been thoroughly appreciated, Valmai fell into a tremor of uncertainty. Was it Cardo? Yes, she could not be mistaken in the voice; but how would

rdo from within. Anot

y the deuce don

eared Valmai, blushing and trembling as i

apologetic, "Oh! Cardo, it's me; it's only me, whatever!" she was folded in his arms, and presse

ms' length. "My own little wild sea-bird! My little white dove! M

by a thundering knock

. "What is th

she somewhat regai

while I run up to him, and then I wi

white figure flit up the narrow stairs. "Uncle John! Can that be Captain Powell? Of

on?" said the old man, as

isn't much of the fowl left

here somewhere, and there's a bottle of whisky in the corner cupboard. Ay hear Jim Harris coming to the door

Valmai, with p

'larks' are, child? Ay bet you do

ill looke

; flirtation, then; will

d after a kiss and another "good gel," Valmai pass

bottom awaiting her

for you. What made you step so slowly down the stairs?" he sai

nking," sa

of

irtations,' 'larks;' he called it; and I said, 'Very well, unc

aughed

l that is wonderful and delightful, I find you here, with your head nestled on my shoulder, instead o

nded so soon; and I roamed about all day, and tried hard to keep my sorrow out of my thoughts, but I couldn't; it was like a heavy weight here." And she crossed her hands on her bosom. "All that day, and all the next, I went about from place to place, but not to the Berwen, I could not walk there without you; and the next morning, when I came back from Ynysoer, where I had been to see Nance, I found my uncle reading a letter. It was from Jim Harris, the sailor, who does everything for Uncle

radise,"

s going! I must go

you good-night," said Jim, as he went out.

the story," said Car

ake the tea-thi

while, Valmai. I forbid your carrying them away at

u. Oh, I am sure of it. No, indeed, Cardo. Not more, whatever, but you know, you kno

thly power can separate us now. Where is your ri

d on her neck; "you know I was to wear it he

I took it off myself and placed it on

doing the white satin ribbon, drew off the ring, and

really your

let me see the man who dares to come between us!" and his black eyes flas

eyes will never look li

f you are the culprit who tries to divide

an I take the t

No, let me carry them out for you, dearest

Mrs. Finch goes home when she

clearing away. As she opened the door into the pass

th is that?"

opped that tray (which I am afraid you

t, then. You are not going

o do," she said, as they returned into the cosy parlour, glowing with the light of the blazing

y. Here is his jar of tobacco, and here is the kettle on the hob, and here is

e table and all those pretty fal-lals on my dressing-table. Little did I think it was my little wife who had prep

ur voice, Cardo. Oh, I would kno

equired by Captain Owen's ship-"Blessed repairs, Valmai!"-and the extraordinary special Providence which had caused the ss. Ariadne to collide at midships with the

g which looked so dismal as I drove into Caer Madoc with him-how little I guessed it would culminate in the darkness which brought abou

, Ca

sea-bird. Nothing can alter the fac

f you love me as much as you say y

dearest; w

have ever been in my life. We could not help it; but now, her

nd it will break his heart to find I have deceived him. No, let me be the first to

would never, never divulge our secret; he is kindness itself, and would, I know, feel for us. And it would be s

t possible, and how proud I shall be when I return, to publish abroad my happiness. But until then, Valmai, you will keep to your promise of

ly into the fire. "A year is a long time," sh

't see why I should not be b

th of them afterwards such bitter fruits; for upon overhauling the Burrawalla it was discovered that she had sustained more injury than was at first suspected, and the t

ound him, but decked out in a brilliant scarlet dressing-gown, a yellow silk handkerchief bound

Prince of Wales cou

ng the finishing touches to

all raight

ou better in your plain white night shirt

'll be kicking may heels about on the quay free from all these old women's s

soon returned, bri

you, sir, under may roof. Hope you slept well, an

aking hands and taking the chair whic

it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and since yo

ence to me; and it's a wind

d say to that nor the owners nayther. They

a mistake, and looked a

ried away, uncle, so he w

strainedly, and when at last Cardo accepted a cigar from a silver case which the c

stop it. 'Shall Ay mix it a little weaker, sir?' sez Jim Harris. None of your tarnished nonsense, Ay sez, you mix it as usual. Ay've stuck to

s cigar with an

f she don't like it, she can go downstairs; you'

other passengers on board the Burrawalla. I shall come back to my tea, an

's quaite fit to sit down wi

e window-seat reading out to her uncle fro

ll paper to-

e wasn't, for in truth she was casting about in her mind for a good openi

she

banks my love

day in su

carolled lo

irds flew do

er uncle, unceremoniously cutting short the b

ll you a st

Anything to pass the taime! Ay'm g

ten uncle; it's

k when she told us a story. 'Yes, of course,' she'd say, 'if it didn't

upon a time, there was a young girl who was living on a wild sea-coast. It was very beautiful

g," said t

continued Valmai; "but one day she met

nds

eyes, and-and-oh, very handsome! and

p that. Ay kno

it; and so the days were going by, and they were all in all to each other. But he had a stern, morose father, and

he old man; "like Rome

ver agree to their being married, and the young man was very fond of his father, although he was so dark and dour. At last, sudd

id the captain. "A

had given his father this proof of his love,

he

ather,

se didn't he defy his tarnished old

last the lover begged his sweetheart to marry him, so that he might feel, when he was far away, that she was really his wife whatever might happen. Wel

e man he mus

ndeed,

in your head, Ay know. B

arried, they kissed and said

tain, "Ay'd have managed it

bride was left at home with her sorrow. But soon afterwards she went to live with another relation, a dear old man-the best, the kind

mother was alive then, and she sez to me one day with tears in her eyes, 'Tray, may boy, to leave off swearing; it is killing me,' she sez, with her sweet, gentle voice. So Ay sez to mayself, 'John,' Ay sez, 'you are a d-d fool. You're killing your mother with your foolish swears. Pull up short,' sez Ay, 'and tray and faind some other word that'

bewildered by the ca

gone to live with her other uncle. Here she would have been as happy as

e suspicious, but Valmai hastened

that she had to put back for repairs. The young man found lodgings in the town, and what house do you think he came to? but the very one where the bride lived wi

n. But child, child, you are not going to cheat that kind old uncle,

mai, with blushing fac

yn is the b

ame is Wynn

g about it until he

I heard she had returned a wild hope came to me, and when I h

ted under may roof? a

own doing. It was Providence who sent him back

ever happened in may laife before. And to think we have dodged the old father! and the old uncle! Why, that mus

ou shall be happy. Ay'll take your parts, may dears

ur secret, uncle, un

e, for fear it will get round to the old

arish, the 'Vicare du' they ca

d the captain, "why! h

le job for yourself, ma

l befrie

a sniff, said, "The gentleman's come back,

it of laughter, while Mrs. Finc

gudgeon, what you standing staring there for? Send Mr. Wy

ot without fears as to the effect of Valmai's revelation, for s

g up to te

over it! Wish you joy, may dear fellow! And the lil one, where is she? Come here, you lil fool! What are you hiding there for? Come and put your hand in your husband's. There now! that's

with your blessing upon us. I am so thankful to feel I s

importance and pleasure of his secret. "You go down to your tea, may dears; Ay ain't going to be a selfish old uncle. No, no, go al

he harbour glistened so brightly in the sunshine, and never since he had broken his leg had the captain laughed so heartily or enjoyed himself so

in every day with

rning, "I am happy to tell you we

nk, and Valmai t

n come on board by four o'clock to-morrow afternoon. There's every

be on board in good

be awful dull without y

nd as much at home her

and he's brought me ci

and Ay hope he's bi

aid Cardo. "I shall nev

sed under

one her best, Ay k

id you were going out

ght or nine months; certainly no

good-byes and good wishes to each other, Cardo slip

sofa in the little back parlo

t has come! Now in r

w her tow

said. "You'll be brave

w I will be strong and brave and womanly. You will see, Cardo, a bright, courageous wife to cheer her husband

ith you so cruel. Gwynne Ellis was quite right when he said that it would