h.

Cora took the paper with trembling hands and read as follows:

"A MYSTERY.--Yesterday morning at six o'clock an unknown
young woman of about twenty-five or thirty years of age, of medium
height, plump form, fair complexion and yellow hair, clothed in a
rich suit of widow's mourning, was found in a state of coma in the
ladies' dressing room of the Hudson River Railway station. She was
taken to St. L----'s Hospital. There was nothing on her person to
reveal her name or address."

"That must have been Mrs. Stillwater," said old Aaron Rockharrt.

"I think there is no question of it," replied Cora.

"No doubt the poor child was suddenly seized with one of her terrible
neuralgic headaches, caused by the pressure of that infernal crowd at
the gate, and she stole away, as before, lest she should disturb us and
prevent our journey; the most self-sacrificing creature I ever met. No
doubt she meant to telegraph to us, but was prevented by the sudden
reaction from agony to stupor. Ah! I hope it is not a fatal stupor."

"I hope not, sir."

"Cora!"

"Yes, sir."

"We must leave for New York by the next train. If Sylvanus is not free
to go with us, he can follow us. Come, let us go down and get some
breakfast."

Cora arose and went with her grandfather down to the breakfast room.

When they had taken their places at one of the tables and given their
orders to one of the waiters, old Aaron Rockharrt drew a time table from
his pocket and consulted it.

"There is a down train stops at Garrison's at 10:50. We will take that."

As soon as they had breakfasted, and as they were leaving the table,
another telegram was handed to Mr. Rockharrt. He opened it and read as
follows:

BLANK HOUSE, New York, May ----, 18--

The missing lady is in St. L----'s Hospital.

M. MARTIN.

"It is true, then! true as we surmised. Mrs. Stillwater was the unknown
lady found unconscious in the dressing room of the Hudson River Railroad
and taken to St. L----'s. Cora!"

"Yes, sir."

"Go and pack our effects immedately. I will go down and settle the bill
and leave a letter of explanation for Sylvanus. Get your bonnet on and
be ready. The carriage will be at the door in twenty minutes."

Cora hurried off to her room and to her grandfather's room, which
adjoined hers, to prepare for the sudden journey. She quickly packed and
labeled their traveling bags, and rang for a porter to take them down
stai