Year: 1877

duu TtutNdl Vi LHtccl 10 III It. 1AcsA-
er long day Of toll througn-yet an
other sad night over! Lord Gowrie
sa among the dust and cobwebs, mis-
lamp Aaring idly in the blue morning.
He had beard his sons human voice,
though nothing more; and he ezpee-
ted to have him brought out by in
visible hands, as had happened to
himself, and left lying in long death
Iy swoon outside that mystic door.
This was how it had happened to
heir after heir, as told from father to
son, one after another, as the secret
came down. One or two bearers of
the name Of Lindores had never re-
covered; most of them bad been sad
dened and subdued for life He re-
membered sadly the freshness Of ex-
istence which had never come back
to himself; the hopes that had never
blossomed again; the assurance with
which never more he had been able
to 60 about the world And now mis-
son would be as himself-the glory
gone out of his liying-bis ambitions.
his aspirations, wrecked. He had
not been endowed as bis boy was
he had been plain, honest man, and
nothing more; but experience and
life had given him wisdom enough to
smile by times at the coquetries of
mind in which Lindores INDUCED.
Were they all over now, those freaks
OF youn- intelligence, those enthusi-
ssms OF the soul? The curse Of the
house had come upon him-the mag
netIsm Of the strange presence, ever
living, ever wstcbful, present in oil
the family history. His heart Was
sore for his son; and yet along with
this there was certain consolation
~ him IN having henccforward part
ner in the secret-soine one 10 whom
be cou.d talk of it as he had not been
a0le Il talk since his own father died.
Almost all tte mental struggles
" hich Gowrie had known had been
connected with this my stery; and he
bad been obliged TO hide them ln his
bosUm-to conceal them even when
they rent him in two. Now he had
a partner in his trouble. This was
what he was thinking as be sat
through the night. How slowly The
moments passed. He was not aware
OF the daylight coming in. After a
while even thought got suspended 10
listening. Was not the time nearly
over? He rose aid began to pace
about the incumbered space, which
was but step or two in extent
There was an old cupboard in the
wall, in which there were restoratiges
-pungent essences and cordials, aud
fresh water which he had himself
brought-everything was ready
presently the ghastly body Of bis son,
half dead, would be thrust forth into
his care.


But this was not how it happened.
While be waited, so intent that his
whole frame seemed to be capable of
bearing, he heard the closing of the
door. boldly shut with sound that
rose in muffied echoes through the
house. and Lindores himself appear
ed, ghastly indeed as dead man, but
walking upright and firmly, the lines
of bis face drawn, and his eyes star
ing. Lord Gowrie uttered a cry.
He was more alarmed by this unex-
pected return than by the helpless
prostration Of the swoon which be
had expected He recoiled from his
own son as if he too had been O
spirit "Lindores :" he cried was
it Lindores or some one else in his
place? The boy seemed as if be did
not see him. He went straight for
ward to where the water stood on the
dusty table, and took great draught,
then turned to the door "Lindores !"
said his father, in miserable anxiety,
don't you know me ?" Even then
the young man only half looked at
him, aud put out hand almost IS
cold as the hand that had clutched
himself in the secret chamber a
faint smile came upon his face.
Don't stay here" he whispered
come, come :"


Lora Gowrie drew his sons arm
within his own, and ielt the thrill
through and through him of nerves
strained beyond mortal strength. He
could scarcely keep up with him as
he stalked through the corridor to his
room. stumbling as if he could not
see, yet swift as an arrow. When
they reached his room he turned and
closed and locked the door, then
laughed as be staggered to the bed
That will not keep him out, will it ?"
he said.


"Lindores." said the father. IL
expected to find you unconscious |
am almost m1re frightened to fud YOU
like this. | need not ask if you have
seen him"-


"Oh, | have seen him. The old
liar! Father, promise TO expose him,
10 turn him out-promise to clear out
that sccursed old nest! 1t is our own
fault Why have we left such
place shut out from the eye of day
Isn't there something in the Bible
about those who do evil hating the
light?p


'Lindores, you don't often quote
the Bible"


"NO, / suppose not; but there is
more truth in-many things than we
:"


"Lie down. said the anxious faith
er Take some of this wiue-trv to
sleep"


Take it away; give me no more
Of that devils drink. Talk to me
that's better. Did you 90 through
it all the same, poor papa and hold
me fast. You are warm-you are
honest." he cried He put forth |
his hands over his fathers, warming
them with the contact. He put bis
cheek like child against his fathers 1
arm. He gave faint laugh, with |
he tears in his eyes Warm and /
honest" he repeated Kind flesh I
and blood, and did you go through
t all the same?"


"My boy,n cried the fsther, feeling
his heart glow and swell over the son
who had been parted from him for