Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 34, Number 14, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 May 1888 — Page 1

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VOL. XXXIV-NO. 11. INDIANAPOLIS, "WEDNESDAY, MAY !), 1888. OXK DOLLAR l'KR YKAIi.

pStrar?eTessaie IJY DORA RUSSELL, AutllOr fif "FoOTIT.tSTS IV tiik Snow," "Ins ;i:okcn Sical," "Tnic Vicar's (J0VKUNiV "AXNACLI.'S UtVAl." ICopjrrluMci!, CIIAITKU VI. A HARD I'.ARGAtS. THE littlo woman standing by tho fireplacn laughed detiantly at Uiddulph's words. 'I thought I should surpriso you," the said. "Nothing yon could do would surprise me," ho answerixl coldly. "Hut, may I nsk, what is your mutivo lor coming hero?" Ajjain th woman laugtioil. "I came to look at your now property," fche said. She was not young; ulic was not handßoiiic. She was dark, sallow, and rather ttout, with bright, glittering, uniling dark oven, when he wan in a go.l temper. Ju.st now kIjo was notmapod temper, and th expression of her eyes wun not Rmilinpr, but scornful and dangerous. "You have nothing to do with my now property," said Uiddulph; "you regularly receive your income. What do you want more?" "I want an increase of income for holding r.iy tongue." "Then, you won't pet it." "Oh yes, I shall 1 It is but just. Your income has increased; so should mine."' "Your income is perfectly adequate." "You may think ro, hut I don't. A husband and wife should le inoro on on equality, you know, my dear;" and once mure the woman laughed, while Uiddulph stood gazing at her with gloomy eves. So it was yon then, I suppose, he said bitterly, "who injured my trees." "If you call carving the old beloved name an injury," she answered scollingly, I did it." "I might again ask vour motive, but it is wasting mv breath' "I shall tofl you without asking, then, I "wished to remind you of my existence; my little elfish playfulness was intended as a moral tap on vour back. When a married man goes boating with a handsome young lady by moonlight, it is quite time he had ciPiue snob reminder." "Woman!" said Uiddulph passionately, bis face Hushing strangely4 "if you goon like this you will tempt me to strike vou dead!" "Oh no, I won't! If you were to strike me dead you would be hanged, and you are too self-indulgent to like to be hanged." IJiddulph muttered a curse between his teeth, and turned away and went to the window of the room, and stood looking out on the fair picture beyond without fceeingit. "You have a nice place here, but a detestable climate," presently said tho lady at the fireplace. Then Biddulph turned round. "Natalie helK-gan. "Not the old familiar Natt, then?" mocked the woman. "Natalie or Natt, which ever you like, will you listen to reason for a moment, ind sjeak reasonably ?" "I shall be delighted ; I am all attention." "Ileproaehes letveeu us are .useless; allusions toi miserable past are useless, loo. What do you want to go away from here forever to haunt me no more?" 'What do I want? Well, to tell you the truth, a good many things. I lost a pot of money last winter at Monte Carlo, and I'm pretty fairly dipped in town, and just as I was thinking what on earth was I to do I heard of your windfall, and hastened to Scotland on the wings of love." "I cannot pay your gambling debts." "It's not my gambling debts it's my tradesmen's bills I want paid; and I have a right as your w ife to expect vou to pav them." . "1 "lease do not allude to that right," said Biddulph, coldly and ropressively ; "you know well the miserable circumstances under which you acquired it." "Yes; you "found you had to deal with a clever woman instead of a fool." "We will not discuss it. How much money do vou want to go quietly away?" "Well, let. me see. For one thing, I want my income doubled. A paltry sum like four hundred a year won't keep me; I can't really make it do. And then, I "want two thousand jounds down." "A modest request, truly! I cannot afford it. Eight hundred a year, and two thousand pounds! I've not the money to give vou. "Oh yes, you have. I've been making; inquiries, and I hear the old colonel who left you this place, left a pretty tidy sum of money as well; therefore you can perfectly aliord it. Come, Jim, you'll have to pay, so you may as well do it with a pood rrace; it's better than by going to Miss fctewart at liossmore." Liddulph started 03 if she had struck liim. "Oh, you don't like that!" cried tho woman, tauntingly. "You don't want this last love of yours io hear that your love of long ago, that your wife, is still in existence", while you pass yourself oil" as an unmarried man. Hut she shall hear, if you do not give rne what I want. I have given her a slight warning as it is." "What do you mean?" asked T.iddulph, growing pata to the very lips. "Just a hint a little message to disturb her love-dream. Don't look so white; pray don't faint. Miss Stewart knows nothing yet about me." "I pray heaven ehe never may!" The woman shrugged her shoulders. "Hard words won't break me, my flearl" she said, contemptuously. I camo for monev, and if I get what I want I will go away' Liddulph made no answer. He began slowly walking up and down the room, with A bitter, angry heart; and as he did bo, the woman's eyes followed him, and a softer look stole over her face. "Yon are very good-looking," she said, after a while; "better looking than the boy I married ten years ago." "Your admiration might flatter me," be said, "except for your errand." "I don't want to flatter you. It is impossible now that we could ever be friends." "Perfectly impossible." "But you are a good-looking man. I have got older looking, I euppose you think' "You have the advantage of being many years my senior." "Not bo many years, after all ; but, as you sav, we need not discuss it." "No, it is a delicate subject," said Biddulph darkly. "I was & boy, as you say, V'hen an. act of madness gave you this

power. But I am a man now a man whoso life you have Kpoilt." "You cein to havo a pretty Jolly lifo. I think." "The nir will bo clearer when you nro rrono. Will you take one thousand instead of tw, and 1 will agreo to double your income?" "No; I must havo two." "I cannot give you n sum like that at onch without exciting remarks that I certainly wish to avoid. JCt the other thousand ut leant utand over until next year." "I want it this year. But I toll you what I will d. If you will give mo a written ncknowlodgmentthat you will pay the second thousand in three months, I w ill tuko it and go away, and hold my tongue." Again Biddulph did not reply for a few miuutoH. .AkMiii ho began walking fdowly up and down tho room, with his eyes cast upon tho lloor; and tho woman kept fugi lively watching him, whilu die aUcctcd to bo warming hT feet at tho Uro. "If 1 ngreo to this," said Biddulph at length, "will you faithfully promise never again to set your foot in Scotland never by letter, or word, or deed, hint to anyone of tho unhappy tie between US?" Tho woman laughed n'.oud. "You mean never tell Mis.i r'tcwnrt of liossmore. " "Jon't you question what I mean. And don't bring tho name of this lady into nny conversation between us. 1 repeat, to un.i"ie. That in nuttieient." "You are very high and mighty." "Will you simply answer my question ves, or no?" "All right; I proailse, for tho sake of double my present incomo and two thousand down. You keep your bargain, and I will keep mine." "There is no fear that I shall not keep to my bargain. And now, when will v ju leave this place?" "To-day, if you like, I want to die oft" to the sunny south." "To the gamhling-table.i at Monte Carlo, I presume?" J'he woman shrugged her shoulders. ".My dear," she said, "you do not permit mo to be domesticated; what can I do?" "Anything you like," he answered contemptuously ; and then he sat down at the writing-table, and proceeded to draw a cheque for the money he had promised. Alter he had done 'this, he rose and went towards her. "There," ho said, will that satisfy you?" And tho woman laughed, glanced at the amount, and put the cheque into a small plush bag she carried in her hand. "For the present," she said. "And now I will be going. Good-bye;" and she held out her hand. But Biddulph did not take it. "This is but a mockery," he said. "What! won't you shake hands? Come, don't K' so surly;" and again she held out her band. "It is no matter;" ami Biddulph did now stretch out his hand. But as his cold, frigid lingers touched hers the woman Hung them scornfully back. "Thank you for small mercies!" sho cried; "I can live without you or your hand-clasp!" And the next moment she Was gone, and Biddulph sank down on a chair and covered his face with his hands. '"I would rather bo dead than this," he was thinking, with intense bitterness. "Would that either she or I were dead !" CIIAPTEIi vir. AS 0CT015ER riCXIC. Tho sun and the sky alike smiled upon Leonora Stewart on "the morning of her picnic, and the blue loch lay in summer blueness, though the mighty mountain beyond, whose shadow slept upon its breast, was crowned with snow. Leonora awoke in tho early morning, when the pink cloudlets of ".dawn still streaked the eastern sky. She went to the window, and looked out from her "w ild eyrie" as Biddulph bad called Bossmore, upon a scene more beautiful than the dreams of a true oct's heart. How dull our jH-ns are, how cold and Hat our paint, to picture the grand realities of the Maker's hand ! Leonora stood there rapt, almost awestruck, at the vastness, the sublimity, of these everlasting hills, which seemed merging into the sky. This girl had that intense, passionate love of nature which is almost pain, for are not all deep feelings akin to it? We prow sad, or at least thoughtful, at the wondrous sights unfolded to us when we behold them for the first time, or after long absence. AYho has not'ielt this on the shores of the deep sea, or looking upward on a starlit night, at yon luminous vault above ? And as Leonora stood gazing into the blue distance, or on the dark storm-rent firs, which grew thick and strong up the steep sides of the tall headland on which Kossmore stands, there curiously and subtly stole into her heart another feeling, another thought, which also was deep and strong, and which seemed to mingle as in a dream with her love for the mountains and the braes of her mother's land. She began thinking of James Biddulph. She could plainly see, across the loch, the trees and grey roof of the house at l)unbaan, for every object stood out distinct in the clear air. And she w ould see him to-day. This was a sweet thought, and made her sigh softly, and a pink wave 6teal to her white skin. But there w as a haunting shadow still. Nora could never quito forget the strange words that had warned her not to trust in the man to whom she was so strongly attracted. This message might mean nothing, and might mean 60 much. It had left a vague uneasiness in her mind, and she now began wondering if to-day would cat any light on this unsolved enigma. And across the'water at Bunbaan, the master was at this moment tossing restlessly, thinking of this same quesi-ion. Biddulph felt he had no right any longer to deceive Leonora as to his true position. He was trying to find courage to nip in tho bud what was sweet to him; to lay what might have been tho best hopes of his manhood low. But how could he tell her this shameful, degrading story? I low Bay? "When a boy I was tricked and deceived into a marriage with a woman I blush to name?" Such words could not be spoken easily and Biddulph at last decided to leave them to chance. "I shall go away," he told himself, "and she will forget me;" and this idea did not make him feel happier. And w hen, some hours later, ho met her again, his task seemed no lighter. Leonora, fair and gracious, dressed in white serge and otter, with a little fur cap to match, beneath which her bright hair curled around her smooth brow, was standing at the hall door when Biddulph arrived at liossmore, smiling and talking to her guests. Mrs. Jock Fräser was here, attired (sensible woman) in warm striped homespun, w hile her pretty daughter Minnie wore a blue and white'boating-dress, and her tall handsome Malcolm of Highland garb. Alick Frasher had also arrived, and was joking with the young ieople after his usual fashion, when Mr. Biddulph w alked in amonst them, and Alick's 'brown eyes followed him when he went up to exchange greetings with their young hostess. And other eves beside Alick Fraser's Uidtliia also. Älalcolm'a blue eyes, and

even the Bev. Andrew Maodonnld'H neu tnd-tinted ones, looked with no benign expression on the tall ht ranger. 'I havo brought tho boats," said Biddulph, smiling, u bo shook hands with Nora. "It N so good of you," sho answered. She looked very bright. The day was beautiful, for one thing; for another, an indescribable feeling of pleasure und excitement filled her heart. "The weather is perfect, isn't it?" sho 8;Id to Biddulph. "It looks good all round." ho nnnworcd ; and his eves rested on her face as ho spoke. "Miss 'oru Stewart has bribed tho clerk of the w eather-ollico to give us one good day. I believe," said Alick Fräser, with his hard smile. "How havo I bribed him, Mr. Fräser?" asUed Nora, laughing. "l'crhaps you Moiled ut bin," ntwwcrcd Alick; "anil, unless he was a hardhearted fellow, he could not resist that." "I did not know you ever aaid pretty things," said Nora gaily. "When I find any one pretty enough to say them to, you see I do. ''TJiere, my dear!" cried Jock Frazer, w ho had luin an amused listener to his brother's compliments; "after that yon must make Alick come out of his shell u bit. Como. Alick, what do you say to giving the Jounir ladies a dance In your bran new house?" But Alick only smiled. It was one thin-,' to make pretty speeches which cost not hing, and another to give dances w huh might cost a good deal. Jlut just at this moment tho last guest that Nora expci ted drove up in a dog-cart to the hall door, and a tall, very slender mail, with a dark pale face an uumiotakable Anglo-Indian appeared. This Mas lnl Glcndoync, tho impoverihed heir of a long line, w ho had been out in India in the civil service for many years. Ho was a graceful man w ith a languid

manner and smile, and large, weariedlooking, rather pathetic eves, "I am utranl I have 3 kept you waiting," he said to Nora. "I was just wondering whi ther you had forgotten all about our picnic," she answered brightly. "()li no! but shall I confess? I am n frightfully lay man, and it mos all I could do to get Wro so early." "I am verj' pleased to see vou. Allow me to introduce you to some of" vour neighbors," and Nora presented IxmfUlendoyne to Mrs. Jock Frasor and her husband, to Mr. Biddulph and Alick Fräser. "I havo had some correspondence with vou already, my lord, I think.?" said Alick Fräser. "Ah are you the ah gentleman from Glasgow who bought Inismore?" said Lord Glendoyno, fixing his languid dark eves on the. man who had purchased the old aneestral acres of his house. "I nm,"' answered Alick, with some pride. "Ah I knew it was some one from Glasgow," said Glendoyno; and he turned inditlerently away; and Alick felt injured, for had not many of his hardearned thousands gone into this man's pocket? "I think we had better go down to the loats now," proposed Nora; and unconsciously she looked at Biddulph as she said this, who at dnce came to her side. "Allow me, then," he said, "to carry vour shawl, and see you safely down the hill." "Deuced cool fellow, I must say, that," muttered Alick Fraser. "A gentlemanly man," thought Glendoyno, now turning his languid gaze on Bitldulph's face. lut the next moment his eyes rested on Minnie Fraser, whose extreme fairness and beauty of complexion at once attracted his attention. "Who is that fair girl?" he asked of Nora. "That is ray half-cousin, Minnie Fraser. Shall I introducevou to her?" "Thanks; I shall bo very pleased." It must be admitted that this was rather cruel of Nora, as her frienJ Maud Lee had intended to monopolize Lord Glendoyno, and had also openly announced her intention. But Lord Glendoyno had seen many Maud Lees outin India, and this fairllighland flower was more to his taste. He attached himself, therefore, to Minnie's side, and the young girl was naturally flattered by his attentions. And Maude Lee knew tho world too well to show any annoyance at this; and even when, later on in the day, Mrs. Conway-llope who, after all, had declined to'be left at home took the opportunity of whispering in Maude's ear that Lord Glendoyne seemed evidently to admire Minnie Fraser, Maude ans-red gailv " Yes ; isn't it sad, when 1 hoped he would admire me!" and she laughed, and Mrs. Con way-Hope felt disappointed that the clever girl did not show any. In the meantime Biddulph was walking by Leonora's side down the steep avenue which led to the bouse at Bossmore, beneath the falling leaves. "How fast the j' are coming down !" said Leonora, glancing up at her trees. "I fancy the touch of frost in the air last night h:is sent them more quickly to their mossy graves," answered Biddulph. "Boor littlo leaves ! It's sad to die on a bricht day like this." "And would you rather die in gloom and darkness? linger on and see your friencte fall one by one which must bo the fate of the last leaf on jthe tree, you know?" Leonora laughed softly. "I cannot make up my mind she said. "Which would you rather do?' "Do you mean live a long, sad life alone, or a short one full of jov and love?" "Yes!" and Leonora"s dark eyes fell, arul Biddulph saw a wave of color steal to her fair cheeks. "Mv choice is quickly made," answered Biddulph "a brief life of love. But," he added, as if a sudden thought had struck him, "we cannot choose; the thread of our destiny is mostly warped for us before we realize the bitter truth." Nora did not speak, and tho next minute Biddulph changed the conversation. "At a picnic we are permitted, and expected, are we not," be said, turning to Nora w ith a smile, "each to bring some small contribution to the feast?" "Oh, no; I never thought of such a thing!" sho answered, smiling also. "Well, I have brought myself and my boats- " "Your boats were invited," 6aid Nora, amused. "And uninvited I have presumed to bring some flowers which I telegraphed for yesterday, and some fruit; and also some green and yellow Chartreuse, which Donald, my uncle's servitor, assured mo 'the colonel used to set great 6toro on.' " "It is extremely kind of you." 5 "It is very "good of you not to be angry. But here we are. This is a quiet little flotilla of boats." They had now nearly reached the side of the "loch, and beneath the small wooden pier which served as a landing place a little cluster of boats lay floating on the blue water, and one of Biddulph's boats was gav with flowers. lie beckoned to the boatman to row in, and then took out a basket containing a quanty of most beautiful flowers and presented it to Nora, who received it w ith a vivid blush of pleasure.

' "Oh, how lovely they aroP'bho said. "How can I thank you? 'Shall I tell you how?" "Oh yes." "Come in my boat; I waut to enjoy myself to-day." "I will gladly go." The other guests wefo nil around them now, and the girls eagerly odmired tho flowers, which tho men regarded with Jealous allected indillerenco, except tho genial Jock I'rasernnd lrd Glendoyno. "Mr. Biddulph's tho man to invito to a picnic," said Jock, in hU hearty way. ''Nora, you must givo mo ono of vour ponies, und I'll mako all tho young fellow jealous." With a bright look Nora picked out a rose and pinned it to the laird's coat. "There I" sho said: "you uro smart;" and then sho ottered all the ladies present some of her flowers, who eagerly accepted them. "Will vou havo one, Malcolm?" she said kindly to her voting half cousin. "No, thank you' he answered ; "I want none of Mr. Biddulph's Mowers." "I nhall be pleased to take tho rejected gift, Miss Stewart," said Glendoyno, in bis languid fashion. "1 am not too proud to accept Mr. Biddulph's Mowers." "I nm very pleased to wive it to you," paid Nora, snhltng, and thinking what a stupid, jealous boy poor Malcolm Frnscr WHS. But presently they were all afloat, and Mis. Jock, Norn, Minnie Fraser and Lord Glendoyne fell to Itiildiitph's share. "I Olli glad," said Glendoyne to Minnie, ''that the man from Glasgow has not Coinu ill tills bout." "Why?" indeed Minnie, glancing with a shy smile at her mother's amused face. "He looks heavy, for one thing'sm-Hw-ered Glendoyne"; "for another, ho reminds me of my poverty." "Wo must look out for the prettiest spot when? to land and have lunch," said Nora, quickly, trying to change the conversatn m. "There used to bo a lovely littlo bit of scenery high up the loch on Inismore, and I suppose it is there still; why should wo not lunch there, Miss Stewart?" Ocked Glendoyne. "l'erhaps," hesitated Nora, thinking of Alick Fraser, "you would not care to go now." "On account of being icminded of my poverty," smiled Glendoyno. "Tho presence ot the man from ( J lasgow renders forget fulness impossible." "He is my brother-in-law," said Mrs. Jock Fraser quickly, thinking it was quito time Lord Glendoyno should know. "He is my uncle," gasped poor Minnie, with a burning blush. Lord Glendoyne looked from ono to the other, and ever so faint a color stole Im ncath his dusky skin. "I w ish he was unj uncle," be said sontentiously; and every one laughed at this, for Mrs. Jock could always enjoy a joke ut the expense of her brother-in-law. They had now reached the very center of the loch, on either side of which hugo overhanging rocks ascended high, their enormous shadows falling on tho blue water, and reproducing their each rift and fissure in the gray granite masses, as well as the green patches of verdure which here and there dotted the mountain sides. "This is beautiful," said Biddulph in a low tone to Nora; and she answered more by her expression than her wonls. "When I was in India," said Glendoyne; "I sometimes used to shut my eyes and try to fancy myself here, or rather to see Inismore as a picturo on my brain, and it used to make me feel very strange." "I am afraid it would make you feel sad," said Nora, gently. "I don't know. What is Badness?" "Can you define it, Mr. Biddulph?" smiled Nora. "It is regret, but not bitter regret, isn't it? The sharp sting is gone. When we are sad we are resigned-; but there are some things to which we never Income resigned," answered Biddulph; and he cast his eye down gloomily as lie spoke. "I suppose, then, it made me sad," said Glendoyne, "to think of Inismore, for I was resigned to part with it, because I could not help myself." "But you kept tho shooting-lodge, did you not?" asked Biddulph. "Yes; I have still a hillside or two, and a few blackcocks. The man from I mean Mr. Fraser, purchased the rest." "There is my brother-in-law's house," 'said Mrs. Jock, pointing out Alick Fraser's grand new mansion; and Lord Glendoyne looked at the house languidly for a moment and then dropped his eyes. "It looks too new, somehow, among the grand old hills," said Biddulph. "It suits the new master, then," smiled Glendoyne. But this injured Mrs. Jock's family pride, and her rosy cheeks took a deeper nue. "AliclcFraser comes of a good old stock, though," she said, quickly. "Ho has bought a new property, certainly; but he can see from it Airdlinn, where his people have lived for generatione." "That must be very gratifying," answered Glendoyne, with an unmoved countenance ; and Mrs. Jock turned redder still, tor she thought he was amusing himself at her expense. Nora, however, adroitly changed the conversation, and the rest öf their row up the loch was spent very pleasantly. Then they landed near a picturesque snot, where a mossv bank of turf was broken up by huge fragments of grav granite, w hich Biddulph suggested would serve as seats for the party. Hampers were now produced, and there were jests and mirth; and Biddulph ordered the cushions from bis boat to bo brought on shore, and, having piled them into a comfortable seat, and placed a fur carriage robe o,Ter them, he turned to seek Nora Stew art, for whom ho intended this place of honor. She was a few steps apart from him, and just as ho opened his lips to address her, to his intense disgust Mrs. Con wayHope espied his seat, and instantly deposited her angular form upon it. "What a delightfuhseat ! I shall secure it at once," she said to Biddulph ; and ho was too gentlemanly to ask her to rise. All the same he admitted to Nora a few moments later, that he bitterly regretted Mrs. Con way -Hope was a woman. But Nora was quite content to sit on one of the granite blocks, on which Biddulph had placed a plaid. He sat at her feet, and looked sometimes up into her bright smiling face with his gray somber eyes. ""That fellow pays Nora Stewart great attention," said Alick Frr .ser to his 6istcr-in-law, Mrs. Jock, over his venison and aspic jelly. "I think he admires her," answered Mrs. Jock. . Alick said nothing more. Ho ate his lunch and drank Iiis champagne, and tasted both tho green and yellow Chartreuse critically ; but all the while he was thinking of Nora Stewart and the land that lay next to his own with such tempting advantage. And by-and-by ho paw Nora and Biddulph wander away together up some of tho steep, craggy, rising ground behind where they had been sitting, and then the rest of the party also dispersed. The men began to emoke except Biddulph. und

Glendoyno. w ho went invay in another direction with petty blushing Minnie Franc r, and the rest of the young people amused themselves as best they could. But now h t us follow Biddulph und Nora in their uteep usccnt up the craggy mountain side, A w ild and hoiucm hat'dangerous walk this, for there Mere tilts in the rock through which the winter torrents had ponn-d down with tremendous force, rendering the patl in place certainly unsafe. But Biddulph, with his strong, firm hand, was near to ait Nora, and she Mas not afraid. They stopped, at length, to breathe and rest, and the scene below-, above, and around them w as magnlllcently beautiful and wild. But presently Biddulph pointed to tho highest peak of tho mountain range. "Sro, ho said, "the mist is gathering round tho monarch's brow, and shortly will com Healing upon us. I think we had Is tter go down. "Ix t u May u littlo longer," sho onKwercd; "1 never saw the world so beautiful before." Almost as sho spoko shoquittod his side. Going a few step apart, nini never thinking of danger, ulio mounted on w hat she deemed to bo a jutting, Mcutlierd nttn bloek of Kl id rock. I'.ut in on inntaiit, as her light weight rested on it, this crag, which had probably rolled 'down the iiioimtaiu-sido during som w inter sU.rni torrent, and been stayed on its way by a slight impediment, now received a fresh impetus, mid, before Nora could spring back from it, commenced again Its downward course, carrylii;; tho poor girl along with it. it was well that Biddulph had n ronl head mul a firm hand, lie heard the rumble behind him, and Nora's shriek, and in one moment had sprung forw ard, seizing the skirt of her gown as she was hurled past him, and dragging her back by main force. She fell heavily. It was a hair-breadth csr-ape, for Biddulph had only caught the. Very edge of her white sergo gown, and when he lifted her up, she uttered n sharp and sudden cry of pain. "Are you hurt," he asked anxiously. "I-I cannot stand," gasped Nora, leaning back on Biddulph, trembling, and very pale. Then with great gentleness be placed her on a little patch of sward near them. "It-it was so dreadful," said Nora, in a broken voice; "in another moment " and sho closed her eyes and shuddered. "The other moment was not permitted to do any harm, you see?" answered Biddulph kindly, anil speaking reassuringly. He thought she was only frightened, and nothing more. "You vou saved mv life." "Then, I thank God'," said Biddulph almost solemnly. "But," he added a moment later, bending over' her, "you feel better now, don't you? Will you take my arm, and let us try to get down the hill. I shall take care you make no more false steps," and he smiled. ' He tried to raise her again as ho spoke, but no sooner had he done so than Nora sank down once more with an exclamation oi great agony, "I can not bear it," she said; "I am in dreadful pain. I can not stand." Biddulph now saw that there was something seriously wrong. "I am afraid you have sprained your .inkle ; let me feel if I can find out w'hero it is." He took one small dainty foot in his hand after the other, ami Nora moaned with pain as ho did so. Both ankles were terribly injured by her sudden fall on the hard "rock. Her feet must have struck first, and the shock had displaced, if not broken, some of her bones. "There is no more walking for vou todav," said Biddulph, trvingto speak cheerfufly,though he now fully realized the severe nature of the accident. "The question is, what shall we do? I have luekjly a dog-whistle in my pocket ; perhaps they may hear it below. You have gut a bad sprain." He rose and whistled loudly; but already the falling crag, which had plunged in its headlong career from one rocky steep to the other, bad attracted the attention of tho party below. Alic k Fraser, indeed, who had come armed with a new field-glass strapped across his shoulder, had never in reality lost sight of tho two climbing up the mountain side, and had sat smoking, and reflecting grimly that he would like to lind out something about this new man, who seemed so favored by a lady whoso acres marched with his own. Then, w hen the crag fell tumbling into some abyss below, and Biddulph's whistle was faintlv heard, Alick at once unstrapped his new g"lass. "Something has happened," he said, the next minute. "Nora Stew art is lying on the ground and that fellow Biddulph standing whistling beside her. We had i est go up to them, Jock, as fast as we can and see." It took a very few minutes for the two sturdy Highlanders, who had been bom among the bills, to reach the spot were Nora lay ; and still fewer for Biddulph to explain how the accident had happened. Then they held a consultation, and it was agreed that Nora must at onto bo carried dow n the hill. "My dear girll" said the kindly Jock, w ith a sort of moisture stealing into his brown eyes, as ho knelt down and took Nora's hand. "An awkward affair," remarked Alick. in his brusque way. By this time Mrs. Jock, and actually Mrs. Conway-Hope, had succeeded in reaching the group on the hillside. "My dear Nora, this is very sad," said Mrs. Conway-llope; "but I knew something would happen. You know I told you so, don't you remember, dear! And perhaps it might have been worse." But Nora, suppressing the moans that rose on her white lips, scarcely thought it Could have been.' (To le continued vexl wfek.) The ItlooIthirty Weasel. Youth's Companion. The common w easel, or ermine, is one of the raost bloodthirsty of animals. It has been known to kill forty well-grown fowls in a single night "F.ver victorious," says Dr. C. II. Mcrrium, in hin "Mammals of tlie Adiromlacks," of "pre-eminent assurauce.this indomitable little nuiuial is, in courage, ferocity and audacity almost without a parallel among the mammalia." lie describes a seeuc which seems to prove his statement. 1 ouoe put a very large rat in a square tin cage with a weasel. The rat had been canght in a steel trap by the toes of one of his hind feet, and was in no way injured. He was very uj;ly and hit fiercely nt the trap and at the stick, with w hich I assisted him into the weasel's cage, hut no sooner had he entered the cage than his w hole manner find bearing changed. He immediately assumed an attitude of abject terror, trembled from' head tu lout, and crawled into the nearest corner. The weasel advanced toward hira at once, and as he did so the rat rose upon his hind legs, let his foropaws hang helpkx.dy over hia breast and squealed piteously. lie showed neither disposition to light iior to defend himself when attacked. The weasel did not seize him at first, but outied him with his foropaws and drove him from one corner of tho cage to another, glaring at him continuously. Then suddenly he sprang upon his victim, already paralyzed with fear, laid open the hack of his head with a single bite, ate the brains, and left the quivering carcass untouched.

DOMESTIC LIFE IX FllAXCE.

GRACE GREENWOOD ON PARI3 HOMES. C""tiiianr the day Cnpltnl Cnnl rnlr l With Our Own Tli Mnvery of ,'MjibU tuid tl.ti rildr rmlrii of .Mil fried Woiuwii -Soma Co'K'litklim Urnwn. (Coijrlnliti a, !.) ff IVIXti in Baris, I soun discovered J that the doiiicticlifMif the French had been greatly misrepresented by that popular idea of ours that imt having tho word "Ihuho" in their vocabulary, they had not tho thing it stands for ill their lives and heart". 1 no hi ftunl Hint tho t-rnis 4Vh-z-nii" end Vhez nous" had on friendly Hp as sweet mul a yet inoro intlmut sound, und expressed nn institution as real, tu dear nnl wined an our own mm h-vaunted honvohold life. We hear much from tourist and novelhU of the out-door lif i I'a.i.Lin.s; of 1 1 n ir ii'nding hmg Iioiuh f itting and M rolling in parks and gard'-uvunl re posing ami refreshing tluMiMi-lvi'M in family groups in' front of Miburbaii cafes "all f whieh I saw and u part which I way," hut I came to know ulo in l'aris homo of tho bl'ightcM, co,-iest interiors, some of the imiHt hiving, united, and harmonious family circles I havo ever known. Toi many untravcllcd American form their idea5 of French domodie life s:nl n-lathcn fi'.m French romuiuvs ami plays - f..i getting that our tran.lators and adapters m io upon th most M iisational and m-hsum:k lranuis and novel.", a.s mo.'l likely to mako a bit and a prolit. F.thical pictdior.s are not considered. Ill truth, these produets of depraved taste, morbid sentiment, and gross M'lihtiali.siu 1j cruel injustice to French Koeiety of tho better clas to Flench limraKty, thus "wounded in the bouse of its friend." Tho novels of Mmo. Henri tirevillo give probte of tho existence of that higher, more reiined moral Kphero, show how human and bumano it is, bow noblo ami himple are its types, ami what a puro und wholesome domesticity it unfolds. In French homes I havo remarked a certain quiet, orderly procession of all'aiis, great apparent harmony, watchful rather than doting parental affection, and a lilial piety ahnj.-t out of fashion in our free and progressive country. Fremd children are unobtrusive and juaintly grave, natural and simple in their habits and tastes, but hardly to in their manners, w hich show marks of tutoring, ami are a litth too ceremonious. Nearly allgiiisot catholic parents, not taught at home by irovernesses and mastera, arc olucated at convents, as pemionnnircs, ot as lay scholars. In such institutions they are severely drilled in the catechism and polite manners; in history sacred and profane, with the profanity which militates against the church left out ; are taught a littlo of the natural sciences and less of geography, which, by the way, is the weak point with most French people, for whom all lands lieyonl their frontiers, especially across alien Veas, are resolved into hazy, unleterminol regions, inhabited principally by races more or less inferior and barbaric. While boy.s are suiTerol to aeipiire not only (i reek and Latin, but a modern language or two, for girls, except those belonging to high circles of society, ono language their incomparable vernacular is held sutiicicnt ; but they are taught to speak and write that "excellent well." They are alo good arithmeticians, and are well instruetel in music, drawing and dancing. Not tho etpials of English girls in outdoor accomplishments, such as riding, driving, rowing, skating and swimming, they, when really in society, surpass them ami all the other young,ladies of the world in the art of entertaining and the grace of being entertained; in courtesv and tact, in taste and propriety, anil that indescribable something called "chic," in dress and appointments, lint their crowning aial most potent charm is just politeness Inculcated from .their earliest years, I his virtue becomes a habit, and sometimes takes the place and does tlio work of several Christian graces. Very young French girls are only charming in a demure, bhy way. They all seem ingenuous, and some are really so. They are all licrhtdicarted, and many lightheaded. They passionately love amuso ments, and are easily amused a littlo pleasuring going a great way with them. The wholesomot thing I know about them is their intense love oi the country and its simple avocations ami pastimes. The French girl can hardly be said to "come out." in rociety. fchc is brought out, and is never seen without her mother or some other respectable or watchful chaperone. Everything, to the last minutiie of dress, is planned and managed for her. he is not supposed to have a w ill or judgment of her own, least 01 all, in the matter o marriage. I am speaking, of course, of the average French girl of society. I have known gome cxee))tions outside of Mine, (ireville's hovels some remarkably intelligent, inIeiondent girls, whose hearts chuse for them, and w hoso hands were allowed to go with their hearts. But the average mademoiselle, modest and docile, usually acoepts the choice of her parents, without much ado sometimes with alacrity. He, the elect man, is profoundly unknown, but that fact gives to him the charm of mystery. Watchol and reBtricted aa she has loen since her sc hooldays ended, she sees in marriage not bondage, but release. Through it will come a new name, new dignity, a "chez-moi," and a coupe of her own. And when she is married, how she blossoms out ! How sho revels in emancipation 1 Jho who the seaeon before could go nowhere by herself, could not even see her betrothel for live minutes alone, can drive about unquestioned, visit and be visited, can indulge in her likings and caprices, even when thev take in her own husband. It is ii"t till after her marriage that a French woman is really brilliant, for it is not until then that she is unconstrained; so, many a man finds that all "unbeknownst" to himself ho has won a clever and charming woman. It is strange how often those made up, haphazard marriages prove happy and harmonious. I know they ought not to, but the "Imp of the l'erverse" manages so that they do, while many a union of poetry and passion drags a tanpled web of scandal, intrigue and misery through the mire of the divorce court. We once spent several months in tho family of an ollicerof the Maine of the Luxembourg, and frequently dropped into the S'a7 tlti niam'tjes, to witness a civil marriage by the Mairie. It w as usually a dry, cold affair, a dull, commercial transaction, exept when the contracting parties were peasants or Ikohemians, when there was some fun. When tho principals and their friends were rich and fashionable, there was a brave display of rich apparel, diamonds, ami bouquets; the court lelowT was crowded with elegant equipages;

there was everything hi h ne could d-t-ire .:t a wedding, except happy, loving glances the air r.f h llouchlp and umlcr-t-tandyig, of sweet trut ami tcmler protection, olid' looks for from a young brili and uallant groom. They rather wvined Indiller nt and slightly bored. Itistimi that in tho religion ceremony that follow tho civil, thi'ro h at least, an eflorl made ti appear happy and at ease. I remember seeing a lair latndit r of OJn-n bach married in church, when both brih and groom diuwcd piito a satisfactory content, if iit elation. For a Frondi bride to wear a joyous mien nt the altar wnuld h consideiv'd in "had form," vhil a look of open fondness cast mi a tranger kneeling at her sido would be rcgaidcd a. quite forward and premature. Not all young Freu h wona n advantageously luarritd m tl.o tis of their free lorn in pursuits of idlo pleasure. ' Tho of literary, siientila' or artistic tables nt tMid eotirsex of univcrMtV lectures, join musical eliib.s or charitable, association, or paint, or modi I, r victimize, th ir friends by amateur photogtaphy. Om loxes herself (n domestic lite, another joins heart and soul in her husbaiwi'H pursuits, becoming his help and inpiration. Not ad Parisian Women an J frivolous, a not all J'disi.iii women jut piofoiiud. Nor do v. o Aiiglii-S.ix.ns and ja-Mtcstantri enj y a monopoly of homo irtues and practicalpiety. t 1 truly U-licM' that the gn.it maj" a ity of 1'ii-mh v ivesarc loyal, l-"r-n It loot hi i s 1 -1 1 r, French griucbnot hers aud oMitiy maiden la Ii s devout, "i'liitlnimoie, tliis lc...ti.-nt s.siili not." Lt Soil he I.-, testily for MniiMdir, In Italy tho young- ei( of Nn-icly r:;:i' hariliy b said to be in society at nil, Nr hampered and f tt red i i-Im- by the mo-i watchful, jcaloiii, suspicious caie ami hh-

I vcillancc. To wjdk alone, hov.i'Ver juii t'" j and circum p- tly. on a city ;;trect, w u i an ait of startling rashness cud cceoutri' ity, laving her open to the charge of ha tug In , :i coi.taminated by Kntislt .r American idem and customs. "For hern walk, !riyc, ride, or rail w ith a famili; r lamily lii-nd, of whaO-vir ;ce or !.- liiioti, but of the l;ili' rolls sex, witholil a cbapei one, would be to fatally compromise lur-elt. It is not even msidored tho proper thing for her t utteu I any place of amusement under tho eseoit solely oi u 'Mu brother," a iill tho world might li'-t know hiui, for a brother. Her education has 1 ecu very like that of her French sisters ktfunctory as to history and the sciences, thorough as to religious tenets, legend.! ami observances, aud as Ui polite accomplishments. Hie ban ben nurtured in th fe.ij and admonition of the priest and in doubt aud profound ignorance of all other men. From the hour of hi r betrothal tl that of her marriage, the guard ova bei morals and mann-r.- is redoubled, and, such a thing as an unwitnesseil tete-a-tcb between h r anl her allianced husband is not to bo thought of. This is the hanler, as tho Italian maiden, being more ingenuous, romantic and susceptible than th French demis.lle, is often really in love with her fiance, and ls,ahsorbcil in her trousseau, broodtt ami frets over such unnatural restrictions. Hut the young wife has few enouuh safeguards aliout her pvr thing! The liberties of action ayl association permitted by the lax fxial customs of her country the laxor the higher ono rises iu the social scale she is too apt to take alVailtage of, though usually with such tact and management astolvoid gross scandal, especially w ben blcssel with a philsophic, easy-going and let-going husband. Ot course 1 speak of the average Italian lady of society, imperfectly elui-aUl, osst'.-;scl of wealth, perilous attractiveness and moreperilous leisure. There are noble excejvtions, even among the patricians, though, more in the middle class women intellectual and thoroughly educated, free fron the thraldom of prejudices, pure and selfrespecting. As for tho beauty ot Italian women -Will, it seems to me that, like the climate,, it must be taken a good ileal on faith? that either the poets and painters have always exageratel it, or. tho gds havo lately "gone back'' en it. In the nortl more coineiiuess is found among the country women, especially in complexion amisymmetry of form, than among the aristocracy of cities. On a "lirst ni'ht" aB the fcrida, when the nobility is out in force, you can count the rare ly handsome women, on the lingers of one hand, while you would have to use all your li'its und lmriow your neighlior'.s to reckon up tho rarely ugly. 1 remember one hideous coim-tel bad and brown, skinnv face, one bony decollete 1L'ure, "pittilessly lighted up by old family diamond.-, which altogether reminded me of the In-jeweled mummy ot San Carlo l'orroineo, in tho crypt of the) srreat cathedral. I havo seen some beau- . tif ul young women in the south of Italy, especially in Naples and Sorrento, principally among peasants and professional molds, and in Home, Florence, an I Genoa some magnilioont patrician flames, who reealle I the creations or ort ifi.it urea of the oM masters; but for fresh, younar beauty commend mo still to the girls 'ot mv own country! "Wo can safely pit agamsttlio Old Worl I. our national typs the "right noss anli bloom of tho NIrth, the grace and delicator: lovclüie! S of the Eolith. j (iuACE GkF.EXWOOJ. 1 HUNTING THE BOAR. Wliat Is Apt to Happen When tho IIuXtte itt r-iiiu'sthe Huntr. London Field-1 My horse was doing his licit, though T doubt whether I should have overtaken the brute had he continue.l straight on, but the boar bad evidently had enough of running, ami, turning suddenly, camo at me like a dart. My spear caught hint sideways on the shouhler, ami, heavy asi be was, so great was the impetus cf our rush that he rolled over and over. My spear snappel short off, and I hal gono but a few yards when tho War was up ami going for C, who was coming up banl over hand. In the distance were our syces, running like demons. I pillopetl up to mine, and seizing a second spear, was back just in time to sec C knock over the boar; but it fell marly umlor tho horse, whic h stumblel, and K fore ho got into his stride again the boar was lose to his quarter. Friun being the hunted tho pig now became tho hunter. It was a cioso thing.for (Ys horse lx-eame unmanageable, ami C. called out, "My star's point is broken oil'." I was, however, clso bv, and by giving the boar a prxl in his hin"lquaiters, induced him to giveupthechaso ami turn once more on me. This time wo met face to fact. The Ix.ar lxked a erfect demon; his tushes were covered with blood, which poured dow n from a wounl intiiete! in bis beal bv C.'s broken spear, which otherwise would have jxnetrate! the brain, and, with every bristle on onl and champing Ids bloody tushes, he canm at me, the very impersonation of rage anJ revenge. My'spear caught him fairly in, the c hest. 1 swerved aside and let go tho shaft; the boar fell forward with a crash; breaking mv Fpear and driving it ' further into liimself, aud fell over dead,