"Do you tell me what she means, Mildred." "Don't ask me, Everard!" Mildred said, in distress.

"We have heard cruel, wicked stories---false, I know--about Harrie and--and a stranger--an American gentleman--who is stopping at the Blue Bell Inn." "Yes, Everard," his mother said, pity for him, hatred of his wife, strangely mingled in look and tone, "your bride of a month is the talk of the place.

The names of Lady Kingsland and this unknown man go whispered together from lip to lip." "What do they say ?" "Nothing!" Mildred exclaimed, indignantly--"nothing but their own base suspicions! She nearly fainted at first sight of him.

He showed her a picture, and she ran out of the room and fell into hysterics.

Since then he has written to her, and mysterious personages--females in disguise--visit him at the Blue Bell.