THE OPENED SHUTTERS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10134, 23 December 1911, Page 1

THE OPENED SHUTTERS.

CHAPTER 'XX.—Continued. 1 S'ylviai was .firsb to reciognise rlu apparition^ , "ill* Diinhiam-" she exclaimed, and thei blood puked inhei ears with 1 the voice of the seia. ."Why, it is Mir_ Dunham," sadd Edna». and learing on her wet hand she reached up.-.the othe.- td greet him.. Then he isihook jhiaaxds with Sylvia. "If s a good thing you ' darry around thosa curls fui' people tc knorw! you by, Miss Lacey," he said, iHea 1 upturned eyes were dark with excitement, her sudden colour was high!. There w)ere: little freckles across the bridge of her piquant ■nose 1. She Wad ah've alnd glowinftin every line. "■\V!herla. dild 1 you', spring fromH" asked Ednai, bnishing batik a lock oJ hlair with the hacik'.of her wet hand. "Firsti fi-iomi th© offide, tlien from the Tide Mill, later fromi your house propelled by Miss Lacey, and ultimately from that roofc, to distovesr by Avhlalfc magio there was some big urchin tha.fc Miss Derwent couldn't get-. I never knew one Who wasn't at her services,—the regiment headed by myself." "On thia doKtrary," riettumed Edna, "I distinctly remettnber when mother tried to get you to comei to us hue, and you lefused/' "Not refused. Regiietted with tears. This is my party call, —the first opportunity I'Me had to make it." "Well, you. &cc now what you have missed." Ednai waved her hand toward the lanldecope. ■» "Don't I- From the moment of leaving the Tide Mill until I discovered your blonde and brunette heads banding over this pool my pilgrimage has b€Jsn one long reminiscent wail." "Ohi, of course, if you talk that way you will restore my complacoii.w When did you como ix* the Tidto Mill?" "Friday." "In timle for the 1 storm, then." "Yes, but Jude Trent v.'tis with me. - We sang,— ■ 'You and I together, Love, Never mind the weather, Love.'" Edna looted aft him with curiosity and approval. AI hundred incidents of their old friendship were reiurning to her thought. It was almost tliiq same boyish head alnd face that topped this tall personage. "You're just as silly as ever, Jolm, aren't you?" she said, "I'm so gladi" Hja laughed toward Sylvias 'There is a reference for you, Miss Lacey." "You plcasei her. What more can you as'ki?" returned Sylvia. It had all, all teen a preparation for this moment. For this clause Thinkright ■ had found her and brought her to thle farm and taught heii' this philosophy. For this cause she had risen from the; plane where Nat and Bohemia had been possibilities. For thia cause Eldna had given her her gracious friendship. The Prince and Prirjcess had met in her presence, and she was a's sure it Was meeting never to 1 part as she was that her eai"thly idealsi dould never be sqvered from theirs. Ednai and. John both laughed 1 at the earnestness of her naive reply.., "She intends to keep me in my platse? doesn't she " he said to ESdna.. "Evidently," sihe replied, ''but we aie both willing you should- sitdown. Won't you?" "I think I'd rather look at- myself in your mirror. Isn't that what you \ier doing wfceta I descended upori you?" "No>. We have no need hero for mirrors from month's end to month's and, for we n,€iv#r wear hats." "TusK, tush," returned Dunham. lowering himself with som,a care among the projections of thlo inhospitable rock. "I'm surt! you both patronise mirrors for the pure ploaL sure of it. In the minute I stood waiting and watching up there lexpeteticd •to see you turn into—who was wh!a>t's his . name, Narccissus Narcissi,- then." "Nonsense. Yotj( should use more lotfal colour. Say Anemones; but I warn you, wo don't allow pretty speeicihes up h.'are." "Thlat's unjfortunlaite." ileturned Dunham, "for I've been in Seaton for months, end there's nobody to maike lotvej to tliere but Miss La.—!' Ho nearly bit hia tioingi.!:e off in the suddenness of his halt, but he did save himself. "What's is in this pool, then, if not starry eyes?" he added suddenly, .binding over tha stone trough with intellect. "SjtarfisW," (replied -Edna. ''Sec this ono. I pulled it out just before you enmtf." The starfish Was clinging „pinkly to the i"ock, o.nd beyor.d him lay the urchin, the blackness of its draggled* spines turning td green as it dried in the spin. . .. . "Who's your friend," asked John, icgarding.it . "LoclvS like a mina'-. tu'ra 'Paderewski.: Sa.y, he's getting up steam." In faobf tWe nrchin had bef?un dragging itself in a stately and e'ei*-

.cely perdeptible progress aicross the rodk toivvtard its nativie pool. TBie three ; watched, ip. 1 "Isn't there;" any law heire against speeding " askltd" Dunham with concern, 1. "Firs* iWater mobile I 'even saw. Talkie has number, somebody^ It's- a saandal." "He's number one,' . said Sylvia!. "Wore" going to gefc somei morfe. I'mi- going to hevo a cabinet." "You are Well, I don't thank a sport like that woxild bo a safe memibfer of any cabinet."." "Hfera. I'll show you the urchin I couldn't get," said Bdna. 'Tou'll ' reach him for I,us. My' arm isn't' " long emoiugh.- Sea tihat big dark spoifc down "fn the corner? That is Sylvift camdle&iick. A beautiful, ' lilato, embroidered candlestick." !• • "\Yhofd have thought it!" respond- ; j sd-Dunham* rolling up hia sleevteC 1 ,■ In a minute tlie dripping pride wan • being offeredi to Sylvia., who clasped j her hands and drew back. " j "Would you miftd putting him • I down?' she said. "He looks so big v and—iwhisikery." ' "Oh. I'm ashamed of you. FSyl- ' via," laughed Eldnai "Now you have ' to find another just his size, Mir 1 Diinh'am. She has to h^ve a pail." "Sho doies, eh?" returned John resignedly. "I don't know what I'll ! draw out of this grab bag next," . and he plumgcd his arm in again. (To be Continued.)