VELLA VERNELL; OR, AN AMAZING MARRIAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 115, 23 May 1885, Page 3

VELLA VERNELL; OR, AN AMAZING MARRIAGE.

Rv MF3 SOM.VKK HAYDUr,

CHAPTER LVIH. Xttdt^nedTwhatdidit,ne:in:. r^orothytlung on her wrapper, thrn.t iinßlippcr^ndhurried out into the Z the apartment whence tho cry pro--2;, She reaped it just a : tue.™ ts jJJ^rtd faces came trooping down tho

wi stair- way. *T. mr W as only a littlo ajar, l'u-h it The.hecouW not. A sudden indefinable '^ff what might lie beyond took posg,°K numbed her _to her tingev-tipa. ° rva iits surrounded hor. Tn'h!t! it, Miss Dorothy?" "la it "?£V h i tho colonel hurt!" b5; h«fore sho could answor thoro came h*hind tho half-closed door a storm of despairing, inarticulate moans. •SCvSrnell flung out her hand*. BOiin!" murmored sho, I can t ! Has commissioned Roberts boldly k«d open the door and entored. He roPfj ffit h an exclamation of horror. SWFffiLdM- Dorothy. pM-ivine no reply, sho mustered her l~£e for a final effort, and mado her way Sm into the room. Thsirasstillburnedlow. Through the uniiinad and unshuttered windows tho JiifLht of dawn was creeping. The ere still harboured mysterious shadows. fTthe broad, cushion-piled lounge in the h, window lay the figure of a man, tho up- ?' jjnj and distorted limbs of which JS? awfully stirless, awfully rigid. On S:Boor lay a tumbled crimson comforter, touching beside the lonnge, her neglige •(creamy cashmere sweeping far out on tho Lm carpet, knelt a woman weeping, sowing, wringing her hands, frantic with m and terror. This was the picture Mi«s Dorothy saw as • 8 omie forward, ono which shall never jj| her own heart is stilled in death be quite Hotted from her brain. "Letitia I" Bntthe words died on her lips. She was lads her now—beside it.' One glanco told jual]. She fell back crying, trembling, "James! Oh, James 1" H» wards seemed to pierce the watcher's O/Diah —recail her to consciousness. lie lifted her head—turned slowly, fllh the Jacqueminot Glow washed ott', uJ tho flush of her favourite stimulant jiJed the handsome brunette faco was itooitunrecognisablo in its ghastliness. She stumbled to her feet as her wild eyes M apon Miss Dorothy, staggered toward lerwith hands outstretched. In tho door-way wero gathored tho grants, an awed audience. "He ia dead!" she cried, brokenly. «oh, Dorothy, Dorothy ! ho is dead—my poor darling!" Bat never a word could Aunt Dolly say it her choking sobs. "And all alono I" wailed on tho widow Uea lately a bride. "To die alone !If I lid only been with him. He may have wded me—called mo. Sa fatigued was I, ibptsoundly. Oh, the thought is terriblo ! Hyown dear ono dead—dead !"

md she flung heraelf down again beside is loungo and buried her face on tho broast itbo corpse in a fresh tempest of griof. Ike domestics looked at each other in fenayed commisseration. It was frightfully hard on her. But so lily married, too. And she seemed to iijk the world and all of the colonel. It Wno wonder ehe took on so—tho poor, par lady ! Ess Dorothy approached tho head of the Inge, and stood looking down on the faco rathe dark-blue pillow. liunpropossessing faco in life, it was a Marly repellent ono in (loath. In tho jfillight which foil across it, hair, beard, ti&in seemed all the same greyish liuo. T&'-pf had fallan ; the half-ipon eyes nflitoglossy. Tho wholo countonanco Mtdeot in a frown of startled pain. ifljnumbness which had crept over Miss Rothy just without tho door had in•fflwor Mmental and physical faculties seemed [Sped by the shock. It was as though ftstery blood in her veins waß slowly coupling. Even down her cheeks tho great feus ceased to roll. 11JU soon as I awakoned and remembered tatwe had left James asleep here," wont ItMraVernell, in a hoarse voice, her face liliUden, "I came in. You know how £1 and nervous he was feeling all day yestyfoy, Dorothy. I thought I would find Ipbrightand well, and instead—oh, in-lM-ttw/" . . ;ij|ta raised herself erect and pointed ftmrd with a forlorn gesture.

■JBoberto went up to her. fghall I send for a doctor, Mrs Vernell ? ■fll»;did not appear to hear him. Her fadlirere clasped, her breast was heaving bioltuoasly, her glanco was fixed on the lipd Jaceof him who had been for one week vrtauband.

vHe looked back at his fellow-servants. Suawer to their emphatic noda ho repated bis question, and this timo a tone

itostarted—became awareofbis presence. Bp doctor?" sho repeated blankly^ "Oftouree. Yes—no. Where is the use ?" Hapaetf ully he intimated that in cases of •ddea doath it was customary to call one rttd then there was the necessity for a WtiSc&te. ''Certainly. If it is right, go—send !" lid then once more she broke down in a ftoUoud and hysterical weeping. : foeof the servants went softly up to the ttsndeUer and turned out the gas. Little «»cl was there for it. The new day was tightening rapidly. The moon was filled m the cle*r but dismal light of early Wining. The corners had lost thoir fainting Bhadows. Out above the lake's inline bars of lemon were broadening. Awoman in the centre of the group by tteeatnrace spoke in a low voice to those ttMdher. "Go and get the house in order and all JWtuual work over I" she urged. " You Undo no good by remaining, and there »i be enough strangers here when this •to gets out to giva you many extra mm,"

"She's right!" declared Roberts. '' Come *-^all of you!" ' h they went unwillingly away, the Jbm who had addressed them crossed ffowom to whero Mrs Vornell stood. "Come and lie down," she whispered. "You are weiring yourself out. And Jimll need all your strength for the next wdayg. Come! and I'll ge and get you •«Pof coffee." we widow saiaed her haggard face and Jwfoed eyes*t the sound of the familiar, Want voice. "Oh, Hilaria!" she moaned. "Isn't it kfcl! oh, Hilaria!.' He ■• Jfoman pressed her fingers on tho •ifelkl>of>e dead, then (strove to close the •ttjaw. „ "Hahasbeetf dead for some time ! aha >™i ■ ;"oh, Hilaria I" Swine, madam." ,~. ~ .Mdaa though mechanically and blindly """Wat. ;■*> sooner had the maid seen her safely in we«djolning room, than sho came back, .*">g the door behind her. ;J» went up to where sat Miss \ ernell *™m the dead himself, "be bent over her. 'Miss Dorothy!" "Jtely she looked up at her. Wib Dorothy, dear," she whispered on, J* »w the voice was no longer stammer•6 rot quick and clear, "don't take it so J™* to heart. It is not as though he were f""»g and cut off like this. Just think ™* ranch worse it would be if it were Miss "«» or Mr Voyle. Or " .. '■be coming words were arrested on her 7- Miiia Dorothy clutched her hand sud™W, convulsively. ~ T . »oyle! Guila, that's it-that's what I S^-oh, Guila !He was the last to see •Hiacle alive." ■, Miss Dorothy !" He came in late last night," nodding ™» coking over the rapid words. " And "■ wla me he had come in here, and "CMed-weil, never mind! The excite■"totmnsthave brought on a spasm which roß6^ death. That is what troubles me TJS more than the death itself, that ho :■"*} indirectly be responsible." V«!I?, 1 aid her hand detainingly on Mies e"aarm. ,Muo Dorothy!" Eg *88i knowß of this affair ?" Roberts knows he wag here." fcti o*l0*1 not 8" loud! walla have ears. : '-^B??thlaspeaking with the colonel! »9 did not really speak with him, only

to him. for James did not answer him, he says. Perhaps," almost hopefully, "ho wns doad then."

" Hush !" again cautioned tho maid, "Not above your breath. But this fact—that ho wnsdeaclattho time —could never bo proved." "No."

"You havon't answered mo yet. Who elf o knows that ho was in this room alono wirli his undo last night?" "0n1y.1." _ Tho woman laid both her Imiids on Hie HI le uld lady's ehouldeis, and put her mimth closa tv her em-.

•'Then no ono must know—need know ! You hrar, Miss Dorothy!" she actually sluiok her in her emphatic excitement. "If questioned, you ran admit his having been with you, but you shall say no word of his having been with tho colonel later than inn/on.- tfse Im-t night. You understand ?"

Sho nodded. "' Yen. If thoy know, they would say tho —tho accusation had so agitated the colonel Hint it had brought on " • iiillft interrupted her with an impatient and contradictory sh:ike of her head. "No, no i if that wero all ! They would s.iy that in Mine scientific and bloodless way ho had murdered him !" lltiw nuar to tho truth slio camo in that random speech of hern sho did not droam. With a littlo cry Miss Dorothy fell back in her chair, panting. " That! Hood Heaven !" .footsteps woro ascending the stair. Tho woman moved away. " Romember! his life may be in your hands. Don't fling it awny !" And just thon Roberts ushered into the room the doctor—suave, doforential, professionally alert. CHAPTER LIX. NKXT DAY. ' Dead ? he.' of hciirt-diseaso! What heart had ho To die or ( dead 1" Tenn\son. Sick a day aa it was ! Such a sullon, lowskied, gloomy, unnatural, hysterical day. How tho advent of tho Uninvited Guest alters the tonor of all households whether highly or lowly. VVith almost incredible swiftness was the grand house on Prairie Avenue, for all its stateliness and luxury, transformed into a place of woe and mourning. Every blind was drawn. From tho boll-knob floated heavy folds of crapo tied with black satin ribbon. Within, dark rooms, scared faces, hushed voices, noisoless footfalls.

The physician summoned, a man standing high in his profession and of irreproachablo reputation, had questioned'closely tho widow und sister of tho deceased, made a brief examination of tho body, and then had gravely written a certificate of death from heart disease.

And now no inquest would be necessary !

"Though dormant the tendency to heart affection, it must havo been for some time in his system," ho had explainod to the bereaved wife. " His life on 'Change transacting tho onerous business and running the tremendous risks ho did daily, doubtless in the first instance disposed him to do it. The strain on his nervous power must have been torrible ! Tho fact that insulted nature would revenge herself some day for tho indignities to which sho was being continually subjected novor seemed to occur to 'the lucky colonol.' Tho anxiety under which, as you and Miss Vernoll assure me, ho has been labouring, tho apparently sudden fall of this long-threatening stroke. Accept, my dear madam, my most sincere sympathy, and good-day !" Toward noon the newspapers got hold of the nffair. Their reporters raided tho houso for particulars. This was no notion-dealor or mere corner-butcher who was dead. It was one of tlieir most widely-known citizens, most successful speculators, most solid " luird money " men. An evening paper came out in an elaborate editorial which dw»lt on tho brilliant ability and unimpeachable probity of the deceased, touched delicately, too, upon the so rudely extinguished torch of Hymen, alluded to the wit and beauty of the bride whose joy had been turned into sorrow, and drifted off into a rythmic littlo ripple of condolences.

In the afternoon quite a number of " inti mate frieeds " called.

Just as tho day was darkening mil the lamps beginning to Hare without, Hilaria Jackson—for upon Koborts hail devolved pome otlierduty, opened the door in response to a ring. She was glad tho gnu in tho hall was still nnlightod when into tho vestibule, out of tho raw November twilight, came Mr Oennis Grimes.

He favored hor with ft glance.half-curioup, half indifferent. Tho old idiot who had startled him so by a trick of voicelikeGuila's a couple of nights ago ! Then he thought no more concerning her than did ho of the brass umbrella-holder beside him.

Ho produced a card and g«ve it to her. "Ask your mistress if I may see her for a few minutes."

Sho bowed, showed him into tho drawingroom, and wont swiftly away. On Miss Dorothy's own little white bed in Miss Dorothy's own Httlo snug room lay tho widow. Around her swept sombroly hor hastily secured mourning. Her face wore a deliberate and most effective pallor. Today her bloom-box had not been called into requisition. She started slightly, as by the waning light she read the card and heard the maid's mossage. It was necessary she should look like this—like herself—aftorsuch a stunning shock, such anguish. But let him see her fo ?—no, indeed ! Later, in her oxquisitely fitting cashmere and crape, the faint glow of an aflliction-crushed but reviving Bpirit on hor cheek, the light of a sorrowful but bewitched resignation in her eyes—then she would see him. So sho took up the tiny pearl pencil attached to her chatelaine and wrote on the back of his card, "I cannot coo you—yet!" And this Hilaria delivered. Then she wont to her own plain room and shut the door, and sat down by tho window and tried to think it all out—all ovor. What had ho said to hor that afternoon in answer to her confession of love?" "Then I can wait!" What did those words mean ? What could he wait for? What was he waitingfor? Haditbeen forthis-thisdoath? Oh, how little she knew after all, how little ! If sho had only ovorhoard the interview to which ho had been summoned the night of the day in which her mistress had fixed the dato of her marriage ' or if even last nicht sho had socretod herself on the entrance of tho colonel and his wife ! Heaven only knew what might not have then transpired ! (not that her wildest suspicions exceedod a more quarrel). But then she might have known something more— mi<*ht have discovered tho reason for which Dennia Grime 3 was content to wait. Well, sho could only do the samo now. Wait! that sho would do ! And watch, too. Do you remember how the K'ngin Hamlet speaks of "lawful espials," to-Polonius, isn't it? Sho doubtless had never read tho ma3terpioce of tho poot, but none the less assured was sho 'of hor right to stealthily scrutiniso—not tho actions of a mad prince, but tho wiles of a recreant lover. And at that hour in a largo down-town office, tho glass door of Captain Costollo s private offico swung back, and the captain himself carao hurriedly into tho outer room, whero the clerks were closing their ledgers and donning their coats. He wont straight ovor to whero Voyle stood. He hold a paper, which he waved °X" Looft'here, Vernell! Hoard tho news ?" "No sir. What news ?" •'Tho colonol isdoad !"

"My uncle?" , " Heart-disease—yes." Tho younger man fell back aghast. Then ho snatched the extended paper-read the ""HTpaTs'ed Ms hand dazedly across his eyes, " Good Heaven ! And only last night I BWHe° chewed himself. From, the beginnino- the captain had spoken m a low, if excited, voice. He knew young Vernell wished his identity unbetrayed. For the Teason that his uncle being so well known his na\ne would lead to conjecture, recognition And for particular private reasons of C i own this he desired just at present to woid Costello had repeated his earnest request On the subject, and had been cautious in all his conversations with him cauu J»= hours. But now, when the Jew e?erk S'his voice in that thoughtlewcm companions, his fellowd°"rGreat Jerusalem!" ha ejaculated .< docJn't it beat creation. So sudden !It hi "Butehow about what you were begin- - ♦. that you saw him last night I 1 m"gYe°s yrTli Si you about it in a few mi He tl <caned his elbow on his knee, his head the scheme^ ended? He had determined on de™«g»f ible heart

panted Death had drawn the charmed circle within whoso ring no man may venture. Thero wag silence in the gas-lit room. At last Voylo lifted his head. " I will tell you," ho said, "butyou must respect the confidence." "Of courso, it you wish it." And then he told him. The captain brushed up his silvering fringe of hair into a bristling halo as tho young fellow roloted whonco sprang his unclo'a prosperity, Mb and hisaiatoi'a aUong personal reasons for antagonism. "Will you go to tho funeral?" Costello aslxd, as they left tho office together. "No," tho other answered, with eudden passion. " I despised him in life—l will not pay him mock reverence in death !" That evening, too, John Gage, lotting himsolf into the houso with his latch-koy, called to Evelyn as ho caught sight of hor adown the hall, "Evvie ! Just think—Colonel Vornell—" lie stopped short, as from tlio drawingroom came Vella. "My Uncle I" she cried. " What about him? what is it, Mr Gaga?" Still he hesitated, So grave his fuce.theworatoccurred toher. " He is not dead?" she cried sharply. In silence he bowed his head. Tho sweet wild-rose faco grew white as paper. Then Bhe trembled, and slow, hot tears welled up in the starry brown eyos. Evelyn was beside her in an instant. " Why, Yolla—why, darling, he did n ot treat you kindly ! You did not love him—" "No, no! it is so sudden, though. It was scarcely worth while—so much coldness, unlovingness, and dissension, with death so near." "There ! if you'ro not a thorough woman, Volla," avowed Mr Gago ; " remorseful and ready to blame yourself every time. Come, now, what will you give for a letter by way of a reviver!" Ho took an envelopo from his breastpocket and held it up as ho spoke. From Marc '—was it from Marc? Had ho disesvorod the truth at last, then,and written? Her heart beat furiously. " Oh, givo it to me !" she beggod. The superscription caught her eye. A shock of downright disappointment thrilled her. Yoyle'B writing! Thon she told herself she ought to be glad to hear from him. She was—of course she wae. But not as if tho letter had been from Marc—not with just that kind of gladness. Who could resist those pleading eyos and hands? Mr Gage gave her the missive, and she ran away with it to hor own room, and read it eagerly. It was quite a long epistle. In it wore theso lines : " Vella, how is it between you and Marc Tracy ? lam more anxious on the Biibject than I can say. You know—or rather, perhaps, you do not know—the morning after tho wedding of dubiously pleasant memory, I passed him in the corridor of the Palmer. I wore the suit of the previous evening (which you probably rocolloct, as you had the selecting of it), and was, of course, with Clafiin. Afterward it occurred to me that as everyone else had been so easily gulled, he, too, might have been deceived. I have tried frequently since to see him or hear of his whereabouts, but without success. This ia why lam so particular in questioning you now." And then ho wont on to toll her about tho Costellos, the manner in which ho bad made heir acquaintance, of their kindness to lim. Read at last, long she sat pondering with tho letter on her lap. Thia, then, waa tho reason Marc had passed her as though sho woro a stranger that night in the Union depot. Oh, how tangled, how tangled tho throada of life had grown, and how feoblo wero her lingers to unravel them ! CHAPTER LX. sorrow's solace. "There's reason in mourning, as I'vo always said; and three Folds at the bottom of your skirt And a plain quilling In your bonnet— And if ever anybody looked like an angel It's you in a net quilling."—Gkohge Eliot Prairie Avenue was blockodwith carriages. It was the hour appointed for the funoral. Within tho magniricont Vernell residence quite a dense throng was collecting fora last glance at tho dead faco of " tho lucky colonel."

In hor own room upstairs Mrs Vornoll aat before tlio mirror, while her maid pinned deftly across the small, close bonnet tho long and heavy crapo veil of tho bereaved. A rosoluto womrm she, and ono not oasily touched or terrified, bat by no means, for all that, ono capable of strangling and Hinging from her path tho troublesome adder, Memory. She had slept wretchedly last night— wretchedly. One need only glance at her to discover the cause in the effect. Her skin was dry and colorless, hor usually brilliant eyea glazed and blue-rimmed. Remorse had had nothing to do with those hours of wakefulnesa. Ho was dead, and she was free—free and wealthy. What was that Voyle had said to hU uncla about defrauding him and his Bister ? Woll, now that his undo was dead, ho would strugglo to work for the rights ho asßortod. If ho did—supposing at tho worst ho did—who would heed him! No ; with the will which Grimes held, she was safe, absolutely safe. So, as has beon eaid, it was not romorso which had banished sloop, rathor an acute and curious nervousness.

All women possoss, in a largor or smaller degroo, superstition. Perhaps it was a certain attack of this same superstition which had last night sent such etrange shadows acros.s her brain, beforo hor vision, and left her staring restlessly and blankly from dark to dawn.

Now, as she glanced at hersolf in tho mirror, sho was positively shocked. But no, she must not try to improve her appearance. As she looked now, her grief, so ravagingly eloquont, would mako a most effectiveimpression. Only shemust manago not to encounter Dennis unvoiled. No necessity was there to convince him of her overwhelming 3enso of loss. And to. reveal to him her genuine ago and unloveliness— ah, that was quite out of tho question, always must be. " There, madam ; will that do ?" Hiloria had given tho last light touch, and stepped back. The widowl if ted her heavyeyes to tho glass. Sho started violently. From her lips broke a shuddering cry. Her oyoa were distended.

" Madam," the maid entreated, " you are II ! What is it ? Madam !"

No roply. She had shrunk back in her chair, covering bor face with her hands. Three minutes tripped by—five. Then she rose. "That will do,'' she said, and turned away ; but she had not again lifted her eyes to the mirror. Sho went out of the room and down the corridor to where Miss Dorothy awaited her. Together they descended the grand stairway. The crowd below dividod, swayed to either side, and formod tho walls of a narrow aislo through which they passed. Passed to whoro, on draped trestle?, rostcd a long cloth-covered casket, velvet-lined and silverbandied, wherein lay all that was mortal cf "the lucky colonel." Misa Dorothy flung back hor veil. Hor chubby old face was qu^e fiusliod and teartained. She bent down and kissed tho stiff, pale lips of her brother, thou drew back, sobbing like n child. Ono quick glanco the widow sent around the room. No, Grimes was not there. Perhaps he was without. Perhaps ho had not come. Then she, too, threw back her long, deep-hemmed veil of crape. A stir wentthrough the reverent mourners around the coffin. How terribly Mrs Vernell was taking it! How it had changed her ! Few, if any, of them had seen her since before her marriage. She was now little like the brilliant Mrs Charu of a few Bhort weeks ago, this pallid and dull-eyed woman. How devotedly she must have loved him !It was awfully hard on her ! One could read her suffering in her face. Indeed, one would scarcely recognise her. She bowed low above the silvery pillow, laid her warm lipa upon the cold ones of the dead, leaned so long and tenderly. As she raitei herself with a clever sob, she became conscious that just beyond her stood the black-clad figure of Dennis Grimes. She drew down her veil, and turned away And then the undertakers, gloved and shod, with silence, smoothly and rapidly drew up the plate-glass square, lifted the heavy, memoried lid, screwed it noiselessly down. Upon it kindly hands heaped flowers, anchors, cros;e3, harps, columns, doves, sheaves, and great loose, nondescript masses of snowy bloom. Oh, the long, weary drive to Graceland ! What Chicagoan does not know it—has not at some sad time followed there relative or friend ? If one there be, blessed is he! The day grew cuttingly cold. Great feathery flakeß of snow began to drift through the leaden air aa the carriages rolled homeward. It was over now—the last act m the drama of death. ~.*«. 111 A few days later the contents of the will were formally and privately made known. To Dorothy Caroline Vernell the aumof ten thousand dollars; to his dear wife,

Letitia Vernell, the residue of his estate and property, real and personal. It wan all very simple. Miss Dorothy exclaimed in amazement when it was read.

To his dear wife ! Surely the will had not been made since his marriage I He had no reason, opportunity to do so But here, with suave court9sy broke in Mr Dennis Grimes. Tho will, he explainod, had boon drawn up tho day following tho Colonel's return from his wedding-trip Did Miss Vornell not recollect that when he, Grimes, had called, tho colonel had taken him into the library, and there they had for an hour considered and transacted business affairs ? That the latter—feeling, ai tho ladies wero aware, most miserably ill and nervous over tho impending crash of Golondrinas stock—had requested him to thon and thoro draw up his will.

" I argued with him," pursued tho friendly lawyer. " I told him there was no sense in his oxciting himsolf unnecessarily because business prospects looked slightly blue. I told him, too, he had still many years of lifo before him—why insist on making his will now? But all in vain !" Here Mr Grimes shook sadly his briclibrowii head.

" Ho soemed to havo a premonition of the final call, He actually grew angry as I porsisted. ' Perhaps you don't know,' he said, ■ of courso, you don't, only tho doctor whom I consulted know, besides mysolf, thnt I havo a troublo which may carry mo on" any day.' I uttored tho dismay I felt. ' Yes,' lieansworcd me, 'my hoart is affected, has been for five years or more, I have boon particularly warnod against oxcitoment, as any sudden shock might prove fatal, but the caution proves but a frail breakwater for trouble. lam of such an intensely nervous tomporament that tho most trivial things affect me deeply. Today I feel that I am right in what I request you to do. No possiblo harm can come of it, while, in case of anything happening, the existence of a will would aavo. much trouble.'

"Of course, there was only one course left for me. I drew up the document. " ' Shall we summon your wife and Miss Vernell to witness it ?' I asked.

" ' No,' he replied, hastily ; ' the idea of a will has a certain suggestiveness of death for women. They would fancy me on the brink of the gravo. Though lam not in robust health, I am hardly as far gone as that. In any case, we won't alarm them needlessly. Ring the bell.' "I did so. .Roberts camo in response. His master told him to summon one of tho other servants. Mrs Vornell's maid happened to bo passing at tho time. Ho called her in. In the presoneo of the colonel both attested the will. You may read for yourself, Miss Vornell, their signatures, you may question themas to the genuineness of the same. I am vory sorry you have seen fit to doubt my professional rectitude." And he rose, buttoning his coat with quite an injured air. Hiss Dorothy grew groviously embarrassed.

As has been Btated, sho wastod no atfoction on Grimes; indeed, her sentiments toward him wore of the most uncomplimentary nature. But in this particular matter sho had not really doubtod him-had no clear reason for so doing. Sho had merely beon astonished at tho fact of a will having been made so recently. Sho hatod to wound another as do only generous eouls. "I beg your pardon," Bhe criod, hurriedly. "You are mistaken, though, Mr Grimes. I did not for ono instant quostion your voracity. What interost could you have in any deception of the sort? My astonishment was natural, you must admit, under the circumstances, but I moant no rudeness."

All this time never a word had the widow spoken. She sat listlessly in tho bay-window. Hor white hands wero clasped in hor lap. Her blue-black hair was coilod Dimply bohindherhead. Thoro was a delicate pink flush on her palo cheoks. Around hor billowod heavily her sable crape-covored draperies.

Grimes bowed. "lam very glad indeed I was mistaken, Miss Vornell."

Ho was about to tako his leave.

She rose. "Should you requiro at any timo my services, command mo," ho said. A sudden .thought struck her. Thoso childion—they had been totally ignored, cut off without a dollar. And, il thoro was any truth in what Voyle had s:o vehomontly assertod, tho fact was infamous. Most probably now Voylo would not contest tho property. Ho would bo avorso, sho knew, to squabbling over a grave. And not a cent hod ho Bave his unimportant salary. As for Vella, she could not continue to live dependent on her friend. So, acting impulsively, sho turned to Grimes. "Thoro is one thing you can do for mo, and at once. Tho ten thousand you mention as coming to me, transfer for mo to my nieco and nephew, Valla and Voylo Vornoll." An expression of surprise swept over his florid fact-. The widow turned her hend. "You liavo considered tho stop," ho falterod. " You aro suro you are not rashly generous—" Sho interrupted him with a groat doal of dignity, seeing that hor hood just rouched the elbow of her interrogator.

"I huvo told you what I wish you to do, Mr Grimes."

Ho bowod in silonce.

As ho was taking up his hat ho spoko, " You dosiro that tho ton thousand dollars bequeathed you by your docoased brother shall be dividod between your nephow and nioco, Mr Voylo Vornell and Mrs Jonas Clallin ?" Miss Dorothy started violontly. Mrs Vernoll sont a searching glanco her way. Then sho answered quiotly : " You can make my nophow's monoy payable to him. On second thought I would profor that you purchase with the remaining five thousand United States bonds, which you will bo good onough to bring me." Ho assented gravely. Mrs Yernoll ro-so quiokly as though actuated by impulse, camo swiftly toward them. "Dorothy," she cried, "how clearheaded you aro ! Can you not tell Mr Grimos what to soe about for mo ?"

"For you?" Both turned to her in amazement

"Yes, I must go away somewhere- anywhere ! I can't stay here. The recollections, tho loneliness of tho houso in which I had planned to live such happy years are stilling mo. I must go away—try to forgot it all, or I shall die—l shall die I" She broke down huskily.

As an outburst of passion, impetuosity, it wan an admirable bit of work. Mr Grimes's drowsy eyes widened. What a jolly good actress was spoiled in her. " Lotitia !" gasped Miss Dorothy. " Why, what do you wish todo, dear.about tho place -tho property?' She was quito overcome by hor sister-in-aw'a emotion. Who would ever have ireamed sho had boon so fond of Jamos ? The widow Hung out her hands wildly. " Oh, I don't know—l don't caro! I know nothing of law, and such things, but surely there is some way. in which I can dispose soon of all that is mine-sell it, auction it, anything you see best. Mr Grimes," turning apponlingly to him, "I don't understand the means to tho end. I just want enough monoyto goawayaomowhere and live quietly till all the horror of my husband's sudden death fades from me —if it ever will I" " Now, don't take on so— don't, Letitia I pleaded sympathetic Miss Dorotliy, her own bluo eyes filling at the sight of another's grief. "Can you do as sho wisffes, Mr Grimes ? I believe only travelling will servo her.' ' " Most assuroilly! And all tho time he was telling himaelf what a rattling sensation tho buxom widow before him would have been had she choson to tread tho boards. Miss Dorothy gave a soft little sigh, and made ono of her innocent little " bulls." " Dear Patience !" she ejaculated mildly, "how easily we could arrange it all if only dear James wore here to adviso us I" Her listeners started. "Doyou know," she went on dreamily and unconscious of the effect she was producing, "I find so much truth in those lines of Poe: " 'I think in the lives of most women and men There's a timo when all would go smooth and even. If only the dead could find ont when To return and be forgiven."' " Great Scott 1" exclaimed Grimes. Mra Vornell glanced fearfu'ly about her, and sank shivering on the sofa. " Yes, isn't it sweet ?" placidly rippled on the little old maid, vaguely and pleasantly conscious that she had impressed her hearers. "If the author," thoughtfully, "wasnos Poe, I'm pretty sure 'twas Moore." The eyes of Grimes and the widow met. Heavens and earth ! what a blissfully serene small fiend she was ! The dead—come back ! That was just what they particularly objected to the dead doing. All they required of him was that ho lie tight and still in his grave. But come back ! Phew ! the very thought sent cold water trickling down one.a. back.

Both felt a hysterical desire to laugh, but their hands were cold and clammy aa the;' met in farewell.

(To lie Continued.)