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.i ".1iiIíV |_Ai.L ti<» t '*■ RKSEiiVKLiJ. LOVES E S T: V 1. '} I( & \1 f, JIRS. ..1 FAULXE-WATLIKO, AI ov Will: TT:r "VV1.07" Jlwt,Dafriag Snow," ALURXIVU tor Love," <.tc\, TSRCT CHAPTER V. I f. What is the matter with you, Comtonco?' «gced Nellie, the morning after the garden-part/ which bad nearly ended so fatally. "Nothing. What should be the matter with »e ? was the itupabient answer, and the younger girl turned away her head, and eeemed to shrink 111 to herself moire even than was usual to her. The room wlaieh the girls shared was a large Mie, the boat; be<lioom in the Vicarage, in fact, was handsomely and heavily fur- arished, bub the girls had changed its character IÏnc" tbey took possession of it, and jevery iftch of tho walls not previously hidden they had covered with pictures cut out from illustrated papers. The Christmas numbers of the Graphic and MU/ustrate- London JVcws had been largely drawn jtpon for this purpose, and the pictures from these tturce. ming ed with illuminated texts, birthday, leas er and Christinas cards, had been so liberaliy 9 arranged, that the walls of the room presented "be appearance of a large folding screen upon which move industry than hts.e^bad been ex- pSnded. r, Close to her own side of the bed, in a niche of Ibe wall, Constance had fixed up a bracket of twelve", upon which she had arranged her fuvoarile 3>oks, all of them more or less of a religions laiac'er, while upon the table below stood more fcooks and her writing-desk. Here she was seated reading, when Nellie opened ker eyes, and her pale face. whick. had upon it an unusual expression of sutiering, at once at- tracted attention. I don't know what should be the matter with 11 u," replied Nellie, but something evidently is e matter. I noticed it last mght you didn't Wpom a bit glad that I got nothing worse than < ducking by going on the lake." The pate cheek flushed, th* dyes suffused with tears, and in accents of reproach Constance ex- 4aimed, "Oh, Nellie, how can you say so? but En can'b think it, 1 am sare I stood on the bank Iding my breath with terror, for though 1 knew you could swim I thought that some of the others night have caught hold of you; end then we heard fthat one of the party was dead, aad I cannot telt you the agony 1 suffered." Poor child I daresay 1- did really suffer more than we who were in the water, you see the 2;citement kept us up. No doabt it was her over- rained anxiety that made Mrs. Beechcroft so very motherly to me last night; bat it's a little awkwttrd under the circumstances." Awkward repeated Constance, in a tone of reproach then she said generously, It is very natural that she should be grateful to you when you saved her son's life." But I didn't do anyLhing of the kind," pro- tested Nellie. Mr. Nor Jicote tinid thnb Mr. Beechcroft owed bis life to you," returned Constance, with an offorb. That was a very euphemistic way of patting ft," says Nellie, with a laugh. As far as 1 can temeuiLer 1 only cried out that he was sinking^ juid I was goiug to his aid adieu Gerald warned ■Be that I should be clutched and dragged down,, ■and he gave him one of the oars to cling to. ] kept near him, it is true, but there was not much merit in that, as I could not get far away. Bat It's almost a wonder lie was not drowned." Constance shuddered, her nerves were unstrung, and she could not help wondering how Nellie, having gone through such peril, could talk of. it all BO caimly. Nellie s next remark showed that her thought* fcad tfone oif into another channel, as shetolaid, 1 wonder what became of (Jerald and Miss Bancroft: you didn t see them afterwards, did you" No, but 1 heard that Miss Bancroft was so ill tliat she would have to stay the uight at the Hall,' replied Constance, carelessly. Yes. they wanted me to stay, too, but I pre. fltrred coming home I hope G evald hasiv t caught a cold," Nellie continued, dreamily. Constance looked at her sister a little curiously, but made no answer Nellie puzzled her not a little-pltined her, ton, bit this latter fact C on- atari ce would hide, though it ceet her her life to &> so, lis was very hard, for all that, and to Constance C* |n 0f the kind was new, l>Ait she resolved to ar it in .silence, and no bribe that cou'rt be gfered would tempt her to cry out for mercy. So while Constance went to look after the boys, Hellie, having declined breakfast in bed. rose and dressed herself, not, sorry to be alone to think over the perplexing circumstances that surrounded bar. Harry Beechcroft had not risen in her estima- Non through that adventure on the lake, and she Was too unreasonable to consider that a man may be very brave. who is unabie to save liiint-elf and still loss capable of rendering assistance toothers jrheu lie is in an element of which ho is not inas- Aef. Consequently Gerald Northcote's Con,luct was .magnified in her eyes, and sha remem! ei ed what confidence his voice gsve her when she was in the -Wiktor, weighted with her clothing, and feeling Abat death was very close at hand. r M It must be a great comfort to feel that you fcave a man belonging to you on whom you can tely in any danger," mused Nellie but I sap. pose one can't have n'l things in this world. Ali, me 1 tdl1 afraid it would serve me righb if I didn't get anything." Then she smiled unconsciously as though there were some secret understanding between herself and foitune, and went down languidly to break- fast. Her father and the boys made a little more fuss about her than usual, but her appetite was nob good, thesliock of the previous night was having more elTect upon her system than she anticipated, and as on as hroakfasc was over she rewired to the COilCL in the drawing room, leaving Constanco to attend o • he housekeeping. 1141ic %v:is lying there, feeling a great dis- inclination to move, when she heard the sound of cllrrlac wltN:J);'¡, and a few ivinutes afterwards Mrs. t>eechcro;b came into the room, followed by ■COliSl.UH'O. row, bldi her visitor insisted upon hot resuming heroid position on the couch. "I Games to te i yon that liarry is gett ug on splendi-Uy." sic !,e"n, as soon as sho had taken a -<e»> !.• v he g rl s s de 1 knew you would be anxious ab int. him. lie wants to come and tell you h:m-e;f how -;r he is to 'you, but I in. si-si ei-I upon li;-i keeping his room this morning and 1 said I v/iiu.tl co 'e in Irs stead you are not dia- "Oh, not in the ieast," retiirned Nellie, cheer. filllv. I am (le.i 'lits 1 to see you, dear Mrs. Beech roft. T would much ratiier have you here titan anvone 0:88, and you can tell me about the party. What became of the people after we lefb." "I'm sure T d0n't luww, my dear. I feel quite ashamed when i think ot <t; evei-ybody must have gone away hungry-, for the accident happened jusb be:ore supper, w.iich w.is laid out in the marquee. Nobody liked to "it, down without the host or •hostess, and I wad much Loo anxious about my son to think of eating or drinking, so there all the supper is un.asltjJ, and I dou b know whab to do ■with You InJ better ask all tbe tpeople who were your gr, a yesier lay to come again, and forbid Rny.ii a logo oil tiie lake," said Nellia with a lilitle ItHIgh. But Beachcrort'shook her head, and said almost sadly, I am not e ual to it, my dear it wilt b0 s .una time before I geb over the shock I had lasb night. It has been the terror of my life that my son would with some fatal accident or won d dio umn>am9d. No, I cannot give another parby so -< >011 at-er yesterday, btib there are a good many poor and sick people in the village, and I khoucho 1 woii'd t^ive the delicacies to those who neeJ^thotn most;. Do yo« do the district visiting, Keliiei" "No, I don't do mnch Of It Constance is the ministering She givea, away everything she possesses, "htJ wonid not have a dress to wear If I did not look I\fber hel" NOV, Connie, here is in opportunity for you-creams, and jellies, and pastry enough to give indigestion to half of the parish." There are more substantial things tilan creams «nd Jelii-s, th.'U^.i there are some of those; for- tunately, thti h :nl} was not opened, but YOU-ean give a few botlit-s of Lhat away, too, if you like, my dear," «a;d Mrs. Beechcroft, addressing Con- Itanc and foaling thankful to have some one who won d distribute the food that was a burden to her. „ Oh, I sh ill be very glad to be your almoner, replied v ons h ;r fair face flushing with ja^ei u i are several sick peopie in the riflaga, AND WIIMS (Ley don't need the poor shii'Tron will be of when shall I see about it The sooner the i-,eitter," said the elder lady. Smut) oi he creams and patties won't keep over JO-MN "w." Yon t. d byter return to the Hall with Urig. Beechcroft, oi serve Nellie to her sister, "and sake two ot tun boys with you, they will fetch and Sarry for you 1 can take care of papa, so you aeed not hurry liciii)e." M DOli'\) you fuel well enough to go with us! It Be'-choroff., tenderly. And when Nedie shook her head and said she .us;, stay at home, het visitor added, by way of Indne 'inent:, t Harry to bring you Jfcl ?-■ .s. -i; Ne^Ue was not to be persuttatfdL^ she meanb jØ stay at houtil, and she said so; but site did not add that site expected someone to call wliom she Was nOldl-) macb uvurde to alone bo-day #A she was yesterday. buch was Lite case, however she folb sure that oaritid Nori-hcote woud command she was equally serbain that she would be giad to see him. So when Mrs. Beechcroft went away, Constance and two of the boys accompanied her in the carri- age, Ubsy Mewed-quite gay party as they alipf-oticlied tlio fiall. Barry Beechcroft, sitting in a low chair, looking Sle and feeling very mueh of an invalid, saw em lis they arrived, ainTtie W'ondei etl wh at could have madoCoitfitatice.o pretty and so animated. He hud not expected that Nellie would come, consequently hp W'\ 1Ig.t.4iPP iuted, bub the old dou^Jas tp vvfticli oi>tlie sisters he most admired canie hack to n.ui he he saw-that fresh, yontig face by the side of his mother, and he aliiiost behaved that it was Constance and not Nellie witHi whom he was most in love. But he owed Nellie a debt of gratitude; from all he had heard, 4hs had suVed fiig life, and he* would be ungrateful indeed if, after all that bad passed between them, he were not to propose to.imr. So he mused, but such was the perversity of human nature, that the vary obligation to propose made him reluctant to do so, and the doubt rose in his mind as to whether (instance would not Stake the best wife of the -two. The very doubt roused him, and liolhwt for » servant to help him to dress, then slowly made hit IW way to the drawing-room, where he expected bo find his mother and her visitors. The room was empty, bub be saw them, in the garden, at the entrance of the large marquee, that Was still standing and though he felt weak and very shaky, he put on a hat, took a Stick, and slowly walked out to join them. Taken quite by surprise, Constance flushed t* her very temples but the next instant she turned go pale that he uttered an exclawation- of alarm, thinking she was goiug to faint. She quickly recovered, and said something that was rather indistinct about being startled, then she went on with the work aliew"abotib writing names on slips of pnper, thab were then fixed os small parcels am I placed in baskets which her two young brothers seemed eager to take away. lou must have f-ome of the servants to help you," AJrs. Beechcroft was saying I won'b have thoee dear boys imposed upon," and when Harry asked what they were doings the matter was ex- plained to him, and he was equally positive that the boys must not do all the work. it Will be an act of charity if you come and help my mother to amuse me, Miss Constance, when you have looked after the wants of thei hungry," he said, in a languid tone. I at* awiuily seedy, and don't know whether to be glad or sorry that they palled rae out of the water lad- night." Constance made no answer, but Mrs. Beechcroft said quickly, Yes, we will COlDe and talk to v oir, directly we have fiibielmd. Constance can *uy j all day, Nellie said so." The girl thus quietly disposed of was silent. She was nob unwilling to stay, and evess if uhe were she could uige no good reason against doing so; but she was dimly colweious that there w. danger to herseif m the presence of the man who exercised over her an iniluenco of which he was, himself unconscious. This feeling, which she was too inexperienced to define, made hot more timid and reserved than osoal, and Harry Beechcroft found it difficult to, draw her out and make her talk with him. If lie, were in his ordinary condition of health lie prob- »bly would not have the patience te. try, but h» was in that frame of mind when trifles are more" interesting than affairs of moment, and he experi- enced a mild pleasure and a sensation of content- i ment in lying on the couch in the small drawing- room and Watching the girl's flower likeface wliett>J H was turned towards hhnv "I with you would read-, me something," he said: at last—" a poem, or something soothing 1 dOli" know what has come over me." What shall 1 read ? asked Constance^ in dis- may Anything you like, he answered only let. it be somet hing pleasant." She hesitated a minute or two, then she took up a volume of Longfellow and began to read tha. AI. Goldeu Legend Beechcroft made a wry face when she began. but happily she did not see it, and very soou the simple story, into which she threw a pathos he had never before discovered in it, touched him, in spite of bimself. and carried him along with her. fA.9 she wenb on reading she seemed to identify herself with Elsie, and to be like htr, ready to sacrifice her life to restore to health the man whom she secretly loved. tihe had read for a long time and had just uttered those lines- Love, that of every woman's heart, Wilt have the whole and not a part, That is to her in Nature's plan More than ambition is to man "— when he stopped her abruptly with the question. Iti that a fact? la the statement true, or is it only a piece of poetic licence.! Constance looked up from her book and as her eyes mot his and she realised the meaning of his questioit, her face became dyed with the deept blush that suifused it, and a mist came before her eyes as she turned away her head and answered in a low troubled tone, I suppose that it is true." He said no more. Her confusion ami the tremor in her voice revealed a secret that surprised him. and he began to wonder who could have stirred the heart of this little puritan, for such he con- sidered her. Constance had involuntarily closed her book when he asked his troublesome question, and now, instead of opening it again, she rose from her seat, sighed, and perceived for ihe first time that Mrs. Beechcroft had left the room, and that she and Hanw were alone. Her fhlt impu'se was to run away, bub his voice arrested her as he said in a half-serious, half- bantering tone, You seem to know a great deal about women, Constance, and yes you are your- self but a child." "I am seventeen," she asserted, with as much dignified assurance as though she had said I am seventy." I don't doubb it bub seventeen is not a very mature age, and you cannob have much personal experience to speak from." People don:t always speak from experlence t she retorted, in answer to his last remark, One can notice what happens with people and can form ones own judgment. I know a lot of girls, per- haps you don'b, but I pnly express an opinion that I believe Longfellow is right." Perhaps lie is right," assented Harry Beech- croft, quietly but all women are not alike. There is your sister Nellie, for instance. Do you think that love would ever have the whole of her heart?" • You had better pub thab quesbion to her your- self," replied Constance, with more coldness and dignity than she had ever before shown. Then, with a scarcely clear Excuse me," she left the room aNd he saw no more of her that day. Half an hour afterwards his mother joined him, an,lasked with evident displeasure, What have you been saying to Constance Dudley to offend her! Nothing," he answered, in surprise. I can- not have oiended her." His mother shrugged her shoulders as she said in a less angry tone, Something must have pub her out, for she is gone home. I tried to persuade her to stay, but couldn't. I thought you could not have had the ba-l taste to talk sentiment to her when matters stand as they do between you and her sister. I am sure she would resent any dis- loyalty to Nellie more than a wrong done to her- self." "Upon my word, mother, you women have a faculty for goillg ahead when you once geb hold of a notion. You talk all though it were quite a settled thing between Nellie Dudley and myself." And as he said this, the young man sat up on the couch and looked at his mother with real or assumed imoj't ence. But Mr*. cechctoft was a lady who had very decided o ni > s upon some subjects, and she now s d w< is severe dignity, while she fixed her eyes lo y upon her son, "Ifib is not a setbled tiling; between you and Nellie I presunJb that it soon w bo. 1 certainly implied as milch when I thanked ier for saving your life." And having del ivered herself of this uncompromising remark, the lady walked out of the room. The yon:i £ man muttered something that was scarcely complimentary to the fair sex, but he knew full well thab there was no escape for him, and that sponer or later he must) propose to Nellie Dudley.

CHAPTER VI. ,I

A MINER DECAPITATM).'

THREBAEX^NAUTSTOLED.I

FATAL ACCIDENT ON A IIAKE.…

! A SERIOUS COiLISIõN:

" A FBEE^ORCHAILP." R

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