Year: 1877

is for obvious reasons an object OF the
deepest interest to his friends OF the op-
posite sex. Lord Featherstone was as
nopular with ladies as If he had been a
spirit.rapper, or an Hindoo potentate
with diamonds to scatter broadcast and
suppressed begun in the background at
home. They were always telling HIM
that it was sin and shame the binds
in the town house should be constantly
down the hall filed only with shooting
parties the Jewels buried IN the strong
room Mt the bank.


Only he would not settle down. He
meant to have his fling first; and prob.
ably it was his habit of throwing himself
about that made him so difficult to catch.
He was as wary as an old cockatoo;
prompt to cut himself free from the most
serious entanglements.


After making hot love for week dur
ing wet weather in the country house,
papa and mamma heard that he had
broken his leg in two places, or that ty-
phoid fever had laid him low. His last
affair was with q gay widow, who thought
him safely hooked; but at the last mo.
ment he sent postcard, conveying brief
regrets. and sailed in his yacht tof the
South Seas.


He was absent after this for two OF
three wears; but presently, wearying OF
the constant wondering to and fro, he
returned, and took up the threads OF his
old life. The season was at its height, Ii
that lugubrious season OF 1876 can be
said to have ever risen above dead
level of lugubrious dullness. His friends
said he was fool to come back. Never
had there been season so "slow;' moth
ing going on-not creature IN town.


"Looks like it !" thought Lord Feath-
erstone. as he tried to make his way
through the serried ranks upon the
stairs in certain mansion in Grosvenor
square. N


A crush of this kind is especially
favorable for the minute observation OF
ones fellow-creatures. But the sights,
although curious, were not enthrallng
to q man who hal just seen Fusiama and
the Tai Mahal and Lord Featherstone
was on the point of leaving the house
when bright face in the crowd arrested
his attention, and he resolved to stay-at
least until he could ascertain to whom 1t
belonged.


1t was quite new face to him; the
face of girl still fresh, and seemingly
accustomed to the town. A merry
piquant face, with small but perfect fea-
lures, violet eyes, and a laughing mouth,
showing often the whitest teeth. A face
strikingly beautiful, but innocent and
childish, Just as the ways of its owner
were unconventional and unconstrained.
A most bewitchipg captivating young
person, and Featherstone was deter
mined to find out who she was. Surely
some one could introduce him.


Quite half an hour clap ed before he
caught Tommy Cutler, who knew all the
world, and then, going to where he had
last seen the girl, they found she had
disappeared.


He had been riding on at a sharp cam
ter, which increased. as he left the more
frequented parts of the Row, to hand
gallop.


But an unexpected vision suddenly ar
rested his course.


"By iove /! That face again !" Yes,
the girl he had seen but a few nights
siuce; the fair fresh young face which
had taken his fancy by storm. She was
alone, seated in a quaint old. fashioned
yellow chariot, a ramshackle medieval
conveyance, probably as old as the hills.


But where had she come from; who
could she be2 Ee was determined to
find ont this time.


The carriage wonld doubtless travel
by the conventional route, across the
Serpentine bridge, and back tothe crowd
ed drive.


But. to his surprise, the chariot passed
out at the Marble Arch, and lett the
park. He pursued, promptly, along Ok
ford street to the circus, up Langhanl
place into Portland place, sharp to the
right by Weymouth street into Albany
street, and so to Park street.


What could have brought this young
lady SO far out of town? business,
pleasure, or mere desire for change OF
air and scene 4? While Featherstone Was
still debating, the carriage stopped short
in front of modest cottage. Presently
an old gentleman issued forth and assist
ed the girl to aiight. There was no foot
man. and as she went into the house she
said loud enough for Featherstone to
hear "In an hours time. Georgy );
then she disappeared. Under her arm
was portfolio, in the other hand an un'
mistakable color box.


Riding slowly to and fro, Featherstone
waited while the time slipped. Presently
the young lady accompanied by hel
drawing master came out, shook hands,
Jumped into the carriage, and was driven
off.


Now, for the first time, Featherstone
became aware that the coachman had
been drinking, and was almost too un
steady to sit upon his box.


The coachman's erratic course soor
proved that there was some ground fol
these forebodings.


It was really time to interfere
Featherstone rode up rapidly.


you're not fit to drive You'resen
dangering this lady's life. Here" ht
urned to the ubiquitous Bobby,
"Iu give this fellow into custody. Take
him, carriage and all. My name is Lore
Featherstone. -.


"And pray what is to become of me ?
said small voice, little tremulous II
its tones, but not without asperlty
cam to be given into custody too"


Featherstone took off his hat.


"a thousand apologies. My inter
ference would have been unpardonabl'
but for the gravity of the situation. L
YOU will but tell me..what. you wish -


"To go home of course. as soon q