Year: 1863

Il have a headache, ard shall retire." Mrs
Thornton said, rising; and coming to my sid'
she kissed me tenderly, and with flushed


cheek left the library.


For long time sat gazing into the dyiBg
Goals. Were her questions the magic key thOt
had unlocked the casket where the memories


Of my childhood were stored? I could not
tell Yet there came dim remembrance Of a


time when l was playing 10 the garden and a
strange face peered into mine, as some one
clasped me in her arms, and kissed me again
and again, while my face wet with tears
/ / never knew whence she came or whittier she


went, and it seemed strange that dim memory
should come back then; it passed and bright
dream fitted before my waking visiou-my
father would return in a few months; be would
meet Mrs. Thornton; she was so gentle and
winning that he could not fail to be pleased
with her. and l might be permitted TO call her
mother!


My hand was on the knob to open the door,
but | hesitated. Il was late, ard the house was
stili How easy it would be to solve the mys-
terry and Mrs. Thornton never know it. For
months that veiled picture had haunted my
waking and sleeI ing visions; why should
longer perplex my mind with vain eoDjeetures
and, crossing the library, placed the lamp SO
that its light would fall directly upon the pic
ture.


Was it the rustling of silk or the faint echo
OF gentle footsteps that startled me? But
listening intently, found all silent within and
without. All! it was the whispering of the
still small voicS, and should l heed It's prompt
sb, III u
whispered; so raised the veil; but, as my
eye caught a glimpse of a gilded Frame the
drapery fell from my hand. l remembered my
promise never to raise the veil, and l turned
away wondering why so costly fame was
hidden beneath those dark folds.


From that night the mystery of the library
deepened l had a nervous dread of being
left alone with the veiled picture, and my i'm
aginatiVe mind pictured a scene of horror that
would thrill every nerve and freeze my heart s
blood


My father returned, and when l told him
how kind Mrs. Thornton bad been, he called to
thank her in person; but she was i'll and could
not leave her room. Wondering what could
agitate her so, returned to my father saying
she would be better in day or two, and that
he must not leave the city until be had seen
her. But be was firm in his decision to leave
the next day, and | must accompany him.
Then expressed wish 10 visit my mothers
grave. He drew me to his side, and with his
arm eBcireling me, and my head resting on his
bosom, he told me of nv mother. To him the
memory of the past was painful, and l mingled
my tears with those of my father. while again
l seemed to see that strange face peering into
mine.


In two hours would leave my kind friend
and l was going without the mystery of the
library being solved; SO ] ventured to hint
that when l came to visit her next year,
hoped to see the picture unveiled. She did not
reply, but taking my hand led me to the libra
ry. She would tell me all. she said-for per-
haps we might never meet again.


Mrs. Thornton told her story briefly. She |
was the only child of wealthy parents, and
married at the age of nineteen. For three
years she was happy in the pleasant home to
which her husband took her. Then cloud of
midnight darkness overshadoWed that home
Some one envying her, circulated reports in
furious to her reputation, and these coming to
her husbands ear, he, being naturally of
jealous disposition, believed them. The wife |
loved her husband devotedly, and being inno-
cent, how could she bear patiently his tauats
and uncalled for surveillance. She proposed |
returning to her paternal home, and her bus-
band was willing, only she must leave her
child


She did go, and three years after, her par
ents being dead she went to Europe, where
she remained eight years. Returning to A
merica, she went to New Haven, where under
the name of Thornton, she has since resided.
Once she visited the home of her husband du-
ring his absence, and bribing the housekeep-
er by the present of well filed purse, procur-
ed his portrait and in all her wanderings it
had been her companion, though closely veiled
least some one should recognize it, and thus
her early history became food for idle gossip.
Then, too, she had seen her child and for
brief period pressed it 10 her bosom, but
words could not express the agony of her
breaking heart as she turned away from her
child


our husbands name ?" l said sinking at
her feet, and gazing WOnderingly into her pale
face and dark liquid eyes bent so lovingly up
Oh me, for strange hope made my heart
throb wildly.


cannot repeat his name but you may look
upon his counterpart" she said rising.


Slowly, almost reveTently, she put back the
folds of that silken veil, while l stood half
breathless beside her. Was it a dream, or
was it reality? There was no mistaking that
likeness; and invOluntarily the words /" my fa-
ther " burst from my lips. Then like a swift
ly moving panorama, it all passed before my
mind, and throwing my arms around her neck
called her.,


My mother-my long lost mother! My
father told me all yesterday" said, when
became more calm. He learned the reports
were without foundation. and hearing you had
gone 10 Europe, for three years has he sought
you there, and his heart is sad because he ca
find no trace Of you. Will you see him?'


She did not reply, but read her answer in
the beaming eye; and hastily donning my
bonnet and mantle, ran to the hotel, where
surprised my father by running breathess to
his room.


Come with me; Mrs Thornton will see
you now" l said nervously clutching his arm
aud pulling him toward the door; but he resist
ed asking what had occurred 10 excite me So
was not there that could explain, so he fol-
lowed my rapid footsteps along the street and
up the shaded walk; but when l threw open
the door to the library, be paused.


"She is here come" | said, drawing him
into the library.


She had risen. How lovely she locked then
her pale brow. her bright eye, and Grim
spot burning on either cheek. One Eo
ment my lather stood as though chained to
the spot, and then advancing exclaimed


"Flora, my wiieP