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CHAPTER XVII.
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CHAPTER XVII. ADELA IN EXCEPTS. Mr. Pickering and hris curate, Mr. Samdford, who. had been asked to dine at the Court that evening, arrived a little before their time, which enabled the former to comply the moire readily with a request, conveyed to him while he was removing his overcoat, that he would "see her ladyship for a minute up- stairs." Periodical problems, relating to d'oanestic or parochial matters, arose with which Lady Constantia did not wish her taus- band to be troubled, so that there was nothing unuaual in such a summons; but, as soon as the Rector was shown into the somewhat bare and severely furnished room which, far want of a more appropriate desig- nation, was called her ladyship's boudoir," he perceived that his old friend, was dis- turbed to a greater extent than she would have been by amy ordinary delinquencies of dependents. A rather shocking thing has happened," she told him at once; "Adela has inveigled that senseless young man into miaiking her an offer of marriage. The Rector pursed up his lips. "Dear me! this is a little sudden, isn't it?" "I shouldn't wonder if he thought so," Lady Cons-tantia answered, with some bitternieios; "Adela probably came to a decision the moment she knew that his position here was secure. There is nothing to be done with Ad'eiia; but you have influence with him. Can't you persmade him to break it off?" I hardly see on what ground I could do that. One must presume that he is attached to her." Lady Constantia shook her head. "I see and hear so little that I can't speak from personal observattiom, but I presumed from what you all told me that he was attached to Mabel Penrose. Adela may have made mischief between them; that wouldn't be unlike her. Anyhow, she has been spreading her net quite openly of liaite, and about am hour ago she and he came in with the 0001 announcement that they were engaged." "What did Sir Martin say?" Not much—to them. H,& confessed to me that he was very sorry about it—amd, of course, surprised." I make the same confession," said the Rector, if there is any use in that. Your sorrow, I gather,, exoeedls your surprise." "Adela exhausted her power of surprising me long ago," answered Lady Oonetontia drily; "but she can bring additional sorrow upon me, end if this shameless marriage takes place she will." Are we justified in describing it ae shame- less?" If you prefer to oadil it etoameifuil, I have no objection. Not that I object to it on account of Adela's effrontery alone, or because one can't help pitying her silly vic- tim. What I foresee is that, if tihey become man and wife, Martim will certainly went bhem. to live a. good many months out of the year in this house; and you know what that would entail. Evem as it is, I am obliged to -resort to all manner of stratagems to kieep him from inviting people to stay, and with a newly-married oo-mpde umder our roof vktbiaA chance .shofUiW. I have?" The Sector piDtshed his lower Up. botwooni bd a flmger ajKl tlnuanb reflectively. "Tee, •there's thai rdiak. lit would have been redoood to a. TnritnaimTBm by Qyril's marrying lllaibcil Peaurtoee." "Exactly so." But human, nature is perverse, and it's a waste of time to lament over what might have bean. Now, what do you expect me to eay to Cyril?" Yiit? might tell Mm what Adela is." "One difficulty is that I d-oai't know. Besides which, he is too good a fellow to listen to backbiting. And, after all, Mrs. Spencer may be im. love with hiim." "ill love with him I" Lady Oomstamtaa ejaooiated soornfuftly. "Adela in love !-amd with him!" "It doesn't seem to me so impossible. How- ever, Sir Martin couild easily find out by for- badKling the marriage and threatening to dis- inherit the bridegroom-elect." A fugitive gleam of hope ligtotied up Lady Constamtia's eyes, but died awo-y imstaratly. AdeJia won It be taken in by-a sham thireat," said she. "I was only wondering whether the threat might not be made in earnest." I fear not. A distdmot promise has been given., and Martin does not break (has pro- mises." She spoke with a sort of regretful pride; for, although she sometimes thought her husband quixotic, she wooiid not hawe had him other than what he was. "WeU," said the Rector. "I accept a watching brief; I can do no more. I famcy this match as little as yon do; bolt. one thing you may depend upon: unless Mrs. Spencer herself cam be induced to bvmk it off, molbodjy else wild. Isn't it tiime for us to go down- stairs?" It speak6 weld for the self-oommamd and good manners of the persoms chiefly con- cerned ttoait dimmer poased off without the least visible discomfort and withocut any allmsdan, open or veiled, to the subject whiah was im a<ll their minds. I»ady Ooneitarutia, it is true, atoned for the unwanted garraltity just recorded by remaliming aJlJl but mute from start to finish; but Sir Martin chatted •good-humonredly to Cyril, whose aoootnit of the aftermoom's aquatic adventures seemed to divert him; the Sector joined in with reminiscences of bygone exploits on the Isie, a.nd Adela annueed bensalf by discuesfcng reoentfc social scandals m am umdertomie with the cfurat^, appearing to take it for granted that he must be comversBmit with all their details. Mir. Samdford, whio had never so much as heard the names of the culprits ion- plicated thereim, was a. good deal horrified, ha.1f irnered-ulous perhaps also unconsciously flattered at being treated as one of the initiated. To him Mrs. Spencer Hadiow Stood for the world, the flesh, and the devil; but he would have conceded that these had an emgogirug representative in her. We must always be on our guard lest fellow-"feeling for the sinner should lead us into condoling the sin," Oyril heard him say. In reply to which strikingly novel admonition Adela, without moving a muscle, drawled out: "Ah, that's so, suibtle! One sees how you would oomfbiine sympathy with severity ilf you were one's confessor. Is it really our duty, do you think, to confess our sine to a priest ?" Not, perhaps, a diuty of universal obliga- tion; yet am inestimable privilege which we can only neglect at our soul's peril. Such, Oyril gathered, was the view of Mr. Samdford, who waxed eager amd eloquent upon the point. Out of ?fhø..t unpromising material Adalia could always extract sport for herself! —-and with what easy dexterity she fitted her conversation to her environment! Even Sir Martin and Lady Constantia, it seemed, were unable to hold out against her. Why had she predicted that they would be furious? They had been nothing of the sort; they were not own actively hostile to an arrange- ment which might not altogether please them, but to which they had the appearance of being resigned, as to a virtually accom- plished fact. Cyril could not but think Adela amazingly clever. Exactly how clever gihe was he was precluded from appreciating by causes which must be obvious to every- body. They were, at 8.111 events, obvious to Sir Martin, who. as soon as the two ladies had left the room, got up amd said: Now, I wamt to smoke a cigarette; but I won't spoil the bouquet of your claret by lighting it in here, Pickering, and I'll be back before you are ready for coffee. Oome a-nd take a turn on the terrace with me, Qyril, if you have had enough wine." Out in the warm night, umder a. staorlit sky, the old man took the young ome by the arm and began, without amy preface: I must ask you a queefciofn which you won't like. Is this your doing or her"s?" Well, I suppose we are jointly respon- sible," answered Oyrll, laughing a little. "Isn't it |usually so in these oases?" My dear feldow. we are discussing yenrr particular case, which is unusual im more ways than ome. I haven't, to start with, the rigthit of veto which I might cJafizn if you were my som, as well as my heitr-" Oh, but I think you hafve," broke in OyriL What would you do if you wanted to pre- vent a son of my age from marking a mar- riage of wfatich you disapproved ? Tell him that he must either give way or be out off with a shilling?" "WeIJ. I might—im the last resort." "All'the more easily, then, cam you bring the saane pressure to bear upon me, a mere collateral. Yoa don't Ike the idea of my marrying your daughter-in-law, do you?" "No; sinoe you aBk me, I don't. Nor does my wife." Oh, I knew Lady Oomstamitia wouldn't like it." "So you see—or don't you see?—why I asked you a. rather impertinent question. I miust be soitdsfled that you know what you are doing. Unless you proposed, as many a man hoe done before now, in a fit of pique because you had been slighted, or had imagined yourself slighted, by some other lady—" Cyril made a vigorous gesture of demiafl. Unless you did that, it stands to reason, I am afraid, that you are simcere. You have nothing to gain by marrying a widow who is considerably your senior and who has no private fortune. Adela, on the other hand, has obvious indmcements to marry you." I underst-an,d what you mean; but you are mistaken. She is a^bsolutely disinterested; I a.m certain of that." Sir Martin was as certain as it is poesiiMe to be witih regard to any feminine amotions or m-otives that she was not; but he wisely refused hinvpolf the luxury of proclaiming his coirviotion. All he said was: "I may take it, then, th13lt you are not to be dis- suaded?" What would you think of me if I were? Supposing I wished to be off my bargain—I don't in the least, but surp.posin.g I dad—how could I go back from my word now? I hope you will believe, though, that I shall not for one moment think myself ill-used if, under the circumstances, you decide to alter your wild." I have no intention of doing that," answered Sir Martin, patting him on the shoulder; "I aliso object to going back from nSy word. I have told you frankly that tJhis marriage doesn't please me, and I ha.ve owned to iouspici-onts which you tell me are mtis- taken. I oalll't insist farther. Let us go back to the dining-room and say no more about it." Cyril would have li-k-ed to say a little more about it. He'would have liked, for. instance, to ask what Adela had done to deserve the animosity of a kind-hearted and liberal father-in-law; but, perhaps, after all, it was best to leave well alone, and he was con- scious of having been very leniently dealt with. He could only hope that his betrothed had fared half as well at the hands of the redoubtable Lady Oomstamtia. Not until an hour and a half later cfculd he make inquiry as to that. He was oa-Qed upon presently to take a hand at whist with Lady Oonsta.wtia for partner, Sir Martin and Root-or making up the rubber, while Adela and the curate talked theology in the background. As usual, he made several glar- ing blunders, and, as usual, -after the rubber had been lost, hde apologies were received with a silence more crushing than ra.niy spoken rebuke. Rather crushing also was Mr. Pickering's pointed abstention from rae felicitations which Cyril gave him am oppor- tunity to offer by following him out into the hall, helping him on with his overcoat, and saying: "I suppose yooi have heard my news?" Oh, yes, I have hea.rd," tlbe Rector briskly replied. I airways thought Mrs. Spencer was the sort of person who would be likely .to marry again. What a lovely night! Now, Sandford, are you ready?" Cyril ralIJ. upsitairs, laughing under his breath, but a little mortified, nevertheless, I He was no adept at oomcealiimg hde thought^. and was soon joined in his studio, as he bad expected to be, by Adefta, who perched toerselj upon the arm of his chair, drew a. long breath, and exclaimed: Well, thank goodness, that's over amd done wiitih!" Was hea- ladyshup very terrible?" Cyril asked. "Terrible was no woaid for her! She didn't caN me an aJbamdkxnied minx, but, of ooturse, she gave me to umderstamd tlhat I was that, and worse. Well, I bear no malice." I don't think you ever' dio, said Cyril admiringly. I Clan't afford it, dear boy, at my time of life; nobbing is so wraaikhng. I needn't tell you that I was raminded of my time of life more than once in the oonoree at) a trenchant monologue." you allowed it to be a xa«noOogue, did YOIIlP" Adela shrugged her shoulders. "What could I say for myself ? Naturally, it is gail and wormwood to her, poor old creature, to ftnd me for the second time in the position, of her successor, amd, naturally, she believes I have schemed to entrap you, with am eye to the succession amd nothing «16e." I don't it ma/tunad to believe anything so uncharitable and untrue," said CyriJ.. wiitih some heat. Sir Martin, at any rate, doesn't; for I toM him we shouidta-'t think of com- plaining if he C'hoee to out me out of hie wild." You spoke without book there, my dear; I should complain very much, indeed. or, rait (her, I should cancel the engageanenA forth- with. It wasn't in order to wreck your pros- poets that I consented to marry you. I wont ask what the. odd mam's reply was, because I know. He didm't fancy me as a dtewighiter-in- latw, and lie'111 famcy me even leas, I daresay, 00 your wife; but he is always a gemittoman." Yes, bat for that very reosom one hates. to take advantage Off his scrupulous good faith." Oh, you're another!" Laughed AdeJa. "It's because you're another, amd because he knows it, tihat you may perpettpate all man- ner of eccentricities with impumity. At the same time, if you feel that you owe him something, you won't be more eccentric than you cam help. Let's make good resolutions, shall we? I've begun already, though I dlon't suppose you have noticed it." Noticed w)hat?" Cyril asked. She dived into his pocket for his cigarette- case, took out a cigarette, which she held up, amd then put it back. Never again!" sadd she: "you don't like to see women smoking." Oh, but, indeed—" Ob, but, indeed, you don't! And if I have any other small vicetf^ which you wish me to abandon, strike now while the iron is hot and say so." He was a good deal touched. He answered as lo'vort^ answer; he could not doubt that Adela loved him, amd before they parted he was able to assure his conscience that he loved her. He even went so far as to quiet that inward marplot with the perfectly absurd assertion thl3lt there are more ways than one of being in love. His young«T brother, who did not prtniemd to his wisdom or experience, could ha.ve told him that there is only one, but might have added that women oomtrive to reconcile it with conduct which would be impossible to the least refined of men. Hubert, however, had no remarks to make about love or about a perplexing sex when he arrived, towards moon the next day, in order, as he briefly explained, to take leave of his friends at Kimgsmorebom Court. Oh, nothing," said be, in answer to the surprised Cyril, who asked him point-plank what was up now; "but one oam't stay with a mom for ever, you know, and I haven't too much time left if I'm to see anything of mother and the garle before I settle down to hard labour. So I'm off to the Isle of Wight to-morrow." As it had been arranged that be should make hda home im Lomdom with his family, this was a somewhat lame excuse; but Cyril, divining that the episode ijf the previous afternoon had brought about a slight mds- uurienstandikig with Mabed, which might be expected to right itself if left alone, was dis- creet enough to put no further questions. The commumicatiom that he had to make respecting his own destiny was hailed with an outburst of facetious applause. "Didm't I say so!" cried Hubert; "didn't I see through yoa all ab=g! Everybody in these; posits tfitore yon were after Miaa Pen- nee; bat. I thou*rht I know ratbrar better." — "I daresay you did," observed Oyril drily. Amd I'll tell yoiu what it ie, old man; I think you're doing a jolly sensible thing for once in your life. From what I've heard since I came down here ab-outt the course you've got to run, I should say you would want a. bit of riding to keep you on the right side of the flags, and Mra. Spencer is just the wewtnam to do that; for you." Mrs. Spencer may have been of the same opinion. She soon joined the brothers, accepted the compliments of the younger with the remark that it Would be her en- deavour to show herself worthy of them, amd professed much regret at the tidings of his abrupt departure. If she could form a Slhrewd guess at its cause, she kept her surmises to herself. Not even to CyTil-least of all, per- haps, to CIYKI-ims she disposed to impart them after luncheon was over and Hubert, who had been persuaded to stay for that meal, had left. I suppose," Cyril remarked, "there has been a tiff between him amd MisB Penrose about something. It seems rather a pity." To which Adela semtenitiously replied: "One never knows what is a pity amid what isn't; the simplest plan is to take things as they come and remember that it will be a.11 the same a few years, hence. At this vetry moment, umleas I am much mistaken, my beloved mother-in-law is calling Heaven to witness what a pity it is that your brother didn't come into the world before you." v"There," observed Cyril, "I heartily con- cur." I'm sure you do! But why do you imagine that she treated him with such marked fa/voter at luncheon and put 001 that tehderly regreitfuil air when she bade him good-bye?" "Because ehe likes him, I suppose; because he is a pleasant, cheery mortal, with no tire- same fads and with the tastes tha,t a country gentleman ought to have. In short, becomes he is a perfect fit, whereas I am a most pal- pable misfit." "Oh, dear, 'no! only because he isn't you. If he were put in your place, eihe -would begin to abhor him and a-ripcreciate your sterling worth from that Yery hour. As for misfits, why treat KingCTnore'icm as the ouiEitomer amd yourself as the .garment? Why not take rap the more di,t.in!g attitud.e of looking at things the other way about?" Oyril shoofr his head. I am afraid tthat I distinction -vVauMxTt make much diffemmee. ILOW can Kta^niozetaa be cut and stitched to my measurements?" I' Ah, that's where I come in! Ycru: ha.ve no idoa how useful I am going to be to yon. People must be made to realise that a main of your artistic talent is a credit and am I OirrameT't to the neigfbbo'nrhocd. They may- have to re~pcct a.nid a.dicpt your fsdis also; I haven't quite decadcd yet. Anyhow, you are going to b3 a success; it is I who promise you that." You don't even draw the line ait miracles!" said Cyril, laughing. I ciraw no lines wh0:Ð ycu ar3 ccmcerraed," the intrepid little woman declared.
| BANKS'S FAIRY. |
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| BANKS'S FAIRY. | There d bin a lot of trouble, an' we'd agreed to part. After nearly ten years of it. we were goin' to dissolve partnership, 'er to go 'o:Q1e to 'er folks, an' me to go any road I ohoosed. Relations, as usual, 'ad caused a lot of it. I was no saint before I met 'Liza, but I'd tried 'ard to keep straight since, an', on the whole, I'd bin pretty successful. But they comes round rippin' up old sores, keeps tellin' 'Liza how fond o' a glass I'd bin, an', after sayin' 'ow surprised they was as I was runnin.' straight, proffysing as 'ow I was certain to die a drunkard, until she began to believe them, an' kicked up a shine every time I'd a bl'?l drop o' ale. My side was just as V. k iv d. D-lly was born about eighteen months after wc was wed. She was a beauty, was D just the right sort of a kiddie to bring 'ai¡p.uess into any home, but after she cams things drifted on from bad to worse. As it was, 'owever, instead of the love some kids seem to create, she brought nothin' but jealousy. If she was cronvin, to me an' kissin' an' lovin' me the miseus would get mad with 'er, and it was the same with me when it came 'er turn. Each was afraid of the kid lovin' the other best. She was about eight years old when mat- ters reached a climax. 'Liza had been jawin' about somethin' I'd clone once, an' I give it 'er back by askin' when 'er brother finished is Gover'ment job. It was then as she told me she'd take the kid an' go 'ome to 'er mother. At last the time came when I could stand it no longer. It was pitiful to see the kid creep up to me, when she thought as 'ow 'er mother wasn't about, an' kiss me as thoagh she was committin' some big crime, an' feared at being found out. Thus it'was as I came to think she loved me only, never knowin' she used to do the same thing to 'er mother when I wasn't near. I'd bin offered a job some miles away, an', after thinkin' things over, I'd accep-ted it. One night I crept into 'er room an', wrappin' the clothes round 'er, carried 'er away. Bill Thomas was wait in' with 'is cab, an' we drove to where I'd got lodgings, near the new job. She never woke on the journey, but lay smilin' in my arms until we arrived at what was to be 'er new 'orne. She opened 'cr eyes then, an' looked round in a frightened man- ner, but, not seein' er mother, she nestled closc to me. I 'ugged her, an' told 'er not to be feared, as she could love me always an' nobody would scold 'er. She looked round surprised an' pleased for a minute, an' then a scared look came into 'er face again an' she whispered: "Father, where's mother?" I told 'er we'd left 'er, an' that we two were goin' to live together where no one could stop us lovin' each other. But the tears came into 'er eyes, an' she sobbed out as she loved 'er mother, too. Blow me! I could 'ave dropped, it 'ad all looked so bright for us, but she wouldn't 'ave it. I promised 'er toys an' all sorts of things, but it was no use. She 'ad only one cry, an' that for-'er mother. WTiat could a feller do? I stood it for a week, an' watched 'er growin' paler every day. N We went back as we came. She was asleep, an', layin' 'er in 'er cot, I went to face the missus. She glared at me a minute, an' I could see as she'd bin cryin' a lot. Then, rushin' pa-st me, she takes the kid up an' fairly smothered it with kisses. I let 'er go on, but it was 'ard work. It cut me to see the 'appy look come back into Dolly's face again. But just then she started tellin' the kid a lot of things she had no right to. At this I jumps up mad with rage, an', catchin' the missus by the throat, flung 'er across the room. Another minute, an' Hea- ven knows what would 'ave 'appened, but I heard a little shriek, an' Dolly came rushin' in between us, 'er face white as death an' 'er limbs tremblin' with fright. "Stop, father!" she cried. "You're not had, mother isn't either, an'—an'—I love you both." I stooped down an' kissed 'er, an' then, rushin' out, tumbled into a pub an' got blind an' incapable, the result bein' fourteen days. During that time I thought a lot. an when I came out I'd resolved on a plan to make the kid 'appy, if I could. Tlat night, when I got 'ome, I kissed er as she lay asleep an' then turned to the as she lay asleep an' then turned to the wife. "Look 'ere, 'Liza," I said, "do you really love that kid?" "Ask 'er," she replied: "an' at the same time, ask 'er who she loves best, me or you." "None o' that, now, 'Liza," 8a.id I. "I'm I not goin' to trouble you for long. The broker will sell up ererythin' to-morrow, an' you can go 'ome to your mother. Ten bob a week is the amount I'm goin' to pay you, an' I'll keep to it honest. As for the kid, she's too good for either you or me-an' that's straight. I know of a good school where she can be brought up like a lady if the money's there, an' it shall be, or I'm a liar. You can take 'er until the arrangements are made, an' the money for the furniture will rig 'er out all right." The next day we told Dolly about the big school, where she'd grow up to be a lady, an' after a good cry at the thoughts of leavin' us, she agreed to go. In the afternoon the place was sold up, an' we stood together on the doorstep before goin'. I counted up the money I'd received an' gives 'er half of it for the kid's clothes, an' then divided the balance between us. She said as 'ow I was doin' too much for 'er, but I reckoned half of the old 'ome was 'ere, an' insisted on 'er 'aving 'alf of what was left. Then J. kissed the kid, an', not wantin' to appear too bitter towards 'Liza, I 'eld out my 'and an' said, "Gorid-bye." She took it an' muttered the same thing, much softer I than I'd 'eard 'er speak for years; then, tumin' quickly away, left me standin' alone. Suddenly a thought struck me, an' I called 'er back. 'Liza, I &aid, "you'll not say anythin' more to the kid about me bein' bad- will you?" "Never no more, Jim," she replied. "I swear it." The next mornin' I went to the boss an' asked 'im if the job was still open. 'E be'aved like a toff, an' said it was, an' wanted to know where I'd bin. At this I told 'im everythin', an' asked 'is 'elp to get Dolly into the school, an' 'e promised to do all 'e could for the kid. It was dreary work after that. At nights I hung round the place where Liza's people lived in the 'opes of s-cein' Dolly, but for a week I never managed it. At last, the time came when she was to go away. We went down by the train to D all together, an' tried to appe r friendly to please the kid, but each blamed the other for the partin', so it weren't genuine. Dolly seemed very quiet, but didn't ory until we were leavin' 'er at the school. Then, after we 'ad kissed 'er, she put her little arms round both of us in turn an' sobbed "Good-bye." She stood watchini us until we were out of sight, an.' then 'Liza an' me separated. Just before Christmas there c me a letter from the lady as kept the school, sayin' as the children were givin* a performance at Christmas for some charity, an' Dolly bein, such a pretty little, interestin' girl—them's 'er words, blow\me if they're not!:—that she was to be the fairy. She also sent two tickets in case 'er father an' mother would like to come down an' see 'er. I kept"that letter back until Christmas 'ad nearly come, an' then I sent it on to 'Liza in the usual way, only this time I sent 'er an extra half-quid, thinkin' as she couldn't '.tve much left out of 'er weekly money. Then I waited, an' wondered if she'd turn up. She did. I saw 'er On the station, lookin' very neat an' trim, an' she seein' me, came up an' thanked me for the extra half-quid, an' walked slowly away again. Some'ow it struck me she only wanted a c 11 to bring 'er back again, but, feared of gettin' snubbed, I couldn't do it. It was a long walk from the station, an' as the snow was comin' down thick an' fast, I found myself wondering 'ow 'Liza was gettin' on. The 'all wa3 packed an' the play just about to commence when she came in, covered with snow an' lookin' awfully jaded an' tired. Bein' early I 'ad a good seat near the front but she was up against the door. I can't tell you much about the 'play, for, to tell you the truth, I couldn't see nothin' but Dolly. When she came on the stage I was staggered. She 'ad grown, anj looked morel like the fairy she was playm' than flesh and blood. She was prettier than ever, an', my! you should 'ave 'eard 'er talk-just like a real lady. The people cheered 'er eVerythin' she did or said, an' blow me if I could 'elp gettin' up an' shoutin' "Well done, Dolly," an' 'Liza she did the same thing. Dolly 'ærd' us both, an' when she wasn't Bpeakin' she looked round the 'all until she saw me, an' then smiled an' nodded 'er 'ead. At the interval I went out, an' when I came back I found the missus 'ad disap- peared. For a minute I was mad, thinkin' she 'ad gone to see Dolly before me. but just then a gentleman waixed up an' touched me on the shoulder. Said 'e, "Are you Mr. Banks?" to which I replied, "I am." "Then," says he, "will you come this way. please? I am the stage- manager^ an' Dolly 'as just told me you an' your wife was sittin' apart. Your tickets entitle you to a reserve seat, but in the crush I suppose you 'ave got separated." I followed 'im too surprised to speak, an' 'e placed me next to the missus, almost on the front row. Presently the play started again, an' Dolly came on the stage. She smiled an' nodded gaily towards us. I shuffled in my seat an' looked at the missus. She looked at me an' flushed hotly. An', some'ow, we could both v tell that Dolly was wat-chin' us. "She's grown," I whispered at last. "She 'as," said 'Liza. "An', oh, Jim, ain't she pretty? "Makes you feel kind o' proud she's your kid. "Our kid, you mean, Jim," she replied, addin', as a burst of applause was given for I Dolly. She's you to thank for this, starvin' yourself to make 'er a lady." "Not so bad as that lass," I said. "It's bin a bit 'ard at times, but I've never wanted for a bite." "Nay, Jim," she replied. "Truth's truth, an'—an' no girl need want for a better father than you've bin to 'er." "Do you mean it, lass?" I said, 'ardly believin' my own ears. "Mean it? Of course I do," she answered. struggling with somethin' in 'er throat an' turnin' 'er face away from me. "We've both bin fools, Jim, an' I've bin the biggest. That kid's got enough love for both of us, an' leap-s to spare." "Wonder why she sent that toff?" I said. tryin' not to show 'ow pleased I felt at 'er word. "Can't you tell?" she replied. For a moment I 'esitated, an' then, says I, 'Liza, would you like to ple-ase the kid?" Give me 'alf a chance, Jim," she answered. "Ain't I prayed time after time for a chance of doin' 'alf as much as you've done for 'er?" She didn't turn 'er face away this time, an' I could see the tears rollin' down 'er cheeks. I waited until I caught Dolly's eye, an* then, puttin' my 'and through the old gal'a arm, I drew 'er up close to me. Dolly under- stood, an' waved 'er fairy wand over us, as though to drive away all troubles of old. Then the play bein' finished, she disap- pea red, smilin' sweeter than ever I'd seen 'er before. We waited a bit, an' then went behind the scenes an' saw 'er together. We didn't stay long, 'cause of catchin' the train back, but she's comin' home to see us before long. It'll be a new home, an' me an' the missus will be waitin' together to welcome our fairy. Goin' back in the train we agreed to start 'fresh an' let bygones slide. Also I'm goin* to paint a big sign. an' the words on it'll be-* "No relations wanted."
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CHAPTER xvirr.
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CHAPTER xvirr. A LESSON AND A MISHAP. When Hubert, who had sculled the mtTig- geT up the river, leaving the gig to the engaged couple, took off his cap to Violet on the landing-stage and marched away in the twilight, she knew full well that she would see his face no more. He could not, of course, remain at Staiweil after what had takfen )-aoe, nor was he likely to d-ec-ire amy more tham she did that they tihoukl go through the tragic farce of a formal leave-taking. Never- theless, it would be obvio-uaty difficult for him to retreat within twenty-four hours; so, to make assurance doubly sure, she decided on taking Mabel to Exeter with her by train the next menmimfe, alleging that she had shopping to db wluich admitted of nio deflay. This expedition occupied tihe whole daIy. asad whether Violet was glad or sorry to haaa- that Mr. Hubert Haatow had not called during her absence Mabel, with am interroga- tive eye upom her, could not teN. On the morrow Bob rode over alone, bearing a mes- sage of apology and regret from his friend, Who by that time was already far arway.* Oam't say, I'm amtie," he amswered, with a somewhat Chagrined air, when Mabeti inquired the reason, for so sudd)en a desertion; "had enough of us, I suppose. Well, as I told Man, I d'orn't want to keep amy niiam in my house agarnst his will, and if he thinks there's more fun to be had in tihe Isle of Wight than here that s all rigihlt. We shall hauve him back for the wedding, anyhow, I hope. Ok and talking of weddings, have you heard what's up at Kingsmoreton Court?" Never!" ejaculated V-Bodet, without wait- ing for a more explicit statement. Oh, poor fediliow! But how weatk of him!" Bob looked puEssled. Eh ?—poor felloiw? Devilish liucky felilbw, I caiIIl him! What's the matter with Mrs. Spencer?" Nothing that you would ever find out, my dear Bob. Her husband may -when the hills begin to difop in; buit that won't be iyet- awhile. What would you do, I wonder, if you were to discover during our homeynioom tthat I was in debt to the tune of sewenad thousands?" "Pruy up amd look pdeasamt, of course," amswered Bob manfullly, yet with a hint of suppressed uneasiness in his voice which caused his affianced bride to laugh .aloud. So comforted," said she; "I owe nothing, for the excellent rea.solll that nobody will give me any credit. Take warming, though, tlhl8!t I shall come to you -without a sixpence in my purse; everything that I possess will hove gone in paying "for the few poor ■ ra&s ttMht will represent my trousseau." Boib's rejoinder was generous amd affection- ate. He never allowed the presence of a third person, to impede his affectionate utfter- amces, nor did be guess that this diversion had been thoughtfully creafted for the pur- pose of giving the third person time to recover her countenance. Mabel, however, required no assistance for the recovery of what she had not loet. She was, it must be owned, a. little surprised and a little sorry, for she doubted whether Qyril had chosen Wisely; still, she thought AdeLa. fascinating enough to justify any mam's choice, and she said so. This solves several difficulties, &t aJJ events," slhe composedly reanarked, amd it's a stroke of poetical justice. I have always felt that some compensation was Adda's due." Much less amiable and less dignified were the subsequent comments of Mr. Penrose, who, OlD being told the news shortly after- wards, became very red and angry. Most flagramit case of kidnapping I ever heard of in my life," he shauitcd. Why, the woman's almost old enough to have rocked him in his cradle! Hadiow ought to be ashamed of himself for allowing it. Do you think Sir Martin was consulted. Uncle Jim?" asked Violet demurely. Consulted? Well, seeing that he pays the piper, I suppose be has some rifeiht to call the tune, hasn't be? But, perhaps, he thinks it best to put up with the ilfls he knows if. rhere's never amy telling where yoa a.re with a feather-brained ytnrng Radical like tlhat adopted som of his." Poor Mrr. Penrose was not unnaturally in- censed against Oyril, whose Radicalism he might have pardoned, but whose incomstamcy he could not. To have been ready (as, im truth, he had been) to accept that not wholly deeiraible young mam. as a som-im-Jaw; to have discerned, as he thought he had, every sign that his formal consent woodd be requested ere long; to have overlooked certain patent disqualiifcations; to have rejected in advance all other eLigihle candidates im the county— and tQnem to be coolly left in the lurch like this! What father of am incomparable amd well-dowered d'amghter would not have been furious? No doubt, they were well rid of the fellow; bat that did not dimimdrih or ex- teraiuaite his imprademoe. Wotøt. of all, there lurked a.t the back of the old gemJtdemanjs mind a terrible fear that his dear Mabel's heart had not escaped untouched. As he was no adept ait concealing his thoughts, Mabel understood very well why he continued to pour scom and ridicule upon the head of the absent offender. She was also quite aware that she was being silently pitied by her cousin; so that it was fortu- nate foT her that she had a remarkably even temper. Being thus blessed, she managed by d'e-groas to give them both hope that no great mischief had been done after all, amd when the subject had been exhaustively discussed she introduced another to re-place it. Has father told you about his last pur- chase?" she asked Bob. E'o you remember that bay horse that Hitchcns, the dealer, was so anxious to sell ycu last winter?" Bob nodded. "A nice-looking one, but hardly up to my weight and a bit of a rogue. Kitchens wanted too much money for him." He didn't want much from me," said M.r. Penrose, at ones forgetting aila ab6ut Oyril. I don't mind telling you between ourselves that I get him for sixty sovereigns." "H'm! that tells a tale, don't it? Not quite your ho'rse, Mr. Penrose, I'm afraid." Well, I daresay I oouild have made him my bcxree twenty years ago." returned the o\i gentleman, somewhat nettled by the im- plication. As it i'3, I may have to get rid of him. umless he mends his manners; but we shall see. He gave my head lad a tees yeeterdAy, and he .«eems to be as full of tricks as a monkey." Eøb shook his head. It s tha/t Lottery blood. I dom't care for any of Lottery's stock myself; Slugs or devils every ome of 'em, amd sometimes both." Not a bit of it!" protested Mr. Penrose eagerly. I could name at least three that I'd give a couple of hundred apiece for now if they woro in the market, and glad to have them at the price. This one seems to be a queer customer; but it isn't his breeding that's wrong, you may depend upom It. I shouldn't wonder i.f Hitchcms haid knocked him about too much." "Hasn't thrashed him enough, more likely," returned the uncoinvinced Bob. I kne w the brutes!" A protirnctcd controversy ensued, which fu'fillci Mabsl's purpofe in starting it and enabled her to effect hcr rctx-cat. She had several letters to write, including one of con- gratulation to Mrs. Spencer Hadiow, which, by reason of the honcity of her soul, gave hor fiorr.e trouble. She cherieed no grudge, a.rod assuredly 'no feeling of jealousy, asairs-t Adcila; RriDl, she could not but think that that astute lady had carried through a well- considered scheme, nor could she bdlip being aware that she- herself would be very gene- rally regarded as a wearer of the willow. However, .she said all that it was possible to say without gross insincerity, amd just as she hsirf finished her rnArrive Violet caime tn yawning, to ask whether they were going to drive across to Srta.wop¡11 cr not. "We are, if you like," Mabel answered. Poct. Mw. Lueoombe expect ui=<?" I believe so. She is in a chronic state of pining for my company, it appears. Rather odd of her, considering tihat I am going to turn herr out of house and home in a few wepks; but, according to Bob, ehe looks upon eviction a,s a positive privilege. By the way, Bob is going to ride the bay horse over and keep him for a week's .-chooling." He will have his hands full for the next week, then." I most devout'y roo Come round to the staible-yaind and see him start." (To be continued.)
LAUGH & GROW FAT ♦
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LAUGH & GROW FAT ♦ HUMOROUS PARS FROM EVERYWHERE. Son: "Pa., why does Mr. Ring say his head is as clear as a bell? Pa: "Because there is nothing in it but his tongue." Jeweller: "Shall I engrave the bride's initials on the inside?" Fianoe: "Better say, 'For my beet beloved' "I have often marvelled at your brilliancy, your aptness at repartee, your "If it's more than five dollars, old man, I can't do a thing for yoa. I'm nearly broke myself." Teacher: "You have named all domestic animals save one. It has bristly hair. it is, grimy, likes dirt, a.nd is fond of mud. Well, Tom?" Tom (shamefacedly): That's me." ¿. Little Girl of Pour (standing entranced before the window of a toy shop): "Oh, mother, if you was my little girl wouldn't I take you in and buy you some of those lovely things! "My face is my fortune!" the vain lady said, with an arrogant, insolent tose of her head; When the demon remarked, "You're frank, I'm sure; still it isn't esteemed a disgrace to be poor." Gentleman (engaging coachman): By the way, I may say that nothing but vegetarian food is allowed in my household. Will that suit you? Coachman: Pufflckly, sir. puffickly- beer and whisky is vegetable products, ain't they, air? Daubs is mad as hope about his picture that was om exhibition." Wasn't it noticed?" Yes; took a prize." "What's he mad tybout, then?" Well, it was a, picture of oows, and it was awarded the prize for the best picture of sheep." In some parts of Texas the people live to be very old. An old man of 90, living quite a distance from the nearest town, requiring some family groceries, sent his son, a man of 70 odd yoara of age. When .the con failed to show UP with the provisions in time has father reproached him by saying:— That's what comes from semcting a kid," In a village cricket match recently the local butcher m::t,6 batting, when a. ball bumped up and hit him OlD the head. from which the wicket-keeper made a catch. How'e that?" yelled the wioket-keeper. Hout," said the umpire. But it hit me on the head," protested the batsman. I don't know where it hit yoti," responded the umpire. "But I know the sound of wood. so hout you go!" The play was not by any mean* brilliant, a.nd obviously the man was bored. Suddenly he leaped to his feet. I heard ot\ID alarm of fire," he -aaAd. I must go and see where it is." His wife, whose hearing was less acute, made way for him in silence, and he dis- appeared. It wasn't fire after all," he said, on his return. Nor water either," sold his wife, ooldy. "You seem much upset, my good man," remarked the curate, who happened to call when Murine was laying down the law, some- what emphatically to his family circle. "Hupseit!" bellowed Murkle; "I should think I ami hupeet. Our blessed kid's just set 'isself on fire, >. am' Mowed if the missus 'ere ain't bin an' put 'im out with my 'pot o' beer, an' me stony-broke, too." "I'm goin' to stop bein' kind and helpful to people," said little Johnny. I, How is that?" asked his mother. Well, it's this way. At school to-day I saw Tommy Jonies putting a pin in the master's cha.ir, so just as the master was about to sit down I pulled away the chair. The master sat down on the floor, and when he got up he licked me for pulling away the chair, and then Tommy Jones licked me for interfering. Yes; I'm goin' to stop helpin' people mow." He had just returned from a Continental trip, and was telling his adventures. "And above all," he said, "I actually bad the distinguished honour of playing whist with a king." The man. in the overcoat had listened in silence up to this point, and now his lip curled scornfully as he replied: — "That's nothing; I once played with four kings." "Really?" » "Yes. Four kings amd an ace." KNEW HIS LONDON. Some of his boys were taking but littJe interest in the lesson, and the teacher grew desperate. William Smith," he suddenly demanded, "are you listening?" Yes. sir!" Then perhaps you can tell me where Nelson was killed?" Trafalgar Square I" was the reply. Indeed!" sarcastically ejaculated the teacher, when he had recovered his breath. Then I suppose Wellington was killed at Waterloo Station ?" "No. sir," responded William. "That was Napoleon W I LOOKING FORWARD. In the days when Rowley Hill was Biihop of the Isle of Man, one of his clergymen, bearing the na.me of Tears, came to say adieu to his Bishop on getting preferment. The parson said, Good-bye, my lord! I hope we may meet again; but, if not here, in some better place." The Bishop replied, I fear the latter is unlikely, as there are no Tears in heaven." No doubt," wittily answered the parson, you are right that our chance of meeting is small, as one reads of the plains of Paradise, but never of any Hills there."
I'I i— A NOTORIOUS BURGLAR.…
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I — A NOTORIOUS BURGLAR. + POISONED MEAT USED: A SEVERE STRUGGLE. —— John Frederick Spencer, aged 28, described as a draper and Sun day-school teacher, was oharged at the l^eicester Quarter Sessions (before Mr. Buzzard, the Recorder) with nine cases of burglary, and with receiving a quantity of stolen property. Mr. Powers, who prosecuted, stated that the prisoner was arrested at the house of an insurance ageut at two o'clock on the morning of April 9, after a severe struggle with Detective-sergeant Briars, who was coa- cealed on the premises. The prisbnet occupied two hours in forcing an entrance through a window. In his possession w^efS found a complete burglar's outfit- and some poisoned meat. Mary Elizabeth Ball, wife of a shoemaker at Belgrave, stated that she locked up her shop safely at midnight on November 22, and at three o'clock woke in a dazed condition. The bedroom door was open, but she could not get out of bed. Later she found that money and jewellery had been stolen from the bedroom and boots from the shop. She found a piece of meat in the kitchen, and her two cats died after eating it. Her husband had been ill ever since, and her boy, aged six. ha-d since died.. Did he make a statement as he was dyingr -Yes. The Recorder: You had better not ask that, as there is a Court of Criminal Appeal? The witness burst into tears. The Prisoner: I admit I was as bad as those who did it; but I wish Mrs. Ball to know that I did not do it. Detective-sergeant Briars said he found the articles produced at the prisoner's house after his arrest. The jemmy and screw- driver found on the prisoner corresponded with the marks on the window. I The prisoner in his defence said: Mrs. Ball has told you that the door and window ot her bedroom were open, amd yet she com- plains of being drugged. I know the man who did these things, and I know that be does not use drugs. The fact that people are disturbed in the night ma-kee them drowsy. Mrs. Ball: Well, I've never been like it before. The Prisoner: The poison which killed the cats, or was supposed to kill them after two days, would be of no use to a burglar to I kill dogs. There had been no poison used there. The Recorder: Well, that is very interesting information for us all, but even burglars, like doctors, may make a mistake as to the strength of the dose. (Laughter.) The jury found the prisoner guilty of being an accessory before the fact. Other cases, including the burglary at Brooksby Hall, were gone into, the prisoner repeating that he did not use poison. He was found guilty. The Recorder, in passing sentence, said the district for months was in a state of terror, amd hundreds of pounds had been spent in trying to capture the prisoner. He was a most dangerous criminal, and the least he could do was to sentence him to twelve years' penal servitude. The prisoner reeled in the dock on hearing his sentence.
FATHER'S DEATH AVENGED.
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FATHER'S DEATH AVENGED. DAUGHTER SHOOTS THE VICTOR OF A STREET DUEL. Mrs. Una May Weinstein, the wife of one of the wealthiest men in Mississippi, mor- tally wounded J. T. Lowe, a prominent lawyer, at Tumica. Lowe killed her father, Perry Houston, in a street duel on March 31, and Mrs. WeinStein shot him to avenge her father's death. Mrs. Weinsteim, who is only nineteen years of age, eloped in February, and though her father forgave her he refused to be reconciled to her. husband. The street duel, which was due to rivalry in local politics, took place soon afterwards. Lowe was not arrested, but after being guarded in his house for three days was admitted to bail in £ 2,000 by three justices, who held a preliminary inquiry. Mrs. Weinstein thereupon asked her husband to kill Lowe, who was one of his political and social friends. He refused, whereupon Mrs. Weinstein herself undertook to avenge her father's death. She met Lowe near his office, and" Iowe, fearing that she would upbraid him, hurried past. But Mrs. Weinstein burned round quickly, and at a distiamce of a yard shot him in the back. Lowe drew his revolver before he feB, but, seeing that his assailant was a woman, dropped it on the ground. Mrs. Weineteba watched her victim for a few seconds as he lay writhing in pain, and then ran to her I mother's home. She was placed under arrest there a few hours later, but was not talsen to prison. Lowe was caj^d to a hospital, bat then# is no hope of «8Hccoovery.
t____ " LEASEHOLD MARRIAGES."
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t LEASEHOLD MARRIAGES." In his second sermon on marriage at Farm- street Chapel, the Rev. Father Vaughan denounced the modern talk of "leasehold marriages," declaring that for such as con- templated such marriages the words "Till we make some other arrangement" should be substituted for "Till death us do part." ) There was no greater plague on the earth than the way in which people were cha-nging I matrimony. When they heard wives to-day saying that they refused the privileges of motherhood because, forsooth, it interfered I with their hunting or their London season, it was time to read the Riot Act. To loosen the ties of married life was to undermine j the oountry's welfare, to destroy the social I fabric, and to drag in the mud the flag of the Empire.
CHAPTER XY'I. (Continued.)
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BX" Author of <c^ X\ „ /7\ "Lord Leonard the Luckless," °^<^o W. E. N ORRIS. 4-e. CHAPTER XY'I. (Continued.) bonder," Violet said, after several wmpts to keep a languishing comversaitiom ^6 had perished of inanition, whether I k B°8pecited of having god carried away «JL0 thH^, u WJB on purpose. d, Of course not," Hubert answered. "Why y^p.. I 0r should I be suspected, do you mean, it,^ s^'ou'd I have done it? "Well, I didn't ohtayjt Purposely; but one doesn't expect <lo^taible judgments, and one certainly S16^ them. Not that it matters." 5ube^y' don't think it does," said "j. r4> wishing to relieve her of anxiety. I Uvua Lusconube didn't see for himself that 011 person to blame, he won't "Oh when I tell him so." yio] I "wasn't tMnking of Bob!" was un^<xre&een a™i slightly impatient. did not, however, state whose lack of she had had in mind, and Hubert for- question her. Did she want him to w^tedige that he had judged her harshly ^ference to another affair ? If that was HQ0? was driving at, he cmild give her help; the lees said abooit it the bettor, therefore, said nothing at all, but pulled ^tufts of grass amd scattered them broad- until, after an interval of a minute or •< i. Bh'e resumed: suppose you know that I am to be ^?Tled next month." fc^hert started and looked up quickly. I hadn't heard." -Lar~f was only decided upon last night. A "weddin^- would have meant -waiting the winter, which Bob didn't wish, and no particularly strong wish myself, Way o,r the other. I should think, if one been condemned to death, one would the sentence to be carried out at 7??: shouldn't you?" that how you feel about your xmar- Huibert cculd hardly avoid asking. «». U know quite well how I feel about it, I know quite -well what you think about All the same, I did right. I dom't ,1am glad to hear it," said Huibert stiffly, --No, you a.re not glad; you are sorry. Yera like me to he miserable and remorse- 1?^ Yoij don't realise—or, rather, you dom't T?386 to admit—tihait I had no choice." ^Q'bert -was not much inclined to take up challenge. I haven't the impertinence i myself up ae a critic of your actions," slowly, after uprooting more Of course, I understand tihat it was temptation." It wasn't a temptation; it was a necessity. wtho is hard up may be Strongly <^?Wed to marry am heiress, but he isn't to do it; he can work for his living, r, absolutely only one way in which a ^ftducaifced woraan can escape from eating -e bread of chatty." j T^h&nt heaved a tang sigh. Yes, I knew; forgotten what you tolid me. I jJ^sa-y it'8 true that in one sense you had „ choice. But—Luscombe! Í8 you rather like him, don't yon1? He ,bA;t you can "not hiailf a bad ohap. or It isn't a question of whether I like Mm But Wfca4; is the good OIl talking about must ta'Jk about something for the tfwo hours and a half, and., most likely, never talk about anything together as you mean to turn a deaf ear to all ^^Wons to stay at. Stawell." I didn't say that." 'lrr:LYou couldn't have said it more distinctly are you so vindictive?" youmg man raised himself into a moire 1 clasped his hands rotund his and. looked his tormentor fall in the I dom't think I am vindictive," he but I don't think you cam really to be told why I am not going to retrain ^Sfaa-wiell as your gmeab." eyes met his depq^eaaitims^y. Wb« it she nwrrnniwl. ."I don't know—perhaps X bosk* °»* *^7i(It TO nn^oh thaft I hope to God I tAira.1.1 Wer 0e*> ^y09 011 7r°fU agrain alter your wed- %n« day!" he initerruptt'd vehemently. She be-in to \v<icj> iioist'iles&ly, as thotx) woop ;SihOTe tio hoix\ "But I thought," ehe completing her trnAndeihed semtemoe, thine I oooild do for you was to Ijhjp?* you. I didn't think yooi oaired as ob I did." iast three words were in- ^btxTrwl H'°")ert kraew itfoait tihey hod been of ^d they had the very natairal effect H 111 forwt several thinigs whi<2i him to bear m mind- As for notions of daity remained Mii/4?18 consideriinig the influences had been, bawuffhit to bear wpom her, surely, be forgiven for granting a brief miniates of sfheer blnss. they were, thouigth knew full well jr0* they -w-oxtld have no successors, and even wfaHte the arms of the mam sh*} loved enoi-rcled hear amd his ikisses Warm -upon her lips, she never wauvered the poirpose to which she was pledged, tl8 eat and drmk, for to-morrow we die! How-jrast diuring this evanescent flash erpRrienoe—e»he was as happy as Hubert vf* if not as crazy, and Who can be hard- emougih to grudge the poor igirl so ^p^dly a share of life's good gifts? j^^h as her was, it did. mot last Sn £ J5be herself had to mmrder it when compelled hear to teiLl him that he like a madmam. The rupture Lusoombe which he eo naively jJrJ^&ed to be a matter of course; the long tw*??? of waiting- umftil he shouild be in a to offer her some humble sabuir<ban oonnbined with the bare means of sub- the sweet, but lxidicroais, delrusiom ^tei-Jr9 stoe could hove a f-uture of amy t^T^Ptioin in. oommion-eu these vdsiioms Mfeid s»ropit ontt of the domain of actualities, withoat mamy woonds that imperaitive V Was aocoanpiiefltied. <fid not make it easy for her. He could Or woufld not, believe that she was at Kimoero in her love for him and imexo- in her determination to sever her life his. Yo«u ]OTO me!" he crdeid, in a sort of angry wT^h; "you hatve told me so, and. all t/be It wouldn't be possible for yorn f^J^rry Iitwoombe now, even if you were of Shim, instead of halting him, amid aa you eomfese you are—afraid of I *8 possible," she meekly persisted, "amd jjj/^Jigoing- fa (j0 Nothing follows from living yorn and tedlimg you so, except We must not meet any more; everyithtog ^remains just as it was." her the pmposiiKxn was self-evident; to It appeared flatly eelf-contradictory. ^w- couid she help recognising tihiat their avowal had mode all the difference world! His love amd an.getr and drew froan him some bdtoter which she took uinoompladintingtly. *i*ftu. €>' 1X0 wrEtt^' no eloquehce could do with the two relentless facts that she marry, amd tlhat the man whom she fain, have ohoeem was debarred by Crjj^y from marryimg- her. Ctaily when at Ijjr^h he threatened to confess all jto Bob JjJl^jWabe, rmless she did, she gemly re- him tiheut tihait woald be going too cam't giro me away," she said, em- the phraseology which came most them both; it wooildrn't be j?"* the game." a gestrare of despaimmg acqmies- hot retorted by asking her whether I ^wioiig'ht it was piBayin.g the gome to Ome mem wthile she loved another. >0^ Oli-" she amsw-eaied, I ajn a woman, «n^' have rules of our own which are the same as yours." Then, after con- for a space: "I shall make it up to 1 don't meam to be a bad wife. He may dawn aJt Stawell the whole year he chooses, for, after all, I dom't ahoofld be amy happier in Lomdiom." each disputant had said all that •6 to say, they protracted a barrem ^fcj^phy means of reiteration usnitil a shout caused them to spring gniiltdly 1 ahOy! Where the diotose have yxra It yoMTBedvcs ?" who had arrived to keep them and who, after waved hamidker- signalled him up from the beach, rebukes to pio« yom're a nice couple of duffers! to look where you're going another 1 J"3*? I thought I'd better follow you. Mass Penrose ashore, as she was mom might be wondering what llor into a stew fcy others at EingHmoreton ftmt. ewmse have yoa got to make for €&?" (v_ with mmwh presence of mind amd trace of emotaom banished ftrom tbe war initio the enemy's rebuarning: V» your fatulit! Why didn't you v*eia saw what was godmg boisterously. ff fooit, was it? I like that! I suppose you'lO. say it was my fa/ult that I got left behind on the raft next." So it was," Yiolett coolly dteclared. As you chose to get out and as Mr. Cyril Hadiow didn't choose to get in, we had to fend for ourselves." An amicable wrangle ensued, in the comrse of which Hubert strolled away, amd, seating himself on a rock by the water's edge, pon- dered the problem of the eternal femdmine with somewhat detachment tham tihe sub- ject demamdis, lIe had ample time to devote tj it before the tide began to flow, and, perhaps, Bob appreciated his tact in absent- ing- himself. Violet certainly did.