The morning times., 1895-07-07

roDelln hanglngS. the great mirrors framed
IL aIiiDaAteT, the moony lamps, the high
vases hedpcd with red roses the lounges
heaped with s.lsen cushions, The Dresden
ana silver, the beautiful girls getting into
iAelr princely furs. talking scandal like
dpwagers, her sister Babs face with the
scarlet on both cheeks. and her own white
ana angry, in the glass, as the marble
Diana behind her
1t was while the last dinner guests that
night were sun saying tel.der nothings to
bab, as she leaned against the mantel
and the low freight played on the satin
sheen of her white gown Till she looked as if
taxing life from fIame-tintcd jewel, that
a slender shape slipped Witty down the
steps and passed along in the shadow of
tue hodSeS like shadow herself THE girl
had never been in the street at night
before without attendance: every sound
a'ius shted her, She shrank even behind
her veil from every pasSerby As soon as
she had turned the corner she brought
into palmer sight the large parcel she
carried, that she might pass the more
readily as maid. A half hours rapid
walk and she ran up some steps 10
make sure of number, rang the door
bell, said something explanatory to the
man that answered il. passed in ard
followed him 90 the door OF a room up
one flight OF The broad, low stairway
there
The room was ir confusion. a leather
box and a ponmanteau lay packed ard
strapped by the door There were empty
and dIs2olOred spaces on the walls W here
pictures had hung, brackets had held
their busts and great cases and CebiEets
had stood II was plain to see in its
diSmantled state that 1t had lately been
a place OF luxury.
a man sat there. with his head bowed
upon his arms as they lay along the
table, IN an attitude of utter detection.
He did not look up when the door opened
and closed. But the girl crossed the room
quickly. and standing behind Lin stopped
with her arm laid across his shoulder
H lifted his head. looking straight before
him. Il suppose it is a dream,' he said,
half 10 himself IF you are a dream''-
Il am not a dream, Jack" she said,
bending lower, her soft. cold cheek touch
ing his. Il am Felicia"
Thare was silence in heaven for the
space OF ha'f an hour For one moment
there was silence and rapture here And
then the transfer men came Tor the lug
gag. And this parcel, too" said Felicia.
"Felcia!' he exclaimed.
This parcel" she repeated. "YOu
know I cannot go back after coming here"
she said when they We're alone again.
Il have burned my ships behind me"
DO you mean it?'' he exclaimed joy
ously And then his tone fell "Ithought-
oh. Yes; certainly, / must take you home
before my train leaves"
You viii tak" me home? My home is
with you. Jack"
You don't know what you sayl'' he an
Swerei her "Oh, no: ] cannot accept
the sacuficer' the eager CLEAN OF his
eyes belying his words
Jack" She mumured, "the sacrifice
was in my coming here UnasECd "
''YOu knew loved you, you knew loved
You! And then this crash came-and
there WAS nothing Tor me 10 say-to you,
who have lain in the lilies and fed on the
roses Of life. / whose part was the husks?"
Yes. knew it or / would not have
come" she replied, and she moved away
from him, going about the room, and paus-
ing in the curtainless window place, where