The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-07-05

preparation of grand tableau vivant in
which he was to take an. Involuntary
part. Presently door opened behind
them. Nine. Chevreul rose and faced
about. Marden mechanically followed
her example. Three ladies entered the
room, Mile. Destain leading by the hand
one closely vailed, Mrs. Vernon step
behind.
Nine. Chevreul took the young sold
ier's hand and led him forward.
Captain Marden," she said. II have
the honor to introduce you to Miss Luz
ellie Vernon"
He trembled and stood still. Deity
the vail was removed and fell to the
feet of the statue sque figure.
Marden's brain reeled, stout soldier as
he was; he put his hands to his heart
and staggered forward. He saw a pair of
eyes brimful of holy love gazing into
his. He fell upon his knees and grasped
a hand whose pressure he knew full we'll.
He heard voice he never heard before:
s'Georgel dear master! 1t is your OWE
Ariel" Surprised and bewildered--s
thousand memories rushing tumultuous-
" over his soul-his fingers relaxed
their hold upon her hand, and he fell
senscless at her feet.
When he recovered consciousness, he
found himself clasped in the arms of
the mysterious maiden who united in
her person the we'll known character
istics of his devoted follower with those
OF phantom who sometimes haunted
his dreams, but vanished ere tho dawn
of light. Turning his glance from those
eyes SO full Of anxious tenderness, it
rested upon the pale faces of the three
ladies whose romantic scheme had re-
suited. so creditably to their artistic
conception, but with more serious re-
suits than they had anticipated. But
when he opened bis eyes and the color
came again to his cheeks, Nine. Chew
reul olapped her hands in infantine glee
and declared it was the grand climax to
a romantic story.
sAnd to me-" said Mile. Destain, s'is
assigned the duty Of the chorus in the
Greek play. am to explain that which
is obscure and mysterious to the audi
ence, that is yourself, Captain Marden.
To Jabe Locke's wife am indebted for
the secret which Lucille confided to her,
and which like true woman she KEEP
inviolate even from her husband until
she saw the opportunity to divulge it to
one whom she believed would use it to
her friends advantage.
.4It was a strange coincidence that I,
who knew Mrs. Vernon's history, was
thus enabled to furnish missing link
to the identity Of her lost child, which
is now as certain as ciroumstantial evil
dence can make it. Last night | made
the secret known to Mrs. Vernon and
my aunt, and we persuaded Lucille that
the time had come to throw aside her
assumed character, and also to test the
quality of your regard for her under the
influence Of sudden revelation OF her
sex. In this I think we succeeded
she added, with a smile.
.sYou have done more,' he replied.
s.You have solved the question which |
have so often vainly asked myself
why do love this boy more than all
others, and feel his absence as some
thing gone out of my life? Truly, as
Jabe said, the mind is a mysterious es-
sence, for did / not love this woman in
spirit while believed her to be . man?
But there is something more to explain.
She has brother" 3'
.sShe Ind a brother, !" said Ninon,
#s.but he died on the return to Canada,
after his rescue by yourself. This sugg-
gested the plan which she acted upon.
She assumed his character, IN order to-
be near you. Perhaps you can "a discern 91s
her motive; If not, sheRill tell you her
h .slff ''3ss