on.

"Hit 'appened just in this way, ma'am. I was a comin' hup stairs, when
I met the hold lady a tearin' down like a mad cat. She looked kind o'
awful. I never saw anybody out of an 'ospital look that way in all my
life before. She 'eld an hiron poker in 'er 'and. As my young lady--"
and he looked towards Blanche--"was in the 'all, I didn't think it safe
for 'er if I let the hold woman go down. So I just stood in 'er way, and
put my harms across the stairs so"--stretching his arms out. "My! but
'ow she did fire up! She stood almost a minute, and then sprung on me as
if she was a tiger. But I was the strongest, and 'olding 'er in my harms
like as I would a mad kitten, I carried 'er hup to 'er room, put 'er
hin, and shut the door. My young lady saw it hall, for she followed
right hup after me."

He looked towards Blanche.

"Just as it occurred," she said, in a low, sweet fluttering voice.

"I heard the strife," said her mother, "and ran up to see what was the
matter. I reached the door of Mrs. Allen's room just as Jackson thrust
her in. He did not use any more violence than was needed in a case of
such sudden emergency. He is strong, and held her so tightly that she
could not even struggle. One wild, fierce scream rent the air, as
he shut the door, and then all was silent as death. I went in to her
instantly. She was on the floor in a convulsion. You were sent for
immediately; but it was too late for human intervention. Jackson, you
can go."

The man bowed with an air of deferential respect, and retired.

"Now, sir," she added, turning to me, "you have the facts as they
occurred. I have no wish to give them publicity, for they are family
matters, and these are always in their degree, sacred. If, however, you
think it your duty as a physician, to make the matter one of official
investigation, I can have nothing to say."

I thought for some minutes before answering. The story, as related by
the servant, I fully credited.

"Let me see the body again," said I, coming at length to a conclusion.

We went up stairs, all three together; but only two of us entered the
chamber of death. As we neared the door, Blanche caught at her mother's
arm, and I heard her say, in a whisper:

"Dear mamma! spare me that sight again. It is too horrible!"

"The presence of your daughter is not needed," said I, interposing. "Let
her retire to her own room."

"Thank you!" There was a grateful expression in her voice, as she
uttered t