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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 976, 8 September 1868, Page 4

It was amusing to watch the ingenuity with which "Walter contrived to be continually with us. I had long suspected the attraction, but said not a word. I looked on in silent delight. It.was the old, old story, — old as time, yet ever fresh and new. Walter never, mentioned Oalcdale ; he had buried the past, and lived in his new life alone. " It seems to me," said my father one day, " that Walter has a great deal of leisure time." " He contrives to make it," replied my mother, with a (juiet smile. " I have thought for some time that he was following a new profession with great ardour." " What do you mean, my dear ? Ido not understand," said my father. "Is it possible, Mr. Dacre, that you have not observed how he employs himself when he is here ? " said my mother. " "No," was the reply ; "but then I have not your quick perception. " What is he doing? — falling in love with my little Belle?" " No," said my mother, solemnly. "He has fallen in love, but it is with Miss Eyrie." My father gave vent to his feelings, I lament to say, in a long and most undignified whistle. " I never heard or thought of such a thing," he gasped at length ; "ho must be told the truth now ; it is a very serious thing ; that will perhaps end it all." But that very day Walter came to lunch, and spent some time in giving Miss Eyrie a lesson in botany. They were in the conservatory, and I was doing propriety in the drawing-room. Lost in my own thoughts I had forgotten them, when I was aroused by the sudden closing of the door, then a golden head was laid caressingly upon my shoulder, and two little hands clasped me tightly. "Oh Belle !" whispered a sweet voice, "lam so happy ! He — Walter says he loves me." I held her to my heart, and kissed her lovingly. " And you, Florence;" said I ; "do you love him P" " Love him !" she said, lifting her beau-

tiful face i " why, Belle, I hare done nothing else since you showed me his picture at Oakdale. I never thought then that I shoaid ever see him ;,. but still he seemed^iving reality to me, and filled my heat't so entirely that I have had room for no one else." "You will now be : obliged to tell him who you are," said I. " I will tell him this very day, Belle, if you will promise to stay with me," said Florence. "He is going- to speak to your papa to-morrow." She made her escape on hearing the sound of footsteps. The door slowly opened, and Walter came in. " Where is Miss Eyrie P" he inquired ; and I looked up at him. " Ah, Belle," he said, " I see by your face you know all. Am I not^ a happy and most fortunate man, to think I should win a treasure so priceless ?" " You have indeed chosen wisely and well," I replied. " Florence is lovely ; but her pure, noble heart, is her greatest charm." " I feel it," he said ; " I know it." Just then Florence entered the room, little thinking who was there ; the delicate blush that tinged her cheek as she saw Walter seemed to enrapture him, and he stepped forward to meet her. " Stop J" I said. " Florence, come here, and confess your plotting, your deception, your concealment." Her fair face turned deadly pale. " What do you mean P" said Walter, indignantly. "I mean this, Sir Walter Bohun. I accuse Florence Eyrie of having deceived you most thoroughly." " How P" he asked, looking bewildered ; she clasped her hands wistfully, but I went on. " She has led you to believe she is poor and obscure, whereas she is in truth the only child of amillionnaire, and heiress of Oakdale." He rushed towards her, and I left them together ; but as I closed the door I saw the golden head laid on his breast, while she sobbed, "Oh Walter, I only feared you would never like me if you knew who I was." # # * # A hundred voices cheered them as the carriage stopped, and the young husband proudly led his lovely bride into the home, now doubly his. The old housekeeper in vain tried to steady her voice, as, with streaming eyes, she bent before them, and said, " Long life and happiness to Sir Walter and Lady Bohun !"