Muriel Halsie.

ing the sparrows hopping about the garden path . " If I liked him ever so much , I would not let him know it under present circumstances , " she said presently . " Does he like you , Muriel ?"

" It is unmanly , cruel , to pay me attentions which render my position in the house anything but agreeable ! " exclaimed the girl , passionately . Miss Morton smiled ; she did not see love ' s difficulties as Muriel did .

" You are sure that Mr . Forbes has not seen that you care for him ?" " Miss Morton , do you think I have no pride ?" " Pride is a treacherous friend to trust

to , dear , said Miss Morton ; "it may lead you into all sorts of straits . " "So may love , " answered Muriel . " Pride cannot be altogether dispensed with ; for true love is founded on respect ; and there can be no real respect where there is not equality of position . "

" Certainly ; but , Muriel , that argument cannot be applied to your case . " " Can it not ? " she answered , with a little smile . " He is a gentleman , I am only a governess . " " And Colonel Halsie ' s daughter !"

" That is all altered now—please let us talk of something else . " Miss Morton laughed to herself , a quiet little satisfied laugh . "I will be merciful , and change the subject , " she said . " Tell me about Christie . "

So Christie ' s last epistle was read over and discussed , nor was the name of Mr . Eric Forbes mentioned again during Muriel ' s visit .

The sun had set some time when Muriel Halsie stepped from the railway-carriage at the Hillside station , but the evenings were li ght now long after the sun had betaken himself to rest , and the cool , sweet freshness of the air was very leasant after

p the unusual heat of the day . Her heart beat fast as she reached the loclge gates , for slowly sauntering clown the drive was Mr . Eric Forbes . Where was the latch of the gate ? Her hand sought up and down vainly .

"You are on the wrong side , Miss Halsie , " said the gentleman , advancing , and holding open the gate for her to pass through ; then , letting it swing to , he

placed himself by her side and began to talk . " Have you had a pleasant day 1 I hope my old friend is well ? " " You are mistaken , Mr . Forbes ; I have . been to see no friend of yours , " answered

Muriel , coldly . " I am sure I beg your pardon , " he said , frankly . "I understood from my father that you had gone to see Miss Morton . " Muriel looked up in flushed surprise . " Miss Morton ! The Rector ' s sister ? "

" Yes . Did you uot know that we were friends . Mr . Morton was my tutor before he was Rector of Newcombe , and his sister kept house . I assure you that I had good reason to remember Miss Morton ; she helped me out of many a scrape . Did she

not tell you that she knew me ? " " No . " " Have you been friends long , Miss Halsie ?" " About two years , " Muriel said . ' " I wonder she never told me ! I had

quite a long chat with her the other evening at the Rectory . " Muriel looked up hastily ; the flush on her face deepened . " You met Miss Morton at the Rectory , " she asked in surprise . " Yes" he said' ' I went there to dinner

, , —I often go . You look surprised . " "Why should I ?" " Ah , that I cannot tell , "' he answered , smiling ; then he added , " May I show } 'ou the greenhouses ? They are just in perfectionand there is plenty of light for

, that . " Suddenly Muriel stood still and faced him . " You forget , sir , " she said , haughtily , " that I am not a visitor at Hillside , but the governess—as such , entitled to no such

attentions , which must only subject me to false representation , and cause me much annoyance . " And with a slight bow she hurried away , leaving her companion in a state of amazement . " So that is the way the wind blows , " he

ejaculated , with a low whistle . " What a shame ! I must stroll over to Newcombe to-morrow , and make myself agreeable to Miss Morton . " Then he lit another cigar , and sauntered slowly back to the lodge . ( To be continued . )