Year: 1874

fingers fastened beneath it the strings
of her bonnet.


But at length her last task was com
pleted. Everything about the room
wore the usual look of neatness, and
as the the tall clock in the kitchen
struck the hour of mindnight, Rose
Harrignton opened her chamber door
and stepped out into the dark entry.
Then she stopped as if she had forgot,
ten something; for right in front OF
her was the chamber of Mrs. Raymond,
and in it lay the sleeping babe, the
purest brightest thing about the old
home she was so soon to leave for
ever.


She could not 90 without one kiss.


She would 60 very softly; so with
out a second thought, she quietly
made her way to the little old-fashion-
ed crib, and, in spite of herself, sob
escaped her as she once more felt the
pressure Of the little clinginc, pinkish
palm within her own hot hand.


That sob aroused Ariel Raymond
from her light slumber She raised
herself on one elbow inquiringly just
as Rose closed the door behind her !;
bnt her quick ear detected the light
step, while her womans instinct told
her something was wrong.


Rising hastily, she hurried on her
clothing, keeping watch lest the
gate should open and she not hear it;
and when Rose Harrington passed
down the narrow back stairs Of the
old farm house, even her light step
awoke a third party, who quickly com
pretended the state of affairs as he
hurried on his clothing, and crossed
the entry to the chamber OF Vivian
Wallace before he censured lest his
censure shonld be wrongly dealt. But
no; the room was empty, silent and
lsne! Not dent upon the pillows,
not a stray article about. Everything
was neat as usual, and still.


With bitter, bitter fear in his
heart, Lincoln Patten hurried down to
the old kitchen porch, hiding behind
the great wooden settle standing near;
just in time to escape the touch Of
Mrs Raymond, who was searching for
shawl hanging upon peg in the
porch. From his hiding place he could
hear her hurried breathing, and hear
sob or two, while her choked words,
ooh! he will be gone before l reach
him! What shall | do?" filed him
with sorrowful forebodings.


But she found her shawl at last.
1t was hastily and carelessly thrown
over her head. The outer door was
opened, and in the darkness ran Ariel
Raymond in search of the wayward
Rose, dnconcious that in her own
wake the third person was following.


Over the fields, through the mead
ows, until in the middle of a highway
known as "Lover's Haunt" SO called
on account of its loneliness, she came
to an abrupt pause, for close in front
of her rapidly paced man, dressed
in dark clothing. She knew him;
she knew too, his hideous character,
for afar off she could hear the steady
stamp of horses, and was well aware
that Vivian Wallace was lying in wait
for gentle, nnsuspectiug gill, whose
affections he had won by his seeming
grace and politeness.


Rose had not met him as yet.
Ariel knew that by his impatient walk,
and the next moment her manner of
defeat was formed. Pulling hersh2wl
all the more closely over her head, she
crept slowly toward him, till at last
she stood, crouching and trembling at
her rash act, before his very face.


With quick bound he threw his
strong arms about her, patting her
flushed cheek with his white shapely
fingers.


"My darling knew you would not
disappoint me"


"Nay, but I will disappoint you.
And in the flash of the lantern held
high above her head, the beautiful, de
fant face met the astonished gaze OF
Vivian Wallace. "Hither have |
come in the dead of the night to pro-
tect the honor of fir lend / have left
nv child in its sweet slumber, to fol-
low her whom you intended to force
from father and mother. She is not
vet here. Thank God for that Your
purpose is foiled-foiled-foiled !!


And Ariels sweet, mocking laugh
ranr out cheerilY. much to the relief