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«p T *^ WluU I Kuow. I know the Bnmmor'ida; ia sweet, I kuow tb&t Liovu ii awueter itill, know tbat blin Is no'ir complete, I know c.f no iioriictuM ill. I know that llfo haa iiikny aideaâ€" Th&t soinu thiutiH here seem bardly meet : I kuuw ttiai bkMDMi often ridoi Wiile Virtue walks with woaripj feit. Ynt oltfu want and wealth. I know, Hut (or each others luatk have stood, And iiieu, 1 know, wliore'er we go. Art iiinetly happy wlau they're good. I know that Life, upon the -whole, 1« well worth all wo have to give, Anil that the gr&iidcir U Uie goal Ho mueli the (.'randor 'tis to live. 1 know that Dtatli ii very uiKhâ€" That vvil Bhriuki liulore Ihh breath : That only g'>odiieu giviH â- â-  good-bye " A raiu-buw in thi' cloud uf Death. CMcka aud C hildreu. " Don t roaut your chlckeiifa biforc tin y ore hatched,*' U a luaiiiii that') aiioient and boar;, To which there's a dial of importance attached Which may not buieeu in uiy atory. For chickftou bouivtiuiua wUI come out ot their fihollR And start indcpeiiilently crowing. And when prematurely a chicken's head swills You may guess tis |jfesumptuou9 growing. £nt our children at preaeoi nnwinhln the cbickB, Prom the cradle thuy get prematurely. And urchuiH of acveu with growii-ut> men mi.x And puir cigarettes quite deruurely. While girlH ill Bbort druKcs, of tendere&t years. An uld-fuiihiont'd parent wotihl sicken, Kor the woinauiab ujuauer thoy put ou ap{>oarB Like the bi II s plaoe aKsutut d by the chicken. SHIELET ROSS : A Story of Woman's Faithfulness. /â- . The day wore on slowly ; the snow leU heavily at intervals in great soft white flakes which covered the groond and lay there, blotting out all paths, and making the face of the sarroimdinf; country a pure white wault!, over which it wonld b« soon difflcnlt to find one's way. The Btillneae in the little Bitting. room grew intense and almost oppreBBivc ; the tire blazed ap briKhtly, and Shirley lifted Jip on to hor lap : it was pleasant to feel the warmth and lite of the little animal in this complete •tUlness. II ur thooghta ti*d wander^ away kMk to the past, to that happy Christmaa- day at Fairholnio Court when blie was engaf^eil to Gay, and all her life lay before her, cloudleea and serene, lighted by the â- unibine of the love she bad won. Uogh had been there also -poor, hapless Ungh, who had loved her with that love which had been so fatal to them all, that love which had blighted her life and Gay's and his own. Then she recalled other Chrirtm»a-dayB •pent at (ilynn and in London, stately oeremonioui feasts which had wearied her eiccsaively ; and the day of the preceding year-tliat awful ChristmaB-day which she had spent alone in London, fearing dis- eovery and detention, an anbappy fugitive from lovo and peace and re«t. Well, if it were to be done again, she would do it ; it had been for thebcst. What did her suflerings matter if he were happy witli the sweet younK girl who loved him and whom ho loved ? She oonld no away and drift out of Madgo'a life a» sho had drifted out of Lucia's and Itnby's, and out of the lives of all who loved her. As soon as the line (-iiringdaya cainc she would go away and hci k anotberBhelter. Hitting before her clicerf ul fire, loaning back in the low-cushioned chair, a thonght â- truck her . she wonld write to Jack - she wonld toll him all, everything, without reserve, and ask him to advise her what to do. I'erhapa he might oven come home and fetch her. Dear Jack '. He was well off now, his B'ljourn in India and the indastry «nd BteadinesB ho had displayed had won him a junior partnership in the firm ; and when she hud last heard from him, just before Hir Uugh's death -aho could not call it murder, even to herselfâ€" he w»b a wealthy man, and be had spoken of coming home soon. Uad he ret^nod? she wondered. Perhapa not. I'arhapi, if she addressed a letter to him at Calcutta, it would reach him ; for she could not recall his addresj. Dear Jack, who had never knownihe truth about her marriagel There had been no neoeaaity to harden him with the knowledge that it waa through him that aach misery had fallen upon her: bnt ho ahould know all now, and he would tak"! hor away somewhere perhaps where ahe oonld be quiet and at peace antil the end C»me. Bho put the little dog gently from hor Up and rose from her seat ; tlia afternoon was wearing on, but the daz/,ling wbiteneaa of the anow prevented it from being dark as it generally was at tbat hour. liesidee, the cheerful blaze of the flro lit up the little room, playing od<l tricka with the Bha<lowa on the walla, and peering into far oornere, as if to discover any larking intru- der. Upening a little cHcritoire on the right-hand side of the fire, Shirley took out writing-materials and placed them on the tabic ; then she trimmed and lighted the lamp, and moved over tothowindow to draw the curtain. Aa ahe did so, ahe drew back, with a little atifled cry of terror, and covered hor face with her handa, for, [ireaaed against the pane of glass, a face had looked in upon herâ€" a faco with wild haggard cyea - a face which had disappeared immediately when the eyes mot hers. For a few minutes Bhirley stood with her oyea covered, physically unable to move in hor terror, her heart heating furiously, her breath coining in quick ({»8pa ; then, when she mastered courage to romovo her hands, there was nothing visible but the window and the white road and the fields beyond. Had she been deceived '? Waa it bnt the force of her imagination, cioitcd by hor loneliness and the ciceaaive atillnoBB, which worked upon her nerves ? Had she really Boen a faceâ€" that faceâ€" looking at her through the aliielding glass, or was it there only a vision that she had conjured out of hor excited fancy ? Were her nerves Jiving way '.' Was her hrain getting con- aaed ? Was aha going mad ? fiho ataggerod toward the window ami forced herself to look out ; but there was nothing in sight, aavo the anow which had fallen previoualy and a few alow heavy flakoa which were beginnint,- to fall ; the little dog, bowovor, was running about watlosaly and harking e.xoitedly, as if he too had Been something which had »r6uscd his sus|iiclon or liia alarm. In an agony of terror Hhirley dragged tho cor tainu over tho window - eho dared not open it to cloae the ahutters which wore ootaidoâ€" and crept back (o her chair, trem- bling with a terror which had taken all color from her face and lips and strength frem her limba. "Jip. come here!" she whispered, as ahe cowered over the fire, feeling an icy thrill of horror which made her shiver from head to foot , but Jip, although bo paused for a moment in hia reatloBs running to and fro, reaumed it almost immediately, hia un- eaeineaB adding greatly to the terror the poor woman waa enduring. " Jip â€" oh, Jip!" she said pitifully, in a voice hardly above a whisper, for her lips were shaking with terror. " Come hero, Jip ! " But Jip, for once, was deaf to his mistresB' voice ; he was Hying about the room, scratching impatiently at the door, barking furiously and enilling vigorously, and showing other signs of diacomposure and perturbation of spirit. Something forced Shirley to open the door into the little paaaage for him ; he Hew out, hark- ing furioasly and excitedly at the outer doorâ€" the door wliich Shirley had bolted ao aecurely. Waa it again tji^e force of her imagina- tion acting upon her senaea, or did she really hear a sound, as if some ona were stealthily trying the door from the out- side? Surely the handle moved! And, to an agony of mortal terror, Shirley fled back into tho sitting-room, covering her face with her hands to shut out sight and aoaad. llow long she knelt there with her head buried in her hands she never knew ; but an hour at leaat muut have passed, for the (ire which had been juet built up before the alarm camo waa a glowing red mass. For some time Jip liSra continued hia bark- ing, but when sho lifted her head he waa no longer in tho room. Trembling still she rose to her feet. All was ijuiet ; there was not a sound to break the atillneas, tho silence which aoeinod so awful now to the terrified woman in her loneliness. Bbe went to the window and drew back the curtaina ; bnt tho snow was falling heavily, and she could see nothing. She oloscd the curtains and camo back abivoring, wlicn a little moaning aound from Jip atartled her; bo was lying juBt beside the outer door, and, as he saw Shirley, ho looked ap at hor appealingly with a pitiful little whine, turning his eyea to the door the next miiiote, AH it entreating hor to open it. Srirley hesitated and ahrnnk back. Waa any one there ? sho wondered fearfully. Was it some one who needed help? Ought abo to open it ? Ur waa it all the effect of her excited imagination, her fancy which had seemed to look at her through the win- dow ? Since that was of necessity â€" for the dead do not oomo backâ€" a delusion of her senaea, tho noino outside must have been also. Who wonld want to rob her ? ahe thought, witli a little smile. What a silly, fearful coward she waa growing! Nerving herself for a dosperato effort, she opcnea the door, and Jip sprang out joyfully. The snow waa falling heavily, and Bome great, heavy dakea were earned into the little passage. Shirley shrunk back a littlo, then wont forward bravely. Aa ahe crossed the threshold of tho door', her foot struck againHt something lying there, and she beut down aoxiuualy. The suow, falling so heavily over tho road and hedges, bad fallen alao on the prostrate figure atrotched senaeleas ontaide her duor, and Jip was scratching vigor- ously at the snow trying to disinter it. With an oxolamation of pitv and compaa- aioo and droad, Shirley tried todiatinguisb who it was ; but it was too dark. She gueesod that it waa a man who lay there, and that he waa sorely in need of her as- eistanco. Bending down, aho apoko to him and tried to rouae him ; but it waa in vain, lie lay like a log, BenBeleua and stupillod ; and it was only with tho greatest dilficulty and with an immense exertion of strength that she succeeded in dragging him into the pasaago, Jip following with little, sat- isfiod domonstratiooB of joy. Then, having laid him down, ehe turned and once more liolted the door behind ber, leaning against it, panting and breathlcaa from her exer- tion. After a minute or two, ahe recovered sufficiently to bend over tho man whom Hhe had succored. Thero waa not light enough in tho paasago to distinguish hia features, bnt aho felt that his heart beat, feebly indeed, but perceptibly; and ahe took courage. Once more ahe lifted him by tho shoulders and dragged him into the sitting-room, leaving him there for a moment whilo alio ran for pillows, on which she raised his head. Aa ahe did ho hia hair fell back from hia forehead, dia- ctosing the face upturned and aenseless. Merciful Heaven, whoao face waa that ? Waa it another delusion, or was it- â€" The next moment a shrill cry of terror raag through the quiet house. CUAl'TER XLII. The Christmaa holidays wore over, and the village school had begun again. Mrs. Grant was looking rather worn and haggard ; bnt the cold woatlior tried her, she said; and she waa even more patient than waa ber wont with tho girls, who wore not improved by their holidays or rendered more willing to work. It was a very weary face which bent over the desk when the cliildron had departed one afternoon and Hhirley was atone, tiho waa busy counting np the markn, for Lady Uliphant was to give Boiiio prizes, the diatribiition of which bad been postponed on account of tho absence of the si|uire and hia daughter. Some singular change had taken place in Shirley during the paat few days. It waa hot merely that ahe waa palor and saildor even than usual, but thero waa a strange nervoasness about her manner, an un- certainty, an indecision, n shrinking, which were very different from her former iiuiot ease of manner, whioh had always been so remarkable. Any audddn noise seemed to startle her. Sho rnrely left the house, except during the time she waa toaohing; and ahe had diamiaaed tho little maid who had att(Midod upon her, employing hor only for an hour or two in the morning to go down to the village to get the necessary supplies. These changes had not fulled to strike the inhabitants of Krindale, and mncb cariosity had been felt about the dismissal of little Jano Austen, whoao bright, helpful way had always made her a favorite with Shirley. Tbat sho had no fault to lind with the child waa evident from tho kindneas ot her manner toward her; and Mrs. Auatcn, on paying the anhool-miatrcsa a visit, had received an assurance that Jane waa avcry good girl and a uBoful littlo maid; and Bliirhfy had no hotter roaaon to give for hor dismissal than that sho waa going to try to do without any help for a little time. Mra. Austen had gone away ebaking her head and propbeaying tnat Mra. Grant would make herself ill with tho work. The school closed at :< o'clock daring tho winter months, so that it waa still daylight when tho children trooped away, shouting and laughing, delighted to leave off lessona and to take to sliding and snow-ballingâ€" for tho snow waa still resting on the hills and tho weather was bitterly cold. They were in the very thick of a enow- balling match, flushed and excited, when Mad(;e Oliphant appeared coming up the hill, and thojanow-ballingceaaed, while the roay facea were turned toward Madge with a smile of welcome. " Well, girla, are you having a good time of it ?" she said, in her bright sweet voice, " Yoa are making plenty of noise ; and I am sure it ia not fair that poor Mra.Grant ahould have your noise out of school-hours aa well aa in ! Snppoae you go down to the next held and continue operationa there ; and, if any one tries to stop you, you can say that I gave you leave." They troojied off, carrying their shouts and laughter into a. field on ma right-hand side of the hollow, and Madgewalkod on and entered the aohool-houacthc bright eyes softening into tenderness and oompaasion aa ahe saw the slender bowed ligare leaning over the desk. As ehe entered, Shirley looked up with a start, and into the beauti- ful hazel eyea came a startled look of fear, whioh faded aa she saw who the intruder was ; and Madge camo toward her, looking ao bright and aweet in heraealskin and furs that the bare, empty.iooking room waa brightened by her prosenco. " Miss Oliphant, I did not know you had returned," Shirley said as ahe rose to meet her; and Madge, took her hands, and looked wistfully intohoir face. " Wo camehonle last night," she said gently, as she lifted her aweet lips to meet Shirley's kisa. " And how have you been? How pale you are !" " Am I ? Bat I am always pale, you know. JIave you enjoyed yourself, my child 7 liave yon had a pleasant viait'i*" " Very pleasant," said Madge, gayly,the color deepening a little in her face. " I will tell yon all abont it presently. I am going to have tea with you. Why," sho added suddenly, aa Shirley began hurriedly to gather her papers together, stooping over them to hiiie her expression from Madge, "are yon not pleased to aee me';" Vou naughty girl! I have been looking forward 80 ardently to a chat with yon." "I am pleaaed to sea yon, of oourao," Shirley aald hurriedly. " What could make you suppoae otherwise ?" " Yourfacc," said Madge iiuietly. "You look as if my proposal had startled yon. Have you not enough tea in the house?" she addodlaughingly- " I daresay there is enough to inakeyona cup," Shirley answered, forcing a amila. " Shall wo go in, Miea Oliphant ? It ia cold here ; tho tiro has gone out." " And your poor little hands are frozen," said Misa Oliphant, chafling them tenderly between her own ; then, putting her arm round Shirley, with a careaaing gesture, ahe added aoftly, " hotu you had any frcah trouble during my abaence, dear ?" Shirley started. " No, no," she anawcred hurriedly. " What makea yoa think ao ?" " Your face again," Madgo said, smiling. " It is a very tell-tale one, and it was not ao pale as this when I saw it last, and there were not those heavy marks under your eyes which are there now." You huvo been seeing auch roay faces during your absence," Mrs. Grant answered, forcing a littlo laugh, " that it is no wonder you think mine pale. A'n revanche," she added, " L have never seen yon looking so well and bright, dear." Madge laughed, colored, and put np both bands to hor face with a charming gesture of sbyneae and hositation ; then she alipiied hor gloved hand through Bhirley'a arm, and they went into the cottage together. The tire was burning cheerily in the little aitting-rocm, bnt the room did not lookaj pleasant and home-like aa uaual ; it had a atrange, unfamiliar look to Madge Oli- phant's oyea as she glanced round her. None of the books were out of their places, the piano was cloHcd, tho pile of music all in order ; there was no work on the table, no pretty, pictnrea<ine litter anywhere. " Won't you take ofl your coat?" Shir- ley said nervously. " You had better do ao, or you will not (eel tho good of it when yon go out again." Madge acijuioscod ; and then Shirley talked loud and fast and nervously, and moved restleaaly about tho room in a pur- poseless kind of way which Madge could not help observing. " Papa ia coming for me on his way from Adinbrock," she said, trying toassumoher usual oheertul manner. "I had Buoh a lot to say to you that I did not want to be hurried away before it was dusk. Why, Jip, old man, where have you been- up- stairs? Are you glad to see me?" ahe a idod, amilingâ€" ' ' gladder than that naoghty iniatreas of yours Ir ?" " He could not bo that," Shirley put in, in a low voice of pain; and Madge, with a <|uick ropeatance, put her arms round her. " Forgive me," she aaid ooaxingly. " That was a naughty spoooh ; but 1 am so glad to see you, dear Mrs. Grant, that it hurt mo to think you are not equally ploaaod to aee me." " You know that 1 am glad," Shirley answered, gently disengaging heraolf. "Sit down by tho Are, Mias Oliphant, whilo I eeo about tea." •' 'Miss Oliphant' again," Madge said, pettishly; "and I have ao often begged yoti to call me Madge 1" " I am afraid I cannot please you to- day," Shirley said, with a smile, aa ahe glantied over at the pretty disBatistisd face on which the firelight fell. " Vou always please me," Madge aaid quickly. " But â- why are you so very dig- nified today?" aho added, with a little laugh. "I am almost afraid of youâ€" you keep moatauoh a diatance." "You fancy I do ; but, dear, between the village Bchool-mistroaa and Sir Frederic Oliphant'a daughter there is a wide difference." Khirley paasod into tho little kitohon, beyond, coming back presently with the tea-kettle, which sho placed on the liro ; then she began to prepare the table for tea, going about it with a quiot grace whioh made tho homely occupation a vory pretty sight in Madge's eyea. " AVhero ia Janio ?" sho aeked presently ; and Bhirley'a face waa turned away, or Madge would have seen how the color rose to it at the question. " I have sent her home. I prefer being without her," she answered. "Without her !" echoed Madge. "But yoo surely do not intend to remain here alone all night?" " Do you think that Jane would be a great protection?" Shirley asked amiling slightly. "No; but it would not be so lonely for yon, and she was very useful. Did she dis- please you?" "Oh, no!" " Then why did you send her away ?" "Beoanae I preferred to be alone." Her tone was very gentle, bnt very firm, and there was a short silence, daring which Shirley busied heraelf making the tea and Miss Oliphant sat looking into the fire, with a puzzled wistful expression in her blue eyen. When the tea waa made and covered with the pretty cozy, Shirley begged to be excused for a moment ; and Madge heard her ran lightly up the atairs, although she closed the door carefully after her when she went out. She waa not absent many minutea ; but, when ahe returned, it seemed to Madge that there was an added shade of sadness on ber face. " Where is Jip ?" Madge asked lightly. "He stayed upstairs," was the ijuiet answer. " No, don't call bim, dear; beâ€" he â€" he ia so restless, he mokes me nervous." 8Bc went to the table as ahe spoke and began to pour out the tea ; and, as she handed Madge a cup, she forced a smile to her lips. ^ "And now tell me all about thisdelightful visit," ahe said cheerfully, -" I am on tenter-hooka of curioaity, Madge, to know what made it ao very pleasant." " Have you caught cold ?" Madge aaked, looking at her keenly. "Caught cold? No. Why?" " Because your voice sounded rather husky, and when you were upstairs you had a terrific fit ot coughing." All the color died out ot Shirley's face ; and she rose hastily, going to the lire to pat some more water in the little tsapot. " Did yoa bear me?" she said anateadily ; " I had no idea I could ooogh so loud," " You coughed dreadfully. I wish yon would aee Dr. Lloyd. You look anything but well. Will you let me send him up on my way home?" There was a slight heaitation ; and then Shirley aaid lightly : " I will think abont it. Come, Made*, tell me abont your gayetiea. Is Cotsford a nice place?" " Yea, the house ia very quaint and old' and charming â€" not quite so large as Stuartloigh, but quite as ancient." " Stuartleigh?" Shirley repeated me- chanically. "Yes," Madge said quietly, sipping her tea â€" " Major Btuart'a place. Wo drovo over there; it is only a tew miles from Cots- fordâ€" three or four." " But 1 thoughtâ€" I thoughtâ€" Major Stuart was nbroad !" " You thought wrong," Madge said, with a bright laugh and a hot bluab. " He camo back a fortnight ago, and ho and a friend are at Stuartleigh. Poor Guy !" â- lie added aorrowfully, a sudden ahadow falling upon the brightness other face. " Why-ia he ill ? " "111? Ob, no ! Ho is much stronger than he was last winter; ba( â€" Ah, well, somi day I will tell you all his story; and you will aoo whether tbere is not some ex- cuse for tho depression under which be labors aometimes." All hia atory ! Did any one in all the wide world â€" did Madge herself â€" know tbat story aa Shirley knew it? sho wondered. " And we coaxed Quy and bis friend Mr. Koaa over to Cotsford," Madge con- tinued, looking at tho lire, ber cheeks Hush- ing a little as she spoke. " And I'm sure it did them â€" What ia the matter? Arc you faint?" Sho put down her cup hastily and went to Shirley's side, for sho was drooping over the table in a belpleaa manner whioh alarmed lier guest. " It is nothing," she said. " I am very sorry I startled yon, Madge ; but it ia noth- ing indeed. You were saying you induced Major Stuart andâ€"'' " Aro you really better ? Mrs. Orant, I shall insist on your seeing Dr. Lloyd," Madge auid, as she went back to ber seat. " Dr. Lloyd cannot do anything tor that aiidden faintneaa, dear ; it is an old enemy. Well, Madge, aro you not going to toll me all yonr doings ?" " I am ao afraid ot tiring you." "Tiring me I I am longing to hear," And tho pale face wore an expresKJon ot eagerness add anxiety which made Madge smile. " You are a regular daughter ot Eve I" ahe cried delightedly. " I am charmed to have discovered a taihng at laat in this little perfect woman about whom all Krin- dale is raving. Our dear model school- miatreaa ia curioua." " Very carious," Shirley acknowledged, with a forced smile. "Gratify my curioaity, Madgie." " Madgie I" How pleasant it is to hear you call me that I" the girl aaid, amiling, aa ehe drew up a stool to Shirley and aat down at her feet. " Well, revenoru a nos mi)ittom-n<>t moutum being Major Stuart and Mr. Uoss. " Mr. Uoaa!" Sliirlcy repeated, her heart beating wildly. " Yea, a friend ot Ouy'a from India," Madge said, a little ahyly. " How hot the fire ia I" she addod. "It is scorohing my faoe." Shirley put both handa gently on the lluahed cheeks ; Madge pulled thom down to her lips and kiaaed them softly. " Did you like Mr. Uoaa, Madgie ?" " Ho was very nice." " la ho handsome ?" " Yea, vory handaome." " And did you like him, Madgie?" Shir- ley peraiated gently. " 1â€" I do not know." The words wore very shyly and awoetly apoken ; and Shirley wondered a little at the tremor in the girl'a voice. " la Mr. Roaa going to remain in England?" ahe said peraiatently. " For the presentâ€" yea ; ho and Guy are coming to Lrindalo next week for a tow days." (joming to Erindale I It seemed as if Shirley's heart stood still with terror at the very thought. Coming to Krindale ! It waa well that Madge Oliphant was too much oooupied with her own thoughts to looli np at tho white atriokon faco leaning back against the ohair. " Papa took such a fancy to Mr. Ross," went on Madge's sweet, unoonacions voice â€" " he liked him so much that he is quite pleased at the thought of a visit from him ; and yon will see him too," she continued aoftly, " for we have talked about onr model 'school-marm' until they are both quite anxious to see her." To aee her ! What new, terrible com- plication was this. Shirley felt faint and dazed and giddy. " They are coming in a few days," Miss Oliphant went on. " And I ahall bring them to see Mrs. Grant, of courae. Bat I should like her to be looking aomewhat â€" " She broke of! suddenly and lifted her head with a little gesture which commanded attention. " Why," ahe exclaimed ex- citedly, " surely there is some oneupatairs t I am certain I heard some one cough." " It must bo Jip, then," Mrs. Grant said, sitting ap in her chair, quite composed now. " You forget that he is upstairs." " Jip could not cough," Madge said dubi- ously-" and it waa a cough I heard, I am sure." " Jip often makea a growling noiae which might easily be taken for a cough. Who else could be up there, Madge?" " No one, of courae, without you knowing it â€" uuleaa aome one might have concealed themaelves there to atartle yon or even do you an injury." " You abaurd child I It would have to be a very amall individual who could con- ceal himaelf or heraelf in either of those little attics. Why, I am up and down there constantly, and I could not fail to see any one who waa there ! Besides," she added earnestly, anxious to remove the idea from the young girl's mind, " Jip is such a good watch-dog, you know, tbat if any one were there who did not belong to the house, be would never cease barking until he had the matter seen into." " I don't think it is right for you to be here alone at night," said Madge, decidedly. " Yon might be ill. No one knows what might happen." " I am afraid Jane would not have been of much assistance if I bad been taken Ul, for it required all my strength to wake her up in the morning," said Mra. Grant, with an attempt at laughter. " Then you must have some one more efiicient. I will speak to mamma about it." There was a moment's silence ; then Shirley aaid gently â€" " I am sure you do not want to pain me, Madge. I prefer being here alone. I do not want any asaiatance. Should I need [ it, dear, I will promiae yon to obtain it if you, in your turn, will promiae me to say no more about it. And alao I entreat of you not to mention it to Lady Oliphant at aU." " Why not ?" " Because â€" becauae â€" well, call it a whim if you like, and gratify it." " I suppose I must when you ask it with that look in yonr eyea. Ah, there is papa," Bbe added, aa Sir Frederic's knock sounded at the door. They went together to the door, where Sir Frederic was waiting for hia daughter. Ua lifted bis hat courteously to Shirley, but did not offer her bis hand. .' n.. " Qood-afternoon, Mrs. Orant. Fine, seasonable weather, ia it not ? Well, Mad- cap, are you ready ?" " Yea, papa," Mtdgeanbwered, fastening her aealakin coat. " I am coming. Where have you left the trap ?" " At the foot of the hiU," be answered. " I have one or two places to go to yet ; bnt I thought Mrs. Grant would have enough ot your chatter by this time. Have I come too soon ?" " I waa in no hurry," said Madgelightly ; but aho parted with Shirley with loas reluc- tance than usual, and aho waa very silent as she went down the hill with her father, who fancied tbather attention waa occupied in picking ber stepa over the road, and thought no more of ber unusual ailenoe and abatraction. • Mi,' -' :â- .:.. They did not start homeward for fully halt an hour, for the squire had two or three people to ace in the village ; and it was quite evening when they turned toward home. They had to drive through the vil- lage, and, to Madge Oliphant's surprise, as they passed the Oliphant Arma, a slim fignre in black closely veiled, iaaued from the public houao and walked rapidly away up the hill toward the sohool house. Madgo uttered a half stilled exclamation as she turned her head to look after her â€" something in the graceful walk and rather haughty carriage had reminded her of Mrs. Orant ; bnt the next moment she langhed tho idea to soorn. Was it likely that Mrn. Grant would be at tho Oliphant Arms at that time, or at any other ? And yet the thought that it waa ahe haunted her, al- though they were almost home before she put it into words, " Papa," she said, trying to speak oare- lesaly, " did you see a woman dressed in blaok come out of tho Oliphant .\rma ?" " Yes, my dear." " You saw her ? I wonder it the same thought struck you which struck me. I thought her something like Mrs. Grant." " It was Mrs- Grant, Madge," said Sir Frederic quietly. (To be continued.) "' • ^ When They were Fmiious. When George I'.liot began hor career ai a novelist she waa :!7 years old. Thackeray achieved eniiiienco by writing tho novel, " Vanity Fair," at the age of 35. Trollope and Charles Keade, both now recognized writers, didn't attain note till almost in tho noon-day of life. The boantiful writer, Hawthorne, was id years old when he became famous as the author ot the novel " Scarlet Letter." ,SC5S!I Diokens, an exception to the rule, waa a noted novelist at the age of 22, but he waa roared in the heart of London's poverty and bitterneaa, and he wrote from real life. He Hag More Time for It. " Henry, dear," aaid a fond wife, " I am afraid your brother Daniel playa the fool more than he uaod to." "Well, yes," re- plied hor husband, " I guess ho does. Yon see tho days are growing longer." â€" liur- dette. I A fercentOKo OtT, Horaooâ€" I say, David, how old do yon suppose Mias Jones is ? Her aunt says she ia only 21. David (who knowa a littlo of bnainoas)â€" Aw, yes, Horace, marked down from 33j; to bo disposed of at a bargain, don't you see?â€" Li/e. iv^ \