I was your father's slave before I married him.

His relatives have set aside his will.

The courts have declared our marriage null and void and my manumission illegal, and we are all to be remanded to slavery." An expression of horror and anguish swept over Iola's face, and, turning deathly pale, she exclaimed, "Oh, mother, it can't be so! you must be dreaming!" "No, my child; it is a terrible reality." Almost wild with agony, Iola paced the floor, as the fearful truth broke in crushing anguish upon her mind.

Then bursting into a paroxysm of tears succeeded by peals of hysterical laughter, said:-- "I used to say that slavery is right.

I didn't know what I was talking about." Then growing calmer, she said, "Mother, who is at the bottom of this downright robbery ?" "Alfred Lorraine; I have always dreaded that man, and what I feared has come to pass.