ller, who----"

The words had no more than passed her lips, when he was interrupted by
an exclamation of terror and surprise from Mrs. Thayer, who started to
her feet and then fell back upon the sofa, fainting. The Captain was
much alarmed at the effect of his remark, and he could not understand
why she had fainted at the mere mention of the source of his
information. However, he did not spend any time in trying to account for
her terror; his first action was to bathe her temples with cold water,
in order to restore her to consciousness. When she had partly revived,
she lay on the sofa with her eyes closed, as if she had no strength
left. Finally she spoke in a weak voice, without looking at her brother:

"Was it a fortune-teller who told you what you have just accused me of?"

"Yes," replied the Captain, "and I know that she speaks the truth."

"My God!" exclaimed Mrs. Thayer, "how could that woman have known that?
Well, it is true that I have some poison, though, as God is my judge, it
was not meant for you; but, I was resolved that if I could not escape
from my present misery, I would take it myself. Never, for an instant,
did I intend it for you."

"In either case, Annie, I must have the poison."

Mrs. Thayer rose with great effort, and, going to her trunk, produced a
small package labeled "POISON," in conspicuous letters. She handed it to
the Captain, and he said:

"I will now destroy this package and thus remove all temptation from
you; let us both thank God that you have been prevented from carrying
out your design. O, Annie! may this be the last time that I ever shall
have reason to doubt you. The fortune-teller whom I mentioned is a
wonderful woman. I learned from her many things which I will tell you
when you are strong enough to hear them."

"I should like you to tell me very much," said Mrs. Thayer, eagerly;
"perhaps she could tell my fortune, if I should visit her."

"Yes, indeed; she could tell you all your past and future; you ought to
go there."

"Well, I guess I will try to go to-morrow, if I am strong enough," said
Mrs. Thayer.

The Captain kissed her tenderly, and said:

"Annie, never again follow the advice of an evil counsellor; you will
never be happy while you continue in a path which you know to be wrong.
The fortune-teller had good news for us both, and all will go well if
you will only be guided by the wishes of your true friends, who love you
and who desire to save you from sorro