Year: 1878

health improved so did it become the NOR
manifest that his mind was gone. Tht
blow on the head had been too much fol
him and though his life was spared, and hi
strength, comparatively speaking, restored
yet it was only to be an imbecile; simple
and harmless, it is true, but none the less
an imbecile. Stevenson, confined to his
cabin, had-as much as prudence and hel
duties to her father allowed-been cheereC
by visits from the noble girl. These visits
were necessarily few and short, but still
they were sufficient to assure him of hel
undying love and confidence. She could
not but confess that appearances were very
much against him, that dark cloud over
shadowed him; yet she could not for a
moment believe that he whom she thought
the very embodiment of all that was good,
could be guilty of so foul crime. What
tongue can tell the pleasure these sweet
assurances gave to Stevenson Supported
by them and his own inner consciousness,
he could defy the rest. The evidence a.
gainst him might be clear, and his chan
ces of refuting it apparently very small,
vet his trust in God was never shaken; he
kneg there must be another explanation
of the evidence, and he believed in due
time the explanation would appear"


"Such was the position Of affairs when
the Stirling Castle arrived in the Thames.
Stevenson was taken before the magis-
trates; and upon the evidence already
narrated, was formally committed for trial,
some of the principal passengers being
bound over to appear when called upon.
will not attempt to describe the parting
between the lovers; it was hard to bear
hard for Rose, although she was going to
comfortable home, surrounded by friends;
but how doubly hard for Stevenson, who
was not only parted from his hearts idol,
but was going to felon's cell with stig-
ma on his name. What wonder that he
was overcome, that his courage failed him.
that he fairly broke down. But over this
I draw veil; manhood's tears are terri
BILE to see, and can only flow from a
hearts agony"


"Rose, too, was fearfully prostrated and
almost heart broken; but like brave lit
tie woman, as she was, she collected her
self, and knowing her lovers safety de-
pended on her exertions, she set herself
firmly about the task. Now it happened
that Rose had a godfather, with whom
she had been a great favorite before she
went to India. This was DIR. Bailey, a
man of considerable repute in his profes'
sion. As a girl, Rose had always been
accustomed to take her little joys and
griefs to him, sure of welcome. No
wonder then that in this the sorest strait
of her life, she would fly to her most val
ued friend. She did so; and there, sit
ting at his feet, as in old and happy times,
she told him all-told of Stevenson's no.
bleness and worth, of his love for her, and
-blushing the while-of her love for him.
Then she spoke of the murder of the old
servant, and her voice trembled as she
told of the horror of that night; then she
passed on to speak of the suspicious against
Stevenson not one fact did she conceal
but her voice was no longer low and trem-
bling, but firm and indignant that any
should so Judge him. But how quailed
her heart when she looked up and saw the
grave and doubtful expression of the good
doctors face; and when he repeated her
words and reminded her of the will, Of
Stevenson's presence in the cabin, of the
empty box found in his room, and above
all, of the writing of the General, all
pointing so conclusively to Stevenson, she
saw at once that he also believed her lover
guilty. For moment her own heart and
her faith almost failed her, and she, too,
felt inclined to yield to the weight of evil
dence. But shaking off the feeling with
shudder, as though some noxious reptile
had touched her, she poured out such a
passionate food of eloquence in defence OF
her lover, that the doctor, catching her
enthusiasm, was compelled to yield to her
powerful conviction. Seeing this, Rose
fell on his breast, and in passionate burst
of tears, kissed him and called him her
good kind friend.


"When they were little calmer the
doctor said although we may believe
him innocent, yet our belief will not save
him unless we can bring forth proof l
will come round and see my old friend,
the General" "


"Alas said Rose, "that would be use
less. He remembers nothing, and even if
he did, his evidence is strong against
Stevenson. But come by all means.


~ will. In the dim light of the cabin
he may have been mistaken in his man,


"Rose shook her head, and vet even this
tiny ray of hope sent thrill through her
heart. "My father may have been mis-
taken," she whispered to herself, but again
her spirits sunk when she remembered his
condition.


"The next morning DIR. Bailey, true to
his word, called upon Rose, and brought
with him DIR. Smyth, man who had
made all the phases of insanity his special
study. After time they were shown
into the Generals room, and found him
sitting up, cheerfully playing with a skein
of silk. A very few minutes served to
convince them that he was quite an i'm
beetle, and had no rational idea of what
was passing around him. But when DIR.
Smyth was told that this resulted from q
blow on the head, he evinced more inter
est in the matter, and asked to be allowed
to examine the scar. This he did, and
the examination was long and careful.
At length, calling DIR. Bailey to one side,
a whispered conversation took place be-
tween them"


"All this time Rose was very nervous
and anxious for the result. At last her
godfather, turning to her, said :-'My
good friend here thinks it just possible that
your fathers reason may be restored, The
fact is the blow on the head has broken
the skull, and owing to not very skillful
treatment when the wound was healing,
small piece of bone is left pressing on the
brain. If this we're removed, it is proba-
BILE reason would be restored. Ofcourse,"
he continued, "your father will have to
undergo an operation but this is not ne
cessarily dangerous. 1 will send you some
medicine and you must nurse him care
fully for the next few days, and then, if
we think him strong enough, it shall be
DONE"


"Rose heard all this, but it can scarcely
be said that she understood it, SO far be-
yond her fondest hopes did it all appear