pleasure of the few
natural tears that women are bound to shed over their relinquished
freedom. I was very soon aroused by a knock at the door, which opened to
admit an old acquaintance, then residing in Vancouver, and a former
suitor of mine. Almost the first thing he said was, 'I hear you have
been getting married?' 'Yes,' I said, trying to laugh off my
embarrassment, 'I had to marry a man at last to get rid of them!'

"'You made a poor selection, then,' he returned, rather angrily.

"His anger roused mine, for his tone was, as I thought, insolent, 'Do
you think I should have done better to have taken you?' I asked,
scornfully.

"'You would at least have got a man that the law could give you,' he
retorted, 'and not another woman's husband.'

"The charge seemed so enormous that I laughed in his face, attributing
his conduct to jealous annoyance at my marriage. But something in his
manner, in spite of our mutual excitement, unsettled my confidence. He
was not inventing this story; he evidently believed it himself. 'For
God's sake,' I entreated, 'if you have any proof of what you say, give
it me at once!' And then he went on to tell me that on the occasion of
Mr. Seabrook's late visit to Vancouver, he had been recognized by an
emigrant out from Ohio, who met and talked with him at the Hudson's Bay
store. That man had told him, my informant, that he was well acquainted
with the family of Mr. Seabrook, and that his wife and several children
were living when he left Ohio.

"'Can you bring this man to me?' I asked, trembling with horrible
apprehensions.

"'I don't know as I could,' said he; 'for he went, I think, over to the
Sound to look up a place. But I can give you the name of the town he
came from, if that would be of any use.' I had him write the address for
me, as I was powerless to do it for myself.

"'I am sorry for you,' he said, as he handed me the slip of paper; 'that
is, if you care anything for the rascal.'

"'Thank you,' I returned, 'but this thing is not proven yet. If you
really mean well by me, keep what you have told me to yourself.'

"'You mean to live with him?' he asked.

"'I don't know what I shall do; I must have time to think.'

"'Very well; it is no affair of mine. I don't want a bullet through my
head for interfering; but I thought it was no more than fair to let you
know.'

"'I am very grateful, of course;--I mean I am if there is any occasion;
but this story is so strange, and has