Year: 1862

Was your mothe's name Lilianp and there

 was something in the tone of her voice that

 startled me. ~

 Her name was Flora-Flora May. Was il

 not sweet namef

 Very pretty, and the glowing intensity oi

 her eye, as met it's gaze, made my heart throb

 with strange sensation. as -.s.

 I can't tell where she was buried. Once

 when asked my father, he said it was far away

 and we would go to the place of my birth when

 I was older. My father was 50 lonely after my

 mothers death that he sold his home in New

 York and removed to Ohio. I have no recol

 lection of my first home, but shall ask my father to take me there before we return to Ohio.'

 And your father loved his wife1'

 What strange question: said. Yet she appeared to have spoken without thought. If he had not loved her, do you think he would years?'

 T have headache, and shall retire. Mrs. Thornton said, rising, and coming to my side, she kissed me tenderly, and with flushed cheek

 left the library.

 For long time sat gazing into the dying coals Were her questions the magic key that had unlocked the casket where the memories of my childhood were stored? could not tell.-

 Yet there came dim remembrance of a time when was playing in the garden and strange face peered into mine, as some one clasping me in her arms kissed me again and again, while my face was wet with tears. 1 never knew whence she came or whither she went. and it seemed strange that dim memory should come back then. It passed, and bright dream fitted be- fore my waking vision-my father would return in few months he would meet Mrs. Thorn ton she was so gentle and winning he would not fail to be pleased with her, and might be permitted to call her mother!

 My hand was on the knob to open the door, but hesitated. It was late, and the house was still. How easy it would be to solve the myste- ry, and Mrs. Thornton never know it. For months that yelled picture had haunted my walk ing and sleeping visions, why should longer perplex my mind with vain conjecture; and crossing the library, placed the lamp so it's light would fall directly upon the picture. Was it the rustling of the silk or the faint echo of

 gentle footsteps that startled me but, listening intently, found all silent within and without An it was the whispering of the still small

 voice, and should heed its promptings? She would not know it, curiosity whispered so : raised the veil but as my eye caught glimpse : of glded frame the drapery fell from my hand

 I remembered my promise neuer to raise that veil, and turned away, wondering why so cost ly frame was hidden beneath those dark folds From that night the mystery of the library deepened. I had Q nervous dread of being left alone with that yelled picture, and my imagina

 tive mind pictured scene of horror that would } thrill every nerve and freeze my hearts blood My father returned, and when told him how F kind Mrs. Thornton had been he called to thank ) her in person, but she was ill aud could not leave her room. Wondering what could agitatt her so, returned to my father. saying she woult be better in day or two, and he must not leav' . the city without seeing her. But he was firm il his decision to leave the next day, and mus 3 accompany him. Then I expressed wish tt : visit my mothers grave. He drew me to hi , side, and with his arm encircling me, and my t head resting upon his bosom, told me of m. mother. To him the memory of the past wa ? painful, and mingled my tears with those o my father, while again I seemed to see tha , strange face peering into mine. '. In two hours I would leave my kind friend and was going without the mystery of the Ii

 brary being solved; so I ven:ured to hint tha when came to visit her next year. hoped tt see the yelled picture unveiled. She did not re ply, but taking my hand led me to the library : She would tell me all, she said, for perhaps WI l might never meet again.

 Mrs. Thornton told her story briefly. Sh'

 was the only child of wealthy parents, and mar : ried at the age of nineteen. For three year she was happy in the pleasant home to which , her husband took her then cloud of mdnigh !. darkness overshadowed that home. Some ont 7 envying her, circulated reports injurious to he reputation, and these coming to her husband ! : ears, he, being naturally of jealous disposition

 believed them. The wife loved her husband de votedly and being innocent, how could she beal

 patiently his taunts and uncalled for surveillance So she proposed returning to her pa. ental home ! and the husband said Go, only she must leave t her child. She did go, and three years after her parents being dead, she went to Europe s where she remained eight years. Returning te ; America, she came to New Haven, where, un e der the assumed name of Thornton, she had since resided Once she visited the home of her bus

 band during his absence, and bribing the house 2 keeper by the presence of we'll filled purse . procured his portrait; and in all her wanderings it had been her companion, though closely veil t ed, lest some one should recognize it, and thus f her early history become food for idle gossip Then too, she had seen her child, and for - brief moment pressed it to her bosom, but word e could not express the agony of her breaking + heart as she turned away from her child.

 l. Your husbands name,' l said, sinking at he r. feet. and gazing wonderingy into her pale fac' If and dark liquid eyes, bent so lovingly upou me

 for strange hope made my heart throb wildly

 T cannot repeat his name, but you may lool if upon his counterpart she said rising.