74 ALL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS.

off my hands—he is just the husband for you,
so rustic and quiet.”

‘¢ Edward to be taken off your hands, Helen!
—Edward Lynne !—the protector of our child-
hood—the pride of the village—the very com-
panion of Mr. Stokes—why, he dined with him
lastSunday! Edward Lynne! You jest, cousin!
and ” Rose Dillon paused suddenly, for
she was going to add, “ You ought not to jest
with me.” She checked herself in time; stoop-
ed down to gather some flowers to hide her agi-.
tation ; felt her cheeks flush, her heart beat, her
head swim, and then a chill creep through her
frame. Helen had unconsciously awoke the
hope which Rose had never dared to confess
unto herself. The waking was ecstatic; but
she knew the depth of Edward’s love for Helen.
She had been his confidant—she believed it was
a jest—how could her cousin do otherwise than
love Edwarddynne? And with this belief, she
recovered the self-possession which the necessity
for subduing her feelings had taught her even at
that early age.

**And Rose,” said Helen, in a quiet voice,
‘did you really think I ever intended to marry
Edward Lynne ?” Ss cir

** Certainly, cousin. Why, you love him, do
you not? Besides, he is rich—very rich in com-
parison to you—very, very rich. And if he
were not—oh, Helen !—is he not in himself—~