ing its subscription and advertising lists than in waging war in a manly way against corruption, wherever found, at any cost.

The pulpit thirty-one years ago was represented by men like Brayton, Hunt, Lacy, and others who may not have been as brill. iant scholars or orators as some who have succeeded them, yet nevertheless they stood up manfully for the right, and won and retained the respect of the community. The church too, in those days, was represented by men of strong principles and consistent lives. They labored earnestly and laid well the foundations of all the noble work that has been done here by such institutions. It was a rare thing in those days for a member of such an organization to be caught in a dishonorable act. In fact, I well remember that the superintendent of one of the largest Sunday schools in the city, a well meaning and earnest man, resigned his position because, having failed in business, he was afraid some one might make a disparaging remark on his account against the cause he loved so well. In these days if his example were followed by the officers of some of the churches here, there would have to be a special election to fill vacancies. In one of the principal churches a marble slab has been

erected, commemorating the memory of one of its deacons, who was a thorough and sincere man in every respect. It is the only case I know of. It was characteristic of those times, not the present. The church wielded an influence then that it does not now. There were more persons who attended the service of the church than now, in proportion to the population.

The people, too, have changed. Even some of the prominent members of the old Vigilance Committee feel today that they are poor on account of what they did then; and as with almost all the modern question of how to provide for bread and butter is the all-absorbing one, they feel more interest in that question now, than they did thirtyone years ago in the heroic stand they took for pure government.

As for the new comers, they are not expected to have that strong feeling that early Californians had.

Ultimately this state of affairs must right. itself. A generation will arise that will insist on the proper administration of the laws, and will transmit to their posterity, what it so dearly cost our ancestors elsewhere, and the pioneers of this coast to establish a pure government. Charles J. King.

IX.

A TERRIBLE cry made me look at Barzeitson. The veins of his neck and face were swollen to bursting. His eyes glared. He gasped, panted as he rushed round examining every corner. - Nothing there. The mystery had flown. Suddenly Barzeitson paused.

Douceâme and the

others thought him crazed. - Even I suspected that all was not as I had imagined.

A physician came. He pronounced it a case of syncope, which would probably result in brain fever or congestion.

As the most intimate friend of the family, I was requested to assume charge. I suggested that it would be more en régle to call

at us

For all response Barzeitson stared vacantly then groaned and fell heavily on the floor. We carried him into his room and

The notary came. He telegraphed to Madame. I read in his face that he knew all, and telegraphed simply for appearance's

sake, knowing well that Madame Barzeitson would not return. I judged rightly; she did

not come.

Two nurses were appointed; all was done that could minister to the well being of the patient. The domestics were well trained to their duties; the notary and physician relieved me of all responsibility. I retired to ponder over the singular events of the day and to read Madame's note.

not

It was brief, concise, yet courteous a word of reproach. It was a note that did honor to this incomparable woman. My soul worshiped her more and more. I almost wished that the juggler Barzeitson would die, that I might proclaim aloud my love and devotion, and claim my wife without fearing an obstacle.

The next day I sought Paul, but without finding that philosopher. His servants said that he had left Paris for the country. This procedure impressed me as being very singular, almost as much so as the Barzeitson episode, for Paul disliked the country.

I next called at the Rue des Postes. The patient had the fever.

The fever! It burned also in my veins. Never had I known such feverish unrest. The calm of my life had been suddenly destroyed, and I, a doctor of Mental Philanthropy, plunged into a vortex of temptation, imposture, and mystery. Something must be done. Then I remembered the means by which I solved the problem of my vocation, absolute mental passivity. In a moment I resolved upon my course of action. I must break away from everything and everyone, and pass my days in soft, tranquil seclusion until my mind should recover its tone, and the Barzeitson mysteries be unriddled by time.

Fortunately my valet was a man of great resources and his wife very discreet; both were devotedly attached to me and ever ready to carry out my wishes: so my plan was quite feasible. My circle of friends believed me to be out of town, and in spirit I was far, far distant from the city's tumult and Barzeitson experiments. Gradually my mind grew clear; conflicting emotions sub

sided; the truth that fate works itself out without mortal interference developed day by day, until I could smile at the remembrance of Barzeitson and even the thought of the injury he had done me did not stir me to anger. No, it was clear that destiny would remove him from my path; perhaps even now his name had passed into history, and my wife was free.

When I could contemplate this picture with philosophic calmness I felt that my seclusion had not been useless, and that it was time to return to my world. I rang for my valet, informed him that I was again in Paris, then wended my way to Luxembourg, where I was gladly hailed by some of my old patients.

Upon my return to my apartments I found several notes from Madame de la Fontenaye, all requesting my immediate presence. La baronne was evidently in great distress. I repaired at once to her house.

"My cousin!" she cried. "At last you have returned! Why did you leave us at such a critical moment? Alas, we are ruined! Pity me. Advise me. I am in despair. Yes, my cousin, I am disgraced. Paul has broken my heart, outraged our name, destroyed his prospects."

I looked at her aghast: "What crime has my godson committed? We will save him. He shall not be in prison, he "

"It is nothing of that kind; it is worse. He is infatuated with some horrid woman, black as a mulatress, who dresses and acts like a barbarian."

"Infatuated with a woman, eh! I breathe again. My dear cousin, that will pass, that will pass. We understand young men." "But you do not understand. Pass, indeed yes, I know it will pass, but meanwhile the boy is ruined. His marriage is broken off. Think of it, a million lost! Mademoiselle Lefert was married today to the old Count Gassenaye. But Paul deserves it. Listen while I tell you. You have been absent a month. Two days before you left you dined with us, you remember?" I bowed assent. My cousin continued: "The marriage was all planned then, its

At this sad thought the baronne wept.

I was silent. A light illumined the Barzeitson mystery. My cousin's story formed a link between the empty couch of the curtained recess of a certain laboratory and the appearance of a strange dark beauty in the Champs Elyseés, — between Paul's sudden infatuation and Barzeitson's sudden despair. This unexpected climax did not overwhelm me. It seemed to be the outcome of my own thoughts. I excused myself to my cousin under pretense of finding some cure for Paul's infatuation, but in reality to think over this new phase.

I went into a café and called for a cup of that brain-clearing heart-inspiring beverage, coffee. The waiter placed it on an outside table, and I sat dreamily sipping it and watching the passing crowd, when my attention was aroused by the singular movements of a tall gaunt man, who seemed to be seeking something in the windows, in the passing vehicles, in the faces of the moving crowd.

One of his restless turns brought him face to face with me. Could it be Barzeitson? I spoke the thought aloud. The man stopped, seized me by the hand, exclaiming, My friend Schengel! Ah, I knew I should find some help tonight!"

"Monsieur," I replied, "this meeting is a pleasure; but allow me to take you home. You are not sufficiently well to be out."

The man was mad; madness glared out of his eyes; it rioted in his veins. Much as he had wronged me, yet I pitied him. Perhaps he was not so evil as circumstances made him appear. These scientists are inexplicable creatures; and then perhaps it was the loss of that incomparable woman that had robbed him of his reason, yet why did he call her "it ”?

'Why not go to her?" I answered. "Crave forgiveness. Don't you know she is in London with her friends ? "

"In London! With friends! Crave forgiveness! Of whom are you talking?"

He looked at me as if he thought I was mad, - and the thought of the mysterious beauty did madden me. However I replied calmly :

"Of Madame Barzeitson."

"She is all right. It is the mummy my mummy that I have been robbed of is my mummy that I must find."

- it

He uttered the words with such furious energy that the passers by looked at us wonderingly. This was indeed madness. I tried to escape, but he held me tightly by the arm.

"The wretches," he continued, "the cruel demons, to rob me of all, to rob the world of its greatest glory! The years of privation, disappointments, and labor that I spent in the search for a fit subject! I don't think there is another in all the tombs of Egypt, not another. There was only one, and that I bought. And the days and nights of toil, study, anxiety, while I watched the feeble efforts of returning motion! And the efforts were indeed slow and feeble, for three thousand years of inaction had rusted the very life-springs; but at length inertia was forced

-

"Well! I never shall be well till I find it. Schengel, you have shown yourself my friend, you seemed interested, — help me to find it! I cannot rest till it is found, and my discovery given to the world."

bid it go and come at will. It was no idle dream; there was the proof, for three thousand years a buried mummy, and now living again. Was it not glorious? What mortal man ever dreamed of such triumph? And then to be robbed of all, — all, to find instead of fame, nothing but emptiness!" He moaned out the last words and I sank on a chair. Then before I could recover from the surprise his words caused, he sprang to his feet, and rushed wildly into the crowd, and was soon lost to view. I walked homewards more bewildered than ever.

On the way I met several acquaintances whose conversation soon convinced me that the baroness spoke the truth about Paul's infatuation. It was, in truth, the talk of Paris. Men raved of the savage beauty, Paul's barbarian. Women talked of nothing but her eccentric ways and dress. The fact that she spoke an unknown language inspired curiosity with new zest. The mystery became all-absorbing.

Early the next day I received a visit from a charming widow, a distant cousin of Paul's. "My good cousin," she said, "I see you are much surprised at this visit. This is an era of surprises. I come to you on important business, and I choose to see you here because we shall be less disturbed than at my own house. Pray give orders that no one be admitted; my business is of great importance. Paul's craziness—my cousin, we must cure him, for I intend to marry him. Now give me your opinion."

There is nothing comparable to a woman's acuteness in solving mysteries and escaping from dilemmas. I resolved to make a confidante of this beautiful and witty lady, who was so much interested in Paul. I felt she could save us.

I told her everything that had occurred since my first meeting with Barzeitson. She listened in breathless interest. When I related to her the occurrence of the preceding evening she became exceedingly excited.

"I must see this professor immediately. Do not lose a moment. My carriage is at the door. Let us go.

How womanly impetuous, so unlike my adorable one! But I also felt anxious to

solve the mystery; so I obeyed unmurmuringly.

In half an hour Madame de Lancy's carriage stopped at Barzeitson's door. We found the Professor suffering greatly from weakness and the reaction of intense excitement. He could with difficulty rise to receive us. The introduction over, Madame de Lancy requested a private interview with the Professor. I withdrew and passed into the laboratory. The animals glared at me in stony silence. The curtain was drawn back. The recess was tenantless. All was silent as the grave, the dust fast gathering on everything. To its unpleasant reminiscences there was added the sense of desolation. It made me shiver. I walked out into the garden.

An hour elapsed — voices broke in upon my reverie. I turned to meet Madame de Lancy and Barzeitson. I started at the change in him. The wild expression and restless mien had vanished; his step was firm, elastic; hope beamed from his face.

"It is all right now; I shall soon have it," he whispered to me.

"Au revoir, Professor, it is all agreed, and you will not forget," said Madame smiling. "Forget! Ah, Madame! Can a man forget his life?"

"Then goodby till this evening. Come, my cousin. The professor has much to do; so have I."

Barzeitson reverentially kissed the widow's hand, then handed her into the carriage with the grace of a marquis.

I did not yet know this extraordinary being, but certainly the fair sex ruled his genius.

That evening I received a note from Madame de Lancy, requesting me to buy three tickets and dominoes for a masked ball coming off the next night, and to be ready to accompany her. A postscript informed me that the third ticket was for the Professor.

Barzeitson at a ball! The idea was ludicrous in the extreme.

The next day I called upon Paul, but was refused admittance. He avoided me. I went to Luxembourg, but my vocation had. lost its charms.

Night came at last, and I repaired to Ma

dame de Lancy's. The Professor, muffled in a black domino, was already there. Before leaving the house Madame drew me aside and said in her fascinating, irresistible way: "My good cousin, Paul and his barbarian will be at the ball. Now, I wish to enjoy a short tête à tête with Paul. I shall take possession of him; our good Professor will do the same with the barbarian. While I am talking with Paul, you must come up hurriedly and whisper into his ear the news that you will find written on this card. Be sure you make yourself known, and act well your part. Paul must leave the ball-room alone, you understand. Never mind a little fib; the end justifies the means. And don't give me too long a tête-à-tête with Paul three minutes will suffice; not a second more. One more instruction: keep us well in sight, but do not appear with us. The slightest suspicion that we are one party will destroy our hopes. Get Paul away alone - it will be enough."

This weirdly enchanting creature looked in dreamy impassiveness upon the motley crowd. A fierce repose characterized her. Did the weight of three thousand years hang upon her brow? Did awful mystery weave its spell around her? I shuddered at the thought, yet she was strangely unlike the women around her

66

The crowd noticed the unlikeness and eagerly curious pressed around her. Suddenly a cry arose, - its source no one knew, though I divined it; the cry grew, till it filled the hall: "My mummy!"—"A muminy!" "The mummy!" 'Mummy" was the cry from hundreds of throats; a rush was made to see the mummy. From a distance Paul's beautiful barbarian did certainly somewhat resemble a mummy, - quite enough to make the crowd, eager for fun, press on madly towards Paul.

The ball was like all other masked balls, a moving mass of ugliness, oddness and confusion. These amusements are my detestation. I began to regret coming, when a buzz of astonishment and admiration made me look toward the point whither all eyes were directed. I saw an Alexander the Great escorting a daughter of Ancient Egypt the Egypt of the pyramids-such as we imagine Nitocris or the princess fostermother of Moses.

"It is Paul and his barbarian. She is not even masked," whispered Madame de Lancy. "Professor Barzeitson, restrain yourself; be calm or we lose our prize."

Madame immediately took possession of him. I could also see that the Professor claimed his mummy, and disappeared with it amid the crowd.

These changes were so adroitly performed that they seemed nothing more than the usual frolics of a masquerade. The plot progressed well. I remembered my instructions and hastened to join Paul and Madame de Lancy.

Paul's infatuation did not prevent him from bestowing very gallant attentions upon his unknown partner. They seemed to be progressing very well, and I began to think that my rôle would not be required, when a little. sign from Madame bade me be quick. I approached them hastily. "Are you Monsier Paul de La Fontenaye?"

Paul started. I raised my mask.

"My godfather! you here? What is the matter?"

"Your servants told me that I should find

you here. Your mother is ill, dying, — she must see you."

Paul was greatly shocked by the news.
"I go now, this instant. My mother, how