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Show her room; an sent tor Mrs. Markhara, however, and after an apparently very I pleasant conversation, announced much to the surprise at that lady, her intention to dispose of her jiahitingn, and asked Mrs. M. if ahe wouldn't make arrange-merits arrange-merits for the sale of them with a well-known well-known art firm on Tremont street, in Boston, Bos-ton, who were personally acquainted with Miss Dillon and thoroughly, appreciated her ability. Mrs. Markham was surprised and delighted de-lighted with the proposition. She was now fully convinced that Kate was pre-fiaring pre-fiaring to assume the matrimonial yoke in earnest, and she readily assented to Kate's request to call on Mr. Bl.ick & Ev-erly, Ev-erly, ami make such arrangements in Kate's interest as she deemed wise and proper. Mrs. Markham, with the assistance of Miss Dillon, who was not too ill to assist in such pleasing labors, selected from her extensive collections such works as would best suit the public taste, and had them carried down stairs, and turned over to Walter, who had kindly volunteered to arrange and catalogue them, ami take entire en-tire charge, in fact, of the whole business. Old Mr. Dillon his umial hubit when pleased rubbed bis ljny hands together, 1 and declared that Kate was the most sen-, Bible girl he hud ever met with. He declared tho pictures would bring enough at auction to pay all the wedding wed-ding excuses and have a large balance besides. Walter too, was delighted with the smooth manner in which his matrimonial bark was sailing; and he employed himself him-self with much energy and euthusiasin in the interest of his beautiful cousin. In a short time the pictures were properly prop-erly catalogued and forwarded to the art room of Messrs. Blake Si Everly, and a catalogue was issued, in which it was announced, an-nounced, that : "The gems enumerated here are the production of a wealthy and accomplished lady amateur whose genius bids fair, at some future day, to produce a work of art worthy of our most eminent painters." In the meantime Kate kept closely to her room, even taking her meals there; only seldom walking in the grounds of tho mansiuu or joining the family in the library. Walter at this timo was always in great good humor. He was voiy busy. For the first time in his life, crhae, he bud something honest and honorable to engage his attention. He saw to tbo hanging of the pictures in the art gallery, for he had considerable taste in that direction ; he attended to tho advertisements; wrote criticisms for the jwipera, for which he paid so much per editorial line, and in a variety of ways, sought to enhance the value of the pictures so tliey might command com-mand a good price at the forthcoming auction auc-tion sale. In this way he worked incessantly and to much advantage on behalf o his cousin. There was another interesting work going go-ing on besides at Windemere. Three or four seamstresses were constantly employed em-ployed on the troutimu of Miss Dillon; anil invitations were being prepared, and a hundred and ono other things were being be-ing done preparatory to the great event. Indeed the whole household was busy and pleased, and never in his life had Mr. Dillon been so comfortable and contented. He was surprised at the smoothness with which everything was running, so much so that he legan to look upon himselt as the promoter of all the ' happiness which seemed to reign about him. And so he was, as he found afterwards to his cost. Tlte day of the sale at length arrived, and the pictures went oft merrily. "I tell you it was lively bidding, Kate," said Walter ,the next day, as he placed the snug sura of seventeen hundred dollars dol-lars in her hand, "you might have sold a thousand pictures at the same rate." Kate received the money without a word and retired to her own apartments. Mrs. Markham came in and congratulated congratu-lated her upon the success of the sale, and left upon her tablo a cup of tea and some toast and kindly kissed her good night. TO BE CONTINUED. A HDNTEDJEIRESS. V TALE OF FACTORT LIFE IX JfEW ENGLAND. By Major MavNamara. CHAPTKR VI. CONTINCED. Never mind the pink, cousin Kate ait down here, for I wish to speak with you." Kate took a scat by his side as obediently obedient-ly as if she were a petted child, and with her gathered pan.siea in her hands, she looked confidingly up into the man's band-some band-some face and sail I : "Now, cousin, tell me what you want to sav to me, and while you are doing so I will arrange my flowers." He looked down at her with surprise. Pure and simple surprise. He couldn't understand and good reason why the poor girl didn't understand herself. Another An-other girl, he thought, would instantly have known why she was invited to a W-4hte!e, W-4hte!e, in a lonely roiu-ervatory and would naturally have felt somewhat nervous, unless indeed she was a "girl of the period," pe-riod," and powssed of considerable ex-jierience ex-jierience in matters such as he proposed to enter into. Cousin Walter was puzzled how to proceed. pro-ceed. Kate's coolness had entirely upset bis plans of operation he stammered out at last "Well Kate I wanted to speak about about " "Atxmt v.W, Walter? You talk like a little school-boy now fsay right out what you want, and if it is this bouquet. I will immediately arrange and give it to you!" "Was there ever such such impudence!" impu-dence!" thought tho young man did she understand what he wished to say or did she not "anyway here she is throwing herself at my head and I'll catch her so here goes.' "Well. I'll tell you Kate, I've been think- ing thinking " "And so have I Walter, and it is the most unpinfitable thing a man or woman can do. If you will stop thinking, Walter, you will do much better. Here, put that pink in your button-hole!" "Is this girl an idiot a fool, or or is is she just making fun of me she looks innocent enough, but but I've my doubts. However, here goes again." "I've been thinking cousin of getting married. That's it!" "Well, why don't you Walter t "You're old enough, I'm sure." "I want to marry you Kate! I love you!" " Vou waut to marry me, cousin Walter ; When!" "Whenever you will, Kate!" exclaimed the surprised young man, looking at the calm, beautiful face in tho deepest wonder. won-der. "You must ask Mrs. Markham, cousin, and she will toll you when there! you will run hack and tell me tho time, so I may lie ready." Walter Dillon was startled by this answer. an-swer. Was the girl mad! What had come over herf Ho looked gearchine-ly into her beautiful face but saw nothing there to indicate unsoundness of intellect her eyes were calmly gentle, though somewhat vacant in their expression, anil a sweet confiding smile played about her lips yea, she was all herself so ha said. "Why see Mrs. Markham! What has ebe to do with it f I'll see be " ' w "Ilush, Walter, you musn't speak so of Mrs. Markham. She is my friend, and yon must treat herwttjh becoming respect. I shall do nothing without Mrs. Mark-ham's Mark-ham's consent." On this point poor Kate waa firm, and together the two loners (?) left the conservatory conser-vatory and made their way to Mrs. M.'s dormitory, where, much to her astonishment, astonish-ment, the proposition of Walter Dillon was laid before her. j To say that she waa dumb with amaze- i t ment, would but illy express her feelings; but she congratulated Walter and his affianced affi-anced on their engagement, and kissed Kate as she turned to leave the room. As for Walter, there waa something about the whole affair which startled and confounded him; what it was he could not tell but he often looked uneasily at Kate, as if seeking the solution of some mysterious problem. As for Kate herself, she took things quite coolly. She didn't seem to see anything any-thing extraordinary or uncommon ahout the matter, but gave herself away with the same unconcern that she would have tossed a withered flower into the gutter. All the rest of the afternoon the face of Martha Markham was drawn and pale as if with pain; and, for a part of the after- I noon she was quietly closeted with the old gentleman. Kate fluttered alxmt the house as usual, singing to herself, and looking like anything but an engaged young lady. , Chapter VII. SUOWIHO WHAT A HANDY THINO IT IS TO y HAVK AN ANTB-R0OM TO A LI11RAKY. Miss Dillon went about the house, as was her habit of late, singing softly to herself. She didn't seem to comprehend the sudden sud-den change in her relations to the family of her uncle nor indeed seem to havo the least idea that she was engaged to her cousin at all. While she went about with him, and they talked quietly together, the one single sin-gle subject in which he was most interested, interest-ed, to-wit, his marriage to the beautiful Kate, Walter could not bring her to speak of at all. She would say that that matter was in the hands of Mrs. Markham that Mrs. Markham would do all that was necessary nec-essary in the premises, and that they musn't further concern themselves about it. In the meantime poor Kate would permit per-mit no familiarities whatever the nearest approach that her cousin could come to a more affectionate understanding between tliein, was once when he kiased her small white hand, and even that privilege was reluctantly granted him. Walter, of course, vainly conjectured as to the cause of this strange conduct on the part of Kate; but puzzle his head aa he would about it, he could find no satisfactory satis-factory solution. But Kate's strange trust in Mrs. Markham, Mark-ham, puzzled and aunoyed him more than anything else. I'he idea of Martha having such power and influence over Kata waa something so extraordinary that it bewildered him. Such a system of courting and engagement engage-ment aa he had gone through, did not seem very flattering to his pride. Kate had not even said "yes" to his suit ; but had incontinently turned him over to the housekeejier yes, to the housekeeper at this Rtage of his reflection, Walter Dillon Dil-lon gnashed his teeth and the housekeeper house-keeper had given her consent! The housekeeper had accepted him for Kate! Was there ever such a style of courting and acceptance before no! not even in the wildest romanc he ever read. The more the young man reflected the firmer became bis conclusion that there was something behind all this there was mystery somewhere. What caused this sudden change in Kate's manner toward him. Bhe knew his whole record almost as well as he knew it himself. She knew ; that he was a bad man and what his rap-j rap-j station was in the world. I Until of late, she had carefully avoided him. Would hardly speak to him had appeared to him a strong-minded and dignified dig-nified woman. Leas than one month ago be was regally handsome the hlontn of health bright up in ber rounded cheeks and its genial gjiarkle in her glorious eyes. To-day Heavens, what a change pale, weak, mentally and physically moving-ahnnt moving-ahnnt at the beck and call of the woman ahe most had hated, as Walter knew pleased and friendly with those whom she had most detested all this to young Dillon Dil-lon was a puzzle of extraordinary intricacy, intrica-cy, and a puzzle which be determined to unravel not indeed to the interest of his unfortunate cousin but to satisfy his own curiosity and to satisfy himself exactly ex-actly as to the nature of the ground on which he was standing. During these reflections the thndivi of a thought had passed through his mind; and, though he would not look at it mentally men-tally still he was impressed with it he would allow it no place in his thoughts and he banished it, or tioight ho did but it only became mixed up with other rubbish rub-bish in his mind it was there even if he did not see it and that thought was " hartlly think that girl it in Iter right inind." There was the solution of the whole mystery. If he had accepted tlutf thought and turned it overa few times in his mind, he might have accounted in some degree for the snccsR if success it could be called of his peculiar courtship. But as I have said he cast the thought aside; wouldn't look at it for the simple reason that he feared to. Will he determined deter-mined to have a talk with his father and with Mrs. Markham, for, he said to himself, him-self, "if there it any mystery in this affair, and I think there is, I am determined to know it, and who has a lwtter right?" Now this string of reflections indicates the mean and selfish nature of this man he didn't care the weight of a canary's feather for the interest of tho fair girl whose life and happiness was being so cruelly cru-elly plotted against what he cared for was securing the fortune of the girl, and that could only be done by marriage; aa for the girl herself, he didn t care the snap of his fingers alxmt her. In pursuance of this determination he entered the library where his father was usually found after dinner, and at once ojiened up the subject. "There is something aliout this engagement, engage-ment, father, that I cannot understand, some mystery I desire to have explained and for that matter, that I am determined determ-ined shall 1 explained. Tell me why it is that Kate would not accept me without the oonsent of your hoitAi-ktjr she didn't seem to care a snap for your consent didn't even refer to it when I asked her to marry me and in fact treated tho wholo affair more as a funny joke, than the solemn, and Berious thing it should be." A grim smile came to tho lips of the old man at his son's reference to the "solemnity "solemni-ty and seriousness' of the marriage engagementthe en-gagementthe son saw it, and perhaps appreciated the humor of the thing but he continued giavely, nevertheless "A great change has also taken place in that girl both in mind and body it is not natural now I am not going blindfolded blind-folded into this thing, and I want that understood un-derstood from the word go that girl is tho next thing to an idiot what is the cause of this sudden transformation, and what does it mean t" "You shall lie gratified, Walter. You ask why the sudden change in the mental and physical ap(iearance of Kate that is easily explained the girl's food has been treated to that end by Mrs. Markham, with my content!" The library of the Dillon mansion was very spacious, and divided at the further end by a sliding door, which formed a cony apartment for the use of any one in-clined in-clined for reading, writing, or seclusion that door was partly drawn and any one within.thotigh concealed theinselves,inight both see and hear all that transpired in the rljoining part of the library. We give this explanation of the plan of the room, to show that here the author has a splendid chance to put Kate in hiding, and thus spring upon the reader a tragical denouement in the complete exposure of our dramatic persona. But such is not his intention Kate may or may not be there, and if she is, she seems capable of preserving pre-serving a very discreet silence. Walter Dillon was astounded at the revelation rev-elation of his father. This accounted for the extrarodinary conquest he had made for a moment ho felt exceedingly foolish for the follow had really thought that he suave conversation, his general gentleness gentle-ness of demeanor, and his undoubted good looks had been the real cause of his wonderful won-derful triumph over the proud heart of the royally accomplished hate Dillonl Instead, In-stead, his wonderful conquest was due eolely to the science of pharmacopoeia and the treacherous skill of a wicked housekeeper. house-keeper. The young man was astonished and disgusted. dis-gusted. Old Dillon knew exactly the direction of his son's thoughts,and from the twitching twitch-ing of his features, it was pretty evident that he keenly enjoyed his son's discomfiture. discom-fiture. Walter had not a word to say ; it bad been all worked in his interest. He knew that his crosin detested him and nover of her own will would marry him ; the more he turned it over !n his mind, the more he waa convinced that it was well and shrewdly done, and so, finally, he informed his father. "I was satisfied that your good sense would accept the situation, Walter; for I was thoroughly assured in my own mind that you would never gain thai girl's consent con-sent by any legitimate means. You are very much indebted to Mrs. Markham. 8hall I ring for hert" Walter signified his assent, and in a few moments the housekeeiier appeared and gave Walterafull explanation of theman-ner theman-ner in which she had treated Kate, but acknowledged that she had never anticipated antici-pated such complete success. She further informed him that if she should cease her method of treatment for two or three days, Kate would resume the full strength of her faculties, and in less than a week be as hearty and strong, and as royally digmtied as ever. In the meantime she must still keep her in charge until after the marriage, j which ought to take place as soon as possible. pos-sible. She was doing her part ; the trousseau trous-seau was almost ready, aud she hail no doubt that Miss Dillon would readily assent as-sent to anything she suggested. The conversation concluded by setting Wednesday of the following week for the marriage of Walter Dillon and his cousin Kate. Chaptbh VIII. WHICH SHOWS THAT BATH WAS NOT THS "LITTLM FOOL" THB CONSPIRATORS TOOK H8B TO BB. The day following the explanations in the library Kate Dillon was too ill to leave |
