The Tragedy of the Chain Pier

when the sunny blue ones looked into them, and the handsome face, quivering with e

would travel twice as f

ing river ran close by, spanned by an old-fashioned rustic bridge; three

it till you see Dutton! I tell Frances that I am

no serpent may ent

an antidote against all the serpents in the world. We sha

with the carriage. What a drive it was! Of all seasons, in all climes, give me an English spring. The hedges were covered with white and pink hawthorn; the a

te unable to keep his thoughts or his words long away from her, he continued: "F

will be disappointed w

ou did when you went to America, John-you look younger, les

ean, Lance," I answere

one bad woman can make! And she was a ba

d one, she would have

ble as a bad-a really bad or wicked woman! They seem to me much worse than men, ju

I see her in the morning, her fair face so fresh and pure, kneeling down to say her prayers, I feel quite unworthy of her; when I see the rapt, earnest ex

t you are so happy, my

e voice of an angel than of a woman; it is just the same when she speaks to any one in sorrow or sickness. The strange thing to me is this: that though she is so good herself, so pure and innocent, she has such profound compassion for the fallen and the miserable. At Vale Royal, only a few months ago, there was one of those unfortunate cases. A poor servant-girl-a very pretty and nice girl, too, she was-was turned out of her mistress' house in the c

y dear old friend all the better

ness for the poor. You could not think how much they love her. All

indeed,"

wen

man. I should think that very few men meet and marry their ideal as I have met and married mine. Ah, there is the avenue that leads to the old manor-house! Who could have thought th

itting in and out, making grand discoveries in the great boughs; the ground was a carpet of flowers, white daisies and golden buttercups mixed with wild hyacinths and graceful blue-bells. We drove for some few minutes over this carpet

e. "People come to Dutt

wonder at

yle o the house. I had not expecte

ner," said Lance, as he threw the reins to the groom; "

. Fleming was in the drawing-room, engag

care for Lady Ledbit

ey are frightened to death of her; they frown when she frowns, smile when she smiles. I begged of Frances not to fall u

, so suddenly, indeed, t

r eyes down, and seems as though she had left another world of thought just for your sake. Her manner always piques one to go on talking for the sake of making her smile. I ca

ak was not covered, but contrasting with it were thick, crimson rugs, hangings of crimson velvet, and it was relieved by any amo

f taste, that is quite

; the hangings were of blue and white; there were a few jardinieres with costly, odorous flowers; easy chairs, a comfortable couch. Little stand

"I shall never want to lea

having Frances; if I had you as well, my happiness would be comp

had the charm of old fashion, of elegance, of space, of height, and fr

be a happy man."

essed and we went out for a

er-bell," said Lance. "

page of Lady Ledbitter

e. She will have gone to her room. That good La

ce of the grounds. I had never dreamed that Dut

ortrait. She will make a superb picture, and when completed, that picture shall have the place of

he could speak even these words without bringing in Fra

Marry. Believe me, no man knows what

d, and the words came back to me afterward with a f

e," I said. "The only woman I

at me very

all about her, John. Sh

d; "but that does not i

heart of yours to one woman, John?"

, should you love ano

t he resented the fact that I should place the woman who had