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*® oy TRA, : CHAPTER XV.--(Cont'd) A sentiment which poor Nancy arself most heartily endorsed, She had only ventured on one remon- strance to Dorothy, but as she saw that the girl had a strong wish that things should be as she had planned she gave way, sacrificing her own feelings and inclinations so that she might tot add another disappoint- ment for Dorothy te bear; it was - sufficient pain to see the change that had come on the girl who had 'given her more than a sister's love, and to know that it was she, and she alone, who had brought that change. There was an erd to all the dear little cozy chats and con- fidences now, .an ead to .all: ; But in all her pain and misery Nancy did not forget a single thing 'that might perchance give pleasure Dorothy, and so she made: no urther protest to the mockery of 'wedding festivities when she saw . the girl had some strong 'wish in the opposite direction to her own. To Bir Humphrey, Nancy rarely spoke now; she could not bear to read the surprise and disappointment on his kind facéd, and know that he, fike all the rest, regarded her as worldly, ungrateful and contemp- tible. "My wedding. day!" murmured Nancy, as she staggered to her fest when the first bright touch of dawn crept into the.sky, "the day that should have been the most beauti- ful of my life, and: is tha most ter- rible 1" : She was faint and weak with long sitting ; her limbs trembled beneath her weight; she half-faltered and fell. --With great difficulty she made her way to the bed, groping for it like a blind creature; and, reach- ing it, she stumbled on to it, and immediately lost consciousness. It might have been a swoon or only a deep, exhausted sleep that | overcame her. Nancy never knew ; but she remained like a log through the early morning hours, and never moved till a voice sounded in her ears and some one brushed back the heavy masses of bair from her hot brow. It was Baines. "Miss Nancy--come, Miss Nancy ~--rouse yourself, my aear. 'I have brought you a cup of coffee; it will do you more good than tea, miss. It's me--Miss Baines; don't look so frightened, my dear." "Poor lamb---poor lamb!" was the hurried thought. in the kind- hearted woman's breast, as she raised the girl tenderly and tried to make her comfortable. She was rieved and alarmed at Nanty's loodless face and weakness; she had thought there was some trou- ble, but she did not guess it was so bad as this. It' was no .ordinary trouble that had left its traces on that bright young face. "What--what time is it; Baines?' ~Naney whispered, an she rested her head against the motherly shoulder. "Ts--is it time?' "To dress, miss! No, it's only just gone: eight; but I had an idea you might like some coffee; miss, and so I brought it early. You've just time for an hour. or &0's quiet "pest; if you want to take it. There, let, me undress you, miss; you don't Bet no proper rest with your clothes on. "'Baines"~Nancy put her small, hot hand on to the woman's -- . "Haines, don't--don't tell-- % Baines understood her plainly; did 'not wish Dorothy to know "had not been to bed all night. ~ "Lor' bless you, miss; in course not; not one shan't know nothin. There, my dear, now lie still; drin the coffee and shut your eyes, ta' have you a-faintin', Nancy clung to the' 'ened hand and burst into Oh, Baines I--dear Baines! No other complaint passed her lips, but Baines knew as well as if 'she had told hor in words that the young girl's heart was broken. "Don't~don't 'miss,"' she said, tears stealing down her own cheeks unconsciously. "It ain't for me to inquire = into your trouble, Miss Nancy ; but I ain't so blind I can't see you've got a grief; but only put your trust in me, miss--I won't fail you, and I'll do all in my power to comfort you and help you, miss. 'Now rest back and lie still. See, I will darken your blind ; you don't need to think of dressing for an- other 'two hours--you don't' take long." Jn a ® Baines stole about softly, arrang- ing and preparing-everything as quietly ag possible; | © § "You don't tell me she's marry- ing 'him for his money; there's something behind all this, or my name ain't Esther Baines," she muttered to herself ; and then, with a 'parting. glance at the girl, lying with white, set face, her breath coming in short, panting sobs from her ~ovetladen breast, she went quietly out of the room and sought Dorothy. Bhe found Miss Leicester out of bed, standing stanag over the sun: lit garden, with & sad, depressed look on her lovely countenance. "Have you been in to Miss Ham- ilton yet, Baines?' she asked, waking with a start from ' hey thoughts. Baines hesitated; she longed to speak of what she had just seen, to have told Dorothy of the evident mental agony poor Nancy was en- during, but something restrained her, she scarcely knew what, save that she felt Nancy wished to keep her sorrow hidden, and from her girl friend more especially. "I have been 'in, but I think I won't 'disturb her just yet, Miss Dorothy." e Dorothy glanced at the woman; her quick perception saw! at once that all was not well with Nancy; and again that curious sensation which had visited her so often dur ing the last few weeks, that Nancy whs sacrificing herself for some mysterious reason, came over her, She made a movement as if to run toward Nancy's room, and then she stopped. "Do you think Miss Hamilton' can see me, Baines?' she' asked, hur- riedly: "Well, Miss Dorothy, 1 am sure she will see you, but"--Baines was busy unfolding the delicate cream- silk bridesmaid's dress destined for Dorothy's wear, and her. face was hidden--*'I think, miss, she will be better left alone." "'Baines,'"" Dorothy checked her- self; she stood lost in deep reflec- tion ; and while Baines wondered to erself when she should best broach the subject of her going with Nancy, and if her young mistress would be annoyed at the »equest, Dorothy's voice broke in on her musing, and, by some strange coincidence, she spoke on this very subject. "Baines," she gaid, slowly, "1 think T should like You to 'accom- pany Miss Hamilton as maid; she.' knows you; and trusts you, and... and I should be happier knowing you were with her; what do you say, Baines?' 2 oi And then Buines explained that she had come there on: Jurpgse to ask this very thing, and that if Miss Dorothy did not mind, she would like to go with Thomas Cx 3 young wife when' she le that Sars Ei & Doro! Ta: maid's