fair that you should do so, for you are rich, and I poor. Of course, all fellows in college are guilty of some pranks.

"Young blood must have its course, lad,

And every dog his day.'

"You had your day, you know, so be so good as to settle these little accounts, and send me something generous besides-it is hard to maintain the dignity of a Hawkstone on a purse as thin as mine."

Hawstone's face darkened.

"The impudent scamp!" he muttered; and, seizing a pen, he wrote, curtly: "I have doubled your allowance, Vincent; henceforth keep out of debt!"

Some business matters with the overseer compelled Basil Hawkstone to remain abroad on the island till night fell; at that time he parted with Harris and started home, afoot and alone, over the beach.

The moon was rising above the dreary sand-dunes and the low cliffs. The little waves curled softly up the shingle. In the curve of the shore-a lonely, unfrequented spot-Hawkstone suddenly heard the murmur of voices. He moved forward a few paces, and saw two figures standing together in the moonlight-a man and a woman.

He stopped-stared. Yes, it was his wife, disguised in a long wrap, with a hood drawn over her fair head, talking earnestly to a stranger-there, and at that hour!

'You really must not come here again," he heard her say. "My husband is absolute ruler of the island-it is impossible to bribe any of his people. You will surely be discovered."

The man gave a low, vexed laugh.

"I shall come, Zephyr, until I bring you to your senses. It's plain that you live a cat and dog's life with your young nabob. You wasn't made to be shut up in a place like this-your heart isn't here, my beauty-it's with_me.”

Hawkstone waited for nothing more. The next moment he was standing face to face with the pair, his hand twisted in the stranger's collar.

"Since you openly claim my wife's heart, sir, please do me the favor to tell me who and what you are!" he thundered.

Vera gave a shrill scream, and the hood fell back from her fair face.

"Basil! don't you remember Jasper Hatton, of Hatton's Royal'? You saw him in London at the time you married me. Surely you might speak civilly to my friends!"

Hawkstone's hand fell from the other's windpipe. "I may have met Mr. Hatton before," he answered, dryly; "I do not clearly remember. Perhaps he will tell me what it is that brings him to Tempest Island, and why he chooses this time and place for an interview with my wife."

former acquaintance with you, or any other person in your line of business. You are a thing of the past, Mr. Hatton. She can never, under any circumstances, know you again!"

Jasper Hatton shrugged his shoulders.

"You're rather hard on your wife's old friends, sir. I wanted to see with my own eyes that you had made her happy-as happy as she used to be with us. I find you haven't! She's deep in the doldrums here on your infernal island. It would have been a thousand times better for her if she had staid with me. I tell you, there was never but one Zephyr for us at the Royal.' We all adored her-we adore her still, let who will forbid !' A sudden bitter fury surged over the young husband. Here was a clown, a ringmaster, or something as objectionable, claiming an old intimacy with his wife, and stealing to his ancestral domain for secret interviews with her!

'It is said that an Englishman's house is his castle," he cried. "This island is mine, and for you to intrude here is simply unwarrantable impudence! Be off, fellow, and, on your peril, never attempt to set foot again on my territory!"

In his magnificent young strength he looked fully capable of enforcing his own decrees.

Jasper Hatton prudently retreated before him.

'Pon my soul," he sneered, "you've nothing to boast of in the way of hospitality! You think you've added to little Zephyr's value by marrying her, eh? She is now of more account than when she was just the star of the ring-the neatest rider that ever went through a paper balloon. Faugh! Well, I'll go, and no thanks to you, my nabob."

A boat was beached a few yards away. He started toward it with a jubilant rather than crestfallen air. "The best of friends must part," he said; "but, as it sometimes happens, they meet again. Good-night, Mrs. Hawkstone, and remember the star of the ring oughtn't to be put out like a penny rushlight !"

He pushed the boat out into the water. turned to his wife.

Hawkstone

"You were too ill to see me," he stormed, "but, as it appears, quite able to leave the child you have injured so cruelly, and come here to a tryst with that ruffian ! You, my wife, condescend to meet a low jockey, groom, or whatever he may be, alone on the shore, to talk of a time in your life that had far better be forgotten. Vera, I forbid you to ever see or speak to the fellow again." She looked up and laughed in his face.

'Surely the child does not need me, Basil-you have hirelings enough to watch her. When will you learn, you absurd boy, that I must and shall do exactly as I like that you really have no more authority over me

Mr. Hatton had showed unmistakable signs of per- than over that sea yonder ?" turbation, but now he rallied smartly. He took this defiance with ill grace.

"It's a professional matter that brings me to America," he answered," and being here, I couldn't resist hunting up Zephyr-beg pardon-Mrs. Hawkstone. It wasn't in human nature for me to forget her. She can tell you whether or not I was her friend, years before she ever saw your face. Well, just now we met by chance on the beach, and naturally fell to talking of old times."

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Have I no authority over you? Do you defy me to my face? Then, let me tell you, Vera, you and I have no longer a chance of happiness together." She laughed wildly.

"How you take one to task, Basil! Are you jealous of Jasper Hatton ?-ha! ha! He came here for what purpose, do you think? To ask me to return to HatHawkstone knew that he was lying. He cast a con- ton's Royal,' and name my own figures. I have been temptuous look over his swarthy face and short, stout missed, it seems-the public has not yet forgotten me. figure. Basil Hawkstone"-pausing in the path, and drawing "It is impossible for Mrs. Hawkstone to renew her her breath curiously-"I have a half-mind to go!"

He looked at her in her blazing white beauty with from my soul I am sick of this sort of thing! If you go horror and amaze. with Jasper Hatton-if you return to the ring, I am for ever done with you!" There was a moment of tragic silence; then she dashed back her wind-blown hair.

"You understand your own capabilities," he answered, bitterly; "as a circus-rider you were a success-as a wife

my liege "-mockingly-"I will think the matter over, and let you know my decision, before your suspense becomes too great for you!"

She darted on before him up the beach. He did not attempt to overtake her. Once she turned and looked back, her gold hair rippling, her small, girlish figure outlined against the dusk. She waved one white hand, and the next moment was gone.

Hawkstone went home in an unenviable frame of mind. The very air seemed charged with calamity. Little Bee still moaned in the nursery, watched by the servants. Without making any attempt to see his wife again, the island lord retired to his chamber at a late hour and slept ill. When he descended to the breakfast-room next morning, Mrs. Otway, the housekeeper, met him with an anxious face.

Through the generosity of your late friend, Mrs. Hawkstone, you have acquired what is called a thorough education. It now remains for you to turn it to practical account.

This morning I "burned my ships behind me"; that is to say, I wrote to Basil Hawkstone's lawyer, who has promptly paid all my bills for the last six years, and declined any further assistance from my so-called guardian. After posting this letter I sat down in the empty music-room to ponder the situation.

It was a sultry, breathless morning; the sun beat pitilessly on the city roofs. After the hurry and bustle of the last few weeks the silence and solitude of the school seemed insupportable. Presently madame herself entered, with the morning papers in her hand.

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Your wife left the house at daybreak, sir, and has not her kindly way. yet returned," she said.

"She has gone on one of her mad gallops, doubtless," he answered, then snatched up his hat, and hurried to the stables. Yes, Ali's stall was empty. He called to his groom: "Did I not tell you, Jim, to follow Mrs. Hawkstone when she went out at unseasonable hours ?" "You did, sir," stammered the man; "but this morning she stole in here and led Ali out herself. I was asleep in the loft, and never heard a sound, sir. Lord only knows what time it was!" "Throw the saddle on Rupert!" thundered Hawkstone, "and follow me!"

The groom obeyed. Master and man set forth togother.

Down beyond the dreary sand-dunes, down where the "Old Woman," in stony silence, stood guarding the entrance of Peg Patton's Inlet, Hawkstone heard the impatient stamp of a horse, and there, in the morning sunshine, he found Ali tied to a blasted tree, pawing the wet earth, and riderless.

Pinned to his saddle was a letter, reading thus:

July 1st.-School is done. The rush and worry, the fever and excitement of the last few weeks are all over. Five days have passed since the graduating exercises at Madame Moreau's seminary, and the girls are now gone. The silent, deserted class-rooms, the forsaken dormitories, fill me with loneliness. I only am left here-a homeless, solitary creature, whom madame insists upon keeping till, in the words of Mr. Micawber, something shall turn up. Luckily, I have always been a favorite at madame's school, both with pupils and teachers. Invitations to spend the Summer in country houses, at mountain resorts and by the sea, have been freely extended to me by my classmates; but, alas! these pleasures are not for me. I am determined to.face the situation bravely-to accept no more bounty, however delicately tendered. Jetta Ravenel, you have now complete? vour eighteenth year.

How lonely you look, my dear child," she said, in "I see. Life besets you already with stern problems. It is a pity that a girl like you should be forced to earn her own livelihood. Did that good Mrs. Hawkstone provide you with means for an education and nothing more, my dear-nothing more ?"

"Yes," I answered, dryly; "with my husband, too; but, luckily, he was already married when her choice fell' upon him. I have declined further assistance from the Hawkstones, madame. Work I must find, and at once, for, whatever happens, I am determined to accept no more aid from that, or any other quarter." She looked grave.

"My dear, your independent spirit does you credit. Do you know anything about those Hawkstones? They seem to have neglected you strangely-yes, quite forgotten you, since you came to the school."

"I know nothing of any of them," I replied, indifferently; "my bills, as you are aware, have all been settled by the family lawyer. I have not heard a syllable from any person on the island since I left it. To tell the truth, I remember the place only with aversion." Madame shrugged her shoulders.

"It is sad to see a person so young and attractive left quite alone in the world," she sighed. "My dear, let us look over the columns of wants in these papers-we may find the promise of something here."

We did so. Half-way down the printed page, my eyes fell upon this advertisement :

"WANTED.-A governess for a little girl of six years. Salary liberal. Unexceptionable references required. Address Mrs. O., Windsor Hotel, stating where an interview may be had."

I read the above aloud to madame.

"Do you think I might do ?" I asked.

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'Certainly," she answered, briskly; "we can furnish the unexceptionable references. 'Salary liberal'—that sounds well. My dear Jetta, I advise you to write to Mrs. O. at once."

I wrote immediately, stating name, age and qualifications. Then I prepared to possess my soul in patience till an answer should arrive from Mrs. O. My purse is empty, but I am resolved to accept no more money from the Hawkstones. I retain but one pleasant memory of Tempest Island, and that is-Mrs. Hawkstone herself, my father's friend-my friend. I have always counted her death as the greatest misfortune of my life.

July 21.-A little before lunch-time I was called down to the reception-room to meet Mrs. O.

She was a small, quiet-looking person, dressed in black silk. She had a placid face, deeply wrinkled, and irongray hair arranged in smooth bands. I was startled by something strangely familiar in her appearance. As I entered, she arose with the air of a lady.

"Miss Ravenel !" she said, "yes, it is you-changed, of course, but recognizable. Do you remember me?" After vain attempts to fix her in my memory, I was forced to answer "No."

"I am Mrs. Otway," she said, with a smile; "the housekeeper at Tempest Hall-you knew me well about six years ago."

"You cannot, you must not !" answered madame with decision. "The remuneration is excellent; and then, you are going among people that you asady know, and with whom you are likely to find a good home and many privileges.”

I meditated a little, then answered:

"Very well, madame, I will do as you advise; but something tells me I ought never to trust myself on the

I felt as though I had received a cold douche. "And are you the person who advertised for a gov- Tempest again." erness?" I asked.

"Certainly," she answered; "I am here in New York for the express purpose of securing one for little Beatrice Hawkstone. Of course, you are aware of the troubles we have had at the island since you went away?"

"On the contrary," I replied, trying to repress a smile, "I have heard nothing concerning the island, or anybody upon it, from that date to the present. My socalled guardian has never troubled himself about me in any way. I trust”—and I tried to speak politely" that Mr. Hawkstone and his family are well."

"My dear," cried Mrs. Otway, in a shocked voice, "is it possible you do not know that Basil Hawkstone has no family now, save poor little Bee? Six years ago his wife fled from him, and later, the courts gave him a decree of absolute divorce and the custody of the child. My dear, the affair made great scandal. All the newspapers were full of it at the time."

"I did not happen to see it," I answered, feeling quite stunned. "Madame never allows her pupils to read scandals of any kind."

"Nonsense!" said madame, lightly. "You are out of spirits. Do not let an idle fancy rob you of your good fortune. What harm can overtake you at Tempest Island? This kind, motherly Mrs. Otway - you can have no antipathy to her, surely?"

"No-oh, no!" I answered. "I cannot explain my forebodings, madame, nevertheless they are real. But I shall go. I shall accept Mrs. Otway's offer. I cannot afford to do otherwise. Heaven only knows when I may have another! I will begin to pack my trunks at once."

"You have decided wisely," said madame, as she gave me a kiss of approval, "and should you be homesick or unhappy, Jetta, you are always free to return to me."

July 3d.-I was summoned again to the receptionroom-this time to meet a gentleman, who had called to see Miss Ravenel.

He was standing at a window as I entered, his back to- ́ ward me. I beheld a graceful figure, not powerful, but exceedingly well proportioned, and a handsome young head, shining with close curls of black hair. My heart gave a great bound.

"Gabriel!" I cried out; "oh, can it be you, Gabriel ?"

"Quite right. Since the divorce Basil Hawkstone has been wandering abroad-in Egypt, in the Soudan, in Asia Minor, in the uttermost parts of the earth. He will pro- | He turned and caught me in his arms. Yes, it was bably never return to his own land. His little daughter my stepbrother-the only relative left me-my father's is in my charge at Tempest Island. It is now time for namesake, Gabriel Ravenel. He held my face.in his two her to have a competent teacher. She has scarcely hands and scrutinized it with keen interest. learned her alphabet as yet, poor child!"

"And Basil Hawkstone is divorced," I echoed, blankly, "from that pretty young creature whom he seemed to adore ?"

"Oh, my dear, she ran away from him, and went back to the circus-ring from which he had taken her. The first that he heard she was in Cuba, carrying every thing by storm with her riding. His life was wreckeddesolated, of course. It was dreadful. I cannot speak of it. And now, Miss Ravenel, will you come down to Tempest Island as governess to our motherless little Bee? You wish to teach, from which fact I infer that you no longer consider yourself the ward of Basil Hawkstone."

I nodded coldly.

"Well, we should greatly rejoice to have you at the island, my dear, instead of some stranger, to whom the affairs of the family are unknown."

"I have a strong

"Give me time to think," I gasped. antipathy to the island. I had not wished to see it again."

"That is not strange," said Mrs. Otway, kindly, "for some unpleasant things happened to you there. But remember, all is now changed, and I am at the head of domestic affairs at Tempest Hall. I will give you till tomorrow to think of the matter, and then call for your decision."

She mentioned a salary far above my expectations, and departed. I flew to Madame Moreau.

"I am young," I said, mournfully, "and youth is not desirable in a governess, I am totally without experience, I am penniless, and, but for you, friendless. Can I-dare I reject Mrs. Otway's offer?"

"Good Heaven! Jetta, what a beauty you have become!" he cried. "It was always said that we were very like-I think we are!" with a vain little laugh. "You know I have not seen you since Mrs. Hawkstone carried you off, six years or more ago. Of course, I was prepared to find you grown to womanhood, but I must say your good looks amaze me. Let me see you are now eighteen, and I have reached the mature age of twentytwo-we can no longer be called boy and girl, I suppose."

I clung around his neck in a transport of joy.

"What brings you to New York, Gabriel ?" I asked, laughing and crying together. "The last I knew, you were studying law in New Orleans, and your letters never intimated that you meant to visit me. What a delightful surprise is this! Oh, my darling, tell me all about it ! Have you come to stay?"

He was still absorbed in my looks.

"Allowing for the difference in sex," he said, airily, "we are certainly as similar as two peas, Jetta! Yes, I have come to stay. Sit down with me, and let me tell you about it."

I noticed that he was faultlessly dressed, and that his manner was full of suppressed excitement. A deep glow filled his splendid Southern eyes-he had the bearing of a young prince. Gabriel is my idol-the only thing left in the wide world for me to love.

"My dear Jetta," he continued, "a month ago I was in New Orleans, deep in law-by-the-way, I thoroughly detest law, and all other professions-when an odd thing befell me. I received a letter from a gentleman named Sutton, inviting me to New York, to become his private secretary, and, should he find me a satisfactory person,