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

You an: ya: the conupo ou the meadow, You that you an at huh thrill the air. Yurdmyur law lnoofln shadow Boll! mo vorid round. ton. and and: an n we Your AM ‘Oll'o him ; the handwriting wee quite unknown You “to: you the compo on the meadow, to her ; she knew no onoin Brookfieldmbiob Y“? ‘4’“! ”It 010li thrill the tit. won the nearest t-townâ€"it was pro- 'm~.;.'.eir:m mad-m. .. .. X may some wen u. some Ramon tor were. ‘ ' cherity. she thought. Lord Airlie crossed Yeeretter oer ensure uhirde'returning. 3:6 rioozn to epfnklto herilwd ehe $133“ . o ottercnreeesyin tepmieto er “$3.3?“ bio-amine an" the vinny dress, and in e few minutes forgot all about You elm you, in work or mirth or mourning, it. Love“ to with love'u young youth. am never ‘ Lord Airlie was waning; u“ horses had annoy °‘d‘ been ordered {or an early hour. Beatrice Sweetheutud lady-love. queen e! bofieh pea. nn upstairs to‘fiut on her riding habit, o 3103. end never gave a. ht to the letter. 8 ho 01m nhood oontentot ebognn.. ‘ _ - loved n nfium‘éd ‘3’.» eeoh in :ediflerem d It wee 8' plemnt n e ' m the dark after m, eye she looked back upon it as one of we Yet loved supremely. solely. as we never love brightest hours she had ever known. Lord W0“- iAirlie told her an about; _Lynn_ton.‘ his “ I an hardly tell you in sober words." the tvpliod. “ Lord Airlie has asked me to be his wileâ€"his wits; and. oh, Lilly. I love him so dearly !" Pride and dignity All broke kown ; the botutiful {we was laid u n Lilliun's shoulder, and Butt-loo wept uppy tom. 11 r I-._-.l LL... .. 1’ :Ilu H uh. man}. rm 9 (By the tumor 0! “ Mulolino'l Levon") " W11“ is It. Buttioe ?" asked Lilliln. u the ‘wo sisters stood done in the bright 15mg dressing-pom; __-..V_.-,, “I loved him so. L111" she went on; “but I never thought 0 cued for me. Will“ hsvo I don um I should be so h. l 63%: The moonbeune never fellnpon a. sweeter oture then theee fair young sisters, ’on'a pure. spiritual face bent over Bea.- trioe. “ I love him, Lilly." she continued, “ for himself. He in a king unongel: men. Who in no have. so generous, so noble ‘2 If he were 3 beggnr, I should one just es much 10: him. Lillian lisuned and aympnthized until the bright duh eyes seemed to grow weary; then she bode her sister good night. and went to her own room. . Boatrioe Earle was alone st lustâ€"alone with her hsppiness and love. It seemed ignpo'uible that her heart and brain would ever grow calm or quiet again. It was all in vain she txiod to sleep. Loni Airlie's hop, his voice, his words, haunted her. ,, n :_I- 3..-..â€" She rose, and put on a pretty pink drese~ inn gown. The fresh air, she thought. would make her sleep, so she opened the long window gentlyhend looked out. I ,I,_“, AL- _._.‘.. The night was still and clear; the moon hung over the dark trees; floods of silvery light bathed the far-off lake, the sleeping flowers. and the green grass. There was a gentle stir amid the branches; the leaves rustled in the wind ; the blue, silent heavens shone bright and calm. The solemn beauty of the‘star lit sky, and‘ the hushed murmur, appealed to her. Into the proud, passionate heart there came some better. nobler thoughts. Ah, in the future that lay so brilliant and beautiful before her she would strive to be good, she would be true and steadfast, she would think more of what Lilly loved, and spoke] about at times! Then her thoughts went ‘ back to her lover, and that happy half hour in the rose garden. From her win-‘ dow she could see itâ€"the moon shone full upon it. The moonlight was a fair type of her life that was to be, bright, clear, nushadowed. Even as the thought shaped itself in her mind, a shadow fe among the roses. She looked, and saw the figure of a tall man walking down the path that divided the little garden from the shubbery. He stood still there, gazing long and earnestly at the windows of the house. and then went out into the park and disap- “- She was not startled. A passing wonder as to who it might be struck her. Perhaps it was one of the game-keepers orgnrdeners; but she did not think much about it. A efiindow in the moonlight did not frighten er. Soon the cool fresh air did its work; the bri ht clerk eyes grew tired in real earnest, on at length Beatrioe retired to rest. The sun was shining brightly when she awoke. By her aide lay a fragrant bouquet of flowers, the, dew dF°P°_ _‘etill __glietening u "Iv-n “ Beatrice. will you come into the garden for a few minutes before breakfast. just to tell me all that happened last night was not 3 dream ‘2” utuu W013 ' WU uvw unv "v..- ou ..--..__° :1 them. and in their midst a little note. wioh sudâ€"- »â€"- - . .- q in; dress she threw a. ‘ htehewl, and went down to meet Lord Air ie. “ It was no dream." she said simply, holding out her hand in greeting tohim. “ Deer Beatrice, how very good of you!" re lied Lord Aimeâ€"adding presently. “ e hnve twenty minu before the breekfeetbell will ring; lo us make the most of them.” The morning was fresh. fair. and calm, a soft hue hengmg round the trees. :1 n-..4-;... n -nm 12va Airlinr H van m “ Beatrioewfyialid Lord Aitlie. “ you see the nun shining there in the high heavens. Three week; .30 I should heyathgughtnit euier for thet some sun to fell theh for me to win you. I can unruly believe thet my highest ided of women in reelized. It wee there my ambition to merry dome oung git who had never loved my one galore me. You never hove. No men ever held ygur head as I hold it now, no men ever kissed your hoe u I did lest night.” As he eEoke is burning flush covered her hoe. 8 e remembered Hugh Fernely. He loved her better for the blush. thinking how p_ure em} g‘ni‘leleea she wee. , _ _.___. ;--I_..- launn N -V" " I tour I olull be u very jealous lover." ho continued. "I ahnll envy ever thing thou bountiful e on mtupo u. Wil you this with me tha morning? I want to tslkto you shout Ly nntonâ€"my home, you know. yYou will be LudieAirlie. of Lynn- tonLnnd no hint: will so proud as I The breakfast-bell rang at 133%. When‘ Beatrice entered the room Lady Earle went up to her. " Your up has told me the news.” she “id. “ eaven bless you. and make you he py.denr child ?“ ionel Deere guessed the state of affairs, and said but. “Me. The chief topic 0! con- versation Was the ball. intern used by mmy conjectures on the part of rd Earle he to why the postsbag was so late. .3! LÂ¥-A‘A0AAA ,U It (lid, not ‘arrive until breakfast was ended. Lord Earle distributed the letters; there were three for Lord All-lie. one to Indy Earle from Dora, two for Lionel. none {or Lillian. Lord Earle held in his bugle. large opmrgoq blpe‘envelope. , ~,1! Munâ€"v ‘- ._ v _-_7, .. Mina né’urioe Eula." he «mlâ€"u from Brookfiold. What Inga Writing! The nine Wu evideuuy intended to be non." Beatrice took the letter omloug trom 8139 rose_qui9kly. 9V9". h‘er pfetty morn- ,A, J ___L H LOVERS l’ ET. It was a pleasant ride ; in the dark alter days she locked back upon it as one of the brightest hours she had ever known. Lord Airlie told her all about Lynnton. hie beeutiful homeâ€"a grand old castle where every room had a legend. every tree almost a tradition. For her he intended to work wonders ;, a new and magnificent wing should he built. and on one room therein art. skill and money should be lavished without stint. “ Her boudoir," he said. " should befit for a queen and (or a fairy." â€" So they rode through the pleasant sun- ligh} air. _A gadget: tiggugpt‘strnok Beatrice. “I wonder." she said. “what mamma. will think? You .must go to see her Hubert. She dreaded love and marriage so ‘much. Poor momma!” She asked herself, with wondering love. whet could have hep ned that her mother should dread what 0 (ound no p‘emnt. Lord Airlie entered warmly into all her pleas and wishes. Near the grand suite of rooms that were to be prepared tor his beautiful young wife. Lord Airlie spoke of rooms for Dore. if she would but consent to live with them. u-v -- â€"-_ â€"â€"-__‘ “I must write and tell meaning to day." said Beatrice. ‘ I should not like her to hear it from any onekut Elyse“. "_ u“- ._ --___ “ Perhaps £31; {winâ€"Ila illo’w me to inclose a. note." suggested Lord Airlie, -‘ asking her to tr; and New? 9°? ‘ II I ,,A-, sum "‘I‘Il $§6Itjliizfx Eli's will be very diffi- cult," huglgiugly repligd his mmpfinioq. nun-I "'"D""'o‘-I - -‘___ W , Their ride was a long one. On their return Beatrice was slightly tired, and went straight to her own room. She wrote a long letter toDora, who must have smiled at her description of Lord Airlie. He was everything that was true, noble. ohivalroue, and grand. The world did not hold such another. When the letter was finished it was time to dress for dinner. “The prettiestI hai'e." said the young girl. her bright face glowing with the words she had just written. What dress could be pretty enough for him '? One was found at last that pleased her- - rich white crepe. But- she would wear no jewelsâ€" nothing but crimson roses. One lay in the thick coils of her dark hair. another nestled against her white neck. others looped up the flowing skirt. u..-- .uv- -- __ -_ V "Which dress will you wear, miss?" asked the attentive maid. Beatrice‘s toilette satisfied herâ€"this. too. with her lover’s fastidious taste to please. she stood before the large mirror. and a pleased smile overepread her face as she saw herself therein. ~mé‘hlliddnly 87th remembered the letter. The morning dress still hung upon a chair. She took the envelope tron; tllg_poc'l§et. nu " Shall you want me again. Miss Earle ‘2" asked her maid. “ No." replied Beatrice. breaking the seal: “ I am ready pow." . 1 n AA,3_- 8851;“ J. an: Ive-u, uv". The girl quitted the room. and Beatrice. standing before the mirror, drew out a long, closely written letter, turning presently in amazement. to the signature. wondering who could be the writer. CHAPTER XXXI. The sun shone brightly upon the roses that gleaned in her hair and nestled against the white neck. Could it be linger. i! _ in cruel mockery _up_on‘_ the‘pele face 11 Au VIMUI u- vvvvv _, and the dark eyes so full of wild horror ? As Beatrice Earle read the letter, the color left her lips, her heart seemed to stand still, a vague nameless dread took hold of henthe paper fell from her hands, and with a long, low or y she fell upon her knees, hiding her face in her hands. III ,, ‘|,,L Lulu In It had fallen at lastâ€"the cruel blow that even in her dreams and thoughts she had considered impossible. Hugh Fernely had found her out. and claimed her as his owu. This letter which had stricken joÂ¥ and beauty from the proud face, and aft it white and cold elmost a} the face of the ,1, .‘A -A.‘ ".1th "u“ w..- â€"-'â€"-7, dead. was from him; and the words it con. tained were full of such passionate love that Qhey terrified her. The letter ran as follows: . “ MY wa Bummerâ€"From peril by sea anh land I huge: rgturnefi tachim you. Since we tedI have stood faceto face with dea in its most terrible form. Each time Iconquered. because I felt I must myou again. It inn trite saying that love is immortal. Death itself would not part me from youâ€"nay. ii I were hurried, and you came to my grave and whispered my name. it seems to me I must heagyou._ ,, _2_A: A- L- m... m"- HINDI J vue “ Beatrice. you promised to be my wile-â€" you will not fail me? Ah. no. it cannot be that the blue heevene above will look on quietly and witness my death blow! You will come to me. and give me a. word. a smile, to show how true you have been. “Last evening I wandered nonnd the grounds, wondering which were the win- dow: o! my love'e chamber. and fishing to sell whether ehe was dreaming of me. Life has changed for you since We not upon the elifle at Knutelord and you pro- mised to be my wile. I heard at the form all about the great ohange.and how the young girl who wandered with me through the bonnie green woods in the daughter of ‘Lord Earle. Your home doubtless in a stately one. Rank and position like yours might frighten some loversâ€"they do not daunt me. You will not let them stand between us. You oanuot,alter the pro- mieee you‘uttered. ,_ -- L... Ln-.. 1- nnnnnnn, WIDW Jvu â€"---â€"-_. " Beatrice. my voyage has been a Miocene. fui one; I am not a rich men. but I have enou h to gratify every wish of your heart. I wi i take you away to sunny lands over the see. where into shall be so full of . imspineee that you will wish it never to en . "I await your commends. Rumor tells me Lord Eerie inaetrnnge dinppointed men. I will not yet call upon you at your yawn home; I aim“ weit our reply at IBrookfleid. Write at once. eetrice, sud [tell me how end when I may meet on. I :wiil go mywhem. at my time. )0 not delayâ€"my bout hungere end thirst: for one glance It your peerleu (we. Appoint on hour soon. now ehnil Ilive until it dwoted lover. Huon Funnmr.‘ “ Address. Post-office. Brookfield." She reed ever word carefully. end then ‘ slowly turned t eletter over and n-sd it; sgein. Her white lips quivered with indig-‘ nant passion. How dared he presume so for? His love! Ah! it Hubert Airlie could have reed those wordsl Ft-rnely's love! She losthed him; she hated with fierce. hot hatred the very sound 'ot his name. Why must this most wretched folly of her youth rise up against her now 'I What must she do? Where could she turn for he] and counsel? Could. it possible that this man she hswd so fiercely hed touched her face. and covered her hands with kisses and tears? She struck the little w its hand which held the letter against e marble stand. and where Hugh Ferneli'e tears had fallen is dark bruise purpled t efsir skin; while herd. fierce words come from the beauti- ful lips. my own folly l" Then hot anger yielded to despair. What should she do? Look which way she might, there was no hope. It Lord Earle once diecogered that she had dealt falsely with him, she would be driven from the home she had learned to love. He would never pardon such concealment, deceit, and folly as here. She knew that. If Lord Airlie ever discovered that any other man had called her_ his love,h_ad kissed her mm: um vu- un- â€"-_ ., face, and Elmfiéé her is. his own, she would lose his afieotion. Of that she was algoquito sure‘.‘ - ,5_ -A. 13-..!nnnnuub {‘ “mull“! nuovo If she would remain at Earleseourt, if she would retain her father's afiection and Lord Airlie's love. they must never hear of Hugh Fennely. There could be no ,doubt on that. head. â€" -.- .0 n n,,.13 uu launu uvuvu What.ahould she do with him? Could she bpy h_im gff ? “Wonk! mfleylpurohaae ,,I___._.. .L. “4.11. nu“ nu: uuu-A V“ I It vâ€"vvâ€" ,7, 7â€" v - her freedom? Remembering his ride and his love. she thought not. “Shoal she appeal to his pityâ€"tell him all her heart and life was centered in Lord Airlie? Should she appeal to his love for pity’a sake ? Remembering his passionate words| she knew it would be useless. Had she but been married before he returnedâ€",were she but Lady Airlie of Lynntonâ€"he could not have harmed her. Was the man mad to think he could win herâ€"she who had had some of the most nobly-born men in England at her feet? Did he think she would exchange her grand old name for his obscure oneâ€"her magnificence for his poverty ? There’ was no more time for thought; the dinner-bell had sounded for the last time, and she must descend. She thrust the letter hastily into a drawer, locked it, and then turned to her mirror. She was startled at the change. Surely that pale face, with its quivering lips and shadowed eyesl could not be hers. What should she do to drive away the startled fear. the vague dread, the deadly pallor? The roses she wo:e were ‘ but a ghastly contrast. , “ I must bear it better," she said to her- self. “ Such a face as this will betray my secret. Let me feel that} do not careâ€" that it will all come right In the end.“ ,,,a L“; aL- ....:-.. was 011311660 an“ uvâ€"___, "Women have faced moredeadly peril than this," she continued, “ and have won ; is there any peril I would not brave for Hubert Airlie‘s Bake '2" but“: In wul nu \lvnuv -- She amid the wordsogléud. but the voice wggglmuged and hoarse. _,__ u,__‘_ :.......1 mannflnnfllu nnril Beatrice Earle left her room. She swept, with her beautiful head erect, through the wide corridors and down the broad staircase. She took her seat at the sumptuous table. whereon gold and silver shone, whereon ever thing recherche and magnificent was disp ayed. But she had with her a companion she was never again to lose. a haunting fear, a skeleton that was never more to quit her side. a miser- able consciousness of folly that was bring- ing sore wretahedness upon her. Never again was sh. to feel free from fear and care. “ Beatrice," laid Lady Earle, when din- ner was over, " you will never learn pru; deuce.” _. . .onniu ,7-__; uuuwa She started 3nd the beautiful bloom just beginning to return vanished again. “ Do not be slermedmy deer,” continued Lady Helena; " I am not angry. I fear you were out 00' long to-day. Lord Airlie must take mote oare'of you; the sun was very hot. and you look quite ill. I never saw you look a; you do to-night." " We had v‘ry little sun.” replied Bea. trice, with a. lupgh she tried to molten. gay one; “we re“ under the shade in in}; park. I am t‘ted but not with my little ride." It was a pletsant evening. and when the gentlemen joimd the ladies in the drawing- room the sin beams still lingered on flowers and tree. The long windows were all open. sndthe soft summer wind that came in was Men with the sweet breath of the flowers: Lord Airlie‘eaked Beatrice to sing. It was arelief bher; she could not have talked; ell tln love and sorrow. all the fear and deepsir that tortured her. could find vent in unfit). So 3119' But in the evening gleam g. and Lord Air-lie, listened to the super voice. wondering at the pathos and an ‘ ass that seemed to ring in every note. I. . . n . a In: ,1‘ “ What. wait at length. “I the love is a generally so bi compioye; yoq “ Nothiufifi” iug over bani wit)1_§eprs._ j “ Thére." c I am right. ‘. self to team." Ila drew he to the large pooped in. I evening ligh beaggifiul e) of "Tell me‘ saddened y: secrets! from of just now “ Lobewohl? sigh; I ‘4' Shall yt naked. " No”H he nigh. but I .. I was t anygping h "' But" no‘ mid ; “ not} s Iblind, foolish.va ‘2” she cried. heaven, save me from the fruits of uv- n- ing what I should do “-4“ nod to part us.“ as will ever Imp n," he _ g on part no but sub. 1 ' music. Beatrice l" he said, u are singing of love, but sorrow. Your songs are ‘glit and happy. What has as the reply. but he, bend- ‘ aw the dark eyes were dim ed Lord AirliB-J you see u have positively sung your- from the piano. and led her y-window where the roses held her face to the mellow nd looked gravely into her he said simply, "what has . Beatriceâ€"yon have no e. What wore you thinking 10].) you sang tlmt dreamy ; Every note was like it long laugh if I tell you?" she plied; " I cannot. promise to I not smile.‘_‘ _ know what would happen wmoif I lost. you. Beatrice." n “Yin-t 9" oh: J V... O'V-v- -v-. “ W11» ?" she asked. looking up into the handsome. kind tape. .-... .. __. “wuwu- vwâ€" -w-_ “ I should not. kill :1: self." he said. “ for I hold life to be a more gift; but I should go where the face of no other woman could smile upon me. Why do you talk so dole- full . Beatrice ? Let. as change the subject. To me where would you like to go when we are marriedâ€"shell it be France, Italy, or 8pain_?_" v “ Would nothing ever make you love me less. Hubert ‘2" she asked. “ Neither pov- erty nor sickness?" “ No." he replied nothing you can think of or invent." “ Nor disgrace ‘1" she continued; but. he integugted her. hell angrily. .. v .1- §_‘ In..- mud. n I.“ W‘. â€"V. wwv- “ Hugh !" he said. “ I do not like such a word upon your lips; never say is again. What disgrace can touch you? You are too pure. too good." She turned from him, and he fancied a. low moan came fgom h_er trembling lips. “Youaro tired. andâ€"pray forgive me, Beatriceâ€"nervous. too." said Lord Airlie; “I will be your doctor. You shall he down here upon this couch. I will place it where you can see the sun set in the west. and I will read to you something that will drive all four away. I thought during dinner you looked ill_aud worn." ,I A- LL_ uluuue ’Hu OVvI-VI- -._ â€"â€"_ V. . Gently enough he drew the couch to the window, Lady Earle watching him the while with smiling face. He induced Bea- trice to lie down. and then turned her face to' the garden. where the setting sun was pleasantly gliding the flowers. ,,»_ -__.-a\.:...- “Innnnnt in y.um--¢ nfi___° V “Now you have something pleasant to look at." said Log-d Airlie, “ and you shall have something pleasant to listen to. I am going to read some of Sehiller's “ Marie Stuart." - - -. ‘ .7,A_ He eat at her feet, and held her white hand in hie. He read the grand, stirring words that at times seemed like the ring of martial music, and again like the dirge of a soul in despair. Hie clear. rich voice sounded pleasantly in the evening calm. Beetrice’s eyes lingered on the western sky all afleme; but herrthoughte yore with high ‘Fernely. --u|j 1..-]. nun. wuuu _ u--- .. V 7 o -.. , â€" 7 u _ What should she do? If she could but temporlze with him, if she cauld but pacify him for a time until she were married, all would be safe. He would not dare to talk of claiming Lady Airlieâ€"it would be vain if he did. Besides. she would persuade Lord Airlie to go abroad; and seeing all pursuit useless, Hugh would surely give her up. Even at the very worst. if Hubert and she were once married, she would not fear; if she confessed all to him he would forgive her. He might be very angry, but he would pardon his wife. If he knew all about it before marriage, there was no hope for her. ._:LL 13--.-..I" uvyv .v. u..- . She must temporize with Fernely,â€" write in a. style that would convey nothing. and tell him he must wait. He could not refuse. She would write that evening a letter that should give him no hope, no:- yet grive him to despair. _ :_ u _..4.01' --:,1 Jun nun-v u...‘ vâ€" -vâ€"‘v7~-, “ That is a. grand scene, is it not? " said Lord Airlie. suddenly; then he saw by Beatrioe's startled look that she had not listened. .“I plead guilty at. once," she replied. “ I was thinkingâ€"do not angryâ€"I was thinkin of something that. lstos to your- self. I esrd nothing of what. you read, Hubert. Will you {sad ig‘sgain 7 " “ Certainly not,” he said, with a. laugh of quiet amusement. “Reading does not answer; we will try conversation. Let us resume a subject you ran away from before â€"-where shall we go for our wedding-trip?" Only three days since she would have suggested twenty difierent places; she would have smiled and blushed, her dark eyes growing brighter at every word. Now she listened to her lover‘s plans as if a. ghostly hand clutched her heart and be- numbed her with fear. That evening it seemed to Beatrioei Earle as though she would_ never be left alone. In the drawing-room stood a dainty ‘ little eeoritoire used by the ladies of Earleseourt. Here she dared not write lest Lord Airlie should. as he often did. linger by her. pretending to assist her. If she went into the library Lord Earle would be sure to ask her towhom she was writing. There was nothing to be done but wait until she retired to her own room. First came Lady Earle. eohcitous about her health. recommending a long rest and quiet sleep ; then Lillian. full of anxiety, half longing to ask Beatrice if she thought Lionel Deere handeomer and kinder than any one else; then the maid. Suatette. who seemed to linger as though she would never o. 8 Atleugth she was alone. the door looked upon the outer world. She was soon seated at her little desk, where she speedily wrote the following cold letter. that almost drove Hugh Fernely med : “ Mr Dun Evanâ€"Have you really returned ? I thought. you were lost in the China Seas, or had forgotten the little epi- sode at Knutaford. I cannot see you just yet. As you have heard, Lord Earle has peculiar notionsâ€"I must humor them. I will write again soon, and say when and where loan Bee ygu. wuu It: Luau no "’kours sincerely, " BEATBXCE Emma." She folded the letter and addressed it as he wished; then she left her roomt and went down into the hell where the post lay oped up?!) _the liable. She placed the _ _-.I‘ “‘J â€"r_â€". __‘,_, missive inside, knowing that no‘one would take the trouble to look at the letters; then she returned as she had oome, silently. The letter reached Brookfleld at noon the following (lei. When Hugh Fernel opened it he hit is lips with rage. Col . heartless lines! Not one word was there of welcome. not one of sorrow for his sup~ Based death ; no mention of love, truth or deliti' ;' no recognition of his passionate worsh p : no promise that she would be his -â€"what could such a letter mean ? He almost hated the girl whom he had loved so well. Yet he could not. would not believe anything except that perhaps dur- ing his long absence she had grown to think less kind] of him. She had promised to be his wig». and. let come what might. he would ma e her keep her word. 80 he said : and Hugh Fernely meant it. His whole life was centered in her, and he would not tainely gige her. up. ' “,1 The letter dispatched. Beatrice awaited the reg? with 5 ans nae no words can deecti . A dull won or came over her at times why she must eufier so keenly. Other girls had done what. she bed doneâ€"may. My time: worseâ€"and noNemenie haunted them. Why wee this spectre of fear and shuns to stand by her side every moment sud distress he: ‘IA It was true it had been very wrong of her to meet this tiresome Hugh Fernely in the pleasant woods and on the see shore ; but It had broken the monotony that bed seemed to be killing her. Ilia passionate love had been delicious flattery; still she had not intended anything serious. It had only been a novelty and an amusement to her ; although to himy_perl_iepsnit. he‘d been uvo, .- uuuuu " vvvvvvvv ‘-,V,.,. , a. matter of life or death. But. she hid deceived Lord Eerie. If. when he had questioned her, and sought with such ten- der wisdom to win her confidenceâ€"if she had told him her stori' then, he would have saved her from turner persecution and from the effects of her own folly; if she had told him then. it would not have mot~ taxedâ€"there would have been no obstacle to her love for Lord Airlie. uv uvu. .vvv .v- .â€"--â€" __- It was different now. If she were to tell Lord Earle.- after his deliberate and emphr tie words. she could expect no mercy ; yet. she said to herself. other girls have done even worse. and punishment had not over- taken themiso syviftly: _ 1 ,, :I A____ Manon quuu uv n" o.-. . At last she sleptjdiatroased and worn’ out with thought. CHAPTER XXXII. For the first time 111 her life, when the bright sun hone into her room. Beetrloe turned her see to the well and dreaded the eight of day. The poet-beg would leave the Hall at 9 in the morningâ€"Hugh would have the letter at noon. Until then she was safe. I! an wav- Noon came and went, but the length of the aummer’e day brought nothing save fresh misery. At every unusual stir. every loud peel of the bell. every quick footatep. she turned pale. and her heart seemed to die withih her.) - 1 I“, “8v u u. _â€"-_ Ledy Lena watched her with anxious eyes. She eould notunderetand the change that had come over the brilliant young. girl who had used to be the life of the house. Every now and then she broke out into wild and feverish gayety. Lillian saw that something was ailed with her sisterâ€" ehe could nqt_tell what. ‘ . ‘ 7,, I, 4“ AL- Ill-Iv wuuâ€" - - -- h For t'. .e fiftieth time that day. when the hall door-bell sounded, Beatrice looked up with .trembling lips she vainly triedto be still. At last Lady Earle took the burning hands in her own. 7 - - » n. “My dear child,” she said, “ you will have‘ a nervous fever if you go on in this way. What makes you Start at every none? You look as though you were wanting for something dreadful to happehi" ‘- Nobone ever callea me nervous,” replied Beatrice, with a smile, controlling herself with an effort; “ mamma‘e chief complaint against me was that I had no nerves ;" adding presently to herself, “This cannot last. I would rather die at once than live in this agony." ' , The weary day came to 301089, however; and it was well for Beatrice that Lord Airlie had not Spent the day with her. The gentlegnen gt Eerleseourâ€"t had all gone 1 ,4 AI) 0...:“ *“V h"â€" -â€" 7 - to a bachelor's dinner. given by old Squire Newton of the Grange. It was late when they returned, and Lord Airlie did not notice anyt_hing unusual in Beatrice. .,13 A_\_- uv‘lvv uu w..- .._ .. _-. “ I call this 3 day wasted." he said, as he bade her good night; “for it has been a day spent. away from you. I thought it would never come to an end." She sighed, remembering what a dreary day it had been to her. Could she live through such another? Half the night she lay awake, wondering if Hugh's anawor to her letter would come by the first post. and whether Lord Earle would say anything if he noticed another letter from Brookfleld. Fortune favored her. In the morning Lord Earle was deeply ingroseed by a story Lionel was telling, and asked Beatrice to open the bag for him. She again saw a hated blue envelope, bearing her own name. When all the other letters were distributed, she slipped hers into the pocket of her dress. without any one perceiving the action. -.v_- Breakfast was over at last ; and. leaving Lord Airlie talking to Lillian, Beatrice hastened to read the letter. None of Hugh's anger was there set down; but. if she had cared for him, her heart must have aehed at the ethos of his simple words. He had renewed her qote, he said uvnv-v. ' --“_ __v-_v â€"-the note so unworthy of herâ€"and hastened to tell her that he was obliged to go to London on some important business connected with his ship, and that he would be absent about three weeks. He would write to her at once on his return; and he should insist upon seeing her then. as well as exact the fulfilment of her romise. It was a respite; much mig’ thappeu in three weeks. She tore the letter into shreds, and feltas though relieved of a deadly. weight. If time could but be ained. she thoughtâ€"if something could ut hap n to urge her marriage with Hubert irlie before Hugh returned! At any rate tor the moment she was free. ~ -_ u. _L-.‘ uuv .wv -_- ._.___ She looked like hereelf again when Lord Airlie came to ask her it she would ride or walk. The beautiful bloom had returned to her face and the light to her eyes. All day she was in brilliant spirits. There was no need now to tremble at e loud ring or arepid step. Three weekewae a. long timeâ€" much might happen. " Oh if Lord Airlie would but force me to marry him soon i" u...- wâ€" That VOIX evening Lord Airlis asked her it she won! go out with him. He wsnwdto talk to her alone. for he was going awn on the marrow, and had_muoh t_o say to uuv luv--"v, â€"â€"â€" _..._ " Where are you gainâ€"é}; "she siid. with and. wondering eyes. her chance of escape sagging rapidly _to (liminish. _ n L- _._12.1 uvvw-uo - urn-u, ........... C ‘1 am going to Lynnton," he re lied, “ to see about plans for the new bnil ings. They should be be flat once. Even if we remain abroad at w ole year they will then be hardly finished. 1 shall be away ten days or a fortnight. When I return Bea- trice. I shall ask you a question. Can you guess what it will be?" There was no answering smile on her face. Perhaps he wonldbe absent three weeks. What chance of escape had she now ? “V" l “I shall ask you when you will fulfil your promise," he continuedâ€"“ when you will let me make you in deed and in word my wife. You must not ‘be cruel to me, Beatrice. I have waited long enough. You will think about. it whilel up gone, will yo_u 1mg?" ' u c ,\ , .A_L-j L8- jAâ€"n‘u_ Wlll Jvu uvvn Lord Earle smiled who noted his dough- ter‘a lace. Ail-lie was going away. 3nd therefore she was dullâ€"that won just on it should be. He ‘woaA fleliglLtoq shot. 9].)! Helena. {.th he bud not thought Battle. capable of mob deep affection. Indy