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None Genuliiv uiiIcnn Hu« letters II. & T. W. arc ■taiiiped on Eiioh Drop. Three Wedding Rings. BY MBS. ANNIE GREGG SAYIGNY, AUTHOR OF "a HEART SONG OF TO-DAY," "a ROMANCE OF TORONTO," ETC. " The sacred love o' weel-placed love, Luxuriantly indulge it, But never ' :nipt th' illicit rove. Though naething should divulge it." " Endurance is the crowning quality. And patience all the passion of great hearts." — Lowell, ROSE PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1892. 1 sand eight hundred and ninety-two. by the RobK 1 ublishinc at the Department of Agriculture. PREFATORY NOTE. * > ♦ < * ir one thou- ; Company, tOUNT TOLSTOI declares tliat the majority ot people read novels only for the story, caring not a jot for the moral. [At this I see the critic ejiobi'ow uplift, f(jr he, the critic, sees nothing of the mci-al in Tolstoi, while I maintain that a man with so good a wife as the Russian novelist's has a some- thing of the moral about him, at all events.] Be this as it may, in my experience among my small family of books I have met individuals who have asked me for the moral, and so to their ears I would say : Let us train up our bright Canadian and American girls to walk iihme, ami not merely to find a jewelled prop, in home or foreign matrimonial marts, possibly to find it a broken reed in their own aimless hands. Let us mak»; them self-reliant, in the sure possession of some well developed talent, or in possession of a hand of skilled labor, so that when marriage comes to thevi it will be neither the "mirage" of Ouidti, nor yet the "failure" of Mona Caird, but a companionable union of the best of friends. Yours faithfully, THK AlJTilOH, CONTENTS. PKELUi... TO CHAPTER I. INTRODUCINO "A Very Gentle, Pekfkct Knkjut " of THE Ottawa Civil Service, . - - ■ CHAPTER I. And She Thouoht His Attentions were Fatherly, CHAPTER H. Through the Curtained Door She Came, CHAPTER Iir. At Veteran Lodoe, Sandy Hill, Ottawa, CHAPTER IV. A Razzle Dazzle Time, CHAPTER V. Brt8Y Knbelh at the Oaken Chair, CHAPTER VI. Beautiful County of Prinob Edward, CHAPTER VH. Trifling, Teasino, Truhtin(», Tryhtino, • CHAPTER VHI. A OOLDEN JULV MaIDKN, • - • • PAOK 9 13 19 27 35 4B 58 71 82 VI Contents. CHAPTER IX. The Old, Old Story, - - - • CHAPTER X. Right Down Dovey, Dovey, CHAPTER Xr. A BiKD of Ill-Omrn, . - - CHAPTER XII. The Master of Broadacres at Home, CHAPTER XIIF. Amid the Spires, a Gikl-Face, CHAPTER XIV. •♦ Thus Far shalt Thou Ho and no Farther," CHAPTER XV. From Hanlan Island to Broadacheh, CHAPTER XV I. •• Honor Withers, Locks Oi-en, Barriers Fall," CHAPTKR XVII. A Prelude to Matrimony, CHAPTEK XVIII. Nbll and Ki< e at the Matrimonial Altar, CHAPTER XIX. At Nei'Ean Point, Oitawa, CHAPTKR XX. A Salaam, a SyuEK/.K, a Oruhh, a Jam, aHalaam, page 92 104 lU 126 132 135 141 147 166 163 108 178 I PACK 92 104 lU 126 132 135 141 I Contents, vil CHAPTER XXI. MiNISTJSK OF FiNANCK, PkO TBM. , ■ CHAPTER XXII. The Gay Old Boy Looks After His Interbsth, - CHAPTER XXIII. Patrick Leary Bowled Out, CHAPTER XXIV. Hazel Lost in Trouble's Haze, CHAPTER XXV. Another Eden, Lake Hopatoono, New Jersey, U.S.A., 227 CHAPTER XXVI. When Gold Speaks, the World Listens, CHAPTER XXVII. Lenten Tears Break to Easter Smilbs, • page 191 195 210 21G 234 240 147 166 163 108 178 n' n THREE WEDDING RINGS. -» > * < ■*• r i>R ELUDE TO CHAPTER I. INTUOI)UCI\(i A VERY (IKNTLE, PEllFECT KNTGHT" OF THE OTTAWA CTVIL 8E11VICE. T??()Ull o'clock oil a <,'ol(l('H summer day the arbor in tho pine f,'i-ovo on the wooded lawn at. Vc^teran LodjL^e, Sandyliill, Ottawa, i.s an invitingly cool ictreat, and a r(«di/(>d dream of the loved son of the house, tiiat handsome youiif,' athlete, noble, manly lioderick (Jray. The arbor is i-eaehed by stairs, some thirty steps, tlu^ i-ustic HtructuH! bein^' sup])orted on the trunks of some four or five pine trees, which posts are concealt>d by the rich j,'re(m foliage and purple blossoms of the clematis, iritertwhied with th(5 rainlM>w-hued glory of the m(»rning, gone to sleep in the drowsy hmi of the afteiiior.n sun ; a fragrant bed of helioti-oi)e coin- pletcily HIIh the spacer between the Jiosts, and mingles its per fume witW %he sweet Hcent of the pines. Lazily ascending the stairs, and peeping into the arbor, a poi'Ui ill repose grej'ts tht> eye. Built as it is up amid the pine bfiughs, the only waking lif« one nees are diamond l)ars (»f sun- liglit dancing t'hriUJgh the latti.-ed walls, alive witli glcMiming d at intervals by sleepy move- ments of great arms of the pines surrounding tho arbor. The 10 Prelude. strinss <.f an autoharp lyinp at his feet, while his idmost constant companion, his daughter, Mary (Junn, sits still us a statue, in a half dreamy state, her head thrown sleep- ily backward anions thesnft, billowy cushions of the settee. Oi active, hii;h strung temperament and habits, no adipose tissue shows'in b'r tall, lithe form ; of excitabU', fervid imagination, .slie is a compound of ]>lfasing vari<"ty, and withal of a tender, lov- ing natiiri'. with the lirm conviction thiit the world holred as the red is bronzed in the moving bars of sunlight To the dark of her eyes, as sI.M'pily she lifts the lids to look tenderly at her un- eonseious father, the sunlight l.layfudy lends a yellow gleam. 11..1-COU iuuslin gown is of pale neutral tint, patterned in sprays of purple heather ; on her lap and about the rug at her Prelude. 11 lusic vibrate [' 1)y Atliol"; ire ill repose. iislec^}) tliat r of Veteran (1('])ai'tineiit, r a hero of owin;^ ill tlie :e ; a look of 3f tlie ruliiij,' >f war as also ' antieipation iixl so it has, e the glow of he tfloaiiii.ig. ml blaekiiess k, or become like her disad lice Hash now lis face, short u.scular hands ■!, a haiulsonie eel, while his vy (Juiin, sits thrown sleep- thesettiie. (Jf adipose tissue lajfination, she a t(Mider, lov- rld holds none ither, and boy \y.l^\'^ showing darknt^ss, with as the red is 10 dark of her ■rly at her iin- yellow gleam. , patterncnl in the rug at her daintily slippered fe(!t are several new journals which sin had been reading to her father ere Ik; slept. A restless movement coming to her supple fingers causes the pajiers to lustle, rousing her dreamy consciousness, but she pnssses her flexible lips to- •'ether to repress in this temple of Somnus her quicke'iied pulsations of delight on the home-bound steps of her brother Roderick ; but her father is awake, and, soldier-like, upright on his feet. His tall form again momentarily stoops to pick up the newspapers, as he says in cultured tones, witli a scarce perceptible Scotch accent, and with old-time politeness : " Pardon me, my (hiughter,;for sleeping in your presence, but," he adds smiling, "the whiff o' Canadiiin heather fi'om heliotrope and pines, with your soothing tones, and the; trickle of the water spray amid the trees, have been a healthful opiate. I feel young again after my nap, and can greet my boy with fitting vigor." " That you will, father, and our dear Roderick will be so glad to find us in our highlands to welcome him, iuid as I sec* Donald McL(!an in the distjiiice — we dine him this excning, you remember — you will have; his company whihi 1 take a run on my wheel over to Metcalf-street. 1 long for anotli<;r chat with Hazel, ere she leaves the city for her summer outing ;an(l Nell Carew will be only on view for this evening ; she must be a little beauty, if the miniatures Ha/el lent us does not flatter her. I shall be only able to have one glimpse hi her, and then my wheel will bring me here (piicker than llodei i. k can come from the depcjt, .so I shall bt; back in tiiiu; to wtslcomo him and change my gown for dinner. lUit, oh ! ffow de- liciously, delightfully I'omantic those two, our lltideriek and witching Nell Carew will be on the train all the way from To- ronto together! " "You forget, daughter that the win.some lassie is ihvflfnicec of a Toronto banker ; but away, the sooner you depart, the sooiKM- you will be with your old fatlusr again, and Donald and I will (I rive to the depot and meet Roderick." "Happy thought! and one 1 was going to suggest, but, father, before I leave you, \r\\ me, dear, have you been able to influenct^ tlu! head of Mr. Leary's department, in the still re- taining his services, notwithstanding his deplorable habits?" nr- 12 Prelude. -Yes Mary, just as T was leaving the West block, I met DeVesey Leary's chief, you know, and we walked fron. the _!_ Buildings^ogethe;; He consents for Hazel's sake whon, ;;;r^tt!vwa loves and reveres, to give him another years trxal, Ti.^ ,>..„«« of the 'service are somewhat hke .in rutl^orrboofl' ifellmtLs'^f each the full glare of the ^l^l^ry":: is turned, wlnlc with a dark lantern the many ' very -entle, perfect knights ' are blotted out. very „ent , i & .rentleness ever curbs my " Spoken like my latnei , y""' ^^ , ,, . ^ i.1,.,4 i„„lv impetuosity ; nevertlu-less, I hope I shall not meet that bo.ly ™-io^^^^^ "'^^-^^ ^'^"'^ Monsieur Beau vais- ;lZSIreet !" ami kissing him on the brow, she descends the steps from the arbor. I V lock, I met id from the sake, whom year's trial, :1s are clasp- n-e 'a very as you, my ihe 'service' nding an ear v^hat like an glare of the t-n the many iv curbs my et that hody [• Beauvais — she descends \ CHAPTER I. ANT) SUK THOlUillT HIS ATTENTIONS WKliK KATIIKHLY ! A parrot laughs ! A woman siglis ! ELL CAllEW ! Nell Carew, behave thyself ! " said a sweet-faced woman, seated in a low rocker in the })rettiest drawing-room in all Ottawa. "Hazel Leary, T cannot!" "I believe you, foi' you seem possessed." , ** You've hit the mark now, Hazel," says the little blonde beauty, half witch, half fairy, "and so has this child,'' as a scream of laughter from a i)arr<»t, per(;hed on the dainty tot; of (,li(^ lattt r, salutes a shower of poppy leaves, thi'own by her small, tirm hand. "Yes, I am possessed," she ectntinues, dar ingly, as she dances Poll u}> and down on her foot. " 1 am possessed of a love for purple and tine linen, and to far*^ sum}>- tuously every day, and not oidy when my Jitfticee, Hamlet Rice, dines at Uroadaci-es, North Toronto, so thei-e is my an- swer t.o the ([uestion in those large cat-green orbs (;f yours, as to why I have sold my blonde person to the highest bidder in the mart matrimonial, ' and with a dive at a Maltese cat in sleei»y cctntcnl on a divan, in a trice it is whisked by the tail over her sliouldei', t(» descend on tlu^ fawn-colored c(»at of an Irisii setter, when with indignant bacit and (juivering tail, it lied. "Ft is lutirible ! " said IFazel L(>ary, looking from her babe in her pi-etty arms. " If it refers to the demoralized condition of the cat's tail as it lied, I am at one with you, but if to my love of faring sumptuously (iveiy day, then am T fii htnri', aiul by those li(»t- house grapes in the somewhat fat paw of your dear old Heau- vais, as bt^hold him saunte to the do(»r, jimcI which I feel by an inward craving— as I aiways ilo forfoi-; ..iden fruit — are for your own rutlier piissab'le mouth, but which I sliajl wheedle him out of, Hy all this and more, I shall say you ar.* e,xces- ^ His Attentions were Fatherly. 14 sively mean, for us T have ^vritton you, uncle refused to give me any niore clear dirty dollar Inl s ifl saul "o to H.R. I .ue h.,dtos-iv ves to this game of barter, for I cant, witli a stlp oUhe^retty tV>otr''T can't live .ithouta morethan oc- cSa .wn, built by Felix or lledfern fajicies iron. Tiffany " Ems, ^and palate ticklers from Webb, and now for your ^X' tiiy'^mU^s indulgently at the wild spiri^ of our pretty Nell, tVom whom until a few hours ago she has been ? pu-Ited b'v long lengths of milesand long lengths of months. Here Monsieur IV'auvais, a civil servant from the — - Buildings, enters, ,/,/.>.... and -^-'"-"^^„«^"^' .^^"^'^ a"Z servant evidently deendng it u.mecessary, for t^'"" f ^ f ^ Jj as the friend of her n>aster, Mr. Leary, comes -^^ K' « f J^^ lu.urs. A rather handsome man is M. Beauvais, th< ugh sd H lulgence is don.inant in the heavy un.ler jaw =;nd large full ps 'clean shaven, save for well-trimmed side-whiskers , well- v^^ed well oared for ; portly, but well-preserved ; close- corn d grey hair ; sixty,'but looking tifty ; of the Du Maurier Wp3 f..^l u-}.nnt has been fo^.tl;ose o extravagant tastes, who had not f.mght shy of plunging then Unvellecr lingers into the depths uf his fat purse which he had , ' eldom been lucky enough to recoup from tlu, husband at tie . n.in.Mable. His latest passion is for the pretty mistress !i tl^swe^^;!cented Horal .Irawing-.'oom on Metcalf-street into which he has just now smilingly entered He had .mne on this afternoon to the depot, aware that Mis. Leary would be there to meet Nell Carew, of Toronto, but being 1 few n.inutes late, had only seen then, from the op.'U carriage ; , h in.^ through Suarks-street for hon.e, hence Nell's recognition .,f hinPas iH- had enter.'d the gate and come up the walk through tiie lawn t(» the hall door. . , Hut he stands bowing low before Mrs. Leary; a ripe (,.d lUechus, grapes in han.l, his lu-avy eyes resting upon the sweet .mturnedface and whiU. thr..at, showing between the high, „|„.M Medici collar <.f h.-r soft, pink gown, when he turns, ac- knowleduin- the intniduction to Miss Car 'W. ... ,,„,,..^ After a gallant bow to Nell, taking o. ner gnhsh shmnt.s und Murray-built gown of ilnest white <.mbroul,.ry, he seats 1 His Attentions ^vere Fatherly. 15 sed to give i.R. I have I't," with a lOre than oc- rom Tiffany )w for your )irits of our ihe has been IS of months. ni tlie 1 neat maid gay old boy, I goes at all tliough self- nd hirge full liskers ; well- >rved ; close- i Du Maurier upon pretty I for those of lunging their vvliich he had ) husband at retty mistress alf-sti-eet into fare that Mrs. nto, but being open carriage ll's recognition walk through ry ; a ripc^ t-id i])on the sweet vccii the high, n he turns, ac- rirlisli sHnmess idery, h(! seats 4 himself near his pi'etty hostess, playing with the clinging baby tuigers, when, rising to put the gi-apes in a dish, Nell, with a mischievous glance, breaks in with : " For my parrot, I know ; see how she is eyeing you. She just ioves grajK^s, and will tly at you, spoilin,:L your pretty whiskers, iff don't feed hei- ^juickly," lAxd, taking the fruit, seemingly uucoiiscums of his amused glances, poui'ing them into a Crown Derby bowl, she proceeds to feed herself — and the bird. Beauvais laughed softly. "There, I knew you would he pleased; you ai'e m gener- ous. As we passed you on .Sparks street as wo drove 1 tome from the depot, IVIi's. Leary endeavored to make me believe you are all the virtues rolled in n l)ang, somewhat rebellious aftei' the long journey from Toronto. "Bother my travelled bang," she says, impatiently. "i am glad Mrs. Li'ary has been trying to make you think well of me," he says, in his deep, unctuous, not unpleasing tones, and with the interest one usually takes in — self, "and 1 hope you will come to believe that I am not such a bad fel- low after all." " Yes, I dai'esay you are only half bad," she replies slowly, and, ;i,s if reading him, " that half you get from your progen- itor, Adan), who was right down bad." " How about Mother Eve T' he says, laughingly. "Most mortals pitch into her ; she was two huiulred feet in height, so a French scientist and the wandering Arab have it, and in that case has back enough to shouldei' all the mud you throw.'" " 1 shan't throw any, juior dear, and 1 don't bclievt; that Aral) with the wandering mind. Milton, too, was blind, in- deed, not to se(! that she wasn't a bit t(^ blame for plucking that old appl(>. "W iiat with Satan, in the foim of a t,oad, s(|uat- ting at her ear by night just what one might expect from tenting -arid the old Adam bothering hei- all day, she had to oblige them, poor darling."' 16 Hi8 Attentions were Fatherly. "And then," said Beauvais, in amused jest, "the darling gave Adam the core, which has stuck in his ^hv^t ever since^ " " Served you men righ," she cries, whisking off to the piano, when under cover of snatches from the wa tz " Lotus Kateis, lie gay old boy thinking, "dash the litt e witch, she is too full of self, to be anything but in the way," endeavors to hold tlie attention of the sweet-faced woman so near lam as he tells her of her husl>and's day at the Buildings ■" Has he taken much to-day f she asks meaningly. " No • that is, not for him, let me see, he had a bottle ot a e at Boiler's, on his way to the department." [he ch.es not conhde that he himself had treated him,] "then he lunched at he Bussell, if you would only not worry, ' and his hand bi-us hes hers in on his, part an intentional caress, as she smo..tl.es baby's frock, while he goes on to say, " s.>me women would cive hiin his head." , . "Oh, Mr. Beauvais, but you surely (h.nt suggest anything so horrible to me I" , „ , i ^ ii„ "You know me too well for that," he says reproachfully. "True, how unkind ..f me, sucli a course of conduct on the part of a wife, would shock you, as much as it would myself, pray, forgive me," and her large grey eyes turn from baby s face to his own. . ^ , . For reply he presses hei' hand feverisfuy, -. '-lie, pur. sweet, and honest, thinks his attentions »rv --- rather iy ! Here . 1 want I,.., instrvct him in the car., of P..11, while we g.. suimnmmng ., ih- sandbanks. He will take good care ot her, wont he, ''''Yes," ansvers Hazel, doubtfully," but as ho is necessarily away from home so much, and not well at^times,T advise you to leave her in the careful hands of my housemaid, Ama- '""No ' no ' 1 shall leave her with Pat, she's such jolly com- pany. T wonder if T shall know Pat; just fancy /,m .sv.»r, 1 only met him rmce, wIkmi you became possessor of that eigh- teen curat tine hoop." '3 T* His Attentions iveve Fatherly. 17 jhe darling 3ver since.' ) the piano, us Eaters,'' , she is too ors to hold him as he jottle of ale 1 not confide ;hed at the uid bi'ushes e smoothes niien would st anything lachfully. iduct on the ould myself, frojii bai)y's ; '.he, pur . criy ! lissful sensa- o stool and oni(\ I want sunnnmering er, won't he, is necessarily mes, 1 advise eniaid, Ania- ch jolly com- y, md M'.nr, I of that eigh- '-' Yes, I remember deai-, and it does seem strange that you have not met Pat since, but we can truthfully father the blame of all that upon uncle Carew, whose dislike of me causes him to so unkindly keep us apart." " Yes. Hazel, it's uncle's fault, and he wouM not have allow- ed me to come to you now, but that I said yes, to H. !{., ;in(l she makes a moue of dislike. "Yes, uncle Carew, has a good deal of the old Adam within hhn. Hut what about Pat, has he been kept in to-day, Mr. Beauvais ? T dare say, tli le ai-e a good many naughty boys in the sei'vice, but the Mii is- ters, are, of course, above reproach, and 1 (lar(> say, aie this very minute leading sei'iuons to poor Pat." "<^)r, possit)ly," laughs Beauvais, "granting absolution !" " Fie ! Fie ! " says Hazel, snnliiig in spite of herself. Scai-cely had the laugh subsided when Mi-. Leary ent(>red. moving at (mce with rather a shuffling gait in Nell's direction, when, i)y slightly stooping— she is but five feet five- his thin, dissipated face brushes hers in a kiss, when involuntarily she passes hei- dainty pocket-handkerchief over her pretty mouth, as she looks at hhn curiously, fortius man with the complexion that pleases not, and breath that defies, is the husband of sweet Hazel, at whose shaky crmdition, Nell hears, rather than sees, hov 1 eave a sigh. "No you (hm't, my pi'etty sister," he drawled, laughingly; " T see you are up to hypnotising a fellow with thos( d;i,zzling oi'bs of yours," and the i)aiTot taking up the refrain (,f ids laughter, moving over to hei- cage, h(^ cries : "Hello ! you Poll parrot, hello!" "Hello!" shrieks the bird. "Well done ! poke her up, Nell, what can she say V "Oh, almost anything," replies Nell, again dancing the bird (m her fetching kid slipper ; "go on, Poll, tell us what you <-an say." "Oh, almost anything," it cried, as intell My and truthfully as many a christian. " Hear how she chuckles," laughs Hazel, which Nell, no doubt, is doing inwardly ; "T was told the other day by an Englishman that he had had a parrot which had sung divinely and with so accurate an ear that if by diance she made a mis- taken she would revert to the bar — though still on her perch — and correct herself." His Attentions were FatJtcrly. 18 " 8he was a l)lue ribbon parrot," says Noll, with latent mirth, "had it been a male bird it would have stayed at the bar and never have corrected itself." , ., x xi ,>H>auvais and the parrot lauKlw.duet wlule Leary, tl.row ng himself on to the cushions of the divan m front of ISeil, amJ, lio-htinL' a ciijarette, drawls : , t -i^ i i '^'' Ami so you al-e goin^ to give Haze and T a gdt-edgcd brother-in-law '.'" . . i- • i,. (..,. "Yes" she answers sh.wly, again eyeing Inn. cunouslv, toi Ha/el's husban.l, with the o.l.mr of Stirling's brewery strong up..n him, is a new revelation to luT ; '' yes Patnek, so 1 m 1,'ld and T have very tangible reasons for not doubting it. "Tangible, eh!" he says, teasingly ; " spoonn.g, eh! nou- you're caught, sp..ons are tangil.le when on the hps, you give yourself away, my pretty sister." ^ "How sinart we are," she says, saucily, " n.y spoons a e tan-ibhsb.-ing<.f g<.ld, which c..ntn.ls the mart-n.atn.n-.n.al, and she pelt,: anew the parrot with red leaves of the p.;l>im> on her bodice, her beautiful little face remaining cold and passionless. < . x 1 1 i . * IVauvais, leaning uvw baby, says m low t.mes to Ha/.el . "She does not love this man she is to marry, she hates his careHses: wait until she meets a lover, >'•■-'. V^' '";"• ^'"' will come to k.u.w that " un.l he breaks oil smldenly. With a vivid blush, Hazel henry replu's contuse.lly, un.lei cover of a ss, liop.- she may never kn..w the joy, ..r swH-t pan. ot 'some human heart liealing all in tune to her own.'" Through the Curtained Door She came. 19 jent mirth, it the 1)111' , tlirowiiif,' Nell, iiiul, gilt-edged •iously, for cry strong ick, so I'm )tiMg it." ;, ell ! now 4, you give s])ooiis iii'e itriiiioiiial," the i»opiti(>s ig cold und ■s to lla/.el : ic hates his <, tln'H. she iddeiily. ■icdly, uiiiler i-y with the s disti'ess me worlds, hut atui'e, ready til ite ill the lirealln' life llV one afler- 1' sweet fuee iness, I hope some huiiian And hut for Hazel's own pure soul, own smgleness of heart she would have felt the love of lieauvais in his nupassioned tones Any man, and many women, would have read it m his eyes; hut Leary's whole attention is ahsor )ee tor the hest, and so must you." • _ '< T am, T fear, thinking most of any uneasiness tliat may c.me to you in this marriage; you have more than enough to hear already, through him," with a side glance in the direction of her husliand. , , , , , . i i + "Yes, indeed ! poor Patrick," and a trouhled look comes to her "ley eyes. " What would I do, without you'- care for hmi, aiid"sympathy with myself; if my own dear father were alive, he could not he more helpful." ,.•,..• At this he winces, fatherly indeed 1 hut \w is vindictive, and will give her pain for pain. " I don't think I told you who your hushand lunelied to- day, at the 'Husseir with." , " No," she answers with nervous haste, may I know f "Certainly, it was witli---Miss l{(>lleville !" CHAPTKK ir. TIlUOlTdll TIIK CUHTAINKI) l»ooi{ SIM'. CAMK. '• Hor fa»'o in swcol and ihlioiiaif, You woultl not lall it dark, i>r fair ; ,SwtH!l face, dark vyvH, and h).;lil liiuwn Imir." i AZKI-, said Nell softly, from hehind the silken win- dow liangings; " Hazel ! a luight faced woman, gown- Vj/.~ ,.,| i„ „nvy hlue, and on a (ricycle, is slnying her whe«'l at your gate, and looking as uuconcenied as if shedidnt 20 * Through the Curtained Door She came. care a conti.uM.tal, th..uf,^b tw.. -entUMUcn in passiiig lift their hats as if it were a pleasure t.. ccol their heated brows ,n he, ''""Tt is Mrs. Ounn," said Heauvais rising, "and the man tliis side, with the f..x terriers at his heels is McLean ; what an i.lh.r that fellow lias become since befell on his feet <.n tb» Uuirk estate !" and watching his pretty hostess m a pecubar way as he speaks. She is mortified at fe.-bng an unnieamng vvanntbcmet.. her cheek, and is relieved eniia^^'inenl lur this evening, Mr. |,,.a,.y_tlM' last yuu will s f yuur wife and boy for a muntii — su'l am sure u'f nu upp«.siti, soft voices of her friend breaking in with--— " But Pat, I would so much like you to be with us all even- in.r Could you not put those meji off until, say, luncheon hour ,„orr..w, as you don't leave for Rettle Island until Saturday, and I want'y.u to see Nell and I home to-mght." " No, hang me if T can, Haze 1 They made m) end of a row lieeause I would not dine at the Clul) to-night. ' ^^ "Mens clubs are decidedly blocks in women sway, said Mrs (lunn, with a quiet smile, "but as for escort. Hazel dear T am in a position to pn.vide you with one who is mail jmM.t ii.^iinsttlirting-who forgot to oiler even his arm, much less his heart, to me th.^ last time T was his escort. 1 refer to our Scotch friend, Donald McLean, who had pn.imse.i himself a (Irli-hlful reunion with Kod<>rick; so we disappointed trio will be but poor company without y.air company to bridge time So Hay yes— and you, ti«), Mr. Heauvais, and lu.w for my wheel, which I can indulge in, as you are indulgent t.. this my new- est love, and as wt. are absolutely, T do believe, the only pi'ople left in town. Seven o'clock, you rememlier ; " and with a hur- ried kiss to baby, and a graceful courtesy taking in thi^ others, she hastens away to avoid me(>ting a lady who is entering, in her rather unconventi(.nal hasti' escaping a black frown on the brow of lieauvais, which had settl(>d there on the menti..n ot honald McLeiui. . , , ., , ■ -e "Mow do, again, Adele T' Leary said lazily, as his wite, .Mvin.r Miss lielleviUe her hand in passing and excusing her- self, had g.me with Mrs. (!unn to Mm> gale, followed by Nel Cuew who, with tlie fre(< masonry auK.ng women of a kind, desired to avoid an int.n.duction to a woman to whom her sister ha sw.x.t summer night stroll from Veteran LocKe, Handy Hill, on this the eve of her departure. Yes, he will let Learv iind eards alone for to-night. _ _ - You are g.un.pv yourself, P.eau. T see it in your murder- ous eve. Spoiled your tf-te-a-tcte, ehl" she says, meaningly, surveying her large, rather tine pers.m in a, p.er-glass, taking „|T her large black laee hat, with its garden ot yellow roses, arran.dng'her strawberry bang, when, wheeling around, slie fixes Leary with lier rather bold blue eyes, as she says, ''"-What brought tlie little Gunn liere to day, eh? To spy out the nak.-dnessof the land-see if T was here, and it here was anything rice and naughty going on, so that^she cmih re- port to the V,.t.Man at the Lodge, or any ot the iM.ur Hundred who may be simmering in town in the pot of a short income, and fanning themselves with the waves <,f discont.«nt that they aiv not as jolly ii« we are— eh, I'addy '? " -Yes Ihaf's about the si/e<.f it," he answeird, la/.ily juift- ing the snn.ke of his cigarette into the m.Hlitative tr-e ot th.' Maltese cat. . , .. . i - lUit not the whole, fair Adele," said Heauvais, changing hisseattoc.mmaml a view of the gate anvith yonder pie.r of prudery in navy bue before next season is oVer. I shall grace Vetetan L.k1k.> with my pres- ence, ehapenmed by Mrs. Loary. What say y..u to that, Paddy '!"' ne. Through the Curtained Door She came. 23 sliiill 1)0 her teraii Ldd.ifc, is, he will l(!t ^our nuivdiT- ., incjuiiii^'ly, -ifliiss, (iiking yellow r(>s(^s, arouml, she us she says, eh 1 To spy , and if tht^re , slie could re- 'our Hundred short income, ,eiit that they 'd, la/ily pulV- ive tV'C of \\\v vais, chanf,'inK »f th(^ shapely lair and lovely ^ave licaiy a II liis attentive t,o theii' wives -h sernioni/iny hill to dine at y in which she of your hiack iihues <»ne with very." of yellow and our serjienlnie •k you, I shall i,vy 1)1 ue heforo e with my \n'vs- y you to that, -,(^ H "That you 11 do it if you say so," he said, sleepily, "but I don't envy you, though. You'll meet some of tlu; biggest guns in the .service." "Not so fast, Leai'y," .said lli^auvais, "T bet ton to five AdeU^ will never woai- that feather in her cap, nor the Greys up their nose." Swift as was the; return of Ha/el she found her husband fast asleep on the di\an, his legs sti'etched out comfortably. A pretty Jtictui'o slu^ made coming in sofily, not to awaken him ; through the curtained doorway shc^ came, pink gowned in palest tint, the soft sunnner fabi'ic enveloping hei- slight, though pei'fect form in gi-actsful folds, the deep red of th<' i'os(^h on her bodice lending dusky shadows and witching lights to lier dark eyes. Making a point to be ever courteou.s to her husband's friends, no matter how antagonistic, nay, hateful their characters might be to her own pure and gentle nature, going to Miss rtelleville'.s side, who, with su{)pressed laughter, had been lis- ti'ning to l>eau\ais' recital of a .scene in one of the corridors of the i^'ast lUock, in which a mother had beaten onc^ of the clerks in th(^ seivice with Ikm" umbrella for breaking the tenth connnandment in uplifting the unholy eyes of covetousiu'ss towai'ds her pi'etty daughter, when, 1(» ! a transformation scenic in the matter of expre: sion in tin* face of the narrator on i\w advent of Mrs. Leary, !in angelic Hinile chasing the wickinl gleam from the heavy eyes of Meauvais, as the musical voice of Mrs. Leary broke in with, "I trust you will pardon my running away so uneeremoniov.Hly. Mis.s llelleville, nuiy T give you a cup of tea "Tliaidx V'li ; Amarinth has just made me one exactly to my liking; 1 am (piite ready fttr an this evening, and prior to our going she desired to give some instruction to the maid as to Poll's ])et dishes." "So this laucy, eliuckling bird is your sister's ; wci'e I a bride-elect 1 should nuike short work of the screaming creature, but' I am partial to a uuiet tete-a-icft'. Paddy tells iiio she iy 24 Through the Curtained Door She came. coing to get int.. the ring oi nuttrinu.ny vm-y soon. T sup- nose vvv uncertain affairs," she rephed, evasive y not .' Hi '^.. .liscuss her sister's personals with Miss Hellevim. ; " imt it her-s even a<.es come off, I an. not certain whether 1 '^'^Th;:'i^S-- h-^ncle was so strange she did notfed sui. lu/would Ihink it necessary she should go, having Nell with ^""^Ou!"ln-'''t.' leavc-r- cried Miss Belleville, sneeringly. Lant uian„t j^_^^^ ^j^^, l)(,part- ""'rV: ^d • .^t "^ ^f -t, y..u would feel freer to stay ;;;;;:::.;• n'rwul, you, and is ..r lu.n, l. wm bc^inon. A ...fort.l.l." in his old .luarters at the 'Russell, 1 sup- tZ o. l..'vl''.p' v.: k"..« .,.. is i"« there ..n y-uv leavu.g ,::»«! times. " My >-..k i» -'f ;' f;™»";,:'7 .t';": "l,.;;.:., us,, y..,,,. MU^-n.,-, y.- ,,r,„ni-ea .... stay w,tl, l,„n, and ";r;;;l;l:;^^;:;:;:;:';,rr;;::-ti,..l^Hsslvaic«l,o-i,y, an angry spot coming to her check Pardon me, Mr; Learv, Init the ' Kussell' was no bad the mentor m stqmu.ther to him previous to your playing ''''M''''w.Mhc hatred of the other in her hissing wonls. Until lla/.clh'.t th. '■^'" ; . ,,,.,,,,i,.,i lif,. Miss HcHeviUe had 'T\ \ in^ e effeet -'f her outburst of jealousy in ;:: r::.;.;; g^y- tmnbimg up, and pau. ch..ek, si. g:^n ;:^Uly assmn,Jl <-on,inuing, ^vjth |4.-;;; - ;;-^^ ,"s1m shM-d her tea, "joking apart Mis. Leaiy, (ion t y.ai ,i k it i onlv fair when a mans wife seekH pastures n.y, ;l;;;;\ ;..usband .nay, witlmi. as^ ^''•::i :;ir:;:r;eL.g'm;::nindivi..naip^^^^^^^^ .ummer Id. D-'. WH^ld says positively tl"d; «.,--' t.ke liaby away if 1 ^vish to 8eu the poor woe pet thnv.-, .he -aid, y soon. T sup- rs." plied, evasively, Miss P)elleville ; •tain whether I id not feel sure fiving Nell with 'ille, sneeringly. ave the Depart- eel fiver to stay lie will be more 'Russell,' I sup- on your leaving I had persuaded 4, hastily and in •e and Aniarinth \\v. I>eauvais, do ly with him, and Through the Curtained Door She came. 25 ((', lleville, hastily. icU ' was no bad iir the mentor in ;ing words. Until ss Belleville had ards Mrs. licary, rst of jealousy in 1 ])ale cheek, she arent earel(^sslless Leary, don't you t'ks pastures new, permission, regale jssell House V " lal pleasure in this f that I huist. take ; thrive," she -r^id, brokenly, adding with gentle dignity, "and with leferenct; t(» Mr. Leary, I am thinking only of his good, in my desire that he should keep house rather than take up his ol with the mercury at in"nety in the shade. Permit me to telephone for a .-arriage for yciu, Mrs. licary," he said, going towiirds the servants' liall, " S'ou must not walk to Sandy Hill in this heat." "Thank you, you are always thoughtful ; nsk them to cume ;ii once, as we shall drive slowly to give Nell an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the city, and with two seats, please, Mr. Beauvuis, as 1 shall not go without baby and his maid." ^ A good social imgineer when h(^ had a goal to reach, the gay uid boy war; now in his elcincht in numberless little allcniions Jt 26 Through the Curtained Door She cam. st,.K,d there her husband ho. ^; ^ -^ ^ ,^, .,„,,, ,nake hnn u„nly,mrmm-, ior 1 f^'f ., ™ ^, pL the ' Hussell,' and dress, ^et int.) my evening coat as we p be with you in half an houn , ^^,„„„t, mechanically And, with Ins »;-^7,; ^ " .S ui^he walk, and up and on entered by the r;f *'' '"^ 1" ! U^hen he was confronted by '\^ Don't go in tl>e -- J^.^ w - Ihat sneak Aniarinth you; yes, it's all nghU 1 \"^,^i,,,^ ..-here 1 have ,,ust ett k::X^-^^'^^^'^ ' i,u..w. l,ut V must .i..t «»»!'■ "" • ' , ' ,„f 1.- ;;' ;•■■■ ' '''i^r;;". p.';.rci.' "ui".!' '•<>'•«■" "- ""■■'■ ' " Mere he is — u«», o" ^„ ime. At Veteran Lodge, Sandy Hill, Ottawa. 27 pnderly while uth — a nniiiii- ijrht tliat if he ^lu; would be, nee, make him 'Kussell,' ami ty of hei- sister while the maid all ears and tongue sat facing them, with a sudden change of programme she (trdered the driver to enter the square and drive all around the carriage i-oad, hence distracting Nell's thoughts by giving her a view of the Parliament and i)(!partmental Huildings; the pictures(jue and imposing group of Gothic arcldtecture would, .she felt sure, be sufficient to magnetise Nell's thoughts to themselves. Her forethought was rewarded by .seeing tlie chtud pass fi'om tile beaiitiful little face, while a whole-souled delight filled it as she gazed ; and th«tugh Nell is by no means a ixiet, loving the good things of life too well to be anything so un- practical, valuing more the distilled odor of the rose rat her than its living perfunu!, unless as now, when acc<'ntuating the beauty of Hazel, for Hlie loves her oidy sister, yet is her ad- miration (UMnpelled by the loveliness of the gorgeous flower beds, which lend so great a charm t(» the iKtble plateau on which stand the builclings. " F want other eyew, Hazel, mine are not big enough to take it all in, (he Ijcgislativt^ Huilding is enough for one gaze, it is .so grandly noble in detail, big enough, too, to omit nothing HO snudi as a law con.straining I, Nell Ciirew, to pay nearly .si.\ty cenjs (luty on my pair <»f corsets from the other side. " "See, Nell," iaugheti lla/ei ' those are tlu^ Speakei-s Towers which, in fr()wning reproof for your levity, bid you know that 'f*'' 28 At Veteran Lodge, Sandy Hill, Ottawa. the honorable members desire toC shut out mail-proof gar- ments for women." " I believe you, Hazel," she replied dryly, " though there is no double entendre in your words. " " Nell Carew, for shame ! " " Mrs. Leary, for shame, for 'twas you, who said anythino; naughty. See here, Hazel, but for uncle Philip and his iron-clad commands we would not go on to the Sandbanks until day after to-morrow. We have, or rather this child has, no time to see anything, and I feel sure one would have a decidedly more comprehensive view of the buildings from one of those Wel- lington-st. windows ; the east and west blocks want to crowd into my retina all in a bunch, which makes the.n small. From one of those high windows opposite one could grasp the whole grand, though broken outline, from the proud towers, colored slate roofs, perforated by those doll windows, dormers I sup- pose, with all that delicate iron workmanship on top ; ugh ! they make me tired, I want to come another day tt) see what it is r have seen ; I want step-ladders for my eyes. What a vacuum there nmst have been in the public treasury when all those buildings grew up. I am glad 1 escaped being a poor man with twelve cliildren to board and taxes to pay ; just about that time I'd rather be Nell Carew, and have come in now, o!ily that I have to marry a man I don't care a conti- nental for," she said in a low tone. " Oh yes, I can see in those cat-*'reen orbs of yours that you are conventionally shocked at njy aptitude for slang, but blame it to heredity, it's the shortest way, even tlwiugh papa and manimii did talk old-fashioned Knglish. But about H. Ji.,he is a dau.^y, 1 don't mean a dude, though he is one, with his perpetual tailor-uiade look; but what I mean is, he isn't nice," she said, making a moue. " Hut, Nell, dear, .sonu^ one says a nice man is a man with nasty ways, so we will hope this is in his favor," and bidding tlu^ driver stay his steeds, not desiring an auditor in the maid, and baby having lifted up his voice, his mother sugge.sted that Nell and her.self should leave tlic carriage and enjoy a juomentary view down the wooded clilf, taking in the Chaudi^re Falls and as much of the beautiful in nature as five minutes would permit. At Veteran Lodge, Sandy Hill, Ottawa. 29 But while Hazel had a passion for all or any artist bits turned and faced her sister in theronumtic lover's walk when' P amng her small, firm hands on her shoulders hlr beal i'ui httle face, usually so cold and passionless, now ml^:!:^^ abou^S? '''''"' "'^ ^^"^ ^°" "^^ ^-^^-^d - ™e about, - "I couldn't, Nell, dear, you would have been so worried knowing uncle would not permit you to come to me '' she ild broke..^, her bosom heaving, her eyes filling witlTt'ears ' \ou must not cry, Hazel, I never do, it spoils one's eyes and on« can be sorry all the same, as I am for you dear and „,ad, too," with a stamp of her dainty Oxford teci^shin; the ferns and moss beneath her foot "« ^^^^es, I^Hniq'thenf::^i;iI;';:t^-^^^^ having the greater power of adaptability, by demoting' herself m 30 At Veteran Lodge, Sandy HiU, Otta^va. to baby, a... Anally -^ ^;;i^;,i'::;^';^e!:t!Sltr:; ^^nt/^.:;ii:;t<.T.-..o.|>y^^^^^ Bloun.H.ld, whon;, they- -the P-P^-^ - * .^.^ ^,^,,. Wc boll, tl.- trutb is witbm ^^^-;^^'^^:J^Z2 this a..n., Bet fro,n l,.fi the Que.n city about t'" ?^ '' ^^^^^ ^ p -,^ .Nation, North the Union the ^r. Toronto." . ,^, ,.,,,-„„ i,i,„self without Betsy?" " How is uncle «;-;q^ ;;^^^, "^ tutinal meal .t.recherrh u()i,, ,n an eiTatac fashion m. ^^.^ lunchc.n at hotel, in the lanj^uage o ^v'th Hub, Webb's or Thomas' Coleman's, his dinner at ^'^ '» ^'"^ ^" i,-, .vhiskered .henstoiud^'bytheteaso ,.^^h^ ^^^^, ^^^^^ ^^, ,, ;;l:;;^h;;Su?t^h;m'tl;e 'savory dish his mi^^^^^^ pointmcnt as to her brother ^^"^^^^ \^ " ^J^ nice.' " ' "Ho must, in every-aajP- -?:;,, ; ;;:;"u4.r endeavored .T hate P-•-^;:"^,,, " ;^: ^g upon this one, by listening to improve the occasion ny ^.i/-^ h i to his goody goody <1^««<:)^{«;;. . „,^,,,v<>n seen a pasteboard uNo," smiled Haz-el, \'''^7. [.T „ ,,,, ^.t^ course at the i,..itation of bin., ^'^-V'^^^tr^v:!! enough to see him University of Toronto. 1 -- ^^,^,,„^^., i,. has been when he was at home last, •^" * '^ y^^^ j ^^ quite, sure a„ing some of Muskokas ^-^^'J2iJm..n, or he wouhl he is neither ^n-ig, ^yP^^^^e ;' any'''^,J, ,,., f'nend of Don- not be kin to Col. Gray or Maiy On ns ^^^^^^,^ aldlSlcLean." In her earnestness, m.t notiun, use of McLeans Christian name ^^^ ^^^^, ^^^^^^..^^ .Oh, I see, said the blind lai, '^^^^ ^^^ Camlet, Prince Roderick were o.ie o us, as »'^ ^ ^ J , JIamlet llice, T am of Darkness, othe^se my -^^^^'^l^'^.uld have exercis.l looking 'very lovely ^hAsevmiu^^ ^^ few rounds my dormant skill at flirtation i^ - .. with this master of arts." At Veteran Lodge, Sandy HiU, Ottawa. 31 3 Cf)tU- ivvant, " How :).H. t<. ouUl, if \; l)()t.ll ;t from , North 7" ccherrhd |\('on at I'hoinas', liiskerod and tho uto soul I's disap- p. deavoiM'd listening isteboard se at the -} SCO liiin has l)oen [uite sure he wouUl id of Don- had made the absent let, Prince lice, T am 3 exercised tew rounds And so, })y such outward fancies, sorrow sank to her sihnit cell, leaving the bright gleam of a happy reunion to the sweet face of Hazel Leary, Jind also to that of our pretty Nell. Nearing "Veteran Lodge," one can see it is not young, hav- ing grown up in the style of Messrs. J 'ou pity the lonely figure in the boat, and luid you sketched that scene would y«iu not have given him, say, per- chance, a little son Hs companion? You would, at least, have gixcn him a fnilhful will not give expression to the pleasurable feeling of afruiity, for, ahiH, she is another man's wife, and w itiidiawing his gaze from the sweet and somewhat sad f/ice so deiir to him. r scene on At Veteran Lodge, Sandy Hill, Ottawa. 33 " You had better avoid Mrs. Leary for the future, Donald, if you desire to wall up your pet secrets," said Mrs. Gunn! "Mrs. Leary would turn a deaf ear to some of them, I am afraid," he said, with a latent meaning. " Oh, you need not warn a canny Scotchman, Mary ; they are all well up in Burns' saying that 'if one tells everything one knows, one knows nothing one's .self.' But excuse me one moment, Mary, dear," she said, looking uneasily from the win- dow on to the wooded lawn, where Col. Uray with Heauvais and Leary sat chatting. "Just a minute, Mary ; the sun is shining full on Pat's head, the others are shaded, and my poor husband suffers so severely from headache. I must take him his hat. Baby, too, seems uncomfortabh^ in his papa's arms, poor wee pet." ' * In a trice they see her slight form the centre of the lawn group. "Father is to ♦,ak<^ yc.u into dinner, Miss Carew. Suppose we follow Ha/.el and make y(»u acipiainted." " With pleasure, Mrs. (Junn. Do look at Hazel ! how care- ful she is of my esteemed brother-in-law, and I she smiles upon that benign rotundity, !\1 low angelically onsienr heauvais, though T am pleased enough with his "kindness (,o Bat. II is amply refunded if Hazcrs gratitud e compels her to smih- es in his honor. I firmly lM'li»>V( "ia, were she ''ratcfiil. herself into future wrinkl were she a <-hild-widow of absurd fnd ., f<.rMK.th, t,o her husband, that she would'wrap lierseTf up ii, lucifer nuitches and let him set tire to her before the breath was out of his selfish old body." Mclican l(K>ked grave, while her words were stamped indel ibiy uiM)n his memory to 1h' recalled You read Hazel aright, Nell ; I nuiv call ipei in an agonizing moment. not?" said Mrs. (Junn, putting the girl' through h»>r own Tl you so, nuiy I s arnt affectionatelv as umk you : I love your sister, and fe«>| y(m are a new little friend. You know, tln.ugh, 1 was a young Imly with the fine polishing touches I )eing gi\«'n me at came a mere child. Htill wedevel- Miss l)u{)ont's when Hazel oped aflinities even then, and liers is the most acter 1 ever met, unselfiNh char- and on Nell assenting warmly, the heart of ilful. Mrs. (}unn went out t<» the lovely giH at her sid WkpasNionate, and yet with those paHHions mustiv d (». HO \V liii'iiiii^iil. • j}i 34 At Veteran Lodge, Sandy Hill, Ottawa. the »'vc, tu.., <.f sUq)i)iM^( int.. Vanity Fair, with its untrit'd, untold temptations, the bride, too, of a man of dollars, for wl 1 she lias no love. While McLean, though lhinkin;< slower, tlumixhtin the same strain, and as they neared the lawn j^'roupof whieli j-ink gown- ...1 Ha/el is the.-entn', he lon-e." ^ ■ Kur onee MeLean is deaf to Colonel Cray's ].raises of his beautiful pair of fox t,wriers thai had taken a ].. ize at the Turonlo Ind.istriat Fair the y.-ar previous; he- had only eyes and ears f..r tin- pitiable s.'em' before him, and press.'s his lips ,i,.t,.rinin.Mlly to keep baek the .Mitting words, wh.-n, to hohl himself in J.and, taking a eard from his poeket, he makes a v.-ry fair sketeh of lla/el as ab(.ve, writing beneath it: '"'And though sweet faee. red lips, nor liglit brown hair. 1 dare not toiieh I love her —so." A few moments and he lias a treasure all unknown to Ha/el: who herself has a half formed iii, t,«> hold i( niakeH a it: wii liair. 1 known to liu' lie will y- he taee ot y wittehed 111 passion- 1 which he sy. At. the t louk was tlicr, while ,'li<'an as if > who could I to Leary, when Nell, leiipin^ from tlu^ ru<^ wlieiv' she had been seated eliattinj,' to Colonel (!ray and jiettiiij,' McFjeairs terriers, spraiij; towards her hrotlier-in-law when lieauvais, hein^' in a head's len oil' into heroics, J>cau\ais, he'll he as <,r(>iillc- iiianly as you ;ire ahoiit, it when he is old enoii^di to lie his own father," Leary said, crossly. "pool little clia)i," said Nell, "tell papa he did not noticti your * Idue rilihoii ' sij^nal, even if it is only tli(( relh'ction <»f the heavens in your lialiy eyes. " "Yes, my j»et,"' said his mother, takiii iiioiiiiii;.j room until fur- ther orders, Cli.M'rKM IV. A It \/.'/.\A>: l)A/./,l,K TIMK I To Mic new flcpartiiiont, 'I'd Hcf the iii'w iiiiiiiHt«a w(^ liio, Who liatli (livt'rHJticil liair And a vellouiHli liiigc in tlio vyo. N' the sedate old liiillei' comiiijf with ipiickened steps (o the lawn and aiiiiouiiciii;; tlinnei', in a few inoments they were a merry )iartv in the oaken dining-room. Over the ^dittcrinn ylass and julisteninji; silver on the talil(> was suspended from the ^^raselier a short handled, ^I'eeii silk parasol —after a Parisian fad — which was tilled with the choicest hlooin, filled and oxerllowinj?, hanyinj; over the edj^'e in luxuri- eiit masses, many of the trailing hlos.sonis and heautiful leaven touching the damask iiapery. Although Meliein, lieing a man of honor who has himself U'i>ll III ji'tiu!. illul h.'t.H !ie!'t'i !!'C!* !5HVer OV \VO!'d O!* loisU dviV^n 36 A Razzle Dazzle Time ! Hazel from him by pennitting her to rejul his heart, still, be- ing but human, cannot repress a thrill of exaltation as her fingers rest <»n his arm in taking the places assigned them at the table, while lieauvais could readily have boxed somel)ody, on his host saying, cheerfully, as he seated Nell at his right hand : " You wear a bereaved look, IJeauvais ; upon my word it's too bad that Mrs. Louis had a piioi- engagement. Mrs. Gunn had assigned her to you^a grass widow, too, for Louis is stumping (he countiy, or just now th(^ neighbouring crosier province!, in the iiiMM-ests of tlu! Kijual liighteis." "We would have gone in heavy, at all events," replienl Heauvais, with a forced laugh, and alluding to their respec- tive rotundity, " notwithstanding that she is a bit of a chicken." On the general laugh subsiding, Nell, with a smart air, said : " I supjiose she is paiiifv;'.iy young and jjainfully hungry. T feel very much like ii I'hicken myself until you give me a crumb from the tree of knowledge by passing your joke to WW. " A little bil, of whit(> innocence abioad, eh I " said T^'ary, taking more sherry than soup ; " tlu; lady Meauvais is wearing tlu" willow for, pro tem,, 1 use the words advisedly, is fat, fair and forty, a citizen of our tower crov iicd capital, a Canadian by birth, but with a Parisian nos(>." " A Parisian nose !" cri«'d Nell, saucily, ami indicating by a gesture the spoon with which she supj)ed her souj*. " I would not give this spoon foi- any l"'reiich nt»se, pcditical or social, in all Ottawa (»r Montr«>al, and to-day I have seen Catuidian noses CM French faces that wert^ the only redeeming fjMiture they possessed." At this there was nuich merriment, Hazel saying: " How about the n(»se of our late dear Premier, Nell, we'll sav on the handsome French fac«! of the Minis' >r of Militia?" "Ah I that would have a rum look, gentle sister,'" Nell rej)lied, (HMilly. "What next?" cries Nell, her host telling her that Mrs. Tj<»uis having lost her nasal organ through ill health, had gone abroiul, and at Paris (luring a hypnotic state had had a new nose erected from tl»e bit«ast-l)one of a chicken. J A Razzle Dazzle Time ! 87 still, 1)6- 1 as her them at melM)dy, lis rifi;ht (1 it's to(» unn had tuiiipinji; vinc(!, ill ' repliw- ing the kne«^ with the baker's do/en at St. (ieorg<''s instead of (!arrying the cross at St. Alban's." " Pat will show his claws, Nell, dear, if you allude to tlu^ 'thirteen.' He does not. go with the witty (.'lergymaii, who Rings, •Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus, left behind tlu^ d(»or.' " "No," says U'ary, as the butlctr refills his glass with hock, " I like to be sure of salt to my p!' us Ijoth." "Yc'B, sht) iuiH an unusually loving nature, Cod bless her." I I; 40 A Razzle Dazzle Time! .1 Here a merry peal of laughter breaks in upon their con- verse. *' What is'it all about, Mary 1 " " Only this, father, we have been running over the many sights and sounds we women miss, from the fact that the mighty god, fashion, forbids us to go abroad in the eventide to public amusen>ents unattended, and those people laugh me to scorn because I suggest a mode of escape, if fashion will endorse my idea, which is that impoverished widows — like myself — now [ don't mean personally, for 'tis not every one could fill the bill of diversified hair and a yellowish tinge in the eye. I mean as to income, or the want of it, that we should rent ourselves out as cliaperons, for a consideration, and thus see everything wortli seeing, go every where, and, blessed privilege, not alone, and at some one else's expense. I have serious thoughts of ap- plying for a patent for my invention, and now is the time for the Premier to create this new department into which, for the canvassing T have done ior the party, he may pitchfoi-k me, as minister, at a salai-y which I shall name. I perforce to pro- vide impoverished widows with a testimonial from (irundy, and the seal (»f fashion as cha{)erons." Colonel (iirey lauglKid good-humouredly, Beauvais saying with a beaming face : "Ton honor, not a bad idea, we could spare the new depart,J ment soin(» of our space, eh, Leary ? " " Yes," he drawls, " if they unveil, 1 have no taste for the black flag." " liut it would distinguish them from the iMmtante" hm^hs Hazel, ''as we have no sooicity club providing escorts for lone women or even youngish motluTs," .she says, glancing shyly at her husband, intent on the bubbles on his champagne ; "when, as semi-detached wiv(!.s, we pine to make one at .some public or social function ; yes, Mary, I vote for the new department and its minister." " Heal', licar ! " says her host, amusedly, " and while we are on escorts, which route do you takt; to Kingston, Mrs. fjeary?" "The Kide.iu, colonel, and by steamer * Hideau Belle' to the limestone city of Kingston, thence by the ' Hero ' to Pic- ton, wherti w(! shall stay over to make the five mile trip to (Henora, to .see that freak of nature, the lake on the juouutain- A Razzle Dazzle Time! 41 banks. D, Wright prescribed the Rideau route for our wee home ruler. ;' Yes and a pretty bit of travel it is ; I suppose you will run down with them, Leary, ami see them housed safely r' ' ^0. ^/-^y, f luck wouhl have it, Beauvais is obliged to go as far as Smith's Falls, perhaps 0,1 to Ki„g.st<,n. and rathfr enjoys, so it seems, the role of lady's maid " ! fiitli^^f. i;f"'tunate " said Col. dray, so h.vtrtily i„ all good faith as to the fatherly attentions cf the gay old boy, thinkin-^ It done in real kindness, knowing, as he does, the unsteady ste i^ or Leary. -^ *" At the same time McLean lashes himself mentally for a teehng of uneasiness he cammt divest himself of, an.l with a suspicious glance at Heauvais, reads the smile which pc'rmeates ills rather hands(.me face as decidedly carnal Presently McLean, declining to linger after th,. ladies re- pmrs with them te the^inviting lawn, and, as is usual in 'any chance meeting with Hazel Leary, is magnetized to her sid.( >vliile she, with a genuine liking for Mary (Junn's friend w.-l- comes his approach in a channingly, frank manner, m'aki,,.. hmi teel at ease that is outwardly, for, inwa.dly, he is sick a? heart, knowing |„,t that for an enforced abser.ce fron, Ottawa he would, at the time of her first visit, have asked her to ur.],l Ins hte per ect by becoming his wife ; but the fact of her in nocence ot his heart-burnings, though he is more in love with her sweet sel at each meeting, he tells hin>s,.|f he is only ll aware that the unfortunate habits of her husband aie connnon gossip, though individually she neijther lefers to nor speaks harshly of him. " Come, let us join Mrs. Gunn and my bi-ight little sister, T am but poor company for you this l/jautiful evening, T wish Roderick Ui'ay had not disappointed us all, for, from what i hear, T feel sure his presence, like y(jur own generally," she says, smiling, " is very cheering." "There, that's right, Mrs. Leary, pitch into me, T feel like a great selfish brute, at having done othei- than smile in your presence." " Mr. McLean ! " ajul in her earnestness she stands still as they stroll, " pray don't talk mere gallantry to me, be your- self ; the other tone is of other men, we are friends." Though he feels as if he .should thank \\or, for th(^ life of him he can't, with a tumult of rebellious feelings surging at his lieart ; friends, indeed ! Tiiero was a brief pause, in wliich Hazel took herself to task for on(! moment, forgetting her husband and his tempta- tions, but still she says, kindly : I and A Razzle Dazzle Time! 43 " You may have, indeed, if one's eyes are the index to the tMnl-r "'' "'";', \^-"''l-/y-. -ul I n.ly ve ture J nnk shesay.s, not looking up f.oni a sparrow which has fallen hurt by a catapult, at her feet, and which he has p eked d^lf;':^^!'^f r^^:7'-"— >^yi-l-. which shesSst' mental tumble; It is this^-^.utward glances, Mr McLean" the^Lf sfc^r ''^ ^f ^"-^^'^'^^ -Idng softened tt^^'^h tne trees, she stood as sweet a picture of womanliness as ever the eye rested upoi,. <' It grieves me to hear people who do me t know ben' ' !''"" ^^^V"" ^'^^^'''^^^'f ''^^^-^ -^"«^i« in nave given glad testimony to mission workers of vour manv snb la^^, why not go into the banking business, and -ive the noor a safe house to entrust tlieir mo^.ey to, that would be an oc said of T^'as'fn''^'' '7 •■"^''''' "'.^f'^^^^^' ^•^^^^«' "^''^^t what is saifl ot late as to my being an idler, is only too true I h-ivp only taken those outwanl glances in a fugit^ive oTt of way o ease njy conscience and give me more thue to dwell on sdf yes, I have been a miserable, moping idler." ' No, no, my friend, you must not malign yourself but von mus give up this moping, you must act. Mr.^Qui rk pi d your rr'v;:wr7i:'rr 'r/^^'^^i^^ '"^ """^' heSS in ll . ' T ^^°!i t forget, Mr. McLean, to have heard you say that one section of hunwu.ity should not have the power to charge another part for living on this ea th but it ill set, this httle birdie is quite itself again, and eager to beirin lifo anew even though its heart is desolate " she s frpitifullv in Hardy Ittle.creatures, they teach us many a lesson." a, T I ii y^ ""'^^ '-' ''^^'' " '^ will begn-n life over again as I shall, but we each have ]u^f. hear* T .-.-n f^ ^ ' Kod. 0,.«,, .„a Having a chaU.ve,. old tuJeCpa'cklp;:'^"^! ! I I 44 A Razzle Dazzle Time ! take myself to the stir and onward rush of the American capital and lose this atom self, in doing some of the world's work." " Spoken like a man ! " she says heartily, thinking, I have the key to his tit of the blues, now Mary CJunn has actually rejected him. " Tra, la, la, la, la, la, tra, la," whistled Nell musically, to the tune of the bugle call. " The forces are gathering, Mrs. Gunn, so adieu to the truly ru^-al spots we have been recall- ing." " Yes, here they come," echoed her lively companion, as she sips a delicious cup of coffee, bright as decanted wine. " Hazel and McLean to the slow^ measure of the dead march, my father and M. Beauvais, who, as general of the forces, is huge enough to magnetize a whole regiment, but, nevertheless, seems to have been deserted by your brother-in-law, or, which is more probable, he is off on furlough, for lu' would not dare desert." The fact being that Leary had begged off, presumably to see the other men who were to camp with him at Kettle Island, Beauvais adroitly managing to give him a written slip with the words : " Adele, at the Russt i! House elevator, at S.55." " Watch Hazel's rather pretty eyes distend as my newest slang salutes her ears," said Nell to Mrs. Gunn, niischievously. " Oh, Hazel ! you have missed ever so mucli. I beg your pardon, Mr. McLean. Mrs. Gunn has been rolling me up and down the Sandbank.s, then giving me a lapping, lisping, dal)bliiig, refreshing swim from the loveliest l)each in Ontario, and if she doesn't romance we'll have a razzle dazzle time." " Razzle dazzle ! " and with wide open eyes, she turns mutely to McLean. " Oh, you needn't look at a quiet Scotchman for a definition," said Nell, .smartly ; "if you are in the dark you shouldn't try to dazzle him, and you a married wunian, too. 1 shall cei'- tainly report you to the conmianding officer. What a puzzle he would b' in to construe a razzle dazzle time. As a good government ntfitclio, M. Beauvais is, of course, too busy to have •(■jjjifi fof tb.e ohissics." McLean laughingly says, as he draws a garden seat nearer for Mrs. Lei ry, " Mrs. Gunn has evidently been endeavoring to dazzle you by her word-painting, Miss Carew." A Razzle Dazzle Time! 45 " Oh, not at all, Mr. McLean, though there was only one spot on her sun, which was a famine of gentlemen Now I rlfHi't like any such dearth, })ecause H.R., an acquaintance of mine at Toronto, Mr. McLean, conjured me to partake of con- stitutionals every day. Now I had anticipated a country boy, smelling of green fields, as a companion, for one cannot pick ones self, in a country walk, up and out of the way of cows dogs, and horses, which would kick at not getting the right of way every time. I had in my mind's eye a lad who had won a prize for good conduct at Sunday-school— Betsy would demol- ish any other— one who could repeat the church catechism without one mistake, to he my carrier ; run the cows off, drive the horses by their own tails, speak loving words to the strol- ling dog, while he carried me r,\ , , the thistles and mud • but now, alas ! for my hopes, r s y<,u come, Mr. McLean. ' Ah ' here approacheth Govc,..„i Heauvais ! Monsieur Beauvais please tell me what is the meaning of the phrase, ' having a razz ing dazzling time ' ? » and, tossing back her golden bangs, she looks up at him saucily. " Oh, having a von\ good time, which you will one day, I dare say, define for yourself," he says, pleasantly, thinking her a pretty picture as in a half-recumbent position, her white gown about ler in fleecy billows in contrast to the leopard skm on the grass, one hand playing with three or fu,„ dogs, her pretty head resting on the rosy palm as, supported on her rounded elbow, she lay. Beam-ais, seating himself near Hazel, talks in a lo^^ tone for some time, when Mrs. Gunn, bringing out her banjo, she and Hazel sing enchanting duets and solos, McLean adding his tenor notes to the inelody, lastly giving Millard's rather path- etic ballad of ^' Under the Daisies " in the words : "Tlie life of some is worse than death, fior fate a high wall ofl laises." Strange to say, only Hazel felt his heart in the words, think- ing him inwardly suffering from Mary Gunn's rejection of his Nell and hei- kind host talk.'d at intervals quietly, the lat- ter full of regret that his handsome son Roderick had dis 46 Betsy Kneels at the Oaken Chair. appointed them ; lie chafes at the idea <»f tlie cJiir Iittl(; dauf^h- ter of his dead friend not having met his boy ere her be- trothal, and says : "T am sorry Uod. has missed m(H'tiii|n; you, my little girl." " And I am glad, colonel, for \ just hate M.A. university paragons ; they make me feel extra wicked, and 1 know had your perfect son come he would luive spoihul our excessively pleasant chat. Colonel," sIk^ whispers, " T would like you to kiss me good-by(>, for when you sec^ m*; again I shall be, oh, so difierent, as II. K.'s unloving wife;" and after many regrets at parting in the lovely summer night, they wend their way from Veteran Lodge, Sandy Hill, to Metcalf-sticet, Beauvais again coming in a head length, having secured lEazel by a promised something to tell her of his arrangenmnts for the c(»mfort of her husband during her absence. Nell found iMcLean very (juiet, but kind and attentive ; though, as theystroll through the electric-liglited stnu'ts. Hazel's lithe form, as with the gay old boy slui walks ahead, is all he sees, all he thinks of. CHAPTER V. HKT8Y KNKKLH AT TlIK OAKKN CHAIH. Whether wc be theologian or Darwitiiiin ; whether Puritan or epi- curean ; whether our will ih to he oreinated or go clown to mother earth like ourf^ranilMirt'H, we all iiave our plot in society's garden. T Mrnadacres. Nurth Toronto, a few days previous to ksi»I »he departure <»f Nell Ciiri'W for the capital, and dur- ^■-^ ing .1 two days' visit made by lier to " Moyvane," one of the prettiest cottages at the beautiful beach at Hamilton, the joint heritage of herself and Hazel licaiy, and which is rented by the mother of a girl fiiend of hei' own, it has conu' tft pass, therefore, owing to the absence of our pietty Nell, that the master of Mroadacrcs eats a solitary breakfast, waitecl upon by the fuitliful Betsy. He eats hastily, and um though Betay Kneels at the Oaken Chair. 47 the mechanically, in fits and starts, too, for the Netvs, Mail, Globe and World, from which he has taken hurried snatches in a sort of hodge-podge medley have given him their tidbits. The news of the day seems to have had a salutary effect, but alas, evanescent, for though his still handscmie face has shown more than one smile at the party moves and local hits, on ris- nig from table, the look of worry that spoiled his face, on awakemng to the new dny, again sits upon his features, and he complains of everything, from the broiling weather to the de- lay in the appearance* of the much-abused letter-carrier, from th.* flav(,r of the coffee to the butter, eggs and herring he has brokiui his fast on. Betsy, listening .piietly and respectfully, saying no word, until on his tall form hastening from tht- dining-room, she asks tinndly, and with an uinMistakal)le Scotch accent: " How are ye feelin' this morn, master? Be your feet sae numb as they were yestreen?" "Yes, confound them ; the mustard you put into the soles ot my socks might as well hr.v(* been ice, for all th<* warmth it gave me. Just what (uie might expect from ohl women's cur.'3 I shall go and consult Dr. Johnson when 1 reach Hloor-street, and see what he can do for me. My own idea is that my old enemy is giving me a reminder of a slight strok** \ had of the deuced thing some Hve years ago, but, remember, not one word of this to Mi.ss Carew, or to Mrs. T^,my either ; it's my belief disea.se is accelerated by th(* chatter of a pack of idl*. women " " What ailment was it that ye had lang sync, master? I no hae heard your brither, the young leddy's father, gie it a name, though I ken you were no weel. Y«> may tell it me masUM-, forye k<'n I lu'ver clack." ' " Yes, I thought <»f naming it to you, in ca.se anything shouh happen, and I .-an trust you,'^ anh(.ughtfully, " Yes I can trust you. At that tune my illness rommenced, as now, with nuiubness in the sol.'s of my feet, an /mf arrompfl, T shall he all right. I wish I had not al- lowed niysclf to he talked into permitting her to go galavant- ing with Mrs. Leary to this out of the way place, the Sand- hanks— Init that T have given my word, she should not go— just on tlie eve of her approaching nuptials, too. I am well aware it was Mrs. ].eary's planning-silly creature that she is. I don t know what girls are made of now-a-ihiys, with their ()ve of gadding. They are nothing hut a hundle of whims and hustles, and if th.-re is any of the woman left, it is killed by corsets and cosmetics." "^ " Aye, sir, but Miss Nell is a bonnie lassie wi'out ony sich there be na ane can hold a candle to her, onless it be Miss Hazel her sel'." And a glow of pride comes to her kindly face as she presses her hands to her bosom, a way she has when sp..aking of Xcll. " If she waur only goin' to wd a gentleman, and a hul she loci, I wad be a happy woman, master," she said, witli timid wistfulness. " Love be hanged ! •• he shouted, initably, and getting ' t<'^<""e outside interest; so if you love .>lis8 ^ell, as you pretend t<., you will keep your weather •'.ve open, and don't .•ounlenance any Hirling with any idln young beggars, or -«'*«>n Rice. But the m11. '" "'^7^^,^^^ J^>^ b.>ru lad, Mr. doctor, oi:^^^,^^\^^^otect us ! and you. •stroke before he nuikes h s will ? W l ?"""'? ^*'^ *'"^''*^'- ».est, the bairns Zld tl^.^ l.lre ST^' ^'''''T '"'"'^'^ ane kens how he hates M ^^ S ^ ? k' ^"'' ,"" ""*' ^«"''^' "'* but if the «u,le Goc^^Ietfh n 'l . '' ^'n ""'''^"""'"'d birth ; will .ie herv^n t!:^ ;£ r wii XI. r -j^ T-'"' ^^" huri aroun f h .1 . ^ • '^'""^ <>lf l<*ft, cheek, giving t.; a^^,^ .;V ''' "'"'' P''*"^"' "" '•«'• arid whi<.h no ,nn„ er of th. P * ""^^ "I"''""' '^PI«'a''a"ce, out during ti. ^:.:f^:7z:::^:z^^^^ -'''- •"t<'r.vstiutho we In w '^' "!• 'r^'""' "'"• absorbing tno wUbue and happiness ,.f that i is again retracing his step,s, his irritabil- ity eva})orat<'d. Having a prescription fr<»in Dr. Johnson in his pocket, l>oarding the street car at the ccu'iier of Yunge and lUoor, ill' is again on the wing to the cornci' of Carltuii street, wlu're he leaves the juescription to be manufactured into swallowing form. On emerging, lie is detained by two ladies, who ply liim with (juestions as tt» the movements of our ]>retty Nell, who always turns up a disdainful no.se as .she bends her little haughty head on meeting them, as the word " can- aille" almost pusse;< her lips, but they are of the breed win M'ant take a rn{, and .so .Mr. Ciirew is put through a catechism as to when the marriage of Nell and ]tic«* istoeome off, the younger of his two (|uestioners being very much in eariH'.st, A(hlie Thomas by name, and tin- only daught«'r and I lein-ss of a re- tired pork butcher, n-sidiiig in a liand.soine suburban villa in the near vicinity of Mroadacres, as far from a pork shop as possi- i>le ; neither Thomas I'alcr imr Mater now knowing a pig when they see one. Betsy Kneels at the Oaken Chair. 51 tal(cat,,ncoiupicki ;^^^^"''^^ ^'^ 1^^^"> '"'th pieces. '' ^ ^ ^^' " '^"'' '""■ "lovenuMits to sl.'t^Sv o^ ''" «-- ^-- "-)-• Ins feet, i., . .01.1..,. .... o-rv^;:;;!;!:^^ ^ ;;:;;;^ i:;;;';;;;:f' r ■^•' -v"-"' l""-'^''y lull, 1... turns to Piekf .,.,1 .is 1 .ul.. ' ' ''"'"'7 '^ <^^-''"- .sHy.s, hCrrioclly '^^'""^"' '^'^'^ ^^"^'"" '^" -<-,■ his face, ami . " T shall not (•(•turn till after luiichcon Pi.-U-f,...,! • 1 >"J,' to my lawyers th( ""^ "<<»" i^icktoi-d ; 1 am '^o- in. of this n.;n^c:i^!';^;::j^ ;:";;' ^" Y "'' "'•' ^*'^'"'- ■street. I an, im-line,l o fZ , '*'''•'""''■"'•'' '''''^k- t.ic-k. ves,andh;:;;:i,::.^ j';;,-;;^^^ la.^<..j. .run, .cross t.,.la^ usual swinging ; 'ait "" " """'*"'"«'^ ^^'"f'' ahnost his .nv';:;;;f;;.'';;r^n^;:;r';:j:t;^ ''whHtalu..kv^!h' walke.1 ov,.r ny a,l U on f '''"'■"' '"""'■^''- '•'^•' ' '"•«' ).ut she n T' ^"- ""?^^ ""' ^'^^'' ^' "'y P^'^ts with his money N>, unless I see it m b^ack and white that Mrs. Learv of ot • Tn?fl . ' !''''' '^ "" *^^'"^^ a^«"* <^»»at," he says, presa- Mrs ^^1 „ .r ^^^^^'^™r^%- " Not but that I'd make her M.s Hice all the same, if she hadn't a cent, for I want what I want, am can buy a beautiful wife as well as a supu b h^ l Z!:r!j:-i'::l::^-y '^^y -^^ ^^- -- future may be^a r^>n:%:::^U:^:,!'''^^ ^^-^^ -V broke i„ hiscom. " I g.'.ierally know what I am talking about, Pickford as voii k.unv, and what with the famine of potatoes, famine 'n rents Ills oirtli-riglit for a mess of pottage " "^ '* "Or, Rice," laughed the other. it "^flf-/''"!'' ^^'^ 5'"'* J'*'**' y^" ^^*^'' Perpetrated, I pardon amfv of i'" 'J.^--"""-- of what is \o com'e to- e tam.ly (f R.^e. Gad! how the n.en in town will envy me s we clnve along King-street. When T see this will of Sw's lack and white-why he must be w<,rth over one hm, n at he nS n.ee down at the Woodbine curse, driving i y new tylisl G ads one and with my own racir entered ; I Already hve uun, \v nuun s. I don t like what you have heanl from Picton as . the n.,na,.t,c walks and drives at the Sanclbanks, Id nm^T, think out some plan to watch Nell when «h,. ..... ,.'.... .. T 54 Betsy Kneels at the Oaken Chair. I! mate the moves of any idle, loafing fellows who may be guests at the hotel, and may endeavor to induce her to moon around with them : hang them ! And she may gt . to flirting, I don't know, as, so far, her uncle has kept a sharp eye on her," he said, moodily, "but still she is no fool, and will not go in for anything of the kind as we are to be mari-ied in a few weeks, but she is wilful, and a great beauty, so I must look after my interests. Come and dine with me at the ' Arlington ' this evening and 1 shall have concocted a plot." In the evening, after dining, the two repair to the privacy of Rice's own apartment, a luxurious room on the second Hat, facing King-street. " 1 have it Pickfoid ; you say Carew has promised to let you off for two weeks, any time within this month ; you also say those people, the Barks, take boarders, and live within easy walking distance of the 8urf Beach House, on a romantic avenue, too." "Just so, Rice, quite a lovers' walk, my friend Mcmuc, of Picton, writes me ; overhanging ti'ec-bouglis, intei'lacing, and all that sort of thing, with no end of beautiful woods in the background. In fact, in the catching words of the poet, a natural avenue, cut througli the ancient i)iini(>val foi'est, with everything in a fellow's fav(»r, who is up to spooning on some, not too coy, '.summer girl.' He says he is often taken that way himself." *• Fool ! conceited ass ! if 1 caught him fooling around Nell, I'd knock his ugly head to a tree." "Not so fast, Hice; Hurt Mo(tre is a deuced good-looking follow — that is for a Canadian- ~(»f course T say it without boasting, we Englishmen have more style, more presence, but by (Jeorge ! Rice, you cannot sew up men's eyes, they will look 'Ai Miss Carew," he said cunningly, and to spur Rice f(»r what l»e sees is workir-g in his mind. " I bet my life," said the small man atigrily, "she wouhln't throw a glance his way, unless it was a cutting sneer ; she knows which side her bread is honeyed on, she knows it, isn't every man lias a fhie house, planned by the best architect in the city, art-adorned i»y McCausland, and furnished jointly by Rogers and Allan, and on St. ( J e(»rge street, too, ready for her to (jueen it in, not forgetting my own appearance* and lietsy Kneels at the Oahen Chair. 55 position, which T know from nuu.y u fair da.ne, to l,e nobby to a degree," he sau], glancing complacently at a /nirror " S lou start, you seem su.pnsed ! " and the cu.min<< fellow rJirl though he lumself had planted the seed of this n>du h. he ;r h'l 'r'? "nevertheless, n.y plan is agLdte whl h you snail see. You must put up w th those Barks n..nnlo- T need not say I shall foot your hill, as y,.u go i n'^ H^^^^^^^ Beg pardon what is it you wish to say, not that v^.u edine' I wont believe it," and he passes his ditborate Mor ceo d S case towm'ds him, admiring the lights in the supe Tolitth" diainond flash in the nunement of his left hand ^ Only this," replied Pickford, for the truth is not in him I have had an idea of Muskoka or Kingston. Addle it Z; heMX^'?K;'''" ' t^' ''' Wiiide^mere, mJ^:::Z tne notel, J^rontenac,' kint):ston, but if " ...wl J., i Z:^: rl"' *'■ «""• "'"° ''"''"" «"" off a it = ( igai Avith a ratlier unsavory set of teeth Kice leisurely, and witli a self-satisfied smile, whiffs the ashes of his cigar off his elegant cashmere vest, w' h Z fhie t of linen pocket-hanc^erchiefs, as he says ccmcei'te.Ily : ' "You look high, Pickford." ^ '' Yeri!,f"Vr ^^'-"S^^'^y •"■« ^>'^"y "^^v^ 'lollar people." Yes, but old mau Ihonias will only give dollar for dolhir II thought you had the ghost of a\.hance, T s I ii and will, but you have none. No .dri wlm \L\ ' '^ .... ,.,e w,,„,„ L,»,„ i,e,.»,f .i,f ;:;:L::,TJr,',, rir:'; •so— so differently, don t you know " ^ J^!^^'\^'^"^^'^t''''^' ^'"'"^'''^ '"'^ companion, but he SHalhnved the piU with no sensation of having beeen spat "True, you have a fat purse, but still I an, hoping that as e one says, the lieart may be caught in the rd.oun 'v,?, forytr^h^^' ^"'^ '""^ '^ l-uty, and you are hers.' But "Yes, and now to business," said Rice, makinj/ as if f,, roll up Ins cuffs, thereby giving Pickford an envious\da„ ». a in reniale attire more than onci ' - - HupjMKse you go down, in siiy ten d'tv- -nul nr>vi , /f not once too often well, ing i f. 56 Betay Kneels at the Oaken CJiair. the city shave off that incipient moustache of yours, go down and masquerade as gentle Susan, or Susan gentle, which you will. Betsy, the old girl-housekeeper, you know you've seen her at Broadacres, goes down the same day my little beauty leaves for Ottawa, that will be about one week from to-day; you could chum with her in the evenings, worm yourself into her confidence, to account for donning female garb. Tell the people with whom you board that you are a detective." " Yes, that's already on the cards ; if t'were only for my stomach's sake — British at that— these bucolic inhabitants are so mortally afraid of a detective that they will kill and cook the best meat and drink in the county for the detective from Toronto. Proceed, what next ? " Rice, with a small smile and a largely thoughtful air said : " I'll first tell you how the case stands. I have never seen my little beauty in the company of gentlemen, and anj curious to come at whether she is a latent flirt. I want to know whether I can trust her after we are married ; had it been possible for me to go down it would not have answered my purpose one half as well as the sending of you, for, as a mat- ter of course, she would have been escorted by myself constantly. You are aware she was but fifteen when she came to live with her uncle Carew, at the time of her father, Maston Carew's suicide ; she is barely eighteen now, and in those three years would have forgotten the creation of Adam and his probable fall at her pretty feet, and had not Carew fixed on me for his nephew, and bi-ought me, not unwillingly, to Broadacres. As I had heard you rave of lier beauty, and Addie Thomas decry it — which latter made me surer of it than your raving ; after a long siege she gave way, consenting to become Mrs. Hamlet Rice. With her extravagant tastes, wliat else could she do? As it is, wheji my wife, she will be in a position to gratify every whim. But I tell you what it is, Pickford, with all the ad- vantages she will have, T am deuced anxious to see how she will stand the fire of other men's eyes." " Yes, I understand. What kind of a married woman has the other sister developed into in — if Dame Rumour speaks truth — that hot-bed of married flirts, Ottawa. I remember her when they came from the Forest city, a devilish pretty dark-eyed girl. She married Leary off-hand, didn't she 1 If from with Betsy Kneels at the Oaken Chair. 57 mil: :tf wt :*; J,'.'""'' •^'' "■"' ^" "-»• P-^hap, »„ r cnimot ^^'^:^:^t ^ eth"" ^^ "ow f„,. the ,ni„uJ4e«i"tii: ^r .:o;.% c::eT„'i r^ 68 Beautiful County of Prince Edward. "Wf!" season," he said, in self-adulation, though at the same time en- circling his tliroat in a fresh linen manacle. "I thought you expected Carew to make one oi us this evening ? " " I don't see ho^v you could, as I had this matter to go over with yourself," said Rice, locking his bedroom-door, and leav- ing the key at the handsome office, continuing as they momen- tarily waited for a King-east car, " and, as fov going with us to see this gauzy troupe, he'd see us hanged first. He draws the line in leg shows at 'Frnst Up to Date.' You see Carew prides himself upon his gentlemanly powers of discrimination. So much for blue bhjod. See what I am bringing on my first boy, whom I shall name Carew." " And give the kid," laughed Pickford, " the whole responsi- bility of drawing the line at gentlemanly pleasures, even though he gets the blues." " Yes, just so," laughed Rice, as they boarded an open car. " Though having only every-day plebeian red blood, ] hfue the almighty dollar— so shall indulge my mathematical eye for — figures, then as now." r:^i CHAPTER VI. IJEAUTIFUL COUNTY OF, PRINCE EDWARD. "Come where skies arc smiling, Where the merry waters play, Wliere glad birds are singing, Free from care the live-long day." rfS^T ERE one a poet one shouhl be inspired to idyllic verse (^ by the varied beauties of Ontario's fairest county of Prince Edward ; but if not gifted in the art of rhyinin", or.« must spe.ak cau ainore of its lake shore choicest bits which border on our witching, waltzing, changing, ever- ttUuring, always beautiful Lake Ontario, 1* Beautiful County of Prince Edv:ard, 59 gurgHng brooks, with mL^. : ^^ • ^ ""'1^^ H ^ ''""""' growth upon their banks r^f , T'"^^' *^''<^ generous ing shade to the hap;; < e^tn^ of't'i:"- k', V^ l"^^'^"^' ''^^'■^"J- The Sandbanks, wEh I "^f ' "wTr '^■^'''•^^* ^"^""^y- niain line of coast forn.in j L m.t t ^ '''^^"" ■''"^' "'^ "'« ontory jutting out betw^nlt cfuntvtfH^ '^ P''"'"' west lakes, are a wonderful r.J. ^""'^'^^ pn-iance- east and amazed t<)uristserrtccess^v' ""'''" ''' "^"^'^ ^'^"^^'''^''^ "f On the pron.on;;:;Xr utsouTinT J,"'- r'""""« ^--• waters of Lake Ontario sli.; T ^^'^ ^^'"^ ozone-laden •shall re-baptize v^thout hi " '". '";'"""'' ^"^^^''' -»"<='' I Surf Beach Houl '^""''^'^ ^'^ '^' «P«"«ors, as The anJIt^sZ^S^s'rwl -lir^' ''''' r"-^'>'T or cape 2-^ or, in acti^'ei:^^^^' c HmllTtM" '""^' ^^'^^^^ Sandbanks t<, feast one^s eyer\-n <^e b e.r T 7'"""^ '^^ ^ho how one glories in the lavish, extent of .J "^ ''^'^- ^^» ' after the pent-up life of cities ^ O ^' ^•'" ' ' '""' ^'^^er, one a lasting memory of such -i scpI?//''!" •*''. T''''^ ''"''''y ^i^h (h-earier times. ''^"'' ^ hrighten darker days, To the east, one is within easy reach nf f •. • About and in the vicinifv ..,.0 ^ . with its w.altl, „f pin, s Tn ;■»„ """f T'"*'' ""'xll.-m.l, wannarUst ,,it„ ,„-/i w,? ' »" In^^t""" ""'f "'"' lif's b"., Ill mayhap a strav ..„„„„ ' '' ' »"">ethiiij; of '>"t«l, in «ay gi^ tmW^^K Ti- I'le' ^IIT, "'/"'""» f'™" «» >n m m V'}i 60 Beautiful County of Prince Edward. th(! farniyai'd fowl wliich one sees Htruitiiig !il>out in th(! cool ci.nifort of half its frutliers. Tlu>M for coniiust, iav man's nature is chanj^'etul, one heiuls one's steps down to tlu; southerly l.oint, down to the n.ek- hound shons in which are tlu^ coolest, cosiest little eovesni which one can hid.^ and dream ; dream, -a/niu .lut t.> the waters which laj) one's hare feet in a delicumsly c(.ol caress, and thou-h on(> may he in solitude, save f..r a novel ; is not h.nely, for one Jias (he nuisic of the waters, the lapping of the waves, (.r singing one's lullaby, or trilling sweetest music ■IS one's mood is. Here should liell-Smith c.Mue, and «''<' »!> his easel on the long stretches of hug.- flat houlders which tori.i such very comfortal.h^ seats, or health giving promenades ; "heiv he would lind many a study for his pure, beautiful, un- sensuous pictures. Again, another attraction for sweet-tac/v> /'/,/. a nymph oi' watei- sprite. ' Hut (he white sand hills, (he miniature m..un(ains — how can one convey an idea of their wond.'rful aj.i.earanpth .me com.-s to the cool 8now, resting (jui.'tly in i(s strange bed. . ^. . „ In the liitf nioondight, one has curious fancies ot some ghostly agent walking by night, in mysti.' whiteness, over (liese s(range white hiH and sliifting or gui unto harvest. Kroin any i)oint looking eant one has a heavenly sight, which lives in the memory in the beautiful sunrise. Yes-l "TKf, Beautiful County of Prince Edward. 61 " Out of the shadow of night, The world moves into light', It is daybreak evorywliere " '1' Vl.ull.,,;u,l,.,ltlu>.st.an.er " Rid.uu IVII. " at II an ""tkiMKasupnM.i.M.fr.Mt, with .niicli Im ./.. I ' ^' ;::;::;;;■ ;;;.".;:,x;-;; ."-i:!;:;;!;™ ;:;, 'i..-.i...,M», ,i„. .,,,,1, f„ii„„,i„„ „|, ,i„ .,. „^,^ ,,^ ,■ ^, ;■;•>. >«;;:l:;i:;:;;;;t;,:r;,::;^;-^"--- -:...« w,.n !;^,:,l";,!::„';v- ,:;::'t:,-:; - ^-. ^-^i-K m. -I- :w.!:;:i;!l;\, '''::''■' '',"■ "'"■" «'■.>-' ■•. '"M • \< MIIIK, tor M I M»SII11( IllN l/niii,f (.. \f.,.!.,,„.. r • ' I 62 Beautiful County of PHnce Edward. m Vilaine's river party. Miss Belleville was to be Pat's canoe companion. You see, Mr. Jieauvais, T am sometimes afraid to think of Pat being in a canoe. Miss Belleville was, oh, so angry. She says T am slow, and Pat is sorry — but T cannot frame the cruel words she says he says of me. Oh ! T do try to l)e kind and patient with hini, poor fellow. But does he take — take more— now ?" and her pretty hands move about restlessly, nervously, one in the other, as she looks up to his face with the ho})e of a negative: reply. •' Don't bother your pretty little head,'' he says, witli the boldness of the man who knows tlie woman he loves is near, antl with nn escape at hand, l)ut her look of dismay impels him to say, " Where ignor.ince is bliss, 'tis folly to bo wise ! Miss lielleville talks too fast." " I want to walk back to baby and Nell," she say.s, her face so pale that her beautiful li|)s are scarlet by contrast, for she has lieard his somewhat rough continuation of tlu' words of Miss llell(>ville, and some instinct leads her from him to NeU and to her bal)y, that she will carry to hei' stateroom and cry over. While Ileauvais is glad to be able U> t«»itm'e her — mad that he cannot win her love from the husband he lias Ih'en doing his utmost to wean iier from— mad at what he terms her cold- ness, when he woulil fain have (»rdered eveiyone ott' the boat and have taken ' f in his arms. Nell, after the nstraintsat hroadacres, isthonmghly charnu'd with the fri'edom of the trip, and felt as if h\u> would like to sail o?i forevei'. Ha/el enjoys it also, but solely owing to its having l>roiight her the companionship of Nell, and for the elixir she hopes it holds for her lial»e ; liut in the privacy of t!i(! large, airy stateroom, occupied by lierself and Nell, she confides to tli(> latter that she wishes Mcauvais -kind and at tentive though he has been — had left them at Smith's Kails, and returned to Ottawa, instea«l of, as now, making the round trip to Kingston; she little dreaming what l^'k'y <'''>'-:ervant, lotices t ut sne hngers (,n the words while undressing hal.y as if recalling the past. " •'^' " Three times," she echoed, musingly, drawing the gold pin.. f.<.m her blorule heir, and shaking it lo„,se over her l„u-e slf.ml- Learv r'ir'" '^""^ .^/'f "-■^•. "When and whe.e, Madame L( aiy ; she says, with latent uitere.st, admiring the while the sweet picture Hazel, in her pretty rohe de ohan'il.re, m k -s s she bends over baby at her 'oreast, and which Heauv.us is fea t! ...gins eyes upon through a small opening in the .shutter of hmrwnidow, which, in their innocence, they Imve not mite closed to the pure air fro. n the water, litthf dreannng o/ « sensimus gaze and hot br.-ath they a,-e the victin.s of. '" has IZ^'^r ' ^-^l' •':;'^'-'".'""> the sweet voi... <,f Hazel has a s,u cmlence, weighted as it is with the .nen.ory of her oonversation with U.-uuvais in the Ih.w of the boat, ''we left ••!"-''7\'-"> s of uncle Carew to myself, not to speak of what had pr - ; - <;''^ • '-' •!<-.• papa's death, while M.-flean was feeling g r e' I at the increasing weakness of his old fri,,,.!, Mr. t,)uirk O ,• next meeting was hi the deprtt, whither Ma y (Junn and" I uu ti>i\ont..ea. M.. t^..rk, pale and very week, was .» r.M^. ^ .• Hen„u,la, McLean with hi.e we spoke a few wonls to h m wishing then, ho„ voy,u,.: ^L• Qui.k was a dear ohi m n , we fel ,pnte distressed abo„, him ; and as y.M. ha Id he never hved t,o return. At the close <.f the linte "mcW rl 64 Beautiful County of Prince Edivard. turned to the city, uiul (»iie iii<,flit we met in the gallery of the House ; tliere was a gi'eat crusli to hear, I renieniber, the stir- ring debate on Trade with the IT. S. A. ; but McLean man- aged somehow to j<»in us, sitting lietween Mary Gunii and myself. Pat, only managing to get within sevei-al yards of us, however, succeeded in passing to me a })encilleti slip recjuest- ing me to wait for him at tlie entrance gate, which 1 did, Mc- Lean having asked me very politely if he could bean additional escort, as we weie g<»ing to walk to Santly Hill, and Mr. Lisle, Avignon and Cohtnel Grey were already with us. On my hesitating, he had just time to ask me, very hurriedly, if it was true that I was engaged to be married to Mi'. Leai-y ? T had scarcely time to frame the word 'ye.s,' when Pat, overtaking us, ami taking innnediate jxis.se.ssion of myself, McLean, lifi- ing his hat, was gone, thinking, 1 suppose, he would be dc (rcjt^ as Mary was so well escorted. So you see, dear, it has been .sjiii I' my mariiage that I have learned to know and like Mary (jiunn's tScotch fiiend." " Weel, weel, as Betsy says, whan the ways o' Providence j)U//le hei',"' said Nell, her violet eyes fixed on tlie svve«^t face of Hazel ; "and then poor old Met sci-atches her wig, which I can oidy do prospectively ; but fi"om what you base told me, sister mine, of the cat-green orbs, I should like to slap the Kates right in the middle of theii- ugly meddling old faces.'' Hazel smiled indulgently at tluMlaring uptuined face, when, a grave thought chasing the smile and, bringing a tiemoi" to her lips, she says : " Miss Melleville .says that 'tis Pat, who should <|uarre| with Fate, "; and oh I it grieves me so, Y'ou see, when I saidyesto his proposal, it was because unch^ Carew had t<»ld me that the (|uicker 1 i-anged tiiyself the i|uicker he would be pleased, and I was really grateful to Pat." "(Jratcful I it's my bacchanal brother in-law should Iw grate- ful. Very well, I won't cull him that if you will save that salt water that is i-unning to waste, and spoiling your eyes, save it until you see me grateful lursooth, to 11. U, for marrying m(>. Yes, ! giv«' you leave, miy invite you todrown me in your tears, if ytiu live to see the day that I, Nell Carew, am grati'- ful to the man I honor, with niy hand — grateful ! Phew ! Hats ! (Ireat Scott ! and evi-rything els(( — I wish the ancient Beautiful County of Prince Edward. 05 Parcao Iwul shook those two ,nen up in a hajf and -ivcn you y.mr oho,ce U was th. v.ry least thoy could do, InZ ^ pS". :\ f:^' fl-^'-'-"-J i-Hteness, had they had is .. ch a, uouM ht u.Hhw a Mu,ete,.nth century posta,.. stan,p, th^d have .nen you your choice," she sajs in h^-.tldei; At this the piy old boy from th.' other sinatio,, sister ; this child is inheritor ;,f the ears of le^'^^. f ■"^•'"•^■'•"' '•"' ''"'.^'"••^^"'••fH. H., heard buY t e echo of „,y own oration, and besides," she says, consulting tl. ewe h.d wa d. ,n her Parisian bracelet on h,; bare ar ;; M" ...rfew bell has ,.un.^ everyone on board is on shelf., •-/"to sleep-land, yourself an.l baby bein-^ th,- only i te ;•;• •-•tl pussen,,e,s on the boat, as you have ,:;.oved by Ute - U^ ny Lvture; but here .oes for the bolt of'the sl.ut^,... O, i I Ly Maston m th. ....pboar-l, and con.e and look out. t<'i in tlu' lan^ua^e of sonu' dandy po..t ; Ami the moon o'er the water plays." "Yes, is'ntit.livin,. '" whispers Huzel softlv. an. . th ,.r..(l v Ht the san.e tune t>e iK.auty of the vaulte.l heavens, wih i mym.ds ot star- it l.unps. t n throwiuM' h -r i v • "";; myself, 'Oh, yes, you are one of those women at wInw tovcb honor withers.' As for Pat, for your sake and my own, as I shall be nearly always with you after I enter thi! ringed c'.rle, I shall be nice to him, alvays pro- vided,' a/id lK)ltJi'g the shutter, at which the gay old boy h(!ar- ing again creeps along ami lends an ear, "Yes, Nell, always provided you don't ask too nmch, dear." "No, Hazel, only this, that as we are told somethiujr about keepiii/: the dooi of our t)wn lip.s, T shall be sweet to Pat, always provided he won't force his kisses upon me; for all nuai, as well as Pat, who have breaths perfumed so, .should 1m> for- warded to Japan to learn to .salaam, verxun kiss, and on their return, perhaps, I'd permit them to kiss my toe — booted.'' And so she rattles away, while, with loving fingers, Hazel uiakes a .soft braid of the beautiful golden hair hanging out- side the rohe de unit, of our pretty N(!ll, and, as she chattel's, Hazel's thoughts are bu.sy of how «m two occasions, herself un- .seen, unheard, she had eonu^ upon a w(»man in " wIkw* might, had iHien a umn's undoing," and of where her " weakne.ss had lH*en liis strength," the pair thinking no Iiarm of a kiss. " Hazel of the cat-green orb.s," .says Nell, in slowly .solemn t<'ne.s, "if you had given me Scotch Donald foi- a brother in law I l)et my shoes Burt's at that he'd niiver have known 1 Imve u fairly kis.sable moiitii, nor would h(^ hav«f eare single instant other t''vu a, friend, and I am <|uite sure ■•. is that," she says, feeh'-f "l»ut I know who Im^ dtM-s oim for, though this is a se^ - " >icil, for I feel (jnite'sure she lias refused him, and I don * how any woma!' eould, " she .says, innocently, at which li •• his lip., in rage, to prevent Ids emphatic languag( forth, " Life is just a nnid puddle, Jlazel, and we have .so goodnight ; vatch me mount to the top shelf. " \ bitcH sting light, f Beautiful County of Prince Edward. 67 J^fr\ *'"? ^"f" P'^'^"'"' ^""' ^^''^••' '^^f^'-^ y<>» go- We will 2 the Lord 8 Pmyer together as we u.sed to do in ou, del old home in tlie Forest City." ot£r nJi J'"'^^''' "^^^,^«'- "^"^« f«r fear of disturbing the othei Nell, too angry for Hazel's spoiled life, to sleep until hours had emptied into the past, while the pillow ,fZ"e we with her tears, but baby in her arms softly sleeping s^n to brmg to Ins mother the angel of rest, a.ul ere^ on. si e to' passion for; jeaL.us, Um, III m. 68 Beautiful County of Prince Edward. of her fjladness when he is fuiioiis at fate tliat he is ol)H<^e(l to leave her. " Tell me how 1 shall siiii,'Ie her out — is she like Mrs. Leai'y w youi'self — is she kin to you? T don't see any one as lovely as eithei- of you — excuse the point blank coniplinient — how am I to see her?" ^ " 1 should say ycni are all at sea," says Nell, proudly, "when you ask if the servant of a Carew is kin to them," then laj)sin,<( into merriment, continuing. " Dost see that i)('au-]tretty Nell in hei- fetching blue boating costume, lifts his cap, which is shajied like u, pc.inut shell, tassel (»n to}), and smiles, as extracting the soft candy tVom his siin-warm thioat, heeonvt'ys it to his month which is trinnned with a xcry new moustache. Jle now holds the cap towards her in a comical mann<i|i at l,„r i„.,u-f„ id„l, „„, p„,tty NWlil ,„,''' T "NHICarevv!" wi...,, ,1,, wo i„.v,. f,„. Pi„„„, ,„.,„, „,4ii,,„,;'^„,,t', ..""'" • At .l:.l() |,. I,,., ii„i»t crael „f t<«si!»," |„, ,,,,.„ I ■„ , , . 1 >W_„™,.yc,„„„rUI,l. ,.„1 ,|u- ,vst .ouM 1« "" „ .it)Je, «li(> says, waverin^ly. v*",l"y- " And don't f(.r^r„t, y„„,. hoy," said IWuvais I* » i i i g'lVH Iieiv unless she feel coming on." ion army Holdici' is curvatui'tj uf her spin- 1' (■oh.uin ';'! I 70 Beautiful County of Prince Edward. Hi ! Ill " Do stay over," pleads Beauvais, with a longing desire to have hei • /ith him, as Betsy will relieve her of the care of the small, and Nell will flit about finding amusement in the ad- miratio!; she excites, in the fun she takes in the appearance of a motley throng, rather than in the beautiful scenery, and the gay (lid boy anticipates with passionate joy the watching, un- observed, the sweet face of Hazel in a glow of delight as they Float down the shining iver, The river of the dies, On the gallant steamer ' Norseman ', With sweet Hazel by his side. But Vhomme pi'opose, and when he suggests this desire of his to remain with them until their departure for Picton, Hazel takes alarm saying quickly : " Oh, no, not for worlds ! you .',ee, the letter Pat promised would meet me at Kingston is not forthcoming " Then leaning towards him in her earnestness, in nervi as tones she says. " Oh, please, you must retu . at otvi, to Ott va ; I nx-anof course," she adds sweetly, as siic pushes back the light brown curls on her forehead, to look up at him dependently, "of course, I mean I wish you would T m so anxious until I l-ear. You say tl'ii clerk says there nfe positively no letters awaiting us from Ottawa?" "None, so he tells me, but dear Mrs. ^. ,vin' remember tlia- no news IS good news," nc.-t couti'T g in her that he himseli is the recipient of a missive from s 1' llevilie, in whiih she glows over the fact of Pat's sem. -tui d state, and of how at a river party got up by Ha/.( Is bnU-noir Madame Vil- n\^M, she and Pat are canoe companions, on the ev» ning, too, of the day Mrs. Leary and party had floated away on tin steamer " Rideau Belle," of the champagne and ices at Hull, the return to supper at Madame Vilaine's in the; small hours (»f the summer dawn, concluding her elegant epistle by recording the fact that thoy were all quite " spiffy." And now the wise old boy, with his eyes still on the sweet face opposite him, thinking to forge yet another link in her chain of gratitude, says : " I'll tfill VOU wlijl.f, we'll dii. nntfir info n. c'^mnnnf • von nrO- mise to remain over bunday for the water trip, it will do you Trifling, Teasing, Trusting, Trysting. 71 " Oh, thank you evel- so ± ^' T" '""P'^^'^ous." lief, " but will you Jivpnn^r', r^f f^''' "^'^^ ^ «%h of re- " Yes, for yoif vfu 1? ^^l^ghtful water trip V> t- the s.nut'^oT th^irru:::':?""-;' '^';'- ^^^^^ ^™^ •' -^ pleased with himself, ''and res/. ''''^''fT ' " ^^ '^y^^ ^^eli as to how things are imme ilte v '"''"^ ^ '^"^" ^*^^«g^^PJ' ^''U And seeing that ^rCttblp ^ '"' ""^ ^''"^'"^^ ^<^ 0"*^«-" posal up stairs hXelp^'^^^^^ "'' ^'"^^^ ^^ *^^«i'' ^Ji«- -^^«-«-^.^^. with Hazel oTZVeTtZT /T"'' *'" ^"»*"^«« ^ th her weak husband "'^^°'^ *^ ^^'"P^ 1" dealing •'But, Mrs Lekrv «rl V ^ ^ '^''^''^ «» Pooi' Pat." '-ve had :ii^,"i^;e yormuTrT "^ *'"^' ^f ^ourself ? you I shall watca bin, and constanfK '^!™^" ', '''' ""''^'^^ that had better be off to see abo^ n.^^^^^^^ "7 ^ -PP-« I self, dear Mrs. Leary " ^ Take good care of your- ™vc. telegraph,,! I,„„ hack ttClLlJ'^t T" "^■" '" for .„., capaoi„„, ,„3ire. „,,io„ lo;;C!;;e'^p^„:[>™:;» ■""" CHAPTER VII. TIUFLIN.;, T«A8,N0, THUST.Na, TRVSTINO. Of tsirS '^""- ^"'•'■' '^nd whirr whirr n rosy-hpped summer-girl symj athy. ,HE north side of the Mn«,iV Woii . • , extensive «,.„„„ ™™rcl ":','. r'^t/J?"''? ^ ""> on the cape which iuts o„"f~ * .? r>oacn iiimse i- P«.% in s„aiw, the tiirtr. :r„iS^%^»:Ki 72 Trijling, Teasing, Trusting, Trysting. Illi it i : A ^ lights, as also the electric lights on the lawn — they, the latter, only coming to this dusky spot in fitful rtashes. On th(! plat- form which is built outside tlu; music hall, and which also runs around this shadowed north side, are benches ; but here only one is placed outside the small window, hence; it is a meet spot for observance unseen l)y those in the interior. One is comitlete master of the situation, if, as on this, the sixth evening after the arrival of Hazel Leary, and Nell Carew, a dance is on the tapis, the floor being cleared and the benches all placed by the walls which the immerous guests from the hotel and cottages soon fill to repletion, one seated in the outer dusk mny j)eer between the he.'uls and shoulders, nay, may even mingle his breath with theii's without detection, the stealthy watcher being concealed — wrapped in the mantle of a summer night. A black thing is crouched there now, having the form of a man (»f mediuin height, and by that Hash of electric light one sees a pair of (hstective (^yes set close together in a false, mean- lonking face, free of beard, whisker oi' moustache ; an old young man, crafty in expression, his dark tweed suit being unconspicuous in style, his linen, though n In iikxIp in cut, is unsavory. So intent is he in his stealthy watch that Ik; is a trifle careless of an occasional glimmer of light from the music loom playing uj)on his face, but with some instinctive feeling which many are C(»nscious of, of some unseen object being near one, a lady, in trilling chat with her neighboui- immedi- ately inside tlu; window, suddenly turns her head (tver her shoulder to meet the gaze of the stealty outside watcher. With the exclamation of Oli I the pcM-son moves away to the gloom of some monster oak and tow»>ring pine. Her late partner in a polka says, mirthfully : "One would think you had caught sight of i\ ghost, bat or owl, you ladies are a ItuiHHe of iKM'ves." At which liriglit Mi's. .lames, of MelleviHe, retorts: " Dont malign my sex through me, sir, or T shan't pilot you throuyh this waltz. T might well stai't, with some horrid man outside, why lie nearly had his head on my shoulder when 1 looked antuiid ; if I had been the magnet of attraction t he man would have been more bearable, but his eyes were meanly fixed Trrflina. Teeing, Trusting, Try.Ung. 73 ™n^» ^ '^''" C,„,,„ „t the other on.l „f the l»"k at „,„„„ „the°,.^W„ ';,»'"'''"■ '"'""»" <» '" :y"u ,„„r:.;; t But even u.s he twirls I • f. ce hno^ht with uni.nation, f„l K^ ^'"^'.^'^••/^'^"c.t uptur„,d ' 'iving dined with her -ind . "^ ^•''*' '''te'w'y «»n his „i„'. '' "hi,.,. P,;::;;: , .,'■'"' ^ i-- -.,. ,„,;„4 l;i;/;;:;.:'". -I- T shr.uld '»■ is ; talv, KY «<>," luijnrhed Phill A ii or M lie I hue ! " cries Kvu T )('(^ fi little i-eel •'li: woi'M '•• ^lIM..ll^r the festi 111 ve 400. 'S w/dtzin^r j„if,t iif) i\I ISH HI 74 'Trijf.in(j, Teasing, Trusting, Trysting. Philbee laughs, showing a set of white, even teeth, nature's gift, too, in a clean, well-shaped mouth, adorned with what the •rirls had dubbed, a dove of a brown moustache. "Come, Nell," Philliee continues, ooaxingly, "Moore is ncm- suited, send him to the wall, he would make (juite a uni(|ue and handsome ornament ; the girls will admire him perha{)S even more than they do the rolling pins and other ;irticles of vertu they hang up." "We might even trim you with ribb(»ns, Hurt," laughs Nell, "how happy would I be with either if t'dther dear charmer were non rut. You, Roderick Piiilbce, plead thai, T promised to dance with you when Dan Tucker played this ' QuecB of ii'y Heart ' waltz. You, liurt, swear T owe you the third and fourtii waltz c»f the evening, trex Itii-n. T have no idea of the time, so down on bended knee ; kneel .-is you stand, right and h'ft of me, and consult the watches in the toes of niy French slippers ; if not yet nine, T am yimrs, Hurt, if after, T be- long to Hod. ; but come out to the platf(»rni, else we shall 1h» swept under the benches and into the parlor of the spider, minus a bid. Now down on your b(!nded knee.s." The watclies in her slipper-toes telMng '.», 1"), Piiillxie rises triumphant. Hushed and liappV, just as Messrs. Mack and Spindle, tlic jiroprietors (»f the hotel, .saunter up. Spindle making a full stop, saying, jocosely : "Say, Miss Carew ! you >ivv robldng the other young ladies. You have too many strings to your liow." " Or n»y shoes. Uncle .lolui," she says, snuirtly, after tiie mannei- of the younger ginwts at the Sandbanks. " You, t<«), are gallant. en«mgh to have olfered to tit^ them had you come; along a minute sooner. Watch what, perfect tiuH^ we'll ke«'p." "A bewitching littler t,iine-keeper," wiiispers Pliilbfe, aH, almost, tito lia|ipy for woids, they join the throng of walt./ers. "Say, is tiiat. a case, Hurt T' asks Spindle, a ghtw of inter- est on his good-natured face. " Yrs. it's all up with Philbee; Imt that old wasp, Hetsy, Mays Nell is engaged to some confoumh'd fellow al 'I'oronto." " Is that so ,' Now t.hat is lianl on you young fellows. Say, don't tiny look li(ttidsome t.ogetlH'r. di ? " lie says, adniiringly, IIS he supptnts oi If door; lost, Hurt Moon- taking tlif other. IS Of a triitl Trifii^i, Teasing, TruMing, Tr,,Mng. and well i.uilt flitionod, popu ><»k fill- and wid 75 >llow tlio a young fellow us Pliiji l« em meeting us h,.inds,.m(3 becoin d "ig wliite H.-innel '\\ '""' ^'th a proud, hand w.'ll-hred, well-con- «oin(^ f;iee, clad in '"^vn collar, with (Jor.l' . .! T ' . '''"^ ^'^' ""<'-'• tho turned H'aist. l'oi-(lon scarf, tli I' Hanie s liiad Tl.c little l.lo.ule l,eauty, Nell -hinu-silk gow C()( 'CJl along in a di, all too-de|i,r|,tf„j le around his luettisl.ly attired in wh!te 'X'ar future 1 night mare », ti-i,,,,,,,.,! with I)Iaide,l suril. .„ m '"^' on an lattl <'« not .say so ; |,i,t lous conui aiK le very '('coming a hideous 'W'd ?" asks Spindl, must t.>ll you „f wl«arf, at Kingst. punishnient looking at Phill ■■' III amusing ineide,it that lave '■^ AfiiigMr ale. ««• in ]>ossession. r »", /•'' Nell's wi II •'•S fouKMdong, M„ri,. I '''•;,'agcmeiit. occurred on iSwift '"' 'n time f,,r tl w , •■■■ ..IK- i,rx n tJie l)lue-ril,l,o„ |,ar I '•' next daiic '\''t a good laugh, and you ^'•11 of the Ik,„ 1 If tells Spindle ,,f (I reeogniz,. white coat and Pick ford. „:;"'."•". -I.ich w<. alr.;ulv I. Hui Mo..re as th,. wearer of t.l. le pcltii i« l»\ pt'anut shell <"<,sv, an.l we ,.ow ' f the stnped 1,1,,,. ,i,„, •''4'. "H 'ils(, the a(; •■•Sni tell you what it is I •faintance of wharf, jerked /.'aveme a nip, t« ly pants, the seat of tl »o, causing nie t "H.'. John, He sy, stand mat that ; l,v ( niud fence Kow voice »'y young led.ly ymWerr'sl »ok '•Kon the ••'<»Wshe -'"- -i-H;.'::v";;:rl;;'t;:^-^;r mu giddy """«'"on,yemauMnadaurlift "' ^"'"'•''•' ■^''" i^na for the lik, your hold 'a !as- •'•'11 to <''ty, nae like t| . Nln' IS wearin' o a U> wed liefore I IIS N ang. •;'•'« ^''i' a rich lad Ilia' place, flirt wi' l,arl >arl)arians, an'sl y« ; sae |„,h| '" 'I <''vilize,i hard I ,'^o>afact!'exelaimsS ic I,. Koin' ••"..you young feUows. I -•>•;• n, y..ur nohl.y suit, r,| ,..;U V";""- " ^^"'1. Hs I said hef '"< you can't all have I •'^••'« an oiiiand,,,,! «' m ^orc. it's "■'•. .1)1,1 jf '>>^«'lt' with Miss ] PImII ;•:. / •/ "' '"""Kh Nhe sai, ri Trifling, Teasing, Trusting, Trysting. " T wisli he'd go to Salt Lake, and take his harem v/ith hin," says Moore, a little sulkily. " But," laughs Spindle, "the Saints are finding the women t(H) many for them," " Littlt wonder. Uncle John, with millinery so high," hut his laugh dies at hirth, as he stops short at the north side of the .Music Hall, long-legged Spindle, and iiis good-natured laugh heing by tliis time a-far, while Hurt Afoore, slipping into the shadowed north side, <»ut of the glare of lights fn)m the witidows on the east fi-ont, gazes into the gloom of the trees, a liMtk of puzzled discomfiture on his boyish face, as he nuises : " Yes, the mean skunk, he is sneaking about again, I can't make out who he is watching, unless it be Philbee ; what if there should be simiething scaley about Philbeo," he thinks, giving way to the pressurf^ of the cloven foot ; " if so, and the detectives are after him, my love for that stunning little girl, Carew, might score me a point ; " but with a boy's innate love of fair play, he shakes himself free from the tenipting susj)ici(»n, and cloaks himself anew with a desire to get «tut of that sneaking form what his business is in tluis prowl- ing alMiut the hotel and jtromontory at dusk. What, if I am right in my surmise that it is Pickford, all I have to go on is the decidedly shadowy resemblance, and that he was always a bit of a sneak, together with the fact of his having writtt-n me alMUit this j)lace. A sneak is invariably a c of a summer-house f,o splitt*'r spluttiM- and die. Yes, our pretty Nell has had it narrow fWJi|)«*, and m the electric light Phin»ee shows pale as death. VVhat. if it had fallen iijion the lovely gohh-n hair had laid its di-stroying element upon that beautiful little face, which, but for the ina^l ding crowd he would pillow in his arms; but thank Proviri#»nc«« it lias fallen to her side, though l»ruising her right hand, which is painful, and s|H»iling her pretty silken skirts with its Ham- to Trifiing. Teaeing. Trnsthg, Trysar,g. 7- ".« "t 9. Ti,.^f; '. "„' , "0,,"";,.:'/''%''""" "' ""■ "- : •• f""l<. H...I. ! 01,; ' ; T "'">■ "'■" "I"'" u»." '•"'"■t t<. i«. oa ,„vi„i '" "'">■ "'■"-. "'"I -I. !<.■» «!; ;■"-' "'V':,;i;,;['zt 'ci-..^^ r"' "" ">'- '^ '"■--»•" ..» I"it. for H,h1." "*"' """'> 0" ["P "ito 1. CR.,„„ti„„ .,„ " ("'of 11 fact ! " «vpl„;„., w, ■ 11 <'"»> (^nd. John. «^'^''"'"-^I'"Hll., who.u thV you,.,... ,,UKstH " A Um.ler |.as.sH,,o," whi,s,H3rs Tims t,. 1). ii i ;;"*'- '-O'inls and l!u 1 L X "" M ^'^'^'''''«^ ^''"t (oai oil uijl ,,,,.,.,.,„ ,^ .. ■•"' '"•". .1..';;,: ;': ;^;;;:,v;:l""••■ -;- ui,i,,:T 78 Trifling, Teasing, Trusting, Trysting. "I'd have kissed it to make it well," laii<,dis McCull(>u<,'li, " had Ariiiiiiida said me yea/' "Tf Pliilhee hadn't been dazed l)y other f,deanis he'd have seen it coming," cries another. " Sometliint,' must have knocked the i)<)le," said SpimUe ; "a night-hawk, perhaps." "Yes," breaks in Nell, excitedly, "a night-hawk in thef(»rm of a man. T told l?od. T .saw a thing sneaking just here," and she goes to the sidct of the summer-house immediately under the pole. " For a fact ; a laiscreant hand bending it .so, would send the coal oil lamp just where you and Phili)ee stood ; but say ! we have no tran)ps at tlu' ISank.s, so it must have been some ugly night bird," said S})in(lle. PhilV>ee, standing somewhat aloof, his arms folded, hia brain and heart in a whirl, .scarcely hears what Jiurt Moore tells him of the fellow he has seen skulking al«»ut. " Yes, Moore," he say.s, moving nearer to Ifazel and Nell, " we must look into this matter ; this might have been a .seri- ous accident. The next time you see the fellow, hunt me up, and we'll get him to Hlo<»intield double (piick, and hand him over tt»the authorities, to lick into bet>t,er shape." "All right, I'hilbee ; ■' if you hadn't been preoccupied by that little Circe, Nell, you'd have spotted him yourself." " Mrs. Ijeary," says Philbee, bending down his handsome face to her ear, "do, I implore you, get IMiss Carew down to your cottage and out (»f this crowd, her hand should be attemh'd to at once." "Come, Nell dear, to Idle Uowim", don't delay ; Betsy must dre.ss your hand ; you come, too, Mr. Philbee, for your coat, unless you will leave it with Betsy to renew f(»r you ; come, l)octor Helen, tlu're's a dear." "Mrs. Spindle can supply you with pounds of cotton l)at- ting, Mrs. Leary," says Spindle, eagerly. "Thank you," say's Ha/.i'l, ovei' her shoulder, "but Betsy has a curiosity shop down at Idle Bower." "(Joed nigiil, g<»od night," calls Nell. "(J«kmI night, sac- charine conglomeration «»' liwls an' lasses." On reaching Idle Bower, a small white, neat painted stnu- ture, with led and yellow facings, fresh and snug, cool am! in ^'rijliny. TeaM„g^ Trustivg, Tryelv«,j, 79 with k,„..,,,,,ei,„„. ,;;;:; ,,:;f,';;;i;:,;;:'""-» """"■""■'' '■>■ "^-' N.01'« l„„,d." '"»'^""">"«, ami j„„ „,n hear I,,.,- ,,.,„,.t „f Mr». Louis, wlio is a i-ncsf m .1. tun, ,,f i.a„t, t., th/,,„,:,';;^';,:; p';^ ;ten" ""■ ^'"'"^' •■''- ril.l«.„ l,.,n,„;» ' " "«'" «""' "-illi" "-auj.'!,., n,,.,!,. „• |,|u" '»'"i'.''wi^'i*'Jn?:i;"''^^ *""" ~'"- -"" ' "«■« 'I- -tw,. atu.,„i» t„ 1,,.,. I,,,,;;"-, i,i:!r ' '"■"»'»'-''"i"" w.-.t uk,, i)„t,y «.:%:■• l;i;;; ■'Sit: i;; ■i.iVir'.-nrT""'-^" »'■" ™^"> '-■- tlunk o' tlu.y." ^ '" «l«>utye, M.ss Ndl ; it tVigl.Ls ..u- t,! P'«'H- Ko /lown-lt W JkS "'V'"^ '"'" ^" '"^^">o„ now. «-"II«- '- pl.as,. ^Mv. " II I. . J'""*'"'? ^••"- " < »'« Hh ! •• she #:i 80 Trifing, Teasing, Trusting, Trysfing. 'She liMs yunc l»ack l(» fclic niu.sic liiiil with ilic^ othors for our fill- cfipes and lier own .shawl, Philhei; has i-citmiicd coat- less — next door to Hollickers Dene, and heartless in one sense, tiear," sh(^ says, sittin>,' beside her on the neat wh'te bed, "you are niakinj^f sad havoc with those young fellows' hearts, my pretty sister." > "I'lit what does it si<,Miify, when they are all in the soup," replies Nell re<,'i'etiully, when, her niischie\ous niood taking her ill possession, she horrifies Hetsy, who is descending the stairs, hy saying, " T only wish H. It. was in the soup, and that r could many all th<»s<' Ixiys at once. Let me, see, and taking one of Uu/els slim liamis in her left hand, she says, C(»unting off the taper lingers, "1 should like jolly Keggie 1'inisfor breakfast and to pilot me through my swim ; next, I should likr Uuit .Mooi-e for diniu'r and a ilirtation row on the lake, until <»ur primitive tea-time ; when all togged up jiretty, T should just love," says the little witch softly, "tit liave Hod. to waltz with all evening," and the violet ey<'s take a di-eamy look Hazel has ne\'er seen there before. " Uut, Nell dear, do you think it is (juite fair to young Philbee t<» flirt s(» remarkably with him. I can assure you there is many a lifting of eyebrow by the Primtons, and that set. on your dam-ing so often, or sitting out dances with him ; Ituf Ity far the worst of it. is, dear, that you may grow fond (»f him, and your nwur-iage with II. H. coming otV so soon." "Well, you are married, Hazel of the winning ways, as T overheard r.el! say to two or thre<>(»ther men at bowls'to-day, and I know they all think you just too sweet for any thing-— but thi'mselves." " Nonsense, Nell, men ha\( died and worms have eaten them, but not for a .hine fani'V. " " 7Vf.s hin,, 1 HUi just Hod's summer girl : think. Hazel, wlinf acontr.et ! have to simmkI my winters with," and some- thinu: very like a tear !'^ brushed sunvptiliously away. " Ah me. ah me, Hazel of •!> eat green oitis, life is just' one big niu«i puddle, and • 'Yhv hhe of W)iiw 18 wuitK'timii .IimI ii For f»t« oft R hi(|(h wall ruiMN. at wliiil flying IjHck th.' momentftrv «ileiitH», tM^ lliuughts ofea*'h I'lwii il Veterttii Lodgi , and aguin they T t 1 u Trifling, Teasivg, Trusting, Trysting. ■ar tJie tenor voice of McLi 81 ward coiivicti J>ut lluzel on of Donald ■I", ;in(l N.-ll so this child will , youi- (.yes huv( to •sur-e fV( J' Nell, what IS Uw reas(»n tl in dress that I 1 en le was lis lo\( ''y H mean thin<; t le ooys run after n lave the doll ir, 'l»<»t this outi ;0 s, •souls arc so i a peanut slidl. " one's hi'dier ii n^ with nat ■ly ; one would Ihink that tieai 'ly I '"•''• self. T d,, |,^.| "'•<' would act "■"l'"itl..ncd they cni,!,| ,| K'Nc some peoj as ii .le's I{|V1, I tell tl •you arc, Hazel, but I don't d aiicc a <{aloj> jn (.) '♦■ni all that I s(.|l i'lH'en and Yon.ire-streets '1 peanuts ''i^vive any „f the hoys frock s second-liaiHl. Ol iiKl ci<,'arettes at c( ■onto, und that I I )riier ;'"yo'«n^Merror!"lau.,d.s Ha/el. my my pretty nitist look after tl het '•othed; List leir ow!! licHrt> Well, I su Ppo.^f* they ,«:ot t<. tell V •■n a kii(»ck, oh, it you can't ^ro about tick,.t«.,| (i<»or to (fct v< ■oti .Mr. PI, 11 1 IK se ( » >"'• nn;trs ((, ,.|,.,i„ I »<'<' said h(» would Kown. '■'>l'<. I II V i, I II or you. your slain, I f„r- come just to the ti'othal I5ut, Ndl. 'y ente little niinbow-liued ,| PI Tl rin^' to I asks Haz.'l I niiTiedly, "|„,w -on your ri^ht hand • it is awfJl "•'•'■'»y lian;;s H ,,i| I'essinjT eaiiie your 1m>- lilbec had b* Nell ^aily, the^ f.^.t 1 ler t(. wear it no | >eii ' II niake a pillow of ""'•tryst, th(. stvlc. }. lave fi f,.\, I, •;«''i- on her left hand >K ■easu red words niy coat to niii,di( > sweet ; rcmemi ■". '•^•M, ine siv (.. Kroii. (I i ■ ' ■"'"•. lememiicr " "■■«■" u. ii„. ...li;;,'::,!';?,:;.'. '.","•'>■ -'!;■" ""-.."ki. .i„. sniallest e.,ve dow,, pained you when it aiiio n;,' tl '< and into th Was dres,K(.d '<■ •«»'.l.lers, this dear little I I did your crie.v and pierced my he/irl. Ijid inorr..w what mad "thouyh r ou^l '"'tm- with pain. K.„|.,-n,.,| one I'' 'n«'." she says, wit I P<'ihaps 1 shall tell n a new, sweet si i\\ ill three ImumkIs she eseapes her in h(M' own heilrooni. litthi thinking that, as she rolls up th(! pretty hlin(! to the top of the window, to let the stars look in above t\w pe^^'k-a-hoo, that a nasty eye gloats over her sylph-liki! nioveniei is, that a man of medium height has climbed a tr(!e a few yards from her window, commanding a view of \w,v room. cHAPTKii virr. A (JOLDEN .lULV MAIDKN. "And now with iinn, yet soft iiiaistcnce, The duinmer girl shinea down tlin thatanco. " HE following day at the first Hush of a glorious roseate dawn, the l.-ng-legged spirit of the Sandbanks, up and doing, taps gently at the open door of Idle Bower, when Betsy, as ever neatly tttired, t-omes forward, twine haui- mook in hand which her busy fingers mend, for baby Maston must not miss his swing under the boughs <.f so\w great tree, near tlie invigorating ur fntm the wat«r. " (iood morning, B- tsy," says Spindle smilingly, handing a small parcel and letters. " (Jude ujornin', sir, a finiw day sir, fra' Ojttawa I see, an' for Mi-tress Leary. 1 didna ken," she says suspiciously, "ye hae a mail sae early in the morn, sir. This is Mistress Leary's birthday, an' she ]«)ok't for letters yestreen." " For a fact, l^etsy ! and Init that T received a few lines from Mrs. (Junn giving me strict directions to hold these over till this morning, .Mrs. Leary shou hi have had them last night. Say, H«'tsy, tell Mrs. Louis the trap will be ready to take her to Picton at H:?,^ ; young man Hicks goes in with the mail." " Hetsy !" calls Ha/el softly, from her room adjoining, a pretty mom, its walls of stained pine, dre.Hsed with fantastic forest picturing by the artistic brush of Nell. " Betsy I what is it, what did Mi Spindle want ?" ye A Golden July Maiden. gg for b,4:':,!,!":t ;":.:;: cr-^rf 'i^""-; --^^ pretty Iinil.,s. It is a kirHliv n 1 !. f "^"'^"">^'« f"'* '>or own smiles the pWd ;ed^r:f t'u ^^ tnkt' f '^' '"J'' ^'^^^ has vanKshed, u„d not wisldn^tc a,. u*m' ;''''''"' ^^"*' ^^»' asleej, ,n tl... adjoining room wJfl , '"'l- ^-^^»'N ^vho is her sweet face s tti u, ' '' T'"'^'^ "^ expectancy on lest she wak^ 1. tlZ ^^'1^7 '"'' ""^■'''^^'^"^-- of morning. co,„in.. to S /i.. , ' .V"' -we^.t-scented breath takes the wrapp^.^ff ti e s„ ' 'sf 1 ^ """'"" ^'"'•^'""■'^' «»'« ^'«nn, which ^!!es<:"^;f:;;':;:'^: '^^'<'--' »>y m... instead of the orthodc.x Sk-ikst m- . . ''.'•'^•'"'''t, on which, familiar words ''Pu * .s^fl ^ '.'^"'•^''^•*'^' •"•*' "'e, t.. her bright." A sndle o ^il^'^'Z' ''T\ """-""'^''^ '^^^^ "-- «ho reme„d,ers of 1 Jw t ^ Tt H ''^ Donakl McLean had san^a ohl !;'''"% f- ^ ^'^^'•'^" f-<'K«. jnencing with those words^td .^-r^ '"' l'"*'^"''"''^' ^•••»>- Her she was the exenn !{«,:. "^ j'''^ ^^^terwards, he had told must have ^nven thi ^^t ' V . "'' ^''"''^^'^ ''' '''"'• »« has ciK,sent. have ;;:;?:;;';:,^^^ ^'> M'u-y (Junn, whoso th^:c;s::ft;\;;n^^^^^^^ pretty ann, ch.spinK t e i v^^'L/;;;,"" ■^"7;: ^" ^■'^" f-" her positions adnnrin^ly, h , ' '' ""' ''•'''''.'^ '^ '" •Jitterent gift by pressing it^r re S, '7 'yi"-<'^-"^t,oM of the pretty thmk of you both when I ;;t. it '- ' "^■"'^' •^"^■^'>' " ' ■^'-•' "ow::ars'r;:^n"r :„:;!: ''--^ ■'^.---- '••^K.-n.ess, s.. '•er husbanc/at Ketti: m;^ ^u^^n":^ '^ '"'"^ -'-^•' ^-" "Dkah Hazk,— H 'At thk Cantkk <« a paint brush. a„(l campers by you ere ^roes for half a do ^en the fvKrrrj.: Thlavd. ines, for my peti en d i 84 A Golden July Maiden. ■ \ : i ^:i ;ti • ! who T moan, Miat little fellow Gipp, that you won't smile upon we baptised him Pepper, because of his spicey stofies. It is so deuced hot I don't know where I am. Oh yes. Pepper, Brick and Cocktail, which means me, went into the Depart- ment of Interior yesterday, in common parlance the woods, tor game, m three hi.urs we l)ag<,'ed one crow. V\',. wei-e mad enough to eat it alive, and if hot words would have fried it It would have })eeii done brown. We drew lots as to which' ot us should pic:k, draw, and cook it, for we were ju.st about ready f(,r a good stjuare meal. I made short woi-k of the picking, when Pepper had to draw it, which he got out of by his wU- m drawir. .. by a string along the ground. "Next we, th.; f h,vo Graces, making rather free with a loaf- ing Inill, wlu'Ti i,f s.(i(„ Ideringhis spinal column, otherwise legged it after us at such a rate as to send us up a tree, ' (juicker than a feather would .scoorch in hades, keeping us there, too, for four deuced hours, while he howled, dug up the ewrth, and waltzed around aforesaid tree. We were just about dntpjung on to him, a jw.t of drii)pin.' each one of ua, when his drover and a couple of bushwhackeiQ found and got the bull by the horns, instead of he us. "Jupiter! what a rag-tail trio we were on arriving at the canteen ; hang me if (.ur experience won't cap any cami) meet- ing experience this side of Jordan. Ugh ! I ain all broken up, but a pipe, a sleej), and something neat, will set me on my legs for to-night. '' "Hope the kid is thriving, and that you and my pretty sister are putting in a jolly time. " My ])aint brush is gone up. " Beauvais is here, an.l, giv,> the devil his due, 'twas he who made me turn j)ainter, which has been a devilish bore, and, >'nfrf' iioKti, there should be a clause in the marriage service which would e.xenij.t slaves of the ring fn.m any s^uch duty Eh ! hope the free air of the Sandbanks will bring you to niy Ijreadth of view. Amen.— Adieu. " I lifts my bonnet to air my over-taxed brow, " Yours, meltingly, " Pat." Not a remembrance of her birthday she thinks, with a sigh, still he writes in ;i cheerful tone and she must becontentedr ( »af- A Golden July Maiden. 86 ■om her "Hazkl 1)KA„ V ".^''■■™'"'' I'ow,,;, OmwA. -;.<:». >f love I'wo'ul,, ;™e'",tif'™f' " ""■ ""'■•■■'>■ "■•■-■- -«' '!"« y.rai- i,irth-,l«y. Papa T„ , /r "'" "'''"' '"«• '''»"■. "n my excessive liking ^' '^""'"^^'y ^if' nc thought, a.ul to ""^/t'illy '.n tip-toe. ^ ' "'""'' f ■'^'^y '""•••^ to put you ' ' '"1111 told v*)u aiwl l^a^^ o -n.iuests at tin. 3 nks hut T" ? ^" '^"^^ "'"" '^—'gyour t'- '-^ yet; the fact is it i thi If'T '''' ^''"' -^ -^ „ w '"'. he hus a somethi .jr ZtTu n 1 ' .^"^ '">' •'^"" '^<"'trt is, -'-tlHM. I shall give U::!:^^':^:^J:;'\l^^' ^^ -^ y ;J'u-l'..g brother is to tin.. ;/''"'''' '^•"•"'^•■^■^ ^^M. n.y T'»n>nto. The latter is .^>w tLllT 'n ^'"^ ^""''^"••' '^ .'^''VM.gaM At-Hon,e in her ,0, "^ "'" ^'"^'''< »■<.• hosf-ss "•;; v"^v'l would an.use n>e i 1 ;< m"^""*' ^"","«' '' '<"-ving •'^••If w, n.y newest gown f M. ul '^ T'''""' '^'•'■'^y'''^^' '>.y " As I sat on one side of ,^1;/ "'^ '''•'^♦'"ation. WIS amused (o hear Miss sV. "'' ''''.*l""^' '<'"<' Haret cui. I - /''-Hbing on,;:/i a t :::;':r^'"-^ -<»■ --'- vulgar rich, talked over n.y boa tl I'-''" '""'•' '•"" ••^' "•"• '^'"•ine. '^ "*"' ^'' '^•"•«'"1> Ht tlie new Dollar 'if ■■ ii'i 8Jj 1.0 LI 1.25 us. Ill 21 iii lu I* IIIIM 1.4 2.5 ?.2 12.0 1.8 1.6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL 1010a (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2) ' 86 A Golden Jv^bj Maiden. "Next, my horror the social astroiioiiiei", Mrs. Cliiiohe, cate- c'liist'd ine, foncIiKling with, "and h(tw is Col. (Jray, intirm, I suppose ? ■' On my assuring her of the good health of papa, turning a dissecting eye upon my diversilied hair, taking in (he tiacei'ies of tinje around my yellowish orl)s of vision, she said, ' its a irmuh')' lie's «dm'.' "As is usual at an afternoon crush, our gentle sex were large- ly in force, while naughty men were few. Heauvais of course;, was there en »ia«ii^, and if he could liave divided himself into lots of liim, he would have found several claimants for his arms, everyone of the two hundred women waited, a solid im- movable phalanx, for the dozen or so o*' men to take them into the refreshing room. " I siriiled sardonically, as 1 thought, that each and all of these gay old chaps weie called on to olVei- the elbow as often as they liave offered theii' hearts. "in short, define an At-Plctnie, as a salaam, a sijuee/e, a crush, a jam, a salaam. " Ueauvais tells me he is going to take a run to Kettle Island. "I knew you would wish yourself many happy returns of the day you I'eaclied the Saixlbanks. "Papa sends with mine, love to yuu and Nell, " And am c\er thine, "MAHVSTlIAItTCJUNN." "P.H. Don't tell Nell. " Hoderick lioss IMiilbec Sttiart. (iray, there now I liave taken your breath away, writes us he is at the Sandbanks as Mr. Pfiiffifr ; that he has lost his heart to dear little Nell, and is going to beg her to become Mrs. H. 1{. P. S. (iray, and yours truly, .M.S. (iunii. is a delighted woman." With a bounding heart Ila/.el has but just, time to sliji the letter under the bedell itlies, when Nell, bright as the star of morning, trips in to wish her many liajipy returns of the day, the many hiied ribbons of her pretty dii'ssing gown Hying about her and intertwining with her yellow hair; Poll trotting be- hind her ' uighing and chuckling the while. Late,' on, in nattiest of print gowns, fresh tind sweet a^ the tinwers of th<' forest, Ma/el and Nell, with her hand bandaged, lake an earlier breakfa,Mt tlnui \iHual in the (^jean, any dining- n SI A Golden July Maiden. 87 room at the hotel, with Mrs. L<,uis in travolli... .<,m-„ whose las injiuictions were, t<. be "ext.en.eiy cvi.rful^f the i- ' r and ways with so many men about." ' '" "'''^'' " 'When found make a note cm't ' NToll «)<..... ' i i tf -ttiy, a, „,.,,, i„ .,,„ ,,„., .„„,„.,!;.U'io"',:i : I, r '" "'^''" MK)inm|>:. As f„r J|,„|„i,|„ Lcu.s, I ''^' "^"'"K ^'"^ «ow- of Ule b'iu,uet ''"' """'^' '""'" "'^"••'"« ♦'-" ^'- '".U-t Tliy iKMuity I luiv,, ofton.nmrko.I, I lie Mrt< nf l„ve ponniiineH my hoart. "Yon lad as daiired to send von hi^ Ji.t, l . i "aethin-bu) a hussrv an' l,L n *I"«.V l"t rhyme xn .... f.M , ', ..' " l"'^' ""ow tlH-m outside, wh.-r.- he!! ti u t !■■■ ' < 88 A Golden Jnly Maiden. n "Oil, IK), stay your haiul, Betsy, t\u-, (lowcu-sarc lovt'ly, what- ever the man may be," says Hazel eojivulsed. " lint Miss Hazel, what would the master say, or the lad, Ml-. Kice — " but her remark is iievt>r tiuished, for with a frown and stamp of foot, Nell says imperiously : "There, you have brought a frown to my forehead, you for- get yourself at times, Betsy, and take liberties of speech T do not permit in a servant. Put these flowers into water in the eoolest corner of the room, here on this bracket, perhaps I shall wear them this (n-eiiing, it will drive Rod. Philbee crazy, and my unknown admirer will not know he's in the soup. Time's up, sister mine ; a few minutes to makt^ myself beauti- ful, and to wash olFthe tobacco and barber shop contact with cashmere bouquet; you must tell m(> the news in Mrs. (lUiin's epistle when 1 return.'' Dainty she looks, as in a f(^w iiiiir'-"s she re-appears in skirt, of red cambric print, with white ^asli long and wide; fresh white muslin blouse, a red silk ti> , .ndcr the wide turn- ed-down collar, her lovely golden hair in a heavy coil behind and in fluffy bangs on Ikm* forehead, showing from under her large, drooping hat, gaily trimmed with large, white muslin rosettes, ornamented with peacock feathers, and val ones shed by Poll. "Oh what a dear little bracelet," she says admiringly, "and such an apt (|Uotation.'' "Yes, T love it, but f did not think your litth; ladyshij) would consider it worth a look." " Why '/ " " liecause you are sporting your wedding jewels and puit of your elegant trousseau, d(Nir." " ;\h Hazel, I do so because they have no preciousness to my heart, they are the jiricc of my freedom ; this one little silver (;irelet is worth them all, it is from a loved friend. (Jood bye, denr," and with a smiling kiss and tender thought, of all she knows from Mary (Junn's letter, Hazel sees her de- part, blythe and gay, kissing Ikm- hand in reliirn to Mel), wlio just emergj'N from his cottage ' Wonkilimad,' turning landward ti» the hotel to break his fast, while our pretty Nell, with firm yet soft insistiince, shines down the southern distaiuM', t»t where her own true lover waitH for her at the Htilu which separates A Golden July Maiden. 89 the extensiv-^ ''"'''"' •'^'^^'"^'"^ "There i. no one the tH ^ '"^ ''"" ^^«^'^"- -nying pails of wa '^^'^ "S^T''' ^''^' hoys wh,> a,. Nor .lo I wish it; wlw.t , 'u. leCet "f. '"' T''"'^'"^' -^•-• Therestof the festive four ml. r '"" ''"''' '^olitud,. ? in Kaily cK.H.rated c n '/.„ '' ? J^^^ ^T "'f *'" ^'"^"'-IveH "♦'h, they did g<. S;/! h J^^ ^•"- '»'-''-•"■" »ow we shall not' be mi^s J ^ r'T""*''". "•'''"" """• f'"" who that iHurid ..ightl.awk of , ' '''" •'"*"' ^^'o"«i-nng tuitively knoeked (l^rp'ulru: •■'''" ^^"^"' ^'^ ' '^->- ut ^^;;OI. surely not, Nellie, what motive could aetuat ,..1 " 1 know not, Hod., but H«n,.whi„„ for me. The Old Old Story. 93 Come little one look up, your golden locks fall round you like a veil, yes, dash them back so;" and taking her lovely face between his hands he turns it upwards. " You tremble, sweet, and are stil pale ; we'll climb up from the rocks and find a grassy seat. "Yes, Rod., though I know intuitively that man won't come a-glimi)se of us again this morning. A commanding view of the promontory will build this child up again No Rod. here at the very point is a seat of nature's own building' No don t ask me, I shall sit sideways, so I can see the stile and Retsy. Who is that bean-pole })ine beside it? see, she is coming to chaperon this one," she says cocjuettishly, warding off what she sees in his eyes, he must and will tell " These marguerites are lovely. Rod., but they would not be tellinul,l h.-u.. the comforts of lite and l)e sure, h.ve, luxuries would not be all denied you, for with this loved hand in mine, my ambition to be both good and great would cause the successful fmiti,,,, „f all our hopes I wil not l)elieye you could go away from me and marry Rice tor whom you have no liking ; tlu. ."nchanting time we have spent together at this romantic spot would ever haunt vou' dividing, ever your heart from bis. ^ ' "At every sunrise you would again ga/.e with me over to the glorious east again, see «ol coming up, clearing the mists with Ills morning kiss as he makes our world s(.' beautiful Onr world, sweet in which you seenu-d cont(>nt with me alone be- side you, an.I tlum the oiH. or two <,uiet evenings we have Had, i(. says, vvith f.«rvor, b,.nding his handsome head till al- m..s .M.chmg her golden hai,, h.-r hands lying without a '"" '" '" '"■, as ner heall-bcHLs (|uick«H», -tt'uggh' in lib I 94 The Old Old Story. " ^\ NeHip. tell me that you can forget the walk we had through the avenue on last evening, or up, up on the highest rulge of the yellow Sandhills two evenings ago ; tell me that you can forget and I shall lose faith in heart of woman You remember sweet, when you picked up from the hills this beautiful little shell, giving it to me as my mascot ; ah, love, cou d you forget such lovers' walks," he whispers, bringing a pretty blush to her cheeks. " Could you forget, go from me, leave me, a lonely heart, broken man, go from me to wed this man Rice ; then shall I lose faith in woman. You must hurt one of us, say it won't be me," he pleads lovingly, "whisper little one, whisper." ^ "No Rod., you mustn't kiss me, Betsy has taken the form ot that tall pine behind you, and is shaking all her arms and nngers at me." "Ah Nellie, Nellie you little bewitching witch, just one little word, and his arm is slipped around her waist " Well, wait. Rod., like a darlir ., till I see what the mar- guerites say," and picking oflf the white circlet of leaves, she says, with a sliy mischievous glance at his face, " I won't I will — I." ' " You will darling," he says, breaking in passionately, " you . will, you will, you will," and he kisses her rose mouth as she IS drawn close to his heart. " Oh Rod., it frights me, as Betsy says, the way I care for you, when H.R. kisses me I feel like doubling my lists at him." " Then you don't hate me when I kiss you, little one," he says, rapturously. " You know," she says with a new shyness. •' Yes, T know, Nellie, come love, lay thy hand in mine, now here, with (Jod, with nature all around, we plight our troth," he says, with a grave earnestness, pressing her close and closer to his heart kissing the beautiful little face, then with an upward glance his white cap shook from off his shap(>ly head, he says, reverently : " Thy lilfssing heaven upon our troth, ^ And oh. thou (iod all powerful, Tlimigh Thou, ' (Uvoroe our sky (uid sun apart, Never, ah, never, our lipn, our lips, our handH,' " i ^ mine. ^- The Old Old Story. 95 But, Ro(], floa.-, wliut am I to witl. uiu-ln Carow, witli li K., with IJetsy; reach me one of lier tiii-rers, dear, tJiose i)intt tutts you would call them, and we'll hear her speak as T count tiicm off. .She will assist us, she W(,n-t, she will," and in a pretty way she breaks them off till all are exhausted, (u-yin- triumphantly, " she will ! and now I shan't, both..,- v„u, deare "t — that s a word H. R. doesn't k.iow the sound ./t— with my doubts. Now, tell me how youi- own home rulers, whoever tliey may be, will perform, when you tell them that on tin' .Sandhills you met a small being who may be one of Kdison-s dol s tor aught you can tell, into wlmm an elf or fairy hath spoken saucy words of power, who hath taken thr gold „f her hair from her mater the yellow Sandhills, her ey s from th(. skies so near her laughter from the wat.-r, and that this same small being hath plighted \wv troth to th(>ir dear boy, l{„d., while at the very d.M.r ..f wedlock with a new dollar mortal! Ij.nv te me please, n.y <.wn dear Rod., what kind of caj.er they will cut ! " ^ " You droll little .'If, I do beli.ne your mater was a fairy," he says, laughingly, "but as to my hom,Mul(>rs you ne.'d iiave no tear, Ne,: • o«miing as you il„ from a race of soldiers- Irish, at that. ' he says, in happy mirth. "No, even though they be goblins let then, come on," slu" says, doubling her .sn..dl, firm hands. - H.l{., a mere acniain- tance of nunc at th<, Quecm City, M,.. Phi I bee," she says, a cMm)ical look m her vioh't ..yes, "tells m.^h.-t a clerk in uncle Larew s othce says T wouldn't be afraid to ,ook at .Mephist..- pheles himself, as if T had a smell und..r mv iios,.. Pickford is th,. nam,. <.f the clerk 1 allud<. to ; h,. thin'ks | am very proud and his satanic remark oo/ed from him, tor he is one of the oily kind After I had rejected a writt.-n oiler of his oily heart and hand, if T ,.ver hear lu- ,li,.s of fatty deo-enerati.m .if the lu.art T shall n..t w..nder. l{od ! I haCc it, l.-t m. " ami she starts t.. her feet, her yellow hair falling bel.,w1u-r /one, her beautiful littl.. fac,. aglow with the new i',yof R.kI's love. "Strange ! tlu.se ridiculous line's T have been th.. r.rip- leut of each day with the bou.pu^t an. in the same han.i-wnt m-, an.l sm,.||, as th.. prop. .sal did, „f tobac.-.. an.l ba.-b..,''s Ml..,,.! ^Am It be t^hat tl... sneaking man is Pi.'kford \ Pshaw ' I ur liigh birth, not to speak of your beauty, you should woid a gentleman. Tlu; fact of my missing you at home cut me up awfully, and the fact that both Mary and the (lovernor were in love with you, maddened me at tlie having missed you." " When y.'.'.'. wonder, .il. hearing my \iraises sang at every eorntir of (lie lodge, and told tJiem you 4 lA The Old Old Story. 97 4 l\ v-)re glad the M.A. had disappointed theui ; it was their turn to feel badly." " Well, Nellie, as Hazel had never seen ine, McLean and I thought out this plan, and though I gave a hint of it to the dear ones at Veteran Lodge, 'twas but a hint, but I wrot them the day after I first came a glimiise of you, a bit of gold, up on the yellow sandhills in the red glow of the sunset, I heard your gay laughter as Bell neared the festive four hundred to intro- duce me ; you were seated a little apart with Moore, who poui-- ed the sand from out your fairy slippers. You were chatting merrily and acknowledged my introduction, you witch, by making round O's of these dear little fingers, looking through them, saluting me ai a spectre of the hills, and so, darling, you see what a p.-etty little romance you have been the mov- ing spirit of. How happy yuu have made me, and of howfud, full, to the roof Veteran Lodge ;s of love for your dear sweet little self. Look up, little one, and tell me you are glad. I be- long to Hazel's best friends." "Oh my own dear Rod., my own dear, dear, Rod., I am more than gl.ad, my heart seoms bursting with such great joy," and her eyes are moist with intense feeling. " You tremble, little one. We shall sit down here at the Point and wait till Betsy nears ; I must tell her the precious gift you have given me." And in the eighteen yeais of Nell's earthly pilgrimage, nothing has ever quieted her for ten consecutive minutes as did this new knowledge of loving ! Heart-stirs to the musical swish of the water on the rocks beneath them is all they hear ; side by side they sit, with only the language of the eyes speaking of their silent ecstasy ; and 'tis with a start and long-dravn sigh they are aware that Betsy is upctn them. In a moment Roderick (Jray is on his feet, and taking baby Maston in his arms, says joyfully : " Betsy, congratulate me, I am the gladdest man on this whole planet ; the most precious little gem in all the nuiiden world, your mistress, Miss Carew, lias promised to become my loved wife." But Betsy jius vtyA<\ the truth in tlie Ijcautiful little face, transfonuetl to a I'juer loveliness by the niagic hand of love, 98 The Old Old Story. " Y(is, deur old Bet.," .slie says, catching hci- amiiiHi tlif waist and waltzirifj her about. " Huijf, i-ejoice, and Ix- jilad, for this lady of hiffji defjree will not now mate with the co])l)ler's son, Imt with a gentleman, as you have always de- sinnl. Yes, break forth and shout I "' and a soprano n(»te relieves her own sui'eliar lla/.el watching for us at the door of Idle Bowei'. Bod. ! believe I am in my dotage, else would I fly like an aiiow from my beau, to tell Ha/el the joyful news of II. B. being - excus(^ tlu! slang — in the soup. ' "You little witching witch, it's my belit^f your witcheries will so hold me captive that I shall forget* t,o go out and earn our daily bread." At this our pretty Nell .sends a peal of merry laughter through the sweet-seen t-ed woods, baby Ma.stdn turns his smil- ing baby face ovci Betsy's shoulder, and the bii'ds tiill more sweetly, and Betsy says: " I'm thinking, sir, that the master will na t-are though ye liae* to mak" your daily bread; he will tak' on awfu", he will be for giein' a' his money to some public chaiity, so he (elt Miss t 100 The Old Old Story. i • Nell .in' my uiii st'l' iiiouy a time, if she does na Imckle to wi' the lad, Mister Rice." " What do you say to that, my little \vitc-hiiir ; but. Bet," she says, tremulously, thou-^di ai^^ain audibly, ' if uncle Cai-ew acts like a great big C/ar of Russia and turns me out to earn my bread, then you will stay with me and keep th(! bad (juarter of the world, which is, perhaps, the biggest half, of}' front me, and so keep nw good and pure and sweet foi- my best and dearest love, when I become of age."' At, this the eyes of dray glisten, while Betsy says, l)rokfo/r<- far nirnfc, smokt! and read, at times lifting a Hlee})y eyelid to McCiinty's hut, where a bride in an unusual tit of shyness secludes herself, the everyday desire to paradt* her trousseau in the eyes of the hotel guests not being sutlicient to luu-ve luu- to appear at the table d'hote. Hollickers' De-ne, where (Jray, Moore, Hims ajid Spry are passing t,heii summer (hiy, is (|uiet, the " boys" of! to Wellington with the driving party, and now Idle Bower is reached, in th<^ little parlor of which, embellished with wild flowers and ferns in profusion, tlit^ I'^ppy trio have an old- fashion(!d talk ov(M' Uetsy's famous lemonade and dc^licate I'^ng- lish biscuits. After a delightful half hour, Hod's handsome face IhukIs in a lover's good-bye to the beautiful little face shyly uplifted. "(Jood by(>, my own, l am si^llishly sorry that we have thiw hal hfitiic on for to-uight at KingstM)n, else I should have car- ri(Ml y -u oil" to tJie top of the highest Sand Hill, whert^ that sneak. li', admirer of yours would nev«>r hav»' followed us, pet." " That would have been a grand checkmate, !iod., but you eould iiot have worn ycmr whiti* silk knee bn-eches ami hoH»^, 102 The Old Old Story. t ., I f ! \\ your niauvc brocade coat and powdered wig up there, and I am just aching to see you so," and the small hands play with his watcli chain, showing above the red Gordon scarf. " Aie you going to publish the banns of marriage here, at the .Sandbanks?" asks Hazel, returning radiant, though hav- ing surj)iis(>d Betsy on her knees upstairs covertly examining a something in her palm which she had hastily concealed in her bosom as Hazel had entered, "or are you going to see first if Rice will sue for breach of promise ? " Gray lauglis, drawing Nell chtse to him. "May 1, little on(;, the man has yet to be born who would l)e a more joyous herald." " No, Kod., dear, T prize the knowledge too nmch. We ex- pect my friend, Maud VV' hite ; I shall only tell lier, even Doc- tor JTelen must not know, whom I see all togged up for luncheon, coming to hunt m(^ up. (jo now, dear." " Yes, 1 su})pose, T must leav(^ you ; but one word, my pet, may I UAX Hurt Moore? T have a special reason, it is, that as h(? iias already noticed this skulking hound you have told me of, r want to take him into my confidence, and see if wo can- not biing him to time." "Yes, yes. Rod., as you think advisable, dear, bye-bye." At four o'clock the afternoon of the same day, there wa.s nmch gay scampering of ladies fair and gallants gay from the mag- nificent beach, whc^re in the fn^sh water surf they had swam, dived, and sported gimerally and collectively. There was the hurried patter of many feet along the corri(h)r.s of the hotel and to th(( cottages, for in an hour they .start for the drive to Picton, from thence taking a .specially chartered steamer to tlie liiniestone City of Kington. Ilazel and Nell, ever th(^ cynosure of many eyes at the beach, in trim red and blu«^ bathing suits, are with bright Mrs. James, of Uelleville, all becomingly mantled, followed by admiring vyvy. to t'leir cottages. That same evening, I'ickford, in a biting rage at missing Nell in the almost desertinl music room, 'caught on ' t,o bits of chitchat, telling of her whereabouts, when wishing the festive four Imndred at a warmer place than Kingston, and tiie aesthetic parlors, at Slashdale Villa ; overhearing als(», that tii" !"evellern would imA xi-xuiw \\\\ tin- niurii, iti a %'pry bad o .Qr:^ The Old Old Story. 103 ut .. temper, he returned to his quiirters at Bulks', aiid gave vent to his fechiigs in excessiv<"ly sour epistles to l)oth Carew and Rice. Wliile at the same moment the lovers, Nf^ll and Rod., tread many a measure to music's rhythm in the hewitching scene at th(( iHtl bhtiir. " 'Tis an earthly }iai'adise, dear," whisp(>rs Ncdl. "And you, little one, are my chosen angel, in your white gown and pearls. When shall we float through this nether world hand m hanar white, hut she (..•ks bewitching so, and in dear mannna's diamonds." Hut ilnding that this is a favorite rendezvous, they leave the Villa tor the lant(M'n-Iight,ed grounds. " Is it not a pi'etty scene. Rod. S,.,., d.-ar, thnmgh th<' open windows, the pure, white gowns, whit(« gems, white tresses iin( y(.u men m blue, or mauve silk coats and white silk hose and knee brc'ches ; y<,ur silver buttons, to(., catch the candle ligiits. tupid will use up all his arrows to night, \U(\r "C^)m(! away, sweet, 1 see four or five men whom T feel intuitively are on the lookout for a(la-.c(> with y(m. Here is a more s(H'Iuded j.ath u\i\r this way." "Ah Rod., you men have a good deal of the old Achun in your composition." "How so, y,)u witch?" "liecause.'he being the princ(. of darkness, you at times choose obscure and luirrow ways." "! nmst t(.ll you, Nellie, ..f how a Cir.'assian woman de- fuHul the use of a dark and narrow path," h.' says, amusedly. ' Mie, in travelbng a very wide road, tlu^ only other traveller iH'ing a man, who pl(«ld,.d al.mg the „tJu4- side without saying «me word ; tinally, the road iuirrow(>d t,. a nuMv foot path bringing the travellers togt-ther, and within sight ,>f a dark toresl. when the woman said unto the man, ' T am afraid to gn through that dark and lonely road with you, lest you over- (Miwer me by force and kiss me against my will.' 104 Right Down, Dovey, Dovey. " 'T don't see liow T could, with tliis great brass kettle on my back, live chickens in one hand, and leading this goat and carrying this stick in my other liand.' " 'Oh yes you could,' she replied, " and easily too, by sticking your cane into the ground and tying the goat thereto, lower- ijig the kettle off your back, and giving me the chickens to hold, you could easily overpower me by force and kiss me against my will.' " And when they came to the dark and lonely spot the man did just as her (juick wit had suggested to him. Nell laughs softly, saying, "yes, he would have required prompting, poor innocent, just as yt>u would had you been in his place, dear." CHAPTER X. RinilT DOWN, DOVKY, DOVKY. " He sings aboot me Ills wee dearie As sweet as u laverock in sang." J^IIK following afternoon about 2 p.m. th(* three carnages Ifr* which had conveyed the nuM-iy throng to Picton en y- routi'. for the hal hhinc at Kingstoti, onci^ more land- ed theii- living fred for Ikm* promiscuous llirtations ; and as for Mes- «hlme.". siill t.'f Mui'tri'-d. !i!'.!! .l.-imeH nf R<^)!('ville, it waH quite 1 4 Right Down, Dovey, Dovey, |105 too giddy in them to have chaperoned such frivolities as silken hose and knee breeches. Pretty Miss Carew does not wear lu^r- diamond i-ing on lier eiifragement linger, and from JNIr. Philbee's inamier towards her, he is the cause of it. Hazel, making a break for tlie outskirts of the crowd, snatches t)aby IMastoii from Betsy, dances him, and coos to hhn, down the walk to Idle liuwer. "Any letters by last night's mail, Betsy 'l "' "Yes, Mistress Hazel, there be somefra' Ottawa for voursel' an' Miss Nell." At Idle Bower, hastily In-oaking the seal of her almost daily line from Beauvais, she reads : " RussKL House, Ottawa. " Mv Dkah AFhs. LKAuy : " H.ive just returnetl fronj a run to Kettle Iskuid ; Leary is (juite well and in tip-top spirits. Ottawa is empty, without the h(»stess at Metcalf-st-eet. I am going to send your maid, Amaiiiitli, down by rail to-day, so that you will not be unattended on your return to Ottawa on Saturday, per steanu'r. In all your gay junketings don't forget to remem- ber the friends who miss you at the Capital. " Yours to connnand " Hugo Bkauvals. "To Mus Lkarv, Surf J5each House, "Sandbanks, Co. of Prince Edward." The gay old boy, giving the cold shoulder to anything .so old-fashioned as truth, hoards the fact of Adele Helleville and Madame Vilaine l)eing guests at the "Canteen." In a few minutes, Nell, atteiuled by most of the festive 400, storm Idle Bower to carry lier back to the hotel to luncheon. " I have my mail to read ! " cries Nell. "Which one?" asks Bell. "Just the one fra' Ottawa," says Betsy, innocently, at which there is nuich nuirriment. " Three cheers 1 " shouts Nell, gladly, waving an oj)en letter. " My friend, Maud White, will arrive this afternoon, ai)out i:' ijve o'clock t what do voi! sill Hiiy *.• Q going in pfoceooioii to 106 Right Down, Dovey, Dovey. { ! wards Blooinfleld, to meet her? We wr ild have a razzle d.azzlo time. "Hip! Hip! Hurrah?" clieer the " hoys." " Could we not go on horsehack and escort her all the way ? asks Khita Tims. "Yes," answers her sister, Eva. "if we could fold ()urselv(>s up and get into «ve or six habits, all thei'e are amon-nst us " " ()r nde a-la clothes pin," says Nell, denmrely, in an under- tone to Mrs, James. " I move," says Moore. " AVell, go on," breaks in Bell," there will be your space for a better man. ^ " I second Moon-s n.otion," says Gray : " that this meotin- do adjourn till after luncheon, to give Nell Carew a chance to read her billet-doux." At this there is a scattering of the forces, when Nell, sinking on a cushion, endeavors t^) arrest wandering thought l)y the contents of her mail. " Hazel, listen ! H. K. condoles with me on my enforced— on your account— \egetation at this one-horse place One- horse, indeed ! T wish he had seen us-from a safe distance ~- at the f>a/ hlanc last night, which would have been an eve- r.l)enerfor him. He writes from New York city, and see Hazel, he u.ses the new amatory note, lieqankz ' the water- mark is two very high-sh.)uldered looking 'hearts ; 'write me down an ass' should be the motto of H. R. He calls my at- tention toth<> animal ic kiss, here, in the corner." " What ! that gunnny looking spot ? " laughs Hazel. "None other, dear. He says he has a new silk hat, and that several socu.ty belles turn to gaze at him as he passes, wishing they could arrang(> an introduction. He concludes lis unblushing laudation of self by stating that ,r,'-nxvtxmn^r Inmselt - will be tlu' handsomest couple in the Dominion " "" " What a conceited little fellow h,. must be." " T should say so; h,. is the small,>st affair I'have ever hand- led Hazel (.f the cat-gr.^en orbs, I am just awfully in h.ve with Roderick Ross Plnjbee Stuart (Jrav. Yes. 1 have the fever bad, ' and catching up Roll by t!ie back, dancing her in. and down on the toe of her small bronze slipper, she i.elts her with torn atoms of th.' lines of self-atkilation from the small banker. Alter a wild scene of meriiment she suddenly reinem- 1 t J a razzle T all the (>urselv(>s |st us." an uiuler- space for > meetincr chance to ig of tho to aii'est iforced — ;e. Oiie- staiioe — II an eye- and see, le water- vrite me Is my at- hat, /iiul e passes, oiieludes meaning on." er liand- { in love have the i her up )elts hei- le small • i'Mtem- T Right Down, Dovey, Dovey. 107 hers that two communications from Ottawa are still iinop(med " Be quiet, Poll, you are as mad as your misti-ess. Oh Hazel isn t this sweet from Rod's father. He writ(^s : . . ' ' "On receiving a telegram yesterday morning "from my dJar l)oy saying, ' wish me joy, wiite Care\v af. once ' ' Mary and I are delighted, and will be to you a loving father and sister^ My old heart warmed to you at iiivst as sister to our dear Haze , and m our pleasant chat T loved you for yourself and longed for you as a new little daughter, 't feel imite sure ot your uncles consent t.. your marriage to my dear son • he must necessarily have felt excessively uncomfortable at 'the prospect of your union with a man of plebeian origin. G,«l bless you, my dear little daughter. Write to me occasionally and beg your uncle to permit you to visit us next month! V\ ith a fathers love to you and dear Hazel, " Yours faithfully, 4, rp Tvr (^ " ^^'^^ Stuart Gray. " lo Miss Cari:w, " Surf Beach House, " Sandbanks, Pi'ince Edward Co " "Isn't he a darling?" says Hazel, the moisture in her lai-e eyes. " What a poverty of sympathy would be in my life were It not tor the dear ones at Veteran Lodf^e " "Hazel of the shining orbs, control thy.^elf, or you will send retpT\f Hy«tmcs," and two or three bir.l-like notes set Poll off again. " Here comes a maid from the hotel for our tray, it was kind of the long-leg,s.ed spirit of the Banks to' send us our uncheon ; Do yuu know, sister mine, that all the ants on life s lull 'seem to be overHowing with the milk of human kindness since T have metan.l loved my own dear Bod Come up-stairs dear, and indulge in a si...ia b,.for,> we are pounced upon by the festive 400 to go and me(4 Maud White' and I wish you to tell me whether to drape my small person in my duck of a frock in pink bunting, or in my fetching .scheme m oyster-shell surah ; for T mean t,. look sweet, as sweet this evening for— somelvuly." ' ^^^^ The result of tl cogitations is ;%at Hazel rides and Noll 1 :;moii so he smokes the calumet with un< 1^^ over me. I tell y ni \v;iat it is, Viand, pritle or no pride, was I now forced in«>'> a ni'ion with 11. R. I'd develop into a regular little demon, and be in the divorce court in as short a time as convenient. Uncle settles !i?50,000 on me the day T wed H. R., but, as it is, Heaven only knows what shape his Irish temper will cut up into ; but Maud, you needn't wear that look of fi-jght, dear, for I am going to marry la^' twn true love, and be a goody, goody little Sunday girl 300 days in the year. I'm going to be right down bad the other df'j , for men don't like l)read ami butter and sugar ev«'ry day in the year." Maud laughs, saying, "Alec made me pi-omise, if you leave on Saturday, that I go up to Toronto with you, and he will meet me and see me home to Hamilton on the Modjeska. Alec thiidss, with mother and I, that Moy vane is a perfect little gem of a cot. I have the whole season's rent in my purse, for you and Hazel, our landladies." ^ \ Right Boivn, Dovey, Doveij. Ill you "All serem% ]M;iud, wo an; the liuulladic^s that can spc^nd it, dear, tlu)Ujj;h Hazel's sliai'e will be stopped hy uiieit! for the trousseau he provided." "Alec comes out to the beach every eveiiiiii,'.' "Tra la, tra la, over the rivei-," lau,i,dis ^ !), "you two are «mtiringly dovey, dovey. Maud Wliite, this -hild is going to flirt with Cyril Tims, when we meet the procession; you may have Rod. on loan, t'oi- you are not even to lift an eye-brow at him to-night in the music hall; for if uncle Oarew gets his spinal colunm up, and makes me cut iuid run on next Satur- day, Kod. and T have only two more evenings, Maud." " What next, I'm all attenti(m." " T am not going to give you away; y(m must iw.t, out of the abundance of the heart, speak of Alec, but must imagine re- (jiiixcdt ui pace to be written over his byyish fra iie, and ilirt all you can." "You mean all I know how." "Well, perhaps I do, let me see who will lit the case; at present, Hhita Tims is playing with the heart of Smith, the I'ich vegetarian, and pretends to dote on cabbage li' ids. Oh ! I have it, the twins fiom the St. Lawrence, who make '-^-al music on the zither ; you may have them l)oth." Here Hazel, lovely ami radiant, reining in her ho se, meets them. " Here they come, we shall soon meet them ; T3ell is the only one mounted." "Which does not wear a suspicious look at all oh no, merely a constitutional," says Nell, dryly; "Mau dare not make any open declaration of love or in any word show his unfaithfulnc^ss t(» the absent Mrs. Hell, yet, in a burst of feeling, says : •' book oft', (hsar love, across the sallow sands, Anil mark yon mectin^j of (licHun and sea, How long llioy kiss, in siL'lit of all tho lands, All, longer, lonj^er, we. .\( which Hazel bounds off at a canter, wishing liell at the other side \t\' the hills. I 114 A Bird of III Oiricn. CHAPTKII X W i A Hllil) (»K 11,1, OMKN. " III moiiy a kis.s, an" iikhiv a siiiilc, 'I'lu' lioiirs \i>n' liy sau ("niioklv, O ; Aii.lou thoy glidi.'uor mark tlio wliilo JIu' storin-cldiKlsgiitliorinj; thickly, 0." S th,. fantastic pnHvssi.,,, nv.mhI tl.rir happv way thnm-h ■ nHtuivs avrnue t.. th.- Surf Hra.-h H.ii.s., ' Ku,K.nck <.ray ivplies at nuulun. t.. .Maud ..r |)„..t,M- H.-lnrs < .•olI.TUvs uM V hmnn^. N.ir, si.vn v..,\v in " Ma, .^u.-rilc." an.l ctnlrr''! '"^!'""""': - :'r ''-«'>^ ""' "MMTv /l.n,n.s with Iiotfl thoy i-amo to Marks', ulu-ii Tims says- "Lot's c-ut th.. .•n.w.l, XHi, ,UH| , i„ to ISarks- a.ul hav. a nnlk-shak.'. I want you t,. fll nio if I havo anv rhau.v MOW that you .lon't urar that ,ing on your ..n^.i^.,,,,.;., ,; ,,, U" 1 you what .t ,s, Noll, ,f you say 'no' 111 h.- no n:,.n. ..'oo.l III this world. Conif in. u»v dear little an-ol" "All n.trl.t (Vril, CM ..o in. hut m.H.n.lM.r \ an, not an an-,.|, and I do,, t want to !„., at l.-ast not for ,"v..,-, cvor so ions,'. ' l!u,-t .Mooiv. knowing, f.o.u Hod. of th.- .'n,-a-,.„„.nt of the ^;ol,|..n-ha„vd w.t.h to hin.sHf, an.l who is hnuvlv trying to . -on- so.. hnnsrit w.th Kva rnnH,oannot rofrain fn.n, a lon'^^in^^^^lanoo attrr l„. pa,,, as k.ss,,,;;. thoir han.ls to tho pruc-sHioiMhey turn towanls Ha,s.' p.-(-t y toot. ,i,ssl„. htt,s It to tlu. stop at H,i,-ks'. for 'Hins to •y hyr shoo. asshosu,il,.sovor hor shouNh-r at hor lovor, oauso In.u to dot,.,,,,,,,,, that ...-o lonjr ho n.ust havo h,.r his vory own .No p..rs,.n Ih-uik i" th,. shop ut Marks', our p.rtty Noll" always undaunt.d, op.-ns tl r of tho sitting-, ,„, .^urpriH- ii,,u tho p,'opriotor n..ttin^r ^ ,win,. hannnook, his uoo,l wif,- an.l our ,lauKl,t,.,.s. with dis«,.n,|o,|,.y..s and ,.a,s, swal!owin;r tiuil- M.,^' Io,.ontodol,.ot,v,. yarns in whi.-h tho narrator wus tho h.-i'.. ,nst,.ad ot Ciid.ly and that ilk. "Ml- Pii.kfonl, you hor,.:" o,xclaiins Noll. " \V|m.,i A\a you urnve?" ' ' 1 J I 1 1 A Bird of III Omen. 115 "Lust 11 i ".'lit, late, c'Jime up fioni Kin;j;st,()n," Ik; aii.swors, uii- l)liisliiM,!,'ly, iin(l,<,nii<^' Hai'ks iiKiaiiiiiffly and (»rtrrin<^ his hand. " I hear you ha\t' a h(t[) fvci'y cvciiiiiy- down at, the Surf P.cai-li Houses ; you won't deny n\v a waltz to ni;,dit, Miss Xcll T' Tims wished the of,'Hnfi; f(dlow, with his air eontidentiai, at Russia, as, witli a- wink at the family, he orders ^'in<,'er ale and soda water - with the ;,'old of the small hanker for each and all, afterwards accompanying' Tims and Nell to the hotel. " Kither of those two is the party tlu; detective is aftei-," .says Itarks, his list t-ominj,' to the tal)le, makint,' tlii^ empty glas.ses rin;j:. " I hoju' it's not that handsome youn^^ lfi not at all vexed with me, and are jfoinj,' to ^dve me that wait/ to iii;,'ht.'' " Stuj) taking hold of my hand and arm like that ; 1 just hat(^ to he mauled as if I were a kitchen maid. ' " Oh, you do, do you i You can't make me helieve that with your eyes. Say, pretty one, I wont ti^ll Rice of your tlirtation here, if you will jj;ive me that one little waltz," and he endeavors t(» detach one of the cherries from her hodie«', as he walks heside her. " Leavt^ my cherries alone, and if you woii't pest me any more, you may ha\e the second waltz to niylit, lieineinher, I am only ,t,'oiii;,' to dance with you ttt ^ot rid of you, " and sIh; turns her heautiful little face .scornfully towards him " No inatt^^r^ I shall hold ysiu in my anas." At this, sliu 116 A Bird of III Omen. makes a nwue, at which lie only laughs. They boinc now in trout of the crowded piazza of the hotel, he .says : " Tntrochice me to some of those women, tliat T may kill tnne with them until I hold you to my heart." "Oh, do hush; you make ine tired, .^k Spindle -that lonfj-le^r^MMJ man supporting one of the piazza eolunms to in- troduce you ; he will, as he has .seen you with Miss Carew " she .say.s with pretty dignity; while (Jray, making u break tJin.ugh the guests, is at he.- side, just as she is sayini^ t., Tims who IS disappoint(>d enough to cry at the way he has been euchred. "Cyril, isn't Pickford a beast?" "1 should say so. 1 felt like kicking him into a ieily, only lie posed as a friend of yours." " Whr is the fellow, Nell?" " That e.xces.';ively nasty fellow, Pickford, of wh.m. T have told you, she replies, meaningly. " Yes ! ' he says with a start. " Ami he ,w//.y, she continues, -'-but Pickford and truth are liot even b.)wing ac,|uaintances— he arrived lastiight, !)ut you »inij>',n>/ of him. darlinu. for.//o//r sake ; remend)er the loosened rock." And giving him a tender little look, .she vamslies. Witli knit brows, and thnughtful mien. Oray pa.sses on to Hollickers' I )e ne 1.,. Ml .t I >eing in, and Muore with the A Bird of HI Omen. 117 indignant Tims in the act of sitting on Pickford, and, taking a hand, in solemn conclave they resolve to boycott him before the evening is much older, (J ray saying with disgust : " Those girls are in a measure under cmr protection, boys, and there would be less danger to them were a wild tiger let loose amongst them, than a creature such as this Pickford ; such men give a savor of ti-uth to the saying, that ' all men are ravening wolves, whatever their chjthing may bt;.' " At 7:30, the same evening, our pretty Neil in a fetching gown of soft, white bunting, the front width embntideied in groups of water lilies by her own artistic lingers, with elbow sleeves and open Medici collar, discarding (trnaments, save a bunch of water-lilies on th(! bodice, her golden hair in heavy coil and Huffy bangs, trips down to the boulders to the rear of Idle Hower, her hand in (iiay's, and seats herself among the rugs in the tiny craft and away they go,— a baneful look in the nasty eyes r>f Pickfoid, who, glass in hand, watches them from the Point where he thought to trap them. An hour later, as they return, an ecstatic light in the eyes of Gray, Nell a'l .nveetness, tlu^ two, perfectly hapj)y in each other, come slowly up fi'om the rocks and lounge in a delightful U'te-a-tete on the small verandah at Idle Bower, waiting till Haze^ kisses baby good-night, and puts a few artistic touches to Maud's blue costume and her own pretty gown in plaided surah. "Tell me, sweet, that you wish with me, that we sat hero together as lovin;, husband and wife, with no more partings. Ah, Nellie, Nelli , I dread your leaving me for Hroadaci-es." "T dread it tof), Kod. 1 used to be so brave because I did not care for anyone but Hazel. Hut now, dear, and this even- ing espcH-ially, I fear 1 .scarce know what, audit is, T know, the dread of going away from you, but don't let us think of it, let us only think that we yet are near,'' and her ro.se mouth is to his ear, " neai-, and loving." Here Het.sy appears at the door-, llap[)ing a towel at a some- thing Hying in her face, and now about the heads of the h.vi'rs. Nell starts to her feet with a little .scream. "Oh, the horrid thing ! Metsy, Hetsy, it's a bat ! " " Yes, Mi.Ms Nell, it is ane o""thoy birds o' ill omen ; it had boon in your wirulow, but that I kept it out wi' tlio soroeu. tf 118 A Bird of 111 Omni. T dimia ken, dearie, l)ut I fear me sail- it s the master o' Broad- Nell tries to luii^li, hut a tremor runs t]ir<)u;,fh her as they all stroll up to the music hall, where Hazel, playiiij,^ the hostess makes Mau(l White personally acquainted with any one worth knowini;', Pickford t'oreini; himself upon the recollection of ^Irs. Leary, as eontidential clerk of her uncle, and thoufjh disnusted with him for his unwelcome and persistent attentimis to Nell, is persuaded to polka with him. The next dance is the " WeiDnah" waltz, and the lover.s, Nell and Hod., emerge from a seat on the cool lawn, and from the shrine of Erato come to that of Terpsichore. As they saunter to the nnisic hall, they .see the hlue-rihhon hai- full of women, whom, much to (Jray's di.sgust and the veiled amusement of Nell, ai'e being treated by Pickford, with Rice's money, for though not one of the especial sunnner girl of any of (Cray's friends are among the number, still there are plenty ..f the Primton set, who ai-e leady to chant his prai.ses for his .bon-bons. Ye.s, Pickford is a man who knows how to propitiate (irundy, afterwards taking his reward in a waltz with gay Mrs. James of Hdle- ville ; after which Nell, though loathing the contamination, redeems her iii'omi.se." " At last ! " he says, holding her tightly, his stale breath nnnghng with hers fivsh as the morning. "D(m't, Mr. Pickford, I just /id passion-Hower, you just love to be held so ; and if y(»u will only dance with me every ni/:ht you are h.n-e, you will not look a't any other man but me." •' You are a horrid man, and I'll not dance again with you." •'Oh yes. you will, you little Venu.s, you'll come and have some refreshments with m(>, and sit out the next (huice with me outside. Now. don't we step beautifully tog;'ther ? " " '^'es. you dance fairly well ; give the devi? his due," s says, with sauc.> reluctance. "Yes, yes, it would be to all my (jueries, my little enchan- tress; if T otdy had half a chance f would verv soun hear you say yes U) that little proposal of mine that you treatcil witli such scorn a year ago." •'Oh, let me uro. 1 am tired — of le n, iet me go, 1 am tirei you. A Bird of III Omen. 119 " <)' IJroad- t'l- iis they -lit' hostess one worth h>etioii of 1(1 though attentions t dance is 1., emerge • of Erato the music oni, much aie being not one of niong tlie who are 'ickford is fterwai'ds = of HeUe- niination, de breath ht." )wer, you with me ther man ith you." and have uu'e with •?" due," she ' enehan- hear you ted witli " No, you !ife not. It's because that great calf, Philhee, is watching you ; are you not begiiuiing to love me best. ev(>n now?" and his oily black head is bent to almost touch hers. At this juncture Sjundle comes in hurriedly, engineering his way through the maze of waltzers. " Say ! Miss Carew ! Miss Carew ! " he calls, making a trum- pet of his hands. " Mr. Pickford ! " but the cunning fellow is blind and deaf. " What is it, Mr. Sjnndle ? " asks Ha/el, who, restiiiu in th<> dance, stands with I\rcCullough and talks to (Iriiy. " Wh.it l('grajn !" exclaims Cray, with a start. " For a fa<;t, sir." Hazel, coming from a noble race, from a race of soldiers, though trembling with instinctive^ dread, nerves herself for battle, sjx'iiks firndy and (juietly, as th(>y are again aimmd. " Nell, dear, come here at once." ^ " What is it, Hazel? but T am glad you called me, or Mr. Pickfort eyes resting lastly on the grave face of her lover. "What is it, P..d?" "A telegram, Nell. Shall T open it for you?" " Yes, yes, (juick ! " " He reads, but cannot bear the news, and in a half-dazed way hands it _ open to her, just as 1^'ckford. having ivad the (MU! to himself, turns his nasty eyes devouringly upon hei' as she reads from her uncle : "As your guardian, I coiiinKDHf ynu to return to Toronto \>y Jirs/ ti'ain to-nmrrow, as also ta /in, i/fi/ vut that fellow from Ottawa : discharge Betsy, who has "been unfait liful to her trust. IMr. Pickford will see you safe to Toronto, where T shidl meet y*'"-,. Pill I, II' '['wKTi; Oahkw," WitJuaita word, oidy one despairing l(»ok at Hml., Nell falls back in a dead faint, to be caught, m f.ite would have it, in the willing iirms of Pickford, and s(.cietv, on tin-toe, see in his o.-nj i,iM- ;.i .-.iti, !ii;n tin- iovriy nurden he oarrifs to Idle Bower has taken his iieart captive ; and but that Cray, wlK)ni 120 A Bird of III Omen.. he inwardly curses, stalks a tall, grave, sentinel beside him ; he would have desecrated her sweet, pure mouth with passion's kisses, and of a truth he does steal a hasty kiss, as the watch ful eyes of Hod. are withdrawn but for one instant, as he had st(>pped forward to open tlie dooi- of Idle Bower for Hazel find Doctor Helen, which Betsy, in her feai- of the bat, had closed. " O, waes me ! waes me I my beautiful Lassie, my ain dearie," and l?etsy, throwing hei' apron o\c:v hci' face, weeps like a cliild, while Hazel and Doctor Helen kneel by the lounge; and iipi)ly vinegar and water to the palms of the now listless little hands, and to the lips. Hazel's woman wit trying in vain to tind some plausible excuse? to rid the cottage of Pickford so that (Jray and herself may discuss this dreadful telegram. " 1 have heard hot biandy and water is often efficacious," she says, half-distractedly. " Will you endeavor to |)rocure a little from the hotel, Mi'. Pickfoid T' As he very reluctantly leaves, he casts an evil glance at Gray. Maud White, Doctor Helen and Tims are now stationed outside the door to prevent his intrusion. Alone, Hazel, with one despairing look at (Jray's hopeless face, laying her head on the pillow beside Nell, bursts into tears. The powerful sympathy between poor Nell and hei'self seems to have a subtle influence, for coming partially out of the dead faiixt, though her heart scarcely beats, not stirring the lilies lying on the poor, grief-striken heart, she says, in faintest gasps : "]Jetsy, p/f'ns<' keej) nasty Pickford away." " I will, dearie. Wae's me, Mistress Hazel, the puir lassie is off again. Ill just gang out an' watch for Mr. Pickford, he waur never nigh my young leddy's luvut." Outside, she locks the door, i)utting the key in her pocket, and planting her tall form on the door-step. In a few moments Pickford is in sight. With a swagger of importance, he say.s, with his hand on the handle : " Any change ? I can't open the door. I recognize you as one of the servants from Broadacres. Has the deuued lock ii catch? Open it." "Na, na, sir. I'll just tak' the brandy frae ye my ain sel* and gie it to Mistress I^ary." Something in her tone igniting his ire afresh, kindled before A Bird of III Omen. 121 by the knowlcHlgo that Gray invariably ..ccupicl some coi-m .,f vantage!. '^ "You had better admit me quietly, womaji, or I shall re- port you. •' Dii.na bluster, sir, but gie me the lu-andy and gang awa' quietly. *' » ir> "Tiiat's it, I5etsy spoken like a man," says Tims, the pre- sence <.t the two gnls, each tren.bling like an' aspen k-af, alone keeping hun (juiet. : " Will you, please, giv,, ,,, the bottle. This hmgthy swoon is danger(»us, asks Dr. Helen, softly. "I am sorry to refuse a la.ly, but [ am acting for Miss Carews giuu.han, and T should have the nearest place be.side lier, he ,says, in mad anger. "(Jive me that bottle,' sir, or ane o' these you.vg l.-ddys will gang up to the hott^l for anither." "Come," says Doctor Helen, taking ^Faud's hand " Here, take th,> bottle," he says, angrily, "but y.m must tell me when Miss Carew revive.s. , T shall be in the music i.Ui : as for you woman, Mr. Carew has discharged you by tc'legram, and Mi,ss Nell goes to T.,ronto to-morrow, in my cjiaige. ' •' IJetsy stands the shot bravely, and, as sh." turns miickly to oi)cn the do..r, .says mentally "you bat, you bat " 111 half an hour Nell op,.,,s her eyes and sits up, maki,,.. -<.m or lio.]. aiHl Hu.cl on either side of her say J broKenly : ■^ « "Come here, IVtsy, sit theiv, you look tired. T have a b,.;.,ltul telegram from uncle Carew, he commands nu" to leave ''•'•■•' ''>' '"■^*. V'^'" ^'■"•" '•loon.field, on to-morrow, an.l that T am to go without you, I'.etsy, and that nasty Pickfor.l is to accompany inc. ' "^ " lUit that maunna be, lassi(., f canna live wi' out you Inssie " «he says tremblingly, (hough withal d.-hM-minedly pressing J»M- hands to her In.som, the ..Iges of the miniJtuv e pre.ssi,ig into her spare Hesh. "And ye u.aunna (ravel y ' y<.n imin w, na ane to stan' between you an' his evil ton-^ue for ye ken In- will mak' loe to ye an' mak' his sel' offen^v^ jlemuaiiy. .Na, na, ill just gang an pack my kit an' your ain lassie, my young leddy must mi travel uiiatteuded." m 122 A Bird of III Omen. fir-: " Then you think I must obey him ? " "Yes, Miss Nell, T do that, he is your guardian, ye ken." At that moment Burt Mooi-e brou the storm wliicli has dl)- At eleven, ]).m., Cray leaves Dene, his handsome head bent .scured his sunnnei' sky. Poor Nell, sleeping in Hazels arms, at five o'clock is iij), and i-olx'd in her pretty gold-bi'aided ti-aveHing suit, rising early to spciul an hour with her htver. "No, not to the Point, Rod., deal', though T should "' hav ■ a sweet something to say, each wishing they stood in (bays slioes. Mementos of her sojourn at the iSandhills are ottered, -4 Bird of III Omen. 123 , ye ken." 1111 the hotel ' Ottaava. and consult. 1 Ha/el and {T («KAY." HoUifkeis' lich has ol»- ' clock is II]), suit, risiii!.' lould '' huv ■ a li in (i ray's are offered, making a big rustic basketful— sand, shells, ferns and water lilies, with wild flower-roots. Hazel and Gi-ay, quicker than thought, spring into the carriage, Gray, lifting NeU in between them as previously ar- ninged, and fi-om the seat into which Pickfoi-d has planted himself. During the eight miles of enchanting drive, Nell's tears fall at intervals silently, while taking long looks at the dear faces on either side of her, too full of grief to talk ; Hazel's sweet, low voice endeavors to bring sti-ength and comfort to the poor little witch. "Nell, dear, I shall write uncle, though it must be your own poor little stricken self that will soften his heart, for he tninks me but poor stuff, so you see, dear, you must be brave for two this time, yourself and Roderick." At Bloomlield, the Central Ont. rail on time, O.-.'JO a,.m., there is just time to see to the luggage, and seat Nell, 15(>tsy and Poll in her cage comfortably— as far as the material counts— in a parlor car, when the last words must be said. "I shall telegraph uncle that you have started and Betsy with you, from whom you will not be separated,' says Hazel. " Yes, do, and write nie often, Hazel, dear, and love to Veter- an Lodge. Oh what shall I do without you ! I am glad you will have Maud till Saturday, don't fret," she whispers, " this child will be right down brave." " Listen, pet," says Gray, bending down his handsome, sorrowful face to her ear, " T go in with Flicks to Picton, as soon as we return, thence to Kingston to take the rail for the Capital to consult with father. Tn any case T shall go to To- ronto in a day or tw(» and see your uncle." "When, Rod. dear, what day, quick, the train is moving' "Sunday morning T shall call at Ihoadacres; (Jod bless and ' pi-otect you," and shaking hands with Betsy he leaves the car Pickford, playing the detective, having heard the appoint- ment for Sunday, eager to give a parting .stab of pain to his rival, follows, and on the platform hisses from behind his de- moralised moustache. "Take my advice. Philbee. and spark some other girl, Sun- day, Carew and 1 will look after—" and a mean forefinger points to the car, " the little charmer and T had love passages before she ever saw you." 124 A Bird of III Omen. And tho firo-horse shrieks and snorts as away they go ! A dainty |)<)('k('t-haii(lkei'clii<'f fkittors from Noll's hand, as she fries '" IJod : Hod '. "' " Rod 1 Jlod ! "' echoes the i)ai-rot, and he sees the beautiful little face full of grief, and pale from the etl'ects of last nights fainting fit and insonuiia, th(^ violet eyes straining to get the last glimpse from the t)pen window. Jia/.el j)ieks up the small s(iuare of finest linen, Nell's mono- gram worked by her own deft fingers at one side. '* l\od., don't watch till our darling is out of sight, it is un- lucky." " r itiiisf" he says, his red cap pushed back, then taken off, Ihit tliev are out of sight, swallowed up and hidden in the — far away. With a iieavy sigh he turns to her. "(iive it to me," and the little handkerchief is pressed to his lips, and put in an inner breast pocket of his white flan- nel coat. On the i-eturn drive, sitting on the fourth seat behind INI ills, they converse in whis{)ers, Gray telling her of the vile parting words of the depraved Pickford. "The wretch !"' she says, indignantly, "T always knew from Nell of what a l)east lie is, b-"^ this caps everything." I'liey had nuicii to say, and the return dri\(^ pro\('s all too short. Alighting at tiie platform in front of the Sui'f JJeach House, tliey hasten down the walk to Idle Bower, Gi'ay goinjjj on to Sollickers' Dene to j>ack his traps, Mo(»re, Tims, and Spry assisting, truly grie\-ed at the departure of the little (pieen of thnir revels, and wishing Oray good luck. " Mad that cad Pickford remained here another day," burst out Moore, "notwithstanding my additional inches, I would have made jelly of him I" " Do you know what some of the w(mien arc* saying?" asks Tims, disgustedly, " that though he was a bit of a clip, he was so free-handed, they are (juite cut up about his leaving." " Put none of the girls say so," says S[)ry, hastily. "No, we have given them eye-openers as to the manner of cad he is, that's why." " Look after the ladies at ldl(> Power, boys," says Gray, hastening of}', "and look me up at Toronto in Sept. — Canada Life," and with a iiasty word with Hazel, and sympathetic hand-clasp, he is gone. The Mcifitcr of Broadacren at Home. 125 From Bloomfiold to Toronto, Pickfoid .-licws tli(> cud of a devilish .s^rladness, as lie muses at a respeetful distance from Nell, on the paitin.ic stab he has niven liis i-ival, and plans a propiniiuity to Nell in tlu^ h.n<; di-ive from Trenton to Toront... ^ Arriving at Trenton, in changing fr.Mu CVntial Ont. rail to G. T. R. Fi., he contrives to first scat iietsy in another coach in charge of Poll, when he is supremely liapjiy in close near- ness to poor Nell, foi- ^vhom there is no 'escape "from !iis amoi-- ous talk and un\velconH> attentions, i'or the tiftielh time ei'o reaching the(^ueen City, he says, uiiciuonsly : -- " Now, wouldn't you rather many i.ie th.an that little match- end Rice : yes, of course yon would, my little Venus," and then more of the small banker's money would he put in circula- tion for a something to tickle the palate. CHAPTEli XTI. i TIIK .M.\!S'l'i;ii OF HKOADACIiKK AT irOME. "She is my i)r()pcrly, was Um\ heiieatii my fallior's roof, Whose slave lier iiiotiier was." 'VT^^'^^'^^*^"^'' -^''^ rid ,,f Pickford ; ^^' dreading, not knowing what shape the Irish temiier of Carew will cut up into. At the close of the afternoon the engine with its long line (.f caches enters the Union station at Toronto, adisagreeahle contrast, in its vitiated li(>at. in its dusky dirtiness, with its clamor of tongues and unmelodious noisivs, to the restful ciiarm of tlu« l)(>autiful pi-omontory of Prince Edward county that oui' travellers had oidy left 'this a.m. Our poor little yellow-haired witch knows what nieivy to expect (m se.-ing the tall, ha!ids(.me form <»f Carew, his face cold and hard as iron. Without a greeting to herself, he says to his clerk : 126 The Master of Broadacres at Hmne. w "Thank you, Pickford, stand here by Miss Carew, T shall attend to the lugerfumed sachet at other limes rests thereon, in which is neatly folded her robe de-nuit, which is thus refreshingly odorous: on the sachet is embroidered the words avaunt, every imp of wakefulness. Poll, letting heiself gingerly down the lower bed curtains, next climbs to the window s(>at and looks to th(> (|uiet outer worluii ii,i,'<» anjuaintance with my dead l)roth(>r, kiKi/r- UKj of your ap])roachiniLf niarria,i,'e, that forsooth ((winij t,oyour ii-reproachahle hirtli, he is (piite pleased — confound him - ut the prttjjosal his son has made you ; irreproachable i»irth :" he says, in a foaming ra<,'e, "I'll" attend Ut youv inrjmxic/in/i/e birth. You lu'lony to mr.'" he thunders, ''and you'll wed the man I have chosen for you. and who has no such infernal notions in liis head," and liis list comes down to the desk em- phatically. " Hut uncle Philip, I, Nell Carew, am a lady by birth, .nd 1, t(H», prefer to marry a s;cnlleman, rather than the son of a eobliler," she says, proudly, thouy;h with latent feai'. " Oh you would, would you ? Well, this is all I've <.dt (o say on the matter: I am yoin' ;,Hiardian, and until thev of you ciin pro\i', ' mine own is not mine own,' mine own will I retain. I yivi! you tomorrow, Iwiday, t(» think oNcr this folly, and if you ai'e still infected with' i his nonsense, I shall place you virtually a prisoner, somewhere, imtil you become of ajje — two years an his feeliiij^'.s, but he waves his hand impiit lent ly, his face purple with aiiju'er. Wild thoiiMhts of lliirht ((.'Ottawa (ill Nell's mind, but lo what avail? No, she belongs to her uncle for the wcarv I . ; I TJte Master of Broarf/icre.s at Home. 129 l(Mi,!j;tli of time, till of iiiiig to write t-) Hazel and Hod., and tell ihem Cirew is Lad, had." lUit how am I to post it / she muses. I am \irtually a prisoner, nevertheless it is in some sort a relief, so she ])ours out the pent-up ai^nnv iti written words, holh to (Iray at Ottawa and lla/<'l at the Sandltanks.. N\'h(>i\, throwiny; herself on the hcd, nature { riinnphs, and Somniis w itliout resisianee holds sway. She does not awidi'i!iniH \u> a surpi'is! I feitl Ullt'^t tl-..I.J, Vtll *'£ m...i l^. I n . . ,. .vsj.. ^^.Hi It' put un- :n h 130 The Master of Broadacres at Home. Rice's place, as he stands towat-ds your niece, you would have no ti\)uble at all, foi- 1 have reason to think she caies more for me than any of them," he says, unl)lushinj,dy, as he twii'ls his ])lack, demoralized moustaclie. '* Kh, vou don't say so ! Women aic (jueer fish," which I'e- mark Pickford hein<,' in douht how to take, says, mii'thfully : " ^'ou aic i'i,i,'lit, Carew, as my unlimited knowledge of t.hem has jn'oveii ; liowever, Miss C'ai'ew has heauty sutlicicnt. to tire any ninnher of luiarts, and so what do you say '(■ I lia\t' l/e(>n of use to you at tlu' otUi-e ; how nmch oui- business couhl he enlaiyed wei'e I the proud husband of your niece." " No, no, Pickford, it can't be ; Kice lias my word ; all (»ur business aiMan^'ements aiv ii fu'it ocraiiipH, and, mark me, they will 1m' iiKU-ried ti^^iit enou^di on a month from Tuesday, as sure as mv name is (^arew. Hice returns on Monday for a day to sec her, before he makes the lun to London, Kw^., on important business ; sh»»uld she iidt haxc rcco\cred from this folly ere to-morrow idttht, siie will l)e far away by Hices !■»'- turn on M(tnday, and sane aijain by the time he is back from Knjfland ; fortiinati'ly her greatest diarm for him is her proud undemonstra-tiveness. There is my car! look sharj) till my return at o p.m.," and boai'diui; an electric cai' he is otl" for the city. ,\ll Pickford's blandishments in the form of tender little notes, buuipiets and friut— with the iiio,:!-y of Hice cither slipped under her door by himself or sent by the maid, arc of no avail in lausinj; Nell to come to him, and so he scores a puinl by crossing the r«tad and paying t'ourt to Addie Thomas, the pork heiress. Siniminnrd to the library after dinner, at which Pickford had made one, he and Carew discussing C/larke's successor to the mavoi'alty chair*, and the newest street car chaiter ; so covering Nj'H's silence during the wu.ting by the servant, afterwards I'ickford makes his report andthen gaily trips to the city to divert himself after the to him, all loo iinioecnt day. Vp in Nell'H bedr(M»ni, "Hod., Nell, pour Poll, Polly,' had cried the parrot, evidently chating at the dispiriting change from the gay chatter at the Sandliaidcs, '• Yes, I'oii," wiiisper.s Neil, .•^oltiy, a« CareHHing h«*r to liel' own lluttering heart beneath the while muslin of her blottse, The Master of Broadacres at Home. 131 as slio descends the stairs on lici- uncle's sunnnons to the library. " Pofu- l{i)d., p(H»r Nell," she whisjters, her mind set on bravin<,' hei- uncle, as her rose mouth brushes the feathers ctf the bird which the hand of her lover has caresst^d. " We will see dear Hod. on Sunday, Poll, you and T, -when bad uncle Carew is xdi/'nuj his prayers not jirdi/iiit/ in church, and turnini,f into tlx" softly cari>eted corridor back of the drawiny room, cnteriny; the library, her uncle, who has neijlectcd his ])\\H' for fear of its sootliiiiL; cHcct. lifts his eyes from the colunnisof t\w Jlliii^fnitrd LuihIiiii ,Vr/r,f, and steelinj^; his heai't against the lovely picture she makes, the baby waist of her white muslin fi'ock ^jir'dled with a bi-oad, tjji'een silk ,sash, hei- ]»retty bai'e arms encircling I'oH, hei' beautiful little fa<"e re- solute in its detiaiu'c, set in its auieole of "folden hair, from which after dinner slie has taken the pins, allowing it to fall almost to her knees. "Well, Miss Cari'w," he sjiys, inmically, "have you come to tell me you are ashamed of this folly ? '' "N(», uncle Carew, T hav(> not, I am ,t,'oint; at least to tiy aiul save my honoral)le name by ,ifivin<( it into the safe keep- ing' of Uodei-ick Gray." "That is a decision of which you will soon tii'e," he says, in bla/.inj,' wrath ; "an<,dstered the nijifht just pa.st away, at the ' Arlinj,'t(»n,' as |{oderick \\. P. S. ( Isay, Ottawa. And .so we i"ec(»<,niize him as our i>i'etty Nell's lovei'. I5ut on he jjoes, and many eyes follow him till past their ranye, when others seem to take pleasure in the ra))idly vanishing form of the tall, handsome vouny at hlete. His sti-aw hat, a-la-mode, is j)uslied hack from the hroad, white forehead, and the hlue eyes <,dance somewhat carelessly at the motley thronir he swiftly passes. Tile air is laden with tlie nuisic of thuicli hells, the dear (»Id chimes of St. James' Cathedral coming' t(» the ear like an^'el voices in a faraway choir, and the jiity of it is that each mortal as he treads his way ])uts aditT'erent interpretation on the woi'ds from Holy Writ from which the chime notes emanate. ihit thus it is in the age of many creeds I On, and ever on, goes IJoderick Ciey, throujfh the yroujis of hastcnini; worshi|ipers, ever and anon iiearinj^.sijraps of conversation to tlie accompaiu- Jncnt of tho twitter, twittt'l- of the sparrows, the hastening footfalls, all hh'mling with (he menu»ry of a sweet ,«>''' voieo, A'nvid the Spires a Girl- Face 133 which Ijrings anew ea,c;er hastening strides, for liis heart hungers to hear Nell's voice again. On, and ever on, tlirough handsome King-street, gay with sujicrl) ecjuiiiages, fi-eighted with fashionably I'obed citizens going to woi'shij) at the shi'ine of a Saviour who, when on this same eai'tli, was the meek and lowly Nazarene I On, and ever on, now treading his way up far-stretching Yoiig(>-street, passing thi'ough this great a\('nue of shops now closed to ovei" liOO,000 citizens, for is not this the city of churches 1 On, still on, goes Roderick (Jray, now meciting groups of Episco})alians ; one catniot mistake; tliem, he thinks, with a grim sense of liumor, witli their exclusive air. On, on, through the lively groups of Methodists. On he goes, passing thoughtful Pi'esbyterians witli tlieir fuiidanu'utal air, rubbing shoulders, too, with. Tsi'aelites on a holiday, for to them this is not the Lord's Day, th(!y still wait in the outei' coui't ! At Trinity-stiuare his steps are retarded, for churchmen, with glad faces, enter here. At Wiltoii-avenu(> he is comp(>lled to skirt the crowd by taking the middle of tin; street, for a tlu'ong of iviger-faced ])eopl(! tun. and cross, cross and turn, fi'om every point to listen to the rector of All Saints and the pastor of Bond-street. At ( Jei'rard-street more jostling, for other spires point heavenward, this time by adult Uaptism, aiul the liaptist, with complete satisfaction, ti'eads his way. On, still on; up, and ever u]i our busy Yonge-street goes manly Hoderiek (!ray, a l)eautiful little face ever to{)ping every spire. On, still (»n, wondering, in a half absorbed way, if all those people who hav(; " waxen fat, who shin(>," many of them tailor- made, be reall' ai.d in truth Chiistians. On, still (m ; over, and ever north he goes, meeting Kaith Curists and Plymouth Hi-ethren with no proud looks. Christian Sci(Mitists, too, few and far between, 'tis true, but each wearing their air of supeiior eidightenment. Salvatioti Army soldiers, men and women, iticrease as he reaches l»l..r-beds on tl. J^n. , ...OS .iboveall the knowledge that he nuist becU.se on B;.lX;e;; ;:^atbtle ..ac .. .nn, exhUarating Ins spn.ts -^:t::ZJ:rt^^'^;'^^^^^ church, whe., e..n now he uncle Carew may, on bens at las! ! Yes, a n.eet and tittu.g hon.e for Vn. 1 f V \.>11 The ila.-ed walk to the stone steps is (lUickly ;:;::f ^lerly saluung the early English wi.ulows, the Z one set in Credit Valley stone, of which the wall ^ u It tl e ..uaint upper casements connng from re., insolently, cMrefnl keeping his cigarette fnnn • Her uncle meets her without demonstration of affection, but with gentlemanly politeness, attending to her C(mif( will men diiu^ witli us. Aft(>rwards, we shall dri\(' to tlu; city and go to the Aca(hMny of Music," Nell shudders, " und remember, Nell, no i-ecoiling from Rice. Be as you wen; U) lum, he will be satisfied. lie ruther enjoys your pretty airs of hauteur, however, I think you can atfoVd to relax a little, as you will be his wife within oiu' week." At the Union Stati<.n Nell, hardening herself, greets Rice —though with inwiird loathing -much as she has been accus- tomed 1<> do, ami very much as a ipieen might a t(.o aspiring subject. , "Ah! T am glad to ste no sun-burn after your prolonged outing," says tlie small banker, who drives with chem to King- street^ " you look as spick aiul span as a London or New York belle, 'oidy more to my taste. When T contrast the gtjod time I have been having to yours in that pokey hole in Prince Ed- ward county, I pity you, but T shall sh(»w you a bit of life on our we(hling trip, and shall enjoy your fresh, innocent sui'prise iit iK.t oidv the sights of New York city, but the mortitication in tlu' faces of the belles when they know 1 am niarried, and touching his fingers to his lips, aiul his cane to his silk hat, the sn\all dude makes for his (piartei's iit the Arlington. .Vfter dinner the same evening, and while the master of Rroadacres sips his (oetsy I" And by a stran,ij;(^ coiiieidi'nce, as she speaks, between her Kol)s, of (; ray's letters, Pickford is lau.yliino' himself ill in re- calling- the contents for the benefit of Iliee- of u letter re- ceived this day from jSelFs lover, md which he has opened, the others having- been returned by C'arew. " Try another ,i,dass of still hock', f'iekford. V(»ur droll way of puttin-,' tliat fellow's -oneness (,n Nell, only whets my ai)j)e- tite for my little beauty. And you say hC was a re-ndar swell'/" '• Yes, a rei-ul.'ir tip l-oppei-. No end of airs. \\y (,',.,)r : "lam a fool to cry! T shall meet my l<»ve yet, in .spite of tJHMu alh and 1 am not .yoinji; (o spoil" my beauty! Yes you may .stare in fri^dit- at mc-, iJetsy, fnmi this „„>n,nif 1 jmi \Hm\iS. <«> be downrii^'hl bad, bad did" I say, yes bad, but (Jod 5 K 138 " Thus Far Shalt Thou Go and No Farther." will not purnsh me, He will make uncle V^J^^j^-^J^ may take down n.y hair now, Hetsy ^-"-^ ^^^^'rV^i , ^ into my dvessin.^ ,i,.nvn, 1 am ,^oing to try it tlu Pvi-'ue ' can't hypnotise me into tor^etting .selt. ' Will V^ nu jvls^ write ^til Mistress Leary. lassie, it always ^'"^N: "^tr'tHraie is cast, and the poor dear is pros- trat^r'wUh ^Hef. As T am t, be a P^^- J..'^ ^.-.-J Mrs. Leary will excuse my giving up all in> time to my loved Haiiilet-Prince of Darkness. <'Dinna dinna, lassie, it breaks my heait to h< a. ye prayTuie gude dod to senh.i> to aet •IS \eirs bridesmaid on the following 1 uesda) Hh; nuiti Ho.risadlressed to Mr. Carew, wh... th..ugh unwilling to l:;"ni; Nell's acceptance, deen.s it advisable to give m it ''n:;;-:'*;!!;^ bounds at the thought of feeUng lu-r wings, evcm thouih tied by the string of thus tar a.ul no farther. -Yes uncle, I should like to go, she says, c(»ldl) , . VerV" -11 r.etsv will g<. down with you to (leddes whart Hi... and myself will see you <.ft'-T have your word the wor. 'VVcCw-that you will ivturn by first boat on M<.nntaii , ^,,stume attra.is many a read upon ^^^'^ ^.l'^[l_^^^^^^^^^^^^ in foiiiuiiiie eve, w nic tiie wnoi- ?'-'•' •'■ "■ - ■ H set n'ofblue, holds the gaze of a gr,>up ot young ello.s, ut T-'- "••' ''•"• Vellow-passengers as, absorb..! -. ho.j^ t .e follows the rippliug waves as she leans her dnn torn. Vi I . You get ine mch (»f b alwiiys is pi'os- so soon, ^ to my icar ye ; , aye, is ivitiition t() spend II l)eacli, is to act le iiivita- -illin.t,' to i\-e ill it' T winys, tlier. es" wliart, (lie word oiiduy. I iiicfL you ;• Ills pipe je <'ii tl'"' k'all-street lilt steam waters ot' ■' lies uii- ; many a 'Iv gem in ig fellows; II tlumglit, slim t'oriii " Thus Far Shalt Thou Go and No Farther." 1 89 on lier folded anus upon the railing. Slie wears a sailor-lihu' straight full skirt, sort of blouse bodice with gold-braided vest, a jauiity eaj) of sailor-blue also bi'aided with the glittering braid from under wliirh the hively blonde hair shows beneatir; over her shoulder is slung a smart satchel of alligator skin just large enough to hold her novel, box caramels, pocket handker- chief, and tiny i)rayer-book— a thought of Betsy's. But little cares our pretty Nell for appearance in the ptv- sent, al)sorbe(l as she is in sorrowful thought of the loving heart she must never more lean uj)on, of the great love so rudely swept fron. out her life, of all she has lost in Hie hive of Roderick (Ji is fjuite ready to confess that ilaily coiii- panionshi] ,,,,ii Gray would ennoble her character, and now in mtunatr assoeiation with Hamlet Bice I shall grow mean and bad, .she thinks, no one seeing the tear-droi)s in the violet eyes. And in the ever changing, ever beautiful panorama of land and water spread out before her she thinks of how Hazel, Gray, and she would have enjoyed it together: On one side Ih's the \aried green of the woods with, as they pass Long Branch, Unlw Park, oi- other summer resorts, extensive lawns studded with maple, birch, oak, and j.ine trees with tlieii' grand old background of dense, dark wtxidland. But just now Nell's mood is more in unison with the water view, and during the whole two hours' trip she turns from the gay excursionists to the more sympathetic water, its swish and splash recalling the iiappiest hours of her life at the rock- bound iiromontory, and she does not see the steamers as they liass, or that the lake is dotted with small and large craft, tli'e auibitious pleasure yacht, the numerous I'ow boats, or the bird- like sail boats. Neither does she h.rd tli<« cxclamatioiis of delight or ex- pe.tation as the Mo,/J,'x/,„ nrars joyous, eirthusiastic nalional-spinted Hamilton, and comes ujioii her grand heights' h.-r Ix'autiful beach, and (Miters pict ures<|ue Burlington Bay' such scenery filling the most wooden s.»ul with delight and a positive joyousness in living I On her arrival, Ah'c I5urns, Maud's liancee. is quietly atten- tive, seeing hei- safely on board tJie Dundas dummy"^ Miud alvvays thoughtful for Nell's comfort has given him a '.Sunday holiday, feeling lluil were he to come out to the Be.acli as in :i t > i f i ■ U() " TJms Far Shalt Thou Go and No Farther." usual tlM. si-ht of tlu-ir umtual happiness would make her own sorrow more poiifiiaut. So that leaviM,:,^ Mrs. Lon^' in .•on.i.any with the tour .lots, asalsoofhrrfav..nle Christian Seieul.st journals, lhet;wo-..iN •ivoi.lin.' the ..otta^ers, wan.ler t. a seehule.l nook with only Naturelas listener ainl the l.roaii lake 'tt^l "';>;/' ;•'*■• . >> My h..art aehes for you an.l poor Hod," Man. says he am. around her. -iait 1 dont tnink you eouM '''^y; ';;'; ,hnm-h tliat.hvadfui l.anishnu-nt to l-ranr..; you w..ul.l have just lain down and die»l, dear. •.■ i i n . i IW.. •' » That's just it, Maud ; 1 f.'-l son.etnnrs as ,t 1 shall not in 1,,,,,. uny way; my h.-ad aeix's nrarly all the tnne, and yet rV'r wi.-kedattin.esandasif I shall live to ten.pt Ho.l ,„„'.,„• with n... wh.n 1 ,,.•> the settle,.,.;,.t tron. .u.ele (!a.vw,"sl,e says wearily, her beautiful l.ttl.- tare full of he. '"Th;"followin!^ ...or..i..;^. -re sta.'tini^ hy the .hm.n.y 1^M• n,,nilton, sh.' says to M.s. Lnw^, u ho is to see her Loan! the ' '''T wish I h.id some h.'ou.id." for my heada.'he, it wouhl .vlH.sv ils„,and I nnnn.f sUmd it with this ho.rihle ...a.Tm-e, in vi.'w; you havr ..o h.on.ide in the eotta^.., 1 suppose, Mrs. '.No,.sense, rhild,"' says the Seient.st, "ym h'a.. on a ,„i,,,,il,l.. .huii to hanish you.' falsr hel.et ... a headael..-, and yuu l.u- this false elai... u..til you p.oru.v what ... your e.'.or ."'..'Tin; /;.- toheaeu.v. If you w ish w .11 ^.ve you a nvat.m'.it, th.'.UKl. I ho..estly t.'ll you a. headaet.e is a pu.vly •iii.ir ''''*^'"\Vs''\-.'.s Mrs. I.Mn«, please treats me," i...d tl.e,ir,,hlr.. 1 ispushe'.ri.a.khnpntientlyustl.es,..allha.ulsp.rsslH'rs...ooth, ''''\ii.l'nM'.Ta'..dli..-n, thel^hristia.. Seientist in the restful ,^;,,„, „,, tl,, rottau-, thetu...l.lin^' sto, .n Ioss.mI wate.s outs.de. (!od a..d nature all a.-oun.l, the.v an.l then ";''^^.^;'"/ sit Uum .vslf.iln.-s to .juiet, un.l.'r the sp.- I ot that s.l....t t,,.,Uuu.nt, th..|a,-Ke wou.au sitting thouKldtully st.ll. a st.aM«., look of powe.- in l.<'r fae.*. From Hanlmi's Island to Broadacres. 14,1 CHAFIKU XY. FHoM HAM, ax's isi.axi) to khoadacuks. " Put not your trust in iirinces, nor in any ciiild of man.'' N seeing' Nell safe alioard the Mor/Ji'skd for Hamilton, (ni a sii<.f/j/(i>rrr, in tiftecMi minutes they reach the commodious dock, in a rolliekinjjf liunioi- at the appi'itachinn' nuuriajire of Nell to Hice on the followin,"^ Tuesday. The sons of Adam |>redominate on the extensive pia/zas at Hof'l llanlan, toi' ever since thost^ jtrimitive days in which the oldest Adam strolled in the sun-warra ^aidens «)f ICden, wondering and wishin;; that. K\c's curiosity would master her, si» that he shall taste the ajjple he is tliirstin^' for— ever since that (hiy, w liether the old .\dani lie lai'tiely within them or no, our men >ri/f\\n\f tin ir holiday whether I'lvc share it with lliem oi- not: thei'e will he other wiaucii if not their own esp(-cial K\t'. AikI so it is on this t he people's holiday, each wearin^f a holiday air, too, with liest hilt and tucker, f(»r Jen- nit* W'll meet her .lamie- the Kinj,'-sti'eet diule will meet sonie society lielie, for whom he has a rose in his hut ton-holo. (iroupsof smalls aie there also, in fidl feather, di<.f^'in^ in (he sand, or into the <'apacious lunch l»a;^', for theo/.dnc from the lake is a peerless appetizer. And what with llif ripplin-f of the waters, the lauuhler of the smalls, the strdlliu),' nnisicians, the f.'ay operetta in the jMivilion, the twirlinj,' of the nu'ri y-ffo itaind, the han;,' of the shoot injLr j:idleries, tiie swish throujih the air of the elevated switch hack, every taste is catered to, and tiied liusiness men. caiiilalists and profi'ssional men, froni their coijen of vantajic oh the ]iia//us, jutting out from the dilVerent Hats at Hotel Hanlun, foi'i/ot to be tired, tis, tuininif theii' hi ads as if en a i H l! ! • 142 From Hanlan's Island fo BroaxJacres. pivot, forget self in wati-liing tli<' »-v(M-clmiiKii.,u, cmm-iik.x in.i:, gayly-i»hiiniii,'('(l i-i-(»\v»,;„n,>/l : '-ul polili.-s avauni ! I am i„a iM.liday hunmr. ami as Imk will have il, there ml- ..ur n..i.r|il...rs." .N.l.li.- Th..mas. ll... p..rk heiress, ami her aunt. Mis. Pall I if that han.lk.'ivhi.-f isn't a Camulim. signal t.. ioii. them, then I am .... f..llow.r ..f llu- .•hieftain : and now fol a i.li ol tUh. "It Wlih Ur. hire. ,,U.u( she knows full well wluit reply she will receive from the voun;; woiiiMii, who has lieeii all hut. askiliij iJieelo he her life <'oni|iiinion for the past three years.'" "We have Iteeii in twice already, .\lr. Carew, hut take aunt, and if she proves tdo sweet for anylhin!,', hhinie it on the iee creiim, lliimlet and I will wnit for you on the sand hiir, lilit voii needn't ]>ut yourselves idiout to h.isten after us, you know. " " ^'es, we know," says Carew, lookiiiy into the carefidly tinted face of his companion, as they retrace their steps to Hotel llanlan. " ( 'onstiincy, thy name is woman in yonder case ; we men are not often so hl-ssed. " Now, .Mr. Carew. you know you don't mean A/c,^.yrj; hiinsolf of his coat, with the comfortahle t'eelin;,' that, home and dcKhiihillf an^ i'(!ached ; on excellent terms with each other, they !j;ive. a look in at the handsomely furnisluul, hut unhomelike, drawinf^- vooni, to ascertain if a ]iarcel from 'I'illiiny, New 'S'ork, has ai rived jin or- from that house is. TiOany leads un this continent," e.xdaims Carew, with a stilh'd si^di that Nell's heart is not more in this nuitter, l»ut with the feelinjf that he is ;^uardin^f lier from future discomtiture. "There is enouf^di hi'ii- a-hrac strewn around lierct t(» set up half a dozen l)ri(leH," says Uice, lauuhini:, " hut thos«Mliam<»nds had Itesl come upstairs with me ; they ai'e t(to in\itinf,' to the, eyi' feminine. I tell you what it is, Cai'ew, 1 never .saw a better female settinj.' for diamonds than my little (picen." Over a ylass of ale and a l»it of .old chicken in the dinini;- I'ooni, Carew ai;rees with him, .sayiny ; " Nor did I, unless it was her mother." '• I am not at oin' with yo\i. ("arew. Nell tdls me her molliei' was daik ; only lilondes should wear dian\onds. ' Cai'ew starts, and is a,liout to speak, hut checks himself l»y linisliinj,' his ludass at a drauf.(hl. In half an hour they nie more conlidential, (.'arew Inkinj,' tiie door from his lips, says, as they reach the top of tlie stairs ere retiiiny for the niu'lit; "I ha\e often told you that we Carews are mowed down hy (leath's Hcytln^ with scant warninu. I ha\e had one sirckc of paralysis, and .lohns. may have another \\ith any yreai strain or cundiined mental and ]ihysical excilenu'nt. If you should, then, come across a skeleton in the family, pro- mise me, i!iee, that you will ntit rellect it on Nell." and, rtinjiinj^ off lollar and tic, tliougi liin l»ark Jh to^'iHi-t- t\Wx\ if 14(i From Banian's Inland to Broadacres. '! li he sees Cart'w's I'ctlccU'd t'acr in (lie iiiirr(»r, terribly iliislicd ii) its sfttint; uf reddish uliiskeis and iiKHistache. Ni) aiis\s(M' (■(iiiiiini-, C'arew wheels around suddenly, and faces him, when the look (if sui'pi'ise on the small, dai'k face ehills and sobers him mentally. *' lUtt I am dreaming, of making mountains out of inol(>-hills, as we Irish do, and you, Hiee, born, as you don't deny, ffom the peojilc. wduld lau^ii at any sueh molehill skeleton. ' " \i>u sjteak in riddles. Carew. I think I'll bid j,'ood-ni,i4ht to you and your rather yhostly talk of ske]<'tons," he says, suspiciously. "Skeletons be liaiiut'd ! 'anini,ded him out as the man who will not care a raj) on meetim^' the Carew skeleton. "I feel easier." he cont iniU's. yaw nin,^, "knowitii; mv private paper- arc here I'alher than al my ollice, ihonifh if ihere'sa man on earth I trust, it's my head clerk, rickfonl. hut m\ will is safe as a first niortj^'iijU'e inside of tluit safe, with i|s walls of welded iron and steel." and he staj,;nei's to a. siltitiLT position on the bed. "See. Hice, it has solid iron frames and corners. |iul lo^-elher with steel headed eunical bolts. You should ha\c one like il. |{ice. "I Jiail ; Nell couldn 1 object to il in our loom. lis ah 1 nl " Honor Withers, Locks Open, Barriers Fall." 147 oniiunciit. ill itself, with its l)(>lt works and Iiin<.':c tips nickel- plated. Coiiiliiiiatiuii l(iek, you say • ' "Yes, whicli no one can open hut myself. But in <')ise of a sudden call to swell the 'silent luajoiity,' 1 carry the diivt- tions about with nie, with the key,"' he says, thickly, and putting on his ni;j;lit shirt wronj,' side up. "So you carry them ahout with you," thinks Uiee, ;i-et- tin;^ him into his rohc '. One moment of thought, find LiM'ifei- wields the sceptre, and the lirst act of the small hanker is (o stoop down and unfasten his patent leather Oxford ties, takiu';- them olV so that the sei'Vi.nts in the upper Hat, and I'.etsy in the hack win;,', may hear no sound. 'I'urnin,u the gas low, he rci.airs to his own apart iiieid, hack <>f Carew's, leaves his shoes, not forgetting to admire his i>ale-hlue silk hose, matching his underwear \N hea ton's fanciest. 1 )ivesting himself of collar, tie, vest and linen shirt, handling his diamond studs cot.lly, yet lovingly, witlnait anolhei' hesitating mouuMit he glides through the corridor and enters the aesthetic hedroom of his pretty hrid<- elect, with a, gi'atiljed smile, noting everything in perfect order and laste. This is not his tirst visit, for he and the trust.'d i'ickford. on one occasion in chnrge of Ihoadacres, had regaled themselves in like manmi- ; hut at pres( nt he has other work in \ iew. so does not poke his nose and lingers into her i)ho|o caM' .ir lei lers. No, he merely removes the lace pillow sham, w it h its hlue silk lininji, from t.op of a jiiiluw on the ilaifity hed, nwA m. i . :~V< h Ir 148 " Honor Withers, Lods Open, Barriers Fall" 11 .l.,rl' fice t(. its odo.-ous whiteness, where the presses his sinall, dai k tact T( lovely face oi his ^"f ;;^;f';^^]';;^j;^^,, He muses, that has been And n<,w to ferret out ^^^^^^^.^^ ^f, ;,,tinnK c uunecte.l with wrongfully concealed frou, ., < ^num u ^^^,^^^,^ Nell,andTwillandshallnKlito t,its ny^ 7 ^^.^^^ fault that 1 have to bother myself at e < ^ ^^,j^^^^ that han,.-d combination lock, '"'",,;;,; ,,, H^takes this deuced skeleton ,s ^^-S''V^;;- /,;;'; ^ .e idea that hin.self to Carew's ro<.n>, ^^7^*^'^ ." ^ i^t-ls that by get- 'tis he who is the uijured party, and '^^^ ' y ^ ting at the truth in this way ^.^:^r^^^ ^ ^h the idea . ,ow helpless man. ^^I^n'lnst.>l nl bun , urn wx ^^^ that if he does not -"''V^' r '/i^^! /c >w hi.h w^ .all oblifred to demand an explanation ^'T'^X^^U^^ ^)y l»i« forth the ire of the latte^ gn n,g .^..h_ ^ ^^ /^^ J .j^, ''- :iinii' ^:re;;;^::: "u :!; ;;^the p;:;^.-booii <. the X lin^ln 1 ^^^^^ xvitl. his chan...is leather tobacc.. pouth, ^^\^^^^^ > iiiiii fell ll,,.,uKh the directions, and with ♦j'''^'' ,;;",;,,, u... ^ ts on one kne« to the safe standu.g m >-;/';.,,,,, ^in,^ '^7I^0?^;^e\hest:::ma..at,tl. th. straight n,ark about an ,nch o ^^^^^- ^^^^^\,,,^ ,, is the stopping pun. t. n. "'"l;:!; ;',;,''* ,*,i,,. , Combination. „„. ,i.i.t is used only in making ' ,^' ''-';. ,,^, ,;,<,, a,„l '>Md Take the straightmark lot \oui sio) i m,., j , , " ■ 1 V o.fd V. u brinir •"•0 four times to the mark. In thn. urn lett " td > ' 1 n ng ^ ^^^^^ ^^^.^ ^^^ ^,^^^ ^,^,,„. scrt the key in the back of the lock ui passed tliroiigh 1 rhen turn it one quarter rouiK 1 1o the left, leave it there and i-roceec as follows- -iiere the slcc^ping man giv (1 to make a c(.mbinatioii es sue \\ a loud snort that all." where the ,t has 1)6611 icted with i's Carew's light with 1 me what lie betakes 3 idea that hat by get- \or on the ,th the idea he will be c'h will Jall ide ])y his ,vill 1)6 the I'iage oil", lat, surveys t object his -book of the i>,l, t(.gether I fallen un- the poeket- II g the safe, iid«M' tiH! gas nee rvuming d, hf stooi)S iider tlie gas lie following less friend : ial-ring, and lie star mark ght mark at cuinbination. )g j)(»int, and (> mark. In /;/ of the same uarter round I combination jqd Hiu)i't that " Honor Withers, Locks Open, Barriers Fall." 149 the sliarpened senses of Rice take alarm lest lie return from dreamland. Quick as a flash the gas is h.wered to a gluniner, and 1h; himself in the hall, when the loud breathing again pro- claims that the fetUu-s of slec^t have not given away -and again lie is on bended knee, and could our detectives Archibald, Cuddy, or that ilk, have caught a bird's-eye view of him, they would have photographed him as the coolest, cl(>aiiest, nattie.Ht, nimblest swell who had ever "burgled" or come within the focus of their camo-a : and the diamond on the little linger of his right hand Hashes and sparkles as he follows the last direc- ticmof: Turn left, stopping when your third numbcu- comes the second time to the mark. Stop right there. Turn the k<'y back to the right and withdraw it, and tlu; d(.or opens. So firmly is he lixed in his determination to (•ontinue to the triunii)hant cud that, in pivssing his lips together, his teeth audibly grate, and he casts a careless glance at the sleeping man, so pathetically unconscious (.f the evil working arountl him'; while the small l)ank«-r, unknowing that t,h«' laws of com pensation arc being w(.iked out in his case in the i>crson of a terror stricken woman, in one long, white garment, bare leet, dose cropped wA hair, and a disliguring birth mark on licr left, che.'k, who, in a I ivnior of fright, looks n..w ov.t her shoulder, expecting to see he of the horns and hoofs now peer- ing thrc.uiih the crevice, where the door hangs on its hinges, i'.utthe cool-heatled banker smells no brimstone as he care fully handles numerous pajieis neatly labelled in their respec tivt* coini)artments. Deeds of trust bring no uni»leasant sensation to his fingers. At last the will and a letter with it, a.ldressed to Helen iM. Carew, both marked privat.-. and th(' letter sealed with the crest of the family. On (>\ainination, heconclud(Ml that it would be impossible to oi>en the letter without dete<-tion, though doubtless the skeleton is lieiv ; the will may enlighten him, and unfolding it he mastered its contents thus : " I, rhillip Twete Carew, will and l)e<|ueath to my daughter, Helen Molionesotreie Carew," (the paper, cool as lu^ is, almosfi dr<.i)s from his grasp as he inaudibly mutters 'illegitimate,' but he reak of two hunches of red currants. " Furth(!r — T desire to he cremated at PudFalo, this I irUI to he done in the intt^'ests of an over-cr<(wding humanity.' A cool pei'spiratioii had permeated the wliole frame of the small ])anker on meeting the skeleton, it had literally knocked him cold I In haste to get to the j)rivacy of his own apartments, to grow accustomed to the skeleton, he is not so delihei-ate as in the unlocking of the safe, and so makes a wrong comhination, foi'cing him to give his attention to the work. At last I and a breath of relief accompanies the withdrawing of the key, and in replacing the directions and key in the pocket-hook, he relieves his surchargc^d feelings l>y exclainung audibly : "His daughter! and of course illegitimate! what a come down when 1 slip the stilts of conceit from under her pretty little nose." "T daur ye t(t dct it, young mon ! "' says the wotnan who has nois(,'lessly entered, taken the nn-ohcr from beneath tlii' pillow of the sleeping man, pointing at the head of successful "burgling" night-patrol Hice. At the same moment the j)arrot, whic'h lias been disturbed by the lights and moxcments, (lies at the sliingI<'(J black head of the sneak thief. Wheeling around at the familiar Scotch accent, a cold [lei*- spiration creeping over him as he clutches Pull by her claws to pr('\('nt hei' living on to the bed : when the tcrmr of the wnnian, appaicnt in the total absence of sclfconsciousness as to lici' singular appearance, nerves him, and with a haml of iron lie possesses himself of the rev<»lver, returning it to its place and speaking low yet distinct into her ea>'— " Neak those fausc words to Miss Nell T heard fa' tVa' your lips in the master's room.'' And her teeth chatter as though it is a night in December, her eyes glare as she clenches her tist in his t-old, dark face. "And why not?'" he asks coolly, feeling his way as to how much she knows -how long a time .she has been a spy upon his actions. "Because you are in my power, sir, you hi'oke into yon safe, an" read the inastei's will, aye ye daurna wortiit Miss Nell wi' you' fause w^ords, she is na' .i base born brat," she shrieked excitedly. "Keep (juiet, woman, oi- I'll swear I'll ch(jke you. Come another loud word and the cover of this butlet is stuffed down your ugly throat ; as well as playing the spy on my actions, you can act a lie. What would the Carews .say were I to tell them they are harboring Klspeth Ross? Yes," he laughs jeeringly, "you have forgotten your raven wig, and what a pretty taste for fruit youi' mother "but his sneering I'emark is never tinished, tor at this she suddeidy becomes the pi"ey of self- consciousness, awake to the knowledge that .she is undisguised and unclothed flinging her arms up ♦^o her close-croj)pe(l head, covering her left cheek with both hands alternately, writhing and groaning in an agony of spirit, and finally crctuching under the extension table, foam oozing from her mouth, great drops of moistui'o st;inding out on her forehead. This irritates Hiee, so that stooping down with the remem- brance that in her noi'Uial state she is one of the old-time servants to whom to hear is to obey, says authoritatively : " tA)me, come woman, no moi'e shall we know her -foaminj,' at his ellVout- eiT in makim, name oi" stolen knowled'^e. "How daur ye mak' spit balls to tire at your betters, out o' seei'ets, too, ye jjlayed the thief in the nicht to ud, hold on," she says in black wrath, her eyes fixed upon him in uttei- scorn as he sits on the table hold- ing one knee and swiuLjinu the other t"o(»t. " Not so fast., old lady, or I'll ha\'e you \}\> for defamation!" " Ye daur not," " ( "ome, eomi', old lady, yo\i ai'e too fresh, f went toC'arew's luulroom because I heard him breathing' as if he was sulVocat- ini^; so you found me in your very sin j^Milar mak' -up, which, on mv (|Uestioiiini4 y«>u about, you explained by telliiii,' nu> the hist.ory of Nell Carew's birth. How does that sound, old ladyT' lie asks cuunin;,'ly. " rt will nevei- sound in the master's ea,rs,"she cries bravely, thou<.;h treinblinj^f lest Im brasc out the lie, but 'tis only for a moment, for with tlu; Scotch the tie of blood is sti'oni;, ami Kell is her life, her all, for whom she will ti,L;ht to the death. At this jum-ture the clock st rikes two and the handle of the hall door is turned — simultaneously, the straiiLje cou])le look at each other in alarm: in a few moments the slats of the shutter of the wiiulow which had been lifted up by Kice stir, a face appearing', it is a, polic«'inan, who, recoyidzin;.; Kice, says apolo;.'etical!y : " liey ])ard(tn sir, f -aw lin'hls ntoNini,' about, an softly clostis the wind(»w : "You will keep a, (piiet tonifue in your he.id, sir, an' no clack tt' this ni;,'ht's wark." iir inak' iia' I banker ble hi^^'h- 'tiiu aiui ,hc other II as your y- — as we s elVroiit- • ye niak' ayed the ruth, lier l.le hold- nation ! " ) Cai'cw's sufFocat- }>, whieli, L^ me tlie lid hidyr' i bravely, dy for a I'onj,', and ' dealh. lie of the It^ look at e shutter ir, a face iee, says d as iNFr. • lacres, 1 ir." of Nell's i' no claek " Honor Withers, Locks Open, Barriers Fall." 153 "I'll see," lie sav. , ai);n'ily. " T have a shrewd suspicion it has been an ' KtHe 13 ■anos" ' jr.. over asj^ain ; was she clean got, I have a I'ight to k io\ ? " "T telt ye befoi- yuu lanieless nion. I hae the marriage lines wi' her mith'>r •; »vcLure i" my bivast," and with tremb'uig iingei-s she di'aws from her l)osom tlic miniatui'e case we have before seen her handle. Opening the case, she draws forth a piece of pap(!r and hands it him. Scanning it attentively, he sees it is a jnarriage certificate ; a clei'gyman at tlu; Foi'est City, since dead, had married Cai-ew to Jessie Ross, the late Maston Carew and Elsj)eth Ross (Bf^tsy) being witnesses. Handing it bacrk to her he sa^s ci'ossly : "The whole l)usiness has a tisliy look." " It's no sae fishy as the way you took in l(>arnin' o' it," flares uj) Hetsy. " Hasna' a nion a richt to gie his ain bairn to his ain brither an' lie pleases ; ye hae seen the marriage lines, so cease clacking more o' the matter, and I'll keep acjuiet tongue in my head over youi- night's wark." "Oh, that's your way of s(juaring accounts, is it, old lady? books bahmced, eh ? and now to our I km'-, ;ih quietly as mice," he says, somewhat relieved. Betsy, on her knees, buries her face in the bed-clothes, and implores forgiv(mess of the Almighty for truth withheld as to Nell's hirth. And again slic sees hei- frail, pretty sisKn-, after the pangs of child-birtii, going by dying gasps through the mai-riage service ; and hears again baby Nell's crit^s coming as Amen to the cere- mony, and as farewell to the dej)arting spirit of her mother. Of how the good clergyman had i(;mained with the corpse, while she, wrapping up the iKuv-born infant, drove to Queen- street, London, Out., to the palatial mansion of the banker, Maston Carew, Es(|., and of how the infant had been smuggled in and j)laced at the lireast of Mrs. (Jarcw — mother of ilazel — who had just been delivered of a still-born chili. And lietsy on her knees i-emembers of how [iroud, high-born Phillip "^rwete Carew wcndfl never have w(h1 her pretty sister Je.ssie, who had b(>en child's maid to the little Hazel, but that theniedical man had sworn she could not live. And the tetuier consci 154 "Honor Withers, Locks Open, Banners Fad!' cowers before Cod in fear, for liiis slie not in part lied to Rice. And she remembers of how tlie real father of the babe had paid her passage to Scotland, l)iddin,i,' her never show her face near him again, lemindiiig him of his mad folly, but her kin in th." old land were cold and stern, ever throwing m her face the slip mad(; by her mother, and as they guessed by Jessie ; and so hungering for a sight of the pretty baby of her frail but loved Jessie, slie had (•rei)t back to Canada, Lon- don, Out., and Die Carews, su disguised they never suspected ; anil she groans in the sinrit, pressing her finger nails into the flesh of her foUh'd arms, as she thinks of the mean man Rice beinf' in possession (.f- in yiart- -the secret of her idol s birth —the secret she would have given her heart's blood to conceal. She is aware that the indomitable j.ride of the master of Rroadacres would have prevented his confessing himself as the father of Nell, save for some jtromise he has made the mother of Hazel ; she feels sure also, that did Carew know her as Klspeth Ross, he would s|.uni liei' with his heel, as a re- minder(.f the low blcHul in his child—his child who has inherit- ed the Carew pride. She groans in agony lest Rice, after the manner of his kind, shall, when wed to her darling, cast all he knows in her teeth. She is thankful that her uneasy wakefidness, all throm/ii thoughts of N.'lfs misery at being torn from i»er t iie lover Cray, has caused her to hear Rice moving al)out, when, with every wh.-el of being at high pressure, in a «hi/ed, . x<'it,e(l .state, forgetful of disguise, she had sur- prised the sneaking house gue.st at his work. Oh ! sighs the faithful heart, foi- strength from heaven to r1(, battle with tliis man, in compelling hin. to stay his tongue, and not Invak th.' proud spirit of her darling by telling her what h.' knows, th(»ugh he knows not the worst, thank (Sod . And hetsy, on her knees, frels sure, that dare .she conlide in the master of Hroadacres of tlu' traitorous act »)f Hice, he \v(.uld destroy all proof of Nell's birth, as, having written his own II — first taking advice of his lawyc-rs— n le is cog- nizant of t e matter. For as it is. from the way Hice has re- ceived his nint as to a skeleton, da/ed though he was on re- tiring, he has felt, in a sleepy sort of way, whether a man of birti -ould h'tve a. 'ted so m.-an : and yet he has ever felt a man born of the ,.,"ople will be best, anil in the always pi.ssible *% iir A Prelude to — MatHmony. 155 to Rice, the babe how her :)lly, but jwing in eased by baby of ula, Loii- ispoc'ted ; into the nan Rice ul's birth ) conceal, naster of inisclf as made the know her a.s a re- is inherit- aftt'r the , cast all r uneasy at being icar Rice 1 pressure, iiad sur- lieaven to is tongue, I'lling her ank (lod ! i(> contide f Hice, he written liis me is cog- ice has re- /OM on re- a man of felt a niun rn possible e\ent of Elspeth Ross appciuiiij,' at any iionieiit, and Idiirtiiig out the truth to perliaps the ])ivss, has driven liini to wliul lie has deemed the moie ad\ isable plan of ;L,'iving his j)i'etty (lau,t,'li- tei' ill wedlock- us to liiee, who would, in his (Carew's) opiiii((ii, oidy have laughed at it, so easin;,'llie i>unlen t'oi' pKiud Nell. Hetsy wi-estles in prayer and with lier lidiihjed tlutuj^ht un- til tli(^ dawn (»f a eloudy Sunday, with the words of a, favorite sacred soni; on her lips : " Aye," h\w KigliM, "could we but kneel juid oast our load h'roi irfilh' in /irai/, ii])oii oiU' (Jod, 'J'lien rise wi" ligliteued clieor." And as she dons black patch and wi<,', she feels that all is ciianged, and that her life is harder, but that she must never is outward calm w'ilh inwar.l contlicl, a .silent despair having taken complete possession of Nell. ' Monday, tlu- eve of her wedding, lin.ls her, after the silent treatment by the Christian scientist, s«'ated on the verandah, with hopel(>,ss eyes li.sed upon the grey waters of the lake into which the rain is c leiuing to fall steadily. .Maud White is beside her, holding the poor litth^ listle.ss himds as they wait 1 150 A Pielude to—Mdrimony. until it is time t.. catcli tl.<> Dummy into Hamilton, for Nell is to take tilt' Mnctxxa to Toronto; there is a look ot sm-li ut- ter (lesolateness in the lovely little fare as to hrin^' symjiathetie tears to the eyes of Maud. Mrs I.on" now aj.i.ears. the fovn' tots at her heels, uitli puHin^' nloiriin-s f..r -sweets" from tlu- eity, f<.r sh.' is «o,ng i„ in ol)e(n-..ee to a tele-ram from Carew, to see Neil sate alioanl the steamer. The "ill fri.'nds ..mlnnce .silently, .saw for the intens.. look of sympaihy in the eyes : hut Nell is haek for a brief seellowing words : — "To n«Hleriek I?. P. S. Cray, Ks.|., " Veteran liOtlgc. Ottawa. " At Christ (Muireh, D.'er I'ark, North Toronto >n mnrrn>r, Tues- day, at 11 a.m. n kr.......... v. .11 iiv.iiiliMLr the Itasseiiifers as well as A Pi'plud(> to — Mafrhnn^Tij. 157 r Nell is ])iithetic Is, willi is li^nu^ S'cll siitV ■iisi' look f sci'oiul, iod only S, "lidll't lie streot mj; waits tt'ps just i)iru'(', ill satclu'l H lo full I its ( )ltawa. •nir, TiH's- iiilton,"' turns licr I'liilu'llisli ; to inatcli wuiMlrmis • tout, she iiakcs \\vv •I'^fs with tht'lllM' to lii'atiiu'Ut. as \N<'II as tlie rain storm, retreats ti» a corner of the salon, tryinj^ in vain t' l«».-:e herself in her iKtvel ; l)ut when a fai»y nuMuent of for- ;;etfiihiess Woes (■onie to her, it is lost in contrasti!!-.^ t)i(^ Imi'I'V lieroine in IMaek's eharniiii<,' story, " A liife in a Hous<' Boat," witii herself. At (lie Von^fi-slreet. wiiarf, Toronto, slie is met by tiie faith fui Hetsy, with (h'y wateij.roof, iimlirellji fiiil riihheis, in which Hho t(Mi(ierly encases Nell ere allow in^^ her to step outside tla^ {'oinfortalde salon. I>etsy, tlioii,t;h loth to name then., unwillin^fly oheys erders. '•The master would hae come do;in ins sel', Miss Nell, hut that he is hiisy with .'i client, selliii;.^ him one o' they tip-top lots ill Kast 'I'oront:!, h(> said, an' Mr. Hice, he could na leave tli(^ hank, iiut t,(^lt me to ; av he wad come roadacr<'s for dinner Nell, with a disdainful shrii;; of shoulders, makes a iihiiu\ too depressed to talk. •' l-ut, will na the younf; leddy Ite for hrin^rin' a wee ])it hox '! Mr. Ilice will he handy to carry it for her. " "Yes, I suppose, hut don't speak of him, I5etsy ; oh ! all the earria-:es are take.i, hothei-I we shall have to foot it to the cars ; iiow excessively slippy York iinid is I was nearly down. This is a wretched liil of pa\ement at the east side of this stum hiiiifi block to ci\ ili/iition, the — (histom House, it's as uneven, as if it ivere a hiijire human yrater." "So it is, .Miss Neil ; tak' my arm, lassie, I canna hold the mnhrella over ynir honnie cap sae weel else. Yes, Miss Nell, fin thinkin;,' Miss White will he for thanking Provi- dence for a lad tii\" she says promlly, "there are some, l)iil |{ice is no more tit to mate with a Cari'w, than a hum-yard fowl with the eagle IJetHy trfiiihles. " i^iSf^ie, hv>si<<, I fear nip wair if ye gie n vn ir.s A Prelwle io—Matninony. yoii Jnon. tli(> lad lli.r, sirh ).r..u(l looks, he will In- lor t'or- •'('ttiii"- to !»»' kiiitl til VI', dt'iirit'." '^ -OlT, no, don't v.m'fivl, he knows I iiin a lady as iny dear niotlicr was Ih'foiv uic. Yoii know I liav.- always kopt, I, in. on a lowr run- tlian n.yM>lf. Why. woman, you arv trt'iiililini;-, vour v.-iv lionnt't stnn,!4s aiv olV on a (luivcnuu ("X.uisioiK * II. 'iv is' our caf, si,i:nal t.. tlu' rondurtor, (piu-k, f..r mind ivadin,-; dont conic into tlicir Ion-; day's w<.rk. In til.' Vonii.'-sttvct open car, and into pools of water pour in- t'r..m the 'soakim; curtains. < >ur ever couitcous city men .rive up tlieir seats to our pretty N.'ll Carew, as also to the odd-lookinj,' woman wearing' a veil with lar^e dots over her black imtch. With passcuyors to the tVon* of them, passeii- ■rers to tlu- hack of them, nothin-- that can he called e«in v.'rsation j.asses hetweeii them ; a dami.er hein^' also on their spirits as on their clothin-,'. After the car pjisses Uloor street, passengers thin out, so that on reaching the Metro pnlita-n Klectric, one damp n..l.ody being the only other oc- cupant. N.'ll, coining from unliapi>y tli.Might of t h.' ummtow. says sorrowfully: . !.• •• "IJ.'tsv, lias uncle k.'pt liis jinMuis.. as t.> inwaiUng on luce,^^ with a moil" of dislik.', " to c..ns..nl to y..ur living svith nioj " W.-el, Miss Nell, all 1 ken is, that I .'ouldna wait til tlie mast.'r had time to nam.' it til y.ni. s.. I just ..utwi u this morn a stan.ling at tli.' ludV.'t p.uiring out their coca. I he mast.'r, he sai.l m. wor.l, an' Mr. Hice. iust turning to the mas I,.,' for hedidna' s i to lik." to lo,.k tne in th." eye -said, ",,h. I suppose s.., leastways for a, w.m- whih- for Mlstr.-ss " 11. .w dar.' h.' .'all in.' -names," breaks in N.'ll. h.-r violet 0V»*s Hashing. ' " Yes. Miss Nell. h..w daur he, at..r.' y..u an- -.n.' by tii.' pra>ei book. .ju''4 what I tli..ught my ains.'!'; but ..n 1m' cla.'ki'd, saving that y.m an" his sel' wa.l be junk.'tiiig id.oiU, an I w saying rltU he .,;„„. in han.ly t.. l.".k aft.'r tli.' s.-rvants . an he sai.i he ■sse.1 H. H. Shepp.-rd wa.l hae t.» pr.-nl his s...'i<'ty ...luiiin in lieato mak' room for the d..ings ..' Mr. an.l Mrs. Hamlet gu» siiia Hie. .. {'.•_, ..... !...!;..?." HHV> Nelk scornfully, '' niorfijirnfioii w.mld ill if he failed U. aniu-ar in mv\\ issue of Sntni'doy .Xiijht." 't ill if he failed to api A Prelude tn — Matrimony. 159 " Weol, weel, lassie, tastes dilUif. N()<», I wad na jest care my aiu scF to hi' set up in jiiciit ('a(;li week, clicok hy jowl wi' f )lk I oar(!iia fur, an' (-vciy lad aiT lass to ken my ways an' •^(iwnds better nor 1 do my ain sel'; hut I'm tliinlcinfj;, jMiss NtOl your wee nion will say na mair aji;ainst my liviiif; wi' ye. I'll just he at y(»ui' hraw house wlifii yc come hae!:, an' it 'il he uihw home like tor you, dearie hulrcd, he may elack like ony hen, lie'li no turn me t'ra' youi* doors aiicc niv foot is inside — t'i^fhts iit that what have I to live foi' else, dearie," 9 and thle(l ni<,dit of almost constant wake- fulness, in which po(»r Nell talks in wliisp(>rs to her bed fel- low, Maud \V'hit;e, or tosses wearily about amongst tin' pil- lows, the sumnuM- day dawns which is to see i,' r become the bride (tf Haml-i Itice, The lain clouds of yesterday still frown heavily, seeming to the girl friends, as they lean from the open hall window on thcjir descent to the breakfast room, to form a black canopy over Ih'oadacres, an!, wheji catchijig lu'r uncle's eye watching her, a hard look con. ing titUKtuth anil eyes, impal icnily diishing aside Maud's hand in which her own luis l)cen clasped under the table, she says, coldly ; " llnde i*hillip, Hazel in her let tci, dated last Saturday, Hays to ask you to please telegraph her ir/ieir I am ; that she is half distracted at not having known nty address, at Ihdl'alo, she means. Little she knows what is about to occur at Christ Church this morning: she would be more distracted than pver, !)oor dai-ling." '' Helr-n (Vin-vv : " eHr-s Iser uticlc, harshly, an intonso look i :« 100 A Prelude to — Matrimovy. ,,f won-v on his hundsonu' faoc, " I ciu.'t, ivnd H',mf. stoiid utiy <,f those side hits at myself, they are ill i, red to ,;ay thv least <»l" iv ; .1 «hail teleromise to tele^'raph siic'i ■mm< ■ and as she thinks of tiie .yreat love of Roderick (li'ay, and ol" h;' anguish this morning's act ^\'M hold for her and him, i^he feels as if her heart will hreak, and with a hasty ex- euse'she leaves the talile, and Mies, as she has from a childrto the faithful Betsy. As they rise from the table Carew is ; hou<,dd,tul, aim as Maud looks at him. his mornin.u papers neudected, she makes inward eommeiit <»n his aUered appearance, which is the le- sult of some other hints on th^' skeleton he had thrown out to |{ie<' the day previous, and of tli<' eold, rejjcllent manner in which Kice Jiad received such hints, the result heinj,' that even now Carew is ponderin,-,' the advisal.ility of dcstroyinj,' -very written word relativ." to the l.irth of Nell, and that hefert^ he leaves the house. l<\-e(linjx Poll vvith hard-l)(»iled e},'«, Maud is. as it wre, l.lind and deaf to the ahs.irhed silence of her host, usually so ph'asantiv loquacicms : nor does she fiance his way, as a heavy si^di, almost a '^vmxw, awakes him to tin' rememhrance that, unless alone he should never fors^et his mask. _ "Mr. Carew. how |on,H((tsy and Maud hear her at limes pace the i'f whicli Toll is now pert'hed, a \ )iece o f bark in one i law, at hieh she iHH-ks, or talks to the gi'oup of palms standing neai At 11.1"), Uetsy, who has been direeting cook k and house- ma id. and taking a grun satisfaction in inspecting the dishes, salads, confectionery, ices, ai 1 wedding-cake, which Nell had msis ted should be .".n tlie bullet, as she feels too unnerv ed for my pleasantry as to tl... cutting of it,- careful Betsy counts ..,,:.;.. 1 1,.. nlM.M.s set for six. as the baclu'lor rector, with tlie again the plact trusted Pickford, small groom Rice, Carew, iMaud, aiul poor we( N.vll will be SIX ; yes, everything is m g( (IO( 1 taste. Webb md •on seats iids the scalloped oysters as well as the other chshes, a 15,.tsv in her new black silkg..wn and finest while apron sei herself in th(. hail t.. watch f<.r Nell's ap})earing, •'"^'^''^y'""'/;^ to steady lur nerves by con cell tratini: thought on a black silk ■^tockin he is knitting for Nell At last, a few iiiinu Maud looking well in tes t(» twelve, the girls come down stairs, her I M'coiniii'' frock of cream bunting, accemtu itingAhe dark blue of her eyes and brown hair ler rouiK I cheeks Hushed with nervous exci timient, feeling that but for liei- stron to iiy away longing a frieiidshiii for Nell, slie would give worUls life, Alec . from this, the most trying scene of her youn< Iternatelv for her strong-miiuh'd mother, or Ihiins, frightened at the me as though she were walking in her sleej hanical way Nell is acting, much Thougl 1 a ran bit of loveliness she is. in a travelling gown o if navv blue silk, trimmec 1 with gimp, and but just sulVicient silk einiiroK lerv to make the gown handsome, ai i(i from the hands of [•lied on her New York liedfern ; a tiny Parisian bonnet is jxm l,,velv bl..nd.. hair, the vioj.-ts (.f which it is formed h.okmg as thou."'h just plucked with the dew upon them, such a pure ter "listen have the small Irish diamonds nestling among her preltilv gloved hands she carried a huge boucpiet wa them : in of violets : her I'ose mou tJi is cl(»sed (h'terniinedly, staying the t(. 11 tale moisture gathered in the vio (let eye Betsy's bosom swells wi th pride as she notes Nell's pro ud i^fil a)}d Rice roud Nell little dre;;.iii!ij,' what, the hndice of ihe li!:i.ck silk i;o\\ n conceals. / CllAPTKU .Will. Ni:i,I, AND lilCl', AT Till'. \l \ri!I MOM A I. ALTAI!. " Now iaud White, with a powerful eiVoit for self control, noi'ved, too, |)v the knowledoe of an .ihseiit treatment l»v her Christian Scientist mother : which treatmeni is entirely void ot power in ^'le iiniily orthodox mind of Nell, who, just now, Maud feels lid 'itionally called on to sup[ioit, as she feels t\w tremhlinj,' of lier whole frame in unl'iist \Mv^ the lii'idal water-proof. "Oh, Mfiud I >laudl" she liispers, brokenly. "Maud! Maud i T feel as tliou^h T slwiil (fie ! Mhatt'ver possessed me to f(>ar lianishment to Fianc<' wi;.h ' iod vmi'd help me to run away even voir." \ tM Ill I m i , 104- Ndl awl Rue at the Matrwionial Alta,r. » Conu- -iris, uic v«.u iviulv ? " wliispers Curcw. " The cluirch l„oks .luitr ].ivttv iuul rector is robed praverhook in hand, and. listen I S.nneoue has j-iven a si.n.al to"tli -anist. There sound the tirst notes ot the Weddui'- Maivh. Come '. " lie s.-iys, impatiently, nay irrital.ly. A hushed murmur of admiration falls uiuui the ,uiatitied_ ears ,.f the l)rid.'iiro.,m, as the vi..let robes and blonde hair ot our i.retty Nell appear, will- head proudly Mvrt, and a soiuewhat disda'inful air, the iieavy frin-ed lid. of h.-r vi..let eyes dnK.p- (>d lest she meet the -a/.e ot the man she is t.. wed : nor does she raise ; i ui \x\^'^\ an ui !dnkin,«,' bang of the .loor lallm,;-- on the stilliess causes ii stran<-e tremor lo run throu,<,di her. She hears and seems i,, feel, some one's bivathless haste m eiiter- inir, a"s the sV : , tones of Addie Th(.mi>'^ say, " What a picnic : se'e'there:" a; an Irish seti.v, unrec(.-iii/.abl. in his soaking coal, has }.assed throu-h the slninking crowd, v here ;io human b,.in.' could s.iuee/.." throng!- .i.-id. witli a glad b irk, springs witlPhis muddv i.aws ^ to Nell's ]nvtty bridal gown, when, with a kick from the < 'arew, he is s-nt whining into !he erowd, , • i While the rector re;, o^ I he nii]>ressive wnt loine now to be joined. The!'efor11, j^ivin.^; a startled look ai'ound her, .is if foi- escape r help, at the same nutment that the soaking,' doj,' accompanied a terrific peal of thunder with a lonjf whini; of fear, as Roder- ick («ray, terril)ly excited, has cru.shed and i)ushed himself within ran<(e of the terror-sti'icken violet eyc^s. As slui meets his jj;aze, a vivid flash of liij;ht nin<;' brink's out the bi'ii;ht sheen of her hair, sheddin<.f a wondrous lustre ovei- the lovely face, !ind before eithei' her urn le or Kicti t-an realize the situation, " seems to have flown from between them, and out, out into I. • ])eltin^' rain, the thunderinj,' storm ! When Gray and Maud White, fearinj^ they know not what, his heart, withal, beatinj,' with a wild hope, she in a tremoi' as to Nell's safety, and how it will all end, but with one mind they had dashed t'nrouj.;]! the staring' and frightened spectators out, too, into the storm-tossed streets, l)ut oidy in time to se<' N'eli take the most stylish of Doane's carria;j;es, the whitt^ ribbons ('ra'.v,'ing at the horses' ears, the ti-aj) the small banker had ore .'d to convey him and his bride to Oeddts" whaif. But, tiiank (iod for a power above man's, for Nell's chains art' broken, and she is on the road to freedom and a Hamilton l)oat, to f I'eedom I Yes, even though tc» banishment till of age. Roderick (Ji-ay shouts hoars<>ly. but the driver's symjiatlii<'s are with liis lovely faiv, and n i knowing the wild hello I stop ! to be the voice of a friend, dashes on and away in time to catch the morinng boat to Hamilton which had been de- layed by tlu^ storm, and of}' she steams just as Maud and (iray step from another of the bridal hacks. Four dollars lapidly change hands. " Follow me (juickly," he says breatlilessly to Maud. " For HeavcMi's sakt* i)Ut hack ' " he shouts, Imt she is only a d«»zeu yards out, and (jrav i"^ born to command. ■ " " " A-A vv!,. I hr-i my liiit he's aftef thai |o-,ely girl --•-]!<> fi now in the saloon,' savs tin ' aptain, i)Ut(ing liack, U!l just ■'1; ■:i. i KJG Nell and Rice at the Matrimonial Altar. m n. J ^ i The galliuit captain of the 3fn,'assa f,'ives up lus state- room to the hamlsoiue youn.ii iVll..w whom no one hkes to re- fuse and wlio, with his !o\e!y huiden in his a.'ins, as he car- ries 'her thither, is tlie .vnosure of all eyes. The door closed, in a cosy pillowtd chair, (Jray kneelin- at her feet, Maud be- side her, tiie lovin,em free- dom aft,"-r the a-.my ..f the past days. Will vou take me tiien, inv t, that you do km.w my lieart so wel , am Us your own sweet self T love. Your unrle eannot withhold vour mldressfrom Ha/el as he did all throu-h the past Iwart- breakin.' month. We will correspond continuously, and I shall sa'^ve every dollar to be able to make holiday trips t.. feed my famishi'mr iieart in your dear presence. "Yes, dearest,' that will brid-(^ time, and y l^'iross, Hice, with a fow words to the i-ct'toi- iis to chjuij^'inj,' the iwuiie in the lii-ensc of ouf pretty Nrll (o miwholcsoiiH'-fjUH'd Addie Thomas a woid in the oar of the pork lieiress briuKs her to his side, her vul.<w sun u arm siM.ts, fur th.' serond winter eomin.L(. 'I'll.- briK'lit pointed roof.s ami naind low.-rsof tli<- buildinKs rell.-et the sun's ray.s, (hi/- zlinjr .n.-'s ,.v.-s with their briKditness, I )iam.mdH glisten \n the snow at the feet of a slim y..un<; woman who stands «az \UH out on the breast of nature nsiiny .pnetly until the iiuiekeiiiim; lireath (tf spring. 111^ IPIII 'Ml III' »"' ■••■1 ■-■ ijuiekiMUny; lurutli of '-prii ^^ At Nepean Point, Ottawa. 169 Her lai'gc S'^'y ^'yes rest now on the far-off Laurentiau range, their dull while outlines clearly defined against tthe lower red lines of the sunset. Now she turns her purely oval profile over her shoulder a trifle nei'vously, then again her eyes turn anxiously and r(^si upttn an ice-boat, sloop-rigged, from Toronto bay, a lasli venture never before nor since seen on the ice of the Ottawa river. Skinnning, flying, skating and dashing ovtM' fi'iim Hull, tlie Ixiat iiidds her own consciousuesK with its wild, l)ird-likt' niotioii, so that siie feels not that agentlenuin has iiearcd her fritiii behind, who, iiaving seen the ice-boat from Sussex-street bridge, has come thrcaigh Maj(»r Hill's pai'k to secure a coign of \antage at the Point, as well as to gratify his aitistic taste in the varied winter scene stretching far and wich'. The gentleman was none oilier than Donald MacLean, who has spent llie last six months at New York city, U.H. Sin(u^ last, we saw h.is honest, manly face, many lines of thought have conu; aitout the mouth, eyes and ft»rehead, for he has had much inward conflict oxcrthe loss of Hazel, and ux that loss feels jioor, though jiossessing many dollars. >S<» intent is lie on waU'liing the iceboat and in scanning the changing hues (tf earth and sky, that he n<'ars, almost aliruptly, the otlien ia]it ga/ir, hid as she is, ti'l the last nmment, by sonu' dee]) green tirs and a clump of shivering maples. He starts, seeing nothing but the lithe figure, her back towards him, in- tent as she is on the ice-boat now nearing the small, snow cov- ered [lier for the summer feri-y-boats from Hull. Hhe sway^ to and fro in the fi-olicsome wind at this unprotected jtoint. Now, it filays with hei' boa as she puts the vvai'iii bejir of her mull to lie>' ears and «-heeks ; now, in a m(>rry prank, runs ofV with ln'r pocket handkerchief from the opening of her mufl. She funis in pursuit. "Mr. MacLean '." " Mrs. lA'.avy I" and his fur ca[i is olV and the handkerchief restoretl, he noticing, as theii- liaiuls meet, that her pr»'tty cheeks are thin and worn. "What a many months you iia\r' been absent from your tower-crowned city,'' he says, with a smile of welcome. "Yes," he replies 'omewhat gravely, "for six month-.. I left two days aflei- your departure for tlie Sandbanks IuhI K i 170 At I^epean Poini, Ottawa. !ii summer, ami nui' pleNisiiut cNeniiiLf at tlear old VfU'iaii Lodjie. Ht»w imu-ii has hapiK'iiod siiu'c tlioii. Your baliy hov lias iii'iH' Ikhiic ; yinw ]irt'tty sistrf has hecii brave «Mi(»U"li tn run away from llic misery of a union with a man slie ♦•arcd nautrht for, and s<» lias made Kodciiek (Uay Itlissfullv happy. I saw it in his faee and tones as I passed thi<)U>'h Toioiilo ii day or two a.>;'are of po(ir uncle." Mut even as she speaks, he sees that ln-r mind is on tlie movements of hei' hus- band. The ice boa! has, aflei- leapinu; some dangerous spots, landed llie oceupaiits on tin- Ninidl pier just at the base of the Point : and now they enter the brewers roita;;e for refresh- ments, and in a few niiiuili-s airain emerife. when, w'lh much • rav laiiu'h'er and chatter. I lie *»cho of which comes up Iodic watchers on the Poinl. they a'.;ain take to the tiny, whili' winj^'cd craft. With a half unconscious si<;h. Ila/el l^eary tui'iis to hei' , Mianion. half contented that she is not alone, and yet with the teelinir that j>ist now she will not be a cheeiin;L; comjianion. One niore anvioii- lm/'' ''re the winp'd boat is out of si^dit. and .Mcl.can. follovNiny her !.'a/e, re«'oi'ni/es her husband's com nunion as .Mis> l'.clle\ die. who, attached u> his depart ment in somew:»\'. usinu her pen wlieli il pleases hei', bill it id\sa\-^ iilfiisiicj; her |o lliri c(inliniiou>ly with Ila/el s husband, even iiH she i"' now, in ihe -^ix inch ijeep c(»ck pit of the i»ird like craft. In tif '«"i' ^^'*l' fl»»*«»i '^ ''•'' i^teersuinn, a youiiji Frfiichman. also in the .same «l.j..irt ment, wln» w Jiiinister of tiiis department, as he directs the mo\alile hind rnnner. A- iIk'V turn their steps from the Point. .MeLeiui m no way rcferrinu lo llie w inyed s|;alei , ipiiet 1\ , ei!(W'a\orin,U to changR tile current of hei tlioimlii "Yes, it is a lon>{ time since I iia\e .IimmI Ihic. Ncpean I'uint a.id Veteran l.odj^e used t.. be favorite UtvuntH of mine when H luwstmleiit. >'ou may l»ave heaiil rlwi on my r, canal, and woodlanfk" "Yes, literally," she says, turnint; to him with a smile, in- dicating by a jfcsture the jj;reat tracts of lumber. "True; I own to the deformity. Ihit the eye of lo\e passes <)ver such blemishes, and as I am not a dreamci', in that lundter I see beneiil to a lai'ife number of wajfe-eaniers. ' "< )utwaid ^dances," she says. "I reniend»er we a>,'ree that one f^ains foryetfulness of the unit -elf, so. ' " Yes, thev are a f^reat hel|» to one, he says, in the stronjf, tirni tone of conviction, steelihL; Ids heart aj,;ainst showing syni}»athy, and speakinir in a j,;enei;d way; " f'wn, "Tis wt-ll that at New York they have ^n^eh an ayself at y.mr expense, ,i,„i;,l,l lioieas has blown away my thinking air, an.l my ,./„n.<>» as W..11, I was going to say. H s.'ems always (o me ..sti.niedi hr -athers the forces of a small bhz/.ard a» tins I'ost « Hhce s,,uare. Wlu'i. the study of elocution; my readin;,'s sometimes amuse Patrick, ami also 1 assist him in his woik for t lie l)e])ai-tuient. Sometimes lie is sadly hehind, jiooi feihAv : lie hates systemalu- work. " " Hut you should not try to (^o t out nuite often to Sandy Hill and t«» Veteran L<>doloj^i/e for \fn vou a tit of the hhies, that you desire to ).art ■om))any with, in some hri^diter en tiy the snow. " Now I know your outin Hello 1 Haze, is this the way you kee}i house as I li\e' wh(>re the deuce did you drop from .' .lust in time, ihouuh," and he holds the kettle aloft as th.'y ascend the nscioiisly turns a look of hopeless stan-s. M rs. Leary unco despair behindlier, not lookiim' at .McLean, but feelinu; that he i.M a bit of con^ifeniality come into the arid uaste of li-r daily life. /\s they ascend ll,. >t«ns, i hey heal' from the shuikin^' room the lau|4ht«'r of Miss Mellcville, wlio is cnn\ulsed over a story that yay old bov HeuuvaiH has been tellinj; liet his I irow j^rowiiij/ black as niyht as he recoj,'!!!/! th'' voice of Mi'l..ean. Wiiat the de\i! does that sneak v\ant he stiKitht'red tonos, leaning towanls her, re he asks, in ii'?l .il- t ^V-; \- \l 174 At Nepean Point, Ottmva. "Ho wants to baj,' your ,!j;iiinf', l5oau," she says, playfully, kiuK'kiiif,' him on his fat nose with Iwr f I5uihlinj,'s, is the large, fair person of Miss IJelh'ville, who, ludf rising, droi)pin,!j, ii half-smoked eigiuette under hi r chair, and the /.'/v7>///c ami:ng the he,ii> of newspapers un the table, says : " How do, Mi's. l.eary, you see I am in i>osse,ssion, your husband's persuasive powei-s were always too many for me, even before you were nuipped out foi- him. Now, Mr. .McLean, you need no"t t IT to maUi' me believe tliat you dichi't know 1 "was here, for I am ipnle sure you diil, and have coU'e to ci'oss lanees with uie, as of yore, but I always knork you out the lirst i'oui\d." \n the meantime tli(- gay old boy. gi-eeiing .Mrs. Leary with ,;Hprrssin>iit, irl//(Wn\\ I lie vl,M>vesof her s.-al coat olV, allowing his fat lingers to slip up ihe cutis of her pretty blue cloth braide>a\N there will !>.• more ♦liaiioiie roof uplifted in |.rfi\\er "I'own." I. I se. n ' >..;.■.. Mr. S.'otchmMl. ^ays Nliss llelh'Vdle. eo.i|ly ,1^,1^-i her haiiiiwMiie maroon sat in gown, kn«»pkHisi 'be hmd ..I lli. .Maltese eat ^(h I lie toeot lier IJoston Imot ; "uutsid • • in-sistiide atti-uctions. iwa>. to make sur«> tlmt the chin, i thr t^uirk eHti»t«' aiv mthwive eiiuugh to i-<.HWfc rt bliwuUHi that blew Mm fi-otn ih«" K^ay Amencim eapitni, inv virtu<»UK voiith ''" > ■> >'« ..t. hmjin to look ifter the baw At Nepean Point, Oftaiva. 175 Mcl.»'!iii joined in the liui,<,'li, ;is she i-ont-iiiucd : " I iun U"'";^' *" ''•'" "1"'" •'" ""' •■<'ii<'t'^<»*' iiifl< cst.'itf I shall take ii hack iind iliiiryv it t". llic I )('i)artni('nt— and i sliidl tell llicni that, as an ahscntof, yon aiv a had lot, and. as an absentee, not (o pay yon a, vet] cent, t'oi' that you spend ()tii!wa"s I'entals in Uahyion witli M is. Sodom and Missdonioi-- rali, and that I am tioini;- in for e;uioni/,at ion after w liat I have heai'd of y<»n. " " I wasn't aware that any sliadesof eonli'ast eonld fipen you foe canonization. Miss {'.elleville.' ans.vers .MeL«'an, a trille cynieally, as he admires with Leacy the oak tai)le with its drawei's tilled with iiipes, eiuars. cigarettes and tobacco to delii^ht the smoker. .Mrs. L<'ary looks up from Toronto Suhirihin Xi;//if and New ^'ork Li'>/(f(t; she Iwis been -;kinnninii. in an easy leat.her chair, beside the L'lowinj^- u:rale. "Oh, ves, I pose that wav now, lhou;,di Mrs. licary looks rather dultions. thouith even she will admit niv \irtuo\ts leaii- in;is when I Icll Ik c I ha»e worn this one >n>\\\\ for the past j and pivsent moni h. "This bein^i the seventh,' sniiles hei- hostess. " ^'es, til i-ii-ili\ a sacred nundter, too. proofs come from un e\])(M'ted (piarters . henceforth I am Saint Adele Uelh'V ille, and on to-morrow shall eommener my /''form ta«'tics at tin- iSuild in^s, on our mei ry monarch and hr- ten merry men. " You vvill have your hands full. " says McLean. " ( )r her arms, you mean, laughs llcanvais. •'Then we II al! pipe ' nu' to ! ' " heart as he afletlN n..t to hear tlie murmured words, or H«'e tlu« svverl face Wni\ low to her liuslMiiul's, 176 At Nepean Point, Ottawa. :'W '\ i Leary, inspired by the px-esence of Miss Belleville. lo prove he is his owiv master, tosses the reuiainiiig half jrlass full oif, sayinji : "Here, Haze, brew me amither to show you are sorry, or, no, Adele will, while you give somebody a joit at sjM»ii<,'inju' your yown. Here, Adele, lend a hand and leave tlu' Seotelunan alone, I see you are making eyes at him, and 1 dont a})prove of tlirti;ig myself." In twenty minutes Hazel i-eturns. robed for the Veteran Lodge At-H(jme, at which she is to read. Very lovely she is in a dinner-gown, the bodice maiidy of apple-green velvet with high puffed sleeves over a white mull cap sleeve, the skirt and train pea-green crepe dc chine. The laughter and gay chatter coxcring her light footfalls, she is upon them ere they ai-e aware, Aiiiaiintli announcing dinnei- at the same moment. "You'll take tlie bun in that gown, Ib'ze. even ;imuiig liie bi-'irest L'Uns of the service." drawls lier husband. " Tliank you, deal'." And McLean catmol repress a tinill of ])leasure as the taiHM fingers f\%v laid on iiis arm, the large, iivcy eyes turning momentarily to his own, as she says " You see. r am ])utting my gown in youi charge as you pilot me dov. nstuirs. Come. Patrick, dear, take .MisslJell< ville ; I am sonv I have no lady for- you. Mr. I'leainais." " So is he," says IjJ'arv, ''for he'd lia\(- t fonii of his pretty hostess, he < iiises .McLean's advent, The oyster soup is e.xeelleiit. liut Leai'V, eomjdaining of headaehe. si)«s his sherry instead, and doe.s lait M'ant justice tbLcah saying : " 'Tis a noble joint, and b(>l1ei- worth knightiii;; than many a man, as Charlie would say wert- lie in the tiesh and asked to lift the swiird over some of us." '•You should have been here at Christmas. Me Lean," .says Ins host. •• The i-iirlers had a lilow-out at ' 'I'lie Hussell." and our friend here brought down the staiie and besom crowtl in his response to the toast to the ladies. I tell you what, the saccharine matter just rolled iVom hi- mouth He said it At Nepean Point, Ottawa, 177 SflVS I'ecalled the time when he was shut up in his mothei-'s pre- serve cupboard. ' "T am sui-e such a ss at the TTofrman House, New York city, if one could be- lonely in such a whirling, twirling wheel of fortune as our Ameiican Paris a regular see-saw, with its 2,500,000 inhabitants now in the sunshine, now in the dust I I observed, in converse with the city men, that the organiser of some great sjteculative scheme held their bieathless attention, to the utter exclusion of any other thought." " Did y<»u sju'culate while there? " asked IJeauvais, cutting Ijcaiy short on the resjiective merits of the latecMi, or sloct])- rigged ice-boat, not caring a jot, save to draw Mrs. Leaiy's ^iVAd from the Scotchman. •• T (lid, and think 1 am safe in my throw; it is shares in dio new Arcade I'ail. T expect vast amounts manipulatt'd by Wall street, and <»tliei' ca]»italists, come largely from outside pockets." "Hut do you think that is to the interest, of the city ?" en- (|uires Mrs. Leary. " I can't say I do: that is, when it comes to I'lnglish gold tying up what slioidd be on the mai'ket open for develop- ment." "Yon seem to be ind>ue cross the oci'an t< < tndon, where I [lurpose to re uuiin one year; afterwards, my intention is to reside per manently at New York." "The saints be priiised," tuink'- I'e.aivHis, joyfully, though 1 " 178 A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. detenniiiiiijjj to divide his attention with Mrs. Leury, i(>in!irks, " You spoke of the Ar(?a(h> i-aih'oad, McLean : wliat is its route ? "' "From the IJatterv to Harlem, IJeauvais ; a distance of from ei,ii;ht to ten mih's. .lust fancy, Mrs. I^eary, one will speed one's uiidert; round way ten mih^s under sti-eets and avenues in twenty minutes. I feel cpiite enthusiastic over it, and not wholly because 1 have a few tlutusand dollars in it." "No," says his hostess, smiling, "you enthuse for the ini- uiensii • 'if the iiiidfrtsikmg.'' "ls*>u a hit of it, Madame fjeary," says ^liss BeUeville, proppi !;; »ip hei' host to the drawing-room; " it's his own haw- bees tr« hied he's af tei'. He'll smell of money l)imehy and here- after." ^IcLean joining in the laugh. Mrs. Leary, hei' hand on his arm, says ; "As the gossips |)redict, tlie Londoners will, of the new hank notes they will carrv so long. After lin,lf an hour's chat in the luxuriously home-like drawing-room, Ha/el, leaving them oxer tlu'ir coll'ee. Hies u]>- stairs to don hei' wra])s for the uutini,^ to N'eteran Ijodge. Sandv Hill. " 1:1! if CHAFl'KU .\.\. A s.M,.\\M. A s«,ii i;i:/.r„ . cki sii, a .iam, a sai.a am ! A Hlini tciini', Hiitl II tliii'k set hasN, .■\ syljih-hk"' Ixxlicc fasttincd witli a lace. 'jf N HKIv lied room Ha/.el gives no thought as to what .jj" she shall read at the \'rtei-a,n Lodge At-llome, only ""' wondi ring if she can induee I'atiiek to accompany her. Kveii though he has done more than "look U)>on the wine when 'tis led," the old liutler at the Lodge has looked after him hcfoi'e and kept him out of worse company. Tf I A SalaaTTi, a Squeeze, a Cru^h, a Jam. 179 I Patrick won't go, and he is alway . iul)born with too much Hi"e-water, she wonders wlietliec Heauvius, who does not ap- pear to ))e in his usual good humor, will stay and watch him until her return. As to Miss J3ellevilK', herself and McLean will see her to her (|uart(M"s at the " Ivussell," unless she, too, will pi'o\'e unmaiKigeahle and so influence Pat that they keep lious(^ together. After a few moments of hurried thought, ari-anging the light brown curls on her forf^head just to peep from under the becoming ro.se-j)iiik of her fascinator, her fur cloak over her arm, she steps lightly down stairs. " Come Pat, dear, it is time we wei'e starting. You look so comfortably lazy, it seems too bad to disturb you, but you know Maiy (lunn will l)e so disajipointed if we fail t«) appear," she says, coaxingly. " See, T will be your valet de rh((iiih)'i' : here are youi' o\t'r-boots, fur coat and cap ; come dear I " " You'll have to let me off this time. Hazel," he drawls, sle(>pily. "Pray me to come another time, as Hunter and Cross- ly have done with the head of the country.' "Oh, Pat:' ''Oh, Haze! You are fond of illuminating texts f«»i- my benetit. i l«'re is one for y<»u : ' forgi\e y helped. " "Tut, nonsens(> ! l ho|ie you ai'e not insinuating that 1 cannot take care of myself, " he says, crctssly, eyeing her sweet, troubled face suspiriously : and her thought Mies to the night he compelled her to attend the N'ilaine ri\-ei' party, lu'ariy six months ago, when she returned 1(» lind baby Maston a corpse. " What are you going to do, Adele .' " he asks sleepily. " What's thatr she says, turning ijuickly from a passage at arms with McLean over the merits and demerits of Mrs. Brown Potter as Cleopatra, her last remark having been with angry vehemence. 1.0 I.I 1.25 '- lis. ^ \m m 1^ 1.4 M 1 2.2 1.6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL 1010a (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2) v. 'I I 1 1 I 180 A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. "Oh, T Iiavc no pationce with a man of yinir narrow views. The vei'y itlea of you allowinjf your straij^'lit-laced views inter- fere with youi- seeinj,^ everythinfj; the gods offer. You are iu>t worthy of the Quirk estiite, a man like you, with your tastes. Tastes! Psliaw ! You ha\(' none ; you ai'e cut out for a primitive, puritan pau})er ! "' "Adele!" " Yes, yes ; what is it, Paddy ?'" "You are so busy making love to McLean you are as blind anil deaf to my voice as the head of the country is to the (t'fohe on reciprocity. * What are you going 1o do about the Veteran Lodge At-lbtme T" His wife look<'d at him in bewilderment as Miss ISelk^ville, rising, says malevolently, as she ilisap})eurs through tlie jiortiere hajigings into the hall : "I am going uj) stairs for my wraps, Paddy, thence to V^^teran Fiodge with Mrs. Leary : they will, ah, d(»n't you kn(»w, be delighted to see me chaperoned .s(»." With her husbiind in no mood to be o'ossed, she, metajihorically speaking, wrings her hands in despaii' : he closes his eyes in |)art fatigue in part stupor, ;iiid she slips noishsssly into tlie liall wliei'c I'eauvais iiiid McLean are getting into their over- coats and boots, the former angry with every vailing tints, warm with smiles, lights, aesthetic gowns, Mowering plants and words of welcome, are crowded when Hazel Leary and her companions entwr. The gay old boy, besides being revengeful and jealous, is al- so i».!..;teiy seliish, which forces condjined caus«' him to decide on pun shing McLean for intrenching on what he has come to consider his preserves, by throwing liims(>if into the humoi' of Miss lielle\ille, to ai)pe!U' on the arm of McLean, and so, with the firm, assured air of a man with a will, takes innned! possession of Mis. Leary. Much, tlierefoic, to McLeans t gi'in, he is obliged l)y the mis-ci'eator, cii'cumstance, to make his first apjiearance, after a prolonged absence from the city,^ at the iiome of charming iic(|uaintances, in the full glare of the might V god, fashion, with ii. woman on his arm who is not i'ecei\ed by the "Four Hundred," and with whom a man of his nobility of charactei- wiadd naturally shrink from inakiiig himself conspicuous. Tlu" best set in the service aic, of course, nu ous. The evenings at N'etcran Fiodge being a real I'ecreation, one meets there the most clever people at the « .ipital. each a stimulant to the other after the boredom of nonentities. ",S(( there is where the (^>inrl< estate is going, " came on the air to the tingling ears of McLean, who, had be 1 n alone or more fa\((ral)|y placed, dozens of fair lian.ds uoidd ha\t' been outstretched, both t(» the heir of the (.,|uirl< estate and to the man. As it is, many cold looks, stareH of hauteur, and avert- ed fa(!es meet him as he and his companion nial of Mrs. (!\nin, and lier father, t'ol. (Iray. Not so the triumphant lleauvais with the dainty figure l«>- Hide him, who were greetetl with smiles of welcome aiul mur- nun's of julmiiation. "(Jadl What a blank that lovely creature drew. Monn r i V T m MoriH A Salaavi, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. 183 Caird in;iy jot Iiei's down uniong tlie legion of married fail- ures," exclaims a ucll-placed government attache to a friend. "Now, we are sure of a trt^at," said the sweetest of Torndid-looking man in the Militia Dcj.artmeiit, " he gets inori" than his share of the go id things of life.' "You are tlu'ice welcome, dear," says Col. («)'ay, aff'ection- ately, "in that your tardy coming caused us to fear we were to miss you all the evening. We receixcd such cheery letters from my other little daughter, Nell, this afternoon. Lunch with Maiy tomorrow. Hazel, and lead them." "1 will, if 1 can," she says in an undertone. "Heavens! That horrid Miss Belleville, and with McLean of all men. Jle can't he mad enough (o ha\(' proposed tnl Mr. Bcaxcr, a sedate, wliist lo\ ing, woman-hating Toronto lawyer, tJierefore a lawful ac(|uaintance for you to make." .After a, friendly smile and coiiv ciitional how is exchanged, i>ea\t'r says, (l\y\\ : " Looks like a hreacli of promise case looming up in i.lie advancing couple. Introduce me; T see hy the lady's vigil- ance she hopes foi' a Itig liaul. .Sftrs t'sf rl(/t/initfN xnnniinni. I liope he of the averted eyes has his court train ready, for I'll Hooii supply liiin with rtrfus in luirin." But Mrs. Ounn is loo angry to smile, and Hazel t(to troui)led, saying, regretfully : " Don't he angry with Mr. McLean, Mary, dear ; lie really WHH drawn into it." 184 A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. Ml be appeased, saying, ironically lunn won " T daresav l»e was, poor oaoe. • ■ ,. i ..a. ,.!■ party perfidy. .f M.-Tnan is i)erLvptil)ly o.iol, as MvK Gunns greeting <>t McLean is 1 » "^> 1 \ J ' l,i„, suHicient amusement to repay lus c uvahy, a.uU jud^.in, CM;i:s;sJ:y^■;;::^i"^Ui^.lu.■..^ iiimsiial L'leam of niischiet. ■■()„lv (I. It y..ii '11.1 IU.1 w:ir tl..' t;uv ..t .i " "" 1 " „.ve„U, l.nuon, l..m,.M, I -,„UI ,...,:„.> 1" y«" •'"I ;;::i?i i„'.h,. ,,«.,. '..ffe,-..a .. ..x,.,„..^ y..>. , ....... lit liri' home I t 1 ^ „,• Vwf • hi'Vf hit tli<" MialK. yt's 1 M'c by yuui Iti(-t ^ "•-•' A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. 185 ,ern look )e(l is he ui'ing to unn and ■! amused 11(1 of tlie )rlli-\vest, lid i^rabs, cool as I him the ce, l)arely •aver, ask- compuiK'- her yield d, judgiiij,' ■6le UH the . <' First, jirocessioii, Belleville, ildering as at least — ■ith his left .it, with an nan in the to you I' aid ;iiid on for- hlot on my . of wonder lid what she ^t have been it th<' mark. Poor, dear Ha/e], tht^-e are (|ueer lisli in the watei's of her life," she says, in rapid, impulsive U onet Ti'ue, most true, and your surmise Metcalf-street together. [Jul come and liav IS corn'ct ; we all left e a cu p of C()c<»a everyone has arrived, iind you must he fatigued standing oiu In a (juiet corner of the dining-room \w says distractedly : "Y(m are right, there is positively nothing congenial in her life — what witli the two H's, B(>auvais and Belleville." "As far as the old fellow, IJeauvais, is concerned," she an- swers, "he makes himself n'enerally useful, whei-e ;i 3-ouiiger man would i;i\e food for (Jrundy ; as to why Haz<'l drew such a matrimonial blank out of Fortunes lottery is, wlial you have before heard, that she mai-ried Leary in a tit of sensitiveness over the cuts of Society on her poor father's suicide. >\'e did not like to interfei'e, as hei- uncle had told her the sooner she was off his hands the soonei- he would be pleased." "Strange, strange, and now her dexotion to him is a,ngelie."' he says, pityingly. " Yes, markedly so, foi' his unfaithfulness to iier is something honid." "She could not bear t(» leaxc him this e\ening, but he ijrrew as cross as a bear, and oi'der«Kl her olF." " No, she does not usufdly leave unless Beuuvais is with him ; she cannot forj^et going home fi'om the V'ilaine liver party to find poor baby Maston de;id. but she does not know, })oor thing, that 'twas his father's dmnken luind serit him to heaven.'' " Jlorrible ! how was it ?" " Leary forced hei- to go to the Vilaine all'air, a tit of obstinate ill-temper having seized him. She could not retui-n until (|uit« late, but about, ten c'clock. ]i.m., Amarinth ran here bi-eath- lesH, and frightened (tut of her senses, to tell us that after Hazel had g(me, the into.xicated fathei- compelled her to jrive him the baby, ordei'ing her out of the room, find locking her in the back of the house. lie then dosed the liube, a favorite pastime of hi.s. with tire-water neat, making it stupid, so the maid, who had crept liack by some sti'ay key, Judged by the stillness: he tlmii danced it, about, setting [t screaming and vomiting. All at once there was literally the stilln.vss of death. h't -H : ii n 186 A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. -.r-:r'w:::;!t,,dtr:^^TS^.«^t!? itli tl of fright, rail iH-i that we had to wait .11 mu trusted Dclenu'iv came in a 1 siuht, Donald; Leary was i n a drunken sleep d It was a drea.lful -^" ' ' ^ ', ^^ , , ;hieh he ha.l ^^ ' ■ j,, ,„,, ,,,- aloud, tense and stilHn l>^-/''='f !' f^ne awkYfit n.akes n,e nuul ,,ut ^real ones are ^l"';'^• /'^^j^ ;'; I ,,;,U a lif.> tix-- to think of our 1^^:"^^;.^"'^ eTe'm n a corner of the spacious Half an hour later iuu^ ^ {; ;;' X^,^^, attention to the ,l,avvin-roouK apparentl> U^^p „ , j,, ,,,,aity h.st lu sweet tenor i^*' -^-^l''' % ^ f Lent to hear tie sweet tl,.,ught, when he awakes / . " , ^^^^, ^Von, hehin.l hin., voice^of the.;.n.uHu.u.tW.u^o,;^J^^^^^ ^^^ society, Mr. ;^;:arif::'x:u':;p:;rTha:ef.L.ut.spu^^^ ^-:\;t.'!ndy:.wehavesol..d.ln.n.uc,.^ the hunuu. wreck she adlshusha... ^.^^^ ^^^^^ .,,,nlphed, She looks «rav.>, savmu. v. ,,,„hle,ns, let us l,nthisisnottlH^.tnnenorpl V .^ d^^^^^^ ,.,e ourselves in a tanTn.mHtm.an^^^^^^ .Youare^M^;;"^^^^ ■.. See I there '> A sort ot wet l.la.dvet, slu 'V ^' ' j.^ ti„. l,„w is something' to hri.uhten "^' '"',>,; ,a\disten in that „f the violinist .litter ami ^'^ ;,^'' ;' ^.,,;i..,' and what -P''etlyannM.ss^- d 1 . ^^^^^ ^._^^^ ^^,^, ,, ^„^,,,,„ But MeLea.. pulls hnnselt t-J^ t ' '■ .^ ^^i^.,. rat her Hi„,H.lf stuclyin, tl.> sw.. hu.e o .n 1^ ^ ^^ .^^^ ,^^^ ,^^, ^,,„^ ti-n adnurin, the^^nveH - ;^^ ^^^^^ ,^^, ^^ ., ,,. ^^,...., ,,„„self that ny Ua. Um n^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ,^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^_ disturbed his way from his thoughtti. the Capital, antl t f A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. 187 1 ii panic xceptiii^' 1 a hack, ken sleep I (Iraji-f^ed Father keep the hull ni'vcr , staiulinjj; cry aloud, , Die nuul x" e spaci(ni« ion t(» the ty lost ill the sweet .hind him, )ciety, Ml-. lint;- as one juc aware lidse within (. thinks of cn^ull'lK'd. ilniis, h^t us •' See I there H in the how sten in reads Robert I>uclianat\"s ])retty story of " Wiliic JJaii-d,'' with such earnest tenderness as to cause thi'obs (»f i-cal feeling in the heai-tsof her listenei-s. With her largely sympathetic na- ture, so absorbetl does she become in her renderiii"' of th(! au- thor's meaning, that self-consciousness is totally absent, and she has a,ppealed to all, everyone pressing nearer as to an irre- sistible magnet, Mr. McLean feeling — A new horn thrill With magic skill Throughout his pulses lo!ij)ing. A few moments of silence as she (((ncludes, then murmured applause, congiatulations, and appeals for something nutre. "You have surpassed yourself, Ha/.el, dear," says Mis fJunn, coming to her side, "and I expect that the Snobtons and any of that ilk who are here," she says, foi- the curtained drapei- ies of the dais tell no tales, "are eh'ctrified at finding them- selves in possession of an organ of palpitation, a'lul are startled lest they have made too vulgar a display of feelin". ' Ha/.el laugh.s yet sighs, for somehow this evening she feels an utter sense of loneliness, that, as with graceful ease she ae- kn.iwledges the compliments paid li(>r, none suspect. '' Nam etionn rnris,'' says M. C'oligny, gallantly. "iVm/.< rons pv /c/iHto)is," smiles Madame Rochcfort. " Vans nvrz hicn dc la hontd," sjiys Hazel, and in response to their pleadings for just one more.' she reads that <|uaint <.ld thing from the Fn-nch of 1()00, entitled "The Uroidered Bo- dice, "' giving it with a certain abjindon, a cliarniing cnxjuetry ! I I IvM ' !t 188 A Salaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. ■ .• i^i^ fU^ }-A^t verse when her manner borders reads, yes — , « , ..^ " Better a sea where no tish aie, Better the night without a star, Hills with nevei' a valley set, Sorine with never a violet, Sweeter were all these things to me, Than a lying speech to my laclye. With more pretty speeches they crowd about her, while Juetlmal^itioLithe absent Mr. Leary were on the ^^^^^jtirllr^lXmie h:;;::^;^!!;. o^ such a ,n^, ..y. ^^^^.n tr-t'^"Frencinnan, twirling the waxed ends of his black r;;;f ^^,^';S'L other women will sn.ile ^:^, If ;;;::• ^^^^^^^^^^ -r the lo. of pretty Mrs. ^^:<^ha;t;nk^;^rMcLean, of our popular elocutionist r' asks Col. Gray in pleased tones Steinway or "^^"^''^:ils SerYllSJt^^mral'rLllowed n.ysJf to '''''w.forl;e vital que^ti.m of interest to wo.nen. 'P'i; HPve V Hen-y^ McLean, and yet your vievvs are "Heresy! neu- y microbes of democratic re- ,,,,ely the natural reM^^ lo th net ^.^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ fonn you have ^--^, . ^fj ;7,,r,:, ^.-lative walks and ways you are awa e I pu t t u ^^^^ ^^^ ^^.^^^^^^^^ . „ forladves. Cue nu nu '" . , ^ ^i,^,,vn to the ,.ou,>,'hfoi them. . '^ -. .pfp,. („ sec them dounnate A Srtlaam, a Squeeze, a Crush, a Jam. 189 L- borders ?, as she ler, while •e Du the rize," says lie waxed will smile retty Mrs. utionist ? " einway or [ myself to a platfoiin 1." views are locratio re- iths. But, < and ways ^n 1 )W n t» » the to show it yielding to •th ! " world is too rs, niy own \\ dominate L» home, sadly, as his ilonel has a heart full of pity for the man without kindred, whom, next to Rod. he loves as a son. "Come and lunch with us to-morrow, Donald. I must leave you now, to speed my parting guests." In a flash, McLean is by the side of Mrs. Gunn, to whom Hazel is ; 'p'-inir her adieu. "Ma,, I have the pleasure of seeing you safely home, Mrs. Leary f " " Thank you, Mr. McLean, if you will Ije .so kind." "Wait, McLean !" cries Col. Gray, as the Scotchman hasti- ly buttons his fur coat. "T am sorry to disappoint you, Mc- Lean, but Beauvais got my promise to see Mrs. Leary to the hack he ordered." " 1 can, at least, see that the conunands of M. Beauvais are obeyed," i-eplies McLean, a ti-itle cynically, as a pang of dis- appointment ccmies to his heai't, "and so save you, (3ray, the getting into your overboots for a bi-eath of night air." " Beauvais was particulai," smiles Col. (iray, "but it is not the lirst time I have permitted of a substitute." Hazel's sweet face, in its framing ;>f rose pink, is held up to kiss him g(tod-niglit. "Good-night, my child : Mai-y expects you to luncheon on to-morrow." "Twill be so glad to come, if alt v'.v ii-pII, she whi.spers, meaningly. And though the jealousy of Beauvais has euchred McLean out of a trtp-a-tcte walk, still, the knowledge that the sweetest woman in his world would have been his companion save for this jealousy, sends a thrill of sweet pain to his heart as she takes his arm into the snow-mantled streets to the carriage, their exit being through an avenue of smiling good-nights, in pleasing conti-ast to tlu; frtter from Nell is sure t.) couie. And, now, refreshed by bath and toilet, a long hiok up- wards for strength, a tear for her babe gone home, as she reads, under his pretty picture, lines she liad written yes- terday of — "Whence that tliree-cornercd smile of bliss'.' Three iui,!io1s met mo and all at once kissed." WluMe did you get Miose rose-pidi clieeks? (iod called ine to Heaven, and I blushed with joy. Then her daily glance at her mother's picture for comfort, and with her thoughts '■ "kerchiefed in a comely cloud," she des<'ends the stairs, infusing a ciij) of strong tea foi- Iter husl),ind, sending another to IJeauxais, whom she hears ch-ess- ing. Then, seeing that the .lonnml, Free Prenn; Citizen, \\\t\\ Montreal and Toronto n(!wsp;ipers, a.re within easy reach, also, tliat Leaiy's traps are all neat and trim, she has mas- t*;red the news ot the day by the time her huslwuid and the gay old boy are ready to break tluMr fast. Leary scarcely tastes the tempting dishes, daily prepared, chieily to whet his appetite, just tasting the delicate buck- wheat cak(!s, herring and omdet. Pushing them aside, he mixes a brandy and soda, winch he drinks oiV hastily. If • 1 192 H iive Minister of Fhiance—pro tern. quite Hnished, iMr. Beauvais'? Let me send you another cup of cocoa 'N head Yours isassharj), lieauvais, as ihou'di vou fell <»n deviled tish-V)ones, razor •s. and electrii- wires, yawns Leary, standnu p and stretchin;.,' himself u a w Say, Hi'auvais," he contnmes in hisv)er, lest his wife hear fn.m uivsta.rs, "1 want you to renew that note for me, i t is due to-dav hut, hanj,' me i if 1 can t,o y meet it. If Haze knew how n nu ■h 1 oW( } (>U have lost i)U, s ihe'd tr.» ci-azy. Han (mt to day ; y have the devils head for schemii on H 'Of H >u az<', n«'x course Yut not so loud, Leary " fox draws the portiere li;in!.;ui LTs closer I am I uui the old •eady t( t ac- »Mnnmo( cause you late y ()U t<. any length, aiid uu-i-ely take your note to to ftu'l at ease a bout it, for I /•/*"''■ my money i» ' dl 11 .ret a uood outside berth one of these days rijiht. You wi , thiy know you will supp<»rt the (loveriim \ know noun. wlmt T am talking' alxuit. < )t ( ,.nt. Mind, l-^eary, (iiH'se, this is >')if)r All I ask in n (uin is that vou lunnor me in keeping ou 1' money transactions trtmi youi .tl )otliel'e(l yctu r liand i>\\ it. old man "All ri'dit, Beauvais ; you an iff. / "■/// ""' have her brick, if vnu have misse lieins; a saint done in white mai hi,., Mow Adeleenjoyet 1 that trick you played on Mi-Lean last e\einnjj; Why, how the deuce do you kiiow tired of the too aw HI " Sim])Ie enough ; Adele soon t at Veteran Lods^^e. and to.,k a sleijih over her. fully-t oo and kilh'd tinje with me. I tell you w hat it is, she kept me alive with ith the way you sac Idled her nn lo that puritan Scotchman. Sh Minister of Finance — pro tern. 193 me send wrist as ini kind- h1i Lv.wy h makes 1 deviled staiidinji' tinues in it you (o nie if I luiAe lost I make <>t" av worth r life in- se, you" 11 le out to- 1 lend me ijie.'" d the old idy to ac- IV note to •iiey is III! icse days ; id, Leary, lis is r)ifri' ii\ keeping / have her ive missed joyed that I w fully -too and kilh'd alive with man. She svliat one might, lim ! '" and thei'e I (liiresnv Haze surmises that he will clear himself by throwing the blame on you, wlien he lunches at the Lodge to-day." " Does he lunch there to-day?'' he asks, (juickly, his face and head aflame with anger. " Adele only guesses so, as he liidf lives tliffe when in town. 1 know Haze is going." " How dare he I it is an appointment I jr expect from a canting hypocritical fellow liki and then he decides to lunch theie also. "Keep cool, Beauvais, it don't trouble uh likes him. We cant expect to have all the go on our side, and you and I have gone it pretty fast, without bit or cui'b. As long as 1 can enjoy my little tipple and the diversions that suit me, a tig for her child's play with McLean ; and here is to my very good health," and anothcM' glass (luenches anctther spai'k of manliness within him. Here Beauvais, ever on the scent, touches him on the shoul- der aiK he goes towards the di'a]>eries, drawing them aside, ad- mitting his pretty hostess, I'obed for the winter streets, and carrying her husband's outdoor traps, a maid following with the sjieckless oveiboots of himself and friend. Beauvais, stepping to the hall, conies back ready for the start. " 'Pon my soul, Leary, you run through life comfortably," laughs the gay old boy. "There would not be a solitary bachelor to sweai- by Mona Caird's views on matrimony were tliere more women after your wife's pattern.'' " Ft strikes me, Beauvais, if you had a wife you would con- sider all this little fetch and carry busin»'ss but a jioor return for your li>ss of freedom, " he answers, dryly, as Ha/el assists him into his overcoat, while the heavy eyes of the gay old boy dwell on hei- beauty, as he says, with a sigh f)f ))leasure : " You do not know me, iicary, as how -should you, in a rAle you will never see me play," aiul then* is a doid)le nu-aning in his words which neitlici- of his hejirers Iwr.e tin- k<'y to. As it is, Ma/.el ex})eiiences a strange sense of sutVocation, and longs to b»* out in a purer atnntsphere, as she contrasts the weakly di.ssi|»at('d face and movements of her husbaiul, as compared with the immense form and u])right beai-ing of the innnaculate Beaux ais. ^i i 1 ,J » f i i i. J I m 194 Minister of Finance— pro Urn. Ever loath U) w alk, and careless of the doUar, Leary w juld tf ■lephc one fo livery ileigh. if raid we are very exti-iva " I am ,in<' with Vi)U to see if you would enjoy can g siive nie s( ixgant, Pat, dear ; I aui nnething to do, a- ■ tlie walk But the gay <> nd, jt'alous lest slie meet ild hoy likes to have her with him i. I i\w McLean, says briskly, as I w, eyes ,nd drive, her trim tigure, ii plaid ulster and cai)e with ct)quetti r,H>y ih little rount bear boa. and m ufT. I hat, its only trinnmn ii. a bunch of wild roses, 1,V Fivnch linger; \ am gom L' to indulge m a i Irive, the sleighing is «! ilendid KO my dear Mrs. Leary, y< )U will allow nu- to be /;/•" trill, nnn- is tt>r of finance, he say s. with a wi Ilk at Leary The pile ..f buildings is soon m si ■ht, catching every gleam of till- morning iiiisun fi'om the IV >ble plate 'au on w hich thfv stand, a briiiht cmtrast t<. the dark L.wei level of Low<'r lown. I'iiuerging fi'om the at one of the fiitranees l,.i.;h,,uul mounting the great st<.ne st.

^ Irthel.l'H'W in which the depart M.ent to ^hich Leary is attac ,h,d is situate, the tall se.,tryswingu,g open tl w heavy oaki-n door. in ]iassing tlirough one o tliey come upon M iss mt ■ssen'fer, while procuring iV.villc, (^hatting familiarly wit from hhn some blottuig pM) ,f the eorridors li a ifiner from tli(> loeked-up (iovei ment stores, showing iUso no disiuclina tii>n to frivol generally with an v I ■haiice man in passm ./»' //// iiii(ii. , evening tn crsittii souie 111 uiiv tase. and opening; the door of his office, sinkinj^ hizily into his luxu- rious chair, in front of the handsome desk. With a look of dis- (,'usted puniii, he arranges his work for the day, j,nving his ])atient wife her share ; while she, st»eiii<; that he is in no mood to he coaxed <»r cjiressed into a promise* for his (»wn good, bid- ding him an outwardly cheerful good-hye, with light, rapid steps, leaves the huildings her lithe ligure, erect head, and graceful carriage, causing many a man to allow the ink to dry on his pen as hv turns t<» (he window lo catch a lleet ing glimpse of her as she passes. Reaching home, giving a husy half-hour in directing the household machinery, an hour to ( Jovernnieiit work, witl.afew bright lines to Nell, for' she will not plant sad thoughts in the mind of anotliei-. Nell is well aware her life is no rose bed, bu< talking of the thorns in one's path does not lessen them. And in twi> hours' time, as she walks to Sandy llill and Veteran Lodge, in the pure, bracing, frosty air, her step grows more elastic, her cares lighten, and the tonic of a pleasant anticipation glows in her grey eyes. (MIaiti:h wii. TlIK (JAV ol.li llo\ LOOKS Ari'KU MIS INTKHKSTS. " Age (.'aiiiiot aiti'i' nor custom stale lior iiiliuitc variety, ' ^jOf ^i^ (ilJNN hastens to the hall, giving Hazel a wtirni — ?SS^ " You truant ! I thought we were to lia\e a long morning together." "So did I, Mary dear, but the fates were in force against me this a. m. " " Hazel ! Hazel !" laughs t'ol. (Jrav, from the library. " Is it you I hear, blaming the anciei; -isters in such nioderu chips as this a. m. Come lier«', luul n ish McLean and I good morning, as when you get away with Mary, heaven only kn<»ws iii ». m m I ^j 5 19G The Oay Old Boy looks after Im InteresU. , 11 .. „ When did vou add the rouge-pot to y..ur iiniiuiy, .,lulil . " ■' ' • |„,..,,lT ,,f „l,l w liter 111 my ..Since r l.r..»t .,..1 l.-; ^ ^^ , ,''t „ .,..|< ,li,«nit.v, curte- •■"!"'' ,";;:::;;;r :•: t wi- lurtl; McLeaii ii, «o.,<, i™,,..!.* I 1 f \i,.l .i-ni w HI s pu'kuiij; it up ii«nn Tilt lu^ ' I n hand ot M<'i>it', wimi. i .-. i hac a niuTOW vL-in "Oh 1 hcc liardou, Dniiald, >oui li.uui m hi /. ul ..„ inv foot .'.OS doxvn it M«"'^ on.phutioal y. Ah Hft/.fl Lt'ai} 1^^ ii.i\in,_n' tor hei- i;;r;:;;i:i!:"'"'.^..i;n^'";\';:';:::r\:;;:,;:;:-:^::;::r;:; r^ii!;i;;:':;:;ir\r;:;4;;r,u...,-.>.M,.i.«.,, IPH, inieo, ,,itn,.ss..l h.-r swH. wouiaiil> pa- ;».iiniiu' \Mlli liiiii- .. ,1,,,.. v„i. iVuiii llicwiii I 111,' as ihcv •nin.' ni> the tiosi • i l„u,islu>s :;;;';::,:^';t;;^;!::r.::;;:r;;;'si:'^,:'s;.::';:^..; .- Ha/.fl, \\oul«l IM\< i»<«" ,,.,1. lit',, is one luiiir suinnuM- h.. wrlnmu'stliMNS.M,..'., as thou-h lit. is ..n. < ,« e-pot to cheek, r ill my >', eurte- lorning, lis grey of iviig- cf on the of tiger I narrow Uy. Ah! it wliic'h ar frieiul hat 8hat- t for hei- lary tells (leatli of ic, no one ccount of lets with voM what nanly l>ii- ycstenlay, clievt'tl as icr having ict he was ig and for- I the win- ithal luNU- aii aUfK ni'xt pnx ponr voltitjer? Hazel, your walk has given you sue will think it a hypodermi h brilliant cheeks, (Jeorge Heaver At which MVs 1 icar' blush au tills as the gay old boy di'aws the portiere-haitging aside for their entry, and it is rather amusing to Beaver to see the way in which he appropriates pretty Mrs. Leary, having stood by tip' mantel uiilil slu' en- tered, when, with a long step, he is by her side. After er a few minutes the talk becomes general and turns on society's ci-a/.e for At-lli>a\er, not appearing to know who was refei'i-ed to, and wisliimj IJeauvais would not allude t(t Miss Helleville, whose pr(>senc( had been so distasteful to Mrs. (lunn. N one enough tti give uie f the women of last evening stayed long time to wish them gone. Som»^ consump- tive looking dude was sure to attract uihI t-arry tJu'in otV, not- withstanding my fair iiroport ions." "Jilnck, brown or grey locks, vtM-HUs red," says Mrs. (lunii, teasingly. "Oh, //f»» have no taste, ' he replies, carelessly. 'Some one," says Hazel, "gives a d( latest fad of fashion ))(> versi -when society body IS so • ,ut of condition, struc ■k a c ■hold dlia/,<'l, insinuatm.t^dy : , .umieroiis compli- ,,:,-:;;;,;r::,:'':;:;u;s:u:;i':M.."-."-- - at vour retentive memory. .. „i,,wnt He is too pol- Vnw (he-av oldboyhasmit been abiupt. "*',/,. >()\v, 111' ,-<<:> ■ 1 1 v .. fiaf but it seems to Ha/.el tnav ishcd a man of the world for that, ^'"t ^^^^^^" ^. ...^ •„ ^une „,..,., is now a dis'-'.rd somewhere J;^ ^ ' ,/ ,ies with her .ith this transit ion.. he,.ea^ usual -entlen.'ss '^^'^ ''"';.,,. ',,,,;,,,, its ulow of interest. of it well, and dehverinj,'. . , , ,_ (\,l„nel (5rav, with The butler now announcmu lunchcm, C.ol.m. I u.ay, „,.. .nvction of a fatla-r, says, .i;-|^;-;^ ^ ; ,,.„>, think it "After that modest speech, child, I nop y »• im".odest in me to ofler yarn./ ,^,,1 ,,„„„„ its walls Mvs. Ounn leads ^^^^--y'l'^^^^^J^^l^^^.t^ cabinet, covered with lanmy purtraitb, it- ..u«L-*i»-. .. 1 bowing rely oil , would hoard a ■ommoii- Iccturer, •eatures, i fashion a chord ' of what vtmlddo, c," broke :'or ar(»us- .l)or. "1 ways sur- isscs," lie o turning is conipli- if wonder is too pol- lla/cl that I'ol in tune ■s with her l(»usy, that tf interest, ring r< tell- ing in eon- a detaching (tray, with m't tliink it n, its walls ,tal cabinet, The Gay Old Boy looks after his Interests. 199 buflfet and butlers tray, each bearing substantial witness to the hospitality of the lodge. The bright hostess says, over her shoulder, gaily: "When my conventional parent lunches from home, we go in sans cercmonie, someone taking in evei'ybody.'' " And a good idea, too," echoes Beavei', ruefully, "for then ap tmmu y u we condone the offence." talkin" of re- u f)l, !•' s'lvs Hazel, " how kuul ot you . i3ut taiKin^, ui ic "Uh! sajs JT.i/xi, i„tf«,. fl-i ted vestevdav, that wo- j; M,.ii fi>ll« iiip m her etter (lavjeti yv^'^ '^""ji ,, , , S SUelli;;;:,;; «,. ..etuany 'Hseu..., at K., . c^b at T..r..nto, a,„l ui.ele ben.g ." a g 1 hun . the e e„ t ^'-•-;i^/t",,:r'^uiu:l';s:.t:i.,abl^^^ '^' uTf:l.v;:nty>!t>^iw we sludl neve.- see the anon.aly of a wou.an donV McLean, if 1 have trod on y.mr toes. woman eniiancniwt nitiii. -^ • i>;,,,i ., ncwsuaDer. ,„i,,,, i„ l,i. supposed after-d.nnc.r nap he n a ^^ 1>4^ whenwideawakee,iaculatu.nss,a.,^^n,sM^^^^ would Luther and Calvin say ] or \ (>, »H,t eiei hustle I, dear, jO papa. look of et, face. ais with )uilt out )ack on, ig of ve- jhat wo- jd's club evening she was is mock, ihe says, ppovtinj;' 1 mixed. ' reverse »cks the iiway his fervently ird of no and even intry will ' a \vou\an yuur par- daughter, is held V)y te against- (■ food for icwspapei", Ah, what K us, hv the N The Oay Old Boy looks after his Interests. 201 nose." "Sprung the election just at the saving moment." " Salisbury tilting with Blaine, eh 1 " " Gladstone can't shake hands with Gladstone there ; " and then the newspaper falls with a rustle, as my dear governcjr scratches his head over reci- procity." At this there is much merriment, Colonel Gray saying, dryly : " Gentlemen, a toast : Woman ! we need not eulogize her, she speaks for herself, and at times for us." " Mrs. Leary," says Mrs. Gunn, with mock dignity, " I call upon you to respond. I have chosen the better part of this pear." Hazel, rising, says, in her sweet, dulcet tones, a gleam of mis- chief under the momentarily drooped eyelids : " Gentlemen, we tliaidv you for your admission tliat we at last, in the nineteenth century, may speak for ourselves, and we do so with confidence, as how could it be otherwise, having listened at your feet in the rolling backward of the centuries. You who were ci-eated lirst, as a matter of coui'se, have had the first say, but we are sure you will admit that the first word is a small matter as compai-ed with the innnense advantage we enjoy in our speechifying, in that the Master hand, while form- ing your loi-dly selves out of the dust of the ground, did form us out of ^yoiir highly-elaborated and perfectly-constructed side.' " " Well done," says tlie gay old boy, his deep tones and half- closed gaze of st(vUthy admiraticm of the woman being covered by the general laughtc^r. "You would make a very fair platform speaker, Mrs. Leary," remarks McLean. " Not bad for your ((uiet Scotch friend," says Beaver, in an undert(jne, to his hostess. " Why, what was it 1 " she asks. "That she would make a vvvy fair platform speaker." "Oh I" and for tlu* first tinu; it occurs to her that McLean would have been a fitting mate for Hazel, and for the first time she observes his care-worn look. " Mary," asks Colonel (Jray, " did you teii Hazel of the droii blund(M' in, 1 think, tlu; Fiijaro?" " No, father, 'tis on an obsolete and ancient subject." M li: lu V I i : i I 202 Tfie Gay Old Boy looks after hid Interests. "Tell it me. colonel, I love ^h^^^^;" ^^^ ^^^. ,, p.„i„>ent,» »«' *f 'ift'/e cltehing air, driftinf! to sweet now the gay note, ot ^""'^ j ; f The.i »ingmg a r''*\"''1VSnS?roXrrf;i.".»..r,,.oo,-, "Beauteous favonte °« M"^u.,_? hc";„, ,„iee bringing Beaver from the S;^,:Ltt:^»ae -uvais..^^^^ ^::r'':r£.lT-r'c„lt':y!tt,e divining the wish of h.s con>pani„n, ulks on in W '•■W-™ ;^ ^^.^^, consummate, tact, t' 't ': bre,:;^" -S Chat that lovely thing is putting on a ustenui„ .n , that Mrs. Gumi is pl'^vmg. Stephen till up '^'^^"' ' f slmluSr^ T I's l^t' Though a lontempor^ your glass of still hock, lua h ^^^^.j. j^^^j Ly of my own, Beauvais you heait ^^ ^ f^ ^,^„^^ ^.^,^ ,,, i has still a soft spot for ^"^ ]:'^^^j y^, the best of have, ages one." he ^^ not for 'Lr little Nell Carew w^l daughters, three "^ ^^^^^Lea y is always as a dearly loved soonlx>oneofus andHu^^^ ^^^^ ,^^^^^ p^^,,,,j The Gay Old Boy looks after- his Interests. 203 of the want of reli.sli the gay old l)oy has for liis conclud- ing remark ; which remark, though entei'ing the drawing- room " like the two kings of Brentford smelling at one nose gay," causes one at least to feel >-n lance. Beauvais, closing his ears ^o the crisp chat of Beaver and Mrs. Gunn, with his close-cropped grey head on one side, his carnally handsome face wearing a listening air to a Moonlight Sonata Mrs. Gunn is giving them, he is, in reality, straining his ears to catch the drift of the low mur- mured converse between Hazel and McLean. At last he " catches on ; " 'tis of the Salvation Army they speak, and though relieved, his passion for the fair won:an will cause him to l)reak in if the tete-a-tete is not dissolved in some other manner. Nt)Nv their voices are more audible, and he .solves, though only stray words, that they are on McLean's coming departure. " I grieve that you go, for you are not a friend of ifs and buts, a friend of circumstance or chance, no ! And yet, af- ter to-night, I lose the moral support of such friendship." " Yes, it must be so for personal reasons," he says gravely, " I go to New York direct, staying over an hour, perhaps, at Toronto, to see Rod., and, if possil)]e, his sweet little bride- elect. I shall like to carry the memory of their happy faces with nie. I shall be in the old world at the time of their mai'riage, so cannot be 'best man,'" he says, with a ...hadowy smile, " liowever, 1 shall l)e back here at Ottawa for one day in February, and shall call at Metcalfe-street, and fervently hope to find your home life more — congenial." " But who will manage your estate business during the year you will be at London, England 1 " Messrs. Hodgins and Rutherford, my lawyers." " Yes, and yet I hope you will find it to your interest to return to Ottawa, and — all of us." "Mrs. Leary, do you not ut derstand that one's wishes — at times, are one's temptations, and tnnHt be denied if one de- sires one's higher, nobler self to gain the ascendancy," "Yes, yes, I do, indeed, T do understand, and I want you, my friend, to feel that it is so," and even as she replies slie fancies his eyes turn with regit^t to Apiary Gunn, and again she is sure he is the rejected suitor (»£ the briglitly chattering pianist. There is a momentary pause, when she continues : iM* I* 204 ne Gay Old Boy looks after Us Interests. eimravtHfforTVlary^" , . ..^^^ u^ replies, "Age cannot Without a moments ^^^^^^^X^^ viety!" but for you, pure ,Uter nor custon. stale her mhm^^^^^^^^ ^^, ,,, they are .s the snow, than morning s ^^^^,,,,,. v-ith, in the mac entirely typical of you, « ^'\y^ u>ok into the sweet ace o aenedeyes..f l^«'^^^''^^^\^',7e nok.nger endure it, and so in Hazel, that the gay oW boy c-m m. ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^.^^^^ ,^,,^i. a moment he is slippmg a ta mi . ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ der and the back ot tb« ^ ' T eu'V T have been boasting to ^^ Take pity 7 ;;;^V^;::,^^I; Lss, at which he seems Colonel Gray of you V^y ,vords in a game rather i.^credulous, ^^ y^"^,^'^"^^^^ colonel is indulgent .'Cerr: >nly, Mr. ^^^'^"^ ' ^ „, ve y unsc.klierly manner of enough to desire to witness my vc y ^^^ _^^.^^^^^ ^j^^ :Sng away ^^^ ZS^"^^^^" and glancing being checkmated. Ff «"^^ J"'; tx^^^e !'■ ^'. slight intlectiou <--i eyes. es. . ,, „f the C P.ll. time from the Citizen McLean, making a note ot the L^.r ^^_^^,^ ^ him ^*i^ ^* ''■ prai:seworlhy V ma.. s,tys^ ^,iin,e my last glimpse of h.mie ^ "Not so,TMv- '>unn , •- f ^^ ^j '\„ i./^e an unfavorable nn- life for so„.e lio. ^^ ^^^ "^l '.'i of ^^eet rounds. Please ression by :u.,auvohz,ing the • ^. u ot ^^ ^ ^^, ,^,^ Hmeca,^, ^f^ T nw ' mJmo T ami 'see 1 you are leaving the-phonograph ot iny "U ly , ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^i,e II- nie in the company of J.imes ray lustrafd Lovdo. ^/'''-\..,^^^, Sctchman, and T shall carry u7V...-/^^'-,»ny;uUH.tu .. ^^^^,^ „f y„ur prefer- i, the Pbonogniph ,.t .^ -;-y^,^^^^., f.,m too, to my- ring the conipanj «'■ "V charming self." .,^ to her face with a smile Tke Oay Old Boy looks after his Interestfi. 205 And so the afternoon wears? away, McLean skimming tiie journals, ever seeing the sweet face of Mrs. Leary, now in puzzled thought, her pretty chin resting in the palm of her liands, again hright with the flush of victory. More than once to the annoyance of Beauvais — who knows he should be at the Buildings but will not leave— he detects his partnei-'s large grey eyes turn towards the solitaiy figure of McLean, when, making some trivial excuse by changing his position he is practically a wall of partition between them. The silvery chimes of an Italian marble chjck ringing half- past three recalls to the absorbed McLean an appointment with his lawyers, and s<» he (juietly makes his adieux, Colonel Gray saying he will walk with him to the corner of Sparks and Metcalf-streets on his own way - late though it will be — to the Buildings, for Colonel Herbert has an eye on the pigeon holes of the Dej)artment, with a soldiei's eye for minutiae. McLean, scarcely trusting himself to look at Haz(;l, almost crushing her slim hand in good-bye, is gone. " I weep salt tears that we have had to say good-l)ye to our dear old Scotch Donald," says Mrs. Gunn, with regret, to Beaver's ear alone ; " he is unhappy notwithstai.ding his appaiejit cheeri'ulness. T wonder if any woman has betMi foolish enough to decline to take liis honest, manly hand through a life trip ?" "No, you may take your affidavit on it; his hands are too full of bank notes, and you, Mary (Junii, know, your sex are- feline." " Feline, indeed ! what next ? " "Anything you like," he says, coolly, "but T should think feline comprehensive t^nougli, it means selling yourselves for a drawing-room car through life, or, in Biblical language, for a ' n'ess of pottage.' " "Never mind, sir, I shall romcmber your conq ents. Feline 1 and feminine Esaus ! " "Just so, Mrs. Gunn, and you cannot help it, it's the way you are constituted — so to speak - it is oidy being good trades- wor.ien (in spite of blue blood), it is only giving your chai'ining selves — when you are charming - for tlie wai-mest corner and the creamiest cream. Yes, you are decidedly feline, and as decidedly feminine, Esaus ; yery, common noun, plural ii m The Gay Old Boy look, after his InteresU. .mlh'.uan is nrvrr UlanH.l, m >> up... ;;;„a„ a^^:-^»';,^;^^,\ "^ s..,.,eti,..es act..ally pre- their iv.l-tapc hrams, that Nst nn ' t,,-, ' lea.v U)>e.-ty to fat shivery iuto th. riashin.U eyes of l.is ^•'''■'r;^'"'";; ^^ lioauvais," says .Yes, you a,-e vu-to.-.ous ^^^^^^^^^^^ ll Z; T shouUl enjoy eo..- Tla/..<1, putti,.« !^-'^>Vtati.rI '.•.a.tin.. you,- knij^hts a.ul '"^•^^,i:;..-uela.-e.you.-t..n.<;anai..^ ha„(n.rush.sh.M-sinass.st...f^h.M,thm„l „, if h. sv.-,-.. an "»<<;""^<';';- ,, ^.^.t,„, so,n.ti...es? '• uW..uhlyuu,.o,hav.HH^» ^ ,^„., ,,,,i,, th. "Why yes, ol enuise, ou. ii " the.-s Loara. she crosses ^;'7;;'!;;'i{:;';;S state of p,-.tty confusi.m, u Your NVorU-l.ask.'t ,s in \^^'\ ^,„. ,,„,t,„ an"r.^ '-« ^;:'V hy 1 ^^- -^ ^'^■^' ^'''^ ^r"^'^ "' UriKht-eoloi-cl ttoH^*'^- y '•> I ^ „ ,,,. ,^,us, «aily. Mn IVavn-, Q.C.,-->y •'"•>:,',, a mhups. of his .hen s' papers w. wouhl iin.l ^'''^Ij;^, ''.tr .n^tu-^tnU ,oin, to .::pNi;:lc,:^-'4ni::;u.a..t.uha.^ Boauvaiw. The Oay Old Boy looks after his Interests. 207 " Oh, yes, I invariably carry the onianieut in this presence ; but don't be deceived, Mrs. Leary, INI is. (iunu only affects this hostility towaids nie just at i)reseut because we diffei'ed on some cases of barter we were discussinj,' ; but I can assure you in her sulnnissive moments she has contided in me that in me she sees embodied the Nestor of the Toronto bar ! " " Don't smile child, or he will be vain enough to think you believe him," says Mrs. (iunn, coolly, "what would the law firms at Toronto say to this Nestor of their bar"? Hut breath fails me, I subside." "You'd J)etter, Mary," laughs Hazel, "for I see by the steel-blue gaze of your legal friend that for him 'a sweeter stjain than that of grief is revenge that di'owns it,' so before he passes sentenci upon ycju, 1 shall llee. Pat will have left t\w Buildings some time ago, so I leave you to your cruel, but deserved fate." "Thank you, Mrs. Leary. When on the bencli 1 shall not forget my charming advocate. Tn the meantime I shall at- tend to this case." " do 1o Portia, T denounce thy advocacy ! " says Mrs. Gunn, adding lightly, "but enough of this 'frivol.' When am I to see you again, dear?" and accctmpanying her to the door, tak- ing alVectionate leave of hei-; returning, watches with Heaver from a window of the drawing-rooni as she goes down a frozen path, followed by the ponderous form of the now contiuited Beauvais. Th(^ gay old boy linds his companion a little silent and pre- occujjied during their walk t(» Metcalf -street, a!id though jea- h)us lest her thought be with McLean, her an rcvoir is so kind as he waits to ascertain if her husband is at home, that he tells himself her quietude is the restfulness of being alone with him- self after the incessant talk witli society, even though at a friend's house. But man cannot always rt-ad a woman's heart, whicli is deep as the bed of tlie river into which tlu-y gaze, the mirrored sur- face rejecting his face bring the index to his (»wn. At Veteran L 1^ 208 The Gay Old Boy look, after his Interests An hour bofoiv (Hniu'r ii nds ho.- in pretty hmno dinner ffown, ii t ;k.mi-toilette of l.bu'k silk iuu I liU-(« As' an appeti/,(M-, they dis.'uss w with the Tnited States Nvouldbel' hether closer trade r( ■tter ; Mary, tliou«^h, hopi he three thousand lea^'ues ,f artificial ba.Ti(M's will soon swept away The men's votes ( 11 »>>■•- •■-• . .Icelare for thuin's as tliey ations be are, n>striete( linarkets. ( Hives ai (. not eaten I the Jesuit incorporation at at table, as they have the re- l <»ur t, ; from thence !:'^-:::t;;r.:.;;:;:ffiwi.,,,.in,.n..n.u,y,;;n. spe •tive I own loved Vrince o ,f Wales art on the tajHS, as also whether trade with South America an more Vi*;,,, A>,s,.-H^>, si;..ui.i I- '•"'■;■>"-« brinjiiiifi in a vote ( a f,.w minutes' absorlx If on UK- oil"-, ■- . , .d the West Indies, or that witli mra^ed, Mary's y.>a /\nd then, durni,^ l,M-idin,iif..r the formei 'd (hve lU'aver say; "You have vt Mrs. Mary (!unn, how is his voice coverec »t('d with me on two o by Colonel (Iray I by the t'litfi' """•'^ " to the dailie •alh {\uw public questions, it that you will / ,11 prrtiiM in opposing' my view <• ,f the i( i;,„.y ,.l„.b.,..a by tl„, .I.M--;- ■" l- rinj remem tit < the cold salaam to the warm ll, of osculation fer- 1 hi'lirri', JH'r, that ].rivately you l,,^,,„ ,i,„„ fonh, but that in a rill'" ' ,>■■■•■ I -■ ' ), • ,fw..ma.dy obstinacy you wimt KM ve in • Oh. yoU < lo, do yo" ^ ' y*^*^ "'" „„re.,rto ,.l...w .Im. '--^f'^jr^Z" .", ....man w sayf as ti enct softly, "as a kissinj,' anm all as myself, and 1 am iioin 1(M- the impr.>ssion that we ,t t(» dr..p ; 1 w(»i>dt-r I," slie loarly al. My son. Stuart, is i to instil the.Iapanese ] >r) .f.-r for tl If L'ract fill salaam into his yout hfulmiml. I trust at Ridley colle^'e they in truct him that, in ancient Home, i if a hed but died previous to tlieir marriage, ,..,., Uissed his betrothed '^U < - P' - — ^ ^,,. ,Hh a the woman was entule.l to halt Ins bfwilderin^'Hmile. .. ,>,„„,, is serve.l. • ^'^yV'^V^ .m in ..receding her father And as she lays her hand -ui h s .u 1 - ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .,^ .^ to the dininyroom, he lutes Ins ballh'd sort of way. .,o s.>rvit or to repo'"^' ^ '"'""''' .:;':,£-;,:ir:j'::u:;n^"^'i;.' .v„. ...... when w.- n.e.i . ne is joU) tompt-,- i 7he Gay Old Boy hoU afUr his IntereMs. 209 and if your pretty friend, Mrs. Leary, was a Hirtinn; woman should say that I^eary wou 1(1 he better employed lookiii.uf after his {)! escM'ves and siH! IS alluriii than his bottles ; foi' the old hoy's heart is soft a witnian in the case Ih Thei (• is alwayf- i!0 lonel foi' .1 fancied His host lauijlis tjood-humoredly, saying, with emphasis "T am f,dad 1 led you to sju-ak cmt, I5euver, foi' .1 fai you weic of some such opinion, hut- take my word for it, y( are in error ; for only yesterday, and to himself, I alluded to his fatherly care of Mrs. Leary, Jiiid \u\ Beauvais, took itipiite )U for },M-anted. Did \w take advanla<,'e of his position to foster within hims(Of any such f.'elin.y, he would gay old b(.y is full of pl.«asur- able emotion, for \w knows not lier thoughts as he imprisons her ball of wool in his fat paws, unwinding for her as .she kuits. 210 Patrich Leary Bowled Out. ' 1 1 :|1 CHAPTER XXIII. PATRICK LEAHY BOWLED OUT. «« Like a fair white flower lies she, Heh.leas, but oh, they fend her, O, rale, lAv check, an.l closed her ee. But loving hands attend her, U. 5tVF weeks elapse, and McLean pays a flying visit from ^IVi^ weeKse.p , city, to the tower- "^-^ cKAvnui, >^n»' ;.,f;,f,n-.rPt,tinL' sweet-faced Hazel n, Las tried to school »';;'-;>*^ ^ d'TS; the ho of meet- Leary, '-.;-»^ ^ ^ ^.^ irS taking tin/ opposition ing her ; but f]^^J^'\^ ;,, the whole of his tirst day be.iches •^^''""^^^'"""^'V/y; ';''./,, power of attorney, then at with business, giving his ^^^y" «/' J* ^^ wending his way to the close of the w"^ter afterno.!,„ «.. .,„ t.» i„,u,r jr. , ■MM Patrick Leary Howled Out 211 sit from tower- i though d Hazel i)f meet- >position tirst (lay , then at s way to ates will OU80 >u were a ^ou miss ; tie you." 3 them as I know re I leave tones, y, /hough the inner attention il (lovern- ment work, he himself going to Metcalf -.street, and when leav- ing, giving Htritit orders to the maid that lier mistress was not at home to any one, so that Hazel, in the confused medley ot her life, never .see.s his card destrt)yed by Beauvais ; never hear.s he has called ; and so, while he is trying to forget her on the bnjad Atlantic waves, having told Rod. (J ray as he wished to forget Ottawa to drink of the waters of Lethe, as far as his friends there were concerned he wcmld not coi-respond with him during the ytiar of his absence ; but that if Hod. dul, by chance, write him at London, England, to let it be purely on business. Rod. Gray, though in wonderment, obeys, trusting in his friend's having the best of reasims for his reijuest. So that twelve months elapse ere at London, England, by chance, he hears that Patrick Leary met a tragic death one week after he had left Ottawa en roiUn for the sea-boai'd. Six weeks after Pat's death the letter-carrier delivers at Rroadacres, Noi-th Toronto, among other letters, the following from Hazel I^ary to Nell Carew, giving her the particulars ot the accident, which she has been toouniu'rved to write earlier. The once handsome form of Carew, mucli wasted, having lost the use of his limbs by the paralytic stroke of the summer previou.s, is being wheeled from the Hbrary his present bed i-oom— to the drawingroom, now cheerful and homelike, the outcome of Nell's happiness. "See! uncle dear," she says, joyfully rising from among a pih^ of new house-linen sh(> is, witli the assistance of IVt-sy, artistically ma.-king and fringing. " A le.ter fi'om Hazel the dear, that is a signal of returning health ; is it n(»t a fat one ( See, uncle ! " . , ■ -i * " Yes, a regular dead weight," he says with a grim smile at theimmrning env<'lope. ««ril read it aloud, uncle, but tirst let me wIum'I you where y(m can see out of tht^ window and catch the warmth from the hot water n^gister," and lifting a favorit.^ Turkish cush- ion, she s(iuats up.)n it. her pirtly plaid gown about her. lietsy rising to leave tlu^ room, Nell says, with an amusing air of authority, at .vhich her unch- smiles : •'Stay, lletsy, and go ou with the fringing \ on, too, would like ti. hear a letter from poor Mrs. Leary, oven though tlu) tone be sad." I 212 Patrick Leary Bowled. Out. " Ottawa, " Apuil. Metcalf-stukkt, liii " Mv Own Deak SifTKU Nkll : "First, let ".B thank you, dear, for your ;'l'"»f -'""y '"'j ter. which have w the ■;x r2,rs:;;t"uuJ, ; h LyXrJ, ha. left me desolate, ">;>-;«- ^^ ""= super- .teu,, .„y^ar«e l';-';'!,;;^:-'''- ^^^^^^^^ wlTt^S this way, for one year, f' >•; "fj^ ,,, „f,., t„ know now), • ttlinJ^i^oi:*-""?^'- --■■-""' ''''"^''■■' '"^."Vnd';;Lri:;jM!r;v::il inddents that I ea„ never forget. And now, (leai, |,„.,„„rv ..f that attcrnoou >'i^l-'»;::7''''^;«L,,' ' nl" ef Jith wi,l.-o, eyes, over haunt me? by niKi"' ^ """ ^^ , i.,,,.,.;!,!,, Hccne. n,v inniM- c..nsc-i..usiu>ss .-i-aiM u witness t.. that '''•^';;;'' . ^ n ■^i;;;::i;;:,;i;e'.t;e::f , • \ ,., tlw, .'..Id Dale nionnhj'nt st('.iiin<; m, m- m Mtmrs, wh(.i th.. * '';\^^'' ^t^,,^,,,'^ai.is (h.ul father hang- Uu.facvsof -yi- , ^r^k Lthe cl „ar reality and in"""•••' ,'7' \' '^^ -;.t^rl^:-ri;;:;ri;:'l,::no::i'ti:';..:- sti-cnyth. EHi Patrick Leary Bowled Out. 213 KBT. ily let- nie. I 3 them, s, nurs- for the lis. able to eauvfiis, iiii; talk agreed, , in the ie on, ill leauvais, )W now), ifter the r forget, fternoon )en eye.s, )U' scene. Patrick, n on the , lit up ler hang- ility and ghl, save i» cast ob- ;hould be that day, nigedy of it f(>elings I sit with in mental "But now to nerve myself to the task of giving you some faint idea of the fatal scene on the ice of the Ottawa river six weeks ago. "Miss Belleville and a young French government attaclie, who is, alas, as I write, singing a rollicking French song at my piano, an inmate, now, of my house. But to hasten. A gay party they were, in gayest of spirits. Patrick went to the Buildings as usual in the morning, but came home to luncheon instead of to a restaurant, as was his habit. He ate, as usual, sparingly, but drank freely of the fatal cup, leaving me some correspondence to re^tly to, which I was to bring to the Buildings before 4 p.m.; leaving me for the ice, with a care- less kiss. "I sat to work at the papers, but felt so restless and uneasy T could only, l)y making a supreme effort, compel my mind to the task, determining then and there to hasten from the Buildings to my old watch-tower, Nepean Point, and overlook the skaters, for I feared m(^ greatly that Pat, e.xcited by alco- hol, would, in a spirit of recklessness, skate on dangerous places, and perhaps fall in. Indeed, was T so strongly im- bued with nervous dread, lest my fears would bear fruition, that I telephoned to Hay to send me a few yards of stout rope, which 1 cari-ied with me t(.the IhiiUlings, where! learned that )ny poor, ill-fated husband had left for the ice a few minutes agone. Hastening to Nepeai-. Point, gay groups of skaters \wA, my yaze, some of them in tol)oggaii suits, all making a bright, fanta.stic picture, tliougli with my nervous fears in- creased as T saw the numerous danger Hag signals. There was nothing attractive in the scene. " Very soon my eye lighted upon the figure of pttor Patrick in the act of tossing, to a man who brushed the ice, his Ox- ford hat, at the same tinu; drawing fi-om the pocket of his skating jacket a bright red and l)lue cap with long tassel, that 1 had crochet'd for him, and put it on, for the wind was blow- ing in gusts and the crumbling ice from the skates at times tilled the air. "Oh, Nellie, how alone I felt ! About me were the noises of solitude, the murmur of nature, her homm heaving with the cry of a new-born spring, often causing uw t(» start with ner- vousness, and sending my thoughts for om^ lleeting moment I ilMl %i m I Pati'ick heavy Bowled Out ^14 found ct.m£ort. Pot,-ick as in foolhardy reckless- - Oh, how they shouted to P^^^;;^*^' ^ ^.^tinLS too, I saw ness he' skated on to the ^^^^e '^^^.^rf;^^^^^^^^^ flask by his actions, and g'"»"^g^'^^^^ ""^j «tood amid the tall pines, he had in his pocket. I J^'^^^ ' ''^^^.^If near him. for a huge vaulting P'-^^^'-^-^: S rolling it into a ball I "The rope! He will be in . .^x^T^mW seen me, for shouted, but some of the gay ^^^f^^^^^^^^^^ stand the they were just at the "^^^^ , 'j^^^^^^^ Beauvais, with only liuildings. Just as T ^l^'e- ^be ;^^^ ,vell-pn.tected feet a momentary hesitation, ..ne l^;^;*:^ '^;^^,, ^,,, ,,lidly waltzing i, new <>verboots, ;uioth^^^^ ^^^ small summer- with Miss Bel evi le, and ^^ ^T woman-like, I had on y CJl'^ rrinIX"! -ei, ".> - .. «n,> ice a Ut- for Nell, dear, I ««*^'"«^ ^^^^^ ' .t last, and by the aid of y,ut Mr. Beaux-ius "^' ^"J^^Xnl sp>t, when, with a scream, t^::'^^^:'^ -r^- VX iust saving herself, for he was in. , . , ^ut futile efforts to save ,.:^;i:tj:ir;:?^^^4^ ,„aer-brush and soft "-[^iXtsSl^u," w-dust washed in on to what m ^"'"'"^'f'^^^l^.tVs Yellow-beach - you remember from the l""'^-'^ ,^'^"^ ^^^^ f! .nVs will I should break through dear-and J"^t ^^>^T , 'v " lose consciousness, being just the thin ice, but no - >'' ^ ^^^^Mr. Beauvais, who, having aUletoliftn.yannat hob^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^,^^,, „.y Ufe, by his thrown the rope whuh ^v. s (lt> . ^,„,^ i .vas standing at a 7^-"^;"^^^, 'o' iH-l' trembling, and aint- Bafely .h-awn to ':'"\"^'\77/si,ii,,»'s brewer, who resides in • - WiMi th« kindlv aid ot htiiiinf,» '.a |ntn an ^^^.n tu. piauks were i;OU>ert.ea im- the cottage on the pier, some f I iw^im'iriiT-TiiniiiiWrtTTr— TT-'''l"'ilfifWf*ri Patrick Leary Bowled Out 216 atching !an, had h I had reckless- 0, 1 saw idy flask all pines, a ball I 1 me, for tand the with only BCted feet ■ waltzing summer- had only ice a lit- ;teps were, lid fall in; the aid of I a scream, lierself, for )rts to save it who were rough snow, s there, and t washed in Li remember, eak through ., being just who, having ' life, by hia y arm, 1 was \g, and faint- d\o resides in srt^d into an impromptu bridge from the pier to the firm ice, wlien Mr. Beauvais, as I have been told, carried me to the cottage. " Here, they tell me, I fell into a dead faint ; on returning to consciousness my first none-too-pieasant sensation was the hot smoke-imbued breath of Mr. Beauvais in my face, as he leaned over my poor, Ihiip, half -distracted self. As I Jay on a lounge covered with blankets, near a hot base-burner, two women stood near, gesticulating and talking in scared whis- pers. Mary Gunn and Dr. Wright were there also, who had seen me through the unrobing and rubbing necessary to bring me back to the knowledge that poor Pat had gone out from my life, and that even then they were making vain efforts to re- cover his body, that the swift under-current had carried far be- yond their reach. God be pitiful to his soul, poor fellow, for you have, perhaps, heard that all the grappling irons in Ot- tawa have failed in recovering the body. " Di'y clothing having been brought from Metcalf-street, Dr. Wright and our dear Mary Gunn brought me home ; you know the rest, little sister, and can partly guess of how much home sweetness I enjoy, but I try not to munnur, and you will continue to help me, by your letters, tt) be l)rave and strong, for I require strength spiritually and physically. "Tell uncle I am glad to hear he is well enough to be wheeled about in a chair ; tell him also, dear, that the Con- federation Life paid ])romptly the small life insurance, which I overheard Mr. Beauvais tell Mrs. Louis is but a drop in the bucket towards ^paying our debts; how Uttle did I know the state of our finances when poor Pat was here. The thought of those debts is a horrible nightmare to me. " Thank God, dear, for your coming wedded bliss. Roderick Gray is a noble fellow, and could not be otherwise, springing from such a stock. " Antl so you, as Mrs. R(Klerick, Ross, Philbee, Stuart, Gray, are going to spend part of your honey-moon next sunnner at the dear old Sandbanks, after coming from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, which 1 have heard is a ravishingly lovely spot. You will be married just one year from the time my wee pot Maston went to Heaven. Nell, dear, I cannot tell you of what a conjfort it is to me to know that uncle is going to lend you to me next June, to welcome my new babe. St' 216 Hazel Lost in Troubles Haze. . the present, good night, with love and con- " And now, for the present, ^ stant thought of you. .^Hazkl Heuedyth Cakbw. uTn Miss Carew, Broadacres, ^" "N Toronto, Toronto, Ont. ii I CHAFrEll XXIV. HAZEL LOSr i^ tkouble's uaze. ice. 1 a ♦'was very ui^^*^> Amorous i-^-^ll^irtr ome and have an ic His proposal ever was, jusu proposal evcL ,.—, o 1 f.k-f.K „„„, ,„..■« with iKns on a, u- r ,^.^ ._,^.,„„i„ ,„,„„ c excuse elaborate ^he^^^lV- - ./,,(< m«/, hve / '^^ -^ the door '"» ""S-™ nhU l;:;;.!' and ,,«„». ..n t^'^ .;;V;l,^ i„ „er come Citi'' t ni her s weet •faced her, sammimm Hazel Lost in Trouble's Ha'^^e. 217 id con- UEW. azel takes its pretty ,t Metcalf- -nd boy's, ■ one could any a ^^'^^^' any excuse sence. week after Reauvais, in 'loped in an nerges from >,is and wel- , ,)f the door Hazel in her 11 open letter loi- of tlowers ood, iin« *^^^« shades olT the keeping Ijahe ^gl^ed with the tire of woi Tying thought, for money-matters are an every -day anxiety to her, and ere resting, as now, on this aitern()on, she had resolved on begging for a statement from Beauvais which he constantly defers giving until about the close of the year of her widowh(jod. A mouse would have failed to hear the sound of the softly- slippered feet of the ease-loving Beauvais, and, with thoughts now far away with the newly-wedded lovers in their honey- moon, she is mentally deaf to his approach. As he gazes, his breach tomes thick and fast, a deeper flush coming to his face, as an almost irrepr(!,ssible longing seizes him to take her in his arms and pillow her pretty head upon his capacious breast ; and accustomed as he is, and ever has been, to gratify what- ever passion is uppermost, he has a hard tight with himself notwithstanding her comparatively recent widowh(jod, not to gratify his impulse, and but that he is aware he will jeopar- dize his cause by awakening her to his presence in his arms, he would have gratified the carnal man. As his eye rests upon her dainty foi-m he fairly gloats over thc^ beautiful creature he has snared, and as he stands at the door he feels that the man does not live who can move him from his coign of vantage as captor. He feels that he liter- ally bars the door. VVith a sigh of pleasure and a long look he, as with the impulse of sudden thought, turns and makes foi- the stairs descending to the wide front hall, the portiere hangings to the drawing-i'oom ai'c drawn back to mak(( an air current through the room, and at a signal from Beauvais, Miss I'.clleville, witli a gay— " ./« .s'/i« le vottv," joins him. " Where does Mrs. Leary keep her tea 1 " he asks. •'•Well, what next, from'lire-water to withered leaves I" and the jewelled fingers play with the gaily-painted fan she carries. " Have you not outlived surprise, Adele? " he asks, still beam- ing with pU^iAsui'able emotion, and not neglectnig to press her aaiid to his heart, brocade dressing gowns telling no tales. "It's in the cupboard, Beau, where tlie toddy-kettU^ used to stiy, Imt was seldom at home in the old tunes," she says, j.'U itily adding, "her i^yes show tears again." '• Yes," he replies, unconsciously, " but that only adds a gli'an\ to mint*. O. W. Holmes gets the credit of siiying, and T go N if " in Hazel Lost in Trouble's Haze. I! Si ■ 1 fn\.-P a new husband with hta. tMt '-y-SUtSert: u.»>.p.»n«.^. ;; „.,+ there is notnuig uJ^« "'^ , • „ |;^\ie nose witn rnt tia »i..>er," she .ays, "W;'«'j ;;:„„, M^Ume 1 ,.{m- " .„, al.mg with yo". '■>" 1'° „' /;,(L.%.><<«»(»«»8, 'rmoned, when «» .Maltese cat spu-y'^^ ,^,^, ,, , t°" anu of Ha7.el, '>'\"8%' "■ „° , "fe «ol>, baek t.. the gloat- -:;.. . .MS is ve.eshin. yo^^^^^^^S! TlS Oh puss, you must not --ake m; -by^^ ^^^^ ^^^,3^. I had o iid with iusonu.ia eve -^^^^^^^^^^ ^j^, .^^^^ ^rs. Rodenck Slug uap, but ^^^-^^^ ^rs, Ind resolved to un- of troublous thought as tcmm.y ^.^^^^^^^ telling me ex-_ .lore of you not to allow to-d. y ^o P ^,^ ^^^^^ for if S ; whit baby Patricia and T ^-^e o ^ J^^^^^^^ ^.^ ,^, te have enough to livx. on m J^^ '^^,„.^,,^,,, perhaps to live ir"';SwinXr;:t'iXihathai,ya.nhaveof ouv'veiy, very "«ii." „ p,u,siomvtely, taking her "f ^t" C^r ^ih.fi> ^'' y-V." """*^ ^"""" la aC«y '-"'■ '™^P"";'trTi t that, and « it .-- ' "No, "no, Mr. """•-"^;„' "l "luW not be so impa- „ot tor wee P"""^."'' P"T* ^ Imt if you knew what a Sit I am impatient, I kM"; '^» . ' i,,^,^ »urround- •^l^tnare I am -^-'l,™';,^ m'L thfit the sure and . .- it»nv'>" matteis you 4 e „ mf> tn boar. iJO, inil my moi. j -' ,' > 1 hard tor mc x" :e?tahf knowledge w.,ukl.« ess^ ^_^._^_, ^„ ,„„ ,,„ exactly - dear old friend, inaKi up , Hazel Lost in Troubles Haze. 219 sband .uig. 3 with adaine yitions, ents at as just 3 sugar he has knee to dreams, [le gloat- .teaming sleeping, ave been ;r, I had Roderick had a re- y daily tit ^ed to im- ,ng in6 ex- wn, for if lid Uke to )s, to live happiness a towards fl have of taking her ourself and if it were ,e so irapa- lew what a ;e surround - le sure and ^ boar. Dt>, me exactly what my small daughter and myself have of oui- very own; please tell me, you look serious, and yet glad, so 1 feel sure we are not so badly off, my little dot and I. Patrick (jwned some property in Lower Town. Yes, I feel sure we own some happy medium, neitlier ' prince nor pauper.' Come, tell me this very minute," she says, with pretty wilfulness, brightening with the hope that the freedom that a purse, not "trash," will bring. Yes, he is going to speak words of gratulation ; what else doth mean the gleam within his heavy eyes, the fatuous lips half moving unto sound. When, at this juncture, fate wills the dinner di-essing bell to ring, and live gentlemen boarders, followed by Miss Belle- ville, come bounding up the stairs. Two of the men, being obliged to pass the smoking-room, look in, giving each other tlie wink, on seeing the rapt face of the gay oltl boy, his hand at the moment laid on Hazel's, resting on the cradle side. She has an intense dislike to this demonstrative habit of his, but does not like to hurt liis feelings by checking his fatherly way of being kind. Rising, she thinks he is going to dress, and herself says : " What a pity you have no time to give me the statement now," when his hot breath is in hei- ear, as he whispers, pas- sionately : " Of this be sure, your cunning little pet Patricia will al- ways have a second father in Hugo Beauvais, and you, don't you yet know what you are to me 1 " Here Mrs. Louis taps at the open door, while the gay old boy, getting his rather demoralized feelings in hand, goes to his bedroom. " Mrs. Leary, my dear," says Mrs. Louis, in severely proper tones, " I have just come from Veteran Lodge, and our friends there agree with me that you are not old enough to chaperon yourself in the permitting even M. Beauvais to youi- boudoir. You remember my reason for coming to board here was a purely protective one. I am uiudfi'ly a chaperon, which is a (/rcat and boundless gift, and Monsieui- Louis necessarily al)sent from the city so nmch, made it excessively convenient for me to break up house ; but, as I say, our friends at Veteran L<,dge entirely agree with me in the matter of any man being per- mitt(Hl to your boudoir, unless T am present." " Please, Mrs. Louis, don't dish up my dearest friends at f ! 3 ]U \_ I iK 220 Hazel Lost in Trouble's Haze. Veteran Lod^e, in makiiiL' uii the foiMu of Grundy, they are incapahl 1,0 ,.f nnv one, and uiuUm-sUiuI khul ivniarks of any one of I understand the fath(M-ly interest M. lieauvais over, that with Ool. Gray takes in myself and babe; more- he has taken my miserable But lanction hand* saving me the expense „f counse „,,uey n.attersin bam ^'T'^^ 'ZH ynu will go and tak T v,,.„a „MW a neural'nc head.iUK, .um 11- j n I have now a neu my plaee at t iihle I shall feel obligt'i 'S;.l HWI, with rU,.sun, the ,Hn„or -table is all too gay for your weeds Thank you. Did Mary C.unn say she would stroll ovei this evening? , . ...„„i,] d,, you good, ,„. ,,,i,,,i in a l-«tlmnums in a t - "Id - J^,,,,,,,, • , if I were »-^i--|,;^t:;:t;u:unJl infant as ,uite so indelicate ni it 1 » '::\"1 > , , , delivenul, without see- a solecism on soeiey ! .^^ ' j ' '^^^^^ she descemls to ing the tears wcillmg tiie laig*., K'^-X J ' •cUnner. . .. ^,„.:,^v n\v l)t>or wee pet," weeps ..Ho you are a -';7:;\;; ^^^l^',, ! ^ -droun,, not able to poor Hazel, retiring ^ ' " "^f ; '' , An.a.inth, an attack *part.vke ot d,nn.-r '-"f ' ,/ ' /^ ,"y,,i„ for a week, during of neuralgia con .nmg he '^ '';,,^^,, f.,,, two .lays. On which the gay old boy ,s '^^l^^^ .^..f/.f ,.'.,, „i,ies, Ama- his return, incessant in M"'«" , » ;;^.; ! ^.J^., ,,,;,„„ the i„.tho n./-.f nustrcss ot <:''•■ «'''';,,,i th,- long sununer Hazel Lost in Trouble's Haze. 221 even thus early in her earthly pilgriniago, opened wide her blue eyes in delif,'hte(l admiration of the floral Ijeauties in Mary (Junn's garden, and Stuart (?unn, home for the holidays, from Ridley College, loves to see her claj) hei- tiny hands over his gambols with the large family of dogs ; McLean's fox- terriei's, all save the one with his master across the seas being 8tal)led and housed at the Lodge. • ^ « Tn the evening, lounging on the lawn, talking ([uietly ot home matters, of the joy inliviiig, the blissful content speaking in every line of the letters from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, U. S., whei-e Hod. and Nell are spending the last delightful week of tlieir honey-moon. " Knowing you will eiijoy it. Hazel," says Mrs. (iunn, "Nell tells me she will write yi.u a »lescripti(.n of Lake Hopatcong before they leave." "Oh, did she? T am glad. TIow happy our darlings are, thaidv (!od f(.r it," she .says fervently, and then in spite of her- self, the coni last in her own life, tied and bound in the uncer- tainty of her position, causes a silent tear to drop to the black plaid bunting of her thin sunnner gown. A lump comes up in the .oliiners throat, for he la aware from Beau vais of how she is placed, at least in part, and to hide his emotion he sti-olls over to baby Patricia. "Happiness will be yours yet, Hazel," 'i"t Isabel Ottawa journals please copy " ,.xclain'is Mary (iunn, " truly, the ways t. We have lost him. 1 am sorry Thistle, of (Uasgow, " Donald married '' "iZZ^^^^"^:^^^^^ ^ itnu^getightning of the heart- "'^Tinald McLean n.arried ! " ---.^^-'y ^"'T'thne^.lil to accuston, he.M.lf to the idea, so gn.ng Ha/el tune U. hnd '"(>lLl (Jray pulls at his pipe vigorously as men wi'l "yj;^ ,l.avo,\^^^^^ to rid theu,s..lves of son.e u.ulef.nable feehng of '^tt'iheUat Metcalf-street, Colonel (h-.vy and Mary hav- in. t ll' hon... with Ha/el, th. gay old hoy ---^^^^^b' t^^.^n. Col Cray drops behind with hin,, when Hazel says: " Mary lear, it does not sigT.ify n.y naming it now. T have ahvav^ «; Tn : -r the iu.pressinn that M- I. 'an h.ul proposed :!: y^ ami that you had refuse.l hi.n, is it not, so. ^^ as he not hoiH-lrsslv in love with you- (hd he not propose ^ iMtlus^lary relieves her sorr..w at l..sinK herfnen.l, Dc.nahl, ill 11 ni(>rrv Deal of laiigliter. " ud.l in lov.. wi?h n,e, Mu/.el ! Mut vou have ^nen me alaui Ist -hat I .vant.d, a.ul even tiumgh 1 shock the Mdst ^s k this locality, I an. not me, hut Iuh pro,>.,sal «ver was, just conu- and hav.- an ice. At M.'tcalf-stnH.t, a few evcMungs ufterwar.ls, M . I. us 1„.1„U in town, carried ofV bis wife to n.uke son.e calls. M.ss . Zv c M,.d the ge,.tlen.e.. lH.arde,-s bad take, canoes to .when MeauvaiH. t^Ui.-U' A.ua.intb h-r ....st.ess was ,.ut I ;.me tnd b,i,.ging a goo,l .Ic.l of tl.ougbt t.. bear upe over h"re," he said, t^aking her hand, " T would anni- hilate all space between us, so " he says, passionately leading her to the great leathern lounge on which her late husband hatl HO often lain. " 'Tis a warm ev(Miing to anjiihilate space, Mr. Heauvais, one had better create it," slie replies, with a wondering smili!, " Neverthele.ss, you will humor me, and we shall be cooler if I turn the gas low," which he does, arranging the windows, causing a refreshing air current, then, seating himself beside her, he takes the rose from his cnat, i)inning it on the al- most transparent black and whlt«^ muslin of her l)odi c. Taking a warm hold of her pretty bare arm, his hot breath in her face, he says, in the heat of impassioned eugei'ness : " Hazel Ijcary, you know, you must, being a woman, know, that T love you ; you won't, you nnist not gt)," f«tr she strug- g'«'s to free herself. "Will yo»i be my loved wifeT' " [le //(»/, say T have been dreaming, and that you are still my "vond fatlirr, my bal)y's frii'iul and mine." "No, 1 cannot say that, for 1 have ever luved ynii, my l)eautiful love, and have suffereil agonies in restraining my avowal of it, but I can do s<. no longer, you must, you are, you pi m 224 Hazel Lost in Trouble's Haze. -"^•-'-y --''-'["'!!:' '■eijCr;i?hn!iX'S to his capacious bre you shall pay me for my for' my long abstinence, you shall ! you shall Ail her struggles are in vam she is iiekl tight ''Relt..,se me this nioni<'ii it, M. Heauvais, o 'No, my love, >ou ml y<»u in my arnv if you T shall cry . t y.air gift. Then y«m have been.mr ,lh.ctet Town? what of it 1" she says, brokenly. " It has becoHK Itand was o "(Jreat lieaveiis mine, and is now oi 1 the market; your hus- ,bli"<'d to borrow from me mcessin tiy. ..,.r..,u ,„■..>-.. ^. ■'»»' ^'ly"' w'''"«'"K her Lands What .'(hat, it beltmged In neiuivais, l)enig r lUIIIMM I in the heed of Convey uncp. " Tt is mine hard up." I bought it from licary last summer, he was so Hazel Lost in Tvcmhle's Haze. 225 was so " Then baby Patricia and I are paupers, as also in debt . and by a supreme effort she keeps herself from swooning -You are unless you come to me ; and is it so very hard a task to love mel" he pleads. " Do you forget the P-^ ; J^" -^ f^ have been .obliged to fly the house from Leary, had not this t'y love for you, that'you look so coldly on, protected you fr(mi his violent fits of intoxication. i i 4-,. "Poor Patrick, let him rest," she says, her eyes drooped to her trembling hands, clasped and unclasped in nervous excite- "'"i wil^'tigh had he lived it would but have been to leave ' vou for Miss Bblleville." . , " Is there anything more of agony you can crush me witli, M B .u vafs ^ "^she asks, in despairing tones. " My baby and Ipaupes; my .dead husband faithless! God, what h,u^ 1 done to deserve this of Theel" and her large, grey eyes dilate '" Tlt% bo well, my love, if you will come to me, it is not such a cruel fate, y..u love no other man," he says, passmnate- V watching her jealously. «' T love your baby because she is fo,"f We can rinu.ve to a pretty house 1 have in my eye, in New Edinburgh. You and little Patricia will have the ex^ elusive use of'the rent cf this place; as it is, you know hc.w vou stand, and of the large an,..unt of money you owe t< n he says e^.'ing her eagerly as he plays his heaviest card, he, lllib^l'hL <:;.sh toi:in,sMf, which he knows ^l;--';^;-^ h,.r fingers to the bone to try and n;, ^^'^^ 'i"" f^ loans to the table, her tears falling in showers through her slender fingers on to the pn>tty baby tritnnnngs. liis armt are quic-kly aVound h.-r, and in a fit of hysterical w,.e,.ing, he is oblig.'.! at, last t.. sunnnon the hous..nw.id, Anm t s*: ho atN.nd' her to l.cr bedroon,. The day h.llown.g. |5..Huvais, ascertaining she is „„able to leave her room, tele n , U to Veteran I.Klge, when Mary (iunn's lovn.g <-are m (juiets hor by re: minders uf Patricia b depc!!'- 226 Hazel Lost in Trouble's Hate, That san>o evening tho gay .Md boy has a private mtcrview with Coh.iu.l (5my, the result being a h-tter tnnn (.ray to Caiew askiuVrhis advice in the miserable state of Ha.e s affairs to whidra curt reply came by return n.ail to Veteran Lodge, ^ i gt.at lu^cL•e^v, wa^u-d his hands of the whole al ai|^ t^tU he would write his niece, Hazel Le,u-y, at once . t she should accept the offer of Beauv..'.s wUh thanks, and that e n u^be a fool to have hesitated ; that Be,ul^.us had lu^en to Toronto to see him, Carew, a slu.rt tune ^f^r!^ tTo told him of the state of the Leary affairs, and ot wh.it h(> p o ed Xing for Hazel and the infant, if she was agreeable: r 1 mseltChe would turn her altogether adntt, i she pr,»ved . tet\il to lleauvais. AVincHng up by stating tha since lie aa lost the use of his legs, and so been -f ;->;^;;; ^/-'i^; h,. l,,d lost tlumsands by s..me, as yet, undetej^ted thiet in his "'^'n. I few days, Mary dunn, having baby Patricia and her „H tl it spend th.. day with her, informed her ot the purpor f Uu> ,a)ove letter, when Hazel, in much agitatmn, gave hm- ,L received on this same nu.rning from her uncle at Broad- acres, brief and stern, running thus : " JiuoAUACUKS, N«»rth .Tonmto, Ont. "Mv DivMi NiKCK, Hazki.. " Your very generous suitor, M. Beauvais, came to l<.rd, you will be mne enough to accept Beavais' offer. " T evpect Nell and her husband in two days time, < f course their liomi is with m*-, on iiccuunt uf thiK duueetl paralyHi.H. Si Another Eden. 227 " Hoping to hear that you have recovered the use of your reason, " I am yours affectionately, " Phillip Twetk Caukw. " To Mrs. Lkahy, " Metcalf-street, Ottawa." "You see, Mary, tliere, is no loop-hole of escape for nie," sighs Hazel, hopelessly. "Yes, Hazel, there is, if you will share Veteran Lodge with us, dear." i • w " Thank you, Mary, but it cannot he, we owe hini thou- mmh" she answers,"-her sweet face pale with sorrow, "and T must si^l myself for wee Patricia's sake, and must endeavor to keep him from knowing that 1 loathes him m his new role of suitor," she says, slmdderingly. And so, that same evening, the gay old boy gives the news of his coming marriage to tlie pretty Mrs. Leary to the inguist Dame Hum.'.ur, Nell (iray rcNiding it in the society column ot the next issue of Toi'onto .Saturday Nvjht. CHAPTER XXV. ANOTHKH liDKN -LAKE HOPATOONd, NKW .TF.U8EV, U.S. A. If all the year were June, The world in wotwls would roam. fAjL TRIP to V^akt! HopatcoMg, New Jer.sey, U. S., and jft^ l(.cating at lu.tcl ' Ih-eslin,' on mountain Harry, from ^^ which j)lace the joyous little bride, Nell M. H. (Jray, writes the following descriptiv.^ letter to Hazel Leary at Ottawa: "My L(tvKU 81STKH, " Here we are luy own dear, Rod. and I the happiest couple 228 Another Eden. „„ this big planet I ^-f-jS,^- SttlSyt" I am, Rod's loved wife, and Hazel, fj"^ " ,. . „pe,> your *»■;», spot on earth '''/'\t';t:1;,!thrr «ve fortWs lild. unrivalled Pansian parasol «»' J™' ""'; j„^ , ^If Rod. cal costu,ne, in -.»«[ '' -;,„«Xow lit he m^ unless ifj ITalr,;:;'"!;" " fetn\L™.Uel,ow atthe hotel, and the Sandbanks, had a "*' ,*"™ 7;y„'„" rciember , how rented McGinty's hut, . ne big room you ^^^ ^^^^ .hocked Mrs. I^u.s woul< be I d n t bel^^^^^ _. .^^e, my .ith her tor -jf ■;;;;;;," ttK^arill^^s'Zle the run .»clc own dear Ri)d. ami 1, noni i.i ^^j^, j^^ to Toronto, taking one P^' " f » „';rtv art, taking the though wo felt a tiitU^vP^inai ovoning of cur stay at tho novolt.os about us. ( " ^;^ ; ,. .^ ,tt tho Fifth- - W0..0 inv tod to P- ;'-^^- n;;i, ilth strawborry avenue theatre. 1 woif my n> < captive, t was velvet Modioi <. i^-'^^V -' '"^l^^^^^'p^lSanc; opera a fellow called Uodonck (.ay. VV "«»^ ^ I ^ j , Casii.o- T UoulTo, was half over ^ ;;j"{ ^ \, J : :^oL. of ascending to think I see your eyes ^^f'^'f^ \' , { ,^ ^^ring band of tlu. gardens on the roof, electric ^^f /^ *: '^, " ,,^,t,„, awarf ....tst n,usichid an.n^ a ^-^ j; ^:^-::;:^f J^; 'dainty shrubberies, pahns ; a an> s ne < y ^^^^ .^^ ^^^^^^^ ;:t:;:;;::::r:;.:i;:ii^r::-'""-"- ^' — • ipaiiy ices or an> thine the wnbrvil sp o tfs lurking very "^''"•• " T don't see how any one can make themselves conifo tabic over the belief that one has no conscience, for I know tul wel that had T given way to the old Adam witlnn "'^'- f ;" ;^ there and then have forgotten our W.C.I. pnnc, les, and h^Vlent n.y pink ear to the ten.pter a NY --luisite su.ner from our hotel^ and have eaten, drank and been n.erry , and even you, ban enfant as you are, would have felt a little wicked in the intoxication of the hour. " Fancy, dear, one can see from the roof down, down into the interior of the Casino and hear a munnur ot the p ay, recog- nizing acquaintances-if one has any there - in the boxes. "Yes, in the subtle influence of these gardens, this child wished it were n(jt wicked to enjoy. «' But, to a purer air and one more to your likmg. "After three days spent in a rushing whirl of sight-seeing, ot ^vllich T shall till your ears when I see you we to.^. the Cen- tral railway of New Jersey from the station at New Y m k city, at the foot of Liberty-street, North River, for Lake H'^Ucong, named by me another Eden. This "-dern o.. situate as I have said, in New Jersey, a short run of .)0 miles ?rcnn a'ham. We'located at hotel Br..lin, on mountain Harry, 1,200 feet above tide water, the bracing air iieaiiy '"^iZ^yZ:^::^:t^n, ^iste. ..M ...ve «„ne wild ovor tl,e l^J scouory ; even ,n„re p,»«ic 1 fclt "'"' ^ -'"'' „„t weip at l..»iT>B .ny.sel£ with li.«l. ,„ »on.e of the matiy entrancing mountain walks. , "I shall copy for you some of the ravings of an onamoured tourist, though were you here, you would endorse the unive.sal verdict as to their being (luite sane. "So here goes for copy, with niy soul on dinner, foi the mountain air is an enormous appt^tiser ! . , i ^ „„ "Lake Hopatcong, at set ..f sun, Ih a scene of splendor un- enualle by any of iS kind hi the Eastern States, and gilding Se ountain t^ops they stand out as if cut jn a cameo as the lights and shades fall upon ,tlHnr sidj^ .vn<^ mn^ tops. Every rock and iK.Uicier, aiul eacii tedtiie-ij 'tout. _i- -_ f'f ¥ ■ 1(1 230 distinct of the appear in Another Eden. the lake as in the air, and the gentle water, as the nifiht breeze ripples its surtace undulation make it SIS if the lake were ribable hues. alive with rainbow colors, mellowed . indescribable hues j^.j^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ the practical. ^ ^..^^^^. from the time "Yon know that, at least., a uo lu^c ^ • „x xv-o font ^ r al.l.lP in the Thames (rivulet), running at the toot we used to ^'^'^!'''^ ";/,;^^^V ,weet honie, at London, Ont., and of our garden m oui Ion e ^^^^^^ lilio; for then.selves, I, to then, as m)w, you loved the ^^'^^^^^^ '^"^. .. , j ^^^^^^ to the '-' -J Xd rriU;^ ^ ll^^it^ulUe Wtcong fbr ZZ:^^.SL iu.>ues me with, ^^^^^^^ s:^^;;^^eS.^rat^;^^^^^^^^ finest flavor I have ever tasted. ^^^ "The lake has numerous boats, from '^ /^^ \"^ l^*""";^ ^^ ^^i^^Hy boat, which tourists utjlj- --^ng ^^y >:^\, J, romantic ones mere y fo t^e vi ws^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^.^.^^^ ,^^ undertones of joy, o, 1«'»^"P^ . ,,,t-green orbs, set in, ^'Roderick, the darling, gets alx, aid ^ .^^"^^^'^Z^ ^fy cents 'tis of this child, so he ^^^^^s:^^^z:^ji^ to drop my line, seeing nothing J'^ ^^the c ^ai ^ ^^^^^ Oil! >s, .as xirell an pickerel and porch. ^ „ -^ „ -:.,.V..„1 vo„ a cony of Eugene G. SUackiurur, L - • ■ would send you a copy Fish Commissions Report to mak(> your n ou th water, but *■ i Another Eden. 231 !ong for set in, that you might talk, being feminine, and Ottawa's Al)bot and ten merry men have had more than enough of scaly subjects, especially in American waters. Your guests, too, would desire you to do your marketing here, which would bring on that sore subject. Unrestricted Reciprocity, which I have just learned to sigh for. Tell it not at Kideau Hall or Veteran Lodge. " But whisper, ma ,:eur, under the stars and stripes one thinks —broad don't you know, and one wonders if the public treasury could not bo tilled other than by shutting out Free Trade with Lake Hopa,tcong fish and Boston physical culture waists. It would be rare fun to watch the nose political up- turn as you poke up the feather of Free Trade in tish and health waists, eh ! " I feel. Hazel, dear, as I gaze down the great mountain slopes from the open casement of our room as I write, that T have told you nothing of this beauteous Eden. There is an enchanting view from the grand piazza of the hotel down, oh, so far down ; on the level are ideal summer-houses occupied and owned by some of the many gilt-edged families of Gotham. " The pretty, clever actress, Lotta, has an artistic bower tor the golden sun-warm days, and moored to the water edge is her fairy yacht looking ravishingly inviting. The interior of Lotta's villa is well worth a visit. The mantel in her music room is a work of art. " ' Wildwood ' is a wondrously captivating retreat, the little paradise being the home of Mr. Edwards, of New York city. A Mr. Poole owns a handsome villa with a tower, from whence one feasts one's eyes on the beautiful. " A Mr. August Pottier, happy man! has an ideal cot, which, as one turns for another long look, causes one to wish that all the year were summer. " Mr. Dunlap has a cot wliich is a realization of one's poetic dreams. Mr. Altenbrand has a very beautiful cottage. Moun- tain Harry is a namesake of the son of above genial New Yorker. _ ^ \r -y e •' But listen, dear, the summer bower of Dr. W. R. Vail, ot Gotham, embowered in trees, is a miniature Eden, and T want to carry it away with me. A woman guest tells me the li I' 1 a: i Another Eden. 232 he wlirbid lloa, aiKl ";«;j^f ;^;^,, ^anal bridges, enchanting "There are inviting coves, Pi^^^^-y , . , ^^ ^ust come and see, for they would take volume Mecca of campers. vourself. My husband is going "And now, dear, ^J^^'^^'Z^e,^ York Life on our re- to insure his life n the ^'^^ ^^^^ ,^^ his Irish mind turn to Toronto for fear uncle »"io"^ . J'-^i ^|o this because r to leaving ^iU. ;- Ins copper. R-l- - •„ he has been so distressed at m . ^.^^ ^ ^^ .^ sad case. No man « ;-^ /^;tti no Uiought of his vv^e In it he tells us of your baakiuptcy- y V^^^^ ^^^ onicorIwouldtelly<.u,s^t.^ a^^^^^^^^ /^ .oyal style Hazel, of how I ^ '^^^ " t' ^ .ueeii on earth, but T fee though T am l--PP^«\^J^'"^„t/yoL, dear, so sweet and good ashamedatparadmgiyyJoyW '^^^^^^^^^^ as you are, and who ^^^^'^ ^Uat M. Beauvais ^.hhssed .^ Uncle de«'"^y"^/ri!Tdv f superior ponderosity as a by your acceptance of bi^ body t P ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^j _.^,^j ,^,,, ^^^^r:^rr'^r^^ to him, ta::^^wingn.:-i«a,ymri^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^,,^,,, , "Listen, dear, but ^^}^ l^^;^^^,. Thistle, but that given the ring 'VU.trinK.nial t me ^ « ,^.^^,^ ^^^^ „,^,ied me ? read it in the yen^:^ '"^^^^^'5^^; ..^ous mating of your sweet I would protest .vgamst this im J f, .^^^ „„ the grounds, self and that ponderous ^^^^l' saccharine tooth for ynu ; .f yes he had. I ww it ill jc li- mine, and no, that he wear saw at this vei-y ith next his trouhl i^-^^^^j^rtri (1 heart a sketch ot y'»-i 'him take at Ottawa on t troubled lieaii .1 n^v,.-- ,he lawn at Veteran I^)dge Another Eden. 233 that anting [le and is the 3 going our re- 1 mind l)ecause in your a high is wife, kitihen Carew. ,t a good ( )bserve, al style, it T feel uul good is blessed sity as a .and this ,v/o know iher, is no i to him, lonald has ;, but that mailed me, your sweet e grounds, h for you ; )lue eyes of ThisUe or jdge ! " I think T see you start ; hut it is so. Donald McLean loved you then, but alas ! for tliis child would have given him a sisterly welcome, Donald is now another woman's goods. " Mary Gunn writes me that Hugo— one must accustom one's self to call him pet names, has gone to his old (juarters at the ' Russell,' so as to give (irundy no brew for her scandal pot. - 1 , i! " So you are coming to Broadacres one week before you are married ; how excessively kind of uncle ! Only he is ill aiul helpless, poor man, T would give him a bit of my mind on his munihcent generosity ! • i -^ " See here, dear, if you and your body of superior ponderosity come here on your wedding trip ; '■( > ikI niting scenery tills one witli a love of nature, and t'iuni thence to natures God, your wrapt feelings of love foi' the glorious scenes about and arf)und you might caus(>, you to think more kindly of the gay old boy. "There would be one thing in his favor here, ma .^enr, tis that dowii on the level against the towering height and ma- jestic magnitude of Mountain Harry as background, hisjiroyior- tions would becom* attenuated ! ■ i vi i "Rod. has come to take me to dinner, so good-night, ilazel dear. My lover-husl)and says you will notice a tear drop on this page, but don't see it so, Hazel, for men are not infallible, and alfnote has its water-mark. I want you to be brave, and to remember that I am smiling as I write my name, thai of " Your loving sister, % " Nrll M. Stuart Gray. " To Mrs. Leary, M(!tcalfe-St., Ottawa, Can." O 234 When Gold Speaks, the World Obeys. :, ! ii^v i I 1 Ipi 1 ^^B^a ^Iv ^ ^^T 1' r^ ^H ' ■ L;j. CHAPTER XXVI. WHKN GOLD SPKAKS, TUK WOULD LISTENS AND OBKVS ! Ttit^^k itB^mnl-that I cc.uld entertain. Put off or hu.nor-'ti8 son.o other tlung ; i the san.e. why in son.e « >er ^^e- Or I am not the same -or it hath found S r;S,':tl'nTo'j'j ^'. ,»-.., .nd there Expend its all." C?^ thoughts of love, and Mit^s i ^ buttoii-holo l)OU(,uet on the lit?ht «-/a-m(K/c o^^"-^^'^^' 'l";^ , ,j. ,y,,i,,tU.s, half hums of bass notes which n of Miss Helle- ^;;,^n.ssiiuh..witi.u^^ Bjown-Sennanl elix.r, the ^^ '^ ^ ./^^^ yision !" as compared to the "''Wc;al,"n" ''^' ^^ is hut just . Y.;u will adunt, A;lolo, he says IM an M K, t ^^^^ ^J^^.^ now returning f nun a dnveU.tb(^-H.^^l^^ ^^^f^,,^ j„ , pretty hride-e lect ..1 - ^ '' ^ .„„,i..d in one .hort few days, for he and Ila/.el »^«'^^y '' ■ t,, Metcalfe- week. "Turn l..uc -';;;;;,, ^\'\,J\^,,^i,un. he conveyed street to give orders that Jl^* , «^"^ [ . ^^.j,, ,,,i„,it, that n,y to ournew home in New *'< '"'"'^ ,•. ; ;\,,,, ,;,.,« <.f d../.ens Kf«.m. mission for lla/..'l has •►^"''^♦•' /' " _. , f.-.-l t)f stray shots from ipiu When Gold Speaks, the World Obeys. 235 YS ! i capital, f turn to gay oUl i)ou(iuet lu'st, full lalf hums tchcs his ,ily along, is8 Helle- ts up the H nothing love; the V nowhere iisHion ! isVmtjust rjg seen his oildW in IV I unv ^'liort > Metcalt'e- (» conveyed lit tliat n\y , (»f dozens it. I feel that the sweetest pleasures are not always those soonest gone, for in this, my newest love, ' there's not a fibre in my body but's on tire ! ' I tell you this, Adele, this newest love is not like what are dead ; just now, before she left the depot, walk- ing to and fro from the baby in the child's maid's arms to the parlor car, ' with what a gait she moved ! ' I tell you what, Adele, ' Such was not Hebe ! Or Jupiter had sooner lost his heaven Tiian changed liis cup-bearer ! ' " "There is no fool to e(i[ual an old one. Beau 1 Now I know you are clean gone mad 1 but nothing cures like stale posses- sion. T have hopes of you, and that you will yet sit on your- self for all this rhapscMlical raving." " Not a bit of it, Adele, not a bit of it ; the very fact that half the men in Ottawa think her all toi» sweet will ever fire n>y love.' " How pleasant for yo -, Beau, if that sanctimonious Scotch- man comes upon the scene ? " His face grows black, for lier woman wit has pierced a vul- nerable spot. " Did you not see the announcement of the cursed fellow's nnirriage in some of our CaiHuHan newspapers T' " T did, and I saw something else, which was that you had had a hand in uniting Margaret Thistle and he. Oli, Beau, Beau, you cannot hide your nutves from me. I have known you too long and t(to well, Well or ill, which, Beau, but niniptirtt'., I am glad Haz(>l Leary will never know the love of jVldiean f«)r her, which yon and I saw so plaiidy, I /latv, her, in that she took Paddy L^iry from me ; l»ut I would have had ]iim l)ack. you kn(»w, had he lived. I am grateful to you. Beau, for t»'lling her so, and that. h<' would long ere this havi* left her for me ; yes, Beau, for me. The world is wrong side up sinc«^ Baddy's gon«>." "You'll meet, nay have, Adeh', some other, you will nay do laugh and are chir. as chir can be with." "Yes, Beau, but none to me like Buddy." The wenk following goes all (oo quickly at Broadacren, >J«»rth Toronto, and Hiwel U-ary, in nuKJest silkwn f^wy, with H t-l !i ; M i ; 236 Wh^n Gold Speaks, the World Obeys. \v aw ,Hite silU and sUv.- ,vey .lo..^-. 1* ^t ^^^'t ,itsth. areadean...nent .h si- ^^^^^^^,,,^, ,,ading dmm?e her naiiu^ to lieauvais, and get ring. The gay «> ,ld boy has been in the city iov three days, afi-aid to havt Hazel out of his si} •ht, lest by some c ihanct' McLean ■eturning n.ight cross her pa til a nn gle m an, and, as his own heart tells him, w<»u fnnn his arms. He haunts llroadacres, is Carews liking by a Id tell his love at once, so snatching with 1 ler ev( •ertain oneness ( .f id ■rywhere, having her won eas, a CO rtain mtioir re f'ai heart of am I bv numerous attentions he has 'also captured the bal.; Patricia by a gift of one o ,t" Kdisons talking dolls. The gay old boy, ner\ear, coun ts the A Ha/.el will be irrevoci id)ly his, i)ressing his pur SO and „„„.',„.|,,U...s ,n»»tv."t "'■■-;■■, ,'i',!av, the latter off rothel- .leliuaw ,:u»t. i...«, has hiui ';z irr:;,la';:u'h:;:f'i.a.i .^ .■-' -" •■""■"*'"■ "-' art." . , . . ...iwli sweet ; V'>u should let ->;r;;::;::«:i;:::t;.;ia''Ha'Vi::..u ,,. »,.,.., .„■ a,,,. thing (" 1 ;, • ,,„ al„„uinable sacritice to give U;:w".houUri,av., U,u«ht lu„- f™-.. -on, 1.,,..- ■•.-- ilf I When Gold Speaks, the World Obeys. 237 ife is tired, so, so tired, darling, vais. Uod., Mud., your wee w and she, nestlos (closer to his side. " This ill-assorted union has been too mueh for you, little one you had l)etter not try to go into church, pet " Yea, that T will Hod.," and she starts up, straightening the folds of her pretty plaided wollen L'OW n, " when T think of my sweet, gooc 1, iientle sis., T am too angry with fate to he able to fei doubling hei- sm; l' tired Y. a mean, nasty old Parcae," siysays, handf hiv .k up that m nuig w siio mai ket. Tgh : Rats id evervthmg a I violet eves on aiu 1 t wo vei y unusual tears droj) from the to iiod's coat sleeve K" Don't fret, little t»ne, Ideii hair. " she does it and liis hand care.ssei the beautiful for the sake of her child. You saw what ill. agonv it was to her motherhood ..n our proposing to car.' f(»r i'atricia, while she left us to fill some position. As things are, it must he God's will ; the knowledge that she was separated from her baby as well as w,Mglited by debts wouhl simplv kill her, while we know that y.Mir uncle s helj.- lessne.ss prevents our leaving him for a home ..f ..ur own, wliere she, our loved sister, would be welcome as roses in .lune. No, T see no help for it. sweet, excepting one that is .lead, winch was that Bcauvais would have p..ck..t.'d his .h-bts and let oui" dear Hazel go free knowing naught ..f th.-m ; but that las n..t b,...n his gam.- ; h<« 'rllf, lik.' Shylo.k, hav.- his pound ..t il.'si. "One hundred and twenty-live i)ounds is Hazels w.Mght, husban.!," she .says with a L.Miten smile of abstinence. " H.>d., darling, as y<.u saV w.- cannot alt.-r things, it all amounts to this that wh.«n' g..ld sp.-aks the world's tongue, .-vcn Crun. y s, is silenced; h.-n.-.forth 1 shall beli.-ve in K.lwanl H.-llamy s scheme. Come husbaiul, lot us away, T h.'ar th.- bass not.-s ot th." pr.)spective bridegroom mingling with th.^ laughter <.t The gay .»ld boy, feverishly anxious to have th<^ kn-.i ti.-jl : it is but I') a.m. when the litth- party of f..ur, with M.'tsy, baby Palri.'ia and h.-r maid, .-nt.-r Christ Chur.h. sombre in its L.'n- t,.n gl n. S.. great has been the haste of tlu^ bri.l.'groom that the rect.ir only just app.'ars as ♦hey .lo : stoojung t.. our pretty Tsjjilj .... i.Ih W'lv t'.! the vestrV; Im' says, smiting : Ill 5' i ;i i. !t It 1 ii^ Wl,en Gold SpeaB, the World Obeys. 238 ^„ » No YOU didn't give nif ^\ .^'''^ "V 2/ ^i,^e you stopped dead ,,,„?;, ly «- P;;;5':;/;i:^,:^:io:';;vinTn,^ tin,e to cut a„a :r'»^-:;y^"tU»a„cy wU.hn^^ ^^^ .^ „,„,,,,., ,,„„,U But there i» n.) I'scaj^c. t.n ■• ^.^.,, ll.'ou.'l. 1>V tl.'- Pmy.-.--B.«.l<, '^ No I " I ,,.;„,, ,rtte,- had "",Vs"tlur .veto,- ;,...! "■»'' *'";, * , H^,J it l«ns -„1 cau^ms ll,o»w.'.'t-fai'',n.na.-t..l""K" " I j„„ |„,d HtoiHl at t , ,u,ht HyiMK '-r™:''."' '„,".., on Providoncc- lend- tbatsauK. alta,- w.tl, Itee, •' ' "",^.4,, t,,, „.u„e tl."»8 'I; '^ zj;-l-;;:!,;t,.t.v>.U-'--- ;;2 i^.ly aruu.id her. ,,,ul,..M-ooin shakes himself l.y tue Madame Heauvais cve.v happ.n -^S^n;.dl^.d.uiss.dhe,•.uiet;y.;.le^ Her tiny I'^n-ls a.ul lau.d.s, ;^^ ' ' ^ ;,,^,etter tha.. black, n'tH--"' r»*"^^'"^ *""■ ' V uen'u,' to her unconscious 2 ^ take \uM- in >-• -;-^,: 1 '; i:;- Uaby, ^ 1-ve saved ears "You are a paupe. no ion, v„u'fr'.n. that." ,i,My by ere it is tune t.. ' At lirumlacrcs, tvv.. l>ou.s si \ -, •; j, t,. New \ork, ariv to the Union .lepot to ca d u ^^,^^ ^.,,w >> K.,r heaven s sake, 1^. ' "^ , ., ,>^,iaiins Oan-vv, testily. ,. ' ...,„t than she »« by here.hty . ' ^^,^^^^„^ ,„ „ver, When Oold Speaks, the World Obeys. 239 dead t and •aiglit ■r had ausing , Nell's 3t)d at ;e lend- ighi, is upport- l \)y the ire than wishing 8 at the icia claps lu such a in bUu'k, tc«tuscious ftve saved is time to e vMt us ,.i,,,t,ic -speed, con.e from th. otiic. <'^ ^he Cana ;^ Ut.^ J^^^ ^^^^^ ^, ^.^ and now, rev.Uing in he P^ ;''.,,,, ,.,^ bright with the hn- l„un.n.H in the ^•'""^''''^'^^t V n.nnt.Ji »" t.his as yet un- S. glow of the sunl.t w. ^ I" ^.-r and thnmgh the ;:::de.'Northen, -'- •.^. ;- t!,- Park; l>nghtwHh the ever.'reen trees i>t sweet-scfntM li ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^,,,. ,„„. 2:w of th. upon /^-^-, ::;f ,:^ itl, and west windows sevvatorv in nuniature, <^'''"^' , ,'^„.,,,(,.,. ^vith the hspmg coo ight with roll's pUunage a"! '^^^ :;,i , Betsy with a Wi T,ahy l>atrieia, -^''^awi - m h-ight, too, with Ne 1 s :;;S:h;^;^^^ w^eagemes^to st,.an.ing eo.-oa. he says. -^ ^ ' ^J^ „, L hnishing st.tehes '''^^'-•,,....y,Uttle,.no,onn.aeldngU.e.^^^^^ Hy aav, the letter earriei handed nie a nusM lay •lied on»', too. In tlie lost instance a( ),j,.,.u.Hwl tM her, as a Hit liter of «'ouis«', as ' Mrs. l..eary, M..tealfe-stveet, Ottawa, an. Lenten Tears Break to Easter Smiles. 24,1 ay, tli<^ . yoUMf? ife, lias .spwd, , home, the lin- yet un- ugh the witli the tht' coil- rjiidows ; iping coo with a ,th Nell's M-iiess for ig cup of :;ers husy Lg stitches to rest on •J p.m. to- el, a trii' ■ , hei-, aw a tawa,' ami ) by the post office at the capital forwarded : ' Ti-y Mr. ll.H.P.S. Gray, P,roadacres, N. Toronto ' ; the postman had been given it at the (General P.O. here to ask me." "Oh show it to me, Hod.; what is the postmark, darhng ( " London, Eng., Nellies and thinking it might be important, T forwarded it to Hazel fit the Hoffman House, New York, where they will be on to-morrow. Did I do i-ight, my own witie?" "Yes," she says, thoughtfully, when seeing that her uncle is wholly absorbed'in some new disclosures biought to light by his lawyers, and made public in the Jiews items, as to Pick- f(»rd's treacherous dishonesty, saying, aloud ■ "Confound him ! if he ever shows his face in Canada again my lawyers shall supply him with lengthened cpiarters in the penitentiary." , „„ , , • " Did you know the hand-writing. Rod. ? she whispers, with a strange second sight. "I did, jM't ; it was McLean's." " Ah, something told me so ; follow me upstairs as soon as you can, dear." After some symi)athetic chat with Carew, also with con- gratulations that he will be soon on his legs again, and able to bring his s(.und sense to bear u})on his business affairs, ma few bounds Rod. is seated beside Nell, in sweet consent in their own snuggery. An hour's talk ere descending to dine, and they have come to the conclusion that the marriage insertion (.f McLean has been a fraud, and that po.ssibly the latter, hearing in some way of her widowhootl, has written her of his devotion. "Yes sweet, T believe your woman wit has solved it all, and the'silence of McL<>an before to her is accounted f<.r by the fact of his total ignorance of Leary's death, which know- ledge, a.s you say, Nellie, may have come to him, alas, too late. Again, his having iwpfored of me not to name Ottawa or our nu.tual friends there, proves to :ne that your idea ot Ids having been in love with our dear Hazel is correct, and that 'twas his high sense <»f honor, poor fellow, that actuated lii.n in his re.piest to myself, as also in his resolve to tear his love for ani.tJ.er man's wife from his h^^t, that has made w hiiii a wan« lerer fov ih-- past Hfteeu n.i(>n,ths.' I'll !f • %r Bt < ; i It 1 04.2 Lenten Tears Break to Easter Smiles. ,. Ill" .avs Nell, with a tender pit> m hei tones "Poor Donald! ^^y^^tV' ^ , We must be very good to « and poor, dear, sacrificed Hazel . '"/TSk'God for our great happiness, my precious little -S;'the arrival ^-^^^^^^^^I^^^^l refreshment rooms, ^^^^^J^ «/the trip from Toronto, tracted in some way a sor^ th «'^^^^^^^ p,, Knapp, for has driven to a neighbonng mcaiui , ^^^^^^^^^. !;rvice. As Hazel -t. u^on-^^^^^ Jj- J^ ^ ,, ^he ationcast her way, '-^ ^ " ^^^ J ^^^..^ heard Nell and Rod. travelled lettel^ in ^^Ynterest the page full of apologies S :^^^^^^^^ r^"^ '' " ''''''''^' kauvais for Madame on thd^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ ,,,1 led With a start, Hazeltakes ^t, reuri ;, p,,tricia, fear- corner, her whole thought -^^,f^ "^^^ ^e 'envelope hastily, ing either or ^>'>tl^ '^"-i! ^"- , /Xt ean and dated "Morley's Hhe sees it is from Donald McLean a v ^.^^^ ^ ^^^^.^^^ ^^^ Hotel, Lond..n, Eng." two '^'^^J^^^^^^ ^he had become a touch of home, of the ^^fJ^l'T. man she had been engulfed in this stnuige "V^;" J^^^^^ ^ f,,ther. accustomed to consider "J ^^>« f ^^j,, ^.^ve handling ..f the Her feeling is so strangely glad m t ^^.^^^^^^ ^, ^^ ,heetof paper c.mtanung written ^^ '^^^ f 1 ,,oid it, the o a few W seconds she IS j^tnt^o^^ ^^,^, e.>ntact seeming to letid ^^f^^^^^ .,, the reJc,llection tlmt denly upon her sensitive ^^'^^^ '^"^f ' J^^^^ i,,,solf in his wife Uer iiend has now a nearer ^^ " ^^ ,,,i i,,t foolish idea of and she nmst forget the V^^^^^^ ^^ hand has loved her ; Nell, that the ^^^^^ ,'*'!';.,, \U^ is not g<. ing to allow Hhe must remeu.ber that ^^ ;\ f,.,.,.,iom, that she is his, her to f<>vKet tha iH. has 1 m^ht hM . , ^^^^^^ ^^.^^^^^^^. ^^, a« long as they both ;^;^'^"\'^;^',nutes ago, yet, strange different to the ^^.u•m gh w of a ttw ^^^^^^^^^ writes her, to say, wiHi no ^^^Imi ^ K ats, and in a tremor of ex- «!!i«'keno( say, ^ she j-ead; citement lest Beauvais re ,turn and lind her so engaged Lenten Tears Break to Eader Smites. 243 '*Bkah Miis. Lkauv : " It is now one year and some months since I called at your home in Metcalfe-street, to find you ' not at home,' at which, though taking the opposition benches against myself, I felt desolate in the extreme, for I had done an unconscious wrong to your since deceased husband in loving you. Yes, Hazel, friend, 1 loved you, but thank (iod was enabled to keep my feelings to myself, ami not startle youi- pure and gentle nature, your loyalty to your husband, by permitting you to read my 111 heart ; man's natural seltishness in pai-t actuatnig me, tor your knowledge of my l()\e would have come banishment for myself. " But let me do myself justice, my friend, and that J can truthfully say T deserve any praise in the line of conduct I adopted on becoming aware that T could not tear my love for you from my heart, is all owing to your own l)rave unsuUied nature, for a man would of necessity become capable of better, nobler actions who loved you. On finding that my love for your sweet self grew and strengthened with every meeting, in spite of my efl'orts to banish your image from my heart, I resolved, and, as you are aware, car- ried out my determination, to leave Ottawa, not returning for one year. I gave ray lawyers a powei- of attorney for that time?, telling them I would not trouble them to write me, for that at the close of the year 1 would return for their statement. I also reijuested my friend, Kod. Gray, now your brother, to refrain nhsnlntely from naming any individual or referring to social events at the capital, telling him 1 knew he would trust to my liaving the strongest moral and personal reasons for the recjuest. " You will see, dear Mrs. Leary, how weak T had become, how I endeavored to shield myself from hearing your name, to nuike it easier for my.self to walk in the path of honor. To do my- .self a bare justice, let me tell you you had entered into my heart, taking it by storm, gentle as you are, at our first meet- ing in the long ago, and had it not been for my hurried depar- ture to the Coral Isles of Bennuda, I had endeavored to win your af!ections, and V)eg for the priceless gift of your love ; " at this Hazel giv«'s a start, for has she not been bought, not her :i-f' r.i \ i^l 244 LenUn Tears BreaM to Ea^r Smiles. 1 t l,^,. tiecilom! slie »tartK, thi.ugli wholly now deceased husband. ^ ^^ j^,,. ^i^^, j,j,st year, ^^ The fact o y"^^-^7"^;f y;'^: Hay eon.e to my knuw- t,o be honora\)ly wooed, ^^''^'^'ly^lr ..vera year's absence, to ledye. bi packing up my tiaps, attei m ^ ^ ^^^^.^ ;:i^e KngkL for a -^l^'^^J;;:";;,.^ Ot^..a thil would the wrapper ott ot an .> d - p. P ^^^ ^ i, ^eath ot not look at earher, and tluu l your late husband. hooked my passaj^e does not ' .The steamer .n - '^ ^JJ^^l^^'^ :^^^^^^ sail for some days, a.ul 1 hav e asuT ^^^^,^,^ theone--rjustcatclaheuu f h-^l;^^^^^^^ ^.,1^ ,,,•,,. i "You cannot "-jf '"^^^^/^.S, the time until I see you count each passing day, ^o lesseni ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^.^^ ^ i„ your freedom, to be ^^-•>^^^; ,[.;';;,,], Uereavenient ; and, not 8<. long a time having V--^^>^ i,,,ve called me fripud, anu so i .o" i \,, 1w>i>m Ascertaining y"„ " > ;, |^^^„ ,, ,„„„ -"»,'• "' >■"";:;",": ,l,7it^ ;: ".", i« ™y "1..;..... a„a ■ ■ in thy memory, I nnouki mk j Lenten Tears Break to Easter Smiles. 245 tinue the subscriptions which I have given the past year to the charities of New York city, and at our own capitah " But, [ believe God is going to be very good to me in the desire of my heart, and that I shall socm- /yei! how long it is— see your sweet face, enjoy the bliss of your dear presence. " Yours in hope, >' PONALD." With a gentle sigh, and the low, murmured words, "So Donald is not married and loves, loves me," she handles the letter caressingly, then lifts it to her sweet, red mouth. The very act recalling her to the actual position she is in, the two days' wife of M. Beauvais, with a startled cry she .stands erect in the now empty salon, all unconscious that McLean, whose steamer has come in, and who is merely wait- ing for the train to convey him to Ottawa, has seen her from the corrider and come in unobserved, in her wholly absorbed state, and has seated himself slightly behind, but where he can see her face. "Thank God, I have found you," he says, in impassioned eagerness, " Mrs. Leary, Hazel, you do not look angrily at me, I have stolen the pleasure of watching you read what I recog- nized as my letter to you ; your sweet face did not reprv ve my boldness ; speak to me darling, say you are glad T am come." " Donald ! " and with a cry of pain she points lo her second weckling ring. " Great God, I am too late ! too late ! " and he sways to and fro in the shock, and to Hazel's horror he literally turns grey, //i.s- /lair trhitening, his face an<^, «» recall n,e to my vows of two day. ■% , ,^^_ ,^ ,„„,,,, Donald, wc ""'^' Pf *; ''' ™2e ,ny duty to my husband y- dea,- P--" V'Cld M tauias mly return at any an easier tasK. vj\>, ^ moment." „ ilespairingly, " hut that he is ol could curse h,m ^e ^y^ d P ^^jy^^^^^ ^^^.^^ ,„y i„,t your husband. I w"! nevei > ^_ love, my twin spirit, "'J "^"j'-^' ,„^^, „t him in heartfelt grief, She, pale as f ^^'^ " ^^'i, that his fair hair has become feeling his words to 1» '™ "", „,^|f f„r what v,mt be, she »""r" *:„?"* sweer'ulli;:: tones, her cold, nervous Cdo;:StretchS^.hi„'says: Lenten Tears Break to Ea^^n' Smiles. 247 mt " God bless you for these words y-n wil the eternal worlds— love, farewell ! on kiss, not now go to Ottawa — my mission tupre >' remove from the Hoffman House now, ,t once be only mine in .cloved. I shall ended ; I shall will You re- main, you say, one week. I shall then return here as they make me materially comfortable, though it matters not now. I shall work early and late in the mission field of St. George's church, giving my poor brain no time for thought." " God bless you, Donald, farewell ! Keep this, your dear letter to myself, and mark it ' too late,' else dear yf)u know how it would have been. Pray that I may have strength to keep true in word and deed to my marriage vows," and tearing her- self from his heart-broken gaze and hand clasp, she makes her way with trembling steps to, alas ! not the privacy of her apartment. In an hour's time Donald McLean has left the Hoffman House for outside temporary quarters, and Hazel, with the feeling that her recent painfully sweet sensations in the know- ledge of her love for McLean have been disloyal to h< i ' as- band, removes by bath and fresh toilette in a favorite gown of the gay old boy, the traces of her grief at McLean's heart- breaking sorrow and her own sad fate, greeting him kindly on his return from medical treatment. The gay old boy, in raptures at her loveliness, will have her accompany him to be beguiled into laughter without effort by piquante Lotta at the theatre. "But Hugo, you say Dr. Knapp forbade any other outing for to-night. Sit down comfortably and I shall make music for you instead." " No love, that would not be to my taste, for the music stool is not near enough to me ; at the theatre we shall be close and snug, and I believe in propinquity when with you." The day following, though the throat is a mass of small white ulcers the gay old boy will not give in, insisting on sight-seeing, loving to witness the admiration his sweet-faced bride excites, and more in love with her than ever for the new gentleness and desire to please which is possessing her. " We will take a canter in the Central Park to-morrow love," he says, drawing her little form towards him, as, after a long day full ot wonderful sights and sounds in this, our bright i ■; „,8 t««M. r-, B«aUo £«*r smite. feels 1»«'--J"*t;r«w y- ''""'' <1."'S U.^L 'reach Toronto m« ^^ i^ome-bound .«t--P« .^^^ ^""^y thoughts." ?l a ,«atterof that <•« f«/ J^.^. „,,o-t shu,,i>ing o- ^*^^;\^; f; ,,a Vx>y in l>»';f 't;«£tove sh. has iov M.l.-n, a.ul stuving ,„„ murt not,, v.. -X';- T a,, tu,-,, th» fO.W ,.„-. «a.t ': y at\uneH." . ^^,.,^ „,,y you," a.ul h« r-H^ l,c.r to hiH oaparioUH ciu-Ht, 'J y*'^ , h-arning to call you ''':. ut Huio, y..u were -^-, ',,;;,. ...uUl come m tune , hv vour ChriHtian nanuN sayiug t«» ny y«'"' , rrave to hear it juHtthiHonco, tromtiu, love, try." Lenten Tears, Break to Easter Snniles. 249 tcious your lently it* no gainst reach igin to orrow ; ughtft." ith just ■ry and Lenten braided shapely roiu the i»nnet of gay old bli liavpi- l for the. ■ rides in ht-aeeing, f the gay oing V*'"' aI striving boy, liftv- al)it. No, ; you have s and vsait he presses r ilugo." t«> call you Tue in time ; rave to hoar M»rld. Come "Please, Hugo, let me off." " I will, if you try now ; I want to see your lips curve, as you delight me ; try, love, try." " Dear Hugo." '* Thank you, love," he says, kissing her passionately, " now, come, I am as happy as a king. See, I will be train-bearer to my queen," and he lifts up the long skirt of her green cloth habit, looking admiringly at the sweet face under the coquet- tish silk hat. And away they go, even in the thronged thoroughfares, the cynosure of many eyes. . Thoroughly pleased with himself and his pretty bride, the gay old boy is in his happiest humor, when, in a fatal mo- ment with a gay tloarish, as he uses his white silk pocket- handkerchief, a wayward breeze catches it from his hand to be in turn caught by the ears and head harness of the spirited animal he rides, which so maddens hiuj that he plunges, then dashes along in wild, mad fashion, when Beauvais, losing con- trol is unseated and dashed to the ground, striking his skull and temples against the sharp edges of a large stone but just fallen from a waggon, making an ugly fracture and horrible wound. Hazel, in her frantic efforts to assist him, is almost thrown. The poor old Ijoy is carried into the Wilson Pharmacy, for they are o'n Broadway, which has proved the broad way of de- struction to him, for in a few seconds he has ceased to breathe, having been almost instantly killed. The corpse is taken in an ambulance to the Hoffman House, poor half-distracted Hazel and a medical man who had been passing by following in funeral procession, indeed. But the widow of the poor old boy is obliged, in her help- lessness amid a city of strangers, to help herself, and aware that Roderick Gray cannot at pres«Mit leave his little wife in her delicate state of health, sends, by the kind otKcers of the hotel, a telegraphic to Ottiiwa, which brings Colonel (Jray and Mrs. Ounn, without loss of time, t() her side, to lind that the medi- cal attendant, Dr. Knapp, luwl taken tender care of poor Hazel, as well as to the laying out of the earthly remains of her late husband. And BO, on the close of the eighth day from the time of her li I.' B -tn I. I %\^ M » '.■ i I 250 Le,Uen Tean Break to East^ Smte. widow, with his corpse, •^"^y;;";;""'pf,.tty Nell, who Iwre the pick ^^t'FtlB::^^^^^^'^ ^"^T '^^- W Lws of the ^i^^'i^V . Tlla^r pale 'tis true, but the violet kisses the sweet face of Ha/^^' P ^ underlying the real eves see some magic touch of y«' .' P . :^g"et for the fatherly Beauv-o Uuig^go ^^^ ^ You are your «-" 7;^;^^ ^.^ \, ,tay awhile aft.r the wistful orbs, and T "'""^J'^^^ (.^ m. Beauvais made a set- poor old boy isburuHl ^y^f'-"^^^ ,„v^iled like the spoo tlen^eut up.n y«'", ^nd ^^'fj^^^^^^^^ cotton. N. ^■:^-^'':^-jT£i^n.e^, but this child only the CreaU>r in eve. y act et u posthumous solecism «ees the Mast<.- haiul - ^ ^""« ^^ • ,f ^^ht her to make a ''rZ^:^J'^A, he will not like to be bothered with us." , . ^ liftve given up l>eing a .Oh, yes he will, -;;».,;",, you recently, dear. T pauper ; he has tak.M) ««'V T : r nl« Tarew I might die very soon, and an angel and T told ""^'^..^f;^;^, .' ^X and that he needn't I wished him to destroy all h» old >^il , ^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ fuss making anotlu. just '- - ,^,^,,, ^^ j Unew such a |,ut that I wou ( get «^^»^ "" j j „,„„« ; so my pdl .monument of -» -^'"^f jfj^;^,:^^^^ 1^ ' 'I |p J^« ,,^,^ ^^^ for a driv. made a hoU> :::!r.nh«^:^.— ^^ / mean to, we are ^'V^^are ahke^ ^^,1 „ff „ ..You dear little his, - y l"^^^^ »,,„ vais. Nell." she it i8. owing U. the kmd f''^^^^ ^^^"f;^^, , ^i«h you t« take a Hay. gravely, "when you ^ ♦ M «;';'« ,^,„,,„„^ ,„.a consult Utti; journey w,thnu.UM.uMMlH^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^.^^^^ .^j, -:i;x';o^rnnji:; rugh ^ Lenten Tears Break to Easter Smiles. " I will, Hazel, R him, puts the question in careless fashion as to whether he hiul known Monsi«*ur Heauvais, at whicli he starts, violently agitat/tnl, excuses himself oi die plea of sudden ill- nesH, and realizes it all in the streets, walking miles whither ho notes not, calling himself wicked and heartless for the smother- etl joy ut his \wMi. Then he ihitiks tl»ere may Iw sonip mis- I < I r I 1 t ;!:; b ^ ^ t a; i : \ 1 iH'Mi <;■. l|1 i ! j fl; 26J £e»»««™ r«a™ Br«)iJ; to £«»««r- Smi! ^^^^^j'^ ^^^^y,,, reached Colonel t^ ^n ^:'lSef: r home, brin.in, great glad- ness to the loving hearts there (^ ^ , Qray, t.>gether C.X wh,: .1» and ^ie^y -.- *;^-;-:Lio„ eyes, he finds his way to his sweet Ha/el s side. Easter Bells! Bnng to our lovahle H..el^>.;;t^l ^w^^^ from the L<'nte,v sen^^on that saw the M J >'<. X , ^-^^ widow and McT..an .-xper.ence ^»"; «^ •! fi^;,! ,, ,, h^.rtto by side as the dergynmn pronounces them jome.! heart life «ni<.n, aye, '^"'» ^»'''''"f 'j r""^ ^^Jray Mary (J«nn, '" tL'w!;!.. Ma7.,.l M.-I*an, »w«ter that ever in h>ve', magk trip to New ^ ork c.ty, th( tuu Hainsford at St. |J,„, who had been married >.y I<«a- '" "^ Lenten Tears Break to Easter Smiles. 253 George's to the tuneful rhythm of Easter bells, then taking one of the splendid steamers of the White Star line for a trip to the mother isles. All the wedding party accompany them, leaving on the great dock only Colonel Gray, Mary Gunn, and Beaver. Maud and Alex. Burns are the guests of Hazel and Donald McLean, in return for the brave act of Maud in sending the telegram bringing Roderick Gray to Christ Church, so preventing the life wreck of Nell's happiness. As the loved ones, from Veteran Lod^^c grow smaller until lost in the ever increasing distance, as a brightener, Nell says, taking Hazel's alim hand in hers with its three weddiruj rings : " Mary Gunn told me that Mrs. Louis is shocked to pro- stration over your three husbands. Hazel. She says a posthum- ous infant was bad enough, in fact indelicate in the extreme, but that it will be excessively awkward for you in heaven, when they all claim you, and that really this one should en- gage a chaperon for you." "Did she mean for heaven?" laughs Rod., with loving hands drawing the white tam-o'-shanter closer over her golden hair. " Heaven only knows. Rod. Whisper, husband ; where are Maud and Alec '!" • , ., , "Billing and cooing somevvliere, little one, and if they are only half as happy as v/e are they will be often taken so. "Donald and Ha/.el are a liravenfy c; ' pie, Rod. ; he wor- nhips her. Rod., my own dinir Rod., this is a beautiful world. It grows dusk ; come and see if nurse has our boy Il^Ujee snug in his cot, or oii l:is shelf, poor little man." "YeR. my prociouf. little wifie, come along." In their large, state room the twin spirits, Donald and Hazel, seated side by side, talk in low tones of the dear present. "At last, my own, my long-loved Hazel, together, to- gether ! " Then^ is an ecstatic pause, when he says : "I must show you a .sketch I made of you in the long ago time of my tribulation." " Nell saw you take this sketch, deareHt ; she has told me r i! 254 Lenten Tears Break to Easter SmUes. of it, the w.tc,h. But you have looked at me through rose- '"^^n^'SU but with the eyes of love, and no flattery. Yes, "^ ' Your face if) hw of, 'ml debnnnair, I ctt,miot call it 'Wk or tail ; . sie"t fa.e, dark eyes, and light brown hair, And hlesB^d late— I love it so. "My only love, my Donald! we are wondrously happy," she niurinurs. ' My wife ! " 111 ;-r h 1 J 4 1/ THK END. I rose- and ppy. For a Fine Toilet Soap^-^ . ,1-f' ! i] « i ,1 "1 USE HHJML LASTING, OEllGHTFUllY PERFUMED, AND EMOLLIENT. ., ,« JOHN TAYLOR & CO., flDauufacturcre, TORONTO, I R. & T. Watson Wholesale Manufacturing Confectioners 75 FRONT ST. EAST Toronto, - Ont. WATSONS' COUGH DROPS Are Warranted to give IMMEDIATE RELIEF to those suffering from Coughs, Colds, Hoars^ ss, Sore Throat, Etc. They allay irritation and produce a soothing effect upon the vocal organs. PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND SIN(}ERS find them of great due in clearing and strengthening their voices. None Oonuliic uiiIi-hk the lettem R. & T. W. are ■tniiiitoil on reach Drop.