He had pulled my wet hands away from my face and was covering them with kisses My cheeks were like two coals, my whole face was flaming and, , steaming What could ? I hid it shoulder-- no other place And, oh, my dear friend, how my leg tingled and thrilled, and how to kick !

We sat so He had released one hands his arm about me again, and I possessed myself handkerchief and was drying my eyes and my nose look up until that ; he tried in vain to push me little away and gaze into my eyes Presently, when all right, and it had grown bit dark, I lifted my head, looked him straight eyes, and smiled my best--my level best, dear

"What ," , "by 'years and years' ? "

"Dearest," he replied, very gravely, very earnestly, " absence sunken cheeks, the hollow eyes, the lank hair, the slouching gait, the rags, dirt, and youth, not-- not understand ? Gunny, I'm Dumps ! "

In moment upon my feet and he upon his I seized him lapels coat and peered into his handsome face deepening darkness breathless with excitement

"And dead ? " I asked, hardly knowing what

"Only dead in love, dear I recovered road agent's bullet, but this, , is fatal "

"But about Jack-- Mr Raynor ? Don't --"

" ashamed , darling, unworthy person's invitation that here from Vienna "

Irene, played it upon your affectionate friend,

MARY JANE DEMENT

P S --The worst of no mystery That was an invention of Jack to arouse my curiosity and interest James Thug He solemnly assures me that in all his wanderings he has never set foot in Sepoy

The Man Snake

I

of veritabyll report, and attested of that there be nowe of wyse and learned none to gaynsaye it, that ye serpente hys eye hath magnetick propertie that whosoe falleth into its svasion is drawn forwards in despyte wille, and perisheth miserabyll by ye creature hys byte

Stretched at ease upon sofa, in gown and slippers, Harker Brayton smiled as he read the foregoing sentence in old Morryster's "Marvells of Science " "The only marvel matter," to himself, "is wise and learned in Morryster's day believed such nonsense as is rejected by most of even the ignorant in ours "

train of reflections followed--for Brayton was man of thought-- and he unconsciously lowered his book without altering the direction eyes volume had gone below the line of sight, something in an obscure corner room recalled his attention surroundings What , shadow under his bed, were two small points of light, apparently about an inch apart They reflections gas jet above him, in metal nail heads; them but little thought and resumed his reading moment later something--some impulse which it occur to him to analyze--impelled him to lower the book again and seek for what before The points of light were still there They seemed become brighter than before, shining with greenish luster which he at first observed He thought, too, moved trifle--were somewhat nearer They were still shadow, however, to reveal their nature and origin to an indolent attention, and he resumed his reading Suddenly something text suggested thought which made him start and drop the book third time side sofa, whence, escaping hand, it fell sprawling floor, back upward Brayton, half-risen, was staring intently obscurity beneath the bed, where the points of light shone with, it seemed to him, an added fire His attention was now fully aroused, his gaze eager and imperative It disclosed, almost directly beneath the foot rail bed, the coils of large serpent--the points of light were its eyes ! Its horrible head, thrust flatly forth innermost coil and resting outermost, was directed straight toward him, the definition wide, brutal jaw idiotlike forehead serving to show the direction malevolent gaze The eyes were no longer merely luminous points; they looked into his own with meaning, malign significance

II

snake in bedroom of modern city dwelling better sort is, happily, not so common phenomenon as explanation altogether needless Harker Brayton, bachelor of thirty-five, scholar, idler, and something of an athlete, rich, popular, and of sound health, had returned to San Francisco from all manner of remote and unfamiliar countries His tastes, always trifle luxurious, had taken on an added exuberance from long privation; resources of even the Castle Hotel being inadequate for their perfect gratification, he had gladly accepted the hospitality friend, Dr Druring, the distinguished scientist Dr Druring's house, large, old-fashioned one in now an obscure quarter city, had an outer and visible aspect of reserve It plainly associate contiguous elements altered environment, and appeared developed eccentricities which come of isolation was "wing," conspicuously irrelevant in point of architecture, and no less rebellious matter of purpose; for combination of laboratory, menagerie, and museum here doctor indulged the scientific side nature study forms of animal life as engaged his interest and comforted his taste--which, it confessed, ran rather lower forms For higher types nimbly and sweetly to recommend itself unto his gentle senses, it had to retain certain rudimentary characteristics allying it to such "dragons prime" as toads and snakes His scientific sympathies were distinctly reptilian; he loved nature's vulgarians and described himself Zola of zoology His wife and daughters, not having the advantage to share his enlightened curiosity regarding the works and ways ill-starred fellow-creatures, were, with needless austerity, excluded from what the Snakery, and doomed to companionship with their own kind; though, to soften the rigors lot, he had permitted them, out great wealth, to outdo the reptiles gorgeousness surroundings and to shine with superior splendor

Architecturally, and in point of "furnishing," the Snakery had severe simplicity befitting the humble circumstances occupants, many of whom, indeed, safely intrusted liberty necessary full enjoyment of luxury, for they had the troublesome peculiarity of being alive In their own apartments, however, they were under as little personal restraint as was compatible with their protection baneful habit of swallowing one another; and, as Brayton had thoughtfully been apprised, more than tradition that had at divers times been found in parts premises where it embarrassed them to explain their presence Despite the Snakery and its uncanny associations-- , indeed, little attention--Brayton found life Druring mansion mind

III

Beyond smart shock of surprise and shudder of mere loathing, Mr Brayton was not greatly affected His first thought was to ring the call bell and bring servant; but, although the bell cord dangled within easy reach, no movement toward it; it had occurred mind act might subject him suspicion of fear, which he certainly feel more keenly conscious incongruous nature situation than affected by its perils; revolting, but absurd

The reptile was of species Brayton was unfamiliar Its length only conjecture; the body largest visible part seemed about as thick as his forearm In what way dangerous, if in ? venomous ? constrictor ? His knowledge of nature's danger signals enable him ; he had never deciphered the code

dangerous, the creature was offensive de trop--"matter out of place"--an impertinence The gem was unworthy setting Even the barbarous taste time and country, which had loaded the walls room with pictures, the floor with furniture, furniture with bric-a-brac, quite fitted the place bit savage life jungle Besides--insupportable thought ! --the exhalations breath mingled atmosphere which he himself was breathing !

These thoughts shaped themselves with greater or less definition in Brayton's mind, and begot action The process is what we call consideration and decision thus that wise and unwise thus withered leaf in an autumn breeze shows greater or less intelligence than its fellows, falling land or lake The secret of human action is an open one--something contracts our muscles Does it matter if preparatory molecular changes the name of will ?

Brayton rose feet and prepared to back softly away snake, without disturbing it, if possible, and door People retire so presence great, for greatness is power, and power is menace that walk backward without obstruction, and find the door without error Should the monster follow, the taste which had plastered the walls with paintings had consistently supplied rack of murderous Oriental weapons snatch one to suit the occasion meantime the snake's eyes burned with more pitiless malevolence than ever

Brayton lifted his right foot free floor to step backward That moment strong aversion to

" accounted brave," he murmured; "is bravery, then, no more than pride ? Because none to witness the shame shall I retreat ? "

steadying himself right hand back of chair, his foot suspended

"Nonsense ! " aloud; " not so great coward fear to seem to myself afraid "

He lifted the foot little higher by slightly bending the knee, and thrust it sharply floor--an inch in front other ! think how that occurred trial left foot had the same result; again in advance right The hand chair back was grasping it; the arm was straight, reaching somewhat backward One seen that reluctant to lose his hold The snake's malignant head was still thrust forth inner coil as before, the neck level It moved, but its eyes were now electric sparks, radiating an infinity of luminous needles