"It is full of gold" he said weighing it in his hand, "the savings of a life time." "Oh father" gasped Helen. Mr. Winston took out 10 gold peices and the rest he left in the bag "this will pay for the furnishing of the attic" he said. "So it will" said Helen brightly. Mr. Winston put the bag back and took out a little ivory box and displayed some magnificent jewilery to his daughter's dazzled eyes, "this was all all left to you by your mother's will," he said. "Really!" said Helen, "I can't belive it." The jewils consisted of two broachs, one set entirely in diamonds, the other a horseshow set in rubies; a gold watch, chain and seals; a nexlet of pearls and a gold bracelet fastenned with a ruby heart. Mr. Winston placed the bracelet on Helen's slender arm; "this" he said "was to be given you in your nineteenth year, the other jewils by your mother's will will be given to you when you come of age. "How lovely" cried Helen glancing at the circlet of gold on her wrist. "I will now lock up the rest of the things" said Mr. Winston "and mind Helen, not a word of this is ever to be revealed." "Never father" said Helen kissing him. Mr. Winston had barely shut the safe and closed the curtain when the door opened and in came Cyril Sheene. "Good morning Winston" he cried hastily, "I thought I'd just pop in and see if Helen would come out with me." "Why Cyril we didn't expect you half so early" said Helen blushing. "No I'm sure you didn't replied Cyril, "but you will come out wont you?" "Oh certainly" said Helen and she ran up to get her hat. CHAPTER 4 THE PROPOSAL Cyril Sheene, as I have already said was thirty years of age and a bachelor. He was short and fat and had fair sleek hair parted in the middle, mild blue eyes and a silly sort of expression all over his face. In ten minutes Helen came down again in a neatly fitting grey jacket and a large straw hat with a few scarlet poppies trailing over the brim. She looked very pretty and Cyril's face shone with pleasure as he regarded her. "Wont you come out father?" asked Helen, "I suppose we are going on the hills are'nt we Cyril?" "I thought we might go and sit by the old castle, it is such a glorious day" responded Cyril. "Do come father" said Helen. "I don't think I can" said Mr. Winston "I must go to the town this morning" "Very well" said Helen; and then while Cyril Sheene was looking for his stick, she seized an opportunity to ask her father "shall I tell Cyril about Gladys coming?" "Yes" replied Mr. Winston "but mind not a word about the safe." "Oh no" answered Helen, and then with a lively little jump she ran after Cyril who was already walking down the garden path. It was a perfect morning, the sun shone brightly, lighting up all the scenery around; the birds were singing in the beach trees close by and the rippling of the little stream was as sweet music to the ear.