WINNIAN'S LOVERS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 858, 14 November 1893, Page 4

WINNIAN'S LOVERS.

••-; Chapter 111 (Continued.) • '-I have met him.' •"Is- he very horrid — I mean do you think ho is^ as hard-hearted as his letters ? Woa't he wait just a little before he takes- aus borne away from us V 'I should think s®.' •Have you seen him lately 1* 'This morning.' ; 'Then he is in town 1 I am so - glad. Mother was afraid he might be away,'- . - '* ,' : I . •He is in Clarges street, but only for A very short time; I think he leaves ,to-niglit.' 1 How glad I am I came today. Why this is Mr West's! Thank you very much indeed. Good morning.' ■ ' Good morning.' )B.q raised his hat, and stood un • coMSree* until she had passed into < What a C rett Y C W llo thought as ho turned sslow" w| y to "trace his steps. 'What a ? lt y , sho must grow up to be a woman ' * Which shows tho speakbT had ne very high opinion of the gei^lor sex. Truth to 3ay, Bertram Done/ had suffered to much at the hands of a beautiful coquette to bo very tender in his estimate of hsr sex. Six weeks ago he had been her accepted lover ; she learned his prospects were not what she thought them, and dismissed him like a cast-off glove. He had showed a brave front to the world, had never flinched, but calmly exchanged iv to a regiment under orders for Egypt.. ■ , .No one guessed how hardly he had been hit— how his noble heart. ached from my lady's falseness ;no one guessed that in going out to Egypt he was not without hopes a shot from one of Arabi's soldiers would end for ever a. life that had ceased to have any charms for him. • ■ : Winnian went into Mr West's shop a little doubtfully. It was a far grander place than she had anticipated. A very gentlemanly pernon stood behind the counter Winnie wondered whether she aught to go,up to. him with outstretched hand and claim him as a relation. . She decided he looked too young to be' her mother's cousin, and, gatherIng up her courage, began the conversation, thus—:

' Can I see Mr West V . 'My father is not here this mornting.' .-:..-.. .' . , Miss Trevanon stosd aghast. -'= • Willl he be here soon V •He has gone down to Margate fop a month. Perhaps I can do as well. I manage all his business affairs for him.' Winnie handed her mother's letter. The shpp^was quite empty ; it was a slack time of day. ' Mr West, junior, read the .missive very quickly, :but ; the misery .of suspense Winnie suffered made her think his ! progress slow. If he refused to ook at the necklace, how was she to gel home 1 She was penniless; she had not a' friend in London. ' Itwasa great relief to her when the young man looked' up goodhumouredly.' •So you are a sort of cousin. Of course I remember Lilian West, She lived with us' a good' while before ' she' married ; but I was quite a ' youngster when she' went abroad, and I've never heard anything of . her since. - ' " 'And you will really look at the necklace?',, ' Of course ; but I am sorry you should want to parjj with it. We all heard Lilian had made such a grand match, too— a county gentleman, and I don't know what all.' , Papa . is all that,' admitted his daughter; .'but one can't live on one's ancestors, you know, and we are just as poor as ever we can be. I don't want the necklace a bit ; but mother wanted mo not to part with it entirely — the thought you might lend mo some money, and hold the necklace as, security until I- repaid you.' Winnie gave him the precious 'possession, and he carried it to the light, examining it carefully. • How much did you wish mo to lend you, Miss Trevanon 1 I suppose - you have some idea V • Mother thought five pounds ; but I should be quite satisfied with three.'

- Mr- West laughed good temperedly. ' It's a good thing my cousin sent you to us, or you'd have been taken in nicely, Miss Trcvunon. This necklace never cost less than a hundred pounds. I'll give you twenty, with the option of repaying me, or fifty if you like to sell it outright.' ' Twenty ponnds ! Do you mean it V ■ .. . . ' Certainly ; or fifty if you accept my other proposal.' 'I would rather have the twenty.' 'Gold or notes]' enquired the jeweller, when he had made out a little written memorandum of the transaction, and given it to Miss Trsvanon. 'Notns are safer to carry, if you don't want to' spend anything.' ... ' But I want a little silver,' said Winnie, simply. ' I have to take a ticket home.' . 'He understood exactly how the case lay, and cleverly changing the pounds into guineas, he gave Winnie her four precious bank notes and quite a handful of silver as well. ' I suppose it's no use to ask you to .stay with, us a day or two, Miss Trevanon 1 My wife would be proud to welcome you and show you a little of London.' 'I must go home,' said Winnie, smiling. 'Eut, Mr West, I shall never forget how kind you have been to me.' And then she gave him her little hand and went away, feeling quite a^woman of fortune. To be continued )