HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3201, 29 May 1909, Page 2

HER SILENCE JUSTIFIED.

CHAPTER XlV.—Continued. f Laurence Haydon shrugged his shoulders and looked to his friend for sympathy, but received none. Wilfrid could comprehend what it must cost him to introduce this uncultivated young creature to Lady Marcia Lillington and Ambra Neville; but he could not realise the utter want of natural affection that made him so merciless to the poor child, so oblivious of the fact that he was answerable tor all her shortcomings. "Be more forbearing," he pl-.aded, in French. "Teach her to luve you; depend upon it that she has a noble nature, and will repay you for your trouble by and by." But he was heard with impatience. "You cannot know how repugnant the task is you propose so glibly! You bid me tame a tigress, and seem to think I ought to find pleasure in it/ I should very much prefer to hand her over to you." "I wish it were possibie; I would at least remember that she is motherless." With this reminder a sharper one than Wilfred Stuart was in the habit of making, all conversation ceased till they had dismissed'their rude vehicle and the stolid boy, who had driven them to Lyndhurst road, and train had carried them thence to the always busy, cheerful' town of Southampton. A little ahead of his companion —for Mr Stuart kept close to the young girl, while her father's fastidious nature received fresh shocks every time his eyes fell upon her — Laurence strode along the main street till he found a suitable shop. Signing to Lois to enter, he bade her to purchase a neat hat, ulster, and a dress that would do for present wear. "Pay for your purchases with this note," and he gave her one for ten pounds, "and be quick. You will findjUs waiting for yoa somewhere . near, and you can change your clothes in the ladies' room at the station." "Will they take paper money?" queried Lois dubiously; but, reassured on this point, and her movements quickened by an impatient exclamation, she entered the shop. P-ut it was only to return immediately, holding up the note and inquiring if it was really hs good as trie golden sovereigns, and how much she was to give for her new things.- • "As if I coud tell the cost of feminine gear! Buy only what is absolutely necessary; .Lady Marcia will do the rest,'l have no doubt. £S , soon as I gee you to town. Cannoc j you understand that I want you to ! make these purchases so that you may not disgrace ine in the sight of the general's servants?" Lois pouted and turned over the bank-note irresolutely. To buv new clothes for herself, and cast adside the coarse, lllmade garments with which granny had grudgingly provided her,would be a delightful task ; but she rebelled too strongly against the tone in which she was addressed to enter upon it without a protest. "It's mighty pleasant to be told that lam a disgrace. What have I done,.to;deserve it? You wouldn't let | me wear my Sunday dress." "Don't chatter, nut make haste!" she was adjured. "Is it my fault if I am not as fine as the folks about us?" she persisted in querying. "If you like to see me tidy, why have you. never come near nor stnt me nothing all these years?" "Have I not explained that I had good reason to believe you died in your infancy? For mercy's sake don't stand arguing, till ybu draw a crowdjabout us. Do as you are bid, or we shall not catch the last train." As this was seconded by an entreating whisper from Mr Stuart, Lois consented to re-enter the shop, where she found so much to attract her that her father, who paced the pavement, with his eyes fixed on the clock of a church not far off, was obliged to relinquish his intention of dining at,a favourite hotel. Fortunately for his ' fast-waning patience, a sporting acquaintance, last seen at Zanzibar, looued in view, and had to be greeted with as much cordiality as if he were not being mentally consigned to a warrrer place than Africa for turning up at an unlucky moment. He had to be shaken off, and still Lois did not appear. Even Wilfred Stuart consulted his watch anxiously, and the wrathful Lawrence was striding towards the shop when his newly found daughter emerged from it, her face crimson with excitement, and huge brown paper parce tightly clutched in her giovsiess hands. CHAPTER XVI. \ IN HER GRANDFATHER'S HOME. a . Lois had experienced for the first time in her brief existence one of the greatest pleasures the feminine heart can enjoy—the gratification of shopping. The politeness with which a couple of well-dressed girls hastened to wait upon her was in pleasant contrast with that frowning disdain of her dowdiness and ignorance her father made no attempt to disguise; and she was enchanted at the smiling readiness with which an admirable display of articles for which she timidly inquired were set bnfore her. j If these damsels were entertained

• BY HENRIETTA B. EUTHYEN. w Author of " His Second Love," " Corydon s Infatuation, " Daring Doia," " An Unlucky Legacy," / Etc., Etc.

by the simplicity of their costumes, they did not a llow her to detect it, but permitted her to turn over their pretty things, till a glimDer of Mr Stuart at the window made her start and remember her father's parting injunction. But ere she went she was led to a looking glass, and cried out in glee ful surprise at the changed figure it presented to her view. Not till then did she comprehend how great a transformation in the homeliest of her sex, as well as the. handsomest, well fitting and becoming attire can produce. Like most persons unaccustomed to buy for herself, she had found it so difficult to make her selection that, after trying on a dozen hats and thinking each prettier than the last, she was compelled to ask the obliging shopwoman to choose for her. Fortunately they had good taste, and speedily clothed her in a skirt and jacket of ruby cashmere, a dark, well made ulster, and a large and very becoming hat, around which a long ostrich feather was twined. Thus metamorphosed, she rejoined her father, so satisfied with herself that she had forgotten all her grievances. "You hardly know me, would you?" she demanded, in her exultation. "I declare I had to take two looks in the glass before I could be sure it was me. What would granny say to her girl now" "No more—no more!" You have been an unconscionable time. We shall but just catch the train. And where are your gloves—why have you not provided yourself with a" pair" "Oh, bother! 'tisn't Sunday!" she muttered peevishly. "Pray get a pair, Stuart, no matter what kind; you will soon overtake us. And what is this?" asked Laurence, pointing with disgust to the load she earned. "No lady carries parcels; it must be sent after you. But Lois insisted that she could not go without it. "I wasn't going to leave my old frock behind me; 'twasn't likely! It's very shabby, but it will do for mornin's." "Fling, it in the gutter!—do you hear me?" commanded the irate father. But Lois walked on as if she had suddenly become deaf. Nothing should induce her to abandon a gown endeared to her by frolics woodland and rambles on the shore; and yet more by the recollection when she first wore it and cried at its ugliness, Hai Dartford had consoled her with the assurance that he liked her better m her shapeless blue serge than the pretty daughter of the landlord of the Brown Bear in all her finery. Too sensitive to public opinion to wrangle in the street, Laurtnce gavo up the contest, but strride on at sui h a pace that Lois Had to run to keep up with him. She made a sort of apology for her obstinacy as well as her breathlessness permitted: flO BE CONTINUED.!