The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-28

pression clearly enough, and tears of weariness and disappointment suffused her eyes.
 "We are not welcome, monsieur" she said, drawing her children to her with quiet dignity. "You think that we demand of your charity. But it is not so. You will please send some one for Voiture; we shall find some furnished hotel. Cecile, my darling, rouse yourself; we have to go else where"
 A gust of wind and the rattle of summer rain against the tall windows seemed to accentuate the position as the little girl awoke, shivered, yawned, and then, with round, wide-opened eyes, looked about her.
 "Ah, we are chez nous again, mamma. And is this the brother Robert you told me about2 But he is tall"
 Tall as he was, the child ran up to him and put up her arms, which reached to about the second button of his waistcoat, and so by gentle grada- tions pulled him downwards, till she was able to put her arms round his neck and kiss him. The pressure of those tiny arms about his neck and of the velvet lips upon his rough cheek gave Robert distinct thrill of emo- tion. He took the child in his arms and pressed her cheek to his.
 "You will kiss your brother, too, before we go," said Mrs. Carmichel timidly, holding the boy towards him.
 And Robert performed this cere- mony with some awkardness, taking the boy on his knee, while Cecile stood by his side examining the features of her newly discovered relative with frank curiosity.
 "As for going," said Robert, "you must not think of it. Tomorrow I will help you find an abode. My aunt, l am sure, will want to have you. You see," he added, apologetically, q was taken by surprise, and I am vexed, too, that nothing has been done to make you comfortable; and where my servants are I really don't know"
 "We frightened the Uiei2e dame," said Cecile readily. "She let us in and then ran away, and then we all went to sleep"
 Just then Robert heard latch-key turn iii the outer door, and then the room door opened and Mrs. Basset's face-her thin, angular face-appeared In the opening. Robert called to her rather angrily, and bade her get some- thing ready for his guests at once. Mrs. Basset was evidently in a bad temper; and regarded the new arriv- als with unconcealed aversion.
 "1 thought it right my lady should know what had happened, and have been to Highgate to Tell her; and she sends her love, MT. Robert, and will yon see her tonight, please, no matter how late it may be-"
 Robert growled at this, but thought it better to obey Lady Jones' be- nests. But he saw that his guests were duly served with refreshments, and he had his own bedroom prepared for their use. "You do not. put me out at all" said he in reply to Mrs. CarmichePs approximations. "There is always room ready for me at High gate, and I shall sleep there tonight. So consider the place as your own."
 "But you will come and see the children before you go," said Mrs. Carmichel. "They are SO delighted with the big Bed. Come and see my darlings."
 Robert could not refuse; and really the children looked charming, Toto already asleep, and Cecile with her arm about her brothers neck.
 "You will love them 8 little will you not, Robert?" said Mrs. Car michel, laying her hand in appealing fashion upon his arm. "You will be a little to them the father they have lost?"
 Robert stared at the patterns of the carpet in good deal of perplexity. He had tried to harden his heart against this forlorn little family. He told himself that if he were not reso- lute at the beginning, he would be sad died with all the responsibility of these embarrassing relations And yet his heart was melted in spite of his efforts to remain cold.
 "You do not answer me-" cried Mrs. Carmichel, her voice tremulous with emotion. "Robert, you will not give them up2"
 "No, will not give them up," said Robert, after moments hesitation. "I will be brother to them"
 Mrs. Charmichel threw her arms round her children impulsively, and bedewed their faces with tears that would not now be denied.
 "I think he must be not brother, but papa" asid Cecile sleepily, "for he has made mamma cry" When Robert reached ssThe Willows" Lady Jones called him into the library and questioned him narrowly about