The Dickinson press., 1892-04-23

voice is music, her touch is like. The
petal of a rose. Where do you keer
the diamond? Is it safe?"
(! told him that 1 now kept it in q
belt buckled to my waist
STRAP it to your wrist again; it is
safer" he said; and then, bending his
head aside, he listened attentively fol-
a moment, and continued in a lower
voice, "They are talking together
down there. Creep down and listen.
l tell you we are not safe here,-I see
that through my blindness. Ihave fac
ulties in place of that l have lost. De
You hear them? Come closer
Thorne; there is a conspiracy in this
HOUSED plot to rob us of our
treasure, and turn us beggars again
upon the street. If l could trust you,
"a tell you more. But every one is a
thief who has the power to steal"
1t was not the first time had
heard him talk in This vein. At Ma
tai, on the ship. he had been in con-
slant dread of being robbed. Twas
glad to get away from him. As 1
passed the head of the stairs in going
to my room, 1 distinguished the
sound-too distant before to tell
upon my dull ear-of Sir Edmund's
voice aud the Judges; they were in
the library below. After dressing, 1
joined them, and found Sir Ed
mund greatly Interested in
Braces description of gold mining
in California; subject upon which
he could be eloquent by the hour to-
gether.
On the 18th Sir Edmund, Miss Las
celles, and l rode over to Southamp.
ton. Miss Lascelles was in her gayest,
happiest mood, and in her riding-hab
it looked more charming than ever.
In returning, we met q friend OF Sir
Edmund's; he accepted the invitation
to take lunch at the Abbey, and rode
beside the baronet, ahead of us. We
two took the hill so slowly that, COM
ing to the crossroads, we could not
see Sir Edmund and his friend. There
weretwo ways to the Abbey. After lit
tie elaboration, Miss Lascelles laugh
ingly consented to take the longer
one.
The morning was superb; the woods
We're glorious. The rich, warm tints
of the r%eddening foliage were reflected
on my beautiful companions cheek;
her eyes seemed to catch the glitter
OF the dew that still hung on the Cos
samers. l forget what we talked
about; but she was full OF mirth, and
now and then the still woods rang
with the musical cadence OF her laugh.
But suddenly the smile died from her
face, and she said,-
1--WE forget poor little Lola"
And then, as if the words had con-
jured up her presence, the girl appear
ed, swiftly speeding between the red
boles OF the fir trees. We stopped, and
l called
"Lola, dear, come and speak to
me-"
She stood still, and looked as if ir-
resolute whether or not to respond to
my appeal.
~ will stay here. Go to her." said
Miss Lascelles softly.
But, as if she had OWNED nv inten-
ton, Lola shook her head monrnfully
rs she had done before, and, going her
way, was presently hid by the tall
brake. AS we crossed the opening
where we had previously seen her, /
looked back, andperceived her stand
ing in the same place, gazing after u.s..
1t was easy to conceive her misery,
and the bitter feelings of her heart.
She was unaltered, but l was no long
Ell the rough toiler, grateful for a tin
OF water fetched from the stream. All
that was past. was no longer her
companion. I should never,
more, share her hard fate, and look
to her to lessen the h%ardships ofexist-
ence.
On the 10th we went again into the
woods, but on foot, Miss Lascelles
and !, ~straying thither without pur-
pose from the garden where we met.
We came to q stream bridged by a
single plank supported in the middle.
There had been a hand-rail, but it
had fallen away in decay. Igave her
my hand; the fear of falling made her
clasp my fingers tightly. She seemed
to enjoy the little danger; it animated
her face and eyes with the prettiest,
most bewitching expression imagin-
able. Her hand seemed to commune