VELLA VERNELL: OR, AN AMAZING MARRIAGE.

Ry Mrs Spmotr Hayden,

Author of "Little GoWto." I'nc Midnight JlorrlMta." "MWUUne," etc., etc.

CHAPTER XVI.

" I DID FOKQKT !" " Till now thy soul has beca All Rlad and Ray: Bid it awaKe and look At Kriaf to day. A. Proctor. .'Akd now, my dear> how is tllis Soin^ to end? That's what I'd liko to know." Half nn hour had elapsed, and tho first excitement of the meoting was over. Aunt Dorothy's valise had beon oagorly depleted 4 Dre6 to I—a transformation. Whero had (ood bluo-suited, Btraw-hattod, fagged looking Rob Henderson, was a slender, rose lipped young i*ly, clad in a street costume of lnstrolcss black silk, a dainty wreath bonnet of, English daisies on lier pretty golden head, long ocru siteacs on lier slim binds.

One of thwo she had just linishcd button ing whonherau.it, spoke. •'To end? I have no fear of that," dancing up with a charmino smile. * Voylo has probably givou Mr Clallin tho dip ere this. As for mo, Marc will be hack soon, and—" She did not conclude. There wa» no teed. Mare would bo back soon. That aid all. Mies Vornell sighed and shook her head. ,'My pot, you talk like a child. \ es, you do. What else are you, anyway, but a bijr overgrown baby! In this wonderful irorid you see no one—nothing—savo your lover. With your marriage, doubt, anxiety, all are at an end. The roraaneo of Bioh a state of mind is ontrano ing, but tho common sense—Vella, where is tlw'comraon sense!" Volla, with one positive little linger on the last button, stopped in amazement. "Auntie I"1 "My dear, Marc is out of town. Ho may to way f°r several days lougor. Even were he here, you oould not go to him. Ho must seek you." A bright colour flamed into Vella's cheek. "Aunt Dorothy, you know mo bettor. Yon—" "Yes, yes," hastily. " I didn't mean to ink anything of the sort, dear. But till ho tloca return where will you stay ? You can hutdly come home. Of course, your uncle nillknow of tho deception sooner or lator, tat you cannot be his informant. Again— 111 nervous about Voylo. After such a nriwi escapade as this he, no mora than mjirereturn. James's temper is terrible vksHoused, and you know what a piece ofi/Mmite Voyle is. A look, a word, and idiibUxo. I would not have those two pallor worlds. And what tho lad U going (odoto keep his head above water is what bwblea mo.

Telia looked grava. It was more serious than lha had thought. "We have both had some money in bonk, jon know—just a little, the aggregate of trilii put there by us when wo formed some quixotic achorne last winter and grew suddenly economical. I drew Voyle's thia Doming. They thought I was ho. Mine is ttire yet. It is more than Voyle's—l think between five and six hundred. I will mite you an order—the cashier knows you, \'A you must try and get it out. As soon UfldbooTer Voyle's whereabouts we shall giri or tend it to him. He will be cure to ijlmknow. How will that do ?"

"The amount is insignificant, but may prova enough to ward off want till he finds congenial employment. But the first ques tion ia not yet settled. Where are you gilsgl" There waa a brief silence.

"I would have said to Mrs Sylvia's," Vella declared, slowly, " were it not that she did sot come to ma to-day in answer to my Utter, nor in any manner reply to it, though liruastured it had reached her."

"Yon could not dream of going to any one in Chicago," Miss Vernell interposed la hurried decision. "Where then!" "Is ft posiible you don t know ? Your uuitajpU published in every paper in this dtjttus morning 5" vdlaivUtnM. She grasped a chair for inpport, Hwmarriage ! Published ! And eTeiy soul of ler acquaintance would knoir it-thlnk thty knew all—discuss her —titwtk affair like a dubious picture in metwt lighie, and regard it critically in tteh. Tie {nought was monstrous ! "Who dared;" she gasped. "Yourimcle sent the notices last night. Jon forget, dear, he did deliberately no "rang, That Vella Vernell had. married Jrow Claflin was, and is, an undeniable kito Mm."

"Vms I did forgot that!" She sat down trembling still. Ah, as i»t Dorothy had said, what.would the imltiof that wild impulse bo —what? Upon her mind began to crowd vague Iw, misgivings ; no ray, though, of the Wh of. the desolate hours to be, of the ■Wiggle between love and honour, of the WineM, the misery, the yearning, the wit-ache; of this terrible truth, no Itotet dawning. JAh, truly indeed, is the future's veil 7^9 hand of the Angel of Mercy woven I

CHAPTER XVII.

" WHERE SnALL I GO ?"

Alonswho jonrnoying dropathe rom in haste. .Manse a chasm doth yawn across his way, imWilefor leaping, and too stoeply faced , For climber to essay- Sol Ming oheoked, am with my path at strife!" INGELOW. 'Ii seemed—it seemed so easy !" she went M>a6r head drooping, her hands nervously duping and unclasping. "In fact, it Wned the only way at the time. I know MI hard uncle was—how inexorable. It HI foiled on me like a lightning-stroke as M talked yesterday morning. I said to jW»:' We are co much alike. Perhaps I'*m for this very reason Heaven made us »-to help one another. I can take bis Pwj-peraonate him ; it will be for only a waoars, and there can be no danger, and "Will Mospe.' I did not pause to think of »»Mnplieationß which might arise, of all Uldttger passible." •"y poor lamb!" murmured compas •tato Aunt Dorothy. And when once the rash purpose had »«« root," she wen ;on, tremulously, PIIBJ and artifices were suddenly clear as Jtfwnw. Iknewtheeuit Voylehad worn ?' d*y he was arrested -one of blue S* 'In his clojot hung that of last 5™ w-more worn, but otherwise similar, •■Ma to whom Toyle's every change and "£J:ot raiment wa? not familiar would ™w notice the difference. I—you can IW»rtat It did, Aunt Dolly." ■JfW put it on I" whispered Miss Vernell, 59r™y» mach as she would have spoken "waerhad just been confessed the crime

Jt»«t desperate!" with sudden vehem- WMnicioin of the shock the dear, pru '3, twit-laced little old sonl had re »-i" 11? aU Beemed so unfair, so unjust, "£«i» Dolly, if you had j ust one brother, Wyou loved dearly, wouldn't you do ,!*"W W8 same to save and aid him— "Won't you?" Jf? Dorothy looked down on the eager EL*'"Shted yonng eyes," and before H«» mother face yW curia and a brow of snow." %*»u ! Bha had loved him dearly, and TWOM-yea, she would have masquer- Bi*'J ye Wm from ignominy. And so S.™B'r'i with a gasp wrung from tjjfuw wrench of a remorseless Puritan .gjjyon to ia the cell I just slipped off :MS™ 1 i»»™ over the suit, and Voyle •JUni on* rem<>ving his clothes. It tor"* yeaterday, you remember, so I *»£wL M jther HuMj«d wrap. This *Sn? l ,dlsß uise him. My thick veil over the little dose black S'^^wore. I had taken the pre -1 "toW W to brine robbe"- I" these his >»W i notioed' J furSOt nothing- Hilß*?* . You know yourself how ton n ?uise<" *>£**rd*!°^, fl«ng npher hand, palms ■**MwX, Wd the whites °* her 17 el ra! My child-y°n «tt9andtoUm yv?,eUnBB- Mrs Charu ** WW » Vella wanted mo> ftnd no fcorof Z* * 8 e?° n M I got inside the m ltwaß looked behind me. i-Wi, and V£ Ca t me hat, wrap, gloves, ■?» ffir^ 0* th T at iad! i°^ S.ihad^t n 8™"1 assura yeu> my ?»PWhUU°? ly 80t that far-when he Bo lv l° T6r? y UPS- aßd Baid h0 : >youSt n , i-doyou ex^ct t0 die Of^«crana ?■ v u1' yDU don>t helP ms out JUtiaS .f sPirit-' It was only tLr^^ antothinkthat l^°Mm l aiJ t!l 8 in her tone a vast v r*«iw, Jeeble Bhrewdnesa.

" You ought to know Voyle's nonsense by this. But you did help him all the Same."

"I did !" with a portentous rominiscent shako oftho head.

"And of all tho strings, and buttons, and hooks, and draping elastics ever a costiimo was burdened with, that was the rt-orat And wha< With Voylo not knowing from Sir launcclo't how to manage them" and my poor old fingers shaking so they wouldn't do thorn, wo had a timo I" Vella's oyas sparkled. "1 can imagino it." " The worst of it was I felt confident overy one would sco through tho deception. What with that cunning Eliso, with her eye* as big as saucers, and that cyclono of ft widow, and that sleek cat of a lawyer Grimes, all on tho alort, I saw no chance of escaping discovery. But not a soul I saw an inch beyond his noso. ' Thus conscience does make cowards of ua all !' as Byron says."

Vella put her linger on her lip, in prettily feigned meditation.

" Byron? or was itShake«poaro?"

" It doosn't make any difference," airily decided Miss Dorothy. " It was a poot any way."' And this fact could not bo gain said.

In the adjoining room a clock struck four. Tho sound recalled tho girl to her self.

"It is growing lato. Wo aro forgottinj our plans, Aunt Dolly. Whero am Ito go What am I to do?"

CHAPTER XVIII.

rRWrAUATIONS. " 110 strong to hope, oh, heart! Thoußh day la bright, The slarH oan only uiiiuc In tho ilnrk nlnht. Bo atroni?, oil. heart of mine- Look toward the light. "—A, Procter, "Where!" Miss VornoU's smooth old face, ruddy m a winter npple, became downcast, perplexed. She pondered, then suddenly looked up, brightened. " Go to Evelyn Gage !" Vella shrank back. "To Philadelphia?" "Why not!" But still sho hesitated.

"It seems so far. AndChioago is home—'1

"My dearie, you must !" with oddly prompt docisivenoss for subinisaivo Aunt Dolly ; " you've got to. Thore are no two ways about it. You can't stay in Chicago. You may bo auro the atFair 13 tho talk of the city. Go to your old school friend, and let Mare find you with her. When the nine days' wonder is a thing of tho past, and you aro Captain Tracy's wife, return. Plausible explanations will have boon made, and tho excitement blown over. Then to all inquirers you can bo Just a charming sphinx. You can Hraile and say nothing." There was a great deal of worldly wudom in the advice—more, perhaps, than the speaker know. Sinilei and lilonco seldom engender trouble or rogret. Bis: tear* rushed out on tho glrl't long laihea—gemmed them. Aunt Dorothy rose in aUnn. "You're afraid I To go alone I It is a long journoy, I don't wonder, but " " No, no, no 1" springing to her feat and winking back the rebellious drops. "I'm brave again. I was a coward for just a moment. Voyle would never bo—would ho ? You see what a poor boy I make. My ' doublet and hose' have not made a man of me. I'll go !" Her brave, sweet laugh was good to hear. "I knew you would. It is the safest thing to do. That's my own good Vella I" " We must go out and do some shopping first though. There are a few things I need. I can't wear this," pointing to the pretty daisy bonnet, " nor these," to the long tau kids.

Miss VerneH's brow contracted. " Thero i 3 danger, dear. Goodness only knows whom we may meet." " Oh, I shall not go in anywhere. I shall stay in the carriage while you go in and buy what I require." The door was cautiously opened—the corridor furtively scanned. Not a soul was in sight. They passed out, locking the floor after thorn. They went down in the elevator and went out on Wabash Avenue through the ladies, entrance. Miss Dorotby went round the corner to Palmer Home stand and hailed a hack.

A quarter of an hour later it drew up before Go3sage3'. Shs alighted and went in.

From behind the screening shade of blue silk Volla watched the procession sweeping by, tho glad, sad, wretched, ennuied, over worked, wearied, oager, despondent pro cession of State-street. There they went! Such rHfforont hopes, plans, aims, ambitions —such different lives ! Such pettiness, such loftiness, such grand endeavour! There they went! Loitering, sauntering, racing, striding, tripping, every soul on the broad crowded sidewalk treadingoach its desperato path—but all to the same city ! Suddenly the curtain dropped from the girl's fingers. She shrank back. Irreproach ably costumed, with a cane jauntily carried, and a cigar between hii teeth—Colonel Vernell passed—passed slowly. She could have thrust out her hand and touched him, go closo to the carriage he went by.

How long Aunt Dorothy was ! And how chilly it was growing ! When had State street seemed so familiar and yet so drearily ropellant ? Good hours she had spent here, and among the great, tempting, delightful stores, good, gay, happy hours.—shopping, meeting friends, promenading, on her way to the matinee, homeward bound.

And now —now she was shrinking from sight, fearful of recognition, dreading the sight of a friend's faco, the sound of a well known voice. And all through no fault of hers, no wrong—none! Ah, there was Aunt Dorothy at last! She was laden with packages and quite out of breath. She gavo the coachman the order and hastily entered. " Quick, my dear! You must get on these things. Here, give me your bonnet and glovos. Tbero !" thrusting them into the valise.* Volla hurriedly donnedjthe brown cloth havclock, and began to draw «n the long alligator-cuffed gloves. The carriage drew up at the east eido of the street. "You've a few minute! more to wait, dear. I roußt get you a leas conspicuous hat—and a veil. Anything else? No. Well, I won't be long !' And tho brisk little lady was gone while she spoko. " Drive round to tho Vienna, she com manded, as she re-entered. "Now put on this hat. It's pretty, isn'tit? Wonderfully becoming, too, 1 declare I" And it was. It was a modest little brown felt, nlmsst covered with eoftly-Bhaded bird - breasts and wings, Daintily it enhanced tho beauty of the ewoet young faco below. What matter! She was going away from home. She almost felt as if she were going in disgrace. Sho felt timid, nervous, disheartened. But she wouldn't let Aunt Dolly see it—sho wouldn't! Why should she be so selfish ac to make_ miserable the dear old heart and head which wore doing their level beat for hor? She wouldnH that was all fiere was about it! So she laughed out in her own gay, eoft way, and said that Aunt Dolly had the judgment of a modiste and tho taste of an artist, and she was sure Evelyn would want a hat and havelock just like hers, and that of all tho dear, blessod aunties that ever livad this very identical one was tho goodest, aud ilm-t was a kis3 to provo it!

CHAPTER XIX.

" MARC !"

" One may live without love—what ia passion But whqro Dla nfhe man that can live without dlnLng!" U.B.LYTTOX.- Tiik carriage rounded the corner toward the lake. Half way down the block it drew up before the lighted windows of a restau ra" Yes we get out here," assented Miss Dorothy, wiping her foolish, loving old eyes. " You must" be starved, 'fv'e are going to have some supper, and then for the tram. First, put on this veil." " 1 ou"ht to bo hungry. I have not had time to think of it. I have eaten nothing since morning. ' _ . . " Bless my soul !" in dismay. You know what Shakespeare says, my dear : " • Never, never, oh, novor! earth's luckiest Hath unpunished forgotten the hour of his dinner!'" "Shakespeare!" Vella murmured, mus ingly; " or—Meredith, "One of them," assented Miss Vornell, the cafe, passing round by the counter to the ladies' division. It was too late for the afternoon crowd, too early for the supper-time rush, so the ploce was almost deserted. , P Thcv went down to the table in *cf o»™: east corner. Vella removed her veil and looked around. The few present were BtßuTthou g h she had not eaten since morni^ and but little then, when the TernS meal Aunt Dorothy had ordered waaeet before her. not a mouthful could

she swallow. She made a pwfcenco of appetite, and tasted the various delicate dishes to please Aunt Dorothy, but it was very scrry earnest. Tho foreboding which had been weighing on her spirits liko lead all afternoon intensified as tho momonts passed, She strove valiantly to shake it off. Nothing very awful happoncd. Heaven willing, nothing aviuls/tould. Katherought sho net bo thankful that she had beon saved from marriage with a man for whom her warmest feeling was scornful indifference ? But tho foeling would not be banished. She tried to laugh and talk blitholy, but a hard lump would rise in horthroat, and very, very quick were the tears to start.

When they left tho restaurantit was quite durk, and great drops of rain wore plashing down ou tho stono pavement. Miss Doro thy drew out her watch and consulted it by one of the carriage lamps. " Sovon. Wo have time enough. The train loaves at a quartor to eight. Thon turninir to tho coachmau — " Union Do^Ot." "Are you suro you can come with mo, Aunt Dolly—Uncle James may miss you ?" "I can so to tho station. Thon I must return. You will write to mo on tho way, will you not ?' Xho rain liad incroiisod to a very deluge when they went up tho steps of the Union DopiU to tho general waiting-room; MifS Dorothy bought Volla's ticket. " And now I must go, lny pot," eho aai:!, as mho thrust if, into her hand. "Do take

care of yourself, and bu suro and write, and give Evelyn my liest love ; and what ac explanation I shall havo to concoct on tho

way homo to account for my absence, anil you won't worry, 1 know you won't—and do write—and—dear, duar, I believe I'm liko Othello," with a chirrupy little laugh. "ho was ' fat and scant of breath.' Or was it Shylock t Vella laughed outright. " I think it was Hamlet." " Woll, maybe it wai," graciously. " One's momory does play tricks with one as ono grows old. Well, I must be off. You've ton minutes before the train is due. You won't miss it? And you'll promise not to be frightened ? What a good laugh we would have over it all if Voyle were only here I And now I am going. Good-bye, my—own—blessed—darling—lamb !"

A long, warm, onorgetic hug, a vigorous blinking of traitorous bine eyes, a showor of kisses—thon she scurried away liko n plump little rabbit. A friendly group seated noar by regarded Vella in a friendly fashion. Sho was going on a journey, and she was going alono. Poor cliild ! she looked homesick already. She in turn stole a shy look at thorn.

How comfortablo and contented they all looked ! If they wero going away it was choerily and with no heart-pangs. There wtra livo of them, the father, big, jolly, kindly featured, with a head which »avo for a silvering fringe was smooth as an egg ; tho mother a small-statured, refined-look ing woman, with the tracos of youthful beauty discernible in her delioate aounten ance; a young fellow—probably tho son — tall, broad-shouldered, erect of carriage, with a hitndsomo blonde hood, a long, fair moustache and a pair of grey eyes ; two young girls—presumably his sisters—liko pictures by Kate Greonaway in their quaintly modern travelling wraps of groy sergo, tho bowitching crimson-lined hoods encirclint; the pretty oral faces with the warm re so colour in i 10 clear brown cheeks, the curls tumbling over tho whits forehead, the shy maiden-modost oyes, the lipa as full and ripa as cherries.

As thoy cbatied merrily together, now and then stealing a glance at her, Vella wished they were going to Philadelphia, too -she did not think she would feel so wholly alone with that pleasant group within sight and hearing. Was it nearly train-ttmo? She roso, and, walking over to one of the high windows, looked down on tho busy inclosuro below.

Just without ths iron gates porters wero rushing with torches and barrows; just within, the lighted lamps showed tho usual crowd of depot loungors, of hurrying travellers, of eccentrics, of energetic •fficials.

As she turned to glance up at the great clock in tho north end of the waiting-room a figure coming from that direction caught her eye. There was something familiar about the tall form, in the light fall over coat—the walk, the air. The soft crush hat shaded the slightly bowed head. But sho know him—she know him. She sprang forward. From her lips broke a little glad, quick, loving, happy cry: "Marc! oh, Mnrc !"

CHAPTER XX.

"ALL A110AKI) I"

"Ah, mo! for aught that over I could read, Could ever heir by talo or history. Thecourao uf truulovo uoverdid run smooth. SIIAKESI'BAUB.

TnAT voinc ! Vella's ! He flung up his head—looked at her. His lips tightened, his eyes blazed, his pale face grew absolutely ashen. All day long he had sat in his room at the Palmer, his elbows on his knoes, his head sunk between his palms, brooding, brooding, disdaining food and rest, ignor ing duties, ploasure, friends. And now, when ho was about to put Chicago and all its unbearable memories and associations behind him for ever, to hoar her vsico call him by name, to eeo her young, fair, confident face before him, her child-like eyes lifted to bis— And sho the wifo of another man !—the wedded, lawful wife ! Had ho been mad! He had thought her puro, and true, and innocent;' and ehe could so boldly address him now, as if she had not done him the most bitter and cutting wrong a woman can do the man who has honoured her with his love, and whoso wife 3he was to have been I Sho honest, and modest, and true— she !

Ho had been mad ! A cold sweat broko oat all over him. But he would bo humiliated no farther. He would not stand there for .lon v Claflin to leer at. Through all the pcorn, horror, and in dignation which eeared heart and brain swept too a mighty love and longing, a tierce rebellion ngainst renunciation, a mad desire to ditch h*r to his keirt, to hold her so, defying all things, all laws, all rights human aud divine. It was orer in a moment. His emotions had been lightning-swift. Pride nerved him, spurred him as it had don» the fame morning in the corridor at Palmer. He took off his hat, bowed coldly, courteously, unamilingly—and passed. Her glad, 0.-igor look turned to blank in quiry, then to sudden, startled, incredulous di-may. She caught her breath nharply. "Marc!" But now it was a whisper—so low it was he did not oven hear it as he strode on. So they were leaving tonight. Doubtless Monsieur was now procuring tickets. Well, bon voyage! Just for a moment the girl's dazed sur prise, terror lasted. Then nemi-compre hensUn came to her, He misunderstood ! Oh, yes, he misundorstood. He had read of dec marriage. But surely he could not doubt her so—dream it true—and yet he must have! he had passed her by— Marc had! Oh, it was all some fearful, fearful mistake ! Sha would run after him—the happiness of their lives should not be blighted by a trivial blunder. She would tell him she was true to him—loved him, loved him, that death should be hers before dieloyalty. She would She wheeled round, took a few steps in tb.9 diraction in which he had gone staggered—swayed. Before her eyes camo a great blackness ; in her ears was the sound of rushing waters. A sharp exclamation broke from one ot the group near by. , " Owon—quick ! she is fainting ! The young fellow addressed sprang to ward her. caught her in his arms as she reeled heavily backward. In an instant all was commotion. They were densely surrounded. "Keep back!" he cried angrily. "You will smother her! Kitty, open my valise and hand me the flask. Make haste ! Yes, that s it!" He wrenched off the silver top of the travelling flask extended him, held the latter to the girl's meuth, forced a few drops between the set, white teeth. A croaking ory sounded through the great waiting-room. " All aboard ! Chicago, Alton, and St. Louis—a-1-1 a-bo-ard !" Owen Costsllo looked up *s the ofhcial Pa<1 The Philadelphia train ?" he queried. " Leaves in three minutes, sir !" And then again came the dismal wirn ing: " A-1-1 a-bo-ard 1 The crowd surrounding the unconscious girl gulped down their curiosity in their dread of losing their train, tightened their hold on their bundles, and hurried off. So when the long lashes of the fair, cold cheeks Miivered, lifted, the great brown oyes met only the friendly faces of the pleasant little gr».ip she had noticed, bending over her. " Oh, mamma!" whispered she who had been called Kitty, " she is stirring! and there is colour in her lipa—look!"

Slowly tho unconsciousness in the sweet, white face changed to bewilderment. She put out ono hand against tho back of tho seat, rested it thereon, rose with an effort. What had happened! Why was she hero ? Who wore those people ? More—Mara? Yes, ho had ptissed her by ! Yes, oh, yes, she reineinborod now !

" You aro bettor ?" askod Mrs Costello, kindly. " Ah, that is good! Whoro are you going? Aro wo to be fellow-pas sengors ?" Whero was Marc? Her hungry eyes sought him. Not in sight-probably far away by this. She roused herself to answer.

" Oh, I had forgotten ! Is chu train gone ? I was going to Philadelphia." "To Philadelphia !" echoed the girls in chorus. " How nico! So uro wo."

All wore gathering up wraps and satchels as thoy spoke. " You aro alono !" inquired Mr Costollo, "Yes? Thon why not make one of our party ? We shall bo only too glad to have you with us." How good thoy wore ! Hoavt and soul wore racked with agony bociniso of Marc's estrangmont, but through it all tided adcop sense nf gratitudo—relief. "Thank you !" she said, simply. " Any baggage!" as!;od young Costollo, politely. Shi- shook hot1 hoad.

"All—a-board !" lie ulTorud Vella his arm. Mochauically sholnid her hand upon it; Hkoonoin a dream walked with them to tho door, down ono llight of stops, still another, and out across tho wido pavomont toward tho gates. Thoro she showed hor tickots with the others—passod through. She was assisted up the steop stops. Others camo hurrying into tho car. Thcro was much hissing of steam, shrioking of whistles, creaking of wheels, clanging of bells. Then tho train bogan to move slowly, slowly ; thon faster, faster still; thon away, away liko the wind. And Volla sitting with hor new-found frionds, (striving to repay repay kindness with amiability—striving to speak lightly of her destination, projects, to laugh and Bmile—found it all torribly hard work.

Her nerves were strung to their tightest tension. It took all her strength and powor of will to control herself, to keep from cry ing out in hor misery, from breaking down in vehomont fobbing. Marc must think her Jonas Clallin's wife. How could ho— oh, how could ho?

Sho would have marvelled less had sho only known of that morning's oncounter in tha corridor of tho Palmer.

Rumours ono may dim-rodit, doubt evon ono's oars, but to be dubious of one's oyes— especially when such are tho clear orbs of youth—is to doubt one's reason. (To be Continue:!..)

Cannibalism on the High Sens.

Liwim (Dol.)i November 28.—Tha three masted schooner Helen J. Angel brought into thin port yesterday Pilot Bortrand and Alfred Swnn.ion, a Norwegian, two of a party of throe men who, on Monday morning, loft tho pilot-boat Turlcy in a skiff for the purposoof putting Thomas Marshall,another pilot, on bonrd tho steamship l'enusylvania, bound for Philadelphia. Thoy succeoded in performing this duty,and started back to regain theTurley. which was boating to and fro oil the five-fathom lightship. Tho weather was very thick and a heavy sea was running, and ihey nevei reached their vessel. It was consequently supposed that thoy had been loat. Several pilot-boats were sent in soarch of them, andonecruised 300 miles otl tho coast without discovering a trace of the men.

Bertrand told the story of their rescue, and the horrible cannibalism to which the survivors were compelled to resort. Soon after leaving the Pennsylvania they fouDd that they had lost thoir bearings. They had no compass, and not one of the Deluwaro lights was visible. When daylight broke they were drifting rapidly out to Rea before a strong northwost gale, and they then abandoned all hope, except that they might bo carried within sight of some vessel. One man attended to the helm while another at tempted to koop the boat from swamping by constantly bailing her. All Monday and Monday night and Tuesday thoy drove aim lessly about, suffering extremos of hunger, thirst and cold.

Toward dusk on Tuesday evening both Norwegians became delirious, and before Bertrand could control them, thoy lost tho oars and everything else that was loose in

the boat, and they wero thus loft without any means of handling tho skiff. Bertram! supposed that it was about midnight of Tuesday when one of jjthe|| Norwegians, whoso name neither Bertrand nor Swanson knew, exhausted by his long fast and clad

in his icy garments, foil, shrieking and gasping, across the thwarts at Bortrand's foot. In a few minutes ho was dead.

When tho aun rose on Wednesday morn ing Bertrand eagerly scanned tho horizon in search of a pail, but he saw nothing. As his glance fell on the corpse of tho dead eailor it occurred to him that here might be a means of prolonging life until rescuo came. Bertrand indicated to Swanson what ho proposed to do, and tho latter ngreed. With tho small remnant of strength left them they took tho stiffened oilskins and underclothing from tho dead man, and loft ,i portion of tho body exposed. Into his breast and shoulders they plunged their knives, and eagerly sucked the blood from the wounds. They immediately felt re freshed, and the tortures which they had experienced woro allayed. Thoy then cut strips of flesh from the corpse, and onch devoured a little, though Bertrand says that it was with loathing which only the con viction that ho was acting in self-preserva tion could enablo him to conquer. Then thoy lay back under tho gunwales of their craft, occasionally raising thoir heads to senn the water for a sail.

When tho sun went down Bertrand saw passing its disc the outline of a veesel not more than a mile distant and headed almost directly toward» thorn. Drawing off his oilskin coat, he swung it high above his head. Just at this moment fortune aided him, tho boat mounting high upon the crest of a long roller, so that it was thrown into full view of the lookout on tho forecastle of the vessel. For about a moment sho held hor course, and ho feared that in tho fading

light they were not soen. A momont more, and tho strangor camo around beforo tho wind and headod straight toward them. The rotcuing vo.«ol proved to bo tho Helen M. Angel, which in tho storn had missed making the capes of Chesapeake. As sho nearer! tho helpless castaways she launched a boat, and by 6 o'clock of Wednesday even ing they woro comfortably rosting in her cabin. For sixty hours thoy had nothing but tho salt water and tho ilesh and blood of their shipmate. .Tust beforo the Angel bore down upon them they threw overboard the body of tho dead man. Tho Angel ar rived at the breakwater at 5 o'clock this afternoon, and Bertrand was put ashore. He is in good condition, with the exception of his frozen foot. Swanson was sont to the Turloy, which is now lying at the break water. He is roported as doing well.

Suppressing Drunkenness in Alsace.

Drunkenness in Alsace is being put down with a strong band by the German authori ties, judging from an amusing story of the Valley of Thann, between Belforfc and Muhlhausen. All the Mayors in the neigh bourhoodhave been provided with pamphlets giving the biographies and minute personal descriptions of notorious drinkers through out the districts for circulation among all keepers of hotels and wine-shops. The cabaretiers tiro then forbidden to sell any thing but coffee or cau sucre to the delin quents. Accordingly the inhabitants are puzzled to know who furnished such accu rate information, and are afraid to drink even a petit verve before their neighbours lost they should be cited before the authori ties, but shut their shutters when indulging in grog, while tho wine-shops find their business fairly ruined. .

Fifty Years in Office

Apropos of Bismarck's next anniversary, the seventieth of his birth and fiftieth of his entry into official life, which falls on April Ist, his first public position wag that of assistant Judge of the City Court of Berlin. In that place he was rather irritable and impulsive. One day, taking down the deposition of a particularly exasperating and impertinent fellow, his patience quite gave way; ho jumped up, and in a voice of thunder exclaimed : "Sir, behave youraelf, or I shall put you out of the room." No sonner had he said the words than the pre siding Judge eoothingly patted him on the shoulder and mildly remarked : "My worthy young friend, the putting out is my affair." Herr yon Bismarck went on with his task for a while, foaming inwardly, until another saucy rejoinder of the culprit brought him to his feet again, with the classical threat: "Sir, if yoa don't behave yourself instantly, I shall have you put out by the Herr Stadtgerichtsrath!"

NEW GUINEA.

A FOUR WEEKS' CRUISE IN A FIVE TON BOAT IN AND ABOUT THE FLY RIVER.

(Special CoBBESi'onnENT of the Aucic land Star.)

It was my intontion to make this trip in our new mission yacht of fifteon or twenty tons, which wo aro building in tho Papuan industrial school hero, but as it is not yet ready for sea, and this bo'iig the best season of tho year for cruising in tho unsurvoyed waters of tho Papuan Gulf, I decided to start in our little Venture, registered four and three-quarter tons, which has rondorcd such good service during the last two years. Sho is a lugger boat of light draught, which wo purchased for thirty pounds, and ro bottomed, ro-mosted, nnd fitted for river work. Wo koop hor constantly running about amongst our stations in tho western

branch of our Xcw Guinea mission, and she

is well known by all tho natives, and re garded as a moesongor of peace. After thoroughly ropaii ing,cleaning, and painting t it: liuiocialt, to make ncr us .viu and com lortable as possible, wo loaded her with supplies for tho mission stations, had a most intorcstingvalodictory sorvico with tho two now teachoru appointed to tho Fly River from our Papuan seminary, nnd left Munay Island on the Bth Novomber, with a fair frosh breeze for Darnley, which we reached after a six hours' passage, and whoro I proposed spending tho Sabbath. This island is likoly to become of groat importance as the Papuan Gulf opens up to commerce. It is situated in a very central position for communication with tho whole gulf between tho Fly River and Hall Sound, with a fair windeuch way during both mon soons, has good anchorage, plenty of good wntor ; is fortilo and healthy, and contains but a scanty population. Tho passage for all vossoln passing through Torres Strait lies between it and Bramble Cay. It is oasy of access for the largest ships, within boating distaneo of Thursday Island, and would makoa good depot and sanatorium for the Gulf trade. Already thoro arc six bce/iede liter fishing stations established there ; yet

thofo very advantages for a commercial contro render it less suitablo than tho neigh bouring island of Murray for the educational centre of our mission. Murray has for us all the advantages of Darnloy, with the additional ono of being a little out of tho track of vessels, and surrounded by reefs, which secures to us comparative quietness in our work. Wo have, thoroforo, docidod to make Murray tho pormanent centre and sanatorium of ourrapidly-oxtonding mission in tho Papuan Gulf. A I»ovoly Evening and Its Scquol.

On our arrival at Darnloy.wo wero met by all tho nntiros and tho South Son lalundors who bolong to tho bechc-de-mcr fishing sta tions there. After our evening moal wolay on tho green lawn in front of the toachor'a house on tho hill, under tho shadow of cocoanut palms, with v magnilicent view of small islands and oxtonaivo reefs boforo us, around which thecrosted waves wore rolling nud thundering, and anon throwing them selves in wild fury against tho cause of their obstruction with tromendous force j then with a loud cry, as of impotent rage, and a leap in the air, they fell back broken and exhausted. Tho setting sun, so indes cribably beautiful in theso parts, was throwing its goldon rays upon the danc ing waves, adding prismatic beauty to the scone; and long ore we had finislied our conversation upon matters social, religious, matrimoiiial, and political (for wo have to adjudicate upon all sorts of questions here), the moon had come forth "like a fair shep herdess with her full dock of Btars," forming another beautiful picture. It was one of those nights and one of those meetings long to be remembered, and yet that very night is perhaps v protty fair sample of missionary life, ana, indco.l, of all human life, for it has a dark side. After writing a couplo of letters I Htretcbed myself upon a raieod platform in the toacher'H houße, hoping to dream of my happy homo and family far away ; but alas ! for our hopes and dreams. Thore are greater annoyances than mos quitoes in most of tho.-o grass housos, es pecially whoro, as in this caso, there is a sand floor. I Mas attacked on all sides by tho vicious littlo pests, and obliged to get up, light tho lamp, take oil" my clothes, turn them inside out, and shako oil' theso nativo companions. I daro not lio on the frass outside, owing to tho heavy dow. 'hero was no escape ; so I drew my socks over my trousers, buttonod up my coat, and endeavoured to keep thorn on the outside; but all my efforts wcro in vain. Like tho social, political, and even scientific and re ligious ileas that aim ly and worry us in our daily lifo, I was kept, in n kind of purgatory all night. Thono fort of nights and those upant in our littlo Venture, when anchored off a dreary part of the uninhabited coast whoro mo3quitoos abound, and tho night is dark, rainy and sultry, obliging you cither to sit on deck under an umbrolla, or lio on the lockor aholf below, whoro there is only four inches clear space between your nose and tho dock, and to got in and out of

which berth is quite a work of art—and then to be dovourol by mosquitoes—these aro the sort of nights -when ono roully begins to think about the hardships of mHfionary lifo. But it is all forgotton next day in tho bright Bunshino and oxcitomont of visiting some village.

The Islands of Torros Strait.—Progrosa of tho Mission. Thero are only oighty people on Darnloy, nbout forty of whom attend tho day school. Nino aro members of the church, and oight nro in tho seekers' clnss, desiring admission. Aftor the morning service wo loi't for Ugar, tho neighbouring island. Theso islands, Murray, Darnley, and Stevons (Ugar), aro of the same formation, and tho peoplo speak tho same language, which I find has many words almost identical with tho language upoken in t lie Fly River, opposite .vhich these islands aro situated. Tho othor is lands in Torres Strait aro much loss fertile, and the natives are moro liko tho Austra lians. Ugar is tho smallest island of the threo, but it is a perfect garden, There is on extonsive roof around it, which, not being properly marked on the chart, has ciuucd the wreck of sevoral voßsels passing through Torros Strait. It was horo wo used to get coul for our little htoamer Ellengowan in the early days of tho mission, from a Dutch barque wrecked on tho reef. Then are still soveral hundrgds of tons lying thero in shallow water. Ugar has a small community of intelligent natives, who livo in good houses, and have extensive plantations, possess a decked boat, in which thoy collect J«c/ic-rf«-»i«r and soil to a t»ier on Murray Island. Their toacher, like tho one at Darnley, is a native of Murray, was trained in our Papuan sominary, and is doing a good work at his station, where he is much respected. I walked across and round the island with the chief and a few of his people, from whom I got some interesting informa tion about thoir heathen habits and customs and their first intercourse with foreigners. Our evening service was attended by tho entire population, who also attended the day school next morning, and gave fair evidence of a desire to become acquainted with the mysteriesof reading, writing, andarithmetic. From Ugar wo ran into Thursday Island to get letters and toachora' supplies, and thenco proceeded to Mabuiag, anchoringfor a night on the way oil' a small uninhabitod island, where our little craft rolled most unplea santly. The boat bofng quite full of cargo, all hands had to sleep on deck, for which purposo we lashed an oar to the two masts, over which the foresail wag thrown, making a tolerably comfortablo houso for tho night. A fire was made in a camp-oven and the " billy " boiled for tea. We were off again next morning, and reached Mabuiag early in the aftstnoon nnder a scorching sun and with but a light breeze. Here we have a church of forty-two members out of a popu lation of 400. There are fourteen in the seekers' class and nearly 200 in attendance at the day school. Here I spent a mo3t enjoyable Sabbath with the people, ad ministered the sacrament, baptised twenty five adults and twenty-three children, and received five into Church fellowship. This is one of our most prosperous and orderly mission stations. There is a neat lathe-and plaster chapel, and three houses built of the same material, on the mission premises. The people are all tolerably well-dressed, look healthy and happy, and seem anxious to advance in civilisation. The chief i 3 a very intelligent man, speaks good English, has established a few laws, and appointed five policemen to secure order amongst his people, and is an active deacon of the Church. With this interesting community I spent three pleasant days, which, I trust, were profitable to the people. On a email islet, close to Mabuiag. isa.-acv«d house, in whioh are pre-orved nearly ene hundred human skulls, being those of enemies taken in war. The people are now living at peace with their old enemies, worshipping together and intermarrying. Such are the results of ten years' missionary labour.

Converted Skull Hunters.

From Mabuiag wo proceeded to Dauan, where we arrived an hour after sunset. At this plnco the anchorage is exposed during the- S.E. monsoon, and as tho tido was running to windward when wo arrivod, our little craft rolled tromondously. It was with difficulty I roachod tho shore in tho dingy that we carried on deck ; still, tho discomfort of gotting wot and of a native houso was small compared with remaining on board fo'rtho night, although landing in so small a boat on a diVrk stormy night was not without danger. However, we reached the shore all right, and very soon had a good firo made, and our " billy " on it, and enjoyed our tea and biscuit nil the more as wo hoard the wind whistling round the houso, and thought of our boat rolling and plunging in tilts darkness, Wo knew she was Hafo, hor anchor and chain" being heavy and good. Aftor ovening worship and a "yarn'Jwith tho natives, I rolled mysolf in my blanket and slept soundly till morning. Between Dauan and the mainland thero is but a narrow, deep channel, although at high tido thore is about four miles of water betwoen them. It was from this mountainous i.-ilmicl (tho only high land in or near this part of Now Guineli) that \v.o commenced our mission on the coast in IST I. it is .still tho healthiest point amongst all ourstations in that locality, and has rendered, and is .still renderine, good corvico as a retreat and sanatorium for tlio teaohors, Next morning u-e crossed over to Saibai, where we have » vory interesting and prosporoua mission, from whicli wo navo got souio of our best young mon in tho Papuan seminary. They were formerly great warriors, notorious skull hunters, and tho torror of the adjacent coast oast and west. When I landed amongat thorn in 1871 they were a wild, dangerous, degraded tribe, living in a filthy village, the liousos dilapidated and huddled together, pigs, doga, and people all oecupyiDg the same quarters. Our presence there was scarcoly tolerated, and wo were peremptorily and angrily ordered away from one part of tho village. For years the natives not only rofußod to embrace Christianity, but threat oned tho life of tho teacher. Twice he fled from his station, and I had difficulty in re placing him. They then attempted to poison him. I was advised to abandon tho place as a mission station, but we persevered, and by the blessing of God succeeded. Tho whole village, numboring 488, has embracod Christianity. Seventy-six are memberH of tho Church, sixty-eight are in thoeeokors'nlass, and twohumlredandsixty seven attend the day school. Tho whole bay is lined with neat, clean, well-built dotached houses, with a substantial fenco in front, and a broad, woll-kcpt road between tho fenco and tho houses. AH tho people are clothed, somo very respectably. The chiof, who is a fino, intelligent, onergotic young follow, has established laws, and organised a police force, which secures order and promotes the wolfaro of tho com munity,

Visit to tho Busb Tribes. Wo woro mot on the boaoli by a crowd of •uiling natives, all anxious to shako hands, v nithcr formidablo and sometimes dis agreeable ceremony; still, not so bad as rubbing noses. Fancy rubbing noseß with four or livo hundred greasy black follows ! Buttor hold v. sort of lovco, followed by an application of Eoap and water! I remained two days at Saibai, holding tho usual meet ings, examinations, services, and adminis tering tho sacrament.. Wo then organised an expedition to visit tho bush tribes, who have expressed a desiro to sco tho white missionary and have a tnacher located amongst them. I had two teachers from our Papuan seminary with me for this pur pose. In forming stations on tho coast, tho presence of our mission vesßel has a salutary effect upon tho natives. They see that the teachero are not like driftwood, but aro well supported and will be looked after. To make a similar impression upon the minds of tho sarages inland, it is dosirable that tho teachers bo accompanied by a large number of their friends. About sixty cf tho Saibains readily volunteered, the bush be tween the coast and tho place where we wore to meet the bush tribes by appointment being good hunting-ground for kangaroos, cassowaries, wild fowl, and pigs. Wo started in tho Venture (mission boat) and seven ennoes, and proceeded along tho coast oast ward for ton miles to the Mabidauan River, where we commenced our journej' inland. On the western side of this three-mouthed river thoro is the only hill in this part of New Guinea. It is about 100 feet high, and stretching away from it to tho west ward there is very good land, free from ranngrovo trees and swamps, with four miles of fine sandy beach. The natives about this part of tho coast havo all retired inland from foar of the Tugnrian cannibal pirates, who mako periodical voyages along tho coast, murdering and plundering wherever they got a chance. Messengers had pro ceded us to inform tho bush tribes of our approach, and the placo of meeting. After walking through six miles of good sugar country wo arrived at tho rendezvous nearly two hours boforo tho bushmen. We hoped and desired to see a large gathering of the poople, but there wore only a few represen tative men from each of tho tribes. Tho bushmon, as far aa I havo soen them, both on tho S.E. Peninsula and on tho great body of the island, aro decidedly inferior to tho coast tribes physically, socially and morally. They aro diminutive in statuio, dwell in in ferior houses, and live together pretty much like fowls. Skin diseases are prevalent, and 1 am told that they never wash themselves. They greatly fear tho coast tribes, both to tho east and weßt, who for ages have re garded the bush as their happy skull-hunt ing ground, and have driven the inland tribes to select most out-of-tho way places for their villages, which, judging from those I have visited, aro well fortified by swamps and rivers. I proposed to tho bush tribes who.«o representatives met us that they should assemble at our place of rendezvous where thoir forofathors resided, and form a township, assuring thorn that thero is no longor cause to fear their former enemies of Saibi and Fly River, as Christian teachers were now living amongst them. They Beemod very anxious to occupy thoir former planting ground, and promised to remove thither at onco and build thoir houses, also one for the teachers who aro to reside with them. The placo is well wooded, Is near a river, contains a cocoanut grove and good plantation ground, and I hope oro lonfj to eco these pcattored and persecuted tribes living unmolested with thoir teachers and advancing in civilisation.

A Night Encampment. Wo returned to tho coast, and on our way trmnnged to bag a cassowary, two wild pigs, two kangaroos, and a few wild fowl and pigeons. Wo damped on tho bench for tho night, aud very soon the fires were lit and the game roosting on hot stones. Broak-winds woro made by a fonce of cocoanut leavos, and I was accom modated with a mat on the ground and a Hail overhead. It is especially observ able amongst the natives how a good meal puts everybody in a good humour. All our party seemed unusually happy that evening. Aftor evening worship we had a long talk about their heathen customs, much to the delight of the old men, who were the oracles of tho evening. The only thing wo bad to fear was rain, and as there had not been any mm for months, we felt pretty safe, espe cially ,as the night was beautifully clear. Owing to an extensive sand-flat, the Vonture was anchored nearly two miles off, so that in any ooso it would be difficult to find her at night. As the ovening advanced conversa tion flagged, one after another rolled himself up in his mat, and tho babel of voices was reduced to a few quiet conversations at different fires. Finally silence and darkness reigned, until we were all awoko about two o'clock in tho morning by a very formidable enomy in tho shape of a heavy downpour of rain. Its effects were highly amusing, as well as decidedly unpleasant. Tho sleeping camp was soon astir ; eilcnco gave place to noise and confusion. At first ws all supposed that it was only a passing shower, and there was a good deal of merriment amongst those who had secured dry spots under trees, whilst others wore rushing hither and thither try ing to improve their quarters. Five minutes had made a most ludicrous differ ence in our camp. The natives now, instead of being stretched on their mats in every direction, apparently endeavouring to cov-Gr as much space as possible, were sitting on stones or piecos of wcod with their knees drawn up under their chin, and their mats over their heads. Fortunately forme, I had taken my sun umbrella on shore, under which, liko the rest, I tried to occupy as little space as possible, squatting liko the natives, with my pillow (tho bag containing cur proviMous and barte r goods) on my knoe. With my umbiella and tha sail I managed pretty well to keep off the waters from above; it was the streams below that caused us trouble.

The Katau River. However, as there is fin end to the longest lane, so there is to the greatest tronical shower and most unpleasant night. With tho break of day came fine weather. The sun rose in a clear sky, and everything looked peaceful and bright, as if thero had been no disturbing element during the night. Nacure smiled, and so did we. The Saibaians returned in their,

canoes to their homes, and we proceeded eastward to the Katau River, which we reached at sunset. A narrow channel, with 10't frf water, leads through an exten sive sand-flat to tSb «outh of this nver, where a small island is sit-'fitid, between which and the mainland thoro is a tory good anchorage for small vessels, and plenty of good fresh water to bo bad from tho rivor at low tido. Katau and Tureture (hye miles to the eastward) were our first mission sta tions on the mainland of New Guinea; but, owing to the very unhealthy nature of this low pan of the country, our South Sea teachera could not remain. Again and again we tried it with different riien, but always with the same result; and had it not been for our sanatorium on one of the islands, some of our best teachers would have found their graves at these two stations. _ Last year I had t(io satisfaction of placing as teachers At ttteeS villages two of the first converts of our mission—tj{Mri #™ Arm— who were educated in our Fapudfi sOmindfy at Murray Island, andwho.being natives of Saibai, are nceustomed to the climate. Katau is the port of four of our mission stationa — two on the coast, and two inland. Ertoka, with a number of his people from his stntloii,fii* miles Inland, met us at Katau, and I was pieftseH to1 see afld hear evidences of tho success of his Work dmongst the people. Katau is likely soon to become a port of considerable importance, owing to tho food sugar-grtfvfing country and the quantity of cedar near the HvM. Already two settlera have established themselves there. One of them, a German artisan with his wife and four children, has already got himself into serious trouble with the natives by shooting their dogs, which, al though annoying to him, are nevertheless very valuobla to them, both for hunting wild pigs rind p'ratofctlng their plantations against them. He Brio iAsti o*l two occa sions threatened to shoot Udtivts for a supposed insult to his wife, which was never offered, but arose through their mutual ignorance of each other's language. Tho police magistrate at Thursday Island has aheady warned him. I have offered him eomo good advice, but I fear it is of no ueo. He is violent and obsti nate, and seems to think that the German Government will aei on his special behalf to securo to him the land he is occupying, and protect him against both English and natives ! It is precisely such men who sometimes cause Government great trouble and expense. However, he can searcoly expect the Gorman Government to protect him aud his faniity against fever during the approaching rainy season.

The Katau Mission Station. There are 400 native« at the village of Kntau, half of whom profeas to have em braced Christianity, attend the Sabbath services, and send their children irregularly to school. They have assisted the teacher in building a commodiouß house, and seemed pleased to have him amongstthem. Still, it is but the day of small things at that sta tion. Tureturo is situated about ths middle of a fine sandy beach, twelve miles longj lined with cocoanut trees and plantations, five miles to ths eastward of Katau. As it is completely exposed to the south-east trade wind, and difficult, even dangerous, landing in a boat, I generally visit it from Katau, leaving our little vessel at that port. Cross ing the river in ourboat, andpassingthrough a belt of mangroves, we reached tho open boach, along which we had a very enjoyable tivo-miles walk. The teacher, Gauri, had preceded us the night before, and was there with his people, to receive us in front of his now houeo, which is a most imposing native structure. It stands behind a magnificent old tree with wide-spreading branches, is 70ft long and 26ft wide, built- on posts Sft high, with a verandah all round, and a sort of gangway entrance. Its sides and roof are of palm leaves, eewn together. The whole is enclosed by a substantial fence. I was much pleased with theimproved appearance of things at Gauri's station since my last visit. The people assembled under the large shady tree, where I held a meeting with them. As at Katau, some of them are clothed, and profess to have em braced the Gospel, but of course at all these new stations it is little more than an empty profession at present. About half the people attend the services, and have givon up working on Sundays. Neither here nor at Katau has there been any war since these teachers were located amongst them, so that there is real cause for encouragement attho progress already made, and hope for tho future. Borom is asso ciated with Gauri, and has charge of an island station behind Tureture, where I located him a year ago. He and a number of hia people met us at Tureture. We locate the teucherß by twos, and yet secure for thorn separate stations at convenient dis tances. Wo find this works better than having two families settled permanently at tho same village. There can be but one top, sawyer. Returning to Katau by the route we went, we made an early start next morn ing for Bampton Island, at the mouth of the Fly River, anchoring for a night off Bristow Island, where a party of Europeans are | cutting cedar. They told me that they had I 80,000 ft cut, and most of it ready for ship mont. They are offered 8s a hundred for it alongside the vessel, by Burns, Philp, and Co., and ono of the party has gone to Thursday Island to arrange for a vessel to take it away. The Gulf of Papua is capable of producing a great amount of cedar, sugar, and rice.

Friendly Reception at Bampton Island. Off Bampton we grounded on a sandbank, and had to wait for the rising tido. Pro ceeding through the convenient passage between this island and the mainland, we arrived at high tide, and bo were able to pail across the extensive reet and anchor close to the village. The teacher and some natives came off to meet and welcome us. On tho beach we were received by a crowd of natives, most of whom wefe more or less clothed, although a large number were in a perfectly nude state, who, I afterwards learnt, consider clothing as fit only for women. Hore I landed a teacher and his wife, whom I bad brought from our Papuan seminary for a village on the mainland, near Bampton, which I visited on a previous trip, and arranged to locate a teacher amongst them. He will, however, remain at Bampton for a time till he becomes acquainted with thelanguago and the people. We had, as usual, an interesting meeting with the people, whom I addressed through the teacher. For them to live peaceably, and quietly listen to Christian counsel, is a great change. Thoy are decidedly improving, although thero is still plenty of room for improvement. It was hore that the first martyrs of the New Guinea mission suffered (two Lifu teachers and their wives) only a few years ago. Thoy were then a wild, murdering, thieving sot, and they are not yet above doing a little quiet pilfering when a favourable opportunity presents itself. It is very encouraging, however, to see the change that has already taken place. They now seem really anxious to advance in civilisation. The four chiefs have estab lished a few laws and formed themselves into a magisterial Bench to judge and punish offenders. They have appointed five policemen, who are a terror to evil doers. Through the kindness of a friend I was able to supply them at all stations in this district with slates and slate-pencils, which the teacher and people were de lighted to receive. I hope that they will make good use of them.

Ascending tbe Fly River. We left in the evening of the following day at high water, and had a delightful moonlight Bail up the Fly River to Port Spicer, where wo anchoied for the night. We could hear the drums of a party of natives who were camping near, and in the morning found ourselves Burrounded by twenty-two canoes. They were all friendly, coming from villages on the opposite side of tbe rivor, where wo have mission stations. They were on a voyage to Katau to visit their friends, and were making easy stages and enjoying themselves by the way. From Port Spicor we crossed over to Kiwai, the largest villagejin [that locality, the natives of which are feared throughout the district. Owing to its central position and large population, we have made it our headquarters in the Fly River. Here I spent a Sabbath with tho people. Crowds assembled from the neighbouring villages, doubtless from curiosity and the hope of getting something ; however, I had their ear at the service?, and endeavoured to "improve" the occasion. The congrega tion assembled under the cocoanut treea in front of the teacher's house—a gathering of naked savages. It was amusing to see them coming with their bamboo pipes and fire-sticks, and a cocoanut for a seat. They sat in small groups, around which the pipe was continually being passed. They not only smoked during the service, but kept up a running commentary upon what I was saying, sometimes approving, sometimes doubting, and sometimes even declaring that my statements must bo untrue. When called to order by the teacher who was interpreting tor me, everybody insisted up on his neighbour being silent, which, of course, made more noise than ever. Here, as at most of our new stations, there are a few who have especially attached them selves to the teachers, who are do doubt forming the nucleus of a Christian com munity. There is a very decided improve ment in the Fly River since my last visit,

At Sumaiut and Samari, as at Kiwai, the teachers appear to have acquired consider able influence over tho natives. They have erected commodious and substantial houses. The one i»t Samari is a particu larly large and weil-built I.oub3—the iiro-it teacher's house, I believe, in tho whole misrion, I visited tho native plantations, which are ?ery extensive, amidst a perfect forest of cocoon?* «nd sago palms. The boundaries of each family are marked by trenches, which supply them' with water for washing the sago. The soil is a rich alluvial; stones are scarce.

Nineteen Mission Stations Established.

Wo have now eight mission stations in the Fly River, six on the eastern and two on ths western side; thuß occupying all the villages of importance for twenty-five miles up. We shall continue extending our mission up the river, and to the eastward. Wo have four mission stations at and near the Katau River, one between the Mabi dauon and Baxter Rivers, and two at Saibai and Dalian, making fifteen stations, besides four ofl ifrtsrids In Torres Strait, making a total of ninek'n iaiasion stations in this branch of tho New ChdnOt mission. Four teen of the teachers occupying ineso stations have, with their wives, been educates in the Papuan seminary established at our central station on Murray Island, under the care of tho Rev. Hurry Scott and myself. -Being natives of the locality, they are accustomed to tho climate, »ncl it is only by such an agency that we cfin ofer hope to evangelise '■ New Guinea. Our institution is the most interesting and important feuttiro of cur work. Tfl6 sftrointtry contains thirty young men, some of whonS nfo mttrried. All are members of the church, ana qu.fte enthusi astic about jijneoring work in flfeifr Guinea, and preparing to follow their friends who are already labouring there. The In dustrial School (from which the seminary is fed) contains more than that number. Mr Bruce, a yacht-builder from Glasgow, who has settled here with hto wife and family, is superintendent of this department. He and Mrs Bruce were members of a Presby terian Church in Glasgow, and have joined us here. We have the mlsetor/ yacht Mary (twenty tons) and a row of cottages on hand, and both nearly finished. The former is for work in the Gulf and rivers, for which the Ellengowan is too large; the latter for the better accommodation of the gtudeuts in the gsminary. I may say, in concluding, that I was delighted to get back to Murray Island, and VM warmly welcomed by our friends Mr and Mrs Scott and the Institution boye. My four weeks' absence made the placo look more civilised and homely than ever. 8. McFabune, Mission-house, Murray bland, December 12, 1884.

A PILLAR OF FIRE.

A Wondorftal Burning 0U Well la Butler County, Perm.

Thobs Cbiek, Deo. 24.—The burning well belongs to the list of loneations which the Thorn Cre»k district has furnbhel the oil region. Many visitors have been attracted here by it, and all day an admiring crowd

lingers in the vicinity. It is located on a bench on the hillside above Thorn Creek, and 133 feet below the mouth of Fisher No 3, on top of the hill above it. The well is flowing about twenty-five hundred barrels a day, crone hundred barrels an hour, and this enormous amount of oil is shot from the top of the casing-bead in a steady stream and with a velocity which is like the rush of a cannon ball. For several feet above the top of the casing-head there Is no flame, owing to tho speed with which the gas and oil come from the well, and for over fifty feet up tho course of the stream of oil and gas can be marked through the flame before it is lost in the fire. Were it not blazing, the oil would shoot in a solid stream over one hundred feet high, but now it is a writhing column of white firs for the first hundred feet, and above this red billows of flame roll up seventy-five feet higher before its firy colour is lost in the black roll of smoke. The force with which it is projected into the air, thereby forcing almost complete separation of its particles, causes perfect combustion, and there is no spray of ell or loss of inflammable power. It is an example on a grand Bcale of tho perfect oil burner, and from it inventors might obtain a hint. Even the loss in smoke is email, as from the volume of smoke one would not imagine that one hundred barrels of oil traa being consumed each hour. At night the fire lights up the surround ing country for miles, and on Monday night one could see to road print by the light of tho fire a mile and a half away, while the pipelinegaugora all over the district can see to do their work by it. Its heat is not so great near the ground as might be imagined, but can be felt best part way up the hill. One gets the best view of the fire from the plank road near the Mcßride well. From this point, early in the morning, just as daylight Degins to creep over the hill, the light is magnificent. The base of the well is a little higher than tho point of observation, and the whole column of flame reaching 175 feet in the air, is brought into strong relief againßt the dark background of the hill beyond. At that distance the first hundred feet of the fire glows in the brilliancy of a dazzling white heat, The colour, as it mounts higher, changes to a rosy red, and loses itself in the black smoke. Its swift motion through the air, the roaring, the fierce heat and the writh ing, twisting celumn of firo is like a massive flash of lightning capped by a thunder cloud. The fire causes a vacuum in the air, to that smoke and steam for a long distance around is drawn towards the flames, the thin clouds moving slowly at first as they begin to feel the influence of the draught; then faster and faster as they approach the centre, until they are suddenly caught and whirled upward. Nearly every one wh6 baa heard of the firs or seen it has some theory of extinguish ing it. But few of them consider the force they have to contend against. The oil and gas coming from the casing-head w«nld play with tons ia weight as if feathers. Compared with this giant the burning well on 647, Cherry Grove, was a pigmy. A few days since one workman approached the flames near enough to touch the stream with the end of an iron sucker-rod, but scarcely had it touched it before the rod was sent whirling up and outward as if it had been the merest woodon Bpiintor.

Messrs Ross and Bredin have been en doavouring to extinguish tho flames. Mr Ross brings to the work his oxperience in extinguishing the burning well at 047. His apparatus consists of a piece of casing standing upright and connected at tho base with two lines of casing leading away from the well. The idea was to drop the end of the upright piece of casing over the casing-head, and allow the stream of oil and gas to ehoot up out of the end of it. This was provided with a valve, which, when the proper connections had been made with the other casing lines to tanks, was to be closed, shutting off the stream feeding the flames and turning the oil through the lead of lines. The men, while carrying the apparatus to the fire, were to be protected by sheet-iron ecreens and umbrellas held before them. Several attempts ware made last night and today to get the apparatus over the fire, but the force of the stream and the heat have bo far baffled all efforts. When this well caught fire, on last Fri day, December 19th, it was producing 600 barrels aday. Since burning, its production has increased until on Sunday and Monday it was estimated to be flowing at the rate of 3,000 and 4,000 barrels a day, and to-day is probably makinc 100 barrels an hour. It is the theory of many in the field, and it may be the correct one, that the burning of the well has created a suction on the sand which is drawing the oil from the other producing well". The same wells which were producing 325 barreh an hour on the morning of the day that Fisher No. 8 caught fire were producing 175 barrels an hour this morn ing, a decline of 120 barrels an hour, or of over one-half, since the day previous to the fire. Conners No. 1 has stopped entirely, while the stoppage of Phillips No. 5 un doubtedly causes Fisher No. 1 to hold up better than the others. Whether the theory that the burning well is drawing from the others be correct or not, it is accepted by

most of the fieldmen, and the operators in vicinity, for those having wells near Fisher No. 8 have added 750d015. to the sum offered to any one who will extinguish the flames.— " OH City Derrick."

Here is a criticism on a Western actress " And Stringham—the Bublime and beau tiful Sadie—how shall we find words to characterise her ? She was a symphony in red. She had rouge enough on her face to paint the town, tho general effect being heightened by a crimson drees of antique design. She repeated feveral times that she was ready to ' beg from door to door to save her starving child,' and that is about what she will have to do if she depends on the stage for a living.

CLIPTOMANIA.

(SPECIALLY SELECTED Br OUB MNDOI* COBP.tSI'OSUF.NT.)

:Ix his last match of 12,000 up with F Bennett, Roberts again managed to beat hi* own record break of 527 at the spot-barre* game by runring up 3GO. The break, how ever, was not begun and completed on the fame day, Roberts ffiaWng 160 one evening and 200 more the next afternoon, a facto which, to my mind, detracts very consider* ably trom the merit of the performance. It is reported from America by one oitno great city merchants in his business circular that "cats are scarce," owing to a milliott and a-half being nnnually required to con tribute the kindof fur which is patronised by the middle classes in the States. xm» is an indirect hint to Britonß to make v*e on the feline tribe, and export the result as a good business spec—"Modern bociety. A little learning is proverbially danger ous, but a small modicum oi legal lore would be useful, nevertheless, to people m Clerkenwell. If they could only be con vinced that they cannot bo incontinently sent to prison for non-payment of a debt, the person in that district who has been endeavourin.tr to make small debtors pay up by threats of imprisonment on official-look in" paper, would find his occupation iinre mSnerativc. That would probably have more effect upon hit' proceedings Jina tue magisterial dictum that ho is a very great

All the materials for a horrid trageiy are supplied by the details of an accident which occurred recently to a Dundee workman. He was engaged in putting up a large Bate, and getting inside, .incontinently shut the door, which has a self-acting lock, for tunately for him, the key was at Birming ham, and was sent off in response to, a tele gram, so tfet he was not more than 6V hours inside. But could anything more hideous have hapjwned than the ohance that he should have had the key in hiß own pocket and the door have had no aper ture? Writers of the realistic dramaa might make good use of the situation. A Dutch diputv receives £106 a yew and travelling expenses, o. Belgian £10 lGs a month luring the session, a *orwapaa travelling expenses and thirteen (shilling* and fourpence a day, a Portuguese ten shillings a day. French senators and de putiesWe £450 a year. In the New World it may be important for ambitious emigrants to remember that members of the Canadian House of Commons and Senate we paid lor any cessions extending beyond thirty days a thousand dollars, beside ten cents a mile for travelling expenses. Brazil gives its senators £360forthesesaion, and its depute, in addition to travelling expenses, tiw. Mexico pays members of each house two thousand dollars a year. The Argentine Confederation is still more munificent, ana allows £700. Even this handsome income is exceeded in the United States, where elec tion, whether to the Senate or to the House of Representatives, means £1,000 a year, and travelling expenses as well, itfliy confers on senators and deputies free travel ling by rail or steamer, though no salary. In other countries possessed of Parliamen tary institutions a seat does not at present; yield any direct pecuniary advantage. Recently, at the Mansion House, an offic© boy was charged with stealing two-and sixpenco in postage stamps Tbe boy s mother cried bitterly, and said that her son, had been induced to gamble on the Stock Exchange. She wan only a poor washer woman, but would gladly refund the money if the magistrate would allow till next settling day, when she hoped to take a bit over a bull account which she had opan. Her husband, a mechanic, here stepped for ward and asked the magistrate's advice. He we s constantly receiving touting circulars from sworn brokers, or whatever they call themselves, offering to make- nis fortune on the Stock Exchange. Some ot these he feared had fallen into the hands at his wife and son, and led them astray. The magistrate said he was very sorry ; he had seen these circulars, offering to take the smallest sums, and he thought backing horses a more legitimate form of gambung, but backing horses was illegal. The mechanic assured the Court that two of his pah, a dustman and anight watchman, had been induced to join a syndicate by a Messrs Have 'Em on Toast, Clear 'Em Out and Co. The boy was eventually sentenced to seven days' imprisonment, and the father promised on his release to do all he could to keep him from the S3tock Exchange. A writer in "Knowledge," who has written several articles benring on tns colouring and adulteration of wine, relate the following story as illustrating the fame bility of price as a guarantee of pure wine :— Visiting a friend in the trado, he offered ire a glass of wine that he drank himself when at home, and supplied to his own family. He asked my opinion of it. I told him that I though it was genuine graps juice, resem bling that which I had been accustomed to drink at country inns in the Coto dOr (Burgundy) and in Italy. He told me that he imported it directly from a district neor to that I first named, and could supply :t at 12s per dozen with a fair profit. After wards, when calling at his place of business in the West End, he told me that one of hia best customers had just been tasting the various dinner wines then remaining on the table, some of them expensive, and that he had chosen the same as I had, but what was my friend to do ? Had he quoted 12s per dozen, he would have lost one of his beet customers, and sacrificed his reputation as a high-class wine merchant; therefore ha quoted 545, and both buyer and seller weie perfectly satisfied. The wine merchant made a large profit, and the customer ob tained what he demanded—a good wine at a "respectable price." He could not insult his friends by putting cheap 12s trash on his table. Here arises an ethical_ question. Was the wine merchant justified in making this charge under the circumstances; or, otherwise stated, who was to blame for the crookedness of the transaction ? A German professor who had visited England on several occasions once made an attempt to estimate the amount of money annually wasted in over-eating, and in the consumption of kinds of food not necessary for the support of the system. The conclu- Bion he arrived at was certainly the reverse of flattering to our power of self-denial where the enjoyments of the table are con cerned. Even the poorest classes, he pointed out, expend far more money than is absolutely necessary for theirsustenance, in a great measure owing to their ignorance of the nutritive properties of lentils, beans, and peas. There was a pood deal of truth in what the professor said, and he might have added that excessive eating cuts short the existence of many people in this country as woll as the oft-denounced craviug for an undue amount of alcoholic stimulants. There are persons who think that they are underfed if they do not take animal food at least three meals daily. Nor do they always regulate the amount consumed in accord ance with the frequency with which such fare is placed before them. From time to time cases of gluttony are made known in coroners' courts, and it somotiines happens

that even simple food is eaten with so littlo moderation that fatal consequences ensue. Richard Carddago, upon whose remains an inquest has just been held, ate so many sprats to his tea the other evening, though he bad assuredly fared remarkably well at two previous meals, that he shortly after became very ill, and died ere a doctor could reach him. The medical evidence was decisive as to the cause of frig death, and the jury gave a verdict to the effect that the man had died through excessive eating. There was a small party given the other evening when a certain " high personage " was present. After dinner, when all the guests were assembled in the drawing-room, an old woman, dressed in a French costume with very short skirts, suddenly made her appearance, and one of the company being requested to play somo lively opera-boufi'e she proceeded to danco tho cancan. Sho danced with much spirit and vivacity, not altogether, perhaps, as a modest old woman should, and, as usual, the "high personage" was in shouts of laughter. At last she sat down amid a round of applause, and then a quadrille was formed, the old woman requesting the " high personage " to be her partner. Although not the proper thing, ho could not well refuse. After the quad rille she as suddenly disappeared, and people were wondering who she was, when (ho door was thrown opon and in walked Lord . It needed but a glance to see that he it was who had been mas querading as the ancient French damßel, and great was the merriment thereat. On the whole, when one reflects, it was not a very elevating night. Lord is a man of seventy-five, and, notwithstanding bis age, is one of tho " high personage's " most constant companions. There ore some per sons who accuse him of being a great toady, and if one might judge by tho exploit juFt mentioned, the charge is not very untrue. Fancy a man of his age, and a prominent member of society, consenting to such an exhibition of want of dignity on his part, merely for the pake of amusing the " high personage" The lady at whoso houee this Bort of ridiculous tomfoolery occurs every year for the delectation of "Tummy" is a woman of over sixty years of age, and has always been very fast, and not over good looking.

f&E AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1885.

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SKINNY MEN.-"WttKlH«HhltHl«™' TOtore»li!i»II»