Miss Caprice

e, the progress of at least two life currents that have until r

o over the coming of Lent. The people, as if to prepare fo

the festivities, for they, too, have a period of fasting, accord

ng in the streets, music is heard on every hand, and laughing, good-natu

erent nations have their inns, each called an auberge, on the principal streets, while the palace of the Grand Master

the Torretta is used as a station

oss on a blood-red field, arousing thoughts of men in armor, the crusades, and

o entrance him in this peculiar hill-s

ng with his friends, and trying to appear unconscious of the fact that two score of curious eyes are upon him, the incident

nter of observation, and he comes through the ordeal very fairly, as Lady Ru

e boy whose life he saved. She cannot talk much English and John is

anage to get on, and the poor woman calls down t

over," he laughs, rejo

weed between his teeth; "such occasions come rarely and had better be appreci

re is a hidden meaning in his words that causes

l Lionel Blunt, who carries a Victoria Cross and knew what a love affair was bef

that the colonel of Royal Engineers do

of the hotel. The scene is well worth looking at, with its

rtunately the young doctor is able to give, thanks to cer

by a double allowance of gayety to make up fo

ll look at the speaker, who is a quiet a

s my na

lexande

e s

Chic

t can I do

been looking a

few words with you,

o

rdon-it must b

iends will excuse m

Ruth, looking at the bea

ide, and his celerity to take advantage of the circumstance arouses a little suspicion in

ng about; twice she turns her head and looks to where

secret consultation with him! Where have I seen him before, where heard his voice? I cannot remember just now, but there is something familiar about him. The doctor appears to be excited-there, he lays his

en passing through the door-way upon a wild-goose chase for the much maligned article of ladies' warfare, which has played its part in many

doctor?" says the English girl, wit

ard something that is of intense momen

other?" she a

loves me after his own fashion, and I-respect him deeply; but all my life I have longed for the love of a mother, unt

young, and that circumstanc

ed; the bond of sympathy is akin to love; he has never ha

not be interrupted, I would be inclined to speak now, for I am about s

p; trust a bright girl for bridging o

rlor attached and generally e

cket," he bo

rations are quaint, even barbaric in their splendor, and a lover of t

g over," she suggests, and he nods eager

look harml

it all about? Have you fallen into debt lik

at her an

verything, Lady Ruth. This I f

on? What can it be? Surely, you and the colonel-" and she colors furi

is something that concerns my past. Let me briefly tell you a few fac

she is not dead. An unfortunate affair happened, and she was e

ived a line without a signature, a line that called down Heaven'

ould find my mother, I would seek the solution of

eminent professors at Heidelberg. When they gave me my diploma, they wrote my father that I ought to

fatuus. A clew would take me to Russia, whence I would fly to Persia, then to Turkey, and next to London. In Paris I felt sure of s

mpared with me. At last came another clew; among the letters forwarded in

ok a slip of paper; the wri

re

years to-day. Oh! Heaven!

only a mark li

eculiar mingling of love, reverence, and pity with which I think of t

do indeed," s

poor exile. Let my father rage if he will, my heart burns to meet her

did not

might be enough in which to learn the truth. Strange things have hap

nies of these people of Valetta, even as a chief of police would in o

recollection like a flash. Now I know jus

e, and was especially delighted at the chance to prove t

ty I sought had been in Valetta only re

, and I shall go as soon as I leave you, to make inquiries there. If you are interested in my story, you might,

ow you succeed. Would you know your mother if you should meet her to-day

ving eyes would do much t

r must be exceedingly

ing through some old papers in an antique secretary which I found in t

rt told me who it was, and underneath I fo

has been my most valued possession.

," she replies,

s it in

or a whole year I had that gold locket made which holds

rful. I sincerely hope

time has not in the least harmed, looks

an see a trace of sadness in it, even at this early age, as though her coming tro