mpressed dream,--as if it had been in some previous condition of
existence, and the consciousness of it had lingered through a subsequent
metempsychosis.

* * * * *

I was sitting solitary in an apartment of the humble dwelling which I
occupied, poring in a slow, melancholy memory over my past life, and
questioning myself when Evelyn would fulfil the promise of again
informing me of her intentions. My mood was scarcely disturbed by a
knock at the outer door, which was responded to by the maid who had
charge of my children, and the next instant I was thrilled almost to
stupefaction by seeing Evelyn enter the room.

'I've come! I've come!' she cried, in wild eagerness. 'Have you not
expected me? I'm home--home once more. Dearest--lover--husband--I'm
here, never to leave you!'

I only gasped forth--'Evelyn!'

I knew not but it was an illusion.

Then she threw herself upon me, and covered me with kisses, uttered a
volume of passionate endearments, entwined her arms about me in all
tender embraces. I reasoned with myself that it was a dream, and would
not stir lest it should dissolve.

She stood above me, and again I saw that light in her eyes. Then for the
first time I understood its import. Oh! the strange, deep, glorious
light of love and resolute devotion.

I rose falteringly, and asked in feeble accents,--'Is it you, Evelyn?
Have you indeed come?'

'Yes, yes, your Evelyn at last,--come to your arms and your heart. Your
own Evelyn, so long unworthy of you. Will you receive me?'

I but threw my arms around her, and sank down with her on my breast.
Nature exhausted itself in the intensity of that embrace. Language was
denied to emotion. For some moments she lay like a child, nestling to my
heart, then suddenly started up and disappeared in the hall. Again I
thought it was a dream, and that it had fled. She reappeared, bearing a
small casket, which in a quick, frantic sort of way she thrust on the
table, opened and pulled out gold pieces, jewels and bank notes,
flinging them down, some on the table and some on the floor, exclaiming,
'See, you ruined yourself for me, and I have come to repay you. Look,
all these your Evelyn brings to testify to her love. The children!' she
exclaimed, as she threw out the last contents,--'where are they? Come,
show me.' She seized the lamp, and, grasping my arm, dragged me in my
half-bewildered state to the next apartment, where the infants lay
slee