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limit un4 Vawav. Jau oue tiogo of orimioa glory Ami flittiug xlMiu ol gold Bhiuo aoro the nky au iDst An tho .lay it waxing old. Then a melancholy BMUoit over all Uie icene, And a oloepr, aahon pallor, Blotting out eacti traco uf green. Sturdy youth and modest maiden Stau. I a momutit M<le by aide, While Bbehblona to bli story, flight* haraulf to bo hi* brtd*. n. One long stream of golden iplendor, BrigtHor tjluwluK with the day; (iouu u the Uctobur twilight These are uow tbe akies of May. Honey fill* the apple blouomt, Btr<l-oDK> liuijer ou the air, Sweet with ncuuu tbe tlulja and ujt.uluwB, Bummer glory overwhwe. Where the orchard julne the woodland, By the brooklet's rippling tide, In the k'ravu the two are lying- Youth and maiden m<lu by aide. A GORDON'S PRIDti CHAPTER XXXIII. "Witb Bir Oscar Charlooce'x oompli- uients." Etnel looked up, and tber- bofora her was oue of the won, superb biuqualB ever t- (ranged fl>wer that MJ bau admired i -eally at the flower show ; there were i peeimens uf each, and aa tbey were urried into th* room their odor fi.led it. Without oommeut sbe took the bouquet from tbe servaiji'a band. How beautiful toey were, the sweet, fragrant blosaorns, r at in color, rare in perfume I Bbe buried hir face iu them -they were tbe first i. jwers sbe bad euj jyed for to long. Some noes ahe bad read on the previous day uttme back to her mind : The smell of Tlol<_i bidden ID the t;reen, 1'oureil back upon my uoiptysoul anil frame Tbu times when 1 remember to uavu beou Joyful and free from blauie. The odor of the sxoet flowers brought bar to that happy time before cruel revenge bad awoke in ber heart, and bad driven ber tj that hurried, denperate mar- riage. Hull, that morning abe did LO! quite onderatand wby life seemed to bava a new interest for her. Bir Oioar bad men- tioned a book which be reoommended ber to read, and she was anxious to do so. When breakfast wa* over sbe hastened to the library, and wben Lady Bl. Norman Bought ber, ome time afterwards, she found her reading i;h flushed faoe and brightened eyee. " You are growing quite studious, Ethel," said Lady 89. Norman. " Bir Oscar Cbarloote told me tbat I should like this book, and I find it moal amusing." Then she wondered why sba blushed, and Laiy Bt. Norman was toi wise to make the least comment or even amila. left on earth for her ? Yes for she had found a friend. Ethel was pure of hear) aud yuilelees of soul as a little ukiM uluepiug in its mother's acma. There WH uot tie fainuut idea of wrung in in r Dthil; and, even aa once bef ,>re aha bud mmtuken fauoy for lore, so ahe uow tuiutook tue dawu of lova) for friiodstlip. It was no surprise to her when Bir Onoar, parting the lieavy hangings tbat screened the window, c>r,a out to ber. He stood in silence by hvr - i for a few min- ute-, and, in some v.t^ua way tbat she oould uol uiiderutan , u aeemed aa though hia preaeuoe mad- :ue beauty of tbe scene complete. You are ' oiling brighter and better to-day, Miaa St. Normau," he said. " I am to pleaned. I think you bave been follow- ing my advice." "Ill .ve," |she acknowledged freely. " I have J the book you mentioned to me, an' ' has douu me good." 1 kuew it would. I sball never be able - 1 uudciatand, Miss Bt. Norman, what it ia :oa) baa given you, iu tbe brightest part of }our joutb, such gloomy ideas of life." He saw her beautiful face grow pale ; be saw iu the starlight bow suddenly tbe ahadow came into ber beautiful eyes, and he basoned to add I am so glad thai you permitted me to advise you. To use a figure of speech, you aeemed to be drifting down a stream. My bands are strong ; let tbem pull you back." " I waa drifting," she confessed slowly. " And now tbat is checked yon are learning to take pleasure where you can find it," be pacsued. Yes," the assented, with a little low laugh tbat fell like HOfteel musie on his ear. " I find pleauure here to-night." Ha watched ber in sileuoe, thinking to biinaeif tbat earth bad nothing one-half so fair as this beautiful, graceful girl. Rous- ing himself from the glamor that seemed to bo falling over him, Sir Oou began to talk to her. The poetry of the hour seemed to animate him. " I wonder," said Sir Oscar, slowly, "how many people bave sat in this balcony, happy aa we are, and what has become of tbem." " Tbal U rather a wide field for specula- tion," sbe remarked. " Yes -bul I think the place is rather celebrated. " Yon bave heard of Lord Daybraok, who murdered bis wife in a fit of jealousy, and afterwards killed himself ?" " I bave heard ol bim," replied Etnel. " II is said tbat he made tba unhappy lady au offer of marriage in tbia very balcony. Think of the tragical end of that love story I Then I have heard of two young lovers whose parents were not pleasures of her existence. One of ber earliest thoughts iu the mornings would be, Shall I aee him to -Jay? Where will H be? What will he> say?" And she reached this stage so unocseioudly that fche would have been hurpribed if any one hud BUIJ to ber, "How very much aud bow often you ebink of Bir Oca,r Cuarlootel" Bbe thought, in ber simpli- city, that it wan happiness at having found a friend a real friend that wae making life so much more bright for her. Tbe DuohesBof Uiaubrook gave a garden pu-ty, at which Ethel wa* queen. Lady Bt. Norman smiled to see how sbe wan bt- ginning to take an interest in ber toilet. Bbe fancied that the dark cloud which had so loug rested ou tbe girl's life was lifted at lunt. Ethel ebose a very beautifnl dress aud u moat becoming bonnet. Sbe went to the gathering, hoping sbe would see Bir U oar there. It would be pleasant to while away tbe summer hours by bis side her friend tbat dear friend whose care for her made her BO happy. Bhe went. There wa* a large crowd of fashionable people present, aud tbe soena wax one of graai beauty aud animation. Tbe party was held on a large aud exceed- not imagine it to be this golden calm, this beauteous harmony whlssi seemed to per- vade bearl and soul, tbitnew light which, dawning on her Ufe, made it iuexpreiwibly sweat, this goldeD glamor wbioh made increasing," he said to her, with a amile. " W are going so Wales for a short time," sbe in i.ii.i:,ut!d. " And I am obliged to go to Scotland on COM pretiBiug buainenx," he returned ; " but = earth and sky teu thousand tiuiwi Nirer. i I tope, btiloru the uiuiutr u ended', that Lookiug av her (toe, uhe did not under- aiaud why, day by day. n grevlairr, NWreter aud younger why her u>a grew bright KM Btarn, and bur lip* learned onoe more to utmle. " I mm learning to forget my trouble," she said : " I urn beginning to liva II down. Ab, me I what fablea pocu sing I Toey tell us life ii all barren without love. I du W( bhall ii. eft again." iliM had uol thought that sbe should hiti BO inuub. There wan a great blank in her life, and nlill her eyea were not opeued to tbe true itte of thing* ; though his ub-eucd wan like a keen, sharp paiu to bar, f>be never dreamed that she loved liim. Bar beart wa warm witb memories of biia. N, -thing oould bave foatered and .... . . .-.*. w/uau uow a viia-Da uv* cauui no; find U BO : love u a torment, friendship . increased her love 80 greatly ai going away Lord Si. Norman determined upon giv- ing a dinner at Kiobmond, a ipeoiei of entertainment iu which be took great le light. It WM a f mall, select, bat very h PPy puty, and Sir Uoar wan one of tbe gueele invited. Ethel waa pleated wben sbt beard that Biz Oscar wai going. It WM iba tint time aba bad fell even tba leakt interest in any party ; bat sbe bad begun to expedience one degree ol pleasure to tfa. hajdt'n society- Bhe enjoyed bia ooa vernation. Sha felt, iu come vagaa way, that aba bad found a friend one whom she liked, upon' whom aba could rely. Sbe admired bia brave way of speaking, bia bright, fearleaa tboogbta, tbe true nobility tbat pervaded evary word. "I am glad tbat I bava found a friend," tba girl thought, " there i* not moob left to ma in life, but this will be a real interest a real pleasure. " Bbe tell better than abe bad felt tinoe tbat fatal day at St. I na's, when abe bad exchanged ber happiness, bar freedom, and bar name for chains and a wedding- ring. Fot tbe first time for many long months abe opened ber bearl to tbe son- abioe of bappineaa. Bbe let ber sorrow and bar despair fall in tbe background, and tba effect upon ber waa marvelloiu. Bhe fell dased and giddy, as one wbo, huving been long oaged in darkness and gloom, is noddenly brought into tbe full, clear light of day. For tbe first time she took an interest in Iba pleasures offered to her, and want so far as to ask Lady St. Norman bout a drees for ihtfete. Il wa* a very beautiful day tba sun was aniniag, the air waa warm, soft, and (oil of fragrance. Sir Oaoar, according to arrangement, waa to drive down to Rich- mond with Lord St. Norman. Ethel looked more beautiful than usual ; tbe fresh fragrant air brought a soft flush to bar faoe and brightened the lovely eyes. Her drees, too, was perfection a pretty Mae and white and she wore one of tbe moat coquettish of bounete. Tbe beauti- fully curved lips were parted witb a smile, auob as had not lingered there since ahe bad been miatrcBa of Fonntayne. Bhe did not know why sbe felt so happy, so light of heart, unless it was that tne had made a friend. Bba smiled to herself as they drove along the sunny road. " Friendship ia supposed to be one of the great joys of life," she ea>id, " and I bave completely overlooked it. I on iisver bave a lover, but I tuank heaven tbat I bave found a friend " That evening, wben dinner waa over, and tbe elders of toe party were discussing Home excellent wine, Ethel went onion tbe balcony. The purple gloaming la; over tbe land, the sky waa growing more darkly blue, and tbe stars were beginning to gleam. The river ran lightly and swiftly by tbe pleasure boats were hastening down the stream the trees were all lux- uriantly green tbe perfume of (lowers reached ber. That balcony waa a favorite ruiort of bars. They had been twice to Richmond, and each time ahe bad spent tbe aoft twilight hours in watching the beautifnl panorama of earth and sky which could be BO pleasantly seen from there. A beautiful holy calm seemed to pervade ttie whole of Nature, and Ethel felt tbat she oould enjoy it. Hitherto phe bad been a prey to ber own bittor thoughts, her own despair; now abe had found a friend. Ileavan and earth deemed fairer for this, tbat h!io bad found a friend. Her beautiful face was softened into tenderness aa she sal there in tbe starlight. Was tbera really any brightness, any mnsio | to look forward to seeing bim as one of tbo willing for them to marry, and they met bare t j bid each otber farewell. Think of tbe hope, tbe despair, tbe lova and tba sorrow tbat bave been experienced here I" Bbe waa looking intently at tbe gleaming stars. "loan imagine it all," aha responded, " bul it give* me strange thoughts, Those wbo loved each otber so well are dead and gone ; murder aud sniciie took the place of happiness. Men's lives and fortunes are full of change Nature never change*. Tbe lovers wbo sal here then are dead, but tbe stars are shining witb the same soft light, tbe river is rippling witb tbe same sweet murmur man seems small and inaiguiti- oaut, after all." " Not quite. Tbe time will come when tbe atars shall fall from heaven, and the rivers, shrinking, disappear from night ; but tbe aoul of man onoe created ia immortal." I bad forgotten tbat," sbe allowed, gently. One white band of hera lay ou tbe stone balcony, so white in toe starlight tbat it looked like snow. Sir Oscar laid bia own upon it. Bba did not start nor shrink- that warm, gentle olaap seemed like a promite of protection to ber. " Miaa Bl. Norman," be said, gently, " will you enter into a compact witb me 1 ' " Yea," she replied, " willingly." " Let as be friends I mean, not mere acquaintances, but friends, in tba highest, beat, and noblest sense of the word." Her faoe flushed with delight ; ha ssw the beautiful color spread over it. " Friends," ha continued, " through life never to loae sight of each other again your pleasures, pains, Lopes, joys and sor- rows to be mine." " Ia that friendship?" ahe asked, gently. " Tea, the noblest aud tbe beat the friendship thst strengthens all tbat is highest, that belpa one to live and die worthily friendship that is patient, tender and true ; tbat stands as a shield, that is aa firm as a rook, and believes no evil. Miss St. Norman, will you join in snob a compact of friendship witb me ?" She looked up at bim half shyly " Why do you ask me?" sbs inquired. " Because I am irresistibly attracted to you," be acknowledged ; " and I long witb all my beart and soul to be your friend. Will yon promise ?" "Il is a very serious promise," she remarked. " I know it ; bat it Is one that will make me happy, Mies 81. Norman." " Then I give it to yon," she said. " I promise to be your friend." " Thank you," be returned, gratefully ; and then silence ensued again. He waa tbe first to break it. " You will think I presume upon your kindnesa, Mini St. Norman," be said, if I -k something more." " I shall not think so," confessed Ethel. " Then, juet onoe, on thin fair summer night, let nie hear you call me ' dear friend.' Bay those two words to me and I nhali be content." Bhe repeated them, and Sir Oscar Charloole thought no utterance had aver been so sweet. All night Ethel thought of the simple words ; they seemed to rest in her heart, to give her greater peace than she had known for a long time, and she waa grateful enough to kneel and tbank Heaven that she had at last found a gleam of light in tbe darkooM that aba bad found snob a fri nd. ingly beautiful lawn, where great cedar treea made pleasant shade, rare flowers gave out sweetest odors, and pretty foun- tains sent thur rippling spray high iu tbe euulighl. II waa a striking scene one not easily forgotten. Tbe fairest faoa ia that brilliant throng was tbat of Ethel Gordon. No sooner did aha appear tbau **. was surrounded by a court of admirers. Bbe talked for a abort time witb tu ire tbau ber usual animation, hoping and expecting every moment that Sir U.-cir would appear ; bul time panned on aud be did not come. Then her high spirits failed ber. Bbe made ber escape from ber admirers ana wandered into one of the pretty ferneries. Here all was cool, green and pleasant. Sbe lingered. The waters fell with a soft, rippling sound, the ferns stirred lightly in the wind. She aat down to enjoy the pretty solitude. All at once Bbe saw Sir Qjoar. Ha waa walking through the fernery, and bad sud- denly caught a glimpae of bar. His faoe brtgutened, tbe grave, luminous smile she liked so mucb came over it. He advanced eagerly to ber. "1 have been looking everywhere for yon, Miss Bt. Norman," be said. " I was just thinking of going away, fearing you were not here," " Tbe crowd ia so great," she observed. " I bave been on the lawn, but I did not see yon." He sat down by ber aide. If she had been wiser abe would bave understood her- self better. Everything seemed to change wben be appeared. Tbe sunshine was brighter, a fairer green came on tba graaa the flowers took rarer colors, the birds sang more sweetly, tba whole aspect of heaven and earth seemed changed to ber and yet it never, even ever so faintly, dawned across ber mind that this waa love. Bba was surprised to find tbat an boor had passed since he appeared it seemed to her only a few aoinales. " I think," she aaid to him, witb a smile, " tbst yon have the faculty of making time fly ; I had no idea tbat we bad passed a whole boor in listening to tbe music of tbat cascade." " I may make tbe same complaint," be responded ' hours in your society take unto themselves wings and fly." Bba laughed, aud rose (rom ber seal, yet bha did not like* pieg away from the oool, fresh terns. is all joy and no pain. While I can hav that, love may linger, love may die.' I am indifferent." She little dreamed how the was mistak- ing one for tbe otber, nor bow tbu love that one scorned aud despised wan Mlently, turely winning her, and making earth all bright for her. Before the season was over she had to any eligible off am, out to Lord St. Norman'* surprint-, the related them all. " I believe," be said to bis wife, " that sbe likes Sir O<toar best of all, and tbat ha is waiting to be sure before be ruks asking tbe question." Iu ;bii opinion Lady Bt. Noroian did nut quite coincide. CHAPTER XXXV. The season was drawing to a close, and Lord 81. Norman began KI think it waa high time that be and hie left town. He sxpreseed bis wish to bin wife, aud ana waa anxious that it should b > carried out. Wben Ethel he*rd it her Uiuu^bta flew it onoe to Sir Oaoar. By tbia time be bad become BO completely part of ber life tbat she did not know what that life would be without bim. It was be wbo directed ber reading, who chose her books, who helped to oamplete her art education, who taught htr the beauty of goodueos, of courage, and of patience, who mad all tbe brightness of ber lite. Now, for the tir-i time sbe bad begun to know the value of his friendship, she was to be separated from bim, aud he waa to pass out of ber life. 8 till tbe pain she suffered did not open her eyes. She believed she was grievod to lose her friend, and in that friend saw no lover. Sir O*ear bad long foreeeeu tbat tun separation must take place, and be had made bit arrangement*. " If I can but induce ber to write to me," be thought to himself. " I shall have gained an great a joint as when 1 wou her promise to be my friend." Lord St. Norman tells me yon are going away next week. Uow I nball miss yon I" be said to ber. " It will aeem to me as though one-bait of my life were gone." Tbey had mat at L%dy Casleldine'H con- cert, and under cover of a grand overture Sir Occsr pleaded bia cause. Ethel looked very lovely.. As be glanced at ber be oould not kelp thinking how changed abe waa from the time wben ha bad firat seen her. Tbe listnesaoaea and melancholy bad vatisbed from ber face, ber eyes were bright ; there was a look of hope and happiness about her which bad been previously wanting. Her dreaH, too, was, aa oaoal, perfection white silk, with trimmings of j>old fringe ; a pomegranate blossom was iu tbe ooila of her rich brown hair. " You never carry flowers," be said to ber suddenly ; " every other lady in tbe from tbe noise of tbe world into ulitude, where >.be bad ample leisure to think of every word be had uttered, every expression sbe hd keen ou his face where she had DUhiug to do save to indulge in romantic dreams. E'.heldidnol look forward ; she never thought of the time wbeu Sir Oioar would want a wife of bin OWL would marry and dtv.ne bimxelt to bin own household. In ber dreauis they were always to be aa they were then - friend*, xitioure, n8t cuouate trie fdx ; they were to write to each otber ooustautly, to meet as often aa possible, yet to be friends nothing more, nothing lea). Lord Bt Norman and bis family re- mained for some weeks iu Walee, hud then roturued to Normau's Keep. Ethel was pleased that ber father bad decided upon making tbat their principal residence. Fountayue wan full of sad memories for her metnorie* of the time wben ' sbe bad been joyful and free from blame." At Norman's Keep everything waa new and btrange ; the blight of her secret had been on h*rwben abe first came tbitber revi ,uiui; it brought no smart of pain. Tbey 1. .d been there for some few weeks ; golden, i rious August wae in tbe height of its lo\r mess, the corn stood ripe iu the meaduwi,, tbe frail bung upon the trees, the baze c '. sunlight and tbe smile of sum- mer lay ( er the land. One ui' ning Lord St. Norman received a letter v ,ioh appeared to interest him greatly ; i i read il and passed it over to bis wife. 4he also read it without com- mant. " We im 1 better not mention it to ber, I think," c ."1 Lord Si. Norman to hia wife ; " if be t , * i her by surprise be may win some kind word from bar." Bat L iJy Bl. Norman did not agree with him. " Ethel is proud and sensative, Leonard ; sbe would wonder why you had not told bar and tbat very fact might make her angry witb him." Bo, after breakfast Lord Bl. Norman said carelessly " Ethel, au old friend of ours is coming to visit us." " Who it tbat, pap> ?" she asked. " Sir Odoar Cbarloote ; be will be here tome time to-day, I expect." He saw her beautiful faoe flush crimson, and be smiled again, for be knew that Sir Ooar was coming to ask ber to be hia wife. CHAPTER XXXIV. E'.bel was always a) her best witb .'-r Onotir. He bad tbe power of bringing cat all tbat was noblest iu ber. Her intellei ,. faooy, imagination, all aeemed at the highest wben she waa talking to him. B never looked so beautiful or talked so w. as with him. Her mind seemed to answer to bin, her quick, light, vivid fancy to respond to every word of his. Bbe begau " This seems to be tbe plea*ant*st part of tbe grounds," she said ; " I admire ferns very much." " So do I," be remarked, " but I bave never admired them so much aa to day." And then they walked back to tbe lawn together. Many admiring glances followed them; peeple whispered to each otber thai sooner or later tbat would be a match. " I can understand now," aaid one lad) to another, " wby Mua St. Norman refused the Duke of Sonthmaad." " II was not for Sir Osoar'a sake," was tba rejoinder. " Bbe bad not even seen bim wben tbe Duke of Bontbmead left London." The comments made did not reach her ears and it was well for Bir Oscar thai they did not. He saw tbat tbe pretty legend of friendship sufuaed for ber. Bbe was unconscious of aught else. He loved her witb a strong, deep earnest love. He bad never been eaarmed by the fair faoe of a woman before, be bad that moat rare gift to offer her the first Icve of his heart. Us knew that by ber side, no matter what troubles came, life would be one long course of happiness one long unbroken dream of delight. He knew also tbat, if she refused him, all that this world oould offer would not atone to bim far tbe loss. His great love made bim cautions. If be had bad leas at stake, be would bave been rasher and more daring; he would have told her at onoe that be loved ber, and have asked ber to be bia wife. Love mads bim prudent. He knew that some of the most eligible men iu England had tried in vain to win ber favor. He could not bear thought of losing her, so be called caution to bis aid. He would not startle her by speaking too soon of hie lova; he would give her plenty of tin.o to grow accustomed to him. He was not vain, but be did think sbe was beginning to uks him. She seemed more at home, njftru at ease witb hltu thsn witb any one else, lie thought to himself tbat, if needful, be would wait long years in silence for ber she was so dear, 10 precious, so well worth winning. He said nothing to ber of love. Like a cautious general, be advanced by degrees. Ue was content for a time with having won ber liking ; he wanted to accustom ber to bia society to teach ber t3 rely upon bim ; and he succeeded. Slowly aud gradually a new life opened to ber, and she was quite unconscious of it. Tbe old interest mat she felt in poetry and art, h*r paskionate love tf nature, ber animation, all seemed to return to ber. " I am much happier," she would say to hereelf, " because 1 bave found a friend. 1 ' Sbe was like a child who sleeps aerenely in tbe midst of fair and fragrant flowers, never seeing the crested head of tbe snake that ia about to sting. Sbe waa so utterly unconscious that this vague happiness, this delicious calm came from the dawn of love, that sbe would say to herself : " Now that I bave found true friendship, I shall never need lova. There will be no danger for me." Her idee of love was something all tumult, all tempestuoub despair. Sbe did room ban a bouquet. Yoa alwa> a prefer a fan. How is it?" Hs saw a shadow fall over her face. How oould she tell bim tbat sbe never carried flowers in her bande without thinking of tbat fatal summer morning wben she bad gathered tbe passion-flowers wet with dew. He saw in a moment tbat bia words bad aroused aome sad and unpleasant memory in ber mind, and be hastened to make her forget them. " How I shall miss you," he repeated. " I do not like to think of tbe time coming whan I shall sea yon no longer." " Life ia all meeting and parting," sbs said, " even aa it is all pleasure and pain." Yet her lips quivered aa she spake, and her beautiful eyea grew dim with unshed teara. Bir Oscar looked wistfully at her. Tbe impulse and the longing were strong upon him to take her bands in bis own and tell her the utory of bis love tell ber bow passionately he loved ber; but bs restrained himself. " Bhe ie sorry to less me," be said to himself. " I can see thai ; but I must not startle ber. She ia like a shy, bright, beautiful wild bird. I must not startle ber." Bo he sat and watched ber witb wistful, longing, loving eyee ; but no word of that whiob filled hia beart passed bis lips. " Miaa Bl. Norman," be said suddenly, " you have been very kind to me ; yon have promised to be my friend and I believe tbat nothing but death will ever sever tbe bonds of our friendship." Bbe raised her eyee to bis. " Yon are right," she assented ; " noth- ing bul death." " I am going to ask something also from yon. I bave been so accustomed to discuss my opinions aud to argue witb yon that I shall be quite lost after your departure. Will yon permit me occasionally to write to yon ?" Tbe jewelled fan tbat she held trembled ; the question startled her. Writing seemed to be something different from their easy, pleasant conversations. " I will promise not to bore yon too often," he added. Bha looked op at bim witb a treab, sweat amile. I shall be very pleased witb Ike arrangement," sbe said, simply. " It will be a pleasure to receive your letters, and a pleasure to answer them ; bul it will not be like seeing and talking to yon." Ha sighed aa he thought how vary dif- ferent it would be. He would bave beet, better pleaxed if she bad brn less frank aud mare embarrassed i' cha not look like love. " Then yon will write to me ? Will yon tell me what you thick and all that yon do, just as though yon wore speaking to me?' be asked. " Yea," she replied ; " and then, when we meet again, il will seam aa though them bad been no interruption to our friendship." " Some day, when I think I shall be welcome," oaid Bir Oscar, " I shall hope to aee Norman's Keep. They tell me it is one of the grandest old places in England." " II is well worth a visit, if yon bave CHAPTER XXXVI. Ethel listened to her ftt'uer'a announce- ment as to tbe speedy arrival of Sir Oscar Cbarloo'e, bat offered no word of reply. A deep, sudden gladness took possession of bar. Bbe could not have expraesed it in ipeech ; sbe oould not even understand it. Il wae a sudden, datp, great gladnoes tbat stirred the depths of her beart, Hashed her face and brightened ber eyes. He wae o jmiug. He was not ber 1 >vtr only ber friend yet all earth and heaven seemed the fairer for bia coming. There waa joy in ber heart such as she had never known before. " Ethel, will yon come with me ?" aaid Lady Bl. Norman. " I am going over to Uenbam'a ?" But Ethel did not wish any one to aea her face just then ; there was a light upon it, which keen eyes would understand, of i-udden, irrepressible gladness. " Pry excuse me, Helen," abo replied ; I am going for a walk." As she spoke abe paaaed out on to the fragrant lawn and away into the summer woods. Bha wanted to be alone to think over this great sudden gleam of bappineaa. Nature smiled on her the silence that wa* yet ao full of music pleased and soothed bar. He was coming, this friend of here, who made life so much more bright , and! all nature seamed to rejoice with bar. No warning came to ber that tbia keen rapture, tbia aweet subtle bappineea, was love. Bbe did not look beyond tbat day. Before tba aun bad set she would bave aeen bim again, would bave heard bim speak, would bave listened to his voice ; her happiness could go no farther. Sbe had not tho least thought of wrong ; to her it was A settled a matter that she aud love were to be strangers for ever that abe never gave a thought to tbe possibility of iu entering ber heart. Sbe bad settled it so long sines with hr r elf tbat sbe was to fly from love, that she did not know love had already taken possession cf ber heart, and was not to be driven away. Her shy, startled, sweet happiness might bave told ber, but it did not it might have warned her, but il did not. Sbe went blindfolded to ber fate. Tbe hour sbe spost tbat morning in th inmmar woods was perhapi one of tbe nappiesi in ber life ; it was full of hope and sweetnHa a vague, delicious happi- ness tbat she did not understand, but whiob was to bring fatal knowledge to her. All day sbe looked so bright and blithe that Lord Hi. Norman smiled to himself at the expression of her faoe. (To be eon tinned.) Hereafter, in France, when a number of stamps are to be affixed to a letter, they must not be placed close together, bul witb space between them. The reason of this is hat if a considerable portion of tba envelope) if covered with starar>H it is easy tor a dis- boueat person to remove them, open the envelope under them, abstract the contents of the letter and paste tbem on again. Many bank noten bave been stolen in this way. As eternnl vigilacoe is the price of liberty so also is il the price of good health to a city. never aeen it,' 1 she observed ; Oitear said no more. and then Bir He bade ber good-bye one evening a little Tbe Berlin Aquarium has at Iat accom- plished the diCioult tank of showing a Hoiiool of live barring in its sea water basin. TheHB flub are BO delicate that, wben caught iu their native element, even a moment's exposure to the air will kill tbem. They had, therefore, to be caught under water later on. und to bo carefully tram-ported from the " My desire to see Norman's Keep is seaboard.