OR, THE Mystery of Langdon Abbey.

„, MI9S SARAH PARR, .„__«.. AhernSrace-cnp.''"Robbed i«ihwrf T» »My L-ieV3 P1(lt- "Madame 1 l» __£" -We Severed Livea," too. Jails"8,

CHAPTER XIV. ISM BTUSOEIDDLE SOLVED. • ( »n. breathless earnest nc_j with *?*&»**' addronsed Rebecca *_ J went forward a sop and laid one '^.nyonhershouider. r"1 _■_. sure," ho said, " you have a ' "-""Ihe-sio!. of your duties. Dixhas tflc*_ P thoroughly cloar to your mind, *$?, Youi will make no mistakes?" v*""1,1 II rlear, my lord- I'» m«ko no "If'"ill do alii and do well. I'll die «'-ltßk Ml fail you, my lord." .*«--,'l,t[she raised her eyes to his or A* W-eyes In which flamed an 1.1 ---"" bleto and before which heinvolun- B rilr*lf B*baj8*ba j jtrange woman!" ho ox "ioj° the words as involuntary as the ttaimedi uw "*£-_»« but true as steel to my pur iTlr. Depend on me. The young -**'Hlhusafoin my hands," W_\ Iv„ t ,ho dropped her eyes again. «^o^diKft d turned fionffi «"d l<ebeoca limped off "r< ehl rl^atcd, under his "*« 111 not meddle with her again. Eft enough lor me. She's half frozen '^aZ with her unsearchable eyes. | t tb.l*a" I<wvoherto Lady MelroSßß downstair, and into the library

'"tfFolger, waiting there in noiicha 2!* g'flnced at him' suddenly *^«_i. __D?"'he asked, bringing him jS!more erect position "Your Of mm* disgusted. May 1 in-

_fo! may take that and your leave to morning1 interjected Hood, SS. tossing a roll of bank-notesat him. '■Scught it dexterously. ffidn-t think of being so ungrate ul," I_L " I propose to spend somo tune .'„„' you need me. I must occasion tam y°ur responsibilities here. ■L lorßOtne occult reason, you decline ltd* Linter at Langton Abbey, you 7_ course, meet Linter twice a week ?"_,___ it wi"never do' my dear gottryou to seem indifferent to the ttavTtown gathering on Robert JibfOW grew heavier. Ho clenched SLda He breathed fiercely. Teeyour tongue. You've said enough ,ta,( that matter for one night nonly said the truth-that Linter was ratt lyon tbe assassin's track." SS appearance of Lady Melross and auprtM end to tho discord, but her X's first words after greeting Folger "t.ll* me tho earl's iswta is likely to be arrested. Is it true, U »H.opiiy, or unhappily, as people re .sd capital punishment, it is, Lady Mel "'.hope ho may escape," said Lillis, _Mefingly LsdyMelrosa uttered a robuktng cry. to shook his head, saying.fdoubtfully : "He may; but clothing corresponding riththe description of that worn by the .__ inhaa, by a rcmarkablo chance, been .tror-l It was found bundled under a wkl of steps, and in one of the gloves, iHchall declare be wore, was a valuable t'xd-stone ring. Fortunately for him, inter, the ring is of a stylo so common latll.finding goes for nothing." "Serertholess, that ring will prove the doing of the criminal," burst out Lady Bros, with conviction. "I feel it ITo '' MM should have left that duo behind litis hurry of flight. It'a a providence, HiMgor." ' I Robert Rood extended his hand, and rale for the first time. _ 8 said, quietly, though a trifle paler laaraal:

"According to Tony's description tho -imprecisely like this." "lid .cores of others worn daily, and _'iodisplayed in tbo shops," supplemented Tony, easily. -Jl_il_e_d.

U-jttttacried out in horror: "Ok,_tat, take it off, I entreat! How t_ jrawr It another minute ? It makes Etitadtotolookat it."

SisM, and, the diversion of a sum- L__to the supper-table occurring at the _>_eit, gate his arm to Lillis. "iV_;,"_oo.nrmured in suppressed tones, a tidy Melross preceded them with Tony Filpr-''irl_y did you shiver just now, li.! His tbe fact that I possess a ring -iet-enmrderer'srevived yourfrightful bus som!"

"04!'' breathed the girl, earnestly, "tar could I so wrong you ? Do I not -*» you innocent? Lord Langdon, forgot n well ts forgive my dreadful oflenco,

"I»ill target," said Robert. Wearing slightly at the impaseioned swot his hushed roply, and tho gcntlo FsireofMsarm against hor hand, Lillis Mimed:

"Ithiwred involuntarily," she oxplained. 'usawajsomething vaguely terrible in fekao*ledgethat such a ring as that," Nig at the bauble he wore, " encircled . !«g«, But answer me one question, "Jlko let as drop the subject. Has tho really been discovered?" "litter thinks so."

"iadtbeman!'

1 mrt of gentlemanly desperado, who Wily escaped being convicted of a *ta crime four yearß ago. The accu "i'-!iDg evidence against him is heavy— ■mfeg.lmay say. Bis precipitateflight, mt. Ttilh the fact that tho clothing aid .

"Swroind; that will do," interposed Jfij.ti_.edly. "It makes mo sick to Wofit,"

"Then think of it no moro, and we will Twolitno more," said Hood, gontly, as ; . entered the room where supper was M,

by a little deft manage ; s™ succeeded in drawing Lady Mcl- I1 *1 "Mention to a more pleasing topic. lie diy had been a trying one, and the «We Robert and his guest an early _%»eol, upstairs together, and, with greets unusual to her, Lady Melroas *»Ned Lillis to the favoured suite of ?J»jMg expressed herself perfectly satis j,*™ tberather astonishing change. jPjßWsomething in the pallid quiet l 7 F 8 exquisite face that touched her ■-Mtagh without in tho least shaking 'Wbittotis purpose. J1__.. oan change," she smiled, in >•„. .i 8 anxioU3 inquiries. "If I X ,! oDely thero is a pleasant suite tjjjj"*;Mtatonce. mamma -tomorrow," While I am by no means ,7"*- my apartments, I yet am settled *"• 1 don't fancy being unsettled " MW.,***' 0 the cO"idor, and the ■ (4 wto fell at the same moment upon it-____* Btood Pat">ntly waiting near B ooor that gavo access to Lillis's ■-Ik • an!-et thrown over her arm :^«S g wilhoutoxp,aininsthe .**_____■ °nee- and with marked B«ked the cause. jf'iterpoged. l*%? tha woman could reply she said \ v Bay fault, mamma. I have tho

;'sa__ he _ordßsh6Ga«Khtit from he' ml->,*<> _*n the door. \Wj_T, -,,h e key !" echoed f.a.y Mel *it ink- V hyi child, what on earth ■*!" STOr foolish head to lock tho Wflj^~" L5,1i9 began, and then S*CL. _? 9t. 0n- neßebecca Hough to >2 M***lb«t momentary blaze •* it v ea i.*" Wll."*-.? cu""sity that (limed -SSSSf*' 'Vas it surprise? _Ws__ '• ***«»y checked her SK X c ,necrutable way »_ eff-..c- K% «w-. -*rpose t0 oonlide the %. WWi of the evening to Lady L^-^?."!*- the broken sentence VijJ^Mtoniahiug, after all-a P«»« creature Uke you> und

everything so oppressively vast. And then tho lato ovonts."

They went in, and Lady Melross was still looking about the boudoir when Re becca Hough returned from the bod chamber.

"I shall not nood you again to-night," said Lillis, anticipating the woman's ques tion.

Lady .lelross kept a scrutinising gaze upon her till the door shut hor out. Sho then turned to Lillis. " How do you like hor?" she naked, care loH.ly.

" I don't liko to hear her speak," smiled Lillis ; adding quickly, "butsho seems cap able."

" Sho is, though her voice does set one's teeth on an edge." With that reply she kissed tho girl good-night and wont away. Loft by herself, Lillis secured tho door, and thou turned her gaze upon tho littlo table on which lay hor Biblo. For a timo she stood qnito motioulesa. Directly she exclaimed aloud :

" Why should I look? I hioir there is nothing hidden botwoon its leaves. Rebecca Hough never onco touched it; and, more than that, my last act beforo locking tho door was to examine its pages with tho greatest caro. Am I growing foolish enough to expect miracles?"

With a littlo forced laugh sho crossod the room and began to loosen tho classic knot gathered at the back of her hoad.

But in vain sho strove to govern hor thoughts and eyes. With a steady, fascin ated persistence,both roturnod to tho Holy Book.

At lnat, as hor hair fell in a lovely, rip pling brown mass, she all at oncoonded hor troubled doubts.

With a movement as impatient a. it wns swift she went to tho tabic

Slio seized tho Book ; alio openod it. There, under her oyes, was tho startling solution of Rebecca Hough's glnnco.

CHAPTER XV.

AN ERRAND THAT ENDS IN A SHOCK

"Bo silent to all. B_ watcliful of all. Be secretin distrustful ot Rebecca Hough! I.lvo with yonr eyes wide opon ! Let nothing eaotipo you. I warn you! Take heed\"

Sii'ii was tho illiterately-penned scrawl that struck now alarm to Lillis's hoart.

It was an alarm quite different from tho vaguo, half superstitious panic of tho earlier evening. Then sho had beon more over whelmed by tlio mystery of tho warning than aught elso. Now sho was suddenly aroused to n grave sense of danger. But hor first thought was of l-iebecca Hough's atrungo glance at tho door.

"So," sho breathed, "so the look meant evil! What evil? Against what am I to guard ?" These last questioning words burst from her lipa with unconscious forco. Startled at tho sound of hor voice so sud denly breaking tho dead silence of the room, sho lifted hor head and then stood in invol untary expectation of hearing tho questione answered.

No answer camo,

"Perhaps," sho thought, "1 acted as unwisely as hastily in leaving tho other rooms. Oh "-all at onco breaking into speech—" if I could only lonvo the Abbey ! I must ! I will this moment go to mamma and beg her to spare me at least a little whilo !"

She tore tlio noto, nnd flinging tho shreds across tho fonder, knotted up her hair again and ran from the room. "But half way down tho corridor sho turned back and locked tho door, saying undor her breath :

" It is useless, of course ; but I shall fool saior. Strange, that with not _ duplicate koj at tho Abboy, my apartments can bo entered at, will!"

That perplexing thought in her mind, she retraced her steps slowly. She was noaring tho gallery on which her mother's rooms wero situated, when a resounding tread there arrested her own. Sho recognised tho quick, elastic footfall on the instant

It was Tony Folger's. Ho had said good night to his ungracious host, and wns on his way to bed That trilling incident changed Lillia. whclo purpose. Sho would appeal to " tho earl." Sho would entreat him to remove from the gloomy Abbey to one of tho cheerful seats. Professing as ho did a brothor's regard for her, it wns certain ho would not reftiso ; whilo it was quite a. certain Lady Melross would turn a deaf ear to all she might

say. Sho looked at her watch. Tho hour was yet early enough to admit of her spoaking With bis lordship at once. So, instead of going on to Lady Melross's rooms, sho descended to the library. Sho entered with tho full expectation of linding.flood lounging in tho old earl's easi est chair.

But tho room was empty. Not willing, however, to bo disappointed, sho resolved to wait awhile. For a littlo she stood with clasped hands dropped before her, looking at the fire. Then, attracted by the beating storm, she went to ono of the windows—a deep oriel, with a sweeping draperies and luxuriously cushioned seat. Sho pushed tho curtains aside, and, go ing in, sat down with her forehead pressed closo against the glass. Sitting thus, she directly forgot hor per plexities and errand. Cyril Chesney's pale iaco, as it had last bent over hor, rose before her sight, calling up a mingled anguish and joy Tears bogon to eoureo hor checks Sobs struggled to her lips. Both woro suddenly checked by an open ing door. Robort Hood came in from tho hall. Tho girl waited a little to recover her composure. Before sho could efface tho traces ol tears, his voico burst fiercely upon the silence of tho room in an ejaculation that made her blood run cold, and held her a paralysed auditor to tho words that fol lowed. . , "Ten thousand curses! ho aspirated, hissingly. "Instead of going to my bed liko a Christian nobleman, I must spend the night prowling among the bones of the Langdons! Fool that I was! Why did I incur this peril ? Why did I not think in timo, and do it here ? Why did I madly trust to my powor to wotch him successfuly, make myself master of the cursed thing, and replace it with a harmless blank ? Oh, I could shiver my own right arm for the folly that stayed it so long. But for that the "secret would be dead, not simply bunod. And now, who is to unearth it? I or another ? Ah, that is it ! By some strange chance, another may. Tbe thought haunts mo day and eight, in my waking thoughts and midnight dreams. Is it prophetic of a fated end ?" Ho paused. He resumed : _ "Bah! I'll not nurse such fancio. 11l think of my peerless darling ! My beauti ful Lillis! Ab, Lillis! She littlo suspects ! He checked his words, and tho nervous strido with which ho hud spoken them, and waited, listening for some expected snund.^ " Why in the name of all the fiends don t ho coma ?" ho ejaculated, after a littlo. As if in answer, a quick tread camo along t\\o ball, and Bilsy appeared. " Well?" said Hood "Tho last bolt's been fastened, my lord, and tho last ono "—meaning the servants— " has gone to bed." "Thank Hoaven !" ejaculoted Hood, with irritable torvour. "1 can now go_to mine without fears of disturbing sounds. "Then your lordship wants nothing more t0" Nothing. You aro at liberty to follow tbe example of the othor servants.' Bilsy bowed respectfully, and went off well pleased. . ~ ~ Hood resumed his walk, moving Bilontly to and f *o for somo twenty minutes. At tho end of that timo he glanced at the clock and left the room. _ _he clock tickod oil ten minutes more. Thfii the damask draperies gently parted, and Lillis stepped forth, her ashy face wear ing a mingled expression of horror, doubt, *'Sim stood shrinking close to the crimson folds, her dilated eyes on the hall door and her white lips whispering, slowly, pain fU"yT!.at same frightful oath ! And what secret What peril ? What deed delayed too lor"' And-and- what have Ito do vtTth it Si. ? What meant the proud passion of his voice in speaking my name.' A cold chill ran through her from head to foot; a chill of deadly tear. . "Al " she presently went on again, her whit, face evenwhi er, and her voico I hushed to a still lower tone, " the mysterious un known said I was in danger ! - bade me,be watchful !-bade mo live with v de*open oves ' \nd I wan charged to take heed. i Stake heed! I feel ill Something draws me in spite of myself ! And like one indeed drawn, she moved slowly toward the door. , A gentle blast of cold air met her as she went out. . . _-.-, It swept, she knew, from the stone pas sage leading to the chapel.

Sho paused for a moment, looking in that direction, and then all at onco started and ran with decr-liko speed up stairs. Sho found tho gallery almost dark, and tho corridor totolly so, Bilay having extin guished and lowered the lights undor the delusion thut all, save " tho earl," wore safe in their rooms for the night

Thus it hopponed that flying along with winged feet and unsuspecting eye, she fuilod to see the stealthily- gliding form of tho woman she had so lately and mysteri ously been warned to distrlint.

CHAPTER XVI. THE HAND AND VOICE IN THE DARK. Never dreaming that Rebecca Hough's curious, broathless gazo was upon hor, Lillis let herself into the boudoir, leaving tho key outsido. Rebecca kept hor place in the doopor darkness of tho corridor to which she had stolon at tlio girl's rapid approach. After a feiv minutes'pationt watching sho saw tho door reopen and Lillis appear and carefully lock it again. Gliding nlong tho wall, sho presently saw furthor, as tho girl passed undor tho gallery light, that the truiling black dress had beon exchanged for a short ono, and that a pair of black stockings covered the dainty boots, while a warm black shawl, drawn over botli lioad and shoulders, was secured at tho waist by a knot behind.

Tho partiallymulllod figuro was oroct, tho step light and rapid, and tho wholo air that of ono moved by somo ohangeloss purpose. Rebecca Hough formed hers on the instant. But sho suffered tho girl to procood.

Wholly unsuspicious of tho oyo upon hor, Liliis wont swiftly down stairs, and thonce to tho passago traversed so fntefully by tho old earl titul Kobort Hood tho night of tho eighteenth of Novembor.

Sho wns impollod by no mean desiro to spy upon Hood's actions, A nobler purpose inspired hor.

The fierce musings to which sho had boon an involuntary listener in the library each moment assuniod a more sinister meaning. Strive as sho would, it was impossible to shako oil' the fear that some great wrong, or crime, which the old earl intended to prevent, had been successfully compassed by liia son.

Strive ns sho would, tho doubt of Hood's itinocenco of tho curl's death again began to press upon her with sickening persist on co.

Of hcisolf —tho danger against which alio had boon mysteriously warnod, and the dangor breathed in Hood's exulting tonos —sho had ceased to think.

It was, to her excited mind, as if the old earl's- beckoning hand urged her on. His voice seemed to call to her from the moan ing swash of tho sea,and appeal in each Bob of the rising wind. That her errand was one of personal dinger she did not doubt. Sho knew, instinctively, that should Hood be found nefariously engaged, and she discovered in turn, tho chance for her life would be his imagined chance of oxcul pating himself. But strung to a high state of exaltation, she feared nothing.

Sho wont on, firm in the determination to defeat his further wickedness, oven at the cost of her own young lifo.

Still glowing under that noble incentive, she reached tho ebapel. A narrow thread of light gleaming from the depths of tho anciout crypt, to which the old Enrl of Langdon had that day boon consigned, guidod her steps. The door was slightly ajar Sho opened it a little further and looked in.

The immenao vault, with its long rows ot marble tablets, sculptured ollig'os, and carved tombs, lav under hor eye ; but she saw only one thing—tlio form of Robort Hood.

Ho stood in tho direct rays of a large lan tern on the floor.

Tho line broadcloth and linen, worn at supper, hung upon the upraised arm of one of tho etligies, while their place upon his person had been supplied by a dark llannol shirt, coarso trousers, and common boots.

A chisel was in hia band, and tho light upon his face showed a countenance so utterly malignant in ita bathed purpose, question ing doubt, and stormy hate that Lillis in voluntarily shrank back. But tho next instant ahe pressed forward again. His anxious roving oyo had all nt once fastened itself upon tho lato earl's resting place. He exclaimed excitedly : " By Heaven ! hod want to keop guard ovor it : 'Tis there ! Yes i" With that monosyllable ho snatched up the lantern and strodo headlong to the spot. Lil'is failed to catch tlio words ; but she saw and understood his movement. His ultimate purpose, howovor, was not cloar. In her doubt and oxcitomont, sho pushed tho door a littlo further open, and stepped upon tho broad marble Hag at tho head of tho stairs. Sho could soo nothing plainly, for Hood s back was toward her, but she bolioved ho was about to enter tho superb mausoleum tho old earl had caused to be erected for his own reception upon tho remaining space in tho crypt. Whatever hi 3 purpose, however, ho was either mot by somo baffling ob6tnclo, or sud denly onraged boyon.l measure by the labour it cost him to master the secret of the crypt. Tho girl had watched him somo mmutos, when ho all nt onco ran backward, flung the chisel violently ot the mausoleum, and burst out in fierce, loud, resounding tones. . " You dead cur ! Rise up and say whero you hid it!" A fearful and abusive oath concluded the impious aspiration. Filled with uttor horror, Lillis forgot all elso ; sho screamed. . Tho cry reached Hood's ears, faintly, but" surely. , ~_,,. In a twinkling he had seized the lantern, and flashed its rays upon the stops. The mnfllod form standing thero was visible, but tho dista.ce was too great and the Ugh. too feeblo to admit of recogni tion.

He saw enough, however. With the countenance of a demon, he rushed for the Bpot. At tho same instant an arm was thrust oround tho door, and the petrified girl drawn violently into the chapel. "Rash girl ! To your room ! Flee I fleo ! breathed a voice at her ear. It was tho eilvery sweet voice heard so mysteriously in the early ovening.

CHAPTER XVII

ItEBEOCA HOUGH HEARS THE VOICE,

The crypt door closed with the unknown speaker, and tbe same voico that had whispered at Lillis's ear rang musically through the chamber of the dead.

It called, clearly, warningly : " Villain ! your sins will find you out ! Hood's diabolical countenance changed He stopped, reelod back, and in pallid alarm dropped tho lnntorn to the floor. In tho partial darkness that ensued the form that had taken Lillis's placo upon the marble flag vanished into the chapel again. It was a form of medium height, clothed in black, and complotoly mufllod about tbo head and face. Lillis saw that in tho ono moment the unknown's hands were on bor arm. But,instead of oboying the woman a ox cited command, eho stood in a trauce of questioning astonishment till tho opening I door and tho renewed sound of Hoods ap proaching feet reminded her of the necessity of instant flight. At the moment that tho door opened ac-am, Hood, who had quickly recovered l.imself, was righting the lantern, and hence no light showed from the crypt. But securo in her knowledge of the place, and spurred on by the sudden ring of her pursuer's boots upon the marble floor, Lillis Sarted toward tho sacristy, gained it, and then, to hor speechless horror, struck both extended hands upon a man's breast. Tho unexpected blow was received with a sharp, breathless gasp, and a reeling, backward step, that nearly stretched the man on the floor. Wildly terrified now-for Hood had plainly sained tho stairs-Lilhs evaded the nvolu.itary dutch that threatened her a*d turning about, fled, she know not W It proved to be directly benoath tho great PURu_iiing blindly forward, she came into sudden and violent contact with the carved woodwork below. There was one brief moment in which a flash of light coming from the opening door of the crypt glowld dimly around, and then her head reeled, and she fell. lantern in hand, Hood dashed into the chapel, both terror and rage depicted on his face,

His first blazing glance chanced upon Rebecca Hough. The woman stood leaning against the wall, the picture of abject fear. Her eyes stared, her tooth chattered, her tall form was shaken by an unceosing shiver, and her tawny skin showed not the faintest traco of colour.

She looked at Hood with a gasp of relief. Giving him no time to utter the savage question parting his lips, Bhe burst out, falteringly -. •■ Your lordship is hero ! Thank Heaven ! I was nigh frightened to doath by a golden haired woman, with a voice like music, and—"

"Whataro you doing here?" broke in Hood, a suppressed shudder in his fierce voice that yet was not quite oven. " Answer mo !"

Ho held the lantern up, and glared other with pale lips and bloodshot eyes.

Rebecca shrank back, and tlion seeming to collect herself, spoke more composedly.

" I beg your pardon, my lord," sho said, humbly. " 1 went to the library to see your lordship—to got cortain orders about tho young lady. Your lordship wasn't thero. Aftor waiting a bit in tho hall I turned to go backtothosorvante, wing, think ing I'd let it go for the right. Something mado mo turn round a rustle that half frightened mo and half reminded me your lordship was coming. But it wasn't your lordship It was a woman— not tall, nor yet short—dressed in black. Sho had yellow, wavy hair—a fow locks of it falling away from the big knot and over tho bluck dross. It was the hair that mado mo think. There's nobody at the Abboy with yel—"

Hood again interposod.

" Tho woman ? What did sho do ? Whero did she go? Cut your story short!"

Ho spoko botwoon his tooth, and, though roughly, almost inaudibly.

Hobocca shook her head, as sho answered

"Whero sho went I can't say—that is, whore she went at lnat. But Bhe camo here : I saw her turn into the chapol pass age. And if 1 hadn't boon so done over between surprieo and fear, I'd a seen and knowod more. For a bit I couldn't follow her, to save my lifo." "But what did you see?" interposod Hood, roughly, again. "Not much, my lord. First, just as I got ucrosa tho sacristy, I hoard a voico aay mg liko music : " Fleo ! Floo !' It came out of tho tlarknosa, soft nnd swoet, and just frightened mo to doath. But, instead of iiecing, I shut my eyos tight and covered my oars. I couldn't a run to save my lifo. I couldn't do anything but lean against tho wall hero, moro dead than alive. I boliovo in spirits, my lord, and I pint suro the woman wasn't a spirit; and - nnd it aeomod to mo tho musical words meant: ' Floe from tho wrath to come !' Do you think so, my lord?" " I think you're a fool !" aspirated Hood, but with vory whito lips, adding quickly tho next moment: "And so that was all you lieard ? And you saw nothing after leaving tho Abbey hall?" " I heard nothing but a soft rustle, like spirit wings, a bit ago, as I took my hands off my ears a littlo ; and I saw nothing till your lordship's light mado mo opon my eyes. I was afraid to bringuno, y our lordship poos, for fear I'd scare tlio woman (if it was a woman) off, and ao not -bo ablo to find out if sho meant harm to your lordship or your lord ship's plans. But I ain't cloar it wasn't a spirit." " \*ou aro faithful—don't bo a fool!" criod Hood. " Spirit or flesh, I'll unearth this mystery. Come and—" A voice broke upon tho command from the semi darkness of tlio sacristy.

It said, nonchalantly

" You will find it llosh, my doar follow. Happily I am to eorvo you with that sworn assurance and something be-iiiltn !"

Robert Hood turned ns if a pistol had beon fired behind him.

His faco was livid. The hand that held tho lautorn shook like a leaf. Murder blitzed from his eyes. As ho expected, tho flaring light showed him tho smiling faco and curious, incisive gaze of Antony Folgor. Beforo ho could either move or speak, Tony repeated, with additional emphasis : " And-SOMETHINO BESIDES !"

CHAPTER XVIII. 1111)8 AND SEEK IN" THKCUAI'Ef.. Antony Foi.iieu's significant words and accent checkod tho violont outbuist, just soothing up to Robert Hood's lips, effec tually. Instead of indulging his murderous rago in oithor words or deeds, he cried, quickly, and a triflo fiercely too : " What do you mean !" "That spirits don't strike mon s'edgo hammer blows in tho broast with two out strotchod hands." " Ha !" breathed Rebecca Hough, moving a step from tho wall to soo him bettor. "Do you mean you woro struck?" inter rogated Hood " I moan oxactly that and— mon. !" Tony made tho roply as nonchalantly as emphatically. Robort Hood succumbod to his secret hatred and rago. " If," he criod —" if you don't want to bo throttled, say what you mean, out nnd out, with no moro mystorious hints ! And sny, too, if you plcnee, why you aro hore in stead of asleep in your bed." " Pooh ! pooh ! don't loso your hond, Bob," returned Tony, tranquilly. "There's plenty of time ; the bird ia netted. We'vo only to tako it from tho meshos." Hood could not uttor a word for rago. Kebocca Hough, unnoticed, drew another stop nearer tho speaker. "In plain language," pursued Tony, " whatovor became of tho yellow-haired woman, tho person who struck mo was, I believe, Lillis Melross'!" " Lillis !" ejaculated Robert, evory vestige of angor lost in overwhelming amazement

" Even so It can't be said that Mi _ Molross is neither tall nor short," looking ot Rebecca, as he quoted hor description. "Miss Molross is decidedly short. More, tho person who so unintentionally assailed mo was short also, Miss Melrose's exact height. I discovered that by an involun tary clutch in recovoring my disturbed balance."

" And you say she is still here ?" " Somo ono is - I swear it, my dear follow. I was quite too near this door to admit of her slipping to the Abbey passage. She was forcad to turn into the chapel again. I know it. I heard the rustle and nave stood guard horo ovor since." Thatmurderouslight began to glow darkly in Hood's eyes again. Was Lillis playing tho spy upon him ? He locked around with darkening brow. " If she's bore she'll be found," he Baid, gruffly. "Will you," addressing Tony, " help mo search or keep guard where you are ?" " Lot tho woman assist you. I'll stand guard. Sot the lantern up on the pulpit, and its light will bo sufficiently diffused to how any lurking figure." Hood followed tho suggestion nnd mo tioned to tbe woman "Look I" ho commanded. "And see to it that she don't artfully escapo you." "Sho'll not escapo me, my lord !" Hood half smiled, well satisfied with the look and tone, and, a singular gleam of malevolent earnestness in hor black eyes, Rebecca began the search in ono direction, whilo he busied himself in another. Aftor somo timo they rejoined Tony Folgor at the door. " Where's your bird ?" sneered Robert. Tony said nothing, but gazed around the chapel in blank chagrin. Rebecca Hough camo to his relief. " Your pordon, my lord," she interposed, hor voico even harsher than usual, " both your lordship and the gontloman's wrong. Miss Melrosa is swift, and soft-footed as a haro. In this light sho could play hide-and seek with us, among the pews and benches, for a week. If your lordahip'll tako all the door keys, and lock the sacristy door, your lordship'l have her safe, if she's here. The morning'll show. If she's been hero she's here still, and won't come out of hor room to breakfast." "The suggestion is a good one. We will separate. Go to bed, Rebecca. And you, Tony " tie paueed there until the woman was beyond hearing. "And I, my dear fellow," interjected Tony, in his airiest tone, as Hood's mouth again opened, " will stay with you, and aid you all I can. What is it, Bob ? A buried treasure?" Ono moment Robert Hood hesitated. Should he take Folger into his full con fidence, and thus gain tho assistance of that acute individual? Tho question was quickly answered in tbe negative. Whatever Tony's vices, ho had a respect for high birth that would render such a disclosure as Hood meditatod exceedingly dangerous to his (Hood's) interests. But he had thought better of plunging headlong into a quarrel with this Old Man of the Sea. He had him to carry, willing or unwilling, and bo, with tho same quick ness with which he had disposed of tho mental query, he now hit upon a plan to cover his secret.

Without perceptible pauso ho answered. His countenance Btill glowering, he said, half Bullenly, half confidentially : " Since you're dastardly enough to play the spy, and worm out my secrets like—" "Liko the bosom friend that I am," interpolated Tony, airily. " Like tho bosom d—11" retor'i ,i I: ,I. enraged for the moment beyond control. " But," he added, quickly recovering him self, "no more of this, Since you've got at tho truth, I may a_ well confess and be done with it. Thero is a treasure, but hid den nobody knows where. I received tbo fact from my father, and am looking through the vault merely to satisfy myself that ho waa correct in his belief that it wns not secreted among the tombs. Onco nsaured on this point I shall accept his theory and search tho Abbey." " But who.ofore bother yourself to search at nil ? Your rich enough without tho ad dition of hiddon treasure."

Tony Folger mado that roply with the most deluding air of credulity. But deep in his mind he was saying to himself:

"A lie ! What momontous secret doos it cover? Well, I'll humour him. Thrown partially off his guard, thoro'll be a chance of my getting at tho root of tho matter. His lips nevor greiv livid that night ovor a box of gold and jewels." Hood's voice broko upon theso ncuto con clusions.

Contidetit in tho success of his fabrication, ho oxclaimod, sneeringly, in roply to Tony'a protost : " Hardly, with Antony Folger to foedon my resources." " True enough," laughod Tony, easily. " I shall prove an expensive dog. So go ahead. I wish you luck, and good night. Iso no intorest in buried treasure, so long as there's plenty unburied. But," raising his voico a littlo from the lowered tones in which the conversation bad been carried on, " what of Miss Melross?" " If Miss Mclrosß is hore,sho'll stay hero !" thundered Hood, his angry eyes roving round the chapel. " Lillis," addressing tho girl in tho same loud acconts, " it will bo usolosb to wait till morning—worse than usoloas—for discovery thou will only bring greator exposure. Come, Lillis, bo per suaded."

Both waited with hushed breathing in expectation of somo faint sound. Thoy waited in vain.

Robert ondpd tho silotico.

Ho said roughly

" Keop watch hero whilo I change my clothing. This infernal row has taken all the spirit of adventure out of mo I'll lock up and go to bod."

Ho gut his lantern and disappeared in the crypt.

Tho chapel was new in tho Bamo darkness in which Lillis had found it, only n faint light allowing from tho crypt, ns beforo.

Tony Folgor sat down in tho eacristy door way, and, with outstretched anna, waited for what might happen,

" I'orhaps," ho thought, "sho'll trust mo ; and, by Jove ! eho may I I'll lie her out of it i"

Ho callod, softly

" Lillis ! Lillis ' trust mo. I'll aoe you through. Come I"

Ho hold lna broath, and strained his eyos through tho g'oom to no purpose The only thing that happened was tho return of Hubert Hood.

"Woll ?" glowered tho lutter.ns Tony rose. " As you seo." Hood withdrew his gaze, and locked tho crypt door in sullen, troubled silonce.

" It's Satan's own work!" ho presently burst out, rb thoy walked through tho Btone pas_a_;e to tho Abbey. Tony made no anßwor for a moment, and thon asked irrelevantly:

" What tho douco aro you going to do with those keys ?"

" Sleep on tbetn. Nobody'll got either in or out of tho chapel unknown to uio."

A fleeting expression of annoyanco and perplexity darkened Folger _ restless littlo oyoe, but a quiet shrug was his only answer.

Hood extinguished tho lantorn.set it on tho floor of tho passage, und after loclyng tho great oaken door, took possession of that key also.

Ho next put out tlio hall and libra-y lights, and then, thrusting a night cut, lo into the hand of his companion, led the -,« iy upstairs.

Thero he spoke for tlio first timo since his gruff answer about tho keys, saying roughly :

" I'll try her door ! Yea, and I'll pound on it till I wako her or know she's not in her rooms."

'Don't bo a fool aa woll aa a bruto !' exclaimed Tony, contemptuously.

Hood cast a liorco glance upon him, mid atrodo into tlio corridor.

At tho first stop ho haltod. " By Heaven ! here sho is," ho aspirated,

He bounded forward noisily, "Hah!" ho burst out, his features dis distorted with rago. " Ami so you have—

Tho words died on his lips in a low, sonsolcss uu rmur.

(To be Continued.)

Mark Maynard's Wife.

A I.OVK ROMANCE IN HEAL LIFE

CHAPTER XXVII

KATIE MAKES A DISCOVERY

Mark wos bocoming impatient of this mode of life, and wanted a chango. Lota was rapidly rogaining hor usual spirits, and bogan to think with something very nearly approaching pleasuro of their roturn to Valloy Farm.

Mark, in the long winter evenings that had passed, had planned numorous improve ments for tho old homostead, and was anxious to bo putting his projects into execution. "It will kill time," he thought, moodily ; but ho was very solicitous for Lota's wolfaro, and knowing how sho longed for and yot drendod this homo going, he left it all for her to determine. Unfortunately, sho could not quite make up her mind, but put it off from day to day until spring was ushered in, with rough winds and fitful changes of weather.

" Wo must go somo timo, I supposo, Mark," Leta said, sadly, ono evening -. " but oh ! how I dread the torturo to which 1 shall be subjected when our ac quaintances discover tho reason of my absence from homo !"

" Why.is itnoceseary to tell the reason ?" Mark said, quietly. ' You went away as Lota Maynard, go back the samo. Mother has stated you aro absent on a vi.it. Your roturning homo with mo will disarm sus picion." "_nd live a lio the rest of my life!" Leta said, bitterly. "Oh ! Mark, I cannot do that I"

" It will only bo for a littlo whilo, Lota ; thon we will go abroad, you and I, and investigate that matter mentioned in tho papers in your possession. Wo can be gone two or throe years, and if what thoso documents stato be true, you can don your widow's weeds with your title and roturn with me to Valloy Farm. Then who will daro to point the" finger of scorn at you? It will bo thought that you woro married and widowed while abroad. You must not let that one mistake cloud your lifo for over. Sister, will you do as I say ?" " How can I do otherwise, Mark, when you havo devised this plan to make my life what it might have been but for my own folly? I will go home whon you are ready !" "Spoken liko a sensible girl I" Mark said. "Now, you must go shopping," ho continued, as ho placed a roll of bills in her lap. Leta said, sorrowfully : " How can I, Mark ?"

"You must, Leta; that is part of the programme. If you return home sad and dark-robed like this, people will look at you askance. You must go bravely, like a soldier to the battle field, and, sister, don all tho war-paint, for good clothes, you know, take a great part in tho estimate people mako of you." Lota, knowing in her heart all that Mark said was truo, complied with hiß request, and came back ladon with purchases; thoy wero for herself, she told her brother, but in her mind they all had been given to Alice in advance.

Then Mark seemed to grow very worldly in his tastes, and urged Leta to accompany him to various places of amueomont which sho did, Mark dreadod, yet longed to meet Mrs Lee again ; he know it would be much better for him to go away without sooing hor, but felt that to meet hor and hear her voico once more woro pleasure* he could not forego. In the theatres and crowded as semblies ho soarchod for her in vain ; thero waa no other way but to call at Undo Sam's again; possibly sho might be "at home " to him, but it was hardly probable after the coolness with which she had treated him when last there.

Determined to make another effort, and doubtful as to what his reception would be, Mark found himself ushered into Mrs Lee's presence, for she had not had time to evado him, as he was sure sho would have done if she 03uld have escaped unobserved. She

turned at his approach, coldly polite, as to tho veriest stranger, and said, pointedly : "Mr Desbro ia in the library. Shall I tell him you are here ?" She wished to escape from him, Mark thought, but his words were as courteously uttered when ho answered as if the bitterest pain wub not filling his heart at that moment. ■ " Can you not spare a few minutes to me?" he asked, pleadingly. "I will not task your patience long, for I return home to Valley Farm in a few days, and, as quickly as I can mako arrangements, I shall go abroad again. " Indeed!" Candice said, trying to speak calmly, and succeeding so well that her voice sounded harsh and indifferent. "Your resolution ia quite recent, is it not?" "Quite," Mark answered, Badly. "I dare say, however, few will regret my depar ture l" What a consummate rascal he was, to bo sure, Candico thought, bitterly, and ho was acting dishonourably to the very laet ! Sho thought of tho golden-haired girl she had twice soon with him, and wondered if he had tired of her already. Tho suspicion added a shade moro of scorn to hor voico as she answered : "As people sow, so shall thoy reap, I believe, Mr Maynard. Has your lifo been one that would cause people to rogrot yourdoparturo?" "Iseoyouhavemisjudged mo," Mark answered, gloomily. Candice wondered for just ono second if it wero possible alio had misjudged him in tho minutest degree. Uncle Sam, hearing voices and recog nising Mark's deep, full tones, hurried in to tho room and grasped tho hand extended to him warmly. What Mrs Loo's welcome had lacked in cordiality Undo Sam'a made •_p for, He noted with deep rogret the cloud on Mark's handsome face as Mrs Lee slipped noisoleasly from the room, but, fear ing to wound him by importinentqueations, listened quiotly whilo Mark explained his plans for the futuro. " Uncle." the nophow said, noting tho old man's kindly gaze, " 1 believe you havo liked and trusted mo evon whon I have most deserved your consuro, but over since I lost my wife by my own foolishness, 1 have ilono nothing I need blush for ! Do you boliovo mo ?"

" I do," Undo Sam answered, earnestly, "and I cannot soo why somo folks take such unnccountablo prejudices !"

Mark know ho referred to Mrs Leo, and was glad his uncle did not sharo her dislike of him.

"I'm getting to bo an old man, Mark," Undo Sain said, regretfully ; " you must not stay too long abroad, for I will need your help very soon perhaps," Mark dreaded this parting. It seemed to him as if thoso ho loved most were al ways lost to him, and ho know he could not trust himself in Mrs Lee's presence again.

A cordial handshake, a promise of speedy n6ws from tho wanderor to bo, and Mark was onco moro on his way homeward to Lota.

Meantimo, Candico hurried to hor own room and shut tho door. Sho did not notice Katie sitting juat inside the great bay-window, whero tho hoavy curtains of rich, dark material foil about her, almost screening her from vie*.. Baby Mark was sleeping sweetly in her arras, and, fearing to disturb him, sho sat there quietly, con tent to feci his curly head resting so con fidingly against her bruwuy arm. Sho was almost asleep herself when Candico camo into tho room, and was suddenly recallod to consciousness by tho sound of sup pressed weeping. Katio rose hastily from her chair.and, depositing Mark on tho bed, was in the act of loaving the room when Candico callod her back.

"Don't go, Katio ; I wish to speak with you." "Y'c., mum" Ratio said, wonderingly, and thon added, eagerly: "Can I do aught for you, Miss Candico !"' "No, Katie, but you have boon my friend through many difficulties, nnd I nm suro you will sympathise with mo in this great trouble that has now come to mo." Slio then told Katio nil about her sus picions regarding her husband, and how she had fleon that fair girl and Mark to gtther. "And yet," sho added, "ho seems so truo, Katie, I would fain forgot it, if I could !"

" Don't worry so, Miss Canlico," Katie said, earnestly, stroking the tumbled curls of the young girl wife. " You'll get a ong well enough without him, my lnssio ! I wouldn't spoil my eyes by crying for tho likes of him I"

" Ho ia my husband, Ratio !"

"1 know it, Miss Candico!" and alio nddod, mentally : " Bad 'cess to thedecate ful cruythur |" Then, seeming to take a sudden interest in tho subject, tho askod, hurriedly: "Is ho downstairs yet, Mies Candico ?"

" Yes," Candice answered, "he ia with uncle ;" and then she wondered why Katio loft her and hurried from tho room.

Mark was just making his adioux whon a woman cloaoly voiled stood waiting in tho back hallway leading from tho servants' quarters to tlio littlo sido street. " Whero aro you going, Katio ?" the brisk chambermaid nskod, wondoringly.

" Nono of your business, Miss Curiosity !" Katie said, sharply. Tho girl ran lightly upstairs, laughing at Katie's quick retort. Aa soon as tho frontdoor closed, Katio went out at tho sido entrance and came demurely around in front ot tho houso just in time to sco Mark turn a corner a squaro distant. Thon Katio hastened after him, never losing sight of him. Mark was wrapped in thought., for Mrs Loo's conduct puzzlod him, whilo it wounded his pride to be treated so scornfully. Ho walked away from tho moro pretontious dwdlings to thoso of smaller sizo.

Katio was close behind him now ; sho saw him open tho gate bolonging to ono of these dwellings and hurry up the gravolled walk. A lady was sitting by the window. Katie trudged slowly by and gazed at her eagerly. Would she never turn her head ? Yes ! Sho had heard Mark's footsteps on the gravelled walk and turned hor head quickly, with a glad littlo gesture of welcome, Katie, with an exclamation of astonishment, stoppod before tho gate and gazed with all her heart in her eyes at the fair vision at the window,

"Do you wish anything, my good woman 1" Mark asked, looking back ot the silent figure at tho gate. But Katie, with ono backward glance, passed on, without giving him an answor. Sho was in a porfoct ecstaoy of delight all the way home. "Blees my soul!" sho said, mentally, "all that worriting about tho man's own sister I Shuro 'tis meeself thought Miss Candico was mistakon ! Tho poor darlint! to cry her eyes red over that I" and Katio laughed softly, although for some reason bost known to herself her eye 3 wero full of tears.

That evening Katie astonished Candice by hor unusual bursts of Irish wit, and she wondered why the girl looked at her so tenderly. " What ia the matter, Katie?" Candice asked at longth, unable to account for tho girl's actions. " Miss Candico," Katie said, laughingly, " shuro 'tis not right to cross the mountain till you got to it, and I fala light-hearted, that's, all!"

Candico never dreamed of tho hidden meaning underlying tho girl's quaint re mark. Katie feigned an errand in her room beforo retiring, and, waiting until she had disrobed, tho kind-hearted girl tucked her in bed ; then, bonding over her, she left a kiss, and Candico fancied a tear also, upon her mistress's fair young lace,

CHAPTER XXVHI.

AT THE OPERA,

The next day was much tho same to Candico as tho preceding ones had been, only there seemed a shade moro of melan choly in the vers ntmosphoro. Uncle Sam noticed her listless looks, and strove to divert her thoughts from herself as much as possible. "Candico, would you like to hear the opera to night ? I will engage seats if you caro to go," Uncle Sam said to hor as he was rising from the dinner table. •' "Would you like to go undo?" " Certainly, my dear, but I don't care about going alone." " Then I will go with you, uncle, so you can consider yourself my escort," trying to speak laughingly. "I hopo you will not get tired of tho task, for I know I'm a terrible nuisanco sometimes !"

" I'll try and stand it," UDcle Sam answered, in a resigned tone, and with such a comical look of martyrdom on his faco that Candice laughed a silvery peal of mer riment,

Tho old gentleman, well pleased at his kindly effortß being appreciated, hastened from the house intent on purchasing seatp for th.' evening's entertainment; ho was hurrying along the street, looking neither to the right nor left, when a familiar voice called out his name. He turned quickly, and found himself face to face with Mark, who was laden with bundles of every size and description. "Sorry I can't shako hands, uncle!' ho said, laughing, "but you see how it is," with a look at his loaded arms.

" Well, great Scott I Mark, what are you going to do with all that rubbish ? You look liko a henpecked husband, trying to pleaao your fickle lady's fancy by a variety of purchases!" '' Presents for mother and the girls," Mark said, cheerfully. "I am going home to morrow. I had intended going to-day, but business detained mo."

" Will you attend the opera to-night, Mark ? I am just going after tickets for Can—Mrs Lee and myßelf !" Uncle Sam said, " Thunder and lightning !" ho added to himself, "I wonder if he noticed that slip?" But Mark paid no attention. Ho was thinking of tho reception Mrs Lee had given him the day before, and his lips twitched painfully nt the unpleasant remem brance.

"Uncle," Mark said, with an effort, " what, is the reason Mrs Lee despises mo so thoroughly?" " Doos she despise you, my boy ? I thought differently." Uncle Sam was honestly glad Mark had not noticed what ho had suid accidentally.

" Her dislike is plainly apparent," Mark answered, "but after all I don't know why I should care so very much, only one hates to ba forever misunderstood."

"She'll get over it, Mark; all women do!" Uncle Sam answered, knowingly. "I've found out they need a good deal of coaxing, and I suppose she is no exception to the general rule." "I was fool onough to think her different from others," Mark said, bitterly.

"Confound it I" Uncle Sum thought, rue fully. "Why can't I tell the boy? I'd give a hundred dollars thiß minute if I felt freo to do it, but I suppose I must leave it for him to find out for himself, if he ever does, which is vory doubtful, the way Can dice gives him the cold shoulder."

Mark changed the subject skilfully. After all, what was the use of talking over his troublos? It made them none the lighter to boar. " How is that wonderful baby getting along up at your house, uncle?" Mark asked. " I haven't Been the little fellow for somo time." "Smart as a cricket, and looks more like his father every day of his life !" " You knew his father then ?" Mark asked, curiously. "I thought Mrs Lee was a widow whon she first camo to you ?" " So sho was, Mark, so Bho was ; but I've ofton soon her husband ; he was a pretty good fellow a trifle cranky now and then, that was all I" and thero was a mischievous gleam in tho old gentleman's eyes as he gazed at tho stalwart young man beside him. Why wouldn't ho understand ? Mark, walking beside him with a look of interest on his lino face, had no more idea his uncle meant him than ho had of asking the next woman ho met on the street to marry him, and so they separated. " Would you like to go to the opera to night. Leta?" Mark asked the question while ho wasd epositing his parcels on the table, preparatory to packing them in the trunk standing open ready to receive thorn. " I don't know that I care vory much about it," Lota replied, in an undecided tono of voice. "If wo go, when shall I finish packing?" "I will help you, Leta, „Yes, we will go." Mark could not have told why ho pre ferred the opera to home that night; but with all possible haste they finished their packing just as tho supper bell rang. " You must hurry, "Leta," Mark said, when thoy rose from tho table. ''I give you just half an hour to make yourself pretty in, and I bet the wholo sum of five cents you are not ready by that time I" "I'll tako tho bet," Leta said, merrily, " and you'll soo if I don't prove an excep tion to thogeneral rulo of womankind and be ready before my very preciae brother !"

" Agreed." Mark, went hurriedly up to his room, threw his clothos on with what bo thought was commondablo has-e, and hurried down stairs, but his aistor was waiting for him in the hallway, daintily atti ed, with even hor gloves and bonnet on, and looking pro vokingly cool.

"Here's your nickel!" Mark said, gravely extending her the coin ; " take it as a memento of your great triumph over tho rest of your sex, for who ever heard of a woman dressing in less than half an hour before ."

In a merry mood they started off, arm in arm. Thoy were a trifle late, and the or chestra seats wore all taken.

"Give-mo two in the balcony, then."

Mark was determined he would not re turn homo without hearing the opera after all the trouble of getting there, so taking Leta's arm, he hurried her up stairs. Thoy had socurod front scats, which afforded them a good view of the Btage and tho entire audience. Tho prima donna commenced singing just as they entered tho balcony. Lota was toying idly with her opera glass, when a face attracted her attention which she gazed at long and steadfastily. I'rsently she gave Mark a little nudge and whispered in his ear : " Who is that lady with Uncle Sam ? Is it the advonturoes mother talks about ?"

"It is Mrs Leo,' Mark Baid quietly, scanning tho vast audience beneath in search of the fairest face in the world to hitn. Yes, there they wero at last, and taking the glass from Lota's hand he looked long and earnestly at the lovely face of the woman he loved.

"I wonder what she looks liko vithout her glasses !" ho thought, noting the slender figure in a robe of black velvet, with great bunches of Parma paneies at throat and waist as her only ornament. She wore a white hat with a drooping plume, and be neath the brim pansies, nothing but pan sies, suiting well the lovnly, girlish face. But he did not note the pitiful droop of tho red lips and the cheeks losing their froshost bloom, as if from sleoplesß nights or haunting day-dreams ! Lota took the glass when he offered it to her, and wondered why his hand trembled as it touched hers. Little did Candice dream Mark's eyes were on her constantly that entire evening, noting her every look, her every gesture, as she conversed with the white-haired old man by her side.

The last act was over, and great crowds of poople were pushing their way down tho flight of stairs. " Don't hurry, Leta !" Mark said, laying his hand on her arm. " Wait until the crowd thins a trifle "

It happened that Mark, with Leta cling ing to his arm, coming down the last step, met Uncle Sam and Mrs Lee face to face.

Fearing explanations, he hurried Leta on ward, but not before Candice had gazed full in her face and learned the truth. Ah ! how miserably weak and blind she had been! The golden-haired girl was Leta Maynard! With her brain in a whirl.with a thousand conflicting emotions, Candice walked homeward by the side of Uncle Sam, scarcely heeding his criticisms on tho music to which they had just been listening. What did -he care for the opera now ? Mark, her husband, was true to her in thought and deed ! She had spurned him from heronly yesterday, and now he was proud and would not como to her again ! But what was Leta doing in the city, and why al) this secrecy ? Uncle Sam did not know of it she, was sure, or he would have mentioned it to her. It was strange, but through it all she was happy, very happy over the discovery sho had mado.

CHAPTER XXIX. " I WANT YOU ! COME TO ME I"

" Katie ! Oh 1 Katie ! wake up ! I have news, such wonderful news to tell you !" Candice called in the Irish girl's car, Katie waa dozing in an easy-chair by Baby Mark's bodside. But eho did not stir. Candico took her by the shoulders and shook her gently. Katie woke at laet, and rubbed her eyes with amazement to see the radiant face bending over her ; how much moro was ehe astonished when Candice snatched her glasses from her eyes and threw them with a merry laugh' into the far corner of the room, where they lay until next day's sweeping brought them to light again. Was hor mistress going crazy ? Katie wondered uneasily, sleep vanishing from her eyes as if by magic. Candice was laugh ing at her as if divining her very thoughts. "I'm not crazy, Katie, only happy; happier than I ever thought to be again !" "in epito of tho yaller haired gurrel, Mi_s Candice?" " Yes, in spite of ' the yaller liairod girl,' Katio !" Candice replied, joyously, " for r-he is Mark'B own sister !"

"I knowed it, Miss Candice, and Baid it was not best to cross the mountain till you cum to it!" i " And you never told me, Katie !" Can dico said, reproachfully. " I didn't find time yet, Miss Candice. Shure I only followed him yieterday, and tho likes of me couldn't think of an aisy way to breik it to you softly like. Thinkß I to meeelf to-morrow will do ; and now you've found out without poor Katie's help !" "You followed him, Katie?" Candice cried, as the servant paused for want Qr breath.

"I done just that, Miss Candice; L tamed detective for shure and followed him home and saw his yaller-haired gurrel at the window which wasn't his wife nor swote heart, but his own sister, who dominicked over you at Valley Farm so unmaicifully !"

" Domineered, you mean, Katie!" Can dice corrected, and then a peal of laughter loud and long rang out over Katie's " turning detective," startling little Mark from his slumber-, -who threw the covers aside rest lessly ; then, sleep overpowering him once more, he closed his eyes and slumbered as soundly as ever. Candice arose and replaced the covering, then went over by the window and stood there looking out, Midnight hung over the city, but she could not sleep for very joyousness, and, turning to Katie, who was yawning terribly in spite of her efforts to appear wide awake, said, pleasantly: "Go to bed now, Katie, but come to me early in the morning, for I havo an errand for you to do for me."

Katie obeyed, and, in less time than, it takes to write it, was slumbering soundly, but Candice never closed her eyes the entire night; she could not sleep, and when morn ing dawned and Katie rapped at the door, her eyes grew round with astonishment at beholding Candice still in her opera dress of velvet, and with tho Parma pansies droop ing on her bosom. "Oh ! Miss Candice,' how could you ?" Katie said, reproachfully. " Why didn't you go to bed ?" "I could not sleep, Katie, and I am not tired in the least."

By her appearance Candice epoke the truth, for the listless look had entirely vanished from her face, never to return.

" What can I bo afther doing for you, Mies Candice ?" Katie asked, quickly. " You told mo to come to you early in the morn ing." "Take this to my husband's boarding house, Katie," handing her a letter directed, "Mark Maynard, City." "Be sure you give it to Mr Maynard himself, ard wait for on answer."

" He'll know me, shure, Mies Candice!"

"It makes no difference, Katie; tell him Uncle Sam employed you, toll him anything, only do not tell him Mrs Lee and Candico are the same I"

So Katie went away quickly, and had gone nearly a square, when she came back hurriedly and wanted to know what she should do with the "errant," indicating tho letter, if Mark Maynard was not at home.

" Bring it back to mo, Katio ; but hurry, for I cannot rest until I undo the wrong I have done him in my thoughts !"

Katie hurried so rapidly that her young mistress had just finished dressing when she camo into the room, with a very red face and panting loudly, the letter still held tightly between her thumb and forefinger. "He was not there?" Candice asked, with a quiver of disappointment in her voice.

" No, mum. Gone home to Valley Farm, the landlady Bez. Sez she, ' They're gone, mum, bag and baggage, and not coming back again Now, what shall Ido with the errant, Miss Candice ?"

" Give it to me, Katie j" and taking the letter, Candice directed another envelope to Valley Farm Station, and putting a stamp on one corner, handed it back to Katio, who was patiently waiting for orders.

'' Take it to the post-office, Katie. Then that is all I can do but wait."

The letter contained only a few lines, and Candice could remember every word. It ran thus:

"Mb Mark Maynard: Since meeting you last I have made a discovery, and have a long explanation to make to you I want you ! Come to me I—Mrs Lee."

What would he think ? Doubtless that she was vory imprudent; but would he come ? Would he give up his arrangements for going abroad and come to her? Two days of dreary waiting! Would the time never, never pass? And suppose he did not come! Would it not punish her justly for her doubts of him ? Meantime at the farm all was commotion, and in the joy of baying her loved ones at home with her once moro Mrs Maynard had grown comparatively young again. She gazed at Mark, and then at Leta, as if afraid it was not reality. Not one word was said to wound Leta _ feelings, and not the slightest explanation was required of her, so she resumed her old place naturally enough among them again. Mrs Maynard took her in her arms, and kissing her, said, lovingly : " Leta, child, I have missed you terribly ! Thank God ! you are at home once more !" Leta wept on her shoulder. She knew the words had been spoken from a heart chastened by sorrow, and she kissed her mother affectionately. Mark was down at the station the next day ; he had a commission from his sister Alice to ono of the dry-goods stores, and moro from the force of habit than aught else entered the tiny post office and inquired for the Maynard mail. Hewasnotexpeotingany thing, aid thinking the letter handed to him was for his mother or Alice, he put it in his coat pocket and never thougt of it again until he returned home and pulled it out of his pocket along with the parcels ho had just purchased. " 1 had almost forgotten," Mark said carelessly; *' here is a letter for one of

you." His mothor took it from him quickly ; letters were a rarity at Valley Farm, and she wondered who had taken the trouble to write to them. Glancing at the envelope sho noted the epistle was for Mark, who had not even looked at tho name written on it.

' Why, Mark, it's for you I" his mother said, in astonishment. " I hope it is not a business letter that will call you away from home ; but that isscarcely likely, for thewriting is in a delicate female hand." "For me?" Mark asked, wonderingly, and his first thought was of Candice. Tak ing the note from the envelope, he read the few lineß hurriedly. "I want you! Come to me !" stood out before all the rest, and then the name, " Mrs Lee !" What did it; mean? Why had she written to him tor come to her? His mother gazed at him anxiously. "Is it bad news, Mark?" she asked, tremulously. " No, mother, not bad news ; only I must go back to Chicago by the next train l" " What is it, Mark ?" Leta asked, timidly. " I cannot tell you, Bister, for I do not know myßelf." Although he put [the family off with a careless answer, he wondered ovor the strangeness of Mrs Lee's request. That she regretted her conduct toward him he saw fully, but why she should care to send for him directly after his return home was a subject of the wildest conjeoture to him.

Mark was in a fever of impatience, even when journeying toward the woman who had humbled herself enough to send for him, for that one so haughty and proud as Mrs Lee could forget her fancied injuries and make apologies was very far from his imagination. That one so proud could plead to him for forgiveness he could not think ; but something had happened ; she needed him, and he would go to her I

{To be Continued),

A SENSATIONAL CASE.

The Poisoning of a Husband by His

Bride of a Month,

Emporia, August 23.—The autopsy in the Walkup poisoning case developed evidence of the use of corrosive poisons. The Coro ner's inquest was continued until 6.30 p m., when an adjournment was taken until Monday. Mrs Walkupwasorderedtobetaken into custody. Tho ovidenco bofore the Coroner's jury elicited nothing more than that the prisoner had purchased arsenic and othor poisons at two or throe drug stores, and that she had taken exclusive charge of the sick man during his illness until Friday, when the suspicions of his friends were aroused, and a daughter of the deceased was placed in her stead. A boy named Willis, said to bo a second cousin of the prisoner, and who lately came here from New Orleans, waa also locked up. EMroßiA(Kan), Auguet 24.—Hon. J. R. Walkup's funeral at the Methodist Episco pal Church took place at 2 o'clock this after noon with an immense attendance, filling thechurchand adjacentstreots.manypeople coming from the surrounding country. The interest manifested in the case sur passes all precedent here. Mrs Walkup retains her easy,cool,6elf-possessed bearing, and the attendance at the houße yesterday night might be called a levee for her. She continues to assert her entire innocence. Sho did not attend tho funeral at the church, as her presence might havo given rise to great excitement. The Coroner's jury met again this afternoon and took the testimony of Dr. L. D. Jacobs, the physician who attended Mr Walkup. It developed nothing now or startling. The analysis by Dr. Gardner of the stomach and other parts of Mr Walkup's hody did not determine tbe Eresence of arsenic or other poison, and he as taken the parte to Kansas City for a mart- . m t !tie and exhaustive analysis. The Coroner.- jury has adjourned to Tues

day morning. Reports from New Orleans as to the standing of the Wallace family there are conflicting. Mrs Walkup remains at her residence in care of the Sheriff, and has been treated with entire respect. The mystery of tho case seems to deepen 'and the interest to intensify hourly.

New Orleans, August 24.—Nothing for a long time has created so much excite-. men. here as the news of the arrest in Emporia, Kan., of Mrs Minnie Wallace Walkup for the poisoning of her husband. The marriage took place just one month to a day beforethe death of hor husband. Mr Walkup had been a faraliar figure on the streets of New Orleans. He was a Virgin ian, and a handsome, energetic man, of considerable wealth and ability, He was about 45 years of ago, and a widower, with two daughters, the youngest a year older than the wife he recently married. Minnie Wallace Walkup is 17 years old Hor father is James E. Wallace, a lawyer, and formerly a United States Commissioner. Every ono who saw her noticed her beauty of face and form and her lady-like deport ment. Walkup had met Minnie when a child, and watched her bloom into woman hood. The wedding took place at Coving ton, Ky., on July 22nd, and was a brilliant affair. From her letters Mrs Walkup seemed to be living a happy lifo, with her wants all provided for. Her last letter, received five days ago, said Mr Walkup was going on a short trip on business and that she was to go along. Willie Willis was eleven months older than Minnie. He was a son of John D. Willis, who died in Florida several years ago. His mother was niece of Mrs Walkup's mother. Mrs Willis died when her boy was three years old, and left him to tho care of Mrs Walkup, with whom he has lived ever since. Ho and Minnie were raised together. He is a delicate boy of slender build, and was much attached to his foster sister. Mr Walkup asked the boy to go out West as his protege, and agreed to asßißt him in working out a successful career. Her frionds say the purchase by Mrs Walkup of arsenic may bo accounted for by the fact that she was addicted to the use of the drug for the sake of her com plexion. ■'■ r

PROHIBITION IN IOWA.

Prohibition has reduced this city of 20,000 inhabitants to a «ondition of rural simplicity Until the abolition of the liquor traffic was a feature of tho State Constitution, and during the antecedent era of high license, the city's annual license revenue aggregated from 30,000 to 50,000 dollars. This income was sufficient to maintain the various public departments and obviated the necessity of a general license system, the only other fees mposed being small ones which hucksters, peddlers, and others were required to pay as a police regulation.

When prohibition was ordained this city had a surplus fund. Now the treasury ia empty, and the scrip with which current liabilities were to be met has attained a pre torean character which seems limitless, the rate of discount absorbing almost the entire face value of the bills. Necessity has forced the most rigid retrenchment upon the city. Public works have been stopped and other public enterprises in contemplation are no longer mentioned. The county recently secured a site for a new Courthouse, to cost 500,000 dollars, a condition of the building's erection being that the city should construct a short spur of sewer, making the general drainage system accessible to the proposed structure. The city is unable to build the sewer, the county cannot dispose of its sito without sacrifice, and the work has been abandoned.

At a recent meeting the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution providing "that all gas and gasoline lights be cut off; that the police force be reduced to a chief and one captain, who shall receive fees for their services ; that the Fire Department shall be reduced to one chief and a driver for each engine ; that the only street im provements shall be such as can be made by one man, whose salary shall be two dollars a day for ten hours' work," etc.

These resolutions were put into effect on June 15th, and the results are now- being developed. Insurance companies are with holding risks or taking them-at higher rates; stores close in time for attaches to reach home before dark; the receipts of various open-at-night houses have declined, so that expenses are barely met; the Dis triot Messenger service has added a hautboy call; tallow candles are faked on the sheet.. by men and boys who formerly sold jewel lory, matches and bananas; social clubs confined to old business men have been dis banded ; church socials, theatrical perform ances, ice-cream festivals and similar gatherings requiring the presence of ladies in full dress are held only in "the light of the moon"; only midday marriages are tolerated in the best society ; hotels havo supplemented their stock of umbrellas with a supply of lanterns to be let to guests, churches that have attempted to baffle fato and hold night services have established checkrooms in which the members' lights of various kinds are deposited during ser vices ; three skating rinks suspended last week with heavy liabilities, and a dime museum man absconded to Canada to escape his creditors.

The resurrection of the hautboy era has been attended with some peculiar results. Aristocracy is graded by the age of a man's lantern, and accordingly some strange relics have been revived. Last night the " World " correspondent was one of a party which called on a family of well-known young ladies. One of the young men- a bank cashier—carried a lantern made of a square tin box, perforated with small holes arranged in various designs. One of tho presents at a wedding last week was a rustic lantern with which the bride's grand father and Abe Lincoln hunted coons in tho forests of Indiana when they were back woods boys. The restoration of tallow candles has been attended with the revival of candle moulds, and young ladies of polite society are busily engaged in decorating candlesticks.

The City Council has further endeavoured to overcome the municipal distress by imposing a tax on trades, professions, etc , among tho items being : Banks, 200 dollars; brokers, 150 dollars; oil peddlers, 20 dol lars; lightning-rod dealers, 25 dollars; physicians and surgeons, 25 dollars; undertakers, 25 dollars; sowing machine agents, 30 dollars; attorneys-at-law, 25 dollars ; bathrooms, 10 dollars ; veterinary surgeons, 25 dollars. Meanwhile whisky is free. The saloons can be closed only by injunction. The District Court recently held that a motion to enjoin was a civil action, and that while ono action was pending, another one of tho same purport could not be made. Under this decision tho friends of saloon men hastened to enter motions to enjoin the sale of liquor, the objoct of their haste being to stop bona fide efforts to squelch the business. The pending motions will be pushed at the pleasure of the saloon-keepers. The Prohibitionists insist, however, that they are going to enforce the law and stop the traffic—Council Bluffs Despatch in "New York World."

KING WILLIAM OF GERMANY.

Kaiser William is at Gastein, and, con sidering his time of lifo, is in fair health. He takes short walks, but no longer goes out alone, as he did whilo at Gastein last year. He stoops much, and walks ns if movement were painful to him. It is also noticed that whereos in former years he talked hoartily with everybody who had any business with him, he is now very sparing of his words. Ho goes out in the morning dressed in plain clothes and lean ing on tho arm of Count Lehndorff. A foot man follows him closely, and carries a rug which is spiead over tho bench whenever his Majesty sits down. A ten minutes' walk appears to causo weariness, and mukea a quarter of an hour's rest necc-ssa y. After hia walk tho Emperor transacts State busi ness with his Councillors, and signs papers He lunches lightly at one o'clock, takes a nap, and then goes out for a drive. Aftor a six o'clock dinner, which consists of a littlo broth, roast meat,, and claret, tho Emperor has tho newspapers read to him, and then a chapter of the Biblo. He goes to bed at about nine o'clock. It is said that he sleeps soundly and that ho is in good spirits though there is a pronounced sadness in his tone when answering inquiries about his health. When Count yon Thun, tho Go vernor ot Salzburg, went to tako leave of him a few day. ago, hia Majesty asked whethor tho Count drank tho waters of Gastein. On the Count saying " No," the Emperor answered, " Thank Heaven that you havo no causo to do so. Keep your health ; it is the beet thing in lifo."

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1885

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