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rug-j It'll, . . A 4‘) M; .,...r sad-.7, .i.,....:,..,<_ t v .2 up; 3.1%. .3! ll fi+§+fi+fi+fi+fi+§+fim + CHAPTER XI. The footman, having brought in the retired, and though the room was as superbly deâ€" furnished as the draw- ingâ€"room at the Court, it seemed al- simple as the tea equippage, had corated and most as homely and little parlor at Cliff Cottage. Listening to Lord Ferndale’s cheer« ful, unaffected talk, Norah thought wistfully how much nicer it would be if her father were a little less stately and formal. “You refused to sing for us the other night, Lady Norah." “But I will sing now." He was going to follow her and open the piano for her, but Lady Ferndale motioned to him to remain where he was, and Norah, without a trace of self-consciousness,- and only .the desire to please these two loving souls who had made so much of her, sat down and sang the first thing that came into her head. It is not at all probable that Norah would have made a fortune on the operatic stage, but she had a swaet voice that, though it had been carefully trained, was as natural as a bird's, and as it filled the room, softly candles, Lord Ferndale looked at his wife with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "What a dear, murmured Lady Ferndale. lighted by the roseâ€"shaded| clever girl it is,”‘ W WWW§W+£€+£€+§W+WW+§+§E mmmmm + ‘ 33$ OR THE STEWARD’S SON mmmmmnmmwmm+n+e+n+u+a+n+a+au+n+n+n the shawl round her as if the night xhad suddenly become cold. I The carriage had reached the top of the hill and was going down on the other side, and she bent forward to look at the gate upon which Cyril Burne had been sitting, when .she saw something white flit from a tree and cross the road. It was an owl and its screech startled her a little. It seemed to have startled the horses a great deal, for she felt the carriage sxverve, come to a standstill afor a second, then rush forward so sharply as to jerk her on to the front seat. With a smile she picked herself up, but the smile vanished and a vague alarm fell upon her as she saw the hedges and trees flying past the window at racing pace. Has any one ever yet been able to describe all the phases by which an accident progresses to the final catasâ€" trophe? Norah knew and realized nothing more until she experienced a jar, as if the wheels had caught upon some- thing and felt the carriage sway and fall over; but as she fell with it she was conscious of hearing, amid the istamping and snorting of the frightâ€" ened horses and the voice of the lcoachman, the sound 01 another 'vowe. If she fainted, it must have ionly for a moment or so, for Iwithout any appreciable interval she been her ladyship home," he added, re- luctantly. - “It is not very far to the Court. I will see Lady Norah safely home.” “Thank you, sir." “Well, then," said Cyril, for the two men still seemed shaken and con- fused, “if you are sure you and the footman are uninjured, you had bet- ter lead the horses to the village and leave him here by the carriage until you can help to get it all away.” “Yes, sir," he said; “but I’d better take the horses back to Feriidnle as soon as possible. My mistress will be terrible anxious if we’re late, and fancy an accident has happenedâ€" which it has." Cyril nodded, and taking an enve- lope from his pocket, wrote on the blank side in rather shaky characters for there was a funny feeling in his arm: “Lady Norah is quite safe and unâ€" hurt, and will have reached the Court before you get this. The coachman was not in any way in fault. Cyril Burns."- I~Ie read this to the men, and they touched their hats gratefully. “Thank you, sir,” said the coach- man. “It's very good of you to speak up for us, but you haven’t said that you risked your own life stoppingâ€"W ' “Never mind that,” said Cyril. said. enough to drive everything out of “Why, the shock alone was your head. ed wonderfully. “How have been there she said. saw it allâ€"or didn’t. you? I the horses first took fright?" “Yes, I was watching the owl, and saw it go swooping across the road in front of them. I thought they would be startled. lt"-â€"-the color (lashed into his face for a momentâ€"- “it; was there.” lo could not tell her he had returned to the spot where he had seen her in the afternoon, that he might dream of her in the gloaming, and perhaps get a glimpse of her on ’her way back to the Court. “I'm rather fond of moon- ing about in the evening. I am so glad I happened to be there." “So am Iâ€"so wore we all,” she corrected herself. “What made the horses stop?" she asked, innocently. I think you haVe behav- 7p strange 'n that you should “You mean rather strange my being that “The carriage caught in the trunkl of a tree and the near horse fell," he replied, simply. “The coachman was not to blame; no one could have held them from the box.” “I’oor men," she said. “You will be able to tell Lady Ferndale how it all happened, and that they Were not to blame?” “Yes, it will be an excure for call- - . ' . ‘Pw . I n “There IS no need to mention that; 1113 011 Lady bell-ladle- I'm all right. of the wreck further road," and he went to help them, but he stopped suddenly, and his face grew momentarily pale. “NOVer mind," he said; “the foot- man will see that no one runs into it." He took the one carriage lamp that Here, let us drag some was still burning and examined the.to horses with a practised eye. “Not much damage done, wonderful to say,” he said, cheerfully, “but the sooner you and they are home, the better. Goodâ€"night.” 1 Then he went back to Norah. She had obeyed him so implicitly that she seemed to have been motionless. She looked up as he approached her with a question on her lips, for she “‘1‘ l‘OSC ill JUNO!” quoted IAOI'dfsaw' the upperlnost door of the O\'cl‘â€" had heard nothing Of the COllVGl'Sa" Ferndale, in a low voico. thing can She will!H “You sing very beautifully, Lady Norah,” he said. “You must give us one or two more; remember, it is a treat to us.” - “I will sing as long as you like, said Norah, simply, and she sang again. Then Lady Ferndale found a duct, and discovered, with delight, that their two Voices blended toâ€" gether perfectly. “Oh, my clear, if you only belong- ed to me!” she exclaimed involunâ€" tarily, with a sigh, as she stooped to kiss her. Was it no "If any- melt Arrowdale’s heart, 11 wonder that :Norah’s eyes grew moist with tears of happiâ€". nose and gratitude or that when the fgotman announced that the carriage was waiting she ShOUId start with dismay? Lord Ferndale went out of the room, and returned, bearing in his own hand a decanter of wine, and insisted upon Norah’s drinking a glass. ' "Better obey, door," said Lady Fcrndale smilingly, “he is a dreadful tyrant, and fearfully obstinate.” When Norah had got her things on and Lady Ferndale had wrapped the soft shawl round her, "making me into a parcel post bundle,” as Norah laughineg declared,-a maid came for- ward in her bonnet and cloak. “I'll send her with you, dear,” said Lady Ferndale, but Norah showâ€" ed that she could be as obstinate as Lord Forudalc, and pointâ€"blank re- fused the escort. “Why, what could happen to me in a close carriage between here and the Court, dear Lady Ferndale?" she said. “Please don’t send her! I shall not like to come again if I give you so much trouble! You wouldn’t send her ifâ€"if I were your daughâ€" ter," she added shyly. “Norah’s right!" exclaimed Lady Il‘erndale. “But, mind, we take you at your word, and you are just to come to us as if you were our (laugh- ter. That’s a bargain, my child.” “I’m witness to it,” said Lord Ferndale. They both went to the carriage and Lady li‘erndale seemed, as she held her in her arms and kissed her, as if she could scarcely bring herself to part with her, and the last Noraha saw of them they wore standing armâ€" inâ€"arm on the steps waving their hands at her. Norah looked out at the nightâ€"the‘~ moon was rising, a great yellow orb, above the hilltopsâ€"her whole being thrilling like some sensitive musical instrument, her heart melting under the influence of the lovable couple she had just left. For a time she leaned back in the luxurious car- riage and recalled their kindness to her and forgot all elsrs; but suddenly, almost with a shock, she found that her thoughts bad strayed and that they wandered to some one else, and she found herself thinking of Cyril Burne! V It seemed ungrateful to bestow a single. thought upon any One but these two, and she tried to drive him from her mind, but looking out of the window she saw that they were ascending the hill on the other side of which Lady Ferndale had stopped to speak to him, and back he came again. Would he accept Lady Ferndale's invitation and leave Santleigh‘? How quickly Lady FerndaIC had taken to him? Yes, he was a gentleman, though he might only be an artist, poor and unknown. If he left Santâ€" leigh she would, perhaps, never see him again! drive all the happiness out of leer heart, and she leaned back and drew The thought seemed to! Eturned carriage wrenched open and Ifelt a man’s strong arm round her. The. next moment she was in the ‘road, the arms still encircling her, and, looking up, she met Cyril :Burne’s eyes looking into hers with 'alarm and anxietyâ€"and something else that even in that moment lbl‘ought the blood mantling to her :cheek. I “Areâ€"are you hurt?" . "Noâ€"no, I think not!” “Are you sure? Ah, you Itell!” he exclaimed. “I’m not hurt. I’m sure.’ 1 "Don’t move!" he implored her. “Please, please don’t move!” 'And his strong arm wound round her, and seemed unconsciously to lift her 011' completely did it sup- can't ) l . gher feet, so ' port her. “I don’t think I have broken any- thing,” she said, her color coming and going. “No, I am sure I have lnot! Oh, please, don’t mind me; the poor horses!" “Never mind the horses he said, almost curtly. “Hold on to my aim and wqu just three steps; no more, mind!” “I haven’t even broken my leg,” 3she said, forcing a, laugh. “And I idon’t see how 1 could have done! I iam~ not in the least hurtâ€"and do, :please, not to think of me! The 'horses " Ile paid not the slightest regard until he had assured himself that she ;could walk without pain, then she ihenrd him draw a breath and murâ€" imur, “Thank God!” with fervent lsolcmnity. “Sit down and please!” he said. “Yes,” obediently. She looked up for 8. met his eyes, still full of the deepest anxiety, then lowered hers suddenly, and watched him under her long lashes as he hurried to the side of the coachman. One horse was standing quivering in ever limb, but the other was still [lying in the road. apparently inex- '1’ rest; quite still, second and tricably jumbled up with the harness. .Sho noticed that he seemed to take in all the details of the situation lwith instant promptitude, and she lwatched him, still under halfâ€"lowered llids, as he took out a claspknife and .cut the trace, and gently, but firmly ,got the struggling, panting horse on ito his feet. The Coachman and footmnn for a second eyeing the wreck and wiping their perspiring foreheads; the footman’s hat was gone and his coat torn. . I “Are you hurt in any way?” do- I I stood manded Cyril Burne. "No, sir; thank you. But her ladyâ€" !ship?” ‘ “I thinkâ€"I hopeâ€"she is all right," replied Cyril. “Thank God for that, sir!” “Amen!” responded Cyril, inau'dibly. "3703, SH". I don’t know what my master and mistress would have done. if anything had happened to her.” His voice shook. “I’ve been in his lordship’s service for twenty years, sir, and this is my first accidentâ€"to lspeak of; but,” he looked at the wreck with dismay, “it’s an awful one! And it would have been a deal worse,” he added with respectful .eartnessness, “if i’. hadn't been for 'you, sir, catching them as you did. IIt’s a mercy you wasn't got down Iunder 'em and kicked to bits.” almost “Never mind that. Let us see what I damage is done,” and he went and examined the carriage. ‘ l “The wheel's broke, sir,” announcâ€" Ied the fooiman. “And the pole's gone like match- I i ,wood,” said the coachinun. dolr-fully. “l'm afraid it's inmnssdile to take tion between him and the men; but the simple “Well?” would not come. “It is all right," he said, answer- ing the look. “Neither of them is hurt, and the horses seem very little the worse, barring the fright. It has ‘been a wonderful escape. And you?" His eyes wandered over her anxiousâ€" 1y. “I have come off better even than the horses," she said, “for I am not even frightened.” “And you can walk?" he asked. “Oh, yes.” "I am afraid you will have to walk to the Court,” he said, reluc- tantly, “unless I leave you in charge of the footman and bring some kind of conveyance from the village; it is not very far." “Oh, no, no,”.she said, quickly. “I can walk home quite easily, and would not give you so much trouble for» the world.” “It would not give me trouble,”~ he said, quietly. “But ill news flies apace, and the earl might hear of the accident, and be alarmed on your account." “Yes, yes,” she assented at once, “I will walk, please." “You must take my arm,” he said. She put her hand on his arm, then drew back with a sudden color, and her eyes dropped as she said: “Butâ€"but I need not trouble you to come all that way.” “You cannot go alone,’ "If you will not let me go with you, there is only one other way; I will stay by the carriage and send the footman with you." She caught her lip in her and stood irresolute for a space while one could count ten, then she looked up at him. “If you will be so kind," she said. He thought that she meant him to send the footman, and turned, a little sigh escaping him, but Norah said quite immeently: “Will you tell 'him, please, that I will send him any help if he wants it?” “Yes, ‘yes, the message to the footman and was back in an instant. “You must take my arm,” he said, and though he tried to speak in a. nattelrffact voice, there was a sus- ; he said. teeth, I, he said, and he gave piciously joyous thrill in it. Norah would have declined, but it seemed to her that it would only emphasize the situation, and once more she put her hand upon his arm. She did not notice that he had given her the right one, instead of the left. For a minute or two they were silâ€" ent as they made tluir way along the lane filled with the perfume of a summer's night. Above them the moon slowly sailed upward, a thrush sang sleepin somewhere in the hedge, and the bats whirled through the silver light. Norah was still trembling a little, but, she had said, she was not frightened. It was not fear that caused her heart to heat so fast that it. almost seemed to her as if he [must hear it. The silence at last grew tangible, almost embarrassing, and suddenly .i\0rnl1 alinosL stopped, l "Lady l’erndale!” she said, in a tone of remorse. "She will think that it is worse than it is, and I forgot to Solid her a message,” "That’s all right,” he said, “I wrote a line or two‘ saying you were safe, and srnt it by the coaclnnan," “You seem to have thorght of everything." “That was not much to think of, Lady- Norah," "And yet I forgot it, ed, Wlih selfâ€"rem‘onch. ' “Oh, don't blame n she breath- yourself," he - l l “Ah, yes; you will like her so out of the'much." “You have spent a happy evening?‘ he asked, and his voice was subdue-:1 by sympathy; the touch of her hand, the sound of her voice was thrilling through him. Her Very nearness to him was casting a glamor over him, so that it seemed almost impossible speak any words than “I love you! I love you!” “Ah, yes,” said Norah; there never were such lovable people, never! At least," she sighed softly, “I have met so few people, and never any who were so kind to me.” “Kind to you! How could help it?” The warmth, and something more than warmth, the subdued passion in his tone sent the blood to her face, and she was silent for a moment; then suddenly she stopped. “Look, there is a glow worm!” she exclaimed with girlish eagerness, and in a low voice, as if she feared to startle it. “Yes,” he said at once; “would you like to have it? I will get it for YOU,” and he went forward and care- fully picked it up. “There he said, holding it in the palm of his hand. “It is not so pretty as its light, and even that vanishes in any other. See,” and he held it in the run rays of the moon. She bent forward, so near that the they redâ€"brown hair almost touched his- lips. His breath came fast, and he stood still as a stone~but, ah! how unlike a stone with that fast heat- ing heartlâ€"and Norah, entirely abâ€" sorbed in the curious insect, touched it with her forefinger. “I don’t quite like it," she said, drawing back her finger and looking up at him with a smile and a little feminine shudder which he thought surely the most charming gesture he had ever imagined. "No, 1 am sure I don’t like it,” and she laughed. “Then good-bye, glowworm,” he said. added, inaudibly, the grass; “to be disliked by her “I dare say he is immensely re- lievec," said Norah. “Ah, he didn’t know when he was well off," he said. " Norah moved forward, and instinc- tively laid her hand on his arm again. as he laid it on '17 side of him while she had been examining the glowworm, and it. was his left arm that she now touched, and lightly as she touched it, she felt a faint shudder run through him. IIer hand flew from his arm, and she stopped and looked at him. W '. \ ‘5 . .fi r- ... k 0 a m ' *V c r \_ . g. . RUSSIA ON Tlll‘} it is,” ! “Poor thing, I pity you!” hel She had crossed round to the other‘ WM lface, and she saw that he had gone Ideathly pale, and that he had caught [his under lip in his teeth. [ She stood for a moment, her face Igoing from red to white, then the lred fled, and the white alone re- imained. “You are hurt,” she breathed, and there seemed to be almost a sob in the- simple words. (To be Continued).- ____. .4, NAVY DRESS REFORM. .Sailors Will no Longer Make I Their Own Clothes. ' It is understood in British naval circles that Admiral Sir John Fisher is about to introduce a reform in the matter of clothing that is proâ€" bably only the preliminary step to- ward the abolition of what has long been one of Jack's most burdensome Ii_:,‘rievances, says the London Chron- 'icle. x So far the men’s clothing have been gprovided almost entirely at their lrown cost upon a plan that was ex- iplained the other day by an official lat the marine and naval clothing istore department, Depford. I “To begin with,” he said, "the proposed reform will apply only to trousers. Under the present regulaâ€" ltions, whenever necessary, the cloth lis issued to the men, who have either Ito make it up themselves or pay anâ€"v other man for the work. That in itself. of course, is hard enough. When one remembers that the army .is clothed at the expense of the new ltion, it seems rather ridiculous that {the cost of naval clothing should {have to be deducted from the men's pay. l “ lut that is not the worst of it. ‘Although there is a regulation pnt~ ;tern, such a detail as the width of jthe “bell” of a man's trousers is entirely a matter depending upon the itaste of the individual captains. Ono loflicer may prefer that the trousers should be narrow. "The result is that a man transferred to that vessel may have to supply himself with new l“togs” simply for the sake of o. 'faddy oiiicer. And the system re-- sults in still greater hardship when you remember that even name rib- bons may have to be changed perâ€" ,haps two or three times in a month -â€"-transfers are sometimes as frequent â€"â€"a serious matter, considering that each ribbon costs 10 pence, though the man might buy it in the shops at Portsmouth for 4-” pence. , “I don’t know that under Admiral ;Fisher’s scheme there will be any ‘radical change in the uniforms. The gtrousers will be all the same width, iand transfer to another ship will ‘therefore involve no alteration.” . Nothing has been heard of the pro- !posed change in any of the army :clothing departments, and it is ltherforo believed that the work will ibc placed in the hands of contractâ€" ors. . ' As the matter stands at present, ltho men will still have to pay for |their uniforms. But the new regula- §tions will undoubtedly be a great isaving to the men. .The uniform is also to be designed on more ‘handy’ lines, and will therefore be more ltight fitting than the style at present lin vogue. -._._'__+__..--. Iâ€"IEA RD AT THE SEA SIDE. "As a high roller,” remarked the Eane, boastfully, “you are not in it iwith me." “For which you should be thankful,” rejoined the beach. “Because why?" queried the wave. “Because,” answered the beach, “you ihave me to fall back on when you Igo broke.” + CIRC UMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. ‘ Tommyâ€"“Ain’t yer goin’ tor cane mo tor-day, teacher? 'l"eacherâ€"â€"-“No. Why should I?" Tommyâ€"“Because if I go home and show no signs of bein' caned, father . , _ 11:,” H", The moon was shining full upon his Will Lhmfl. I‘ve. been playin’ tiuantl ANXIO us SEAT.~ l 1 .22.»