j
I CHEATER
WHAT Is now related took
place In "e good old times,"
when the fanner knew but
little or nothing of bank of deposit and
their advantages, but relied mostly ui
on the honesty of his city acquaintances
or of the hot of his urban Inn.
Therefore, when one nice day the
fanner of the lower village drove to the
city with a well-filled bag to make some
extensive purchase at the annual fair
he was not a little vexed to discover
that the Inn, "The Sun." wherein 'he
usually stopped, was filled from top to
bottom with guests to the fair. He
ueed only wait a few days, explained
the host, and there would be plenty of
rooms vacant, but till then Mr. Farmer
would have to apply to some other tav
ern. Perhaps a few bouses further on,
Just around the corner of the next
street, in "The Green Tree," there might
be room for him. That would be quite
near, too, etc., etc
Mr. Farmer hesitated for a moment.
He was not acquainted with the pro
prietor of "The Green Tree," but the
host of "The Hun" often kept heavy
sums for him, and readily handed them
over whenever demanded. It would be
a good Idea to deposit the 1.000 florins
brought along for purchases with the
landlord of 'The Sun," medftated the
farmer, but there was too much of the
susjdclous peasant nature In him to
confide his money to anybody lodging
ouuide the abode wherein he himself
was domiciled. Accordingly he prom
ised the landlord of "The Sun" to In
quire again within a few days and said
good-by.
Id "The Green Tree" there was Indeed
some rooms vacant, and when the farm
er had consumed his knoedel and sauer
kraut he Inquired for the host and beg
ged few moments' private conversa
tion with him. The landlord conducted
the farmer, who appeared quite well-to-do,
Into his private room to listen to
his guest'a request
"I brought 1,000 florins with me to
make some purchases," began the farm
er, "but I am afraid some one In the
crowd may steal them from me. Will
you please keep them safe for me?
That's what I always did In 'The Sun.' "
"Very well," replied the host; "Just
hand them to me."
"But I don't want anybody to know,"
continued the farmer, "that I brought
so much money with me."
"Why, certainly not," exclaimed the
other laughingly. "There are nowadays
so many rogues who think they must
steal right away when they imagine
there is anything of value. You Just
rest easy about It"
Mr. Fanner counted out bis 1,000 flor
ins on the table, the landlord locked
them up, both men shook hands and the
entire transaction was completed.
Feeling relieved, the farmer mingled
light-hearted with the crowding popu
lace. After a searching examination he
found next day several articles which
be concluded to purchase, and returned
to bis stopping place to fetch some of
bis deposit
But Just depict bis amazement and
consternation when the landlord of
"The Green Tree" declared In a brusque
manner that there must be some mis
take; be hadn't received one farthing,
much less 1.0U0 florins.
In vain the stupefied peasant remind
ed him of the day, hour and other de
tails of the transaction.' The landlord,
forsooth, turned tables, played the role
of the Injured martyr, and at last shout
ed at the top of bis voice that the farm
er should produce his receipts or bring
forth bis witnesses. Anybody and ev
erybody could come and demand 1,000
florins from hint. Very probably the
farmer had given his money to some
body else for safe keeping. But be, the
proprietor of "The Green Tree," waa
an honest man, and so forth.
And the wily tavern keeper talked
that much and he swore so high and
solemnly that he knew positively noth
ing at all of the money that the bewil
dered rustic at last totally stupefied, tot
tered out of the Inn.,
t Just by lucky chance he encountered
an old acquaintance on the street, and
to him he related his misfortune.
"There Is but one remedy, If there Is
any," declared his friend; "that Is, go to
Mr. Foxy and ask hi advice. If he
don't know what to do, then you'll
never see your 1,000 florins again."
Mr. Foxy waa veteran lawyer, who
waa near and far highly esteemed on ac
count of bis shrewdness, and at the
same time generally liked for hit Jovial
ity and good will.
Neit morning bright and early saw
the farmer at the lawyer's office. He
waa ushered In and explained hla eaee.
When he bad Bnlahed Mr. roxj aakadt
"Have jvt got another 1,000 iorlnar
"I think I eould ralaa them," ana war
ed the
,i it "
X NfH A ITT- 'J --
CHEATED 1
"Well. then, get them. And when
they are In your pocket take the same
friend with you who advised you to
consult me. Go together to the host of
'The Green Tree.' Tell him you made
a mistake; everything was all right, he
ahould kindly excuse you, and as a tok
en that there should be no ill-feelings
between you, beg hhn to keep those
other 1,0110 florins for you In safety.
But you must under all conditions pre
vail unon him to accent the money. Do
you versteh?"
Though the farmer muttered a weak
sounding affirmative, he really under
stood but one sentence that he had to
collect another 1,000 florins and deliver
them Into the hands of the scoundrel
who stole his first; only with one differ
ence, that this time he would bring his
friend along with him to witness the
transfer. But firmly confiding In the
lawyer's wisdom, who "ought to know
what he wanted," be promised strict
obedience.
"After the keeper of The Green Tree'
bas accepted and received the money,
finished the lawyer, dismissing his cli
ent "you return Instantly to this office.
Good-by."
Shaking bis hand, the farmer hasten
ed to collect the 1,000 florins required.
As soon as they were In his possession
he looked up bis friend and both visit
ed "The Green Tree." Mine host was
not a little taken back when be listened
to the bumble apology of the farmer,
but he peremptorily declined the ac
ceptance of any money. Still the farm
er excused himself In such meek and
dejected manner, pleaded and begged
so persistently, that at last the Inn keep
er yielded and promised to keep the
money In safety. As soon as the deposit
was made the peasant returned to Mr.
Foxy's office to get further orders.
"Did he take the money?" waa the
first Inquiry the lawyer made.
"Of course he took It" replied the
farmer. "If I only had It back again."
"Don't trouble yourself. You'll get
It back, and what Is still better, you'll
get It right away. Now, you return to
'The Green Tree and demand your
1,000 florins, but don't tell a word about
It to anybody, not even to your friend.
As soon as you have the money bring
It and yourself back to this office, and
don't lose a moment."
Mr. Farmer did as requested, went to
the Inukeeper, claimed his 1,000 florins,
which be received this time without any
Iarley or delay, aud betook himself Im
mediately to Mr. Foxy, eager to dis
cover the finishing stroke of the attor
ney's strategy.
"Does anybody know that you got this
money?" asked the lawyer.
"No, nobody; not even my friend."
"And the Innkeeper was alone when
he handed you tha money V
"Yes, entirely alone."
"Well, you have now yonr first 1,000
florins," exclaimed Mr. Foxy, laughing.
"Now you'll take your friend with yon
to The Green Tree' and claim the sec
ond." A new and brilliant light appeared to
tbe smiling farmer. He fetched his
friend, and with him called on the pro
prietor of "The Green Tree." When he
demanded the 1,000 florins which be
had deposited in presence of his friend
the crafty Innkeeper made a wry face
and muttered several uncomplimentary
remarks Into his beard. But perceiving
himself outwitted be did not hesitate
very long, unlocked the drawer and
counted out tbe cash.
Mr. Foxy pocketed a generous fee
and enlarged bis reputation. The land
lord of "The Green Tree," who was rid
iculed by everybody, disappeared a few
months afterward and was never heard
of again.
But the farmer ever since that mem
orable transaction demands a certified
receipt when he deposits any money.
Utlea Globe.
Dr. Ta Image's Lecture la England.
A geutleman who listened to Dr. Tal
lage several times when be made bis
remarkable and remunerative tour In
England, states that the lectures were
delivered verbatim, the emphasis waa
always upon the same word and the
gesture in the same place, and after
hearing the lecture two or three times
even the setulcontlnenlal wink could be
foretold with the precision with which
one would preaunouncc the motions of
an automaton.
llorn with Teeth.
There Is a superstition In France that
children born with teeth will be bril
liantly clever. It probably arises from
tha fact that Henri IV. and Louis XIV.,
kings who left the greatest mark upon
French history, and Mirabeau, tba great
orator, were all born with ona tooth.
How a nice old-faahloned woman done
I or to aaa children aatl
..iiM.. itfk.H?. i ..'.V
A NEW STYLE OF MARCHING.
Capt. Vaonl'e Byatcm for Attaining
High Hiwed with Little Kiertion.
Capt. Haoul of the French artillery.
..... . i i . .4 .. ..
SMV the relit rarwien, Dcgau un
yesrs ago a special study of the mili
tary march. He concerned himself es
pecially with the question whether
the method of marching adopted gen
erally bv the armies of the civilized
world answers the needs of war well.
He wished to devise a system that
should permit certain young troops to
acquire a resistance to fatigue aud a
speed unknown In the European ar
mies. Very robust young soldier are
occasionally found to acquire by train
ing great sjM'ed, but they are excep
tions to the rule, and in reaching the
object aimed at they are ofteu greatly
fatigued. After much study, t'apt
Haoul thinks he has found a solution
of the question In the method instinc
tively used by peasants In their rapid
walking.
"I am able," says Capt. Haoul, "to
take the first comer between the ages
of 20 and 00 years, and teach him to
run so long us his legs will upbear him,
without ills feeling the least Inconven
ience In the matter of respiration."
It Is found that men without the least
training are able to make by his sys
tem more thau six miles at the first
trial. By the ordinary system of run
ning such a man could not without
pain, cover a tenth of that distance.
Capt. Haoul's method Is to maintain
the body straight to bold the head high
and well free of the shoulders, to ex
pand the cheat without special effort,
and to hold the elbows a little behind
the haunches. The runner begins gent
ly, with steps of about 13 Inches, lift
ing the feet only Just high enough to
clear the Irregularities of the track, the
hams strongly bent the upper part of
the body Inclined forward as much as
possible, so that the man must run In
order to maintain his equilibrium. In
fact tbe man is kept chasing his own
center of gravity, which tends to fall In
advance of hlra.
In the training exercises the soldier
begins by running tbe first kilometre
(about 1,084 yards) in 10 minutes, the
second In 9 minutes 30 seconds, and so
on with Increasing speed. After sev
eral weeks the soldier makes from tbe
third kilometre a speed of 0 minutes,
or even 5 minutes 45 seconds. After the
experiment had been tried upon several
regiments bo me years ago, a soldier
made rather more than twelve and
three-tenths miles In a trifle less thD
two hours. As the muscles employed
In thla feat were not those especially
In demand In the ordinary method of
marching, the soldier was able at once
to take up tbe march In the usual step
with as good spirit as when be left the
barracks.
('apt Itaoul recommends that after a
little training the soldier run the first
kilometre In 7 minutes 15 seconds, the
second In minutes 5 seconds, the third
In 5 minutes 45 seconds, and from the
sixth on each kilometre In 5 minutes
30 seconds. He recommends that this
last speed be not exceeded.
Beauties of the Underground World.
It has often happened that In tbe
course of excavations In search of min
erals, the workmen have come upon
some singular hollows or openings in
the rock, caused by convulsions of the
earth or earthquakes, or caverns
through which torrents have flowed In
former ages and have left them for ua
ture to ornament In tbe most beautiful
and fantastic manner.
You will understand bow the natural
caverns are formed that you may havs
seen on the sea coast; the moving
waters, carrying with them gravel and
sand, enter the cracks and crevices In
the rocks, and Increase their size by
wearing away portions of the rock until
caverns are formed. Some of them are
of Immense size, and tbe extent of many
Is unknown.
Many caverns are lined with beauti
ful crystals, called calcareous spar, or
substances containing much lime, and
generally colored by the Impurities of
the water that has dropped on them.
Sometimes these crystals are of pure
white, and have, when the cave is light
ed up, a richness and transparency that
can scarcely be Imagined. Others have
the appearance of stone, moss and
shells, In every variety of color. ,
Caverns of enormous extent occur in
Iceland; that of Gurtshelllr being forty
feet In height, fifty In breadth, and
nearly a mile In length. It Is situated
In the lava that has flowed from a vol
cano. Beautiful black stalactites hang
from the spacious vaults, and the sides
are covered with glazed stripes, a thick
covering of Ice, clear as crystal, coat
lug the floor. One spot In particular Is
mentioned by a traveler, as surpassing
anything that can be described when
seen by torchlight The roof and sides
of the cave were decorated with the
most superb Icicles, crystallzed In every
possible form, many of which rivaled
In delicacy the clearest froth or foam,
while from the Icy floor arose pillars
of the same substance, In all the curious
and fantastic shapes that can be lmag
Ined. A more brilliant scene, perhaps,
never presented Itself to the human eye.
A Taste for Flogging.
A Clndnnatlan, known as John Bye
Bye, was found In the woods near Cov
ington, Ky., undergoing a severe thrash.
Ing on hla naked back at the hands of
some boys armed with thorny switches.
He exonerated tha boys of all blame,
saying that be bad hired them to flog
him. God had told hltn, be said, that as
often as he could stand It he must sub
mit to flfty-lash floggings to expiate the
sins that hla father bad committed In
flogging bla slaves. Some years ago
ba waa aent to tba workhouse for bar
ing himself strapped to a floor and flog
ged. A man parts with bla ambition a
ally and naturally as ha parta with
bla hair.
f t -SV A? '
VI
CHAPTER XIII. (Continued.)
"I am no sensitive young girl, Lady
Dnrrington," she said at length, with a
kind of slow bitterness, "to shrink from
expressing my feelings, and I think you
will admit that your hrother has deceived
me, basely, treacherously. He had no
doubt found it cuuveuieut to lead his cred
itors to believe that he was on the point
of marriage with a -rich widow, and so
gain time fur the settlement of bis attairs.
For this he did not hesitate to uiaae me
a object of remark to all the company
at his house when I was bis guest.
"1 am not surprised at anything you
say, cried Laay uorrmgiou, sirauj
tressed and even alarmed ai uie sup
pressed, concentrated fury which she per
ceived under Mrs. Kuthven's carefully
preserved self-control. "I am iutiuitely
ashamed of Clifford; hut, indeed, he is in
every way incapable of making the use
you suggest of his position witn you. ne
is the merest slave of his whims and fan
cy. He ws, I know, greatly taken with
you; and then all that horrid business
of the robbery kept you apart, and he fell
in with Nora-and oh! it is all Deyoua
my comprehension! It makes me perfect
ly ill when I think of Clifford's unuttera
ble folly. I bad, indeed, hoped to call you
my slater.
"I think vou are honest and alive to tne
advantages that marriage with me offers.
I shall always consider you my tnena.
As to your brother, I have made up my
mind bow to act. He will find I am not
to be trifled with; but I must gather a
little mora strength before I can deal
with the matter."
"Surely, my dear Mrs. Ruthven, no
legal redress could possibly atone for the
wrong done?" said Lady Dorrington, in
uncertain accents, very different from her
usual decided tone, so appalled was abe
by tbe prospect of tbe commonplace vul
garity of an action In court.
"Are you afraid of a breach of promise
trial?" wis her guest'a counter-question,
accompanied by a mocking, contemptuous
laugh. "That would be a very weak and
Inefficient payment of the debt I owe Mr.
Maraden but I will not allow myself to
speak mors on the subject It must be
moat painful to yon; it is too much for me.
I ean writs no more to-day. May I trust
to your kindness to send for Sir Harley
Portman? And will you be so good as to
ask Virginia to bring me my medicine? 1
must rest and be quite qoiet now."
Lady Dorrington felt herself dismissed.
If she hsd gone to Mrs. Ruthven in an
anxious, angry frame of mind, she left her
with a sense of danger and trouble Intensi
fied tenfold. The change in Mra. Ruth
van's manner from Its ordinary caressing
softness to the abrupt decision of one who
knew ber power and would use it seemed
to take the ground of superior position and
higher breeding from under the elder
woman's feet. Mrs. Ruthven was. In
deed, not to be trifled with. The vague
ness of her threats made Lady Dorring
ton still more uneasy. Did she know of
any crooked corners in Clifford's conduct
which would, brand him with disgrace,
were tbey known and blazoned abroad?
If so, how merciless ahe would be. "I
wish I never bad had anything to do with
her," thought Lady Dorrington, as she sat
down in the refuge of her own morning
room. "It is useless to try and help
Clifford. He is hopeless. But I think I
must send bim a line of warning. I am
really afraid of that woman. I shall
never care to be with ber again. She was
naturally angry, and I do not wonder at it;
but there was a murderous look In ber
eyes. I do believe she bas a large share
of Eastern blood! How unprincipled it
was of Mrs. L'Estrsnge and Nora to at
tract Clifford! They are quite aware that
I am most anxious he should marry Mrs.
Ruthven! quite; yet they set themselves
against me; and I have been so fond of
Nora, and so kind to ber too."
Here her reflections became chaotic.
Though of the strong-minded order of
women, Lady Dorrington bad both family
pride and family affection in abundance.
The idea of open scandal or disgrace
attacking ber brother was Intolerable,
and her anxiety to shield him was not one
whit lessened by ber indignation and
wrath with bis Inconsiderate folly!
Clifford Marsden meantime sped Lon
donward, well content with the reault of
hla visit. He had put matters in train;
there was no room now for Lady Dorring
ton to say that he bad kept her in the
dark about so important a matter as bia
marriage, and she would no doubt impart
the knowledge to Mrs. Ruthven. They
would have ample opportunity to abuse
him together, and by tbe time they all met
again tbe worst would have blown over.
He arrived in town late and resolved
not to disturb Nora and Mrs. L'Estrsnge
at that hour. Next morning would do.
He had a deep, though unacknowledged,
conviction that be must be careful and
cautious in his conduct to Nora.
Yet, in aplte of his love, there were mo
ments wheu a kind of lurid revelation
flashed across bim that if he could not
succeed in warming her coldness Into
something akin to hla own fire, the day
might come when be would hate her with
a deadly hatred, ay, and revenge himself
! cruelly on her, if she persisleil in her mad
ilenlng lndiftreiice. He could scarce en
dure the tolhire It gave him, when she
shnink from the caresses with which he
would fain have loaded her, and his long
ing for the reciprocity of natural, un
forced tenderness, was painfully intense.
However, absence always made bim
more hopeful. He bad not seen Nora for
three days, and who could tell what
change that interval might have wrought
In the Incomprehensible heart of a young
girl?
Tbe post brought bim a large number of
letters, most of which needed notice, and
before Marsden bad finished the briefest
replies be was Informed that a gentlemalf
wished to see him. This proved to be a
clerk from the office of Messrs. Oooksoa
Y Dunn, hla solicitors, who waa tba bearer
of a letter anaoaoctng that a fraah tenant
for Evesleigh had offered batter terms,
and It waa desirable that tba aneatloa
should ba dlacisaed without teas of time.
.1 -tat - -
Finally it was past midday before Mars
den could present biinelf at H street.
Nora was looking, he thought, well, aud
very handsome. She had mure color than
usual, and her manner was less tranquilly
composed. She seemed disturbed by his
presence, and was red and white alter
nately. But her welcoming smile was as
sweet as ever, and Marsden tasted wine
uiuuieuts of intoxicating delight fancying
that the icy indiffereuce he so much dread
ed was at last melting away before the
passionate ardur of his advances.
"I am glad to see you looking better.
Nora," he said, taking his accustomed
place beside her work table. Wurk was
her great resource such a blessed occu
pation fur eyes ami hands.
"Yes," remarked Mrs. L'Estruuge, "I
assure you I was quite nervous about her
the night before last; she had a sore
throat and looked ghastly; she is much
brighter to-day."
"And Lady Dorrington?" asked Nora.
"How is she? And did you did you tell
her?" coloring crimson.
"1 did," said Marsden, smiling. "Mur
der will out!"
"Was she very angry?" persisted Nora,
eagerly. 1 am sure sue is displeased.
"She wishes you bad more money; that's
all, I think."
'There is a great deal more, I imagine,
Clifford; she is angry with me. I know
what her plana were, and It makes me un
comfortable to feel that 1 have been tbe
cause of their defeat. I am really fond
of Lady Dorrington."
"And you naturally object to be con
verted into an instrument of torture?"
said Marsden, lightly. "She ia mlataken,
however; ahe would never have euceeeded
in marrying me to ber mind, even if 1 had
not met a certain witch of a kinswoman.
Why, Nora, you must not look dismayed.
When you have been Isabel's sister-in-
law for a year or two she will think me the
luckiest fellow going, especially when
abe sees tbe reformation you will work
in me.
"I share Nora's feeling that your only
near relative's objection to your marriage
la peculiarly unfortunate; perhaps it might
be as well to postpone
"Or eat hesvens! No!" interrupted
Marsden, energetically. "You know 1
have agreed to put off tbe wedding till
after the 15th of February, and that is sn
age nearly two months off."
"Barely enough time to make due pre
parations," said Mrs. L'Estrange, laugh
ing. "Preparations! Why, very few are
necessary. ' Nora and I are old friends,
and don't want to astonish each other with
finery," urged Marsden.
Nora laughed and tried to rouse herself.
"I am very fond of pretty things, I as
sure you," she said.
"And :s there any reason that the power
of choke or purchase ahould leave you
when Nora L'Estrange becomes Nora
Aiarsaenr i
"And Mrs. Ruthven is really getting bet
ter?" asked Mrs. L'Estrsnge.
"Really and truly this time recovering
sufficiently to dabble in business, which
ber soul loves. I was amazed this morn
ing by a summons from my lawyer, which
delayed my appearance here, and on
reaching the office I found it was an offer
from Mrs. Ruthven to rent Evesleigh for
five years at a higher rent than any yet
proposed. Fortunately 1 bad not abso
lutely come to terms with tbe man who
has been nibbling at it for some time, so I
determined to give tbe fair widow tbe
preference.
"It is curious ber wishing to live at
Evesleigh, when she wanted to fly from
it after that dreadful robbery," said
Mrs. L'Estrange. "I suppose these jew
els will never be found, nor the robber."
"Not after this lapse of time, I fasicy,"
returned Marsden, lightly. "I should
think the thief is tolerably safe."
"1 forgot to tell you that Mr. W'inton
passed tnrougn town wnne you were
away," said Mra. L'Estrange. "He seems
disposed to return to India before his holi
day is half over. He has gone down to
see his uncle, Giles Winton, before he
goes."
"Ah! Mark Winton is a capital fellow,
in spite of his solemnity. You did not
make yourself agreeable enough to him.
Mrs. L'Estrange, or he would not be in
such a hurry to run away, and Marden
threw an expressive glance at Nora as he
spoke, which sent an icy, painful dart
through her heart. What had not this
fatal impression of Msrsden's cost her?
"That is the uncle who brought him up
with his own son, Is It not?" continued
Marsden.
"Yes," said Mrs. L'Estrange. "The
son is dead," she sighed.
"I did not know that. Then Winton is
the old msn heir?"
"I believe so." Mrs. L'Estrange rose
and closed her writing-book. "You will,
I am sure, excuse me, as I promised "
"Pray do not apologize," cried Mars
den, gleefully.
"Is it not very One to-day?" exclaimed
Nora. "Do you know, Clifford, I should
enjoy a drive so much."
"Would you ? Well, I will go and find
a conveyance, and a tolerable pair of
horses; you shall drive to your heart's
content."
"And you, Helen?"
"My dear, you know I am engoged,"
and with a smile and nod of tbe bead
Mrs. L'Estrange left them together.
"And you are glad to see me back.
Nora, as glad as the last time I returned?"
said Marsden, taking ber hand and kiss
ing It repeatedly.
"Yes! Oh, yes! only I feel nervous, un
easy, not a bit like myself. I am dis
tressed about Lndy Dorrington. 1 scarce
ly can say what 1 fear. But 1 feel I want
air and motion."
' "Very welt, we shall have a nice drive.
I shall be hack in about three-quarters of
an hour. You will be ready?"
"Quite ready!" Still Marsden lingered.
"Look at me, Nora," he said, softly.
"You have not given me a kiss to-day."
"Do not ask me," exclaimed Nora. "I
cannot, not now." She half turned from
bim, but held out ber hand.
He klsaed It again, murmuring: "As yon
will darling!" and went away not dis
pleased; be fancied she must be waking
from the unconsciousness that chilled
him.
Tbeaa were terrible days and nights to
Nora L'Estrange- Her heart knew no
rest from gnawing regret for the mlaar
abte misunderstanding which bad wreck
ed her life, and the torturing doubt as to
what was best and rigkt to do. She was
the source of sorrow to tbe man she
loed most truly, she waa deceiving the
lover whom she nincerely liked, and, Win
ton out of the way, might have loved.
Then, ah hough she bad been mistaken as
regarded Mark Wiutun's feelings, it did
not follow that ber ideas respecting Mrs.
L'Estrange were also wrong; perhaps in
his disapiHiiutiueut Winton might turn to
her. If so. Nora felt she ought to be
pleased, but she was not by any means
pleased with the idea; on tbe contrary, it
was very bitter. Then what was the
right course to take with Marsden? Poor
fellow, he was so fond of her. How could
she break with him, and break bis heart?
Aud suppose she had the hardihood to tell
Marsden the truth, how would it sound
to say, "Despairing of Mark Winton, I
nrninised to be your wife; now 1 find he
is willing to take uie, I wish to break my
word to you." Such was the simple fact
No! She never, never could make such
an avowal. It were best she should bear
the penalty of her own weakness in hav
ing too readily yielded to persuasion, to
her overeager desire to throw off the pain
and shame of curing for a uuu who pre
ferred another. Besides, what would
Winton himself think if, after telling
him she was to marry Marsden, she de
clared herself free? Probably that she
was a heartless jilt.
No. there was but one way for her to
walk in: she must luck up her secret aud
her sufferings in her own heart; leave
Winton to conquer his fancy for nerseir,
which a strong, sensible man, as he was,
no docbt soon would; forget him quickly
f possible; marry Marsden and love Dim,
or seciu to love mm, aim uu cicijuim.
for him in the spirit of affectiou till love
nine. Oh! would it come Aud if it aid.
would she not be a traitor to ber true, first
love? Destiny was too potent for her; she
could only conquer by bearing her fate!
Meantime, Lady Dorrington maae uo
. tl..,
sign. I ne society papers nuuouuc .-v
Mrs. Ruthven bad sumcienuy retufweu
remove to Torquay, where sue naa
taken Lord G s beautirui vuia, auu
added a hint that "as we asserted some
time since, there was no truth in the re
port that she was about to contract an
alliance with a certain squire of high de
gree in the Midlands, whose brilliant suc
cess as a sKrtsman, yachtman and man
of the world, could not insure that other
and greater success which, no doubt was
dearest to bim ot ail.
Mrs. L'Estrsnge and IVora Dom waicn-
ed with uneasiness ror some ioeu oi
smity from Lsdy Uorrington, ana uie
seeming estrangement of his only sister
greatly increased Nora's reluctance to be
come Marsden's wife-
Nothing, however, can put tne armg on
time's chariot wheels; tne osys wtm u,
swiftly yet heavily. Nora waa surprised
how few opportunities sne iouuu ior u-
.,!,. with Mrs. LKStrange. one
lonVd to ascertain what ties had existed
between Mark Winton ana ner sir
mother. Yet she never had a chance for
leading up to that subject It was one
respecting whlcn sne couiu uoi .
ple, straight-forward question, and she
never was long enougn
L'Estrange to approach tbe topic with
masked batteries.
Marsden was constantly with them, al
.. rharmina. obliging, sympathetic;
and it needed all Nora's tact and ingenuity
to avoid the frequent tete-a-ieie inter
views he was perpetually contriving, to
escspe his caresses, from which she
shrunk with a sort of dread she was her
self ashamed of.
Sometimes she could not conceal thla
shrinking from him, and it filled him
with an angry despair, that called forth
her deepest remorse, and obliged her to
atone so amply, that Marsden was once
more joyous and hopeful.
"If you knew all you have cost me
he would sometimes cry, "all I have
risked for you, you would not cut me to
the soul, with this accursed cold prudery!
Not that I would hesitate to pay any
price that would make you mine; but I
sometimes doubt you have any heart to
give."
Then Nora would tremble, and assure
him how dear his happiness was to her,
and take his hand in hers, and stroke it
with gentle kindness, and Marsden would
become reasonable once more.
For Bea, this was a heavenly Interval
of treats and toys, the circus and the
panoramo. Indeed, as at the harvest of
the sugar-cane, all came in for a share of
sunshine and good things, ond at times
Nora wondered at her own insensibility
and Ingratitude.
(To ba continped.) ')
- " (
Terror of the Steam Cars.
The traveling female who rushes In
to confidence, la no sooner seated by
you In the train than she beglna to
give you a full and detailed account
of herself, her family, husband, chil
dren, servants, physician, minister, and
milliner. She is also much given to
collaring the conductor and asking hint
a string of questions in a breath. She
Is a great trial. Her first attack beglna
something like this; '
"Please put Hp this window. No,
never mind; I am afraid I will take
cold. Yes, I guess you might as well
put It up. Well, I declare, I did not
think It was so cold; please put It down.
Would you mind changing seats with
me? It makes me sick to rlda back
ward. I am going out to Ohio to aea
my sister Maria. She la married and
has twins and a trifling husband. Ona
of the twins Is named for ma and the
other, well, I declare. If I haven't clean
forgot who that other twin la named
for. Let me see, It beglna with M. It
Is not Madge, or Maud, or Miriam, or
Maria, or Margaret. Why, It la Maria,
I do believe. Of course, It la Maria.
That Is tbe mother's name, and maybe
she is named for ber mother. It'a a
horrid name, and I hate It Oh, I recol
lect now; It Is not Maria at all. It la
Susan. How stupid of me not to re
member the dear little thing's name.
Well, as I wag saying, I am going out
to Ohio. Do you know how far Ohio
Is from here? It Is near the Ohio River,
I think. Zanesvllle or some other name
like that la tbe place where I get off.
I shall be so glad when I get home.
Wonder what they are all doing at
home. I am craxy to get back, and I
have been worrying all day for fear
Joe, he la my husband, will take off
hla flannels Just aa soon aa my back
la turned, and " Here yon make ft
bolt and get the conductor to grt
yoa another seat Washington Poat
Qoodneaa baa alowljr proved Itself kt
tha world la every day proving Haatf
Ilka a light broadening la daukaam
4
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