Muriel Halsie.

" I am too anxious to secure employment to make objections , " returned Muriel , hastily . " I am with friends at present , but , " her lips quivered too much to permit of her finishing the sentence . "I have heard of your late sad loss "

, said Mr . Forbes , kindly , " Have you no relatives left ?" " A brother and sister in India—those are all , " she answered , sadly . Then Mrs . Forbes rose and signified that the interview was at an end .

" It is long since I have seen so handsome a girl ! " exclaimed Mr . Forbes when the door had closed on Miss Halsie . " What a figure she has ! Is she purely English , Cecilia ? " turning to his daughter .

"I am sorry I cannot inform you , grandpapa , since you are so interested , " replied Mrs . Forbes , sarcastically . "I only hope she will not put herself too forward when the house is full of company . "

" I think you may rest content on that point , " he said . " If I am any reader of character , Miss Halsie has too much pride to force herself into notice . "

" So you are come at last to spend a day with me 1 " exclaimed Miss Morton , looking up in surprise at the bri ght face bending over her chair . "At last ! " answered Muriel , gaily , divesting herself of hat and cloak . " How

long it seems since I was in this dear old room !" "Nearly six mouths , if my memory serves me ri ghtly , " replied her friend , " Now bring yonr chair to the window , Murieland tell me the news . You are

, looking at my fire ; it makes the room look less lonely when I come down to breakfast—now that I have you for company , it may go out . " "Does not Mrs . Morton come to see you ? " asked Muriel .

¦ ' Oh yes , sometimes . But , what with parish matters and company , her time is pretty well monopolized . " " I thought she did very little parish work . " "Well , my dear , to tell the truth , she

does not do a great deal ; but then she thinks she does , and to think is to do with some people , you know . Let us talk of

something else . How does the teaching go on 1 " " Nicely . The children are tractable enough now ; but it is weary work steering clear of all the shoals and quicksands one meets with in governess life , I get

woefully disheartened sometimes , and pine for Christie ' s return ; but even then I do not know that I should be much better off , for I could not live at their expense . " " Unless Percy ' s uncle dies meantime , and he comes into the Wellwood estates "

, suggested Miss Morton , with a smile . " Yes—unless that occurs , of course , " answered Muriel , with a deep sigh ; " but such an event is unlikely , " she added . " Sometimes . I think I should be better if I could come and grumble to you ;

however , I am not my own mistress , or I should often be seen at Newcombe—perhaps take up my abode here altogether . " . " By the way , Muriel , there lias been an increase in the family at Hillside since I saw you . How do you like it ? "

" The baby—oh , it does not make any difference to me at present , " replied Muriel , smiling . " I had forgotten the baby when I spoke . I meant Mr . Eric Forbes—do you like him ?"

" I do not see much of the family , you know , clear Miss Morton . " " Ah , no , I suppose not . Still , I should like to have had your opinion of this famous Mr . Eric ; I hear him lauded on all sides when I am at the Rectory parties . Miss Vauban dubbed him Sir Launcelot , and pretty Miss Rivers calls him the Saxon Knight . Is he really as nice as they say , Muriel ?"

" How can I know ? " answered Muriel , impatiently . He is handsome and agreeable , I believe , the children are fond of him—they could tell you better than I can . " All over the girl ' s pale face there spread a scarlet glow ; she turned her head

away quickly . "Has it come to that , Muriel 1 " Miss Morton bent forward , and touched one of the crimson cheeks with her finger . Muriel started . " To what ? " she asked , sharply .

" Is discomposure at the mention of a name a sign of indifference ? " questioned her friend , quietly . Muriel made no reply for a few moments ; with a very thoughtful face she sat watch-