The Forrest City times., 1891-08-14

Smiths hospitality. He was evidently in an extremely perturbed state of mind, and. when Michael hoped he had slept we'll, he. answered shortly that, on the contrary, he had passed a very disturbed night indeed.
 The following day Miss Lamia Smith received this letter:
 HARLEY STREET, W, Oct. 6.
 s'Dear Miss Smith: By an extraordiu ary concatenation of circumstances have become the depository of most tragical secret, having very intimate connection with your family. It is secret, which from its very nature, 1 know you to be ignorant of-a secret which, if you ever did become aware of it, would hopelessly embitter your existence but still 1t is 8 secret which need never be made known, and in being uniformed of which you will be most happy.
 As have more than once told you, consider that between those who are des- tined to be united in marriage there should be no concealment. You will, therefore, I am sure, realize with mo that, terrible though it is to utter these words of fare well, I am bound to ask you to release me from an engagement which untoward cir cumstances render practically impossible. 1 pray you not to ask me to be more ex- plicit It would only be under the most stringent compulsion that I could be in- duced to divulge what by such an extra ordinary coincidence has come to my knowledge. am, yours sincerely, '
 CHARLES CARIoUs.
 Lamia promptly handed the letter to her father and watched his face.
 "Why, what the blazes is the fellow referring to?" roared Mr. Smith when he had read it. with his concatena- tion of circumstances, and his tragic al secret, which would embitter your existence if you ever became aware of it. and his not being induced to di- vulge it but under the most stringent compulsion? Why, suppose the fel- low thinks we shall bring an action against him for breach of promise of marriage and force him in the witness box to give his reasons for jilting you. What did 1 tell you, Lamia? This Sawbones isn't the man for you, and you're we'll rid of him."
 The long and short of the matter was that Mir. Smith undertook. with Lamia's consent. to write reply to Dr. Curious. which reply, as may be imagined was clothed in language rather more strong than curteous, and in which he told him that nothing could exceed his regret that he had ever been engaged to his daughter ex- eept his joy that he had now ceased to be so.
 A few moments later Dr. Carious read the announcement in the Times of the marriage between Michael Care- less of Montreal. Can, and Lamia daughter of Joseph Smith of Rabnet manor Crampshire. He at once sat down and dispatched a small, care- fully-packed parcel to the bridegroom.
 Why, Michael. here's belated wedding present I do believe" cried Lamia, the morning after their return from their honeymoon to her fathers house, 'Its addressed to you and do believe the handwriting is Dr. Carious'."
 Let me see it, said Careless and
 
 parcel. Under the paper was wooden box with sliding lid. As he pulled this away piece of paper fluttered to the ground Lamia picked it up and read aloud the following extraordinary note:
 ''Sir-Inclosed send you what circum- stances forces me to believe are your !, lpxx .', T do as you think fit about returning them. after so long q separation, to their original owner, l am yours, faithfully. c. C.n
 While Lamia was reading this letter aloud, Michael was gazing. with a broad smile upon his face. at small bottle which he held in his hand. and which contained, in spirits of wine, D very remarkable object. The object was the toe piece of stout boot with ! felt sole, containing five human toes md the fragment of a thick woolen sock, cut as cleanly off booted foot IS though it were the section of a Ger nan sausage. Pasted on the bottle vas fragment of newspaper dated ust forty years ago. Michael volun- eered to read it aloud. It contained partial description of what had evidently been ghastly tragedy. Among other things it 'tated that the room in which murder or the sake of plunder had been, con- nitted was in a state of terrible con- usion, which evidenced that desper- ste struggle had taken place, and that he deceased had evidently. at one ime during the encounter been in pos 'ession of a large axe which my on he floor. since the only trace of the murderer left behind was the toe piece ,f his boot. cut clean off, with the five ,oes remaining in it. These last words were underlined Tn ed ink. and in writing was added evil iently by Dr. Curious father Owner of the toes still at large and now two years since murder was committed.
 JOHN CARIoUs.
 And what the deuce does 1t meanr' cried Mir Smith.
 Well" said Michael rather shame Iacedly for he was uncertain what sort of reception his story would re- ceive, .'the fact is, I saw this curiosity in Dr. Carious' museum the night I dined with him, and when he came down to shoot with ma 1 took the liberty of blocking up aM the toes of your right boots. and--and- chose to draw the unwarrantable inference
 -'
 You mean that you chose to make b n, holiara tO fnru sr1 vou~ ovp ,>av