The Lady Muriel.

"I had my reasons for believing that Miss Aldithley , so far from meditating an elopement with Mandeville , rather favoured my pretensions , ancl it must be owned that I was desperately in love with her . " Judge , theu , of my amazement and indignation , when I overheard this dastardly scheme for kidnapping the girl I loved best in all the world . There was not time for

anything but immediate action . I knew that my brother iu arms was of so noble a nature that he would not scruple about ways aud means to effect his purpose ; and I knew also that Muriel did not comprehend that the " handsome officer " was nothing

more nor less than a thorough scamp . The wall was too high to climb , but they must have entered by the back gateway , which had probably been left unfastened . Bloxam went round to the back at once

to let loose the great St . Bernard clog which knew him , whilst I went to the front to intercept the man who had gone for the cab . The preconcerted signal was heard just as I got to the garden gate , aud a man passed me running stealthily under the shadow of the wall . The rattle of a

cab aud a shrill scream sounded on my ear . Making my way round to the side of the house , I saw Mandeville at the top of the ladder , and the white form of a woman ajiparently leaning out of the window , A sudden crash , and the ladder had fallen down with its burden . A hoarse bark

, and up bounded ' Lion' to my assistance as I was struggling with one of the fellows who I found had been trying to get into the kitchen window , and whom I had collared . Presen tly a policeman came upon the scene ; andas I had stunned one of

, the fellows , and the dog had pinned the other , we soon managed to give them into custody . Mandeville ' s arm was broken , and we had to assist him into the cab—¦

which was made a very different use of to what was intended—ancl he was taken home . The papers got hold of a queer version of the affair . I afterwards learned that Miss Aldithley had formed an attachment to Captain Mandeville , which I did not creditbut for her sakeand for her

, , character , I was silent about the matter . The Hampshire Gazette stated that ' a daring attempt at burglary had been made at the house of one of the Canons residentiary of Can Chester , and but for the

prompt arrival of two of the officers of the 57 th Regiment , and the heroic conduct of Captain Mandeville—who , seeing one of the robbers enter through the window of one of the rooms , followed the man , and after a desperate struggle , succeeded in

saving the property , aud probably the lives , of some of the inmates , though it regretted to say he had sustained considerable injury , ancl had his arm broken in the attempt—the consequences mi ght have been serious . ' Bloxam and I held our

peace , and the story told , no doubt . If I had ever said anything to Miss Aldithley which could be construed into a disparaging remark about Mandeville , Muriel put it down to my jealousy , and though I continued to pay her devoted attentionshe

, seemed to be changing towards me . The truth must be told , I began to hate Mandeville , yet it must be owned he was a fascinating fellow where he chose to fascinate . " Muriel soon grewto like—and Ifaucied

to more than like—him . He was always putting himself in her way , and there were few women who could resist him . Only a few clays before the burglary , I had

proposed to , aud as 1 thought , had not been rejected by , her . She had not then come under his baneful influence . I felt , therefore , that I was justified in speaking to her about him ; but she was , it must be owned , a flirt . To my astonishment , when

some days afterwards , Captain Mandeville ' s name came up in the course of conversation , Muriel said , — '" It is quite clear , Mr . Falcoubridge , that you are jealous of Captain Mandeville , and you cannot trust me . AA e had better ,

therefore , part . ' "' Muriel , ' I answered , ' you misunderstand me . I bear him no ill will , and you ought to know how devoted I am to you ; pray unsay what you have just- said . ' " ' I do not wish to quarrel with you '

, she answered , ' but I am tired of this espionage . I intend to be free again , and so good morning , Mr . Falcoubridge , ' and with that she sailed out of the room . "I could not believe it , it seemed all like a dreamand it was some time before

, I could realise the fact that I was a discarded lover . The next day I called again , She would not see me . I wrote , asking for an explanation . My letter was returned ,