Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1909-11-27 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CHAPTER XIII. (Contin-ued).  "Fm sure I'll be only too proud to shake bands with 'any friends of yours, sir, and I'll forget anything you command me to forget," declared the accommodating farmer. "And did you call just to tell me this?" he added, still feeling a little dubious on the subject. "Yes that was all. My young friend thought you might drink your New Year's glass with a lighter heart if you knew that the apparent ghost was only a bad boy who in. future is going to be very good. Well, good morning, Bragge. I hope you and I will have many pleasant meetings after this."  "I'm sure I hope so, sir. It won't be my fault if we don't," rleclaxed Br.agge with alacrity. The knowledge that after all there had been no suicide through despair, and no spirit-walking, brought intense relief to the old fanner. He was deeply grateful to Grayburn for his thoughtful kindness in disclosing the true facts. He was also deeply touched. If tbe .-..4r0e thoughtful kindness had been displayed by a pemon of humble birth he might not have been touched so deeply. It is Just possible that he might not have been touched at all. But the important fact remained that he wai touched, and that he realised with a certain amount of self-shame, how very desirable mercy, and consideration for others. can sometimes be.  Before Mins Green had been many days at the Grange Mrs Graybum discovered that her son was ecntempkiting a second misalliance. The evident  pleasure he round in their visitor's society and his marked attentions to her could not possibly lead to anything else. On the whole this discovery did not displease the old lady. No doubt she would have been better pleased if the dream she had cherished yenrs ago had been realised by Gerald nmarrying Ruth. But perhaps this was more than she ought to expect, and she was quite prepared to sanction her son's second chome. She really liked Miss Green, and if she had not. liked her, she would have still seen the justice of Gerald's  desire to honour her, and offer her the very best he ec:yuld give. She had sheltered him without any hope of reward when he was a starving outen.st, saving him from unspeakable suffering and possibly from death. Yes, undoubtedly Gerald. and all whn loved him could never fully ihsch.trg the debt of gratitude they owed this gentk woman.  Mrs Gra.yburn's estimate of her son's intentions was a correct one. He W 7.8 only waiting for a sultable to unfold his plans to the lady at his choice. Gerald was not in love wiLh Miss Green. His affection was of a distinctly platonic type, and was peculiarly free from the unreasonable demands, and jealous unrest w-hieh generally arxernpany that passion of mere feeling popularly known as love. He had no desire for Miss Green to become his slave, physically, mentally or morally, and believe him to he cne one perfect specimen of manhood. This alone was positive  Proof that be ww not in love with her. There was, however, no doubt about the depth and sincerity a his admiration for her. He admired her pride, he admired her ve.,11-poesession. It, gave him positive pleasure to watch her gentle mcgernents. and the stately poise of her small, shapely head.. He  admired the colour and quality of her hair, which was brown and glosey, and very abundant. He 'admired the way ebe arranged it, which was always beccming and natnra,l looking; never iscrewed up into hard, unlovely knots, and never over-dreesed like the wax heads displayed in hairdressers' win. dcws.  But it was not Gerald's admiration for Miss Green's mental and physical charms, that. made him decide to marry her. It was. his faith in the reality of her simple goodness. He felt sure that his happiness, his honour, his boy, indeed everything he entruAed to her would he.perfectly safe, _ _  beri:nse her lifc wig ordered, and ber aetio-ne relicrdetid, not by changing fancies, unreasonable  I  dislikes or selfish ambition, but by the unalterable claims of duty and righteousness.  His opportunity came one afternoon, when a sudden burst of almost spring-like sunshine lived Miss Green into the shrubberies, to hunt for early snowdrops. Joseph and Leslie went with her, but Joseph soon pined for more active pleasures, anct suggested a stroll on the wud moors which stretched for miles towards the west of Gnayburn Grange. So Miss Grcen NV,aB lett to hunt for the pure winter flowers alone, and when Gerald found her she had collected a delicious little bunch.  "Aren't they sweet?" she eaked, holding them up for him to admire. "Not half so sweet as you," was the prompt reply. "Don't talk nonsense," staid Miss Green flushing slightly, and there was a decided note of dis plea.sure in her voic9.  "It is not nonsense," declared the man, stoutly. "Surely you cannot help knowing how much I admire you (the ward love somehow stuck in his throat) and I want you to become my wife." Neither heard a light footfall on the short grass, or saw the face of Ruth suddenly pale as Gerald's closing words reached her ears. For a moment she stood as though rooted to the spot, then turned and disappeared among the sheltering shrugs.  About an !.iour later she saw Gerald and Graoe walking slowly towards the house, pausing often, as though they found peculiar pleasure in ea.ch other's society, a.nd had many mutual interests to diSCUSe. So Ruth naturally concluded that Gerald's offer had been accepted, and bravely tried to forget the ftche in her own heart, and be glad because he was glad, but failed utterly.  -)*(