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

fine estate ; ivhose father from the young man ' s childhood had held some high appointment in the East Indies , from which invigorating regions the youth had been sent in his infancy , and had never seen his father since . Barely twenty years of age , he had the appearance- of a man of upwards of thirty . On his lip he wore a thick moustache , slightly tinged

with red , and his attire ivas that of the last fasMon ivhich had come from Bond-Street to the Provinces . Another gentleman was of the party , about his own age , but looking younger , modestly attired , but with that bearing

which attests the gentleman , and for which there is no counterfeit . This was Mr . Henry Euiotson , an articled clerk to Mr . Grainger , in whose office he had been brought up from a mere child . Beside these , there were a maiden lady of an uncertain age . Two poor relations of Mrs . Chasey ' s , like train-bearers to the rest , and who had been invited ; the one because he could play the accordion , and the other because he " made-such blunders , " and "would be so very droll . "

But where s Mrs . Marshall ? enquired Mr . Grainger , ivhen the party had seated themselves at the luncheon table . "Oh , mamma will be down presently , " replied Harriet , "but she ivillnot be able to join us to day , as she is rather poorly ; besides which she is afraid , of leaving the house to the boy . " "Not go ! " cried Mr . Grainger , "then I don't go . " "La ! Mr . Grainger , " exclaimed the ladies all at once . " Oh , lie wants to creep up Mrs . Marshall ' s sleeve , " said the blundering cousin

, intending to say sometnmg tunny , and m tue beliei he nad done so , laughing ; but only for an instant , as Mr . Grainger himself did not relish the joke , consequently , he being rich , nobody else did ; ivhile Mr . Augustus Baker whispered to Harriet , next whom he sat , that in his opinion , the gent that had just spoken was what the fast men in London called " a flat ; " and then he laughed and ogled Mrs . Puffier Smirke , as

much as to say , you should have heard that ; at ivhich Sirs . Puffier Smirke practically illustrated her last name , and seemed to say , " ah , I can see what ' s going on , " for she knew that Mr . Raker was an heir , and these great minded people though they write about and against " vanities , " as they call them , nevertheless relish them mightily .

" Yes , as Mrs . Marshall remains at home , you must have your excursion without me , and you will enjoy it all the better I dare say , " said Mr . Grainger . Mr . Grainger had various reasons for remaining behind . First , he was fond of the country , and ivhere could he see it in its eloquent silence to greater advantage than from Mrs . Marshall ' s cottage . Then he loved

seclusion , and it struck him that perhaps he might be a restraint upon the enjoyment of the party , all so very much younger than himself ; and finally , he had some matters to talk over with Mrs . Marshall herself ; so his mind was made up , perhaps , beforehand .

A great many inducements were offered to Mr . Grainger , with the view of securing his company at the pic-nic , but that gentleman ivas firm in his determination ; and he good-huniouredly , but decidedly , met the arguments urged ivith a refusal ,