CHAPTER XXII.—CONTINUED.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2060, 19 September 1885, Page 5 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXII.— CONTINUED.

" What a little spitfire too are, Aihe— l did aot know that you had fo much spirit. Certainly, I am interested, dear. Gan I •ver do enough to atont to you for tha position hi which my reokles* folly hai plaoed yon?" " I do not complain," raid Ailia. '• fto ; yea arc too generous— but I feel It tor yon. By all meant, Ailit, if Job would like to go to fohool, go ; bat then yon are growing old — yon oaonot renfain there very long." '• I do not look old— l look young," ih« Mid. " Besides, Vivian, yon wjlUrtnrn— you will not always be ahsent ion trill not be gon« io many years, shall yon ? ° "I cannot tell, Affie. Another thing is, that even for yaarl after I retain thing! may go on Jut at they are— l cannot possibly •tell— l see no limit; fa fact, Ailie, I ne-no way ont of the difficulty : time may ihow aa one— l do not iee H. I repeat that I am •orry to my very heart that I tod you into suoh a falsa position.** " I am not sorry, and I never shall be," said Alice, suddenly. " The happiest moment of my life was the moment in which I first saw you." The remembrance of his kindness to her— of the one happy day which seemed so long since passed— of the passionate lore that filled her heart, all came over her again. She took bis hand in her own and kissed it. ' '• I am not sorry," she said, "and I never shall be." Then he roused himielf from nis gloomy thoughts This sweet, taring, gentle girl was worth a few kind words at least. He looked more interested. " You will do wisely, after all, Ailie, to go to eohool. I think, after all, the atmosphere will be more congenial to yon than this is." The words seemed to arouse her pride. She did not like to hear him speak disparagingly of her friends or her home. '■ I suppose," she said, qaickly, " that yon have been among such grand people lately that you do not oare for my people." •' Mf dear Ailie," he said, "that— pray pardon me— is a vulgar idea, and not expressed with your usual grace." j She tried to explain, but she could not ; she burst into a fit of passionate weeping. Lord Caredale sprang from his seat. " I did not expect a scene, Ailie," he said ; " you know that I have a great objection to , tears." -' I know yon are very ornel to me," laid Alice. - I cruel ! " he cried ; '■ cruel ! Why. lam doing all that I possibly can to please you and make yon happy. Ido not understand you, Ailie/ 1 She looked up at him. ' 'Lord Carsdale," she cried, 'have you ever heard of one asking for bread and receiving a stone ? " . 'I do not understand 'you, Ailie; you speak as though I had wronged you. I am doing all I can for you. What do you mean about bread and stone ? It was a most unfortunate affair for us, but reproaohes are quite useless." The answer died on her lips, for just it that moment the dancing-master and his wife entered the room.