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<«4» iSHIRLEY ROSS : - â€" -^^ - â€" A iS lory of Woman's Faithfulness. CHAl'TER X. ti},' :i'v wftH standing waiting for Guy in the ( • n hall; and, as ho wont toward hor, will "â-  *> fv forlorn look in her lustrous hazel ey(v I '.i- (lilt out two trembling little hands to '.:â- â-  â-  I '"'â-  Thchall was all ready for the ba'.i. :nm'4 profuaely dfcorate<l with ever- grco.'i:^ oud tiarlanilB, and rich criniBon haii,-,i( .;.-i. while the poliahed floor waB Bi).i;M) [iiTd-ct for dancing. It was a pretty ami i i-Kliil ball-room, boing sotnowhatout of tiK 'oiiimon, for in the recesses the suits of Ktrl unnur caui;ht and retlected baok tbi r iii'l liiniph^ht, and the ^rand Btair- caP" 1'' "M" end, ciiipetcd in crimson, would ma' 1 n viiry comfortable riibtiuti j^ilaco for thi) I'-i d (lancers by and by. Shirley was ala .J ii>' b'foro the great wood-lire tliat WH" 1 'ii/-'.iii on the wide old fashioned hC'B. til, a slender droopinK lii^nre in a black dri.:' ,1111 UH she put out her liands to meet Oiij - 'h ' diamonds on the little white loft : il lUiihoU and gleamed in the firo- lig,:: "(: day," she cried [litifuliy, aehetouk till' < ' iimds ill his strong clasp, " this is a ill â- -; li'iiment !" 'â-  I . i , d'ar?"he said kindly. " 1 am very Bori 1 , Sniiluy." 'â- !•', : juutjo?" she whispered unsteadily. " Ci I . i' i"^ my lirst ball, and I wanted to be ^o hippy to-night I" '• Am' I hope you will bo happy," he ro- plii';', f .uliii;; a little â€"" you must bo happy wit!" â- '! "IV, iiiy child." '•Jli>;>|n without you!" Hhirley echoed dri irrly " I can't, duy. Do you think" â€" Fm 111 .1 her (^ts to liia with a little coiji' tr> •• that you could bo happy with- onl I ! . i â-  ^ ' CJi.y'' Hiiilri deepened. ' I ihi :k 1 could, my child, if it were af-iOAiK: y," he answered; "and 1 cxiKict yon \ iti b" BO tonight." "'i'i..i. lam sorry to say that your ex- pe^; iVi' " will be disappointed" she aai I .Ir erily. " (iuy, don't you ctt4e? Arc yOH I ul a little sorry'.'" she added oar ;'.j , lifting great sorrowful eyes to his far.e "M, (-(ear little girl, 1 am very Bor. . ' li- aiiHwired fondly, putting his arm . â-  uiid her and drawing her to his Bide â-  I never cared much for balla, but I COiifi - . tn.it 1 have Deen looking forward to tliM .HI I wanted to see Miss Rosa in all the • Mir iiur o( her lirst ball dresH. l!ut oth' : i' il 1.VH will be lucky enough to do so wliil I c^ni travelling ill a cold, dark rail way ' : i;u!;e. Howiver, I shall have one â- com; ' II" I," he added laughingly. •â-  V, i! IS that, Ouy ?" "I . ' i!l are you, 1 hope, hundreds of timi J 1 sciir war paint, my darling," he refill 'U:ilv. 'â-  Don't throw me ofT (ur a I i )v I suitor in my absence, little woiiia'i ' "A. I I could 1" she said sadly, too iM 1 11 ilepri'SHtnl at the thought of liM tl'jiartare to roniember her careless wot.! I. "(;>...! yiiu not?" ho iiu'>slioucd, smil :,' "'riien what were those very hor ti iii and unorthodox opinions you WCr' i;Iv.;i'-' vent to in my absence'.'" '•Al ' Hhirley drew a long breath and color. .1 I' litllu--" 1 did not think you heard, i.uy I" ' J., I I ilid hoar, Shirley, " ho answereil, ({oiill\ v. ', with a jirelty little penitent gentn . :-< lirley put hotli hands on his bren"! '• I .! . , ry sorry, (luy. I would not liav I you hear them for the world; but ' "II-. lie said softly, "you spoke the words, T I you not'.'" " V I. biit not as lliey were repeated," she Hii".. 'P d eagerly. " You know, (luy you nr . iiuie, are you not.' that I would not ]iii 1 yon for the world, and that if you well' " |i ivitto ill your own regininiit, 1 ahoiil I lo.i: you just as dearly." "U . it you'i"' he answered, smiling. "Till. â-  iti" pleasant words to hoar, sweet." " 'I'll 1 lei them make you forget the otln-|.-, bIim Biiid softly. "Those are Im iIiu others are not. Ouy, they il.i II ii pain you now, dear, dn iVu.yv" "1 il . rot think they pained me iiiuih," he n piir I, Hiiiiliiig into the loving eyes whi.:li V,. le lifted to his face. " We will not thud any more alMiut them, Shirley. Yon will V rile to me, dcar'i'" "Of eiinrse. It will he so pleasant lo write t'l Villi. I have never written to any one lull lack," she said, smiling; "so you I I not mind the luttora being utapid." " I ilr.r. Hity i shall not tliink them so," ho aiiriwind, "especially if they lull ine about vouiHtdf and your doings and your ilirta'.loiH." " .My lliiliitions'.'" Hhirley echoed, with wide, iiii. . I'lil smiling eyes. " What are they 'i' " " You K.iow very well. Y'on are a very doniiire little maiden on the surface; but still wnlers run deep. Do you think you will liiive fiirgottiii mo it 1 am away longer than a fortnight'/" " Of ciiursi', 1 shall inall probability have married some one else if you prolong your abaeiiee for throu weeks," sho answered, latigliiiig. (luy laiii;hed also. It was strange how little both rtu<imed to fv,.,' this separation, ('ertaiiily it was to bo but a short one; but HO iiiui:li may liappon in a fortnight, in a wiM'lt, ill a day, that some of the mill- ing troiilili iiiiist have cast its shadow upon thoni. " Kaiicy girll" he said. "Marry womo oIbo at your peril and hia I If you do, as sure as my name ia Uuy Htuart, I will kill him I Therefore, if any one proposes to you in my ah.ieuce, you can tell him bo, and warn him." " 1 certainly w'll," sho replied merrily, and then thn smile faded, and she rcsteil her head against him wearily. "Ouy, I wish you had iioi lo go." " Ho do 1, love. ISut tha dear old man baa lioen so good to mo always that I could not iMiar to think of him as ill and lonely. Dr. Crowter is a bit of an alarmist," ho added musingly, " and ho always thinks f Iiiclo Jasper worse than ho is, so that 1 do not behove ho ia so ill as ho says. Why, I ]iad, as you know, a letter from the dear old fellow last week." " Yoaâ€" and such a kind lottor. You will i;ivo him my love, Ouy, and toll him that I shall always love him for his goodness to hia unworthy nephew." " Yoa are a darling I" Uuy said softly, as be bont over her and put bin lips to her brow. " I really think you aro fond of me, Shirley." '• 1 really think I Billâ€" a little," Bhe re- sponded laughing, but the next moment with a sudden tendernesa and pain sho had pressed her face against his breaat. " Oh, Ouy. oh. Clay, what shall I do even for those few days without you'/" "Shirley, if you cry, you will have red eyes for to-night," ho said, bending over her with smiling yet sorrowful eyes; "and I cannot have people saying tliat Major Stuart haa a ijueer taate to lake that ugly girl ! Darling, look up and give me a smile to take away with mc." " I am very sorry, Ouy, old follow," broke in Hir Hugh's voice at his friend's elbow, " but it ia timo to go. I cannot give you even live minutes more." " All right â€" I am ready," Guy answered, as Hhirley Btartcd up, ilushcd and trembling. " We don't mind Hugh, my darling," he went on, smiling. " He is very sympathetic, and can readily understand that 1 am not quite as rejoiced as loughtto bo to leave you." " Ueadily," Sir Hugh answered, in rather a low tone, his face looking strango and pale n the lirelight. "And I am leaving you in Hugh's charge," Guy went on fondly â€" both arms were round Shirley now, and his face waa bont over her. " I know Sir Gdbort and Jjady I''airliolnie aro very good, but I know that Sir Hugh is my friend, and that ho will take batter care of my property than any one else," he added cordially; "bo, fiweothcart, if anything goes wrong during my absence, will you go to Hugh as frankly as you would come to uie'i'" "Of course, if you wish it," she said, nliyly. "Jiut, Uuy, nothing can go wrong, dear." "I think you know that nothing could give me truer pleaaure than to reinier you any service," Kir Hugh put in, hia voice a little husky, hia lips parched and dry, "although of course I hope there will 'oe no occasion." " At any rato 1 leave her much loss regretfully, knowing that you are at hand, old friend," Guy said, in his warm, frank manner. "Now goodbye, my darling; take careof yourself and take care of her, II ugh." He h'.'ld her close for a iiioment, and Shirley clung to him with sudden passion and pain. Now for the lirst time a heavy foreboding of dread and terror waa upon her, and she shrunk from the separation Willi fear and trembling. " Darling, let me go," Guy whispered, as lie mil lasped the clinging hands. "Why, you foolish child, it is only for a week or two! Don't sob so, you Billy girl! Why, Shirley, 1 shall not be able to leave you I" Sir Hugh had walked over to the hall door and had drawn aside the heavy shel- tering curtains and opened the strong iron- studded door. "tluy. old fellow!" he cried, warningly, and at the uuund uf his voice Shirley started, eluokcd her tears, and diuungageil biTJelf from Guy's clasp. " Ouod-bye," she said faintly, forcing a little smile to the trembling lips. "Guy, don't forgi't nio." "'J'Inil's my brave Shirley! No, don't come to the door, ilarling ; it is so rough and buiHterous. Oh, you wilful lassie!" he added, siniliiig, as she went with him, and watched him get into the dog-cart which was to take lutii to the station. Il waa a rough, hoisteroua night, us he had said, but the avenue was well lighted in aiitiiipatiuii of the coining festl\ities. Shirley stood still in the lighted doorway, with .Sir Hugh at her side, as the dog-cart drove away ; and Ouy, turning as he vaiiie to the bend in the drive, waved his hand in farewell; then lliey lutli turned away and went into the hull again, Shirley shivering a little from the cold sharp wind which had been admitteil. " Vou are rol I," Hir Hugh said gently ; he was still very pale, ami big voice was husky. "Itioa rough drive for Guy," iliv le marked sorrowfully, as they stood for a few Hceonds in front of the tiro, side by side ; and a momeutary Hash of angry pain Bpning into the young man's haiidaonie eyes. " YiB â€" hut 1 would rather bo Ouy driv ing away in the cold wind and darkness than tlian-lhe happiest man in the world," Sir Hugh said slowly. "Ah, for- give i:ie. Miss Uoss. I will not ulTeiid you again. That was an irrepressible little outburst," he addeil, with a smile. " I won't ve.x you by my lolly any more. .\iid now, since Ouy has left you in my charge," he continiKHl, " will you not let iiie ask you to go and lie down for an hour or two, so as lo be resteil for tonight'.' Ouy would not like to think that he had spoiled all your pleasure." "Hut .\unl Geraldine will not be pleassd it 1 do not coiiio down to dinner," she said, coloring shyly, and smiling a little as she addeil, "and I don't think Guy would be pleased if I were to lot people think 1 was such a goose as to cry because ho has left me for a fortnight; so, 1 must not, although 1 should like it, act upon your suggestion, Kir Hugh." " It is because it is iny suggestion that it linda no favor m your eyea," ho said regretfully. " Do you boar malice, Mibs Uoss 'Z No'/ 'I'hon give mo your liaiiil in token of forgivonoss, and, as 1 am Ouy'a friend, lot ine bo youra." With a litlle smilu she gave liini her liaiid, and Sir Ihigh bent over it and touched il with his lips. As ho did an, Alice I'airholino and Uiiby (!apel, coming out of the oak parlor, saw the two standing by the hall lire ; and Uuby said in surprise " Why, it i.i Kliirl:>y and Sir Hugh !" " Shirley putting her theory into prac- tice," remarked Alice, with irrepressible bittornesa. " She nughl to be aBliamod of heraelf!" she ailded aa she pasaod up the broad staircase, holding her graceful head oroot, and sweeping her soft blue dresa dis- dainfully after her. And Uuby, aa she followed, with a touch of gravity on hor beautiful piquant face, was reminded of the lines of the idd song â€" It is well to liu eft wittl tlie old love llufure you aro en with llio new, and resolved to take Shirley to task for llirtiiig before poor Guy'a back was fairly turned. <!UArrKU XI. " U aeonia as if tho Fates would bo pro- pitious, Latroille," said Kir IIu)jh Ulynn to hia servant, aa he put the tiniBhing touches to hia ovening dross a little later in tho evening. " Nothing could have been more a prupoi than Major Stuart's de- parture." "The game is in yonr own band. Sir Hugh," returned Latrielle juietly. " A proverb in my country says that ' the absent arc always in the wrong.' I think yon will bo able to see that Major Stuart waa in tho wrong to leave Mias Rosa BO Gonlidingly. Ue must know that such a beautiful young lady will not lack ad- mirers." " It ia a naaty buBineas," Sir Hugh said rather disconsolately. " I wish Guy were not 80 trusting," he said to himself, " ho makes it so dilViouIt to deceive hi^. I'oor old Gay! We were boys together too." " It will not be your fault if Miss Hos.s changes her mind. Sir Hugh," remarked his valet coolly. " You aro not to blame if she has tho good taste to prefer you to Major Stuart." " 15ut she will not," Sir Hugh said coolly. "Then tho alternative is in your own hands. Sir Hugh. I have shown you that it is an easy matter, and the young lady, even if she storms a little, will be grateful to you when she liuds that she ia really Lady Glynn." " And it is aafe and seonre'?" " As safe and secure, Sir Hugh, as if the Archbishop of Canterbury had per- formed tho ceremony. Here are your gloves, sir." Sir Hugh took the gloves and left tho room, with a grave, thoughtful, remorseful look upon his handsome faceâ€"a face which had grown haggard and palo during the last few daya, and bore visible signs of un- rest, which he tried to conceal under an appearance of gayety, which now, feeling hiinself unseen, watched, ho had dropped. Those days which had been such happy days to Shirley Uoss, as she dreamed her happy love dreams and smiled into her lover's eye.H, had been days of intense agony to Sir Hugh Olyiin. lie, in general bo careless and selfish and languid, had no le- poao night or day, no rest from tho bitter- ness of hia thoughts ; he, who had been heartlessly seltish, and proud in a certain way of his heartlossness, who had smiled to himself at other men's woakncsaâ€" ho, Hugh Glynn, loved utterly aa ever lover had loved, and in vain. It maddened him to think that tho sinilea for which he longed, tho gentle words for which be hungered, the kiss for which he would almost have laid down his life, wore all given to another, while he waa rejected and almost scorned. At hrst his love had boon a mflatuje of de- sire, of admiration for Shirley's beauty, of pride piiiued by her indifference ; but now lie loved herâ€" not with tho great, noble, iinselliah love which Guy Stuart had given her, and which would have sacrilicud itself unhesitatingly to her happiness, but deeply as he could love, with a passion which her indifference could not nuell, but which opposition increased a thousandfold. It was as inucli self-love as love perhaps, but it wax a strong passion, and Sir Hngh had not |iower for resistance. She should be his, he swore passionately again aiul again in the long sleepless nights during which he pactHl his room in miaory, by fair meaiia or by foul ; and, siuce fair iiioana failed, since sho loved liuy Stuart sodeeply that nothing -Sir Hugh fdit that to the depths of his passionate, aching, jealous heart -would tempt her froln her allegiance, he would try foul. iliit he had not yielded to toinptation without a atriigglo; he loathed the means whereby he could steal her from Guy, ho hated the man who had suggested those means, and yet, helpless against the torrent of his overwholining passion, he was carried away so low as to think of treachery no dishonor if it would give her to him. He was ihiiikiiig of those means now as ho went sljwly uown the picture- gallery, drawing on hia gloves and looking so handaoiiio and distinguished in his faultless ovening dross ; and Ouy Stuart, leaning back in liis corner of tl>e railway carriage in which he was spelling towards IMiiiburgh, wasthinking tenderly of the girl he Imd p»i ii'.l with so lately, and kindly of the friend in whose charge he had left her. l.ady rairholmo mot Hir Hugh in the hall, looking stately and magniticent in her rich velvet ilreaa with its trimmings of old point lace; and, while they wereexchangiug a few words about the music and the num bor of walt/.es on the programme, which Dady I'airluilmo thought was too large and Sir Hugh considereil not large enough, Alice caiiio slowly down the stairs, looking very lovely in a dress of palest pink, with wild rosea in her curly yellow hair. Sir Hugh went forward to meet her with Home <'m;iM'j(>(^m('»f, but Alice, remembering the little tirulit scone, the tall man's head bending low, and hia lipa touching the girl's slight hand, passed him with a ipiick re pruachfiil glance and went toward her mother. " Delphiiie wants youropinion, mamma," she said smilingly. " She saya that Worth himself never made u prettier dross, and that you must praise hor for il." " It ia very |iretty, dear," La ly I'air- holino allowed. " Hir Hugh, you are a better judge, perhapa, having aeon more of Monsieur Worth's iun/<'i(ii))i.< than 1 have." "One forgets tho dross," Kir Hugh began, as ho bdut his blue eyes on Alice for a moment in smiling adiiiiratiun ; but tho girl turned away petulantly. " Flow have 1 offended you," he asked hor presently; " and why are you not wear- ing my llowers '.' I thought you would do 1110 so much honor." " You do not care whether I carry them or not," Alice said pottiahly, "so long as Shirley carries thoao you sent her." " How can you bo bo unjust?" Kir Hugh asked reproachfully. " What can your cousin bo to me but the jiditcci' of my oldest friend, and aa such a very interesting person '.' May 1 tell Latreille to ask your maid for the llowers 'i"' " If I thought you oared," AUoo began relentingly, drepping hor eyea co<iuettiatily, and then lifting them again to his facu. "You know I care," ho said (juiokly, leaving her eido for a momout to give tho order lo Latreille. When ho returned, Alice held out her hand to him to button one of her long liloves, and whils ho was bonding over hor wrist thoro was a soft ruatle of silk on the stairs, and the patter of tiny high- heeled shoes. "Hero ia Shirley," said Alioo sud- denly. " She dooa not look as if sho were wearing the willow I Poor Major Htuart." Bhe was coming down alowly, fastening her gloves as she came, her eyes tixed on tho little buttons, the long silken folds of her dresa making a soft "swish" as they swept over the crimson carpet. Perhaps it v/as due to his having to stoop over Miss Fairbolme's wrist that Sir Hugh's face Hushed so darkly aa ho turned liia eyes upon Hhirley, hia face waa whito aa death, while it was with diffioulty that he re- presaed the sadden passionate exclamation of admiration and love which rose to hia lips. Alice Fairhohne caught the swift gleam of longing which flashed into hia blue eyes ; and for a moment they both stood watching hor silently, aa she came. Hugh Glynn never forgot, even in the changca and misery of the future, how she looked then. It was the last time he ever saw her Buiiling and serene. She was dressed in white ; long spotless folds of lustrous gleaming silk fell straight and shimmering around her, cut square around her shoulders, where they were tinished off with some soft old lace. There was not a touch of color anywhere, save in the vivid carmine of her lipa ; nor had she any jewelery. Her arms were bare above her elbow, and she carried a fan of carved mother-of pearl and satin and Brussels lace which had been Guy's gift. Years after. Sir Hugh Glynn could have given every detail of the girl'adreas, which seemed atauiped indelibly upon hia recollection. Never had she looked more lovely. Kegret that Guy was not present to see her in her "silk attire " made her hazel eyes some- what wistful and sorrowful, but the story her mirror had told her made her carry her pretty head haughtily erect, and there was a litlle triumph brightening her beautiful sad oyoB. And, aa he looked upon her, Hugh Glynn'a heart beat high with paaaion and longing and love, and the laat remnants of reeistance under temptation fell away from him, and the tempter comiaered. " You might be wearing your weddiu^ dress, Shirley," said Alice carelessly ; and at the heedless words the color rose, swift and scarlet, to Shirley's face, and Hir Hugh paled to the lips. Hut there waa no time to answer. Uno by one, in all the bravery of their dainty ball-dres.4es, the guesta at I'airholme (!ourt were coming down from their rooms. From the bachelors' wing, which could be reached by a staircase leading up from thesmoking- room, the men sallied forth in their " war- paint," and presently the sound of wheels waB heard in the avenue, and the band, concealed in a bower of greenery, struck up, and Hhirley's lirst ball had begun. CHAPTKU \II. Tho ball at Fairholmo Court waa like most other balla, especially thoseeiitertain- monts in the country where the town-bred langour has not yet [lene- trated, and where balla are not such com- mon entertainments aa they are in London during the season. Tho country people were well represented; there wore plenty of pretty girls, and what la rarer still, of danc- ing men. Lady Fairholme was a charming hostess. Alice was in her element, ilancing, and coijuetting, and tlirting, with Hir Hugh in constant attendance. Sir Gilbert moved among his guests, courteous, urbane, and a tritle pompons. Uuby Capel missed Oswald Fairholme from her gay court of admirers, and mentally inveighed against the exigence of Hor Majesty's service in general, and Oswald's "chief" in particular, but enjoyed herself vory much nevertheless. The music was excellent and tho floor admirable, and altogether the ball waa a success, and the new year opened right merrily at lair- holme (!ourt. The new year was about half anhour old when Sir llugh at last waa at liberty to leave the ballroom. He had been doing hia duty manfully all the evening ; ho had danced and tlirted and made himself gener ally very agreeab'e, and, although he had not danced with Hhirley, be had managed to be near hor very conatanlly, and had hovered about her with a gentle care and attention for which the girl was very grate- ful. Sho was not enjoying horseli much, poor Shirley, for, aa the ovening wore on, sho found herself thiuking of Guy and his long cold journey and her excited imagina tioii conjured up railway accidents and other troubles, until it required a constant effort to laugh, and smile, and dance, and it waa a great relief to her when, protiting by a general exodus in the direction of tho Bup{Kir-room, she escaped from the ball- room and took refuge in thoBchool-room, which, for tho nonce, had been turned into a kind of supplementary cloak room, where some of the gentlo- iiieii had left their plaids and overcoats. It was very iiuiot and pleaaant, Shirley thought, after tho boat, and glare, and uoiso of tho ballroom. Tho lire had burned somewhat low, for the household were all too busy l:i attend to their regular duties, and Shirley sank down before it into a low American i hair, and crossed her little satin- shod feet on the fender, and closed her eyes weorily as she rested hor pretty head against tho cushion of her chair. Itut alio waa not left long in solitude ; tho eager passionate blue eyes which had fol- lowed her so constantly yet so furtively during the whole ovening had noticed her escape from tho ball-room, and Sir Hugh had guessed where she would take rofugo. He had an excuse for seeking her, more- over, for that evening, just as they were entering tho ball-room, a servant had brought Misa Uoss a letter which had arrived by tho ovening mail, and Shirley had given it to Hir Hugh, smiling, and ask- ing him to keep it for her until she waa at leisure to read it. " Tho postmark is Glasgow, and it ia from Jack," sho said lightly. "I sup- pose he is wishing mo a very happy new year, but the good wishea must wait." So tho "good wishes" had wailed until now, safely esooncod in Sir Hugh's coat- pooket ; but hAthought that the time liad coino for thum VlllDe delivered. Bo it happened that, while Shirley lay back on hor cushions thiuking of Ouy, the school- room door waa ()iuetly opened and Sir Hugh's voice asked permission to enter, with a tone of entreaty which Shirley could not but hear. She gave tho permission very gently, and ho came forward and atood beside her on tho rug, loaning hia elbow on tho mantel and looking down at her with eager tender- nesa and longing ; but Shirley did not moot his ga>:o. " It ia pleasant to get a little breathing, time," she said carelessly. " I don't think I shall care for balls very much." " And yet yon were looking forward so eagerly to this one !" " Yes," she said simply; "but I did not think Guy woald be away." Sir Hugh's brow darkened. Guy â€" always Guy ! " It is a pity that old Jasper Stnart did not time hia illneaa more conveniently," he said with a slight sneer ; "he ought to have been more considerate. Shirley, are all your thouglita for Guy and Gay only?" he added almoat despairingly, thinking that, if she would give him only one thread of hope at which to graap be would abandon his fell purpose and trust that sho might love him at last. liut the great grave reproachful eyea which were liftetl to his for a moment were suflicient answer ; for in thent be read a love unchangeable, unutterable, which would bo true to her life's end. "Do you forget Guy's love for and trust in you ?" she aaked coldly. " I can not forget them. Sir Hugh, if you do." " Y'ou must forgive me," he said, brokenly. "lam alwaya offending yoa; but indeed it ia very hard, and it is early daya yet, yoa know. I have not got myseU well under control. Even Guy would pity me if he knew bow I suffer at times; bat indeed â€" indeed I will conquer my folly and weakness." The swoet hazel eyes were dim with tears then, as she looked at him for a moment. " Hir Hugh, I am very sorry," she said, gently ; and for a second he felt tempted to spare her â€" but only for a second. The next the trump cards of the game be was play- ing were put into hia hand, and he could not resiat the triumph they offered him. " I will not diatreas you again," he pro- mised. " 15y the by, 1 have some of your property to restore to you. Will yoa have your letter now .'" " Oh, thank you! Yea, I think I may indulge myself wiih live minutes' longer quiet," she said and took the letter from his hand. " Will you allow me '.'" she continued, aiiiiling slightly, and Sir Hugh bowed a quiet acqui- escence. He had turned away from her as she opened the letter. Tho sight of her sitting there in her loveliness made the remorse which he could not quite cast away from him sting almost as keenly aa Guy Staart's truat bad done. She waa ao fair and gentle, alio was ao compassionate for hia pain, that he might have had compassion on her. A alight cry, faint, terrified, anguish- stricken, made him turn quioUy. Shirley had risen whito as death, and, trembling in every limb, waa looking with lixed staring eyes at her brother's letter. "Good heaven, what ia tho matter? Are you ill'.'" he e.xclaimed, going to her side, and regardingherwith iutenaoaiixiety. " Shirley, let me get you somethingâ€" let me call -" He was hastening from her side, when her voice â€" her voice, yet so unlike Hhirley's sweet even tonea in its broken hoarseness â€" arrested him. "Get me nothing! Call no one!" she said, faintly. " Lot no one come â€" " He went to tlio door, locked it, and came baok to hor again. She seemed da/.ed and bewildered as she looked at him ; the hor- ror of sonio great trouble was upon her face, over which had stolen an ashen-gray tint, which robbed it of its brightness and beauty and startled him greatly, while her eyes looked up at him full of a bewildered pain pitiful to see. " My child, my poor child, what has hap- pened? What ia tho matter?" he sud gentlv, only anxious now to soothe her; and at the anxiety and tendernesa in his voioe Shirley's composure failed. She sunk upon the seat from which she had arisen, and burst into a passion of tears, bowing her head in helploaa anguish upon the arm of luir chair. Patiently, but with the same intense anxiety on hia face, Hir Hugh waited; then, as the heavy sobs coaaed, he said gently- " What is it, Shirley '? Your brother â€" is he ill?" "No. Oh, Jack â€" oh. Jack!" "lleianotill? Then there ia nothing which need diatreas you like this," said Sir Hugh very tenderly. " Toll me what it ia, my child, and lot me help you." " Hut- butâ€" " " Hut what?" he asked soothingly. "Don't letany fancied scruple proventyon, Hhirlefr. You know that if 1 can do anything I shiUl be onlv too glad. Tell me, dear, what ia it?" She was lying back in theohair now, pale and exhausted, her lipa <|uiveriug and the great tears still resting on her long lashes; she looked up at him piteoualy and shook her head with a weary little gesture ol denial. " Will you not tell mo, Hhirley ? Re- member, Ouy left you in my care. How can I fultll my trust unless you contide in mo?" he said softly. " Forget all my folly, and remember only that he told you when he waa leaving you, if anything went wrong, to come to mo aa frankly as yon would go to him ; " Shirley," ha added, in earnest entreaty, "let me do what Guy would do if ho wore here now." For one moment longer she hesitated the next she had put the letter, and with it the opportunity he needed, into hia hands. There waa silence in tholittlo room as he took it from her â€" ailenco broken only, as Hhirley remembered afterward, by thohard patter of rain against the window-panes and tho howl of the wind among tho trees outside. (To beoootlnuod.) \ Iiisrntltmle. Judge (to prisoner)â€"" It's disgraceful, Uastus, that there are suoh men aa you to prey upon tho community. Did it over occur to you that you aro worao than worthless ?" Prisoner (mildly)â€"^" E{ twu//-.ont to' aeeoh men as mo, Yo' ilonab, yo' wuddent be drawin' er big sal'ry cbbery yeah." The Eternal FIliieHS of Thiols. Motherâ€" Bobby, is that the pioper way to hold your knife and fork '.' Bobby -I think it's a proper enough way, mamma, for what little there ia to eat. â€" Harper's Umar. i "I