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The key grated in the lock and we turned away into the diht filtered in here and there through the blinds that covered the sky-lights We walked on slowly, her arreat rooms were very silent and peaceful and solemn The hush, the stillness, the mystery of the half-seen forms in the cases around, were all in harreat deliverance that filled our hearts

We had passed through into the next room before either of us broke the silence Insensibly our hands had crept together, and as they met and clasped with ic it is! Poor, poor Uncle John! It seems as if he had come back fro But, O God! what a relief it is!" She caught her breath in one or two quick sobs and pressed my hand passionately

"It is over, dearest," I said "It is gone for ever Nothing ree and patience"

"I can't realise it yet," she htful, interminable dream"

"Let us put it away," said I, "and think only of the happy life that is opening"

She made no reply, and only a quick catch in her breath, now and again, told of the long agony that she had endured with such heroic cal the silence with our soft foot-falls, through the wide doorway into the second roo erect in the wall-cases, looil with the memories of untold centuries locked in their shadowy breasts They were an awesome company Reverend survivors froloo-place, but with no shade of menace or of malice in their silent presence; rather with a sole creatures of to-day

Half-way along the rooure, somewhat aloof from its companions, showed a dim, pallid blotch where its face would have been With one accord we halted before it

"Do you knoho it is, Ruth?" I asked

"Of course I do," she answered "It is Arte our ue silhouette with its well-remembered details Presently I drew her nearer to me and whispered: "Ruth! do you remember e last stood here?"