Year: 1878

allowing my Berlin work to fall un-
needed on my lap, while my eyes wan
dered here and there, surveying with
fond pride my possessions.


Many Of the pictures on the wall, the
bronzes on the mantel, the clock, chair
here and there, had been my bridal
presents and as only one short year
had passed since came to my kingdom,
l had had no time TO get weary.


A year ago, and had then thought
myself a happy girl. 1 had yet to learn
the full happiness which comes 10 every
loved and loving wife but l had espc-
cial cause for gratitude in a fact which
might present pain.


Before 1 met Will, my husband, had
been engaged toa young man, by a very
few years my senior, when some one
discovered his father and grandfather
before HIM had died inmates OF a lunatc
asylum.


My parents Immediately broke of TIE
engagement, and l was too sensible not
too bow to their decree. For time |
was very miserable, but soon after
met Will, and learned that into his keep.
ing had passed the one true love Of my
life, and he held it so tenderly, so sa.
credly, that soon there was not even a
scar to mark the old wound.


But the tears came freely to nay eyes,
nor did Will reproach me with them
when, some six months after my mar
rage, learned in the full flush of my
happiness, that Victor Struthers' sad
fate had overtaken him, and that he,
too, had followed in the steps Of those
gone before that never again the light
of reason would shine within his eyes
or the words OF love he so well knew
how to utter fall from his lips.


These thoughts slowly come back to-
night as sit alone-the first evening l
had spent alone since my marriage but
Will had been called away by import
ant business, and would not be back uH
til late, perhaps not until tomorrow.


Once more the tears Came within my
eyes as l contrasted my lot with VIC
tors or shuddered at the fate which
would have been mine had I followed
my first mad impulse to be his at any
cost.


ct, had not the loss of the girl he
loved hastened his doom The physi-
clan said not; but their verdict would
not satisfy my nervous dread. l sighed
a long, tremulous Sigh at this latter
thought.


And surely - was it imagination p
somewhere within the room the sigh
was re-echoed.


We had in the month of roses TIVE
long French windows, draped with blue
satin and lace, opened on ycrandah,
which. as the evening was cool, were
closed and fastened /; but as l glanced
rouad, with strange misgivlng at my
heart, l saw the folds of one tremble.


The window must then be open yet
l felt no air.


With this thought / arose from my
seat, stepping forward to ascertain the
cause, but had barely taken a single
step when l stopped, my blood frozen,
unable to make another movement, OF
even part my lips to scream for help.


On the blue surface was a mans
hand-no rufian's hand, but white and
handsome,


A ring cleaned on one Of the fingers
and on its luster my eyes rested, fascin'
ated as the dove by the serpent. Where
had seen that ring before? Somewhere
surely, where, my tortured mind could
not reason.


Then summoning all my strength and
courage, with desperate effort l turned
TO leave the room. Once put closed
door between myself and that white
hand, whose invisible owner might at
any moment step from his concealment,
might know what best could be done.


Now 1 was blind with terror, and
could scarcely see, though the room was
brilliantly lighted, TO crepe my way to
the door.


At last, approached 1t, and stretch
ed out my arm to open the way to free
dom, when five white fingers, one bear
ing the cleaning ring, were laid on
mine, and slowly drew me back into The
roem.


Look at ne?' said voice. 1t is
your work-you need net fear.'


Then l realized the truth and, glanc'
ING up, saw Victor Struthers standing
before me.


Ny first sensation was of relief. His
eyes, peering into NINE, were lit by the
old softness around his mouth was the
old smile ; and. though his words were
bitter, his handsome face was only kind


Could he be mad


Or had recovery come to him, spite
Of the physicians hopeless decree'


laughed a nervous laugh as l an
swered, How could you so startle me-
Victor? What a strange way to pay me
visit? Surely you could not doubt
your welcome?


Il have not yet received it, he re-
piled, though have walked one hun
dred miles that he might give it to me,
| take no welcome but the old one,
Elsie


And he stopped as If to kiss me, but