39113.3 STEP IOTHEI. C$AP‘l'II IV.

Lin-i.s Frank I_rwin would have been sadly starved for aflection and sympathy, if he had been entirely dependent for both on his step- m_other_; for, though at times she oppressed him with her caresses. and indul ed him even beyond what yras wholesome for him, she grew so capricious in her treatment of him, after the

th of her infant, that his naturally sweet and trustful temper must have been injured But when they were in the country, which was nerally for nine months in the year, Frank ound a playfcllow and friend in the little daughter of the clergyman, a blue-eyed child, something less than a year his junior.

The rectory was not a quarter of a mile

from the tes of Sir Edwsrd‘s park ; and Mr.

Birkby, t e rector, was a distant relative of

the Irwins: so the intimacy of the children was quite natural; and whenever his maiuiua was busy—whcncvcr Agnese was cross—when- eyes", in short, anything happened to disquiet him at lioine—u.way ran little Frank, to forget his trouble in the coin any of Kitty Birkby; and many a sunny nfieriioou (lid they sit together, under the large apple-tree, in the orchard, or in the sliadoiv of the old cedar, making daisy giii-lands, and mingling their hearts in innocent prattle. rank was a great hem to Kitty. Frank went to London and to all kinds of places with long names. which he l\'ll='\V quite well. and could repeat as easily as she could repeal the names of the field and hedge llowers. l"rank went to the tlicatri-s, where he saw all sorts of tvoiderfnl things, irliii-li hedi-scribed to her with indefati- able patience. There was not ii marvellous feat of harlequin that she was not familiar with; and she even dreamt of the f.-iir_v—in pink, with silver wings—-who always c:i.iie down in it chariot, driwii by peacocks, just in time to save

the prince and princess front the deep-laid plots‘ ofthe cruel ogre with green hair, a bullpius nose, 1

and a cavernous mouth, who had announced it to be his intention to dine otftlie prince. and promote the little trembling princess to the honour of Mrs. O rose. 0, with what eloqui.-nee did he describe, to the round-eyed, eager sodiiress, the final scene oflhe drama, when the fairy. having made the prince and princess happy, and consigned their wicked aunts and uncles to well-merit.-d pniiisli- merit, ascended out of mortal ken. seated on a II'lfIl'I_‘.'-"'\"‘|ll'Prl nliiiid. it hicli seciiied

I-IASZARD'S GAZETTE, JUNE 23.

. to excite. She wondered what Sir Edward and

Frank could see to interest them in a little creature neither remarkable for beauty, our distinguished for intelligence; and Kitty. for her part, had an instinctive dread of Lady Irwin; she was almost completely silent in her presence, and approached her only with effort and unwillingness.

But if her instinct led her to avoid Lady Irwin, it operated yet more strongly in the case of

guests. The child aheolntely trembled if Agnese ioui-lied her; and once, when she insisted on kissing her, she was almost convulsed with terror. Aunt-se. as may be imagined, was not slow to N-1'3)‘ dislike with dislike. She chose to believe, that. being the child of an ecclesiastie, Kitty was peculiarly under the ban of Heaven ; for, though destitute of anything like true religion. she clung with pertinacity to the superstitions which she had been taught in childhoiid, and especially delighted to believe that the marriage of a priest was a_ saciilr-gious thing, and that, therefore. little kitty was nothing but a foretlootiied child of Satan.

cnarratt v.

_Fiia:vK was just nine years old, and in the middle of the veritable history of Pyruiiins and ’I‘hisbe, which he read with Mr. Birkby and_ duly performed with Kitty, when Lady Irwin again become a mother, the mother of a son of singular promise and beauty. Her heart swelled with joyful pride, but it seemed as if happiness for her was never to be without alloy. A conversation which she overheard between the nurse and Agnese completely damped her leasure, and awakened discontent- ed thoughts in her bosom.

They were speaking of the child, admiring his beauty, and commenting on the joy of his parents.

“Ah !” cried the old nurse, "Sir Edward's well pleased enough now; but Lord love ye, ifyou‘d seen the fuss there was, when Master Frank was orn——hc worn‘t nothing to com- pare to this here lamb, but then he was the hcir—Lord. the ringing of bells rind the driv- ing up ofcarriages! I made nigh twenty pound at the christening—-and all the village was in- vited to dine; there was an ex roasted whole- and, as to the ale, it was quite a sin, to see it flowing about everywliere like water."

Nothing could exceed the tenderness of Sir Edward: he could not liavo shown more joy

heavily ;

at the birth of his eldest son: the inquiries were numerous, the christening splendid: but

cli;ir;_-ml with electricity,-—-zi in-.ide of travelling 3 ih° Oh-i N||'80'8W01'll8 Nnitlcd In I-ud_v Irwin"! highly unple_g53u| (1) any (me but 3 fairy. but i heart. _SIl8 Still IOVBII l."l‘tLI)l{, but she could IIOC which, or (5t)|lI':t! allordod lit-r iiurilloyed delight, lit 31“ “"103 heal’ to 808 him Caress his hit”- as slit: took care to coininunicate to the priiici-.h|'0l3hel'i though. ii‘ h0 8h0W0ti the 101183 in-

and princess that the_v iiiust expectnotliiiig further from her: it bciiig her intention to retire inti- private life, among the stars, where she (very ratioiinlly, as the world goes), did not wish to he distiirbcd.

By the time he had related the story six or ‘Preferred. ilhd that

seven times to KIIIV, l“r:iiilr ne"aine so enamuurcd

Zuflection.

ditfcrencc. slio tortured herself by thinking how much the child’s fate depended on his As soon as the baby begun to take notice, he showed a very decided alfection for Frank; there was only one person whom he person was Kitty Birkby. passionate affection, Lady

With all her

ut' ii, that lie conceive-il the bold idea of acting it; "Will W“-Med ihc 111‘! to ttccolllmodtlie llefseli he ,v;i3 to he the prince, Kitty the pl-jngegg, and I0 IIIO WOIIKHOSS of II. little child 2 she C0lIld IIOI Sara, liernurse,a particularly solid roung woinan, will the 1.0011 IIOHSGIISG Which th0 ordinary

the fairy; the other rlramatis pcnonm might be

Kitty took very kindly to being the princess;

I

imagined. '

mother makes the vehicle of her tenderness, and by which she wakes the dimples in her infant a check. Kitty, on the other hand, was

she stzicli a flower in her hair; sat herself down I distinguished by M1 extraordinary _p0Wcl' Of on it b-ink. and prctcriiled it was a throne ; but I sympathy; she seemed to know intuitively what

when l"r:uik tried to induce her to personatetlie I “'35 “Tillie

of her, and with happy and un-

ag;i,,., .,¢' ,1“, prinwy-_s, win... he, 1,,,,._, was gum |conscious grace to meet the reqnii-eiiient. She away from her by the sziviige ogre. hcrc repre- ; loved all children, so it was very natural tliat. senteil by a crablicd elder tree, lli“ was ;i|mo_.»i ! she slioultl feel especial delight in the beautiful

tlisco:nfit:.-:l. Very IIl'.tl'il urged, Kitty rushed

fiercelv up to the tree. enil heotiiig Ila‘ liiiotty stein I at her a with her --:iii’ob',' hands. cricd,"N.iii1lity non-,i

take uwriy tn_v prince!" lt was in vain that Frank cxpluincil the truculcnt nature of the ogre, and the timid character of the princess. This, however, was nothing in comparison to the trouble be bid with Sara, who was always dccply

i-l~.il.l who (‘rowed and clapped his little hands ppearonco.

In spite of her dissatisfaction that her son was not his father’s heir, Lady Irwin was made much happier by his birth : the boy was

,nll her owii—he had her fitful eyes, her square ‘brow, the shape of his mouth was like hers,

with a shadow of his father's smile; and before

eng.-i_vcd in reading a dilapidated copy of the Old § long it became evident that he inherited her

Eiiglisli Baron, in devouring sour apples, or tom er.

IIe was wilful and impatient, he never

darniiig stockings, when she was required to let iis mother frct herself forwont ofcxcitc-

makc her graceful descent upon earth.

But there were other things which Frank delighted to impart to Kitty: the grand mystery of his, Iurc, hot‘, in which he was, at an early age

years old slio hardly knew her letters; and if any one had told her, that theearth was like an orange, flattened at the poles, she would have opened her blue eyes in most profound nstoriishment. Like Frank, she had lost her mother in her infancy, and was in great measure dependent on a maiden sister of her father, who resided with him, and who loved her dearly. But Miss Selina Birkby was now in the winter of her days, and having spent the prime of her life in the dreary st:i'o called, in derision, single blessedness, she knew no more of the rearing and training of children than a day-labourer, accustomed to no sort of horticulture but the sewing of turnips, might be supposed to know of the rearing of delicate exotics. Kitty, nevertheless, had a most charming little countenance, which changed from smiles to tears with the rapidity of an April day. She was a great favourite with Sir ward Irwin, who liked to take her on his knee, and to play with her soft earls; butahe never pleased Lady Irwin—perhapa because the sight of her waksned the memories of her own lost little girl— rhsps from the

lnow laughing. I

indoctrinated ; yet Kitty was no prodigy, at five l its crested

' lI0\‘(‘1'

increasing jealousy of her isposiuon, which nothing seemed too small, nothing too innocent,

merit: it was never possible to tell in what mood the oung nutoct-at might choose to show himself; e was like a mountain-girdled lake, to the summer sun, now lashing llows into fury. Kitty Bit-kby was the only person whose influence with him failed: his mother might waste her strength in the attempt to storm him down; she never gained her point; he would scream till slio was terrified for his health, but he would not yield; ct Kitty, without violence, by seine subtle ciarm in her touch or in her voice, brought back the smiles in five minutes, and won him to obedience.

For two years longer Frank Irwin pursued his studies at houie, under the direction of .\Ir. Birkby; he was then sent to Rugby, at that time under the wise government of Dr. Arnold. Ilis departure caused Kitty great sorrow, but it made little interruption in her visits to the ball ; for Edward, as the boy was nimed from his father, was growing fast. and become daily more imperious in lits dcinands u on her time. It was not in the nature of thin s, thiit Lady Irwin should not teel seine tone 1 of tenderness to the sweet child to whom she owed so much ; perhaps she regretted that she could not love her, an strove by the lavish

Irwin ssessed a musical genius of a high order; or knowled of the art was profound, and the harp or piano under her hand pro- duced thrilling or stirring harmonies, the transcript of her state of egling; she was it post ct sound, and the pulsations of her pas- sionate temperament thus found immediate and uin\plo expression.

J. ow, Kitty Birkby early evinced great taste for music; her voice was peculiarly clear and sweet: she owed much to the careful instruc- tion of Lad Irwin, who was pleased to have a pupil so ocile and so apt in her favorite science. In other respects, Kittyseducation was not systeinatised; her aunt taught her needlework and what she knew of French; while her father instructed her in aritliiuetic, and formed her taste in literature. Ilis e es failing him he was often glad to use ier younger sight, and thus she learned to read with expression and without fatigue, while she llllbllictll a funddoll' general knowledge, which la in ier min ike is destined to bring faith a rich harvest in future years. And thus llt‘l‘ childhood passed in ever-recurring works of tenderness and love. She was so gentle and so inodi-st, that it was only by her absence that her friends knew how much they needed her.

ciiiirrau vi.

“,l\Io'riii:it." cried Edward Irwin, now a fine boy of fourteen, “ why does every one think so much more of Frank than ofm ?"

“He is the heir and has just come ofage, and when the heir comes of age, there is always great rejoicing."

“ It must be a line thing to be the heir!" exclaimed Edward, after a pause, fixing his eyes thoughtfully on his mother's face.

“ Why do you think so?” inquired she.

*‘ Why? What a question 1 Why, the world is before you to be sure; you can do ex- actly what you please. and everybody thinks you a fine fel ow.’

“ It is better to make a fortune than barely to inherit one.” time. Just fancy, mother. how e endid it must be for Frank. Every one says ow hand- some he is, and every one admires his clever- ness and his riding, and everything he does. Now I‘m every bit as handsome and as clever for my age, and father says, Frank couldn’t have ridden Mad 'l‘oin before he went to Rugby: yet nobody takes the trouble to find out my porfuctions."

“ Would you rather have been your father's heir than my son"’ i s iody Irwin asked the boy the question, her chock tlushcd, and her brow, to which a slight frown had become habitual, darkened.

“ Why, no, mother, I don’t mean that. I'd rather have my own stately mother, for all her fierce looks and angry words, than the pretty pale lady in the picture ; but so ose there lind )

“O yes, of course: but that takes such it ca

but that wet blanket of a sky. I don't believe it ever intends to leave of raining, till all the branches are washed off the trees. Wh , if there isn't Kitty ! Only think, mother, 0 coming all through this rain. See how dainti y she holds up her dress, and what little pools of water her pretty pattering fest leave every ate she takes. She's worth my cloud-palace, Ara pony and all! There's a smile, now, woul make sunshine anywhere: 0 mother. stir the tire and make it blaze, while I run down an help her ofi with her cloak."

Away he ran, leaving his mother sunk in gloomy meditation. The impatience ha ha expressed, and forgotten as soon as expressed, awakened the discontent in her own heart, and reused the old bitterness and jealousy that sliiiiibered in her bosom. She was essentiall an ambitious woman; her very love rtoo of the passion by which the angels fel; and the beauty and promise of her son, while it in- ereused the idolatrous .ufi'ection which she bore him, aggravated her discontent at the inferior position to which lie was destined. But the tire siiiouldcred in her own bosom, and even Agncsc knew not into how fierce a blaze ti. little breath might kindle it.

When Edward returned, bringing in Cathe- rine Birkby, despoiled of her wet garments, and glowing with exercise, the cloud had from Lady lrwin’s countenance, if not from her spirit, and she welcomed her young visitor with courtesy, even with kindness.

“ And new, mother,” said Edward, when he had established the guest in a warm corner of a sofa, and supplied her with a footstool and all imaginable comforts; “rind new, mother, would you like to know what has brought my princess out this fine November morning . It’s p good story, and I’ll tell Frank as sure as

ate.”

“Suppose you begin by telling me.” said his mother, smilin .

“ You tell her, Kitty. Doesn't she look a nice tutor, now? Just look at her ; she wants nothing but a pair of spectacles and a stout

IN‘.

“The boy's distracted,” said Lady Irwin. ‘‘ He is so delighted that on are come to break the dull téte-ii-téte with iis pros old mother. Kate. that lie cnn’t speak an intelligible word.”

i. ‘Well then, m(}))tll8|’E-nelIllt.[!I'"pl'l())Sy lpor ulld, niucn _\-niiiiger t on itty e oun — would you believe it l the abominable creature has come out through this weather to bring me my Arnold's Exercise book."

“ She is it great deal too good to you, air; and we must get Mr. Birkby to be more strict with you, ifyou continue so careless."

1;‘ Blllt only think of her magignitly. mqther, w en had forgotten the stupi 00 so c ever- ly, and persuaded myself that it would be cruel to send Brade and the ragged old pony for it, she must come through the cold and wet for no other urpose than to make me ashamed

een no Lady Irwin before you, in sure you’re wile enough for one man any do .” “ I should never have known your father, if

sorrow for the loss of Frank’s mother.”

" Which roves, I suppose, that it didn't lease the Fates that I should be an eldest son. always thought them a stupid set of spinsters.

Don't you know any rickety old Earl or Duke who might be coated into adopting me?”

“ Do'not talk so foolishly. Edward,“ re- turned his mother, with displeasure, “learn to have some respect for those to whom you owe your being; learn to liavo seine regard for the talents with which you are endowed, the legitimate exercise of which cannot fail to make you known and distinguisbc ."

“In spite of all tliat," pursued the boy recklessly, “ I believe, mother, you would like to see me in rank’s shoes. Only think, this grand old house. the woods, the lands, all iuine. But there, don’t bring down the tliun- derclouds! I'm sure, if the old l’arc:e have ill-used me in condemning me to be rt liewer of wood and a drawer of water, they are ten times more to blame for making on anything but an empress. If they'd on \' done you justice now, I could have accommodated myself nice] to the character of a royal duke."

“ oubtless, you foolish boy," said his mother, caressing his full dark curls.

“ But only fancy. mother, you sweeping along in velvet and diamonds, lilfllllll your commands to your generals and councillors; ordering one man to lose his head, making it governor of a province of another; and me riding about on a crciiin-coloured Arabian pony, at the head ofan army, going to chastise some rebellious bnrliarianii. ’

“Silly boy!" cried Lady Irwin, “what a shock you will feel when you descend from your Pegasus, and know yourself nothing but plain Edward Irwin, with not a sou to help you but what your father or brother may choose to give you."

“ Considering the state of the case, mother, I think you might linve let me give the reins to my fancy a little longer, I wish you hadn't pulled me up with such ajerk. I declare I felt the Arab under me, and the air fanning my cheek, and you and all vour court-ladies

profusion of her gifts to atone for the want of, real nfi'ection. In one respect only did tliel little girl and the woman sympathise. Lady]

looking down from your balcony. It was too bad to bring me down with suoli ii thump into this seedy old room, with nothing out of doors

he hadn‘t come to Florence when he was in i

of myself. "liere’s only one thing to be said for her; she never did Arnold herself, and so she doesn't know what a tremendous bore he s."

‘- Now I have brought the book, I hope on intend to do the exercise.” said Kitty, smiling. “ Well, that depends. You must fold the paper and mend the pens, and look out the words in the index.” “ But no, let's go and have a game at billiards.” “ I'll play no billiards till you've done your excerr-isc.,‘ " Well, we can play without you,you know.” “ You will have to play by yourself then,"

lsnid his mother. “ You'll find no one here to

»

I play with you. if you are rude to l\itt .

“ Rude to Kitty!" repeated the boy, the colour flushing to his cheek. “ Rude to Kitt , whom I love better than anything in the who 0 world? [don't know what you mean, mother."

“ He ntily ii-mired to show me that I was not quite so iniporiziiit as I thought myself,” said Kate, apologeticilly. “ Conic. Edward, let us go into the selionl-room; the exercise won't take hnlfan hour, and there will be plenty of time for billiards nfterwzirds."

The boy obeyed, but his cheek alill glowed.

lc not together what was necessary for his work in silence, and wrote quickly iitid attentively for ttlfllfl time; then suddenly flinging down his pen, he threw liiinsclfon the flour, and hiding his face on Czitlici-iiin‘s knees, burst into tears.

“ Hush, Eilword. is this riglit—is this Chris- tian?” renionstrated Kitty.

“ Rude to you, my own dearest Kitty .7" sobbed the boy. " lfl wzis,I didn't mean it. Of course you know we can’t play without you—-at least,I can't; and I’m sure Frank viouldn't. 0, you don't know, how dull and stupid the house is \\'ll(‘II you are not ll€l“.’. Father sits in his study, iiialting discoveries about meteoric phenomena or something or other: and Frank thinks lic’s doing a great deal with Plato, though I believe hslfthe time he does nothing but smoke and dream ; and mother and I talk ourselves itito a horrible dislike of everything. 0 Kitty, I hate myself so some- times, and you would hate me too, if you knew what wicked thoughts come into my head.”