By Berwen Banks

"Now you two can go," he said, "but I can't do without Shoni. A little

black spot at the back of that ear?"

"No, no--brown," said Shoni, delighted to be of such importance, "and

the same brown smot on the nother ear, and that's the only smot upon

her!"

He watched with intense interest the progress of the picture, calling

the artist's attention to all Corwen's good points as though he were

appraising her at a cattle sale, and an hour passed away quickly both

to the artist and Shoni; but to Cardo and Valmai, what a golden hour!

to stroll away together over the soft grass studded with buttercups,

down to the edge of the cliffs, where they sat among the gorze bushes

looking out at the rippling blue bay, silent from sheer happiness, but

taking in unconsciously the whole beauty of the scene, for it was

engraved upon their minds and often recalled in after years.

"There!" said Gwynne Ellis at length, closing his portfolio with a

snap, "I can finish the rest at home--"

"Iss, iss," said Shoni, "iss not so much otts about Valmai."

"And to-morrow I will finish your gaiters, Shoni."

"Very well, sir; pliss you remember, seven buttons on both of the two

legs."