Sheseemedtohaveaconfuseddesiretokeepmefromleavingherafterthedoorhadclosedbehindus；butIbrokeawayandrandownstairstothesurgery，togoandcryformylostplaymatewiththesharerofallourgames，UncleGeorge。
Iopenedthesurgerydoorandcouldseenobody。Idriedmytearsandlookedallroundtheroom——itwasempty。IranupstairsagaintoUncleGeorge’sgarretbedroom——hewasnotthere；hischeaphairbrushandoldcast—offrazor—casethathadbelongedtomygrandfatherwerenotonthedressing—table。Hadhegotsomeotherbedroom？Iwentoutonthelandingandcalledsoftly，withanunaccountableterrorandsinkingatmyheart：
\"UncleGeorge！\"
Nobodyanswered；butmyauntcamehastilyupthegarretstairs。
\"Hush！\"shesaid。\"Youmustnevercallthatnameouthereagain！\"
Shestoppedsuddenly，andlookedasifherownwordshadfrightenedher。
\"IsUncleGeorgedead？\"Iasked。Myauntturnedredandpale，andstammered。
Ididnotwaittohearwhatshesaid。Ibrushedpasther，downthestairs。Myheartwasbursting——myfleshfeltcold。Iranbreathlesslyandrecklesslyintotheroomwheremyfatherandmotherhadreceivedme。Theywerebothsittingtherestill。Iranuptothem，wringingmyhands，andcryingoutinapassionoftears：
\"IsUncleGeorgedead？\"
Mymothergaveascreamthatterrifiedmeintoinstantsilenceandstillness。Myfatherlookedatherforamoment，rangthebellthatsummonedthemaid，thenseizedmeroughlybythearmanddraggedmeoutoftheroom。
Hetookmedownintothestudy，seatedhimselfinhisaccustomedchair，andputmebeforehimbetweenhisknees。Hislipswereawfullywhite，andIfelthistwohands，astheygraspedmyshoulders，shakingviolently。
\"YouarenevertomentionthenameofUncleGeorgeagain，\"hesaid，inaquick，angry，tremblingwhisper。\"Nevertome，nevertoyourmother，nevertoyouraunt，nevertoanybodyinthisworld！Never——never——never！\"
Therepetitionofthewordterrifiedmeevenmorethanthesuppressedvehemencewithwhichhespoke。HesawthatIwasfrightened，andsoftenedhismanneralittlebeforehewenton。
\"YouwillneverseeUncleGeorgeagain，\"hesaid。\"YourmotherandIloveyoudearly；butifyouforgetwhatIhavetoldyou，youwillbesentawayfromhome。Neverspeakthatnameagain——mind，never！Nowkissme，andgoaway。\"
Howhislipstrembled——andoh，howcoldtheyfeltonmine！
Ishrunkoutoftheroomthemomenthehadkissedme，andwentandhidmyselfinthegarden。
\"UncleGeorgeisgone。Iamnevertoseehimanymore；Iamnevertospeakofhimagain\"——thosewerethewordsIrepeatedtomyself，withindescribableterrorandconfusion，themomentIwasalone。TherewassomethingunspeakablyhorribletomyyoungmindinthismysterywhichIwascommandedalwaystorespect，andwhich，sofarasIthenknew，Icouldneverhopetoseerevealed。
Myfather，mymother，myaunt，allappearedtobeseparatedfrommenowbysomeimpassablebarrier。HomeseemedhomenolongerwithCarolinedead，UncleGeorgegone，andaforbiddensubjectoftalkperpetuallyandmysteriouslyinterposingbetweenmyparentsandme。
ThoughIneverinfringedthecommandmyfatherhadgivenmeinhisstudy（hiswordsandlooks，andthatdreadfulscreamofmymother’s，whichseemedtobestillringinginmyears，weremorethanenoughtoinsuremyobedience），IalsoneverlostthesecretdesiretopenetratethedarknesswhichcloudedoverthefateofUncleGeorge。
FortwoyearsIremainedathomeanddiscoverednothing。IfI
askedtheservantsaboutmyuncle，theycouldonlytellmethatonemorninghedisappearedfromthehouse。Ofthemembersofmyfather’sfamilyIcouldmakenoinquiries。Theylivedfaraway，andnevercametoseeus；andtheideaofwritingtothem，atmyageandinmyposition，wasoutofthequestion。Myauntwasasunapproachablysilentasmyfatherandmother；butIneverforgothowherfacehadalteredwhenshereflectedforamomentafterhearingofmyextraordinaryadventurewhilegoinghomewiththeservantoverthesandsatnight。ThemoreIthoughtofthatchangeofcountenanceinconnectionwithwhathadoccurredonmyreturntomyfather’shouse，themorecertainIfeltthatthestrangerwhohadkissedmeandweptovermemusthavebeennootherthanUncleGeorge。
AttheendofmytwoyearsathomeIwassenttoseainthemerchantnavybymyownearnestdesire。IhadalwaysdeterminedtobeasailorfromthetimewhenIfirstwenttostaywithmyauntatthesea—side，andIpersistedlongenoughinmyresolutiontomakemyparentsrecognizethenecessityofaccedingtomywishes。
Mynewlifedelightedme，andIremainedawayonforeignstationsmorethanfouryears。WhenIatlengthreturnedhome，itwastofindanewafflictiondarkeningourfireside。MyfatherhaddiedontheverydaywhenIsailedformyreturnvoyagetoEngland。
AbsenceandchangeofscenehadinnorespectweakenedmydesiretopenetratethemysteryofUncleGeorge’sdisappearance。Mymother’shealthwassodelicatethatIhesitatedforsometimetoapproachtheforbiddensubjectinherpresence。WhenIatlastventuredtorefertoit，suggestingtoherthatanyprudentreservewhichmighthavebeennecessarywhileIwasachild，neednolongerbepersistedinnowthatIwasgrowingtobeayoungman，shefellintoaviolentfitoftrembling，andcommandedmetosaynomore。Ithadbeenmyfather’swill，shesaid，thatthereservetowhichIreferredshouldbealwaysadoptedtowardme；
hehadnotauthorizedher，beforehedied，tospeakmoreopenly；
and，nowthathewasgone，shewouldnotsomuchasthinkofactingonherownunaidedjudgment。MyauntsaidthesamethingineffectwhenIappealedtoher。Determinednottobediscouragedevenyet，Iundertookajourney，ostensiblytopaymyrespectstomyfather’sfamily，butwiththesecretintentionoftryingwhatIcouldlearninthatquarteronthesubjectofUncleGeorge。
Myinvestigationsledtosomeresults，thoughtheywerebynomeanssatisfactory。Georgehadalwaysbeenlookeduponwithsomethinglikecontemptbyhishandsomesistersandhisprosperousbrothers，andhehadnotimprovedhispositioninthefamilybyhiswarmadvocacyofhisbrother’scauseatthetimeofmyfather’smarriage。Ifoundthatmyuncle’ssurvivingrelativesnowspokeofhimslightinglyandcarelessly。Theyassuredmethattheyhadneverheardfromhim，andthattheyknewnothingabouthim，exceptthathehadgoneawaytosettle，astheysupposed，insomeforeignplace，afterhavingbehavedverybaselyandbadlytomyfather。HehadbeentracedtoLondon，wherehehadsoldoutofthefundsthesmallshareofmoneywhichhehadinheritedafterhisfather’sdeath，andhehadbeenseenonthedeckofapacketboundforFrancelateronthesameday。Beyondthisnothingwasknownabouthim。Inwhattheallegedbasenessofhisbehaviorhadconsistednoneofhisbrothersandsisterscouldtellme。Myfatherhadrefusedtopainthembygoingintoparticulars，notonlyatthetimeofhisbrother’sdisappearance，butafterward，wheneverthesubjectwasmentioned。Georgehadalwaysbeentheblacksheepoftheflock，andhemusthavebeenconsciousofhisownbaseness，orhewouldcertainlyhavewrittentoexplainandtojustifyhimself。
SuchweretheparticularswhichIgleanedduringmyvisittomyfather’sfamily。Tomymind，theytendedrathertodeepenthantorevealthemystery。Thatsuchagentle，docile，affectionatecreatureasUncleGeorgeshouldhaveinjuredthebrotherhelovedbywordordeedatanyperiodoftheirintercourse，seemedincredible；butthatheshouldhavebeenguiltyofanactofbasenessattheverytimewhenmysisterwasdyingwassimplyandplainlyimpossible。AndyettherewastheincomprehensiblefactstaringmeinthefacethatthedeathofCarolineandthedisappearanceofUncleGeorgehadtakenplaceinthesameweek！
NeverdidIfeelmoredauntedandbewilderedbythefamilysecretthanafterIhadheardalltheparticularsinconnectionwithitthatmyfather’srelativeshadtotellme。
Imaypassovertheeventsofthenextfewyearsofmylifebrieflyenough。
Mynauticalpursuitsfilledupallmytime，andtookmefarawayfrommycountryandmyfriends。But，whateverIdid，andwhereverIwent，thememoryofUncleGeorge，andthedesiretopenetratethemysteryofhisdisappearance，hauntedmelikefamiliarspirits。Often，inthelonelywatchesofthenightatsea，didI
recallthedarkeveningonthebeach，thestrangeman’shurriedembrace，thestartlingsensationoffeelinghistearsonmycheeks，thedisappearanceofhimbeforeIhadbreathorself—possessionenoughtosayaword。OftendidIthinkovertheinexplicableeventsthatfollowed，whenIhadreturned，aftermysister’sfuneral，tomyfather’shouse；andoftenerstilldidI
puzzlemybrainsvainly，intheattempttoformsomeplanforinducingmymotherormyaunttodisclosethesecretwhichtheyhadhithertokeptfrommesoperseveringly。MyonlychanceofknowingwhathadreallyhappenedtoUncleGeorge，myonlyhopeofseeinghimagain，restedwiththosetwonearanddearrelatives。
Idespairedofevergettingmymothertospeakontheforbiddensubjectafterwhathadpassedbetweenus，butIfeltmoresanguineaboutmyprospectsofultimatelyinducingmyaunttorelaxinherdiscretion。Myanticipations，however，inthisdirectionwerenotdestinedtobefulfilled。OnmynextvisittoEnglandIfoundmyauntprostratedbyaparalyticattack，whichdeprivedherofthepowerofspeech。Shediedsoonafterwardinmyarms，leavingmehersoleheir。Isearchedanxiouslyamongherpapersforsomereferencetothefamilymystery，butfoundnoclewtoguideme。Allmymother’sletterstohersisteratthetimeofCaroline’sillnessanddeathhadbeendestroyed。
CHAPTERIII。
MOREyearspassed；mymotherfollowedmyaunttothegrave，andstillIwasasfaraseverfrommakinganydiscoveriesinrelationtoUncleGeorge。Shortlyaftertheperiodofthislastafflictionmyhealthgaveway，andIdeparted，bymydoctor’sadvice，totrysomebathsinthesouthofFrance。
Itraveledslowlytomydestination，turningasidefromthedirectroad，andstoppingwhereverIpleased。Oneevening，whenI
wasnotmorethantwoorthreedays’journeyfromthebathstowhichIwasbound，Iwasstruckbythepicturesquesituationofalittletownplacedonthebrowofahillatsomedistancefromthemainroad，andresolvedtohaveanearerlookattheplace，withaviewtostoppingthereforthenight，ifitpleasedme。I
foundtheprincipalinncleanandquiet——orderedmybedthere——and，afterdinner，strolledouttolookatthechurch。NothoughtofUncleGeorgewasinmymindwhenIenteredthebuilding；andyet，atthatverymoment，chancewasleadingmetothediscoverywhich，forsomanyyearspast，Ihadvainlyendeavoredtomake——thediscoverywhichIhadgivenupashopelesssincethedayofmymother’sdeath。
Ifoundnothingworthnoticeinthechurch，andwasabouttoleaveitagain，whenIcaughtaglimpseofaprettyviewthroughasidedoor，andstoppedtoadmireit。
Thechurchyardformedtheforeground，andbelowitthehill—sideslopedawaygentlyintotheplain，overwhichthesunwassettinginfullglory。Thecureofthechurchwasreadinghisbreviary，walkingupanddownagravel—paththatpartedtherowsofgraves。
InthecourseofmywanderingsIhadlearnedtospeakFrenchasfluentlyasmostEnglishmen，andwhenthepriestcamenearmeI
saidafewwordsinpraiseoftheview，andcomplimentedhimontheneatnessandprettinessofthechurchyard。Heansweredwithgreatpoliteness，andwegotintoconversationtogetherimmediately。
Aswestrolledalongthegravel—walk，myattentionwasattractedbyoneofthegravesstandingapartfromtherest。Thecrossattheheadofitdifferedremarkably，insomepointsofappearance，fromthecrossesontheothergraves。Whilealltheresthadgarlandshungonthem，thisonecrosswasquitebare；and，moreextraordinarystill，nonamewasinscribedonit。
Thepriest，observingthatIstoppedtolookatthegrave，shookhisheadandsighed。
\"Acountrymanofyoursisburiedthere，\"hesaid。\"Iwaspresentathisdeath。Hehadbornetheburdenofagreatsorrowamongus，inthistown，formanywearyyears，andhisconducthadtaughtustorespectandpityhimwithallourhearts。\"
\"Howisitthathisnameisnotinscribedoverhisgrave？\"I
inquired。
\"Itwassuppressedbyhisowndesire，\"answeredthepriest，withsomelittlehesitation。\"Heconfessedtomeinhislastmomentsthathehadlivedhereunderanassumedname。Iaskedhisrealname，andhetoldittome，withtheparticularsofhissadstory。Hehadreasonsfordesiringtobeforgottenafterhisdeath。Almostthelastwordshespokewere，’Letmynamediewithme。’AlmostthelastrequesthemadewasthatIwouldkeepthatnameasecretfromalltheworldexceptingonlyoneperson。\"
\"Somerelative，Isuppose？\"saidI。
\"Yes——anephew，\"saidthepriest。
Themomentthelastwordwasoutofhismouth，myheartgaveastrangeansweringbound。IsupposeImusthavechangedcoloralso，forthecurelookedatmewithsuddenattentionandinterest。
\"Anephew，\"thepriestwenton，\"whomhehadlovedlikehisownchild。Hetoldmethatifthisnephewevertracedhimtohisburial—place，andaskedabouthim，IwasfreeinthatcasetodiscloseallIknew。’IshouldlikemylittleCharleytoknowthetruth，’hesaid。’Inspiteofthedifferenceinourages，CharleyandIwereplaymatesyearsago。’\"
Myheartbeatfaster，andIfeltachokingsensationatthethroatthemomentIheardthepriestunconsciouslymentionmyChristiannameinmentioningthedyingman’slastwords。
AssoonasIcouldsteadymyvoiceandfeelcertainofmyself—possession，Icommunicatedmyfamilynametothecure，andaskedhimifthatwasnotpartofthesecretthathehadbeenrequestedtopreserve。
Hestartedbackseveralsteps，andclaspedhishandsamazedly。
\"Canitbe？\"hesaid，inlowtones，gazingatmeearnestly，withsomethinglikedreadinhisface。
Igavehimmypassport，andlookedawaytowardthegrave。Thetearscameintomyeyesastherecollectionsofpastdayscrowdedbackonme。HardlyknowingwhatIdid，Ikneltdownbythegrave，andsmoothedthegrassoveritwithmyhand。Oh，UncleGeorge，whynothavetoldyoursecrettoyouroldplaymate？Whyleavehimtofindyou_here？_
Thepriestraisedmegently，andbeggedmetogowithhimintohisownhouse。Onourwaythere，ImentionedpersonsandplacesthatIthoughtmyunclemighthavespokenof，inordertosatisfymycompanionthatIwasreallythepersonIrepresentedmyselftobe。Bythetimewehadenteredhislittleparlor，andhadsatdownaloneinit，wewerealmostlikeoldfriendstogether。
IthoughtitbestthatIshouldbeginbytellingallthatIhaverelatedhereonthesubjectofUncleGeorge，andhisdisappearancefromhome。Myhostlistenedwithaverysadface，andsaid，whenIhaddone：
\"IcanunderstandyouranxietytoknowwhatIamauthorizedtotellyou，butpardonmeifIsayfirstthattherearecircumstancesinyouruncle’sstorywhichitmaypainyoutohear——\"Hestoppedsuddenly。
\"Whichitmaypainmetohearasanephew？\"Iasked。
\"No，\"saidthepriest，lookingawayfromme，\"asason。\"
Igratefullyexpressedmysenseofthedelicacyandkindnesswhichhadpromptedmycompanion’swarning，butIbeggedhim，atthesametime，tokeepmenolongerinsuspenseandtotellmethesterntruth，nomatterhowpainfullyitmightaffectmeasalistener。
\"IntellingmeallyouknewaboutwhatyoutermtheFamilySecret，\"saidthepriest，\"youhavementionedasastrangecoincidencethatyoursister’sdeathandyouruncle’sdisappearancetookplaceatthesametime。Didyoueversuspectwhatcauseitwasthatoccasionedyoursister’sdeath？\"
\"Ionlyknewwhatmyfathertoldme，andwhatallourfriendsbelieved——thatshehadatumorintheneck，or，asIsometimeshearditstated，fromtheeffectonherconstitutionofatumorintheneck。\"
\"Shediedunderanoperationfortheremovalofthattumor，\"saidthepriest，inlowtones；\"andtheoperatorwasyourUncleGeorge。\"
Inthosefewwordsallthetruthburstuponme。
\"Consoleyourselfwiththethoughtthatthelongmartyrdomofhislifeisover，\"thepriestwenton。\"Herests；heisatpeace。Heandhislittledarlingunderstandeachother，andarehappynow。
Thatthoughtborehimuptothelastonhisdeath—bed。Healwaysspokeofyoursisterashis’littledarling。’Hefirmlybelievedthatshewaswaitingtoforgiveandconsolehimintheotherworld——andwhoshallsayhewasdeceivedinthatbelief？\"
NotI！Notanyonewhohaseverlovedandsuffered，surely！
\"Itwasoutofthedepthsofhisself—sacrificingloveforthechildthathedrewthefatalcouragetoundertaketheoperation，\"
continuedthepriest。\"Yourfathernaturallyshrankfromattemptingit。Hismedicalbrethrenwhomheconsultedalldoubtedtheproprietyoftakinganymeasuresfortheremovalofthetumor，intheparticularconditionandsituationofitwhentheywerecalledin。Yourunclealonedifferedwiththem。Hewastoomodestamantosayso，butyourmotherfounditout。Thedeformityofherbeautifulchildhorrifiedher。Shewasdesperateenoughtocatchatthefaintesthopeofremedyingitthatanyonemightholdouttoher；andshepersuadedyouruncletoputhisopiniontotheproof。Herhorroratthedeformityofthechild，andherdespairattheprospectofitslastingforlife，seemtohaveutterlyblindedhertoallnaturalsenseofthedangeroftheoperation。Itishardtoknowhowtosayittoyou，herson，butitmustbetold，nevertheless，thatoneday，whenyourfatherwasout，sheuntrulyinformedyourunclethathisbrotherhadconsentedtotheperformanceoftheoperation，andthathehadgonepurposelyoutofthehousebecausehehadnotnerveenoughtostayandwitnessit。Afterthat，yourunclenolongerhesitated。Hehadnofearofresults，providedhecouldbecertainofhisowncourage。Allhedreadedwastheeffectonhimofhisloveforthechildwhenhefirstfoundhimselffacetofacewiththedreadfulnecessityoftouchingherskinwiththeknife。\"
Itriedhardtocontrolmyself，butIcouldnotrepressashudderatthosewords。
\"Itisuselesstoshockyoubygoingintoparticulars，\"saidthepriest，considerately。\"LetitbeenoughifIsaythatyouruncle’sfortitudefailedtosupporthimwhenhewanteditmost。
Hisloveforthechildshookthefirmhandwhichhadnevertrembledbefore。Inaword，theoperationfailed。Yourfatherreturned，andfoundhischilddying。Thefrenzyofhisdespairwhenthetruthwastoldhimcarriedhimtoexcesseswhichitshocksmetomention——excesseswhichbeganinhisdegradinghisbrotherbyablow，whichendedinhisbindinghimselfbyanoathtomakethatbrothersufferpublicpunishmentforhisfatalrashnessinacourtoflaw。Yourunclewastooheartbrokenbywhathadhappenedtofeelthoseoutragesassomemenmighthavefeltthem。Helookedforonemomentathissister—in—law（Idonotliketosayyourmother，consideringwhatIhavenowtotellyou），toseeifshewouldacknowledgethatshehadencouragedhimtoattempttheoperation，andthatshehaddeceivedhiminsayingthathehadhisbrother’spermissiontotryit。Shewassilent，andwhenshespoke，itwastojoinherhusbandindenouncinghimasthemurdereroftheirchild。Whetherfearofyourfather’sanger，orrevengefulindignationagainstyourunclemostactuatedher，Icannotpresumetoinquireinyourpresence。Icanonlystatefacts。\"
Thepriestpausedandlookedatmeanxiously。Icouldnotspeaktohimatthatmoment——Icouldonlyencouragehimtoproceedbypressinghishand。
Heresumedintheseterms：
\"Meanwhile，youruncleturnedtoyourfather，andspokethelastwordshewasevertoaddresstohiseldestbrotherinthisworld。
Hesaid，’Ihavedeservedtheworstyourangercaninflictonme，butIwillspareyouthescandalofbringingmetojusticeinopencourt。Thelaw，ifitfoundmeguilty，couldattheworstbutbanishmefrommycountryandmyfriends。Iwillgoofmyownaccord。GodismywitnessthatIhonestlybelievedIcouldsavethechildfromdeformityandsuffering。Ihaveriskedallandlostall。Myheartandspiritarebroken。Iamfitfornothingbuttogoandhidemyself，andmyshameandmisery，fromalleyesthathaveeverlookedonme。Ishallnevercomeback，neverexpectyourpityorforgiveness。IfyouthinklessharshlyofmewhenIamgone，keepsecretwhathashappened；letnootherlipssayofmewhatyoursandyourwife’shavesaid。Ishallthinkthatforbearanceatonementenough——atonementgreaterthanIhavedeserved。Forgetmeinthisworld。Maywemeetinanother，wherethesecretsofallheartsareopened，andwherethechildwhoisgonebeforemaymakepeacebetweenus！’Hesaidthosewordsandwentout。Yourfatherneversawhimorheardfromhimagain。\"
Iknewthereasonnowwhymyfatherhadneverconfidedthetruthtoanyone，hisownfamilyincluded。Mymotherhadevidentlyconfessedalltohersisterunderthesealofsecrecy，andtherethedreadfuldisclosurehadbeenarrested。
\"Youruncletoldme，\"thepriestcontinued，\"thatbeforeheleftEnglandhetookleaveofyoubystealth，inaplaceyouwerestayingatbythesea—side。Tiehadnotthehearttoquithiscountryandhisfriendsforeverwithoutkissingyouforthelasttime。Hefollowedyouinthedark，andcaughtyouupinhisarms，andleftyouagainbeforeyouhadachanceofdiscoveringhim。
ThenextdayhequittedEngland。\"
\"Forthisplace？\"Iasked。
\"Yes。HehadspentaweekhereoncewithastudentfriendatthetimewhenhewasapupilintheHotelDieu，andtothisplacehereturnedtohide，tosuffer，andtodie。Weallsawthathewasamancrushedandbrokenbysomegreatsorrow，andwerespectedhimandhisaffliction。Helivedalone，andonlycameoutofdoorstowardevening，whenheusedtositonthebrowofthehillyonder，withhisheadonhishand，lookingtowardEngland。Thatplaceseemedafavoritewithhim，andheisburiedclosebyit。
Herevealedthestoryofhispastlifetonolivingsoulherebutme，andtomeheonlyspokewhenhislasthourwasapproaching。
Whathehadsufferedduringhislongexilenomancanpresumetosay。I，whosawmoreofhimthananyone，neverheardawordofcomplaintfallfromhislips。Hehadthecourageofthemartyrswhilehelived，andtheresignationofthesaintswhenhedied。
Justatthelasthismindwandered。Hesaidhesawhislittledarlingwaitingbythebedsidetoleadhimaway，andhediedwithasmileonhisface——thefirstIhadeverseenthere。\"
Thepriestceased，andwewentouttogetherinthemournfultwilight，andstoodforalittlewhileonthebrowofthehillwhereUncleGeorgeusedtosit，withhisfaceturnedtowardEngland。HowmyheartachedforhimasIthoughtofwhathemusthavesufferedinthesilenceandsolitudeofhislongexile！WasitwellformethatIhaddiscoveredtheFamilySecretatlast？I
havesometimesthoughtnot。IhavesometimeswishedthatthedarknesshadneverbeenclearedawaywhichoncehidfrommethefateofUncleGeorge。
THETHIRDDAY。
FINEagain。Ourguestrodeout，withherraggedlittlegroom，asusual。Therewasnonewsyetinthepaper——thatistosay，nonewsofGeorgeorhisship。
OnthisdayMorgancompletedhissecondstory，andintwoorthreedaysmoreIexpectedtofinishthelastofmyowncontributions。Owenwasstillbehindhandandstilldespondent。
Thelotdrawingto—nightwasFive。ThisprovedtobethenumberofthefirstofMorgan’sstories，whichhehadcompletedbeforewebeganthereadings。Hissecondstory，finishedthisday，beingstilluncorrectedbyme，couldnotyetbeaddedtothecommonstock。
Onbeinginformedthatithadcometohisturntooccupytheattentionofthecompany，Morganstartledusbyimmediatelyobjectingtothetroubleofreadinghisowncomposition，andbycoollyhandingitovertome，onthegroundthatmynumerouscorrectionshadmadeit，toallintentsandpurposes，mystory。
OwenandIbothremonstrated；andJessie，mischievouslypersistinginherfavoritejestatMorgan’sexpense，entreatedthathewouldread，ifitwasonlyforhersake。Findingthatwewerealldetermined，andallagainsthim，hedeclaredthat，ratherthanhearourvoicesanylonger，hewouldsubmittotheminorinconvenienceoflisteningtohisown。Accordingly，hetookhismanuscriptbackagain，and，withanairofsurlyresignation，spreaditopenbeforehim。
\"Idon’tthinkyouwilllikethisstory，miss，\"hebegan，addressingJessie，\"butIshallreadit，nevertheless，withthegreatestpleasure。Itbeginsinastable——itgropesitswaythroughadream——itkeepscompanywithahostler——anditstopswithoutanend。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"
Afterfavoringhisaudiencewiththispromisingpreface，Morganindulgedhimselfinachuckleofsupremesatisfaction，andthenbegantoread，withoutwastinganotherpreliminarywordonanyoneofus。
BROTHERMORGAN’SSTORY
ofTHEDREAM—WOMAN。