, 1877-02-02

ed, 81 grieve to be the bearer of very
unpleasant intelligence.
Mary looked up with quiet indiffer-
ence, scarcely believing that, after all
she had gone through, any news, good
or bad, could have for her more than a
passing interest. Slythorpe continued:
81 am sure that you will believe did
it for the best: but misfortunes will
happen. you know, even with the ut
most care and caution. L am sure L
thought the investment was as safe as
the bank, but there's no trusting any
thing nowadays
What is the misfortune, Mr.. Sly
thorpe, for you haven't yet told me =?
Nothing very serious, 1 hope p
"Only too serious, my dear Ma he
tried to say 'AIary," but couldn't get it
out, and substituted Miss Hope -
nothing less than the loss, I fear, of
the whole of your little fortune.
Mary turned very pale, but gave no
other sign of emotion. How did it
happen?' she said. with an effort.
Your money was, as you know, in
the Three per Cents, where it produced
miserable one hundred and sixty
pounds year In the hope of doing
better for you, l sold out, and invested
it in a new mining company, the Wheal
Marina, which promised to pay a mini
mum dividend of ten per cent, and so
would have Just trebled your income.
And this morning am grieved TO find
from the Times that the company is an
utter smash. The directors have bolted,
and the shareholders will lose every
penny of their money"
Is all gone? Nothing left ?"
"Not a sixpence, and you remain LA
BILE for calls to the amount of as much
more"
Poor Mary's fortitude quite gave way
80, dear, what shall do? haven't a
friend in the world"
''No, no; don't say that, Miss Mary, 4"
said Slythorpe, in a gently patronizing
manner; sit isn't as bad as that comes to.
I haven't disguised my own feelings to-
wards you; and though you've lost your
money, you knC that needn't make
any difference between you and me. Ny
affection Unit of the mercenary sort; in
fact, as 1 got you into the mess Though
with the best of intentions, mind you) :,
it's only fair that should get you out
of it."
Mary had hidden her face in her
hands, but she became aware, from the
increased intensity of the all-pervading
scented soap aroma, that Slythorpe was
drawing nearer to her, and in another
moment his arm was round her waist.
She drew herself up proudly.
"Sir, lam willing to believe you mean
kindly, but your offer under such cir
cumstances is an insult Be good enough
to leave me-"
Slythorpe would have parleyed, but
with the air of an outraged queen Mary
Hope rang the bell and, obedient to the
summons, Mrs. Murgatroyd appeared.
"Open the door for Mr.. Slythorpe, if
you please"
You'll be sorry for this, you'll find,
Miss Hope, said Slythorpe; but Mary
vouchsafed no answer, and the attorney
retired discounted, Mrs. Murgatroyd
holding open the door for him with an
expression of thorough enjoyment. As
soon as it was closed upon him, she
bounced back into Mary's room, and
threw open the windows.
Lets have breath OF fresh air, for
goodness sake, after that nasty, Shiny,
scented serpent. / always feel as if the
house wanted disin-what dye call it I?
with Condy's Sea-salt, OF Tidman's
Restorer, or some O. them deidolizers,
whenever he's been in it. Why, my
dear lamb, whatever is the matter ?"
Poor Mary's overwrought nerves had
at last given way, and she fell upon the
sofa in fit of violent Mysteries. Mrs.
Murgatroyd, with motherly instinct, let
her emotion have its way, and she was
soon so far recovered as to be able with
many tears to tell the story of this new
misfortune, finally crying herself to
sleep on the good old woman's sympa-
thizing bosom.