LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1032, 16 October 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

CROSS PURPOSES. Ik Two Chapters—Chapter I. (Continued.) ' Well—• if you really thought I meant it' - what would you do then ? But no !' she cries hastily, seeing she has gone rather far, and unwilling to bring matters to a climax—'do not tell me ; I do not wish to know My ignorance in this case no doubt is bliss ful; I prefer to remain in it. And now to change the subject Who is MrsLeyton? and what do you know about her? lam ali curiosity where she is concerned.' ' Do you like her ? asks Blake, merely as a precautionary measure. 'I can't say Ido exact y,' replies the Irish girl candidy. ' Now tell me where you first met her.' 'ln India. Her husband was alive when I first became acquainted with her He lived tremendous hard ; but he was devoted to her, with ut doubt, and she to him; and she took his death awfully badly. Never saw a woman so cut up by anything before ; they generally take it pretty sensibly after the first shock, but she didn't; and went to a skeleton in less than three month*.' 1 is not very thin now.' ' No. I suppose one can't keep on pinin for ever, and in course of time good food wtji cover one's bones. But she felt it no end for months, and was altogether down in hei luck. You see he got rather a horrible death, as his horse first threw him, and then almost trampled him beyond recognition.' ' How dr. adful!' murmurs Miss Mordaunt. with a little shiver; and wonders how Zvlrt-: Leyton could ever have smiled afterwards. * Yes; wasn't it ? She took it so much to heart, that for years afterwards she could not bear the sight of a horse, though ehe had the best seat in tbe regiment—amongst the women, I mean - and could not be induced to take a ride. Before leaving India, she sold, or gave away, every one of her hoses.' Here Cissy becomes intensely interested. ' To whom did she give ihem ?' she asks in differently.

' I hardly know ; T was up-country at the time, but her most intimate friends, I supsup se.—By-the-bye. Halkett was an im mense crony of hers.' 'lndeed?'

' Never out of the house,' says the maj< r, thinking it a good opportunity to improve his own chances, though really only giving v oice to what had been the common report >n that part of ludia where the catastrophe had occurrred ' After Tom Leyton's death, he would have married her like a shot; but she would not hear of it. She is a very handsome woman, you know, and tremendous'y admired by some fellows, though for my part I don't altogether see it' 1 Don't you ? I thi k her wonderfully pretty. Perhaps ehe will relent, and marry him now; who knows? Certainly his constancy deserves some reward Was it Mrs Leyton gave him the mare ?' ' Don't know, I'm surf. But think it very likely, now you mention it, as he seta such uncommon store by her. How very well Mrs Leyton is looking just now,' pays the major, adjusting his eyeglass with much care, and glancing significantly at the other end of the room, where sits the widow in earnest conversation with Frank Halkett. Cissy follows the direction of his gaze, but, conscious of his scrutiny, takes care that not one muscle of her face betrays what she is really feeling. Yes. very well, very handsome looks Mrs Leyton, as leaning gracefully back in her chair, with one hand toying with the rings that cover her ringers, she listens to Captain Halkett's conversation. Now and then she raises large dreamy eyes—half mirthful, half sympathetic -to his face, but scarcely interrupts him. He is talking with much earnestness—is apparently engrossed by his subject, and takes no heed of what is going on around him. Presently he ceases, and evidently seeks an answer from his beautiful companion. She gives him one of her upward glances—all sympathy this time and says a tew words ; but they are without doubt the right orjes, a« lialkett's face brightens, and a smile overspreads it that makes it positively handsome. At the moment he raises her hand, and binding over it, seems to examine her rings curiously. To Cissy the action almost speaks a betrothal, and renders her half indignant, wholly miserable. Nevertleless, turning to Major Blake, she says with a bright brave smile : ' I think my idea was right, and even now he has received his reward.' ' Looks uncommon like it,' says the major with a sigh of relief. Chapter 11. Had Cissy only known it, there was very little in Frank Halkett's words to cause her any uneasiness. On his entering the drawing room, seeing his place by Cissy's side forestalled by 'he major, whose person inttrcepted the beaming smile of welcome she bestowed upon him, he had turned away and thrown himself into the low chair that stood by Mrs Leyton's cosy lounge. ' So you have taken refuge with me,' says that lady with a quiet smile. ' Refuge !' repeats Halkett with an innocently puzzled air. ' No, I have only taken a seat.' ' What's the matter with you, Frank ?' ' Nothing. Why? Ho I look dyspeptic ?' ' You don't look pleasant, certainly, if that has anything to do with it Come ; I am a witch," you know,' says Mrs Leyton, 'and so can tell all your secrets And just to prove my power, J will t>dl you something now you are sulky this evening.' ' leaning I am stupid, I suppose, says Halkett; 'but it don'iake much witchery 10 discover that. I have an awful headache.' ' Oh, but I have not half done yet,' exclaims Mrs Leyton. * -hall I go on? I could tell something very important but that I am afraid of y ur heavy displeasure. Will you promise not to be angry V ' Angry with you ? Was I ever that ?' asks Halkett tenderly. 'I give you full liberty to say anything on earth you like to me ' ' Do you mean that ?' * Certainly I mean it.' 'Very good then,' says the widow with lazy triumph; ' I will continue my sorceries; and tirs'—you are in love.' ' " In love !'' ' reiterates Halkett, forcing himself heroically to meet her laughing eyes, and reddening very much in the attempt. ' No, no; your witchcraft has played you false this time.' 'lt has not. I persist in my declaration v ou are in love - hopelessly, irretrievably, desperately in love.' ' Well, perhaps I am, says Frank, with tranquil resignation. 'ls that Btrange? < ould one be with you, Frances, for so loDg a time, and not'

'ln onsense ! interrupts Mrs Leyton, 'Do not trouble yourself to complete that sentence. We are too much old friends for that, I take it. And now, Frank, be a good '■™y ; emulate your name, tell me all about it.' ' I really don't know that there is anything much to tell,' says Halkett, smiling. 1 But what there is you shall hear- I admire a certain young lady more than is good for me; 1 fancy, until today she returns my regard. I discover a couple of hours ago chat my vanity has misled me. I pee her happy in the arms—no, in the society of •■mother—l find myself nowhere, hence my dyspepsia, distraction, and despair. Don t iook to sympathetic, Frances; probably I shall get over it.' Though he says this wibh a laughing face, VTrs Leyton's dark eytß en see for themselves he is tremendously ha'd hit. ' And what is her name ?' she asks, •weetly. ■ O Prances ! You laying claim to be a and must even ask that question ! I ecline to answer it. Your fairy lore should nabie you to find out that much for yourelf.' (To he (tontinued.')