The sensation of the running carro is very strange at first. It glides off with a gentle motion, gathering velocity as it gets its momentum, till at last it seems flying downwards in a perfectly irresponsible way; and only the clever steering and checking of the runners saves the traveller from the feeling that he must of necessity be flying to inevitable destruction. Sheila’s nerves were strong, and she and little Guy laughed aloud as they flew downwards; whilst Miss Adene had had experience of these methods, and took the descent quite calmly. “I wonder how Effie likes it!” cried Sheila in one of the pauses, where the runners have to be greased, or the basket-work might be in danger of charring, so tremendous is the heat generated by the friction. Effie, however, seemed to have got on well as they joined company at the bottom of the slide, and found bullock carros waiting to take them home. She was more animated than usual, and declared that she had not been frightened at all after just the first; and Ronald said she had stood it like a brick. When they got home Mrs. Cossart was eager to hear Effie’s story, and very pleased at her pleasure in the day’s outing. “It is quite right and proper that you should go with Sheila when they ask her. You got on very well with them, did you not?” “Oh, yes, very well indeed. Mr. Dumaresq never noticed Sheila at all when I was there. He is really very intelligent. I enjoyed talking to him. He has plenty of sense, though he has such good spirits. I like him very much.” Mrs. Cossart was well pleased. The thought which had lately come into her head seemed now to take firmer root. Certainly a marriage into some really good family would be an excellent thing for Effie; and her handsome dowry ought to be an inducement which no young man would altogether overlook. So the mother’s eyes were very jealously on the watch the next days and weeks; and often her heart swelled within her with anger and jealous displeasure. For it was impossible to ignore the fact that Sheila was the favourite. However well Effie was dressed, however she was put forward and “trotted out” by her mother, it was Sheila’s merry laugh, Sheila’s saucy or appealing speeches, Sheila’s big soft eyes that seemed to win her way everywhere. “I wish I had never brought that girl!” cried Mrs. Cossart one evening in exasperation to her husband. “What girl, my dear?” asked Mr. Cossart mildly. “I thought it was doing Effie so much good. She is another creature.” “Yes, Effie, if it were only her; but there is Sheila! I am out of all patience with her! I declare if there is a good opportunity I will ship her back to England. It is too bad the way she is going on!” (_To be continued._) [Illustration] ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. MEDICAL.