THE FIACRE MYSTERY.
A Paris Physician's Horriblo
Discovery.
TratutaUd. Cincinnati Enquirer.)
CHArTEU I.
On a cold, clear night In January a
gcntloman with his hands in tlio pock
Ls of his overcoat walked rapidly up
Iho Boulevard Ilaussman, his stops
sounding loudly on tho asphalt of tho
avenue flilont and at this hour almost
deserted, though tho hands of tho
clock in tho cupola of St. Auguslino
marked hut a little past elovon.
Pedestrians wcro rare, but from timo
to timo a tram-car passed on its polish
ed rails the horses straining and slip
p ng and onvelopud In steaming vapor,
and tho heads of tho passengers, on
their way to tiie Trocadoro or tho
Jvluetto, scarcely distinguishable
-through tho glass of tho windows,
opaque with tlio mist of tho interior.
Thcro was 1 ttlo need of tho conductor's
Lorn to warn carriages out of tlio way
thoy wcro as rare as the passors-by;
.though at long intervals a volturc de
place rumbled slowly along on its way
to the depot, and occasionally r. privato
coupo, its lighted lanterns and spirited,
high-stepping horses, passing l.ko a
Hash.
As I said boforo, tho night was cold
And tho moon shone brilliantly, casting
-upon tho ground tlio perfect contour of
rail houses and bristling chimneys,
.ami tracing tho streets and pavements
with strange linos and distorted s.l
Jiouctlcs. Tho sharpness of tlio atmos
phere, however, seemed only to add to
tho good humor of our pedestrian as ho
walked on anil on, softly whistling, nnd(
revolving in his head all kinds of happy,
-cheerful fancies; for Dr. Pascal Horsier
would have been a malcontent, indued,
to have complained of destiny. Only
thirty , cars of age, n surgeon of note,
mill also Trofossor of Seionco in tho
College of Franco, ho had achieved an
exceptional position in the Corps Med
ical at an ago when his colleagues wero
still at tlio bottom of tlio ladder.
Sullloiontly wealthy to bo independ
ent of the drudgery of daily practice,
ho devoted his attontion entirely to
soinntlfib pursuits, and lias taken as a
specialty tlio nerves of tlio human
organism, tlioso mysterious agents
which transmit to the mombors of the
.body tho orders of tho brain.
Some of his recent experiments in
this linn, tho results of which ho has
lust given to the general public, had
drawn upon him tho attontion of the
-whole scient lio world.
No wonder Dr. Pascal Horsier was
liappy as ho walked along, picturing to
jiimsclf tho future await ng hi in.
As he approaoiied his homo in tho
Rue do Lamcunais his thoughts by
degrees took another dirootion. for lie
was not ns vet so absorbed in Ins work
and researches ns to be indillerent to
.nil other considerations. Science, for
which ho felt such passionate devotion,
.had a rival, and a powerful one. Pas
cal wnsj married, and had been for
several years, to tho daughter of ono of
tho chief employes of tho Ministry.
Called to attend Iior father in ono of
.chose maladies which seicneo retards
411(1 nllov.nlos, hut can not control, he
Jiad found boside his patient at every
-visit this beautiful and gentle woman,
watching with sad and questioning
oyes tho unequal battle witli doath.
Charmed from the first with her artless
.grace and modesty, ho was soon com
pletely enthralled by tho refined Intelli
gent o' and puro principles of Chnstino
Dumnrias. lie demanded and obtained
her hand, Christine's mother still re
mained a willow, with n small but suf
ficiently ample fortune to muot the re
quirements of herself and her two
children; and as Christine's brother, an
engineer and inventor 'of a specialty in
.1lin ixiiwlmotimi if ftiriili'ti rnllmfiils.
ivns able lo visit his family only at rare
intervals, Mad. Dumarais felt that she
vns exceptionally fortunate in finding
a son-in-law established in Paris.
From the day that ho was united to
Christine Dumarais Pascal Horsier had
been completely happy; and now, four
years after marriage, loved his wife
with the same ardor that ho felt for iter
i he day ho married her. To eay that
he loved her is to Bay little; ho simply
adored her.
Such ns ho had bnlioved her to ho ho
had found her in reality, nrtloss, lov
ing, nlwavH studying liovv to make his
lioino more attractive; happy if lie was
with her, and resigned if the duties of
his profession called him away. At first
Dr. Horsier feared that this lonely life
was a little sad for his beautiful young
wife, but if she found it so she never
.allowed it to appear.
Educated in a fiovero and soniowliat
-parsimonious home, sho did not ask
herself If marriage ought not to have
brought her compensations more amus
ing than thoie which hall satisfied her
ois a younj; girl.
Tho few worldly pleasures she nt in
tervals enjoyed in tho company with
her husband amply sulllood her, and
her greatest joy seemed to be to assem
ble about her table her mother, her
nearest rolatlvos and her husband's
friends. At least, such were the reus
ons with wlilt-li Pascal salved his con
science of the complete isolat on to
which he had condemned his wife.
However, thorn was another reason,
more serious than tho rest, which help
ed lo form tlio lino of conduct ho had
gradually adopted. MllcDiimnrnls,
who had parsed her earliest yours In a
ronibor twtrossol nt the end of a court,
suffered from a tendency to anemia,
-complicated with a blight nlVculion of
tho heart. Hut this had uot alarmed
"Dr. Borsiur, for ho was convinced that
lie could ruiuedt tho evil by vigilant
scare. Already an appreciable change
-for the bolter had taken place in Chris
tine's condition. A tranquil life, ex
.empt front fatigue and worn, was not
tonlv an important but an absolutely in-
.dispensable factor in the course of
treatment mid lie inside it his duty to
itr oily enforce tula part or the pro
grain me.
Hut, if I must confess It, thoro was
jt a thini reason, more powerful than
all tho preceding' one, an I of wVn-i It
was. perhaps, himself uncoiiMtioiHitr
dently as he loved hu wife, his p.i.-.inn
was surpassed bv his jealousy, les
Dr. Hros cruras jealous, absolutoh, r.
diculouslv jealous. Although hi hud
not the slightest reason in the world for
being so. On tho rare ooca-dom that
he allowed ti s wife to appear in socie
ty, instead ot cnjotlng Hie sensation
produced ny tier beauty anil lutein
gence, ho had suffered torment, every
look oi admiration c:ist upon her seem
ing to h s jealous heart an .iisult to be
aveugetl. At any rate no could cut
short exhibitions which infringed upon
his own privileges and prerogat ves,
and ho kept h'.s word. Tlio bcaut oi
Madame Iiroucr fully pi't. tied the In
umphat reception sho had met with in
society. Jfcr hair, worn in a s ngle
massive braid, coiled about her head,
was of n light golden brown, and when
unbound foil in r.ch, tmdulat ug waves
almost to her feet. Her complexion
was of that milky whiteness which in
variablv accompan os hair of a redd.sh
shade, and liur eyes long ami aimonu
shaped with dark brown pupils, shaded
by silky lashes. A laughing, ro3y
mouth, an expressive face of a charm
ing oval, and groat boautv and elegance
of form, produced an ideal which justi
fied tho immoderate lovo ot Pascal, ami
even to a certain extent explained his
jealousy.
Tlio nearer ho approached to h's
home, the moro Dr. Hrosier hurried his
slops, thereby hastening tlio moment
when ho would meet his wile, ami sho
had pronrsod to sit up reading by tho
lire until his return.
He could seo her now. just as she
would look when lie entered' tho room,
curled up in her arm-ciiair. onvolopod
in her plush dressing-gown, with nor
little foot toast ng upon tlio fondor and
her boolv In her hand, iio was nover
so happy as whon ablo to quit his work
sooner than ho anticipated, for it gave
her the joyous surprise of an unexpect
ed return. Such would bo tho caso
tills even ng.
Called in consultation to a patient at
Versailles, whoso condition was des
perate and upon whom they wore
going to perform an operation, he had
gone away at 7:D(), not intending to
return until tiie last train leaving Ver
sailles nt midnight- Hut the patient
had not considered it necessary to
await tho operat on, and, at tho very
moment the faculty wcro ascending tlio
ctalrs, had tricked thein nicely by slip
ping from life to death, considering it
profcranlu to steal away in that stylo to
remaining for a premature autopsy.
'Ho was a man of sense, eriod
Horsier, laughingly, as, bidding his
confreres good-night, he boarded tlio
ten instead of the twelve o'clock train,
and an hour afterward was deposited at
tlio foot of the Uuo de Home, wiicneo
lie had prefcrrod to walk to his home in
tho Hue do Lamouiinis.
As ho passed through the avenue
Friendland his attention was suddenly
arrested by tho loud rumbling of a
(iaoro passing rapidly ahead of him. All
at once tho yellow body of tho vehicle
and the white hat of tho coachman,
which ho had followed carelessly with
his eye, disappeared from view. It had
wheeled about, and, unless tho dis
tance deceived him, into tlio Hue de
Lameuiiuis.
A few moments afterward, as ho
turned into the street himself, he per
ceived tlio vehicle again, stopped bo
foro his own door. Tho coachman had
descended from his seat, and standing
by the side of tlio fiacre, soumed to be
expostulating w tli some ono in tlio car
riage. In tlio silence of that retired
quarter li s words wero perfectly audi
ble to Pascal as ho walked down tho
street
"Mndamo," eriod tho coachman.
"Madame, wake up! Wo liavu arrived.
There was no response.
"Madame," ho cried again, m'sing
his voice considerably, "wake, up, if you
please; wo have arrived.1'
St 11 the sleeper did uot move.
"Well, this is a go," mumbled tlio
coachman, grullly. "She's a regular
dummy. Want's tho matter witli her,
I wonder?" And the man in the white
hat peered into tlio' fiacre in perplexed
uncertainty.
"Anything wrong?" asked Pascal,
approaching him. "1 am a physician,
and perhaps can assist you."
"It's moru titan 1 know," responded
tlio coachman; "but something's gone
wrong with tho fare Can't move iior
no more than a block o' wood. Look
for yourself, inous eur."
Pascal, obeying tho coachman's di
rections, looked into tlio interior.
Stretched upon the cushions, a woman
was lying perfectly motionless, her face
shrouded in the folds of a thick veil.
He took her hand, his trained lingers
instinctively seeking the pulse; tho ar
tery did not beat.
'"Hollo," said tho doctor to himsolf;
"this is moro than a fainting lit. Hring
mc a light,' turning to the coachman.
"A light, quick -your lantern will do."
Tlio coachman obeyed, and the light
thrust into the carriage enabled him to
seo that tho woman boforo him was
slender in form, dressed in some kind
of a dark-colored robe tuid enveloped
from head to foot in a long fur mantle.
Supporting himself on tlio carriage
step tlio doctor carefully began to re
move the veil which concealed the fea
tures. Suddenly a cry of horror burst
trotn his lips, lie dropped from the
step Ids logs refused to support him.
The 1 feloss woman whom lie had lifted
in his arms, upon whoso discolored lips
anil ghastly face the rays of the lantern
fell broad and full, was his wife his
own wife Christine Horsierl
Yes, it was his wife, dying, porhaps,
doad! Hut how did sho come to bo in
that carriage, and at that hour of tho
nightP A pain as sharp as tlio stroke
of a stiletto pierced his heart as a terri
ble suspicion surged through li a mind;
but it was only a Hash thoro was no
timo to think ot such things now; ho
would consider them aftorward. Mas
tering himself by a powerful effort, hu
turned to tho coachman:
"Seek tho concierge of tho house,"
sa'd lie "and toll him to come quickly,
Dr. Horsier wants him," and drawing
from his pookot a bottle of salts, ho
hold it under the nostrils of tho unfor
tunate woman.
TO UK CONTINUKO.
PftMlug rouud tho tut ts ouo wr of get
ting tlio cent ot the weettajj. Xai Slfl.
HOUSEHOLD HINTS.
In Russia thoy soak potatoes and then
fry them. There is no accounting for
taste
Frozen fish, game and poultry is nn
abomination, and ono of thoso days tho
law will interfere.
For a change, tho center of applo p'o
is now cut nut, and tho holo tilled in
with "some delicious jelly."
In England thoy hold that ovstcr.s
and mtishroons are essential to tho suc
cess of a beefsteak pudding.
Comb honey may bo ripened by plac
ing it in a dry, warm room properly
ventilated. If placed in n 6mp room
it will receive moisture, swerraud burst
tho capping.
Halibut fish cakes liavo crowdod to
tho wall tho old-fasliiopcd "way back"
ones in wh ch cod used to figuro so ox
tonsivoly, and advanced fnshionablo
people call them "piscatorial patties.1'
Gingerbread Without Eggs Tills
rccipoT sent by a farmer's wife, may
prove useful "this time of tho year:
Thrco cups of Hour, ono cup niolassos.
one of sugar, one of sour milk, ono
heaping toa-tpoonful btttcr, two tea
spoonfuls snleralus, two teaspoons gin
ger, ono of cinnamon.
Hoiled Cidor Applo Sauce One-half
bushel sweet apples, four pounds of
sugar, n few quinces; put in sweet ci
der enough to cover the apples, boil and
sk m for four or five hours. This is
superior to tho old fashioned boiled ci
dor apple suuco, which was mado of ci
der that had been boiled down separate
ly, instead of doing all tho cooking in
tlio samo operation,
A "bangle, board" appoars to bo an
almost indisponsiblo article nowadays
in every well rogulatcd home A board
about six inches square and covered
witli anvdesirablo color of plush or vcl
vot is much prettier than tlio decorated
rolling-pin so often scon. A half dozen
of brass hooks and a r bbon to match
the cover of your board, to hang it up
bv is all that is necessary for tlio com
pletion of such an ornament or ar
ticle Sardine Sandwiches Sardines picked
up lino and mixed witli cold boiled ham,
also minced line, ami all well seasoned
witli a regular mayonnaiso dressing,
mako a delicious filling for sandwiches
for a lady's "afternoon" or a cold
luncheon. Tlio bread should bo cut
very thin and sparingly buttered. Thoy
dan bo piled up in slices or rolled and
tied witli narrow ribbon now in stylo.
Sweet Potato Lunch Sweet potatoos
cooked in this way are del cious for
lunch, although thoy are liked by many
persons for dinner: After boiling tho
potatoos peel thorn and slice thorn
lengthwise Put a layer of the slices
in a buttered dish, sprinklo- thorn witli
cinnamon and sugar and put tiny hits
of butter here and there; add another
layer of potatoes, surinkl.ng them as
hoforo, and continue till all aro used,
putting n little more butter on top of tho
liistla or. Hake in a good oven a
delicate brown and serve.
Hiokorynut Cake Four eggs, two
cups of sugar, one-half cup of cream
or butter, two and ono-lialf cups of
Hour, two teaspoonfuls of baking
powdor. Hake in jelly tins and be
tween the layers spread tlio following
cream: Two eggs, ono cup of sugar.
two helping tablcspoonfuls of corn
starch, ono coll'oo cupful of liiokory
nut meats, ono pint of milk. Heat
tlio oggs, sugar, corn starch and nuts
all togothor, and stir it into tho pint of
milk whilo it is boiling; lot it cook a9
thick as a custard, and whon cold.
spread it botwoon tlio layers.
ltolisliing. wholosomo salads may
without oxponso bo prepared so taste
fully that thoy often prove tlio most
attractive dish upon tlio table And
what dish is handsomer than chlclcen
in iolh ? Witli onlv the cost of tlio
small amount of gelatine required to
givo additional stillness to tho chicken
jelly, am farmer's poultry yard and
garden will lurnisn tno materials lor
those and numerous other delicacies
that in a city are unattainable save to
,i .... . r J? II..
ino comparative i'"v. j-jquuuy iuuii
ing aro quaking molds of jolly, holding
in thoir sinning depths fresh, canned
or preservod fruits.
I'ho Fashionable Hair Dresser.
Hut it was tho "Thompson wavo"
which caught tlio fominino eye with
the most ploasuro tlio pretty waving
front hair, which at tlio time was soon
nbovo'nnd closo to tho eyebrows of
every woman, old. young or midtllo
ngod. It was not so novel for women
to possess waving looks, but Mrs.
Thompson had invented something
which hold theso locks to tlio hoad a
siniplo contr vanco. which in its way is
complete Next sho invontcd the "baby
hang." a l ttlo fringe of hair to orna
ment tho bald heads of babies, wluuh
can be sowed in thoir bonnets. Passing
hor other inventions in hair, it is amus
ing to hoar her account of tho manner
in which tlio soniowliat prevailing
stvlo of wearing a looso twist of hair at
thu back of tho neck came to bo a la
mode.
"You soo tho lifo slzod wax tiguro
yonder,1' said madam, as wo wero sit
ting In ono of tho rooms of hor luxu
rious establishment in Fifth avenue
"Jt was in ono of my windows in Four
teenth street and was acoidontallv brok
on. The hair was in a tangle, and
fearing to still further injure thu figuro
I carelessly twisted up tlio hair into a
knot, leaving a tangle at tho nape of
tho nook. There was a crowd at tho
window all day inspecting tho now
coiffure and as you know, this back
hair tnnglo is gaining in popularity."
A'eui l'ork Star,
Justlco in Dakota.
Over nt ltoek Ilaplds a drunkon fel
low was taken boforo a drunken Judge
to answer the crimo of trying to chaw
up another drunken fellow. In course
of tho trial one of the attorneys told
the Judge to go to soinowhoro-whoro-upon
thu Juilgo fined thu legal light
for contempt of Court, thou lammed him
ovor tho head with a dressed turkoy.
After the lamming the Judge adjourn
ed tho Court, for a duy or two in order
to give all parties a chance to sober up,
Uaver Lreek D. T.) OrA e
HIS PLACE OF REST.
"I know a place" the old man eatd,
Where such ns I, cau rest;
Where there's a slicitcr for the head
Of every aged guest."
"Where none that are Infirm and old,
Aro driven from t' c door;
for all aro welcome to that fold,
And doubly so tho poor."
"You doubtlcsi speak of heaven, my friend!"
The listening pan-on saltl;
"Ah I yes. up there all sorrows end,
Up there no tears arc shed."
"Nay, nny." thennclent one replied,
'"TIs not of heaven I spenk;
, I mean the work-house, sir," he sighed,
"Where I have been a week."
Hal Jlcrte, In The Arkaiuaw Traveler.
Of
Mildred's pretty faco wore a now ex
pression as siie toyed witli hor teaspoon
and tr.cd to finish hor roll, and coffee.
John had just left her for his office.
Thoy had boon married thrco months,
and tho serious Aspects of lifo wero for
tlio first timo presenting themselves.
Tho problem of income and outgo
had made a fair showing on paper. A
small apartment fuel and gas includ
ed ono servant, and with such loads
of wedding presents, absolutely noth
ing to buy, thoy could actually save
money. Hut, somehow, there were
leaks which had not been considered,
and ten dollars covered a much smaller
amount in time and space than John or
Mildred lind supposed.
"I wish I could do something to help
John," thought Mildred, as sho gazed
abstractedly out of tlio wipdow. "Ho
has to work so hard," and she gave a
little sigh.
"What can I do?" sho pondered.
"What can I do?" sho asked herself
again and again, as witli deft touch sho
Btraiglituned and arranged tlio dainty
apartment.
Suddenly her face looked as if a door
had opened and Hooded it wit li sun
light "I know what I will do; I will write
a story. I know 1 can if I try. People
do not have to be so awfully clever to
do that. It is a knack, not a talent.
Thoro is Mrs. , who has made heaps
of money; and her stories aro only poor
trash all of them. John says so,"
Heforo another hour had passed tho
outline of a plot was dancing in her
excited young brain, and as soon as siio
could get the timo sho sat down with
pad and sharpened pencil. Then came
a pause. "How shall it begin?"
Sho drew little geometric figures on
tho margin of hor paper as she reflect
ed, her thoughts seeming to revolve in
a circle, returning even to tlio place
from whence the' started. Finally sho
wrote:
"In a small village on tho banks of 11
"Oh, that is so "commonplace No;
that will not do." And she toro off tlio
first sheet of her pad and reflected
again, tlien wroto:
"Frank Atwood was tho only son of
a"
"No, no; that is too stupid," and the
second sheet of the pad went into tho
wasto paper basket.
Sho recalled what John had said of
tho superfluous three pages, which
might witii benefit to most stories bo
eliminated for John was a journalist
and literrry critic, and his standard and
ideals wcro just on the measure of her
own. So sho thought with great defor
enco of what ho had said about tedious
preambles.
"Ho is right," she' said with decision.
"It is tlio personal interost in tho char
acters which wo aro looking for in read
ing a storv. All that conies before
that is tedious superfluity.
"I will dash right on with a letter
from tlio heroine, which will at onco
explain the situation." So witli tlio con
fidence which came from fooling her
self "at last on the right track, sho
wroto:
"Dkak Fkaxk. 1 return herewith
tho Icttors. which of course I liavo now
no right to keep. I need not tell you
what it costs mo.
" 'I have roliccted much upon what
you said yesterday, but I am at last re
solved. I will not soo you again. Any
attempt to make mo break tlio resolve
will bo fruitless. God knows you liavo
only yourself to blamo that this mar
riago lias 1
"Please, ma'am." said tho cook, com
ing suddenly in upon tlio young author
ess. "Please ma'am, tho butcher is
here. Will you come and seo him and
givo tlio order yorself about bavin1
them chops frenchod or whatever it
is."
"Oh, what a boro," sighed Mildred.
"I was just getting into tlio swing of
it." And she left tlio manuscript upon
hor dosk to bo resumed later.
Tho matter of the chops disposed of
there wore othor tilings requir ng atton
tion. At last, howovor, sho was at hor dosk
again. She red over tlio lettor with
winch her story opened to seo how it
sounded. "Konlly, she said, "I think
that starts off very well." and then she
took up tlio brbkon thread. "Only
yourself to blamo that this marriage
has 11 A violent ringing at tho tolo
phono again broke the current. "Hol
lo," said our young novelist.
"Mildred, is that vott?"
"Vi-s, is it you, Alice?"
"Yes. Mamma does not fool vory
well and w sin s you to take luncheon
with us Sho has sent tho carriage
He ready to come as soon as it ar
rives." Obviously no moru authorship
to day. So slipping Iior paper in hor
desk sho departed.
Now John was a nico sort of follow.
But wo may as well acknowledge at
onco that ho was not so heroic, nor so
wise, nor so infallible an authority as
his wife supposed.
She had taken the outllno of tho real
John, touched it up with the glowing
colors of her imagination and out of it
had mado an ideal John, winch, whilo
it bore a strong reseiublenco to the real,
was nevertheless largely a work of art.
Hut. after subtracting these additions
for tho real, there was still left a very
excellent fellow, with good talents,
wli ch ho was using- with rather bril
liant effectiveness In journalism and
various kinds of literary work; whe
was adorningly fond of his wife, and
had not yet recovered from his surprise
nt his excessive good fortune in possess
ing that much-coveted treasure for
whom he had much contended, with
many others, In those anxious days ol
courtship. And now there sho was at
home, waiting for him, while ho was
urging his brain to tho top of its speed,
and driving his quill in eager haste
thinking only of what it would bring
for him to lay at her foot
Mildred was right in thinking ho felt
anxious at times, for things did not al
ways turn out as he hoped. And he
oftentimes felt disheartened whon he
thought that with the fullest measure
of success which ho could achieve in
his profession could never icld whal
so peerless a wife as Mildred deserved.
For. of course, he had wdli I113 imagi
nation retouched the real Mildred too.
Tlio now purpose of authorship
brought a great light and hope into
Mildred's lifo. She fell important
indeed that she was much more impor
tant than people wero aware Thai
sho was carrying a very largo secret
that if John only knew!
Then sho pictured to herself his read
in her story, possibly reviewing it. Af
ter lie lias written all kinds of nice
tilings about it I will toll him that 1
am tlio nut hor: or and her hcarl
turned cold and sick what if lie should
say it was trash? For, of course, like
other good critics. John was seldom
pleased. If tilings wore nil excellent,
what would bo the need of critics? Sc
lie had cultivated tlio art of discovering
flaws in what seemed to ordinary read
ers pure gems. Ho had dovclopcd
rather a talent for pillorying people in
a single torso phrase, and was much
valued for his skill in boating down
with tlio editorial club tender young
aspirants who were trying to make
themselves hoard. This sounds brutal
But ho was only profossionlly brutal.
In his personal characteristics none
could be more tender or sympathetic.
Mildred knew of this caustic vein and
believed it, too as she did also oi
John's attributes and gifts "but," she
thought, if lie should say any of those
dreadful tilings about 1110; what should
I do? I should never never toll himf
And so during the entiro day she
thought and planned. Few intricacies
of plot suggesting themselves vivid
and interesting scenes coming before
her stimulated imagination.
Her mother urged her remaining and
sonding for her husband to dine will
them. Hor secret desire was to return,
but she looked at her mother's wistful
faco and had not tho heart to refuse.
Sho would stay and send for John.
That gentleman arrived at homo at
tlio usual hour. As ho put his latch
koy into tlio door lie smiled, thinking
of the quick ear which was listening foi
it. and of tlio pretty apparition which
would meet him in tlio hall. "Bj
Jove." ho thought, "what a lucky fel
low I ami"
But tho oxpected figuro did not moot
him. Ho was conscious of a littlo chill
of disappointment, and still moro as he
wandered through tho rooms and found
all silent and deserted.
Ho rang for tho maid.
"Where is your mistress?'1
"Sho is out sir. There's a noto, sir,
somewhere," and she looked anxious
ly about. "Oli, it is on tlio desk," said
sho with returning memory, starting tc
go for it.
"No matter; I will get it, ' and John
turned his impatient steps toward his
wifo's room.
There was no noto on tho desk, and
quite naturally ho opened tlio lid. His
eyes wero riveted upon tho words be
fore him.
"Dkak Fkank: I return herowith the
lotters which I liavo no longer any
right to keoj). I need not toll you whal
it costs nie
llo felt as if
his blood wcro turnod
into ice
"1 liavo reflected much
you said yesterday "
upon what
"yesterday!" John felt as if lie were
going mad. "Yesterday!" and ho had
so trusted her! The room had grown
black and a great sledgo hammer was
boating his brain, but lie read 011
"upon what you said yesterday, but
I am at last resolved. I will not see
you again. Any attempt to make me
break this rosolvo will be fruitless, God
knows you liavo only yourself to blame
that tills niarriaL'o lias "
John stood for a low moments as il '
turned into stone, his face blanched, his
muscles tense. Tlion a ray of hope
seemed to come to him. "There is 11c ,
signature; it is not hers." Ho looked
again. How could ho doubt it? He
know too well the turn of every potter.
Ho was alternately livid with rage and
choking witli gr of. His dream of hap
piness vanished. Something like a I
etirso camo from between his closed j
teeth. j
"Sho loves this man, and she meets
him and tells him so, and only yester
day. Oh. it is too horrible!" too horri
ble!" Ho buried his faco in his hands
nnd groaned,
nover " At
"I shall go away; 1 shall J
that moment tho telo-'
phono bell rang. Ho took no notice ol
it. "I shall novor 11 Again it rang
long nnd and loud. What should ho
do? There was 110 ono else to answer
it; ho must go. So ho said huskily, ,
"Hollo!" j
Mildred's silvery voico replied, "John,
is that you ?V
Tho situatiou was shocking. How
could ho reply? but there was nc
timo for reflection. Ho know that tho
Central oflieo would share all his con
fidences through that infernal pieco of
black waluut aud ebony. So ho said.
"Yes."
"Why do you not come? Dinner is
waiting for yon." j
How well ho know tho pretty inflex
ions of that voice!
"I wish no dinner I am going away
good-bye." I
It might have bcon the convetional
telcphonio "good-bye," or it might
contain a profouuder meaning.
Tlio effect at the other end of the
lino cannot bo described. Ten minutes
lator a cab drove furiously up to the
door of tho Apartment house, and
Mildred, with white faco and fast beat
ing heart, rushed into the room, aud
would have rushed into Johs arms il
ho had let her.
"You aro going away?11 sho said
breathlessly.
"You are a very clever actress,11 said
that gentleman repulsing hor intended
embrace.
"A what?" said she, amazed. "John,
what's tlio 11
"A very clover nctross,11 said he,
quito as if she lind not spoken, "but
hereafter we will liavo a moro perfect
understanding, and you nood not trou
ble yourself."
"Why, John," said she, "have you
lost your senses?"
"No; on the contrary, I havo recov
ered them. I am no longer a dupe 1
was fool enough to think you 11
"John, for God's sake tell me what
this means!"
"Oh, Mildred! Mildred!" said ho,
breaking down utterly. "Why did you
not tell mc like an honest woman that
you loved some ono elso?"
"John, you know. I"
"Stop!" said he "Stop! do not stain
your soul with nny more falsehood.
"You need not havo married me,"
went on tho wretched man. "God
knows I wish you had not.1'
She tried to put her arms about him
ns he paced to and fro in rapid strides,
but lie pushed her away angrily. "No,
110 moro of that That has lost its
charm."
Mildred burst into tears.
"I never would have believed
ycu would be so so cruel," sobbed
she. "What havo I done?"
"Done?" shouted the exasperated
man. "Why, you have spoiled the lifo
of an honest man, who doled on 3 0U,
believed on you like a trusting fool
who would havo risked his lifo on your
honesty "
"Stop!" said Mildred, and sho gath
ered herself up to a fullor height than
John's oyes had ever before behold in
her. Siie too was angry now.
"If ou have charges to mako I de
mand that they lie definite, and not in
base innuendo. You are very cruel and
and also very insulting to me. 1 shall
not remain in this house to-night, nor
return to it until you have "apologized."
And she swept from tho room and from
John's astonished sight,
A moment later ho hoard the messen
ger call, then heard his wife giyo an or
dor far a cab, then saw her packing a
handbag. Ho intended doing tlio same
tilings himself. But somehow having
her do them was infinitely harder to
bear.
Mildred was very angry. "Not a
tiling of. Iiis," sho said to herself, as
she stripped oft' her rings and gathered
her trinkets. "My purse, too," sho
thought and wont to the desk to find it.
Her husband had been watching for
this. Ho knew sho would try to secure
that lotter.
"Ah," said he, "you aro a littlo too
late You should have thought of that
before"
These to his unmeaning words, ut
tered with much concentrated bitterness
made her seriously doubt his sanity. She
looked at him curiously. How else
could'sho construe tho incomprehensi
ble fury? Sho pursued, tlio thought
had calmed tho resentment. Sho weut
to his side, placed her hand kindly ou
his arm. "My dear John," said she,
"will you explain to mo what all this
means
Ho felt touched, and oh, how ho
longed to take her to his heart; but
that could nover bo again.
"Will you lirst explain to mc," ho
answered, trying to bo hard and cold,
"explain to mo where you wcro yester
day?" "Certainly ho is mad," sho thought,
and sho tried to bo vei'y calm.
"Ah, yes," ho wont on. "You can
look very innocent, but. woman, look
at that," antl witli tragic gesturo ho
held up tho paper.
Mildred looked at it bewildered; then
sho read, "Dear Frank.' A gleam of
light camo into her face, and gradually
deepened into an expression of interest
and amusement. Siio understood it
all.
John looked to see her crushotl, de
spairing and penitent; and iustoad lie
witnessed tiiis unaccustomed, this ex
traordinary, nhnngo; and laughter peal
after peal of silvery laughter rang
through tlio rooms. She tried to speak,
but could not.
John in his turn began to think that
she was mad.
At last, with tears rolling down her
cheeks, not from grief tills time, sho
said:
"Oh, you doar silly silly thing. Oh,
you dear gooso that's mystory and I
was going to surprise ou and bring
you over ever so much money and
now 3-011 have gone and spoiled "
and hero sho began to cry in earnest.
"And you have sa.d such cruol
cruol 11
Hor sobs, together with John's groat
enfold ng arms, stifled the rest. "Oh,
my angel, my angel, 1 have been such
a brute Can you ever forgive mo?'1
That was what John said; but this
pen refuses to attempt tlio portrayal of
what ho felt. Ho had been a willing
and a loving slave before, and now ho
was in addition a penitent and crest
fallen ono besides. And so his chains
wcro riveted anew.
As hinted before John had a profes
sional character quite distinct from his
domestic one. This quality affords a
much needed outlet to perturbed spir
its; heuco as lie turned towards ills of
fice tlio next morning an .ominously
stern look camo into his faco.
Tho unfortunate man whoso first
book ho reviewed that day never sus
pected that the average criticism which
rory nearly threw him into a nervous
'over, and quite into despair, was al
most entirely insp red by tlio misadven
tures just related. Sew York Graphic.
nis Aunt Wns a Daisy.
"I wish you would go away on an
chor visit. Mama," said a littlo boy to
lis mother, who had just rottirnod from
1 two weeks1 visit m tho country.
"Aunt Mary ts a daisy housekeeper."
"Did you have a good timo, Bennie,
vhilo I was away?"
"Well. I should smile," replied tho
soy. "Aunt Mary just let us have all
jhe fun wo wanted."
4 1 guess she allowed you children too
aianv privileges."
"That's all right. Mama. Aunt Mary
s a darling, aud I w 11 stand up for her
svery timo. She is just Iiko mc, when
I run away from school.11
"I do not understand you, my son,"
laid Maine
"Well, she is a tru-ant11 Pretzel's
Weekly.