Lucknow Sentinel, 1891-11-13, Page 6•
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" ladieaha but yonng and fair,
•
Ti!ee'llithe the gift to -know it."
48 17026 Mk it.
Vp04 the uncarpeted floor of a 8413bil
rlilOrd N41700211 8t..0044801$11,pPpAl 2,
beore valcaitirlib-Ciiii who was lengege4
n aoking bier few Peeeeeelenewt1un itea
neareve dimeneiena. This task eheperformexl
with ostentetioes inditlerence, as though
••, e • • ,
he -realized- -thpit-worthiessnew ad whit
sheer waste of time it would be were she to
wrap cotton gewns and shadyhete in.;,tissee
paper, or to expend thought or en,genuity on
the arrengernent of o scanty 4 wardrobe.
. Though the roomin which she knelt was
uncarpeted. and net ornamental, it was
large, airy and cheerful. The broad window,
through , which the summer :sunshine'
eeeeeeeeeeeeeereeeee------aa-- Ad- -t . ZY:94L--"-WYIt'dRAW$141:teRtgle,M2ateMitiZ
bloom, trailed its notched. leaves and sweet
bloseonis. Outside in the garden a linnet
was singing, and the air smelled of mignon-
ette and heliotrope..
All the time the girl was •packing she
sang to herself in a. light-hearted,
nonchilsnt wa , which a oke
unseartowe gayety of her mind. ,,
• Thee!, were the words she sang:
"A„man whoavould woo a fair maid,
Shoald 'prentioe himself to the trade,
And study all dey, in methodical way,
How te flatter, cajole, and persuade.
It ie p truly a matter ot skill,
Which all met, attain if they will,
But every Jack ho should study the knack
.If he wants to make.sure of hisjill!"
Very soon the trunk was finea and her
• work done. Then ehe rose eloWly to her
- feet, and going over to the window she
leaned out, still
" Then a glance may be timid or free,
It may vary in mighty degree,
•
he •• From an impudent stare
To a look of despair
m.
streaed
•
cesemen Gioire de Dijon rose, in full
Which. Ito maid without pity can see.
• And a glance of despair 18 50 guide,
may have its ridiculous side,
It may drawyou a tee'',
• Ora box on tho ear,
You can never bo sure till you've tried."
• She was a tall girl, and. she made the
• most of her height, for the held her head
high and moved -with much stately dignity
When She was in the •humor to be grand.
' There was a distinguished air about her
• which was more remarkable than her
beauty, though that, too, was by no mesons
iacoasiderable.
Her father was rector of Mereton, a vil-
lage in the Midlands. The living was a
poor one, and the rector's private income
was very ; the girl Helen, his only
• child,- had been mixed in poverty from her
cradle. The bewailed things of life which
she loved• heel been denied her ; lent -with
admiring parents, pleasant friends, plenty
of genial steety, a home Whicl' she term,
sidered perfeetion, soli in 'which She
;'• as absolute menus* Ate al:4d found
nothing to desire. Her temper was impe-
rious and quiek, but where everyeleirig wase
• areaxiged with a view to. -her goleastme the I
Ruel: lit U -y ea and had daneeta'
th"?ngil 'her 39361743 12(1 3ife" a.e" Weal, eery dear, if yea do it willbe very
taming ion her way, as
as 36ittdIllt yan. When I awe youn,g; girls were
"andunran lighfirst Ilea= a 4'16'1 eemnt with tarn so pendent as they are at present. When
leeyseshe•WMPaY my ietIrtleY, se there je
really no reason why 1 aleOuld not go."
"Certainly nett deer. You .,8110 ado as
yeOrlish„ -Money "-----;:-Iddressiug the rector
---" Henry, Helen is going down to , Noel -
combo to stay with Elizabeth."
• The relator was,reading the Morning Post.
He lowered it, and looked rather absently
•at, his wife.
rani- Very glad to hear it," he said.
" The Bea is delightful at this tine of year,
end Elizabeth's carnations will be in hill
bloom. I shall be curious to hear whether
the -primrose variety hatideteriorated ; don't
forget tq lot ane know, Helen,"
"I dial' start the day after to -morrow,
mother' " she presently announced, having
assuredherself that such was her feasible
desire, " for I really must get away from
Mr. Flight Now, don't look severe. It is
for his own sake I am going -partly, you
know. I am mere he will be glad when I
11ni nnehltPlleelihkeleiMeeraaellehintsehtejtetzeiaea
Viet. 'Llii this place I meet him at every
corner ; and on Sunday, when he preaches
• .Y0
about the team of life, he looks at ine,
and it is so horrid."
"My dear, my dear,oarou must not be
heartless. ' Boer Mr: Flight !" ,
"That's .just what he is, mother -,.ho is
.poor. I don't mean penniless you know,
because he is pretty well of ek 1 mean
poor -spirited ; he has no pride. Pshaw !
!Mink of wishing to marry a person who
doesn't like you 1 Think of not only wish-
ing it, but talking about the wish !' There
was a fine scorn in her voice. " It is con-
temptible, insufferable, despicable 1".
Mrs. Mitford never excited herself to
argue -seldom to give an opinion -but now
she spoke with decision.
" Mr. Flight is a nice young man, Helen
-quite nice. You should have believed
me ; 1 warned you. I have such experience
and foresight aii you will some day acquire,
no doubt, though yoteare long about it. In
this quiet place, _W titoroin little to-dise
1
tract a gentlemani,i. 00 not see how he
could well have level •;''.fielling in love with
you." The disdahOef Helen's face per-
plexed her 'nether. -WIt is no offence on
his part ; it is the greateet compliment he
could pay you, dear. YoJ have no right to
despise him for it."
" But mother, he is so ridiculous or so
tiresome.. I laugh or I get angry --I can't
help it"
Mrs. Mitford sighed.
• "My dear," she said, " you will be
an old maid, and whenit is too late you will
be sorry."_ . •
Na girl likes that dismal epithet, "an old
maid,' applied to her, even in joke. Mrs.
Mitford was in earnest, and Helen grew
" I shall nia.rrer," she said, "some day -
not to soon. 1 love pretty clothes and
e tie about me, and therefore I hive
e money
that /buys them, and therefore I
alanee merry a poor man. When- I fall in
/ove•"-with. distinct di..neeieh of the pros-
etect-`" I shall take cane to fix on a rich
ensie. Chatems-ea as to combine prudence
vita phaeree mother; and make a good.
mrtmetd.,,atti.
letieard nodded. '
womanhood,' but lath ixer fetheee firs • t 74)/7 father saggested our marriage' I
haehetor earate„, who had fallea Faxen:pay -
reed without casting a thought to his
and devetately in lore with her. Inicome. I was never apractical woman, I-"
• gray eYea areze beanititlal bat colt ; and daughter, in whose' conversation
" No, broke in the receor startling his
lan,ghter, not love, was to be found in i
them ; she really had no patience with the
117 neverejoined until his paper had been
y e, man s o y. He was a quiet, un-
assuming person, and Mrs. Mitford had
vainly tried to persuade her impervious
•daughter to recognize and appreciate his
commendable qualities.
• For some time Helen had refused to treat
this - serious matter seriously. She had
.
con inue walk with the gentleman, to n pri e yourself on your obduracy,
sing to him to play golf and tennis with I Nell. A yielding disposition is a charming
• quences.
subjects, recklessly distvgardmg conse- daughter, smiling rather deprecatingly, "or
him, to make up his mind for .him on all I "Father, that's a dull paper," said his
1 and womanly attribute.
• " Oh, it is only fancy, mother," she had Iam made of brick instead of gutta-percha,
you would not put it down to scold me ; if
said, when ' Mrs, Mitford remenstrited• eit isn't my fault.' It is all Mr. Flight's
" If I 'don't take any
-blow over." nntke of it, it will ' fault for finding it out. I owe him ten
I
" Will it?" her mother groaned, sha_ ..;__ !thousand grudges. I shall have to say
tP rni zug 1 'ye,' that is the only effectual way I know.
her head. " I hope itt may. deem unnelsee , ee paying him mit."
sometimes blow into flame ineteed el blow-
in over." " Do not worry yourself 'about her,
Mrs. Mitford wax riegtat. „e Henry," s tie his wife with a calm and
Thi'en ' 'i superior smile "when the right man comes
had refused to be 1
desperation by thesigirre ballawiter,. her krrar Elie will be, like the rest of her sisterhood,
azd filn. `awe " ; only too ready to leave her home and her
far asserted himself as to demand am inter- epeepte.,, .,
view with her father, and an erptaaatiera 3
with herself. For many days, by a theataeue "Then I hope the right man will be
ruses, she had managed to peseleene iet bele , h e„,a,„enTeee,
it came at kat. an abnormally rich, for I
rich," shed the girl, making a grimace,
4 ellall Inert a very big bribe toconsole me for
The interview had been solemn, and the ' lee , geoeee.e
-explanation so passionate and prolonged i
that Helen had been frightened and agitated Helen avokta -dawn upen her trunk and
into angry resentment., She had been most ,.will haTe a b. such as porters tresn.
, ha her heart �f hearts she thought, " Some
disagreeable and repellant, and he, stung lz ie to se; its size shall be gigantic, and it
her coldness, had reproached her wi 1 gem be fen to overflowing, for 1 wih marry
vehemence. It had been very dreadful, •
and she had felt extremely ashamed f a rich man who will fill it f
read from end to end : " thank my stars,
you were not a practical woman, Honor&
You were a tender-hearted, sweet girl, such
as I should like to see that silly girl there,
who thinks her airs and graces very smart
at present, bat who will find them poor and
cold company before long, let me tell you.
garden, and 1 have promised him that you
shall go to him just to bid him good-bye."
An angry color, red as the i•eise fat her
bosoea, Suffused the girrii fair cheeks ; up
went her little head in the air, her lips
curved eapercilionsly.
Helen, dear, don't be cliea,greeable,"
her mother went on, soothingly, "you
•don't" lenove What suffering sitCh feelings'en-
tail, and the ignoeanee does not redound in
any way to yeur aredit. Remember what
your father told you at breakfast the other
naorning. elNeethe. hard and- don't -pride
yourself on your obduracy."
" Mother"-solemuly-" if ever I am so
unfortunate as to fall in love, I, hope and
pray, no, more, I swear, that no one shall
know it. I shall have sufficient self-respect
to keep My feelings to myself and not trail
them through dust and mire, so that any
one who cares to glance my way can see
them.*
.eeeekeWilweeyetafeereareitfieffliiIitirilsei you
"ffe4'ae0r.D.
will do as women do Nellie. Now, dear,
don't keep poor Flight waitihg. It
isn't probable that you .will ever see him
again after to -day.- He only asked leave to
speak to you for one moment, and 1 could
not refuse him such a small request. You
have •caused him a great deal of pain_
hitherto. Why not wish him goeffeby
kindly? Soothe his wounded vanity by a
few gracioua words, they can do you no
harm.
" Oh, mother, you are as soft as the dove,
but not so wise as the serpent," said the
girleshaking her head and laughing. " It
will be just as unpleasant for him, no
matter how nicely I put it. It's a nasty,
dangerous order of yours; if I am different
he won't understand, and I shall have the
whole business to go through again. Then
I shall miss nay train -to say nothing of
losing my temper." "
" You are heartless and unfeeling, Helen,"
said Mrs. Mitford, severely. " I am sure
yet don't inherit those faults Vein either -
your father or myself. Henry was a sus-
ceptible young man, and he was, by no
means, my first lover."
"Then why do you want me to marry
my first lover, mother ? You didn't, and
it's such a poor -spirited, mean sort of thing
to do."
" Don't dawdle in this -way, Helen ; the.
delay trice' poor Mr. Flight and does you no
good. Go down, go down now, you will
find himbetween the raspberries and the
Jerusalem artichokes."
' CHAPTER II.
"Experience does take dreadfully, high school
But he
Wages,
like no other.
Carlyle.
The rectory kitchen garden was untidy -
not hopelessly untidy, but somewhat
neglected. Poor people's gardens are sel-
dom in apple-pie order. Perhaps that is the
reason why poor people's flowers flourish
more luxuriantly than their better -tended
brethren which are reared under the care of
pruning, raking, professional gardeners.
Let -alone flowers, like let -alone children are
so much more true to nature -to the divine
whence they came than are the trained
cultivated specimens.
and down a moss -grown _ gravel path,
h intersected a row of ragged raspberry
es on the one hand and a waving sea, of
oke sticks upon the other, a young
paced hurriedly. His handsome
tures were glum, and gloomy of express -
his mouth was weak and womanly.
ung his head and gazed upon the
d.,
was poor Mr. Flight, toward whom
his moment Miss Helen Mitford was
y wending her way. Her heart beat
ally quickly as she approached; but,
r him! it beat with an embarrassed
-not fol love. She was indignant at,
tolerant of, her lover's obstinate and
lunate affection, and yet she schooled
to patience. She would remember
rents' remarks, and endeavor to treat
tasteful passion with leniency, if not
t.
n he heard her step he turned to
er, holding out his hands. She halted
ly when he did so, put her hands be
er, standing in an attitude men -ne-
on the defensive. She looked very
ery unapproachable, and not at all a
lady whom it would be easy to
bat withal she looked so beautiful
or Mr. Flight grew desperate.
len," he cried, Helen, you did not
hat you said ? You could not be so
• You will not wantonly break my
You have come to tell me that you
anged your. mind ?"
ever change my mind -at least, not
a reason. I came because my
said she had promised you that I
come."
er her face nor her words were en -
g, and he knew it.
er-never change There is no
ord as `rever' to me," he told her,
ully. " shall continue to ho e -I
hand
and
Up
whic
bush
artich
man
lea
ion;
He h
gronn
This
at t
edowl
WHIM•
alas fo
anger
and in
impor
herself
her pa
this cis
respec
Whe
meet h
abrupt
hind h
takably
cold, v
young
Coerce;
that po
• "Re
mean w
cruel.
heart ?
have ch
"In
without
mother
should
Neith
couragin
"Nev
such a w
mourn
m , cannot
herself. 1 cafe= V
1 I less. I
But the mercenary intetitions of this i will net
Upon the following morning, by what young wornan dichnotinterfere with thesweet ' knew tha
Helen welcomed as a lucky turn of For- luting of her sop she was still I wait
1
give up hope. You are not heart
know you ate not. I shall wait. I
despair. Why should 1? For you
t winter does not last forever. If
ring will come."
not follow his meaning ; she
uzzled, and did not speak. Silence
rt was unusual, and he thought it
vrell for him.
ui in no hurry, Helen. I will be
I can hope on. You have only
ate six months; I was foolish to
too much. You shall see -more-of
h more and then, perhaps, you
w to like me. Do't shake your
VVhat is it that you dislike in ine?
what pleases you, and I tvill en -
don't," she interrupted; "don't
th. g over again----ite is of no y
ave told you so a dozen times. I 1 you
Ltke you. Why shoeki I ?" the
u don't dislike me, why not like
you that I do like you"-impa-
je‘u‘tel'hen marry me."
tune's wheel, she had received an invitation & - singing_ She %.
to pay Mr. Mitford's Maiden sister a visit, i Whicli all may attain if theyhrile, looked p
It is purely a matter of Wail
at a village on the North Devonshire coast.; But every Jack heshould etudy theknack
Stich an invitation had been proffered i lf he wants to make sure of his Jill" on her pa
yeaely, hitherto Helen had expressed noa when the door opened, and with slew .1 1
augured
her Mind.
wish to accept et, but now she had changed E stately step and mild face, lined with an renta
unusual anxity, her mother entered the awe
.As soon as she had finished reading her' room. She looked at Helen Witth some expect
aunt's letter, she tossed it across the break- I trepidation ; she was conscious -of - ra.e-- wee
fast -table to her mother, saying : •- — Jbeing the' - beeiefer of an unwelcome ' Au), gro
" Here iri -Aunt Elizabeth's annual invi i message. She was not in the leaet head,
tatien, mother; will you read it? She is , bit atraid of her itopetuous daughter's Tele me
such a dear old thing, and she really wants anger, but sire was afraid of eaueing any detwor___
me. The new people -those dreadful living soul one pang, nav, one prick even, of
Jones' -are going to give a bailable month; unnecessary pain. Helen could read her say all th
she says Mrs. Majoribanks would take me mother' f perfectly ,. she saw at once eae, 1 h
I think, n , I am sure, I should like to go." that there was something the matter. She 'don't die
Mrs. tford, who had never' arranged a stopped singing and began to question her. "If yo
plan in her life, but who had, with peaceful "Mother," she said, "you have forgotten me a,
success, allowed herself to be guided by to order the fly again, I know you have, and ) e I tea
any who cared to exert ehemselvee to now/ou have come to hreak the news to in
think for her obedientl d
shall follow you to Noeleorab
came' to. Awe you, 1 must- ace you again, I
cannot bear to be away from you. May I
come ?-will you speak to ple
• " Neelcombe doetin't belong to Me," said
Miss Mitford, petulantly. " If you choose
to come there I can't- help it. Good -by."
--" Thent .if r comp, you -will epeale
me 1"
yes, yes, yes. Geeet•bY."
"Won't you shake hands ?"
Then Helen, much relieved at t
of the approachin partihg, and
0. I shall lady, with indignation. " I :should be
obliged -if you would be a little more
careful."
" No offence; if 1 knocked it down I'
pick it up. No damage done and no tint
wasted, for you can't see to read in th
dark.'
The tone of the -discussion was pugna
cious ; Helen was alarmed lest the differ
ence might lead to a quarrel '• such a quar-
rel would be most unpleasant. Hot as she
he thought had been befbre, she grew EMU battler ret.
by the memory o her mher'sa
looked up with' a smile into h
gloomy eye and laid her cool, sle
"Good -by," she said, with a sudden
access of cordial friendliness in her clear
voice; "good -by, Mr. Flight. I am so
sorry I have been such a nuisance to you,
4td
omtlie 4411one i34411:13,.protratry.;ictz'PAzzlr
And so saying, elle, wrenched her hand
roto his hold, and, turning hew hack upon
him, she rapidly disappeared down the
ravel path and entered the house.
" Mother," she said with a rue
when that lady accosted her at the garden
oor, " have done as you wiehed. I have
een BO kind to Mr. Flight that he is coni-
ng down to Noelcombe to see mo. He.says
must see more, muck more of him, and
hat then it will be all right. Oh, neaher,
hy were you so foolish as to make me
set him again ?-why didn't you let well
one? Bother! I have dropped that
vely red rose, and of course he picked it
p. Before a week is over he will have per-
aded himself that I gave it to him -I
now him so well."
A railway journey was an infliction under
ch circumstances. How high she held
r head, how closely her lips closed, how
ry stately her bearing throughout the
deal ! Woe to the porter whh hustled
n along 1 -woe to the loquacious corn-
rcird traveler who addressed her
miliarly 1 To navviee, market -women-.
wever big their baskets or however
ublesome their children -and such folk
was sweet and gracious ; from the other
sties of society she held herself aloof.
' There are a great many people travel -
to -day, Helen," Mrs. Mitford remarked,
ming up to thcarriage window at the
t moment. " The station master says
train is overcrowded ; there are the
es at — to -morrow. If I had known
before, you should have waited until
end of the week. Good -by, dear. Don't
et your change at Exeter. Your purse
noodyo-buyr. bag. Write to -night. Goed-by
With mighty puffs and hissingpants the
n moved slowly out of the hot station,
Miss Mitford's penance began. How
r that penance would prove, she was
unately unconscious, but even the start
sufficiently distasteful.
ine different persons lolling in nine
rent attitudes overfilled the narrow car -
upon which a July sun streamed from
oudeess sky • the atmosphere therein
hot with a heavy, fiery heat, which
insufferable. •Through the open window
fling wind wafted showers of dust, sand
blacks, that powdered the faces and
es of the travelers.
was too hot for Helen to read or doze,
tch the dazzling landscape reeling
; her companions were not of propos-
g appearance, but from beneath the
w of her broad -brimmed hat she in -
gated them. Beside her sat a lean
whose garb proclahned him a dissent -
minister and whose 'fixed and benignant
declared'him to be impervious alike
discomforts of the weather and to the
ority of his fellows. A smart young
in a green • beige gown, and
g a large cotton -velvet hat, from
long feathers, dank and curlless from
eat, trailed spiritlessly, sat in the
, opposite Helen. She held Modern
, that paper dear to the servants'
her soiled, gloveless hands ; but she
t reading, she was half -asleep; now
in she opened her eyes and glanced
swift, keen glance at Miss Mitford.
d this girl a spruce man, very neat
im, keened languidly against the une
g cushions at his back in an attitude,
was probably an exact imitation of his
s. He was a servant, Helen decided
tleman's g entleman-a, valet. The
der of the company belonged to that
ctive portion of humanity, the third-
cing man, whose personal appearance,
haritably conclude, is the worst part
for the task of finding a step balks
gination.
tense heat was so enervating, the
s so intolerable, that Helen Buell
in her corner of the carriage and,
her aching eyes with her hand,
ed herself to a don't -care lassitude,
ok interest in no one or nothing -
in by which she was travelling was
it would stop only at where
were to be held, and at Exeter, at
ace she had to change both' train
adorn', Helen was usually an
reveller, but that day she was
only of , the melting atmosphere
own smarting eyelids and many
rts.
r twice Helen uncovered her eyes
ut her watch, but, atter glancing
h an impatient sigh she replaced it
lt, depressed at finding how slowly
ng einteereptpast. This watch of
a cherished possession ; on her
hday it had been given her by a
favorite uncle, and it was the only
aluable jewelry she owned. It *as
led hunter, email, and of exquisite
ship; her initials, H. M., were
diamonds upon the Case. The
s, et of the spruce man and the twadry
ng woman, were caught by the glitter o
brilliants, and each looked with
uriosity at its owner.
st, the glare, the intolerable heat
ch moment more unendurable ; i
t relief to leave the dazzling sun
,rush, though only for three mit:
a dark and comparetitely coo
Helen's eyes were still ehielded by
and she was leaning back in ho
prompted ia prospect. But her fears We ;ground,
uggestion, less, though there was some exci ment aa
er lover's the two combatants stooped at the same
nder hand moment -their hee(els consequently coming
in share contacto pick up Modern
Society: Neither lost their temper; on
the contrary; they first apologized and then
laughed with praiseworthy
Juat after gala occurrence the -train slack./
znedeepeedeeuerel'esaereeriiieirgiefritaiiii'eela''
tunnel drew up alongside of the platform of
, where the racing men, the disset-
ing ministea and the smart young lady
presently alighted, leaving 'Helen and the
gentleman's gentleman sole occupants of the
ful smile, carriage.Helen drew a long sigh of relief as they
departed, even though 0110 thought it proba-
ble that the man with whom she wasnow alone
would prove either a drunkard, or a lunati,
or, at the best, a hypnotist. She. surveyed
him furtively from beneath her lashes; he
did not look very dangerous, and as he soon.
moved to the corner of theeSuepartment
most distant from her, put hia fea.S on the
opposite seat, took of his hat and opened a
thin pinkish paper, in the perusal of which he
was speedily engrossed, she gradually com-
posed her nerves.
Indeed he was so motionless, he yawned
so sanely, and was altogether such a re-
assuring companion that, she shortly forgot
both her fears and his proseece, and with
her head bolstered against the uneasy
cushion behied her, with her chin uptilted,
with her weary body swaying at each
motion of the carriage, she was rocked by
degrees into a deep, dreamless slumber.
The sun poured on her pale face from which
the heat had sucked all vestige of color,
her king lashes swept the delicate carve of
her cheeks, her slim hands, ringless, bare
and very white, lay clasped upon her lap.
Once or twice the man lowered the pink-
ish paper to his knee, and turned his shrewd
eyes inquisitively upon her. He was a
discriminating and observ
mg
d
t
al
lo
u
su
k
su
he
ve
or
he
me
fa
ho
tro
she
cls
ins
eo
las
the
rat
it
the
forg
is i
trai
and
bitte
fort
was
diffe
riage
a cl
was
was
a ati
and
cloth
It
or wa,
past
sessin
shado
vesti
man,
ing
smile
to the
inferi
woman
wearin
which
the h
corner
Society
hall, in
was no
end aga
with a
Beyon
and tr
Yieldin
which
master'
-agen
remain
unattra
class ra
let us c
of him,
the ima
• The in
glare wa
lay back
covering
abandon
which to
The tra
express;
the races
which pi
and pl
anxious t
conscious
and her
discomfo
Once o
to draw o
at it, wit
in her be
the laggi
20th birt
rich and
piece of v
an ename
wotkman
traced in
tt, dddt A ,
y peruse the and forgiven."
letter.
"Nay, Helen, the flyWill be here in an
Helen and her mother possessed disposi- hour's time, I ordered it at two o'clock."
tions directly antithetical each to the other, "Then what is the wetter? Your face is
but in common they owned one trait --each aslong as ol sermon." e
adored the other with that o en d
selfeacrificing, blind love which seems oue
of fashion .nowadays between mother and
daughter, but which creates an oeherwise
unattainable happiness in home life.
When she had. finished reading her sister-
in-law's letter, she laid it down by the side
of her coffee cup mud leelted up, hither wst-
fully, at Helen.
Did you say that you would like to go
to Devonehire, dear ?'
" Yes, mother. You see, Aunt Elizabeth
'e lee
10O
n t
o mg the treater ; but
have brought you a message. Poor Mr.
Flight-"
Helen stamped her foot upon the ground.
Poor Mr. Flight," she broke out, with
a world of emphasis upon the adjective. "1
won't, hear his name, mother; I shall put
my fingers in my ears and run down into
the garden if you mention him again -I
will, indeed."
That is just where I wish you to run,
my dear. The poor man ie in the kitchen
"Helen, look here. You don't dislike
me -you lean to be zn.arried some day.
have got k air income, a good temper.
love you dearly, and I will give you your
own way in •everythi.ng."
She stamped her foot on the ground and
said
"Good-bye; Mr: Flight. I start at two.
I cannot wait here another instant."
Helen, listen a momen. I shall not
give up hope. I shall come again. I shal
be patient. You not be so cruel as t
refuse me hope -it is' such a little thing to
hik. Helen your father wishes me to leave
this place, to go forever. I shall go, but I
renewed c
The du
became ea
was a vas
shine and
utes, into
tunnel.
her hand,
COrner
•eon, and
he was puzzled how to allot leeping
beauty" her right place in th social scale.
She was too spirited and se hrehant for s.
governess, and she was too poorly clad to be
genuine West -ender travelling thus
humbly by way of novelty, and yet his
educated eyes recognized her as a lady bred
and born.
The express had entered among the
wooded vales and gelato hills of South Dev-
onshire, before Helen, with a sudden start,
awoke. A piercing whistle had roused her.
She sat upright, set her hat straight, passed
her halide carefully over her ruffled hair,
adjusted her collar and cuffs, and yawned.
Her unobtrusive companion was still read-
ing his paper, and did not look up.
The fiery sun still streamed down on the
melting country, the burning air was
stifling, clouds of fine dust floated in the
track of the train.
• Wondering how long a space of time she
had cheated from this purgatory in sleep.
Helen put her hot hand down to her belt
and felt for her watch. It was not there!
Dangling from a button of her bodice hung
her short watch chain, but though the
swivel of the chain was unbroken, the
watch was no longer attached to it • while
she had slept it hadeit must have become,
unfastened. It was the first time such an
accident had hapened.
Startled at this discovery she began to
search hurriedly, with eager finger, behind
her waist belt for the- missing treasure, but
she searched in vain. No watch was there.
Then, as a last hope, she unbuckled her
belt, took it off shook it violently, as
though she fancied that the watch might,
by a superb conjuring trick, have been con-
cealed in the leather, -and cried, in a tragic
VOice of despair -
It has gone !"
Meanwhile, unobserved by thepreoccupied
girl, the train had stopped, the whistle
which had awakened her, had heralded the
vicinity of Exeter.
• Cries of " Tickets ready " were mew to be
heard approaching; but Helen heard
nothing.
"Have you lost anything, ma'am ?" the
shrewd -faced man inquired, with respectful
interest.
"My watch," she answered breathlessly.
"I looked at it just now -I had it in the
carriage here --it has gone !"
Rising to her feet she shook her serge
skirt. She stooped to look under the
seats she minutely examined the crack is of, •
the d'usteotrewed, dirty floor,, she peer
iiito possible and impossible places, but .ie
did not find her watch. Her comma dla
assisted in the search. As they were t
engaged, the door was opened, and a pe ter,
hot, and consequently cross, demanded
"Tickets " gruffly.
Helen's.little travelling -bag lay o0 the
seat, she took it ut-it was already ((pen -
and looked into it. It was empt , her
purse had gone! In stunned' ama ement
she etared, speechless, at the tick(t col-
lector.
-" Look sharp, Miss," he said, imp4iously,
to this dwadling third-class passenger, who
seemed to • consider his time of 00 more
value than her own. Neither his tone nor
her • discovery tended to soothe Miiss Mit-
ford's feelings. The purse conta'ining her
ticket was gone, she had placed her bag,
which she had carefully shut. Te bag was
wide Open now and empty. Herr e orished
watch, all her money, and her tick were
alike lost. Here was an ov ere 'Ming
calamity •
The short familiar tones of/ tho porter
t breced her courage by rousing her indigrue,
tioh ; if she had not been annoyed, it was
- possible that these misfortunes, combined
1 with the overpowering heat' of the day,
might have affected her to team. As it was
r she held out tho open and ein b
"Allow me to pull up the window, Miss,'
said the lean man, getting up as he spoke
to fulfill his suggestion, " for the smoke is
something hawed."
"Thank you," mid she, shtinking as far
as )1tr'ibirli
c foam the spelter.
a warm day," the smart young
lady opposite remarked, mincingly.
I call it 'ot," mid the dissenting min -
beer, still busy with the window.
"You have knocked the paper out of my
hand, sir," retnonetreted the smart young
the porter with tragic dignity.
"My purse was in this bog when I left
Meriton aretion," she said, with dismay in
her voice'"and," touching thci dangling
watch -chain, "my watch was fattened
ermly to this chain. Both my purse and
my watch are gone; I have lont them both,
but how, or whore, or when, I have not the
slightest idea."
Stolen," 'mid the porter, shortly!
Helen looked thuneerstruck and the
shrewd -eyed man nodded like a Mandarin.
(To be CoutillUgiO4
g towa
47.
td
to