The record-union., 1897-08-01

the dlnlng-room Tor Bella to take the
cup Of cocoa which was always prepared
for her on these occasions
.'Oh, mother dear, ever so nicei' and
she turned to her mother a face that
startled her by its radiant expression,
such a contrast was it to the usually
duh, tired look it wore after ball.
The interval between the drinking of
the cocoa and the going to bed had
hitherto been passed almost in silence;
but tonight Bella ratified off to her as
tonished mother a lively story of the
ball, slurring over, indeed her own par
ticular share in it, though the old lady
was perfectly aware that something un-
usual had happened to her daughter.
she mad got into the way of dreading
these festivities, although she thought 1t
her duty to continue to urge Bella to
take part in them; for each fresh at
tempt seemed only to bring home to her
child her social ineffectiyeness. and her
spirits and temper suffered for days
afterwards
But Tonight all was changed. Don't
lets so to bed yet, mother dear" she
pleaded, as they sat together by the
fire
AS you like, darling" answered her
mother-then suddenly: "Bellai what
have you done with your necklace?"
Bella started guiltily, and bIushed all
over. Inc string broke-my partner,
Mr.. Berwick, picked them up-I think
he Will bring them back on Sunday.
lie asked to call-he is in Croydon on
engineering business" Then. forgetting q
her recently expressed desire to the
contrary, she rose quickly and sug-
gested that they should both retire
now
The next morning Bella woke up in
a new world, and the look that last
night had startled her mother was vet
in her eyes. She was conscious of no
distinct hope or wish, beyond a desire
that Sunday would soon come. In the
High street she met the cousins. who
nodded and laughed in a knowing sort
of way. She knew they had been wit
nesses of her happiness, and nodded
and laughed back with unwonted
cheerineSs
Really, Cousin Bella looks quite
handsome this morning" said one to
the other. Scotch partners seem good
for the complexion
went about in a state of vague. dreamy
happiness. Her mother kept looking
at her, and her eyes reflected the light
IN her daughters, but she made no al
fusion to Mr.. Berwick and his expected
visit. By Sunday morning Bella s
mood had changed; she was possessed
by sickening fear lest the day should
pass without any sign from her friend
AT breakfast time the mother, with
her terrible power of insight into her
daughters mind, spoke in trembling
whispers, and her hand shook as she
poured out the. tea. Dear, had we not
better have out the best china cups this
afternoon?' she asked fearfully, break
ing the grim silence of the breakfast
table.
Why have them out to-day more
than any other day." asked Bella,
sternly.
"Oh! nothing, dear" murmured the
poor old lady, confused and rebuked
by the look in her daughters face.
The morning passed, and the early
dinner was eaten, and Bella went up
to dress for callers. Two burning spots
of fever stood in her pale cheeks Her
mother almost cried out in fear at the
strangeness of her appearance when
she came into the little drawing-room
decked out in it's Christmas array of
evergreens. Her mood had again
changed to one of feverish gayety, and
she exhibited an unwonted want of
reticence. Il look charming this after
noon, mother, dear" she said, as she
posed before the long mirror, laughing
Historically. Don't you think 1 might
sit for a picture of Mariana in the
Moated Granger"
The sound of the street door bell
drove every bit of color out of her
face, and when the old lady of whom
it was the forerunner was uShered into
the drawing room she was scarce able
to frame a greeting with her pale stiff
lips. All through that long afternoon
the torture was repeated each time
there was fresh ring at the bell.
There was a quite unusual stream of
visitors, and Bella talked and laughed
with eyes fixed on the door and ears
strained to catch the sound of a voice
that was never heard in that little hall.
Once the door opened to admit the
cousin with the fluffy daughters. ooh,
Cousin Bella!' one whispered, laugh
ing, and putting up her long handled
eyeglass and twisting her head about,
Where is your Mr.. Berwick? / had
hoped to see him here. Has he called
YETI"
Bella shuddered visibly, but made no
reply and got up and handed the cake
basket
It seemed as if that dreadful after
noon were never going to end; and not
the least dreadful part of it was the
knowledge that her mother was watch
ing-watching with face scarcely less
tense than her own. The last dreary
gossip took her dreary leave, and Bella
coming through the hall after having
let her out, was met by the housemaid
bearing a small brown paper parcel.
"A gentleman in a cab with luggage
had left it at the door, she explained.
Bella tore it open, and found it con-
tanned her necklace and card. On
the card was engraved the name, "Mr.
Charles Berwick, The Manor House.
Thurso"; above was written in a small
"niggly'' hand, with apologfes"; be-
low, the letters "P. D. A"-Katherine
Sylvester in Cornhill Magazine.
When We Were Children.
Have you forgotten, little wife,
Our far-off childhood's S golden life?
Our splendid castles on the sands,
The boat l made with my own hands.
The rain that caught us in the wood,
The cakes we had when we were good,
The doll / broke and made you cry,
When we were children, you and 1?
Have you forgotten, little wife,
The dawning of that other life?
The strange new light the whole world
wore