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uvake. indeec lar course of tiptoe to the 5 room, be close his eyeâ€"glass. tried the lid ( subdivision. "Um!" he muttered. half aloud. "that’s where they are; Iwish I had hen minutes." 'Arthur assented. a Iogether; Sir John‘ pared to be a little Influence of the port 9e was not wanted. pad the door closed knight proved him Next he returned swiftly to the table. and, taking a piece of the soft bread which he was eating instead of biscuit. with his wine. be rapidly kneaded itl into dough, and, going to the safe. diâ€" vided the material into two portions. One portion he carefully pressed up- on the keyhole of the subdivision, and then. extracting the key of the safe itself, took a. very fair impress of its wards on lhe other. This done, be carefully put the pieces of dough in his breast-pocket, in such a way that; they were not likely to be crushed. and. with a smile of satisfaction, returned. to his chair, helped himself to a glass of port. and dozed off. "Halloo, Bellamy, gone to sleep? Wake up, man. We have settled this) business about the mortgage. “'ill you write to Mr. Borley, and convey Mr. Heigham's decision? And perâ€" haps”â€"addressing Arthurâ€""you will do the same on your own account." Then they parted for the night; but before he left the room. George went to lock up the safe that was still open in the corner. Struck by some thought, he unlocked the separate comâ€" partment with a key that hung on his watchâ€"chain and extracted therefrom a thick and neatly-folded packet of let- ters. Drawing out one or two, he lanced through them and replaced hem. , “011! Lady Anne, Lady Anne," he said to himself as he closed the case, "you are up in the world now. and you aspire to rule the county soviety, and have both the wealth and the wit to do it; but you must not kick over the traces, or I shall be forced to suppress you, Lady Anne, though you are the wife of a Brummagen knight. and I. think that it: is time you had a little reminder. You are growing a touch ton independent.” "Certainly Iwill write. Caresfoot; and now I think that I must be off. Her ladyship does not like having to sit up for me." ‘ 80 soon as Sir John had left, Arthur told his host that, if the morning was line. he proposed to go and fish in Bratham Lake, and that he also proâ€" posed to take his departure by the last train on the following evening. To these propositions George offered no objectionsâ€"indeed. they were distinc- ily agreeable to him, as lessening the time he would he forced to spend in ihe society of a. guest he cordially de- tested, for such was the feeling that he had conceived toward Arthur. Arthur's sleep was oppressed lhat, night by horrible nightmares of fightâ€" ing dogs, whereof the largest and mast ferocious was fitted with George's red head, the effect of which, screwed. without any eyq 1,0 the fitness ofthings to the body of the deceased Snarleyow, strur‘k him as peculiarly disagreeable. He himself was armed with a. gun, and, whilst he was still arguing with Sir John Bellamy the nice point whether should he execute that particular aniâ€" mal, as he felt a carnal longing in do. it would be manslaughter or (log- slaughter, he found himself wide awake. Sir John hit his knightly lip, but answered, smiling. that he would reâ€" member, and begging George not to ring, as his trap was at the hallâ€"doom and the servant wailing, he bade an affectionate good-night to Arthur, to Whom he expressed a hope that they would soon meet again, and let himself out of the room. But, as soon. as the door was closed, he went, flirough anâ€" other performance exceedingly inapâ€" propriate iua knight. Turning round his smug face red with anger, he pirâ€" ouetted on his toes, and shook his fist violently in the direction of the door. “You scoundrel!" he said, between his teeth, “you have made a. fool of me for twenty years. and I have been obliged to grin and bear it; but 1 will rhe even. with you yet, and her too. more especially her." It was very early in of the lst of May, am], the usual experience of U of theme islands. the sky of the lst of May. am], contrary to the usual experience of the inhabitants of these islands. the sky gave promise of a particularly fine day, just the day for fishing. He did not feel sleepy, and, liad he done so. he had had enough 9! his doggy dreams; 50 he got. up. dressed, and taking his fishing rod. Jet; himself out of the house as he. had Been: instructed to do on the previous ovenâ€" ing, and, releasing Aleck from his out house, proceeded toward Bratham Lake. And about this lime Angela woke up too, for she always rose early, and run to the window to see what sort of a day she had got [or hm‘ birthday. Seeâ€" Ing it to he so fine. s-he threw open the old latlit'e, at whirl] her pet raven George laughed in a peculiarly in- sulting Way. "I don't think she Would care muchBellamy, if you stayed away all night. But, look here, tell her I want to see her toâ€"morrow; don’t forget.” CHAPTER XVIIIâ€"C proved himself vary Indeed, he commenced a CHAPTER XIX action. Advancing on ate in the corner of the ly inspected it through! Then he cautiously >f em artfully contrived [I.â€"â€"Continued. and they went off whose eyes a?“ heavy under the , presuming that But, no sooner than the worthy t he morning singuâ€" wideâ€" her face and neck, and a, wonderful thing it w years old. And then. window, she said her p: own; fashion, thanking spared her to see this°d Him to show her what life. and, if it was His ted, an 1121‘ fao Now all this had taken a good time, nearly an hour, perhaps: for. being her birthday. and there having been some mention of a. young gentleman who might pvssihly come to fish. she had pla'ited up her shining hair with extra. care, a very laborious business when your hair hangs down to your Meanwhile, our other early riser. Arâ€" thur, had made his way first to the foot of the lake and then along the little path that skirted its area till he came to Caresfoot Staff. Having suf~ ficiently admired that majestic oak. for he was a great lover of timber. he proâ€" ceeded to investigate the surrounding water with the eye of a true fisherman. A few yards further up there jutted into the water that fragment of wall on which stood the post. now quite rotâ€" ten, to which Angela had bound herself! on the day of the great storm. At his feet tw. the foundations of an- other wall ran out for some distance into the lake, being. doubtless, the un- derpinning: of an ancient boat-house. but this (lid not rise out of the water, but stopped Within six inches of the when knees his feet tog. the. foundations of an- other wall ran out for some distance into the lake, being, doubtless. the un~ derpinning of an ancient boat-house. but this (lid not rise out of the water, but stopped Within six inches of the surface. Between these two walls lay a very deep pool. "Just the place for a heavy fish," reâ€" flected Arthur, and, even as liethought it, he saw a. five pound carp rise nearly to the surface. in order to clear the obstruction of the wall, and sink silâ€" ently into the depths. "Yes; my father said something about our being related. have no relations except my cousm George, and I am very glad to make the acâ€" quaintance of one,” and she held out her hand to him in a winning way. He took it almost reverently. "You cannot.“ be said; with much sincerity. more glad than I am. I too, am without relations. Till lately I had my mother, but she died last year," " Were you very ‘ fond of her 9" lhe uked, softly. r Retiring carefully to one or two quaintly carved stone blocks plat-ed at the foot of the oak tree. on “'hit‘h, doubtless, many a 'monk had sat in meditation. he set himself to get his fishing gear together! Presently. however, struck by the beauty of the spot and its quiet, only broken by the song of many nesting birds, he stopped awhile to look around him. Above 1115 head the branches of the great oak, now clothing themselves with the most vivid green, formed a dome-like roof, beneath the shade of which grew the softest moss, starred here and there with primroses and violets. Outside the Circle of its shadow the brushwoml of mingled hazel and ashâ€"stubs rose thick and high, ringing in the little spot as with a wall, except where its depths were pierced by the passage of a long green lane of limes that, unlike the shrubberies, appeared to be kept in careful order, and of which the archâ€" ing boughs formed a perfect leafy tun- nel. Before him lay the lake where the long morning lights quivered and danced, as its calm was now and again ruffled by a gentle breeze. The whole scene had a lovely and peaceful look, and, gazing on it. Arthur fell into a reverie. Sitting thus dreamily, his face looked at its best, its expression of gentle thoughtfulness giving it an attraction beyond what it was entitled to, judged purely from a sculptor's point of view. It was an intellectual face, a face that gave signs of great mental possibilities. but for all that a little weak about the mouth. The brow indicated some degree of power, and the mouth and eyes no small capacities for affection and all sorts of human sympathy and kindness. These Last, in varying lights, could change as often as the lights, could change as often as the! English climate; their groundwork,t however, was blue, and they were honâ€"l est and bonny. In short, a man in looking at Arthur Heigham at the age: of twenty-four would have reflected! that. even among English gentlemen, he was remarkable for his gentleman- like appearance, and a "fellow one would like to know;" a girl would have' dubbed him "nice-looking;" and a! middle-aged womanâ€"amt most: womenl do not really understand the immensel difference between men until they are1 getting on that wayâ€"would have reâ€", oognized in him 'a young man by no, means uninteresting, and one who might, according to the circumstances? of his life, develop into anything or â€"â€"nothing in particular. Presently, drawn by some unguessed attraction, Arthur took his eyes off an industrious waterâ€"hen. who was buildâ€" ing a nest in a hurried way, asthough she were not quite sure of his inten- tions, and perteived a large raven standing on one leg on the grass, about three yards from him, and peering at? him comically out of one eye. Thisl was odd. But his glance did not stop at the raven, for a yard or two beyond it he caught sight of a white skirt, and his eyes, traveling upward, sawK first a rounded waist, and then a bust and pair of shoulders such as few wo- men can boast, and at last, another pair of eyes; and he then and- theret fell utterly and irretrievably in love "Good heavens!” he said, aloudâ€"poor fellow, he did not mean to say it, it' was wrung from the depth of his heart» â€"“good heavens, how lovely she is!” Let the reader imagine the dreadful confusion produt-ed in that other pairi of eyes at the open expression of such‘ a. sentiment. and the vivid blush that stained the fair few in \vhi<-il they were: set, it he win. But somehow they did not. grow angryâ€"perhaps it was not in the nature of the moat sternly ex- prerâ€"ssiro young" lady to grow angry at 3 inient. which. however marked, was .» evidently genuine and unpre- meditatozl. in another moment Ar- thur hethuught him of what, he had said, and it was his turn to blush. Hal eady tapping to be admit- the sweet air play upon neck, and thought what it was; to be th hen, kneeling by xer prayers affier ‘5', and pm: to do with ill thought v to be twe make it event. ore of Pigott , the 'Vhat nty‘ the her ‘ maid. “ I hoped you were going to stay . for some time." i “And so 1 might have, had it not; been for lhzu‘ hx'aie Alwk, but he has put a long sojourn with your cousin I and the ghost of Snarleyow out of the Iquestion; so I suppose [must go by lthq- 6.20 train. At any rate," headd- ‘ed. more brightly, as a thought struck ihim, "I must go from Islewonh." l She did not appear to see the drift ‘ of the last part of his remark. but an- ‘ swered :‘ recovere Rising 1 "I beg your pardon, but you start- led me so. and really for a moment I thought that you were the spirit of the place, or,” he added, gracefully, pointing to abranch of half-opened hawthorn bloom she held in her hand, "the original Queen of the May." Angela. blushed again. The compli- ment was only implied this time; she had therefore no possible pretext for getting angry. ’ , ,I LL- n1¢rnn+ 5v..uug aunt”, . For a. moment she dropped the sweet eyes that looked as though they were fresh from reading the truths of Heaâ€" ven before his gaze of unmistakable admiration, and stood confused; and, as she stood, it struck Arthur that. there was something more than mere beauty of form and feature about her â€"â€"an indescribable something, a glory of innocence, a. reflection of God’s own light that tinged the worship her love- liness commanded with a touch of re- verential awe. "The angels must look like that.” he thought. But he had no time to think any more, for next moment she had gathered up her courage in both her hands, and was speaking to him in a soft voice, of which the tones went ringing on through all the changes of his life. r "My father told me that he had askâ€" ed you to come and fish, but I did not expect to meet you so early. [â€"I fear that I am disturbing you;" she made as though she would be going. Arthur felt that this was a contin- gency to he prevented at all hazards. "You are Miss Caresfoot," he said. hurriedly, "are you not?" "Yesâ€"I am Angela; I need not ask your name, my father told it me. You are Mr. Arthur Heigham." "The angel thought. 17 think any m had gathere< (.lu “L. . .-- _ “Yes. ‘And do you know that we are cousins?" This was a slight exâ€" aggeration. but he was glad to advance any plea to her confidence that occurâ€" red to him. v~ .1,:A_ aaked, softly. He nodded in reply, and, feeling inâ€" stinctively that she was on delivate ground, Angela pursued the conversar- tion no further. Meanwhile Aim-k had awoke from a comfortable sleep in which he was inâ€" dulging on the other stone seat. and. coming forward, sniffed at Angela and wagged his tail in approvalâ€"a. liberty that. was instantly resented by the big raven, who had now heen joined by another not quite so large. Advancing boldly, it peeked him sharply on the tailâ€"a proueeding that caused Master Alet‘k to jump round as quickly as his maimed condition would allow him. only to receive a still harder peck from its companion bird; indwd, it was not until Angela intervened with the hough of hawthorn that they would cease from their attack. "They are such jealous creatures," she explained; "they always follow me about, and fly at every dog that comes near me! Poor dog! that is the one, I suppose, who killed Snarleyow. My father told me all about it." “ He has a very honest face. though his nose does louk as though it were broken." she said. and, stucping down she patted the dog. "Yes, it is easy to see that," said Arthur laughing. and pointing to Al- eck. who, indeed, was a lamentable case. having one eye entirely closed, a. large strip of plamer on his head. and all the rat of his body more or less marked with bites. “It is an un- commonly awkward business for me. and your cousin will not forgive it in a hurry, I fancy; but it really was not poor Aleck‘s faultâ€"he is gentle as a lamb, if only he is let, alonn,” “But 1 must he going in to break- fast." she went on, presently. "It is eight o'clock; the sun always strikes that tough at eight in spring," and she pointed to a dead limb, half hid- den by the budding foliage of the oak. “You must observe closely to have noticed that. but I do not: think that the sun is quite on it yet. [ do not like to lose my new-found relations in such a hurry." he added. with a somewhat tort-ed smile. " and I am to go away from here this evening." The intelligence was evidently very little satisfactory to Angela, nor did she attempt to worked her com-ern. " 1 am very sorry to hear that," she said. “ I hoped you were going to stay "I am going with my father to call at lsleworlh at three this afternoon. so perhaps we shall “met again there; but now, before I go in, [will Show you a lreLI‘er place than this to fish. a litlle higher up. .where Ja‘kos, our gardener, always sets his night-lines." Arthur assented, as he. would ban: been glad 10 assent, to anything likeâ€" ly to prolong the interview. and they walked off slowly togothor, talking u cheerfully as a, sens. that the conver- sation would soon come to an-end would allow. The spot was reached all too soon, and Angela. with evident reluc- tan-re. for she was not accustomed to conceal her feelinga, Mid. thal she must now go. “ Why must, you go .50 noon 1’" “ Well. to 1ell you the truth. io-duy is: my birthdayâ€"I am twenty 10-dayâ€" and I know that Pigott. my old nurse. means to give me a little prosent, at breakfasta-nd one will he’dnadlully disappointed if I am late. film has been thinking a great deal about me, you n 508 . >d hlmsell from his hat, and I wish you many. very many, father said something tty said; with much glad than [an]. I Home. Till lately but she died last eat. n1ny he dumpli- time; she retext for he took ible, though it may not think “ What do bluntly, for he " Don’t be an the offer of n friend.” had but one friendâ€"Mr. if you think you can like it will make me very ham friend, too." And in an she was gone, with her 1 after her ,to receive her majority of men flirt or marry, in- dulge in "platonic frienllships,” or in a consistent course of admiration for their neighbours’ wives. as fate or fanâ€" cy leads them, and wear their time away without ever having known the meaning of such love as this. There is no fixed rule about it; the most unlikely, even the more sordid and conâ€" temptible of mankind. are liable to be- come the subjects of an enduring pasâ€" sion. Only then it raises them; for though strong affection, especially if unrequited, sometimes wears and en- ervates the mind. its influenr-e is. in the main. undoubte/ily ennobling. But, though such affection is bounde‘l by now-‘ule, it is curious to observe how generally true are the' old sayings which declare that a man's thoughts return to his first real love. as natur- ally and unconsciously as the needle, that has for awhile been drawn aside by some overmastering influence. re- turns to its ma netic pole. The nee- dle has wavered. )ut it has never shak- en off its allegianee; that would be against nature. and is therefore im- possible; and so it is with the heart. It is the eyes that he loved as a lad which he sees through the gathering darkness of his death-bed: it is a. chance but that he will always adore the star which first name to share his loneliness in this shadowed world above all the shining multitudes in heaven. And. though it is not every \vatvher who will find it. early or late. that star may rise for him. as it dir‘. for Arthur now. A man may meet afire. which it is quite beyond his power to forget, and be touched of lips that firint their kiss upon his very heart. Yes, the star may rise, to pursue its course, perhaps beyond the ken of his horizon. or only to set again before he has learned to understand its heau- ty-rarely, very rarely. to shed its pel‘A feet light upon him for all his time of watching. The star may rise and set ; the sweet lips whose touch still thrills him after so many years may lie to- day , “ Beyond the graveyard’s barren wall," or, worse still, have since been sold to some richer owner. risen. it once those lips have met, the memory must remain; the soul knows no torgetfulness, and, the little thread of-life spun out. will] it not. claim its own? For the compact that it has sealâ€" ed is holy among holy things; that love which it hue given is of its own nature. and not of the body alonkit is inâ€" scrutable as death, and everlasting as the heavens. Yes the tint has gone forth. for good or for evil, for comfort or for scorn. for the world or for eternity, he loves her! I-lenceforth that love, solightly and yet so irredeemably given. will heâ€" come the guiding swirit of his inner life roughâ€"hewing his destinies. direct- ing his ends. fill/1 shooting its memories and hopes through the whole fabric of his heing, like an interwoven thread of gold. Hie. [new sin against it, but he can never forget it; other interests and ties may overlay it, but: they ran- not extinguish it; he may drown its fragrance in voluptuous scents, but. when these have saiinted and become hateful. it will rearise, pure and sweet as ever. Time. or separation cannot de- stroy itâ€"for it. is immortal; use cannot stale it. pain can only sanctity it. it will be to him as a. baryonâ€"light: to the sea-worn mariner that. tells of home and pence upon the shore. as a, rainbow promise set upon his sky. It alone of all things pertaining to him will defy the attacks of the consuming years. and when. old and withered, he lays him down to die, it will at last. present itself before his glazing eyes. an em- bodied joy. clad in shining robes. and breathing the airs of Paradise! But if once it has. few minutes later. he was struck with a. sudden idea. "How stupid I am!" he cried. his face brightening. "Of course, Santa film carried it to your room last; night and I thought it was lost. \Vhat a. sfllyl" And Grandma never told him any dif- ferent. 'l‘ALLES’l‘ WOMAN IN AMMICA. Probably the tallest .womzm in America has just died at the City of Mexico. Her height) was six feet. nine inches. She was born in the State of Sonora, and was in 2110 way! remarkable except for her unusual height. For the last few‘ years she has been :1. En- milizu‘ figure in the streets of tbe capital of Mexico, where she attracted a. great deal of attention from all strangers and travellers. She died at the. age of forty-three. Her name was Magdalena Cicute. She was uneducatâ€" ed and spoke the Spanish language with difficulty. ......_._-_.__.â€"_â€" A GOOD RiUL E. it is a good rule in home life ts avoid all arguments which hand to ir- ritate or wound. Blessings on itlu memory of a. saint." of 90 years whl once said: "Dear child, never insist. 0‘] the last word about anything. It isn't worth while. You can keep yeun ow.- opinion, but let your friend ex- press his if he! wants to, and re- fuse for your part. '80 quarrel :i‘uout ; trifle." PRO‘.J ED l’l‘. Mrs. Watts- The doctor says a gem cry is healthlui, For su'rh is love 10 thus: to whom it has been given to use him fave to law. She blushed vividly little ft be aft I: one friendâ€" think you can make me very eturns of the dag hesitation.â€"â€"" may resent, a very w can at as he’did now tt In youth, when comes as a strong (To be Continued.) rfiyéelf kind sta Mr is nothi an K and" with I alsb offer rthless one, m enou: to be yc Lve never aser; but 3g tangâ€" hat you Angel is only sincere For over two weeks before Christ- mas Joey had Wnrked upon his present [or Grandma, and when it was fin- ished stood before it admixingly. To him the little box, with its leather hinges, and hasp that would not fnso ten. seemed the most wonderful shoe« box in the world. and he rehearsed in imagination Grandma’s delight when she received it. “Grandma will say. "Joey's my big man." he said to himself, thrusting his grimy little hands down deeper into his pocket; “and then she'll kiss me and give me acooky. Wenden why Sally never puts sugar on cookiesJike Grandma?" And Joey's face took on an injured air. Just then he heard his nextâ€"door neighbor calling. and Without waiting to put his treasure away, ran off gain to play with Bobbie. him the J hinges, an ten. seems box in the his grimy little into his pocket; me and give me Sally never puts Grandma?" And In the meanwhile. his sister Alice happened to come into his room, and stumbled over the little box bearing the inscription, "Dear Grandma.from Joey, Christmas." She stooped down) and after reading what Joey had trac- ed with such infinite pains upon the cover, laughed heartily, and then bun- dled the gift which had caused her brother so many hours 01' hard world and countless bruised fingers into the woodshed. She was only fifteen her- self, and did not pause to think how hurt she would have been had momma laughed at the centrepiece she had been making for Grandma. To mam- ma Alice’s work was just as faulty as Joey’s to her: but fortunately for Alice, her mother was very consider- ate of her children’s feelings. When Joey came home that night. he was so occupied with hanging up his stocking and writing a note to Santa Claus that he forgot all about the litâ€" tle box. but the next morning, after he had admired his presents and estâ€" en enough candy to make three ordiâ€" nary boys sick, he happened to think of his giftfor Grandma. Running from the parlor he hurried to his room and looked under the bed, where he had kept the precious box. It was not there. Frantically he ransacked like room, closet. and even the bureau drawers, although he knew the box was much too big to go inside one of them. flowever. it was not to be was much too D them. {However fouhd. When he dismvered that it was gone, Joey sat down on the floor and great hot tears rolled slowly down his plump cheeks. although he made an outcry. Never hefnre during- the eight years of his life had he ever experi- enced such crushing disappointment. He had taken such a pride In his work and planned of Grandma’s dellgh‘t when she receiveJ it, and all his bright air-castles fell to the ground. The bright tears fell faster, until, worn out with grief. the little boy sobbei himself asleep. The fun grew merrier. and finally Joey‘s lively voice was missed. Grend- ma, mamma and Alice started to look for him. and at. last found him lying on the floor, where he had cried hit}- self to sleep. As they bent over him he stirred, and muttered: "My box! Where is my boxi" “\Vhat box?" aeked mamma uni Grandma together. "I guess it’s an old box he made for you. Grandma It looked so funny I threw it out into the woodshed." Alice explained with fllxhing cheek. Grandma said nothing but her kind eyes overflowed as she lifted the liuJe boy very gently and laid him on the bed. \thn he awoke an hour later Grandma was sitting by his bed, and as he opened his eyes she said. gayly: “I’ve had the test Christmas of all. Joey. because a certain little ‘boy made me the most beautiful hex for my shoes you ever saw." “Did you get it, Grandma?" cried Joey springing up in bed and WWâ€" ing his arms around her neck. "Of (nurse I did. You are a great big man. Joey. How did you do it!" As Joey was explaining the mysteries of the wonderful box to Grandma, I. few minutes later. be was struck with 'l‘ALLEC’l‘ \VOMAN IN AMMICA, Probably the tallest twomzm in America has just died at the City of Mexico Her height? was~ six feet nine inches. She was born in the State of Sonora, and was in 3110 way! remarkable except for her unusual height. For the last few years she has been :1. fl- milinr figure in the streets of the capital of Mexico, where she attracted a. great deal of attention from all strangers and travellers. She died at the age of forty-three. Her name was Magdalena Cicute, 8116 was uneducatâ€" ed and spoke the Spanish languago It is a good rule in home life to avoid all arguments which hand In irâ€" ritate or wound. Blessings on the memory of a. saint." of 90 years who once said: "Dear child, never insist 0‘) the last word about anything. It isn't. worth while. You can keep yeun own opinion, but let your friend 6x- press his if he: wants to, and ru- fuse for your part“ '80 quarrel :t‘uout a triflo." Mrs. Watts- Tha doctor says: a grand cry is healthlm. Mrs. Pottsâ€"I know it is. A good cry gaincd meatrip to thn “Mara last. year. and I rams back feeling huh ter than I had for 03, ever no long. Joey’s Chrismlas Gift.