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We laughed, and Mrs Challoner's eyes twinkled

"In England, dear, for instance," she said, with a rue reddened, and he clenched his broad fist with oour

"Why, by the Lord!" he said, with even land the liveliest flea that ever gave a triumphal jump in air would find his spirits inclined to droop! I tell you,hi out like a peal of little golden bells at this last remark--"I tell you that when I walked in the streets of London I used to feel as if I were one of a band of criminals Every person I met looked at me as if the universe were about to be destroyed next ht aithout God to help 'eree with you," said Colonel Everard "The English take life too seriously In their craze for business they ether They seeh, and they even approach the semblance of a smile with due caution"

"I'm free to confess," added his wife, "that I'lish 'at hoularly frozen to the bone!"

"Dear ive very bad accounts of Shakespeare's land! It must be very sad!"

"I believe it wasn't always so," pursued Colonel Everard; "there are legends which speak of it as Merrie England I dare say it overned by shopkeepers; but now, you et away from it if you want to enjoy life At least such is land, Madalish perfectly"

"Oh, I auist," replied Zara, "thanks to my brother But I have never crossed the Channel"

The Misses Challoner looked politely surprised; their father's shrewd face wore an expression of grim contentment

"Don't cross it, ma'am," he said emphatically, "unless you have a special desire to be miserable If you want to kno Christians love one another and how to be made limply and uselessly wretched, spend a Sunday in London"

"I think I will not try the experiaily "Life is short, and I prefer to enjoy it"