him overpowering me? If I would not have
the crime of murder on my soul, I must leave this place to-night, and
never look upon Gerelda's beautiful face again. One day more of this
would drive me mad. Great Heaven! why did I linger by her side when I
knew my danger? There are times when I could almost swear that Gerelda
cares quite as much for me as she does for Hubert Varrick. If I had had
a fair chance I think I could have won her from him. No, I will not see
her again-- I will leave here this very night."

The captain rang the bell furiously, and called for a brandy and soda.

Soon after he left the hotel, saying that he would send for his luggage
later.

But even after he had done all that, Captain Frazier stood motionless in
the grounds watching the darkened windows of Gerelda's room.

The fire in his brain, produced by the potion he had taken, made sad
havoc with his imagination. He thought of how the knights of old did
when the girls they loved were about to wed rivals.

Was he less brave than they? And he thought, standing there under the
night sky, how cleverly the gypsy had outwitted Blue-beard at the very
altar to which he had led his blushing brides.

Great was Miss Northrup's consternation the next morning when she
learned through a little note left for her that Captain Frazier had
taken his departure from the Crossmon Hotel the preceding night. A sigh
of relief fell from her red lips.

"Perhaps it is better so," she said.

A messenger who brought a great basket of orchids and white roses,
entered.

Hidden among the flowers, Gerelda found a little note in Varrick's
handwriting:

"I hope my darling rested well. Heaven has made the day beautiful
because it is our marriage morn."

It was an odd notion of Gerelda's to steal away from their elegant city
mansion and her dear five hundred friends, to have the ceremony
performed quietly up at the Thousand Islands, with only a select few to
witness it.

Great preparations had been made in the hotel for the approaching
marriage. The spacious private parlors to be used were perfect fairy
bowers of roses and green leaves.

Up to this very morning Miss Northrup's imported wedding-gown had not
arrived. Mrs. Northrup and Hubert Varrick were wild with anxiety and
impatience over the affair. Gerelda alone took the matter calmly.

"It will be here some time to-day," she averred. "The wedding will be
delayed but a few hours, after all, and I don't know but t