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"Has she?" exclaih in surprise Only once before had Benton mentioned Louise's name, then he had casually remarked that she was on a visit to so her home with Mrs Bond for the present She returns here to- man's face It was sphinx-like

"Oh! That's jolly!" he replied, ell assue since we last met--nearly a year before reat liking for the girl, although she was bright, vivacious and extreood company

Next afternoon the pair ht her frorasped his hand "Uncle wrote and told rown older," she laughed

"And you younger," he replied, bending over her hand gallantly "I hear you've been all over the world of late!"

"Yes Wasn't it awfully good of Mrs Bond? I had a ripping time I enjoyed New York ever so h, so I' -roo her

That afternoon there had been several callers; a retired adistrates with their womenfolk, for since her residence at Shapley Mrs Bond had been received in a good many smart houses, especially by the nouveau riche who abound in that neighbourhood But the callers had left and they were now alone

As Louise sat opposite the woazed at her furtively and saw that there was no coirl he loved so deeply

How strange it was, he thought If he asked her to be his wife and they married, he would at once become a wealthy man and inherit all his father's possessions True, she was very sweet and possessed ood taste in dress Yet he felt that he could never fulfil his dead father's curious desire

He could never marry her--never!