moment the train leaped across the chasm, striking the rails exactly even, and, dashing out the life of Burke the Slogger, sped away to Sloperton.

   The first object that greeted Edgardo, as he rode up to the station on the arrival of the train, was the body of Burke the Slogger hanging on the cow-catcher; the second was the face of his deserted wife looking from the windows of a second-class carriage.

   A nameless terror seemed to have taken possession of Clarissa, Lady Selina's maid, as she rushed into the presence of her mistress.

   "O my lady, such news!"

   "Explain yourself," said her mistress, rising.

   "An accident has happened on the railway, and a man has been killed."

   "What—not Edgardo!" almost screamed Selina.

   "No, Burke the Slogger!" your ladyship.

   "My first husband!" said Lady Selina, sinking on her knees. "Just Heaven, I thank thee!"

   The morning of the seventeenth dawned brightly over Sloperton. "A fine day for the wedding," said the sexton to Swipes, the butler of Sloperton Grange. The aged retainer shook his head sadly. "Alas! there's no trusting in signs!" he continued. "Seventy-five years ago, on a day like this, my young mistress—" But he was cut short by the appearance of a stranger.

   "I would see Sir Edgardo," said the new-comer, impatiently.

   The bridegroom, who, with the rest of the wedding-train, was about stepping into the carriage to proceed to the parish church, drew the stranger aside.

   "It's done!" said the stranger, in a hoarse whisper.

   "Ah! and you buried her?"

   "With the others!"

   "Enough. No more at present. Meet me after the ceremony, and you shall have your reward."

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