She flung the burden into the sea, feeling sure it would sink; but it caught--the black and gray shawl caught--on some hooks that had been driven into the outer woodwork of the pier; it caught and hung there, the shawl moving to and fro with every breath of wind and every wave." Without a word or a cry she fell with her face in the grass.

Oh, Heaven, be pitiful to all who are stricken and guilty! I went on quickly: "A boatman found it, and the bundle contained a little drowned child--a fair waxen babe, beautiful even though it had lain in the salt, bitter waters of the green sea all night.

Now comes the horror, Mrs.Fleming.
When the man, who saw the scene went after some years to visit the friend whom he loved so dearly, he recognized in that friend's wife the woman who threw the child into the sea!" Again came the sound that was like nothing human.
"What was that man to do ?" I asked.

"He could not be silent; the friend who loved and trusted him must have been most basely deceived--he could not hide a murder; yet the woman was so lovely, so lovable; she was seemingly so good, so charitable, so devoted to her husband, that he was puzzled, tortured; at last he resolved upon telling her.

I have told you." Then silence, deep and awful, fell over us; it lasted until I saw that I must break it.