The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-26
vou? But it is some time since we

you! But 1T Is some time since we
met
| Eyes, indeed-a long time. But
this is your wedding anniversary.
See, bear you no ill-will! Let us
| drink to it!'
"She lifted her glass to her lips.
On her finger he caught the sparkle
OF a ring-an amethyst. His hand
shook so, that his wine was spilled.
Lie knew that ring! Where did you
get that amethyst?'
Surely, you ought to know! Them
l. am forgotten! 1t was you who,
gave it, Edward.
'He sat down beside her on the
window seat; he had no strength to
stand. They were concealed by the
lace curtains. He stared in her face,
trembling. Yes, it was she; there
could be no mistake. francesca
"'Ah, at lastp she said, laughing
softly. But why do you stare so at
me?'
"T heard you were dead-dead,
years and years ago! i.
"'Oh, I am alive?'' I am all fife. I
have been in foreign countries. But
have not forgotten those old days
of ours, Edward. How sweet they
were! Have you been happy SINGER
""The happiness of lost soulsl
This is my first happy moment. Is
it real? You have changed, Frances
ca. You were never so beautiful as
this. Have you come to taunt me?'''
L am Francesca-your Frances
ca she said. But other changes
have, indeed, come to me. I am no
longer a girl. 1 have wealth and
power She leaned toward him,
fragrant and irresistible. Edward,
do you care for me still?' she whis-
pered.
His self-control forsook him. I
would give my soul for youp' hesaid.
"What a look-what smile she
gave him! Come with me, them,
said she. Come to my home; we can-
not talk here. There no one will in
terrupt us. Come. Edward'
HE hesitated. MY guests will ex-
pect-you know I am -
"She laid her soft fingers on his
hand.
Never mind them. What are
they to us? Let this be proof that
you care for me-to leave them and
come with me. Are you afraid?'
''Herose to his feet.
Let us co. he said.
HE was reckless. But the dining
saloon was now empty. The guest
had gone to the drawing-rooms and
the bands were playing a waltz.
How the music sung and throbbedI
They passed out into the hall I'M
noticed. No one seemed to heed
them. Francesca was now enveloped
in a long pearl-gray cloak, lined with
sWans-doWn. He had his hat and
coat. Her hand was on his arm.
They decended the stairs, treading
on roses. The door opened before,
them, and they went out. Her car
rage stood at the bottom of the
steps. Snow was falling; but in a
moment they wers seated side by
side in the carriage, where it was.
warm and perfumed Edward DAY.
entry could have believed himself ON
heaven. He felt the gentle touch of
her arm and shoulder. He saw the
darkness of her eyes and hair, the
pure bloom of her face.
"He loved, she loved him; what
was the world compared to that? The
carriage rolled along swiftly, on easy
springs. They we're leaving all things
all care and trouble-behind. He
bent to kiss her cheek; but she put
up her hand with tenderestcoouetry.
Not yet, Edward" she murmured.
Wait! wait!,
'At length the carriage stopped.:
they were at her home. They alig ht-
ed; he followed her up the steps, and:
into the softly lighted hall. AS the
door closed behind them she turned
to smile Oh him-a smile of love and
invitation She went on into an in
ner room, pushing aside the heavy
curtains that hung in the doorway
Here all was warm, sumptuous,
luxurious, softly lighted. In the
middle of the room she turned upon
him with an enchanting gesture.
"Now-the kiss!' she said.
ellis lips were almost on hers. Sud-
denly she lifted her two hands to the
sides of her face, and her whole face
seemed to come away, as one removes
a mask. Beneath was disclosed a
bare, grinning skull, with fragments
of earth and mold clinging to it. A
cold damp scent Of death emanated
from it. Something seemed to burst
in Daventry's head. He uttered an
awful scream, and fell to the floor
senseless.'
The doctor stopped and relighted
his pipe. My eyes fell on the skull be-
side him.
"What does this mean? I faltered.
Is that all?"
"a mere hallucination. of course.''
said the doctor, chuckling. Daven-
try's brain had given way on that
evening, as I had warned him it
would. He imagined he saw this
woman, and he followed the specter
into the street. An odd coincidence,
by the way: he was found the next
morning, nearly frozen to death, and
OlIite ma6-wharo do vou s,,p,oeo2,S