her, who had been Elaine's truest friend in her trouble and disgrace. It was strange and terrib

forget-me-nots, Mrs. Brooke in crimson and black lace, lighted by the fire of priceless diamonds. Saddest of all, little Irene, crouched in a white heap on the floor

r there were no marks of violence on his person. He was an old man, and death had found him out gently, laying its icy finger upon him as he wal

yonder in their gay saloons," Elaine wailed out, in im

the right hand of the dead

ied to unclasp the rigid fist. He only succeeded in opening it a little way-just enough to draw from the

crap open on his hand and looked at it. The writin

and my death-bed repentance ac

e Stuart

d little hand

, in a low, strange voi

ng," he answered, in a vo

tary words and the proud name seemed

Stuart?" she as

answered. "When I do, I sha

old Ronald Brooke's hand the letter whose fragmentary ending he grasped

hat the face of one who had died from one instant's terrible heart pang, who must have died before he h

think that death came in the quiet course of nature. But if old

usually so gay and debonair, was

ir rooms now. No one remained for the moment bu

eadingly, but the girl broke from her clasp and

m yet," she sobbed

ow. She followed her daughter, and solemnly took th

ly-he pitied and forgave me," she said, mournfully. "My sin against you was far less, for it was not premed

resting-place and looked at her suppl

hen we are dying-do we

ny years to live perhaps. I cannot wait till your dying hou

n's face as if asking him to counsel her in this sad hour. As

w his example. Mother," she reached across that still form and touched Elaine

wild light in her eye

she cried, h

h that strange look. "I must go down to the shore where d

ghtened by her strange looks and words Elaine followed behin

s guided the frantic mother in her wild pursuit. The garden gate unclosed, there was a patter of flying feet along the sands outside, there was a wild, smo