Year: 1876

three yards distant. They were so intensely
bright that she gazed upon them in wonder.
| AS she gaZed they seemed to transform their
phosphorescent whitenes in rainbow hues of
marvellous brightness and beauty. AS if
spell-bourd, she continued to gaze upon them
and presently they slowly but surely COM
menced to approach her, their hues changing
and scintillating, and seeming to penetrate
| with their horrible intensity to her very BRAIN
An lndescrlbable sensation of horror and
dread crept upon her, and she stroye to move
her limbs and take her eyes from those
strangely beautiful objects. But in vain
Strange, celestial music filled her ears with
its mellfluent strains and subtle charm
seemed cast over her whole being. Though
she half realized that to submit to that charm
would end in her doom, yet she was 10th to
cast off its influence.


Nearer and nearer drew these objects,
more and more powerful became their in
auence, until Vannina might have touched
them with her outstretched hand


AT this juncture a hoarse, strange cry
smote her ears and drowned the melody
which had possessed them. And the cry, as
it was repeated, resolved itself into her own
name. In an instant she turned her eyes
towards the howlder. The charm was broken,
and her wild cries of horror. as she realized
that those strangely brilliant spots were the
orbs of serpent, filled the cavern, and she
drew back from them as far as possible. AS
she did so, a fOOtstep sounded close to the
mouth of the cavern, and an instant later the
bowlder swung slowly back, admitting flood
of dazzling light. With a cry of Joy Van
nina sprang forth from the horrible den, and
sank in a swoon at the feet of Nolan Gordon.
The latter had been but momentarily stunned
by the blow of the young Corsican, and upon
his recovery, he beheld the latter fleeing
toward the beech with Vannina in his arms
He unhesitatingly started in pursuit, though
taking care not to show himself to the ruffian.
When the latter had effected his purpose and
returned toward the village, the young man
followed along the beach, divining that the
purpose of the Corsican was to confne the
girl. He noticed the loose bowlder conceal
ing the cavern, and was about to investigate
it when he heard Vannina's cries.


The young American raised the dropping
form of the girl in his arms, and bore her
toward her dwelling. Ere he had reached it,
she recovered her senses, and briefly ex-
planned the horrible position from which he
had rescued her.


Il must flee from this vicinity at once"
she said in conclusion, or Vittorio will kill
me in the end -


Nolan Gordons heart thumped almost aud
IDLY as she turned those darkly brilliant eyes
full upon his face. ''Vannina, we know lit
tie Of each other, yet believe me when say
that my intentions toward you are perfectly
honorable. If you will trust me will take
you home with me to America, and there, if
read your face Alright, you will consent to
become my wife," As be spoke, the young
man bent ond kissed the red lips of the girl,
who blushed silent consent to his proposal.
What more shall add? Only that the twain
did come to America, and that now the
warm-hearted, impulsive Corsican girl, is the
wife of the somewhat rash, but nevertheless
fortunate Nolan Gordon.