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Les diagrammas suivants iliustrent la mAthode. irrata to pelure, n A D 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 K? ' * ' ' ' ',./!' ''J SOME -'. "t „• « /' f-^i ^ J 'V ,, -.i: X ■ ■ ■-,', - r*^ ';./^»";: ■» .JjH ., <■' -■ 1 t A I :\: EHGHAVEO BY T. ATISSL -^>1 ticst J \tas tcndei arrival, in siirr()un(Ic( l)iit it was until she re w lien g'Vls ii|)onas ok < ommon le liL'r world. Lctitia's She was ni her figure V liair was a ( urly, and broad, wcl tcUectual c shone with she smiled themselves innately ht regularly s( when she oF her that It came ai u ords. In spite l)oys, Letit as a girls' ji sliips amor dL'|)endenc made her plenty of yc that Ixtitii i)ringdisasi Irienils and all the yoi isfactorily should not - — OWBaMW WWMMr T «»—■ f «jr.«A %M -^ — ir SOME PASSAGES IN THE HISTORY OF LETITIA ROY. I'lCTURKS BY iMARV IIAI.I.OCK lOOlK. E>GHAVE0 BY T. L. CALHANE. TIIK LANUUICKUU MAHllOK. MISS LKTiriA ROY was one of the pret- tiest girls in All)erta, and much homage was tendered her, from the very day of her arrival, in the little Knglish settlement that surrounded the Hudson's Bay Company's fort ; but it was not until six years afterward — not until she reached the mature age of twenty-two, wlien g-'rls in western towns are almost looked upon as old maids — that she descended to the common level and fell in love like all tiie rest of her world. I.etitia's prettiness was not a common type. She was rather under the miildle height, and her figure was plump and well developed. Her liair was a bright shade of brown, short and ( urly, antl the soft rings fell caressingly on her broad, well-shaped forehead, softening its in- tellectual oudines. Her eyes were hazel, and shone with unclouded hap])iness, while, when she smiled, innumerable dimjiles developed themselvesaround her somewhat full li|)S. For- tunately her teeth were small and white, and regularly set, for she showed nearly all of them when she laughed ; and it was characteristic of her that she rarely spoke without a laugh. It came as spontaneously as the echo of her words. I n spite of the homage rendered her by the boys, Letitia was what may best be described as a girls' girl, for she cultivated ardent friend- ships among her own sex, with whom her in- dependence of character and gaiety of heart made her a universal favorite. 'I'here were plenty of young men in Alberta in those days, so that I.etitia's preeminence did not threaten to bring disastrous consecpiences upon any of her friends and Hiithful satellites. Then, although all the young men liked Letitia, it was sat- isfactorily decreed by fate that all of them should not fall in love with her. Somehow, 4ti>u0 in spite of her bright glances, they found it easier to slip into that relation which com- bines the brother with the friend, and whi( h may, perhajjs, be more accurately termed cous- inly. Her indei)endent self-reliance was not aggressive, but still it was perceptible, and did not serve to encourage timidly tenderadvances. She had another defense in the nuiltipli( ity of the interests and enthusiasms with which the maiden aunt after whom she was named had early inspired her. This maiden aunt was left behind in Ivigland when Mrs. Roy rejoined her husband, and the long six months' voyage arounil Cape Horn, together with the novelties of her new surroundings, sent I.etitia's thcnights for a time into new channels. One by one, however, the okl pursuits were renewed with ardor. The Roys lived in a roomy one-storied cot- tage on the road that skirted the almost land- locked harbor. It ^■•as outside the limits (jf tiie old fort of the Hudson's Hay Comi)any, but still was within ten minutes' walk of the center of the town, where, it was scofiingly said by American tcnnists from San I-'rancisco, a can- non-ball might be fired at noon without hurt- ing any living person. There were only one or two cottages beyond the Roys'. Further on the land was still uncleared, and the bush, with its somber fir-trees and tangled under- growth, stretched away to the end of the rocky jieninsula. In those days e\eryb()dy in tile settlement knew everybody else, from the governor in his recently built stuccoed castle on the heights to the e(|ually solitary telegraph-boy, who had his head(iuarters in Wharf street. Mr. Roy hail come to the province at the time of the gold-fever ; and when that subsided without gi\ing him the fortune which was to have taken liim home in triumph to his wife and children, he drifted from one |)!a< e to another, settling down finally in the thriving little town of .Alberta, where he laid the foim- dations of the famous ready-made clothing es- tablishment which was soon able to sup])ly bankers and miners alike with suitable wear- ing-ap|)arel. .\s soon as it was j)rudent to do so he sent for his wife and children — for Le- titia, and F.dgar, anil for the baby boy he had not yet seen. Mrs. Roy had no ambition what- ever to enter into the gay social life of the colony. Her home duties ajjpeared to occupy her incessantly. Hut for Letitia, she admitted, 9W TT' 3=SE!— ^ I «J-.:ni«*«'i»l*r < P LU il was i|iiii fallicr's a( inanticflei of roinanc satisfied w the lionest and sent I adventure. al)roa at I Koy.' "Oh. Ilin^; undL-istands lutglisli very well," said l.ctilia. " i Ic has been five years \\ ith Mrs. Whyte. We iia\e had Chinese hoys .it home who seareely knew a w(jrd of l-aiglish when they came to us. However, they soon pu k up the names of thinj,'s, and we just skip the verbs." Neville drank his lea, and then ( arried his c up and i.etitia's to the table. "What a beautil'ui eouniry this is," he said, when he returned. J udgeWhyte's house was built on the heights. at her ( om|)anion. It is not every man in tiie far West that (an ipiote 'I'ennysoi, a|)pre(ia- tively. '• That," she said in a 'ew niiniiles, " is the charm that our scenery lacks. The (harm of association," she added, as \'e\ille looked in- ipiiringly at her. "Our lakes, our hills, our streams are beautiful; but it is l)eauty without history, without anything l)ehind — the beauty of a merely pretty lace," she (ontinued, with an iiK rease of color and .i shade of embarrass- ment that Neville found charming to wat( h. " There are no stcjries, no roinaiu es, atta( lied i-VK«rv^ -J "NI-:VKI< had niKHK HKKN si CH a UKAITIM'I. SIMMKK.' eNQHAVtD Br J. P. D*V19. in the aristocrali( neighborhood of the gov- ernor's ( astle. I'rom the raised \eranda l.e- titia and Neville ( ould look oxer the low, one-storied cottages bexond, whi( h were built on the south slope of the hill, and were almost hidden by the blossom of < herry-trees, right away to the blue water of the straits, and to the range of snow-clad mountains on the American side. " 'The mountains are especially beautiful to- day," said l.etitia. "It is not always that we see that cleft in them, that opening yonder, between what must be two distinct ranges." " \'es ; I have not noticed it before," e.\- ( laimed Neville, with interest. " It looks like an opening into fairy-land." "The gateway to the plains of heaven," sug- gested l.etitia. "Or to "The island-valley of Avilion, Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow, Nor ever wind blows loudly," said Neville, sympathetically. Letitia glanced with pleasure and surprise to them, -as there are to all the glens and moimtains of .Scotland and Switzerland." " Then \ ou prefer European scenery ? "asked Neville. " I do not really know. I caiuiot say," re- ])lied l.etitia. "1 have only read about it. 1 was fifteen when we left I'.ngland, but we had always lived in the same little (ountry town." There was a mo\emenl among the young peo|)le, some one having proposed an im- proinptu dan( e in the drawing-room. Neville and l.etitia were consulted. 'I'hrough the French win(k)ws, which opened on the ve- randa, it (ould be seen that the room was ra])idly being cleared, 'i'he dark [)olishe(l tloor looked very inviting. " M iss Roy plays some good waltzes," sug- gested Mrs. Whyte. " Letty, will you plav first ? " Letitia atonce went tothepiano. Mrs. Whyte introduced Neville to several jirctty girls, all wearing white dresses and sailor hats. They were so much alike at a first glance that Ne- ville found it a little perple-xing to distinguish SC le from at le walt/.ed ter in the e dances 1 er Kdgar, one of th ;lightful a oked forw; Iberta. I.iKC ri:.N.' followin}. most oblige the ortic Uviii^liold : ;ivedtheki; le extende( eir homes otherly wc her hous :nce that as charmi ;long to tl 1 enter inti lity regard be im])r( mily lite, inments, 1 I eir own w; )parent th; )on cordial pleased. jaril ship I e found it Irs. Roy di: )cks. Nev] darning, r id toes wi ossibly I. el le's gifts tie by side How to pos ;actly w h:fi uion, or w id sisters j "ortal. Hei le (|ualitie; le generalh |e intimate I idealize > id he sang Bid 1 Or / Ith I. fire 2 k's heart b) led togetii \rmony. Vol.. XI.l \ ni;m ill ilif '1. iipprccia- iilcs, " is till.' lio ( luirm of c looked in- )iir liills, our aiity without — llic l)f;uily itiiuiL'd, witii )! (.nibarrass- 1^' to \vat( h, I's, atlac lu'd Sa)/A' PASSAGES IN THE HI STORY OF I.ETIJ'IA ROY. e ^Ic'iis and t/crland." !KTy?" asked not say," rc- l aliout it. 1 , but we liad untry town." ^ the younL,' jseil an ini- om. Neville hroiigh tile on the se- e room was lolished lloor .altzes," suj,'- ill you pla) Mrs.Whyte :tty girls/ail hats. They ICC that Ne- j distinguish I «e from another. I.etitia played well, but jfte walt/ed even better, as Neville found out ter in the afternoon. At the enil of one of e dances I.etitia introduced him to her bro- icr I'-tl^ar, who was paying great attention I one of the sailor hats. It all seemed very slightl'ul and informal to Neville, anil he oked forward to having a very jolly time at Iberta. III. LiK.r ri..\AXT Ni-:v I i.i.K called ujion Mrs. Roy c following week, .\lberia etiquette made this most obligatory, for Mr. Roy had called upon I the officers, collectively, as soon as the Uviv^liold arrived at the station. Neville re- lived the kindly welcome from Mrs. Roy which le extended to all young fellows away from eir homes. She seemed to him a comely, otherly woman, and he at once felt at ease her house. The intimate love antl confi- .•nce that existed between her and I.etitia as charming to see. The boys seemed to ilong to them eciually, so prettily did Leti- 1 enter into her mother's feeling of responsi- lity regarding them. Neville was in a mood I be imjjressed by so pleasant a picture of mily life. The Roys gave few formal enter- inments, but they were very hospitable in eir ow n way ; and Neville made it so frankly )parent that he enjoyed his visits that he was )on cordially invited to visit them whenever -• pleased. He had been sufficiently long on jard ship to appreciate every homely detail, e found it delightful, for instance, to watch r.s. Roy dispose of a big basketful of the boys' )cks. Neville had had experiences of his own darning, and he inspected the mended heels id toes with the interest of a connoisseur, ossibly Letitia might have been blind to Ne- lle's gifts and graces if she had grown up le by side with him. It is difficult for a young low to ])ose as a hero before a girl who knows actly w hc-ft place he took in his school exami- tion, or w!;o has seen him treated by mother id sisters as though he were a very fallible ortal. Heroism, and genius, and all the other e ([ualities that bring a woman to her knees, e generally found by her in some one outside e intimate circle. It was not a difficult task idealize Neville. He had a fine tenor voice, id he sang Bid me 'o live, and I will live Thy protcstant to be ; Or iiid ine love, and I will give A loving heart to thee, Ith .. fire and abandon that alone took Leti- p heart by stonn. The duets which they |jrac- led together brought them into still closer pmony. Vol.. XI.III.— 119. 937 .\n ac(|uaintance like this is not to be reck- oned by weeks and months. l,ove, under favorable circumstances, is caitable of a tro|)i- cal growth. Infortunately neither Neville nor I.etitia stoiiped to consider the nature of the plant they were nourishing. Hut never had there been such a beautil'ul summer in Letitia's remembrance of .Alberta. Never had she felt so glad and gay. I low beautiful was life ! How dear were her brothers! How intoxicating the sunshine and the flowers I A (harming ha/e enveloped the mountain-tops and made their outlines \ague and indistinct. So it was with the future, I.etitia dreamily thought. It spread itself out in the distance, fair and unknown, and Letitia had no desire to unveil it. Neville came and went. There were garden- jiarties every week at Judge Whyte's. There were occasional afternoon dances on board the Strciii^/ioii/ There were picnics by boat and by carriage. Mrs. Roy, anxious mother as she was, saw no cause for alarm. She looked per- haps a little closer at the future than Letitia did, and her heart, by and by, began to ache, as the thought of a possible separation from her daughter occurred to her. There was, however, in Letitia's manner a reserve, a guardedness, a coyness, an inexpressible some- thing, visible in her otherwise frank inter- course with Neville, that had prevented thf nearer ajjproach of lovers in the past, and that made Mrs. Roy feel by no means certain how the young peo]jle would shape their afiairs. .Neville had won her heart, and she wished him success. That he desired it she did not tloubt. As the summer days passedquickly away Neville had less anil less time, and perhaps less ilesire, to analyze his feelings. Everything was very jolly. The Roys were a delightful fi'.milv; while, as for Letitia, she was out and out the prettiest girl he had ever met. He was not so frank with himself in acknow- ledging the ilisappointment that possessed him whenever Letitia was unexpectedly absent from a gathering; or, if he was aware of it, he took pains to attribute it to some other cause. " You lost nothing by not being at the Simcoes' the other evening,'' he would observe to Letitia the next time he saw Iier; "it was very flat." Some feminine instiiict. perhaps, prevented Letitia from expressing her surprise. The Simcoes' dances were generally looked upon as social eveiUs beyonil criticism, and Edgar had en- joyetl himself as usual. The pyracanth berries turned red; dahlias and chrysanthemums succeeded the roses. The mists were blown from the mountain-tO])s by the light evening breezes. The future, too, began slowly to unveil itself in the shape of ruinors that the Sfronx^o/t/ was to go south before winter, anil that the Spitjirc would take 938 SOME PASSAGES IN THE HISTORY OF LETITIA ROY. her place. Kdgar was always the first to hear news, and one niglit he went home witii the rei)ort tliat a telegram hr>(l been received from headcjuarlers. Me blur "d it out at once, ex- pecting it would excite great interest. JUit 1-etitia, who had been singing, began .slowly to ])ut her music in order without .saying a word, and Mrs. koy so promptly rebuked the boys for some piece of carelessness of which tiiey one and all |)rotested they had not been guiity, that, in the animated discussion which tollowed, Kdgar's news was overlooked. '!"he following day Neville called anil confirmed the report. He openly expressed his regret, and, under the circumstances, seemed to exjjcct the invitation to remain to dinner that Mrs. Roy at once gave him. " Would you like to have one of our new- little dogs to take with you, Mr. Neville?" asked Johnnie, the youngest of the family, and the only one wiio was called by a pet name, the excuse being that his father had monoi)oli/.ed "John." "1 will give you one, if you like." " Come and look at them," urged Alfred. " They are running about in the yard." " Vou had better go with them, Letitia,"said her mother, noticing that she was in doubt. Neville admired the two little black dogs that scampered round and round the boys' legs, and, being asked to suggest names for them, christened them Flip and Flounce on the sjjoi. He said that hewasafraid they miglit get seasick on tlie ship, as they were not accustomed to sailing, and that the boys had better keej) them for iiim until next summer, and meanwhile take them out in the boat as frequently as ])ossible. 'i'he l)oys accepted his advice, and ran off to tell their mother of the arrr.ngeme.it, and to see if she ajiproved of it. Letitiaand Nevilleloitered in the flower-gar- den instead of returning to the drawing-room; but neither of them referred to the approaching separation. It was uppermost in Letitia's mind, however, all the time, and she was scarcely as buoyant and gay as usual, although the matter- of-course way in which Neville spoke of his return next summer had lightened the load that had weighed ui)on her spirits since the jire- vious evening. She was glad to be rid of that horrible sickening sensation which she had then experienced for the first time. " Would n't it be pleasant to sit here ? " said Neville, pointing to the bamboo chairs on the veranda. Letitia assented. It would be much pleas- antcr than going indoors. From the veranda they overlooked the little harbor, on one side of which clustered the wharves and warehouses of the town. On the other side, which was more rocky, there were only the scattered huts of the Indian Reserve. A sailing vessel from England, which had wea-' thered the storms of the Cape, was beingslowlv; towed in. Its dingy jiaint and battered aspuct! were in strong contrast to the trim smartnuss] of an American revenue-cutter that lay ai ;m-. chor. Neville called Letitia's attention to this, and she, in her turn, commented on sdinel sealing-boats, the first of the season, that ha il returned from liL.ing Sea. The conversation] remained in these safe channels, into whicji it| had casually drifted, until the six-o'clock wliis-i ties sounded from the town wcrksho|)S. IVnl minutes later Mr. Roy and F^dgar might heJ expected froin the store. Neville pushed back| his chair, and rose to stretch his limbs. A.^ l.e-j titia shook from her lap the petals of a chry- santhemum that she had been pulling to ijiecesj in an absent-minded way, Neville smilingly[ referred to her destructiveness. Letitia gaily rel torted. Mr. Roy and F^dgar presently waved! their hands and nodded to them from the side-l walk. "Hullo! how d' ye do?" cried Mr. Roy,| when he came within speaking distance. " li hear you 're off to the south. I wish 1 were' going along with you." " Ye.s," said Neville ; " our sailing-ordersl came last night, I 'm sorry to say. I 've had! an awfully jolly dme here." Letitia was sufficiently accustomed to boys'i slang not to wince at the " awfully jolly." Itf was the masculine way of describing every-l thing delightful. " I ho])e I shall be lucky enough to gel backl next summer," continued Neville, with char-] acteristic buoyancy. " When do you sail ? " asked Edgar. " That is n't settled," said Neville. " Hut II think I 've a month's grace. It will take neariy| that length of time to prepare." \Vhen he spoke of the month's grace hel turned with a slight, jjossibly unconscious,| movement toward Letitia. Letitia rejoiced.^ The.se iialf-l)etrayals are often the* food u]ion;| which love nourishes itself. IV. During that month of grace Neville talked] with so much regret of his departure, and looked j forward with so much certainty to a return theJ following summer, that the weight st I,ctitia's| heart almost entirely disappeared. Her laugh- ter echoed her words as gaily as ever, and he-j witching smiles illuminated her face. Novillel visibly rejoiced in her presence. The autumnl days were calm and serene ; but a crispncssi in the air, out of the sunshine, and an occa-i sional touch of frost at night, were remindersi that winter was approaching. Letitia had oc-l casional reminders, too, of the approiich ofl >m£ ROY. which had wca-l was lieiiif,' slowly' battered aspect j trim smartiKssj that lay at ;in- i attention to this, I entcd on somei ■eason, that ha 1 he conversation! Is, into wliich itf iix-o'clock whis crkshops. TcnJ Igar might hel ille pushed back! s limbs. A.-iLe-j etals of a chry-j nulling to pieces] evilie smilinglyj Letitia gaily rc-i presently wivedj n from the side-j cried Mr. Roy,! ig distance. " Ij I wish I werel sailing-orders] say. I 've had! stomed to hoys'j k'fully jolly." Itj ascribing every- lugh to get back.] ville, with char-| X Edgar. Jevillc. " But II will take neariy )nth's grace hel ly unconsciousi ^etitia rejoiced.] the* food ujioni J Neville talked ture, and looked j J to a return the| ight at l,etitia's| id. Heriaugh- Ls ever, and be-, r face. Nevillel ;. The autumnl but a crispncss| ;, and an occa-| were re;ninders| Letitia had oc-| e api)ro»^ch of! SOME PASSAGES IN T/IE HISTORY OF LETITIA ROY. 939 ^er bitter season, but she had gained courage v> look forward to the summer. .Alberta society kever nl!r>v. cd any occasion for festivity to slip Dy unnoticed. Indeed the English colony was [enowned for its gay hospitality. As soon as he day wi.s fi.ved for the de])arture of the ^tron,i;/it)l(i the citizens bestirred themselves to Jive a ball to the atUnirai, and the officers, in jeturn, gave a farewell ball in the dockyard. In a few weeks you will be welcoming the S/'itJin" saiil Neville, with a touch of senti- lental jealousy which Letitia was cjuick to lote. Letitia had a new dress for these balls, and new ball-dress was by no means an every- day event in Alberta. She was far too jjretty md i>oi)ular for Neville to have a chance of ipprojjriating her on these occasions, and he dso had his own social duties to attend to. 'he Roys were not the only people from whom ie had received hospitality. Nevertheless, i^n )ne way or another, Neville and Letitia were luch together during that last month. Mrs. Loy relaxed her tliscipline and permitted the pung people, with Edgar and James as an pscort, to enjoy extended rides through the ^voods. She was also persuaded to consent to moonlight excursion on the water, up the Inlet. On this last occasion Letitia's five bro- thers were considered to constitute a sufficient- ly strong body-guard, and Mrs. Roy, who had lo great liking for small boats, stayed at home. The sun was setting as they pushed out rom the low pier, but the rich sunset lights lingered long afterward above the dark, fir- :lad hills of the island. Very gradually they taded and merged themselves in the blue sky )verhead, which then grew darker and darker, intil the stars appeared, and the full moon kse majestically over the town. By that time [he Roys had almost reached the Narrows, diere the tide rushed with tremendous force )etween projecting rocks. The younger boys lanted to row through, and urged that the Current was with them. But Letitia protested. Kdgar was captain of the crew, and Neville let the lesson of obedience. As a compromi.se |he boys were allowed to lind and scramble )ver the rocks. Edgar undertook to stay wth [lie boat, so Letitia and Neville presently, at pdgar's suggestion, also climbed up the rocks, md strolled through the woods to a point that k-as celebrated for the beauty of the view it pommanded. How could a pair of lovers fail to be moved )y the influences of the hour ? The pine- woods ^ere dark, and the trail was narrow and tangled li'ith briers. It was impossible to walk side by |ide, and therefore it was difficult to talk. Often le lapping of the water on the shore, and the Crunching of cones under their feet, were the only sounds that disturbed the stillness of the evening. In the distance the boys' voices could now and then be heard, and occasionally there was the splash of l-'.dgar's oar on the water as he drifted jiatiently ba< kward and forward. Letitia led the way, for she knew which trail to follow; but Neville was only half a pace be- hind her, near enough to pull aside the boughs or to hold down the straggling brambles that im])edeil her course. Sometimes a ray of moon- light pierced the heavy, somber pine-bramhes overhead, and fell for a moment on her fair neck; sometimes it touched the soft rings of hair that clustered round her ears ; and some- times, when she half turned toward him, Neville was able o look for a moment into her hazel eyes. They were scarcely conscious how trivial were the remarks they made to each other. For the instant the senses were dominant. Suddenly the path led them out of the woods on to the high bluff which Letitia had been trying to gain. Below them, and stretching as far as they could see to the right and the left, the deep waters of the inlet glimmered and gleamed in the moonlight. On the opposite shore an arbutus-tree distinctly i)rojected itself from the pine-wood, and threw a weird shadow on the rocks. Letida lifted her face to Neville to call his attention to it, and the next moment Neville's arm was round her wai.st and his lips were pressed to hers. The moonlight, which beautified everything on which it fell, beautified LeUtia's features, and Neville yielded to an ir- resistible impulse. Letitia's ecpially irresistible impulse was to draw back, in shyness or in iright, and she followed the impulse even while her first surprise gave way to rapturous hap- piness. There was no longer any doubt that Neville felt even as she did. She half turned as she reached the edge of the woods to listen to the words that must come now without de- lay. Alas 1 the boys' voices were coming nearer and nearer. As for Neville, he was filled with dismay. What e.vcuse could he offer for his nad conduct ? " Forgive me," he murmured as he rapidly followed her. Letitia gave him her hand in reply, and he raised it to his lips. The boys' voices sounde'i harsh and shrill in the silence of the evening. Neville scarcely knew whether he was glad or sorry that they were so near. He managed to recover himself before the boys themselves appeared^ and to withdraw their attendon from Lotitia^he plied them with question after question, to all of which they had eager ♦answers to give, besides much extra information to impart. In spite of the narrow ])ath, Neville managed, in the dark- ness, to retain Letitia's hand until they reached the boat. 940 SOME PASSAGES IN THE HI STONY OF LET/T/A HOY. S( V. Unkdrtunatki.y marriaf^e did not present itself to Neville's imagination as the simple, easily arranged afilair which Letitia'sex]>erience had laiight her to regard it ; and in the events that followed the momentary betrayal of his feelings she was scarcely able to judge Ne- ville's jjosition fairly, and to do him justice. Neville belonged to a wealthy English family. How could Letitia know tha;, personally, he was far less indejjendent th:m the son of an ar- tisan ? He had no means of liis own, and he had been brought up in the belief that to marry u|)on his lieutenant's pay was an impossibility. Hitherto, in fact, marriage had not entered into his calculations. He had been quite willing to contemplate it only at that probably distant pe- riod when he would either receive an adecjuate allowance from his father or inherit u jjortion of his father's wealth. Hut the cjuestion of mar- riage necessarily forced itself upon him after that scene on the bluff. As a gentleman he had his code of honor, which he could not infringe without a painful forfeiture of self- respect. Much depended upon whether Le- titia had taken him seriously. Did she not, possibly, realize, as he did, the ditiferent bear- ings of the situation, and understand that they must give each other up, that the avowal of love was the signal for farewell ? Yet Letitia was a charming girl. Had he only himself to ])lease, how easily and pleasantly the matter could be settled ! ]'ut what would his mother say to the match ? Lady C'aroline Neville and Mrs. Roy ! What would happen if he wrote home and announced his engagement to the daughter of an Alberta tradesman (for so they would class Mr. Roy, regardless of mitigating circumstances) ? 'I'hreats and entreaties might l)Our in alternately by every mail ; or there might be .a cool shrug of the shoulder and an intimation that he could, of course, do as he ])leased, but that he need expect neither help nor countenance from his people. It occurred to him to throw up his profession, and to trust to Mr. Roy to put him in the way of earning an income. But that idea was quickly dismissed. It would be intolerable. For a moment, how- ever, he envied Edgar Roy, who could marry when and whom he pleased. These thoughts tossed through Neville's mind for twenty- four hours; but the habits and traditions of his family could not longer be set aside. At the end of twenty-four hours they began to reassert themselves, and he had at last to own their dominant influence. An ofifhand invitation to join a shooting-party that was given at this crisis was accepted with alacrity, since, at least, it deferred decision. A few brace of grouse, sent with a note to Mrs. Roy, would explain his movements, and Letitia, if she were a sensible girl, would draw her own inferences. Letitia, unfortunately, had not that experience of Old World civilization whi( h would have given her the clue to the comprehension of Ne- ville's fettered condition. For her his hiss was the ilefinite avowal of love. Words would fol- low as a matter of course. Her dreamy ecstasy betrayed her to the (|uick eyes of her mother, and Mrs. Roy, ])artly because she would not allow herself to (piestion her daughter, was in n greater flutter of agitation than Letitia. The future had revealed itself; and how ftiir it was ! thought Letitia, as she looked from her bedroom window upon the pure-white range of the Olympians. She recalled Neville's words the first time she met him : The island-valley of Avilion, Wl'crc falls not hail, or rain, or any snow, Nor ever wind blows loudly. In such a sheltered valley would their lives be spent. In shy hapjnness Letitia kept close to her mother's side the whole of that first day. Ne- ville might appear at any moment, and she was timid at the thought of meeting him alone af- ter their mutual confession on the bluft's. The second day, however, she was sure he would come, and the delay had given her courage to put on her prettiest gown. She even stepped more than once to the veranda, which com- manded a long stretch of the road. The third day she began to grow impatient and just slightly anxious. Neville's truth was beyond question, but had she, perhaps, repelled him ? She had certainly withdrawn from his embrace. She had been glad of the presence of the boys. In the boat she had been separated from him. Did he, could he, think that she was indiffer- ent ? How easily she could dispel such an idea if she could only see him; but until then — " Your manners are just a trifle too reserved, Letitia," Mrs. Roy took occasion to say during the course of the morning, when she and Le- titia were looking over the household linen to- gether. She felt that some such hint at this crisis might do gfiod, for to her, too, had oc- curred the thought that Letitia migut uncon- sciously have snubbed Neville. Letitia was now convinced that she had been in fault, and she sighed for an opportunity to repair her er- ror. In the evening Edgar remarked casually that he had met Neville. " He wa.s in a great hurry. He was off to Quamichau with Go wan and Tyldesly. ^ 'he just stopped me to say that he htpeo ' .nd you a bag cf game." In a few days the game arrivci, r quitrler of venison and three brace of grouse — " \i ;lh Mr. Charles Neville's compliments." He had ri longer, as rewardi 'ho met hii t their fath )nger avoi< osely kee|) le ilay of h ,elitia's wa mple and 3 come to lem, she W( •as a darii eived, was lut. The n( very inno( ^Ieville,"in^ oncluded 1 incerely" o ance of th message f she said tl lee him, am ihe feared t injoyed thi It home as Letitia e> )erson, and .■elop, in hi: ng to her cl remble. M ulgar, who iffice and v ;elling him ind nails at asten up si lown by th ler in a wh eft alone to t began. "'. I was of c ind I regret loon. I am lave dctaini occur to me I have been For the voya more than I leave. Letitia v second tin mean ? H ville really with eyes ( mistaken ? She was tc She folded in the enve ?oy. itia, ifshe were wn inferences, lat experience li would have liensionoCNe- er liis kiss was rds would fol- jf her mother, ihe would not 1 Letitia. and how fair e-white range leville's words "•'^~""'fT1 UflJ^t^ Tsn: -^^RJ^ SOMIC PASSAGES IN THE HISTORY OF LETJTIA ROY. 941 He had returned then. Hecoulddelay a visit o longer. Letitia waited for him at home, and as rewarded by hearing of him from the boys, rho met him frequently about the streets and t their fatiier's store. I.etitia could, at last, no )nger avoitl the « onclusion that he was i)ur- osely keeping away from the cottage. And reamy ecstasy ^e day of his rieparture was fast ajjproaching. ,elitia's way out of the difticulty was a very mple and straightforward one. If be feared ugiiter, was in come to her after what had passeu i)etween lem, she would write and ask him to come. It as a daring thought, but, when once con- okeil from her eived, was i)romplly and courageously carried ut. The note, when it was finally written, was I very innocent one. She wrote, " My dear Mr. sfeville,"insteadof"l)ear Mr. Neville,"andshe :onclu(led by adding "always" to the "yours incerely " of the first rough draft. The signifi- :ance of the note 'r- 1 the fact that it was I message from her, and not front her mother, he said tl she had been hoping each day to ;ee him, and had not gone out much because ihe feared to mi.ss him. She was glad he had ;njoyetl the shooting, and they would all be It home as usual on Sunday afternoon. Letitia expected the answer to be given in )erson, and the sight of" Miss Roy" on an en- •elop, in his handwriting, sent the blood rush- ng to her cheeks and even caused her limbs to evc^n stepped remble. Mrs. Roy checked all remark from •idgar, who brought the letter from the post- iffice and was inclined to chaff his sister, by lent and just elling him she wanted him to bring a hammer was beyond find nails at once to the chicken-house and to asten up .some netting that had been blown lown by the wind. She carried him off with Avilion, any snow, their lives be close to her irst day. Ne- t, and she was him alone af- le bluffs. The Lire he would er courage to epelled him ? I his embrace. ^ ^}}^^ boys, ler in a whirlwind of words, and Letitia was eft alone to open her letter. " Dear Miss Roy," was mditter- It began. "Not wj' dear," noted Leutia, swiftly. ! such an idea ntil then — I was of course pleased to receive your letter, too reserved, ind 1 regret a precngagement for Sunday after- to .say during noon. 1 am sorry, too, that I should inadvertently she antl Le- ^''*^''-' detained you so much at home. It did not accur to me that you might be expecdng me, and I have been unusually busy with the preparations For the voyage. I need not say that I hope to call more than once upon Mrs. Roy and you before I leave. I am very truly yours, Charles Nevillb. lold linen to- hint at this too, had oc- nigi.t uncon- Letitia was I in fault, and epair her er- ked casually e was off to lesly. ^ ! he pec .^ .nd 'juarler use — • ts." Letitia was stunned. She read the letter a second time and then a third. What did it mean ? Had she been dreaming ? Had Ne- ville really kissed her ? Had he looked at her with eyes of love, or had she been altogether mistaken? Thought, just then, was impossible. She was too much stunnod even to feel pain. She folded the letter very carefully, replaced it in the envelop, and put it into her pocket. She tried to recall what she was doing when Kd- gar gave it to her. Her knitting lay on the table, and she mechanically took it up for a few minutes. 'Ihcn she remembered that her mother and Kdgar had gone to the poultry- yard, and she went out to them. Anything was better than the memories which began, like lightning-flashes, to dart through her mind. VI. Love is said to be stronger than pride. If so, it must be the tried and faithful love of years, and not tne ti.. that is kindled by mutual admiration, and v rished to maturity by pleasure, but has not hid time allowed it to strike deej) root into tl.e heart. Letitia's love for Neville was str r ||led a. .lost at its birth, or she believed thai ii was. She cjidd no longer think of him with any self-respect. His image w.;s broken. He wasi 'eniificd with the keen- est humiliation she had known, and she in.sisted to herself, whatever the truth may have been, that he no longer had any place in her heart. She counted the days until the departur,- of the Stronghold, but it was to rejoice, with nevci- theless a fierce pang of despairin[' •■egret for what might have been, as one day after another passed, now only too slowly, away. Every af- ternoon she found an errand that took her out for some hours; and so it came about that she missed Neville both times that he called at the cottage. Mrs. Roy gave her his message of re- gret without comment. The smile that Letitia .summoned was the wan ghost of the past. The curves of her full lips, the dimples, the small white teeth, were there, but the bright spirit that illumined them had fled. If Letitia denied her love, Neville was under no such delusion with regard to his own feel- ings. They grew in alarming strength after he had despatched his letter, which he had sent oft" in momentary petulance at being called to account. His British independence resented the slightest hint of capture. But his temper quickly changed, and more than once he was tempted to recall his note. However, he had deliberately cut himself loose from the chains which had threatened to bind him, and what was done could not, he knew, be undone. For- tunately for his \)t:.zt of mind, his judgment still fortified him whenever he reflected dispas- sionately upon the whole affair. But there were moments when so to reflect was impos- sible, and then the barrier he had put between himself and Letitia was his only safeguard. He dared not trust himself,to say farewell to her in words, but neither could he leave Alberta without looking upon her face once more, that face that had been so passionately kissed when last he had seen it. BSS OB 942 SOME P.iSAGES IN THE HISTORY OF LETITIA ROY. The Strotig/iold was, to sail early on Monday morning. On the Sunday evening Neville easily found a seat in a comer of the church which commanded a view of the Roys' pew. The church was only dimly lighted by lamps, and the light they shed was concentrated on the nave and chancel. Letitia's seat was within the limits of their rays, so that her face was plainly visible to Neville, who, in another aisle, was concealed by the shadow of intervening pillars. Letitia sat between her father and Edgar. The mother had, as usual, stayed at home with the younger boys. Neville fancied that she looked pale, but his heart assured him that she had never, at any rate, looked more beautiful. When the service was over she turned to greet a friend, and, as he watched her lips part over her white teeth, and the delicate dimples that lurked round the corners of her mouth develop themselves one by one, he felt that he could give all for love and count the world well lost. But the impulse passed. Outside, in the friendly darkness of the night, he found an opportunity of softly touching her dress. Then he went quickly back to the church, where the man in charge was putting out the Hghts, and sought for Letitia's prayer-book. He read her name, " Letitia Roy," on the title-page, and the book was in his pocket when he hastened to join his ship. No one, except perhaps her mother, quite understood Letitia the following winter. Once or twice a week she would go off to bed with a nervous headache, declaring that she could not stand the noise the boys made. There were songs .she could not be persuaded to sing. In- deed, she scarcely touched the piano ; and the sketches she had taken such pains with in the summer were tossed into the fire as worthless. On the other hand, she developed a passion for plain needlework, bending for hours over long seams. " No wonder you have headaches," ex- claimed Edgar, one night, when she had refused to go out with him. " Mother, tell her to put that work away." Letitia threw it down, and burst into tears. " Cannot you leave me alone ! " she cried. Mrs. Roy picked it up and folded it neatly when Letitia had left the room, and explained to Edgar that his sister was not very well, and that he had better take no notice of her. But in a few minutes Letitia returned with her hat and cloak and declared that she was ready to go out. Ec'.gar stared, but he put on his hat and overcoat without a word. In after years Letitia hated to look back upon that winter. She plunged recklessly into all the gaiety of the little town, and, to the surprise of every one, she even engaged in a pronounced flirtation with Tom Rickaby, th wildest young fellow in the place, and after ward refused him with some ostentation. Sh threw over a friend of Edgar's with more com punction,and even with a little hesitation. In deed, she did not give him a decisive answe until after it was known that the S/rong/ioUwa^QQ devotic Si Uowed th ossible. T lifetime \ lith. But! espondent lore she n ordered home to England, and would not retun to Alberta in the spring ; so that although sh was blamed by many people for having en jrthbcthe irothers. . o develop hey might erized her rew such a couraged him, she was acquitted of merel\ coquetting with him in the absence of Lieuten ant Neville, whose attentions, the previous sum mer, had not been unnoticed. Mrs. Roy saidfter old pur very Httle, but she planned effective measures )f taking 1 "John," she Said to her husband in the ^uch effort spring, when he was preparing to go to Europt [,ife was n to renew his summer stock, " you must takt lassion was Letitia with you " Letitia ! " said Mr. Roy, with some surJwoukl take prise. " I had thought of taking Edgar and in It was i troducing him to the firms we deal with. It is returned h time he took greater responsibility on himself" mother lau " Well, take them both," urged Mrs. Roy. jut nevertl " Do you really mean it ? Do you know ler plans, what it will cost ? " he asked, after a few min- ler blithe, utes' deliberation. " Why, > " I do mean it, John," said Mrs. Roy, with an vent away emphasis that her husband never disregarded. ;ver,' said " Letitia is not well. She needs a thoroughlint patron change, change of scene and change of thought We '1! manage to economize in some other way. but you let her and Edgar have a month inftvith London together, and, if possible, send them over to Paris for a week." Mr. Roy lifted his eyebrows and thrust out Jill her thoi his lips — signs of dawning comprehension. " Do yo " You 're bent on going it, madam," he said.fcelle ?" sa after a pause. " Well, I suppose you 've got Jier knee " You ca ares on >( a plaii school cl arly, and your reasons, and it must be as you say." VII. er greatest he je a ionel' itied." " You ai I shall h< " I shall I.etitia, ser Verv fe\ So it came about that Letitia not only went with Edgar to Paris, but, when he and his father returned to Alberta, she remained in England, and paid a long visit to her mother's relatives. She fell once more under the influ-fern towns, ia was th( hat Alber o much was consii ence of her maiden cunt, to whom she faith- fully promised to send dried specimens of all the-fenis and wild flowers that grew round Al- berta. The months that she spent with Miss Wingate gave her an opportunity of studying lor " Miss the usefulness and independerce of an old maid's life, and Letitia became so enamoured of it that, with a touch of her old enthusiasm, she at once planned out a somewhat similar career for herself. Away from Alberta her prideslowly recovered from the blow it had received, and she less reluctantly admitted her love for Ne- ville. As soon as that was granted it clearly ustom to It came to )laye(l abi or them tl liminutiv( nf her dau charmir he wooed wj^^g^aaBm. HOY. m Rickaby, th (lace, and after istentation. Sh( with more com t hesitation. In MiMMmi SOME PASSAGES IN THE HISTORY OF LETITIA ROY. 943 >llowed that marriage with another was im- ossible. Tliat love could come only once in lifetime was one of the dogmas of Letitia's lith. But she did not give way to despair and espondency because her day was past. The decisive answe lore she regarded the sublime serenities and J Stronghold wa: ee devotion to unselfish service which charac- srized her maiden aunt, the more attractive rew such a career for herself. She would hcncc- Drth be the stay of her parents, the guide of her would not retun lat although sh( for having en itted of merel) irothers. In order to be able to help the latter develop whatever musical and artistic tastes hey might possess, she forced herself to renew Mrs. Roy sair ler old pursuits, and unselfishly made a point ;ctive measures if taking lessons both in music and painting, lusband in tht juch efforts worked their own cure in time, to go to Europe Life was not to be barren. If an absorbing you must takt lassion was denied, a variety of minor interests night be consciously cultivated, which, in time, with some sur ftould take its i)lace. g Edgar and in It was in this exalted mood that Letitia deal with. It is returned home after a year's absence. Her lity on himself nother laughed at her wisdom and her ardor, ?ed Mrs. Roy. )ut nevertheless encouraged her to carry out Do you know ler plans. She was content to have recovered fter a few min- ler blithe, sunny- tempered daughter. " Why, you look younger than when you rs. R.oy, with an vent away, Letty, and you are prettier than er disregarded. ;ver," said Mrs. Whyte, with the not unpleas- ;ds a thorough mt patronage of an old frie.ul. inge of thought. " You can get out of t' e ruts. You have no ome other way. ;ares on >our shoulder,," said Mrs. Roberts, ive a month in vith a plaintive sigh. Mrs. Roberts had been ble, send them i school chum of Letitia. She had married :arly, and four young children now claimed and thrust out ill her thoughts and attention, nprehension. " Do you call this little woman a care, idam," he said. klle?"said Letitia, lifting her godchild to tse you 've got ler knee. " In a few years she will be the you say." greatest helj) and comfort to you, and I shall 3e a lonely old maid. I am the one to be litied." "You an old maid!" said Belle, derisively, not only went ' I shall believe it when I see it." en he and his; " I shall be twenty-fi.e next birthday," said e remained in! Letitia, seriously. to her mother'.s Very few old maids .- re to be found in west- nder the influ- srn towns, and it was, perhaps, because Leti- lom she faith- tia was the nearest appj'oacb to the real thing ecimens of all that Alberta possessed that, as years went on, ;rew round Al- so much attention was paid her. No party )ent with Miss was considered complete without Miss Roy, ty of studying '■ or " Miss Letty," as it gradually became the 'ce of an old , custom to c" 11 her. As the boys marned, and • enamoured of it came to pass that little children once more nthusiasm, .she jlayed about the cottage, Mrs. Roy tolerated similar career "or them the use of the more ea.sily pronounced er pride slowly iliminutive ; but she herself continued to speak received, and , of her daughter as Letiha. In time she made r love for Ne- i charming chaperon. But chaperons may nted it clearly jjje wooed as well as girls ; and if, by degrees, the young fellows that she had known in pina- fores approached her as a friend and confidante in their love-afiairs, there still remained plenty of bachelors with whom Miss Letty was a favo- rite toast. As years went on, of course their ranks were thinned, and one by one they drojiped out of Letitia's circle. The ships, however, of the Pacific squadron, one or two of which were always stationed near Alberta, supplied men who temporarily filled their i)laces, and the interest attached to novelty competed pleasantly for her favor with old associations. But the time came — it was when Letitia was about thirty-five — when only one perma- nent admirer, so to speak, was left. In num- bers Letitia had found .safety. When all counteracting and disturbing influences were removed, she found herself defenseless and exposed to an obstinate attack. It was inferred by all that the day was not far distant when Letida would yield. Mr. Joseph Hobday was a man of substance, both materially and physically. He had come to the province as a contractor for the railway that was to unite the outlying Pacific province with the busy, prosperous cides of the East, and by successful enterprises and investments he had amassed a considerable fortune. He did not .seek to disguise his admiration for Miss Letty, and from the day of their first acquaintance he enrolled himself among her followers. He was not a man of manjv words. He loved his i)ipe, his glass of toddy, and his game of cribbage; but had Miss Letty de- manded the sacrifice, he would no doubt have been found willing to give up all three in exchange for her society. It was one of Le- titia's charms, however, that from her no such exactions need be dreaded. It was only in the winter months that Mr. Hobday could pursue his courtship. In the summer he was camping with his engineers in the lonely recesses of the mountains. The news was scanty that penetrated the high valleys through which the iron rails were perseveringly mak- ing their way, and another man might have grown imjjatient of the solitude, fearing lest the prize he sought to gain would be snatched uj) in his absence. Mr. Hobday, however, had a comfortable belief in himself. In the ])ast he had never hazarded his fcnune upon a single stroke of luck, or trusted to the Hash of genius. He had been content to wait, to ad- vance slowly, and to win his way by j^ersistent determination. When, again and again, after months of silence, he returned to Alberta and found Miss Letty still Miss Letty, it was only natural that he should still more hopefully ex- pect to appro|iriate to himself the comfort and charm of her constant companionship. Apa- thetic as he may have appeared to younger men, .•• n«i.it».wtiOT8«hr»ao(«'«'rK ■« f^BTFj 944 THE OCEAN POSTAL SERVICE. he really left nothing undone that might insure success; he delighted Letitia with the speci- mens of rare mountain-ferns that he brought her, and arranged carefully in a cabinet her valuable collection of various kinds of ore. When Mr. Hobday finally made up his mind that the time had come to give up his roving life and to establish himself in a settled home, Miss Letty's preference guided him in the se- lection of a few acres of choice land within convenient driving distance of Alberta ; and it was Miss Letty who was asked to criticize the architect's plans and to suggest improve- ments. The size of the house and its many conveniences in the shape of presses and cup boards — conveniences which Letitia declared ^ were absolutely necessary — made it evident to all that Mr. Hobday had no intention of being its sole occupant. Strange to say, it was on the very same bluff, overlooking the narrows of the inlet, where Letitia had long ago been kissed by Neville, that Mr. Hobday advanced the idea of a trip to San Francisco for the purpose of buying furniture. "And I 've come to depend so much on your taste, Letty," he said, " that you must not de- sert me now." M. E. Angus. V/A--> H,i(i- nA •v*. ■■■■»■ ov- «,jfcj!^^;>^;,V/'"-.-''*>^H-'^'; >l'- ■ '.^V\; "v ■ .-, •. *^,;-;;' jyv ' V ■ •-..;«"" :ion of being agr; ■^^■'^'^'•■^■jtf'^^--'''''^^''' '''^:K'- •■: '":-;- -a ■ ; r.:-r. ■ •^x-'fv '.■-'.." '. ry same bluff, inlet, where 1 by Neville, dea of a trip se of buying nucii on your \.' " , v t ; >,• -':£,'>.;'■'- v,v^ must not de- :;:--c''^v.,^.i^;^- ,/; ~^-i:-\ i; f.?* '^.'.,^'^*>-;v;:; '■ '.-v.-'^; j-fH ■ ' "... -:.S; -:-■^-. ,.■■',. ■•,. -.J. ^'^m. ' f'. "^ t^. 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