Year: 1873

1t was before her at last, i'm black and
white the decree Of the Court with its
official seal attached She was a free
woman-free, in every sense Of the word.
when maiden free to choose her own
habitation and mode of life free, even
to contract new alliance, which should
be severed, perhaps, as coldly as had this
been severed, and the words-sweot and
solemn they had seemed to her at the
time" What God hath joined together
let no man put asunder,' be once more
proven a mockery and lie.


Yet it cannot be said that Mary Will
lard found happiness, in any sense Of the
word, in her new-iound liberty. For with
the decree and its seal lying before her
she could not keep back the visions of the
past which arose before her eyes, and
would fill their vista, whether she would
or no. In the happy, happy years gone
by, when, amid other scenes and in other
lands, she had first found reason to believe
herself beloved. In the days so well re-
mbered, when surrounded by the low
ing friends Of herself and her chosen
husband, she had spoken the words so
freely and so gladly, which then seemed
to have bound her rrevocably to the being
at her side. In the years of later dat,
when standing by the little bed OF their
only one, they had together watched the
leeting Of its spirit, and only turned away
at the last moment, when hops seemed to
have hidden farewell to their heart. for
ever, each to find in the whispered word.
of the other the bond OF consolation which
only the knowledge of a common soiluW
can give. In the still later years, when
the spirit OF enterprise had sent her hus
bands strong arm to delvc among the
mines and mountains Of the Golden State,
and like the true good wife she then was.
she had followed his tortuues but these
were memories Of the dead and buried
past which she would willingly have
banishcd. Why should they comoorowd-
ing upon her now, moc<lng her in the
hour OF apparent triumph


We shall not undertake to say that She
had been wholly blameless, or wholly to
blame for what had occurred. Between
two fiery natures it had needed but
spark to kindIe into flame passions which
were too proud to admit an acknowledge
ment OF wrong, except in the secret re-
cesses of the heart. A lightly spoken
word, given swift currency by the ready
breath OF scandal, was the seed which
had borne plenteous harvest in the field
Of ruin to domestic bliss. From this one
starting point others had arisen and, when
the final step was taken on the part Of the
wife, it had been met with no opposition.


The night before the day on which our
story opens had Witnessed the closing of
the opening storm OF Winter. For DAYS
together, The rains had bealou down pitt
lessiy ON the parched earth, white the
cheerful paJtcr patter, on tbe oau at
night, had carried ioy TO the heart. oJ 'he
miners, 10 whom its welcome sound had
been strange for many days clear
bright, sunny day, with the air as soft
and balmy As in Spring-time, though the
snow-cappad SUBMITS of the mountains
surrounding from which the durl, green
of the clumps of fir and spruce stood ont
to relieve thcovo from the dazziug bright
ness Of the wiutry vo-tmeut, dispelrd
such a thought. 1t was day too bright
and lovely to be passed wholly within
doors, and although She knew the ground
would be cold and damp beneath her feet,
yet walk would serve to turn the cur
rent of her thoughts, which would run
in channels that could not be controlled.


She had scarce passed the threshold
when she saw an approaching visitor, and
intuitively OWNED that his business was
with her, rather than with any OF those
with whom she was making her tempo
rary home. She eturned back, for She was
in no mood to seek a partner for her walk
in the gentleman whose neatly-tiimmed
whiskers and ~potless linen proclaimed
him as one Of the . ladies' men" OF the
camp. The ra1tieman followed her in
and was not long in making his errand
known. There was to be a Christmas
Tree and a good time generally, on Christ
mas Eve, he said. Would Mrs. Willard
honor him so far as to be his partner on
the occasion


"Of course, she will," was the answer
which came from Mrs. Sanders, the wo-
man of the house, before Mary had time
to make any answer. She's not a-going
to stay mewed up here by herself on that
night, for we're all a-going. I'll answer
for her, for that"


II don't know" said Mary, "as viii
care to 60 that ategoning."


Wei, do. What on airth win keep
you at home. 'Tain't as though you we're
not free to 90 where you pleased, and -iag
as long as you like"


There was a soph~try about this thai
/ Mary did no, reply to. Still she did not