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Show A MODEL SOLDIER PRINCESS MARY'S GIFT BOOK 50 before tea was over. had obtained suflicient information respecting Kitty's life to convince her that the girl was a fitting object of her ladysliips benevolence. It is true that. every now and then. Kitty caught a glimpse of the somewhat masterful spirit which her lailyship displayed in her favourite occupation of ordering the lives of all who came in contact with her; but Kitty was not so stupid as to fail to recognise the presence of the aforesaid good heart. or not to credit the old lady with the amiable intention which smiled behind the mask of tyranny. "She's not at all a bad sort." Kitty informed her father on her return home. " Oh, I daresay she's fond of interfering and all that; but she can‘t interfere with me; l‘m not her relation-l was going to say ‘Thank goodness,' but I really do like her, Dad. see some of your pictures some day." Shes coming to "Oh. my great aunt!" groancd Mr. Thorold, who, like a true artist, had a loathing for the necessary, but sometimes maddening, art patron. The drawing for the Longr Acre filngazinc being duly finished, Mr. Thorold began on the more important battle-piece. " I think [in going to make a hit with this, Kitty." he said to his daughter one morning, as he was preparing for the arrival of his admirably punctual and singularly patient model. 7" You see, I've got a splendid young chap to stand for it. He's the real thing, inst ‘ad of a coster dressed up in an oilieer's uniform. And he‘s a pleasant chap, too," he continued meditatively. " A modest, well-mannered young fellow: no swanl" or swagger; in fact. a gentleman. By the y'ay, Kitty, you might remember that little fact, and not be quite so short and sharp with him when he speaks to you." " ()h. it won't hurt him," retorted Kitty, turning her back quickly. "From what I have seen of him, I should say that Captain Barnard would not be easily snubbed." " And you try pretty hard," remarked her father. " For instance, yesterday there was no occasion for you to tell him to shut up when he observed that it was a fine day." " All 1 said was that a model was much more effective when he kept his mouth closed," said Kitty. "That strikes me as being pretty much the same thing," said her father. " He looked quite crushed." "Do him good," murmured Kitty. leg ofl an army mule when he likes." " Besides, he can talk the hind " How do you know ?" asked her parent, with mild surprise. 51 " Oh, I'm only drawing inferences fromifrom his general appearance," said Kitty, looking a trifle confused. "Going out to lunch again to-day?" demanded her father, re- piningly, as, clad in outdoor things, she passed him in the passage a couple of hours later. *' Sorry, dear ; got a pressing engagement. Besides. you never eat anything. There! did it miss its nurse ? Never mind! [‘11 be in all the evening." She scrunched up his face, gave him what she called her " screw " kiss, and departed to the A.l3.(7. shop. By this time, it must he confessed, the fortress besieged by Captain Barnard with such ingenuons strategy, but manly courage, had surrendered; and tO-day the wounded soldier had brought a pretty but inexpensive ring with him. " It‘s all I can afford, dearest," he said, as he slipped it on the finger. "It‘s a perfect duck." she returned, touching the ring with her lips-Va wicked and maddening thing to do; for you cant kiss a girl in an 1\.l§.C. shop. however much in love with her you may be. " And to-inorrow I'll tell your father. \Vliatlwhat do you think he'll say. darling ?" "I know what he‘ll say. but I couldn't repeat it, because I've been . , properly brought up," replied Kitty. her " lint he wont refuse his consent, wont ehiick me out ! " cried lover, aghast. . . , Oh, " No; because, strange as it may seem, he's really fond of me. hussy and a I dont deserve it; for he‘s the dearest dad that ever had a minx fora daughter. the, pictures linished. No, he won‘t throw you out. at any rate until And perhaps you‘ll be tired of inc-l mean, that 1 shall be tired of yon-we shall be tired of each other, before time." the table. " I‘ll risk that," he said confidently, pressing her hand under of her That afternoon Kitty, in a state of perfect bliss, paid one become frequent visits to Lady llawborongh, with whom she had now great friends; in fact, the old lady had grown quite fond of the girl: to Kitty by and the extent of this affection was proved that afternoon a. small an extraordinary misehancc. The footinan had shown her into ",9 Ithe adJoming aiitea'oom, which Lady llawborough called her " study by a pair apartment was divided from that in which Kitty was muting the heard Kitty open, partly being these of one and. of folding doors, clear and very rustling of dresses, followed by Lady llawboroughs distinct voice saying: "WM Miltl'hllub |