PROBATION:

•Ia TALE OF TUB ;■ ', >: ■LANCASHIRE COTTON FAMINE ; Br MISS JESSIE EOTHBItbILL, ;, I Author of "Hoaloy," »'"'Aldyth," '.'Tho First* -■' Violin,"l etc. ■1"'!"" ! ""'"'" •''•'•"

CHAPTER XV.

"Do so." said Socrates -"here Is room by mo." " On, Jupitor 1" exclaimed Alkiblados, " what I enduro from that man I He tlilnka toisubduo every way." * , ,;., ~ ,**.*; , ■*.:..,**. .j ! In a week from that tirii. the master's face was beginning to be' familiar to his work-; people; and liis .business and its details were beginning to'he a little less strange ''to; him. Whatever ;S_ba'stian' thought, felt/tir! "endured, in the change'so complete'-ahd entire, of habits, custonis, and surroundings —and tlie contrast and the offort to grow, accustomed to it must, have been pretty severe at times—he said nothing—made db-| solutcly no remark, .hut quietly ">vent at1 it " with a cool, calm, comprehensive energy! which amazed Wilson, and the other! socondary officials, and delighted little Mri Sutcliffe. _* •„, *■':.,.., ''■ It seemed as if, from the moment in which the young man had entered the place, work! had walked up to.him, ready to his baud,: ami that hand had grappled with it, and! that head had bent itself to the understanding; of it, without thought, or intention of ever, turning buck until the task were accom plished, His place was ready for him, and he stopped into it. He bad a tenacious memory ; he was rather fond of saying, that' it was the only mental faculty he possessed. He was a very quiet, undemonstrative person—never paraded any likes or dislikes ; j at tho end ot ,a wqek his mother was1 amazed and angry to find that though he had so completely worsted her I on that eventful night when HelenaSpcncc- j ley had dined with them, yet that she did not discover any £'pronounced points of! character iv him—no particular predilections; on which sho could lay hold, as handles byj which to manage him. .This annoyed her excessively ; she puzzled over it, and triedj to find a way out Of it, and was almost, i unknowingly to herself, .nourishing towards: her sou an attitude which was beginning to ! bo one of opposition. !, . Sebastian's retentive memory held,; amongst the other (i<nires with wliich it was peopled, that of Myles 'Heywood in a con- i spicious and prominent place. A most dis tinct impression remained in his mind of I the workman's defiant attitude and words. What Sebastian felt towards the young man j would make too long_ a tale, and involve too much dry psychological analysis, to be here recorded. Mrs Mallory had most truly! told hor son that whether she knew his habits or not, they wore not the habits of; Thaushope business men. Something hap pened just about this time, and Sebastian s j method of treating the matter would proba- j bly have made the hair of a Thaushope j gentleman stand on end, or called forth from; ids tongue emphatically Doric epithets as to the young millowner s sanity and mental! Capacity in genoraU ,'J ■**', ; ; Sebastian never beheld Myle's firmly set lips and sharply-icoiifracting eye-brows' without -wondering whether those strongly marked features wore merely signs of an absolutely crabbed disposition aud bad temper, or whether they were only traits of a. hot temper and quick disposition. He triedm half a dozen ways to find out, but in vain. Myles put oil a silent dignity and ; reserve equal to Sebastian's own, until ' at last pure accident put tlie matter to the ' test.

Some irregularity or. insubordination had occurred in one of the rooms, which Sebas tian had been discussing with Mr Sutcliffe, and the latter had said that someone must be told off on the following day to superin tend that room—someone in authority. The following morning Sebastian, coming down to the works, entered the outer office, and found Wilson and Myles there. "HasMr Sutcliffe, come?" he in quired. "Ye*, sir," said Wilson. "He's in his room." "Did he give any orders about thp boam ing-room?" ~.,. "So, sir. He hasn't mentioned it to me." " Oh ! Well, Heywood, you had better go there and look over them this morning. I can't have them idling about as they have been doing. You Jiad better go at once." With that, and "without waiting for any answer, he stepped forward into tlio inner oiliee, and closed tho door after him. Myles went on with his work for some miuutcs, and then,rose. ... ' "If you go to the beaming-r00m,," obser ved Wilson, '' I must take your place in the warehouse myself, I suppose." '. " I'm not going to, the beaming-room,' was the tranquil reply, ( •.'. ._" Not going 1 But the master " "I'm not a Jaclc:bf;all-trades. I know what my business is,- apd'how it will take mo to do it. It is not [my business to over look the beaming-r00m.," '," . ;*,*,' ',: But Mr Mallory didn't,know tjiat," ~; j " So it appears," said Myles, with a, disa greeable smile. " He'll '_ know it..fb'r tho future. It's all in the way of learning. You can ; find someone r else|/to. overlook tho heathers. I'm off t.9 tlie ;warehouse." ■:.'-,.,' 1 With which he depaitejl, [leaving Wilson aghast. . ,*..';. ~ ~,;/ ,_ , ! *,'., ,-, ~, It was through a nicrQ casual question to Wilson that Sebastian found out, later, what had happened.. Wilson's evident con fusion aroused his (Suspicions'. Dropping his careless tone, he promptly bade the over looker, toll him what had passed. , , , - Wilson stammered put the whole.story, even to Myles's remark,about it "all being iii tlie way of learning,"'and then stood looking miserable, and feeling no loss so, listening for the command, "Send Heywood to me." , , ... But tho command did, not come, ;,and Wilson concluded that tlie dismissal would perhaps bo given through Mr Sptclifle, That it would be given, and that promptly; lie did not doubt, nor was he reassured by the perfect calm and good temper of Mr Mallory'sexpression....... ~-•'.. Several days passed,' and still Myles Hey wood, without let or hindrance, pursued Ids usual avocations, undisturbed; and still Mr Mallory, calm and good tempered 193, ever, continued to iearn away at his. busi ness; and still he made no remark upon the act of flagrant insubordination which had taken place. ... , ~',": .!,,..,, .', .' Saturdayxaniq some three days'after the occurrence just described.' It was late in the afternoon, and work had been over for an hour aud a half, biit the mill was not yet closed, for Mr Mallory and Mr Sutcliffe wore in the inner office, in consultation, and Ben, the office hoy, stood lounging outside, wishing that his superiors would bring their parley to an end and let him look up nnd get home to his holiday. Within, at that moment, there ensued a little : pause, and Sebastian rose, looking thoughtful, and leaning against the mantel-, piece. Presently he, said :, , "Well, I suppose there'is nothing else for it; we had better put up the half-time notice tins afternoon." - "-'"~r " Yes. There is nothing else 'for it;" echoed Mr Sutcliffe. J ",It will be no time a tall in a few weeks;, .We, Can't hold out much longer." ".b-i-jilm:/. Vi, 1> :■■>- J

All!' said Sebastian, and again seemed to fall into a train of thought until lie said : ""dtwonder how it will-nil find. WhVis thcrogii this life of yours;.'Mr Sutclififo, tliat givos'it its interest. I feel more as if.l w|ro really now than I ever did: Defore,- The coftton trade is oii its last\ logs, for/a tipie; arid a young man who dislikes me hss bohavedwith insubordination dnd inipefe tiiience;,and yet;?though there Is nolfc)iinE intrinsically interesting iir those fact-J and no. connection between them,,! feel intensely. ihfe.este'd'in" both." ~~~ " You will excuse me saying ij, MF Mjal-; lory, but it is not discipline to have Mlowed Heywobd-to remain a single day in your employfrieht after his openly disobeying an orderiof yours..' It goes very much against my-ijudgment.",.'- ■■ '.•■■•'.■'■....•*, '.".' . ii i- ■■ 1 "T know it is neither business nor diseip-j line," said Sebastian] ("apologetically; "but yOu'ttm .t allow m<i; a'little tether' now arid' then, 'till I am ' more used to run in harness! in thi. way. lam trying an experiment in regard to: that young man. » It is a delight-! fill diversion from business. How long has' lie heeir here, didyousay?" ''■■ ,';..:: -"Fifteen years, and his sister oleven. Except in the strike, four ycars.sigo.i.thoy lia ye liever missed a day." -•,.,•' i' "Exactly. It would decidedly'displease ,riio—it would1 humiliate me to think thata^ man wh6 had amicably worked 'fifteen' yoara during my absence should have to—hook it Within a fortnight after my arrival. Bosides, lie is unusually intelligent, and an admirable workman." ' | " Ay, lib is. Hecduld direct and manage, if ever ho got a rise in life. Ho*has a head: on his shoulders as good as anyone' else's,: butjtliat temper of his willbe theruin of himi'j "I don't know about that," saidSebas-1 tian reflectively, as if discoursing -with him self . '' That temper of his—l should dearly; like to subdue it." ' ■■.'■■'■_ ':" | "I begyour pardon 1" said Mr Sufcliffe, to whom this was so much Sanscrit. ■•'■■■ Sebastian looked up with a smilo. "Leave me my own way in this ttiatter, Mr Sutcliffei I promise that, if things do not titrit out ns I oxpoct, I will dismiss Hey wood on Monday." At this moment Ben put his head in at the door, and remarked; ■ ''' " Please, sir, there's your carriage, and the young gentleman in it, a-come for you; and Hey wood, ho wants to know it he can speak to you." ""•■:''' "\ "', " Show him in hero, and tell the gentle man, I will .join him in a few minutes. Ben disappeared. Mr Sutcliff'e rose. "I'll leavo you alone with your rebel, Mr Mallory. I' shall be curious to know whether helms come to beg pardon or to give notice." ' ~*■','., " Por my part," said Sebastian, " I have no more idea which he will do than an owl in the.parish church tower." Mr Suteliffe laughed, and went away, and a moment afterwards Myles Heywood entered tlie office. Sebastian, still leaning up against the mantelpiece, looked at him, and could read nothing from his expres sion!. He felt that he did not know the man, anil he also felt an inexplicable anxiety that the man should not say he was going to leave his service. i "Good aftonioon," said he courteously ; ," you wish to speak to me ?" Myles had tatcen offhis cap, a sigii wliich Sebastian,noted instantly. ," Yes," said he slowly, but not ungra ciously. ; " You gave me an order the other day, lyhich I took no notice of, and I spoke of you'as I might not have done. lam sorry that I did so, and I beg your pardon." Sebastian had watched him intently, and with keen interest. Ho saw that Myles had strung himself up to say the words from a sheer sense of what was right and fitting, and from honest conviction that he had done wrong; not from any sudden leaning towards him, Sebastian. Aud he saw that the anxiety and tho uneasiness followed, not preceded,,the words. He saw that Myles laid great importance upon tho, manner in wliich his words were taken. "It is granted freely," said Mallory. " I felt sure that you were too manly not to do this, i You have felt that I had no wish to be.capricious, or put you to work that was not yoursiiwhen I gave you that ordor?" "Yes, I have thought it over, and felt that that was the case. ".",',' j; " Yoiihp-e. worked here fif teenyears, and it would have troubled me, very much if you had, from any reason, been obliged to leave me as soon', as I got here.",',' , :., V ,Myles looked up surprised, bnt as Sebas tian plainly, saw, with a flush' of self reproach. It had not entered into his calcu lations,, that Sebastian could possibly take any iute'rest in him or his. Tlie latter on,: '_ ,',', ~,', *"* - ' ,','." ~,,:',-..,. '•" "Tom. now to my work; yoii must, re-

member that, Another time, don'tiet a, mis take go so near costing you your'place and mo my bc't workman. ..,.,, Myles'iace flushed. , :;■ .*'.'■'. ' ,\.,Y r j " I .'will 'certainly bear it in mind, "'said h0.,, ','Ji have a hasty temper) and it leads me astray often,,l know." '.'' '~,':; .' v "And .'you do not like hie," said Sebas tian,: looking'steadily at hiih. r '.. ■ Myles'.eyes were also fixed upon his. ', I " I have not liked you," lie said: ",I ; shouldtellra liojif I said even'now, 'thatVl lUked| you.'hflt 1 respect you. I sliallres-l | pebt you from,' this' day, and I don'|'.think | yo'fi will ever, ,have to complain, either of dis-, irespect pr disobedience from pie, agidnw'''!,.';( ; ,'^-Von liaye .relieved, niy ..piinji^^yefy i mu<si., lifijh gladVwe have had.ttyis expld ri'atioh. If does you credit?' " ".,!,;,,'.?: j .ff'^ie credit, is not all with,me",", paid! I Myle^.'hasfily,. '.with' a • rising^colqur^' and,ar ! conscious look, which Sebastiah!'remq,'r^d,' "Iliad 3pme advice from someone, 1 that ifm^iediijoff.' ' I,must go now.' Gobdaffer nbon,"/ \.' '," Z ... '..,," '' h '~;';, r'','/',. .''.Good, afternoon," answered Sebastian, j who would' have prolonged the, conversation if lip cpjdd ,. but Myles departed, and Sebas jtian'followed'fciiin out Of the office.'. ." >• | Standing just without was' Sebastian'^ jphaeton, with Hugo holding the reins and jcarrying on a conversation with Ben, at the isametiine.,,; Sebastian heard the jwqrds';I.''' i "Ay, an'his hiotlicr.nevergoto'erif, hoej :didn't. It,were.main stupid o' SollyVyhit taker, to say what hoo did——-" Zii'i '. lien stopped abruptly and grow very red iii the face, as Sebastian tapped,,liihi'bn ( tlip shoulder, inquiring, as he climbed' into, his

plape,: ~,'" *.. ~,' 'j. * .*• j-'.WljiUt was so.stupid?" ;;' ', , '..','■ j '"Go on," Said Hugo to the boy., '.' He's telling ijap.abotiti ahoy that ho,knew, ,yho was kill-data factory. Go on.". What did S/illy Whittdker say ." ' ,] .'.,:, :* t . ~,./.

| .";,Well, it werei'this way, yo seen., [tit were at i Ormerod's works as th' lad . were

killed, and Ormerod came round just as they. Were takin' th' body away on a shut-: ter; andhe says,. 'Now,, then, where are

boun!?', he says. . And they tould him they were for takkin' him to his mother,, and they doubted* it would kill her too, forhoo were.

main*,fond on, him. ' Eh, what?'he says," 'Yo munnot-do so.. Yo mun one pn yogo afore,,, and warn her—prepare, her like, a bit.';he;says. *', Let one o' these 'ere wenches go on afore.' So Sally Whittaker, hop,knew his mother,, and hoo said hood go and tell her, and hoo went on afore' Eh, bi th' mass,: but hoo isagradelyfoo', is SallyJWhittaker I Andjhpo: walks into Emma's kitchen,,and

says, straight out, hoo says, 'Eh; Ernmer, but troubles is never to seech,', hoo, .says, 'Your.:* Johnny's killed as., dead. ,■ as a Stoan,!',"!. ■■,*■;*: *• r -!!,'.** i.i *• ~

I V,WYhat did.the poor 'woman do?" iasked with interest, ;; ... ;V / __>}[ ,*,..,,

" Eh, boo just dropped th' fryin'pan, and hoo gave a screech ye mowt a yeare down 'tto thf owl! Hall, Ijid then"hob. begalnTff Iry, and then they bfowt hiM whodm. Muri. aHockiip, _?, now? ?:"Havesybu finished?" W " Yes, said: Sebastian, with a ': |$ nod. "iiock up, and go home. you've not\<had mudJh~of a holiday this afternoon."'pj || \ '-, \ * m "JBless you) sir, it's no soart, of conse-; ' .qufirce," said-Ben, with a gratified look'at mj._ niark ___ of at^tiojy_andJ^r^redjtp. -loclc -upflgain.-" — •—— *~ —'-- "™"~ — ■: /'Will you drive 2". asked j Hugo, when tlieyVere'alone/- / -'- !sl v v ' tVx/i *" No-; I-il-let you drive on; if you-will. And, stay I What do you say to a drive in ;the country hefoi'e dinner? It will be day-! light for a'lohjg tijne yet. H there. is any conritry about* ,h6re !;' he added,1 with a disparaging look around. ,'.' ~,,.' -, j '"Oh, lots' ; ! ,'■_._ While' you have been so in-; dustnously grubbing away at those figures,; and showing'-iie quite a new phase in your character, I have teen' exploring the inte rior.' I know of four separate and distinct routes to the country. Certainly it is rather stony when one does get there ; but it is country, all the sarile. Will you go, north, south, east; or'weat?" ~"'"', ' ; "Hprrah for the north !" said Sebastian drily.' "Turn the horses',heads towards Yorkshire, "ifi&in Hugoi" ' .' ,/:, '. : •Hugo complied. " Very soon they 'we're rattling through the mainstreet. Hugo's at tention was taken up with the guidingof his cattle. Sebastian leaned back, a little wearily, and was long • silent until ithey had left the town behind them—left I the dirty straggling suburb called Bridgchouse, and passed through the neighbouring * manufacturing village, of Hamerton,with its stately houses of gentry millowners, andwere'outupona wide, open road, driving past a* solemn old house called Stanlaw, deeply sunk in the trees. Beyond that, the purple moors-spread before them, rising every moment higher and nearer. Tho sky was pure, the air sweet. As if with a. sudden imuplse, they both turned and looked behind theni;: :'A heavy cldud of smoke showed where Thaushope lay below, in thc'distancbi: '' n ii ' ■ ": ■■ I

Hugo shrugged his shoulders. ', j "Comfortyourself,"-saidSebastian. " It won't be there long. Soon we shall see what Thanshopo looks like without smoke." ■ ' / : . /■■_.■!

They drove quickly on in the sharp,' delicious October afternoon air, along the upland road. The heather sprang from thfi very road-side, and rich,' mellow, purple,! brown, and crimson; the moors spread them-i selves around, under the pale chiill blue ofthe cloudless sky. The peculiar' scent of the ling and wild heather rose like a pastoral incense around them ; far away glittered the sinuous lightof a canal, and a silvery pond or two. The crack ot a gun broke the stillness once or twice. i

"Did I not tell you I would bring you' out into tho country?" said Hugo. ■! "You always manage to keep yourj promises somehow." (They were speaking German now.) "How goes the music under these changed conditions, Hugo?" '•' \ ■The lad' Smiled his odd smile, andi Said: -: ■ "'•■■■ '<■-•;• .-.-■- i

" The more prosaic the surroundings,' the more need one has' of something like music to brighten them. Don't you think! so?"'-** *.•*-.-'.. i- •*,.--■. (

" Just. so. I only asked because I have not noticed you practising ; and as for sitting down'and listening to you—why, the last time I did that was when Miss Spenceley was at the Oakehrod."

_ " You have been so busy. I have prac tised hard enough, only your mind was taken up with other things." "Ah, with things less artistic than the sonatas of Beethoven. But not more earnest and woman-like. Do you know, I like this Thanshope. There is something real in the life these people lead." •'There is so 1 And in the things they: say, and the way they remind you of your duties. There is a fellow lam very curious to know something more about. Do jou remember that brusque individual who confronted us the first time we drove to the office?" ' ' "Perfectly well. Do you never see him?"

I "Oh, daily. I have just had another shindy with him. He piques me excessive ly. Every time I see the fellow, with his handsome face and defiant eyes— he lias a pair of eyes—l feel as if I mint stop and question him upon his thoughts and feel ings. It is a most insane idea, and I know it makes him exceedingly, angry ■; but it ife so, all the same. What is that air you are humming, Hugo;'?"' Hugo held tlie reins loosely between his fingers, while the,horses climbed slowly up j the hill; he hummed to himself the half

melancholy air of the German Volkslied, Dei- Verschniahete ; and Sebastian listened attentively with a half smile. "Aren't you tired, Hugo? Let: me take thereins." ' : ' .' • • "As you _'will," said Hugo, changing places'with him,'and they turned homewards again. ■ '' •','".■' • '■'■, ' •■:■ " "Do you remember when we last hoard Dei- Vei-schmaliete ? asked Hugo,'smiling to hitnselfi'""'''"■'''"'" . ''■ ■'■'■■ <''' "■"P erfectly," .aid Sebastian' concisely.. " Corona Mlill.r sang it and "■—■' ' ''■■'■ _; '" There was instfumenalmusic too," put irt'Hugo; .he of Liszt's Hungarian BhapJ sndies-i-ay;hy !"aWdiit"WaS a Rhapsody tod ! How splendidly she playedit? It would' have delighted Lis?t lum.elf.' Do :j**oh re niembor, the end?" :" 'S ' ' '■' <■■■-' ■ •" Yes',; yes 1 Unpo'copesiinte :'.'": said Se- I bastian, who listened ' attentively to the re miniscences,': hilt voltititefeied' no remark ! upon the'subject.. '"■', " ' :'■!:;. i'.j I They were now again ift Thanshope,' and [the1 dusk was; beginning to'fall, though it ! wasstill farfrom darkJ"!There had bebn'a' | [silence:' -Nov.; as! t]i'ey turned into the- ' i main 'street, Hugo; suddenly taking' cod- j | rage, looked into his companion's face, and i said:" ".'" -';' '*'* -*.■:■•;';..: :

i' " Sebd-tian, do you know where she went' I with her father, frbhi;Wbt_lar?" ' ' i " No. IhaVO seen nothing and; heard" inothing of her since then." :. ■ "•'•'• '-«•' | " But you have inquired ?" ' '"-'" ' ••' "i: j " Inquired—naturally. But—ah, there's' jmy handsome young democrat.' Just take a' good look at; him. Hugo—quick.! (before be turns off—do you .hear ? What 1 jlmpossible !" '-,''■. *. '• | Hugo had touched his iirm, so that his! 'attention was 'diverted from the figure" of jMyles Heywood, who was in the act, of turning off' down a side street, and directed . toward that of a young lady going straight 'down the main street, and whom they were now in the act of passiug. ilt was nothing remarkable for an expres sion of lively excitement, pleasurable or otherwise, to be seen upon Hugo's face, but such a look upon Sebastian Mallory's coun tenance was a rare visitor; and it painted itself there at this moment, as his. eye fast tened upon the slight figure of the girl, who was pursuing her way, looking neither to the right nor left of her. Would she see them? Would she turn? No—yes—no. The drag was just past her, when she casually raised, her eyes, and glanced to wards the road ; and then into her face, too leapt the same startled look—the same sur prise and vivid emotion of some kind, as that which already brigntened Sebastian's. She made,a. visible, pause, as her eyes fell upon the occupants; pf the drag.' Both hats were lifted, two deepibows, were made at theisame [

moment; four earnest eyes looked eagerly into her face. With a sudden, quick, warm "flush, "she rejurned'tlic how of ''.the young jneri, and then they had driven on and left her behind them-.-; *. ffi\ I i-is P Th6y were almost at home now," close to ithe Oakenrod. No word was _pokon;.nntil, as they sprang out of the carriage, their oyesniet, Htigos fall of inquiry, «ebastiari*s of* da trouble and.excitement strange tp tnom. '''■■* —.'■''* - -" 5i.,..__.,. \ /'{ „, "AHO.!.? 11. g\a&Ji AsKed tlielioy^in a low voice!-as "".liey" hung-up 'theirdiatts-in-fhiß" .^e?tibulp; 5- a "'•"•my, mem Bestei —time alone can tell me that. I know- no more thanyou.- ::But here—how did she.come here ." ' L i\X\ ) -.. :*. __ '•;. iJ. 'A 1-*. :\ ;

CHAETEKXVI.

" Mais pourguolpour ces gens un interest si I Krand^'* , , * - v; *.* Onk evening—it was" Sunday, the day after that drive into the country—Sebastian Mai J lory strolled into the drawing room where his mother sat, and glancing round, seated himself without speaking at the piano, on which he'struck some aimless chords, which presently developed into d coherent harmony in 'a, _tyfq. unpoco pescmte. He played the first' bars or Liszt's second ".Rhapsodic Hongfbise,":and then paused, .' "", , '"" "What is that thumping thing?" inquired Mi"? Mallory,1 whose many mental superiori ties did notjinclude the understanding of the artof music; '.;■' ",; ' • ' : "This ' thuinping thing,' as you so justly term it, is a ' Hungarian Khapsody,' by that Thor the Hammerer of pianoforte music, Franz Liszt." !v': , " j " I am as wise as I was before;" : " Nimporte ! Where is ' Hugo,' T wonder ?" ;• ' , ; .No reply. :I ">",, ''! ''" You have' not seen hini ?" "Si saw him leave the garden about an hour ago." ','" ', "' ' '" ' 1 "Gone out for a walk, I suppose. lam glad he can find anywhere to go to." -'_''. Sebastian, may I ask how long a visit tliat boy is to pay here ?" ; " iy l: I "Visit!" said Sebastian, turning foiihd oh the hiiisic stool in some surprise. •' Why, Hugo lives with me. I thought1 you knew." ■ ■''■■; . ■'' Mrs Mallory lowered her favourite weapon tliefeathery screen. "*':, '"' -' ! '"Lives with you. What' will you say?" ! . ' . [s -■"""•-'• | "I can but repeat my previous statement!, He- is .my ward—you do knoW'that, mother—but then we drop that connection a# much as possible. I suppose we are more like brothers than anything else.", "',"';, " You are the guardian of his property then? He is a'von.' Is he o"f noble family?";I;';'' ' ';'"' ''■'.'" \ "Two questions. He is of noble family; Yon Birkenaujs a good old name, and he is theJast' oi lifs'race'. As for property, he has. none—npta scrpp." „ *, ; ; , ""How came you to be his guardian ?, It was very extraordinary—so young, a man as you. Hadhisfamily, or whoever left him to you, any, claims upon you ?".,".-'. ~ : ."It was his mother who left Mm tome, hecause I asked her to. She had no claim upon me in the legal sense of the word; only the claim of having been, my great friend,! and .the source, of inestimable benefit to. me. Paula yon Birkenau was a woman in a thou*. sand, beautiful, good, and gifted, and I am sorry to say, very unhappy.' f Mrs, Maliory, watching her son's faeej thought how odd it was that he should have such queer, out-of-the-way ideas and tastes. What could there be in this memory of an impecunious German countess to, bring that snide to his lips, and that light of subdued enthusiasm to his eyes? . .V..V •'lf her son has no property, how did she manage to live." .: " Sho was penniless when she married, I and her husband's family had been a declin ing one for generations. When he died she was left without a stick or stone of land or house, and not a penny of fortune. She retired into a St&t— an institution, you know, for poor ladies of noble family.; There are many like it in Germany. -She,' procured admittance for her son into a place of the same kind—a school,,where he : was' hard worked, and ill fed, and quite unable to pursue the real. bent, of, liis talent for music.: I made the acquaintance of Frau von.Birkenau six years,ago. I.could not describe her; she was a beautiful soul;.she did more ;for me than anyone I had; ever known. I She.italked to, me a great deal about her boy. I went ,to see him, I liked him; and I told her so. ■ i She asked me if I

would.think of him' sometimes, and perhaps, pay him an occasional visit, when she should; be dead. .She,suffered from a* painful com-! plaint,, and bore her sufferings like a heroine., I, said, the best and shortest way would: be; for her,; to make a will,^appointing me. herj son's, guardian, when I. should, have full: authority over him. This she did, about!

four years :ago, and very shortly afterwards, shedied. On my signing* document to thej purport, that henceforth I undertook the; duties of apareht to him, the authorities of tho i school permitted iine to remove Hugo, to; his, and 'my, great* satisfaction. Since then' heVhas been my companion ■in all.my^ ramblings; i and, though I* don't: I wish.to' sonncLmy own.praises, I must say,he looks a ;different fellow; altogether from the white-! faced; .pincheddooking,.lad whom I: took! away with,,me,' overwhelmed; with grief Vat his raother'sdeath.l', I tuii *-~ , ,i:*, hivh - _iV.In-d.ed!",• observed.Mrs' Mallory;-ih cold tortes of intense though repressed.exas-: pbration.,.,, ■", lt!' sound_«like: ■,&■; page; -.*of romance. If my opinion were;asked,;,l should say I could hardly tell whether he or you'sfood iho'stih! the need of a guardian spn^e;,pn(?.,tp control yqu... You have encumbered ... yourself,■ yrith . hia i i entire

maintenance,?,',, He is,ft, pensioner on- your bounty?" j . • ..... i ,-'. :,,,, ~,;.;*,.....,, ■i,Sebastian shook, his head. Leaning,his qlb-qv, upon, the, top of i the piano heremarkr Od,: . ,i;r • ,:-,,.;, * i •;*..* , ; :

~"There: is.noquestion of 'encumbrance.' 'I, Ipve the lad, I delight to see him grow? iinghappigr every day,.iand to "know.that his powers are expanding in dhe direction best1 suited to them.. It is;not, .everyone j who can secure: the. pleasure of enabling an j artistic nature to grow and develop in aeon-; ; genial, soil. As to.his being i a;*' pensioner ;oh.my bounty'-T-excuso me; mother^ I mean :no disrespect. ■ when I say that I dislike that i expression intensely. If you had not used those .words I should not have. mentioned

ithat.Hugo knows hothingof all this.!,,-rll |he knows,is that Lam his,guardian, i; Xlet jhim :live under, the impression that I guard hot. I only himself, but , his property; and that impression, must not be disturbed*.. I ■will not have, Ms happiness* embittered just, •when he should,be able to throw aside all

care, for everything except his studies.- He is intensely sensitive. I never approach the. subject -with him—you understand ?'f ,-,,:.., "I suppose I do.. But I consider it the most amazing piece, of folly I ever heard of.: How do you know .what he mayiturn.out ?.'•' , * "How, indeedj? Atieastrhe will have.

had every inducement to turn out well; and unless I,am much, mistaken, he will do so.

It is not only his name and his lineage that are noble." ',■*:, v. * ,

"I thought you were, a Radical 1" obser ved Mrs Mallory. /. , ;:■

" My dear mother 1", *. .., * : ,*, -,*, **, , ■* ; ! Frau yon Birkenau must have been a clever woman—too clever for you, at anyrate." . ' , ; ..,.;• .*,*, ~,*,, ... ~.

---," Please don't say •anything against her: I would .as,soon*say anything against you its, against :bet."-.fmL Sebastian.calmly.:; and

his mother, meeting his eyes, found herself blushing for'herown meanness. SuchsiZ of sensibility ■ are -offeh'rcckpfied, hop^ V'ls'hfe to be always here?"! she^aske qmckly, to cover her 'confusion.' M "I don't know. \Hc wUI. pleaseMmself At present England is newto hiSf HeW enjoy it, or* study it,\ until he g_ts tirJK it l.andthen I expect, he will %pM German-musicalco^ertiato^ &\ ud yE af*,%,,?leases. . I,,shall give him Ts choice;" ~ '■'■_.:. —'-T,°;^?"~ "S^Jr* " Hhmuh !" said Mrs MaUoi^rittTit, descnbable significance of tone. -;" But I repeat he is never-to-betold of his position. I shall explain it.all to him myself when circumstances. makeit'deshZ ble And I think you will gettO Mltim mother. Ho is.the best-hearted fellow an<s perfectly adores thos. who are'kihd'td Mn He is a perfectchildm some ways "'- "~ chUd^en™'*^ y°Ung men' !wi° "e'^e t_^n2i_saoi^i^^t - Mrs Mallory Jsat- pu'__ling."aii Et ilv"'oJ er the character which Sally baffled^ S .completely; „ ita traits ,icomingtt6r?in. volved, ,emgmatic_l-n'ay, to'^hlr,'SS. She considered this freak of his.ito dispW an eccentricity, not short of insanity, but strangely enough she did not'dare to tell him so. Did he care for lanyone I.'- -Wash* so devoted to this lad, whom she disliked for his fantastic; unconventional MMts 'ahd speech, and whom she could regard with contemptuous pity, as he sat, the mornine long, at the piano, absorbed,' 'With r'_^is__kl tossmgsof the head, and,quaint; absent minded wavings of the hands, and contor tions of the body?' Or ."wail^he"bhlfidb stmate to have his own way, an_ provoke her, liismother ?■*,::, ,-; *r/*T,Ty " T Atthis moment the door waabpened,- lid Hugo entered, followed by the butler with tea.,, •" ..... ' , ;*• | "'.'; ' 'i.'.iUlii T Mrs Mallory was tod much annoyed to linger over that refreshment. -A Sheidftmk [ it quickly, and went to her i'vW.ing-tif-le | where she.turned over the papers, vexedly the while to the talk; betweenl fee bastian and Hugo—talk in which^he.had no sort of share—about music, and foreim friends, and foreign countries f ahd iske heard Hugo express his rejoicing thai, at last he could have ah hour oft. Sebastian's company, and she heard Sebastian .answer that he was glad too, for that he missed his companion. And she knew that the tone was one of genuine affection; that Mr Mai lory of the Oakenrod, was pereverso enough to pin his affections rather upon an eccentric, penniless German lad, thantomake acqu&ih tancfes which would be to his advantage; that her chance remark about the cleverness of the late Erau Yon Birkenauhadbeenin vulgar parlance "a bad shot" very bad one indeed, and that she had not increased her own influence by making it. ! '.'-','!>'; The laughs and chaff of Hugo anclSebas tian became intolerable,' as forming a run ning accompaniment to reflections, of this nature. She made another shot this time unconsciously; and this time she". hit her mark, also.,unconsciously. Bitidng'up! a note which lay upon her table, she suddenly interrupted the conversation;: t ,_ - r ~ * "Sebastian, here is anote-rltinustgdto you now, I suppose. I have nothing more to do with these affairs." ■■■'~-' . ..:'"., . He looked up; rose and went to fetch it; smiled as he took it; but she would not see'either smile or look. ,',*',* ~*•-, V "Itis from Mrßlisset," she remarked, j apparently busily arranging her: I papers. "Something about repairs. I cannot imagine what he wants doing,,. I am sure." ■' ''■/ ''• ';-' "■'-"-'-

Sebastian and Hugo exchanged glances. " Mrßlisset—who may he be ?" inquired Sebastian. "Yourtenant. He lives at Stonegate, r that place up at the other end of the town, "which your great-grandfather' built, 'and which has always been' a greit deal' more trouble than profit;": "'*>!"' '■■ ■ .'■ -i J <■■:.. • ~„ * " Howlonghas this* Mr Blisset been its teriant?"' •:: •■■'* ■ .■-■.-...", -,*,, :,;--,,-;■:: ■ " I'm sure I dont know. .Eight or;.nine years, Ithink." *~- ,s. -.■■. ■~:■_,-. „„! - l :„._ ..

"Do you know anything, about t>himr-r ---who he as, or where he Comes from ?" -

; "No. He is an invalid—paralysed:—a most crotchety, tiresome person."..,; ~ "AJh 1, Let me see whathe says.',' ~-,,,,,.; He opened the note, and Ids face' changed as he, saw the handwriting. It had been addressed tb'Mrs Mallory, as had probably ' all other communications ■on ,the subject. The hand was small, compact, and charac •teristic—the matter was business-like! *■. j, ~!' Mr Blisset presents his compliments" to Mrs Mallory, and begs ,to inform, her that the outside of his house stands' in heed of some repairs before the winter seta in. If Mrs Mallory will have the kindness to send her agent, of .the; j. oritpeople > she usually employs, to inspect the house, Mr Blisset will feel extremely bbliged1 to her." Sebastian, without comment, handed the note to Hugo, who read it with a smile,?ana. an excited expression,, which-.caused, Mrs Mallory, to, set him dowp ; in-her mind-as a lunatic. " '" "

_ " l;will"have it -seen to,!i;was" all Sebas tian said, carefully putting the document into a small letter case,

"I should send' MitcSell'to make ah estimate : he wiU doit as cheaply as any one,'" observed Mrs'Mallory. io il ~i f" "Yes; it shall be attended to r " repeated her son. i "Now, HtigO, sit.dowmto lthat piano,' _and play something—something right .lively' and soul-stirring, i you 'wifl understand."' '" ' " '.'!';'::,,:"..';'■'.,'..,.' . " I think I do,"said Hugo, smiling in an uncanny manner as he placed himself at s he piano, and straightway burst into a trium phal march. "i :i~ !■ s s'l i U .:. X Hn rp "• .::"■ r> ,r'i:.v.:>.";-M:,>V_, •- JL Later, when Hugo and! Sebayiian were alone, the^fprmer said :_■' ■_ :• -1 /. u;i/. n *'I "Now you cangpand,call, Sebastian." j " Heaven; forbid,! ..Ihaye not s flie deasfc right to do so." __— "But' yohwould'Hke to. <'''Make:(i-\vay. Make that note about the -repairs -an ex* cuse.i Call upon .Mr, Blisset, j andj.find/, out what sort of anold.m^n heis.,'' ■~ , n ?j^ | Sebastian said nothing, arid the. subject , dropped;':'' "' ':"' .'ra'';;'*""' /•""«>» <

Thenext day;; as they sat: in Sebastian's j study, and he cut the-leaves of a review, he remarked:-,",'.!,. - _-'>._;(!.>>,!*• i.i .r'-.5.:.) " I had a cbnversationWith;;Myles Hey wood torday." - - — f'Therevolutionary weaver?" . f .* : « "He is no weaver, ignoramus.., He is a isort bf head man, but .bey call hiiha'cu. looker." ~!;::: <~,*■■■'. ..mail . f.iAtAHtt I "Ahowmuch?" . ~,,);,;'. j "A cut-looker. Your education, like I mine, has been neglected. ■ But ,1 Jtuow now what a cut-looker is, Myles Heywood is one. -He earns forty shillings a week;; It iexercises the brains and the' observation,*' land they have time for reading and think-" ing, too; Myles Heywood.reads.' He-hal read Buckle's " History of Civilization.' 'Li.. " Indeed 1", said Hugo sitting, with his head upon one side, looking like an intelli-^ igent dog. " That does not raise my opinion of him. It is a book I hate.", ; \ -. ,'i ..j ---: "He has read most of the works bf John Stuart Mill." *;- • • ... :* .'•*•. -■'-_

"I amglad I don't know him so Wellas you do." " "'_)i.lluyivisi,

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, OCTOBER 1, 1881

2