your way, and ought not to drone away your existence as a janitor."

"Ah, sir," replied the other, shaking his head, "a man who is only
capable of assuming one disguise, isn't good for much as a professional
detective. Goggles and red whiskers will deceive one rogue, but not
fifty. My eyes were my bane, sir, and ultimately cost me my place. While
I could cover them up I was all right. It not only made a man of me,
leaving me free to talk and freer to think, but disguised me so, my best
friends couldn't recognize me; but after awhile my goggles were too well
known for me to be considered of much further use to the department, and
I was obliged to send in my resignation. It is too bad, but I have no
versatility, sir. I'm either the clumsy, stammering creature you have
always known, or else I am the man Cummins you saw here a few minutes
ago."

"In either case an honest fellow," answered Mr. Sylvester, and allowed
the janitor to depart.

* * * * *

One more scene, and this in the house which Paula is henceforth to make
a home for herself and its once melancholy owner. They have come back
from their wedding-journey, and are standing in their old fashion, he at
the foot, and she half way up the stairs. Suddenly she turns and
descends to his side.

"No, I will not wait," said she. "Here, on this spot we both love so
well, and in this the first hour of our return, I will unburden my mind
of what I have to say. Edward, is there nothing of all the past that
still rests upon you like a shadow? Not one little regret you could wish
taken away?"

"No," said he, enfolding her in his arms with a solemn smile. "The great
gift which I hold is the fruit of that past, perhaps; I cannot wish it
changed."

"But the sense of obligation never fulfilled, would you not be happier
if that were removed?"

"Perhaps," he said, "but it cannot be now. I shall have to live without
being perfectly happy."

She lifted her face and her smile shone like a star. "Oh God is good,"
she cried, "you shall not lack being perfectly happy;" and taking a
little paper out of her pocket she put it in his hand. "We found that
hidden in Jacqueline Japha's breast, when we went to lay her out for
burial."

It was only a line; but it made Mr. Sylvester's brow flush and his voice
tremble.

* * * * *

"Whatever I own, and I have been told that I am far from penniless, I
desire to have given to t