PACE 8 RALPH ELLISON'S OPPORTUNITY 545, 561, 578, 594, Steward 222, 239 609, 625, 650 Story, a Cornish 46 360 . Recent Explosion at Amoy 264 Recollection, an Indian . 461 Reformation, Paris at the Time of the 40, 104, 167, 29 257, 311, 369 Story of a Hymn-" Nun danket alle Gott" 50 641, 658, 67 307, 321, 337, 353, 373, 385, 4 Missy My Share: What is it? Nesta and Phyllis !. Not out. 689, 705, 722, 737, 753, 769, 794, 389 In Time of Need 437 Janet Macfarlane's Prayer 517 570 805 tion 553 79, 95, IN 287, 303, 3 14 New Year's Eve On a Foxglove Only Begun Peace Santa Lucia: a Story of Corsica 143, 159, 1 197 172 Talitha Cumi 757 Tales of the Serpent Willie Wills' Wings 671, 685, 703, 719, 75 300 463 277 825 216 Talk with Cousin Mabel about Perfection Thanksgiving, Armada . Trafalgar Square, Night in True Mother of Charity-Some Recollections 37 Uncongenial Circumstances 501, 51 157 2 been corresponding rather vigorously of late, I Muriel Kynaston glanced quickly at Roy, as if Roy's face was bright, with the light-hearted buoyant look that was its characteristic expression; his brilliant hazel eyes, that gave attractive peculiar archness and beauty to a very countenance, were dancing with the eager light of anticipation; it was plain that he had not a fear in the world. Muriel changed the form of her question. It was not for her to suggest anxious fears. "Are you glad he is coming?" "Oh, yes," answered Roy quickly, "I think it will be delightful. I always liked Marcus. He's just as good as a real brother to me." 'I don't remember Marcus," said a little fairhaired sister who was leaning against Muriel's knee. "Is he nice, Roy?" years "I think so, Lilias; but he's been three away, so perhaps he's grown cantankerous and cross-who knows? He'll have lots of stories to tell us about sledging and ice-yachting, and bearhunts and wolves. I wish I could go out and see the world as he has done." Roy's bright face glowed, and Sydney and Joyce cried simultaneously: 66 Ah, wouldn't it be fine! world too!" I want to see the Muriel's eyes took a dreamy far-away look, as they often did when a new idea had struck her. She was the eldest of a large family of brothers and sisters, and her next brother was away at sea, so that there seemed a good gap between her and the five gathered about her on the lawn, -impetuous Syd and his shadow, Joyce; the irrepressible twins known as Topsy and Jacko, and little golden-haired Lilias. She seemed a great deal older than any of these, and they all looked up to her with a sort of loving admiration that was very pretty to see. She was a gentle, graceful maiden of some twenty summers, with a good deal of quiet individuality and force of character, and an independence of mind not common at her age. She was generally silent and reserved and rather difficult of access, but when she did give her confidence she gave it frankly and fully, and her clear, thoughtful judgments, when once formed, seldom changed, and had a value of their own for those who sought her counsel. Roy placed very great faith in Muriel's judgment and opinions. He had a boyish love and admiration for her, dashed with a reverence that She had gave it a peculiar character of its own. always been very fond of him. He had been something like another brother in that house ever to since the marriage of his mother with Mr. Stratford had brought her and her little son the pleasant parish of Drayton. Roy had been educated by Mr. Kynaston with his own sons, instead of going to school and college as his stepbrother Marcus had done, and he was therefore much more intimate with the whole neighbourhood and its inhabitants than the son of the house, who had been born among them. Muriel had always been his chief confidant and friend, save perhaps Vincent, the absent sailor, and now he turned towards her and asked: "Don't you want to see the world, too, Muriel? "I am not sure if I do," she answered thoughtfully. "I think I should find it too big for me.' Roy laughed, studying her face the while. "People who go about say just the other thing -that it is quite a little world after all." "Not in the way I was thinking of." "And what way is that?" I was think "I don't know if I can explain. ing of all the sin and misery, and striving and bitterness. I don't know much about it all in this little quiet corner; but I often think the world must be a cruel, terrible place, and I do not think I ever wish to leave my sweet, sheltered home." 66 You You can't and see "Ah, that is because you are a girl. wouldn't feel so if you were a man. think how I long sometimes to get away other places and learn what real life is like. Fancy, I have been at the Hermitage ever since I was four-thirteen whole long years, and I have never been anywhere, except once or twice to London or the sea with mother! Doesn't it seem absurd?" "I don't know," answered Muriel thoughtfully. "I have always been at home, too." "When Marcus comes to settle at home and take care of mother, I shall be freer," said the "I shall talk to him the first time boy eagerly. I have a chance, and see what he thinks. I want to take to the diplomatic service as he did, but I think I ought to have a University education first. I must get him to talk mother out of her queer prejudice against sending me to Oxford or Cambridge. It's quite time I began to think about it in earnest.' "You would not like to go if she objected?" Oh, but she won't object, if Marcus advocates "You don't know what a it," cried Roy gaily. lot she thinks of old Marcus and his opinions. It's all bosh what books say about step-mothers and step-sons being at daggers drawn. Marcus and mother are just as fond of one another as if You can't think how he were her own son. glad she is that he is coming home so soon." "I dare say she feels the care of that large property rather an anxiety." "Well, perhaps she does; but she is used to it, for she managed it for father-my step-father, I mean, you know-ever so many years before he died. I suppose if it hadn't been for that, Marcus would have had to give up his appointment then, and settle at home, as he says he is going to do |