The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-28

but Robert was not in the humor for his part.
 Clara questioned him as they walked about his newly discovered relatives.
 "lt is happy thing for you, Rob- ert," she said. "It will be 8 kind of education for you. People grow up so selfish and self-contained if they have no family ties. Serve an ap- premiership of five years or so as a family man, and you will be worthy of some good woman"
 Robert laughed little scornfully.
 "Why, Clara, had something seri- ous to say to you"
 "Don't say it Robert" cried Clara, decisively. "I shall recognize the style of Lady Jones if the words are your own. Robert, please pull up that hurdle"
 This was the only barrier between the grounds of "The Willows" and "The Films" and having crossed the Rubicon, Clara nodded good night, and ran quickly away over the grass
 AS for Denise and her children, their first night under English skies was spent in the happy oblivion of perfect rest. In spite of her aDxicties Denise slept the sleep of the just, and was only aroused in broad daylight by the splashing of water, and the subdued cries of Master Toto, to whom Cecile was endeavoring to give his bath. Denise laughed joyously at the sight, wondering that she could feel so light-hearted. And then she finished off Cecile's rather patchy per- formance, and quickly dressing her. self and the children, found her way to the room where breakfast was al- ready laid.
 Basset was moving noiselessly to and fro, putting the finishing touches to the arrangement of the table. Freshly cut flowers, the glittering sil- yer equipage, the delicate porcelain all was bright and recherche. And Basset was an excellent servant and knew his duties perfectly, although, thanks to his having an easy master, he was often slack in their perform ance. But though he spoke to the foreign lady with velvety politeness, his face wore an evil scowl when he thought himself unobserved. Hith- erto, as soon as his masters breakfast was over, Basset had been free for the day, and had devoted himself with much assiduity to improve the shin- ing hours. Sandown and Kempton Park were favorite resorts of his, and he sometimes ventured to spend a couple of days at Newmarket, his wife accounting for his absence on the score of the illness of some apocryphal rela- tive. Basset was much younger than his wife, who entertained an unreason- ing affection for him and supplied him with money as long as her resources lasted. There were signs, however, of the speedy exhaustion of this source of supply.
 Although not generally an early riser, Basset had already visited High gate that morning had ascertained that his master would breakfast at the "Willows," and had obtained from him the key of the plate- chest, on the ground that, as there were visitors at home, the best silver service would be reqired. Lady Jones had taken care that Robert should be we'll provided in the way of plate; there were servi- ces that had been presented to her husband on various occasions, massive side- dishes, and rich epergnes; all of which were useful for display when Robert occasionally gave bachelors entertainment to his friends and cli- ents.
 Denise was secretly comforted by the evidences about her of easy cir cumstances, if not of actual wealth. Her husband had never confded to her bis affairs; but until the last few months, when all news of him had ceased, and his bankers had declared that there were no funds of his in hand, the colonel's household had been always literally supplied. Then the news had come of his death, and there had been a scramble among the cred itOrs for the colonel's belongings. Still, she had not doubted that her late husband had property of some kind in England, and every one had advised her to depart from the scene of litigation and trouble, and to seek more tranquil asylum in England with the colonePs grown-up son, who would certainly know all about his fathers affairs. The grown-up son had also been surprise to her; she had only known of his existence with in the past few weeks; but her hus- band had always been SO reticent about his former life, that this was not to be wondered at.
 Hardly was breakfast finished when a visitor was announced. "Lady Jones to see Mrs. Carmichael" Denise rose to meet her with curiosity and ssme trepidation. Here was somebody of importance no doubt, and soon the curtain would be raised that concealed