Rookstone Priory.

" She can go away again if she doesn't like it , " said Mrs . Lorrimore , who thought quaint old Eookstone the dearest spot on earth ; " but then I think she will . Poor child , when I engaged her in London last weekshe seemed glad enough at the idea

, of coming to the country . Such a sweet face , Lowndes ; such a sweet sad face !" " Has she ? " answered Mr . Forrester , in a low , pained voice .

" Yes , dear boy , said aunt Jem , gently , seeing the shadow on Lowndes' brow , and knowning the reason of its being there ; ' . ' and you will like her manner . It is as sweet and irresistible as her beautiful face . She is a perfect lady , and we must treat her as one . "

" Yes , of course , " returned Mr . Forrester , f'ravely . " And did you . tell her ; did you make her understand that , owing to my misfortune , society at Eookstone is a thing unknown' ?" " My dearI told her everything that

, was necessary . " " And sbo was willing to cornel " " More than willing to come . " "Well , aunt Jem , " Mr . Forrester observed , smiling bis rare sunny smile , and

the cloud vanishing , " I wish you and your young companion joy with all my heart . Don't lot her die of ennui if you can help it . " " There is no fear , " replied Mrs . Lorrimore , as she opened the door to depart .

" Alice West will know when she is well off . You are not dressed , either , Lowndes . I don't see why you should have hurried me so . " " I only want ton minutes , " laughed he . " You , aunt Jem , are always so long . I strongly suspect that you devote part of the dressing-time to ' forty winks . ' Is it not so—eb f

Mrs . Lorrimorc laughed too . " You are very impudent , Lowndes , " she said , as she closed tho library door , and , crossing tho ball , went up tho wide staircase to her rooms . Left alone , Lowndes Forrester fell into

a reverie , leaning against the marble of the mantelpiece , and resting | his head upon his hand . " It will be a great change to have a stranger at Eookstone Priory , " be said to himself . " Alice West—a pretty name . But what a life , poor girl—shut up hi this sober old house , aloue with aunt Jem and

mo . I can hardly realize that a visitor—a stranger—a companion for Aunt Jem , is coming to live at Eookstone . It is quite an event in the quiet annals of our existence ; and it will certainl y bo a treat for Aunt Jem to have some oneyoung and

, bright and beautiful , about her after all these years of quietude and my dull companionship . Moreover , she is , as she says herself , getting old . It ' s time that she had somebody youthful to help and cheer

her . Shall I live , I wonder , to be as old as Aunt Jem ? It will be a long time to wait , " he almost cried , " for release—and I have borne it nine dreadful years already . I have tried not to complain or murmur , but it is very hard to be so terribl y helpless

and unlike other men . Oh , Alec , I hope I have forgiven you !" A footstep crossed the hall , a gentle tap came at the door . It roused Lowndes Forrester from his gloomy meditations . " Come in" he cried .

, A gray-headed man , who had known Lowndes Forrester from his earliest boyhood , made bis appearance . His name was John Barnes , head-butler , or house-steward , as he styled himself , in tho household at the Priory .

"I was waiting for you to ring , Mr . Lowndes , sir , " said John , respectfully , " It is nigh upon seven o ' clock , and I thought perhaps you bad forgotton tho time . Will you go to your room , sir ?" " I was just thinking about it , John , " said bis master .

So the old servant came forward , and held out his arm . Tho master of Eookstone took it , and together they moved slowly from the library . Carefully John Barnes led Mr . Forrester across the ball , carefull y be pilloted him up the broad shallow

stabcase , half way down the wide dusky corridor , and safely to the haven of the warm lighted dressing-room . Ever since the trouble which had fallen upon Lowndes , marring and darkening his life and manhood , John Barnos had appointed himself Mr .

Forrester ' s special attendant . If any one else assisted or attended to the master whom he loved and served so well , the faithful old retainer was more than jealous and angry . No sooner had Lowndes and his guide reached the dressing-room , which was built partly over the stone portico of the Priory , and commanded a view of the shady moss-banked avenue leading up to