CHAPTER XIII. A CHANGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN LILLIS KNOWS.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 125, 24 October 1885, Page 6

CHAPTER XIII. A CHANGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN LILLIS KNOWS.

The hisa and crackle of the flames alone broke the dead silence that followed Lillis'e words. After a little she ppoke again, her voice louder, more peremptory, and less eager. " Who are you that warns me so mysteriously ? And what danger could possibly approach Lillis Melrowb ?" Ac, before, no answer. A chill of fresh terror began to creep over the girl. To her excited fancy there was something dreadful in the silence. She rushed to the hearth and flung the slip of paper among the blazing knots. I "I'll put it all out of my mind," she whispered shiveringly, " and— l will change my room. An unseen eye seems to Rtare at me from every cranny. I can't stay here -I can't." Just then some one knocked at the door. With a nervous start she turned round and answered. Rebecca Hough came in. 11 Bilsy said as how you was asking for me, Miss," she announced, speaking in rasping tones without a trace of her recent excitement. "He said, too, as how you next thought you wouldn't want me. But I thought best to come. Ber air seemed to deprecate rebuke. Lillis answered kindly, at the same time concealing her secret agitation. " Since you are here," she Baid, " I would like you to show me that smaller suite of rooms near the chapel." "You mean them as opens on the corridor with the big, mullioned window and the lake view, Miss ?" I "Yes I think I should prefer them to these more spacious apartments." " They're more cheerfuller, Miss, certain. And they're soon got ready. Mr Chesney had 'em, and a good fire's still burning. Shall I make the change immediate or tomorrow, Miss?" "Immediately!" answered Lillis, with an earnestness she did not intend. " That is," she quickly added, a modifying indifference in her tone, "if I find them as desirable as I imagine. Attend me, and I will see." „ _ „, „ No fault could be found withthe apartments, and the necessary directions being given, the removal began. As Lillis, bearing some light and costly toilet articles, and followed by Rebecca heavily laden, made the last trip between the rooms, she came face to face with Robert Hood. He stopped in amazement. He cried out, a faint ring of disaproval, if not annoyanoe, marking hie toneß " Only moving to a prettier and less spacious suite," returned Lillis, quietly, in an swer to his question. " You can go on, Rebecca," pausing to address the woman, who, either through nervourness, or a doubt aa to the propriety of passing her young mistress, had also stopped. Robert flashed a sharp glance from Lillia to the woman. 1 Lillis finished her explanation, or rather ! began to do so, saying : " I have taken the suite next the chapel —the one—" , . « i s There Hood interjected qmokly, lowering his voice. " Who U that woman, Lilhs "Rebecca Hough," answered Lillis, no less quickly. "Rebecca Hough!" He repeated the name tn smothered tones of deepest satisfaction, and not till lillis spoke again did ho withdraw his intent gate from the taU, limping form.

"Do I know anything of her?" he said, eohoing the girl's hurried question, as his eyes returned to her face. " Tee, from your mother." " From mamma I" exclaimed Lillis, in surprise. " There is nothing in the fact to astonish you," he smiled. " She told me, on submit* ting the list of new servants, that Nurse Dix (my old nurse), who was entrusted with the duty of securing a competent retinue for the Abbey, pronounced Rebecca Hough the most faithful, intelligent, and trustworthy of the lot." Lillis suddenly put the question troubling her mind. "But why not have the old and tried ones here?" "Is it possible you have not learned my intention?" he cried. "Has not your mother told you that I have g?ren them a long-needed holiday ? No ? Weil, until our return to London they receive their regular wages, ten pounds to boot, and liberty to wander where they please. They deserve the consideration, not only in view of years of faithfulness, but as a compensation for the horrors—" He stopped in emotion. Tears of delight rose to Lima's eyes. She cried, impetuously : ** Oh, my lord, that is good of you! I should never have thought of anything so unselfishly kind and generous. I honour you." " And will you not do more, Lillis?" The girl shrank back at the lover-like tone. "I mean," he explained, hastily, " will you not call me Robert 1 A brother might expect that much of a sister." Then with a sudden change of tone and subject that magnanimously precluded a reply : " You think this flitting will not take you too far from your mother ?" " That never occurred to me I" cried Lillis, conscience-smitten . "Nor will it to her, since you are better pleased," smilled Hood. "Indeed, I'll answer for her entire approval, knowing ter mother's heart. Yes, he muttered to himself, as the girl directly moved on, "I'll answer for it, knowing not only the mother's heart, but the mother's towering ambition. Should the worst come to the worst, my bonny love will be as safe as a bird in its cage." With a suppressed chuckle, he wheeled off to his own rooma. Presently, coming out again, he loitered watchfully in view of Lillis's new apartments till one of the doors opened and Rebecca Hough re- appeared. At sight of her he uttered a satisfied ejaculation. Then, moving forward a step, he breathed a quick, soft whistle. Apparently it called the woman to a knowledge of his presence. Really her furtive glance had descried him on the instant. She looked, and her swift, ungraceful limp, even more swift than usual, obeyed his beckoning hand. She stopped before him, with respectfully lowered lids. Abruptly, rapidly, significantly he spoke. (To be Continued.)