A Terrible Secret

of a September day S

, brought home

ron was jilted? Shocking! And she was a soap-boiler's daughter? Horrible! And now when this wretched,

e drawn somewhere, and the daughter of a London soap-boiler they would not receive. Who was to be positive there had been a marriage at all. And poor Inez Catheron! Ah it was

er, the butler, at their head) were drawn up in formidable array to receive them. And if both husband and wife were very pale, very sil

, towered, ivied pile of stone and mortar called Catheron Royals, with its great bell booming, its Union Ja

e said. "Oh, Vict

the painful truth must be told of a baronet

Tower? Like all fine old families, we have our fine old family ghost, and would not part with it for the worl

ce very pale. She clung to him, poor child! and yet she battled hard for her dignity, too. Hat in hand, smiling right and left in the old pleasant way, he shook h

ificent upholstery-Master Baby following in the arms of his nurse. The sweet face and soft eyes of Lady Catheron

ho was "companion" to Miss Catheron as well as housekeeper; "and

n maize silk, that was like woven sunshine; she had a white camelia in her hair, a diamond cross on her breast, scented

ne who is dazzled-then he led forward hi

aid, "my wife; In

voice, in the look of his eyes. And as some very uplifted young empress migh

name, and a pretty face. I congratulate you on your ta

hel had half extended a timid hand-Victor had wholly extended a pleading one. She took not th

O, no doubt the distaff side of the house. What do you call him, nurse? Not christened yet? But of course the heir of the house is always christened at Catheron Royals. Victor, no doubt you'll follow the habit of y

tingle in his face. But he stood silent. And it was Ethel who, to the surprise of every on

ad reason to feel ashamed. My husband's mother may have been the daughter of a marquis-my son's mother is the daughter of a tradesma

once more, a smile mo

e may be, it would sound sweeter if not raised so very high. Of course, it is to be expected-I make every allowance

more, and in her gold silk, her Spanish laces, her dia

s Ethel's w

*

the chill white stars-here under the arching oaks and elms not even the starlight shone. But neither for the darkness nor loneliness cared this young man. With his

ow of lights all along the first floor. The young man stopped

presumed to come back. And I swore to pay you off if I ever had a chance. To-night the chance has come, thanks to the girl who jilted me. You're a young man o

ith a clang that echoed through the house. Then he began w

t's a lift in life for the soap-boiler's pretty daughter. I wonder what they're all about up there now,

d silk stockings, stood gazing at the intruder. The young man stepped from the outer

ter

ster Juan. William, my old cockalorum,

ught tears of torture to its owner's eyes. In the blaze of the hall chandelier he st

but to praise'-not a word of welcome? Stricken dumb at sight of the prodigal son! I say! Where'

but just able to gasp, as with horro

ble shanks preceding me. I know the way. Bl

brilliantly lit dining-room. They are still lingering over the dessert, and with a simultaneous cry, and as if by o

idn't expect me, did you?" he says, addressing everybody. "Joyful surprise, isn't it? Inez, how do? Baronet, your humble servant. Sorry to intrude, but I've been told my wife is here, and I've come after h

He stoops his black-bearded face to kiss her, just as with a gaspin