Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 5, Number 19, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 November 1874 — Page 2

«p£l

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THF PEOPLE. I

THROUGH LifR%:

We alight the glfla that every seaaon beam, And let them tall unheeded from on/ In oor greaf eagerness to reach and clasp The promised trwwure of the earning year Or else we mourn some gre&t good paawori away,

And, In the shadow of oar grief shut In, Refuse the leaser good we yet might win, The offered peaoe and gladness ol to-day. Bo through the chambersof oor life we r«".

And leave them one by one, and never stay, Not knowing how mneh pleasantness there fH In 9Mb, until the closing of the door

Hm sounded tbraogb the house, and died •way, And in ourneart* we sigh," For evermore,

DID SHE DIE?

8'"

CHAPTER XIV.

-4S

TABIjSAUX

VTVAS8.,

Maude had proposed getting tip some febleaux to grace the Christmas festivities that were to make the old bouse at Jbeabanks gayer than it had been for many yean and Mr. £rrington, glad to gBcond anything that would distract Rupert's thoughts and banish the gloom from his brow, was her willing coadjutor. Even Mr. Durrant evinced a lanquid Interest in her plans when they were named before him. although was not always testified in 4St manner.

Thanks but I prefer to be queen in my own little court. I daresay her Grace has a theatre erected, and gathers plenty of auxiliaries about her. Any one can create a sensation wbo does that but I am only ambitions of amusing one person."

Indeed! And that person is "Myself," and Maude drew up her head, and spread out her skirts. "And I care less for what other people will think of the tableaux, than the fun I shall have in arranging and rehearsing them." "Don't, Maude," whispered Katie. "He will think you selfish." "That'sthe only sentiment he com-prehends—self-love," was the reply "ao let me alone. Am I not very canvenrcai did, Mr. Durrant she asked, in loud tones.

Charmingly so. But I hope you intend to let your friends have a fair share of your mirth

Yes and I shall give them permission to laugh as freely at my blunders as I shall at theirs. Now, then, to decide what characters and scenes we are to represent. Ruperti Katie, Miss Raymond you must all uietp and advise me. I suppoaa"v^and abi glanced atfWUflred, who had walked oarer with a taessage ftom Ills uncle, and been persuaded*to stay to dinner—'"It would be labor lost to attempt to press Mr. Hayle into our

00"

hat aboul I be required to do?" asked Will, dubiously. That would depend on the you portrayed. Which would you conaider most suitable Dominie Sampson, in 'Gny Mannering?' You would only have to stand in the midst of a heap ol books and make your mouth into a reund O, aa if saying, 'Prodigious 1'"

If Wilfred felt the sarcasm ol her manner, he did not permit it to appear but -DUIIIOI answered, good-bumoredly:

If you think I can look the dominie, convert me into one. As you

E1may

me leave to laugh in ray turn, I not mind being laughed at." only joe cried Nay, I was only jesting Maude, a little ashamed of having likened him to the awkward though goodnatured tutor so ludicrously portrayed in the novel alluded to. "We have not selected any of our tableaux yet. Shall we take tbarn from Shakspeare or Sir Walter Scott V* "Do not be too ambitious," said Mr. Durrant. "Failures are so ridiculous.'' "Sir 1" exclaimed Maude.imperioualy *Tbe members of this dramatic corps are net allowed to choose their own parts therefore, a fine shall be levied on you if you make any more attempt* to the demon of doubt, or throw cold play water on our projects, tlemen, your

"There

l#§IS

§1

•i81§

,w§

Ladies and gena watts your

is a pretty scene in The TemMflly Raymond. "The one

^est,"' said

mean, where Miraada and Ferdinand are at Maude proklnced pencil and notoV': hook.

Good! And now wbo shall take the characters V* __ »Krrinffton will be your Prospero" •sid Mr. Durrani. "Miss Katie and either of these young men can be lite chessplayers aad the dainty Ariel frlls natorally to your owo sham."

Kv»«ry one was satisfied with thiaarranuentent, even though his Mberouttrived Hhat Rupert should nta be the Ferdinand to Katie's Miranda By -•'5? MKtie finessing—palpable to the aggriev«d yowift man, though no one eJfce defeeied it—when he was set down for

H'nrv V. In the scene where the hem of A*! new* wooes the FrenelJ prineesa,

was Maude who waato be the daughter s^nuiee. with Mllly for her lady-in-walt-In jr. Even in "Much Ado About Nothing," Wilfred was tbe tlandio to Katie's Hero, while Rupert was cast forme Benedick to Maudes saucy Beatrice, without his being able to prevent it. And When he boldly suggested the taUeonv scene from "Jlntneo and Juliet," Mr." Errington pnthfe veto upon it, and K4^«|Npe«sed an opinion M»s* private theatricals that very romantic drama abould always be eschewed.

posed by bis significant leok. "And if we should not quite carry ont the Shaks-1 perian idea, and. the shrewd doee not show any diapoeillon to 1% taftaed, why, our audi* enee mnat exeuse o»."

It is a capital play,** Mr. Durrant observed, "Why

notget

the pleasant-

Jam afraid you will find it difficult to carry out your intentions," he observed, as he reclined on his oouch in the warmest corner of the cosy drawing zoom one evening "your resources are so limited, your dramatis personce so few in number, and so inexperienced, that you Jwill find your task a most discouraging one."

That speech shows bow little you know DM, Mr. Durrant," was the laugh inj reply. "I intend to be a host in my "That will be the principal attraction I do not doubt," he gallantly told her. "I wish you were enrolled in the Duchess of Porchesier's corps. She would find you invaluable."

it up in

stead of th««6 stupid tableau t** For two unanswerable reasons," Maud told him. "One, that it would involve too much bard work thf other, that, in my opinion, it is not a cleverly-written play. No high-spirited woman evor sank into the tame, mawkish creature wbo reads her sex such a homily on obedience or if she did, the keen-whited Petruchlo must have despised her." ".BahI she was a true woman after all," sneered Mr. Durrant. "She succumbed when she found it to her advantage to .be obedient." "Then* she learned the lesson of hypocrisy from man—her master," cried Maude. "Your taunt, air, rebounds on the crafty Petruebio, who could find no better waj bride than frightening tion,"-

And now it Is Mr. HayW* tnrn to

tbtum* ubU*u," cried M*ude, ttiming toward him. But I really have no choice," s#Id -. Will, indiflerpntly. "What pliaaas the LCitwt of you will please me." "Thegho* in 'Hamlet,* perhaps, W the grave-dhngerf** asked Maude, adding, pettishly? "Pray don VfcA uwhavs any of these assumptions of inflm'renoe as HT«nr awuaeasesite were t«« trivial to he worth even a memenfs conskieratkm. Rupert, you had better awlet

Mr. Ilaykt wiUa your leaa exited jud« menu"

iae

•I 8*«y," said Will, seissd with a spirit, "Once iofit ion. "My eh»4oe la nsade. For WAX T'

Petruchioto Miss Leaden^

i.—i vau if\ tnyf offer i, not a wlut •.

The question raised a laugh, in which Maude joined merrily, and then reminded them that she had not yet named the scene she would prefer. Every ono was attentive, and, with a very demure face, she announced that her choice had fallen upon that part of "Othello" in which Brabantio accuses the Moor of robbing him ol his daughter.

For this scene I press Mr. Durrant into our service," she went on. "He will make aright royal duke, and have nothing to do but look grave and magnificent. Mr. Errington shall bo the wronged father Miss Raymond the Emilia to Rupert's lago Katie Desdemena and Mr. Hayle must oblige us by enacting the part of Othello."

There was malice in the demure look of inquiry she cast at Wilfred but he met it very stolidly, and raised no objection to the role selected for him. Yet ke comprehended the young lady's tactics well enough, and that she thought to compel him either to turn restive and

"Bot I'll be a match for her," he mentally determined. "I'll be seised at the last moment with a fit of absence, and forget the necessity of staining my cheeks. She shall either put up with a white-skinned Moor, or leave out the scene altogether. It may be in the wer of woman to make a fool of me ut that woman is not Miss Maude Les-

The laugh was now against Wilfred, who gave up the contest anfl Maude was all®wed to attire her French princess in the costumo that she thought most suitable to her own style of beauty.

As the busy little manageress had predicted, there was endless mirth evoked by the errors Ihllen into at the eaHier rehearsals. Sir Marcus was invited to be present at some of tbem, that he might give them the benefit of his criticisms and suggestions: but, as he invariably applauded most loudly when every one else was oppressed by the consciousness that their poses were awkward, or that some other blunder marred the picture, the assistance of the baronet was dispensed with. ,,

Partly from a real desire to give pleasure, and partly to triumph over Mr. Who was always illDorraHt, who was always ftl-natnredly predicting failures, Maude worked very isrd to perfect her corps. She had many difficulties to contend with, though Miily Raymond proved an inVfttflAbld iwrffitniit

Wilfred and Katie would glide into controversies Jnst as they nhould have fhtlen into attitudeR, arid adjourn to the library to settie some disputed point. Rupert was too often engaged in jealously watching his companions to attend to the directions given hlm or,If h» wem called up*»n to take th^pifcoe of Wilfred, who was often a troant, Mr. Errington would either step in to prevent ff,«r keepw* electa to »he rtde «f Kutiethat his annoyed son would qoitthft mom la displeasure.

Sometimes Rupert resolved to act upon his ^ftdhea^»ad#k»i*nd^ leave home till be could bear htodisappointmcnt with more fortitude. This resolve wa*

sssM

not see howdeddMly MrJSrrington was standing between thetft, or was she

ssekiiujt his formed intentions.

ler into subjec-

She deserved it for she was cruel tothegentle Bianca," Rupert interposed. The gentle Bianca was such a very milk-ana-water young lady that she merited all the nips and pinches her aister gave her. Do you think I would let Katie tie my hands, and box my ears, or viee versa

mm cw»aiifet»M4 dlwnitiott the dresses to be worn, an nstituted a fresh quarrel with

Wilfred over the costume she proposed adopting as the French princess. He insisted that the costume snould be that *f the period, Maude declaring with a pout that she weuld not don anything unbecoming. ,•

And yet yon wear the towering edtffhre and high heels with which the ladies of the present day disfigure them selves," he retorted. "To my eyes, the modest robes and flowing tresses or onr ancestresses were far more graceful than anything worn now." "So was the toga of the Romans," said Maude "and, knowing this, Mr. Hayle, why don't you take to one, and discard your tall hat for a fillet bound about your brows, and your patent leather boots for a pair of sandals? Pray, sir, would you escort me through Barftmi in this costume, if I adopted your notion* end minced along by yonr side in a high coif and a russet kirtle

I don't know. Perhaps not at all fend Rupert couM not be persuaded to say more.

He had ceased to believe that his happiness and future prospects were th chief thoughts in his father's mind, ami he mentally vowed to remain where was until he had succeeded in discover ing to whom Katie's hand was to given.

That ho had a rival in Wilfred Hayl he never guessed, nor did Will himsell know it. Sir Marcus's idolized nephew was apt to turn restive if the baronet urged upon him his duties as heir-pre-sumptive to a large estate, and was very likely to fly off at a tangent if the great

uestion of matrimony was brought behim too abruptly. Sir Marcus therefore, contented himself with know

fbre

irig that the intimacy was progressing, and that Will thought Miss Raymond the perfection of housekeepers, and Katie Lesden a nice little .girl, far superior to her sister.

Meanwhile, time went on. Christmas came, and was celebrated at Leabaaks in such pleasant, homely fashion that for awhile, even Rupert conquered his troubles, and danced "Sir Roger de Goverly" and played blind-man's buff as merrily as the rest. His interest in the latter game may have been owing to the fact that at an early part of it he contrived to catch Katie, and to press his lips to the slender Angers that unknotted the scarf bound over his eyes.

She blushed vividly but. that she was not offended, was proved by her asking: "la this the pledge of returning amity?" re were inform whisper had revived his hopes. If Katie loved him, who should come between them

was unavoidable," be

flattered by the constant attentions of a mas still handsome and young enough to be no mean wooer, that the trouble lurking in Rupert's sad eyes remained unseen? "Bettfer to hid her ftirewell at once, than to see myself the oige» either of her scorn or glty," he muttered and

he hinted hisnewly-

Utet when Mr. Brringtwn praised hipt for tbem, ami eagerly offered to assist him in carrying out any plans he chose to form, the young man (felt his rising doubts strengthened, and began to draw

you so anxlopw to ?'r he asked

Why are

of me, air? It was not so. Am

«*r"

"It is for yonr own food I I. I think yon i\ went away from Le&» iuW,rl Hint"

KATIE HAD TWISTED A fcONG SHETLAND VEIL ABOUT HER HAT AND THKOAT."

por how long time, sir Till Katie Leaden has boen prevailed upon to give herself to some else "When do you propose leaving us?" Mr. Errington demanded, instead of attempting a reply to such awkward questions.

apologize

sking: indignation lent niauae siren Is this the pledge of returning she was soon speeding back to tl

rereinformed but the blush and the worn a more vivid color, or hi .. 1 1 1

And now the long-looked-for night arrived, on which a goodly company assembled to enjoy Mr.Errington's hospitality and witness the tableaux. Maude was in aflutter of delight, not unmixed with anxiety, fpr the hour fixed for the. raising of the curtain was sounding, and Wilfred Hayle had not put in an appearance.

She was just debating whether to dispatch a messenger to hurry him, or ask some other genUeiaan to take his place, when Will himself put his head in at the door, and stood there gazing at the dainty Ariel, who, looking veiy graceful in her tllmy robes, came hastily toward him.

This is too bad, Mr. Hayle 1" she said in a pet. "We have been obliged to

alter our programme, With another tableau, kept ns waiting?"

and commence Why have you

began but uiation.

she •vould not hear any explan You forget that you have to dress

you ha

for your character. Pray make haste 1 It is so provoking to be obliged to invent excuses to one's visitors and that hateftil Mr. Durrant will plague me to death about this contretemps."

Will muttered an anathema on the tableaux, but was hurrying away to do her bidding, when chancing to look back as he closed the door, he beheld a sight that for the moment transfixed win with horror.

While waiting for him, Maude had Incautiously stepped too near the hearth. A log had rolled off the fire unnoticed, and one of the sparks had flown on to her gossamer skirt, where it smouldered till the draught of air from the opening ed It into a flame, ana menaced bar with a fate too awful for the btfavest to contemplate wnmoved.

CHAPTER XV, FBE8U CLOUDS.

Utterly unconscious of her danger, Maude aid not know whether to be sursed or amused when Wilfred Hayle dragging off the loose overcoat he"wo#s and before she had time to form 4 Conjecture lift to the cause of his strange gestures, he had rushed to where and wrapped his arms and ent about her. Even as he did rapidly advancing tongues of Are lapped themselves around her sl -nder waist, and seized the gossamer lac bordered on® of her loose sleeves. It was that Maude comprehended what

KM.

Then

and Uttering a shriek— the applause of the guests room, who were testify-

o/ownea oy ine appiause ui mm In the adjoining room, who were iftfe tbetr admiration of the first presemeA to them-^-would hav*

Irst tableau have flown

she knew not whither but the strong hands ef Wilfred prevented it, and for©, ed her to Iter knees. There was a brief wrestle with the consuming element. raised to her feet

and then Maude was

to ufa* at her feet. Wilfred brought her a shawl, which was wrapped around her mechanically, and he eflercdlter a ghu» of water, but this she waived aside with snch a look of utter stupefaction that be felt the necessity of rousing her.

You are not hi

Mbit** would

You are not Suit, are you, Miss Lee-

den?"

put to set rW miplflwiilv ml Inyoui

She held toward him the polished arm which the fire had slightly, very slightly, scorched, hut essayed in vain to speak and Will seeing or fimcying he could see, that she was rapidly becoming hysterical, began to cant about of preventing lt.

N ISrtt hnrtv Th«

for means

The consequence of this announcement was, that as soon as the actors mingled with the spectators, Wilfred was tormented unmercifully on the sub-

ito

ect one saucy young lady asking why had not endeavored to conform to both opinions by painting himself in alternate stripee of black and brown But Will bore bis pene^uton good-humored-ly: and though he vexed his uucie by refusing to take any part in the dancing that followed, and lounging in corners with bis hands in his pockets, he stayed till the guests began to retire,and Mande to feel that she had done her part toward entertaining them,and had earned herself the right to rest awhile.

It was not easy for the belle of the night to slip from her admirers and when she had oentrived to send her partner in the last valse for some lemonade, and taken advantage of his absence to glide into a recess behind a stand of flowers, she found the seat she had intended to occupy already in the possession of Wilfred Hayle.

However, he rose directly, and offeredit to her, saying, at the same time: I wasjnst going, for Sir Marcus looks tired. Ih there anything in the shape of refreshment I can get you?" "Thanks lam not thirsty," site answered, in frigid tones. "If you will draw that curtain so that can remain unseen for a few minutes, it will oblige me."

Will shook out the folds of the draiery but he remained inside them, ooklrig down on Maude, whose face, dimly *een in the half-light, had lost its smiles, and wore such a look of fatigue, what efforts she must that, knowing what have been making to forget the shock seived, ne she had received, lie spoke to her with unusual gentleness.

Let me advise yon not to stay here any longer yon ought to be in bed. Shall I take you to Miss Raymond I am sure, if she could see yoa this minute. she wonld endorse what I say." "Why should I be more fatigued than any one else?" Mande coldly inquired, "or disturb Miss Raymond with

te first to despise me for it." "On tbe contray,I should thinkyon weirs acting very prudently, for yon have suffered from aa alarm this evening thai would upset th» nerves of the strongest."

Maude opened her bine eyes at him. Are yon playing a new rote, Mr.

... Hayle, and trying whether you can act Not hurt? Then, surely, Miss Lee-1 the sympathising friend? Before yon

den, you may spare us any exhibition of he added, significantly, and use reconfenunine weakness. Will you go and ciles one to a great many things, as, change your dress, or must we have one perhaps, you know. scene more than we have set down en "If you meant

our programme?" must believe, am grateful,' she s«d,

The sharp and slightly contemptuous tone lu which he spoke had the desired effect. The blood rushed back to Maude's cheeks, and her lips ceased to quiver. "Do not alarm yourself, sir I shall not give you any further trouble, except X) apologize to our friends for my ab-

ence, If any inquiries are made about tie before I can return." Will coolly nodded. "Certainly. I'll ask Rupert to do some scene for which you are not wanted, and that will give you as much time as a lady ought to require for making an alteration in her toilette."

Maude moved swiftly to the door, but paused there, and leaned against it.

OhTI am faint!" It is only the heat of this room," said Wilfred, carelessly, as he stepped toward her. You will feel better as soon as you get into fresher air but I'll ring for your maid and the smelling-bottle, if you wish it."

I do not wish it," she retorted, making another effort at self-control, and forcing back the tears that rose to her eyes and refusing to perceive the arm tendered for her support, she hastened

fie is a selfish, heartless brute," she exclaimed, as she hurried to her dress-ing-room. "He certainly came to my assistance, and has, perhaps, saved me from dreadful injuries, if not from death: but no man could have done less, and his callousness, now that he sees me so frightened and unnerved, is Inexcusable."

Indignation lent Maude strength, and she was soon speeding back to the guests of what luid chefki her laugh been gayer than it was during the remainder of that evening. She was the most bewitching of Ariels, despite the less ethereal character of the costume she was compelled to appear in, and such a Kathenne as she depicted—wilful yet fascinating, demure, yet arch— any Petruchlo might have done his best to win. 7 -t

»k.„

It was on the tableau from "The Taming of the Shrew" that the curtain finally dropped for on finding that Othello was contumacious, and refused to be converted into an African, the imperious little manageress withered him with a look, and refused to have the scene depicted. But she took upon herself to inform the laughing audience, in confidential tones, that it was simply postponed in consequence of commentators on Shaspeare having been unable to decide whether the valiant Moor should be depicted with a complexion of Indian ink or burnt amber and Mr. Hayle, not being able to resolve which reading of the author's text he should follow, was in such a quandary that his friends were entreated to take pity uponhim, and excuse the omission.

can beguile me into believing that yo« are in earnest, I must forget how utterly and unfeelingly you ignored my terrop* few hours ago." "I did not ignore them. Miss Leaden."

Then you did worse, sir you Rneer«d at tbem. You bad no pity for me when I os a in her excitement Maude arose and haughtily confronted aim. "1 am not unmindful that you rendered me an efficient aid that perhaps owe my life to yon. wish 1 could forget, while I thank you for it,the manner in which von acted wh^n, the danger was over." "Dont make yourself unco in to ante about such reminiscences," said Will, as cool as ever, "It was a choice of evils either to see you fall into hysterics, make yourself ill, and frighten every one, or try to stave off the attack by making a bear of myself ana offending you so I chose the latter course. It is not the first time, Miss Leaden, that I have contrived to affront you,"

well,

sir,as I suppose

ginning to thaw a little "but still I feel that you might "Might what?" he asked, on finding that she hesitated. "You mean that! might have 'done my spiriting more gently.' Are you still angry with me because I prevented you from lamenting over j'our spoiled dress I suppose it Can be replaced."

I was not thinking of that, cried Maude, growing angry again that he should imagine her so frivolous as to make the destruction of a fancy costume of any great importance. "But it is useless toaweJ.1 on the subject,' she added, impatiently. You would never be able to understand how the horror of the moment, when I first found out that I was on fire, has chilled and oppressed my* spirits. All through the evening, I have been unable to shake it off: laugh, chat, or be as outwardly merry as I would, it was still upon me."

Will began to regard her curiously, as if she were a phenomenon passing his skill to comprehend. She saw the look, and took fresh umbrage at it.

Very foolish, is it not, to make such a feminine confession? A silly girl's alarm at setting her dress on fire, and narrowly escaping from being burnt to death, is too puerile an event to discuss with such a profound scholar as Mr, Wilfred Hayle."

I am not ashamed, of such scholarship as I possess, Miss Lesden, So your taunts do not annoy me and-1 don't know why an acquaintance with Greek or Hebrew should set me above ordinary emotions. If vou will have the truth I was less surprised at your terrors when the accident happened than at the ease with which Teu have thrown them eff and entered Into the gaieties ef the eve"5nd so/because I haVe done the •ery thing you advocated—controlled myself to avoid alarming my friends— you find fault with me.'r

I do not find feult with you, Miss Lesden." No, sir, you confine yourself to sneers at my feminine weakness though let me tell you tbat some of your own ?ex often testify less self-control under trying circumstances than I have mustered up to-nignt."

I do not doubt it but as you really escaped all injury, except to your dress, there was no such very great cause for alarm after all, was there "But I did not wholly escape," and Maude held ut her arm. "If you knew how this burn, slight though it looks, has throbbod and smarted, you would understand, perhaps, that have been painfully kept in mind of my adventure."

It is only skin-deep it will soon heal," was all the reply Will made and though this was true, it was such a different speech from what any one else would have made to a young and pretty woman, that Maude felt more exasperated than ever.

Of course, it Is nothing—a mere nothing tke whole affair has not been worth mentioning again, except to record Mr. Hayle's prowess. No one has suffered by it bat me, and so what signifies

With this pettish speech, she was walking away, when Will quietly said: You have dropped your ftm."

She looked at him wllh increasing contempt. Why, he was a complete boor! he was more churlish that the rustic lads in the village for the roughest of them would have picked up the fnn and restored it te her, whereas he stood then with his awkward bands folded behin4 him in what ake termed a supercilious attitude, and evidently expected her to pick it up herself.

Determined not to do that, she pushed it aside with her foot, and was walking away, when his voice once more detain ed

her,

"Better not leave your fan there

er helpless to-night." Maude started, and came back a step. "Mr. Hayle!. What do you mean? Let me look at your hands."

Butl Insist on seeing them!" And she spoke so loudly and imperatively, that Mr. Errington. who was talking to Sir Marcus, heard her voice, and came toward the recess. Will saw him approaching, and tried to silence the voung lady.

Pray, don't

avowal of snch feminine weakness as a longing to get away somewhere and be

aniet?

You know that you would be

make a ftws! I don

want my uncle

made

uneasy. If my

finger aches, he fidgets himself about it. I scorched my hands a little, that was all."

Very unwillingly, he held them toward her for a moment: but the glimpse Maude caught of his blistered palms made her shudder and turn so pale, that he was glad to see Mr. Errington at his olbow*

Ifeke charge of this young lady, sir, will yon? She has been over-exciting herself, and ought to be sent to bed."

He moved away before another word could be said, and went to the hall, to see if Sir Marcus's carriage was ready. As he returned, he enoonntersd the sisters, Mande still looking unusually subdued, and leaning on the arm ef Katie.

With a bow, and a polite "goodnight," be was passing on, when Maude spoke his name,

Mr. Hayte, before you leave us, I

sheu Id like to hear you OS} you forgive me." I'm not at my last gasp Miss Leeden nor do I know what particular sin against my humble self you it$sh to atone for." 1 have been very rude and ungrnte,.»,f »i

8he

confessed, the

ful to you to-night, sparkling light in her blue eyes dimmed by a tear. "Have yon? Then make yourself easy, for it has not annoyed me at all. Good-night, Miss Katie. I'll send yoa that review as noon as I can find it," "Bear!" mentally ejaculated Maude. "Heartless, uncouth brute! I had rather have owed my life to the villagesweep than to him!" "If I were as disagreeable as that girl," Wilfred was saying to himself, "I would gointo a nunnerv! She has the prettiest face and won! temper of any woman I ever encountered. I begin to quite dislike her." "i-httriiiing In tie creator?, Wi'l. I«mt she?" exclaimed Sir Marcus, giving him a nudge ss they drove home together. "Ah! I know where }our thoughts a.e. Mr. Slyboots."

Miss Lesden Is very good-looking, sir," was tbe evasive reply. "Of course she is and clever, and sweet-tempered."

Will ooughed so dubiously that his uncle paused. "What do you mean by that? Did you ever see her out of humor "Ladies consider themselves privileged to be whimsical," his nephew said.

Ah! I see. She has been teasing yon a little but nevermind, so long as it's all for love, my boy."

For what, sir?" ard Wilfred spoke so loud in his astonishment, that SirMaiv cus was staitled.

Chut—chut! Have I said too much? I don't want to interfere with you. Will do as you like in everything, ot course. I can't help thinking sometimes that it would be very pleasant for me if you were to inafrv. I could yet rid of Cripps then but I wouldn't wish to bias your choice. A very nice girl she is, Will!" f-,

Who? Cripps?" «:s. Nonsense—nonsense J" cried the baronet, testily. "Why do you interrupt me? A nice girl, and a good girl of excellent fkmily, and so on—and.what'a equally to the purpose, disposed to like you." "Isshe? I'm somewhat disposed todoubt it," the young man dryly retorted. "If I could be convinoea that you are right, why, I'd

Marry her to-morrow Bravo and we'd have a wedding-feast that should make the country ring again

Marry her? No, sir. "I'd go on an expedition to the North Pole, and forget to come hsi'k."

Sir Marcus was so grievously disappointed at this reply that he grew cross. I tell you what it is, young fellow, if you deliberately turn up your nose at such a sweet little creature as Katie Lesden, you deserve to live and die a miserable, gouty, housekeeper-harassed vid bachelor, like your uncle!"

Katie Lesden 1 I thought you were speaking of her sister. Mauae has always appeared to be your favorite."

No—no! Katie has the dower, lad and that's a consideration ol quite as much importance to any prudent man as the looks of the lady, is it not? What do y»u say Are you going to gladden my old heart by taking a wife, and seH tie down at The Beeches

I'll tell you when I've duly consid-f ered the subject," said Will, carelessly* But yon will take it into oousider&-| tienatonce?"

And ask Katie Lesden to have me/ for no othes 'reason than because my* friends think that she would be m. suit-» able match My dear uncle, I couldn't^ summon courage te inflict such a cruel' wrong on a pretty, lady-like girl as tot marry her, caring nothing about her.r Besides, there's that sister of hers. could not endure her presence in a house •that called me master!"

You are confoundedly hard tor lease, young man," grumbled Sir "arcus,

pie Ala

By no means, sir for I am quite sat-? isfied with the present state of affairs. If never was happier in my life than I am at this moment." "But I am not!" bis uncle retorted.: "Cripps grows mere Intolerable every day. Soon she won't let me have my own way in anvthing. If you would be: reasonable, Will, and marry Katii leaden—there, there!" he hastily added, as, he found his nephew growing impatient, "I'll say no more."

Pray don't, sir for this is a subject. we shall never agree upon, unless you will end all disputes by marrying t! young lady yourself. I'd promise to be a most dutiful nephew."

It would serve you right if I were to take you at your word!" Sir Marcus replied but Will only laughed, and ad-. vised him to do so. His secret desire to join a scientific expedition to Central' Asia, then being fitted out, was so strong, that nothing kept him in England but his fear that such a lengthened absence as it would involve would be a great grief to Sir Marcus. If, however, his uncle were to marry, everything wo»-.d be changed and, therefore, WilJ SBA'I more serious in his suggestion than tbe baronet imagined. „,

CHAPTER XVL* A RHLAPHB.

When the fatigue of the evening had been slept off, no one was any the worse for the Leabanks festivities save Mr. Durrant. He had been all smiles and gaiety, winning golden opinions front every one who approached the easychair in which he reclined. The good, unsophisticated folks who formed the larger proportion of Mr. Errington's guests did not detect the mockery lurk- ',y tig beneath his hollow civilities, and were so unaffectedly pleased to make his acquaintance, and admired the polished, courtly gentleman from London with sod) genuine admiration, that, while pretending to despise ihern, ho was flattered into good-humor.

But this mood was too unuuual with Mr. Durrant to be lasting and after he retired to his room, some fondled omission on the part of bis servant threw him into so violent a passion, that on the morrow he was too ill to rise. But he pooh-poohed Mr. Errington's offer to to send for the medical man who bad been in attendance upon him. "Tbe fellow has taken enough of my money, and so I'll thank yon not to pull along face, Mid try to persuade me that I require him. I am not werse or, at least, not worse than I expected to be after the noise and disturbance of last night. No one with proper consideration for an invalid would have h»id a host of people clattering about the

Mr. Errington looked astonished at the accusation this speech conveyed. I thought you assured me that yoa would enjoy a little cheerful society f"

Yonr ideas of what constitutes society are totally at variance with mine," sneered his auditor. "I should call the people ycu bad here a mob. No wonder I am exhausted after undergoing what I did from your guests." "Why did you stay down stairs?" asked the provoked host. "I thought it was understood that you .were only te ffiOXTlNUKU OH THIRD FAOE.]