Part 8 (1/2)

”And auntie won't do good when shefor some tea”

”Yes, yes, my dear; I'll pour it out directly”

”Wait a o and ask Fred if he is co down”

”Go and ask Fred, irls in a breath

”He has not co, with my door a little way open--I can hear the latch-key then--but--he did not colanced at her visitor, and saw trouble co in her face like a cloud ”Oh, well, aunt, dear, it is not the first ti her lips as she dropped a lu way, and I don't like it”

”Neither does Fred, I's ”It is some serious case, Bel dear, and he'll come back tired out for you to comfort him up You'll often have it to do, for, poor boy, he is called out a great deal”

At that s fell with a clatter a

”Aunt dear!” cried Laura, juain; ”what is theout like that”

”Well, Fred doesn't either”

”Ah, but that's it He does, and it's horrible; and I will not sit still and see him deceive this poor, dear la up flushed with indignation

”I can't help it, my dear I should be a wicked woht, and I saw her One of those horridly handso ladies, and she carried hi him by a chain I can't help it! I had a presentied to speak He hasn't come back, and I felt he would not, and as sure as I'ain”

”Aunt!” cried Laura, passionately ”Shame--Bel dear, don't take any notice of her”

But her words had no effect Isabel had risen with her face scarlet, then turning white as her lips parted to utter an indignant rebuke

No words ca her face with her hand she hurried out of the room

”Auntie!” cried Laura, passionately ”See what you've done You're right It's quite time you made up your mind to die”

CHAPTER SIX

IN DANGER

As Chester turned and gazed in his patient's face, he felt that all was over: and at that moment Paddy, startled by Marion's excited words, rushed across and caught his ar?”