r's inward ear
in the moment when her boy went plunging down into the engulfing river
and heart and thought turned in his mortal agony to the one nearest and
dearest in all the earth.

When Mr. Voss came back into the house after his fruitless errand, he
found his wife standing in the hall, only a few feet back from the
vestibule, her face whiter, if that were possible, and her eyes wilder
than before. Catching her in his arms, he ran with her up stairs, but
before he had reached their chamber her light form lay nerveless and
unconscious against his breast.

Doctor Hillhouse, the old family physician, called up in the middle of
that stormy night, hesitated to obey the summons, and sent his
assistant with word that he would be round early in the morning if
needed. Doctor Angier, the assistant, was a young physician of fine
ability and great promise. Handsome in person, agreeable in manner and
thoroughly in love with his profession, he was rapidly coming into
favor with many of the old doctor's patients, the larger portion of
whom belonged to wealthy and fashionable circles. Himself a member of
one of the older families, and connected, both on his father's and
mother's side, with eminent personages as well in his native city as in
the State, Doctor Angier was naturally drawn into social life, which,
spite of his increasing professional duties, he found time to enjoy.

It was past two o'clock when Doctor Angier made his appearance, his
garments white with snow and his dark beard crusted with tiny icicles.
He found Mrs. Voss lying in swoon so deep that, but for the faintest
perceptible heart-beat, he would have thought her dead. Watching the
young physician closely as he stood by the bedside of his wife, Mr.
Voss was quick to perceive something unusual in his manner. The
professional poise and coolness for which he was noted were gone, and
he showed a degree of excitement and uncertainty that alarmed the
anxious husband. What was its meaning? Did it indicate apprehension for
the condition of his patient, or--something else? A closer look into
the young physician's face sent a flash of suspicion through the mind
of Mr. Voss, which was more than confirmed a moment afterward as the
stale odor of wine floated to his nostrils.

"Were you at Mr. Birtwell's to-night?" There was a thrill of anxious
suspense in the tones of Mr. Voss as he grasped the physician's arm and
looked keenly at him.

"I was," replied Doctor Angier.