The Heir Of Bendersleigh; Or, The Freemason's Promise.

Joe . " This request was addressed to a person who was behind him , and wiio immediately afterwards made his appearance in Mr . Grainger ' s office , by the side of Mr . Raker . This individual might very reasonably have been taken for either an omnibus cad—a sporting nobleman—a prize fighter , or a blackleg . He had anything but an attractive countenance , in which

, moreover , there was a permanent expression of impudent confidence and self possession , and about whose general bearing- there was an offensive swagger , which , as far as outward appearances were concerned , consisted almost exclusively of a loose drab great coat , with buttons upon it as large asdessert plates . Below this article of his dress was just * perceptible ° a pair of trowsersthe pattern of which was enormousllarge in keeping

, y with the great coat , which covered them . " Sit down , Joe , " said Mr . Raker , with the air of one who was perfectly at home . Joe needed no second invitation , so down he sat , and having done so , stared at Rachel until she was quite confused , and then he whistled at his trinmnh .

" How are you ? Grainger ? " exclaimed Mr . Raker , in gleeful tone . "Good morning , Mr . Raker ; " replied Mr . Grainger . "Hallo ! " exclaimed Mr . Raker , " what brings you here , Rachel ?" "Oh , Mr . Raker , I was in town , and-1 merely " made so bold as to call upon Mr . Grainger , " said Rachel , rising , and exhibiting considerable embarrassment . " To think that he should have come iu at this

moment , " thought Rachel to herself , "I could scratch his face , but my sex withholds me . " Although this was secret it was very novel reasoning , inasmuch as scratching and the sex are not uncommonl y associated . " Well , Rachel , " cried Mr . Raker , in a bantering tone , " lots of fun and bustle to-morrow , eh , over the water . " "Ah ! " sighed Rachel .

" Why , you seem in the dumps , Rachel ; now I'll be bound I can tell the reason . I suppose you'd rather see your friend Mr . Henry Elliotson walk off with Harriet ! I ' ve got the prize though ! " and he laughed coaxingly in Rachel ' s face , and turned and winked upon his friend Joe , who went through a similar performance , ejaculating in a subdued tone , the word " prime , " thereby intimating that he was amused amazingly by the scene before him .

' _ ' Come , now , Rachel , confess you'd rather see Harriet married to this Elliotson ; " and he glanced over to Mr . Grainger . " Comparisons is impious , " replied Rachel , promptly . " So they is ; " said Joe , mimicking Rachel ' s tone and maimer . "No sneers , Joe ; " cried Mr . Raker , in high glee . " He is ' such a chap for sneering , Rachel , " continued he , turning to Rachel .

" Gammon , " cried Mr . Joe , in a subdued tone , as before . " Though I am but a poor servant , Mr . Raker , I have my feelings if other people has none , " said she , fiercely ; " I have my feelings , and so I'll take my leave . Good morning , Sir ; " and she hastily quitted the office . "Ha , ha , ha , " laughed Mr . Raker , "there ' s a joke , Joe . " "Prime , " replied Joe , who appeared actuated on that occasion with