Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-09

against the chimney-plece, wIth her lace hidden in her hands, and her eyes ach- ing in their tears.
 CHAPTER XVIII.
 At the unpainted old wooden gate which led into the kitChen-garden at Hawkedale, stood Marjorie Castillain, on the day of the Athelston ball. She Sas dressed for walking, but she lln- gered here in the face of the cutting November wind, and with nothing more attractive to gaze upon than an old gar densr sweeping the dead leaves into heaps.
 There was a thoughtfulness in the girls face and attitude, though, with which the old gardener and the dead leaves had nothing to do; but this all changed and vanished suddenly when her sisters voice reached her, and Miss Castillain herself strolled into sight round the corner of the house.
 "Come, Marjorie, what are you star ing at ?"
 "A most curious spectacle" reieined Marjorie, without turning her eyes or moving from her leaning posture against the gate. "You see that ancient re- cruit of the Squire's, and you see that he hasn't a single hair on his head. We'll, a few minutes ago he wanted his knife a great, old four-bladed implement and where do you think he took 1t from2 Out of his cap. Just fancy carrying that trihe on his bald head
 "Dear me, Marjorie, you always seem to me to be remarking on bald heads" said her sister. "It was only yesterday YOU told me that the trees in November, with a few leaves sticking here and there, reminded you of Q bald-headed man. I never heard such ridiculous similes."
 Except from me-" smiled Marjorie, good-humoredly. "What do you want with me, Louisa ?"
 "I'm going to the school-room now, to see the clothing-club purchases. Are you ready?"
 "Tm not going" reioined Marjorie. almost sadly. "Of what use am ?"
 "Never mind that. You ought to go," rejoined Miss Castillain, promptly.
 "No, oughtn't," her sister anwered, as promptly.
 "Yes, you ought, Marjorie. Every body says you ought to help me in these good works; and it is really wicked of you to neglect them as you do."
 "Don't preach to me-" put in Mar lOrie, with cheertulDeSs.
 If don't tell you what you ought to do, don't know who wiIl," said Louisa, stonily. "I don't know who else would take the trouble, for such thankless return"
 Have you finishedP" asked Mario rie, turning to her with raised eyebrows. "I don't value your sermons an atom, Louie feel, on the whole, more pious without them and I'm not going to the schools. I don't want walk. I'm re- serving my complexion for the ball"
 "I shall tell Neil that tonight" said Louisa, with her unpleasant little laugh. "And wouldn't tell falsehoods if I were you. You told some of the women that you should go to see their things today"
 "Ihl so I did," was the bright an- swer. "Come along-Tm ready"
 "And you are going that way, are you?" inquired Miss Castillain, with a glance at her sisters garden hat and old leather gauntlets.
 "In these gloves, you meanP Of course I am. l never feel quite happy unless have pair of these on hand"
 1T don't care, " grumbled Louisa, as they went on together. of you choose to look fright, can't help it."
 NO one WOulu ever they" questioned Marjorie, gravely, aire? I hope he will get to hear public opinion so expressed. How dare he al- low me only such 8 pittance. and call it enough? How dare he refuse to give me ever so little extra, when entreat, as Q week ago entreated, for dress to wear to-night?"
 We'll, l am sure you are coming out quite gorgeous enough, after all, put in Louisa, little spitefully.
 "Of course. I've mortgaged to tre- mendous extent, though, to obtain that pleasing result. Now if don't make a sensation, I know it will be through your bringing me out into this cutting wind, to destroy my complexion, and make my nose red.
 Perhaps some propiious fate will lure Miss Chester out, too, on this all- important day." suggested Louisa, with her hard laugh.
 Nothing could destroy Miss Ches- ter's complexion" asserted Marjorie, generously, "nor make her nose red; and if you think for moment that I ever dream of rivaling her, Louisa, you are wildly mistaken"
 "Of course not. Your friendship for Lady Athelston's companion is just the romantic and delightful friendship of two people who have one strong taste in common, and pursue one noble end. Wait until the noble end has to make a choice"
 GO jest unseen, inscrutable, invis- ible, as a nose on & mans face, or & weather-cock on a steeple 1 ," said Mar jorie, laughing heartily. "Here we are What pity We might have enjoyed 8 few more piquant and spicy little jokes."
 The afternoon was drawing to close when Marjorie caught sight, from the school-room window, of Lima Chester walking alone over the fields toward High Athelston. The women's tea was over. Marjorie had done her part in amusing and providing for them, and now she slipped away and joined Lima.
 ''rm so glad" she said taking her hand; "1 want walk, and I'll go lit flo with vo,1 o