BY LAURA JEAN LIBBEY Author of " The' Crime of Hallow-E'en," "The Flirtations of - a Beauty,"" "Willful Gaynell, " «Tittle Leafy," # Only a seats: eae s F Daughter," etc. « "The old man looked Izetta full in face. "I fwill not question you," he atte ut if I were to promuse you this, ean you answer me truthfully--would Us be a just action? Your motive is strictly a true one?' "You need have no fear, sir," Is- etta answered; "Heaven would bless gou for such a kind action to me." Still the thought troubled the old he - pondered over these prords long and earnestly after Iz- wtta had gone. 'Was .this the 'key ibat solved the Bidden sorrow of this. beiutitul young girl's past? The question greatls troubled him; fhe could not tell why. . = CHAPTER XV. The College of Music. There were tears-in the eyos of the ywod old flute-maker and _ hi. wife, when Izetta told them of the situa- ttion the minister hoped to procure for her - ee Root's, in a neigh- @oring co . "God bless Ae my child," whisper- od Mar te, as she folded Nhe young O© her heart. "Always re- amember, if you-find the world too old and stormy, you shall have a b. ne, humble ' You have been with ms scarcely a fortnight, yet we love ly; you ses not forget us, { Izet Tnotta sobbed "a if her beart would break, Forget those two kind souls who had cheered her so patiently through her dark sorrow? Never! mever while life lasted. 7 . She looked around upon the quiet Bills and vales that had silently wit- messed the great tragedy of her life, She faid her hand tenderly on the mossy stone, beside which 'Abej had first found her, murmuring softly: | "I sball never forget how this | *twas here my beurt | The tender violets swayed by the | evening breeze, lowly bent their pur- | ple heade earthward as if in sorrow | because she had said farewell to them. | As Izetta sat in the doorway of Ahe} little cottage, which on the morrow | ehe would leave periaps forever, she} thought of the letter the mini- ea had | given her, with the -- 'st that she should make herseii aware of ita con- tents at her leisure. As she opened tie envelope somo- thing fluttered to her feet. (Heaven bless the kind old parson; ft was a bank-note for a small am- ount, which would enibie her to de- fray fhe expense of her journey. "If you never repay me perhaps I amay find the interest which collects from a worthy deed up there." The letter to Mad um Root of her as "Miss Rienzi.' curred to her she had not told ber kind benefactor she was married. She thought she hud explained to him that Rienzi was her grandfa- ther's name, not her own. She fully meant to these facts known to Madam Root, however, "Will you promise me," asked Mar- uirette, holding the little white ands in her own for the last time, no matter what you are called up: m to suffer in life, should you in the years to come ever meet him, promise me that you will do nothing rash?' or a moment only Izetta hesitat- Mrs. "f give you my promise, Moore," she said. She little knew under what trying pircumstances that encred promise made to the blind, would forcibly re- éurn to h A few ats later, Izetta, traveling- @atchel in band, alighted from ths hack in front of a spacious, imposing edifice which announced to the pu le in golden letters over " arched door- way: "College of Musi Izetta's heart sank rem her, as she gazed up at the tall marble build- ing, with its Iong, narrow, coldly- staring windows, its gables and tur- rets, She would have sat down on the stone. steps and cried, had it not been for the passers-by. She asked herecit why everyone stared at her in such wonder. She never once dreamed it was her wondrously Jovely foreign face that caused the ladies who passed her by } to look so coldly on the beautiful, forlorn girl, and the men to pause in unfeigned admiration, taking a lin- @ering backward a as they pur- eued their journe Tzetta akenisd" the marble steps and timidly rang the bell, clutching the Rev. Dr, Morleigh's letter 'ner- vously in ber hand,. A -- waiting- maid answered the simm "I should like to see Madam Reot, you please," said Izetta. "Surely you are not the music- teacher madam was expecting from Gilvernookf" asked the maid, cur- usly. "Yea," answered tone simply, and she wondered wh uppressed gig- gle shook the girl's "treme as she mshered her into the reception room to await madam's appearnace. @ the exterior, the intericr of the 'house was imposing bat its stately appointments; no unnecessary article found ijodgment there; an air of stiff- | tralto voice. "All 1 brightness and joy have gone from me," she said to herself. "I sha wide et wear my life out as patiently asi 'She w was so young to have had such thoughts. So intent was Izetta with her own hts she did not hear the tread of arprcech es footsteps, nor the rustling of a silk dress as it swept prer the thick carpet. wished to see me, I believe?" said a hard, metallic voice at her al Ixetta raised her eyes like a startl- ed. timid fawn to the speaker's face. "I had thought you wished to sev i me, arpa ie she replied. dam Root looked at the shrink- ing young girl peters her in unfeign- ed astonishmen "Surely you are not' the person iI was expecting from Silvernookf" she -- purenrege ve ely. Izetta bowed, placing ad song of Rev. Dr. Morleigh lo her hands ware ver Torgot cne opp A at ous frown that crossed her Once, twice, even 2 third fime she carefully perused its contents. Izetta watched the hard, set face Sgr on what a "slight thread hung ze hopes of remaining at the Sellece: B was quite pxpecting the stern lips' to ! decide against a f course, I n give you a trial to test your abilities," said madam. "Yet is fs utterly uscless to think of eneeeine. you or 'he position you k; it requfres a person older than. yourself, more dignified, and com- di i thie words sounded like a "You have & 'tood knowledge of vocal as well as instrumental music, ; I agg Yes, madam." "What is your voice?" "Soprano," answered Izetta "That fs quite against you," madam. "We were in need of a con- Step this way, miss," she glanced rapidly at the letter she held in her hand, "Miss nae step this way if you please; as well be safd [ gave you trial asked for." She led the way to the music-room, which, at that hour of the morning was quite deserted. A grand piano stood open; it seem- .y ps a dear, old, familiar face to the | Si Tour own selection," said madam, briefly, waving her to be seated. must ask you that it may bs.short." For an instant the white fingers ran lightly over the keys. [zetta had never sung since the night of ' her grandfather's death. 8 she sat there, the ship 'plowing through the dark--waters, tipped by the silvery light of the stars, and the mocnbeams drifting through the fleecy clouds, rose up befvre her. a her lips took up the sad, sweet stra There was a low, sweet voice broke forth in all its won- rous melody, like a yearning soul, first in hope, joy, and gladness, grad- ually dying away to subdued despair. Izetta was thinking of Alderic, the lost love of her care and soul; then the room filled with the most path-' etic wailing that ever broke forth in the power of song. The room was quite empty when they had entered it;now it was crowd- ed with a breathless throng. \As the last notes of that wondrous young voice died away, a young girl with a sweet, sad face, framed in wavy, auburn huir, fell in a swcon :' at Izetta's feet. Those who littea her never forgot the glorious light that lit up the white fac Silently the throng dispersed. Izetta and Madam Root stood fac- ing each other--quite alone. Madam Root why Dr. Moreleigh had young girl to her. "Tf she were only older," madam. She recognized Izetta's wonderful talent would be a valuable acquisi- tion to the colleje; her extreme youthfulness alone was against her. She motioned Jzetta to a gg 'Sharply a on t 1 "Send Miss Glendyke to me," said to the servant who answered the summons, A few moments later that lady ap- | peared. There are faces which attract repel us at a single glance. Glendyke's faco was undeniably ome of the latter. She was a woman who might have passed for youthful, server could detect in the hard ex- sero of the faca that ~~. Peg robably on the shady side of t she was of medium height, slightie sent this toed inclined to portliness; her black hai ~ forehead, { their low whispers, which ended i was curled low upon her brought back into a "ouble coil at the back of her. head, fastened with a long, narrow silver comb worn lengthwise. ; There was no color in her pale face, aad its expression was at all aoe rte, Parga Bar mistaken idea dignified Miss G oer te Sry a soniahe: ing, and merciless, { m the des- mess pervaded the elega ance of the es- teblishment, ide er a cold chill to dzetta's hea olate young stranger; ef sai plain- y evident that there would aever be between them. For one hriet instant their eyes met; cruel. replied subdued trill in' the great, wide room, then the young, | understood at once - thought sea ' call- bell tying : she ' but a keen ob-' mutually agreeable og the eeilien of that time, I may re-engage your from former instructors. I take you upon the Rev. Dr. Morleigh's nizance." Izetta har@ly knew whether she felt happy or very sorry. e ~~ spoken just one kind word to her a that pearly the chances are that she would have burst into tears. Twice she attempted to tell Madam Root that she was not Izetta Rienzi, but Izetta Ross. The words froze on , her lips; she dared not tefl her piti- i fal sorrow to the cold women before recog- j "Perhaps it will be as well'as it is" she sighed, iwearily. CHAPTER XVL The Class Of The "Pretty Ten." Soon after the same maid that had shown her to the reception- room ap- peared to coaduct her to the apart- men "Your 'dinner may be served inf your Madam 'xoot, col like you to come to_the music- room 'early, that I may Assign you Your duties." { madam," replied Izetta, as the woman turned haughtily away. i "Did you say," asked the lingering f' maid, her hand on the door-knob, | "Madam Root had engaged you to teach tmusic_ here?" "Yes," answered Izetta, weosrily. "Did Miss Glendyke see you, miss?' geese the sik cio | pom.ca ~fzei.ta "Well, well," muttered the. "that is the strangest thing I eard of. "What is it that asked Izeita. "Won't you never breathe a word of it if I toll you?! asked the girl. re-entering the room and closing the door to'ily aiter her Izetta smiled; she wi "as very glad of even the maid's chatter to divert hex 'mind even for the mome from her own sad iy Shag? "You see, miss, it's just here," commenced the maid, myst ously. "All the people in this whole ' institution are a mean set, if uo girl, ever is so Strange?" remonstrated L[zetta, ol a pained voice, AE one sows not t IK s "But it's ail the same, , séltevatad the girl, atahboraly; "why, there's never a new teacher comes here but she's abused ina shameiul way; the nicer she is and quict, the mo re she's talked about and picked on," con- tinued the girl, witb a sidelong look at the beautiful face; "thai's why they're always wanting more talent here,as they cullit. You can hear a good deal of talk about getting in new scholars and needing 'em, but I : tell youit isn't that; they can't get no teacher to stay, and it's all that Miss Glendyke's fault, the hateful thing," cried the girl, forefinger warningly. worst of the lot; she .sets 'em against a body from the first. , I've got to say is, I'd leok out her if I were you." With this parting advice, the 'girl quitted the room, and Izetta was left to the Pree, ieee of her own confused thou She piretcherl 'cat her hands with @ low, bitter cry, the one great cry of her life issuing from her white lips. "Oh, Alderic, my love, my husband, where are you The tea which was sent up to her remained untasted; it was not the hunger of the body but of the heart which Izetta felt most keenly. | She rose early the next morning, donning one of her plainest dresses, a dark silver-gray that fell in grace- ful folds about her shapely form, and her dark curls were drawn back by a ; pearl comb, which was her only orna- ment. i; The picturesque, foreign beauty of Izetta struck-Madum Root forcibly, as she entered the music-reom. Soon af- ter the young ladies of -the college | took their seats. By nature Izetta was timid and shrinking; there she sat, the cynosure of all eyes, a sea of curious. faces | before her; she could see the curling | of red lips, the flashing of angry eyes and tossing of heads, even the mur- mur of their voices was ip 2 meas- 'ure audible to her from where she sat for 3 | One face only cut of that vast ; throng smiled kindly upon her, the ' sweet, quiet, sad young girl whose tender soul had over:iowed at her i song the previous day. The memory + of that smile was precious to Izetta it all the years of her after-life. ' { "I shall try hard to wim their love," thought Izetta, as she listened to n : suppressed birsts of leughter. There was rebellion in their hearts | and war in their faces. She 'might as well have attempted to govern the the very large, main fiery lava of Vesuvius as stayed torrent of their dislike; ner poenty, and the picturesqye, dark, starry ret were the causes of t nvy. They fully Antariaad the « young str r should net have a' com- fortable time oe gs College of Music if they could h it. _ There was erm, er prime cause; on ays Moda T with th estab- eis EAE at not services; although r wituoat references The "the pretty ten," as Izetta's 'was Satted, enjoyed their lit- ruse ensely; 2 even jeered in her face, predicting a tur- bulent tuture r. 'Among 'hh; visi ora hie col'eze on reception days Wea alihy young jeesenkhtt inva thither by the galaxy of beauty, he often laugh- ingly declared. There had been a time when Miss , and dyke the one sweet dream of her life, was to the young officer a few easily spoken; pleasant words, and quite so easily forgotten. Wernor Key never thought serious ly of any woman, until the sweetest, saddest face he had ever gazed upon burst upon -bis startled vision. He meant to win 'her for his wife fr he could. He had come across -this pearl in quite an unexpected fashion. It was a chilly mornis in the early winter, strolled ieaately up the mivaie steps of the ool] It was rather an early hour for vis- itors, sifll, as he Was quts a favorile, he knew admittance would not be denied him The long halls were ante deserted: from where he stood, he g00 view, unobserved, of the ined Ss -room beyond. iA young girl sat at the piano, her head drooped over the keys; while be- side the instrument, her arms folded across her chest, stood Miss Glen- d i There was no mistaking the look of fierce hatred she bent npon the gir! before her. Vernor Key was. com- pletely terrified at the change appar- ent -- her hitherto smiling counten- ne How abhorrent is the face of an angry woman," he muttered, feeling | that he should turn away, but som in oulse chained him to the spot. You will play _ i last bar again, Miss Rienz i TAS wnirt Bry =m *.ppred over tif ivories, andthe sweet, sad strains touched a- hidden chord in " Vernor Key's heart; ths saddest an! -- test onse ever fell on a human hea a! I thought as much," continu- ed Weiss Glendyke, © wrathfully; "no wonder that passage sounded unfam- iliar to me; how dared you insert those variations; answer me, girl!" tag slight figure swayed to and over Vernor could not catch the reply. "I'm in time to frustrate a grand scheme of yours, Miss Rienzi. No doubt you would like to get your. name up for a composer, but - you shall never build up your triumphs from this establishment," she said, in her coarse, deep, peculiar voice. Pe another mement she had snatch- ed the music from Izetta's hand, tear- ing 4a spitefully into a thousand shre wey one brief instant Izetta's face was turned partially . toward him, and the voice, sweetest Vernor ey -- ever heard, fal- tered, broken! "I am very Marty indeed if I have displeased you, Miss Glendyke; _ be- lieve me, I never once thought of be- ing known as a composer.' 'A flow, discordant ee was Miss Glendyke' 's only respons "J assure you I 3vas cate prpotielos it for my own amusement," tinued Izetta. "Amusement, indeed! do not trouble yourself with unnecessary ex- planations. I can -- for myself," sneered Miss Glendy hope you will forgive me," sighed Izett A oak freighted with such abom- inable scorn and contempt, Vernor Key never congo it, crossed Miss Glendyke's fac "We will waive all that," she said; "by rights I should report this affair instantly to Madam Root. A severe reprimand in' the presence of the whole school is what you richly -- de- serve. Leave the room at once, Miss Rienzi, or I may be tempted to change my mind." The next monet a quiet little fig- ure glided past . spot where V nor Key sat, quite shaded by the heavy curtains; he knew he was un- observed, for the large, dark, Ius- trous eyes were suffused with blind- ing tears that roiled off the long, curly lashes in pearly drops.- That was the first ny Vernor Key ver remembered jn imprecation 4 have wilfully passed his lips; as he turned savagely on his heel, hurried- ly ly one the building, » murmuring i Be Somat inhumanity to woman is certainly heart- rending," his had a sweet musical sound to i he wondering when again beautiful. f foreign face haunted bim like a drea OMAPTER XVII. "A Startling Event. (Lieutenant Key haunted the col. ea shadow. A bright og ak hope had dawned Miss _ Glendyke's bosom, only to be eae og she heard aim remark to the "romne chagrin, Miss Rienzi-- Miss Rienzi, the name }, $ ioe fell upon her =~ -When 8 rg she exred Suny at pg speak. or him in the midst of crowds; his face, and his alone, was ever before her. Izetta lived over im her dreams how she should fling herself at his feet, when she found him, and cry out:-- "Alderic, my love, my "pate do not wend me away "from you." Sweet little wife, she nee so true to her husband of one short, happy week. Mush to the young lieutenant'a he never caught ot rae than an occasional glimpse of Izetta. Thus matters might have stood for many a day had nota singular ac- cident happe morning Izetta was Minding in a curtained alcove, wondering how long she would have to live like this and how it would all end, when C) seemed Pig ney h enough, fell dis- tinctly upon her ea "How iong do you. remain abroadf" Miss saying ' That I really cannot say," he -re- plied. "That is merely a senate answer," she replied, laughi "I assure you, I wih I could guide my own fortunes," sighed the lieuten- ant, thinking of Izetta; "but, alas, I cannot; i am quite beginning to 2 aa hapdly reaiize that this is ix last day in Oxford for some time to come, lieutenant; very leased fo see you remember your old friends in calling to-day." CTo be Confinued.j MESSAGE TO ALL, CANADIANS That Dodd's Kidney Pills Cure all Stages of Kidney Disease think you will Glendyke was Emilien Clouatre had Backache" Headache and Could not Sieep-- row he can Sleep, Work and Enjoy Life--Dodd's Kidney Pills dia it. Val Racine, Que., Nov. 23.--(Spe- cial). In these days when nearly ev- ery newspaper tells of deaths from Kidney Disease the case of Emilien Clouatre of this.place comes as & message of hope to the Canadian people. He had Kidrey Disease. Dodd's Kidney Pills cured him com- pletely and permanently. M. Clouatre is always glad to tell of his cure. He says: "I can not do otherwise than praise Dodd's Kidney Pills. They cured me of Kidney Disease, "T had pains in the back and head- ache and could not sleep at nights, I got up in the morning more fati-. gued than the night before. I took nine boxes of Dodd's Kidney and they cured me completely.' I can sleep well and work well" : my backache and headache are gone. I have. had no trouble since I took Dodd's Kidney Pills. Dodd's' Kidney Pills never fail to cure Kidney Disease from Backache to Bright's Disease. They have an unbroken record of thirteen years in Canada. Vanity. Mr. Potts (to his wife)--My dear, the - air is chilly. Fermez Ja fenetre. The visitor (sotto voce) --Why do you ask your wife in French to shut the window? Mr. Potts (ditto) --Because you are here. If I asked her in English she wouldn't do it, as she won't "take instructions from me before visitors. But if I say it | in French she gets up and does it at onée, so as to let you see that she un- derstandg the language--*Pick-Me-Up." ea Citi Patience--Age softens all does it not Patrice--Yes, there's no fool like ap old fool--Yonkers Statesman. re Doctor--Well, Mrs. O'Brien, I hope your aan d has taken his medicine regularly, eh Mrs. hoe tec Rite then, I've been sorely puzzled. F says, 'One pill to be taken three times a day,' and for the life of me, I don't see how it can be taken more than once!--Punch. things, Doctor, She (romantic)--When you first saw Niagara Falis. didn't you feel as though ou would like to jump int He--No, I dn't got my hotel bill then. one, and. swollen Blvd h