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el Ha! winter, Uul winter, hi' it ' 't the uortlu ro tilait ! V ii n., , ! UK all yi 'ii ireolae all. With i , ] thai frenass fast In regal pomp you've gathered up Your royal robes of snow, Ami by inu (railing- meo shall trace Wnatever ways yon mo. Younirim retainers all, alaekt Make but a cruel train Of bitmij sleel aud stinging wind*, Aud ioe and frozen rain. The rich with furs aud blazing hearth* Your carnival way scorn, While mirth aud cheer may reigu supreme Krom wassail eve till morn. Hot ha I winter, bo! winter, What about tbe poor? Who've uo stronghold against the oold, No bribe or sinecure To set at bay the stlugl ug day, Or soften down the night Who note the thickening window-panes W ith unking heart* atlright Wbo draw their babies close and sing Their sblveriDK lullabie*, Then sleep aud dream of (teaming feasts That banger-sleep supplies To wake at morn with shuddering sense Of lengthened tut and oolo. And find tbat gaunt-eyed want bath wrought It* trace within the fold. Hal winter, bo! winter, Bard your ri*ju on tbeee ; (<od pity suoul and send warm beartx To all who starve and freese. TBAT BEAUTIFUL RIVER, CHAPTER XVI. Mrs. Gordon wsa not sorry that ber daughter bad preferred to atay in Eden in preference to accompanying ber upon her Southern tour. It augared wall for tbe oeoess of tbe tremtliug hopee which sbe entertained in common with Mm. Leroy, She sent down a letter full of affectionate regrets over tbeir temporary separation, and followed it by a box foil of new dresses aud bata over which Clarice went into eoataoies of delight, and Laurel wrp'. " I can never wear them do not ask me, Clarice, she said. " Tbry make me feel like a traitor. It is enough that I have borrowed Mixa Uordon'a name. I cannot take tbe nice thing* tbey tent ber, too. should feel like a thief." " La me ! my dear, I never saw anybody equal to yon for oalliug a spade a spad cried pretty Clarice. Now, I think you are too hard upon yourself, really ! Yon will have to wear some of these pretty things to keep up appearat ces aa Mien Gordon. The things yon brought with yon, and tbe few drewee Mire Beatrix spared yon from ber wardrobe-are getting shabby, and I am afraid these proud rich people here tbiuk that your pa dresses yoa too poorly for your station. Bended, this is September, and you oannot go on wear ing muslins and oambrioa and uuus'-veil- ing all winter." " I will wear them aa long as I can, at leas',' sighed Laurel. ' Betides, Clarice, wbo can tell bow soon oar little comedy may be played oat how soon Miss Went- worth may be ready to confess ber clever conspiracy ?" Tbe quick-witted maid wondered a little at tbe note ( f vague regret in Laurel's tone. Tbe day oame wbeu sbe understood. Tbe time n which they looked forward oame sooner than (hey thought. In a week after the (urdou's went Sooth, a letter arrived for Laurel under cover of an env. 1. ope addresssd to Clarice Wells. It was from Cyril Wentwortb't fair young bride, wbo bad been bidden away securely IB Brooklyn all this lime, ber husband pnrsu inn his daily occupation in New York, and reluming tu ilia eveoir K to his sweet stolen bride, no one ever suspecting tbat tbe band some young baonnlor, whom the Gordon* dreaded so much, had become a Benedict. ' My sweet little Laurel, ' wrote grateful, happv Beatrix" the time of your long probation ia at laat over. My busbaud has at laat been ( tiered tbat lucrative business tour abroad, for which my father bad been plotting so cleverly ever since be etar ted me to Eden to bide me from my darling Cyril. It's a splendid chance lor a young man in Cyril's position. It will insure us a competence, if not a fortune. Ob, Laurel, my heart is singing [ ifane of gladneea over oar happy proapeet* I I oaainot be grateful enough to you for playing your part so well, until toil hafi>y oouolumou : (July think, dear -in three daya we. sail for Karope. I ball need Clarice to go with me, and I want yon to oome, too, Laurel Cyril IB not nob, bat we will oars for you. my dar- ling, and you shall be like my own little sister, until some fortuoste man claims yon for his lovely bride. You and Clarice must oome at once, dear, aa we have no time to lose, and Cyril hae already taken oor paaaage on tbe steamer. I sold my diamonds to pay for them, so yon may know by tbat, little Laurel, now anxious 1 am to have yoa oome. Oo not delay. Invent eome clever excuse for leaving, and oome at once to my addrees in Brooklyn. Yoa need not own up to our little conspir- acy, dear. I know yoa would be too fright eued Leave that to me. When we are on tbe eve of starting, I will write to the Le Roys, and to papa and mamma, confessing all and imploring tbeir forgiveness)," Clarice went almost wild over that letter. She waa fall of joy that the clever little oonepiraey bad worked oat so saoosssfully. and the promised tour to Europe was the realization of the dream of her life. " I do not believe tbat we can Invent any gool excuse for leaving Eden," ahe aaid, thoughtfully. " They would not allow us. Mrs. Gordon's orders have bean too strict We moat steal away to night, Miss Vane, and we can telegraph them to send oar luggage. Do yoa not think that will be the better plan to get away ?" Sbe looked at Laurel wbo bad never spoken one word yet. Tbe girl waa crouching in a low seat, like one overwhelmed with sud- den grief. Bbe lifted a wbite faoe toll of aeeperate trouble, and sombre, heavy, dark eyee up to Clarice. " Ob, Clarice, do not ask me," sbe wailed. 11 I do not want to go ! I oannot, I will uot leave Eden." And with that passionate denial, Lanrel Vane's little feet turned sside into tbat luring path of sin whose roses bide so many orael thorns. stand," she said . - your probation here iKlV/hen tbey tarn you anft upon tbe world over. We do not naad to keep up thiej you can sell them for money to boy food wreathed faroe any longer. Mr. VYtmt-1 uu I shelter." CHAPTER XVII. " I do not want to leave Eden,'' repeated tbe dead author's daughter, passionately. " Do not aak me, Clarice I I will not go I" Claries Welle gsztd at tbe pale faoe and sombre eyes in slarm. Had this sudden good news turned (the young lady's brain ? She wei I up to Laurel and shook her gently by the arm. " Mia* Vane, I do not think yoa under worth hai ttroured bis tine appointment abroad, and hi wife wmhee UB to go witfa ber. Do you realiaa it, Mies Vane? To go abroad- to he has ibe sister of at**. Want- worth is it uot a glorious reward for the aervioe you Lave done ber ?" But Laorvi, gaziug dreai ily before ber into vaoauoy, ai.awered obstinately : " I undertan<1 it all, Clarice, but I would rather ttay at Eden." But why, mias!" asked the maid, astonished and half indignant. Laurel, glancing up, saw the wonder in btr eye*, and suddeuly blushed a hot burn- ing erimxon The news had taken her by surprise, and Bbe bad apoken out unthink- ingly. Oo being confronted witb this verv pertinent queBiion from Clarioe, she sud- denly realised her error. But why. Miss Vane?" persisted Clarioe. " Why should yon wish to stay at Eden when you are in danger of detec- tion ever hour '/" I love tbe plaoe. I would rather risk detection than go away,'' faltered Laurel, miserably. Well, I am surprised," declared tbe maid, in geuuine ooLSternation. " I thought yoa were miserable here, and that jou would rejoioe to get away. I cannot see what has changed yon so. It isn't possible. Miss Vane," a sudden upUsun darting into her mind, " that von have loet your heart to the master of Eden '.'" Speechless and abame-atrieken, LvireJ bid her hot faoe in her haudi, and Clarioe et t on admonishing : If you bava, you bad best oome away ith ms and think no more of it, my dear vonng lady. Loving a maa like Mr. Le Roy mostly meaua ruin aud destruction to a poor girl like you. If you stay tbey will >e sure to find you out. aud tben what it to >eoome ol you? Tbeee Le Roya will be fll o kill you for deceiving them ao. Yon bad wtter go aud diug yourself into tb* river 'ouder inau w-te your heart on Mr. St. Leon L ' Roy. Lanrtl sprung to ber feet, ber small bauds oiiLcbed, ber dark eyes suddenly blazing. ' Huah !" sbe cried. " How dare you accuse me of loving St. Leon Le Roy f It is fkler. I uevr dreamed of aucb a folly. 1 will not have you talk ao to ma, riarioe ! la tbere nn reason I should want to stay but tbat I oared lor him? Do I not love his graud, beautiful home ? Do 1 not luve the stately lady wbo has been no kind to me ? I would rather be Mrs. Le K iy 'H ser- vant than go awa> ! " ended beautiful Lau- rel, wildly. Sbe would not have you for a aervant even, if once sbe found out the truth about you," argued sensible Clarice. Minn Vane, I do i.ot know wbat 10 tbiuk of thin sudden fancy of yours. Wbat would Mins Beatrix- I mean Mr.. Wentwortb, say il she oould bear yon?" " Clarioe, I have served her ends and she can have uo right to reprotcb me if I take my own Way uow," *aid the *irl. " Aud indeed it is lar bt tter for me not to go. Mr. Wentwortb is a poor mau. Wby should 1 burden biui wilb my support? Tbey will do better without me. Ou. Clarioe. dear, kind Curioe," she dung herself suddenly uu her knees before the perplexed maid and grasped ber dress imploringly, " let me have my wy iu this! Oo to Mrs. Went- worth aLd leave beitw t B* ~- betray tbe oouspiraoy yst. Tell ber to be kind to me. to Us ate slay an long as I can before they find me out in my wicked neaa !" And tben," said Clarioe, gravely, " wbat will you do after tbat T" "Tbeu tbe deluge," Laurel answered, reokleatly. Tbey spent an hour in heated argument. Latin I Was desperately resolved ni t to leave Eden, if possible. Her team, In r l>rayer, conquered Clarice's better jude ment. The rnd of it all wae that Clarice gave ip to her plans, and prommed to it,tl . etoe Beatrix Wentwortb to withheld hi r promised letters of confession to tbe Gor- dons ati' 1 . tbe Le Roys. But I mUBt say one thing, Miss Vane, in spite of ) our anger," said Ibe maid, turdily. " If yoa have laid a plan to marry tbe master of Edeu, 1 will betray you if it is at tbe front ol the altar. You must not dare to carry tbs farce tbat far ' You are beautiful and young ; but you are uo mate for tbe proud, riob master of Eden. If yoa married htm and be found oat the cheat afterward, be would make yoa the moat wretched woman under the nun I'' Afterward, Laurel reotlled the maid's words aa if they bad been aome fateful prc- pbeoy, instead ol tbe wise utterance of a ilear headed woman. Yoa need not threaten me, Clarioe," ahe aaid, with girliab dignity. " I have aid no plans not one. I have uot thought about the future. I only oould uot bear to (o away. I so"* Mr Le Roy oonld nmcr Lbiuk of me- tJuit way .' 1 have never even dreamed ot it. Do not judge me so uarshly, Clarioe. Remember bow young I am. Is it i-trange that I should love the ouly happy home I ever bad Clarice oould not resist ber beauty, ber pleading*, ber distress. Sns smoothed tbe (olden hair tenderly, and kisaed tbe wbite lands, and admitted tbat she wae sorry for Laurel Vane. Bat ahe aaid to herself, till .he aame, that abe wae acting wrong in leaving the girl at Eden in her borrowed plume*. Harm would come of it barm to the beautiful, wilful creature wbo was ao Dlindly rosbiDg upon her fate. Tbat evening Laurel told Mrs. Le Roy that Clarioe bad received an offer to accom- pany a lady to Europe, and that the girl bad determined to accept it, and would leave ber on tbe next day to go to New York. You shall have my own maid to help yon every day until yoa find a new one," aaid Mrs. Le Roy, cordially, and Laurel, thanking ber, said that ahe did not recjaire the services of a maid very much, and sbe would not engage another until abe returned to New York. Clarioe Wells went away tbe next morn ng full of joy at tbe pruspeot before her, out regretful at leaving Laurel. Sbe tanoied tbat the girl would fare but ill at ibe bands of tbe Le Roya wben they found ber oat. Laarel sent tbe beautiful pearls, Mra. Gordon's gift, to Beatrix Wentworth with ber love and beet wither. Tbe maid declined to take tbe new hats and dreesea to bar miatress. ' Too will used them if yoa are going to keep op this matquerade," abe aaid. " And Bhe went away, am in tbe new loneli that fell upon ber Laurel Vane begau to realize dimly to wlat imminent perila sue had willfully eoinnilted uermilf. CHAPTEiXVIIl. Clarioe bad barely goue a week, when oue eveuiug Mrs. Le Roy oame sailing into the dressing-room, whither Laurel had gone to driHB for dmuer, bit waa dreamiui iuBtead at tbe open window. " My dear, we have octnpany from New York," the said rather abruptly. Laurel started aud tuiued a pale, fright ened faoe toward the IB>U'. New York," ahe faltered, tremblingly witb her beart on ber lipe. A moment ago abe sad been oareleas almost light hearted, at she leaned frou tbe window and watokrd tbe abadows o twilight falling on tbe river and tbe beaj tiful grounds. She had inhaled tbe dower aoanted air witb something like delight, Bhe bad beer murmuring to herself some pretty linee of Jean Ingeiow's : I leaned out of tbe window, I smelt the white clover, Dark, dark was ths garden, 1 saw not the fate Now, If tbere be footatepi, he ooiuei my own lover Hush, butbllDKale, baah I O, sweet oi B htln KJe,att TUllWwM and hear If a !)> oraweth near. For m> love he U late. The murmured words ot tbe love-song bad died on tbe sweet lips now. They were wbite with fear sa sbe turned to Mre. Le Roy. " My child, you need not look ao startled,' aba laughed. " My guests will not eat you." Tbeu Laurel knew that she bad almost betrayed herself. Bbe rallied ber siuking spirits witb a great tffort of will. " I voj rather startled. Wbeu you said New York, 1 thought of so many whom 1 kotw," sbe said, apologetically. " la it any one wbo - knows me, Mra. Le Roy ?" abe aaked, qniveriug with secret fear. No, my dear ; but it is a lady wbo moves in tbe highest circles of faabiouable society iu New York an old frieud of mine and St. Leon's a beautiful young widow she ia uow. Bhe ran down ijoite informally opon u* to briogafriend a titled foreigner tu Be our beautiful Ejeu. Laurel began to take beart again now. bbe listened with a aiuile, while th lady OOL tiuued : "You will not tale it amiss iu your mother's old frieud, Beatrix, if I sug gtai tbat you make >our dinner toilet more elaborate tbau u*ual ? You are always lovely, dear"- seeiug tbe pale obaekn oriru nun suddenly ' in tbe simplest tbiugx you wear ; but, to do honor to our gueatx and jUHtice to your own raie beauty, I want yon tu look your loveliert to-uigbt. I waul to help you select a robe from among tbe new one* your mother sent may I, dear?" witb a ooaxicg smile. Tbey oo not fit they are all too large, I think," faltered Lurel. " 1 will send tuy maid. Bbe oau make tbe neowsary alterations u a few roiuutes. I am waitiuf, dear, to help you neli ot your rob", if you will allow m*," raid Mr** L Riy, wuu gtuilt- perM-veiju*. And Laura had to yield. Tbey looktd tbrouub (be dresses and selected one of wb><" fau's verliug, eatin ana r>|mnu u/y, .-simple enougb. roc a young gnl. yet A.miMiel) elaborate and K.-fM If tl I II LI becoming. If you will wear ibis with the beautiful pearls your mother sent, you will be simply peerless," said Mri>. Le K >>. Lanrel oould uot ouuf et-s tbat sbe bad si ut the pearls away. Wben Mra. La Roy was gone, sad tbe maid waa altering tbe dinner drew*, she slipped out and gathered ber bauds full ol duep soviet jacqueminot roeee. Will not these roses kok well with tbe white dress?" sbe asked the stylish French maid, rather t iiiidlj. ' Superb ! ' pronounced mademoiselle, with enthusiasm. Aud wheu tbe drees was uu, aud tbe great clusters of scarlet roses gleamed againat tfce while breast, and ID tbs rip pling ourla of burnished gold, tbe maid could not repress an exclamation of delight. Nothing oonld have been lovlier than the dark-eyed, golden-haired girl in tbe wbite drees witb tbe fragrant scarlet roses Mademoiselle did not know tbat tbe girl bated bernelf with a passionate contempt as she looked dowu at ber beautiful, bor rowed plumage. Fine feathers make tine birds,' " sbe said to beraelf, bitterly, as sbe wett down tbe stairs to the brilliantly lighted drawing room, holding her small head high to bide tbe tremor at ber beart. . She opened tbe door and entered. Mrs. Le Roy was tbsre talking to a baudaorne young man. Beyond them sbe saw St. L -on witb bia dark head be.it over a beau tiful woman at tbe piano. Uer white jew elled bands flew swiftly over tbs pearl keye, and abe was singing to him in a bigb, clear soprano voice : Oh. my lost lov*. ami my own, own love, And tuy luve wbo loved me so ! CHAPTER XIX. Laarel drew back on tbe tbreahold . fei fnl of interruf ring Ibe auger, but Mrs. Le Roy bad already perceived her, and oame forward with considerable rmprttirmmt to draw ber into tbe mom and introduce ber. Minn Gordon, Count Kit/ Jobn," tbe said, and with a gaap as if aome oue had thrown oold water over her, the false Beatrix Gordon found herself bowing to a real, live French o-iunt. Her trepidation passed away in a moment. The oocut was not at all impos- ing a good looking fellow enough, bat Bt. Leon Le Roy overtopped him by bead and shoulders In sizeacd manly beauty. Laarel sat down, abyly conscious ot his palpaole admiration, and wben the song had oome to an end sbe wai- presented to tbe ainger. A shimmer of aaore silk, a gleam of jew- els, a waft ot overpowering perfume, and Lanrel dared raise btr eyea to the beauti- ful blonde face with fee tnrquois blue eyes, its pink cheeks, and amiling lips, a halo of pale golden bsir f ramiig it all and leading an air of infantile innooapoe to its beauty. Sbe *!'** ^ ~" M at-a-glanoe look, M tbey touohed otber'i hands. i dark-eyed bloods labeled daci- ou.. :" xaid Mra. Hen vale to hew eoviomly, and feeling (or a moment ful over the effect of her a wo elaborate.? lumen* o 'iii[red with tins pure will rub* with ito vivid garniture of roses. But, iia a momeot, her natural viil| rewwr(d ithell. Sbe oonoludtd to be|i> oioue. ' I aui HO Kl*d to know you, Mi** U: doo. I nave beard o( you in New Yd although rumor did DO! otedll you til bait ibe oharujs I and you in actual {XM Biou of," bbe twittered, sweetly. " Will)i come to tbe pia.uo and play for us ? In oo foi.d of music ?" " I do not play, ' Laurel answered , U iu tbe warm oolor flood ber cheeks aili tbe lady's astonished gsze. 11 Not play t Wby surely " began In Merivalr, but to Lunl intense reli dinner wae announced, and sne wae spun tbe einreHBiou ol the lad) a surprise .ID ignoranoe. Yet Bbe looked at tbe pearl keys l ingiy ae aba swept past tbe grand piauoi ibe oonnt'a arm. Sbe bad great paasii ate love for tbe divine art of mniio, great grit f dllid ber soul at the tbouil tbat ber band* bad uo power to wake it goal of barmony slumbering in tboee MI* keys. " Poor papa t I wi-h tbat be bad tau|li me more of motio aud lew of languag* ebe ihounht, regretfully. Yet when at dinner tbey talked in II French language, oat if compliment to i ' J polite count. Bbe waa glad tbat ibe oould W ner own among them. She felt rath tbau law, St. Leon's) surprise, aud M Merivale'e dikmay. if.iii.tbb Ua>ud " So sbe eau siak French like a natm although she oannot play cnnotu !" ad the latter to beret If, wilb a feeling of veil tu m, for she had tarted tbe ball of Front conversation witb a distinct view to M Gordon's discomfiture. Laurel bad never seen Mr. Le Royt brilliant as be wan this evening. It seoniit that be bad never exerted himself for biifl Ue was affable, courteous, fascinating "-" n wlnnia^ aud tender demeanor to Merinle that evening. Bbe answered tikbic=apaliive bilterneae : cuaybo that to yoa, Mrs. Merivale, a* to me bt USM always aeemod oold, hard, t ro I " Po or 81 Leon! ab ! I know wbo rr|ti_l bis Kiieruun nature BO," Blgbed tbe id j. " Seslrix, I am BO foLd of yon I n vet mind to tell yoa my story mine d Hi. . LfllL'B." X'bty-/ paced bok and f ortb in the fine, tlB*ru__iuoulnht, tbeir riob roben bhining in In m gbt ; the fiijrano of flowers all ibo>ul Uihem , Ibe tmuud of tbe river in ttaeir fir*. . A bind of ioe eemed to olutoh ..LjM* "M beirl in ite neroe grsxip. Bbe oou I<1 tkmnd no words m wbioh to anawer. Yoami bsve beard tbat we were old IIIB nds . , St. Leon and I tbey have surely ndl yowju tbii, dear," weok on Maud Men nle'u weel moid noun voioc. " Ueatrii, in ulilemu timoB. we were moretban tbat It wr- luvfrn. " Lo veis! 1 echoed Laurel's low, tad esptoiall> nototbelady. softly spoken word* for her wiuDiuii miiilii tbat Laurel bad Dbver dreamed oould OUM tho-e Bteruly set lipa. A paou ol UMMsiF' pieroudtbe tensitive heart of the lovel iao -liBP-l>tly aweet and dsogeroui as or.nn irr,,ol... ; ld Dl"" Dl!tlmfl Wll led 11 tO Of. We wsre lover*," repeated Mra. Men til, in a tone of triumph. " But we were tot-ive-jy young, sod well, old Midas ,e wu even richer than St. Leon. piresoiDta were poor, and so they parted at -froooD my young lover and sold me to ikib oldB maa lor hi* eordid gold." T .feres*] wai t plauntive quiver in the ooo- UK voic=se, >uil Laurel's heart suddenly not on t to the lovely victim iu tender iiii 1'HBV.i) r m; marriage I did not eee St. Ltoan Ion yean," oonuuued tbeiweet tones. But tMbey told me be bad (banged tbat ki liL~ growo hard, cynical, oold that bio>rid9 Bulbing for women >tve to rail at itar i. Hut I a !> free a>t Isun and you see loi jroir elf (baft he unbendi to me at to HUB oltmer. Tbe old love burns in bia leir t. I nhill win him back, Beatrix, and Ibu timi-a no one bhtll oome between ail" "IMnu d, ' oilled s fctrons?. >weet voice, imi.oi! down the marble steps. "sT sn > ben, 8t Leon," she answered tak , ijlamdly. " Tbie pretty Beatrix here me some roeee aJI sweet wilb i and dew, bat sbe has not given lr." fla oicEne oat to them, his handsome besmd bare in tbe moonlight, a smile young impostor. Ue baa uever thought Beatrix Oordn wortny of bis kind word* aud smiles," thought. bi 'Mue tod to** M lasu ml, Ue did not tbiuk so now it seeemd. lli'K' ') did uot speak to ber, seldom looked at hti HID words aud look* wtre lawitbed on tli fair, smiling widow wbo gave bertelf op IE* wli ii to b*p. Gordon, will you go iiito the to tbe count and my mother ?" be ilraMghl into tbe girl's dark 1 will tied the roses all sweet dew.' " bi i wnl aulently and turned away, bt mru her bead, but ahe knew d taken 8t. Leon's arm rheoouLtpaidgre*.taitentiontoLt!rel,ai 1 !' l uiD """'T aU "" < """ the "* v y K'**"- sbe tried to look interested in hi* eon Vll , """"*" * The echo of tirm tones atioo, but .he was glad wben the dinu la 1 "" i L 1 ***f"> "*""- flo * ted back to ber. wan euded and the ladles (aimed from til..' Bb ?- d ^? " ol l >- ok . to """> M l lisunl __ *A,li fli.ta'lon w'lth eager, absorbing' Tu terertM 1 ^ ^ *" ld w bt tntion to Lwrel, Jff* K *~ u '*** room, leaviug tbe geutlemeu to nuisb tbeii ly. drew her ringed baud lovingly thruugb girl'a arm. " Let ua go out and gather aome ronei ith tbe uu ooligbt and tb dew upon them Tbey will be so sweet." abe aaid, win uibgly. And please will you call mi usJCHn, lit Kioy u she bad been bidden at in uooiM. biie HI duWD M tbe foot of tbe MVs. Mem vale went to tbe low windoii"'S* kli ' ti ' p * ** lidber hot brow wearily and looked out npou tbe moonlit balooiiv! 111 o"|i " ='"' W while stone. How lovely n is !" she cried. Wil ~ -J"- * burl me here,' .he mur- you oome oul, Mrs. Le Rjy ?-youand Mi"-" mmcl 'l' B>rett " J|1 ner .mail baud on her n , * ieKZ>e.iiLsKii*_--ar... " Hut I oituuot understand i* nil ould be MO. Wby should their imici mi p ejn me ? I orf nothing for either jt lulibeam. They svre nothing o me. But, dok! Itiu t . errible psuu at my heart woal toolunfemeBsu '' K Ib* ill*sxh> >oraa xbirered ssnd trembled, -ful f >Mlrathly white in the nue. jordnn ? ' liestr x may go 1 am afiaidoftbi kht air," Mrs. Le Rny respoKded, M hermif iu au DW*> -ousar. Will jou oome, Mia* Gordon?" eel the fair widow. "It is too lovely a to remain indoors," sbe added ally l.aurelwBotuuttoher, audMra. Menvali J * < " Mloia '-" l( '' i ~' *"" re "' M tberei ailenUy a uoD)|ii uie, looking down witk)-iibarpued 11 DBID,S>J nssBion iito beruvrn heart. K tail iooVa\d(ul; a> moan of intense sell bitttr detipair trembled over tbe ^_ irll-L ll|,r Mbiive beuu wilfully blind; I have not looked very young. than Laurel a wax utive, and witb asm mil Hbe was mailer )ll, dainty and dimin- l M aweet and inane. Sbe did not look like* widow. It seemed etrauge to call ber U Tbe blue eyes, 'or new, gave Laurel a . Merivale, II their infantile soft- icrcing take you- in Muo,aud let me call you Beatrix ? \v t * )a - li '" 1 00< = a "II now." be moeuied. "Bui, are both too young to be oeremoaious witl'! : tjl1 " '"*'' ol )'* lon< y *"<* **'. I have eaob other." waeinay b-ait. Clric was) right, and I They went down into the gravel pat hi f * *=ly keu ' denied her. I love where the September moonlight shout |1UJ " ItKUl " t *****&* buidsoroe man, who olearand white, and tben Maud Menvali f" "** " lir ~ *""> mt ODe t.bouht who leeoied to forget all about the roeer. lalealii|(aj ta Maud ilenvile. That is why I ika " Jafa chert, I am dying to know bow yo'" fc-l: '' w *" ?" rWDMn *' Edtn ! On - Ood ! te tlieoount!" she oriod. MiU.nl lit IH to read my own heart nmt II- is very i orn uioe. 1 ^uppcse," said Laurel, vaguely, her thoughts elsewhere. " ' Very uioe - ob, dear, what faint prame for my gallant adorer !" laughed the lady. " Wby, my dear Beatrix, all tbe girls in Nsw York vote him a love, a dar ling, an Adonia, aad above all. a splendid oatoh! Tbey are all jealous of me ? Any one of them oould wiluugly out my ears ofl 1 1 ilur i il**,M MKJOMOI. Tli for having taken him oaptive Tben yoa are to marry him? ' said inno- cent Laurel, taking a vague pleasure in the thought an suggested by tbe lady'sworda. " Crla deptnd. I can marry bun if I choose." laogbed tbe lady. You ruuat I have observed bow devoted be is. Laurel bad not observed it wisely said nothing. iu)sii itic . had nay ed out too long In tbe ' d diw. "Iota lc=aok u oold and whiw an <xxnili<lit,' " ' ibe said. LdJ UgrsBl [=xiade ber eome oareless answer badut do^wu. Ooont Fitz John engaged his laiiiowov enation. He waa delighted tc but sbe U bs)lmniO"ne wbo ooold convene fairly in MDIII vi toDgue, Bvtid be never wearied of Maud Menvals shook her golden frizzea r** B "ion h-er rite type of beauty, fud ber in tbe mooougbt. " 1 Hhall not marry him. It u useless bis breaking bis heart over me," she said. " I am too true to my old love." " Yoor dead buband," Laurel gently. "Pshaw, Beatrix" impatiently "what are yi u talking of ? Do you not know tbat Mr. Merivale was an old man 1 It was not it was because be waa murmured, faintly at all a love match rich." " Pardon," Laurel and she recalled to beraelf, sauna of ten did! Clarice's favorite song ol DC Uarti and Dime*. " " It is all right. The old man died soon, and left me a fortune," said the young widow, heartlessly. Bat aa for loving him, or having any sentimental ttndertut. over bia memory pehaw, 1 am not eaob a little simpletou as that, my dear I no ono could expect it," plsiatively. Beatrix," thie witb startling suddenness " tall me bat do you think Leon Le Roy ?" of your boat of Bt. CHAPTER XX. Tbe change of conversation waa so sod- den tbat Laurel started and shivered uioomfortably. " Are yon oold, my dear .'" aaked Maud Merivale. ' I felt chilly for a moment," Laurel answered. " It does not matter, Yon were saying" " I aaked yon what yoa thought of St. Leon Le Roy, Beatrix. la be not," enthu- siastically' 1 grand, handsome, noble a very king among men ?" Little thrills of icy ooldneaa shot along Laurel's tingling nerves. Bbe remembered bia cold, proud bearing to her, as contrasted u O in ) etUiavuty ud avobiogl" U IfJBjIll gbiwixidB tod tbe river echoed moat.. CflAPTKBXXl. little abe dragged herself up d went back to the drawing- young ooautbrigliteued visibly b d . bnaaniessrauor. Mrs. Le lto> told bsr IHHIIlll-llIC tbil ispi tslhd ao luroibly to sye II laiired tier, perbapr iM> . tin i jiurese thslsbe piqued him * little by and girlisb dignity. Bbe wa* by hie notice SMI other girls neien, On l -he oomrssry, if be bad not been iibatdkbit *>iil(--ooneeiled, be inunt have seen III iSBIihe* warns deoidt.dly bored. nd bie f.ir guesl oame in iltMiQitil sail b our ltr. Ltnrel did not look i|ili illbeir SQtniiov, tbougb she felt ber iw mgbot, witb tbe bi tier wonder Toto Ib dlbiboi SIXK.IS be til Mai IMB in Di>KDidUeOD LM Hoy ao*|xol that eh* oared ib d bin ? I _lad be fathumed the secret of Iliad wbari bsBBlore ibe rsally aDderstood it Ineeerslir Wss/ts Ibil tbetsorst of his old- ,tMi,bi*> ilBBKuosl bskrahnesB to ber? Had 10 OKd Thla roach dinoartssy or blunt her pajsloti ' ilor Daehed into ber seLeitive In, .M, Biiit ried uoa to bear bie clear, firm talked to Mrs. Mermle. To tonic, Bbe wu obliged to listen HID oMDlively to tbi scant and to talk more lot *-* 8tn roused herself to almost coewil;. Hb e ttmiU be gay. No one should i e>Mto-ber beirt wu bleeding. Hbe MI- to aril <1 1<=3 well in her efforts that the wa* delighted. lie thought :;iili)tli bidM at laat begun to make an new miiican oson the lovely girl, and Laurel, niir i; *i(lD9BVDg iowB>rd tbe others, did not lin viiith wh&tn Irownmg brow Bt. Leon br appireo* ocqnetriee. ITobeoontlDned.1 lid . KMT Me liosn reoentljr oame upon the Uio oil I'uaxeblo Indian strapped to a tree, iV.V Viler icia county. An examination iliwewmwIUjitrthe hdiean hid been fattened tti edblriL ive sod left tbere to itarve.