Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-28
WITHOUT A HEAD.

cheerful Two nrlnchairs wero drawn up before it.
 In one sat a pretty golden haired girl of about five and twenty, who was staying in tho house; in the other was a dark, rather stout middlo aged woman. She was talking while she stirred her tea slowly
 ''Ycs, Edith, you really must meet MT. Evcrleigh My husband says he is staying with tho Norths at the Sycamores, and that is only three miles off, so he can easily cono to dinner. We will have him oD Thursday"
 1t is vory kind of you, Lady Elder to wish mo to meet this Mir. Evcrloigh," " said Edith, with faint smile, land I should liko to. as it would be interesting 10 sec any ono who has travelled SO much Be- sides tho namo seems familiar to mo. had some friends onco who knew some- body of that name, I am sure.
 The door opened, and tho butler an- nounced:
 Mrs. Norton"
 She was tho vicar's wife and had plenty to say to Lady Elder about parochial mat ters, so Edith Vernon, having finished her tea, quietly withdrew to her room.
 Who was this MT. Eycrleigh, and what did his name recall to her mind? Then it all came back to her A happy tino long ago, when sho and her mother lived down in Somorsotshire, Ut Rose Court.
 She was just IF, and her mother was not tho invalid sho became two years be- foro her death.
 Near Roso Court thero was farmhouse, and an old Miss Milton took it one sum mcr and came, accompanied by her nephew, to enjoy the air
 Jack Milton was leaving for coffee plant ing in Ceylon shortly, but not before he and his pretty neighbor had become very great friends. Edith remembered how one afternoon q travelling photographer had como round and photographed them as they made group outside Rose Court
 She went to her desk and unlocked it and took out tho photograph.
 Tho pccularty of her own figure in the picture was that the head had been cut out; there was a littlo round holo left in tho card Jack had done it before he went away.
 He had asked for tho picture, and when Edith made excuse by saying She wanted a remomb branco of Miss Milton he then begged to be allowed to have part of it, to which request she gave permission.
 Whero was tho head now, slIe wondered, and where was JackS Ho used to send hor messages through Miss Milton, and then that old lady died, and the Nernons left Rose Court, so now she did not know whero ho was.
 Nevertheless she was sure she had heard either Jack or his aunt somo timo or an other mention Mr. Everloigh, and if so, why, thero was now chance of hearing somo news.
 That evening Sir John Elder announced he had met MT. Everleigh that day and had asked him to come up to the Towers to shoot on Thursday and stay to dinner. He had accepted and when tho day came arrived with his gun and Gladstone bag. There were two officers stationed in the neighborhood; also young Morton and his tutor of the party.
 She proposed to walk to Lanton, three miles off, in tho afternoon, to do some shopping. Lady Elder offered her the car riage, but sine declined, saying she would enjoy tho walk, as 1t was a cold, fresh day. She accordingly set out, did her shop ping and was returning, wondering much if MT. Evcrleigh could give her news of Jack.
 It was growing dark when she returned. The butler told her, on her entrance, that tea was in tho library, and the gentlemen had all returned. She had just reached the door when she saw a speck of white at her feet
 Knowing Lady Elder was scrupulously tidy, she stopped to pick it up. Only piece of white card She turned it over in her hand. A face, and that face her own at F years old Her heart almost stopped beating Then the door opened, and Sir John camc out.
 What, Edith, my dear, you here2 Had no teal Come in. Go and entertain the young men. Do your duty, my dear,' and with laugh he passed her, leaving the door still open.
 "Come in, Edth," called Lady Elder from the midst of group gathered round the fire.
 As she entered the young men rose. She knew three of them, and only needed Mir. Everleigh and the tutor to be intro duced to her.
 Miss Vernon, who is staying with me-" snid Lady Eder
 The tutor bowed. MT. Evcrleigh was putting down his teacup, but turned his head as Lady Elder spoke.
 Somehow Edith felt he was connected with what she had discovered-the ques- tion was in what wayP He bowed slight ly; the room was rather dark; she did not see his faoo distinctly. Lady Elder rang for lights. In the meantime Edith took seat offered to her by one of her military friends, who was trying to get up Il con- versation with her.
 Have some muffins dearf' said Lady Elder as she stopped to get them from be- fore the fire and gave them to MT. Ever leigh to hand to her.
 He approached with the dish and stood before her. As he was so standing the lamps were brought in. She, raised her eyes and saw face looking down at her "a face she knew, only older than when they last met. A long gaze and then
 "Why, you're Jackl" she faltered
 And you're Edithl" he said.
 "And how are you Mr. EverleighP" she asked.
 He sat down beside her, still holding