The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A MOONLIGHT ESCAPADE, CIIAITKR VII. 111. in \t d iy and the nXt passed l.y. iu<l .-'i:l ll-< idr made no si^n, nixl Kllie suffered tbe unulterabl* tortures of sus- pense. Kvi-ry ring at the door, every sound ol a horses hoofs or of carriage-wheels made her heart beat fatter. She started up when her maul brought her her lelUrs in thu morn- ing, longing, yet dreading, to tiuil "in in He, tui handwriting : but uu such missive appeared. She could not itay in tho house. Inn wandered itbout the lawn and thriih- berie* like an unquiet -pint, not dariug to leave the place lest Hector should come in her .ii-.-ii' >. >he had to m.ikc one expedi- tion to the pine-wood, but took an extra ; nine i>( pn quantity of provisions, so as not to lit obliged to go there to loon again. She ina-i- aged to get the village-boy to carry rugs and blankets to the ruined cottage, and provided .Io with such literature an she thoup,' might int.)ift linn. She roamed I.IH.IU the grounds all day, returning ever ami aiioo to the house on some pretext r r, in reality to see if her lover was there. As time wore on. Mrs. Dering spoke to her daughter. The food lady had seen at that something was amiss, but had re- ti lined from soeakmg till there seemed a real necessity for it. At last, one day when Erne came, weary and dispirited, and Hank down upon the sofa, pretending to read, only to start up in a few minutes as if with Die intention uf going out again, Mrs. Der- in/ U-j:*ii. " Why has not Hector been here for the last few days?' she asked, as carelessly as she could. " I hope you aud he >iave uot bad a quarrel." Kllie (lushed deeply. " Why do you ask mother?" Why do I ask? My darling child, do yon ti. ink your father and 1 have notno'j..-.| that Hector has not been here for three day* ? We said nothing at first, widl know- ing that lovers have a bad habit of quarrel- ling at times ; but this has gone on too long, I strongly suspect that It is your fault you hare always treated poor Hector too cavalierly; and, no doubt, desperately in love though he may he, he has turned at last. If it is your fault, darling, you will have to make the tirst advances. Shall I write and ask him to dine here to-mulil ?" "Not for worlds, mother'." cried Klh'e, her pi i. IP aroused at once, though a moment be- fore *he would have givon anything to know that she would see Hector that evening. "Hut how long do you intend tint es- trangement to continue?" asked tbe per- ploed mother. "I must really know more about thin, Krtio: it is ic'tlni.. 1 serious." "It was all my fault," said Kltie, in a low She was ktill standing where she had turn- ed round when her mother tint xpnke to her. The light from a window fell full upon her fare, ami the mother's heirt ached to see how thanked it was. Kveu the girl's attitude was dejected-looking as she stood there, playing nervously with the leaves of a plant on a Hand Iwside her. " Then in that case we must make tie first advances," said .Mis. Oeiing more firm- ly- "Oh, pray, mother, spate me that humili- ation!" cried Krh'e imploringly. "1 I I sure that Hector will never forgive me. He would only refuse your invitation if you s. ml one. "Hut, my dear child, is the engagcm* i : broken off?" "I Mipposeso," said Ktlie. "You only suppose so ! Kllie, don't make me angry with ny little girl when she seemn so unnappy. You know, my child, that yon were formally engaged to marry Hector? the whol* county knows it. If you have agreed that you are unsuited to uach other, it i- I* net to come to an understanding at once, -'hill your father eo over and see Hec'.or? For Heaven's sake, child, s|x'ak say something ! Let me have some idea of how matters stand between you." Thus adjured, Kllie murmured out tomt- thing al.out quarrel with Hector the last n ..i inng he had l>eeii there. "I am sum that it will never be made up, mother," she said, trying to steady her i o . "I am not wholly to hlar.it- ; Hector was too hasty, I think. Hut theiuisno use in sxying anything more about it. " "You infill to say that you have tei.lj broken off your cng.igrnu tit in thin ilin way * cried Mrs. Doting, in u'tur antomsh- "Call it anything you like, mother," said Kit wcaiily. "lint, dailmg, I can't bear to talk of it just yet." And she turned to quit the room. "One liniment, Klin-,"' culled out Mr. Dering after her. "Your father and I c.ui- not let mailers remain thus. \Vi> fortn.iily gave oi. r content to your t.'iin.-i^" nient with Hector l.yndhurst. You and he cannot ' go back fiom it without a won! to your parenU. 1 thall scud your (:,'.! ri ,,. er to inonow to aak Hector what it all meaai." The girl Hushed crimson. " Must tlist be, mother? Would it not , . i,. .ike tryinx to j?et him lwc ?" He i- n.ii iih.-iy in wiise us of doing ie| iie.l Mr-, lierinu, drawing I. i p proudly. " The Doling* arc, not in the In! it ot tailing aside OOBTMtsQOallUM, or ol running after men for their daughters. You csn lately leave your honour in yo.ir father's hands, dailing. " I ' left the room, siuk at heart, but With a faint hope pi in 'i.i,; up in her 1 . or, if col n lr>pc, a feeling that it would be better to know the worst. .She won.ieiiil what excuse Hector would give for his con- duct. He would lie loyal, the knew ; but w.n.'d h" think it l!'it i lot h. r pi idu that the blaire of the eatrsngemcnt should lie on li: lie could not deliberately tt-ll Mi. I i g tl.nt he hud n,i t liu daughter walk- ieg with rtiii.lher man in I he middle of the ni(ih(. What, then, rould !.< ... \ She fondly hoped that his great love for lie: wo.il.i by I Ins time iiave coi qucrud his jraloiity, nd that ho would ii.4: to: an in- tin n- viiii her. She v, y too gladly nitei him. Shu fould hanlly endure IIIT own compitny while Mr. Denng u.is absent on ms n, i- lion, .v,i. (,, | t | n, , her room, which , HUM .in.b tl a \n\v of the BMMIIII . lo enlcll the |,[.| ^! i m pun ( | j,,. rein- ' How ten ily *l longe-l U n. , II :- ite:itcd by her lutin-i s , neotdy km H when Mi. Uering tame into v i w alone. Ail ti.i < \, r then lenlly llli.l LI ..'V !,- I I I I >. I ' h.id 111 liter- Hector would have iu*l,cd uvur I at, once to her. Well, If he chose to give j her up for so slight a cause, his love must have been much leaf than she deemed it. For a moment anger overcame her misery. She determined lo show that sh" could care us little fur tliis %d finale to then en ment aft her el lovct did. Nut evivi In-r | parents should know the denpair she felt at tin- thought that In: hail loft her for ever. Like a true woman, she went to the gloss to see if there wern ir.u-es of tears on her cheeks, arranged her hair in its mot hocoin- ing fakhiiiii, and ran tlown slaira to luncheon gmlv humming t tune. Her father met her ai she was crnsMng the hall, and looked at her in some surprise. He full relieved ut the sight of her, for he was dreading the eflect of the news In. had to communicate. This was not the time to tell it however, nd they all talked of the most indlllerenl subjects during luncheon, Klliu U-anng he share in tiie conversation. After the me.l waft over he took her into the library and related the substance of bin interview with Hector l.ynilhinst. It was merely this Hector hsdsaid that he bad foiiud that Ktlie did uot care for him an he had fondly imagined : that the engagement was off ; and that Mr. 1>. nn^ had letter question his daughter, as Hector left the matter in her hands. He was contident that Mr. Dering would not pre^a Kllie to say mom than she wished. In the mean- time he boped^that this would not diminish the III--M Uli;p between himself and the Deriogs, an, I that, when he and Kllie could " 1 am sure of it, or you would not bare riniuion to meddle." " Then I will decide t.> go and see what I can do with that fellow. " That fellow," did not prove amenable to reuHon at tirst. He wax v,-ry much in cliuod to treat Htrold as Mabel hail sug- gested he might be treated ; but Hu old's troiglitlorwartl manner gained him u hear- ing, and the two men parted with cordiality on both sides. After Harold had Uft him, Hector pon- dered long aud deeply ; and tlio following note, which to her greal astonishment Kiln- receive, I from him a, tlay or two liter, was the result of his reflections. " My dear Kllii: Perhaps we were both hasty the other day. I do not think }u can doubt my love for yen ; I need say no more about that. I am writing now to ask you if you have repented your decision of not giving me any explanation of the sub ject of our iniaunderittainliiig. If you have relented, anil will tell me why you were out alone at such a time of night, you have only to send me the one word Come,' and I will be with you as soon as steam can bring me. I will allow you three days for considera- tion and for your answer, and, should the Litter he unfavorable, i shall leave Kng- lard on the ninth. " Yours, HtiioR Ai.nr.iTil I.YMUirRST. It was n it a very loverlike letter, but Ktlie read it again and again in the solitude of her chamber, and wept over it as she thought she coulil never wot p again. Proud to a fault herself, she could under- t ,n, I the feeling that prompted Hxct'jr to write thus. He evidently did uot expect a f.iMiurablu annwer. Ami he could not get j on either, Ktlie thought sadly. She could meet without embarrassment, he might b* t not explain what he wished ; her lips were nnve.l a* usual at the Manor. For the sealed much as ever nothing wan alter pienent, h<- was leaving the countiy and go- ,. | ing to shoot big game in the Kant. " And, if this is your fault, Kilic, may you not repent it as you deserve to do !" added Mi. luring sternly. Msbel I'*rkiuson had always been her brother's couhdante. She was a year older than Harold in age, and pinny year* older in disposition ; and as a boy he had trunt- ed her, as a man ho laid bare most of his secrets to her. He had never spoken to her of his love for Ktlie Dering for love it was but Malwl ! bad quickly divined it, and, after the tirst spaim ot jealousy, pitied her brother, but could quite understand his adoration. Though Harold told his sister all his own secrets, he did not impart, to her those of other people, and his midnight adventure with the lady of his love he fully intended to keep to himself. Hut, when he heard that Ktlie'n engagement was broken oil and thai, !! 'or had left the country, ha coulil not help connecting these facts with the in., -n light walk, and felt that he ought in honor to explain to Lyndhurst his part in the affair. Yet he had such n slight acquaintance with him that he feared i,,l,e officious, am), worse still, fatuous, if he appeared to think that his own presence on the scene had any- thing to do with the quarrel l>ctwern the lovers. He did not dare to go lo Ktlio aud ask In r what he should do. He knew h iw proud sun w\s, and gurs-ed tho torture sue must lie feeling, and did not wish lo add toil. Yet ho would have given worlds to tin.) ."it " Oh, he ought to have tr tinted me !" she thought bitterly. " How can he let me go so easily ?" The lonqinir to send for him and sob o-.it her confession almost maddened her ; but it ha<l lo be resisted. She wrote linn a piti- ful little note, cold as to the wording ; out, if bis pride had allowed him to read be- tween tin.- lines, he might have seen how dearly she loved him. However, tne sub- s'nnce of it was that she c.i i|.| not alter her determination, and that, if Hector did not love her well enough to trust her implicitly, he must go. And he went; and, two dsys after the Clytit bad left Sout'mmpton with Hector onboard, Krtie heard that her sacrifice had been in vnin the re.ii murderer of the keeper had been found. CHAI'TKU VII. Two year* hail painted. hflio was K'iie Dunng still, though through no lack of op |H>rtunili to take another surname. Har- old r.ukinton, after having done all he could do to set matters aliaight between her and Hector Lyndhnrst, had thought that the demands of honor were by tint time fully aatutie.l, and that be might now try his own chance. Hut Kill- told him that it was perfectly uselef s to think of her in '.hat light. " I shall never marry." she said. "And I -I :i never give up thinking of you until you do marry, "said Harold. " Don't b* so silly," rejoined Ktlie "I whether she would winh him to be her chain- i nhmild lie doing yon a cruel wrong in marry - pion. At last one day he determim.1 to tell ing you when I do nol cnre for you. I feel quite an old maid already," she said, with a xad smile, "snd hate not the slightest in- tontiou of ever leaving the Manor. l.ct llteae be my final woid.i on the uhj> ct." And H.u <>l,l dared nay no more. He was by no nieanx the only suitor for Mils tiering i band. Kllie was a girl who would never lock such, and, though her un- fortunate love itlair had left an indelible wound, s!ie VMS not ono to wear her heart up .n In r xleeve for thn .-ountry ilaws to peck at. Atter the nine days' wonder had sulutnled, there was nothing to remind any one that the girl had suffered any disap- pointment. Her Iniigh, if lest freqiie-t, was u merry as ever. Kllio Dering felt pi Ins sister, taking care first lo bunt her to i cilence. He gave her a dry statement of facts, relating the whole scene, even all j their conversation - every won! u( which he rcn.i inU-red only too well tbe meeting wilh He toi, the angry looks of ihn latter, and the change that had suddenly come over Kthe a* they parted with him. Then hu wait- ed for his sister's dictum. " shall I run up to town and sprak to him ?' he asked " Or had 1 bolter first oak MINS During what she winlie* ?" " ( .'h, you must not do that '." raid Mibel q:in kly " It wonltl hurl her teiribly, and I she would lie obliged to |H:JJ you not to in- 1,-ih-rt!. Kor mysolf. 1 always think people gain nothing by meddling with what dues ! that never again would she be tho r irelemi not concern them : but, if you think you can do any good by speaking In Mr. Lynd- hunt, .lo so wi'/hout tirsl consulting Miss Hut supposing she is the nnn who h*i broken oif the engagement ? We know noth- ii'K but the fact that it is oil ; ami, for my put. I llil l^illf it w '. In r doing. " " Then speaking to Mr. l.yii.ihursl would !,. only a waste of wir.U. Krum what \,i'i tell mo, however, 1 should iumgine il.al he cr..,l oil' ; and 1 can't hluiuu him." " M.ibel !" " Now il.m'l fly ofTinto heroics, HaroM ! I'ut yonrn-lf in Inn pi. ice. Would you like lo comu upou the girl you were going to m irry walking H]OIIX the ri>ads al mulniuhl with a gcxid !.:ok UK yorng man who had shown his evident admiration tor her for one can easily seo that you do admire her ?" "Of course- I do ! Who woiil.l not?" , ried II. i, 1.1 loyally. " And so will a thousand ..I. 1 ,, r men ' "Well, you must allow that it was enough to pi ,,\ oke n man. liven if sho hail bnii alone, it would have been exlniorlm- aiy enough ; but to find her walking with you !'' " No doubt iiho told him the truth that she ha 1 only jimt then met me." N, don lit ; but do jealous people always be I eve tilt) truth ?" f I thought l. had left hur, 1 woul I i hi.i.-h him '" My dear boy, don't U> ritliciilous ! 1 think, if it came to tl.raidiing, you would get the worst of it. Itcsii'en, how would that nun, I m.itlei s ':'' " \ ou seem to take Lyndhursl's part Mabel." "I cnn tske 10 one's part, Harohl, becaini! it i* all so very mysterious. According to your account, you find Miss Dering roaming about the woods and tiiild* when she ou^ht to have lx:en in lied ; you naturally enough, dismount anil walk with hur ; then npcnnits Mr. I.) iiilhiimt, which is a most extraordin- ary coincidence, and he, naturally enough U]MI, is di*gmtleil al tho r'i>?ntr-. I tlon'l lihini': yon, nor him : but I do think that Mi-.- Dering was to b!amr. " " I am sure thnt, if she chose to c- plain, sho could ctory reanon for being . late, Shu had most, probably lieen >jtni'.( up with n sick pen-on nn.i diil not care to toast of her good deeds. "In that case she would certainly tell her lover, veil at the rUk of being thought Kelt p: i...mg. " " I'.ut lln n, d.ui't you sen, I don't think that was Ihu leal renson of thn qunrri 1. Without ling fatuous, I can't help think ti at my I eing there tint nielli hail, as girl of a tew months bvk that she would spend h. r life in (mixing for a voice that she . . :!d not hear, a form that she could not see. But that knowledge did not make her Mcp less light r b. i . h. . kn less rosy. She was a* attractive s* ever and as much sought aftei . But one and allot thn aipir- anU received the sain* answer Klliu wulild never marry. Sh. 1 was returning one af't-rnoon from a viil to Patience Davis, who had been ihe mi,..,-, in means of ruining Mine's life. Pa- tiviice mid her InisUnd now rcntctl a small i n in on ihu uplands, belonging tn Mr. Der- ing Wlmi the real murderer of the game- keeper bail IKTM found, betrayed b; F anolher of Ihe poaclium gan s ', Joe Davis was able to emerge from Ins hnling-p'.aM. Kllio hail thereupon told the whole story to her lather, who, though horrified at hi* daughter's part in the transaction, after ri.i.lun; her ninny homilies, premised hei lo do his best for the young couplo she hail brfriendnd at Mich cost to hfi.-clf as V r. Dering little dreamed nf. So, when Pa- |, i.i f could get upand shout, .-he found a 'i 1 ... l.nle 1. 11 m iiw.ntm^ her, which she ami Joe werr now lining then U-st to cultivate. They were soon installed therein, ami tho sighl of their happiness was unrr.e little o- . I'tlio fur the wreck of her own hopes It bad fi.nl her many a struggle at tirst to visit them that path through the wood always brought ha. It such nail memories ; but their gratitude to her waiiso unmistak- able that she could not resist Patience's frequent entie.uies to come and sun them in their little domain. She hail been taking a present to her lit- tle got! child, Kllio Davis a gipsy-faced darling who could just toddle alxnit enough to keep her mother in a state of constant anxiety about, herami was flushed ami ex- cited after a game of romp* with her little n iincsake, so that she looked wonderfully unchanged to a watcher on the road, who catching sight of the while robeu girl com- ing dow n the wood, waited to speak to her in exactly the name spot where ho had en- .omit, red I,, r I wo years before. Fur it w,u Hector l.yndhuist, who hail i.t-. i lift) to the county on the previous night, anil who was now on his way tn the Manor. He b id thj advantage over Krtie, lor she had not i he h as! nl.-a that ho was ever coming hack, nnd he wondered how she would !<ro"t him. She wore a large hat .nnpletely shaded her face, so he could .1 bow palo that face Iwcame as shu . emerged fr mi iho field next to the road ami | found linn wailing there. I'rido , : jous iggtst, something lodi. with, it." I Ui aid however, and she held out her h.iud a* if they were friends mrsting afu.r a few months' abeence. "1 did not even know that yon were com- ing back," she said, after they had shaken bauds, Hector looking by far the more em- barransed of the two. "I thought it waft time," he replied, laughing, "or my tenants would have oni- pletely forgottun me. Iksides, I am tired of roaming, and mean to settle down, for a year or so at least, on the laud nf my fore- fathers. This plco seems little changed since I left," he co.ilinued, turning and walking by her side up the road. "Don't any of thesn o'd people ever die ?" "I don't think ihe idea enter* their heads," replied Klhe. "lly-the-bye, one old woman died lately Patience !avis'a grand- mother. Patience is married to that Joe Davis *li,> was suspected of killing a game- keeper in a poaching affray two years ago." "And your people, are they flourishing ?" be asked. "Oh, yes," replied Krtie; "father is as keen on hunting as ever, and mother does not look a day older than when you saw her laitl" They passed through the lodge gate and walked up the avenue in silence, past the IM-IIC.II that had been the s:ene ot their part- ing two yeais before. Ktliu wondered it her companion remembered it; dreaded that he should see the lears that would start to her eye* tram very joy at having him back again, though the felt that he would now never be more than a friend. Mrs. Dering drove up the avenue behind them, and caught up with them before they reached the house. She reined up her ponies and expressed intense astonishment at see- ing Hector. She made him ami her daugh- ter get into the carriage, and they were all chatting away m as unembarrassed a fash 'on a* they drove along ai if there had never bfon any idea of a marriage between the two young people. Kllie could hardly realize that Hector was Hilling opposite to her; it seemed like a dream. While he pirried Mrs. Dering's numerous question*, Ktlie had a good oppor- tunity of stealing glances at him. Mo more trace of a broken heart did he show than did she herself. He was perhaps a little more sunburned, but looked as bnyirh a* ever. She fo*nd herself smothering the sigh that was much too sentimental for the occasion, and, de'ermined to show that she too had bt ct.n.e perfectly heart whole, she joined in the conversation, and talked more nonsense then sml at tea afterwards than had passed her lip* for the past two yearn. Mr. and Mrs. Dering were perfectly friendly with Hector, but not quite so effu ive to him as formerly, and wisely resolved to let events run their course. Mrs. l>eriug was not one of those who thought matrimony essential to a woman's happiness: and, an, at her father'* death, Kllie would Iw very well off, there wa* no necessity for her trying such a venture. " How many times do you intend to ask me this silly question?'' aaked Kltie Dering, pouting slightly .is she averted her face from that of Harold Parkinson, who was bending down to try tocatch her expression in the lading light. " 1 wish you would be more sensible," she continued, after a short pause ; " you know my answer is always the am,- Why can't you l satisfied with friendship? It is more luit.n than lore ;" anil she stifled a sigh. "Why can't we cat atones instead of bread?' asked Harold bitterly. " Because we can't lute stones," said Ktfie, with a laugh tint sounded tr-ibly hearties* to Ihe man al her side. " l>o be a little rea- sonable. Mr. Parkinson," she added. " I have (old you over and over ngam that I can like you only as a friend ; it would be impossible for my sentiments towards you to change. In fa > , the only way I could alter towards you would bo lo like you less, in- stead of more, lor being *o persistent." " ^ ou cannot blame a man tor trying ail he know* lo gain a girl for his wife whom he loves so dc irly as 1 love you," was the reply. They were riding together toward) the Manor in the autumn gloaming. J he meet- ing had l>eeii an accidental one. Ktlie wa* returning from a visit to a friend ; ll.irtdil hsd taken a round in the direction of her house on the chance of meeting the object of his affections. Many tinio and oft had thcso iw > n. et in the same way, anil any one obecrving the fr* pjont encounter* would have inimagined that they had been arraug- etl. Ktlie did not object iu tho least to Harold as a friend if he would only " talk sense," as she expressed it. Since Hector had left her, she could not endure tn hear words of love Irom another man. She turned round to Harold now wilh a determined look on her pretty features. "Once for all, Mr. Parkinson, " she mid, "let me tell you that it i* utterly useless to think of me m that way. I have told you again a:id again that 1 never intend to marry. Don't think me unkind when I say that it would be more dignified ou your part to accept n-y answer unco for all as final, iry to make up your mi'id to accept my fiiendship. Don t try to look ivutiineiital I should not see you by this light and c..iuc in and have some tea " Kor they had reached the lodge gains. Her manner ftoftcm.l the harsh ness and flippancy of her words, ami Harold was man enough to see their sense. He turned in and through the gate with her, and they tiottcd briskly up the avenue. They found quite a party assembled in the drawing-roomthe Keutnr and his wife a pretty young woman whom he had lately married, and to whom Mrs. Derint; had taken a great fancy and Hector I.yndhurst, who had been (hooting wilh Mr. I'ermg. Hector did not look too well pleased to see Kllie's companion ; but ho greeted them both pleasanlly as they came in, blinking at the light. Kvery one looked cheery except Hect3r, and the momentary gloom on his face soon vanished. "We were talking about our little dance, Ktlie," said Mrs. Dering. " I am trying to persuade Mr.. Heauchamp to come t it, and Mr. Ituaiichainp is resiating me. " Oh you must come, Mrs. Beauchamp !" said Kllie, turning brightly to the young wife of the llcetor, who was looking to her husband for >,'iii lance, "of course you inusl come ! I will persuade Mr. Bca,uchamp; I have known him all my life, aud hu iloes jiiil what I ltt',1 him." "M"St neople have lo do that it appear*," said Harold, who was silting next to her, in an umlcitme. "Now, Mr. Heauchamp, say 'yes' said Kill-.', acknowledging the lust remark only by a shrug of I he shoulder*, and turning her b.ick upon tho lucklos* joung fei'ow who had uttered it, "and dance the fat with me." "Vou would be very sorry if I were to take you at your word, Ktfie," laughed the Hector ;"but I think I must let poor little Susan come, even if 1 stay away, and ift her have a chance of showing otf one of her smart dresses ;" and he smiled lovingly at his little bride. "Aud Mrs. Heauchamp could dine and sleep here," said Kllie "if the inducement of a dance wilh me is not sufficient lo bring you, that is to say. ' An 1 consent to this arrangement was given then and ihere. "May I have that dance that Mr. Beau- champ has refused?" asked Harold boldly "Don't be too sure that you will be invit- ed," laughed the latter. "Mother, do you intend to ask Mr. Parkinson ?" "I have already been asked," said Harold triumphantly; "ihe note came this morning. I may give my answer in person, Mrs. Dor ing." "Oh, mother, you really on<ht to con-ult me as to the choice of men:" said Klh'e, while the Hector's wife looked a little shocked at this style of conversation, not knowing quite what to make of i". "I am not quile ure thai I want Mr. Parkinson to come. "Well, you will have to put up with me now that your mother ha* asked me," h replied laughingly. "I must have a dance too, Ktfie," id Hector, "before Parkinson engages you for them all. May I have number two'" Ktlie agreed lo this with a charming blush. She could not quiie treat Hector as he did Harold, though she did her best lo forget thai their reialit.ns to each other had been so rery different. And Hector, noting the difference in her manner, is fool enough to think tbst Parkinson was in greater favour than was he himself. The dance in question wa* a little im- promptu one for the next evening. Two niece* of Mrs. Derinx's were coming to the Manor for a week, and Mrs. Dering wished to make it pleasant for them. All tbe near neighbors had been asked, and one or two particular friends at a distance. Ktfie looked a vision of beauty, in the eve* uf : wo men at least. She wore white, which always suited her, unrelieved by any orna- ment. Her fresli young beauty could stand the perfection of simplicity in dress, and she remembered that Hector had admired her thus. She read in his ryes, ar he canr.e up for the promised dance, that that admiration had not abated one whit. " Surely he could not look at me like that unless he cared for me," said the girl to her- self, ss he put his arm around her waul and whirled her off. " But if he still care* whv does he not speak? ' Hector talked on the most commonplace subjects, and this was Ktfie's greatest trial. She remembered the time when every look was a caress, and she could son-crimes feel the tear* coming into her eyes at the alter- ed tones of the voice she loved best to hear. Kllie little knew what was passing in Hector's r-.ind a* he held her to him and they floated round, the best-looking and best dancing couple in the room. When he bad tirsl put his arm around her waist, a mist came before hi* eye*, and for a mo- ment he feared that he should have to sit down. But the momentary weakness pined away ; and no one to sen the iwo y ting people dancing on with calm faces in correct time to the music, then stopping to rest and exchanging a few sentences in the usu.tl conventional manner, would have imagined | the temptesi raging in the heart of one, the wild regret in that of the oilier. Klfie made a delightful luile hostess. All the plain girls got partners, and every nne saitl the dance was s great sneers*. Rut when it was all over ami the lights were out the lilt lu heroine of the evening was lying with her face pressed down on her pillow, sobbing a* if her heart would break. (TO HI CUNTIM'KD.) Ill M IM. I I . 1 l> The Wribuils I ar J by ftportsuirsi in In.n. The only two method* of tiger-hunting that are practical really here are " net- ling," and sitting up all night in a tree by I a " kill" waiting for the tiger to relurn for his food. Almoit a'.l sportsmen have tried this latter, and generally been disappointed, as I was in another p:irl of India, and have always solemnly vowed that each occasion should be their very last, only to 1 e found at it again on the very next opportunity. Nome really like this solitary watching, but it has very many drawbacks to its enjoy- ment. Several Indian stmrUmen, who have killed their forty or tiity tigers, have told me they hail been nearly always un- successful with it. It i* vciy wearisome work Kitting from about 4 o'clock in the afternoon until day break next day, always on the alert to see something that iloes not come ; and with the darknes* mosqiiitoss come in quantities, aud perhaps a scorpion will ferret you out, or, worse than all, you may be visited by the red ant. It is very uncer'ain when aiigerwill return to the "kill." He may do so as early as 3 or 4 or not at all, often being frightened away, perhaps by some unforseen circum- stance. ' The slightest rustle will make him stop, and once his suspicions are arous- ed he will not venture near. To shoot him on loot by stalking n an impossibility. The sportsmen will occasionally come upon a tiger when after other game, and may then have a chance of a shot. If there are a few men who keep together, a tiger even if wounded, will think twice before charg- ing into the middle of them, anil will al- ways shirk the last ten or fifteen feet. None hut the most fool-hardy or utterly ignorant would venture to follow a wounded tiger into a long grass or very CMMC cover, where it has every advantage, and ihe hunter may be sci/ i'd before he baa time to raise hi* rifle. One of the tiger's greatest, aids in hi* attacks is hi* voice, the sudden coughing roar of which is paralyzing to the coolest, and of course for a oertaiu shot the nerve* must bo perfectly steady with "no flinch- mg." I Harper's Magazine. Itwmin 1S27, and at a theatrical fund dinner in Kdinburgh, that Sir Waller Scot* declared himself to be the author of the " Wavcrley Novels." Thin i* the speech hu made on that occasion : " I did not ex- pect, on coming here to-day, that I should nave to disclose a secret. Now that it i* out, however, I beg leave to observe that lam i>o!c aid nu.tmdod author of these in>\.-l. I conicM i am guilty, nd am afraid to examine the extent of my delin- ti in in-y. ' Look on'l again I dare not. ' The wand Prospuio is now broken, rr -uy book is buried."