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SHIRLEY ROSS: A Story of Woman's Faithfulness. Til â- )• WL-re utill utaiidin<j tOf^nther before (be liro wliim Alicu uikI Kir Hiit{li h: <1 tho Other vi»itort> aC tliu Court oitiiiu in from a walk lliruii|<li tliu {{rouiitiii. It waua clear 6iu', but froHty wiiiu-r day and the girU trurc u'rii|>[>od in fiiru and uealuking, and Sir Ilufili worn a (;reat co»t trimmed witli tilt' darlujiit uf salilcs, iu wliioli ho lookiKl very Imndsomu Mill fori'i«;ij and distiimuisliod. They wore in I iui;hiu); and olialUii{{ merrily, bring^in); with them, aa it wuro, a breath of frouh CoM nir from tho outside world ; nnd Bliulcy atarted and blushed and moved iiway from Guy'a side an they entered, tail only Kir Hut^h saw tho start ftiui llio protty color whioh rose in the fair girl'i. face. "Ko }0U have returned." she s&id, rather nervutiiily, au she left the fireside. "Was it ploHKant out }" " Very pleasant, but rather ccld," »nH.vorL<l Kuby Capel, a b6witchinj» little briiricllij, with whom jxior Oswald wan very iiinoh in lovf, but who, during his •bsoiici', wan carryiu|{ on a de^ptrate (I'trta- (iun ivitli younK Al);oruoii Kivura, an eliyi. blu from Ouuiflfe. "You should have come, Hhirloy, nltho'iijh I dare i.»y you and Majiir Kmart found it very comfortablo by the firiBide." Hho Bpoko li>;htly, and without any 6IK-ciil iiioaniiif;; but the color deepened in Bhirley's face, and a ulight vmilo atole up sudor Guy Ktuart'n heavy dark nuigtaobo fts h ) Klauood toward Shirley, whose shy eyP4 did not meet hiiJ. "1 Htipposu you would like sonv) tea?" 6hirl<iy asked. "Happy thought 1" aaid Ali>x>, who was kllowiiit; Hir Iluch to asaiat hor to remove her loiiK Bealakin coat. " King and order • it, ftliirley." . . Biiirley u-aa about to obey, when Qny 't (ure^ilalled her ; and, as aho lifted her eyca . sliyly to bii^, be looked down at lior and •itiiled. " Wo shall have dUatinij to-morrow," •liil Ilnpy CajHfl. unfastening; hur fur cape And tobuiii;; it auide. " Are your sliatca in order, mesdnineB V It iu frooxinj; hard, is •liial, Mr. Uivers?" " It must be if you aay so," answered Mr. IUvc<t'H Kallaiilly ; " bnt it did not seem to aoGO very uold. after nil." " I don't think it is frnezin;{hard, Uuby," •aid Miss Kairhulmo, who had been watch- ing her cousin a little curiau.-ily since her entrai'.oe. •'Kliirley, bow you have burned your faoo over tholirol" Wall ii prutty little cor.c.icus pesturo, Bhirley put up both her Bands to her hot chucks, and Uuby Capel "It is a very pretty roujjc," she said li^thtly, "and very becomin;,'. I shotild kdfise you to try it every time that you are goiii^ out, Khirley ; and I wish you would give me your rcci|>e." "Id it not the lire?" asked Alioe, with ftffiK'U'd hurprise. "Khirley in always ho fkle that â€" Ah, here is tho tea I I am so f(Udl Khirloy, will you potir it out? I a;'i â- Dlii^i'dl" Kfie sunk into a low chair. In an attitado of fatif{iio and exliaustiun, M>^'i"ri f^ir Hiigii • OOiuottisli ulaiue from hiT hltio eyes, which noticed tlial he wai rather iwlcr tlmn was his wont, and that tiicro was an cxprnKsioii of unrest upo/i his face, •nd Konietliiii^' almost like pain in his blue eyes. " Are yo!i tired also, Hir lliiyh'i'" A!ici) inijuired, Uni;tiidly. 13ut he did not answer â€"indiKvi he did â- ot liiar the question. He was wondorinj; wliat was the inoauin^ of those red cheeks of Hhii li'y'K, nnd that new li)ilit, lumi:>oiis •nd (;lad. which bIiouo in Oiiy Stimrt's gray eycH. As hIio iiotiood his - abstraction, Alicit Fairhotnie's faoo darkened sliffhtly, and a gleam of uimoyanco ami displeasure flashed into her blue) oyos ; liit she only nestled hur (irettv (air liusd against Uio cushions of her chair with i\ tirod, Woarjr nr»co. " Vou oukIiI to have been with iit), ftliirley," she said. " Vou woiihl have ({0110 ioto raptures over tho rime which was on (ko skeleton trees ; It sparkled like myriads Ot diiimonils in the Hunshiin'â€" <li 1 it not, Bir IIuKh?" liir ilu){li aoijuiesced abs<Mitly. He â- <<rnicd to be more occupied with watchinj- '. Biiirley Uoss as she stood bxforo the ten 6<jnippii;',e llinn Alicx appmvdd of. Tl:e t haiiiisoiiie blue eyes were lixnl u{Km her OOUbin with an iiit4mt .earnest scrutiny whiuh had (liiipersud all their sleepiness, •nd his hand, iinconsoiously even to hiiiiseir, WAS olinuliod aa it reatiHl on the (able. " I really think wo shall liiivo some skat- ing soon," said Miss (;ap<l K»yly- " 1 have not skat I'd for a lon^ tinh . ", :< se mild winters of ours iiuitc prevent ua from ex- Oelliii^; in the aeiximplishnient. Just as Ono has mastered the outside odt^e, (ho thaw sots in and puts i\ stop to cvery- (liinu." " Yea, it is very provoking," agreed nboda Montoliiii, a pretty ^ray-eyed i;irl, k ochuol fiiKid of Miss I'sirliiiline's and an heiress; " >vo never do nul any skatiii-;. Shall wo petition the clerk of the weather, Mr. I(iv(-rii, to he clement enonf^h to nivv lis « hard frost?" "I'erliHps ho â- ni^ht if yon were the Botitiunir, Miss Montoliuu," Alfjernon Kivcrs answered, briiiKin;; her koiiki tea, •nd lowerini^ his voice |i<T(«ptibly. " 1 know that if I were the clcrkof the weather I oniilil refiiHO you iinthin^." Jllioda Muiitolieii latii;lied lifjhtly. "Thou I wish you would becoino so," she Mid, merrily. " No bread and butter, thank you -a nmoaroon, please." "Do you Hkal«, Miss Koas?" Kir HuhIi •aked abriilitly,aH he went over to the tal>le (o (etch Alice's t<'a-, and Hhirlcy starteil a little and looked up at him in nilher a be- wihlerotl nianner, as if she had not the least i(l''a what liu meant. "I l>0({ your pardon." she said, nervously. "I Hill not hear, Hir IIukIi." " Why, e/)«, yonr wits seoiii uool-j^ather- ingi" AIii« orieil, lauKliinKly, from tho doptliH of hor Kmat arin-ohair. " Sir HiiHh is askiiif^ you if you skate, and you look as •(artled as if be had iiiadu Home alariiiin{{ f ro|i03ition. Where are you, Khirley ?" â- ' Not here," Hir llii|<h remarked coldly, «â-  ho hrouuht Miss Kairhnlmo her tea, and .druw lip a low chair to her aide. "Miss Kou'h tlioui;li(H are nvidentlv far away." •' And Major btuart lookH ixjually No, Miss tea, you I am quite cfijrtrait," said Alice, softly. â- ' I am afraid they have {{rown sleepy over the fire. Hut it is a curious coincidence, is it not, that they should both have wandered away together? You look tired. Sir IIui{h," she ; added gently. " Won't you have Bome tea ? It will refresh you. I forgot when wo were out that you had ridden over to Maxwell : this morning." I " I am not tired, thanks. Fairholme, I don't care for ' know." " But we will convert you. ' an old woman in my aETeotion for it ; and. judjjinf; by Major Stuart's performance at ', i^rosont, ho seems to abate my predileo- I tion." Sir Iluj^h looked across at the f;''°''P round the tea-tray, nnd his brow dark- ened. ,Mj;ernon Kivors buemod to be dividing his attentions pretty e<)ually bo- ; tweeii the two girls ; but Major Ktuart was ^ standin({ at Shirley's elbow, cup in hand, while Miss lloss, her face sliHhtly turned toward him over her shou'der, was pouring in Bonie cream with due di'liberation. They I were both smilinf^, and Shirley's hazel eyes ; were dovvncnit. As IIu;;h Glynn watched them, a pasdion of hatred and resuutmeut rose in his lieart andalmu-it to his lips. ; " I had no idea Miss Hois had uuch a I capacity for llirtation," liu Faid coldly. " 1 : fancied she was rather an ir j,:inu." ! " And do you imaijine that .Shirley is tlirtin-; '1"' asked Alice tuftly. " Vou are I utterly mistaken, Sir Iluffh : she is quite in I earnest, and I hope for her Bake that Major Stuart is cvjually HO. Why, Khirley could notllirt! She does not know the meaning of the word." " Then she is very uuliko inosl of her sex," said Kir EIu;;h moodily. " With such a face as hers she need not be Ibii^; in ignorance, I should think." "'.Such a face as hers I' I >o you think hor so very pretty ?" " ' I'retty' is not tho word," he niisworod quietly. " She is cxtrumuly beautiful." Alice Fairholme bit her lip. " Yes, she is beautiful, I think," she said, with apparent fr:iukncssâ€" " thcujjh some people think her too pale. My poor aunt, hor mother, was very baauliful, I believe, but I never saw her," " How was that ? ItiiiQot three years since her death, I understand." "Not thrt-e years yet- oh, .10 ; but 1 li:vvo never been abroad, you know." " And did Mrs. lloss never come to Scot- land V" he asked, with some interest. "No â€" never," Alice siid {jravely, with a faint little sijih. "Neverl Why? I'ardon uiy -.uriosity. Miss l-'airholme; but really il t>tc:ns to me j that it was very stran;;o not to ixlurn oven I for a time to her native land." ' " Ves, very strange indo«l," Alice said ! softly. "There is some had ttory con- j nectfd with it, 1 think," she added. " I do not know what it is, because my father and mother have never sjioken of it to iiie; but I I was always aware, even in my childhood, of some mystery which burrounded Aunt I Marian. Of course I should not upeak so j frankly to any one but you," i.ho concluded, I with a sirift upward glance. Kir Hugh murmured something expres- sive of hia gratitude for the coiihdonoe, and rolapccd into silence. Alioo folt rather annoyed and irritated. What right had this :iian to show so iniicli i:itercht in what regarded Biiirley? Well, il np|K'arance« v>ere to he (Tcdited, he would not be able to show that intcres! iiiuoh longer, or to any purpose -for Alice's rjiiicK eyes had im mediately di'jcoriu"d that there was some- thing inusimlly tender in Major iStuart's iiianner toward her coiibin. . " Hhiiloy, can't yon giveusKomeinuaio?" 6!.a asked languidly. 'â-  Try that now song Oswalil sent you." " 1 could not sing today," Hliirley i>aid, (lushing and trembling n little. " I'ray excuse me, Ali^'e." "Cannot sing today why/ llaveyou Roohl?" "Oh, no; 1 nt "Hut what? Don't be la/.y, child ! Yon never si.ig noiv," said Alice, pettislily. "Oh, do sing lis hometliiiig I" ttuby ctlioe<!. " Vou useil not to bo BO chary of yuur music, Khirley." "Will you acrept an unworthy substi- tute ','" liail (Iny Ktimrt smiliiii!. "Khali 1 play yon sonieljiing, MissFairliolme .'" " You will 'je very kind if you lake pity ou us. Major Sitiart," rotiirned Alico sweetly. " ,Hir Hugh l.ioUa tired and out of aorts, or I would press him into tho ser vice; hut, when you have played, perhaps Shirley will favor us." " Major Stuart went lollie iiiano, which stooil in a recess facing the nmntel-piece, and sat down. He was a f;ood musician, and piesently, as liis fingers htrayed over tho he) ,-1, a Mood iif boIt tic li inelody lilled the qiiiot room. Mr. liivors and the two girls ceased their chatter, Alice closed her eyes and leanett iiai k liinguuily in her deep ann-chair. Kir 11 ugh piillt-d nervously at hi'i long fair moustache and watched Shirley furtively as she sat with her lunds clasped idly on luir laj), her face turncHl toward the piano, and a lillhi hniile upon her lips. llrnv ho'.iutifnl she wasâ€" how rarely, inderfnlly bcHMlifiill l:i all his life Ije hatl seen no ^^omall wliostMieaiity liail so iniprcBsed and charmed him as hers did. ("ould it be that Oiiy Stuart had won what he v.'ould have given ho much to possess? Sir Hugh (llyiiii set his teeth hard together at the thought. It v.ni im|iossible. Ho should not have her. She tliould be his. That very evening he would ask her to bo hill wife. It had been his purpose (o do so from the Ihst d:iy ho had seen her. As f,he stood in hor simple serge dro.s9 in the doorway, with a knot of reil lierriea nl her brea.st, she had seemed to him most h^'autiful and greatly to be pri/ed. Up, Hugh Olynii, Kvowoil opponent of marriage as he was, had then and there resolved to make hor his wife. Itiit he had been in lui hurry; ho felt ho safe, HO secure, lliis i^iwerlesn beauty would bo only leo glad to accept him wlion- Ovor lui itlione to luako lier the offer, and nieanwhilo il was very pleasant to treat lier v.ilh tho graceful CMurtesy, not iiii touched by t<uuU>rne«s, which ho knew could not iiiit bo gialoful to the lonoly girl, while ho llirtod a little with Miss Fair- liohiio; perhaps with an avo vo<l -<noii to himsolf-iiitoiition of luakiii); Khirloy jealous. Hut while ho had been hesitating anothor had come forward and had kIoIoii her from him; and, although bIio hail never been his, except in hij thoughts â€" Hugh Glynn felt pasBionately roaent- uritet, ful against the friend who had forestalled him. Presently the music ceased ; and Alice, after thanking ttia musician, again turned to Khirley; and tho girl rose dreamily and went over to the recess. Guy, still retaining bis seat, turned with a smile to her. "Are you Jjoing to sing?" he said softly; cud Hugh Glynn's eager eyes caught her tender little glai.ce and s;iiile. " V0.1," she said shyly ; and, as he gave her the muiic. stool, his band touched hers geutly for a moment. " Whtt shall I sing?" asked Shirley, bending over the piano. " The new song you were practising this morning," said Uuby Capel gayly. " It is lirelight, you know, and your back is turned to us, so that no one will see your blushes." " Yes, that song of Hlumenthkl's which Oswald sent you," said Alice. ohirley hesitated (or a moment, and then v/ith a swift sudden smile which no one could see, for her face was turued to the piano, she began to sing; and the words of iier song sunk into two hearts there with very nifferent effect. ' Khs lian nwt found hpr kinc as yet ; 'I'Ue K'tliluii da s. tlie Roldeti (iavB elide br : Thi-'y briui; tiu lirisf, nu ijriof she shuuld fun Nur an , causo to si^h. No IjuATtfurUttr devuUuD mad'). No lit^arb tlie paMiunaie Humuiora bring ; Uiitiariuuii tolio walks aud uti«tlraye<l ; hliu liajj uQt fuuud lj«r kiu^. Muti briiiR their titles aud their gold- Shu tufLS ill souro awav ; That mail iiiuiit bo of eirfreat mold Sho ivbear- bho will obey. Titlod by !,'ifc uf Uu<l is h», Anil rieli U a rarer thiiif; than wealth That unkiiuwii iiiau mui.t bo VVtioiu ulio will own bet kiog. Bnt when lie comos. as com« ho will, StrniMj o M'ipiort and Krand, With t^upiplicaliuu that shall till ll«^r boul liko a eooitnalKl, She'll I'lacti her hand in tn<i And tako whate er tli« world m\v bria(. Proud wud cout«ut, cuiitvuie<l fur ma sake Whuii. bbo hath maJo ber king." The rich contralto voice, so beautifully soft and sweet, and so highly cultivated, died dreamily away ; and Shirley rose from tho piano. "Thank you, my darling!" Major Ktuart whiapere«l softly ; and their eyes met for a uioiiieut, hers so sweet and fond, his so proud and tender; then Shirley moved over to the fire. At tho same moment the dressing-bell sounded, and tho girls started up. " 1 am afraid she was just a little bit of a prig," Uuby said laughingly. " Bat it is a very pretty soug, Khirley." "Judging by the words, it would be ad- visable not to And a kiug at all," remarked .-^ir Hugh carelessly, "since before he came ^he had â-  Ni' grief Mho Bliould (ur^et, Korauycau^e to t-igh." " "Treason to your sei, Kir Uughf" â- laid Alice gayly, " Come along, ^irls ; aiainina likts us to be iu time, you Isnow." The girls trooped off, laughing and chat- ting as they went, their quick light steps ^oulJding clearly over the oaken floor. Mr. ltiv«rs soon followed, aud the two friends were left alone. I'or a moment they etood in silence, looking down at the red glow of tho tire ; then Kir Hugh took up tho fur>triinuuHl coat ho had put aside, and, humming softly as ho want, moved away. At the door Guy's voice arrested him. "Wail one minute, old fallow -I have something to tell jou." Sir Hugh paused; for a moment ho put hid hand on tho oaken frame of the door as if he neode<l its support, then he turned quickly and made a few stef s in the room. " What is it .' " he asked quietly. " I wanteil to tell youâ€" What is tho matter, Hugh" Are you ill.'" said Guy hastily. "Ill/ No, of course not. What is it, Ktuart ? 1 have a letter to write iK'fore dinner." " Do you remember my telling you that wo might meet our fates at Kairholmo Court?" Guy -<aid, with a smile. " 1 don't know about )on, Hugh, but I have met mine." "Canghtl' forced laugh C'apelV" " No, of looking surprised Hugh?" " I fancitnl you admired her more than Miss Montolieu," Sir Hugh answered, carelessly. " Hut, if it is Miss Monto- lieu, I congratulate you sincerely, for bile's a pretty girl and an heiress to boot." " It is not Mit^a Mont<ilien," sail Major Ktuart, somewhat gravely. " It is Shirley Hobs." "Khirloy Uoss!" Sir Hugh exclaimed in an acciuit of inteubo surprise that struck (iuy almost painfully. " Yen," he said, simply. " You soom very much surprisHsl, Hugh. ' "lam very much surprisod," returned .Sir Hugh, ijravoly ; and there was a Bhort sileiic'e, " Why are vou so aatonisheil, Ilugb?" Major Ktuart asked then. "IknowtJiatI am unworthy, but " " My dear Guy, it is nat that. I fanciovl but 1 was wrong of courseâ€" that Misj Uoss. with her great beauty, would look out for a rich man. but â€" " " Hut she has oonsonted to take a poor one, you Ke<>," hnished Guy, smiling. " Vou may safelv congratulate me, Hugh." " I will wisli you all happiness, old fel- low," Kir Hugh said, cordially ; but being onoumberoil with hia heavy coat, perhaps ' is it too late ? Do you care for that inau'. exclaimed .Sir Hugh, \ ' Who i< it, Guy ? 'ilh I Misf c^our8e not," said Guy, "Why, do you guess her. head ; and never in all ber life, Shirley thought, would she forget (hat loving clasp, that tender kiss ! She waa so happy that she could have gang oat loud in her joy and gliduesd, aud have danced for very glee. As she stood before the mirror, changing her dress and arranging ber hair with eager unsteady little hands, she leaned suddenly forward and scrutinized her own face with new earnestness, and then drew back, flash- ing a little, and smiling shyly at her own thoi3ght. Yes, she was pretty, very pretty. She had always known that she was good- looking, but it had never been a source of much joy to her before; now, however, she was glad. It delighted her to think that Guy's relatives, at least the old grand uncle, the only one whom he had kept up any intimacy with, and who loved him so tenderly, could not cavil at his choice. And then she made her little prepara- tions quickly aud eagerly. She put aside the usual evening dress of black grenadine, and took out one which she had had in the old happy days when ber father and mother lived â€" a soft dainty Indian muslin quaintly and prettily made, with a good deal of soft laoe about it. Both lace and muslin were yellowed bytime; but they were none the worse (or that, Shirley knew â€" they seemed all the softer, and more harmonious ; and the dress bad never been a U mmlf, for it had beeu made after a ijuaint old.fashioued style of her father's choosing, so that it was not antiquated, even now. And when she had gathered up the pretty chestnut hair, and coiled it daintily round ber head ; she donned the pretty robe, and then stood shyly looking at herself, pleased ut her beauty, but wondering if Guy would think her foolish, and half hesitating whether she would not remove the Indian muslin and wear the black grenadine. Aunt Gcraldine would wonJer, she said to herself, and Alice would sneer; but what did ttiat matter so long as Guy was satis- tied aud she could read approval in hia dark eyes? Nothing matter»l but that, she thought, smiling a little as she turned a ^ay from the glass, and left the room rather hastily, although she knew that it was early, and that she should tind no one iu the drawing-room for (ally half-an- hour yet. As she passed down the long corridor she was quite unconscious of a pair of passion- ate resentful eyes, which were watching her eagerly with almost fierce tenderness, aud she was too mach absorbed in her own happy thoughts to heed the footsteps that followed her down the carpeted stairs ; and, wlula she lingered in the conservatory to got a llower, the footsteps passed her, and went on. Then, when she came into the drawing room, smiling softly as she fastened the tlowers into the old yellow lace at her throat, she saw a tall slight figure leaning against the mantel-piece, his head resting wearily u[>on his hand. Her heart leaped up in gladness. It was Guy, she thought, and they would have half.au-hour'a chat all by themselves before the others came down; but Sir Hugh Glynn, as ha turned to meet her saw all the pleasure die out of her beautiful ha/el eyes. " It is not Guy," he said with a bitterness which Shirley could not but hear; and tho color flickered in ber cheek for a moment, then faded. She wont forward slowly and gr vely. .'-iir Hugh's words and tone did not please her; yet was ha not Guy's friend, and did ho not love and trust him, and were not Guy's friends her-i from henceforward V As she drew nearer to the baronet, she saw by the light of the wax candles on tho mantel pitco that he was htraugely pale and that his band was unsteady. '• Is anything the matter? ' she said hastily. "Sir Hugh, are you ill? Can I get you anything .' " He turned from her with a sadden ges- ture of pain, and bowed his head upon his hands for a uiomeiit in silence, .-khirley stooil silently also, trembling now with a sudden dread and terror. What had hapiHiiied ? WasCiuy ill; .she had seen him a few momenta beforeâ€" not quite half- an hour- hut something might have hap- jiened between then and now. " What is it ?" she said, almost faintly in her terror. " Guy is anythingâ€"" " No," ho answered, lifting hia head and speaking in the same bitter mournful tone. " there is nothing the matter with Guy. and of course you have no thought for any one else." She looked at him iu surprise, her ejts questioning and astonisheil, her cheek Hushing with a little indignation. " No," he went on, " there is nothine wrong with Guy. You may set your heart at rest for, since all is well with him. yon niH'd not heed what other heart is broken.' • I do not understand, ' Shirley faltered nervously. " And yet it is a very simple matter," he said, in a Kiw tone. " What may bring tho greatest joy to one man may bring the most intense sorrow to another. Guy has been telling me," he went ou, lifting his head and looking at her with mouruful, passionate (>ye3, " of tho happiness which you have conferred upon him ; but I won- der if you thought that while you made him so happy yon wero breaking my heart." Shirley started, looking up to him with w;de, frighteneil eyes and colorless cheeks. • Vou did not know," h^ said gentlyâ€" " at least I think you did not -and I did uot think, or, fc 1 that I was, I would not have let him str. 1 my darling from me. Shirley." ho wont on passionately, " from the first mome-.t that 1 saw you I ha\e loved you with my whole heart. Darliii; I have had aay Guy is a poor man. spoken first, should chance? I am rich, andâ€"" "I lo^e Guy," the girl said simply and gravely ; and the gleam of hope which ha4 sprang op in Sir Hugh Ol>nn's heart faded as he beard the brave simple words and saw the steadfast look io the iii i iwl eyes. "Lucky felloa-I ' he said, trying to speak Ughtly, bat failing ntterly iu bis bitleroeaa and resentment. "Well, he deserves his good fortune, if any man ever did. I caa give him no higher praise, Miaa ItOM, than that I think him wurlfay even eC you." There was a brief silence, and whoa Sir Hugh spoke again he succeeded in forcing something like uordiality into his oice . " Will you try to forget my madaeas. Miss Hoss ?" he said gently. " I could D«( help those words, yet I would give half my wealth to have them unsaid ajjaia. ¥•â-  trust me enough, do you uot, to know tkak I will conquei what is unworthy of Gay's friend? I wdl uot offend you again. K you wish it, I will go away andâ€" and â€" sea you no more." At that moment, if she had told him t* go, ho would have obeyed her, and the misery and wretchedness that grew oat et his love for her would have been prevented. For a few seconds her fate lay iu her owa hands, and she could have decided it. Bnk she did not know it, aud she let the chance slip by. Go away. Why should he go? He was Guy's friend, aud he, Gu>, would be sorry if he left. Surely he would bo able to cooqaar his weaknessâ€" a weakness for which Shirlef grieved too truly to (eel d.ttered by it, b«« which surprised even as much as it pained her. 8he had thought th»t Kir Huyh cared for Aiice. Poor .Alice, perliapu she loved him, and by ami by he would give her hia love, and they would all be happy totiether. .\9 she hesitated, these thoughts dashed like lightning through her brain, and her good angel Qed, and ber mother's fate was upon her. She put out her hand to him with a frank gesture of trust. Do not go," she said geutly. "I d» trust you. I know you will be true to yoar- If and to (iuy " " Thank you," he returned gravely. "I will try to bo worthy of your trusteed friendship. And. as 1 am bis friend, T Uoss, will you believe that I am yours â€"yours most sincerely and faitbfully- that, if ever I can serve you, )ou may com- mand me for Guy's sake," he added softly, "as well as for >our own ? Will you belie»» this, and make use of me i( there should tM any need ? ' Thank you," ."Shirley answered, coloring a little as he stooped and put his lips toher hand , and at the same momeB( Guy Stuart came iu looking handsome and distinguished iu bis quiet eveniag- dress. He started slightly as he caught si^ht ef the two at the tire ; then he came (orwaM .ilowly, while Shirley tlushed and paled alternately, for she could not conquer the agitation which her iuterview wiih Sir Hugh had occasioned. " I have been asking Miss Uoss to acoepe ho did not 8e<> Major Stuart's outstretched hand. " 1 always think that eougratula- tionn should bo kept until one seco how tho marriage turns out. I will keep mine till then." He then walked away, boginning to hum softly before ho had traversed half a-dozon yards; and Guy followoil, fooling houio- what disappointed and chilled for all his liap|iiiicHs. CHAl'TKK VII. Shirley Uoss went up to dress for dinner, feeling wildly, almost deliriously happy. What Htrange, new, wonderful, beautiful thing was thi^ that had come into her life? Giiy loved her; and in one moment all tho earth had boon changed and gloritlod. She could never more bo sorry or sad or doso- lato. Guy laved hor. Ho had taken her into bin strong arms aud whispered it into hor oars, and had put his lips to her (oro- Ue cannot love you as I lovo youâ€" he ci 11 notâ€"" " At least he is too true and noble to do what you are doing. Sir Hugh," she inter- rupted, maatoring her emotion by n strong effort and apeaking proudly and disdain" fully. " Ho would not botray his friend ! ' " Ah I" broke from him like a sharp ex- clamation of pain and ho grew pale to his ' lu.'r'f^m Vt haddied lips as ho drew back a little. " Forgive me," he said hoarsely then. " I was wrong. Forgive mo." Hut, as ho turned from hor, tho suffering on his face struck Shirley with a sense of remorse for hor hasty wards, and she said quickly- - " I did not moan to hurt yon, but, oh. >ir Hugh, I cannot hoar to think that I should grieve you I I uovor thought that you would caro." "Wontd it have mado any difforenco to you?" he asked eagerly. " Shirley, if I had my liest wislu-s aud congratulations," Sir Hugh said easily. •• Our old friendship Guy, will satisfy her that it is not a mac* compliment." " 1 hope Shirley will find that yo«r old friendship has not made you partial,** Guy responded, smiling ; •â-  and, when yow come to us for our congratulatiooe and gooil wishes, you will be as sure o( their sincerity as I am of voora. Hugh." At this time their hands met (rankly in close presisure, although Guy remembered afterward how cold and death -like wore the lingers that claspeii his. Shirley's engagement to Major Stuart was receivi>d by Sir Gilbert and Lady Fairholme with quiet pleasure and satia- faction. Her lad)8liip was sinceri'ly glad that such a dangerous rival should be re- moved from her daughter's path, for she had not been able to deceive herself as t* the .impression which Shirley's beauty made. Not only was she more lH<autifsl than .Mice, but she |>ossessed that (ar rarer gift than beauty, rarer aad more attractiveâ€" that of fascinatiem. Had she been a plain woman, Shirley would have possesses! a charm and singular iwwer of attraction ; and, even in tho bitter days to come, when her beauty faded under the heavy overshadowing clouds, that charm wa» always felt mora or less by aU. with whom .she came in cvuitact. To .\hce herself her cousin's engagetneDt gave almost unmixed satisfaction, the only dsawback to hir pleasure being that Shirley, although two years her junior, wae likely to be married first. But this was such a slight caus»' for annoyanee, and the reasons for being satisfied" wero so very many tlial Alice was vers warm in her congratulations, and so kind that Shirley felt quite grateful. Shirley was now safely disposed cf, and her beautv could no longer interfere with Alice's own triumphs. Thai Sir Hugh (ilynn had been much struck by her cousin's loveliness Alice had bet>n far too quick-sightcii not to perceive, but new, of course, such admiration could have na reeults, and could not |K>ssibly interfere with her own plans for the subjugation of the eligible baronet. Oswald wroto a charming littUnoteef dmgratulation to his cousin, telling her that ho had met some brother ofticore et Major Stuart s who had amply endorsei the good opinion which Oswald had formed of that gentleman, surf .Tack scuta few warm lines which, tender and glad as they were, made Shirley's eyes till with tears, for which sue could not account. .Vltogether for once the course of tmo lo\ seeme<l to be running very smoothly, and Shirley's cup of gladness seemed to M brimming over. And yetâ€" aud yat- Poor Shirley I The shadow of her jiother's fata was hovering over her and almost ready tn fall, and the words which might havosared way on her mother's lips, as she lay in tho light of thegray Octe- ber dawn, drifting away from life inl* eternity. (To IwooQtlaaed.) Correct. Teaoherâ€" Correct the aentenoe, " Tho liquor whi.-h the man bought was drank." Smart Boy The man who bought the liquor was drunk.â€" //an'ard (.ompeoii. I â€" All men are not homeless, but men are homo loss than others. waa* i: \ \