VELLA VERNELL OR, AN AMAZING MARRIAGE.

By Mrs Bow®* Hayukk, ...TltUfl Goldio," "Tho Midnight i^l^' GOnlldin° C''°lC'

(JAAPTER BXIII, ii M y WIIBl"

Aa elimmoring window-pane the last I fS° S. { daylight faded. Merrily crackled I** In tno room roignod its rod shine, i "nuth »nu 6uonCo, W vM» re Trac>'! ]1° ,10r lovor-hor I *", i ovor ~Evelyn-? Tho thought iiidering. It staggered hor. «tfcll!" quol''ol'hor ftiond| -tntly' I . f „ B _o awako or dreaming. Sho I one hand to hor forehead. :I 'j!k«Gsßo laughed softly. 1 .ciijldumb? What a tributo ! I knew I .auld think him superbly handsome. li? Vella, ma tixsvhcrc, tlon't fall in lovo II my Marc!" BT,;jn answor to tho morry warning iacubo novor a word. | opould not understand, tho girl at hor 1 J_jd horsolf, feverishly, ovor and ovor. || , 0 1 it was all too strango—torriblo. IS (.aid not grasp it yot. By and by it „_ all W|UO straight—perhaps—by and i i But dow—if sho could only be silont i'i-say no word till sho was alono, had ■'C.tothiak, to arguoit out, to understand, !,y_nst-oh, sho must ! ; »|t is almost two years sinco I lirst mot ■>• Trent on Evelyn, unconscious of tho ft! of deadly anguish hor slow, sweot |!U ws dealing. " I had had my own fSoflovors— more perhaps, but not ono • fjever touched my lioart. Not ono till ho Kg In that hour came to nio lovo and all Worioussorrow, But hodid not know— \V should he ? Ho did not caro for me. :'i,.ot think ho cared for anyone. He ; r _i.y, brilliant, courteous, always the ci upright and noblo gentloman. I told .j, jbont the others 1 met that yoar. [ •i_ told you about him, Woll, wo drifted !«t There was no vow to bind us, no ' ; .'irflove. But wl. en ha wont my heart ■;,,(nth him. Am I wearying you, my -''-!" ' .i'Jo/'camo a quiet voice :"go on !" IJjwould hear all; thon sho could judge v.; j<„anro tho only ono I havo over told ' ■-" ?/stit. Of course papa knows of our en- ' 'fluent,' but ho is sworn to absolute "jsty, I havo been so jealous of my joy I ' _1 sot bear that it should bo known by ' isu-not just for a while. Well, as I ' Irjsiid, we lost sight of oaeh other. One s ,!_if, several weeks ago, ho camo in ' -papa. He was so altered from the boy ' ■if known. Ho had grown thin, and ■jj, and unsmiling. ' ;!3_ Vella glanced at tho faco which the ~ •-„ light bathed mellowly. Ho had A ";_jjd even sinco »■/;,; had known him. 1 ■i-tyes which looked up at her from tho , iioard were sadder than sho had ovor . • : J-tlem, the mouth bonoath tho swooping ' was sot and gravo. Tho v,-S taco was full of weariness, under ? "'■• ii love's vision koon discerned infinite i sad passion. ■'■_itewasalongsilor.ee, Vulla spoko. I :|'_ad then ?" sho urged. c iii was morbitlly, insatiably anxious to . ■nfl-all. ' » ii-tlyn laughed, her own low laugh of , Jatt content. * '!_ would not tell Vella just what he l ■iaidto her about—that other woman. J_i pride forbade thatshe should cloarly Ijt her friend that in tho heart sho now T [.-fully claimed sho had taken another's 1 ;l_-that but tor tho treachory of that ) Wmfifi would never have drcamod of hor. j1 WtmV tranquil brow contracted. No, no ! * ||Hiifas all ovor and done with now, I|d deep out of sight. Why should sho a ■Hlod thon?" sho echoed gayly. "Is ? Rfttf enough ? He came, he saw, and ' fjntfore ho came and saw, my king had £ ___r thon onco moro upon them silence c pflpught with such bright droams and J pt hopes for ono of thoso fair women, •■fir tho other? Ah, heaven help her ! ised to love her? Did he really n lyn? Would ho tell her with " |;aress of his passing fancy for 8 was it all a mistake, a black, iblo mistake ? And even if it B ould sho do—say. what would ild? Ah, "life would bo never And to tho lino of tho poot's ° rt kopt beating madly. " iet you have grown, Vella I ink ho is handsomo'.'" v lly sho turned, hold out tho ° o is " she said. '' and poor tho words sounded ! Bvolyn look if sho spoko out tho °. c said, "Ho was my lover— I Oh, sho must think first, get iolf soinowhcro—anywhere—bo 8 will go to my room," she said, ast her locket in her bosom and * not ill?" anxiously. a Jul tho girl was for tho shadows v ed her from betrayal. " quickly, but her voice had n of suppressed misery, i tired, dear. Don't dross for shall bo alone. After will bo v to prepare for tho ball. My ° ) confidante !" drawing her to sl iddon affoctionato impulse and warmly. " You must bo my ghty effort she crushed back tho " y which leaped to her lips. ° lty, luxurious chamber reserved b le flung hersolf on tho bed, and nking, rathor striving to think. v aw minutes she sprang up and ; the room, yn's lover ! her lover Evelyn's ! I was in a whirl, her brain was ie might weep. She could not „ if hot it was ! she felt smother nst go out, must get into the E ould faint. , with ' trembling hands, Bhe _} and cloak, took hor gloves in ( j apt down the stairs, unfastened I was down the stairs and away. d i rapidly up Walnut-streot— a than once. Just how far sho just liow long sho had been i did not know, when suddenly _ ir progress barred. t j aing by in leisurely fashion had ght of her, swung round with y Dd confronting hor. ay gallant, most likely. In- °, lyod and not a little disgusted, , aside and strovo to pass, an movod with hor. itroot was brilliantly lighted, now particularly crowded. , i ho, the coward! " lenfierco scorn sho ilung up her _ wed back, , v »yen! who was that, and with _ ired the rasping voico she knew . lof old. " you would elude me again, oh 'i , 'ye dono that onco too often. >t you, never fear but I'll keep ~ lon her shuddering wrist came i'airon hand—hot on hor cheek JenJng breath—into hers peered . blood-sbot eyes. s CHAPTER LXVI. gs'WOJUS IS MY Wli'E :' n "Are you the master here '. \ elsewhere where the wrongs ot tight P " Tub Spasish Student." a'ng light from tho window of a a ■058 his face—a face which now I tunlscn and malignant exultation I ■ a Bet and a scoundrel. Paralysed, bereft of motion the t -men. ■' 1 g»ve me the slin!" ho sneered on, 1 tm slender wrist in his vico ■'"You thought a bridal trip c '8 less expensive if taken by tbe j ao—didn't you? Well, there j I**?* weddiDg tour ttu_ time. <

She -hrank back with a low cry of terror. Go—with him ! Oh, no, no, no ! A few passing by glanced at thorn curiously. Tho shadow of hor hat-brim hid tho fear and hatrod flaming ovor hor swoot, sonsitivo faco. '' Corao I" Ho rcpoatod, and strovo to draw hor onward. The inherent brutality of his oarlior lifo, for many years kopt undor rein, and plated with our modern mail of invinciblo gold, now assorted itsolf, "I will not!" sho panted. " Release mo, or I'll ask tho people who pass for holp— you coward I" Ho laughed-a slow, chuckling, complai sant laugh. " Ask, my dear ! Ask away ! There's not a man in Amorica can dispute my right! A husband can claim his wife, aud I claim you !"

Again sho endeavoured to wrench hor hand froo. His thick rod lingers wore cruel in their grasp as thoy tightened still moro licrcoly around it. "lam no wife of yours!" she cried, hotly, But horo he broko in again, bringing liis faco so close to hers that tho fumes of his breath stilled her. "Ah, wifo in naino! That was all you woro to bo]! Tho law acknowledges no nominal wivos, my pretty, prudish Mrs Clatlin!" "I toll you," sho protested, and now her words caino brokonly in her oxcitemont. " I havo novor beon your wifo. Not for a day, an hour, a minute, not one, thank God! It was Voylo you married. Ho wont through that farce of coremony to save mo! And no did it!"

Tho declaration secinod to sober tho half befuddled old reprobate. But it was a ruse —a trick ! Of course it was.

" Do I look liko an idiot J" ho snarled, to swallow a talo like that." She was almost bosido herself with ab-

horrenco, dread, disgust. Sho drew herself up and faced him trem bling but oroet, her eyes under tho brim of tho littlo folt hat great luminous stars of tlanio.

"It is truo !'' sho cried, "as true as that wo both livo and breathe. My brother kucw in consenting to that mock marriage that ho saved mo from an ignoblo man—from a lifo of misery. Ho did not know he saved mo from a demon,"

Never before had such passionate words passod the child's pure lips. Their vohem oiico startled even the savagoly resolute old man before hor.

He stood silont a momont, never for a second, though, loosening his hold of her wrist.

" It's a lio !" he assorted doggedly. "Do you supposo I could havo boon fooled by a slip of a boy ': Do you take mo for an imbe cile that I should not know tho girl I married ? You are my wife. That fact is one it is no

use dodging how. Love and honour you will not," his harsh voice rising till more than ono of tho surging passers-by hearing the words smilod scornfully at the conjugal quarrel, " but obey you n-Hl'. Come with mo !"

Ho drew hor hand within his arm, half drew, half pu.hed her onward.

Oh, for Marc—for Yoyle ! His vory touch was contamination. And now began a des porato resistance

"I will not go!" sho cried frantically, " Oh, sir," appoaling to a gentleman hurry ing by. " Holp! Save mo from him 1"

An American, characteristically promp and chivalrous, tho stranger swung round, his cane upllung.

"Ho has insulted you—" ho began. A fow othors observing tho trio gathored around thorn.

Claflin's crimson face grow fairly purple i the gas-light.

"Takecaro!" he cried, hoarsoly, "Don't bo too fresh, young man. This woman is my wifo I"

" Your wifo !" Soverul incredulous voices repeated tho words.

Now that her hat had slipped backward thoy could sco distinctly how lovoly and almost childishly youthful was tho girl before them.

"I am not! Ho has no claim on me I" she wailed, despairingly.

" You hear hor ?" hissed Claflin. " Now you can see for yourselves how blessed I am in a lying and rebellious wife. Go yourway, gentlemen !" Every minute pedestrians, observing tho commotion, joined the group. Tho man who had interfered at hor solicitation dropped his raised stick.

It was just a matrimonial row. One never got any thanks for interfering between husband and wife. Besides, an outsidor should not make their affairs his.

" Oh, of course if tho lady is your wife," he said, apologetically. More denso grow the crowd around them, Remarks wero being passod freely on tho ostontatious diamonds of tho man, the beauty of tho girl besido him.

" Como on !" commanded Clallin, gruff with rage. "Don't you see we're the centre of a stroot gang? Como, Volla >"

It began to snow, great white, whirling, foathory flakes.

Volla ! The namo was rare. He knew only ono who bore it. It was impossible that she should be hero at this hour.

With languid curiosity the young fellow swinging by—tall, handsome, fair-haired groy-oyed, glanced toward the group by tho curb-stone.

And there he saw, full in the radiance of tho gas-light, a proud anil beautiful Load, tipreared liko that of a stag at bay, a faco as while as tho driven snow, eyes brilliant with hate and terror.

" Good Hoavcn!" he gasped, " Vella Vor nell I"

Their eyes met. " Come on !' cried Clallin, almost mad with fury by this timo, ond dragging her onward by main force. "By Heaven, you shall!"

"Shall she ?' out rang a voico. With tho leap of a tiger, Owen Costollo sprang forward, cloft the crowd asunder, flung up his strong right arm, and planted on Mr Jonas Claflin's immaculate shirt bosom a staggoring blow. And in that instant he rocogniscd tho millionaire. "By Jupiter '," he cried ; " Red Jako !" CHAPTER LXV. THE CRIME 01' A COWARD. " And tho stars shall fall and the angels lio weeping, Kro I cease to love her, my qucon, my queon! OWUN MuBKDITn, At the sound of that name, unheard for fifteen prosporous years, Jonas Clallin dropped the girl's wrist aud started back as though an adder had stung him. Who was this that knew him—had known him? Whoever he might bo,_ Mr Clallin was curiously anxious to avoid him. In tho days when he had borne the sobriquet of Red Juke his reputation had beon any thing but an enviablo one. Grown suddenly oblivious of his long-lost wifo, ho ondeavoured to slink out of sight, to efface himsolf as il wore. " It is Clallin I" Voll- whisporod. "Clatlin !" he echoed, in umazomenl. Red Jako, tho gambler and desporadu ho had romombored seeing when he himself was but a lad, tho bully who, in that Mexi can camp wherein he and his father tarried, had shot down an unarmed and innocent man—he and Jonas Clatlin the same, rich, extolled, flattered, righteous Jonas Clatlin ! Not so quickly as ho desired could the latter remove bis corpulent person. The close-pressing, interested crowd hedged him in a living wall. And this same crowd, swift to acknowledge rcversod supremacy, lau"hed out at tho discomfiture of the Ealstaffian individual in their midst. Clatlin ' With Owen Costollo, to think was to act, and just now, as a thought, | scheme, purpose leaped up in his brain, he strode forward, laid his hand on his -shoul- C e_ie bent down and spoko a few words in his ear-just a few, but they wore smg ularv effective. . ~ ,_ He grewsickeningly pallidwthegas-light, but did not attempt again to escape. '' Move on! move on! What's all this crush about." demanded an officious voice, and a blue-coatod policeman elbowed his way through tbe throng. . "Officer," Clallin begau, in choking pio-

teßut young Costello's hand tightened on his shoulder, young Costello's voice sounded IOT, tfSftSi Heaven I'll hand you overi hero and now!' And then to the -..iceman: "Thoro is no trouble. .This v.ung lady bas lost her way-that is all. fficabL her, plea.e,..aud scud these i^o.Je about" their business,

J '' These people," sooingthat the prospect of fun was at an end, promptly dispersed. It was no joke to stand still in that driving snowstorm. A carriage, summonod by tho officer, drew up at the curb-stono. Owon assisted Vella in. Tho flower-liko face which leant forward from the dark in closuro and looked up at him in the gas light was white and quivering, _ 'Let him go," sho urgod, softly, hur | ricdly. " Don't get into any trouble on my account." "I shall lot him go when I am done with him," ho repliod, not discourteously, but with a grimness new to him. Then he steppod back, lifting his hat. Ho gavo tho address to the driver. Tho horsos started. The carriago rolled away. I

Owon Costollo turnod to Clatlin, standing stolidly noar by, that greyish huo still on his broad face, a ballled gleam in his small oyos.

" Aud now, sir," sternly, " I shall settle with you !"

" You will, oh. with a forcod laugh and an effort at bravado. " I'd liko to know by what right " But Owen cut him short.

" Cotno, now, nono of that!" and so big and fierce he looked, Jonas quite wilted. " I know you, my man, and 1 know no good of you. The world has gono woil with you sinco thoso old days at Diamond Gulch, No ono rocognises in Mr Clallin tho ro spected millionaire, the " " Hush I" the othor cried, sharply. Thoy had turned, and were walking up Chostnut-strcet. | Tho snow had grown blinding. It boat in thoir faces as thoy wont along, soft, pure, J pitiless.

"I havo no desire to expose you," Owen wont on, calmly. "A statement from me would land you in tho ponitontiary for lifo, and you know it. But I sha'n't spoak that word, if you consont to a vory simplo con dition of mine."

Clatlin glowered angrily around. If ho could only cut and run—got rid of this troublosomo companion, onco and for all!

But, no ; that would novor do. Mr Owon Costollo's legs were a groat deal too long and agilo to risk a race with them.

And instinctively ho know that woro ho to try any such game, tho man boeido him was quito capable of fulfilling his throat.

" Woll ?" with a sullen growl. " Woll," repeated Owen, deliberately, "tho facts in tho caso are thoso: An old crony of yours, now dead, by name Colonel James Vomell, was guilty of tho robbery of his brother's children confidod to his caro."

"Curse the wholo family !" amiably inter polated Mr Clallin.

" You became cognisant of tho affair," wont on Costollo, in that unprovoked aud resolute totio of his, " and you offered to bo silent concorning it if paid in flesh and blood —you modern Shylock, you !" "I got hor !" muttered tho other, vindic tively, between his teoth. " She's my wifo, safe and sure, and I'll havo hor yet, as I'm a living man !"

Owen laughed.

" She's no more your wife than sho'a mine, you poor deluded old fool!" " That's anothor lio !" grunted Clallin. ■' Her brother told nio sho was doad."

"Ho thought so, thon !" put in Owon

" Now you chip in to help him out. Not my wifo, indeod ! I tell you, Mrlmpudonco, it's a most atrocious lio I"

" And I toll you that tho person who stood bosido you boforc the minister and responded to tho murriago vows was Yoylo Yernell. This can bo attested to your on tiro dissatisfaction by the lady who robed tho bride. lam suro sho will at any timo be pleased to answor your inquirios. But this is not the question I wish to discuss. Where are you staying ? we can talk moro at our leisure thero."

Mr Clatlin's rotund figure revolved slowly for all tho world liko a puncheon on a pivot. He favoured Owen with a critical glanco. Ho was cool, but ho answered neverthe less.

"At tho St. Pierre,"ho said. So whon thoy came to Broad-street thoy turned down its wide thoroughfare to tho hotel mentionod. When they reached Mr Claflin's door ho oponed it and motioned the other to enter, came in aftor him, closed tho door carefully. Thon ho turned and faced Owen.

"Now out with it!" Ho was looking like a thundor-cloud, all tho surliness of ono who knows himself vanquished in his strident voico.

" My condition is easily complied with I" avowed Owen, taking acigar from hisbroast pockot and biting off tho end. "I want logal ovidonco given by you as to your knowledgo of William Vornell's wealth and his brother's appropriation of it." Legal evidence! to his ignorance tho words sounded ominous. Ho had no wish to bocomo involved in any logal matter. It might load to personal inquiries, and of such ho stood in daily dread.

"I'll havo no lawing about tne, young man !" ho vowod, braggitigly. " Who tho deuco aro you, anyway, to try and ruin a follow ?"

" Can't you romombor mo ? No, I don't suppose you do though ? Now try !" Ho turnod the gashiglior, stoppedinto tho light, took off his hot. Old Clallin bont forward. His crafty oyoa scrutinised him closely. In thorn grow a dawning recognition. " What!" ho cried suddenly. "If it isn't the kid !"

Owon nodded and replaced his hat. " Right you aro, sloses!" ho replied cheerily. "And now supposo wo procood to business."

Claflin's countenanco was a study iv its rage and terror. His little rat-liko oyos glinted sharply undor his close-drawn brows. If thoro was a soul on earth lio dreaded, it was this man. Distinctly camo back to him one scene, ono hour.

A low tent, the interior half in shadow, half moon-light flooded. A sleeping man. And he himself crawling noiselessly toward tbe heap of pine bougliß whereon he lay. Of a doadly blow struct at tho bared bosom. Of tho rapid search for the gold which in after years formed the nuclous of his gigantic fortuno. Of finding it, clutching it, secreting it. Of wheeling round to soo a shadow darken tho bright patch of light in the doorway, and a boy loaning thero and regarding him and it with curious, horror-wild oyes. Like a flash he had torn past him, leaped on his horse, was away liko tho wind, But as he fled ho knew that if ever the eyes of that child were to meet his, recognition would be a thing beyond all doubt.

And now, after fifteen long years, tho child a man, they stood faco to face, Owen moved forward and touched tho hell. . _ _ " Curse you, what are you at now! what are you going to do?" cried Clallin in ter ror.

Costollo laughed at hisdismuy. "Keep cool, Jake I I toll you I'll bo silent and let you go your wuy if you do as I dosiro. The year you were in Australia you discovered that which gavo you tho power over Colonol \'ornoll which you afterward so stubbornly assorted. You must make iv tho prosonco of a lawyer a declaration as to what you thoro discovered. Your testi mony should not bo worthy of much cre dence, but you can refer us to others thero whose word can be relied on."

A knock at the door, " Come I"

A sorvont appeared. Owon took out note-book and poncil, scribbled a line or two, tore out, folded and addressed the leaf. _ "See that this is delivered at onco, bo said, and gave the man a dollar. Then ho sat down in aggravating con tented fashion, took out his silver match case, produced a fuse, lit his cigar.

" Sit down, Jake 1" ho suggested, quietly, and without turning his head. " I think I'm letting you off remarkably easy. There is nothing to look so down in tho mouth about. Now, if I wore to give the story of Diamond Gulch to the Chicago " Tribune or" Times" it wouldbequitea differentmat ter. It would be the very choicest morsel tho Gardeu City has had to masticate for many a day. But I won't—l won't give it to a soul, if you tell Mr Bronson, for whom I have cent, the candid truth about tho whole affair:. Of course it is understood you will appear and testify whon the claim comes up for a hearing, but the written statement will be, in any case, avaluableprecautionary measure." " What claim ? demanded Jonas. He had not sat down, he was fidgeting arouud like a bun in a rain-storm.

[i'o be Coniimwl.)

THE BLUE LADY.

[iJV I'LORKNCE MAKKYATT.J

A visitor for the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Clorhambury.

The Bishop is seated in his study puzzling his brain how best to settle certain clerical disputes that have been submitted for his arbitration. Ho is a spare little man, dressed in a long black coat and gaiters, with very white hair and a nose liko a chilblain—a littlo man indeed, of so frosty an appearanco that ho looks as if ho had boen oxprcssly got up to ornamont aTwolfth cako,

But tho frostness is all on tho outside. His lordship's heart is in tho right placo, and brimming over with kindly feoling for his follow creatures. " Who is it, Matt-hows'.'" ho demands of tho dignified creature who has boon kind onough to bring tho intclligonco to him. "Mr Rylo, my lord." " Oh, show Mr Rylo in, show him in at onco," replies tho Bishop, with suddon interest, for Mr Rylo is a wealthy land owner in tho diocoso of Gorhambury—a munificont man, moreover, who sponds his monoy liberally on charities for tho good of f tho country, a friond and neighbour whom ovon tho Bishop of Gorhambury cannot afford to despiso. In anothor momont Mr Rylo has entered tho room and is shakng hands with its Right Reverend occupant, Ho is a stout, florid, genial-looking follow, also drosecd in gaiters, but of quito a different cut to thoso of tho Bishop, and tho splashed condition of his velvetoon suit no less than tho crop ho carries in his hand shows that ho litis ridden for somo milos through tho muddy lanos that lead to tho opiscopal residence " Well, Mr Ryle, and what brings you out this wot morning?" demands tho littlo Bishop, when they havo shaken hands. "Businos, my lord, businoss !" roplios tho other, with a twinkle in his oyo ; "I havo cotno to ask a favour of you on behalf of a friond of mino."

Tho Right Reverend screws up his littlo chilblaiuy noso and laughs. "A favour ! Woll, Mr Rylo, if there is anything I can do for a friond of yours that you cannot do for him yoursolf you may command mo. But lam afraid substantial bonotits aro moro in your lino than mino."

" It is not a bene/*., but a bone/to: I como :o ask at your lordship's hands. Tho fact s, my friend Darroll, an oxcollent follow—

first-class man at C.'ambridgo, and been work ing liko a horso ovor sinco—has suddenly conceivod an ardent dosiro for matrimony, They all do it, you know, my lord, sooner or later ! Tho shepherd's crook is a'l vory woll for a whilo, but it stands no chance against a four-post bodstoad."

Tho littlo Bishop chucklos softly to him solf. Ho also commenced lifo with tho in tention of dodicnting it to tho good of suffer ing humanity, but there is a littlo Bishopese and moro than ono episcopal olivo shoot in tho upper story; thatlookaaa if his thoughts had at soma time or othor wandorei sadly out of tho beaten track.

" Yes," bo admits, after a judicious pause, " it is cortainiy truo that a helpmeet has a wonderful offoct in swootoning tho path of duty."

Mr Rylo laughs aloud.

" And so my friond Hugh Darroll thinks, and he has found the holpmeet if lie had only tho moans of marrying her. But ho is half start ing by himsolf somewhere down at

tho East End of Londou, and it is usolossa trying to do a division sum with nothing but naughts. So I havo como to you, my lord, to soo if you can assist mo. Is thoro no cure iv this big diocoso of Gorhambury into which you could pop my friond and his wifo, and lot thorn bogin a pastoral lifo to gothor?'' Tho Bishop knit his brows.

"How sorry I am," ho replies, "to bo obliged to say 'No.' But 1 havo really nothing to offer you—nothing! oxcopt", indeod, tho curacy of Sarcolott, and that Mr Darroll would not thank me for. Indoed, I am just considering how I can unite it with that of Payne." " Bnt why ? What objection is thoro to Sarcelett ?"

" Havo you not hoard?" " Indoed, no! Thoso parish disputes and scandals aro not at all in my line.

Tho Bishop glancod around to see if tho door is closed and lowors his voico.

" We don't liko to spoak of theso things," 10 says, mysteriously, " but I am afraid ;his story has boon too much talked about :o bo a socrot. Havo you not hoard tho oason that Mr Sheepshanks loft Sarcolott?"

'•' Not a word of it, my lord. I did not oven know ho had gono till you told mc."

"Ho could not stay horo, Mr Rylo ; no ono will remain in that parsonage after a fow months' trial. I havo boon bishop of

Ibis diocoso now for ton'yoars, and during that timo I havo put as many mon into tbo euro of Sarcolott."

"But what's tho matter with it: do mands Mr Rylo again.

" It is haunted !" whispered the Bishop. His visitor bursts inso a loud and un seemly laugh. "Is that all, my lord ? Well, thon, give Darroll tho chanco of exorcising the ghost 1 Ho is tho man to do it, if nnyono can. Ho is not a palo-faced, whito-livorod creature liko poor Sheopsbanks, who would tromblo at tho falling of a loaf, but a stout-hoartcd, muscular man, with tho wisdom of a eerpont and tho courago of a lion. Ho'U clear Sarcolott of its ghosts, I warrant you, and you'll never hoar anothor word about thorn after ho has taken up his residence thoro." "It is all vory woll to laugh at such things, Mr Rylo. but do you think I should bo justified in allowing him to accept tho cure? Romembor Shoopshanks is not tbo only ono who has found lifo impossiblo ut Sarcolott, Evory ono lias told the samo talo and given up his moans of subsistence sooner than remain thoro. I could not justify it to my conscience to install anothor man in that parsonago without tolling him tho truth."

"Lot us toll it to him thon," cried Mr Rylo. " I know my friond bettor than you do, and an obstacle in his way will only mako him tho more eager to tight and ovor como it,"

" You can do as you chooso in tho matter, Mr Rylo. Tho euro is vacant and Mr Dar roll is welcome to it, on condition that you fully explain its disadvantages. Thoparson ago is f» charming old houso, and tho stipend is four hundred a yoar. But theso facts only prove how much its former holders must liavo boon annoyed before they con sontod to resign so good a curacy." " Darrell will not resign it," says Mr Rylo, confidently. " I will mako out tho caso to him as black as I can, and in anothor month you will sco him and his protty little wifo as happy as two birds at Sarcelett. And now all I havo to do is to thank you cordially, my lord, for your kindnoss in tho matter." " I hopo you may soo causo to thank me as cordially throo months honce," replies tbo little Bishop, with a perturbed countenance, which only causos tho irreverent and un believing Rylo to break out laughing afresh. And bis ridiculo seems at first to bo justified. Hugh Darrell is as roady as him- Helf to pooh-pooh tho idea of so paltry v thing us o ghost—ovon could it exist—hav ing the power to oust him from a curacy that he is to shale with lovely Bessio Lymptom; and his gratitude both to his friend and the Bishop of Gorhambury is in proportion to' his anticipation of coming matrimonial bliss. Only, ho says, as he parts with Rylo—who has made a journey to London to convoy the good news to him—

"I think, perhaps, that, all things con sidered, it will be as well to keep this story from Bessie's ears, Ryle. She's an awfully clever girl, you know—plucky and full of common sense ; still, women are more timid and superstitious than men, and this idea of a ghost to be looked out for might mar the pleasure of our honeymoon. So we will keep it to ourselves for the present, and it will go hard with me if tho first timo it appears in Sarcelett parsonage after I am installed there I don't hit it such a crack ovor tho head as will transform it into a ghost in earnest." He is brimming over with happiness at !ub unexpected good fortune, this merry Hugh Darrell. He has no thought but for his protty Bessie and his four hundred a year, and a few weeks afterward he goes up to tho altar with as firm a step as ever bride groom bore, and signs himself away for lifo ,as cheerfully as if he were merely putting his hand to a receipt for five_ shillings. Everyone is contented aud satisfied, and before !o:.g:tha villagers of ■ Sarcelett hear that their new paison has arrived arid taken

up his residence in tho haunted house. Of courso the furniture is of the plainest and most modest description, although good Mr Hylo has sent many a pretty ornament and useful articlo over to Sarcolott. But Mr and Mrs Darrell aro in the seventh heaven

as thoy arrango their various possessions, and Hugh varies tho monotony of labour with unclerical kisses.

Their first difficulty arises on the question of servants, and Bessie cannot imagine why nono of the rosy-cheeked girls of the village will consent to be her housemaid. How over, she has a useful marriod sister in London, whom sho makes a referee on all domestic matters, and who soon despatches her a couple of servants procured from the rogistry office in the next street. Then all goes morry as a marriage bell.

Tho littlo household gets into perfect I working order. Tho Rev, Hugh Darrell has bocomo a iirßt-class favourite with his parishioners, and Bossio has but ono com plaint to mako, that the village pooplo take up his time so fully ho has hardly a moment to bostow on horsolf—that is, until his after noon rounds are concluded and the dolight ful toa-timo comos, when she can bring him his slippers and his lounging coat, and sit at his foot to hear all that he has to toll her

! of the ovonts of tho day. But ono morning at breakfast tho Rev. Hugh proposes to his wife that thoy shall tako a ramble togothor. " Tho summor is nourly over," ho says, and wo shall not havo many more opportuni ties of spending tho day out of doors, This morning, for a wonder, lam free. Lot us walk ovor to Gorhambttry, Bossio, and oxploro tho boauties of tho cathedral." Bossio's faco falls. " How tirosomo," sho says, " that it should havo happened so, but 1 have engaged Mrs Brown to come to-day to altor my winter dresses, and if I do not superintend her sho will not do a quarter of the work. I cannot put hor off if I would. What shall Ido ':''

" Novor mind," roplios hor husband, cheerfully; "tho dress is of tho moro im portance of tho two, and it is right you should attend to it. I will write my Sun day sermon instead, and wo will put of! our little jaunt to tho end of tho week." Ho saying ho rises from tho table, kisses his wifo, and walks into his study. As ho is writing his sermon, however, an

hour afterwards, and raises his oyes mechanically to look for ideas among tho roeos in tho garden, he is rathor surprised to sco Mrs Darrell going down the gravelled path towards tho gato. Sho is attired in a bluo dress which ho has not seen boforo, but ho admires its shapo and fashion and thinks how woll it becomes her, as Bessio goes steadily through tho garden and out upon tho village road. Yot he cannot holp wondering whoro Mrs Brown can bo, and why his wifo did not toll him sho had brokon her appointment. Tho in cident, trilling as it is, disturbs him, and he does not mako much way with his ser mon tho rest of tho morning. And whon he moots his wifo at tho oarly dinnor tablo his lirst words revert to the subjoct. " Why didn't you toll mo, my doar, that you had changed your mind about going out this morning '! I should havo likod to accompany you,' " I havo not beon out," says Bossio, in differently. " uYoi been out . Why, I saw you go with my own oyes." " Nonsonso, Hugh. I havo boon upstairs tho wholo morning, working with Mrs Brown. I havo had no timo for walking, worso luck ! It is quito a penanco to bo kopt in such a lovoly day." Hugh Darrell regards his wifo with tho utmost astonishmont. "My doar, you must havo forgotten. Do you think I am blind '! I toll you I sum you loavo tho houso, and I can toll you what you woro into tho bargain. A bluo dress " " I haven't a bluo dross in my possession," crios Bessie, in a tone of annoyanco, "and do you think I would toll a falsehood for such a trillo ? I ropoat, Hugh, I havo not boon out this morning." "It is vory strango," roplios her husband " who can it havo boon, thon I mado sure it was you. But inquire as ho will, he can hoar no furthor tidings of tho lady in bluo, and an uncomfortable suspicion that his wifo has, for somo reason or othor, decoivod him, re mains on his mind. A fow days afterward, howovor, Mrs Darroll, having a question to ask her husband, steals downstairs with tho viow of knocking at his study door. As sho comes in viow of it sho soos tho figure of a woman drcssod in bluo standing on tho threshold, who, as sho catchos sight of hor, outers tho study door and disappoars. " That must bo tho lady whom Hugh mistook for mo," sho thinks to horsolf; " but she is not a bit liko mo, in figure or stylo, antl I am sure ho will novor catch mo wearing such a hidoous bluo dross, I wondor what hor faco is liko, and what sho can want to sec Hugh for." Bossio is too sonsiblo to bo suspicious or joalous, so sho goes down to hor kitchon for half an hour, and at tho end of that timo roturns, und, gaining admittance to hor husband's study, linds that hu is alono. "Whoro is tho lady':" oho asks, in quisitivoly, " antl what did sho want with you ?"" "What lady?" demands Hugh, looking up from hi* writing. " Tho lady in bluo, who was horo half an lioiu ago." " Thoro has boon no lady horo, Bossio." " Oh, Hugh, what a story 1 I watched hor go into your study, with a hideous old fashioned dross on. "What was sho liko, Bessio, young or old?" "I am sure I don't know. I only saw hor back. But sho camo in horo." "That I'll swear sho didn't. No ono has ontorod this room but mysolf." "I can't soo tho good of denying it," pouts Bossio. " Ono would think thoro was somothing wrong in tho matter to hoar tho way you goon." "My dear, you cannot mean what you say. You know I would not decoivo you. But wborover your lady friend went it was not into my study." " I toll you I saw hor," cries Bossio, " and you are not infallible, you know, Hugh. You declared you had seen mo iv tho garden last Tuesday, whon I had boen upstairs with Mrs Brown all tho timo, and now I boliovc it was this lady you saw, bo causo of her blue dress.

At this reminder Mr Darroll looks visibly disturbod. What was tho story Mr Rylo told him and thoy had both laughed at, about somo apparition at tho pursonago, and'was it possible thntthis phantomiubluo, which had appeared to both Bessio and himsolf, had anything to do with it ? A chilly fooling seems to croop down his back as he reflects upon the possibility of such a thing, notwithstanding his serpent brain and lion heart. And ho does not know whether to tell his wifo tho truth or to loavo hor to copo with her suspicions as sho best may. But as ho is deliberating with himsolf tho cook appears in tho passage and approaches tbe open study door. "Hearing tho mistross upstairs, sir, 1 mako bold to say a fow words to you, I don't know tho way as thoy go on in tho country, but as a London woman I consider it's a tempting of Providonco to leavo a Christian houso all on the latch, as this be."

" Why, cook ! What on earth do you mean V" says Mrs Darrell. ." Why, ma'am, there isn't a door as fastenß, not to say properly ; and 'Liza and mo havo been frightened out of our wits more than once sinco coming horo by the strangers hanging about tho premises."

"You need be under no alarm, cook," interposes her master, "No ono in Sarcelett would come up to tho parsonage with a dishonest intention, and 1 don't sup pose there is a house in the village that is bolted at night; so I should not like to be the first to set an example of distrust." " Well, that must be as you choose, sir," grumbles the woman ; "but 'taint pleasant to have strangers a-coming and going at all times."

" What strangers, cook ? "What do you mean ?" repeats Mrs Darrell. " Woll, ma'am, there's a woman—a lady I 'spose sho calls hersolf—always a-prying and peeping about the place. Wherever we go, 'Li_a and me, we're pretty sure to come across her blue back, peoring into a cupboard or a door." " Her blue bad! Do you mean to say sho wears a blue gown i"

" Yes, ma'am, an. old-fashioned concern of twenty .years back, I guess she's some prying old maid out of Sarcelett; but she don't pry into my pantry, and that I'll tell ben before .he's wapy days ulder;.'.

"I know who'you mean, cooK. I have

: seen her, too, and so has the master—that ' is, her back. But what is her face like ?" " I can't tell you that, ma'am. I've only soen her back and her ugly blue gown." "How strango! and so have wo. Oh, Hugh ! who can she be ? This must be in quired into." The look of alarm in bis wife's eyes makes tho husband decide that honesty will be tho bost policy, " Come with me, my darling, and wo will talk the matter over together. And as for you, cook, I will see that proper bolts and bars are placed upon the outer doors, so that Eliza and you may sleep in peace for the future." He draws his wife within tho study as ho J speaks, and then and thore makes j a clean breast of all that Mr Rylo told him. IHo is very uncertain how Bossie will take ] his intelligence, but be tries to soften it by reminding her that (except for the parsonago being haunted) they might never have been ' married to each other. " I feared the shadow it might cast upon our first married days, my darling, but I hardly believed that it was true, and I hoped that if it were so, my love might have the power to remedy the evil, You trust in God, Bessio, and you trust in mo. Will not theso two trusts—human and divine—holp you to cast out your natural dread of tho supernatural ?"

Ho is terribly afraid of tho effect his words may havo upon hor, but to his delight she seems as foarloss as himself.

" A ghost, Hugh !" sho oxeluitns, with a rapidly changing colour. "Do you really think it is a ghost wo havo seen ? How very strango ! But do not bo anxious about me. I am not in tho least afraid of it, Why should I bo ? Poor thing • Next timo sho comes I will spoak to hor—soo if I do not, and ask hor what sho wants in our beautiful parsonago." Even as she speaks the evoning shadows soom to gathor in tho littlo study, and through thorn gleams tho bluo dress of tho dhmara wo'anton

" Soe, there sho is !" cries Bessie, cling ing to hor husband. " How strango and woird it seems that sbo should stand thoro, yot nevor show hor faco. Aro you afraid of us ?" sho continues, addressing thoir ghostly visitant; " you need not be. We are your friends. Show us your face ; tell us if we can sorvo you by our sympathy or our prayers, und wo will do all in our power to givo you rest."

But tho only answor sho receives is con voyod by a backward waving of the phantom hand, as tho spirit molts into thin air.

"Lot me go after her," says Bessio, struggling in tho clasp that would detain hor.

"No, dearest; do nothing rash," replies Hugh Darrell. "I am thankful beyond moasuro to find how littlo this story has affected you, but there is no necessity for you to court tho mystery that surrounds us. Lot us hope that it may die out as it has arison."

But tho parson's hope is not realisod,

Tho lady with the bluo dross is soon ottonor than evor after that day, and tho occupants both of tho kitchen and drawing room bocomo co familiar with her appoar anco as to mind her no moro than if she had boon ono of thomsolvos. Thoy meot her everywhere upstairs and downstairs hor bluo back goes before them, and tho servants, discovering at last that she is an apparition, mako almost us much fun out of it as their mistress. Yet thoy nover soo hor faco. Thoy knowexactlyhowhor dress ismadeand how hor hair is worn, but no ono has had tho goodorillfortunotoviowherfeotures. It has bocamo a regular custom to follow tho phantom antl banter her on hor modesty rospocting hor charms ; but no jesting has induced her to turn and look ntf-hor pur suors, until ono day, as Mr and Mrs- Darroll are downstairs together, a foaWul sbream calls them to tho upper story,'whore, they found their housemaid, Eliza, foaming on tho ground.in a fit, Restorativos aro freely applied, and ns soon as tho woman has recovered hor consciousness, sho is eagerly questioned as to the cause of her illness. "Oh! ma'am," sho oxclaims, "I havo scon tho Blue Lady, and I must loavo you." " What nonsense, Eliza ! Why, you havo soon tho Bluo Lady as often as you luvo soon mo. Why should you be frightened of her now ?" "Oh ! but I have scon hor face, ma'am. I was turning down your bod, when sho camo around tho other sido and looked at mo; and I wouldn't sloep undor this roof anothor night for all tho wealth of tho Indios." " You saw her faco !" cried hor listonors, simultaneously. "What was it liko ?" "Don't ask mo, sir! Don't ask mo, ma'am, not for tho lovo of heavon !"acroams tho housemaid, as sho goos off in another fit, Mr and Mrs Darroll aro vory much annoyed, but thoy uttributo tho girl's fear to her illness rather than to tho phantom with which she is so familiar. Nothing, howovor, will induce hor to remain in their servico and sho louvos tbo parsonago tho samo evoning, having told nothing further of hor advonturo with the Bluo Lady. Tho cook is disposod to rosent Eliza's de parture as v porßonal injury. Had they not weathered tho storm together, and is sho to bo left to rido into port alono ? She calls the poor housomaid all sorts of hard namos for boing such a timorous fool, and swoirs that twenty ghosts may come and grin in hor faco boforo they'd porsuade her to givo tip a good sorviooand a kind mastor and mistress. Notwithstanding hor boasts, howovor, not moro than a fortnight has elapsed sinco Eliza's departure whon a vory similar scream is heard from tho basement, and Bossio, running down in consternation, finds tho cook struggling on tho floor, black iv tho face and with distorted features. Tho usual remedies are applied, and in a fow minutes the sonant is sitting on tho hearth rug, trembling in overy limb. "Cook—cook ! What ia tho matter?" criod Bessio Darroll. "Oh! ma'am! that face, that awfulfaco," roturns the servant, sobbing. " What! Have yuu seen it, too ?" "The Lord help me—yes, ma'am ! I've soon it tho first and last timo in my lifo. No power on earth shall mako me sleep under this roof anothor night!" " What! are you going to desert me also ? I thought you always wanted to see tho Bluo Lady's face. What is the matter with you ? Why are you so frightened ?" " Don't ask me !" oxclaims tho cook, as sho regards her mistress with a look of terror. " I couldn't describe it to you, not if you was to kill me for it; but I must leavo you this vory night, ma'am, or I shall bo a dead woman bofore tho morning." "This is becoming serious," says Hugh, whon his wife confides tho cook's intentions to him. "Wo shall be unable to keep a servant at this rate. Howevor, my dear, you must send for old Martha Soraggs to help in the work, and your sistor will find us a cook and housemaid as soon as she can." Notwithstanding the inconvenience to which thoy are subjected, Mr and Mrs Darrell contrivo to mako themselves vory comfortable until the morning that Bessie rocoivos a lotter from her married Bister io London to say that Bhe haa found hor somo fresh sorvants. "It is all right, Hugh," she says, cheer fully, as Bhe brings tho letter to hor husband to road. '' Maggio has found two charming servants for us, and only waits to know when she shall despatch thcin to Sarcelett. But what is the matter ?" sho continues, as shoobßerveshisdowncastcountenance; "has anything gone wrong ? You look as if there was a death in tho family." " Bessio," replies Mr Darroll, solemnly, " write and thank.Maggie for her kindness, but tell her we shall not require the servants, for we cannot remain in Sarcelett." "Not remain in Sarcelett 1 And for what reason ?" "My dear! I have soen the Blue Lady's face." " And are you going to be as ridiculous as the servants?" cries Bessie. " _'. Jpon my word, this is too absurd, and for a btavo man, too." " You may laugh at me as you like, Bessio, but wo two must leavo the parsonago to night. I would not sleep hero again to savo my life. lam going to rido into Gorham bury at once, and toll tho Bishop tho reason of my resignation." "Oh, Hugh ! this is most disappointing, and after all the trouble we have taken to make the house comfortable. And how are we to live if you give up the curacy 5" " Don't ask me ; I have not the courage to think," replies the unhappy man. " And all because you have seen the Blue Lady's face, whon you havo seen her back fifty times. I wish I could see it. What is she like 1"

Hugh Dan.ll t-rcaus and buries his face in his hands,

" Merciful heavens!" he exclaims; " pre serve me from dwelling on or remembering ' it, or 1 shall go out of my mind !" Not all the persuasions of his wife will prevent his riding into Gorhambury to see the Bishop ; but he insists upon her leaving the parsonage when he does and putting her self under the protection of a neighbouring farmer's wife. He is to bo away for a night and ho enjoins Bessie to remain at tho farm until he can fetch her away, and starts on his journoy vory downheartedly, ,but serene in tho idea that his beloved wife will be safe during his absence. But Bessie is a very courageous and independent little woman. She does notlikebeingtreatedasachild, and sho is curious on the subject of the Blue Lady's face. She is even anxious to con front it. Old Martha Scraggs sleeps in the houso, and why should not she? So when ovening arrives she makes some lamo excuse to the farmer's wifo and slips back to hor old house. The deaf and blind Martha hardly knows she has returned, and she steals up to her bedroom and lays hor solf down to rest. At noon the following day Hugh Darrell presonts himself at the farmhouse and domands his wife.

" Mrs Darrell ain't here, sir," replied the farmer's helpmate; "sho went home to sleep last night, and haven't comeback yet. I've been wondering all the morning if she'vo got her breakfast."

Ho makes no answor, but setting spurs to his horso, gallops as fast as he can to the vine-covered parsonago.

"Where is your mistress ?" ho demands breathlessly of old Martha.

"Tho mistress, sir I I'm suro I dent know. Sho came in last ovening, but I haven't soon her sinco. I thought she had gono back to the farm."

He leaps to tho ground and dashes up stairs with one bound. The curtains are drawn closely round their nuptial bed. He tears them open and roads tho awful truth at a glanco. Bessio is lying on the pillows, white as marble, with her eyes open and fixed with horror, but dead—dead beyond aU hopo of recall! Thoro is no need to toll tho wretchod husband what has caused his loss. Ho knows that sho has been brought face to faco with the Bluo Lady !

Doubtloss my roadors will imagine that I havo in yon ted this little story for their Christmas mystification, and lay it down with a smile of superior wisdom. Will it interest them more if I tell them that it is no ficton built on my own fancy, but the rotation of facts that happened in our own country, and not vory long ago ? Tho parsonage of Sarcolott is still vacant. No ono has ventured to inhabit it since Bessie Darrell camo by her death there, and the chances are that now tho story is becoming moro freely circulated the Blue Lady will romain unmolested for evermore.

LONDON DOCTORS.

Wide Range of Feos-An Expensive Profession—Lady Practitioners.

Is England the medical profession is re cruited almost exclusively from the middle classes of society. Amomr tho aristocracy tho idoa still provailß that but threo pro fessions aro open to the scions of the nobility. The son and heir of a man of titlo has no need to follow a profession, and although occasionally, for the fun of the thing, the lirst-born son of a peer will onter ono of tho crack cavalry regiments, he raroly remains longer in tho service than a few yoars, at the expiration of which timo, having attained tho rank of Captain, or possibly Major, ho retires from tho pro fession of arms and turns his attention to tho turf, agriculture, or, possibly, politics. If a nobleman is not wealthy particu larly, and is blcssetl by Providence with a liboial allowance of male children, the youngor sons will bo trained for tho army, the navy, or tho Church. There are fow poors that havo not one or more livings in tho English Church subject to their patron age, and their own influence or that of their aristocratic friends will insure rapid promotion for thoir youngsters, eithor in the military or naval servico. With the middlo classes, however, tho medical profession is exceedingly popular. Paterfamilias, a struggling city merchant, perhaps, with a brood of some ten or twelve sickly youngsters, pondors on what a profitable profession a doctor's must be when he ruefully w;rites out his cheque for tho family medical attendant, but solacos himself with the thought that young Jack shall be brought up a sawbonos. Thoro are to-day in practice in London about 3,000 doctors. About 1,000 of thoso aro physicians, while tho remainder aro surgeons, but many of tho lattor also hold a physician's .diploma, In tho courso of a conversation I had ro contly with a leading London physician he told mo that the avorago oarnings of Lon don modical mon do not oxecod .C.OO por annum. On the other hand, thoro are a scoro or su of doctors in London whose professional income is enormous, Roforriug to individual cases, I suppose Sir Andrew Clarko's oarnings aro and have boon for somo yoars past greater than thoso of any man in tho profession. His professional in come today may bo sot down roughly at £lfi,ooo por "annum. Sir Andrew practises in Savillo Bow, tho head-quarters of the elite of the medical profession. He is a rcmark ablo man in moro ways than one, and relies in his practice far loss on drugs and nostrums than upon diet and chango of air. Tho usual fco for a consulting physician in London is calculated by the mileage covered in visiting n patient. One guinea per mile is tho charge paid, but, of course, whon a man of tho standing of Clarke, Ferrier, Critchott or Barnes attends a consultation in tho country, the fee is enormous, as any of theso mon would not probably be away from London for twenty-foui hours for less than £100. The fee of any ordinary prac titioner for visiting a patient at his or her residence may bo set down at 5 shillings. Thesomi-fashionable physician's fee willbe double that amount, whilo the shining lights of the profession will not visit a patient under two guineas, though they will treat ono at their office for half that sum. There aro hundreds of doctors in London, however, who will pay a visit to the house and pre scribe for the patient for half a crown, and, mirabile dictu, there are scores of fully quali fied and able medical men in London who will pay three visits to a sick person and provide him with medicine for tbe absurdly email sum of two shillings. It takes a great deal more capital to enable a medical man to start in practice in Eng land than it does in America. There aro fow young men who would think of starting in practice for themselves until they tvere in a position to spend at least £400 during the first yoar of thoir practice. Female Physicians. Of lady doctors there are at present few in practice in this country, but the Belect few of tho fair sox who havo been bold enough to defy tho conventionalities and study medicine, take thoir degrees and start in practico, are already reaping a rich harvest of fees. Tho two most distinguished lady practitioners in London aro Dr. Garrett Anderson, a sister of tho wifo of tho lato Professor Fawcott, and Dr. Arabella Keu oaly, a daughter of tho lato Dr. Konoaly, a brilliant advocate and finished scholar, Both of the ladießl have named enjoy large and lucrativo practices, and medical mon of tho highest standing, who have met them in consultation, whilo strongly objecting to tho admission of ladies into tho profession, have told me that thoy aro certainly not in ferior in ability to doctors of the highest standing of like age and experience.—Lon don Correspondent "S. F. Chronicle."

Total Abstinence and Longevity.

Mv A. Bowser, manager of the Whittington Life Assurance Company, thus referred to this subject at their last annual meeting :— "Threo years ago I stated that tbo deaths in the temperance section had, in fhreo years, boen 23 per 1,000, against 50 per 1,000 in tho goneral section. I havo now tho satisfaction of Btating that tho comparison is even a little moro favourable for tho tcm poranc. section during the past three years; it bas|been at the rate of 22 per 1,000, while in the general Eection it has been at tbo rate of 51 per 1,000. Some allowance must, however, be made for the fact that lives in the temperance section are some years younger than in the other, as the company did not commence the • temperanco section uutil the year 1803, while tho goneral section commenced in 1855; and I find that the average ago at commencement of assurance iv tjio .toranerance ..e'ction is 30, while the general section it i. 35,"

THE MOST POWERFUL PRINCE IN PERSIA.

Character and Dally Life of the Favourite Son of tho Shall,

The Zil-es-Sultan is the oldest son of tho King's first love. His Majesty first saw tho Prince's mother, a lovely village girl, washing clothos at the side of a stream. Be this as it may, she was of tho bas pcuplc ; and the Khan Di (the maternal undo of His Royal Highness and his Master of Horse, or lord of tho man ger) recalls, by his rudo manners and boorish speech, the lowness of the Prince's extraction on the mother's side. But for his birth, the Zil-cs-Sultan would oro this havo been acknowledged as tho Shah's suc cessor. But to be of royal blood on both sides of the houso has long beon a necessary qualification in the heir to the Persian throno. Still, tho reigning monarch gonorally contrivos to leave his kingdom to his favourite eon if capable of ruling. That the eldest ton of tho Shah by a, royal prin, cess in a weak-minded nonentity is known to all tho subjects of the "King of Kings ;' and tho Shah will probably take the initiative in declaring the Ziles-Sultan his successor Tho young man himself openly says that ho means to succeed his father, and tbo Shah does not reprove him for saying so, Tho room is purposely darkened. _ Thoro sits tho Princo, supported by cushions on a mattress. Ho is ovidently out of sorts : his hakimbashi is feeling his pulse. Tho Uovornor of Yezd, formerly his favourite personal attendant, is kneeding ono knee, tho Govornor of Bonat is gently rubbing tho other. Two attendants aro softly pommelling tho princely feet, while the chief barber, an important personago, is carefully and scientifically shampooing tho back of his nock. Mirza Bona, tho Princo's confidential valet, a man who has been Govornor of Fussa under his Royal High noss, is reading poetry. Evidently tho Prince is in pain. " Rub, rub," he cries, " yo sons of unspeakable mothors I" "Ah !" with a sigh of relief, " that is good—that is very good !" Tho chief barber, whoso clover shampooing has earned this praise, smiles with pleasure. " Mirzaßeza, Mirza Reza Khan !" This is shouted, and the confidential valet stops his monotonous poetry. " Let our chief barber have our fur-lined cloak, the rod one." The delighted barber, who is to receive a gift worth thirty pounds, stops to thank tho Prince. " Rub, rascal, rub !" is tho roply. "May I be your sacrifice, it is my peti tion, the petition of your slave, that his Ex cellency tho Imam-i-Juma desires tho privilege of presenting his salaams," whispers one of tho royal attendants, entering the room bowing to the ground, his hands placed upon'bis knees. "Bismillah! let him como," is the reply. The Princo rises. He is an athletic young man of considerable muscular power, inclined to breadth rather than height, of middle stature, with small hands and feet, of which he is very proud, black curly hair, a fair complexion, a jetty moustache, and a voice exactly like that of the Shah. Mirza Ecza hands him his newly fashioned hat of finest cloth. The Princo, who affects to lead the over-changing fashions of Persia, hurriodly buttons his innor paletot of palo bluo moire antique, embroidered with tasteful but rather florid designs in gold and colours. Ho wears an English shirt, He clasps tho groat circular buckle of diamonds—it is four inches in dia meter—which fastens a plain black leather belt around his waist, and then slips into a yellow overcoat of cashmere shawl, lined throughout and trimmed with sable fur. Black trousers with a gold lace stripe, mauo in London, complete tho sufficiently grand and becoming costume worn by the Governor of the largest portion of Persia. He is at the present momont 33 years of ago. Lot, us follow him as he passes into the summer room of state audienco. This ancient room is probably unique. In the centre is a large tank of running water, three feet deep ; from this tank rise stone columns, their bases composed of nude figures, about four feet high. Each of tho figures spouts from its mouth a tiny stream ; all around tho tank aro various jets, which also add to tho noiso of falling water. Littlo light comes in through tho coloured glass windows and their curtains. Into and over the tank projects a stone bed or throno some threo feet over tho surface of tho water. Hero, when Issahan was tho capital of Porsia, was the royal audience chamber of tho Shahs, cool certainly, and picturcsquo; but, in a country where ague is rifo, the man who occupies a damp room cannot bo wise, Tho Zil-es-Sultan is no fool: and ho passes on through this extraordinary chamber into a large well-lighted apartment, tho walls and ceiling of which are olaborately painted and gilded. The intricately constructed windows of coloured glass are raised, a largo and empty courtyard is seen beyond them, and just in front of the window is a hugo raised hauz of stone, the fountains in which aro spouting freely. Tho Imam-i-Juma, as he enters, is invited to a soat eloso to his Royal Highnoss, on his own royal carpet, which ia about sovon feet by threo wido, and is spread on a thin mattress ovor tho lux_ urious folts, threo inches thick, that servo as frame to tho magnificent carpet. As the Princo sits at the open window tho hoad carpet-spreader, tho chiof of tho police, enters the courtyard with tho two robbers and thoir guard. Addressing ono of thorn, the Prince cays in a loud and angry tone : "Ah! son of a dog, so you, too, levy taxes on my fathor's subjects?" "May I be your Highness. sacri_ce, it isn't my fault," mutters tho criminal. The Prince turns to tho Imam-i-J uma, a tall descendant of the l'rophot in a black tur ban, and details the crimes of the robbers. The high priest nods : " Yes, yes; may I bo your sacrifico, ho is indeod a mer ciless ono !" "So I think," replies tho Prince, "Tako him away!" And tho Princo whispers something into tho ear of the jarrash-Oashi, who is standing close to the open window. "As for you"—the other prisoner bows to tho ground—"you are an ass, the father of all asses. You, rascal may thank our mercy ; you aro dismissed.' The farrash bashi retires with his prisoners Their irons are removed. The one walks off a freo man ; a sullen booming report in a few minutes announces the blowing from a gun of the other. The days of his youth are over—the wild youth of a favoured Eastern Prince. Married to the wealthy daughter of a former Prime Minister of Persia (who was strangled by ordor of the present Shah), tho Prince was loft a widower about fivo years ago. His son, the Jalal-u-Dowleh, is a promising youth of 15, and the nominal Govornor of Shirau under his father. Tho Prince has several daughters. He dines about 8, still alono, and at 9 generally retires to his harem, where we cannot follow him even with our invisible cap. A Governor of vast provincos from his cradlo, firm, and somotimes, perhaps, un scrupulous, a hard but just master, wily as a Governor in Porsia has need to be, unpre judiced, unfanatical, genorous, with many virtues and few foibles, such ia tho Shah's favourito son.

Disturbance at a Salvation Army Meeting.

At Crowe Polico Court, on Tuosduy, James Hough, a youth, was charged with riotous conduct in tho Salvation Army barracks, Camm-street, Crowo, a place licensod for public worship. The disturbance took Slaco on tho Ist inst. during a service con ucted by " Major " Patorson, who has ob tained some notoriety in connection with tho faith-healing works. When a hymn was sung the defendant and a number of others prolonged tho chorus, repeating it several times and stamping with their feet. —Mr Thomas (a magistrate): I thought that you wore going to convert these rough boys. -" Sergeant" Bobinson : Thero is a notico in the room that any person disturb - the meeting will bo "persecuted."—Polico constablo Hibbort said that the defendant was one of tho most prominent in causing tho disturbance.—" Captain " Walker said that for sixteen Sabbath evenings consecu tively the row carried on had been dis graceful. It had causod many of tho moro respectable membors of tho congregation to leavo them.—For the defence, Charles Eaton eaid that a hymn was sung, and then Major Pearson gave them ton minutes " to do what they liked," and they sang and re peated tho chorus.—Tho Mayor said that the opinion of the magistrates was so evenly balanced that they had decided to disffii.. the ca;e.

THE AUCKLAND KVENINQ STAR, SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 1885,

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