The times., 1897-03-27

| though sweets are sure to be growing some
| where on the premises. This young lady
| wants sweets. There are sweets in til,
| house, eh? The cook his thoughts hav
| naturally flown to the cook. ..She (anx
| iously) must have some sweets
Bonner allows himself as much tint
! as it takes to give faint cough and theI
! distinguishes himself. 1--WE been Iookin:
through the stores, captain beg pardon. Sil
John-and there's only ginger. Very hot
Burn her tongue, captain
True, by Jove, so it would says sil
John. But sugar Bonner" he pauscs t.
look at the delightful little stranger, now
leaning confidentially against his knee.
'-Lumps o sugar. says she, agreeably,
with many little mods of her blonde head
You sce,'' says Sir John, eagerly,
sugar will do. Get on, Bonner; bring
the sugar bowl-the big one. Hurry up,
can't your
'Lumpso' s1Garfor good gal and ca kies, :"
says Margie, s0lemnly. 1t sounds like a
lesson.
"A nd oh, yes. cake, Bonner, Good
heavens! Fancy our forgetting cake,
says Sir John.
Bonner, at the end of his tether, con
dcscends to whisper: Cant be sure of
cake, captain
"Oh, confound it, there must be cake,
cries Sir John, Indignantly. "And''-with
open joy, there is, toO-Fd some last
night. You remember, Bonner-a splen-
did plum cake. Bring some Of that
HIM. says Bonner. with another cough.
That plum cake (now defuncU had indeed
been splendid. bad for the stomach cap
tain. Make her feel queer in the morning.
Sponge cakes the thing for young missy;
! never eat any other. Mrs Jones has a
little downstairs that l left last night
VERY good of YOU says Sir John,
with a grin. Then-"How the deuce do
you know all about the youngsters SO
well, Bonner, and you bachelor?''
"Nephews and nieces, captain says
Bonner. six Of EN- Been through lot
with EN-"
Bring the CHASTITY remains Of your
sponge cake at once, and "a whole bowl
full of sugar says Sir John.
Miss Marge, now upon his knee, mods
condescending appreciation OF this order
and at once embarks, with her new friend
on Il long and exhausting conversation.
II lasts well into Bonner's return and well
cake, which is by no means SO dilapidated
as might have been expected.
IL might have lasted considerably longer.
but for most unexpected interruption.
First, there is a little rustic on the grass
below, then the sound of n light foOtstep.
and now another sound-a voice, clear, soft,
breathlessi
ION, Margery! Margery! How wicked Of
you!'
Sir John is so startled that he puts Mar
gle promptly on the ground and rises TO see
the owner OF this wonderful voice.
She is just emerging from the grove OF
myrtles and ThodCdendrons on his left,
her face uplifted TO where he is standing
with the child beside him.
Such a lovely face! Sir john forget
ful of all decent behavior for once in
his life. starcs at her with evCr-increas-
ing wonder and delight. until slight
finish rising to the broad low brow brings
him to his senses. He hurres to meet her,
his heart hrobbing!
Who on earth is she? This tall. slen-
der. graceful girl The Raynhams, ne
knows have a large house party at the
Towers Just now She must belong to
1t. That she is Miss Margies sister is
beyond question, the likeness between
the two faces being very marked, indeed.
She had missed the little one. no doubt.
and had been directed here. Her beauti-
full face rs she looked up a moment ago,