nstead of you! Ah me! Must
the innocent always suffer for the guilty?"

"You were never, never guilty, dear mother. And you also suffer. Ah! I see
that you do. Don't grieve for me, mother, darling. Indeed, I am not--I am
not----" She was about to add, "not unhappy," but truth arrested her
words, and after a little pause she said: "I only want you to give me
something to steady me. That is all." Then, seeing the anguish of the
lady's face, she smiled wanly and added: "It will all be right, mother,
dear. I know it will. I am trying to do my duty, and the Lord will not
forsake me. It is only the--the wildness that comes over me. I want
something to subdue it."

"Sit down, dear; sit down," said Elfrida Force, leading her daughter to
the easy chair by the fire, and leaving her reclining there, while she
herself went to her dressing-case and brought out that little vial of
colorless liquid, that looked as innocent as the purest spring water, and
yet contained death to a dozen strong men, if administered.

"A teaspoonful of this would give her peace forever," whispered the
tempter. And the woman shuddered, and nearly let fall the bottle. She
recovered herself, dropped half a dozen drops on a lozenge, and brought it
to her daughter, saying gently:

"This will quiet you, my dear."

Odalite took it with a smile and put it between her lips.

The door opened and Wynnette and Elva came in in their nightdresses.

They had "resigned" themselves "to the inevitable," especially as they saw
that Le had ceased to grieve over it, and had even consented to be the
groomsman, while they were to be the bridesmaids.

"I am sure, if Le don't mind it, we needn't," said Wynnette.

"And, oh, what beautiful dresses we have to wear!" added Elva.

Now they had burst into their mother's chamber, in all the excitement
inspired by the occasion.

"We went into your room, Odalite, and as you were not there, we knew you
must be here," said Elva, running and throwing her arms around her
sister's neck.

"All right this morning, Odalite?" inquired Wynnette.

"Yes," quietly replied the girl, upon whom the powerful sedative was
already beginning to act.

"My children, go and get ready for breakfast. It is ordered half an hour
earlier this morning on account of the wedding. We must be at the church
by eleven o'clock," said Mrs. Force.

The two little girls scuttled away to hurry on their home clothes to go
down to the dining room.

Mrs. Force