PUT ASUNDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7353, 13 June 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

PUT ASUNDER.

BY BERTHA M. CLAY, intbor of "Thrown on the World," "Beyond Par- * don," " The Earl'» Atonement, Ac. CHAPTER XXIV. # THE LITTLE SEED. •'May I come in ?" said Isabel Hyde. ■i yes," Lady Castlemaine hastened to answer. "I was longing for you. You can * 0) Janet," said the young Countess to her •aaid. There could be no prettier picture than the interior of that dressing-room, with its hundred treasures of art, its luxurious disLady Castlemaine, in a dressing-gown of p,le.blue silk, embroidered in white flowers, her long golden hair lying like a veil over her shoulders, was one of the loveliest pictures, The ruddy glow of the firelight fell full upon her, and deepened the delicious tints of her face, her eyes, her hair, and her dress. She pointed to a chair. "Sit down, Isabel," she said. "I was joining to see you. i have come to this conclusion, that the greatest luxury on earth is to have one's hair well brushed after a long night's dancing." «' Brushing your hair is no light task, it is go abundant," said Isabel, pausing her hand caressingly over the shining waves. Caressingly ; but the thought was that some day that saintly, queenly head would be humbled to the dust. " I shall not mind it if 1 fall with her," she said to herself, "provided only that she falls."

And there was ever before her, both by day and by night, a picture of a queenly White Rose fallen into the dust and the mire —withered, faded, and dead.

None of these thoughts were written in her face ; that was smiling and bright enough, as she said :

"It was not about the luxury of hairdressing you wanted to see me, Gertrude ?" " Indeed it wag not," laughed Lady Castle* maine. "I wanted to tell yon how much I enjoyed my conversation with a great hero. Do you know, Isabel, he seems quite different from other men."

" He is different," said Miss Hyde, with a peculiar smile. "Ho you really like him V "I do very much, indeed ; he interests me greatly. Is he married, Isabel *" " No," replied Miss Hyde. " Sach men as Colonel Lannox never marry." " But surely he loves someone. I cannot imagine a brave knight without a fair lady." "There in none in his case,'" said Miss Hyd3, "or I Bhould have heard of it. If Colonel Lennox were to devote himself to any •woman, that woman would be for the time queen of till fashionable London." ' " Why do you not enter the lists, Isabel?" asked Lady Castlemaine. She held the shining waves* of hair in her hand, and was watching the golden hue, * 5 You would win, I am anro." "I might," said Isabel, carelessly; " bci although ,1 hava a great admiration forOoionoi I.sinsox, he is not- the kind cS can I should kJi ta love with or marry." •'•Perhaps not," said Lady Castlemaiae, ih«KKs'»tfslly ; "but ho is 3 great hero, Isabel. '&. run s>? how tS9 lire Sashes from his eyes ? i should ILks for once to sae hisa in » yage : hi would be something magnificent, "Something terrible," interrupted Isabel. *'l should not lite it. But, Gertrude, you ret!** would like- to aea him some times and

task id him J"

" Ys», I really should." '•Then mil yon take a little advice from mo, Gertrude ? You will never regret it. You wenic l'-ke to be on friendly terms with Colonel Le&nox—to ask him to your balls and parties !"

* " I should," replied Lady Castlemaine. " And yon will be able to do so. He may even become the tame cat of the house, if you Tfill follow my advice, Gertrude." "Let me hear it first," said Lady Castlemair>e. "Say nothing about him jest sA urut to Lord Castlemaine. " LaS why net*?' asked Lady Castlemaine. "Why not, Isabel!" "I will tall you," she replied- She drew the shining waves of golden hair through her own hands, and there was a strange, pale smile around her lips as she answered, "I will tell you; for, with all your quiciiness end vour cleverness, you do not understand the worfd sc "well as I do. I will tell yon, Gertrude, Although Colonel Lennox ill the hero of the day. tba great man of the hour— sliaosah he fa one 'of the finest of Her Majesty's officer there are just a few ptjople with whom he is not popular." "They are jealous of him," said Lady Castlemaine. "It maybe that," was the diplomatic reply. * Colonel Lennox holds strong political cio*J3 of his own. He urged a certain line of conduct during the Zulu war which made him enemies." '• That ifl not just," cried Lady Castlemaine. " It Is not just, but few things are, in this strangelv-managed world," said Isabel; and she bit her lips as she thought of a certain injustice done to her. Men form strong opinions on each ink" xrs," she continued, "and they are often bitterly prejudiced against each other." " Not one word of the real stories against his character which would have made Lady Castlemaine dislike him ; not one whisper of that moral turpitude which w.mid have made him distasteful to her. She did not even hint at the reasons why thoso who disapproved o.f his vices passed on the other side of the road and held oat no hand to him. If Lady Castlemaine had heard even one of those terrible stories about him, she would have declined to meet him, and would have known that her hero-wor-ship was wasted. But the impression so cleverly conveyed is her was that Colonel Lennox was eccentric or- peculisr in his line of politics, and so drew on himself the dislike: of those who did not think as ne did. The whole world most admire him as a bravu soldier, a mas of magnificent courage; Lut all men did not of necessity admire his politics. "Bat, t^btil/ 5 she said, ,: alrV<--,gh Rudolph Salkes the greatest interest ia politics, ho would never be no irafair as 'So dislike such & ui»a aa Colonel Lentc-x . ; >a account of his opinions, let »hem be what they may." "I do :sot say ihrVhe dialia s him—that he is going Joe far; I merely sa, that I have noticed in Lor.?. Castlemaine a shadow of dislike to him— faint shadow."_ "1 have never even heard him mention hh name," cried Lady Castlem&ine. " Kor have L" "d Isabel. "It was by his perfect ai'ence when the Colonel's name was mentioned, and the expressive shrug of his shoulders, that I knew Lord C:;jfcloms.ine did not like him." " You are quick, and have a keen instinct, I know," said Lady Castlemaine ; "bet even if it be so, why should I care ? Ido not like all of Rudolph's friends, nor do I expect him to like all mine."

"Atlast! at last!" ißabd could hardly withhold the rapturous cry that rose to her lips. Here was the small seed sown in good ground, if she could but cherish it, cultivate it, watch it until it grew into a strong plant. But she must be careful; her fingers must not grssp it too tightly, or it would perish : she must not guard it with breath of flame, or it would die.

"No," she replied, slowly, "that; is quite an exploded idea. Indeed, the Castlemaine idea of matrimony is altogether out of date. Husband and wife in these days choose their respective friends, and go each in his or her own way." "I could never choose a friend whom Rudolph did not like, though," said Lady Castlemaine.

Ah! little seed, you are hardly strong enough to plant at present! " Of course not," said Isabel, " and that is why I am intruding my advice upon you. If you were to go to Lord Castlemaine now, and say to him, ' I have met Colonel Lennox, and I like him; I should like him invited to the house,' he would, with ail the Castlemaine obstinacy, reply that he did not like him, decline to invite him, and there would at once be civil war. You see that, Gertrude ?"

"Yes," she replied, thoughtfully, " I seo it, Isabel." • " Whereas, if you are careful and quiet for a short time, you need not have one word on the subject." < , '" " But what is your advice V asked Lady Castlemaine, " You have not given it to me yet.' 1 T > ' Resolute as sho was, her lips paled, and the hauds that held the shining golden hair trembled, as she arsawered : "I should cultivate a friendship with Colonel Lennox without your husband knowing it; not for long, just for a few days or weeks. Then, when you know him pretty well, and have established your friendship, Jour husband will take it as a matter of course, and there will be nothing said." " That seems to be a weak argument," said I*d? Castlemaine. « Still, as yea are gener.

ally right in what you think, I will be guided by you. But then, Isabel. Rudolph is always out with us." v~" Not always. You often drive alone in the park ; at afternoon tea Lord Castlemaine is seldom present; he has his club engagemeats ; you go at times to balls without him, and sometimes to the opera." "I .did not know that I was so often parted from him," said the young wife, half sadly. , Isabel Hyde had the sense to know that sh-j had said enough. She was wise enough to know that another word would make Lady Castlemaiue espouse her husband's cause, and refuse the friendship of a man whom he did not like. She turned the conversation to quite another subject, but she knew from the expression of thought on the beautiful face that the seed she had dropped had fallen on good ground. No truer or more faithful wife lived than Lady O&atlsmaine ; she had no thought, no interest, no care away from her husband; she loved bim with true and tender love.

But there was just a spice of romance here that captivated her fancy—to form a friendship with this magnificent man who was a great hero. There was a gleam of romance in it, and she had not the faintest idea of evil or harm. She was to make friends with him first, and tell her husband afterward, when she knew him well. Isabel talked to her of the coming masquerade to be held at Raneleigh House, to be given by the Duchess of Raneleigh, and which was to be the leading fete of the season.

"Have you decided about your costume yet ?" she asked. "No ; I have not even begun to think of it. Should we go as Rebecca and Rowena, Isabel ?"

" With enly one Ivanhoe between us," she replied, laughingly. " Oh, no, Gertrude, we must think of something better than that." She did not fall asleep till morning dawned; for in her fancy, all night long, she was watching the growth of the little seed sho had sown.

CHAPTER XXV. THE GROWTH OS" THE SEED.

Daring the next few days, no matter where Lady Castlemaine went or whom she met, the conversation always turned on Colonel Lennox, his bravery aud his adventures. The ni ie-days' wonder had not died out; he was still a great hero. No new scandal had been told of him, and there were some few people who believed that rumour had been exaggerated. One thiDg was quite certain lady whom he admired became the fashion. He was an authority on the subject of feminine beauty, as on politics and war.

At first people did not notice his devotion to Lady Castlemaine. At first they met but rarely. Lord Castlemaine was his wife's shadow ; he was still too much in love with her to be happy one moment when he was sway from her ; he disliked all those engagements that kept him from her side, but there were times when it was quite unavoidable. It did not strike Lady Castlemaine, either, how strange it was whenever she went out without her husband the Colonel was by her side at once.

Lord Castlemaine could not go to the Duchess of Raneleigh's ball. It was only at the last minute he found he must go to Portsmouth to say " Good-bye" to an old friend who was sailing away. Lady Castlemaine and Isabel went together; they had agreed to dre«s so as to represent their old characters —the White Rose and the Red Rose. Lady Castlemaine looked especially charming. She wore a silk richly embroidered with fine pearls, and trimmed with sprays of white roses; she wore white rosebuds round the neck of her dresE, a? 1 a lovely white rose, the ideal of herself, nestled in the coils of golden hair. A general murmur of admiration followed her entrance into the crowded ball-room.

The costume of the Red Rose was quite as great a success. The dark, p* aaionate beauty of Isabel Hyde had never shown to such advantage as in the exquisite dress of pale rose silk, with elaborate trimmings of deep red roses. She wore a small wreath of damask roses in her hair.

, Society smiled at seeing its two favourites in their lsj>t year's characters. Two more beautiful women never entered a ball-room.

Strange to say, although on the .Saturday morning whan they met, Colonel Lennox told Lady Castlemaine La should nor, be at the bali, th-jre he was, advancing to meet her, with a smile on that bold, hsudsome face of his, before which, ii shu had been a wiser woman, she would have tied, or died. Shu cvaa surrounded* as visual, by a little crowd oi COTLitiere ; he towered above them ail.

He took the jewelled tablets from her hand in a moat graceful and courtly fashion. "I mean to be selfish to-night," he said ; and Lady Castlemaine saw that ho had placed his name against every waltz. She shook her blonde head gravely at him, and what he thought the familiarity of the graceful gesture intoxicated him. There was a spice of romance about it all that amused her ; it was the old story of Hercules and the distaff, of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, over again, over again. To the feminine mind there will always be something delightful in the conquest of strength and bravery. Lady Casolemaina had not the faintest suspicion of evil. She had regretted with most bitter regret that her husband had not been able to accompany her; but there was something of romance in the fact that every time the music of the waltz sounded, this splendid Colonel immediately sought her. She had no idea of doing anything that was in the least degree imprudent or unseemly ; bat he charmed her so that she forgot everything else, and longed for his conversation again. There was never a wooer so eloquent as he. He told her stories, anecdotes, adventures, some full of rollicking '.an, some of infinite pathos— all pure as though he had been converse wish an ang>>L But they interested and amussd her ; aud when he left she looked forward with eagerness to their next interview.

He danced with her so often this evening, and made himself so conspicuous by his devotion to her, that Isabel thought it prudent to administer a warning. It would not do for strange or untrained hando to force this seed, which she had sown with such care. "Gertrude," she whispered, "I would not dar.ee again with Colonel Lennox." "Why ?'' she asked, impatiently. "The reason is obvious,'' said Miss Hyde. "That was jour third waltz, and the people are beginning to look at you." "To look at me!" cried Lady Castlemaine. "What for? Why should they look at me?"

Isabel Hyde shrugged her shoulders, "You know how people talk," she said. "Suppose that to-morrow someone jests before Lord Castlemaine about the number of times you have waltzed with that handsome Colonel. You would not like it ?"

"No," she replied, slowly. "I might not like it, but I do not see that it could matter much."

An it was in this case, so in every other ; no matter were she appeared, there, sooner or later, came Colonel Lennox. " I could almost believe," she said, laughingly, to him one morning," " that you must receive a telegram from the birds to Bay when and where I am going." She did not notice the sudden flush on his face, nor the still more suspicious fact that Isabel Hyde had turned quickly aside, as though she did not care to hear the words. Twice when she was out in the park, once at a garden party, and once at the Zoological Gardens, she had met him when she was with Isabel; and he had made so much of these occasions that she began to look upon him as quite an old friend.

She had never meant any concealment, any disguise, any deceit; least of all had she thought in any way of keeping secrets from her husband; she had merely carelessly followed Isabel's words—not to speak to her husband just at first about it. She was too young and too guilelsss of heart to think much about it, or to see any evil in it. She was now on quite friendly terms with him. She had met him twice at Lady Cressou's at five o'clock tea, and they talked on until Lady Castlemaine had been compelled to drive home quickly, and had a very narrow escape of being late for dinner. She was leas on her guard now, and after dinner, during along conversation which took place on the different stations of men, their employments. and professions, Lady Castlemaine said, suddenly: • "I like soldiers best. If I were a man, I would neither be a lawyer, a doctor, a politician, nor anything elae but a soldier." It was curious how strange a silence followed this remark. ; \' *'" Lord Castlemaine looked at his wife. "You have few opportunities of studying the different professions, . Gertrude. What makes you say that?" • ■ ■■ ■•■■\ <-.-

v She was conscious in one moment of her own indiscretion, and battened to cover it. " Soldiers are heroes," she said. .'Lord Castlemaime laughed. "Some of them are very far from it," he answered.

Yes, they were quite good friends now. They met with smiles, parted with regret, thought with pleasure of the next interview. On her side there was nothing but the feeling of great interest, of quiet amusement, of hero worship. On his there was the consciousness that he loved for the first time in his life, and with all the desperation of a man's first passion. Verily, the little seed was growing, and would soon be a strong plant. Then he became impatient to see more of her, and that could not be done unless he knew her husband and could call at the house.

"The Lady of Neath," he called her in his own mind, and he wished that the days of chivalry were back again, that he might proclaim himself her knight, fight for her, die for her. All his past wicked life seemed to rise up in vengeance against him, now that he was earnestly and deeply in love. What a wretched past, what shameful memories, what horrible remembrances ! "But she will never know," he said to himself, "No one will tell her. In hor beautiful eyes I shall always be a great hero, and I desire no more."

But he must see her ofiener; he could no longer bear that a whole twenty four hours should pass without one glimpse of her. " I should like to know Lord Castlemaine," he said to her, one day. " Nothing would be easier," she replied. "Will you introduce me, Lady Castlemaine ¥' he asked.

" Yes ; I will, with pleasure," she replied. " Five o'clock tea is quite an institution at Neath House. Will you call to-morrow and take a cup with us ?" " I shall be most charmed and happy," he replied. "It is the desire of my heart to visit your house." Again a slight frown on her face warned him.

"I have been told," he continued, "that Neath House is one of finest mansions in town, and I admire beautiful houses."

"A strange taste for a soldier," she replied, laughingly. " I like a camp better," he cried. Bat she would not believe him, and playfully called him a carpet knighs. They laughed and jested, and were more friendly and familiar than they had ever been before. She was pleased at the idea that he should visit her; pleased that he should wish to know her husband; bat there was no time to speak of it. That evening she went to two different balls, and in the morning she was too tired to remember it. She had been anxious to tell Isabel, but in the varied engagements of the day she forgot all about it. As events turned out it did not much matter, but it is possible that if she had told her husband that morning who was to be her guest in the evening, a tragedy might have been averted.

CHAPTER XXVI. A FIVE O'CLOCK TEA,

The drawing-room at Neath House was a magnificent room. It ran along the whole length of the building; it had six large windows that opened into a balcony, which was always filled with fairest flowers—all the flowers that Lady Castlemaine liked best small clusters of white lilacs, the lovely narcissus, the white daphne, the white rose white was to be seen everywhere. It was a room bright as sunshine, flowers, light, and magnificence could make it. The five o'clock tea at Neath House was an institution, but Lady Castlemaine was very particular as to who attended. The invitees were all her own particular and intimate friends, and she was much beloved in general society. She enjoyed social life. To see herself surrounded by fair young girls, by witty and piquant matrons, was a pleasure to her. She enjoyed these little reunions. She liked to hear the last new anecdotes, the last new novel discussed, the last new fashion commented upon; the newest engagement, the last fashionable marriage were conned over with many a merry laugh and jest. The ladies wore such pretty dresses, the colours were so beautiful, the Bound of the silvery voices and laughter was so sweet. Lady Castlemaine's teas were famous ; those who had been once longed to go again. On this evening, when Colonel Lennox was to pay his first visit to the house, Lady Castlemaine looked more lovely than .usual. She was thinking a little of him when she chose that most exquisite of tea gowns, which was a combination of pale-blue velvet and white satin. It was impossible to tell where on* bag&n and the other ended. On her golden faai? lay the loveliest little pictare of a cap ; her white hands shone with jewels. The little table before her was a poem in itself; the old-fashioned silver service, the Sevres china, delicate and beautiful as flowers ; the fragrant tea, with thick, rich cream fresh from the country ; and Lady Castlemaine, while she dispensed tea with her own fair hands, led the conversation. She was the wittiest, the Quickest at repartee in all thai; brilliant band of beautiful women.

Isabel Hyde wore a tea gown elaborately constructed of fawn-coloured velvet And rosepink &ilk, the soft tints of which made her face look the brighter. There was only one drawback to the perfect happiness of the beautiful mistfeßs of that splendid house as she sat there, and it was that her husband was absunt. All her favourite friends were present. Miss Hydewho was still visiting Neath House; the young and most vivacious Countess of Erksdale, who could talk twice as much and twice as long as any other lady ; there was the beautiful and bright young matron, th* Duchess of Westwatnr, who had the candid blue eyes of a child, with a mind full of wit and ruieohief; there was the sweet-faced; sentimental Lady BunhanrvK who thought nothing more substantial than flowera worth discussing ; Lady Eastlake. the leader of the ajsthetio school, who almost died of a suu"lower and went into ecstacka over a lily ; there was the lively and coquettish youag Marchioness of Heathers, who made war all rennd; her eyes, like arrows, piorced the h >arts of the men who gazed upon her, and sae had nothing whatever to offer them by •/f s>y of consolation. There was Miss Grantly, the famous heiress, who never opened her mouth but to utter an epigram ; there was the famous poet, Oswald Clyde, the writer of the last new poem, which had driven the poetry-loving portion of the public mad. Neither wit, wisdom, nor beauty was wanting, aDd Lady Castleraaine, as she gracefully dispensed the Sevres cups, seemed to hold all the threads of the conversation in her own hands ; it was she who pointed the sharp arrows of wit; it was she who called forth the thoughts and ideas of others; it was she who seemed to bring her visitors more together, mind to mind. Isabel looked at her with eyes Df envy. " I should have been just another hostess," she said to herself, "if these rooms had been mine, as they ought to"have been." There was a slight stir when Colonel Lennox was announced. Most of the ladies knew him well. The Duchess of Westwater admired him, and her blue eyes were never more beautiful than when they were raised with the candour of childhood to his. Lady Eastlake sighed at the mention of his name ; there was nothing of the ajsthotio about him. The Marchioness of Heathers delighted in him; she liked bis stories, his adventures, and, not being ono of the most scrupulous of womankind, did not dislike him any the more for his character of a gallant man. Colonel Lennox looked neither to the right or to the left; he went to the beautiful hostess, found a seat by her side, and asked for a cup of tea from her hands. She gave it to him. He enjoyed the whole situation ; the magnificent room, with its wealth of fragrant flowers; the beautiful and witty women, the clever men; he enjoyed the conversation, the wit, the repartee. Under cover of a general laugh, raised by the Marchioness of Heathers, Isabel said to Lady Castlemaine. "You did not tell me that Colonel Lennox was coming."

" No," was the frank reply ; " I forgot." Forgot! The word made Isabel shudder. If she had indeed forgotten her mind was not filled by him.

He wants to know Rudolph," she continued, carelessly, "and I thought this a very pleasant time for an introduction." " There could be none better," replied Isabel.

On the table near her lay a spray of white lilac, that some careless lady had let fall from a bouquet; she raised it and held it to her lips; the words she whispered in to it were the same as those she had uttered in the church on the wedding-day, pud when she raised her face again there was a smile on it not good to see. "This must be a lady's paradise," said Colonel. Lennox, "I wonder what the

world did before the luxury of tea was dis covered ?" » ?, .

"Pretty much the same as it does now," said Lady Heathers. There must always have been something to drink, something cheerful aDd enlivening, even for savages." "Have you seen, the famous new picture at the Academy, Colonel Lennox "I have had so many engagements," he replied, "that I have not had time to see one-half that I want to see." . :

. Said Lady Westlake : "The prettiest sight I have seen is the large grove of chestnut trees in Richmond Park."

" I quite agree with ycu, Lady Westlake," said the poet. Colonel Lennox turned to his beautiful hostess.

"My bachelor quarters are so limited," he said, "I am most unfortunately prevented from returning the hospitality pressed upon me ; but I have had daring, and I believe original, thoughts of giving a dinner %t Richmond if I could persuade some kind &nd gracious lady to help me." " You would have no difficulty in that," she said ; but he observed that she was careful not to offer her aid.

""If I am fortunate enough to succeed in my efforts," he said, "you will promise to be the queen of my little festivity ?" At almost any other time she would have answered " Ses" without a thought, but there oame to her mind a sudden recollection that until Colonel Lennox had been introduced to her husband she could not accept any such invitation.

"I must have time to think of it," she replied. " I shall live on the hope of It," he said. "I am sorry Lord Castlemaine is not at home."

"He was sent for quite unexpectedly two hours ago ; he seldom misses the tea hoar." . "Ishould imagine not, for it is a very happy one," said Colonel Lennox. He wanted, if he possibly could, to get her away from these brilliant people. It was the first time he had been at her house, and he wanted to make a sentimental occasion, of it, and she bad no notion of the kind. How earnestly he wished that these pretty women would put down their teacups and go. Surely there had been tea enough. For a few minutes he almost hated Lady Heathers, whose vivacious anecdotes kept everyone in continued laughter. If they would but go! It was his first visit to the house, and he wanted to say a few words to her. How was it possible ? The great poet Eat silently watching him, feeling sorry in his heart to see Colonel Lennox on such friendly terms with beautiful Lady Castlemaine. He knew him, knew the truth of all the stories that were told about him, knew what his reputation really was. "If I had a young and lovely wife like that," ho said to himself, "Colonel Lennox wouid find no place in my drawing-room." But then he was a poet, and poets take strange views of things. Then, to the Colonel's great relief, Lady Heathers rose, one or two others followed her example, and a small laughing group made for the door. The poet remained ; he had seen the impatience on that bold, handsome face, and he understood. "This is one of his old tricks," ho said to himself ; "he wants to talk to Lady Castlemaine, and he wishes that we would all go away. I, for one, shall not oblige him." The Colonel stayed, and the poet stayed, until Isabel Hyde, with her usual quickness, guessed at the situation and came to the resone. She went up to him : " Have you seen Lady Castlemaine's portrait?" she asked. "Millais only finished it last week."

No, he had not seen it, but should, of coarse, be delighted; and. Miss Hyde led him to the library, where the picture hung. The Colonel blessed her in hid heart; then he turned quickly to bis beautiful hostess. "I am so glad to have a chance of saying one word to you," he said, hurriedly. "I thought they would never go." " I did not want them to go," she snid, coldly. ; t " I did," he cried. " 1 wanted to tell yon what an infinite pleasure this, my first visit to yon, gives me." She laughed, a proud, careless laugh, that cut him like a knife.

"I do not see," she said, " why you wish my friends gone, in order that yon might make a simple speech like that." " Give me something to remember it by 1" he asked. " Give me the rots you have worn all the afternoon." Sho looked at it, then, st him.

" I think not," she replied "the giving, of a flower means much or little ; in the tirat case I should not give it, in the second it would not be worth having. " Later on that evening, Isabel Hyde stood by her dressing-room fire ; she slowly pulled out the leaves of a white rose and watched them shrivel and burn in the flame, [To bo continued.]