. Send her to me.
/ Twill not be detained here longer"
What could 1 do? What could saw?
''Oh, Miriam, Miriam" faltered help
lessly, ''calm yourself For heavens sake
lie quiet. You will work yourself into a
fever, into delirium. Your agitation may
cost you your life. Lie quiet and let me
think. Ny poor wits are distraught.
She caught at the name, Miriam.
Miriam? Who is Miriam? Have not
told you nv name? Why do you call me
by another? Do you wish to mock me? to
OH OIL my headi' She screamed
sharply, putting her hand to her head,
'What have you done to me? What have
you done to my head? Oh, had such a
paint shot through my head. Oh, fool,
imbecile, that 1 was, ever to enter your
house,
At this juncture the door opened, and
Fairchild entered.
81 could wait outside no longer" he ex-
planned. "I heard her scream. L cannot
stay away from her."
To my unspeakable amazement, she, at
the sight of her husband (whom, had
every reason to suppose, she would not recog-
nize), started violently, and catching her
breath, exclaimed, "Whatl You'll Henry
Fairchildl Herel''
''Yes, dear Miriam" Fairchild answered,
coming forward, and putting out his hand
70 take hold OF hers.
But she drew quickly away from him.
Miriam againl Miriaml What farce is
this9 Am / in mad house7 Are you both
maniacs, that you call me Miriam2 Or is
{ charade you are acting tor M, ,bewiider-