VELLA VERNELL: OR, AN AMAZING MARRIAGE.

Bt Mrs SniNF.R Haypev, f ..^Ol6 Goldle," "The Midnighi in%^ M e."''Oer 3 ldin 9> " e tc.,eto.

CHAPTER XLVI.-(Costinted.)

he had been but slightly injured, Sakenin^rgebythebest and most tie of nurses, and under her constant, hw j C omo back to the world to 'tich be it ever so surly to us at time*, ja'all'so heartily hate to say farewell, never "nceoccurredtohim. ° ivo all have onr cllo'ce of spectacles. st now Voylo made choice of bluo rather L of amber, though through the former be .aw clouds and shadows, while tho latter iould mako the whole world sunshiny. You know yourself how a conviction, ,i«llv a conviction of evil, will seize on 2f ac lesion of all the power* of S-tancl'bmin-m^one. fchiu. wax written. -he too ill to write she would havo had *Xr write for her, or through that other I lamessage. She lind been on that • Of "tho injured taken in kindly charge she had been one. And she had

reiterated over and over in pas ■ ,tA misery as he strode along at a S <«^ie. white-lipped, wide-eyed Ha would make search of course, and that f mcc Ah, terrible Is the journey which teminates beside a grave! She had been htafaom her home, poor child, because 3' infamous persecution. If she had not, 14 other girls, a sweet, safe sheltering wL not a mere palace, but in truth a Sto bad not been. Now did he owe X Vernell a mighty debt indeed. The rush of noonday was over. That j iidosing hour " had not yet begun. Up r a sharp, bleak wind. It swept from 2 lake, chuling one to the marrow. The 1 which had made the day glorious, on hour ago hid his royal countenance and inlkearelenllMsly. 1 And still Voyle Yernell walked on, not to kfag, heeding, caring whither. he passed Dearborn going eastward b« noticed a long lino of carriages drawn up tfthehirbstone. Hs regarded them blankly. \\ ny was fliere suck a crush of vehicles ? How stupid tew, to besuro! There was a matinee ritfcVicker's today. Ai he passed the side entrance of the Untie a man leaning against one of the allows, a man squat in figure, wearing a jn-trinimed overcoat and high silk hat, loosed himself with a sudden movement, ipMg forward to the pavement, confronted

Through sheer astonishment Voyle stood jginhia tearing walk. Two pudgy, cirinson hands were laid upon hia arm, ten fat, jewelled fingers (Wed him. A broad, red face looked up it him, "You young hound, you! I believe you're ttthebottom of it all !'* it sound of the familiar voice which had Jjayi mad 3 the lad think of a file rasped miheet-iron, he started slightly. He was still too dazed, though, to speak. "Where have you got her hid ? It waa ramrho induced her to leave her lawful Uand, was it? Where is she? What !tnjtt What number? Out with it! Where lids! Where is Vella ?" Ihespot where they stood was one of the mat thronged and public in the city, but tagh the millionaire hadjspoken fiercely, tohadkept voice and actions well under control. Vella! That named aroused the boy. He shook off the other's detaining hands mthmiagrage. "Yeßal How dare you ask for her? Though 1 shouldn't blame you so much, MiloaaClaflin," his voice growing louder hiUßHwitratcd scorn. " You could not taasUtatemvtation of conquering a woman -rate i child ! There never was a mean jHDjetiilfldid not rejoice in tyranny !" "Moo!" cried the other, angrily. "ffistiill this tirade about ? Remember There job are!" Thematineo was over. Already In twos ri threes the edge of the audience was kgtouing to trickle down tho steps within. °'lmn&mber as well a3 I wish to !" with bfartourecklessness of youth. "What iilcarewho hears ? As I say, I give you fflljrtoutempt, but for him who drove her bier death I boar a less blunt weapon. hum as there is a just God above us, Jims Vernell shall answer to me for my life's life I"

tanas quite a blockade around them w. Beveral overheard the wild words.

Bymain force Clallin drew his companion lift him into tho alloy just beyond and out tfanhot.

But one man followed them, unnoticed, it the words had excited his curiosity, a Warmly-built fellow, with a big, blonde band auburn moustache. "What do you mean — life — death?" Wed Jonas.

"That my sister is dead—give her rest in Wgrave I" he panted. j Then he toTe bimaelf free, and <ras lest in [ foerawd rarging towards State-street. ' CHAPTER XLVII. "OTYOraCEE DAUGHTER BESSIE 1" .. "Whatfaceisthat? Wlataface, what a look, what a likeness!" E. B. Browning. i* Is reached the corner he grew quite "ik and dizzy. From the doors and •wowofßuck and Rayner's a flood of W poured across the sidewalk.

Hj would go in and rest a few minutes. Wnwbe recollected that from the time »udient the despatch—just at dawn, it ''-nehad neither eaten nor drunk. He '«w. The few Beats were occupied. ™>lood by the register, leaning against r ugh btasß fender that environs the "Wreathing square, protecting it from ** usurpation, A sort of numbness was pug over him. He felt exhausted and

.jjjpntleman wheeling round the corner «o«tcastacasualglanceintothebrilliant "Sitote. 3ostood stock-still on the crowded pave- H\ J' le burryine six o'clock multitude Whim. Comments of a nature wildly t others savagely pleasant, were H*. ™i in profusion ; but rot a word 2>, • nothing did he see, save that Bsj b°yißh 'ace Just beyond the JJ* * Marvellous resemblance ! It was 1! m . a^! Conld 4t bo the Bame face ? «»« was hardly possible. Ho would ""••Mo. I^^udjt round, hurried in. An instant tßnl • 8 ')ecarao conscious of a pair of brf! riDgirlto hiii altogethertoo intently ?,'7«». He started-drew back I°J« md ao the other placed his hands on jT'opofthe very tall brays fender and 7* ml mote eagerly forward. Was the 2™nk or crazy ? Voyle regarded him %1 i. tell> atout,-whiskered my y 1 w^° now confronted him, a t,,™""? old fell °w. too, with a U1?,1""^ showing under the brim of M* hati Ar°und the latter was S^very deep fold of crape. It cer- Ui. , ■ rra#!ng> t0 Eflythe least of J*»prolon ged aid steady scrutiny. A ■ »wS? c • Dt,° le>s whita ol>eek. tin £'' he demanded, impatiently. *Ub f drew a lonS b™ath and <"«Li»i. nged if 'lt doesn't • beat— m™1' he ejaculated, slowly. l9fttaj nilß" man opposite, wrestling ■»»»,»i 1 with a nß«' and terrible «* hnf P!*? 8«ally weik to bear the "A,TP^hally controlled his temper. *'7m , \ m *°' what are you staring M tk. ?l lmo m»Bonm curiosity," W * «•« lender for the first time '■l t ?"P«henßible speech. WL , reeemb''"ice!" he gasped. •°»ToSr nco To Vella, of course. Tho !«■» .'"^""ing-stfoke of hope. Hue k*v ha WM besido the man, SbLtv ha"dß witl> aw own ice-cold fast an d hard, striving to JJjhomr >4 Zri, kCpt baD ging-banging. All klfe"de2,* etVoices' About thonl "C 1 k andcu9 tomers. P hat!" murmured the lVo,i. "8 gazing 1" n h[ a U, Bhed *&** the unresisting "jllUjj^^akeanswevme? "Whom I r4""? wifaiP r] ho was Part °f the way I tSS ff t^ers-it'.s astonish- I • J?*t of tk? to Btarve anew. I felW B (.iS where'" and n°w the

What clue was this which wae falling into Ins hands?

" When?" ho whispored. Captain Costello mentioned day and chic.

" Yon are sure?" Voyle questioned. His companion sighed. "I havo sod reason to be," touching the band of crape encircling hia hat-crown. In an accidont that very night my dear wife was killed."

And now, as one will remember afterward things to them unimportant, he recalled the name of the lady the railroad man had men tioned as being among the dead. "Your name is Costello?" he asked, quickly. "Yes. How do you know that—?" "Never mind now; I will tell you another timo. Oh, sir," in a fever of en treaty, " you don't know how far you can help ma now—this instant I" "/.' stars and stripes I" " Yes, you ! The young lady you mention was my sister. Sinco she left on that awful of hoy. How far was she with your party— I mean whero did you tftke the train ? Did you sco her after t!io collision ? was she in jured '! did she dio '! Quick, sir, tell me !" The interrogatories, each stumbling over the heels of its predecessor in its haste, wero low, hoarae, passionful. Not one of thoso around dreamed of tlio drama, one act of which was being played out in their midst. Costello grew almost as excited as his questioner. He wrenched his hands freo and put them on Voyle's shoulders. " There, there ! Don't take on now, my lad—don't! She was injured, hut 1 heard the doctor say not fatally. Hope for tho best. See here !" in sudden alarm, "you're not going to faint?" For from his face every drop of blood had gone tiding back to his heart.

Hope for the best when he had convinced himself there was no best to hope for!

He smiled feebly. " Not if I can help it, sir, 1' Costello gave him a vigorous slap on the chest.

" Coma out and hare a drink." But Voyle was deaf to the appeal. " Tell me some more !" he implored. "I know hardly anything yet. Tell " "By the Ghost of Gimlets, I won't!" came Costello's characteristic reply. '' Nary a tell till you come across the street to Hannah & Hogg's and brace up. You look like a girl who has soon a mouse." And the captain took off hia hat, and rubbed his bald head with a great deal of virtuous determination.

" If I've got to brace up, I guess I'd rather do it at the Boston Oyster House I" young Vernell rejoined. "Supper will be my first meal to-day."

A look of horror overspread the old gentleman's face. Instinctively he thrust his hands in his pocket, scanning his com panion the while. " Jerusalem! You don't mean " Voyle actually laughed at his perturbed countenance.

" No, I don't mean anything of the Bort. I've enough money in my pocket for twenty meals. The case is one of voluntary starvation. I've been so mieerably nervous all day, eating was too tame and prosaic an occupation to bo for a moment con sidered."

"Come along thon I" And these two, so strangely Bung to gether by Fate, passed out. They turned westward. "You don't think sho's dead then, Mr Costollo ?" Voyle began again in a desperate attempt to glean more nows concerning her —a ray more of light, however faint, on the subject.

"Nonsenso, lad! Of course sho isn't dead. Sho may be still too languid to write, but depend upon it she's snug, and well taken care of, somewhere. Talk sense, man!"

Voyle drew a long, deep breath,

" Heaven grant it!" They passed Dearborn. At Clarke they descended the steps leading to the cafe. Voylo put his hand before his eyes a moment as he entered. Coming in out of the darkness tho brightly lighted room with

its snowy-clothed tables, and snowy aproned speeding waiters, fairly dazzled him. They took possession of a "two-table." "I would make you come directly home with me," Costello said, " but that I think you have fasted long enough." ■ •' Will they not be expecting you at home, though ?" asked Voyle, when he had given his order.

" Yes, but they know I never wish them ;o wait supper for me if I'm not on time." His viz-a-v-is looked over at him grate folly.

"You are very good to stay down town on my account!" warmly. Costollo was drumming abstractedly on the table.

" It is no enormous sacrifice."

And then as he glanced up Voylo saw that a certain sadness had blotted out the humorous twinkle in his eyes.

" They will' miss me a little bit," he said, "but not as */ie would if I was not home to supper." Voyle nodded sympathetically, but said never a word. What could he say ? What can any of us say when Death before us rears its triple sting, the love, the loneli ness, and longing of tho living ? Supper over, they took a carriage. Voyle did not hear the address, did not even remark in which direction they rolled away. After twenty minutes' rapid driving the hack stopped, " Here we are ! " cried Captain Coßtello, cheerily, "jump out, my lad." Within an iron-railed enclosure some distance back from the road stood a square house. This was all one could distinguish, so dark was the night. As they went up the path together the hall-door was flung wide, and a billow of light surged forth a cheery welcome. Framed in the bright door-way a figure appeared. " What kept you so late ? Kitty and I are tired waiting and listening for you, you blessed old sinner—no kiss to-night, sir— unleßs you promise . Oh I" The sweet voice fluttered like a bird's, then grew suddenly still. She had just dis cerned another figure than her father's, " I promise !" laughed Voyle. They entered the ball* She fell back a step or two, staring up at the new"-comer. Her gaze remained riveted on his face. She was speechless with amazement. Her father kissed her and shook her.

"Wake up, goosie!" he laughed. "It i 8 only a resemblance. This is the brother of the young lady with whom you and Kitty fell in love that night on the train. Mr Vernell, this is my younger daughter, Bessie."

As Voyle gravely bowed to the girl in tho simple mourning dresß his heart leaped into his handsomo brown eyes and paid ncr tribute.

Such a pretty, derauro, startled face as it was. And what a dainty dash of colour in the clear-skinned cheeks. And; how faug gestivo of ripe cherries the bright half parted lips. Ah, Captain Costollo, you fond, genial, ejaculatory, unsuspicious old warrior you, put on your spoctacles I CHAPTER XLVIII. BJIEAKINO THE NEWS. "Doubtless we shall be moderately happy. She's a woman Rrown, and I'm notover sappy; And we've both confessed to many early pas- Which have b :2a outgrown along with other fashious" vandkw BROWN. " Tell your mistress I wish to see her." " Yes, sir." The servant withdrew. Colonel Vernell turned again to the window and stood there waiting. An afternoon in young November. A de cidedly disagreeable afternoon, too—bleak, chill, gu3ty, with now and then a spiteful putter of rain. Neither stingingly cold nor yet snow-shadowy. One almost wished it either rather than this idiotic blow, blow, and drizzle, drizzle. Just the kind of a day ono wants to shut out, to draw the curtains early li«ht the lampd, heap moro wood on the'fire," pull closer over a chair to the hearth—this latter more because of the friendliness of the blaze than that one lackß warmth. " You sent for mo, James ? j He turned at the sound of his sisters voice. , , „.. "Yea; I wiab. to speak to you. Sit But Miss Dorothy made no motion toward adopting his suggestion. . Her bluo eyes were fastened on him in inquisitive surprise. . •'I did not know you wore going out. You are dressad early. Where is lt-the ° No wonder Mis 3 Dorothy stared, fo elab orate was his afternoon toilet. Jus dress suit of lustreless black was brand- i.evr. His huge diamond stud glistened on an immaculate expanse of linen. A tie of cream-coloured satin enciroled his clerical looking collar. In his button-hole was a yellowish tea rose. , Personally he seemed to have been dipped in ft bath, of rejuvenation, The thro face,

with tho high,narrow forehead, and slightly beaked u,wo, looked inoro youthful than it had for muny months, There was an un usual light in tho small, close-set cunning eyes, Tho whole fignro had an alertnosn and animation new to him, On a chair near by lay a new otter trvnrced overcoat, on top of which was a stiff felt hat and pair of cream-tinted kids, "Oh, you women," he replied; "one bound and you have reached the back of a conclusion, aro riding it at full speed. lam going out, but I'm not going to the club." " Where, then ?" . He looked down en the energetic little woman in the noiseleaa, dove-coloured gown. She had held the reins of authority ho long. How would she fancy their being wiv-Lud from her hands now? Ho epoke deliberately, watching her nar rowly the while. '" I am going to be married," he said, "Married I" she gasped. Then she put her hand on her fat flutter ing bosom, and smiled. " What a turn you gave mo, James ! For tho moment I really thought you were in earnest." Tho colonel laughed—a brief grunt of a laugh. "Then I'll hnvo to ronew the dose to insure effect. I was quite in earnest. I nover was more so. lamto bo married at six o'clock this evening." "Javies!" And now he sat down. " Well ? "—stonily. " You don't mean it!" "Don't I? It is very hard to convince you of the non-existence of a joke when you have made up your mind there is one in lurking somewhere. If you want proof, here it is ! " From his inside ve9tpockot he drew a folded paper, which he extended to her. She did not offer to take it. She sat there and looked at her brother as though she had suddenly discovered his possession of a double nose. Now, if there is anything aggravating it is to be regarded in this fashion—isn't it ? 1' Dorothy, have you any objections to offer ?" came the irritable demand. Sho started guiltily. " Great patience, no ! Only— James !" "Well?" He was replacing his ignored marriage license. " I'm so astonished !" "I'm not." He took up his glove 9 and snapped the connecting thread. " I'm sure I never dreamed of auch a thing ("—helplessly. He favoured her with a sly glance. " Didn't you, Dorothy ?' Her old cheeks crimsoned, whether be cause of his misunderstanding, or with memories of the past, who coulcf say. " You know I didn't mean that!"—in confusion. He began trying on his gloves. " Yos I know." "The lady is " His rapid glance arrested her words. " Mrs Charu, of course," ho answered. "Of course!" —feebly. The story Guila had told her recurred to her. Sho, poor girl! had thought Grimes and the widow well engaged. And, lo and behold ! it was not Grimes at all for whom the fair sorceress had cast her nets, but her own still', taciturn, self-sufficient brother ! " It's very sudden, isn't it ?" sho asked. " Very sudden !" ho repeated, deridingly, " It's not a death, Dorothy. Don't refer to it as though it wero." And ho smoothed down, with quite vicious little rubs, the cream-encased lingers of his loft hand. . "I'm sure I did not intend it in that way, Jamos. You must not wonder I'm—well taken off my feet, as it were." "I don't. But you have known it long enough now to have become familiar with the idea. It's almost live minutes since I told you." Tho n'ngors had been successfully clothed. He began on the thumb. Miss Dorothy made a valiant effort to look at the affair in a common sense light. "Five minutes isn't quite an ago, James. Why didn't you tell me sooner !" " Because I wanted the affair kept quiet," tugging at his refractory glove, "and I knew if I told you, the temptation to spread the news would bo irresistible." And here he screwed up his mouth and fell to tussling with tho first button. " Why, James I" reproachfully. Just how far this " now departure" (if the phrase is admissible) woold affect hor poison ally and " tho children", sho was Btrill too thunderstruck to think. He looked at her with a smile as he noosed the wee ivory button. "Dorothy, you Avion-you nover could keep a secret!" Couldn't she, though? "Givoadogft bad name and hang him !" runs the proverb. Give a person credit for anyparticular eccen tricity or failing, and howovor lightly you may havo flung the burr, it will stick. When or how her inability to retain im parted confidence became accop ted as a fact she had not the faintest idea ; Isut this one thing is certain—that the woman who is tho recipient of more secrotw, poseossos more of her own, and cherishes all moro guardedly and zealously than Misa Dorothy Vernell, hap yet to be born. So she only answered with a peculiar smile: " Don't you think go, James?" Without the day was waning. "The wedding is to boabsoluto7y private —no, I'm not even going to take you, Dorothy. I refuse to do so through no desire to be unkind, but bocauso it is Mrs Charu's wish that no one ba present. Again, the dressing, trip to the church) and oHeal there would—what m your own word for it ?—' flurry' you. Stay at home and got over being surprised. I'll give Letitia your love and congratulations." " Are you going away?" " Yes, but for only a short) time. Wo shall tol"'j;raph you what nigh/i to oxpect us hack "

H^ shook down his wido cuff wer his left band. Miaa Dorothy was silent.

He stole a furtive glanco at her. The information had cortainly rteen startling. He. had managed tho wholei affair beauti fully, he told himself— beau- ti-fully, with a congratulatory chuckle. "You look overwhelmed, Dorothy."

"I could not have been raoro flustrated," declared the little old ma! id solemnly, "If I'd been a Cheshire kitten. I never waa so—so "

But no word in the English language was half oxpres.'ive enough for tho emergency. Tho colonel had commenced operations on tho other glove. " Minority cannot be urged against mo," he remarked, dryly ; " I'm 0? age."

They could hear w'neols. Tho carriage ordored had drawn up at tho door. He put out his hat. "Time's up ! Oocii-byo, Dorothy." Tho littlo woman sprang up. She did what she hnd never 'before a(jtcmptod_ with his saturnine majesty— stond on tiptoe, her eyes full of teiwn, put bolch arms round bis neck, and kissed him.

He had acted shamefully t» her darlings, but then he was hor only Jiving brother, and he had been very good to her. That he had given her home, (and food, and clothing, because in so doinj» ho furthered his own solfifb and prudonb interests, she never dreamed.

" Good-bye, James ! Mefj it bring you happiness !" "There, there! thank y>ou, Dorothy— good-bye." He touched her cheek witih his greyish bearded lips, caught up his overcoat, like a boy ran down the steps ar.d sprang into the carriage, which rolled off down the avenue.

And in the window Miss Dorothy stood and watched it out of sight. '

CHAPTER XLIX. BEFORE THE BRIDAE. " Yet wedlock's a very awful thlnsr; TiH something like that feait In the Ting, Which requires grout nei'vo to do it—- When one of a "Grand Eqnmtrian Tronpe' Makes a jump at a gilded hoop, Not certain ft nil ■ Ot what "my befall After his getting- through it! "—Hoop. And just then Mr3 Cha.ru's maid was giving tho last touches to the toilet of her mistress, and Hilaria Jackson's mistress was impressing on her maid the final in structions.

"I do not know bow long we shall be gone, Hilaria." as the woman bent down to button her high kid shoes, "butyoia will see that things are kept in order duriug my absence. On my return I shall brenlc my housekeeping, and turn over most of my furnituro to the auctioneers. I would", have preferred doing so before my marriage but was too pressed for time. So, as I have said, things shall stand as they are till I come back. The other servants* I have given notice to leave. You I shall refrain." The face bent over Mrs Charu's sh, »psly foot was not lifted. A low voice, however, answered :

" Thank you." " Yes, I shall retain you," went on the widow, apparently eager to digress on . proy

BiibJßtit whatsoever rather than give herself opportunity to think. "You nuit mo ad mirably, principally because you mind your own affairs, and scorn averse to prying." The maid hail risen. What; a dusky Iliino of colour showed through the burnt sienna cheeka ! But then stooping always does flush one.

Mrs Charu rose, tco,

She walked across the room to a full length mirror, and stood before it regard ing horself critically—rather her dross. Tailor-made of brown broadcloth, it fitted with marvellous smoothness a figure which rigid compression alone prevented from transgressing the modern rules of beauty. Beauty ? Heaven forbid the mark ! From the soutache-braided and much be buttoned costumo ehe lifted her eyes to the face above.

She uttered an exclamation of horror. To look like that on her wedding-day ' It was enough to disenchant a man even at the altar! Who would ever have Imagined a few sleepless niglit.i rauld have wrought such havoc ?

"Quick, Hilaria!" she cried. "Bring me that box of Blush Rose Bloom ! Just look at me ! Surely you could not think I would go out looking like this. lam ghastly !" " I did put on some of tho bloom, madam ! her maid declare;), dcpiecatingly. "You said it would do."

" Did I ? Well, I must hnvo boon dream ing. Tho powder you used must be good for nothing. Get mo tho Jacqueminot Glow —quick !" She snatched the gilt box her maid brought her, caught up the pouf and began to "fluff" the beautifying powder on her white cheeks.

" Madam !" And then she hesitated. "Well?" "Let me do it. You are using too much, Tho effect will not be natural."

The words arrested tho nervous hand. More intently tho bride-elect regarded her self in the glass. On tho brunette face, dark almost to swarthiness, the patches of starting colour showed ludicrously.

" You are right I" she said. She sank into a chair, resigning to Hilaria tho box whose contents wero warranted to renew youth and make the least lovely com plexions rival nature's rarest roses." " Yes, do it and be quick !" Bhe nodded, impationtly. "Make me look loss like a corpse than I did a few minutes ngo, and still less like an apoplectic inebriate than I do now."

Swiftly, deftly, with a practical hand she did as bidden.

11 There, madam." By the cold afternoon light she regarded herself again. She breathed a sigh of satisfaction. "Ah, yes! that will do! It's much better."

And it was. The soft, unexaggoratcd colour of the cheeks diod naturally away in to tho creamineas of the throat.

The clock on the mantel struck, then tinkled out in a gay little Swiss tune. " So lato ! I have no time to loao, Hilaria. Got mo my cloak, hat, gloves." There camo a knock at tho door. The maid remarked how her mistress started. Sho clutched hor by tho arm. " Remember, I am at homo to no one," sho whispered. " Mako no blunder —no one !"

" Yes, madam."

Sho went away, returning almost itnmo diately, boaring & small package, Mrs Charu looked relieved at sight of it. " Thoro was no visitor ? That is all ?"

"All, madam."

She took it, toro off tho wrappings. Within was a little trunk-slmpod morocco case. This sho opened. Inttido, on thu purplo volvot bod, sparkled a magnilicient pair of solitaire oar-rings, diamonds, each worth a email fortune.

There was no name or card, but, of course, sho knew tho donor. Ho was giving her these, wealth, position, but they were not enough. Something priceless beyond these must ho yotj surronder. And that last awful treasure must bo taken.

Sho could scarcely put in tbo brilliant stonos, her hands wore trembling so. From behind her bluo glasses her maid watched her.

Of lato ehe had learned little. Since thn night Mies Dorothy had .summoned her to bo hor companion on that visit to Voylo, Grimes had not called. Whether or not Mrs Charu had met him oLsewhere sho did not know.

In her spying she was at times a trifle clumsy. Bho was new at tho pursuit. That accounted for it. An experienced hand - ono of your bowitched dime novel detectives, for instance, who hoars two blocks off and sees through stono walls— would havo allowed no intercourse toescapo him. But Guila Grimes was nothing half so wonderiul. Sho was only a woman who was masquerading for an end, extremely timorous as to discovery, and apt to blunder. That lotters had passed between Grimes and Mrs Charu she knew. Of thoir con tents she was ignorant. Her mistress had heraolf awaited the ring of tho postman, read, and immediately thereafter burnod thorn.

During tho previous busy weok of shop ping, planning, sowing, a struggle had been going on in Hilaria's mind. Ought she im form Misa Dorothy of the approaching mar riage ? She had not visited Mrs Charu ; her namo had not boon montionod in the hearing of the maid, ho, presumably, the dear littlo lady was in tho dark as to the affair. But she had decided not to do no. Sho would know it soononough. Besides, tatt ling would most likoly lose her her place, civ o Miss Dorothy no ploasuro, and cause discord all round. No ; whatovor hor por aonu I aims, sho had no right to bring trouble on he t mistress, as such would assuredly be tho rtwult woro the fact of the engagement broken to the colonel's sister by her. " Is \'lio carriage bolow!" " Yos,. madam." " And ifcis—gracious ! ten minutes to six ! How do I. look, Hilaria V" "Charming, madam." And she- really did. Enveloped in a Russian circular of heavy Ottoman silk, the exact shade of tho gown it covered, and lined with costly fur, a becoming bonnet to match on hor dark hoad, a veil which protected but did not hido the cold, handsome, artist-' ically tinted face drawn smoothly over the same pretty chap«.iu, all combined to form I a costumo at onco isabduod, hannonioue, and elogant. "Do I? Goodbye." She nodded brightly, and went out of the room. ... Hilaria, standing in the window, as did at that samo hour, on l'rairio Avenue Miss Dorothy, watched her enter tho close carri age in waiting, and gazed after it as it rolled away.

(To be Continued.)

Scientific Straps.

j«ji tl, c spermaceti whale the teoth are fixed t 0 tho gum. Tho bumble-bee molts at least ton times before arriving at tho winged Btate. T)r. Klezko of Vionna has Buggested the us c of petroleum or paraffme as a puwerful p, cventive of cholera. ' Paper labels for acid bottles should be fas tened on with strong gluo and aftorward am "bed with melted paraffine. 1 ]he camphor laurel, a native of China, and ' the trco from which mist of tho cam' pha r of commerce is obtained, has been suc cee- f'ally sntroduood into California. C, yolitei, a mineral which b >-t great valu 9 iin tho potash manufacture, ,ias been disco v ered in the Yellowstone Park. Here tofore' it has been obtained only in Green- Scorpions and Bpiders properly feed upon the juice ' ot tbeir victims, after lacerating them witt * their jaws, yet fragments of in sects havt ■ been sometimes found in their At a mea f-ing of tne Academy of Scienceß at StockhoL ™. Professor Lundstrom exhib ited a fossil scorpion recently found near Wisbv in tht ' Silurian formation of Gotland, and ro'markal 'le as the moat ancient of an air-breathinc 1 inimnl ot present discovered. The K"hT ci nitted by insects, when ex amined Snder the spectroscope, is very beautiful, but . i» without dark or bright bands. When ft '« intensity diminishes the red and orango ™y8 disappear and the spectrum is reduced to yellow and green r!lA' meteor which was seen to fall near Odessa was found b V a peasant and proved to be a shapeless m ass of abollt eighteen pounds. Thore is n ry little known as to the nature or causes 0. ' meteors, despite the annual recurrence and observation of them in November.

Benefactors.-" Wieax * boara °. f f^, 1"??' physicians and chemiste t "n°™ce w d el k n ov£ covery that by combinVnqf so? e,^ iif,?,?^ valuable remedies a ukkSP °,u?d cure Siob a wiae Prange eoi dl^aaea' to >'."»' °" °^J remedies conldbe dispenasd: v «"th. many were sceptical, but proof of its DWrSJi I?' ?S*?K.S? has dispelled all doubted' » '«""^ ereraof thatjrreat raedjdOßi. I honoured ana blessed J>y al» I » benefaotora. Bead. t . _

HESTER.

"On ! Hal] t am so sorry ! I never thought

of fiiich a thin;; !"

"1 should think you might have known when a fellow was in earnest I've gone on with no end of other girls before, but this is the real genuine thing. You must have seen all this summer how I'vo worshipped the very ground you troi upon. kook here!" Hal dived into tho recesses of a coat pocket somewhere near the region of his heart, brought forth a small paper pack ago, and extracted from it a sharp fragment of white rock. Hester Gonway looked on with interest.

'' Quarti, isn't it V she a,-:ked gravely. He nodded. " You remember the picnic on Earricane Beach ? You picked that up

and gavo it to me because it -vrafl a bore to carry, and I have kept it ever sinco." Involuntarily Hester broko into a merry laugh, for sho knew that impetuous Hal had been in lovo fifty timos before, and would be fifty timos again. But for the moment he was desperately serious, and Hestor, repent ing, grew suddenly grave again. "Oh ! Hal ! how 1 wish it had boon something hotter worth keeping, and more—more com fortably portable IVay throw it away, and let us forget all this nonsenso." " Impossible !" Hal stalked gloomily along between the high banks of the shady Devonshire lane where the two were walk ing, and looked moodily at his boots. " I'm not a fellow to fall in love one day and out tho next, Hester ! You must have a heart as hard as this stone, or you'd listßn to me more kindly." A look of distress came over her sweet face ; she stopped and laid a hand upon his arm. "Dear Hal! forgive me for laughing. You chose such a funny keepsake! But, in deed, I can't give you any other answer." " Not if I try again next year ? I come of age next year." " No, Hal; I could never think of you in thi»t way." "Then there must be some other fellow I"

" To account, of course, for my rofusing anyone so extraordinarily fascinating as Mr Hul Lestor !" Hooter answered, laugh ing again ; but Hal was quick to perceive that she flushed to the very brow. Hie face fell.

" Well, I must make the best of it; but I envy thatothor fellow his good luck 1" Hal sighed heavily, a sigh strangely out of ac cord with his sunny face, ard the short silence which followed brought them to a turn in tho loug lane whore the paths of the two branched ap^rt,—Hester's, by a grass grown bridle-road, whose unkempt hedges were illuminated here and there with sprays of tlamo-colourcd bramble leaves, to the rec tory, hard by tho old church towor—Hal's, through the mass-ive gates of a broad car riage drive to tho stateiy mansion brimful of wealth and luxury to which he was sole heir. At that moment Hal felt ho would havo gladly oxchanged all—broad acres, house, and all tho chattels thereto apper taining for a " Yes " from tho lips of the girl who stood facing him, holding out her hand. " This must bo good-bye, as you lcavo to morrow. Wo aro friends still; are wo not, Hal ? And I hopo some day you will lind somo ono ever so much nicor than I am, who will boablo to love you as you deserve; and when you do, I will welcome hor as a sistor I Tho promiso was poor comfort to Hal, who could have disposed with such pas sionless regard, and who felt at that mo ment—and perhaps would feel for the spaco of a wholes week—a? though his life's happi ness wore wrecked forovor. He walked on, pondering, with some old suspicions ro vived within him. Could it be after all that she really cared about that fellow Guest.? and if so, why had «ho lot him go to Egypt when all Silvorcombo knew she had only to litt hor linger to have him at her feot? Hester, for her part, had ofton asked her polf tho same question. Alas ! f<ho did not know then, what sho hnd found out since, that her old playmate, Talbot Guest, was more to hoc than anyone else over could or would bo. It was tho old story :

How could I tell I should Iov« then to-day Whom itmtday 1 hold not dear I How could 1 know 1 should lovo dice away Wtaii I did not love thee uetir!

Not until sho had pent him away did Hester begin to lind out how insipid and colourless the routine ot daily lifowas with out him. But it was not too luto. Had ho not said ho should try again, and meantime make himself more worthy of her V Tho girl well romombered tho steadfast look in his sunny oyos as he hold her hand in a clasp which turned out to oo one of farowoll. Hester had left Silvercombe to visit some frionds directly afterward, and tho next nows sho hoard of herlovorwas tho notifica tion in " Tho Western Times ' 'thnt Captain Talbot Guest, Fourth Battalion of tho Devon Ritles, had l>eon appointed tocommnnd tho Egyptian Army, and was leaving Eng land immediately. That wan only last winter; but already, in her dreams, waking and Bleeping, Hester was picturing her hero's return from tho harvest of glory, bringing his sheaves with him to lay at her feet. Hal's pleadings this Novombor after norm hud rccallod thnt to her thoughts which -won never far away. With a rapid stop and n happy light in her fawn brown eyes, sho hurried homeward through tho gathering dusk. Tea—that intrusive after noon meal which we have all made so wel como to our hearths of lato—was already waiting when she. reached the roctory. The bright Httio kettle was steaming on tho fire, but her sisters had not roturnod. There was only tho rector in tho hall putting on

his ovorcoat. 11 Going out again, papa 1 You have only just como in I" cried Hester in surprise, for hor father usually hold this hour with the nowspppor (which only arrivod at tea time) sacrod from disturbance. "I am going on a sad errand, child. Thoso poor old people at Guostwycko !" Hester's heart stood still. She seemed to know everytiiing in a moment, and when hor father spoke again it was no news ho was tolling her. " Thero are terrible tidings from tho Soudan. What a world it is ! The son of their old ago, and such a son as Talbot Guest! There. I can't wait. Toko "Tho Standard " and read for yourself. I have to,go and broak the nows. Tho doctor's a coward in such things; and Lethbridge says it ie not his business, though ho hns managed all their affairs for forty yens. Tell Dora where I am gone. I may nnt bo homo till lato. Is tho trap ready, William?" Tho rector groaned to himself as ho mounted tho box-eeat and drove oil. But Hefltor never uttored a Bound. Silently she took up the newspaper and turned to tho telegrams. Dimstei in ''"* Soudan. Total defeat and annihilation of the expeditionary force. Hicks J'a^a and all hte staff slain. A fow linen told all that wok known. Tho docoy of the unsuspecting Gonoral into tho death ravine—tho ambuscade on tho heights—the throe days' agony of thirst under ceaseless, nitiless iiro-tlie survivors' story of tho doad soldier?, British and African, lying together on the bloody soil. Then followed a, list of tho officers of Hicks Pasha's staff. Hester glanced down the fatal columa till she came to this para- '"Captain Talbot Guest was an officer on the staff of Hicks Pasha, who greatly dis tinguished himself at the battle of Assalia early in tho year. He was the last surviving child and heir of John Guest, of Guest wveke in the county of Devon, and Mary, his wife, only daughter o£ Christopher Tal bot of Highleigh, Cumberland. Captain Guest was only twenty-six years of age, and an officer of great promise."

It'was late when the rector returned, tired and wet withhisride inthedrizzlingrain which was now falling fast-Devon fashion. A slight, dark figure, with a pale, deathly face "met him in the hall and silently took his dripping overcoat. Dora and Kathleen, tired of waiting, had gone off to bed. Only Hester remained to receive her father, bhe warmed his. flippers at the lire, and poured out the coffee she had kept hot fur mm, all with the same sereno impassibility. Her father cat down by the tire and stretched himself, and sipped the fragrant coffee beforo ho spoke. Hester waited silently. " 'Well, child ! I have had a sad time. Poor John Guest! He has seen four sons go before him, and now the old place must fall to strangers • Not that the mother thought of "that, poor thing! She brought out all Talbot's letters to show me, Hester, and told what a gnod son he had been to them, and praised him and wept; by turns. Not a word of repining or complaint. Their patience preached me a lesson, I tell you." Tho rector spoke fiercely, perhaps to hide his feelings, and swallowed down a lump which rose in his throat. "Oh ! by-theby, Mrs Guost wants you to co and see them. 'If you did not mind,' she said, so sweetly, so humbly, always thinking of others before herself." "When, papa I" Hester'B voice sounded strange and untuneful. " She U going to send the carnage for you to-morrow afternoon, !»nd hopei you will

to spend a night or two at Gnost wycko. You aro n good hand at eomfornog people, Hester. Do what, you can lor them." (Uiefltwynke iran .1 fino old Tudor manor house-, lying high abovo tlio river, which later on, after ranny s-indings, rushed through Silvercombe on its way seaward. It was built, of red sandstone, and was smothered twice a year in purple wistaria blossom. But the flowers had faded and gone now like everything cheerful about the place; the windows were veiled as Hester drove up, the silence seemed to speak audibly of the calamity which had befallen. How many happy hours Hester had apent there in the old times never to come again ! How many a warm welcome had she received in the dim old hall wnicn was the glory of the manor house ! Now she was drawn silently into an embrace almost convulsive in its fervour, and, blinded with fast-falling tears, was led into the darkened library. " The eood child has come, John. Here she is !" Mrs Guoat took Heater's hand in hers and drew her to the fireside, where the master of the house sat in his great leathern chair. Ho was older than his wifo by many years, but the storms of life had failed to ruffle the serenity of the fine old face; fchoso aristocratic, cloar-cut features wore stamped with the impress of a noble mind. . _ Grief confors strange dignity. .Hester felt awed aa though in a royal presence as sho sat between her kind old friends. Hers were the only tears that fell, for the font of sorrows soon runs dry in aged eyes. But the sight of the girl's sweet face saddened by^heir grief—for the simple old_ couple never guessed at her own share in it seemed a comfort to the poor parents in these first days of their loss. From childhood Hester Conway had been a frequent visitor at Guestwycke, and sweet, cad memories lurked for her at every corner. Up and down the shady avenue Talbot had led her old pony when he first 4 taught her to ride—upon the shining boaches of the river rippling below—dull now, and grey with the gloom that was everywhere this dreary November. They had |floated lazily through summer afternoons ; on this very shady bank they had lingered last autumn when he had asked her to be his wue. What issues—though she knew it not—had doponded upon her answer. One word from her, and Talbot would have staid to be the comfort of his parents, and in good time to play liis part in life as master of Gueatwycke, an honest country squire like his father betore him. And now Hester felt that his death lay at her door ! She pictured him toiling, tired and athirst, across the arid desert, thinking of her as he rode wearily on. 81i<j pictured the three days' fighting face to iuw with Death in that terrible ravine amid the thunder of guns from the height above, runid thirst, and wearinesß, and despair, till the merciful messenger brought its almost welcome sum mons. Or did ho fall early in the battle ? and was that beloved head with ita dark curls trampled in desert dust by friend and foe ? 'Oh, it was too horrible! And it was sho who had goaded him away from his «afe, peaceable life at Guestwycke—goaded him to his doom ! Should she ever dare confess as much to the poor parents who mourned the son of their old age? Hoster felt almost guilty in recoivine their caresses. If they had but known I She crept away into solitude whonever it was possiblo, to woop her heart out in miserable solfre proach. She had not thought it possible to onduro griof more bitter than eho sufferod during thoso two days at Guostwycko, but lior cup, an it seomed, was not yet full.

While tho mourning parents at Guest

wycke wont heavily, and Heater's sorrow sought relief in tears, a strange piece of poseip was convulsing the littlo world of Silvorcoinbo. The rector's William had it from the ostlor at the Red Dragon, w!no had it from the kitchen-maid whose mother chared for all the best families, who had it from Mrs Tracy's own maid Maria, who suroly ought to know whether hor mistroßS wero ongugod or not! And engaged itap iioarodeho was—or rather had been since the poor gentleman was dead—to Captain Talbot Guest of Guostwycke. And that Maria would ewear to, for hor mistress had told her co with hor own lips ! And wore not mistress nnd maid both busy as bees stitching away at the mourning, bosides what was ordered from Exeter for better most wear ? The breathloss oxeitcment among the people of Tahiti when their King Pomaro instituted Christianity by cutting up and oating the saorod turtle—the sensations which stirred tho simplo islanders of Hawaii as Queen Knpiolani, descending to tho brink of tho fiery orator, plucked a hand ful of Polo's consecrated berries—could not well have exceeded tho commotion created in Silvercombe as this piece of news ran like n. magnetic current through Maria and her gossips, and finally by way of tho rector's William, who served as conductor, to the gentry of tho village Mrs Tracy was a pretty young widow, who in pocial lifo had lately proved herself a formidable rival to the Silvercombo girls of less exporienco. She had established horself some twelve months since in tho best apartments tho primitive little place afforded, aud seemed in no hasto to quit them, though it was understood that she was meroly on tho wing to other climes. What share hor interest in Captain Guest had in detaining her at Silvercombe was bent known to horsolf; but, however well founded had boon hor hopes of ona day reigning at Guestwycko as his wife, they wero now shattered for over. But tho fact of the conquest alone increased her import ance immensely in Silvercombo society. The charming young widow had of course been accredited with vague aspirations matritnonywards, but that she should have aimed so high and brought down her bird. • • • Silveroom.be could not recover its astonishment. Public opinion had always hitherto destined Hester Conway for the heiress of Gnestwycko, but now it underwent a change. People felt how impossible it was that Hester, with all her sweet grace and gentle dignity, should over have aspired to rival Mm Tracy's matiirer, moro astutely managed charms. i'ho Hester who returned from Guest wycko at tho end of the week, pale and wini with dark rings encircling hor beaati ful f'uwn iiko oyea, pointed tho contrast all tho mow pfcKiiigly. As usual, tho person luoet concerned was tho last to hear the iirtws which had been worn threadbare with

<li«-.uK-«io!i during her two duyn' absence. To her sister's surprise sho received it with total incredulity. " I don't believo it!" sho said bluntly, turning suddenly upon Dora with a palo, proud faco.

" My dear Hester, she' says so herself ! Suroly nho ought to know. And, indeed, when we come to think of it, they were a great deal together while you were away the early part of last winter, before he went abroad," " It's uncommonly strange ; but she bos actually put on mourning for him, so of course it mußt bo true," supplemented Kathleen. "Poor Talbot! You know wo used to tease you about him at one time, Hester; indeed, all Silvercombe thought—" "Good-night. You must tell me the news to-morrow; lam too tired to talk to night. Please send me up a cup of tea pre sently ; I won't come down again." Hester took up her wraps with her usual quiet dignity, and, head erect, marched up stairs. If she were wounded, none should know. But she was not wounded. No such false report should destroy her faith in Talbot, her lover, alive or dead ! The girls had made a mistake. It could not be true ! Next morning, Sunday, she cased herself as it were in armour of proof, and went off to church. In her quiet corner, hidden from the congregation by the old carved pulpit, eho was not pained by glances of either wonder or pity, nor by the sight of Lorette Tracy in her fashionable mourning, wiping away an occasional tear with a black-bordered handkerchief. But un ordeal awaited her when the servico was over. As she omcrgod by the chancel door, intending to escape the üßual greetings in the churchyard, and steal quietly homo by tho privato path to the rectory, she was waylaid by a graceful figure in trailing black robes, who stood barring her way with out stretched hands. "Dear Hester! Iho very person I most wanted to see ! You were at Guestwycke yesterday. Do tell me how are tho dear old people. You know, of course."—with a keen glance at Hester's pale face—" you know the tie which binds us together? You have heard that poor Captain Guest and I .. • " She paused, a pause sug gesting uncontrollable emotion, and pass ino- a handkerchief lightly over her eyes. " I know you say you were engaged to him, if that is what you mean, Mrs Tracy," Hester answered bluntly, trying to disen gage the hand which the widow retained in " We kept our secret well, I think," Mrs Tracy faltered gently, "but now I have thpugh,t it right to let his parents know all

that passed between v?, and how [dear he was to mo."

Hoster, wrapped in hoy panoply of proud rosorve, bowed wilh gravn mdi (Terence, and made as though plio would [i.isr on. "I hnvo begged for an interview directly they are able to bear if. Meantime it has been such a relief to know you were with them—you who knew my poor Talbot so well , . . !" Hester wrenched away her hand quits fiercely. "Excuse me, Mrs Tracy—my father is waiting." The torture was more than she could bear. There were limits to endurance; and though she mistrusted Lorette Tracy, and her heart clung obstin ately ; to its belief in Talbot's fidelity, her reason was beginning toyield. What if the report were true? Who could blame him if, hurt at her cold rejection, he had consoled himself elaowhere, and carried his suit where it would find more ready hear ing ? If only it had been anyone else I Hester moaned in her despair.

The girl had left the manor house with a promise to repeat her visit to Talbot's parents as soon as possible. It had been arranged between them that the rector should drive her over one morning early in the following week, and leave her to spend a long day with her friends. Hester for her part burned with a feverish impatience to find horself once more at Guestwycke. Perhaps amid the old scenes her fuith in Talbot would revive, and this horrible conviction which was forcing itself upon her would loosen its hold. Alas ! poor Hester ! Upon her arrival at Guestwycke on Tues day morning, she found the quiet household stirred into gentle commotion. A fire burned in the largo, seldom-used drawing room ; freshly-cut hot-house flowers were disposed about the tables. Mrs Guest came to meet her in a strange flutter of excite ment, though with the usual affectionate welcome. "My dear! You have heard the news! How little I guessed it when we last talked together! Mrs Tracy comes to us this afternoon—we could not do lees than ask her here—she who would have been our poor boy's wife." The old lady's lips quivered. She made her young visitor sit beside her on the old-fashioned couch, and began unfastening her wrapa with trembling fingers. " Dear Hester ! you will not mind driv ing back in the sociable this evening ! The barouche must go for Mrs Tracy ; wo must show her every honour for Talbot's sake; or, better Btill" —with a sudden happy inspiration—" won't you stay a few days and help us entertain her?" " No, no, impossible I Hester broke out, smitten with sharp and sudden pain. Mrs Guest turned with a mild surprise in her bright old eyes. " My dear ! I would not press you against your will. You have many duties and en- : gagements, I know." Hester recovered herself with an eflort. "Dear Mrs Guest! I am always so happy here 1 Some day when you are alone again. One visitor at a time will be enough for "Ah, well! it seems all so strange. If Talbot had but trusted us with his secret! Did yon never suspect it, Heßter? You and my poor boy were always friends; in deed, I once hoped—" passing her hand caressingly over the girl's auburn hair— " but it was not to be." ~ . , , Hester writhed under the kind touch which almost broke down her composure. She could not speak a word. " You know this lady, I think, my dear, Mrs Guest went on. " Tell me, what is she like? Pretty? Gentle? Well-mannered? " Oh ! don't ask me I" poor Hester broke out in uncontrollable agony. Her over charged heart seemed bursting with pain. Then in stifled voice: " I know-so little— about her." „ . , , "I am not fond of strangers,' sighed Mrs Guest. ~ _ . "I wish you could have Bteid, Hester— but of courso she is very nice, and we are sure to like her; dear Talbot's choice I the mother consoled heiself softly. As Hester, in the humble sociable, readied the or,d of the drive that afternoon, the re turning Darouchs dashed in at the great gates of Guestwycke. The groom who was driving her pulled up to make way for it, and its occupant, Mrs Tracy, loaned Jer ward with a bow and a smile. A smile of triumph, Hester thought bitterly. And tins was the rival who had supplanted her, who was to take her place ot Gueutvvycke as the child of the house. It had been some comfort to her sore heart to think sho could bo of use to Talbot s dear ones. To cherish and care for them—to nU the place he had left empty-what else was left to her ? Poor Hester covered her face, and in her loneliness and humiliation broke into a flood of tears. The blow had fallen so heavily, sweeping away all at once not only the peaceful present, the hopeful future—it was the pa«t also, the past with all its memories which had vanished in an hour.

A telegram was thrußt into Hester's hand as she presently crossed the rectory threshold ; a summons from her eldest sister, Mrs Ormsby. Hester always thought after ward it must have been by her good angel's special provision that measles made its appearance in the Ormsby household just at this particular time. She obeyed the rathor incoherent telegram, and flew to Taunton to her sister's help. Mrs Ormsby had five little ones, who all succumbed in turn, and kept Hester's hands full as she elided from one bedside to another, smooth ing tho pillows under feverish little heads, or carrying cooling drinka to parched lips, or answering appeals from fractious conva lescents. ... .., Janet was a motherly sort of body, with no conception of any world beyond her nursery, nor an idea that it was possible for Hester to have any interests beyond a brew of black-currant tea, or the spreading of a linseed poultice. At times Hester scarcely thought so either. The clamour ing little voices and the steam from bron chitis kettles shut out bitter thoughts and painful memories. They faded into the dim distance in face of the absorbing necessity for seeing that Jack did not take cold, and that Mysie did take nourishment. Those two cost the mother and aunt many a wakeful night of nursing, long after the robuster ones were safely convalescent. Perhaps it was no wonder that as tho strain relaxed and the care-taking grew less arduous, Aunt Hester should droop and lose her bright colour. Although Janet was so comfortably unobservant, sho could not help noticing it. Of course it was the want of sleep and the warm rooms. Hester was always such a one for air. She must come with them to the seaside and recover tone. So a week later found thorn all wandering over tho sands at Morthoe, an out-of-tbe way corner of the world after Hester's own Long before this, people had quite left ofl talking about tho disaster in the Soudan. The news was some weeks old now, and so many things had happeded since. Only at Morthoo a sad and silent woman moved through life with nil the hope crushed out of her. Could she only have know for certain that she had a right to weep ! If but for one moment Talbot could have come back from the realms of peace to tell her the truth ! Was he hers still or that other's ? Hester felt she could have borne it better. A wild longing, which was almost a prayer, would come over her sometimes as she wandered on the rugged shore washed by the wild Atlantic ; and she would scarcely have been surprised to see the familiar form of him who had been her lover—yes, once! thank Heaven for that! step forth from out the shadow of these weird rocks, with the farewell smile still on his lips and the love-light in his eyes. While they were still at Morthoe one morning,—a morning which Hester Conway will never forget- a letter and newspaper were carried up on the tray with the early cup of tea which Bho took invalid fashion, upstairs. Dora's letters were not wont to be exciting, and Hester opening it read with rather languid interest, till she came to this strange paragraph : « " I send you a paper with an account of the rejoicings at Guestwycke on Talbot's re turn. All went off well (we were there, o! course), and the poor old people's quiet happiness was a sight to see. Isn't it a strange, romantic kind of story ! The hero of the day asked particutarly after you, and seemed rather annoyed at your absence. I did not dare mention poor Lorette to him. Don't you laugh over her imposture? If Talbot had not turned up again the truth would actually never have been known at all! Mrs Tracy was staying with friends at Exeter whenthe news of Talbot's safety reached Guestwycke. Mr Guest sent her a telegram at once, and the very next day Lorette wrote to her landlady here, throw ing up her rooms and ordering all her belongings tobesenttoheratExeter directly. It Beems she doeß not intend to show her faceinthisneighbourhoodagain. Ofcours?, you won't be surprised to hear that Talbot's good father and mother have quite forgiven hen, and pai4 the month/6 bill she left 1 owing-"

Hester put her hand to her bond in dazed bewilderment. Wan flio dreaming ? Had Dora lost her senses ? Or was it possible— barely possible— Slit) took i;er lettoi1, and without cvqn waiting to coil up t.lio auburn hair which rippled over her shoulders, rn?hed tn her sister's room.

"Janot! I have heard from Dora. What does she mean? Was the report about Captain Guest untrue? Did he escape ? " " My dear, there was no need to escape. Luckily for him he was safe at Khartoum on sick leave all the time. Didn't I tell you? His mother sent you a message. Perhaps I forgot to deliver it. Ah ! I remember now ; it was the day Mysie was so ill!" "I heard nothing of it until this moment." Then—very low—with down bent head: "And Lorette Tracy, .Janet, was that tale false, too ?" Mrs Ormsby laughed heartily. "Oh! Dora has been telling you the denouement ol that story, has she ! It seems her engage ment was all a fabrication. Ingenious, wasn't it? She would never have been found out, either, if her supposed fiance had not come to life again so opportunely ! Mac did laugh when I told him about it. He always rather admired Mrs Tracy. Now, Hester, help mo to think. Had I better order a tapioca or sago for tho chicks to-day '! Mya'n' likes sago beat, but Jack " Domestic details such as these, however,

had no power to invade tho dreamland where Hester was wandering this morning. She evaded tho children, and as soon as she could, hurried away by herself to carry her joy where she had carried her sorrow—to the lonely shore. The purple sea was sparkling and dancing under the bluest of Devon skies ; the white foam was throwing a lace mantle over the lower levels of the jagged rocks, and leap ing over higher and higher towards the white quartz pinnacles which crowned them. Nature with strange sympathy had shed a sunshine and brilliance over all the beauti ful bay. Hester, well-wrapped, sat long and contentedly under shelter of a great brown iron-stone giant looking out on tho sparkling waters, till a shadow fell upon tho book lying so uselessly upon her lap. It was Col. Ormsby'B daily habit to conn; and escort her home, and being still but feeble, for her spirits were u-weary, she had beon glad of her kind brother-in-law's strong arm to help her up the cliff. But today a new courage bracsd her limbs. She looked up with a smile, one of her old smiles. "I can do without an arm to-day, Mac," she was beginning, but the words died on her lips. The new-comer was even taller and broader than Mac. His moustache bristled fiercely, and he was bronzed by desert suns to the tint of an Arab chief. " Mac has sent a deputy today, Hester,' he said, smilingly. She remained dumb in trembling surprise, utterly unable even to gasp out a welcome. But perhaps the light in her ejes spake for her, for Talbot Guest threw himself down beside her and seized her hands. . , "Oh, Hester! You at least might have known mo better !" Then, as still she did not speak: "Hester?" very wistfully, " Hester—l have not changed . . !" "But I have," she whispered, softly. And in another moment her head lay on his shoulder (they were so safely out of sight), and this bold wooer, whom Lorette had claimed for her own, was holding her again&t his heart in a clasp which dehed a world to take her from him. Colonel Ormsby and his wife walking down to the shore later, met the pair climb ing the cliff together, a pretty impersona tion of Love's Young Dream. Hester, who found that fihe did need support after all, leant on Talbot's arm, while he, tall, bronzed and soldier-like, was looking down tenderly into her fair face half-hidden by a wind-blown tangle of auburn curls. She had been tolling shyly, with hushed breath, of the Via Dolornsa her feet had so lately trodden, and listening with pitiful tears in her sweot eyes to his tale of the dangers he bad passed, and of the short, sharp, merci ful illness which had been a blessing in disguise. Mrs Ormsby looked at her hus band significantly. Hester's brother-in-law gave an expres sive whistle, and began to hum under hie breath : " Oh! there's nothing half so sweet in life ..." Both guessed what had happened, and were ready with their good wishes. But the warmest congratulations came from Guestwycke, where John Guest and his good wife' soon had the |joy of welcom ing a daughter-in-law after their own heart. We may be sure that the flowers bloomed brightly, aud the place wore its gravest as pect for this visitor who camo to take up her abode there for good and all. " It is what we always wished, Hester," said Mrs Guest, her bright old eyes sinning with happiness. " I never could take to that Mrs Tracy, e*en before she turned out an impostor." "Hu3h! my dear!" reproved her husband, gently. " Hester knows how much we love her," taking his new daughter's hand in his and patting it affectionately ; " and I think that there need be no ill-feeling !"—" The Argosy."

Extracts from Geo. Eliot's Letters.

These are a few pregnant sentences from George Eliot's letters :-" On old age : I wonder if you all remember an old governess of mine who used to visit me at Foleshill—a Miss Lewis ? I have found her out. She is

living at Leamington, old, but cheerful, and so delighted to be remembered with grati tude. How very old we are all getting ! But I hope you don'tmind it any more thanldo. One sees so many contemporaries that one is well in the fashion. The ap proach of parting is the bitteraess of age." "On living at home and abroad: Sunlight and sweet air make a new creature of me. But we cannot bear now to exile ourselves from our own country, which holds the roots of our moral and Bocial life. One fears to became selfish and emotionally withered by living abroad, and giving up the numer ous connections with fellow countrymen and women whom one can furthor a little towards both public and private good." "On the responsibility of success: Even success needs its consolations. Wide effects are rarely other than superficial, and would breed a miserable scepticism about one's work if it were not now and then for an earnest assurance, such as you give me, that thero are lives in which the work has done something 'to strengthen the good and mitigate the evil.'" 1H" On gambling tables : I am not fond of denouncing my fellow-sinners, but gambling being a vice I have no mind to, it stirs my disgust even more than my pity. The sight of the dull faces bending round the gaming tablos, tho raking up of the money, and the flinging of the coins toward the winners by the hard-faced croupiors, the hateful, hideous women staring at the board like stupid monomaniacs—all this seems to me the mostabject presentation of mortals grasping after something called a good that can be eeen on the face of thi3 little earth. Bur glary is heroic compared with it. I get some satisfaction in looking on from the sense that the thing is going to be put down. Hell is the only right name for such places." " Tho late Mr Fawcett: If Cara values the article on Strikes in the ' Westminster Review,' she will be interested to know—if she has not heard it already—that the writer is blind. I dined with him the other week, and could hardly keep the tears back as I eat at table with him. Yet he is cheer ful and animated, accepting with graceful quietness all the minute attentions to his wants that his blindness calls forth. His name is Fawcett, and he is a fellow o' Trinity Hall, Cambridge."

The Bad and Worthless.

are never imitated or counterfeited. This ia especially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as It had been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best, and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up, and began to steal the notices in which the Press and the people of the country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and in every way trying to induce suffering invalids to use their Btufl instead, expocting to make money on the credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up in similar style to H. 8., with variously devised names, in which the word " Hop or "Hops" were used in a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or ourcs, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those with the word "Hop1 or " Hops " in their name, or in any way connected with them or their name, are Imitations 01 counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Use nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a bunch or cluster of green Hops on the white label, and Dr. Soule's name blown in the glass. Trust nothing else. Druggists and Chemists are warned against dealing in Imitations or counterfeit*.

Bismarck's Manner of Speaking and Mode of Showing Anger.

He is no elegant orator, rather tho contrary, but lie can load a debate liko no one olso. Only a few days ago he .spoko pevp.n times in one afternoon, each time with moro energy and spirit, proving that his health, is indeed restored. Several mombers had already spokon, and the House was still empty, when suddenly members filed in from all the doors, and the benches began to fill. A rumour had been circulated that Bismarck would appear, and shortly after ward a narrow door near tho President's chair opened, and tho tall figure entered. Suddenly soft bells are heard in all parts of the House. The electric bells in the reading room, in the committee rooms, and in the journalists' rooms are sounded to announce the arrival of the Chancellor, —ho has shown that he will speak presently, lor with one of his pencils, more than a foe* long, ho has noted down something on tho loose quarto sheets before him, -with letters notlesg than an inch deep, and this is a safe sign that he intends to speak. The President bows to him, and Prince Bismarck rises to " tako tho word." He is certainly more than six feet high ; over his powerful chest and broad shoulders rises a strangely rounded, well-shapod head of enormous dimensions, and with no hair upon it, so that it looks like a dome of polished ivory. Thick white brows hang over hia eyes like two icicles. Those browu give his face a dark and frowning expression, and the look which glistens in hia eyes is cold and somewhat cruel—at lea3t in Par« liament. His moustache is also thick and grey, and conceals the mouth entirely. Tha whole face is covered with folds and wrinkles, broad rings surround his eyes, and even his temples are covered with small wrinkles. When he begins to speak the colour of his face changes from pale to red, and grad j ually assumes a light bronze shade which gives his powerful skull the appearance of polished metal. It is a surprise to hear Bismarck speak for the first time. Tha soft, almost weak, voice is out of all propor tion with his gigantic frame. It sometimes becomes so soft that wo fear it will die out altogether, and when ho has spoken for awhile it growa hoarso. Tho Chancellor sometimos speaks very fust, sometimes very slowly, but never in a loud tone. Ho has no pathos whatever. Some of hia most remark able words, which in print look as if they had been spoken with full force, as if they must have had the effect of a sudden thun derbolt on the audience, are in reality emitted in an ordinary tono of well-bred conversation.

Personal attacks upon his enemies are spoken by Bismarck with ironical politenes?, and in such an obliging tone as if they concealed the kindest seutiments, But if his anger cannot be heard, it can bo seen ; his face gradually grows red, and the veins on his neck swell in an alarming manner. When angry he usually grasps the collar off his uniform, and poems to catch for breath. His brows are lowered still more, co that his eyes are almost invisible. His voice grows a shade louder, and has a slight metallic ring in it. The sentences drop from his lips in rapid succession. He throws back his head, and gives his face a hard, stony expression. But it is difficult to discern when hia anger is real and when it is artificial. Tlte Chancellor baa been soon trembling with rage, and more like the elements let loose than like anything else. Once, when he thought that the word '|Fie!" had been said by one of the Opposition party, he had one of bis attacks, which would have silenced the House had every ono been speaking at once. With trembling nostrils, with his teeth firmly set, with eyes that emitted fire, and clenched hands, he jumped from his place to the Bide where the word had sounded. If apologies and explanations had not been offered, who knows how this soene might have ended ? But except upon such rare occasions, Bismarck the orator is always a well-breii man. He does not bawl nor shout any part of his speeches, but while giving them their full share of pointed sarcasm, he always maintains the form of a political coirvcrsa between gentlemen. He has a method o£ his own for waging war with his opponents. He regards his opponents' speech as a ball of wool, the last sentence'spoken being the end which lie takes in hand first, and with, which he begins to unwind the whole) speech as he would unwind the ball of wool. But it is easy to see that while his tongue, is speaking his spirit is far in advance of it. He hesitates in his speech, then suddenly recalls himself and puts forth a number of clear thoughts, which it is easy to see occurred to him at the moment.

One of the great charms of Frinco Bismarck's speeches is that ho uovor follows any given form or method, but that all ha says is inspired at the moment. He oom« mands humour and sarcasm to a high degree, and often at a time when they are least expected, so that oven his bitterest enemies are not rarely moved to laughter by hia words.—" London Daily News."

How Often Should a Man Eat?

There is a difference in the time of digestion between one meat and another, and between different conditions of the same meat. Raw beef disappears from the stomach in about two hours, the same boiled takes threo hours, while thoroughly roasted beef is not' digested until four hours have elapsed. ' If the different varieties of meat are arranged in the order of time in which they disappear, their order of solubility will be something as follows:— Boiled. Tripe 1 hour. Turkey 2£ „ Beef 3 „ Mutton 3 „ Fowl 4 „ Pork 4 „ Roast. Venison 2 „i ' . Goose 2J „ > ■:■: Mutton 3J „ Fowl ... 4 „ . Beef 4 „ When it is considered that meats of all kinds are digested quicker than vegetable foods, it ia pretty clear Ihat ah ordinary meal, whether it be breakfast or dinner, will not be fully digested under six hours; therefore if breakfast should be at 8 a.m., the "system, physiologically considered, requires nothing before 2 p.m., and a third meal will not be necessary before 9 p.m. The activity of business and professional men is mainly exercised between ten in the morning and five in the evening; a midday meal involves loss of important time to such persons; a hearty breakfast and a " snack " in tho middle of the day, with a good six o'clock dinner, is a common-sensa system of feeding which agrees well with the majority.

I have nothing to say in favour of the old four daily meals—breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper. Besides the wasto of tune, the organs are never permitted to rest; before one load of pabulum is disposed of, down comes another on top of the first. Soups and sauces, sweets and bitters, hot drinks and cold, surfeit the mucous membrane. The great glands, fatigued with the never ceasing work, are liable to strike and take themEelvesthe repose which has been denied. Simplicity of diet has been proached; the prophet eating the locust bean and wild honey—the Hindoo with his rice—no mad races living on cheese, milk, and goafs flesh, have been held up as examples worthy of all admiration. The poor, the uncivilised, and those who would rend the body for the soul's faults, use, from necessity or choice, simple diets ; but as a rule when man can got a complicated diet he oats it. A man in this climate, to do what he baa to do well, requires to have at least twice a day a certain amount of complicated pabulum floating down the intestinal canal, and the amount must be a little in excess of what tho body requires. The reason why the diet should be cf a complex character ia because if several kinds of albuminous mat ter are present, and one fails to bo digested, another succeeds ; if several kinds of fat are present, if one is unabsorbod another is token up. And the reason why there should be an excess of nourishment taken is because, the digestive organs aro never perfect; there is always waste.

It must not be too rashly concluded that) because (hose persons aro aa a rulo in tha best state of physical and mental health who take a generous diet, who eat of many kinds of meat, of many kinds of vegetables, and several varieties of starches, that the sump tuous banquets of public and private hospitality are beneficial. Quite the contrary. Here complexity reaches an absurb and dangerous excess. Tho oye, tho noso, tha ear, and the palate, dazzled with fair sights, stimulated by delicious odours, charmed with music, and vitiated with variety o£ flavour, aro all submitted to such a mitrailleuse of temptation that only strong minded persons can resist taking very much more both to eat and to drink than is either necessary or good. Here, as In most other things, tho raiddlo course is the safest—to eat, not to gorge; to drink, not to pwill; to aim at satiety, not repletion,-—" Leisure " for V ebruft«7,

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1885.

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