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1 . ffc. Hi. Iu Mrr ..rd,.,. 6wat Phyllis! lor your lovely sake 1 weavo thi'Mo ratublio^ uuuiberj, liocuo the morn 1* junt twako me (ruiii tuy &luiut>t . I nee your dainty dreei Amoug liiu chuRlug graiM*, Heuauie you claim a soft caress From uvery brui'/.o tbat pa**e<t. Because ue'v* pa.ed souiejoyou A tbouoauil cbarmiag tiuurtt, An iot n j-ovir mazy ganleu way*. Embowered *uh your flowers . iiM whene'er I near . ar your wotdd Kouib ple&aaat lei-hu^ lioffert, liBojii- 1 tbiuk yuur Luurt biui cliorli Th -.; iliruto to your Hogen. you've t(t tuoae louf, aofletirls I've Bworn ibould deck uiy ^odtleu , Hecauxt) you're nut liko otber girl*. All ru.itle, blush anil budice. Beeaaw> 1 think ynu'd scarce :fu-e To -nw one on a button ; rlecauM 1 know you'. I *omtiu:e I.-IIXM To .hue on *ltupla mutton. brcsuM) yoi.r i.uy httlu cola Tui ub up *o |>eit and fuuuy . li. can .! I Know you cbowe your beau ^ More for tbeir mirth than money ; HecaniMi I think you'd ratber twirl A waltz, with uio to guide you, Tiiau ralk <mal) roDseust* to a churl W'.tb i-ouutluw wealth beoidu you. Itecaane I think I'm j ut no weak A*, eu-ue o! tboB &uc .narrow*. To Mwk your garden tli . m to (peak My atorv and my aorrows. lleoauw ihe rem'i a *iiuple thiuK, A uiktterijuiokly over, A cb.ircb. a pried, a aixb a ring. And lifetime ii>ent in cloroi AGORDUN'SPRIUH CHA1TER XII. The iova atory enacted at St. load Bay WM a romantic one. Whatever might be tbo secret.) and tollies of Laurie Nugent'* li(e, be wad moat certainly thoroughly ' truest uow , whatever flirtation* he might bave indulged in, this was the one great master pwitaion o( his life. It bad taken complete poBBeiMK.il of him He would bave giveu bis life (or tbe beautiful brown haired girl whose smilua were glimpses cl paradiau . bim. He would have given hi life for her yet he did not spare her, be bad no pity for bar, no remorse. Hia whole ac-.il, every thought, every energy of hi- mind, w bent upoa wiuniog ber. He seemed M have concentrated his very existence uu tbat desire. But, knowing what he kaew, why did he not spare ber? Bacauae hi* Icve waa essentially uelnah. He wai capable of committing any crime for tbe auii* of winning tbe girl be loved would bavo hesitated at nothing ; but be waa not capable of sparing ber, of saving her from himself, of giving bar up and leav- ing her His love was utterly nelnth. He w* frightened at himiolf, at tbe vehemence of bis own pasniou. at it* axOHudaacy over bim. There were time* When Le aim vt loathed himvelf because a woman ' .umle could maki bis sou, or ber frown b:H nbade. Ttiere were time* when be wondernd if it were pom- 1 bia that he sould be the same cynical, oarflea* man who bad laughed at love, aud thought of it Only an paetime. The Jitv Had no brightoviw (or I.auri ; lujtil be bad -non Ethel, befell with her uauid on bia lipx, be dreamed it ber at night lair, gracious, v.ea,, *td winsome, yet so proud and ro-erved he woke thinking of ber, longing f >.- tbe hour iu which he abould me ber, thinking cf a tbooaand (ratty things tbat he w*Mld nay to ber. Taw world was wide, tbe world was large, but in it all be saw only E thiil Gordon proud, beautiful, be- witching Ethel. He caught himself repeat ing ber n%ma as the words of a aong. It was a* though he bad gathered every force Ot hia iuiui\ and soul together, and had oen terad them on her. Live with such a man in snob force, waa ratber a paaiticn than an affection. He bad sworn to himself that be would win ber, that tbe sweet should ahiue upon him and no other, that ber sweet >ips should npeak to uioi aud no otber man, of love. Yet witb it all he wai prudent. He dom opolto to Ethel to the presence A i. Uy Station- -or Helen Digby . be knew that r. would be hardly sate to do so that, if they peroeived any attention on his part, they would, alter the faabiou of chape; jur, begiu to raakd loqairiea ( i to hi* position and for- tune such inquiries ait would not suit him. Bo, witb skill and adroitness worthy of better C*TJSO, he continued to keep the tlder ladies quite in Ignorance of bin frieudqbip Witb Ethel. Wheo M .H Gordon was with them.be passed with a bow ; if he spake to '.horn, he ocatonvid Limself by looking at ber. When bia heari, beat, and bm pulse throbbed witb impatience, he comforted himself by aay. log that wiry coon abe -Siou'd be bia, free from !1 r-SHtraiutc, from all surveillance, Yet, with all hit prudence and caution, b i had ec-in Marrow escapes. One morning Helen Digby was restless, and ever., before tbe early dawn found her- self unasle to sleep ; ebe had dreams tbat frigbteuud her, uneasy dreams of Etbsl Gordon : aud ahe rone, thinking the morn- ing air would refresh her aud drive tbe dis- agreeable phautoma away. She went out on tbe lawn, and there aaw Etbsl talking to Lunu Nugent; Ethel held in bar hand some wild ropes round which was entwined a spray j( blue convolvulus. Mini I'igby went up to ber ; she bowed aoldly to Mr. Nugent, and laid oto hand warmogly on tbe RbTa shoulder. " Etbul," ebe a.d, "I did aot know bat you were up aud out." " Did yon not?" was the careless rejoin der. " I am out early every morning." " I thought myself very fortunate iu meeting Miss Gordon,' said Laurie Nugent, witb a ooldly polita bow ; " it is cot often tbat ladiex Believe the morning air to be benefloial." He pawed on, as though iie had just what you mean, and to what yon ar alluliug?" 1 Certainly I will, Ethel plain speak ing BuiU UB both beet. I saw you talkin to Mr. Nugent : now, 1 merely say, m, dear child, be cautious." ' Cautious of what ? Mr. Nugent ia an acquaintance of yours a friend of you f rieods, I bave beard you say." " I grant it ; a woman of my age, Ethel may form sxjquaiutauoea tbat a youcg gir had belter not form. I say nothing abou Mr. Nugent nothing against him, for know aothmg ; but I think you had betts avoid bim. ' " You will pardon me if I aak why," sail Ethel ; and Miss Digby aaw tbe gleam o defiance ou her beautiful faoa. . " 1 1 the first place, we know nothing o him, eicapt tbat he ia a friend of Lady DeUinaine'B , ' iu the second, I tell yoi frankly, I do not like bis faoe." Why do you not like it ?" asked Ethel I oaucot tell. It look* to me like a false face It is not the face of a good man. There ia cunning in the sharp eyes and cruelly ou the thin lipa." " You are prejudiced," Baid Ethel, coldly ' I h&ve never beard of any senaible person disliking a man for the c jlor of bia eyes or the shape ot his lips." ' Etbel, you will not understand me. I ia not tbat. 1 aay tbe expreaaion of the face ia bad aud I am sure it ia not tbe faoe of a good man. Mind, I know nothing gainst Mr. Nugsnt ; but nature neve; made a mistake in her handwriting, anc *he baa written ' Beware' on bis face. Ethel looked up at her, aud tbe defiance deepened on her face. ' Before you fatigue yourself by arguing any furtber, Mia* Digby, will you tell me in what way Mr. Nugeut concern* me?" Thure was auoh soornful pride in tb< tcc.u:iful cyea tbat Helen Digby hastened to explain kerself more fully. i'ii not suspect that there ia anything clan leatine between you, my dearect Ethel I dive never thought of euoh a thing. 1 only w>eb to warn you. You are very young Mr. Nuceot ia very ban daorna a perfect man of thtt world and I think it beat to warn you . You must he more explicit still, Miss Digby." Helen Digby lighed. Her charge terriblv perverse. " I wiab to warn you very diaticctly and clearly against Mr. Nugent. Ethel. You are very lovely, my dear, and, naturally enough, he most admire you. He may pay you compliments, and flatter you ; <lo not behave him, do not trust bim, d it put fi*. i in any ibing be may aay." Ycu are nappoeing, MIB Digbv. that 1 am not old enough ta lake care of myself.' No, Kiuel, I am only auppo'icg that yoj are inexperienced. I should not like Sir Leonard to think that I had not takeu good earn of yon." And I should like to show tbat I was ab's tn tike better care of myaelf than you OJU>d of me," retorted Etbel ; and with .1. n words, ay, leaving proudly spoken, she walked Helen Digby to her own to exchange a morning greeting with Ethel, aud tbeu Helen Digby turned gravely ' > the young girl. " My '.aarost Ethel, ' nhe <iJ, " I do not like to ssern offiaious, but your father trusted yon entirely to mo ao entirely, tbat I (eel bound to see that you form no new friendshipa uoleas Ibey are nuob as be would sanction." " My father never interfered with me in tbat way himself." interrupted Ethel, quickly. " Perba^i not, my dear ; but then tbe cir- oumBtaacaa were different. You bad none tut old friends around you, yon were not among stranger*, and your (atber, of course, could do as he liked." " Equally, of course, can I," na.d Etbel proudly. ' ' Will yon eipfein. Miss Digby, waa tha turning of tbe noale ; from t .a 1 , d . > tbe balance weighed in Laurie N u gent's ( ior. Tbat Mine Digby disliked him a J bul warned ber against bim wa* quite sufh'oisnt to make Ethel Gordon like bim aud incline in bia favor. Helen Digby oould not bave doue anything more fatal than express distrust of him. If Etbel oould lava acted aa ab* liked, sbe would bave talked to him more than before, and it rould always bave been in the presence ot tliaa Digby ; but Laurie Nugent waa wiaer. He iw by Helen'* faoe tbat aba bad not been quite pleased at seeing Ethel with bim ou tbe l-iwii ' J>iic-ation ia tbe better part of valor," be said to himself. " If Miss Digby should au-pect wbat I bave sworn, she will take Etbel where I oaunot follow, and then I mtiat b>ti her ; bat, if I u*e a little self control, nbe will not even suspect. " fio for the next few days, although it coat 1. 1 in more than be wculd bave oared to acknowledge, be did not once approach Elbal Lin did not even aeek an opportu- uity of ajiliessing ber chaperon. " 6h thai! not think me eager; *be shall find me perfectly indifferent," he aaid ; and k .Lai was aurprind to find how muib she missed bim. Helen Digby, like tbe noble, aimpla uu-rUiipocting woman she was, laughed at herself !or ber suapioion. It had bt n ouly a paining thought, an idea tbat oa . from icaiug them together, wbiob .0 laughed ai uow. Laurie Nugent appeartid to bj aublimely indiiTerent to Ethel, and be, proud, cold, and haughty, would never care for i.i.y one. Helen Digby was quite at ber tase, aod in a few days had forgotten circumstance, or, if abe remembered it, it waa only with a smile. CHAPTER XIII. Tbe lime baa seemed so long since we spokd," id Laurie Nugent to Misa Gor- don, e\ 3ial days after the lawn incident, " tbat I wonder how I have lived tbrougb it.' I da uot see why you ahould not bave poken to me as usual," observed Etbel. He gave one quick, ahrewd glance at ber the beautiful faoe waa quite calm and aerene. I thought Mil* Digby teemed dinpleaned ou Tuot.iay morning wbeu abe saw you epeaking to me on tbe lawn, and, as I would not (or worlds subject you to her displeasure, I thought u better Dot to utfdreHN you." Ha liautv tbat tbe arrow had gone home when i he drew her slender figure to its (ull height. " Mie Digby'* pleasure or displeasure afldcts me but very little," fche aaid. And then Laurie Nugent knew that he held the key to tbe whole situation. Tbe girl dis- liked her guardian, aud would do anything to vex iiur. "That waa Tuesday, ' he said, " and tbid ia Hatiday. How I hve lived through the week I oannot tell ; it has seemed to me a oeutary long." It was Sunday evening, and the chiming of the Sabbath bells mingled witb the music of tbe wavea a calm, beautiful evening, when all nature teemed to know tbat Heaven's calm reated upon it. The aweet chime of the bella sounded from tbe distant church spire. Laurie Nugent's diplomacy waastrik'ogly luccasaful that bright Sunday evening. Krotc some of the satehtes who were in his pay he liad heard that Miss Gordon waa iot going to church, and that Mils Uigby and Lady tjtafton were. " They will never leave her here alone," he thought, " it they knew that I uu ao going." So hall an hour before church oirua U framed ao excuse to apeak to Miss Uigby and then casually mentioned that h intended going through the woods :i Old Church, an it was called. Miaa Digby and Lady Btafton u-i nut leaving Ethel slone. Lady Station bat aaid aomething about the propriety jf a leaving ber, but Miaa Dighy, believing tha no one waa in tbe hotel but tbe manager tbe aervanta, and a few lady declined to interfere. " It i* bard enough to jxttroisti *uy authority over her when the object IB an important one," she said. " I must uot try ber too tar by interfering witbout Ko the elder ladies went to church, am Ethel weut to ber favorite spot tc bear tbe chiming of tbe bell*. Sbe looked up in surprise when Laurie Nugent tppearet eurldenly by her side. I thought you were going to iburob,' bhe said. Again he gave her one quick glauoe , beautiful faoe waa quite serene ; 'hurt waa uo hUi-i'ietou of Liia strategy. I aid intend going," he replied . ' but . changed my mind." * I thought that waa only a lady 'n privi lege," rejoined Ethel, with a imile HO bright aud beautful tbat be took oourage and flung himself on tbe rioh. thick olover at ber feet. How aweet and sad those bolls are ! he said, suddenly. " How calm tuid sill tbe evening is! Have tbe bird* a Sunday ol their own, I wonder? Near to my window there is a great elm-tree, and there has been such a eo!emn cawing of the rooks." When I was a child," observed Gtbel " 1 always thought the sunahiti< .as of I different color on Sundays- ><emed to have a more goldeu mellow light Wbeu she was a child I As 'loughube were anything else then I He looked up into the beautiful girliib face . it was BO kind aud sweet that he took ^ourago and told ber bow cruelly long tbat wuek bad seemed to him, in which he >iad hardly seen her. And then they seemed men old frienda shs told bim her simple Btory Low abe bad for so long been a petted, .polled. beloved darling, tbe pride of her lather H life ; how abe bad ruled witb easy fantastic away tbe entire household, and bow dearly she had loved that away ; bow ber love and ber affection aeemedto Ull her father's life and bow suddenly this bappy ntate of thinga bad ended how ber father, having begun to find ber full of faults, had deter- mined to marry again, and bad left ber to learn the difficult leeaou of obedisnce (rom tier (uture step-mother. It aeems very hard,' be >-atd, "I do sympathize with you. One can uever throw cff tbe habit o( a lifetime So, gradually, by kind, gentle word*, and delicately veiled expression* c( c'.mlike to lieleu Digby, he led ber on uutil be knew be simple atory c( her life by lieart. He understood that Sir Leonard bad repented ben too late of tbemduUeoca with which .e had treated his daughter, l.e under- tood tbat tbe second marriage was more or ber ask* than hi* own, to provide her lib a wise, keuaible womanly guide. "I suppose," he said, "that laallyunr ife until now you have never been opposed r contradicted you bave doct rail M yon would '.'" She looked up at aim brightly. "Papa iked my rule," *b* said, " aud I made every one happy." It pleased ber to hear kind word* from bim. Tbe scene was piotureique, the hour >lea*ant, the sound of tbose murmured 'orda delightful; and on thia evening lanrie Nugent aid more tbau Le ever said lefore. Hs toU ber how l.e had mined ler , aod there wa* aoob a ring of true pas- ion in hi* worda tbat proud Ktbel was ubdued a he liatened. " You think, because I bave known you o ebort a time, I UJUHI be exaggerating. Ah. no, tbe brightness ot day, the brigb'.neaa of lawu cornea with your presence. The lowers around us hers arc fair, but none .re so fair as you . tbe gleam cf tbe sun IB right, but it is not so bright as you ; tbe ound of your voic? is sweeter tbau tbe binimg of those Sabbath belli, or tbe music of tbe birds. When I look at you, all my life reems complete ; tbe fairent reams I have ever bad are realized. I ould worahip you as men o( old worshiped nddoeeee." She smiled as she listened. Ha would ave been better pleaded if her Cark, proud yes had drooped, and her (aoe bad flushed, be smiled serenely, as ttha would have iuil' d at tbe words of a pleasaut poem or be notes of a beautiful song. Still, sbe as not angry and tbat was cue point ained. It ahe would only listen to bis leadinga to all tbe love ttorie* that be new so well bow to tell he felt sure tbat e should win ber iu time. " You can imagine bow tboae who have ved for months in darknes* long for tbe leased light ol the sun," ho paid. " So have longed to see you." bbe laughed a low sweet muaual Uugb. " What am I to you," ahe Raid, " that yon bould wiab to Bee me?" He looked up into her face with a glance nut stirred the depths ol her heart. 11 Wbat are yon to me I" be echoed. Misa Gordon, all words fail me when I ry to answer that question. Wbat IB the ght of day to an imprisoned man ? Wbat s tbe Bun to tbe world tbe dew to tbe o were aweet dropping ram to thirsty letitH ? What is grateful nhade to a sun- Mjorohed traveller tbe eight cf land to a storm-toased sailor .' What art you to me? If from aunrise to sunset I nat and spoke to you of nothing else, I oould i ot tell you what you are to me." She glanced at bim witb the most natural and charming surprise in her dark eyes, tbe lovely dimpled lips were smiling ; there waa no confusion, no embarrassment iu ber manner, and, looking at her, Laurie Nugent woudered if abe loved him if ever he should win her or it he should bave to leave her at last. " I bave not displeased you I trust," be said, looking at the beautiful downcast faoe. " You asked me tbe question BO suddenly I was taken by surprise. If all tbe poetry in the world were compressed into a single song, it ciuld not describe my affection for yon if all the love that baa ever been (elt by mortal men could be placed in one beait, it would still (all far nbort of the love I feel tor yon." Tbe glanced at bim quickly. " You love me. then ?" she queried, in a voice that breathed sweetest music. " I love yon "' he repeated and tbe sound of hia worda startled him even mor than it did Ethel Gordon. They aal for some minutes in silence while the chiming of the bella doate around them. "I love you!" repeated Laurie Nugent " I bave summoned courage at last to sa; so. I loved you the first moment tbat' saw you, and! I shall love you until I die. know it is presumption. Yon are far abov me as the blue sky or tbe golden sun ; bu I love you, and by the ladder of love I hopi to climb to your aide." He caught ber wbite bands in a passion ate grasp, so tightly as almoit to cause he to cry aloud. " Wbat the men ot old did to win tbe women they laved I would do, Ktbel. would serve for you twice seven years content if I might win yon at last I would love yea all my life, and be nodtent to win one word, one smile in return, aa I lay dying; I would out and fight for you as did tbe beroea o old ; I would live for you, 1 would die for yon ; for I love you, Etbel, a* no man hat ever loved a woman before." Hia voioi died away in paasionate mar mur, and he buried bis faoe iu tbe silken shining folds of ber dress. Bbe Bat eilenl and motioaleaa, for his worda had fallen upon ber witb a blank surprises-she bac not expected them. Etbel," be continued, " I have nothing to offer you that ia wortby of you. What would be worthy ? 17.1 had all tbe world's wealth, and oould lay it at your feet, it would be nowortby of you. If I were an emperor, aud oould raise you to tbe throne uy my side, and oould give you tbe orowt [rom my brow, it would be unworthy ol you. I can give you nothing but tbe deep passionate love of my heart, my faith, my truth, my life." He paused again, with tbe last word trembling on hie lipa. Her proud, (rank eyea were shining down upon bim, but there was uo confusion in ber face, no Hesitation in ber manner. Why d* you love me so muoh ?" she asked, witb the simple wonder of a child ' I do not uuderatand it." " I oannot tell yon, Etbel. Why do 1 ove yon ? I cannot help it. I loved yon lefore 1 knew your name, or bad heard (ou speak. My heart went (rom me in the Irat glimpse I had of your beauti(ul (ace. Aak the bird* why they sing, tbe flowers why they bloom, the inn why it ibine*. It would be easier for those to answer tbau 'or me to aay why I love yon. I cannot islp it. It ia my destiny, and no fairer one was ever given to man " He rained hia handsome head, and looked up into tbe calm, proud, severe faoe. I am almost frightened at my own pre sdmption," beoontinned ; " uu as if ablave lad dared to raiee his eye* to tbe (airast, be prondeal, tbe brightest ot queens. -tlicl. say you are uol angry witb me." " I am not au^ry," sbe replied. " You will tbtnk I grow ojurageous with juduees. Bay even more than tbat wbat ill you git* me in return for my mat ove?" I do not know," she answered ; aud here was a grace ao childlike, ao innocent, ao pore in ber look* and word that once more tbe impulse was strong upon bim to ave her from himself. Only one moment id it last, and then the eeltl.h, panaionate ove rose in hia heart, and b* was kneeling at ber feet. Ethel, I pray you give m* aomething in eturn for my love giv* me liking hat will in time bee juie love. Bid ue do something tbat I can prove bow dearly I love you. Da not rend me from you to despair and death, am a strong and a proud man ; my pride nd strength, with my love and my life, re lying at your feet stoop and raise bem, Ethel." He oould not have spoke more i :i actively . ne of Ethel'* weakeat points waa tbi* love f power to wbiob be now appealed. It waa aometbiog to tl.ij tbat ibis strong, andsome, powerful man bad laid hi* life n her band* knelt at ber feet, praying (or ne kind word from ber. It flattered her ; be bad fancied bernelf so neglected, she ad been deposed from her natural sov- reignty, and U was pleasant to find tbat one mtn'a heart ahe reigned a moat rinmpbanl queen. It waa not love tbat oauaed ber to leave er wbite hand in hi* panaionate graip it was not love tbat caused her to droop ber eautiful face over bim it wan not love lat abone iu her eyes and trembled on ber ex. It was only gratified vanity gratified ove of power. "Etbel, say yon will love me," be said. Bay yon will make some little return for my deep love." I will," she ry." Ouce agaiu he buried bis face in the lining, silken folds, and she saw bis strong rame trembling. Something like a drawn gh escaped bia lips. " I waa afraid," ha said, in a low voice. I was sorely frightened, Etbel ; for I felt lyself quit* unworthy of you." Then be sat by ber side aud talked to ber ntil tbe girl fancied that she waa trans- orted to seme other sphere. It waa leasant to hear bow beautiful she was, ow completely she had conquered him, ow strong were tbe obaina tbat bound him o her, how deeply and truly he loved her. t was ao pleasant th>t sbe abandoned her- self to the charm, and Lanrie Nugent, with wild, exultant triumph, said to himself tat be bad won ber tint ahe wa* bis B. Tbe golden light of tbe evening sun faded nto tbe purple gloaming, the vesper song ' tbe birde gradually ceased, but itill they at on. At length Laurie Nugent rose. " It ia growing late," be said. "Ethel, y darling I may call you darling now, nd there is no H wetter word I hardly like o propose it, but do you not think it would e better not to say anything at present to Misa Digby ?" She raised her bead proudly, with that aughty glance tbat be knew so well. " Do you suppose I should ever sav any- ling to Miss Digby ? It is no bnsiudsa of era it concerns papa. When I tuink it eedful I shall write to bim." " MIHH Uigby would take tbe keenest leaaurt in parting ns," observed Mr. URvnt "lam quite sure of tbat; and, , Ethel ! let me bave a few days' bappi ess, a few days) of auoh unutterable blira s rarely falls to man's let I You will uot ren tell your father yet ?" " Not unless you wiab me to do so," ab plied. " He would be sure to write aod place the responded; "at least I will whole matter in Miu Digbv'a hand" ; and then abe would triumph. Keep your own aweet counsel, Etbel." " Mitt- Digby shall never triumph over me," abe said, proudly. " And, Etbel, in w tbat yon have accepted me for your kuigbt, you will consent some- times to nee me you will let me j Jin yon in your evening rambles you will be kind to me for tke sake of the great and migbty love I bear you ?" Sbe promised, and bending his handsome bead he kibaed tbe wbite, nod har.da he looked at the beautiful (aoe, but dared not touch it with hiB lipa-- and then, slowly and reluctantly, he went away through tha ullent wooda. Helen Digby woudered that night at Ethel ; the girl looked BO beautiful, witb a softened light ou tier faoe, aud a dreamy expreation iu her eyea. Her words were unusually geutle, her manner bad more tbau its ordinary ebarm. Helen was delighted, and oberiiibed the vain hope that Etbel was begiuuiog to like ber at last. When the ladiuit had disonaued the termon, the congregation, and tbe long, pleasant walk home, Lidy Stafton said " I did not aee Mr. Nugent. He went to tbe old church, I suppose." " I am almost ulad we did not see him," remarked Miss Uigby. " I really oannot tell why, hot I am beginning to have a ntrange mi -tru- 1 of biin. I do not like Mr. Nugent." A moment afterward, looking at Ethel, ufae i<aw the fair young faoe crimson, and Helen sighed as be woudered at it. Yon are prejudiced, Helen," aaid Lady Slaftoo, liugbiug "There is nothing par- tioular iu Mr. Nugent to admire, cor do I see any tbiUii to dirhke " Tbeu Etbel ronu aud said good night. Helen Digby looked pleased. "Ethel IB begibuitg tj like ma sud to Feel mere at liouie witb me," MUJ aaid. " How bappy I ruall be when rhe oarse) lor me ! She i a grand, noble, generous <irl, deu| ue ber pride uui ber love of power. I oannot help longing (or bee affection." Lady Button laughed again, thinking ber Iriend sentimental, while Else! went to ler room to dream once more of the scene in the woods. Laurie Nugont wa* triumphant , Ue bad larely hoped tor so great a success. Ethel wan so beautiful, IK> haughty, ber smiles, .hough BO sweet, were BO rare, tbat he had lardly dared to hope that Etbel would "iBleo to him. Oa tbe calm Sabbath oven- ng be walked through the silent woods, elmg, witb his poetical, beauty loving nature, tbe chasm ot the scene around him. Yet no beauty, no charm tempted him to pare Kiln I. He thought o( her proud, fair ruung beauty ot ber high spirit, her nobla nature; be wondered bow sbe wculd andnre tbe life tbat lay before ber ; he wondered bether in tbo time to oome ahe would dislike tire, bate bim, loathe utm. Ue woudered over all these things, yet tbe idea if (psring ber, ol saving ber, was beyond iim be was not capable ot tbe saeriftoe. I must banted matters now," bt said, a* he tt >p|ied to gather a tpray of wild cls- matia. " I canuot bide from myaell chat I norease the obauece of dacgar by linger- ng here. Ah, tue ! if lite c-iuld be passed iiuoug love aud flowers, I, for one, iliould M quite content." CHAPTER XIV. Did sbe luve him, or did sbe not / That was a question Lun Nugent often asked nmseli during tbe next few days. Hs had eemed biomelt wll versed in the ways of wouieu ; bethought, witb a half c on temp- uous m.:ile, ol bow easily they were under- took, of bow easily they were managed ; le wondered at tbe nonsense men wrote/ and uttered about the in possibility of understanding the fairer bait of creation. lut this young girl puzzled bim. She had mat him and calked with him . aha bad ven answered some of the passionate love- ttera be bud written to ber , but her iroud, serene calm fairly pazzled bim. Her faoe uevui changed its color lor im, bet eye* never drooped beneath his, er hands uever trembled when he held gem in a Warm, loving clasp . Hbe ad none of the pretty sbyuess that he bought belonged naturally to young iris in lovo ; she did uot seem to tudy bia looks and word* as others) ad done , she was kind, gracious, entle, but bo never loat her proud serenity, ber dignified calm. He thought much of it, but be oould not tell whether ae loved him. Nor had Ethel answered a Ike question atiifaotohly to herself. It was very leaaant to be wooed in so cbivalron* a aabipn to*eeatall,xtrong, handsome man isirive SH a child - to know that be beyed her "lightest wish, that he trembled ber frown, tnt her least word could aise bim to heaven, or fl'ng bim t LI to tbe tptha of derpair. Etbel Oordoi/a love of lower was gratified by ber ascendency over aurie NageLt. It was flittering to see le color change on bia bandaome face, tha rang baud tremble at ber approach. But, all Hbe had read ot love ia poHey wa 'ue, abe) did not love bim. She believed le did. Tbe break in the calm monotony ! her life had been more than pleasant ; le atir of gratified vanity, tbe love of rule, le deaire of doing something that Miss Igby did not approve, the wish to oppose) er tbe delightful conoiou*n*s* ot dis- iii! her all tbee things Ethel Gor on mistook for love. And ao mibtaking, the was bitterly Jn.p- flint; ii Sbtj had now reached the abores 1 that golden land tbat in tbe distance ad i-o completely charmed her. She found bleak and birren ; th* bright fairy. and wa but a dry waste. She sighed ti-ply aa xhe aid to herself tbat Bbe was) n love, and that love after all was no* hat BUO bad imagined. Sbe recalled tbe owing verses ot tbe poets who had written it, the gloriouH melodies tbat told of it, le books written in eloquent worda with ve tor a theme and thai waa all. TH be continued.) Mr. W. W. Corcoran, tb* millionaire .iker and philanthropist o( Waahiogton.iaj Raid to ba exceedingly proud of his auoss- y. He glories iu the fact that his father an only a poor, honeat shoemaker, and be sasures tbe old cobbler's shop sign board moog bis ohoioeat poaaesaiona. An orator, holding forth in favor of woman, dear, divine woman," concludes id* : " Oh, my hearers, depend upon it, olhing beats a good wife." " I beg your ardon," replied ona of bia auditors, " a d bnaband does."