CHAPTER XLVI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 291, 18 August 1888, Page 4

CHAPTER XLVI.

MACUiIE HAS AN OKKEK. Lord Angus, declining to attend the Lisle, wood ball, mounted his roan mare and galloped across the downs to Doctor Renhe s\'s pictty cottage. Since fche afternoon w hen his fall had thrown him upon Mario's hospitality, he had been a constant visitor, and the old doctor, although he did nob fancy tho young peer, had tieated him civilly. lie found Maggie alone that evening, her father havintr been called out to consult with the practising uhy&ician of the neighbourhood on a critical case. She was sitting on a portico, under a canopy ot honeysuckle and rose-vine, with her truitai at her feet. Very charming she looked, in her delicate muslin, with her dainty laces, and shining bronze-brown hair ; and the young peer s eyes lit with delight as they lebted on her. 'So you re all alone, are you, Maggie? 1 he said, after the salutations uf the evening, seating himself on the steps near her feet, and tos-inghishat and jewelled ridingwhip on the grass. ' \Vheie's the doctoi ?' ' (Jone to Blatkwood Grange, to meet Doctor CUegoiy in consultation,' replied Mas^ie, mnning her white fingeis through her poodle's shaggy hair. ' Ho is ? L'm glad ot it,' replied tho younglord ; 'for I rode o\er to have a quiet talk with you. The folks ftom the Towers have all gone to the ball at Lislewood, but I prefeired coming to see you, Maggie !' ' Did you, my 'oid ?' leolied Maggie, serenely, with never a flush on her fair, pearl-like cheeks. ' Yes, I did ! And I may as well out with it at once,' he added, bluntly, moving a little hifle nearer to her fett. '1 love you, Maggie ; dr n't you know I do ?' ' Well, my lord,' answered Maggie, even moie coolly serene than befoie, ' to tell you thetiuth, I have never spent one thought on the subject.' ' Cool an ( i skittish !' uttered the young peer, under his breath. ' Well, I rather like that — a filly that takes to the bit at once is never worth much.' Then he continued aloud : ' Well, I want you to think of it, Maggie ; for I do love you better than any other woman alive. See here, what I've brought you !' He drew horn his pocket a heavy ring, studded with magnificent diamonds, and held it up to hei ; but Mtiggie did not lemove her white fingers from her poodle's cuily head. ' Won t you let me see if it will fit yon ?' he continued, making an clFort to obtain possession of her hand. She drew back with a quiet dignity. 1 Ko, my loid, 'tis useless ; I shall nevei wear it or accept it.' Her cool, quiet voice exasperated him, and his hob blood began to stir. ' On, nonsense !' he said. 'It is well enough to play shy at hrot, Maggie ; but 'tis time to diop that idle now. 1 lovo you, I tell you, and I am one of the richest men in England, and able to let you live like a queen. You shall have the richest dresses and costliest jewels in London, and the handsomest looms to li\ein, and servants to come at your beck and call, and I'll be with you day and night -what do you say, Maggie v ' 'Say to what, Loid Strathspey ?' The young man falteicd a little ; hifc eyes fell beneath her st'-ady gu/.u. 'Why,' he s.nd, at last, 'Im going to London in a week, and I'll arrange it all, and have your ap.utinent-b lit for a queen, if you'd come with me — u ill you, Maggie ?' iloaio^o, and put out his arm to clasp her ; but her ringing voice arrested him. ' Lord Stiathspey !' she cried, ris-ing also, and (onfionting him, her waxen cheeks flushing, her usually bright eyes in a blaze, 'dont'daic put your hand on me! You have insulted me in my father's hou-c — that is on ugh ! Leave mo now. sir !' lie v.a^ utterly confounded tor an instant. The idea that the would refuse his Ijvc, and the luxuries he could give hci, had never cnteied his dull biain. He thought to have her for the a&king, yet her passionate refusal did not seem to anger him. His leaden eyes flashed with renewed ardour. 'By Jov"e, you're worth tho winning, Maggie !' ho roplied at last. ' I like you tor your mettle. You shall be my wife — Ho you hear? — my true and lawJul wito ' J'li make you Lady Strathspey !' Her scornful laugh ansueivd him. 'It you were Earl of Strathspey this hour,' she replied, ' mid would make me jour wifo, I would relu&e you, sir !' ' I will not go,' he answered, stoutly, his temper beginning to rise. 'Do you think I'm going to be foiled in this way ? I've set my heart on having you, and havo you 1 will, by fair means or foul ! You'd better accept my offer peaceably, It is a fine offer for a girl like you, Will you be my wife ?' ' No, sir,'

' You &hall — I swear you shall !' he cried, half choking with passion, and seizing her hand, he strove to force the ring upon it. I3ub Maggie wrenched her hand away, ani sent the costly jewel flashing out into the summer moonlight. ' What's this ?' exclaimed the old doctor, coming unon them unobserved. ' Maggie, what does this mean ?' ' It means, father,' panted Maggie, her oyes still flashing lightning, ' that Lord Strathspey has insulted me, and. he now swears he will force me to be his wife.' The old doctor turned upon him fiercely. • Your wife !' he repeated, with indescribablo scorn. ' Who are you, to ask for any man's daughter. You are not a >>' rctl/ispey Your low, nameless blood tells in your face. Dare to trouble my daughter again, or intrude yourself here, and I'll wear this out on your cowardly shoulders.' The old man brandished his whip, and the young nobleman leireated before it step by stop ; but his face was something honible to look upon. 'Girl,' he hissed, his head protruding, his greenish eyes glittering, ' you shall be soiry for t.hip, and you shall be mine yet !' The docboi brought doivn his lash with a smart blow. ' (*o, sir,' he commanded, 'and don't >stai d there threatening my daughter !' And, stinginer with pain, the young lord vaulted into hiw saddle and galloped away. ' I'm afraid of him, papa— l'm afraid he'll give us tiouble,' whispered Maggie, looking after him in the summer moonlight (To be Conlivvcd. )