ad experienced from his
parents. But he had not forgotten these occurrences, and his lip once
more quivered with emotion, and his clear, handsome eyes were suffused
with tears. Quick as thought his little companion divined with womanly
instinct the cause, for she was not ignorant of the state of affairs,
young as she was, that existed at Bramble Park. Drawing nearer to his
side, she threw one arm tenderly and with childish abandon over his
neck, and with the other brushed away the gathering tears, until Charles
smiled again and leaned over and kissed her sweet little lips as a
brother might have done! And then together they plucked a beautiful
bouquet, and busied themselves in arranging it and classifying the
various plants by their botanical names, for both children were well
versed in this delightful study, young as they were.

While they were thus engaged, Robert came up and angrily discovered the
two children thus happy together. Saying some rude things to Charles, he
pushed him away from his playmate's side with rude and brutal force,
throwing Charles to the ground. This was too much, even for his
forbearing spirit, and the injured and outraged boy, smarting under the
previous injury he had endured, rose quickly to his feet, and with one
blow knocked Robert heavily upon the ground. The blow had been a severe
one, and the boy was faint and unable to stand for a moment. Charles
looked at him for an instant, then helped to raise him up, and waited
until he was again sufficiently conscious to walk. Then he saw him walk
angrily toward the house, where he knew very well what would follow on
his return there. All the while his little companion had stood regarding
first one and then the other. Now Charles stepped to her side, and said:

"I am sorry, Helen; but it is very, very hard to bear."

She shook her little head as he spoke, but held up her lips for the kiss
he offered, and saw him turn away from home towards the distant town.

CHAPTER V.

THE NAVAL OFFICER.

THE reader will think that seven league boots--the storyteller's
prerogative--are in special demand as it regards our story, for once
more we must return through a period of years to the date, or
thereabouts, on which our story opens. It was on one of those close,
sultry afternoons that characterize the climate of summer in India, that
two of our characters were seated together in a graceful and rather
elegant villa in the environs of Calcutta. The