Only a girl-wife

EVERY inhabitant of Shelverton and its neighbourhood admitted that Dr. Fereday's house and grounds were the prettiest to be seen for many a mile. Larger and grander dwellings th...

VISCOUNT CARNELLY was by no means a rich man, and his wife's extravagant tastes made him a poor one. The arrival of his sister was, however, no disadvantage, for the interest of...

THERE were many who saw through Lady Carnelly's treatment of her young sister-in-law, and pitied the girl. But in her own circle, the colonel's wife reigned supreme, and no one...

IT is doubtful whether Lord Carnelly felt equally happy with his friend, when, Andrew Crawford having departed, he began to think over the subject, of their conversation. He was...

DR. CRAWFORD lost no time in letting Miss Carnelly know of the generous intentions of his uncle, and of his desire to smooth the way for their early union. On being informed of...

"I must say a word before I wash my hands of all responsibility with regard to you, Ida," she said. "Had I been in your confidence, your future would probably be a very differen...

THOUGH Shelverton, the future home of young Mrs. Crawford, was in itself less populous than some manufacturing villages, its inhabitants would have been highly indignant if such...

THERE were staid, respectable servants who had been in the service of Dr. and Mrs. Fereday, ready to receive Mrs. Crawford at Steynes-Cote. The verdict amongst these was, "The n...

DURING the first months of her married life, Mrs. Crawford often accompanied her husband in his rounds, and waited for him in the carriage with a book, or walked on, to be overt...

This was part of the message which came from his mother, and it would be hard indeed for Dr. Crawford to refuse compliance. Yet how could he go? He might leave his other patient...

IT was fortunate for Dr. Crawford that Shelverton folk could do without him at a time when his presence was so much needed elsewhere. Still more fortunate that Ida did not fret...

"I WAS the means of bringing her to Steynes-Cote at this time, and she has been real good to the mistress, but I am beginning to misdoubt me about the outcome of her visit."

DURING the three years which followed the birth of Dr. Crawford's first baby, many changes took place at Steynes-Cote. Additions were made to the inmates, and some familiar face...

THERE was one relative of the late Mrs. Fereday with whom Dr. Crawford had always kept up a friendly though rather desultory intercourse. This was the Rev. Walter Steyne, younge...

"MR. CARNELLY has walked with me from Hazelcourt, where I dropped in, expecting to find Gracie and bring her home with me," said the rector, as he entered the room. "He is leavi...

"COULD I be spared to take a month's holiday, mem? I've had word from home that my mother has been ailing, and would fain see me. She and my father are growing old, and it's sev...

Jean Graham was the speaker, and her words were addressed to a man of similar age to herself, by whom her hand was warmly grasped as she descended from the railway carriage.

"PERHAPS this letter will give you promise of a girl visitor, Ida," said Dr. Crawford, as he handed one to his wife about a fortnight after Jean Graham's departure. "I see the p...

WHEN Bennett hurried down to the surgery, she calculated that it would be untenanted, as the dinner-gong had sounded a few minutes before. All seemed quiet when she reached the...

MRS. CRAWFORD was thoroughly charmed with her visitor, and after Grace retired, she repeated to her husband much of the conversation which had passed during his absence from the...

DR. CRAWFORD'S surprise on finding that Bennett had left his house was equalled by his anxiety to know how her departure had been brought about. The explanation was soon given.

"OH, Jean, you have sacrificed your happiness for our sakes! Why did you not tell us about Robert Hamilton long since? I am so grieved for you, dear Jean," said Mrs. Crawford, a...

JEAN GRAHAM'S illness verified Dr. Crawford's prediction, and proved sufficiently serious. It was found necessary to secure the services of Helen Fraser, who gladly came to Stey...

"At last!" was her response. "Now there will be an end of the miserable pinching and cheeseparing which I have had to practise through all my married life. The money to which I...

"I am quite sure he was, and that I disappointed him by refusing to entertain his proposal. Not but what he would be admirably qualified. He must have been a diligent student wh...