, 1873-03-16
10 sensation that thunderbolt had fallen at

hate had seen clearly aud spoken truly. Wal
ter had carried to tho beautiful stranger the in
beon given to no one. Tho fascination which
had begun on that frat day when he saw her sit
ting opposite to him in church. fair as flower,
the sun touching her golden hnir like nn aure'
shawl into a Kind OF mystic drapery fit for er
angel or saint, had gone on until now, and had
gone on increasing. Ho had engaged himself to
kato HyBlop two years ago, it 1s true; but 1t was
one which hc had voluntarily chosen for him
! self. His parents wished it.; kate's father
had wished it and Kato herself wished it
which c1enched the matter. So Walter, who
| was merely good-natured, unexacting, in
enough in framo, but q little "soft" in Lis
character, by having been kept close to his
mothers apron-string all his Ife-drifted into
the affair as boys OF his kind do drift into such
thing When anfosty prepared Tor thon BY
however, Kate was only to him like sister; not
! always 80 nice, and not always so dear.
When Nine Dufour came. the chained foun-
tain lcaped into life and melody. To say that he
than common lore. It was the worship Of de-
voteo for saint, combined with the tenderness
OF strength for something weaker, more yielding,
less helpful than itself He loved her Us he had
never loved before. as he had had no provision
he could hare ever loved at all. And ahe p
Well i! she first played, and then she learnt.
That sensitive face, with it's ever er-clanging OK
PRESTON like the tremulous sunshine that Hut
ters among tho leaves, grew daily more tender,
more 1esponslT,e ,:,x let N Wora ana ado act sue
fascinated her adorer the more. He was "her
boy she used to say with those sweet lips OF
hers that looked as il they Ind not been in e1-
istenco more thsn twenty years at most-Knte
made ups" and the youth-just two years
older than she lookod-onged to tell her that, if
he WAS boy to her in the humility of his devo-
tion, the nothingness of his personality, he was
man to himself in the passion aud the power
Of his lore.
But, now, what was be to do? Brought face
to face with Kate's not unfounded suspicion md
not unrighteous wrath, he felt that he must tako
u step us decided as it would be final He must
choose which to do abandon Nine. DufouT, or
break with Ills betrothed; cease to visit the ono
he loved better than his lfe,-and If 60, what
reason to give her, she who WAS go far above
him, he dared not even lint at his love 2-or he
must disappoint bis parents, mar his future
prospects, break his plighted word, End distress
one whose only fault WIS her love for him and
her claim to be loved in return. Like many
brayer man, Walter postponed his decision;
waiting for events to steer him and clear them
selves.
At luncheon-time he rushed off to Elm Cot
tage. thinking only that, come what would, at
least he should see ler once more.
Was he expected7 Half lying, half sitting on
the sofa, was Nine. Dufour, dressed, as she al
wayB did dress, in the most exquisite, the most
seductive manner; indeed, she did not dress,
sLe dreped. On small table, covered with
ruby-colored velvet, stood wine, fruit, and flow
ers, and = large bowl of old Venetian glass, full
Of Ice. It WAS ethereal food for luncheon; but
Nine. Dufour WAS ethereal in her food, and often
spoke with laughing scorn of the materialistic
English miss who nte and drank like man.
Kate Hyslop had what is called wholesome ap-
polite, and liked cheese and beer.
l. -. a. \ 81. 3.n
cent and young-motberly manner, holding out
both her hands to him as he came in, but not
rising to receive him. "Toujours le bienycnu!"
How kind you are to let me COME" stam-
mered Walter, dinging himself on foot-stool
By her side, He was pale and agitated, but his
always told it. "How can ever thanT you for
all your kindness tome?"
"13y not assuming that hare been Kind at
ell :" she said; "or " lightly touching his ahoul-
hr. Walter, and coun ting mo grateful to you"
The young man flung back his head Nine.
Dufour'e fair face flushed, and her eyes dropped
at the love that was In his.
He took her hand and carried it to his lips. |
"Better than the wealth Of the world!" he m11r-
INJURED In low voice; but she, playfully pulling !
one OF his brown cu1ls, said, in pretended |
anger that was more bewitching than
even her kindness, "Tlat is what you de- |
serve, naughty boy! You presume too much.
p.....------~..~ Iransgress
again." said Walter, timid1y, still holding her
hand.
Fl done! was there ever such a forward boy? |
Un petit ecoier CONNIE ca !! Ma fol! you are |
beyond your age, Master Walter"
:" But not beyond your -" He stopped |
@A1y forbearance Soft But ne women |
are re- al weak, she said, helping him out Of his
difficulty.
"Not all, ;" said Walter, with a rueful reco11oc-
tion Of Kate; and Madame laughed as If abe had
OWNED.
Just then ring came to the front door.
IienR who can that be z" she cried, with |
surprised eyebrows.
Walter first crimsoned like a Bchoolboy caught,
Ind then turned pale Like man before whom is
struggle unto death. He knew who it was,
;learly enough and Nine. Dufour read his
in bis face.
So. the battle bad come, had it ? Dienl She
Fas ready. Let it come, II it must and the
ooner the relative strength Of each WAS known
he better.
She never raised herself from her lounging at
itude, but even curled herself into setter lines.
The tender manner grew more tender, tlesweet
ow voice more cares5ing. the creeping touch OF
Ter long white hand more ve1vety, as it first
'ushed back the golden fringe that shadowed
Ter forehead, then rested on Walters chestnut
lead; the tremnlouB face no longer dimpled
nth smiles or quivered with sympathy, but took
IN itself q mask half mockiDg, half impasaiye,
nd wholly irritating to an antagonist; and then
Hiss Hyslop Was ushered into the room, to find
he syren in her most dangerous mood, sur !
ounded by her most bewitcl,ing accessories,
nth her own lover, who was also her rivals, sit
ing at her feet worshiping.
Miss Hyslopl how very kind !" said nlme
)ufour, in pretty, langlid, voice. IA rare )
leasure, but none the less welcome" she added, {
frering her hand, but still keeping to the sofa
nd those gracious undulating lines and curves !
ato which she had posed herself.
" came for Mr.. Drummond, Nine. Dufour:
ot to pay you visit" said Kate in her stoniest
lannor. walter, you are wanted at home" {
"Poor Walter! 1hope he is not to be acold-
! very severely at home," said Mime. Dufour i
18th 1nocking accent and q tender glance at 6
1e young man. .
Who wants me ?" asked Walter, indiferently, 8
laying with Madame's little dog. t
ard =
Your plea.sure?" WAS Walters reply, not /
oking up. q
~ prefer not to discuss my affairs in pub a
>" said Kate. II want you that is enough; 8
!, II you please, Walter come; sad at once"
II am engaged, =" said Walter II cannot" :
" Mme. Dnfour, I must ask your assistance" Z
en- said Kate, turning to her rival .sWiIf