Salome

music lesson. Carl and Hans were full of their birthday party, and had possessed themselves of a heap of decayed finery, which they were sorting in their spacious

riage wheeling away to Fairchester, Ada whipping up the fat gray pony, and turning out on the road with a grand flourish; Carl and Hans singing over their wreaths of faded flowers, worn by their mother in young, happy days; nurse's voice in occasional remonstrance; and the loud singing of a canary,-all these sounds and sights told of life at Maplestone going on as it had done for so long, and only she-Salome-knew that all things were on t

aid, and let who

, nor dream th

e, death, and t

nd swee

, I must pray God to help me and make me patient!" Then, with a quiet, slow step she went to th

, with his back turned towards her. Sal

ap

ce towards her at last,

you want,

ome to tell you how I love you, and

ed! But your mother promised not to tell you. You might as well have had ano

at troubles you. Mother could not keep it from me; she was obliged to tell some one. I wan

this? I am very well. It is all Stone's humbug, frightening your poor mother out of her wits.

nto a tumbler, and was raising it to his lips when he dropped it with a crash upon the ground, his hand f

from the sudden shock which had blanched her own lips with te

loud, as so many girls would have done, she ran with the speed

r work and obeyed her she flew to the garden, where Reginald, all

much worse. Send to Fairchester for Mr.

t is the mat

and his mouth-O Reginald, don't ask me, only go and

ithout farther question; and S

bride; others of the large household standing near in awe-struck silence. They made way for the little figure that appeared

od, my dear Miss

inald for Mr. Stone-" Here she stopped, for

k for death, and no morta

rkened room where the master of Maplestone lay breathing heavily, quite unconscious of any

I had better tel

y face washed with tears, like a

t. John's horses, Salome. He has broke

know?" Sa

him in the stables. Is t

mother while I find Raymond? Reginald is gone w

not go. I wonder if Uncle Loftus will come; Miss Barnes says he

be careless air, trying to wh

you know what

be spared a row about Captain. I have been and done for Captain, a

nd. O Raymond!" Salome said, "father is dying! Mr. Sto

nature asserted itself. "I wish I had not

while I was with him there. He could not be

hat do y

. "Father has lost all his mon

We shall have

be sold. But oh! what is that-what is that to-losing father?"

ky and unnatural voice. "There is some mistake, depend upon it. Things ca

the undisciplined, selfis

back to keep her sorrowful

xpected; but Mr. Wilton died unknowing that his worst fears had been realized, and that all was lost. He was laid to rest i

l; and the same evening he sat in consultation with Mr. Calvert, the lawyer, and Mr. De Brette, with the partners of the great timber concern which had collapsed in the general and widespread pressure of the time. Mr. Wi

and way of life, this will be little enough. My sister-in-law is not a strong woman, and h

earn his living," Mr. De Brett

Perhaps, when the concern is wound up, Mr. Ferguso

will never be, as far as I am concerned. I shou

sentative, and everything should be laid before him. Then there is the eldest girl, c

ed doubtful; and M

se will realize a good deal," he added, looking round; "fine pictures, and everything in g

he mark, perhaps a little too much so; but

p,-the lawyer gathering together the papers and

a melancholy story, and there are hundre

by what they were. The summer was always a flat time at Roxburgh, and hence Dr. Loftus Wilton could better afford the time away from his practice. "There are good schools at Roxburgh for the small boys, and the two girls could get advantages," he thought; "but then Anna will not trouble herself about poor Arthur's family. In fact, she would not care to have them there. Still, I must do my duty. She and Emily never did hit it off. Anna thought she patronized her; a

to see.-Here, Reginald, my

at, and, with his hands in his pockets, had disappeared in the t

d when his uncle called,

ear-stained face and little slight figure, i

est brother, as-well, as reasonable people. Sit dow

at once,-the sooner for all of you the better, I think,-for the place is in

g, Uncle Loftu

penses; but I have been thinking Roxburgh would be a good place

cle Loftus. There are Raymond and

wo more, I suppose. But Raymond is well o

le Loftus,-she must go

ask her what she thinks of my plan. If she approves it, I will look for a small furnished lodging, somewhere in Roxburgh, and I will speak to your Aunt Anna-only you must ge

"I could bear anything if only I had him. To have worked

ot have been a long one at the best. He had a slight attack, you know, two years ago, when I advised him to go abroad for a few weeks for entire rest. And

am ready to do anything to help my mother," he continued, drawing hi

your brother may show the same good feeling." And then

and go and live near a big school, where I can go as a day boy. Not at Rugby though; I shouldn't like that. The fellows in Crawford's house might look down on me as a day boy. It is hard to have to leave Rugby; but I don't mean to give up

was said very earnestly-"you must tell me always when I am untidy, and wake me up when I am in a d

ho are always thinking and making up sto

ory. You know I have written heaps, and torn them up, but now I shall keep the next and read it to you. I have got it all straight in my head, not a hitch anywhere. Reg, isn't it strange I can make all things in my stories go so pit-pat

if I were you, Sal, I would h

said; "I thought I had bette

hanging down, and"-Reginald hesitated-"it makes you look as

d to think of Him; but, O Reg! I have been thinking of Him before this trouble-His love and care for every tiny creature, and giving us so many beautiful things. I feel as if no

you said ever since, you know. Not that I always or ever get much good from it; but I always read the verses you said y

st go to mother now, and tell her what Uncle Loftus wishes, and try to find Raymond.

rted-Reginald turning off to the stables to see poor Captain, who had been brought back comparatively

l; I want to s

that she could hardly restrain her tears; but she was always saying to

ride over us, and I won't stand it. I shall not go to Roxburgh, and so

seem to take it in, Ray. Dear Ray! I am dreadfully sorry for you, for you will feel it most; but you

nd see Mr. Calvert the first thing to-morrow, an

ute childishness; and Ada coming in to say mother wanted Salome directly