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"Don’t grieve, I say,” she weht‘ on breathlesely, “for I have planned just the jolliest little lat-k for you that. you could ever imagine. I’m going to smuggle you into the ballroom this evening. and you shall enjoy yourself to your heart's con- tent behind‘va friendly mask. Now don’t. look at me with those big, startled, dark eyes of yours, for come to the ball you must. No one will be one bit. the wiser. I have the jauntiest and the sweetest cos- tume for you imaginable. You are to be the pfairy bride. Come. now, what do you lay." / “0h, Grace, I~Iâ€"don’t know whether I gught to go or not,” murmured Gay, faint- y. yet down in her heart there was a pas- sionate throb of joy at the prospect of being so near Percy-herself unseenwa joy so keen that, it was almost pain. “You are so kind to me, Grace,” she faltered; "every one is so cold and cruel to me. I think I should die if I were to lose your friendship.” Poor Ga. V if she had only confided i Grace~rec 1esé, unpuls‘we. warm-hearte Graceâ€"it might have been better for her. “Grace.” she said, suddenly, catching the irl‘ tw white handahin he owq, “L-o ‘ at er’ w at you may ear 0 me 1n the L to doâ€"promise ‘me; Grace, y..u of all fix world will believe in rue-you will never lose our faith in me. There are dark, pitifu secrets in many “Vt-R," she went on, “that drive one to the way verge of madness in one's W39. If you love me. pray for me, Grace. My feet are on the edge 01: a yawning~ ptecigicgi’ {5 “You must not talk like that. Nell," cried Grace Leighton, throwing her white arms in impulsive girl-fashion about the «lender waist, and kissing the dimpled peachy cheeks. “I like you better than any girl I have ever known. Don’t grieve because you were not invited to the lawn fete, though I know how: awfully hard it, must be to listen to the music and to be oooped up here‘when you are longing with all_yox_1r heart. ’ to_ dance.” "No," said Gay, choking back a hard Bob: “only I am very unhappy, Grace, and I feel justâ€"just as if every one in *he world 'hated me." .uvm. muck "M +011, 1n". nm+ mm" “My fr-iendship is a {flied Grace, promptly th_i_ng in the “IOTIdA for {miteâ€".310 ruiautfiér "vylfatfifzite 'miEh't temp plied Grace, promptly “I could do any- thing in the world for you, Nell." She wondered why Gagell looked so earnestly down into her eye , then turned away with quivering lips. “In that you, Grace?” she asked, vainly trying to keep back the soba that shook her voice. "What‘s the matter, Nell, have you been crying?” she demanded. “Why, your eye- lashes are wet with tears; has-has Ione been saying anything cross to you?" she inquired, smoothing back the bright gol- den curls that clustered around Gaynell’s usléed face with hen cool little plump an 3. "No," said Gay, choking back a hard Bob; _“ornlry I am very unhappy, Graqe, "His heart ha-s gone back to her,” moaned Gay, rocking herself to and fro with piteoua sobs. “I was mad to dream that I could win him. I have come be- tween him and his love. How he must hate me for it. Oh, Percy. my loveâ€"my lost loveâ€"â€"how I wish that I were dead!” 7 Kt thatrmoment there was a hurried tap_ on» the doorL “Yes,” answered Grace Leighton. “I’d like very muchuw come in. _ May I?”_ In the bitterness of that. terrible mo- ment Gay remembered the haughty heir- ess’ words, “We were lovers before you came between us; but, mark me, the hour will come when his mad infatuation for you will die away, and his heart will retng 19 me and its old pllegiancej’ For aflswerflGaLS} bfiened the 3001‘, but Grace smog quite still on \the threshold. Great banks of roses, palms and mag- noha. blossoms greeted the eye wherever one turned. Iona Leighton told herself as she gazed critically about her, that the lawn fete and mask ball which was to follow in the evgning woulgi be a. grand succ‘essz F'Iv‘he Euéets Begin rfiwafrirve rearly in the afternoon, and soon the lawn, the park, and the old Hall were thronged with merry maidens and gallant, handsome yogng may. The window of Gay’s room afl‘orded an excellent View of the entrance gate, and as carriage after carriage dashed up the avenue, depositing their gay, chattering burdens, a little figure with a death~white face and great, burning, dark, tear-awe]- len eyes crouched behind the heavy, silken curtains, peering breathlessly and eagerly out. One glance at the proud, triumphant bloude face as it was turned toward her, then poor Gay reeled back from the win- dow with the keenest three of jealousy that ever rent a. young girl’s heartâ€"she had recognized Evelyn St. Claire. In the bitterness of that. terrible mo- ment Gay remembered the haughty heir- ess’ wqrds, “We were lovers hefore ygu Crimson and gold bunting floated from the majestic trees, the colored waters of the fountains glowed rainbow-hued in the clear, bright light of the early day; bril- liant lanterns swung from the green branches, and the lawn was dotted here and there with‘great va-ses of passion roses, lilies of the valley, and circles of variegated flowers. As he stepped from his coach Gay watcli- ed him with a, wild sob of the keenest ain; she never noticed how haggard the andsome face was, upon which the sun- light fe_ll. _ When Percy alighted he turned quickly toward the coach again. then Gray saw that he was not alone; two white, jeweled hands were held out to him. and the next instant a silken-clad figure Sprung into his outstretched arms. The servants had been up, and the decor- tions had been going on since long be- ore daylight at, Leighton Hall on this memorable day, and it was a gala scene on which the golden sun rose. The interior of the hall was quite as goggeous: If he had but knownâ€"if some kind fate had but warned him whose eyes were watching him from the window where the silken curtains were so closely drawn, what a world of agony might have been spared two hearts, whose every throb was for each other] riviug. T‘ 0 53 N” ” :22: 1.1337"? 1 Bui it doosrel‘oavo a {lasting favorable Impression upon the paiatos of all giving . it a trial. SIALID LEAD PACKETS ONLY- >P9rcy Granville was rather late in ar- For Wcal or for Woc; atbelj 'years ‘Gr‘ace Leighton remem- CHAPTER XVI. Or, A Dark laying _oqe,” re- CEYLON TEA. They had reached the entrance of the conservatory and there Percy paused abruptly. He did not pretend to under- stand the strong inclination that swept over him to clasp that slender figure close to his heartâ€"closer than the courtesy of the waltz permitted him. For once the 0001. green, flower-embower- ed conservatory with it: perfumed, mur- mnring fountains and fragrant blgasomx wy quite degentgd. He bent his handsome, fair head eager- ly toward her, but he could not hear the aintly articulated reply that fell from er lips. He had felt such a. yearning toward this little creature beside him~an attractibh ~su h as he had felt toward Little Gay on t at atarlit night he had escorted her home from the Highland House; and the love scene that was enacted under the glimmering light of the golden stars rose Vljidly berefe hing. Percy wondered why the slender form in his embrace trembled soâ€"how was he to know that it was because the band had struck up that tender waltz refrainâ€" "There's Nothing Half so Sweet in Life as Love's Young Dream.” Gay was thinking how cruelly her dream of love had been shattered: and she was vaguely wondering why God gave some young girls the lover their hearts craved, while others were cruelly awakened from 1039’s ypupg dream}. Peréy 1'01in his companion a. seat hn. neath a blooming aloe trea‘ He long‘d H“Thver balid ié about to strike 111) a waltz,” hefl said; ”m_ay _I cl_aim_it?” Gay bowedâ€"she dared not trust herself to speakâ€"and placing her little gloved hand on his arm, they were whirling away the .next moment to the m'easures of the musw. _ “Will you some out into the conserva- tory and see the fragrant flowers?" he asked. drawing the little trembling hand through his aljm. “0h, Percy, Percy, my darling, I am not guilty of leaving the village with Harold Tremaine of my own free will. I was forced awayâ€"abducted. Listen to me, my love. Hear my pleadingsâ€"listen to my prayer. I have been moreisinned against than ginning. My life has been as pure as an angel’sâ€"take me back to your heartâ€" lojtf: 1119 again, or [shall di_e.”_ "The’izifdéb’mé' 'pm'm'ed knight bowed law before her with a wiyning smilg. How she longed. with a. pitiful yearning words cannot tell, to touch his hand or rest' her weary head just one minute on his breast, and feel his arms close tightly around her. 7 7 7 7 She knew it was Percy who was stand- ing before herâ€"the handsome, passionate lover who had married her on the im- pulse of the momentâ€"the lover who had first. awakened her heart with the sWeet possibilities of love when he pressed upon her lips that thrilling kise at the altar- the man whom she loved with all her soul, at whose very name sne trembled, whom she idolized in her girlish heart. who had vowed so earnestly he would shield her forever from the cold, cruel world, who had- sworn eternal constancy while the gleaming stars overhead shone on themâ€"â€" who had worn alL this, then cast her oil. "i‘éuf'for' "iii" {fifiJâ€"fiévfiiér‘"bassidnate little heart went out to him! 7 Poor Little Gay’s brain whirled; she seemed to live ages in those few moments. Should she throw herself on her knees befgre ihim agd cry out :_ A white 81 mask reached to the pretty red mouth; white kid gloves extendmg to the elbow set off the soft, pearly pinki- ness of the lovely rounded arm above it, and white kid slippers that Cinderella herself might have worn, they were so ex- quisitely trim and dainty. peeped cony out from beneath the silvery silkep skirts. ?Gâ€"grig-edfiéfi fiifibefiéés, "in their shimmer- mg sgtinrobes and waving plumes, masks govermg their dainty_,_smi1ing_ fang; stat?- Gay had just entered the glittering ball- room, and Grace smiled triumphantly as she beheld herâ€"she and she alone knew her by her costume._ Vin her Hand BheVEéri'ied é éimple spray of__ora.nge buds. ‘ z -.....o- __..w. There was one guest who never took his eyes from that slim girlish figure since Gay had first made her appearance in the ballroom. For one brief instant. the' world seemed to stand still“ Mound poor; hapless Gay; the wonder was that she did not die, so great was her emotion as she raised her eyes and saw the tall plumed knight bow- ing low before hex-.7 It was the gayest masked ball in high life, that was ever given. The grand par- lors. the reception-rooms, and the mag- nificent dancing-hall beyond were ablaze with light from a_score or more of electric globes, and odorous'with the perfume of gorgeous banks of tropical plants and roses, that made the scene appear like a glimpse of fairy-land. . . .u.n,,. She stood a. little apart from the rest, radiant in the white, glistening robes of. a fairy bride, a great crimson. dewy rose on her breast, her misty veil caught back by a ‘sparkAling b190d-req rytyy s‘tar. wWith slow, deliberate steps he crossed thg hall apd gafined he1j_side. 1y young queens ablaze with diamonds and golden crowns; the trimmenrt and most ooquettish Spanish, Normandy, and gypsy maidens that ever were seen lean- ing upon the arms of their graceful mask- ed partners, or whirling in the mazes of the bqwigching. bew-ilgegingflwaltlz. ‘ ,n “Vliiofeu filinvbhre pair. of admiring eyes tapped to Vlookua‘g Gay. It was not very hard, after all, to gain Gay’s consent to be smuggled into the very midst of the jolly maskers 1n the ballroomâ€"every throb of the girl’s heart urged her to accept what chance offered her-one more opportunity of being near her love. ,_-_R,~~ .. _..___, -.._... And it was a quaint and novel sight that cayght and hegld the ey_e. “I wili go, Grace,” she whispered tremu- lougly. A “That’s right,” declared Grace. "After it’s over you will tell me it was the hap- piest hour of your life. I'll go and bring you the dress directly. for it is nearly dark now." bered the haunted look of terrible despair in the beautiful dark lustrous eyes gamed to hers, and remembered the plteoua qqivering in the sweet! giglish ypice. Temptation NEVER SOLD IN BULK. “I am sorry such a. sad circumstance takes you away from 11-5 segunexpectedly.” said Harry Chesleigh, grasping his friend's hand;‘ “I had so much to tell you over our cigars after the masked ball was over.” ‘ “Perhaps your uncle may not be as seri- ously 111 as you suppose," said Ione Leigh- ton, sweetly; “will you write me and let He pres-Bed" her hand gratefully. telling himself that Evelyn had a tenderer heart than he had ev_er suepeqted. Half an hour later their carriage stood before the porch of Leighton Hall. 10116 and Grace bade them good-bye with the magi: sincere regret. Evelyn too had removed her mask and was standing before Percy, laying one ,ngtga jeweled hang on his arm. The contents of the telegram banished all thoughts of the beautiful partner who had fled from him so strangely from his mjnudjor the time belpg. Thé’ message wfisirdé’ted at Redstone Hall, Passaic, and was from Dr. Gray. thgfargily Rhysician: “My Dear Percy,"â€".it ranâ€"“Your uncle. General Granville, has met. with a fatal accidentâ€"you must return home without delay if you would ape him falive.”r Pei‘cy’s 'lipe giéiww fifiiitemavis 17157 {sad the lag. _Word§ slgfiwly aloud. Evelyn Sthlaivre vrgifiéfl a. little hysteri- cal sob as she wrung her white jeweled hqus together. “Let m5 accompany you back to Red- stoue Hall, Percy," she implorEd; “I could not dance the long hours of the evening away listening to mirth and music while thlies dying? “Your partner-wishes to leave you by yourself while you discover thg, cpntents offlyour _tqlegrang,” she said. ¢ " This was more than the tortured heart. of Little Gay could bear; she turned from them and fled like a. flash, through the gorgeous tropical blooms out of the con- aegvatory. Percy has too astounded and bewildered by this sudden action to think of follow- ing 1561' 03' agyempting to_ mogunt fqr_ 1t. “She mightuaf léasfifihiaviefi‘fiermit‘oed me to take her back to the ballroom,” fluid ngcy,‘ anxiously _ 31nd_ tllought'fplly. He tore open the buff envelope as he spoke, and ran his blue eyes over the message; as he read hrs face grew white, a.qu his eyes troubled. L At'that moment Evelynr St. Claire en- teg'gd the conqervamry. » “I see you have found Mr. Granville," she said to the man, staring hard at. the lovely young figure beside him as we spoke. “I hope no one is ill at Red- atone Hall.” Evelyn ’stféiafié‘fifrnéh 3&3 313E viviihfia'. smile: . The answer that sprung to her lovely lips, and which would have changed two destinies, never was uttered, for at that moment one of the servants of Leighton Hall entered the conservatory, glancing hggflx arognd._ cu] VH6, turrnerdfito her courteously, quite be- lieilving she had mistaken him for an- ot er. “If we meet again. let it be awnâ€"stran- gers.” V _ Gay sprung to her feet, her lovely face {its white as the silken mask that covered 1 . ‘ “5h, Edy-10%, my love! Don’t you know me?" How mad he had been to imagine Gay's voice had spoken to him; Gay, his beau- tiful young bride, whose lips he had kissed cold in death. out For one brief instant the heart in Percy Granville’s bosom seemed to 'etand gull: hp l{regained his composure thh a bxtter 31g_ . . “You aye evidently in error,” he said kindly, bowing low before her. and re- moving his mask with one hand; “we are stgangers, yogi pee.” » _ Gay“ reéofled from him with a. choking Emil" fire to ask her to ramove her mask, but that, of course. could not be; he could not see her face until the gilded clock in the ballroom was on the stroke of pwelve. me? Over the fra‘grant rosea of the dim con- servatory, over the soft strains of Lhe dance music that floated out to them, Ga-y’s clear young voice rang out shrill and piteous as she flung herself down on her knees before the tall, handsome knight, or):ng out: She forgot the bitter words of the cruel letter that; had nearly cost het‘ her young lifeâ€"forgot it they ever met again it was, to be as strangers. She only remembered she was standing face to face at last with the hands‘ome young lover who had won the 1_ove_ pf her girlish heart.“ And with a'piteaus éi'y Gag: slipped down on her knees at his feet crying out: “C_)_1_1, my love, my love, don’t you know To be so near her love. yet further apart from him than the cold, gleaming stars in the blue heaven's. was more than Gay’s fiortured heart couldiendurp. “Strangers”â€"the word seemed shrieked )ut shrilly on the perfumed air. It was written in letters of scorching ire upon her brain. The cruel words of the note he had genned recurred to her - with stinging :orce. It’s .a pasteâ€" easilyappliedâ€"and gives a brilliant, black polish fchat is not affected by the heat. CHAPTER XVII. Fat/z” Eweâ€"“Black K mgr/1t assures ‘a bright New Yedr to all users”. Black Knight 10c.-â€"STOVE POLISH:â€" 10c. A story of the late Sir Lawrence Almaâ€"Tadema concerns the ‘close resemblance which existed between the great painter and George du Maurier. A lady sitting beside the latter at dinner one night refused to acknowledge any resemblance. “You know, Mr. Almaâ€"Tadema,” said she, “I think it is absurd to say that iou and Mr. du Maurier are so awfully alike. There is rea1~ ly no resemblance at all. Don’t "I shall be very pleased to write you in reference to uncle’s condition immediate- lv upon my return home, Miss Leigh- ton,” said Percy. sincerely grateful that ‘he too wok such an interest inhis un- ce, and at that moment the thought drifted across his mind that. some time he would write her, inquiring who the little creature was who kick the part of the fairy queen at the masked ball. "$111153 6611i}; iiidebfiad to 37511 both for letters, letting me know how he is,” she retorted maliciously, turning her black eye_s f_ul]_lg.pon Evelyn. _ _ h “I will write you all about it,» lone, af- ter I get home,” put in Evelyn, with just the faintest suspicion possible of triumph in her voice, as the thought flashed with lightning-like rapidity through her brain: “The artful minx, how quick she is to seize upon an opportunity to get up a Egrrispondence with Percyâ€"but I’ll baf- e er.” me know just how he is soon after you ieturn home? 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