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The evening 01 his return was one of the heppiest of Lord Eerle'e life. He was charmed with his daughters. Lady Helene thought.,with a smile. that it was difficult to realize the relationship between them. Although her son looked and and oereworn. he seemed more like an elder brother than the father 0! the two young a”'Jt‘lhere was some little restraint between them at first. Lord Earle seemed at a. lone what to talk about; then Lady Helene’s gracious teot came into lay. She would not have dinner in the urge dining-room; she ordered itto be served in the pretty _m_orning;room, ‘where the fire IVA“. " That is an excellent picture.” he saidâ€" “it on ht to be framed. It is too good to be bid en in a folio. You have just caught the right coloring, Lillian; one can almost see the sun sparkling on the water. Where Sauna sea view talxen from ?" , :Lnn _\_‘ __.‘”‘A airle- H.510 lebvw I' wâ€". Then. when dinner was over, she asked Beatrice toning; and. she, only too pleased to show Lord Earle the extent of her accomplishments. obeyed. Her superb voice. with its clear, ringing tones, amazed him. Beatrice sang song after song with a passion and fire that told how deep the music lay in her soul._ . v 0". I ,,!.,.4 _._L burned: cheerfully and the lamps gave a flood of mellow light. It was a. picture of warm. cozy English comfort, and Lord Earle looked pleased when he saw it. ,\,_ __|_-J wuuav lt- â€"- _.. , .. --_ Then Lad Helena bade Lillian bring out her folio o drawings. and again Lord Earle was leased and surprised by the skill and ta ent he had not looked for. He praised the drawings highly. One especi- ally attracted his attentionâ€"it was the prett soene Lillian had sketched on the May ay now so long passedâ€"the sun shining upon the distant white sails, and the broad, beautiful sweep of sea at Knuts- ”.Wv we. v.v" -.._-_ __ “Do you not know it?” she asked, looking at him with wonder in her eyes. “It is from Knutsfordâ€"mamma’s home." Ronald looked up in sudden. pained surprise. Mamma’s home! " The words smote him like a. blow. He remembered Dora's ofienoeâ€"her cold letter, her hurried flight, his own firm resolve never to receive her in his home againâ€"but he had not remembered that the children must love herâ€"that she was part of their lives. He could not drive her memory from their minds. There before him lay the pretty picture of A--- ,_ - .u 7“ uw- .â€" â€"- _-_-- It was not too late yet, he thought, to retrieve the fatal mistake of his life. He would begin at once. He would first give all his attention to his estate ; it should be a model for all others. He would interest himself in social duties; people who lamented his foolish. wasted youth should speak with warm admiration of his man- hood: above all other matters he dreamed of great things for hi sdaughters, especially Beatrice. With her beauty and grace, her magnificent voice. her frank fearless spirit. and piqusnt, charming wit. she would be a. gueeu of society; through his daughter is early error would be redeemed. Beatrice was sure to marry well; she would bring fresh honors to the grand old race he had shamed. When the annals of the tamily told. in years to come. the story of his mistaken marriage, it would be amply redeemed by the grand alliance Beatrice would be sure to conter mum uv.â€"-. “This,” said Lillian, “ is the Elms. See those grand old trees, papa ? This is the window of mamma's room, and this was our study." He looked with wonder. This, then, was Dora’s home-â€"the pretty, quaint homestead standing in the midst of green meadows. As he gazed, he half wondered what the Dora. who for fifteen years had lived there, could be like. Did the curling rings of dark hair fall as gracefully as ever? Had the blushing, dimpled face grown pale and still? And then, chasing away all softened thought, came the remembrance of that hateful garden scene. Ah, no. he could never forgiveâ€"he could not speak of her even to these, her children! The two pictures were laid aside, and no more was said of framing them. Lord Earle said to himself, after his daughters had retired. that both were charming; but though he hardly owned it to himself, ifhe had a preference, it was for brilliant, beautiful Beatrice. He had never seen any one to surpass her. After Lady Helena had left him, he sat by the fire dreaming, as his father long years ago had done before him. ford. His hopes rested upon her. and centered in her. As he not watching the glowing embers there came to him the thought thnt what Bestrice was to him he had once been to the father_ he _wu never; more to “v... â€"_-_- _.___ During breakfast on the morning follow- ing his return. Lsdy Helene. ssksd whst were his Inns for the dayâ€"whether he intended riving the gjgls pver to_Holt9. see. Ah, if his daughter should be like himselfâ€"4! she should rum his hopes. throw down the felt oestle he had built should love unworthily. merry beneath her. deceive end diseppomt him! But no. it should not be-he would watch over her. Lord Eerle shuddered at the thought. __ “ No." said Lord Earle. “I wish to have a long conversation with my daughters. We ahell be engaged during the morning. Alter luncheon we will go toHolte." 7 7 A -_ _ Ronald. Lord Earle. had made up his mind In the place where his father had warned him. and mode the strongest im reunion upon bun, he would worn hie chi dren. and in the same way; an he took them to the picture-gallery. where he had last stood with his father. With gentle firmness he said. " I have brought you here. as I have something to say to you which is best said here. Years ngo.ohildren. my father brought me. as I bring you, to warn and advise meâ€"I warn and advise you. We aro, though so closely related. almost strangers. I am read to love you, and do love you. I inten to make your he pinese my chief study. But there is one t ring I must haveâ€"that in, perfectppenness ; one thing I must forbid A -l‘-4-. I_2_.l -__I_._ ._ !__ Eâ€"thet ie.‘ deceit of our kind.on any subject. If either of you have n your short lives a secret. tell it to .me now. I! either of you love any one. even though it be one un- worthy, tell me now. I wlll pardon onyimprudenoe. any folly. any want of cautionâ€"everything eove deceit. Trust me. end I will be gentle on e tender (By the tumor of “ usdoliuo'u haven't LOVERS CHAPTER XXII. woman ; deceive 1013"? ”Pt" HVUIU Uu'u .0. "av--â€" â€"â€"if. from want of vi'gilajhhéiof training and of caution. there should be anythin in this short past. tell it to me now. an I will forget it.” 7 _ _ ‘ , 3?]; Pit-{it hoes had grown paleâ€"â€" Beatrioo'e from sudden and deadly tear; Lillian’a from atrpng omotioq: 91 7-..: IV‘BU' IV Neithor spoke tohim one word, and a. strange pathos came into his voice so he continued. A “OIII'IJ D 00"” "- vâ€"n ._ V . “ The men of our race," said Lord Eula. “have erred at times; he women never. You belong to a long line of noble, are. and high-bred women: there must nothing in your lives less high and lean noble than in theire; but, i! Ehere has been _-._- -MJ I. “ However dearly I might love the one who so transgressed," continued Lord Earle. “ even if it broke my heart to part from her. I should send her from me at once; she should never more be child of mine. Do not think me harsh or unkind: I have weighty reasons for every word I have uttered. I am half ashamed to s ask of such things to you. but it must be one. You are smiling Lillian. what is it? " “ I should laugh. pups," she replied, “ if you did not look so very grave. We must see people in orderto love them. Beatrice, how many do we know in the world ? Farmer Leigh, the doctor at Senby, Dr. Goode who came to the Elms when mamma. was ill, two farm laborers and the shepherdâ€"that was the extent of our no. quaintance until we came to Earleecourt. I may now add Sir Harry Holt and Prince Borgezi to my list. You forget. papa, we have been living out of the world." uuv u “v n. V..- Lord Earle remembered with pleasure that it was true. , vuw- n. v --.._ “ You will soon be in the midst of a new world." he said. “and before you enter society I thought it better to give you this warning. I place no control over your affections; the only thing I forbid, detest. and will never Yardon, is any underhand or clandestine ovenick affair. You know now what they would cost." He remembared afterward how strangelf' silent Beatrice was, and how her beautifu , prgud (ace was turned from his. 2, _ J:-_-__--LI- -nldnno " “Minn"! nvuu nwvv "u... .v..... __ ‘1 “It is e disagreeable subject," eaidflLord Eerie. " and I am pleased to have finished with itâ€"it need never be reneWed. Now I have one thing more to sayâ€"I shall never control or force your efleotione. but in my heart. there is one greeg wieh."' u-Olv uâ€"v... â€"-_-v-vi " I hnve no eon." he continued. “ and you. my daughters, will not inherit title or mutateâ€"both go to Lionel Deere. I! ever the time should come when Lionel who either at on to be his Wife my dearest wish will he accomplished. And now as my longloetureis finished. and the bell has rung, we will pre era for a. visit to Sir Hairy end Lady gmwgenee." ”vs-.v -_vâ€"- -v. -w- rr Lord Earle paused for a. few minutes he wulookingat the face of Lady Alice Eula. whom Beatgicg strongly regeulbled. T133") wagâ€"Egt much time for thought during the rest of the day; but when night came, and Bestrioe was alone. she looked the want 0! her life in the lace. She had been strongly tom ted. when Lord Eerie had spoken so kin ly. to tell him all. She now wished she had done so: all would have been over. He would per- hass have chided her simgle. girlish folly, an have iorgiven her. Io Would never forgive her now that she had deliberately concealed the feet; the time iorfor iveness was past. A few words. sud all min it have been told: it was too lstonew to utter them. Proud of lmr aIId (0nd of bar as film saw Lord Earle won. them would be no indul- gonco for her if her nocmt worn «linmwarml. .-. 1n She would have to leave the nmuuliiumn. and luxurious home. the aplmulnr that. delighted her. the glorinuu prna‘mnta openingtoher. and return to the lulmu. perhaps novermlenvo it, again. Ah. no, the mretmunthe kept! Hhmlhl not feel much alarmed :meu thin nmuhlheppon. Perhepa the Bangui mime be Iontwnho thought without peln or narrow of the 'And will never Eula. Even if he returned. he might hove torgotten her or never find her. She did not feel very unba py or ill at easeâ€"the olumoee. elm thong s, were in her favor. She had but one thing to (10â€"00 kee all knowledge of her secret from Lor As time passed on all constraint between Lord Earle and his daughters were away; Ronald even wondered himself at the force of his own love for them. He had made many im rovements since hisretnrn. He did was are upon the estate; model cottages seemed to rise like magic in place of the wretched tenements inhabited by poor tenants; schools. alms-honses, churches. all testified to his zeal for improvement. People began to speak with warm admiration of the Earlescourt estates and of their master. _ propsbl'e death of the man who loved her is low love. Nor did he neglect social duties; old friends were invited to Earlesconrt; neighbors were hos itsbly entertained. His name was ment oned with respect and esteem; the tide of popularity turned in his fever. As the spring drew near Lord Eerie became anxious for his daufhters to make their debut in the great war d. They could have no better chap eron than his own mother. Lady Helene was speaking to him one morning of their pro osed journey. when Lord Earle and only interrupted her.‘ “ti-SEEM." 113â€"336. “ where are all your jewgla? ‘ {never-“see you wearing aux." ‘ ,,,A_. n __:J ‘l’ -J-. ”n.-.“ __-.-_ _V, , ., “ I put them all away," said Ladv Earle. “when your father died. I shall never wear them again. The Earle jewels are always worn by the wife of the reigning lord. not by the widow of his predecessor. Those jewels are not ngine." ,,nn _AI__:I vrâ€"sâ€" __-V_ “ These." said Lord Earle, raising the precious stones in his hands, “ are of immense value. Some of the finest opsls ever seen are in this necklace; they were taken from the crown of an Indian Prince, and bequesthedto one of our ancestors. So much is said about the unlucky stoneâ€" the pierre du malheur. as the French call the opalâ€"that I did not care so much for them." ' 7 _. _ _ “Give me the Opals. papa," said Beatrice, laughing; “ I have no supersti- tious fears about them. Bright and beautiful jewels always seemed to me one of the necessaries of life. I prefer diamonds, but these Opals are magnifi- cent." “Shall we look them over?” asked Ronald. “Some of them might be reset for Beatrice and Lillign.’_’ She held out her hands. and for the first time Lord Earle new the op 31 ring upon her finger. He caught the ppretty white hand in his own. The jewels might have sufficed for 8. King’s ransom; the diamonds were of the first water; the rubies fleshed crimson; delicate pearls gleemed palely upon their velvet beds; there were emeralds of priceless value. One of the most beautiful and costly jewels was an entire suite of opsls_intermix.edeith smell diamonds. 1 r.‘_., ________ LA “ That is 11 beautiful ring,’ ” he said. “ Those opels are up lendid. Who gave it to you. Beatrice ‘2" The question came upon he: suddenly like a. deadly shook; she had forgotten all about the ring, and wore it only from habit. -v- .â€"‘_-__v_ “â€"â€" Lsdy Helena. rang for her maid, and the heavy casesof jewellery were brought down. Beatrice was in ruptures with them, and her sister smiled at her admiration. still and her senses to desert her. Then with a. self- ssession worthy of a. better cause, Beatrice looked up into her father’s face with a smile. ‘ “ It was givento me at the Elms," she said. so simply that the same thought crossed the mind of her three listenersâ€" thst it had been given by Dora. and her dsyghter did not like to say so. 1 I I9 3,; Lord marle looked on in proud delight while his beautiful daughters chose the jewels they liked best. The difference in taste struck and amused him. Beatrice chose diamonds, fiery rubies, purple amethysts; Lillian cared for nothing but the pretty pale pearls and bright emeralds. _-~_' ‘,,,, “ Some of these settings are very old. fashioned." said Lord Earle. “ We will have new designs from Hunt Roskell. They must be reset before you go to London." The first thing Bestrice did was to take off the op sl ring and lock it away. She trembledp still from the shock of her father' 8 question. The fatal secret vexed her. How foolish she had been to risk so much fora. few stolen hours of happinessâ€" for praise and flatteryâ€"she could not any for love! The time so anxiously looked for came at last. Lord Earls took possession of his town mansion. and his daughters prepared for their debut. nun vuvn- uvku It was in every respect a successful one. People were in rs tures with the beautiful sisters, both so cfisrmingâ€"yet so unlike. Beatrice. brilliant and glowing. her msg- nifloent face haunting those who saw it like s beautiful dreamâ€"Lillian fair and graceful. as unlike her sister as is s lily to a. rose. They soon became the fashion. No ball or mircc, no dance or concert. was considered complete without them. Artists sketched them together as “ Lily and Rose," “ Night and Morning." " Sunlight and Moonlight." Poets indited sonnets to thom, friends and admirers thronged around them. As Beatrice said, with s deep-drawn sigh of perfect contentment. "This is lile”â€"snd she reveled in it. The same year the Earl of Airlie attained his majority. and became the centre of all fashionable interest. Whether he would marry and whom he would be likely to marry. were two quontionn that interested over mother and daughter in llolgravia. here had not been such an eligible mm' for many years. The "wings of a ong minority alone amounted to a eplondid fortune. 'l‘ho onng Earl had vast estates in Heotlaml'. Lynnbon Hall and Craig Castle, two of tho llnoal. seats in England. were hla. llln mansion ln lloluravia was the envy of all who saw it. Young. almost fabulounl wealthy. singular] generous and amla lo, tho young Earl o Alrllo wan tho oontro of at lanthall a hundred ma- trimonial Iota; huh ho wan not easily and two n woman the Earl~waa always «arching lot but on ygt hog not gonna. arching for but M at bud not found. On nll “do. be 11 hard of thq bounty CHAPTER XXIII. . wmw-wm of Lord Enrle'u dnu More but it did not lutpreet him. Be In] been heering of. seeing. and feeling diuppointed in beauti- ful women for some yearn. Many people nude 3 point. of meeting the “ new beauties." but. he gevehimself no particular trouble. They were like every one else. heAeuppoeed: One inorning. having nothin else to do. Lord Airlie went to a feta gven in the beautiful grounds of Lady Downham. He went early. intending to remain only" a short time. He found but few guests ad arrived; after paying the proper amount of homage to Lady Dowuham. the young Earl wandered ofl into the grounds. ‘ It was all very pretty and pleasant. but he had seen the same thing before. and was rather tired of it. The day was more Italian than English. bright and sunny. the sky blue. the air clear and filled with frsgrsnoe. the birds singing as they do sing,» under bright warm skies. A pretty little bower, a. perfect thicket of roses, caught his attention; from it one could seen]! over the lake. with ite gay lensure boats. Lord Airlie set down, _ lieving hingeelttc be quite elone_; but, Flags were flying from numerous tents, bands of musio were stationed in different parts of the grounds. the fountains played mer il in the sunlit sir. Lord Airlie walk mechanically on. bowing in reply to the sslutstions he received. before he had removed shrge bough that interfered with the full rfeotion of the View, he heard voices on t 9 other side of the thick pheltering ro§e~bower There was a faint. musical laugh, and then the sweet voice resumed: “ I am charmed, Lillian. with this London life; this is worth calling lifeâ€"- every moment is a golden one. If there is a drawback, it consists in not being able to speak one‘s mind." “What do you mean?" asked Lillian. “ Do ’you not understand ? " was the reply. “ Lady Helena is always talking to me about cultivating what she callsI elegant repose.” Poor, dear grandmamma! her perfect idea of good manners seems to me to be a simple absenceâ€"in society. at least â€"of all emotion and all feeling. I, for one, do not admire the nil admirari_ system." He listened involuntarily. for one of the voices was clear and pure. the other more richly music“ than any he had ever heard -at times sweet as the murmur of the oushat dove, and again ringing joyously snd_b_nghtly. W“It is very pleasant.” was the reply; “but you always like to be in the very cent}? °A§SEY9§YC “Yes," said. Beatrice; "I have had enough solitude and quiet to last me for life. Ah. Lillian. this is all delightful. Y01I1 shink so,but do 'not admit it honestly u o." , “ I am sure Lady Helena. adniires you, Bee," said her sister. “ Yes,” was the careless reply. “ Only imagine, Lillian, yesterday. when Lady Cairn told me some story about a favorite young friend of hers, the tears came to my eyes. I could not help it, although the drawing-room was full. Lady Helena. told me I should repress all outward emotion. Soon after. when Lord Dolchester told me a ridiculous story about Lady Everton. I laughedâ€" heartily, I must confess, though not loudlyâ€"and she looked at me. I shall never accomplish ' elegant repose.’ " V “ I ho we shall not have to wait here long. Lil in," the blithe voice was saying. i‘ Ifiedy yHelena. promised to take us on the a e." " Then it is so tempting to say at times what one really thinks! I cannot resist it. When Lady Everton tells me. with that tiresome simper of here, that she really wonders at herself, I long to tell her other people do the same thing. I should enjoy, for once. the luxury of telling Mrs. St. John that people flatter her, and then laugh at her afl'eetation. It is a luxury to speak the truth at all times, is it not. Lily ? I detest everything false. even a false word; therefore I fear Lady Helena will never quite approve of my manner}: AAAL_ “You would not be but so churning if you gid," r_ep_lied hp: aigper._ 1â€"'-' "rr"“ " 7 “ You are so frank and fearless! At the Elme,.do you remember how every one seemed to feel that you would say just the right thing at the right time?" asked Lillian. “Do not mention that lace." replied Beatrice ; “ this life is so di erent. I like itsomneh. Lilyâ€"ell the brightness and geyety. I feel good and contented now. I was always restless and longing for life; now I have all I wish for." There was a pause then. Lord Airlie longed to see who the speakers wereâ€"who was the girl that 5 he such frank. bright wordsâ€"that love truth, and hated all things falseâ€"what kind of face accom- panied that voice. Suddenly the young Earle remembered that he waslistening. and he started in horror from his seat. He pushed aside the clustering roses. At first he saw nothing but the golden blossoms of a droo ing laburnum; then. a little farther onfhe saw a fair head bending over some fragrant flowers; then a face so beautiful. soperfect, that something like a cry of surprise came from Lord Airlie's lips. ' He had seen many beauties, but nothing like this queenly {oun girl. Her dark bright e as were in 10! re and light; the long las es swept her cheek. the proud, beautiful lips, so haughty in repose. so sweet when smiling.were perfect in shape. From the noble brow awaving mass of darkhair rip led over a white neck and shapely shou ders. It was a face to think and dream of. peerless in its vivid,exquieite coloring and charmingly molded features. He hardly noticed the fair haired girl. “ Who em she be? " thought Lord Airlie. " I believed that I had seen every beauti- ful woman in Lendqn." In: nun-awa- .uâ€" ._-â€"...-_. Satisfied with having seen what kind of Macao accompanied the voice. the young Earl left the pretty rose thicket. His friends must have thought him slightly deranged. He went about asking every one. “ Who is here to-day?" Amongst others. he saluted Lord Dolchester with that question. “Ican scarcely tell you." replied his Lordship. "I am somewhat in a puzzle. If you want to know who is the queen of the Mr. 1 can tell you. It is Lord Earle‘s daughter. Miss Beatrice Earle. She is over there. see. with Lady poynham." .,1 f__j uvon lulu-v. ngv. n...“ _.._J Looking in the direction indicated. Lord Airlio saw the face that haunted him. “ In that Miss Earle?” be asked luietiy. “You,“ nid Lord Doloheater, wit a gay hush; “und if I were young tnd un- tattered. she would not be Mina Eula much longer.” CHAPTER XXIV. Lord Airlie gazed long and earnestly oi the beautiful girl who looked so utter] unconscious of theadmirotion she oxoi . “ I must ask Lady Dcwnham to introduce managed. Mammas with blooming dau liters lound him a difficult subject. He aughed. talked, danced. walked, and rode, as society wished him to do ; but no one had touched his heart. or even his fancy. Lord Airlie was heart-whole. and there seemed no pros ect of his ever being anything else. Lady onstance'l‘achbrook. the prettiest. daintiest coquette in London. brought all her artillery ct fascination into lay. but without success. The beautilul runette. Flora Cranbourne. had laid a wager that. in the course of two waltzes. she would extract three compliments from him but she failed in the attem t. Lord Aiflie was pronounced incorrigib e_. “No," replied Beatrice, “I could never grow tired of flowersâ€"who could? As for feta, ”I have seen few, and have liked each one better than the last." Th8 [wot 'waa that his lordéfiip had been sensibly . brqught pp.‘ _He intend“! to sensibly brought u . he intended to men when he ooul find some one to love him or himself and not for his fortune. Thieideel of all that was beautiful, noble. me." he said to himself, wondering whether the proud face would smile upon, and, it she carried into practice her favorite theory oteaying what she thought, whet she would say _to him. _ Lady Dow'nham smiled when the young EuLugado hip roqupst._ "I have been besieged bil gentlemen requesting introductions to iss Earle," she said. “ Contrary to your general rule, Lord Airiie2 you go with the orowd.:’ Lord Airlie. on go with the crowd." He would ave gone anywhere for one word from those perfect lips. Lady Downhem led him to the spot where Beatrice stood. and in a. few courteous words introduced him to her. He managed at length to say something abOut the beauty of the grounds and the brightness of the day. Plainly an eye. could speak. here asked, had he nothing to 885;?“ .- - - Lord Airlie was celebrated for his amiable. plessing manner. He always knew what to say and how to say it; but when those magnificent eyes looked into his own the young Earl stood silent and sbsshed. In vain he tried confusedly to mutter a. few words; his face flushed. Ind Beatrice looked at him in wonder. Could this man gazing so ardently at her be the impenetrable porgl Airlie? 'He lingered by her side, charmed and fascinated by her grace ; she talked to Lillian and to Lady Helena; she received the homsge ofiered to her so unconsciously of his presence and his regard that Lord Airlie was piqued. He was not accustomed to be overlooked. “Perhaps your life has not been like mine, spent amongst them." he said. “I have lived amongst flowers," she replied, "but not amongstfetes; they have all the charm of novelty for me." Sheâ€"isavg‘lied gsyly, and the sound of that laugh. like a. sweet silver chune. charmed Lord Airlie still mom. , “ Do you never grow tired of flowers and 15“?) Migs Earle ?" he {asked a? ‘length. 7‘féhould like to enjoy them u you do." he said. "Iwish you would teach me. Miss Earle." He found out the prettiest pleasure-bout, and persuaded Beatrice to let him row her across the lake. He gathered a. betutiful water-lily for her. When they leaded he found out a. seat in the prettiest spot Ind played her there. ,, A- 1_I:ALA-J L:â€" Her simple gay manner delighted him. He had never met any one like her. She did not blush. or look conscious, or receive his attentions with the half-fluttered sen- timental air common to most young ladies of his acquaintance. She never appeared to remember that he was Lord A1rlie, nor song ht by any artifice to keep him near her. ugThe bright sunnv hours seemed to pass rapidl dream. Long before the day enmged the young gEarl said to himself that he had met h1s fate. that if it took years to win her he would count them well spentâ€"that in all the wide world she was the wife for him. Lord Earle was somewhat amused by the solicitude the young nobleman showed in making his acquaintance and consulting his tastes. After Lady Downham's fete he called regularly at the house. Lady Helena liked him, but could hardly decide which of her grandchildren attracted him. ._L- L-) The fastidious young Earl, who had smiled at the idea. of love and had din- appointed nll the mothers in Belgrnvis, found himself nviotimyag last. He was diffident of his own powers. hardly daring to hope that he should succeed in winnin the most beautiful and gifted girl in Lon on. He was timid in her presence. and took refuge with Lillian. All fashionable London was taken by surprise when Lord Airlie threw open his magnificent house. and, under the gracious auspices of his aunt, Lady Lecomte. issued invitations for a grand_ball. , A, J “A-L IHVIv-vlvuu av. .- h'“_" _V“v Many were the conjectures. and great the excitement. Lord Earle smiled as he showed Lady Helena. the cards of invitetlon. __ _ . m IllVlIliIlllvul “ Of course you will 0," he said. "We have no engagements or that day. See that the girls look theirbest, mother.” - He felt very proud of his daughtersâ€" Lillian lookin so fair and sweet in her white silk rose and favorite arls; Beatrice. like a queen, in a cloud 0 white lace. with coquettish dashes of crimson. The Earle diamonds shone in her dark hair,clasped the fair white throat. and encircled the beautiful arms. A magnifi- cent pomegranate blossom lay in the bodice of her dress, and she carried a bouquet of white lilies mixed with scarlet verbena. The excitementseto the ball had been rest. It seemed like a step in the right irection at last. The great question was. with whom would Lord Airlic open the ball? Eyery girl was on the qui m‘re. ' , “A J--:J-A ‘thn Valli “Iv-J D The question was soon decided. When Beatrice Earle entered the room. Lord Airlie went straight to meet her. and solicited her hand for the first dance. She did not know how much was meant by that one action. Then she sawâ€"sud it struck her with surprise-how Lord Airlie. so courted sud run alter. sought her out. She saw smiles upon friendly faces. and heard her name mingled with his. no no continuodJ