episode of his collage life be thrust before the public, and
allowed to blacken the fair escutcheon we are so jealously
anxious to protect, I dread the consequences. Only horror of a
notorious scandal prevented me long ago from applying for a
divorce, which could very easily have been obtained, but we
shrink from the publicity, and moreover the case does not seem to
demand compliance with even the ordinary forms of law. Believing
that you, my dear sir, would not avow yourself _particeps
criminis_ in so unjust and vile a crusade against the peace and
honour of my family were you acquainted with the facts, I have
taken the liberty of writing you this brief and incomplete
_résumé_ of the outrages perpetrated upon me and mine, and must
refer you for disgraceful details to my agent, Mr. Peleg Peterson
of Whitefield, ---- Co., ----. Hoping that you will not add to
the injury you have already inflicted, by further complicity in
this audacious scheme of fraud and blackmail,

"I am, dear sir, respectfully
An afflicted father,
RENÉ LAURANCE.

"P.S.--Should you desire to communicate with me, my address for
several months will be, Care of the American Legation, Paris."

How many men or women, with lives of average length and incident,
have failed to recognize, nay to cower before the fact, that all
along the highways and byways of the earthly pilgrimage they have
been hounded by a dismal _cortége_ of retarded messages,--lost
opportunities,--miscarried warnings,--procrastinated prayers,--dilatory
deeds,--and laggard faces,--that howl for ever in their shuddering