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Jessie’s color deepened to the deep- est Wild-rose tint, she bent over her painting in distressed embarrass- ment, hurt by Clara's unwonted tone of her own awkwardness in beâ€" traying her dislike, but grateful for a. courtesy to which she was little accustomed, and which she there- fore more keenly appreciated. This gratitude was not lost on Captain Medway, unobservant as he appearâ€" ed in his languid posture on the grass, his Whole attention claimed by Miss Lonsdale, with whom he was soon deep in a conversation that did not include Jessie. "This then,” she thought, with a thrill of enthusiasm, “was Claude Medway, the hitherto unknown hero of so many martial adventures, the central figure of so many romantic speculations.” From the day when the handsome boy helped pull her out of the pond, he had occupied a large space in her imagination. Philip had depicted him under Var- ious aspects and in glouing colors, until his very name diffused an at- mosphere of chivalrous romance. Accustomed as she was to the danâ€" gers and vicissitudes of war through the medium of Philip, who was even now on most active service. looking‘man lying on the grass be- fore her, and displaying a courtesy foreign to her experience, had ac- tually taken part in what is perâ€" haps the most chivalrous most brilliant episode in modern war, made her heart beat with a glorious thrill. Philip had often been in great danger, he must often have performed a heroic deed; but that famous charge had fired her imagination as no other incident could. Philip, who had actually seen as much of it as was possible to a. soldier in the ranks on field, and who had heard it cribed in detail and discussed other eye-witnesses. and studied the whole battle scientifically after- ward. had narrated it over and over again to her, not forgetting Medâ€" way's special heroism in plunging back under hot fire to rescue a wounded man. She had only close her eyes and the charge of the Six Hundred passed with vivid accuv racy before her, the knightly form of Claude, hussnr uniform in which she had once seen him, being the central figâ€" ure of the picture. des- the i fact that this beautiful and princely- if not ' that . by . to, wearing the picturesque. So strongly impressed was she by this knightly figure, so deeply touch- ed by the charm of the mellow voice, that she forgot herself and the inâ€" congruity of her own silent presence at this intimate conversation beâ€" tween the cousins, until some re» quest from Clara. concerning her sketch woke her from her dreamy fantasy and recalled her to herself. Then she began to be ill at ease and to find herself in her own way; She doubted if she ought to remain where she was so evidently super- fluous. The cousins talked of people she did not. knmv, and places she had never seen: till some reference to Clara’s sketch set. them upon art and artists. 'I‘hey spoke of famous Instead of looking at Marwell Court, towering'stately in the sunâ€" shine the deer in the foreground, she more than once diverted her gaze to the recumbent figure in the innue- diate foreground, 0. deep and rever- ent admiration expressed in every feature of her pure, sweet face. Thus innocent Jessie did inward homage to this brave soldier, not knowing that she was herself fated to begin a warfare infinitely more perilous and requiring courage of an infinitely higher order. Perhaps it was some shadow of oncoming Fate that made her say, ten minutes be fore, that she would never again be, so happy. They certainly did, though that did not lessen Jessie’s dislike of to- bacco, but she made no reply, be- cause Captain Modwny immediately said that it was a sin to spoil the primrose scents with smoke. "Fact is, one smokes when one is alone from force of hu.bit;” he added. "I couldn’t find you, Clara, and in- stinctively turned to a. weed for comfort, like the Goth I am.” He turned with a sudxlen surprised look at her, and throw the cigar cleverely over his shoulder into the water. to the surprise and almost indignation of his cousin. "What nonsense, Claude !” she ex- claimed, “when you have twice been told you may smoke. Why, Jessie,” she added, with asperity, "you must surely be thoroughly used to tobac- co by this time. Don’t, all your men smoke every evening 7" J-Ic scarcely waited for an answer. letting himself down on one elbow on the grass in the immediate fore- ground, whenw he could look up in Miss Lonsdale’s face, before he took out and lighted a fresh cigar. “Pray smoke, pmy don‘t, hesitate” Jessie stammered with a rising color. "Are comer, blank “that ing ‘2" am.a°°°°°°..m‘w" " Mm magâ€""Memâ€"Vimmfiafi CHAPTER XI. ‘pictures, talked of Italy, of "MQd- A DYENG PROMESE you sure ‘2” asked the nowâ€" turning to Jessie with the gaze of civil indifference, you don't mind my smokâ€" OR, THE HISSING WILL i "Gush! Really, Claude, you are quite rule. The odious affectation Iof admiring nothing, constantly puts ’you out of sympathy with other ‘people. One is perpetually jarred [by want of appreciation, one is itempted to exclude you altogether |from one’s interests.” l One morning, while that lovely [spring weather lasted, Jessie re- lpaired to the appointed spot a litâ€" .tle before the appointed hour, and :setting up her easel and getting out Iher colortubes, began to compare lher sketch with the prospect before lher, looking at it from this point [and that with an artist's dissatis- {fixation At last, laying her palvtle‘ aside in disgust, she senu-d herself on her camp-stool beneath an on}; and gave herself up to a silent ubâ€" "NOW, my dear Clara,” he replied observant of a tearful quiver of the usually proud lip, “this is cruelly gunjust. Don’t I try to share your lenthusiasms? Didn’t I admire the 'Pcrsian cat ? Didn’t I stick to the lcrippled tailor wiLli a genius for lmctaphysics long after you had for- | gotten him ?” "I dare say she is well enough,” he returned, "but I never cared much for that blonde, pink and white innocence. Bad taste? Well, you know, men are supposed to have bad taste in these matters." "But isn’t she pretty, now, and charming and refined?" she persist- ed. "Fair or dark, she has distinction and beauty such as would be re- markablc in any rank,” continued Clara; “this is no more pretty girl whose ‘beautc du diable’ will fade in a few years. Then he!‘ manner, her accent, her refinement of thoughtâ€"” Claude’s Medway’s appearance had illuminated Clara’s face and changed her whole bearing; she became aniâ€" mated, smiling, gracious. To Jesâ€" sie’s admiring gaze she was really beautiful under this inspiringlinfiu- once. Was it strange that she should totally forget her dearest Jessie in the presence of this fas- cinating man, the simple child Wonâ€" dered ? and then it suddenly struck sharply through her how well match- “Well, Clara, you weren’t over civil to your friend. I thought she must he a. sort of-maid from the way in which you ignored her.” “Oh! a. girl in her position! There was no alternative. I must have sent you off if 1 had not ignor- ed hero" "W 1], Claude," said Clara, When the ainting materials had been gathered together and the sketchers had gone their several ways, “what do you think of my little friend? Could you imagine anything So dainty in these Boeotian wastes ?” "Little? I thought her a fairâ€" sized girl,” he returned, indifferent- ly. “So this is the newest pet, Clara, ch? Some village girl, some female genuis you have un- earthed ?” “Say a paragon at once. Clara. You see I have not your opportunâ€" ity of studying the young person’s character. And men are not, ex- pected to gush.” ' Marwell Court was not sketched in one day. Many trysts were made at that pleasant spot between the oaks and the water, and it became usual for Claude Medway to be in attendance on his cousin, carrying her easel and camp-stool, and crit- icising and Watching the progress of the painting. pictures, talked of Italy, of "Mod- ern Painters," of the prehltaphaelite brotherhood, skimmed recent litera- ture. drifted on to the mutiny and Lucknow, glanced thence to lighter themes, operas, theatres, declined finally to social celebrities, gossip. Their conversation opened a. new and interesting world to Jessie. who had never listened to cultured talk before. She did not know that, much they said was commonplace, much second hand, little original and nothing profound; she had not. enough social experience to question the good-breeding of totally ignor- ing her presence, though it revolted her fine instincts and made her wretchedly uncomfortable; but she listened with absorbed interest and could have listened longer. u... rad v... an . fl," ed the two were, and how absorbed in each other.- A strange feeling frightened the muscles of her throat. Was she sorry '3 Surely not. "Forgotten? You know how un- gratefully he behaved.” “Then the Poetess, Elizaâ€"â€"” "It is not kind of you to namn that treacherous woman.” “I must say you have frightful luck with your proteges. But that makes it awfully hard lines on a felâ€" low, a plain and practical chap like me, to be expected to begin a. fresh schwarmerei once a month, especialâ€" ly at second hand." “I wonder that you see any point. in a sarcasm so banal, so very second-hand, Claude, Just as you "1 how goodness Arcadian gryhn will, this sweet child and her in'noâ€" cent affection make a. deep and lastâ€" ing interest in my life.” to superior wisdom. Thank there's the luncheon bell. bliss makes one so hun- Her shawl had slipped from her shoulders and hung gracefully about her. enhancing the slender grace of her figure, the lovely lines of which were well shown by the simple closeâ€" fitting black gown she wore, her small, neat bonnct set off the glory of her hair, sunbeams treambling through the budding oak-boughs played softly over the slim, white hands loosely clasped in her lap. her pensive face, so delicate in col- oring and feature, and her bright rich hair. The gnarled branches and sturdy gray trunk of the oak made a good setting for this tender beauty, the primroses clustering at her feet were in harmony with her. and the bunch of delicate anemones, the. sole ornament she Wore, akin to her. Of What was Jessie dreaming, in that rapt, thoughtful posture, her deep eyes shadowed by the long, dark lashes which made such a con- trast to her fair hair and rose- leai complexion? Did the clear eyes see more than the fair pros- pect spread before her in the April lights? What would she have thought had she been conscious of the keen. intent gaze even now bent upon her from the thick covert of the dim silvery oak coppice? Oh! the charm of the mystery and the myster of the charm to that intent gazerl “After all," he thought, "she is but a Woman, simple, un- tutored, ignorant of the world, and ah! how innocent! And Gretchen was innocent,” he added, and smil- ed. That smile was to his face as the appearance of a, snake in some paradise of fresh herbage and bright flowers; it made him uncon- sciously avert his gaze from the pensive young face on which no one could look while thus smiling. Then he pushing; through the brushwood, the crackling of which broke into Jessie’s dream and made her turn to see the handsome face beneath the soft felt hat. which had now become so familiar to her. "Goodâ€"morning," he said, with an air of faint surprise at meeting her. "Sketching again, Miss Meade 7 How very industrious you are.” "I fear not," she replied. in her literal simplicity. "It is such a slow business, a morning’s work sovms nothing.” He went to the ease] and stood for some time discussing and comâ€" mending the picture, while the pale rose deepened in Jessie’s face and her eyes kindled. “Your atmos- phere is so good," he said. “I envy you your facility. We've all tried our hands on the dear old place, my brothers and sisters as well as Miss Lonsdale. It, defies us all. Redwoods was another good subject for a. sketch,” he suggested; "wasn’t it to be Jessie’s home? Was not his friend, Captain Randal of the 190th, some connection of hers? Her adopted brother? Then she must be the little girl he once help- ed pull out of the millâ€"pound. Did She really remember it? He was highly honored, indeed.” So they chatted, Jessie never re- flecting that his manner, which had hitherto been one of cixil indiffer. ence, had now changed to a. mingled deference and friendliness. She was quite unconscious of a charm that as yet no one had discovered in her, consisting of a. certain guileless transparency of diction and thought that made her speech flow like some pure, cool stream, ~ limpid, refreshâ€" ing, only the more. musical for some slight interruption; an unnate, unâ€" comprehended desire for selfâ€"expres- sion giving a childlike unreserve that, was most pathetic. “You must be very lonely,” he said, abruptvyrlooking thoughtfully down on her from his higher eleva- tion as he leant against an oak- trunk. sorption of the pure and harmonious flooring of the April day. Jessie’s lip quivered and her eyes filled; she turned and looked away over the shining prospect, the blue Water and green woodland, eloquentâ€" ly silent. “Poor child," he added, in a 10W, full voice, rich to her ear with the manifold music of repressed feeling From his position he could see, unâ€" noticed himself, the changing, strugâ€" gling emotions passing over her face like cloud shadows over wood- land and sea. Both features and color were subtly responsive to the slightest feeling; it was a. deeply in- teresting study, fraught with a flesh and stimulating charm even to one ' faces After a while Jessie swallowed something down with an effort and lurned her head slightly. “Oh, it is only for a time," she said cheer- fully. "India will soon bu quiet. and then I shall go out to l'hilin." “To Randal?” he excnimed. “But he is not really your brother 9" he added. A sudden, complicated pain dyed Jessie's face with crimson, which quickly gave place to deathly pale- ness. She said nothing, but the sit- uation was revealed to ha in a flash. Philip was her h-other, though not of her blood. “Randal is a lucky fellow all round,” he added, with a range of voice. "What would most of us give to be in his place at Lucknow? He gets all the innings." "But, you had your innings at Bul- ncluva,” she replied. quickly. “One 01' the Six Hundred l" - The tone in which she spoke con- tained the sum and quintessence of ‘ ‘Oh, no,’ nceusmmed engaged. ’ ' "Engaged ! brother and sister !” he cried in tones of surprise “Par- don me," he addey, "Iâ€"nh ! the re- lationship is unusual and confusing. that’s all." versed in the study of women’s Nhat was Jessie dreaming, in rapt, thoughtful posture, her eyes shadowed by the long, lashes which made such a con- she replied, with hm‘ simplicity, “but, we are anger questions touching that fam- ous charge like any boy. Did he think when they changed that any of them Would return? Was he sorry when the order was received '2 "Sorry '2 0h, Miss Meade, soldiers can never he‘ sorry in an engagement. Why, the first burst when the hounds give tongue is nothingr to it. The very sounds, the tiring, the noise of hoofs, the rattle, of steel and iron stir one up and make one feel all alive: nothing like a sharp action to steady the nerves. Of Course I thought I was in for it. You don’t know what, a. lot one thinks in a minute at such times. I saw the old place there, with sunshine on it like now, and thoughtâ€"well, Mnrwell will be Hugh’s, so much the better for the old fellow, and wondered if my peo‘ ple would careâ€"especially my sister â€"you know how she is afflicted, poor child. And Iâ€"Well, I wished I had been a better fellow. And, do you know, it-was a queer feeling that we should never know what they said of it, in England. Then one couldn’t help fceling' glad of get- ting such an innings, and making such a finish. And, by Jove, Miss Meade, you must really practice witchcraft, you turn a fellow inside out! One never talks of these things, you know," he concluded. "That is unkind," said Jessie, "when people are dying to know and have so much pleasure in hear mg.” " ‘For them I battle to the and, To save from shame and thrall.‘ all that ever had been or could be expnessed to the honor of the Six Hundred. Mcdwny’s cheek flushed. he was carried out, of him§e1f. and before long was answering Jessie’s "One would do a great deal to please some people.” Jessie could not see the look that accompanied this, but the voice was almost as expressive as one full- chargcd glance. She trembled, she knew not why. added Jessie, with deep feeling. “All! Sir Ualahads are not needed in these happier days, except in spir- it, are they?” He shrank from the innocent gaze of the blue eyes uplifted to his as if it had stung him: he turned away and took a careful aim with his stick at a, white butterfly hovering about a bush. Neither of them per- ceived the deep significance of the action, or remembered that the butterfly symbolizes the soul, but Jessie was strangely jarred, she was glad when the winged creature flut- tered lightly away unhurt into azure freedom. “Yet it must be so hard to die and leave this lovely. lovely world" she added, “even for God and the right, England's motto. to ride like that, straight to death, to fall into darkness and wake, where? Brave men might well tremble be- fore tho hereafter. “are you so sum of heaven, Captain Medway ?" "Women czin only hear things, they may never do them,” she said, sighingly. He looked at her with dilating eyes. for the moman taking the sarcasm an intentional. “0h !" he returned in a tone of relief, “I never thought much of those things, you know. Men don’t at least men of the world. Of course one had a sort of a feeling that one couldn't expect to go to the good place: but. funking was no good. "Fake your licking and don’t squeul’ we used to say at Eton. BUCldCS, many better fellows had to go there, for we were all in for it together." “I don't think," continued Jessie with sudden warmth “that I should care to go to a heaven you were shut out of. I meun,” she added with glowing confusion in her swift- ly flushing face, “a man who did thatâ€"turned back, wounded. bleed- ing, weak. into Ilmt lin- 10 sm'e on- other more helpless than himself. That is real religionâ€"saving others" At these buring words a deep emotion seized the young man, or rather a tumult of mingled emo- tions; his heart beat with deep and strong pulsations, his eyes fell, he looked at the flower-sprinkled grass at his feet, silent, though the. word 'dm‘lmg" formed itself With inaudi- ble intensity on his lips. He raised his eyes, gluncnd OHCL‘. at. Jessie with a look that caressed her from head to foot: then looked down again. Jessie’s heart beat too, with fiery rapidity, her confused guze also sought the ground, she was trouldcd. Wondering into what quicksaud her enthusiasm had betrayed her, wonâ€" dering, but scarcely fearing; she posswscd the amazing audacity of perfect innocence, besides she trusted the living empediment of chivalry at her side as she would have. trusted the warrior archangel himself, the beautiful young Michael with his burning suit of bright armor. The moment was impressive, the silence seemed to quiver with intensity. "I am afraid,” faltered Jessie at last, "that my tongue runs away “That hearing would make worth while to do anything. " 'How sweet are looks that ladies bend, , he quoted with the same lowâ€"voiced fervor. last, "1 with me people." "So much the worse for people,” he returned, drawing in his breath with an air of relief, while Jessie bent forward and made some most unlucky additions to her picture. “Do you know, Miss Meade, it is very rntreshing to talk to a lady who has not been spoilt by the world." He left hm station by the oak- I don't often talk 60 Quite close to the spot on which he reclined she hud soon a thing like‘ the long, brown, leather lash of a. cartâ€"whip stretched on the turf.' and when his arm touched the ground the thick end of the hair suddenly croctvd itself, showing a.’ iong, flat head with two small, glit-j tering eyes. and a forked tongue. darting iisnif Vil'iousiy at, his unm protected face, which it, would have5 struck in another instant. He; sprang to his feet, saw what had, happened, caught the thing a. blow' on the head with his stick, and fiber: flung- the limp dead body into the" water. “A viper. and a large one. Thank? you," he snid, turning tranquilly" arrain to Jnssic. who was sitting) with her face hid in her hands, sob-l hing bitterly. i I "Don‘t move." she cried, “don’t. stir an inch," and as she spoke, she darted toward him. snatched some- thing from the grass and hurled it nwuy. trunk and came forward, insenslblyl changing his position ~in the endeav-i or to change the current. of his. thoughts. and pressing the floWers! beneath his step he strolled forwardi and let. himself down, as of old, full! length on the grass, in front of her,’ reclining on one arm and looking up and facing her while he made some trivial observation. l But Jessie did not heed what he: was saying, her eyes diluted with' sudden terror, her cheek paled. Sigxgor Mascngni, the famous Itali- an composer, is cm of the most sup- erstitious of men, and always carries in one of his pockets a. remarkable collection of talismuns to avert mis- fortuno Among them may be men- in one of his pockets a remarkable collection of talismuns to avert mis- fortunn Among them may be men- tioned tiny figures of St. Gouge in ivory and motlicrâ€"oIâ€"pcarl, and small horns of coral. One of the most studious Queue in Europe is the German Empress. Who cares vory little indeed for pomp‘ and ceremonv. Her Majesty’s lavorite study is medicine, and she has in- structnd‘ herself so well in tbs art of healing that she is regarded as quite an officivnt adviser in cast! Of ordinary illness. At Kemble, in Wiltshire, Engiand, Lord Piddulph owns one of the most interesting estates in England. (or within its; boundarios arc to be seen a, Well-nroscrved Druidical tempke, the remains of a. Roman villa, the nite of an Angloélaxon village mentioned in Domcsriay Book, an" the souue of the River Thames. Notes of Interest About Some! Prominent People. may attend lectures and demonstra- tions Without, payment of any-fee. She not only provides it wfih‘ fimta‘ate teachers, but super-intends may deâ€" tails herself, and is almost; always present in mm cotton dress and up- yon, joming the dassvs mm mm «3 ovary kind of instruction given those who attend. King Edward was never a backâ€" worm, but; he has always hen land of history. and has quite a the col- lection of volumes at Sandriugham aealinp‘ with the Crimean cxpofition and the campaigns of Nelson and Wellington. Books on farming, sport and other pursuits uieo appealed to him before the cares of State Welly monopolized his time. When lie was Prince of Wales he was a. consider- able novel reader. The mannerisms 0! grant In: are always a subject of intense interest Mr. Chamberlain seams to have ac- quired a new one during his tour through Great, Britain. It consists in p‘ufi‘ng out his cheek! Mtly when he is intorrupted. He has only one other trick of gestureâ€"drawing a forefingvr rapidly across his Ease when he has made a toning point. Thm'e in no dour)! as to the source whan he acquired this man-m; it. was the only peculiarity of continuinâ€" tinn which Mr. Gladstone per-ltth himself. The Fight Tlon. A. Graham May, the Secretary for Scotlajd. is one of the most athletic of all Wat- ors. A9 a Narrow boy he was un- rivalled as a racket player, and he is one of the best amateur golfers north of the Tweed; while few men can handle a gun with more deadly efâ€" fect” He is a great cyclist, too. and thinks as little of riding- homo all the wav to Scotland when the Parlia- montm‘v Session is at an and all g! cvch'nrz from his London (W to the House of Commons. The resignation of Vimi‘hanodlor (‘hattm'ton from the Irish Bead}! leaves Lord Young, of the Court of Sessinns at Edinburgh, she oldest workint: judge in the United King- dom, Both judges were born in 1819, but the resuming Viceâ€"Cfiauwflor has the advantage of Lord Young in the matter of length 0! years on the Bench. Iord Young. althomm'in his eighty-fifth year, attends daily at. the Court of Session with Mamet unimâ€" paired vigor, and it is a. noted wit. 1-10 rommnbcrs manv of Bnm’s personâ€" a! friFnds. and knew intimately “Hon- nic Jean," the widow of the poet. The world does not hear a great deal of Miss Helen Gould, who is be- lieved m be the wealthiest spian In existonvc, beyond a general rumor that she eschews society and In de- voted to good works. She In a. very practical woman, and has been much impressed by the very rudtmmtaty knowledge of cooking mun-L; the poor so she has started a wakery institu- tion in New York, where the poorest PERSONAL POINTERS. (To be Continued).