My Lord The King;

and sealed her lips Avith passionate burning kisses , whilst the tears came trickling clown the cheeks of the old man as he sat there looking sadly into the fire . The end is soon told . Harry went up to York that night ,

determined to break to his friends at once the step he had taken . His mother had died tAvo years ago , and he had come into an income of £ 700 a year . People had said that he was engaged to his cousin Maudwith Avhom

, his sisters lived , near York , their own home being broken , up through the death of their mother . But there had been no truth in it , on his part at least , for his heart Avas true to the memory of sweet Maid Marian , though he

had almost given her up for dead . Arrived in York , he saw his old friend , the Itev . Mark Chaplain , noAV curate at one of the churches there , and in a feAV words told the whole story . Mark briefly , but fervently , congratulated him , and then said as Harry had made a clean breast of it , he might as well do the same .

He had been long attached to Maud Trevanion , and had reason to believe she was not altogether indifferent to him . He had , however , never spoken to her , as he felt in honour bound " not to poach on his nei ghbour ' s preserves , " as he styled it . "Go in and Avinmy dear boy" said

, , Harry , " ancl no one will congratulate you more heartil y than I shall . " Before he had left Paulborough on Christmas-eve , he had scoured the city for a turkey ancl other Christmas fare , Avhich Avas sent anonymously , Avith a hamper of

wine , to Mr . Mauleverer . The path Avas made smooth at last , and Harry came down to Paulborough , on New-year ' s-eve , summoned by a telegram from Marian , which said that her father was dying . She had no friend in the w orld UOAV , save him ; all the others were dead , or had left them when trouble

came . When Harry drove up to the door of thn white cottage in street , Marian came out to meet him Avith her finger upon her lips . ° l 1 he old man had asked to see Harry before he died , as he had to ask his forgiveness for something .

" What is it , darling V Harry asked in a whisper , as they entered the room . " I don't know , " she answered , looking up Avith a half-frig htened look of love and sorrow in her face . "Mr . Mennell , " the old man said ; "I

Avish to say goodby to you . I am going to my long home at last ; and not too soon , for I am better noAV out of the Avay What should an old man do but die ?" "Oh , don ' t say that , father , " Marian sobbed don't say that ; you know hoAv

; very much I love you , and how good you have ahvays been to me . " " Good ! no my dear , not good ; it was through my folly that you lost your fortune , and nearly lost your lover , too ; but God be thanked , " he murmured " I

have not done that mischief . You Avrofce to Marian , did you not ? " turning to Harry . " Yes , sir , once or tAvice ; but receiving no reply , I concluded the letters had miscarried , or Marian Avas dead , " and he put his arm round her Avaist and dreAV her to his side , as if she should not leave him

again . " I received and destroyed them . I did it all for the best , hearing bad accounts of you ; but I should have inquired for myself , ancl I HOAV ask your forgiveness ; " and the old man stretched out his thin Avhite hand from the bedand tried to grasp Harry ' s .

, The other took his hand , whilst he muttered , in a voice thick with emotion , " Never mind UOAV , sir : it's all over . " " Marian , my dear , be as good to your husband as you have been to me , and then he will bless the clay heaven gave yon to

him , as I do . Henry , some Avater , thank you . I have served the State many , many years noAv , as my ancestors did before me ; but noAV I am going above , to serve—to serve ' My Lord , the King . '" And so he sank to rest as the Cathedral

bells rang out the old year ancl rang in the IICAV . May we all sink as peacefully into our last slumber . Amongst the visitors announced in the " Yorkshire Herald , " as staying at Bartonle-Bar last autumn lvere—Mr . ancl Mrs .

Henry Mennell and the Rev . Mark Chaplain ancl Mrs . Chaplain . The Bev , Mark has just been inducted into the family-living of the Memiells .