, 1899-06-16

looks ike dnyIn1nB put u Shii'cico-up
nut, as, on receiving her card at the hotel,
he descends with alacrity to the yestibule
to greet Mrs. Horton and herself. He is
a fresh-colored, pleasant, benevolent look
| ing old gentleman, very neat and prim in
his appearance, and carrying his GA years
bravely. His mild blue eyes seemed trou-
bled also, as if his impending loneliness
grieved him more than he cared to con-
fess; and the eagerness with which he
turns to grasp Mrs. Hephzibah's hand
proves where he looks for sympathy and
depends upon finding it.
IF you mean to walk" says Mrs. Heph-
zibah, you had better come at once, for
the afternoon Is getting on, and we want
to get on too"
Mr.. Bond expresses his gratitude and
promptitude to obey at one and the same
moment by running upstairs to fetch his
hat and stick, and the ladies step out upon
the pavement in front of the hotel to wait
for him.
1t is a bright, beautiful afternoon, and
the street is crowded with pedestrians.
Della, letting her eyes wander at will,
raises them to the hotel windows, but
suddenly withdraws them with a sort OF
frightened gasp.
what have you seen now, DeliaT'
Look the other way, Mrs. Horton. o!
how foolish 1 ami l know it is only some
sickly fancy, but l saw a face at one of
the hotel windows, and just for the mo-
ment it looked to me SO like the face OF
William Moray"
Mrs. Horton laughs aloud.
"What will you get into that silly little
NATsI1sA-. NIA-,- -
deedl l wonder what he would feel like
set down in the middle of Bruges. Why,
l don't suppose he knows that such q
place exists! Put him out of your
thoughts, my dear. He's safe enough in
Cheapside, sorting his samples of wool
Take my word for it,
Mrs. Hephzibah and her little solicitor
enjoy their walk exceedingly, and are full
of regret when they find it is time to re
trace their steps. But Della hopes to see
her boy, and the distance between the
cemetery and the Rue Allemande. seem:
twice as long as usual in consequence
But another disappointment awaits hel
at home. Instead of Angus happy face
for greeting, she receives a note from him
hurriedly written, and inexplieably mys
FERROUS. y
II cannot attend the theater tonight,
it says. You, and your, friend must sc
without me. You will. find the tickets OF
the m~antelpiece in my bedroom"
When she returns from the theater, anC
having bid goodnight to both her friends
enters her own room-an explanation
awaits her there. Seated by her table i
Angus-haggard, pale and disordered il
appearance; but is the door opens, h
starts up from his chair and waits he
approach. She is about to fly into hi
arms with an exclamation of pity ant
! affection, when he waves her from him.
Mother" he says hoarsely, II wa
obliged to wait for you here. l couldn'
meet you before those people downstairs.
"You couldn't meet me, Angus! Oh
what is the meaniHg of thisT'
"Nol Not until | had received an an
swer from you to a question that Isl eating
into my very soul. Mother, have hear'
that to-day which seems to have takel
all the light and life out of my existence
I cannot believe it-but you are the onl
person who can thoroul hly satisfy me up
on the subject" as
ANGUS, what is it?" she says, trem
bling; tell me at once. There have neve