THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1887.

{SUPPLEMENT.

Ruby's Reward.

jj 108 GEORGIE SHELDON.

. «Th© Forsaken Bride," *%£* «*■*" "Tlu" Dowdy," etc.

CHAPTER XXVI

jCHASGBOPCntCUMSTAKCES. indeed true that Mrs Robert P Tw« again a comparatively wealthy been made so through the Cn^ hadbeenafctheheighfc !• nrnDority he had taken life insurance TlTl^ <* fift >-tbousand X and as he had fortunately com f T(jrßeg overtO ok him, there was no Uhle about the payment of the different to Place his wife agazn JfSSnrtSher husband had M",nVed but she had not known to "ff and when informed of the •SiSSartuneawaited her disposal, the ££& S»d to baP n her With new

which had heen so delicate • J their misfortune, began to improve JTlv The colour returned to her itiS'animation and energy to her S^rdelaaticifcyte her step. . "C no longer shut herself away in her Jr£ broofand weep. . She began to Sewith the world aflun, and though SwonW not go into society during her In of mourning, she rode a great deal, !Line her old place in her church, and IK denied hersoli to friends and rWtow" who now poared in upon her with As of sympathy and condolence. The little house which had been the scene /her bitter humiliation, and where her tatband had died, ww not considered a Lit abode for herself and Ruby in their &Ji cireamstances; consequently every- L? was stripped from it and sold at •action, while a handsome suite of rooms ™ token in a fashionable and pleasant tot where they "needn't die of gdoom tad loneliness," as Mrs Gordon put it, and thither she and Ruby removed as soon as practicable. Ruby folb that she would have been happier to remain in the quiefc little home, whew, for a short time, she had really enjoyed being useful, and trying to de velop her powers of self ■ reliance, and irkere Bhe aid her beloved brother had leemed to come into closer sympathy than crer before. Bat her resolute sister — resolute now {hit all-powerful gold was at her command Hifepfc everything before her, and, in pfeigupoii the change, Ruby yielded her inn wishes in the matter.

She would not, however, consent to give fp her position as a teacher, although Mrs Gdon ased every argument to persuade jer to do so, still feeling that such menial joO "was a disgrace to the family name." Bit ihe had to yield to Ruby's obstinacy, is ibe termed it, though she was for a tma highly indignant over it. So the young teacher went on the even tew of her way, and, with the spirit of jiptiidenco which she had grown to {sip much, resolutely refused to allow Hfrto do anything for her, save bear fefijM) of her living. &r«nld have, been glad not to have in caned cvsn this obligation, but her limited income would not admit of her paying the 1$ price, demanded for board and their apenjive lodgings, and she was forced to fcapt that much; for Estelle would not be Kpwated from her, and she herself would Jure felt ray desolate to go elsewhere. But Mrs Gordon had a secret motive in keeping her beautiful young sister with her. Edmund Carpenter had suddenly resumed )iii intimacy with them. For & time, after Ruby's refusal of his foit, he had ceased his visits, though he Mhy no means relinquished the hopo that k should eventually win her. He knew tkfc Mrs Gordon strongly favoured his union with Ruby, but that her husband wold never allow any undue influence to »Drought to bear upon her regarding the matter, ' .

Bat that powerful ally had been removed ™™ path, and he determined to make $ bolder effort than ever; and, as soon as Jwpnety would allow him to do so, the Wy lover sought an interview with the Wot, made a confidante of her, and begged y, to ' end her aid in accomplishing his tap. r 8 &b Gordon at once resolved that Ruby rp marry Edmund Carpenter and his R.*;*«» was any power strong Righto induce her to do so J^equently, Mr Carpenter became a Patut visitor in their handsome parlour, 3 C ? M lr always received with great g% by Mrs Gordon, and politely by SraJsoC^me occasionally, although 2bwertloDked: B pon with growing gajor by Mrs Gordon, who could not MW^ civ\ toward whafc the 7 wero EM ?' ? Ob """Pecting how far ii h fc ir lv^nofctomakeany FF***^ afcPre" tal TuFt ? Ruby ß recent bereave- S^ik yiS ?? even, told hor sister ftatiEJt OIV conksßion, feeling ge might not receive much sympathy fe qDit\sureofifc when, after a SSyjK Walter whenever he no *f*\ as frequent as ft6i3 nif r8'. f°rthree evenings of C?pied^th Stealing, 6xif* work •»<* study, so Hto do K,M H BB, occaßionally.«» he felwej. *° dea monient6, indeed, to §;S^Sho m S: ?J^ nont r2Be^'bnfca^ S^Ws foL • ■? to her iGsnhti tinf- .It-hted that t e °Ufc °f town to make S^^it^^^^tions for tojl] ate """"I* 5 and would not return >^7**tir itE'"fc- W*» Jhl f & wrvan6 the

as if conscious of having been guilty of an intrusion. Ruby looked up suddenly to find Edmund Carpenter standing there, hat in hand, and regarding her with an anxious look of in quiry. She sprang to her feet, colouring vividly with confusion, at his having found her there, and faltered out a greeting. "Is Mrs Gordon home?' he asked, adj vancing, and holding out his hand to Ruby. " No ; Estelle went out early in the after noon, and had not returned," she replied. "Ah! Are you expecting her soon?" "I do nob know. I presume she will not be long now. Will you sit down ?" Ruby asked, as a matter of form, but hoping from the bottom of her heart that he would refuse and go away. But he had no such intention. He had known before he came that he should not find Mrs Gordon at home. It had been a littlo plot arranged between them, and he had como there to see Ruby alone, and with a special purpose in view. He laid his hab upon the table, and, drawing a chair near ncr, sat down while she resumed her seat upon the sofa. At first he pretended not to notice the evidences of her grief, bub exerted himself to entertain her. He knew well how to do this, for he was a thorough man of the world, and had plenty of society gossip at his tongue's end. But Ruby was not in a social frame of mind, and though she tried hard bo be polite, it was evident that she would have much preferred to be left to herself. " I do not believe you are feeling well to-

day, Miss Ruby," Mr Carpenter remarked, when, after a! lull in the conversation, she sighed and glanced wearily at the clock upon the mantel. " I have been working hard in school to day, and the heat has given me a head ache," she answered, and then coloured with vexation at herself for having ad mitted so much to him.

" This teaching is too much for you. I knew it would be.Ruby," he remarked, with tender reproach, and searching her face earnestly. " Oh, no, I think not. I am not often troubled in this way," sho replied, trying to speak cheertully. "It is,"he persisted. " You are growing thin and pale. Such drudgery is not fit for such as you." "I do not consider ib drudgery, Mr Carpenter," Ruby answered, quietly, and a trifle coldly, for she did not like his tone. "I have a very pleasant position and I en joy my work ordinarily." " But you are not happy ; you had been weeping before I came in, and it distresses me to see you miserable. If you would only let me care for you, Ruby, and save you from all this unpleasantness. Come to me, darling, and let me shield you from all care and toil in the future. It makes me wild to see you going back and forth, like a common wovking-girl, to earn your pittance. Oh, Ruby, gwt yourself to me, and you shall never know a sorrow; nothing disagreeable shall over touch you. I will surround you with everything that heart can wish, and be your loving slave besides."

Edmund Carpenter was terribly in earnest. His face flushed, his voice shook with the strength of his purpose, and Ruby could' see that he was actually trembling with the incenseness of his desire to win her.

" Why will you persist in saying «uch things to me, Mr Carpenter T" she said, in a tone of distress.

" Because I love you—l idolise you !" he answered, passionately. " I never be lieved myself much inclined to sentiment— I used to laugh at it in others; but I have come to* realise that I have a great deal of it. I cannot live without you, Ruby; my life is wretched—a perfect blank '* Ruby started again to her feat, her face crimson.

" You must not talk like this to me; I can not listen," she cried, feeling that she was al most a traitor to Walter, in allowing Ed mund to utter a sin trie word of love to her.

"I told you long ago," uhe continued, " that I did not love you,that I could never marry you " " You mutst," he interrupted, putting her gently in her seat, though the veins stood out full and hard upon his forehead. "I tell you I cannot—l ioill not live without you, Ruby Gordon. You have won me by the witchery of your charms ; you have made me your abject slave, and—you owe me yourself in return, my beautiful en chantress —my little golden-haired queen !" he concluded, with a fierce tenderness that startled the young girl. " I think you are forgetting yourself, Mr Carpenter, as well as what ia due to me," she replied, growing pale now, and speaking with some haughtiness. "I am very sorry—no one can regret more than I do that you should have allowed your self to entertain and encourage such senti ments towards me, when you must have known there was no hope of any return. What I told you early in the winter I can only repeat now—l do not love you, and I can never be your wife. I never can give you any other answer, so pray do hot repeat this painful interview over again." Edmund Carpenter had also grown very pale while she was Bpeaking, for there was no mistaking the unalterable decision which both her words and manner conveyed, and

there had come an expression upon his face that might have startled her had she inter preted it rightly. "Do 3 rou ever expect to marry aivybody, Miss Gordon '!" he asked, speaking in a repressed tone. She glanced at him, surprised at the question. "I—presume so ; most girls marry sooner or later," she said, speaking in a general way, yet colouring consciously, notwith standing.

"Well, then, let me tell you on« thing. It will be a dangerous thing for any other man to win you," he said, through his tightly shut teeth.

Ruby's slight form became suddenly very erect. A red spot of anger burned upon heiter cheek.

" Do you presume to threaten m© simply because I do not choose to marry you ?" she demanded, in a haughty tone.

" No, not you, my beautiful darling, but the man who wins you. Let him beware of my deadly hatred; for, as sure as we both live, I Bhall have my revenge upon him !"

Ruby rose again. She seemed to grow tall in her wrath and scorn. Her lips curled, her delicate nostrils quivered, her beautiful eyes blazed.

"Ithink we will not prolong this inter view, Mr Carpenter," she said, in a tone that made him tingle with shame and anger. "It cannot be pleasant for either of us. I regret that my sister ia not here to entertain you. Good evening, sir !" She did not wait for a reply, but swept by him, her very robes seeming to flutter with the indignation and contempt which burned within her, and passed from the room into her own chamber, shutting and locking the door after her.

Edmund Carpenter sat where she had left him for a few minutes longer, looking the picture of baffled rage ; then ho also arose and left the room.

CHAPTER XXVII.

A PLOT LAID FOR THE UNWABY BUBY.

He had passed but half-way down stairs when he encountered Mrs Gordon ascend ing.

" Ah !" she said, giving him a searching glanco. " Are you but just going ? What success?"

" ' Success ?'" he repeated, bitterly, and with a savaee look—" a fool's success ! Thab dainty little sister-in-law cf yours is a miniaturo powder-magazine, as I have dis covered to mv cost?."

Mrs Gordon laughed softly, for he looked like an enemy who had been completely routed and demoralised.

"It ia no laughing matter," he retorted, grimly.

" Come down stairs," she said, in a low tone, "and tell me about it. You are too easily discouraged. I believe I can help you, and it will all come right in the end if we only have patience and take the proper course."

She led him down into a small reception room at the foot of the stairs, whoie they were closeted for nearly an hour ; and when at length Edmund Carpenter took his lbave, there was not quite so black a cloud upon his brow as there had been when Ruby so indignantly left his presence ; while there was a very determined look in Mrs Gordon's eyes as she went up to her own rooma.

She did not mention that she had met tho disappointed lover ; neither did Ruby tell her that she had had a visitor during her absence. She did not dream that her sister knew anything of the interview, and it was too unpleasant a matter to talk about, especially as she know that Mrs Gordon's sympathies were with Edmund Carpenter ; so she held her peace. Mrs Gordon remarked that she had been unsuccessful in obtaining accommodations for the Bummer, and that matter was not mentioned again for some time.

The lant of May arrived, and one after noon Mrs Gordon met Ruby with a gleeful look and manner on her return from school.

"I have at laat found just the most delightful place," she said. "It is near the city, and we can take possession imme diately, for the horse-cars pass very near, and you can easily go out and in while the term lasts.

"Where is It?" Ruby asked, sinking wearily into a chair, and, taking off her hat, she began to fan herself with it, for the day had been an unusually hob one even for Philadelphia.

" Here, you over-heated darling, hare this fan," said her sister, rising ana bringing her a huge palm loaf. " I am nearly worried to death fearing you will break down entirely this wilting weather, and for your sake lam bound to get out of this hot, dusty city as quickly at possible. The place I spoke of is about four miles out ■• just far onou^h out to escape the noise and heat, and it is lovely, with grounds that are almost like a park, with their beautiful shade trees and shrubbery, fountains and statuary; while in tho houße, which is somewhat old-fashioned, there are groat airy rooms that aro a perfect delight."

" How did you find such a epot, Estello ?" Ruby asked, smiling at this inviting des cription.

" Oh, there was an advertisement in this morning's paper ; I was attracted by it, and went immediately to Hee if the placo wan all that was promised. Ib seems that the owner lo«t all his family a few years ago, and has not cared to live there much since, though the place is beautifully kept up, and everything remains the same. But the housekeeper told mo that it was too lonely for her master, who spent his sum mers travelling, and lived mostly in the city during the winters. But he told her that she might take two or three lady boarders for company this year if she liked. The idea pleasea her, for she said 9he was lonely in tho great house ; henco the adver tisement, and our good luck." "But will there be anyone else there, Estelle? I wish we could be quiet. I be lieve 1 am too tired to care about mingling with company," Ruby said, leaning back in her chair and closing her eyos wearily. Mrs Gordon's heart bounded. The quea tion just suited her purpose. " No," sho answered. " I stipulated that we should be by ourselves, and she seemed very willing when I named the price I was willing to pay for that privilege, and I told her we should come on Saturday. I chose that day because I knew you would be at liberty, and you would have two whole days to rest and gain a little strength in the delightful place, before beginning the weari eome teaching again on Monday."

"You were very thoughtful and kind, Eetelle," Ruby said, but wondering to fieo her sister so unusually vivacious. " What is the housekeeper's name ?" "Mrs Coxon," said Mrs Gordon, with a quick searching glande into her sister's face.

" Mrs Coxon !" Ruby repeated, trying to remember where she had heard the name, but failing to do so, for Walter seldom re ferred to hia former home, and had only once or twice mentioned, in a casual way, the good woman's name. " Who ia the owner ?" she questioned. " I declare, I did not think to ask much about the owner, I was so delighted with the place ; but I believe the housekeeper called him Mr Edmonds, or something that Bounded like that," respondtd Mrs Gordon, turning to look out of the window, to hide tho flush that arose to her cheek as she made this reply.

She was playing a deep game, and guilt made her conscioun and fearful of dis covery.

Bub Ruby was unsuspicious of trickery, and was really very glad of the prospect of getting out of the city bo soon. She had expected to be obliged to remain there until the last of June, but this arrangement would enable her to enjoy pure air and the delights of the country a month before she had anticipated ; while, too, the place was so near the city that she could soe Walter frequently, which would bo a great comfort. And yet, even this anticipated pleasure had its drawback, for Mrs Gordon's manner of late had grown more and moro repellent towards the young man. Several times Ruby had been upon the point of confessing the fact of her engage ment to her, and insisting that she would not b« thrown "into Edmund Carpenter's society bo much ; but confident that she would bo bitterly opposed, she could not bear a scene. Moreover, Edmund's recent threat had not been without its effect upon her, 80 she concluded to wait, at least until Walter should be taken into business with Mr Conant, when he would be in a position to take her away from all such annoyances if it should seem necessary. Doubtless the reader suspects something of the plot that had been laid for the un wary Ruby. By indirect questionings Mrs Gordon had discovered that she did not know where Edmund Carpenter's residence was. He had spent but very little of his time there since his father's death, and, for more than a year, it had been reiited, fur nished, to a gentleman from New York, while the young man had had his bachelor apartment in the city. It was now empty, however, and in the care of Mrs Coxon and a servant; and the young man and his accomplice, both intent upon the same object, had planned that Ruby and Mrs Gordon should go there to spend the summer, where they intended, by strategy, or by compromising her in some way, to force the young girl to accept Mr Carpenter's proposals. It was base and mean, but Edmund Car penter was a man who would stop at nothing to gain his own ends, while Mrs Gordon's god being money, she felt that almost any measure was justifiable in order to secure so handsome and rich a prize for her young Bister, and, with it, a luxurious homo for herself for the future, or until she, too, should succeed in capturing a wealthy suitor.

They knew that they ran some risk of ex posure through Walter, but Edmund had learned that he had left the city to iuperin tend a contract which would keep him away for a long time, and he reasoned that if they could get Ruby settled at Foreat vftle, it would not be hard to keep her there. Mrs Gordon would refuse to make any change, and doubtless Ruby would feel obliged to remain with her. Mrs Gordon had taken care that their former landlady

should not know whither they were going, and hoped thus, in case Walter should call, if he chanced to come to the city on busi ness, to keep the knowledge of their where abouts from him. If she had known, how j ever, thub the young people were already lovers, and in the habit of corresponding, she might not have felt so confident of the success of her plans. On the last Saturday in May the two ladies left the sultry city, and Ruby found their summer home even more delightful than she had anticipated. A feeling of in tense satisfaction and content took posses sion of her as they wandered about the lovely grounds after tea, getting an invigor ating breeze from the river, commenting 1 upon the lovely views all about them ana the beauty and comforts of bhe place they had been so fortunate in securing. Sunday was a day of rest indeed to the weary young teacher, who simply luxuriated all day long, lying in a hammock that had baen hung upon the north piazza, reading a little now and then, but mostly gazing upon the distant hills, and drawing in with every breath life and strength from the fresh, pure air. Toward evening a beautiful carriage, with a span of fine bay horses, was driven to the door, and Mrs Gordon informed Ruby that they were going for a drive. " Why, Estelle, are you not extravagant to order such a carriage as that just For a country drive ?" Mrs Gordon laughed lightly at Ruby's question, and informed her that they wore to have the use of the turn-out ail the sum mer if they desired.

" What do you mean ¥' Ruby cried, more and more astonished.

She knew that her sister's income would not admit of such an extravagance with all her other expensee, and she could not un derstand it.

" Oh, the horses were standing idle in the stable, and bhe agont said we mi^ht an well exorcise them by driving them as to have the coachman exorcise them alone. You may be sure, my dear, that I had no objection to such an arrangement; so got on your hat and take an extra wrap, for ib may be cool before we return." Mrs Gordon made this explanation in her lightest manner, and then went sweeping down bho stops with the imperious bearing of former days.

Ruby aoon followed with a very bright face, lor it was long since she had had the pleasure of driving out in such stylo, and it almost seemed like old times.

The coachman was upon his box, dressed in dark-green livory ; the oleok, handsome horses seemed conscious of their own attrac tions in their gold-mounted harness, while the carriage was a, marvel of luxury and quiet elegance. Ruby would not have been so comfortable had she known that all this had been ar ranged with special reference to herself— that ib was but part of the plot to entangle her in a net from which she would feel thero was no escape but to marry the man she despised. But Ruby had no suspicion of anything wrong ; so she leaned back among the soft cushions with a sigh of delight, and gave herself up to the enjoyment of the moment. They drove for nearly two hours, and enjoyed every minute of the time. Mrs Gordon, who was in her happiest vein, exerted herself to be agreeable and entertaining, and Ruby could not fnil to be somewhat infected by her exuborance, and her face had not looked so bright and rosy for many a day. Just as they were passing the entrance to Fairmcrant Park, at Egglesfield, a horse man dashed out from under one of the archea of the bridge, and a single glance was sufficient to show Ruby that it was none other th»n Edmund Carpenter, mounted upon a beautiful and spirited chestnut horse.

A look of wellrfeigned surprise crossed his face as he appeared to recognise them ; then ho lifted hie hat, and bowed, and smiled.

The next moment he had donned up be side thecarriageandwasasking Mrs Gordon, in hia blandest tones :

" Whither have you two ladies flitted bo suddenly? I called at your rooms this morning to see if I could persuade one or both of you to attend church with me, and was told that you had gone out of town for the summer."

" Yes ;we left only yesterday. We have found a most delightful retreat, and deem ourselves remarkably fortunate. Come home and take tea with us, and see for yourself if wo are not pleasantly situated," said Mrs Gordon, with a« much cordiality and composure as if all this had not beon a part of the plot. "Thanks. Thafc is a very tempting invitation ; but I shall intrude upon your quiet," responded the man with an appeal ing glance at Ruby, who after civilly return ing his greeting, had given her attention to the horses, determined to have nothing to say to him. " No, indeed," persisted Mra Gordon, animatedly; "we shall have to tako our tea alone unlees you will share it, and it will be pleasant to have an addition to our party. Come and tell us about fcbe sermon that you heard this morning. We have been quite like the heathen to-day." Mr Carpenter laughed. " I am afraid my memory will not serve me well enough for that, as sermons are not much in my line; but I will join you at tea with pleasure." So he rode home with them, keeping up v lively conversation all the way, although he was not successful in drawing Ruby into it. She was too much disturbed by the en counter to feel very sociable. Shehadhoped, by getting out of the city, to escape his visits and attentions ; and here, at fche vory outset, he was coming to them as freely as of old.

When Mrs Coxon had informed her master whom she had secured for boarders, he had informed her that they were acquaintances of his, and that he did not wish them to know him as the owner of the place, as he should probably visit them, and they would feel more freedom not to know it. The coachman had also received his orders; therefore, when he made his appearance with the ladies upon their return from their drive, he was simply recognised as thoir

guesb. But Ruby was determined that she would not be annoyed with his visits. If her eisfcer would persist in inviting him, she might entertain him ; and bo, after tea was over, she stole away by herself, thus leaving the two arch-plotters by themselves. She was a trifle nervous and uncomfort able, too, for she had dropped a note to Walter a day or two previous, telling him of their contemplated change, and asking him to come out to their new home to spend this Sabbath evening with her, and she could not help dreading to have those two men meet. But Walter did nob come. Hour after hour passed, and Ruby watched and waited in vain, until, feeling both sad and lonely, she crept away to her own room and retired to rest)

(To be Continued.)

The Father of the Man.

A mother gave her little boy two bright new pennies, and asked what he was going to do with them. After a moment's thought the child replied s "lam going to give one to the missionaries, and with the other I am going to buy a stick of candy." After a while he returned from his play and told his mother he had lost one of the pennies. "Which did you loso?" she asked. "I lost the missionary penny," he promptly replied. |

" Fellow slaves," began an orator at) a labour meeting; and then he stopped. 11 Go ahead !" cried a vojce in the audience. " Most of us are married."

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE AT ROCHDALE.

Dasparato Struggles with a Elanaie.

About eleven o'clock at night Police-con stable Hutbon, of the Rochdale borough force, was informed that a greengrocer named Thomas Brierley, of Butterworth's yard, off Queen-sti-eefc, Rochdale, had cub his throat, and was attempting to murder his boy, sir years of age. The officer pro ceeded ab once bo bhe place, and saw that Brierley was intenb on throwing the boy through the chamber window. He pro cured a ladder bo enter fche place. The ladder was reared against bhe wall, and Brierley, who was bleeding frightfully from a wound in the throat, tried to push it away. The would-be suicide's attention was for a moment subsequently diverted, and the officer with great presence of mind at once roared the ladder against the build ing, and, with the assistance of one of the crowd, the lad was rescued. Afber this bhe infuriated madman began to rush wildly about the house, holding a coalrako in one hand, with which he struck out ab the officer, and a clasp knife in the other hand, with which ho hacked at his own throat. Hutton removed the ladder from the upper window, and, with tho assistance of Police constabloa Wright and Wood and a man named Mallev, he forced his way into the house by tho front door which was fastened. Then making their way upstairs bhoy had a fearful struggle with Brierley, who had smashed the coalrake he held in his hand. Malley knocked the clasp knifo out of the other hand, and the four men succeeded in mastering the poor fellow ; but even after he seemed bo have been secured he succeeded in getting his hands to the gash in his throat, which ho tore still wider. Brierley was covored in blood and frightful to behold. Ho was at once hurried off to the Rochdale Infirmary, where Dr. March attended him, and found that ho had severed his windpipe, but not cut the main urtories in his nock. Tho cut in tho throat is large enough to admit a man's hand. Early on Wednesday Dr. Pooley saw Brierley, whose injuries had been previ ously tended by Dr. March and his assist ants, and it was evident that he was sink ing. It is considered impossible for Brierloy to survive hia self-inflicted injuries. Tho man buried his wife a few weoks ago, and has drunk heavily during the past fortnight. Ho waa Buffering from dtlirium tremtna.

The Islands of the Pacific.

In addition to the two largo islands re cently discovered in the Pacific Ocean, a third, says the London "Times," has just been discovered lying le6B than 100 miles from the northern coaat of New Guinea. It has been named Allison Island, is nearly three mile 3 long, rises from 100 to 150 feet above the seu, and has abundant timber. Several Btretches of fertile and inhabited land, some of them much larger than Allison Island, have been found within a few years at a distance of 200 or 300 milest from the New Guinea coast, and similar discoveries are made once in a while in various jmrts of the Pacific. Although the maps of the Pacific Ocean are studded with islands, which appear to be lying close to gether, vessels may sail among these islands for woeks together without once coming in sight of land. So vast is the waste of waters that not long ago a crew which had been shipwrecked in the great island region of the Pacific rowed north for forty days before they reached Hawaii, the nearest land. A. R. Wallace, who has travelled widely in the Pacific, has expressed the opinion that there are still a good many islands which have never yet been seen by white men. Now and then a Pacific trader finds some new or little known island, and opens trado with its inhabitants. When the Woodlark Islands were explored, some time ago, ib was found that an Australasian firm had carefully charted the island several years before, and had boen quietly trading there, all unknown to the other Pacific merchants. —" Philadelphia Ledger."

The Salvation Army in India.

Exeteb Hall wa3 filled on the evening of July 29th with an audience assemblod to bid farowell to a party of fifty officers— thirty women and twenty men—before pro ceeding to India to carry on work of the army there. Upon the arrival of Mr Booth the whole audience rose and cheered. Aftor singing and prayera, Mr Booth delivered a short address explaining the present posi tion of the organization in India. He pre faced his speech by remarking that the Jubilee celebrations of the world were almost over, but they had not yet divulged their schemo for celebrating the Jubilee. When, however, it was divulged, ho be lieved that the largo bulk of those he was speaking to would say that it out strpped all other celebrations that had as yet taken place ; as regarded India, he said that two-thirds or the entire population were in the arms of heathenism. They had started on the march to endeavour to save those lost millions. During the past year they had been able to send out !?03 missionary officers, which he supposed was a larger mumber than that sent out by all the Protestant churches of Christendom together. They were going to supplement that number by the fifty officers who were leaving now. The army invaded India five years ago, and now they had eighteen corps and 135 officers there. The largest proportion of thoso officen, who wero just about going to India, were going to labour in the southern parts, and when thoy arrived there the number of army officers would be 185.

The North Sea and Baltic Canal.

" For tliis great undertaking," writes the London " Times" correspondent, " the necessary money has already been voted by the Parliaments of the Empire and of Prussia. The total cost is estimated at 15(5,000,000 marks (about L7,8OO,O00), and of this sum the Reichstag agreed to contri bute 106,000,000 marks, on condition that Prussia (apart, of course, from her own quota in the Imperial vote) paid the remain ing 50,000,000 marks, which she cheerfully consented to do. This latter sum, accord ing to the estimates, very nearly represents the extra cost that will be entailed in rendering the canal—considered as a mere highway of commerce—subservient to the purposes "of military defence and naval warfare. T?or the latter object, it is frankly confessed by the Government, is the primary purpose of the North Sea and Baltic Canal. The construction of the canal will be greatly facilitated by the fact that for a considerable portion of ita length —about sixty-one English miles—it is to follow from the Baltic side the course of the existing Eider Canal, which will therefore require only to be deepened and widened. It has been de signed with a cross-section of 196 feet 10 and a-half inches at the level of the water, 85 feet 8 inches at the bottom,and a normal depth of water of 27 feet 10 and two-third inches. The canal, measured at the depth of the under side of the keel of the largest mercantile steamers frequenting the Bal tic, will have a breadth of 118 feet 1 inch, sufficient wibh ordinary care to per mit the passing of two vessels of the dimensions stated. The depth of 27 feet 10 and two-third inches is sufficient for the largest ships of war of the German Navy as at present constructed. It is estimated that the canal will enable Bal tic going or coming vessels to shorten their route by at leasb two hundred and thirty seven sea miles."

THE WRECK OF AN AFRICAN MAIL STEAMER.

Cowardly Natives smd & Brave Crew.—

Terrible Scenes.

The British and African Steam Navigation Company's Royal mail steamer Congo, Cap tain Charles Pritchard, has arrived at Liver, pool, having amongst her passengers the crew of the wrecked steamer Senegal, be longing to the same company. The crew gave a thrilling account of their adventure, and of their inhuman treatment afc the hands of the natives. Although there was no loss of life the crew and passengers were at tho mercy of a horde of semi-wild natives, The Senegal was on a voyage from the West Coast of Africa, with a valuable cargo of produce, the mails, and a number of passengers, amongstthem being Archdeacon and Mrs Urowther, Captain W. Bolor, of Rock Ferry, and Lieutenant Addison, of the 2nd West India Regiment. There were about fifty native Kroomen, or labourers. On the 2nd May, at about ten minutes to one in the morning, the fcte&nier struck a partially sunken rock ab a place called Tabou, on the Kroo coast. Tho steamer waa then going at a good pace, and the impact was very heavy. The Bteamer remained fast on tho rock, and appeared to have received very soricua damage to her bottom. The shock brought out all the passengers from their cabins, and the natives sleeping on deck rushed about in the wildest manner. The com mander of the steamer, Captain Charles Brown, was also sleeping in his room, the second mate being on the bridge, and he rushed out with only his sleeping clothes on. The heavy surf was washing the vessel off, and in a few minutes the Senegal was forced over tho rock in the direction of the beach. The captain ordered the ship's boats to be lowered to savo life, and here tho natives showed the utmost cowardice. They tried to crowd into the boats regardless of any body but themselves. Captain Brown and his officers, armed with billets' of wood, stood by, and it was not until several of the natives were struck to the ground that the crow were able to put the lady passengers into tho boats, followed afterwards by the gentlemen passengers. The captain had also to have recourse to his revolver to keep the natives back, but fortunately, as it turned out, he did not shoot any of them with it. It wag quite dark at the time, and the exact position of the stranded vessel could not bo ascertained. By the surf, however, it could be seen that they were not far off tho beach. Seven boats were lowered from tho Senegal, including a utcam launch, but the latter had no steam up, and was wrecked on the beach, the con tents being plundered by the natives. A cry wa« raised that the steamer waa founder ing, and all of the boata pushed off". Cap tain Brown and his chiof and second officers remained, however, on tho stranded vessol, and they did not leave hor until the morning dawned. Most of tho boats kept well out from tho reef and waited till daylight, when they returned to the steamer. What little they could recover they gathered together, but nearly all the natives of tho place came down to the beach and subsequently boarded the stranded vessel. The work of plunder now commenced. The passengers and crew wero dispossessed of nearly all their effects. Mrs Crowther had several rings roughly torn from her fingers, and when one would not yield to the force, one of the natives got a knife to cut off the lady's finger. By an almost superhuman effort Mrs Crowther forced the ring off, and then flung it into tho sea, to the disappointment of tho plunderers. The number of the natives on the ship waa variously estimated from five to dent hundred. They were armed with iron hatchets, and some carried guns. Had Captain Brown in the first instance shot any of the natives, doubtless all of the shipwrecked people would have been killed. As it was, the natives menaced violence where their demands were le nisted, but they did not carry out their threat. The third officer of the steamer was making an attempt to enter the par tially submerged mail room, but the natives would not let him go down. The specie was also near the mails. The natives at last so crowded the ship that they com pelled the passengers and crew to leave. In their eagerness for plunder they stole everything they could lay their hands on. A new danger besefc the passengers when they got to the shore, as everything which they had previously managed to secrete was here taken away. There is but one factory at the place, that of an English man named Julio. The shipwrecked people were here accommodated as well as could be under the circumstances. The purser, Mr Edwards, had made his way to the factory in one of Mr Julio's canoes, but when he got there the Krooboys who manned the boat—eleven in number — demanded five dollars each for the service. When the purser refused they threatened to pitch him over the verandah on to the rocks. Mrs Renner, another lady passenger, had every thing stolen from her, including a box con taining £400 in money. Captain Bolerlost a box containing valuable documents. The ship's despatch box was stolen, and the bills of lading were found strewn on the beach. The6o the purser had to purchase from the natives, as well as some registered letters which tho natives became possessed of. Tho shipwreck people were continually molested and ran in great fear of their lives,. On the following morning the steamer Roquelle, belonging to the same company as the Senegal, came up, and in response to signals she stopped and took all of tho shipwrecked people on board. She was outward bound, and next day met the homeward bound company's steamer Congo, to which the crew and passengers were transferred. Al though there were about 130 people on board, not one life was lost. The crew were prevented doing anything for the salvage of the cargo, specie, and mails, on account of the armed natives threatening them with death. When last seen the Senegal's bow was below water and the stern almost level with it. The Senegal was not insured, and her loss falls entirely on her owners. Most of the crew and passengers had to be sup plied with clothing by the people on board the Roquelle and Congo, as the natives had left them almost naked. Captain Brown himself was wounded in the hand by » re volver ehot,

A Costly Diamond Necklace.

Tim; costliest necklace ever owned in America was worn by tha late Mrs Mary Jane Morgan. She had i real passion for diamonds, and wore them in hairpins, brooches, bracelets, and rings a3 well, but her special pet was a necklace, a rividre, of diamonds, which cost her originally per haps £7,000, and to which she had made various additions, until its total value was £50,000. One day she astonished a clerk at Tiffany's by .buying a diamond for £12,000 and ordering it to be set in her riviere as the centre stone. Diamonds that once glistened in her broochs, hairpins, or brace lets were transferred to this necklace, and diamonds that no longer pleased her in the necklace were reset in the brooches, hahpinß, or bracelets. To her it was a per petual pleasure to see the magnificent neck lace increasing ite magnificence. When she died the largest of the stones Were sold singly ; but the necklace without them wa3 so valuable that Messrs Tiffany bought ib for £15,000. Soon afterwards they'broke it up, and for many months ifc has ceased to exist.—"Harper's Weekly."

LADIES' GOSSIP.

A SWEETHEART'S SUGGESTION.

Pat Reilly was taking a ride On an elegant summer's rnornin." And Kathleen sat close by his side 3, Bright smiles her fuce adorning.

And she lookod so tidy and neat, Her figure bo plump and trim, No girl half so pretty aud avveet Had ever appeared to him.

Said Pat.: " Your eyes are so bluo And your lips so temptingly red, They're the purest 1 ever knew. And belong to the colleon I'd wed.

"Ah I darlip'. if it wasn't this baste • That's pullin' my poor arms apart. They would tenfierlysh teal round your waist, And yourself lie pressed to my heart.

"For my love's that powerful: inda.de Without you 1 cannot survivo." Then Kathloea she blu6hed and iha said " Mr Reiily, perhaps I could drive 1"

A Sefton Park lady is said to be writing a book on " How to Manage a Husband. She is a spinster, and keeps three cats.

A disgusted young lady writes to ask if a man always acts like a fool because ho is in love.. No, he does it sometimes because he is one.

Lady, to servant, whom she is about to engage: "These are my condition.? ; do they suit yoa ?" Servant: '' H'm ! I'll see. I always take ladies on trial."

When a man thinks he has a great head he allows his hair to grow long ; when a woman imagines she has a mission to per form in life she cuts hers off short.

" How aro you, Smith ? How are all the' girls your way? Are'you sweet on that' Miss Jones as you used to be ?" " Oh, no I' I've left that off some time." "Had a quarrel?' "No. Married hor last month."

A Warning. —Cook (on the day after hqr arrival): "Ploase, mum, I'm a bit fiery at times, and when I am fiery I'm apt to be a, bit rough spoken ; but you needn't let that pub you about—with a little present you can allus bring me round again."

First Bridesmaid: "You'll never tell?' Second bridesmaid :" Of course not. I never do, you know." First bridesmaid;: " Well, eho told me—in strict confidence, understand—that, though Jack was poor, they were going to travel all summer and stop at the best hotels, and that they got the money by selling their wedding pre sents. Now, I wonder if my spoons are paying part of the expenses !"

A good Btory is told pf Sully, tlje painter, a man distinguished for refine ment of manners as well as success in art. At a party one evening Sully was speaking of a belle who was a great favourite. " Ah," said Sul^y, " she has a mouth like an elephant." " Oh, Mr Sully, how can you be bo rude?" "Rude, ladies, rude? What do you mean ? I say that she has got a mouth like an elephant because it is full of ivory."

Another Way of Popping the Question.r— A farmer wishing to pop the question called at hia beloved's home every night of the week. When Saturday night came, before the couplo bade good-night) at the door, he said: "Wasn't I here on Mon day night!" "Yes," she replied. "And Tuesday night!" "Yes." " And Wed nesday night!" "Yes." "And Thurs day and Friday!" " Yes." " And this is Saturday, and amn't I here the night again ?" " Yes," she laughed. " Then," said he, " da« yae no smell a rat!" Not long afterwards they got married. She smelt a rat.

Long earrings are coming into fashion again. The old solitaire diamonds now re ceive an emerald or pearl drop, removable at pleasure. There is also talk of the re vival of coral; not in the shape of sprays of flowers and leaves, but in that of plain polished ear-drops and rows of beads in the finer shade of pink coral, the tint of " coraj- ■ inc." Better news it is that tho opal is becoming fashionable. This most beautiful of all stones has long been banned because it wtw " unlucky," but ib has probably beqp found that whatever the character of the jpwellery that may be worn proportionate misfortunes and troubles are bound to' come. And as these troubles come so sure as tho sparka fly upwards they may as well be awaited in opals as in sapphires. At the last drawing-room her Royal Highness the Princess of miles wore opale, thus setting the fashion.

WOMEN IN SOUTHERN CHINA.

The women in Southern China are ajl tatooed with blue stripes over their cheeks, foreheads, chins, hands, arms, legs, and partially on the breast and back. They wear short jackets curved down the back and bound with thick strong thread, and shorfc closely-fitting skirts that scarcely reach to the knees. In their ears aro inserted bits of deer bone a quarter of an, inch in diameter. Their ban* is drawn back from the forehead, and held by a comb, the head being covered by a fringed kerchief. Physically they are strong and well developed, with pleasing faces and straight features. — " Interior Views of Southern China," by B. C. Henry.

NOT FOR SALE OR FOR CRITICISM.

A lady went into one of the fashionable shops recently to buy a wrap, and in course of her search for the right thing picked up from the counter a cloth jackeb, tho colour of which greatly pleased her. It was dark red, but heavily braided, and to her taste ib would have looked better without the elaborate trimming. Holding it up to in spect its peculiar cut, she said to the atten dant, "I should like this one. Ib is very handsome, except for all that common passementrie on tho front." " Excuse me> madam," said a voice behind her. in haughty tones. '* Excuse me, that is my jacket, which I've just laid off to try on another." The lady, who is keenly alive to situations, got out of the way as quickly as possible.

THE GERMAN HOUSEWIFE.

In the richest German household the mis trese superintends the kitchen and lends a hand to the cook. There are dishes which she always makes with her own hand, because her Fritz likes them bo. She may boast thirty-two quarterings on her escut cheon, and be very proud of her lineage, but she has no nonsensical ideas about ib being degrading to put on a canvas aproq, lard a piece of veal, make jams, or dole out with her own hands prunes that are to b« put into the potato stew. She keeps her best attire for Sundays, and makes ib serve on many of these festal days, for she does not follow fashion blindly or in a hurry. On ordinary days she dresses with a plain ness that would excite the contempt of a French woman; but, then, her culinary pursuits do not prevent her from being by far the intellectual superior of her French or Belgian sister. She reads serious books, that she may be able to converse as an equal with her well-taught sons. She prac tises music, that she may remain on a level with her daughters, who are trained to bf brilliant pianists; and she finds tune vS read the newspapers, in order that she may understand what her Fritz has to e&y &bov»t the topics of the day. .



Prosecute the Swindlers!! If when you call for Amorjoaa Hop Bitters (see green twig of Bops pn the wfrtte label anfi Dr. SouWs name blovm w the boltUjJlie vendqr hands out anything but Avntrioan Hop Bitters, refuse it and shun that vendor as yon would a viper: and if ho has takon your money for auy-' thing else indict him for the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, ana wo will pay. you liberally for tho conviction.