THE STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1883.

A PASSING CLOUD.

;' will you take my advice t" "W/n/q whether it suits my fancy, "!tSyoup W »°y°nc take ad" ?fSfcteßH •'I 1 ? mafrai T i*B. J«i that yoi take a book and try «»ldßs?f the time would pass much ij Bin. "A.".i nntatudy the clock every wa v not feu to interest you ;it is the '^t\i maid who .offered all the «of toLaa*. the douota of a true *d M not know thu hero who is now jon did not h *" inyo ar peace of mind." ■"?* t,e 'impatiently from her seat **% i^ota to the window, a frown fiSMIIB' whita forehead "fl" lg Vlookio her pretty grey eyes. c accorded ffOm J the imßto ;!n of reirular features and a k Ik'will own, and yet be highly un £l rand unattractive. Val's chief f«X in her entire unconsciousness of Kd the animated play of. her mobile, ■S» face in *&&> a9 m her clear ■""I wa i reflected every motion of her pT£tio nature. She was a girl who ffZe might probably act hastily or taS/Wito would be only too fn^her error if once convinced of f.« *taf indeed, for surely the !liK! allconcession * that whioh 'w'/'iSSiment caused Lady Kri M »ttolook op inquiringly, and she Hthe causa of her displeasure. The «.mWv had peculiar notions of her own, like being joked about her love iif to&iy Marchmont, however, aStfto ber indiscretion anothY ffiTpSentlM^ up from her lacework 'I'jair! quietly: I"fttfudnfaii hoff ready we women ilottntonr happiness and our future in ■SS of mea of whom, for the moat iCiweiaawHUlo? 11 ■to maker was a slight, fair woman, ita ttTlt would be difficult to guess. ■biwWol those persons whom o»e ■nli it first declare to be quite un- Idieliw, and Bhortly discover that they ■ws9 a strange iacination. Whether it flnlnrpeenliarly clear low-toned voice or BeAia air of quiet setf-poanesion which ■itoieenied to ruftU, it was undeniable Itilis Maitland had had her share of ■ ems, and in this, her third year of !| tAaod, waa said to have received more 3kcae'.offer to change her apparently itasolableßtate. 1 W glanced at her with a slightly con hWiouJlook in h«eyes.','■■ ttlouf'tematk has no sie;nihcanca for jl lilts Uaitland, for I know Captain ■Mpie thoroughly," she said, with a fpj mifiilense in her tone. A slight Eli<played for a moment round Mrs M ait ||if! thin lips, and alia dropped h«r eyes fJsn o'tt h»r work. ■Oh you think you do," sho answered, Hkauiettones, which, somehow or other, Bbtally had the effact of inltatiag Val, fMiich does as wall—najr, better, for few Iv would beneiit by an intimate know fte of the lives of most men." SI" The life of every honorable man i* the Sh," rotaraed Tali indignantly. "Your ■primes' of the other sex must have been ■mute,'-Ma MaiOand." ■to ta a alight accession of color io Kiiidow'a mnally passive cheek as she pM in a lomewhat sarcastic tone : "I fc, If I do not emulate, your charming ■pica, Mlv ChuterU. I hope you nmi«;tnfe cause to regret it, but I Btrkoyonara a few >ears older you ■ uhovltdge that men are all alike, ■JWttliis the guiding star of their

'litfni to believe It," said Val. '' You I'faetoyour opinion, Mrs Maitland : mug in the enjoyment of mine. There ' W alike in both sexes, but what does it •tailtee are worthless men whan the links ono trusts and believes U all Md b»f and with this Val turned ikk on her antagonist, and, dropping In eiwchair, gave herself up to a elil Tension of th« virtues of her Niif MtM peur et sans reproche" wnt mat amiles circled her lips, what TO light ihoce in her eyes as she lived »j§siatW. brief period of wooing, whon fi'istwy.thatiseiersonew in tbetell »« whispered into her willing ears. ngbttimt of youth and love that • tat once to all, that passes all too %kt\»Uicb, years after, has still the isotekh&tke flame in oar worn-oat R'naid lady Marchmont, breakin? wreTeri^iujhe bent over her and ■.»» r jo»<tone, \" where are your iZ\ , 6Ut'lo dog-cart going round otwttiooi. '■ ' fcht Henelf baok from a delight- P»iiJtill more delightful present, S«PI»M expectant attitude with WWaudflnshed cheeks. J'Wwtestne door was flans; open wpiata Dalrympi, was announced. ™«,Ul«oldierly tookiug man, with a iWoasface and dark earnest eyes, Wahe muled, roftened and lit up iWmly attractive manner. 'P'ewjM of the two ladies Valerie's .wiilumwMnecessarilyrestrained, "J' 11' «Me«tive pressure ot the WCaplaia D»!ryinple tamed to «*ffloat "I have to thank you Kn»^ M to ext€ndiDs y°ur ih tosee you," answered heartily ;•• and for the L!! WJ al wonld not have con >J?com K» a Wi als:) favourad ft#«^e half turned toward S»i Wth the intention of in .««, when, to Val's astoniahment, ,W forward, holding out her "• Mid With her moat fascinating

introduction. Weid?"' Captlia Dalrymple and «lll h?t Raza to h« lover's face. siitv A a texPlesßion that she could lel J Om< Wks 5t surprise, te'^Miassment ? He seemed fflMt Mmewhat at a lojs for a

f}^qp.ec{.tomeetsou I"heaaid1 "heaaid iwhb Maltiaad, laughing,

"What did it mean ? Val naked herself. That they should bo acquainted with each other was not wonderful, but why had Mrs Maitland been silent ou the point toward her, and above all, why should her presence apparently disconcert Vernoa in some way '{ She had not time to ponder fuithor on the subject, for the next moment Captain Dal rymple turned to her with his attractive smile, under the influence of which Val's disquietude meltod inatautly, How absurd to worry about such a thine, when of course at the in st opportunity Vernon would ex plain it all! This thought revived her spirits, and when a fow minutes later the party was swelled by some other sutsts staying at tho Hall sho was the gayest of the gay, eajoyimj deliKhtful little aatdes with Captain Ualtyuiple, which enabled her totally to forget the existence of Mrs Maitland. "Aleut mo in the drawing-room hefore any ono is down," sho whispered to him as they separated to dress for dinner. "All tight, darling," he replied, ai he smiled down on her with those eloquent dark eyes that had won her hearts alleaiauce. ' I Captain Drlrymple performed his toilet in a very short space of time, and repaired at once to the drawing-room, thero to await Val. He wandered into tho conservatory and paced about restlessly. One of the glass doors opening close by him caused him to turn quickly with a smile of wel come on his lips, when to his utter surprise he found himself confronted by Mrs M*it land. She came quickly forward with tho quiet gliding walk which was peculiar to her, but her habitual self-possession seemed strangely ruffled. "I must apologize for thus iatrudiog on you," Bhe said, " but there was something 1 wish particularly to ask you-" " Indeed." returned Captain Dalrymple. His voice had takeen Its coolest,intonation, his face wore its gravest aspect. " Don't look at me like that, Vernon, as though my presence were so utterly dis tasteful to you," she went on, with some agitation, whether real or fßignod be could not determine. '• I shall not detain you loDg. What I want to asK of you is that you will not mention to Miss Charted*! what teok place between ua a year ago."

"Do you think it likely, Mrs Maitland, I should mention tho subject 5" " Not intentionally, perhaps, but those things come out sometimes unawares, and I could not bear to be subjected to Miss Charteris ' ridicule and ecorn." "You need, I assure you, bavenofeari I »h»U be silent on that score."

"You will give me your sacred promi»« tojthat effect, will you not?" she said.eauerly. He looked at her in surprise. "I fail to understand yon, Mrs MaiiUnd, but since my simple as*ur»nce docs not s'L.^-.iy you 1 am quite willing to pledge you my word." As he spoke the drawing-rooc door opened softly, and Val appeared on the threshold. The room was a very long one, and Dalrymple, standing in the conserva tory, with his back turued that way, did not see or hear her. Not so, Mrs Maitland. True, sho did not glance in tho.direction, but she know perfectly well who had entered. She dropped her voice, but advanced a tow steps nearer to him.

"1 cannot thank you sufficiently," she said, looking at bim most eloquently; "you do not know what a weight you havo lifted from my mind." As sh« spoke aha took both his bauds in hers, and giving thtm a tendur pressure, lurued aad disßappcared through tho door by which sho had eutorkd, leaving Cuptaiu Dalrympie gazing af ler her with a vory per plexed countenance " What is the meaning of this ?" he pon dered. '11 never could fathom that womui. How uufoitunate she should be hero now 1" Ere he turned to re-enter the drawing room. Val, who had stood at tbo opon door motionleis during these few minutes, slowly drew it to after her, and orapt upstairs again, with a strange chill at her heart.

Mrs Maitland likewise hastened to re gain ber room. " How well I calculated," sha murmured to herself, a triumphant light shining iahor cold blue eyoi; " that was a good move of mine. I knew she would want some ex planation with her lover relative to our meeting. She will be still more anxious for it now, and he will refuse to givo it, for he tvs promised, and Vtrnon Ualrymple never goes back from his word. How I hate that girl with her coulidence and pndo in his love! Let us see it her trust, of which »h- boasts, will at«nd her now in good ste»d. Who knows bat what I may win him yet ? At any rate, I shall make her suffer.1 Meanwhile Veroon, as yet in happy igno rance of the trouble fate wat preparing for him, had given up all hope of his tete-a-tete with Val, as one after another the guests assembled in the drawing-room, she only makine her appearance a few minutes before dinner was announced. At the first touch of her fingers on hi* arm as they went in to dinner he felt that something was wrong. He glancud at her oarnesily, but her face was averted. . "What made you forget yDur appoint ment with mo, dear?' he asked in low tones, as they seated themselves at tablo. " I did not forgot," answered Val, scorn ing to make an excu.e. "No!" in some surprise. "I suppose something detained you, then. I will for uve you this time, but I don't know that 1 shall be so lenient again," and he smiled tenderly down on her. To his dismay it w»n uo response, Val had not yet recovered from the un pleasant shock her feelings had received but was too angry, too puzzled to clearly define her thoughts ; she was chiefly conscious of an intense hatred and jealousy of Mrs Maitland. It was scarcely wonderful that she should be silent and abstracted during dinner, but the party was too lar^e and too animated for this to be noticed save by two of its members. "Dalrympie, " said Sir Harry Marchmont, claiming thatgeatletnan'satleu'ion, "Iwas introduced to-day to a brother of yours. Did you know ho was in these parts J' "Mv brother Hubert, I suppose t I re member now his telling me he was goin? to stay with some f rieuds of his, the Sinclair's, but I did not know their place was near " Only half an hour's drive," returned Sir Harry. " He's a confoundedly handsomo fellojv—l should say a great favourite with the fair sex. I a*kod bim over to breakfast to-morrow and to spend the day. He told me he had not yet made the acquaintanca of his future sister-in-law." " No, to be sure H übert is the only or.c of us you don't know," said Vernon, turnirg toVftl, "ItbjnJsyoUYrmUkeblm.. ties

an awfullly good naturcd fellow, a little spoiled, perhaps, but, according to Sir Harry, that is hardly to be wondered at"" Val's face, however, plainly expressed entire indiilerenco to Hubert Dalryniple's merits or demerits.

When the gentleman returned to the drawing-room, Dalrymple made his way at once to Val, who waa sitting somewhat apart, and, bending over her, said in a low toue :

" What is amiss with you, dear?" You do not seem yoursolf this evening." It was likuly, Val thought, that sho should be herself, when sho had seen that creature, as she inwardly designated Mrs Maitland, standing by his side, holding hia hands, nnd making oyos at him positively, as though she had the right to do so. bhe could bear it no. longer; she must have an explanation at once, she resolved. "Come out on tho terrace," she said, rising impetuously. "X want to speak to you." lie followed her obediently, and when they wero beyond Biyht or hearing of auy one said, gently: " Well, what is troubling you, dear i" "What is there between you and Mrs Maitland?" asked Val, iixing her clear glance on him, as ahe abruptly plungod in media* res. Captain Dalrymple regarded her in un feigned astonishment. " What is thero bo tween Mrs Maitland aud me ?" he repeated slowly. "My dear Val, I don't understand you." " And I don't understand you," hotly re sponded tho young lady. " You cannot denr, VernoD, that when you mot Mrs Maitland you looked very, very taKcu aback."

"I have no wish to dony anything, Val." ho answered j " it is true, I was somowhat surprised to see Mrs Maitland." " Bnt why should you be more surprised to nee her than any other acquaintance J" Dalrymple heaved a faint sigh ; manors were getting serious. " My dear Val" ho said, half playfully, " you are surely not goiu« to quarrel with me on account of Mra Maitland. I did not think you were given to jealousy." " Jealousy 1' repeated Val, giving her disturbed feelings full vent. " I have a right to be jealous. 1 think, whe.i I see another woman, whom I did not oven know to be acquainted with you, holding an inter view witb you of apparently a most inti mate nature."

So here was the explanation of Val's con duct ! Dilrymple looked what ho felt thoroughly aghast,

" I see he said, after a moment's pause, "that you have more cause for annoyanc* than I imagined. If I cannot nivo you a very full explanation of what I am sure must appear stran«o in your eyes, I am sure your con&deucc iv me will enable you to accept without hesitation what I aru gointf to say. I hare known Mts Maitland for years, and sho wivhed to speak to me alone on a matter that concerned heiself."

" And it waa necessary to tho communi cation that she should hold your hands 2" aak«d Val, sarcastically, Dairy mplo lookod at her with his search ing eyes. "lsce what is in your mind, Val," he answered, quietly," but I can hardly be lieve that you can miitrust me thus, that you can wrong yourself and insult me by such »u«picioaa. Were I free to do so I I would willingly explain all, but unfortu nately I am not." " Because you have promised her not to do bo, I suppose?'" roturned Val, her oyes flashing ; " ami a promwe to her is to tank before consideration of my feelings. After what I have witnessed tbiu oven uj{ I have a right to demand a full oxplanaii jn. and 1 will accept that or noue. Snyiug which she reared her h«ad witu the dignity of a queen, and left C^ptaiu Dalrymple alone to pfinder ovur the unloreseen dilemma iv which hd found himself plased.

The flush of anger still lingered on Val's cheek as she re-entenid the room, aad Mrs Maitiand, noting it with her watchful eyes, smiUd maliciously si fho »aid to huiself : I score the first points in the gatno." "Val awolte the next morning with a dull calling pain at h»r heart, tho cause of which she only too soon remembered. Of trouble of any kind Bha had hitherto h»d no experience, and she folt quite over whelmed at the dreary prospect before her should she continue hor quarr.d with Veraon. Why not put an end to it, sho asked herself, and truit him, ai she hid been so ready to declare she could do under any circumstances? Then tho thought that he bad a see.et with Mrs Maitland, which was uushared by hor, obtruded itself, and she grew obdurate again. She remained in h»r room till summoned by the breakfast bell, and then slipped into a place at table which hid her from Vernon's sight. Hubert Dulrymple was one of the party. He was certainly very handsome, with datk eyei, which wore a languid, uleepy look in thorn very well suited to hi* style. For all that he wa« observant, aud could see a« much with his half-closed eyes as most people wish theiis wide open, »nd he had not been many minutes at the table ere ho perceived »omethiog was Beriously wrong between his brother and his betrothed.

Breakfast over, ho npproaehod Val, and said with a smile wonderfully liko Vet lion's: "Comofor a stroll with me, will you ? As we are soon to be related it is only natural I should wish to be better acquain ted with you." Val wan fain to cODSent. She was only too anxioui to escape from Vernon's presence; the misery of being with him and yet being estranged from him w&s more than she could b<ar. After wandoring about for a while, Hubert making vain attempts to aumse Ynl with his lifiht t»IK, they seated themselves on a shady bench, and the former said with, out further preface: •• What in there wrong between you and Vurnon ?' Val flashed crimson. "I don't under stand you," she said. •'Don't you?" answered Hubert in his lazy tones. " I should have thought my meaning pretty clear. I'm not a very clevor fellow, Mi»s Charteris, but it did not require very bright wits to d.acovcr tne-te was something amiss/ Val made no lejoiader; m truth she was experiencing some difficulty in keeping from tears. '• I think it is such a pity for people to fall out about trifles,1' proceeded Hubert, " for knowing Vernon as I do, I can t believe he can have giveu you any real cause for complaint. There's not a better feUow-breathini? than he; I, as his brother, ought to be able to give an opinion on toe subject."

Still Val sat silent: she felt half inclined to be angry with this officious young man for his interference in her private affairs, but somehow, iv spite of all, it was so sweet to hear Vernon praised. " You won't beoitended with me, I hope, if I tell you I thiuk you are very lucky to havo won his love," continued Mr Dalrym pie in no way discomposed at having all tho talk to hlm-olf. " Vernon's not like me you know. I can't.belp spooning evory pro'tty gul I como across, but wita him, you are just tho first woman ho has over loved or spoken to of love." Val turned to him eagerly. Are you suro -quite sure *"•,,■, , Mr Dalrymple laid hia handsomo head back against tho tree and surveyed her from uuder his half-closed lids with an expression of amusement. " I think I sco light at last," ho mused ; " the little girl is jealous —1 fancy I know of whom." ~..... " Quite sure," ho aald aloud ; but that has not prevented many worneu being in love with him. There's a certain lady, not a dozen>iles from hero, who triod very hard to win him." "Do you mean Mrs MaillandJ asked Val, in a low, hurried tone. "'what makes you guess that?" " Becau*c-oh, because I hava been vory unhappy through her," Baid Val, clasping her hands together with a pathetic little guesture, her gray oyes full of tears. " Tell mo all about it, responded Hubert, tenderly, and to Vat's surprise ske tound herself detailing her grievances to this young man, who an hour ag.> had bean un known to her. As she concluded she was somewhat taken aback at Mr Dalrymplo's "ivinc vent to a hearty fit of laughter. " - How deep the little widow is," he said : "; but I see her game. She thought to make a quarrel between you aud Vornon and per haps gain his heart in the robound. Valeric, you really deserve to know the truth, especially after confiding in me. Listen to me. A year ago Mrs Maitland, reversing th s toneral order of things, made an oiTtir'to Vermin ot her hand, heart, and Tory ample fortune." " Impossible 1" ejaculated Val. "Not impossible—unusual, if you like," answered Hubert, dryly. " We have known her for years, and she was always awfully sweet on Vernon. When the became her owu mistress again she besrau running after him in the old fashion and last year -we weie all staying togother at some house she spoke out pretty plainly.' " However do you know ?" asked Val. " Because I, by chance, interrupted the interesting teto-a-tete, and f>ues*cd from tho lady's agiiation wnat had taken place. Whoa I taxed Vernon with it af tcrwaras he couid not dony it, hut naturally, on her account, he would think himself in honour hound never to mention it, for sho must havo been vory gouoinely in love with him to go such length*. Wasn't it awkward for him?" wound up Hubert, "If it happened to me, I should havo accepted hex, for I can never refuse a woman any. thing. Val caught his hands impetuously in hers. " How can I thauk you," site said, tho haptiy smiloi playing again ronnd her lips. " I wa» so angry,, so miserable, I did not know what to think, and now every thing is delightful again. Voroon said I should like you, aud I do, tremendously." "Thanks,1' returned Hubert, laughing. " I urn glad to be able to return the com plimant. Aud now dou't you think you had better make your pi»ace with Vernon, or you will have a corUin fair lady carrying talas to him about tho violent iliruition we are iudulgiog in." A few minutes later, Vornon, sitting alone in tho library, apparently engaged in writing letters, but with a prooctiupied air tbat boded ill for hia correspondence, felt two toft arum steal round his neck, and Val's sweet voice said in his ear : "Can you over forgive me, dear, lor being such a horrid twpiciou* wretch t I was so wrong, so vary wrong, but I puniihed myself more than anyone." Vernon'a face brightened as he drew her tenderly to him. •'You bava cnado up your mind to trust me in spite of appoarances, Val ?" he asked. She hid hor glowing face on his shoulder. "I must tell you all," sho whispered, " and don't despise mo vory much, dear." And she proceeded to recount her conver sation with Hubert,

" Tout comprendre, e'est tout pardonncr— eh, Val;" he Baid with a slighismile ; "but there, I won't tease you, dear. It was hardly surprising you were vexed and wanted to know all, and I think I need not ask you to keep silent on the score of what you have heard." " I promise," said Val, tooling in her newly recovered bappino<u that she could pardon Mrs Maitland all her misdoings, since it wae love for Yernoo which had prompted hor to them.—" All the Year Bound."

Dining, Old and New.

Pkoi'ESsob Blackie considers that we have at the prosont day made a distiuct advance in the art of diniiig, though he admits there are still "fools and beasts in high places" who arc a disgrace to Immunity. He in stances the case of a dinner given lately at which no loss than thirty-nine courses wero served up-s magnificent spread of animal ism, as the professor jokingly describes it. But if we roust dine, it is confessedly better to do so leisurely &nd comfortably than to Bcamper through a meal in a wanner likely to be highly injurious to the digestive faculties. When Professor Blackie was a young man dinner was taken at four o'clock in the afternoon. At that period, he tells us, "dinners hud never more than four courses. They were soon finished, and then the gentlemen eat over their winos, he did not say till they were mortal—all men were mortal—but thoy went upstairs in au elevated cdndition. In these days a great many stories—like those of Dean Kam*ay —wore told after dinner. It took an im mense deal to make those fellows drunic, Theu they had a whist party for two hours —say from ten to twelve. After that they went downstairs and had a grand suppor, and went home abont two In the morninS— ten mortal hours oE guzzling." The pro fßsaor does not deny that we have vastly improved on tho habits of our ancestors in the matter of post-prundial drinkinu. The old two and thfe bottle men are almost as ex'inct as the dodo, and our public ban quets are accompanied by good speaking rather than by hard drinking. It was Kiug Louis Philippe who attributed England's supremacy in the political world to our per sistent habit of threshing out public Questions through the medium of after dinner speaking. That ia a national characteristic whioh appears to be ia no danger of disuppejuinft

ODDS AND ENDS.

—There are seven different kinds of clay which can be mixed with candy, but con fectioners are so conscientious that they only use live of them. —An Irishman has always an answer foi anything. A Corkonlan, on being asked at breakfast how he came by "that, black eye.1' suM. he " slept on his fist." "They tell me wine gives strength," said Fox, one day ; " and yut 1, who have just drunk three bottles, cau hardly keep my self on my legs !" —A riicant orbitunry notice soys: "Mr Smith was an estimable citizen, lie died with perfect resignation. He had recently been married I'

A. young man advertised for a wife. Hie Bister answered the " ad.," and now the young man thinks there is no blame in advertising, while the old folks think it's pretty hard to havo two tools in the family. — "Some men are fortunate in their friends," icmarked young Brown ; "now there's Smith; he never has any trouble in borrowing £5, and I couldn't raiso a loan of half-a-crowu if I tried." —" Yes, sir," said the Kentuckian, "I never was in a more tantalising position in my life. There wore thrto of uh, with a pack of cards in the room, and not a deuced cent in tho crowd1" —Tom—What have you been doing with yourself? Ihave'nt seeu you for months. JDick—Study, my dear follow, study. Tom-- Smdy ?-Dick-Legal stndy—l'm trying to pass a mother-in-law. — vvhen Kabolais was on his death-bed, a consultation of physicians was called. "Dear gentlemen," said tho wit to the doctors, raising his languid head, "let mo die a natural death." —A New York divorce lawyer's advertise ment toaaa thus; " Hymeneal incompatibil ities, as a specialty, carefully adjusted. 11 is slavery to detain the hand after the heart hath f lud." — lhe Ohio man who heard burglars saw iDg their way Into bis store, sat with his gun in baud just two hours bef oro ho discovered that it was a cow licking a salt barrel on the platform. -Here U probably the nhortcst courtship on record. A miser in California fell in love with a girl at first sight. She was equally iraitton with him, and tho entire courtship wan "My pet?' "You bet.1 —Ked Cloud, the Sioux chief, refined to bo interviewed by the Washington corres pondents. Ho saw Mrs Langtry and the next she know she was mixed up iv a scan dal, and he isn't going to take aoy risk*. "If it it were cus-omary intnis country to confer titles upon individuals of rank in literature," akked a shallow but conceited journalist of an old one, "what would I be?" Barren of ineas, my son, was the response. —An Indiana man natnod Kuggles |>ot mad because the meat w*s burned, and did not speak to hia wife for eleven years, hhe looks back upon those years as the happiest of her life. —One of the prettiest and wittiest compli ments ever passed, is contained in tho lines by Shoridan addressed to Miss Payne; Tis truu I am 111, but I cannot oomplain. For bo novor know pleasure who never know I'iiyno. —A Traitor.—Fnr« (noticing tho decor ation)—"Oh 1 so you belong to the Bluo Kibbon army !„ Cabby—" Yei, By, 1 wear the ribbon. It iudooces gen'lemen to temp' mo with a drink which I geuerally accep's, Sir I"— Punch. —A potr man once came to a miser, and said, " I have a favour to ask " "So have I," said the miser ; "grant me mino first. then will I comply with thine." " Agreed." My request is, ''said tbo inker, " that you ask me nothing." —Husband (2 am., after the curtain Ucture): " Well, all I'vo got to s»y is, if you arc a parson of such refinement and good breading, you ought to be above talking to a drunken follow at this time of —A woman who had been dumb for 15 years recently fell from a chair, and the shock restored hor speech. The next dsy her husband stumbled over tho same piece of furniture and broke his arm. He tben gave the chair away to a bitter enemy. — Supererogation — Humanitarian — Couldn't you manage to put a little more fleah on your poor horse's bones ? He's frichtlully thin 1" (Jar-driver — " Bodsd Surr, whu's tho use <>' that ? The poor basts can hardly carry what he's got a'ready 1" —Punch. —A Lecturer asking on a rainy day, why ooe of the audiouco had paid the admission fee, and come iv and slept all tho while : " I will toll you," said tho old man, with a shrowed wink in hi* eye " 1 was out in tho rain, and I had no umbrella to k«ep me from getting wet, and tickets wore only 2s, and umbrellas were ss, I .saved 3s by coming in. A. pretentious person said to the leading man of n oountry village. "How would a lecture by me on M'unt Vesuvias suit the inhabitants of our vLlage ?" Very, well sir, very woll indeed," hoauswered. " a lecture by you on Mount Vesuvius would suit them a great deal bettor tlun a lecture by you in this village." —A boy stood with an umbrella, with a cord tied to it, iv a public doorway. Eleven penons thought that that umbrella was theiw acd carried it with them tha length ot the string. They then suddenly dropped it, and went off without once looking back or stopping to pick it up again. — Helping Himself. —" Can you help me a little I" said a tramp, poking his head into a country «hop "Why dontyou help your- Belt r said toe P'oprietor angrily. "Thank you, I will," said the tramp, as he picked up it bottlu of whisky and two loaves of brenid and disappeared like a lightning streak, followed by half a dozen lumps of coal. ■ ' —'« Look out, exclaimed a man over ■whose face a barber was movinp his razor, " you are cutting oil" my moustache." " You didn't tell me not to cut it," the harbor re pliid. "With me a man must always specify. "All light," said the customer. When the barber had finished the man aroso from the chair, apnroached the artist and gave him a violent kicK. " Look out, you are kicking me," howled the barber. " You didn't tell me not to kick you. With me a man must alwaya specify." —A duntryman, seating himself in a fashionable restaurant with tho intention or havinf a hearty dinner, summoned the water and made known his purpose. The latter skipped briskly away, and soon rc turuedwith a handsomely-bound bill of faro which h« opened and placed before the Ruost, who, however, pushed it away scorn fully, observing, " Oh. come now, I don t want no literature 1 Vltcalß is what I want r vitttUß-ftnd pretty quick too 1".

SELECTED POETRY.

WHEN SUMMER GOES.

When Summer goes—then shadows creep Aroaa the world of trees and flowers; Tho birds a solemn silence keep Through Autumn's slowly darkoned hours, And swiftly fades each lingering rose When Summer goes.

When Summer goes—then disappears Life's joyous youth: a goodly store Of Sprlng-Udo hopes, and dreams, and fears, And joys that will return no more. LuVa buu a fleoper shadow throws Whou Summer goes.

When Summer goes-atill strength remains To bear whatuvor lime may brmg; For truer, dcopor oouruKO reigns, Though man may have no heart to sing; And day by day Faith Btronger grows Whou Summer goca.

MY NEIGHBOUIX AND I.

Oh, I pity my neighbour over the way, Who hits nothing to do but yawn all day; No littlo hands to tumblo her hair, No llt'lo " nulsanoo " to vox her with care, No little •• torment" to worry and teaso, Fotbing to do but consult her own ease.

Poor, rich neighbor, I am sorry for you— Sorry, because you have " nothing to do." Sony, because as tho days go by You are rosilcsa and woary, you know not why, And onco iv a while I oan see thu traeo Of many a tear on your proud, fair face.

You soo I am only a labourer a wife, Doing my part in the treadmill of life; Joo. my husband, is off nil day, Fighting tho giants of want away; Haby and I are busy too. But wove plonty of time io be sorry lor you,

Baby's a nnisanco, a plaguo, and a joy. But thon you see, his my own sweet boy I have no tirno for a ({roan or a Blffh, No tirao to be idle as the days co by; My arms are full as tho day is long Full as my lioart with its happy Bong.

Poor, rich neighbour, over the way, WatohinK my baby and me at play: What of jour wealth it your heart is bare? Tis to love and be loved that makes life so fair. No neighbour. I can tell you truo, ;ndocd. I'd rather ba I than you.

The Adventures of a Japanese Vase.

Ok New Year's Eve Baron C. took ono of his visiting cards, pencilled a few words on it, and put it in an envelope, which he carefully sealed. Then he went to Bois sier's candy shop, On his way his tnoughts ran thus: "My Ninish is very fond of candies, hhe adores them. Therefore, besides the diamond necklace which I have just sent her, I will buy her some caudiea. Here U Koissier's." The Baron entered the shop, selected a costly old Japanese vase, put his card at the very bottom as a final surprise, and had it iilled with the best candies, fie left word where it should be sent, and then re tired quite contented with himself. Two boura later Mdle. Ninish was con versing iv bcr boudoir with a young actor, Adalbert. Her inuid eutured with a Japaneto vase in her hands, "More candies, midiune," she aaid, "Who sends that?" "Tut it anywhere," said Nioisb, care lessly. The youn;? actor looked at the vase. " What a beautiful vase," he said, " If you like it, take it." " Well, if you give it to mo as a sou la an hour Adalbert was catering the loom of a singer. •' Adelaide, I uavo brought to you -a sur prise, some candies," ciitd Adalbert, open ing the door. " Well, leave them hero. In a few minutes Adalbert loft. " l will give them to Justine," said "Who'la talking about mo?" cried a silvery voice. " Here is my Justin*," 11 Ab, w hat a fine vase 1" " It is for you." . " Thanks, thanks. I will give it my pro fessor, who has promised to arrange my dobut." ~. T . On the next day the beautiful Justine, after bcr music lesson, said to fconor Fadif zini: , ~..,. " That is for you. Sbo handed him the vase. "My dobut gball bo soon J Yes." " Yes, soon." Senor Fadiezini went homo in a happy mood. , , . " That is just in time," thought he. I havo no money to bay a Rift for my wife. How glad she will be I Times are hard, the lesaous pay badly ; coiilis dear." The wife of Seuor Fadiezmi, professor of ainciuf and elocution, formerly basso cantante of the theatre of Milan and Turin, was indeed glad. But she was a practical woman. .«•".,» "Guisoppe," Bhe said, "I am sure you did not buy these candioa and the vase. Tliat would bo madness. Don't reply,, I know you. Somobody gave them to you, and you havii brougbt them to me. lbat is very kind of you. But we must make a good use of them. Take them to Mme. Bondnrin, tho wife of the Chief of the Department of Arls. Ho may appoint you as a rehearser to tho Academy of Mu-ic.' "You are right. You always foresee everything. Put my card on it, but not the one containing the price of lessons. Mine. Bondurin said to her husband : «' Hero is a beautiful vase, Please take it to my mother." ••But -but I think it would be better to R ive it to the sister of my chief, who could promote roe." "You are right, monsieur. The sister of tho chief of M. Bondurin asked her brother: " Have you prepared a present lor Madiiuie tho Baroness C. ? You have dined at the Baroo's, and it would he impolite not to sond bo (nothing to the madame, particu larly iv view of the fact that the Karon is a Deputy and an influential member ot tho Left Centre." ■■ "Ah, I had forgotten all about it. 1 will go and buy—" "It is noc necessary. Tako this vase, which I havo just received trom M. Bondurin, who serves under you as a chief of department." an hour later the Baroness C. sent for her husband. She was pale, and trembling with anticr. Thu Japanese van stood before hor empty. Sbe had emptied the candies into a big basket which was in tended for an orphan asylum ot which she was a patroness. In ono hand she held a visiting card of Baron C, whoreup n was written : " Happy new year, my Ninish." The Baroness sued for divorce. • he Japanese vase iigured as evidence in Court, nnd the Baroness's lawyer found itnecea* mary.to relato tho ftdvoi^tvtfQS of the mo,



TTITCHENS'S BLOOD RESTORER, J^J_ FOX CLEANSING, PURIFYING, AMD INVIGORATING THE Bl OD. Seven Years' Test in Auckland. rjIHIS Medicine differs from ordinary pro. JL prietary preparations, inasmuch as it was the product of years of etudy and investigation by an eminent physician of the Army Medical Staff, vita whom Mr Hitchens served during the New Zealand War, as Assistant Dispenser to the Im perial Forces. On its introduction to the public as a specific for the cure of Rheumatism, rheumatic uout, Scrofula, Skin Diseases, Blood Impurities, and General Debility, it, quickly attained great celebrity, and soon was sought after from every part of New Zealand. Its curative and depnrative properties have been tally testified by the numerous testimonials received by the proprietor from patients who had long sufi«red from the above distressing maladies, who had ap plied in vain to physicians for relief, and in whose cases, Turkish Baths, Hot Springs, and other popular remedies had been re. sorted to without effect. . This celebrated medicine is compounded from products of the vegetable kingdom, is palatable and easily tukeo, mild, but effec tual, In its action upon the animal econ omy. It is, in tooth, a veritable BLOOD KESTORKR, cleansing it, and thereby restor ing diminished vitality. It presents, un questionably, a purer, safer, better, and more reliable alterative medicine than sny that has hitherto been available to tha people, MOKB TESTIMONY I SURPRISING CURB To those who know what H itchens' Blood Restores HAS DONE. In the Auckland Isv•ninu Stab of tha 27th April last, appeared the following local, which explains itself :— The brig Bella Mary, from Melbourne in ballast, bound for Knipara, put into har bour yesterday morniDg to obtain medical aid for Captain Owens, master ot the vcsmil, who has been very unwell dating the latter part of the voyage. Captain Owens, who has followed the seafaring profession for many year*, and had never until leavimg Melbourne on Apiil 10th last, suffered from illness of any severe nature, was suddenly seized on that date with violent pains in the back. Since then he has been swung up in a hammock in the cabin quite helpless. The vessel was off Kaipara at noon on Thursday hut, but the weather being thick and foggy, it was deemed advisable to come on to Auck land for medical assistance. The barque arrived early yesterday morning, and Dr Moore having bt<cn sent for, visited Capt. Owens, and gave instructions to the mate of the vessel regarding treatment. The invalid is suffering from a species of ihuumatism of a severe nature, and the doctor considers it advisable to effect a partial recovery bnfore attempting the re moval of his patient to more suitable quarters on shore. Capt. Owtus is well known in Auckland, and many residents will be sorry to li-am of his affliction." Referring to above, Captain Owen hat this day (Ist December), stated: " After being treated for about five weeks by two medical men successively, with rery little alteration in my condition, except that the pain in my hands and back was made somewhat easier through the effect of the galvanic battery, I felt a gradual sinking that told me the dread cad «ai not far off, and one of my visiting friends suggested that I should try what Kitchen's Ulooi Ke'torer would do, as it was beiug «o tallied about far and wide. Without much faith in it, I consented to try it, but did not notice any good effect until I hadtak«& about the third or fourth bottle, whei my appetite decidedly quickened, and I felt th^t my strength was coming back to m«. I thon oeaand to take the medicine, and allowed nature to take its course, but finding my appotite going, I stimulated it by small dotes of the Restorer, using no other medicine, but applying the ointment freely. By degrees my whole system seemed to be invigorated; and now, after a treatment of six months, I am able to re sume charge of my vessel, and am only waitiug her arrival in port to do to. I can easily walk four miles a day without the slightest inconvenience. I consider my friend's suggestion saved my life, and that it is a duty that I should publicly testify to the extraordinary power of Hitchens's Blood Kestorer over the severest coses of rheumat ism." W. M. OWEN. The agents will lie happy to shew original manuscripts of the several pub lished testimonials anent the Remedy,with scores of others not vet published. L. D. NaTHAN & Co, i*fE HAVE THIS CELEBRATED AND FAVOURITE BRAND OF BASS'S ALE & GUINNESS'S STOUT Always in Stock. L. D. NATHAN & CO. Tyi E~ A 8. Wo havo a largo and well-assorted stock, consisting of: Ufl-OlCi! MHDiUM AND LOW CONGOUS. CHOICE MEDIUM AND LOW KAISONS. CHOICEST MANDARIN SCENTED ORANOK PEKOES. MEDIUM MANDARIN SCBNTED OKANGE PEKOES. ASSAM PEKOKS AND PEKOE SO 'CHONGS. DARJEKLING PKKOKS AND PJJKOE S UcHONGS. CACUAR PKKO S A*D PiSKOK SOUCHOfIGS. AND OUR Wt»LL-K*OWN "COLONIAL MIXT Kir," A rich blend of India and ciiina Teas, packed in tilb and I lit tins. L. D. # ?fIAN * C Ol