The news., 1885-07-21
a SHILoR's YARN.
CHAPTER VII CONTINUED.

CHATTER VIII CONTINUED.
Sophie instantly began: "When did
you take the apartments, Jack ?"
"This morning" I replied.
You told me you were going to
look at the city docks; why didn't
you explain your real motive?" said
she, reproachfully.
Because" | answered, Il wanted
to make my arrangements before
speaking, 50 that | might be able TO
say, it IS too late when you all in
your great kindness should, as l knew
you would, try to persuade me to re-
main here"
'T'm not going to persuade you,"
said she; "but what good can you do
in lodgings? You are much less likely
to see Florence than were you to stop
with us"
"Ah, Sophie; but will you tell me
how long in decency I ought to go on
burdening you with my company"
Gas long as ever you like said she;
@you know it is no burden. We are
delighted TO have you"
eyes, but that does not render it
the more proper in me TO encroach on
your kindness. Now, in lodgings |
can take my time; can never be en-
barrassed by the feeling that | am
trespassing. Besides, I shall be as
comfortable in Bristol as in London.''
"But what do mean to do? You
can't call ON Florence? Do you except
her to call on you?"
81 am full of expectation" replied;
"and why? because l have you as a
friend, Sophie. can count upon your
sympathy, feel that can rely upon
your foolish cousin to help him in his
love for your beautiful, your adorable
friend"
seized her plump hand-and, in
deed, boys, it was just the sort of
night for sentimental twaddle; warm,
dark, the stars large and luminous,
the atmosphere breathless, the still
ness full of fragrance, with now and
again the notes of clarion-tongue
bird coming out of the deeper dark
ness where the trees were-I seized
her plump hand, l tell you, pressed
and fondled it, and she laughed low
and gratefully, a laugh full of relish
and satisfaction. Upon my word,
when l look back, it does not crafty
my vanity to think that she was not
desperately in love with me; for, in
my thankfulness for her sympathy and
kindness, and with heimage of Flor
enee always in my minds eye, l would
talk to her so sentimentally, caress
her hand, breathe in her ear and the
like, that there would have been little
to wonder at had she come to the
conclusion that the other girl was
only an excuse, and that it was she
whom ! adored.
$50 far as amelia and I are con-
cerned we will do all that we can to
help you, Jack" said she. "But under
stand: we can do nothing unless we
discover that Florence thinks of YOU
and likes to hear of you. Well carry
letters and messages between you as
often as may be wanted, and I, for
one. shall take particular delight TO
do what | can to put you in the place
young Mr.. Morecombe wants to fill,
and to thwart Mr.. Hawke, for l quite
hate that old man now. But if Flor
ence is cold about you, if she should
not like TO be reminded of you, we
shall be unable to help; for you know;
Jack, that men cannot make love by
proxy, unlesss they happen to be
kings"
Don't discourage me, said I, "on
the very threshold. l don't ask you
to make love to her for me, but you
might, when you meet her"
81 shall meet her often, l hope, and
| shall speak to her as often as we
meet, unless she is with her father"
interrupted Sophie.
81 say, no harm could come from
your telling her how devoted / am,
how deeply I love her, and why /
cannot leave Bristol"
"Oh, certainly, Jack, can tell her
that, and great deal more; and, if
she is fond of you, l shall not be able
to tell her too much, and you shall
know all that she says about you ex-
actly-good or bad; so that You will
be able to decide whether to 90 on
lingering in lodgings in Bristol, or re-
turn here, or 90 back to London.
"And Sophie, my darling" said I,
"if you find that she doesn't give my
name the cold shoulder, but, on the
contrary, is pleased to hear you talk
about me, | suppose,to girl possessed
of your cleverness, it would not be
quite impossible to arrange an acci-
dental meeting-you know what l
mean-a chance encounter somewhere,
where trees are plentiful and people
few-eh, Sophie?'
'Oh, that's very easily managed
said she, in a voice of contempt that
was like a dram to my spirits. "If
Florence is willing, there can be no
limit to what may be done. 1t will
depend upon her, not upon Amelia's
and my good wishes; so please bear
that in mind"
"When will you call upon me?"
Tomorrow morning, just to see
what sort of lodgings you have. You
| will please leave us your address. And
how often will you come to see us?"
very often, depend upon it."
Because" said she" making he1
manner impressive by waSsialu6. hel
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