The morning call., 1891-12-30

good he was to US when papa fell into bad
health3 Was it not Mr.. Lorrimore who left
no stone unturned to procure him berth
in warmer climate? and though the sum
of money that enabled us to join him there
came anonymously, mamma always felt
certain that it was sent by your father. We
cannot do much for him in return, for am
afraid we shall be very poor till we have IN
creased the number Of our pupils, but then
his habits are simple, and we shall teach
him to forget his troubles"
"And you think | could leave ny father
dependent ON two women who have not
enough for themselyes?'
mot entirely dependent; you shall sup
ply him with pocket money if you prefer to
do so. For the rest, he will require but lit
tie, and you must not despise our capabili-
ties though we are of tie weaker sex.
Mamma is very clever l assure you, and L
had given lessons before papa died. Ills
but reversing the picture. In the days of
prosperity you and your father received the
widow and her children cheerfully, gener-
ously; shall we not do our best, in our turn,
for those who have been so kind to us?"
Keith. whose color had been coming and
going all the while Aveline was speaking,
now turned from her to throw himself into
chair, flung his arms on the table and hid
his face upon them
Much alarmed, she hurried 10 his side.
and with her hands clasped on his shoulder,
entreated him to look up and speak to her.
"Dear-dear Keith" she murmured, ten
derby, Il cannot bear to see you Ike this?
What makes you so unhappy"
The consciousness" he answered, chok-
ing with emotion, that | am fool, scoun-
drel, whom you will despSe when you know
how basely have serve you"
Aveline laughed mcredul0usv.
you, Keith No. no. l will never be-
lieve anything 10 your discreait."
But suddenly SEEING her dress, he poured
forth the story of DR.. Toms ter, with its
insnuatOns, and his own Stratagem to foil
the maneuvers OF Mrs. Burton. Aveline
growing white with shame and anger as
she lis ened and tried to Withdraw her skirt
from his hold.
TEL me- no MORE" she sobbed. LET ME
go away, Keith. YOu are forgiven for think
ing i'll of me- 1t breaks my heart to know
that, while L thought we were dear friends,
you were actually regarding me as heart
less scaemer; yet | wll-yes, | will try to
forget it. But your doubts of my dearest
mother | cannot forgive. She stoop to angle
for husband Tor one of her childrenl How
dare YOU think you meanly Of her! l would
not have her know"
81 do know" said the quiet, pleasant
voice of Mrs. Burton. who now came for
ward. 81 have been in the room long
enough to hear Keith's confession, and to
comprehend that we owe this to the malice
of his cousin, whom | offended during our
stay al Southampton. However, | am too
pleased TO hear our kind old friend Mr..
Lorrim0re is not reduced to penury to quar-
rel with Keith for defending his father from
the threatened attacks of three willy
women"
Mrs. Burton could see the humorous side
Of the affair and laugh at it. She was even
persuaded TO relinquish her plan of taking
pupils and remain at the CedRrs till after
Nona's wedding; but Aveline held herself
cold!y, proudly aloof, till, in desperation,
Keith packed his portmanteau and came to
bid her an eternal acieu.
Then she babe him stay for his fathers
sake; and mat plea failing, babe him to stay
for hers. Need we say that he did not re-
fuse? F. S. w.