Year: 1878




nection-appeared to be fonder of Liz
zie than of his own sisters there were
only two years between them, and be-
tween him and Sibyl there was a differ
ence of six years, which might account
for his preference.


Jock and Lizzie were great allies; he
was only twenty three, but he had al
ready good position as sub-inspector of
of mines, with prospect of early pro-
motion. He was clever and prudent;
every one who knew him felt that he
would never do foolish thing.


Lizzie Elliot was old she had been in
existence for quarter of a century, and
when she said that to herself, it had
very solemn sound indeed. More, she
had had what is called "a disappoint-
ment - so at this advanced age and with
this experience, what remained for her
but to devote herself to her kindred at
Stonyleap


Her father had ten children beside
herself, and looking that fact in the
face; she had gone for two years to the
Continent to qualify herself to be gov
erness but there was q situation with
in two miles of her fathers door by
John and Nelly, of whom she had been
fond all her life, and who were child
less.


What did Miss Elliot do with her dis
appointment Did she leave it behind
her or take it to Stonylea She did
neither. The truth is, she had drowned
it in pride, and then reduced it to
powder in cremation-oven heated by
the fire of youth. After this, of course,
there was still the powder to dispose of;
and she looked at it wistfully, as if it
were something that did not belong to
her and could not throw it away; there
was surely no harm in keeping little
dust.


so, Lizzie" said her uncle when she
arrived, Nelly and you have made a
bargain, understand p'


"Oh, nothing so business-like as
that" said the niece.


"Then you should" he said; Z" it's
always best to know what you are do
ing, to make firm bargain. Have
you never heard that you should count
silver after your father ?''


Eyes, have heard that, but l should
not think of doing it; / like to trust
people,"


Long may it be SO, lassie ~ said
John; and probably it would be
long.


Nelly's prime difficulty in housekeep-
ing was her servant; she only kept one,
as in any emergency help could always
be had from the hinds houses, which
were only five minutes distant, or three
if people were in great hurry; and in
such quiet, methodical family one,
Mrs. Elliot found, was enough. Enough
and more than enough was the incum-
bent in possession when Lizzie came to
her aunt's assistance so, at least, Nelly
thought, with her ideas stiffened in
Paterson, her single handmaiden, SEEM
ed to her the embodiment of modern
degeneracy. "That girl will ruin her
self yet," she said to Lizzie as Janet
passed the window, having got an after
noon to herself to make some visits
among her acquaintance " it is really
not respectable to see a servant dressed
up in that way"


like to see happy face, and she'll
never be young again." said Lizzie,
speaking feelingly from the borders of
the mellow old age she had reached;
/" but she is certainly striking"


g Striking A girl going out of this
house dressed in that way is not re-
spectacle repeated Mrs. Elliot


I" 1 think your character and mine
will stand it, Nelly" said her husband
from his chair, in which he had appar-
emily been sleeping.


Janet had dressed herself in a gown
the effect of which was white, although
it had small blue sprig on it, and it
was made with all the frills and furbe-
lows of the day. She had round face,
big blue eyes with long eyelashes, rosy
cheeks, and the upright gait and bear
ing of drill-sergeant, tempered with
elasticity and grace. Owing to her ap-
pearance, and also as pleasant variety
on the prosaic g Janet" Miss Elliot
generally called her Hebe; and the gods
would not have been i'll off with such a
cup-bearer: she gave strong impress
sion of youth, and an impression of
strong youth,