Year: 1877

it shocks you to hear such confession, but
it's all true, and can't help it, and l would
not if could. From the first moment saw
him, though was in so much pain and trou-
BILE, I knew he was my tate, for good or for
evil. There now; 60 down stairs, please, and
leave me alone for a little while. shall
come by and by, when you have got through
tea but first must see papa"


Rose embraced the young enthusiast, and
left her, marvelling more than ever at this
strange state of affairs. 1t was perfectly true,
as Evelyn said, that she could not possibly
understand it; /; but the worst of it was, she be-
lieved that Evelyn herself did not understand,
and that she was only blinded and deceived
by a romantic delusion. It was not by any
means that she herself disliked Julian. On
the contrary, she had regarded him favora-
bly, from the beginning, and considered him
very agreeable and gentlemanly; but the idea
of such sudden infatuation! That was what
perplexed and disturbed her; it did not seem
reasonable or right.


In the meantime, Julian, brimming over
with the excitement and glory of his triumph,
had found it impossible to keep it secret
from his kind old host, and had poured out
his whole heart to him, pleading his cause as
none but such an ardent lover could. Major
Lyndhurst, though as much surprised as Rose
had been, was less shocked by the unlocked.
for announcement. To his mind, there was
nothing wonderful in the fact that two at
tractive young people should fall in love with
each other. 1t only carried bis memory back
to his own youthful days, when the first sight
of beautiful Rose Carysford had taken bis
heart by storm, and brought it to her feet.
He had been as much of a stranger to her, as
Julian was to Evelyn, yet she had not reject
ed his love, or deemed him presumptuous for
Offering it so soon and what could be hap
pier, more full of sunshine, than their mar.
ried life had been? Surely he could desire
no completer happiness for his darling child.
And if Julian was, as he believed him to be,
worthy of her affection, be would suffer no
cold conventional considerations to influence
his decision in the matter.


One reflection, however, occurred to him.
He knew nothing whatever Of Julian's pa.
rentage or antecedents, and it was only right
that he should learn something of them, be-
fore absolutely giving his consent. With the
utmost delicacy, he stated this to him, and
found him ready to give frank reply.


GAS regards my family" said the young
man, II can unfortunately give you no refer
ences, for I know absolutely no one to whom
I could apply. My parents are both dead,
and have not, to my knowledge, any near
relatives living. Ifyou will be content to re-
ceive my simple word as gentleman, I can
tell you that am we'll born, and received in
boyhood tolerable education, though l was
suffered much liberty, and did not improve
my time as I might have done. l am, as you
know, an Englishman like YOURSELF but left
home at an early age, and have been leading
q life of adventure ever since. lost my
mother when mere baby. My father was
we'll, man of the world, and the tie between
US was not strong. Home was home to me
merely in name I have never known any of
the close links of affection, the happy inauen'
ces which usually endear this word to the
heart The effect of this misfortune has clung
to me always and cast shadow over my
whole life. had no helping hand to lead me
in the right path, no restraining influence to
keep me from error, and my record is not
stainless one. But if a sincere sorrow for all
past wrongs which 1 have committed, and
most earnest resolution to lead life worthy
of approval in the future, are any atonement
for the follies of my career, these I can at
least present as claims to your kind considera'
ton. am without fortune, without pro-
fession, without prospects. 1 can offer your
daughter, with my hand, nothing, absolutely
nothing, but the most entire devotion. If, un-
der the circumstances, you can make up your
mind to give her to me, I swear to you to con-
secrate myself to making her life happy"


Now what answer did Major Lyndhurst
make to this appalling confession Ofcourse,
like wise and prudent father, he should
sternly have commanded the presumptuous
lover instantly to withdraw all claim to bis
daughters hand, and depart from his roof
never to return. Instead of this, be held out
his hand, wrung Julian's heartily, and looking
into bis pleading eyes, said in tremulous tone,


II dare say am an old fool, boy, but l
can't say no. There's something about you
that has won my heart, and if Evelyn has
given you hers into the bargain, why, you
may keep it, and may God bless you both p


TO BE CONTINUED.