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ST. iWHN, N. B. :

PRINTED AND PtBUSHBD BT G1«0. W. D/ay,
57 OHARLaXTB SWEt.

18TT.

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PRINTE]

THE

61 9, lS

RANDCHILDREN.

BY NENA C. RICKESON.

ST. JOHN, N. B.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEO. W. DAY,

67 Charlotte Street.

1876.

THE

(

; TiiK n.\

be <:i'an«l i
d house w
ats. Thcr
l)i'illiiiiifv
oil of J»<Mtl
U^d hi'illi
•e uiis a
es ill jiU'U

^Ifainin^
glittt'iin
attes. ])eai
I" short tli
its of a ;rri
Viis ch-ve
9ty was at
asf)ni. tir«'(

crash of
ing mazfs

g;<'ntlHmai
W'tiior in t
d, tlic lioa

<leli>;htfu
iOiiy.

:. was (.)cti
^-liko at II
lay warm

now artoo
J Vf'llow
j])<Mlin ix'i
asional oj
^ts of iTohl
llin^ surfa
"AVliat a 1
i«ing, to t>
ii in there,
1, fii'shair
(fii^fi Chess

tthe seat
ennductc

,^,-*v"»- X 'v^ vyN/

('HAITKH I.

TIIK HA I.I, \T MAPLKMNHd).

be ;;:i'an«l n-coptioii i-ooms at Miijd*'-
(1 house \vi>j'<' throii^t'd with ck^^ant
uts. There was evervwhere a ia<li-
l)rilliaiiey of li^rhts — a (h-licious j>er-
011 of peit'unie. From tl»e oicliestra
it'd Itrilliant, entrancing nnisie :
■e was a soft niiirnier of niiiijzh-il
es ill jtU'Usant chat and hiu^rhter —

^h'anihi^ of rich silken <h'a]>eries,
•.'htteiing ot costly gems — rich
attes. ])(^autifiil women, elegant men
I sliort there was all the a[>[)oint-
its of a grand soiree.
Viis eleven o'clock, and the whirl of
9ty was at its height, when (Jlencora
asfim. tired of the glitter of lights.

crash of gay nitisic, and the hewil-
ing mazes of the dunce, ju-rmitte*!

g;entleman, with whoju she had heen
Wtner in the last wait/, to lead her
rl the heat of the daiu-ing-ntom to

delightfully cool (juietude of the
iOiiy.

:;. was Octoher, and the soft, hazy,
^dike atmosphere, which had l)een
iay warm and golden with sunlight.

now atlood with silvery moonlight.
! yellow tinted coppices lay <'n-
}l)edin {X'lfect stillness: liut through
asional o])enings Hashed sjiarkling
^ts of gohU'ii light from the softly
lling surface of tlje Thames.

AV'hat a lovely niglit ! au<l what a
i^ing, to escape h'om the barbarous
4 in thei-e, out into this delighthilly
I, frt'shair."
^i^'s Chessom said this as she sank

tthe seat to whicli her camiianion
con<hacted her.

\'ery charming was this suj»erlily
beautiful heiress, (ilencora ''hessom,
grand-daughter of I'liilij) < 'hi-ssom. the
wealthy liondon hanker, and entei-tainer
of thisgay )>arty at Maplewood. She was
a splendid brunnette : black glossy coil-
ing hair, brilliant, liquid, lestless. dark
eyes — rich tinting of <'ream and <'i'imson
— an evening tf.'ilette of pure white
crepe over a sliinimering train of gold-
coloi'cd satin,— with elal)orate. yet ox-
<|uisite, gold ornaments, richly set with
costliest })earls, upon her neck and arms,
ami in her ears. Her rich, shining dark
hair was arranged in a regal style that
well became her — a ])arure ol" ]>cail>
glist<'ning among the jetty coils,

Sliewas bt>antiful and iascinatiiig, and
though there was nothing of Madonna-
like loveliness in her tiiir leatiires, there
was a great deal <»f liewiti'hing bright-
ness and tii'illiance. and a charming
vivacity and ]>i<|uan<'y in her manner.
She was a born co(|uette: and just the
sort of woman with whom, out of a hun-
dred men, ninety-an<l-nine would lall
madly in love.

To-night she was more than usually
Hiichaiiting ; and it was evident that the
handsome gentleman who )iow seated
himself by her side, was fai- h-om being
indiftV'rent to hei- charms.

*' I am so awfully warm I" said tlie
young lady, fluttering her fan vigorously.
"Do look I There's that ugly little
I'ose Castlemaine leaning on Lord<'roft-
nil's arm. Hose. inde<'d ! what a name
for her. to l)e sure. Resembles nuu'h
more one uf those yellow mapl<^ leaves
lying out yonder, llideuus, isn't she ;,
' Ah, here ccoaes the stately Miss Wil-

5ai4t>

77/A' HANKK/rS ajiANnri/ILnh'KK,

loiighln!" ainl tin' I'ijx' lips of th^ hoir-
CHS c'lrlcd (•()iitt'i>i|»tuoiisly.

'riif youti-.' Imly tlius alludcM to pic-
x'litly passed hy. Icaniti;: on th<' aim of
tiM' yoim;.' I'"it'ii(li ("omit D«'Chollis.

Ilcrs was a rarely Itcautifiil lace — very
dirt'crciit in contour from th«^ face of
<iloncora Chcssoin: it lacked the ex-
pression of arrogant hauteur which
eharact<'ri/,ed the jx-rfectly moulded
featui'e> of that y«»uii^' lady ; l»ut it was
u lair, lovely face, full of pure, sweet
womanliness, with ^'reat dark eyes, in
whose (rlear depths shone such minijleil
pride, passion, and sweetness, .'^he was
attired in soft Heecy white, over jiale '
l)lue, drapeil with hows of ])al(i ))lue Hh- {
hon, and clusters of ajiple hlossoms and '
pink geraniums. It was a simjde, inex- 1
l.eiisive toilette, and yet it couhl scarce- 1
Iv hav(^h<'en more ev(|nisite tluni it was.
She was very, very pretty to-Jiifiht : and ■
even the hau<-'hty <ilencora could not
hut admit tlu" fact inwardly, and a pang I
of |ii(|Ut'(l jealousy, such as all cociuettes
experience when they hehold the love-
liiK^ss of another wftmana(huired hyone
of the opposite sex, passed through that
organ which the fair Ulencora designat-
e<l her heart, as slu' heheld tlu' eyes of
lier companion follow, with admiring
gaz<^, the girl's slender, graceful figure.
"Miss VVilloughhy is very l)eautiful."
remarked Mr. Waldegrave. who, though
much charmed hy his haiidsoim' cousin,
was not yet so deeply enamour«'d as to
he unahle to admire a swoettM'. if not a
more hrilliant face.

•• Yes, if one hai)pens to fancy the
milk iiiid-water style of loveliness: L
don't admire it myself," said (ilenc<jra
with a laugh.

'* I see she is ))rai'tising h(U\wiles ujton
the young Frenchman. DeChellis. at
j(i-esent: an hour ago she was striving
to captivate my cousin. Wliat vast fun
it must have heen for you to watch her
airs, < 'ousin Bertram. Of course you saw
how determined she was upon making a
eompiest?'"

" My fair cousin. I was not sufficiently
vain to suppose anything of the kind,"
said Mr, Waldegrave. " Indeed, she
treated me with a carelessness of man-
uey which I thought almost amounted
to indifference," added he

I '' She most jirohably thought that the
surest method of driving you to love-
making!" sai<l (ileiicora with one of her
dazzling hright smiles.

Now Bertram Waldegrave was fast
falling in love with his charming cousin,
who showed such flattering preference
for his society: liut her -arcastic re-
marks concerning the beautiful Mahel
Willoughhy annoyeil, and half angei-ed
him.

Ife luul heen in Mahel \Villoughhy"s
society hut a few times, although lie had
now heen sto];pingat Maplewoo<l nearly
a month ; hut somehow h(^ had a dim
idea that there was that in lier grace-
ful, interesting conversation, hav merry
smiles and i'ipi)ling laugliter, capable of
leaving an impression upon his mind,
after they were over, infinitely i)leasent-
er than could all (ilencora's llattenng
words and enchanting smiles.

He stooped to pick up the fan which
liis cousin had accidentally let fall to the
floor, as he answered.

" Possibly, but not probably,'' he said.
" In l)ehalf of my vanity, 1 should be
delighted to admit that you ai'e I'ight ;
but, in justice to the young lady, I must
say that 1 think you are mistaken."

An angry gleam flashed for a moment
in (tlencora's black eyes, but she smiled
gaily as she answei'e(l :

" You don't understand her. my dear
cousin. Like the geneiality of milk-
sops. Miss Willoughby is very deceiving.
Having been l)orn poor, and brought up
dejjendant ujjou the bounty of others,
may perhaps be a reason for her merce-
nary ambition ; but any how, if she
<loesu't niake a. brilliant match some
day, it will not he her own fault. The
way she angled for Sir Digby Desmond
last season, not to mention a score of
others, was a caution ! But never mind
the Willoughby's. Do tell me about
that excpiisitely elegant <\)unt DeBriu-
ton who is here to-night. Such magnifi-
cent eyes! Oh, his lieauty is heavenly !"

" I have but a slight ac(juaintance with
him," answered Waldegrave. "1 met
him something o\er a year ago in Paris,
and only once since then — a few weeks
ago — at a dinner at the ' Norwich.' He
ih immensely wealthy, 1 believe.'"

"And a perfect Adonis!" said GleM-

;-,,***'

rilK JiAXKEirs GUAXIXllILDnKX.

cora. And they chattered gaily on,
upon a doztMi frivolous toj»ics luitil
Gleneora said.

'' Tome along, h't us go in ; dancing
will licgin jirosently. I seo my spoony
admiivr, Mr. Thurston, coming this
way, in search of us. I presume I have
promised him mv hand for this waltz.
He is my devoted slave, I nssure you —
i-eady to fall down and worship me. at
any time. Oh. he's immense fun !"' and
< rlancora laughed.

A moment later they were in the hall-
room, and the spoony Thurston was
claiming the fair hand of CUeucora for
the dance. They went off together,
and Bertram WalcU'grave walked over
to where Mabel Willoughhy was seated.

" Will you favor me witli your hand
for this waltz, Miss Willoughhy?" he
asked, and the next moment 5fahel.'s
graceful little figure was in his arms, and
they were whirling 'round in the bril-
liant waltz.

'' How lovely she is 1" was the .softly
breathed whis])er that pervaded the
ball-room.

Glencora said nothing, but her rest-
less V)lackorbs flashed,and her coral lips,
curled in scornful contempt.

When the second waltz was over, tlie
elegant DeBrinton, who seemed to Hit,
butter-fly like, around all the fairest
Hovvers, niatle his way to Miss ("hessom,
soliciting her liand for the third. (Uen-
cora wrote down liis name, and after a
few moments merry convei-sation the
Frenchman remarked :

" How exquisitely beautiful Miss Wil-
loughhy is. My friend Df ( 'hellis is madly
in love with her already — raves about
her terribly, and no wonder, she is so
charming, so ingenuous. En passant,
she is your cousin, is she not?"'

Glencora gave her haughty head a
little disdainful toss.

" Nothing of the khid," she answered.
"■ Her people were connected in a very
remote degree with my mother's family;
but how, 1 realy never took the trouble
to find out."

*' Ah, I understand,"' said Monsieur
leCounte, adroitly, "you and Mademoi-
selle are really no relation at all, only
A very distant connexion. Shall we sit

in tiie l)alconv until the di

Im'

gins — it is coolei'.''.

( >n the biilcony they discovered Mai»el
and WaMcgiave seated in one of the
cushioneil scats, and engaged in plea-
sant conversation. <ii«'ncora's bliicU
eyes flashed aj^'ain, l)eneath the soft
white lids that fluttered dver them;
but she smiled da/zlingly, uttei-eil a
few jesting woi'ds to JJertram, and
glanced with a carelessness that was
contemptuous at Mabel.

Monsieur bowed gracefully to the lat-
ter, nodiled with polite familiarity to
the former, and the twain passed on.

The next moment another lady and
gentleman passed, at a little distance
from where 5label and Waldegrave were
seated ; this time, it was .larvi« Ches
som — (ilencora's handsome, graceless
brother — and a sentimental <lamsel lean-
ing on his arm, with whom, judging
from his ardent glances, and softly mur-
mured words, it was evident ho was
desperately flirting.

He was twenty-two, and tjuite desei-v-
ing of tlu« rejiutation which he had
already obtained of being fast ;"' l>ut wa>
handsome, fascinating and wealthy, and
therefore consitlered a splendid "catch,"
among the " manceuvreing mammas"
and "marriageable <laughters.''

" What a sad scapegrace cousin Jarvi>^
has grown up,"' said Waldegwive, his
eyes I'esting upon young Chessom's face,
which was becoming somewhat flusherl
with rather liberal wine-drinking.

Mabel looked also at the handsome,
cai'eless face which i)lainly bore the
marks of dissiiiation. and a sorrowful
sluule flitted for a moment over her fair
features as she answered :

" Yes, and I'm sorry for it. The reck-
lessly wild course which he is of late
pursuing is not fiidy dei-ogatory to him-
self but a ceaseless som-ce of trouV)le and
anxiety to Mr. Chessom. " Do you
know," she went on, " that his inex-
haustable patience with all of Jarvis'
mad freaks and caprices make it seem
almost incredible that he could ever
h.ive been so implacably .stern and un-
lorgiving toward his own son."

" The death of that son,"' said Walde-
grave, "although his anger with him
had been so deep, was a heavy blow to

THE //.i.v A' /•;/.'■> (;i>'.\M><iiii.i>i!i'y-

iMiflc l'Iii!i|.. and -I'l-xi >i iiiiitli tit^nltcii
tilt- <'<»I(l |>iiilt' Mini iron stfrniH'^x <»!' Iiis

flllll'iictt'l'. Il<' l>itti'l-|\ li';ilfttr(l liis
llill«lllli'ss. W lifli toolutr; illl< I t ll'' iHlly

HtoiiriUfiit wliicli lie rim iii>\v ull'i r tof
the past, is the lavi-li wraith and aU'i-t-
linti wliicli lie lic-tows niioii tln' widow
and fhildicn of Iii> <iin."

I'i't'scntiv (In- tnnv«'i'sati(»ii tui-nt-d
ii|M)ii ( ilcncora.

'" Dn yfiii know," said \\'aldi';riavi',
" that she is so clianircd I can scaii-fly
l>clirvt' \u'v to 111- tin- sanu' littlf cli
wlioni I ns<'d to call 'Cousin (iK-nnir."
'onu' twclvf years a;:o. I it-nn iuIm'I'
-pt-ndinii sc\t'ial weeks at .Maplewodd.
when al'Otit eleven years of i\<H', and a
cinMoiis time we had of it. <ilennieand
I were i'eeoinitin,i;oin' .juvenile hattles —
an<l they were inunerous — last evi'uin^'.
• lai'vis was usually too imlolent to quar-
rel mueli.""

^fahel lau^rhed.

"(ilencora has ^i-own very heautiful
durin;.' those years, lias she not?" said
Walde^'rave.

Spite ot her ealni <lenioanor there was
a ^'ood deal of hittei'Uess and wounded
pride in Muhel's jioor little iieart as she
unsweif(l. She had not failed to j)er-
eeive the ilisdaiiiful (■onteni])t in <ilen-
eora's eyes a few moments heibro, noi'
hail she for^'otten how that young lady
a few ev<Miinjrs pi'evious, hacl.in t!ie i^'o-
>one(» of several .iruests, Mr. Waldegrave
amon;i them, snuhhi'd her with polite
rudeness, to use a }>!a'ado.\it'al ))hraso.

Slie raised her lovely dark eyes, and
found those of her c'omi»anion bent upon
her. Slie knew that lie could not liave
failed to jxM'ceivi' the sui)ercilious light
in Miss ('hessom's eyes: was ,'ortain
that he knew how cordially she and that
young lady disliked each other. Most
likely, slu' thought. < ilencora liad told
him. as she had told many others, how
enviously jealous she was of hei- wealth
and beauty, and now he was desirous of
hearing what spiteful re]»ly she would
make to his remark. A little flush
mantled her white forehead as the
thought crossed her mind, hut she said
calmly enough —

"Yes. (ilencora is heautiful. certain-
ly.'"

She then quietly changed the sub-

j,.ct by rcuiarkiug. a^ Mi» Castlemaine.
with some gentleman, passeil by.

•'Mow pale Mi«s ('astlemaine look>
tonight. Thi- i- tlie tir-tenti'rtaijnnent
of any kind which -he has been able to
attend since her recent illness. She
scarcely ieseml>le> her former self, so
wan, s() thin : -he wa- really very pt' ity
before that dieadilll level'."

''Oh, then she lia> been ill. which ac-
count- for hei- :.aIlow iialciiess," said
Waldi'grave. " I think herpietty, even
now : Init (llennie. who was mentioning
her a few monient< ago. think- she is
hide<ais."

•' IJecause ( ilencora so thoivtugltly ili--
likes her." said Mabel, calmly.

Mr. Waldegrave laughed slightly, and
asked carelessly :

" Why does (llennie so much dislike
her. pray? She looks (|uite amiable."

.\labei looked at him iniietly. and re-
j)Iied gravely —

" I am sm-e I cai.Mot tell you. Sir, un-
less for the reason tha" Miss ( astleinaine
happens t(» be giulty of possessing a
heart wiiicli is nobly generous and frank.
But it is time for me to go in," she
added.

As \\'aldegrave could not dance the
next with ^label lie would fain have
I'emained seated ujton the flower-gar-
lande<l balcony. Avith her beside him.
Tie was interested in her. for she was
inteicsting, and he liked h«r, spite of
the haughty Miss Chessom's warnings.

They had just arisen, and Mr. Walde-
graAe was saying, '* Allow me to accom-
l)any you to the blue -itin room ;" for it
was there Mabel had pt...mised the gen-
tleman wlut was next to wait/ with her,
that he should find lier when the (hmc-
ing begun, when two gentlemen came
toward them uttering some lighth'
spoken remai'ks.

The elder of the two was Philip
( "hessom, the master of ^laplewood —
the younger, Ernest Willoughby, Mabel's
brother, and the only one on earth with
whom the ]>oor i-hild could claim any
real relationship.

Philij) (.'hessom's face was one ex-
pressing noble, generous kindliness.
There were lines of care around the
handsome, ph-asaiit inoutli, and the sil-
very cuiliiiir locks clustereJ about a

77/ H II . I \- A' /•;/.'• V iiirwnciiiLit /.• t: \ .

'trow tliMi ^vii- (|tM|(|y hiii'twril. At;
tiint'.- tlifif wii- a cjirrwoin. wciua lunkl
in the luild ^rniy •y<-«i; Imt Im- uiih evi-r

gonial ami <•! it'iil. I hi r- tin;; litrtli i

>om»'tiiii<->.. iiitii iilino^l lioyisli hilarity.
EriK'si \Villon;.'lil'.\ wa- iwfiity-twit |
V«'ar> ol' a^'t.' and a jn rl'ci'i -iHMinifn i»|
handsoiuf yinitlitiil lunnlinoil. Hi- lea ,
turc." wiTc r.'^'iilai- and Hindy foiinrd. j
TlirM'c wa< a liidk <»t'i|nict Hi iniH'-N aliunt |
t)n' cK-ai" (lit |ilta«ant nioutli. with it- i
>ilkf'ji (•l»c«<ttnit nioustarhc- a fiaid<. j
;.'»'nial M^'lit !: thf dark ;ria\ ••,vi>. Hvci'
tho widf, • tf forehead chi-'ered a'
niuM ••renrh"ii<f cheKtnnt liair. It was a
j>rii.,d. n<;hle. liand-ionie head. In <ta
llM-e lie was <Ii;,'litly a'xtve tlie iiiediiini—
Hicnder. hilt strongly and athletiely
hnilt. A\\<\ siich a man a- one in^tine-
livfdy leel< to he trank and honoialile.
nohle and generous.

They stood gaily ehatting for a few
>t'(!onds. then Waldograve l«^d Mahel
ivway, comliK.'tin.ir hci- through the
throng, to the ' ! • satin room, to which
Mr. PoI<don was just comin z in search of
her. 1 tram loft her hy his side, and
tlien Went to lounge in fine of the how
windows, and watch th<' walt/eis: he
did not wish to daiu'e just then himself.

(ilencora whirled ])ast in the arm^ of
tin-, elegant French roiint : W'aldegrave
looko«l at her. and thought how hiil-
liant and fascinating she was. and then
his i'ye«: wandered from her to tlie
graceful, syljihdike figure of Mahel as
she glided i)a>t with Charlie I'olsdon.

''Truly," murmured PxMlram, *'<he is
lovely I *B'autiful as a jioet"^ dieam,"
as a novelist wouM say.""

Then he fell to comparing her matcli-
lessly lovely face with those of the other
richly attired helles that thronged tlie
gaily lighted dancing- room.

Philip Chess'jni and yoimg Willoiighhy
stood conversing togethei- for a lew mo-
ments after ]\rahel and Waldt^giave had
^one, then they parted.

The wealthy hanker l<»oked after his
handsome «'leik until his figure was
hidden from sig'.it as he entered the
hall-room, then he leaned against one of
the giant marble ])illars and looked out
over the dew wet lawn.

" He is a noV)Ie, true-hearted lad."
murmured the old banker. •• WouUl to

hea\ en that .larvi« pr»s>e.<.>ed half .^tii h
honoialije. high -.ou|e(| integiit\ a>-his !""

There was a drear\ look in the eyes
of till' master of Maplewood, a sorrow
till droop to the pleasant nioiith : he
stood thus |(»r a few moments. th<n drove
llie ti<>ul.|( d look out of his lace, and
turned lowai'd the house. .\ few mo-
ment- later he was ^landing, -miling
with >ile,|.anl iirl>anil\ . in the midst f»r
hi> ^.. .ts.

The hoiir^ glideil liy with l»ewitching
mu>ie and ))lea>ant mirth, dancing and
m ■rriment : and at la-t the brilliant
( he-i-om ball elidccl.

There was pleasant confusion, a polite
tumult of gay parting words, and then
the host of gimsts departed.

Then there >v; ; the putting onto!
lights, the dosing I idoors and windows,
and the gj-eat ho (-e was wrapt in si-
lence.

ClLM'TKh II.

" Wiiiif- 1 thnt 1 iiiiKiit nciill them —
Tlw luvM the I" r, ilu" i|<):i(l.
W'inifs I rhiit 1 luiirht Hv niter
T ".e pii.-'t IniiK viM;i hull.

Philip ( "he-som was standini; in one
ol the great windows that fronted the
wide lawn at Maplewood. a few morn-
ing- sllb<e(|Uent to the gay < 'hessom fete.
The scene, gloriously lov<dy. sjtread out
in all its peaceful perfe* t beauty, befoic
the admiring ga/e of the master of
Maplewood. lie had looked at it thoils-
an<ls oi times before: lait it was charm-
ing to him now, in the golden dawn-
light of the (tetolief day, as it had been
tiity years ago, when a little lioy he
had ga/ed w ith such chihiish admiiation
at the same sparkling, rippling, river, oi
wandered tarelessly jiajipy through the
great jiiirk and <hady woods of his an-
cestral home.

Leaningagain<t tin-heavy oaken case-
ment, m the fiuiet of the eaily moiii-
ing, with no sound breaking the still
ness, save the twitter of birds as the\
Hiifcd among the branches of the giant
oaks and majile. — with the faint bree/
es wafting delicious odors fWtm the gay
Hower-beds in the great garden, and the
sun slowly rising in the ruddy flushing
(»f the east, flooding the earth, an<l the
shimmering ciystal liver. with golden

111

<>:

THE BANKER'S GKANDCUILDREN.

light, Philii) riiessom lost himself in
(IroHiny rotrospect.

Bt.'tbre j>roeee(liiiy; fuither, l(;t us lay
hofore our ivaders a brief sketch of the
past five and twenty years of the rich
banker's life.

It was just such a .lune-lu-e October
daj' as was now <lawning on wliidi,
twenty-tive years ago, the banker had
stood at that same library wiiidow,
watcliing, with stern jtride and stormy
anger battling back the faint struggles
of remorse in his heart, the lithe, manly
figure of his only son, then a bright,
handsome youth of twenty, as he rock-
down the great avenue of arching trees,
through the heavy iron gates, and away
from the home of his ancestors forever.
It was the old story — an ardent, youth-
ful, passionate love — a mesalliance — a
a father's curse and ilisinheritance.

Truly Leigh Chessom had acted rash-
ly anil wrongly in t'landestinely marry-
ing, at the age of twenty years, tlie i)en-
niless, unknown Grace VV'indham ; but
then he was, with all his geneorous, boy-
ish heart, in love with the pooi-, pretty
music-teacher, and was well aware that
to ask the tronsent of his proud father,
to their vmion, would be something
worse than useless. To wait— the fair,
fragih^ Grace toiling the meantime as a
dailj teacher for hei- livelihood — was
not to be thought of: so they were mar-
ried, Leigh assuring himself that, though
his fiitliei- would, in all i)robability, be
furious at first, he would, when aware
that his anger could not st?parate them,
or annul the sacred ties which bounil
them together, relent, and that, eventu-
ally, he should be permitted to bring his
fair young wife to dwell at Maplewood.

But the stormy anger of the banker
was not .so short-lived, and he sternly
renounced the bright, handsome, manly
young fellow whom, hitherto, he had so
proudly owned as his son, sending him
adrift penniless, sav<! the very limited
income which descen<led to him from
his mother, wlm had died in his infancy.
But Leigh was brave an«l courageous,
and diligently industrious withal, and i
obtaining a situation as clerk in a Lon-
don banking house, on Threadneedle
istreet, he went resolutely to work. For
five years he toiled manfully, tiresome

and monotonous though his occupation
was : then he grew restive. The Austra-
lian gold fever was at that period raging,
and crowded ships bound for the colo-
nies were daily leaving the great metro-
polis, while tliose returning, brought
with them ([uantities of gold, and glow-
ing reports from the great mining re-
gion ; and Leigh Chessom, with his love
of adventure and his determination to of
possess himself of some of the vast
wealth wliich the colonial gohl mines
were daily yielding, left England to en-
dure the* liar(lshii)s and i)rivations of the
Australian diggings.

Philip <'hessom, glancing down the
columns of the morning paper ])eheld,
among the list of emigrants who had
taken passage on board the steamer
(Tladiator, the name of his son. During
all those five years he had not before
heard of Leigh or his whereabouts. Foi'
months his i)ride alone had kept him

from

tlie regret which he ex-

perienced for his i)ast harsli sternness ;
and the same pride prevented him from
making any inquiries concerning the
alien ; and his friends,fearful of a repulse
from the cold, proud man, liked not to
give information unasked. But now
the big bright drops sprang to the
banker's eyes, as they rested on the
name of his banished son; and com-
punctious feelings mingled with the old
iri'ei)ressible love for the geniel, gay-
voiced young fellow, of whom he had
once been so fond, filled his heart.

It would be long years perhaps ere he
would come back — he might never re-
turn. Someliow a foreboding haunted
him, that he never would, but he thrust
it aside, telling himself that he would
come back ere long, and then they woul<l
let bygones Ije bygones, and the past
should be forgiven and forgotten ; and
Leigh should come back to Maplewood
and bring with him his wife, who, if poor,
was at all events of respectable par
entage, being the daughter of a gentle-
man, who during his Hfe had been
wealthy and highly respected.

Some three months later Mr. Ches-
som again beheld in the Times the name
of the emigrant ship Gladiator. It was
the steamer in which Leigh had sailed
for Australia, and he read eagerly on.

^J?hhisoccupatio„
'^"t period rai/in^

";;;;' '-t'-?i%:

^'•^^ination to of

■^"giand to en-
'■'^'•itionsoftho

"ig <io\vii tJlf.

'-^nts who J,acJ

*"« steamej-

''^^n- During,

f^^ not hcfov^

sabouts. Foj-

f^iich he e^.
f sternness :

'^|:'»n^' tho
"^'^I'opulse
Jked not to
-But now
ig to the
^^' on tho
»nd com-
*h the old
^n-el, gay-
^ "e ha(J
sait.

THE nAXKKR'S GRANDCHILDHEN

iia

e
e

- ere Jio
lever re-
'aunted
thrust
^vouJd
^vouh?
"e past
" ; Bind
^ewood
fpoor,
e par-

been

»ies-
lame

was
liled

on.

The article Avas a brief account of the
ravagi's which a malignant, infectious
fever had maile on board that vessel,
and contaiuf^d a list of the names of the
victims. Philij) Chcssom read among
them that of his son, and then fell, white
and senseless from his chair.

Leigh was dead! and to the bereaved
fathei- the hauntnig recollection that he
had diiven his son irom him with a cruel
curse, made the great blow all the bit-
terer — all the harder to be borne.

Dead I and the mutual forgiveness and
reconciliation of wliich he had tlreamed
for the past few months, could never be
given now or received. Alas :

"Is fherc >u\yer a chink in the worM above
V\ here they listen fi r wnnU from below 7"

The rich banker would have given
all his wealth — half the remaining years
of his life even, if only Leigh could have
heard and answered the passionate cries
for forgiveness which rose so hopelessly
from his burdened heart. But he must
make what reparation lay in his povvei-,
he told himself, an<l that was to find
Leigh's wiijovv, and his chihlren, provid-
ed any had l)een born, and were still
living, and lavish upon tliem the love
and wealth from which Leigh hims(dfha<l
been banished.

A year passed, and he could find no-
thing of his son'n widow until one day,
in answer to an advertisement in the
Times, he i'e(!ei\ed a letter from her.
.She was residing in a dingy little board-
ing house in one of the London suburbs,
and he immediately called upon her, anil
was shown all necessary proof of her
legal marriage with his son. She had
two children, she informed Mr. Ches-
som, who w'ere residing with a womaii
who had once been a nurse of her own,
and who lived at a place some twenty
miles distant ; a>id with them were the
orphan chiUh-en of the step-sistei', the
widow of a young artist, who had died
nearly a year befoie. This step-sister,
Mrs. Ohessom informe<l the banker, was
the daughter of a widower, Captain
Islington, who had married her mother,
who was herself a widow, and being vvilil
aufl extravagant had mannged to squan-
der nearly every penny of her fortune
before his death, which took [dace some
few months previous to that of her

mother, ller step- father's daughter had
married on the same day upon whicli
she became the wife of Leigh Chessom,
a young artist. Earnest Willougliby who
was accidentally killed a few months
after the birth of their second child.
Mrs. Willoughby was a fragile delicate
little creature, and died of heart disease
a few months later, so the care and sup-
poit of the little orphans, Earnest and
Mabel, as well as that of her own child-
ren devolved upon Mrs. Chessom, who
was now a widow herself, and earned a
livelihood by teaching music.

This in brief is the history which Mrs.
Chessom related to her father-in-law.

Poor she certainly was, but no ignor-
ant, untutored creature — this young
widow of r^eigh Chessom ; instead, sh<'
was a beautiful, well-bred woman, with a
queenly air of proud imperiousness that
suited well her dark, brilliant loveliness.
Yet she was not such a woman as th.-
banker would have supjiosed his son to
have chosen for his bride.

Tie had imagined that she might be a
slight, ftiir-haired, gii-lish little creature,
with a world of clinging, loving tender-
ness shining out of big, silken-fringed
blue eyes ; but not a tall, dark beauty,
with the full, jterfect form of a.Juno,and
the proud air of an empress.

It was no won;'.er that Leigh had loved
her, he thought, for she was beautiful,
witli a fascinating charm about her that
was irresistable — ituleed, he was himself
delighted with her. So Mrs. Chessom
an<l her two children — the Jarvis and
(ilencora whom we have already intro-
duced to oui' rcadei's, were removed
from their dingy lodgings to the luxuri-
ous, palatial residence of the banker at
Twichenham, with its beautiful, exten-
sive stretch of grounds, finely laid out
an<l cultivated — its quaint, picturesque
combinations of ancient and modern
architecture, and its j)leasant pervasion
of ease and luxury, and magnificent
splendor. And the orphan children of
Earnest and Agatha Willoughby, were
well caied for and educated, at the ex-
pense of the master of Maplewood.

The years passed on and the cousin.^,
if we may so call them, grew up to man
and womanhood. Jarvis the indolent,
handsome, half dissipated young gentle-

77/A; BAXKJ'JR\'< GILiNDCUlLDliEK.

mnii of t'asliioii, whom \\v havo already
(lesorilxMl. Gloiicora, beautiful, way-
ward, c'0(|Ut'ttish and hoartloss, with
moro than Ijtr mother's loveliness,
and a oharmin<: air of hiight piijuancy
that was v<'ry Ix-witchini:. Earnest
Willou^u'hby wc have already described
to our readei's. andMabh — sweet sylph-
like little .May — we eanoidy 2)()rtray her
as a sli«rht,^'raeeful. golden-haii.Ml little
damsel, with wavy masses of luxuriant
bronze-brown hair, and lovely rose-leal
tintintr, and tlie dee])est of jiurple blue
eyes which told her tlu)U<.dits as plainly
as could her pretty little rosy moutli.
A year j>revious to the ]»resent time
of writintr, Earnest Willoughby, who
had then Just completed his tweiity-tirst
yeai', entered as cl«>rk Philip (.'hessom"s
sireat liOndon banking house on Lombard
street; and Mabel, who ha<l spent the
most of her lite, when not at Madame
DeChellis' Parisian seminary lor youn<;
ladies, with Mrs. Mays, an elderly widow
whom Mis. ( 'hessom ha< 1 installed as her
guai-dian and chaperone at Ambleside —
a pretty Westmorelajxl town, romantidy
situated amonix lofty mountains— came
to dwell at Mai)lewood, to bo petted by
Mr.('hessom, who eoul<l scarcelv have
de(;ided whether he was most Ibnd of
his grand children or his proteges: to
l)e carelesslv, biU not unkindly treated
by Mrs. ('hessom : to be dt>signated by '
heedless Jarv. " a tiji-top little girl :""
and to be I'ordially disliked andsnub])ed
by haughty Tilencora.

<'IIA1TER ill. !

TUK K(iri:sTKlA\ I'Ain-V. i

Looking vacantly at the scene of silent \
loveliness outspread l)eioie him with the '
golden morning sunlight Hooding his '
tigure and lidling softly on his silvery '
bowed head, J'hilip Chessom was still
absorb(>d in meditation, when a stej* be- '
hind him, and the genial, spirited voice |
of Earnest Willoughby roused him fromj
his reverie. 'i'he shadf)w passed from:
his face as he lookc^l up, beliolding his
clerk advancing with his pleasant lively '
greeting toward him. " j

" (iood morning lad," answered he ; |
•'it looks like the begimiing of a tine'
day yonder, doesn't it ?" he added:
|>ointing eastward.

Earnest leaned against the casement,
and taking an admiring survey of the
scenery answered by remai'king, '• What
a si)lendid jjicture it is !''

'' I i)resume you are to make one of
the ecpxestiian jiarty which the young
jteoplc were proposing yesterday?"
asjvcd the banker.

'• 1 think not,'' said Willoughby;" iny
engagement at Islington will iirevent.'"

"But you can j)Ostpone it."

•'That would be scarcely worthwhile :
besides, I am not ])articidarly desin)us
oi' going."

Mr. < "hessom smiled. '' ]\rost young
fellows are desirous of going almost any-
where where tliere is certain to be a
li.'vy of beautiful ami wealthy girls."

X <iuaint little smile rippled beneath
VV'illoughl)y"s chestnut moustache.

•'My deiir sir," he said dryly; " I am
fai' from bi-ing indifferent to the en-
chanting loveliness <tf those sam(^ beau-
tiful and wealthy girls ; but which one
of them do you sui)pose would care a,
sixi>ence whether EariK^st Willoughby,
the needy clerk, joined their gay party,
remained at home, or took a cab, and a
solitary ride to Islington?''

The banker answered smilingly, ''And
yet t!!(> fair portion of our gue.sts do not
seem at all to dislike you.''

" IGasily accoimted "for," laughed Wil-
loughby : " 1 can ride well and dance
and sing and play ami jtahit, all pass-
ably ; besides it was only the other even-
ing I chanced to heai' Miss Lochsley de-
claring to her friend Miss Chesley" that
if I were only more -jolly" like' your
grandson, or that Vsui)urb' Col. Vivian,
I would make a ' sj)lendid Hirtee.' I
might." lie added saicastically " liave
been somewhat Hatteivd, and even
striven to enmlate the witticisms of
that limii esprit the ■ supurb' Colonel ;
but my better sense reminded me that,
though Trissi,- Locksley and blaChesley
might deem me a passing 'Hirtee,' theV
would raise their ))retty eye blows iii
polite amaze, were 1 to essay turning the
meaningless flirtation into "serious love-
making. Whereas if Jarvis or Col.
Vivian wck^ to do the same thing they
would be simply in exstacy."

" \our oi)inion of our fair friends isn't
exactly calculatoil to i.ropagate one's

;^t Hie easemont
,^f,;;"rvoy of the

to make one of

77//; BA\KK/,'S (iRAXI)L'l[lL1>RKS.

It."

Iv /vortl, ,vj,i],. .

"^^^'•^y (los/,,,,,.:

''^losi yo(,„,,
'.^ahuostanv':
'an, to I.e'n

'''•''' l^t'noatJi
iNuieJie.

to tlie en-
^sani(, I,enu-
t "'"leli one
yij;' ''ai-e a

Afay J)ai-ty,
cab, and a

i^'Iy,

'•And

^^tH do not

^'''ed WiJ.

1'' danpo

all ])a.s.s-

liei-even-
Jisley dp.

.^J'^'y that
"t; yoiu-

^'ivian,
I'teo.' /

" Iiavt^
<l (Men
i«in.s of
'oJonoI ;
ie tiiat,

'iie.sl(>y

■on-,s iJ)
'ig tho
■* iove-
• Col.

r thoy

I isn't
one'.s

I'aith in tliogontlc sex, Willou^hln . I
Iii>j)f lad," lau.irliinuly aildrd Mr. Clu's-
-oiu, •' that you'ir nut goinix t<»l>(.i(iuic a
woinan-luittM."

** Ky no means," answi-red Willougli-
I'V: ''I am an ardt-nt admiit-r of ilio
>:entlc si'x, and nui>l conii'ss that 1 have
also a dfU'ided wx-akni'ss for tln-ir socie-
ty ; hnt yon «ee, in this practical nine-
teenth c«'ntnry, it isn't an everyday oc-
cm'rence for yonn<: ladie> to bestow
their pi'etty wliite hands npon jtenniless
swains who have their own way to make
in the world."

For all liis assumption of light careless-
ness thei't' was a ri)i;,' of wonnded jii'ide
in his tones which Mr. ("hessoni did not
fait to detect and won<U'r at.

Earnest Willoiighhy had been, or
fancied himself to be, all along, in love
with iiretty, stately I(hi Chesley ; l>ut
lier I'cply to Miss J^ooksley's lightly
spoken words, of the evening before, had
casta shadow upon his day-dream.

" Yes," slu' had said in lier silvery,
even tones, " lie is grave sometinu's ;
bnt never morosely so ; and I rath<'r like
his ijuiet sensibility : it is a pity though,"
she added carelessly, '' that lie is so
<h'eadfully jtoor."

" Would you fall in love with him,
provided he were Mr. C'hessom's grand-
son instead of his clerk?" laughingly
encjuii-ed Miss J^oclsU'v ; and Earnest
listened breathlessly lu. the Itell-like
voice to re])ly.

" Very j)ossibly 1 might", careh-ssly
spoken; '• //" he were; but, as that //'
hapj>ens to lie in the way, such a ridicu-
lous idea never enti're'lmy mind." And
then the young ladies passed on, uncon
scious of the pi'o,\imity of the subject of
their discussion, and tlie fact that he
had been imable to avoid hearing a ))or-
tion of their convei'sation.

And Earnest Willoughby leaned back
among the mazes of a rank American

creeper, jiroluse

witl

1 gay, ciimson

t>loom, and fell to alternately anathe
matizing the whole feminine race, and
liianking his lucky stars that he was
now aware of that which would i)rt'vent
him from placing himself in a humilat-
ing position. More than once had he
been upon the point of tolling Ida his
love, and beseeching her to wait iorhim.

until he should win fame and Ibrtinie
sutKi'ient to justify hnn in claiming lier
fair hand : but he was gUul now. very
glad, that he hail restrained himself,
that the lieartless coqiii'tte should not
have the ojiportimity of adding him to
lie!' list of vi(;tims.

(xi-acefnl, stately Ida was a coquette if
ever one » xi.«.ttHl, and she hail trieil to
win Ernest Willoughb\ "s love. She had
given him swee^t, encouraging smiles.
had rode with him, walked with him,
and listened with flattering attention to
his remarks — in short, she liad practiced
U]ion him all those numlierless, subtle
wiles, which flirts are wont to exercise
upon the unlbrtomate mascidine bipeds
who become infatuated by them.

She was half in love with him too —
that is to say she admired him, and had
sense enough to see that he was much
handsomer, more talenttnl, and sensible
th'in any of her other admirers ; ]>ut she
woidd as soon have thought of flying oft'
in a balloon for the puipose of exploring
the 'Milky Way," as of wedding the
[)Oor handsome young clerk, his beauty.
his talents, his clear good sense, not-
withstanding.

Ernest comprehended all this now.
and resolved to politely ignore the state-
ly ld;i for the future.

Thei'e was a moment's pause after
Ernest's satirical speech, and then Mr.
Chessom sjioke.

*' I had hf)ped," he said gravely, '' that
you and (ilennie would have liked each
other suffii'iently to some day have mar-
ried. I know that you <iuarreied savagely
in your childish days, (n-ery one of the
f»'W tunes you were together after (ilen-
nie and darvis cam(> here : but then
they were always having tlieir sj)ats too,
and I thought that such longabs(mce
and years of n.aturity would have ban-
isheil all the old juvenile ill-will. I hatl
a i)retty little scheme in my head,
which wouM have done creilit to a
K'minine match-maker ; l)ut \ foresaw
li<im the Hrstday youandMabtd came to
remain heicthat it must all fidl through.
*' !My dear boy," he continued, "the
w( Ifare of youi'self and your dear little
sister — though 1 can scarcely account
i'or it — is (Mjually as jjrecious to me as
that of my own cliildren ; and long ago

THE BAXKEIVS GRAKDCHTLDREK.

I made up my mind that you two should
marry my giand-childien, and tluis you
and Mahol share my woalth, instead of
strangers ; hut 1 see that you and (41en-
nie ))ositively dislike each other, while
Jarvis and Mabel would he anythin^xljut
a well matched couple ; they" are in no
way suited to each other."'

lie sighed, but did not tell his clerk
that he should be loth to see fair, i)ure
hearted little Mabel becoming the wife
of such an indolent extravagant ne'er-
do-well as his grandson.

"My dear sir,"' began Ernest, "'my
little sister and I can never sufficiently
thank you.'"

" Then don't attemjtt it lad,'' laugh-
ingly interrupted Mr. Chessom, laying
his hand on Willoughby's shoulder:
I' and I hear that ' little sister' coming
if I am not mistaken."

He was not ; it was Mallei's sweet,
bird-like voice that was softly caroling
a gay air, and Mabel the next moment
stood in the doorway.

She lookod marvelously lovely, as
thought hei- guardian and bi-other, in
her fresh, pretty morning dress of l)Iue
and white cambric, with a little spray of
blue foi'get-me-nots at her slender white
throat ; the pinky bloom in her cheeks
all aglow ; the violet blue eyes sumiy
and sparkling ; the golden hairs falling
in silky curls to her sylph-like waist ;
and that pretty, bewitching smile, its
brightness lighting her sweet oval face.
What a supei-b little beauty she was !

"(Jood morning,'' she said to both,
running \\\) to where they were stand-
ing.

The two gentlemen looked down at
her smilingly, and then stooi)ing down,
kissed her.

"Just arisen, May-bird'?" asked Mr.
Chessom, patting her cheek with playful
tenderness.

" Oh, no, indeed," said Mabel, " I have
been arranging the flowers in the j'ardi-
nere, and I've been up nearly an liour."
Then she broke oft' sudtlenly, and turned
to her brother. *'0h. Earnest," she
said, " do come with me to the conser-
vatory, there are some lovely flowers be-
yond my leach, and I want a lot of them
to fill the vases."

Earnest laughed and looked down at

her ; .she was very, very dear to him,
this fairy-like, goklen-haired little sister
of his. lie caught her up, bumjjed her
head three times against the ceiling, and
then ran with her, laughing, down stairs
to the j)arlor consei-vatory.

Mr. Chessom sauntered down stairs,
into the breakfast-parlor, where Eladah,
the house-maid was laying the table;
and in a minute Bertram Waldegrave
enterecl also.

•' Good morning, uncle Philip," he
said.

"Good morning, nephew," responded
the banker. '• J low do you find yourself
this morning."'

" Thriving,"' answered Waldegrave ;
"and it looks like the commencement
of a very fine day."'

"Yes," said his uncle; "our Indian
s*ummer hangs on remarkably."

They remained chatting together for
nearly half an hour, and then Earnest
and his sistei- came in. Mabel was in
advance ; iairer, fresher, and lovelier
thi'.ri ever ; a fanciful basket on one
arm filled with rainbow hued blossoms ;
her slender little white hands full of gay
blossoms also.

Waldegrave thought he had never be-
fore seen her so lovely. Glencora, he
thought, with all her radiance, her bril-
liant fjiscinating charm of manner, was
not to be compared with her. How her
l)lack eyes would hav(^ flashed, could
she have seen her cousin's intensely ad-
miring gaze bent on Mabel, and known
his thoughts just at that moment.

The ordinary greetings were ex-
changed, and a lively lonversation en-
sued, which at length turned upon the
projected ride, which the ladies and
gentlemen had the day before planned.

"Uncle Philii) tells me that you do
not propose going with us," said Wal-
degrave, addressing young Willough-
by.

"No,'" answered Earnest, "an ap-
pointment which I have to meet at
IsHngton will i)revent my joining j'ou."

"I am sorry to hear it," said B(U'tram,
who had taken a liking for the banker's
clerk, "you proved yourself indispensible
the last time we took an airing of that
kmd. Supi)ose we get into another such
a scrape as the one in which we found

w1
cl

ri
oi
dl

THH BANKERS QUANDCHILDREX.

j^^y ^lear to U^,

'Ii in <» -1 'o»anf/

:^.tJown«tai,H
^'■ed down stairs,

•""fe' .the table '
•*^«^ Waldegrave'

•■^^ Philip,-, h^
l"''l' responded

^ Waldegrave;
^mmenceaaent

r together for

then Earnest
^fabeJ was in

f "' lovelier

St, ^'^ one

, J>^?«soms ;
J^fuJJofgay

^<J never he-
^iencoia, he
^e, her brij.
'^"nei- was
iiowher

\^^^, COuJ(J

tensely ad-
'I'i known
lent.

were ex-
iation en-
upon the
fhes and
Planned. .
t. you do
^id Wal-
'^illough-

an ap
leet at
? 3'ou."
"tj'ani,

inker's ,;

^nsible ?*

•t' that
I'such
ftjund f:

ourselv<^s on tliat other occasion, wo
can't g<'t ulon;Lr witliout you. You have
certainly a marvelous way of diffusing
calnnu'ss into agitated minds."

'i'lie occasion of wliicli Waldogravc
si)oke, was one on wliidi Einest had

bi'haved with much

(iotu'agi'

and calm-

ness ; and had been the means of saving
the lives of several of the party, who
were rendered i)0werless by the panic,
caused by a hertl of cattle which had
rushed down the hme through wliich
they were riduig, terribly frightening
the horses, as well as some of their
riders. Bertram himself, with several
others, had been too far behind to von-
tler any timely assistanc<'.

They were gaily chatting wIkii tlie
breaktast bell la.ig, and the other mem-
bers of the family, with the guest ■ at
present stoi)i)ing at ^faplewood. pre-
-^ently api)eare(l. (iloncora was simply
elegant in her moi-ning toilet of lavan-
der cashmere : her beautiful l)lack hair
in shinning coils about her sui)erl) head
— a spray of scarlet geraniums glowing
in the jetty masses, she looked, as she
usually di<l, regally splendid.

Breakfast at leiigth over, preparations
for the morning's ride began. The horses
were brought round, the 2>arty mounted
and rode olf, Waldegrave, somehoAV or
other, finding himself and Mabel riding
side by side.

Glencora was as gaily piquant and
charming as n'er, l)ut she was hiwardly
passionati'ly .jealous and angry.

Ida Chesley opened wide her dieamy
eyes, on beholding Earnest Willougliby
so calmly tearing liimself from her ^ide :
and wondered what engagement could
[)0ssibly be important enough to keeji
liim from her.

Earnest watched them as they rode
gaily off, and theu start(^d alone to
Islington, to meet his appointnu-nt —
and his fate.

CM A ITER IV.

SIiiiU I oomijiire thi'e h) a !<iuiimcr's il.iy?

Thou iirt. more lovely iind more toini'i'riitc ;
Hough wind.s do shiike the iliirlin)? buil.-- ofMiiy,

And summer '.s leasi' hath Jill too short ii, date.
— Slmkxjx'd rr'x Sun )i(t».

Ernest Willougliby reached Islington,
and found that busin(?ss wouhl detain
him there until late the

Towards evenmg of the day of his arrival
he sauntei'ed out for a walk. It was
nearly »unset, and a fiesh, invigorating
breeze wa> blowing. lie was slowly
strolling along when a carriage, which
hatl just jtas'^ecl him, stopi)e(l — a curly
head protruded from the window, and a
hvely voice shouted :

'M'leloa! VVilloughby, is it yourself,
in the flesh ?"

Willougliby tinned round, stared, and
then shouted, as he dashed to the sitle
of the vehicle :

'' Fairleigh, by Jove ! and where did
you come from?"

A vigoious handshak'ng ensued.

" Direct from Lancaster," answered
Fairleigh : ''got here yesterday."

" 1 heai' your uncle, Fairleigh, is ill :
that is why you're here. I suppose," said
Ernest. Young Fairleigh nodded.

'' \'(M-y ill — yes. that's what brought
us here."

'• Then you are not alone : yoiu- father
is in Islington too, I presume."

" X(j. father couldn't come — was en-
during the agonies of the gout when I
left Fairleigh : I came witli my aunt.
Lady Muriel St. Ayvas, and herdaugh-
ter. my cousin. WinnifrtMl."

" Is there no hojie of your imcle's re-
covery?'' incpiired Willougliby.

•' So the cor))sofatteiident iiliysiciaus
seem to opine : l)Ut it's my opinion that
he's rather too crabbed to !»(> in immi-
nent danger of decease. He was (juite
ablt' to nearly snap my head off this
morning, for ventming to in(|uireifhe
felt any better: and he is still himself
sufficiently to relish snub>>ing every
one with whom he comes in contact :
bady St. Ayvas and her daughter l>y no
means exce])ted."

The young man rattled on.

•' By Jove !" he said i>resently, in rei)ly
to some remark of Willoughliy's ; •• l>ut
I'm glad to see you though : where are
you stopping, old fellow?"

Willougliby named his lodgings, jind
added :

" Come on and (line with me. can't

von

e ensuing day.

Ilis friend accepted the invite, Wil-
lougliby jumped into the carriage, and
they turned about and drove off together.

Ernest Willoughby and Ilurvey Fair-

THE HASKKIiS <;RAXl)f'nJLI>l!h:y.

-J

itiijh were fond nfcacli otlifi- ; tlit'vliinl
hccn collfgc <'liuiiis, and financijiati'd
tn<i«'tli«'i- from colli.'gial iostriction< :
I'^rncst witli a tine tlioioiigli cdiujilion,
Ilarvoy, with a smattering ol tlio vaiious '
Itraiu'lic^ of knowledge, and a <oli(l un-
dei'standing of nothing in ])nrtitiilar. '
lUit lie was a I night, seiisil)lc young fol- ^
low, this gay-voiced, niei ly-nianiiered.
Ifarvey I'aii-leigh, notwithstanding, and
a good fellow withal. \ot handsonu' by I
any means: lie was too short, too
bnis(ine ; his eyes, though hi'ight. were I
too small, his nose too shoi't : his innuth |
was i>lpasant. almost womanly in its i
eiu've and outlin(> : and thei'e was an
airof gaity, ot frank geniality alif>ut him
that was irresistal)le. lie was caielcss.
Jovial, jolly; y<'t there was more ti'ue-
liearted, honorable manliness in his cftm-
position than one who ojily obsei've<l
liim casually wouhl have imagined couhl
l)e hi<lden beneath <»<i IVivolous a sui'-
face. lie had taken an huge liking, as
he jihrased it. for Ernest \Villoughl»y.
(juiet, studi(Mis, and in every way his
ojtijosite, though he was: and the huge
liking was mutual, tor Ernest was very
fond of him, and they wei-e firm fri<'nds.

Judge Faiileigh. Harvey's iatluM'. was
not wealthy : he owned a fine, but nol
unincumbered estate in Lancaster. Ife
was a [ileasant ol<l gent'ema)), and
Harvey, in characlei'and dis])o>;ition was
his counterjiart, with the exception that
VThik?the,hi<lge]Ji'idedhiniselfinmenscly
upon his fine old estate. hi> proud name
and lineage, and tlie fat>t th.at his ])arent
(m the maternal >ide was the daughter
of an Earl. Harvey cared little more
about his anteeessois than he did about
those of his favorite gr«'y-hound. Tasso.

.fudge Fairleigh's biotlKi. a vtiy ciab-
bed, verv wealthy, old aiinv otticer. ic-
rtided in a. pleasant, finely situated
house at Islington. He livedaloiic.aiid
ill ease ol an imusually seveie attack
of his rhumatism, pneumonia or gout.
allowing his friends to <'oiue near liiiu
when they were then summoned to
attend upon him, to administer hi>
miriberh'ss <loses ()f nu'dicitie — wlien
tin; servants were afraid to aj)pi'oach
him — to read alou<l such bixiks as he
fancied, when he was in the mood to
listen, to endure his snufjibings with the

be<t gi'ace p.K<ib|e: and when he was
af)le to <it ui> to play whist with him.
when he c:\yi't\ to be anuised in that
way.

Such an oifice c<iuld scai-ie'.y lie
deemed an enviable one, and yet his
sister, baily Min'ie! St. Ayvas, was a' ways
really to answer his pei'tMnjitory sum-
I IK 111-, to list <'U to hi<>-oUlsj>eeches with a
smiling lace, to flatter iiim, and lavish
uj)on him her condolences, to address
him or speak o| him a- pooi' dear bro-
thej- Lowijer, and to >weetly bid him
good bye the moment she was not of
<ervice, aii'l began to find herself in the
v.-;;y.

Tic- cro>s-graiiied ( 'oloiiel was a bach-
elor, and nearly sixt\. Lady St. Ayvas
was a widow, and firt(<Mi years his junior.
She wa^not at all wealthy ; her husband
had s(|uandered his property )>revious
to liis death, and had not hady Muriel
lieen a shrewd maii.ager she would never
have be(m able to have kej)t up hi <'i
manner befitting her rank. She had
one child, the Lady Winnifred. for whose
mari-iagt^ with some man of title a'"il
fortune she was anxiously maiuevering.

Lady WimiilVed had come to Islington
accoi'ding to her mother's request, to
assist in nursing the irritable invali<^l.
He was more thanu<ually irascible, and
her jiatience and endurance was more
than usually tried. She read stale,
tedious books to him. and tried not to
Ix' angry when he stopped her, as soon
ax tired of listening, liy tartly inquiring
if she meant to bore him to (h^ath. She
played whist with him \vhen she longed
to be out of the gloomy sick ro(mi,
breathing the sweet, fresh ail' in the
sunlit garden: -Ik; played the martyr
with uncomplaining heroism, save when
I.ady St. Ayvas reproached her for not
being still mor<' assiduously attentive to
her poor, dear uncle, whose sutferings
made him >oinctimes exhibit a fretful-
iK— that was <jin"te mnialural to him;
then she angrily rebelled. She was as
gently attentive as if h<' were the most
grateful individual in the world: but she
would never coii-ent to Hatter and cajole
him, a lid Lidy ^^urie!. even tliongli it
was in his power to will her a-; many
thousands as hi' chose.

Ernest and Harvev readied the form-

«'r

th.|

on|

-\H

St.1

tin

foil
sill

srti

Wc|

t
•*

r'
■^

riiK HAS K Eli- s nh\\siK'uiij)in:y.

i:.

'^t uiMi him,
""•''' in t/'iiit

i'f"''.v Mini-
'<'''t'MvitI,;i

""'I 'jiVi.sJi

to U.ldlvss

^1' '!< '.■!)• l)l-o-

y '""(I iiiiji

"il.s j|,it ol'

'■^<'lf' in tJio

'''■^.Jiiiiioi-.

]>l'i'VJOU.s

'y Murit..]

't 'Jp in fi
.^'i'' had

f"i- nhosn
titlo a-- (I

'•^liji^'ton
■'ll'f^st, to
; invalid.
iWe, and
vus nioro
<1 stale,
<1 not to
•is .soon
iXiniHiiiT
li. Sh.'-
' Ion <.'(>( i
loom,
ni the
niui'tvi-

<' ^vlu'H

or not
itivc to
Ji'rin<jr,s
'ivtfVil.
'liin ;
^vas a^
' most

UtsllC
>'.'\)o](^

ii^rh it
ma 113'

forin-

.A .

♦•r's 1<) I'.'ing.'- : dinn<M' was xtvimI, and i
tliry <;U down to<;ctlK'i-. Harvey lattliiiL''
on in \i\- iiMial lively strain.

"By .love. Willon/ililiy,'" lie said, in
spoakin,!: of lii> eousiii. I.ady Winiiih'ed
St. Ayvas. " slie's astmiiiiL' ;.'irl, and just
tlici style ofyomifilady !<• exactly suit yon
— too stately and heaiitiful. andallthat
tiu- an ill-lookinj,' cul) like mysrll'. Imt
she'd snit yon."

•• [ have not the sli^litest doiilit oi'it,"
srtid Willou.irhlpy, "hut the ditlii'iilty
would he that I sliouldiTt lie hi the
least likely to suit hel'.''

•* Yes you would," was the answer ;
" she'd like you, Tin sure oi it ; hut I'm
not so sure ahout the. mateiiial ]iarty.
liatly Muriel has ininieiisely high ainis
for Winnilred ; she'd turn uj) her nose «l
nie now. heeause I'm not rich ; hut Win-
nii"re<l wouldn't, it she were in lovt with
me, which, I'm sorry to add, she isn't."
.''it the j)re'sent stage of AVillouglihy's
eHreor, he hud very little faith in wo
mankin<l — rich, fashional)le womankind
espeeiuUy ; arul he felt small intert'st in
hih friend's eulogy of hinly Winnified
St. Ayvas's glowing b<>auty, tlKnigh he
heard lier deserihed. Dinner over tin-
young men sat over their wine chatting
together.

Talking business — talking ])olitic.s —
talking nonsense; Harvey discoursing
tlic latter especially. Thoy had not seen
i^ich other for more than a year, during
whii;li liarvey had been travelling
;U)road, and thev had oonse<iuently a
H good deal to talk about.

'' And now 1 must tear me away," said
h'airleigh, at last rising and tossing
away his cigar. *' Trood night, old boy;
we'll meet in the morning, and I'm going
to Ixnidon in a day or two, pro\ ided my
poor, dear uncle tinds himselt recovfM--
ing, and <loesn't bite myhe.'id oti' before
I take myself otF. (iood night."

"(t(_>od night,'' iuid thr two ])art-
ed.

The mo!".;ingf<»llowing Harvey entered
his imele's chamber to inquiie utter his
health. The < 'olonel vvas bolstered u])
in bed, (jiierulously complaining of his
hard-ships, when his nephew entere(l.
Now any otiier man uinler the sun but
Colonel Fairleigh would have welcomed
the pleasant-voiced, cheery young fel-

low, who came in with a bright step.
an<l j>leasantly grave tiice.

"<iood morning, uncle Fairleigh; bei-
tei' this morning 1 hope."

The Colonel turned his tiice round
savagely.

•• What makes you say that, you
young hypocrite?" he deman<led. "You
don't hope anything of the kind. VV^ho
wants you coming in here, with that
nasty log tagging after you. >N'innifred
hand me one of them," he (jrdered,
pointing to a huge pairofvelvet slippers
that lay on a foot-stool

Belbie hady Winnifrecl had time to
obey or make ripply, Ifarvi'y quietly
stooperl forward and, with a ItKlierous
gravity jtickcd up one of the slippeis
and i-espect fully jtresented it to his
unch', I'he next moment it was hurled
at his head, but he dodged it, and the
missile fetcln-d up against the defence-
less cranium of the Colonel's valet, who
was just entering the apartment, and he
darted hack, at a loss to iniderstand
whv he was fav<ii'ed with this <*xtra
h.-lp.

" Permtt lue to bid you good morning,
un(de ; 1 am happy to see you so much
like yourself this morning." said Harvey
with droll sincerity, turning to leave the
apartment.

" Come back, can't you ?" siiarle(l the
('olonel gruffly.

"Yes sir. ' said JIarvey, turning back,
and standing in a respectfully attentive
attitude.

" Do you see that i)aper ?"
" Yes sir "

"Well then take it : it's a hst of books
whii'h I wish you to purchase for me.
B<' sure you don't forget either ; and 1
want you to charge .Tactiues particularly
about th(^ cai'o of that gray mar<>'s leg.
Miml and tell him if he lets her die.
I'll Hay him when 1 get liettei."
"Yes. sir," said Harvey.
Then there was a slight jiause.
" Anything else you wish me to do?"
inquired Harv«\v.

" No!" snaii])ed the CV>lonel, turning
away his head, JIarvey made a hideous
gi'imaee, and h'ft the chamber softly
whistling, his brown-eyed dog, Tasso,
trotting at' his heels, [n the corridor he
encountered Ludy St. Ayvai«t.

♦

(

!«

THE HAXKEli'S aitAKDCIIILDUEX.

"TFavo yon seen your doav uncle this
moi-ninji?" she iixiuirod.

"Yes, [ have," said Fairleigh, laeoni-
i;ally; "lie's a hcaj* better, isn't he ?*'

" I am hait]iy to say that there is now
much hope «)f his speedy reeovery,'' said
iier ladyshi]>, with a radiently hopeful
countenance.

"Well," said Harvey, " I'm not of any
particular service to you her(\so I think
I'll drive to i,ondon with my friend Wil-
loughby ; he leaves Islington to-dny."

"Now Harvey!'* expostulated Lady
St. Ayvas, "how thoujrhtless of you :
why can you not remain here a lew
days at least and help us to attend iii)on
and amuse liim. your ])oor,dearun('le ?"

Harvey lifted his i-yebrows in a<|uaint
ijrimaee.

" Amuse him !" he re])eated ; " how
pray 'I — >)y standing as a target for his
slip])ers, ov night-cap. or whatever elv<f
he f.nds near<'st, and foels inclined to
hurl at me. as he did this morning '.''"

"Oh, Harvey!" — but her ladyship's
dei)recatory speech was interruj)ted by
Lady Winnifred. " Mamma, uncle Fair-
leigh wish(>s you to come and sit liy
him;" and Lady St. Ayvas hastened
away.

"You look fagged," said Fairleigh.
sui'veying his cousin's tired face.

" T am." said Lady Winnifred : and I
am going out for a walk ; the house is
so stiflingly warm and close."

" Don't leave youi- «/ipatient for long,
or he'll raise no end of a row," said Fair-
leigh as lie descended the staircase.

Lady Winnifn>d tied on a hat. an<l
walked out into the ganlen. It was a
lovely morning, the dew-wet lawn looked
like gemmy velvet, the geraniums glowed
in the warm sunshine, and tlie co])pice
ofhu'chand birch Avas a line of mellon,
yellow gold. Lady AV^innifred ojiened a
wicket and passed out of the garden.
How gloriously bright and beautiful,
and fragrant everything Avas. She for-
got the irritable invalid at Birchbrook
house. — forgot every thing in contem-
plation of the bright, lovely scene that
surrounded her, and gathered flowers
and trailing vines with almost childish
tlelight. Slie was stooi)ing to pluck
some si:)rays of starry wild blossoms
when a footstep on the narrow patli

startled her, and rising she found her-
self face to face with a gentleman.

He was handsome, with a lithe grace-
ful figure. This much Lady Winnifre<l
had lime to jicrceive as he paused fbi-
an instant to lift his hat and utter a
graceful apology— the next he was out
of sight in the winding path.

Lady Winnifred bent over the Howen

! again,' but the next moment .she ha<l

I dropped her blossoms and started to

i her feet with a wild cry of terror.

I She ,ha<l heard without heedhig the

I baying of a dog on the other side of tlie

I (•o))piee ; but nf>w a great greyhound.

j the lieicest canine animal on the pre-

I'mises. with his I'ed tongue tolling from

his grim jaws, came tearing throtgh the

narrow i)'atli toward hei-. He saw her,

and gave a short. sa\age bark as he

sjirang forward.

La<ly Winnifred's whit(> lips parted in
another terrified scream, and she clasped
her hands despairingly together. Thrre
was a <iiiiek rustle— a loud shotit — and
WiiniilVed's bewildered senses took in
knowledge of the fact that somebody
with a dull was beating back the .snarl-
ing, infuriated cur. A heavy blow
stunned the finimal, and with a howl he
fell over. Then Lady Whmifred looked
at her rescuer, who now stood })eside
her. and perceived that he was the same
gentleman wlio had ])assod her a mo-
ment Ix'iore.

" How terribly frightened you must
have l)een,'' he saitl, looking down at
hei' as she (lung to one of the trees for
suppoi-t. " Piay let me find you a seat —
see, here is one."' and he led her to one
of the stone benches that vv«m'»^ .scattered
here and there through the cojise.

Lady Winnii'ied sat down, still i)ale
aiid trembling; and the strange gentle-
man looked down at hei', and thought
he had never before in his life beheld
anyone so beaut ifiil.

The rosy tint <'ame softly back to her
cheeks as she glanced up, and found the
fine dark eyes of the handsome sti'angei-
i-esting with such evident admiration
upon her. Presently there was foot-
steps on the path, and they heard a
lively voice singing: —

" C< me an 1 sej the winklet*.
Come iiiul i-ee the whales ;

Ji<* found her-
iitlomnn.
1 Ji litho fivaco-
I'J.v Winnifi-ed

ho ])aused i'ov
it and nttcr a
ci lie was out
nth.

or the t\<^^vorH
n<nit sho had
id startofj to
teiToi-.

h<>('diii^' thf
M" sido of tilt*

groy liound.

on tlio pro-

tolliny from

throtgh th(-
re saw hei-,

J>ark as he

^>* paited in

shoolasjed

hov. Thm^

?hont— and

ses took in
soin«*I)ody
the snai'i-

■avy l)low

a Jiowl lie

e(i looked

nd f)f>sid«.
the sanif*

ler a mo-
on mnst
down at

I'Pt\S foi-

seat —
I" to one
atteivd
e.

ill i)al.'
geiitle-
lougJit
eheld

ItO iu'l"

|id the

Jan^ej'

(•ation

foot-

ird a

THE JiAXKER'S GltANDCJULDnEK.

Cotne and c te the cronoililo
That i>l lys upon the

"Uelloa!"

Harvey Tairloi^li Htopj)ed sliort. both
in his al)s\ird nonj? an<l his l)risk walk,
and stared at the seme, helore him.
Ijady WiiHiii'ri'd, who hud not yet (piite
recovered from her iri:.'Ut,|sittin,ir on
one of the benches. Ernest \Vill((n;:liby —
lor lie it wi.s — standin.^; Ix'side her, his
^ray eyes siying as j)Iiiinly as liis lips
eonld have ,!one, how lovely he tliou;j;lit
her, and the senseless grey lioand
Ivirni a fe»v feet oil".

"Yes, sir, I'll remember si)'," said
Pilkins, iKtwinu;; " 'e woiddn't ha been
let loose at all, sir. only tln'rewere <'on-
siderabh^ m.-mv pillaireis 'round hn-e o'
wcr mester's iiorcK'is to

niiilit:

an-

CllArTKK V.

Tiovo is ever busy wth his Hhiittic— is fv-'v
Nviviviii;.!' iuii> !i:c's (|>iil r (irp hi inh'f S'l" -> ('if
rt)\ve> ii'ul si'oiK'i* Arc 'i\\a\\,— Luiiiif,'! iin'

Explanation being maile Havv(\v'sj

look of astonishnu'iit changed to one oil

liKUgJiation

*' .iust like all th^- rest of it here i" W
I'Xi'lainii'd ; " 1 should like to know why
tliat snarling t)rut(! was let to run ]o.»se
tills time in the day."

A servant i)r('sently appeared, and
lini'vey, who had Ix'giin intro lacing
VVilloughby to his (-onsin, only waited
to finisli the ceremony, and then turned
furiously npon the domestic with: — j

"Why in the name of all that's nn- |
iieard of, is that savage brute allovv<!d to |
•xo loose in the d.ay time ? Do you !
know," he added sharply, " that he
nearly frightened her ladyship out of
lier wits, and would have torn her to
pieces had it not been for this gentle-
man?"

Pilkins looked considerably fright-
ened, ant^began stammering apojogetic-
ally . "I'm werry sorry, werry ," said he ;
" but W you please, sir, it was mester's
borders to let 'im hout o' nights, before
'e wer took ill, sir ; and we didn't think
aa 'er ladyship, *ud be hout quite so
hearly for 'er walk, or we'd ha' certainly
'ave 'ad 'im chained up sooner, air."

" I see this cur is pretty well done
for for the present," said Fauieigh ; "but
mind* you keep a sharper eye on the
rest of the snarling pack, and don't let
one of them loose after daylight to
molest any one who happens, like her
ladyship, or .this gentleman, who was
opportunely on hand, to be out for a
morning walk." ' i

let Tyke tlicie loose, so's '<( might <'at»'h
any stiaggliMs as 'ajjpimed to be j)iow-
li)i 'rounil ;" and with another lioMiing
olteisant'e, and a fmv more eN]>ressions
of regret, addrcsse 1 to baily WinnilVed.
he lifted tliedog Tyke, which was already
beginnin.: to icvivc, ani trotted otK

Fairleigh leaned against one of the
sturdy yoimg birdies, and b«'gan chat-
ting in a merry strain. His lively
humor was always contagious, and in a
won<lerfully short space of time, stately
J.ady Winnifrcd and <|uiet Ernest Wii-
loMghby were chatting togt'ther as g.'iily.
as animatedly, an<l almost as lively as if
they had known each other all tiieiiTives.

'•And now I must takf* myself off,"
s.aid Kairleigh. at length: "1 liave an
ai'j^ointment to meet before starting
for Loudon. I'll meet you at your
hotel imnie<liately aft<'r dinner," he
continued, addressi)ig Willoughby, who
was engaged in the restoi'ation of Win-
nifred's scattei'ed wreaths and blos.soms :
"and,'' he added, "as my path lies in
an opposite direction from both your
own and Birchbrook house, the honoi-
of seeing her ladyship safely back will
fall to you."

fiady Winnifred, who had ' already
risen to depart, accepte<l the escort
wbieliL Willoughby eagerly offered : and
parting from J-'airleigh they walked on
together.

She was so lovely — so very lovely, this
graceful Lady Winnifred | and Wil-
lougliby's gray eyes were full of a. wor-
shipfully, admiring expression whenever
he looked at her.

The lesser charms of stately, coquet-
tish IdaChesley, faded— paled to noth-
ingness, compared with this most beau-
tiful lady ; and the banker's handsome
young clerk was insensibly, but never,
theless surely falling wildly in love with
her.

She was not like his golden- tressed!
fairy of a little sister, although she was
gracefully slender in ligure, and there
were myriad flecks of bronze light in
her abundant hair. She was taller, with

THE n.\ .\Ki':/rs r,7.M.v ;>.";/ /A.y>/.'/;.v,

ii<i

i"i >
> t I

a more i|iifiiil\ air iiinl I't'iiiinj: ; ;im(1
!iiT -(ill;.'!! l.>rk< \\cr»' ii'it t!n' puio,
s»'llou. Tiiiiiii ,:^-)M. like Ma'nil's. '.;it
nutty blown, hatlifd in 'it-il, i<h1 jx 'lil."
Ih'r'<'>t's w^'Vi' not ilfcply. piC'iily l>l;.ic'.
'.ut l'la;-k; ii. it!ici- u^^-i-c they iia.-!iiii,Lr.
-'jiillos black" like (il'MifOi-a ( 'licssoin'.s,
l>ut soft, lik«' li<|iii'l,iri. witlia i.iiri' !i.rlit
shiiiiii:; out >il tli.-m: aii<l l!i<.'\ IiariiiMii-
isi'd .'M|ui,-iili;lv, witij llic tlfli'-.itr tint-
iiiii c»l' ix'iU'l uikI pink.

,lt sva'^ a l)r(H'zy, si'nlit lut'iiiin:.', cmkI
they walkcfl -iowly alon.'. ■»N*'r tl.>
rjistlinu; <ai'i)<'t ol yrllow I'alli-u livivc-.
ti'U tlivy loa.licl til.- lawn ,i.'.;ti'. r)inin,'r
tlu'ii- \Viilk Lady W'i.uiitVcil inl'.i'iu'^d
\Vill<>u,tr;iby that sin- ami licr inoilici-
litul Innni visitiu^x i:i i'rani'v for tlif Ila^t
yt;;u', a.nl sinv' lufir r<'tiivn lu'd been
invit-'il by Mv>. Leiiih <;licssoni. with
whom Luiiy St. Ayvus was^on intiiniu-ly
rritiuilly tc-i-nis, l* visit ^laiil-'worKl ; and
;is .-(Kiu as her liroiher\va> convalrv-ci^ut
kad\ :-t Ayva> woul'.la'.'cc|it tiic invite.

Ernest would iaiii havi' dani'inl ;d
this intorm:"'''>ii. but he fNi>rcsseil hi-
pleasui'e that thoy slioul 1 '••» soon mec-t'
aizaiii. after iiini'u'eeonvoilioiial liishion.
and o[n'iied th.' uate lor L:idy VVinnit'red.
Ilnviug niiiny matter-; to look to beloiv
leaving lsiinp:ton he heroieally denied
hinisfd' tlu- pleasure ot ai't'eptinji- her
invilaliou to (-uter.

''Will you i:ive n\e a ^ouYeuir?" ho
usko 1, •pointing' to her tlower-. : ^
broke ott' an odorous blossom, with pear
white petals and crimson hejii-t. and
with a ideasanl, bright smile, gave it to
him. n(' took it— his Vieait thumping
the wlille. and l)hindered hno uttering
a i)retty eompliment as ho- fast(vaed it
in the button-liole of his eoat.

Lady Wiimit'red gave him ht-r hand
for a'laonieut. it was d.uly, pr»;s>se(l,
bowed over and reieaseil, and they
|)arted — Willougliby in an fxtatic sort
of state — WinniiVed with a rosier tint
than was wont on' her cheeks, and the
impression on her mind that her cousin's
handsome fri.nid was interesting— Very.

"Who ever lov'd that lov'il not at
fir-^t si^htV" .

•' CHAPTER Vl.'"' *

\ Ji)l KXKV INTO W.\l,i:s, AND .VX .vrCIUENT.

They had had a long pleasant ride—

ih«' merry equestrian party whieli left
.Mapleworid on the morning upon whi;-!!
\fri:ii:A\'ill!»,ighl.y started for Islington,
and. after a lunch partaken of in gyi>sv
lasiiion, undei' lh" tlickeiing shadow of
autumn fohV.ge. returned iti time t^^
dress for dinu' •,. After that lengthy
meal ended all as-^embled in the gi'(vit
I m-ple (h-awing-room. There were (;iute
a numlier of gu'-ts at pi'Osent ste;)i>inL'
at ?»Iapl«-^wood.. There were the ,\!aiH-
lieltls, the Cheveneys. .hidge Ifaieouit
aid his j.retty little wi.'e. who was r.'^arlv
tw ut',' yeais young. u" than himself, an t
.-uiu 'tiling like a ye.ir youugei- than her
twin -te[.-dau'jhtei' — two lan::uid fas-i-
ionaMe belles. There Wasrantain ( hes-
l-y'< '-tately da.ughte;- Ida, and liiswar<i,
tlie rich Ik iress 'i'rissie borksley ; two
or three l/mlon friends, including (.'hai'-
lie piil-ilon, an! the ])ank(M''s nephew,
B<')'tram Waldegrave.

Glencora Chessom was <lazzling in
Velvet and diamonds — was sparkling.
pi']U;n!t. briHiuut: and yet Mabel Wil-
lougliby out-rixalle 1 her in sweot, fresh
Iov(>lin<^ss.if noi in Mvacious brilliancy.

Jarvi;- t ht.-som sauntered over to
where the latter was seated, at work on
some I'airy complication of bright colors,
and began a teasing convtu-sation with
her.

He Vt'a? fond of his orphan eouiiin, if
we may so call her, feeling for hor a
more really genuine; regard and respect-
lUl admiration than tor almost any other
woman of hi^ uoquaintance. Like many
other men of his class he looked upon a
pure hearted, womanly woman, as a
creature beyond liis conipi'ehension ;
l-iut half wi.^hed. sometimes, he were less
of a scapegrace, that he might venture
to worship her nearer by.

" You look very charming to-night?
Meb,"' hewdiLspered. "Glen, ovei- there,
in her glitter of ruby velvet and dia-
monds, and her marvellous headgear,
she's a stunner, but she desn't make u}>
as yon do after all." ^

Mabel glanced up, about to make
some laughing reply, but Jarvis inter-
rupted. '* Meb, little cousin," he said,
"if I were less of arufSan,d<) you know,
not such a — well, if I' were only :half"
good enough for you, I should fall in
love with you, as sure as fate. - Po you-

til
hi

>/ii-ty u-lii,.|, i,.f,

•'".ir sli,i<!ou' <,f
'' in tint,. ? ,
■ tli.it liMi-rhv

■^(■nt. Sf(,.,).i),.r

1 Iii;ii><o|(; ..,,,,|
V^'^v tl..-,n 1,,.,.

'••I'tfiiii ( i,,..^:
■i;i i Jlis u-;.i-/;,
''>'-ksl(.y ; two

'ludiiiir Chai'-

^WOQt, f,uvi,

^'•illianoy.

<J OYOV to

uc work on
■'o'^it coloi..s.
'■•^ution witJi

fOLusin, i/'

\d rvsitect-
'[ ji'iy otJie?'
-ike many
-'J nj)on k
'-m, as a
-iionsion ;
""ere lews
t venture

to-night,

or there. ^

and Uia- f

eadgear,

iiake n]» ♦!

> make
s inter. .
'le said.
I know,
'y half .

fell in
Do you

Tin: HA .VA'A7."s' 'lltAXnnilLDh'KS,

I \

tliiiik it would l»«' (|Miti' ti-.t'!»',sN as it i-^?
Si!j)iio>(^ I rcfo.in? 'riic c|iivsorniii';uli'<
an- not ovci' yt'l.M<l»I"

!!<• lan^hi'd — hiswmils ut-ic Iialfji'>t-
in'.'ly, liali -^(.-jiously si)okt'n.

"Coiac. tfll 111'- MaWcl, wolud it l>"
<|Mit(> lolly to think of siicli a tliiii;^?"

'• Ym, <iiiite," <li<' .'uiswci't'd lMU.^Iiiii>:.
"We -Ik.mM '" 111" worst m.it'-li.'.l
eonj)lo ill tln' wi>;]i|. -larN i» I"

.lai'vi.N l;t'.i,:.']if.l. •' W.-ll. I'm imt |ir.-
i>inv'(l til di-|r.itc tluit." In; ^aid : •■ I t'rai-
it would 1)1- ('Veil S(i: jououirht to haV"
a liitter IMI<»w. and 1 — oli, I dare >ay I
shall inai-iA and !>'• tol(*ialily happy wilii
some little idiuL lik.' .the LocU.^leys
youdei'. di' some of t!ic n-st of lliem ;
hut here t'(.ime.s cousin Bertram; he
would ^uit you iM'tter than any other
man 1 know. •• Ue cai-erul." It:* a Idc 1,
•• that < ilcueora does not iM-trily you with
Ikm' tiorironiaii eyes!"' aiidln' .-aunti-i'f 1
over to llirt with 3iiss Loeksjcy.

<iloneora vras never so thoroujjrhly in
iicr clcincut as when there wasajioodly
munhcr ol' nia^culiuf devotees hovrrin;^
aV)0'it her: hut tliMiiL'h such was tin.-
<',TS(> to-ninht — thoUL'h she took a. sort ol
savair*^ d"light inluriu'^on. with her will-
o"-the-v,is]) like, eyes, her admirers, her
radiant iraitdy was only outw.'ird ; within
she was H'-rcely. furiously an.irry — an;j;i'y
with Ifersclf, anL;;ry with jlertram ^VaIdt'-
:j:i'ave. and mori! savairdv an.irry still
vvith Mabel Willouglihy.

For the first time in her life she was
recklessly, wildly in lovt^ — in love with
he)' tall, dark tou.-in ; and hemaddeiK >\
her with his ealm, eool dispassion.

IVi'haps had he become ho|i<'le>.s]y
enamoured of her, falling down as a

she was not ci'i'tain that hi- glance
meant love. Jhit of late he had been
notic.Nibly attentivti to Mabel, and nn\\
ai he sought luu* .side,( ilenectra dropped
her white lids to veil the ligei-essdikt
gleam of her cy(^s; but Col. "i\ian, a-
lie sat beside her, siwher re;l lips pro-
together — iieard her tlelicale Ian suaj*.
a-s!ie crushed it in the grip oflier while
(in^i;-, aiel .-miled grimly under his
\ elU)vi-dirowii moustaciie.. The Colonel

had I n making elabcaale l<>ve to her

th.d day, and in retui'n for his pains ban
reet iveil only pi(juanL words .uul sauc'
-miles of eoipieLtry ; and now he took
a s,)).;^ of >;t\age pleu.sin-e in -eeing her
waxen fingers close so fiercely 'round
the ffngib' fail ; and f,,i' tlu^ lif-ofhim.
be . (Mild not n^sist saying:

" I'ray -pare your pretty Ian, .Mi--
Cli,.<som; your fair hands clutch it a!
niM'^r as mercilessly as if it Weie a lov(!l\
'•■niinine throat I"

l^)i' an in-tani the black e\eswere
j'aised — a furious llame burning in theiii:
the next it had died out. and
a faint linge (»i' ci-imson man
tied h'-r white fon'head, hcj' -et lip-
rclaxeil, and a soft little nuu-uiuring
laugh rip[>'ed bctwi'cui thenj. as she
utte.re.i .-ome light fiivolot;- retort; and
; for the remainder of the evening she
' was moi-e gaily, brighi1\ charining than
ever.

•'Whe)'e is it yoii'i'e going now. .larvisV"
infinirod Mr. < 'hessom, glaneing up from
the whist tablv> to his grandson, as he
( hanced to cat-'.i soiiv- rem.irk of h;~.
addros-eil io yir^ng Tolsdon.

•' With I'liisdon, into Wales." said
Jarvis, *• we'v*' made all ari'angement,-.

but

though

umdred others had done, t<. <lo her Hiid purpose starting lU'Xl week."
homaire, she miirlit— she proi)ably woid<l ' .'* IJeally.'" exclaimed Mrs. Chessoni :
—have lured his loveon,onlv to crush i " 'l^' '-^ 'I'nte too bad of you and Mr.
and torture it in the .-nd ; and would i ^*'~''^<^<'»n to leave us just when you aiv
have laughed at his misery, ad<lin- him . iietuidly indispensable d*"
toh(M'already ninuberles- list of \ iclims. j •• Never fear, mother." an-wered .iai-
But Waldegrave had not <lone this ; his vis; •• we shall be bacdi with plent\ of
manner toward hei' had only been thai tinie to lender all that is neecessay of
of cousinly friendliness, save once or oui valuable assistance, in the gettiiig
twice, when lu'i- flashing orbs and da/- , uji uflbiil pi'uspi c.tivi' bore, in tlie wav.
zling smiles had half tui'ncd his head, of dramatics, wliich I heard you ladle's
and he had been ui)on tlie [xiiut of love- discus>ing a little while ago."
making. Sometimes sIk- liad seen his ' "Bore I" exclaimed 31iss Lock^jslev :
eyes resting uj'on hei- v.ith an expres- ••how can y(»ii call them so. Mr. Ch.'>

sion wiucii tJiri

lle.l I

ler iieart, tiven w

hen Mim ': I thiid< private theatricals, wl

uni

•JO

THE BAXKK/rs QUA XlK'HI LDUKX,

proiM'ily ronilu(!to«l, simply chaiining 1'"

" Canyon won<l«M', MisH bnUsloy, that
thoy aip III! a l)oiv in my •'islimution,
when I hoar that I am not to have the
|)rivil<';^«> ot'ju'lin;,' oven on«' o thy i)ajts
vviih yon?" sidd .F;ii-vis; 'M hojto," Iii'
athhnl witii a mock savu;:*! air, "tliat I
shall ho tMiahlfd to restrain m.vsclr lioni
a«sassinatiti'^ Viviiri yondoi-. I shall Im
terribly toin|il«»(i \vh«'n I hehoM him as
l?om(H) to yoiii- .luliot?"

Sim laii^'lM'(l hack somo p;ay, co(nu«t-
tish answci', and Mr. Chossom rfmarkcd:

"Yon will \w. ahlo to mako somo tine
sl:f>tc'h<^s, .larvis."

'* Yt's, that is lialfniy ohject in going,"'
said hi'.

For a Wonder Jurvis was iontl of paint-
in;^; he wanted to make somo skot<'hcs
of tho fine scenery in the west, which
was particularly fine in the autumn
season, eHi)ecially snoh a glorious autumn
as this, lie was, foi- once, a littlo
weaded of fashionahh; revelry, and
Wales, witli its quaint, beautiful i)ic- {
turesqueness, would be a ch:in^e. Mr. I
Polsdon's Journey thither was one of!
business; but Mrs. Thessom was annoyed '
that for a mere caprice, her whimsical
son had taken it in his liead '.o run off,
just when there was a throng of guests
at tlie house, and miore were, ere long,
expected to arrive, among whom, Mrs.
Chessom was hoping to welcome Lady
St. Ayvns and her daughter.

The St. Ayvas family was one of the
oldest and host in England ; and though
Lady Muriel's husband, by reckless ex-
travagance, had scjuandered the most of
his i>ropcrty, Mrs. Chessom declared that
Jarvis' wealth was already ataple, and
that an alliance with the beautiful Lady
Winnifred would be a very suitable one.
But as no remonstrances, which she
afterwards could make, availed to
dissuade him from taking the i)rojected
jaunt, Jarvis and his friend started to-
gether upon the day set for their de-
parture.

A great billow of gorgeous clouds of
umber and purple, and firey gold aglow
with sunset glory, was floating behind
Cwmdaron bay, when they arrived at
the queer little town of ('wmdaron where
they were to remain over night at one of
the odd little inns, with its equally odd
pi-oprietor. 1

The yoiujg men jiartook of huppei
anil then sauntered out under the
w.-ather-bcaten sign that hung abovv'
the main eiitranee door of the little
establisliinrnt. Tho moon had riKoii
now, and th(^ heaving bay was all u
spaikle with its rofleeted light. Jarvis
glaneed lip at th<^ queer little buildin"
remarking: *M)ur worthy landlord \iZ
ehosiMi a iomanti(! si>ot~look to your
westwurd, harlie " M r. Polsdon looked
toward the rippling bay— its headlands,
and tile far away peaks of the mountains,
dim and shadowy in tho moonlight- it
was a wildly, <li'eamily, boautifulseene.
On the morning ensuing our friends
started for a horsebaek gallop through
the rough Welsh count ly. Uniortiuiate-
ly their ride had an unpleasant termi-
nation. Mr. Polsdon's horse taking
fright, that gentleman was thrown from
his saddle, his ankle badly s])rained,
antl he was carried back to the inn
insensible.

I CHAPTER VIL

I HIKDIE WYLDK.

i Polsdon soon recovered conscious-
ness; his 4mklo was bandaged, and
he was strictly enjoined by his physician
not to leave his couch for at least a
fortnight. He raised his eyes dispair-
mgly to the dim ceiling.

"Think of it Chessom !" he said, with
a grotm. " To be cooped for a fortnight
m tins dingy hole! Why I shall V
rubbed out by that time !"

He lay for half an hour or so, growlinir
over his surroundings and his pains,
anathamatizing the clownishness of
Welsh peasantry, particularly that of
the mdiyidual who,with his awkwardness
had frightened his horse, and then fell
asleep. Ohessom, smoking, reading,
yawning, sat besiae him for what seemed
to huu a very long time ; then he rose and
walked to the wmdow,which commanded
a fine view of Cwmdaron bay. He be-
thought himself of his sketch book, and
hshingithom his satchel strode fbrth.
after giving to his landlord some direc'
tionsm reference to his friend, in case
he should waken ere his return. The
afternoon sunlight was warm and golden;
the quaint town was astir: for it was
market day, and Chessom wandered on

itfl

:i'<)aK<.x«r<MU

w^^^i&Mgjgt

■<i

•"'took nl-

^«oon ij.,,j M^''''
, ':^> Wiis .,11 ,

'"^ t'^e inn
II.

' conscious.

t^l'^' and
,'« physician

"'^ ^east a

^«« ciispaiif

^ shall be

K&'ovrlitig

^ pains,
^ness of
^hat of
I'ardness
"«n ieJi
'■eading, i

seemed
oseand
Qanded
fie be-
*; and

tiirec-
' case
, Ti,e
Iden;

' vvas
=Ion,

TffK n.WKKirs anANDCHlLDUKN.

leavi'i'T tlio o«!(l little sliopn. with (Inir
oonfusotl v.'iriely of w;iiis, niid tin-
thron;'' oC \)C'A \ox\\ ly bf-liind — sliollcil on
till li(» WHS 11 mill' !i\v;ty lun'i < 'uniiliiion,
ftnd within M'ilito'NiintcifU' '. — ;i 'lixmiil
OM I'liin I'jion ilio 'mow oI ;i Mcnky In!!,
it« ;j;fi)n lii(!i> set soiiwiU'l.

Sittin;^ down in ilu' slni'low of ii 'rr<Mt
roii.'ili rook l»y tlm stony lii;!:li i<>m(1, Iip
diftw <'o(li his j.Oilfolio mill ln'.'/n
gketchin;',' tl»' /AJooniy, daiksonir old
pliice. iind a i)Oitio'\ ol' its wild y\\\-
ronndhijys.

Tho ciimson of siMisct was liu'ni;.' iulo
the soft ,'ti\'jy ol twili;;lit a'< lu' liiii-!i< I
his skotcli Jind loso to (''•|i;iir Id'
wal]c<^Hl hiiskly alon,L', lor tin- Octniri
evening' was chilly, and the ro.i'.'ii,
stony road, with the ".'rejit di'ii •^! .> on
one side, and a .•• .'' niomitniii on tiif
other, nindeahalf ( cary, tIioi'..:ii wil ',ly
picti'ies(iue scene.

Wlion al)Out half a mile fiom('wi)i('a-
ron he enconntrMcil a tiio ol' jicuants;
twoweienjen — tii)sy hooi'ishcioatuic —
the thii'd a Jiiil, s'iul>l)ily diossod in the
usual style oltlie peasant women's a ttiic.
Aroinid the girl's waist one of the elowns
had thrown his brawny arm, and, c'.e-
S2)ite her strn;j'j:les, was endeavorin;:; to
embrace and kis.'- her. Jarvis was i)a-ft-
injj; on without, after the Hist ;:l.in(f,
payin.-; any attention to their cjiiyiu;,-
on, thinking that the j^irl was cofjuet-
tishly affecting a. coy wish toescajie;
hut lier shrill, distressed cry for help,
the moment slie caught sight of .larv !■<.
stopped him.

"Uh! sir, please drive them away!"
cried tlie girl. " Tray, make them lot
me go !"

A sharp rap on the heacl from Clirs-
som's cane caused the tipsy idiot, wlio
had clutched the girl, to immediately re-
lease her; an<l mutteijjng, they sham-
bled out of the way, and i)recipitately
took themselves oft'.

The girl sank (i.own on a rook by the
roodsi(ie and drew several long biraths
as she surveyed her wrists, whi(>h were
red and svoUen with the marks of the
brawny ])easant's .'oarse gri}). Chessom
looked cui'ioTisly down at her.

She was certanily a curious figuie.
Hev she t. da lie green linsey dress wa <
old and worn ; her short crimson shawl

longh and fiided ; and hf>r tall hat,
wln<!i wan tied under lu'i' chin, had lost
it- uloss. ani'. was battered and Xhubby.

" i'o yo'i live in Cwmdaron ?" asked
< h<'ss( in.

•' o. sir ; l«ut I atn on my way there,''
aiisivercd the girl ; and in a momc^nt
h'l'' I'ose to goon r'hessom looked at
her again as she did so, with an amused
smile. Sli«! looked like some wierd
with in the (laik; tlu' red color which
li.iii, in her fright, lorsak<'n hei- sun-
l.iowni'd lace, liad not yet returned;
lii'i ■; eat liark eyes- ♦Iiough ( 'h(\ssom
.01! 1 not tell wheuier tin v were black,
'.'iMv. Wine, Ol' brown — hi d a strangf?
■'illen look' in tliem; and 'ler black hair
h ')> ' lo!n ini'lei her high hat, lustre-
!>■>■- and tangled, lar below her waist.

-he glanceil up, and through the
I'.vi'iglit s.iw his smile, and r(Mldened,
!')! 1 di'>j|>e(l her eyes sulkily. This
liii.i '-Mine gentleman, with his drooj)ing
)iU) -l.M'lie, polished boots, an<l air dh-
li.iii.ir, \.. s s 'ly laughing at her. ( 'hes-
o; I lii'd not intende<l that she should
see I lie ..Mtie which he could not re-
]-ies : lie i!n:Ieistood the sullen <hoop
ol' tiie g, e.it lihick eye« — the drawing in
ol ilie slioit upper lij', luul tiicd to con-
ciM..ie I he o !d girl. She was di'cssed
alh'i- ilie ;asir.oiiol Welsh p(>a.suit girls :
l.pt ,-lie w.is e\'i;'eut!y English. ( hes-
som ei'ied little aliOMt who this gis'l was.
am', yet he piizzhw! him a llU e, too

'" Well;" he s.iic'. •' as I am going there
too we sluillbe lellow-davelleislor ahalf
mi e or so, at if^e-t — >liall we not? There
ai(^ mo-e di-unken rnllians coming along.
Voii .see it i>< not sa!e ior a young girl
li];e you to be, out in this lonely place
alone, and at this hour. The next time
yo come herc! you hail better get some
of youii.ieui'is to eoiae with yon. who
can ))iotect yon "

Tlie gi.1 loo!c m' at him half sullenly,
liall'so, iow,iiily, as she answered:

'' 1 haven't any frien<!s to come with
me anywliere "

( 'hc.^-om was not a ))hilanthropic
yon.ng gentleiii.in ; he had no sympathy
hi < omiiioii with shabby Welsh peasant
gi.i.^, o. any i)eL;:;ant girls; but some-
how (his slini, t..il creature, with her
grcai strange, black eye.--, aroii,:ed a
someihing in his heart which, if not

Till': UAXKKirS Gh'.l XlH'lllLDnKX.

-I

i !■

symiJiitliy. wa- akin to it ; and lie look-
ed half j)itvin,i:ly — half curiously donii
at her as lie said :

"■No friends? when' ai't> your pjt-
K^nts? Do you notlivo with friiMKls ?"

'■ Father iuid niotlu'i- arc both dead,"
answfrrd (In- ,t;!!l : "and I hav(* always
lived nith Dame TolU-y till a vhhAk a^'O,
^vhon she died ; and 1 am s^oing to lier
•ii^tcr, now, who lives in Cwindaron."

" Yes, ! see,"" sa'<l .hirvis, who took it
in his licjid to kee|) uj) tlu' eonvei-sa-
tion. "'i'liis Dame I'olley brought you
U]) ; you ar<' a relative of hers, [ sup-
[)Ose. Is yoin* name Policy too?"

"(Ui, no sir." snid the girl, " Dame
Tolley was no I'clation to me : though
slie brought me u]i, as you've said, hut
my name is Wyld' — Hirdetta Wylde ;
though they always eallcil me Birdie."'

" Birdie '\Vy!d»'> !"" exclaimed Ches-
som. "AVhat a ou]>honic name, to he
sure!" IMentally. he added: "What
an odd l)ii'die, lorsooth !""

'rh<\v walked on. Cliessom idly <jues-
tionnig h(>r as they i>rocccdcd ; and the
girl, lookingup with shy admiration into
his fac<^, told him in brief all she hei'-
self knew of her history. She was fifteen
years of age, of English jiarentage; her
lather and moth(>r she knew nothing
al)Out, save that Dame Policy liad told
Iku- they were both dead. JU'lore her
death i)am<' i'olley hail desired that
Birdetta should go to her sister, who
lived in Cwmdai'on, and whom she was
in hopes would give shelter to the girl
until she could iind some means of sup-
porting herself. They reached a little
dingy house.

'• i'erhaps this may be the house,"'
said JUrdetta; "I'll inquire anyhow;""
wnd she turnetl toward the hut.

V hessom drew li)rth a handtul of sov-
ereigns, and held them towards her .say-
ing : '

"Here, you can purcha-se finery, with
these."'

The girl reddened and remonstrated ;
I lUtJarvis forced them upon her : anil
i)idding her good-byt^ went back to his
lodging.s, and soon forgot her.

(^llAi'TEH Vm

" IN TllK WlUK WOin,0 AI.OXK."

The next two days following Jarvis'

\ walks to Xanteroyd \\-crc dark and chil
ly : till.' thii'd was bright and breezy, with
great downy clouds sailing softly athwart
the horizon : and ( 'wmd.iron bay was all
agleam and spai'kle with sunlight.
Voimg Polsdon was rajiidly gau)ing. and
was also becoming hoi'riltly impatient
foi' his freedom.

Cliessom, who had sat by hi.s side all
the moruixg talking, or I'eading aloud
the contents of the London jiapers,
glanced up with a long breath ot relief
as his tj'icnd's heavy breathing an-
nounced that he had falltMi asleep, and
I'ising he Icit the cliamltei', and was .soon
galloping iiway on horseback. When
somcthingovtMamilc beyuiul Xanteroyd
he discovered ijy tla^ roadside, in a half-
sit tiiiu, hali-croucliing posture, an odd
tigui'o — a iigure clad in a worn green
liiisey dn>s.s — a tiided crimson shawl, and
a (jueer, high hat It was unmistakably
Birdotta W'vlde.

She had not obtained a shelter then
under the roof ol J >ame Policy's sister.
(, 'hessom di'ew rehi and Irxjked down at
her. Somehow this creature's very out-
landishue.ss liad taken his limey

" Are you still homidess, my girl ?'' he.
asked.

She looked uj) — a mint light brighten-
ing her shadowy, dark eyes, and told
him all that had occurrc(l to her since
they had met last.

The little hovel, at the door of which
she and ('hessom had i>arted. was not
tlie one she had wishi-d to tind : bnt
learning that she was|still .some distance
h'om her destination, she had i)aid the
woman who kept the shanty for hei-
supper and night's lodging, and on ris-
ing the next morning discovered that
the handful of sovereigns which tlie
strange genlleman had to.ssed into her
hands the previous night were gone —
they had been stolen. There was noth-
ing to do for it, however, but to go on,
leaving her gold in the clutches ot the
woman ol the hut, whom she was certain »
had taken it, and search till she should
Iind the old woiiian to whom her former
protectress had bidden her go, hoping
that for a short time at least she would
shelter her. ]iut from that worthy
woman"s door she was roughly turneil
away, and found herself out in the world

^o' ! •:' ^;^^ -'''^ all
''/"^*^^' ot Lii^

-f ''V. an oa^i

■r'^'''^v;-.an<
"'^"^'•^faJcal.lv

'^'^';'' <'<>»vn at

anoy

'»r irii-J ?•• he

^'^ ''i'J>ljten-

'"foi'u-hieh
'*''. ^^''is not

'/"'''•^tanoo

* i'aid tJio

"^ on lis.
ir^-'^i that

info hej.
t^ gone-^
'i'^ noth-

* fe'o on,
^ ot tho

«^ionId

hoping

vortliv
ivojici

77//-; nAXKKirs ai^AXDcniLDUKx.

again, a ni.^iv lioijeloss uumlerer than

.larvis listont-tl imtit'Ully to the pi-l's
jioiiovvt'iil narmtion.

Ifadsh"', l>een an oivUnaiy bo:.'^'av ho
WMiihl iciiili.ibly haw I'l.-iscii hiM- anotliei'
handful ol\-(jins, and I'i Id.Mi on without
hi'e(Hn,i; oi- waitiii.ix to hear her story,
hut sht> \va>> not an ordinaiy ho,;igai' —
■^he had ncxor onco asked hi'in for alnis ;
tiiere ^vus a ijuaint air aliout Iwi' that
s'MMnt'd to ho a soil of hlondiiiL' of sul-
ifun^'.-s, jul/ie and di.^nity, a'ld wliiinsi-
cal -hii'vis was interost'Ml i'.i \vr-v. He
looked down thought lully for a moincnit.
and thi-n, as if a thouglit had struck
liini, suddenly tore a leaf from his
nieiuoi'anduni hoo:-;, and wrot*' a ftnv
line>; whieli ran as iijUows : "Nurse
Ctimp. The li(>arer o' these lines is one
of the \vorld'slionielcss waifs ; V>y giving
her a lionie at your eottage for a few
day-i you will eonl'er a lavor upon your
• )!<| niu'sery rei)el, .larvls ('hessi)ni.

P S. — I am at i)r"sinit lodging at the
•' Lion" inn, in Cwmdaron, and will see
you in a tlay or two. ,) . <'."

.larvis folded the s'ip of pajxM", re-
marking :

" 'i'here is a Mrs. ( iinio— lUi English
woman who lives somcHiing like a (|uar-
ter of a mile from liei'e — do you tliink
you could lind her enttagi' ".'"

" ()h, jes, sir," .sai<l i>irdetta : " I have
')*>en there twioe on eiuand- for .i)ami'
I'oUey."'

" Well th*-n," saiiUfarvis t'caeliiug Ikm'
the pajiei', '• gri to li.'r an I giic ln'r tiiat
note, and she will take eare oi'yoii till I
soe you again, which will lie in a day or
two. (joo(!-i)yi>," nid tossing several
|)ioces of gold into Iu.t la[) In- rod>' on.

Near nigjitiall lien'turned to tin hion
inn to learn t'lat i'olsdon, in sjiite olhis
physician's mjunetions not to lea\ e liis
eoueh for some tinii> longer, had that
day attemiited to cross liis eliamher witli
the assistauiie of a chair which ho shoved
ahead, and in so. doing had succeeded
lu twisting iiis ankle and thus siirainiiig
it afresh: and thrc" days passed, and
the fourth was half spent ere he hail
time to again tlunk of ilrs. (iimp or hi (
curious protege; then he ordered hi;
horse ami rode oil' in the direction oi
the. (jimi) eottage.

Years ago Mrs. Uimp had ottioiate<ias
children's nurse at ^laplewotxi. hut for
th(' past twelve years had lived in
Wales, in a snug eottag>\. a mile or two
distant irom Cwmdaron.

-larvis, who had stoppr^l one stormy
night at her house some tlu'ee years
before, knew whereahouts she lived. ftn<{
that she would ghnUy entertaiti h dozen
homeless peasant girls, pi-ovided that
each came hearing notes hom hiuMii^li"
desiring her to do so.

Her I)road figure stood isi the open
doorway ol hi-r lit tie eottage wlie'n ( 'hes-
som rode up. She lehanced courtsey-
ing, anil l>id him welcome to her •• 'um-
l)le halxtde,'" as she expressed .it . ( 'hes-
som dismounted and shooi; her haml,
saying:

"3Ieant to have come .-"ooner, l)Ut
couldn't. ^Vhere's our ]>rotege?"

" In the house, sir — and oh, .sir. such
a change! you wouldn't know her, sir —
l>ut pray come in. sir: you must he
tertigned hai'ter y oui- ride. j)oor dear
young gentlemai\:" and Mrs. (fimp
ushered him into hei- fussy little best
room.

< hessom o[)ened his eyes and piu'sed '
up his lips as if al)out to whistle when
h(> beheld the bj-ight dark, p«'asanv girl,
whom .Mrs. (limp j-resented as liirdetta
Wyld(\ She had diseaided the oM
green linsey and donned a new. bright
grey of the sani" material ; 'round her
shoulders wa< wrappi-d a gpv jdaideil
haudkerchier which w;is pinne(l across
her breast ; her hair, lU) longer limp ami
lustreh'ss was arir.uged in shining plaits
in a i'ajitaslie fashion that became her
finely ioi-med head iunnensely.

Her dark eyes were bi-ight now, the
sullen <'.\pression had nearly all faded
out, anil a sweet, -ou light had c()me in
its plac^. She was another creature
from the half fami,--heil waif whom he
had encountered twice befon.'. Not
really beautiful, ('hessom thought, yet
very pretty too, altera singular fashion.

(JUAlTEli IX.
in itn I K "s i.ue K i;t.

r>irdetta lookt?d up on ('hessom's en-
trance with a shy smile and a (Vturtesy.

'• ".Vhy ! Ity Jove !" lie e.vclainied. sit
ti.ig down opiKJsitt,' her. and giving her

THE RANKEirS GnAXDCITIhDUEX.

I'i

an admiring 'stare I "this can't be tho
same littlf? In-own o!f whom I loiii-d by
the loadsicle !"

The girl's color (Ummicho 1. ainl lio.i-
friniry eye-lids (.u'ooik'.I on Iwr ''lieekM,
It was a rudv sjmmh'Ii. ;1ki!';i sMtfie-
ton<:ut'd ("hcs.soia did ii'it iii.r-id it thr
Buch.

He noted her look ol cinl/ai-r; ssm^nt,
and, remembering that sin- wuf^ not like
ordinary poasant girls, wlo would lurve

tin'i.r'it

s;ii-

I IV

■111.'
' . (■

DIM

■;!■

•Vl'-c

•*. ••■I

been mo;-<' likely to liav(
than euiliarrassed at his wo.
that something in the w;r, o-
was re(]iurcil.

" Don't lovok that way. ;nv
lie ; *• 1 didn't mean \
yon see I wasn't pre;
metamori>ho>is. .^[l•s. < .
looking u]) at the wi<li^
*' it seems to me th.at, in
to my tami.shing aj^petii", yo
to immediately get rea ly yoi

" Bless yonr 'ai't, in.isti-i-
'ave it ready jnst ina miiinte,*
Gimp. "The kittle's on vlu
and she bu.stled out of tlm i oo.mi.

Chessom leaned lazily iiacic w.
stiff-backed arm-chair, an! ^\ a ■'!!■*
Birdetta's slender brown lin:revs, n : i.'\-
tiltted deftly among tlw l>fi:.'lii i ■<■^)■'-.
pun worsted she was knitting. ">', ■■.'),]
then cliatting to her. He did p. >' ■.
pect to find his protege g:o\vi i;^ t'.--
short space of three d;iys, 1<> b .d;;'^-^'
beautiful.

"Have you then no i'<^!ne;a'e!viif ■
of your i^arents?" he askc'!, as the :''./,
in accordance with his re<)ue.st ioi' heri >
do so, was relating to hiiri tnoi'c ;.;:
ticularl}' h<'r previous history

'* No sir," answered Rirdetta; "nt le;i,-!i
I'm not certain that I have, 1 :;.>.;■
sometimes I tlnnk that I jeiii,',i',, •
them both,"

She looked thoughtfnily down I').' i
moment.

'* Sometimes 1 think I remtMu' (M'tlieni
})oth," she I'cpcated. '• Perhaps it nuiy
b(» only a foolish dream — Dame i'oiley
told me that it was, — but it seems to :ne
that I can distinctly recollect living
tomevvhere where everything was nice
••md pretty, where theni was a lady
whom I «'al!ed mamma and a tall gen
tlenian whem I called [iapa; but all this

can't interest you. sir: I am wearying
yon."

''No, no, not at all ; go on," said Ches-
som, who felt in the mood to listen.
" Wiiat more do you fancy that you
remember ?"

*'I only remember one other person
clear," >aid Birdetta ; "it seems tome
he was a great tall, dark gentleman, and
I was a! vail) of him.'"

"l)o you recollect how you)' parents
looked'.'" asked ("he.-.som.

" I d(Mi't remember much {'bout this
gentleman, sir, whom 1 spoke of lirst ;
iiiit the lady wa.s li.etty and dark — that
is, da]'k hair and eyes ; audi remember
'ler bci^tin a dress that — I can't tell you
; ist what color it was: but it was light
and had a j)urple tint in it "

"Lavender, perhaps,'" suggested Ches-
•om.

"I don't know, sir, what color that is,"
.-;ii llvrdetta. ; "it might have been; it
'.VHs very iiretty anyhow."

Slie i)ut up one hand and untied a

■ I'i lilt ribbon tliathung 'round her neck

■> I which was suspended a small locket.

"I've had this ever sinco I c;iu rc-

:aenil.'er," said she ; "but itnever wo;dd

■ome open ; there was a little key

.;'.)nging to it. but it got lost, Du'We

'•iley told m(> ; and .-die I'orbade me

..'ying to ojien it, 1or fear I Ldiould break

. Ars (iiin[) bought mo this ribbon to

;i ng- il on, tlu^ other day," she added ;

■•and she said it might have a pic^tme

o:' something in it. 31aybe I'd better

.;eiiK it open.*'

'..es^^oiu held out ins hand :

• '-Allow me to examine it," he said.

iii.'letta. gave him the locket.

■ Ve-i, it's Oi ked," he said, after a

.;; niic's investigation of the trinket.

'•^diall I toi-('c it 0[)en ? If it bre.dts

■| i>!;y yo:i a new one." The girl ns-

- iile.l, and (.'hcs>(»m with the aid of his

,.>'nkiiile sundei-ed tlie tiny gold lock :

r.u.l the lo;'l<et with a snap llew open,

di.si-lo.dug two miniatures and two little

eniis oi'iiair, one glo#isy black, the other

n :it!y biown. Oneoi the pictured faces

wa.i llnitoi' a woman -♦-fair, bright, with

gi I'.it dai'k eyes an<l singularly beautiful.

In delieat(dy graved chara,cters beneath

tlie vignette was tlie name 'Birdettal'

The other pictiu'e waa thatof a man—

THE BAXKEirS GRANDCHILDKEN.

handsome, with fair hair rippling away
from a wide forehead ; a pleasant face
with eyes that were deep and bright
and truthful ; the clear cut, firm mouth
and chin, shadowed by a silken, blonde
moustache and beard ; and beneath this
picture wat the name ' Reginald.'

Perceiving another spring, Chessom
pressed it back, this time revealing two
sweet baby faces — those of a boy and a
girl. The face of tlie former \vo,s lair
and earnest, closely i-esembling that of
the gentleman, wlio was evidently the
father of the children; that of the latter
was bright and sweet, and very like the
mother's.

There were two little silky curls of
hair with these miniatures also, and like
the lady's, the baby-giil's hair was much
the darker of the two. Tlie boy was
apparently the eldest of tlie two chil-
dren — evidently somev.here al)Out four
3'ears of age — the girl about two years.
Underneath were the nicknames *Kedy'
and 'Birdie.'

Birdetta, who had been gazing with
parted lips at tlie contents of her locket,
looked up in a bewildered sor^of fashion
at Chessom. ' v

" What does it mean, sir?" she asked.

" Moan ? why it means that these two
first pictures are those of your parents,"
said Chessom ; "and these" — pointing to
the pictures of the chi'dreu — "must
one of them be vour own, and tlie other

Did
bro-

somebody's — ;> hrother's [)erhap8.

you, are
ther?"

you sure, never have a

" Not that I know of, sii-. Oh ! su^cly,"
she exclaimed, looking admiringly at
the bright jtictureil face of the little

girl, " this can't be
I cou'd never have
that !" '

a likeness of me.
been ])retty like

( hessom laughed.

lie," he said, " if

"Why, Bin
winsey frock

■ )

a now
and a briglit ribbon
or two can change you froln a
hideous — I mean froni a (jueer little
brownie, into the most charming little
jteasant girl in Wales, what do you sup-
pose a cloud of foamy lace and a jewelled
necklace, such as tliis little fairy htvs
on, would be unable to do, in the beauti-
fying line for you? Yow are rather
brownish," he added ; " but I see you're

already getting the better of that." He
picke(l up the trinket again with a
puzzled air, saying as he examined it
more closely than before :

"It beats the dickins! there's a mys-
tery here as sure as late ; and I've seen
a lady somewhere — though goodness
knows where, who's very like this pic
ture !"

" Oh I if my parents are only living !"
said Birdetta ; " if I could only see
them 1"

Mrs. Gimp bustled into the litt e par-
lour announcing supper ; and was shown-
the contents of Birdie's locket.

" Goodness-gracious !" ejaculated slie,
after examining, with much surprise.

the pictures; '-who knows but she's
some grand ady after all? I allars
thought that old Dame Policy was a sly
old critter, anyhow."

Bii'detta's dai-k eyes, as the good

woman spoke, grew bright with spark-

ling animation. A grand lady ! She
had a <lim idea that to be a grand lady
meant to be a creature very beautiful,
very hajjpy and very e!egant; to be
wealthy with hosts of friends ; and al-
ways to be richly arrayed in costly silks
and laces, and jewels, like the fair pa-
trician daughters of the Glencroftonsof
Glencroiton — a line old estate within
sight of which stood Dame Polley'.s
tumble down hovel.

Chessom, lookuig half laughingly
down at the girl, divined something of
her thoughts.

"Would you fancy being a grand lady,
Birdie?" he asked.

"Oh, it would be so nice !" said Birdie.
I should have friends — so many friends,
and a father and mother perhaps. Oh !
if I only had a father ami mother, I
should be so happy ! But" — and her
face was overshadowed again — " they
can't be living, or else I shouldn't have
Ijeen left witli Dame Policy all these
years."

Jarvis turned to Mrs. (i imp saying:

"If there pictures, as they of course
are, are those of Birdie and her relatives,
there is a mystery about the aft'-ir as
sure as Christmas. And this old crea-
ture, Dame PoUey, Birdie — was she kind
to you*?" he asked.

" Mostly always, sir," said Birdie.

THE BANKER'S GliAXDCUlLDIlEy.

;■

•Do, ).m3, "avc your sui)por now,
master .iarv,'" interrupted Mrs. (limp.
" You must bo a fiiniisiiin" ; and cvory-
thin^r I've gone and rookod '11 !.(.• «7/

"All right (Jimjjv," said T'liessonl.
nsmg; and tlic l)ustling Dame was a
tew momcMits later serving the carefully
.V'ntten uj) meal from off'lier <juoer, old
fashioned china, lirouglit out for the
occasion.

fhessom rode hack toCwmdaron that
night, tliinking more th;in he liad j)ro-
bahly over takeii tlie tiotfhh- to think
before in tlie course of his aimfess life.

" Wliat the dickins doc^s it mean '.''Tie
said mentally. " Ifs mv opinion that
this_ oid witch, Dame JA)Uev. fi)r some
motive best known to herself, has stolen
little Birdie from her relativi's or lawful
guardians. AVho knows but I've jjicked
up a great heiress, oi- some wondwful
oreatun' in <lisguise ? TIow prettv she'x
got to be !*" 1 . ■

Jfe reached liis lodgings, and gave
Polsdon's in(iuiri(>s, as to whore he had
been, evasive re])lies, nol mentioning
his '(,ueer little Birdie", as he mentall'v
called her He didn't care to hear anv
of Polsdon's saivastic speeches abou't
pJulanthro])y. and so wiselv held hi<
tongue.

CflAPTER X.
The afternoon sunshine was softeniu"
the chilliness of the brisklv blowing
l>reeze the following <lav as ' ( 'hessoni
i-ode toward .\ris. (dmp's llat-faced httle
white liouse. Birdetta. standing by one
oi the <'hint/-cuitained front windows,
simled a shy welcome as he rode ui).
Ife no<Uled gaily as he eaught sigjit of
the bright face in its frame of glossy
l)iMids, anddismountiug entered the
eottage.

An odd smile of amusement played
beneath liis black moustache as he pic-
tured his moth.M-'s digniHed liorror. and
the curl of sarcastic contempt on h\-<
sister's rijie liij, could they behold tlii^
untutored peasant girl— this homeless,
nameless creature whom he, in a fi-ak
of generosity, had picked u]) by the
rough Welsh road-side, coming to meet
him, her face all aglow with pleasure

vanced: '*are y(ni all alone'/ WhereV
CTimj)y'.'"

'* Only gone of an errand sir," said
Birdetta ; " she'll be back in just a little
while. Won't you walk into tlie parlour,
sir'.'''"

Chessom walked into the little apart-,
ment thus (iesignatcd and sat down in
the stirt'-backed arm-chair. There had
b(*eii a sort or hazaar in Cwmdaron that
day, and, having nothing better to do
in the way of killing time, Chessom had
spent an hour or two among the throilg
of towns-people and peasantry in at-
tendance.

There was a sprinkling of rollicking
young country gentlemen among the
crowd, who passed the time in drinking,
and dancing and flirting with the gaylv
arrayed peasant girls. f'U(>ssomjoined
in this sort of revelry until weary of the
wild carrying on : and then, declanng
the who!i> tiling 'a confomided bore',
left, after j)urchasing, as pr(^sents for
Birdie, a number of the least gaudj^, and
most tast(<fiil of th(^ many articles for
sale .

" flow that mufi I'olsdon would chaff'
if he caiikl onSy have the s[)ort of
watching me .just now," thought Jarvis,
as he loc)ked on with a smile, half of
pleasure, half of amusement, at Birdie'.s
, unbound(Ml admiration of her gay gifts.
I Mis. (limp coming in soon after was
delightcnl with the numerous presents
which Chessom had also brought her,
among wliicli was a fine shawl, the hand-
somest :uid waj-mest which he had found
for sale in Cwmdaron.

"How do you spend your time Iiere
T^irdie r asked Chessom a little while
later, watching the gii-las she sat busily
sewing. « Don't you find things rather
pokey sometimes '?"

" < »h, no indeed,"" said Birdie, '' I've
something to do "most all the time, and
wIk'.u tlu'ie ij.n't anything 1 can read.'"

"liead!" cried Jarvis, "what do you

tint I h

(M'C

to i-ead, pray ? J suppse,'" he
iiilded, "there are tbur standard vol-
nmcs in Cimpy's librarv, namely : that
< og-eared Bii»le, which Jhe hfkj thumbed
(iaiiy and nightly ever since 1 can re-
member ; the life of John Bunyan, an.l

« *

1, ner lace ail as,' ow with i)leasnrr> ».; n;i^ • » V* ■'••" ^"u,>.vii, «iiu

4 t

aJoijt. '•*

THE ILl XKEU'S GL'A NDCIULDHEX.

•27

ere's

'f njUHtalittl,.

""^ >^at (lon-n in'
^".^ I>otte,. to do

:;;'^' the ti..o;;;;

='of I'oIIiekfn..
" /inioij^r t,,^

^essoin join p^j
""pa;^v of t Jj..
^n deolaHmr
"'•-'f'rl bore'
[f<'s(.nts for'
tga"<ly,aml
articles for

"ouicJ cljaff-

\ H^ovt of *

ft Jarvis,

^^, huli of

at Bivduys

after wan
' Pi'esents
"gJifc iier,
'^lehaiid.

adfounj

'We ]iej.(.
'e n-JiiJe
•■t busily
"^ ivitJior

1^, and
read.-
lo you
e," he
J vol-.

that
tnbed
n ve-

, UJU]

the

re of

Mrs. Mrs. . ()I, SOUK- painful- low; ^'ood-bye," and he tcjok Eirilio's

ly good old woman or 'tuthei — I forget slender little hand in liisown. "Do
hor name. Anything oLie — a it>w (/ond you know that you're growing to be *a
tracts jterhaps." , dowiu'ight ]»retty little thing, Hirdio?"

Bii'dic glanced up at him, a reproach- ' Birdi<> blushed and smiled, and when
tul look, which she could not hide, in 'i« i"*^*!*^ away she stood between tlio
lier eyes. For all the wild life, which ehintz window curtaitis and watched his
the girl had led, she had, for leligious liaudsomc figure disappearing in the
things, a reverence which one. consirler- <listance, with big bright eyes.

irannng,

would never have

ing her
thought possi])le

.\11 along she hafl been liincying this
Uandsome gentleman a sort oY (kmii-
god ; and now his careless lialf scoffing
words wete dispelling the illusion. I

Alas for Birdie ! slie had yettodiscov- :
er that C'hcssom, instead "f l)eing any- •
thing like an immaculate individual,

ciiAFrER xr.

lUit tip who ti-'iiis ii stfiini v.'it.h s;iml,
-Anil tetters fluiiii! with \vii\fii liaiid,
11ms M't m h;irilt;r iiisk tn imive, ■

\iy firm resolve to coiKiuer love. — .Scott.

Let us, for a time, leave Jarvis CUies-
som and his protege, and go back to
Twickeidiani. The soft golden haze of
( )ctober atmosphere has faded to the
\vas only a fashionable young man of tlie (Hm gray of Noveml)er. At Maplewood
world, with quite as many faidts and there is 'the usual pervasion of i»leasant
fadings as the generality of that cla.'^s , gaiety ; several guests have departed,
I '^•'^'^*''^*^ j and (juite a number have lately arrived ;

"There are other books,*" said Birdie;, among the recent arrivals is Lady St.
•' Mrs. (imip has several which belonged i Avvas' and her daughter, and the for-
to her son, who, she says, was di-owned. | mer'» nephew, Harvev Fairleigli. ( )n the
There's a history of England— I'm read- i evening of which we write the great pur-
uig that"— counting the volumes onherj j,ie drawing-room is nearly filled \vitli
fingers— "and a history of Rome, and a! the guests of the rich banker. I'Ikmc
romstock's Philosophy— I dc*i't under- is a' group seated about the grand
stand all that : and a Natural Jlistory, piano, and :\rrs. Chessom is saying to
and a Geograj)hy"— Birdie caught her j Ladv Winnifred St. Ay vas ;
breath—" and oh ! J should just love to « f have been telling vour friends how
see all flic i)hues it tells about !'" exquisitelv vou plav aiul sing, mv deai-

Ches.som laughed. "Would you fancy I i,adv Winnifred. 'Tray favoi' us to-
visitingall the outlandish places?" he j ni^^ilt ; h«e is that brilliant composition
'i«k«^<^ of Verdi's—von r<>allv do that divinelv !"

No sir," said Birdie, "I shouldn't I Lady Winnifred sat <.lown beto e the
like going to Africa ncn- to the North, | instrument and piaye i the brilliant
where its so awfully cold : liut I'd like | piece indicated by her hostess. At its
to visit all the beautiful places." I ending there was a i)olite little storm of

" Then you like to read, do you?" said j ©xclaimings of admiration, and she was

Chessom.

" Oh, yes, .so much," said Birdie ; " I
should like to be reading nearly all
the time if I had the books.''

"Oh, you must have the books, by all

iihpor tuned to sing. .She sang — and
sang as she played, purely, gloriously.
Ernest Willoughby, standing beside her,
turning the i)ages of her music, while
her sweet, exquisite voi(?e Hoated melo-

means: you shall have a small library i diously tlu'ough the room, felt his heart
of your own in a few days of my selec- I thumjiing passionately witliin liim. This
tion; I shall not send any //oe'/lMjoks," i lovely Lady Winnifred I he was begin-
he said teasingly : " but I will send you | ning to realiz(> how deeply and hopeless-
some instructive as well as some ly he was learning to lo\ e her.

Tut, tut I never mind
that," he added, as Birdie began utter-
ing her thanks.

" 1 must go now Birdie."' he said,
rising;" -uayl)e I will be over to-mor-

A little frown contracted Mrs. Chos-
som's high arched brows as she\letected
the admiration in the glances which
Willoughby bestowed ujion Lady Winni-
fred ; and when that young lady had

THE BANKEirS GRANDCHILD REK

■ M

ceased playing she managed, witli smil-
ing adroitness, to send him from her
side on some trivial pretext.

Rose Castlemaine, whom our readers
will perhaps remembei- as having, once
before, been mentioned, ran lip to
where ]Mabel Willoughby was seated :

"We want you to sing now, Meb,"
said she ; " come along." "

Mv. VValdogiave advanced.

"Pray, come Miss Willoughby," he
said ; '< I am impatient to hear those
pretty Scotoli ballads which you pro-
mised me."

Mabel smilingly arose and took the
seat whi.'h Lady Wiunified had a few
moments belbi-." vacalcd. Iler voice
was sweet and birdisli,— notso powerful
nor as faultlessly gloiions as Lady Win
nified's, but very i)ie;.iy, very sweet and
charming.

< ilencora ( 'he.vsom slp-uggcd her shoul-
ders and made a yawning grimace as
Jfabel sat down before the instrument.
Glencoia never sang, and was a very in-
(liffercut player. .SJie Iiad been all lier
life too idle to acquire much in the way
of lady-like accomplishments

"Charming voice ]Mi,>.s Willoughby
has," (h'awled Col. Vivian, addressing
rilencora, as Mabel ceased singing";
" not so grand, and all that so.t of thing,
as her ladyshi])'s, but verv charmiuij:,
very."

(jlencora smiled scornfully.

" Ifer frantic screaming of tho.-e bag-
piijeish Scotch ballads is sufficient to
set one wild," said slie spitefully.

Vivian smiled ; he was shrewd enough
to untlerstand that :\riss Chcssom's dis-
like of i\[al)el arose chiefly from envy and
jealousy.

" Ycui- cousin Waldegrave looks as if
bethought differently," said he; '-in-
deed," he added "maliciously. '< he
seemed quite enwrapt, especially while
Miss AV'illodgliby was singuig so sweetly

tliat pa.thetic
Jean.'"

M iss

tidng ' I'm wearin' awa

Bcrn

bl' ■

e;.:

cool

( I

V Si

'''iiessom felt very much like
■". nith her pietty ])ink tinted
it *. the Colonel's saucily smiling
s ),ut she refi;)ined,\vith an
oui the Mulady-like action, and
r.i'ged I'ler white shouk'.ers,and

contented hei.seH" by unmerc ifuliy snub-

bing the blonde militaire a few minutes
alter.

Lady Winnifred bent with a smile to-
ward Mabel as the latter turned from
the piano. Haughty MissChessom had
tossed her head disdainfully that even-
ing and declared to Lady 8t. Ayvas and
her daughter that " that Willoughby
girl was the most deceitful, designing
creature in the world," adding that
** grandpajja had taken an absurd fancy
to her wisliy-wasliy.prettiness, and was
deluded into believing her very angelic
and all that, simply because the shy lit-
tle milksop was always so attentive and
devoted and ready to read to him or
sing or play chess with him. Just de-
ceit, my dear Didy St. Ayvas, and no-
tliing else ; you see she is in hoiies
grandpai)a may will her a snug fortune
some dav," and Glencora laughed scorn-
fully.

Tjady Wiimifred looked admiringly at
the fair, girlish face. There was an ir-
resistable charm in the manner of this
jiretty protege of the Chessoms — a
frank ingenuousness about her that-pro-
claimed Glencora's disparaging repre-
sentations of her fldse ; and Lady Win-
nifred. warm-hearted and impulsive, was
beginning Lo take a real liking for pretty
Mabel.

" Your voice is sweetness itself, Miss
Willougnby," said she with real admira-
tion.

■'But it's not perfectly glorious like
yonr's. Lady Winnified," said Mabel,
smiling. ,

'•' Not so powerlul perhaps," said Win-
nii'i-etl, "but very pretty and birdishly
sv.cct." And they went on conversing,
iliscussing music and favorite musi-
cians.

" Really provoking of poor Polsdon,"
said ;Mrs. Cliessoni, addressing Lady St.
Ayvas, "tirst to carry Jarvis off on'^that
stui.id .joiuney, and then to meet with
such an annoying accident, detaining
them both, goodness knows how long ;
and dear.larvis, he must be moped to
death in tiiat horribly tame little Welsh
town, lie writes n)e, however, that in
a fortnight atfiuthcst, Polsdon will have
recovered sutficieinly to have Hnished
his tiresn.ne business in the town next
to the litae one they are now in ; and

THE BANKERS aKANDCHILVUEX.

n^V "'""'' ftom

an ^1 '"^'"^ that
;n absurd fancv

^■^« tiie shy Jit.
' ^ t^ntive am,

^?^ to hi„,^;'

""^- -Ajstde

^?as, and no-

'« in hopes

,f""g fortune

i"^'''''ngly at
® ^vas an ir-
""erof this
'hessoms— a
•^.'•"lat-pro-
^''ng repre-
LacJy Win-

'"j«'ve,was
ffoi-jjretty

Y^, Mm
11 admira-

ious JiJce
^I Kabel,

aicl Win-
>ndishly
veising,
musi-

'sdon,"

n Chat

t with

lining

Jong; s

Pel to

^'eJsh

at in

bave

hecj

lext

an(i

then they will immediately start fori
England."

Laily St. Ayvas was herself a little im-
patient ibr the return of her hostess'
son. That young gentleman, as we lKi\e
already stated, was conisidered a vei-y
desirable ' oatoh,' and Lady St. Ayvas
was now manccuvering to obtain a
wealthy, if not a titled husband for her
beautiful daughter

Lady WinniAed had had many ad-
mirers, and several offers of marriage,
during ilie two seasons sinee her toming
out; but none of them had been con-
sidered by her ambition? manuna as
qnite suitable. Thus far none of her
suitors had been sufficiently wealthy.

Among her admirers that sea>.on had
been a young Welsh nobleman who hail
sued in vain for her hand. Lady St.
Ayvas had forced her daughter to reject
him, saying regretiully :

" Such a pity his lordship is so terri-
bly poor ! Such a good family — one of
the very best in Wales, but poor — poor
as cliurch mice, my dear !"

So his loi'dship marrii^d, instead of
Lady Winnifred, a wealthy young heir-
ess, not long aftrt", and returned to his
estate in Wales, off of which I^ady St.
Ayvas informed her daughter, with a
shrug, it was rumored he had been all
along struggling to pay a heavy mort-
gage. And Lady Winnifred had sighed a
little over the remembrance of her
bright, dark-eyed Wel'-h wooer, and
looked on listlessly while hei' mother
manoeuvred for a wealthier match for
her.

Miss Chessom disengaged herself from
a group seated about a table, looking
over a pile of beautiful colored draw-
ings, and swept over to where Lady
Winnifred and Mabel were still sitting
near the piano conversing animatedly
together.
Glencora glanced haughtily at Mabel.
" Mabel you are boreing her ladyship
to tleath with your tiresome prattle,"
said she insolently.

Lady Winnifred flushed a little and
answered hastily :

" Oh, no indeed 1 we have been chat-
ting delightfully ; and 1 have found Miss
Willoughby very entertaining. Indeed,"
•he added, ''we have so many tastes and

ojiinions in common, I nnx sm-e we are
destined to octome the best of friends !"

The carnation tint in dlencora'.'*
cheeks dee])encd a litl Ic.

" Indeed !" said she wiih a half sarcas-
tic little laugh, "then I am sorry to lr.\'e
interrupt(vl such an interesting tele a
Me. But I'll warrant you'll have suffi-
ciently frcfjuent opportunities ot hearing
Mabel prattle while yoM*)*e here ; so it's
no real deprivation. Shall I show you
that prettily contrived automatic toy
which I was describing to you?"

And she carried Lady Winnifred off
just as Waldegrave walked over to
MalK'l, saying :

" Will you come over with me, ]Miss
Willoughby ? We wish to consult your
taste concerning some of those lovely
Ijicture::! yonder."

Mabel walked over to the group
about the little table and joined in look-
ing over the pictures, among wiiich were
some exquisite bits of French scenery,
over which was being held a laughing
dispute.

Mr. Chessom, sitting not far away,
playing chess with .Judge Harcourt,
looked on with a hidden half smile. lie
did not fail to perceive his nej^hew's
evident preference for pretty Mabel, and
he watched the young couple serenely,
all unmindful of the glowering of Glen-
cora's black eyes, or the uneasinr^ss in
her mother's restless, furtively, glancing
ones.

"Just suited to each other," he soli-
loquized. " Bertram's a fine lad ; and
he can't find a sweeter little fairy for a
wife than Mabel, in the country."

Very different were Mrs. Leigh Ches-
som's mentally uttered thoughts. That
manoeuvring lady had all along been de-
sirous that her brilliant daughter should
wed the banker's handsome, wealthy
nephew; and, now that she plamly saw
how madly Glencora was learning to love
her cousin, her desire strengthened to
a determination.

" Was he infatuated ?" she asked her-
self, that " with bright, beautiful Glen-
cora's lavishing, bewitching, flattering
smiles upon him, he could find eyes or
ears for any other woman.

Alas ! the perverseness of humanity !
Here was quiet, almoBt slyly reticent

U\^

r V

THE RAXKEirS nRAXDCUILDHUX,

(

little ]\rab('l, wJio iicvci' tltittoivd, and
vvliost! sinilcs, tliougli bright ami wiiinin,!.'.
wcrc^ not tilt' eiic'lianting smiles of a
siicu ; and, in licrpivsi'iu*', Waldo^i'a\(!
ioi'got ill! the manifold charms of tiic
hiilliant heiress — tlie l>rij.'ht, piciuant,
han<-lity yonni? lieauty, witli whom half
the clcijaidcH of hoiulon were wildly
enamourtjd, .and hovered most de\ot-
edly ahont the- jiretty, i)einiiless or-
plian.

Lady AViiniilreil and (lleneora were
exaniiniiiir th<' handsome toy on tlie
etaiterie when ti»e latter said,witli asu-
pereilioiis glaneeat Willoujrlihy.who was
gaily ri'[)lyin^ to some lively bt/iliii(iijco\'
meny IJosie Castleinaine'<.

'' How that insutt'erahly conceited I'dji
yonder must iiave annoyed you, nry dear
l^ady Winnifred — grandpa's clerk, I
mean, lie is such a dignified sixM'imcu
that I designate him the (hand l>uke.
That idiotic little ( 'astlemain,'' added
slie, "has just sense enough to listen
with her little eyes wide open to his dry
discourse, anil smirk at his occasional
insipid witticisms, lait 1 was I'cally re-
lieved when mamma inventeil some
pretext for ridding you o\' the tiresome
dolt. Of course, mamma saw, as I did,
how awfully borod you were."

"But if I looked l)ored, ^liss Ches-
som, my looks told a very naughty false-
hood, lor I was mucli interested instead,'"
said Winnifred smiling calmly. , .

Glenco 'a laugTiod sarcastically.

'* Indeed,'' said she ; -'cif course then,
mamma and 1 were stui»i(lly mistaken,
and merely imagined that you looked ■
so, perhapa, because — for me at least his |
— shall 1 call it g<'ntlemanly gravity, or i
stifl' platitude — would be surticiont to '
bring on an attack of the dismals were '
I compelled, for an hour, to listen to
him. You see, niy dear Lady Winni-
fred,"she continued lightly, "I am a very
commonplace ptn'son — not romantic or
sentimental in the smallest degree. 1
should languish now wliere there was
not a liberal si)riiikling of uKjsculine
hiiUianity ; but they must be fellows of
the jolly, agreeable sort. Nothing l)ores '
me so horril)ly as a specimeii of tlie '
lofty, intellectual kind." I

Certainly Miss fhessom was what is j
tei-med 'slangv.' and bailv Wimiifred I

was now and then smnewhat shocked,
and considerably amustvl.

•* Now there is < ol. Vivian and Majoi*
' astl. i'ord, and your cousin, Fuirleigh,
they have lite and vivacity. Yoiireousin
is charmingly j<dly, bady Winnihed —
awkAvard as a clown" — iiUMitally. •■ Ah,
here he comes, and \Villoiigiil)y with
him," slic added : and in a UKtment or
two both gentlemen had crossed over,
and Were beside them.

< llcu'-ora was always Hirting. Tonigiit
>he ha I snubbed the blonde Colonel :
and he was just now (piite «levoted to
IMis-! I.ocksley. ]\Iajor Castleford at
present was Hirting with one of Judge
llarcoiirt's languiil tlaughters ; ami Bert-
ram Waldegrave ( ilencora was pertinaci-
nusly trenting with su])erlative inditfer-
eiu-e. So at present Fairleigh was tlie
only available flirtee : and tiiat young
gentleman, half bewildered by her en-
chantments, was uncertain as to wlRvther
the lovely heiress was an anyel with
whom it would be presumtiou to fall in
love, or, as he had heai'd say, a heartless,
alluring siren.

Toward Willoughby Glencora was
haughtily indit^eient. She rarely ven-
tured to snub 01-. in his presence, ridi-
cule him; the ca,!m air of chillingly
polite indifference which he always
maintained toward her, generally re-
pelled the insults which she would
fre(|uently have liked to ntter.

Lady St. Ayvas glanced a lai\guid rlis-
appi'oval at lier daughter, as she sat
pleasantly comeising with Willoughby.
Not that ha.ly St. Ayvas thought oi'
such a thing as her aristocratic daughter
falling in love with the banker's clerk.
Sij(di a ridiculous ideanever entered her
iniad : Inu. as she afterward expressed
it to her daughter, " that Willoughby
girl and her l)rother were (piite suitieient-
ly assumptive without encoui-agement."
_ Long after Maplevvood house, on the
night of which we have been writing,
was silent, and it-' inmates had retired,
Earni'st Willoughliy paced to and fro in
his chamber—his ' brain whirlina— his
heart thumi>ingtumultuouslv. He had
fallen in love \yith all tli<^ fervor of which
a natuie, like his is capable, with I^dy
Wuuiified: and his j.a^ssion was all the
deeper that it was hopeless— for hope-

77/ /; n. 1 VA' /•;/.' n a n .1 a ix 7/ / /. /> /.' kx.

ivJiar sI,o,rko<l.

\oi,r cousin
»> iiiiijfivd—

"'"""'lit 01

'o- '''"lljjriil

','■ <-'<>!'>)„.I :
<h'vnt,'<l to

'<' of,rlu^^^,

?' and Boit-
« P<^i'tinuei-
'^ iiulim>i--

'lilt yonn^r
^lei' (.„.

'i.iji'J witJi
to fiifi in

'^b' ven-
leo, ndi-

iiillijiijlv

ally j-'p.

' ■»vonl(f

Hi' I diV
Jie .sat
",^'Jibv.

tdu or
".afhter

E^d Jie,.

fpssed

i.irhbv

piont-

ent.""

1 tfir

itjiiir.
ired,.
I'o in
-hi>

licJi
adv

I ,

was; lici woii.ii

-DDJl

luiv

r.iit I'vf cDiiif to lii<l .\<)ii ,:{()od-ln>'

t'iou:.'lit <>r\vo(>lii.rand\viiiniu<i the oyuo- I'o;' tlie piisciit, Birdie,'' said Clicssom a

snre a- I.iidy St .\y\as' Itcaiitiliil daM::li-
l(M' : Mild 111' t(ild Iiiuisfiri-f.-oliitely t!iat
ho imist and ^v(lal(I cniKiiu-!' liis lovo of

her. We
resii'.N «'.

-!ial

enou'rn

faint-

III

MOW

k.-jit

111'

f'lrAITEli Xli.

litlh' wliik- hiU-r ; i'();sd<iii s wl'I
to iitti'Jid to liusiiir>saL last."

"doing away'.'" Bifdi<' asked
ly.

•• I'on't i(.>ok aLiIiasL little itirlie," an-
swiiiil .larvis, t\vistin>,^ont'ofh«T silken
rurls 'I'ouiul and "lound on liis tinirer.
Polsdon's i.'state is only a litxle way i'rom
4nee we lelt Wa!(!s. it is lumr 'sunset <'windai'on: and we sliall not bo gone
of a cliill Noveiui..!- dav on which we inneli moic than a wecdv ; so you see it's
)iow writ.-, and .Ian-is Cli^ssoni ha.s just iiot!;iii,i:dr;'a<ll'ul alt. t all, aii<l I'll seacfh
.lisinounted his hoisc hefofe tlie doovof Kilnivoch through for pretty things for

yon, "What do you particularly desire
nie to hi'ing you, Birdie?''

I'or reply Bir<[ie dropjjcd her fuce\on
her hands and smothered a sob. < 'hes-
sorn drew her gently toward him.

*' Why my dea.r little Tiiidie," said he ;
"sliall you miss me so very much ? A
week isn't veiy long you know — though
by .Jove ! it will seem so to me without
you, my littlti girlie."
Birdie sighed.

''A. week will sei'^e very long, sir.
but "

' " But what Birdie ?" -larvis asked.
' " l>ut f w'as tJiinking ofafterthat sir,'

Something like a week has sli;iped by

Mrs. < iimi/s cottage. Within therein;
a crudf yet sweet girlisii voice caroling
some (juaintanomaloiis tune ; audChes-
som [iauses to listiMi .\t its ending he
ent<>r.-.

" ' 1 heard the wee binl singing,' " la;
exclaimed gaily ; and Birclie tin-ned
'rouiKl with a blush and a bright smile.

"Sing fi.gain, Birdie," saitl he,- sitting
down and thrusting Jtis hands in liis
l)ockets with an air of attention.

Birdie liesitated and said with a
blush :

''But I can't sing pretty like the
iadies you«<ire used to hearing sing, sir.

N''.» one ever taught me how, only Dame said Birdie. '• l>on't you remember,

L'olley's brother ; he was valet or some- you said the other day that you shoukln't

thing to an Italian geiitleman who was stay in Cwmdaron but a day or two,after

a groat singer and violinist, Signor On — you and Mr. Polsdon returned?'' and

(tU — . Oh, I iorget what he called him. Birdie's fa(;e dropped on her hands

" No matter," said Jarvis ; " but you again,
haveatinevoice, Birdie, if it isn't culti- 1 .. j^^ i ^hall though, Birdie," said

vate<l. Sing agam. Don't you know j^j.^jj^ . i' Tm not going back to England

any songi

'' 1 know this ono," said Birdie ; and
.-the sang the old ballad :

for ever so many weeks.
Birdie's face grew radient.
" Oh! I am so glad !" saiil she.
Chessom laughed gaily.
" That's, right, l)irdie : brighten np,"
Her voice, tremidous at first, grew ' said he •* Why \-our face is like an
sweeter and steadier as she procee<led. April day. all showers and sunshine.

•'ow Clin !i fioor (Jip.sy iTiiiidcn like mc

Ever hope th" i'lond LriiK til' a n^ljle to Ije '!"

She ^ang clearly, powerfully, and, con
siderimr the very small amount of cnlti

And now teUme,what shall 1 bringyou?
A picture, eh '! ( >h never mind the
vation which her voice had received, j thanks and all that. Ve'S I'll bring you
with a marvellous sweetness and purity, a ilozen or so of the jirettiest 1 can Hnd.
<Jhessom was really astonished. j And now what else? What? — more

■' Why Birdie," he said when she had j books? Why you're a I'egular little
Htiished, '' you have what will be one of | book- worm ; but I'll bring you another
the Very finest voices 1 ever heard, if j ease of them And now what in the
l)roperly» cultivated. That was ready | way of finery ? A new cloak perhaps.

well rendered."

• and a pretty set of furs — liow would

Birdie blushed and smiled, and they i those suit Birdie ?"
chattered on. • ■ ■ | Birdie's eyes sparkled

TilE BAXA'EirS GRAXDCniLDREX.

' I

" Oh I thoHO would l)o (leli;,'htful sir,"
said sl»t>.

" And thfi protticst ^ipVX locket I can
find," added .Iai"is. <' All \'vj\\i, it's set-
tled then ; and here comes the Gimj'."

Mrs (limp eiitcMed witli a courtsej',
and presently .Jarvis rose to depart, say-
inj»:

" Polsdon and I are going to take our-
selves otr to-morrow. (liiupy. Be sine
and ti\ke goodcaic^of little Bii-die, while
I'm gone, which \vi:l only be for a week
or so."

Mrs. Gimp promised lo do .solo the
l.'Ost of her ability, and, bidding blaster
-Farvis a hasty good-bye, bustled out of
the little i)arlour to attend to her eo^l;-
ery, which, she declared, was '' al. a
burnin' n\\ !"

" Chessom took Birdie's slender little
hand in his own. lie was growing
strangely fond ot his jnotege. Ib'r
womanly ways somehow made him lor-
got how nnu'h a child she was in years

" Good-bye, little girlie,'' he said ,

"Good-bye sir,'' faltered Birdie

Jarvis looked ^own at the singularly i
lovely lace, with its litfuid'dark eyes full !
of such a troubled expression ; and the I
next moment Birdie found herself in!
the arms of thi;^ aristocratic young gen- 1
tleman, receiving his impulsive kisses. '

Ten minutes later, as he rode away
from the Gimp cottage he shrugged half
impatiently at the recollection.

Birdie pressed her crimson cheek
against the window pane and watched
Jarvis Chessom's figure disappearing in
the gray twilight.

" When there is love in the heart,"
we are told, " there are rainbows in the
eyes " Surely there must have been
much love in the peasant girl's heart
that dim November night, or such a
passionate glory could never have
beamed from those unfathomable eyes
of her's.

" By Jove ! Chessom, you must have a
sweetheart somewhere in Cwmdaion or
its vicinity. These hoi-seback rides
mean something, as siu-e as fate. Did
you bid her good-bye to-night?"

Char ie Polsdon said thisj sauntering
up to Chessom, as the latter entered the

little parlour of the
evening.

'Lion' ir.n that

Chessom looked supreme contempt.

" F'ooh ! what a lautK you are, Pols-
don,"' said he. '• Who do you suppose'
she is? — oui- worthy landlortl's .s»j[uare-
toed daughter?"

Polsdon smiled calmly.

"Not exactly,'' .said he. "By the^
way, who is Birdie AVylde ?"'
I Chessom scowled savagely.

" What do you mean?'' he asked.

" Nothing particularly," said Charlie,
coolly, " only I found this besides y our
writijig desk, and I was a little cuVious
to know wIk) the young lady was — that's
all.'' " '

Chessom took the s ip of paper which
Polsdon li(>|(l out, with a euiious air, and
read the words which weic written upon
it in hi^i own handwriting: "Birdie.
r.ii(li(> Wv'de, ' was scrawled, " little
lin-die.-'

" I say, my rlear fello-.v, who is she?'
pui'svi-'d I'olsdon,

Cliessoni crushed thesiijiof jjiiuerajid
tossed it into the lire, <ndy deigning
Polsdon another scowl in reply.

" By Jove I" said Polsdon, assuming an
injured expiession ; " but you needn't
level such a scowl as thatata fellow, my
dear boy." •

"At what time ai-e we to start to-mor-
row ?" asked Chessom, without noticing
his friend's remark

"At half-past eight oVock, A. M.,"
answered Polsdon ; " but my dear fel-
low, don't you know it isn't according to
the rules of etiquette to change a con-
versation with such abruptness ? If you
won't tell me wbn Birdie Wylde is, tell
me is she handsome ?— she ought to be,
with such a deuced pretty name. Has
she golden hair?— Pve a weakness for
Titian colored tresses."

"Will you go to Guinea ?" asked Jarvis,
walkmg stiffly over to a window oppo-
site. ^^

Polsdon smiled, and pulling a news-
paper from his pocket began pe. using
its columns.

CHAFIER XIII. "

It is just a week since Birdie stood at
the httle parlour window last, watching
Chessom, as he rode aWay in the dull
November dusk. It is evening again,
and she parts the chintz curtains and

\'.

% tluM

Ule ?•'

" i iiton II.

'^ 'needn't
'^ notici,

<^ear fe].
'ordingto

ffe a con-
Jfyou
t's, telJ
it to be,
e- Has
ness for

Jar

Vis.

ne^irg.

"sing

■f^'

...-■*^

JcUt

hing
dull

ain,

uid

r///: BAXKEn'S aRAXDCinLDUEX.

looks Jrouniilv out into thr gray twi-

Ifel.t.

" Who knows but he has oonie to-
night,"" she luuinuu'rt, " iind will he here
to-morrow ? — Uh ! 1 hoi)e so."

Presently she discerns, in the gather-
ing (Inrkness, a figure mounted on liorse-
back coming toward the cottage. She
watches steadily for a moment or two,
antl then murmurs breathlessly :

" It is he ! it is Mr. Chessom !"

The next moment the horse is reined
before the cottage porch, and Birdie
runs excitedly out to meet its rider.

Jarvis sprang from his saddle, crying
gaily :

" Holoa I Birdie, you weren't expect-
ing me so early — were you little girlie ?"

'• No indeed," answered Birdie ; '• but
oh ! I'm so glad youVe come sir."

Just then Mrs. Gimp appeared at the
door courtesying, and they entered the
cottage. Chessom threw himself care-
lessly into the big arm chair, with its
stiti" back and puffy chintz covered cush-
ions ; and Birtlie sat down on a cricket
at his feet, and looked up at him with
bright black eyes.

"I'm famished, ravenous, Glmpy,"
said Chessom. " 1 didn't stop at the
' Lion' longenough for supper, and I've
a wolfish appetite."

''Bless your life Master Jarvis, 'ow
thoughtless of me not to a thought of
it," said Gimp, and she bustled off.

Chessom looked down at Birdie.

" Were you quite well dux'ing my ab-
sence, little girlie ?" he asked.

" Oh, yes sir, quite ; but it's been such
a long, long week."

"Did you remember to dream of me
missey ?" he asked laughingly.

" I dreamed of you every night sir,"
Birdie answered artlessly.

Chessom slipped a glossy ringlet be-
tween the leaves of his pocket-book, as
Mrs. Gimp entered to lay the table for
supper. Birdie, with a blush and a
bright little smile, had severed this jetty
tress from her head, at his request, and
in return, Chessom had given her a
miniature likeness of himself, at which
the girl gazed half worshipfuUy.

After the evening meal was partaken
of, Chessom resumed his seat in f;he old
arm chair, and looked down at Birdie,

who had taken her si^at on the cricket

again.
"Little

Htfrlously,
1 received

girlie," \\o said,

v<' something to tell you. ^ . ..

yesterday, a telegram from London which
inlbrme<l me of the illn«'ss of my grand-
father ; so you see, Birdie, I am com-
pelled to leave Cwmdaron at au early
hour to-monow. I'm sorry to leavi^
you, little girli*-; and I «lare say you'll
find it i)okey enough here ; but I'll send
you I (K)ks and jiretty things every dny
or two ; and sometimes Birdie, I'll como
over and se«' you again.''

" Is yotu- grandfather very ill, Mi-.
Chessom?' asked Birdie, trying to be
calm, though the bright caVnation in
her cheeks had faded to the palest
pink.

" Very ill at present, though, as he is
somewhat subject to those attacks,
hopes are entiM-tained of his recovery,"
said Chessom.

Birdie sighed. In all her life before
she had never had any one to care for
ber, excepting crusty Dame Policy's
lame brothei-, who had taken a fancy to
her bright face and quaint old-fashioned
ways, and had taught her to read and
sing ; and at his death had bequeathed
her two or three old books an<l a little
gold ring which he had purchased yeaiK
ago, he told Birdie, to ac^prn the
finger of a bright-eyed peasant maiden,
who proved to be a faithless coquette,
and (lisdainfully returned the bright lit-
tle circlet when a swain, possessed of
more of the world's goods, happened
along.

Whimsical, capricious Jarvis Chessom
had been very kind to this homeless
orphan, and she had learned to regard
him with a species of idolatry.

" Don't look so sorrowful. Birdie," said
Jarvis. "Sometime I'll drop into Cwm-
daron again wlien you're least expect
ing me."

Birdie made a desperate effort to
choke back her tears and failed ; with
an irrepressible .stoi-m of sobs and weep-
ing she buried her face in her hands.
Jarvis was always in an agony when
witnessing a woman's tears. lie caught
Birdie in his arms with passionate im-
pulsiveness.

"My darling, my precious little

Tin: n.iyK'r:irs anAMtciiruiiiKX.

I' I

!Jir.ii.>:" li:' i-ir-l ; '• \ sluiH WA lik- ;i

i'lUtf to IciV.' >M'l ivi tlli> lIlOJi.''..

tiiitl;m.lirt]i jilnwi-."'

nifilic lookt'l ;i;., !-"viii>r fulti-i'iiiL'ly :

'' ft isn't tllJlt, -iV. 1 llilVC IxMMI Vi'!'V

h,ipi)y Ik'Ic, i)M(l M;-. Oiiiip liu.- l'<'!n

V© -v k\\v\ to nil' : It.it "'

"r.UtwIlilt.litllr iru.ll'.'? M;li'vl>.il!( ;-

lion 'A.

*' But I ftn-l us it' I w.-M' iic\cr ;.rM!ii;r '<■<
-cc yon a,Lj!iin. sir. Oh I I wni sni.' I
iicvNT shall!" iind ?>ii'Ue broke <l'.\v;i
;t>riiin.

"Nonsense, ])ii''rK',"' answeitil ( he.-
'oin : "wlien the pator vecevei', I'l!
Miai'ch straijiht l-iiek to "Wales on I'lii-
pose to s('(^ yon ; and Pll get >onie nioe
sensible lady or dthcr to taj-.e you to
her honso and teacli yon m;i>ic and
I'rt'nch and drawing', and all the l.id.y-
lik(^ aceomplishnuMits. CIict up little
•girlie."

iSo Birdie brightened np as he Iiado
li(M ; and wlion ho bont to kis«i her
good-bye that night, she choked ht-:'
sobs bravolybuok.an<l sniiled tip bright-
ly throtigh hor toars, ovon when her
heart koi>t whisporingniotu'nfully : 'dfc
will never come l)aek ! f shall neve!',
never see him airain ! '

CHAITER XIV.

''vWhat an idiot I ami One wo'ild
tl^iiik X was really in love with thoijiieer
waif—a mere child too: nud yet she is
)iot atallchildisli.bnt verywomaiily and
miirvc}l,nisly pretty, too, if slu; weiv
oidy fasu'ionably arrayed."'

.larviis .fOliessom .solikwiiii/ed thus,
while being .whirled in the rAilv.ny train,
away i'roni gray little ("\nn(L'U-on and
Birdie Wylde

''Poor littk girl, how portentously."
slw murmured: *' I leel us if [ wen-
never going to .«f e you again," Clieissoia
went on soliloqtihinf!;'. "'What a lUncy
tlu^. little creatufi- .has taken for me to
be sure. I was au idiot to promise th<'
little thing that J "d. journey all tlie way
back to that stnind Welsh village ; btit
.■nhe really looked woebegone, i:)onr
child ; and now 1 axxl in for it. I unist
keep my word antl g«^ack to Cwmdaron
as soon as grandfather a-ecovers."

It was raining disagreeably when the
rv^ip. set Jarvis down at the railway

station, fi"o;n whence h- wa^ driven ii
the travelling carri.ige to Mai>'ewoo(
house by old Perkitis the coaeh-maii

".Vlitt'e euwier. sir. but very ill in
deed, still," was Perkitis' reply to('he>
som's iu'piiry as to wliether his gram!
lath'r was any bettei-. 1

Mr. < hessoin w;is sutl'ei'ing severe!;, '
from an attf'ck of pneumonia, to wliici'
In* was subject, ivnd which now, as wel,
as on several jtreviotis occasions, thri'a;
encd to prove fatal.

'• Home at lust, thnidc fovttme,'" sai i
.Tarvis sj^ringing from the vehicle, as ii
stopped In'iore the door of .Majdewooil
house, and entering he ran nj» staiiv

(llenoora, who was <lescending thf
<tair-case was the first to welcome liei
l>rother.

''.So you've letnrned,"' was her firs;
L,'reeting, after a stare of sin'i>rise at th-
al)rupt rencontr(^ *' I thought yoii
■were never coming back. How like.'
fright you look. Yoti must be famished .
I'm always ravenous after a journey.'

".Sim]dy starved !" answered herbrti
ther. "jlow is grandd'ather ? — an\
better?"

" A very little. J)r. Trawford tells us :
I >ut dangerous still. Poor, dear grand-
l)apa — too l>ad, really— jtist as wo were
about getting np oin- dramatics, too."

"Oh! bother your dramatics. Ah,
here comes the mater." ; • '

Mrs C'hessom, perceiving her son,
advanced. She was a handsome woman,
still elegant and well preserved.

'• My dear boy," exclaimed she, ex-
tending her hand ; " 1 thought you
would never retin*n. Did you leave that
stupid i*ol.^-d"n in Wales?"

" Yes. at iiis own estate. Can I see
grandf'aVuf ;at once ?"

"No, not at once: he is sleeping at
present. Do go to your chambei-and
make yourself presentable You cut a
sad figure i)i those travel-soiled gar
ments. bady Winnifred iSt. Ayvas, who
is in the drawing-room yonder, would
really be quite shocked were she to sei
you as you appear just now; she is sc
fastidious.".

" Oh ! so she's that kind of damsel, i-
she? — one of the over-nice, exact sort.
eh?"

" Nothing of the kind," replied Mrs.

TiiK /^^A'A'/•;/l'^s• (ni.\xi>rtiiLi)in:y.

8.'i

< 'liosssni. "Slip i-i siiiif>ly im rlt^jiant,
u'vaccful youuii lady; and lor on«;t<
.law, pray, <'iidoav*)i' to Ih' more gallant,
and l«'MS outlandislily hizun-t.''^

'• oh ! l>otlu'r gallantry I' ;zro\vl«'d tlio
ticii' of ^laplowood. "lloloa! lion-'s

Mabl«', wlio had loarnotl from a so r-
viint of .larvis* rrtiirn, faint* fonvardwith
;i iMcny smile of wolconu'.

''Back again Jarv; I am so <;lad to
-(•(' you,'' sho eriod gaily.

Ciiossom caught hi« little cousin,
-aluting h(M' with a hearty kiss, (ilen-
<ora toss<»(l her head scornhilly, and
«w.('ftt on down to the drawing-room.

Something like an hour later the
lianker awoke, and was pronounced by
Dr. (.'rawford very much better after his
long an<l refreshing sloej). On learning
I hat his grandson had returned he ex-
j)it>ssetl his desire to see him, and
• I'arvis, who was sunnnoned, went up to
the apartment wlieirin his grandfather
was confined.

.larvis sat by bin bed-side for some-
thing like a half houi-, and then Mr.
Chessom s.iid :

"Tkoro my boy, go <lown to our
guests. I need not detain you longer
in this dismal chamber with its shaded
ligh ts and overpowering odor of campbor
and liniments. "And Grace,"' he added,
addressing Mrs. Chessom ; " pi-ay pro-
ceed with your ordinary amusements in
the drawing-room. I thall not be in
the least disturbed if you jilay and sing
as much as you please. 1 think I shall
try another nap now. (ioodnight,
Jarvis my boy."

Five minules later Jarvis was in the
purple draw^ing-room, and being form-
ally presented to stately l.a<ly St. Ayvas
and her graceful daughter.

" By Jove!'' said be, mentally, as he
sat near Lady Winnitred, endeavoring
to do the agreea>)le; "but isn't shea
stunner though? Lofty and grand, and
exquisitely graceful — too much so tor
me ; she'd suit Ernest much better.
She's superb tlwugh, and puts even
<ilen in the shade. How Glen is flirting
with that bluff little Fairleigli. Ptxir
wretch, I pity him."

" Is not Lady Rozenthrall about to
-sing ?" asked Lady Winnifred, glancing

aM'o>- ihc drawing room tu the piano,
arouutl wliieli «|iiiti' a gi'oup ha I
giithi'reil.

hiidy Ko/.enthrall, who had latel\
aniveil as a gU''»it at .Maplewood house,
\vi' have until now, omitted to mention.
Slit' was the late l.or<l lio/eiithrall's
widow. A singularly beautiftd woman,
with a jiiili', pi'ouil I'iu'e ; and so yoin»^
and liiir, in aiipearaiu''*, tiiat one would
sciircely have belii-vcd ii.-r to be five au<l
thirty years ol age Her marriage with
Lord Hozi-ntlii'all, it was rumored, was ii
eouipulsory one; ho' father, the hit**
biiroiiet Sii' Montlbrt Windham, havinp,
forced his daughter into this union with
his lordship.

Lady Kozeiithrall was v»'ry w«•alth^ .
and ail ooeasional visitor at Maplewood
house. I<he took her seat at the instru-
ment as Liidy Winnifred sjtoke, and
.suig aiid played " Lucia di Lammyr-
im)or."'

The: • was a dec)) passion — a thrilliiitr
inttMise sadiu-ss in the rich, unl'altering
tones of her beaiitilul contralto voice.
The hush whii'h i)ervade<l the drawing
room, as she sat down before the instru-
ment, burst into an entluisiastic little
vofifeiatiou of api)Iause as she ceased
singing and turned away.

Lady Winnifred glanced eui'iously at
Chessom as Lady Ii'ozenthrall sang. He
was gazing so fixedly at the latter, with
such an ex)iiession of puzzled perplexity;
and <M-en after the lady's voice had
ceased, still jegardetl her with such
singular intentness that ha'ly Winnifr'vl
half woiiil.'i'ed ii' tlie gay. nonchalant
young hcii' ol Ma])'ewood had not falhni
suddenly in l'<ve with this eold, proui'.
lady.

'• What a snberb voice Lady Ik>zcii-

thrall has." remarked Lady AVinnifred.

Chessom turned ^vith a slight start.

Il(> had evidently ibrgotten Lady Winni-

frcd's pres(!nce

" Ves," replied he; "a niagnific nf

voice, truly : and 1 once heard ii voice

ISO very like her lady.ship's that, ha<i it

been a lictle less crude, and mere fully

■cultivated, it would have been precisely

i the same."

j "Indeed that is singulav : there are
I very few voices just like J.ady Kozei-
i thrall'-: her's is so gloriously ringing,

THE BAXKUns GRANDCHILDREN.

1/1

I' ..I
1 i

so passionately, mournfully, swoet."
^ '* The voice ot which I spoak," said
(^liessom, " was quite a.s ringing and ax
passionately sweet, but the sorrowful
pathos which characterizes her lady-
ship's rendering of such pathetic songs
us the one which she has just heon sing-
ing, though much the same, was 2iot so
luournfully det]) and touching."

C'iencora, glancing at her brother at
tiiat moment, wondered that he was
•'onversing thus seriously.

''After all," thought she, "who knows
but Jarv may fall in love with her stiff,
stately, gold tressed ladyshij). How
<lelighted that silken tonedhyp.xritical
old cat, her mother, would be. Men
have queer tastes ; but I should have
given even Jarv the credit of possessing
better sense. I hate that stately per-
bonification of dignified elegance already.
They have come here—the slv, mer-
cenary, poverty- sti-icken creatures— for
the purpose of entrapping Jarv into
marriage with Winnifred. Mamma
thmks it would be a very suitable match;
Ijut I detest the girl alreadv. I hate
keeping up a semblance of civility
toward her. And I do believe the idiot
IS becoming, in spite of herself, in love
with that beggarly Willoughby. How
the elderly party would fume were she
to discover the fact. I can imagine her
scornful— "wy daughter and a clerk
1 rideed ! " 1 hope ,1 arvis will disappoin t
them m the end. What sport it woidd
l»e now, if the never-ending visit, which
1 see they purpose making, should
amount to nothing after all 1"

CHAPTER XY.

MR. lUMMEI.TOX.

The days sped swiftly by, and the
l)anker, after his sudden Unn for the
l)etter, speedily convalesced. Prepara-
tions for the proposed amateur theatri-
cals progressed with rapidity. Tlu'v
were to take place at Christmas, an<'l
th«re was all the confusion of rehearsals
scene-painting, fixing, etc. (ilencora
Oheasom was in anything but an agree-
able frame of mind. Instead, she was
in a decidedly savage humor on the
particular Bight of which we are writing,

Artimise, her French waiting-maid,
who, in three years service of her capri-

cious young mistress, had grown very
much accustomed to her freakish fits ot
furious temper, was fully aware, as she
combed out Glencora's long black tresses
that night, that that young lady was in
an unusually unamiable mood.

Most people could find very little that
was attractive about this slender, cat-
like French girl, Artimise ; but Glen-
cora had taken a peculiar fancy to hei-
from ±h« first, when she came in answei
to an advertisement for an experienced
waiting maid, which the banker had
caused to be inserted in one of the Lon-
don papers ; and such a decided fancy
did Miss Chessom take for the French
girl, that cle at once determined to
engage her without one reference. She
had marvellous skill and tact, exquisite
taste and deft, nimble fingers. In short
she was all that could possibly be desired
as a ady's maid; and the longer Miss
Chessom retained her the more indis-
pensable she found her.

"Artimise," demanded Miss Chessom
suddenly, after a few moments' silence,
during which she had sat, looking dis-
contentedly at her reflection in the
mirror opposite, while her maid un-
bound and combed out her hair, " tell
me what you think of our guests ?— of
my cousin, Mr. Waldegrave, for in-
stance ?"

" Oh, I think him very elegant, verv
distingue, Madamoisolle," said the girl
smilingly. '

" Bah I one can see all that at a glance;
but what more, Artimise ? Speak freely:
you are quick at reading faces."

"I think him keen-sighted, Mada-
moiselle, and a very little cynical, and
intensely proud; but I never should
have thought his taste so— so verv
?izarr«, my lady."

"What makes you think his taste so
odd?" inquired Glencora carelessly.

*|0h, he is attentive of late to that
insipid httle creature. Miss Willoughby.
He will marry her yet— depend upon it,
Madamoiselle."

Tir"^j?,?* "0"8ense,Artimi8eI" exclaimed
Miss Chessom, scornfully. " I gave you
the credit of possessing more shrewdness.
My cousin sees, of course he cannot help
it,how determinedly the girl is bent upon
captivatmg him ; and he merely amuses

'*^;f*^'

"•».;

ecameinanswe,

the h^-'^f "«nced
^«e banker had
none of the 1^7
% decided fane,'

<ietermined to
f ference. Sh^ ,

'^/% be desire,
'^^e laoi-e indis.

^^««Chessoni
cents' silence.
^'/poking dis-
'^*ion in thf.
r n^aid un. 4
;^rhair, '(tell
^gttests?-^r
^'^'^'^ forl^.

THE BANKERS GRAXDCUILDREN.

fare,

'?J?ant, verr

f^icith^gS:

atagJance;
^eak freejy;

^d? Afada-
'^^"^''ai, an(/
^er should
■so vejv

' taste so
58s]y.

f to that
J°"«iibv.
I' "pon It,

liiinsolf l.y occasionally flirting with the
little imbecile That is aimplyall. But
we are to receive a new guest to-morrow
— a Mr. Rimmelton. Grandpapa is en-
tliusiastic about him. His father was a
very intimate friend, and a college chum
«»f papa's, I believe ; and Belle Harcourt,
who met him at the house of a mutual
friend in Lomlon, declares he is really
rxquisite. Of course she is no judge ;
but I mean to be splendidly gotten up
when he arrives, anyhow. I shall want
you to take two hours for my head."

"I suppose the gentleman is wealthy?"
said Artimise, interrogatively.

'•Bah! iio, poor as anything," said I
(Jlencora contemptuously. " His father,
who resides in Morf ombe, was once im-
mensely wealthy ; but lost nearly every
farthing a year or two ago, in some
speculation or other. So he now sends
his son and heir fi-om Morcombe to
Twickenham in search of a wife, in the
person of .the granddaughter of the
wealthy banker. Won't 1 disappoint
the clan though ? I must look superb
to-morrow night, Artimise. I shall wear
the richest toilette, suitable for the oc-
casion, in my wardrobe, and it must be
something which will look well with
rubies — I must wear my rubies; they
become me marvellously."

" Your black velvet, Mademoiselle,"
suggested Artimise.

" Y<;s, that will do. You may go now,
Aj'timise," and the French girl gUded
away.

Glencora sat down before the fire, her
long black hair streaming <iown ovei the
<rimson cushions of the rocker into
which she had sank carelessly.

*' Oh ! how I detest that Uttle simple-
ton. Judge Harcourfb wife. I could
have strangled the httle idiot when she
told me, with one of her detestable gig-
gles, that if I said another word agaiust
5lr. Waldegrave acting as (''orsair to
Miss Willoughby's Gulnare, she should
actually believe me jealous."

Glencora's black eyes flashed as she
soliloquized.

Judge Harcourt's energetic little wife
had at Mrs. Chessom's request, under-
taken the management of the pnvat»:
theatricals. She selected pl&.ys, listened
to rehearsals, planned various costumes

for the various participants in the di-a-
matic amusements, and searched th».'
family jewt;! casket for gems most suit-
able for the adornment of the actors.
That eveuhig the merry little . lady
had summoned her troupe to the library
for their first rehearsal, and, much to
Mrs. Chessom's annoyance and Glen-
cora's disgust, selected Bertram Walde-
grave as Corsair to Mabel Willoughby's
Gulnare.

" They will Ao it splendidly together
— do vou not think so, mv dears ?" she
exclaimed, running up to whei'e Glen-
cora and l4Kly Winnifred were seated.
*' Oh 1 my dear Mrs. Harcourt 1" ex-
claimed Miss Chessom ; " thfit childish
creature will be sure to spoil everything:
besides, Waldegrave will be awfully
bored."

" Bored ! oh, no, I am certain not !
He expressed himself delighted, and
seems, I am sure, marvellously inter-
ested already. Now don't you agree
with rae. Lady Winnifred, that they
will do it charmingly together.

"Why, yes, admirably, I should think.
Mr. Waldegrave looks dark and haughty
enough for a Corsair ; and lam sure Miss
Willoughbv will do Gulnare delight-
fully." " •
Glencora's lip curled.
"That silly child will make some
faiix-pas, which will render both herseU
and Bertram awkwardly ridiculous,
depend upon it, my dear Mrs. Har
court. Can you not find some part for
the Willoughby girl which no one else
wishes to take?" she asked with a
laugh.

Mrs. Harcourt was a shrewd little
woman. She nite understood Miss
Chess irn, and ^lied with a wicked
little laugh :

'' Now Glen, dear, there isn't another
part better suited to Mabel, and if you
say another word against it I shall really
behove you are jealous." She flitted
away with another merry little laugh,
not giving Glencora time to retort, and
the next moment was drilling Major
Castleford and her languid step-daughtei-
Beilo, vho were to act as Romeo and
Juiiot.

(tlencora rocked to ani fro among
her crimson cushions that night, with

u m

' 1 1

:ii

i( .""

'A^

run BANKER'S GRAXDCHILDEEX.

wrathful vohoinenO(?». That she, tlic
mtignificentbolle, who turned the liends
of men by the score, with her beauty
and briniance aud wealth, should find
;;11 her manifold charms and luring smiles
lavished for naught upon an individual
«} insensible as to be indifterent to them
iill, when in the presence of one slender,
l)lue-eyed, penniless orphan girl. Oh I
it was outrageous !

Had Waldegrave paid Jiis addresses
lo another than Mabel Willoughby, and
liad there been at present another, as
she phrased it, * decent flirtee,' wliom
-lie might dazzle with her flashing eyes

.111.1

encouraging

smiles, the brilliant

lieiross could have borne ^vithsome less
' It^gree of chagrin, her stately cousin's
(lispassion.

But as such was not the ease,' as
, \V'aldgrave seemed inclined to fail head
and ears in love with pretty Mabel, and
.;.-( she declared, there was 'not another
man worth looking at,' the fair < lliniconv
^^as in- an exceedingly unamiablemood.

To be sure there were genthnnen in-
numeiable, but most of them had learned
to beware of the dangerous beauty, their
inetaphorie wings haviiig already been
>inged.

She had flirted lavislily with our friend
I'iiirleigh, since his arrival at ^Majilewoiod
lialf bewildering that indivitlual with her
many fascinations. Ihit she tired of
t hat i)astime at lengtli, declaring that it
was 'a bore, endeavoiiug to tame such a
savage.' .,; ,^, ,."..

C'ol. Vivian was now consoK^d by the
smiles of Miss Locksleyj and dashing
-Major (.'astleford, having vauily sued for
ihe hand of the rich banker's C0'|uettish
.^rand-daughter, ^vas fluttering about
dreamy Belle irarcourt,whose papa was
knonn to be considei-ably \vealthy. Ho
Miss Chessom Avas impatient for tlie
iiirival of Mr. Rimmelton.

"What will he be I'ke, 1 won.ler?"
1 aentally queried the yo\uig lady. '• Ter
•ibly common place, doubtless; but, I
Iiope not so hideous as that barbarous
little Faii'leigh. Ha, ha ! All the way
from Morcombo in search of the thoii-
>ands which are to be mine. <")h, T shall
have him making most veJiement love
to me shortly, and then--'' and the
iuniiible Mi«s (."lics'^om lauslw^d Hjrhtlv.

The next day came, and with it eame
Mr. Rimmelton. Glencora wasresplend-
ant in rich black velvet and rubies thai
glowed magnificently; andArtimise ha<l
certainly gotten up her young lady's
head wonderfully.

Mr. Rimmelton was dazzled when
presented to the brilliant, bei ildevidgly,
charaiing heiress ; an<l that eor/nottis!!
lady discovering that her grandpapa's
new guest v.-a.s n()t only quite handsoriKi
but veiy entertaining and witty, bestow-
ed her brightest, most alluring smiles
lavishly upon him, and did her utmost
to captivate him.

Sprightly little Mrs. Ilarcourt sum-
moned her histrioiiic troupe to tlio
library, the next evening after Mr.
Riumielton's arrival, for their third
rehearsal. Of coiu-se that gentlema:i
was 'enrolled among the dramatis pa-
soruc.

''We are to play 'Much Ado About
Nothing,' "' Mrs. Ilarcourt .said, address-
ing Mr. Rimmelton. "You will favor
me by becoming Mis? Chcssom's Bene-
dict."

Ofcour.se Mr.Rijumelton was delighted
with the privilege of acting with Miss
Chessom, especially as that young lady
was so flatteringly gracious towar«l
him.

"Mr. Rimmelton is so (hhonarie, ho
vivacious," whispered the Judge's wif^
to Glencora 5 "I am certain he will do
the ])art of the lively bachelor capitally."

" 1 am immensely relieved," laughed
Glencora. " Do you know," slie added,
" that I was fearful legt you might select
that brusque, savage little Fairleigh as
my Benedict j I should never have foi-
given you, my dear Mrs. Ilarcourt, had
you done so. He acts with that Wil-
loughby girl's hiend and confident,
Rose Castlemaine, does be not? What
a charming couple they will make, to
be sure," with a scornful little laugh.

Mrs Ilarcourt chattered on.

" How delightfully your brother does
Claudio. lie makes a ca])itrtl jealous
lover ; and Ida Chesley does Hero very
nicely."

After rehersal they adjoui-ned to the
blue drawing- roum.

"The plays are all selected uoav,""
Cried Mrs. Harcourt; "and there aiV

TJIE BANKFJirS GliAXJfCHILPL'EX.

;:^ "-'th it cai^^
/^^y. bestow.

"^^, to the
after ,Vr.

gentlem-t;,
♦J» a^lUress-

*^'J"" foVOi'

«!'« Beno-

^"n« ladv
^ towuil/

pxtally.'
Unghe, \
■ added.
It select
PJ>h as
^ve foj--
't. hiul

fidenf,

ke. to
augli.

' does
alouK

ai{>

S'.l

niiitc as many as we shall be able to at- |
t'l-ud to."

*' To-uioiTow, my dear Lady Winnifred,
.vr shall decide what part you shall take;
iii(iu<jii I opine at ome, you had better
j.»hi '\\\ i\M 'Merchant of Veuioe,' as
i'wiiu, with Mr. Willoughby," nodding
\vitlia,smi'e toward Earnest, "is Lord
i.'.assanin. ^Miss Giandonacts as Ncrissa.
Tliere. that will do admirably, will it
not'."'

^[r. Willoughby smiled and bowed
eagej- assent, with an odd little thrill
I hat was a mingling of pleasure and un-
easiness, at his heart. Mrs. Chessom
lemained grav(dy silent, I^dy 8t. Ayvas
eoughed slightly, and looked haughtily
disaproving. while (deuoora's arching
«iark brnws lifteil in disdainful surprise.

By all the rest tlie proposal was carried
/ifm-con.

Mr. Chessom was now able to descend
lor an hour or two's chat in the drawing
room, and a game of whist with J udge
rfareourt ; and the remainder of the
i'vening passe<l pleasantly with its usual
loutine of music and merrv conversation.

CIIAPTEll XVI.

Twi or three days have passed, and
the one on wliich we now write is a bright
and pleasant November tlay. It is
morning, and Mabel is engaged in the
tloral decoration of the vases. She
I- lands In the breakuijst parlour with the
!>ri;aht blr»ssoms scattered about her,
nnd iiAakea p. charming picture, with her
•i» ilow gold hair looped up, and a spray
<»f vviiii-^ '-ose buds tangled in among its
ineli'v '•! i)p;«s of light. Mr. Waldegraye
enteiv" with a gir'ceful l>ow.

" (rood morning, Miss Mabel," said he.

Mabel turned with that bright smile
<if her«.

" Good morning, Mr. "Waldegrave ; is
it not a lovely morning?"

" Charming,*' replied Bertram, ad-
\ancing.

" How exquisitely you have arranged
tiiose flowers. Miss Willoughby. You
i>-i-e the household Flora."

Mabel smiled. '' Oh, I adore flowers,"
i^aid she : " I tliink I could scarcely
exist where they v/ere not."

There was a light step on tho thresh-

hold, and (dencora entered, superb ii
a rc<-hi;rc!n' moi'iiing toilette.

•'."^Sentimentalizing';" she asked sav-
castically, catching something of Mabel"-;
last M'ords,

Mr. Wal<!(\^'ravo glanced smilingly
around as lu' linislied fastening a velvet)
blos-om in the buttoudiole of his coat.

'^lionjovr, my dear cousin," said he.
"No, we wore not sentimentalizing ;
but we w. !•(• admiring those charmiii.;
flowers. Call you wonder when your
cousin has arranged them in such an
exquisite manner?"

ChMK'r'ia glanced indiflerently toward
the bo(p.!(rts which Mabel was ju'eparing
for the vasi ;. and, carelessly picking up
a crimson luoss rose bud that kiy among
the gay blooms in the fanciful basket, iii
whiili Mal»el had gathered them, jjassed
overto an opi>osite windo^v.

^.'^rs. Chessom entered i>resently, and
her ilaughtor turned from the window,
saying ;

'• Mamma, whatever in the world is
the meaning of this last freak of Jarv's '.'"

"What freak, my dear?" inquired
]\I)'s. Chessom.

"Why, I actually heard him last
night, endeavoring to persuade Cai)taii,
Denham of the Scots Greys torepreseni
him, and play Claudio, and begging
Mrs Harcourt to accept the Captain a-
a substitute, as business of importance,
he said, would call him back to Wales.
Ami he declared to Lady >^. Ayvas, a
few moments later, that he really found
it necessary to start wiihin a week."

Mrs. Chessom looked surprised ami
annoyed.

"Is it not too i»rovoking of .larvis ?"
she asked, aildressing Waldegrave. "'!'( i
think of his wishing to run off' again in
this rediculous fasliion, and the hous<>
full of our guests. Oh, he really must
do nothing of tho kind."

So, later in the day wlien Jarvi>
broa<'hed the subject of his hitended
trip back to Wales, he was met by his
maternal relative, with such deterjuinerl
opposition that, declaring himself, for
the sake of a quiet life, willing to place
his own uicliuations quite out of con-
sideration, he decided for the present,
at least, to relinquish the idea of a
second jaunt into the west.

THE BANKER'S GRANDCHILDREN.

lit f

Prepai-ations for Christmas progressed
with much rapidity.

The bustle mvolved by the getting up
of the dramatic scenes was immediately
followed by the grand Christmas decora-
tions.

Mr. Rimmelton, after remaining at
Maplewood for a few days, quite con-
trary to the expectations of Miss Ches-
«om, fell in love — not with the banker's
grand- daughter, but with his protege ;
and, strange to record, Glencora did
not for once, seem inclined to be resent-
ful that the gentleman failed to accord
her the devotion which she received
from many as a matter of coiu*se. In-
deed, she no longer strove to attract
^him, but relinquished him instead, and
Hirted indiscriminately with the gay
inilitaires of the ^th.

Sturdy, little Harvey i-' " h was
now beginning to be seriously- (. »ured

of Mabel's mei-ry little frieiia Rcsie
Castlemain; and Glencora pmiled scorn-
fully at their incipient love-making,
declaring that, if it were not such
tame pastime she should 'take that
little cub Fairleigh away from her,'
meaning Miss Castlemaine.

It is now December, about a fortnight
before Christmas, and, on the evening
whereof we are writing, Lady St. Ay vas
is seated before the m r ror in her dress-
ing room, critically surveying her reflec-
tion, while her maid puts the finishing
touches upon her hair, and arranges her
roiffure.

" That will do, Henrietta," said her
ladyship, as the maid fastened back the
last smooth coil with a jewelled orna-
ment. " You may go now," and Hen-
rietta departed.

Lady St. Ayvas turned towaixl her
daughter, who had entered the apart-
ment a few moments before, saying:

" My dear, the more I think of it the
more provoked I become, that Mrs.
Harcourt should bo absurdly cast you in
for a part to be played with Mr. Ches-
fM)m'8 clerk. I think, my dear, you had
better withdraw altogether, even at this
late hour."

"Withdraw,mamma?' exclaimed Lady
Winnifred in surprise.

" Certainly, my love, withdraw. Mrs.
Harcourt has coupled the players most

absurdly. The idea of your acting wit!
that Mr. Willoughby; and that sill)
child, his sister, playing with Glencora^
elegant cousin. I am sure Mrs. Ches
som very much regrets having intrustei
the^^roanagement of the affair to that
chattering little creature. You shouM
have heard Glencora remarking upoit
the faux pas. Tlie dear girl is so charm
ingly satirical."

" But mamma," said Lady Winnifred,
" I am certain Mabel Willoughby will do
Gulnare very nicely. I think they, at
least, are paired off admirably ; and, in
my opinion all the rest go equally well
together."

Lady St. Ayvas smiled contemtuoush ,
as she remarked :

''Yourself and the grand Duke, as
Glencora very aptly designates that
conceited clerk of her grand-papa's, for
instance."

There was a little deepening of tli-"^
bloom in Lady Winnifred's cheek as slu^
replied.

"Well, mamma, I am assured that,
Mr. Willoughby will do his part quite
as creditably as any of the other genthr-
men."

"Very possibly," replied her mother.
"I have no doubt that the young man'^;
histrionic abilities ^re very fair. In-
deed, I think both brother and sister
are quite good at acting, under any cir-
cumstances. I positively dislike those
young people. The giri, especially,
Glencora informs me, is a most con-
summate actress. A credulous person
might easily be persuaded into believe-
ing her a paragon. Mr. Chessom for
instance, is really deluded into the belief
that she is perfect, immaculate. So
absurd of the dear old gentleman, not
to be convinced that the girl's wheedel-
ing ways are all acted through politic
motives. Glencora was remarking last
night upon her mameuvres to entrap
Mr. Waldegrave — so ridiculous \ I real-
ly wonder the girl does not atttempt
captivating Mr. Chessom's grandson as
yreil as his nephew ; but perhaps sh^
possesses shrewdness enough to com-
prehend that such an absurd attempt
would be quite useless. Jarvis really
detests her forward waysyGlenie tells
me, and no wonder."

sil
v^

S<l

(i
tl

^' «nJ that «;
n sure Af rs r?. ^"

.*^,^nJc thev. 1
^'« equally, ^el/
contemtuousJ;
;'''^n^ Duke, as
^na-papa's, fo,.

^peningofti,,.
^^'heekassL,.

assured thnt

other gentif).

^W mother
young i„an'«
•^y *air. In.
■^;and sister
!f ^r any cir-
"«like those

®sp»cia%,

*no8t con-
iouspersoi,
'to believc-
^essojn for
> the beheC
^i«te. s„
^fflan, not
' i^heedeJ-
?n politic
*wg Jaet
►o entrap
' I real-
>tttemp(;

'dson an 'J;

»»ps sh^

to coin-

»ttenapf,

» rea?iy ^^

»e telh

rilE IL I A' A' Eli S (; R. 1 SDCUl L lU? fJX.

; "'riieiv, my dear, is wlu-rc you. like
Mr. Clu'ssoni, are deceived by her pri'-
tendctl sweet artlfssuess. Ol' course
(deueora iiuist kuow all altout tliem.
they liavina resided liere for so long a
time.''

'•(deneora Clies>om :s anytliin^ hut
an amiahle youn^' lady, mamma.'" said
Laily AVimiifred. '• Instead she is heart-
less and I'ude. andarro;.'ant. and terrihly
coijuettish. J do not like, her at all.
uuunma.''' she added ]>ositively.

'' Really. WinfTiiVed,"' replied her
moth(M'. .you aic (|uite as um'i'asonahle
in your dislike of (d(Mieoi'a as in your
equally ahsurd likinizfor the Willouifhhy
girl. I admit that 'deneora is sli;.'htly
hizzdiTCixui] a little unconventional, hut
not rude, my dear: that is too strong a
tei'm.'"

"Not so toward us, manuna, noi' to-
wai'd anv other ot her iViends, to be
siu'e: l»ut rutle and most unladylike in
her treatment of those who ai'e poor.
She is i)ositively insulting to all with
whom she eomes in eontact. whose sta-
tion and c-ii'i'umstanees arc inferior to
her own. It may %eem ungrateful to
speak thnsofoiu- hostess, manmia. but
th(M'e is a something almost icpellant
aliout ^Trs. Chessom, as well as herj
'laughter." .

Lady St. Ayvas ai'dicd her l)rows in
~^ui'])rise. I

"How unreasonable. Winnih'eil. 1 cou
sider ^frs. Chessom the most amiable'
[x'vson in the woi'ld. What. pray, do '
vou lind to dislike about liei' ?' ' i

'• 1 <lonot know, nianuna.just what it j
■s aboift her thaf seem< to me disagi'et*- '
ai»ie. She is eertainly much more niiace
and ]ady-lik(> in demeanor than (i!en- |
cora : but still niamma, you remenilier
the lines : I

' I do nut Iil;c yon. ])oct(>r Fcil—
'J'lic vcii.-nn why. I ciinnot ti'li :
IJiit r ilii not like yo'i, I>oc#r)r Ptli.'

"'{'here is something fioree and burn-
ing, and glowering, in the «\yes oi' both
niotli'M' and <laugliti'r : something that
make-; m(^ shiver when I look into them.''
' How \ cry absurd, WiimitVed."" said
Liidy St. Ayvas, looking slightly annoyed.
'• Lut there is the bell tor dinner. AVhy,
<lid you not wear that charmingly got-
ten ii]> blue faille, which. larvi- admires ?
It really beeomesyou very nit:ely. That
mauve is ver,\ i)retty, l)Ut not so etfee-
tive as the blue — you mnst w(>ar it to-
morrow, my dear." And mother and
daughter descended to the diniiiL'-room

( HATTEh' XVI 1.

Xifriit iiiiil lierufrly siu.ici.'t-' tln'ii di<{ fri.:^ht,

■*ii') sl(i'|., (luilir/y (iwi (if iiiu'l'.t,
V.'uli 'oin 'liri't' !i;ir-ti's. .'iinl wildly tMlu',- th' yhiriii

(Jf'liiiiiitcd di'c mis ii liusy t^\VMl•'.n.

— < 'nivll II.

It was late on the night of which we
have bet'U writing, in our last chaiitei-,
and for hours the imnates of .Maple-
wood house had been soimdly sleej.ing,
when Krnest Wiiloughby awoke from
slumber, with strong smoke hall stran-
gling him. and tlu^ sound ol bla/.iuL' wood-
work craekling in the corridoi' without.

He s]>iatig up. and op<'ning his cham-
ber door looked out. There wa-; a
roll of smothering smoke, a glare of
crimson bla/e : and Ernest shouteil fire
at the to]i of his voice, and then shut-
ting the door rushed liaek in search ol'his
clothing. Two minutes later the nhnle
household was astir, and- all wa- wild
confusion.

Thegrei>t uj>per corridor in the -outh
wing wa- envi-loped in tlanic. The
feminine jiortion of the liousehold as-
sembled ill a frightened group u]ii)ii the
lawn, looking up in tei'ror as a >h'et oi
Hanie liurst from a window of the cor-
riilor

"Are all liands out of the Ir.ii iiiug
portion of the building?" shoui'-'i ^Ir.
W'aldegrave.

''Yes. all out and miinjiu-ed." cried
• larvis Chessom: lait bady St. Ayvas
spi'ang forward, crying in alarm :

'' Where is Winnilred '.' Wliei. '-^ my
daughter?"

There was an excited, terrified ' istlo

4:2

THE BAXKMirS GKANDCHILDFEK,

f ,;

ler, ;ir .', wringing

I,iuly WinnilVfMl was uowlici'c to ho seen!
Slu! hful returned tdher cluuaber, (ihni-
cora '.'hessom decUired, for the i)urpose
of I'ecovering some artieh' or other, aiul
had not returned. Lady St. Ayvas
screamed frantically.

Ernest Willoughliy [)laced a ladder
against the siih^ of the l/uililing and
rapiilly as<'ended to the window of Lady
\Vi)niil're<rs sh'epiug aiiarlments. lie
s)>rang into the I'oom, anil looked about
him. Winnifred was not there ! With
white lips, and a sickening feel' g of
horroi- at his heart, ho dashed on, and
wrenehed op(-n the door that open(Ml
into the blaze envelojied corridor.

The overi)owering smoke stiHod and
blind^Ml him, but lying u))on the tlnvs-
liold. he found Lady Winnifred. lie
lifteil and eariied her gently to tiie
window, and then descended to the
lawn with his liurden.

'•( Ih, she is dead — J kno\> sneisdead!"
.•^oblied Lady St. Ayvas, bending over
her insensible dau
her hands w^ildly.

^label Willoughby knelt liesi(h' the
inanimate Winnifi-ed, saying:

'' 1. am sure she has but fainted,
Mad.am. See, she is already reviving,"
us Ltidy Winnifred's eyes slowlv opened.

After the first signs ofretumhig con-
sciousness Lady Winnifred was very
soon able to sit up among a pile of
tapestry, which had been thrown upon
tlie lawn.

"My dearest child!" exclaimed Lady
St. Ayvas, "whatever in the world did
you go back to that terrible chamber for?
—so very dangerous I"

"1 returned for the purpose of saving
my turquois jewels. They were dear
Aunt iNIontford's gift, you know, and T
could r.ot thuik of losing them," said
Winnifred. " They were upon my toilet
table," added she, "and I had secured
them and reached the door when a great
cloud of fire and smoke prevented nie
from crossing the corridor. But pray
tell me how I came here? Somebody
must liave carried me from the corridor,
where 1 suppose I must have fainted iu
the terribly sutTocating smoke."

A little tint ot pink bloom oame into
Lady Winnifred's cheeks when informed
that Mr. Willoughby had been her pro-
server.

Belle Harcourt grew languidly enthu-

siastic as she described that gentlemai,
ascending through flame and smothering
smoke to the rescue of her ladyship.

(Jlencora Chessom shruirged disdain-
fully beceath licr crimson wrap.

"Now Belle, dear, how absurd," said
she. "Youwill cause her ladyship to
believe that the young man has really
committed some heroic action. Believe
me, my dear Lady Winnifred, he merely
did what fifty others would have done
quite as readily had they bee'i cu hand.'"

Mr. Willoughby, who had been called
away for a few moments, now re-appear-
ed upon the scene.

Tiie flre was by this time extinguished,
! and the ladies were taken back to the
house, and assembled about the flre
which was lighted in the dining room.
Several of the ladies were prostrated by
the fright and fatigue, and lay upon sofas
and took cordials and sal volatile, and
shivered hysterically for some hours.

Lady St. Ayvas from her sofa coolly
echoed the thanks w^jich her daughter
warmly profl'ered Willoughby for having
rescued her from so terrible a death.

Miss Chessom was decidedly out of
temper

" How horribly annoying!" exclaimed
the young lady. "My superb brocaded
velvet, which I was to have worn at the
Dresden's ball— the most elegant afl'air
in my wardrobe— and to think of it being-
ruined l)y the barbarous smoke and black
dust, before I had ever once worn it."

Several rooms were nearly destroyed
in the south wing, and the wide corridor
was terribly charred and blackened. No-
where else had the fire penetrated ; and,
excepting a few articles in the apart-
ments of Lady Wiunefred and Glencora,
but little of value was destroyed.

The dim, gray dawu gradually bright-
ened into sunny daylight; the excite-
ment subsided, and breakfast was par-
taken )f.

CHAPTER XVIII.

The days have slipped by, and it is
Cnr jtmas eve, and Maplewood house is
g?j with Christmas decorations.

" My dears, have you not yet finished
those wreaths? IIow you must have
dawdled, to be sure."

Mrs. Harcourt Hits over, as she ex-
ciairas thus, to where her step-daughters
are sitting, wearing wreaths of holly,
their white fingers fluttering gracefully
among the dark green loaves and vivid

bei"

prei

mui

ute}
aw !

tl'.ol

iuiil
co\|
n\u|
h.'i

Mil

rati

mM
dv

tliat

fentlemai,

THE ilAXKRirs Ci:.\Xl)C}lILDR?:y.

a«cl smocherin.
"' JadysJiip. "

■"-'Sretl clisclai,,.
wivip.

'^absurd " said
c Jadyship to
"'111 has realJv
K^'on- Believe
eel lie inereJy

/-"fJ en hand.'-
5« 'Jeen called
o^v re-appear-

extingui.sije^,
^«ck to the
>o"fc the fire
diuiii;r ,.o(,^

^rostrated bv
V upon sofas
volatile, and
ne hours.

sofa coolly
«•: daughter
■^ for havino-
a death. *
'clly out of

'' exclairaed
brocaded
'o>'Q at the
-gant affair
of it beiu"-
• ancl black
ornit."

destroyed
e corridor
«ned. A'^o-
^«'; and,
"e apart-
Gieucora,

y bri^'ht-
- excite-
was par- '

»d It is
louse is

fiuished
t have

lie ex-
ghters

holly,
3efuiJv

vivid

!)erries, and siuiliuu' hack rcpii'-; r.o i!ic
pretty nottiinjrs which .faivis ('ln'ss'iri
niunniirs as li(> srantls nrai- ih "n sclrc'-
iiisj sprays for tlu' wrcatli-.. Five iuin-
ntes lator tiu' lift!'' la^lv n-;is ija'tiiiiu;-
a\\a\' witii Ihi) irarlaihl,-; ii|) >;i \\r\- -w.n.

" How chariniiiu''y ymi Ikivi.- r.rraiiiii'il
lliosi; ot.lKT'^," i.w'IaiuH'il sh". a.'.ili'-s^iii^'
Ml'. l\iiiiincl'.'>n. ami poin' in ^' !;> I'.i:
'.'. rcali.s aii(! !'••>; (vuiisi'j; ahor.; nnc .)!' t In."

yasalier.-'.
iiiii" Mii'so,

I'ljv obli;;!'

IIM'

1'lSt-

(jDinpiete, mT'' rli"y iio*"*

A !iil uo'V oai- i|i'<j )iai io:,-, -ire
' a;l'''.''l v-li ', riiii-
niii.ir over to wli ro ?Ii'>. ('Iil.^^omi ami
licr daijuhtcr wii- sfaniliaii'. {

"Yes, (:|ui;v. tuaiik to'vlacss." t(';)!;"(I
Miss Cliesso!!! v.itli a ya'.vn. '-NolaiiiL'
is .such a tircsoia'" bore,'* adth'tl >\\{\ '• ;<.s
the niakin.a; and ;uTaii:riii^' oi" th-\s(;r;a!)'(-
rate wreaths and I'esiooiiints auil 1m
ijuets. r>!it siii);>o.>?c we JuljuiTii to ii;i'
(Irawinii' room bciow.

Tlie Missf's llareourt wer." solicited to
plav and siny a certain ra-^lii'.'iiahle ducr,
and an attcnlivi; uroup i;:Ui!'ivil a')oi;t
tli.i yraiul piano as iliey tooi< tlicir iilaci-s.

" Will not Lclv Hirdetta shvz':: ' iii-

t*''!"i>n'. I fear onr liostess' pretty matcli-

niak w'Z nianc'.uvre will fall thron<j;h.

Winnifnal smiles upon Mr. Clies-

i liaudsonie clerk, for all lier nuuu-

iVcqiient furtive jilances of disap-

1. Do you suppose they are in love

I'ach oilier':' — \Vi!lonu:iil)y and her

■-liip, I mean, if so, and Lady Sr.

^ really discovirs the fact, sli" will

ii'ii'ily annoyed, I am certain ("'

-c Lr.dy St. .\yvas is just dyiii!j: to

li' !•! a nr.;tcii beiween Lndy Winvifrod

•i;i'! ''.r.s.^oai; aiid, tliouiih lier lal^.•ship

li t

a ■ ■

i>r

A-,

v.:

:•;■ onittj dow"i'ie->s, Mrs. Chc-som

• to lavor Mie scliein*' rpd'e as auieii

r mo! he!'. Indeed, 1 hi-llcve <Iie is

('ioii'ons itii; ir shnuld suc'ced.

-ee, it' the Si. .ivvas ;,i'e pooi'. tliey

icusely ari^iom'.-iiic."

Lo(dcsli".' lauLiic'd a< sh'> aildcd :

!ie i> ac-

■, stately

\i'i\>X. ten

von.tlil'al

will

\\)n So
y.w ini!

'• Ami! as for Che.-vo'i!, I brJieV'
'naltv 0('C(imin:.r dcv ired to p'l
1. idv IVi'decta v.'io •iiusi be at

ycuj's ii!s senior,
appearance.''

.Siunethi m lik'

.'ite of her

fjiiired -som'.

a little w!;ile late

!'ter a in.nricii..'.- s<,)licitation Lady 131;'-
(letta san::'.

We have alrc.dy described t'u' singu-
lar sweetness ol tliis lady's voice. J '.r\ is
Clicssom turned the pages of her n^l•^i(^
witli a curious expression in ids indoleul
dark eves.

'• Will your l;nlysh:p favor me by sin^-
ino; this?" he asked presently. The piece
indicated was a simple ballad beginning :

'' [low ran a, I'oor (lipsy iikt' ini-

Evtr hope tho pi(jinl Iji-i'lo of a uo'olu to !n''.'"

Her ladyship sudlcd ard <'Anx: her
clear toues ringiuji out in ijure, rich me-
lody.

Something over a montli before llie
dark-eyed peasant ,uirl, IVirdie Wylde.
had sung this ballad for Chessoni ; sind
now that young gontlenian was niarv( 1-
ling that the homeless lit^tie creature
whom he had picked up by tlie stony
Welsh roadside should possess, not only
a voice, but a face so singularly like this
stately lady's. There was something in
it which aroused Chessom's curiosity;
and he determined to discover if Lady
Birdetta Kosenthal and his protege,
Birdie Wyldc were not in some way re-
lated to each other.

Trissie Locksley bent toward Ada Har-
court, saying :

" Coraiug events cast their shadows

de
of

I W'U.v iriirai

an hour later l/nly I'ir-
"vas .-(lated in Hie mid<;

l)lo<)in an ! o Tfanh

of I I

ly liiilifed dravin:;- i-ooin c(.ui>ervatoi-y.
Jarvis Cliessom was beside her, a:id they
were talking of music. Chessom was
saying ;

•• I lliiidi the VI ry linest, or at least
liiat which gav(! promise of beiu^ t'te
v( !'y linest, voice 1 ever listencii to, ex-
ceptinu' vonr ladysliip's, was that of an
untutored peasant giii, whom I encoun-
tered in Wales lust autunm. liKleeci."
he added, glancinii; carelessly, yet ali'utle
•-ci'iitiiiizingly, aliier Uulyship, "in rin::-
iiig, p.'Uhetic sweetness Birilie Wylde's
voice was not unlike your own."

^^taitly Lady Bird. 'tta started percept!
blv, Jii'.d a slimit tint of rose stained, for
a nioiuent. thai aiarbly '.vhite face (jf hers.

'• Did I liear you ariuht'/'' she asked.
" Did you call this peasant girl of wlioui
you liave spoken, Birdie Wylde ?''

"Yes; IJirdetta Wylde. By the way,''
ho said carelessly. " her christian name
is tlie same as your own, is it nor, ?'

L;uly r>irdetta turned toward Chessom,
a startled light, a singular interest in tlio
deptiis of her splendid dark ryos.

" 1 once kncNv a Birdetta Wylde,"' s'dd
she, " pray tell me about thison<\ WIio
knows but she may be in some way le-
lated tB the Birdie of my ac<iuaintance:''

There was a carelessness iu tlie lad\'.H

■" ■■•)»>

, 1}

|:if

TJfE nAXKKli'S fiRAXDCIIILDIiEX.

•

voice which Cliossom half suspected was'^ ship somcthiiiir of Birdie's history as sli'.
iis.sumed. herself Iiad told it to !)mii.

ii:

'* Sciircelv probable, I think," said Jar
vi-, stidliii;;': '-as the liirdle whom 1 have
mentioned is only an nneducated liille
peasant jj;irl, who, upon ilie death of liie
old woman who l)ronj;;lit her up— Dame
i'olly, I b»'lieve she called her— was left
a homeless waif."

Chessom stopped talkinj; and ;,danced
curiously at her ladyship She liad ari-
sen and was looking at him, wish a idckt
so white, so full of intense exci Lenient,
that (/liessom was posiliv(!;y startled.

" Vour hidyship is ill, 1 fear," said Jar-
vis, also ri.^ini!; hastily. "Allow me to
l)riti;; you a jilass of water from the rn
rat'i' yonder."

Ili-r ladyship s;ink into the seat frou)
whieli she had iirisen the moment before,
sa> inu' :

"Ne, no; lam not ill, only n)y head
aches, and 1 am a Utile n"rvous tonUlit.
I'ray lio on. What does ihi.s Birdie \Vylde
look like, Mr. Cliessom ? '

Chessom smiled.

" Vhe was Iwuvlly descril)able. Lady
IjirdeLta," said he.

wniuLrrnl dark eyes, you would tiiiiik of
angels and fathoais ol liijaid jet, and all
tliat sort of thinir, while her olive com
pie,\iv)n and the wild<;rn*\'^s of black hair
that hnn;; over her far bi-low her waist, re-
iiunchd one of some ((ueer little browme.
She was a sort of cross, in fact, betwixt
elf iind seraph."

Lady Birdetta was sinjrularly interest-
ed in tlie affairs of Birdie Wykie.

" I think there is just a possibility of
my having' once known something? of this
j»;irrs prrents," said she ; "notwithstand-
in<;the fact that, as yon have said, she is
only an uneducated little peasant yirl.
But you have said she was nomeiess,
iiave you not I"

" Homeless when I lirst saw her; but
a certain old woman, who lives in Wales,
and who, by the way, was once a stTvant
in our household, kindly ^aveherahume
after the death of the old woman — Dame
I'oUy, as she called her," said Jarvis.
i:ot infoi'niinji- lur ladyship that 't was
1 imself who had found a home for the
briicht eyed waif.

" Are you certain that both lier parents
are dead?" intjuired Lady Binletta.

" No," said Chessom ; " there seems to
be a sort of mystery about the affair,"
aud he proceeded to relate to her lady-

" Then she has no clue by which tu

find out who her p:ireuts were, or to dis-

I cover whether they are livinj; or dead?"

i asked the lady, ;^rowin;u;, as Chessom

thought, a s.iade paler every niomeitt.

" There is t)nt one thin<j; which is any-
thing like a real clue," said Chessom:
" that is a locket, ai present in my pos-
session, which cdiiiaius four tiny pic-
tures Birdie, who is now somethin;;
over fifteen years of age, has had it over
since she can remember, she t«'lls me."

As he spoke he drew forth Birdie's lit-
tle gold locket, wii.h its tiny vignettes
and silken coils of hair.

■' You see," he added, holding the trin-
ket towards her ladyship, '-one of the
pictured faces so nuich resembled a face
which I was certain I liad somewhere
seen before, that I was a little curious,
and nnule up my mind that if there hap-
peiu'il to be a mystery, to unravel it if
possible."

Lady Birdetta took the locket with a

Iiand that tren)l)led visibly, her face as

Looking into !ier i white as tlie spotless petals of tbe pure

wliite Camilla tii it nestled amoiig her

abiuidant (iark hair.

•• Your ladyship will probably marvel,"
added Jarvis, laugliin:i-, " that' I should
thus take intert:st in the affairs of a wild
Welsh peasant girl. 1 wonder myself,
now and then ; but perhaps the indefina-
ble something about her which tacitly
proclaimed her a born aristocrat, for all
her shab'oy surroundings, accounts for
it. if Birdie turni; out to be the daugh-
ter of some great personage or other,
aud if I should happen to be the first dis-
coverer of the fact, why 1 shall have to
fall desperately in love with the little
creature, and cud the all'air by a ro-
mance."

Chessom had rattled on with seeming
careli'.ssni's.s, while his eyes were taking
note of every change of "the varying face
ofihel.idy. Wholly absorbed, she nei-
ther heeded or heard his laughing words,
but srazed at the vignettes with eyes fl.x-
ed and intensely bright— the light of a
dawning consciousness of something,
wiiich the gentleman was puzzled to
comprehend, in them.

"ByJovi;!" mentally said Chessom;
" it^^ just as r suspected. Her ladyship
knows more than she'll bt" likely to tell
uboiu all this. [ wonder if she has seen

that;
pic

thai

b\aj

anti

ac(|

\acii

a hi

an I

Lai

lacl
onl

vifj
to I

THE BAXKIlirS GPiAKDCHILDREN.

4.>

iii

^''■ory as sli..

9 ^^y »vi,ich to

^V't-S or to tl is.
^'"ff orcleacj:-"
'^■'^ CJiessoiij

V'/''t'Ii is any.
I'J Clie.ssoui-
"t III my po.s."
"»'• tiny pie.
/^ornetlijji.r
« iiad it ever
«tdls ine."

'^ii-die's Jit-
'>' vi,§:Qetto.s

J'".? the triu-

■■""« of the
'"'>Io(I a f,ie,,

soiuevvhere -
^^^' <^'i)rioiis,

^'i«i-e Jiap-
'"'■'ivel it if

-ket ^vith i
'i(-'i- /ace as
0/ tiio ptn-o
nmo\\<r jj^.j.

'y marvej,"
^ J shodhi
s ofa wihl
'«'■ ^nysQir,
-;udttJua.
^h tacitjy
It. for al]
^unts for
e claiigh-
^'' other,
first clis-
have to
''« littJe
y a ro-

seernin-
3 takiiiir
Off face
^e nei-
wonis,
^es tlx.
t of a
'thin-
ed to

'sonj ; i

yship I

telj f
seeu

that locket, before. Slio recognizes tho
pictures without a clouiit."

The next moment he was enquirinir in
that careless, half indolent voice of his :

"Does your ladyship tlnd any resem-
blance between those two first pictures
and the parents of the Birdetta of your
accjuaintancc, pray?"

The next he had just time to catch her
ladyship, as she slippe 1 from her seat in
a heavy swoon.

Ills shout lor assistace brouf^ht forth
an excited croup from the drawing room.
Lady Birdetta was carried to h'T own
apartments, and a physician summoned.

The medical srentleman pronounced the
lady's sudden Illness to have been brought
on by sudden mental excitement, and ad-
vised undisturbed quiet for several days
to come.

«' Keally, how very odd tliat her lady-
ship, with all her immovable dignity,
should go into such tragics," exclaimed
Miss Chessom to her mother that night,
•'Why, mamma, Artimese, while assist
ing Thompson about preparing that lo-
tion which Dr. Donham left for her lady-
ship's head, actually heard her muttering
all sorts of gibberish about ' darling Ke-
ginald,' and calling some one her 'sweet
child,' and ' precious little Birdie? Ex-
ceedingly odd, isn't it? 1 wonder what
in goodness it means. How immensely
jentimental and tragical, and hysterical,
and everything else silly, people are, to
be sure, 1 detest that sort of thing my-
self," added the heiiess contemptuously.

CHAPTEK XIX.

AX IMNVITED CU'KST.

Christmas day hf.s dawned, briuhr,
with clear golden sunlight. Not rfally
a cold day, yet with the fresh, fwhilirat-
ing atmosphere keen and bracin',^

At Maplewood all ar^' astir wiili plea
.s.'int anticipation. There is to ije min'*-
than wont of nnisic and mirth and im r-
riinent that night, and the gay dceoi' ,-
tions, which wore completed ilie dav !><■-
lore, makes iiie great old-fashioned 1;'mi'«<j
resemble smne nnignillcenl t.iiiy p;d-
iice.

Everywhere gracefiil wveatlis of hollv.
beautifid iiarlands ami lcstoon> and lio-
(inets of bi-iiliani. liir-i;oii'<t' ll)U(i<, tin-
air heavy vviiii liejir dfliciuu.^ly tra^iiani
odor.

A considei'able nund)er of guests ai'e
invited; there are to bo prcsi-nt the olli-
cers of the — th, two or tnree of whoni

are to take part in the theatricals to be
played that night.

Evening came, and the guests began
to assemble in the gaily lighted rooms.

" What a splendid place it Is," whis-
pered th(! rector's youngest daughter to
her e der sister, as sne sat under a gasa-
lier, halt bewildered by all the light and
m.agnirtcence, " How I envy that arro-
gant Miss Chessom, to be sure. As I
live, here comes her magnificent brother.
I know he is about to ask one of us to
dance ;" and the pretty little deraoissUe
wa^ all aflutter.

(.)!) th" other side of the room Mabel
and Waldegrave were conversing toge-
ther.

" Who is that gentleman yonder?"
asked Bertram, iilancing toward a tall,
handsome gentleman, evidently about
forty years of age, who stood near a door,
engaged in conversation with the bank-
er.

"Oh, a stranger— a Mr. Chesterton."
replied Mabel. " He is lately returned
from the Colonies, I believe, where he
has accnninlatcd a vast fortune. While
in London ;; few d.iys a<:o Judge Har-
court met with an .accident by the upset-
ing of a cab, and tins gentleman rescued
him from biinir trampled to death by the
hoofs of the horses at the risk of his own
life. They struck up a friendship at once,
and the Judge broucht him here last
night with profuse al)oiogi^,'^. Mr (^hes
som has also taken :i ^ireat fancy to lain,"
addetl she, " and no woiuler, for is he
not a ncble lookisiu; uentleman?"
; " II- i>J certainly one of ilie very finest
looking men Ih.iveever seeu," answered
Walde-iMV(j, ■• IJut do you know why
! 1 was curious to learn wh;) the gentleman
lis?"

"No; why, pray?" asked Mabel.

" Berause he so nincli resembles niv

ureat i^ncle. Look at those tin as they

^uind near each o'her — my nnc't; (Mies-

j soin, tliis Mr. (Jlie-^ier'.on, and vour bro-

i iher. I) ) they nor sutIl'M(!ntiv resemble

1 each other that a s'raniifr miglir, easily

K) leluil ' r'nem to l)e grandfather, father

aed soi;?"'

Mab I looked at tlie three g-ntlemen
for a 1 .onient, ;iiid replied :

"'111 y eertaiidv, .dl three, very nuich
i-;>im;; yie each oilier, liid(.'e<! I ii;ive fre-
(('eiiily o')>erved some resemblance be-
L.veeii Mr. (.'he.-,som and my brother; but
is it not siniiular that our new uuest
.-hould look so very n)uch like liitu ?"

TUE BANK Kir. < <; I! AX lU'll I LDIIEX.

V :»■

'i '^

" That who sliould so imicli iTscHib'.c
\vholl^ pray ?"

Mrs. Chcssoin Ii.i'l cnn-jiht, soni.-rniiiii
fit Mabel's worils, ;!> siic wiss pr>-inL'.
ami paused to iisk llii^ <iiii's!ioii.

Mrs ("ln'ssom was .-i vcrv i'lf:.'aii! l(?)k-
JDir woman lo-iii^lil . in In r rei;al r>>i>' > ol'
lich black vi Ivft, :.u I supt'rtilv (!;!.-1imil:'
( iaraonds. Indeed, .she looked seaie, !y a
,year older than li' r brilliaiil dr.uicliter.

It was an apparenlly casiiai qiirst on,
carelessly asked ; and yet tiiere wa.-;eauei-
jncpiiry beneath thu smiling liyld ia ihe
( yes of the lady.

" We were speaking of Mr. Chos.som
and Mr. Chesterton," replied Mabel.

" Do you not also tJiink there is much
likeness between them ?"

Mrs. Chessouj glanced towaril Ihe g;'r-
tleuien indr.ated, ri'plying:

" Why no, 1 do not perceive the least
They are very unlike, 1 think. Mr. Ches-
terton is much taller, and so very travel-
bron/ed. lie is soniewh it (Inc looking;
do >"n not linidv so? I'y tlie u;iy
Bert;;ir,',"* turning to Widdeiirave. • I
lieari <<>< ncoiM iiKi'iirinii' for jou a m >-
men' .i'-M). Sonn.tli;n:r in tlie way (■!' n
sliglil i:n|iroveincn! in tlu' tixiuij' of n >■
scenciy. 1 lieMeve. jdioiit •.\hich s'.e
\vislie- lo consiili, voiir Jud^'inent. M -w
will liiid iier ill the eon.-ei\ alury ; " ;;iiii
the ladv swept awav.

W:il(it'UMave lefu Mab.-1 by th<' sid ■ oT
i\Ir. Ki.nmeiton, with some i "liict.iiiee,
and went in search ol'liis (•uiisin.

Hi; found tlie voting Inly «taiidi:iLC nit-
der some great iropii:;:! plant, i'^ broad
leaves rustling about her, and one ol its
vivid crimson blossoms drooping dov.n
ami touching her dark hair. Slie looked
I!]), on liis entrance, with that gay, bi ighl
bewilderingness in her smile, which al-
ways half u;i/.zle(.! and faseiuatod Wahk-
grave.

" Tm iilad you've come, cousin 15er-
tram," said she. "I wautum to come
with ine. I have sii:',iiesLed a diUereiii
I'.rrangement in liie placing of the gar-
lands for the balcony scene in Komeo
and Juliet; and I want to considt your
taste as to uliclher it will be au iw.prove-
ment.''

She swept on, leading tlie way, and
chattering gaily, Someiimes, when she
suLbljed genlie. gracefid liiLie Mabel
with such arrogant rudenuss, (jr, in uuni-
berless other ways showed herself heart-
less and unfeeling, Waldey;rave cordially
disliked her ; but when, as to-night, she

was so br'irtit. so piquant, so charming,
wlu'ii sl.e smiled upon him more brightly
tlian upon others, and listened with such
Haltering ii;ii-rtsi »o his words, he felt
liewildered. il'.lii'red, enchanted, while
iii her ;>!' scii'T. iShe was in the gayest,
iiii^ilitf-r vplids to-iduht. and Waklc-
griv(! loolu- at her, and half-marvelled
at lirr spli-nxiii i)eanty. It was iv) won-
der ilnit. now and tlieti, for the moment,
with ail li'M' -lowing, sparkling radiance
fa>tiniia licvt itching sitcll tiboutluni, he
half foriiiit the sweeter, fresher face of
Mabel Willougliby.

"Fortunate we did not have the statue
scene in the ' Winter's Tale,' as was pro-
posed by somebody; for, of course, Lady
[Virdetta wouhi have been chosen as
llermioiie, and tht.'ii lu;r illness would
I have made it so awkward. Mamma cu-
I deavorcd to persuade her to join us be-
low stairs to-night; but she declined,
\ plea.ling nervousness, antl the symptoms
, of :mi iiiproiciiing headache," continued
\:-> Cii. >so:M. ''U Id. isn't it ? What-
ev. !■ er ^1,1 i,;,ve so siiaitercd her lady-
>;.;;, - in, ves. r.;rh;ips she siw a ghost
-■!i:>ie i.> o.,t; liauuls Ma pL' wood, they
say; iiui ii,e ^ivants declare that it is
I never kiio>vii i.o stray beyond the south
Wing. IJo.vi vcii',' added th.; young
lady, wiiii a iaui^h, '■.since that part of
I the koii.se 1,1s i).-e(i!:ie so damaged by tin*
I tire, wlueh o -I ;u-.eil a few weeks ago, Ihv
uhost may 'nive t.iken up quarters else-
where in the iiuuse, onjcciing, also, no
I doubt, toliie noise of the workmen, who
'are engaged in making repairs. IJut 1
] do believi! everyi)(idy is going mad.
j Even niamina was attacked with a sud-
1 den tit of faintness this morning, just as
I grandpapa presented Mr. C'hestertou,
1 and became so pale that 1 w.as at tirst in-
i cliued to believe tiiat the gentleman was
j an old luver;'' and Clencora laughed
I again. " IJut here tire the garlands,
cousin lierii.in. Do you not think
, tliose pretty iiainiiig vines will hang
, much more gracefully, and with better
I etl'ect hci e than over there in the shadow ?
jAnd that love'v wreath yonder should
occupy a less cmt of the way place —
should it not ?"

"By all means; and 1 think that tall
plant yonder should be placed a trifle
more in the background," said Mr.
Waldcgrave.

So the rc-arrangenients were made,
and Gleucora invented so nitiny other
pretexts for keeping her cousin by her

w'.l

Tiih: JL { XKKirs r; // . i xrx 7/ / /. n u i:.\:

aiK

'^ cli;)rmir]fr

^'<l ^^•itll such
"'<'>*. Iio felt
"","'. while
' ' 'le ffnyt'st,
■ W;,Idc-
iDiirvclled
■vas W) won-
he iiioiiient,
".- '•■KJianco
'>utJnni, ho
^I»'-r race oj'

'i the sfatue
"s was pru-
) iir.se, Lady
chosen as
ifss Would
^lamina cu-
hmi us be-

• <lecliued,
^yiiptoins
t-'outiiiued

Fi' What-

"-'!• Jady-

*v H ghost

^■(">'l, they

that it is

tlie south

' you Jig

^t part of

■<^'l hy the

t^'i's else-

•ilso, no

leii. u'ho

• liut i
'if mad.
I» '-i sud-
' JU'^t as
■■■^tertou,

first in-
'aii was
Inughfd
u-laiids.
t thiuk
II hail:,'

bettei-
ifidow?
should
)hice—

I at tall
a trifle
i Ml-.

made,
other
'y her

side that there was not a moment hi
wliich, wilhonL actual rudeness, he could
find iin opportunity of slipping away, un-
til \i:. was time to prepare for the drama-
tic scenes.

JTaliel sat listening absently to Mr.
Kiiiimel ton's aurceable conversation, a
dull, pained feeling at her heart.

" She is so l)eautiful, so r'ch ; and I ^m
pool, and uoboily in particular," she
jnurmured to herself. " She is sure to
win liiin. Perhaps Glencora told the
truth, when she taunted me by declarini:
that her cousin was merely tlirling with
uw for his amusement. No, I will not
Ijelieve that; he is too honorable. Hut
she is so handsome— such a magnificent
woman. In her presence, I believe, he
forgets 'my very existence"; and she
glanced over to where Glencora sat,
smiling up coquettishly Into Walde-
grave's handsome face, with its animat-
ed, half-ardent expression.

CHAPTER XX.

The great drawing-room conservatory
was all ablaze with light and beamy
that Christmas night.

Earnest Willoughby led Lady Winni-
fred St. Ayvas to a seat in the midst of
the fairy-like place.

Alas ! for our hero's resolve to conquer
his love for Lady St. Ayvas's beautiful
daughter. Never had he been so pas- i
sionately in love wltii he- as now. With ■
the soft, yet dazzling liitht. the loveli- |
iiess, the perfume of myriad sweet fiow-
<;rs, and the passionate throbt)ing of the
music from the orchestra floating about
him, lie AMt like one in an enchanted
dream. Only by the sternest efi'orts
could he, a« he sat by her side that night,
restrain himself from uttering the ar-
dent, passioned words of love that
sprang to his lips, and chatter, instead,
gay, frivolous nothings. He was in the
very heart of the enchanted garden,
amouii the bloom and bewildering per-
fume of the red roses and passion flow-
ers. He strove hard to be gay, and suc-
ceeded, and talked to her,- in a lively tri-
fling sM'ain, about everythinor which
hawpeueU to be nothing in particular after
all."

Supper was announced, and all assem-
bled in the great supper room, which
was all a sparkle with the radiance of
reflected light from the glistening of sil-
ver and crystal and gold.

When supper was over, and all had re-

turned from lh(! supper room to flu;
drawing rooms, Mrs. llarcourt sunnr.cni-
ed her troupe to prepare for their res-
pective parts in the pl;iys to bi; acted ;
and, afier something like a halfiiour
spent in tlieir dressing-rooms, all were
ready, and the a(;fing l)egan.

\\'e all know what private theatricals
are like; to give a descrii)iion of tliis
parlicuiar all'air wonid but tire ^iir read
ers. Sutllee it t(j say, therefore, ilitit all
l)assed off agreeably, and then came re-
hu.'shments, and then music and dancing,
and at length the yay party Itrokr ttj).

"Take off all tho.se laces and rt()u'ers,
and jewels (|iii(:kl.v, Artimi.-^e. I !\ni
tired, exhansteil, ialigned, everi'thing,
and I'm dying t<j go to sleep."

Miss Chessom sank into a eiishioneil
rocker, with a drowsy yawn, and 4(>'ti-
mise let down and co.iibed out her hair.

"And th'! dramatics W(M'e a snecess,
were they not, Mademoiselle?— and you
were the belle among all the fair demois-
elles ; 1 know you're always that."

(jlencora smiled arrogantly.

" Yes, of course, I am always that.
There was an odd little French nolileuiaa
— I forget his title, but ho is an old friend
of grandpapa's — and he was here to-
night, and 1 overheard a remark of his,
addressed to Mr. ('liest:erton."

"They are beavitifnl— all very beauti-
ful—the ladies here," said he; " but Ma-
demoiselle ClK'Ssom outshines them all.
She is so brilliant, so magnificent, so un-
like most women, with that enchanting
air of piquancy, and then she is so gay,
so vivacious; there are feiv women to
compare with Mademoiselle Chessom."
Tliere, that is it, word for word.Artimise.
I should iH'ver have given the little dried
up atom the credit of possessing such
very good taste. He looked very like a
monkey himself." she adiled, with a
laugh. "But the plays -oh, yes, they
were very well Even that milk-soppish
little Mabel did some belter ,;,,.iil ex-
pected. There you can go .. '•, and I
shall be fast asleep in a nJuiile," and the
girl left the apartment.

^Irs Chessom. after dismissing her
sle^ .ily yiwning waiiinii woman, siit
dc.vn, with a little wearily-drawn sigh,
before her mirror.

A little frown contracted the arching
brows of the lady, as she rested her white
forehead upon her hand, and gazed
vaguely and abstractedly at her reflect-
tion. Something, evidently, troubled

riiK HA \Kf:irs (;L'.\yi)('iiiLi>in:x.

Mrs. Clicssom. Slio sat tlms for some
inoinciits, ami tluiii roso up with mkUIcu
iiorvoiisiK'ss, aiul paced to miiI fro llu;
apartment.

"Wlio is he?— this Mr. Chesterton,"
she murmured. '•<)h: 1 wonhl «ive the
world— the wliole worUl to know ! Kven
others pexeeivo tlie rtscml)lan(e ; and yet
it cannot he he; he is dead— (h-ad lony
ago. I am an idiot to worry myself thus
unneccessaiily ; l)ut he i.s so liki; him;
and, more than onee has lie looked at me
so stran;j:ely."

She stopped before her mirror a;:ain,
ami grazed, with the same al).>;raclion
into it.

"I am iiervods, worn out with fati<:u(%''
she whispered. " I must sleej) olf this
foolHi freak of iniMginaiioii, for .such it
is, it must bo."

She prepared and drank, a sloepinj,'
dnui;L,'ht, and shortly after slept. And
while she sleeps with vn,i,Mio, uneasy
dreams disturbin;,' her slumbers, tiie dim
gray of early dawn brightens into crisp,
clear morniuii;; and the suidight has loui,'
been slriig^^jiing throui^h the ruby folds
of the curtains at, her window ere she
awakt.'s. Nearly all have assembled in
the breakfast parlour, when Mrs. Ches-
som descends thereto.

Th'; banker stands near the tire en-
gajfeil in conversation with Judye Ilar-
court and Mr. Chesterton. .Just as Mrs.
Chessom enters the room the latter gen-
tleman, in reply to some (juestion of his
host's, is saying :

" Yes, it is long years since last I saw
Ihigland; and certainly," he added, "some
remarkable changes have taken place
during my al)sence."

There was au emphasis upon the last
words, but so very slight that only one
person in the room, Mrs. Chessom, noted
it ;but Bertram Waldegrave perceived anil
wondered a httle at the momentary tlush
that mounted to his aunt'.s brow, receding
the next instant, leaving her i)ale, with a
singular light flashing in the strangely
burning eyes, which, for a brief moment,
were lifted to this Mr. Chesterton's face.

The full hazel eyes of that gentleman
met the momentary ga/e of the lady
with clear steadiness; and Wildegrave
laucied that, for a moment, t'le latter ap-
peared nervously uneasy, and that he"
usual suave smile and dignified complai-
sance were regained by an eilbrt ; and he
was curious enough to wonder a little
Avhat it meant.

Lady IJirdetta was now quite recovered,
and came down this morning to bri'ak-
fast with the family. She was a little
paler than usual: but otherwise was quite
herself.

At the tal)le .Tarvis declared his Inten-
tion of returning to Wales.

" I have just received a letter from
Polsdon, desiring uje to come, and inform-
ing me that If I start to morrow he shall
be able to njeet me in (/Wmdaron. There
are some matters which 1 wish to look
after at Cwmdaron ; ami which have
already been too long delayed," addeil
he, in reply to his mother's protest
against his undertaking a second journey
into the west at this season of the year,

"By tlie way, Jiirv," said Glencora,
"Is not that the same town in which you
told me our old nurse, Gimpy, as we
used to call her, lives?"

" Thf^ same," replied . Tarvis; "and I
visited her cottage, while there last au-
tumn. She sent the whole family an
unlimited amount of her very best and
humblest respects when I left her
house."'

Glencora laughed.

•' How outrageously we used to {juarrel
with her," said she; •' and what uuinber-
less bowls of herb teas we demolished;
ami then how furious the old creature
would become. Do you not remember?"

"Distinctly; but in justice to myself,"
laughed Jarvis, " I must declare that it
was yourself chiefly who engaged in the
overthrow and demolition of the said
bowls of calomel and pennyroyal. My
sweet sister always eclipsed me in the
way of scratching and biting, as you will
doubtless remember," he said laughingly
to Waldegrave, wlio sat beside him. " I
still bear upon both my arms the marks
of those pearly, but nevertheless veno-
mous teeth of your.s," added he, with
another laugh, and again addressing his
sister.

Miss Chessom shrugged her shoulders.

"My dear brother, you Wcre a deal too
stupid' to be actually quarreldome," said
she. " Nothing in the days of your early
youth, it is true, ever really aroused you
to anything like vehement wrath, unless,
excepting occasionally, when not allowed
too much apple jelly or a surfeit of plum
pudding."

" Pray cease quarrelling," laughed Mr.
Chessom; "and inform me, Jarvis, now
you're to get clear of your engagement to
go to Eiiversham with Vivian ? '

THE llAXKKirs (!l!AXI>rillLI)i!EX,

4»

f-erocovcred,

^' to l)r.'al<-

was :i littl(;

xo was quite

' liis iiiteu-

It'tttT /'roin
•'UKliiironn-
o^v he shall

Oil- There
'i><ii to look
'lic'h have
t'll," added
's protest
utl journey
>f the year.

Gleucora,
which you
Py, as We

" and I

i last au-

raiiiily an

best and

left her

o (juarrel
tuumber-
iiolished ;
creature
lember?''
"J.vseir,"

ihat it
t-'d in tlio
the said
Kul. My
10 in the
vou will
ighiugly
iiu. "I
<J marks
s veno-
'e, with
i«ig his

)iilders,
leal too
," said

1 r early
t-'d you
unless,
llowed

t'pluin

3d Mr.
, how

unt to

"Oh, we setlK'd all that last ni',dit—
the Colonel and I," said Jurvls. " Vivian
will make arraniremenVs to delay goiny,
until my return."

" Whieh will be, how soon ?''' inqtiired
Mrs. Chessom.

"The lastof January— perhaps earlier,"
replied her son.

Glencora made a irrimace.

'"The prospect of a journey to that

id little Welsh town; and thf.n a

-it of some fifteen miles furtlu-r to that

dismally, lonely old estate of Toisdon's —

and at tliis season of the year— must 1k'

supremely pleasant," said she.

" But i'olsdon's place happens to be
neitherdismal or lonely, "said Jarv ; '-and
\' ~i writes me that he has Invited a half
dozen other fellows besides myself— all
capital fellows too."'

It would be difllcult to say which was,
inwardly, tlie must annoyed, Lady St.
Ayvas or her hostess, that the latter's
son, for the sake of what his mother
designated 'one of his numberless whin^.s'
had decided to leave Maplewood, and ln-r
ladyship's daughter, merelv to visit his

''md Polsdon, in an out of the way place

Wales.

vain did Mrs. Chessom aft irvvard
expostulate with the refractory heir of
Maplewood.

''Really, Jarvis," said she, impatiently,
" you are as insensible as a stick ; and [
might add, bearishly rude besides."

" My dear ntotlier, will you favor me
by pointing out the particular ways in
which I have exhibited the insensibility,
and rudeness to which you allude ':"'
asked Jarvis, complacently.

Mrs. Chessom shruiiged her shoulders.

*' You arc so insensible as to prefer the
society of a half dozen 'capital fellows,'
as you call them, to that of a very beau-
tiful and very charming young lady ; and
so rude as to run away whtu the house
is full of our guests."

Chessom t-miled quaintly.

"Insensible! oh, by Jove! but I'm not
— not to the loveliness of Lady Winni-
fred St. Ayvas, at all events; and 1 sup-
pose it was her to whom you have just
referred. She is a heap too good and
sensible and angelic generally for a rul-
tlan like me, though. There's Willough-
by now, he's in love with her up to his
eyes; and I think they'd suit each other
remarkably well."

Mrs. Chessom smiled disdainfully.

"Ernetit Willoughby is a very worthy

young man," said she; " but \\c i.-. a poor
clerk also, and sliouKI he he foolish
enough \o forgi-t the fact, neither Lady
St. .Vyvas or her dau;,'lit('r will be likely
to do so. you may be r|iiite assured."

" The elderly party won t — it's safe to
stake oiK^.s life on tliit. She looks at
him rrusliliigly i very time he veniuros a
wonl to her danglitef. Pve strong sus-
picions," he !i(l(|r(l dryly, " that her la-
dyship would pii'fer iniinltely that her
dauglilei' sliould unite witii th • banker's
grandson and heir instead of his clerk."

".\nd pray \v!iat couid be more natu-
ral," Inquired .Mrs. Chessom, ''ihaMthat
her ladyship sliould prefer, for lu-r daugh-
ter, a really advantageous inatcli to on '
tlecldeoly the opposite of Mial? What
s'ensible mother wouhl not ?"

" .\ltogctIier very sensible for her la-
dyship to manoeuvre so adroitly; and
you nake a very zealous coadjutrix, by
the way, to lier schemes to inveigle your
precious son into an alliance nitli the St.
Ayvases. Ili.r I fear tliere will he a fall-
ing Ihroiiirh of your pretty little arrange-
ment. Fata o'lu/aii , my dear mother.
You acj'use me of iiisonsibiliiy to t'lei'alr
Winnifred's manifold charms— that Is un-
just; I admire her iminensely, but she Is
certainly supiemely indifl'erent to mine.
I'm convinced she cares more for cousin
I'^rnest's little linger ;lian for me ; soul,
body and prospective wealth, all put to-
gether. Not flattering, but 'sailly terribly
true," nevertheless.'"

Mrs. Chessom shook her heail with
contemptuous Impatience.-

" How very absurdly you talk, Jarvis !"
said slie. '• Ft is really too ridiculous,
simply because Lady Wiunifred treats
Willoughby with ordinary politeness to
suppose that she returns any al)surd
fancy which he may have taken for her.
Lady St. Ayvas would be sincerely an-
noyed were she to hear you speak thus."

" Doubtless," responded Jarvis.

"Willoughby is poor; and that is a
crime whicli her ladyship woultlu't be la
the least likely to forgive. You declare
her to be quite inditt'crent to yourself,"
continued Mrs. Chessom, without appear-
ing to notice her son's last remark.
" flovv can you expect her to be other-
wise when you are so oxtre, so bizarre ?
— when you exhibit no more preference
for her society than for that of the rec-
tor's silly little sixteen year old daughter.
Surely you Intend to marry somebody —
whv not Lady Wiunifred ?— you wi'l

I J

THE BANKERS dRA XDCniLOn EX.

n 'i;

novcr fliul a girl more "Douutifiil or accom-
plished ; and you might easily wiu her, if
you only choose to try.

Jarvis yawned.

"Very well, mother. I'll tliink about
the matter, after my return from Wales;
but the lunch beil will ring in less than
llftecn minutes; and I am iu too famished
a state to think or talk of love or matri-
mony at present; besides I've a host of
thing's to attend to before leaving Twick-
enham."

Mrs. Chessom turned away impatiently
and presently the bell rang and all assem-
bled for luncheon.

CIIArTER XXI.

About an hour after luncheon Jarvis
ascended to the library in search of his
grandfather. The banker was not there
when his grandson entered. He had
gone out with -Judge Ilarcourt and Mr.
Chesterton a moment belbre. Lady Bir-
detta Rosenthral informed him.

She was there looking over a volume
of .Vmcrican literature, nnd CMiessom ad-
vanced as her ladvship kdd aside her
\> <k.

'' .My dear lady lUrdetta, are we to bo
^ -sitively deserted— forsaken— abandon-
ed?"' cried he gaily. " Must we lose all
our friends at. once? Madame ma lUcre
is actually despairing. Not only does
Judge Ilarcourt, with his merry little
wife and fair daughters, togetlier wit'.i
the lively demoiseUcs — tlie Misses Ches-
ley and Locksley— take their departure
on the morrow, but your ladyship also,
my mother tells me, intends leaving us
sliortly. Things will be desperately slow
here at Maplewood house; and I'm not
sorry that business will take me away
for a month or so. You, I presume, will
return to your friends in Morecombe."

" No ; I am going to Wales— to the lit-
tle town of Cwmdarou. I am going to
visit Birdie Wylde, My. Chessoiu."

Jarvis pursed up his lips as if to whis-
tle.

" The Dickens you— I moan 's it possi
ble, Lady Birdettn?"

Ladv Birdetta smiled a little at the
question, aud then gravely replied:

" Yes, 1 am nearly couvinced that I
kuow sometliiug of the parentage of th'i
little waif wnom .you have describeil to
me; and I am verv desirou:. ^f ascertain

lug if she is really the daughter of
Birdie Wylde whom I knew years
aud who was as uufortuuatv;, thou

the
h lu

a different way, as her child, providing
this Birdie l)e such."

Chessom leaned against a marble clio
and looked, with a mingling of compas-
sion and curiosity, at the lady's face,
wit!) its drooping eyelids and sorrowful
riioutli. Tlicre was such a deplh of inef-
fli)le sadness in the sweet low voice.

She was a very beautiful woitian, with
wonderful, luminous dark eye.-;. She was
attired iu a rich ilres."^ of souie softly
flowing material, i!~. lavender color of a
beautiful shade.

Cliessom looked u.t her. and recollected
Birdie Wyide's words, " But the lady was
pretty aud dark— that is. dark hair and
eyes; aud 1 remember her best iu a dress
tl'.at- 1 cau't tell you just what color it
was, liut it wasliglit and had a purple tint
in it.'

Lavender was evidently hf^r ladyship's
favorite color, as she so frequently wore
dresses of that shade.

" Our errands to Wales, then, are much
the same, ' said Chessom " My journey
is also chiefly to visit little Birdie, who,
I have omitted to inform vour ladyship,
is a sort of protege of miue. You look
surprised, aud no wonder. 1 am not
naturally, 1 regret to confess, a philan-
thropical individual, and I'm not, as a
general tliiug, iu the habit of picking up
wandering vagrant.s ; but you see, little
Birdie wasn't at all a specimen of the or-
dinary tattered menilicity, though she
was 1 omvless aud forlorn enough, poor
little thing, when I found her first on the
dreary road between Nanteroyd and
Cwmdar'm." Vud then, at her ladyship's
request, Jarvis went on telling her when
' aud where ha had first tnet Binlie— of
j the tipsy, boorish peasants who had at-
I tempted to molest ner, and of his second
\ rencontre with her; of how lie had di-
' reeled her to the cottage of Mrs. Gimp ;
aud of lujw he, in accordance with his
1 promise to revisit Cwmdarou and his
protege, was now about to do so.
I " Of course 't's a hore, aud I was an
i idiot to promise; but the little lonely
I tiling; seemed so woe-bej^oue at the pre,;
; pect of my dep.irtur . that nothing else
which I could say approached cousola-
tiou."

j " You have been very kind to 'the poor
little thing, Mr. CItessom," said her lady-
ship. " It was very good of jou to care
for the iVieni'les!;, orphan."
Chessom looked at her curiously.
''May! eutiuirt, if Birdie— -providing

Tllh: BA XK !-:/!• S a HA XDCin L I) HEX.

oviding

)le Clio
;oiupas-
's face,
rrowful
of inef-
ice.
n, with

'llO WJl.S

-■ioflly
or of a

iHected
lily was
lir and
dresi
olor it
pie tiut

much
)iirney

who,
yship,

look
in not
Jiiiian-

as a

her parents are the persons whom ynii
believe them to be— is really au orphan?
Are both her parents dead?"

Lady Birdetta's voice was low— tremu-
lous with stifled emotion.

"Not both; I believe her mother is
still livinj;."

The next moment her laOyship was
murmurinj: in the ear of her companion
words which caused him to start, and ut-
tci" a KUddeu exclamation of astonish
ment.

Below stairs, in one of the elefjant
rooms, with its ccstly furnishinfjs ot rich
green satin, \vere assembled Mrs. Ches-
som, hec daughter, and anumber of their
guests.

Presently the banker entered, accom-
panied by Judge ilarcourt and Mr. Ches-
terton.

A little while later the latter gentleman
crossed over to where his Iiostess was
seated by a chess table, idly toying with
the pieces.

" Are we to hiivc our L:ime ot '^hess ?"
he inquired. " 'J"li<' y- rag people yon-
der, at their game ol wiii.st, remind me
of it. You see, my dear Mrs. Chessom,
1 sustained sucii heavy and Irequeut los-
ses liist niyht, during our contests, that
1 am desirous of I'ctrieviRg myself now, if
po^si'ole."

Mrs. Chessom express(>d her wiliing-
ncss to play; and so they played, chatting
jilt'asantly the while.

" Check, Mr. Chesterton," said the lady
at IcuiTth.

'• Checkmate, Mrs. Willouarhby— I beg
]inrdon, Mrs. Chessom," said Mrs. Ches-
terton.

Mrs. Leigh Chessom, for some reason,
glai.'ced up with sudden al)riiptness, into '
the smiling face of her opponent; and 1
something in the steadiness of his polite
glance more than ever disconcerted her.

She ninnnured somethinij nhoiit. li.iviritr
ovei'looked her antagonist's (iiu'cii. >\u\

dence ol" the former's father, and Jarvis
Chessom was this morning en mute for
Wales.

Lady Birdetta Kozenthral, having an
engagement with her Londou lawyer,
wlio was to visit her in a day or two at
Twicivcidiam, was not yet ready to start
for W-iies, whither, she informed her hos-
tess, she iiad ."ecidec! to go. for the pur-
pose of visiting au old friend residing iu
Snowdon : and so it was not until a week
later that her ladyship also departed.

Lady Sc. Ayvas and her daughter re-
mained at .Maplewood still, as did Mr.
Chesterton also. The banker would not
litiiir of the hitter's leaving Twickenham
just yet.

" It would be quite too bad of the
,)udge to take you to Ljamshirejust now.
Tray don't think of leaving us just yet at
least. ^'

So his host's cordial invitation to re-
nsain being politely, .if not pressingly,
seconded by his hostess, Mr. Chesterton
remained.

Altnougii tiiat gentleman had been at
Ma[)lewood liouue a few days only, anil
was as vet almost a stranger to its in-
n^.ates, its owner had already taken an
earnest liking, and felt sincere regard
and high esteem lor him. 'i'here was an
irresislii)le air of geniality about, him.
lie was noifle, refined, and possessed
high iniellfcuial jiowers. He was a man
after l'hiii[) Chessom's heart, and they
liad many thoughts and feelings in com-
mon. Ufj was a most agre(!able compan-
ion for either young or old. (Jlencora
declared him a heap too learned; but
lOnn'st Wil.onichby and his sister fouad
him highly entertaining.

He talked politics with the hanker and

lis clerk; they ail three played chess

and wlust and cribbage together. He

related to Mabel stnvies of tlie toilsome

;;i'v('i.t,iiroiis III;: uf th'' rortuoescekftrs

swept I he pieces together. In a few mo-
ments she pleaded weariness, and arose.
Mr. Cliessom took the seat wliieli she
had vacated, and the two gentlemen
played on together.

The next day was the one on which
the banker's guests and his
departed.

Jiidiif! Haroourt ci fainillc left, to re-
Miru to their own home in pretty, ([uiet
Loamshire.

Ida Chesley and her papa's ward, Tris-
sic liOcksley were goiughome to the resi-

iiitlu.' li'.eai mining di>;i ji'ts, .and iles-
erihfd ihrillin;; scenes wliii-h he ha^i wit-
nessed in sou'e of ids m;uiy wanderings,
for the rich colonist had travelled much,

. and iu many lands.

j It is about a fortnight after Christmas
at til" present time (jf writing, (ilenco-
ra threw herself into a rocker thai Si,ood
near her dressing, table, exclainuug to
Lady Winnetreil, who haJ volunteered to
ari'angc the heiress's cuifnre after the
fashion '^i her own.

[ " I am so charmed with your hair. La-
dy Winnifrcd; it is gotten up divinely.

I'.-.-

ry2

THE nAXKER'S GRAXDCHILDHEX,

I shall be infinitely favored if you can
only get mine to look like it. Do you
know, Artiraese trietl vainly for more
than an hour to flx it up just like yours,
and failed. How odd that you can ar-
range your own hair, without assistance
tco, in such a charmingly bewildering
fashion. I'm sure i couldn't for any-
thing. By the way,' exclaimed Glenco-
ra presently, 'didn't grandpapa look
fiightfullygrim at the breakfast table?"

" I did observe how grave he appear-
ed," replied Lady Winncfred. " 1 hope
nothing unpleasant has occurred to an-
noy your grandpapa."

Gleucora laughed scornfully.

" Oh ! nothing which one might not
have expected," said she. " But poor
grandpapa is so— -:o much in his dotage,
and has reposed so much confidence in
him— vViiloughby, I mean. Why, my
dear Lady Winnifrcd, he has actually
been detected in a theft -has stolen from
itrandpa to the amount of several hun-
ilreds! Outrageous, isn't it?"

The pearl inlaid hair brush which
AVinnefred held iu her hand fell to the
fioor.

Glencora moved forward slightly, pre-
tending to survey her own rcfiection iu
the pier-glass, and stole a sly glance at
thnt of her ladyship, and thCn hid i\:i dis-
agreeable little smile that flashed across
her ripe, handsome lips

"Of course, those Willoughby's are
siy aijci mercenary and generally detesta-
ble," went on the young lady, " 1 always
knew that; but who would have imagin-
ed either of them capable of committing
such a contemptible crime— such hideous
ingratitude— after all grandpa's goodness
—did you ever hear of anything so pre-
posterous ?" and Miss Chessom's black
eyes flashed sharply into her companion's
face.

There ivas a cold cliilliness at Lady
VVinnifred's heart— ii blinding dizziness
swam before her eyes. She looked into
the restless black lights that were upon
lier so scrutinizingly ; and, aware that
Miss Chessom was expecting her to say
something, steadied her voice with a
heroic efl'ort, and answered with quiet
calmness :

"I am infinitely astonivshed to Icaru
that so great a crime is alleged against
Mr, Wilioughby ; and, if there is no mis-
take about the affair— if your grandfallier
has proof positive of his guilt, I am sor-
ry—very sorry for his pure-hearted, sen-

sitive little sister. It will be a most cruel
blow to her."

Glencora laughed a sneering yet polite
little laugh.

" You are such an ingenuous, unsuspi-
cijus ci'eature, my darling Lady Winni-
fred, that— iu the language of slang— it
is'nt marvellouSjif, once in a while, you're
' caught by chaff.' Of course, that girl is
so sly and intriguing,and all that, that one,
unless thoroughly acquainted with her,
is nearly certain to be deceived by her.
Oh ! one has to be extraordinarily sag.a-
cious to understand the saintly li* „
hypocrite, with all her smiles and acted
sweetness. But believe me, my dear
l^ady Wiuuifrad, all your pity will be
wasted— quite. The girl is quite as un-
principled as her l)rother— indeed, I be-
lieve Mabel is the most sly and deceitful
of the two."

Lady Winnifred's white forehead was
stained for a moment with a flush of
haughty displeasure. She was growing
to cordially dislike this arrogant, heart-
less daughter of the Clicssoms— this un-
conventional, unladylike, half insolent
beauty and heiress; and there was a
touch of scorn in her even, lady like tones
as she coldly replied :

" I regret that our opinions concerning
;your cou.sins— the Willonghbys— does
not, indeed, have never coincided, Miss
Chessom. In my opinion, it is Mabel
who is truly frank uwX ingenuous. I may
be very credulous— even foolishly so ; but
I cannot esteem her as a creature so very
detestable.''

It was Miss Chessom who flushed this
time- but she answered caroles.siy, with
a shrug and an aUt-nipt to suppress a
yawn

" Well then, dear, pray don't let us
talk of them. What did vou tliink of
Dresden's last ball? Thai's absurdly
abrupt, Iknow; but I tiiought it tlie very
grandest afiair gotten up this seasoh-
did not you ?'

Winuifred made mechanic replies to the
heiress s vapid chin chat, and was glad
when she had finisli.-.l the last plait of lier
blank hair, and could invent s<jme excuse
for slipping away to her room.

She was shocked— Ijttwildered— had felt
too dazed to make any iiwiniries into the
att'air. She only "kihW and n-alized thftt
ErucstWilloughby—inunly— noble— hon-
orable— as she had all along believed him
to be, had been detected iu a theft ! She
could not, would not, believe it; thcr

Til /•; 7? . I yk'Eir s a i?a M) ( 7/ / l du ex.

h)i

firl is

i very

this
with

felt

the

thfit

llOD-

Ihim
IShc

ler.

musit have been a nii.stiii<o soinowliere!
Slie had wondered a little that uioniiiiji
that neither Ernest or his sister iuid ;ip-
p?ared at breakfast; and on making in-
quiry about the latter, was iuforied by
her h;istess that Mabel had corr'plained
of foelina ill the nisht before, and haft
not yet left her chamber. Poor little
May I— was she grlevinj; over tlie dls-
{rrace wliieh had fallen upon her hand-
some, noble brother, of whom she had
hiihorlo been justly proud •*— and Ernest
— where was Ernest ?

CHAPTER XXII,

A srUDKX UIXT.AUATtOX.

Tliere came a little tap at the door of
Winnifred's sleeping room. She sat up
with a sudden start, and brushed back
her dishevelled hair as her dignilled mam-
ma onteied.

" Winnie, darling, you're sure to be
late for luncheon; the bell will ring in!
less than twenty minutes," said iier lady- 1
ship.

Winnifred rose up an I walked over to
the pier glass, glancing at her reflection
therein.

•' You are looking pale, my dear," said
her mother. " Z.* will do you good to go
out with dear Glennie this alteinoon.
She is going to do some shopping in the
city, she tells me, and she is so desirous
that you sliall accompany her. There
are some brocaded velvets at Miiulorn's.
and Glennie wishes to consult your taste
about which particular pattern she shall
purchase."

" Our tastes are so very antipodal in all
things," replied Winnifred dryly, " that
T iliiuk it improbable that they would be
likely to concur even in the selection of
material for a ball toilette. Besides,
my head aches; and I much prefer re-
maining at home to driving to the city."
" Why, my love, it would do you good,
and freshen you up a litile,'* said her
Ladyship; but Winnifred shook her
head.

"Well then, pray make haste: tlie
lunch bell rings in jiist eight minutes,"
said her laayship, consulting her watch.
" But"— and Lady St. Ayvas' j( welled
hand wis lifted qwK<. tri'gically ■ " have
you be( a informed of the shocking crime
which vhat person, Mr. Willoughby, has
committed ?— have you heard that he
has act;ially robbod Mr. Chessom— his
benefactor."

Winuifrod turned her face away, and

her "yes, (ilencora informed me of the
affair." was spoken very faintly.

" Kealiy," said her huiyship, scornfully,
"I dare say the contents ofourjewei
case is unsafe. I missed my lieavy
emerald bracelet which your dear uncle
Lowdcr gave me las year, and have not
seen it for several tdays. I trust now,
mydiar Wiunii'red, that you will coiu-
prdi^iid the wisdom of my lemonstranees
against your intimacy with Mabel Wil-
loughby. That simple, chattering, little
Kosie CislIeniMiu — I (ion't wonder that,
she should take the girl up; but you—
especially alter having been wari;ed ot
her true char.'.cter — 1 really do wonder
at you, luy dear."'

Lady Wliiiiirreillookeil wonderingly at
her mother.

'• Has .Malicl done anything ?" she iii-
c(uireil. "Do you accuss her of theft
also i"'

" Aocusc! her of theCi ?— certainly not,
my doiV". I lielievu I have said noLliing
wii'.cli sounded like an aeeusation of that
sort.

•' No nuininia; but you mentioned hav-
ing lost your emerald l)racelet; and iin-
ni'jdiati'ly ;il'!cr spoke so disparagingly of
Mai)el thai I inferred "

Lady St. .\yvas interrupted with a
slioi'f. dry laii^li.

"I hive lost the Mrncelet, certainly ;
but 1 don't accuse Miss \Villoughl)y of
having stolen it; it may possibly turn up
again; b'lt, if the brother is a thief why
not the sister also ?"

Lady WinnilVed turned resolutely.

" Maiiuna, 1 don't believe it," said she
rlrraly. "Whatever Mr. Willougiiby may
have done 1 know not; but it is cruel to
suspect Mabel of a mean p.aU.ry r rime,
simply because her hrotlier has erred. I
beliive poor little May is as good and
honorable as any of us."

Lady St. Ayvas yawned and shrugired

" Tiiere is the lunch oell," said slie;
ami they descended togetliur.

It was a somewhat silent rejvist despite
the ell'orts by tdl present to rcudiu" it
agreeably otherwise.

Mr. Chessom— usually tlu^ most genial
of hosts— was, in spite of himself, grave,
ciistrauiiht, almost silent. He was more
pained and sorrowful than he could have
told, that his clerk— the young man in
who.-te honor and integrity he iiad placed
;such full and entire reliance -such impli-
cit trust— shouid have proveil himself so
utterly uuvvorthy of his confidence.

• <

iifi

77f7^ BAXKJ-JirS OhW XnCUTLDRKX.

Could it bo possible ? Sometimes he
felt inclined to Ijelievo it all a mistake —
to disbelieve bis own senses even ; but
then the conviction th:it there was no
doubt of his iruilt forced itself upon him:
the proofs were so undeniuljle— it was
so indisputably evident that none other
than Ernest Willou^diby had surrepti-
tiously ai)stracled from his— L'.u' banker's
- es;critoiro the sum oflOOO; and he had
bcllevcil tlrs l)ri.uht, iiandsoine young fel-
low to be all tliat was upright ami hon-
orable. Certainly it was humiliatin''; to
discover that he had !)een duped and de-
ceived ;aud the banker was terribly ;v!i,q;ry;
still he woald— strange to rec'.>rd— have
relinquished Lall his ;;reat !(irtune^:,dadly
to have had the youn^' man all he had be-
lieved him ro be— lionest, honorable,
truthful a id pure hearteil. Ay, even
nnicli the :ireater portion of his wealth
would he have ^'iveii, ix.t to have had his
faith in his clerk's integrity thus ruthles.-
ly shattered ; and t hen he was anury with
liimself lor his weakness.

Had his own jrrand>on, instead of his
clerU, committed tlii^; crime ihc banker
was forced to acknowledge to himself that
lie shoultl have felt Viot one wliit more
sorrowful, unuatural ;is it seemet'i, nor so
disnppointt'il.

He had always been obliued to admit
I hat V/idoujiliby possessed— or seemed
to possess— many more sterliii;^' qnalilies
than Jarvis. with the hitter's Iiiilf dissi-
pated, indoK-nr habits- his f.Jiuluess f>).'
wine and turf and gamblint:", and his dis-
rey;ard for more useful thini;s ; ami yet he
was really not, by any m> aus. thu worst
sort of felh)W in the world — tliis frivo
lous,hcedless JarvC'iiessom; lu was <i;ood
tempered, ireiierons, and possessed real
talents too, had he chosea lo lot th m see
the liiiht ; l)Ut the iKinker si'^lu'd now and
then as he thought how ditfi.'rent in char-
acter and ilisposition was Leigli's son
from Leigh himself.

Lady St. Ayvas and (Jlencora Chessom
were the oiiiy ones who seemed thorough-
ly at eas>:e during luncheon that day.

Mrs. Chessom was not (pate herself;
indeed the stately lady was slightly un-
like ii 'rseirall along of late. 'I'iiere was
a certain uneasiness in her manner, not
usual with h"r; and more of resllL'ssness
than was wont in her dark, briglit eyes.

l<ady Winnifred was silent, restless,
and glad when tin; meal was cjver. Ber-
tram Waldegrave, Mr. Chesterton, and
^Ir. Kimmellton were in Luiulon, whither

they had gone a day or two previous,
and were not expected to return for sev-
eral days,

Harvey Fairleigh, having received a
summons from his uncle, Lovvder Fair-
leigh, had gone to Islington; s.. that La-
dy St. Ayvas and her (laughter were the
only guests stopping at Maple wood that
dry.

Mabel was still unabl-j to leave her
chamber, Mrs. Chessom said : an.1 Er-
nest, where had he goU'!? How Winni-
trcd longed to ask the question. The
day dragged throui;h wearily enough to
Winnifred. She longed to go to Mabel,
to sympathise with the poor little or-
phan, and— and Winnifrcd's heart gave a
sudden throb at the thought — to learn if
Mabel i)elieved idm innocent or guilty.
Innocent I she would believe liimtiiat;
it would l)e but natural that she sliouid
do so, Winnifred thought. How could
he be guilty? Sue could not — would nit
believe it h-u'sclf ; thei'e was some great
S.j'iie (j!> ! els(! even
.',('d r'le d-'c I ; but not
u'c iiiid JDaorable as

mistake surely,
might have co i
Willoughby, -• > i
he had been.

In a vague

■ of way she waiid -red
'i'.'ulor, au'l met 3.1 ii)el
v.'f the hitter's dressing

out into the '
near the doi<'
room.

" Mabel, my dear little friend," "".Vin-
nifred exclaiuied, advancing impulsively
towHi-d the fragile littl ; figure.

.Maliel sprang forward.

" Vou don't believe,'' she began, "you
do not despise me, Lady WiimifriHl. I
might have known you better."

"Despise you. May ? Why -hould 1?
and who has said so ?"

Mabel hesitated.

"I— something which Glei;c jra said
this morning caused ine to believe thus,"
said she; "but I might havt knowv. "oet-
ter. Glencora is always unkinu ; but it
is cruel — so cruel of her to be glad that
poor Ernest has been charged with this
dreadful, despicable crime, and to taunt
rae so insultingly. They— you have bcii
told all about it— you know all the af-
fair?" .she asked.

"I only kp.owthatyour brother has been
accused of having taken wrongfully from
Mr. Chessom a considerable sum of mo-
ney," said Lady Winnifred hurriedly;
" that is all I know of the attair."'

"And he is innocent — the accu.'iation
issounjustl" Miibel broke forth vehe-

THE BAXKEfrS (jnAXDCIIILURKX.

;>.)

TVin-
isivoly

Kl I?

is;li<l

HIS,"
|'i)c;r-
lit it

ItlKlt

Ithis

|nnt

)eu

lio-

sobs

Wianifi'od drow her gently to a wiu-
dow seat and knelt besldo her.

"My poor darling little May," she said,
soothin.'^ly ; *' pray ilo not grieve so.
The sum which vour l)rother has be'!n

montly, with a storm of tears and stifled \ look in their depths, but never so intense

I — so iinpassioneil as now.
j He loved her then— this man whom she
I had deemed cold and indift'erent to her.
: He loved her; and all along she liatl been
I angry at herself that, unsonght, she had
j learned, in spite of herself, to feel for
charged with having taken may not have ' liin> i'i'>i'« than mere friendly regard.
been taken by any one. and may yet turn Sometimes, as I have said, she had be-
up, or the true culprit, if there be oue, ! held for a brief moment a Hash of that
may yet be found, and your tu'other pro- j worshipful light in his eyes— had detected
ven innocent, (^lieer up. May, dearest, j a hidden tenderness in ids tone and man-
all this darkness will— it nuist — clear i uer; but it was mumeuLary only, aiii.l the
away. i love-light vanlshed--was resolutely smo-

" He 'V innocent— I know it — I feel it I" j thered, and in its place a half sombre
her li'Mi't wliisi)errii pa-.siouately, as she [ shadow would sometimes creep into his
inuruHiri'ii sooiliinu' words of hope to the • eyes, and he was cahnly and gravely

polite again.

J)Ut now his looks were telling her as
unmistakably asdal the passioned words
which, a few moments later she heard
hiin utter, thai he loved her dearly —

fragile lii tie gill v, ho>e golden head lay
trustingly upon herl)ieast.

Mabel looked up wMi sudden gladness.

"Then yoa— you do not bedeve him
guilty. Lady WinuilVed 'i" she asked
eagerly. •• Glencora told mc that you j dearly.

believed him dishonorable and a thief.

Winnifred flushed with uuligaation.

" Miss (Jhessom has no reason to be-
lieve that 1 have ever considered your
brother, otherwise thau as an honorable
gentlen:an,*' she said, "and has, there-
tore, not the slightest grounds for an
assertion of that kind."

There was a footfall on the velvet car-
pet, and Ernest Willoughby stood before

lie bent toward her so closely that the
wavy locks on his temples toiicheel her
white forehead.

"Then you do not believe ?" he asked
again with intensest eagerness. AVinni-
fred"s eyes met his clearly, trust fully.

" I believe, fully, that you are innocent
of all this charged against you," she
said.

Willoughljy had been striving hard to

them — ICrnest, but so pale and worn and, retain control otiiimsi It'; but unw a some

weary that, in appe;irance, he was ten j thing— a

great

impulse, stronger thau

years older thau when Winiufred had last • himself, came to him and was fasf, dash-
seeu him. j ing aside the calm restraint which, in his

A little exclamation, half of pity-half i Pi"''''-^'. l»^' '"^^l placed on hunself. The clear
ofastonishmentrosetoLa.ly Winnifred-slL-adeuce of her voice floated Hl^e sweet

lips. She rose up, looking clearlv, search- i l^^v "^'J^'C in his ears; and forgettm- all.

uigly
face.

l)righ

into the young man's handsome

was innocent: Something hi the
, clear eyes told her this— assured
her m.ore fully than could all other evi-
dence in the world liavi; assured licr to
the contrary. With a sudtlen impulsive-
ness she extended her haiul toward him.
He caught it eagerly lu both his own.

Mabel slipped softly away ; but in the
absorption of the moment neither noticed
when she went.

" You do not believe it then ?" were
Willoughby's first words, spoken in
low, glad tones.

Lady Winnifred lo(<ked up suddenly
into his eyes, so lull of passionate eager-
ness, of burning fervor. More than once

stronger

i save his great love ol her, he caught her

I 111 a passionate emorace.

I " I love you, love you, love you !"' were

! his vehement words, involuntarily utler-

j etl. " I meant never to have told you

I this— to have hiilden my hopeless love

I always,"' he went on hurrietlly; "but

that whicii impels me to speak — to tell

you that I love you madly — is

"than my very self.''

There was a soft rustle of silken robes,
a slight cough, and Winnifred raised her
crimson cheek from Willoughby's shoul-
der, and gazed, half aghast, at the horri-
fied face of her mother, who stood, lioth
hands uplifted, and with an expression
upon her face that was a mingling of ter-
ribly shocked dignity, contempt of the
most withering sort, and concentrated

before had she beheld soinetliing of tiiat rage

rUE BAXKEIVS G UAXnCIHLDR ES .

;

' i

■1'

ivoally I" wiis all licr ladyship at first
managc'il to gasp. Biit her vocal powers
did not for long desert her; and then her
iiKlignation Ibnnd vont in words, calmly,
cuttingly, conteniptutusly spoken. No
ver for oncj did her well-lired tunes lose
a pa t'cle ol" tlieir lady-like, uurnftied
silkiHfss.

'* If you're innocent of this crinn' — this
— theft, as you claim, would you, were
you possessed of one atom of truly rc-
llned fiicliiig, distress her lady.-hip by
professing an afl'eetiou fnrher which, lo
speak ever so mildly, is insanost folly ?
You! a begga>ly clerk I accused as you
are, too, of a most despicable crime— the
disgraceful stain of that crime clinging
to your name I Would yon, I say, had
you one spark of geiUJeniaidy honor, ad-
dress her ladyship in such terms, under
the existing circumstances, even Though
she iVv-re insane enough to listen to you
— even though you loved her as madly as
you profess ?' ai.d Lady St. Ayvas'
haughty lips curled scornfully.

Ernest and Winnifred were standing
apart now ; the former's fact; haughty and
flushed wilh the anger to which Lady St.
Ayvan' arrogant words had stung him ;
th^ latter pale, silent, srirrowful.

Iler ladyship turned to her motionless
daughter next, and haughtily c'.esired her
to seek her own apartments, thus waiv-
ing the hot re^)ly to her contemptuous
speecii which was trembling on Willough-
by's lips.

Winnifred lifted thjse wonderful eyes
of hers to his face, an ineffable sweetness
in their sorrowful depths. Willoughby
sprang toward her involuntarily.

"My love, my darling!" he nuirraured

eagerly.

You Avill— von do love nie,

do you not ? With that assurance I can
endure all things else."

Lady St. Ayvas grew white beneath
her rouge with scornful anger; she spoke
almost lierr:ely now.

" Winnifred, are you mad ? Go at once
to your room."

Never before, in her nineteen years of
life, luul Lady Winnifred defied her dig
nifled mamma. Lady St. Ayvas had no
t'louglit of such a thing as detiance on
hvi' always dutiful daughter's part now.

"Go," and her ladyship waved her
jewelled hant; peremptorily in the direc-
tion of Winuifred's chamber.

Willoughby was standing close beside
the latter now, his eyes full of passion-
ate pleading bent upon her. She was hesi-

tating. Would she go away — leave him
thus—without one word of farewell?

He vvatcheil her s veet face eagerly.
Lady St. .Ayvas did so, curiously, angri-
ly. The eyes of the mother and dangliter
for a brief moment met. Something in
the hitter's steady glance startled her la-
dyship, and the seorniul words upon her
lips remained unspoken. She stared,
angry and aghast, ;it I.er—for the first
time— refractory daughter.

' Winnifred v\as stamliug now before
Willoughby, and placiiig both her bauds

! trustingly in his,

I " (iood by(\ Mr. Willoughby," she said,

I iu sweet, low tones. " I do love you

, truly. Good bye ; and may (Jod bless
jou, and prove you innocent to all others

' as I !)elieve you to be."

i Her stately ladyship could only gasp

I hysterically.

I VVillougiiljy's heart bouuded with an
exquisite thrill of happiness. She loved
him— she had just said so— this lieauti-

] ful, peerless Lady AA^innifred. ile was

' parting with her — he luinht never see her

I again; but she loved him— she trusted

; hiu); he could bear ail other tilings with
that precious knowledge, lie pressed

j the slender little hands to his lips.

! "Good bye, my life— my sweet dar-
ling,' he nuirmured. " With that assur-

\ ance 1 can never be very unhappy, what-
ever else comes to me."

I He pressed his lips to her white fore-
head lor a moment, and then was gone.

j Lady St. Ayvas saidv down upon a seat
in the great shadowy corridor and wrig-
gled in violent hysterics. Her daughter
bent over her, but was fiercely waved off.
" Leave me ! Send Gretchen to nio ;
and then go at once to your own cham-
ber, you mad girl!" exclaimed her lady-
ship in a subdued shrick ; and Winuifreil
dutifully obeyed.

Gretchen canie and assisted her lady-
ship to her chamber, which she did not,
again leave until late the ensuing day.

CHAPTKK XXII I.

Ernest Willoughby went in search of
his sister after having left the long corri-
dor, and the scene which we have above
described. She was in the conservatory
below, he was informed by a servant:
and thither he went and found her.

There was earnest inquiry in her love-
ly purple-bine eyes as her brotiier bent
down, kissing her lips.

" She loves me, jMay, dearest,'' he sa:d,

THE BANKFAV^ GRAXDCHILDREX.

;asp

fovo-

licsaid,

his voice half tremulous witli jjladuess:
"she loves and irusls me, despite them,
all. She is au angel, lil^e you, little sis- '
ter." !

Mabel looked at him with a teiitlcr, |
liaifglad, half sorrowful little smilo. llei
was pale aud worn still ; but what a world '
of dreary wrctchediit'ss had goni; oul oC:
his eyes; what an (uirnest, eager, hope |
ful light had come, instead, into their I
clear hazel depths. I

" And yon have come to say ::()od l)ye, }
ilarling?" she said, with an ell'jrt to keep j
back a sob. I

" Yes, love, good bye, and Iieaveu i)luss i
you, my precious little si.-ster,' replied j
Willoughby, clasping the fragile little tl-
gure to his heari. }

" Yon will go where?" asked May. j

A shadow passed across her oroilRT's |
face.

'* Almost anywhere, s(j long as I Ii-ave
England," he said. '■ 1 read this nioiii-
iug that a sailing vessel, the Victor,
leaves Liverpool on tlieGth of next mouth
for Montreal. I think I shall take a \yA>-
sage in her. I am sure to bo mori; eon-
tented anywhere away Irom heie; and I
know I shall like Canada. '

"Canada!" repeated Mabel. "Oh,
ErutSt, 1 do not believe 1 shall ever sue
you again. I do not believe yen will ever
come back to dear old Kuglandl'

Willoughby looked down at her with
sorrowful tenderness. |

"J^o, May, dearest, I shall nevtr re i
turn"' he said, with something that was i
like a sob in his voice. "Never; even'
though this cloud be driven from over
my name; but it can never bv(|uite thai ;
a shadow will remain always; Uien* will
be some who will ri:fu.?e to belli vt' me
iuuoceut — Buch persons as J/ady Si. .\y-
vas for exaujple— Ijowever conclusive the
proof of my innocence may be. But
there will be no proof of my innocence;
it is folly to hope for even a slight pallia-
tion, let alone a total obliteration of ihe
miserable stain upon my character."

Mabel heaved a sobbing litile sigh.
Her heart was aching with sympathetic
sorrow for this idolized brother of hers,
who stood beside her with such a stern
pale lace; with sorrow and anger, and
wounded pride and honor battliuj; at his
heart, only the faintest throb of a pitiful
hope— the half mournful, half glad thrill
of that which was a miugling[of passioD-
ate, hopeless lore and something mat
was akin to happiness— something that
told bim that that lore, however hope-

less, was returnej— serving to lessen the
darkness of the shadow which had fallen
so suddenly ujjon his life with all its
yonthfid, hopeful ardency— its bright,
noble aspirations and anticipations.

'• But I shall go to Canada, and scttlf
d(Mvii in some business there," he wont
u I, Irving to speak hopefully: "antl then
von .sIimH come to me, and if you like it —
ij'you can give up old friends and asso-
cia'ions, you will remain witii me always,
and make Itritrlitiiess for my dull life.

Mabel leaned liur gnklen head upon his
breast.

" 1 can ijo anywhere wiili you, dear
Kiuest,"' she said. '• Iiidetd 1 .shall be
glad to leave here. The Did a-isoeiatioiis
eai) nevi r, lieiieet'irt*i. In- anythinii but
painful to m : ami I .>lia!l rt';iri-t partiii;;-
v> i 111 very iV'w of our frieiiiis. 1 idmo.-t
liatt; tlu-m," she add.'d !;irterly. " 'Jhey
are all so cruel — ,-.(> citi'. 1 to believe yois
guilty. a-< if you coiilil be rliat!"

Willougiiby cl:i>ped her closely iu hit
aiin-i. It was a Mirrowful parting, and
Mabel wept long and biiteily after he
had gone — y;one out into the world to
battle alone; and then what woidd it h?.
intheenil? Xu br'ght i:oa! for his am-
bition to look up to; notliing at last but
a l)lighte(l name and a saildened life.

'• Uh, it is cruel, very, very cruel," she
murmured. "Sogot.d, so noble. Poor
Krnest."

Ernest Willougld)y went forth from the
home ot the Ches.sonis, receiving a fare

he
no

Well from only two of iis inmates;
did not fveu see tliu !)anker — had

thonijht that by him he was watched as-
he drove away from ilie great house —
avi'ay IVom Maplewood roi\;;-t'r.

Soiueiiovv I Ins depariu!-e brought back
to ilie memory of the master of Maple-
wood that other baiiLshinent, when Leigh,
his only son, had also gone forever, with
a bitter cur^e hurled after hira. He had
been so dear to him — this bright young
fellow — so dear to him ; more so, he felt
at this moment, when Ernest was going
for good, than ever his own grandson had
been. He watched him, as he drove
down the leafless aveuue, and something
within him urged him to -innocent or
guilty — recall him; but what if, after all,
his clerk should repel him? The pride
of the banker could never endure this.
No, he would uot be so weak, he told
himself. Was he, he wondered angrily,
In his dotage?

THE JiAXKJ'J/rS GRAXnCHILDRUX,

CIIAPTKIl XXIV

Harvey Kiiirlfigli, haviiiir executi-d a
store <ir so of his wliiinsioil uiiclf
Jj()\vdc'i"':i coiniiiiK.sioiis with a (lc';irc'c' of
patiouci! tiiat was praisoworlhy. ielt l-t
linjrtoii and '•etunied to Twu^kenham the
day ensuiiii: Hriiost Wiiioiigliby's (lc'i)ar-
turc from thi'iici-.

Lady \ViiinitV(,Mi, sitting l)y iIh- ".vimlo'v
in licr drc'ssinii; room, which ovc.'riootwrd
the great leatkvss avenue, drew a ri!i( ved
lonj; lireatli as -she saw her merry cousin
alliiht from ti cab that was driven np.
and stopped for a moment before the
door of Maplewood liouse.

Siie was i>iad to see brusque Harvey
batkajiain; his j^ay conversation would
be enlivening; and the hours tiiat hunu
so hf iivily upon her hands would be rtu-
dered less intolerably dismal by his re-
turn. Not that there was tin.' smallest
Ire k of L'ay society at and around Maph-
v,:od. The great drawing rooms were
rearly always in receipt of ;:ay guests;
always callers and ufcern"on visitors,
and pleasant throngs in the evenings;
and yet tlicy had all suddenly grown lire-
soiiie, even irksome, to Winnifred. It
was all so hollow ami heartless and friv-
olous ; and she was so tired of it all — so
thoroughly weary.

She had absented herself from a gay
skating party that day, pleading a head-
ache as au excuse. She wanted to be
free from envious belles, aud the gallant
attentions of dashing milUaires, and fash-
ionable, frivolous chit-chat for at least a
little season.

Afler the merry party had gone, and
she had bathed her mammas temples
with ecut ill' coluyne, and administered to
that fretful lady a sootliing restorative
when she showed symptoms of incipient
hysterics, she found au opportunity ol
slipping away to her own apartme'nts,
being informed, with a reproachful sigh,
by her ladyship tliat slie was no longer
required to remain, and that she would
try to obtain a little sleep.

She sat down and looked out vaguely,
listlessly, from between the velvet cur-
tains at her window. It was a relief to
be alone— to be free to lay aside, for a
brief interval even, the mask of light-
hearted gaiety which, only when unseen
by others, she was obliged to wear.

"Poor little May," she murmured
drearily; " she is less miserabiC than I;
she may grieve for him, but I— oh, it is
so cruel— I must be outwardly gay and

canless, for what the world will say."'

She leaned her head wearily against
iMt! IVaine. and wondered sorrowfully,
vaguely, if (he great shadowy clOvid that
enveloped the prf sent would clear a.vay
ever, or if its dreariness and darkness
would always follow her, dimming all the
briLihtiu.'ss of the futwre.

Harvey Fairleigh ascended the bro;\d
main stairctsse a few moments after bis
entrance of i\Ia|)lewo(»d liouse, and, meet-
ing his cousin UMnnifrcd in the corridor,
eml)raced her, exclaiming:

•' Back, you see, cousin Winnifre('.,
safely in the tlesh, and vvithout having
had my precicnis head bitten otf by our
' i)oor dear uncle;' but he was in no need
of a temper when I arrived, that Idid not
get there earlier."'

" I suppose uncle Lowder is as well as
usual?" inquired Winnilred.

"(Ml, (luite," responded Fairleigh;
"anil I w:is compelled to execute some-
thing less than Hfty fussy, bothering com-
missions, while there, to which he con-
descended to entrust ine. I must needs
go a horrid journey of more than a hun-
dred miles on soin'^ tedious business,
when a k;tter or telegram would have
managed the att'air quite as saiisfactorily
as iny own person ; and, on my way back,
became dripping and drenched in a b'. ast- ,
ly rain-storm, receiving from my beloved
relative, on presenting myself before him
with some mild complaint of my water-
soaked condition, the comforting assu-
rance that I need apprehend no serious
danger from the hovrible chills, whi h
were the consequence of my wetting, as
those born to be hanged seldom came to
their end in any other fashion— ugh! 1
haven't got clear of those creepy chills
yet." he added with a shrug. Then he
rattled gaily on :

" liut what in the name of all wonder-
ful things," he inquired presently, " has
happened down yonder? Mr. Chessoin
has grown thinner than the average cu-
rate during my absence, and though he
endeavored to do the cordially hospitable
on inj return just now, there is a sort of
moroseuess and reserve about him which
certainly didn't characterize hlra previous
to my departure from Twickenham. And
it seems to me," he added, ''that our
hostess, also, is not exactly her former
self. There seems to be a sort of ner-
vousness in her manner which isn't at all
in accordance with her accustomed dlg-
nitied complaisance. Why, she actualiy
! started so visibly, on meeting me a mo-

THE HA XKKirS (;UA Mx'll I Lhl! KS.

.V.>

londer-
" has
lessom
e cu-
jh he
Ipltable
Isort of
I which
tevious
In. And
)at our
[former
)f ner-
I't at all
led dlR-
iictualiy
a mo-

incul t\;?o, UitiL an obscrwr iniuht. liavi!
coucliKli'il tliiit I was a ;^riiii oincial, just
ollcriiifi hci' a pair of manackis with tlie
stern words, ' Madam, joii arci my pris-
oner I' instead of merely presentin<f, witli
one of my finest bows, n\y small mid aris-
tocralieally vvliito hand,"eontinued Faii-
leigli, contemplating for a moment one ol
his not very fair and souiewliat chuljhv
little lists.

Winnifred had not time to reply ere
Mabel Willouj^hby and he r friend, liosie
CustlenuUn, crossed the corridor; and
Fairleigli came forward to jireet them,
his heart set all a flutter by the pressure
of liosie's dimpled little iiand, and the
briylitness of her eyes.

Kind-hearted little liosie had persuad- ,
ed her friend to iX,o witli lier over to tlie
' Oaks,' the residence of the former's fa-
ther, wliich was only a little distance
from Maple wood. \

" It will do you good, May, dear," Ho-
sie had said coaxinjilv. " And we shall ,
l)e quite alone. I have given the ser- -
vants sweeping orders to admit no soul
to my presence during the remainder of
the day, and the evening. I-^ven aunt j
Howard and cousin Ilonoraare to he ex- 1
eluded for to-day. Come, child, it will
brighten you up ; my charming society j
always dispels the ' blues ;' it's sure to j
enliven you Come along;" and Mabel, i
bestowing a grateful little embrace upon
her friend, prej arecJ to go with her to \
the ' Oaks.'

"1 am carrying May off* witli me," lio-
sie exclaimed gaily. " I am dying to
liave her over at the house, and papa is
dying to hear her play all those lovely
ballads, which she does so sweetly. My
performance of them is execrable. Papa
declares he Cdn never distinguish the dif-
ference between my execution of Von
Webber's last and Flying Galop; and
cannot tell if I am playing ' If you could
come back to me, Douglass,' or 'Johnny
Sands ;' but Mabel does them all so di-
vinely," she added.

They chatted for a few moments lon-
ger, and then merry liosie tucked Mabel
under her arm and tripped away.

" How pale and thin Miss Willoughby
looks," remarked Harvey, as the two
young ladles disappeared.

" Has she been ill during my absence?"
he inquired.

" Yes, so III as to be unable to leave
her chamber for several days," said
Winnifred.

"Too bad, poor little thing," com-

mented Fairk'igli; "how mournful t!io>e
sweet, piirplf-liiiH' eyes of lier's looked,
to l)e sure. I'.y the way," he addetl,
"where is I'.rni'sl? — in London I sup-
pose; ilo you know if he returns to-
night?"

A Hush came into Winnifred's fair I'aco.
Her cousin was ignorant of the painful
affair which had transpired during his
absence from Maplewood. He and \\"\\-
longhby had long hccn the firmest friends ;
Would he trust tlie latter now, f)r'Jo;n in
his denunciation ?

Lady Winnifred spoke hesitatingly :
"Mr. Willoughby lias left Twieken-
liam, and will not return," she said.
Fairleigh pursijd up his lips,
" Left Twiekiaiham, and will mjt re-
turn?" he repeated slowly, and staring
interrogatively at Lady Winnifred; then
an idea struck him, and he jumped to a
conclusion. " That is one way of ac-
knowledging tliat yon have jilt,e(l liim,
I suppose," lie said grimly. " Uy .love.'
Winnifred, what heartless frauds women
are; but 1 believed tliat you were an ex-
ception to the general rule."

Lady Winnil^red looked into her cous-
in's suddenly clouded face, at a loss, for
a moment, to (|Uite understand his mean-
ing; then, comprelieHding that he was
mistaken, she sliook her head half im-
patiently, saying:

" I'ray do not rusli so rashly at, a con-
clusion, Harvey; I have not jilted Mr.
Willoughby, as you say, but scjinething
has liappened."

She went on tlien, tellin'^ him all slie
had learned about the very unpleasant
afl'air.

" But he is innocent— I ara sure lie is
that, slie concluded eagerly.

" Why, of course he's innocent," Ijroke
in Harvey. " Such a line noble fellow
as Willoughby's been, ever since the first
hour I knew liirn. There isn't a more
liouorable fellow, nor a manlier one in
the country. It's a confounded shame !'
he went on savagely; "and I'll let Mr.
Chessom know what I think of llie whole
miserable transaction, host or no host."
Fairleigii was in a towering passion ;
scarcely the evidence of his own eyes
could have induced him to believe his
friend guilty of any dishonorable deed ;
and he was furious that this cliarge was
prefeiTcd against him. And yet he was
forced to own that, however innocent
Ernest might be, appearances were cer-
tainly strongly against him. Only the
banker and his clerk po.ssessed tlie pe-

()0

THE HANKEirs (jnANDCHII.DliUX.

Fi-

culiariy wrought koys wliicli llttcd the
lock of the oscriloiro, from which the
inissiiiir £(!()0 had Ixon ahstnictoil.
Then foro the said «.S(:rit()ii'e could not
have i)een opened by any one else than
Earnest, save the bunker liiinself,aud the
six handled pounds were certainly gone.
Smaller sums had more than once before
been found unaccountably missing; and,
the very day succeeding the one on which
the last sum had been taken, it was as-
certained that Ernest had invested, in a
certain speculation, to the amount of
X500, for the possession of which ho
could not satisfactorily account. It was
undeniable that the circumstantial evi-
dence was very conclusive.

"But 1 don't believe asingle word of
it," Harvey stoutly declared. "There's
a mistake somewhere -somebody else
took the missing amount, or maybe the
banker's a somuami>ulist or something of
that sort; anyhow, I'd wager my life that
Willoughby has not done this thing."

AViunifrcd caught at the sugestion of
somnabulism offered by Harvey. She
had heard of such things as people becom-
ing victimized by the prauks of a sleep
walker; who knew that this case might
not 1)e one of that son .'—and perhaps,
after all, the mystery would be eventu-
ally cleared up.

CHAPTEli XXV.

Harvey went to his aunt. Lady St.
Ayvas, after having parted with Lady
Winnifred in the corridor.

Her ladyship,withthe assistance of her
maid, had dressed, and would appear at
dinner, which was to be announced in
half an hour.

She greeted her nephew languidly, in-
quired solicitously after the health of the
crusty brother, whom she always desig-
nated " poor, dear Lewder," and was ex-
ceedingly aunoyod, when Fairleigh in-
formed her that in something less than
an hour he should start/ lor Camberwell.

" 1 have a friend, a young artist, re-
siding there," he explained, " and I shall
probably remain with him most of the
time until the termination of your visit
here at Maplewood ; then, I shall be in
readiness to accompany you and my cou-
siu back to Fairleigh house."

" But why this unreasonable haste,
Harvey ?" her ladyship fretfully inquired ;
•• you can remain until after dinner, at
least. It is positively impolite to rush
off so abruptly, without any good rea-
son."

"Hang politeness," growled Harvey.
Lady St. Ayvas's brows lifted umazed-

" littally, Harvey, what would our host
thiuk of your bearishness, I wonder ?"
she remarked, with dignity.

" Hang our host," grimly responded
Fairleigh; " but good-bye. Aunt Muriel.
I roust make my adieux to the rest, and bo
off."
Her ladyship shrugged her shoulders.
" What a veritable bear you are, Har-
vey ; your brusqueuess always sends ner-
vous shivers through one," said she

Harvey replied only by a quaint grim-
ace, and ran down stairs. He met Mr.
(^hessom in the hall, and announced his
intended sudden departure.

"But you will not leave us until after
dinner, my dear Fairleigh?" urged Mr.
Chessom. "The bell will ring iu fifteen
minutes; pray i-emain for the present."
"Thanks, but I must deny myself the
pleasure," was Harvey's curt reply.
Fifteen minutes," he added: "I shall
barely have time to make my adieux to
Mrs. riiessom."

" But we shall see you frequeutlj'— you
will come often to Maplewood while
Lady St. Ayvas remains with us, at
least?" inquired the banker.
Fairleigh shook his head.
"I think it is doubtful if I find time to
return until my aunt wishes to depart,"
said he; "indeed," he added, "I may
possibly u'^* return at all. My cousin
informs me that my friend AVMlloughby
purposes sailing, fifteen days from to-day
for Canada; and, providing I v-an obtain
the consent of the pater, I thiuk I shall
accompany him. I shall enjoy it im-
mensely, and return in soraethiug less
than a year; and I can persuade father
to come for my aunt and cousin, whsn
they are ready to leave Twickenham.'

Mr. Chessom bowed gravely, and
seemed about to speak; but Mrs. Ches-
som just then appeared, and Fairleigh
turned to bid lier good-bye. She was
politely regretful that he must leave so
suddenly ; Harvey shook hands with host
and hostess— very frigidly with the form-
er—and departed.

A week slipped by. Glencora sat iii
her dressing-room, yawning over the
latest novel, while her maid arranged her
hair.

Thank heaven !" exclaimed the heiress,
at length, tossing aside her book, " the
men have returned. I want to be charm-
ing tonight." Then she laughed. "Dear

THE HAS K Kirs Gil A MX'III LlHlllX.

It iiT

the
[her

^ess,

the

Jirni-

pear

me, I cnii imagine Mr. Chesterton's look
of consternation on hearlny of this iitfiiir
about Willoughby, I believe he's in love
witii Mabel," she added, "and she, the
sly, mercenary creature, eucourajn's him,
though he's old enougli to be he. I'lither,
in case Mr. Waldegrave fails to proposu-.
What very diverse tastes men possess.
There is liimnielton would like to fall in
love with the little iJiot, it only he could
afford to wed ioi love Instead of money,
while my cousin Waldegrave — why, I be-
lieve, he actually detests her."

Glencora was fully aware tl.it such
was uot, by any means, the case; but
she said so, spitefully, because she was
desirous that It shoulil be so, and was
determined to make it so, if it were
wiihin her power.

•' Glencora, my dear, the bell has rung,
are you ready ?"

[t was Mrs. Chessom who thus ad-
dressed her daughter, opening, as she
s()oke, the door of the hitter's dressing
room.

"Quite ready;" and the heiress tloated
from the apartment, raagniflceutin a rich
myrtle-green dinner toilette.

"Goodness I mamma, how unearthly
you are looking. Has anything dreadful
happened? You are pale, and your l«ands
shake as If thev were smitten with pal-
sy," exclaimed Glencora.

a. surge of color came Into Mrs. Cues-
som's face, which had certamly been un-
usually pale a moment before. She spoke
as if annoyed by her daughter's observa-
tion.

" How very absurd, Glencora. I am
not aware of any unusual occurrence. 1
have a slight headache, which accounts
for the palor which you terra unearthly ;
but pray let us make haste," and mother
and daughter descended together.

There was no paleness in the cheek of
the hostess as she entered the dining
room, but a close obser\er might have
detected a hiddeu but fev^erish restless-
ness in her manner. Bert-'ara Walde-
grave observed it, and wondered; Mr.
Chesterton observed it, but if he won-
dered, he did not appear to do so.

After dinner the ladies adjourned to the
cosy blue drawing-room, while the gen-
tlemen lingered In the dining-room over
their wine, conversing upon the topics of
the day.

Miss Chessom threw herself indolently
into the soft recess of a blue velvet divan,
and glanced superciliously at Mabel, who
had takeh an opposite seat.

Certain it was, that Mabel hud occii|)ied
too large a share of the attention of the
gentlemen, who had that day retiiiiied,
not to have iiiciirred tiu^jeilous contempt
of the ) Highly heiress.

Slie WHS s igacious enough to s«'(!
how jealously \Valdi;gravo and Uinniiel-
ton regarded each otlier; and how, ever
and anon, the eyes of tat;!! would wander
toward Maijcl's pale pure face— ilid not
fail to perceive iiow fre(|uenland earnest
were Mr. Chesterton's toward her, also;
and wondered scornfully if it were possi-
ble that this splendid, middle-aged Adonis
was becoming likewise infatuated by the
orphan's "milk-sop prettiness" as she
termed it. She leaned liaek now, among
the saphirinc-hucd cusldons, with a
politely insulting liltlc langii, e.vclaiming,
in tones sligiitly lowereil, yet sudieiently
audible to reach distinctly the ears of
Lady St, Ayvas and her daughter, who
sat near :

" Upon my word, Mabel, the lirainatic-
ally doleful expression of countenance
which you assume of late is wonderful
— you do it to a surprising degree of ex-
cellence ; and really, you attracted quite
as much of the attention of the gentle-
men to-day as even yoa could possibly
desire. Mr. Chesterton regarded you
quite wistfully," she added, sarcastically
smiling. Then her black eyes flashed
insolently at Mabel, and she went on
with mock sincerity :

" By the way, Mabel," her words were
a trifle lower spoken this time, " I per-
ceive that Mr. Chesterton Is actually be-
coming devoted to you of late. Now
there is a charming opening for you—
you are ambitious, and Chesterton's rich,
if somewhat gray ; and you are very well
suited for each other— both stupid, that
is, intensely intellectual, which is all the
same. Better avail yourself of the oi)por-
tunlty than lose all in waiting for a great-
er priz.e — like my cousin, for instance.
Believe me, girls in your position— utdess
a deal more charming and beautiful than
you are— rarely secure all the cardinal
virtues- youth, oeauty and wealth, to-
gether. Like Mr. Kimmelloii, for ex-
ample, who possesses a fair share of the
two former desirable qualities,, but very
little of the latter. Heigh-ho! what a
I)ity now. that he cannot afford to marry
for love Instead of riches. His solicitous
glances toward your puling face, as well
those of Mr. Chesterton, were observed
by all, I am sure. 1 could see how vastly
amused cousin Bertram was; lie hjijuired

»'r_'

77//; y;.i.vA7;yi".s' (jUAsnciiiLnnHX.

llic cause of yonr woc-bocoiK; appear-
ance, iisking il'yDii \vm\ \u en ill recently.
Of course I was obll,:,'('(l to explain tlie
reason of your attVcin;; sndi traj?lc airs,
ami inrorrnliim of your l)rother'.s ilisrcpn-
lable conduct; and he \v;i.s really astound-
ed to learuof sucliliypocrisy and base in-
jjratitude on his parr."

A llrcy flush of wounded pride and
anger dyed Mabel's liilhertt) pale face,
sulfusiii;.' even Ihm- whiti; throat with its
stain. She lookcul up into llie heiress'
.scornfully inockiny;eyes, an ani;ry retort
on licr lips; and then felt her fortitude
desertin:jj iier — dareil not trust her.si-lf to
utter the word.s, f()r the sobs which, only
with an ettbrt, she could restrain. For-
tunately, hovvever, she was spared tlie
neeossiiy of replyinji, not only by tlie
entrance of the gcntltuncn, who ai>peared
at that moment, but also by Lad> Win-
iiifrcd, who— appearing not to have heard
the insultiu'j; remarks of the liaughty
Gleiicoia, of which, however, slie liad
not failed toliear t very word -arose, and
in spite of Lady St. Ayvas' haughty, dis-
l)leased I'rown, approaelieil Mabel, saying
pleasantly :

" Do you know, dear. I have been en-
deavouring most (liUiLiently to do that
pretty pattern of lace, whicli you were
trying to teach me last evening, :iiid can-
not get it just right after all; I fciir I
shall need a little more teaching. It is
so very pretty,"' she added; " and 1 am
desirinis of making a yard or two for the
edging of tlie fanchon which I am mak-
ing lor niamma. "

Laily St. Ayva.sdrew herself up haught-
ily, stiying, in tones that were crusldngly
dignilled :

''Then, my dear, pray don't trouble
Miss Willoughby to instruct yo)i. as 1
adnnre niueii more the kind with which
you edged the fatichon which you U)ade
liist autumn lor 31rs. Alauslield."'

Lady Winnifred sat down by Mabel's
side, saying, with an unconscious smile :

" Very well, mamma, then I will only
make it for myself, as 1 consider it much
prettier.'

Lady St. Ayvas made no reply, but
worked on at the hand-screen she was
making. In dignified silence for a few
moments, and then turned her atteution
to Glencora's trifling chit-chat.

ilabel bestowed upon Winnifred a
bright, grateful glance, and then bent
her still crimson face lower over the
delicate conglomeration of frail silken
threads, as Mr. VValdgrave made his way

to the spot where slie and "Winnlfied
were seated. Tli>;ru was more thiui wont
of tenderness in his manner toward the
former t'j-iiight. >V''as he as cruel as
Cilencora depicteil him ';:' Mabel won-
dert!d ; and ivas he — ;issured of th it which
.she hail so striven to hide — that she couUl
not— couid not In)^ love him — was h'j so
ungeneious— so nnmaidy, as to trifle
with her, merely lor )iis aiimsem>'nt ';:'
Surely not, and yet how cDuld she tell ?
But we almost all experience some time
in our lives what it is to endure " Love's
alternate Joy and woe."

She was iriad when Glencora invented
some pretext lor calling U'aldeitrave fi(jm
her, and disapiiointed Mr. Kimmelton,
who had been casting frowning glances
at the former, and, on seeiiig him depart
from her side, was about to politely dis-
engage himself from Mrs. Chessom,
with whom he was conversing, a' I cross
over to where she v/as just now seated
alone, by rising and complaining of the
warmth of tlie room, and withdrawing.

She went into the conservatory which
adjoined tln^ purple drawing-room, and
sat down bv a great rustling cactus.
Uuconsci(ni-ly she broke off one of its
thick, cool, leaves, and pressed it to her
l)uriiiug cliei'ks. Then with a great flood
of tears, that would no longer l)e n-nres-
seil, slie slijiped from her seat to tUe
floor, and buried her face in her hands ;
and thus Mr. Waldegravc found her.

CHAPTLU XX VL

My love is so true that f ciin noitlicr hiile it
whure it is, iior.-iliow it whore it iji not. — /)ri/(l':i.

" My poor little girl — my precious lit-
tle Mabel; I knew J was sure to find you
here." It was Mr. WaUlegrave who spoke
thus, lifting as he did so the slight,
droopirg tlgure from its at)ai\doned posi-
tion to the flower embowered seat.

"My stat'dy cousin has been insulting
j yon again ; / guessed as much from b<>M
' your faces when I entered the drawl
j ro )m a few minutes ago. It is me
cruel, everything that is unwomanly ;i
uulady-like: and Mabel, darling'' — lii>
voice was lower now, and iutensely earn-
est — " 1 have come to plead for the right,
hencefortl), to shield you from all her
a! rogance and insults. 1 love you little
Mabel, dearly. Will you marry me ?— be
my own darling little vvife ?"

Mal)el raised her bine eyes, in incredu-
lous astonishment, to the handsome,
eager face bending so close to her own.
So sutlden I Was she dreaming? Did

Tin: HAXKin,".- (.!:.\ v /> r// //./»/;/•;. v

iVi

luUiiiL'

Uvi
|in<

|iy ■•■

■'—his

eunv

1 right,

lU her

little

?— 1)C

;redu-
Bsomc.

(>%VI1.

he r,U!mi i( ? Scarcely cmM slw h'lvo I '• Voii iini'^t not Imvc iiir, .Mr. U'alde-
imairiiHil Mr. W'.iiilc^r.iv" -'•iii, imim. i ^iTav.' -. I can y/.iv/- Ik- your wit'.'.''
passionc'l. !is si!..' liad liltlicrio hi-Ucxci •• lin; why V— yoii will tell iiie why,
liiiu to I) •—adilrc'SHiii^' even lii'Wiiili'i'in^' I Mildl ? It i.s nm tlial yoii do iK.t love
Uhiu'ora in this pa'^.sioiiaKlv l.)Vfr-likr i im-- \oii will not say tin'," llcrtrurii
fasjiioii. with (yi's .so I'ldl of i>ri:u, d.'cp. I a^kt-d t;a«orly.
I'orvcinl. diivotloii.

"V«)ii— you coiiiiot mean it, Wald -
jjrfivo,' sill) faltcn.-d in d hiIjL and oc, ;i.
iloiMnoii..

'riicrc was a .shadow of pain in iIh^ fair
yoiinir lace; and tlic low tones were rcn-
d(!r(!il steady by an cH'ort ; hut tlicy were
steady when she answered, lookin;; np

lie « aiiylit liPi- tiLth'tiy in his arms, ie)i- sorrowmlly .iito Mr. Walde^jrave's fact

derly munniirins

"No; mean it! my preeioim (huiii;^ :
don't v(i|| know 1 liave been loviiin vou
all aloii;; ? — and yon- I am sure yon l(;ve
nie hi reltirn, May ; yon cannot liidell,
youi- sweet face is i'uil ol' it," he said
sniiiiny; triumphantly.

Was all this a deiicious dream ? No,
it was a reality •- a reality i iiat Mr. AValde-

grave loveil her — was asking' Ii't to be- j dear 10rne>,i: bu*. not no\
cun)e his wife. One wovtl, and she was ! sinidow ol disifrace l)etwe<'ii n-; lor dis-

" No, Mr. \Val'Je;,'rave, I will not say
th.'it, tor I do love yon; l)nt you know all
that has happ(;iied dnrini.' yr)ur absence —
(deneor.i has Infoiniiil yon, it no one el.se
lia-. i\''>nt' .so, and do you think, after all
til It, I will allow y(Ki to wed mey —MO, in-
tleed.nol I inij^ht havn done so. " >iie ad-
ded, *' wln-n I vvas only pool', with no on(!
to care I'or me but Mr. Cliesso ii, and j oor

W!i!i this

Ills own forever; and vet —

I'race and shame it is, thouL'li I be ie\e

A little cold shiver that seemed to niv l)rol!ii;r to lie ;is iniiftceiit of tl

thrill her heart icily, i):'.s,sed iliroMirii i alleijcid a'.:-nii«it
the slemler liirure. She never conld— 1 heaven."

!ii:n as

tin

nine

sail! 8 in

Mr. \Vuldegrav(! clasped her two liunJs

je. in his own.

uever would marry this man w!io w
dearer to her than all tiie world l)'->if

Sue iiad received free/.in^ly polite bow.s ' " .\Iy d<.'ar M;dtel," lm said ; "In spile
and chillin.i{ touches of y;iovcd lin^ieriips, j of lUI circiiinst!inM:il eviijerice, I a!so be-
IVom more tlia)) one <j1' .Mis:, (Jiie>»om's lieve iinplieity in yr)iir brotln-r".^ inno-
Jriends, since the allair of ilie mis>inL,'' six | cence. I l)elieve lirm'y in his honor and
hundred. Only an evenin,i;(»r twopnivi-j inte'j;rity: ;u;d some day, I doubt no!, his
ous, wlide concealed bv llie curtains cjf a j innocen ;<• will l)i; proV'

bay window, she had oviirheard from the

Mabel looked up with a sl:i<l, ^ri'^itefu!

lil)s of two of the l)aiiker s;:nests, sm-i-r ' sn)ih

iui: lemarks reiaiive lo her broth

an!

'•Oil, vou are so LTood and {jreiierous,

herseif. Oimlit sh

ilien, with tlii^ : Mr. Waldej^ravi

she murmured.

shadow of di,>i:raee upon her. to weil

.\nil .Mabel,"' Mr. \Vald(;;;rave con-

man in wealih and name, and st.ation, so ; tiiiUi d. " even if Ik; were^^udty (;f all that

far above

her

^l)e, pool

nobodv in ' is cliariri

aiiaiiist him, no blame can

particular, and the .stain of her Ijrother's i pos.siijly atlacii i,.< yourself; you are mor-
dishonor— for dishonoi' it was, liowever ! l)idly sensitive my dear little gii;."

unmerited — rertecrini: upon lier. N'
no 1 a thousand time.-« no I

\Ial)elsii;liefl.
Otlu^r.-j are not so mai'naniinous, .Mr.

She drew away from his embrace wit !i W'aldeuM'ave," she saiil i;rav'ly.

H.V

a weary little siu;li that was half a so

•Yuu are vcrv- verv kin

.'III'

renei ■

vour c'liisin's frieii'K ai least. 1 an col'

reL'".r<|e

•It.

Weri; vou ■ o wiarrv

js, Mr. Wa'tle^iavi-: but I can never be me. yo i woald bi; pi'oyi?;.'j;lv re. ardi;

u«

vour wi!

ii'-vi.-r; jnd yon do not love me : uuped am: i itatii;itei!, am

1 !■

)(/i:ed upon

you (jiily j)iiy me,tje'.ause I am so u'.terly as a ^•tr of iii'i'cpn.uy 'nilriijn'iiUc who
forlorn." hid inveiuh'd you into an nn<.'<i'ial mutch

She spol

wislfullv uilii— oh. sueli a with myve

sorrowful i ^iil in the .-weet Idiie e.»e

Ml'. \V.'iidi"j:riv.' fj'ow!!(;d hau;;!ilily.
••The opinion wir:':!i those vuphi mascu-
nd," he said, in passionately ; lim.' and fv-aiinim.- adorers of my fail-

But 1 do love vou, .Ma-,

wua mv

whole

earnest tones; and yon will be my wi)e

oiisin, of wliom you speak, holi] in le-
ray own wife; lory'oii iuve m*', i am .sure 1 ir.'ud Kj i.';y.«elf, i>, ..f bid little moment;
vou do lov' me.*'" j but tliey li'id be-tti.-r have a care that no

Mabel freed herself fron; lii-s cl-isjK and ; a.sj)er.sioii- f:-o:n th«.-ir lips, air-dn-t luy

risiiiy, uuirnjured hastily

wife, reaches my ears,

he said, with

Ml
itr

THE BAXKER'S ClUAXntHTLDREX.

\ I

scornful iietcniiliialioii. " For .v.on will
be mv \\ ife, M;ii)Ll ; promise me that you
will."

And Mabel, half triad, half teliictant,
pDmiscd.

Too much ab.-orb(d were tlio lovers
to hear tho faiat rustle of a silken drtis.s,
nor did they pcri-eivi^ the t1,<:nre tliat
clipped past ♦tu'iii, oa tlii; opposite hide
of.i ^;ly liMl'J wildfi'iK ss of bri,u;l;t tro})ic
flowers, and passed into the drawiuij;-
room l!*yond.

Preseidly a sn-viiul, appeared. There
was a seiith.inan, an okl eolU';ii' chum of
Bertram's who, iiearinir of Uk^ hitler's
stay at Tvickcnii.-im, hid nKulc it in Ii'.s
way to cali and see him, and was now
waitinjr inonc of tlie reception ''ooir.s for
his appeariinee. So the servant, an-
nounced, and Bertram went out to meet
him; and iMabel remained in the n I'v-s-
wsathed conservatory, with lier In ai'
and eyes fall of exquisite happiness; and
yet there was a little blendinfr of uneasi-
ness in her bliss thac would not be
banishc d.

Twei ♦v minutes later .-oraebedy, liirlit-
]y whi!.»-.Iin,<r a bar of some popular melo-
oy, ■:.!. red 'he conservatory. It was
i\Ir. rhi'sterti>n ; and he did not at llrst
perceive IMabel. He had unconsei()u>!y
reach' (1 her slue, and was plucking- a
spray of scriit«'d blossoms ere he noticed
her He lau-rhed, in his gay, good-
hu nori'<i (a>lnon.

"Upon my win-d." he e.vcluimed; "you
are sucli a wee fairy, I l)eHeve I sluJnhl
i!ot have perceived you at all. only iliat I
eaiiiiht the Ldeani of your golden curls ii!
tlie <j;asl:j;ht "

He .^lanced (biwn smilinjrly as he spoke
into i!ie pr(!tty still flushed face, upturnetl
toward his own.

"A |jf liny fwr the Ihouyhts which -.verc'
occupying your l)rain whi-n 1 unconsci-
ously intruded. Tiiey must have i)een
nimsuiilly plv'usant, judginu' from your
lace, win n (irst I |n:rceived you," he said,
and then lau.izlieii at her teasin;i!y.

Just tlien Miss Chessom's maid entered
the cimservatory. coming upon pretence
< if plucking two or tliree mo.^s rose-lnids
for her nd.stress; but, ii reality aenl by
the latter, for the purpose of spying.

The French, girl's sly black eyes iscaii-
netl the pair furtively; Mabel, .fitting in
her bower-like seat, with its cushions of
<'merald green velvet; and Mr. t^liester-
ton b nding over iier. and just fastening
a shiny spray of ivy among tlw yellow
■,1. zes of her iiair. irtimihc ylided in,

apparently taking very little notice o
either of them ; but not tJiiling to take
accurate note of every word and look of
both.

Neither Mabel or Mr. Chesterton
noticed the gui particularly, nor were
they aware that, instead of leaving direct-
ly she had accomplished her pretended
errand; but, as slie disappeared, Mr.
Ciiesterton said :

" My d' ar Miss Mabel, 1 am glad to
(ind you here, and aloue. I have been
wishing this evening to speak a few
wonls with you. but scarcely expected an
oi)portunity to ott'er thus early."

There was some sli^iht sound without,
and the Fr( nch girl, fearing lest she
>li(>idl be caa^ht eavesdropping, glided
oi! and upst-i/s to the main corridor
where Miss Jhcssom awaited her.

" Well," said the heiress Inter, ^ga-

tiVetv.

•• Monsieur Waldegrave was not with
Mad:jmoiselle Wdlonghby when I enier-
ed," said Artimist-; "I.e had gone, but
Moiisicur — what is his name"? the tall,

mid.dle

iged gentleman.

with the flue

eyes T

'•Mr. ("'hestertoii,"said Glencora, "was
he makinu; love to the Willoughby"?" with
a c<tnteniptnous laugh.

'• Yes, it was hlMi." said the girl, and"
— nodding sagaciously—" 1 am sure he
was about to pi-opo>e, for he looked
very lover like standing beside her, and
ristenit;g Colliseuin ivy in that horrid
yellow hair of her's ; and b(>sides, I over-
heard a few words of his," — and she re-
ptMited the last words of Mr, Chesterton
which we have quoted.

"^Visllillg to speak a few words with
her, indeed," lauiiiiingly drawled Miss
Clies<()i... "I can easily imagine what they
will i)i';'' and she Ifted her flashing black
eyes dramatically, exclaiming in pompous
tones with mu<-h earnestness:

''fUve.t M;d)el! I adore thee. One
worn IVom thy Ijtautlful lips can make
me ciernally happy, or eternally niiser-
alile? I'ake nie, 1 pray thee, riches, avxy
hail-, tiiiy years and gouiy ,-y.iitowis, al-
togei her."

She burst into a gay lauL'h.

"There, that's about ii, I suspect,
Artiiiise. What do yon think ?"

The gill smiled and shrugged.

"I dare say," said she; "but surely,
Madainoisdle, Mr. Miesterton is not fllty
years of age; he tloesn't look like for y."

"Oh, I am sure I ilon't know," suiil
, Miss Chessom ; "but he's old enough to

THE BANKER- S C!RANDCHILI)ltEK.

0')

V 1

meet,

iiely,
rttty

V K

I' suul
jh to

'^e the gills father, anyliow.
give ine the rosebuds, Arti,

go down at once, or
remarked."

You may
aud I will
my absence will be

CHAPTER XXVII.

A UKVKLATION.

"It is of this painful afi'air, in which
your brother is inveigled I would speak,
my dear child," s-iid Mr. Chesterton,
gravely, as Mabel looked up, wailing for
him to proceed.

All the glad, bright light laded out of
the sweet young face; and a little shiver
ran through the slender frame

Mr. Chesterton saw the wistful, pained
look that came into the blue eyes, t.iid
his next words were very gently attered.
"1 know all about it my dear little gi.l,"
he said; •' aud only because it is neces-
sary do I mention the atlair at all, know-
ing that it cannot be otherwise than pain-
ful to you ; but Mabel," and there was
deep earnestness in his voice aud look as
he spoke — "I can and will prove your
br». her innocent."

Mabel sprang fj her feet involuntarily.

"Oh! Mr. Chesterton, are yonsiu'tyou
can lio lliis ?" she '•.ried ea;ierly.

'• Aye, audi will,' he answeretl tirmly ;
"and the real culprit shall own his guili."

"Then there is a culprit — some one
has really taken the money i " said Mabel ;
"I thought there might be some mistake."

"Yes, there is a culprit," said Mr
Chesterton, "who is cowardly enough to
snfler an honorable man to be banished
for his guilt. I would have waited for a
day or two before telling you these
things, ' he added ; "but I could not bear
to see you grieving when it were possible
ior me to restore your peace and happi-
jiess at one. '

"And Ernest," said Mabel, "when is he
to be recalled? OiiI.Mr. Chesierton, 1
shall be so happv for poor dear Ernest's
sake."

"If on tlie day after to-morrow the per-
son who ^Jtole the sum, of which your
brother has been accused of liaviiig
wroni:fully taken, does not appear, or
clear Ernest 'oy writing to Mr. Chessom,
stating the whole att'air truthfully, tht-n i
shall speak," Mr Chesterton said with
decision.

" And Ernest's name will be cleared of
all dishonor," Mabel exclaimed joyously.
"Oh! I can scarcely think how happy the
assurance makes me >'r. Chesterton."

Presently she asked suddenly :

"And the name of the real culprit, Mr.
Chesterton, may 1 know that now ?"

"He is called Jarvis Chessom I" said
Mr. Chesterton.

Mabel's eyes dilated.

".Tarvis I can it be Jarvis T' she asked
in astonishment.

"Jarvis, and none other," said Mr.
Chesterton; " aud the sum was stolen by
him for the liquidation of a gambling
debt. I found all this out <iuite easily
while In London. Jiisten and 1 will in-
form you how;" and thus he proceetled :

" A day or two after my arrival in Lon-
don last autumn, which was somethinar
like a week previous to my ticcidental
meeting with Judge llarcourt, I encoun-
tered tiie son of an old I'riend. He is a
wild, somewhat dissipated youn,^ man, as
opposite in character and disposition
from his father, as day and night. He
lias succeeded in running throu'j:h with
nearly every penny of the really large
fortune which his father be(iueathed him,
only a small estate inFaversham remain-
ing of the amount of sixty thousand
pounds in cish and real estate to which
ins father's death rendered him sole heir.

"I am in a srrapt," he told me, a day
or two subsecjueiit to n\;,' tirst (•e//rv;;(/>vj
with him. Kaid he- "Supp'/se you loan
me live or six hundred for a month or so
Chesterton, and take a mortgage on the
old place at Faversham ? I'm in a desper-
ate pinch," he added; " and Ave or si.v
hundreds Just now would pull me through
bravely. Come, what do you say to it?"
So I gave him a check for six hundred,
and the already involved estate at Faver-
sham I took as security.

A day or two before my last trip to
London I received a letter from hira.
"I shall be able to pay you four or live
huiulreil ii) a week or two,'" he wrote
me: "as that amount or more will by
that tiiiK- bo paitl me by your rich host's
iiicky grandson and heir prospective."
1 called on him at his hotel a fev days
after reaching Loiuloit," .Mr Chesterton
:idd('d, "aiul tbund Jarvis Chessom with
him. ami Juwt placing in Walraven's
hands tlie sum of t-ix hundred pounds in
bank notes.

Chessom had been imbibing somewhat
I fieely, and was slightly ntuildled, so that
1 had little didieiilly in learning from his
conversation howlu;, without his grand-
father's knowledge, obtained that sura
} for tiie payment of his garal)l'Ug debt.
\ li was he, instead of your brother, who
' took the missing amount from Mr. Ches-

THE BA XKEir S GRA ND CinLDUE \.

sonVs escritoire; but I had no idea that
Eruest was accused of the crime, or I
should have returned at once."

"lUit is there not a laciv of sufficient
proof:" ' Mabel asked. " Will hot Mr.
Clie^soni rci'use to believe V

Mr. Chesterton smiled.

'•Sciireelv 1 think," he replied ; "I have
proof's quite too couvincin;| to admit of
his (loins !>o. The l)ank notes which
Chessom paid AValraven in my presenco,
or at least live of them in notes of one
hundred pounds each, he (Walraven)
iramedialelv handed over to me: thev are
in my possession at present, antl as I
learned fr<Hn ISlr. Chessom about hall' an
hour ago, are numbered the same as the
missing ones

"And Mr. Ciiessom, does lie know
this ?" Mabel inquired.

" No, he knows nothing," Mv (.'hester-
tou replied; "I mtrely suggested that if
the numbers of the notes were ascertained
some trace of them might yet be found;
he happened to know the numl)ers, and
informed me, and, as I have said, they
were the .same as those now in my pos-
session."

Mai)ers blue eyes were dewy bright.

'•Dear Ernest, all this blot will be taken
away and his good name restored. Oh I
Mr. Chesterton, how can we ever suf-
flcientlv thank you for all your kinil in-
terest ?"

Mr. Cliesterton laughed gaily, and
would not listen to thanks.

'•But little girlie," he said, "1 have
been waiting lor some expression of
triumpli over tlic fair autocrat Glencora.
la there not enough woman-nature in
you to cau^e a felicitous feeling at being
able to return those taunting words of
hcr's, and declare her l)rother, and not
your own, to be tlie guilty one ?"

Mabel looki'd up with a smile.

"I am too happy to think of revenge,''
she saiil; "but 1 am sorry for Mrs.
Ciiessom and Mr. (liiessom. and for Jar-
vis— poor Jarvis. Somehow it is uniike
him, this cowardly silence. Are you
sure,"' she atlded, " that he is aware that
Ernest IS accused?"

"There is a possibility that ho mayjiot
b(! aware of that," Mr. t!hest(;rton re-
plied, "though his grandfather informs
nio thai, immediately after the discovery
of the theft he v.rcte him— Jarvis— telling
him of the aliair. lie has rec<-'ived no
reply as yet; and it is just possible that
Jarvis may not have received Iheletter;
or ihiit he may deem it liest to return,

and in person confess I.i.nself, instead of
Ernest, guitly. However, in a day or
two, we ^hall bo ab'.i' tojiulue of the cor-
rectness of this lalt'u- coiiJ.'Cture, as bv
that time he will have had more than
time to return from the we.-,r."

" It will be a sad blow to his grand-
father," ]Mabid said sori'owt'ully. " He
knows how wiUl and r(;ckless Jarvis"
habits have become of late; but 1 am
sure he does not deem him capal)le of a
really dishonoraiilu action "

Mr. Cliesterton was looking;- thought-
fully down, as Mabel spokn, and sermed
scarcely to hear her words. Suildenly
he glanced up saying :

"Mabel, has Mrs. Chessom always
treated you with the same coo'; .^ss which
she has exlubit(;<l toward you since my
coming here ? It seems to me," lie ad-
ded, "that she grows more cold in her
treatment of you — as if slie positivtly
disliked you— each day."

Mabel knew very well wliat prompted
the haughty coolness wiiicii, ol' late,
charactcized Mrs. Chessom's manner
toward herself; but s!»e answered Mr
Chesterton's question very quietly, say-
ing :

"No, until six months ago Mrs. Cho<-
som, though she was never atlec:.i )nate,
treated me kindly. She is very mucU
changed in her manner toward ine."
Mr. Chesterton i-miled a little oddly.
"One seldom meets a \ro lan just like
Mrs. (Chessom," he said.

"Slu! must have been very lieautiful as
a girl," i\Iabel remarked ; "she is so l)e;iu-
tiful now. !so woudi.'r Mr. Clu'ssom's
son loved her; and stiil— "

"Still what V" Mr. Cliesterton asked.
"Still," Mal)el half hesitatingly went
on, "there is sometimes a look i i her
eyes, in her whole face (;veii, and of late
especially, wldch startles, almo>t terr;-
lies me ; a look thai—"

"That reminds Mie of what?" Mr.
Chesterton asked; "of a lieautiful, at
sometimes, and ar, others of a sphmdid,
tigoress at bayV"

Mabel glanced up in astonishment.
Only that very day while at the table
she had seen Mr. Clu!stert,on bend for-
ward and utter some smiling, low-spoken
remark to the stately hostess ; and hud
wondered at the look which the latter
flashed up at him, as he ceased speaking.
Truly there vv'as that in the bUick orbs
very like the fierce glare of a huntetl
tigeress, though the Binile on the lady's

77//; JIAXK /■:/,' S aUAXDClIILDnEX.

orUUy.
1st, liUo

itnl as
bi';iu-
<om's

!lsk('(l.

Weill
i 1 hor
ofhito

tcri-;-

•' Ml-.

fill, !«r.
Mulid,

r.nent.

tuble

lul for-

ipokon

iiid had

e laltt.'i'

■liking.

:k orl)s

huntetl

lady's

lips iiover vanished or grew less suavely
urbaiio.

"You are apt at physiognomy, Mr.
ChestLTtoii," Mabel s;iid-, "and iho tijier-
C'ss like expression of which yuu speak, I
never perceived until to-day at dinner:
then Mrs. Chessom a-lanciii up at you,'
replying' to .some woitls of youf t)\vn.
Your remark must have been very liis-
agreeable," she added, sinilini,'.

"Only a very comuion-place observa-
tion I assure you," Mr. Chesterton re-
plied. "But, Ihouiih trivial, it miijht,
perhaps, have recalled some i.npleasunt
reminiscence," he added, tlryly.

There was a moment's pause ami then
Mr. Chesterton asked :

"About Leijrh ; I should like to see his
portrait. Is there not a portrait of him
any where in the house ?"

"There is a i)ictare ^;f him han:,Mni;- in
Mr. Chessom's study; but I have never
seen it," .Alabel replied. " In his anu^er,
Mr. Chessom, after his son's marriaiie,
\vas about to distroy the portrait, but,
instead, had it turned, and screwed face
to the fall; and since his death I think
ho has never had the heart to have it
again touched. A year ago Mr. \Valde-
grave's mother, who is Mr. Chessom's
niece, told me that my brother was very
like her cousin Leigh. 'Enough like him
to be Leigh's own son,' she declared."

"Yes, 1 ()i)v-c knew Leigh, and Lrnest
is very much like him, both in look and
inanuer," said Mr. Chesterton. " Mr.
Chessom, also, has perceived the likeness,
and more than once remarked it," he
added,

"He was so good and noble," Mabel
said sorrowfully; "if Jarvis were onlv
more like him."

Mr. Chesterton did not reply; he was
just drawinu^ from an inner pocket of his
coai a s.uall case, beautifully itdaiil and
mounted, as Mal)el spoke. He opened
the case and held it toward her. .Mabel
took it half wonderingly. It contained
two pictures : one, that oi' a youth ^A' per-
haps twenty, with a luce bright and lia'id-
somo; the other of a delicately beautiful
girl, of not more than seventeeu or
eighteen summers.

"Do you recognize either of those?"
Mr. (Chesterton inquired, as Alaliel, after
studying the vignettes intently for a few
moments, looked up at him (uicstion-
iugly-

" Why," said she. "I should say this
one"— iudicnting the gentleman's pie'ure
— " was a likeness of mv l)rotlier. as he

looked two years ago; or else it is your
own picture, taken perhaps twentv vears
ago."

Mr. Chesterton smi.led.

"That is a fac-simih! of Leiuh Chi.'s.
sum, and painted just twenty live years
ago."

^label uttered an involuntary exclama-
tion of astonishment.

'• So like Ernest; and so vcnj llki^ your-
self," she said. " And who is tli;j ladv.
Mr. Chesterton ?"

A tender, half mournfullight came into
the clear, dark eyes of the gentlemau, as
he answereil :

" His wife. Slie who was once sweet
Grace Windiiani I" he said.

^Maljel gazed in perfect amaze at the
vignette.

"Oh, Mr. Chesterton, surely there
must be some mistake. How ronhl any-
one so dark, so brilliant, so haughty, as
Mrs. Chessom has been, ever since I car.
at :dl rememljcr anything, have ever been
a lovely, dove eyed creature like Mils ?"
— pointing to the vignette. "Surely Mrs.
Chessom, in yonder, and the original of
i this picture, are not one and the same."

"Surely not," he answered calmly.
"Leigh Chessom's sweet young wife died
years ago. Yonder ([Ueenly voinan is — '
he looked at astonished Mabel with a
grave earnestness that was convincing —
'• an iinposter I"

CHAPTER XXVIIL

A .IKlI.OrS I.OVKli.

" I am perfectly bewildered, Mr. Ches-
terton," Mabel said.

" And yetl have still more astoundinii
revelations to make," he»answeretl, smil
ing slightly. " Listen, child, Mrs. Ches-
som is an imposter; and Leigh Chessom
is not dead, l)nt living I"

" Living V— is Mr. Chessom's sou liv-
ing /" Mabel asked, after a moment's
pause of utter bewilderment.

" Living and in the Ilesh," was the
answer.

"And this Mrs. Chessom then, who is
she 'i" asked Mabel, wonderingly.

" She is the widow of one Ernest \\\\-
loughby— dauyhter of the late Captain
Islington, anil step-sister of Grace \Vinil-
ham, whom Leiuh Chessom married!"

! 4

•68

THE BAXKER\S GRAKDCHILDREN.

I '

\ )

Mabol sprang to her feet with an invol-
untary cry.

"My mother !— she is my mother then !"
she jrasped,

" No, listen," Mr. Chesterton saijl,
gonlly drawing her into the seat again
•over which he vvas still bending "Agatha
Willoughby is not your mother, but the
mother of Jarvis and Glcncoia ; Ernest
and yourself are the real children of
Leigh and Grace Chessom !"

Mabel had been astonished before, ihe
grevv positively dizzy now with the utter
amaze which Mr. Chesterton's last words
created in her mind. Would she not
waken ere long, she half wondered again,
and llnd that all the marvelous things to
which, during the last hour, she had lis-
tened, were but the passing fancies of a
dream ? No, she was not dreaming; and
there was convincing earnestness in Mr.
Chesterton's look and manner.

" Can all this be real, Mr. Chesterton?"
she a'iked, her limpid eyes wide open and
ga/iug at him.

11;; smiled at her bewilderment.

"Every word, little Mayflower," he
said, lookiiig down teuder;v into the
sweet young face as he spoke.

Mabel sat in wondering silenc " for afew
moments, then a sudden thought came to
her. Leigh Chessom was her father, Mr.
Chesterton had, but a moment ago, de-
clared him to be still living— where was
he ? She looked up, saying eagerly :

"You say he is still alive, my father
and Ernest's, pray tell me where he is,
Mr. Chesterton ; shall we ever tind him?"

Mr. Chesterton toyed caressingly wiih
her golden hair, saying :

" Can you not yi(ess, little Mayflower?
Have you no idea irhere your papa is at
present ?

What a mystery it all was. She looked
up wonderingly, cargerly, for a moment
witliout replying; then arose nith a
sudden cry. O^juld it be ?

" You— you are not ? — " she began, a
light of the whole truth breaking in upon
her.

The next moment Mr. Chesterton was
holding her closely in his arras, fondly
kissing her.

"1 am your father, little May," he said
tenderly ; "and you— my precious little
darling- you are my own sweet daugh-
ter! Now you know nil, dearest," he
added; "a week later the world shall
know, also."

"Look yonder!"

Glencora Chessom, as we for the pre-
sent shall continue to call lier, whispered
those words, leaning on the arm of Ber-
tram Waldegrave, in thedeor of the con-
servatory.

She pointed one white gemmed flnger,as
she spoke, toward an opening among the
flowers, through which Mr. Chesterton's,
or rather Leigh Chessom's form was dis-
tinguisba*^le, under the soft glow of the
gas-light, and Mabel's slight figure, also,
fondly clasped in her father's embrace.
Her golden head lyin;; on his breast.

" Li.sten !" softly whispered Glencora;
and Mabel spoke .softly at that moment.

"Oh ! I am so hap[)y— so verv happy,"
she murmured; and her slender white
arms were twined lovingly about her
father's neck.

"I think I shall never know again what
it is to be lonely or sad, "she said joyous-
ly, reaching up to touch her rosy lips to
the dark, slightly silvered locks ; a caress
which was fondly returned, with the
words :

"Heaven bless you, little darling, and
grant that you never may. You never
shik'il, so long as it lies in my power to
avert it."

Gleucora turned her splendid eyes,
with a flash of mocking triumph toward
Waldegrave; a bright, dazzling smile on
those haughty, ruby lips of her's.

An hour ago, standing just where she
now stood, with Mabel's attianced beside
her, she had played the eaves-dropper,
and listened unseen while Waldegrave
declared his love, and begged the lonely
little ^irl to become his wife— had watched
the twain with eyes that were like liquid
flame, while Waldegrave clasped Mabel in
his arms, bestowing upon hersweet tremu-
lous lips an accepted lover's kiss. Then
she had swept away to her chamber, and
paced to and fro, in a fterce rage that was
all the fiercer for being silent.

"The artful intriguing .Tezabel!" she
hissed at length ; "she shall never marry
him, never r^

Then she summoned her French maid.

"Go down to the conservator Artie,"
she said ; "I want two or three more rose
buds lor my hair. If Mr. Waldegrave
and that Willoughby girl are there, you
may hear If you can what they are saying.
Go at once if you please;" and Artiniise
went down, and returned presently with
what information we already know.

Glencora placed the buds among the
coils of her black tresses, and went

TI{K liAXKRirs GUANDCIIlLJU^Ky.

ll" she

Imarry

maid,
irtie."
\c rose
Bgrave
|e, you
laying.
Itimise
witli

)g tbe
went

down to the ilniwiii^ room, vvliich WaUlc-
grave entered a iniimte later. She l)f'ck-
oned him to her side.

How marvelously beautiful she looked;
and there was more of geutlem-ss, less
of piquant, arrogant coquetry, than
was wont in her manner. There was a
wonderful, almo!i«t pathetic sweetness in
her smile, too, that was very sweet, very
winning.

Truly, hor'j' were 'lip? thiit could smile, ami
murder while they ^smiled V

"Grand-papa tells me that he purchased
to-day u beautiful species of lily, whicii
is very rare I believe," she said, after a
few moments conversation with Her-
tram. "Come, let us look it it,'" she ad-
ded, rising. " Grand-papa had it placed
next to the great calla ; so we shall be
able to find it ;"' and Waldegrave followed
her to the conservatory.

Bertram was in a mood too exstatic to
indulge miich in discourse of the frivol-
ous nothings to v/hich onlyGlenccra cared
to listen; and Glencora herself, for once,
was not chattering ; so they crossed the
drawing room in silence, and reached
the door of the conservatory just in time
to witness Mabel, as she sal encircled by
her father's arms, to hear her softly mur
mured words :

"I am so happy — so very happy."

Even Glencora was more than aston-
ished, lu her heart she knew Mabel to
be all that was innocent and ingenuous
in heart and mind ; aud as far above mer-
cenary intrigue as heaven is above earth ;
and this unworuanly deception on her
part seemed incomprehensible.

"The girl is a fraud alter all," f-he
thought ;"and hasn't she played the sweet
saint superlatively ?"

The brilliant heiress was supremely
triumphant. How her black eyes flashed
forth from their silken fringed lids.

"What a fine mameuverer the girl is,
to be sure,"' she whispered; "you see
.she has entrapped the rich colonist at
la.st. Come, let us go ; it vfould be a pity
to spoil so cliarmiDg a ~ab)eau."

\Valde;,r'i^-c folloWvid her in silence.
His face was so sternly set, so unearthly
in its pallor, that Ciencora was awed, half
.startled ; and yet siie foiund a ssrt of cat-
like delight in torturing him.

Her silvery laugh rippled out mu«i.
cally, as they emerged from the purple
diawing-room.

"How utterly devoted the elderly
A.lonis appears,'" she said gaily. " And

the girl, is she not a marvellous actress?"
He laughed so carelessly, so li;{hlly
that Glencora looked up into his white
face, and wondeit-d if he were wholly
heartless, or if tiiis gay indld'erence of
manner was assiimed.

CH.M'TKIi X.M.V.

" Tlift .'■poll !■; iirokc. \\u: (thiirin i.s llnwii !

ThuH is it with lit'c'.^ lit.l'ul \\:vi^Y :
AVe mildly sinih; wln.-n wi; slioiild ki'oum."

There was a sicU, dizzy blindness be-
fore Waldegravc's eyes, a vice-lik(\ sulfi)-
calinggrip at his hcut and throat that,f()r
a moment, half eheckcnl his utteiance.
He conquered it llixigh witli an effort
that was superhuman, and k"pt on nie(!t-
ing Miss Chessom"s Mashing, scrutinizing
glances calmly, ami t.dking to her in a
lively strain that cai'sed him to half mar
vel at himself.

He bent his handsome li'-ad toward his
companion, as he made reply to her
lauyliing, supercilious remark, and his
lightly utl<;ied words were as carelessly,
iio)irliuln)i( as his smile.

"Pray, what young l.idy would not
condescend to employ her iiistrionic skill
for the purpose of attaining so golden a
prize '•"' he asked.

(Jlencora lauirhed contemptuously re-
plying, with a little toss of her shapely
iieud :

•' No girl would hesitate, I supps(;, who
was as mercenary and ambitious as .Mabel
— and really,'" she added, "naif the girla
—especially girls in Mabel's position —
poor, I meau — make it their chief aim to
trepan a wealthy husband— to inveigle a
man into marrying them, if he happens
to be unf<jrtunatvi enough to posse.->s a
considerable fortune; but Mabed exceLs
in that sort of thing: she in such a com-
pleie actres5, and so hypocritical. Just
to think, my dear cousin, of her bestow-
ing; upon her elderly adorer such lavish
caresses, and declaring herself— as she
phrased it—' .so very, very happy.' Pro-
fessing such gushing sentiment for a man
who is quite old enough to be her father.
Oh, it's too absurd I" and .Miss Chessom
laughed out disdainfully.

Mr. Waldegrave smiled .siitlrJcally.

" Iteally now, my dear Glen," he 8atd,
" \ am inclined to believe that your cou-
sin spoke quite truthluHy when she dc«

THE HA XKhJJi'.^ (JUA XDClllf.VnEX.

It;!

\S\

dared herself ncrij liapiiv. What fu'r
(leinoisellft would— could be so unreason-
iibl'! as to be otl crwise uuderthecircum-
stau ;es cxisiiufr. Mis.« Willouiiliby is
quit ; portionless; Cliesterlori lays at her
fee;, aloiii^wilh his heart, ii priucely for-
tune ; and why should she not L'raciousiy
acct'pt both o(rerin;;s ? To be sure,'' ho
added, " their union will be a sor: of
' May and November' one; Iv.it what siij-
uilles that? Think of the iuiniense wealth
— the rich colouist's income is consider-
ably hu'frer than your j;i'-'uidpapa\seven—
the"^ superb estiiblishment and magniflcent
diamonds. What more, pray, could the
feminine ambition crave ?"

Glencora laughed.

"You are becoming cynical cousin
Bertram," she sdd, lightly, as they re-
entered the blue drawing-room.

Waldegrave went out ou the balcony,
presently leaving his cousin chattering
with Lady St. Ayvas, to whose remarks—
though Glencora disliked, aud slyly ridi-
culed her ladyship — she felt a sortofaro-
gant gratiticatioa in listening, for the
haughty heiress was weak enough to be
fond of flattery, aud Lady St. Ayvas
always tlattered those whom she v/as
desirous of pleasing.

Bertram paced to ami fio, out in the
chill night air with rapid nervous strides ;
his haughty face white i.i the pale, uncer-
tain glimmer of the twilight. The mask
of light iuditlerence was dropped new;
and what a scern, almost tierce face it
was, so rigid in its set aud outline,

A great stormy battle raged furiously
within his heart. Augry mortification,
pain aud bitter disappointment, all en-
gaged in the passionate conflict.

She was so beautiful— this golden-
haired little orphan girl, and he had loved
her idolatrously— had believed her so
gentle, so loving— so everything that
was womanly and honorable.

Good heavens ! a cheat— a heartless,
intriguing fortuue-huutress ! He had
been duped, deceived, and by a woraan
unwomanly, conscleucjless enough to
break her vows scarce ai: liour after they
were uttered, because a still greater for-
tune was laid with Its owner's heart at
her feet.

lie flung himself into a seat, feeling a
vague sense of relief as the cool night-
wind fanned his hot, throbbing temples.
He had been an edlot— he told himself—
a dupe ; he would be one no longer. At
least this faithless siren should have no
opportunity of laughing at her victim.

llo would ignore Iier carelessly, aiiil on
the morrow vvtuild sue for tlie fair hand
of his cousin Glt-ncora ; and wiih this
rush resolve he returned to the drawing-
room.

Maiiel was sested at the piano, playing
a bewitching, h;dl" dreamy waltz that was
a favorite of I'.Ir. Chesterton's; and ]\Ir.
Chesterton was standing beside her when
Waldegrave entered.

She finished, and turned from the iu-<
strument presently ; and their eyes met.
There was a sweet shyness in her glance,
a cold, utter indifl'erence in his, that
pained and puzzled her. The next mo-
ment he rose and crossed over to where
(ilencora sat. She made room for him
beside her on the divan; and for the re-
mainder of the evening he devoted him-
self to her.

Lady Wiunifred, sitting near Mabel,
saw and understood the change that crept
into tlie sueet girlish fa^-e wliicli, Initjnst
now, had been so bright. There was the
same sorrowful droop to the full ripe lips,
the same wistfulness in the blue eyes, the
same weariness tha' had marked the fair
face a few hours back.

" Ls he so cowardly 'i '' Lady Winuifred
mentally wondered. " Has he caused
this sweet young girl to believe that he
loves her, and now trifles with her by
flirting wil i his arrogant cousin? It
surely looks like it."

Miss Chessom's flashing eyes watched
the lovers furtively. She saw how hard
Mabel was striving to appear carelessly
calm, and inwardly triumphed.

" She is barbarously uiercenary after
all her afl'ected sweetness," she said,
mentally. " She will marry ChCHterton
because he Is wealthier than Waldegrave ;
and yet she loves him madly ; it is torture
for her to see him thus attentive to me.''
Waldegrave found it a miserable task
sitting there, struggling to keep a smil-
ing front, and flirting recklessly with his
coquettish cousin to revenge the woraan
he loved for having, as he thought, played
him false.

He wondered desperately how he should
stand It for the time to come. He couW
not— would not endure to remain at
Maplewootl longer. He would relln,zulsb
his first rash intention of marrying Glen-
cora, and go away somewhere— any where
where a woman was a creature unheard
of— If such a haven could be found.
Presently Glencora said :
" There Is to be a kettle-drura at Mrs.
Vavasor's a week from to-night ; of course

'/•///•; liAXKEh'S Gh'AXDCflfLDh'JCy.

ifter
said,
rton
ave;
ture
me."
task
srail-
,b his
man
iayed

loulcl
:ouW
ia at
ruisb
ilea-
i^here
learcl

1 Mrs.
)urse

\vn shall all ha hivito.l; and of coiirso \vt3
.shall ail attend, and assist in pickini; to
pit'ccs tliosG of our H'-'([iiaintancos who
don't liappen to bo likewise present.
Doubtless we shall be able to hear all
about the romantic marriaixe of Lady
Kosevidl's brother with the governess of
her ladyship's children," she added, ad-
dressing Bertram.

Waldei!;rav(; laiKJChed carelessly iis ho !
answered. i

" How I regret," lie said, "that [ inu>t j
be excluded trom the delightful priviled,£j;e j
of listening to all the newest scandal witii i
which you will be treated just a week I
hence." !

"But why are you not going ?"' in- j
quired Glencora. '

" You will go ?" nodding toward Mr. i
Kimnieltou, who came their way at that!
moment, in search of a book of charades
which he had that day brought home, and
which he wished to show to Miss IVil-
loughby.
lie bosved.

"I am hoping to have that pleasure,"
he said. " Nothing but a material ob-
stacle should ever prevent me from at

tending a kettle-drura, to which I have

received an invitatiou. I really couldn't,"
he added, "afford to miss so much charm-
ing amusement."

Glencora turned, with playful depreca-
tion, toward Bertram again.

" We canno' permit you to do other-
wise than accompany us," she said,
laughingly. " Indeed, I don't believe
there's a shadow of pretext for your re-
maining away."

Waldegrave's shoulders contracted in
the least possible shrug. He bowed gal-
lantly, however, smilingly replying.

"Believe me," he said, " I, like Rim-
meltoo, should not allov/ any obstacle
but one of immense magnitude to prevent
my attendance of so delightful and en-
livening affair as a kettle-drum, particul

you are forced to leave us again ju.>t ;ifter
your let urn."

" How long shall you ronialn in Lon-
don?" inquired Mr. Ciicstcrton.

" I don't purpose staying longer than
two or tlirec! days," Waldegrave ri-plied,
so stillly that Mr. Chesterton— as we
shall caii him for the present — noted the
sudden change in the young man's man-
ner, and wondered.

" liiu,*' add(!d liertram, turnlntr and
acldr'ssing his uncle again, '• I regret to
inform you that I shall be obliged to re-
iiirn from thence home."

Glencora Chessom gave a s;vlden start
in spite of herself. Shi was W(;ll aware
why Waldegrave had determined to leave
Maplev'ood for good. If only tiiey could
persuade him to alter his dctermintition,
and remain? But no; he would not re-
main, she was certain, under the samii
roof A'ith the woman whom he had loved
and who liad proven lierself so false.
But he niHst iwt leave Maplewoo 1 on the
morrow. She would persua(l(! him to
stay just one day longer; and on that
day Mabel should be ousted, she mentally
declared. She would effect the orphan's
speedy banishment from the house by
informing her mother and gi-andfather of
tlie hitter's unwomanly and heartless
conduct toward Bertram.

" Why, my dear boy," Mr. Chessom
said in .^ui prise, " this is a real disap-
pointment. V,'e expected you to r'iinain
some time longer." "Grace," he added,
addressing Mrs. Chessom, who until that
moment had been so engaged in con-
versation with Lady St. Ayvas as not to
have heard Waldegrave's announcement
of his sudden prospective departure,
" Waldegrave leaves us for good, to-
morrow !"

Mrs. Leigh Che.ssom looked up on hear-
ing her father in law's words, with a face
full of an expression that was more like
a combination of disappointment and

i constermitiou than that which she en-
arly at"Mrs. Vavasor's ; but I learn by ; dravored to make It alone appear, of
my friend, who called a little while ago, | regretful surprise. She came forward,
that it is not only necessaiy but impera adding her persuasions to those of her
tive for me to return to London early to- \ daughter, for Bertram to remain.

j But, though politely and sincerely ex-
i pressins' himself grieved at thus being
, forced to so suddenly and prematurely

morrow morning,"

" How very provoking
.Miss Chessom, with an

I'" exclaimed
annoyed little

pout.

The banker, who was seated near, play-
ing whist with Mr. Chesterton, looked up
at his nephew, saying :

end his pleasant visit at Maple wood, he
was firm in his resolve to leave early the
ensuing morning.

Mabel Willoughby heard her lover thus

hl\

"This Is really too bad, Bertram, that 1 calmly announce his intention of depart-

THK liAXKKWS GUAXDCllILDnEN.

iuff on the morrow; ami LacJy Winnifrcd
bclioldiDg the ro.sc-lcaf tintiiijt fade so
suddenly out of her face, half rose, fear-
iufi that she was about to faint.

" May, dearest, you are ill. I fear," slie
murmured in tones too low to rcacli
other ears than those of her friend.
"Let me fetch you a <>lass of 'vater from
yonder carafe, ' she added in alarm, as
Mabel caught nervously as if for support
at the arm of the chair in wliich she vvas
seated—" you look as it about to faint."

'•No, no," ilear Lady Winnifrcd," Mal>el
whispered in reply, " I am better now:
it was but a momentary faintness, and I
shall not be so foolisli as to swoon." she
added with a little poise of haughty pride
to her graceful liead. "I must, I vill be
calm," she tJionght desperately, and then
turned to Mr. ]{iminclton, who returned
to her side at tliat moment, witli a pleas-
ant little smile, though it was a very
forced one, and wreathed lips that
trembled and were paler than wont.

Of course, genera! regret was I'.lt and
expressed that the banker's handsome
relative and guest was about to leave
Twickenham. Even Mr. I^immeltou, wlio
had been horribly Jealous of the rival
whom, until now, \\v, had believed the
favoied one, felt lialf inclined to l)e sorry
that Waldegrave was really going away,
the while he rejoiced that the field would
tlien contain uo other really formidab.e
contestant for the lovely prize which he
was striving to win, but which he felt,
with a sort of uncomfortable uneasine.>s,
ac he thought of his father's heavily
mortgaged estates at Morcomhe, he could
but ill afibrd to possess himself of. "Hang
it!" he would mentally ejaculate, " why
in the name of Creosus am 1 not like
Waldegrave, ricli enough to afford the
luxury of such a dear littie jewel of a
penniless wife? Ch, dear I if love wasn't
so much like lightning, or if I could have
falleu in love with the coquettish Glen-
cora, and won her, instead of making an
idiot of myself by allowing my stupid
head to be turned by the iovellness of
her dowerless cousin. What the plague,
I wonder, would the frater say if he
knew what an imbecile 1 have beci me?
Hut, confound it 1 what fellow's head is
philosophical enough lo remain unturn-
ed with the smiles of such an angel to
bewilder It ?"

CHAPTER XXX.

'' l''i)r Love is like a c.trcl .«3 uhilil,
FoFKCttins promise i);ist ;

lie is bliml or il'Mt' whene'er he list-
Ills faitli is never fast-''

-Old Hall,„K

Half an hour later, when the hostes.s
and most of her guests were occupied in
looking over a pile of new music, and
the liost had resumed his whist playing
with Mr. Chesterton, Waldegrave took
advantage of the opportunity thus pres-
ented to slip away for a few moments.
He wanted a breathing space, and rising
he crossed over to a bow-window at the
opposite end of the long room and stood
looking out gloomily into the starlit
February night.

Presently a soft touch fell on liis arm,
and a dulcet voice murmured : " Cousin
IJertram!" and liertram turned and look-
ed into the enchanting black eyes of his
cousin Glencora. " Are you taking a
farewell look at Maplewood by star-
light?" she inquired, pushing further
aside the sap[)hire folds ot the heavy vel-
vet curtains and looking out also at the
lovely, quiet scene. "We are all so very
much disappointed that you are going
away, so unexpectedly," she continueti,
adding : "But you will grant mejust one
favor ere you go, Bertram?*' and she
looked up at him almost pleadiiigiy. She
looked— oh, so marvelously !air, stand-
ing thus in the sulxlued half light, half
shadow, her waxen fingers clasped light-
ly on his arm.

Waldgrave's eyes rested upon her in a
sort of enchantuicnt. lie half forgot f(;r
tlie moment his incipient l)elief that all
women were alike false and heartless, as
he looked into the alluring eyes of this
most coquettish and heartless of her
sex.

" Grant you a favor, cousin Glencora?"
he said, "I shall be most happy to do so,
if it is at all possible."

She smiled winningly, dazzlingly.

" Then remain here at Maplewood just
one day longer," she said, "just to please
me, cousin Bertram."'

A shadow of pain crossed his hand-
some face. Could he remain in the same
house with Mabel Willoug^iby auotlier
day?

77//; iiA xk' !■:/,• s ah'AXDc.'iiLninis.

i •>

Is, ns
this
her

At that moment a sn-opt <iirli,>li voice
lloated ill soft melody tlinm^ti tin; room.
It was Mabel's biriii«li tout's; she hiul
been solicited to siim, niid was siii^iDy
the (iiiaint, old sonji of tli.' nmeasomably
jeilous Jover, beginninii—

I'Hiiw ci»n she. h'.rv ">/i .^lic l)i> ot'ior tliin true?
There i.-i truth in iier liiiipi.l oyc iniii'volous

hi 110 ; .
And yet. wfl! I l<n(i '• s'lo i< ("ilaono.*? irsolf :
.**iie will flin;f iiwiiy l'>'.-e f.ir a h:inil(iil of

wealth."

Waklegrave set hi-< t(>r-t'i hnrd and
looked over at the ijronp abor.t the piano
— looked over just in time to see Mr.
Chesterton turn a piue in Mabel's music,
and to perceive the latter n;lance no into
the pleasant, handsoiiic fac of the for-
mer with a bright sn.ih- that was unmis-
takably fond.

Mabel was brave and intPii-fly pi-oud.
and, thonjrh the paleness that .ivVrspread
her lace at lirst ^'ave place in licr cheeks
to a feverish glow of rich cirnation.
though her slendei hands trembled a
little, and to be c:dm ;ind alioiretlier lier
natural self cost her a desprrate eft'ort,
she maintained her i}«ui)serenii,y heroic-
ally, and, when nri>cd, sana without ever
a tremor in herbliihe, clear voice. 1

Did ever more truth, or love, or con- ]
stancy shine forth fr.)m "limpid ori)s of;
marvelous blue"' thnn iiad looked out [
from Mabel's bright eyes that very night ^
!•■' > those of Hertram Waldeirrave ? and
now — oh I heartless, cruel, shameless I— |
she could sit, codlly sin-iing that frivol- I
oua song, with Mr. Chesterton bending j
in tender devotion over her and return-
ing sweetly, innocently, the fond iiiances ,
which he bestowed upon her: and nil this j
under the very eyes of the nnm whom I
she had deceived I

Waldegrave looked, and for the mo- 1
ment forgot the presence of the beautiful j
woman beside him - forgot the mo i en- j
tary enchantment he but just now, though j
not for the first time, experienced when I
looking into those superb, flashiui: eyes, j
when listening to tli#; melodious music of
her clear voice. And Glencora watched;
him, and devined the current of the \
tUoughts that whirled through his brain 1
with wonderful accuracy.

Again Mabel sang :

".So brightly onchiindnsr, so wnndrously f ir,
Suoh flecking-! of sold in her rippling h ir.
Ah ! fair, yet I know she too -iiirely will prove
All false to her proinijo— nil fait liess to love. "

Waldegrave turned away his head with
savage abruptness, as if to thrust from

his ears the sounds of tin; sweet voice
which carolled >o bewitchingly the quaint
old ballad. He fe!t that he was becoming
half maddened. No', he would not, could
not remain h<'re another day, even for
the sake of a hundred encliauting cous-
ins with bewitching black eyes and
smiling ruby lips.

He remembered now that he must an-
swer his cousin's reciuest, and turned
tovvard her, saying :

"Mv deaf cousin, 1 am sorry, very
sorry, that circumstances render it im-
possible for me to remain even one day
longer here I must deny mysolf that
pleasure. Anything else," he added,
•I will promise anything else,"

(ileucora bit her lip, replying coldly
with heightened color: '• I'lu're is an-
other favor I would a.sk, cousin I>er-
tram."

Then her vexation vanisheil. or she
foncpided it. and she spoke again with a
sweit smilr : " 1^ is to obtain a
pronu e that we siiall not be deprived
for a very longtime of seeing you. We
shall miss you so much, cousin Bertram,
so very much ; and we are all so sorry to
lose you -Grandpapa is actually in de-
spair,"

WaUlegrave looked again, with a ming-
ling of odd sensations, into those
singularly smiling eyes.

Almost any young man has vanity ;
very few young men are quite proof
against all flattery; and here stood Glen-
cora Chessom, the brilliant heiress of
tlie ricli banker's immense fortune, or at
ienstofa magnitlcent portion of it, the
co(iuettish rejectress of numberless suit-
ors, the most courted, souiiht afier younii
be^mty anywhere in Loudon or its en-
viron.-; and she stood beside him — she
who had trampled ou the hearts of a
hundred luckless swains— with her white
hands clasped on his arm, her facelifted
tovvard him and aglow with a radiance
that must have been born of love.

She loved him— this proud, fair heir-
ess. He kn .*vv it ; for she scarcely strove
to conceal her love. Well, and why not
marry her and revenge Mabel, as he had
at lirst resolved ?

A miserable pang clutched lils heart at
the thought of wedding another thau the
gentle, loving little girl whom he had
loved so dearly, and whose love and faith
he ha' I so trusted. Ah I how could she
— how dared she deceive h'mso? He
choked back a sigh that was nearer a sob,
and detested himself for his weakness

1 jTO*' tl

'/•///v' HA XKKJrS (./.'AXlx '!:: LI)!! IIX.

He WHS pi'oiul— no: irnililcss of n littN^ni'
rnasciiliiK-' vaiii'v. imd out IVorii amonirst,
Ills iiii-*i'iy iUKi i«i(k>'iiii);: disappohit-
uieiit his Viinlty iirulo plaints of its
'.vouiiils; iiiul til" vowed I'tfuiii to wrd irs
tMHisin. A >ii{ldt'li impulse, lioni of pi'ide,
jn'ompti'd liiiii to tiirn mid iliere !i>l< lic'i-
To niiirry Idiii; but tlic be;mti(ii!. d» ad
idol, wli'cli ill its swi'i't, hiiil ivimi lit;
liad so woisliipped, lay cold !iiid still in
its dc'S(!crated teniple: !ii)d his lieiiit
niunnurtd soirowfully. " Not i!o\v, not
now'; wait until tins be.'iutil'dl. dead
thiufr is hidden, buried, if siot !or:!;otten. "

And all the timi; Glohoofii was furtiv' -
ly Watching him from beneiitii those
Avhite. silkc-n-lVina'cd lid>j.

He bcthouyht liimseif presently, i\rn\
strove to appear naturally, anrl fiypo-
eritically declired lumself iniich disap-
jiointcd that his vi-^i" iiiiist be tims snu^-
mariiy cut short, the wliik- he !'( It i;ke
pliiiiLiin.ir inadiy oiit of .Maplewood
House, tnul away ioin TwickeidiaiM and
Mabel \Villoii;.'h'vv and everyildi.;^ tiiat
reminded li'm of her.

Directly lieproposeil joitiin:: tiieirronp
at the piano, where Lady Winuifred St.
Ayva.s was now playinji' a liv'ely /,v'/.se.

Gk'«cora reacle.'i! up to toy li^hMy with
the moss rose-l)iid, Mliich, u few mo-
ments bi'fore, she iiad fastened i-i the
hutton-h(»le of his coat. " Not unrii you
liave made me one iirotnise," she de-
clared i)l;iyfully ; '* you know you have
proirnsed to a:rant any other ivtjiiest I
may choose to ask "

He smiled, replying:

"Anything, as unreasonable as you
please, my dear cousin, even if it be a
reque.st as unconscionable as that of the
lair daughter of HeriMlias.'' His voice
wa.s so light and careless again that ]\Ii.>s
Chessom wondered, as she had wondered
before, if this perfect nouchalence was all
a cover lor the passionate heart-paiu
which he was striving to conceal.

" If so. he acts well," she thought,
-and, in any case, be I)ears being jilted
with marvelous tortitude ; most men
would liave, leaped into a frenzy, and
>torraed outrageously," She smiled up
brightly at him.

"My request shall not be at all an un-
reasonable one." she declared sweetly ;
though, inwardly, she would not have
disrelished saying : "Give me here Mabel
"Willoughby's head in a charger," had the
prospect of the fulKllment of her request
been as probable as was that of the 0(d,e
of Iving Herod's birlliday j'cfe. "rromi'-e 1 1

■111 hs you will
■'.lilt if Mabel

;if the

ex-

me tha' wil'iiu tlirr-,- I:

reiiii n lo T'.viL'keidiiii.:."
U'alde:j:n'.ve ^fartei'.
weie St il ;i' Maple'vc
p'raMon of thar perio i';
n>uailv f •;■ yoioiir i.elie

troU.s-e;ill ^oT'''!) lip. a!i

tion-" for tliv'ir nnf.'i.:. ,

rniyht l»e a 20od \\ liiie !••

ioiiyliby became ."'hs

he had heard Mr. Ch:

previous announcing

visiting i'aris in the, iiiomiIi of June wi'h

a miiuiier of uciiiieiii' oiers wlio wtre

going thilh'.'r ; io d b' ('.fi! Unit time

Would he not i\" j'kely lo vvi d his lov(-ly

lu'ide. ami take 'wv \\\'Vc llrst on their

bridal tour ?

Sonictliing clu'ciiei .iiv.igdy at poor
Bertram's In [lit .>Niii; . aI tli'? 'thought ;
but lie hope;!, uevt-r:!" less, iliat it might
be so; for h<.'re sl'.iO'i his iiandsoine cous-
in, who was a(*i!.,ll.,' making 'ove to htm.

' ' I lok so lon:r
■ lo liave tlier
"liier p re para -
. > ' oiii|^!eteil. I'
!•• I'M'e .Viss \Vd-
' Im ■.tiTton. I5ut
Mon a lew days
!" . inrention of

up II
bound !o iiiak
craved. So he d
g lilt gallantly 'o
tne young hcir^.-.i.s ;
to her white, j-we!
crossed tlie dr.iwin

> i:

!:■!
I,

r.ice. And h." was
promise which s;ie
', replyii^ witti ele-
llallerinti de?ire of
lid loud.ed his lips
d hand ; llieii they
loom.

I\Irs. Chesso;i) ua ..'•peakin:: of her sou
as liertram and r, P !i<:ora came over and
sa down near tin piano.

Lady \Vii)tii:re<l !iad just cased play-
ing ihe enliv(.'niiij: (lerinan vr^/.sr ,■ an 1
the l.ostess was .lying to Ladv St. Ay-
vas : "Dear Jar*!,'-., tliat charming thing
was such an iinmense fiivorite of hi<.
He lirst heard :t played by dear Lady
Wininrred last aiitumii, and he really
seemed quite entranced while listening."
"Dear fellow," she added, "I am really
growing quite impatient to see him; an«l
I am sure I shal n(!ver for.'ive that hor-
rid Polsdon for iletaining liim in Walew
so iong. Why. he promised me most;
faithfully to return by the last of Janu-
ary, if not earlier, and this — why, this i.s
the eighth of February ; it is quite too
bad."

Mr. Chessom, whose game of whist
with Mv. Chesterton was now termi-
nated by the defeat of the former, turned
from the whist table, remarking :

' Ahl I had forgotten until just now to
tell you something astonishirg, which I
heard to-day. I think you will find my
bit of news infinitely more surprising
and interesting than anything you will
be likely to hear at Mrs. Vavasor's
kettle-drum." ■■ Your speaking of Wales,'

Ill-: ]!A.\n-/:/,-s <n!.\xi>('inLi>}n:x

will

ilahol
: rx-

) loiur
t:\».''r
ip>ir:>-
.1. l'-
s Wil-
But,
V (lay-!
on <>r
le wi'tJ

I W'l. I't'

■j time

lovely

n iht.'ir

:\t poor

li!ii;:lit.

le (.'OUS-
tO 1)1111,

he was
licli s;)i'
i'lih •.'lf-
li'.-ire of

his lips
cii they

f her soil
;)vcr and

(«(1 phiV-

St. AV
lull thiii^
"of hi<.
ur Lady
e v«ahy
teuinii-"
m really
lim ; !Ui«l
hat hor-
11 Wak«
|me most
of Janu-
y, this is
uite too

lof whist

termi-

|r, turned

^t now to
which I
find my

|.u*prislng
you will

kavasor's

|f Wales,'

110 ndiliMl. ndilrcssim: his (!,iii;:lif,('i'-ii!-
law, "rcniinds ido of iliy atfair." "Doultt-
iess," he coiitiiiiXMl, *' wu all distinctly
renicmlji r how suddenly niir nureeMiili'
1,'uest, L.'i.ly Uinlcttf) Ko/Hiitliull. (!('(:i(l6d
to lcav<' iH, and visit a frioial at Sn^iw-
deu. Well, her l;»dyslii;> went to Wales.
Slot, as r hiarn, so pifticulaily to vNit
her friend as to seek out a dui:.'hrer
\vliom, until the p;ist few weeks, she has
believed to have died in early ehildlnod;
and this duniiliter of her Lulyship's i> hv
a fonii'T niarriaiio, ai)ont which, initil
within tlie same limited sp:ire of time,
the world hns known no'liin;:;."'

Unhonnded astonlsliment was folt and
exhil)ited at this vevelation by all. (ilen-
corn exclaimed :

"Ikeally! a romanee — an out and out,
channin;: romunc-e I IIo v d 'lii^htful '.
Pray proceed, grandpapa— who was her
ladyship's former husbaufl?"

"His name, I believe." c.ontiiUKMl Mr.
€liesKom, "was Wylde— i;'-;iinaid Wvlde.
He was a pliysiciau, and quite poor; and
very inucli disfavored by Sir Mont ford
AVindham— her ladyship's fatlK-r. Lady
Birdr'tta, who was then siniplv Birdet-
ta Montfort, was from infancy looked
upon as the wife prosp<-ctiveof t;er cous-
in Iluffh, who, b''iii:vaii only son. at his
father's death succeederi to the latter's
wealth and titl ;.

The younfr lord—! have a distinct re
membrance of him— was Idutf and plain,
almost rude in his manners, besides
beiuir insnH'erat)ly conceited; in fact, he
was anythini; hut a lady's hero; and at
•seventeen her ladyship met this youn^
Wylde, who, beinjj: a surgeon as well as a
physician, was, upon occasion of tlv^
Jormer sustaininjr a sevca'e accident by
bein^ thrown from acarriuire, summoned
to attend her. Of course the younit fel-
low was nnfortunato enoush to fall in
love with the fair Birdetta ; .iiid she, who
had been kept somewhat in seclusion all
lierlife, returned his alfection fully, and
contrasted him with her .vealthy cousin
—almost the only youna: ^-entleman
whom she had known hitherto— in a
manner not exactly flattering to his
youthful lordship.

In some way or other the baronet got
wind of the youni: people's incipient
attachment, and was terribly angry. He
suspected them of mee'in<r secretly, after
having forbidden their meeting under
any circumstance, which suspicion it
seems was unjust; and, niore angry than

ever, he locked his daughter in her
apartments.

The girl gr^w wea;-y of her iuipri^ori-

ment. a'ld tiie strictness of l)i)iii l>.'r

parent and "(lianced, and after a w'.iilo,

escaping, ehipi'd with young WU 'e.

They wi.'re married secretly, and \V"n%

im;!ie(li;i!cly to (iernniiy. 'Th'? voung

man, I believe, was of Kncrli.-di and (J-r-

inau parenta'/e. 'i'iu' atfiur was not;

allowed to irain tlie least publii-!*v; it;

was iiiven out by the baronet hi!u>.e!f

That hi^ dau'ihter had goi'.e to m:ii;e n

long visit with relatives in the south M

1-' ranee ; and when, a few weeks later. Sir

Mjntfort and his lu'pliew left Kniiliiid

in search of the fiigitives, no one so

much as susjiected tiieirei'r.ind.

I For tivt! years, I am told, tlieir s^virc'i

! proved unavailin;; ; but oiio day at L'V-

d"n t!ie youn:.'- lord was taken sudd'jii:y

I ill. and a phv^ici lu was sent for.

I Doctor Wyldt! came, and tin.' baronet,

j IIS well as his nephew, at once recogni/.ed

iiim. It seems, however, t'lat t!ie reeoj;-

I nition was not mutual : Wylde had iio

I concepti.tin of wlio lifs patient was ; t)r

j that llubert Kcjso— that was the namtj

under which his lordsiiip travell-d— was

1 his old rival.

L'ini Kozeutha!! rapi^'.ly recov-^re !,
and mauau'cd not to lose" sight of nis
c<n;sin's husl)aiid. One day, in pnijii ;,
his Icrdship took occasion to insiilr -h;
young physiiian, whort-j^lied by ('asin-jg
in the face of ih(! former a iila^.s of wim'.
Of course, a duel was x.\\r upshot ofthrf
air.iir; and his lordsliio, w';o was a fim;
swordsman, succeeded in mortally wound-
'\W'z Ills au'auoid- 1.

Mrs. Wylde was then visited by her
father and cousin, who informed her of
their resolve to trd<e her back to K-ig-
laud. Iler ladyship was (pritt! passive, I
am told, seeming to have sunk in:o a
state of almost imbecility.

She must have sulfi.'n d iTuelly, being
dou'tly bereaved, for her eldest child, a
boy of four ye;irs, was also taken frous
he;-, dyin:;: saddenly on t!ie very niiih'^
tliat her husband was killed. Her re-
maiiiing child, a little girl. Sir Montfort
brought with them on their return t'j
Knghind, scarcely knowing how to dis-
pos.' of it at the time.

After her return to England Mrs. Wyl.lc
was ttikeu terribly ill, and foi- many
weeks was not expected to survive froiri
one hour to another. She recovered,
however, and was info-rmed by her
father tliat her litth; girl had diej

77//; /;.! .vh'h'/rs (iLWXDVuii.hUKX.

1.4

tluriiii,' her illiiofs. Slic rcceiveil the
iiitellig(?uce willioul tlic slightest out-
ward signs of emotion, niurely inqiiir-
iii:; where the cliiltl was interred. She
was shown a mound somiiwhere in a
^ccludfd part of tlie grounds. Tliis
grave, over whicli her lady>.liip has spent
.•"O manj lionrs ol' agony, is now believed
to be an artificial onu ; at all events, her
ladyship will as soon as possible have
this proven by causing it to be opened.

His lordship still desired wedding his
cousin, and so the marriage was consuni-
niatcd something Iil;e a year after Lady
Birdetta's return to England.

Iler ladyship's daughter, I am told,
was trtl<cn to Wales and placed In care of
an old woman who had once been a ser-
vant, in Sir Moutlbrt's household, and
then lived something like a mile or two
from Cwymdaron— the little town in
wliich Charlie Polsdon met with the
accident that detained him there for so
many days, last autumn. The little girl
is now nearly or quite fifteen years of
age, and all re(|uisite proofs of her iden-
tity have been obtained. Sir Carter
Daneslea, who was my iniormant, was
told the whole story by Lady Birdetta
herself. Her ladyship is just arrived in
London. lu a day or two, doubtless, we
.shall have a minute account of the affair
in the London papers, with facts, proofs
and embellishments," concluded Mr.
Chessom.

" Poor Lady Birdetta," said Lady "Win-
iiifred to Mabel ; '• what a sad story."

Mabel replied sorrowfully :

*' Sad, indeed. What terrible torture
all tliose years have been to her."

''(»h, dear me; it was dreadful, of
course," said Miss Chessom, in reply to
the sympathetic remarks uttered by Lady
St. Ayvas, and the former's mother:
"and it's no wonder her ladyship became
a stiff petrifaction ; 1 think I should have
gone mad. But this young girl, her lady
ship's daughter," she added, " has she
not been brought up very rudely among
the boorish peasantry ot Wales ?

" Doubtless," responded her grand-
father: " but two or three years of Pa-
risian education and accomplishments
will be certain to efl'ace all traces of hoy-
deuism."

Cileucora shrugged lier shoulders.

"If 1 were in her ladyship's place I
.should be careful that the world saw her
not, until after the, refining process bad
been gone through with," she said with
a laugh.

"The little girl is very beautiful, SI;
Carter Informs me," said Mr. Chessom.
'' and, he declares, iiitlnltoly more grace-
ful In mimner than are many of the daugh-
ters of our aristocracy at that awkwariJ
age.''

place. Then she

CILVPTKK .\.\\l.

Our liiinils have niPt, l)ut not our hearts ;

<'ur liiiii'ls wil' ne\ cr nici't iiKain.
rriiMpls. if wi' have ev«>v Ihimi,

I'Vienils we ('aniidt now remiiin.
I iiiily know I lovi'.l .Miu oiiii'.

I (iiily know I lnvi>il in Viiin ;
0(0- Imiiils liavf iiu't. l.iif in.t (>:ir hcntt- ;

Uiir luuuls will nov^ r uit'i.'t :i!ia n.

— Tll<tiiliiH llniid.

It were dlfllcult to say which strove-
most heroically to ap;M»:ir unconcernei:
and indifferent to each othm- that night,
^fabel or Bertram. Both succeeded,
however, the only fault being that the
uuconcernedness of each was just a li'Alc
too perfect.

As Waldegrave found it necessary to
start at an early hour on the morning en-
suing, good-by's were said that night
before the hour for retiring.

Mabel had at first rrsolved to excuse
herself, on the plea of weariness, and sli|
away from the drawing-room liefore that
ordeal should take
thought, proudly :*

" No, for he will tliii .c that I have gone
l)ecause 1 have not courage to remain.
He shall see ; he shall believe that I do
not care enough to do anything but de-
spise him. Oh I how cruel— how base
and cruel he is I'"

" And so we must bid good-bye to yois
to-night, dear Bertram," said Mrs. Ches
som; "we are very sorry to lose you.''

Mrs. Chessom spoke the truth; she
was exceeding sorry tliat Waldegrave
was about to depart. For many years-
she had been scheming for an alliance
between this rich young heir of the aris-
tocratic Waldegrave's of Falmouth aui.'.
her daughter, when they should have be-
come old enough for a union. Now that
the time had arrived this determination
became fixed in the lady's mind.

It is needless to tell our readers that
Mrs. Chessom had felt a vague terror of
their r.ch colonial guest ever since his
first appearance at Maple wood.

This terror, she endeavored to assure
herself, was but mere silliness. Again
and again she told herself that Lancelot
Chesterton was not— could not be —
Leigh Chessom, her step-sister's hus-
band; the man whose dead wife's place

77//; HA \h'i:irs ai,\ i xiwuil dukx.

1, sir
ssora,
;r{\ce-

kwnril

rt.^;

IT t ji ;

Strove

icernei!

nisht,

reeded,

tiat the
, a. li-Alc

sary tu
ling eu-
it night

excuse

and slii
'ore that
en she

vo gone
remain,
lat I do
but de-
)W base

e to you
s. Ches
e you."
th ; she
idegrave
\\y years-
alliance
;he aris-
ith an«.'.
liave be-
ow that
ination

brs that
jrror of
ince hi&

assure

Again

tiancelot

>t be—

hus-

[s place

•<;"ie had wlelioilly usurped, wlioso child- 1
ren's name iind rii:hts her o\vi> son and i
laughter wciv enjoying'. No. no. it I
L'ould not he. Lv-iijli was surely dead. I
If he were livin;;, ami tliis was he, would I
he not liave revealed his identity l)of(»re I
this? U was a very common ihini,' fori
people to resemble other people to whom]
tiiey were not at all relative; and after
nil there was iiorliin;; wonderful in the i
fact that :Mr. Clirsterton was much like j
what sh«! tlio;i:,'lit i/>i<{h would iiave b -en ;
had he lived t*. In; Hv((-and-fort,y years of I
•age, with his dark chestnut liair '.,M-own
iust a ]>eree|>tihle s!i;ulc darker, and I
threaded here and tliere with silver. |

Anil yet. af:er all this very sound rea- 1
•soniuff, Mrs. Chessom's mind was far'
from l)eing at ease. Sl)e had mano'U- '
vared hiu-d, of late, to l)ring aixiut tills
alliance Itetween the son of Mr. Ches- j
som's niece and her fair daughter; had |
treated Mahel, t!ie real heiress, with'
marked coldness, because she saw that,
Waldegrave nas falling— if he, indeed,!
iiad not already lallen— in love with lier '

" 81ie shall not remain here another'
week," declared the angry lady mentally,
not more than two hours previous to
Waldegrave's announcement of his pro- j
jected leave of Twickenham.

"She shall go l)ack to Aml)lcside, or
anywhere, so long as she is too far away
for meddling. Bertram luitst wed Glen-
•oora. She is so beautiful; surety he soon
must learn to love her ; and this childish
May, for whom he seems to have taken a
foolish, fleeting fancy, she shall be re-
moved, and he will speedily forget her,
and be able to discover that he Im-cs— not
merely fancies— my daughter. And then,
afrer they are ben-otheil. whatever hap-
pens, Bertram will be too honorable to
ignore her.

And Jarvis— Oh I why does he not re-
turn and wed I/nly Winnifred ? They
are poor now; hut old Colonel FairleJL'h
■will die some day, I suppose, and then
they will be e#rialied : and if anything
occurs"— Mrs. Chessom shiveretl ner-
vously—" it will be for the credit of .ill
to have the afl'air blazoned «s little as
possible. If tliis Mr. Chesterton be reallv
Grace's husband returned from the dead,
■why does he not reveal himseif ? But
Heaven grant that during the delay —
whatever it be for— I may see my ehil-
drcn advantnireously wedded; and tlien,
I think, I could bear the rest."

Thus ran Mrs. Chessom's thoughts
while gracefully doing the duties of

hostess at dinner that evening; and now,
at tile thought of his departing— not to
r(!turn for at least months— her heart
s;iuk Ml voluntarily within hor.

"Huteousin Bertram lias promised to
visit Us ay;aiii in, at least, three months,''
exclaimed (ilencora gaily ; " and, assured
of that, we shall not Ijinguish during the
int-rlm."

* Indeed," said lier mamma, smiling;
"t'len I am sure we shall wait with im-
patience the elapse of that time."

Inwardly her heart whispered porteu-
tiouslv — " Three months, oh ! what dire-
ful things may not occur long ere their
expiration ?"

Waldeijrave shook liands all arouni ;
to avoiil b^iii:; noticed by others, lie even
condescended to touch his linger tips t<>
tlie hand which Mr. Chesterton cordially
extended toward him; liut his manner
was so chilling that that ircntleman drew
b?.ck in indignant astonishiiumt, and ex-
pressed no regret at parting. Lady
\Viniiifred's farewell to him was formal
and (|uite coid. She wasipiite convineed
that lie was acting dishonorable toward
Mabel, and just now, lie was very much
lowered in her, IilMierLo, really hlgli
[ opinion of him. Miss Chessom's iusti
' perceptible smile was hidden l)ehind her
filmy handkerchief, as Waldgrave, havitig
' shaken hands with all the rest, stepped
' toward Mabel, sayinir :
' '-Good-bye, Miss Willoughby."
j " If she would only faint, or do somo-
' thing e(iually absurd and ridiculous now,"'
thought the amiable (ilencora; l)ut she
' was somewhat surprised, though searc<dy
I more so than vvas Mattel herself, at the
hitter's calm, icy demeanor.

Waldegrave spoke and extended his
I hand with cold, haughty constraint.

Mabel, appearinir not to notice the

outstretched hand of \h'V Jlanre<;, lier own

hands wen; full of the sheets of music

which she was arranfrinir, simply replied,

■ in a voice of coul Indiflerence :

'• Good-night and good-by, Mr. Walde-
grave."

Then she turned, with a smile that was
iieroically bright, toward Mr. Chesterton,
remarking serenely —

'• -Ah, here is the brilliant song which
you so much admire, ' Ksmeralda,' and
' you- favorite sonata — that lovely thinir
of Iiaydn's eouiposition. The latter F
will play for you toiiioi;rovv : but Lady
Winnifred can do ' KsinenVtla ' much bet-
lor justice. 1 tlunk." and siie turned to-
ward the latter, saying:

THE r>.\XKEir>i CRAXDCIIILDUEX

|i ' I

"Yon sin:,' this fashionable song di- 1 thoivi^li Imr brother's supposed crime hn(r
vii;ely, I.udy "WinuilVecl ; you will I'livor sniiiied their name, yet, in his h.'iirr, tiie
lis all. will yoii not, Ijy sinjjiug it to-rnoc- , biisikm- could not re.arct tli;ir. Iiis lian.i-
rowior" — for [)apa, she vvas about to , some youi);;' relative lovml the orphaii
li.iV(? stijil, but
adde i, with a l)hish —

.stopp»jd herself and ; suHiciei.tly to one day niaice lu-r ins brid'

and thus insure her proti-cjiio'i IVoiii tlie-

F<>r -Mr. Chesterton, in my stead!

eohl ^ii.inces

ami 1

)OllI(.'

ordi'd iiisu'

Kiy

\Viiini;Ved smitin^ly, assented, wliieh the uiToizaut :uid uiiriteiiiii,' in tlieir

addiiii; — '• And yet, 1 dare siiy, Mr. dies- j cin^le b('st.o^v.Ml
ttvton will (h'em my rendering of it less] pulisin-d iasoleuee

upun iier wich sucli

excellent than your own, ]\Iay.
J!>Ir. Ciieslert^ni smiled.

I Of Ivuiest's ilislionor Mr. Clu'ssom
I W(udd fain !iave kept llie worlil in lienor-

" Impossible, your ladyship," he said; , anee, bat l;is irrand-ilauirhter ind -.dvoft
your singing is not less excellent than , the storv full circulation ; and the bank-

s ck'rk w;is rt'uarileil

tiie lianker .>*

tuiythinir; there is in your voice such

Vii^r (ompass, such ring and sparkle, and | frh/nds as a mo>t di>l;ouorai>l • and l)!isely

witli.il sucii power and sweetness that a, unicrati'ful youtli: and tli ■ cold shoulder

was turned very releuilessly upon his

sister.

Mil-;

voic'! would be diilicult to

•SM,

Aiay IS riui;'

lie luhietl.

in her

oi'inloii !'iat yoii >iii^- witli more striking
eticct .-ucii l)i'dii:iMt soi;us as this," point- j
iug to ihc riciiiv illustrated sheet of mu-

CILAl'TKi; XXXII.

.sic wnich Niai)t..i hcd ;

I here is not the

f-l/li.-ador ia her voice whicii ch.U'acterizes

\ouv own

and vet. Mav

s voice IS so

L'ln all .1 n
')nr i'ortiiiu'.-j nii'L't u.-

ur live-

<[ in th(' 'h-

■l),:i,i

We will now return to Ei'uest Wil-

clear and sweet, and so perfectly adapted ; lougl i)y and his friend Fairleigh. The
to the caroling of those simpler, yet injue latter found Ernest in London, whe-e he

the less sweet liems of song, that it were
ditlieult, after all, to deciile by which of
yoi; one is most cIkuuuhI and delighted."
Thus chatteil those three, and then
general good-nights were exchanged and
the lionsehold reiiied for the night.

was busy with preparations for his jour-
ney to C:inada.

" i5y Jove I" Ilarvey exclaimed, ''of
course you're in a scrape, and all that;
hut you'll come out all right in the end.
I'm sure of it: innocence always does ;..

[sir. riivssom was pu/.zled, even dis- j umi this journey of which you're talking
pleased, tiiut two of his most lionored t is a deu''edly pioasant thing to coutem--
guests — Lady St. Ayvas' beautil'ul and j plate. What do you say to a coy/i^Ja^ii"/?
charniin:;' daughter, and Mi. C^lK.'sterton </< '■".'/«.'/'' •'' "

— for wlioin t!ie banker's feelinirs were

'I'nat 1 shall be ileji:;hted, if vou in-

those of warm, fast-growinii friendship— | rend becoming my lullovv traveller; will

.should so coli.Hy and iudilferently part i you go ':"'

with ins agreeable and entertainins; j >larvey nodded . "If the pater's agree-

nephew and guest, IJertram Waldegrave. , able, yes,"' he said.

The banker had not perceived that the i " Have you business which will detail:

Coldness between Waldegrave and Ches- ; yeu here much longer'"'' impiin-d ne.

lerton was the fault of tiie former; but j

No, nothing of mom* nt, ' Ernest rc-

he had reiaarketl how Irlnidly their linger- 1 plied.

tips had met, and that Mr. Chestertou-

Tiioa suppose you accompany mo to

tiiough Bertram had contributed much to j Lancaster, and our united persuasions

e entertaiuiueiit a

ad I

)leas

lire of all— I will bo the more successful in getting a

cij'ied not 1 lie smallest reuret at losing , eouseut from my worthy progerdtor 'r
him. tlionuh they iiad sceaiinyly retrarded N\'e shall have plentv of time foy a day
each otlier in a nriuner most friendly ; or two's stay at Kairleigh liouse before
hitherto. j gt»iug to Liverpool.'"

'I'heii tlu- cool formality of liajy Wiu-| To this anangemei.t Ernest, after a

iiified — and Mabel — Mr. t'liessom was liioment's deiibr" n'ion, atnuiescei

and

reuliy juinoyed at what he afterward de- j on the morniuir ensuing the young men
clart'i! to his .'ro^cz/ewas absolute rude- stsirteil for Lancaster, liarvev rattled

and talkeil on, .ifter hi- Usual gay lash-
ion, vlurliu' the jouniev .
"Don't look doleful, man alive," he
Mr. (,'iiessoiu w.ts verv certain, and ' exclaiineil, aftci- several lueffcctualclfort'*-

uess on lier part.

That his nephew regarded May with
(eeiings of more i.iian ordinary friendship

Tiir: BA xKi-Jirs a in xncnfLfh' kx.

)es
wiui:

H"}t

111-

'vee-

btuii:

re-

k' to
lions

ioi" ':

day

It'oru

lor :»
and

linen
ttloil

brt-

to dispel Ki-ncst'.s moodiness by his own
merry nonsense.

"lt'3 a confonndedly scaly triclv tliey'vo
played you, old boy ■ bnt I've a son of
premonition that, in the end of it, ail will
tnru out nobly. You'll anniss a pile in
Canada, or some rirh old ch:ip— like my
uncle Fairleigh, for instance — he has
l)romise(l a ( lumsy, .-icnibby ol:! wiitini:
tlesk as his lejracy to uie; bnt: ii's a curi-
ous old att'air, for which I always had a
sort oradmii-aiion, and its ul:ier than any
hill in the viciniiy : served a« :i cabinet
for a certain aiiccsfor of niiiiH oiuinii,' the
conquest, said nn.cstor bfinii di^tin-
^yuished f'jr a niiirvelons ;im'}'i;!r of what
my father dc-si'.;nati'.s prid" ati(t wai'iike
bi'.-ivery ; l>i;r, by nl! I learn of the i. vi-r-
» (1 indiviitii..!, hi ^ vatinied pri'lo \v;is uiiieh
lilce arronan.f?, and his br:iv,.>;y ;mot!ier
name for a ^ort ot' nii;eiks.> !i..reeness ;
))ut, iiow(.'V.r, hi • \vi'itiriii-d<.'>k '.-vt'ii'.ually
will desceml to me IVom a;;c!e, and
uncle's fMriiiUe ^■o."^. I --upp''-; ■. to Aunt
St. Ayvas i\]\(\ coii-iu WiiiiidViJ. lint I
haven't the -li^hic-t, doubt t!:;-' von'Jl hv
rU'li as Creo^n-. sonic ot ilic^i' i;;i\ s . and,
thou.^^h you don't hciiev" it. I can po.^i-
lively tull fortunes 'iipitiliy <•■: e.ird<;
and remembiu' wh'if 1 told you
tumn, thiit you wcii- to lie \vi,';i
lionored, and famous, and a!i :,
it, before you were many yi'.is cildin*.

ten consecutive minutes lu the course
(.if eaeii il;iy.

Ilarvcy'?. fliree sisters, Aiinace,
Blanche and Ada, were lively, <;ood-na-
tured demoist'lles, w'lo took pains to
a-.si>l in rendering the visit ol their
brother's friend an agreeable one, and to
make him, for the time, at least, forget-
ful of tlie painful evtuus of ttie jiast fow
wc(.'k-«.

It 1> the evening of the fourth dav

• inee Krncst'

arriv il ."t Lancaster

a si

au-

I'y,

and

i-.'s

•■ <d

it will all (•ome out corr.-c

n a

niufi'and no ni'oi)licr.

.;:an to sav

you'll niake u fortune in ("'.imei i, (jr some-

body '11 will ", oil a Cii'Tlt

vvfilih to

keep it up. or soni;
vill

Mii;

l;..'..Npi.'C

ted

as tortuiiatt;

OCeU'; I •) V.

for the [ir-.'seiu diilhadMe
fate."'

ends

iS .sure :is

whereof we write.

All liia;, uay, Lj'iiesthad felt more than
usu.aliy depressed ami ilisheartened ; bat
hit >• I V,' to sarmount the feeling, and
appi'ar -d so ".ively and agreeable that
the Mi>.'>es FairKJuli were deceived into
ihe lie'uf tliiit ilicir handsome guest
wonl.', a^ liiirvcy expressed it, "'get
all over this soreness in a lew days.''

The dim shi'low of twilight was set-
tling, with slowly increasing deepness
over the eai'th. when Willoughby escaped
from the drawing-room out ui.Jer a
great shuLlowj portico, and sat down
'viih a loiig drawn I.reath, looking out
aiislractedly at the dim. gray gardens
where a few crocuses slept Mt'ter having
•iweped lorth all day, tellii g of rapidly
approaclioig .spring.

It was the evening of the 2S;;h of Feb-
ruary, and on the- mxt morniiiij; Kruest
and Harvty were to siai't for Liverpool,
from wlience the vessel bound for Can-
ada was shortly to sail.

A few short days and he should leave
Kniilanil forever.

forever

\ strong pang smote his

heari

t at; l!ie tiiouglit. The beauiifnl fice

-pale anil sorro vfiil a.'i he liad seen it

Erne.st -irniled ano • -U'l a.-o'-> li to b;; I Pa^t— of Lady Winnilred rose up bi-lort

himself, an! to shnke ott .is iiiiieli as [ |,ii,i. Ih^u like sitddi^st. sweetest musie

pos.sib.e lii-i gloom am! alistiMcMiu.

her hi.st, uu.-tini: '.voids still .sounded iu

The society of Ins i;-iv companion wa.> i hi.-> (^•ll••^
•niivening, joid hv ilic Mnie they r» a iied ( i;. : i.e wouhi

L'Uicaster and Fidrl i.,h llor.-- -. ll.nvey,
with nuicii s^iiistiiii n. .ecla.ed
iiuile metaaiorpho-: d irom
hearted, uhnuTuly moi oe y

jiv;- worlds to si;e her

IU lin — to hold li(;r au lin in his arms for

hi.n ; ,-; one briei' ::!oi!U'ir.

down- . ' [ lu-re wa.s a footstep, -oid I-iviesf, .urn-

fello V ' r.i ;i< ;i .seiVMiit wlio luid been s jirehing

whom he had songhi, uur in .Sidio Sipnir-'. - for him a()proached bringing v itli him ."i
'I'f.ere were tiTT'^s, lliou:ih, v/heii Kr- ; teli'gram which, wi h a bow, he present-
nest would h.Tvv giver, much to escape fil to his master's jin>'St.
for a lew hours from the society of those \i was ft'oiu Twickenham, and ran a.>»
irenial frieu.ls, the ;in;ia'es

urieigii loliow.s

Jio ise, and to be :don". for a season, I
Wi'Ai his own nio'.;'i •' nly '>rooding
thoughts. P.iit it \va« b "ter tiiat th«
Jndgi! iul Ids 'jay rumoy so -n^.rjss. d
Ids time ami alteniii^i iinriuij Ir.s ^tHy as
scarcely to gr.int 1;;mi

le-tnrn to Maplt.wood without fail

and at once

,\il i.s cleared up.

rinr.i.u' Cui".s.sf>.M.

,iiikl

•pace i

Enu

sal iKil

St re;id it twice, thrice, and th'iu
ii;i/."j iiiid ti.;Vv;:.!ered tor seveiMl.

--JM-

TiiK HA XKKir^ ah' A M>cn!LUi;i:x.

Ri.l

'!(

minutes. FicyeDtly Jlarvy caiiio hi
search of him.

seat i(v a uiiulo^v tUal over'iooked tlie
bare, tliin (U)|)s(' of maples, ami drew

Oh. here .you are,' h :■ exclaimed, as about him l!ie crimson t'uLds oi' ttie heavy

he came surideiily upon hill) ; '•out what
on earth's liie matter, ma;;? — "vhat's
happened?"

" Harvey, I am not going to (,';ina(U
ai'tpvall?""

Harvey lieard tliis reply, and gave :'.
stare and a lonu whistle.

" The — d^use you're n')tr" hr; (|U''ried ;
and why this sudden chaaize. my friend?"'

For reply Ernest gnvj him the tele-
gram.

liarvey read it twice over and tiien
exhibited hisiieliirht l)y giving his friend';' |
hand a tremen(hins shaking.

" Didn'i I tel! yoa so?" lie cri<d. '• I ]
knew you'd come i^ut all rizlit at:cr al ; |
but 1 wonder, won't tlu-y feel somewhat,!
a.shamed of liaviiig accused an hoeest
man ol committing a tn<d'i? Bv .livel'
I've a mind to return with you ; I'm in a |

Utrecht velvet draperies. H;' rested his
Ijead upoii his hand, and loi k d out
moodily with a sigh upon i.he moonlit
, scene before hitu.

I il.ilf !M! hour pn^.sed, and still the
yoiin:: man sat, hi> p.ile \'.\ce vviiiter,
I icloomier Mian ever m the palid glory of
th'! moonKght.

At leni:''i a ligiit noise in the corridor
arrtjsted h, ■ atteuticu, and he determined
to listen.

Two litrle white hands iiarted the
rtowinu' curtains, ami Mabel, his ')e-
tlirotlii'il. stood befori' him.

Maiu'l. ('n\ eloped in a white cashmere

dre>sing g'lwii, with her golden hair

floatiru: over iiv- shoidder-. and her

swee;. I'lcc spirit like in it.«, jnire palor.

''M.ibi!:"

«' Mr. Waldegrave !"' burst siiniiltan-

hurry to hear what explaiiiition Mr. eously from the !ip.> (jt those most oddly

estr;iuged

Ches.«om will oflfer

" Come back with me, bv all im^ans,
Ernest urge", "since we are not <roin:r i tied : l>iit •
to Canada together, at least, not | and uneon

lOvers.
TIk' fiirmer tiini'Ml. and woidd havi-
sudden inlpu'.^e, iuvoUintary
rolal)le. induced her fiancee to

spring fr.ward, detaining her by laying
his hand upon h':r arm.

Those two pale, (jxcited faces silently
c<<'.ifrouted each other lt>r a moment,
and then, in lov*', >uppresMd tones, full

speedily,''

"• Too bud, al'ogethertoo liad !" growl-
ed Harvey with a sort of momentary
ruefulness. '-Just diinkof the amount
of eloquence \\iiirh it took to convince

the fraier that, in the present Icpiessed 1 of anger and paiu. Bertram spoke
state of finances, he could afibrd, and j lie repr'inched lu r, calling her crnid,
really ought to offer no remonstrances ; heartles-«, '.'.ilse.

against what he termed my whim, mere i Keproaclies from his lips! how dared
whhn, of spending a year or two in i he utter words like tho.'^e to her? What
Canada; and now its all np— ugh I" i ell'ronterv lie possessed.

" Never mind, Harvey." soothed Earn- 1 Slie vvitiidrew the beautit'ul be'rothal
est; "after all, v^e may go to Canada in ring, witli Us ex(|Uisiie >rtting oi pearl
a month or so."'

I'oor Earnest, within the last r^w
moments, had grown to take a far more

and diamond

from her finger, remark-
ing with a (;uiet ^corn that maddened
him :

" Vour ting. Mr. Waldegrave," ex-
tendiiii: i' toward him; "I purposed
sending it \o yon by one of the servants
in the mo' niiii:. ''

He lie>:r,ited, luul, hendiiig forward,
she laid i'.;e f\-iuble on tiie window-sill,

" Adioi;. ;Mr. Walde^irave. I wisn you
all the future happiness and success
Wc will now return to the ni::ht on j which yoi merit," she said. She turned,
which Bertram bade adieu to the Chessom ' but aijain Lr' stayed her.
household. "Mabel, there i,s — there must be— a

It was late, past twelve o'clock, and mistake. Oh! Mabel — " but lie was
yet the banker's nephew fonnd it ini- ' fiercely, haughtily checked,
possible to sleep; indeed, he didn'tgo to j " Ixelease iiic, sir, instantly,'' she ex-
bed at all, but wandered from his claim- i claimed : "how dare you? Yes, there
ber after a while, out into one oi the | lias been a mistake: I was credulous

luug himself into a enough to believe you— to trust you as 1

liopefui view of things. It was ail cb-ar-
'\; up — this horri!)le atl'air id' tlie stolen
six hundred pounds, so .said that brief
telegram; and there was something now
worth living and striving for.

CHAP'JEK XXXIII.

great corridors, and

THE liA XKinrs (JJLi XJ>CJH I.DUKX.

thf
be-

(» 111 ill
pearl
laik-
lencd

Ml'll,

you
|<.'ess
ln(-'(l,

le— !i
Iwas

t'X-

lieiv
lions
as 1

■wou'd trust a man of honour. It was I IhappiuLs^, a proud name and weultli
who was inistakon.''

Ajrain he essayed to speak, sayinij; ex-
citedly :

came to her.
" But wliv

need I care

herself, jjazin^ at her lair r

she asked
•flection in

"Mabel, explain for the love of heaven ' the silver-frosted mirror "They are all
— there is a mistake." | so cruel, so seltish ; would they pity me

But she swept away from iiim witii a were the tables turned? No, indeed,
■scornful jjesture; and Bertram, in tlie | And this woman— this step-sister of my
€xce.'.s of his aniior, ^nat^hed up from i mother, havina; stolen my bro'.lier's birth-
the window sill tlie lovely little rinir i ri<riit and mine, that hcv own son and
which he had placed on Mabel's ilni:er. ; dauyhter niiyht possess them, could she
as a pleilije of their troth tti it nifjht, and not, at least, have treateil the two whom
Anna: it from him. It struck one of the | she had so deeply wronged with justice

in other matters ? But how true it is

that we always hate those whom u j have

injured. Was it not her suspicions,

subtly worded, which first induced my

<frandfaih''r to clii'rish doubts of Krnest's

honor? Yes, and wliy should 1 grieve

for the (!ovvnfa;i of a trio so cruel, so

utterly, entirely selfish and heartless.

Even Jarvis. 'it whom, for all his wild-

1 ness and frivol;)i;siies<, I had b(;lieved ))et-

} ter tliiuizs, is cowardly enoiigh to allow a

I good, liouorable man to sutler tor a crime

! which he has liimself committed ; and

walls far down the corridor, and Mabel
heard its sharp ring as she laid her
hand on the handlo ot tlie door which
led to her own little suite of apartments.

She had been grieved and ilecpiy
offended by lu r lover's seeminiily extra-
ordinary and dishonorable conduct ; but
this audacious piece of acting vvas an
add.'Mon of^insnlt to what was already
insult and injury com!)ined.

Unable to sleep, she had left her cham-
'ber arul souglit the bow window in the
■coi'ridor. all unc(jnscious that its velvet
i,'i.shioiied seat held another restless I yet, someiiow. tins seems to me nidike
i ■.cupant. She Would have surrendered j.Iarvis. Vv'lio knows but that lie mav not
all the Titian gold curls that rippled , have received gr-.mdpapa's letter contain-
over her shoulders not to liave had this j ing the information of Hrnesfs (.llsmissal
iv'tf'intrc taken ph.ce. He — th's false j from Maplewood ?"'

lover of hers— would know irh'j she was j And wh.ile Mabel, with a vengeful feel-
wandering restlessly about at this hour; ; ing, unusual in her loving, gentle little
and so base, so contemptible was he i heart, now so full of pain and bitter dis-
■she thought, '.hat he would triumidi. j appointment and distrust that it wa.s

" I'apa, dear papa,"' slie murmured, | growing for the time hard auvt univ'Ving,
with hot tears of pain and indignation I triumphed in tiie knowledge that u dis-
Viliuding her, as she reachcil her chain- j closure was sjieedily coming which vrould
ber and threw herself again upon her canst; Bertram Waldegrav^, who was fter
•couch; "if only you knew bow barely j cousin. /e-' Gleticora's. to be dunibtt-und-

your little girl has been deceived by tiie
cnan vou so highly esteem.

ed and a>ham(;d ; which would l>ring the
frivolous votaries of fashion and weiith.

She dashed away the burning drops, , who now politely snubbed or ignored
lud rising crossed over to her ttright, ' her, ilutterinjj around her, which would

gracefully drained mirror

bring

i| V

jie retinue of wealthv suitors

Thank iK'aven!" she exclaimed proud- , to iiei- j-ct. paying her court anil ready
Iv. "mv turn to triumph will come nexr,. to ruler her wealtli uncounted and cor-
What'ulll you s;;y, Hertram WaKle- (Uiets innumerable; ami >iie thought
grave, when you learn that you hive eoutemptuou^lv : I'erhaps nertrain would
4ieceived, insuUed— not vour uncle's h.ive the audacity to come, nietampliori-
humblc protege, but his grand daughter, cilly. to tier fe<-t again. She smiled
r,ud a far riclier heiress than you have bitteiiy. If so, she wyukl laugh hiin to
believed haughtv, heartless Cileucora to , scorn.

,»^e." " ' N\ hlle al! this was passing- through lier

i'nti! now M bel had never tlionght of aching heart and throbbing, winrling
•♦he ureat triumph, which in a day or two brain. Bertram, having gone back to hi.s
>would be hers, as a triumph. Indeed, chauilier. |>aced savagely to and fro
she had felt very sorry for liie pain and Itu-re, bait' beside himself with pain and

sham

e, h j.vever wc

merited, that must anger. Tor a niomon., looking into the
come to the woman who had passed as pure face of Ids betrothed, as slie con-
her father's wife and iHTciiildre;;, when frontcl him. In the soft mooidiglii -that

TiiH n.wKK/rs (;::.\:<i>c!iiLi>i!!':x.

i'ace so full of reproach ; the clear eyes so nhile tlie inotl)or thus tlre;iinei.l, lier
iuiiocent, willi Midi (lci)th.s of fiuiet daughter paced hei- eli'*inber, or tossed o;i
>c<)ru hjokiiiii' up at hiui from beneath her pillow, and imiriuiired angrily the
their j^fjUieii brown la.shes, he had felt name of the i^iri wii.i.se ijlaee t^he had
incliiu/d to discredit his own senses to unconsciously usiirprd.

believe tha: tliere was some mistake, '

whieii she could explain. l>ut he told ,

himself now tliat he was an alter idiot to '

tiu>t her again for a sinule moment. All ',

this anger, these reproaehlnl glances | It is a long time? since wo have wriKeu

were a!l'ected ; she was a most eon- m word of Jarvis T.^liessom, whom we will

sunii'.Kite aetre>s. IIow cnnl,l >[w. Ilnd an ; now call Jarvis Vi'illou^hljy and his pro.

e.\eu.«e tur leeeiviug the kiss's and em- ' tege. Birdie U'ylde.

braces wiiieh with his owiie\es he had i Jarvis reached Wales and the little

seen Chesterton besto\\iii;>: up )n her ? | town of Cwmd.ar^.i after a tiresf)mely

Cli.l^TKIt XXXIV

A KL'I.T. COM'ESSIU.N,

How could sliu— his proaiist'd wife?
liati either CMiifi^-td to the oiher hi>

voni:h journey.

Iv ladei

Allo'iether "loo deused-
ifier»vai ds informed his

jr her falsei;

1 pfiitenec. the pro- I ti ic;;d l\>l>iloi:., lo.coiiiiiiiie his journey

bability i.-> Vawi the oiher"s forgiveness
wonid have bi^-n liivcii : tiioiigii all
Ihoiiglit ol'lovi; and liitir l)ricf butrotlial
must have hreii, in (■oi.sc(|iieiice, lelin-
fjuiiheil ; l)ur this tvid'Mit acting on the
part of caeh was alike maddening tc;
oaoh.

Were ever two hea:\s more deceived
m each other ?

At iMaplewood House that ni^ht, a^ for !
jnany previous nights, there were others |
than the estrauged lovers who found it j
impossible to s^leep. listless hours and i
disturbetl dreams visiieil the banker!
oftener of la;e than htal-hful I'eposc |

It is iiueilless to add that it uas chiilly
dreams of JOruest whieii worried him.
Sometimes he dreamed lliat he was on '
shipboard, and in a moment of anger, j
had Hung Ids cleik overboard into the '

esl;d)li>hmeut
•'Liou" for a

to tin.' la'te-'s b leheior
wiihout Sio,>|)'.;ig at tli<
ffW days r^s .

Oil r"aehii!g tin' above mentioneii
esr.djlisiimeiit iifar nigaf.-fall of oue
' blustery winter day he was shown into
; the parlour who^ir dinginess reminded
I him familiarly oi his former vi-it, and tht
! landlord and Ids wil'ii wi're as otld —
! "odder,' Jarvis d clarei.l, than ever.
Supper gotten wv in a style more elab-
orate than was orciiiiariiy alfoidt.'d at the
little inn, was placed beh)re our traveller:
anil after doing jusvicc that was ample to
the carefully piepai'i'd viands he jounced
I'or a ffW hours l)efoi>- t lie l)la//mg tire,
smoking, reai.ling and solihjqui/ing alter-
nately.

'• 1 will go over to the cottairo to-mor-
row morning, that is, if I don't happen

surging ocean : and later, when looking to lie in beti uniil noon," lie thought,
remor.-sefully over inro the waves, two! "Won't Birdie's biiL^hr, (!ye.s dance

white, acusing faces looketl up at him
Ironi out of the spray — two faei.'s nearly
alike: Init onu was tiie face oi Ids clerk
and iho other that of his longdost son
Leigl; : and each reproached him as
tlieir destroyer.

Mrs. Willoughliy as we shall hence-

wlien si e beholds :i e l!;i 8 uuexpectedly.
How siiiuiilai-ly l)iaiitiful .•'he Is ; aud
if siie is nj'iUij her iadysliii>"s daughter
what a seiisaiion there wiU be ainong
her ladyships friend.-;. By jovt-! there
(Mi^htto De a romaiKM^ at tlic end of the
:ilfair. What if I, wholirst discovered the
forUi designate the lady wlio has m) long hn-ely waif, sliouid bi; mad enougli to fall
passed as the widow oi' the barda-r's soi , in h-ne with lu-r ':' I cau see those calm,,
was visitetl !)y dreams scarcely more re- dark eyes of I..;dy Birditta's fairly dilat-
freshing. At times she was liyiug over | ing at. a pioposal of aiiyihing so prepito-
rocks and through muddy pools— tleeing ^ terous ; and who could l)lime!ii'r. Her
from Leigh Cliessom, or .\Jr. Chesterton, i ladyship woiill iu'\er ooUseut to her
who had assumed uigantiv' pvopcrtions, d.auul'.ter's wedduii:' a scapegr'ice like

:iiid was savagely [lursning her. .At others
she fiincieil he had captured her and was
aliout tlinging his victim over a j awning
precipice where, far below, hh(> could see
and hear horrid inky watei' i)iii(b!iiig and
.seething furif)usly ; and wlit-re he hiul

mssilf, however we; lihy he migh: be;
she is no Lady Vt. Ayvas. "

" .\nd yet,," he said to himselt oddly,
"there are worse fellows after all than
I: and an angel, or at any rate a good
woman rtU(;h a-< Birtlie is sure to develope

sdready thrown the fair tileucoi;!; raid into, miglit, were ,su.' lo ved me, !)j the

Till-:

HA X !{/■:.

s (niAxvciii!.i)i!i:x.

• niukin,;:^ of mo ; br.i, icood hoaveiis I what
a tlownri^uhr. fool Tin ,:»ro\viii:; to bi;."

On tlio fbllowioi,' inorniiii,' J;irvis. at
«liiitc' an early lion;-, Tor ai! liis iinuiral
iiidoleiico, and liio sliyht latigut; occa-
sioned by bis journey, arose, and, afier
breakfast, drove over to tbo Gimp cot-
tas;e in a vebicl •. owneil by tlie landlord
of the " Lion,'' whicb conveyance, J.ir-
vi8 mentally con.Mieuted, was as tjueer
and still", and this aiiini il w'.iich dre^v i',
as whot/.y as its ■.v.)rL,iiy pro[)ri(;tor.

Tbe winter liay v,-as

CD.

d and bri^lit

and frosty; an(i liuiidsonK' Jarvis lookeil
handsomer than ev -r in iiis iu-avy fur
wrappings, will: a healllifnl uluvv uver-
spreadiiii-; bis line lace; and liis dark
eyes were I)ri;;ht':'r, vvith more of ani-
mation in Mieni than was v.'ont.

Birdie Wykle, lookin;; uut over tlie
briubt, sunlit winder landscape, saw her
liero, of v.iiorn sl!<! bad drt'amed niubt
and day, sine;; bis de[)ariure IVuni
Cwmdaron, approaehin:; ;lij cottage, and
nttered a cry o'^ deiight.

" Lor" sakes I inv dear young lady,
what's the matter'.'" incpured ^Jrs. Gimp,
looking up in surprise from the ll!i.>ey
j^own wliicb slie was making for iu-rself.
Mrs. Gimp ahvays addressed IJIrdie as
"my dear young lady," or •■ Miss Bir-
die." Perhaps tlia: undefinable, yet ne-
vertheless nnm!stakeal)le 'something'
which ch;;racterizi'(l the peasant girl's
manner, that " repose that stamps tbe
ca.ste of ^"ere de Vere," ii;ipres>cd the
;;ood woman, or >h'' liad a si-rtof precon-
ception, s'uren;jitheiied l)y tiie certainty
that a nivstery of some kind uww connect-
ed with liic hitter's birtli, telling her that
'Mis.slVii'die' was a huly.

At any rate she treated the young girl
with the same ileference wliieli >be would
have maintained towards her had she
been tbe acknowledgetl d;iugbti r and
heiress of Lady Lirdetta iJo/.enthal.

Dirdiellew from i^he wiiiviow at which
she had been sranding, tov,-ari tbe outer
door, exclaiming JAfally in reply to
Gimp's iaterrogaiivc :

"Mr. Ches<oni— he is cctiiing:" and
she ran out to meet him.

Jarvis alighted, responding heartily to
her shy glad greeting, af'.er vvbicii hi.H
first comirient wa^ :

" So you ve giijwn a l.>velier Birdie
than ever, haven't you, little girlie ?"

"By Jovcl" ln; mentally ejaeniatod,
" What a glorious wonnui siie will make.
Even beriiidysbip could never have l)een
rpiite so beautiuil 1 tliiidc."

! Togetlier they entered the cottage ant]
I the little parlor where Gimp was seat-
i eil :'t work She arose with a curtsey ou
■ Maxtor .Tarvis" entrance, which was re-
j peated jirofoundly as tlie latter flung hi.s
' riding gl »ves on the Uoor, and e.\teudecl
I his hand t iv.-ard her.
I The old Woman remained long eiiougli
! to assure the young gentleman of the
' * prii.ie and 'appiness' which was hers at
' l.ieing lionored with the privilege of
I again entertaining hini, anl to make nn-
i uierous iutjuiries coiiceriiing tiie welfare

of ail at Maplewood, and then hurried
. from the little room to mike some pre-
: !>arati .>iis for the guest whom she de-
; ilLchted to entertain, tiius leaving Jarvi.<
I to cliat uudisturbeil vviib his proiege.
! •' Have yon enjoyed yours^df since 1

lelt her;-, Birdie ^' Jarvis imjuired pre-
i sently.

•' Yes sir, very mucli. only I was fool-
; isli enough to fear that I should neve.
I see you ag.iin, and sometimes I could
I not h(;Ip "fet'ling oil ! so very lonely,"
j Birdie answered h'th-tlij.
I Jarvis smiled.

{ " .Vml you would ri.'ally miss mc
I enougii to feel very loii'-ly if voii were
I never to see me again, BirJie V " he said.,
i looking down at her.
i •* Ohl Mr. Cliessom."
i The words, and the accotnpanying
i ::lan "e.was a reply quite ehxp.ient enougli,
I and Jarvis stniled at InT il!genouusues^.
'• Well Birdie," lie said, i'm sorry you
! were troubled with the fear that we
i slioui'u'nt meet again ; and yet'I should'nt
; like you to liave given me one les.'-i
; tliought, or to have wisned less to sec
I me, for perhaps you know the lines :

I " Ti.-i .swHOt to kno'.v tliore i- iin eye will in irk
I ■■ui' Ldiiiina, and look ljii'.;htur nheu wo come."
I •' 1 am seltisli enough Birdi(}. to wish
I you to lie always lonely when I am not
i near you."
j " (ih 1 1 am sure I shall always be that

ioY how could I lielp i:?"' siie answered
j softly.

j And tl.eu Jai'vis remi-inbered that his
j left ari.i i'ucircl(;d liirdie's slender waist.
: that he iiad ki.--ed her while forehead
' tenderly, that all this was vi'ry hue gen-
I uine love-making and tluit he was

"making an idiot of Mniself; " and he
j released her. sayinjf. '' I've something
' of importance to tell you Birdie, so
I ii-iteii." / nd Birdie lisri'ned.
1 •• \ lady will \i>it}u:i in a few days,
i Birdie," Jarv. ij-gan; :i la.lv wlio i> al-

T]iE HA yKKirs tniAXj)ciULhin:x.

•1

that slio onc£ knew youi*
with astonisl-

most certain
parents."

Birdie's eyes dilated
ment and deliaht.

"Oh Mr. Chessom, is it possible';"
she exclaitued eagerly; "pray tell me
who is this lady? "

"A widow lady of wealth an' hi^ih
rank; by name, Lady Birdetta Hozen-
tlial," answered Jarvis.

"Birdettal" said Birdie in surprise;
"how singular tliat hei" name shaiild be
the same as my own."

" You may learn things mucli stranger
ere Ion;;;, Birdie,'" he said with a smile ;
and just then Mrs. Gimp's t'ootstep-^; were
lieanl approacliinir the door.

"Oh I Gimpy,' ciicd ]'>irdio, ax the
jjood womnn appeari'd ; "what do you
tliink Mr. Ciiessoin ha< just been telling
me? — Why there is a huly — a roal lady,
who is coming hti'<:- to t(;ll me about my
papa and mamma ; for she is nearly cer-
tain of havintr cnc c known them.

"Gracious! .^Ti'.ster Jarv, is this so?
or is Miss Birdie so glad to see you that
it's made her a little flighty?" enquired
Gimp, wl'o, ilioui:li she w;<s certain that
her charge was of far finer clay than the
peasantry with whom she had been reared,
was not, quit>' prepared to understand
how a " real latly" should ever deem it
worth her while to visit homeless, name-
less IJirdie for the purpose of enliiihten-
in'4 ii. ■.' upon the subject of her birth.

' All a fact, my -^'ood Gimpy I' -Jarv's
answered with a lauyh; "and Miss
Birdie's joy at my return lias not caused
her wits to stray.''

He was iuierruptcd by Birdie, who
gravely asked :

'Do you know. Mr. Chessom. if 'his
lady can tell me if my parents are living.
and if so, where they now reside, and
why they never have claimed me? Surely
thev could not have lo\ed me, to cast me
oirthus."

"Lady Birdetta," .Tarv replied, "be-
lieves your mother to be yet living, but
not your ftither: and if she is right, as I
am certain she is. yon were taken from
your mother by tho-e to whose interest
it was to part you fi'ora her; and your
parent wjs led to believe you dead."'

"Oh I cruel, who could ever have
committed such a wicked act ?" Bir-
tlie exclaimed, with horror and 'ndig-
iKUion.

•I :iin not at lilierty to partici.larize,
iiirdic," .Tarv answered; 'so- you must
muster patience- to wait until her lady-

ship's arrival, which will be in a few •
days, at most."

And so Birdie waited, though it cau
scarcely be said with patience.

A week passed, and every day Jarvis
rode over to the cottage: and every day
he grew more in !ove, though insensibly
so, with his protege, while she. as the
time passed, grew to worship her hero
yet more devoutly.

One evenins, ut«t seven days subse-
([Uent to Jarvis" arrival. Birdie, who had
just returned to tiie cottage from a lesson
at skating on a neighbouring lake, with
Jarvis as her instructer, stood by the
little parlour win low looking out at the
gathering twilialit, and busy in thought.
She was thinkiiiir, perhaps, of the mys-
tcirious circumsiauces connected with her
birth, which, perchance would be speedi-
ly made clear: or it might have been that
she was dreaming o; Jarvis, and the fond
good-night kiss which he had imprinted
upon 1 er forehead only a few moments
previous at the cottage door. At all
events, so at)sori^ed was she that she did
not see or hear the approach of a carriage
until it was with.n a few yards of the oot-
taiie door..

To whom, Birdie wondered, could this
elegant vehicle lielong ?

Then flashed the thought — it must V)e
Lady Hozeuthai— the patrician dame who
was to make known to humble Birdie

who and what s'.ie was. The surmise
was correct; it was her lady.ship; and
directly she was ushered into the little
parlour by Mrs. Gimp, who announced
with a curtesy :

" If you please, my iady, this is Miss
Birdie," and withdrew. Birdie arose
with a quiet di:;nity that was innate as
her ladysl- ip advanced. But she recoiled,
and vvas startled when, with a sudden
cry, tke lady exciaimed :

" Truly, my own little Birdie, and a
woman grown I Thank heaven 1 1 see
my precious child ouce more, whom I
ha\e all those years believed deail and
buried under tliit dreary little mound.
Birdie, my child, i am your motaerl"

Birdie uttered a cry. scarce knowing
whether she were awake or dreai'Mng, or
ifthe outstrctcliLMl ar. ns of the 1 ly were
really meant to receive her. She came
nearer, saving with childish yearning:

"Oh! is it true?"

Lady Birdetta cl::sped Iter daughter
fondly in her warm embrace —

•'Tru(> in every blessed particular, my

THK r,AXh'/:/rs anAKiwifiLDnEX.

85-

or
[re

ter
1.V

own precious rlukl," she was assured
fondly, and her ladyship added :

" One Hhiuce alyourl'iiee, and, without
other proof, my heart would have told
ine that you were luy ilauyliter, whom I
have mourned as dead all tliese weary,
weary years."

In all her life before Birdie had never
even dreamed of so ijreat a happiness
coming into her path. She, who
never, until the vlay in winch Jarvis, in a
freak of ireuerosity, liad spoiveu kindly
to her by the roadside, and directed her
to the cottage or Mrs. Gimp, had
known what it was to bo otlierwise pro-
tected tlian to receive liie rough tare and
poor shelter atl'oriled by Dame Poliey, to
be thus suddenly lilted from her present
humble condition to a position wliichshe
had often, thouuli hopelessly, Ionised to
attain, that of a * real lady,' like t'ue
dauahters of the Glenci'ofton's of Glen-
eroftou, who were so fair and stately,
and wore sucii spaikling gems, and
traiinng robes of shimmering silk
and rich velvet ; and more than dainty
apparel, and costly jewels and high sta
tion, far more delightful was the precious
assurance that slie ohould possess many
friends who would welcome her as tiie
beloved daughter of this beautiful, gentle
lady, who was really her mother, strange
and almost too great happines.s though
it seemed.

Lady Ilirdetta remained that night, as
well as lor a good many days and nights
after, at xMrs. Gimp's cottage, whose
astonishment was only e'lualled l)y her
delight when apprised of the fact t'nat
Birdie, as she had herself propliesied,
was to be suddenly elevated to rank and
station.

The day following her arrival, at Cwm
daron. Lady Birdetta sought out the sis-
ter of the woman whom Sir Montfort
had bribed to take charge of the little
Birdie.

The old woman confessed her knowl-
edge of the share which her deceased
sister had taken in the plot which Sir
Montfort had designed for parting his
daughter from her child. Lady Birdetta
even recognized in the description which
the old crt'ature gave minutely, the very
dress— a delicately embroidered little
pink robe, which the child wore when
carried to her sister's hut.

tage to bid her ladyship and her lady-
ship's daughter adieu tor tlie present.

"I start for I'oImIou's place to-mor-
row." he said; "Init 1 shall not remain
tliereilong. As it is your ladyship's in-
tention to remain for some weeks in
London," he added; "1 shall hope to
have the pleasure of meeting yon there,
directly I return, which I shall do ere
many days."
Her ladyship smiled graciously.
"Notlung could gi^e us greater plea-
sure 31r. Chessom.'' said >-he; '-pray
visit us as soon as you reach London.
We shall spend five oi" six weeks in the
City, ere we jjo from tlienco to Mor-
cambe."

There was a tlaili at Jarvs* heart ast
Bir«'.ie. with shy eagerness, seconded her
motlier's cordial invitation.

Had one ventured to I'ally him upon
having fallen in !<>ve with tins womanly
child ot only tlfteen years he would have
"pshawed" so aVisurd an idea: and yet
during nearly every hour of each day
she was not out of liis thouglits.

"Confound Poldson," ha growled
mentally, as he drove towards the Lion -
after having shaken hands with Lady
Kozenthall and Biidic. and listened to a
multitude of Gin^.p's best wislies for hi>:
safe arrival at Oakwood, his friend's
residence.
" Hang Polsdon.'' he again grumbled.
" I was an idiot to promise that I'd
Journey to his place; but I suppose
there's no backing out now. I shall stay
but one week, ho\vever, instead of four
or tlve."

Lady Bozentliall sat Ity the flre in Mrs.
Gimp's parlor. It was evening, a few
hours after Jarvis had departed. She
was gazing witii smiling content at the
I beautiful face other newly found daugh-
ter, who sat a little w:iy from her, looking,
at pages of an illustrated nuigazine.

Suddenly an atlriglited cry reached
tiieir ears

" ^L^lnmaI " exblaimed Birdie; "what
can it be? "

Kre her mamma had time to reply, the
door was thrown unceremoniously open,
and Gmip with a pale lace, and her aprou
to her eyes, appeareil.

"Gh! my lady— poor Master Jarvl"
she gasped.

A day or two after the events above
recorded Jarvis drove over to the cot-

" My good woman, whatever has hap-
pened?" cried her ladysiJp much alarm-
ed; while Birdie, too terrified to speak,
grew colorless to her lips..

Before Gimp's shaking lips could

C 1

!!>■■■ i .^1

I I

'•I

\^4

"in: iLiyh'Firs ai/. i y/xjj/iLni.'L-y

I'riuiK! ;i roply to the C|iio>tio!i,

>i:r n:

•o oiivclopod ill Ihiiiio tlmt ourcss— i-x-

tlie iici^tliliorlni; ponsaiits ;ippeii''('il bo'u- cep'iuit tliroiiiih a siiiall \viii.l<nv just

lu'^ on a i'on;i!i litti'r .Mii^tL-r Jurv's in-
seii.s'.hlc tiu:nix'.

Liidy Koz 'iiIIkU b^nt over

'• (iood lieavnns ! what,
mean ? " she cried

:r.!Ti.

above tlio blazln£r doorwaj- — was soon

rcrKk-ri'il iniiKKsiblc. All tlic in; lates

had not been abio to elV.'.-t ttn-ir escape,

his; I'or a horntied r.rcliin v.-.js seen, IVantio-

inmpmi: np am

ovvn, with wild

Tlic jnen linrrieuly expltiin'id, nu'ivvere ! screams oflerror, at. tie window abovt

iindei-'^tood botli by 15irdie an J (Uinp;
])iit tlie dialect r)f the Welsh peasiintry
hein;r qidte enintelji^alilu to iicf lady-
ddp. JJirdie, I'or Ciinip was la:- ';oo ex-

iip ntioned

Someone placed a lailder airainst t!ve
bMildiiiir, out ID one sc'ini'd inciim'il to
rnn tlie risk ot'asci'ndiiiir it, uidi! Jurvis,

<nted to be colierent, was jbli^ed to i moved to pity by the eiics of both mo

translate.

Oh mamma." she cried

iier and child, did so, and brok^; in tli

n'iiin;i)y i window,

whicirt w;i>

warpiMJ by tlie

a.s she knelt hesich; the inanimate fori;i I wt-ather as' to make it a dilficult matter
or h"r hero, "thi-rehas been a ilre in

Owindaron, and in saviiiij somebody's
life, poor brave Mr. f'hesso)i ],as bcfn
dreniiiully linrt. 'I'jiere is a doctor from
Kilravoc who liappeiis to be in Cwmdaron
to-nght ; he will be here presently. And
Oh!-th"y say ids ann— his rii;ht arm is
broken, mamma. And he is so white,
and does not move I— Uh I maciriia, it
cannot be that he is —

She could n*''". ^ux (had .' the u-rvii'yin^-
word died on hei !'|vs. and she sank, with
n ^i'.sidujr sob, to thu llooi- by the >ofa.

"No, no, dear chiiil. he has bu': faint-
ed,"' her mother .'•oot.hinirly assured, her,
and a minute later the doctor I'l'i.iin Kil-
ravoc entered the little parlor.

He prom 'need Jarvis in no daiiL'er.
His arm was broken, though iio"^ iiadly
The most serious of his injuries beini:
that Ills eyes were badly weakened by the
smoke ami tlanie through which he had
slrug;;le(l.

lu less thai; nn hour lie was lyinir in
bed with his right arm and lii.s eyes ban-
daged, and d(jing as well as con d be ex-
pected under the circumstances.

The circumstances of the atl'uir were
as follows :

On reaching Cwmdarou Jarv's found
the village in au uproar, ami resounding
with the cries of tlie. Two or three
houses standing near together were
wrapped in Hames which the excited

to r.-iise It.
Th

villagers were vainly trying to extin-
guish.

.Tarvis would have driven on without
heediug further the fracas ; but eicite-
ments of any description were rare in
Cwradaron, aud he decided to join

le next minute le; descended and
dropped, iiro the trembling ;ir:tj>) of the
mother her howling otlspring.

.And now ancjlher cry of terri'r aro-e

as anotlier face appeaiH-d at the window,

looking down l)eseechiiigly at liie crowd.

Itwasau old woniiU'. this time, the

mother of the cottngei'.

.Tarvis shruLi'ured his siionlders. To
atrain fiscend tlie ladtler was a dcculedly
dangerous experiment : but it was clear
that if lie did notatteajpt it no one else
wonUi do so.

He was no coward: but, as ho after-
wards expix'ssed it, '' It was a tremen-
j dous bore to inconvenience one's self so
1 miiihtily, for the sal^o of one old
i wi'inkled witch of a woman."
I The old creature wa? iu most imminent
I danger, however, an<l !ier white face
I and piteous cries were not to be with-
' stood : and ihouirh the etloU was one of
{ great risk, Jarvis agai;; started to the
■ rescue.

I He reached the window to discover
I that the woman had disappeared. Terri-
j lied, and half sutl'ocated. .'-he had turned,
I evidently in the vain hope of finding
i some other means of escape ; and had
, fallen to the fkior senseless.
j .Tarvis thrust his head into the aperture
from which a cloud of Mue smoke wss
now Issuing, aud gave a lleet, rueful
[ alance about, then dashed Into the little
I '"hole in the wall' which served the old
! woman iu the capacity of a sleeping
I apartment. He found it desperate work
I to light his way through blaze and smoke
tlie ; to the spot a few feet otf, where the old

crowd who were energetically, if hope- 1 creature lay. He reached her, however,
ihssly working. /Accordingly he started and caught her up,« w-rapping her shawl
for the scene of the conflagration. ! about her liead, and force! his way de-

The roofs of tv.o of the cottaL^es were' terminedly out to the ladder, dropping
already about to fall, and the thad was, his burden into an upheld blanket.

m
m

77//; /;.i .\- A ;;/.'•, s' (,u'.ixi)c;i!ij>!:/:\.

ire

;as

il.

"i il •! ho r-t- s •':('''•-' 1 1 i>i'<l r<ll, wiMi hi-, ri:,'!i'.,
iinii r.wkwiiiillv il^»iih!cii imili-r him.

A )v,rti()H of I 'i^' biiriii'ii: .slnicluri! ii*
th:lt lUoiiiiiiL U, Ml)h (1,
The spot whciN' .l;ii'vi»; I
aiKl tlio-i! \v!j() nl^hl'
r<.-scuo ui'i-o hilt ji'.st,
luxr, iiKur.cnt, ii;io:lur
sci'iidc'd, r.oni wiii'Mi,

I! U vc'.'v iiciir
:;imsclt'hi;i('ii :

Miiif. lor ih','

■.II 'J; m.lss (!.;•

i*; not booi)
i*. Wi>nM liiive ri.--
''.iivin:^- thiui tlio.se

:i'l :
: f
i il

I'll'

!: >liiin, J:irvi<.
• AVi'ckv. wonhl
;iil it no;. I).'('ti

Ull-

aUoiictlicr iiii|iosslhh',
••juircil nii>i\' .'•kill r.iu
aromul iK>s.'<c'.'<st'il to cyt^riritc him.
Ho was at !ir.-t uiu;o\isci(H- : bin, tlic pain

• )!' hi.-' Iraciuictl iii'iii brouul-.t him l\>v a
lew inoiiifii!^ back to {•('•isrioiisne.'^s, ami
he rt'qm'.*it(cl lho.se who hail ijlaccil him
upon a litter K) ;.'.ke him to the Gimp
o>)tta;.'t% iii:>te:ul 'A' t ■ ;!'i- 'L'oa." He
wa.s olieycd. and pla< cd in thf vehicle
wiiicji he h.'id hi.iis(.'H'(bi\ n) a little whil-'
'.;etbre; and cic ihcy rcc!. d the cottii^e
!;e had ai;ain relapsed i;t<> iiisimsibiliiy.

The ilay.s went bv. ;ii!>! thoiiii-li his
broken arm ^v,•^.s siil: in
Alu V the elap-i'- of ti:''c
have i>eeii him-' It' auai;'. I
i'or Li.-: eye.-^, iVi'-ni w
able to rciiiov.' tlie ban('^;;e.

It wa.s about this tiiin^ that Chaiii"
Polsdon, Icaruinu; that Jarvis was in
Cwmdarnn, and fpiite ill, eamo, accom-
panied bv two Of t!ii'-''e of '[]•." tellows' to
visit liim for a day ( i' two. Tolsdon
■ leclared ho. liavinu: oi;cc ix.'n laid up in
same stupid little town, ]v.\o\\ how to
pity him. But, after rem.iinin,ir a lew
hours, tlie yonnu: Vv'elshnian exchiimed
to his companions, as h<^ sat by the
lounge on which Jarvis vcciinecl :

"Faith, boys, J don'; .'■'■e th.at our pre-
sence here is at all nece.>-,'-ary. .Tarv seems
to be doins capitally. .\ vastly ditlVn'ont
lime 1 had of it lastaulnmn, when cooped
up over at that wretched hutch, the Lion ;
nursed by the landlady, who was as
■Jeaf as if herears were wooden, she bein?:

• )Ccasional!y assisted by her lovely daugh-
ter, whose fairy-liko lootfalls were very
like the steins of an ek^phant. 'J'here was
no romance in my condition. My horse
shied; and J didn't save anybody s life.
It's a pity thouy;h that instead of a horrid
old witch and a squallini; urchin, it
couldn't have been a lovely damsel for
whom you took th^' trouble to risk your
life and singe your lock^ and scorch your
liquid orbs, Ciiessom. But you have one
to attend upon you who is beautiful as a
siren. "St. David!" added the yount:
man, "what will London say when it
.tind.s out about this romar e ol Lady

IJirdetta's vonth, and boholds hercharni-
i'lU' d.niiht' r '^ I ;im nearly capsized
\\\'J\ ast mishnv'iit ant admiin'io'i
mysclt. lint bovN. 1 propose tli.'it we re-
tnni to Oikwood tomorrow. (.■heS'^oiii
will thank us, no doubt. I sec; our coni-
iii;-' here out of pity was connniseratiou
quite uuiieccssa"\ ; and I'm deli;i;hted
tliiit I shall not bi; forced to remain ar
till- 'Lion' lou<iiT Iban for one ni_'ht."

So a little wliiie later the youu:^ men
took their departure.

"Oil, by tlio w.;v I was quite f.ir:;et-
tiniT," said I'oNdon. retnrniii^ to -Lirvis'
side, after irivn:; sliakci hands with
and bidden the latter a:o().!-")y<'. "Here
are a po kctlnl of letters which eame
from Kiiiil.aiid t.> you. Of course
all your fi:en<is believe you to be at
Oak'.vio;: ;ind ar- dotibi]. >s woiulerintr
whv t!iey do nor, i.'-et a word iVoin you;'"
and he tossed hi-« friend a half dozen or
so of h^tti-rs and papers. "Of (ourse."
!:•' whispelt'd, '• the lovely, dark-eyed,
iiiile heir(;ss wl!! read them all to yon.
Ah I just cf)ntr-i-.* your situation now.
v/itli mine 1 tst O -rober. Tiider the (Mr-
c.umstances vnn'ie ,n ii.'s a <lelit:ht to l)e
lame and liait ani blind, and the like.
ButI'mo!!': 'Jiooil bve, a:i:ain."

" Cood-bye," aud the younji men left
the cottaii".

'• Hirdii-. will vru read my letters to
me?" .Tarvis a-kcd. a litMe while after
the dep.irlure of his friends.

Eirdie eame with a ready assent and
sat down bv his chair.

" I will hear t!i" letters from home
first, if you please," ho said, for, of
course, ther" wiu-st be at least one from
Maplewooil."

He pushed aside the bandage from Ids
eyes for a moment, and glanced at the
several superscriptions.

'• This one first if yon please. Hirdie,"
he said, handinir her a letter addressed
in the handwriting of Philip Chessom,
an 1 re-arranging the bandagw.

Piirtlie broke the seal and read ali>iid.

The epistle w.-is (piite a l<»ngthy one,
and toward the last contained an ac -ount
of the stolen six hundred pounds ; and
-Tarvis learned that h'morable. nprinht
Lmest was suspected— even banhshed,
for his own thoughtless, ijumanly act.

"Good heavens 1 " he cried excitedlv,
as Lirdie flnished the perusal of the
letter; "to accuse Ernest, of all others,
of a dishonest act or even thought.
What a scoundrel 1 am, and how stupid
-.hey are I Poor Krnest, he is so sensi-

Tin: iiAXKFArs gha xdciuldiiux.

I '•'■■

tive ;niil lionoiiral)Ie, Ix; Ciin ill brook
auytliiii;,' ot lliiit kind."

liinlie <;re\v alanned, iov Jurvis was
lluslic'd nnd excited, iip.d pii.shiiii; the
bandage far eiioii;i;li from his eyt^'s to (mi-
al)lc' liiiii to SCO his way. paced the little
room rapidly.

"I'ray do not walk so I'a.st, Mr. Ches-
som, you will bo ko tired: do sit down,"
uryed lJirdic\ " If this ;:eiitlein;in is in-
nocent his innocence w;H oe proven l)e-
fore loni.' ot course. Is he your friend,
Mr. (^hessom?"

'• l-'rieud !" muttered .Tarvis, more to
him.«elf than aloud. " I'oor Ernest, if
be knew all, he would class ine anion:;:
bis worst onomies."

Then he iiappened to glance at Birtlie'>
perplexed, troubled face and recollected
himself.

" I am worrying; you Birdie," he said,
sitting tlowii and drawing the shade over
his eyes again; "but don't look so
troubled. The fact is, a good, lionour-
able fellow is charged with a crime which
a bad one has committed; and the stu-
pidity of them all, in believing him capa-
ble of anythiuir of the sort has vexed me."

And after tliat .Jarvis feigned a more
ijui t state of mind ; and when he appear-
ed quite himself again, Birdie was satis-
tied anil left him to attend to other duties
as lie did not at present care to hear any
more letters read.

When Birdie's footsteps were beyond
hi.H liearing Jarvis rose from his seat,
pulled the bandages altogether away from
his eyes and bolted the door. His next
move was to take the bandages from his
arm also. Then he took writing materials
from a case in his portmanteaii 'uid be-
gan a letter which commenced as follows :

" Dear Grandfather,— I have met with
.an acciden. this time, wlricli has detained
me in this Utile town of Cwmdaron for
more than three weeks. 1 received a visit
from Charlie Polsdon to- Jay, who brought
me your letter. 1 have luul my right arm
broken, and my eyes so severely dam-
aged by a fire which occurred here that
I only remove the shade from tliem
to pen these lines, because 1 viaM.
\ wish to heaven that I could have
l)eeu cognizant of the painful event,
which has occurred during my absence,
earlier, Grandfather. It was not lirnest,
but myself, who abstracteil that six hun-
<ired pounds from your escritoire. I
will confess all. 1 took it for the pur-
pose of settling a gamb'ing debt which
I owed in London. I had made such

freipient calls upon you for funds, onh a
short time before, th.it I was fearful of
i)eing ijuestioncd. I knew the amount
vvould be missed; but I hiid nf)t a though*
tliat anyone in particular— least of all
lirnest— woiikl be chirked with having
wronglnlly appropriated it. I bitterly re-
gret now tins act -the basest, most un-
manly which I ever committed: but I do
nut tell you this, hoj)ing for your pardon.
I do not iherit it, and don't expect 'it.
When I'm a little further recovered I
shall leave England, and go to — "'

A sudden dizziness seized hi:r,, a great
tierce pain, that seemed to rend his eye-
balls, so intense was it, surged through
his head; and mominir fiiuily he fell
from his chair to the floor.

ClIAl'TEU XXX\',

WW. i.ivrri:i! is Disi'.vrciii;!).

Jarvis' moan and heavy fall was
heard by Mrs. (fiinp as she was
pas.-iing the door ot the little parlor
wherein he lay, prone upon the floor.

In alarm the good woman hastened to
the door, calling :

" Master Jaiv, whatever's the niatter?"

There was no reply; and, to her dis-
may, the door was locked.

Several times again she called without
receiving an answer, or hearing the
slightest sound from within; then, look-
ing through the keyhole, she beheld his
prostrate form upon the floor.

Too much friglitened to think of Hnd-
in<; any other way of ingress Mrs. Gimp
raised her riglit foot and placed it with
no weak force against the panel of the
door; and, being a woman of strength,
one repetition of the blow sufllced to
break the lock, and the door flew open.

Jarvis soon recovered consciousness;
but suffered intense pain in his eyes,
which had become much inflamed and
weakened by too early removing the
shades from them, and overstraining
them in the eft"ort of writing.

He was unlike himself too, aft^. that,
being nervous, and often gloomily ab-
stracted.

Lady Birdetta still continued to re-
main at the cottage, as she had remain-
ed duiing the last three weeks, instead
of returning at once to London, accord-
ing to her intention ere the accident,
with which Jarvis met, took place.

More than once did her ladyship vo-
lunteer to write to Mr. Chessom, inform--
ing him of the serious accident which

THR liAXKKR'S GRANDCUILDUEX,

5iad berivllen his grandson ; but Jarvis
DegaUved her offer wUh sncii ill-couceal-
€d ncu'vousiiess and constraint, i-acli
time the subject was mentioned, tliat,
after thti second time, slie said no more
about It. I

'• Tliey mijrht believe mc worse off than '
I really ara," he said once, trying to!
*;peak with carelessness; "and might
even tal<e thi trouble to come all the j
way here to nurse and talce care of me,
which your ladyship and Miss Jiirdie !
having !<iii<lly done, until I am nearly j
well, would be an unnecessary A'orry. If!
they sometimes wonder that tliey hear'
nothing I'roin me, why. of course, tliey find j
& reason fur my neglect In the belief j
that I am so liiiildy enjoying myself with
Polsden and liis friend, that I have, for i
the present forgotten them. So, you
see, my dear Lady Birdetta. it is wisest !
not to undeceive them until I have liuite i
.jjotten round, wliich I am now in hopes I
will be ere lonjr."

And the unfinished letter the— writing
of wliicli had rendered poor Jarv's
weakened eyes so much more inflamed
and weak that the doctor wlio at-
tended him was fearful of ultimate
blindness— lay among other papers in
his writiuii-case, and Jarvis lacked
the courage to send it, certain o(
the consequences. And so the days
slipped by, until Lady Birdetta received
a London telegram, informing lier of the
dangerous illness of a dear friend and
relative, and requesting her to return to
England at once if possible

Lady Birdetta read the telegram aloud
to Jarvis.

"Poor aunt Gwendoline, I must go to
her Immediately," she said sorrowfully,
us she finished the perusal of tlie brief
message.

Jarvis turned his shaded eyes tovvard
her ladyship, saying with a lugubrious
smile :

"If somethiijg imperative had not called
your ladyship away, I wonder how much
longer youc kindness of heart and yuur
patience could have withstood theti(/i((/,of
this dreary place, and caused you to re-
main here for the sake of such a good-for-
nothing Individual as I. I shall timl it
miserably dull here after you are gone ;
and Birdie, how shall I ever get along
without seeing her bright face _.ery
hour of the day ?"

" My dear Mr. Chessora," said her
ladyship earnestly, "Neither Birdie or 1
can ever render to you attentions or ser-

vices great enough to repay you for the
priceless blessing which you have
brought to us both; and, dearly as I
love my aunt Gwendoline, [ should not
feel It my tluty to go away, knowing
that you remained here alone, biinil for
some time to come, and ' miserably
dull,' as you have said."

Lady liozenthal was secretlv wonder-
ing at the silence oetween Jarvis and
his family, and which was causing the
latter to wonder not a little, as testified
a second letter, written by Mr. Chessoro,
who also sent this letter to Oak wood,
the same as the first, Jarvis receiving it
from Charlie I'olsdon, who again visited
him In Cwmdaron. Her ladyship was
beginning to suspect tluit the reticence,
whicli was on Jarvis' part, wis some-
thing singular, though she was at a loss
to divine its meaning.

" Bray, let meat once write or dispatch
to your family, Jarvis," slie continued.
••Your silence Is really unjust, botl» to
yourself and your friends; you really
ought to apprise them of your serious
condition."

For several minutes Jarvis did not re-
ply, a fierce struggle was going on with-
in him.

When first he had learned that Ernest
bore the blame of his own unnmnly act
he had manfully resolved that, cost him
what it might, he would confess all, and
that he should bear it no longer. But,
within the last few weeks a knowledge
liad come to him, a conviction, at which
lie at first smiled incredulously, that he
was learning to love — and to love madly
— Lady Koi^euthars dark-eyed, singular,
beautiful daughter. Two months ago he
would have laughed at the idea : but now
he could not but acknowledge that,
henceforth, life without Birdie Wylde,
would be to him a miserable void. Some-
times he half-wondered how and wlieu
this love had come to him. He knew
not that it was l)ut a deepening of the
interest which he had felt for the friend-
less waif on their first meetiug, in the
dreariness of the cliill autumn dusk.

'Tis said that "love will make cowards
as well as heroes of men." Certainly iti
was Jarvis Willoughliy's incipient pas-
sion which made him keep cowardly
silence now.

One day — the very one upon whicli he
received his supposed grandfather's let-
ter, ccntainiug an account of the dis-
honourable deed, of which Ernest wa^

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^ <??^

1.0

I.I

K£

1^ H£ l"!^

2.2

1.25 1.4 III 1.6

= II ^^ III ^s

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vT

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Hiotographic

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113 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80

(716) 872-4503

ci^

THE JLi XKJ-JJrS GRAXDC 7/ / /. DJ:EX.

B' t-

accused, Jiirvis sat listoniiiir whilo liirdle
read aloud a spirited Anieiicaii novel.

And while 8he believed him wholly
absorbed in tht hero and heroine of the
tale, and the histor}' of their love, with
its 'aUernate joy and woe,' he was, in
truth, far more deeply engrossed in ron-
teniplalion of her own lair face, with its
.shaiiuwy IVaming of rich dark hair, its
haunii'iir dark eyes and soft red lips.

Slje had been quaintly beautiful in
her plaidod short-skirted wincey, her
plaited hair and gay kerchief; but
^lle was far lovlior now in a softly flow-
ing dress of mauve cashmere, with frosty
lace at neck and wrists, and her hair ar-
ranged in a simple, girlish fashion that
was very charming.

And jurvis, now and then dreamily
looking from beneath the shade that
covereil his eys, admired her fresh
young l)eauty, whose chief charm was
in the l)lending of dignifled womanli-
ness and childish naivete that character
jzed her, and owned that he had grown to
dearly love her — this little Birdie; and
wondered if he would ever be able to
make himself worthy of her love in re-
turn.

]f ich, with little heed or thought of the
value of money or how lavishly he used
it, he wa« a general favorite among the
voungmen of his set. He drank, gambled,
though without the knowlege of Mr.
Chessom, and joined in all the gayest,
and not alw?T5 the most reputable rievels,
if not in the maddest orgies of his fast,
dashing friends.

His Was an odd disposition, not un-
mingled with some good traits ; and he
possessed notions of honor, with which
one would scarcely have credited him.

" 1 am a sort of scoundrel, little girlie,"
lie said mentally, glancing from under
the shade, at the fair yoang reader, who
read on, unconscious of bow much more
absorbed he wa^ in thoughts of bersalf
than in the pleasant novel which so much
delighterl her.

" I have been about as worthless an in-
<lividual all my life as eter my litle Birdie
will be likely to encounter ; but, by Jove !
I'll be one no longer, I'll turn over a
new leaf and "and paste it down,' as
fionicbody said once ; and when my little
girl returns from her Parisian training,
if she is then as sweet and lovable as now,
which I hope to Heaven she will be, I
iihall be worthy to sue for her love.
But what shall 1 do with time wblle she
is gone?

A few liouis- berore, Jarvis; had licr.al
Laily Kdzouthal announce her intcr.tion
of sending lier daujjrhtn* to a flrst-class
Parisian seminary for young ladies, at
which si'.e intended her to remain for
three years; and Jarvis bogmi to feel
that he sliould miss terril)ly tlio little
girl who was now his constant companion
who sang to him in her lov*-ly if crude
voice; wlio read to him and cLatted.to
him. His next thought was : —

^youkl— after the three years of 'refine-
ment' at ]Madanie I)e Chollis establish-
ment, wliieh was to be gone tl-rouuh with
— there be any characteristic ieseiiil)lancu
between Miss WyMe,the 'linislied' young
lady and rich heiress, who would be one
of the most beautiful belles in London,
when she chose to reign there, and the
simple nnconventjonai, yet innately elo-
quent, graceful litt'.e girl who non- liitted
about him — his devout worshipper?

He half doubted it ; and an ugly feeling-
thrilled him as he wondereil if she would
develop into a young lady, all trifling
airs, and shallow, prettyish affectations,
like scores of the fashionable demoinetles
with whose acquaintance he was hon-
oured. And then he told himself that
Birdie was too sensible, and too much
like her mother to be likely to ever be-
come either a silly, arrogant belle, or a
vapid, frivolous doll. She would come
back the same sweet, sensible little
Birdie, only more beautiful and graceful ;
she would love him as devotedly as he
loved her now— should always love her;:
and they would marry and— like the
lovers in the fairy tales—" live together
happily forever after."

It (i')3t Jarvis a great struggle to write
the letter which, if finished and sent,,
would be certain to bring Mr. Chessom's
sternest anger upon him, and, in all pro-
bibllity. cause his disinheritance.

" Grandfather is so strictly honour-
able," Jarvis told himself : *• and 1 took
this sum for the payment of a gambling
debt to one of the wildest, fastest feilows^
in London ; I shall expect no mercy."

Nevertheless, upon the impulse whif;b
his better self prompted, he began, as
the reader is already aware— the letter
which was to clear Ernest and implicate-
himself; and that letter he would have-
flnished and dispatched had it not been
for the sudden w ;aktiess and severe paia
which blinded and prostrated him for the
time. But hours after, when Lady Blrd«
etta and her daughter were moving
gently, in devoted attention about blm,,

€
I
C

r
I

Tin: i'.A \k'/:/rs auAShcuii.DnFK.

D, 89

etter
Icate-
have
been
pain
r tbe
ird-
ving
him,.

Uiu mauly ro^olve ijccumf wo.ikcr. lie
dari'il not ser.il up to ^i\. L'ln>!<oin tiie
written coDfepsion uiiiwh Mis. Gimp,
upon his ir.finlrinii, iiiiunninl hiai sbo h;ul
put away carefully in !ii.> wiitini': case.

"He cursed and «i.Mit uilrii': liis oiilv
sou for niarryhif^ nzaiiist lii> \vi.«ln.'S,'"
thought Jarvis; " \vii"! lie li.; less in-
censed when he learn.- '!iat iiis c:,i'and.son
has comniilt-'d a i'«-;iily ilisi.onorable
deed? He writes iii" ihat he would
sooner have losr in :niy o' In ;■ way >i\
thousand p(unid.> th.in r,i;at F,r;i -^t should
have proved thus nnwnrtiiy. \\ rrulli, I
believe he Wduld nl.'ullv have li-«t, much

more, could he h;>.ve lo-r it in

other

way; bUb will he !<■«! •.•L-iieved when lie
lluds hi;' clerk inuoci'.a and his grand-
son •inilty V Good tuMV.Mis ! 1 cannot
confess — I nvnui't. I i i< !ia>e, cowardly ;
but my sweet, liirt'.i'- md liei' love, I
would sooner die liiau h).-e."'

And so the time passed; tiie selfish
fear, that- if he manfully bore t!ie blame
ofhis own deed his happiness should be
forfeited, deterinu' lii a troni atloptiug
the only honour;d»le couise, anil the
»;ourse to which he h.ui at first been
promptetl.

Lady Birdetta stood waiting for his
reply and wonderii'i^ whatevtr it was
that, of late, had come over tliis hereto-
fore careless mannered i/'»/t<7t'./,/ r/j/^youn^
man.

"Ves, I may as w( 11 allow her ladyship
to write; but cai> I send that letter?
Good heavens! no. And yet, if I don't
—if 1 permit Krnest to bear this shame,
how shall I ever dare to face him or
sweet, innocent lii Me Mabel ajjaln ?
Surely never; and 1 will not be so mean
and cowardly, even if by actihg otherwise
1 lose friends, inheritance, everythloj^,
even little Birdie and her love. No, by
heavens! I will not: I viUhQ a man."

All this was passinii through Jarvis'
ralad while her ladyship waited for hira
to speak.

Suddenly he turned his blindfolded
eyes toward her ; and she .saw about the
kaDdsome mouth tbe firmness of some
sudden resolve.

" Your ladyship i«« rifjht," he .said In a
voice rendered carelessly steady by an
effort, of which her ladyship knew
naagbt. " 1 am really In a serious
condition. Dr. Glenfalthe told me this
morning ^hat he had but little hope that
1 should ever wholly recover my eye-
sight. My Mends, as you remarked,
ought and must know all. I sball t'eei

:j;rateftd if yon will kindly send to my
^randi'aliier the lefer which I began, and
was unal)le to finish— it is in my writing
ca.-»': ;ilso, !' you will yourself write
seperately telling him why I ilid not
llmish my letter."

Lady liozenthall began the task at
once.

fShe wro'.f to Mr. Chessom, informing

I him of how .larvis" at1c;,ipt to write the

I partly (!n!>lied letter wlii'h she onrlosed,

I liad ri>iir< d in so airiiravnii'ii.: !iis already

I iritliNi'd and weakened eys that his

j pliy^iciaii was heiiinninir to !'"ir uliinaale

I hliiidiicss. That she hail ht-fore desired

him to li.ivt! word of his illness .setVt to

li's tiii'iids at Mai>iiv\ .nul : but that —

sanguine ofhis spccily, c<),!valesi'nce— hi'

had rilVairii (I frmn doin^ s.>, and un-

neeis-'ii'.ily aianuir:,' iIm-u).

'You will wonder wiiy I am here,"
she wrote; 'I will brielly info; m you.
Whei) I left I'ngland, osteu.^ibly, to visit
a friend who lives in .Snowden, I came
instead t') this dull little town of Cwm-
daron ; and fertile purpose of llniling my
daughter— for I have a daughter by a
former nianiage, of which all my friends
are in iiiuorance. I have found my dear
little gill, and later you will learn all that
laok of time and space prevents me from
inforinijig you of at present. I start for
London to-morrow to visit a relative
whom I fear is dying," she continued ;
"and I hnve no doubt Jarvis will await;
the coming of some of you with Impa-
tience. Dear boy, had it not been for hira
1 .should never have found my child, or
even have known that she yet lived.
Can I ever be sufllcleutly grateful to
him ?"

A few more words and then Lady Roz-
enthal had finished, and th-* double letter
was aiveu iuto the hands of Jarvis' valet
to despatch. .Tarvis heard the servant
depart, and then buried his face on his
pillow with a stifled groan. Birdie, who
sat beside him, rose quickly and bent
over him solicitously.

"Are you suffering so much, Mr.
Chessom," she asked in a sorrowful
voice.

lie turned toward her and caught her
hands In his own.

"I am suffering no pain, Birdie; at
least none bodily,'* he said In tones that
were so fhll of smothered pala and pas-
sion, while his face was so white, so
worn and haggard that Birdie uttered a
little cry of alarm.

THE BANKER'S GRAXDCHILDREN.

'* Oh I Mr. Chessom, you must be very
ill ; let me rail mamoja und Ghnpy."

He held her hauds and detained her
saying :

'•No no Birdie, you are needlessly
alarming yourself. 1 am no more ill than
I have been, only" — and there was a sob
in his utterance — "Oh ! Birdie, I am
wretched."

Birdie's voice trembled, and Jarvis
knew that there wer« pitying tears tall
ing when she murmured softly :

'• Oh ! I am so sorry. Can 1 do nothing
for you, Mr, Chessom? "

He clasped still more tighily the cool
little bands in his own feverishly hot
ones.

"You can do so mueh, my Birdie
— almost everything, if you oaly will,' *
he said eagerly.

" Oh I luen pray tell me what it is at
once; 1 shall be so very, very glad to do
anyihin;; that will preventyour becoming
ill or unliappy," she cried.

He drew lier closer towards him.

**lt is iliis, Birdie," he said, "that let
happen what may— even after I am blind
— disgr.aced— disinherited— and I shall be
all the.se ere long — you will not grow to
despise me, even if all others despise
and cast me off. Will you say this. Bir-
die ? '*

" And is this all, Mr. Chessom," Birdie
asked sofily.

" All, Birdie," he replied : " but you do
not know all that has happened ; when
you do, you may deem it much."

"Then, Mr. Cheesoin, I will promise.
Whatever has happened I know not ; but
nothing should make me despise you, for
I couldn't; I— 1 worship you, she said in
her girll:>h, enthusiastic lashion ; " and I
should hate any one who did despise you
or cast you off," she added with a sud-
den Indignant flash in her bright dark
■eyes.

He smiled faintly at her enthusiasm.

"But, If I were to tell you, Birdie, that
I had committed a mean, dishonourable
action— so mean and dishonourable that
luy friends are justltted In despising me
and casting me off, would you— if I were
to tell you, also, that I repent bitterly
my former coutcmptable follies— still try
to think kindly of me ?" he asked still
eagerly.

" 1 shouldn't have to try," Birdie an-
swered confidently. " I shall never think
otherwise ; and I don't believe that there's
anybody who hasn't some sins or follies to
repent of. Everybody sins sometimes.

though of course they hadn't ought to,"
she added philosophically.

" Then 1 may trust that whatever others
do, you will never grow to dislike and
think coldly of me?" he asked.

" Never, how can you think otherwise :
and when I am gone away 1 shall think
of you, and pray for you, and long to see
you, until we meet again."

" That m:iv be for a very long time.
Birdie; but heaven bless you for th3 as-
surance."

He drew her down to him, and kissed
her tenderly and would not let her go
when she blushed and strove to free her-
self.

" Oh, pray let me go. Gimpy is com-
ing; what will she say ? ' she whispered
in confusion.

" He smiled and released her as the
good woman's footsteps approached,
whispering, as he did so :

"I have your promise little girllo; and
it makes ine more reconciled t^o becom-
ing, like Cain, • a wanderer and a vaga-
bond.'"

Her slender fingers tightened 'round
his own for a moment, and then she left,
him. And Jarvis buried liis face again,
and inwardly cried with passionate
vehemence:

"I love her— I love her, my little
Birdie., 1 want what I dare not ask—
her love— her sweet love!"

The day following Lady Kozenthal left
Jarvis rel'Ttantly, and started with her
daughter for T ondon.

"I dislike to leave you here alone so
much," she said, uneasily, the night pre-
vious to her departure. "Indeed, I think
we had better remain until your mother
or grandfather arrives. You are sure to
be so lonesome and moping, after we are
gone, and you will have no one to read
to you or amuse you, that I think it li^
positivelv wrong to go away until some
of your friends come."

"Of course it would, mamma," broke in
Birdie eagerly. " We ought not to go
and leave Mr. Chessom before the arriv-
al of his friends, lie will be terribly
dull, I am sure. We really ought not to
go. mamma."

But Jarvis would not listen to their
proposition to remain on his account.

"No, no, your ladyship," he told Lady
Rozenthal, 'It would be most selfish in
me to detain you from the beside of Lady
Berkley for a moment longer than is ac-
tually necessary. 1 have been such a
nuisance," he added, with an attempt to

THE BAXKKli'S GHANDCIIILDUEK.

or^

>ne so
it pre-

think
liotber
lure to

re are
read

some

loke in

tog"

larrlv-

Wrlbly

lot to

their

knt.
Lady
tsh in
'Lady
is ac-

luch a
jpt to

smile, "that surely your kindness and
patience must already be taxed to their
utmost."

Not for the world, he told himself,
would he have her Ladyship remain un-
til a reply came— providing one came at
all to that ratal letter.

Birdie sobbed hysterically at parting.

"Oh Jarvlfl, there has somelhUij; 1
dreadful happened to yon, has there not".' i
— and you said It would be a louj; timn I
ere we meet ajjaln,'' slie wiiispered ; "are |
you sure of that ? you know I shall come
home once a year; and I shall not 'eave
England until you hav(! returned there;
and you must couie to Morcombo to see
us. will you not ?" |

Jarvls tried to makt; an evasive reply
that would comfort her: and tenderly
kissing her bade her jjood bye.

Then Lady Ivozenthal came in, biddin<;
him a reluctant adieu ; and, after charging
hira not to be dull, or ciinuv il ui:til the
arrival of his relatives, and giving (Jluip
many directions as to takiuj; proper care
of hpr charge, her ladyship drew iier
daughter gently away, aud Jarvls was
alone.

He listened until the last sound of the
vehicle in winch they were driven died
away, and then covered liis lace, and ut-
tered a sigh that was nearer a groau.

CIIArTKli XXXVI.
Ai'ruoAcnix(i thk uknoikmkni.

Let us again return to M:iplewooiJ.

We left Bertram Wakli-grave in his
chamber awaiting, with restless impa-
tience, the appearance of daylight.

The hours dragy;ed witli such wretch-
ed slowness ; It seemed as if tiie day wjis
years In dawning, to the inipaiientiy
restless man who, llirouixlt the louif
liours, either paced gloomily to and fro.
like some savage aninnd in its caye, or
sat looking moodily out iuiu iliu niglit,
iu dreary meditation.

He had planned so dirt'erenlly, had
dreamed of the happy day when hj
dhould bring to his in )thor — vviih wliont
Mabel (though the former luid hut
seldom seen her) was a lavorite — a beau-
tiful, lovini: dauiihter, whose pure love
was a fortune, though ^he was herself
dowerless.

What a mad, foolish dream— what a
credulous dupe he had heen.

At leugth the slowly rolling hours
dragged in the tardy, loaned for daylight ;
aud, before any, ex^tpiiuga few ser-

vants, were astir, Bertram and Mclnch,
his valet, departed.

Waldegrave gave one brier, half suvage,
halt mournful look towards the great,
handsome house, and saw something like a
faint flutter of the lace-oruameoted drap-
eries about one of the upper windows as
he did so. ^t was one of the windows
that looked out towards the lawn gates
from Mabel's boudoir, a fairy-like little
nook, fitted up In rosy pink, like the
heart of a rose or a sea shell, with deli-
cate festooniugs and edglnirs of frost-
like white lace. Was it the touch of
Mabel's hands that stirred the draperie??
he wondered ; and, from behind tlie
tllmy lace and blush-rose satin, was she
watching him depart?

He would not deign another glance,
though; and tlve minutes later he was
driven out of sight.

Breakfast was not the most cheery of
meals at .Maple wood house thud inorninsr.
The hosie-s was nervous aud distrait,
the host gloomy and almost silent iu spite
of his l)est otforts to be pleasantly ur-
bane. Glencora, slightly more negligent
in the arrangement of lier morning toil-
ette than w.is iier wont, was silent— >ne
might almost say sullen— and decidedly,
and scarcely concealably out of temper.
She glanced up carelessly, half insolently
at Mabel, as the latter, who was the last
to enter the l)reakfast parlour, appeared.
The glance was returned willi a tjulet
dignity Miat, had in it a slight touca of
dertant hiiUi'iir.

liidy St. .Vyvas, growing Impatient at
the protracted absence of her hostess'
sou, and, having received an iHviiation
to spend a lew weeks with a wealthy
and aureeable friend residing in New
Brentford, and UKjther of two gro^vn up
sons — either of them really eligible
matclies— who, if th.;y were n »t heir*
prospective to wealth as great as the
bankers, ..ere, at all events, not stapid
enough to run away fioii. the li.idy
Winnifred's manifold churuis as the
errant Jai vis had done; her Lailysliip de-
cided til go, and at breakfa.st annouuced
her intention.

'• I did not read Mrs. Walsinjjham's
letter until this morning,'' sh>' lold her
hostess; "but she is so dear a friend,
and she so urgently pressed me to go to
her that I at once decided to do so.
Though," she added, " dearest Winnie
and I have enjoyed so delightfully our
visit here that \re are loth to leave you."
"Aud we," was the reply, "shall be

THE n. I XKF/rs an.\ xncii / /. / > n i:\.

very sorry iiuleod to lose you. Gleiiiiie
and I have coimt'l so verv nuieh on
your reinuii'iii' soino time Ioniser nitli
us. lieally," slif coiitiiir.cd. '' \vp <-lia!l
be trebly berclt. WalilcKriive li:is nislied
away from us so sutklenly, .just when
we were befjlnnlri:; to think it iuiptissible
to get alonj? witlioiit. iiiiu ; iuul now we
are to be deprived of your hidyship and
our dear VVinnilied almost a? suckK-nly." ,
Glencoriv enicrm »1 from her sulks lonj;
enough to express her regrets f|iiite
civilly.

Allerwards s!io exclaiiiietl, with a
grimace, to her mother:

" TliRuk goodiHJSs ! her ladyship is
weary at last of vainly \v..iiin^ llie re-
turn of my vajfiant brother. It is to be
hoped that lit r elforts to « if^et a uiateh
between Lady vViiinilu'd and one ut the
yonn;; Wai.^inuliii n's will end less pro-
vokiiifily inetileicnt. of course it will
be Charles, thw ehh'st, for « Jiom their
sails will he set. Von see, there is only
a gouty ohl man (»f someihing over sixty
winters between him and ;i barouetcy,"
she added sarcastically. i

" How jiro'-okiiij; you are," was the
annoyed rctori, of liie yonn,Lr laity's
mamma. ■* Von have a most disa;L'reeahie
habit, Giencora, of imparling to cvt-n
those whom you profess to love, th(!
most selfish or men enary motives ftn*
their slightest actions. I sineerelv wWw
you would endeavor to con<iii<'r ilia*;
habit. One would supjose. were they
to draw tlieir inference from your re-
marks," she added, "that her ladyship
was a veritable fortune huntress." Her
daughter's arching brows were lifted in
an amused fashion.

" And if one chanced to be very credu-
lous, they might perhaps, were they to
witness your indignant astonishment at
such an idea, be persuaded to believe,
otherwise, my dear mamiua,"she replied
satirically. '* iJut yon really cmght, mam-
ma, retract that about imparling disagree-
able things to those whom I profess to
love," she added; "fori never pretend
to love anyone; at least, I make no such
protestations for any of my own sex "

"Not even for your mother; I ara
aware of that," was the dry retorlf.

Giencora shrugged her shoulders and
smiled coolly.

" I believe it is always ruleable tr ex-
cept present company," slie made an-
swer, and the subject was dropped.

The gentlemen evinced much regret
tliat Lady St. Ayvas and her daughter

had deeiled to leave AIap!ewo)r. ,o
soon.

" vVt' aif ii.rii'cive a vi>-it from the
Marq!!'- ,iii'i M:ii-'liione>s of I)ti!il'-at i '"
nni f'.ll her Ladyship. " \ e
y.iii wotil! l)e h 're when tl ( y
'I'ii' V are verv

agrc".'*b e

Mr. ('ill-
had iKlti'

arrived,
people."

"And we :i'c very loth to leave you,''
was her ladysldps response; "but dear
M:s. Wai->i:ii:h im's request for us to
come wa-i so nrj:ent. and she is so terri-
bly loni'iv siii'-e tile detuh of Marie,
Lady W •(h>va!r. who was her only
daughter. 1; i- mon- than a year since
the aeeiilei'.Miiok placa; vvhi,ih :;aused her
ladvsliip'- d' lie : l)nL poi^'Mrs. Walsing-
hain ha> n^vi . r. ■covered from Hk; shock
which thr sal aft'dr occasioned. She
scarcely !•"'(•(■! vi's atiy visitors; but she
is very f md of my d anidi'i-r, who, she
fancies. hfu-» soiin' resemlilance to poor
dear Mav',' : and. ihongii wo shall enj ">y
none of tin- j'li'iis.iur. gaiety which has
mat! (cai- vi^i' i;ere so delightful, I think
we really oniilic to .uo to iier."

After 'lie ennelnsion of the inorning
mca!. wliilr tin fami'y yet lingered in the
bnaikfast parlor, .Mabel stood near a
window in ilie farther end of the room,
coiiversii:",' ji Ilm- low sweet tones to
Lady ^\■iM!iif|■l•;|, v. ho sat idly toying
with tlie >ip,ioi ta-sels ot h-'r niorninii
dre«-i, 'Ml an oi'o'na i iielween the warm-
hui'd velvei curtains.

"I am >o sotry you must go, dearest
Winnie." May was saying regretfully, I
shall miss \<jn sadly, thony;h we scarcely
more than .•.,.< a !» to each other nowa-
days."

Lady Winnifi-ed glanced up (lUickly.

*• Do r-.o: iilime me. May," she said.
"It is tliiounii no fault of mine that
we have not of iare been the same— even
more to reacli other thaii we were be-
fore — " she hesitated, not wishing to
add : — " i>ofore yotir brother's name was
dishonoured, and my mother forbade any
Intercourse between you anil I."

But Mabel fully understood; and with
an impulsive gisture — they were hidden
from ol)M'i vaiion by the folds of the
heavy curtains- bent and kissed Lady
VViunifred's while forehead, receiving
a loving embrace and a fond touch of
the lattei-'s lips 111 return.

Lady Wiiini lied looked into her com-
panion's pale, calm face, and wondered
if she had not I)' en too hasty in judging
Bertram Waldegrave the previous night.
She knew what it waa to suffer and be

Till-: r.A .VA7:/."N (.'UAxnciiii.r^nr.y

;>.)

kI with
I hidden
I of the
Id I.ady
Iceivinji
louch of

lev com-

Ijndered

liuduini,'

night.

laud he

outwardl}' ci.lm and ^:'.y and selfpo.s-'
sessed; but .Ma'icl, with tlie f\f(,'plion of
slight palcins-!, \v;<s a|)i)ar('i'.tly >o cntirf-
ly hL'fsclf— had ciiatttnl With ^uvli care-
less pleasantry with Mr. lliinineUon that
moruin;;, and ;;aily rallied Mr. Chester-
ton — that Winnifred was at a lnss to
decid*' wh('!iii'r all thi.s cool unconcern
was beins; l»rav<ly actctl, or if Waldt--
jiravc Iiail imiposcd— b- eu r<')i'cted, and
in disappi.liitni.Mit auel an:4er at her co-
qiiettcri', liaii;;(>ue away.

It was dillli'uli. to credit this la^t idc;),
for .Mabel had always appeared the op-
posite of an unfeeiin^j; co<iuelte. lUit
presently Winnifred vcuturctl to .-ay
with a slijiht smile :

'•How suddenly .^^r. \VaKle:;rav(! de-
parted ; yon must have given him a, most
decided refusal, May."

Mabel mew so deatldy pallid that in
I'cniorseful annoyance atiier own tliou;;ht-
lessness. i.tt.ly Winnifred threw her arms
abotit her, whispering regretfully:

"Foririve lU", May, darlini;'; I tIio(i;:Iit
he UHist have proposed and been rt j'-eit d
by you. I thought, so because he left so
suddenly.'"

Mabel's now burning face dropped on
Lady WinnilVed's shuuKh-r.

" I did not reject him," slie nuirmureil
in a low, pained voi'-e. "C>;i, L;iuy Win-
nifred. I am very miserable."

Lady Winnifred started in angry a.ston-
ishment.

"Is it possible. May, that Mr. Walde-
^rave has behaved so basely /'' slie asked
indignantly.

^label started (jnickly from tlie kneel-
ing position winch .'^he occupied beside
Lady Winnifred at that moment.

"Hush I" she whispered; '•[ iiear Lady
St. Ayvas UKjuiring about you. I would
not for the world be discovered thus ;
least of all by your mamma or uiy cousin
<jrlencora."'

She rose and was lier (juiet self again
when Lady St. Ayvas parted tlie curtain
aud looked t oldly in upon the twain

"My deat," began her ladyship, after
A slight cough and a glance of displeast'd
surprise iVoui undc;r her liigh brows,
which were arched a triflle more than
usual, "had you not better assist K.lwina
in packing yiur trunks properly. You
must remember that we have lifie time
to waste, if w'c are to reach Mrs. Wals-
ingham's at the time upon which we de-
cideil. Tray go at once; you nul^t be
iorgetting yourself my dear," she added
with slight significance.

I.ady Winnifred ro.so, saying tpiietly :

" Yes, niamma, I will go at once; only
Kdwina has the lace to arraniie on my
r-yrtU: green anel mauve silks Ijeforo be-
ginning packing. ■'

'•I darv- say yon will find quite enougli
to fully occupy your time until she has
tlnished," was licr ladjship'.s dry re-
spouse as she ilvew her daughter's arm
through her own, and ^wept away.

Mabel wj.s ahjiie In the breakfa^st par-
lor now, the rest having left when Lady
St. Ayvas and her daughter ilul so.

She sat down on the ottoman which
Lady Winnifred had occuj)ied, and for a
moment her blut; eyes were j»roudly,
trlumphautly bri^lit.

"How one is despised for being poor,"
she said contenituously. "Oh, well, I
can bear with forlitndt; Lady St. .\yvas'
disdainful frowns until \^\ni ibn'jUiKintid,
after which I presume both Ernest aud
myself will be favoured with hi'r most
lavish smiles. "It will bo a brilliant tri-
umi)h for the banker's poor clerk and for
Ins humble little lister. .Vn<l ii(;t only
will it be a triumph for dear I'.rnest, but
It will bring love ;ind happiness i) ick to
' hn," slie mused: "but I — oh I I am
so very wretched— so very wretched I"

She bowed her .head upon the w Indow
sill, and vcpt silently.

Half ;in hour p;issed, and Mr. Kiuiinel-
ton came in se;ircli of a novel which he
fancied he had sen lying somewhere in
the breakfast parlor, where Glencora
had carelessly thrown It.

Mabel did uot hciir his footsteps when
he entered, nor ilid she kuow when he
parted the draperle;- and. looked in upon
her. It was his voice that art)used her.

" Miss "Willoughby, are you ill or only
sleeping ';:''' he as-ked in conciru.

Mabel looked up with a violent start to
tlnd hhn bending beside her.

"Forgive mo for intruding," he said;
" I duT not kuow you were here. But,
alone ;ind lu tears. What can 1 do for
you •'"

"X()thMig; there is nothing you can
do; you are verykitKi: bull have only
a severe liead;iche, anil I am afr;iid I am
a little foolish," she h;ud trying faintly to
smile.

Mr. Rlmmeltou's heart was thumping
tumultuonsly.

He had been what he fancied was in
love a score of times during his four-and-
twenty years of life. He had come to
win the supposeil heiress of the banktM",
and had fallen in love with his iifijlfjn

TllK BANKER H GHAXDCHILDUKX.

inatend ; anil hlfl fondness for her was
about as ardent n feelinu, about as near
akin to the yrande passion as anything be
had ever experienced-

"Poor little lonely thincr,"he thought;
" why am I iiu* rich enough to marry
her? I womler why the plague that con
founded Waldegrave did not propose to
her. Perhaps he did, and was rejected;
though th.-^t seems scarcely probable.
And yet," he mused, "I could have sworn
that he worshipped the ground she trod
upon; and I fancied she was not wholly
indifferent to him. If the family wouldn't
get into such an unconscionable rage, as
I'm certain ili«y wonid at the very idea of
such a proceeding, I'd make her my wife
if she'd have me. and be prouder of her
a thousand times, with her goodness and
beauty, than I could ever be of that
black-eyed Juno-like grand-daughter of
old Chessom's. But what need I care
for the pater's wrath? If he chooses 'o
cut me otf with a shilling, why, it will
only be a trifle less than my poor, dear,
poverty-stricken papa will have to be-
((ueath me in any case.'*

All this ran quickly through Mr. Klm-
melton's head. He looked down at the
lovely, pensive face— forgot that it was
a cherished hopn, that he, the oldest of
a faniily of seven, should form an advan-
tageous all. ance— forgot — or rather was
reckless of what his reason— had he
chosen to listen to Its vvarninus — would
have told him would be the inevitable
consequences ot his rashness - and,
straightway, offered his heart and hand to
the fair girl whom he believed to be an
orphan and penniless.

Mabel listened with a beating heart to
his proposal. He loved her— this hand-
some August Rlmmelton— she was cer-
tain ot this; und she must wed some-
body. It would be but a day or two now
ere she would be the acknowledged
daughter and heiress of the banker's
long lost son. Bertram would hear of It at
once, of coarse; and, if her betrothment
with Mr. Kimnielton was at the sa-ne
time announced, it would be a double
triumph. With her riches, her rare, dell
cate loveliness she might easily make a
wealthier and more brilliant match; but
theRlmmelton's were one of the best, if
not now one of the richest families in
Lancashire, and this eldest son, who now
stood before her ploadlng for her hand
in marriage, was handsome and bright
and clever, and she liked him, If she
could not return his love. But on the

other hand ought she to wed him, know-
Miy: thl.*»— that she did not— never could
return the afl'ectlon which he professed
for her?"

•• Would It not be wrong?" she askcj
herself; " and. In any case, I must ask
papa's consent ere I accept him."

There was a rusMe of silken draperies,
which Mabel and her companion were too
much en'jrossed to hear, and Glencora
swept Into the room in time to overhear
Mr. Ilimmclton saying :

" 1 have loved you from the first, my
dearest Mabel, will you be my wife?"

"Good heavens! another proposal,'*
mentally ex'.'laliued Glencora. '-I wonder,.
is the girl a siren, that she bewitches
men thus?" and she listened silently for
Mabel's reply

The low-toned answer was not all
audible to the listening beauty's .strained
ears; she could only catch the last few
words.

" It is so unexpected, Mr. Rlmmelton,
pray give me time to consider; only wait
until to-raorrow."

The listener did not tarry to hear
more. She gilded out of the room; and
muttered to herself as she swept up the
staircase :

♦'Good gracious! and good heavens!
was there ever such another creature as
that girl Is? Betrothed to two men, end
a.sking of a third time to consider his-
suit, and all within twenty-four hours.
Preposterous!"

She went to her boudoir and waited
there until she heard Mr. Rlmmelton
whistling to the dogs in their kennel;
then she went to the library where Mr.
Chessom sat reading.

"Grandpapa," she said, approaching
his chair, '*I have come to speak to you
about Mabel Willoughby - to beg you
win put a stop to such disgraceful pro-
ceedings as she Is guilty of. She Is be-
having most bhamefully !'

Out from among the curtains of a bow
window stepped the gentleman who
passed as " Mr. Chesterton."

He was smiling, but there was an
ominous flash in his clear dark eyes, a
slight, haughty curve on his Up as he
spoke.

"I beg pardon," he said; but I have
been reading, and had nearly fallen
asleep among those cushions when your
entrance and your words aroused me,
but—"

Glencora interrupted him.

" From what ray cousiin

Waldegrave

aited
nelton
nnel;
Mr.

THE HANKHIi'S GltANDCHILDUEK.

a bow
wha

,'as an

>yes, a

as be

I have

falleu

!n your

ccl me,

legrave

and myself accidentally overheard last
niKht," she said turnln<; toward lura, " I
think that you, also. Mr.Chestertou, have
a right t«» know Mabel us she Is, not as
she appears."

"May I Inquire what you did hear,
Miss— Ches/jioin?" quietly asked the gen-
tleman; thouiih he certainly looked sur-
prised. If Glencorakuewall, he thought,
she surely bore the Intelligence with a
marvellous dcj^ree of coolness.

The juung lady shrugged her graceful
shoulders and smiled serenely.

"I not only heard, but saw as well,"
she answered gaily. '•! saw Mabel
Willoughby receiving your erai)races,
Mr. Chesterton, and your caresses, as
gracionsly as an hour previous, I saw her
receiving the caresses and embraces of
my cousin Walilegrave, who was infatu-
ated with her acted sweetness, and had
begged her to become his wile, aud she
promised— accepted him. She was Ber-
tram Waldegrave's alflanced wife, Mr,
Chesterton, when listening to your words
in the conservatory last night!"

Mr. Chesterton only smiled and asked :

"And Mr. Waldegrave, did he witness
the bitter scene of which you speak ?"

"Yes," she said, "and he as well as
myself heard her declaring herself very
happy.'"

"Then that that is the reason he so
abruptly departed, I suppose," Mabel's
father remarked with another quiet
smile.

Glencora bowed in the aflllrmatlve.

"May I ask If you have any further
charges to prefer against your grand-
papa's jjro<<'//<? /"' he asked calmly.

Glencora answered with a slightly
contemptuous smile.

"Nothing moru serious than that— hav-
ing received a proposal from Mr. Kim-
melton this morning— she has now his
suit In consideratl m, aud will give him a
decided answer to-morrow. IJy the way
I am curions to hear what it will be."

lo astonishment and indignation Mr.
Chessom had remained silent until now.

"Is all this true ?— has Mabel behaved
thus shamefully, dlsgracefully?"he asked,

" Every word, grandpapa ; her daplicity
is much greater than even I imagined,
you have been horribly duped like many
others," Glencora answered.

The library door opened at that mo-
ment,and the lady of the house appeared.
She did not perceive that anything unu-
sual was going on, but exclaimed :

"Lady St. Ayras has received the sad-
dest of news."

" What can it possibly be ?" asked her
daughter in languid surprise.

She has just got a telegram informing
her of the sudden death of her brother,
Col. Falrlelgh, of whom we have so often
heari her ladyship make mention."

" The idea of going to Brantford Is, of
course, abandoned then," said Glencora.
"That would be most provoking, I sup-
pose, only for the pleasant fact that the
crabbed old creature leaves her ladyship
a remarkably fine fortune."

":Ior ladyship is grieving deeply," the
lady replied, with a rebuking glance at
her daughter. "It is a dreadful shock-
so very sudden."

" ' IlarreiUsJfetns snh person^ risnsest,^ "
said Glencora with a mocking littlo-
langh.

"What is it Byron says about being
made to wait, • too— too long already' ?""

The young lady's mamma looked posi-
tively angry.

"I comprehend the force of your last
sarcasm, she said : but,, as your tlrst i»
unintelligible to nic, of course I fail ta
understand." She turned toward her, as-
yet unknown brother-in-law.

'• Will you translate for mc, Mr. Ches-
terton V what does she mean ?"

Mr. Chesterton smiled.

" Your daughter quoted a Latin pro-
verb which is often very beautiful : * The
weeping of an heir is laughter under a
mask.' " he told her.

'•How absurd, Glencora; your remarks
upon her ladyship are more satirical than
either flattering or just. You have no
right to discuss Lady St. Ayvas in her
absence as you would not care to do it in
her presence," the mother said reprov-
ingly-

Glencora shrugged slightly and pre-
sently asked :

"How long before her ladyship starts?"

Her mother glanced at her watch.

"In an hour exactly."

Glencora yawned, and Mr. Chessom.
said, turning towards his guest and
granddaughter :

"Perhaps, then, we had better delay
any further discussion of the unpleasant
subject broached a few moments ago,
until her ladyship has taken leave."

"Unpleasant ? — has anything ot that
character occurred ?" asked the hostess,
with concealed nervousness.

" Yes, something that shocks and
causes me pain and indignation," she

niK UAXKEIVS GliAXDCUJWVKX.

livas tolil by Mr. Cho-isom, nnd he added :
"It is coiiconiiii;^ Malicl's conduct. "

"Indt'L'd, I am very sorry to hear it,"
was the n'ply, but th«-'rc was a gleam ol
trlumpli ill tlie lady's eyes, for all her
gravely uttered worils.

A W'W more words of consultation and
an adjournment was made.

" I'ray e:ilii;lit( II me, (llencora : what
lielnons rtime lias iliat j^lrl committed?"
queried Cilencora's mamma when tht/
two were alone in one of th'? corridors.

" Nothing very astonishing, for her;
though I confess I was somewhat
umazed," was the daughter's reply.
*' She has merely accepted two oilers
of niarriaye, and lias a tliird in contera-
l)latiuii, and all sliiee last evening after
dinner."

'' Clood gracious !" exclaimed her mo-
ther, "are vou positlv o of this, (ileiicora?"

" (iuite '"

" W!io are the gentlemen, pray ?"

" Fir>t, my cousin Bertram, second,
Mr. Cuestertou, and third, Mr. Hlmmel-
tou."

"""SU'. Chesterton, are you sure, Glen-
cora ?" her moiher inquired with such
eagerness, almost ixci'.ement, in her
manner, that Glencora started.

"Of course, why not ? You must be
dull of perception, mamma, if you have
not noticed his marked preference for
lier from the lirst."

"Glencora, how do you know this ?"
was the next queslioti ; and Glencora —
wondering, and lialf impatient at her
mamma's display of intense excitement,
which, to do her utmost, she was unable
to coi'jeal— repeated the words she had
heard Mabel and her father utter t!ie
previous night, and described the little
tableau as slie and liertram had witness-
ed it.

"But what on earth ails you, mamma ?
are you going to faint i'" she exclaimed
as she eudod.

The (juestion was unheeded; and lier
mother's white lips gasped :

"Then that is all you heard ?— you did
not hear Mr. Chesterton ask Mabel's
hand iu marriage V"

" No, I did not hear him ask ' will you
wed me ?' ; but we came on the scene
just a few moments too late for that.
Had we reached the conservatory a little
earlier, of course we should have heard
the whole impassioned avowal," was the
reply in a languidly centemptuous tone,

3Irs. Willoughby was utterly colorless
«ow. She swept on, leaving her aston-

ished daught(;r standing :dono. The lat-
ter .shrugged, murmured petulantly about
« traglcs,' and sauntered, with a careles.**
yawn, to her boudoir.

CIIAITEU W'XVII. '•

ALL IS OUT.

Subdued voices— a hurried, grave part-
ing, and Lady Ayvas and In-r (laughter
took tlieir leave.

Shortly after, a group, consisting of
the banker. Leigh Chessoin, the widow
of the real Ernest Willoughby, and Glen-
cora and Mabel, met in the iibrnry.

" Glenuie, ' began the banker, address-
ing Glencora, and glancing slightly at
Mabel, who, knowing herself to be on
the defeuHive, stood pale and dellant,
"will you b'i good enough to repeat the
unpleasant facts which you s'ated in
connection with Mabe' this morning? I
hope," he added, " ihat sht; may be
able to oiler som(! suitable explanation,
when you have Unished."

(Jlencora hid a uflaliclously triumphant
little smile by a careless yawn ; and then,
in an iudilferent maimer, as if the whole
thing were a decided bore, began the re-
cital of all she had heard and seen In the
conservatory the previous evening, and
then of the proposal behind the break-
fast-parlour window-curtalus, of which
Mabel was the recipient.

A swift g'.ance passed between Mabel
and her fath(;r, and the hostess grew
more ashen white than before, as Leigh
Chessom steppeil forward, at the con-
clusion of Gleucora's sarcastically worded
details, and placing one arm about
Mabel's waist, said calmly :

" Allow me to save your ward the
trouble of explaining, Mr. Chessom.
Your granddaughter has given, verbatim,
all that she was in time to overhear, be-
tween Mabel and I ; but she should have
taken the trouble to listen earlier. She
is mistaken in believing that I ofl'ered May
my hand in marriage. Instead l"-t)Ut
Mrs. Willoughby had mechanically risen,
and now interrupted him.

" I know what you are about to tell,''
she hissed through her white lips. " J
shall not stay to listen. Come, Gleu-
ccra," turning toward her daughter as
she was about to quit the apartment.
But that young lady preferred remaining
where she was. " I couldn't think of it
for a moment. If there's anything hor-
rible—as 1 suspect there is— to come out
1 must hear it. My curios. ty is immense,' '

TlfK H.\Xh'i:irs (m.WDCUlLDHF.X.

to tell,'"

lips. " 1

|e, Gleu-

j^hter as

irlment.

I'luaining

[iuk of it

ling hor-

t'ome out

linense,' '

■A\'> t<il 1 Ivr 11 '1!:m, und s,), wj-IiMOt !i'':*. '
i\\** l:iily witlnlf'vv.

Our timi- u;:i imf pcnnii ih • i wriN;
t!ie lonfj iiit<>rvi'Mv thiir, t«>,,!: p) i,-. ;ir:i.i'
tlie nhnj[)t witluliMw.il (»r Kni'-it Wil- '
loir_'!ihv's wido'.v, nor o| l*liit!:> ('tie«-
^oiTi's (lt'li,'tit iit onro innir hclKtl'iinn lii«
lon;^: l(»>-t son.

"Clin it I).'?— and o'm, l/i.,'li: c:in yon
over for;^lvt' the ureal wi'on;^?'' wiis his
llrstrry.

'•That \v;)s Irtii;; wj^n for;:! veil, deiir
i'athfr; and \. too, innHt, \)v'^ Corirlveness
for niy lieiid^t ron^', boyisii ra-i!ine.ss,"
was ihf son's reply.

A hind el;i-.p, a 1 lok rrorc (doij-uMit
than any w.)i'd-<, \va> th(

The two -.ills, .^la')ll (
Gleiioora Willoni;!iby — tiie
and tlie hanuh'v nstirprM'-
sct'iH! with iiit'"is('.sr, inter' r
of t!ie i;;t'er seemed i:rouiii'„' whit-T —
iier eyes in t f! pas.sioiiattiv hiri'l every,
moment. Slie ei»ul;l senreely refrain
from utteriDu; a tVaiiMe sci'-a'tiof aniier.

Snddeidy a el md shaduWfd the hauk-
cr's faee.

"O:.! Leiirii," 1,0 s'lld «ornnvfiilly,
" what ol Krne-t?" (Jli r.cor.i's silvery
voice i»roke in laocldn^ly.

"While niy mother's ul of avarice
elicits su'''i severelv condemnatory
speeches IVo'ii you, Air. (^Iiessom" —
lookinij with hidylike insolence at Leiuh,

rrorc

n-plv.

"hessom and

iral heiress

-witcdied the

• r. The face

euouijli

pniceeded to exlDnerate fuMv his son
K'.-n-'st ; ami to i^rove .Farvlw Willongliby

LMl I'V.

Let us liy hi'lore our readersa btlif
-ketch of Leijih C'hessoin's life after
lidftlu:; Ivi;,'!and.

As l.s ali-ady evident, l/;ii:h did not
perish on i)oird tlio fever smiiten ship,
fie wa.H terribly llltli Mt;:h— .dm )st dyin:;
wlien the vessel lind'd; find for many
we(ks no ihou.dit of his recoverim,' was
enti rtrtined by tliose vvlio attended him.
He did recover. Iio'.vever, •lioiiuh his
eoiivalesenee was Wrarvinyly slow and
tedion.-; and it was monilis .'iftcr n.'ach-
ini.' Mie colony ere lie v/as stro:v.
tj aitcmp! worl: ofanv discriptlon.

.At lenir'h. thoii,L,'h stili sulleriii'z from
bodily we;i!<ne-s— dlsheartend, and near-
ly moneyl 'ss. L"i;.'!i went l)ravclv to
work, !ind le^f'.iiiely toiled until the
news ol hi< wife's sudden death e:iine to
him, likcMi terrible blow, stnnnln<r for .1
time, n<'arly every faculty.

An l',uulish acijiiairitanee who h-id tiecn
a clerk in ihe same hankinir rstaldish-
menr, in w!n(di Lf-i;?h, ere he left Eimlaml
had been emph) -ed, rtnd 'vho had also
visited the iniiiln'.: district in tlie hope of
wiiiiiii,' a i'niu.ne, brought to Leii^h the
sad intelli!.r''nee.

Mrs. ('lics>oni had died suddenly of
lieart-diseas". on reailini? the announce-

ment of \yyj.\\'
as she snoke— •' would it, no be as well | irraot; .ship <ilat
to recollect tliat there are others, whose
deeds would scarcely tn ar the light'.'
Pray what wdl society say, when it
learus that it is the ricdi banker s grand-
son, and the rich coloniid gentleman's
son, instead of tlie former's humble
■clerk, who was expelled from ^Taple-
wood house for comuiitlii;^^ a thefc-for
stealing a paltry si.x hundred pounds?"

death on board the eml-
'ator.
After partiiiliy recovering from the
heavy shock which the sad news caused
Im. Leigh's tlrst thought was of his
children— the little .Tarvis and Glenconi,
whose nrvmes were afterward transferred
by the widow of l^rnesr, \Villouu;hby to
her own cliildreii— and his quondam fel-
low clerk — t!!oir.^h underiaking the task
with sore reluctance — was forced to ia-

"Mi.ss VV'illounhby," LeiLiii said grave-! form him of what he believed to be a fact.

]y, it would have been \s iser had you
adopted your mother's C(nirse and with-
drawn. I am forced to utter more facts,
which will add painfully to what you
have already heard. Had y.ju not better
leave us now?"

"Pray give yourself no unnecessary
solicitude on my account. I think I

that they also were dead.

This latter was of course a mistake,
and happened in this wise:

The children, to the knowledure of
Leigh's Hn^li-ih acipiaintatiee, were dan-
gerously id wi'.h scarlet fever; and, the
day previous to his taking leave of Eug-
laud, he heard — what lie supposed to be

shall be able to bear with fortitude any- j true— that ihey had bocii exp'.reu the day
thing m«jre you may have to tell, after j before.

having sustained, without fainting,
hysterics, or anything tdse ridiculous,
■what I already have. I am anxious to
hear the rest,"' she told him with defiant
.hauteur.

Leiyh bowed gravely, and proceeded—

".Vfter that double loss," Leigh told
his father, 'I gave up all idea oi ever re-
turning to I'^niiland. I was fortunate in
nearly everv business transaction which
I entered into. I succeeded in almost
everything— so far as accumulati g .i.;h-

J(I0

THE HASKKWS GUAynClIILDIiKX.

CM wont— wlibh I undertook. Hut I
would linve cbecrfully to.ssud lo tl.e wind^
all thu wealth wlilcli pourud In upon uie,
for a lUheot'tlie old ThruuJuuedlu street
liapplDVNfl.

After many years a lonxlny to return
to Kn^lfind Helped me, and, impulsively,
1 started. 1 had no aatlcipation of th'>
welcome of fricn Is on my return. I
came, and was a str:in;;tM' in mv native
land. No one knew me, or reco;{iiu.Hl
in Lancel. t Chesterton— ^^ray-Iiai red and
chanjjed— the Lel^ijli ('iiossom of twenty
years buck, unless excepting; my wife's
t»tep-slsier. 1 believe slie suspected my
identity from tlie lirst. Fortunately 1
was the accidental moans of savini; the
life of Judge llarcourt, a>you are aware.
Wc both stopped at the same hotrl. He
was genial, jolly, the best of company,
and seemed to have taken a liking for
myself. He told me that he was a guest
at your house, that business had called
him for a few days to Lt»ndon, and that
be must return to Twickenham in time
for the Oiiristmas festivities; and urged
me in his hearty, not-to-^e-denled fashion
to accompany him. In vain were my
fears that I should be au intruder ex-
pressed. Said he :

"My dear sir, I'll wager tift,y guineas
that Chessom will raihisr lose any oiher
of bis guests than yourself alter you've
been at Maplewood a day or two. And
1 can't think of leaving you here to put
this coming merry season throuuh in the
dull fashion you were anticipaUng a few
hours ago. Come along, and I'll promise
you the most genial of hosts, ani the
moht gracious of hostesses to be found
tbrougliout the county. Mrs Chessom
is a charmlogiy agreeable woman ; and
she has a daughter much like herselt— all
brilliance and vivacity ; only that, la belle
Glencora is more unconventional and de-
lightfully i>/'/f(ajt£ than her more stately
mamma."

•'Can it be possible?" I asked; is Mr.
Chessom again married ?''

The Judge looked at me, a little sur-
prised.

"You know Mr. Chcssooi theu," he
said.

"I was once well ac(|uainted with his
son," 1 told him evasively.

"How long has Mr. Chessom been
married for the second time ?" 1 asked.

"You are mistaken," he tuld me; "the
Mrs. Chessom to whom I allude, is the
widow of Leigh, the son you speak of."

I nearly sprang from my seat at those

words; but the Judge was looking out of
a window, and not perceiving me, went
on calmly.

" She is a beautiful woman," he said;
*Mark and brilliant, with an empress-l'.ke
statetiness and imperiousness about her,
and yet, withal, she is wonderfully suave
and ploaslu::."

A suspicion of foul play flnshed across
my mind. My gentle, goUlen-halreU
Grace couM never have grown to be a
woman like the stately dame whom the
Judge was describing.

I quietly (piestioned, and learned from
my new liiend enou^li Id cau>e me to
suspect what I afterward found was true,
that the lady who claimed to be my
widow was, instead, the widow of the
young artist Ernest Wllloughby.

" But you II come with m**," the Judge
added, after replying to my several ap-
parently casual questions; "and I'll
apologise elaborately for dragging you
there. We'll reach Maplewood in time
for the Christmas ball; and Che<<som will
be ^fateful to me lor bringing you to
him"

" I trusted to my changed appearance
to batllo iecognitioii, and caiuij. You did
not know me; but yoa will doubtless re-
member thu startled look with which Mrs.
Wllloughby hist greeted me ou my
arrival."

To the whole of Leigh's recital Glen-
cora Wllloughby listened with such su-
preme carelessness that It would have
been dllllcult to believe her as stormlly
angry witliin as she was. There was a
cool. Indifferent Uttie smile on her ruby
lips ; and the savage gleam in her rest-
less black eyes was hidden by the soft,
llutterlug white lids that drooped over
them.

"So this. • the denouement, Is it ?" she
said lightly, when Lolgh ceased speaking.
"Well, it has been so distressingly
tangled that I am weary of trying to
make it ail out; but I believe I fully com-
prehend now. It is I who am tiie humble
daughter of the humble artist ; and Mabel
who is Miss Chessom, the rich heiress.
Helgho!" — and she swept Mabel a grace-
ful, mocking little curtsey.

She turned toward Leigh.

"Are you prepared to be
mous, Mr. Chessom ?— because I have a
favor to ask."

"AnytLiug reasonable, which la In my
power, I shall be most happy to grant,"
Leigh answered, with a grave bow.

"Then, pray defer explanation and an-

magnanl-

But,

riiK BASKKii's aRAM>('inij>in:y.

101

lUt of
weut

Bald ;
9-l'.ke
Lher,
suave

tcross
iialred
J be a .
0) the

J (rom
ine to
rt true,
bu my
of the

I Judge
•ral ap-
nd I'll
ug you
lu time
jm will
you to

earnoce
i'ou did
iless re-
Ich Mrs.
uu lay

al Glen-

iUCll su-
have
torrally
was a
ler ruby
ler rest-
the soft,
,ed over

?" she
)eaklug.

sslugly
ylag to

ly com-

humble
id Mabel

heiress.

a grace-

ia;;aaDl-
have a

lis In my
grant* "

J m

and an-

nouncement of this unpleiisniit iiiT^lr «in-
til my mother and my.H«'lf are fairly out
of England. Will you oblige mo thus ?"

"Certainly, Miss Winou«lil»y. I sbonUI
be ungenerous If I did otluTwlso, re-
membering that you are siirturlng Inno-
cently the consiMiuonces of your mother's
act."

•'Thnnks, I nni grateful for your con-
sideration." she answ» ifd caliiily.

• But, Gleunif," lulerposi-d ihc banker,
•'you need not leuve us. You are as dear
to mens when I believed yon uiy grand-
daughter; and dear little May will be
most glad 'o receive you us lier sister."

Glencor uttered a short, scornful
laugh.

'•If all the world were as generous as
you, my dear sir, what oceans o( misery
people would be spared ; but, unluckily,
such Is not the case ; and I can't lrna<;ine
Mabel Chessom -by the way, how oiUlly
that sound.s — I eun't possibly iu)a<rlne
her as my loving and aft'ectionate fonter-
sister, indeed, I should never be so
presumptuous. Besides, I am not a pa
tlent young person. I could not endure
with the fnr'iKiUe which Mabel has
evinced, all the snubblrigs and coUi
shoul'"fs and supercilious ^-lances which
Mabel, i'or the sake of a luxurious home,
has su passively sustaiued. I should
kill somebody, or connnit suicide, or do
something horril)le, 1 am sure. Mv
posiilon would be fur nunc intolerable
than Mubels has been; for, while she
was only a nobody, I should he some-
body lar worse than nobody. (Consider,
there Is not or)e of my friends of to day
who would not regard me wi;h t?ie most
withering contempt, after they knew all.
But, I dare say, 1 shall be uble to take
care of myself I'erhaps your grand-
daughter may generously condescend to
exert her influence In obtaining a situa-
tion as Lady Somebody's waiting maid
for me ; or I may even be exalted to the
position of a companion. At any rate,
ray pride will prevent me from accepting
anything more at your hands, my dear
elr."

With all her waywardness, herimperi-
ousness. her prond arrogance, the bank-
er was fond of the handsome, queenly
girl, who had oeen brought up from
babyhood to believe herself his heiress
and granddaughter. It Is tiue, there
was less real atfectlon in his fondness of
her than In his tender love for isweet
Mabel ; bat she was dear to him ; and he

was trmihh'd on heraccount. He turned
toward Mabel, saying:

"M.'iy, dearesT,, can you not perauade
(Jlennie to tliluk dlfl'crenily ?"

May aoHe timidly. There was no
thought ot triiiiupli in her kind littio
heart. She (oryave the Ill-natured
speeche."* which the disappointed girl
had so satirically uttered. She advan-
ced, laylM'.^ her taper lingers geuily on
Glencora's arm.

"^'ou are paitdng grandpapa, Olen-
Co..., ' she said gently. "KenuMuher, this
revelation has not lessened his love for
you; you are as ulear to him at tlds mo-
ment as you e\er were. You will not

))y rclusini; hU
win not accept

grieve him, I am >ure,
att'ection, even if you
thn: o(— others."

The Mashing l/.ack eyes met the soft,
violet ones in(»r|<iiin:ly, and (i'.encora
drew away froi.i , : <• li^ht touch disdain-
fully.

"Ills geiiero IS of you to patronize,''
she tolil Mut>'^l coolly, 'I'nd, of coiirse, 1
feel ('ulv g .eful and datt^reu ; but really
1 •'"

All interruption, in the form of •» ser-
vant briiiginf; a It -ter for the master of
Maplewood, can.i! at that inonienc ,

The letter was ii )m Wales, and had
been delaytd mauy days. Mr. Chessom
tore it open, and drew forth Lady Kozen-
thal's note and .Jarvis Willoughby's con-
fession, both of whidi he read aloud.

' Toor Jarvi.s," Mai)el said, sorrow-
fully, when Mr. Chessoni had tlnl.sbed
the perusal of both missives. "He wa«
111 and dlspiriteil at the time her ladyship
wrote ; and the letter has been delayed
for so many days, lie may be worse,
and how cruel he must think us nil."

The library door was thrown open,
and Mrs. Wlllougliby entered. She wa*
extremely pale, lier lips twitched ner-
vously, and her nright, dry eyes were
singularly wild and glltterii g In their
expression.

" My daughter come with me at
once. Toor Jarvis is dying!" she said
in a gasping voice.

Glencora uttered a cry, and snatched
the telegram which her mother held
toward her.

i: was from Mrs. Gimp:

" Master Jarvis is dying, pray come at
once," It ran; and Glencora reaa it;
aloud.

"Good heavens ! Poor Jarv," she ejacu-
lated the next moment, letting the brief

102

77//; BAA'KKii.'^ GRAXDCIU LDUKX.

dusp;iu;h fall from her ilugers to the
carpet.

"Miseries always coaie iu throngs,
don't they, mamma ?"

Mrs. WiUoiiijIihy liiikovl hi;rarm within
th:U of her dniiriiter, anl tiiriud to quit
the room, bin Mr. Ci'e.-sor. s voice de-
tained her.

"Stay," he Sdid, "you "vill start im-
mediately for Cwmdiii-oii, will you uo: V"
he inquired.

"(.."ertaiiily," ropliccl tlu; huly: "does
not thiiL tilciiram state that my son is
dyinir ?■■ she asked iii thos(! strange, U!i-
natiiral totir-s.

'•|)iu you uinst not undertake the j'ur-
ney aloiio — that is, you and Glene'.na,"
he told her. Slic smileil bitterly.

"I do not liatt r myself that I have any
kind fiiends who will care suthci'-ntly
for a fallen wretch like myself to take
the trouble of acconipanyii.;; me to the
sick bed of my dis^raceil, disinheiileil
sou," she said coldly.

"Aaatha" — it was Leigh who spoke
uow', callirg her as he was wont to do
live and twenty years ago, when she was
his sister-in-law, and they all resided iu
one house.

"Agatha, this is no time to remember
wrongs, however grievous," lie said
gravely. I am ready to accompany you
to Wales, or to do anything which is iu
my power, to aid your sou's recovery. ]
Let us hope that there is yet a cliance of

which I was suffering. I thiuk there

must have been something magical or

mesmeric in your touch."

And so it was decided tli:it ^lahel, a>-

I well as her fa'Jier, sh(juld accompany

Mrs. Willoughby and her daugliier to

; Wales: and iu little more than an hour

I they began tlio Journey.

I A fi'W moin>'ii;s ere tiity s'nrt'.-d. l,ow-

, ever, Mabel found time to .-earch in the

j corridor lor tiie loVely litth; betrothal

j ring which her lover, in his an^rry. un-

I faith, had finiig from lil:;i the previous

night. Siie — Mabel — uudersisiod all now.

'•Dear, dear Bertram," s!i<> whispered

j as she caught tlie glea'U v}' ;h" jewelled

I circlet among tlie svvecj.ilig lohls of a

I curtain, and i'.astily pickeil it iip, slipping

, it — after pressing her rosy lips upon it —

, upon her Jinger. "How wicked ol me

I lo believe him faithlet

\ known better."

I She arosi.' from her kiieeling po^iticju,

I and came lace to face with Mr. Kimmel-

I ton. He liad heard thai she was going.

I Lo Wales, and was seeking lu;r.

"Ls it posftible that you are going,.
' Miss WUlonghby?" he a.vked.

"To Jarvis ';*— yes,' she tokl him.
"But 1 have not forgotten your ques-
tiou, Mr. Rim melton. The turn which
events have suddenly taken has expedit-
ed my answer. 1 >incerely thank yoa
for your honorable proposal; but some-
thing has occurred within the last few

1 ndgiit have

his recovery. 1 will telegraph to Londou ) hours which renders it impossible for

for Sir Egbert Eversly; and if medical
aid can save his life Eversly will bring
him 'round."

Tlie hard look died out of Mrs. Wil-
loughby's eyes; she covered her face and
burst into tears.

•'Heaven knows how little I deserve

me to accept that proposal. Besides, 1
should do wrong, in any case, to wed
you, knowing as I do that [ could never
regard you with feelings warmer thaa
those with which I esteem other kind,,
generous friends."

A servant came to Inform Mabel that

your generous forbearance and kindness, j all was in readiness for their departure;
r^igh; but, for Jarvis' sake, 1 must ren- and she was hurried away, leaving poor
dermyse'f more despicable in your eyes Rimmeltou to bear his disappolutraent
by accepting the aid you ott'er me, after with whatever of tortitnde and philoso-
all the injury 1 have done you and yours," phy he could muster. Fortunately, for

she said humbly.

Ere Leigh had time to reply, two love-
ly purple blue eyes were lifted to his
face, two little hands were clasped
pleadingly around his arm, and bis
daughter was saying softly:

"Poor, poor Jarv. I may go with you
and help to nurse him. may I not ? Oh,
please let me go, too."

"Yoa make the dearest little nurse in
the world,'* he told her. "I haven't for-
gotten how completely you once cbarm-
i>d away a most violent headache Aom

the peace of his heart, he was pretty
fairly gifted with both.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.—

A l>KVri£-UKD ltE(il KST.

Five weeks have passed since the con-
clusion of our last chapter; and Jarvis-
Willuughby Is not only still alive, but oa
the high road to recovery ; though evei>
the eminent Sir Egbert Eversly can do-
nothing to cure his totally blinded eyes.

The yellow, sprins sunshine was bright

there
cal or

hfl. a^
npauy
ler to

1 hour

, liow-
iii ll'.c*
trolhat
rv, un-
•fvious
11 now.

lis of a
lipping
)t)U it —
:l ot me
ht huve

osithjn,
{immel-
is goiujj;

2 going,

iin.

ur ques-
n which
expedit-
luk yoifc
It some-
lust lew
sibie for
iBldes, I
, to wed
d never
er than,
r kind,

)el that
)arture;
ig poor
>iutment
Iphlloso-
liely, for
Is pretty

THE BAXKEIVS GRAKDCHILDRKX.

1U3.

Ithe con-
Id Jaryis-
but oni
^gh even
can do-
Bd eyes.
bright

and warm on the nioruing whereof we , nervous ;uid excitable uea:'.y every hour
write. Jiirvissat among a pile of cush- , during the last two days previous to the
ions! in Mrs. Gimp's little parlour. Ernest | day on which it wa.s decided that they
Chessom, who has been with Jarvis for were to leave "Wales,
the last four weeks, is seated beside him ; "Horrible I" exclaimed Gleucora to her
now, reading aloud scraps and various mother, on the cveuiiii,' before they were
items from the last copy of the Tinies. to depart. "What ilocs it simuify whe-
Mrs. Willoughby pale, sorrowful. su!)-!'her we are rich or poor ? We are dis-
dued, saMooking out of a v.-indow. Mabel graced— hedeously disgraced. Let us go
was employed upon some trifling work, to France or (Jcrmauy, or somewhere —
and Gleucora, thinner than usual, paler, anywhero, so long as it is out of Kug-
aud decidedly sulky, was trying to amuse land. Ohidearme, we are oxiled for-
herself with a popular novel ; and uow | ever fro.m Twiekcuham. Maumial what
and then glancing with savajiu coutempt on earth has happened?"
about her. | Mrs. V.'illoughby was writhing as if in

" Ilaloa :*■ exclaimed Ernest ; "what is ; terrible bodily torturi'. (iloncora's shrill
this;" and he read aloud : " If the heir, | scream brought Leiuii Cliessowi aud Ins
or heirs— providing there are any living— ' sou aud daughter uuiricdly to the side of
of the late Ernest Angus Willoughby will the struggling, agouiJed woiuau, who,
communicate wiih Croftou and Keatiug, . iu a few nuuutcs more, was wholly iu-
No. — , Great George street, Westminis- ; seusible. It was more than two hours
ter, they will learu something inlluitely ' ere she regained consciousness,
to their advantage." | " I have but little time to live, and

Glencora dropped her sensational much to do t-re I die. Will some olc
novel I bring me writing mattrrials (luicklv?" were

"Whatever is the meaning of it, mam- ^ almost her first words alter recovering
raa ?"she asked, looking wonderingly at | sensibility.

her mother. Has anybody been oI>ligiug| Ten, ink, and paper were fetched. She
enough to will us a fortune, do you sup- . asked to be propped up iu beil, aud then
pose ?" desired to be left alone for an hour.

Mrs. Willoughby looked agitated, she] At its expiration she asked to see
rose, and walking over to where Ernest Leigh; aud he came to her side.
was seated, read the brief advertisement | " Leigh, iu my wicked avarice, I did
over his shoulder. ! your children a grievous wro.ig; but I

"lam sure I cannot tell what it means," j am dying now, and I want you to forgive
.she said, in reply to her daughter's ques- me, if you can, and to grant my last dying
tion; "but I shall immediately write and prayer. You can do so without liann to
And out if possible." I you or yours, while it will save my child-

"If it were not too good fortune, I ren from shame— disgrace. Will you
.should be inclined to believe that there ; promise?"

was somebody's wealth just ready tO| "If to do so will be consistant with
tumble Into our hands whenever we . honour, ves," Leigh replied.
choose to stretch them forth," Jarvisj Mrs. Willoughby drew a deep breath,
said. ''But, pshaw! it's all folly to ' and extended a paper toward him.
dream of such a thing," he added. | " Here is my dying couless'.ou. It is a

"At any rate, 1 shall write," his mother j false one, b Jt not a wicked one. It will
declared; and accordingly she did so, re- 1 do no harm— but good— Infinite good,*'
ceivlng an answer within a week from ' she said, hastily perceiving Leigh's
Crofton and Keeting, assuring her that shocked glance.

her son and daughter, providing their] "A false, dying confession I For hea--
identity could be proven, were heir and , ven's sake! Agatha," Leigh exclamed.
heiress to a conaiderable large fortune ' "Only read It, Leigh," she cried, eag-
whlchfell to them nrom a maternal uncle | crly ; aud I^lgh read it, and wondered
of their father's. ' what manner of woman Agatha WlUough-

Undeniable proofs were brought for- by was.
ward. ?ind their right to tb^ property

tully established In a short space of time

It was brief, but as clear as if all
true. She declared herself not the mother

And now came the time to return to of Ernest Willoughby 's children, but a

England, and for the rights of Leigh

rbeHSom's children to be also established.

Mrs. Willoughby grew more strangely

school girl friend of their mother's; and
asserted that both their parents were
dead, that her real name was Geraldln»

104

THE BAXKERS GRAKDCHILDREK.

Lesden — which was a fictitious name, of
course. That Mrs. Willoughby died long
ago she also nfHnned, stating that she lay
in an unmarked grave in the suf)erb
where she resided at the time of her
death. The grave, in reality contained
the remains of a female servant of Mrs.
Wllloughby's.

"I read the advertisement which Mr.
■Chessoai inserted in the 'Jitnes," she
wrote, and my ambiiious longing to be-
come a rich woman prompted me to com-
mit the crime I am now confessing. I
passed myself off as Leigh Chessom's
•widow ; and I led Philip Chessom to be-
lieve that the children of my friend were
his grandchildren. 1 did so because I
felt more interest ,iu Agatha's children
than in those of her step-sister, Grace.
When Leigh Chessom returned to Eng-
land he mistook me for the dead Agatha,
because my appearance was similar to
liers. We were both dark, and many
thought that we resembled each other
remai'kably.'*

There were but few words more.
Leigh finished the skillfully concocted
false confession, and stared at the sick
woman in utter astonishment.

"Agatha, I should be doing wrongly to
allow this. Kemember, you are writing
these falsehoods upon what you yourself,
as well as the rest of us, believe to be
your death bed."

She raised herself to a sitting posture
and gasped pantingly :

" Yon will not conti'adict my confes-
sion— -ycu win keep all secret that you
know ? Oh ! Leigh Chessom, for the love
of heaven, do not be so cruel as to do
otherwise!"

She was so white— so agonized that
Leigh— shocked, and pitying her, acced-
ed to her passionate entreaty.

"Thank heaven!*' she sighed, "the
world shall believe tlieir mother long
ago dead, instead of the miserable crea-
ture she is still living to be; and they
shall be wealthy, and spared disgrace.
1 think I can meet death calmly now."

A minister was summoned, and Leigh
Chessom shuddered as he beheld Mrs.
Willoughby calmly sign, in the presence
of the clerical gentleman, her name to
the truthless fabrication \\hlch was her
dying confe?sion.

It was the last act of her life. She ex-
pired ere the clergyman left the cottage.

After her funeral the paper with her
confession written upon it was, accord-
ing to Mrs. Wllloughby's earnest request

rtad in the hearing of her children, who
of course were led by It to believe that
ste was not their parent.

Jarvls was shocked — grieved, for his
mother with all her faults and follies,
was still dear to him. Glencora ex-
hibited neither heart or feeling. She
was amazed, and selfishly glad that the
"hideous disgrace," as she termed it, was
to be averted.

"For mercy's sake ! Then mamma was
a somebody or other whom we know
nothing about, Instead of being really
our own mother. And if she had have
lived, why, I suppose we should have
been forced to hnve borne her disgrace
with her. What a blessing poor mamma
— of course its natural to call her thus —
but what a blessing that she did not die.
as su'ldenly as we feared she was abjnt
to, ere she had time to write down all
those horrid, dreadful tnlugs In black
and white," and Glencora v,'iuced at the
Idea.

"Glencora, for heaven's sake! let us
hear no more such horribly selfish and
unfeeling remarks. They are shocking
—even disgusting to your listeners, and
derogatory to yourself— Jarvls told her
sternly.

"Selfish! indeed, as if it was not the
most s'ilfish thing in the world for poor
mamma to hide all those things after
afi"airs turned so embaresslngly, making
you and I as deep in the marsh as herself."

Leigh Chessom touched her arm now,
and spoke sternly.

"Pe^ice ! you are the most utterly heart-
less creature In existence ; and you chat-
ter of what you know nothing," he said.
An Insolent stare was the young lady's
reply, as she turned from hlin.

Mrs. Willoughby was (luietly buried In
the little gray town of Cwmdaron ; and
Leigh Chessom went back to 'rwlcken-
ham, and Jarvls and Glencora went also.

"I have no right to allow myself to be
a burden upon you," Jarvls told Leigh
Chessom aud his son. "lam a miserable,
utterly useless creature, a blludmole;
and after the mean act which 1 allowed
myself to be guilty of, I have no right
—and feel It to be cowardly to accept
your care and kindness. My fate is bet-
ter than I deserve. If I am to be blind
the rest of my days, my deceased uncle's
pronerty will save me from being a de-
pendant pauper also. I shall own a fine
place in Kent ; and I can go there and
live, and if It Is very lonely some tiroes I
ought not to wish for anything bettel"."

rilK RAS'KER's (ni.WDCUJLDU US

\r.

^'My cl«*ar boy," Leiuh said, "do not let
us speak or think of the pjisl now. You
liav« atotwd hy fi.lly coiiTessing:, tiie
while you w«'re nt^aily ctTlaiu thiit, for
the mria wlioui you supposed to b« your
trrandfather, to know you guilty of {jam -
hiinis: with ontf of London 8 wildest yoonj;
scapesrsces, wonld be almost certain to
rettultiD c««ll'ina down on you his Ueepefit
anger."

Ernest broke in pleasantly,

'•Yes, Jarv, let us think no more about
disagreeable things, or of shutting your-
self up to perish of vlullness in that groat
rambling old house of yours aw.iy in
Kent; and don't descant upciu our mag-
naniraity, but come back to Maplewood,
and let us all be happy," he said, cheer-
fully.

Jarvis suppressed a dreary little sigh.
To the knowledge of the world, there
was no dishonour atuached lo his nanu*;
and, if he was not the jich banker's
grandson, he believed now thai tue
wonnan who had usurped another's place,
for the greed of wealth ^vas nut, as he at
first— as well as others -believed his
mother.

But a sweet girlish face was ever ris-
ing before his sightless eyes; and Birdie
Wylde's sweet voice was ever sounding
in his ears. If he was not a penniless
outcast, he thought bitterly, he was blind
— a mere helpless niole. It would be
inadoess for him to dream of loving Lady
Bozenthars bright, beautiful daughter,
henceforth.

It was nightfall, after a somewhat
tedious journey, when our party reached
Mapiewood.

Mr. Chessom met them with seme
surprise; and (ilencora, as she was pass-
ing up the stair case paused to exclaim :

"I don't wonder that you look aston-
ished, to behold ms here again, my dear
Mr.Chessom — she could not to say grand
papa — but the most astonishing things
have happened. It will take a whole
week, I'm sure, for your son to explain
all that occured in just one day. Come
Artimese. Gracious I how dreadfully
.laded I feel," and the young lady went
on to her dressing room.

" My poor boy. ^how sorry I am for
this misfortune which has befallen you," ^
Mr. Chessom sa d, clasping Jarvis Wil- '
loughby warmly by the hand.

"And so you are as generously for- ;
giving as your grandson, Mr, Chessom
It is more— much more — than 1 deserve '
or hoped for," Jarvis said humbly. '

"Not a word, my buy, not a wor»l i-^i
tlmt," the banker exclaimed, pressing
the young man's hand again ; "but I seo
you're looking weary, ;iinl I^iiest is wall-
lug to go '.vith \u\\ to your (>lit room.
There, take him along, Krnest."

He turned then to ki.ts his grand
ciauglitdr. and shake lii- son's hand.

"An<l what of Mi>. WiliouirbbyV—
where is she ?" he liiquirwl. as Krnesl
and Jarvis disappeareii.

"I have many ihjjigs to tell you wliitli.
as Glencora remarktd. -vill take somi-
time to relate." .-•ai 1 Leiyh: " let us g"
to the library."

"But not until yon are rested and havf
had some relVe.slnneut, Leigh," the ohi
gentleman said.

"I am not tired nor as famished as Miss
Willoughby has been declaring hersel!
during the last two hours of our journey :
and my tnind is strugg'ing under so pro-
digious a load that I am anxious to re-
lieve it at once,' said Leigh.

They went to the library accotdingly:
and Leigh Chessom informed his father
of Agatha Willoughby's death, and th»'
singular circumstances therewith con-
nected.

The banker's astoulshmeut and per-
plex'ty may Ije more easily imagined than
described.

"Am I really to understand that Mrs.
Willoughby's children have been deceiv-
ed into believing that she is not their
mother?" he asked, half in bewilderment.

"Really and Irnly. dear father," Leigh
told him. "It is a painfully complicated
affair."

He drew a document from his pock( '
book.

"Here is the confession which, with
her dying 'reath, Mrs. Willoughby
affirmed to be a true one; and her lai^r
act was to sign lo it a jflctitious name
which she positively asserted to be her
real name."

" Aed in her last moments then, Mrs.
Willougtiby deliberately perjured herself
Leigh, ough* you have permitted it ?"

"I did so sorely against my will,'"
Leigh answered. "At first, like your-
self, I was horritied ; but her wild, appeal-
ing look, In her passionate entreaty, forced
me to accede, partly from pity, and main-
ly from fear lest, if I refused, a sudden
and violent death might be the result.
But I now sincerely regret my weak-
ness."

Mabel— for she was stil! called so, old
Mr. Chessom dechu'! "j that he should

«.'

106

THE BANKER'S GRANDCHILDREN.

never' be able to remember his grand
■ lilklren otherwise than as Ernest and
Mabel, and deprecatinjj; a second trans-
fer of tlieir nan>es — nsiiched her apart-
ment, removed her travelling apparel,
and brushing out her golden hair, and
'lonninga soft half sombre dress of mauve
r-ashmere, at down to await the tray of
refreshments which she had ordered a
servant to fetch.

How like a dream those jast few weeks
had passe J. What changes! why, it
was like a fairy tale.

"Dertrafii, dear Bertram," breathed
ti»e rosy lips. '• lie .shall know ;ill sDon,
very soon. Dear, foolish fellow. How
immoderateiy papa laughed wlien he
leu rued that he n»i.-*took that liille scene
iu the conservatory for one of love-mak-
ing, and was terribly j<-alous in eonse-
queuce. But oh!"— 'uul May'.s «he«ks
j)aled at tlie thouiiht— '• wiuit if in his
angty ilisappninime.ut h<! had left Eng-
land forcer, or if not already gone, might
depart ere he lerirned tlie truth ? Oh!
he must know, very very soon.'"

Eladali appeared, benring a tray of
toast, delicate s[)()nge cake, jelly and a
dainty cup of Mocha.

"If you pijase, Miss May," said the
maid, placing the tray and lifting the
D'oyley therefrom," there's a gentleman
iu the blue drawing room who begs to
see you wlien you are quite lested enougl.
lo come down.'

" Very well, Adah, I am not very much
fatiiiued. 'It'll the gentleman that 1 will
>ee him in less than an hour," M.ibel told
the maid; antl vviihin that lime she de-
scended to meet Hit gentleman whoever
he might be.

The blue draw lug-room was not bril-
liantly lighted; only one or two jets
glimmered from a half-lit gassalier.

Mabel's sylph-like figure lloated in.

••Mill). -I, dearest ? ' and she was in the
iirms of the gtnileman v\ho had r< (juesled
to see iM'r. and receiving the kisses of
her betrothed, Bertram Waldegrave, lor
he it was.

"Bertram I and here ^o soon ; how did
you tlud out ai>out papa being my father
instead o! a lovei '/" she ii. quired with a
leasing little laugh.

"I will tell you all, darling, only say
tlrst that you quite forgive niy churlish
iluubts of you, and pardon my stupid
jealousy. '\\ ill you, dearest ? lleniem-
her, the strong should be merciful."'

• V»;»''— with an arch luilc .^ulllc—

"only you must promise to never donbt
me again."

'•Doubt yon again?— never dear. 1
was an idiot to ever do so at all; but,
henceforth, the whoie world's evidencs
could not make me again cherish doubl-
of you, my precious Mabel."

Of course, that was not a tithe of the
nonsens — such as lovers delight in —
tha*. they talked ere Bertram proceeded
to relate to hh affianced why and
wherefore he had so soon returned to
Twickenham.

We will explain to the reader in our
own way, without any of the lover-like
ejaculations with which Mabel's be-
trothed interjected his recital.

Bertram was driven into the smoke
and fog of great "London town'' in a
frame of mind that batttes description.

For two or three days he wandered aim-
lessly about the city, aLtending the opera,
the theatre, and fashionable club rooms,
in the fruitless hope of llniling some-
thing eidivening.

Then, worn out. mentally, 11 not physi-
cally, he fell ill. A friend was dispatched
to Twickenham, and Mr. Chessom im-
mediately started for the city. When
his great uncle reached him Bertram was
feverish and somewhat delirious; and
from his sometimes stormy ravings the
banker discovered loa certainty what he
[ before was tolerably sure was the canst?
of his sudden departure! from Twicken-
I ham. A few days of judicious medical
i attendance and careful nursing brought
'him safely over the crisis ot his illness;
j and he was ere long able to listen to his
uncle's reciial of the startling thingv
which transpired on the day of his (Ber-
tram's) leave of Maplewood.

The young man'.s convalesence was
noi tardy ufier that, in a short, time he
was strong enough to be carried hack to
Twickenham, where he remained until
the return of our party from Wales,
Mr. (/Iiess jin saying nothing iu his let-
ters to hi.'t son, while in Cwmdaron, of
Bertram's having come back, as he wish-
ed for a pleasant surprise to be given hi.s
grand-daughter.

Lady St. Avvas was more chagrined
than she would have can-d tu admi::
when she was made aware of ad that,
took place iu the aU'airs of the rich bank-
er afier she left Maplewood. Indeed,
the news reachini; her soon after learn-
ing, >vith bitter disappointment, ih.tt her
eccentric orother, Col. Fairlei^jh, had
bequeathed lo Harvev Fairleigh— instead

THE BANKER'S fiBANDCHILDREN.

107

i;e was

lliiue he
|\)ack to
\\ uiitiJ
Wales,
his let-
iron, ot
le wish-
lv«ia his

|a{;rine<i
ailmi'

Ih bunk-
llndeed,
I earn -
|h It her
111, haa
liiistca I

of to Lady Wiifnifred St. Ayvas, to
whom he only willed a handsome legacy
—the bulk of his large fortune, her lady-
ship grew quite hysterical. She was
decidedly upset, and very much out of
humor for som« time after.

"Such a horrible deception that woman
has practised all these years! Is it not
preposterous, luy dear ?" she exclaimed,
addressing Lady VVinnifred. and »peak
ing of the deceased woman whom, so
very short a time previous she hud been
wont to address "dearest Mrs. Ciiessom"
and "my dear friend." " An unheard
of tiling, really; and the most wicked
part of it ail was giving to her friend's
child.en the birthright of okl Mr. Ches-
som's grandchildren. What a bless-
ing that Jiiivis and Glencora have
iiad a fortune bi(|ueallied them. It
Would have been a dreadful shock
to have fallen from so magniflcent
a position to real poverty, especially now
that Jarvisis bliiul ; but, of course, their
Ibrlune is trifling compared with what
will fall to Leigh (.'nessom's cliildren
fnnn their grandfather, not to mention
the immense wealth which their lather
possesses. It v.-, Uie most startling afluir I
ever heard of. Dear ine,l wonder will that
woman ever be able to rest in her grave
after all the dreadful thiniis she has been
guilty of ? Oi course, slie would never
in the world hive repented and confess-
ed; anil had she not been forced to ac-
knowledge, w hy, of course, the reai heirs
would always hare been deprived of
their rights."

Her daughter answered calmly :
"I im glad that the real heirs are no
longer deprived t)f their rights. 1
fancy," she added, with a touch of satiri
cal contempt, such as she rarely evinced,
"that this sudden change in tin; order of
things will occasion a vvouderlul revolu-
tion in the feelings ajd sympathies of
Mr. Chessoin's friends. One can picture
It all without difficulty— the ho.-,ls of
smiles, and bows, and painfully pressing
invitations. Sweet little Mabel,— the
looked-down upon dependent— will be a
reigning belli , the recipient of number-
less otters from numberless swains, who
will eagerly fling the titles which they
are unable to keep at her feet, be^eech-
ing for that pretty little hand of hers.
And her brother— oh, he will be speedily
metamorphosed from the penniless, dls-
hoMored clerk into the most eligible
match in Twickenham. Shall I
him nuw, mamma ?"

angle for

Her ladyship visibly wlDced, and ans-
wered dryly, with a heightening of color
beneath her rouge :

'•Angle ? Really, I should hope that
my daughter would never forget her dig-
nity .so far as to condescend to angle for
any man."

The lady glanced furtively at her
ilaughter.

"If he loves you as devotedly as he
professed a short lime since," she added,
"he will, no doubt, again sue for your
hand."

"And provided he does so, now that
he is rich enough to pay fo.- his bride, I
may accept him, 1 suppose," VVinnifred
asked (juietly.

"Now that his position is such as to
warrant his asking, if he chooses, for
your hand in marriage, I should not
withhold ray consent, were he to do so,"
hei mother calmly told her.

Winnifred picked up the embroidery
which she had let fall in her lap, with a
feeling, inspireil by her mamma's words,
that was akin to angry disgust. It was
so much in the language of slang— like
hau<ling her over to the highest bidder.

"The joung man has also been fully
exonerated from the charge of taking
that paltry sum of money — six hundred
pounds, wasn't it ? — by his father's un-
deniably proving that the identical bank
notes which were missing were paid by
somebody, whose name is not meutiuiei,
to a fast young scion of a broken-down
family— I am so stupid as to forget the
name — for the cancelling of a gambling
debt in Loudon, on a certain day upon
whicli it was known throughout the
whole banking house that Ernest Ches-
som was on a business tr^p here to
Islington. Very absurd ol old Mr. Ches-
som to suspect him at all. I very much
wonder that he did not — as 1 am inclined
to do suspect Jarvis of abstracting the
amount from the flrst."

"But why do you suspect Jarvis?"
(lueried Winnifred

•*I don't think there could have been
anyone else to take the money, is my
reason for suspecting him, though 1
would not, for worlds, mention my sus-
picions abroad ; besides, would it not be
much easier to suspect Jarvis, who is
—or rather was • wild, and drank, and, I
have undtrstood, sometimes gambled
heavily, than Ernest, who is so steady
and honorable."

"But mamma, I thought that thl^
young man, wko has passed for so long

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108

77//; iuxkj:u\< ah'AXDcniLimES.

as Mr. Chessora's grandson, stood high i but there is ono whose^oft touch soein-
In your estimation. You have many | the most cooliui; to his feverish for. -
times told me that you coahl not wish head, whose pressun;. more ihau all
anything more advantageous for me than others, is soothing to him.
an alliance with him. You nevt-r before! She is bon«11n<: beside him now, in tin
mentioned to me that he was fast or i shadowy siciv chamber : aud she listoiM
gambled, or that he was not honourable . ; wliile Jarvis mu'ters :
but always the contrary," Winnifred told | "Birdie I my ^weet little Birdie! win'
her mother, with a steady glance that' will you have urown to he like in those
annoyed and somewhat disconcerted her') three years, I wonder. Ah I I shall never
ladyship. j know. lam a misenible, l)lind wretch.

'•How oddly you put things Winnie,"' ' Oh ! Birdie I Birdie ! you will never know
she said, with a languidly surprised : —for I dare not ever tell you — how dear-
glance in return. "Of course there are : ly— how madly I love you— have lovei!
very few young men who are not a little you, all these weary years."
wild at Jarvis" age. Ernest is a refresh- : ^j^^. j^^^jy ^^..^^,^ \^.^,^ ^^ ^^^^ beautinil
ing exception rarelv to be met with, listener grow wondorfullv soft and pitiful :
But my dear.- she added, somewhat u^e warmth of a soft blush mantles the
abruptly, "I am thinking of living in 'sweet, singular face with its rich tini-
Twlckenham. There Is a charming villa ■ i„g of cream and carnation. She touches
-Sir Charles Parkinson's. His wife x»\^^^^ forehead with her cool, soft hand.
in a decline, and the baronet js going |.^n(, ^g }s aoothed, as if the touch wen-
abroad with her. It is but a s.iort dls- 1 mesmeric.

tance from Maplewood, and you and i _ ,., ,u^f**i
Mabel will be able to visit each other as ., *^or days therj i. bu faintest hope
often as vou Dlease •• i ^^'*-'" •''^ recovers— slowly, slowly; but

And so Lady St.' Ayvas removed to ( he recovers, and learns that Birdie is bo-
»i^ir««h«m anH ««ftip,i in t.h^ ^v,,,^,,,. | Side him-lias been, duHug all lus illne>s.

And one day, when the passionate im-
pulse, that is stronger than himself.

prompts him, he bursts forth, telilnjjher
all his mad, mad love of her,— all that he
has striven hard to conceal ; and lovely
Bertie Wylde becomes his betrothed wife
and will not listen to his self reproachef*
for being selHsh enough to wish her to

Twickenham, and settled in the charm- \
ing villa near Maplewood ; and by her
ladyship's unqualified consent Ernest
and Winnifred were re inited ; and, when
summer breezes were fanning the frag-
rance of rose and lily and acacia over
the gardens at Maplewood, there was a
double wedding at Maplewood house.

Lady Winnifred and Mabel being the , . .i . . i r *» i . ,,

lovely young brldes-and 'twere iraposi-.'^^^o^f'^^ 'jj'^e of one so utterly use-

ble to decide which of the twain vvere Z^'^**^'' °''"*'*^'^'

the loveliest— and Ernest Chessom and Months after they are married at St.
Bertram Waldegrave the bridegrooms. ! George's, and on their wedding tour visit
Harvey Fairleigh officiated as best man j Paris, where an eraminent French nhysi
for Ernest, and not long after was him- j cian is operatinir on .Jarvis' eyes with de-
self wedded to pretty Rosie Castlemaiu, \ cidedly beneficial results, for he is slowly.
who W8S Mabel's bridesmaid. but surely recovering his eyesight.

Old Mr. Chessom gave way both j Glencora is wedded to a savage-teiii
brides, I pered French Count, with whom sluf

Bertram took his young wife to the ! quarrels almost iucessantly.
home of his parents, after their wedding I Mr. Kiraraelton has. happily married h
tour. His father and mother are de- j pretty little heiress, whose settlement-
lighted with her. ! are large enough to quite satisfy hi-

Ernest and Winnifred are happily set- i family,
tied at Maplewood. The banker's grandchildren are th(

* * * « * * happy parents of two little prattlers re-

Three years have passed since we last spectlvely, of which Leigh Chessom and
made ncord, and Jarvis Willoughby is his father are the delighted grandfather
ill— it is feared near dying. There are and great-grandfather,
gentle nurses about hiin, more than one ; tiik tNt)-

r^.v,/:

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