CHAPTER XXXIX.

"If he had known that when her hand lay still,Pulseless, so near his own,It was because pain's bitter, bitter chillChanged her to very stone."If he had known that she had borne so muchFor sake of the sweet past,That mere despair said, 'This cold look and toneMust be the cruel last.'"—Frances Hodgson Burnett.

"If he had known that when her hand lay still,Pulseless, so near his own,It was because pain's bitter, bitter chillChanged her to very stone.

"If he had known that she had borne so muchFor sake of the sweet past,That mere despair said, 'This cold look and toneMust be the cruel last.'"

—Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The news of Lord Chester's loss of title and wealth spread very quickly, and in the shallow circles of society, where money and position rate higher than brains and worth, much commiseration was felt for brilliant Ethel Winans, who had hoped so soon to be Lady Chester. There were sneers, too, for of course envious people were delighted at Ethel's disappointment.

But the cards for the marriage were out, the arrangements made for a grand reception, after which the bridal pair were to leave for Europe. The plans remained unchanged still, and nobody was to be disappointed in the grand show to which they looked forward with such eager interest. The Winans family monopolized public interest now, for in addition to Ethel's affair there was Earle's elopement with that lovely fairy, Ladybird Conway. Some pretty society belles were bitterly disappointed over his marriage, as well as Aura Stanley, but they had to smile and bear it. And when they saw the lovely bride they could not blame him for his choice. She was themost piquant little beauty that ever wiled a man's heart away.

But a cruel pang came to the young bride's heart on the very day after her marriage, for the uncertainty that hung like a dark cloud over her father's fate became at last absolute conviction of his death.

On that day there came to Mrs. Winans from the captain of a newly arrived steamer in New York a letter and a package.

The package contained a thick glass bottle and within it was a closely written letter addressed to Senator Winans and his wife. The sea-captain's letter informed Mrs. Winans that the bottle had been picked up at sea during his voyage. It had been securely sealed and on opening, was found to contain a letter from the missing Mamaroneck, and gave tidings of her almost certain fate.

With a shaking hand Mrs. Winans held the letter whose writing was so familiar, and read above Bruce Conway's signature the words he had penned to his dearest friends on earth, as he fondly called them.

"On Board the Mamaroneck, }July 20th, 189—. }"My Dearest Friends:—On the eve of a calamity that means nothing less than death, I write to you and commend to your care my beloved daughter Lulu."In my will, made some time ago, I left the remainder of a much depleted fortune to my daughter, and made my lawyer, Mr. Stanley, of Rosemont, her guardian. But latterly I have questioned the wisdom of my action in this matter. I am not certain of the man's probity. What if he prove unjust to my daughter, faithless to my charge? In the light of these doubts and fears I revoke that will, and hereby declare this my last will and testament."To you, Paul Winans, whom I admire as the soul of honor and rectitude, and to your wife, the noblest of living women, I leave in trust my daughter and her fortune, the former a priceless jewel, the latter less than it should be, for I have lost heavily in speculations; but there still remains the splendid estate at Ocean View, inherited from my aunt, my wife's jewels, worth twenty thousand dollars, and some United States bonds to the value of fifteen thousand dollars. All these are unincumbered by any debts, and are in the Rosemont Bank, unless removed ere this by Mr. Stanley, who, in case he hasdone so, will place them in your charge for my daughter. Until she marries let her home be with you, and let her share, I pray you, in the tender love you lavish on your own dear children. Once I dreamed that the attachment between her and Earle might culminate in a union that would bring both of them great happiness. Ladybird's own folly wrecked my hopes. Tell Earle to forgive her. She was but a willful child then, but she had a heart of gold."But time presses, for danger looms immediately before the doomed passengers of the Mamaroneck. For two weeks we have been sailing among a floe of icebergs, fifty in number, and our destruction is inevitable. It is a ghastly fleet of death. We have no chance of escape, for the berg nearest to us now will prove our destruction. It is estimated at fifteen miles in length and seven hundred feet in height. We have resigned ourselves to death with brave hearts."I shall commit this letter to the sea in a sealed bottle, praying Heaven that it may reach your hands. To all your lovely family, and to my beloved daughter, I leave all my heart, and hope to meet you all hereafter in that better land where I shall rest after being hurled violently from earth-life by the approaching horror."Bruce Conway."

"On Board the Mamaroneck, }July 20th, 189—. }

"My Dearest Friends:—On the eve of a calamity that means nothing less than death, I write to you and commend to your care my beloved daughter Lulu.

"In my will, made some time ago, I left the remainder of a much depleted fortune to my daughter, and made my lawyer, Mr. Stanley, of Rosemont, her guardian. But latterly I have questioned the wisdom of my action in this matter. I am not certain of the man's probity. What if he prove unjust to my daughter, faithless to my charge? In the light of these doubts and fears I revoke that will, and hereby declare this my last will and testament.

"To you, Paul Winans, whom I admire as the soul of honor and rectitude, and to your wife, the noblest of living women, I leave in trust my daughter and her fortune, the former a priceless jewel, the latter less than it should be, for I have lost heavily in speculations; but there still remains the splendid estate at Ocean View, inherited from my aunt, my wife's jewels, worth twenty thousand dollars, and some United States bonds to the value of fifteen thousand dollars. All these are unincumbered by any debts, and are in the Rosemont Bank, unless removed ere this by Mr. Stanley, who, in case he hasdone so, will place them in your charge for my daughter. Until she marries let her home be with you, and let her share, I pray you, in the tender love you lavish on your own dear children. Once I dreamed that the attachment between her and Earle might culminate in a union that would bring both of them great happiness. Ladybird's own folly wrecked my hopes. Tell Earle to forgive her. She was but a willful child then, but she had a heart of gold.

"But time presses, for danger looms immediately before the doomed passengers of the Mamaroneck. For two weeks we have been sailing among a floe of icebergs, fifty in number, and our destruction is inevitable. It is a ghastly fleet of death. We have no chance of escape, for the berg nearest to us now will prove our destruction. It is estimated at fifteen miles in length and seven hundred feet in height. We have resigned ourselves to death with brave hearts.

"I shall commit this letter to the sea in a sealed bottle, praying Heaven that it may reach your hands. To all your lovely family, and to my beloved daughter, I leave all my heart, and hope to meet you all hereafter in that better land where I shall rest after being hurled violently from earth-life by the approaching horror.

"Bruce Conway."

To the letter were appended as witnesses the names of the Mamaroneck's captain and several passengers, well-known New Yorkers. There could be no doubt of its authenticity, and all hope was at an end. Since the writing of that letter months had elapsed, and there remained no longer a doubt of Ladybird's orphanage.

Lawyer Stanley, who was preparing to make a great bluster over the abduction of his ward, was speedily cowed when confronted with this unexpected testimony from the dead. He was only too glad to make terms with Senator Winans for silence as to his villainy by making restitution of the fortune he had stolen from Ladybird, including the jewels in which Aura had strutted her little day on the social stage. The schemer was foiled and had to turn her attention to other plans for making a rich marriage.

And what of Ethel?—beautiful Ethel, who had dreamed of wearing a coronet on her haughty brow, but who after all would only be the bride of an English gentleman of small fortune and high birth!

Only God and Ethel knew of the night in which she didbattle with her own heart, going over and over in her mind Arthur's words, half-gay, half-earnest:

"You have only three days in which to decide whether it was the man or the title you wished to marry."

The words rang in her ears all night, and his look was always before her eyes.

It did not take three days for her to decide. Twelve hours were long enough.

When he came for his usual morning call next day, Ethel met him alone in a pretty little room where they often sat together.

She had never looked more beautiful, but she was very, very pale, so much so that as he touched her slender hand he exclaimed anxiously:

"How pale you look, Ethel, and your dear hand is icy-cold. Are you ill, dear?"

"I did not rest well last night," she replied evasively.

He stood still, with her hand still carelessly clasped in his, studying her face with anxious eyes, and with a half-sigh, he exclaimed:

"You were grieving perhaps over my loss of rank and fortune!"

"Yes," she replied frankly, and drew her hand away so gently that he scarcely noticed it.

Ethel's dark head drooped a little as if in shame, and she murmured hoarsely:

"Arthur, you will despise me when you learn the truth. I—I—am very ambitious. I valued your rank and fortune highly. I had set my heart on having a title. But I loved you, too, or—thought I did. But now I find——"

She paused, unable to continue for a moment, and Arthur, looking steadily at her, began to comprehend her drift.

He began to despise her, but he would not help her out by one poor word.

He saw the white hands writhing in and out of each other, saw her look at him quickly, then drop her eyes again, but he did not dream what was in that swift look, the momentary hope, the succeeding despair.

She found her voice and continued:

"All is altered now, and I—oh, Arthur, forgive me, but—I cannot marry you now!"

It was a frightened gasp, and she grew pale as her snowy morning gown, as she stole another glance at his face.

It was cold, proud, angry. She had given his self-esteem a cruel blow, and stricken down his faith in her at one fell stroke.

"You despise me!" she faltered, and he answered icily:

"Do you not deserve it?"

"Yes," she murmured deeply. "My love was a poor thing, Arthur. It could not stand the test of your loss of rank and fortune. But you will not grieve for me. It was a lucky escape to lose a bride who lived only for ambition as I do. But—there is another with a truer heart than mine. Go to her, Arthur—to Precious—you can win her love, and she will make you happy."

He turned from her with scorn.

"Take your freedom, Miss Winans—you are welcome to it," he said bitterly, and hurried from the room; his heart swelling with wounded pride. He had never really loved her, but he had admired and respected her so much that he recoiled in pain from the knowledge that she had never really loved him at all and that she was at heart cold, scheming, and ambitious—a woman to throw aside a lover like a worn-out glove!

"FAIR LOT THAT MAIDENS CHOOSE."

"To hear, to heed, to wed,And with thy lord departIn tears that he as soon as shed,Will let no longer smart.Thy mother's lot, my dear,She doth in naught accuse;Her lot to bear, to nurse, to rear,To love—and then to lose!"—Jean Ingelow.

"To hear, to heed, to wed,And with thy lord departIn tears that he as soon as shed,Will let no longer smart.Thy mother's lot, my dear,She doth in naught accuse;Her lot to bear, to nurse, to rear,To love—and then to lose!"

—Jean Ingelow.

Arthur sought Senator Winans in the library, where he was discussing Bruce Conway's letter with his wife, and as calmly as he could he told them of Ethel's decision.

They were startled, dismayed. The great statesman paled with shame and anger. While his wife wept he raved in impotent fury.

"That a daughter of mine could have been willing to sell herself for a coronet, and to shirk the bargain like this in the eyes of all the world!—it is infamous, detestable! I will not permit it; she shall marry you! Wait here, Arthur, until I bring her to reason!" he exclaimed, starting to the door.

"No, no," and two white hands clasped his arm and held him back. "No, Paul, you must not go to Ethel. Arthur does not want an unwilling bride!"

"No, never!" cried the young man proudly. "Remain, senator, for I am quite satisfied. My pride is wounded more than my heart. I shall soon get over the blow."

"I will never forgive Ethel!" cried the angry senator. "She has shamed her mother and me before the whole world. People will point the finger of scorn at her and at us. Shehas always been proud and strange, this girl; but I did not dream she was so ignoble at heart. Henceforth, she can be a daughter only in name to me, for she has forfeited both love and respect. Oh, how different it would have been had you loved my favorite daughter instead of heartless Ethel! Precious would only have loved you the better for your misfortunes!"

Arthur held up his hand suddenly with an entreating gesture.

"Senator—and you, Mrs. Winans—will you permit me to make a confession to you?" he asked humbly, eagerly, and all in a breath he confessed the love for Precious that he had been struggling against for weary months because his troth belonged to queenly Ethel.

Senator Winans was confused, amazed. His wife sobbed quietly without looking up, and then Arthur said pleadingly:

"So all has happened for the best, and I bear no grudge against Miss Winans. I would have made her a good husband, but at heart I should have felt myself a traitor. Ah, senator, will you give me your permission to speak to Precious?"

"We cannot give Precious to any one," faltered the senator's wife.

"Hush, darling, or Arthur will think we are mercenary, like Ethel. Arthur shall have his chance with the rest, for we cannot hope to keep our darling from loving some one and making him happy as you did me, dear Gracie; so he may woo and win Precious if he can."

"I shall speak to her at once," cried the young lover in a tremor of joy, and turning to the door saw Precious standing on the threshold just entering.

Ethel had told her the truth with a careless smile; and full of indignation over her sister's cruelty, she had come to seek her parents.

But when she saw Arthur she drew back embarrassed.

"I—I—thought you were gone!" she murmured blushingly.

"No," he answered, and took her hand and drew her forward, saying: "Precious, I have been making a confidant of your parents. They know that Ethel has jilted me, and they have been told also how my heart strayed from her to you. I love you still, and they have given me leave to tell you so. Ah, Precious, there is no barrier between us now, and your heart may speak. Can you learn to love me now, or are you ambitious, like Ethel?"

At the name of Ethel the blue eyes flashed, and Precious held out her hand impulsively, exclaiming:

"Ethel has treated you wickedly, cruelly; so why should I deny that I love you, Arthur? I will never forgive her for being so heartless, and I love you the better for all your misfortunes!"

Senator Winans and his wife kindly turned their heads aside just then, for they could not blame Arthur for kissing their charming daughter.

Then he led her to her mother, who embraced her and sighed:

"This is so sudden it cannot be real. Are you sure you love Arthur, my darling?"

"I have loved him ever since he saved my life, mamma; but he belonged to Ethel, and so I tried to overcome my heart. But I am very glad Ethel did not care for him any more, for now I may love him without shame."

"And you can marry me on Thursday instead of Ethel!" exclaimed the happy lover in a burst of hopeful confidence.

"Oh, Arthur, you take one's breath away with your hasty plans!" laughed Precious, while her mother clasped her tighter, as though this bold lover were going to kidnap Precious at that very moment.

But Arthur persisted:

"My passage and Ethel's are taken on the steamer for Thursday, and my father expects me. He is old and weak, and I do not like to disappoint him. Precious and I are very much in love with each other, and we have still two days to court in, so why should we not carry out the originalprogramme, with the one exception of changed brides? It would make me very happy."

Mrs. Winans and Precious offered quick demurrers, but to their surprise Senator Winans joined forces with Arthur, and declared that the plan would please him, as it would show the world that one of his daughters had a true, womanly heart, although the other's was incased in a steel armor of pride, vanity and ambition.

Senator Winans usually carried his point, and his wife and daughter soon came round to his opinion. Finally the parents sent the young people off to bill and coo, while they talked matters over and decided how best to smooth over the whole affair to the world.

They had to bring in Earle, too, and intrust him with the task of breaking to his bonny bride the news of the letter from the sea with the certainty of her father's fate.

But the news of Bruce Conway's loss at sea scarcely surprised Earle so much as that of Ethel's strange conduct. Like his father, he was very angry.

"I can scarcely realize it," he exclaimed; "I could have sworn that her love was as strong as her life. Why, she seemed to worship Arthur!"

"It was only his title she worshiped," Ethel's father replied angrily, and Earle rejoiced with him that Precious would make up to Arthur for Ethel's defection.

"I have an idea," Earle said presently. "Ladybird will have to go into mourning for her father, so she cannot enter society this winter. We will go abroad with Arthur and Precious, and make it a double bridal tour."

They agreed with him that it was a good idea, and then he went, with the letter from the sea, to his bride.

"I must go now to Ethel, but you need not come with me, Paul, for you would only scold her, and of course the poor child feels badly enough now," said Mrs. Winans; but all that she could urge did not prevent the irate father from reprimanding his elder daughter in very strong terms for her heartless conduct, that he assured her had brought a disgrace on the family that could only be wiped out by the nobility Precious had displayed.

Ethel did not have one word to say in her own defense. She received her father's reprimand in cold, proud silence more irritating than any retort, then turned away. But to Precious and all the others Ethel was kind and gracious in spite of a certain coldness that every one but her mother displayed toward her. How could they help it when she had acted so abominably?

Ethel did not resent their anger. She endured it humbly, and even took an interest in the bustle of preparations that followed on the change of brides. There was so much to do to get Precious ready for the rôle of bride instead of bridesmaid that every one was busy. The bridal gown was altered to fit the slender form of Precious, the bridal veil was given to her with a smile.

Every one wondered at Ethel's humility, and they began to forgive her in their hearts in spite of themselves, for she even offered to be the maid of honor.

"I want to do everything to make you happy, dear," she said, with a light caress on the golden head, "and by and by you'll be glad, Precious, that my selfishness left Arthur free for you. He will love you better than he could have loved me. Every one does, you know."

There was a tear and a sigh behind the smile, but Precious did not notice it. She was very, very happy, our little heroine, and life lay before her all bright and joyous with the sunshine of love and the flowers of hope on her life-path.

Ethel's story leaked out to the world as such stories will, and society declared it was not at all surprised. Her pride and ambition and heartlessness were well known to the world, declared the knowing ones.

But surely she would not have the hardihood to attend the wedding, said everybody. It would be a sensation if she did that, certainly.

But Ethel gave them the sensation. She went to church with the bride, as maid of honor, she smiled at the bridegroom when the ceremony was over; but while people were saying it was a wonder she went to the church she knew in her heart that she would rather have gone to the stake.

How slowly the time went, how wearisome the reception, how could they all seem so smiling and happy, she thought again and again until it was all over, and Precious had put off her bridal white for her traveling gown and was saying her farewells.

Kay was going too, Precious could not leave him, she declared; and indeed her pet would have been inconsolable. So the beautiful lion-like fellow went into the carriage with his mistress, who sobbed bitterly as her father leaned in at the door for a second farewell.

"Half my life seems going with you, darling," he sighed.

"I shall bring her back to you in the summer for a visit," promised happy Arthur Chester.

"And we will stay at dear old Rosemont," declared Precious; and the last glimpse they had of the fair young face was wreathed in smiles, though the eyes were violets drowned in tears.

The carriages rolled away with Arthur and Precious, Earle and Ladybird, and there was only Ethel left now—Ethel standing by her mother's side, tall and queenly in her bridesmaid's gown, but pale, and with tears in her burning eyes. Mrs. Winans had been sobbing on her husband's shoulder, but now she went to the solitary figure and clasped her in her arms.

"We have only you left, dear one; we will have to love you more than ever; will we not, Paul?" she murmured, but with a stifled exclamation he left the room. In his heart there was no forgiveness for his heartless daughter.

"You look tired, my dear. This excitement has wearied you. Go now to your room," Mrs. Winans said, kissing her a tender good-night. "You must rest and sleep."

"I am very tired," Ethel answered listlessly, as she turned away, crushing between her teeth some words that sounded like, "I should like to sleep—forever!"

ETHEL'S VICTORY.

"The fairest hope is the one which faded,The brightest leaf is the leaf that fell;The song that leaped from the lips of sirensDies away in an old sea-shell.Clear and pure is the west wind's murmurThat croons in the branches all day long;But the songs unsung are the sweetest music,And the dreams that die are the soul of song."—Ernest McGaffey.

"The fairest hope is the one which faded,The brightest leaf is the leaf that fell;The song that leaped from the lips of sirensDies away in an old sea-shell.Clear and pure is the west wind's murmurThat croons in the branches all day long;But the songs unsung are the sweetest music,And the dreams that die are the soul of song."

—Ernest McGaffey.

The family slept late next morning after the fatigues and griefs of last night, and Ethel did not join her parents at breakfast. But an hour later her maid came to the library with a message. Would her parents see her in her boudoir for a few minutes?

An angry frown came to Senator Winans' brow.

"I am obliged to go down to the capitol; I have no time for Ethel," he said curtly.

But the beautiful wife he worshiped so tenderly drew her arm through his, whispering fondly, "Come," and he could not gainsay her imperial will.

Ethel was lying back wearily in a large armchair in her luxurious boudoir, with its furnishings of rose and gold. Her attire was peculiar.

She wore a long, straight black gown, very simple and severe in style, and a long black lace scarf was wound turban fashion about her regal brow, concealing every thread of her rich dark hair. As the door closed she motioned them to seats, and said abruptly:

"I have sent for you to ask your leave to enter a convent—to become a nun!"

"Ethel!"

"Ethel!"

The cry came first from the mother's lips, and was echoed by the father. Shocked surprise was in both voices.

She stood up tall and stately confronting them, her face corpse-white by contrast with her black attire and somber dark eyes. In an anguished voice she cried:

"I have sinned deeply, I am not worthy of your love, mamma, papa! I wish to retire into a convent and spend my life in expiating my sin!"

"I will never consent," Senator Winans exclaimed sternly. "You have behaved badly, shamefully, but you can repent at home as well as within convent walls."

She flung herself on her knees at his feet, a tragic despair on the dusky beauty of her dark face.

"Papa, I kneel to you, because I have a terrible confession to make to you and mamma," she cried hoarsely. "It must be told to you; because in the dark of last night I repented my sins, and I bury the dark secret in my heart no longer. I must tell you all, and then you will despise me so much you will be glad and willing for me to hide my unhappy life in convent walls!"

They were so amazed and startled they could not move or speak to interrupt their daughter; and there, upon her knees, her face colorless, her eyes like black stars, Ethel poured forth her wretched story—the envy and jealousy that made her hate her little sister and wish her dead.

Nothing was kept back; nothing glossed over. Ethel painted her sins as black as her worst enemy could have done.

"When I came away and left my sister in the burning house I was a murderess at heart," she said. "When I stole her love letter from under her pillow and then made her give Arthur to me I was a fiend, and then I betrayed her into the power of a devil. And, papa, but for thelittle revolver you gave her, he might have murdered my little sister!"

They could only look and listen, they were speechless with surprise and horror. Ethel's self-arraignment was tragic in its intensity.

She went on wildly:

"Yet Precious forgave me—kept my hideous secrets, loved me, and forgave me. Can you fancy anything so angelic? Can you fancy how even my wicked heart was touched, how at last I began to repent, and to long to atone for my evil deeds? Alas! there was but one way! I began to wonder how I could give Arthur back to her, for I knew she was too noble to take him away, believing that I loved him! Suddenly the way opened clearly before me. Do you understand, papa?"

A startled cry came from the senator's lips, and Ethel continued in that anguished voice:

"You blamed me, upbraided me, papa, for jilting Arthur, yet it was the noblest act of my wayward life, my atonement to Precious for all my sins."

With a sudden movement of her hand she pushed from her brows the black lace turban. It fell at his feet, and Ethel's wealth of hair swept unbound about her shoulders like a stream of silver.

In the sleepless agony of one long night all those raven tresses had faded to beautiful silvery white!

"Look at the work of one night's agony," sobbed Ethel. "Do you think now I did not love him more than wealth and title? Do you think I could not have been happy with Arthur on a crust and in a hovel? Yes, but he belonged to her by the God-given right of their mutual love. So I gave him up for her sake! But last night!—oh, last night, what suffering, what cruel jealousy of what I had lost! And with morning's dawn all this!" She flung back her whitened locks with a restless hand, andcontinued: "But, dear ones, this isoursecret. Arthur and Precious mustneverknow that I loved him so madly it almost killed me to give up my poor claim on him. When I am dead, perhaps, you may tell them the truth, but not till then, for I would not make her unhappy!"

They looked at the beautiful guilty creature, and their hearts yearned over her, her repentance and atonement were so beautiful and perfect. Good had triumphed over evil in her complex nature, and the victory was complete.

"You have heard all now. You will not wish me near you, you will not oppose my wish to enter a convent," she said pleadingly.

But the strong nature of Senator Winans had been stirred to its very depths by the story he had heard. He rose and drew his daughter to his breast.

"Ethel, I have wronged you," he said tenderly and humbly. "It was from me you inherited your jealous nature, and I have blamed you instead of shielding you and guarding you against your inherited nature. I should have loved you more and blamed you less. It was hard for you to be good, while it was easy for Precious, with all her mother's gentle traits. Dear, we cannot let you go from us to expiate your sins. Stay with us, and we will love you more, and help you to be true to your better nature."

She clung to him like a tired child.

"And you will forgive me all, papa?—as Precious did, sweet angel!"

"I will forgive you all, and you must forgive me, dear. I have been to blame for all. Now promise me you will try to be happy again."

"If you will try to love me again, dear papa! You know how I have always worshiped you."

She felt his tears on her brow—a strong man's tears—and knew she had won a warmer place than ever before in his noble heart.

From that hour a new life began for Ethel. She wasnone the less beautiful because of that crown of snow-white tresses, but she did not care for admiration now. It was not likely she would ever marry.

And she rejoiced as much as any one when in the summer that letter came from Earle telling them that the new Earl of Fairfield, a vulgar boor, had broken his neck on the hunting field, and that Arthur had come into his rights again.

"Little Blue Eyes will be a countess some day, and Ladybird declares that a coronet will become her royally," wrote Earle, in his pride over his favorite sister; but no thrill of jealousy stirred Ethel's tranquil heart. She had conquered herself in a hard-fought battle, and in all the world there was to her no dearer name than Precious.

THE END.

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JAMES BARKER, G. P. & T. A.,

St. Louis, Mo.

There is little need of emphasizing the FACT that theMaine CentralRailroadHas been the developer ofBar Harbor, and has made this incomparable summer home theCrown of the Atlantic Coast.AND MOREOVER:The Natural Wonders of the White Mountains,The Wierd Grandeur of the Dixville Notch,The Quaint Ways and Scenes of Quebec,The Multifarious Attractions of Montreal,The Elegance of Poland Springs,The Inexhaustable Fishing of Rangeley,The Unique Scenery of Moosehead,The Remarkable Healthfulness of St. Andrews,Are all within contact of the ever-lengthening arms of the Maine Central Railroad.The Renowned Vacation Line.Or, to those who enjoy Ocean Sailing, the statement is made that the pioneer line along the coast of Maine, making numerous landings at picturesque points, almost encircling the Island of Mt. Desert is thePortland, Mt. Desert andMachias Steamboat Co.The New, Large and Luxurious Steamer, "Frank Jones," makes, during the summer season, three round trips per week between Rockland, Bar Harbor and Machiasport.Illustrated outlines, details of transportation, and other information upon application toF. E. BOOTHBY,G. P. and T. Agt.PAYSON TUCKER,Vice-Pres't and Gen. Mgr.Portland, Me.

There is little need of emphasizing the FACT that the

Maine CentralRailroad

Has been the developer ofBar Harbor, and has made this incomparable summer home the

Crown of the Atlantic Coast.

AND MOREOVER:

The Natural Wonders of the White Mountains,The Wierd Grandeur of the Dixville Notch,The Quaint Ways and Scenes of Quebec,The Multifarious Attractions of Montreal,The Elegance of Poland Springs,The Inexhaustable Fishing of Rangeley,The Unique Scenery of Moosehead,The Remarkable Healthfulness of St. Andrews,

Are all within contact of the ever-lengthening arms of the Maine Central Railroad.

The Renowned Vacation Line.

Or, to those who enjoy Ocean Sailing, the statement is made that the pioneer line along the coast of Maine, making numerous landings at picturesque points, almost encircling the Island of Mt. Desert is the

Portland, Mt. Desert andMachias Steamboat Co.

The New, Large and Luxurious Steamer, "Frank Jones," makes, during the summer season, three round trips per week between Rockland, Bar Harbor and Machiasport.

Illustrated outlines, details of transportation, and other information upon application to

Portland, Me.

LAKE ERIE & WESTERN RAILROAD. NATURAL GAS ROUTE.

LAKE ERIE ANDWESTERN RAILROAD,

Ft. Wayne, Cincinnati, and Louisville Railroad.

"Natural Gas Route."      The Popular Short Line

BETWEEN

Peoria, Bloomington, Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, Lafayette,Frankfort, Muncie, Portland, Lima, Findlay, Fostoria,Fremont, Sandusky, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Peru,Rochester, Plymouth, LaPorte, MichiganCity, Ft. Wayne, Hartford, Bluffton,Connorsville, and Cincinnati, making

Direct Connections for all Points East, West, North and South.

THE ONLY LINE TRAVERSING

THE GREAT NATURAL GAS AND OIL FIELDS

Of Ohio and Indiana, giving the patrons of thisPopular Routean opportunity to witness the grand sight from the train as they pass through. Great fields covered with tanks, in which are stored millions of gallons of oil,Natural Gaswells shooting their flames high in the air, and the most beautiful cities, fairly alive with glass and all kinds of factories.

We furnish our patrons with Elegant Reclining Chair Car SeatsFree, on day trains, and L. E. & W. Palace Sleeping and Parlor Cars, on night trains, at very reasonable rates.

Direct connections to and from Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Washington, Kansas City, Denver, Omaha, Portland, San Francisco, and all points in the United States and Canada.

This is the popular route with the ladies, on account of its courteous and accommodating train officials, and with the commercial traveler and general public for its comforts, quick time and sure connections.

For any further particulars call on or address any Ticket Agent.

"The D&H"

THEDELAWAREANDHUDSONRAILROAD.

THE ONLY DIRECT ROUTE TO THE GREAT

ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS,

Lake George, Lake Champlain, Ausable Chasm, the AdirondackMountains, Saratoga, Round Lake, Sharon Springs,Cooperstown, Howe's Cave, and the CelebratedGravity Railroad between Carbondaleand Honesdale, Pa., present the

Greatest Combination of Health and Pleasure Resorts in America.

The Direct Line to the Superb Summer Hotelof the North,

"THE HOTEL CHAMPLAIN,"

(Three Miles South of Pittsburgh, on Lake Champlain.)

THE SHORTEST AND MOST COMFORTABLE ROUTEBETWEEN NEW YORK AND MONTREAL.

In Connection with the Erie Railway, the most Picturesqueand Interesting Route between Chicago and Boston.The only through Pullman Line.

Inclose Six Cents in Stamps for Illustrated Guide to

The New England

RAILROAD CO.

Travelers Between

NEW YORK AND BOSTON

Should always ask for tickets via the

"Air Line" Limited Train,

Leaving either city1.00 P. M., weekdays only, due destination,6.00 P. M.

BUFFET SMOKER, PARLOR CARS AND COACHES.

Trains Arrive at and Leave fromPark Square Station, Boston.

The Norwich Line,

INSIDE ROUTE.

Steamers Leave Pier 40. North River, New York,5.30 P. M.week daysonly. Connecting at New London with Steamboat Express.Train due Worcester,8.00 A. M., Boston,10.00 A. M.

RETURNING.

Trains leave Boston7.02 P. M., Worcester8.00 P. M., week days only.Connecting at New London with Steamers of theLine due New York7.00 A. M.

Norwich Line trains leave and arrive Kneeland St. Station (Plymouth Div.N. Y., N. H. & H. Rd.), Boston.

Tickets, Staterooms on Steamers, and full information at offices,

W. R. BABCOCK, General Passenger Agent, Boston.

October 17, 1896.


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