Gerard Montagu;

Frank , I admire the little lady very much , " he added . « Well , first and foremost , she is only sixteen . " << Nonsense : she looks quite nineteen or twenty . "

"Yes , I daresay she does to a stranger , for she has had a great deal of trouble . " « I think I understood you , she was a lady of title , "Gerard said turning to Mildred , "Yes ; her father was Lord Kilpatrick , but on his death the title went to a distant

cousin who lives in the North of England . The Earl died intestate , and his widow was left entirely unprovided for , but Lady Muriel has found a good friend in Captain Palconbridge who has adopted her , and no doubt on his death she will be very well off . '

"Have herfamily taken no notice of her 1 " '' Not the slightest ; indeed , they scarcely know of her existence . I believe Lady Kilpatrick , considering herself neglected by them in her life , and being a proud woman made Captain Falconbridge , ( who was an

old lover of her ' s and was to have married her , had she not been carried off suddenly ) , promise to have no communication with them if he could avoid it . " " Her name appears in Burke , and that is about all the connection her ladyship has

with the aristocracy , and besides ourselves they scarcely know a soul in Weston , but the doctor and clergyman of the parish , " I added .

"Kilpatrick 1 . I fancy I ve heard that name before , " Gerard remarks . " What is the second title V " Viscount Chelmondiston . " " Lord Ghclmondiston , of course I know the name . He was Captain in our Artillery Corps at Abbot Wrington . "

"Indeed !" "Yes , and a very nice fellow , though rather fast . I don't suppose he is more than twenty-three , or so . " " What is he like 1 " "Well he ' s not at all like Lady Muriel "

'' Don ' t suppose he is , for she takes after her mother , so I ' ve heard Falconbridge say ; and besides the relationship must be very remote . _ I ' ve been told that the title went to a cousin about sixteen times removed , " Nonsense , Fred , " murmurs Mrs .

Beverley over her work . " Well , my dear , I am sure the late Earl of Kil patrick was a precious distant relative

Gerard Montagu;

of the present one , who it is hoped is a better sort of fellow than he was . " Presently baby who had been put to bed , but resolutely refused to sleep , was brought down stall's in an unpleasant state of wakefulness , and not being one of the shy

sort made overtures to Gerard , who seemed nothing loth to take her , much to her mother ' s delight , and he immediately rose 100 per cent , in her estimation , 1 could see . However , the young urchin persisted in flogging her doll to such an extent for some

heinous offence against propriety ( which it was thought dolls were not in the habit of committing ) and otherwise became so obstreperous through Montagu ' s encouragement that summary measures had to be resorted to , and the young tyrant removed from the scene of lier labour in a state of howl .

" Baby is a great favourite with everybody , " her mamma proudly says , "but Lady Muriel quite spoils her . " "Indeed , " said Gerard , "then who would not be spoiled V " 'Tis a sweet face , the sweetest I have ever seen . "

" Who's 1 Baby ' s V Mildred asked . " No . Your friend Lady Muriel ' s . " " Oh 1 Yes , well she is pretty . " When we retired for the night , " Mildred said to me , " Fred , dear , I do believe its a case of love at first sight . "

" What between , Gerard and the baby 1 " " No , you great goose . " " Well , who then ?" "Why , Mr . Montagu , of course ; can ' t you see he ' s fallen in love with Muriel 1 " " Bosh . ! my dear . You women are all

matchmakers . It ' s all bosh . " " Well , he ' s a nice fellow , I like him ; and how baby took to him ) " ( To le continued . )

Parting.

PARTING .

'Tis hard to render up the things we love—The active life and troops of kindl y friends—And moan in anguish like some stricken dove;—The spirit bears it , but the heart it rends ,