d a low, bitter
laugh, sadder than any tears.

He had missed the fortune he had hoped for and was back again in the
office of Marsh & Co.

Then the thought came to her again with crushing, alarming force--would
he not (believing her dead and himself free to woo and wed again) seek
out some other heiress, since that was his design? Many young girls came
to the assistant cashier's window just as she had done; he would select
the richest and marry her.

The very thought seemed to stab her to the heart with a keen, subtle
pain which she could neither understand nor clearly define, even to
herself.

"Heaven pity her in the hour when she finds that she has been
deceived--that he married her for gold, not love," she sobbed, covering
her face with her little trembling hands.

She prayed to Heaven silently that Claire's lover, whoever he might be,
was marrying her for love, and for love alone.

So restless was she that, despite the quieting draught which the
housekeeper had induced her to swallow, she could not sleep.

But one thing remained for her to do, and that was to get up and dress
and go down to her father's library and read herself into forgetfulness
until day dawned.

Faynie acted upon the impulse, noting as she stepped from her room into
the corridor that the clock on her mantel chimed the hour of two.

She had proceeded scarcely half a dozen steps ere she became aware that
she was not alone in the corridor.

She stopped short.

The time was when Faynie would have shrieked aloud or swooned from
terror; but she had gone through so many thrilling scenes during the
last few weeks of her eventful young life that fear within her breast
had quite died out.

Was it only her wild, fanciful imagination, or did she hear the sound of
low breathing? Faynie stood quite still, leaning behind a marble Flora,
and listened.

Yes, the sound was audible enough now. There was somebody in the
corridor creeping toward the spot where she stood, with swift but
noiseless feet.

Nearer, nearer the footsteps crept, the soft, low-bated breathing
sounding closer with every step.

With a presence of mind which few young girls possessed, Faynie
suddenly stepped forward and turned on the gas jet from an electric
button, full head.

The sight which met her gaze fairly rooted her to the spot.

For one brief instant of time it seemed to Faynie as though her breath
was leaving her body.

She stood paralyzed, unable to stir hand