ingenuity, and skill in devising, displayed in building up this impromptu kitchen fire, was curious and pleasant to see. The laughter and confusion of tongues exceeded all which had gone before; and in good sooth there had been no lack throughout.

"I declare this is fifty times jollier than if we had twenty flunkies to do it all for us; don't you think so, Edith?" quoth Robert Layton, in that lower, more tender tone which the poor lad had already arrived at in addressing my sweet sister.

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'Edith" too! and this was the first day of their acquaintance. Forsooth, intimacy had lost no time in gaining for itself a positive position.

"Oh, yes!" responded the maiden, "fifty times jollier!" smiling brightly at her adoption of the latter word, as kneeling on the ground she, with her dainty ungloved hands, poked the sundry pieces of stick and dry grass, supplied her by Master Bob, into the fire to speed its burning," fifty times pleasanter," she added. "In my opinion half the real fun of picnics is destroyed by the arrangements being all made so luxurious and easy that one almost forgets

one is in a wood instead of a dining

room."

"Exactly so you have just hit it!" replied young Layton, as he energetically broke a substantial-sized stick athwart his knee with reckless disregard of injured habiliments.

He would not allow himself to be outdone in feats of rusticity by his delicate little ladylove; and methought that "Exactly; you have just hit it!" would have been quite as willingly accorded to a totally opposite opinion of Edith's on the same matter.

As though of but yesterday's occurrence does that sweet evening scene haunt my memory. A green space on the edge of Leighmoor, surrounded and shaded by foliage, and opening into Leighwood, which was chosen for our encampment-a merry little company collected therein, who, with mirthful chatter, were occupied in divers ways getting ready the teais the picture left on my mental vision, the which neither time nor circumstance can ever efface.

So sped on the pleasant hours until Charles declared Edith must now hie her home; for the day was falling, and soon would heavy dews.

follow such hot weather, the which might be greatly harmful to her.

"Oh, Charley, this is just the most enjoyable time!" she pleaded; "let me stay one hour more--or half an hour even; do, dear Charley!" But Charles wisely withstood her winsome, caressing entreaties.

"No, little one," said he, "not a quarter of an hour; you have lingered too late alreadyclose on the verge of imprudence, so be quick, be quick the rest of the party can remain with impunity, if so minded; but you cannot and must not."

Thereupon all protested they had had enough of pleasuring for that day, and should return. also; and Edith laughed her soft laugh, and glanced at the youth, Layton, saying shyly,—

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'Well, what must be must be, so there is no help for it."

"The place would change into a dreary wilderness to me without your bright presence," I heard him murmur fondly in her ear: “catch me stay a moment if you go!'

"Would you not?" quoth she, gazing at him a brief space with a sad and wistful look in her azure eyes, and the delicate colour

coming and going in her cheeks: "and yet I am now only returning home; what if I went away altogether?"

"Away altogether? What do you mean, Edie?" said Robert, a deep flush spreading itself over his face also.

To think how, in so short a time, the hearts of these two unreflecting young folks hadscarcely consciously to themselves-gone forth to each other, and already silently entered into a sort of love-compact!

Just then came Charles with divers warm wraps for Edith, and anon a general break-up and preparation for departure followed. Edie became busy and active as the rest, settling this thing and that; howbeit Master Robert made very lightsome her labours by reason of his continued assistance.

Our wearied bodies and subdued spirits, consequent on the exertions of the day and heat of the atmosphere, were in meet condition to greatly enjoy the restful drive to Riversdale through the quiet flowery lanes and beanscented air.

George Bell preferred returning with us, he said, and, as his conversation was mostly

bestowed upon me the while we drove home, my little sister and Master Bob had it much to themselves to yet further bewitch each other by their boy and girl blandishments.

"I shall ride over to-morrow to see how you are, after this jolly day's work and fun," said he in a low tone, as tenderly he helped her from the carriage.

Yes, do," she made answer, with a bright smile and blush.

He watched her retreating form as lightly she passed on to the house, and raised his hat, his eyes kindling in glad response to the shy farewell glance and nod she turned and cast him back ere entering the door. Anon he mounted the horse brought for him by his groom, and rode away.

He came the next day-aye, came at midday--but he never saw her again. Ah me! that sparkling, lovely, living thing of only a few hours before now lay-stiff and cold and dead! Alas! all too much for her waning strength had been the day's toil and excite

ment.