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THE CANADIAN MONTHLY.

can rides by, with gayly decorated saddle, on his long-tailed pony. Chinese women hobble on their small shoes into an iron-mongery shop. The adjoining saloon is called "Zur goldenen Trauben;" and and at the door of it a red-haired Irishwoman is stormily quarreling with an angry but silent and sulky negress. Over this seething admixture of population dwell the twelve patrician families of Denver, shining apart like stars in a silent heaven of their own. We are not permitted to gaze upon any one of these-unless-unless? Those two people who stood on the steps of the hotel after dinner? They were distinguished-looking persons, and much bediamonded. The lady wore beautiful colours, and the red-faced gentleman had a splendid gold chain round his neck; and thus-so far as we could make out-they spake:

"Jim," said the lady, "don't you remember that hop of Steve Bellerjean's that he giv after he run away wi' Dan Niggles's gal, to make up all around, when he found pay gravel and married the gal?"

"No," said the other, reflectively, "I dis remember."

"Well, that woman in yaller fixins that stared at me all dinner, I could swear was Steve's woman.'

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But Steve ran away from her," said the gentleman, who seems to remember some things, if not the hop. "She didn't pan out well. Tried to put a head on him with a revolver-jealousy and rum. Steve went to Sonora ; tried to bust the government; and the Greasers ketched him with a lariat, and his chips were passed in.

The gentleman in the gold chain had suddenly grown melancholy.

"Yes; Steve's chips were called," chimed in his spouse.

"That's what's the matter with all of us," continued her companion, in a sad tone. "That's what no Fifteenth Amendment can stop; the chips must be paid. That's what I told the boys down at Gridiron Bend when I giv my experience and jined the church, and Euchre-deck Billy heaved that rock into the christenin'-place; sez I, Boys, sez I, life gen'rally begins with a square deal, leastways outside the idiot asylum. 'Cordin' as you play your hand, will the promises be kep'. Sure enough, some has aces, and some not, and that's luck; and four aces any day is as good a hand as the Ten Commandments. With four aces, I'd buck agin the devil. But

we don't have four aces in the first deal, un-
less mebbe the Czar of Russia or the Prince
of Wales, or some of them chaps ; and so life
and religion is pretty much as we play the
hand we've got.'

these moral truths.
The lady seemed to put another aspect on

"that pig-skinned Mormon fraud, diskivered
"Hosea Kemp," said she, practically,
that when you raised him ten thousand, and
raked in his pile; and he had a full, and
you were only king high."

hadn't seen the vanities," said the repentant "That was before I knowed better, and I sinner. hand for all that it was worth; and that's "But when I played, I played my what's the matter with me. away your hand and keep the chips; and You kent fool That's the idee." What the idea was we that's what you find in the Commandments. were rather at a loss to discover; but we were not exactly in search of conundrums at this moment.

end for the time being to our idling and dayIndeed, our arrival at Denver had put an ters (there were no telegrams for any one, so dreaming. First of all, there were the let we imagined that Balfour had not yet reached of each seizing his or her own packet, New York); and in the general selfishness no one noticed the expression with which Lady Sylvia broke open the only envelope addressed to her. There was a turmoil of trivial nature, but none the less of tremennews from home, mostly of a domestic and dous importance to the two mothers. And sitting there quite calm and undisturbed, when they turned to Lady Sylvia, she was face. without any trace of disappointment on her

"So Mr. Balfour has not reached New way. York yet," said Queen T, in her gentle

calculating on the very shortest time possible. "I suppose not," was the answer. "I was This letter was written some time before he left England. It is only about business affairs."

Sylvia communicated the contents of this It was not until that evening that Lady letter to her friend, and she did so without complaint as to the cold and formal manner in which her husband had written. Doubtless, she said, he was perfectly right. She had left him of her own accord; she deserved to be treated as a stranger. But the

prompt answer to her message to him convinced her this she said with a happy confidence in her eyes-of the spirit in which he was now coming out to her; and if, when he came out here, she had only five minutes given to her to tell him- But the present writer refuses to reveal further the secrets that passed between these two women.

In fact, he would probably never have known, but that at this juncture he was privately appealed to for advice. And if, in the course of this faithful narrative, he has endeavoured as far as possible to keep himself in the background, and to be the mere mouth-piece and reporter of the party, that rôle must be abandoned for a moment. He must explain that he now found himself in a position of some difficulty. Balfour had written out to Lady Sylvia, informing her of the collapse of his father's firm. It was hopeless, he said, to think of the firm resuming business; the trade that had made his father's fortune was played out. In these circumstances, he considered himself bound to give up everything he possessed to his creditors, and he wished to know whether she, Lady Sylvia, would feel disposed to surrender in like manner the £50,000 settled on her before her marriage. He pointed out to her that she was not legally bound to do so, and that it was a very doubtful question whether she was morally bound; it was a matter for her private feeling. If she felt inclined to give up the money, he would endeavour to gain her father's consent. But he thought that would be difficult, unless she also would join in persuading him ; and she might point out that, if he refused, she could in any case pay over the annual interest of the sum. He hoped she was well; and there an end.

Now, if Lady Sylvia had had a bank note for £50,000 in her pocket, she would have handed it over with a glad heart. She never doubted for a moment that she ought to pay over the money, especially as she now knew that it was her husband's wish; but this reference to her father rather bewildered her, and so she indirectly appealed for counsel.

Now, how was it possible to explain to this gentle creature that the principle on which an antenuptial settlement is based is that the wife is literally purchased for a sum of money, and that it is the bounden duty of the trustees to see that this purchase money shall not be inveigled away from her in any manner whatever? How was it pos

sible to point out to her that she might have children, and that her husband and father were alike bound by their duties as trustees not to let her defraud these helpless things. of the future? Nay, more: it would be ne-cessary to tell her that these hypothetical young people might marry; and that, however they might love their mamma, papa, and grandpapa, some cantankerous son-in-law could suddenly come down on the papa and grandpapa and compel them to make good that money which they had allowed, in defiance of their trust, to be dissipated in a sort of quixotic sacrifice.

"I always thought the law was idiotic," says Queen T—.

"The law in this case is especially devoted to the protection of women, who are not supposed to be able to take care of themselves."

"Do you mean to say that if Lady Sylvia, to whom the money belongs, wishes to give it up, she can not give it up?"

"It does not belong to her; it belongs to Balfour and Lord Willowby, in trust for her; and they dare not give it up, except at their own risk. What Balfour meant by making himself a trustee can only be imagined; but he is a shrewd fellow."

"And so she can not give up the money! Surely that is a strange thing that one is not allowed to defraud one's self!"

"You can defraud yourself as much as you like. If she chooses, she can pay over the £2,000 a year, or whatever it is, to Balfour's creditors; but if she surrendered the original sum, she would he defrauding her children; do you see that ?" Or does your frantic anxiety to let a woman fling away a fortune that is legally hers blind you to everything?"

"I don't see that her children, if she has any," says this tiny but heroic champion of strict morality, "would benefit much by inheriting money that ought never to have belonged to them. That money, you know very well, belongs to Mr. Balfour's creditors."

"This I know very well that you would be exceedingly glad to see these two absolute beggars, so that they should be thrown on each other's helpfulness. I have a suspicion that that is the foundation for this pretty anxiety in the cause of morality and justice. Now there is no use in being angry. Without doubt, you have a sensitive conscience, and you are anxious that Lady Sylvia's conscience should be consulted too; but all the same-"

By this time the proud blood has mounted to her face.

"I came to you for advice, not for a dis-course on the conscience," she says, with a splendid look of injured dignity. "I know I am right; and I know that she is right, children or no children. You say that Lord Willowby will probably refuse-'

"Balfour says so, according to your account."

"Very well; and you explain that he might be called on to make good the money. Could not he be induced to consent by some guarantee some indemnity-"

"Certainly, if you can get a big enough fool to become responsible for £50,000 to the end of time. Such people are not common. But there, sit down, and put aside all these fantastic speculations. The immediate thing you want is Lord Willowby's consent to this act of legal vandalism. If he refuses, his refusal will be based on the personal interests of his daughter He will not consider children or grandchildren. Long before her eldest born can be twenty-one, Lord Willowby will be gathered to his fathers; and as for the risk he runs, he has not a brass farthing that any one can seize. Very well you must explain to Lady Sylvia, in as delicate a way as you can, that there might be youthful Balfours in the days to come, and that she must consider whether she is acting rightly in throwing away this provision-"

66

But, gracious goodness! her husband wants her to do so, and she wants to do SO-"

"Then let that be settled. Of course, all husbands' wishes are law. Then you must explain to her what it is she is asking her father to do, and point out that it will take a good deal of appealing before he consents. He has a strictly legal right to refuse; further, he can plead his natural concern for his daughter's interests-"

"He ought to have more regard for his daughter's honour!" says she, warmly.

"Nonsense! You are talking as if Balfour had gone into a conspiracy to get up a fraudulent settlement. It is no business of hers that the firm failed-"

"I say it is a matter of strict honour and integrity that she should give up this money; and she shall give it up !" says Queen T--, with an indignant look.

"Very well, then; if you are all quite

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TH

CHAPTER L.

A NEW COMPANION.

HE arrival of the new sovereign to take possession of the ceded dominions had been made known to the people at Eagle Creek Ranch; and soon our poor Bell was being made the victim of continual interviews, during which agents, overseers, and lawyers vainly endeavoured to get some definite information into her bewildered head. For what was the use of reporting about the last branding of calves, or about the last month's yield of the Belle of St. Joe, or about the probable cost of the new crushing machines, when the perpetual refrain of her thinking was, "Oh, good people, wouldn't you take the half of it, and let me have my children?”

Fortunately her husband was in no wise bewildered, and it was with not a little curiosity that he went off to inspect the horses and two carriages that had been sent on to Denver for us from the ranch. My lord was pleased to express his approval of these ; albeit that one of the vehicles was rather a rude-looking affair. The other, however— doubtless Colonel Sloane's state carriagewas exceedingly smart, and had obviously been polished up for the occasion; while, as regards the horses, these were able to elicit even something more than approval from this accomplished critic. the hotel highly pleased. He believed he had got some inkling that life at the ranch was not wholly savage. The beautiful polished shafts and the carefully brushed dark blue cushions had had an effect on his imagination.

He went back to

"Ah, yes, you may well ask," said the young man, moderating his fervour, “for I was too soon with my gladness. I will. have to persuade you before we can cry any hurrahs. What I was thinking of was this

And then, right in the midst of all this turmoil, Lady Sylvia got a telegram from New York. We had just sat down to dinner in the big saloon, at a separate table; and we were a sufficiently staid and decorous party, for Mr. and Mrs. Von Rosen-that you and Mr. Balfour would be a whole were dressed in black, and the rest of us had donned whatever dark attire we had with us, out of respect to the memory of the lamented Jack Sloane. (One of the executors was to call in on us after dinner; but no matter.) This telegram produced quite a flutter of excitement, and for the moment we forgot all about Texan herds and placer mines. Lady Sylvia became a trifle pale as the telegram was handed to her, and she seemed to read it at one glance; then, despite herself, a smile of pleasure came to her lips, and the colour returned to her face.

"But what is this, Mr. Von Rosen?" she said, and she endeavoured to talk in a matter-of-fact way, as if nothing at all had happened. "My husband speaks of some proposal you have made to him.”

"Yes," said the lieutenant, blushing like a guilty school-boy.

He looked at his wife, and both were a trifle embarrassed; but at this moment Lady Sylvia handed the telegram across the table. "You may read it," she said, indifferently, as if it had conveyed but little news to her. And yet it was a long telegram-to be sent by a man who was not worth sixpence.

"Hugh Balfour, New York, to Lady Sylvia Balfour, Central Hotel, Denver: Have got your letter: all is right. Shall reach you Saturday. Please tell Von Rosen that, subject to your wishes, I accept proposal with grati

tude."

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year with us, and we should have great amusement; and the shooting that I have heard of since yesterday-oh! I cannot tell you of it. But he says it is all subject to your wishes; now I must begin to persuade you to stay away from England for a whole year, and to give us the pleasure of your society. It is a great favour that my wife and myself we both ask of you; for we shall be lonely out here until we get used to the place and know our neighbours; but if you were our neighbours, that would be very pleasant. And I have been very busy to find out about Eagle Creek-oh no, it is not so bad as you would think; you can have everything from Denver-I do not know about ladies' saddles, but I will askand it is the most beautiful and healthy air in the world, Lady Sylvia-"

"My dear Mr. Von Rosen," said Lady Sylvia, interrupting him with a charming smile, "don't seek to persuade me; I was persuaded when I got the message from my. husband; for of course I will do whatever he wishes. But if you will let me say so, I don't think this proposal of yours is very wise. It was scarcely fair of you to write to New York and inveigle my husband into it without letting me know. It is very charming,. no doubt, and you are very kind; and I have not the least doubt we shall enjoy ourselves very much; but you must remember that my husband and myself have something else to think of now. We can not afford to think. only of shooting and riding, and pleasant society. Indeed, I took it for granted that my husband had come out to America to find some profession or occupation; and I am rather surprised that he has accepted your proposal. your proposal. It was too tempting, I suppose, and I know we shall enjoy ourselves very much—"

Husband and wife had been glancing at each other, as if to inquire which should. speak first. It was the lieutenant who took the burden on his shoulders, and certainly he was extremely embarrassed when he began. Fortunately in these Western hotels, you are expected to order your dinner all at once, and it is put on the table at once; and

then the waiter retires, unless he happens to be interested in your conversation, when he remains, and looks down on your shoulders. In this case, our coloured brother had moved off a bit.

"Lady Sylvia," said he, "I wish Mr. Balfour had explained to you what the proposal is in a letter; but how could that be? He will be here as soon as any letter. And I am afraid you will think me very impertinent when I tell you."

He looked at her for a second; and then the courage of this man, who had been through the whole of the 1866 and 1870-'71 campaigns, and done good service in both, fell away altogether.

I

"Ah," said he, lightly-but the Germans are not good actors, "it is a little matter. will leave it to your husband to tell you. Only this I will tell you, that you must not think that your husband will spend the whole year in idleness—”

"It is a mystery, then?" she said, with a smile. "I am not to be allowed to peep into the secret chamber? Or is it a conspiracy of which I am to be the victim ? Mrs. Von Rosen, you will not allow them to murder me at the ranch ?"

Mrs. Von Rosen was a trifle embarrassed also, but she showed greater courage than her husband.

"I will tell you what the secret is, Lady Sylvia," she said, "if my husband won't. He is afraid of offending you: but you won't be offended with me. We were thinking, my husband and myself, that Mr. Balfour was coming out to America to engage in some business; and you know that is not always easy to find; and then we were thinking about our own affairs at the same time. You know, dear Lady Sylvia"-and here she put her hand gently on her friend's hand, as if to stay that awful person's wrath and resentment--" we run a great risk in leaving all these things, both up at Idaho and out on the plains, to be managed by persons who are strangers to us-I mean when we go back to England. And it occurred to my husband and myself that if we could get some one whom we could thoroughly trust to stay here and look into the accounts and reports on the spot-well, the truth is, we thought it would be worth while to give such a person an interest in the yearly result rather than any fixed salary. Don't you think so?" she said, rather timidly.

"Oh yes, certainly," Lady Sylvia replied. She half guessed what was coming.

"And then," said our Bell cheerfully, as if it were all a joke, "my husband thought he would write to Mr. Balfour, telling him that if he wished to try this for a time—just until he could look round and get something better-it would be a great obligation to us; and it would be so pleasant for us to have you out here. That was the proposal, Lady Sylvia. It was only a suggestion. Perhaps you would not care to remain out here, so far away from your home; but in any case I thought you would not be offended."

She was, on the contrary, most deeply and grievously offended, as was natural. Her indignant wrath knew no bounds. Only the sole token of it was two big tears that quietly rolled down her face-despite her endeavours to conceal the fact; and for a second or two she did not speak at all, but kept her head cast down.

"I don't know," said she, at length, in a very low and rather uncertain voice, "what we have done to deserve so much kindness --from all of you."

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"Oh no, Lady Sylvia," our Bell said, with the utmost eagerness, you must not look on it as kindness at all-it is only a business proposal; for, of course, we are very anxious to have every thing well looked after in our absence-it is of great importance for the sake of the children. And then, you see, Mr. Balfour and yourself would be able to give it a year's trial before deciding whether you cared to remain here; and you would be able to find out whether the climate suited you, and whether there was enough amusement-"

"Dear Mrs. Von Rosen," said Lady Sylvia, gently, "you need not try to explain away your kindness. You would never have thought of this but for our sakes-"

"No," she cried, boldly; "but why? Because we should have sold off every thing at the end of the year, rather than have so much anxiety in England. But if we can get this great business properly managed, why should we throw it away?

"You forget that my husband knows nothing about it—”

"He will have a year to learn; and his mere presence here will make all the dif ference."

"Then it is understood Lady Sylvia ?" the lieutenant said, with all the embarrassment

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