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


sealed envelope up to the light critically.
Il told him I should return his letters un-
opened, and there this goes for all the
world as if hadn't idea of what it con-
tans.'
And with another pleasant gurgle at his
own sharpness, Mr.. Stanton placed the letter
addressed to Luke Stanton, Esq, Grand Ro
tel, Great Startnouth,'' into another cnvelop
and reiddressed it to ''Aaran Stantan, ESD.
Turner Studios, Ruskn Road, Kensngton"
Then he rang the bell and delivered it to the
waiter to be put into the London postbag;
after which he walked to the nay window and
stood looking out upon the calm sea and the
long eNpanse of yellow sand.
Great Startmouth is not Il Fashionable sea
side resort; indeed. it is chiefly freauented
by the convalescent dyspeptics. Anglo-Indians
with sailoW compleXions and short tempers and
other invalitls. Luke Stanton had come there
partly on account Of his health, partly be
cause he held shares i'll the new hotel and
other schemes for making Great Startmnuth
little less funereal and little prof.
table. But, greatly the t1nancier gem
orally occupied with his companies and his,
schemes, at the present moment lie WAS think
ing OF neither, as he stood gazing blanlSly out
on the beach, his hands thrust deep into his
pockets, jingins the loose coins and keys theie-
MIR. Stanton was busy repeating TO himself
the contents of the letter he had just sent
back. Adrian Stanton, his only son, who
by all the laws of heredty and advsability,
should have been his right hand Alas fo,
the crookedness of this world! Young Stanton
had fatty declared to his father some three
four years previously, that he hated the
city. tnat he could not calculate the common
est of simple interest, and that he would
never understand the intricacies OF the stock
exchange-that, in short. he detested ''busi,
Luke stormed and raved. but had ended
by giving in, and, in spite of his affected
Indifference and contempt had been not
little pleased when, last year, the hanging
committee OF Burlington House had ac-
cepted small canvas signed adrian Stan
ton" True, 1T had been SO hung that it was
impossible to it without risking Il dis
located neck, but that detail the old man
conscentiously ignored. So far, so good.
Luke Stanton was almost reconciled to art,
and rather given to talking about my
sens studio,'' when all at once the whole
fabric toppled about his ears in the most
day with the news that he was engaged to
be married. 1t was unexpected, but not
necessarily disastrous until the fatal trutf
was lisclosed-he, Luke Stanton. the great
city man, heavy alike of purse and moral
reputation expected to welcome as his
'lnughter-i n-law-a model. There was a scene
-all the stops of pater1lal Indignation and
nlial inEratitule were pulled out to their full
est and it ended in Adrian walking out Of the
house.
He made several further attempts to see
his father and bring him To more ami
cable frame of mind, but ine1feetuanN and
at last, in spite Of threats TO stop his
lowance, to cut him out of his will Adrian
Stanton took to himself the girl Of his choice
and dnly informed his father of the fact
1t then that the family solicitor, at
Lukes dctation, indited the young man a
letter, Informing him that his father desired
to hold further communication with him.
and that any letter addressed to his father
from Adrian would be returned unopened.
This had happened six months ago. and Mr..
Stanton invariably acted AS he had done
noW--openet! the letters over steamiEg bowl
Of water read them, refastened them and sent
them back. He was just now rnminating on
the last epistle 1t was in the same strain as
usual; Adrian asked for no money, was able to
support his wife by his brush, mOdestlN enough.
still sufficiently, but he wanted his father to
recognize her-he wanted reconciliation,
7>r,st J,Ia yasfSh In SrCt
recognize the hussy? Never! Oh. he can
support her can he: So much the better
for he won't gel any help from me, now
or at any other time. knuW what it is
hes afraid III marry again!
And then Luke stanton fell into a reverie
After all why not? Many men did marx
after co, and--ana-. lie looked at his
watch hurriedly-u quarter to !; then his
eyes eagerly scanned the stretch OF beach.
.Shell be getting back directly, he nur-
INJURED, and catching up his hat Went to
disport himself along the parade.
Presently he hastened his step little as
slight figure in muslin gown tutteted into
view at the far end of the parade.
,oh, Mr. stanton You quite startled me.
How delightful to meet you.
She was dainty little person. with &.
genuine complexion, big blue eyes and the
most puzzling and beWitching hair, which
seemed to run the Whole gamut or tlnts
from brown to gold as the sunbeams played on
1t. She looked up into the old gentlemans S
face with the most contiding expression.
isn't it provoking? There is absolutely no
news.
"Really, Tn delighted-I mean" he cor
rocted himself hurredly, sit is most ex-
traordnary.
isn't it? I came down here week ago to
meet my aunt and uncle. as we had arranged
before they went abroad, and, to my amaze
ment, found no one here.
YES yes" he put in soothingy nIt was
very trying Poor little girl. Poor child!'
II should have gone straight back to London
IL it hadn't been for yOu Mr.. Stanton. You
have been more than kind to me-"
mot at all my dear young lady. was
touched at the loneliness of your position, an
sious to be of service toto SO charming a
Waif."
She shot him a grateful glance.
..But think I really must go home
went to Carlinford YOU suggested, think
ing that some letter might be awaiting me at
the postof1ice, but as I tell YOU there was
nothing. I can not think what has happened
to my friends. feel must go back to Lon.
don tomorrow.
and looked down at her ttYou mean to leave
Startmouth-''
YES
ST At least you will allow me to see
you safe to London-to your friends Oh
forgot my poor child-you orphan
But at any rate you will let me take you
back to the people with whom you were stay.
ing! e.. 80, ana aa,d nnrrea,v ~ cou,d
not think Of giving you much troub1e'
.tTrouble! II it were not that It means
,nstne YOU at the end I should call 1t 8
Measure, There! It is settled, isn't it? And
Ehat time shall we go?''
..Indeed, MIR. Stanton. can not accept youl
escort It-I-they-oh! can't you understandY
Her face was turned away from him
they had wandered away from the parade