Strange Visitors

xotics did not penetrate my lattice; the simple honeysuckle that twined around my window breathed forth a different perfume from this. My heart gave one glad leap. Oh, it is all a dream! I t

her; she has opened

roached me, and bending over, bathed my head with sc

ill, Mary?

ter's l

as I did so Mr. Bristed drew near with a beautiful lily in his hand, which he offered to me. He inquired kindly after my health and

are you going?" h

l-room-going to see

nd his countenance da

t, he

? What could be the matter?

Richard's absence and the fearful events of

et awhile; I have something of importance which I wil

ile, Miss Reef, while awaiting our coffee, if you will walk with me in the

y which he was surrounded. He had visited many climes, and gathered each strange flower and plant he had seen in its native clime. He became eloquent and genial as he described the strange habit

dy, and I reluctantly accompanied him to the library. He almost comp

some mental disquiet, which he evinc

missing Mary, seated himself in an easy chair next the ottoman on which I rested, and warming his

d you then that you were too young for the responsibility which I foresaw awaited you. I feared at that time that Richard, on seeing so bright a flower, would ende

I gaspingly, "n

desire to see Richard again, but that can never be; you have looked your last upon him in thi

ourtesy, I thought. The warning which Richard had given me

friend; I can listen to

horizon must soon be darkened; I see the gathering cloud and would warn you o

but I shook my head and answered passionately, "I cannot tru

saved you from further anguish, but perhaps it

ed me to a room on the o

the room where

o in," he

ed the centre of the floor could be dimly seen. As we stepped in, his nurse,

glad to be permitted to see him. But the

, his sweet mouth partly opened, he seemed to breathe with difficulty. I cou

g with agitation, pointing to some hideous marks on the

rangely? But the insinuation was too incredible. The th

sted, command me and I will go, but you cann

which I spurned him, for he turne

seemed desirable, and I was not inclined to break it. Now and then I moistened his lips with a little

advertently a little song which Herbert loved me to sing to him. Hearing my voice chant his favorite ditty, the poor little

g to you," said I, mastering my emotions a

endeavored to raise up his little

ike to sit u

ently strong to sustain him. As he fell back, my eyes caught sight again of those fearful marks. So

h his frame, and looking at me with an expression of prete

sank down and buried my face in my hands. I could thin