LILLIS; OR, THE Mystery of Langdon Abbey.

MISS SAHAII PARR.

CUAI'TER V.

ULLIS'S MKA.NIMS.

,nais daughter, you mud come down! ' HRobert.or rather tho earl, poor, broken tcJ boy ! insista on scoing y°U- K°" iiJler our poverty, child! Remember nimble it is that I should retain my IlJlV"'licrativo position! Don't offend I f i Robert, dear! ,j , j le lros3 spoke in works of honeyod oWsty, but there was command in every

yilis obeyed the command. rO , O silently from tho couch on which .j,ld been lying, and going to the glass, to smooth her milled hnir. 1 hM been said, she was a beautiful girl, b iuflt now as colourless as tho snowy ■Jabout the throat of her black dress. '^o waa a sleuder graceful creaturo, just 1 eventeen, with petito form, lovely hair and eye 9, and a skin of lily-like

" nJilelrw. watched hor with pardon ■Aa and also a certain subdued ex a. at that seemed unwarranted by the

beautiful and charming girl, tho % of a late marriage with a needy onlj i'"11, hac i centred all the lovo sho tar v feel, and all tho ambition of her dia.

f ilwtiy ib was of Lillis she most Ua hqXn hor husbands death had 10^ ha distant relative, Lord Langdon, 'f See with an invitation to pro '/jover his house at a handsome quarterly

"''rthreo years she had dono so. But Jiddelrl was dead. What was to

worried her, even while it drilled nor ambitious sou. r w the worry she cried impatiently : Ke Lillfe. come ! Lord Robert will devour trifling dishabille, knowing the bring her pale faca from the "lass and ad-

U\2 ?Melross looked at her critically a momenVand then led the way downstairs. Tmn»F«' did tho tW° resemble each

% emaciated, and stately, with grey t irinHed skin, thin, hard faco, and 3y light eyes, Lady Melross looked as 2; be mother of the beautiful, fairy-like S a' her sido a3 il WM P°9Slbl° t0

"Bwacterthey woro no less dissimilar. The mother's hardness waa truthfully Hraictedon her face, whilo tho daughter's «L tender though spirited nature shone oat from every glaneo of her lovely, dark-

Atlhe foot of tho stairs Lilllis suddenly ''Siiig up at her mother, she askod, in naiek tnutUed tones: "Where ia he? Not there ? a shudder in, wture indicating the library. "I (nY( meet him thero ! I never can meet him Here! Never! never!;' "As if he would wish to go thore ! re joined Lady Melross, a trillojmpatierotly. "Hei* in the morning room." She moved on, and opened tho morning rcoradoor. Young Hood, who had been sitting with lis gazi"1 eagerly fastened upon it, started up and hurried to Lillis, with outstretchod

band. , . „ "JiyiivootLillis! my poor, dear cousin !" la cried. "You are, indoed, looking ill! Oh, would to Hoaven I could havo sjared pthis,little one!" H« black eyes flamed passionately upon l>r pallid, downcast faco. His hand liost touched hers, Lwiy Molross, pausing in the doorway rita watchful gnze, smiled slightly, and iwilasly retired. Hi! worry *aa gono. Her ambitious kul celled high. "My Lady Langdon !" sho said to hcr u!f »

But LUUs, whoivas each momont grow m pulev and paler, had not touched the psk outstretched in auch eager haste. A< her drooping eyes rested on the short, thick liters, a sudden tremor passed ovor her irame, and the handkerchief sho held k\\ to the floor.

Will a quick movement, that defeated Hoboit'a purpose, sho caught it up, and walked hurriedly to an easy-chair, saying, faint!y, asfhe rested her hand on its arm : "Yon hare been found at last, Lord

A« she spoke the word?, sho looked at him »the first time.

"Yes, Lillis; but for Heaven's sake fit own; you are perfectly ghastly.'' . Ha attempted to take her by tho arm and it her into the chair.

iho (bank back. Sho cried, involunta-

"Don'ttouch me!" The white horror in hor face, tho loathing btror in her voice, struck him dumb. His features, pale and haggard already, teimeas ghastly as hor own. Helaahed a lightning glance inthosup paei direction of Lady Melross, and then, tadin? they wore alone, said, with forced quietude; "What do you mean, Lillis ? Why soil!not touch you ? Has ti.e shock of ay poor lather's terriblo death turned your Wa, child, or have you sustained a serious oiwy at the dastardly asa^sin's hands'; 111 London 13 ringiug with your noble Wage; but your mother tells mo you 'ft rough treatment -that tho mon3tcr—" , "His broke upon him. The same white Mtrar in her face, the same loathing horror «r voice, ehe said, hoarsely: "'Thou art the mini"' Robert fell batk before the slender, lifted U88» Then ha partially recovered himself. What, i n Heaven's name, do you *«!'> gasped. ftogirl's tremblh.e finger dropped ; her * dropped. "That you, Lord Robert, aro your •«ta 3 assassin!"

CHAPTER VI.

PLOTTING AGAINST LILU», prepared as Robert llooJ was for the Pa accusation hurled in Liilis'e last words, found it impossible to control him-

at hor, tho ghastly imago of

JfiJiotttpause, with her dilated ev^ b fast « upon his, Lillis hurried on: ' ,J swooned. What caused the swoon? wogiiued your mothered voico ! ' Ten "Wand curecs!' you hissed. It was it. I brutalbl°w that struck mo down ; »« the awful knowledge gathered from ffwrds. It is that awful knowledge T^made me ill." recovered himsolf, and slowly isml to you'" ho exclaimed, a fine H.?e*.? ,ot bitter reproach in tone and j, ~ . and to you, my poor father's petted fr.it t am to be in(lebted 'or il charge felitw Cover me witfi ignominy us |2S a" [i will bs undeserved ! It is •«*! ltistoodroulfulto-" Him iT your Cher's son. For that teZ t aye mauo no charge ; for that •lalUfv™ ehalL Hia honoured name Hi"« Ti dlsKraced through any act of ilia l&VB you to 3'oUr Go'l '■" IB!!, t those Btem but broken words ..■ t ! turned and took a step toward tho

infiy^ >"msolf now, Robert sprang he cried, passionately, 4iw>> can re% believe this monstrous

to hia right hand. "to.a i>-i! lr strufe'g'° to escape me, the 4 ,,- uttoa glove you More was half torn

!>jSt-ru,ck ILcl«n:heLl hand passionately t^« forehead. ' ittsnju c am to ba condemned on the kairt I , a ""IUQi-ing voice and a little SanTV ha, t may be notched on a Wl ty ,,r °Wn f aco has declared yon

lHjh« n i Wf llal)'lcclarcd my horn rat tho Ullisi'. .m Yon h.ivo dared to utter. t \on ttiii , v hla P«ppre.=Bed votct-. Wife,, y euv? me ""ther to God nor 1 V l{ ""etract your accusation. !°S couli'f It)dFses3e!i1 t)dFses3e!i You. That 1, '4«i tf • ehere niurdeiim' my poor 1 «as preposterous. Were it all

less terrible I oould laugh outright at tho folly. But, aside from the proofs, easily obtained, that I was in Paris, and not London, the night of tho murder, of what stuff do you imagine mo made that I could commit such a deed? By Heaven, Lillis |" an oven deeper passion striking through his voico, " you have done wellto letmy father's honoured nanwsoal your lips; for never would you havo forgiven yourself had you shamed his ?on by making this falso and terrible aocu-ation public. The proofs so easily obtainable ot my complote innocence would have overwhelmed you with a sorrow and regret that must have gone with you to your grave."

He paused. 1 illia wavered porcoptibly. She had boon wavering from the moment ho had intorcepted her progress to the door. Thcro was a force in his arguments the dared not deny, Moro—sho was sincerely anxious to bcliovo him innocont.

Sho looked at him with humid eyes. She said, gently, falteringly : "Heaven forgive mo if I havo wronged you, Lord Robert."

"And you will consent to bolievo that I am not the'monstor you have allowed your self to imngino? You will shako hands with mo, Lillis J You will not add to tho grief that fills my soul in this hour of tcrriblo bereavement by a refusal to be con vinced of my innocence? Alas ! that you have found it possible to wrong mo so deeply ovon for ono moment!"

Ilia hoad drooped, and tho half-extended hand fell to his tido.

Lillis hesitated, and then said, tromu lously :

"You have led a fast lifo, I fear, Lord Robert. Not that I knew it, or that your father ever spoke a word of tho kind ; but triflus led mo to that conclusion, and—" "And bocauso I have sown aomo foolish wild oats liko other young men, you can coldly and doliberatoly pronounco mo a mur derer—a parricide! Heavonabovo! it is too much I"

Tho passion and anguiah with which ho spoke and looked want to Lillis's heart.

She cried, tearfully : "Oli, no, Lord Robert, it was your voico—"

" It was not my voice !" hebroko in, in des perato tores. " How could it bowhen I was wine-bibbing with some foroign friends in Paris ?"

Lilli* put out hor hand impotuously. Beforo sho could utter the generous words just on hor lips, ho had caught it between both his own «ith a fiery outburst of tender ness.

"Thi?is no timo for voua of love and fidelity," he went on, as sho gazed at him in mute, amazed distress ; " but the tido will no longer bo stayed. I must speak. I must tell ycu that you aro tho one star of my life ; that I livo in but ono hope—the exquisite hope of making you my bride. Lillis, I lay myself and my earldom at your feet. Say you will—"

Lillis all at onca broke from his clasp. Sho cried suddenly, in distressed tones :

"Oh, Lord Robert, I can say only that yon must forgot these words have ever been spoken. I never dreamed you felt thus. lam grieved beyond expression. I do not lovo you. I cannot love you."

She spoke hurriedly, abruptly, with troubled eyes full upon his. " You will learn," ho answered passion atoly. " I will teach you." "Nover !" Thero was somothing in hor tono and look, and tho quick, shrinking movement with which sho oluded tho clasp of his eager hand upon hers, that told him entreaties were useless - that he had received his answor for all timo. Dissembling the jealous rago that filled his soul, ho rejoined, slowly, sadly : " Nover • You blast my lifo with one word. Oh, Lillis ! But I submit " He turnod hastily, as if unablo to con trol his emotion, and as hastily loft tho room. Without the door ho spoke again, his lips pale, but smiling evilly: "Yes, I submit—fur tho present. Now wo will sco what my Liidy Melross has to say. Hor hoart will not prove so obdurate, I'll vonturo to predict."

Ho strode to the drawing-room in search of her ladyship.

Sho was not thoro. But on furthor search he found her in the music-room busy lock ing tho cases of tho various instruments and removing tho keys. "Thoy will not bo opened for a longtime," s>ho explained, in saddened tonoe, as ho entered, " and I thought—" Sho looked at him, checked horsolf, nnd said hurriedly : " What is it ? What has happened ?

" Tho worst thing that could happen mo. Lillis has spurned tho coronot I would place on her brow." Making that fiorcoanswor,he Hung himself into a chair. A whito ring defined itself about Lady Molross's hard mouth. Anger, doubt, alarm, all Homed frnm her e>es.

Sho watched him a moment ns ho pat ; glaring Bullonly at the floor, and then said, : with assumed quiotade : " You must not bo discouraged by a : first rebuff, Robert. Girls do not always ; know their own minds." "Lillis knows hern."' ho returned, half bittorly, half fiercely. "I might as woll i attempt to persuado a star to my bosom. Sho has said no and means it. More, sho will hold to it unless you come to my rcscuo." Ho started to his foet and poized Lady Melross's hands. Ho cried passionately : "LaHy Melross, [ lovo Lillis. 1 havo everything that this world can afford to lavish upon her. Lndy Molross, make Lillis my bride, and I will make her the happiest womin on earth, and you proudly independent for lite. I lovo her, and you aro cmbitious for her beat pood. Exert your authority, dear lady, and all will bo well. As the hood of my house, as you havo hitherto been of my poor father's, wo can co operate to a final victory that will make your daughter ono of the richest and proudest ladie< in the land. What do you say, Lidy Melros a?" , There was a moments silenco, in which they looked at each other steadily, mean Then Lady Melrossanswcred with another question : , " What aro your plans?" eho asked, in lowered ronos, casting a significant glance award tho door. It was n virtual con.'ent.and Hood under stood it as such ; but ho refused to bo satis fied with anything loss than a direct andab soluto promise. In reply to his impetuous question she fixed her cold, hard eyes upon hi». She said in cold, hard tones, inflexiblo aa death : T , , "Lillis shall bo Countesa of Langdon ! To any feasible* plan of coercion I yield a full and hearty consent. My child b interests aro as doar to mo as my own life. As I would sacrifice my lifo for hor good, so I shall sacrifice her foolish scruples. Now sho will reproach mo, but some day she will thank mo. I can patiently wait for the Hood caught tho hand he etill hold to his lips in a rapturous outburst of gratitude. The next moment he dropped thorn, cry ing (iercoly : T , •' I havo a rival ! Do you know that, Lady ' "CyriiChosnoy. Yo?, I know it. I shall dispose of the rival. Now close tho door and tell mo jour plane." With tho last word sho hastily checked him, nnd as hastily added : "No : another day I will hoar thorn, At this sad time you cannot feol liko -" Hood broke upon hor. "Another day!" ho cried. I cannot wait another moment, Lady MolvofS-! I lovo my father, and am broken-hearted at his terrible fate ; but Lillis, and U Ik alono, tills my soul ! Till I am assured beyond a doubt that she will be my brido, I shall live a wretch upon oarth !" • , Pc hastened to tho door, closoi it. and came back with these significant words : "You know Lillis, Lady Melross, and therefore, I trust, will not bo shocked by the extreme measures I must suggest. •'I know her. I shall not bo "hocked. Go on. What have you to propose ?"

CLIAPTEK VII.

TUB RIVAL

The plotters drew their chairs together, Lady Melross weakly imagining she was blinding her companion by tho unruffled calm of her manner. It was a grand mistake. He knew perfectly well that her >»M*»" «oul waff a lame, and burning with im patieneo to learn the nature of his scheme and asnst in its consummation. \Vithlowered, hurrying voice, he made lb wTthlmmovaMe conn tenance and hushed Irjaih Lady il cross listoned. I AViio p"«K-d .-N lifted her ifcady B«« i from the iloor to his faeo. ' . S,e said quickly, her jellor, wrinWed skin (lushing with an irrepressible excitc m'"l)epend upon me down to the final act that is to make my foolish LiUis the Coun tess of Langdon,"

Meanwhile Lillis, loft by horßelf, yielded to the varied emotions of the hour in a con vulsi"o flood of tears

They woro yet wet upon her pale cheoks when tho door opened gently and a young man entered.

He waa very tall, eminently handsome, and rather grave in expression. Byes of a deop, dark blue, great beauty and magnetic power, lighted his finely-cut face. Hair, beard and moufltacho were light brown. lntollect sat on hie broad brow, and a won dorful kindness beamed from tho passionate depths of his eyes.

It was Cyril Cheaney, the real heir to tho titlo and estates of LaTSgdoD, but known as tho heir presumptive, and a rising young lawyer, destined to make his honourable mark in the world.

It was against this young man's fathorthe dead earl had cherished a feud which finally led him to the revengeful act of declaring tho son of his valet that of his own young Spanish wife married and buried abroad.

Corning from tho strong light into the darkened apartment, Cyril Chesnoy did not immediately perceive LiUis, though he paused a momont after closing the door and looked around, as though in search of some ono.

Indeed, it was not till Lillis started up and spoke that ho bocamo aware of her prcsonce.

Ho came forward oagerly and clasped hor hand.

"This is an unexpected ploasuro !" ho ex claimed. " 1 was told I should find Robert horo."

A deop blußh suffused Willis's face, and her oyo drooped beneath tho too eloquent ones regarding her. Sho answered with embarrassed hasto :

" Ho left tho room a whilo ago, and has, I imagine, retired to his own apartmonts. Ho lias boon at homo but a short timo — about two hours, 1 thin k."

Sho was moving to tho boll-pull when Chesnoy stopped her.

" Nay, Lillis, don't ring : not yet, at least," ho pleaded, leading her back to tho chair from which sho had rison. " Think how impossible it seems for mo to ever sco you alone, and give me a foiv minutes of happiness. Lillis !" soating himself be sido her, and speaking with suddon im passionod hasto, "lot me say now, untimely as tho confession may seom, what I havo leng sought the opportunity to say, but which, I think, you must know woll with out words. Lillis ! you know that llovoyou, dearest, sweet ."

Ho laid his hand tenderly upon the little ono rosting on the arm of tho chair. " Look up,doar, and answor mo !" hemur murod, tremulously, the noxt instant, in his great emotion.

Lillis's drooping brow and roseate cheoks mado answor plain enough ; but she looked up with one soft, flashing glance. " I know !" sho whispered.

Cyril bent nearer. His arm .stole about her waist. Ho cried oagerly, passionately :

" And you, darling?—you love me?— Oh, Lillis ! won't you givo mo one little word ?"

She looked up again, smiling shyly, with wet oyos and half inaudible voice : " Three, Cyril:—l love you !" The minutes went by unnoted. At last Lillis started from her lover's side

"Imttst lot Lord Robert know you .are hero, Cyril!' she exclaimed. " Yes, you must," acquiesced Cyril, reluc tantly.- " But ono moment, sweet," catch ing hor hands, " Your mother—l—" Lillis intorposed. " Not to-day, Cyril! not today!" sho cried, in hurried tones. ''Wait till the poor old earl — " Her voice broke, and shoex claimed tearfully : " Oh, Cyril, it seems dreadful for us to bo so unhappy when he-"

The door foil open upon tho unfinished sentence, and Robert Hood Came in.

Cyril quickly roloasod Lillis's imprisoned hands. But, too late.

Hood's koen, jealous eyos caw and noted, abo, tho warm Hush that had effaced Lillis's recont pallor. Alike forgetting his courtesy as host and tho parthchiid to play as a "mourning Eon, ho stalked up to the pair, ejaculating harshly as Cyril advancod : "Chosneyl how long havo you beon horo ?''

" Really," answered Cyril, slightly em barrassed, "I do not know. Only a short timo, I think." Ho spoko truthfully enough. But in voluntarily bis glanco strayed to tho timo pieco. lie could hardly credit his own oyoa at tho io.. s ti. vC oho ■• -siioii uuio. J.C v.as just two hours.

But his momentary confusion was gono. With all tho solfpo?so?sion that distin imished him, ho continued :

"Folger kindly dropped into my cham bers to lot mo know of your return, and as soon as I could release myself I harried hero to learn whether I can be of furthor service to you. Of course Lady Melrera has aquainted you with tho fact that, as your solo kinsman, I ncsnmecl tho various responsibilities of tho occasion 5" " Yes ! yos ! For Heaven's eako don't ropoat anything ! I know all about tho inquest, tho detectives, and everything oleo. Just accept my thanks and do me the great favour to continue tho supervision you havo PO ably commenced. Evon tho dotectives I must decline feeing till after my poor t'athei'd remains are laid away."

Ho spoke with both haste and agitation, and then sujdonly drooping his chin to his breast, gave not the slightest heed to Cyril's earnost reply- Indeed, ho broke upon it, Lifting hia ho^d as abruptly as ho had lowered it, ho cried, hoarsely : " 1 aupposo Tony told jou how ho found

His wholo demeanour was euch that Lillie, with dclicato consideration, made a hasty movement towards tho door. "No, Lillis !" ho exclaimed. "Stay and hear. I wish you to know that Tony found me— HRUNic !" A murmur of horror unwittingly escaped Lillis. " Ah !" he groaned, "you may well cry out." Then turning hia gloomy eyes upon Cyril apain—" Antony told you '.'" "Ho told mo," Cyril gently a?scnted. " But," ho added, pitying him in the emotion heexhibited, "othercircumstances delayed your return to London. Folger in formed mo that you had unhappily changed your hotol at a moment's notice only a fow hours beforo your father's death." " Yes in a tit of totnpor, went off with out leaving my address, and then, Hoaven forgivo mo, I spent tho night—the night of my poor father's murdor—in bacchanalian orgies it sickens my soul to romomber. But Tony, doubtloss, told you all this." "He did," again assented Cyril. "Ho did, ovon to tho fact that it was through the companions of your rovola that no finally discovored_ your whereabouts. But let us speak of it no more, Robert. Let it-"

Ho pausod. Lillis had hurriedly ap proached tho pelf-accuser. With infinite swoetnoes sho looked at him and spoke. "Forgive mo, Lord Robert," she ex claimed, her lips trembling, and her eyes tilling "I havo cherished sinfully hard thoughts of you in this matter—l have blamed you unduly. Forgive me, and let mo ontroat you to rocall thoso unhappy memories only to make them safeguards for tho future." " I could forgive you far deeper wrongs, Lillis !" returned Hood. .Ho epoko with genuine emotion-an emotion of intense socret exultation. Ho knew ho had swept away her last doubt. Before more could bo said tho door was hurriedly thrown open, and Lady Molrosa. flushed and stately, marched in. She wont straight to Cyril Chosney, quietly displacing Lillis, who stood near his sido.

CHAPTER VIII,

I-BKI'AIHNG THK WAY

"I (JUAvk your pardon, Mr Chosney," ex claimed Lady Melros?, in her stateliest manner. "Until this minute I was not aware you were in the house. And, worse, one of the footmon has informed me he in vited you here two hours ago, under tho im pression that Lord Robert wan still in the room. I am deeply mortified. Tho ser vants have no right to impressions; it is tuoir duty to know." " I beg," returned Cyril, with frank cor diality, "I beg, lady Melross, you will not think of the matter again. 1, and I alone was to blame. I insisted on entering unannounced, and then, rinding Mies Mel ro'shere, insisted that Kobert should not be summoned. I assure you I have not been in the eliehtest degree either annoyed or in convenienced." "By Jove! T imagine not, thought Kobert Hood, flashing a sombre glance at I UIU. "Two hours!" The deepened colour en her cheeks did not tend to tranquilteo him, but he interposed politely : _. . "Well, sit down. Since you are not hurried I shall expect you to stay and share out late luncheon." Cyril accepted tho invitation, and Lady Melross drew Lillie's hand within her arm,

Bmiling with motherly gentleness and au thority. " And I shall immediately conduct my invalid back to her lounge. I had no idea, child, you could be bo imprudent. You are quite feverish. You will excuse hor, Mr Chesnoy ?" turning her cold eyes to the anxious ones Cyril had bent on the lovely face. " Indeed, 1 shall find it hard to forgive mysolf if I have done her harm," he answered, somowhat indirectly, adding the next moment: " Havo I, Miss Melross ?" There was far more tenderness in his look and tone as he put the earnest question than ho imagined, and Robert Hood bit his lip in a rising fury, whilo Lady Melrosa, barely giving the girl time to utter a hasty, blush ing denial, hurried her from tho room She was too wise to manifest a shade of tho deop displeasure sho felt, and after settling Lillis comfortably, took a chair by hor side, saying, with solicitous tender ness : "I want to tell you of Lord Robert's plans, dear. Are you quite able to listen ?" " And to talk also, mamma dearest. In deed, I wish to talk," a grave look effacing her loving smile as sho thought of Hood's declaration. With a shrewd suspicion of what was coming, Lady Melross opened her own com munication in these words : " We are to prepare to go to Langdon Abbey." If she meant to say more, Lillis's hasty remark prevented. " I thought only tho male friends wore to attend tho poor earl's remains to the Abboy.'' " You misunderstand, Lord Robert wishes to remove to tho Abbey." " Remove I" Tho girl could say no more. "Yes," pursued Lady Melross. "In viow of the fact that Lord Langdon's body must bo convoyed thither for interment, ho has resolved to go at once." "At onco! tho girl again echoed faintly. " l'oor follow ! yes. Tho houeo in which his unhappy father met his death has become utterly abhorrent to him, He says he can neither eat nor sleep under this roof, and I don't wondor. I feel much tho same myself. Indoed, 1 shall be as glad as ho to turn my back on Bolgravo Square." Lillis raised herself to her olbow. " You mean ho is going to tho Abboy to live?" " For a few months—yes." " And we—you and I—aro to livo thero ? —You are insured your present position ?" "Yes, thank Hoaven ! for what a mercy it is, Lillis !" Lillis now Bat upright among horcushione. " We cannot, mamma ! wo must not!" sho exclaimed. Lady Melross sat mute with expressively elevated brows. "No, wo must not!'1 pursuod Lillis. "He would not wish it now. It would bo indelicate in the oxtremo. Only a little more than two hours ago I rejected Lord Robert positively and finally. It waa this I wanted to tell yon so—" " You—rejected—tho Earl of Langdon I —riches ! and—" She paused and stared in dazed silonco at the girl. " I do not love him, mamma," said Lillis, simply. Still gazing at hor, Lndy Molross as pirated in smothered tones: "Is tho child insano'i A coronet!—an earl!" It was a well-feigned astonishment, and answered its dcooptivo puqio.se. "Oh, mamma," cried the girl, "lot us device soino plan by which you can deli cately break this embarrassing ongago ment," Lady Melross woke from hor seeming stupor to a display of gonuino anger. " Doviio plans!" she echoed "Why didn't you accept him, silly girl ?" "Oh, mamma, you would not counsel mo toma-ry a man 1 do not love?" fultored Lillis, brokenly. "Love! Hoar tho girl I As it wo woie millionaires ! But," suddenly changing her tono, " tho mischiof'sdono, and the ono thing now is to mako the bent, of tho con sequences. At presont I cannot loavo Lord Robert's houso without a female head. Wo must, thoroforo, go to Langdon Abboy, as arranged, and, after tho earl's intermont, docida upon our course." With that pho ro?o coldly. Lillis caught hordross, a eoft.ehy radianco on her uplifted face Sho cried shyly : ■ luaiuiun i •uiimuia uourcst, ie is not co unfortunate as you fancy. Let mo toll you how—" "Tellmenothing !" interjcctedLudyMcl ross, in'tinctively divining the nature of tho communication. "I fim woaried out. Lot mo bo in ponce till tho poor earl goes to his lost earthly home." Sho st.\lked rigidly out of the room. "So," she thought, as sho went down to tho luncheon table; "so Chosnoy has had his say in spite of mo. Ho has offered him- Eolf and been accepted. It thickens the plot a trifle, but, good sir, my foolish daughter safe at I angdon Abboy, you'll whistlo for your brido." (To be Continued.)

Mark Maynard's Wife

A LOVE ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE

CHAPTER XIX

ueta's elopkment,

At V alloy Farm Hfo dragged on monoto nously. Alice noted hor mother's restless, dissatisfied mannor, and tried by gentle feminine arts to win her from horssif j but

it was of no avail, for romorso was gnawing at this proud woman's heart. Sho would have given anything could sho have bad Mark and Candico with her as of old.

With Lcta tho timo hung heavily at first, and then cho plunged, almost rocklesaly, into society pleasure?. Was it any wonder

that a bright young girt should prefer the companionship of those of her own aga and gay assemblies to tbo saddoned atmoEphore of her homo?

Mrs Maynard could not bear tho sight or sound of revelry, and uttorly refused to have any social gatherings at the farm houso; co both girls wont more and more into society, shunning tho darkened rooms at Valley Farm. Leta was much admired, and flattery soon turned her head. About this time there came to the neigh bourhood a good-looking young stranger calling himself Leon Tatro. Ec claimed to bo one of French descent, and no one could doubt the assertion after a glance at his darkly handsome face and hearing his unmistakable accent. At first, many were the whisperings and surmises in regard to him, but when Dame Rumour oreditcd him with possessing immense wealth and an ivy-grown villa in tho southern part of Franco, tho story flew from lip to lip until the p'roudost and most aristocratic families opened their doors wider and wider, inviting this foreigner to visit them. For a time he shunned thoir advance?, and then society, feeling aggrieved, redoubled its efforts to draw him into the gay whirlpool of well bred dissipation. Gradually he accepted tho invitations, and the proud families that entertained him royally prailod scornfully at their less fortunato noighbours.

'Vhat Leon Tatro was handsome the most fastidious could not deny. ' Largo and mus cular, yet carrying himself with a stately graco hard to imitate, ho had a face worthy of a lino of titled ancestors, so deeply was tho seal of pride stamped upon the naughty features. His eyes were dark end melan choly in their expression, yot sometimee, when most courted as society's favourite, a cruel gleam would come into their liquid depths, making him appear like some Satanic agent, biding his time to commit somo evil act.

Dame Kumour also gave him n title along with hia immense wealth, and so foolish are Americans a« a general rule whero noble men are concerned that it imported addi tional glory to his already seemingly enviable position. Managing mammas courted him assiduously all for "their aweot daughters' sakcs, and the fairest of the fair smiled encouragingly at hia approach. _ At one of the numerous social gatherings Leta met this Leon Tatro, and after that night life was never the same to her again. He, on hia side, sought her as persistently as he had refused all other overtures. Leta was visiting a friend in the neigh bouring town, and Leon haunted her steps continually. At the opera and other enter tainments ho «ii« her most constant atten dant, and at last, poor girl, sho leurned the lesson of loving " not wisely, but too well " " My darling !" Leon T.itro h.»l f >■!■> •■ ' '-'ti from tli heated atuiospi.un; %/i .tic Oailioom out ou the wido, cool verandah that night, when theaa two words tell on her waiting ear like liquid w'ndy. She ftood gazing at him ex,: in -y, with a strange feeling of dis trust lor sho knew not what.

Surely this was tho Bupreme moment in a woman's life, when the mau sho loves acknowledges bis love for her in return ! " My darling ! I may call you that, may I not ? lam njt deceived ; 1 have read in your swoot oyes for me equal to that I feel

for you I" Why did sho not cry out indignantly, and spurn him from her like some polluted

thing"? Why did not Borne pitying angel show this girl the blighted lives for which this ardent lovor, pleading so humbly bofore

her, was not wholly blameless ! Alas ! she stood thero quietly, her fair head bowed before him, suffering his kisses to be placed on cheeks and red, trembling lips. When eho returned to the ball room her oyes shone liko twin stars, and her step was light and buoyant as sho moved among the dancers. Tho glaro and glitter of the fete were all unnoticed by her. Was sho not his lovo, his choice? Ah ! Yes; but Leon Tatro'e lovo was to bo the curso instead of tho crown of her life !

After that night, Leta lived aa in a dream. Hor handsomo, noblo lovor was all in nil to her, yet «ver and anon a sickening distrust would assail her. Why, sho could not tell. As woll ask tho wind why it rustled tho leaves in the treo-topa and oxpect an answer !

When Lota returned to Valley Farm she became gloomy and taciturn. The sunshine Eoflmed less bright to hor and the atmos phero oppressive. She wished Leon to acknowledge their engagement, but he delayed it from day to day, soemiogly unconscious of the wrong he was thus doing his fair fiancee. Several times sho was on tho vergo of tolling hor mother all, when some cold word, some slight repulse, invariably chocked hor and ehe remained silent. How much misery Leta would have avoided bad she bravely spoken !

Alico and Lota were rather given to ridiculing each other's love affair? ; thcro foro tho latter never for one momont thought of making a confidant of hor sistor. Thus the weeks dragged along. Mark was writing vaguely of his return homo at no distant date, when society, for milos nnd miles about Valley Farm, was shocked, horrifiod, at sovoral evonts that occurred in rapid succession.

Articles of value were missing from nearly 6vory wealthy mantioninthovicinity. One farmer had Bold his wheat at the ad jacent town, and was knocked down and robbed of the procoeda while on his way homo through the gathering darkness. Many wore the whinpoved surmisos in re gard to tho rascal or rascals who infested the locality. Each farm houso was fortified by now catches to tho windows, and burguhr alarms woro as thick as llowein in June. Leon Tatro suggostod several theories in relation to the matter, and instituted a soomingly careful search through the neighbourhood for some traco of the lawloss ruttians, but no sign of thorn was found. Iho excitement was gradually dying out,when once again the shock came, Tho bank in the neighbouring town was robbed so cleverly and with such alarming results that tho whole country for miles around vnn startled. Tho night watchman was overcome, chloroformed, and hurled out of dcor.s ; tho Bafo was blown open, and tho money and valuables abstracted. A policeman passing along shortly afterwards noticed nothing amiHs until ho stumbled over the body of the watchman, lying directly in his path. Immediately the alarm was given and search instantly made, but tho robbor and hw spoils had vanished us completely as if tho earth had hidden thttn in hor bosom- Tliat samo night Lota was missing from Valley F«rm. Sho hal taken everything the possessed—hor clothos and her jewellery I waving a noto behind, which ran as follows.: •' aiOTHKii: lam Kning to leave ycu mi 1 Val ley Furm for a husband mid home of my own. Icinnot explain lit pros >nt. butsoiao lima you will know. lam aorry to leave Alico and you, but, mother, 1 cuntot Kive him up. LKTA." Mrs Maynard was found by Alico in the inorninir, sitting by tho fire and muttering incoherently. Her eyes « ore haggard and tearless, ond sho babbled incessantly of Mark and Candice, Jilways of Mark and Candii'O, never a word of tho daughter who hail triad h*r proud old beurt so sorely. Suroly tl is was rotribution for her treat ment of hor con's wifo !

Alice placed her mother in bod and sent lor a pliysician, who shook his hoad gravely. " Utn the sustuincd a cudden shock?" 10 asked.

" Sho lias beon much tried lately," Alice answered, ovasivoly.

" f**vrtr* " fVio finnf*"** ' • ~"-l oo it provod. W oek after week Alien nuiir^.i i, nf mother patiently. To all inquiries concern' ing hor sietor «ho invariably replied : " Lota has gono on n visit But Alice grow pate and henvy-eyod; oven Ann, tho stolid tiorman sermnt,noted hor drooping appoarsneo with a doleful shako of tho head, and tridd in her stupid kindly way to make tho burden a littlo lighter for tho young girl's (houldors.

CHAPTER XX

IS LIFE WOHTII LIVING?

Mrs Maynard, struggling buck from tho

dim borders of tho spirit-land, frequently asked hcivelf: "Is lifo worth living V But sho grow strongor day by day until pro nounccd convalescent. Then sho took up tho threads of hor lifo again and strove to bo as of old, but mado a miserable failure. Tho haughty, auparcilious woman cf tho pas had vanished, anil « brokon-hoarted, sad oy«ii woman had replaced her. Lota's namo novcr c-ofsed Mrs Maynard's lips in all thofo weoks. Alico alone know thut her mother kept solitary vigil far into tho night, and that when aho retired hor pillow would be wot with tears and her slumber fitful and brokon,

Alico was changed also ; she had become a vory solf-rolinnt young woman, managing tho 'houso and superintending tho outside work fucccssfnlly Lotn's olopoment had deprived her ot all tnsto for society, and sho steadily refused to attond social gatherings Loon Tatro was now generally conceded to bo the scoundrel who had robbed the bank.

Handbills wcro posted nil over tho country, describing hie uppsaranco and offering liboral rewards for his capture. Leta's con tinued nbsenco also nccasionod remark. Somo heads, wiser than other?, put this and that togit'»er until tho wholo t-hamo ful story was suspected. One neighbour, moro daring than tho rest, volunteered to visit Valley Farm to find out tho truth of tho matter. This neighbour, Mrs Levy, waa noted for her long tongue. She was a vivacious little woman, but rather injudicious in her remarks. Sho was not a favourite with tho Maynard family, and had never beon a fro qaent visitor at thoir house. When she presented horeolf on this occasion, fho was received with cool politeness. Nothing daunted, sho kept up a perfect stream of small talk, tolling the latest news in hor spiciest manner, At last sho broached the subject of Tatro'a disappear ance, and noted with inward satiefactbn Alice's start of eurpriso when the dato was mentioned. Summoning all hor courage, she remarkod to Mm Maynard : "I am co sorry Leta went away about that time. People will talk, you know, and gossip reports that Loon Tatro and Lota departed together. Of couive, it ia untruo, but—" "That will do, Mrtijjovy." It was Mrs Maynard who spoke, in a voice so hoarse with anger and emotion that Alico looked up at her wonderingly. Mrs Levy paused abruptly, and her oyes sank bonoalh tho indignant mother's glance. "Of course, you cannot blame mo, Mrs Maynard,' she roeumod. "1 oUy men tioned tho coincidence It is strange, is it not ?"

"Mrs Levy"—Mrs Maynard had now regained her composure, although hor voice still trembled with emotion—" I am entirely ablo to attend to my own sllnira, and I shall purely not imblili my private troubles to the four winds of heaven by con fiding them to you !" "Do you mean to injinuato that J am a gossip?" Mrs Levy asked, angrily, " 1 insinuate nothing," Mrs Maynar 1 answered, proudly ;" I state a fact. Good afternoon, Mrs Levy i" "Mother, perhaps Mark i? in Chicago !" Alice broke tho sileuce shortly nftor tlicir unwelcome visitor's departuro with this remark.

' It is strange wo do not hear from him !" Mrs Maynnrci said, with an anxious tone in hor voice. ''Alice, do you think it would do any good to telegraph to Chicago '! 1' i lnps ho is at Uncle Sam's." "I don't know,T am sure, mother," Aliro answered with a eitrli, " hut I guess I will

try it once moro ;'' and rising, she put on h»r outdoor wraps and started for the station. ' Don't wait tea for me, mother," she cfil'e'i out when ncf.-ly nt th« gate. '' I i.ill walk .-lowly, for lam tired of iudoor

Mil- .Maynard did not heed the injunction. She waited patiently for her daughter's re appearanco, and they sat down to their evening meal, waited oj attentively- by kind-hearted Ann.

" Did you Bend the message ?" Mis May^ Dard asked the question anxiously.

"I did," Alice responded, "and I am in hopes Mark ib at uncle's, transacting his business affairs. It's my opinion, mother, he intends to surprise ua by returning home unexpectedly." " Lot us hope nothing serious delays him," Mrs Maynard rejoined, sadly. The next morning Mrs Maynard was feverishly restless, and strayed from room to room aimlessly. Sh? looked over the house hold linen, darned it carefully, and then wandored down to the shores of Fairy Lake. Tho little shoet of running water was in rather a demoralised condition, the hired men not being adepts in fish-raieing and proper drainago. Mrs Maynard looked at it regretfully ; the master hand was absent, and everything was going to rack and ruin.

But who was coming along the well beaten path from tho station? Her eyes were dim with tears, and she brushed them hastily away that she might see more dis tinctly. It" was Hot tho farm hand, that handsome, manly figure walking so erectly, but Mark, her son, and with a glad cry and outstrotched hands she hurried to meet him.

"Mother, are you ploasod to see mo?" " 1 am delighted I" she answered, with a burst of happy tears. "Mark, wo need you horoßO much !" '' Are you in trouble, mother?" He asked for the news as quietly as he cou'.d, yet noted with pain the traces of care on that once hauehty face, and the sharp outlines which were beforo almost girlishly rounded. Mrs Maynard shrank as from a blow at his kindly question and answered evasively, all the time hurrying him toward the house. Alice came to meet them, and greeted Mark lovingly. But somothimg was miss ing ; what was it ? Ho looked around the old familiar room and thought of Candice ro grotfully. " Mother, where is Letn, that sho does not bid mo welcome home ?"

Mrs Maynard motioned Alice to leave the room, and when they were alone told him all. He listened liko one dazod. First wife, then sister ! Surely it was moro than ho could endure. He questioned his mother calmly even to the minutest item, and then rose from his chair hurriedlj.

"Where are you going, Mark? What are you going to do?" Mrs Maynard asked, anxiously, as Mark once more donned his hat and took up hig travelling valise, "I am going to find Lota and bring her home,mothor! If thia is true that gossip re ports, and tho man calling himself I eon Tatro has ruined my sister's life, one of us must dio !"

"Mark, my son, do nothing rashly!" She was in front of him now, clinging to his firm white hands helplessly. "Re member, Mark, Alice nnd you aro all I have loft in this wido world ! In the heat of angor don't endanger your life, but think of your old mothor, waiting for you at home I"

" I will do nothing rashly, mothor, but I will bring Lota to you ; and now, mother mine, lira I not a six-footer and able to take care of mysolf ? So don't worry over mo, and good bye !" Ho imprinted a kies on her trembling lips and was gon<\ Tho train for Chicago was duo in a few minutes, and with long, rapid strides he hurried toward tho station. Tho tiekut agent glanced up wonderingly at hie re appearance ; Mark merely nodded to him in recognition, and, seating himself on one of tho hard, wooden benches, eagerly awaited tho train's arrival.

S»on ho was speeding back over the same roud ho had just travelled, epeedintr onward with ono thought, and that the rescue of liin sister Lota.

Such a home-coming! Would it bo an other fruitless search? Waa Let a lost to them, gone like Candice out of thoir lives for ever ? Thon his mind rovorted to tho evening boforo.. What would Mrs Loo think of him nficr his avowal and his disap poarance boforo ho had heard tho explana tion slie*imd piomissad to give him ? Ho ro railed it all : their quiet ch;it together by iho lire.-ncle; her timid admisfion that eho cared lor him ; and thon tho telogram. " it is just as well," ho thought, moodily " What right havo I to worry her with my troubles '! And if it bo truo that Undo Sum cares for her, then am I a brute, in deed ! Oh ! Candico ! Cundice!"

CHATTER XXI.

WAITINt

My eyo Boekn one it cannot llnd. While othom liaVotlinirfrieiHls toiror.t. Why, why is lie bo loiyi.U^Jl!'*. Lw~

Canihi'e anxiously awaited Mark's appear nnoo at (lie breakfast tablo tho uoxt morn ing, but ho did not appoar. Uncle Sam watched her with a merry twinklo in his eye?, and noted hor eager, questioning glances with a smile. " Who are you waiting for, Gandico ?" he asked, carelessly. Candico started half guiltily from her ex pectant attitude, and poured out the hot, steaming coffoo »o recklessly that tho cup and paucor both ovoi flowed. "You're totting generous, my dear," Uncle Sam paid, laughing good nituredly ; "th.it will do, never mind," ho continued, u« she reached for another cup and saucer. " By tho wny," the old man remarked, after n slight pause, "ray nephew was called home'last'night quite suddenly by a tolegram. Koala is netting anxious about him. I suppose" " You aro sure it is nothing olse, uncle ? You aro keeping nothing worfo from me?" "Of coumo not, child. Why should I keep bnd news from you ? Tho boy thought ho had bettor go, that is all." That; was all! but was it not enough to forego tho explanation she had intended making? She could scarcely keep tho teare from her eyes during the meal, and waa glad when it was over that sho might re turn to her room to indulge in the luxury of a good lit of weeping. " Whot oo cryin' for, mamma ? Don't oo know Iso dood?" said little Mark, looking at lvr with a suspicious moisture in his own eyes. Candico only -wept tho more at his chil lish attompts to soothe her. "Oh! baby! baby!" sho oxclaimed paasionat«ly, straining him to hor heart. If papa could only know how wo lovo "Don't oo cry any more," Baby Murk replied, lovingly, winding his chubby arms about hor nock. "I'll bo big !fore long, then I'll bo oo papa, and oo'l ba niy own bu'ful mamma, won't oo ?" "Yen, darling!" Candies answered, smiling. " When you got big you'll tnko caro of mamma, won't you ?" "Oo bet !" Baid the Httln fellow, with such a look of eager expectation on his in fantile features that Candico laughed heart ily at his quaint remark*, and for a short time at loast tho storm was over Sho tried to think it would bo only a brief per iod before Mark would return, but days pissed in rapid succession and still no tid ings came from Valley farm. Then pride onco inoro camo to tho rescue. "He cares no more for Mrs Loo than for the Candico of old," pho thought,nnd sho would look for him no longer. Ho had not changed lor tho hotter, but still delighted in winning women's hearts to break them !He was nob worth a thought; yet, all thesamo. he-i mind dwelt upon him more than she would acknewledgo, oven to herself. "Ctindicß, Mark is in town," Uncle Sam told her, in a very matter of-fact tone. " Indocd I" Slio tried to answer quietly, but lior licait Wiv palpitating at tho nows, although sho dii not vouchsafo another word. , " I invited him up ;ho is stopping at (he Denison, I boliove." " My regard for Mr Mark Maynurd is so alightthat I do not wist to *cc him again ! Cundice replied, passionately. "Tush, tush, child ! don't get excited ! I'm sure the lad means well ; and just now he looks in neodof alt our sympathy, tho iroubla is I cannot imagine. He said ho was here on business, and had no t'me to come, to tliohou-o.'1 "I am glad of it!'; Candice returned, almost spitefully. She thought he might have spared hor his roundabout explanation and fold tho truth. Ho did not caro to come ! " ou are getting cynical, my dear ; you need company to enliven you," Uncle Sam eaid, cheerily. "There's nothing liko society for the young." That evening Undo Sam was delighted to find Caodice entertaining company in the parlour on hh return home, after visiting tho hotel on a fruitless search for his net hew. "Mrs Chamberlain, myguardian, Mr Des bro," and Uncle Sam found himself bowing politely before the dashing widow. "I regret that I did not make an earlier call," the lady said laughingly, "but I am aluavs a laggard in forming new friend ships. v o« "ill forgive me, will you not? with a gUnce at Uncle Sam's face meant to be verjTcoy 3nd charming. ; "That's all right," Uncle Sam said, bluntly. " Tho old adage fits very well in this case, for it's 'better late than never,' and I think a little company might do Mrs Lee a power of good." " Being near neighbours, I hope we eball

pee much of each other," Mrs Chamberlain said, graciously, but whether Mrs Lee or Uncle Sam was meant it was hard to deter mine. Uncle Sam was no society man, and he met her advances coolly enough. As soon as she had departod, Candice Baid, merrily : " Uncle Sam, I believe you've made what the vulgar call a mash !" "A what?" Uncle Sam asked, wonder-

ingly. Candico laughed gayly at his perplexity Uncle Sam was astounded. What had ho done ? He looked so comical in his bewilder ment that Candice said :

"Why, Uncle Sain, don't you know? Mrs Chamberlain has fallen in love with you !" "Oh! what foolishness!" Uncle Sam answered testily. " What attractions can a docent-looking woman see in an old fogy like myself ? "If she could see you with my eyes," Candice said, warmly, " sho would acknow ledge you to be the dearest man in the world, uncle, if not the youngest and most handsome!"

"Flatterer!" he replied. "You will spoil me entirely 1 I shall begin to think I'm a second Apollo ! I guess that's the right name, is it not, Candice, for the hand somest man in the world ?"

That night Candice was restless. She tossed from side to sida on her pillow, and sleep refused to come to her weary eyelids. Life seemed so long to this poor girl, so unutterably long and dreary without the sunshine of lave to light her way ! At last she arose from the bed and, throwing a black zophyr shawl about her shoulders, seated heraelf by the window, where the cold rays of the moon, playing hide and seok among the whispering leaves of the troe-tops, touched the window-panes with silvery brightness. Oandico'a face Bhone pale and beautiful as tho flickering, dancing moonbeams crowned her with a balo like some fair, pictured saint. The lines about her mouth were tightly drawn as memories of the past came thronging to her. Was it not terrible that she should suffer so cruelly for wrongs done by others ?

Hark! what was that? A muffled, fumbling noise outside her chamber door I Some ono tried to open it, but it was locked on the inside. Who could it be ?

A low voice whispered : " Mies Can dice!"

"Is that you, Katie?" asked Candice! as she crossed the room rapidly to open tho door. " What in the world is the matter?"

The girl came hurriedly into the room, and sank trembling on a chair. "Is little Mark sick?" continued Can dice ; " tell me, Katie, quickly what is the matter!"

Katie strovo to compose herself suffici ently to speak, and in a terrified whisper at last said, warningly : "Hush, Miss Candica! They might kill us if they heard. Something must be done!"

"Tell mo what h the matter, Katie! Can you not see you are frightening mo nearly to doath?" Sh ! sh ! Miss Candioe ! Spake softly like, or the divils will ovorhear us shure !" " Who will overhear us, Katie? Answer me !" Cunrlico took tho quivering girl by the shoulder and shook her aa hard as she could with her trembling hands. " Bugglers are in tho house, Miss Can dico '" whispered Katio. "They're in tho libr'y now ! Shuro, what can we do agin two men 2"

"You are sure there aro only two, Katio ?"

"Faith, and ain't that enough, Miss Candico?—two mon prowlin' around in the doad of night?' Candico opened her chamber door to listen, and Katio, soeing her mistress so composed, tip-toad cloeo at her side. Yes ! thore was surely some one in the library ! If they descended tho front stairs tlio robbers would hear them and doubtless make good their eßCapo. Thore was a back staircase, and scarcely knowing what she intended to do, Candice beckoned Katie to follow her. Softly the trembling girls stole down to tho dining-room and into the kit chen. Unbolting tho door, Candico looked out into the darkness, but no one was in sight. Down the street she_ hoard the mo.isurod tramp, tramp of a night watch man. " Katie," CanJice eaid, hurriedly, "run for your life and Bummon help ! Call the policeman nnd have him bring assistance ; wit had grasped tho situation, and as noise lessly as a shadow sho moved down the de serted streot. Candice, cowering beside the door waiting for help, was in an agony of apprehension. Suppose Undo Sam Bhould awaken, and hearing an unusual nois« in the front part of tho house, attempt to investigate the cause of it? Hotheaded as any youth, he would not stand tamely by and permit the rascals to walk off with their booty. She knew hiß money and valuable papers were in fie library, and if he should go there she feared for his life. Oh ! heavens! would Katie never come back ! , ~ , , Silently as the fabled ghosts of old, dark figures moved up tho street nnd paused at the door where Candico was waiting so patiently. Sho saw their badges glistening in tho moonlight, and knew that help had come. Surely Katie had fulfilled her mission faithfully. With trembling steps and wildly-beating heart Candice, without a word, beckoned them to follow her. Up tho little back staircase they filed, and then stood for a moment listening. Noises, though slight, were still hoard in the library, and cautiously tho men descended tho stairs, pausing at the library door. " Trapped !" cried a man's voice, angrily, and then all was noise and confusion.

CHAPTER XXII.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS,

Mns MaykaßD waited impatiently for a message from Mark, but none arrived. When Saturday evening came he made his appearance, looking haggard and wan. " Whatnows ?" Mrs May nard's lips framed the question and Mark answered, sadly : Alice waited anxiously until ho should toll them of his quest, but he seemed strangely reticent, as if he feared to wound them by any allusion to their trouble. The following week Mark remained at home and gathered together every fragment of matter that had the slightest bearing on the case constantly in his thoughts. The watchman, still far from well, will ingly gave his mite of information. The robbor, he said, was tall and dark. He wore a diamond ring or, one of his fingers, for ho had seen it sparkle in the moonlight when the murderous blow was descending that nearly deprived him of life. Mark then visited Mrs Levy, and that obliging lady received him with consider able astonishment. Ho led her to talk of the current society gossip, but what did he care if Misb Araminta Smith was going to many the Bight Honourable Mr O'Neil, or that the had ordered her trousseau direct from the great man-milliner Worth ? What did Mark care if Mrs Levy's crazy patch work had taken the premium at sevon differ ent fairs? At last a aioro interesting subject was broached. Mrs Levy's pet hobby was diamonds, und by dint of coaxing, storm ing and cajoling, she had finally succeeded in inducing her liego lord to purchase hor a pet, consisting of ear-rincs, a pin and a ring, of which sho was foolishly proud, dis playing thorn on ovary occasion. Mark, knowing hor weakness, commenced prais ing them extravagantly. " My ring is nothing compared to Mr Tatro's," Mrs Levy said, with a little re gretful figh ; " the diamond in his was as large as three or four of mine. If I only had that ring - " But Mark had heard all he wished to hear, and was rising from his chair. "What! are you going so soon? I am so sorry! let me order wine and cake, will you not?" " No, thanks. lam in a hurry and can not wait. Good morning, Mrs Levy." That worthy lady was highly incensed at the abruptness of her visitor's departure, but Mark had found cut all he wished to know. Leon Tatro and tho bank robber were one, at least that was the conclusion he had arrived at, and he thought bitterly how easily some people were duped by a good-looking young stranger. ' Mark was restiess again and anxious to be up and doing. Once more he travelled toward the Queen City in quest of hia 61SHo felt an intense longing to see Mrs Lee, but knew the meeting could only bo productive of misery to them both. He met his Uncle Sam one day, but shrank from telling him of the additional trouble at home. If he could only findieta honourably married, his mind would be at rest, but if she should bo dragged down to tho'depths of infamy, perhaps brokon hearted and deserted, then he would take her quietly home, and no one should be the wiser.

"If I could only find her," was the constant burden of his thoughts. Passing along the street one evening, a woman hurried by him ; heßtarted eagerlyforward, for the profile turned towards him timidly was surely that of his lost sister, Leta ! Too dazed to speak, he hurried after her, but the crowd surged between them, and he lost sight of the dark-robed figure. On, on, he went, with eager eyes, but she had vanished completely. Xo, there she was again, standing in front of one of the windows of a huge fancy goods store. The glare of the electric lights almost blinded him for a few minutes, but hurrying for ward he peered at her excitedly. Thank God! that brazen-faced, bedizzened I wreck was not Leta ! She glanced at him | with words of blasphemy upon her lips. j Mark turned shudderingly away. Ac i customed as he was to scenes of all descrip | tions, ho could not bear to look upon this I wreck of womankind.

That he had seen Leta and had again lost her in tho crowd he was confident. Disappointed, he wandered away from the crowded thoroughfare, where tho passers by jostled each other as they hurried along. All trace of Leta was now gone, and Mark returned to his hotel sad and dispirited ; but ho had found a clue, and Leta was surely in the city; there was some con solation in that.

"Leta: Let me hear from you. Mark." This advertisement appeared in the columns of the morning papers a few days afterwards. Candice saw it and noted tho names carelessly; it was a coincidence, nothing more ; then she passed on to items of greater interest, never dreaming that Mark, her husband, was the advertiser, or Leta the haughty girl of long ago ! No answer came to Mark's appeal. If Leta was the person he had seen that night, then Biie was determined to remain undis covered. On a stormy night when the wind was blowing a gale and great torrents of rain dashed against the window-panes, Mark exclaimed, as he thrust the upker into the fire savagely : "Whatabeasfiy nightitis ! Yet I am tempted to defy the elements and visit tho theatre. Let's see, what is to be played to-night ? Ah ! yes ! Minnie Palmer appears in 'My Sweetheart.' I believe I'll venture !"

Donning his evening suit, with a rubber coat enveloping him completely, he sauntered from the hotel, striving to find relief for a few hours, at least, from his torturing thoughts. Mark rather enjoyed this war of the elements, and, with his handsome head bent, went on and on. What a noble young man he seemed 1 Many a water-soaked mortal gazed after him admiringly, he appeared bo supremely unconscious of the disagreeable aspect outdoor life presented. At tho theatre all was light and warmth. "Surely the fools are not all dead yet!" Mark thought, grimly, as he made his way through a perfect sea of people. He was in the parquet, close to the orchestra, which was playing "My Queen." Mark listened until the last notes of the sweet melody melted away ; then ho raised

his eyes and gazed across at the opposite box. Instantly the look of ennui left his face, and he arose eagerly, but again resumed his seat when he saw he had not been observed by the person who was enchaining his attention so completely that he barely noticed the favourite star when she came bounding on the stage. In robes of some sheeny fabric of delicate azure hue and with a dainty bonnet of the same colour, sprinkled here and there with pearls, Bat Mrs Lee. Girlishly fair she looked, and from his seat at the opposite side of the building it seemed to Mark as if his young girl-wife was before him. Uncle Sam was with her, but who was the neatly attired woman in widow's weeds, who soemed to be of the same party ? "Mrs Lee has discarded mourning," he thought, bitterly. " Perhaps the rumours are true, after all, and Uncle Sam will soon lead her to the altar." The idea was tor ture to him, and he turned his head away, determined not to feast his eyes upon the loveliness that could never be his. _ But try as ho would tn confine his attention to the stage and the charming little actress, it wa» of no avail. His thoughts would wander to the occupants of the box across the way, and his eyes would involuntarily seek the fair face of Mrs Lee.

" Bless my soul! there's Mark !" Uncle Sam exclaimed, as ho caw hip nephew gazing directly at him. "Candice, have you noticed Mark in the parquet ? I shall sign to him to come here, and then I'll himself'! A pretty"w?y~tn?s IS fl/rtKfif 1 trj use his old uncle !"

" Uncle Sam," Candice said, pleadingly, " for my sake let him alone. Do not ask him a single question. If he does not want to come to us, why should we care ?" Thore was a quiver of pain in the sweet young voice. But Uncla Sam had already made the sign, and Mark was on his way to the box. Candice felt a thrill of pride as she gazed at his erect carriage and blonde head held proudly ; he was her husband, her own ; and yet she must treat him like the veriest stranger ! Mrs Chamberlain was introduced, and; the fair Minnie Palmer warbled her sweetest, but Mark had eyes only for one fair face, the face of Mrs Leo. When they separated that night, Mark had promised his uncle to make an early call

{To be Continued),

New Zealand Oranges.

Mk Meatyard, a North Shore settler, brought to our office the other day some fine oranges of his own growing. He was anxious that we should have the testimony of our own eyes and also palate as to the capabilities of the Auckland climate as re gards the production of good oranges. \Ve were not slow to test the tempting looking fruit, comparing it with some oranges grown at the Kawau which were in the office at the time. The latter wore coarser in the rind than the North Shore fruit, but both were very good in flavour. The only defect in respect of eating quality is a slight acidity which to our taste is not at all unpleasant. However, no doubt many people would prefer the mild sweot flavour of the Island oranges, which are also a good deal larger than the home grown ar ticle But tho smaller fruit has this advan tage, that the flesh is not nearly so coarse in texture as tho Island fruit. Tho tree from which Mr Meatyard plucked tho oranges is bearing a heavy crop thisyear, and if thefruit is all as good as the specimens we tasted we feel sure it would have a ready sale in tho market at a payable price, although that price might bo less than the average realised for tho large and sweet Island fruit. Even at 6d. a dozen nett, a tree bearing a thou sand oranges, which would be nothing re markable for a well-grown tree, would bring its owner in ovor £2. At a hundred trees to tho acre that would mean a return of £200 per aero. But athousand marketable oranges per tree would be too high an average to reckon on. However, if we take half of that number as a fair average yield, at tho low price of 6dperdozen, we still get an i ncorne o £100 a year from an acre of orange grove in full bearing. At tho same time it must be borne in mind that, with a service of fast steamers betwoen Auckland and the Islands, tho local growevof oranges would have to face a keener competition than as things aro at present, when it is often the case that the greater part of a cargo of oranges from Rarotonga or somo other island goes bad on the voyago. Also we admit that tho Now Zealand climato is probably not hot enough during the summer to produce the highest quality of orange ; but nevertheless we are firmly of opinion that we can grow oranges in thin country quite good enough to sell at a profitable figure. The Seville orange does remarkably well hero, and for the manufacture of marmalade the fruit would not be at all injuriously affected by the absence of great heat in summer. \\ " should advise any one going in for plantm o oranges to havo amongst his treeß a large proportion of the Sevillo variety, which, as is woll know n, is the very best for preserving as marmalade. We should say that Mr Meatyard's oranges were not by any means small fruit, but of a fair medium size, a good deal larger than what aro often sent hero from Sydney.—" New Zealand Farmer Bee and Poultry Journal."

WRECKED IN A UNKNOWN.

A telephonic ihesii<j&o<v s'ec&ivod in '■&£&. *„" <b*? ■*" ■ /v^' *»* Francisco late on ThursdajTjjffcgj'^.oJM), Aug^, 20, from Olema.on the North FSeP^poaat Railroad,conveyed the news that the British ship Haddingtonshiro, Captain Mackenzie, had gone ashore three miles above Point Reyes, and that fifteen lives had been lost, only two persons, a man and a boy, escaping the fate of their unfortunate comrades. Subsequently it was learned from a private telegraphic despatch that the vessel had gone ashore at 3 o'clock Thursday morning, during a dense fog, and that her commander was among the drowned. It appears that the Haddingtonshiro was a now vessel which was making her first return trip from the Columbia River to Glasgow. Sho had a crew of twenty-four men, all of whom wero shipped at Glasgow, She was rated as a stanch vessel, and with a full cargo the voyage was begun on the 4th of July, with the fairest prospect of a favourable voyage. All went well until the tropics wero reached. Then the ship en countered a succession of tieroo gules which finally culminated in a hurricane on the equator. For days the vessel was driven before the tempest. All that could bo done was to keep her before the wind, and in this effort four men were lost, swept over board by the heavy seas. Finally, when the storm passed and they could take an account of the damaee done, it was found that the chip was bo badly disabled that it would be hopeless to proceed on the voyage, with the risk of encountering storms such as they had fortunately weathered. But here a new danger confronted them. They knew that they were far out of their course, and that their only safety was to reach San Francisco, where repairs could be tnado. But the captain found that he had lost his chronometer during the storm, and, there fore, the navigation of the vessel must bo by dead reckoning, which at best is only guesswork. With all these drawbacks, however, the ship made fair way, and would no doubt have reached port in safety but for the dense fog which shrouded the coast on Thursday. Driven on the Bocks. Early in the morning, when the fog was so dense that the lookout could not see ten yards in front, the vessel drove upon the big reef which juts out beyond Point Reyes light, on the main coast, about forty miles from San Francisco. The wind was blowing a gale, the sea ran high, and it is an iron bound coast. There was small prospect for the doomed men on board to reach the shore through the surf, which beat upon the rocks, and whose roar they could hear high above the shrieking of the wind, al though the fog hid the rocks from their sight. The ship struck, and in a moment was at the mercy of the waves, which dashed over her and began the work of de struction. Of the twenty men on board only two succeeded in reaching the shore alive. The remainder, including the cap tain, went down in the surf, or were dashed to death against the rocks. Nothing could be done to save the cargo, as the chip went to pieces very speedily, and it was impossible to reach the place where shestruck. Her cargo was a valuable one, consisting of 12,514 barrels of flour, valued at §50,056, and 17,696 cases of Columbia River salmon, valued at §53,400. The cargo was fully covered by insurance in England, but in what companies could not be ascertained last night. The Haddingtonshire was an iron vessel, and was built by Russell & Co., at Port Glas gow, last year. She was 215J feet long, had 35 feet beam and 21 feet depth of hold ; her gross tonnage was 1,119, and her under deck 1,068. She was owned by F. Law & Co., of Glasgow. The vessel was worth about £12,000, and, like the cargo, was fully insured in English companies. Point Reves, August 21.- All that is now visible of the bark Haddingtonshire is a few feet of the bow and stern. The vessel is broken in two parts, and from the open ends where she broke and separated the sea is washing out boxes of canned salmon and bags of flour. She lies in the breakers, and what little is visible above the waves is being rapidly demolished. She went aground on a shelving, sandy bottom, 100 yards from shore, five miles north of Point Reyes lighthouse. The Survivors. At the residence of Mr Koinhold, a mjyte H fiajm.tJ«i..wreck..the_.tKO.-_sujvivor^ are old,a Scotch apprentice on the Haddington shire, was first seen. He has brown hair, curling over his forehead, dark-blue eyes, red cheeks, and extremely pretty features. He was dressed in a blue knitted jersej and blue overalls, and was laughing while Miss Beinbold, the rancher's sister, dressed his badly-Bprained ankle This was his first voyage on a merchantman, but he had served three years on iho British ; naval training ship Cumberland. He told the following story intelligently and in terestingly :— "At 2 o'clock Thursday morning I was heaving the log from the poop deck. We wßre making eight knots, with everything set but. the royals and the foghorn blowing. The deep sea lead bad just been brought on deck at 205 o'clock, when the lookout called out, ' Land ahead !' The first officer called the captain, who was in his berth, and then ordered us to haul down the raain topmaat staysail and square the main yards. We struck just as the staysail came down. The captain just then came on deck and ordered us into the port lifeboat. We got the tackle hooked on and the boat half lowered,when the boat was smashed against the Bhip'9 side. The captain then ordered us into the rigging. Thirteen of us got into the main rigging, two in the mizzon rigging, and the captain and first officer went below for blue lights and rockete. When the captain came up the companion way a sea washed the rocket out of his hands. He burned one blue light,and then the first officer went up into the mizzen rigging We hung on, with the sea going over the mastheads, until 3.30 o'clock, when the rigging ga\e way, and then the captain ordered us on the deck. Washed Overboard.

" As I was going down the rigging the mast went over. I was between the mast and the yards, but crawled up through the rigging and a sea washed me overboard. I heard nothing but cries for help. I was in the breakers.and so exhausted that I lay on my back and tried to swallow enough water to drown. A breaker throw me away in shore, and I felt the sand with my lingers. That gave me hope, and I swam and strug gled until I got on the beach. I fainted then and woke up two hours afterward, I found a beaten path, followed it, and got here, where they gave me warm, dry clothes and breakfast. Mr Reinhold rode down to the beach when I told him what had hap pened, and found Hans Markuson, the only other one saved." Tho Waif ol tho Ocoau.

"It was about 6 o'clock on Thursday morning," Reinhold saidto the " Chroniclo " reporter, "and we were at breakfast, when a feeble knock came at the door. I opened it, to find a bare-headed, bare-footed, little chap, half-dressed in wet clothes, his hair filled with sand and hie body shivering with cold. ' I'vo been washed ashore—a wreck. I'm the only oue saved,' he said. Bo could scarcely stand up, and though he looked as if ho had just then been tossed on the beach by a wave, I could scarcely believe that such a little fellow would be tho only ono saved from a shipwreck. So I told my sister to give him some warm clothes and hot coffee, and I jumped on a horse and rode to the beach. It was foggy and still blowing hard, and I rode up and down for some time before seeing any signs of a wreck. I suddenly heard cries, and looking in their direction caw <ho man Markuson running about like a madman. He had on only a pair of drawers and half of an undershirt. Ho was too excited to give any accouut of himself, and remained co for some time after I had him home, clothed and fed. Tho little chap, though, recovered quick. After breakfast and when wo had dressed his foot and logß, which were badly bruised, be was as cheerful as if nothing had happened to him. I don't know what the boy and man will do. Tho man did net have evon a suit of clothes, but the boy had on enough clothes to make him comfortable after we had dried them. The Insurance.

The total insurance on the wrecked vckhol and her cargo amounted to £20,150. Among the various companies interested is the Union Insurance Company of New Zealand, £1,000,

Proud Mother : "Do you know, dear, I believe our baby will be a singer, perhaps a great tecor like Brignoli or Campanini!" Tired Fatter: "He strikes high C mighty often, if that's what you mean." " Yes, the toneß ai>> ?o sweet and Bhrill. 1 hope we will be abb to have his voice cultivated in Europe." "By Jove! good idea. Send him now," " BUCHU PAIBA "^*^i.u^ jJi UMy b,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1885



Feels Young Again.—" My mother wai afflicted a long time with neuralgia Mid a dull, heavy, inactive condition of the whole syßtera, headache, nervous nroetration. and whb aunost helpless. No physicians or medicines did her any good. Three months ago she began to usa Hop Bitters, with such good effect that she seems and feels.joung again, although pvor seventy years old."-A Lady in R. I. Look up Woman's Friend.—A mother's advice to mothers: "Keep by you, for yourselves and daughters, Mrs Dr. Stuart's Female Remedies. I have never met with anymed'ebra so well meriting the name of ' Woman's Friend.' They are invmuablc tor the weaknesses, hoailaohes, and other troubles experienced by females Read.—tADVT.f DECLINE OF MAN.-Semm. w«.ku«-?■ n>;i*J'»^