of the bed, I deliberately piled them on her one upon the
other, and pressing them down with all my gathered force, I stifled her
in her sleep!

"No cry, no groan from my victim betrayed the unhallowed deed, and before
the first dawn of day I was driving furiously over the road to the
river's bank, from which into the watery depth below I threw this
millstone of my life.

"When I drove back the morning had dawned. The daylight seemed to pry
into the secrets of the past night. I would fain shun it--the garish
light disturbed me. The morning sun, which had ever been my delight,
seemed now a mocking imp of curiosity; the house and grounds looked bare
and desolate; a blight had fallen upon their former comeliness.

"A strange fascination again drew me into the chamber which had been the
scene of my crime. When there I re-enacted the last night's work. The bed
and furniture seemed to come toward me and taunt me with the fell crime I
had committed. 'I was justified in the act,' said I to these dumb
accusers, as though they had been, living witnesses. 'She was the bane of
my existence.' And with cunning precision I arranged the disordered room,
smoothed the pillows, and levelled the coverlet. 'The dead cannot speak,'
said I. 'This thing is hidden.'

"After this performance I went forth, hoping by a sharp walk to drown the
memory of the momentary deed. I passed through the garden and reached the
sloping hill. There, where the low fence joined the open road, I was met
by the lady whom I loved. She was taking the morning air, and with her
smiling face seemed drinking in its balmy freshness.

"'You look ill,' said she, with a pitying glance. 'See what I have
brought for you,' and she held forth a newly-plucked bouquet of flowers.

"I took the proffered blossoms hurriedly, dreading to meet her clear eye,
which I felt must surely read my guilt. Burying the flowers in my breast,
and with an effort to smile that sickened me, I bowed low to the ground
and hurried on.

"When beyond her sight I drew the nosegay from its hiding place--it was
withered as if scorched by a burning heat! Upon looking closer at this
strange phenomena, I beheld, to my horror, in dim outline, the face of
the murdered! Whence came the impression? Had my riotous heart burnt the
secret upon those blushing petals?

"Frantically I tore open my shirt, when lo! upon my breast I beheld
imprinted a picture of the direful deed--seared in by rays more potent
than