engraving of Sir Frederick Leighton's "Hercules
Wrestling with Death"; and below the printed title, she recognized the
bold characters traced in red ink: "The Alcestis you emulate."

To-night, a ray of moonlight crept across the wall, and shivered its
silver over the rigid face of the dead wife in the picture; and the
prisoner, gazing mournfully at it, comprehended that her own fate was
sadder than that of the immortal Greek devotee. To die for Admetus
after he had sworn on the altar of his gods, that he would spend alone
the remainder of his days, solaced by no fair successor, dedicating his
fidelity to appease her manes, was comparatively easy; but to turn
away, voluntarily resign the man she loved, and assist in forging the
links which she must live to see chaining him to a happy rival, were an
ordeal more appalling to Alcestis than premature descent into the dusky
realm of Persephone.

To secure to her brother immunity from pursuit, and to Miss Gordon the
allegiance of the husband of her choice, was the problem that banished
sleep and kept Beryl pacing the floor, until welcome day hung her
orange mantle over the quivering splendor of the morning star. One
final effort was all that seemed possible now; and kneeling before the
table she wrote and sealed a note, to be delivered before the express
train bore the lawyer away on his journey:

"Your message was received, and it has so disquieted and alarmed me
that I am forced to treat for peace. If you will cancel your police
contracts, cease your search, go to Europe with Miss Dent, and pledge
me your honor to marry Miss Gordon before you return, I will solemnly
promise, bind myself in the sight of the God I serve, to live and to
die Beryl Brentano; and never, without your consent and permission,
will I look again on the face of the man whom you are hunting to death.
The assurance of his safety will atone for all you have made me suffer;
will nerve me to bear whatever the future may hold. You will imagine
you understand, but it is impossible that you can ever realize the
nature of the pain this proposal involves for me; nevertheless, if you
accept and keep the compact, I believe you know that, at all costs, I
shall never forfeit the pledged word of

"BERYL BRENTANO."

When marriage vows had irrevocably committed Leo's happiness to his
honor, it might then be safe to tell him the truth, and solicit release
from the self-imposed terms. Five hours later, she received