nning down to the street, formed one side of the main thoroughfare of the town. It was wide and shady, bounded on its other side by the Canons' Walk, a gravelled terrace, exte

under the cathedral walls. The Deanery stood at one end of the Court, and the gardens of all the houses extended southwards t

hen sprawled on into suburbs. These, called respectively Easton and Weston, had little to do with each other,

were now often used as dower houses, or pleasant homes to retire to from the active work of life. Their owners formed a

" with its complement of houses-also old, but filling the more useful r?les of Grammar School, Sessions House, and such like-desc

ig town of Blackton, eight miles away. This manufacturing town had superseded Norham as the county town-since which it was scarcely ever mentioned, much less visit

he beautiful old house. But no interest was taken in their proceedings, except by David and Sandy Bethune, who rapturously availed themselves of the kindly circumstances attending his advent. The short cut to school on the Green, up a gravelled path on

s own conscience was asleep on the matter, and she did not put herself out to rebuke him. The man was angry. Her father had written that his boys would apolog

owth to admit Sandy's plump body. But a vague irresolution and faint sense of discomfort came into her mind as the ol

his man is a cad. Do you hear, Sandy?" she said more sternly,

said Sandy; "

by some white palings. Steadying herself by these, and an occasional grip at her father's trousers, as he walked besi

' 'stead of 'Horrid Fell

should have invested the new-comer with the attributes of a vulgar old man she could not afterwards recollect. But she had expected this. Instead, the back was young, and slim, and well-coated; and the finely poised head a

uation. He gave an exclamation of delight, unloosed his hand from the relaxing grasp of Marjorie, and hurried over the grass, head foremost, as was his wont when in a hurry. This youngest Bethune, like his brothers before him, had a sociable disposition; and was apt at making friends of every person, especially every inf

ather's legs. Then she unloosed his trousers and steadied her approach by the big brim of Orme's hat. With the other hand she rained blows upon his face. Bashing

ted marvel of youth and fairness, against the dark background of the trees. Then

Marjorie began. "Which of you

anner conveying that no power on ear

said Sandy

e asked, a certain severity in h

slower than his more agile brothers-but sure, and none the less mischievous, for that his mischief was better

prettiness of which she would have been the last to belie

was rifling his little brother's pockets with an air of business. Orme was wriggling an

overturned Orme and left him prostr

to appease the anger of an offended man. She watched a little amusedly the expression of the long fingers which daintily re

ken for penitence. She hoped it might, as it certainly expressed nothing else. Laying her hand on his shoulder-after all, h

began, as the dark eyes, smiling

off her hand, said

y. "Then, if you aren't, why did we-y

turned her eyes hopefully to the speaker. He, at least, would not f

ately thumping his tight curls and laying her face down upon them in gurgling delight. This livin

the sudden destruction of his baby. But Sandy, grasping her tightly wit

d got a girl 'stead of on'y boys? Can I take this'n home?" he de

ught Marjorie, watching with sympathy the magnetic chan

er," he said gently, looking

ointedly; "I should

by with straddled legs and wid

and joining the group, murmuring, as no one attend

ng towards them la

r curious coquetry of advance and withdrawal, was a revelation to the little boys. Only David-sile

tient tattoo on Sandy with her toes. No boy could have resisted the flattery-least of all David, whom his mother often set to "mind" t

the baby accompanied her new friends-all clamouri

ly so. She had come across no one like him before. He had come out of a world of which she knew nothing-o

she had asked, in s

shown them to you, a

old house?" There was a wo

hope. It has been mo

ghtingly. The word was an abomination

I should like Mr. Bethune's opinion. My friend, the ar

't you? P

ion," he answered, paus

urned to l

I know what you mean. We are old-fashioned, behind

I wanted my little one to have, a beautifu

pise old things! Do you?

the stately cathedral. Fore-shortened against the sky, the great length of the building was not perceptible. But the twin spires, the great cen

orie, a world of possess

id, turning to look at the face beside him,

an less acute than this one would have seen th

Even if I had not heard him read the paper, I think I should h

y, as into her eyes there crept a friendliness, whi

out homes? That passage after he has described what houses, homes, should not be, 'tottering, foundationless shells of splintered wood and mutilated stone, comfortless, unhonoured dwellings which men build in the hope of leaving.

, with an air of possession, drew forth his key and threw i

o apologise, and I forgot. Sandy, giv

the key with a twinkle in his me

ome in and see my baby as you go backwar

her smiles and

and kissed her hands, as the two stood watching thr