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and she equally attracted the attention or me ocneis, 11 Well, my girl, so you have saved our train, I hear. You are very brave, and I am sure we are very thankful such a plucky little lady happened to be near. What is your name, my dear P" The General-for the person who thus addressed Minnie was' Sir William Deane himself—uncon- sciously found himself becoming more familiar as his address proceeded. He perceived 'in a moment that the girl was no labourer's child. My name)s Minnie Layton," replied the girl, simply. k The General's companion started violently. •f- "Great Jove, is it possible 1" he exclaimed. "No -no-it cannot be I" i "What's the matter, Rushleigh ? J Did the name strike you ? r I confess the circumstance is curious; but, let me see-was your mother ever in India, my dear p" I don't know I never was," replied the child. "I belong to Stepney, Uncle George says." H" Stepney. You are are a Londoner, then-a cockney P" replied the General, smiling kindly. I don't know what you mean," said Minnie. "George Collier says so." I Captain Rushleigh rose hastily, and went to the window, where he remained looking out. The train was slowly crossing the viaduct, the timbers of which were charred and smoking. He noticed a bundle of something upon the up-line, and shuddered. The train was stopped, and it was put into the rear van. i" Meantime the General was chattering familiarly with Minnie, who took a groat fancy to the old .soldier, and permitted I him to hold her hand familiarly in his own. So George Collier is your uncle," said Captain Rushleigh, suddenly coming back to his seat. Is he very old, now ?" j "Not very, but he is not my own uncle. We Call him uncle. He brought me with him to-day, and sent me on to warn the tra:n, sir. He is still on the line. He is an inspector now." 1" Captain Rushleigh continued to stare at Minnie as intently that at last she blushed deeply under his prolonged scrutiny. Minnie disliked being stared at very much, and, after a more than usually long look, she turned away, murmuring— te Well, I hope you'll know me again." r The General laughed and rebuked his younger friend. You should not embarrass the girl so, Rushleigh. What makes you stare at her P Is it possible you do not see the likeness, General'? You must perceive it. Look again." "No, I can distinguish nothing very remark- able in that way, but I can see that this girl is far above her uncle's station in life. She has a natural grace and ladylike manner which impresses me very much. Your mother's name is Layton," he eon. tinued. "Is her husband a soldier? Was your tather in the army ? I never saw fother," replied the girl. He diea before I was born." And you were born in London, you say ?" asked Captain -Hushlei gh. "No, at sea. I was born on board ship," mother says. But you said Stepney," continued the captain, lhen, suddenly recollecting himself, he added, Of course, yes. All people born at sea are said to belong to Stepney, General. I see it now." .t Yos," assented.)Minnie, quickly. "Uncle Georgo t(M/me so." p( >•- How strange! exclaimed Rushleigh, musingly "jvVhere do you live, my dear:" he said. "Near the Hall at Woodbine Cottage. It belongs to Lady Deane. Sir William is- "Here," interrupted the General, taking her hand kindly, "you must come home with me first. You are tired, and I ady Deane must thank you at least," he added. Meantime try this on." He handed her a plain Indian gold ring which he took from his little finger and placed it on Minnie's middle finger of the right hand. That will serve to remember me by," said Sir William, kissing. her affectionately, for he felt a great interest in the girl already. feft" Oh, but 'I cannot have this," she exclaimed. Mother will not let me wear rings, I'm sure." Vi "I will see your mother and obtain her permis- sion. Here we are. Now Rushleigh, Come with us, my dear. I must insist." Minnie could not disobey the kind, nice, old gentle- inan, who talked to her as if he were her father. She wished he had been. He was so kind and affec- tionate that all her heart went out to him at once. They hurried her away to the General's carriage, ara* j the wonderment of the people at the station, anct drove away to the Hall untidy and dishevelled as she was. She had been so occupied that she had forgotten to ask about her Uncle Collier, nor did she viaduct^ remar^ when the train stopped on the Jall,s.ee him to-morrow," thought Minnie, and give him the ring. He will wear it, for he .deserves It." 0 t ,G'orgei Collier would never wear rings a0a.oi. He had met his reward already. Kun over by the up express, he had been killed on the line at the very time he had been so unselfishly intent upon the safety of others. Ctl e 2. Minnie was quite unconscious of his fate" and while regretting his absence, had no idea that she and her dear" uncle" -kind, good, faithful George Collier- had passed away for ever, and that his melancholy presentiment of death had proved, aki, too truo, -'Z'