nown this man? Was there a secret in her past of
which he was ignorant? The bare idea made his head reel; though he might
banish it from his mind for a season, the slightest recurrence would
bring it back to torture him with inexplicable fear and dread.

So their new life began with this shadow upon it--a shadow imperceptible
to all lookers on, but lying cold and dim on their hearts nevertheless,
slowly to gather substance day by day till it should become a chill,
heavy mist, through which their two souls could not distinguish each
other.

CHAPTER IX.

COUSIN TOM VISITS PINEY COVE.

Grantley Mellen was still a young man, only thirty-three, though the
natural gravity of his character, increased by certain events in his
life, made him appear somewhat older.

His father had died many years before, and as Elsie had told his bride,
an uncle had left him in the possession of a fine property, which had
increased in value, till he was now a very wealthy man.

His mother died when Elsie was a girl of about fourteen, and on her
death-bed Grantley Mellen had promised to act the part of parent as well
as brother to the young girl. He had never once wavered in his trust,
and the love and tenderness he felt for her were beautiful and touching
to witness.

He was never suspicious, never severe with her, though these were the
worst failings of his character. Elsie was to be treated as a child; be
petted, and indulged, and allowed to live in the sunshine, whatever else
might befall himself or others.

Although her health was good, she had always been rather delicate in
appearance, and that made him more careful of her. He was haunted with
the fear that she was to fade under their family scourge, consumption,
though in reality she was one of those frail looking creatures who are
all nerves--nerves, too, elastic as tempered steel; and who always
outlive the people who have watched them so carefully.

It was true Grantley Mellen had met with a humiliating disappointment in
his early youth, which had embittered all his after years, and increased
the natural jealousy of a reticent disposition almost to a monomania.
These were the facts of his history:

He had a college friend of his own age, a cousin twice removed, whom
from boyhood he had loved with all the strength and passion which made
the undercurrent of his grave, reserved character. He had helped this
young man in every way--befriended him in college, been to him w