Year: 1872

"Well she might as well go,perhaps. 1t
will be a change of scene, if nothing more;
and don't know as we ought to keep her
shut up in the old farmhouse all her life,
even If we could" t'e rt4t


So it was settled that Madeline was to
go the next week to Lakeside. She had
no money to spend in unnecessary travel,
and everything was prepared so thatin case
she was successful in obtaining the situa-
ton, her trunk could be sent on to her.


Clara Lane was the only one of the villa
gers entrusted with the secret of her going,
and so when the old yellow stagecoach
drove up to John Humphreys door one
morning, and Madeline was seen to enter
it, there was great speculation as to
where she could be going, and what her
business in that unknown region could
possibly be. ..,


When Madeline had fairly lost sight of
the last familiar house, she began to real
ize what venturesome thing she had un-
dertaken. No doubt there would be q
score of experienced teachers for her to
NOhpObO WIN, NIllO olO OIly Taught
one term in district school.


There had been no rain for some time,
and the roads were very dusty, so she was
glad to tie on the thick brown veil she had
brought for that purpose. 1t was well she
did, for at the first place at which the stage
stopped, who should get into it but Ernest
Seaton? He was bound to the next rail
road station, from which he was to take the
cars en- route for New York, and there en-
bark ON the steamer for England. A friend
something to solace themselves at the last
tavern, grew very talkative.


elbow long do you intend to remain
abroad, Seaton ?" asked Frank Graves.


go, five or six months, perhaps. Our
old family estate needs to be looked after,
you know, for don't mean to settle in this
miserable repebulican country. We only
came over here on account of fathers health,
and he has received no benefit from the
change, for the doctor says he has an in
durable disease that may carry him off at
any time. 1t is quite certain he can never
return to England again, and in the event
of his death, as the eldest son, shall in
herit Seaton Hail."


" suppose you have some fair lady over
the water, who is destined to reign mis-
tress of the lordly mansion?"


There are plenty who would be glad to
secure that position, but as it happens the
lady whom / have selected is ON this side of
the water America has some institutions
which / like, and among them are the
pretty girls. The one l have reference to
is perfect Hebe"


How long since your engagement to
this peerless beauty transpired ?'


go, there isn't real engagement; indeed
she fights shy and will have none of me at
present, but have laid very clever trap
to catch the beauty, and 1 haven't the
slightest doubt abut the result"


Madeline's cheek glowed with indigna-
tion, and she bit her lips till they nearly
bled The sublime impudence Of the Eng
lish snob was something wonderful, and
she was more determined than ever to de-
feat his plans The money should be ready
for him on the day that mortgage expired
If 1t were within the bounds of possibility.
She was glad when the two friends were set
down at their destined station, and she had
the opportunity of removing her veil and
breathing little fresh air again.


A half hours ride brought her to the
railroad station, and she was soon speeding
M, a 9 70 or a q etaaYn couId carrv har 70 olya
side. The cars were very full, and she had
some difficulty in finding seat. She had
never travelled enough in her life to become
hardened to the discomfort of others, and
so when at the next station fat old lady,
with carpet-bag, two bandboxes and an
umbrella, wandered up and down the car
looking in vain for seat, she rose imme-
dately and offered hers. A gentleman,
who had previously done the same thing
for crippled fellow-passenger gave Mad
cline nod of sympathy as they each strove
to balance themselves on the arm of a car
seat.


"There is 10 be convention, or something
of the sort, hear, at station about five
miles further ON, and presume so many
will leave the cars at that place we shall
then be able to find seat" remarked the
gentleman. Nif ffn 3f


80 DEAR" spoke up the old lady, at
hope, if SO many folks get off before we get
to Lakeside, there won't be any of 'em take
my things by mistake. My best bonnet is
in that big bandbox, and ray caps col
lars and sich things are in the t'other,and
wouldn't lose 'em for nothin'! / told NV
daTter Sarah Maria that i didn't suppose I