By Berwen Banks

"As I returned to my miserable home, I saw a man on horseback come out

at the back gate. It was one of Colonel Vaughan's servants. I

wondered what brought him there so early, but went in at the front gate

to avoid meeting him. The house was very silent with its drawn blinds.

"When Betto came in with pale, tearful face, I asked her what had

brought Colonel Vaughan's servant there so early.

"'A very strange thing, sir,' she said. 'He came to ask if Miss

Vaughan was here? Colonel Vaughan was in great distress--if you call

tearing about and swearing being in great distress--that was what Sam

said, sir--because Miss Vaughan is nowhere to be found. Dir anwl! a

strange thing, indeed, sir!' "I was too miserable to pay much attention to her gossip, and began my

breakfast alone, for Lewis had not appeared, and I dreaded to see him.

I had thought it strange that in the turmoil of the night before, with

the hurried footsteps and the arrival of the doctor's gig, my brother

had not been disturbed, and he was apparently still sleeping. I shall

never forget that long, long day. I thought my misery was beyond human

endurance; little did I think that ere night it would be increased

tenfold.

"I had refused to leave this room, though Betto had done her best to

persuade me to eat the dinner which she had prepared She was always

quick to read my thoughts and understand my feelings.

"'You would be quite as much alone in the parlour, sir, as you are

here;' she said, 'for I can see nothing of Mr. Lewis. Indeed, I have

been into his room, and I see he has not slept there last night,' and

she flung her apron over her head, and swayed backwards and forwards

crying 'Oh, anwl! beth na i!' and she slowly and tremblingly drew a

note out of her pocket and handed it to me. 'Perhaps that will tell

you something, sir.' "'Where did you find this?' I said, "I found it on her bed after she died. Mr. Lewis had sent it by Madlen

the nurse.' "I tore the note open--I never dreamt it was dishonourable, neither do

I now--and read the words which began the awakening that was to come

with such force and bitterness. They were these: "'MY DEAR AGNES,--My warmest congratulations upon the birth of your

little one, and my deepest thanks for all your kindness to me and dear

Nellie. Without your help we should never have been united. Good-bye,

and may God grant us all a happy meeting at some future time.

"'Your ever grateful and devoted friends, "'LEWIS WYNNE and ELLEN VAUGHAN.'