Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 4, Number 16, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 18 October 1873 — Page 6

Written for The Mail.. THE WOEFUL ROAD.

BT MF. *. HOPKBOW

W!..-a I. one da ride wouM ro. 11.. :c my way un nlmly plan:- 1: With loo-' relus-l out of WiMNWW an* Wo ».• ••by n'! P*» Till through the

Through nwtly

1 1

dsrk?by..wteotiw,

CMl(l»*n!r-m|a.r!r.! My nmrew o»v •.*. Then 1-would sigh, men d*», J* That I did come so away Efuioons thec!ooJ». by Inkly look.. Irovf hornt the klne and comt* ...... With fl*x*n hatraiul comely ey A maWen to ibtf wrinkly brook,

The oath wan unbeknown, I said, .. TwmTiH betimes the where's I rode, Kow won'i show roe where the roau Then after me bad abown nhe nldi

Uooe *ir 1 pray take careful b«*d. From whence whereto yonr road will lead.' But I rut th» utorm indeed be rue, B« come before come Morton &u.*: 'ow won't yon bide with n* li.'.e?"

No thatjk you, no I'll *p*»u rat iiuiuc, rn *peed tn« home," I Mild •'adieu." And home came I, but l!me«again,

To evil way* by evil men. Hemr»t«f oft I'm cbld anew Uood sir I pray take careful heed

}i**tem

'•n J'»•«»

I'.om whence whereto your road will leao. FKASKLIW, tnd.

The New

Magdalen,

BY WIt,KJR COVUX*.

CHAPTER IX. J.W4 KKOM MANNHKIM.

Ladv itH-t'" curiosity was by this time thoroughly itrtu»«*d. Sunnnoned to explain who the nameless iady mentioned in hiH letter wt.ld possibly be JuliHtt IiHii iooked at her adopted dabbler. Asked oext toexpiaiu what her adopted daughter had got to do with it. he bad declared that he could not an*w« while Ml»«8 Iioseberry was in the room.

Wliat. did he mean? Lady Janet determined to flud out. I ha to all mysteries, j»be calu to Julian. 'And as for secrets, I consider them to ho one Of the forms of Ill-breed-ing. l'eople in our rank of life ought

bo above wbisperlug in corners. If you mvnt bavo your mystery, I can oiTer yon a corner In the library. Come with "me.'

Julian followed bis aunt very reluctantly. Whatever tho mystery mlgbt bo, ho wa* plaiuly.embarrassed by being called upon to reveal it al moment's notice. L'uly Janet settled herself In her chair, prepared to question and cross-question her nephew, when an obstaclo appeared at the other end of the library, in the shape of it manservant with a me»««ge. One of Lady Janot'H neighbors had called by appointment to tako her to the meeting of a certain committee which assembled that l»y. The servant announced tha* the neighbor—an elderly lady—was then waiting In her carriage at the door.

Lady Janet's ready Invitation set the obstacle aside without a moment's delay jshe directed the servant to show her visitor Into tho drawing-room, and tosav that she was unexpectedly engaged, but that Mi»s Iioseberry would see tho lady immediately. She then turned to Jfullan, and said, with her m»Bt satirical emphasis* of tone and manner. 'Would It be an additional convenience if Miss Koseberry was not only out of the room before you disclose your secret, but out of the bouse?

Julian

gravely

answered,'It may pos

sibly be quite as well if Mba Koseberry is out of the house.' Lady Janet led tho way back to tho dinlng-roont.

My doar Ucace^sbosftUt, 'you looked Hushed and feverish when I saw you asleep on the sofa a little while since. It will do you no harm to haveja drive in tho fresh air. Our friend has called to take me to tho committee meeting, 1 have sent to tell her that I am engaged —ami I shall bo much obliged if you will go in my place.'

M^rcy looked a little alarmed. 'Does vour ladyship mean the committee iuoetittgof the Samaritan Convalescent Hous? The member*, as 1 understand U, are lo decide to day which of the plans for the new building they are to adopt. I can not nurely presume to voto In your place?'

You can vote, my dear child, Jnst as NveU"n« I can.' replied the old lady. •Architecture Is one of the lost arts. You know nothing about it! I know nothing about It the aichitocts themselves know nothing about It. One plan fit «i doubt just bad as lb© other. Vot*, I shonld vote, with tho majority. Wr as jotr dear Dr. Johnson said, 'Shout with the loudest mob. Away with you—and don't heep tho committee waiting.' llomee hastened to open tho door for Mor?y. ... •Ilow long ahatl you be away?' hs whispersd, coutkleutially. 'I b»d a thousand things to say to you, and tboy have interrupted us.'

Is a a

in tuvbour.*

We sha^l have the room to our»elvt« by that time. Come here when you return. Y"eu will find me wailing for you.*

Mere* pro«*ed his hand significantly and went out. l^dy Janet turnetl to Julian, who thus far remained In the back-grvw.d, still, to all appartinoe, it uuwilUuft ii ever to enlighten his aont.

Well abe e*ld. "What is tying your tohgue now? (»rnoe is out of the room why don't you begin Ia llor-

Julian signed to him

future

,uu®

r..«.«

eharmiog creature to some |«oc« lit Mcdlttf her ju»t«tihto

H?iraee looked op suddenly, with Hush on bis fiic®. When you My 'that charming creature," be asked, aharplv.'I suppose yoa mean Miss Koseberry?*

OrUlnly,' enawered Jolleo. Why

nUdy lnterpoe*d, '(iently JaUanTsbe nald. 'Omce has only bew Introduced to you hitherto In the eharict*r of my sdspted daughter

And It seems to be high time, Horace added, Mightily, Hhat I abould prcnen* her next In tbe character of

mJoi?fi^»keIr

at Hortee If b*

could hardlTcmlUtbe fTW«^°f owttMl*, 'lour wlPiI' he e*cUla»«d, with an Irtepreesibleoutbttrst of dla-

My *wlfe/rPmuirned

r'Kd»

'NoMKn"? HOMM,

S-HAUTE

mean, Julian, the royaterious lady of vour letter. We are alone, a* vou doaired. Lift the veil, my reverend nephew, which bides bpr from mortsl eyes! Blush, If you like—« nd can. Is she the future Mm. Gray

She is a jx't ct strangwrtomo, Julian answered, quietly. »A perfect Mranger! You wrote me word vou were'iniereaied In her.'

I am interested in her. And, what 1FT more, YOU are Interested In her too. Ladv Janet'silngere drummed iinpatient iv on the table. 'Have I not warned you, Julian, that I bate mysteries,? Will you. or will yon not, explain vnnrnclff'

Before it wu posslbiwto*naw«r,Horaee rose from bis chair. Perhaps I am in the way?' he said.

Will it be very long?' Inquired Lady Janet, looking with some alarm at the closely written sheets of paper which her nephew spread open before him.

Horace followed with a question on his side. You are sure I am interested in it he asked. 'The consul at Mannheim is a total stranger to me.' 'I answer for it,' replied Julian,gravely, 'neither .my aunt's putienco nor yours, Horace, will be thrown away if you will favor me, listening attentively to what lam about to read.'

With those words he began his tirst extract from the consul's letter: Mv memory is a bad one for dates. But full three mouths must have passed since information was sent to me of an English patient, received at the hospital here whose case I, as English consul, juigbt feel an interest in investigating.

I went the same day to the hospital, and was taken to the bedside.

The patient was a woman—young, and (when in health), I should think, very pretty. When 1 first saw her sho looked, to my unlnstructed eye, like a dead woman. 1 noticed that her head had a bandage over it, and I asked what was the nature of tho injury that she had received. The answer Informed mo that tho poor creature had been present, nobody knew why or wherefore, at a skirmish or night attack botween the Germans and tiuo French,aud that the injury to her head had been I nil let ed by a fragment of a German shell.'

Horace—thus

He went on with his reading: •Thewounded woman had been reported dead, and had been left by the French In their retreat, at the time

when tbe German fiorces took possession of tho enemy's position. She was found on a bed in a cottage by the director of tho German ambulance—'

Ignatius Wetxel cried Horace. 'Ignatius Wetzel,' repeated Julian, looking at tho letter.

It \hthe same!' said Horaeo. 'Lady J,inet, we are really interested in this. You remember my telling you how I first met with Grace? Aud you have board more about it since, no doubt, from Grace herself?' •She has a horror of referring to that part of hQr journey home,' replied Lady Janet. 'She mentioned her having been stopped on the frontier, and her finding herselfaceidentally in the company of another Englishwoman, a perfect stranger to her. I naturally askod questions on iny side, aud was shocked to hear that she had scon tho woman killed by a German shell almost close at her side. Neither sho nor I have had any relish for returning to the subject since. You wero quite right, Julian, to avoid speaking of it while she was in the room. I understand It, all now. Grace, I suppose, mentioned my name to her foliow-traveler. The woman Is, no dowbt, in want of assistance, and ahe appllee to me through you. I will help her but sbe must not come here until I have prepared Grace for seeing her again, a living woman. For the present there is no reason why they should meet.' •I am not sure about that,' said Julian, in low tones* without looking up at his aunt. •Wtmt do you mean? Is the mystery hot at an end yet?" •The mysu rv has not even begun yet. I^«t my Iriend'the consul proceed.'

J«»»l imorpowd

U» ».*

^Now'S.'KSSlT nDJ.r^.nd«». another» she said, let us epwk of# lady who baa dropped oat of the nation for the l**t "-'I-

conver-

tataote or two. I

itfS§S mm

Julian r*M'"ned for a second time to bis extrav» i.um the letter: "After a careful examination of the supposed corpse, the German surgeon arrived at the conclusion that a esse of suspended animation had (In tho hurry of the French retreat) been mistaken for a case of death. Feeling professional interest in tb« 'nl^eeu 1M decided on putting hia opinion to the test. He operated on bis patient with complete success. After performing the operaHon be kept her for pome day# under his own care, and then transferred her to tbe nearest hospital—the hospital at Mannheim. He was obliged to return to his duties as amy surgeon, sod he left his pattent in the condition In which I saw ber. Neither be nor the hospital authorities knew anything whatever about the woman. No papers were found on her. All tbe doctors could do, when I asked them for information with a view to communicating with her friends, was to show me ber linen marked with ber name. I left the hospital after taking down the name in my pocket-book. It was Mercy

Merrick."" Lady Jaoet produced her pecketbook. 'L«t m« utke the name down voo,' she Mild. I never beard It before, and I might otherwise forget It, Go oo, Ju-

Julian advanced to his second extract irem tbe oonaol's letier: •Under these drcumatsacee. I coiild only wait to bear from the hospital when the patient wss sufficiently recovered to be sW« to tperit Ut w*« Some weeks passed witbo^my recelv1ns soy communication from the doctors. On calling to make inquiries, I was Informed that fever bad set in, snd that the poor creatures condition paw alternated between exhaustion and delirium. la her delirious moments the name of your sunt, L*dy Jans Hoy, fre !-mtly escaped her. Otherwise ber watiuerlikfs for the most pert

to sit down

*^1 have already told Lady Janet that you are not In the way,' be an»wcr«d. now tell yoit-as Mis* Uoseberry 8

husband—that you too haveau

Sat in hearing what I b»ve to «ay Horace resumed bis seat with an air of suspicious surprise. Julian addressed himself to Lady Janet.

You have often beard me speak,' he began, 'of my old friend aud schoolfellow, John Cressingham

Yes. The English consul st Mann helm

The same. When I returned from the country I found amon? my other letters along letter from the consul. I have brought It with me, and I propose to read certain passages from it, which tell a very strange story more plainly and more credibly than I can tell it In my own words.'

far leaning back care

lessly in bis chair—suddenly raised himself and oxclaimed, 'Good heavens! can this be tho woman I saw laid out for dead in tbe French cottage?'

It is impossible for me to say,' replied Julian. 'Listen to tho rest of it. The consul's letter may answer your question.'

'How

v.# £&

1 1 1 1 a if W I A

2er^ed*?d©!*nSougbt once or twice or writing to you, aud of beting you to speak to Lady Janet. But as the doctors informed me that tbe chances of life or death were at this tlme almost equally balanced, I decided to Walt until time should determine whether it was necessary to trouble you or not.'' 'You know best, Julian,' aaid Lady Janet.

But I own I d&n't quite soe in

what way I ain interested In this part of tbe story.' Just what I was going to say,' added Horaoe. 'It Is very sad, no doubt. But what bave wo lo do with it?' •Let mo read my third extract, Julian answered, 'and you will see.'

He turned to the 1 hirdj extract, and read as follows:

'At last I received a message from the hospital informing me that Mercy Merrick was out of danger, and that she was capable (though still very weak) of answering any questions which I might It desirable to put to her. On reaching the hospital I was requested, rather to my surprise, to pay my first viait to the bead physician In his private room. think it right,' said this gentleman, to warn you, before you see the patient, to bo very careful how you speak to her, and not to Irritate her by showing any surprise or expressing any doubts If sho talks to vou In an extravagant manner. Wo dfffer in opiuion about her here. Some of us (myself among tho number) doubt whother the recovery of her mind has accompanied tho recoveryof her bodily powers. Without pronouncing her to be mad—she is perfectly gentlo and harmless—we are nevertheless of opinion that she is suffering under a species of Insane delusion. Bear in mind tho caution I have given you—and now go and judge for yourself.' I obeye», in some perplexity and surprise. Tho sutlerer, when I approached her bed, looked sadly weak and worn but, so far sis 1 could judge, seemed to be i«« full possession of herself. Her tone and manner wero unquestionably tbe tone and man nor of a lady. After briefly introducing myself, I assured her that I should be glad, both officially and personally, if I could bo of any assistance to hor. In saying these tritiiug words I happened to address her by the natuo I had seen marked on her clothes. Tho instant the words, 'Miss Merrick,' passed my lips, a wild, vindictive expression appeared in her eyes. She exclaimed, angrily, 'Don't call me by that hatelal name! It's not my name. All the people hero persecute me by calling me Mercy Merrick and when 1 am angry with them they 3how mo the clotbes. Say what I may, they persist in believing they are my clothes. Don you do the same, if vou want to be friends with ine.' Itemembering what the physician had said to me, I made the necessary excuses, and succeeded in soothing her. Without reverting to the irritating topic of tho uame, I merely inquired what her plans were, and assured her that sho might command ray services if she required them. 'Why do vou want to know what my plans are"?' she asked, suspiciously. I reminded ber, in reply, that I held the position of English consul, and^ that uiv object wus, if possible, to be of some assistance to her. 'You can be of the greai« assM ince to mo,' she said eagerl v. 'Find Mercy Merrick I saw the vi-dlctive look come back into her eyes, .'nd an angry flush rising on her whiti cheeks. Abstaining from showing any surprise, I asked her who Morcy -rrick ..as. 'A vile woman, by her i.ivn confession,' was the quick renlv.

am I to find her?' I inqui

red next. 'Look lor a woman in a woman in a black dress, with the Red Geneva Cross on her shoulder she Is a nurse in tho French ambulance.' 'What has she done?' 'I bavo lost my papers I have lost my own clothes Mercy Merrick has taken them.' 'How do you know that Mercy Merrick has taken them 'Nobody else could have taken them—that's how I know it. Do believe me or not?' She was

you beginning to excllo herselt again. *. assured tutit I would at once send to mako inquiries for Mercy Merrick. She turned round contented on the pillow. 'There's a good man!' she said. 'Come back and tell me when you have caught her.' Such was my first interview with tho English patient at the hospital ut Mannheim. It is needless to say that I doubted the existence of tho absent person,described as a nurse. However, it was possible to make Inquiries by applying lo the surgeon, Ignatius Wetzel, whose whereabouts was known to Wis friends in Mannheim. I wrote to him, and received his answer in duo time. After tho night attack ot tho Germans had made tbem masters of tber French position, he had uutered tho cottage occupied by the French ambulance. He had found tbe wounded Frenchmen left behind, but had seen no such person ia.at**sftaaiH?o on them as tho nurso in the black dress with the red cross oo ber shoulder. The only living woman ill tbe place was a young English lady. In a pray traveling cloak, who had been stopped on the frontier, and who Mjas forwarded on ber way home by the war correspondent of au English journal.' •That was GraeS,' said Lady JaneW •And I was the war correspondent,' ad or a

A few words more,'said Julian,

SATURDAY EVENING MAIL, OCTOBER 13. 18

4and

you will understand nay object in claiming your attention.' He returned to the letter fbr the last ihne, and concluded his extracts from It as lollows:

'Instesd of attending at the hospital myself, I communicated by letter tbe failure of my attempt to discover the missing nurse. For some little time afterward I hesrd no mors of the sick woman, whom I sbsll still call Mercy Merrick. It was only yesterday thst I received another summons to visit tbe patient. She bad by this time sufficiently recovered to clslm her dlseharge, snd 3be hsd announced ber In

on the ground that she wss not fit to be trusted by herself st large, In consequence of the difference of opinion among the doctors on the case. All thst could be dons was to give mo due notice, and to leave tbe matter In my hands. On seeing hor Ibr tbe second time, I found her sullen sad reserved. She openly attributed my inability to god tbe nurse to want of seal tor her Interests on my part. 1 had, on my side, no authority whatever to detain her. I could only inquire whether she bad money enough to pay her traveling expenses. Her reply Informed the chaplain of the

Her reply in!

me thst

chaplain of the hoe. Uoned her forlorn situation In the

pi Sal hsd men

town, and that the English residents had subscribed a small sum of money to enable ber to return to her own eonn* try. Satisfied on this head, I ssked next If she bed Mends to gu to In England. 'I bsveone friend,* she answered, 'who Is a bos* In herself— Lady Janet Roy.* Yon may imagine my surprise when I beard this. I found It quite useless to make anv further inquiries as to bow ahe came lo know yeur snot, whether your aunt expected her, snd so on. My auestlotui evidently offeoded they were received In sulky silence. Under

bP" SMS

.PPMP

these eiron mats noes, wsll knowing thst I can trust Implicitly to your humans sympathy for misfortuue, I have decided (after caroful reflection) to Insure the poor creature's saft ty when she arrives In London by giving bey letter to you. \'ou will hear what she says, anil you will be better able to discover than I am whether she really has any elalm on Lady Janet Roy. One last word of Information, which it mey be necessary to add, and I shall closa this inordinately long letter. At my first Interview with her I absiallied, as I bave already told you, from Irritating her by any inquiries on tbe subject ot her an me. On this second oocssion, however, I decided on putting tbe question." ..

As be read those last words, Julian became aware of a sudden movement on the part of bis aunt. Lady Jauet had risen softly from her chair and bad passed behind him with the purpose of reading tho consul's letter for herself over her nephew's shoulder. Julian detected tbe action just in time to frustrate Lady Janet's intention by placing bis hand over tbe last two lines of tho

*6'What did you do that for?" inquired bis aunt, sharply.

You are welcome, Lady Janet, to read the close of tho lotter for yourself,' Julian replied. 'But before you do so I am anxious to propare you for a very reat surprise. Compose yourself, and ot me read on slowly, with your eye on me, until I uncover the last two words which closo my friend's letter.'

Ho read the end of tbe letter, as he hod proposed, In these terms:

'I looked the woman straight in tho face, aud said to her. 'You have denied that tho name marked on the clothes which you wore when you came here was your name. If vou are not Mercy Merrick, who ai you She answered instantly,'My name is

Julian removed his hand from tuo page. Lady Janet looked at tho two next words, and started back with a loud erv of astonishment, which brought Morace iusiantly to his feet 'Tell tiio, one of you!" he cried. 'What name did sho give?*

Julian told him: GHACK ROSEBKKBY.

:«.,^CHAPTER

A COUNCIL OF THHEE.

For a moment Horace stood thunderstruck, looking in blank astonishment at Lady Janet. His first words, as soon as he had recovered himself, wero addressed to Julian. 'Is this joke ho osked, sternly.

4If

it is, I for one don't see tbe humor of it.' Julian pointod to the closely written pages of the consul's letter. 'A man writes in earnest.' he said, 'when ho writes at sack length as this. Tho woman seriously gave the name of Grace Roseberry, and when sho loft Mannheim sho traveled to England lor the express purpose ot presenting herself to Lady Janet Roy.' He turned to his aunt. 'You saw mo start,' he wont on, 'when you first mentioned Miss Roseberry's hearing. Now you know why.'

Ho addressed himself onco more to Horaco. 'You hoard me say that you, as Miss Roseberry's future husband, had an interest in being present at my interview with Lady Janet. Now you know wbv.' 'The woman Is plainly mud,' said Lady Janet. 'But it is certainly a startling form of madness when one hears of it. Of course we must keep the matter, for the present at least, a secret from Grace,' 'There can be no doubt,' Horace agreed, 'that Grace must be kept in the dark, in her present state of health. The servants had better be warned beforehand, in case of this adventuress or madwoman, whichever she may be attempting to make hor way into the bouse.'

It shall bo done immediately, said Lady Janet.

What'surprises, me Ju

lian (wring the bell if you please), is that you should describe yourself in your lotter its feeling an interest in this person.' ulian answored—without ringing the bell.

I atn more interested than ever, lie said, 'now I find that Miss Roseberry herself is your guest at Mabletborpo House.'

You wero always perverse, Julian, as a child, in your likings and dislikings,' Lady Janet rejoined.

Why don't you

ring*the bell.' For one good reason, my dear aunt. I don't wish to hoar you tell your servants to closo tho door on this friendless creature.'

Lady Janet cast a look at her nephew which plainly expressed that she thought be had taken a liberty with h0r- .u •You don't expect me to see the woman sho asked, In a tone of cold surprise. •I hope you will not refuse to soe ber/ Julian answered, quietly. I was out when she called. 1 must besr what she has to say—and I should infinitely prefer hearing it in your presence. When I got your reply to my letter, permitting me to present ber to you, I wrote to ber immediately, appointing a meeting kere.'

Lady Janet lifted her bright/black eyes in inute expostulation to the car ved Cupids and wreaths on tbe diningroom ceiling. •When am I to have tbe honor of tbe lady's visit?' she inquired, with lronlcsl resignation.

To-day,' answered her nephew, with Impenetrable patience. •At what hoar?'

Julian composedly consulted bis wstch. 'She is ten minutes after ber time,' be said, and pot bis wstch back in his pocket again.

At the same moment the servant appeared, and advanced to Joltan, carrying visiting-card on his little silver tray. •A lady to ses yon, Sir.'

Julian took the card, and, bowing, handed It to his annt. •Here she Is,' he said, just ss quietly

Lady Janet looked at the card, and tossed It Indignantly back to her nephew. 'Miss Roseberry!' she exclaimed. •Printed—actually printed on her card Julian, even MY patience bas Its limits. I refuss to see ber!'

Tbe servant was still waiting—not like a human being who took sn inin th« nroosedlnss. but like con strneted to come and go at the word of command. Julian gave tbe word of command, addressing the admirably constructed antomaton by the name of 'James.' •Where Is the Isdy now?* be asked. •In the break fSst-room, Sir.' 'Leave ber there. If you pioase, and wait outside, within hearing of the bell.*

The legs of the furniture-footman acted, and took him noiselessly out of Ihe room. Julian turned to his aunt. •Forgive me, he said, 'for venturing to RIV* the man his orders In your preeence. I am very snxlous that you should not decide hsstlly. Sorely we

ought to bear what this lady has to

to your humane is*y?' .. Horses dissented widely from his frleud'a opinion. 'It's sn Insult to

Grace/ he broke out, warmly, 'to hear what she has to say.* Lady Janet nodded ber head In high approval. 'I think so too,' said her ladyship, crossing ber handsome old bauds resolutely on berlsp.

Julian applied himself to answering Horace first. 'Pardon me,' be said. 'I have no Intention of presuming to reflect on Miss Koseberry, or of bringing ber into the nastier at all.—The consul's letter, bs went on, speaking to his aunt, 'mentions, if you remco|ber, that tho medical authorities of Mannheim wero divided In opinion on their patient's esse. Some of them—the pbyslcian-ln-cblef being among tbe number—believe that the recovery of ber mind bas not accompanied tbe recovery of her body.' 'In other words,' Lady Janet remarked, 'a mad woman is In my house, and I am expected to receive her!' 'Don't let us exaggerate,'said Julian, gently. 'It can serve no good Interest in this serious -matter to exaggerate anything. The consul assures us, on tho authority of the doctor, that she is perfectly gentle and harmless. If sho Is really tbe victim of a mental delusion, tho poor creature is surely an object of compassion, and she ought to oe placed under proper care. Ask your own kind heart, my dear aunt, 1! It would not be downright cruelty to turn this forlorn woman adrift in tho world without making some inquiry first.'

Lady Janet's inbred sense of justice admitted—not overwillingly—tbe reasonableness as well as the humanity of the view expressed in those words. •There is some truth in that, Julian,' she said, shirting her position nneaslly In her chair, and looking at Horace. •Don't you think so too?" she added.

I can't say I do,' answered Horace,

in the positive tone of a man whose obstinacy is proof against every form of appeal that can be addressed to him.

The patienco of Julian was firm enough to be match for the obstinacy or Horace. 'At any rate,' he resumed, with uridimished good temper, 'we are all three equally interested in setting this matter at rest. I put it to you, Lady Janet, if we are not favored, at this lucky moment, with the very opportunity that we want? Miss Roseerry is n-t only out of the room, but out of the bouse. If we let this chance slip, who can say what awkward accident may not happen in the course of the next few days

Let the woman come in,' cried Lady Janet, deciding headlong, with her customary impatience of au delay. 'At once, Julian—before Grace can come back. Will you ring the bell this

time?'timeJulian

W I

This rang it. 'May I give the man his orders?' he respectfully inquired of his aunt. 'Give him any tiling you like, and have dono'wilh it!' retorted the irritable old lady, getting briskly on her feet, and taking a turn in the room to compose herself.

The servant withdrew, with orders to show tho visitor In. Horace crossed the room at tho same time—apparently with tbe Intention of leaving it by the door at the opposite end. 'You are not going away?' exclaimed Lady Janet. •I see no use in my remaining here,' replied Horace, not very graciously. •In that case,' retorted Lady Janet, 'remain here because I wish it.' •Certainly—if you wish it. Only renteuiber,' ho added, tnoro obsiinHtely than ever, 'that I differ entirely from Julian's viow. In my opinion tbe woman has no claim on us.'

A passing movement of irritation escaped Julian for the first time. 'Don't be hard, Horace,' li& said, sharply. •All women have a claim on us.'

They had unconsciously gathered together, in the beat of tbe little debate, turi log their backs on the library door. At the iHst words of tho reproof administered by Julian to Horaco, their attention was recalled to passing events by tho slight noise produced by the opening and closing of tbe door. With one record the three turned aud looked in the direction from which the sounds had come..™,

M. 'V*

CHAPTER XI. THK DEAD AUVK.

*jW Inside tho door there appeared the figure of a small woman, dressed In plain and poor black garments. She silently lifted her black net veil, and disclosed a dull, pale, worn, weary face. Tbe forehead was low and broad the eyes were unusually far apart the lower features wore remarkably small and delicate. In health (as the consul at Mannheim hsd remarked] this woman must have possessed, If not absolute beauty, at least rare attractions peculiarly ber own. As it was now. Suffering—sullen, silent, self-contained suffering—bad marred lis beauty. Attention and ©von curiosity It might still rouse. Admiration or Interest it could exelte no longer.

The small, thin, black figure stood Immovably Inside the door. Tbo dull, worn, white face looked silently at tbe three persons In ths room.

The three persons in tbe room, on their side, stood a moment without moving, and looked silently st the stranger on the threshold. There was something, either in the woman herssif,or In the sudden and stealthy manner of her appe&ranoe In the room, which froze, as if with the touch of sn Invisible cold band, the sympathies of all three. Accustomed to tbe world, habitually at their ease in every social emergency, they were now sllenoed for the first time In their lives by the first serious sense of embarrassment which they had felt since they were children in toe presence of a stranger.

Hsd the appearance of the true Grace Roseberry aroused In their minds a suspicion of tbe womsn who hsd stolen her name, snd taken her place in the house?

Not so much ss tbe shadow of a suspicion of Mercy was at the bottom of tbe strange

sense

of uneasiness which

hsd now deprived tbem alike their habitual oourtesy and their habitual presence of mind. was as practically Impossible tor any one of the three to doubt the identity of tbe sdopted daughter of the bouse as It would be for you who read these lines to doubt the identity of the nearest

and

dearest

relative you bave in tbe world. Circumstances hsd fortified Mercy behind the strongest of all natural rights—tbe right of first possession. Circumstances had armed ber with the most irresistible of sll natural Ibices the force of previous association and previous babU. Not by so much ss a balr-breadth wss the position of the false Grace Roseberry shaken by the first appearance of the true Grace Roseberry within tbe doors of Msbtetborpe House. Lsdy Janet felt suddenly repelled, without knowing why. Horace IWt suddenly, withoutknowlng why. Asked to describe their own Henna tin in at tbe moment, they would hare shaken their beads in despsir,and would have answered In those worts. The vague presentment of some misfor

tune to nome had entered tho room with tho entrance of tbe woman in black. But St moved in visibly and It spoke, as all presentments speak, In tbe Unknown Tongue.

A moment passed. Tbe crackling of tbe fire and tbe ticking of tho clock wore tbe only sounds audible in the room.

The voice of tho visitor—hard, clear, and quiet—was the first voice that broke the silence. •Mr. Julian Gray?' she said, looking Interrogatively from one of (he two gentlemen to the other.

Julian advanced a few steps, instantly recovering his self-possession. 'I am sorry I was not at home,' he said, •when you called with your lettor from tbe consul. Pray take a chair.'

By way of setting tbe example. Lady Janet seated herself st some little distance, with Horace in attendance standing near. She bowed to tbo stranger with studious politeness, but without uttering word, before she settled herself in her chair. *1 am obliged to listen to this person,' thought the old lady. 'But I am nof obliged to speak to her. That Is Jullan's business—not mine.' 'Don't stand, Horace! You fidget me. Sit down.' Arme«l beforehand in ber policy of silence, Lady Janet folded her handsome hands as usual, and waited for tbe proceedings to begin, llko a judge on the bench.

Will you tako a chair?' Julian repeated, observing that the visitor appeared neither to heed nor to hear his first words of welcome to hor.

At this second appeal she spoke to him. 'Is that Lady Janet Roy ?'sho nsked, with her eyes fixed on the mistress of the house.

Jullau answered, and drew back to .w watch the result.

Tho woman in the poor black garments changed her position for tho first

gan, 'were words, madam, which told mo to expect protection and kindness from you.'

It was not Lady Janet's business to spoak. She listened with the blandest attention. She waited with tho most exasperating silence to hoar more.

:'.,£

time. Sho moved slowly across tbe room to the place at which Lady Jauet was Hitting, and addressod her respectfully with perfect self-possession of manner. Her whole demeanor, from the moment when she had appeared at -f._• the door, had cxprossed—at once plainlyaiul becomingly—confidence In tho reception that awaited her. 'Almost the last words my father said to me on his doath-bed,' shb be*

Sj0

Grace Roseberry drew back a step— not intimidated—only mortified and »t surprised. 'Was my father wrong?' sho asked, with a simple dignity of tone ami manner which forced Lady Janet to abandon to her policy of silenoe, in spite of herself. m:

Who was your father?' she asked, ,| coldly. Graco Roseberry answered tho qtiestion in a tone of htern surprise.

HUB the servant not giv«n you U\y card?'she said. 'Don't you know my

name?' Which of your names?' rejoined Lady Janet. 'r

don't understand your ladyship. *8 I will Aako myself understood. You asked me if I knew yoar name, I ask you, in return, which name It fs Tbo name on your card is 'Miss RoSeberry. «f Tbe name marked on your clothes, *4 when you wero in the hospital, was

Mercy Merrick." The self-possession which Graco had maintained from tho moment whon she bad entered the dining-room, seemed now, for tho first time, to be 011 the joint of failing her. She turned, tooked appealiugly at Julian, who had thus far kept his place apart, listening r, attentively.

Suroly,' she said, 'your friend, tbo .a consul, has told you in his letter about the mark on the clothes?'

Something of tbo girlish hesitation and tlmidv which had marked her demoanor at her Interview with Mercy In the French cottage reappeared in her tona aud manner as she spoko tboso words. Tho changes—mostly for tho worse—wrought in her by the suffering through which she bad passed since that time, were now (for tbo-, moment) effaced. All tli&t vvtuj left of tho better and simpler blda of her cbaractor asserted Itself In her brlof uppeal to Julian. She had hltborto ropel led him. He began to feel acortaln compasslonato interest in her now.

The consul has iuforuiod 1110 of what you said to him,' ho answered, kindly., "'But, If you will take my advice, I roeo» mend you to tell your story to Lady Janet in your owu words.'

Grace again addressed herself with submissive roluctauce to Lady Janet.. The clothes your ladyship speaks of, 'Vshe said, 'were tho clothes another woman. Tbe rain was pouring wnen^t the soldiers detained roe on tho frontier. I bad been exposed for hours to the weatber—I was wet to tbe skin. Tho clotbes marked 'Merfiy Merrick' wore tho clotbes lent to mo by Mercy Mer-, rick herself while my own things wero drying. I was struck by the shell In those clotbes. I was carried away insensible In those clothes after the oper-: atlon had been performed on me.

Lady Janet lfstoued to perfection— sod did no more. Sho turned conu-^ dentiallj to Horace, and* said to mm,

Lady Janet asked you a question just now,' be said 'Lady Jsnet Inquired who your father wae.'

My father was the late Colonel Roseberry.' jLsdy Jsnet made another confidential remark to Horace.

Grace looked at him Indignantly* •Proof!'she repeated. *I« my word uot enough?'

jf..

In ber gracefully ironical way, She ls4i| ready with ber explanation. iNJ Horace answered In tbe same tone, A. great deal too ready.'

Grace looked from 000 of them to the ether. A faint flush of color showed Itself In ber face for tbe first time. "she asked,with.

Am I to understand,'she asked.with proud composure, 'that you don be--.i lleve me?'

Lady Janet maintained her policy or silence. She waved one hand oourto-gs oasly toward Jullsn, as If to say, Ad-p# dress your inquiries to the gentlemang who Introduces you.' Jullsn, noticing^ the gesture, and observing the rising' color in Grace's cheeks, Interfered directly In the Interest of pescs.

& Sk-

4Her

ssfuranee

amssee me!' she exclaimed.

r.•

Julian Interposed before his aunt oould sdd a word more. •Prsy let us hear her,' he said, in atone of entreaty which hsd something of tbe imperative In It this time. He turned to Grace. •Have you any proof to produce,' he added, in bis gentler voice,'which will satisfy us that you- are Colonel Roseberry's daughter

Julian kept his temper perfectly* •Pardon me.' he rejoined, 'you forget that yoa ana Lady Janet meet now for the first time. Try to put yourself in my annt's place. How is she to know that yon are tbe late Colonel Roseberry's daughter?'

Grace's head sunk on her breast she dropped Into the nearest chair. Tbe expression of ber face changed Instantly from anger to discouragement. Ah, she exclaimed, bitterly, Tf I only had

ISS

i#"

I''