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A NIGHT IN HER LIFE. < HAI'I lilt l\ The concert was over at last ; the beam- ing I >nkf hid i. ikcii Lands wuh mint .>! bis fin n. Is .gd nw approa. hed Knt, ho Imd sent the ladtos to I* rloakeil aa.l rhattmg witli Uic l.uxoiore and a others. - "KenV the ry inaa T want' Come and overhaul the programme takings ! l.in > we have made mure than I dared to i angry-winch r" ' . * V'Aikl.AB ~_ " Ven. netrly then , >vilh a sud- den lll'ivi IlKIlt liiWMi 1 tendHi. I Sll.l.lell Illlleotloll of Vi'l e so eniotlon.il that tttc girl aluank l>aok from him.sittin l*lnii.l In r Miow-white llower fcm<e and i,. w quailing inwardly wnha fear of she eould . llwhat "Yir.iwv ny of me; >nu barm-ad* me with flowers, he said re- ifiilly. "Is u that you are shy Ur tor ' Julian was obliged relm-tantlv to comply, loath though he wan to leave hit jealous w ,' h over the iloor of the ladies' cloa*- room. I'here. ' cried Mrs. Lux more, when nil* had nintlleil Valuta, I'll., i,.-. M nit-Inn- ."edgewiek, and Cecily to her Haimfa. tinn -- m., K lr '"i ' cl UI 1"' t' ie >ove, or it ill be no late twlore we get home ' Cecily, Mr Kami. til has invited 111 to supper al lit" roomn I..-I inr sec, Madeline: you im- kindly driving Yanda, are you not' I'lin-be und Only, route with me." Shu hastened towards th iloor of the crowded room, leading I'l", I,.-, and ' , '.ni In: IK.-SI to follow ; but ahe wa no re- (M-a'edly (tupped by uaknuwn ladies, all t-ager to congratulate ker on her success, that, when site readied the ilnnrway, >he f'uitiil herself quite s-parat.-d 'rnm every our *lio knew Mir panned in tin- wide corridor, while thr warmly w i .;.p--l ladieK ui" d out with n. ili and Kinilc*. ami felt rather forlorn. Mr*. Lux more might have waited, nho thought. She gazed along the fast empty- ing spai r to cati li the night of a friemlly face. Some one approa. hed wliom (be knew -Oscar Malliiikjer. "Mm llutland," Fie laid, ia',hcr breath- !"'... "Mn. Luimore hu sent me to fetch you " The statement astonished Ceoily : Init, ai he ha<l no lately seen him H|>cukii.g to Mr*. l.uxn.oie, ahe unwillingly an eptcd hi* prof- fered .inn, and they walked otf together, rnry er, as n matter of fact," aho re- piled, with OOQjidtrabl* vc.\ali.ni ; " Init I Dav* a rensnii to lie angry with you. though Hon.-, Unit 1 know of, to Iwsl.y. \ cm tin . to make me believe you sent me this 1. m- fist. 'Cecily, have you no pity, no pardon''" ' svioutnes* and almost superhuman strength "N<ne, sir. What is the meaning of this ! returned. Wrenching herself away, she mockery crying for pardau to the prisoner ' sprang a ulep from !iim, and, with whom yon refuv- to release ?" " You will not understand ! I mean p. ii. I. m for my ml tmou- behaviour in leav- ing you, whom I hived, to engage myself to Blanche, whom lilid nut lo\e. ' j I ii.i'e you :" " It in a irtatterof absolute, indifTeicner I Hflttacj.. red K. to me Mr. M4Mngar, to whom you cho-.-.- ; fci- Irani stru.-k him upou the month a blow li drew blood from every kniu-kle : and, tiiidii-g her \oice, .lie cried aloud, ss ' i-alt I lie blow cry. ( (<.- ir - perfectly. bul I will .d I o engage yourself. You u re raving, I 1 _ , licve ! It i> your intention!) insult me, and , rai. you are succeeding very well '." I ed , " You dtre to pretend to misunderstand me ?'' he .-rird, springing to bis feet. "Be- ware -1 tell you, bewiire ! 1 understand you Your resentment II imtnral ; tone. See how I ubss.- myself ou! ()h, my darling, my only love, my whole life shall iihuw you the depth of my rcpeiitain - '" "l/-t mi- go, then !' "Yes, yes: yon i^all go immediately ! Ouly m>e*k lue word*. only nay U> me, 'I forgive yon, Oscar, all the shameful pant, and I will be your wife -that is what 1 want you 1 1 promise ; for that 1 hrought you here ! Lovo makes sutler terribly !" He was kneeling by tiie table, and as he mm, and waiteil in an attitude of uliandon- in terribly afraid that Mrs. I.uxmorr ' fnd piano, M- .irivrn ..if, lie wid deferent.ally ; ! "Hh ' " 1 they re bringm(f ppthe carriages so fait,' | volupluoiifueas they will cot M"w a minute'* delay I j ou f century ci thoiiglit I naw yon got into Mrs. Urai-e'a tnc ' Ie cariiajje, and I bulie\e 1 told MID. Lux- more MI. Hut you will allow me the privi- lege of takiiig care of you for that ahort distance" Yon know we ar* invited to -up per at Randall rojini " Mrn. I-uxiimrt- laid x./'anuwf-rcil I V. ily ol.llv, with anger and rebclhuu in her She filtberMlt in a fix. Kverylmdv she kiicn- Mieined to have gon--, yet r> -u-wpi tl,, i.rl 'if thu n ail wj int.ili-r.ilde. II. . could Mrs Luxmorn have subjected her to i " Well, yuii <UH not wud il," iid Ooily, with marked displeasure. " How do yon know thatT" " I in- real I'onor has acknowledged that lie sent it." " Hai he proiluced proofs?" " < '. iiaiiiiy not. I iielieve his word." " Against mine 7" Cecny was Hilenl. The swiftly-rolling carriage to|iped at the morn lit, and in an M mnt Mnlln.^i-r wi\a helping her to alight. They stood In-fore i lie v, i.lc d.iorway of a handsome block of residential . liambers ; he pKpri*m-ed an in Hpi-ukaMe seue of teliet that the drive wan o\er and that she should aoou ho among her friends again. A straDKi* foiling of nctiml repugnance towards her itiiii|ianion had taken the place of her foimcr fancy for him. " It is the second floor," said Oscar, lead- ing the way up the stone slaircaae. (Wily followed. At the end of the sec- ond Iliglil he opened a door, through the tamed glaas of which a rosy light strummed forth. A n.irrow corridor lined with ^ood n. livings and mezzotints met the view. Hurrying along it, he Hung open a door, ushered the girl in, am', rapidly following, shut the door. Ctcily paused bewildered. -She stood in a luxuriuusly-furuishnd aitling room, with lounges, antnine furniture, p.. and all the confusion of I ? 1 1 . l . jr .. < jl".*" *?. !':"' 'J 1 ? _'"." ( * r * vl1 / ' in ( the .ml v' : f.-i-lli..- licl.ind li in ff"i n 'Y'r.f t. .-r.tiad irl o room, iranli. .illy pull- ii I uttcre.l ery "p->n I'lieii, n i*diily turning, slm lieheld n!i.ly lining the revolver to his t'-n.pie with a look upon hi.i face indescrib- aMy horntil .in.i fixed. With n impiiUe of womanly .imipim.- tlon, she rushed towird* him. He held out his left hand to ward her off. !!eckl- of her lUnger, she tippled with him and tried to wije th pistol. There was a sharp report. (HAl'TKR Julian Kent left Camelot House with a feeling of disappointment aud in some irri By the time the ^.rniloi,, Dnkfl opportunities; and this i< mine ! Only nay ; i^Uaan.1 luu*. every oue ud jjgne hcme. Hu you will Iw my wile, and f release y,,u m- , eilie , , ,, , |,e ,,,rndor., *. 1.H--1) ;*ntlv' ll.ve pity np'JU me, tny own ; I , t , , rongeil w jthgay <-olouraijd lively groups ' - empt roll cil wi i u K-V .tfiuufc* nuu ii>cijr j^' " l 'j^, and desertml The last rarria<{ hwl ay. Hia forcible detention , II-JL-* i rWIWU W> * IB i"i Uiuiv uvwiBbiifi poke, he laid hts arm upon it, .Irop^ed his cosf hin) ,;,, , han , koew . | t nm a ex fair head with its waving locks upon his ( .i,,,i,.,| Iniii from I'aul : party. In the hurry l'.nil.i!ln supper- excitement of thr arwent Kent However, the novelist was not a man I ]. J,l , i, I** 1 *} *'* n 1 * 3 ,IMI mm*f jw i v^iii ", e.l love and grief. Presently C'ecily s voice millll ,. llt t | 1( . young 'man had forp.tten the Bounded, icy cold anti clear. " There mukl I* no doubt about thi mat- . ,. .... .. _ . tr she naid, calmly. " I am willing to ! _ iven to moo ,u or to unrwsonable despond *licve that you ru acting under a com- ! ell( . y T| ie In o,t he ha.1 hoped for that even- plete miiappn hension of my feelings. I ' j n - |,d been the privilege of Iwnding Cecily have nothing to finite you for. \ on have illt , ( ,, er cmrrwge an ,l perhaps receiving a not injured me until to night ; und I wouH , look a , Infle to treasure in his heart on his sooner be tortured to death than bo your wife! Now I think that ; clear. Thre can lie uo further object in prolonging I his interview." He raised his desperate face from its low iy hiding-place, and the look of it sent ft a vague horror through Cecily. She felt as though -he were in a dreadful nightmare from whi.ii she mint noon awaken. Natur- with which the SyWilo of aa surround himself. Itut was no si^n of I'aul 1! mdall or of any of her parly ; she ami Mallinger were al.iiir She turned indignantly Inwards him. "Where ami? What have you done?" " You are where I have often longed to see you. I have brought you to your home," he answered, in tones which in their day had thrilled many a woraan'x heart. I do hot undei iiaiid you in Uie least. Kxp'.am you conduct al once," she said steadily, though her teeth chattered with vague terror and distrust. " 1 have explained myself. You are in my uch a ve.ation ; Bul ol n.ui.e Mrs. I.UK- I room*. All is Uir in love, y,,u know ; and i. ..t. knew no reason why 1 ecily khould Hisliki to meet Mr. Mullinger. Site. 1.1 ima^iiw the g K>I| lady's .(nitre** when l.urryinj I'ho-lw into II . und get 1 1 nu m hrisilf, nlie had turned t- tind tii<' In, oiherchargf wa not following her ; and now. an tin- in n -rvanU ri'thl. ;ly .-hut her in and called up the in xt rarintge, ahe had cried out to the in it person she saw !o l,i in^ I i-< ily to her. That it should have i*-en Mallingei, of all pf.pli-, to whom she hid appealed was real misfortune : bin tin- girl was ili-ier n.med to brave it out. After all. it would agitate her less U> drive alone with bun than to drive alone with Mr. Kent ! Strange indeed, but true, aa she admitted, with silent wonder. "I, one, as I fearod ' said Oscar sym- i>athrtiually, as they reached the wide door. way. " Wait a minute hwever, and my l.rough.im will ) up "o Mr Mallinger'n carriage ' shonted the footman, and In-fore she ha. I lime to n Mi. I, t'ecily found In i self shut up with Oscar in 'he cxiay little liroiigham, a fur tug drawn > -i 'iri knees, and the wheels already in mo- tion nn -,- more. e \ i HI, Cecily, as you must always have known that 1 loved you. I rould n,,t rrsl a moment, after ot|.-e beliol.lui); your face to- niglit without pouring forth my adoration and my penitence. My love, my uream of sweetness, I know that you will bear me ! I Ir.'iiglit you here that you might hear Thr words were poured i.iit in an under- tone of the most tnit-ntie fi cling : the dark, burnint;, blm- --yr-> were lixed II|MHI her. Mallingi-i knew perfectly well what I. e said. He had not !...! hu itelf-control : but he was just ex. -itt-d enough to make him reckless 01 eonsequenct-B. He meant no harm to 'icily only to retrieve hia lost cele- brity, hi* lost position, by the mag- nificent stroke of ending himself to the irirl of whom all Indon to morrow would be talking. His facullieH bail never the consequences w Inch might arise from homeward way. This had been denied him, but he would soon see her again. To-mor- row he would go and call at IVmberton Squire, and ask how she felt after her ova- tion. Meanwhile be had a chance to do a kindness, anil h would make u*c of it. He would go to Mtllinger's rooms and rind out if he needed help, either from brain or purse. As he appreaohetl Roscutiuuon Chambers, he saw the smart little brougham lately af fixe. I eyestoM tliAt. Julian aliuo't reelexf with horror as he began to ratline it and as his glanre, fell upon the gtowly spreading crimson Hain on the white sSirt front. This was tbe end of the brief, 1 ri:lint liMtor^ the natural end, moreuvur. Osrar Mallinger's .la'li wat llie direct outcome of Ins life. If < r -'1, ;i li* !i.id one, had l.ce'i a craed >ii i(. ,,, : \.,w that thingM " \-iiti < i more fittini; than in en'i-r {o nhuw his entire Iwlief that he If knew what w.ii U-st for him and >..:.! laiso the law into his own hands? Thoughts likothese flatbed with lightning -.( .1 .in.. Ken' .- : and as he stood, ya/lng l'Asr>t!.iiely ilowa upon the beautiful yet tumble i'ce of the dea I. In the supr-me xhork and horror of the moment, ho bfd almost forgotten Cecily. She gave no sign, and, as he laid Oscar'n hoa<! back upon a jxllow and turned quickly, lie thought she must have fainlcd ; but she was (landing erect, with her back towards him, motion- less. "Mm Rutland." She moved slightly without t-irning : she put up her hand to her face. He went t-i her aad saw how she fhu<i4er<xi and shook from head to foot. "Can yon speak to me?" neisked softly. " I)o you remember can yon tell me how this came ahont ' ' she turned her face upon him, scanning his exptc4*ion with dilated eyes, aa if toaea whether lie distrusted her. Then teeing his look of grief and horror, she suddenly burst forth " I tried to prevent his doing it, but he would! I atn not a murderess, I I want to tell you ! Oh " She broke off suddenly, with a violent fit of trembling, and staggered, clu'clnug at a chair. He made a step forward and caught her. For a moment she seegned as if she world break away from him : then, as if hardly knowing what she did, she Hung both arms around his neck, crying wildly AII 1 . onfusedly "Oh, hold me! Take me away! Don't let me see him! I feel so wild! 1 am going mad. I think ' But I want to say something first; I am so thankful it was yon you. N nn i-ao understand you will listen to me. I did not do wrong: he told me a lie; list brought me here under fstse pretences. I lur present position ; but she had that in- j felted by the vom I! celebrity moving alow- I thought we were going to Mr. Randall's stinctive droad, that shrinking from evd ; | y ,| onl .', B , road, evidently waiting. He' "' 1 ~' < "" J w - " :J u - wnich seems to be innate in all good women. Ucavily Oscar arose from his knees, brushing hii hand over his beautiful eyes. ,. . t,, ...' , llv la >ln:iiii !* nwitic Ie seemed weighed down, crushed by her | H e hurried up the nubli* words: and she hoped h.- i,,i 8 lit be going to lnin ,i f u il of Ocily. As 1 recognised the coachman ui he passed. " I may just catch him/' he reflected ; he is evidently at home now." his ica..-lird the first floor, be heard a sound which startled rooms. Fie locked the door: be said would not open it till 1 had promised to be his wife! His wife I could not! You know I rould not; Oh say I wa* right ! 1 tried to stop hint, but what could I do T Oh, take me away let me go home! 1 cannot look at him; but it is not my fault, is it ? Oh, say him out of hi* inugininjrs and for an instant t u " " ot m y fault!" arrested his f >otst*ps -A woman's scream. "My poor child, my poor dear child,' h unlock tli* door. "Instead be went to a table-drawer, unlocked il ami took mr I beautiful little revolver. The table was an ,.,.,... _____ , ...._ __ exqiii-i-e Veronese I':,,,,*. .r.,,, bureau, sad j \ViihTn insi'iuV/UvT'nMad in'"his heart.'iie : Bll ' d i wltl ' -'ep'' 1 " f P")'. ">' c.>mprehen- a small copper lamp standing upon it , dashed OH ; and another cry and yet another ilon - "f tenderness which soothed the frenzy we re di-tinctlv audible, fheu he gained of w excitement instantly,"! know I ln , gtair-head came the inimntakable ' "nnenitand. \ouoiuldnot help it; you shed its light over tin- >.>uo mans beau- fill face aud head, ovei his hund and the ' lean sprung into his ey.-. "You ' 1 would no 1 hurt a hair ot your I mad ! I love y.ni. i v, cruel, beautiful that you are ! I can- not hear my life without you. I>n you think 1 could bear to see you Ihc wife of another man -the man who gave you those llowor.i? N'o ! 1 am going to blow my own braini- out ' ' She laughed scornfully. "I am unsopliiii -ate I, lu-t not quite the country rustic you miicinc mu. I am not npied by . - - Malinger, the entrance door of which stood ""'*' J n " t '"' ** "" P**'-'*- "ill you 0,1,11. i Uult "* |V u K. i,t ilwheil in and along the pa-sage to j "Witii all my heart -anywhere, always," the sitting room door, which l:e tiled in be cried softly, raising hereyes to bis stead vi in : it wa.i locked. NU'.l ng-r. ' he i-ried.rappiiii! smartly at the |ianel, "let me in, 1 say : Are you there?" No answer, no movement from win. in fast H Yet >ome one must be there, or n by wss the door locked ? He waited a moment and to be frightened bv melodrama. IWpIo Uo ! t )i en ca || c ,J ga;n not commit Hiiii-iile for love nwa<Uvs." i.ibo-ly there *" "You know nothing about it!" he an- Apniviiitt his ear to th ones. drew her i-mlurly toward* him, lay- ing a hand upun her ourmng forehead, and whispcrtd. as though In- ould not hlp it, the words "My Cecily"' before he led her through the window ai fast as possible from the scvne of triror, downstairs into the still willing carriage! nd so home to 1'embcr- ton >i|iiarv, been keener; but the mental balance ws | changing, lost. II n rapid rise, his ignomimoui fall, I swered passionately, hi whole manner that you You do not know or understand are life life itself to me. If had partially unhinged him; for the lime ' you "till adhere r,. what you *id just now. IM.-MIK he ws. a lunatic. The ifirl heard his speoi-h with repug- nance. Thin the man whom she bail profess i.i to love? Why, she loathed, loathed, i loathed him! Kor a moment strength left I 'ould she but have known how madly the I ,,f |i, rda blood of this man wan leaping through Ins ' \MC'A her courage at veins, and the terrible excitement und i ' win. It be laboured, sin- woiilATHrai x-ly bale a' soi|iii*tly b\ bis side. There wa* a li/l,t moon, and il jul light- rd up hei pi. ,iiant profile, giay m.nty di.ip- eriei.. and th" huge I oumiel of KIIOW, flow 111. M In. u tilled the carriage wild jierfunie. a bound. T will nut bear you, " she said, j n a steady tone, though he wan trembling iiolently. "How dale you behave to n,,., or ppeak t me, in such a manner* And bow rtare ymi deceive IIP- by bringing me here? \jtl me go at om-u '." Sim moved lo the do'r. He darted tl. cu- ller companion wat vary ailv.nl ; his lime before her, lo ked it, and Clipped the key W not yet come, an he knew full well. II. into his (m.-krt. oi, i fiited hiinai-lf with stealthily olmcrvnig j "Vou shall and must stay and hear me !" her, noticing how well she was druxsed h- w i a man to whom HU. li thiiiffs vppealeil In- .1 ied, augry and surprised al her manner. "Cecily, don't be haul upon me forgive and marvelling at his own folly in haMn,- in" ' I must |M-Hk alloweii lhi-< pn/.eau nearly to slip through ! "Vim shall not npeak a word!" she an lingers. It eemi-d Ion wonderful to lie swere.l, ileathly pale, "llo you know what true that mi tin.- night of all night he should \if free, hi* halnd engagement broken, Im IMIII in Hung aside. For live nuniits tliey in sileB. through the gas-lit and row led "tree -<>. ily nen-r notietH) wlnti.i-i . Inn pii -M-ntly .-he nerved beiself to say something which she felt must lie !~\'\. " I II.IM- n il ..npratulale.l MMI on your t-i.gaL^ni.-ut, Mr. Mallmger. " H. iiirni-ii round williasUlt, .inswenng v . i emeiitly " My riiira^eim-nt ' it is at an . nd, thiiiik llraven !'" A stmige tremor ran through the girl's fume, roi *o DMiiy n.outlis she had IK-I-II -.01111. llo say over to In iselt, " Id M engaged to i- in irried . he loves another .. .\ininowthis wall of nepm ilmn was broken down Ills engagement was at i n end : and hi- llmnLe.1 lleavi u ' What would that news have meant to h. r three months bm U NOW, In night, looking ml., iei own liesvrl. she rv* lined that il was too late. Oscar MalliBgW n not him; to her. Shi had m> atinwi r to m*k.. :.i l.in " Yes.' he said, aflf-r n short panie : I hit was the mistake l my In. My cyan MI n .la/- 1. -d, my head was turned. I im agin- . I Mm' I rould live without love and for po.iimn, like the HM of the But I was not so low as I I bought I was. I did myself injustice made a mislakt. l>o wunien i .er pardon >ii.h a n mt ike. Miss flutland " I relly cannot say ' II. '- e I t htraear. hiiu'ly in : tie moon- light. " Yon sic oe'.l and piudent celd us the moon Ih. i shisjtsupoii > "" ^ on are right : I wnl b* pi udeii! 100 fin a fe n m." i . i!\ was most unarcualomil to the I u gtiage of paoion: she wished -'ic were am wl eii- els- id m ill n ing le'e .1 I le with this n *n, lo w I:, n -b '. It o sir ing.lv IM .lift lent " Are we n. arly ther ' Ue a<Lnl will. an impatient x<tiira. marry worl I. you are lio n/ ? Mr. Malln gr is strangely ilteie.l MIII. e I knew him, if he can di-laiii a lady .iLMinit her will.' "Itisyon -yon who arcaln-red," he re- turned, in tone* tenderly, pamionalely re- Cioirhful "\ on are mil the t Vcily whom I new, lint some one chunged spoiled by prospnrily: You have forgotten me; but I . -.1111101 t'TKef "Mr. Mnllinger, you will let me pai that (loin at mi. u ! No further delay will 1 en. lime' 1 Hei ci.i ll.inn d as nlie adi.n, ..I close lo when be stood. She was soan^ry that for a moment tenor was forgotten. "I'nlock tlmtdoor '" she mid, lietweenhei teeth. He made H movement, towards hei as if he would have taken her in Inn arms. Shu sprang !. Uwanls, away from him, rlem-h in.' her MU. ill hand. It yin touch me, I'll strike you '" she said furiously. "\i.u aiu a bad man ! What excuse have 1 uixen you to treat mu like I his?" " Arc not you yourself enough for any- thing ' ' aske.t Oicar, driven still more out ol Inmsi'll I.) hi i resistance. "IKi you dare 1. 1. i. n. I I., h.ni lorgotteii the lust to have fog.itten all it held for you and me ? Were you to look in. in the fa -e and *ay you did not remember, I would not lieiievoiou ' You played tin- ' .tl'trhitU' to-night : ' " 1 decline to hold any sort of conversa- tion with, yon sir. I will not enter upon the hnl. j.i i. It is an uselesi ns u is ungentle- manly ! you lo keep me hero. Tbo only course o|ten to you is to apologise to me and l.i ini- go." I will in. I let you go until you Imten to me," he raid. "See, I obey your wishes ; I do not e en approach \nu. thoiigli I i . lo take yon in my arms. lnMe.nl, Ikm-il l.i toil.- v oil I, who neni knelt lo hi. mail 1 i mu lii-foiu. 1 want yom pirdon. I In you i ..' iii.le'-s'and ''" There w<s no answer. The girl's eyes win- fiveil kbghily upwinls ; bin luuids Hi'U joluud. Sli- win il >o-i meant n, i swear to yon I will -h....' oefjre your very eyes. " "I tin not afraid ; I do not U-lieve >ou," she replied, undaunted. '"> on must be out of your iwnres. But none of this nonsense has any effect wi i h me. Vou may an will leluase me. Oh, Mr. Mallingoi " with a sudden change ot ton. "I...- yourself- lie for a few moment* what I n-e.l to think you ! Kell.vt on ihe coward i-c, the dis- lion.iiiiablenesi of your conduct ; set me free ! Tall me you an- sorry to lute grieved me !" "Cecily," lie cried, laying the revolver upon the table and approaching liei, "I will ' I will doer be anything you bid me for one kind word ! Oh, my darling, think of tin) past : \ ou icmimlicr nil '. 1 .- I know you do. If 1 could tell you how I fe!' when I went down to I -revii.-ld this Chmtnms, when I Hawaii the old haunts when- we used to IM- HO happy logci'icr ! How my conscience smote ice ! How I long- ed to hear you siy you forgave me, lill the longing dmiiiiiau i me completely ' Weak I have been, swee' ...w-. hit III-M-I disloyal. 1 loved and loved you 01. and on, even when promised to another. tVcily, I am de|- I am al l>ay ' 1 do no' stop to reason, or i reflect, or tpologlaa. I lovo only yon, m > I Iy, blindly, con.nli-u-ly, for ever and eve- ' \ ou ar mine -you mu.it lie ! Il is Heaven's law. and nn one may conlr.tdict it. You arc mine, my love, m\ HI!--, and \...i know it! Drop the mask -yield yourself up : you' belong to Oscar and imiithei '" The wildness ot his words in leased ; he wan losing .ill c nit n. I on r hnmwlf. Tie- impassioned appeal struck Cecily mute and m. .;i .nit as. She stood as if (oscillated, while he poured out lie torretu of bis pas- sion It wn* genuine- enough. He li.|i..\c her, us he undnrslood love weak, base, and dixia.leil. II. lewgnisml her purity und intemily and clung to her as his onK hopeofiialvatii.il. Mie could see his ter- rible emotion, but she knew only one ol its muse*. Of his formidable array of debts and disgrace she was of course entirely ignorant. Like all men of his stamp, he I. .id. immediately on disengagement, trade! 1 'irgcly on his cxjieotations. tireat extrav- .IL lln e had IH I'll II .-. .-..I \ to llill> til keep ing up apjieai-nncea among the society in win. h he. im. i.-. I. NIIH that the engage- ment was broken, bis creditors in a IK. K would Minimi I him. He was already in- volved in a lawsuit w Inch might result in In- it V damages. Ho was nlwolulely reck- less, absolutely despair mK Hi. caied neither what he did imr what bt-came of him if he eould not have Ctci'y. S. ring her silent anil, nv.iidinj: him with wide eyes, his p.isnioii and the excitement under which he was labouring swept up over him and mastered him. lie sei/i I In i in his arms, drawing her strongly and tight- ly to him, and kissed her on Ihe mouth repeatedly and madly. For a moment she was powerless, hrualhluai, horror *u u ken, bewildered, almost ilunuvtl. Then con- Applying his ear to the key hole, hr iieard a sound a slight sound aa of the rustle of u woman's nilk dress. Very soft steps crossed the ibx.r ; they paused at the his hill door, and then a low voice asked- "Who is it *" He kiww me voice loat.uiU.y, and bran- heart died within him. A cold crept over every limb. "tin-it heavens," he ejaculated, "what is the matter'' What can possilby have h Open the door!" said the same voice. "Where is ihe key ?" he asked frantic- ally. "I cannot give it to yon tlie door without it." "Is Mailman there?" be cued. "Ye, be i. "Wiiy does he not cprn thp door "" No answer was returned. "Ce ily Miss Rutland, 1 implore you to give me the key !" "I cannot.' "Is it there* ' "Yes." "Can you not puns it uuder the door?" N..." "vVhal am 1 to do then- he cried de sparingly. Open the door," she repeated steadily. " Mrs. .hili. in Kent is much admired among her husband'* very numerous circle of ft lends. She is a most happy and beloved wile, and the gentle sweetness of her man- ner is an additional charm. But one peculi- arity ot IH-IS i fri..|<ieii'ly discussed with great WfinHcr aniom her a.trtiaiutaiices. s be an endure neither the sight nor the sound ol a violin A graat tlealis said, by those who do not kuoiv her intimately, about af t. -.-i.it i .11 and cra/es wiiich ought to be over- stiflsd OOU1 ? ' *ud they womlur that her clever and sensible buslian-l dors not break her of so fan.-ifulau nl.-i. Hut those who Ix-st know and lovi- Cecily \ent kuow that there U a You must open l ' ll>(p - The \ mini n-minds hei too forcilily ' of a certain teruble night in her life the dark memories of which no years of hap- piness have yet availed to efface. RllHIX UlllY. < M<rrllsis; 'al !( lli.lrl l liaerxy. I lie Mitiiiion of the problem of converting coal directly in electricity, winch is being grappled with by aome of ihetirs; inventors of tnu day, is cut, mated to nn-Mi the open- ing up to mankind . t heneriis equal 10 twenty times those following in the wake of the steam engine, aud the steam engines ..i Let 'me out. or 1 shall go niad !" th woM to-day arc doin^ win k I >iat would Kent p'H i| both Ii nda to his head as if require Ihc laW of 1,000,000,0(10 men. At In cvciude the ghastly surmises pouring m present coal n burned undera Ixiiler for the i.n.n Inn. Cecily -Cecily Itutlaml -in product ion ot steam : the steam is pasaed Mallinger's ioon-, locked in, and jiast mid- I through an engine and power is prodi;.-e.| : What could it possibly mean ? 'then the p<iei ..:th. engine turnsa dynamo .Inlun been fatally mist.iken in andtlecti icily is created. In the course of her Could !m I* awak'- .mil - i.ie, or was I thl " '""K " ' ''laborale process there is a it a delusion nme oilier woman's voice! clt>ml ' .'<> o( "" l"' r l ''"' oi power, so that which lo Ins pieposaesscd imagination 1 ""'V "' "' '' ent is really available. An eloe- i.niid.-d lik hers? | trician.who ban faith in the ultimate devia An.), if Mallinger were there, why did ! in " f " electi ic grneratni, in wiucli coal is hoveliil in at the bottom and el-ctricity taken out at the lop and the enormous wasto of present methods save.), has calcu lamd tli a among the results of this change would lie the possibility of a transatlaiilic steam^liip that now burns .'>.! Ions ol coal per d. iy, doing a day's work with but fifteen: >r, with the present coal .-onsuiuptii be mu open tlicuoor " " You have net gone away V suddenly wailed thegirl'n voice from wiihu . It was hers, without a doubi. "No uo, ' lie iiinvi-.i-l hutiie.lly; "I am here. Shall 1 go and knock up the port- er and get a key ? No, wait a moment : how stupid 1 am' 1 Ihink 1 can get to you through the beiliiKHii, a'liig thu balcony, if you call open the window lo me " 1 will I will ! Oh, for pity's sake, be quick !" He wasted no more time, but dashed in through the U-ditHim, along the balcony, and in at the sitting-room window, which I 'e, ily opened for linn. There she stood, so white and cold and rigid thai it might ha\e I ecu her ghost; there was a look in her e\es that terriflfd him. Near the tire lay Malliugcr, partly on the giouud, paitly ou a sofa. He was m a twisted attitude, his face hidden, as if he bad lolled over. His lian I? WITH clenched and IIM arms thrown out. On the henrthi UK at his feet lay % pistol. "Orajious Heaven !' cried -lului., w.th sntie lipe, a* kn wen* (er want . with burned M-I mu ci lain stepo, and stooped over the motionless figure. " Mallingor Ossar, my lad, look up ! ' broke hoarsely from his trem- ;up! bling lips, as I, e turned the lo the lamplighl. It was '-alb uuinlc*kably ; .ii face (he open ai- to i loss the ocean in less than two days. in the same way, an electric locomotive, carrying its own supply of coal and generat- ing it* own electricjty, would IK able to haul a train of cars from Boston to New York in less t ban two hours. Furthermore, the machinery of our great manufactnriea, which now require to move it power equal to the labor ol -J.OUO.UOO men, could then Ill- operated for one twentieth of the present 10 it. Uhwitj. r'armer (emerging from ki.^dow ,! ben house) " Hold on there, you old rascal ! 1 saw you coming an' 1 just thought you wouliln i U- able lo go by that pullet." 'K.istus " Uo by dut pallet ? No, salt- reckon aut, sah ! 1V.> jfl some humility in me, sah. Yo didn't I'pose I cud see a |io' hi. ken roost out a !reeuu' night I ii dis, did yo' ?" The term bund, used lo measuring iiu-ain I iuchos.