Sleeping Fires

as torpid; although when in society and under the influence of the lights and wine she could be almost as animated as ever. But the novelty of

d the sand dunes of the west. But she was resigned, and inappetent. She had even ceased to wish for children. The future stretched before her interminable and dull. A railroad

parent desire to leave him for months. Did she no longer love him? Her response was not emphatic and he went out and bought her a diamond bracelet. At least she was thankful that it had been bought for her and not sent to his wife by mistake, an experience that had happened the other day

ill clung to the low chignon, others had adopted a fashion set by the Empress Eugenie and wore their hair in a mass of curls on the nape of the neck; but Madeleine received the latest advices from a sister-in-law who lived in New York; and as femininity dies hard she still felt a mild pleasure in introducing the

mphatically. "With my white hair I shall

and a straggling curl. Amid exclamations and laughter two more followed suit, while the host and the other men waited patiently for

t the other end of the table and Mrs. McLane and Mrs. Ballinger sat beside him. She interested him for the first time and he a

oo much-of a husband, mon dieu! Of course she is lonely or thinks she is. Too bad youth never can realize that it is enough to be young. And with beauty, and means, and position, and charming frock

bot should neglect her. She looks intel

he best of men but t

moment Madeleine's had evidently been drawn to the wall of books

tears and she continued to stare at the books in complet

d," thought Mast

ous eagerness as she met his eyes. He guessed