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AGORDONS PRIDE ." It would be a strange thing," be mused, " andjahown the expedteoey of taking for- tune al the right turn." Mr. Nngsul remained in the grounds until the dew tell on the grass and flowers, aud thin went slowly indoora. A bauduome fee that brightened the waiter's face, and a ft wdiaoreetqneilione.aoadroitly asked thai ti ay seemed perfectly innooeut, obiskiued foe him all the information that he rt quired. 'Ethel Oordon," he muttered to him- Sjlf "the beautiful name suite the beauti- ful faoe." He repeated it again aud again. ' ISthel Oordon Ethel, with the sad sweet e>ea and the sad a west faoe if I oould 01 ly make her love me if I oould only win OL a smile from her sweet Ethel Gordon." t . Che name sssmsd to bave a charm for lii n Ha fell asleep that night repeating it a* one repeals the words of a>mt haunt- 11 ; song. The next morning be rose early. Oat in t ! a grounds he gathered a bouquet of f air- B- : roses ; tbe diw was lying ou them, and every leaf aeemed full of perfume. With a jotuer bribe, even heavier than tbe first, tne waiter consented to bave tbe touqnet mveyed to Miss Gordon's room. " Be particular, and do not mention (rom whom yon received is." The waiter in his turn bribed the onam- 1 TIU tid ; aud, when Ethel rose, oue of the first things she saw upou her toilet-table wa* a superb bouquet of rose*, aud ou the paper infolding them ahe read, in straoge, quaint character! tbe words, Sweets to the i- veet." Bbe took up the roses, aud looked at t -iem wondenngly. Wbohado*redeuffioienl- ly for her to send her these ? She had been a: the hotel so many weeks, and no one Lad ever appeared to recognize her. Who l.adriten to gather these beautiful roses for her? Who bad written those pretty words" Sweets to the sweet." It did not enter her mind tn - i . MH an admirer, a lover. Such a possibility never occurred to Klbel. That some day there wonld come to btr a vague, beautiful dream called love ahe fell intuitively ; that there would oome a fairy prtnee, who wonld change all tbe world for her, making it doubly fair and doubly bright, abe al felt, and she thought of il wilh a softened light in her ej as and a crimson blush on her fair (aee. The happy time wonld oome, for it oame once in every one's life when, she did not know. Sbe had fell no want in her l:fe ; her father's love and her own pretty, fantaitio will had more than filled it. No voice bad oried out to her that her life wa* unfinished because love bad formed no part of it. The pyous lime wonld come, sooner or later, and that beautiful, distant golden future had a greater charm for her than flirtatious and lovers bad for other girls. Tbe grandest heritage of women was not hen yet the love that suffers, that endures, that brings with it keenest pain tbe love tbat makes of this world a para- dise or a purgatory tbe lave that orowna a woman's life or bringa with il certain death. No warning oame to her from tbe sweet dewy rosia, or each fragrant leaf might have oried, "Beware I beware I" Mr. Nugent rigbtly guessed that Misa Oordon waa too proud to question tbe ser- vant j about tbe sender of the flowers. She held them in her white hands, aht inhaled their luscious perfume , she kissed tbe sweet crimson leaves. " Yea oou.e (rom a fneud," she said ; ' therefore you are welcome." Bbe hesitated shyly whither she should plaoe one of them in ber belt or in her hair ; and shyness gained tbe day. Bhe left them in the room, but all day il seemed to ber that she bad a frisnd near al hand. Laurie Nugent laid his plane. He had determined upon a floral siege ; if Mi** Oordon were inclined to romance a* from bar faoe be expected this tilenl fra- grant wooing would have a great charm for her. He watched ber that day in silent admiration, yet keeping out of ber sigbt. The next morning llnil found on her table a bouquet ol lilies, fair, while, and odorous, but on the paper that enfolded them wai written no word. Her wonder increased, who was there that oared enough about her to send ber snob lovely flo vers ? Il oould not b* Miss Digby. " I should hate them if I thought they oame from hir," she aaid to herself. Hsr (ace fl.ubed, and her eye* flashed. She would hive trampled the delicate lilies under foot if Helen Digby'* band bad gathered them. But it oould not be so. Miss Digby was kind, courteous and grace- ful ; still sbe would never have thought of anything ao sentimental as sending flower* steeped in the early morning dew. On tbe morning following there oame a bouquet more beautiful still; it wai com- posed of large, rich, velvety heartseases ; and then Ethel's suspicions ware aroused. II must be some one who admired ber. Yet she had seen no one. There were one or two ladies and two or three elderly mar- ried gentlemen staying al tbe hotel. It oould be none of those. Who was II sent the flowers? Ethel resolved on that, Ihe third day of receiving them, to look care- fully around and take more interest in the living world. OHAPIKR X. The morning was too warn' (T the residents al the Queen's Hotel to remain indoors, and the sea-brene was fresh enough to moderate the heat of the sun. Tbe air aeemed filled with golden base ; it was almost faint, loo, with perfume. The aromatic odor of tbe pine-woods mingled with tbe fragrance of the lily and tbe rose ; the bright- winged butterflies and honey-bees hovered round the floweri. All nature seemed languid in the great warmth : the leave* of the trees never stirred the flow- ers were still. The ladies had brought out their books and fancy-work ; they ware sitting under tbe trees where the sea-breeie oould reach them. Miss Digby and Lady Stafton were each busily and happily engaged in the making of some beautiful and delicate point- lace ; Ethel had brought out a volume of poems, but she did not read much her attention was fixed ou the various gronpa. Bhe saw no one among them, however, who wonld be likely to send her flower*. Presently a little dog, belonging to one of tbe ladies, ran barking up to Miss Digby and disarranged her work. Bhe had a nervous fear of dogi, and atternd a little dismay wbsn she saw it. The next a tall, handsome man, who smiled as b bowed. I trust you ars not frightened madam," be said ; " dogs should not be allowed to go unmuzzled during these fear fully hot day*." Lady Station smiled Misa Digby looked slightly contused. " I oaght to b* ashamed to confess it,' she said, ' but I am very muob afraid o them in all weathers Tbe new-comer should then, perhaps have left them, but be seemed disposed V linger : and in ibis pleaaaut at fraco bole life Lady Blaf ion did not think il needfu to observe the strict laws of etiquette. Tbu trio fell into a pleasant conversation, the stranger speaking principally of St. Ina's Bay. MM* Digby agreed with muob thai be aaid, and during all tbe time be never oooe looked at Etnel. He never looked at ber, but be was conscious of her every movement. He knew that the bright proud <>yes were looking at him he knew that thu oaantifnl faoe was turned to him but he assumed the most profound uncon- sciousness. " Are yon staying here for any time ?' he aaked Mies Digby. " Yes," sbe replied, " we shall remain until tbe end ot the autumn " " It seems to be a very quiet place," be remarked. " loan hardly imagine any one staying here except in aearoh ot health." Lady Slaftou smiled. I hope you are not in ssaroh of health ?' she aaid. The handsome, debomair faoe flushed faintly. " I am indeed," be confessed. " I bave been over-studying, and my doctor reoom mended me to take a few weeks' entire rent. He also rtc immueded a quiet plaoe, so I chose Bt. Ina's Bay." 11 You could not have done better,' observed Misa Digby ; aud then she smiled, for the stranger's eyes were fixed on her with Much a wistful expression tbat ahe oould almost guess what was ooming. " If yon would not think me intrusive," said the stranger, " I should like to ask permission to introduce myself. I bave been so lonely here during tbe last few days that I abonld esteem il the greatest honor and the greateet pleasure to be allowed to have the privilege ot speaking to yon sometimes. My uame is Laurie Nugent. Lady Station, I have bad the pleasure ot seeing yon in London at Lady Detain aina'a." It was a random shot Mr. Nugent knew that Lady Delamsine was a great leader of faahion, but he had never entered ber house yet il quite satisfied Lady Btafton. " Yon know Lady Delamaine 7" she said. " Bbe is my dearest friend. Are you one of the Nugent* ot Flintshire?' "I am related to them," be replied; "but I have not seea much of them." It was so carelessly said tbat the impres- sion left on his hearers was that he cinsiii- erod himself socially the superior cf the Nugente of Flintshire. Then Lady Stafton asked him many questions concerning people in London whom ahe supposed him as a friend ot Lady Dtlamaine's to know, all of which he answered with applomb and self-posses- sion. Hii pleasant email-talk amused them, and the bright, tunny morning seemed the brighter to Elhil for his being there. Still, he bad never looked at ber, but his position wilh the two elderly ladiea being aeoure, he thought be might venture to ateal one glanoe at ber. lie met tbe most beautiful and tbe frankest eyei that be bad aver seen; they were looking intently al him, tbe golden light in their riob depths deepening aa the looked. He thought il wiser on thai ojoaaion to restrict his attentions entirely to the elder ladies. " If I spoke to ber now," he thought, " they would suspect that I bad taken all this trouble for her sake." One glanoe of admiration, full of fire, full of paaeion, aeemed to flah from tbe depths of hia eyes to hers. He saw ber faoi grow crimson, and then he dared not trust him self to look again. But that one glanoe bad unfuoed to trouble the calm still depths of Ethel's young heart. Suddenly an idea fltfhoJ across her tbat this stranger, this baudnome man, whose dark eyes Dad aeeoiud to flash that strange xlanoe into hers, was tbe one who bad aent tbe flowers. Bhe could not tell why she thought so, but it wa* impossible now to doubt it. Wonld tbe next morning bring tbe floral offering? She almost longed for morning to oome that she might see II. Laurie Nugent was wise enough tn see that be must not presume upon the kind- ness of tbe ladiee. H* paaead them several times tbat day ; on each occasion il was with a polite bow, but without a word. Lady Blaf ton commented on hia discreet, well-bred manner. " Some men wonld have been insufferable after our kindness," she said, laughingly, to Miss Digby ; " but he really seems almost timid, and afraid of intruding. I am rather inclined to like him, Helen." Miss Digby looked at him he was walk- iug down the terrace. 1 do not know," she returned, half- doubt folly ; " there is something in bis face that I can hardly like or trail." 'Hia face is handsome enough," observed Lady Btafton. " There it aomethiDg in il I oannot tell whit that does not pleare me," opposed Miss Digby. " It is not a faee tbat I should trust." Etbel was listening intently to tbe con- versation ; as usual, Ibe spirit cf contra- diction was aroused within her. Whatever Miss Digby said must be wrong. Bbs said nothing, but resolved in her mind to ibow ber disbelief in Miss Digby's words. A false faoe I It waa tbe handsomest shi bad ever seen and the remembrance of tbat one glanoe from the dark eyee made her heart beat. It wa* a break in tbe monotony cf her life it wa* something agreeable to think of the first dawning of that bun that was to shine so brightly for a time and then destroy her. Laurie Nugent succeeded beyond his wildest bopea. "Fortune attendH >hoee who know bow to wall," he said to him elf, and be never lost sight o f the fact ; he kuew how to wait with patience. For tbenoxt two or three days he devoted himself e Iu sively to Lady Stafton and Miss !>.>>, only acknowledging by a bow tbe presence of the beautiful Etbel. He was well sa is- flsd with tbe progress he had made, wi n one day, as be wae talking to Lady Htaftoo, sjunsbine, and a steady, strong hand drew Ihe dog away. Looking up, Miss Digby saw / Mr - Na M> f n from one to the other in such an evident expectation of an Intro duetion that tbe elder lady oould not pos sibly re(use il. Tuere were few words spoken when Kthe Gordon wa* introduced to ber fate, bu those tew were as a death-warrant. Mr Nugent bowed low, murmured aomethin which she did not bear plainly ; ber bear beat, her bands trembled, the proud, (ran' yea drooped before bin, and the buautif n faoe flushed, and then grew strangely pale 11 was almost a solemn moment to her, for it seemed like tbe completion of some vague beautiful dream. 1 1 waa a relief to her to hasten away, ani then Lady Stafton wondered if she hi done a wise thinu. It must be all right," sbe laid. " He Lady Delamaine's friend. If be were no a man of good means, be would not be stay ing here a gentleman I know him to be- besides, hs ahows LO sigus of admiring Etbel Gordon." Bbe forgot all about tbe introduction a few minutes afterward, and Laurie Nugen smiled to think how easily he succeeded in winning all be wanted. He could speak to Miss Oordon now, when be met her in the grounds, without any breach cf etiquette and already he bad grown to love her dearly, so entirely, tbat speaking to her became the one great need t f hie life. For be owned tbe mastery of tbe paa locate love tbat bad taken possession ol him so suddenly. He bad at first admired only the beautiful faoe be had looked at but watching it until its loveliness ha* tolen into bis heart, be learned to love i with a (ore* and intensity tbat (rigbteued himself. Love came to Laurie Nugent like a tierce tornado, tbat swayed his heart and soul as Ihe whirlwind sways the treee. He said to bimself that, cost what it would, lei hia life be what it might, let right or wroni rule, let the price be high or low, he would win her, be would make ber hia own. There was nothing that be would not have done to succeed ; he would bave hesitated at no crime, stopped at no wrong. With such a love there was little chance of escape for its object. CHAPTER XI. Miss Digby baj not succeeded in tbe dearest wish of ber heart tbe wish to win tbo confidence of Ethel Gordon. Sbe bad not even won from ber the least portion ol liking. Day by day, as she felt deeper regrel at parting from her father, al losing her position at home, Ethel felt a greater dislike to Helen Digby sbe wa* not even iust to ber. But for her," sbo thought, " my father wonld col bave been so anxious to make money ; but for ber, be might bave remained in England, and we should have been happy 'or long years in our old fashion. I iball never be to him again what I have been my love will never fill his life as it used." As these thoughts gained upon her, her dislike to Helen increased ; and tbe nnfor tunate idea returned to her that, if Bir leonard could only be brought to think lean ligbly of his betrothed, be wonld very pro lably abandon all thought of the marriage ; and that Idea, in the end, helped ber to ber sorrowful fate. Early in August letters oame from Bir iionard. There was one for Miss Digby, whose kind, calm faoe flushed wilh pleasure ss she read it ; and one for Etbel, who put I quietly away ahe wonld not read it in tbe presence of her rival. Helen Digby opened hers at onai. " Ethsl, ' aha said, looking up with wight ayes, " I am so pleased, Sir Leonard tas reached Vienna, and n both well and happy." Not to tbe rival whom sbe detested would Ethel condescend to say bow glad and happy snob news made her. She eturned some indifferent reply, which Mis* Jigby quite understood. " Sbe is too proud, and dislikes me too much even to say tbat she i* pleased," >iiiL 'i t tbe lady. Bat Ethel's exhibition of her nnoonqnered 'eelings did not prevent Miss Digby from saying kindly Will yon not read your letter now, itbel? II may ointain some news of ntereet." "Thank yon, I will wait;" and Ethel nuisbed ber breakfa-t leisurely, as though no unsealed letters were wailing to be read. Helen Digby sighed heavily a* the /onng girl left the room. If she wonld but be less proud, less reserved with me if she wonld learn to ike me, even ever so little I should ton lave a cloud in my sky." Etbel went out that she might read ber etter without interruption, and the spot she oboae was a lovely little nook at tbe end ol the avenue of lime-trees, where tbe clover grew thick and fragrant, where wild rotes and harebells stirred their sweet >lossoms in the feigning wind, and where tbe ihiek foliage of the trees met overhead and 'ormed an arch beautiful as that pf any cathedral aisle. One of the trees had fallen ong years ago ; il lay now stretched across the path ; mosa asd ivy covered il, sprays of wild flowers clung to il, and this little look, beautiful and solitary a* though it wlonged to some other sphere, was Ethel's " i ,- .r i LI resort. Thither she went now to read Bir Leonard's letter. Bhe kissed the seal that rare bia crest tbe place where she thought UK band had rested and then opened Ibe missive. A deep shadow oame over the beautiful faoe aa she read. Tbe girl's heart 'as hungering for love, for sympathy, she had hoped her father would write of rath, but the letter was one long exhorta- tion, one long piece of advice, and all con- cerning Miss Digby. He hopsd sbe bad learned to love ber, to obey ber, to look forward with pleasure to the happy life he anticipated they wonld ill spend together. He hoped she profited >y Miss Digby's teubinga, by her constant nteroonrse with one so amiable, so well- >re'l, and lady-like. A bitter smile curved the proud lips a* she read, bitter scorn and anger flushed ber proud faoe. " Does be expect tbat I Und her as per- eot as he does the woman who is to take my mother's place who ia to usurp my iwn?" Bitter, angry thoughts surged through he girl's heart, which ached with keenesl iaiu. Bo, although he waa away from ber, although for the first time in their lives bey had been parted, bis thoughts were all with this stranger who waa hence- orth to stand between them I It was one it the most miserable hour* of ber life. " I had thought so much of his writing o me," she said to herself, with something like a sob ; and, now that I have bia let- ter, there i DO pleasure, no oouitorl in it il is fall of her. She darkens the worl for i ne." Then, aa though in condemnation of sue a tboogbt, tbe wind seized one ot tbe shee of paper, and whirled it from her hands. The next moment a pair of dark eye* were looking into hers, aud Laurie Nugen lauding with her loot sheet of paper in hi hand, was bowing before her. I must thank this lint r, Miss Gordon, be said, " for an opportunity I bave Ion sought tbe opportunity of speaking t you." She look the letter from him, wit a (ew murmured words of thanks ; au then Laurie Nugent, who bad brave more dangers than most men, stoo quite at a loss what to say next. H bad imagined bimself alone with ber Ibouaand times and iu his fanoy be was always pouring out floods of eloquent word ebe listening with drooping eyes au Husked faoe. Now the reality for which b bad longed was his, and he stood before he in ailenoe, the words trembling ou bis lips his heart beating with an uuknow tear, a strange awe upon him for he beauty had completely overpowered him and lt(t him unable to epeak. She was the first to recover herself. I waa new to her to see a tall, handsome ma. disconcerted by ber. Sbe raised ber frank proud eyes to bis faoe, and then he saw th ot bitter tears. Miits Gordon," be cried, haatily, " you bave bad news, I au> afraid. You hav been grieving over something in your letter." Hia voice so full of sympathy, seemed t< touch her. A sudden impulse cf confidence in this stranger seemed to seize bar. " You ire right," abe said. " I hav been longing for tbe letter, and now that i bas oome I am disappointed." Her lips quivered, and the strong effor sbe was making to control herself drove tb< oolor from her faoe. He sat down by be side. The sight of that beautiful pale fao seemed to give him courage. How I wish I were not a stranger," he said that I might be able to help yon to say something tbat might console yon." " I am ashamed of myself," oontesset Ethel " moat bitterly ashamed ; but m; disappointment has been great." ' List me try to neip yon to forget il," be said. " This beautiful world is smiling al around ut, there is a bright sky above lei us enjoy them for a time, and forge ; rouble." With a firm gentle touch, which ahe made no attempt to resist, he took tbe closely written sheets from her, folded hem carefully, and then gave them back 10 ber. " Place the cause of annoyance out o: sigbt, Misi Ootdon, and you will forgst il ihat IH true philosophy, and the proper method ot managing all things disa greeanle." His peremptory manner rather pleased ler than otherwise ; abe looked up al him with a frank, fearless smile. "Do yon think so, Mr. Nugdul? I do not quite agree with yon. I abonld brim all diaagreeable things to tbo front, loot them boldly in the face. To brave battle with them, and vanquish them one by one that seems to mi truer philosophy than your*." II was ao, and Ihe remark showed plainly a* words could show, the difference between speaker and lietener. " I will learn any kind cf philosophy yon may ehoose to teach tar. miss Oordon,' returned Laurie Nugent ; " yon aball find me tbe most obedenl of scholars. I would Mlieve all yon told me, do all you bade me >hiok aa yon thought, rpsak aa yon spoke, n hope of but one reward." " What might that reward be?" sbe asked smiling. " One kind look from yon, and one kind word all the earth could give ms no greater reward than that." II was pleasant to sit there and bear suoh tied words; it was pleasant to read the admiration BO plainly revealed in tboae dark eyes ; il was the first gleam of bappi less Etbel bad known aiuce Sir Leonard Irst imparted to her the fact of bia intended marriage. Tbe whole some waa so fair ibat il lived in her memory long after rears of suffering bad blotted out other liotures. Ethel proud, frank, beautiful Etbel sat drinking in the first deep luscious draught of the cup that was to irove but deadly poison. For tbe first iime in ber young life she listened to tbe mmeasured words ot flattering love, and hey did not displease her. Laurie Nugent wai a clever man, quick of comprebinsion he had tbe great gift ol inderstandicg character and of adapting nmself to tbe people into whose midst he was thrown. He misused the gift terribly even fatally ; but he bad it cud used it ike a oharm. Although be had exchanged ml a (ew indifferent words with Etbel, bs inderstood ber perfectly; he did not know low she came to be associated with Hiss Digby, or whether they were related, but he w plainly enough that Etbel did not like nr, and never fell al ease with her. He bowed bis adroitness when, after talking to ber (or some minutes, bs asked, with a ittreleea smile " Where is Miss Digby this morning ? I lave not seen ber." " Sbe is writing Istter*," replied Ethel ; and tbe remembrance of tbe letter sbe waa writing darkened ths beautiful face aud badowed the sweet bright eyes. II 1 am glad to hear it," be remarked, wilh a careless laugh. " I am grateful to hose letters; but for them Mi>8 Digby would be here, I suppese and I ha', i an dea tbat she does not like me." If he had thought the matter over for months he could not have said anything nore likely to answer his purpose than tbat ; all the love, the flattery, Ibe eloquence as as nothing compared to those magical words. He saw the fair, gi-iiih faoe blush, and he knew tbi y had taku effect. " Miaa Digby not like you ?" she qnss- ioned, slowly. Ar you sure ot that? low do yon know it? ' "I know it by instinct," ho replied ;" I oannot explain more fully." He knew that in ber own mind Hbe was ayiog to nsrself that she, Ethel Oordon, rould like him, if only out of opposition to lelen Digby ; yet be was too wise and too ary to pursue tbe subject. " My idea 11 that we oannot control our ikes and dislikes," be added, " but thai bey are instinctive. I see some persons, and my heart goes out to them with a warmth of friendliness which words are weak to express. I see others, and do not veu like them, bat shun them if I can." Bhe was looking lutautly al him. " I am glad yon say *o," she observed ; " my experience ia ibe name. I find that, it at first 1 take a dislike to any one, I sel- dom overcome it." He would not lei ber see bow great wa* bis curiosity about everything counseled wilh ber. He was longing to know why sbe waa there, how it was that she wa* associated with Miss Digby, to what family of Oordon's the belonged ; but ull these things, be said 10 himself, be must learn by degrees. He pointed to tbe pretty harebells grow- ing at ber feel. " Do yon know tbe legend attached to these flowers?" he asked. " No. 1 bave not heard il." " II is aaid that iu the depth of each of these little bells a fairy resides, and tbat on qniel moonlight night* eaoh little elf leave* its home, aud that together they all ring their bells with a peculiar chime. It i* said tbat travellers belated in the wood* have heard the swt, faint fairy music, and have wondered what il wns." Her faoe brightened, end the golden light deepened in here) vs. " It is long since I bave beard any pretty legends," sbe eaid ; " tell me some more." His memory mut have been well stored with many a quaint and graceful fable. He told her German legends of the dark for- ests and of Ibe spirits who lived in the grand old trees of the elf-king who ride* on the night wiod. of tho water-spirits who dwell iu tbe streams ; be told ber many a fair legend of Ortoiau lore, of the daphne and narcissus, of the b> aomlb and tbe rose stories that took her imagination captive, and charmed the artistic, beauty loving mind. She forgot that he was a stranger ; sbe sat with clasped hands, looking into hia face, d 1 1. .king in each word aa it fell from bis 1. 1 You must be a poet," said tbe girl, sim- ply ; aud for a moment an expression that stae ooul I not understand crossed his face. Was it i egret, remorse, pity or hesitation T She con 4 opt tell, and almoel aa soon a* sbe bad noticed it il was gone. " I an not a poet, Miss Gordon, but I admire poetry, and these legends bave always li*d a charm for me. Yon judge m* too fav r bly. 1 am a man ot tbe world not L'oel." She n pealed the words after him. "A man of the world that means a man olever aud shrewd in judgment, quick, versa- tile, and accomplished, does it not?" she) asked. "Viewed favorably yes," be replied. But there is one thing, Miss Oordoo, which makes every man a poet lor the time." " Wbal is that?" she asked. " Love for a fair and noble woman. Lovej poetry it is tbe one grand passion of a man's lifa it refines, softens, aud makes beautiful tbe hardest natures." "What must it do to tbe poet?" sbe asked him, with a blu-b and a smile that bewildered him. "Il fills his heart eo entirely tbat it over- flows in song," be answered. " Thus tbe orld ia made richer by a poel's love. Now, Miss Gordon, have you forgotten > our letter and your tears ? ' II was like taking ber from a fairyland of golden light, of sveeteet warmth and Fragrance, out into outer darknts< and cold. She had forgotten all her troubles. The glamor of a sweet dream was over her. Tbe light thai never shone over land or aea wa* glowing on her faoe. " Have you been telling me all these beau- tiful stories to mski me forget ?" abe asked. " Yes, I wanted to while yon from sad and sorrowful thoughts ; aadiesa and sor- row should never oome near you. You ought to know nothing but what is bright- est and most beautiful. Now tbat we are better friends, Mies Gordon, will you tell me what those sorrowful thonghta were? Perhaps I can help you still more." " I cannot tell yon," she replied, hur- riedly. I bave been ao cruelly disap- pointed in one I love." She did not notice tbat bii handsome faoe bad lost its oolor that his lip* trembled. " And that some one," bs interrupted, was " " I oannot tell yon," sbe repealed. " Do not be cruel to me, Mils Gordon. 3ome one yon love was it a lovsr? Nay, do not think me curious. As yon sre sweet, womanly, beautiful, be pitiful. Was it a lover?" " No," abe replied with the simplicity of a ebild. I never bad a lover in my life." " Yon have not told me," be said gently, " if yon have quite forgotten tbe troubles." " I have put them out of sight for a iinie," sbe said, smilingly, " and am not willing to look at them again just yet." " I am afraid, Miss Oordon, yon will ihink me presumptuous if I ask a great favor of you." " I do not think I shall have any unfavor- able thoughts of you," returned Ethel, 'even if you ask me a favor." " Yon like sitting here," he pursued. " I lave watched you morning after morning ooming here with your book, and have onged to join yon. Will you permit me to do so occasionally ?" Bhe looked up at him with Ihe questioning glanoe of a child. " I do not know. I should like to talk to yon very much. Yes, I do not see why yon should not oome here when you like ; Ibe [rounds are open to every one." " Bat it would be yon I should oome to see only yon. I do not make any false pretense. Il is not because I Ihink this ipot more beautiful than any other, or woause I like il better it is tbat I may see 'ou, speak to yon, sun myself in your >righl presence. Now do you say ' yes ?' " Her faoe became grave, tbe golden light leepened in ber eyes. 'Miss Oordon, do not refuse me. What your presence is to me I dare not say. Do nnt refuse me the greatest favor I bave ver asked." The pleading of bis voice, tbe wistful expression on bis (ace touched her. " If I see yon here to-morrow morning," he repeated, " may I oome ?" There wan just a lingering idea in her nind that it would not he quite right Miss Digby wonld not like it. Tbat last tflectioii decided ber. "Yes," sbe replied, "if it pleases you, ou may come." And he aaid to himself that be bad made wonderful progress thai bright, sunny norning ; and those who knew how proud, ow reserved Ethel Oordon was would have agreed with him. (To be oomtnsed-t