A Life's Hatred.

his very soul . The be )} - suddenly cast off his ragged jacket-, and blushing deeply , bared his shoulelers to the gax . c of his companion , who was greatly shockctl to see erne ! weals and discolouration upon the tender llesh . proving beyond a doubt that the iiufortiinatc lad had been most inhumanly punished .

" Do you feel equal ( otheta . sk of walking a few miles farther , my little man Y " kindly enquired . Mr . Mortlaunt . I will afterwards consider what can be done for you . " " Oh ! yes , sir , " eagerly replied ( he outcast , while a bright hopeful expression stole info hi . s face . "Bravely answered , my boy , keep a gooel heart anil you shall soon have food and shelter . "

The young gipsy shyly placed his hand info that of his benefactor ' s , a liberty which was not resented , and ihe two journeyed onwards , chatting pleasantly together , tis though ( hey were equals and friends of long-standing . After a time , however , the lad ' s high spirits flagged , his speech faltered , and he dragged himself wearily

along . These signs of exhaustion eliel not escape the attention of Mr . Mordaunt , who was inwardly-grieved and concerned thereby . The shades of thc evening , too , were deepening anil the air was cold . Presently , upon reaching thc high road he , to his great relief , heard the sound of rapidly approaching wheels .

Mr . Mordaunt and his young charge halted , and in a few moments a local tradesman ' s vehicle passed . Hailing the driver , the gentleman enquired , " Are you going near the Limes Y " Thc man , who recognised his interrogator , touched his hat respectfully , aud answered in the allirmative .

" ln that case , give this poor boy a lift in your cart , he is too tired to walk . I will follow on foot . Hand him over to one of the servants , and say it is 1113- wish that he be fed , aud luaelo clean ami presentable by the time I return . " Tho driver assisted fhe weary lad to mount thc vehicle , and bidding Mr . Morduuiit "good night , '' drove smartly off .

On his way homewards , our charitable friend mused upon the adventure he had just experienced . The boy ' s appearance , and tho artless manner in which he had reeounfetl his story interested and afl ' eeled him very much . He firmly believed every word that the hapless lad had littered , but hc felt himself placed upon thc horns of a dilemma . "What could hedo with the child thus strangely thrown upon

his hands Y " He did not like the ielca of handing him over to the tender mercies of the parochial authorities , whose dut y necessarily woulel be to find out bis unnatural mother . Of coin-so this proceeding of ( he guardians would be attended with some trouble , as in thc lirst instance the lad was unable to recollect the name of the

spot where the encampment was , and secondly , as the gipsies were nomadic in their habits , it would be diflieull to trace them from place to place . Assuming , however , that thc mother was found , the poor hoy ' s lot would , indeed , be a hard one . In her rage , at his running away , she might have recourse to harsh measures , and his life might eventually , by her brutality , be jeopardised .

The latter conception filled the benevolent heart of thc ruminant with horror , and determined him as fo the line of action to pursue . He would put ihe youth in charge of his gardener , with instructions to attend to his board and education , and if he proved to be deserving of his bounty , he would , when the proper time arrived , place him in a position where he might with diligence and application earn a decent livelihood .

Upon his arrival at the Limes , Mr . Mordaunt , having satisfied himself that the lad was being well cared for , sat down to his solitary dinner , which meal , however , was served with great formali / 1 , hi . s confidential servant Annand and a female domestic

being in constant attendance and anticipating his every want . The dessert having been arranged temptingl y on the table , Mr . Mordaunt directed that the gipsy should be brought to his presence , suyiny that he wished to put some questions to him before dismissing him for the night .

A Life's Hatred.

CHAPTER III . Annand , having ushered in thc boy , at a sign from his master , discreetly withdrew . Mr . Mordaunt was struck with the wonderful alteration in tlie appearance of thc gipsy . Hi . s nut-brown skin nowglowed with health , his bright dark eyes shone with intelligence , and his clustering chesmit-coloured hair flowed graccfiillyfrom his broad

intellectual brow . Hc was slightly built , but of excellent symmetry of form . The valet had procured for him a suit of clothes from the head gardener , whose eldest son was of similar height , and as the runaway boy stood cap in hand before Mr . Mordaunt , that gentleman noticed with surprise tho becoming carriage and air of respectabilit y tluit the change of raiment had effected .

" Take a seal , my lad , and help yourself lo some fruit , I have a few more questions to ask you , " said hc in kind tones . The gipsy boy took the chair indicated , and partook of the good things on the tabic .

" What is your name ? " asked Mr . Mordaunt , after a . pause . - ' Dick Lee , sir , " quickly answered the youth . " How old are you Y " Mas the next query . "I don ' t know , sir , 1 don't indeed , " was the reply spoken with some earnestness , as if thc speaker were afraid his interrogator might be inclineel to think hc was again trilling with him .

"You speak very well , considering the rude life you have led , " remarked Mr . Mordaunt . " Can 3-011 read aud write Y " "Oh , yes , sir , I can , " rejoineel the boy , anel his face li ghted up with pleasure tit thc avowal . " I thought your people never sent their children to school , "

remarked the gentleman . " I have never been to school , sir , " was the reply , and the countenance of the lad clouded , as he knew that the admission was humiliating . " Who taught 3 * ou , then Y "

"An old man of our tribe , sir . In his youth hc forsook thc tents 111 . d turned strolling player . When hc got olelcr he grew tired of play-acting , aud travelled all over the country in a caravan selling fancy articles by auction . I have heard my mother say that he was very clever and witt y in his business , and sold his wares well . About four years ago he caught a severe cold which laid him up for some months . He got better , but his voice was gone . Finding

himself unable to follow his calling any more , he sold his van and goods and joined us . He took a liking to me from the- first , and taught mo to read and write . Some times he would get me to learn a few lines out of an old play-book , aud instructed mc how to eleliver them . I was very fond of him . When ho died I felt that I had lost my best friend , " ami the lad ' s eyes filled with tears . " When did he die Y " asked the owner of the Limes .

" Last spring , sir . 1 was with him to the last . A little time before his death hc was unconscious , anel appeared to sleep . I was alone with him in the tent . My mother had gone out to gather fever herbs , and had warned me not to leave him . 1 had never seen

anyone dying before , and its it was getting dark I felt afraid . To divert 1113- thoughts I lighted a lantern , took up his favourite book of plays , and tried to read , but thc tears came to my eyes , and almost blindedjme . Presently 1 heard a movement , and a faint voice murmured .

" ' Dick , my pet , give mc some drink . ' " 1 threw down the book and went fo hi . s side . His face looked awful as the glimmer of the light fell upon it . His c }* cs were very bright , and wandered from side to side . 1 gave him a cooling draught which my mother had made for him , but he could only swallow a few drops .

' ' It is ot no use , Dick , I cannot drink , take it away . It is all over wilh me . 1 am going fast . Give mc your hand , my 1103 * , it may be for the last time . It is very kind of 3-011 to stay hero with a poor old man whose sands of life arc almost run out . 1 have been a bad one in my day , Dick , and it grieves mc to think that you may fall as

Ad04301

BRITISHORPHANASYLUM,SLOUGH. P . i'i'iio . v—HKR MAJESTY THE QUEEN . SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS . Established in fhe year 18 ' 27 for the Maintenance and Education of Destitute Orphans of cither sex , from all parts of the British Empire , of till Denominations , whose parents were once in preispcrous circumstances . Children are admitted hy Election , and in some cases h y Purchase , between the ages ol 7 and 1 * 2 , and arc retained until 15 . More than 200 arc now in thc Institution while nearly 2000 have received their early training there during the past 70 years . The Committee earnestly appeal for increased support , which is urgently needed to enable them to meet outstanding liabilities . HKV . CANON FLKM 1 NG , B . D ., ) ,, „ ALFRED MACKENZIE , j Iton " ' ' Offices . — ' 12 , BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHIN , K . C . CLIA . ULKS T . HOSKINS , Secretary . Bunkers : —Mi' . s . -i ; s . WILLIAMS DEACON , and MANCHESTER A SALFORD BANK , Limited , 20 Birehin Lane , E . C . ANNUAL Sn . M'UirnoN :- —For One Vote , 10 s . lid . ; for Two Votes . £ 1 Is . Lii'i : DiiNAiio . v : —For One Vote , . to os . ; for Two Votes , A' 10 10 s . Lii ' i' PuLstNTAiiON : — £ &> 0 .