, 1879-12-29

denly grew misty with tender light as
he thought of the future meeting.
Lord Kilderm lifted tie latch of the
vine.covered gate which led up the
path to the flower cottage
where Nora Creeman lived. There was
curious stiffness around the place
which for moment made his heart
stop beating as IL sudden thought
flashed through his brain. How odd
there was no fresh Irish voice trllling
sparkling Irish songs as in days of yore!
AS the remembrance of those days
came back to him he forgot all else,
and mounted the steps and knocked
with light heart. Nora's aunt opened
the door-Nora's aunt, who had ever
had kindly regard for Lord Kilderm.
She guessed the reason of his coming.
and, thinking what was in store for him,
there came into her eyes look of pity,
and sorrow as she greeted him.
He canght the look, and cried out,
mora! she is well?" And then his
thoughts above the stiffness of the
place came back to him, and he gasped
out, " She IS not dead ?"
| No." Nora's aunt replied: but she
has been very i'll, and 1 am afraid"
She could go no further, as the tears
came and blinded he- eyes and choked
her utterance.
"Take me to her!" hurriedly said
Lord Kilderm. And she led him to the
room where Nola Chreeman lay dying.
and, softly shutting the door, left them
alone.
Audley Kilderm crossed the room
to meet Nora Chreeman's blue eyes,
the blue eyes he loved so we'll; and as
he looked into them his heart gave
great throb, for he knew at last that
Nora Chreeman loved him. He forgot
that the knowledge of that love would
never do him any good; forgot that she
would never carol Irish melodies for
him again; fargot everything except
his own great love, and that his love
was returned, he as clasped her unresist-
ingly to his heart.
She closed her eyes wearily as tired
child who had found rest, and look of
peace came over her face while she
smiled up into his eyes.
My darling, my darling!" he mur
INJURED, and for a moment Nora Chree-
man wished she had never sent him
way from her; but she put the thought
resolutely away, for she knew it was
best as it was, best she should die, al
though it was so hard, just as she had
found her one great Joy.
At last Lord kilderm remembered
she would never be aught to him in
this world, and he buried his head in
his arms and sobbcd like child.
"No, Audley," and Nora lifted his
lead and smoothed back his hair with
her wan little hands, cit is better SO.
[ never could have lived and been your
wife, knowing your parents wishes. l
thought could get over my love after
awhile, but I was never very strong,
and one day 1 caught heavy cold, and
never seemed to get my strength back
after that. But. love, we will meet
Audley, once more, 1 am so weary
And as Lord Kilderm pressed one last
lingering kiss upon the dewy lips, Nora
Chreeman's head dropped on his shoul
der and she was at rest.
Tue Countess of Kilderm wondered
what kept her son, Lord Audley,
abroad so long-wondered why he
could not come home and settle down
as he should do, and impatiently tapped
her dainty, slippered foot as she
thought of her sons waywardness. He
had been travelling for the past two
years, writing home occasionally, but
never saying a word of return. She
often wondered what made him go off
on such an extended tour so very sud-
denly. Ifhe would only come home
now, at once. all might yet be well.
Lady Laura had never married and ev
erything might yet turn out as she had
hoped it would two years ago, before
Lord Kilderm took that absurd and un-
necessary trip abroad, and
The door opened quickly and her
long-absent son crossed the room and
tenderly kissed her. She looked at him
fondly, for, in spite of her worldliness,
the Countess of Kilderm was very fond
of her son.
Lord Kilderm was welcomed by soci-
ETY. with open arms as one of the best
catches of the season. He soon fell
into his old way; but he was never
quite the same man again.
He met Lady Laura many times in
society, and at last the marriage upon
which his mothers heart was fixed took
place.
Although Lord Kilderm has now one
of the most beautiful wives in England,
who is good as we'll as beautiful, his
thoughts often wander to Irish hills,
and he sees two Irish blue eyes, and
hears sweet Irish voice caroling songs
for him. Wdrerley.
EMPEROR WILLIAMS MOTHER.
German Emperor still tenderly cher
ishes the memory of his mother. the