A Life's Secret. Mrs. Henry Wood

to.'

      Mr. Henry Hunter looked vexed. 'Perhaps you can understand the reason of her attacking me?'

      'I could understand it, but for your assertion of being a stranger to her. If it is so, I can only believe that she mistook you for another.'

      'If it is so,' repeated Mr. Henry Hunter. 'I am not in the habit of asserting an untruth, Bevary.'

      'Nor, on the other hand, is Miss Gwinn one to be deceived. She is keen as a razor.'

      'Bevary, what are you driving at?'

      'At nothing. Don't be alarmed, Henry. I have no cause to suppose you know the woman, or she you. I only thought—and think—she is one whom it is almost impossible to deceive. It must, however, have been a mistake.'

      'It was a mistake—so far as her suspicion that she knew me went,' decisively returned Mr. Henry Hunter.

      'Ay,' acquiesced Dr. Bevary. 'But here am I gossiping my morning away, when a host of patients are waiting for me. We poor doctors never get a holiday, as you more favoured mortals do.'

      He laughed as he went out, nodding a friendly farewell to Austin. Mr. Henry Hunter stepped out after him. Then Mr. Hunter, who had not taken part in the discussion, but had stood looking from the window while they carried it on, wheeled round to Austin and spoke in a low, earnest tone.

      'What is this tale—this mystery—that my brother and the doctor seem to be picking up?'

      'Sir, I know no more than you have heard me say. I witnessed her attack on Mr. Henry Hunter.'

      'I should like to know further about it: about her. Will you——Hush! here comes my brother back again. Hush!'

      His voice died away in the faintest whisper, for Mr. Henry Hunter was already within the room. Was Mr. Hunter suspecting that his brother had more cognisance of the affair than he seemed willing to avow? The thought, that it must be so, crossed Austin Clay; or why that warning 'hush' twice repeated?

      It happened that business was remarkably brisk that season at Hunter and Hunter's. They could scarcely get hands enough, or the work done. And when Austin explained the cause which had brought him to town, and frankly proffered the question of whether they could recommend him to employment, they were glad to offer it themselves. He produced his credentials of capacity and character, and waited. Mr. Henry Hunter turned to him with a smile.

      'I suppose you are not above your work, Mr. Clay?'

      'I am not above anything in the world that is right, sir. I have come to seek work.'

      He was engaged forthwith. His duties at present were to lie partly in the counting-house, partly in overlooking the men; and the salary offered was twenty-five pounds per quarter.