The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-06

able; she will do all she can to compensate
TO him for the loss of his afternoons sport I;
she points ont the beauties of the walk,
has tales to tell Of childish exploits. curl
osities to point out; and to all he says in
reply, she listens with the most flatterlng
and submissive attention.
The walk will soon be over, but there Is
one more stone dyke in the way.
"It is rather worse one than usual"
saws Blount, shaking the stones. that tot
ter when he touches them; they are
lying loose along the top, without an at
tempt at bong fixed. We must try to find
II better place lower down"
at Will be Just as bad there-rather
worse. in fact; it only goes down to the
burn. ! think" SAYS Bee, modestly, you
have not fired off your second barrel, Cap
tain Blount; would you put the gun over
first?'
lie laughs. "Thnt is the advantage OF a
breech- loader. Look here. Miss Graeme !;
satisfy yourself that both muzzles are
empty. See, we turn it down so. take out
the cartridge and combine safety with
economy. The cartridge VIII do again."
She murmurs something about having
always heard her father fire off his gun as
he approached the house. and feels that
she has been oilicious; but he treasures
her.
"Sir Charles sticks to the old muzzle-
loader. You were quite right, indeed.
Half the gun accidents take place through
scrambling overs fence with a loaded gun.
The twlgs catch, or something.
lie is helping her over, and shower of
stones topples after them.
" You seem to have "A superfluity of these
walls about herer'
"Charlle and had to get over seven
teen the other day"
Seventeeni Where had you beeni"
" He was fishing all along there, and
went with him. as wanted to visit blind
man who lives at the back of that hill. IL
is too far to go by the road. ut least to
walk, and we had delightful expedition"
Don't you fishW
"Oh yes. but not these pools: can't get
at them. fish Il burn nearer home"
Blount draws her on, and the unsuspect-
ing creature laws bare before him all the
tenor of her simple life. They go laugh
ing and chatting along, aud by the time
they reach the hail door they have become
quite friends.
Lady Graeme, just come In from her
drive, wonders much TO hear Bees voice
underneath the windows, aud Bees merry
laugh rs the door opens.
What can have brought them all home
at this time of dayf
No accident. of course, or Bee would not
be laughing; bat IL is odd
Stll more does she wonder when Harry
Blount alone follows Beatrix into the
room.
Bee had had enough of the hunt, was
tired, and papa thought she had better
come home. She need not alarm her
iaintness ut present.
Gould none OF your brothers have
brought youY'-very gTTvely asked.
OF course they could OF course Arthur
was selfish, and the boys thoughtless. but
she would fain screen them If she can.
Captain BiOunt is sailing very near the
wind in his efforts TO come TO the rescue,
but II Is Il bad business; and at last Bee
breaks out, unable To control herself any
longer, for she sees that both Harry and
she are under -llSDlplOn.
" Mamma, the truth was that none of
them would come; but captain }lount
was so good naturcd-I am sure | could
have come alone cries the poor culprt,
with almost sob. IL could not bear to
bring him."
The maternal brow clears.
NOW | understand, my dear. 1t was
very unfortunate, and we are both very
much Obliged to Captain Blount. II would
have been most improper. quite danger
Gus for you TO have attempted walking
home alone; the wild cattle, horses. even
the dogs, are sometimes vicious. j can't
think how your father could have pro-
posed such thing"
at was who proposed it; papa did not
know what to do
Lady Grleme will take care that 1t does
not happen again; and, aloud, wonders AT
Sir Charles, bat ia her heart knows OF old
how little there is to wonder at.
The one she really is wroth with is
Arthur.
To send his sister home with n stranger
To let "a guest do what should have been
his pdrtl To force his friend to give up his
amusement Instead of giving il up himself
II feel ashamed of my sons" says the
good lady; land hope they Will at least
have the grace TO be ashamed of them
selves"
Then she jerks tho bell with emphasis
anu orders up tea.
(To be concluded nert SunddvJ