ive the necessary assistance to inquiry.
Further particulars may be looked for by the next mail."

The list of the survivors followed, beginning with the officers in the
order of their rank. They both read the list together. The first name
was Captain Helding; the second was Lieutenant Crayford.

There the wife's joy overpowered her. After a pause, she put her arm
around Clara's waist, and spoke to her.

"Oh, my love!" she murmured, "are you as happy as I am? Is Frank's
name there too? The tears are in my eyes. Read for me--I can't read for
myself."

The answer came, in still, sad tones:

"I have read as far as your husband's name. I have no need to read
further."

Mrs. Crayford dashed the tears from her eyes--steadied herself--and
looked at the newspaper.

On the list of the survivors, the search was vain. Frank's name was not
among them. On a second list, headed "Dead or Missing," the first two
names that appeared were:

FRANCIS ALDERSLEY. RICHARD WARDOUR.

In speechless distress and dismay, Mrs. Crayford looked at Clara. Had
she force enough in her feeble health to sustain the shock that
had fallen on her? Yes! she bore it with a strange unnatural
resignation--she looked, she spoke, with the sad self-possession of
despair.

"I was prepared for it," she said. "I saw them in the spirit last night.
Richard Wardour has discovered the truth; and Frank has paid the penalty
with his life--and I, I alone, am to blame." She shuddered, and put her
hand on her heart. "We shall not be long parted, Lucy. I shall go to
him. He will not return to me."

Those words were spoken with a calm certainty of conviction that was
terrible to hear. "I have no more to say," she added, after a moment,
and rose to return to the house. Mrs. Crayford caught her by the hand,
and forced her to take her seat again.

"Don't look at me, don't speak to me, in that horrible manner!" she
exclaimed. "Clara! it is unworthy of a reasonable being, it is doubting
the mercy of God, to say what you have just said. Look at the newspaper
again. See! They tell you plainly that their information is not to be
depended on--they warn you to wait for further particulars. The very
words at the top of the list show how little they knew of the truth
'Dead _or_ Missing!' On their own showing, it is quite as likely that
Frank is missing as that Frank is dead. For all you know, the next mail
may bring a letter from him. Are you listening to me?"

"Yes."

"