The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-14

tons letters that she had preserved among her few treasures, sealed them in a jar and carried them down into the garden when darkness hid her ac- tions. She knew of a deep hole in the old pear tree. There she deposited the letters and buried them deep
 mold She trained some ivy over the little grave and then stood there for a moment, lingering like any mourner, by the newly finished tomb.
 The night was still and dim. sud denly a shadow became distinct and marked She looked sharply. It took shape and grew white and black A tall, sable-robed, snowy-veiled woman stood before her.
 Lucy Snowe neither fled nor shrieked. The shape stood mute It had no face, masked with white cloth But there were eyes and they viewed her. l, Miss Snowe desperately stretched forth a hand. The figure receded. She followed. It recedes still. mass of shrubs suddenly hid 1t. Miss Snowe darted around the obstacle and saw nothing. She waited for moment and gasped: "If you have any errand to me, come back and deliver it." Nothing
 spoke or reappeared.
 If she had any doubt as to the real
 ity of the vision it was dispelled soon afterward when Professor Paul told her that he, too, had seen something in the old garden.
 His confidence came after plme. Beck had told her a strange story. In you n Professor Paul had loved young girl,
 Justine, Marie, the daughter of rich l parents, at a time when his own pres l poets were excellent. Unfortunately i his father failed suddenly and died, i leaving behind nothing except debts. i The girls relatives thereupon for
 bade her marriage, her grandmother.
 lent and malignant. The mild Marie,
 too good to be false, but too weak to
 withstand her family, withdrew to a
 convent and died there.
 1 Lasting anguish took possession of M
 Paul, and the truth of that love and grief
 was shown in a manner that touched 1 Miss Snowe deeply. Some years after 1 Justine Maries death her family became i involved in ruin, too. Her father died 1 of shame, for infamy was added to his 1 financial distress. When he died he left 1 his wife and Mime. Walraven to beggary l but the most true-hearted lover of their daughter came to the rescue. He devoted 1 three-fourths on his income to their SUD- l port, and while he himself dwelled in one
 small room without servant, they who 1 once had turned him away with scorn | lived in handsome house provided by 1 him.
 By this arrangement they told Miss l Snowe he has rendered 1t impossible to l himself every to marry. He has given ! himself to God and to his angel bride l as if he were a priest.
 Miss Snowe was quick to see the yelled
 allusion. To Mme Becks sleepless eye ! and velvet footstep no secret was un- l attanable. Lucy realized that they had 1 told her the tale for g. purpose. and with i little study she saw the purpose. Mime l Beck was not disposed unfavorably her
 self to M Paul; that was one reason l The other was that the family whom he 1 was supporting were the Madames close 1 relatives and nobody chose to lose the , useful income for the benefit of plain English teacher.
 l Lucy Snowe, with quick resolution, told l Professor Paul what she had learned
 about him. It was in the dark alley, al
 dusk. He was silent for while. Lucy