Year: 1879

OF scented soap whlch accompanied MN
was even stronger than usual; but his
self-satisfied air was wanting. He evi-
IDENTIFY had something on his mind-some
piece of rascality, a physiognomist would
have conjectured, which he either had
recently perpetrated, or was about to
perpetrate. Let us hope that that the
physiognomist would have been wrong.


my dear Miss Hope" he began, after
the first greetings had been exchanged,
Il grieve to be the bearer of very un-
pleasant intelligence


Mary looked up with quiet indifference,
scarcely believing that after all she had
gone through, any news, good or bad,
could have for her more than the most
passing interest. Slythrope continued


Il am sorry but you will believe did
it for the best; but misfortunes will hap
pen, YOU know, even with the utmost
care and caution. am sure thought
the Investment was as safe as the bank !;
but there's no trusting anything nova
days"


"What is the misfortune, Mr. Sly
thrope, for you haven't yet told me; Not
very serious, hope"


"Only too serious, my dear Ma he
tried to say Mary" but couldn't get it
out, and substituted Miss Hope-noth
ing less than the loss, fear, of the
whole Of your little fortune


Mary turned very pale, but gave no
other sign of emotion. "How did it
happen she said with an effort.


Your money was, as you know, in
three per cents, where it produced a
miserable 100 pounds a year. In the
hope of doing better for you, sold out
and invested it in new mining company,
the Wheal Marina. which promised to
pay minimum dividend of ten per cent
and so would have just trebled your in
come. And this morning am grieved
to find from the Times that the company
is an utter smash The directors
have bolted, and the shareholders will
lose every penny of their money


AS all gone Nothing left


"No; sixpence, and you remain liable
for calls to the amount of about as much
more"


Poor Mary's fortitude quite gave way.


"Oh dear what shall | do; haven't
a friend in the world


NO, no, don't say that, Miss Mary,
said Slythrope, in a gently patroniling
manner; 1T isn't as bad as that comes
to. haven't disguised my own feelings
toward you; and though you've los; your
money, YOU know that needn't make any
difference between YOU and me- Ny af-
lection amt of the mercenary sort; in
fact, as ! got YOU into the mess though
with the best of intentions, mind YOU It's
only fair should get YOU out Of it.


Mary had hidden her face in her hands,
but she became aware, from the in
creased intensity of the all pervading
scented soap aroma, that Slythrope was
drawing nearer TO her, and IN another
moment his arm was round her waist
She drew herself up proudly.


"Sir, am willing to believe you mean
kindly, but your offer, under such cir
cumstances, IS an insult. Be good
enough TO leave me.


Slythrope would have parleyed, but
with the air of an outraged queen Mary
Hope rang the bell, and obedient to the
summons Mrs. Murgatroyd appeared.


Open the door for Mr.. Slythrope, if
YOU please


You'll be sorry for this, you'll find,
Miss Hope" said Slythrope; but Mary
youchsated no answer, and the attorney
retired discomfted, Mrs. Murgatroyd
holding the door for him with an express
sion of thorough enjoyment As soon as
it was closed upon him, she bounced back
to Mary's room and opened the windows.


Lets have a breath Of fresh air, for
goodness sake, after that nasty, Shiny
scented serpent. always feel as if the
house wanted disin-what dye call it:
with Condys Sea Salt or Tidmans Re-
storer, or some of them deidolizers, when
ever he's been in it. Why, my dear
lamb. whatever is the matter


Poor Mary's overweight nerves had
at last given way. and she fell upon the
sofa in fit of violent Mysteries. Mrs.
Murgatroyd, with motherly instinct, let
her emotion have its way, and she was
soon so far recovered as to be able, with
many tears, to tell the story of this new
misfortune, finally crying herself to sleep
on the good old woman's sympathizing
bosom.