The Ashburton Guardian.

PRiCE : One I en-'

AsnBURTON : Wedresilay, Ju\y 12, 1899.

V'Wj xxi. no. 4844

The Lone Inn.

ono of great interest to me. I bad often hunted beasts, but this man hunt was a much more powerful incentive to ex citement. I qould hardly sleep for think ing of the case and was constantly en gaged in piecing together the puzzle. As yet I had no dear clew .(to follow, but the first thing to be settled was the identity of Felix at Marshminster with Felix at Paris. Once I established that point and proved conclusively that Fe lix had never left England, I would be 1 In a position to prosecute the search in the neighborhood of Marshminster. I own that there was an additional reason in the pique I felt at the scornful disbelief of Olivia. She evidently con sidered my story pure fiction, and the strange disappearance of the corpse from the inn confirmed her in this belief. Ir i ritated by such contempt, I was resolved to bring home the crime to Felix and to prove conclusively to her that be was masquerading as her lover, the dead Francis., It would be a cruel, blow when assured of the truth, but it was better that she should suffer temporary pain than drag out a lifelong agony chained to a man whom I knew to be a profli gate, a liar and a murderer. At the end of two days I confirmed myself in the resolution to hunt down the criminal and decided as the first step to go to Paris. Leaving Victoria by the nignt mail, I arrived in the French cap \ ital next morning. Anxious to lose no further time, I hastened at once to the Hotel dcs Etrangers, in the Rue de St. ' Honore, and there took up my quarters. j Recovered from the fatigues of the jour- I ney, I partook of luncheon and then i made inquiries about Felix Briarfleld. To my surprise, I not only discovered | that he was in Paris, but that be was in the hotel at that moment ! "Has he been staying here for any length of time?" I asked the manager. "For six weeks, monsieur, and. now talks of going to Italy," was the aston ishing reply. To say that I waa surprised would give but a faint idea of what I felt iThat the assertion of Olivia should thus prove true was almost impossible of be lief. If Felix was here and had been here for the past cix weeks, it could not possibly be .he whom I had met at Marshminster. Assuming this to be the case, who was the man of the Fen inn who called himself Francis? My head was whirling with the endeavor to grapple with these thoughts. Suddenly an idea flashed into my brain which might possibly account for the mystery. "Can it be," thought I, "that it was Felix whom I met at the inn—Felix, who tried to pass himself off as Francis and then invented that lying story? Per haps he was not dead, as I thought, but merely plunged into a trance. When he revived, seeing the uselessness of fight ing with Francis, he fled back to Paris." All this time I stared hard at the manager. In reality I was puzzling out the mystery and not paying any atten tion to the man before me. He, howev er, grew weary under my regard and moved uneasily. "Mr. Briarfleld is now in his room, monsieur. Shall I take to him your card?" "If you please," I answered mechan ically and handed it to him. In a few moments a waiter came with a message stating that Mr. Briarfield would be glad to see me. 1 followed the man in a state of the utmost bewilderment and found myself in the presence of Felix before I knew what to say or do. He was so like Francis, whom I thought was lying dead at the Fen inn—so like the man who passed as Olivia's lover— that for the moment I could do nothing but stare at him. Yet he could be neither of the two, for one was dead, and the other I had left behind at Marshminster. "How are you, Denham?" he said, somewhat surprised at my strange con duct "And why do you stare so steadi ly at me?" "Are you Felix Briarfield?" I gasped. "As you see, "he answered, raising his eyebrows. "Surely you know me well enough to dispense with so foolish a question." "And your brother?" "He is at Marshminster, I believe, with Miss Bellin, to whom he is engag ed. Why do yon ask so Btrange a ques tion?" I sat down on the sofa and buried my face in my hands. Either I was out of my mind or the victim of some terrible hallucination. I certainly had met Francis at the inn and beheld him dead under its roof. As surely had I seen the man I believed to be Felix at Marsh minster. Yet here in Paris I beheld an individual who was neither the dead friend nor the living lover, and he called himself Felix Briarfield. "I must be madS I must be mad!" was all I could say for the moment "What is the matter, Denham?" ask ed Briarfield, touching my shoulder. "Ajp you ill?" j For answer I seized first one hand and | then the other. On neither appeared the least scratch. Yet the man whom I be lieved to be Francis had a ragged wound on the right hand. My theory of a trance vanished into thin air at this proof that the men were distinct As tounded by my action, Felix drew back in some alarm. "How strangely you act, Denham!" he said uneasily. "Is there anything wrong?" "Do you think I am mad?" I asked irritably. ; "Your action just now was scarcely the act of a sane person. Why did you examine my hands?" "To see if they were cut in any way." He turned the palms of bis bands to ward me and shook his head with a slight laugh. "You see," he said, smiling, "they are absolutely free from cut or wound. Why do you expect them to be marred?" I made no reply, but passed my hand across my brow. The sitxxation in which I found myself was so strange and em barrassing that I did not know how to proceed. In the presence of facts I could not but admit that my story would sound but a wild invention. "Come, Denham," said Briarfield [To be continued.]



New Zealand CLOTHING FACTORY. i, AS our Half-Yearly Stocktaking takes place on July IS, we shall bring for* ward a number of SPECIAL LINES thai we are determined to clear before that data. Below are a few:— 50 Men's Black and Drab HarjLJlata Is each 22 dcz Ties, all shades, olear at _ li ,« 15 „ Boys' Tweed Caps ... .» 6d », 5 „ Men's and Boys' Polo Caps 3d „ 12 „ Boys' Paper Collars .« Id par box 6  Ladies' and Children'! Slippers, Is par pair 3 „ Men's Felt Slippers ... Is6d „ H 7 „ Boys' all-wool Jerseys from 2s lid each Also -*»5 PACKING CASKS, Some Zinc Linad. HALLENSTEIN BROS, ' A. Q. BARTON, UiW|K.



- THINGS - WORTH KNOWING mHAT You oan SAVE MONET if yon Buy your Boots irom NICHOLAS & PICKFOFD, MANUFACTURERS k IMPORTERS OF BOOTS AND SHOES, East Street, A»hbartonl BOOTS & SHOEB Of Every Description Mado to Measure. Ewe and Comfort Studied. Skill and Judgment being exercised M to Formation of the Feet. Workmanship and Materials Uuftranteedt CHARGES MODERATE. Briog'Your Repairs to — NICHOLAS & PICKFOFD, Late McDonald k MoDiarmid. SPECIAL BARGAINS AT



Llewellyn Owen, PIANOFOHTfi, SINGIKG, HARMONY, AND MANDOLINE.



SMITH'S Premier Wheat Dressing OUR New Beaton's Supply of this Dressing has now arrived, and It* ever increasing sale each year prove* ita popularity. IT IS A THOROUGH SMUT PRE VENTATIVE. It is easy to use, dissolving in oold water. Is hastens instead of retarding germination, and is very much uh*aper than iwy. other dreesinK— I» pet* pacl*e». Sufficient for 20 bu«hel« of seed. A sh burton drug Co, Ltd f WHOLESALE k RETAIL AGENTS.



SHAG POINT COAL. PREMIER OTAGO GOAL. i . . ! UNFQUALLED FOR^HOUSEHOLD hVt ! STEAM PORPOBEB. THE SHAG POTNirOOAL COMPANY hereby notify that MRBSRB W. 8. C 0L rINB A CO. are their tXNL*Y Agent* in A^hbarton for ■- TISK GENUINE SHAG POINT COAL. All orders entrusted to them will reoelre prompt attention. Colliery: Shag Point. Head Office: Togel Street, Danedin. GEO. R. OHEF^EMAN, *18 " General Manager.



X:«,, W. JUU>Mr>4V- ■'.:. NO" 108 OF BEMCV^L TO NEW| PREMISES. RAVING exohangftd pretnitee with fht Farmer** 00-operaoiv-.: Association, have mnoh pleaaaru in stating that in fnltrt I shall carry on my business at the offiocl and etcre lately occupied by the 'above As •oclatiou at the corner of West Street and ffiveiock street (the Loan and Mercantile old premises.) STORAGE AT LOWEST RATES. CORNSACKB ATCUBRENT PRICES. 1132 E. W. HANMER.



WANTJfiD— Wise Mothers to try oa Indestructible Bohool Boot. — 1 Mjbllob's Zealandia Boot Store. I ~~~ ~ COCKERELS.— Some First Class Cockerels, Orpingtons, Wyandottea, Etc., for sale cheap at Pelham Yards.



W \ N I Ml Li. LOUR, Rodiu-. a—RoHitt's, Brow.. I*,l*, <>■ Evans':— 200:bs, 14a 5 100' bo, 7* 61; 50tbs, 3s lOd; 25'ba, 2a.-John Ohb & Co. WANTED— A dozen Bmart Ladies to try our new kangaroo calf Shoe.— Melmb's Zealandia Boot Btore. FOR SALB.~-Cbeap, Several Purebred Cooks, suitable for farmer* and others for cross-breeding purposes. Making room for young stock.—Apply Pelham Yards, or Mail Office. WANTED Known—Good vaJue for littl money at Mellob's, Zealandia Boot Store. FOR Sale, Cheap—sooo pairs of Ladie and Men's Boots acd Shoes.—Apply to Mellob, Tancred Street OTICE—We defy competition; you get wonderful value at Mbllob's, Tancred < Street. _ fTIENDERS wanted for the sale of 500 .L paira of boots.—Apply to Mbllob Zealandia Boot Store. "rfOUND —i n T»ncred Streeb, the cheapest _T and most reliable Boot Shop.— Mkllob's Zealandia Boot Store. WANTED— Sixty strong men to try the new Kronio (Biucher).—MifcWm'S ZealandiH Boot Store. ORSE for Saio.—For Sale, a light harness Horse ; wi I pass trains, etc. Apply Mail OfSc. OCXS & COSkkRKLS.—Those rquir inn pure bred Cocks and Cockerels for breeding purposes can get cheap WyandoMea, Orpingtons, and Cochins at the Pelham Yanip, Aehburton. FOR B*le, Choap—Sir Dozeu /airs of Children's ankle straps.—Mbllob's Zeaiandia Boot, Store WANTED Known-That J. MoiSON has received a large supply of Winter Boots and Shoes. They mo all of the best brands and makers, and never equalled in Ashburton. J.M. being the only practical and experienced B >otm»ker in the towu, thus gives him superiority and facility to know best what to get. There foie the public have no need to wonder where 10 go for reliable Boots and Shoes. Discount for cash ac usual. Repairs done at once. Best Sole Leather used aud work manship, at The Hall, East Btreet, Ash urfcon. FOR Sale, Cheap—A lot of Men's Bluohen . only 4s lid*—Mellob's Zealandia Boot Store. ANTED Known—That we have re ceive.l ex Maori a heavy shipment of Drees Goods, Choice Colorings in Coating Viennas, and Cretonnes; one caae Fancy Blacks in elegant designs.—MlTOHßLL & TtJBNBB. IiU»K SALK, it Great KotiuoU'jns— Hie A? Who'e of Mrs alcobn's Stock New and Fashionable C»pca and Jackets including Koiupoi—over 100—Dress Good*, Fl»nnel ettep, JHk'.rbii-gs, Embroideries, Laces, Veil ings, Millinery, Children's and Ladies' Underclothing, &o. AT MRS ALCORN'S Stock-taking Sal- e and Aprons from 9<l, Chil dren's I'elissea and Jackets from 3s 6d, Ladies' Jackets and Capes from 8s; Dress Good?, double width, all wool, from 9d ; Winter Tweeds and Heavy Serges from Is, Trimmed Millinery half price, Stamped Mount Melhck work reduced 10 per cent, and Crewel Silks 9J per dozen during sale only. WANTED Known—That we have been fortunate in securing a job line of Cheap Tweede, just the thing for cheap suits for boys' clothing ; new colorings and choice patterns.—Mitchell & Turned WANTED Known—That we ate now offering a special line of Goat Rugs large size, choice skins, ab 12s 6d; Oilcloths. Linoleums, and Carpet Squares in confusing variety.—Mitchell ft Tubnbb. mENDERS wanted to wear out 1000 JL paira of Mbllob'b Indestructible Boots. Wear like brass. I AM now opening a iot of Blanket flannels, and other Woollen Goods, bought before the rise in the Price of Wool, which I am offering at former prices. A nice lot of Men's, Youths', and Boys' Suits made to special order. Orders for Suite taken—Fit and Workmanship guaranteed. Covert Coats from 30*; at R> Alcobn's. 6 6 NOTICE. \J RS PERRIN (late of Wanganui, North Island), Monthly Nurse, Is prepared to a oommodate Ladj Patients. Terms moderate. Address—Tinwald, near Railway Station. 141 mHE WEALTH OF A VANDERBILT j Wot Id be unavailing to secure a better Tea DIAMOND JUBILEE. •> IrawatteeCarden^ g Give results n the cup equal ed by none. Packets, 6 and 10!b boxes, packed^ and sealed in Ceylon. UNMIXED, UNBLENDED, UN ADULTERATED. X, Is lOd ; XX. 2s; XXX, 23 2d ; XXXX, 2s 6d. "M'KENZIE'S" HONDAI LANKA. (Regd. Brand Tea.) MESSRS SHEARMAN BROS., Aahburton, and GUDSELL, Tinwald.



SHEARMAN BROS. VfTiE CAN SUPPLY AT VERY LOW PRICES HOBHSBY & BANBOME PLOUGH SHABEB, PLOUGH CHAINS. NEAT*S FOOT & CASTOR OILS. GUNS. & AMMUNITION. Single and Double Barrel Breech Loadfttg Guna, Eley'a and Olob Cartridges and Ammanitiou of all kinds. Sportsmen requiring Good and Reliable Ammunition ab the lowest price, would benefit: by giving ns a call. LAMPS, I AMPS, AND LAMPWARE. Hanging Parloar Lamps, HallfLsmpe, Table lamps, Hand Lamps, Bracfee Lamps and Stonoley's Patent Safety L»tnps in endless variety. Lamp Chhnneys, Globes, Shadf s, Wicks, and Burners of ercry description. Static Lanterns, Stable Lanterns In all shapes and tizes. knamelwaSr, , enamelware. WE have jnst received from the Manufacturers a Large and Assorted Stock of the above, including— Kettles, Saucepans, Jug?, Stewpans, Oups and Saucers, Mags. Plates, Dishes, Pie Dishes, Cullenders.'. Basins, Dippers, ets-, etc., wbich wo ere|sdipposing of at wholesale prices. KEROSKNE. KEROSENE. ffAA OASES LIGHT Off THE AGifi OIL, CAA DUU 160 TEST. OUU The Finest Oil in the Market. TEAS TEAS. TEAS. Panyong Bud-* Tea, Pekoe Ceylon Tea, China and Blended Teas. Sabstantis. j redaction In taking a quantity. We make a specialty of Tpas. WINES & SPIRITS. Ferga°on's Old Scotch Cream (specially n atnrcd), Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, Bass's English and Manning's Bottled Ales and Stouts, and all other Wines and Spirits always on hand. BEST HOUSE in Ashbnrton for Orockery, Glassware, and Brash ware. Groceries at Wholesale Prices » Orders by Post despatched with Punctuality. Goods delivered Daily SHEARMAN BROS., WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCERS, IRONMONGER, WINE AND SPIRIT MH'FOKANTS, MA/IKET ROUSE, BURNETT STBEET, ASh BURTON Telephone No 53 WHEAT. WHEAT. WB ABE PROMPT GASH BUYERS OF PRIME MILLING WHEAT, AT HIGHEST MARKET RATES WE are also Prepared to STORE GKAIN on Faru.eu Account in our New GRAIN SHEDS, West Street, Ashburton, on very favorable Termß. FULLSIZEDoCORNBACKS AND TWINE SUPPLIED AT |LOWEBI CURRENT RATES. ROLLITT~& Co., CANTERBURY FLOUR MILLS. OFFICES AND STORES —WEST STREET, ASHBURTON 1 230 MELL OR'S ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE ALWAYS TOTHE FRONT. Tj^Oß GOOD CHEAP BOOTS AND SHOES Wfi 81 AND ALONE We do (he Leading Trade, and we mean to keep it. NOTE OUR PRICES—Men's Good Khooters, 9s 6d; Children's Ankle Straps, 1« i Ladies' Pretty Shoes, 4s lid and 5« 6d ? Mao's Good Blnohers, 4s lid. Thousands of other pairs »t the same Catting Prices. 'IMINIWHIIII jQ | «MOMM« IF Yon want ft GOOD EASY BOOT, one that will stand tlje wear, be sare you go to MELL OR'S ZEALANDIA BOOT STORE, TANORED STREET, ASHBUPT.IN> TAILOR - MADE COSTUMES. /^|UR Success with these GOWNS l»*t Season gives as Confidence in Reques ing the Patronage of those Ladies to whom a SMART COSTUME is a necessity. We hold a Comprehejjsivk Stock of COATINGS, suitable for this purpose and would SOLICIT AN EARLY INSPECTION. — NOW OK SALE — ff> BALES CARPET SAMPLES £) ft BALES GOAD SKIN RUGS ft MITCHELL & TURNER.



HOW TO EVADE A FINE. T"\O Not Drive without a Light, but buy a pair of oar CHOICE CARRIAGE LAMPS, which are marked »t WHOLESALE PRICES TO CJL.IBAEIi Oar Tfclaab'e Stock of GENERAL LAMPWARE muit be Cleared: We MUSU make room for Summer Goods. LABGiU VALUE Z SMAX.Hi FJEfcIOJtG ! MARKING DOWN OF EVERYTHING. LAMPS AT HALF PRICE Ab usual we are to the front in CARPENTERS 1 TOOLS AND GENERAL HARDWARE. INSPECTION INVITED AT W. : H. COLLINS & CO., EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. C Shag Point Goal Company AGENCIES FOR \ Westport Coal Company (, Royal^lußuranoeJ[Conipany Telephone-14 &^ls. P.O. 80x—35.



TO MY CLIENTS. T AM PREPARED TO DISPOSE OF ANY SHEEP AND LAMB SKINS SENT TO FAIRFIELD FREEZING WORKS, TO BEST POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE. It would bs well to give me'particalars prior to sheep being forwarded. DAVID THOMAS, ASHBURTON



DAVID THOMAS. Auctioneer, Land, Insurance & Estate Agent, Valuator, Wool and Grain Broker, ASHBtTRTON Loans Negotiated Weekly Sales o! Live Stook—Tinwald and Athbarfcm Aleeiraa >!y Fortnightly Sales of Sheep Skins, Fata, Hides, etc., on Mondays Sales of Wool Throughout the Season Grain Bought and Sold on Commission Oloari as Sales as per arrangements Arcade Horse and Farnitnre Sales held'on Saturday's, Horse Fairs held Monthly. AGENT FOR— Matson and 00, Ohriefcchurch Booth) McDonald and 00, Ohristoharch White's Sheep Dip Walter A. Wood Oo Lightband's Belting London and Lancashire Insurance Company Graham's Foot Rot Composition Wright, Stevenson and 00, Dunedin Planet Junior Garden and Field Tooli Belfast Manare? RAKAIA DISTRICT SALE g»| "I HAVE made arrangement* with MESSRS HARDY ft CO., Merchants, Rakata, do .? act as my AGENT for all Auctioneering Work in that District, and in conjunction with them it will be my endeavour to make the RAKAIA SALE A SUCCESS. DAVID THOMAS, Ashharlon GREAT REDOOTION IN PRIOR OF PLANET JR. TOOLS DAVID THOMAS. ASHBURTON ' SEE OUR_ WINDOWS. SPECIAL DISPLAY OF TO-NIGHT. J __s_j_^_^_j_^_|^_i^_^_w op>, The Choicest Assortment _||l__fa£vJ________L *_A P*r c *•'». Waimate ever opened op i» f&WiSSßbfcßtlr Manufacturer's Set of to chooße from at prices If Choice Designs to suit eyerybody. '' '' Jy^fflm T^offJaß The very latest^in Don't forget It. (*Msf QS& §■«![ Don't forßetßet to omß T. H. UM)RILL & CO., Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers. Undertakers, Etc.



Sbippine, SHAW, SAYILL AND ALBION COMPANY LIMITED. FOR LONDON. -. . -pOYAL MAIL STEA- ** MKH^, with wsperlor '^makWmm o j passengers, sailing at Mont© Video or Rio, Tenerlff© and Ply moath. _______ Vessel Ton Commander Prom Data. Gothio 1 TOOKidley ... Wel't'o July 20 lonio -. 4748 Kempson Wel't'nOot. 12 CARGO STEAMERS. •Delphic.lß273 Snowden LytTton June 29 *Aotea ,„ 6364 Evans — August Pakeha ... 4331 Prosser — Anguat •Maori ...|S3l?Moffatfc | — Sepb •Carries Third-class Passengers. E, W. HANMSK, Agent, " "_^ rpas jAiymut w ZEALAND J|A|hBjKS!HIPPING oo.'s LINK ROYAL MAIL STEAMERS, FOR LONDON, Via Mentoe Video, Teneriffe A Plymouth. Beit Accommodation fer all elaases of Fuaangsro at Lowest Babes. Port of Steamers. L'obb. Departure. Date. Rakaia 6688 — Augnst 3 Pftpiuui 7000 •— Augasb 31 Rnahlna 8127 — 28 Wakanai "000 — Oct. 25 Paparoa 7000 — Not 23 GARGO STEAMERS. Nairnehre 1 8000 Lyttelton June 27 Tekoa „ I 4050 Wellingbon July Wftikato .„ j 4767 Lyttelton July Far farther partionlars apply to JPRIIDLANDBR BROS., Im>. Agents, Aahburton, U" NION STISAMSHIP COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND. Limited STEAMERS S hII F ROM LI TTELTON AS DNUER: For Weacpore and Greymouth—Weekly. Wellington— Monday, Taeaday, Thura day and Satardays NOTE—For extra sailings see advertise ment in Chrißtohuroh papers Dnnedin — Mondays, Fridays and alternate Tuesdays and Saturdays Nolson and Pioton, via Wellington— Tuesday and Saturday Sydney, via Auckland — Alternate Thursdays The above are subject to alteration ; , eferetice should therefore be made to Ohrisccfaurcb daily papera for datea and hour of sailing For farther particulars apply to F. FERRIMAN, Agent, Aehbnrton HENRY STEPHENSON, (auocessor to Alfred Harrison.) Established 20 years. AUCTIONEER, LAND ESTATE AND COMMISSION AGENT AND VALUER} WEEKLY SALES of Live Stock Produce, Furniture, etc., EVERY SATURDAY, at 12 o'clock. Clearing Sales of Stock, Household FurnS wre, etc., as per arrangement, in any part the county. \ Advances made on Goods placed in my bands for Sale* Begalar Consignments of Colonial Grown and Island Fruit sold privately through the Week, and at AuotiOn on SATURDAYS. Agext: Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company & Dresden Pianoforte Manufacturing and Agency Company, PIANOS and ORGANS on time pay m«nts from QOg per month. HBKRY STiPHENSON, AUCTIONEER A OABD ifl iL. l^. \J LA RIDGE TEACHER OF PIANOFORTE, OROAN, and SINGING COX STREET, ASHBURTON. Terms on Application. THE ART OF SINGING. ~" MRS HERBERT STEEL IS prepared to take Pupils for SINGING and VOICE PRODUCTION at her residence,, Havelook Street Weib. Terms, Jco., on application. 5 175 " MISS CARSON. ffIEACHER of Pianoforte and Organ. JL For terms, etc., apply at Residence, Corner of Wills and William Streets, near Wakaaui Road East. 1 156 THE DAINTIEST LITTLE WHEEL THAT BVER WAS " ! " The Bambler." HAVING sold oat of my old stock of these superior Bicycles, I have jnao opened op a fresh consignment of the LATEST PATTERN "RAMBLER" SPECIAL LIGHT RACERS, ROAD RAUER3, & ROADSTERS In all eizea'Vmd all fitted with the ever lasting G & J detachable Tyre. <• THE Ja^MLBJL.E!K.,' CALL AND INSPEOI THE STOCK. Price Easy. Riding Easy. Machines the Strongest on Earth. ACCESSORIES IN STOCK. OTHER MAKES FITTED WITH G & J TYRESi D. THOMAS. nnAIERI Factory Butter, guaranteed I fresh, (in Jrlb pats) is Id per lb, is the Finest Flavoured Butter in New Zealand. Only procurable at Fletcheb Bros., Cash Supply Stores. Try a pound and you will feave ao othar,