The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-04-24
fcontinued.A

 window of the hotel at Bowness look ing out on the lake. It was still early and the life of the day had hardly be- gun. At Bowness the life was that of the tourists and visitors and it would still be an hour or more before they began to move out on their objectives He had very many various and whirl- ing thoughts. but supreme amongst must not delay. for every hour was more and more ieopardizing his chance Of winning the woman he loved. He realized to the full that his neglect of construed. was making-had made-a difficulty for him. Each day. perhaps each hour. was widening the breach; If he did not take care he might end against him. As he came to the con- clusion of hiS~reasoning he drew once more from his pocket the sealed let ter to Colonel OgiIvie. and stood up. He fancied that his determination was made that he would see Colonel Ogilvie as soon as possible and broach the subject to him. As however he went towards the boat-for he was going to Anbleside by water-he postponed the intention of an immediate interview He would wait this one day and see what would turn up. If nothing hap pened likely to further his wishes he would whilst at Ambleside the next morning put the letter in the post. Then he would hold himself ready for the interview with Joys father for which the letter asked.
 At Ambleside he took his place be- hind the lilacs in the garden and kept wont to appear. A little before break fast-time she appeared there for a brief space. and then moved back into the room. He waited with what patience he could till nearly eleven o'clock when the same carriage which they used drove up to the door: waiting became an easier task. Presently Colonel Ogil- vie came out and stood on the steps. Athlyne wondered: this was the first time that Joy had not been before him Throwing his eyes around in vague wondering as to the cause he saw Joy standing in the window dressed and pulling on her gloves She was radi- antly beautiful. Her colour was a lit tie heightened and her lovely grey eyes shone like stars. Her gaze was fixed so that her eyes seemed to look straight before her but beyond him. The look made him culver as though he felt it were directed at him, and his knees began to tremble with a mighty vague longing For quite a falling she caught sight of her father standing by the carriage below. She drew back quickly and almost inn mediately appeared at the hall-door saying:
 T am so sorry. Daddy. I hope I did not keep you waiting too longr'
 Not a bit little girl. It Is a pleas sure to me to wait for you: to do any thing for you. my dear- Whatever else fS the use of being a father"
 You deari May we go to-day up the mountain road where we can look over the lake. I want you to have nice glimpse of it again before you
 Here Athlyne's heart sank for an in- stant. This was the first idea he had of any intention of moving, and it actually shook him. Joy had as usual
 ant nand14 m th or u; TuEar . Tor e1e & 4orSes % sne him his share. Then when she stood at the head of the other. her face to- ward the Iilacs. she turned to her father and said in a low. thrilling tone: Daddy. am I nice to-day? Look at mer' She stood still whilst the old man looked at her admiringly. proud ly. fondly.
 You are peerless. little girl. Peer pleased at the compliment, for her colour rose to a deep flush. Her grey eyes shone through it like two great grey suns. Whilst her father was Other horse. now impatient. hia share of the sugar and stood looking across the road. Afhlyne could hardly re- strain himself. The few seconds, aly Past and present rushed together to the creation of a moment of ecstasy The sound of the words swept him; the idea and all 1t revoke and intensified. franshgured his very soul And then he heard her say in low, languorous voice which vibrated:
 Thank you Daddy for such g. sweet compliment. I am glad said Look at met As she spoke it seemed to Athlyne that her eyes fixed across the road sent their nghtnings straight in to his heart. And yet it did not even occur to him at the moment that the words could have been addressed to him.
 During the drive Joy kept her father interested in all around them He saw that she was elated and happy, and it made his heart glad to that receptive mood whfch is the recrudescence of youth In the girls mind to-day sew eral trains of thoughts. all of them parental of action. went on together She did not analyze them; indeed she was hardly conscious of them. The mechauism of mind was working to set purpose. but one which was tenn peramenta1 rather than intentfonal-of sex and individual character rather than of studied conclusion For that morning was to her momentous. She knew it was all her instincts Uncon- sciously she drew conclusions from facts without waiting to develop their logical sequence.
 \ telegram had arrived from Mrs, Ogilvie saying that she and Judy were now ready to leave London and, as her husband had said that he wished to escort them to Ambleside. they would be prepared on his coming to leave on the next morning or what ever time he might fix. After a glance at the timetable he had wired ba ok that he would go up on that n ght, and that they would all start on the fol- lowing morning. Joy had offered to accompany him. but he would not have it: 'sNo. little girl,'' he said: Travel at night is all very well for men: but # takes 1t out of women want your mother to see the bright. red-cheeked girl that has been with me for the last week. and not a pale. worn-out draggled young woman with her eyes heavy with weariness. You stay here my dear. and get plenty of air and sunshine. You will not be afraid to be here alone with your maid! Joy smiled:
 Mot a bit. Daddy! I shall walk and drive all day and perhaps go down the Lake in boat. If I do the latter shall take Eugenie with me and we shall lunch down at NeWby Bridge