agerly on this.

She could not realize she had lain ill so long. Oh, Heaven, what might
have happened in the meantime, if Rex should marry Pluma? She would
not be his wife because _she_--who was a barrier between them--lived.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Daisy had decided the great question of her life. Yes, she would go to
John Brooks with her pitiful secret, and, kneeling at his feet, tell
him all, and be guided by his judgment.

"I can never go back to Rex," she thought, wearily. "I have spoiled
his life; he does not love me; he wished to be free and marry Pluma."

"You must not think of the troubles of other people, my dear," said
Mrs. Tudor, briskly, noting the thoughtful expression of the fair
young face. "Such cases as I have just read you are fortunately rare.
I should not have read you the scandals. Young girls like to hear
about the marriages best. Ah! here is one that is interesting--a grand
wedding which is to take place at Whitestone Hall, in Allendale,
to-morrow night. I have read of it before; it will be a magnificent
affair. The husband-to-be, Mr. Rexford Lyon, is very wealthy; and the
bride, Miss Pluma Hurlhurst, is quite a society belle--a beauty and an
heiress."

Poor Daisy! although she had long expected it, the announcement seemed
like a death-blow to her loving little heart; in a single instant all
her yearning, passionate love for her handsome young husband awoke
into new life.

She had suddenly awakened to the awful reality that her husband was
about to marry another.

"Oh, pitiful Heaven, what shall I do?" she cried, wringing her hands.
"I will be too late to warn them. Yet I must--I must! It must not be!"
she cried out to herself; "the marriage would be wrong." If she
allowed it to go on, she would be guilty of a crime; therefore, she
must prevent it.

Pluma was her mortal enemy. Yet she must warn her that the flower-covered
path she was treading led to a precipice. The very thought filled her
soul with horror.

She wasted no more time in thinking, she must act.

"I can not go to poor old Uncle John first," she told herself. "I must
go at once to Pluma. Heaven give me strength to do it. Rex will never
know, and I can go quietly out of his life again."

The marriage must not be! Say, think, argue with herself as she would,
she could not help owning to herself that it was something that must
be stopped at any price. She had not realized it in its true light
before. She had had a vague