Muriel Halsie

" there is no society here ; " then , to the children , who Avere teasing their uncle for more play— "No , no , children , not to-night . You must go to bed , or you will not be ready for a game on the sands in the morning . " " AVe are to have breakfast svith grandpa , '' cried Gustavus— " uncle Eric has come to ask us . "

" Yes , said Eric , preparing to take his departure , " my father will be happy if you Avill breakfast with him to-morroAv at nine o ' clock . AVhat answer am I to take him , Miss Halsie ; Avill you come 1 " " Certainly . If Mr . Forbes Avishes me to bring the children to breakfastit is

, my duty to do so . Have you taken lodgings , or are Ave to come to the village inn 1 " " Hotel , " corrected Eric , Avith a smile , — "hotel , Miss Halsie—there are no inns . We have taken apartments at the Rocksend Family Hotel ; no doubt , " he added ,

gaily , " you will see our arrival announced in the Saturday local paper— ' E . A . Forbes , Esq ., and son . ' " "I am sceptical on that point , " said Muriel , laughing , " Rocksend is too primitive a place for the luxury of a newspaper . " "NeAvspapers a luxury 1 "

"Not to you , perhaps , Mr . Forbes , but , to poor fishermen , Avho can neither react nor Avrite , they are a very useless one , " explained Muriel ; and turning to the children , she added , " Come , little ones , say good night to your uncle quickly ; these

are unconscionable hours for small folk . " " And grandpapa will be Avaiting for his tea , " exclaimed uncle Eric , accepting his dismissal , and disengaging himself from the children ' s clinging hands . " Good night , good night , my pets ; be off to bed , or you

Avill not be up in time to breakfast Avith grandpapa . I am afraid I have gh'en you a troublesome task , to calm those wild little sprites , " he said gently , as he pressed Muriel's unwillingly offered hand . " Pray forgive me . " She bowed coldly , and , turning from him , followed her charges upstairs . ******* *

" Well , " questioned old Mr . Forbes , looking up from his paper as his son entered the inn parlour , — " Avell , did you see the senora , and make the arrangement for to-morrow morning 1 " " Yes , they are coming , " ansAvered Eric ,

dropping into a chair by the open AvindoAV . "You must have had a long gossip , judging by the time you have been gone . " "I have had a long romp Avith the cubs , " said Eric . " Miss Halsie Avas out when I reached Seabeach Yillas ; and as

nobody could tell which Avay she had taken , I was , perforce , obliged to wait her return . I scarcely said a dozen words to her . Father , " he exclaimed , suddenly springing from his chair and pacing the room—¦ " father , it ' s of no use ; I had better make

up my mind to marry Cecilia ' s paragon of earthly perfection , Lucy Standish , or , better still , settle qnietly doAvninto bache- ' lordom . After all , I believe it ' s the best life . " " AVhy will you not take my advice ? Propose ; there is nothing lost by trying . " "And be refused instanter , " muttered

liric , moodily . " Well , do as you please ; only make the best you can of this opportunity ; you are not likely to get another so favourable . " Eric shrugged his broad shoulders , and continued to walk up and down till the

servant appeared Avith the tea-tray . " Are you going to take some tea 1 " asked Mr . Forbes . " No , " replied his son , petulantly ; " I hate tea . " " I prefer the ladies' brewing to my OAVU ,

certainly , " replied the old gentleman , smiling . " Perhaps you AVOUICI like the paper 1 I haA'e done Avith it . " " Nothing in it , I suppose , " growled the younger man , taking it up . " There is a piece of news in it that will

please you , I think , if you will take the trouble to find it . " " What is it 1 " enquired Eric , tAvisting the paper about aimlessly . " Old AVell wood is dead at last ; so your friend , Captain Ferroll , will come in for the estate . Not a poor one by any means !"

" Lucky Percy ! I Avonder Avhat quarter of this abominable old Avorld contains him ! I don't know any felloAv I could have liked better ; but he has been married to somebody since I used to know him , and that alters a man so . I Avonder who is his wife ?" " I can enlighten you , " replied Mr . Forbes— " on one condition ; that is , that