A WOMAN'S FAITH: OR. THE Mystery of a Bunch of Tansies.

By CHARLES T. MANNERS, . AUTHOR OF The Lord of Ly le," " Octavia's Pride," " The Blenkarno Emeralds," " The Flaw in the niamond," "Dragging Him Down," " A Silver Brand," &c. &c.

CHAPTER IX. (Continued).

Pierre buttoned his coat and waistcoat

over the precious missive,

" I'll go at once, if you'll let me help you on now with yonr coat."

" Well, yes. 1 suppose I must ride over to Mildmay Terrace." And an hour and a half afterwards Kon rade Earle was cantering up the avenue, and Lady Hortense from her halcony window watched him with fiercely questioning eves. But _-_•_<■ came ik-v-'t-. to meet him in the dr_'..ir.j !•-'-_-. in .r. .n-cutty extravagant 6r-i :*.■■-. 'i r-ho '.- ! ■ :_:;.t. her eyes glitter sprite. " Thank Heaven, she is in a good humour, my beautiful fire-fly !" was Konrade'sinward thought. While the girl was swiftly commenting : " Oh, how pale and sad he looks 1 And I love him. I love him so, it will kill me to find the truth of what I suspect, but yet I must put the test." What the dowager heard was the gay— " Ob, here you are at last, you laggard cavalier 1 If you had come earlier, I would have taken a canter with you." " How grieved I am, dearest! Nothing would have pleased me better ; but I was a little out of sorts and rose late. I have not seen another soul to say good-morning to since I left my bed. Will you say the same for to-morrow ? I wiU be here at any hour you name." " Ah, but who can tell what will be my wish to-morrow?" laughed she. "All ladies have the privilege of changing their minds, and 1 am the most capricious of the sex, you know." " Are you, Hortense!" he asked, play fully. '' I pray you let there be some ex ception to the rule, or how shall I be sure of you?" He had the little fluttering hand in his while he said it, and he felt the leap of the pulse that responded to his caress. "My darling," he-whispered, softly, " let there be no caprice .in your love for me." The large violet eyes sought his and met such a fond, idolatrous glance that the swift crimson answered, dyeing cheek and brow. "Oh, Konrade," she cried, impulsively, " I think you are the greatest enigma of -11. Ido believe " and then she paused in rare confusion for the wilful Hortense. " What do you believe, fire-fly, humming bird, sprite ?" pursued he, smilingly. "That I love you with all my heart? There would be no profound wisdom in that. Come into the conservatory, the place for such dainty creatures as your kind, and tell me all you believe." He laid an arm around her gently but firmly, and with an apologetic bow to th« dowagr, drew hi- betrothed toward the glass door-way which revealed the bower of bloom beyond.

Lady Hortense yielded, with a low sigh Of content.

Once safe within the enchanted scene, where tropic flowers ran wild with bloom and fragrance along the crystal walls, and only caroling birds could spy the sights, she laid her bright head against his shoulder, and listened Tike one entranced to the pretty fancies only a lover's conceit would venture to speak. She leaned her fair head trustfully against his breast, she took his eager kisses as eagerly, her whole heart was yearning to ward him overwhelmed beneath its own consciousness of the might and strength of her love and passion. But through, and under, and over all another self, mild, and bitter, and fierce, cried out :

" It is lovely, it is enchanting, but it is a deceitful dream, and will presently vanish a? a dream does. And you know it. Why do you yield to the fond but fatal delusion ?"

"What are you thinking of, Hortense? I shall begin to fear you are a veritable fairy, who will some day retreat again into the rose or lily's heart and elude my search. That was an eerie look in your eyes," he said, after a long, delicious silence, with that fair head on his breast, the soft white fingers locked in his.

These answer came soft and low, a thrill of pain even in that happy, languishing voice. "I was wondering if it would l.ot be beautiful for meto die—here—now—in 3'our arms—both of us happy, loving, trustful." The arms held her close and fierce.

"Todie ! Hortense, how can you be so cruel? Why do you seek to frighten me? Is anything the matter ? Have you been ill?"

These questions were poured forth with a vehemence that betrayed the deepest con cern and alarm.

Could it be possible he was so wicked a dissembler? The inner self writhed in anguish at the thought the while she laughed lightly.

" Who can tell what I did mean? Can you be responsible for all your queer thoughts yourself, Konrade?"

But you are well? Tell me the truth," persisted he.

"Perfectly sound in body, would be the verdict of every physician," she answered. "I shouldn't wonder if the brain was a little —love cracked, eh, Mr Earle ?"

He kissed the saucy lips again and again. "A wilful sprite indeed. ThankHeaT-en, Hortense, through all your playful caprioe I know your love for me is staunch."

There was a little uneasy lifting of the drooping bead. " And I, sir, hay« I as good proof to con sole myself with 5"

"YoissTvjuldhave,Horteose," he answered gravely. " I have shown it in every honour able way a man should. I stand here your affiaaoad husband.""

And here the shadow that had faintly •clouded hti eyes stole across hss face. Whatever the serpent was, it had entered •even this paradise. In a moment more she slipped out of his arms and ran to the *tand where a group of magnificent daphnes upheld their myriad pink and white cups odorous with perfume. " Did you know what splendid bloom my daphnes have found this year, Konrade? Do you remember that silly time when you stole the cluster I had used for a breast-knot at my birthday ball! You showed the poor withered thing to me one •day, shut up in the note-book, wasn't it! .Let me give you another to keep it fragrant Bha'n'ti, Konrade?"

3*^" If you will be so gracious, darling. The ower is like you, with its rare subtle per fume, which can hardly be caught for anaSys-

" Take out the book ; let me Eec the faded thing to bo sure you have kept it, be fore I choose the fairest here to go and keep t company."

She turned toward him with an arch smile on her lip, her dimpled finger upheld in playful threat. He smiled upon her fondly, and thrusting tiis hand into his breast, found an inner pocket, and brought out the well-worn bookj aying it on his knee to open it to the care iully folded paper which held the lover's treasure.

She came slowly to his side. How her cheek burned and eyes glittered. An accidental jostle from the heedless band, and the book fell.

" Oh, what an awkard creature I am!"

And, stooping down, she helped him gather up the scattered contents. " Why, what is this ? Does it belong in the book ? Whose picture is it, Konrade ?"

She held toward him the little picture, while her keen eyes searched his face and brought its swift dismay and confusion. Almost rudely he tore it from her hand.

" Yes it was in the book. But it is not mine ; it came accidentally into my posses sion."

And, with hurrying hands, he thrust it back into its old place.

Lady Hortense had grown almost as pale as the lilies behind her. The sweet, child ish lips dropped their tender expression, and curled proudly and angrily. But she controlled herself and waited silently.

" Ah, here are the dear old daphnes," he murmured, as he clasped the buok and hurried it out of sight. And then, looking up, he saw her face. "Hortense !" he c-ricd.

" Never mind the daphnes, if you please. We will let that childish folly pass. I wait your explanation."

"My explanation—of what?"

"As if you needed to ask, or I to tell," returned she haughtily.

"Aboutthataecursedpicture,"hegroaned. ■" J wish I had burnt it."

"You have not had the opportunity," re turned she. "If you look, you will find your own undisturbed. The one I gave you was not yours. No matter, it has ac complished its errand. It proves to me that they were right. You do carry that woman' 3 picture over your heart."

" They ?" cried he, in as hot indignafion. "Do you mean, Hortense, that you have lent yourself to their devices—that you hava eet my love for you to trap me ? For I see you refer to Sir Frederic and his abominable confederate."

" I mean that you shall not find me al ways a weak, deluded girl, upon whose dot ing lore you may confidently rely for for giveness for all sorts of treachery."

" Hortense—Hortense, take care! lam an honourable man, and unused to such taunts ; and they are undeserved. Do not let your impetuous temperament urge you to say what it will be hard for me to for get."

She looked at him wistfully ; for an in stant the pale, proud lip quivered.

" Prove that it is undeserved," she im plored ; " tell me how you came by the pic ture—why you cherish it thus secretly." "Alas! I cannot prove anything. You must take my word for it, Hortense. Am I fallen so low that my promised wife refuses to accept that word ? I tell you solemnly— I swear to you before Heaven, that I never knew the girl whose face is pictured there. Another hand than mine put it among my papers." "If I could believe it. Oh, if I could only believe it!" burst from her passion ately. It was his turn to speak haughtily. "Have you so base an opinion of your betrothed husband ? This indeed is hard for me to hear ! Do you think, Hortense, that any foul conspiracy could persuade me that you were false ? Do you suppose I would basely listen to the first insinuation against your honour and truth ? Nay, I would hurl the black story down the throat of the first one who dared, to speak it. But you—you have lent yourself to their plot to trap me. You whose head lay confidingly upon my breast a moment since." The quivering features and anguished tone betrayed how keenly he had been wounded. Hortense stared at him in bewilderment. Oh, what a grand and noble mar'yr he was. and what a faithless traitress she! Or, sicken ing contrast, what a consummate actor _nd deep-dyed villain stood before the wretched dupe, who, shuddering, wished that she had died a half hour before in the sunshine, and fragrance, and beauty of that lover dream. " Konrade," she said, hoarsely, "go away and leave me to think. I dare not talk with you longer. I shall say something terrible, or do something weuk and foolish* If I have not the trust in you which you demand, it is because the few words of ex planation are refused me. The few words that would make all clear. Judge for your self which is the cruel one !" He was standing, with knit brow and lips bitten angrily by the gnashing teeth. Perhaps if he had known how cruelly events had transpired to prejudice her, if he had suspected the extent of her knowledge, he might have broken whatever bond it was which held him, and at any cost have satis fied the asking of the pleading voice. As it was, be saw only the suspicion and doubt of an uncharitable nature. And so he said, in a tone even colder and haughtier than hers:

" I have nothing to say beyond what I have already urged. I will relieve you of my unwelcome presence, certainly, if that is your ladyship's wish."

The words were scarcely spoken ere he turned, and, with hasty strides, ramoved himself from the place.

The girl was loft amid the brilliant flowers, and caroling birds, and clouds of perfume, clutching with clammy hands against a flower-stand for support. One could not tell from the expression of the wild eyes if it was a beautiful fury or a stricken lamb which would presently creep from among the veiling shrubs. CHAPTER, XL THE FIBST LINK. " And don't you have any change ? Is it nothing but stand watch, eat and sleep, and light the lantern day after day 1" asked Si Green, ruefully, when he and Duke were sitting alone in the kitchen after supper on the third day of Si's stay at the lighthouse. Duke knocked his pipe against the wall, and. then took another whiff before he answered :

" Pretty much that, my friend." ** Good gracious ! it seems to me you might as well be dead and done with," re turned Si, dolefully. " Perhaps some of us consider ourselves so, and then again perhaps human nature speaks out even here, and we have our little passion play of temptation, hatred, and the like, to keep us in excitement. Who knows !"

And Duke laughed again, and went on smoking. He was a queer fellow, Si thought; almost as odd &* Light-house Dick himself. His laugh -»ras always ready ; he did not seem to have a care in the world, nor a melan choly thought. Only Si's suspicion sug gested itself that his light-hoartedness was almost too prominent to bo quite natural. _" I see how he keeps himself absorbed in his books ; the shelves are full, and he is at them aU the time," pursued Si, thought fully ; but what keeps you up beats me." "Then Fd let- it alone," quoth Duke, dri!y- .

Si stole a cautious glance from under his lowered eyelids at the imperturbable face. Had the man any suspicion of the ceaseless

watch upon them both which he had tried to keep! The question he had meditated hesitated, and then fell off blankly from his lipa. Instead he said:

" I say, though, how shall I get a letter ashore ? I must write a lino to let Franky know how I got along. I've scribbled a bit in pencil. If you've got pen and ink, would you mind backing it for a feller?" " Not if I had the pen and ink here, which I haven't."

Si sprang up with alacrity, for that room he had not seen. " Shall Igo bring it ? Can't 1 find it!" A quizzical smilo just stirred the smoker's lips.

" You've longed to investigate my domi cile, redoubtable Yankee that you are. Haven't you discovered that I keep it locked ? That's a favour the reigning power allows and takes himself. Come, we'll go together for the pen and ink." And catching up the metal lamp, Duke crossed over the narrow entry, slipped the bolt on the outside, and applied the key noiselessly, it would seem, and with more delay than was quite necessary. However, when they entered, there was the small, dim room in remarkably neat order, but silent and deserted.

"AVho was it said 'Oh, dear!' " queried Si, while he seemed to be entirely occupied with Duke's movements.

The latter opened a small desk to obtain the pen, and, unobserved by him, a little slip of paper fluttered out and fell to the

Si was equal to the occasion, and burst ing forward with offers to hold the lamp, he set his broad foot upon it, and afterward dexterously lifted it to his pocket. Straws sometimes foretell important changes— why might not this, at least, re veal Duke's natural handwriting? And Si was not simple enough to expect, if there were really any foundation for his hopes, that his letter would be directed in an un disguised hand.

He congratulated himself upon his ruse when the letter was addressed in a back ward, cramped chirography, like anything rather than the free, flowing characters familiar to the Baltimore boarding-house. He thanked Duke with an appearance of the utmost satisfaction. "Now, the next thing will be to get it ashore," he said, carelessly. '• I suppose the water-boat doesn't come again while I'm here. Does the man above there send out .1 mail ever?"

"He has been known to do it. There's a signal set from the shore if the mail-bag there contains anything to his account. As like as hot he'll send one to-morrow or the next day. He'll want to know how Jack's petting on besides. Jack is his chief con fidant., you must know."

"I must write another letter, and get Lighthouse Dick to back it," secretly de cided Si. "Before the boat goes ashore again I must manage that." And here he yawned fearfully. " Sleepy, eh, and ready for turning in?" commented Duke. " Well, I'll take myself off. I'll go up and see that the lantern is all clear, and get to bed shortly myself, to be ready for my watch." " Good sleep to you !" said Silas Green cheerily, and he added mentally, "Speedy and sound, my friend, for I mean to take another look at your room to-night, if possible."

The moment Duke's ligbt, springy step ceased echoing on the stairs, Si pulled out his purloined paper and examined it eagerly. His heart gave one exulting bound when he read it.

It was an order to the florist who had supplied Helena Yerrington's bouquet of pansies, and the order read for the ensuing week. The handwriting was afac simile of the original order which Si drew forth from his pocket-book and laid side by side with this.

A flash of triumph glittered in Si's pale eyes, the first they had known for many weary weeks.

He drew one long, slow inspiration as ho said under his breath :

" The first link. My little Franky, it is your bedtime now. You are praying for me I might ha' known it would come at last."

And rising up, he stretched himself to his full height, thrusting out first one brawny limb and then another, like one put ting on invisible armour. And such indeed was this bit of encouragement to that patient, stubborn nature of hie.

" Now I can stand it all, I reckon. Now I ain't likely to be very dull hereabouts," he muttered, with a low chuckle. " Busi ness is business. When a feller feels he's doing something, it's all the spunking up he wants."

Then it occurred to him that Duke might miss the paper, and his suspicions be aroused.

He went softly and hastily across the passage-way and tried the door. It was securely fastened, but, nothing daunted by the circumstance, lie stooped down and dexterously insinuate! the end of the paper into the narrow aperture under the door, and taking his hat, fanned a current of air after it.

He heard its crisp crackle as it floated in ward, and retreated, just as there came the sound of Duke's foot on the stairs above.

He was covered up in bed when the latter looked in again to ask :

"Has Mr Dick taken his bowl of cold coffee, or shall I carry it up '!" "It is gone. I poured it out when I get away the supper things, and it stood on the table. Somebody's taken it," returned Si, with half a dozen yawns.

" All right. Good-night. You needn't be frightened to hear me up. There's a black cloud seaward and I shall run up to the lantern again if I wake upbeforemy turn comes."

" I hope that won't interfere with my intention's "soliloquised Si,andpinchcdhim self more than once to keep off the drowsi ness that presently assailed him, lying motionless in the silence and darkness.

Light-house Dick must have been up also in the lantern when Duke left it, for more than an hour afterward Si heard him coming down to his room, which was over Si'a.

The tread of the two men was as different as their temperaments, one quick, elastic, confident; the other slow, steady, but as resolute.

For almost another hour Si heard Light house Dick pacing to and fro there on his watch. How he longed for the power to pierce, not alone through the heavy plank between them, but to penetrate the more inaccessible fleshy fortress, and see and know what was passing in Light-house Dick's uncommunicative heart.

A feverish restlesenesss took possession of Si,as if some spoil in those slow driven steps above had bewitched away the previous drowsiness. He sat up in bed, and pre sently slipped out his stockinged feet upon the floor, and then crept slowly to the door. The light-house trembled, and the waves ware roaring loudly beneath the squalls of wind, disgorged by the flying black clouds from seaward.

Another time the timid landsman would have shivered under the eerie sounds ; to night he would have faced the crested waves in an open boat, could hehnve thus laid hands upon |his secret quest. But he made the storm his pretext, and striking a light he rushed across to Duke's door, and finding it open to hie grasp, he hurried in, exclaim ing in ■well-feigned'alarm,

. " t)h, Duke, I'm most frightened-to death. Do ybu foel the light-house rock ?" The words died :qS blankly from his iips. There was Duke's tumbled "bed, his jacket lying on the camp-stool, but tho bed was empty, the pillow unpresscd. "I haven fslept a moment, and I've been all ears. He never came out this door in the world !" was Si's astonished reflection as he stared about him.

The next moment his eye caught a new object. A light rope-ladder swaying from the open trap-door in the ceiling. A chart had been tacked over the place when he was in before.

Si shot out of the room as if a bullet had whizzed him along. " So, ho ! a communication with a room above, a room that must look into Light house Dick's, and the little room he told ma held the fireworks and dangorau: chemicals. Ho, ho ! now I understand now my invisible may take flight, draw up his ladder, and dropping the chart, which is nailed to the trap-door, leave all things innocent-looking and safe. So, my plot thickens, and I need all my eyes and ears."

He stood a moment in the kitchen, col lecting his thoughts, and revolving what, further course to pursue. A louder wailing blast decided him to continue the farce.

Lamp in hand, and noisily, he stumbled across the oormioi, iiii<! knocked at Duke's door. After a <noir.unt'i> delay, during which ho fancied holu.ird tho thud of the closing trap door, Dhso appeared, rubbing his eyes like one just roused from a heavy sleep. " What is the matter?" he asked, pet tishly. " Oh, I'm most frightened to death. Don't you feel the building all a-shake? Isn't it a terrible storm ?" chattered Si.

Duke looked at him sharply, and, for an instant, suspiciously ; but, the next moment, evidently convinced of the genuineness of the man's agitation, burst into a hearty laugh. "Why, you poor, simple land-lubber, this is nothing at all. A few scuds passing over, and the wind a little fresh."

"Are you sure there ain't any danger?" persisted Si. " Now, don't you cheat a poor feller—it would be awful mean. I shall go up and ask the othor, if you make fun of me.

Duke went off into another paroxysm. "I'd like to soe Light-house Dick's face, if you did. Go up, and tell him you're afraid, and ask him to sit up with you. to keep your courage up. Come, now, most valiant Silas; let me see you do it."

"Sho, now ! you don't think I'm afraid of a man, do yer ? But this terrible sea's another thing. Come, Duke, come into the kitchen awhile—do, jest till the worst spell is over."

Duke wont back for his jacket, and came out thruflting his arms into the sleeves, and still laughing. " I can tell you what, if you were fcoing to winter here I shouldn't be so indulgent to you, Mr Verdancy ; and I won't promise to repeat the favour within your week. But if I'm going to sit up, I'd like a cup of coffee. Stir up your tire. Silas, man, and treat your invited guest handsomely."

Si obeyed with apparent alacrity, though it must be confessed he was secretly dis mayed at this ready acquiescence. The tea-kettle waa soon humming, and the fragrant aroma of the coffee diffusing iteelf through the little room. " Now, redoubtable Verdancy, I want a story," quoth Duke, his eyea twinkling over the brim of the cup, while he slowly sipped the agreeable beverage. "Some thing true—you know you wouldn't dare bo lying in a Btorm out at sea—and about yourself."

"If you stick to me foe the subject, a poor etory you'd hare," returned Si, good humouredly : " but I'll tell you about Franky and his hopes."

Which he proceeded to do, in his own quaint way ; but that was always eloquent when Franky was concerned. And who, indeed, be he ever so untaught and stiff tongued, is not eloquent when moved by genuine affection and truth ?

The quizzing look died out of Duke's eyes, and a new respect dawned in them as he remarked :

"So that is your Sangreal ? Have you faith that you will ever find the golden prize, my man ? I'm afraid your light house wages won't accomplish it. I wonder you didn't turn yoursteps California ward."

" The Lord only knows what will be ! I've told you Franky's part; when I have anything of my own to tell, you shall hear it. Why, how the wind's gone down ! —all of a sudden, too."

" The scuds have all gone over. Now I suppose you will be willing to retire to your bed. I'll take a look upstairs, and try for another sleep. I hope you don't intend to come pounding at my door every night it blows a little fresh."

"I hope I shan't be here another storm," returned Si. " I believe 111 go up with you, and take a look."

" Step lightly, then. Don't draw atten tion of the master here. He has senses as keen as a hound's."

Which remark Si remembered the next morning when Light-house Dick came down stairs and asked him who was sick to re quire coffee in the night.

He smiled a little, in his own grim faßhion, at Si's exaggerated explanation of his novice fears, but whatever observation ho might have made was cut short by tho des cent of Duke, and tho announcement: "The shore signals are flying, sir." " I'll come up at once. Tho glass is there, isn't it?" "Yes, sir." " Any harm in my coming too ?" asked "None at all that I know of," was the reply. And so a few min-ites after all throe were standing on the balcony, looking off over the leaping mass of foam that seemed to writhe in impotent wrath that its lashing could not sweep away the dauntless shaft which rose to warn heedless mariners away from the treacherous reef.

Si's unpractlcod eyeß failed to detect any shoreward signal, but Light-house Dick saw and read its meaning promptly. "A mail-bag, and — important," he muttered to himself. Aloud ho Baid, doubt fully :

"There's a pretty good sea on, Duke."

" Yes, sir, but tho t'other wind is going to kill it."

" Do you think our boat would have the best of it?'

" A good deal tho best; for, by the time ■we come back there'll bo turn of tido and no surf," was the confident answer.

"It shall be as you say. I'll signal for old Mose to come off with the mail, or you may go with the boat as soon as you please." "Silas would like the trip, maybe," laughed Duke. "If he insists on. it, Til take him too."

At which Silas affected rather more horror than ho really felt. While Dnko was making his preparations over tho boat. Si seized one of the envelopes and followed Light-house Dick into his room.

"If you be so good—would you, now ?" he asked, in his broad cstcountrytnan accent, "to back this ere letter for me, to my brother, sir." And Light-house Dick took the, envelope, and sitting down to the book-laden table,

dashed off the address given and:handed it back to him. ■ '

Si went down again to his room with a new wonder. Wasn't it Duke after all? Here was the familiar handwriting at last —the envelope was directed by the very hand that wrote the florist's order, and addressed the letters of the Baltimore boarding-house. He could not doubt this fact without denying tho ovidonco of his own senses.

"If they would only both go off in tho boat," wished poor jnysti'ied Si. "I wouldn't leave a cranny of this wild old place unsearched for whatover evidence it might give, living or dead." Ho had faint hopes that this desired result might occur, wnenhe saw the lowered boat swamped at its first descent. " I'm afraid it is too risky, Duke," com merited Light-house Dick, watching from the door-way tho other's vigorous oHorts to fight the boat. " I'll come down with you."

" Not a bit of need. Lot me once push out of this surf, I'm all right." shouted back Duke, " I shall use the sail and go ashore humming." Which prophecy he proceeded to verify ■when, with one dexterous thrust and leap, he 6hot tho boat off into a broader trough, and springing in, guided her out upon the crest of the lonsest wavo and stiUliir^ into his seat, shcuk out ijje .-,; iii cautiously, and in a few moments longer vviM.t skimming gaily off, the little craft laying over g.-Uluully ami llying Vifce ;i Mi-tf with sure and steady wing. "My ! but that's a good sailor !" was Si's involuntary tribute.

"An incomparablo boatman. I could not have done as well myself," remarked Light house Dick.

" I'll take another look at the trapdoor while I have the chance," was Silas Croon's resolve, as he descended the stairs.

But Duko had forestalled him. The door was securely locked. To make amends Si went' rummaging overhead, and found another locked door which evidently ad mitted to the same room as the trap-door. " What room is this, sir ? I'm looking around for clearing-out jobs," he asked) boldly, a3 Light-house Dick came out from his door on tho same floor.

" That is the room where the oils and chemicals and the rockets are kept. Duke has charge of it, and quito likely ho has tho key. Ho wouldn't wantany meddling among such dangerous things," was the careless ro ply, as Dick passed on.

" I'll have a peep in there, como what will," determined Silas.

And he stepped into the dark closet on the other side, and felt around for nail, or bolt, or any sharp iron with which to pry away the hasp over tho key-hole. The closet seemed to be filled with odds and ends of all sorts, but what immediately struck Si's sharpened wits was the fact that the floor was strewn with woollen clothes, and that a cleared space led to a box at one end.

Stooping down to this box, he found a ray of light glinting back to his eye, and approaching the eye nearer —behold, there was a complete view of Light-house Dick's room, and every movement of its occupant, had he been there, must have come under Si's observation.

He eat down upon the box. It was just the requisite height. And tho woollen clothes permitted noiseless approach, (iood heavens ! was there another detective at work on his own case ?"

Silas wont back to the door of the locked room. Yes, there were traces of recently applied oil at the hinges. Was it morely th<3 ante-room to give noiseless admittance, which the clattering, echoing stairs denied : A brillis-it idea, although a bold one, suggested itself. Si looked aroundhim, nodded sagaciously, and went to work. Nothing could be oim plei- of execution, for the placo was full of old tarpaulin, tails, boxes, and large trumpery of every sort. Silas ferreted out another low box, put it in a corner, and hung it safely around with walls of dirty duck and cracked tarpaulin. It simply looked like a hanging heap, if ono examined, which Silas fancied was not likely in the case of a stealthy watcher in midnight darkness. His next movoment was to take out his pocket gimblet and bore a hole for his own eye to explore into Lighthouse Dick's room. And a score of holes in the tarpaulin allowed another peep at tho closet visitor, whoever he might be.

He crept out, well satisfied with his work.

" Only I must take care to bo the first one here. The first to come and tho last, to leave, which ain't very hard in this case. I feel it in my bones that I shall have some thing to work on to-night, and no more dmpty speculations to worry me."

Perhaps, had he really" known all the night was to bring him, ho would scarcely have whistled away so merrily over his kitchen duties for tho rest of tho day. Few of us, indeed, approach great dis, coveries forewarned of their entire signifi cance.

(To be Continued.)

Romance of a Lottery Ticket.

A curious story about a prize ticket in the Manila lottery was brought to light last month in a Shanghai Court. Seme timo ago a poor old Chinese woman found a ticket lying on tho ground, on which was somo foreign and Chinese writing. Not being able to read it, she showed it to two learned schoolmasters of her acquaintance, who dis covered it to be a Manila lottery ticket. They subsequently read with delight, which may easily be imagined, the announcement that the ticket had taken a prize of 3,000d015. They cashed the ticket at a shop in Honan road and divided the money botweon them. The original purchaser of the ticket, who is a gilt-button mandarin, then discovered the serious lose he had sustained, instituted inquiries at the shop whore he had bought the ticket, and found out who wero tho persons who had cashed it. In the mean time lie had been turned out of a firm of which ho was a member, his partners having a superstitious feeling arising out of their notions of " Jose Pidgin," that a man who ■was unlucky enough to lose a ticket worth 3,000d015. was not oneto share their fortunes. The finder of the ticket, her two advisers who divided tho spoil with hor.and he of tho gilt button all appeared at the Mixed Court, and the case was fully gone into by Chen and Mr Carles. The defendants admitted having cashed the ticket, and the woman that out of her share she had bought a coffin for lOOdols. and had given 300dols. to her son to buy a wife with. Tho Court took time to consider its action.

A Young Man's Luck.

Nbw YonK. Duo. 29.—Tho "Tribune's" cable Bpecial from London says : A young man, occupying the humble position of auctioneer's clerk at ffnntington, has just come into great luck. Sir Matthew Blake stono, Baronet, of Sandy Brook Hall, Derbyshire, recently died, leaving an im mense property, but no direct heirs. After a long search among collateral branches of the family which has tho honour of quarter ing the Plantagenettarms on its shield, the heir was discovered to be the Hnntington youngman. He has now gone to Ashbourne to assume his baronetcy and take possession; of its immense estates.

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