Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 7, Number 26, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 23 December 1876 — Page 7

BRISK

-ft

E4-'

iiiis

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLED

3BE BIDDEN FOB

(Continued from 8ix(k*^page^ If ever •fortune wu thrown is «ny one'* I up. it will be so in tbi* MM of mine," lie mattered. "With Stanley Kenwood forever oat of my way, and charming, petite Kssie Hamilton fur a wife, Iran be one of the happiest of men. But before I jump to that there is #ork to be done. Stanley Kenwood mmt be removed, and at rni« I have been a fool already for putting it ofl so long. There is bo danirer at present, yet there is DO knowing when an expose iBay come, and the eooner it is done Ihe fetter. As for the fair E*sie—if fair means won't do, foul ones will have to answer in their place."

For a half hour he aat there, revolving bis dark plans, and plotting as only one possMOMHi of ss subtle a brain as John Edwards conld.

He was a descendant of a distant branch of the Kenwood family, and was a gambler and villain of the deepest dye. Falling in with bis present associate, with the two that had so recently left, (key itmned the plan for manufacturing counterfeit money. Fitting, themselves out as hnnter* and trappers, they had •eine to tblr place a year before, looking for a suitable spot to commence their nefnrious work. The small island in the deep, dark swamp, seemed to be a most promising one, and they had forth -with proceeded to erect their quarters hero.

Bringing the requisite tools and material to the edge of the lake on pack mule*, they had transferred it from thence to the swamp in their oat. As has already be«n shown they had erected a cabin on the ahore of tha lake, as their apparent huntingquarters and they had also taken the precaution to* go to and from their den on the island ln-tha night time, whenever it was possible to do so. Edwavds made occasional trips to tho frontier, where he disposed of tho coin, bringing back snob article# as they needed for use. He spent a great portion of bis time with the Indians, and finally married Ettewawah, one of the maidens of the tribe. The result ef this marriage we have already feeen •During Ula last trip to the settlement he had come across a newspaper containing an advertisement for Stanley Kenwood. The latter had been a companion of eld Len Leyden since the previous winter, an was consequently in ignorance of the inquiries through the nspers regarding bis whereabouts.

Ed warns knew ibis, and was aware, too, that Kenwood knew nothing conceniiiig himself or his anceetry. Poaseseina himself of the farts in the case, and twin* perfectly familiar with the history of the Kenwood family, there flashed through his mind a scheme to remove Stanley from his path, and then present himself as the heir to the Kenwood estate, hoping that his great porefun resemblance to the true heir would enable him to carry out his parpose. It was his Intention, rhould tbe plan prove successful, to dispose of tbe estate, snd then resume bis rightful name and individuality, In another part of the country.

He was revolving this in his mind as he sat there, and his features worked strangely in tha dim, unoertaln light. All the evil in his nature was brought into full play, sti the varying emotions •urging tumultously in nla breast, were faithfully portrayed In tbe ever changing expression of his face.

There Is no such word as fall," ha mattered, rising to his feet. "I hold the winning cards, and a rich inheritance is hefore mo. Within a week, at .farthest, Stanley Ken wood sees the laatof earth."

The dull gray of the autumn dawn was yet risible, when Edwarda entered the outer rooom where Stumpy had passed the night. Tbe latter was already preparing breakfaat, which duty consisted simply in watching a pieoe of venlson and wildfowl that were cooking before the Are.

Edwarda waa not in a oommunicatlve mood, and the meal passed in silence. At Its close, Stumpy said:

They had a Dig time on tbe lake yesterday, Cap!" "They—whom T" inquired Edwards, "Ob, that long legged hunter an' bis chum, an' th# Hamlltons," replied Stumpy. "They war out dock buntin', an' got all they could carry, an' more too. I laid 'round an' watched 'em. That gal o' old Hamilton's is a tearer— could beat all abootln'. Guess that Kenwood feller ar' pooty sweet on her, too."

Why, what makes you think so asked Edwards, quietly. Oh, I kinder tho* he acted tbet way.

1 wards,

un, kinder mo DVWMIU »OW W»J. a little. The ole man an* her staid an* et dinner with him an' Len, arter they got throwgh buntin'. DIdnt hev nothin' tew dew, so I laid round an' watched.H

The man's careleaa gossip gave Edwards a start. "There may be something in what he says," he mused. waa a tool, not to have thought of It before. Bvnn a dead rival might prove inconvenient, but aa a living one be will not triable me long. But, I moat work cautiously. There must be so bungling. If Levden waa not so constantly with him my task would be an easier one, but it shall be accomplished in spite of fate itself. "Stumpy,' be said aloud. "There la no use staying cooped up her*. Hadn't we better take a run through the woodaf"

Jest what I war about to say," responded Stumpy, emptying the ashes from his nips. "I found a etampln' ,. ground off west, where the deer ar thicker'n flies. Thought I'd take a tramp off thar. to-day."

They took the same course In going on«that Kd words had entered on the pi*»Vwn* night. They found the oanoe precisely aa lie had left It, and jumping in, proceeded up the creek. On reaching tbe lake. Stumpy followed easterly around It, while Edwards took a direct course aeroes it for his regular landing spot near the cabin. Reechlnc it, be concoajed the canoe in Its aoco*tom»d plaoMnd struck out lit a northern dl-

^eNi*t*red In tbe woods In the vicinity of Len*s cabin during tbe afternoon, but neither beard nor saw anything of our hanx Just at dark he saw the old trapper, going In the direction of Mr. Hamilton's, snd cur«tngjla luck at pot him a sight of Ksowood, he et last started for bis oamp. ....

It waa already quite dark, and be had proceeded a quarter of a mile around the lake, when a rich baritone voice, fkr eat, on the water, awoke tbe aehoas of the woods and hills. Crawling through the dense growth of bashes that lined the banks, Kd wards psnsed and listened. Clear and aweet tbe song echoed over the water: "Over UM sands of XX» deawtk *:."fw

On a charger shodwtth On, I ewne to the*, like UM winds of leave*. la UK speed of BJF destrs.'* It was Kenwood's voice, and bs waa making directly for tbe point where bis

SiBfB

MBit?

::|I11B81I1I

8®|S •mm

THE MA4L

iemv was waiting, At tbT$nunctnre lotwbt dashed through Edwards' liar IMtead of shooting Kenwood,

enemy tho miw. ... —.» he mniM use bis rifle aa a club, and as be stepped from the boat would deal him blow which would render him insemlnle. There would be little or no rtdkThe would fhll into the lake, and strangulation would ensun before he recovered consciousness, Edwards could then set the canoe afloat, and h« would be supposed to have been accidentally

dJTh"p?an

was decidedly sU^eiW and

crouching in tbe darkness, he waited for His victim. Kenwood was rapidly ap proaohinir, singing oareleesly as he plied his paddle, with no thought of liie dauger that menaced.

Then open thy silent lattice, If And listen to ray cry I love Out thee, I love bill thee,

With a love that shall not die Til! the null grows cold, aad the stars are old, And the leaves of tho Judgment book anfold."

The singer psu.«wd. There was a moment filled only with the dying echoes of tbe song, and then Edwards heard a dull, grating sound, as the boat scoured against the beach. He braced himself to deliver the blow.

Kenwood arose, and taking np his rifle, stepped along to wards tbe prow of the canoe. ,,, [TO BE CONTINUED.] (Ml!.

..The Dead .Secret. ,j

II 1

(IFIt BV WILKIE COLLINS, I I lThi»intensely lnterestlngserlal wascomnt*nc.fl In The Mall of September 23-Vol :, No. 13» Bacs DU in burs of the paper can procured at tbo yfllce, al tho new* slaO'l*. or they will be sent by «v»U on tbe r*alpt five cents for audit c«n» desired.)

CHAPTER XXII.

THE TKI.LINO OF THE SECRET. Fold by fold Rosamond opened the paper, and saw that there w-re written obaraoters inside it, traced in ink that bad faded to a light llow hue. She smoothed It out carefully on tho tablethen took it up again, and looked at tbe first line of the writing.

The iirat line contained only three words—words whlcu told her that the

Sewjription

aper with the writing on it was not a of a picture, but a letterwords which made ber start and change color tbe moment her e.ve fell upon them. Witbf ufc attempting to read any IXirther, she hastily turned over the leaf to find out the place where the writiug ended.

It ended at the bottom ef the third page but there was a break in tbe lines, near tbe foot of tbe second page, and in tbat break there wer two names signed. She looked at the uppermost of tbe two —started again—and turned bauk instantly to the first page.

Line by line, and word byword, she read through tbe writing ber natural complexion fading out gradually tbe while, aud a dull, equal hitenees overspreading all her face in itsstead. When she had come to the end of tbe third page, the hand in which she held the letter dropped to her side, and she turned ber bead slowly towards Leonard. In that position she stood—no tears moistening ber eyes, no change passing her features, no word escaping her no movement varying tbe position

over her features, no word escap

her limbs—in tbat position she stood with the fatal letter crumpled up in her gers, looking steadfastly, breathlessly at ber blind

cold fingers, looking steadfast! lessly, breathlessly at ber band.

bus-

He was still Bitting as she had him a few minntes before, with bis legs crossed, his bsnds clasped together in front of them, snd bis bead turned expectantly in tbe direction in which be had 'sst beard tbe sound of his wife's voice. But, in few moments, the intense stillness in tbe room forced Itself upon his attention. Ha changed bla position—listened for a little, turning bla headiuneasily from side to side—and then called to his wife,

Rosamond!" At the sound of his voice her lips moved, and her fingers closed faster on the paper that they neld but abe neither stepped forward nor spoke.

Rosamond Her lips moved again—faint traoes of expresaion began to pass shsdow-lika over the blanlc whiteness of ber faco— she advanced one step, hesitated, looked at the letter, and stopped.

Hearing no answer, he rose surprised and uneaay. Moving bis poor, helpless, wandering banda to and fro before him in the air, he walked forward a few paoea, straight out from the wall against which be bad bean sitting. A chair, which his bsnds were not held low •nongb to touch, stood In his way and, as he still advanced, ha struck his knee sharply againat it.

A cry burst from Rosamond's lips, ss If the pain of the blow bad passed, at the Imrant of Ita infliction, from her buaband to herself. She waa by his side Ins moment. "You are not hart, Lenny T" abe said, faintly.

No, no." He tried to preaa bia hand on tbe place where he had struck himself, but she knelt down quickly^snd

fingher

»ut own band there instead nesther head against him, while she waa on her knees, in a atrangely hesitating, timid way- He lightly laid tho band, which she bad Intercepted, on ber ahoulder. The moment It touched her, ber eyee beeran to aoflen the tears rote in them and fell elowly, one by one, down bercheaka.

thought you had left me," be aald. "There waa such a sllenee tbat I fancied you had gone out of tbe room." will you coma out of It with me. now?" Her strength stemed to fkil her, while she aaked the queation ber hea 1 drooped on bar breast, and abe let the letter &11 on the floor at her aide.

Are you tired already, Rosamond Your voice sounds as if you were. I want to leave tha ro*m,H aha Mid. attlt In the same low, faint, constrained tone. "Ia your knee ea-ier, dear Can ytHJ walk, now?" "Certainly. There ia nothing In tbe world the matter with my knee. If yon are tired, Rosamond-?-*" I know you are, though you mar not oonfeaa It—tbe eooner we leave the room tha better."

She appeared not. to hear tbe last words hesald. Heir fingers were working feverishly about ber neon and bo eom two bright, red spots wars beginning to born in bar pale cbeeka her eyee were fixed vacantly on the letter at ber aide: ber banda wavered about it before aba picked It no. For a few aeaonda, abe waited on bm kneea, looking at It intently, with her head tornad away ffrea her husband then Maaai walked to the fire place. Among the dust, ashes, and other rubbtah at tha back of the grata were asattered some old, tarn pkwat ofpeper. They caught bar aya, and held it fixed on theocu She looked and looked, slowly banding down nearer aad nearer to the grat*. For one aaomeot she bald tbe letter out over tbe rubbish In both hands—the next eke drew back, shuddering violently, and turned round so aa Csee bar husband again. At the eight of him, a Mot, Inarticulate exeUaaatk*. hair sigh, half eofc, burnt from bar. "Ofc, no, no I" abe whispered to bacaeU elssplag together, fsrrantly, aad look

TBRRB HWTUTH S^TORUAYT'EVENIN&I MAILJ'T

ing at him with fond, mournful eyes. "Nevnr, never, Lenny—come of It what may!"

Were yon speaking to me, Rosamond?" "Yes, love. I was saying—" She paused, snd, with trembling fin folded up the tbe form in whi

Folded up tbe paper again, exxctiy loh she had fouud it. eyou?"bee»k,'d« voloe sounds away fhrfn me, atthe othaiand of tho room again. Wb^re are you?"

Where are you?

She ran to him, flushed, and tremblinn, and tearful took hitn by the arin and, without an instant of hesitation, without the faintest sign of irreeolution in her face, placed the folded paper boldly in his hand. "Keep that, Lenny," she said, turning deadly pale, bat still not losing her firmness. "Keep that, and ask tue to read It to you as soon as we are out of the Myrtle Room."

What is it?" be asked. "Tbe last thing I have found, love," she replied, looking at him earnostly, with a deep sigh of relief.

Is it of any importance

,t,n*

Instead of answering, she suddenly caught him to her bosom, clung to him witb all the fervor of her Impulsive nature, and breathlessly and passionately covered his face with kisses. "Gently! Gently!" said Leonard, laughing. "You take away my breath."

Nhe drew back, and stood looking at him in silence, with a band laid ou each of hit' shoulders "Oh, my angel!" she murmured, tenderly. "I would give all I have in the world, if I could only know how much you love me I" "Surely," he returned, still laughing. "Surely, Rosamond, you ought to know by this time!"

I shall know soon." She spoke those words in tones so quiet and low that they were barely audible. Interpreting tho chango in her voice as afresh indication of fatigue, Leonard invited her to lead htm away by holding out his haud. She took it in silence, and guided him siowtv to the door.

On their way back to tbe Inhabited side of thfe house, sbo skid nothing more on the subject of tbe folded piece ot paper which she bad placed in his bands. All her attention, while they were re turning to tbe west front, seemed to he absorbed in tbe one act of jealously watching every inch ol' ground tbat he walked over, to inako sure that it was tafe and smooth before she suffered hi HI to sot his foot on it. Careful and consid erate as sh" had always been, from the first day of their married lile, whenever she led him from one place to another, she was uow unduly, almost absurdly, anxious to preserve biin from tbe remotest possibility of an accident. Finding that ho was tbe nearest to the outsideof the*pen lauding, when they left the Myrtle Room, she insisted on changing places, so that he might be nearest to tbe wall. While they were descending the stairs, she (stopped him in tbe middle, to inquire if he felt any pain in the knee which he bad struck against tho ebair. At tbe last step she brought him to a standstill gain, while she moved away the torn and tangled remains of an old mat for fear one ot bis feet should catch in it. Walking across the north hall, she entreated that he would take ber arm and lean heavily upon .her, because she felt sure tbat his knee was not quite free from stiffness y-tt. Even at the short flight of stairs, which connected the entrance to the hall witb thn passages leading to tho west side of the house, she twice stopped bim on the way down, to place his foot on tbesoun* parts of the steps, which she represented as dangerously worn awa.v in more places than one. He laughed •ood hnmoredly at her excessive anxie-ty-to save him from all danger of stumbling. and asked if there was sny likelihood, with their numerous stoppsges, of getting back to tha west side ot the house in time for lunch.- She waa not road?, as ususl, with her retort his Isugh found no pleasant echo in hers abe only answered tbat It waa impossible to bo too anxious about him and then went on in silence,till they reached the dour of tbe housekeeper's room.

Leaving bim for a moment outaide, she wentTn to give the keys back again to Mrs. Pentreatb. "Dearme, ma'amJ" exclaimed tbe housekeeper, "you look quite overcome by tbe beat of the day, and tbe close air or those old rooms. Can I get yon a glasaof water, or may I give you my bottle of salts?"

Rosamond declined both offers. May I be allowed to ask, ma'am, if anything has been found

this

time In

the north rooms?" inquired Mrs. Pentreath, hanging up the bunch of keyy. Only aome old papers," replied Rosamond, turning away.

I beg pardon, again, ma'am," pursued the housekeeper "but, In case any of the gentry of tbe neighborhood should call to-day

We are engaged. No matter who It may bo, we are both engaged." Answering briefly in these terms, Rosamond lea Mrs. Pentreatb, and rejoined her husband.

With the same excean of sttentlon and care which she bad shown on the way to the housekeeper's room, she now led him un the west stair-case. Tbe library door Happening to stand open, they passed through it on their way to the drawing room, which was the lares rand cooler apartment of tbe two. Having guided Leonard to a seat. Roeamond

Uiawilljl lUWUlf waaivu fTwv vuv.«a»*

cooler apartment or tbe two. Having guided Leonard to a seat. Roaamonc returned to the library, and took from tbe table a tray oontaining a bottle of water, and a tumbler, which she bed noticed when she paased through.

I may feel faint aa well as frightened," she said quickly herself, turning round with tbe tray In her band to return to the drawing room.

Afterabe bad put the wster down on a table in a corner, aha noiselessly locked fl*st« the door trading into tbe library, then tbe door leading into tbe passage. Leonard, hearing ber moving abont, advised her to keen quiet on tbe tofh. Sbe patted bim gently on the cheek, and waa about to make aome suitable anawer, when she accldentallv beheld ber fhoe reflected In tbe looking glaaa under which be waa sitting. Tha sight of bar own white cheeks aad startled eyes suspended the words An her lips. She baslenel away to the window to catch any breath of air that might be wafted townrds bar from tha sea.

Tbe beat mist still hid tbe borissn. Nearer, tbe oily, ool«rte«i surfaea of tha water was lust visible, heaving elowly, frnra time te time, in one vast monoton ooa wave tbat rolled itaelf out emoothly and endlesaly till it waa loat in the white obaeunty of tbe at*. Clone on tbe shore, tbe noisy surf was bushed. Noaoundcame from the beach except at long, wearily long intervals, when a qulcktbump, and a atf aplas% Just audible and no mora, announced the foil of ooa tiny, mimic wave upon tbe parebIngaand. On the •arrace In front of tha bemse, the cbangeleaa ham of summer Insects waa all tbat told of life and movement. Not a human flgiAe waa to be seen anywhere on tbe shore Hen of aaa loomed shadowy IbrOogh the heat at sea no breath of air waved the ligt teodrila of the creepers that twined up tbe bouse wall, or refraabed the drooping flowers ranged in the windowa. RMUiond turned away from tbe outer meet, after a moment's weary coniplattea of It, Aa abe looked Into

the room again, her husband spoke ber. What precious thing Ilea bidden In this paper?" he asked, producing the letter, and smiling as be opened it. "Surely there must be something be•idea writing—aomo inestimable powder, or some bank-note of fabulous valvewrapped up in all these folds?"

Rommond'a heart aank within her, as be opened the letter and passed bia finger over the writing inside, witb a mock expresaion of anxiety, and a light jeat about sharing all treasures discovered at Portbgeni)a witb his wife.

I will resd it to you directly, Lsnnv," she ssid, dropping luto the nearest seat, and languidly pushing her hair back from ber toui pies. "But put it away lor a few minutes, now, and let u* talk of anvthing else you like tbat does not remind us of ttie Myrtle Room. I am very capricious, am I not, to be so suddenly weary of tbe vory subject tbat I have been fondest of talking about for so many weeks past? Tell me, love," she adaed, rising abrubtly and going to tbe back of his chair, "do I get worse with my wbiins, and fancies, and faults? or am I improved, since tbe time when we were first married?"

He tossed the letter aside carelessly on a table which was always plaoed by the arm of his chair, and shook his forefinger at her witb a frown of comic reproof. "Oh tie, Rosamond I are you trying to entrap ine into paying you compliments?"

The light tone, that he persisted in adopting seemed abolutely to terrify her. She shrink away from his chair, and sat down again at a little distance from him. I remember I used to offend you," she rontinued quick .y and amfusedly, "No, no not towffend—only to vex you a little—by talking too familiarly to the servants. Yon might almost have fancied, at first, if you had not known me so well, that It was a habit with me because I had once been a servant myself. Suppose I had been a servant—tho

servant

who had helped to

nurse you in your illness, the servant who led you about in your blindness more carefully than any one ele—would yeu havo thought much, then, o: the difference between us? would you—"

She stopped. The smile had vanished from Leonard's face, and he had turned a little away from her. "What is the use, Rosamond, of supposing events that never could have happened?" he asked rather Impatiently.

She went to the side table, poured out some of the water she had brought from the library, and drank it eagerly then walked to the window and pluoked a few of the tlawers that were plaoed there. She threw some of them away again the next moment but kept tbe rest in her hand, thoughtfully arranging them so as to contrast thair colors with the best effect. When this was done she put them into her bosom, looked down absently at them, took them out again, and, returning to her husband, placed the littlo nosegay in the button-hole ot bis coat. "Something to make you look gay and bright, love—as I always wish to see you," she said, seating herself in her favorite attitude at his feet, and looking up at him sadly, with her arms resting on his knees.

What are you thinking about, Rosamond he asked, after an interval of silence. "I was only wondering, Lenny, whether any woman in the world could be as fond of you as I am I feel almost afraid that there are others who would ask nothing better than to ltve and die for you, as well as me. There is something in your face, in your voice, in all your ways—somethingbesidestheinterest of your sad, aad affliction—that would draw any women's heart to you, I.tbiak. If I waa to die—" "If

you

were to die!" He started as

be repeated the words after her, and, leaning forward,anxiously laid his hand upon her forehead. "You are thinking and talking very strangely this morning Rosamond? Are you not well?"

She rose on her knees snd looked closer at bim, her face brighteniag a little, and a fslnt smile just plsylug round her lips. "I wonder if you will always be as anxlona about me, and as fond of me, aa you are now?" ahe whispered, kissing his hand aa ahe removed ft from her forehead. He leaned back again in tbe chair, and told ber. jeatingly, not to look too far luto the future. The words, lightly as they were spoken, struck deep Into her heart, "There are timos, Lenny." she said, "when one's happiness in the preaent depends upon one's certainty of the future." She looked at the letter, which ber husband bsd left op?n on tbe table near bim, aa abe apoke and, after a momentary struggle with herself, took it in ber hand to read it. At the first word ber voice failed her the deadly paleness overspresd her fhoe sgaln she threw the letter back on tbe table, aud walked awav to the other end ef the room. "The future?" asked Leonard. '•What future, Rosamond, can fon poa sibly mean "Suppose I meant our future, at Porthgenna?" she said, moistening her dry lips with a tew drop of water. "Shall we atay here aa long as we thought we should, and be aa happy aa we have been everywhere else? You told me on the journey that I should find it dull, snd that I should be driven to all aorta of extraordinary occupationa to amuse myselt. You said you expected tbat I should begin with gardening and end by writing a novel. A novel!" She approached her husband again, and watched hla fhoe eagerly while she went on. "Why not? More women write novels now than me. What la tbe prevent me from trying? The first great requisite, 1 suppose, is to have an idea of a story and tbat I have got." She advanced a few ateps further, reached the table on which the letter lay, and placed her hand on it, kee-' •yes still fixed intently on fhoe.

Br WJ, KUU taping ber Leonard's

And what la your idea, Roeamond?" he aaked. This," abe replied "I mean to make the main interest of tbe story mater in two yonngmarried people. They ahall be very fond of each other—aa frnd aa we are, Lenny—and they ahall be In our rank of life. After they have been happily married some time, aad when they have got one child to make them love each other move dearly than ever, a terrible discovery shall fell upon them like a thunderbolt. Tbe buaband ahall have chosen for bia wife a young lady hearing ae ancient a flamlly name

tbe letter to and fro on the table,

well born aa yon. Lanny—end tbe terrible discovery ahall be/thst hla wifohse no right to tbe ancient name tbat abe bore when he married ber."

I cna't-esy, mgr love, tbatlapnrove of your idea. Your story will decoy tbe reader into feeling an internet In a woman who turns out to be am impoetor."

MNnf"

ell haduda afid all aacrifloea. Heer me out, Lenny, be'ore you' Judge." Hot tears rushed jnto her eyes but she dash ed them away passionately, and went on. "The with ahall grow np to womanhood, and shall marry, in total ignorance—mind that!—in total ignoranoe of ber teal biatory. The audden die clospre of the truth shall overwhelm her —ahe ahall find herself

(etruek

by a ca

lamity which ahe had no hand in bringing about. She ahall be crushed, petrified, etaggern&in ber very reason by tbe discovery it shall hurst up*n her when she baa no one but herself to depend on she shall have the power of keeping it a secret from her husband witb perfect impunity abe shall be tried, she shall be shaken in her mortal frailness, by one of fesrful temptations, she shall conquer it, and, of her own free will, she shall tell ber husband all that she knows herself. Now, Lenny, what do you call that woman an impoator

No a victim." Who goee of her own accord to the sacrifice? and who it to besicrificed?"

I did not say tbat." What would you do with her, Lenny, if you were writing the story? I mean,bow would you make her husband behave to ber? It ia a queation in which a man's nature is concerned, and a woman ia not competent to decide it. am perplexed about how to end the story. How would yon end it, love T" As she ceased, her voice sank sadly to its gentlest pleading tones. She came close to him, and twined her fingers in his hair fondly. "How would you end it, love?" she repeatod, stooping down till her trembling lips just touched his forehead. lie moved uneasily in bis chair, and replied, "I am not a writer of novels, Rosamond." "But how would you set, Lenny, If you were that husband

It ia hard for me to say," he answered. "I have not your vivid imagination, my dear. I nave no power of putting myself, at a moment's notice, into a position that is not my own, and of knowing bow I should act in it."

But suppose your wife was close to you—as close as I am now? Suppose she had just told you the dreadful secret, and was standing before you—as I am standing now—with the happiness of her whole life to come depending on one kind word trom your lips? Oh, Lenny, you would not let her drop broken hearted at your feet? You would know, let ber birth be what it might, tbat she was still the same faithful creatine who had cherished, and served, and trusted, and worshiped you since her marriage day, and wbo asked nothing in return but to Jay her head on your bosom, and to hear you say that you loved her? You would know that she had nerved herself to tell the fatal secret, because, in her loyalty and love to ber hnsband, she would rather die forsaken and despised, than live, deceiving bim? You would know all this, ana you open your arms to the mother of child, to the wife of your first fo though she was tbe lowliest of all lowly born women in the estimation of tbe world Oh, you would, Lenny I kuow you would!" "Rosamond! how your hands trem ble how your voice altera! You are agitating yourself about tnis supposed story or yours, as if you were talking of real events." "You would take her to your heart, Lenny You would open your arms to her without an instant of unworthy doubt?"

our

ove,

Hush! hush! I hope I should." Hope? only hope? Oh,think again, love, think again an. say you know you ahould!"

Must I, Rosamond? Then I do aay it." She drew back as the words passed his lips, and took the letter from the table.

You have not yet asked me, Lenny, to read the letter that I found In the Myrtle Room. I ofler to read it now of my own accord." She trembled a little aa she spoke those few decisive word* but ber utterance of them was clear and stesdy, ss if ber consciousness of being now irrevocably pledged to make the disclosure had strengthened her at last to dare all hasarda and end all aus penae.

Her husband turned towards the place from which the aound of her voice had reached him, witb a mixed exprea

aion of perplexity and surp face. "You pass so suddenly from one subject to another," be eafd, hardly know bow to follow you. What in the world, Roeamond, takes you, at one jump, from a romantlo argument about a situation In a novel to tbe plain, piactical buslnesa of reading an old letter?"

Perhaps there ia a closer connection between the two than you ausj*ot,r

she

anawered. A closer connection What connection? I don't understand."

The letter will explain." rf is "Why the letter? Why ahould you not explain

Sbe stole one snxlous look at his face, and aaw tbat a aense of something serious to come was now overshadowing his mind for tho first time. "Rossmond," heexclsimed, "there is aome mystery

There are no mysteries between us two," sbe interposed quickly. "There never have been any, hive there never shall be." Sbe moved a little nearer to bim to take ber old favorite place on his knee, then checked herself, and drew back again to tbe table. Warning tears in ber eyea bade ber dlatrust her own firmneaa, and read the letter where ahe could not feel the beating of hia heart. "Did I tell yon," abo resumed, atter waitiug an inatant to oompose herself, "where I found tbe folded pie per which I put into your MrytleRoom?"

I pieoe of pa band in the

No," be replied, "I think not." 1 found it at tbe beck of tbe frame of that picture—the picture of the ghostly woman with tbe wicked fitce. I opened it immediately, and aaw that It was a letter. The addrese inaide, tbe firat line under it, and one of tbe two signatures which it contained were in a handwriting that I knew."

Wboee?"

The handwriting of tbe late Mrs. Treverton." Of your mother?"

Of the late Mrs. Treverton." Gracious God, Roeamond I why do you apeak of ber In that way V1

Let me reed, and you will know. I would ratber reed It than tell It. You have seen, with ray eyee, what the Myrtle Room ie like you have seen, with my eyes, every object through it brought to

MTo

cried Roeamond, warmly. "A

true weman-e woman who never looped to a deception—e woman fail of Auilte and bat a teller of lbs truth at

which tbe yon most thia letter

contain*. Itia tbe Secret of tbe Myrtle Room." gbe bent cioee over tbe feint, fhded writing, and reed these war A*:

irr UoniMft, a a We have parted, Arthur, forever, net had the eourat audi have to emarage bitter our farewell by eoafcaslag tbat I have deceived you eruell

Bote few a

yw wave weeping by my bedaide, spooking of oar child. My wronged, my b-loved hoabend, tbe little daughter or year heart Ie not youre—is not mine. 8ba a love-child, whom I bare impoe

ed on you for mine. Her father' miner at Porthgenna—her mother is wqf meld, Sarah Lseson."

Rosamond paused, but never ruisaA her head from tbe letter. 8he beard h« husband lay his hand suddenly on the table she heard him start to his ft she heard him draw ble breath hea\ inonequiok gasp she heard him wi per to himself tbe instant after: "A love Child!" With a tearful, pdnful dintinctnesa she heard tbo«e tnree word* Tbe tone in which *he whimpered th'efca turned ber cold. But she never moveL for there was more to reed and whoa more remained, *f her life bad depended on it, abe could not have looked qp.

In a moment mors abe went on, nnS read these linea next: I have many heavy aina to answer for, but this one sin you must pardon, Arthur for I committed it throuni fondness for you. That fondness toH| me a secret which yon sought to hide from me. Tbat fondness told me thai your barren wife would never mate your heart all her own uutil ahe hall bdrne you a child and your lips prove® it true. Your firs*, words, when yea came back from sea, and wnen tbe iafant was placed in your arms, were: 1 have never loved you, Roeamond, ail love you now.'

you bad not saB

that, I should never have have kept nay guilty secret. I cau add no more for death ia very near me. How the fraud was commuted, and what my othf motives were^X must leave you to disoover from tbe mother of the child, who is charged to give you this. You will be merciful to 3* tbe poor little creature who bears my" name, I know. Be merciful, also, to her unhappy pareut she is only guilty 41 too blindly obeying me. If there is anything that mitigates the bitterness at I my remorse, it is tbe lemembrance that my act of deceit saved tbe most faithful. and the most affectionate of woman from shame that she had not deserveA. Remember roc forgivingly, Artbua—

words may tell how 1 have «inne3 against you:

words can tell how 1 ei

have loved yon!" She bad struggled on thusfhr, and hod readied tbe last line on the second page of tbo letter, when she paused again, ana then tried to read the first two of tb»signatures—"Rosamoud Treverton."Sbe A faintly repeated twoayllables of th*b. familiar Christian name—the name tbajfc was on her husband's lips every hour dl the dav !—and struggled to articuU* the third, but her voice failed ber. All the sacred household memories whlali that ruthless letter bad profaned forever, seemed to tear themselves awa from her heart at the same motnei With a low, moaning cry, she droj ber arms on tbe table, and laid ber heeoi down on them, and hfal her iaco.

She heard nothing, She was consciowi of nothing, until she felt a touch on tor shoulder—a light touch from a heat that tremblei. Every uulsein her bo^y 1 bounded In answer to it, aud abe lookeS up.

Her husband bad guided himself near to her, by tho table. Tbe toars wa» glistening in his dim, sightless. As sto rose and touched him, his arms opened, and closed fast round ber.

My own Roeamond I" bo said, "oouML^ to me and be comforted "t ,I'" [TO BB ooNTirrtnci*. •/.

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