MOORE’S  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
the  heeoes  of  the  eakth. 
BT  KATE  MEKIDE». 
[80OOE8TED  bynn  Incident  which  c«no  under  the 
writer’s  observation.) 
There  are  honrte  that  boar  groat  burdens, 
Under  a  oheerlul  emlle— 
There  are  natures  high  and  lofty. 
That  sorrow  all  tho  while — 
There  are  lives  that  give  to  duty 
More  thau  their  own  heart’s  blood. 
And  dlvcat  their  life  of  beauty 
For  same  nneoiasli  good. 
Ah,  not  on  a  Held  of  battle 
Are  all  Life's  Heroes  found — 
Not  in  tho  crowded  palaces 
Of  thoso  of  high  iHinown ; 
But  oft  to  some  aud  child  of  earth. 
Is  sent  to  prove  how  long 
A  spirit  of  immortal  birth 
Can  "  sailor  and  bo  strong.” 
When  tho  veil  is  tom  asunder. 
And  day  siiooeede  the  night. 
Then  those  patient,  holy  watchers 
Shall  see  the  blessed  hgbt ; 
For  amid  tho  vast  ilcceptiona 
The  world  has  given  bUfh. 
They  shall  shine  in  v>c«rlijn8  beauty, 
The  Uerooa  of  the  F.arth. 
MAX  AND  MAE&AEET. 
A  STORY  OF  LOVE  AND  DUTY. 
BT  VTOLET  rtILLEB. 
CHAPTER  I. 
»  Well,  Max,”  said  Captain  Heathcotb  to  his 
friend  Max  von  Bernstein,  as  they  drove  through 
the  pleasant  lanes  of  the  pretty  village  of  Hcalh- 
cote,  one  lovely  August  evening,  “how  do  you 
Uk#  this  for  a  specimen  of  our  English  villages?” 
*•  Very  much  indeed,"  was  tho  answer  In  excel¬ 
lent  Eiigltsh,  hut  with  a  slightly  foreign  nccpnl., 
“It  is  exqutsltoiy  picturesque,  and  the  fresh  green 
Of  the  gi’ibss  is  quite  refreshing  to  the  eyes  after  a 
BOlournln  the  dusky  city  of  London.”  And  in  tnilli 
Heathcote  was  one  of  the  prettiest  villages  to  be 
found  in  “.Merne  Kngland,"  vvdtii  itstlny  cottages 
covered  with  roses  and  trailing  vines,  and  Ha 
quaint  old  church,  standing  In  the  miitst  of  Us 
green  churchyard,  keeping  solemn  ivatch  and 
waril  over  the  many  generations  of  sleepera  in  Its 
quiet  preclnct.s. 
Of  the  two  gchlleraon  who  were 
driving  through  the  village  one  was  , 
the  son  of  squire  heathcote  of  tho 
Chace,  the  largest  landed,  proprle- 
ror  in  the  neighborhood,  and  tho 
other  a  young  (Jerman  who  was 
vislUng  Ucathcoic  for  the  shooting 
B.iason.  As  tucy  neared  tho  gates  | 
of  the  Chaco,  Captain  Heathcotk  i 
took  off  his  cap  to  an  elderly  gen-  ^ 
tlemaa  who  stood  at  the  gate  of  a 
small  but  pretty  garden.  A  neat  ] 
cottage  ornee  rose  in  the  back 
ground,  whosclow  French  windows 
looked  out  ou  the  blooming  flower 
beds. 
“  Welcome  home,  Bertie,”  said 
Major  Trehekne;  “come  down  and 
see  us  this  evening.” 
“  All  right,”  shouted  Bertie,  as 
he  turned  to  direct  tho  groom  to 
open  the  gates. 
“  MA.X,”  said  Bertie  Tjo  his  friend, 
“  you  must  go  with  me  this  even¬ 
ing  ;  I  want  to  introduce  you  to  my 
cousin  Makoabet.” 
“Ah,” said  Max,  “tho  cousin  of 
whom  I  have  heard  you  speak  so 
often  ?  What  Is  she  like  ‘l  ” 
“  Walt  till  you  see  her.  I  fancy 
she  will  satisfy  even  your  artist 
“  So,”  said  Max,  as  ho  thought-  j 
fully  stroked  Ids  dark  mustache; 
••  I  shall  be  delighted  to  see  this 
paragon.” 
Max.  count  von  Bernstein,  al¬ 
though  a  Prussian,  was  not  one  of 
the  stereotyped,  fair -haired  and 
blue-eyed  Teutonic  type  of  man¬ 
hood;  his  mother  had  been  a 
French  lady,  and  lie  inherited  her 
dark  Provencal  beauty. 
The  dog-cart  was  by  this  time 
whirling  op  the  avenue,  and  the 
gentlemen  soon  stood  on  the  steps  j 
of  the  huge  pile  of  stone  known  as 
Heathcote  Chace. 
“Welcome  ’oine,  captain,”  said 
the  old  family  servant,  as  they  ea- 
teriyl  the  lai-ge  hall. 
“  Thanks,  Thomas  ;  how  are  your 
old  bones  ?”  said  tho  young  man 
in  a  pleasant  voice.  “  Where  Is  my 
father?” 
“  In  the  study,  sir.” 
“  Come  along,  max,”  said  Ber^ 
tie;  “  and  TaoMAS,  show  tho  serv¬ 
ant  of  the  Count  where  to  go.”  He 
led  the  way  to  the  study,  wiiero 
they  found  the  good  old  Hquiro  deep 
In  accounti.  ms  face  brightened 
at  the  sight  of  his  son’s  handsome 
face. 
1  “  3Iy  dear  boy,”  he  said,  as  he 
grasped  his  hand,  “  I  am  so  glad  to  soo  you ;  I  ( 
have  been  feeling  lonely.”  ' 
“  Why,  you  look  In  good  condition,  sir ;  this  Is  i 
my  friend,  Count  von  Bernstein.  You  know  his  ' 
lather,  1  think.’’ 
“  Ah,  yes,”  answered  the  Squire  as  ho  shook  tho 
Count  warmly  by  tho  hand.  “  We  wore  at  college  : 
together  ul  Bonn.  ”  lie  did  not  mid  that  they  both 
had  loved  Lbonlk  he  Cockcelles,  the  brlgiit  Pro¬ 
vencal  benutj',  hnt  that  voN  BBUNoTEtN  had  been 
the  luvortHl  suitor.  “  You  resemble  your  mother, " 
said  the  squire,  as  he  looked  kindly  at  tho  young 
GeiTuau. 
“  1  am  glad  of  that,”  said  Max;  “I  thought  my 
mother  perfcctlou.  ” 
“  And  you  have  lost  her?” 
“  Yes,  she  died  some  time  slnco,”  answered  .Max 
as  he  luiTied  aw.a.v. 
“Come.”  said  Bertie,  who  had  aii  aversion  to 
scenes,  “it  Is  time  to  dress  for  dlnuev,  Pm  sure.” 
“Yes,  we  dine  at  six - ” 
“Off  with  you,  .Max,”  said  the  hungiy  Captain: 
“  I  can't  be  kept  waiting." 
The  young  men  left  the  room,  and  tho  bqulre 
went  to  his,  full  of  Hie  recollections  of  his  llto  at, 
college  and  the  dark-eyed  Lkonie,  who  had  been 
his  Urst  love,  sqidrc  U  K  athcotk  was  a  flue  spiR'l- 
men  of  an  KagUsU  country  gentleman.  His  foreign 
educaUon  ami  exten-slvo  travel  bad  given  a  rofliie- 
ment  to  his  manners  tmuanal  la  men  of  his  class. 
His  wife  had  been  some  years  dead,  and  as  Bkktik 
was  Ills  only  child,  ho  w.ia  anxloits  that  ho  should 
remain  at  home  and  lead  the  moot  a  country 
Squire;  out  Bertie  had  a  fancy  for  tho  army,  aud 
his  father  did  not  oppose  him. 
The  gentlomcn  met  atcUnuer  Inrenow'^d  spirits, 
and  conversation  was  brlLUautlj'  sustained  during 
tho  meal. 
“Aro  you  for  a  walk,  sir?”  asked  Bertie,  as 
they  rose  from  the  table. 
“  Where  to?” 
“  I  promised  -M.njor  Treoerne  to  go  down  to  the 
cottage  this  evening;  as  there  aro  no  ladles  to 
make  tea  for  us  here,  we  must  go  elsewhere." 
The  Hqulrc  laughed.  “  That  is  youi*  own  fault 
Bektie;  mityoucango;  x  will  take  my  nap.  Take 
care  the  count  does  not  cut  you  out.” 
“  0,  M.\x  Is  not  a  tree  agent;  I'm  not  afraid.  Kh, 
MAX  ?” 
“1  don't  understand  you,”  sold  tho  Oeriuan, 
haughtily,  who  was  quick  to  take  otfenso. 
"Never  mind,  old  icUo'w,’’ said  Bbbtik,  good  hu- 
morodly;  “  wc  can  talk  about  It  as  we  go  along.' 
“Don’t  stay  long,  iii.v  boy,”  said  llic  Hquiro. 
“  God  bless  them,’’  hn  .said  ns  he  walohed  them 
down  the  avenue;  "  they  arc  both  ilia'  lellow.s'’- 
as  In  truth  they  were,  each  in  his  dllb'i  ent  way 
being  a  imblo  spcelinen  Of  manhood  In  Us  very 
flower  and  prime.  They  were  of  equal  hlghl,  but 
Beutik’.s  fair  curls  and  frank,  blue  eyes,  were  a 
great  contrast  to  the  dark,  flashing  orbs  and  wav¬ 
ing  black  hair  of  tho  Gorman,  ills  tawny  mus-  8 
tache  was  of  regulation  length,  as  became  a  Cap-  c 
tain  In  the  Plungoi’s,  while  Max's  was  closely  * 
trliumod  aud  as  da  rk  as  his  hair.  Both  men  walked  £ 
with  that  oas5',  swinging  gait  which  bespeaks  the  < 
soldier,  and  both  had  an  air  of  peiToCt  breeding  1 
w'hlch  shows  constant  mlngllug  with  tho  bost  so¬ 
ciety.  * 
“This  is  a  mngnlflocat  place,”  said  Max,  us  thoT 
passed  bonoalh  the  trees  which  formed  an  arch  ' 
over  thefl-  heads;  “truly  one  of  the  stately  homos 
of  Knglumi.  How  1  envy  you  ICugUah  the  posses-  ' 
Sion  of  these  grand  ancestral  estates ;  I  would 
willingly  liuitermy  empty  flUoforonc.  Of  wlxat 
heiu'lU  is  It  to  mo  when  the  Sehlo-ss  von  Bbrn- 
.sTEis,  the  cradle  of  my  race.  Is  a  mere  heap  of 
ruln.s?  Better  to  be  plain  larmer  smitu." 
“  Noitseiiso.  Max."  said  Bkhttk.  ’•  Does  not  your 
heart  thrill  til  the  rccolleetioii  of  the  glorious 
deeils  of  a  long  Hue  of  ancesloi'S 
“  You  are  right,  lleber  friend,”  said  the  Gorman, 
as  he  placed  hH  hand  on  Bbutir's  shoulder,  while 
his  dark  eves  flllwl  with  light.  "I/iw  proud  of 
my  race,  and  If  the  opportunity  should  occur,  I 
mil  strive  to  add  fre.sh  luster  to  the  noble  name 
of  Bernstein.  But  this  Is  egotism.  Toll  mo  of 
your  oouslu." 
“  My  couBln  Maroabet?  There  is  not  much  to 
tell.  Hhe  only  left  school  a  year  ago,  to  keep  house 
tor  her  father,  who  ts  a  cousin  of  nxv  mother.  Uo 
is  .n  reured  Indian  ofllcer  who  Uvos  Oh  his  pension 
aud  they  lead  a  very  quiet  llto.” 
“  Has  ho  been  hero  long?” 
“  Only  one  year.  My  father  is  very  fond  of  ^tAB• 
OARKT  and  porbuaded  lUo  Major  to  tako  tne  cot/- 
tago.  But  here  wo  are,”  and  they  turned  out  of 
tho  lodge  gales  and  oame  In  sight  ol  the  pretty 
cottage.  As  Max  entered  the  goi-den  in  BKimE’s 
wake,  ho  beheld  tho  most  enchanting  picture  that 
had  ever  dellghU-d  his  eyes.  Standing  on  the 
porch  In  a  framework  of  grocnoi’y  fonned  by  the 
vines  which  were  trained  over  a  trellls-work,  was 
a  tall,  slight  gin,  with  such  w.nvtng  masses  of 
che.stuut  hair  and  such  violet  ejmsashehad  never 
soon,  oven  among  tho  blm.veyea  fraulelus  otlUa 
native  land.  Hof  skill  wa.H  of  a  soft,  creamy  hue, 
with  tho  fnlnte-st  roswi  tint  on  tho  rounded  cheekii. 
Max  never  forgot  iWhpleliu'e.  but  took  in  its  every 
detail,  even  to  t  he  floating  inualln  dress  she  wore, 
which  was  Of  tho  palest  mauve.  A  velvet  band  of 
the  sii  mo  color  parted  tho  gloaming  waves  of  hair, 
and  a  slmllur  deeoraUon  onhancod  tho  beauty  of 
Ike  fair,  slender  throat. 
“Hweet  English  rose,"  ho  t.hoiight,  a.s  sho  ad¬ 
vanced  with  extended  hand  and  her  ralr  face  glow¬ 
ing  with  pleasure,  to  greet  Captain  He.vtucotk. 
•*  Wolcomo  home,"  she  said  tu  a  clear,  sweet  voice. 
“  But  1  am  afraid  tho  poor  partridges  will  be  sorry 
1  to  .''00  you.” 
THE  MERCHANT  AND  THE  ROBBER —  (SEE  PAGE  79). 
“  I  mean  to  make  great  havoc  among  them,” 
answered  Bertie,  as  ho  pressed  the  Utile  hand 
and  smiled  admiringly  Into  tho  bright  young  face. 
“And  I  Shull  be  ably  seconded  by  one  of  the  best 
shots  In  Europe,  although  ho  looks  so  peaceable. 
Count  VON  BERNaTEiN,  siAROARET,  o£  whom  you 
have  heard  me  speak,” 
Maroaubt  bent  her  head  in  acknowledgement 
of  the  Introduction,  and  blushed  as  she  felt  rather 
than  saw,  the  searching  gaze  of  t.ho  counts  dark 
eyes.  Tho  Major  proposed  an  adjoui-mnent.  to  the 
house  for  tea  or  coileo.  “  Yes,”  said  Bertib,  “  wo 
came  for  that;  we  have  uo  fair  lady  ai  Uio  chace 
to  adiulDlator  tho  ‘  cup  that  ehcera.'  ” 
“Oh,  stop,  Bertie,"  said  Miss  TitEnERNE,  ro- 
proachf  ally ;  “  don’t  continue  that  worn-out  quo¬ 
tation,  or  I  shall  think  that  what  runch  says  Is 
true,  and  tho  Plungers  aro  really  devoid  of  origi¬ 
nality.” 
“Come,  Mauoarkt,”  said  her  father,  loading  tho 
way  Into  tho  house,  “  or  your  lea  won't  be  lit  to 
drink." 
Tho  pretty  dro  wing-room,  with  Its  deep  easy 
chains,  Its  flowing  muslin  curtains,  the  few  good 
plctiiroB  on  tho  pale  green  walks,  and  the  light  and 
graceful  adornments  In  the  way  of  bronzes  and 
full’,  snowy  staluctlosou  tiny  brackets,  was  a  pleas¬ 
ant  place  to  lounge  in  this  sweet,  summer  evonlng. 
Tho  low  w'lndows  looked  On  the  Iragranl,  bloom-  ; 
lug  garden,  and  tho  scent  of  lUo  flowers  camo 
watuid  gently  Into  tho  room  by  tho  soil  breezo 
that  stirred  t  he  curtidns.  MAUCtABET  mado  tea  for 
her  guests,  and  OS  Max  received  his  cup  from  her 
hands  nnd  tho  faint,  ilelloloiLs  perfiimo  of  violets 
came  towards  him  fj'om  liordoUoate  gurmcaits,  his 
heart  wa.s  tilled  with  a  senso  of  rest,  a  feeling  of 
homo-llko  peace  camo  over  him  to  which  he  had  j 
long  been  a  slranger.  .Max  ha<l  lost  his  fatlier  I 
Avhen  a  mere  youth,  and  had  felt  himself  tho  sole 
guardian  of  his  mother,  whom  ho  Idolized.  Tho 
VON  Bernsteins  were  an  impoverisUodfiuully  and 
the  father  had  left  nothing  behind  him,  so  that 
.MAX  was  obliged  to  leave  the  army,  where,  his  pay 
was  too  small  for  tho  support  of  two  people,  and 
accept  the  position  of  attache  to  Uio  I'nisslan  Le¬ 
gation  In  London.  As  he  was  very  handsomo, 
spoke  Engils^U  well  and  waltzed  channlngly,  ho 
I  was  a  great  addition  to  the  fashionable  circles  of 
Helgnavla;  but  after  his  mother’s  death  ho  went 
A-ery  little  Into  society.  Captain  Heatucote  and 
Major  Tkeueksk  were  deep  In  eonvei'sn  (Ion  con¬ 
cerning  the  prospects  for  sport,  and  .Margaret 
I  addressed  herself  to  the  entertainment  of  tho 
count.  “  How  do  you  like  England?”  sho  began. 
“Very  much  Indeed,"  ho  replied,  rousing  him- 
•  self  from  Ids  reverie.  “  I  think  I  should  like  iin- 
•  gllsh  country  life  better  than  that  of  the  cities, 
•  however.” 
•  “  Bettor  than  German  country  life  ?” 
'  “  T  don’t  say  that,  for  we  have  noble  sport  In  our 
1  deep  German  forests,  ion  have  never  been  In 
_  (tcnniiny,  Miss  Tt.euehne?” 
“Np,  but  p.apa  has  promised  to 
takf  nil'  very  soon,  and  1  am  work¬ 
ing  hard  at  my  German  in  tho 
meouAvlilk'.  But  It  Is  slow  work 
alone,”  sho  added,  smiling. 
A  sudden  Impulse  seized  .Max,  ho 
hardly  kncAv  why,  losny,  “.May  i 
—dare  I  offer  my  services  to  you  n« 
teacher  Aylillo  I  remain  at  tho 
^  Chace?” 
Margaret  blushed;  Avhatshould 
she  ansAver?  Sho  wished  it,  of 
course,  but  the  offer  was  very  em¬ 
barrassing.  She  hesitated  and 
seemed  so  conlu-setl,  that  Max 
thought  ho  had  offended  her  and 
hecanie  angry  hlmselt.  “  I  heg' 
your  pardon,”  he  sidd  coldly;  “I 
presumed  on  iny  imlmii'y  nlih 
C’aiitaln  Heathcote  ’’and  placir^ 
his  cup  aod  Saucer  on  the  talde  ho 
rose  and  walked  toAvarclB  t  he  phi  ro. 
Maroaket  looked  alicr  him  Ju 
ainazenienl.  How  nulo  of  him  to 
walk  off  In  that  manner !  She  had 
not  meuui  to  offend  him.  .\nilnow 
Avhat  could  she  do  to  conelliain 
him  7  Bertie  hoAvcA'cr  came  to  her 
relief  by  calling  out,  “  That's  right 
Max  ;  you  are  going  to  glAX'US  some 
music,  I  hope.” 
''Place  (tux  davifH,"  lie  anSAver- 
cd,  “Avon’t  Miss  Tkeiierme  honor 
im  first  7" 
“(’oine,  Margaret,  give  us  a 
song, ’’said  Bertie.  “  I  haAT  heard 
no  singing  In  London  I  UlvC  as  avcII 
as  .voiirs.” 
Margaret  rose  obediently  and 
going  to  a  pile  of  music,  began  to 
look  out  a  song. 
“  Can  1  assist  you  ?”  said  a  deep, 
rich  voice  close  beside  her. 
Hhe  looked  up.  “Thanks.  Icon 
And  what  1  require.’ 
VI  JIAX  turned  aAv.ay,  but  she  slop¬ 
ped  him.  “  Count,  forgive  me  If  I 
,  neenird  rude  Jmst  now,  but — " 
"Noi. so,”iic  answered;  “i  was 
tbc  otiendcr." 
Maegai'et,  can't  yen  And  a 
song  ?”  c.alled  Bertie,  inip.otlenll.v. 
HhctooknpHi:ix.AU^  “Three  l';.-ii- 
ero,”  and  seating  beriiClf  at  tho 
piano  sang  It  charmingly,  In  ri  lto 
of  a  slight  tremor  In  the  sweet,  pa¬ 
thetic  AOlce;  this  howcA-cr  added 
to  the  mournful  emet  of  tills  tad- 
de.st  of  songs. 
“Oh,  by  .Tove,”  s,!!!'!  flEiniE, 
‘  that’s  enough  loglA'c  one  the  l:or- 
lAira  Good-by  *  to  tho  bar  and  iti 
moaning,’  with  .all  my  heart.  But 
you  sang  It  beautifully  Margaret.” 
