The True Mason.

clocks and quays , or in the dusty , poking offices and shops of which the streets seem to be almost entirely composed ; and there exists plenty of p leasure for the young , and plenty of crime as Avell for all . Mabel's uncle , Mr . Seymour , did not live in the toAvn of Wolverston , but he had a handsome mansion in the country , about five miles distaut , and he came in almost every day of the week , and as he Avas one of the county magistrates he had a good deal Avell knownrespected and liked

to do at the TOATO Hall , especially at the sessions , was , in his capacity of Justice of the Peace , and Avas altogether a rather popular and decidedlv influential man in those parts . The ' Theatre Royal , Wolverston , was a handsome building , and as a place of amusement was very successful . There were always actors of talent there ( happy place ) , pretty actressesaud generalla goodthough smallcorps de ballet . I don't knoAV

, y very , , that I should introduce you there , gentle reader , though I assure you it was conducted in a very respectable manner , ancl Avas patronised by the aristocracy of Wolverston , but that the exigencies of my story oblige me to do so . However , more of this anon . Well , Mabel came up by ' the train from toAvn late that night , having enjoyed very much the first part at least of her journey , whilst her cousin had been Avith her ; but Avhen he left it had become sadldull .

y " He was a very interesting companion , " thought she . " He talked so well . Was so pleasant and agreeable altogether , and then he was so attentive , and seemed to study her comfort so much in every Avay . " Well , it was not so long they were parted at all events , for he had promised to come up and stay with them during the race week in November , ancl it Avas only a month to

that time . . Of course Uncle George Avas pleased enough to have his pet home again , and of course the cousins Avere glad to Avelcome their pretty relative . Mabel was very much improved , so every one said , and certainly looked bewitching . They kept open house at the " Elms , " and scarcely an evening passed but her cousins , Philip and Herbert , AVIIO by the way were both in love with her themselves , brought in some bachelor friend or other from Wolverston , who Avas sure to go again with a very

vacant sensation about the region of the heart . Mabel flirted to her heart's content , and so the month passed quicklyancl merrily by , and Fitz came up for the races . It Avas a long Avay from toAvn to come , so Mr . Seymour said , and he would not think of Reginald ' s returning for . another fortnig ht after the races , and then he should only go back to fetch his friend Seaton , of whom he , LTncle Georgehad heard a good deal from Mabel , and so they Avould all spend the Christmas

, Holidays together . Fitz was not at all hurt at this arrangement , in fact he thought it a very good one , with the exception , perhaps , that Mark Seaton would be coming up at Christmas , Avhom he had begun to look upon as a rival , strange to say . Mabel Avas certainly a nice girl , she improved amazingly upon acquaintance . It was evident she was not indifferent to him , she had shown that unequivocally more than

once . Mark was a good felloAv , but then Mabel did not care for him , she had OAvned as much since he had come to Wolverston . Besides , very likely Mark had forgotten her by this . He had certainly talked very little about her of late , ancl had become , in fact , rather moody and reserved upon the subject . Mabel would have money one of these days ; it was all bosh Avhat he had said to Mark about her penniless condition . " BJove" Fitz burst out as a Avind-up to his meditation— " By Jove , I ' ve half a

y , mind to propose to her myself . " Mabel had been showing Fitz the lions of the place that day in company Avith tAvo of her cousins , young ladies who Avere very much attached to each other , quiet ^ in demeanour , not to say slow , ancl rather in aAve of their erratic , independent , but beautiful

. A hint was to them quite sufficient , hoAvever , ancl though they were supposed to be one party , the two sisters folloAved demurely out of ear shot of their companions , who rambled about the old Church and the Chantry just outside the town , and the ruins of