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The Exeter Advocate, 1891-12-3, Page 6VIM} MISS HELEN'S LOITER. genag to the melee. The distant reeks, it's a long wk. 1 may be We." ‘' Don't get drowned, love. "No auntie" ClIAPTER Don't get your feet wet" " Uneole, yo tender blooms of life ; No, emetic." Sing birds ; let ail the world be gay ; Half an hour later Helen lead reached the "lee well—the flatmate; of our day eeust riee 'mid joyous songs awl etrife," shore. She loved the sea, the thousand —Lewis Momis. lights and shedes that tinged its eurfa,ce, The 'first weele of Helen's visit had passed, the restlessness, the eternal variety, and she had already donned that Carnation the mystery of its troubled life. Bat that (nottage was the pleasauteet house possible evennig he had no tine to watch the in which to live, that uo companion could waves ; she walked quickly along the sands, be more congenial than niiSS Elizabeth, that skirting the groups a nursemaids and lietsey's wit was equal to Sheridan's, that children with her face turned westward Devon was the lovoliest county in En gland toward the &life, which shelved down into —in feet, to be brief, that she was as happy a netting peninsula. Hens the low rooks as the lovely July days were long. reached far out into the sea and then, Her radiant face. was seldom clouded ; it sinking belowthesurface, showelllikea black woutti rake a heavy weight of grief to de- shadow throutgh the blue waters. Thither press her buoyant spirits, or quench the she steered her way. sparkle of keen life in her eyes. In her The' bathing -woman who was standing ehelterecl existence such anxieties as she had as sentinel behind a letrag row of curious, of necessity encounteeecl did not strike sand -ingrained, faded garments which, below the surface ; of suffering Bhe knew secured by stones, lay supine on the yellow nothing bat the name. sands, addressed her as she passed—, Both Miss Elizabeth and the less inn " Where be'ee going to, Miss ?" preesionable Betsey had gone down before " To the rooks." her charms like ninepins. When she was Then plaze to mind the tide ; her comes out of the room, they talked about her ; in powerful fast and strong out yonder. when she was present, they followed her Don't 'ee go out tu far, miss. It's safe about. watching her with indulgent eyes. enough if yu'll be a bit careful." As a. matter of course, she took the guidance Helen nodded. " She would he careful," a the household into her firm hands, and she said, and strode on fast. even gave advine on the subject of garden- She toiled laboriously over the lough and ing, flitting to and fro the grass -plot, from broken shingle which intervened between flower bed to flower -bed, carrying shears or the sands aucl those splendid rocks—her watering -pot, trowel or rake, hose or spud, destination. Most girls would have been as the fancy seized her, with Miss Elizabeth, daunted by the obstacles of that long and a little breathless and anxious, but uncom- gainful walk, and would soon have turned plaining, following at her heels. When, as back to join those comrades who were con - eras sometimes the case, she fell into a wild tent with pleasures less difficult of access, and whimsical mood aui. talked and romped but with Helen it was altogether otherwise. more like an irresponsible madcap than the An impediment in her route was merely a than the dignified young woman she some- thing to be surmounted ; it was no barrier grime appeared, Miss Elizabeth, instead of t,o stop her progress. When once that for - scolding, went into fits of weak laughter. mideble possession of hers, her mind, was When the fierce heat of the day had made up, her purpose, she had accustomed passed, Helen usually went down alone to herself to consider, was inflexible. the seashore, for her aunt could seldom be She found the distance she had to traverse persuaded to leave the precincts of her own was far greater than she had anticipated, domain, explored the village, climbed the and it was long before she—tired, hot and ' rocks played with the -children on the footsore—reached the desired spot and sat beach, and formed a ' friendship with that down on the first low rock at hand to rest inevitable seaside institution the tanned, and look about her. The air was redolent amphibious, and most garrulous bathing- of the breath of the sea ; a bright breeze woman. was blowing, which put a "sharp head" on Helen was gregarious ; she was content to the chopping waves, and cut them up into be alone because it was her nature to be bustling, zig-zag ridges that splashed and content under all eircurnetances, but she broke continually against the rocks' and dearly liked a cempanion, and when nobody tossed and swayed the heavy layers ofsea- came her way she was disappointed. The weed to and fro. nurses and children with whom the narrow Save for Helen the place was deserted ; belt of sands immediately below the village the sea would chafe and fret so foolishly it was sprinkled, soon learned to know the seemed to her, so sadly, too, as though tall, handsome girl who had a greeting for memory would not let it rest, though the every one she met, a smile for the babies, a sky was cloudless. Helen leaned back ready and skillful hand wherewith to build against the rock and watched the water, castles, fill buckets, sail boats, or more thoughtful than was her wont. It pick up the fallen, and cheerful words to was very cool in the shade of the cliff; the console the woeful. She never sat beneath sea -gulls swooped lazily about the bay, and an umbrella absorbed. in the dead con- a fleet of fishing -smacks, their tawny sails tents of a yellow -back, and therefore blind bright in the sunshine, were sailing past to the real game of life played forever before the wind. before her eyes. She was keenly interested Presently she emerged from the shadow in her kind. and began to cross the rocks, steering her More than once during her wanderings course toward their farthest ledge, which she bad caught a glimpse of a high, yellow formed a natural break -water on the west dogcart, with a squareshouldered figure of the reef. She was light and agile of sitting bolt upright on the box seat, whom limb, possessed a fairly steady head and a she recognized. Usually he had nirme one ready eye, but the path she trod was a beside him ; twice it had been another perilous one, for the seaweed which grew on square -shouldered, broad figure like his own; the rocks concealed the pools, and was, but the third time his companion had been moreover, both slimy and slippery. a lady, a pretty girl, whose face was turned To avoid the catastrophe of spoiling her toward him as though she was listening boots and stockings, she took them oif and while he talked. Once, only once, Helen put them upon an adjacent rock. Then, had met that dogcart face to face, and then with an easy mind and happy as a child, its occupant, who had been alone had drawn she waded through the tepid. pools in which up beside her and engaged her for an un- the green -ribbon and pink tree -seaweed ccrnsciona,bly long time in conversation. floated, where vividly -green rock fish darted More than once she had tried to move on, to and fro, and sea -anemones unfolded their but each time he had recalled her by, a tinted limbs until they bloomed like the question and always on the subject of her blossoms of a chrysanthemum in the sun - loss, on which topic he had, of course, a shine. Her observant eyes missed none of right to question her In an affair of the beauties at her feet, but every now and dogged determination, Helen had met her then she remembered the dangers of the master, an amiable, gentle but unflinchinely tide and kept an outlook on the sea. obstinate master. he was enjoying herself after a childish Mr. Jones had also called one afternoon fashion, the evarin transparent water was .at Carnation Cottage, and again it was for tempting. She rolled her sleeves up high, the purpose of conversing with Helen about and knelling down before a pool and she her stolen property, of which, it seemed, he plunged her hand and arm deep down had heerd some hopeful news ; in fact, he among the seaweed and the stones. She was believed the watch had been discovered in a laughing at the awkward flight of a tiny pawnbroker's shop in Birmingham, and in crab when a call—a clear, loud call—startled that case before very long he should have her to her feet. the pleasure of restoring it to its owner. She stood up, raised her dripping' white Miss Elizabeth was grateful for all the hand to shade her eyes, and staredin the trouble that this kind young man had token, direction whence the sound had come. A and, although her niece was out, she had little sailing -boat, in which were seated pressed him to stay to tea. He had re- Mr. Jones and the gentleman whom Helen rnained, and, tea having been taken out had seen before in the yellow -wheeled dog into the the garden, he had seated himself cart, was within twenty yards of her. It beside his hostess in the shade of the tulip was the former of these two young men tree, where he had sojourned for a very, who had so unceremoniously hailed her. very long time. He had shown such -wis- " Hey, hey ! You mustn't stay there— dom about, such appreciation of, and such don't stay there !" he cried. "The tide love for his companion's flowers that on his has turned ; in two minutes those gulleys departure she waxed enthusiastic, pro- behind you will be three feet deep. If you mouncing him to be "the most agreeable don't want a ducking, you had better hurry person of her acquaintance," and "more up, I can tell you." like the young men of my own day, love." Helen was dismayed ; the situation was Helen, who had been down on the beach exasperating. She did not move: she during this event, was toiling slowly up the stooped a little, to be sure that those dread - hill on her way home when Mr. Jones ful feet of hers were concealed, and then she emerged from the garden gate, with the cast a hurried glance around. Where was most cherished of her aunt's rosebuds that rock upon which she had stored her be - his button -hole, and an ag- longings? Alas, she had not marked the gressively debonair and satisfied de- place and now she could not find it. meanor. She was overjoyed at the pros- "1 say, don't wait !" cried the voice pect of recovering her watch and listened again. • You will be drowned. There to all he had to say, which was not a little, isn't too much time to get across." on that and on other subjects, with eager "Thank you—thank youe,n, she called eyes and her most gracious manner. When, back, feebly. "I will go—I arlegoing." an last, she left him, he watched her out of Still she did not move. sight, and then, turning away, he walked "What a good-looking girl !" said Mr. home with a graver look than usual on his Jones's friend. "No wonder you rowed careless, untroubled face ; while she, enter- here ten thousand miles an hour when you ing the garden, met her excited auntwith a saw her ! She's a precious deal too pretty torrent of insane jokes and teasing laughter. to drown. She has lost her head, though. She would be in earnest about nothing ; she Why don't she go on ?" would, not listen to a repetition of Mr. "No fear of her losing her head," returned Jones' conversation ; she would not be in. the other, with an unkind laugh. " we have terested in anything concerning him ; she told her what to expect, so if she wishes to would only consent to hear his praises under be drowned she knows how to do it. She is protest. All through that evening she was as headstrong as 'an allegory.' If her man - in outrageously high spirits, and at last, ners matched her face she would do, but when her poor aunt, half exhausted with they don't." • laughter, led her to thePlano and almostwith "Poor thing! What has she done to tears petitioned for a song,, she would you, Bertie? She has never jumped on only sing her old favorite, "A man who you, has she? You are such a lucky chap, would woo a fair maid,'" and that with such you expect to get all the roses and none of whimsical emphasis and vehemence that ib the thorns. She don't take no 'count of set poor Miss Elizabeth laughing again. US,' as you say in Devon, for she has not "Sing something soft, love something budged an itch." voft," the lady begged plaintively. "She is a little fool," fitaid Mr. Jones, "01 eoft heads or soft hearts, auntie? shortly. Turn the boat, Mason. We will They are both equally interesting, and they bustle up and leave her." hunt in coaples.' After a mild protest his friend obeyed, "Hush, Helen, hush; clo not be so wild. Tacking to the wina, the boat sailed down Sing a pretty, gentle, tender love song." the bay, and landed) its occupants on the "I couldn't do it, entitle. Love is such a shore below Noelcombe. Here the men freed ; it really is. You may talk of tender separated, one disappearing in the direction beefsteak ; but a tender song—pshonv 1" of Newton, the other—after wandering "Helen, that is not right ; it is unseemly, rather aimlessly about the sands for a time love, I am going to bed." —suddenly turned his face westward, and And she went—it was her usual and began to plod over the rough rotte which effective way of ending an argennent, led to the reef of rocks. Upon the afternoote of that day whieh Though Mise Helen 1VIitford was ungrano- had been fixed for the ball at Newton Hall ful and pig-headed, and though Mr. Jones the Minee Mitford, at Helen's request, had thought it probable that he should shortly tea eaely ; after which the girl, adjusting ask the gentle and pliable Lady Lucy Fee - her big white hat, and, as a tribute to mantle to marry him, yet he was intereeted custom, fetching her gloves) which she put to know what had become of that slender in her poeket instead of open her hands), figure which he could still sea, with his set off for het' daily walk. She plumed a Mind's eye, standireg in the sunshine, with mothent at the gate to wave a farewell to her beautiftil wet hand and arm neared, her aunt, who was bent double over her car- and her earned, startled eyes fisted on nation bed; the eutface toil a which elle him. He had felt unreasonable anger at was loosening with a fork hs f companion's admiration of the 'The tide is (nth this evening, euntie ; X girl, anger which he had directed upon her lueleless head, He' had sleeken of her With Poor Helen;the feller()) or rather the re - unjustifiable rudeness it was well for him feult of her finaefibrt to aid herself of this that she had, been oat'of earshot when he unconectious aggressor overwhohned her. had. done 50 ; he could picture her face had She was disheartened, preplened, and tired she, by any unhappy chance, overheard his out. The incoming waves splashed elaager- words. usly near her ; o few minutes more and her If she had not flown at the first hint of present Position would be untenable danger, then she desereed praise for her Her mouth (Minorca perceptibly, pluck—nee the condemnation for rashness and the tears started to her which he had allotted her. eyes, Mr. 4 ones noticed thee pre - His heed was overflowing with thoughts liminaries with dismay ; he had barely of her, His Meat misgave him that he had time to feel that matters were getting not appreciated the (tering bravery with serious, and th reflect that the Moine; away whiclt she had heard of her danger (a danger of those tears would bee, bleesedworle, when he had semewhat exaggerated), and steadily, 1j:111:owned gray eyes were turned tragically celmly, courageously faced it. Meanwhile, this calm, young heroine, as " Won't you go ? Will nothing make soon as the boat's head was turned away, you go ?" she eried, pushing forth, for one cast custom and cautioa to the winds. The moment, from beneath her serge skirt, a choice between dignity or drowning was not bare and bleeding foot at which she pointed hard to make, between clothed feet or with a pregnant gesture. " 1 have to walk safety, seemliness or preservation, hoots or all the way over these dreadful, dreadful death. Stumbling, clambering, supping, stones barefoot. I could not find my—my she ran like a stag over the rocks, fordieg boots or stockings when you frightened mo; they were out there on the rocks ; they have pools and galleys recklessly in her panic, cutting and bruising her feet and accom- been washed away. Oh ! yon are laughing —how can you laugh And the tears M. her eyes welled over, and rolled slowly down her cheeks, plishing her painful retreat with wonderful celerity considering the difficulties of her path and her constant backward glances at the departing boat. And so, presently, Mr. Jones saw the figure for which he was in search, approach- ing him, but most leisurely. How pro- vokingly she dawdled ; no house -laden snael ever crawled so slowly as she now But if Mr. Jones had smiled, the smile advanced. Could it be that she recognized arose from a desire to screen an inevitable him, and from perversity, or coyness, or chagrin, rather thau from any sense of some unfathomable feminine coquetry, humor at the situation, and at her words he lingered for the mere purpose of annoying became grave as a judge. Indeed, he felt him ? as little inclined to laugh as did Helen her - Confound her, she was over -doing it, for self at that moment, for he was disagreeably she actually seated herself on the shingle conscious of having played the coxcomb in within a few yards of the breaking waves, his thoughts. Had ever man more griev- and stared out to sea as though she was as ously misread a manner? And yet he was etationary (or more so) than the lighthouse. glad—yes, glad that he had been mistaken, The dinner -hour was approaching awk- and that this young person differed from wardly near, but Mr. Jones did not retreat; that vast tribe of demoiselles a marier, who on the contrary, he quickened his pace, and advanced uninvited from all corners, and at with a smile in his eyes and a tightly -closed all stages of his life, to meet him. mouth walked on. As he came nearer to At the sight of her distress, he forgot the girl she started perceptibly; if she was himself; such a lapse of memory was not not a good, nay, more, a practiced actress, quite of so rare an occurence with Mr. Jones that was assuredly the first time she bad as with the majority of his sex. Divesting seen him. He saw her flush, a scarlet, deep himself instantly of thangallant air which flush, which dyed her face and neck, her lips embarrassed her, with considerable tact and quivered, her eyes sank to the ground, and kindliness he soothed Helen into taking than, with a bashful, uncertain, hurried less hopeless view of her position; and when movement, she rose to her feet. her tears were dried and she was bomposed, The conclusion he naturally deduced from she found that he had again opened a road this delightfully unexpected shyness of hers, through which she could escape from a set his heart beating fast, he had token her dilemma. unawares, and thus learned the value of "But I am giving you so much trouble ; that indifferent manner which it had you are so kind," she faltered. pleased her to adopt toward him. How ex- "Trouble? Nonsense, its no trouble at ceedingly pretty she looked! Her downcast all. I was going into the village, anyway. black -lashed eyes, her drooping head, that I shall get up to your place in no changing color of which he was the author, time, and explain what has happened. became her royalty ; he would not spoil the You stay quietly here; no, not just picture by speaking and setting her at her here, but a dozen yards further in. Get up; ease. Even her voice, as she addressed give me your hands ; lean on me, that's him hurriedly by name, faltered—there was right. Bah! how those beastly stones hurt a deprecating cadence, new as it was sweet, you. There, you're all safe now, and the in its tones. His late companion had tide won't be in for an hour. Don't move, accused him of desiring to possess, nay, and I will undertake that your maid shall more, of actually possessing "all bring your shoes and stockings before you the roses and none of the thorns " ; know where you are. No, don't thank me, this blushing rose had assuredly it's absurd. You know itwas all my fault stripped off her prickles, and she was a rare for scaring you out of your life on the rocks. blossom, the fairest of her sisters. His Good-bye, till to -morrow. I wish "—press - heart warmed to her, he would be most ing the hand he held suddenly and firmly._ gentle, he would be unconscious of her con- "1 wish to heaven that you were coming to straint But he must be cautious, it would our dance to -night." not do to be too—there his resolutions failed But before he had reached Noelcombe, him, for Miss Mitford, with a second rapid when his young blood had had time to cool, uncertain movement, sank down again into and when the extraordinary influence of her former position on the shingle, flushing the girl's presence was removed, lie was no like Aurora. longer sure of the truth of that forcibly ex - It was his duty, of course, to follow her pressed desire, for he remembered Lady lead and seat himself beside her, ancl, late Lucy to whom he had already engaged though it was,he felt no disinclination to do himself for half -a -dozen dances, a,nd to so. Leisurely, and with a kind smile'he whom he quite intended to engage himself placed himself beside her; his reception had for life. flattered him, he was sure of himself. Some time later that evening, Miss "Trust in thyself—then spuretthairenenen'Elizebeth Mitford, her spectacles open her wooing as for working is an excellent hose, was delicately perambulating her motto. dewy lawn, with her upgathered skirts in To give him his due he made himself one hand and a jam -pot containing a very agreeable ; how fluently he talked deadly solution of salt and water in the and how quietly she listened ; she answered other. The passion of her nationality, him but in soft monosyllables ; he felt that the thirst for sport, shone in her eager, he shone in conversation, she was evidently downcast eyes. well satisfied with his society, for she While she was thus engaged, her niece made no attempt to move, she sat motion- came out from beneath the embowerecl less as a statue. Fired by the troubled porch and stood silently looking across the expression of her beautiful eyes—by the bay. Helen was tired, her eyes were len- way, how her sweet face had grown in guid, her expression was soft and subdued, expression, the anxiety that ruffled her her vigorous spirits were no longer aggres- brow the restlessness, a constraint be- sive, and, contrary to her usual habit, she -ft-eyed by the way in which she toyed preserved a lengthy silence. The flower - continually with some pebbles in her hand, scented air was warm the sinking sun, like were all new—he began to talk sentiment, it a ball of fire, lay in the" dappled sky," the was not his way to besentimental, he hardly clouds, crimson, purple and gold, cast bread knew what ailed him. Following her gaze shadows upen the indigo background of the across the sea, he began todescant on its beau- sea and were reflected in fainter tints upon ties. Had she watched last night's sunset, the gaunt cliffs. Standing againste back - the lights had been—what did that poet ground of myrtle and rose trees, she say? he was sure Miss Mitford knew whom watched the wondrous picture of the sea he meant and what he meant—" day died and of the sunset,and was still. Thoughtful, like the dolphin." Yes, that was it. Had perforce, and against her will, for thought she seen a storm at sea ? Viewed from the is pain, and pain is not to be tolerated in so coast, he declared it to be a most glorious blithe a world. Helenwasnotgiventomedi- sight •' he would give anything to be with tation ; she was emphatically a woman of her itNoelcombe when a real nor'easter speech not of deliberation. Neither had it was blowing, and the waves dashed roaring beennher habit to indulge in day -dreaming up against the rocks and drenched the cliffs —shenwanted no more than else owned, she a hundred feet aloft with spray. But she preferred fact to fancy, therefore the build - would be miserable; her kind heart would ing of an air -castle was a distinct waste of be with the sailors, and her thought of time which might have been better em - them would blind her eyes to the beauties ployed in enjoying life in the solid cottage of the storm. He was getting on fast ; he wherein her lot was cast. was going ahead ; to his comrade's unutter- The result of her present reflection was a able relief, he suddenly drew out his watch smile, not a sigh. and changed the subject. " Auntie, let those wretched slugs live on "It is half -past 7," he announced care- for just one more night," she said ; her lessly ; he thought that, perhaps, her suggestions were apt to fall from her auto- watchless position had made her regardless cratic lips in the guise of commands. of time. At what a pace the time has gone !" "Come over here, and look at the sea and let me talk to you. When you are slug - Every nerve in her body lustily negatived hunting, you never hear a woad I say." that remark, but she said: Thus adjured, the disturbed sportswoman "Yes, it is very, very late. Won't drew herself upright by a stiff effort, and you" (timidly) "be late for dinner ?" with a guilty confusion turned to her niece. "Yes," he returned with a regretful "My love, I did not see you, I thought sigh ; "unless we start at once, 1 shall you were in the drawing -room singing that probably get no dinner at all." odd song of yours. or I should not have "Don't," she began with a sudden bold- come out here. How," anxiously, "are ness ; "please don't think it necessary to you poor, dear feet?" wait for me. I shall not go home for some Helen looked down critically at those in - time. I don't know when I shall go home valids which were roaming within her —not for hours and hours." aunt's capacious house boots—cloth boots, " Then," he returned, gravely, "you they were capped with patent leather, lined mean to deprive me altogether of my with scarlet flannel, side laced, devoid of dinner." heels and roomy. "But, surely, you have forgotten, you "Oh, they are all right now, Auntie, must go ; it is the night of your ball." they don't hurt at all, "I had forgotten He murmured somethingwhich the break- theme I assure you, it is awful when they ing of the waves drowned, but which was in press their identity on one—as mine did reality a rash avowal of oblivion to the upon me on the beach." mundane matters of life under the present, Mr, Jones ie a most kind-hearted per- eircumstameen son, Helen." She smiled a beevilclerindingly kind smile The girl had turned aside to pick a into his face. crimson rose from the ttee behind her, " Good -by," she said holding out her which she placed in the bosom of her hand to him. "1 won't allow you to stay gown- she was home -ring very softly for another moment. I should never for- give myself if you lost your dinner through your—your politeness, and don't you think —I'm stire—at least 1 think your people win wont you mid won't know where you "1 learned both the value of boots and of messengers," she answered, watching the are," s. A. pathetic, pleading note had become 1o entangled in her hesitating tones, He took Though Miss Elizabeth had obediently her cold little hand and held it tightly', joined Helen, her eyes were not on that the ways of women, but this one puzzled grinned at her feet. hint. Game so easy of acquisition was sport answering her with some words apt and soft 01:awiernaegerenial:go:eeovlea:rclinto:wloehr:ic:h,tis thpeaynohraadmabeeonf He fancied that he kneW a good deal about enough to repay .her amply for her favor. " Auntie," in a slow, 1ovv•pitched one, directed bat had crept clown to' the hunting not worthy of the name' 1311t the helld Miss Elizabeth, scrutinizing the lawn, which he held, small and cold though it watt streggled atoutly for freedom, SO stoutly) said, with a pre-oeeupied air. " What did you sive my dear " indeeds that he released it, CHAPTER VII, There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will. SIIAKSPV.A.RM "It may draw you a tear Or a box on the ear, You can never be sure till you've tried." . nesse "Were yon ever in levet" consinerable Veleotance; he scrulminmdY "Oh, nes, my near, to be eine I Wati." neglected Helen. The picnic part of the "Then yen fell in love?' eetertainmexit was worthy of it famine_ " Yes, yes,certainly I did." iced drinks with startliug names ; sand - " Well?" inquieitivelea wiches, cool, curious and unwholeemne ; No answer. tea, coffee, sugared and almonded eakern " Well, Auntie 1" a littlelouder, and per- bou-bons, and tea -table accessories beloved, suasively. of women were pressed upon the guests by wtroops of servantm e. No an need stir a, happened allele—inenedy deawhleal" you. were in finger on his comrade's behalf, and there - love fore the N?otaing which I can at tide moment Pienie• men for once in a way, enjoyed a. recollect, Helen." After. tea Helen and her squire were These,ninYdel o: C171rewnaosteennggaaggeedfor river, the noiee of which was an d?'; nearly a brawliug wanderinglazily along the side of the year, love. It was an anxious time and excuse for maintaining silence—so mho dip - Thomas jilted me." lomatieally suggested, for she found her - Helen drew in her breath and flushed. self at the utmost tether of easy- discourse— Her curiosity had inflicted e wound on this while each was secretly wondering how soon poor lady, who must yet be made of tough the call of the horn would summon them material for she had been jilted, jilted, for their return journey. The gentleman jilted, and yet her outraged pride had not was grateful to Helen, first for her face, killed her ! Helen, in her angry distress, which Ile admired, secondly for having could not speak, but the victim of the saved him any trouble in conversation; but wrong manifested no agitation, she went on for all that he was thinking, not of her, hut: commenting on the circumstance with of his dinner, while she was conscious of serene complaisance. being tired, disappointed and puzzled. Why had Mr. Jones been so anxious that isa should go to Rivers Meet? Though, his was the only familiar ince among all these strangers, he had never once come near her. He was not the least desirous of her company ; he was un- conscious of her presence, which he had certainly been at some pains to secure. She had thought about him a good deal; she had never thought of any stranger so much before. She was thinking about hirn at the very moment when he emerged front behind the granite, mosnfringed bowleler before her ancl joined them. This time he was alone—no insipid, pale -eyed gid to monopolize him. Helen was accustomed to receiving deference, if not devotion, fronz men ; she alweys considered it her due. ,Almost simultaneously with his appearance the tooting of the horn broke above the roaring of the water and echoed among the hills ; this was the sound for which she had been eagerly listening ; it had come but just three minutes too soon. " That is the muster, old chap," said Helen's squire with alacrity, addressingMr. jonee. Come along, Miss Mitford, you and I must be off. Awfully noisy place thin —Niagara not in it. Shan't be sorry to get into the quiet. See you again. Good- bye. Good-bye" " Good-bye, Jack," said he, " but it isn't good-bye to Miss Mitford. If she will allow me, I am to have the pleasure of driving her back in my cart. Lady Lucy fancies there Is Dein. to be a thunderstorin, so she hate bookecrfor the landau, and I can't be scoriae coach." to sunder any of the couples on the h By this speech Mr. Jones bad shown ,the subtlety of the serpent; by his indifferent, but incontestable invitation he precluded the possibility of Helen's either refusing his escort or guessing at what- pains he had been in perfecting the present arrangement. To which arrangement she acquiesced Quite graciously—her pride would not allow her to wince beneath the punishment of her vanity. '..Will you go down and see the start, Miss Mitford? Or will you come a hundren yards higher up the stream and have a look: at the pools ?" She hesitated ; she had no inclination to see the start, she had no interest in her late companions. Mr. Jones read her silence to his liking. " e won't see them off: Good-bye's are melancholy duties, you are quite right. Come along down this path, it's not far,' and he led the way through the bracken, "bub such a ripping place when yon get there. We have plenty of time, I am going to drive you home by the New Cut round the Great Tor—it is a shorter way than the way you came, but the road isn't sane for coaching. You want a good head and a steady ilex ve to appreciate the view, but you possess both, 1 know." He went on talking with great ease anol friendliness. It really was impossible to remember lost parental H's, plebeian pro- geeitors, overbearing sisters, or purse -prowl oddities, in company with the sunny mood of this genial comrade. What gratification. was to be found in holding aloof from encl sulking with a person who is blind to your frigidity, who listens eagerly to your re- marks, who understands and responds to your smiles, who meets your thought hail way with an answering thought, and who, this last clause is the most effective in the category—should it please you to turn your back upon and leave him, would he quite as happy, content and debonair, with some other young woman beside hina. Helen, did not argue either with him or with her- self, but she forgot his drawbacks, though. she meant to remember them—and re- sponded to his mood. She became friendly and enjoyed herself, her face was always dangerously expressive of her feelings, he saw at once that she was pleased. Precipitous hills inclosed a wide ravine through which a swift and angry river dashed, striking against impending bowlders with a roar, gushing in shallow. cascades over the stones, rushing with silent but mighty force beneath the rocky banks. At one spot a cluster of japed bowie/ern had been detached from the overhanging cliff and had fallen into the bed of the river, subduing, by their strength, the frenzy of the water, which lay in deep, dark, brood- ingpools between them. Farther on, like agiant refreshed, and with an outburst of fury, the water'in a spoutingsheet poured over a lofty fall, and' thundering down sped. headlong on its course to the sea. To this locality Bertie guided his companion. " Irian this ripping ?" said he, leaning against the rock upon a ledge of which she had seated herself. "1 wanted you to see the pools. I knew you would like Rivers Meet, Just look and listen'I won't talk to you. A human voice or a human being is suelerfluous here. We are too insignificant to assert ourselves ; we ought to take back seats and keep quiet." ITo be Contentment "Dear me, Helen, you have no notion how unpleasant it all 'seemed, and bow foolishly I fretted. It is hard to foresee iu O present distress a future gain. Provi- dence was very good to inc. The poor thing for whom he jilted me became his wife—a position I was ignorant enough to euvy her. She has had a hard life for he made a most uncomfortable mid seldsh hus- band, while I, my dear, have spent the auttunn of my happy life without a care. My love, the adoption of a life -partner is too great a risk to be willingly undertaken by any one except those who are fearless through the inexperience of their extreme youth. * * * My goodness me ! Helen, there, look, upon the stalk of that tender picotee ? Do you see it? Rapacious little wretch 1 I must secure him." And she ran back to recommepee her engrossing occupation. Then Helen re-entered the little porch and a few moments later the sound of music reached Miss Elizabeth through the open window. Helen was singing a new song, uufamiliar to the house- hold. Upon the following afternoon the younger Mise Mitford, looking as eweet and fresh and fair as the flowers around her, was fidgeting about the grass plot as she waited for the carriage which Lady Jones had promiecel should call at four o'clock to pick her up on its way to Rivers Meet. She wore, with sad extravagence, her very best gown, a thin electric cotton that matched the color of her eyes, and clad in which she looked her best, and knew it. In- her waistbelt she had carefully stored a whole parterre of her aunt's choicest carnations ; her nut -brown lovelocks were arranged to perfection beneath the broad brim of her hat. " Toono-to-towtoot 1" the stirring and lively call of a horn, the rumble of wheels, the sharp trot of horses' hoofs, the jingling of harness precursed the arrival of the Jones' coach, which presently, loaded with a boisterous, laughing, happy crew, drew up aloneeide the door of Carnation Cottage. Neither Lady Jones nor her son were among the party, but a girl, whom Helen afterwards learned to be Patricia Jones, called out, listlessly "How do you do ?" folloWing the ques- tion by the advice to "Get up as fast as possible, for the horses won't stand." So Helen mounted the steps precipitately and squeezed herself into the small space on the third seat back, whither she was directed—a little abashed at findine herself the one outsider among a party ofinntates —a position seldom enviable. Her happy faculty of easy enjoyment eerved her in good stead during that drive for, more from lack of invitation than want of incline - tion, she took small pert in that " feast of reason and flow of soul" floating around her. She was in the habit of taking her stand in the foreground of the scene ; here she was unceremoniously thrust into the back- ground, and subsequently ignored—no doubt a wholesome though an unpalatable experience for the damsel, who, however, laughed at such witticisms as she heard, observed the company, and craned her neck first on one side, then on the other, to catch O full sight of the surrounding country, and culled plenty of pleasure from so doing. Patricia, Anastasia, and the other half- dozen girls were fully occupied with their respective swains, and the aftermath of the previous night'sflirtationswas being cropped on all sides. The young man whom Helen had seen with Mr. Jones in the boat was driving, and by his side on the box-seet Anastasia sat; such attention as he eould spare from the team, which required careful handling over the Devon roads, she engrossed. Once, and once only, Patricia addressed her silent guest— "I'm afraid you have not much room, Miss Mitford. My brother said you would go in the landau with my mother, and she forgot all about you and started an hour ago." Then, turning to the man next her, she went on—" Bertie drove Lady Lucy in the dogcart; she was more than half afraid, but he insisted." "Have they settled it ?" he asked, with that sort of smile which flickers only over one "ib." Miss Jones shrugged her high, broad shoulders. "Bertie is like all the rest of you, Sir Edwin," she returned—" doesn't know his own mind. The fact is he is an unconscion- able flirt, though if one told him so he wouldn't believe it." The gentleman addressed murmured some response, at which Patricia's rosy cheeks grew rosier, and to which she retorted with gratified smiles. Helen was an unsympathetic observer of these soft passages; her lips hardened a little. "They are all making fools of themselves—every one," she thought, and she plumed herself on her superiority to these weaknesses. Up and down the heaving country the strong team of hill -trained horses trotted fast. The air fanned a color into Helen's cheeks, and brightened her eyes. The chaperon of the party was a girl, little older than Helen herself, whose husband was Helen's neighbor, and who, before they reached their destination, 'fell into a broken conversation with her. When they alighted at Rivers Meet he elected to con- stitute himself her companion, and though he was heavy, dull, and universally dis. contented, she was compelled to accept his proffered society, as it eeerned to be a choice between him as her squire or no one. Thus she spent the greater part of the time with him, trying conscien- tiously to amine and interest him, bot fail- ing obviously. She received a earelese smile and pre -occupied greeting from her young host. He did not speak to her ; his presence was in great demand. A girl with O weak inanimate face whom Helen heard addreseed as Lady Lucy, was always by his side, and he seemed to bestow some of that superfluous energy of his upon the arrange- From Germany Dr. Agnea Kemp writes ment of the picnic, for the servants were of a women's convention in Dresden, with. flying to and fro at his beheets. delegates preseet from all parts of Ger- NoW this wise young men had read " the 'many, asking for women equal educational, books of weman's looks rather deeply ; he Prinilegee with inen• • knew the feminine weakness that desires Mrs. Emily Verderz-13attey, on the ataft everything except that one thing which she of the New teak Sun for twehty year, haft possesses, tied valuee nothing which she opened a Woman's Bureau of Journalients own, but ever casts a covetous eye and Literature et 30 W. Sixty -fires street, upon the unattainable, and tio, though with Now Steele City, A Great Explosion: In these days of gunpowder, dynamiter, giant powder, and the like, tremendous ex- plosions are no rarity, but the greatest ex- plosion of modern tithes is, without doubt,, that of the "old school" idea that 'Con- sumption is incurable. Thousands of liven have been eaerificed to this mistaken notion. Modern researeh has established the facb that Consumption is a scrofulous disease of the lungs, and that there is ooe remedy which will positively eradicate it from the system—Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Dis- covery, Of course, there were in the olden, times many who would have pronounced modern explosives instrument e of witchcraft e but there are, fortunately, few tonlay who do not acknowledge that the "Golden Medi- cal Diecovery " is the one sovereign remedy for all scrofulous diseases, ancl Coneuthp- tion is one of thein.