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BEATRICE. BY H. RiDER HAGGARD. Author of "She," "King Solomon'* Minee," "■Allan Qjateriaain," t>tc.,etc. CPAPTBB I.A Miar WBAUH. HE autumn af'er- I nooa was. facing into evening. It bad been olcody weather, bu'» the clouds had sr jftenad and op. Now the?/ were lost in -Io,vIy dark- ening blue. The 'Y sea was perfectly ) and utterly still. It geeoiad to sleep, but i'j its sleep wa*»d »ith tha rising *de, The aye couia net aurk ite slow increase, bat Beatrice, standing apoQ the farthest point of the '¿)og R-.ctM, idly pfftyi that the long brown seaweeds which clung about theU sviflf began to lift rat the water took Ibew w<fght, tili at last tite delicate pattern "Wd out Md lay like a wo, Iau,il hair upon the greeq dettil of 118.. Meanwhile a mist was grow- dense and soft upon the, quiet waten, It was Dot Wow. up from the wjet it simpiy pw like do twilight, w.Jcing the silence yet more silent &qd blotting. away tha, outlines of the land. Beatrice gave up studying the seaweed and fetched the gathsrin^ of the fleecy hosts. 44 WW. prions fjveoing," she said aloud to Iceooli, speaking in A low, tull Toice. "I have not pm one like it aiwce mother died, and that is "Teq fea" ago. I've grown sines then, grown tlerJ waky," and she laughed somewhat sadly, and Wfctfi M OM awn reflection in the quiet water. Sbe eould not have looked at anything more Charming, for it would have been hard to find a Khl ef nobler mien than Beatrice Granger as she Jtood and fizid, on this ber twenty-second birth- *9, into V»* t Of rathe* more than middle bejffbt, and WtodwHed like a statue, strength and health t-medlto radiate from ber form. Bat it was ber Sao. with the stamp of intellect and power akedowimm it* woman's lovelincM, that must have imuft her ramarkabie amaog women even more besutifol than bewelf. There are many girls who ""Yt rich brown hair, like some antumo leaf here tad there Jost yellowing into gold, girls whose deep gray eyee caa grow tender as a dove's, 01 flash like the stirred waters of a northern sea, add fr^ose bloom can bear comparison with the wild- log rose. But few can show a face like that wbicb spoa tfeis day first dawn ad on Geoffrey Bipgham kit eoMraw and his hope. It WM strong and rare and sweet m the keen »ea breath, and look- ing on it one mast hnow that beneatb this fair ..k loy a wit as fair. And yet it was all tMMnly; here VM not the bard sexism ITS nap of the cattured female. She who owned it was capable of many things. She could love and the .1d suffer, and if need bo, &be oould dare or die. It wae to be read open that lovely brow and face, and in the depths of those grey 8,.eB-t.bat is, by tbmo to whom the book of character is open, and mka wish to study it. Bat Beatrice wae not thinking of her loveliness nsthe gaz'3d into the water. She knew that aha was beautiful, of coarse; her beauty was too obvious to be overlooked, and besides, it had been brought home to her in several more or less dis- agreeable ways. "Seven years," sbe was thinking, "since the night of the 'death fog'; that was what old ISdwarJ n<J>od it. I ao it lllJUI T • ->V ■"> bign then," and tallowing her Urangbte she touched herself upon the breast. u And I was happy too in my own way. Why can't oae always be fifteen, aDd believe everything one is told?" and she gig had. "Seven years and nothing done yet. Work, work, and nothing coming out of the work, aDd everything fading away. I think that life is very dreary when one has lost everything, and found nothing, and loves nobody. I wonder what it will be like in another seven years." Sne covered her eyes with her baud*, and then taking them awey, once more looked at the water. Such light as straggled through tbe fog was beb'nl her, and the m:st was thtckeniog. A.t first she bad some difficulty Wa tracing her own likeness upon the glal'ry- surface, but gradually she marked its outlde. it stretched away from ber, aad its appearance was as though she Irerself were lying ou ber back in the water wrapped about with the fleecy suet. "How carious it seems,"aba thought; what is it that reflection nmuuia me of with the white all ronud it?" Next instant "UO gave a little cry and turned sharply away; she knew now. It recalled her abook, as she bad last seen bee aeven yean ago. CHAPTE8 II.—AT TUB BKI ROOK. A mile or more away from where B"triee stood aDd saw visions, and fartber up tbe coaac-libe, a wteottd group of rocks, known from their colour as the Red Hocks, or sometimes, for another reason, M the Bell ILockL,, jut out between bail and three- quarters of a mile into the waters of the Welab Bay that lies behind Ramball Point. At low tide these rocks are bare, so that a man may walk or wade to their extremity, bu. when the flood is fall only one or two of the very largest can from time to time be seen projecting their weed-wreathed Iwad4 through the wash of the shore-bound waves. In certain seta of the wind and tide this is a ferrible and most dangerous spot in rough weather, M mote than one vessel hae learnt to be* out. So long ago as 1780 a three-decker man-of-war went ashore there in a fusions winter gale, and, with one exception, every living sonl on board of hereto the Bomber of seven hundred, was drowned. Tlle om exception was a man in irons, who came safely and serenely ashoie seated upon piece of wreck- age Nobody ever knew bow the shipwreck, happened, least of all the survivor in irons, but go tradition ef the terror of the some yet lives in the district, and the spot where tbe bones of the drowned men still peep grimly through the ivand is not unnaturally supposed to be haunted. Ever aiam this catastrophe a large beU (it wae originally the bell of the ill-fated vessel itself, end still bears bee name, H.M.S. Thunder%" stamped upon its ■etal) has been fixed upon the highest rock, and in timet of storm and at high tide Mnd* its solemn note of warning booming across the deep. jkt the bell WM quiet now, and jqø, beneath it ia the obadow of tfce rook whevaaa it was piaced, a NMa balf bidden in seaweed, with which be nppimei to bave pwrposciy coveured bimaatf, was aottM) upon a piece of wreck. In appearance be WM a very fine man, big-shouldered and broad- Juabod, and bia age might have been thirty-five g. -t4» ft little Mreu Of bis frame, however, what V;, btNtateew tbe mmt and tbe anpleaaantly damp eea- woed with which be was wreathed, not much was to lie Men But such light as there waa fell upon hie face as be peered -mijarly over and round the roaif, pad gjiitfd 40-.0 the bar- ef the doable ten-bore gun Xu t'Ch. be held across his knee. It yy a (trik oy ooontenanee, with its brownish tjtst, dark peaked beard, and strong feataras, vary powerful and very able, And yet there wee a oposin softneoe is; the lace which hovered tennd po region oC tbe mouth like light at the edge of it, dark cioud, hinting at gentle supahio* But little of tbiø wee vuibls now. Gsvirey Bipghem, aa.rriaw.¡at-l..w, of the Inner Temple, M.A., was PHIT1 with » way serious occupation, lie was tryiwr to sheas eurlew ae they passed over him Wdieg-place en their way to the mud bukltwfaere tjjtey few further along the coast. <" |fow it there is a thing in the world which eallt AN thcaaetMe of man's every faculty it is curlew mboaing is a mist, Perbape be may wait for. an fceur or even two boon and see nothing, not even M oysto-catcber. Then at last from miles, away eomes tbe faint wild call of surlew on the wing. He strata* Ins eyes, the call eomee nearer, bat ^rlhtag 6M> be see. At last, seventy yards or aiece to the right, be catcher rgbt of the flicker ot ftffnting wings, and like a flash thoy are gone. Again a calk-Wo aulaw are lighting, He looks nod looks, in his excitement struggling to laia feet rawing laia bead iuoMttteuaiy far above the afceUeriae reek. There they come, a greet flock of thirty or more, hearing straight down on brm, a toured yards oS—eighty—sixty—now. Up goee Ae |im, b«t alee end al»s J tbey catch a glin.pea of ifcil^lMgMMiag oathe barrels, and perhaps of, tfc»heed hehiart Ihwft, eadiwaaolfaer meead they hrofcif jaii r»Ker«d tbii way and that 0 tw:;sting off like a wisp of gigantic snipe and vanishing with melancholy cries into the depth, of; mist. This is bad, but the ardent sportsman sits down with a groan and waits, listening to the soft lap of the tide. And then at last virtue is rewarded. Pirst of all two wild duck come over, cleaving the Air like arrows. The mallard ia missed, but the left barrel reaches the duck, and down it comes with a full and satisfying thud. Hardly have the cartridges been replaced when the wild cry of the curlew is once more bestd-quite close tbU time. There they are, looming large against the fog. Bang ) down goes the first and lies flapping atnotig the roeks. Like a flash the second is away" to the left. Bang 1 after him, and caught him too I Hark to the splash as he falls into the deep water fifty yards away. And then the mist closes in so densely that the sport is done for the day. Well, that right and left has been worth three hours' wait in the wet seaweed and the violent cold that may follow-tbat is, to any man who has a soui for true sport. Just such an experience ae this bad befallen Geoffrey Bingham. He had bagged his wild duck acd his brace of curlew-that is, he had bagged one of them, for the other was floating in the sea —when a sudden increase in the density of the mist put a stop to farther operations. He shook the wat seaweed off his rough clothes, and, having lit a short briar pipe, set to work to hunt for the duck and the first curlew. He found them easily enough, and then walking to the edge of the rocks, up the sides of which the tide was gradually creeping, peered into the mist to see if he could find the other. Presently the fog lifted a little, and he discovered tbe bird floating on the oily water about fifty yards away. A little to the left the rocks ran out ia a peak, and be knew from experience that tbe tide setting towards the shore would carry tbe curlew past this peak. So he wont to its extremity, sat down upon a big stone, and waited. All this while the tide waa rising fast, though, intent as he was upon bringing the curlew to bag, he did not pay much heed to it, forgetting that it was cut- ting him off from the land. At last, after more than half an hour of waiting, be caught sight of the bird again, but, all bad luck would have it, it WIU still twenty yards or more from him and in deep water. He was determined, however, to get the bird if be soul J, for Geoffrey hated leaving his game, so be pulled up his trousers and set to work to wade towards it. For tbe first few steps all weat well, but the fourth or fifth landed him in a bole that wet his right leg nearly up to tbe thigh and gave bis ankle a severe twist. Rtfloct* ing that it would be very awkward if he sprained bis ankle in such a lonely place, ha beat a retreat, and bethought him tbat, unless the curlew was to to become food for the dogfish, he had better strip bodily and awim for it. This-for Geoffrey was a man of determined mind-be decided to do, and had already taken off his ooat and waistcoat to that end, when suddenly some sort of a boai-be judged it to be a canoe from the slightness of its shape-loomed up in the mist before him. An idea struck him; the canoe or its occupant, if anybody could Do insane enough to come out canoeing in such weather, might fetch the curlew and save him a swim. H; be shouted ia stentorian tonea. Hullo there!" Yes," answered a woman's gentle voice across the waters. Ob," he replied, struggling to get into bit waistcoat again, for the voice tuld him that he wa& dealing with some befogged lady, "I'm sure I beg your pardon, but would you uo me a favour! There is a dead curlew floating about there not ten yards from your boat. If you wouldn't mind—" A white hand was put forward, and the canoe glided on towards the bird. Presently the band plunged downwards into the misty waters and the eurlew was bagged. Then, wbiie Geoffrey was ttiil struggling with his waistcoat, the canoe sped towards bim like a dream boat, and in another moment it was beneath his rock, and a sweet dim face wae looking up into his own. Now let us go back a little (alas that the privilege should be peculiar to ibe recorder of things done} »nd see how it came about tbat Beatrice Granger was them to retrieve Geoffrey Bingham's dead curlew. immediately after the unpleasant idea recorded ia the last, or, to be more accurate, in the first chapter of this comedy bad impressed itself npon Beatrice's mind, she came to the conclusion that she had seen enough of the Dog Rocks for one afternoon. Thereon, like a sensible person, she I 10ft Htiiaelf to quit them in the same way that she j hau cashed them, namaiy, by means or a canoe. one '0 Ller cat:06 sc.rnij 2*vJ p'ddled a little way ou1" to se-, w.Ui a v.'o»» ol to the place whence she cams. But tbe further she went out, and it WM necessary tbat she should she went out, and it WM necessary that she should go some way on account of the rock* and the currenu, the deuser grew the fog. Sounds came through it indeed, but she could not clearly dis- tinguish whence they came, till at last, well as she knew the coast, she grew confused as to whither "he was heading. In this dilemma, as she rested "'A-I' .("4 mist and keeping ùtJr grey eyes as witia open as nature would allow, aud that was very wide, she heard the sound of a gun behind her LO the right. Arguing to herself that some wild-fowler on the water must have tired it who would be able to direct ber, she turned the canoe round and paddled swiftly in t," directum wbecee !h" sound came. Presently she heard thu gua again both barrels w^ro tired in there to the right, but some way off, She paddled on vigorously, but now no more shots came to guide her, therefore f for a while ber search was fruitless. At last, however, she saw something looming through the mist ahead it was the Red Rucks, though she did not know it, and she drew near with caution till Geoffrey's shout broke upon bar ears. Sbe picked up the dead bird and paddled towards the dim figure, who was evidently wrestling with something, sbe could not see what. Here is the curlew," sir," she said. Oli, thank you," answered the figure on the rock. I am infinitely obliged to you. I was jnst going to swim for it, I can't bear losing my game. Ia seems so cruel to shoot birds for nothing. "I date say that you will not make much use of it now that you have got it," said the gentle voice in the canoe. "Uurlaw are not very good eating." That is scarcely the point," replied the Crusoe on the rock. u Tbe point it to bring them home. Apr es etla—" The bird-stuffer," said the voice. "No," answered Crusoe, the cook—" A laugh came back from the canoe, and then a question. Pray, Mr Bingham, can you tell me where I am ? I have quite lost my reckoning in tbe mit." He started. How did this myaterioms young lady in a boat know bis name? "You are at the Red Rocks there is tbe bell, that grey thing, Miss—Miss—" M Beatrice Granger," sbe put in hastily. M My father to the clergyman of BrytgaHy. I nw you when you and Lady Hououa Bingham looked into the school yesterday. I teach In the school, 8be did not tell him, however, that hie face bad interested her 80 much tbat she had asked bit name. Again be ttertad. He bad beard of this young lady, Somebody had told bim that sbe wivs the prettiest girl in Wales, and the cleverest, but that ber father was not a gentleman. "Ob," lie said, taking off hit hat ia the direction of tbe eanoe, isn's it a little risky Miss Orangar, for yoa to be canoeing alone in* this mist ?" Yes," she answered frankly, bttt I am used to it; lito out canoeing in all possible weathers. It J8 my amusement, and after all the rak really dOM not matter muqb," she added, more to her- self than to bim. While he was wondering what ebe meant by tbat dark saying, she went on quickly: "Do you know, Mr Bingham, I think that loti are in more danger than I am. It mnst be getting near seven o'clock, and the tube is high at a quarter to eight. Unless I am mistaken there is by now nearly half a mile of deep wetter between yott and tbe shore." My word he said. I forgot all about the tide. Wn-s between the shooting and looking after that curlew and the mist, it never occurred to me that it waa getting late. I aoppoee I must swim for it, tbat ia all. "No, no," she answered earnestly, "it is very dangerous swimming here; the plaee la full oi sharp rocks. and there is a tremendoas oar rent." "Well, then, what is to be done? Will youi canoe carry two ? If so, perhaps you would kindly put me ashore T' Yes," she said, it is a doable canoe really. But I dare aot take you ashore here J there an too many rook*, and it is impossible to see ttu ripple on them in this mist. We aboald sink the canoe. NQ. you mnst get in and 1 mutt paddle you home to Bryngetly, that's all. Now that ] know where I am I thrak tbat I can find tbe way. Really," he said, you are very good. "Not at all," she anuwered, "vonsee I must gc myself anyhow, so I shall be glad of your belo. Is is nearly five miles by water, you know, and not a pleasant night." ¡ There was truth in this. He was pedeall) t. 9fepared to rioIk a swim to the shore on few awe account, but be did not all like the idea ol leaving this young lady to find her °wv way hikil to BryngaMy' through the mist aud gathering darkness, and ip that frail canoe. He would act have liked it Ifsha had been a man, for be knew that there was great risk in each a voyage. So after making one more fruitless suggestion that they should try and reach the shore, taking the chance of rocks, sunken or otherwise, and then waik borne, to which Be&tric* would not consent, be accepted her offer. At the least you witt allow me to paddle," be said, as she skilfully brought the canoe right under his rock, wbfah the tide was now high enough to allow her to do. "If yQB l^ei" S^e answered doubtfully. "My hands are a little sore, and, of coarse, with a glance at his broad shoulders, "you are much stronger. But if yott are not used to it I dare say that I should get on as well as you." "Nonsense," he said sharply. "I will not allow you to paddle me for five miles." Sbe yielded without another word, and very gingerly shifted ber seat so that her back was towards the bow of the canoe, leaving him to occupy the paddling place opposite to ber. Then he banded her bis gun, which sbe carefully stowed, together with the dead birds, in the bottom of the frail craft. Next, with great caution, he slid down the rock till his feet rested in the canoe. Ba carefnl or yoa will upset ns," she said, leaning forward and stretching oat her band for him to support bimsalf by. Then it was, as he took it, that he for tbefirst time really saw hep face, with tbe mist drops hanging to the bent eyelashes, and knew how beantifal it was. CHAPTER III.—A CONCESSION OF FAITH. Are yon ready?" be said, recovering himself from the pleasing shock of this serge-draped vision of the mist. "Yes," said Beatrice. "You must bead straight out to sea for a little—not too far, for if we get beyond tbe Bbelter of Rumball Point we shall founder in tbe rollers—there are always rollers there—then steer to the left. I will tell you when. And, Mr Bingham, please be careful of the paddle: it has been spliced and won't bear rough usage. All right," he answered, and they started gaily enough, the light canoe gliding swiftly forward beneath his sturdy strokes. Beatrice was leaning back, with her head bent a little forward, so that be could only see her chin and tbe sweet curve of the lips above it. But she could see all his face as it swayed towards ber with each motion of the paddle, and she watched it with interest It was a new type of face to her, so strong and manly, and yet so gentle about the mouth—almost too gentle, she I thought. What made him marry Lady Honoria! Beatrice wondered she did not look particularly gentle, though she was such a graceful woman. And tbas they went on for some time, each wondering about the other and at boart admiring the other, which was not strange, for they were a very proper pair, but saying no word till at last, after about a quarter of an hours bard paddling, Geoffrey paused to rest. "Do you do much of this kind of thing, Miss Granger?" be said, with a gaSp, "because it's bard work." She landed. "Ah!" sbe said, "I thought you would scarcely go on paddling at tbat rate. Yes, I canoe a great deal in the summer time. It is my way of taking exercise, and I can swim well, so I'm not afraid of an upset. At least, it baabeeu my way for tbe last two yearf, since a lady who was staying here gave mo the canoe when sbe went away. Before that I used to row in a boat—that is, before I want to college." College? What college ? Girton? M Oh, no, nothing half so grand. It was a, col. lege where you get certificates that you are quali- fied to be a mistress id a board school. I wish it had been Girton." "Do you?"—you are too good for that, he was going to add, but changed it to—" I think you were aa well away. I don't care about the Girton stamp; those of them whom I have known are so hard." So much the better for them," she answered. "I should like to be hard as a stone; a stone can't feel. Don't you think that womeu ought to learn, then?" Do you ? he asked, "Yos, certainly." Have you learnt anything f I have taught myself a little and I picked up something at the college. But 1 have no real knowledge. only a smattering of things." What do you know—French and German t" Yes." "Latin?" # Yes, I know something of it," Greek ?" I can read it fairly, but I am not a Greek scholar." II Mathematics t" "No, I gave them np, There is no human nature about mathematics. They work every- thing to a fixed conclusion tbat must result. Lite is not like that; what ought to be a ?quar» couies out a right angle, and x always equals an un- known quantity, which is never ascertained until you are dead." Good gracious!" thought Geoffrey to himself between the Btrokes of his paddle, "what an ex- traordinary girl. A flesh-»nd-blcod blue-stocking, I aud lov-iy oiio Iuto tJ!O bargain. At any rate, I'll bowl titr out tui; tin; "Perhaps you ha ve rt^i !%w, toot" he said, with suppressed sarcasm. I have read some," sb^ angered calm! y. "I like law, especially equity law; it is so subtle, and there is such a mao of built upon such a'small foundation. It is tiko au "u'fjrowu mushroom, and the top will fail oft day. 11,a.4 ■ k.t.. '»»•. PerhAps you can taH me—" "No, I'm sure I can't," be answered. "I'm not a Chancery m^.n. I am comm a law, and I don't take all knowledge for my province. You positively alarm nc-e. Miss Granger. I wonder that the cauùe does notsiokbeneath aomuch learning." I "lio she auowered sweetly. "I am giaa 1 tiara i;vc3 In frighten somebody. I I' meant that I like equity to study; but if I were a barrister, I would be eommou law, because there is so much more life and struggle about it. Existence is not worth having unless one is struggling with something and trying to overcome it." "Dear me, what a reposeful prospect," said Geoffrey, aghast. He had certainly never mot such a woman as this before. "Repose is only good when it is earned," went on the fair philosopher, "and iu order to fit one to earn some more, otherwise it becomes idleness, and that is misery. Fancy being idle when one has such a httle time to live. The only thing to do is to work and stifle thought. I suppose tbat ycu have a large practice, Mr BingbauI 1" "You shouldn't aak a barrister that question,' he answered, laughing it's like looking at the' pictures which an artist has tnrned to the wall. No, to be frank, I have not. I have only tnkea to practising in earnest daring the last two years. Before that I was barrister .in name, and that is all." J "Tben why did yoa suddenly begin to work?* Because I lost my prospects, Miss Granger— from necessity, in short." "Ob, I beg year pardon f she said, with a blush, which he of course could not see. I did not mean to be rude. Bat it is very lucky for you, is it not J" Indeed 1 Some people don't think to. What is lucky V "Because you will now rise and become a great man, and that is more than being a rich man." And why do you think that 1 shall become a great man Z" he asked, stopping paddling in bis astonishment, and looking at tbe dim form before him. Oh, because it is written on your face," she answered simply. Her words rang true; there was no flattery or artifice ia tbem. Geoffrey felt that the girl was saying just what she thought. So you go in for physiognomy as well," he said. Well, Miss Granger, it's rather odd, considering all things; but I wiil say to you what I never said to anyone before. I believe that-you are right. I shall rise. If I live I feel that I have it ia me." At this point it possibly occurred to Beatrico that, considering the exceeding brevity of their acquaintance, they were drifting into a somewhat confidential conversation. At any rate, she quickly changed the topic. I'm afraid you are growing tired," abe said but wc mast be getting on. It will soon bq quite dark, and we have still a loag way to go. Look there," and she pointed seaward. He looked. The whola bank of mist was breaking up and bearing down oa them in enor- mous billows of vapour. Prceeotly, these were rolling over them, so darkening the heavy air that, though tbe pair were within four feet of each other, they oonld scarcely see one another's faces. Ai yet they felt no wiad. The dense weight of mist choked the keen, impelling air. I think the weather is breakiag; W8 are going te have a storm," Aid Beatrice, a little anxiously: Saarcely were the words oat of her month whea the mist parsed away from them, aad from all the seaward expanse of ocean. Not a trace of it was left, and in its place the strong wa-breatd beat upon their faces. Jfar in the west the angrt disc of the 8UD was sinking into*tbe foam. A great rod ray shot from its bent edge and laj naoa the awakened waters like a path of ire. The emiaoos light feU foil apoa the little boat aed full apoa Beatrice's lips. Then it passed oa and lost itself ia the deep mists which afeiU swathed the coast. Ob, bow beantifal it iefeheened, raieitg herself and pointing to tbe glory of the dyiig ena. It is beantifal indeed I" be aBtwarad, bathe looked not at tbe sunset, bat at the woman's ftce before him; glowing like a saint's in its goliea auriole. For tbat all. was most beaaliful—so beautiful that It stirred hitm strMtMly. It is lib- she began, ana broke off sud- denly. "What is it like?" It It is like finding truth) at hut,' sbe answered, speaking asmueb to barsel" a8 te Lm. Why, one might make an allegory out of it. We wander in mi&t and rilrknesa, shaping a vagne course for borne And tben suddenly tae mitts arebtowd away, f and glory fills the air, and there i, no more doubt, only before us is a splendour miking all things clear aad lighting us over a deahlees see. Ittoands rather too grand," she addtd, with a charming little laugh; but there's eonetbing in it somewhere, if oniy 1 could exprsa myielf. t Oh, lock t" ) ) As she spoke a heavy storm-elood rolled aver I the vanishing rim •{ .the sun. For s» moment the > light straggled with the eelipBing coad, turning ite edge ii the hue qt copper, -but tbe cloud was too strong and U>» light vanished, leaving tbe act in darkneea. WeD. II he said, your allegory would have a dismal end if yon worked it out. tt's getting dark as pitch, and there's a good dbal in that, if I only I could express myself." Beatrice dropped poetry, and came down to r t facts in a way that was very coawnecdabie. 1 I. coining BB, Kr Bi«gham, I { he s^id; yon mu«t paddle as hard a* jrou oan, 1 IU fu we am mora ttra two mile* from Bryngally, and if we are iacky we may get there before the weather breaks." II Yes, if we aro lucky," he said grimly, as he bent himself to the work. But tho question is where to paddle to—it's so dark. Hadn't we better run for the shore 7" We are in the middle of the bay now," she answered, and almost as far from the nearest land as we are from Bryngelly; besides, it is all rocks. No, ycu must go straight oo. You will sne the Poise light beyond Coed presently. You know Coed is four miles on the other side of Bryngelly, so when you see it head to the left." He obeyed her, and they neither of them spoke any more for some time. Indeed, the rising wind made conversation difficult, and so far as Geoffrey was concerned, he had little breath left to spare for words. He was a strong man, but the unaccustomed labour was beginning to tell en him, and his hands Were blistering. For ten minutes or so hit paddled on through a darkness which was now almost total, wondering where on earth he was wending, for it was quite impossible to see. For all he knew to the contrary, he might be circling round and round. He bad only one thing to direct him, the sweep of tbe continually rising wind and the wash of tbe gathering waves. So long as the^e struck the canoe, which now began to roil ominously, on tbe starboard side, he must, he thought, be keeping on the right course. But in the turmoil of the rising gale and the confusiou of tbe night this waf no very satisfactory guide. At length, however, a broad and brilliant flash sprung out across the aea,almost straight ahead of him. It was the Poise light. He altered his course a little and paddled steadily on. And now the squall was breaking. Fortunately, it was not a very heavy one, or their frail craft must have sunk and they with it. But it was quite serious enough to put them ia great danger. The canoe rose to tbe waves like a feather, but she was broadside on, and rise as sbe would they began to ship a little water. And they bad not seen the worst of it. Tbe weather was still thickening. Still ho neld on, though his heart sank within him, while Beatrice said nothing. Presently a big wave came; he could just see its white crest gleaming through tbe gloom, tben it was on tbem. Tbe canoe rose to it gallantly; it seemed to curl right over her, making her roll till Geoffrey thought that the end bad come. But she rode it out, uot, however, without shipping more than a bucket of water. Without aaying a word Beatrice took the cloth cap from her bead and, leaning forward, began to bail as best she could, and that was not very well. h This will not do;" he called. "I must keep her head to the sea or we shall be swamped." "Yes," sbe answered, "keep ber bead up. We are in great danger." He glaueed to his right; another white sea was heaving down oil him: be could just see its glittering crest. With all his force he dug the paddle into the water; tho canoe answered to it; she cams round just in time to ride out the wave with safety, but the paddle snapped. It was already sprung, and the weight he put upon it was more tbau it could bear. Right in two it broke, some nine incbee above that blade which at the moment was buried in tbe water. He felt it go, and despair took bold of him. Great God 1" he cried, the paddle ia brokeil." Beatrice gasped. "You mast use the other blade," she cried; "paddle first one side and then on the other, and keop her head on." "Till we sink," he answered. "No, till vye are saved—never talk of sinking." The girl's courage shamed him, aud be obeyed her instructions us best he could. By dint of con- tinually shifting what remained of tl1.. paddle from one side of the canoe to tbe other, be did manage to keop her head on to the waves that were now rolling in apace. But in their hearts they both wondered how long this would last, "Have you any cartridgest" she said pre- sently. "Yes, in my coat pocket," he answered. Give me two, if you cau manage it," she said. In au interval between the coming of two seas he contrived to slip hia band iuto a pocket and transfer the cartridges. Apparently she knew something of the working of a gun, for presently there was a flash and a report, quickly followed by another. "Give me some more cartridges," she cried. He did so, but nothing followed. It it no use," she said at length, the car- tridges are wet. I cannot get the empty cases out. But perhaps they may have seen or beard them. Old Edward is sure to be watching for me. You bad better throw the rest into the sea if you Gun manage it," she added by way of an afterthought; we may have to swim' presently." To Geoffrey this seemed very probabie, and whenever be got the chance he acted on the hint till at length he was rid of all his cartridges. Just then it began to rain in torrents. Though it wat not warm the perspiraiioa was streaming from him at every pore, and the rain boating on his face refreshed him somewhat; also with the rain the wind dropped a little. But he was getting tired out and be knew it. Soon he would no iongir be able to keep the caaoe straight, and then they must be swamped, and in all human probability drowned. So this was to be the end of his lire and ita ambitions, Before another hour had run its cours^ be would be rolling to and fro in the *rm» »f »»«. What would blõ w:f^ lb.rla. FIllY vt^a »},s naard the nf".V3, :'<1 wondir.v.i: It would shock It^r swiue fuow 01 tueiiug. And ESIa, his iiacLr J i '-j-iu iix-vaar-olcl p.r.- God i she was too young to leel his loss far Ions;. By the time she was a woman she would almost have forgotten that she ever had a. father. But how would she gee on without him to guide hurt Her mother did not love children, aud a growing girl would continually remind her of her growing years. He could not tell; he could only hope for the best. Aud for bims3if! What would become of him after the short, sharp struggle for life 1 Should he and endless sleep, or what? He was a Christian, and his life had uot been worse than that of other men. Indeed, though he would have been the last to thiuk ite he bad aome redeeming virtues. But, now at the end, the spiritual horiaon was as aark aa it had bee. at the beginning. There before him were the Gates of Deatb, but not yet would they roliasideandshow tbe traveller what lay beyond -their frowning face. How could ho tell r Perhaps they would not open at all. Perhaps he now bade bis last farewell to consciousness, to earth and sky and sea and love and all lovely things. Well, that might be better than some prospects: An tbat moment Geoffiey Bingham, in the last agony of doubt, would gladly have exchanged bis hopes of life beyond for a certainty of eternal sleep. That faith which enables some of us to tread this awful way with an otter confidence ia not a wide prerogative, and as yat, M any rate, it was not bis, though the time might come when he would attain it. There arc aot very many even among those without reproaeb who can lay them down in the arms of Death, koow. ing most certainly that when tbe veil is rent away the countenance that they shall see will be that of tbe blessed Guardian of Mankind. Alas ho could not be altogether sure, and, where doubt exists, hope is but a pin-pricked bladder. He sighed heavily, murmured a little formula of prayer that had been on hl8 lips most nights during thirty yearø-be bad learnt it as a child at bis mother's knee—and then, while the tempest roared around him, gathered up his strength to meet the end which seemed inevitable. At any rate be would die like a man. Then came a reaetion. His vital farces rose again. He no longer felt fearful, he only wondered with a strange impersonal wonder, as a man wonder# about the vital affairs ot another. Then from wondering about himself be began to wonder about the girl who sat opposite to him. With the rain came a little lightning, aad by tba first flash be saw ber clearly. Her beautiful face was set, and as she bent forward searching the dark- ncss with her wide eyas, it wore, he thought, au almost defiant air. „ Too canoe twisted round somewhat. Be dug his broken paddle into the water, and onoe more got her bead on to the sea. Then he spoke. Are you afraid V he asked of her. 14 No," she answered, I am not afraid." "Do yoa know that we shall probably be drowned ?" Yes, I know it. They say the deatb ie May. I brought yoa here. Forgive tM tba*. I should have tried to row yoa eshaft ae '0. •aid. Never mind me; a man most meet hit fate some day. Don't think of me. But I can', keep her head on mach longer. Y ou bad better say your prayers." Sbe bent forward till her head wMlqaiteneat his owo. The wind bad blown aome ef her bair loose, and though he did not seem to notice it at the time, he remembered afterwards tbat alcek of it struck bim on tbe face. I cannot pray," the said; w I have nothing to pray to. I am not a Christian." The words struck him like a blow. It seemed so awful to think of this proud and brilliant woman, now balanced oa the verge of what ah. believed to be utter annihilation. Even the courage thnt induced her at sutffc a moment to confess her hopeless state seemed awful. Try," be said witb a gasp. "No," sbe answored, "I do not fear todl& Death cannot be worse than life is for most of ns. I have not prayed for years, not since—Well, never mind. I am not a coward. It wonld bit cowardly to pray now because I may be Wrong. If there is a God who knows all, HewilJ under- stand that. Geoffrey aaid no more, but laboured at the broken paddle gallantly and with an ever-failing Strength. Tbe figbtmog had passed away, and tbe darkness was very great, for tbe hurrying eloods hid tbe starlight. Presently a sound arose above the turmoil of the storm, a orasblbg thunderous sound, towards wbich the (and of the sea gradually bore them. The sound came from tbe waves that beat npon the Bryngelly r6*' Where are we drifting to V be cried. "Into the breakers, where we shall beloet," Ibe answered calmly. Give up paddling, it is of no use, and try to take oft your coat, I have loosened my skirt. Perhaps we can swim Mbore." He tbougbt to himself that in tbe dark and breakers such an event was not probable, but be said nothing, and addressed himseif to the task of getting rid of his coat and waistcoat—no easy one in that confined space. Meanwhile tbe canoe wail whirling round and round like a walnut shell upon a flooded gutter. For some distance befovb tbe waves broke npon the reef and rocks they swept in towards them with a steady, foamleas swell. On reaching the shallows, however, tbey pushed their white shoulders high into the air, curved up, and fell in thunder on tIM reef. Tbe cauoe rode towards the breakers, socked upon its course by a swelling sea, ".Good-bye, called Geoffrey to Rtakics, as stretching out bis wet band he found her owp and took it, for companionship makes death a little easier. Sfstt&s&sfajf-■ QIJ, wb, a14 roa into II For in their last extremity th~> woman tho"<>fc rattier of ber companion in peril than of herself. Oee more turn, then suddenly the canoe beneath them was lifted like a straw and tossed high into the air. A mighty mass of water boiled up beneath it and around it. Then the foam rushed in, and vaguely Geoffrey kuew that they were wrapped in the curve of a billow. A swift and mighty rush ot water. Crash l- and his aeoses left him. ( To be continued,.)

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

TRAGIC SEQUEL TO AN ORGIE…

LLANDCBtE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION,…

A FRUITFUL DISASTER.

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---.-)-HE OLD BAILEY; .

THE SUNDAY-CLOSING ACT. --

MISS .JPNNER. AND THE PENAKfr?…

A CURIOUS CHURCH ORGAN.

- A DEAD MAN DRIVING A OAB,

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES,…

TRAGEDIES IN RUSSIA.: !

fEARFUL TRAGEDY IN 8UsáJ

A BRUTE AT R0GER8T<",*j

CARDIFF SCHOOL B0A^| ELECTION.…

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