Year: 1866

1
world Be advised by me"
Evidently he was man of the world, for
he covered his earnest words by only slight
show of brotherly attention., and laughingly
left her.


Mrs. TiIbury had a great deal of natural
delicacy and tact, with which she managed
without seeming intent, to keep MIR. Hudson
at distance. If sometimes he gotnear her
after that warning from Arthur, she made
him retire in spite of himself, and leave her
to others, course which CALLED him exceed
ingly, the more SO as he knew that his pres
ence inwardly chafed her, and he was unman-
" enough to delight in a triumph born of
her fears of public opinion.


But the battle was a severe one, and IN
tensely wearied her. She longed to escape,
and looked around for Arthur that she might
ask him to take her home. At that moment
Mr. Hudson was in conversation with lady
at little distance, and had not his watchful
glance upon her. Wishing to escape with
out being noticed by him, she cleaned
through the crowd eagerly.


For whom are you looking ?" asked
gentleman with whom she had just finished
a quadrille.
by the folding doors. Will you be good
enough to conduct me to him ?"


l.


80, no. | prefer to walk. These rooms
are hot, and it is nearer the conserva-
tories.


They made their way through the crowd
till they came near him, when suddenly Mr..
Orton disappeared. They followed and
caught sight of him as he passed on to the
greenhouse with lady on his arm. Mr..
Carleton smiled.


''Shall we disturb him?' he asked.


Il think not this moment. Please to
leave me here on this chair. | feel like rest
ing, and when he returns he will be sure to
see me. / am much obliged and will not
detain you longer.


He would have fingered, bnt the tone and
manner deferred him. With low bow he
withdrew and left her alone. Through the
open door came the low splash of fountain
and the odor of spicy plants. She could not
resist the desire to enter the delightful
place and rest under the leafy shadow, and
so arose and glided swiftly within the conser
vatory.


Il shall see Arthur as he goes back" she
said to herself, and am so weary. :"


She dropped upon rustic chair and lean
ed her hot brow against a marble vase which
stood upon pedestal. A shower of rich
petals fell over her as she did so, breathing
their rich fragrance all around her. Amid





thought-thought regretfully of the step she
had taken, wishing that she had possessed
the power to stihe pride and spare herself
this heavy heart ache.


All, Helen, not yetis thy lesson complete! /!
Not yet Is the cup more than tasted which
contains the bitter draught


Helen, why do you fly meg'
The young wife started up with cry,
striving vainly to shake the hot, close grasp
of Mr.. Hudson S fingers from her hand


''Be still" he said in low concentrated
tones, for you must hear me. l see how it
is. You are not happy with your despotic
husband. He shuts you from the world as
he would imprison captive, and wastes your
superb beauty on senselesS walls. lie Is
jealous of you, and wrongs you with hiswant
of confidence Where is your womanly
pride, that you submit to it? Oh, Helen,
had you been mine it would not have been
thus. A jewel so rare and beautiful
should have been proud to wear before all
men, and / should so exalt myself in the
honor of your possession, no thought of
| jealousy could ever enter my mind. He
never loved you as | did-as l do still and
must"


Helen struggled, threw up her hands and
sank ike crushed thing to the ground
This man $ words had seemed to wither and
blast her. They had struck her dumb with
| indignation. and before she could break the
spell pale face cleaned through the leafy
covert between them and the door. That
pale face and those cleaning eyes which
seemed to blaze upon her, instantly disap-
peared, and as Charles Tilbury turned his
back to hasten from the spot, his wife sank
senseless at Mr.. Hudsons feet.
He had not been quite prepared for this,
I l,,N& II
But the first thing that occurred to him, was
to dash water in her face Seeing nothing
near to convey any in to the lady, he dipped
his handkerchief hastily in the little foun-
tain, and applied it to the white face She
stirred, gasped, struggled and sat up. He
raised and supported her with his arm, not
daring to speak, and by the dim light she
saw his face as she looked up in bewider-
ment. Instantly the color rushed back to
her white lips, and with an imperiOus ges-
ture, she wrung herselffromh his grasp, sweep
ing from the place with the air of an insult
ed empress. He could not see how she
trembled. or hear her heart beat with the
sudden weakness that had been the result of
her illness he only saw the proud carriage
of the beautiful head-the fierce flash of
the blazing eyes.


Straight through the crowd to her brother
she made her way, and placed her hands
upon his arm.


Arthur, l am i'll. Take me home.


He looked down at her in alarm, as well
he might, for already the blood had again
receded, leaving her as pallid as snow.


why what is it? What has happen
ed?'


Take me home" she gasped, land ask
me no more questions.


In a few moments he had placed'her in
her carriage and prepared tofollow her. She
put out her hand.


''Stay here. Arthur, and do otcome with
me. / ask it as great favor, and you must
obey my wishes -,


"Why. Helen, what is the matter?


s'I simply do not want you. Let me go
home alone. and at some early date | will
tell you why. Now good night,