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CHAPTER H.
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CHAPTER H. THE SHOOTING PARTY. Nythfa was about from an early hour on the day of the shoot, seeing to her gun, her gaiters, and the loose cape that gave the finish to her neat workman-like get up." Punctually at ten o'clock the sportsmen set out, and Gwynie, left alone, watohed them start-her father and his old friend, Captain Parry, in front, Nythfa and young Glauafon following, the dogs and beaters waiting in the home wood. Shall I carry your gun? What a beauty it is." "Oh, no, thanks; I never part with it. It is one my father had made purposely for me." And do you mean to say you can stand a day's hard work on these hills ? Eren I imd it no joke. She smiled. "I could manage the whole day very well, but I generally raturn about luncheon time, so, when Gwynie appears with the pony-cart, she will carry me back with her." I think it is very jolly having you with us," he said, boyishly. Then you do not consider it a very outrk proceeding ?" Independent young woman, as she was, she felt she would like to stand well in his opinion. I like you for it—it makes us seem real confreres. That is, if you would care to own me as such." What a splendid idea And her brown eyes flashed their pleasure. We shall be able to share eaoh other's pursuits, advise each other, and be as nice and friendly as possible." And his quiet Yes, I should like it," oar- ried a lot of meaning. 80 the winter day drew to its close. There was heard a pleasant hum of voices and the barking of dogs as the sportsmen returned. The Mioes Lloyd flitted into the drawing-room, and from his look-out in one of the windows Owen Glan- afon s tall figure came forward to meet them. How cold you must be," said Gwynie, j pointing to one of the low basket chairs by the fire. Yes, coM enough to appreciate thischeer- ful blaze," he said easily, and again the girls wondered at his quiet assurance. Father tells me that you did not do much after I left." Nyihfa had changed her plain tailor-made gown for a soft, white dress that suited her bright complexion and supple, young figure. NO, we were lazy," and as he gave his arm to take her into dinner he continued in a tone, half joking, half serious, "1 hardly know my confrere this evening." She was girl enough to enjoy his evident appreciation, as she said, with a pretty smile, She is here, though." It was a pleasant little party that was gathered round the Cwm dinner-table that evening, and Nythfa secretly laughed as she glanced at her neighbour and remembered the many tales she had heai d to his disparagement. ent. Could ihis young fellow, who was keeping the whole table merry over his livelv anecdotes, 11 be the same shy, taciturn, and unsociable stranger whose acquaintance the whole neigh- bourhood bad tried to cultivate in vain ? Could be who was taking such frank, hearty interest in all their talk and plans be the one of whom some friends had asked her only the day before," How many words di i you get from him, Nythfa, when he oalled?" And now the blue eyes turn towards her, as Owen asks her opinion on some little matter in an eager, animated way, and she enters at once into the discussion. Captain Lloyd, look- ing up from his fish to moot some question on public affairs, paused a moment to watoh the two, and smiled indul- gently at his little daughter. Nythfa was not wont to be so merry and talkative with her father's guests. You will think me far behind the times, but I have not even heard of the subjeot," Glanafon was saying. I never get my papers by any chance under a three days' post down here, and sometimes it takes four days for a variety "—this with a droll look at Nythfa. Who wants to be in touch with the world in a lovely old valley among the Welsh hills ?" was her ready retort. I think it is a pity we have been educated up to a daily newspaper, particularly as we cannot get it," he said drily. "Ah, country posts bad weather and bad roads, one must expect a little delay," said Captain Lloyd, calmly. I do nut really complain; I like this quiet old valley, far removed from the bustle and whirl of the world," Owen remarked. The monastic times would have suited you, then," said Nythfa; "you would have appreciated the safe shelter of a priory. For my part, I call the genus monk a selfish and unmanly order. They ran out of the fray when best equipped for fighting-escaped all trouble and duties worthy of the name." He rather liked to see the flash of the brown eyes, though he answered quietly enough, "Are you not a little inconsistent ? I thought you would like me to appreciate your quiet valley, and when 1 honestly say I do, why do you compare me, disdainfully enough, to a monk ?" But at this moment Gwynie rose, and with a laughing You must try and work out the puzzle," Nythfa followed her sister out of the room, and when the gentlemen joined them later it seemed, by the thoughtful look on young Glanafon's face, that he was still trying to solve the problem, lie did not make his way up to the piano, where Gwynie was playing, but sat at some little distance, half hidden by the folds of a curtain. Nythfa gave one glance in his direction. lie was enjoying the music in his own way,and delightfully unconscious that it was at least a little unusual to sit thus apart. She waited till the last notes of Gwynie's nocturne had died away, and then crossed the room to him. Perhaps you would like to look at these photographs. I daresay you and my sister will find some mutual paths of remembrance. I can only look on," and Nythfa drew up her low chair and leant her head on her hands as she bent forward. Once or twice he turned to her with a quick 11 I wish you had been there You ought to have seen those Bunsets at Genoa! What a pity it is you have never been abroad ?" It is very interesting to hear your descriptions, and it must be all very beautiful, but you cannot make me disloyal to my first ideal—Wales." I don't know that I wish to," he said, with an amused look. Were your old monks lacking in patriotism? If so, I can quite understand your contempt for them." She gave a little shrug of her shoulders, No one who possessed youth and a proper amount of spirit would ever have become a monk, in my opinion. All the heroes I have read about ride out into the world to do good deeds and brave. It is only when they are old and grey, and worn with their long fight against wrong and oppression, that they return to the happy valley they left so long ago." From the depths of her great wicker chair she looks up at Owen, with her beautiful hazel eyes the delicate face, that shows every minute shade of feeling, and which varies as often as her moods, take3 a very earnest look. Owen, standing up, tall and burly, sipping his coffee, colours a little, for he can partly read her allegory. He did not say any- thing then, being one of those who like to thoroughly thresh out a new idea and in his lonely walk home that night he pondered deeply over Nythfa's suggestive words. As he bade his young hostess good night pretty Gwynie remarked easily, We are always at home Sunday afternoons if you would like to come in." He looked pleased, but hesitated over his answer. Thanks I should like to, but it is only Friday to-day." That will make no difference if you feel inclined for the walk." In that oase I will come with pleasure," and he was rewarded with a little satisfied nod from his confrere. (To be concluded next week.) I
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,I BRECONSHIRE LOVE STORY.…
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BRECONSHIRE LOVE STORY. CHAPTER I. AN ACCIDENTAL MEETING. Bhowed clear and cloudless above a line of snow-tinged early sunset was fH E winter sky Bhowed clear and cloudless above a line of snow-tinged djing in a crimson glory behind their western crowns; down in the quiet Cwm Valley a young beater and a couple western crowns; down in the quiet Cwm Valley a young beater and a couple side of a thick ,t )<# hedge-row. She was V1** olad in a serviceable dress of grey tweed, Tyrolese hat covered her curly head; °ver her right shoulder she carried a light gun. Suddenly she halted, and signed to her beater to come up to her. (( Peter," she said, in an energetic whisper, I am sure someone fired just before I did, -nd there are step3 coming through the Plantation. Stay here a moment," and she Cloved towards a gap in the hedge, and, look- ing through, came face to face with a tall, fair Young man. You are trespassing," she said, with decision. This land belongs to my father, Captain Lloyd." "1 beg your pardon," said the stranger, U»in* bis cap. I was under the impression ^anafons owned it." c i ?* y?Qr side of the hedge," she said, of 'n ^er 'urn> though this strip be £ does, belong to Lord Aberhonddu, I use of it In rnr °f tK6 manor- A 01»ly made my beater saJ8^ after a pheasant, which, I The L. I '^T°FPed int° tbis hedffe" 1 really think it fein^ "P' a"d pardou me'but Tn ik V 11 to my gun." it she o °aSe sk°uld be sorrv to claim leave Tw--nnSW« P^udly. "With your pe,„r v.' fe^er matter to my beater. Wff-taTi ih that bird ? Pointi,,S to the 8j„ 1 ,"e stranger was now holding up ^mirmglyinhishand. P kill ieKg'n? your Pardon> Miss Nythfa, 1 ca —me and ^be do £ 3 between us," me the unabashed, assured answ&r of the aiI»inative retainer. ,.T; amused look crossed the girl's face \»k-j unexpected solution of the difficulty, in +if 3^e not'ced there was a merry twinkle he stranger's eye, the first he had suffered o appear. is 'f ^>e'er ^ave the bird by all means; that 70u do no^ object," he ended courteously. Ihank you, sir, it will be a tine thing to *ke home to mother," and the boy held out Meager hand. Hay, Peter, I want those feathers for Miss ^ynie. You shall have a rabbit instead," i4 his young mistress authoritatively; then 111 a lowered tone—" Our people are not yet educated up to pheasants. Do you think they would appreciate the golden browns and Purples of those feathers-they are magnifi- cent." The decision rests with you," he said Politely. You live in the grey house in the jj are one of the Misses Lloyd, I believe ?" » *ent °n. "Perhaps you will allow me to .tavie„Telf? am GUanafon, and am i, ,shooting season at Derri Farm." the know, for my father did himself have neJerreretf callin? uPon y°u> but y°n baughtvpian,, ,ned hls politeness," with a I am her great brown eyes. 1,10yd"11 very so,T- I wrote to Captain the af.* ^Ur^er asked you to dinner, went on ,,y;ere young tone! but I 8' *,1 grateful for his kindness, n,'nd tnr n°'i come' y°u would not kind nt ani 90 unversed in all this it too 1 —ought I to call now ? J8 the Was alinost a pathetic wiatfulness in he »a .°'l° tones and in the appealing glance H0Ss Ve er- Under that look all her stiff- Well Var'.ls^ed- I do not think I am very f^j^P ln society rules either," she said, with tati0 ease.' but I know that when an invi- Use nf! Is &iv'en to dinner, whether it is made K 0r n°t, it is customary to call after." anSw, at,k you> tben I will do so," he talk*61!? eager'y- "-My farmer's wife often he ^„a^oat y°u» you^g ladies of Cwm,' Ohavi-n ?n' a1'llost boyishly. "And when Past 16 brother) and L used to drive nevo/^°Ur gate3 we often wondered why we \y8aw you*" to chnrfil •> nearly meet one day going remetberV l)o saw a girl issnir,^fWere so stai ,led when vou hurried on as qufcklTL^ m.eladovv Kat<") aild lie coloured at the Pi°pSS'n]e''• fright he had been in. colleclion of the U'ere you afraid that I should speak to You; she went on misohievously » AP.ea^ are. Good-bye," and she held on't i!'0 ^and ere passing in through the gate* to ^61 b»u.e-a long, low us'.io verandahs and Irench windows. 'uvyn Lloyd came forward on hearing foot- "P*, and the sisters met on the verandah. hat a lot you miss by not coming over the land with me, Gwynie," exclaimed the I °u"g sportswoman. "Guess my adventures afternoon ? iVrbaps you fell into the Lrook, and Peter had to fish you out. In that case I think my afternoon at the Paro was preferable. though we were such a party of petticoats. Your new tweed suit looks very nice," went on the elder girl, critically surveying it." Not that it matters much, for I suppose you did not meet a creature. There you are mistaken, for the Hon. Owen Glanafon and I have met, and he is coming to call as soon as possible," cried Nythfa, excitedly." He is very nice, unaffeoted, and not a bit shy." II Then why has he never returned father's call ? I really think he did not know it was expected of him. However, come in, Gwyn and we can talk over everything as we dress for dinner. To think, after all, we are going to know our hermit hero,and that it is possible he may turn out as nice as we pictured him and become a real friend, and all owing to my prowess with the gun." How your imagination runs away with you, little Nythfa. Mr. Glanafoumay not recipro- cate our interest in him." 4 he doesn't, after my shooting that pheasant—what in sporting phrase is termed 'wiping his eye,'—he isn't worthy of being asked here," cried Nythfa indignantly, tossing her mane of bright, orisp, brown hair. Though medium height, and upright as a young larch, she was so slight in figure that people generally applied the term little to her—and her nature was fresh, fiery, and enthusiastic. Meanwhile, young Glanafon pursued his solitary way through the village, with its slate-roofed cottages, built on the riverside and along the lonely road that wound through the heart of the valley. Then, crossing a piece of meadow land, he found himself before the old homestead of Derri, one of his Welsh farms. In the great black-raftered kitchen the farmer's wife was preparing his dinner. With a few pleasant words to her he passed into his sitting-room beyond. It was small and low-oeiled; very little sun could at any time shine through the narrow casement. This winter afternoon it would have been in total darkness but for a cheery wood fire burning on the hearth. Owen Glanafon stood before it rubbing the barrels of his gun, with the true sportsman's feeling. As he stood there he seemed to fill the little room. The fire-light flickered on a strong, rather sober face—one of those stern faces that need the softening and breaking of a smile to give it interest—and Owen did not often smile. In bis tweed knickers and Norfolk jaoket, he looked very young and boyish. Hisgunpataway, bis dinner finished, he sits down in the old arm-chair by the fire, half dreaming over his pipe. He and the fire are old friends many and many a time it has been his sole companion, and it is a very faith- ful one. He is gazing into it now, seeing many a picture in its leaping, stirring flames. Presently a half smile flickers around his mouth, and says, •' Being a girl, she shouldn't shoot"—then he lifts his head-" and I really will tell her so to-morrow." There is no sign of life and bustle about Cwm House as Owen Glanafon threads his way through the wilderness and gains the avenue, and as he takes his first peep of the old grey house he thinks what an air of calm and quiet rests upon it, and his momen- tary nervousness at a first call dies away. The short December day was already drawing in, but a bright fire threw a ruddy glow over the long drawing-room, that struok the visitor as one of the prettiest, daintiest rooms he had ever seen. How d'ye do, Mr. Glanafon, we are very glad to see you at Cwm," said Captain Lloyd. "Allow me to present you to my eldest daughter." Owen bowed with stiff ceremoniousnest, but the girl, with a smile, held out her hand, saying, Such near neighbours ought to be friends." "Thank you," he said, with a half shy look at the speaker, who made a pretty picture in her blue dress, with its bands of white velvet at throat and wrist. And then the door opened, and, with a little friendly smile, his friend of yesterday came forward. So you have found your way here," she said, merrily. Well, it was very good of you to come-at last." I must apologise for not returning your kind call sooner, Captain Lloyd," said Owen, turning to his host, with a cool self- possession that surprised the girls. What a lovely day it has been but you must have found it rather cold on the Coed-cae. I made you out with your dogs and small beater by the aid of my glass," addressing Nythfa. Yes, it was cold, but so lovely there—on the breezy hill-side—it is one of my favourite walks." Is that to the Taran Tormant ?" asked Gwynie. "1 have never ventured as far in my life," and the visitor smiled and thought it would be rather a rough climb for such a dainty young damsel. And I don't suppose you have ever shot off a gun. Now, have you ? he asked pleasantly. In fact, I did not know young ladies did that sort of thing." This was throwing the cricket ball with a vengeance, and Nythfa was not slow to take it up. Y'ou are right. Young ladies never shoot, but young women do.-sometimes. My sister belongs to the former class, I to the latter," and she threw a glance from her pretty brown eyes, half defiant, half playful. "Father could not do without my aid in the sporting field, Could you, father? And, besides, how lonely it would be for him to go out by him- self." Captain Lloyd smiled as he said, My youngest daughter has, perhaps, been too much indulged in this, but she is so fond of an out- door life, and knows every inch of the ground, and I find her too invaluable a companion to dispense with." Perhaps Owen Glanafon thought lie would not objeot to have some such bright com- panion to share his wanderings over hill and moor, for he said, I wish my Cousin Agatha had similar tastes/' Do you, really ? Jn that case, papa, perhaps Mr. Glanafon will join our little shoot on Friday," and Nythfa showed a very eager little face. „ I shall be very glad if you will come, said her father courteously, and L hope that you will come back and dine with us after." Thanl( you, it will give me much pleasure. It would have gratified the sisters if they could have known what a pleasant half-hour this was to Owen Glanafon. He enjoyed watching them busy over the little tea-table, or iiitting about with a cup of tea or dainty hot cake in a bright, informal way, for they had laughingly refused any aid from the gentlemen. The shaded lamp-light fell upon the scarlet and gold of the Worcester tea-set, the hissing silver urn, the little tables I with their array of sweet things; upon the fair, winning face of Gwynie Lloyd and the merry, piquant one of the younger girl. From his comfortable corner near the fire he could look aoross at them and join in the conversation in his quiet way, or listen with the frank interest that could but be felt com- plimentary. It was such a different scene to any he had been used to—as different from the cold, baohelor air of his home and the grand ceremoniousness of his Aunt Aber- honddu's drawing-room as it was to the plain, unvarnished simplicity of his sitting-room at Derri Farm. Have you travelled at all ?" asked Nythfa, in a lull in the conversation. I spent some months last summer near Constantinople, in an out-of-the-way island." "It must have been all delightfully novel and curious. Not that I oare for travelling myself, but my sister does; she has only just returned from Corsica. And did you like the Turks ?'' "They were rather dirty," he said drily. But the country itself—the Golden Horn, Constantinople—surely, you were interested in all that. They chattered on, drawing him out on the subject of his wanderings in Iceland, Poland, and the Sunny South. You seem to have been everywhere, and to suoh delightfully out-of-the-way places," said Nythfa, with one of her sparkling smiles. Now, shall we turn to something in my line," and she showed him a drawing of one of the old crannoges or lake dwellings. This led on to a discussion about cairns and tumuli, and Nythfa found that their new friend knew a great deal more about the subject than she did. You see, I hear about these things from the farmers, and I have made many an expe- dition to the cairns in this neighbourhood,' he explained modestly. Is it really true that some Roman coins were found in the valley by a lad tilling the ground ? II Quite true," nodded Nythfa. Here is one of the identical coins." The young fellow was standing now, lock- ing down at the animated girl's face, his own showing as great an interest, while he fingered the old, dented ooin and helped her to trace the curious Latin inscription. Not a vestige now remained of the haughty reserve of his first coming, and it was not until the chimes of the little mosaio clock struck the warning hour that he said frankly, "I think I must be going now, or my old farmer's wife will wonder what she is to do about my dinner." And then he went away. "Now, isn't he nice?" exclaimed Nythfa, ere his footsteps had died away on the frosty air. "And how dull he must find it in that old farmhouse—no companionship, no society. I think he must have thought our drawing- room very pretty and bright in comparison, and I am sure he isn't used to afternoon tea, for he did not hop and skip about as most young men do, but, after a faint protest, settled down comfortably, with his little table beside him, and a plentiful supply of sweet things." Yes, I am glad he appreciated our after- noon tea," answered Gwyn the first call has been highly sucoessful. I saw him glance at the piano. Perhaps he is musical." You must find out, Gwyn; of oourse you will play on Friday."
The Lost Banknote. .
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The Lost Banknote. PART I. In a small but well-stocked shop in one of the busiest thoroughfares of Liverpool, John Burton has lived and laboured for five and twenty years. The business in which he has spent such a large portion of his life is about equally divided into two departments, the one devoted to newspapers, periodicals, and stationery, and the other to cigars, tobacco. pipes, and the various nick-nacks which are technically known as "smoker's requisites," though many ardent lovers of the weed manage to puff away very enntentadly with- out any of them. Business was over for the day, the shutters were up, and old John Burton sat in the cosy little parlour at the rear of the shop, and gazed alternately, with equal affection in his eyes, on his son Harry ar.d his adopted daughter Mabel Morrison. She had well re- paid the kindness which had prompted the old man to take charge of her when her parents were drowned at sea. She had been, indeed, a helpmate to him since the sad day on which he had lost his wife, now six years ago. John Burton had one hope and ambition in life. It was that his handsome sailor lad Harry —the joy of his heart and apple of his eye—and Mable, or Queen Mab," as he sometimes fondly called her, should get mar- ried, settle down to the business he himself had prospered in, and inherit all he had saved. Well, Harry, my boy," said the old man, "this is your last night on shore before you start on your last voyage. I hope it will be a rapid one, lad, for I long to have you here with me, instead of knooking about the Bay of Biscay and Mediterranean in all sorts of weather. Mab, my girl, bring the decanter and jugar and glasses, and we'll drink to the speecly return of all on board the Macedonia, more particularly her second officer, ch, Mab ?" And the sweet face of the young woman was radiant with smiles and blushes as she rL-aumed her seat near the bronzed young sailor, who dexteriously seized her hand
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F R Y S PURE CONCENTRATED C 0 C 0 A. Prom W. H. STANLEY, M.D., Ac, I consider it a very delicious Coooa, is highly concentrated, and therefore econo- mical as a Family Food. It is the drinkpar excellence for Children, and gives no trouble in making." .——— PARIS EXHIBITION, 1889, GOLD MEDA AWARDED TO J. S. FRY and SONS. BRISTOL.
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I' A ¡¡ R ï AND Hockk's Welsh I'arns art 1M b it. Btjjjj5* TW P&F1S AT THE TOP MB TBS SECOND INSIDE! THE FIRST HALF,
The Lost Banknote. .
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under shelter of the table cloth, as he said Well, father, I shall be glad to live on shore with you and Mab, for though 1 like the sea it has many drawbacks, not the least being the long absences from those we ove," a gentle squeeze of the captive hand took plaoe at this point. However, I want to be able to say that I sailed in the good old Macedonia as second oifioer and, as I've only just passed my examination, why I must make one more trip before I can say so." Harry, my boy, I'm proud of you, whether on land or sea, and here's a prosperous voyage to you and all your mates. When you come back this shop and all in it is yours and that young lady's alongside o' you. You shall do the work, and I'll sit here all day reading the papers, smoking my I lpc,, and seeing as yoa don't quarrel during business hours, and I think I shall have a very nice easy job, that I can manage to do without any extra help. By the way, Harry, just look theso notes I got from Wilson in the safe, there's a good lad. I was forgetting 'em. He wanted to send away a cheque for a hundred, and he has no bank account. Here they are, one fifty, two twenties, and a ten; they'll be safer locked up than in my pocket-book. Put 'em in the bottom drawer on the left." Harry went into the shop with the notes and soou returned after carefully locking the safe. H Xow, my nob'e second officer," said the father as he took the keys from his son, it's midnight, and as you have to start from here at six in the morning, I think we'd better go to roost." They were all astir early next day, and after many vigorous handshakes between father and son, and a similar number of undisguisably beartykisses had been exohanged betweenHarry and Mabel, the young sailor jumped into the cab waiting for him and was soon lost to view. A few furtively removed tears now and then from Mab and a tremulous tone in John Burton's usually strong voice were all to indi- cate that anything out of the common had happened that morning. In fact, a couple of hours after Harry's departure the daily round of business, with its engrossing cares, had removed all traces of our friends' grief. It was nearly noon when John said— Mabel, I will just go across to the bank with those notes Harry put away last night and some gold as well; we have rather more money here than we want." lie went to the safe as we finished speaking and opened it. Directly afterwards a sound, half groan, half sigh, caused the girl to look at her companion anxiously. She was at his side in a moment, and with tender solioitude asked, What's the matter, father? Are you ill ? Oh, speak to me." But for a moment or two-John Burton stood silent, with the bank notes in one hand, while the other was pressed against his heart. At last he spoke, slowly and with an evident effort to control his feelings. III No, dear no But—that note-the one for fifty pounds- I gave Harry last night -is-is not in the safe Here's the other three, but the fifty has gone. Oh Harry, Harry Why did you not tsk me if yon wanted money ? Why become a thief in your father's house ?" And the old man went into the little parlout to hide his grief, Thither Mabel followed him, leaving the errand boy to call her if necessary. Her face wore a troubled, anxious expression, and she breathed with difficulty as she said: Father, you cannot, you must not think that Harry stole that note. He is too high- minded, too honourable to stoop to such a thing. You know it, too, father, as well all do. Harry Burton couldn't act so meanly if he tried My dear child, who could have taken it ? I gave him the four notes to put in the drawer. I ba,;e had the key in my pocket ever since. Nobody had touched the drawer until I opened it now, and the i:50 note hat gone. If he had only asked me for firll fifties I would have given 'em to him." "Perhaps it's about somewhere, father. Anyway, I'm as certain that Harry never took it as I am that we stand here judging him now." I wish I could judge him as you do, Mab," murmured John, as he turned for his one solace in the time of trouble-hi. pipe-and she went to the safe where she looked, but looked in vain, for the missing note. She could not aooount for its disappearance, but of the one thing she was certain, and that was- Harry Burton had no hand in it! The old man felt his son's dishonest act very keenly. He was an upright fair dealing man, and among many of his oldest business acquaintances had years ago earned the name of Honest John." That his Harry, of all others in the world, shoald have stooped to such baseness was bitterly deplored by the father, but it was decided by Mabel and him- self that no intimation should be sent to Harry of what had occvrred. You'll see, father, he'll clear it all np in five minutes," said the girl, strong in her loving faith. Why, if he had even wished to tahe it, wouldn't he have known that he alone would be suspected ?'' Well, well, JMab, we'll say no more about it until Harry returns," and that ended all dis- cussion on the matter for about three months, though old John Bnrton's face during that period often assumed a gloomy, troubled look, such as had never been seen upon it before, His one solitary crumb of consolation, when brooding over his son's delinquency, existed in the fact that the money had been stolen from himself. He would often derive satis. faction from muttering, "It's a great blessing that he didn't take it from the office, or the ship, for then everybody would have known about it; now, nobody knows but ourselves." And so the days grew into weeks, the week. into months, and the time for Harry's return vra, i)i",h at hati(l. To be concluded next INtk.