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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe New Era, 1884-09-26, Page 2ossimmiessmommissawlstseemeoutem; 5ept Q6 1884 • et TEES Dooll author ot °tinily Bawl, 4' The Baby," miry Fairy Looms' eta, en. "Really, yea, it is very dietressing,". ohimels In Dora, from the depth a of the large arm.chair, in which her enfall figure is almoat lost; she speedo se zI behooves a pretty baroness to speak, who now for the lint time is made aware of the grosser habits of the lower °lasso. Her tone is perfect -having just the correct anutunt of memo sod dieapproval-no tuore. "And yet that woman always used to strike me as being such a very properly conducted sort of person," "Don't be so hard on her, Harry," say I, "Remember she has known me all my life, and has had the °area me ever since I was an infant. She loves me; do not ons demn her for that love. "1 was wroug, of course," coafessee Harriet, remoreetully. "Buell attachment, being rare, should be considered beautiful. I apologize to you, Martha. But 1 was thinking, net of her, darling, but of you. 1, did, se dread see weguld excite you bler- much, ,dread to-morrow will be each a trying day. Now, lie back again, dear, and keep silence while we ohat to It is still the morning of toy mama wed- ding day, though a few minutes ohne I heard some olook chime the quarter to twelve. Habited in the darkest gown my wardrobe can produce, I go downstairs slowly, as in a dream, to the drawing -room, where I find them all assembled before me. They all glanee at me as I enter, and seem relieved on perceiving the total lack of nervousness exhibited by my fea- tures. Indeed, it occurs even to myself that I am the only on proem thoroughly unimptessed. Mannaduke is looking pale but ompolied. Gauge Ashurst taintully anxious; but that le only what might be expeoted of him. The others are all more or less evi- dently desirous of getting over it in a burly, and appearing at their ease, in which they fail. The .priest, a stranger to me, seems optima Bebe comes forward, taking my hand, leads me before the impromptu altar. Marmaduke steps to my side, and his old. aollege ohum commences the service. I have obstinately refused to be re -married by the vioar at home. Bebe dexterously &tan off the wedding ring -that has never yet left my finger since it was first plaoed there - and thoughtfully hands it to 'Duke. With a shudder he flings it from him into the glowing fire, where it vanishes forever with a faint tinkling noise, "Not that," he mutters, in a low tone and brings out a new one from hie pocket. In a elearoroioe,utterly devoid of emotion, I answer all the response& Marmaduke's voice shakes a good deal, and I turwand look at him surprised. He has had my bind in a warm, close deep from the moment the prayer -book was opened, and now, too, I notion how he trembles as for the second time he binds me to hint with the little golden emblem of eternity. - Although their voices reaoh my outward ears, although I myself say what is required of me with perfectcalmness, I cm not really hear or heed 'one word of the cere- mony. Thoughts, frivoloiiis and unworthy of the solemnity of the omission, flit through my brain. I cannot fix my atten- tion on any one thing. I feel no desire te do so. I wonder vaguely whether, were a widow going to be married again, she would feel as indifferent as I do; then I recollect. how, in her ease, tbe bridegroont at least would be a new feature, whioh would, without doubt, add a little zest to the affair. - How pretty Dora is looking in that navy blue silk and coshmere costume -wonder- fully pretty and timid! but theft everta thing always did become Dora. How nervous that good George appears, and how ridiculously red! Why, he might• almost be painted. Oh 1 I have ordered no wedding break- fast. Only fancy 1 a wedding without a wedding breakfast ! How could I have been so remiss? They will all think me ter- ribly stupid. I almost confess aloud this negligence on my part, so little do I heed the sacred words that are felling on the air; but fortunately some still remaining sense of propriety restrains me. The service is nearly at an end; once more Marmakuke Carrington and I are matt and wife. It only waits for the few last sentencee to be read. Looking up, I catch Bebe's eyes.:Why are they so wet And howlarge they are -how large 1 -why do they grow,and gleam, and burn into mine, like -alike, Ah • I wrenoh my hand from Marmaduke, and, turning towards George Ashurst, fling up my arms BOD3ewhat wildly. "Save -save me 1" I gasp. In another moment he has °alight me, and I am lying senseless on his breast. When I come to myself, I find them all around -me, though West urthsbdhdatJ a little distance from the sofa. The Etrange clergyman bas vanished -no doubt horn-. fled. at such unorthodox behavior: . Marmaduke, with folded arms, is sta- tioned rather apart from the others, biting his lips, and making a violent effort to con -- col his fear•and emotion. "Are you better, darling ?" asks Babe; whose arm is under my head, while Dora, eupplied with a smelling -bottle, leans over me at the other aide -the very sweetest. pioture of misery. " I am," I return, feebly ; " I don't know what made me so foolish. I did not feel nervous; but I was unlike myself all the morning." "Poor child I" says Harriet, and down come Dora's tiny fingers, wet with eatade- cologne, upon my forehead. "1 shall be all right in 11 minute or two," I go on, smithy as I regain strength. "It was too bad of me to frighten you all eo muoh. In tho middle of it, I suddenly reoolleotefi I had forgotten 'to order you any breakfast, and the horror of the thought must have been too muoh for me, / grow nervous and fanciful in my old age, But I am all right again MM." The day wears on; my wedding guests have had their lunch, and are now in the drawing -room, bidding me farewell before starting for the traito_thatahato_bearthera away from the newly married couple. How strange, how difficult to comprehend, it all appears I Dora kisses me with it good 'deal more than her ueual warmth. or onoe, her pretty show of sympathy is quite sincere, I think at this moment, seeing me so siok and languid, and devoid et all the old unro. strainable joyousneeta, she, for the first time, altogether forgives me my misdoingo, George kisses me, too, heartily, and mur- murs a few confined congratulators' worde. Even to his thick brain it haslieoome apparent how 'strangely apathetic) ahlindifs ferent is the bride. " The oontinent is the aloe for rota Phyllis," he says; any one dart see that with hell an eye, Gat Carrington to bake you there withoutaleley." I emile faintly, rot mare no rejoinder.. "Good-bye darling," whispers my Bebe, stooping over on, and, rubbing her °book with a little purring Motion to mine: a, good mild, and let Marmaduke pelt Too to his heorte content. Yot want an over- dose now, you have been so long alone." ea -length they are all gone,leming the house to tall back ipto its old Samoa and °elm. All, that is, except alarniadulte, who lingere purposely. • " There le no retteou he says, in answer to my inquiring look, "why all those people sbollici know so eoon tbe ternos on winch we lime Arranged to live, By de - groes it ella make itself losciwn.." I lie idly thinking, idly putting together in my tniud the etrauge story of my 13fe Ono, locating up, I machhis gaze intently fixed upon nom Twice, three times, I meet it, and then, greWing irritable through exhaostion and exciternent, I say, pet- tishly: "Why do you look at me eo ? I hate beirg stared at. One would Imagine I had more heads than one, ' Is my appeeranota BO very grotesque, Marniaduke?? "Wee I staring ?" he asks, absently, and drawing out his watch, examines it anx- iously, and tben commences a elow pro, menade up and dovirn the room. He appears distrait, impatient. His eyes are now turned towards the window that over- looks the avenue. Ili is as though he were -expeotant of some one's arrival. ' "It ,you are riot gong 'AMU thenext train ' I remark, snubbily,, "you have two iull hours to wait; therefore you need hardly calculate minutes so 130013. . That is the eighth time you have examined your •.watalo within the past .ton minutes," Cer- tainly I am not in the most amiable mood. 'I am not returning to London' :to- night," he says; calmly. "1. dare sayI owl get a bed at.tbat place in the village., ' . • "Barely, Considering this is your own - }muse, you need not throw. yOureelf on the mercy of the perish for a bed. Martha will Flee about a room for you. • ' e "Itis our house, not mine. I made. you a present of it When-eotnis time ago. However," quickly,. " it you invite me I shall gladly put up here." . . Turning his fa,oe to the window, and away from me; he goes oneapidly a- • "To tell you the.truth, Phyllis-, the chief reason for my •staying here now is Ibis: a meale.an 'appointment with air aa,mes . Smitbsoiato meet, me in this house at 4 o'olook, to -to take a look at you; and. tell Me, hie opinion -as to your state of health." - • •. . • • . • • "Sir jamas Smitlisonl" I .ory, angrily. -"Do yen mean to tell me you have brought a.dooter to torment mettnd make me &Leer - able? This is what loonies of . marrying you.. Oh, why. was I Ito weak as to give ie te your wishes? I won't see him -you may be sure of AM." • • . . "My dotting, be reasonable," with the humblest entreaty. • "Is will only be for a few minutes. 'Directly he sees yooatiti Wilt .know the. very thing that will set you up. again, "Theta is not, there cannot be, any- thing .seriously wrong with you: • Good advice iS alt you &Nina, Why -will you insist on -on---" - -. • • . „ ' "Dying," I put in flippantly.; "Why don't you say•it.? • I shan't go to my grave a moment sooner. through your mentioning the unpleasant word." ' .' . • ." You willeee him, Phyllis ?" ; .., • "Oh, if he •ici really °ming, I soppose 'I muet., But, I warn. you, J shall take no nasty ideal,politely. called tonics, and I, w411 not go abroad."' •' . . ' - ... o. In this atniable frame of mind I prepare myself to receive thegreat London doctor. As the servant neaten bins' into my nom, 'I rise to'bow,and ani muchrelieved at finding • myself in the 'presence Of a mall, bomely, jollyalookling little man, with none °tate signs of greatness about him. -- . • He examines my chest, and 'asks a ques- tion or two that would certainly suggest themeelvea to an idiot. Ile .thumpe Me here and pats:me: there, herns. and haws, and finally says Ivraut " tone." •• • - ' .. a And change of airs ma dear ilia: Car- :eingten. *little pleasure trip, now -just • a littleaun. tarotigh, all the -old' spots We know so welt --and then a *inter at Pao or even a degree: further south, is all that we Want, eh ?a . . . • -•.. • , - . ,.... .. o 'milt take your :tonics," I say, giving 10..130 ' far, "bub,".deterixtinately, ".I will not take change of air. I am happy :bore; I will not leave ita ' . .. •• "Mari. dear 1" 'ejaculated Sir James, soothingly,' -giving me .another tap ; "how peoale. differ IMeet 'young leabee, now, would do alnicist anothing for me, . if I would only oraetathern to Pao,. Such at lively:place,' my, dear Mrs. Carrington, so invigorating, eo gay; just the very thing for a woman so young, and, let 1110.add, BO vett, aliertniiig, as yourself. Noes pray do retionsiderat.". • I laugh, arid glance ab myself in an owe- filte.mitror. ,. A.white face, lean jewel large uonatural eyes, • and pallid lips' 'meet my -vievras.I am altogethermilovely. - , a "1 shall get . web .enough. here;" I say, obetteately. "You • may orcier .me every, nasty concoction' you can think of., and I - will promise to drink'and eat them all; but go from. Hazelton I Will not." • . • • . • " Well, well; we shall gee how you get .on," replies Sir Jameti, cajojingly, patting 'my hand.. ale - deals in pets and gentle reassuring nag, hat he . id aiaiiiiitiOld-maii and I feel some faint regret that he should, leave thinking me unremenables He dries leave me, however, presently and seeks. my ;husband, doubtless to pour into hie ears all the unailatable. things he is too gallant to. say to .me. . - No more is'ssidao heron the subasea I have evidently conquered, • Marmaduke returne to London, • takiiig a ,run down every now and then 10 Bee how I am getting On: lam not getting on at all. I am simply stationary, 'and ard 'no whit more 'beautiful to' behold theta • when first hie astonished eyes MI Upon me, now More than &month ago. • . I have wandered listlestly down by the sea. It ie a -dreary clay; taw, chill, UnstIM• merlike. 1 shiver vaguely as I' go, and Wish", the night would come to bring ea nearer hi a more congenial day: All around is mist, and cheerless damp. 'Gray; skyo gray earth, gray clouds that cover land and sea f. and .oh 1 gray ehadow lying on my heart, how gray art thou! . . I feel more than ordinarily depressed - and weary. The tide is' for out .; hardly a breath of wind disturbs the surface of the waters. Beating myeelfupon a at rook, 1 open my book and commence to read. .But my thoughts will not be controlled. Raising my eyes, I look seaward, and won- der at the great pale mita that spreadsititelf north and south. The horizon duke into the °eon, and veils of vapory sub. Mame are everywhere. • - -- I sigh, and turning dejectedly from the Unvarying scene before ine discsever Mar- maduke coming towards Inc panes she • sands. a What a review light 1" he Baye, with- out greeting of any kind and site doted • opal the pebbles at my feet, • , • I- att "Very," I answer, stupidly, and then begin to wonder Vaguely what has brought liim to -day from the busy town, and who haa betrayed Myfavorite hiding-14mM- . •Pneently, unconeciattely I Beth again, and barn my fade fton his. "What hilt ?'! Asks he, kindly, taffy my hand -..-not affeotionately, merely reas- suringly. "Telt ane the truth now, to day. Is it that you hate me ?a o, hardly, know," I return, wearily. " NO, it is not hatred, I think; it ie India forams," We rise, and pace eilently homewards. It ie the evening ot tbe same day. My depression of the morning bas vanithed, leaving a .spirit, of provocation in its place. I am, in the drawing -room, 'alleging idly in a low oushioped °hair, with Value, any pet _Faye, in my lap. I amuse myself and gratifo the wickednees within me, by pram tieing upon the Iceg-euffering animal suoh torments asdisturb without maddening her. 'Doke, under the impression that there ie a fire in the grate, ete,nde with his back to the fireplace, and stares at ma. "1 wieh, ' he remarks promptly, without premeditation, "you could be, induced to take Sir James' advice and seek change of air. This eclitary hole must *lave a bad effect upon your health." "1 have borne the 'Ribald° for eo many months that I dare say loan bear it again. Though, indeed," mitiohievously, "1 had compeey at times. I, could aotually.have boa married, had I so chosen." "What 1" says adarmadulte,___in ,./1 low One, flashing. "1 could have been married, had I so chosen," I repeat, with muck gusto. "Why do you look go surprised? 'I was free, was. I not? There was no reason, then, why I should not lieten to_ any man's proposeaa • "What do you mean, Phyllis?" sternly. " Jutt What I say. A friend of ours vvho is aware of the circumstances of our case, canoe here one day ana made me a hand- some offer of his head and what he is ,p.leatied to term his heart." •a Dia Gore•come down here to eee you ?" "Not so much for -that as to ask me to marry hirn." Tho 'scoundrel 1" says 'Duke, through his closed teeth. . "Why.should you call bim .tbeta _Om the contritro, there wits something goner-, ous in his with to bestow his name upon a woman situated as I was. • (No, uo, Pifine, yoar must n-ot. liok me. ' -Kiss me if -you-will, •but keeP your little tongue in its proper pato.) Few men would have done it, I fancy. • At 'all events, it onvinced me of the truth- and sincerity' of his affection •for • If you saw so many admirable points in his character, why did. you -let such a valuable °home of sooting them go by ?" he mite, bitterly. Ile ie white with anger ' by this time: I eee his emotion,bui, being fiendishly inoliaed: at the moment, know no remorse. "One does .do a foolish thing now and • again,a, I .reply,' calmly, curling Fitine's .silky nein the wrong way, to ber infinite. disgust. At ter tvarde, when it is too late, one repents." •"'Am I to,unaerstarid you repent of not having bound yourself for, life b that tinmitigoted villain?" * . •'I burst out toughing, . , • "Poor Sir Mark!' t ory. "A. scoun- drel! a villain! 'What neat Ile tried to do. the best he oeuld for me,and gets only abuse in return.. Do . I iepont not having Married him? Well,. no. • At .that toneal was not •paitioularly iri love 'with maul- mcniy ; Ibad- no lrisire to form new ties.' .New,. indeed--" 1, break off in pretended' confusion: My head 'bends itself a little on. one sides I. gaze • down censoiously into pifine's* lustroue eyes. ' • • • : •!' " Phyllier attys. my' husband, withour- prised indignation,' "whatever you may many' mean by your viordso I mum bet' that •for the future Ihrity hear no.noare of it ; ---a;" But here the hcirrible pain • in my Bide comes back to me with its osualnoute energy, and mischief fades from me.. s1. push Fifine from my laa, and half rise. . •" If you are going Ili be tragical," I say, I hope you will leave me. I °aro neituea for Sir. Mark Gore, nor any other man, as yottought to know. Oh, my side I" Igititp, prolong my hand. to •at, bed. becoming •oolarless., • . ••• a , .. Ma :breath. and voice. fail mo, , In moment,hie kind arms are mainlines My head falls helpless • on his shoulder, as though.' were a mere :child (arid. indeed I am little more in hie strong grata); now. sickneee has reduced Me). Hee/whet, me .to,a sota, aiod.does for me. all that can be. done, until the* 'first unbeatable auguishis , past. ,. Then., with•his arnatinder myhead, so as to raise we, tie sits waiting in talent wenhfulness until rest and ease zeturia, " You're not rid of me yet," I. whisper, ek in 'Aliso. Doritt leii6 with a faint mooaing smileoes I nob.ioe. the fear and misery • Woebegotie." . • • . • ••*. • "Suadealy he falls .onhitt limes beside my conch, though still supporting • ." I can't bear it any longer," says, passionately., Darling Ilarliegs why will you kill'yeurself? How oado I. w.atoh you dying:by inches?. Have pity for me, if you have none for .yourself, and save me frOm going tioad. • Phyllis, dearest," 'controlling himself by an effort, and trying io Speak more calmly, ."why can..yotvnotlookiipon- me as a cousin; or brother, or father and let .me take you abroad to some place where you' can get ohange,of aireald Beene, and where Imay at boot . be neat enough to protect • you ,and see that you motet for nothing 2" .4', My father," return a., with 1111 amused . laugh; tot compare yourself with, gape ; think of tne inhutioanleegthof hie nese. • I atitiatiftitla sitattaiiildatittadra • -The' atoilida simple as it has shown •itself, would.bardty accept ooti in that light. Ton grow younger every day.- It is wonderful hote little theagony of your -mind preys.upon your body, "• . , "Phyllis," regardless 'of this nook let. • nielake you to the .south Of Prance." • "Oh, why' °isn't I be let alone ?" I cry* • pettisaly. "Why • am •I a:the tormainted. 'every hour. Of the day? / hate dirty, for- • eign towns; and besides, I 'know all the journeys I could. lake would do me no good; but if I am to get no peaces until consent to leave the My pike that pions • me, I may as well do to at mom. I will go liack to Stratigemore." "You Mean it, darling?" catiticitiely, and withbut evinohig too much joy, lest in my pettishness I should repent and go back 61 my words.. • • . • • • ' •' Oh, yes;. why not? Rather than be perpetually told bow obstinate and self- willed and sullen I am, I would go to Tim- buc too, or Hong Kong, or any other cheerhil spot." • "You Would not try it warmer climate first ?" with hesitation. 'anti know Sir lames spoke of---" "No. I will go to Strongmen* or notthere. I havtailways had it fancy for it. Even long/lay ago -how talon a time in reality 1 aaathen atill,y,And 1 osed to go nett. ing and fishing thete,"Vre thought it the sweetest split on earth... I almost think it Bo still, Is it not odd that 1 should look With Muth kindhess :Upon • the scene of my greatest trouble ?" Hush I" with a shadder ; •a do not let Us think of it." "Why not? I often dd. ,It ROOMS very far away now. Sae had her grievance, too, poor soul 1" When will you nut 7" abrUptly. "Next week' Monday?" TO-toorrovva' with, decision, "The eciOner the better. /f I dream tlarWay," with cruel gayety, "blame yourself for it, and remember yens would have it so." a TO-Morrewo then," eftyri 'Deka with a, long eigb. A.0 a cross, the threshold :and enter tbe old hall at titrangemore, o great panionate• moth of unrestraintible rapture tows over me. Suddeu reoollectIone and emotions threaten to overpower we. I am at home, at rest, at last I With an inapoltive move- ment I pot my halal to my heart. Each well -remembered object sends out to ine a, thousand weloomee. With talent joy 1 greet them. Yet, compelled by the strange wilfulnese that Borrow and lonelioese have bred within me, 1 comae.' all this from Marmaduke, ane, returning the permits' ealutatione, with a cornett kind but subclued,' go slowly up the titans and. into my own room. The doors beyond are fluty wide. What win formerly 'Duke's dressing room is now transformed into a boudoir, while the apart. moot beyond that again is an exquisitely furnished. reception -room. • In the boudoir a emalffire burns, and though we may count ourselves now well into the bummer, still the bright flames. look warm and homelike, ad int/olio:aunty I Buena out ray • hands to their friendly warmth. A knook at the- door. Instead of calling out, "Come in," I go forward, arna, open- tng it, find myself face to face tvith my husband. " Ypu will not come down te dinner?" he ears; but his tone is a question -almost an entreaty, "No.1 return, ungratefully "1 am too tired. I shall be better alone." alio face expresses ditiappointmeot. , "1 am sure you are right," he sari, nom- ing away. "Try to 'rem mud forget your fatigue." The remnant of conscience I still retitio here smites one. "My rooms area° pretty," I•say, quickly; following him a step Or two; "they are very lovely. Was it all "yOur awn taste? It was sagood•oa you to do it for me." . "You are pleased 2" coloring. "1 fa,noied , you woula.like them changed." "It was more than good of you," I say again, remoreetulty. ." You think of every- thing, and I an alsvays ungrateful." • tallonsenee Get back.,yo_ur Q16 OPtrits, and. I shall be. richly rewarded." Then with a sudden, unexpected movenieet, are *MOM:us home, Phyllie," he saye, and bending, presses his lipe to mine. It is the very first caress he has offered me since our second marriage; and now it is the lightest, fleeteat thing conceivable. Confused and puzzled, I tore back into my room, with a Herniation that is almost fear at my heart. What a cold, unloving kiss! A mere teaching of the lips, without warmth or layering pressure. Wbat if he bas coded to love me? ' We toil ,through pain and wrong. We fight, and fly ; We love, we lose, and then, erelong, • . Stone dead we lie. , • 0 lire I is all thy song • ,. Etidure—and die? The sorrowful, despairing .words repeat theinselyee . over and over again in ray brain. They fascinate and yet`repel me. Way must tue wretchedness of this world tot heavily overbalance the good ' : • • I fling theisinall 'volume from me with tomo. impatienee' as Marmaduke times in. • Ete has been titudiously: cold to noe of late; inaeed, he hes shown an open and marked avoidance of my coMpanysalt has at times forced itself upon me that be bitterly repents his haety •pereietence at Efazelton, and would now gladly sever the tie that binds us, wen thaapossible. -.At thie moment he is looking bOred and entage to the hist degree, is he goes to one of the windows, and etands idly gazieg,out over the park and woodlands,. NOt mice, as he crosses the room ,do his eyes fall upon me. • • , • And yet surely 1.am now better worth • regarding than in those first days at Hazel- ton, when he appeared so anxious to make 'me his own. It ia the latter end of July, atarm, sultry, glorious July, and I am,once more the Phyllis Of old. My cheeks are • round and soft and childlike as of yore, my eyes are bright and ' clear and have lost ;their unnatural largeness, my 'figure has regained its original healthy elasticity ;yet Marmaduke heeds me not.' • Suddenly, with some abruatnees, and without turning to look at me, he days• : • "Dont you think mtwould bean immove, ment to ask some people down here, ish It might make tninge more tateerftil for yen, .Just tbe old lot, you know." • So at last he has made an open confes- sion of the dulness that 1 feel sure has-been 00M311D1113 him; he has discovered that a very little of my sopiety, taken singly, would go a long way. --Well, I tea will let 'kite see bow gladly I shoal welcome strangers to our hearth. • o I um se glad you mentioned it," I say, briskly.; " I hove been :wishing of latio for some break-in on our monotony. Harriet • and Bebe will come; I feel, sure, and, qh I poor•little Chipes I had forgotten that heis. •at ptesent broiling' in India; but Chabdos will- not refuse, I think; and Blanche Going, and air Mark Gore." Theo latter aLeallwita sornesinnoteint .malice. • _ it Sir Merit Gore is in Norway," replies aDalieoitiftly. ' • . • "Indeed I Then 'we must put up with Ilia loss. Blot Mauch° Going-wh•ere is •he.2". "Probably in Jamaica, foi allot knOW, or care," unatuntaly. •• •• "Wirt B.13 answer I -Poor Elamite if •aboacould only hear' you You should remember, 'Duke, that flippancy, though excusable in a woman, is simply"brutal in a man. Solitude disagrees with you; you grow downright rude." " If I was rutle, I apologize," returns he, arelessly. Then, having whistled straight • through his favorite air most eucceesfully, aud wound Up with an , elaborate flouriala • be walks through the open window ou to • the beloony outside. ' . • • "-Very good; oak them all as soon as • you like," he says, overhis ehotilder with • a languid nod ; "and go for a -stroll ; the day its too flue to mind indooreat ' "1 was going to'beg an invitation if I did not !we've it," opt flarriet, a week later, as she returns my Ouse of welcome. a' I was growing very uneasy about you. Bet," • tapping my cheek, "1 might have spared myself any worry on the subject of your health, as you are looking paovokiagiy wineoB lrlee2' b te roduble than am worth, whereupon eclaree I ban calmed theta all I take her in outitody and march her uptake e.t.a run her into her bedroom. Just before dinner Chanties anima, }lev- ity been driven over from a countrtattouse soros'. miler( distant, where he has beet 6t'libileg.greete bins with it light laugh thee) has pothole .it ' ot netvouettess or sup- pressed pluaeure. It is purely indiffeteut. Pm the inoineat I feel , puzzled am thew pointed. • - " Strangemore BOOMS to aois our estab- lished meeting -ground after long abeenceiaa she says, giving him her bend. "Let mo congratulate you onhaving emaped cholera, • and lawless tribes; in the East.". "1 have Maly bon a week in PIngland tamer any return," replies he, ceretrioni. ously, paha hate been kept pretty busy all thea tiro, or I would hey° allowed myself the pleaeure of railing upon you and Mrs, • Beata= tad ,not know -you were again staying with Lady Hando0ok2" "Ob, tiered cannot do without me nowt" ato Bebe, With it littte saucy gland° Cel • “n. at Harry, who mono and shakes her head. "She final me invaluable." How intieitely obliged your mother Intuit be to Lady Hemlock 1" aitte Olatu- dos, mischievouely. "For 'Wittig we cif her halide? 4h! SO whet comes of associating with bar ba• rums.' retorta Bebe, with a Way. Ytt, with ell their badinage tom apparent unetnicent, I moo perceive an underoorrent of conetraine between then two, During au taw- first week, thiS torced gayety and cieteriniued forgetfulness of the sweet and hitter post continues -and then lane away. tolteime and avoidance teals their place, and in Comets opecially I notice is din - tent avoidance of all convene bordering OLI a gete-a-tetet am beginning to deepen of any good reeult erbong from that ;second bringing together of theca iu my house, when one evonieg shoitly • bathe the termination of that" visit o something, a mere trifle, occurs, that le yet suftioietit to alter the tenor of Rion lives than one. It ia the 27th of August. Dinner is at an end, and, tired otostroiling the grounds and gardene-eo softly permwed by the to tit flowers- we three w000en pass into tite lighted cirawing-room, while Memo's - duke and Chandos linger outside on the "bah:lona lb finish their cigars. I let my &igen wander idly over the piano, and now and again hum today maw old air or ballad. • "Bebe, sing somethingtor US to -night," 1, pay coaxingly, rising from the aianoastool, She is not fond of Mang us hear•her per. fectly b'eautiful 4uythiug youlike yohnelf ; only sing." • %4 Don't ask ane," she sobje.ots, languidly. "1110 so long mime I have sung that I scarcely know any song correctly. Harriet wailtelt you I rarely at . ever toiroh the piano," 0' Bob• you must," I- persist. "Break down if you will, only let me hear your VOioe. Remember there are no ungener- ous MOMS hare, • and nobodye singing. pleases me BO Mdoh Ws yours:" "Do, Miss Binttoun," says some one. It•is Chandos. He and Marmaduke have soorne in througn the open window, and are , now standing in its embrasure, framed iu • by the banging comities on either side. • • The tone of his voice strikes me as being odd, lie ie looking eagerly, fixedly- at her ; willehe refuse ttiia . (sudden, unexpected request a ids? Coming after hie late cold - nese it surprises even me. Bebe raises to his a face smiling, but pale. 'Well, yes, I will oily you something," she says, and taking my place, strikes it few lingering ohordB. • "1• have DO mosio with meta'. the oon- • tinues, with her face turned from tut, " sca you'must be eatiefied with whatever comes firet to me." Then she begins: . Along the grassewe'et alp are blown •' Our way, tills day in spring; Of all the songs that we have known _Now which one shall we -sing? ' aotothat„ my love, alai no; • Not this? my love.? why so? • Yet both Nate Ours, yet,hours willarne and The branches orossabove our'eyes; The skies are in a not, • • And what's the thing beneath the skies We two would most forget? , Not.birth, my love, 320, no, •' - - ' Not death, my love A°, not • The love.onse ours; but ours long hours ago. 'As she comes to the last line, cs curious, • wild sadness, that is almost despair, min- gles with the petulant defiaMe that has 'hitherto obaraoterieed her tone. • And the mud°, where has she got it ?-so weird; so ,patibetio, go full of passionate reeklesenese. • I -When she as finished we are silent. I feel horribly inclined to ory, yet warmly know why, and ani certain Marmadukea eyes are "'fattened upon me. ' • • •. • (To be continued.) ' • • ALWhale's Advpture• • • Mr. R. Kendal, lahairman of , the West' Coatt of America, Telegraph Crimaanyscon- tributes the following story to it Loden paper: " As a matter of ourioeity ,and unique experience in connection with, the waiting of submarine telegraph cables, beg leave to hand you some extracts frdm tbe letters from our manager on the West • coast of Sella' Ametice, and also from the captain of' our cable -repairing steamer. 'Mee -extracts go to thew that not only is at bad for it whale to attack a cable, hut so perfect have the appliances for the repair of cables now become Moat no matter where or in what depth of water, they may • be broken ttiey can elmoet always be repaired est surely and as quickly in milt:mean ite a hone can be shod in a blacksmith's shop., judging from the extracts it *mild seem that theawhale voluntarily attacked the *cable, and, having had alree fightwith it, paid for his temeiity with his life, foe he was held prisoner or seven days end then mangled unto . • loth. • The, captain 91 our repaitag steamer writes: Having piceed up ttventy-one knobs of cable, and • while continuing picking up, an 1131131013SO whale came up to tbe bows entaogled in the oble. It seemed. to be sheet seventy feet an length. • In ate' struggles to get frecathe cable out right inbo. its sine, the whole a its entrals coming °tot, and great streams of blood. In its loam • (Lyng struggle it parted the cable on the bow theavee and floated windward of the steamer. The cable wee twitted up in the forra, of a Wire rope for about two fathoms, and in fiee or eix places it had the apnearanoe of having been .bitten through euffiatiently .to stop all communication. There is no • doubt the whale has been tae oause of the interruption.' Oar manager also writest 'The cause of the breakage of the cable, as hap been pointed out to you in Captain Morton's report, was a huge whale whioh became etaangled in the turps of the °Ole, and was held prieoner for seven days; the interruption wits unfortunate, but it is at least staisfsotory to know that the cable did not give way naturally, and that where picked up the sheathing, yarn and core • were found to be itt an almost perfect state of Preservation airefett, looked as good as .on the day the cable was first laid.'" ENamidimg on Ocean Steamers. 4, Thomas Hughes (Tom Baran, of Rugby) Ib protesting against the practice of gam. bling otl ocean steamers. He says that the Cita of Rome, during its late rating°, was it veritable gambling den; it regular bee - carat bank woe established on DOSXcl, and play w,as kept up nearly all the way across. But this is not the first case to which these gambiny practicieti have been :brought to light. Not very long ago there was is on- datiou over the webbing 01 a regular black- leg, who had ekienea several paseengers �n She way from Liverpool. When the pas- eengete diecontea .that he really was a blackleg they oame near throwing him overboard. They did make hitt give up • boost of the money he had picked up tin the trip. He had been in the habilasaittUrnea out, est making many tripe in the course Of the travel season Mci ciapturity all the mob he could reach oh daoh, There are old' to be aboot a dozen register gatoblere who do the same thing, 1110 att much a bueitteeti 'with then to fleece the steamship 139438013. gen at poker sad other games in the whine eat it hail been with bunko etcetera to lie 10 wait for Adieu( along Broadway. There are 846 anthracite Militaries in Pennitylvabia., sarrista HE E evimuss. The Honer taatisermoecrimoserciat wattle. The depressed etette of Britith agriouls tura, says the Times, has aroused atteutioa to the importance ot bee culture in this 0012OtrY 118 a preatible and elevating employment for is:boring agriculturists. It . 14 thought MOSt desirable 10 their interests that the supply ot home -produced honey thould be largely increased and the Immo- :a.igt:uthoufail:etuz• fromtbecoonbtiette,gnrileatttri: Arnetioe-mose of whieh is. declared on adulterated - shoulci be correspondingly decreased. In one recent ,month the money value of imported honey into Great Britain was 43000; %Imre are few placein England where bees may not be aept with more or lees profit, and it ie noteven mammy that their owing should, have a garden -indeed, it .wmildrequire a very extensive garden . to be taiga enough at aU some to supply a tangle hive of bees with the. deemed . nectar f roan its flowers. Not only from our flower - beds do bees obtaintheir abundant stores, but from tau myriad blooms of our forest and fruit trees, the gay luxurianoo of the hedges and ehrubs, and the ,bloasorna ef our meadows and uplands. To the clergy- man and countcy gentleman tbe introdue- tion ot adverneet boo cloture ie advooted • as offering a teady mom of great's' .arciell- orating the calidition ot the rural popula- tion, eXperiOdee'Iavidg tesiglit that the hive t bee is the moetprofitabie live stook to which people can \ direot their attention, 'requiring art -exceeaingly emelt 'Deasy and. , a Very little expernilture of time. By pro- - per; rational management a hiVe Of lima may be made to return a profit in ordinary seasons ot from 100a10 600 per Cent. o11 their acteal cost and mill leave the stook intact for another year's work. Bee-keep- ing,has hitherto, and is now., in a 'great MAjority of oases; conduoted in Eugland on a mot cruel and wasteful* system. TO Obtain the stored up honey ignorant* knows no better moos than to smotherthe bees with brinistone and- destroy and strain the honeycombs, Thus the stook is reduced, the combs are deetroyed,and all the 'bees' lahcir in making.there ielost,-There is WM a great waste of mat !rata for a pound ot wax, .wertit about 2 shillings, cots the bees about twenty pounde of honey to make, . Again the honey is oontanoinoted • with all the dirt of the deesely-orowdel .poautationies.well as orushed,brood, ybung, bees, etc. Alt go into the strainer that \ • bulk may be increased, and not the least condemnable its •the inhumanity practiced • in .deettaying • the . industrious little 'creatures who have winked so hard for their, masters; : To supersede this remaant of the dere ages, there have been at various times designed and improved many him. and • appliances by lose of whioh perfect command oan alwaye be had ovet the bees . •and their dwellingvlace, affording faciaties for ,honey -gathering and removal 10 ite natural,pure and, wholesome state, with -- out injury to the bees. The best means by which thisis acoomatished-is by theuse of Ji frame hives" -i. e.; hives in which . the , beeS, instead of being allowed to fix their combs immovably to: the awalis of their dwellings, are forma 10 build the. combs on Movable • ftatioesa , the , . potation .and number of . winch • eon ba • varied at • the . will . of the - beemaeter, so that . he is 'enabledeit4r- to • increase • or : take away from the .number of bees in his hive, to. mace at once when siokneina Or hunger. iii immitieut, to . extract thd ". honey. without destroying theconobri whereby the predoptive power of tha- stook is. increased; .and, in .shorts to perform . numberleseloperetione whioh °out/only be •darte.with great diffimilty, or not a6 all, in the ollfaahioned straw • skep bee -hive..: Bees are etooa that anyone with sufficeenti ground to stand ta hive upon May keep. . Every one Weloomee the busy bee. To . it : we owe the.seourity of large crepe of. frilit • • ..liesideiLordSudeley's extensive fruit farm • in Gloucestershire 'there are many - biota -- and the beauty andiertility of our flowers are largely increased -by' its mom. It is T 'seamen& that thousands Of tons of honey . and wax are annually.wasted -in this coon ... try for want Of bete to 'gather them.. 'On . the continent of *trope, it need hardly be said, bee alubs are very numerous, and in. s' :the German. empire • they .meet with .' -especial encouragement from the • Govern- ' ment. 'The Britieh Beekeepers'- Associas . tion, •eetablishea in 1874, of Which the 'Baronees Burdett -Omuta is, President, ham, :- *Toyer, done :much, and is now doing .. more, toward the entiouragemeat, itatniona .. talent and advancement of bee culture, as - leen, as the exerciseof humanity, in the : treatmerit of the honey beam Lately, too, the: Rev. V. EL Moyle; . Of alSrookhouse, • Burghfield,.. Reading, has stiecessfully striven to progoote the use of honey in' the. manufacture of drinks. and biscuits, etteitra ing, so far as the latter. le concerned, the , active co-operation °Messrs. Huntley and • Painter's:et:Reading. • ITadee kis', Manage - meet .depots for thehelleotion and disteibu- tionof honey'in large giothtities have been • ' eatablishod tesahet 'town. _and io .Londtio, .. Ediratourgh and Dublin: . • In 'Mot of • the empties of . Engiand branched of the Britieh Beekeepers' Anode- . .tioo have been formakand are reported to be progressing sitisfactotily-notably tag in Berkshire; which ine bettered by tin. Preeideney of the Peinciees Christian,. and. . , its ,Viaelstesideilts include the Paeaquis,of , Aileebury(taird Lieutenant), the BishOp of the 'Diocese, Earritadnor, Sir R. Lroyd- ' .. Lindetta, M.P., y.o., Sir Gilbert A. Cliso.: . ton -East, Sir Roger Palmer, ' Mr. ' G.. . Palmer, MP., . and .Mr. . R. Richardson - Gardner,. ALP, It is intended to • hold a " boney fair" in a hell. at Reading this,. autunon, when prieed will be Offeredfor the encouragement of beekeeping on ,humane and improved.principles, and aka for •the largest Mont of 'pure honey ehoWn by Berkshire beekeepers and raised by theirs* bees without may adult mitten.. •' The- Importame of bees culture as a . minor . British agriouttural itiduetry •reoeived .. recognition in the fact, that at the laetshovr - of the Rapti Agrioulturol Societyacoom- Moclation was Speoially provided,. for the exhibits of the British Beekeepers Associa- tion. , . / - Where do Von Order )(Car Antiquities f, : A 1306ton flan hoe a specially fun line* a old armchairs which caniea overin the Mayflower and another II ew • Eogland con-. cern ham apnea out enough Of Miles Standielie muskets to equip an • English. expedition to rescue GOrdtai. Amiording to the report of the langlieli °ousel - General at Teheran, the capital of Persat, that anoient kiogcloht le puttiug its westeen neighbors to shame in ttli3 way of relio- makieg. It behooves the wealthy Amara- eatt who wiebera to • decent° hie atioderia. Image With a bit Of 'choice arniient armorto • be careful lest ha be bamboozled into klieg • something that has been turned Olt by an Nathan metal worker within the year. Poston lierald. The Exohange batik liquidators have eurreudered the batik premises in Montreal to the British Matte:fa Life Insurance oom. pay, Whose Manager, alr. fitituoliffe, has paid over the porches° money, $110,000, -Apples shipped from the Pacific) coast n Auetralia aro wrapped separately in paper and then carefully panted ill tin bound one.