f rl n 7avKl f r"' "' ;jK YM vA Mi
.v r.. . . - . . .v .. , ... - .-. - .-. . --,.1 c J-"-.' H i m
A(nOffOf"r!CtDOFJ7EHAftVejT
f ir
Going Through the Reglste.
, f wax a tp;.al A m.-ric.-i n maiden who now
climbed ihe h ,t, dusty road, no shade being
nfTorilid h the aloe s and cypress tree, burn
ing run and glare of white walls unsubdued by
a e I ti- i- cl'jud.
Apparently insensible al.ke to the heat and
blinding dazzle phe stepped along, tut dainty an
nimantion of youth, loveliness, and darit g a
fvir crossed the Atlantic Strikingly contrasted was the
delicacy rif this young thing-she could hardly have Been lur
e-ightc-nt h Mrthday with her evident fearlessness and hibit
r.f independence. Sylphlik.- in her slightness. se-raphlcally
fair, golden haired, and Mm. eyed, she had likely visited the
dlil world slone, and without consulting any one was here on
her ow n business. Otdy 'me trait of the American girl was
wanting. I'erhaps the Ida' k ribbon on her white mus In
dr. ss and half mourning hat accounted f r an expression
.f profound sinlne ss. She s- f und not only sad but t-iit upon
fulfilling a hard, a bravely confronted duty. There was no
spring In her footfall, no alertness In her looks. Slowly and
di liberately ahe tolled along, n basket of white flowera on one
arm.
About half a mile, perhaps less, separated her from the
little railway station Just left behind and her destination,
every upward step affording a wider, more exquisite pano
rama. Not once did Kvey pause to glance at the scene below;
t more beautiful cnmMnntlnn of a a and coast to be found
i.i Fair epe. A sheet e.r sparkling sapphire today looked the
Mediterranean, asbestine gleamed its shores, of pale amethyst
was the mountain range a bow. whilst In tints equally gemlike
an. I pure stood out orange and palm, white villas shining
from their midst. As in a hollow, separated from the test,
rial even more beautiful t'l.n Its entourage lay Monte Carlo,
with its marble palaces, .in. raid swards, fountains, and roe
gardens;. Faintly yet lnpir itingly the strains of an orches
tra renched this higher irr und, and g.iyly dressed groups
could be discerned sitting unl.r trees. FaJrylike. a veritable
island of the Bleft, might the spot have appeared to the
uninitiated, to some Inquirer from a more artless world.
Sun ly hem he would ex. I elm. In such an earthly paradise,
sin find sorrow nnd shame can have no place'
When Evey reached the hilltop she did Indeed halt, but
not to gate and admire, only to draw a deep breath, and
brace herself for an evidently dreaded ordeal. She had now
c me to the cemetery, a vast lncloaure, here, as are feme
t rb s elsewhere In France, scrupulously kept, each monu
ment standing In a tiny (lower garden, choice trees and shrubs
ni'iornlng the walks, not an Inch but was thus relieved of
gloom.
That momentary pause over, Hvey walked straight up to
the porter's lodge, and rang the bell.
" 1 have come, if you phase, to make lome Inquiries." she
said, with an air of quiet authority.
" Walk In. mademoiselle," re plied the porter amiably, and
without testifying the least surprise. Young, beautiful
American girls wandering about the world alone, are no
longer sources of wonder or curiosity. They have become,
Indeed, as much a mattir of course ns Mr. Cook's banded
globe trotters.
The concierge was an elderly man having the reserved,
gentlemanly air of even the htimldist French ntllcial. Oblig
ing, tactful, never losing sight of stray gratuities, yet never
appearing expectant, his manners and appearance often made
atrnngerg hesitate before putting their hands in their pockets
" We keep our registers here." he added, entering on
Inner room, " you have only to give me name and date, and
I can Indicate Ihe grave you have come to visit. And the
I'rotestant cemetery lies only a stone's throw off.'!
So saying he lifted his Index finger In a certain direction
of the vast, beautiful burying ground.
Kvey turned her back upon the white marble monuments,
the little (lower gardens surrounding them, and the flower
bordered alleys.
" My errand Is hot there," she said, then with an effort,
she managed to get out" I have to visit the suicides' ce-me-tiry.
but first of nil. to obtain some particulars."
Even this announcement did not astonish her Interlocutor.
Nothing in the shape of human tragedy comes as a surprise
at Monte Carlo. Folks who live there grow hardened to
grimmest tragedy. The circumspect porter only became a
trifle more subdued, more officiously serviceable. A thousand
pities, he thought to himself, that the father, brother, or
maybe flanc of this pretty demoiselle should have come to
such an end!
"Certainly, certainly, mademoiselle," he answered. " Ws
ilo all we can to oblige friends and relatives of the defunct.
Just take a chair by the table, und I will fetch my register."
So saying he unlocked u cupbourd nnd brought out a
heavy tome In lent Iter binding.
" I need not tell you." he continued, " that dates are
often more useful than names as a means of Identification.
Many unfortunate iersons put In the ground without Chris
tian burial took care to leave behind no trace by which their
bodies could be identified. Others had gambled away their
nil under un assumed name. And not a few who have made
away with themselves are never put under the sod at all "
Kvey looked up horror stricken. Without a word her
companion pointed to the sea.
Hut. mudem(lsolle." he went on cheerfully, ' here are
the entries of the last twelve months, certified and anony
mous. If the name you look for is not down, carefully note
tiie dates."
R. HILTON HEY was eligible." Kit el y one
ft 1 knows what that means, lie bad lately taken
I nn old fashioned house near the village of
If A I raxton. Also the eiftice of church warden at
the village cliuich.
Now, withiir the borders of Fuxton lived
six single women more or lens on the aftr
side of 4H. Hilton Hey was on the after
side of 41), too. pleasant to look upon, and blessed
with a considerable portion of tills world's go.Hls Coinci-de-ntally
he had dined with Mrs. Smurth wulte, widow; ' high
tead " with Miss 11. i-l. y, golfe d with Miss Evans, audited
charity accounts for Mrs. Stansfe Id likewise widow lunched
with Miss Flint and her small nephew, and practiced duets
fer a village concert with Miss Iord.
Then arose a cloud u t rifle bigger than a man's hand a
girl with ret" gold hair and blue eyes, the new lady organist
of I'axton church.
The six went In for the unity which Is strength, and re
ported Individually on the situation as poleliem who mark
the movements of the enemy
" He saw her home from the choir practice last night,"
said Miss Heeley, who nad dropped In to tea with Mrs.
Stansfe hi.
"So Miss Evans told me," returned Mrs. Stansfeld. "I'll
be bound she kept htm talking at the gate for long enough.
With no one to fetch her in und shake her!"
Miss Heeley rose to in As she hurried down the lane
she- met Miss Flint, who burst into communication without
preliminary.
"They're both In the church now! She's practicing, and
In- a sitting in the front pew Miss Lord peeped In and saw
them!"
" And Miss Evans told Mrs. Stunt.fi lei that they stood
at Bridget's gate last nignt talking for long enough with
the ir heads toge tiler!" gaijeed Miss Heeley.
"1 shall speak to the vie-ar." said Miss Flint decidedly.
' I'm going to Mrs. Hniurth waite's, and I shall ask her wheth
er she doesn't consider it our duty."
" Oooel grae ieius!" said Mrs. S-nurthwalte, on hearing
the news. " 1 bad no idea"
" Ner had any of us," Interrupted Miss Flint, "until we
saw for nurse Ives. It shows how easy It Is to warm a viper
in your bosom without knowing it!"
Mis Snjitrthwalte infirnud Miss Lord the same evening
that she was no prude, but taut when it came to surreptitious
kissing ut dusk beneath a laburnum tree the situation passed
bend her comprehension und experience. Which was cer
tainly correct.
The 1. al had a sudd 'n attack of pleurisy, and the six
to..k it as a pctmihal linul'. Miss Flint suggested that the
iiii- t of a sic k room would be conducive to a ceiuslelerutioii
of affairs, and wished tu write instead of waiting for an lu
te i view. Then Miss Evans said, " Why not w rite to the
lilll?" Anel Ihe I.I. .1 " i.mi."
It wa.-i not n nice letter. It ounveyeel scathing disapproval
of what the wtlters te-rinsHl " shameli'ss conduit," and do
inaii li-el that It should he discontinued, If only for the suku
of the villagers, who were as yet hupplly Ignorant of the
ways of adventuresse
Its erne redeeming feature m that it bore the signature
I1
With a pale f oe. btit never for a moment losing self
control. Kvey sat down to her grewsome task. Could the wide
world show a record more ftpialling? These nflVial minutes
one and all spvd for so many wrecked lives nnd broken
hearts, for unbridled passion, frenzied cupidity, and Irre
trievable dishonor. Not touching the volume, shrinking
from e-otit.n t so repellmt. she conned entry after entry
No. the name she s.xialit was not there, tint fact w.n
quickly seized by her "Sift, unerring eye She ru.isi tlon
examine dates. r Iv upon these ns a means of l.b-n; irh ath m.
Still outwardly calm, although by this time the last rose tint
had faded from her cheek, she n..w se-t ntlnlzed entry after
entry, quickly abandoning the larger number, soon concen
trating her attention upon two or three, finally transfixed
by one.
She rose suddenly, her rapid movement and qui.-k. n-iv-ons.
commanding utterance causing the caretaker to drop Ms
Petit Journal with a start
" I'lease lead me to that numbe r,'- she sild. pointing to
a line of bis open register.
"At your service, mademoiselle. Just hold up . r
dress." was the prompt reply, and. taking up a huge bunch
of keys, be begged her to follow Mm.
II.
In the Suicides' Cemetery.
"You see.'' added her guide, "the cemetery gardeners
shoot down their rubbish yonder, and you might catch up
briars and dead leaves."
So saying, and unlinking the Iron gate of a walled In in
elosure, quite apart from the beautifully kept burial ground,
he bade her enter.
Well might Evey stand still for a moment, ns If nt last
courage failed her. Hire the dead lay separated by sur
roundings contrasted as those of Pnnte's puigatniy and'
paradise. On the one hand were sculptured cenotaphs. s m
bollc trees ami flowers, with perpetually renewed wreaths,
the wide Campo Santo lying open to the heavens, bathed in
light and sunshine, the gloom and sadness of the tomb dis
pelled by such surroundings, and reminders of pious limiting
love. On the other were all the desolation nnd horror of
the malefactor's last resting place, the unhallowed, lime -membered
graveyard within prison walls.
With perceptions sharpened by sorrow Kvey s lanced
round, seizing every accessory of the place. Half sepul. her.
half waste, here In revolting contiguity lay graves of me n
nnd women and refuse heaps, garden sweepings, discarded
funeral wreaths, bits of crape, with broken bottles, potsherds,
end miscellaneous household rubbish.
Thus then put In the ground by the parish grave digger,
interred without following or religious ceremony, rested the
sulf ides of Monte Carlo! Each grave was marked by an
upright bit of wood, somewhat larger than that used by
gardeners to mark seeds, the slips hearing a number, nothing
more. Stakes driven into the earth indicated vacant spots.
The Indescribable grewsomeness of the scene was height
ened by two small monumental stones garlanded with black
and violet artificial wreaths.
" You see, mademoiselle." said the cicerone, observing
that Kvey's eyes rested on these. " It Is not every poor
creature buried here who Is forgotten. Yonder tablet was
put up to the memory of a poor young fellow, an artisan,
by his fellow-workmen, the nearer one by a young man's
brothers ntnl sisters. It Isn't only rich folks who are driven
to make away with themselves by the gambling table eithe r.
Hut here Is a number you want. Let me tidy up a bit."
Without giving her time to reply he fetched a broom,
swept clean the narrow space around the grave, and put
down a bit of old carpet.
"That will keep your dress clean and your feet dry. It
is damp hereabouts. Io you want scissors and string and
can I help you?" he asked.
Evey shook her head, and with trembling hand put a
ple-ce of money into his own.
" Ieave me a little while," she got out In an unsteady
voice and Immediately turning away her heart.
"Certainly, mademoiselle, you are at lilnrty to stay ns
long ns you please. If you want anything I am within- call,
and a thousand thanks." He moved away, to the girl's In
tense relief, offering no word of sympathy or encouragement,
affecting not to see her white face and nervous, tremor.
A momentary weakness, indeed, Impelb-d her to scatter
her Mowers and straightway follow him, heiueforth If peis
Blble to blot froi i memory this hideous picture, at once eiuit
the se-ene of her lover's temptation anel fall, only remember
him as he had been, Joyous ntnl Joy Inspiring, upright, manly,
and true! Then upbraiding herself for what she regarded
as cowardice, making an immense effort she turned to the
grave. With the rest 11 was a mere tumulous. so much care
lessly heaped up earth, surmounted by a slip of wood.
Here, then, was the end of her dreams, eif her life In so
far as existence means something te love and live for! Thus
had eneb-d a career full of promise, had bee n cut sheirt a
future bright as could be that of any human being. Why,
O! why, liael he neet confided in her; em the brink of degra
dation and ruin unbosomed himself; trustee! to her love!
How more than thankfully would she. have hastened to his
rescue.; how willingly would she have sacrificed her nil to
save his good name and ilia life! What evil Influe nces had
come between him and the playfellow of his boyhood, the
friend and cemflelante of hlB youth, the chosen partner of his
fortunes? For they had been much more than lovers in the
ordinary sense of the word, from their earliest years shar
ing alike Joys, sorrows, and Interests, liking, confidence, and
sympathy later ripening Into passionate devotion. I'nt'l that
of all the six. Thev addressed It to " Mis.- J.i.n e Chilte in.
ljiburnuni College, ' posted it, anel went their ways.
Joyce Chiltein was singing a little French se.ng from
sheer light lie arte dness when the pejstnian arrived ne xt
morning.
The song teased abruptly ns liridg.-t s soupy hand came
round the parlor door.
" A letter, my dear."
" O, you dear!" cried Joyce, snatching It eagerly.
But he r face fell when she saw the handwriting. She tore
oH-n the envelope and read.
A sudelen wave of color lushed to her cheeks; then she
turned white, and the tears gathered In her eyes,
"The pigs'" she said " the horrid, hateful pips!"
Hilton He y was standing be fore u pier glass In his dining
room.
"Not bad, I fancy," he said, surveying his relle-ctifin crit
ically. " Lot of fellows younger than I am have gray hair.
I don't suppese she's more than -4. though. What would that
matter If she lei That's whe re I'm such a feiol! I daren't
show her the least little bit that I care for fear she'd anub
me. Who Hie elii kens Is coming at this hour?"
" Miss Chilte i n to se e you, sir."
" Oooelni'ss!" muttered Ililtem Hey.
Joyce loe.ked round n-rveusly as she entered the room,
und Hilton H.-y marked leer agitation.
" Good n.eirning!" he said brightly holding out his hand.
" What a lovely morning! I think this is the most comfort
uble chair."
"Mr. Hey," began Jeiyce breathlessly, taking the prof
fered chair. " I'm afraid I'm doing un awfully unconven
tional thing; but I'm worried, and you have be-en kind since
I came here. The vicar is ill, and I've no one to consult, so
I've come to you as I used tej go to my own father."
Hilton Hey flushed slightly.
" I take It as an honor, Miss eChiltern. I shall be proud
to help you In any way I can."
"Well, then," said Joyce, "I received this le-tte-r this
morning, und I want to know what I ought to do."
Hilton Hey took the letter anel read it through. His brow
grew dark, und the veins in his forehead stoeed nut in little
knots. Then he swore and apologized In the same breath.
"The brutes!" he said.
" Aren t they pigs?" said Joyce, a twinkle of amusement
for the moment In her eyes.
Hilton Hey turne d to he i suddenly.
" Pe you know I'm ruilur grate ful to the old cats, be
cause It gives me- "
" You know," interrupted Joyce, with a laugh that was
suspiciously like a sob. ' It r the more ubsurd he-cause of
Cecil. I suppose he's the person 1 should have shown the
b iter tei, but he'd htve been so furious that I daren't. He'd
have come, down by the first train and se t fire to tiie villago
it something."
The letter bad dropped from Ililtem Hey's hand und flut
tered to the flexir. He pie k d It up deliberate ly. Then he said
in Ills ordinary voice:
" Who is Cecil?"
" How stupid of me!" Joyce bluoi.ed hotly. " He's the
5
fatal departure for Europe just six months before not a
e loud had si, allowed this affection. Nothing could have made
lie r be lie ve, that he weiulel hit change, grow secretive, mis
trustful, by little and little let himself drift apart from her.
a wall of silence and mystery at last rising up between them
The- bitter retrospect over, the transient reluctance van
quished, she set to work, de ftly, although with intermittent
tears, putting her white (lowers into the form of a creiss.
She had neit only brought scissors anel string, but slips of
i-urd board with her. on these fastening her exeiulsite gar
denias, myrtle, ami stephaneitis. with feirget-me-neit and
sprigs ef retsemary.
Almost any task that has a beginning, a middle, ami an
e nd soothes the wounded rplrit. To her surprise Kvey found
herself taking nn interest In her cross, scrupulously curing
tor symmetrical detail, fashioning her symbol as if It were
to aelorn seime hallowed (Jesl's ae-re-. eae-h beautiful blossom
s. . ore 1 in its place. Om-e in awhile the porter Just glani eil
towards that shuieler white robed figure framed by sur
roundings so hideous, but without much curiosity. The un
canny, tin- tragic, awaken scant surprise in the vicinity of
Mont.- Carlo, officials ge t used to the daily fare.
Not until she had done", until nothing re maine d but to place
the cri.ss. take a last look at her lover's grave, anel go away,
did she lose heart. It seemed Impossible' that two beings who
had lev d eac h othe r so dearly could be separated forever
Ami sepnrated thus!
Shudelcringly, transfixed to the spot, yet anxious to be
gone, she glanred at the heap of earth before heT with Its
numbereel slip of wood. The horrible Influence of the place
cnnfiiesed her senses, made her brain whirl. Tears would
have relieved, but she could not weep. Motionless as a marble
llgure or sculptured tomb she knelt by the grave, her dotal
cross ns yet unplaced.
Meantime the hours had sped on. to the heat and glare
of the short afternoon succeeding a sulphurous glow and
elanip haze. Sunset enchantment was shut out of the walled
tn tnclosure. but beyond, unspeakably beautiful, were alike
distant panorama and Intervening scenes.
Orie ntal were the opaline tints of mountain range, shore,
and sea. whilst .close under the exquisitely kept town ceme
tery white villas gleamed amid palm groves, and the dark,
gleepsy foliage of the pomegranate mingled with the silvery
plumed olive.
All was still. It seemed to Evey, as she sat alone In her
desolation, that It would be well to die here, to share the las',
resting place of the one being she had adored. What. Indeed,
was there to live for? And O! ne ver now to understand eac h
othe r, to wipe awayt each othe r's te-ars, their love strength
ened, sanctified by sorrow and suffering!
" Eelward!" she cried nt last, throwing; herself upon the
grave In a frenzy of grief nnd yearning. "Edward, call
me, take me. let me come to yon!"
III.
The Vision.
Transfix.il to
malefic inflm-nce
the sieit. surrendering
herself to Its weird,
Kvey
let
the
moments go by. Alone she
man I'm going to marry. He's in an oftle e in tow n, and he
el.i.sn't gel u big salary, penjr darling; ho we have ) wait.
You sec. I have no one else since my aunt died, and I'm
poor, too, si: I determined tei ge t this peist, if possible', to
help things on a bit."
"lie- is fortunate," said Hilton Hey. "You are wortn
wailing for. Miss Chlltern."
It was his tirst compliment to her. Joyce blushed ajyain.
" Cecil is." she- salel. " Now, must I answer that le tter,
Mr. He y, or can I igneire It?"
" Would ini leuve it in my bands?"
Joyce loeike-d up In surprise.
"Of course I would! Only I don't want you to have any
trouble abeuit it."
" I I shan't. Of course, I needn't te ll you that you ran
affeird to ignore it, but u lesson would do these these Indi
viduals good." (
" W hat shall you do?" queried Joyce, with interest
"I don't kne w yet. But you .-an trust me to do nothing
of which you or your Mr. "
" Clint." supplied Joyce.
" Mr. Clint would disapprove."
" O, yes." Joyce ro- p. he r feet. "I won't tell him
about it Just yet. I'm awfully obliged to you."
" The edllgation and minor are on my side," said Hilton
Hey, as he opened the- eloeer for her. As he. came buck Into
the room he caught sight of himself again In the tall pier
glass and stooel a moment.
" You uld fesjl!" he said huskily.
A little twisted note slid Into Miss Ilia-ley's letter box
that evening with a soft, .small thud, which was the only
intimation of its presence. Miss Hee le y, passing through her
hull, heard, investigated, unfold. -el. and read:
" Meet me in Primrose grove tomorrow ut 3:90.-11. H."
" Geeed graciouB!" she said.
Then she slipped It Inta her pocket.
" There Is only one ' H. H.' in Paxton who could send
this," she whispered excit -dly. " He is going to apiieal to
me to save him from that designing girl!"
Primrose grove was a ooded de ll a mile out of Paxton,
where the little yellow blossoms clustered III sweet profusion.
Miss Heeley spe-nt the hour folhiwing her dinner next
day In arraying herself In the village dressmaker's latest
creation, ami a black straw I. at. in which wallflowers waved
unhappily And ut M o'e-Ies k she salli.-el forth.
It was unfortunate that Mrs. giiiurt h walte should lie
passing the gat,- 1li.it th.it moment, gorgeously attired. She
e xplain. l a little- ine-olie re inly that she was going to visit
a friend, anel was late, so must lie exe-use-ei leer hurrying on.
Miss Heeley fell back willingly until the geiort lady had dis
appeared. Then she turned at the sound of rapid footste-ps
be hind he r.
Miss Evans also seemed hurried. She passed at a quick,
swinging pare with a " -lexd afternoon!" and vanished in
apparent pursuit of Mrs. Smurthwalte. Miss Heeley's bae-k-wur.l
glance, howe ver, hud reveule-d to her the presence of a
distant but advancing form whle h eae h moment was shaping
into Miss Flint.
ymm
& once M u&f-
Erey pavsv ioalmde Jj( J) -X
By J. LINCOLN RANDALL.
" One can t take a quiet walk." she gasped Indignantly,
" but t lie- whole village must needs turn out to spy! It's
a Is iminuhh-!"'
Sin- slipped into a c he-mlst's shop and pun based unnec
e .saiy lozenges until the unconscious Miss Flint ambled by.
Tin ii, tinding the coast clear, she started euie-e more.
Primrose grove was reached by a feiotpath breaking
away from the high road and terminating in an awkward
stile, which acted as entrance- or barrier to the dell.
"Thank goodness I've escaped them!" gasped Miss
lb eh-), as she picked he r way ulong the muddy pathway.
" i almost fe ared w by "
The re was a sudden soiinel eef high und annoyed voices
as a turn in the path brought the- tumbledeiwn stile into view.
Mrs. Stansfeld was guarding- it; while Mrs. Smurlhwaile,
Miss Kvaiis, ami Miss Flint stood facing her.
It appealed that .Mrs. Smurthwalte had found Mrs.
Stansfeld the re en he r arrival, und asked the reason of her
pre s. nee. WhereuMin Mrs. Stansfeld ineiuired at what date
Mrs. Sniurthwaite had purchased the right of way to Prim
rose greive. Out of whle-h had grown an unpleasant disc us
sion, Miss Evans und Miss Flint Joining with fervor on their
respective appe-a ranees.
Miss i lee ley turned to (ly almost into the urins of Miss
Lord, who was hurrying ulong the slippery path.
"O!" panted Miss Lend. "What are you doing here?"
Mis.s Heele y drew he rse lf up.
" He-ally, Miss Lorel, I don t know who authorised you to
" O!" panted Miss Lord. " What are you doing here?"
" I've come to to gather primroses," said Miss Lord
nervously. " Is Is there any harm In getting primroses?"
" You'll buve company!" said Miss Heeley wit herlngly,
waving tier hand towards the stile.
" O-o-o!" gasped Miss Iord
" Why don't yeeu climb over and begin, then?" rose Mrs
Smurthwaltt's volee, loud and angry.
" Why don't you?'' retorted Mrs. Stansfeld.
" She can t!" giggled Miss Evans.
" If these impe rtinent questions " begun Bliss Flint
"Why, here are Miss lloli-)' and Miss LeSrd! It's It's "
Miss Evans rapped the stile sharply for attention.
" We've bee n done!" she salel. " What's the good of con
cealing it? It s that ele-eitful girl! I said no good would
come of writing to her!"
" Why, )i,u pioiosed it:'' cried Miss Flint.
Miss Evans look, d paln- il.
"Of course," she said, "If you'll say that you'll Bay
anything!"
"I've hud enough!" said Mrs. Hmui t n waite- furiously.
" I'm going!"
" Olle llll llll llt, ladle s, pi,Se!"
Hilton He y was walking leisure ly towards them, driving
Miss He e le y and Miss Ior i Uf.ue dim like refractory sheep.
A sudden embarrassed feeling f. II iimiii the group. The
newcomer alone was culm
" You're all a little early," lie Raid pleasantly, con
sulting his watch. " I could hardly have Is lleved that the ex
periment of six initialed notes would prove so sure-i-ssf ul.
I Just wish to spe-uk about a le tte-r from you to Miss Joyce
Chlltern which has liuppenert to fall Into my hands. Will
Bonus one be g.Kd enough to tell me what Is the 'shameless
! ft
.f It but this char
w elded. Youth
lite IVlS StOi k Cf
b 1.1 lie Ve T be e t.
'g i m. mbrmce. t Ve ry
I ; . .m untroubled sur
1. . ..-id dcslh claim. 1
1. S g I . .
th. sh in. southe rn tnl
iii mac:.' ws impotent
.1 in but .al pln e und. r
tii'c issi' g gt,,ni
pre c:u. -t . f M"nte Carlo
iillow.d to icmain In soft. i.etle se no
h-. ip-it v 1'" Mieeliately
iind.riieiit h sen twinkled a theeusinl
f lit 1 I" S SC. lie S
:;,..n : ovi IVi g r. t.
s i.b r and w id- r
c.ts more end til a.
And If f"r a short
that by d i) light could not be in-.u. .d u
dered th.-atriiai'.y datl't-.g and vobipt'.io n
gi c w the mi ny hea lol e .-cle- iff lee trie 1 g
I timer. ois the kale 1.1 . pe hied limns
ii.t.rval the e-re. Ii.st r. ras.-d. atiimui
e-iTi- nart. In tuvil.-u-s ornate- as thus.
S'lll Ce-!g I- d in
f the Ai
il.l..
Nights" men and worn, n of fashion, g itn. sters. a mat. or
and prof, ssional. sipj-cd t"i and smoked e-ig irrls. wrei.-lod
ness and de-spa ir. like outward unsightlin. ss. alike l night
and day banish. .1 from view.
All the horrors of i:evs surroundings well- Iniliff.i . nt to
her now. In h.-r s. If-al.ind mm. nit she- welcomed tin s tette
Irons shadows, this tom'.hk e gvironm. nt And ns tin- even
ing wore on. drawing h.r downwards, cam.
be with him. for. -v. t united In the giave .
"I'.dward. Kdw.it d! I am lute. Tak- no
the longing to
Let mi' rome
to J.lll "
The Inarticulate murmur dad away in a sob. Half in
eestasy. ball ..wrcni. bv mortal terror, she- realized that
her invocnt i. n as
to claim her
insn.-r.d. that Peath and l.nv had c
me
For som
defined pre
sllitehed f.
m : n n t .
sh. had f. It
a thin voice
nscioiis of ft dim. half
ling In-r. of arms out-
Darkness hid now envi lop, .1 the
lie
horrid dentin, s of the sui iii. s'
distinctly Seen, while the sih-n
i nnte iy Nothing ceuld be
ar, miii! made the slightest
sound doubly au.libl
u'.tation. she w. lcom
Slnidib-riiig. t with a penst of ex
d the summons.
A mere shadow was the apparition that now ioi.hu hit
in its arms; faint the voice, in life so ringing and so strong;
cold and hes4tatlng the lips now pressed to her own. Hut It
was he. Th. y should be separate d no more. The grave,
even such a grave, was welcome for his sake!
That was her last thought before all became dark and
silent, pe re, y .a being suddenly dulled, alike terror nnd
transport rut short. His kiss she tried to return; then she
knew no m .i v.
A quite e very day story was Eelward I langerfield's; noth
ing In It to awaken astonishment or exceptional horror. Nor
was the coincidence that had brought Evey Rower acreess the
Atlantic to find that her lover "was dead ami Is alive again,
was lost and is found." at all hard to account for. a matter
of unusual occurrence. Two young men of unmistakable
Anglo-Saxon origin and gentlemanly appearance al the sam
time had been gambling heavily and disastrously. Hoth had
disappears! within a few days of each other, the one being
discovered with a bullet through his brain in the Casino gar
dens, the other being picked up. self-wound, d. but not mor
tally so, In a lonely Italian byroad some' distance off. Iloth
had destroyed everything about them that could possibly
give a clew to their identity, thus disappearing ns comple tely
as if the earth had swallowed them up.
Of the first gamester Kvey knew nothing, but the entries
concerning him in the register of the suicide s' cemetery cor
responded with those of her own little pnrketbook. A short,
desperate note had been penned and posted by Pangerfleld
Just two days before the other's lsedy had been found, and
the personal description hnd fitted. No link. Indeed, seemed
missing in the heart breaking chain of evidence.
Son of first rate professional people in Boston, a brilliant
student of Harvard university, his prospects fair ns any
ycung man could reasonably hope for. until that inauspicious
Journey to Europe. Kdward Pangerfleld had ne ver caused his
friends or his flane-ee n pang.
"Just like Ned Pangerfleld!"
This Is what his fellow students would say whe n hearing
of 'some generous deed or open hearted action. The In
heritor of rigid principles, of simple, reflneel tssti'S. chival
rcusly devoted to the love of his boyhood, his second self, he
was the last person for whom one would suppose a gam
1 ling table to prove a snare.
For " the best fun geilng. the oeld shilling or two risked."
of which he had told her In the one lnrvltnble way. the game
ster's worldly as well as moral ruin. I'nknow n to Kve y. little
by little his small fortune had been withdrawn from Amer
ica, to the purchase of a second hnnd revolver being eb-vote-d
his last handful of francs. Shabbily dressed, without be
trothal ring, watch, or studs, without so much as a sou In
hit pocket, he had set out on what he intended to be his last
errand.
Return to life and consciousness Imparted a chastened
yet courageous spirit, fie-fore embarking for home; and
jrveyhe determined to revisit the horrid scene of his fall,
there making a solemn vow never to touch cards or dice
ngaln. And with the Intention of giving himself one last, un
forgettable lesson be had gone- to the suicides' cemetery.
About six weeks later Kvey Howe r anel Edwnrd Pangerfleld
were married at the Amerlran consulate, Paris.
conduct ' to which it rcf.-.-s?"
" We de cline to be questioned!" gasped Miss Flint In
ustoiiisinneiit.
But Miss Evans grew bold
" It was an Iniquitous lirtation on the- purl of a designing
girl, from whose clutches we wish to save you."
"Can you deny," cried Mrs. Smurthwalte. taking heart,
" that she kissed you last Friday night under Hi i.ige t a
laburnum tree?"
"What?" thundered Hilton Hey.
Mrs. Smurthwalte Jumped.
" Miss Flint told me '
" I?" interrupted Miss Flint. " It wus Miss Heeley!"
"1?" exclaimed Miss Heeley.
Hilton Iley cleared bis throat and began.
" Really," he said dryly, " you have excited yourse lves
unnecessarily. Miss Chlltern hasn't even granted me what
she supposed was a clandestine meeting, requested by an
initialed note, of which the source was doubtful."
The six stood silent and self-convicted.
" You may not know," pursued Hilton Hey tinblushingly,
" that I come on be-hulf of Miss Chlltern's fiance. Mr. Cecil
Clint, for whom I have the highest regard. He is, un
fortunately, unable, to bee present, but he will nnturally wish
to bring action for libel against you."
Miss Ind began to cry.
"There is one condition upon which I feel Justified in
saying that ho might let Ihe mutter drop" ami Hilton Hey
drew a she-et of note paper from hi pocket. " I have drawn
up a statement: 'We humbly aisiloglze to Miss Joyce Chll
tern for the absurd chargs brought against Iter In our letter
of the JSth ult. We retract the same, and confess that they
are entirely without foundation.' "
"Are we to sign that?" Inquired Miss Heeley feebly.
"I would not coerce you for worlds. Possibly, if Miss
Chlltern rex-elves this letter with your bIx signatures at
tached Mr. Clint may consent to ignore the whole uj.surd
occurrence. Shall I leave it witli you. Mrs. Smurlh wilte?"
Mrs. Smurthwalte took the paper mechanically.
" I need detain you no longer, ladies. Good afternoon."
And Hilton Hey strode away with u grim smile on his
face.
The postman brought Joyce Chlltern two letters next
morning. ,
While she wus laughing snd crying over the apology from
the six It occur! ed to her to break the seal of the second.
Which lay on her knee. It was from Hilton lie y.
" My pear: If I may cull yeu so, as your father would
have done. If I am any Judge of human nature this morn
ing's post has brought your pe rs.-e-utoi s and slatub reis to
their seiis-s, for I suggested to them that an bumble apol
ogy and retraetion might Inuuee your flame to lit the mat
ter drop.
"I did not tell yeu that I uiii going abroad almost im
mediately for a year, so no doubt your wielding will take
place before I return. Yeci will neit U- offe-tiele d If I ass. you
to divide the inclosed wedding gift with Mr. Clint nnd to
keep a corner in your memory for yeiur true friend.
" IllI.TO.U llF.V." ,
"Closely following the "I " whle-h guarded Die lower left
hand corner of the wedellng gift there were four figures.
felt heie!( in the wot 1.1 now. Ti t i : t
nil house', to whi.i iii.. wi ..
beauty, the good g fis of for' '
friends, all had I.e . . ine' ir.lifT. r, r. t
Jealously she shut out ev.ty tc '
suftiMiirg thought t'o fiinl. sl r . i
pniny. fondly caressed cxistem-.
their own. ! r plac. w is by a su.ci
reautif ing. i.b -i!i:rg had be -i
l.ght around and I-low. II. re- su
Preurier. elleaelller grew the wall,
deeping shadow and gradaalv cue
For a brief space only ware the