A sudden temptation came to the troubled Jones, and he did not fight against it, but rather welcomed it as an inspiration. Walking noiselessly across the snow, Jones placed his burden inside the cab upon the cushions, and closed the door so softly that it did not attract the attention of the tired and sleepy driver on the box. "God bless you and raise you up a friend this awful night, you poor little wretch!" apostrophized Jones, as he returned from the scene and re-entered the Carew mansion. He had not been gone ten minutes before a servant came from the house before which the cab was waiting and roused the sleepy cabby. "The lady as you brought here has decided to stay all night with her sick mother, so she told me to pay you and send you away," he said. "All right, but I wish she had made up her mind afore she kep' me a-waitin' here all night! I be frozen with the cold, that's what I be!" grumbled the driver, accepting the double fee ungraciously, and driving away at a high rate of speed, all unconscious of the silent passenger inside. He went rattling down to a large hotel, hoping he might get a fare for the theater. A tall, handsome young man came down the steps and hailed him. "Take me to the Opera House," he said, opening the door and springing lightly in. "All right, sir," and away they went. Teddy Darrell, the new fare, pulled up the collar of his long, fur-lined overcoat about his ears, and was about to settle himself comfortably when he received a violent shock. He discovered that he was not alone in the cab. A slight girlish form, shrouded in a heavy cloak, was huddled up on the opposite seat, and low moans were issuing from its lips. CHAPTER XXVI. "I WOULD LAY DOWN MY LIFE TO SERVE YOU!" SAID TEDDY. How was any one to know That those eyes had looked just so On a hundred other women with a glance as light and strange? There are men who change their passions Even oftener than their fashions And the best of loving always, to their minds, is still to change. JOHN T. TROWBRIDGE. Teddy Darrell had had some adventures in his day, and was not given to nerves, so he did not let the shock of his discovery overcome him. The thought flashed over him that some drunken woman had crept into the cab, unknown to the driver, and fallen into a troubled slumber. The flaring lanterns on the outside of the cab did not afford much light, so Teddy struck a match and held it over the face of his unknown companion. Then indeed he had a shock much greater than the first one. The lighted match fell from his hand and he recoiled with a startled cry. "Good heavens! what a likeness!" He sunk upon the opposite seat, actually trembling with surprise and emotion.