Evening star., 1903-08-22

impossible that the stanch and true devo-
ton he felt for her should fail of it's re-
ward.
The atmosphere of her home, however,
was by no means encouraging to his hopes.
AS he grew older he found his visits re-
ceived more coldly both by Mr. Rede and
his wife. while Aunt Faith. who was a
great power in the household, grew more
solemn and more sour at every meeting
with him. And the awful consciousness be-
gan to penetrate his soul that the whole
family thought that the pretty Piety "ought
to do better"
And then matters entered on fresh
stage. Piety got a situation as assistant at
the smart linen drapers of CarStalrS, the
big, plate glass -fronted shop of MeSsrs.
Jones, Briggs & Bingham. 1t was not a
very smart establishment, truly. but it was
the best Carstairs had. and Piety Rede was
great attraction at the glove counter.
Young Harry Hadlow, Sir Williams second
son, was always making purchases in that
department he bought gloves for all his
family and all his friends there and as
the stock was limited, and not particularly
choice. his generosity earned him little
gratitude.
Piety used bicycle to cover the distance
between st. Martins and the High street,
Carstairs, and the frequency with which
young Mr.. Hadlow on his bicycle fell in
with the farmers daughter on hers was
quite astounding. Piety, however, was very
discreet and, though she had been almost
brought up with the Hadlow family she
knew how 10 keep Mr. Harry at a respect
ful distance without being too unkind.
Other admirers, too, of more serious sort,
began to spring up about the path of
Farmer Redes pretty daughter
Nigel knew of these things and the
knowledge ate into his heart as he lay in
ms miserable bunk on the fishing smack,
or stood at the helm, stiff with the cold
during the long nights when the boat tossed
ON the waves OF the North sea- He saw
less and less of Piety as little indeed as
her family could help; but the less he saw
the stronger his love grew and more fiercely
within him burned the steady flame of long
ing in his faithful heart
And one day, afterufie battling with
hlnnse1 curing long night at sea, he made
up his mind that he would meet her. would
say out to her those words which burned
forever on his tongue
IL was past o'clock on fine evening in
bast eaIty !t summer. when Algek dressed in his
agitation in restless n5bxafHents of eve and
FOOT and hand. stood atE the bottom of
eralg's hill, waiting fof thA return of Piety
When she came in s1&htsSt the top of the
nil she was in the cesalpady of Young Mr.
Hadiow, who bade hSf .a3pod night and
jumped off his bicycle has6ng reached the
sa,in ga'en OF do, his ia father Piety came
rests, looking like a MeYf0h picture i'm her
black cashmere frocle4an3 sailor hat with
IT'S white satin ribbon 4aidsfwo white wings
"A ImoInenfary fear Seized Nigel that she
would pass him, with just a nod and a
smile, as II IN a hurry to get home But IL
that for moment had been her Intention
she changed her mind on getting near
enough TO see his eager dark face and
glowing eyes With some little constraint
perhaps. some little touch of stiffness un-
known IN their earlier days. she stepped
Nightly to the ground a few PAGES from him
ana TOOK his hand in friendly greetings
Il thought thought stan1Ynered N,ge,
nuskly. as you were going to pass me by
You're so full of yer new friends nowadays
aren'tsyou,. Piety2' = >
There was a piaintfve note In his yo,ce
and the color grew deeper I'm the seiri's
cheeks. -al.. 81 = 90
Surely. Nigel" she cried, with a note of
WHO mockery in her voice. "you don't mind
my speaking word to young Mr. Hadlow,
that I've known as long az I've known YOU.
or aHybody?'