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Home My WebLink AboutThe Brussels Post, 1889-1-11, Page 7Jan. 11, 1880. 'yy (Leg 7 N ONA S CHt.ICE. Dv MRS. AL1'L1NU1''lIt. 0m1'n! lt,+nnetn and me aro going to our books, so Mona will take you rowed the gardellsand the 114) mUe, Iorbye he dairy." me,tierCtt xIX.' "'Ria WELL To BE OFF WITlr fete! rat) (,OVII" Mona felt younger iuid mere like her old Kelt' attn. this meeting with 1,ixle that she had doles space her grandmother's death. The eneetuder had proved to her how com- pletely she hal cast off the old feeling of regret and plan at her disenchantment, and showed her that she was seroager titan of old, Still Lisle in a way interested her. His manners, when he chose, were attrac- tive, though Mona fancied elm could per- velve the brew metal of selfishness under- lying the sliver -plating of his effective ex- terior. With all his radicalism, Uncle Sandy was deeply gratified by the readiness of this tine gentleman to cultivate his nc- quaintance. He was remarkably amiable and serene during the whole afternoon mud evening after Lisle's visit, althnngb ho held forth at some length on the fully and evil effect of titles on their possessors, as well ns on society at large. Lisle proved a true prophet. The dry but one after his visit, Gavle Sandy and 1 14 gueete had assembled in the library to their lire o'clock tea, 'rills wa'; a serious meal, with bannocks and scones, cookies, bread and batter, pre .;erres, and toast. It served to support nature till eight o'clock supper, after which came prayers and bed. lir. (1(0Ig had just ""eked t1 blessing," when the sonnei or an approach- ing carriage interrupted his attack on the toast andnewlyatutde strawberry jars. "It 18 euither v +r," hr 'aid. "Why, one might as w,... h" lu Edinburgh or London." "We had not mauy visitors to London," observed Montt. As elle spoke, Jessie, the yonthfnl house- maid, enure hastily into the room. 'There Is a lecldy speerin' for you, Miss Craig!" she exclaimed; "a bran' leddy, in a chaise tvi' twa pownies." "It must be Lady Millstone," said Mona, rising. "I may bring her in, uncle." who think t)t'•! (80)13'' "I'm lintel! " t 1'ur your high upeou- Ion, mem; lee suet la fule-hotly. I have the nue.. , ,Utgeltt men or ell times on nay side., "Miss Morton how nn intellectual' love of arg1ment," mid Lady Millstone, sooth- ingly, "mid 1s generally 1n nppnsition to the femme 3118 considers must worthy of her steel. But I um anxious to see your charming gardens, if there le time after ten. Sir ;41. John Lisle tells me itis rt gem of n place." "Weep, I ]rope you will come es often as you like to look at it," returned Uncle San- dy. "IL is admirably situated. A family place, I suppose?" asked Miss Morton, passing up her cup. "Nawl" exclaimed Uncle Sandy; "1 bought it tel.' my ain hard-earned money." "Oh, you luoky maul Of all powers, the one I envy most is the power of making money." "You bare quite enough, dear," said Duly Ftnistoun. "Now, my dear Mr. t'rnr;, I avant yon to spare my cousin to rue 1'"r to few days. It is so long since we were together, and as we have rather a pleasant. parlay, and. the change—" "511o'e 00 your cousin." said Uncle San- ity, hastily; "she iras no kirk except me. tier grandmother's kits tell from her when :he most needed thea." "But she 171 indeed my emelt]; and through her I claim you, 1,00, 1113' (1em' lir. Craig, as a kinsman, if you will permit the claim." "It would bo hard to say ye nay," he re- turned, a smile puckering tip his self-satis- fled face. "Montt may please herself." "Do you always wear the kilt?" said _Hiss Morton, abruptly, to Kenneth. "Mostly, when I'm among the heather." "It's very becoming," said she, with 0n admiring glance. "I do not wonder at Ilighlaud gentleman wearing it; but you are all very conceited," "I am sorry you think so." "Don't you admit it?" "1 am not sure." "Ahs that is the cautious Scot all over. Tell me, aro you his nephew?" nodding in the direction of Uncle Sandy. I "I am," "And Miss Craig's brother?" I"No; my name is Kenneth Muenster." "Ah! Highland to the backbone. Then is this young lady your sister? Kenneth and Mary blushed simultane- thought not absolutely fear, was unpleae- ously. ant; nor was she surprised when a voice "I see. No, certainly not," returned behind her said, "Good evening, Miss Miss Morton, with a harsh laugh. "Now, Craigs I clad not hope to find you so far Mr. lfacalister, the roots is rather warm; a (lt.1 he was obliged overtook haven't you a shrubbery or a garden, or "(lgreet l something to show me? I don't care to sit her. Ho carried a gum on his shoulder, here any longer.' and was followed by a Mille with a game - Kenneth rose reluctantly. bag. "Oh, yes, I can take you for a stroll." "This is a piece of luekl I was shooting "I am going to look atthe grounds," said in this direction, so thought of taking the resolute spinster to her chaperon, "with Craigclarroch on my way back, to tell your Mr. Macalister." uncle ehot I have bad no reply from Iial- "My niece will—" began Uncle Sandy, muir." but Miss Morton promptly interrupted Mona was annoyed at this rea0olatre. him. She wanted to walk back alone in nudist - "Oh, no, thank you; I don't want any turbed thought. The report of Waring she young ladies; a Highlander is enough for I bad just heard had affected her. Sho was me," and she walked oar, followed some. so sorry for hien! And now came Lisle to what sheepishly by Kenneth. "Nilly Morton professes not to like wo- men," explained Lady Ftnistoun, laughing. "hair's the pity." said Uncle Sandy, dry- ly, "for I'm thinking few men would like leer!" "I assure you they do. She is very pop- ular, and has had endless offers—to be sure, she has a good fortune." "Weel, weell sitter is nee everything to a wife. Noo, if you'll tak' nae main tea, I'll go round the grounds with youmyself." "Thank yon," and Lady Ftnistoun sat- isfied her host's heart with exclamations of admiration and delicately -administered flattery. "Well. my dear sir, I must tear myself away. The shades of evening willbe round us before we reach the Lodge. Now, where has Miss Morton wandered to with that good-looking Highlander? It will be dark before we can go home." "I think they went round by the big oak," said Mona. "I will go and look for them." When found, Miss Morton proposed—ns it was only three miles to the Lodge by the short out over the hill—to walk back under Kenneth's escort, a suggestion which evi- dently alarmed trim. This Lacly Fiuistomn decidedly nega- tived. ogetived. "Don't talk such nonsense, my dear. Mr. Macalistor would not got baok till midnight, you. u late for would bo too a g , andy dinner. Three miles over a hill -top t-toP aro equal to six on n flat road. Come, let us be going." "Yon are a little tyrant," said Miss Mor- ton. "Will yon walk with the to the grate, Bona, while they are bringing round the phaeton? I (41n sure lir. lYfaealistee will come so far with Miss Morton." "With pleasure," cried Mona. Having bid a cordial farewell to Uncle Sandy, and a civil good-bye to Mary, Lady Finistonn slipped her armthronghltiona's, and they walkedslowly down the approach. "I have been dying to ask you a hundred questions, clear!" she exclaimed. "What a droll, intensely Scotch Scotehman your uncle is! Quito n character! I am sure he is very rich. I•Ias he adopted yon? Is he going to leave you all his money? Is 'young Lochinvar' a lover, or a rival near the throne Tell me everything." Mona laughed, and gaVe Lady l?'inistoun a slight eketoh of the situation, in which that sympathetic young peeress was ani- mensely interested. "Tho 'brow hielandman' is no doubt at exoellent person," she said; "but T should like to see you sole heir to your uncle's wealth. I'suppose he is very rich?" "Not according to your, standard, I lnn- agiue," returned Mona, "though I believe he could make Kenneth independent, and me, too; for I have found that woman wants hitt little here below to make hoz happy. Money cannot buy what is most essential." "Oh, of course notl Still one wants a tow necessaries. I often wonder how poor Geraldine will get on. She will not heal of the horrors which watt on poverty." "May I," said Mona, with a slight hesib ation, "stay I send my love to yetir mother) I am so fo1111 of her. And you know rhe has n right to bo angry with aro, I diel not behave Well to—" ' "T§ poor Leslie Waring'" put in Lady l~i inistpun, as site hesitated. "No, you did nota Now, darn say you. aro sorry for it?'' "fent 'Very sorry IpMnetdhim, butt stn I RE L3:, US; -,,l.,_: FUST flF.x.++' A..,141 ...r ,, . rSt,.... � . •w..na:..:l: "IGC..«1Le k+c,;a r•,;rix:.1( r«7:['71 ..�. ;.:r'r.r +v.g,. ,,.�<.a.9c' -- _ -- - 1:11.1 eons rare, 1 1,4•1 quo .(' i ` "' " - aver, ane they were rngr(Li(0. 110 arena to India; she stayed at ]e)rni--;,ro4. 14 at'et- sate« ,< " "Perhaps ,4„ ps so, At any rate be Ls gone . the bad, so s01110 one was telling me, He lost heaps of money on horses and at Monte Carlo; and ho got into an awfully fest set, then he disappeared. They say be wet last seen plowing or breaking horses, 01 some each thing, in Texas. So, after all, ho might have ruined you as well as him self if you had married him." "le grieves me to bear such an account of him," replied Mona, after a few mo• mantes silence. "ITe was kind and gener- ous, and deserved a better woman than am." Then camp leave-taking, and the visitors drove off as the soft gloom of au autumnal night began to deepen in the east. Do you mind walking back by yourself P" asked Kenneth. "I am going up the hill a bit to speak a word to Allan, the shear horst." "Oh, no, I am only a few steps from cul own road, and there is nothing to feat among these delightful hills." "That's true. I'll be back before sup- . per," and Kenneth went swiftly ou, with t" free, swinging step. . The sound of his footfall had hardly died away when another caught Mona's ear, and seemed to gain upon her. In spite of her assertion that "there was nothing to fear," she felt an odd uneasiness that, rt;*;,, Mona hastened to the door. LhP Surely. Ask her to take a cup o' tea." Mona hastened to the door, before which in a light basket -ca r'lage. sat Lady term. and mad beside her an elderly lady made up in the most youthful style. 'Ah! my 'leer Menai So you are at home. I am so glad," She gave the leans to a smart, diminutive groom, and stepped out quickly, embracing Montt with effus- ion. Lady Finistoun continued, "I was so delighted to hear you were within reach. I have brought Miss Morton with me. Yon know Miss Morton? Nol Oh, well, you ought; everyone 'knows her." "Then 1 must be no one," said Moua, langhing, "I am very glad to see you, Svelyu. You must come in, we are at tea, My uncle begs you will join us." D1se nding the steps, she courteously in- vited Miss Horton to alight. "Certainly, with pleasure," said that lady, with much decision; and, followodby boot new arrivals, Mona led the way to the library. Miss Morton was very tall, end rather k was surmounted Py a bony; her long neo smalbend and a Paco short incl broad for its size, rather of the pug order, with small, keen, light -brown eyes. Her com- plexion seemed to have suffered a good deal :from exposure to weather, and was considerably and undoubtedly powdered. She wore a very masculine -looking over- coat of ligbt tweed with a round cape, a .small deur-stalker cap, and a white gauze veil tied round it, which at present was turned back with a curious afI!eet, "Uncle, let me introduce Lady Ftnistoun and Mies Morton to yon," said Mona. "I are sure I am varra pleased to see ons friends d my niece," said Uncle Sandy, rising after two distinct efforts, and smil- ing on the visitors. LikomostScotohmen, 110 WOO much mollified by the sight of a pretty face. "Ye'll sit (loon and tali' acup of tea ora glass of wine after your drive? Isere, Jessie, set a chair for the teddy, by me, and bring sups and plates. Where'll the ithor leddy sit? Kenneth, teak' room ''ttvixt you and Moria," 'Thank you, Mr. Craig," said Lady Fin- istoun, in her soft, sweet tones; "a cup of tea will bo most refreshing after our long drive; for I stupidly lost nay way, and my groom is a Londoner." "There is a'remarkable fine air here; it's better than what you haveover in Strath- airlie," returned Uncle Sandy: "You see, the are sheltered frac the north, an' we get mai" eau—forbyo the porridge. I have just insisted on her takin' porridge to her breakfast" "Porridge is exceedingly indigestible, and bad for the complexion," said Miss Men- ton, between the monthsfnl of Dream scones. "Y'ou'rs wrangl" cried Undo Sandy. "Just look at the men and wOmon that are roared on porridge) Theron no their °Miele t0 be found on Meth!" "My dime sir, I don't imagine yon have seen much of earth beyond your native laird.' "You're wrong there again, mem, I416 just comeback trete over a year's wander- ing Wit m3',niece about the Continent of I,urope; aria thorn's Mao I saw there that i r5 e 1:0 41811.' wits"." stir up the less worthy side of her nature —for Mona was by no means an angel all round. If, as he seemed disposed to do, he agate tried to amuse a passing hour by making love to iter, she would accept it in a spirit of fun wbioh should show out at intervals. He should never flatter himself again that he made any serious hnpression on her. "Can I not take the message for you?" she said, looking up, with a demure smile. "It is a steep road to climb after your clay's tramp over the moor." "What! and leave your fair side all un- -partied, lady?" n--parded,lady?" "Ott my fair side is accustomed to take care of itself very successfully." "'Then may I confess to a los-minded hope that your uncle may ask me to din- ner?—thougb, by the way, I am scarcely Jit to present myself." "A ]tope I must nip in the bud! We have 1113011." "Great powers! Well, I need not lose this precious 011ane0 of speaking to you. I suppose I shall never see you except through a haze of 113ghland relations." "No; itis not very likely." "It you know how anxious I am to ask lou a variety of questions, you would give :no some opportunity of a tete-saute. "You may ask as many as you 1114101 I have no secrets." Whatl does your uncle know You re - `used Waring?" UoL know dict t kn tv I did? know hos desperately "Ohl I P ly in love ho lens, and itis currently reported that you lid, and that ho went to the bad 111 conse- quence!" Nonsense!" returned Mona, a grave, hard expression replacing the'smile tvhicii tad played round her lips, "You and Sir St, John Lisle, have seen enough of he world we live into know that women seldom have sufficient influence to make er mar any man's lire." "I an not so stare) I fancy if any woman aver had, you would be ono Of them," "Considering the sort of women who are nost influential, I do not think your opin- ion flattering." "Why, do you not think good women in - (Mance us?" "Not often, I fancy." "You have grown worldly wisp since we net, Mona." "Does an absence of nearly fouryears make you more familiar with my name titan you used to bo?" she asked, coldly. "Yes," he returned, looking doyen into be" eyes, "because I have thonghe of yenso . Men, and milled you Mona iu my heart since we parted." "Call me what you like in the inner reg- ion you term heart, but pray let your lips conform to the usages of this mundane so- ciety in which we live and move and haVO our being," she said, carelessly, "I accept your rebuke," he said, "and will not again offend.' "Oh, I diel not moan to rebuke!" said Mona, gond-humoredly—"only to remind.' "You have changed enormously!" re= mined Lisle. "Yon seem years older" "Thank you! That is amencotnplimont." "I 47111 not be chaffed into retracting it, I meant that you seemed more tontine; and I find, as T always do, that tate fruit is more heavenly sweet than even the blos- som," "Yet I imagine shut anticipation is al- ways better than fruition," said Mona, quite unmoved by theimpliod compliment. They walked a few steps in silence, then ed— very glad I till not metre him. It Al I," ,' hat i exclsolei stent it mixt bo for you to •• - — livo;luru with these very excellent penplet" I nun fund of its marl temente! L,t isfund of m,', 11.11(1I 1' -.11:,"1 dte ratter title" ''1)» 714111(1111.3 ,lea +,. lose who hereYee," Yes (tinny..." 'I' xcept 1u peer K'an'ing s ease?" "'lytatWas t1e'exception which proves the rale. Probably 1 should have been wiser 11101 I Leen conformed to ,your somid advice," tnrubtg to tort ,+11th a frank, sweet smile, "but 1 cannot say I repent my re - ting out boating. tools cold, and went off into a decline. lie married. and lust his wife, and (11(10 he is wandering about in indifferent health. I should cut have mentioned all this if it had not been for a bit that will int (Test you. In the erurse of conversation, it turned out that the getter - al is some relation or poor Mr. 'Miring's, and he Is att'fully vexed with iglu. It seems bo has got through a heap of money and has gone away to America. A friend j. teem. of it." of the general's saw him breaking horses "1 fear," said Lisle .tt'avely, "that you lost spring xoulewbere 1n Californium I �• no longer consider lot a friend, as volt said I had met hien, and what a good fel- t,o " 1']tert Cha eenoraI sold mod?" he was nn"ass, and bad let -himself be "00 the contrary; I am very pleased to knocked out of the running because he welcome such a friend, after his long eh- could not get the girl he wanted to marry soiecet" him. Of morsel did not let on that I "'Thank you," and Lisle walked beside knew anything about it, and the subject her iu silence fora few minutes, dropped. Then my old general asked for my address, and said ho would come and A few more unimportant sentences see me some Sunday—which I told him, brought them to the house, where they was ray only free day—but r don't fancy toned Uncle handy enjoying forty winks, he will. wbile waiting till the darkness had deep- 'New, my darling I bavo rosed long onod sufficl0utly to render the lamp seers enough, sad I moat stop. When shall I see you again? Can't you pel'snarl0 your ears, .limy was retard on the steps lead- ing to the garden, res ling by the fat-farl- iing light. "hli! what's wrong!" cried Uncle foamy, rousing np confnstell3'. ";air St. John Lisle 130:4 mune to nee you, oleic." „fiver your loving find, "What's his wull?"in an irritated tone. GEEALnr\Is DE1nus.SY." "1 nm very sorry to disturb you: but I Mona read this with the deepest interest. did not like to pass your ]muse without She stalled at the account of her meeting calling to say that I have had no answer at Mrs. Rivers', but grew very grave over as yet co my letter, so we will keep well the description of Waring's decadence. this Ade of the supposed boundary, and „Ara I to blame? I wish I were not Ol cet into no trouble, till tiro matter is de- ways having sidelong reproaches !]frog et ciao]." • me. Ile would have been as bad or worse "Keel, it e1t11111 130 belpit." If I had married him, for I could nut have "No, certainly not. May I leave you a been a loving, sympathetic wife, and thou conpi0 of brace of grouse, air. Craig? They hie last state and mine, too, would be are good plump birds." worse than the first. How I irisin I could "1 am nlneh obliged to you. They are hear that he acs well and happily war- n= and digestible food. Where are they?" "Tiro untie is just outside with my bag." "Mona, ca' ',hernia to take them!" "Ilton I will not trespass on you any longer. Petty, young ladies, do you not feel disposed to put me on my way? The moon is rising, and the walk back would he charming!" Mary looped at Mona, evidently ready to return her good offices it necessary, bnt the other laughed, and said they could en- joy tbo view from the window without the trouble of walking. Lisle reproachedboth for refusing his request, and bidding them a gay good -night, departed on his home- ward road. "Aweel, I did na' want to hear be had the letter," murmured Uncle Sandy. "I'd rather have my bit doze than a' the birdies!' and settled to his nap again. "Ah!" whispered Mary Black, "it's not the letter that brought him here. I am afraid but you aro a bard bearted lassie, Mona! He is a handsome, grand -looking gentleman." "Ile is not nearly as good-looking as Kenneth," said Mona, laughing at Mary's evident delight in the discovery sbe thought she had made. ioteanwhile Lisle walked rapidly down hill in the direction of the hotel where he and Iris friend put up, and thinking very earnestly of the interview he had just bad. IMMO to 1Orae up to (emu for a little more physic? You make him too happy and eom Iortahle. I was going to write, Dr,n't re- fuse Sir St. John Lisle without thinking twice,' but 1 will not. Matrimony is a tremendous experiment, and 111 not ven- ture to recommend it. God bless you, my awn dear. My best respects to your uncle. CHAPTER XX,—EDGED TOOLS. It was, on the whole, a bright time at Craigdarroch. Mona found Mary a very pleasant companion—a quiet, kindly, sensi- ble ensible girl, whose hearty admiration and pro - tonna faith was a gratifying tribute to her new friend. Uncle Sandy's uneasy pride had perhaps never before been so saeistec- torily fed, and, like all things thus satiated, was lulled to sleep for the present. If at any time the currents of his temper Rowed from the east, it was against Kenneth they chafed; and Kenneth was more inflexible than formerly. It was a great relief to Mona to have a partner in her readings and writings and general care of Uncle Sandy, Moreover, Mary had learned to play chess with her father, the school- master, and allowed herself to be beaten with much toot—occasionally winning to keep up the illusion. Amid this temporary tranquillity and comfort, Mona wrote often to her dear, kind Deb. Sha made, however, very slight mention of Lisle; but slight as it was, it sufficed to sot Alms. Debrisey off. "Your letter, as usual, reached me on. Saturday. I can't tell you how I look for- ward to it; and it's like you, dear, to be so faithful in writing. Is it not a queer turn Your meeting that nice, elegant Captain Lisle away there in the wilds? I always thought, and always will think, that he was a great admirer of yours; and if ho had not been sunt off to India just when your lmOr grandmother died, there's no knowing what might have haP l oned. I turn a your naso ' •ou will not 3 ' dear, 3 ppLisle P do—Lady w him as pan generous would look well and snit you well. " * * Now for some of nay Ow11 news. I have S01110 11047 pupils—two daughters of a Mrs, Rivers, who has lately come from India, and is giving these girls finishing lessons berore taking them book with her. Lady Koyter recommended me. A fewdays ago I load strayed over my time, and Mrs. Rivers asked. m0 to tomo in to luncheon. I was starving—talking and singing make one fearfully hungry—so I went in. They were very pleasant, and hal a nice curry. "Presently a general something was an- nounced, and a very grand old- warrior marched in, A great, tall, thin man—a bag of bones you nnght say—with big black eyebrows, and angry -looking eyes; but his hair was white autl hie face brown, and ho had an empty sleeve, He was named to me and gave ono a stare, as much as to say, 'Who the deuce are you?"Then he began to talk iu short sentences, and with whae we might term a 'staccato fortissimo' manner. Somehow his eyes and voice seemed famil- tied." The Thursday on which Mona was to have a peep once more at the world she Eels she had quitted forever, rose fresh and clear after yesterday of storm and rain. Lady Finistoun had offered to drive over `y after luncheon and fetch her, so Mona— relieved from the necessity of taking out Q7 Uncle Sandy's ramshackle conveyance-- cc—� dressed, and having put up a carefully ar- ranged dinner dress and change of rai- ment, waited quietly for her ladyship's ap- pearance. Uncle Sandy had driven away early with Kenneth to a sale of highland cattle at Kirktoun, and Maryland gone to carry some Jelly to the shepherd's mother, who was old and weak. Mona was reading a review sent her by Mine. Debrisay, when she heard the sound of a carriage driving up. "She is earlier than 1 expected," was her mental comment as she glanced at the dock. "Itis barely half past three." Voices were heard speaking in the hall, Ind Mona rose intending to go out and meet her friend, when the door opened, end Lisle entered unannounced, his hat in his hand, looking bright and brown. Mona colored in spite of herself. "Good -morning," he Dried, cheerily. "1 hope you will forgive a change of plans. Lady Fhlistoun finds she must drive in to Kirktoun to meet Major and Mrs. Men- ceith—PInistoun's sister, you know—so I offered myself and my dog -cart to convey you to the Lodge. I hope you will forgive O "0h! 1 have nothing to forgive," she Said, smiling. 'I1 you do not mind taking me and my dress basket, I am ready to alert " Well said," cried Lisle, exell!ngly. "As it is a fine clear afternoon, and we have plenty of time, I will take you rona'l by Helmuth the views are splendid nearly all the way." "Very well," said Mona, w110 had 11011' recovered herself, and in a few minutes she was perched beside her charioteer, her light dress basket hoisted up and confided to the stare of the groom—who sat behind —and they were off, "1 hope there are not many very steep hills," she said, after a few moment's sil- ence; "I am not too courageous." "No, the road is safe and easy! I know the country; 1 was hero for a whole season with Fiuistoun a tow years ago, the au- tumn before yon were presented. That is a sort of epooh to me." " efnc11 more s0 to me!" site returned, CD laughing. "I wellremember the heart- sinking eartsinking with which I looked forward to matting my courtesy wader the rye of toy- Cv ally. Do you know I sometimes think all 19'~ that must have been a dreamt" • 1 • • • 7 1tsaQuo�'rcircrasmrat; natAla lei •'I fear the waling cannot have been very pleasant," said Lisle, bending bis eyes upon her. There t0 cam • nothingcomplain or. "1 have P to isnot MO imlchdifrerencebetween one style of life and another, as a man like you would think." "A man like me?" said Lisle. "What am I like?" "Like your fellows, I suppose. Lite to you and to your peers, without horses and dogs, shooting and Taunting, clubs, races, and, for the more ambitious, polities, would be something intolerable. PONT, a regular leeupetiol, by which you earn your bread, slid slowly but surely improve your pond- ;ion, answers all the purposes of those costly amusements; but I will not bore yon by prosing—•" "Suppose I enjoy listening to the tones of your most street voice, will you not in- dulge ndnlge me by m little more." "Oh, I have lost the thread of my die - tonne. I only want to say that now time has accustomed me to the loss of poor, dear grannie, I think I am very happy," tar to mo, only I could not find a clear ' "But there is one piece of your life about (place for Lim Ln my memory. 1 t n he had eaten some curry—and abused it -and taken a glass of hock and seltzer, he said, Looking at me as if he was going to accuse me of murder— " 'What did you say this lady's name is?' "'Madame Debrisay' said Mrs. Rivers. '"'Hutnph!' said he; fare you a French- woman?' "'No ' said I; 'but I am next door to one —I am Irish.' "'Prom what part of that unfortunate country, may I ask?' more politely, "'Prong Ilallykilleucldery.' " 'Ah, I thought sol' "And he was silent for a bit; then ho said, with &pleasanter smile than T thought his grim face could put ou— "I sec you have 110 recollection Of me,' feel the stoney was my own." '"'Your voice std face are not strange to me,' I said, my heart beginning to beat, "Great lnoaro,ns1" ejaoulatedLiele. "And which I am profoundly interested, and would like to inquire into, if you would permit me." "Yes, I do hot mind telling you anything ef'thatkind." "There WAS a period after your grand- mother's death, when you lead left the Kverards', and road not yet disinterred your uncle, flow did you get throngh that tame?" "A dear good soul took me in—a lady who heel been my music Mistress, and she andwed me lies to earn my living under her guidance. I attained to the proud 0114 - Mettle of earning abate seven pounds a month. It was very nice, l' assure you, to "'Have you quite° forgotten a gummy 'anted Z'leldon--Mark Diction --who won the min at the leallyltillrneldeey hent races in 'GS more than thirty verve ago?' "'Do I note And I ho'lpod to do up any cousin hose NugoOt's hair with ribbons of his oolora for the rhea ball) 1 know yen now, and I meet shako hands with yon,' "So we shook hands; and his brown face pp0ften011 and Owed while he talked of EOM no was des1.4rat011' in love triad: you pteferred this to harrying a man of wealth!" "Yon valet know hots delicious the sense et ind0peuden00 is, Do youthinkaworear lailtaet feel it too?" "And does love count" for nothing. Mona laughed. "Yes, I suppO",e with the real upper class of lumen beeegs, it (Runts for ti gonad cleat. (to "n1 0Oh5mlYVEa1.) •