ost elegant and aristocratic appearance. My
appeal to the doorbell was responded to by a smart-looking female
domestic, who, on learning my errand, ushered me into the presence of
her mistress. Miss Grace Arlington was a very lovely and delicate young
lady, whose soft eyes beamed with tenderness and sensibility, whose
voice was as sweet as the music of an angel's harp, while her step was
as light as the tread of a fairy whose tiny feet will not crush the
leaves of a rose. When I handed her the letter, and she recognized the
well known handwriting, she bestowed upon me a winning and grateful
smile which I shall never forget. My heart misgave me as she opened the
missive, for I could well divine its contents; and I almost reproached
myself for being the messenger of such evil tidings. I watched her
closely as she read. She was naturally somewhat pale, but I saw her face
grow ghastly white before she had read two lines. When she had finished
the perusal of the fatal letter, she pressed her hand upon her breast,
murmured "Oh God!" and would have fallen to the floor if I had not
caught her in my arms.

"Curses on my stupidity!" I muttered, as I placed her insensible form
upon a sofa--"I ought to have prepared her gradually for the terrible
announcement which I knew that letter to contain!"

I rang the bell furiously, and the almost deafening summons was answered
by half-a-dozen female servants, who, on seeing the condition of their
young Mistress, set up a loud chorus of screams. The uproar brought Mr.
Arlington, the father of the young lady, to the scene. He was a
fine-looking old gentleman, a retired merchant and a _millionaire_. I
hastened to explain to him all that had occurred, and Anderson's letter,
which lay upon the floor, confirmed my statements. Mr. Arlington was
horror-struck, for he, as well as his daughter, had until that moment
been in happy ignorance of the bloody affair. The old gentleman had
first established Anderson in business, and he had always cherished for
that unfortunate young man the warmest friendship. No wonder, then, that
he was overpowered when he became aware of the tragical end of him whom
he had expected so shortly to become his son-in-law.

A celebrated physician, who resided next door, was sent for. He happened
to be at home, and arrived almost instantly. He knelt down beside the
broken-hearted girl, and, as his fingers touched her wrist, a look of
profound grief settled upon his benevole