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Show ,, .. teabdl Glib lklae anb Silver "I think so. If Isabel comes, I believe I 'II leave you to entertain her while I drive over to inspect the new garden." She was oppressed, as never before, by the necessity of speech, and, of all those around her, Colonel Kent was the only one to whom it would be possible for her to say a word. She did not stop to consider what she could accom~ pi ish by it, for in her heart, she knew that she was helpless-also that a great deal of the trouble in the world has not been c.1used by silence. Allison drummed on the ann of his chair until he heard the rumble of wheels, then went to the window. "It's Isabel," he announced, joyously. "I 'II go down and help her outshe may have parcels." Presently they came in together, laughing. Isabel's face was flushed and Allison was heavily laden with packages, both small and large. "I feel like Santa Claus," he cried, gaily, to Madame, as she passed them on the way out. She smiled, but did not take the trouble to speak. "Colonel Kent's," she called to the driver, as she closed the carriage door with a resounding bang, "and please hurry." The Colonel was on the veranda when she arrived, superintending the gardening operations from there. He greeted her with surR prise, for it was not her way to drive over there :an JSncbanteb 'tlour alone. "I am deeply honoured," he said, as he assisted her up the steps. "May I order tea?" "No, thank you," she answered, somewhat primly. It was evident that she was ill at ease. "I understood from Allison that you were doing all this yourself. Instead, I find you sitting on the veranda like a landed proprietor, in command of an army of slaves." "Two Irishmen don't make an army," he laughed, "though I 'II admit that, if angry, they would make a formidable force. I helped to dig for a while this morning, but it didn't seem to agree with me, so I quit. My work seems to be done," he continued, with a sigh. "No, it isn't," she returned, sharply. "There's work to be done, but whether you or I or both together can do it, is extremely doubtful." "What do you mean, Francesca?" Madame leaned toward him confidentially. "Richard," she said, in a low tone, "has it ever occurred to you that Allison might marry?" A shadow crossed his face, then vanished in a smile. "Yes. Why?" "Have you ever seen a woman you would be willing for him to marry? " "Only one." "And she--?" 'l!Clod:to be llOnc |