too!" adding reminiscently, "Yes, somehow, like the fall of an empire, Lady Lawless; this is my biggest Mr. Vande waters remained unmoved. deal!" Then he sent one more telegram, gave the clerk two pounds, asked that the reply be sent to him as soon as it came, and went away. calmly smoking his cigar.

He tramped away to the stables, got a horse, and rode away to the railwaystation. It was dinner-time when he got back. He came down to dinner late, apologizing to Lady Lawless as he It was a mild night. When he got to did so. Glancing across the table at the house he found some of the guests Mr. Pride, he saw a peculiar excited walking in the verandah. He joined look in the young man's face. them; but Miss Raglan was not with The baby fool!" he said to himself. | them; nor were Lady Lawless and Mr. "He's getting into mischief. I'll Pride. He wanted to see all three, and startle him. If he knows that an army he went into the house. There was no of his dollars are playing at fox-and- one in the drawing-room. He reached geese, he'll not make eyes at Lady the library in time to hear Lady LawLawless this way-little ass!" less say to a figure disappearing through another door, "You had better ask advice of Mr. Vandewaters."

Lady Lawless appeared oblivious of the young man's devotional exercises. She was engaged in a more congenial theme. In spite of Miss Raglan's excellent acting, she saw that something had occurred. Mr. Vandewaters was much the same as usual, save that his voice had an added ring. She was not sure that all was right; but she was determined to know. Sir Duke was amused generally. He led a pretty by-play with Mrs. Gregory Thorne, of whom he asked the details of the day, much to the confusion, not admirably hid, of Mr. Pride; lamenting now and then Mr. Vandewaters's absence from the shooting.

Mr. Vandewaters was cool enough. He said that he had been playing at nine-pins with railways, which was good enough sport for him. Soon after dinner, he was handed two telegrams. He glanced slowly up at Pride, as if debating whether to tell him something. He evidently decided against it, and, excusing himself by saying he was off to take a little walk in Wall Street, went away to the telegraph office, where he stayed three hours.

The magnitude of the concerns, the admirable stoicism with which he received alarming news, his dry humor while they waited between messages, - all were so unlike anything the telegraph-clerk had ever seen, or imagined, that the thing was like a preposterous dream. Even when, at last, a telegram came which the clerk vaguely felt was,

The door closed. Mr. Vandewaters stepped forward. He understood the situation. "I guess I know how to advise him, Lady Lawless,” he said.

She turned on him quietly, traces of hauteur in her manner. Her self-pride had been hurt, and no woman can brook that. "You have heard?" she asked.

"Only your last words, Lady Lawless. They were enough. I feel guilty in having brought him here."

"You need not. I was glad to have -your friend. He is young and effusive. Let us say no more about it. He is tragically repentant; which is a pity. There is no reason why he should not stay, and be sensible. Why should young men lose their heads, and be so absurdly earnest ?"

"Another poser, Lady Lawless." "In all your life you never misunderstood things so, I am sure."

"Well, there is no virtue in keeping your head steady. I have spent most of my life wooing Madame Fortune; I find that makes you canny."

"She has been very kind to you." "Perhaps it would surprise you if I told you that, at this moment, I am not worth ten thousand dollars.”

She looked greatly astonished. "I do not understand," she said. She was thinking of what this might mean to Julia Raglan.

"You see I've been playing games at

got me into a corner.

tone :

a disadvantage with some ruffians at | Lawless, and said in a low, ringing New York. They have combined and I have made my last move. If it comes out right I shall be richer than ever; if not I must begin all over again.”

Lady Lawless looked at him curiously. She had never met a man like him before. His power seemed almost Napoleonic; his imperturbability absolute. Yet she noticed something new in him. On one side, a kind of grim forcefulness; on the other, a quiet sort of human sympathy. The one, no doubt, had to do with the momentous circumstances amid which he was placed; the other, with an event which she had, perhaps prematurely, anticipated.

"I am going to do more than 'impress;' I am going to convince her.” "When?" she said.

"To-morrow morning, I hope," was the reply. "I believe I shall have my millions again."

"If you do," she said slowly, "do you not think that you ought to run no more risks - for her sake?"

"That is just what I mean to do, Lady Lawless. I'll settle millions where they ought to be settled, drop Wall Street, and go into training." "Into training?" she asked.

"Yes; for a house on the Hudson, a villa at Cannes, a residence in Pont Street, and a place in Devonshire — or "somewhere else. Then," he added, with a twinkle in his eye, "I shall need

"I wonder at you— I wonder at you,' she said. "How do you keep so cool while such tremendous things are hap-a good deal of time to cultivate accent.” pening?"

I

"Because I believe in myself, Lady Lawless. I have had to take my measure a good many times in this world. never was defeated through my own stupidity. It has been the sheer luck of the game."

"Don't!" she said. "You are much more charming as you are."

They passed into the drawing-room. "Are these things to be told?" she asked, with a little suggestion in her voice.

"I can trust your discretion in any

"You do not look like a gamester," circumstances," he replied. she said.

“I guess it's all pretty much a game in life, if you look at it right. It is only a case of playing fair or foul."

"I never heard any Englishmen talk as you do," she said.

"Even in such circumstances?" she asked. She paused, with a motion of her fan back towards the room they had left.

66

You have taught him a lesson, Lady Lawless. It is rough on him; but he needs it."

Very likely not," he responded. "I don't want to be unpleasant; but most Englishmen work things out by the rule their fathers taught them, and not by native ingenuity. It is native wit that tells in the end, I'm think-tite." ing."

"Perhaps he'll write some poetry, and refuse to consider his natural appe

Will you go and see him now?" she asked.

"Immediately. Good-night, Lady Lawless." His big hand swallowed

"Perhaps you are right," she said. "There must be a kind of genius in it.” Here her voice dropped a little lower. "I do not believe there are many En-hers in a firm, friendly clasp, and he glishmen, even if they had your dol

shook it once or twice before he parted from her. He met Sir Duke Lawless

"The dollars I had this morning," in the doorway. They greeted cheerhe interposed.

fully, and then Sir Duke came up to

who could have so strongly his wife.

impressed Miss Raglan."

"Well, my dear," he said, with an on the amused look in his face, "well, what

He looked thoughtfully ground; then raised his eyes to Lady news?"

She lifted her eyebrows at him. "O, something has happened, Molly, I can see it in your face."

tune than you would ever have wits to do. I am the best friend you've got, and not the less your friend because I feel like breaking your ribs. Now, enough of that. This is what I have to say, Pride: to-night you and I are beggars. You understand? Beggars. Now, what do

She was very brief. "Julia Raglan has been conquered; the young man from Boston has been foolish; and Mr. Vandewaters has lost millions." "Eh? That's awkward," said Sir Out in the cold world. Duke. you think of that?"

"Which?" asked his wife.

Vandewaters found Mr. Pride in his bedroom, a waif of melancholy. He drew a chair up, lighted a cigar, eyed the young man from head to foot, and then said:

"Pride, have you got any backbone? If you have, brace up. You are ruined. That's about as mild as I can put it." You know all ?" said the young man helplessly, his hands clasped between his knees, in æsthetic agony. "Yes; I know more than you do, as you will find out. You're a nice sort of man, to come into a man's house, in a strange land, and make love to his wife. Now, what do you think of yourself? You're a nice representative of the American; aren't you?"

The shock to Mr. Pride was great. Mr. Vandewaters had exaggerated the disaster; but he had done it with a purpose. The youth gasped a "My God!" and dropped the glass. Vandewaters picked it up, and regarded him a moment in silence. Then he began deliberately to explain their financial position. He did not explain the one bold stroke which he was playing to redeem their fortunes, if possible. When he had finished the story, he said: "I guess that's a bit more serious than the little affair in the library half an hour ago?"

He rose to his feet. "Look here, my boy; be a man. You've never tried it yet. Let me teach you how to face the world without a dollar; how to make a

you'll get what you never had yet - the pleasure of spending money dug out of

He carried conviction into a mind not yet all destroyed by effeminacy and indulgence of the emotions. Something of the iron of his own brain got into the brain of the young man, who came to his feet trembling a little, and said: “I don't mind it so much, if you only stick to me, Vande waters."

"I-I didn't mean any harm I fortune. Then, when you've made it, couldn't help it," replied the stricken boy. Oh, for God's sake, drop that bib-your own wits." and-tucker twaddle! Couldn't help it! Every scoundrel, too weak to face the consequences of his sin, says he couldn't help it! So help me, Joseph! I'd like to thrash you. Couldn't help it! Now, sit up in your chair, take this cigar, drink this glass of whiskey I'm pouring for you, and make up your mind that you're going to be a man and not a nincompoop sit still! Don't fly up! mean what I say! I've got business to talk to you. And make up your mind that, for once, you've got to take life seriously."

I

A smile flickered about the corners of Vandewaters's mouth.

"Take a little more whiskey," he said; "get into bed, and go to sleep. No nonsense, remember; go to sleep. To-morrow morning we will talk. And see here, my boy," — he caught him by both his arms and fastened him with his eye," you have had a lesson; laughed a learn it backwards. Good-night."

"What right have you to speak to me like this?" said the young man, with an attempt at dignity. Vandewaters laughed little loudly.

"Ha ha! Right? Great Scott! The right of a man who thinks a damned sight more of your reputation than you do yourself, and of your for

Next morning Mr. Vandewaters was early in the grounds. He chatted with the gardener, and discussed the merits of the horses with the groom, apparently at peace with the world. Yet he

pleasure, that is, not of a grossly material kind, for the disciples are often as free from the thrall of the senses as from the discipline of strenuous re

was watching vigilantly the carriage- | Aristippus, which sets pleasure as the drive from the public road. Just before right aim of existence -seems to be breakfast-time a telegraph messenger the spirit ruling the readers of books; appeared. Vandewaters was standing with Sir Duke when the message was handed to him. He read it, put it into his pocket, and went on talking. Presently he said: "My agent is coming search; but pleasure quand même, not from town this morning, Sir Duke. I the less so because directed and conmay have to leave to-night." Then he trolled by culture and knowledge, for turned and went to his room. there is no pleasure less liable to pall Lady Lawless had heard than reading, no pastime more sure to words. satisfy.

his last

What about your ranche in Colorado, Duke ?"

It is so difficult for us to imagine a world without books that we are apt to

"About as sure, I fancy, as your forget that it is only within the last millionaire for Julia Raglan." three or four centuries that the materi

thetic echo in so many minds, there were no printed books no books, that is, in our understanding of the term.

Miss Raglan did not appear at break-als for reading have come within reach fast with the rest. Neither did Mr. of the majority of Europeans. In 1340 Pride, who slept late that morning. when Richard of Bury penned that senAbout ten o'clock Mr. Vandewaters's tence which has since found sympaagent arrived. About twelve o'clock Mr. Vandewaters saw Miss Raglan sitting alone in the library. He was evidently looking for her. He came up to her quietly, and put a piece of paper in her lap. "What is this?" she said, a little not asleep; if you would consult them they startled. do not hide themselves; if you blunder they "Ten thousand for your hospital," complain not; if you betray ignorance they laugh not.

was the meaning reply.

She flushed, and came to her feet. "I have won," he said.

These are masters [he said] who instruct us without chastisement, without anger, without fee; if you repair to them they are

How would good Richard, poring over manuscripts limited in number

And then he reached out and took and difficult of access, have esteemed both her hands.

GILBERT PARKER.

our lot in these days? The difficulty now is not to get books, but to decide on a choice from the overwhelming multitude that pour from the press. It is hardly possible for the most voracious From The Nineteenth Century. bookworm to devour more than one THE CRAVING FOR FICTION. hundred and fifty books in the space of It is not altogether easy to examine a year; one who achieved that number the psychical and mental forces which might accomplish about nine thousand prevail to give fiction the immense in the course of his life. Probably nopreference it possesses over other forms body ever did so, and it would, after of literature, and to estimate its effect all, be an insignificant fraction of on social and intellectual growth, with- contemporary publications, for about out seeming to assume the superior airs twenty thousand separate works are of a lecturer to a Young Men's Christian annually added to the shelves of the Association. But, in truth, the subject British Museum more than twice as is so remarkable in some of its features many as any man could possibly peruse as to deserve philosophic consideration in a lifetime amounting in a normal of the origin and results of the appetite life period of seventy years to the profor romance. digious total of one million four hunHedonism, then the doctrine of dred thousand books. And this leaves

wholly out of account the vastly greater | many books are only required for purmass of journalistic literature which poses of reference, novels are read consumes part of everybody's time and from beginning to end. attention.