Page 159 (1/2)

She was convinced of her , slowly and

distinctly,-"You do not enter into Clara's whole , Mabel We have been

careful, all of us, never to tell you that our father was imbecile

by the time he was fifty and died, in his sixtieth year, of the

disease your brother na of the brain I,

of all his children, aer menaces me, you should be informed of it, and know,

furthermore, that it is incurable"

Mabel also paused before answering

"I cannot assent to the hypothesis of your inheritedBut let that be as it

may, you should have told me of this before"

"You see," broke in Mrs Aylett's triual confidence is reproof What have I

warned you fro?"

"Not reproof," corrected Mabel, in e of

the secret he deeained

for hient care of

his health It is the hidden fear that grows and multiplies itself

ed to the light"

"That is YOUR hypothesis," was the bright retort "We Dorrances have

justly earned a reputation for dissretion by the excellent

preservation of our own secrets, and those co

by our friends Myabout yourself

which they cannot learn without your confession An autobiography is

always either a bore or a blunder Not that I would regulate the

nuations to your wife, Herbert As to