/111 SR AN

ccement. his erime might be forgiven to his littde givl 3 that he hoped much from Guy's strength and Sic Arthur’s needof - that /. 30c,000.

St Arthur hesitated. 1 think,” he said, slowly, at last, “it will he the best plan.”

“You consent, then?

You can assure this man’s silence —-—"

COPE SHRIVELLED FIGURM OXN

“1 consent. And as for Moo Mryo— yes, I ean silence him”

When at length Ellinor was rid ol her cuests, shewent to scek her father, She found that he had gone to his room, and that the door was lTocked.

Fe answered hack to her inquivies that he was bhetter -anxious to sleep s she might go to bed without fear. She went Liek to Gy, who was waiting in the drawingroom. e had declined a seat in his mothers carviage, and meant to ride home. Ellinor slipped her arms about his neek

• Ciuy, what is the matter to-nieht 2 Some-

thing has happened, or is going Lo happen. What is 1127

e cathered her i his arms, crushing the chiffons of her vellow gown

“ Nothing but your own nervous fears, sweetheart.”

“Guy, we have never talked much about our love. el me now how much you love

me.”’

“An adle auestion, Nell T Tove vou, VOl wWere ;]H(l ]uml' B

“ And dishonoured - say dishonoured. Guy.”

THE COUCH TREMBLED.

NG ANZLNT

e paused o moment, then said quictly-— -

~And dishonoured, Noll - outwardly; m vour own pure heart you never could be— vou are mine: the one woman for whom, by God’s help, T hive or die”

She clunge to hime

“Thank you, Guy.”

It ois nonsense,” he said; “ais vou who sive me everys thine, I T loved vou less | could not take it You heheve that, Nell 27

“Indoed, T de”

She Hfted up o her face to sy cood night. Suddenly he caucht her hack o his armes,

“Oh, my love, my love, Almost wish these things mieht come upon you, that T might prove it

When the quict darkness of night had scrtded down upon [Firholt, the door of 1ts master’s room opencd softhve Treading as o thicl i his own house, Mr. Rawdon stole out. Ho clided, o small dark blot, through passages whore o faint moonlicht from tim: to tume Hluminated bis shrinking licure, -untl he reached the door of s daughter's roon.

He paused, listening. Al was so quict within, he ventured to turn the handle,

The stillness told him that Elimor was asteep. Treading on tip-toe he stole across (o the bed. There was sullicient hight for him to sce her fhee plaindy, and, stooping over her, he kissed her Tightly on the fore: head for the Tast tine.

The poor littde outeast was orying @ a tear was rolling down his cheek, but he wiped it away, lest it should fadl upon her and waken her, following the Tight touch of his kiss. 2 Howas she stirred aclicde ins her sleepy and he drew back hehind the cartan, Fle waited a few moments, then, without venturmg to touch her againg he stole away out into the nicht. Barly the next morning Mrse Mon- (resor came to Blinor’s room with aletter. She Tooked arave and anxious.

Matihew Rawdon had written to o her, heouing her to he hersell the bearer ol a le-tter Lo his daughter, and to break the news ol his departure.

“low isooy father? 7 asked Bllimor. “as John bheen to hime have vou heard 27

“Your father has been cadled woway suct