really doesn't matter, as I have nothing particular on hand. I wonder who my visitor is." "Mr. Grahame," the servant announced. Ten years had wrought a far greater outward change in Kenneth Grahame than in Lady Margaret Dacre. He would have recognised in a moment the comfortable placid English matron, who now looked somewhat doubtfully at the bronzed and bearded stranger from the tropics. "I see I have to introduce myself," said he with a courteous smile and bow; but at the sound of the measured Scottish tone, she exclaimed, stretching out her hand as she came forward in hearty frankness of welcome. "Why of course! Mr. Grahame, pray forgive me! I could not think who it was at first, but now I quite recollect! Very glad indeed to have the pleasure of seeing you here again !" "I am very fortunate in finding you at home." “Well, and what have you been doing all this time? You have been abroad, I suppose ?" "Yes, for ten years. I only landed in England a few days ago." "How good of you, to look us up so soon! Sir George will be so glad to see you again. You must come down to Glendarroch, I hope you will have time to spare. But perhaps you are not going out again? you are come home for good and all, I hope.” "That depends on two things; but thank you for your kind invitation. I am glad that Sir George has kept possession of Glendarroch all this time; it could not be in better hands." "And how is your sister? Married, isn't she? I forget her name, but I know Bessy corresponds with her. Is she well and happy "Yes, she has quite taken root in her new home. A colonial life is thoroughly suited to her, and she finds full scope for her energies, even without the school she took charge of at first. I think as time goes on that she will have more than enough to do in teaching her own children, as well as guiding the house. Her husband was in the army, but he has given it up for a settler's life. He is one of the Drummonds of A-.” "Sir George knows something of them in Scotland, I think. And isn't your brother, or friend out there, doing something wonderful in the clerical line ?" "Well, my friend Parker is now an Archdeacon, and we have a Bishop who has done wonders since he was sent out; my brother Charlie, who remained some time at school in England when Christina joined me after Mrs. Earle's death, is now just about to enter Holy Orders as curate to Sydney Parker." "It sounds all very nice! And what about yourself?" I am now comparatively a rich man, I suppose. For years I was working for an end which has been at last accomplished, I am happy to say." "Owing entirely to your own perseverance, I should imagine. I quite remember your purpose, and congratulate you heartily. Old Mr. Rutherford didn't seem to think you would ever succeed!" "I should not have reached the goal by this time, if fortune, or rather something better, had not befriended me. I was enabled to extend the business of the firm in a way which has turned out very profitable to them, and one thing led to another, so that I am now a partner, instead of a clerk; and I have realised what seems to me a sum quite sufficient to retire upon, if I decide upon coming to live in civilised parts." home "Then I am sure you had better give up work in those horrid places, while you still have health and strength, and come to make your in England!" "There are two things to be considered in making a home, anywhere," said Kenneth, with a slight hesitation. "Well, you must have a place to live in, and then you must have a wife, I suppose." "You have exactly divined my meaning. I am come to ask you to be kind enough to help me in both matters." "I dare say 1 can give you good advice! I don't know about help.” "Thank you, but I don't need any one's advice, on either point. Perhaps you can guess a little more?" Margaret was not always quick, but a sudden light flashed upon her, and both were silent for a few moments. I know!" she said to herself. "He wants my house, and he wants my sister! Bessy and Glendarroch! So that is what he meant by coming here directly! What will George say? He always liked him, and I do believe it's a case of true love! Well, Bessy is old enough to know her own mind, and if he really is well off.-By the way, she expected some one this afternoon." The carriage was announced. "I ought not to keep you from going out," said Kenneth, rising. "Perhaps you would rather give an answer to my question another time." "No-no-I can hardly tell, Sir George will have something to say. But after all, there's the question of money, you know!" she said with a smile, " one has to consider the ways and means in these days. As far as you personally are concerned, I have every confidence in you, and so has my husband, though it is so long since we saw you last.” "Thank you," said Kenneth again, with a slight smile, naming the amount of his fortune, which quite satisfied the anxiety of Lady Margaret. "I must go, I suppose, as I promised to fetch my girls. But I am thinking about this evening: I am afraid Sir George will not be in till late, but come in after dinner, if you can." "Ah, stop a moment, don't go yet. My sister Bessy is at home, and she will be glad to see you-I'll just tell her to come down." And she left the room before he could make any reply. Presently Margaret's maid tapped at the door of Elizabeth's room. "Please, my lady, there is a gentleman in the drawing-room, and my lady sent me to tell you; she did not give the gentleman's name, and she is just gone out for a drive." Elizabeth took up the letter she had written to the Superior of S. Mary's Home, and hastened down stairs, hearing the carriage drive away at the same moment. "So Mr. Clayton has come! I said this afternoon should decide my fate," she thought, "and am prepared, yes, I trust I am quite ready to do as he tells me." After a silent prayer for help she entered the room. Her fate was indeed to be decided, then and there! but not by the Priest-Warden of S. Mary's. They stood face to face, after long years of separation. Their eyes met-there was a start, a pause. He took her hand in his without a word. They met as they parted, in silence. To Kenneth the absolute delight of that supreme moment seemed worth all his life's toil. He saw no change in that pure sweet face, delicately flushed with emotion, those deep soft eyes and trembling lips; she was to him more beautiful, more loveable than ever. And she had not forgotten him! The start of surprise, with which she had entered, showed that she had not expected to see him, but the glowing smile which suddenly burst forth like sunshine on meeting his glance, assured him of something more than mere remembrance. In the heart of Elizabeth, varied emotions were contending for the mastery-surprise, delight, hope, fear, and maiden bashfulness, vainly struggling to repress the outward signs of a joy too vivid, too overpowering for words. She tried to still the beating of her heart by repeating to herself, It can't be it can't be that he still cares!" all the while conscious that he did care, and had come to tell her so. "You are unchanged," he said at last, his eyes dwelling on her with the heartfelt joy of a long desire at last fulfilled. She tried to steady her voice, as she answered brightly, “Am I? perhaps not quite so much as you are." "In one thing I have not changed, at any rate," he answered with fervour. "I have loved you ever since I knew you; for years your image has been enshrined in my heart, and now that I can venture to tell you so, may I know whether you can bring yourself to care for me ?" Elizabeth could only give one answer to this question. Later on, when Margaret returned, having prolonged her drive to please the children as well as to give "those two" time to be happy together, if they chose, her sister flew down stairs to meet her, tearful, blushing, radiant. "O, Maggie, Maggie, how could you?" she cried with a warm embrace. "I needn't ask if it's all right, I suppose," said Margaret returning her caresses. "You look tolerably happy, darling. I guessed how it was. Why didn't you tell me before? I suppose it has been going on ever so long." "My darling, there was nothing to tell, till now!" "He took me quite by surprise, and I am amazed at my generosity in encouraging him as I did. Of course he is the rightful Laird of Glendarroch, if he can buy it back. I hope George will agree. But as to you, my dear Bessy, why didn't you give me a hint that he was coming, and what for? you told me you expected some one, but I wish you had been less mysterious.. And really you must have been keeping up some understanding all this time! It didn't strike me at first; I always thought him so honourable and well-principled, and you so thoroughly open and sincere, that I am a little disappointed, in both of you, though you are a very dear child, all the same," Margaret added, kissing her. "O, Maggie, darling!" exclaimed her sister, with all her old childish vehemence, "how can you think that-that either he or I could stoop to any such deception? There was not a word, not a sign, we were free as if we had never met even! yet I will not say that altogether, for he was to me an ideal hero, always, and I couldn't help comparing other men with him sometimes-and even if it had not been for dear papa, I could not care enough for for Lord Prestmore or any one to wish to marry. But, dear, dear Margaret, the surprise to me to-day was as great as to you, do believe it, and make me quite happy.” "That I do, my dear little sister." "How good you are! how generous and kind! O, Maggie, I must tell you I did expect some one this afternoon, but only a clergyman whom I had never seen, to talk to me about-now don't be furious! I can't help laughing, though it isn't right-about a Sisterhood! Yes, I had really thought of trying how I should like it—but I have no vocation, I'm only too sure, now! Sister Alice-you remember Alice Neville?-couldn't tell me whether I had or not, when I talked to her about it, and she said Mr. Clayton would come and see me, and give his opinion. Oh! and I wrote a letter for him to read before I sent it to the Superior, and it's in my pocket now! 0, Margaret! I utterly forgot all and everything. A pretty kind of Sister I should have made! I'm so glad he never came !" I am thankful to hear there was no more harm done, you silly child!" "A very good thing you didn't try! I am sure they would have done their best to keep you! Dearest Bessy, you have indeed found your true vocation at last. I am so glad, my darling. And when you are Lady of Glendarroch, you will kindly let George and me come and stay with you now and then, I hope!" OUR FUTURE. TELL me again, what! Peace for everlasting, Peace, endless peace, our dear ones all around us, |