, 1886-03-30
THE LADIES TREE.

than a year, and after that Mr.. Cardewe
wrote to Charley to come up again TO the
Manor, as he wished TO have him look
after the young plantations which were
being formed.
The first news that greeted us was that
Mr., Hemphill, who had always been kind
TO us, was as good as engaged to be mar
ried to Miss Anderson, whose parents
lived near Bournemouth. She was a
very lovely girl; ard every one was
pleased TO think that Mr.. Hemphil and
she a made it up together, after all
There was "a little story connected with
this young lady. She was something of
an heiress, it was known, and many peo-
pie had made offers for her to her
parents. Capt. Martyr Henry, who had
been at the Manor, and who was again
expected this same summer, had. / knew,
been one Of her admirers. But although
everything seemed satisfactory, the inn
pending rumored engagement was ended.
Capt. Henry went abroad in a hurry, and
people said very unkind things concern
ing him. But Miss Anderson was evf-
IDENTIFY fond Of him.
However, after awhile she appeared as
pretty and cheerful as ever. Mr.. Hemp
hill ON his part seemed quite happy.
Miss Anderson rode to the hounds to the
very middle OF April, and he wanted 70
marry her in June. Everything was pre-
pairing. She was certainly a fine girl.
Such eyesl-bold black ones. Such
lovely hair, and a figure which was, in
her riding-habit, perfection. Her man.
N UNA rtttat and aHv % a-t L.t H.
told me she improved" wonderfully
after awhile; and there was no daring or
almost reckless thing she would not do
Il she was defied to it. That is not my
ldea Of Improvement, but being only a
iressmaker, l hardly know.
However, she came and stayed with
;he Cardewes; and Mr.. Hemphill rode
over day after day. One day it was
very thundery and stormy, and Just as
the rain was beginning, into our little
house the young pair came for shelter.
When the thunder stopped rolling they
went into the porch; and the day being
hot and sultry, though only May, the
house-door was open. L was washing
things, and could hear their voices, and
sometimes even what they said, without
minding.
The tones in which Miss Gladys con-
tradicted poor Mr.. Hemphill, and the
mild. submissive way in which he put up
with 1t all, astonished me. That any
man would behave as he did / couldn't
have believed I'd like to see Charley
put up with such "tantrumsr as Miss
Anderson'sl Now, l said to myself, l see
the reason of Capt. Henry's and Mr..
EIliott's sudden crying off" They could
not put up with her temper, Of course;
and 1 wonder Mr.. Hemphill did. He
seemed afraid to contradict her.
The shower passed. The sandy soil
licked up the drops, and everything re-
NAMED rs parched and dry as possible.
A single match dropped in the under
wood would have set the whole planta-
ton and all the gorse in a blaze. The
keepers were particularly desired to be
on the watch for smokers, who might in
a moment, by accident or for "fun," set
Gre to the wholeof the furze, and burn US
up too.
Mr.. Hemphill and Miss Anderson were
discussing this when DR.. Joliffe rode
past, and stopped suddenly. He was a
special friend OF the Andersons, and
often visited them, dined, and aver slept
there at times. Mr.. Hemphill greeted
him at once, but Miss Gladys looked sui
len when he came up.
Il wish l had seen that fire." Miss
Anderson was saying; II would give any
thing to sec a good fire. Some day we
will have another"
"Have anotherlr cried Mr.. Hemphill;
you can't moan that, Gladysl"
Have you seen Capt. Martyr Henry,
Mr.. Hemphill?" inquired the doctor.
mo, has he returned?"
Miss Anderson's face was pale rs
death.
as there anything the matter, Gladys2"
asked Mr.. Hemphill.
Nothing she said. "Dr. JoliHe, will
you come back to the Manor with us2"
and they rode away.
When Charley came in he was in a
terrible hurry.
Let's havo tea, Lucy" he said almost
before he was well in the house. II
must go out at once and keep an eye
round the plantations. There has been
some clippers" across to-day, and | doubt
they'll have left something after them,
and the place is all as dry as finder. A
A spark would burn us in our beds"
Just then a messenger rode up from
Mrs. Cardewe for Charley and myself to
go 10 the Manor. She wanted to see me
about some dressmaking. Mrs. Cardewe
made me stay and take tea with Mrs.
Jones, the housekeeper, and she sent two
Of the boys to find Charley, and tell him
to come back to the Manor when his
work was over, and fetch me and baby.
Then Mrs. Jones and l seated ourselves for
a nice long chat, not that Icare much for
gossip, as a rule, but when with friends
a little exchange Of sentiments is pleas
ant.
We hadn't talked very long when Bill
Swain came in all excited.
"Oh, muml-awful. NUM- Mr.. Farmer
he has sent me for help. The gorse isa-ire
and the plantations in danger. It's bad.
that it Isl"
l jumped up and called the girl Emily.
"Here. Emily; hold baby till / come
back. The gorse is a~-ire, and Mr..
Farmer is there. Quick"
put on my things; and by the time I
ready the men and helpers were hur-
Tying away to the place where the fire
was. The smoke was already curling
over the tree-tops; and as we knew the
whole place was as dry as finder, the fire
would spread rapidly. a
As / came out l saw Miss Anderson and
Mr.. Hemphill. He wa trying to dis
nade her.
GLADYS, my Dearest
Mr.. Hemphill. please do not interfere.
You have no right toprevent me. | will
go to this fire. l particularly want to see
il. You need not come unless yon