astonishing piece of news. Well, I must wait until the right time comes to hear it; but I do wonder what has taken papa to Farheath so early?"

She might have asked the question to some purpose, as Joyce reappeared at that moment; but apparently she had no further curiosity on the subject. "I must make good use of my time to-day, Archer," remarked Linda, with provoking indifference to the promised news. "I have not finished the illuminated border to my last text; and we must take a survey of the shrubbery to select our evergreens, and arrange the plan of our decorations."

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Very well, Miss Linda," replied Joyce, slowly closing the dressing-box before her and her eyes at the same moment. "I should have thought you would probably walk to Farheath this morning; but of course I will look after the evergreens if you wish it."

"Why should I go to Farheath, Archer?" said Linda, tossing aside her glossy hair to give a sly look at Joyce. "I was there yesterday, you remember."

"Oh, I supposed you might be anxious to know which way things would turn; but of course master will hear all about it. They said she was

taken up for dead; but I dare say there was no truth in the story. Yes, Miss Linda, I think we had better collect the evergreens. You liked the common fir as a groundwork last year, with the holly tied over it; then I suppose you will have yew for the pillar wreaths, with the variegated laurel or ivy; and

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"Anything you like, Joyce," interrupted Linda, so that you will tell me what is the matter. Who or what has been taken up for dead ?"

"Nothing that will be missed," replied Joyce Archer, coolly. "You need not look so startled, Miss Linda; I only wanted to rouse you up when I said there was a stir in the village. There was a bit of a fuss at first, but nobody cares whether Rina Cliffe is

"Rina Cliffe taken up for dead!" exclaimed Linda. "O Joyce, what has happened?"

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'Why, Miss Linda, you are as much disturbed as if she was worth troubling about! I know this, that the very men who brought the news to master said to me it would be a good riddance if she was gone, for she made herself well-nigh hated with her evil tongue. I've seen something of her temper, and had my turn with her; and I just tell you, Miss Linda, that I should feel about as much con

G

cern if I had heard Black Milly had been found drowned in the mill-pool."

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"O Joyce, how unkind! It is not like you to speak in such a hard-hearted manner of any one. Poor Rina! I little thought when I saw her last what a terrible fate was in store for her. Where

did they find her?"

"In one of the hollows by the footpath across the common. It was dark and slippery, and she may have fallen from the narrow plank that spanned it. However it happened, she was lying there quite insensible, if not dead. Some workmen belonging to the new line were the first on the road, and they brought the news to Hazelmere. I heard them tell Mr. Conway she might have lain there till daylight if they had not been obliged to strike a light to find their own way across the plank."

"I trust she had not lain there long," said Linda; "the night was cold as well as dark; but we can know nothing further until we see papa after service."

It was not long before Linda was down in the library, and waiting by the bright wood-fire for Olive's first appearance at the early breakfast.

"Good morning," said that young lady at length.