Evening journal., 1903-03-10

pers of hers and of his fathers, and one
proof only was wanting to substantiate
his claim. He cabled to Melbourne, bor-
rowed the money for his journey and
started at once for Les Suivants.
The interview between him and the old
man was very brief, and Mr.. Curtice sent
for the major as soon as it was over.
Il don't take to him, somehow" he
said, plaintively; 81 would rather it
should have been the other one. 1t is
very hard lines on Walford. You say
that you think Lady Mary Tyrrel-"
Il am sure of it." the major asserted.
with emphasis, "but this will alter the
case. II is hard on him."
Il must see what can be done,s the in
valid said. "After all, / can make the
one my heir, but there is nothing to pre-
vent my making a deed of gift TO John
Walford-say, a thousand or two a
year."
ut would be the right thing to do"
The major assumed the wand Of the
fairy godfather once more.
"Ill tell Walford l made the sugges-
tion to Curtice," he was rejecting "and
If he has grain of decent feeling he will
insist on practical acknowledgment"
And he went in search of WaIford.
But John, with heart that was at
once lighter and heavier, was waiting in
the grove of pines below the veranda, lis
tening for a step that might come there,
hoping, despairing.
And when at last she came he stood
tongue-tied before her; the only word
that he might say, Good by" refusing
TO utter itself.
"How changed everything is" she said
IN a subdued way; you will be able to
carve out your own life, Mr.. Walford.
Shall you stay here a little OF leave to-
morrow, just the same?"
81 shall 60" he answered, huskily;
''will you still give me the photograph"
Wouldn't it".-she hesitated, as
though carefulness of his feelings made
the choice of words difficult to her
wouldn't it be better NOT You might
forget-without it,"
He could not bear it any longer; he
turned to go.
'Are you glad" she said, softly laying
her hand on his arm, not to have Il
grandfather
'Nes, l felt an imposter all the time"
81 am afraid,Y her voice was very low
and gentle, that / have been an inn
poster, too. / feel like one now.
thought, ! really thought, that l cared,
for John Curtice as much as 1 could care
for any one. But ! made a mistake. You
forgive me, won't your"
He stopped and pressed his lips TO her
hand, saying good-by in his heart to
shattered dream. Far better, far, far
better, if he had never spoken at all;
then the dream, at least, would have
| stayed
81 am not bit sorry," she continued,
"to say good-by to John Curtice, for I
iind-I find that l like Jack Walford
much better"
He caught her in his arms.
THANK Godl" he said. Il can 60 away
happy now"
Go awayl What for? l thought you
would see us home. Father wants me
back next week"
Il must not ask him for you, Mary;
am too poor and too insignificant. This
afternoon | had a grandfather-this
evening ] am a nobody. / can't even tell
you who my father was"
But Lady Mary only laughed content
edly.
81 don't want to know" she said; "the
only father that concerns me at present
IS my own. ana 1 nave mdndIeu MN De-
fore now. although he has been called
The Pig-headed peer" in the house,"
She said the same thing to Mrs. Bran
don when that distracted chaperon wept
at the announcement that Lady Mary
was engaged to John Walford.
"What will the duke say? l dare not
face him, Mary l shall leave you as
soon as you reach Eaton square"
"My dear Zefiie, l know exactly what
he will say; Who the deuce is this Wal
fordY What does he wantg What does
he mean?" And / shall go up to him and
put my arms around his neck and say,
} Father, can answer all those questions.
He Is the man l love, and he wants to
marry me, and he means to make me the
happiest woman in the world. II isn't
yourself, surely, that would stand in the
way of your poor little Mollies happi-
ness"
1T is all through the major" said Mrs.
, Brandon, bitterly.
"Why, so it is" Lady Mary answered I;
81 owe him good turn for that. must
find out some way of rewardiRg him
without offending his susceptibilities1
And she did so that the major scored
all around.-London King.
for nronehlsIa cafarrh Assh.