Pearl of Pearl Island

uch names here employed, however, are used without any reference whatever to any actual persons who may happe

or mud-pass on! This is a simp

imes, in that very knowing way of hers which made her look like a Lord

ently through and through in that fashion, he kn

've been living in constant dread of it. But it's happened before, yo

tions to a poor old woman whose race is nearly run, and setti

g,-"idols are perverse, camstairy things at best, you know, and a bit out of date too

oose, my laddie, and fling my age and my

e like it in all E

very many respects the poorest portion, notably in brains and manners and beauty. But ye cannot draw me off l

uite that length,

you been coming here as regular a

day. I've an idea milkie

g shake of the frail white hand, pricelessly jewelled above, comfortab

old lady in England-

tle on one side and her eyes shining brightly, like a

said nothing. He knew sh

with an assumption of scornful irascibility

rchestra!-Proprietor of the house

see," and the twinkling brown eyes held th

st about to say so wh

out with things quick en

s one does not speak about until one

told your mo

ure,-not yet-not, a

e her place when she

u're just the deares

d we'll talk of Margaret, si

you ever in all your life see anythin

nderful things since the first wonders passed and gave place to the common things of life. Beautiful eyes they were stil

ring away over your left shoulder while you are talking with them. It may be, of course, that you are n

vents, and while you talked with her you were the

there was in them just that touch of maidenly reserve which best becomes a maiden's e

with a starry twinkle, and then said, with a finality

-and not ungracefully, since the action, thou

aid firmly. A

uts," he sai

is by way of being an h

't very well be if I tried. Still

just about enough to pay Jere

Jeremiah

a lady, let me tell you. What you have, as, I

can live on it till thin

d. "Who reads all the books passes my comprehension. I suppose you ha

bad as all that. There are still some intelligent

ally want to read them they get them out of a library. You don't see bought books lying on the table

ight call a gushing race, you know, but they have given me a kind of cautious half-hint that they might not refuse to look at my next if I offered it to them on my bended knees. But

in Glasgow, and had a shipping business there. I should not be surprised if Mr. Pixley had

ley!' dear Lady Elspeth? It would be such

not an expression I am in the habit of usin

son, and all his intentions!" he sa

elicious twinkle of the soft brown eyes, "There is something in that that

own private opinion is that he's a disrep

co' guid,' we would say up north. But, all the same, he is Margaret's uncle and guardian an

a War-Office-mule," he

he remembered, just in time, that her husband had once held the reins in Pall Mall for hal

eck of granite, and a disposition like-like Mr. Pixley's. I imagine Mr. Pixley can be excessively unpleasant wh

nd apprehensive-looking. But she is very fond of Margaret, and that no doubt is

. Pi

t is difficult to imagine anyone not a Pixley living in the Pixley atmosphere of their own free

He's not bad-looking-in a kind of a way, you know,-that is, for those who like that kind of looks,-a trifle fleshy perhaps. But he's

d. And that reminds me. We were talking of your books. I've been wanting to tell you that

"You see, I lack experience in

simply as a model," she began, wi

hings besides, dear Lady Elspeth. I love Margar

ith a nod an

ot one to wear her heart on her sleeve. At times

should be. Anything more, so early as this

You relieve my mind immensely. You see, she is always so sweet and charming. But then she

ing angel, girt with golden win

et," he murmur

es in his coffin, and even then-" and she nodded though

very much nicer to think of than coffin

sweet and ver

her in this world-unless it

and in need of empty compliments. Margaret Brandt is worthy any good man's whole heart, and perhaps I ca

," he said exuberantly; and added, with a touch of

shall be in eclipse a

f her, you know," at which Lady

ing a troublesome old lady to

d just at that point old Hamish opened

Brandt