said, in a deep and trembling voice, "Widow of Paul Grey, I was with him in the fight when he fell."

Polly pressed her hand for some moments against her forehead in silence. "I know he fell," she said, "and that bravely; but I have always hoped against all hope that he was not killed, but perhaps gravely wounded, and that I might again see him in this world. Did you see him die? Oh tell me, I beseech you, all! Hide nothing from me; for now that I know he is really dead, I can bear to hear all concerning him."

"I came here to tell you all I know," replied the stranger. "I am a sailor who fought and bled in that hard fight when Paul and Dick Stone were both struck down. Poor Dick lies in the sea, and Paul-but I will not harrow your feelings, Mrs. Grey. I had heard that you were about to marry again, and that Captain Smart was to fill Paul's vacant place. I am an old friend of Joe Smart's, and I could wish him no better fortune than to win Paul's wife."

"Alas!" said Polly, "that such reports have stirred abroad. Captain Smart was Paul's best friend, and he has well befriended me, but never was woman truer to her husband's memory than I have been; it has been a life of sorrow to me for many a long year, and I have prayed to God for death as my greatest comfort, that I might see dear Paul again in heaven. I never can marry. I could not take another vow: my heart would break; but still, there could not be a better or more honest man than Captain Smart."

As Polly spoke these words, the tall, muffled figure drew nearer to her and said, in a hoarse whisper," Mrs. Grey, did you ever dream of Paul? Did you ever pray for him when away ?"

"Dream of him?" said Polly; "I have passed such nights of happiness with Paul in my arms, only to wake and find myself alone, and the world a wilderness without him; and

I have prayed till my heart has nearly broken that God should restore him to me. I have lived in hope till now; and you, evil messenger, have broken the last reed on which I leaned, now I know that Paul is gone forever. O God! why did I pray? Let me die rather than live this life of anguish!" said Polly bitterly, in her despair.

For some minutes Polly leaned upon the mantel-piece and buried her face in her hands; the tall stranger also appeared to be affected. "And if," said he, " Paul Grey were to return to life, what would become of Captain Smart? Does he not love you, Mrs. Grey ?"

"Question me no more. You have delivered your fatal message; I thank you for the sad news. You must be tired and hungry; I will order supper."

"The moment is too serious for thoughts of hunger. I have yet more news to tell, but I must have your thorough confidence,” replied the stranger; "tell me plainly and upon your oath, does not Smart love you, and do you not return his love?"

"He does," said Polly; "and for him I have the affection of a sister. Since Paul's death he has been more than a brother to me, and he now asks for his reward, that I should consent to become his wife."

"What is your reply ?" asked the stranger. "I must know all before I proceed with my story, for the end has not been told."

Polly hesitated. "Why should I be ashamed to declare my feelings? I can not love again as I loved Paul, and yet I owe Captain Smart so much that, although I have always refused his offer, I feel that if Paul's spirit could know all he has done for me and for his interests, he would himself counsel me to accept his hand. I have told him," continued Polly, "that I can hear no more until he can discover an eye-witness who saw my dear Paul's body buried. He has

left this house to-day for Falmouth, and if you came from that direction you must have met him on the road. I fear you are the witness that would have rendered his journey unnecessary; would that I were dead!”

"Mrs. Grey," said the stranger solemnly, and in a voice broken by his excited feelings, "prepare yourself for the remainder of my tale. Can you bear more ?"

"I can bear any thing," said Polly; "my distress has been so great that nothing can impress me now that Paul is dead; my feelings have grown callous."

"Then hear the end, and fortify yourself for what will be as severe a shock as you ever had to bear. Are you prepared? Is your courage screwed to its highest pitch! Can you support the trial ?"

"I can bear any thing," she repeated; "only tell me quickly! What can be worse than all I know ?"

The stranger sat down upon a chair, and apparently overcome by emotion for some moments, he leaned his elbows upon the table and buried his face in his hands. As though feeling oppressed, he unbuttoned his great-coat and loosened the numerous wraps around his throat; then standing up, he approached Polly, who calmly awaited his mysterious announcement.

In a deep, hollow voice, he said, "This is the end of my mission. . . . Paul Grey is still alive!"

"Alive! alive! alive! me! My Paul not dead! the almost frantic wife.

Oh, for God's sake don't deceive

Where, where is he?" exclaimed

"Here, in your arms, my own sweet wife! God has heard your prayers! I am Paul Grey!"

In an instant he had thrown off his overcoat and shawl which concealed his features, and once more Paul pressed his devoted Polly to his heart, while she clung around his neck in a paroxysm of joy that almost approached to madness.

CHAPTER XIX.

WHEN the first violent shock of delight was past Paul

explained in a few words the history of his captivity and escape. After the fight with the French privateer he had lain apparently dead upon the deck; but as the water which washed the scuppers in which he lay flowed over him when the vessel rolled, he recovered sufficiently to show some signs of life, which saved him from being thrown overboard. Upon arrival at Dunkerque he was sent to the hospital, and, when sufficiently recovered, he was committed to a French prison. There he lay for years, until one day he was informed that he had permission to see a friend who had called at the prison-door. He reached the barred gate, and looking through the small iron grating, he saw to his astonishment and delight his old and true friend Léontine. Upon her arrival with her brother Victor in her native town, she had been arrested and confined in jail for a certain period for having aided in the escape of the prisoners; but upon the whole affair becoming known, it caused a great sensation, and she shortly received a pardon.

The unfortunate François, her old lover, who had been on guard when the prisoners escaped, and who had borrowed a comrade's uniform and arms to aid in her disguise for the nocturnal meeting, had been severely punished; and Léontine, having recovered from the loss of Dick Stone, had rewarded the hardly-treated François with her hand. They were married, and François soon forgot his hardships in the delight of his gallant prize.

Р

Some years afterward François, who had risen to the rank of lieutenant, happened to meet at a café a French sailor who was describing to a comrade an action in which he had been engaged with an English vessel. Listening attentively to his story, he heard him relate the daring manner in which the English had boarded the French privateer, together with the escape of the disabled lugger, owing to the arrival of a British cruiser. François naturally con⚫cluded that this was a description of the action with the

Polly, and joining in the conversation, he gave an account of the manner in which Paul had escaped from prison and recaptured the lugger, when Léontine had played him the trick long since forgiven. He then heard that Paul haď recovered from his wounds and was confined in prison. From that moment Léontine was determined to obtain Paul's release, but she could not discover the place in which he was imprisoned. At length she found that he was in Dunkerque jail. Thither the faithful Léontine at once set off and found him as described. She at once went to the governor of the jail and related the circumstance of her brother's release and the kindness she had received in Falmouth, and she besought him to forward her petition for Paul's release to the proper authorities. Struck with Léontine's romantic tale, and with her extraordinary beauty and energy of character, the governor exerted himself in Paul's behalf, to whom he had taken a special liking from the moment that he had entered the prison, as he had heard of his daring behavior in boarding the privateer. After much delay Paul was included in a list for an exchange of prisoners, and was sent to England. Landing at Falmouth, he had hastened toward his old home.

In a few days the news of Paul's return was spread throughout the neighborhood. Edith shared in Polly Grey's happiness. Often had Polly mourned on Christmas