Year: 1868

 construction. Its low, narrow front was on the Rue Royal, near the corner of Bienvillc, with massive oaken door literally bound with large bars of iron which some of the neighbors never re- membered to have seen opened during daylight. Then, anybody who would have taken the pains to watch unob- served might perceive and count scores, and even hundreds, approach although not more than one ortwo at time, and by giving three distinct, and, as it seem ed peculiar knocks, and whispering some secret sign-words in the porter's ear, received admission. z 1e4f l

 At the date when the incident hap pened which am about to relate there was cold Christmas night, long re- membered in the South as an extraor- dinary occurrence for such genial lati- tudes. The wind blew almost hurri- cane, while the mingled snow, sleet and rain drove everybody from the streets and thoroughfares who had any roof for shelter or who was not kept out by the power of some mighty motive or strong passion.

 i Itwas about the middle of this tenn pestuous night when solitary female might be seen advancing with timid and faltering steps down the Rue Roy al, from the direction of Canal street, until she reached point Immediately opposite the old frame building pre- viously described, when she paused, as if uncertain as to her further progress, and leaning against a lamp-post gave vent to an uncomfortable grief The flickering rays of the lamp above her head revealed enough of her dress to show that it was of the richest materi- al notwithstanding it's drenched and dropping condition from the rain while diamonds sparklea on her fingers, and a heavy watch chain of pure gold en- circled her neck. A single glance only was sufficieni.to render apparent her in- comparable beauty, although the bril- liant fire of her dark eyes looked dim through one continuous flow of tears, and her face was of a deadly paleness.

 Whatever might be the occasion of her coming forth into the dismal temp est, it evidently had something to do with that old frame house before allud- ed to, for, approaching it slowly, and with measured steps she rang the door bell. The summons received no re- sponse. It was iterated several times, and perhaps a little angrily also. She then snatched up brick bat from the ground, and struck the iron- bound oaken plank three times with all the force of her arm. This seemed to have the desired effect, for very soon the door was partially opened, and voice hoarse and full of wrathful menace ex- claimed--"Who are you, that dare dis turb peaceful people at this heur?"

 q am an unhappy woman," was the sad and tremulous answer.

 "What the devil do you want ?" ask H ed the harsh voice.

 q want to come in and see my hus- band," was the beseeching reply.

 "Who is your husband?" inquired the other, in the same ungrac:ous tone.

 "Mayor Ryan" she responded, 'for Gods sake let me see him."

 q do not know any such man. said the voice.

 "Oh! do not say so,r she implored, "because l have seen him enter the door every night during the past week.

 "It is false!" replied the voice in more gutteral and angry accents than ever. ''It is false, and if you do not leave here instantly, will set the dogs on you. Here, Tigerr'

 An ominous and savage growl was heard from within, and a great hairy head protruded itself from the half open door. The wretched woman re- treated in alarm, and the shutter was slammed to and boted again. She stopped, however, at her former sta- ton by the lamp. post, and yielded to another convulsion of grief more aw- full to behold than the first. Indeed, she was so over-powered by her dis pairing thoughts that she did not no- tice the advance ofa man up the street until he advanced within three feet of where she stood, and addressed her in tones of politeness, not unmixed with gentle commiseration.

 "You appear to be in distress said the stranger, 'scan l do anything for you?' ulf

 She started suddenly, and endeavor- ed to scan his countenance, but the gloom was too intense and the light of the lamp too faint to allow any satis- factory examination. However, as the voice was not only kind, but very re- spectful, she answered in accents the most mournful ever heard-Oh sir, l am miserable beyond human endur- ance, and yet no one can aid me-"

 "You should not give up to such a despondipg idea" he urged in still more impassionate manner, 'we can al- ways assist one another with our ad- vice and sympathy, if nothing more. Tell me what is the subject of your grief?"

 She reflected a moment, and tho thought occurred to her that, perhaps. if she revealed the truo cause of her sorrow, the other might by some means procure admittance into the house from which she had lately been driven away and this decided her to make the dis