Year: 1875

apt to exchange in like circumstances,
each went his way-the husband to
transact his business, and the wife and
her friend toward the Mountain House,
to rest and await his coming.


So far, all was pleasant and agreeable;
but as Mr.. Mansfield saw the boat re-
ceding from the pier, sigh involun-
tarily escaped him; but he laughed down
his feelings, and became one among the
crowd that sauntered along Broadway.


Two days later, Mr.. Mansfield followed
his friends, taking, however, a night
boat, which landed him at the village of
Catskill at about three o'clock in the
morning. He arrived while the stars
wero yet shining, and the half-moon was
sinking to her setting; and wishing to
give his wife an agreeable surprise, he
would not wait for the coach that would
start at dsybreak for the summit of the
mountain, but learning the direction to
the stage Office, engaged saddle horse,
and companion who was to return the
animal to the stable.


Together they started; all was quiet
and calm; as the eastern horizon was
slowly lighting up with the coming
dawn, so the stars, one after another,
gradually faded out. Later, they saw
with the growing light the morning fog
that in various patches swept along the
different mountain heights, and presently
dissolved as the sun arose.


Two-thirds of their journey was ac-
coInplished, when stone or crag that
had been loosened from it's resting place
by the early frost, or worn away from its
bed by mountain stream, started down
with accumulating force, and awakened
echoes all around with its noise as it
struck against any distractions that it
met in its headlong descent. Surprised
and scared by the unusual noise, the
horse that conveyed Edward Mansfield
sprang from the road and neared the
cliff which skirted it, but seeing the
danger just in time to save himself,
planted his fore feet firmly but suddenly
upon the edge. Too suddenly, alas for
the rider. The shock of the sudden stop
was too abrupt for Edward Mansfield,
who, losing his seat, was thrown clean
over the animals head, only to land far
down the cliff, hundreds of feet below,
mangled and broken form.


His surprised horse stood a moment
trembling and painting on the height,
when the bride rein was taken by the
surviving rider of the more quiet COM
panion, who led him back to the stable
in the village.


They found the body where it had
fallen. 1t was in no condition to show
to the widowed bride, and they buried
him reverently and silently in the village
churchyard.


"And did you not tell the sad news to
the expectant widow9" [ asked.


"We did, and the result was nearly
fatal. A long and distressing fever fol
lowed, and she only recovered to become
what you see her to be to-day, and it is
about five weeks since the accident oc-
Cured"


"What do you propose to do with
herr"


"To remain here awhile longer, in the
hope that her brighter memories will
awaken, and then bear her back to her
home in South Carolina"


"Tell me, Miss Flanders, what do you
consider her condition."


GAS hopelessly insane, but I think
harmlessly So"


I" Has she no lucid moments9"


"None that can be really called so.
Still she awaits her husband, day by day,
having no apparent recollection of the
news we told her. You may observe
that her frame is feeble. It may be that
as her body regains its strength, her
mind may also be relieved and again as
sumo its sway; though let me say, I
rather dread such awakening; but at
least some weeks must first intervene ere
she can gain her wonted vigor and
elasticity"


"Does she take any exercise z"


ooh, yes, daily, and seems to enjoy
some things, and to stranger, ignorant
as to her usual condition, appears to be
in her right mind; but I, who know her
better, cannot vouch for this"


You are her aunt, 1 believer"


"No, sir, her cousin, and her most in
innate friend. Her father is now alone.
She is his only child, and he is widow
er. You shall see her tomorrow if you
would like to do so. She walks after
lunch along the slope in the rear, and
delights to sit upon those rocks yonder.
Should you see her, will introduce her
to you, but allow me to suggest caution
in your interview as to the choice of
conversation.


"I understand and thank you"


Here, then, is the narrative to the mo-
ment of my arrival at the Mountain
House, as told me by Miss Flanders.
Remaining a guest for several weeks,
naturally became acquainted with many
of my fellow boarders, and among them
the two ladies. Every day, on the arrival
of the stage-coach, Mrs. Mansfield pur-
sued the same scrutiny among the pas
sengers, each day walked the balcony,
loosened her hair, turned to the land.