ilence when he reached it.

He half expected to see the two whom he had left in that
flower-embowered lovers' nook at the end of the piazza still sitting
there.

Then he laughed to himself at the folly of the thought.

CHAPTER II.

FATE IS AGAINST SOME PEOPLE, FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE.

Change is the law of wind and moon and lover--
And yet I think, lost Love, had you been true,
Some golden fruits had ripened for your plucking
You will not find in gardens that are new.

L. C. M.

When Gerelda Northrup bid Captain Frazier good-night, and linked her arm
within her mother's, and retired to their apartments, Mrs. Northrup
could not help notice how carefully her daughter guarded the great
crimson beauty rose she wore on her breast.

The mother also noticed that the handsome captain wore a bud of the same
kind in the lapel of his coat.

"My dear," she said, "I think you are going a little too far with
Captain Frazier. It will not do to flirt with him on the very eve of
your marriage with Hubert Varrick."

"There isn't the least bit of harm in it, mamma," Gerelda answered.
"Captain Frazier is a delightful companion. Why shouldn't I enjoy his
society?"

"Because it is playing with edged tools," declared Mrs. Northrup. "The
captain is desperately in love with you."

"You should not blame him for lingering by my side to the very last
moment."

"Trouble will come of it, I fear," returned the other. "He is always at
your side."

"Save your lecture until to-morrow. I am sure it will keep. Do please
ring the bell for my maid; it is nearly eleven o'clock, and I must not
lose my beauty-sleep."

Gerelda Northrup knew in her own mind that all her mother said was but
too true; but the spirit of coquetry was so deeply imbedded in her
nature that she would not resign her sceptre over her old lovers' hearts
until the last moment.

Of course the captain understood thoroughly that all her love was given
to Hubert Varrick, and that it was only a very mild flirtation with
himself she was indulging in.

She would have trembled could she have read the thoughts of Captain
Frazier at that very moment.

In his elegant apartment, at the further end of the corridor, the
captain was pacing the floor, wild with his own thoughts.

"My God! can I live through it?" he muttered. "How can I live and endure
it? How can I stand by and see the girl I love made another man's bride,
without the mad desire to slay