The herald., 1896-02-23

gullS, better than any rout or feStivity-
diasipations which, however, seldom enough
came in her way. At Rinmore, where
Squire Hayling's estate bordered the downs
she lotered in her pace. Was it the climf
| up the hill, or the kiss of the breeze which
caused her color to heighten and the eye.
| to dance with pleasure? Whatever the rea
eon, it but gave an added beauty to tht
] sweet Devonshire face under its big straw
| hat. Perhaps some such thought was in tho
mind of the young gallant, who, in spite OF
carrying one arm in d sling, lightly vaulted
the fence and accosted her. He appeared
| TO be well acquainted with the damsel's
| movements, for he at once inquired whether
| as usual, she had been visiting her brother
| at Lymton.
"You guess we'll. Captain Hayling," she
| laughed.
"Yes, have been to see Jim. Poor lad
| he does so hate the office life at Lymton.
and | fear for excitement's sake, he mixes
himself up more and more with the SNUG
Cling. He was out again last night, and 1
| cannot sleep for fear of his coming to
HARM
The Devonshire voice was soft and win
| ming, while the smooth, white brow showed
| a pucker of very real anxiety. The Captain
bent toward her with eager sympathy.
You poor little soul! and you are worry
| ing over his pranks. He is young and fool
sh yet; he will grow wiser by and by.
What pity he cannot join our fighting
| boys abroad! Spirited young fellows are
| wanted there, and it would give his energy
scope"
| ooh. no. no. father would never consent.
| He lost his only brother at Saratoga, and he
has never got over it-he has made Jim
| promise not to become a soldier or sailor,
but it is hard on Jim, We have no inter-
est. we are DOOR and so Jim must drudge
at desk. and it gals him; he wants an
outdoor life. he just smuggles for fun.
You see, he has known all the old smuggling
fishermen since he was a little chap, and
they will always take him when he wants
to co. She paused, and then reading her
companions silence as a sign of dsap-
proval, she added, detiantly: II don't blame
Jim, either; 1 should do the same we're l
he oh. some of their tales of adventure
and escape are grand. You should hear old
Ben Rugg talk! Why. they gave the pre-
ventive men the slip as neatly as possible
only the other night and landed their kegs
right under their very eyes''
The captain laughed. "Why, you are
as bad as Jim, every bit! But all the same
Jim must stop his pranks. The authorities
have winked for a long time at the SNUG
Cling around here, but of late they have
changed their tune; since poor Jephson
got killed last spring the revenue men
are in arms; they will catch whom they
can, and the punishment is heavy. You
must all use your influence to keep Jim
in. Nay, Jean. do not look SO down
cast" for the color had faded from her
cheek and her lips had grown perilously
tremulous 81 meant but to warn you,
child; it will be all right, never doubt
Perhaps between us we may be able to get
Jim out of this distasteful Office; perhaps
my father could find him a more con
genial billet on his Scotch estate Come,
let us see you smile again. All! that is
better. Now. seriously, the dear old dad
will do anything 1 wish, and 1 shall ask
him to find something for your brother
No, it is no Kindness" He leaned toward
the girl, whose sparkling eyes spoke her
gratitude, and said softly: II leave Uncle
Hayling tomorrow, but when l return in
three weeks time 1 shall ask for something
in return. But not yet, Jean not till i
have seen my dear old father, and have
when l come back will you be kind?"
She blushed and played with her hat
strings, while thrush sang its autumn
song in the scarlet-hung rowan tree over
her head, and robin peeped at the lovers
from the bilberry bush close by, but she
answered never word. The captain
smiled. 'In three weeks time, Jean, ]
shall come for your answer-have 1 made
you dumb? Have you no voice left? Come,
then, tell me of your solemn-faced ad-
mrer down there" indicating Brimley;
"can you tell me how he fares?"
Jean gave her head toss, and found
speech at once. 81 hate him." she said,
energetically Nand yet I fear him, too!
He is hard and harsh, and dreadfully obsti-
nate. All, you laugh, but really do fear
him. Is it presentiment!"
''Superstitious child! What possible
harm can the worthy, bad-tempered farmer