Year: 1873

round her, tenderly supporting he1

 while she looked up in his face trusting

 ly and lovingly.

 It was my brother and my promise

 wife. As I stood still, rooted, as j

 were, to the spot, spellbound, thei

 lips met in long, clinging kiss.

 With groan, I turned and fled iron

 the accursed spot, and reaching m room, threw myself on the bed, will

 with grief and despair, and unable t,

 collect my scattered thoughts. Moth

 ing but the one terrible truth was eve

 before nae : I had lost her And he

 my brother, whom I had loved as my

 self, had robbed me of her. Stiil

 strange to say, no feeling of anger O.

 resentment stirred my heart. Could

 blame him for loving her, or her fo,

 loving him? He, who was handsome

 far than l, clever,s, and learned in the

 ways of the world, was more fitting

 mate for her than was-poor, simple

 weak-minded, blinded fool. I lay fol

 hours, crushed and stunned, in 8 kin6

 of stupor, and at length fell asleep

 worn out by mental agitation.

 Next morning I awoke calmer, and

 able to think over the discovery ]

 had made. With decision and strength

 of mind very unusual to me, I de-

 termined to seek out my brother. and

 tell him knew all. Then I would see

 her, and release her from her promise

 to me. Better for her to be happy

 With another than to be my miserable,

 unloving wife. As for me, I would leave England, and travel; better so than see her the happy, devoted wife of another man. found my brother, and told hizn what I had seen. I can not tell how it came about my memory fails me about all that took place at that time. He must, think, have mis- understood me :; for we quarreled, and he struck me to the earth. He left my house at once, and I have seen him only once from that day to this, and then but for moment, and unseen by | him.

 Bruised by my brothers hand, I was ashamed to meet her. But more grieved than angered by my brothers conduct, I wrote to her simple letter, telling her all, and offering to release her. Her reply came only too soon. It was kind but ready acceptance of my offer. She could not, she said in it, deny her love for my brother. She still loved me with all the strength of a sis ter's love-alas, how cold to the love I felt for her but her heart was given to my brother, and with him alone could she be happy. At the same time, she added, that If on further consider ation insisted cn making her my wife, she would, although reluctantly, per form her promise, and would try to make a good, faithful wife, but never happy one.

 What could I do but give her up Was l, to satisfy a mean, selfish love, to drag the woman I professed to love beyond the whole world, into wretched unhappiness, full of lifelong regrets and blighted hopes?

 When we met again it was as brother and sister. But the shock and struggle were more than could bear, and sank into i'll health, becoming nervous, and at times fanciful. My doctors advised change of air and scene, and according ly 1 prepared to start for a tour on the Continent. But before I could get away a diabolical plot was prepared and put in practice by my brother, which was to rob me of money, home, and even reason itself.

 About week before proposed start Ing was rather surprised at receiving call from two gentlemen, both stran- gers to me, who introduced themselves as consulting physicians, and said they had been requested to call and see me by my brother. Although astonished at such display of interest on my ac- count being shown by him, I never for an instant suspected any sinister design on his part, and answered most of the questions put to me without hesitation. So much so, in fact, that the two doc tors rose, and, wishing me good-morn- ing, said they were very glad to be able toreport so favorably on me. As they were leaving the room they stopped for 8 moment, and said few words togeth- CT in an under-tone. I only caught her name, and felt myself redden at the sound.

 Yes" said one, "you are right; we ought to try that subject"

 Then, turning back, they began ask ing me what I took to be impertinent | questions. ordered them to leave, but they only questioned me further ; until, wild with passion, I lost all self control over myself, and tried to push | them out. Little suspected then that they were paid by my brother to exam inc me, and find an excuse for pro- nouncing me mad. Once in an asylum, l could easily be kept there, and my sruel brother would be able to enjoy my undisturbed.

 A few days after what I have just told you took place I received letter from my brother apologizing to me for his behavior, and asking me to forgive him, and to meet him at certain town, about twenty miles from my place. It was @ cruel, hypocritical, deceitful etter, but joyfully believed it, and gladly promised to meet him, eager to oe once more reconciled to him.

 When l got to the inn at the town where l was to meet him, I was told [ hat he had not yet come, but that he lad engaged room and was shown nto it. I waited long time patiently, my brother to come every moment but he never came. Soon sfter dark, two men-rough, ill-looking into the room without knocking. One of them walked straight up to me, and said I was to be good enough to go with them. I asked what their, business was, but got no reply han other before--that was to go with hem. told them I would not do so without knowing what they wanted he one who had spoken first replied hat they had authority to take me with hem, and that it would be better for me o go quietly, and not compel them to !se force. l stepped back, and, seizing ( he poker, told them that would use it gainst the first one who laid hand on ne. Then l rang the bell violently. ] 70 my surprise, the two men stood t1li, and made no attempt at escaping nd when the people of the inn came 1 p to see what was the matter, they ap- I ealed to them to help them secure me. While thus stood at bay, as it were, I door opened at my back, and before 1 t ould turn round, some one threw a t nick cloth oyer my head comnletalu f