The new North-west., 1896-10-30

to the beach and she drawing cabalis-
tic figures on the shifty SAND with her par
asol. He looked at her for a second, and
then he felt the blood rushing to his head.
MY dear Miss Alban do you mean that
any one-that some one
She nodded not desisting from her dia-
grams.
''That some has dared to hint that
that-you know what I mean
Apparently she did. for she answered in
low voice:
THAT is it. / overheard something in the
drawing room this morning; and what would
they say if you came to London with me?''
There moments pause and With
sudden gulp, Luke Stanton plunged manfully
into the deep waters of declaration. They
would say in truth--that he could not hear to
lose her, that he loved her that he wanted
nothing better than to hear her say she would
be his wife. Would she say it here--now? He
was an old man, triple her age, no doubt
but-but--. He stopped. out of breath and
red of face, and Miss Aban covered her face
with her hands and made ansWer--oven
when. having recovered himself, Mr.. Stanton
pressed her still further
"I don't know she murmured II must
think lam surprised
OF she should have time to think
until tomorrow. Would She tell him tomor-
rowo
and then more coherent, You will go,
now won't YOU? I want to be alone
And with many a backward glance Luke
as in his own room his eyes fell on the bowl
Of water, cold now. over which he had opened
Adian'S letter. He would be fnel| caught;
and it Il OF cutting his nose
To spite his face, for kittie Alhan was as
pretty girl as amy one could wish, and 4 per-
feet little lady.
lie took unusual pains his dressing.
clumple,l innumeratle ties and last was
ready. To his dsnlay, however, when all
the guests had filed into the tallc d hoe he had
to realize that Miss -Aban. whose seat il is
needless say. next tn his own wAs
absent.
On questioning the waiter hr found that
Miss Alhan's dinner had been sent to her
room; Luke was disappointed. and a lit
tie alarmed; he iidgeted about after the meal
in an ainless of fashion, and finally sent
message to inquire after the absentee. The
answer came that Miss Alhan had Il headache.
When man Of 50 screws himself up TO g
ence Of the dear one elect is necessary TO pre-
Vent his rejecting too deeply on all that the
step may mean, and the evening seemed VERY
long to Mr. Stanton,
Miss Albln was visible at the usual hour
in the breakfast room. and an anxious in
uuirH, less carefully worded this time, ELECTED
stanton pennedl a note Of coincidence, It
hcsan My dear Miss Alhan,' and ended,
Yours. always sincerely The poor man
wandered about feebly until lunch time,
hastily torn from his notebook on which
he hoped that Dearest I<ittie'' would not
forget her promise and would come down
presently and end the suspense "i Hers.
always. l., s.. this time pushed! under
her door with his own hand, and few mo-
ments later a three-cornered note was brought
to him, with the laconical communication, in
side Of 1870 the parade
It hour and half to that time.
and it had TO be got through somehow.
Luke Stanton was distinctly impatient. His
mind was made up; he would be able to spite
Adrian and his wretched little low wife and at
the same time secure Il delightful companion
for himself. But he wanted it settled. Surely
no girl i'll her senses could refuse-and the
great charm about Kitty -Nban was her ex-
trene sensbeness.
He knew the exact spot which he would
be sure to meet Kittie. and he was hurrying
toward it, when he caromed against somebody
coming in the opposite direction.
y beg Why, what the deuce
''Father.'
Adrian Stanton held out his ham. per-
Come. father, you're going TO shake hands"
felt must come down"
did YOU" Well, that's unfortunate be-
cause l. m going back to town.
But, dad listen To l.
= won't listen, / tell Nou besides have
an appointment. { can't stay"
The pink muslin trock distinctly Wis
ihle; Luke felt that the situation Was in
tolerable.
''One moment. You must stay. My wife Is
here--sou' Il see her-you' IL
I'm see her d
soirectly, won't you. Mr.. stanton"s' n
soft voice broke in befor" the nnGtr'on-
able word was uttered.
Miss Alhan, stammered Luke, "this is
II KNOW. and to the old mans horror and
;lmazement l<ttie Slipped her arm within
Adrian and my husband.
Luke StantOns face heCame purple: he
| opened his mouth to speak, and then all Of
a sudden stood silent MY dearest Kittte,
| always your own l.. s.. The words seem
ed to buzz round him. And without giving
himself time 10 collect his thoughts. kittie be-
gan To explan; the idea had been hers; the
doctor had ordered her sea air anu quiet and
had suggested Great Stirtnouth. Immediate
.y Aftelward Adrian had heard of his fathers
intended stay there, and She insisted on having
her own way. And, now he knew her wouldn't t
he have little mercy? Adrian broke in
| Couldn't he understand: Here Luke broke
in quickly. He would them later at the
hotel But he walked Off kittie ran after
/ him and pressed a crumpled paper into his
hand. He opened it apprehensivcly. 1t was his
! oNn note and behind it was scrubbed hastily:
Forget all this. No shall ever know.
| Whatever you decide. believe that"
X family party OF three dinctl in Mr.. Stan
toms private room that night, and at dessert
| Mrs. Stanton, Jr., received from her tather-in-
| law wedding present check for Elt1h.
| written, not on proper form, but on Il sheet
/ from book.
queer old chap, Fancy writing a check
Il scrap Of paper like that" remarked
! Adrian afterWarl: but Mrs. Adrian only
laughed, She ulldersto ootl.~-l london World.
LIGHTS AND SlDELiGHTS.