Evening star., 1903-08-22

straight into his right eye by Nannies
deft fingers.
Halo. what's that for?" he sang out
with boyish chivalry. aiming at her a blow,
which she lodged with great deXterty.
Mamie went on eating cherries out of
lapful which she carried in her pima
fore.
What are yer always hanging about
that there Piety Rede for. eh?" asked
Mamie sullenly.
We'll. what's that to you. If I am?"
retorted Nigel. with no great amiability.
Indeed, good temper was not strong
point with the boy who was sullen,' re-
vengeful. and by no means popular with
the bulk of his companions.
''Oh, nothink," said Mamie, with toss
of the head as she cast her eve in the
direction of the gable end of Rede's farm.
which could be perceived over the fruit
trees of the big square garden in front
of it. I'm only speakin' out of good ma
ture- m sure just to tell yer what nice
time you'll have of 1t by-an'-by, if yer go
on a-makin yourself into footstool for
her to walk OIL. l know those sort of girls,
that lisp in their talk an look at yer
straight in the eye with their mouth open!
An mark my words, if you don't get over
yer fancy for her an leave off hanging
round the place, she'll lead yer a fine
dance one of these days, or my name 5
not Nani'
1t was a strange warning. perhaps. to
come from the lips of a girl of eleven. But
rustic ignorance is not quite common
dS Is SeuerdllS supposed, ana not OnIy ulQ
Mamie utter her words with an old fash
ioned air of authority, but Nigel heard
them with attention and something more.
An ugly frown crossed the boys dark face.
Il suppose / can do l lkei' he ex-
claimed. surlily, picking up a stone and
aiming Ii at starting in a tree above
their heads.
ooh. l s'pose you can, and I spose you
can get jolly well served out for it," re-
torted Mamie, with vigor. But she's a
spoiled little beast what with the Hadlows
takin' up with her, an drivin' her over to
their place. an muckin' her about as if she
was somebody very grand. But of course
you can do as you like an nobody can't
stop you from being walked on if you've
taste that way
Nigel was frowning and biting his lips.
II know they make a fuss with her up at
Sir Williams, and that her ladyship drives
her over to play with the young ladies'"
said he. curtly.
AN with the young gentlemen" put In
Mamie with a snap.
Nigel thrust his hands into his frayed
pockets and stared at the girl defiantly
Well said he. Il shall be away at sea
III three weeks from now, and sha mt care
for to trouble my head no more about her.
Mamie frightened obviously-'nor about
any other girl" he concluded, viciously.
But such resolution is more easily made
than kept. Nigel went to sea on a fishing
smack-with IL lock of Pietys fiaxen hair
in his bosom; but when he came back IL
was to Rede's farm that he went like an
arrow. And through all the rough years
OF his apprenticeship IT was still to the
little gabled farm house among the cherry
trees that he found his way time after time
when the fishing boats came in; and Piety.
the blooming girl on the verge of woman
hood, held his heart more tightly in thrall
when she was seventeen than she had done
when she was seven.
She was always kind to him. 1t was her
nature to be kind to everybody; always
sunny. smiling, bright amusing in her little
caprices. charming In the air of frivoiity.
with which she shed sort of magic CLAM
our over the common Incidents OF daily life.
Nigel had never dared to speak definiteIv
about that aim of his life which he held
always before him-marriage with his dar-
hing But he kept It steadily in view some
times doubling, but more often believing It