A Mason's Story.

Morton made it a point always to be courteous to an enemy . " You see , " he would say , " one always gains so much by it ; if one does not- get vexed , one gets an opponent vexed . " He carried this theory out in everything . He adopted it in his newspaper wars , in argument , in playing chess , in his dealings with his servants , and with everybody and everything . " Pray be seatedMr . Falconer" said heas Penrhyn entered . " Not there "

, , , , he continued , as his guest took a chair near the door . " You must come up closer to the fire , it is so very cold ; winter seems to cling to us , doesn't it ? " ancl so on , with a heap of small talk , which lasted for a considerable length of time . " I suppose you are leaving us very soon , Mr . Falconer , " he resumed , when Penrhyn had answered all these little nothings , and he was obliged to fall back on business . " I suppose you are leaving us soon . Puddleton is not

big enough for you . Well , I don't blame you ; a young man like you will find plenty of chances of getting on in this world . " He emphasized " this world " as if he thought Falconer stood a very poor chance in the next . " Yes , sir , " replied Penrhyn , " I leave you to-morrow , ancl on that account I have come on to see you . I wish to say that I bear you no ill-will for what

transpired between us the other night , nor can I blame you . I believe that you acted as you thought best for Mary ' s interests . But I came to ask you if you will not grant me one parting interview with her before I go away . Remember , sir , I might have gained it without asking you ; but I would not stoop to anything so dishonourable . I would rather do without seeing Mary than have her act in direct disobedience to her parent ' s wishes . "

In this very action I see foreshadowed that honour , that scorn of anything wrong , or sneaking , or underneath , which made me in after years worship Penrhyn Falconer as a noble man , and love him as a friend . Ah , Penrhyn , would to God that there were more like you Would to God that we had all acted as you have ever clone . It was ever with you , " truth before self . " The world is better for your having lived in it , were it only for the example you set to those who knew you intimately . Mr . Morton hummed ancl ha-ad and considered for a few moments , but he

evidently saw no way of escape . He did not want to be harsh or unkind , and he might be struck with Penrhyn ' s straightforwardness . At any rate , he said " I do not object to your seeing Mary , and as you are going away , it would not be well for us to part on bad terms . Will you stop and have tea with us ? " Penrhyn acceding gratefull y to this invitation , left Mr . Morton to join Mary . He found her seated in the library , reading an old book containing an account of the " shepherd of Hermes . " - She did not look up on Penrhyn ' s

entrance , supposing it was her father who had come to search for some book which he wanted . Not until she found herself clasped in Penrhyn ' s arms , with a loving kiss imprinted on her forehead , did she realize that her loved one was with her once again . In an instant book and all were forgotten , and eager , loving questions were poured out on both sides . We will not linger over that afternoon spent so happily together . Mr .

Morton showed that he could be a gentleman ; and as both kept off theological topics , nothing occurred to disturb the harmony of the party . At ten o ' clock Falconer took his departure , having promised , at Mr . Morton ' s request , to look in ancl see them before he left , on the morrow . It is needless to say that Falconer did not forget to do so . Next evening , with farewell wishes , and Mary ' s kiss yet wet on his lips , he

left the home of his childhood . His rather accompanied him to the station ; and the old man ' s last words to his son were , " Remember , my boy , our creed , for want of a better , is honour . Always keep that intact , and I shall never have cause to be ashamed of you . " The last rays of the moon were illuminating the wild peaks of Derbyshire and the lovely valleys of Warwickshire as the train bore our hero swiftly on , away from those he loved to those whom he knew nothing whatever about .