The morning call., 1895-03-03

was the time2 Was it going quickly or
slowly? Could he afford to wait, or must
he run round to the road and intercept
Agatha? Five minutes passed in vacilia-
ton.
"Ill go and stop her." he said, and be-
gan cautious retreat. As he moved he
heard Willie's voice.
"Well, my dear, let's be off" said Willie.
Nettle rose with a sigh OF content, ad-
justed her hat coquettishly and smoothed
her skirts.
hasn't it?"
They came toward Charlie. Evidently
they intended to regain the road by the
same path as he had chosen. Indeed, from
that side of the pool there was no choice
unless one clambered round by the muddy
bank.
1--WE must make haste" said Willie.
"Father'l want his tea"
If they made haste they would be close
on his heels. Charlie shrank back behind
willow and let them go by; then, quick
as thought. rushed to his canoe and pad
died across-up the steps and into the
temple he rnshed. She wasn't there
Fate is too hard for the best of us some
times. Charlie sat down, and stretching
ont his legs, stared gloomily at his toes
Thus he must have sat nearly ten min
utes, when head was put round the Cor
Poor boy! Am 1 very later"
Charlie leaped up and forward, breath
lessly hlurting out Joy tempered by I'M
easlness. Agatha gathered the difficulty
of the position.
"Well," said she, smiling, 81 must dis
appear, and you must go back to your
friends"
No" said Charlie, "I must talk to
you"
But they may come any moment"
81 don't carer'
"Oh, but 1 do, Charlie, what's the mat
ter? Oh, didn't l ever call you Charlie
before? Well, Charlie, if you love me ives.
l knowD you'll not let these people see
me?"
''All right! Came along. I'll take YOU
to the road and come back. Hullo! What's
that?"
''It's them! - exclaimed the lady.
1t was. The pair dived back into the
temple. On the opposite bank stood Mile
Bushel, Mr.. Vansittart, and Victor
Sutton.
"Hullo, there, Charlie, You thief" cried
Victor Bring that canoe over here.
Miss Bushell wants to get to the temple -
''Hush Don't movew WHISPERED
Agatha.
"But they know I'm here; they see that
confounded canoe"
"Charlie Charliel" was shouted in
&C fOICeS dCEOSS.
''They mustn't see me-" urged Agatha.
Victor Sutton's voice rose clear and dis
tinct.
'Tll unearth him." he cried. ~ know
the way around. You wait here with Miss
Bushell, Merceron."
"Oh, he's coming round"
81 must chance it, said Charlie, and he
came out of hiding. A cry greeted him.
Victor was already started, but stopped.
Charlie barked and shot across.
You villain! You gave us the Slip"
cried Uncle Van.
Miss Bushen began quietly to embark.
Uncle Van followed her example.
'Oh, Mr.. Merceron, you'll sink usr' cried
Mile
Charlie sat glum and silent. The situa-
tion beat him completely.
Uncle Van drew back Millie seized the
paddle and propelled the canoe out from
the bank.
you come round with me, Merceron, "
called Sutton, and the two men turned to
the path. mo- added Victor. "Look
here, we can climb round here" and he
pointed to the bank. There was a little
narrow muddy track but it was enough
The canoe was halfway across; the two
men-Vlctor leading at good pace-were
halfway round. Charlie glanced at the
window OF the temple and caught a fleet
ing glance of despairing face. ''If you
loveme, they mustn't see mer'
Here, give me the paddle" he ex-
claimed, and reached forward for it.
mo, | can do it," answered Millie, lift
ing the instrument out of his reach.
Charlie stepped forward-rather, he
jumped forward, as man Jumps over a
ditch. There was a shrek from Millie, the