Year: 1869

fence. no scanuai. no eNpOsure-tnat Is
imperative"


"Should YOU call it violence if he
were found dead some morning. and it
were never discovered how he had met
his fate."


The ewes of the widow and the chem
ist met across the little table. "You
have no business to ask such question.
Gurney Breckenridge" said Mrs.
Winch stcrnly. Neither Lady Spence
laugh nor wish any harm to the young
man-we only wish him away, never to
come back. You are too bcadstrong
and impulsive it was foolish Of me to
mention this business to YOU at all.
You have not discretion enough to car
nv it through with safety


Il know one thing about this affair.
Martha Winch said Breckenridge.
land that is. that If this young fellow
were found lying stiff and stark to-mor-
row. both You and Lady Spcncelaugh
wonld he anything but sorry-your
good wishes go rs far as that. As TO
being discreet or not. that will be
shewn best by the event. Remember.
not farthing less than three hundred.
There goes the quarter TO twelve:
it's high time To be Off," He threw
away the end of his cigar. finished his
grog, and got up with a yawn and
stretch Of his hinge muscular arms. The
widow rose also. Breckenridge slid an
arm round her waist. and stopped and
kissed her cheek. ''Ah. Martha" he
said. ''you do not really love me, or
else you would no, refuse to tell me this
secret"


II do love YOU. Gurncy, As never
loved man before. said the widow
land if the secret were mine alone,
would tell it you this minute. But it
concerns the interests Of Lady spence
laugh, and have sworn never to re-
veal it to living soul; and | will keep
my word


We'll, well, you know best. sup
pose" replied the chemist soothingly.
We won't quarrel about it, anyhow.
And as Ia this other business. Ill
think it over, and give YOU my opinion
Tomorrow night"


Above all things. Gurncy. rcmem-
her there must bc no violence. no scan
dial. no exposure.


And a wedding as soon a. like.
eh, old girl.


That is a matter which must leave
entirely 10 YOU said the widow as
hashfully as though she had numbered
but seventeen summers. Then might
have been heard the sound Of a discreet
double kiss and after a whispered
goodnight. Mr. Breckenridge found
himself standing in the solitary moonlit
street. and heard the door OF the Hand
--.,s f,"ry,r bvi,-,t b-h,n-i h,-n. Th-
expression OF his face changed IN
moment he shook his clenchcd hand
al the door he had just quilted.


~ Oh think 10 come the old soldier
over me. do you. YOU ugly cat he NUT
tired with an evil scowl. ~ GU intend TO
keep ihis secret from your own Gurney,
do YOU: But Ill wiring il ont of you
when we're married. or else I'll wiring
your neck. That old madam up at the
Hall has more money than she knows
what 10 do with. and would stand
bcautifully.-I always feat
that l was born 10 be agentleman.'


CHATTER xy.-ASOIIIER LINK IN TIE


CHAIN.


Three weeks had passed since the
return Of Mrs. Winch TO Normanford,
and John English's polite dismissal
from Belair. The young photograph
er had kept his word. as far as his stay
at Normanford was concerned, going
about his business here and there in
the daytime, but always making his
way back TO Cliff Cottage at nightfall.
The chain, one end Of which he had
succeeded in grasping, had broken in
his hands, ond hc knew no more than
a blind man where 10 find the missing
links. Being Of straightforward, un-
suspicious nature, and not prone 10
think evil Of others, the idea OF any cum
ningly devised scheme Of deception,
with himself for the victim, and reput-
able, well-to-do people for its authors,
was one that made its way but slowly
into his mind. There were times when
he was disposed TO consider all his sus-
picions as so many wild chimeras Of
his own fancy, without any foundation
in fact and it is not improbable that
in some such mood he would have
quilted Normanford for ever, had there
not been another attraction pulling
powerfully at his heart-strings, which
made him loath to leave the little coun-
try-town, and SO queneh positively,
and for ever, his last faint hopes Of
again seeing her whom he SO dearly
loved for, to see her again, by chance
as it were, some day when she was
walking or riding out; to see her at
distance, and without her knowledge
was the utmost that he could now hope
for. He was banished from Belair
her sweet society was lost to him for
ever his very existence was probably
forgotten by this time but day passed
after day. and still John English lin
gered purposely in the little town.
From this stute of indecision, and rest
less moody commnning with his own
heart, he was reused after a time BY
the receipt of letter from his friend,
Frank Mashiter-a hearty. wholesome
letter, which acted as a mental tonic,
endowing his faded purpose with fresh
vitality, and counselling him in cheer
full friendly spirit to subordinate his
day-dreams to the clear practical duty
before him-the duty of doing his ut
most to trace the hidden links Of the