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for company. If anyone had whispered, “It is cause he prefers that young girl's clety to any (ther's; it is because wants m be with you. not from any sire to learn farming? skge vs'oujt} vllv \v “4.... .. .......,. been more than surprised, would have received this offer of a solution of the mystery with a smile of incredulity: for there had been no candid friend .to tell her that she possessed the fatal glft of beauty; that she was one of those upon whom the eyes of man cannot look without a stirring of the heart, and a qujckening of the_pulse. ‘ . she assured herself that it was just a whim of Mr. Orme‘s, a passing fancy and caprlce which would soon be satisfied. and that he would tire of it after a few days. perhaps hours. course. she was wrong lo humor the whim: but it had been hard to refuse hlm. hard to seem churnsh and obstlnâ€" ate after he had been so klnd on the night her father had frightened her by his slee -walklng: and it had been still harder ecause she had been consclous of a certaln pleasure in the thought that she should see him again. Mjflsméfiérénie’i‘ed ‘herfiall Jessie Came in by the back door with her apron full of «9:25;. ‘nzf‘saw you come in. Miss Ida. so I thought I‘d just bring you these to show {:u: they‘re laying finely now ain‘t ey ' lrofi “Yes: that is a. splendid 0t, Jessie!" she said. with a smile. "You will have some to send to market for the first time this season." N ,4 _ . . ... ..-n “Yes. miss." said Jessie. deftly roll- ing the eggs in the basket. "But I'm thinking there won‘t be any need to send them to Bryndermere market. Jason's Just been telling me that the new folks up at Brae “food have been sending all round the place or eggs and butter and cream and tow -. and Jason says that he can get so much better prices from them than from Bryndermere. He was thinking that he'd put aside all the cream he could spare and kill half a doz- en ol’ the pulletsâ€"lf you don't object, Miss Ida?" Ida‘s f-ace flushed. and she looked fixâ€" edly at the fire. Something within her protested against the idea of selling the dairy produce to the new people at Brae Wood; but she struggled against the feeling. - . -u . , :3. ..w . Ida looked round, from where she stood. going through the form of drying her thick but small boots against the huge log that glowed on the wide dogâ€" Ohiryes: why not. JeSSle?“ though she knew well enough A Foolish Young Man; Your Home Trade Dealer Has It at a great saving to you. It gives ou the best and latest in every inc and a high quality at surpris- ingly low prices. because the goods are shipped Direct From Factory to You and thus you save middleman's profits. Your Home Trade Dgglngive§ you PERSONAL SERVICI; and absolutely guarantees every article. therefore a purchase through him means COMPLETE SATISFAC- TION or your money back without queskion. '1' here is a Home Trade Store .Vea r You Give this catalogue a Blace in your home. Let the Home Trade Dealer make good these claims. Remember every dollar spent at home through this catalogue means economy. absolute satisfaction to you. and h. decided benefit to your district. SK your Home Trade Dealer for a copy of this catalogue. It lists thousands of_arti}:les Fiaiiéb'NAt SERVICE CHAPTER XII Or. the Belle of the Season. she Said “Susie appears to have an enviable ac~ quaintance with the celestial regions and the abode of royalty, Jessie." "Yes, miss; of course. it's only What she've read about ‘em. And she says that Sir Stephenâ€"that's the gentleman as owns it all-is a kind of king, with his own body servant and aâ€"aâ€"I forget what they call him; it’s a word like a book-case." "A secretary.“ suggested Ida, "Yes. that‘s it, miss! But that he's quite simple and pleasant-like and that he's as easily pleased as if he were a mere nobody. And Susie says that she runs out after dinner and peeps into the stables. and that it’s full of horses and that there's a dozen carriages, some of ‘em grand enough for the Lord Mayor of London; and, that there's a head coachman and eighpor nine men and boys under him. I‘m thinking. Miss Ida, that the Court"â€"the Court was the Vayne‘s placeâ€"“or Bannerdale Grange ain't half so grandfh “I daresay." said Ida. “Is the lunch nearly ready. Jessie?" “Yes miss; I Was only waiting for you to come in. And Susie‘s seen the young Mr. Orme. Sir Stephen's son. and she says that he’s the handsomest gentle- man she ever saw: and she heard Mr. Davies tell one of the new hands that Mr. Stafford was a very great gentleman amongst the fashionable Deonle in Lon- don; and that very likely he‘d marry one of the great ladies that is coming down. Mr. Davis says that a duchess wouldn't be too fine for him, he stands so high; and yet. Susie says, he's just as pleasant and easy as Sir Stephen, and that he says 'th-ank you' quite like a common person‘ But there. how foolish of me! I‘m standing here chattering while you’re wet through. Do 'ee run up and change while I put the lunch on, Miss Ida. dear." that he says ‘tirank you' quite common person. But there. how foolish of me! I‘m standing here chattering while you're wet through. Do 'ee run up and change while I put the lunch on, Miss Ida. dear." When Ida came down her father was already at the table with his book open at his elbow. and he scarcely looked up as she went to her place. . Now, as a rule. she gave him an ac- count of her rides and Walks, ’and told him about the cattle and the progress of the farm enerally. of how she had seen a king sher or noticed that the trout were rising, or that she had start- led a covey of partridges in the young wheat: to all of which he seemed scarce- ly ever to listen, nodding his head now and again and returning often to his book before she had finished speaking: but to-day she could not tell him of her morning walk and her meeting with Stafford Orme. So she sat almost silent. thinking of lwhat Jessie had told her. and wonder- «in: whv Stafford Orme should leave the “a in her hand, watched him dl‘cflinll)’, ' ' ' ~ A _ a v _ She had resolved that shewould not ride straight to the stream. and she kept up the hillâ€"side, but her eyes wan- dered to the road expeetamiy now anti again: but there was no signpf a horse- man, and after half an hour had passed a. sense of disappointment rose within her. It was quite possible that he had forgotten the engagement; perhaps on reflection he had seen that she was quite right in her objections to his strange proposal. and he would not come. A faint flush rose to her face, and she turned Rupert and rode up and over‘the hill where she could not see the road. But she had no sooner got on ton than she remembered that no timerhad been mentioned, or. if it had, that she had forgotten it. She turned and rode up the hill again. nl Smoking down. saw Stafford riding: a}. in: the val- ley in desperate haste. mu \‘rli looking about him uncertainiy. iLw- Heart beat with a quickened pulse. sun ’1‘”: the de- licate color into her fave. and she pulled up. and leaning forward with her chin kl“: ‘So shé sat almost silent. thinking of what Jessie had told her. and wonder- ing why Stafford Orme should leave the gay party at the villa to ride with her. Once only in the course of the meal did her father speak. He looked up suddenly with a quick. almost cunning, glance. and said: “Can you let me have some money, catalt Ida )ibr: the these book she “ lockir a ced He qu~art there when in! rooks.” She nounds mlled a] re ‘Oh. guely But ins Sh: “Not nearly enough rterly bills. But neve re it is. You must Show an they come: I never he ad» {and you :ant mu five not )tes t to the antiuue it, took a five-I box. Ltched her cover k the 1m aid ell the vex an DO‘ The :ome: 1 never you know!" me note with 2 Ice but with in his sunken n?" he said. You‘re always tun ere th The the afte has lx‘ge ‘ald: liltl 11d i it me der xtr use these like faxher will d the some 1m one :11 tly. with eli for note: aluat rant Reli the ex; )ues‘ buy ‘ mind. 0 me the b ponde eau a! atlon dear ques assun must emir W0 fled; and ate 1TH money :I‘here’: In th‘ but and ith m )ment There in the said ‘ther the ain and ‘ith the the battling with the sudden fear which possessed her; then she stole out on to the corridor. The old man was stand- ing at the head of the stairs as it about to descend: and though she could not see his face. she knew that he was asleep. She glided to him noiselessly and put her hand upon his arm softly. He turned his sightless eyes upon her. evidently without seeing her. and. fight- ing against the desire io cry out, she led him gently back to his room. He woke as they crossed the threshold. woke and looked at her in a stupefied fashion. “Are you ll]. father?. 15 ti thing you want?" she asked. as she could. “No.” he replied. "I am a I do not want anythlng. I wa bedâ€"why have you called me She remained with him for a. few minutes. then left the room. turning the key in the door. \Vhen she had gone he stood listening wlth his head on one side; then he opened his hand and look- ed with a sunning snTlle at the five- pound note which had been tightly grasped m it. “She didn‘t see it: no. she didn't see it!" he muttered; and he went stealth- lly to the bed and thrust it under the pillow. Lakes when a. fine day follows a. wet one; and. despite her anxiety on her fa- ther's account. Ida, as she went down- stairs, was conscious of that sense of happiness which comes from antioipa- tion. She made her morning tour of in- spection of the stables and the dairy. and ordered the big chestnut to be sad- dled directly after breakfast. \Vhen her father came down she was relieved to find that he seemed to be in his usual health: and in answer to her question whether he had slept well. he replied in the affirmative. and was mildly surpris- ed that she should inquire. Directly he had gone off to the library she ran upâ€" stgirs to put on her habit. The morning broke with' that exquis- ite_ clearpess which distinguishes the “If you‘re riding by West Hill. Mlss Ida. perhaps you‘d better look a me cattle shed there. \Vllllam says that the roofs falling in." “Very well." she called back in her clear voice. “Oh. and. Miss Ida“ there's a his: stone Washed out of ‘he weir: I‘m thinking it ought to he put back or We'll have the meadows above flooded this winte " Her fétfie? i‘is-‘fiv'hliK-ifinvéflup and down the terrace slowly as she came out, and he riiised his head and looked at her ab- sent 3'. "I shall probably ride into Brynder- mere. father." she said. “Shall I post your le‘ters‘.’ 1 know you will be anx- ious for that one to the booksellers to gog'flshe added. with a smile. His eyes dropped and he seemed dis- concerted for a minute. then he said: . "No, no; I'll send It by Jason; I'Ve not written it yet;" .and he turned away from her and resumed his pacing to and fro. Ida went to the stable-yard and got on to Rupert by the aid of (he stqne “mounting block" from which Charles the Second had climbed. laughlngly. to the white horse which figures in so many pictures of the Merry Monarch. and rode out of the court-yard, watched with pride by Jason. h Before shé had gone far he ran after er. She laughed and nodded. and pert to a trot. for she knew th: she was Within hearing distance would bombard her with simil: of woe. Not a. slate slid from roof of the Hall. or a sheep 1’6 but the matter was referred to over the rough am Suddenly he turne her. and with a W: galloping up to he] lief and gladness o as he spoke to the n he said. people kept nd CHAPTER XIII at e: roug “so afraid “I am la gh rand turne( the weir: I’m thinking it t back or we'll have the nodded this winter." and nodded. and put Ru- fm' she knew that whilo aft 31“ with a $1 on his hand I am quitejve r. I was golng his )u there any- . as calmiy lal‘ lultâ€"s | the 01d: 'ell lame. ' her. ‘ muld not md She yes wan- now and I the “You are not late; I don't think any time was mentioned." she responded. quickly. though her heart was beating with a. strange and novel sensation of pleasure in his presence. “1 scarcely expected you." He looked at her renroachfully. "Not expect me! But why?" “I thought vou might change your mind." she said. He checked a quick response. and said insten .ilid now, where do we go first? You see I have got a bit heavier horse. He‘s a present. also. from my father.. \Vhat do you think of him?" She eyed him gravely and critically. "He‘s nice-looking." she said "but I don‘t like him so well as the one you rode yesterday. Didn‘t I see him slip just now. coming up the hill?" “Did he?" said Stafford. “I didn‘t no- tice. To tell you the truth. I was so delihted at seeing you that I don‘t thin I should have noticed if he had tumbled on his nose" "Oh. it Wasn't much of a slip." she said. quickly. to cover her slight confli- sion at his candid confession. "Shall we go down to the sheep first?" “Anywhere you like." he assented. brightly. “Remember. I‘m your pupil." She glanced at him and smiled. “A very big pupil." “But a?very humble one." he said. "I‘m .afraid you‘ll add. ‘a. Very stupid one,‘ before long." As they rode down hill Stafford stole a look at her unobserved. Ever since he had left her yesterday her face had ihaunted him. even while Maude Falconâ€" ,,,. Asa -Rhurnna DELUXE qu5. As they rode down hill Stafford stole a look at her unobserved. Ever since he had left her yesterday her face had haunted him. even while Maude Falcon- er. in all her war paint and sparkling ngh ilewels, had been singing. even in the si ent watches of the night. Whenâ€"â€" strange thing for hlmIâ€"he had awaken- ed from a dream of her; he had recalled the exquisitely lovely face with its mm m: \‘et zlrlish eves. and he felt now. charm which stronger. mor fancy had pa touch of colo‘ slender oolum why no other of wearing a 1 “\V‘nat don't thin this. 510 c] ther 00 near; 7 “It's the ems to vs You look fi‘bk THE IMPERIAL OIL C0., Limited They area a begin 1e 5m: A cool kitchen on ironing day is possible with a NeW‘PerféQfiQE theye t'ms I after The heat is a“ in the burnerâ€"none in the room. The New Perfection is cheaper than coalâ€"and cooks better. Broils, bakes, roasts. toasts. In I, 2. 3 and 4 burner sizes. Ask to see the 1914 model 4 burner. cabinet range with fireless cooking oven. At all hardware and general stores. Royalite Oil Gives Best Results sh the m of a neck, : woman had crimson tie w and morning 3t thou ’ A COOL KITCHEN her ' she explained. "It 1e atmosphere. My fa- s only one other place articular clearness and rain: and that's Ire- the sheep. Now." she know how (0 count afford. “I didn't no. the truth. I was so (you that I don‘t e noticed if he had number Toronto Quebec Halifax Montre 31 SC. John Winnipeg Vancouver bright: gh they ’011.;C€6R~‘St6fé were quite "But where is number one?" she said. with a smile. Mrs. Ross had a. daughter who was of the opinion that her voice. was, her fortune. The mother sent; her to a well known vocal t-elachei‘ for lessons. and after a. ghort timei called on the teacher to ascertain his opinion. “Do you Uhink," she asked the professor, “that mv daughter will ever become a. noted singer?” “I gant za-y," replied the profes- sor. “She may. She dell me she gome of a. long~lived family.” Not in the Picture. Mr. Cyrus Greenâ€"vMolly. what is that picture called In the cam. Green (readingâ€"Cows af- ter Rosa. Bonheur. Mr. Greenâ€"By Gosh! I see the cows. but Where is Rosa. Bonheur’l cows. able logue “I say. old man, you’ve never: re- turned that umbrella. I lent you last week.” “I hope." said one wife to an- other. "that you never nag; your husband." “Only When ‘he’s beam- ing‘ the rugs.” said the second one.‘ “When he is thoroughly irritated he makes a better job of it.” Magistrateâ€"Officer, what is this man charged with? CronstableflHe’a a. camera fiend of the worst kind, yer worship. "But this man shouldn't have been arrested sim- ply because he has a. mania for mk. ing pictures." “It isn’t that. yet \mrshin: he takes the cameras.” Hang it, all, old man, be reason =- it's been rammg ever smce.’ â€" v 'I‘imc Alone Would Toll. n l' nreasonahle D omaml. (To be continued.)