Lady Betty

"I doji't sce whiat i.s to lw done; Siiíteed 1 don't," sakl Bessie, surveyiag tire wrecks of aur united va nimbes. ''Bverythimg lias been tttrn1 and returned, and fe too shabby Sor furtlrer mainii.pulatton. We musí teil Hugrh kt must be gjbveb up.-" Lady Betty looked reliieved, but the rost oí us, tvIvo were of a niuiulan' turn of miiiwl, saw wa.t she tlkl not - ttot to gjve iip tliis point was to put off tJie day oí better thiingB lodelfaiittelj'. 0 We were ío!ur sisters, dcpendent for daily breal tm Hujgto', onr best of brothers. Jïossie was our eldest, and Laly Betty carne next to nie. I am taie ugly ducklimlg of the family, all oyes and ears. and I lovo my Betty as ttioiiph I were lier d!oe. We alwaya cali Lady Betty, because she is M datorty in her ways. She can't tKmJi oí oammon tiitoge; herthoughte Oyawáy to all káinls oí lovely areame; TfMle, :; the rest of us are like me, they tliiuik often of what is t'or dmaier, and whether, in íact, there will be eiuouííb for more than oue dinner cu the joint; and they would like mew clothes aml everythitag oí the best. Iady Betty dovs not Beem to know or tare. Hug-li te ehoii-master and organist at tli-e fa.thediral anld he wants to g-et pupias, but he te very shy; Jiaps he fe prorol. l'eople uon t caí e to patroniize Iviim, and inferior teaihers make a good llvtaig whlfci lie stands haTighti.ly atoo!. And. now, uiien this great chaaice is come to Mm, just for want of a Kuítable dress art must be set aaiïOe. rr om of t'h rreasons tlvat our Betty is so d'JffereDt from me is beeanse Btoe Has the Reñíais i sooig, and Hugte-.ba-s trained her to jng exquisitelj'. The,squire of til parittU is a Bt range man. I wish yon Kpoctally to note ibis. He lives In i Mg, gloomy mansión, aU alone wilth hte family ghostg amd portraits. But it is gaid fhat he mea.ua to turn over a new K-af and luas eemt for Major St. John, a far-away nepliew, and intends to make hftm h'js heir, aatd is soing to gitve a criiea of eatertainments to tl county {amUies of the neighborUooá. He has sent a request to HoigW to get up a concert for Christmas Eve, and, of course, if Lady Betty Btage iit is bouaíd tabea Buccesg; and perlnaps Hiifih wUl get more work; and then ome af ue could think of otiwr thftiRS besUles the grinding dull lives of iroakinis mudh out of nothing; lyutwe could never be like Betty. It was hard to teil Hugh, but Bessje mffljKaged it twry well. He was ■more nJ&Mppoilataa 'tluui we expected, amd liooked keenly at Betty, wlio was standing ta tlie sunlight trilling to the camary, warblEnig Jut liike a bisrd. "Giirls," lie saikl, "let her go in that eottom, gown. Xo one wiill care uiiat she has on when once slie begims to eing." Just the I liad au Ufleá; and l'm afraiü I trod om Huglte toes in my hurry. There ivas ome bcautilul jrown in oiir pOHBessJan, tliough, perliaps, it was at least 150 yetwp oíd, ií it was ai minute. "Bessie,1" I efcirtetoed, The greatgrajidmother's wedding diess I" It was ain üispiration. Xo one replied. Huyh tooked a iif he thought we wre all goiug maid, but our k:dïy Bess sai'd, in lier genial way, "lt'B all right, Hugh; Lady Betty nliall go." He went away vather bewildered, and began to make out liis concert programme, and we tliree leLt our clever os togetker and ran up to ittie garret. Tlie gowui was tlie only ptece of property in our posscssion. It had ibeein my motiu.'.r', but how it came -üo her we did not kuöw, lor our paa-nt would ntJi teil us anything of ancestry. All w kuew was that tliat our fatlur had leeiii a public tónger, tliat lie had ;i fime teuor voice, which faiiled him whn he was still yotwig, and that lie di'ed heartbroken. All we knew of our mother was tJiat slw; looked just like Betty, and liadiaded out of life wheni my father's lo"e inio longer shielded lier froni pain. We valwed the old gowrn lor lir sake, uad beoanis; it seeined to teil us that oup forbears liad beem geatlef olk, wlio, perliaps luid teaown freedom trom mnall ecoauomiieí! aiKl cabres. We Bat om the floor of the garret with the di-etüs and it acconipaniluemts of soft lace spread out among us. Bessie pronouuced judginent on each pan-t, as she looked at it between the slaat uu1 lights. "The hoes are too big, but they are very pretty- red and gold. Dot, here, ïa.n stuff the toe with tissue paper. This blue quiUinl skin needa daraiing. I w.iil sec tio that. The ruby a.nd gold över-dre, hQWflyer, is perfect. Oh, dtear, the lace 'm all to pi'eoes, but we must mend it up ais best we can. Wi-ll, that's settled. Oome along, girls, and let u-; set to work. te io i o lose." ■Vhen we gut dov.n st.-iii-s wc fotmd at lor once jur i!c;ty liad laken an ■ .'sUiiuate turn. Go In thr park witlibut her dar old Dat un.vM'lO shc would molt. She could not sing ií I were not thiere. That is Imw it was I tluought oif writjng the sfcory. I v. as ini it ivum first to last, and ful.uid ai llctty's lve-'ls lik a íaithiul sliiailuw. Tlie grand rvonin.i; arrived, and we jxll tiOK.)k a Kliare in dxessiun' our litile lady; wc were very Mixious abOHt tive cíH-ci of the old gown, but we ,need not luive been, for surcly nothintr cou'.d biave lnok'd bo piretty as thte toheemy ruby and gold. ■Xinv. ]at. on witli your dreSB," Bessie, tumiBg bo me, Tier eyes shin;ii!4 with triuniph, as Lady Betty etood wStlh lier in hor hand waitüng for me. I wore Bessie's best bltick silk, especially done up for ütoe occasiaii. It was worn and sliabby, but no matter- it fïtt-ed vory woll. ml no one wonld look at me. Hug-h .km! aisked for a specÁj sittimg-room ior u.s. He was pi-oud, as I said beCore, and He dM not wil to mix with t'lre rest af the performers; nor with guiests, as we could not be on au equallty with them. It was foolieb prikte, uw doubt. I am at'raid I ddi ?w)t üke lïis caaíalnet. I wantod to eèe nnctlKiiu 0Í the woi-ld now I was lau.iivlii'd upon it, so aft er wc had arrived aind settled ilowu I looked impatiieiitly roumd tlffe room. Iady -Betty was absorbed in the flowe-rs. Tliere were soine. fine pots of het her oui the jard'.nk're; slie did wot ootlce me when I Blvpped the bolt of tlie glas door a.side and wandtered imto the oomeervatory. I heard voices in the distance, and, teeeptag woll behtod the lmge palme, I advam-od init.il I was wlthta a few va.rd-i OÍ tlie speaJcers. To my surprtee, I 8B.W Hugh, amd barrang liis way wa au old grentleman, po' striktogly liike him tliat he miglit have been hils doublé. "Fray, who are yoni, slir ?" tlmnred tuve old man. Hugh imtroduced livmself as well as he eould, and made kiiown lïiis mfesion. "Huirh Sinola-Jr !" The old ma.n's brow cleared at oioce - he made a eoirdiial apology. "ForgSve ïmv ohl miam s'ur. I tlKxught I recognized your fefee, and m stook you íor sonie on-e clise. I beg ö ttank you for the troubte jtw are takiing to help in the tsuccess oí the eveaimg." It was tïie squire. We liad not seen Ilion before, tor our coming to thiifs cathcdral towu was recent, and te selidom OP never camc to clvurch. "I very imieh approve of your programnie, sir," he èomtimued. '-'The Boiigs are English; I ha te jour Oertaan anl Frenen; the tehdency is a Ibad' ome, to put asiide our own fair itoDign aTwl our own sweet tunes. I paj-tknilarly liike these old friemds, 'Bid Me Discourse,' 'Where the Bee Bncks,' and eo on. But whom have you liere to stag them ?" Hugh explaiined that hiK Bister had a fiine voice. which he liad taken pains to1 cultívate. "But slie is or.ly a child," he said, tenderly. "About sevejiteem, e'h, Dot ?" The squiire tuitmed and looked at jne. aond tiie frown came back to hia brow. "Very strange," he mutteretl. "Her face ailso is quite familiar to me. AWi&t doe it meain ?" "Oli, I aan like araybody and everyIx)dy," I admitted, clumsily emough; "but wilien you see Betty, I am eure you will i-iiy you never saw any one lifce her to, your lüe betore." "Betty BlogB," Buggested Hugh, is the fxowjaáng Kquire looked suspkiously at ïny dark face. Then Hugli bowied and pafieed op, and the squiire riiiirliisi'il me as to out family in a vcry pcrtjiifiit or wnpertinent manner. But before I lMd gEven him mucta iiiformation, I heard Betty calling, adwl ram back through the conservatory witJi omíy time for a short farewell to the quire. "I've'seen the Squixe, and he's the very couaiterpart ol Hugh in everytliiing except age, only not so kind in ii-j.s maaner," I said, breathlessly. "I never saw sucli a likeneus." Hugh came rusliiing in at this inoment to (repriinand me icyr leaving t'he room. ■Let me teil you. Dot, you ought to be ushamed of yourself, I am ft.hMued of you!" he gaid. severely. ''Thi i-oom is specially Rivn np %o yon, aind you've no business to go wainderiing about." If üt had not been for Betty'8 kind look at tne I must hsive wept. "Do let Dot eujoy herself in her owji way, " she begged'. "The .squiw can't eut lier, at any rate." HurIi was very nervous about the coaicert, and I eould ee tha.t hi rock of streniftli was Betty. If she gpew nervouB, too, and failed, liis prosects would be worse than ever; ïor everybody of note for milos around was here to-night. His keen eye KearcHhiod her face. Betty looked up wiit'h lu-r sweot chil'd eyes, ten üreamy here wiltlfto hearing of the plash' of the foumtaitn, and wtth the Iwealth of flowers an which to feat her beomty-loving soul. "Are you- are you- well, Betty ?' Mtammered Hugli. He did not want t make her thiak be ieaxed she Avoiild le nervous. Betty lauhed. She was aiwaye well. Then Hugh went mto tdie next room, and I KillowTed wa near as I dared. Tlie door was do-w open hito the conservatory and peopk' paeeed and repaosed. "I d;id not kmofw St. John was n miislcaü ni-iin," said a passer-l)y. "Nm its hje. I niet hi.in om Uie liieitli an hour ago; h sa'Jd lic was gotag to Kluirk tlie first part ol the öomcert." "Buil I teil you ih.i! 1 saw him e moment ago in tiw gallery iV.rcctiliiir thie mHn wlirri' tu pul 1 1 1 - piano." "Tlwn he muet have returaed in a prodifeiouB liui-ry. Bu1 bme, let UB go hack and sec who i riigh.1 sibout it." Presemtly tlwy came p.ist the door egain. "He's Jugt blufflmg us," said one. "As iü' I (lmi't kimw my own eycs. I have not sai oppoaSbe st. John at mess Dor two .vcars winluout knowimg wlhat he's like. And he's the Image of tlie cild SqUiilpe hit o tin' l);iri;aiii." HitRh came lm so-on this, frownlog im his most distant menner. "Ther care 6moe liuiiatA's aere," In' gaiïü, ■■v)n declare thcy knwyw me. I had the greatest trouble to keep them Erom dTaggimg m ooft' to tlio billiardn ; aan! you l;now I never play' il ;i game ol pool in my Wie. One of tunan dolares I owe Irán his revettge. TJiey must mea.ii ft for a practical jotoe, but iit is very ill-tkned." He wemt off, and pireeently we hearil ■hito at the piará. He opened the concert wiltli a fi'n-e piece oí liif own composfttan. Some part .song-s followed, whiieh gave saitilsfaction; and then Hugh i-ajne hurriiedly íor Betty, a.nd told me 1 miRtot Bnd a hiding-plaee among tlie palme jai the conservatory, if I c'hose. As soon as they were gome, I glJöed among tire pahns. until I fouod a spot whencc I could watch Betty; tliíit wís vil I cared for. To my surprise, however, Hugh carne in at a door tuve other side of the eonservatory. . ■'Hugh, do you waart me V' 1 asked soítly. He íook üü jiotiiee whatever oí me, for eyes were fixed upcxn th; etage, in-re Betty was standing waiting for tlie atcompanist. As ble drew jilear, I iw it was not my poor, over-anxkms brotSuer, but a iutx-n. oí fashion and leiBure who knev what It ivas 1:0 be very much bored ín Ufe. But I íorgor about hiiu in a moment, ior Hugli took hi.s seai at thc piano, a.nd played a short prelude, to gilve ISeity lime to collect iwr tstreiisjUi in oa süe lelt very mea-vouci. And tiliien-e was my lavely Betty, stauwl.iig1 ün iir usual simple graceftt] way bes.d; Can, with her uiuuic rollt'l ap ia one hand, lor tshe ttever necdvd to, Jook at her notes, rnat was oiie ai the charuw oí lier sjaging- it fefemed bo ispontaneous. As slwí Btood waiitimg to begin, there was a tir tlw-oughout the audiwiu-e; people iimply tstared witii. wonder ixt tli.js delicate viwiwi., radieut with kwellinieSB. Betty's soit rings oí ooiriircolored hair curled all over lue.r head, her cheeks were rosy wLth lnealtli, aind I a-ead in eyes that Blw; isaw motli.iug of the brUUamt assemblage; her thouglits were lar a way int tlhe wng world, where, ishe declarad ,to me, Kilie could hear di:vkie kwig-drawn clliiords, and ft choir of sinters witli voices true as silver belli. "Oh, Betty," I eriied to myself, "wake up and do your best, my Betty;" and as though my thought compelled her glatnce, her eyes met mine and rtue woke. ,ïhe.n she sang; but whw Khall describe the clear bellmotes tJiat thrilk'd and rang through tlie rooiin '.' The audiemce became dtatracted, ajid wtoen the last sweet note d:ied away, tliiey applauded Betty to the echo and would not be satiwík-d. I ishiall never cease to see her standing there ín that rteh old gown of criinwun and gold and blue. She only wanted the trumpet to be Beraphic aa one of the F ra Angelico's angels, floatlng om bïllow,y elouds. Tlien Hugh played a slight prelude, and sJie isaiig her "biird song," trilling in the upper register Wltll the facility inaiiy a great tiimger urjgh.t have envied. Alter tliiti, people were c.razier thdii ever. and made such a noisp fluit 1 heard ;i growl In'side me. T5ie man ho like Hugli was standing ■white aaid stern, jut as Hugh was apt t look wtiea iaidigiiant. "l'O'o,r little gtrl, they will friKhten her," lie said, and moved swiitly a way to the comcert room. He spoke to somc olí the erazier ones iu a very deeided madiiner, and sMence ensued, and tlie next moment lie carne back to the co'iiservatory with our Betty iollowtag him, bathed in tears, some of Mi audience liad crowded round her and frightened the poor siily child. And no KOoner were tihey well out oí sig-ht of the room tham Betty eliuig to bsm with both anus, auxl laid her curly head agaimst his shoulder. S'he lvad Bever once looked up at hian. "Oh, Huli ■! Dear Hugh, have I not done enoiigih '? Must I go back and sins; to those dreadïul people a-gaiai? Please say I need not, Hugli. Indeed, you don't know how it hurts me, Hugh, through and through." By thiie tiiine I lvad taken my Betty from tihe stramger, and I dare say I looked horribly diwagreeable, but before I couïd speak be nwide a sign tlnat I should not teil Betty oí the mibtake s'lre had made, and he stood aside to let our owji Huglï come up. "Need 1 Bitag agaiui, Hugh ?" said Betty, amd the real Hugh, lookiing dow.n tenderly at her, said ftercely: "If I Wad kinown they would have behlaved like tlnat, my liittle Betty, you riluould never have entered these dooa-s. It is too bad of them, though fifley meaaii it íor kindiness. The truth te, your BiingLng lias taken them out of tluemselves. But you have sung enougb, aiiü shall go home ii you like. I ca-ii't come wirttk you, but, Dot, you caai take her home, can't you ?" "Allow me tlie p.riividege oí takuig care of tlliiese ladiies," said Hugh's doublé, steppiaig ïorward. "It is ouly iair, for thite concert in gi"en in my bomor. My unele - " . "Tluin j-i.u are Major tít. John ?" said Huirh. iiui'stiíMuiigly. "Yes; aiiud yo'U an-e Hugiv Simclai-, a Sime compioser and true musieian, I hcar. IN'ly on me to take the greati-aif ui your sonigb'ard hére." And wttlh thiis Hugh leït us, and we were led away luito a cool part oí öhe g-all-ery, clo.so to the flowers and iountains, and refreshments were brouglht to us. WIkhu BeaHië was less agitated she looked curimisly at ihe Major, who was 90 like, y'i so unlike, our Hugli. He, im lijs turn, seemedl intensely inIcn-.sted hu uk, or rather, I should say, in Bettie. "I want to know where you ïound thfc bcáu'tiiíul gowin," said he, as her ruiUy gown, open in front, feil back over tlie blue-quidted underskirt. "In tlhe garret," said Betty, simply. "It bel'oaiged lbo. my mottoer, and k-i our great graiidmotluer's wedding AreBB." "You do ciot know w)kU this ancient dame's uame might have been?" he suggjeeteö. "Xo, I don't know anytliiiig more about the gowa," said Betty. 'Ornee upan a tinne," eaid he, "I heard oí a merry yowng girl, who, tlfflin an oíd dress Vn a garret, precisely like this, diressed herself in it Tor a fa.ney ba'.l. and looked so lovely k sueli quaint attire that her dottog ratflier had her picture painted as atoe loolced that níght. WM1 you come wit'h me- I will show it to JXNl." We folio wed li fin across the corridor to a long gallery, and there, eure enough, my Betty, wfetü lier corn-colored curlfi, was siniliiiig at us from tdie walls, and the ruby, gold and blue setting was identieally the saine. ■■Vhnt !e the nieamíiig oí this mas3uM-ad't:ig ?" k;i iil an irrate voioe behúnd us. We turaed and siiv the Si]: ;■■■. Ivid with emotion; I thought anger. Betty looked at lrjm, and a smile ca.me !i:ito lier eyes oí' irresistible loveÍÍIU'SS. ■■Yon are just like Hugh," sá,Íd she eagerly. He did not reply. He Blmply stood and glaïed at her. "I llave airea dy solved the puzzle," saM the Major, very qútetly; "as," he ndded, more sl'owly. "no doubt you lia ve done also. You can not look at thíit youug man's face ■vvithont seeiaig what 'm patent to the last observant iin tl room- he is your living image. You ca-n not glano from the pk'tured lovlimess on thte -wall to the face below without seejng tiliat a lineal descendant staande tlnere. .,s to the dress- if furthter proof were needed " I'.ut as iie spofce the 8cuiire seemed to pouince upon our little Betty. In a moment liie luid her under tlie lights aed mis Iiokliing lier face, looking Bearolniinsfly inito her eyes. His own eyes glared bo fiercely t'lia.t I whould have screamed wiith terror; our gentle Betty, hiowever, trueted every one, or read tliem as a child would lo. S1ne looked iu tlie old man's face and emiiiled. "Oh," Bine saM again. "You are just liike Hugh. I iijever saw such a likeniesB." "Wlvat is your oiame '?" he eaid, in a kind of strangled voice, turning to mie. "Elizabetdi," I ga'.sped; "but we cali hier Lady Betty. Slie has out mtJw"r"s uame becaxise she is just l'ike hier." Na one spoke after this. The old mam breatSwd almost im soibs, and the Major ismed to me neüther to move oor speak. But I trembled tor Betty; shie was u.sed to eoínfortiniíi' us all, eveai Hugh i.n his darkest mooils; ah 'seeim'd to diivime needs, and s'hie could not bea.r to see any one suffer wütüiout giving her utmost consototiiom. To her simple, tru mimi only ome t'hing at ;i t'.ime presented itself. So now silve bent lier head, and laiid her check agaimst the hand tliat hiM her so fi'ercely. The touch was tlhe geinitle.st caress, and the next moment t'lie oïd man was lialding our Betty clone im hile arms, a rain of tears faldilng on lwr oït rings of 1-urls. Tlie Major liad drawn me away to tlie otlier end oif the gallery, and lvere we sat dotti, and stared at ome cuno-tSver. I feit very much imclined to cry myselï, 'aixd had a vshort struggle wlvich ended im an nndignil'ied choke. "Hugii toid me toi take her home," I said, a little erossly. "She ought iiot to stay any longer." Miú t.lie Major, lookhig straight at mie, sarM: "Ti;rtle gjirl. yxju ai'e at home. The picture om tliie wall Hs that of your motliler, dü-essed ï'or a famey ball in t'hie old ancestral gown. She made a ruanaway match witth a singer and your gra.nidfatllier's heart was broken at liter loss. She was as proud as he aaid wou-ld never make an eifort to L-onciJiate him. Sho even kept liim ïgaion'ant olí the fajet that she had any c-hildrem. Her husband, I Imagine, L'híuiged his name to Sinclair, since you' are called tlwLs, so all traces of them were lost. Failing ather heirs, I was to imlieri't tlie estáte here., but with' your Hugh, as you cali him, present, I am a nobody - only your very far-away eouslb, Major St. John, and yomr tery iaithful ïrreud. I shall retia-e very wfllingly, ïor with my own large cstates to manage, I did not wamt any more u.po my hands." Wilth tliese words he rose and we went back to tlite sou'a, wliere my Betty was siittiaig, riiglrt under the pictuiv of our inother. The old Squire was hangiiiig her, unable to keep hü teyes from constantly comparing the li'ving with tlie painted face. "Weil, sir," saild thie Major, cheerily, "you must not make invldious diKtinctioiDs; liere is another claimant on your affection; a good, tmie little soul, to whom I am sure youi will gi-e a corner oí your heart." "Oh, I am only Dot," I said hurriidly, iearing agaiii that scowl of dislille I hiad watched gather on his bix)v. I got out oí tsight, clumsily enougli, but the Major drew me lorward. "She b like father, you think? Dear unclle, now on CQiristmas Eve, with t lic -ciad tidings oif gi-eat joy' rtogtag in your ear.s, ought you not to iorgüve and iorget '?" The Major's eyes dwelt meauiaigly on O'U.r lovely Betty, and I know he nu-ant tlKvt a giift such as that ought tío i il 1 t he old Squjire's heart to overHowiing. 1 ivas so pleased that I suppose I smiied ivlicu my grandfather looked at me. "She has a look of her mother ■uilen ,slie amiles," Haid he, and he held out hits hand cordkilly. From that moment my grandfather and I have been t.he best of friends. But Betty amd I were leit alone im the gallery, white the Major and our ncivly-found grandfather ivalkcd arm-in-arm, up and down the corridor beyoïid. I heard -the Major's etrong, earne.st tortea agaiíi and again. "It must be, dear uncle, and at once." ■Th Squíire geemed nraeh grteved a.nd threw his anns alout the ywung maiii's rfioiilders. Yon ein,'t l&ave me the estáte now," a. id tli'e Major again; "Hugh has a far greater claim pcm it. But ttoere is one mofe precious jewei that nmv belongs to you whieh I must pato your oomsent to wln. I believe iia love at first sigttit, and íromi tlhe moment my eyes feil upn her I telt that I had niet my late." Aind the gtatiice Oí boith rosted on our Betty, whio had wauidered back to the further eóni oí the gafllery, standing drea.mUy amid the ftowew. What a l'ovely picture sote mde there, in her qiíaSnt, ri-li swvn, wltM the oïd lax:e over iier vlivti arma, and her yello-w curls agataet tím background of ])alms. is omJy a child a.s yet," saM tlite Sqmiire, jealously. A:nd t,lw .Majur lauglxed as tliey entcicd the galiery. "Ooime," lue said toi me. "We are lo niake a sensation." Hugh ivas playJug a fine p'eee wheu we eame Jato tule eoaicerv-rooin. Our graaid;'athnr, leadiins Betty, calmly a.scenidi'd Clw stage, the Major tollowel wWli me. Hug-h looked up -u-rathíully. He was very muclh displeased to see us hroug'lvt back to publáe view again. He madc one era-sluiíms discord and tunen rose h'ast.iily. 'Dot, I told you to go home," he salid severed-y. But ere I eould speak, the Squïire liad takeai hi;in by the irin and vas speiaking to liínn. Tlien lie drew tiim uimvilllaigly to tlie íiiont of thf tta.ü". and, im a few words, explained to, the assembled compaaiy that we wêre without doubt his grandc-hildren, restoretl to lrian womdrfully and unexpeetedly, aind tlnat ilf th!w were satfefacton-My proved, Hug-li would become ÜSb he'jr. Of eourse, we were Kurröunded ie a momeait, and I tihink thc ladies would have nothwed Iíetty had mot liuy gramdfatiiér stood bet ween her and the ínaiiy determined to Bieze aaikl kiisM her. Ilttle notice was taken oí me, wlnich, oí course, ?ave me tfane to see Avhat others were doing. The Major had IIuRh by the arm, and Huj1i:, haughty as usual, did nat niake hím-self half so agreeable as he min'ht have drin: but then, he was very mue'h lewildi'r'd a.t the suddem elia.nse i.n h:is poeitiom, and proud- I un su re, W he had iiot thought more o'f us tlvamof h.!.melf, he would never lúa ve tatoen a penny from the estáte. When th people moved away I heard ths M'aj;r say so.tly to Hugh: "Be t-ïo'0'd to tire oíd man, consto HiiK'h. He has liad mainy a lonely year wlt'h his broken. heart." 'The two mea took a long look into oiie anotlieir's eyes, and theu their [ía.nds met in a handclasp whieh proiniísed fri'íiiwMrip unto death. Hugh land our g-randíather took woiidei-fully to one anotlver, and the Major watetod their growioiR intercsi witli' keen delïght. But - well, I musí say it, toa1 everyone knows it is the t.rutlt- 'ítotliiJig and no one in the world wijl ever be to grandfather w'hat Lady Betty i. The Major had tliouglit of the others, too, amd preseintly he went away amd carne back wi.th' our two eldest, Bes&ie amd Lety. But wirat was said tlïea I do not know, for we were sent to bed, and slep-t i.n i large TKam, where, I am sure, a thousand giliowts might have wandered. For tihe Square would mot hear of our going away agamí tihsvt night, but milsisted upon oiur i-emaining, as if he feared türat if he tet us gohe might lose us agaiin íoii-ever. But when I said to Betty thiat tlie pla:e might te hlaiurbed, she oiily laughed and daneed alxut om the oíd oak f loor, ru.by dres ilashimg here and there aglow iui the fítful fíame, ■'.Uter all. we owe everything," ghe 4sa.!d, "to the great granidinotlier's weddimsa; dress."- The Axgosy. Ooiiiís-fcipat.iioin is caused by loss of the pe.rititaltk; action of the bowels. Hood's Pilis restore lis action and iinvis'orate tJie liver.