CHAPTER I THE JOURNEY The Duchess of Banford and her two children were driving toward their villa, when, owing to the roughness of the road, the front wheel of their coach was suddenly broken. Considerably frightened, mother and children quickly alighted. The approaching darkness, coupled with the loneliness of the place, added to the difficulty; […]

CHAPTER I THE GIFT A little village with its scattered glimmering lights lay in peaceful dreams. Just as a black swan draws her young under her, so the mighty Cathedral rested in the midst of the low houses, which seemed to creep, like birds, under its wing. It struck twelve from the church tower, and […]

CHAPTER I MISSING Many years ago, in a quaint little village bordering the bank of the Rhine River, there lived a hard-working farmer, named Joseph Swift, and his industrious wife, Caroline. Their neat little white cottage stood very near the edge of the water, where on the bright, sunny days it was beautifully reflected. On […]

Chapter I The Artist If one had been seeking for a man who combined all the qualities of goodness and greatness, one would have chosen artist Laurier. He bore the title of “Master of Arts” and his works, mostly landscapes, were famous far and wide. He had amassed a considerable fortune, and his house was […]

CHAPTER I THE OPEN DOOR Respected and beloved by all her neighbors, Mrs. Linden, a rich widow, lived a solitary life in her grand, old castle. One day some urgent business called her to the city of Antwerp. Here she was detained longer than she had expected, and during her stay she visited the principal […]

CHAPTER I THE SUBURBS During those unhappy times when the Empire of France was overthrown and a number of the richest people were plunged into the deepest misery, a very wealthy family, named Berlow, lived in a palace in Paris. Count Berlow was a high-minded, honorable man, and his wife was good and charitable. Their […]

Chapter I The Change of Circumstances A very wealthy and worthy merchant, named Vollmar, lived in a large commercial city. Here he carried on a prosperous business which had descended to him from his father. By clever management, industry and honesty, he succeeded in enlarging it; and thereby increased his wealth. Up to the present […]