A Heart's Bitterness

15v BERTHA. M. CLAY,

Author of "For Another's Sin," "A Fair

Mystery," &c.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

"BKsIDE TIIK BLJCK 1'OOL."

Tjik estates of Leigh were princely ; they embraced half a county, near tho Towers, together with properties acquired in other localities by purchase or marriage. Scenery, woodland, and villago, bright and dark, could bo found in the wide dounins at tho Towers, There waa ono spot that was generally eschewed, it was co dank, so desolate, so weird, to uncanny, that it would seem only iit for the haunt of a morbid and unsettled mind. It was tho. Black Pool The Black Pool lay in a doop dark lir wood. Tho pool itself was almost circulai1 and its inky waters were en-Id to be

bottomless, dank plants leaned into it from

the slimy margin, bo water fowl loved it, tho banks wore in somo places high and crumbling. Bo?ide it, stood a singular little building of two storiop, each of one room, with a balcony jutting over tho water. This building, known as " The Earl's Folly," was gloomy and dump as its surroundings ; ancient iirms and a few nntlerp, with black oak tablo3 and chairs, and porno fur rugs, were all tho furnishing. It was said to Imvo been built by a long-dead oarl, who had becomo moody and nearly mad from porno secret Eorrow, and died thoro by hie own hand. Country folk said tho placowas haunted by 1113 weary spirit. However it was, tho legend waa soldom montionod at Leigh, and Earl Maurico was relegated to forgotfulness, and hie haunt to desertion. Somotimos for a docade no one entered " The Folly," and it waa now falling into decay, Such a gloomy, ill-omened placo suited the wretched frame of Norman Leigh's epirit. Ho loved where it was sin to love, snd whore bis love was rejected with lofty indignation ; but the vory rejection stimu lated his passion. Ho refused tho society and kindness of a wife who, however disap pointed and regretful, would havo rnado. him good and happy, and would herself, with .duty well fulfilled, have grown calm and partly content. But now, Lord Norman—as Edna had fled, and ho did not know whore to pursue her—withdrew him eelf from his guests, and for hours chut him aolf up in gloomy, bitter musing in tho upper room of " The Earl's Folly." He did not mention whore ho went; no ono knew whether he wore busy in his library, or riding over hia estate, or calling on neigh bouring friends. While riding parties and picnic?, croquet, lawn tennis, archery, and charades, occupied tho party at tho Towers, Norman was off by himself, with perhaps a French novel ot tho strongest variety, a bottle of brandy, a bundle of cigars, and o book on such games as delighted the ex citab'e epirit that had been born in him, a terrible inheritance from his mother.

Only old Adam knew where he went, and that by ceaseless watching, and for ho-ira tbo old man, reckless of rheumatism, hid waiting among the firs, lest his unhappy tnastor should come to somo harm.

" Why don't you stay with us, Norman ?" said Violet, putting her hand through his arm, na they left tho breakfast room. " Leave all this tedious businoss to your steward. You look poorly. Stay with us ; wo are arranging a little masquerade; we want your help." " Why should I stay ?" said Norman, crO3*ly, shaking off her hand. "Amuse your own guests. You would not invite a lady whom I wiebod " "I slid afterward, to havo her," inter posed Violet. " Yes, when it was too late, and then 1 invitsd Koitb," ho added, looking about for a caii3o of war, " and you havo driven him off by your incivilities. I suppose. When a man ia not considered in his own home, he had better keep out of tho way." " Don't, Norman, ploase don't talk so," entreated Violet. " I want to consider you and please you ; do help mo, toll me just what you would like. I want to bo a good wife."

"I'd like bost to bo let alone," said Norman, brutally. He wont off to his retreat and left Violet to prcparo the masquerade with a heavy heart. But Violet had loving and merry friends about her. Anna was gone, but Flora Ainslie was a lively, laughter-pro voking witch, less on her good behaviour than young ladies who have been regularly introduced, and often tho little countess forgot all her troubles, and was very gay with her friends.

Robert Browning, drawing a word-pic ture ot a face, bestows on it a smile, but not "a laugh, for that spoils all." But Violet's laugh did not spoil all; It was un constrained as a child's, sweet as tho ripple of summer brooks, her lovely face dimpled, her eyes lit into sunniest gleama: her laugh was tho sweotest thing in all the world.

Having rejected his wife's advances, Leigh shut himself up in his retreat, sitting in tho upper room of "The Folly," and moodily gazing at a spider weaving webs in a corner. Adam hid not followed him that day ; long tarryiusr near the pool had bu crippled the old servant- that ho could not le.ive his rooms that morning.

One minute Leigh planned a search for Edna ; then he loat himself in what might have been ; then he considered whether he should go to the Continont, to a long round of those disastrous, deadly green tables. He would have gone at once, only there he was sura to discover nothing of Edna. Then he pondored whether ho should take opiates and steep himself in wild unreali ties. In this dangerous loneliness and treacher ous self-tempting he had remained over an hour, when he heard the lower door, which he had never found it needful to lock, turn heavily on its hinges, and after a little pauto a step, the trailing of a gown, a woman's foot upon the stair. Hia first thought wa3 that his wife had followed him to press her companionship upon him, and he sprang from the lounging attitude to close tho door, which stood ajar, when it swung widoly open, and on the threshold stood the fine, stately figure of Helen Hops, and her dark, handsome, fatal faca turned to his own.

With a muttered curee, ho sank back into hi 3 place and stubbornly fixed hia gaze on the floor.

For three or four minuted the two re mained in this poeition, Leigh not giving way ao much aa to movo an eyolid. Then Helen croeaed the room with a swift step, knelt before him, laid her arms acrods his knees, aud bending her face to reach tho glance of hia eyes, said : " Look at me, Norman ! Spoak to mo ' Smile at me! Touch your lips to mine ! For the sake of mercy, love mo, for I am the one woman in all the world who loves "Lsave me, girl !" said Leigh, angrily. " With men the question is not so much whether they are loved ac whether they love. Do you fancy that I love you V " You said you did once," wailed Helen. " I think not; you took too much for granted, your a-obition misleading you. "Why do you follow me ?" "Because I love you; because you are lonely, and no one else loves you, and out of sheer lonelineES and gratitudn you will turn to me. Your wile does not love you ; and Edna, that moonlight Soldi white creature, never did. Some small girlish fancy was once fed by your looks and words, but it died ; she carea nothing for you. Sho has gone merely to get rid ot you. Oh, turn to me I" " I would rather pursue Edna Ambrose, flying and scorning me, than take the Bweetest words of any other woman in the world," said Lsigh roadly. " It will be in vain ; all in vain," moaued Helen. " She will never marry you." " Marry I Heavens ! Do you forget I am bound hand and foot ?" " But there may be an end, even to marriage," said Helen, frantically- "Your wife might die, or ahe-you -you might be divorced. Then you could marry one whose whole hope and thought would be to please Leigh started as if he had been stung. Then he said, in a frenzy : " Death ! Divorce ! Marriage ! Fool, do you not see that these words only suggest to me the path open to Edna 1 She is to me as dew after burning noon, aa the soft breeze after the breathless Sahara, aa fair flowers after snow, as spring after winter, aa peace after despair, aa heavbn after hell. But you, Helen, you are too much like my own goaded, mad desperate self." " If you were free—free, would you not marry me 2" "No, no—by Eeaven, no 1" <:What would you dot" crieji Helen, seizing both his wrists.

"1 would die at the feet of Edna Am broso, unless she told me I might livo for

"Why scorn mo co ? Am not I handsome accomplished, devoted - all that --" " That befits a Lord of Leigh, ancestry and all V sneored Leigh. " Villain !I am your equal. lam good eroigh for you. I am as good aa your mother. Am I more adventuress than she ? I know tho blood out of which you sprang " " Good or bad, low or high, it is all one, as far as you are concerned. Your very pursuit sickens mo. The more I eeo you tha ruoie I loatho you " Helen sprang to her feet with a cry liko a scream of oomo wounded wild creature. '' I wilt have my rovengo," she said, " I will marry you, or die with you ! I will bring you to my level somehow, Lord of Leigh, so that all tho world shall know. Beware of a woman's veDgeance ! It shall fall on you like lightning. From today 1 dedicate myaelf to such a pursuit that it ahiill end at your side—at the altar or the gravo !"

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE WIPES WARNING,

One by one, as birds migrato from summer homes, tho guosts of Leigh Towers departed. All the roses wore gone ; tho asters, dahlias, and chrysanthemums had bloomed and faded ; the porsistent geraniums and parti coloured double petunias shrivolled in the frosts. The dnintior plants were already housed, and Violet was alone at the Towors, excopt for Mabel and hor governess, whose company eho had begged of hor Aunt Ainslio.

Mrs Ainflio, engrossod With tho toilots re quired for the simultaneous introduction of Anna and Flora to London life, gladly re linquished tho company and care of the youngor daughter. In vain Violet had pleaded that Flora should wait A yearTbeforo making her debut—Flora, still less than seventeen. But Mrs Ainslio was rcsolulo ; Flora was tall, and well grown and well onough educated, in her mamuia'H opinion. " Thoro novor wcro so many good partis at one season bofovo ; bacholore and widowors, thoro are at least ton ; und you, Violpt, will bo in town, and leading the fashion, and able to take the girls every where. 1 depend on you." Thus Mrs Ainslio indicated hor expecta tion of sending hey dear girls into that sacred inter circlo of society whoro sho her eelf was not bidden ; and thus she made sure that her daughters, with expectations of a hundred thousand pounds apieco, would secure one of those desirable " ton " —

"and not be thrown away on any Captain Gores either," added Mrs Ainslio, toseing back her lavender cap-strings. At her mother's word, Flora, sitting read-

ing 0 letter in tho bay window, hastily dropped a note foldod therein, and picked it np, furtively, with a crimson face. Violet saw the action, if mamma did not, and drew her own conclusions.

" Dear Flora," said Violet, when, an hour later, hor young cousin same to her boudoir, "I am euro you are receiving in your letters from Anna, notes for Captain Goro, and sending notes from him."

" Oh, please, please, Violet," cried Flora, holding up her hand, "and thon dear," she added, oxtonuaticgly, " they aro such wee, harmloes bits of notes."

" But it is wrong, as deceiving your mother, all tho saino. 1 am surprised at Captain Gore."

"Buc such tiny notes! almost a jest 1 And then, Violot, you know they care for each other, and it is hard on them, so cruel to bo kept apart just for notions of monoy

and titles. If ho wore a bad man, or a beeeat1 unable to find a living, it would be different."

" I know, dear," said Violot, " but there is honesty to be considered, and the right of a loving mother."

"And you will go and tell about it, and spoil all ':" said Flora, ready to cry.

" No, I will not, provided it is stopped at once. Send back that note to Anna, and tell her what I say. lam the last one to wish marriago a matter of bargain and sale. But your mother ia right in saying that Anna shall have ctmnco and choice, and know her own mind. It ia vary terrible to change one's mind after marriago, dear. And I promised you I would do my

very best, if Anna finds she truly loves and prefers Garp, to got your parents' consent, after Bhohas had a season to decide in 1 will bo her friend, and yours, in love making, if you do right, honestly right, being frank with your paronts and suro of honourable love for those you marry."

" Violet," cried Flora, '' you have grown old, and gravo, and wise all at once. A year ago you were just a iittlo girl like the reet of us, dow you aro a sad sobor woman." Well sho might be,thought tho little coun tess ; within that brief year she had out

lived love, hope, happiness ; hud grown old in I he bitterest experiences of the heart.

Well, the friends were al! gone-gone to overwhelm Worth, and Madame Thorese, and Vandall, and the rei-t of tha famous priests of fashion, with orders for robes and millinery, and jewels and laces. Grace Fanehaw and Lady Claro Montressor wire arranging troussoaus, and tho bridegrooms elect, Churchill and Hartington, had gone off with Lord Leigh to o 'ittle shooting box ho owned in the Highlands, to make havoc through October with tho game. Violot was not asked to go.

"Tho box had no p'aco," said Loigh,

for women's paraphernalia."

Gore went with them, and others were to meet thorn, alas !, as Violet learned casually, two who wore terribly given to gaming. " And there would be chanco for a pot of thousand* changing hands," said Goro.

Frantic with anxiety, Violet EudcJonly conceived the idea of appealing to Keith She wrote him, under cover to Lady Burton, begging him to invite himself to the hunting party, and to watch over Leigh. Tho response was a telei^ram, received by Leigh the day before they departed, asking if there was room at the " Box " to give Keith a season among tbe birds-

" I shall *ell him to come," said Leigh to Violet, handing her the despatch. "You won't be there to drive him off by your re buffs, and, between us two, I feel surer of myself, and safor, with Keith, than without him."

Violet said not a word. She wna noticing the "expression on Hartington's face when he heard of Koith's request. Child as Bhe was, that look was a revelation. She saw that Hartington had intended to lure l.eigh on in gambling and drinking. An intense pity for this Leigh with his strong hereditary passions, bis Mephistopheles for ever on the watch at his elbow,pos?essed the soul of Violet. Pity is akin to tendor neßS. She took Leigh's arm, and said : "Let us walk out along the Elm Avenue."

He yielded to the guiding of her touch, and when they were alone under the grand arches of the elms, she said : "Norman, you are going away, and I do not want you to go feeling cold or angry with mo. I wish to please you. Do not bo offended with me about Lord Keith, or any one. I. desire only to make you happy. Will you think of and write to mo when you are gone ?" " I'm a dused bad hand at letter writing, paid Lo;gh, " but I may drop you aline. Yes, I shall certainly think of you, for you are, after all, a real good little creature, Violet, and make a man very little trouble." This was faint praise, but it was better than nothing. "Norman," paid Violet, "Idon't want to make you angry with anyone, but-Colonel Hartington is not your friend." "Thatis no news, my dear. I always knew that."

"Is he your enemy ?" " Most undoubtedly he iB, and my rival." "My aunt says—that—he and Clare count already on your succession. They think you look poorly." "I hope to outlivn them both !" cried teigh ; " but then, Violet, if you only had a son their schemes would be knocked to pieces whether I lived or died. I say, Vio iet. you don't know how much I should care for you if you checkmated bartiogton by a robust little Lord of Leigh." " Norman, Heaven may send us a blessing like that if He finds us worthy of it; but for the present let me tell you what I fear. I fear Colonel Hartington thinks that you can be tempted with cards and brandy, and ha means to do it, and so help on your poor health, excite your nerves, spoil your sleep, wear you out. Now will you be on your guard against him ? I saw a great deal in his face when he heard that telegram. He is sorry Keith will be there. He thinks Keith will advise you for your good." " And, by Jove, I'll take Keith's advice against the colonel's any day, and outwit my good heir presumptive. He is older than I am, by ten years. What is he counting on my death for, confound "I shall feel much better if I know you are to be safe, and look out for your health, and get the benefit of that bracing moun tam nir,"said Violet. "Woll, well, 111 do my best: and I'll meet you at your aunt's for the holidays, at Lin'leawood, or I'll be hare by the first of December, and take you to Lmden- Thus Leigh and bis friends, with valets, grooms, guns, doga, game-bags, endless

accoutrements, and store?, set off for the shciotintr box in the North, and Violet was left to herEelf in the great, desolate, ancient menaion. No chatelaine of tho middle ages wtß ever fairer, or more lonely, or helpless, though perhaps in greater present danger thai the little Countesa of Leigh. What waa her joy or tho third day of hor absolute reign, while ehe was trying by embroidery to while away the time, until Ma'rol and her governess were done with morning lessons, to receive a letter from Lady Burton, saying that as she was alone, and her son had gone North, she would liko to come to the Towers for a visit.

Violet answered by a telegram, and could hardly wait the three days more until she might drive to tho station to meet hor beet friend.

A time of peace then came to tho Countesa of Leigh. Lady Burton scarcely ovor mentioned Kenneth, or anything that concerned him, except as sho read aloud his very genoral and graphic letters about their life at the "Box." Thoro was much about Leigh in them, always anything that could be to Leigh's advantage. The breezy, healthful, 1 implo life was described, and without those letters Violet would scarcely have known how her husband fared, for Leigh sent only a brief note at intervals of a fortnight or so.

With books, music, work, walks, drives ovor all the optato, and visits to the neigh bouring country families, calls at the vicar age, the schools, and friendly, unobtrusive work among the poor, tho days paaeed happily enough. This acquaintance gained with hor ton anta and tho administration of tho ostatea was of infinite use to Violet in the troubled and dangorous days that it was hor fate soon to soo.

(To be Continual.)

TWO KEYS: OR Margaret Houghton's Heroism

By MKS GEOUGIE SHELDON,

4.nthor of " Brownie's Triumph," " The For

jrta* Brido." "Audrey's Reoorapense,"&o.

CHAPTER XXXI,

IiONV THE DEED WAS DONE,

Louis looked at his watch again,

Thoro was a little more than ten minutes before her hour would expire—time enough for a brief outlino of tho occurrences of that evontful night) ho thought.

" When I left yon," he began, "It hastoncd toward my office as I told you I intended to do, but I had not a thought of being followed, nor that anyono could sus pect whithor I was bound. I reached it, unlocked tho oatar door and passed into fcho building. 1 did not rolock tho door on tho inside, bocauso I did not intend to re main more thrn a moment or two, just long enough to assure myself that everything was all right. That was a mistake, and fatal to mo. I should have locked it at onco Hpon entering. " The building was of course Very dark, I could see nothing, but I knowevory stop, and passed across the vestibule to my own office door. As I was inserting the key in its lock I thought I heard a slight noUo behind me. 1 paused to listen, and was sure I heard some ono trying to repress laboured breathing. Tho next instant I folt astucning blow on tho back of my head, and fell to tho floor senseless.

" When I came to myself again, I was bound hand and foot, a gag in my mouth, and a handkerchief tied tightly ovor it. My oflico door wns open, and I saw Aspimvnll down on his kn ea boforo the safe. He had robbed me of my koya, entered the oltice, opened tbo cafe, and was in the act of taking the money from it by tha light of a a toper match, which went out wliilo I looked. Presently he camo out, shutting and locking the office door after him. "Ho bent ovor me and listened. I thought it best to feign unconsciousness still, thinking perhaps ho might not be so much on his guard if he believed I had not re covered my senses, and I could thus learn more about hi* movements. So I held my breath and did not stir. Aftor a momont he passed mo and went out at the street door, looking that also after him. "I do not knew how long I lay there, but it seemed an age, and I was nearly wild about the monoy. I could not move, being so securely bound, and I believed that I must lay there until some one dis covered me in the morning. However, I thought that would not be the worst that could happen to me, for as long as I was not seriously injured, I should be able to sot the officers at onco on the track of the audacious robber. But these plans were defeated by the return of my assailant. Ho entered the second timo, securely locking (he door nfter him. Then I hoard him strike a match, a candle was lighted, and an old man with white hair and beard bent over me and scanned my countonanca

" ' Ohio ! so you've come to !' he paid, in a low, assumed voice.

" He stoopod and removed tho cord from my feofc, carefully winding it into a ball and storing it away in a capacious pocket of his lone; great-coat, so as to leave no traces behind him.

" ' Get up !' ho thon commanded. " I struggled to my feet and looked him over. I knew well onough that it was Aspinwell in disguise; but I could not apeak, for that gag and bandage had been very thoroughly arranged. Juefc thon, away in the distance, I heard one of tho city clocks strike three. My heart sunk within me, for I knew there would be little hope of my obtaining assistance at that hour. The pseudo old man took me by tho arm and led me to the door, where he extinguished his candle. Then he cau tiously looked forth into the street. " Everything was quiet. He led me out, and, still keeping firm hold upon me, care fully locked the door after us. Ho then cocked a pistol, Bnd placed it against my breast.

" If you make any resistance or disturb ance, / will make short work of you !' he said, in a low, determined voice. " Our office, as perhaps you know, is on the corner of this alley, which leads through from Rue do Castiglione to Rue de BUdc. He turned immediately into it apd brought me etraight to this buildiDg, which was un locked and evidently ready for my recep tion.

" Entering, he lighted his candle again, and, pointing to tho stairs, bade me mount them. I could only obey, for I was helpless to do otherwise, and he followed me, forcing me into this room, which waa dimly lighted and arranged as yon Bee it now. The gate of this cage was open. He commanded me to enter. I e'opped and faced him, while I Btruggled frantically to free my hands, which wore bound behind my back. I could not resign myself to such a fate without an effort to escape. But, of course, it. was useless, and, taking me rudely by the shoulder, he pushed me inside, when he closed and locked the gate upon me. "'Now,' he said, 'turn your back to me and I will give you the use of your hands.' " I obeyed, backing close up to the bars, and he cut the cord that bound them." " Had 1 been outside and close beside him, with weapons of defence within my reach, I could not have used them, for my bands were co numb and weak that they were absolutely powerless. I could not e/en raise them to untie the bandages from my mouth, and had to motion to him to do it for me, which he did. "Then I faced him.

" ' What does this mean, ana v?nai ao you expect to gain by this night's work ?' I demanded. .... , .. "'Softly, my friend, if you please; it affects my nerves unpleasantly to have any one speak in such a tone,' be said, in a mocking though still disguised voice. "'Arthur Aspinwall," I retorted, 'you may aa well drop your mask, for I know you, and no amount of pretension can con ceal your identity from me.' " He started, and looked at me keenly. " 'My name, young man, ia Pierre Dupont; I know not your Arthur Aspia wall,' he said, in French, and in the same voice as before. " 'That is a very useless and senseless s*ory,' I replied, 'for I saw you when you took that money from the safe in my office a few hours ago.' " 'Very well.' he theu answered, in his natural tono, though his face had grown phastly white upon learning that ho was ""'•What'do you expect to gain by this night's work ?' I repeated. " ' That remains to be saen, he replied. < But you can doubtless understand thai it

will be necessary for me to detain you for a time, until the excitement which must prevail after the discovery of to-night's event subsides somewhat. I shall en deavour, however, to make you as comfort able as circumstaccea will permit. You will see that 1 have provided you with a loungo upon which to sleep, whilo on that table thero is food, which will be renewed every day or two. Your quarters, I ac knowledge, are rather cramped, but thoy have the advantage of being secure ; and, let me aa?uro you, it will bo utterly useless for you to attempt to escapo. If you cry out to tho top of yojr lunga no one will hoar you, as this room is tho sirao a3 a room within a room, for beyond those windows thero is Q corridor loading into the stroot below, and all these buildings for eouae way down tho alley nre empty. This was origin ally the shop of a diamond-worker, which account? for tho very secure way in which that safe is guarded ; and you neod not fear tho intrusion of anvono upon your privacy. Now, ai the night haa boon ratho' a busy one for me, I must leave, I will, however, look in upon you to-morrow, and slml lhopo to find you in a tranquil frame of mind

" Stay !' I said, as he was about to leave me. ' How far do you intond to carry this state of auVrs ? Do you imagine you can hide mo for any length of timu from my frionde?'

" He gave mo a wickod look. " ' I do not imagine anything, Louis Dunbar— I know that I have covered my tracks so effectually that no one will ever suspect that I had anything whatevor to do with your suddondisappearanco Tho only posaiblo explanation of tho mystery will bo that you yourself aoscondod with tho gold committed to your trust.' " With those terrible words ho loft mo, and you can perhaps imngino tho frame of mind I was in. You say that I have grown ' thin ;' truly I have, Margaret, and for thoRO next throe days I endured tho tor monts of tho InquUition, I could coo how well Aspinall had managed to conceal his identity, and that no ono would suspect him of having hud iuiy hand in tho robbery of my ollico, but how he hail ovor gained v knowledge of the monoy was the most tantalising mystory o' all. You have, how over, made that plain to mo. Of courso he must havo concealed himself behind those draperies, and, leaving tho house almost inimediitcly after I had done bo, followod mo all the way to tho otlico. " There, doar, your time ia very noaily up," Louis said, holding his watch co tliat she could see for herself, " and I must tell you no more now.1' " Must Igo and leave you ? Oh, Louis ! it eoems as if I could not," Margaret said, with a regretful sigh. "It is tho best plan, for tho roafons al roady stated. You will bring me thoeo tools to-morrow, and thon, in a few hours, I shall have my fato in my own hands. Now you must not stay anothor minulo. Give mo your candlo, and let mo light it from mine.

Margaret stoopod to get it for him, and, as sho did so, removed some drops of wax that had adhered to the carpet when it fell Sho would not loavo tho slightest trace of her movemonts that night. Arthur Aspin wall must not bo allowed tc suspect, at present, that bin prisonor had boon ilia cOTOrod.

Louis lightod tho candle, but bont ami kissed tho hand that sho put out to receive it before giving it to hor. "floaven Moas my bravo and fal'.bfnl love, and grant that no harm may befall hor!" ho said tondorly, adding: "I sball count tho hours until wo meot again."

Margarot smiled a fond responao, and, with a last goodnight, pnesed out of tho room

She carefully lockod tho door after her, and then passed down that long flight of stairs, taking tho precaution to hold hor clothing away from thorn, so that thoy would los.vo no traco behind to betray that a woman had beon thoro.

Reaching the lower room, eho oxtin guished her candle, put it into her pocket, opened tho outer door, and listened. Thoie wa* not a sound anywhere rcir.

Sho passed out, turning tho key quietly, quickly sped down tho steps and out into tho streot.

Annotto stood thoro at tho corner waiting for her.

CHAP TEH XXXII.

AN UNrLKAHANT ADVKNTUUE.

" Holy mother bo praised, mademoisolle ! I have sull'ercd the torments of purgatory for you !'' the girl criod, us Margaret joined hor. Did mademoiselle accomplish what sho wishod to-night ?"

"Not fully. It will at loiat take ono visit moro. Are you bravo enough to como with mo again, Annette ? "

"Oui; if mademoiselle mini como again, I shall come with her," was t'uo unhesitat ing response. "Thanks; and now I will-toll you this much, Annette—if I succeed in my plans, without creating fuspicion beforo they are accomplished, I shall onco moro bo the happiest uirl in all Paris "

" Mon l)iou ! then monsieur must ba safe —nothing else could make mademoiselle happy," roturnod the giri, shrewdly.

Margaret laughed softly -such a s^oet, silvory laugh, and a eour.d that had long boen a stranger to her lips ; but hor sorrow had flown, and hope was once moro beating high within her heart. They had ju-st como out from tho Ruo do Blanc to tho broader, bottor lighted, and moro frequented street beyond, and wove about to cross it, when that tweet, happy laugh of Margaret's attracted tho attention of two individuals who wero crossing from tho oppojito eido Margarot, thinking only of hor siueess, had forgotten to draw down hor veil, and hor beautiful face, all lighted with hope anJ love, was exposed to tho gaze of all whom sho met.

One of the men turned back after passing the girls. •

" Ah ! those wero dulcet tones for o sriz etto ! and, Mou Dieu ! what a face ! Look —'tis tho sweetest in the world !" •

Margaret's heart sank with sudden torror, for she had caught every word.

She hastily pulled down her veil, and grasping Annette's aim almost convulsively, excitedly increased her pace. But she soon became conaeioua that they wore being followed, for tho two men had turned baok and were walking behind them

They increased thoir speed, and thoso footnteps grew more rapid nlro. " What ehall we do, Annette ?" whispered Margaret, iv a trembling voice. " Make no notica -maybe they will pass and go on," was the low reply. But their pursuers did not pass on ; thoy kept a little in tho rear, talking in omin ously subdued tones.

"la a moment we ehall turn into a side street, and pass to tho Rue do Rivoli, where wo need not fear; there are much poople tbaro,'" eaid Annette, in a roaeauriug tone.

But tho moment they turned she saw her mistake ; they should have kept on in tho bettor lighted, more frequonted way, or gono to a corner, taken a fiacre, and driven homo; for the two raon followed cloao upon them.

The street was a comparatively short one, but very quiet, and there was but little parsing at that hour of tho evening. The girls had accomplished only half the distance, when one of their pursuors stepped up to Margaret's side and boldlj addressed her.

" Ah, pretty one, you should not be out unattended on a night so dark. Paris is not a cafe place. Come, we will shield you —we will conduct you to your home." The tone was familiar, and even insulting, and Margaret was so alarmed that she could hardly force her trembling feet along. "Go away and leave us alone," sharply commanded Annette.

"Nay, nay; surely those are not the flute like tones that greeted my ears but a moment ago I" retorted their persecutor in a bantering tone. "Come, come, my good girls," he con tinued, coaxingly, " make friends with usi: there ia a fine cafe yonder, let us repair thither, and pass an hour in mirth and good fellowship. Indeed I must see this pretty one's fair face once more," and he laid his hand familiarly upon Margaret's arm as he spoke. She instantly shook it off and drew her form haughtily erect. "Ha, ha !" laughted the man beside her, " what an air ! Have we here some beauti ful countess in disguise 1 Ah ! but I am tempted beyond all reason. Here we are at the cafe. Quick, Antonie ! quick I" He had kept pace with the frightened girls, while his companion passed on and was walking just before them. As he uttered these last words he grasped Margaret firmly by the arm; the men before them sprang forward and suddenly opened a door of the building which thay were passing, and the poworles^ maidens wore hurried into a brilliarjtly lighted pa*sa<»o, end the door was quickly closed and looked bohind thorn, almost hufore they were aware of the intention of their enforced companions. Another door was opened, and they were conducted into a large and handsomely fur nished room.'

Rich rugs lay all aboub the highly polished, inlaid floor; a glittering chandelier was suspended from the ex quisitely ■ frescoed ceiling ; beautiful draperios were at tho windows ; there was a magnificent plant in one corner of the room, und olegan'ly upholstered furniture was scattered invitingly about tho apart ment.

At a centre table, upon which there was a profusion of books and periodicals, there sat a fino-looking young man of porhapa twenty-five years, sipping a glass of wine, and ongased in roading.

He looked up aa the party from the etroot entered.

" Ah ! bah ! what are you up to now, Por rinei1' ho asked, in an impatient tone, and regarding the two trembling girls with as toni-htuent.

"Only a littlo lark, torrain. We have found two pretty g.ijl« who are over modest, but wo are determined to make their ac quaintance." Margaret stood panting, with fear and exhaustion, holding her veil closely over her face and trembling in every limb, for she had now recognised both the men who hai so insulted her, and the gentleman who was sitting at the tablr. The former was a frequenter of places of amusement, and she had met him often. Sho had never been proposee?scd in hid favour, still she had imagined him to be of a respDOtablo family, or he would not have beoti r©c*Gi\'cd in tbn.se select circles.

The la'tor was joang Count Terrain, a youthful nobleman, highly ro*pocted, and much sought after in cultivated society, and Margaret had ofton chatted and danced with himat balls and parties ; indeed, he had shown her much marked attention, so much that her father had once said, in a laughing way, that he " did not eeo any thing to prevent her becoming a countess if shb chose."

What should eho do—appeal to him and demand his protection against her poreo cutor!

Sho know that sho had but to speak tho word, and ho would spring to her assistance at onco : but tho thought of having hor idontily discovered wub torluro to her, while ho would doubtless think it very strango that she fihould bo walking tho streets of Paris with hor muid, and in suoh a yuiso, at that hour of tho night; whilo, of course, it would bo utterly impossible for hor to explain her errand to him. She rosolved, however, not to unveil hor face if sho could avoid it; siio know that sho was in a perilous position, but that should bo a last resort.

Annette was crying and wringing hor bands, and pleaded to bo roloaeod. "Ah, monsieur," sho sobbed, "pray lot us co. Wo aro only two waiting maids. We have been to visit our mother, and were quiofly returning to our mistress when you assailed us. Ah, good monsieur," turning to Count Lorratn, "you are kind ; you will pload for us ; you will not let thoin insult two unprotected girlß. Pray — pray, lnsnsiour, make them lot us go "

The count looked displeased and annoyed. " Lot thorn go, Perrino," ho said, in a low tono ; "they are evidently good girls, and unaccustomed to such 'larks ' If you muni amuse yourself in this way, you can easily find enough of your own etamp who will not refuse your attentions."

"Ah, but, Lorrain, wo'vo found a jewel horo,'' indicating Margaret. " Ono doesn't often moot such a pretty face or hoar such a voice a 9 yondor grisetto possesses. you lot us alone, my lord count—you are not accountable for any sins but ySur own."

" 1 thank fortune that offaring insult to innocent girls is a sin that 1 shsll not havo to answor for," roturnoil tho count. " And you forgot, Perrine, that tho rules of this house forbid any but India and friends of the mombors of tho club to bo entertainod horo." Porrino frowned. " I know it," ho admittod ; " but wo had to bring them in horo, or be baulked in our fun."

Margarot gathered courago from thoso remarks. Sho saw that the count did not liko to interforo with Perrino's offiir*, but fho did not boliove that lio would refuso lo aid her if directly appealed to. Sho was upon the point of doing this whon Porrino. unhoeding both Annette's pleading and his friend's reproof, approached hor.

" My pretty ono," ho began insinuatingly, " lift that obnoxious veil, do not bo so coy, and try to hide your charms. Como, como, I insist "

Ho would huvo torn tho covering from hor faco, but she hold it (fosely gathered under her chin with her right hand, wlulo sho put out hor loft to koop him off.

He lnughcd gayly at this and then turned to ppnok to his companion, who, apparently, wa> his servant.

Ho gave him snmo command in a low tone, anil ho immediately left the room.

Margaret breathed moro freoly a3 h: passed out, for there was one loss to cou tend with now.

Perrine bei,t toward her again and seized thn hand she had thrust out against him.

She instantly >vronched it from his gc-»?p, and in tho act her rnitto'i was torn off. dis closing her delicate hand and tho brilliant diamond that pprtrkled on her third finder.

The young man looked a triflo startled as hh e^cs fell up.m the glittering stono.

"That is a fino stone for the hand of a waiting-maid," ho saM, in astonishment. " Hmt thou boon tampering with fcliy mis tress'J jewel-box ? T uly thy hand is dainty enough for tho finest goms ; if thy tace or reapinds wo have found n. marvellous priza. ConiOi sweet, your charming coyness only aggravates my curiosity."

Again he luid his hand upon hor veil, and was about to rudoly tear it from her grasp, whon lio was Rfcnrtlsd and arrested in I ho act by a clear bell-like voice exclaim ing authoritatively :

" Monsieur Porrino, release mo ineiuiitly

(Tola Continued)

Humorous.

Tub only oider wo obey punctually is a money order.

A good " mount" with plenty of reserve power— Mount Vesuvius.

The Feast of Imagination. Having no dinner, but roadisg a co kerybook. If rovoii days uiako one week, how many days will make one strong ? Thoso who toil and spin.—Bicycle ridora.

The way for peop!o to win goldon opinions is to havo plenty of brass.

Great point of resemblance between farmers and their poultry. - Both dolight in full crops.

A correspondent askfr : "Is it wrong to etioat a lawyer?" First cheat tho lawyer and then we will ask the conundrum.

Ten, ink, paper, and brains are the only things requisite to literary success ; and almost anybody can get tho pen, ink, and pupar.

"Thoso dear eyes of thine," as the old gentleman said when ho brought bis wife another pair of fifty shilling spectacles,

'• Your horee has a tremendous long bit," eaid a friend to a noted wag. "Yoe," ho responded, " it is a bit too long.''

A Fr.-mch photographer was so absorbed tho other day in his great work of taking tho likeness of tho Arc de Triomphe that he uttered the ueual phrase, "Now, do not stir; one, two, three,"

"Yes," said the chairman sadly, "our temperance meeting would have boon more succeaaful if tho lecturer hadn't been ro abeeut minded." "What did he do?" " Ho tried to blow the foam from a glass of water."

A Leseon in German.—Young Simpson (anxious to have the thing straight): Mr Schneider, should one gay "arie beer" "or "me beer ?"—Schneidor : You must say " anoi peer." Come, I take one mit you. Magistrate (to inebriate): "You drink whisky as it it was water." Inebriate : " Ala", you have too good an opinion of me. I'm so out of practice at drinking water that id would be a long time before I can swig it down as if it wero whisky."

"It is a curious tvorld," a barber said; nobody ain't satisfied The last man but one in my chair made me brush and grease his curly hair till it was straight, and the next man to him made me curl his straight hair."

It eeen^s that the Irish bull flourishes even in the tropical climate of India. A wol! known Irish peer holding high office lately turned up the corner of a begging letter, and wrote on it for the instruction of his private secretary, " Reply that there ia no answer."

" Gracious I" exclaimed a rural lady, with a surprised look at Bartholdi'a big statue, " and is that the Goddess of Liberty ? Why I had no idea she was so much bigger than the rest of us women." A youth of Wldnes, four yard old, and his young siete-r, saw a rat hasten ijto a ho'.s in tho ban: floor. m Said he, " Sis, the Bible sriys, ' Watch and pray.' You pray while I watch the hole, and I'll swote him across tho anoot whon lie comes oat."

A former neat Boston who had a fine patch of melons by tho roadsido had tfcw admonitory sign chalked out, and put up conspicuously in the patoh : " Boys, don't take these melons, they are green, and God sees you."

A Fight with a Giant.

Tbe following account of the Ram Lila Festival in India, which has this year beeu the occasion of sorious rioting a,t Delhi and elsewhere, may bo of interest to our readers:— It was a brilliant, blazing day early in October, and was tho day of the groat re ligious festival of the Hindoos, known nnthe Ritm Lila. Wo were at Fyzabad in Oudh, only six milos from one of the greatest strongholds of Uindooism, tho sacred and ancient city of Audhitt, wbo;e antiquity dates from mythologic.il timas some thous ands of years beforo our Christian era, and, who.^o sanctity us (he birthplace of the monkey-cod liunnmn .1, and also that of the hero Kama. c;no of tho sacred line of Sun- Begotten Kinga, is not surpassed by any other of the oities on the earth.

Wo had bo^n invited by the Maharajah Miin S ngh to go and witness, tho combat batwoen Kama and tho demon giant BAvana, and when half-way to Ajudhia found one of the Maharajah's elephants waiting for us, a splendid fellow with hie facj and ears and trunk painted elaborately in brilliant colours Ho was covered with a cloth of crimson and green and purple volvet reaching to within a few inches of the ground, and hoavy with gold em broidery, nod on his back was a eilvei howdah. Having mounted, wo proceeded in stu'e, witli a native servant perched up behind us, holding over our honoured hcadfl a huge red umbrolla, and were shortly mot by a number of native gontlemen on elephants nearly as gorgeoua as our own, who followed us to tho ffite.

The road was thronged M'ith donee crowds of men, women, and children in bright clean holiday clotbos, with a liberal sprinkling of fakirs among them, always distinguishable by tho:r absence of clothes and extromo dirtiness. Ascetics nevor have held that closnlineFs wai next to godliness. Ono holy man wo passed had painted his whole body whito—his coat of paint being his only garment—and who was ap parently hanging from a troe. Anothor was standing on his hood with four large fires blazing close round him, which stiomed superfluous with such a b'azing sun ovor head. Bells were jangling, cymbals clash ing, tomtoms thumping, all softened and har monijod by tho all-pervading hum of the many-throated crowd. The econe was one to bo remembored—tho great swaying dark masses of people, their white turbans stand ing as thick as ears of corn in a whoatfisld ; the elephants rising above the level of the crowd and majestically cloaving it asunder as thoy strode silently onward ; tho count loss domos of moeques and temples standing out Bharp and clear in the whito sunlight agiinst the deep blue sky ; the flat roofs and the tops of tho walls and balconies covorcd with swarming crowds of women brilliant as a kaleidoscope.

And now we wore clone to tho scene of action, and co tightly wedged wera the people that tho elephants could no longer forco a passage. ■ Toworing 20 feet or tnoro abovb all surrounding objects we saw the huge uncouth figure of the giant Ravana, made of bamboo framework covered with paper and calico, being drawn to and fro, with arm 3 outspread, on a little wheeled platform, while two boys representing Rima and his brother attacked him from an elephant; with bows and arrows, anrl crowds of boys with mnnkoy-nmaks and tails, rourefonting Hunmnn'a monkey army, mado onslaughts with fierce "houts and blows. Our olophant was not vory staunch, and whon shouts of battlo rose ehrill and savage he would turn short round, spread ing consternation and nearly demolishing a sweotmoat stall that was unwisely near his heels. The internet of rhA cr.wd ia the* combat was intense and breathless, and when at last tho giant was overthrown, all struggled wildly to get a blow at him, whilo a mighty roar of triumph filled the air, mingled with the firing of guns and the deep trumpetfng of the elephants, who were thoroughly infected with the excitement of the momont. In a miraculously short time tho giant was torn toshreds and his mangled remains ecattored far and wide with venge ful energy. Hunumnn and their belovtd Kiitna had won tho victory.

This 13 tho ono great carnival of the Hin doos, and when, a» sometimes happens, its Hate coincides with that of tha great Mahommo'Jnn feast of the Mohurrum, there is always great risk of a cc-HiMon.

Tho lli'im Lila has another interest, con noctcd with natural history, as being the dato on which, according to native scienti fic observation, bugs leave eff biting. The niitivoa pay "thoy get weaker for a month beforo the Rum Lila, but after that their mouths are shut,"

UNKNOWN

PIHSOKgs Henry of Battenberg was safely delivered of n son »t five o'clock on Tuesday morning. Both her Royal Highness and the infant are doing well.

A supplement to the " London Gazette " was issued on Wednesday announcing the accouchement of tho Princess Beatrice. Hor Majesty tho Queon was present. Prince Henry of BiUtonberg and Viscount Cross, Secretary for India, in tho abjcnco of the Homo Socrctary, wore tleo present.

A contemporary soya :—Princess Beatrice lin3 boiomo a mother much later in life thin her fiaton". S!io is over twenty-nine Tho Crown Princoea of Germany, tho Princess Royel of England, was only nine teen when ?he bore the heir to tho German Throno. Tho Princess of Wales was twonty -, Princess Christian wn>> twenty mo; the Into Princo?s slice was twenty fivo. The Queen ha 3 now thirty pix grand children and fivo great grandchildren.

There no longer sennas any doubt that the Qucon haspivsn her consent to tho mar iaj»e of Princess Victoria of Teck and Lord Woy mouth. Tho Princess is a great favourite, her beauty arc! amiability e«:!ting the ad miration of evorybody, and she has the gaod wishes of all. At tho same timo nmrriigea of peers with pars nagos of the Royal Family do not generally result too well. It ia notorious that the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lorno do not get on so well ns either would probably hivo done if the matrimnn'al choice had been within their own circles. It has been the s.bject of such frequent comment fiat there need be no delioacy in roforring to it, that the two hr.vg an extraordinary faculty for being at different placea. I have heard it, suggested that this unpleasant state of affairs is duo to th" snubs which were administered un mercifully to tho Marquis by tho Prince of Waloß and tho other brothers of the bride, who by no means approvod of tbemesalliaHCC of their eistor.

In tho case of the Princess Victoria the circumstances are different She—poor young lady—hos not had a life so free from care as the Prinoesa Louise, for she must have seen in her homo now and then some evidence of the black euro that ridrs astride a hou=o haunted by pecuniary embarrass ments. A few jeasonß 050 thoro was a complete smash in the Took household, and for a whilo tho unhappy c.iuple had to seek abroad the restoration of their fortunes. The Princasß ia not born Royal, her father having been the offspring of a morganatic marriage. Curiously enough, the young son who haß jußt been born to the Princoss Beatrice ia in tha satn^ position, for his father also is an offspring of a morganatic alliance.

These distinctions may appear email to us baser mortals, but they have tremendous influence in certain circles, especially on the Continent Nobody can have failod to have remarked the scorn of the tone adopted towards tho Prince of Battenberg, after his expulsion from Bulgaria, in the German Precs. F:om conversations I have had with German journalists, I feel sure that a irood deal of this was the result of the feeling that the Prince was base born in the sense of not being of full Royal descent. That alsi wos the roason why he did not succeed in his suit for tho hand of one of the daughters of the Crown Prince of Germany. He went very near success, for with that knack of gaining female hearts which belongs to his hindsome and clever race, he had talked over to hiß side all the women of the Imperial Family. Returning to tho Princess Victoria, it is reported that she will get the dowry which her own people are unable to give her from the Duchess of Cumbiidge, and the amount is set down at £30,000,

A GRAVEYARD AND ITS CONTENTS.

Thora lie levellers le^c'l'd, dues done u» ot tbetnielves. There are boeksoUersflnallylald on their Ehelves Horizontally thera lie upriaht politicians, Dose a-doso with their patients skep f aultle.33 physicians; Thero are 'livo-drlvera quietly whipt under ground, There binkbicilara, ficn? up In boards, sri fast boun;). There fYuv b^.br j thut'i unborn i^ supplied wi ha borih. There men wi-iioiitlrijißet their b!x feet of ea,rh, Thsro l(i"Ws"cra repose, each wrapped up it\ his Tncr.T r-cefcere of cfllce are sure of a place, "licfe doi'CD(liirt!i Bii"i pli'.intfif ar^ pt^uulij* ax t, There shoemakers qnietly stick to thair last, There b.-okare at length beonmo quiet as 3tocks, There Btsg6-ililver3 sleep witaout quirting their 1 box. ' • *

UNKNOWN

Gallan,' .:0..cb0.

Shortly before ono 3 clock on Tuesday morning, some poise:-..; ( r.ssing the shop 29, Widegate-stroot, IS.-!'1 i jsjate-strcet, Lon don, occupied b/ Mi !i ey, tobacconist, saw smoka Uau'oiJ ' ~m between the shutters. A crackli■>;; >cc and the burst ing of tho winch* i ■« followed, and ilames broke foiil.. S.-.uie ran to the Bi-hopegate street Fire Station, which is distant only a hand rod yards or so, while others knocked with nil th6ir force at tho hall door. Tin-ir k<e>;king coon roused the inmates, Mi a:> I Mrs Gray and their father, who endeavoured to come down stairs, but finding that impossible, rushed to the window a»d ■-■ai'cd for help. The flames had, however, by this time burst through tho shop front, and thair heat com pelled" the alar .no i people to abandon thoir helpless position at the windows. This they did desp.te tho exhortations of tho people who h-id a'tombled outside to "Wait a minute," and cries of "Here's the tire-escape." Tlia younger people, Mr and Mrs (irey, were aWo to roach the top of the house, but Mr 11 rev s father was com polled to return to ll.e window once again. This time, on his aj.Tcaring alone at the crowd gathered in Ui'e -ueot wob intense, as nearly all believed that the young popple were lost. Tho ni'u at the window appealed earnestly for aid, but retained his presence of mind, n::i withstanding every moment eeooaod to in ilo his eecape by any other means than jumping from the window an impossibility, as tho fire ate its way through the house. However, just as the tire had actually attacked tho room in which Mr Groy, senior, was, the fire oscape from Bisshop?gate-etreet was obsorved coming along aa rapidly as it could bo puehed. Tho anxious onlookers in the streot shouted the news of its proximity to tho almost ex haustod man on the window, who was by this time invisible in consequence of the amoko. Many bonds wore roudy to give all tho assistance neoded to pitch the machine against the window Bill. In a second Engineer Hill was ascending towards the windowin which MrGroy was, and succeeded in reaching him notwithstanding the flame and smoke through which he had to penetrate. On the gallant rescuer touching ground with Irs man all safe, ho was received with loud and continued cheering. At thia moment tho occupant of the adjoin- , ing house, Mr Evans, dairyman, informed the fireman that Mr Grey and his wife had escaped over the roof and were in his house. The fire was soon subdued. The following is tho official report: - " Called to fire at 29, Widegate-street, Bishopsgate street, City, at 13 34 a.m. ; premises of j. Grey,fcobaeco nißt, etc. Damage : Front shop and con tents noarly burnt out, staircase and back room on second floor soverely damaged by fire ; rest of house of six rooms and contents by fire, heat, water, &c. One man rescued and brought down No. 33 fire-escape by Engineer Hill and W. Gordon from second floor."—"English Papor."

ARTEMUS WARD.

Tho Last Speech Which Was Marto by

tho Celebrated Humourist.

I SHALL never forget the last time I saw Artemus Ward. We were in London, my husband and myself, and learning from a friend that our Yankee humourist was to lecture ono night in Egyptian Hall, we de termined to bo among the hearers. I had heard him several times in America, and was anxious to eeo how an English audi ence would respond to his new world droll ery, his unequalled humour. The paople came in in a straggling faehiop, and occupied the front feats and thoso in the body of the hou*e. I remembered the lights seemed dim, the distances dark and solemn, and the architecture dismal in the extreme. Tho hall was like a huge tomb built for tho reception of dead-and-gone Pharaohs. On a Eettee not far from our party sat five gentleman together. I fan cied they were olergymapj and had come with the avowed intention of setting out the exercises in grave and dignified silence.

When Artemus made his oppoaranoo it was pitiful to ccc the ravages disease had made in one short year. My husband turned to me with the brief sentence, " The man is dying I" and so he was. With one expressive glance about the place f scanning ceiling, light?, shadows and atmi-darkness, the man took a step for ward, and commenced in his usual halting speech and assumed timidity of manner. " When the Egyptians—built this hall— the principles of acoustics were not fully understood —neither, it is presumable, hod the matter of ventilation been very exten sively—ventilated. There was a smile on the faces of many, but nothing more—and yet the humour of the thing was exquisite. I could not keep my eyes from the five clergyman, who sat shoulder to shoulder, like bo many sleek, fof'-coated seals. Not a tremor betrayed that thoy were conscious of muscles —their Hp 3 compressed, their brows unbending. Could it bo possible that they wero oblivious to the subtle wit of hh burlesque, the rare change in his face ? Presently the moon appeared in his comical liko panorama, wavered, trembled like a boat Ftruck by a sudden equall, and then hung as if suspended, limp anfi motion less on Boino lunar hook, midway between sea and sky. Artomus looked quizzingly over to these five clorgymen. I think he had seen them all the tirno out of the corueis of his eyes. "If you will excuse me, gentlemen," he said, impressively, " I will go out and see to my moon. I think the moonlit, a small boy, a fat boy, by the way, nn English lad, who i 3 to nightly manage my celestial ap paratus, has got cranky or gone to sleep possibly it may be because the audience is so small to-night—though appreciative (hero a long pause)—that he is afraid I shall cut him short two and sixpence," and with that he went behind the scenes, perhaps, poor fellow, to gain a moment's respite from pain and catch his breath, for he was panting with the exertion of talking even then.

There was evidently an eSort on the part of the five to keep from smiling during hia speech, and whilo Artemua was gone the moon righted itself with a tremendous effort, and glared in such a unique fa?hion that first one and finally all my five stocks and Btones, as 1 had rcenfally denominated them, elapsed into audible laughter, and thoir white chokers began to wrinkle. • Artemus came back ; lie glared at the side Feats and saw that tho ico was broken. It waa what he had been waiting and working for, and" it eaamed that the triumph gave him new life. From that moment those five men were slaves to his humour. Thoy laughed till they cried, and most certainly the brilliant showman outdid him?elf. Every movement, every glance provoked peals of laughter. It was as if, having put restraint upon themselves so long, they were eager to make up for it. I was satiefied. The gifted son of America was at laßt appreciated, and though the applause came late, it did come, and Artemus Ward went home happy, Some few days after that a friend called to Bee the humourist. Ha was sick and almoßt speechless, yet managed to repeat some witticisms about hia sands of life terminating on a sandbar, and spoke re gretfully of never expecting to see his native land again. He never did — the next day he was dead.

Enlightened Conscience.

No one can take a fairly thoughtful view of history without seeing that the growth of morality has been steadily in one direction. Everything which tends to hurt and injure mankind becomes more and more recognised as wrong-doing ; everything which is found to benefit humanity as a whole takes its place gradually but firmly as right-doing. Thus the civilised world is now united in the main things, and scarcely any sane per son attempts deliberately to uphold any of the crimes which tho law punishes or any of the vices which debase their victim. It is then only in the lesser matters, or rather those where judgments dif fer, that the verdicts of conscience do not agree, Indeed, the good 'man, who is reflective, will find that, as his views on various points change with increasing know ledge, his standard of action changes also. Some things, which he once regarded with the utmost leniency, ho now looks upon as grave wrongs, and as fast as he discovers the best path in any direction it becomes for him the path of duty. So far, then, from the voice of cinFcience giving an un certain sound, it is the only sure call to duty, and he who hears it and disobeys docs so at his peril. When the moment of

action arrives let there be do self-deception as to the possible mistake/that conscience may make; prompt and full obedience to her dictates ia then the only safe, the only right path to pursue.

Dinners For a Farthing.

In an interesting article on cheap dinners for school children, the "Birmingham

Daily i"ost" says: Perhaps the most extraordinary dieoovery made during tho season ISS4 5 was, that whereas tho food given in a penny dinner cost more than the sum charged, the half penny dinner was, if anything, a more satisfactory meal, and cost less than a halfpenny. It was, however, soon found that there wore large numbers of children to whom the halfpenny dinner was a luxury far beyond their moans. The' children, who, dragging themselves un-, willingly to school, wero unable, not from lack of daeire, but from want of capacity to fill their heads with know ledge while their stomachs were empty of food, and who huddled together with vacant minds in that state of listless misery and depression which is the inevitable' result as it 13 the surest sign of infantile starvation, were the very children whom the promoters had hoped to benefit by meals placed apparently within reach of the very poorest. It was clear that further efforts must be made to reach the lower depths of poverty, and a plan was therefore adopted of selling tickets at 5s a hundred tor free distribution among the worst coses When at last I hoae starvelings were reached another problem had to be polved. What food did they like, and what could they eat without danger to their enervated con stitutions ? Abundant, rich, and highly concentrated fd d, though nutritious to well-fed people, is almost peison to those who have been long restricted to few, poor, and irregular meals. Nothing is to discouraging as to Bee one child after another decline food which one knows to be good for them if they would only try to eat it However, it is useless to attempt to force their tastes. If the first ten children out of five hundred refuse to eat their dinner, the kitchen may just as well be closedfor tho day. Mr France has educated a largo number of tho children attending bis kitchons to eat broad and milk. He offers them a choico—milk or soup-and, having chosen, each child is expected to empty itsbowl, eitherby oatingthe dinneror by finding Bomoone else to do so, and unless tho bowl when brought back is empty the child gets no bread and jam. Not even'eo much compulsion as this is employed at Mr Sargant's kitchens. One kind only of soup is made, this kind being varied from day to day ; each child receives its portion of soup and bread and jam, and no attempt is made to compel the children to eat more than they wish. It is found that v"cry few leave any. If a dinner is rejected by many children, it is given up, or some alteration ia made in the recipe. The popularity of every dish has thus been thoroughly tested. The result is a complete surprise, ss the cheapest forms of food are found to be by far the most popular. If a plebiscite of the children could be taken, it would be found that they weuld prefer pea soup every day ; indeed, they do not care a jot for variety. It must, however, be remembered that the care with which these soups are made, the experiments which have been tried as to the best proportions of ingredients', and the manner of cooking, result in producing a form of food more palatable to many, es pecially to Children, than any soupa pre pared in a first-rate hotel or a vege tarian restaurant. Since the reopening of Mr Sargant'a kitchens this season the quantity of food sold for a halfpenny has been increased to three-quarters of a pint of soup and two ronnds of bread (one spread with 18m), weighing together about a quarter of a pound. If that well-known practical authority on diet, Count Rumford, may be trußted, this dinner should be more than enough for an adult. Certain it is that many of the little children cannot eat it all. They weep, like tho idiot in Auer bach's charming novel, because they cannot eat more. It has indeed been found advis able to admit two small children for one half penny to share a dinner between them, and sometimes a farthing is taken for half a portion. Experiments are Btill being made, and unless very unexpected difficulties should be encountered; the price must inevitably be lowered, for the child who can eat a hap'orth will soon be a rarity, so great wiil be the quantity ; and it is confidently expected that before Christmas dinners will ba s,ld for a farthing as good, as abundant, and as profitable as those originally pro vided for a penny.

Waste in the Kitchen.

Waste in the kitchen is very often great from apparently trivial sources. In"cooking meatß, ths water is thrown off without removing the grease, or the grease from the dripping-pan is thrown away. Scraps of meat are thrown away. Cold potatoes are left to sour and spoil. Dry fruits are not looked after, and be come wormy. Vinegar and sauce are left standing in

Apples are lefb to decay for want of "porting over." The teacannieter is left open. Victuals are left exposed, to be eaten by mice. Bonoa of meat and the carcass of turkeys aro thrown away, when they could be used in making pood soups. Bu(:ar, tea, coffeo and rice are carelessly spilled in th» handling* Soap is loft to dissolve and waste in the water. ■

Dish-fowelH are used for dishcloths. Napkins are u?ed for dish towels. Towels are u-^ed for holders. Brooms and mnps are not hung up. More coal is burned than necessary by not arranging dampers when not using the fire. Lights aro left burning when not used. Tin dishes are not properly cleansed and dcied. Oood newbroomsare usedin scrubbing the kitchen floors. • Silver spoons are used in scraping kettleß. Cream h left to mould and ?poil. Mustard is left to spoil in the cruee, etc. Vinegar is allowed to stand until the vessel becomes corroded and spoiled. .

Pickles bocomo spoiled by the leaking or evaporation of tho vinegar. Pork spoils for want of salt, and beef be cause the brine wants scalding. Hamsbocoma tainted or filled with vermin for the want of care. Cheese moulds, and is oaten by mice and other vermin. Tea and coffee pots are injured on the stove. Woodenware is unacalded and left to warm and crack.

Silver Jewellery.

" Silver jewellery promseea to be very popular with tho ladioa this winter," eaid a Fnltan-street jeweller to an " Eagle " re porter. "For somo jeirs silver has not been much worn, but I'm glad to see it coming in iaehion again. The principal articles worn will be bracelets, brooches and earrings. These are made up in all kinds of plain and ornamental silver. The chased bracelet is jaat now all the rage. Until recently many ladies thought that silver looked cheap, and would wear no jewellery made of that me.tal. Everybody, or that is ever? -ono who. can afford it, wears diamonds. Theeo stones are beautiful, to be sure, but then one gets tired of them when they are seen on their servants. And then many wealthy people think'it Bhoddy to wear diamonds Jewellery of that description is well enough for thea trical people, or a gentleman may wear a single stone, but when it comes to distri buting three or four diamonds about one's person it looks aa though there was an at tempt.^ display. Silver jewellery will, I think, iss'measure answer all the purposes of gold. A diamond or a sapphire looks, in my opinion, as well in a silver setting as it would in a gold one." " Will silver banglea ever be popular again ?" was agked. "I hardly thtttk;-BO., : The bangle craze was overdone some years ago. The crazs waß born in Pennsylvania in 1876. It reached New York one year later, and has continued ever since. Within the past two years one bangle is not engraved, as against fifty five years ago. Ten cent, fifty cent, and SI silver pbees, and §1, $2, §10 and $20 gold pieces are used for the making of bangles. Oh ! yes, I have often engraved §20 gold piecea for ladies, but they are not worn on.a bracelet. They are usually worn around the neck, tied with ribbon. While silver jewellery is not very profitable to the jeweller, I'm glad it/8 coming into fashion again. " . ■■? .

LONG LIFE.

Methods by Whlon You May Tell Whether You Are Likely to Have it.

If any one would know whether be is likely to live long or die soon, let him inquire whether old age runs in hie family or not, for the good tissues of long life are apt to be hereditary, and he may commit a great many excesses or other orrorj without killing himself if he comes of a long-live* stock. In like manner he may get much help toward a knowledge of the disease to which he is prone, and which excesses cr other errors are likely to light up, by inquiring what diseases his forefathers or kinsmen suffered or died from. Soiro dieeases aro notoriously reokoned to be dt* rectly hereditary in like kind, for example, epilepsy, phthißis, and insanity. When a person has one of them we are not surprised to learn that the discovery is a sufficient explanation and to think that no more need be saiJ. But it ia not real.ly an explana tion ; it is mersly an indication of the direction in which the exact &xplauation haa yet to be sought. If it be a sufficient explanation how does ithappan that all tho children of the same unsound father and mether do not suffer the same way 7 How is it that twins, living under the same con; ditions, have not always, aa now and tpwt they have, the same diseases at the same uees» In calling a disease hereditary it is not really meant that the disease itself is actually inherited by the offspring, wbb, in that case, would be born with it; what is meant is that the latter inherits a certain organic constitution whicbj being likely to undergo that pathological development in the ordinary circumstances of life, is therefore described as a constitu tional predisposition or tendency to the dis ease. We do not in the least know what is the intimate nature of the predisposition, but wo know that it may be greater or less lin different personß, and that it is thought :to bo so great in the caees of the diseases mentioned and so likely to. be transmitted to children as to be a serious objection,- if not an actual bar, to marriage. Those who, having fallen in love, are aware of - the existence of them in their families are therefore not n little troubled, some times with soruples of conscience and anxiously ask medical advice whether they shall marry or not. In the end they commonly marry, whatever the advice given them, having persuaded themselves that the epilepsy was not real epilepsy, but a form of violent hysteria; that the lung mischief was not constitutional phthisis, but the accidental consequence of a neg lected'cold, that the insanity was nottheout come of family degeneracy, but an ftcoi dental blow on the head which was thought nothing of at the time. Would the earth ever have been peopled had cool reason been potent enough to quench the hot passion of love ?—" Fortnightly Review."

A Terrible Night.

Once, when t waß a callow, bashful cub I took a plain, unsentimental country girl to a comedy one night. I bad known her a day ; she seemed divine ; I wore nay new At tho end of the first half-hour, she said, " Why do you fidget with your feet bo t "IMd I?" I said. Then I put my at tention there, and kept still. . , At the end of another half-hour she said, " Why do you say, ' Yes, oh yes and Ha, ha—oh, certainly, very true "to everything I say, when half the time those are entirely irrelevant answers 1 I blushed, and explained that I had been a little absent-minded. . - -j At the end of another hah-hour she said, ""Please, why do you grin so steadfastly at vacancy, and yet look so cad?" I explained that I always did that when! was reflecting. An hour passed, and then she turned and contemplated me -with her earnest eyes, and said, " Why do you cry allthetime?" * ;"■ " . ■•'..' ' "■..<■•': ■ I explained that very funny comedies always made me cry. ■ T At laßt human nature surrendered, and 1 secretly .slipped off my boots, This was a mistake.

• I was not able to get them on any more. It was a rainy night; there were no omnibuses our way ; and as I walked home burning with shame, with the girl on one arm and my boots under the other, 1 was an object worthy of some compassion, especially in those moments of martyrdom when 1 had to pass through the glare that fell upon the pavement'from the street "Anally, this child of the foreßt said, " Where are your boots ?" . And, being taken unprepared, I put^a 6nish to the follies of the evenipg with the stupid remark, "Tne higher classes do not wear them at the theatre."—"Mark Twain."

RACING ROGUERIES.

Artful Dodges by Which Some Breat Horses Have Been Ruined.

About half a century ago, at Newmarket, several horses who btood high m the batting at different times suddenly wen* off sick fust before the race tor which they were entered; Borne died, others recovered, bat all woro disabled for the time being, and favourites that a few hours previously out stripped every rival would come atroggung , yards behind the field. Every one knew they had been "nobbled," but for along time the perpetrator remained undis covered; at last, however, o notorious scoundrel, one Dan Dawson, was caught rod-handed poisoning the troughs. J>u" n 5 the trial it came out that he had made a regular trade of these ■ ne farious practices, andJt was more than. Euspected that not a few of the biggest men on the turf were his employers. •»«* >•*, . although he was condemned to death, whether from the hope that some among his influential patrons would intercede lor , a reprievo or from that hatred which certain men of his clasß have against " peaching, ihe never betrayed them, and remained iitont , to the end. The most minute precautions are taken to guard the racehorse fromsuoli' dangers, yot the cunning and1 daring or his enemies frequently prove more than a match for the care of his owners. _ ;• . In 1842 Lanercoat was regarded as the : • certain victor for the Ascot cup. While he was being conveyed to the course in-a van :' ! the grooms in charge stopped at an inn be tween Lentherhead and Sunninghill to re fresh, leaving one to keep watch, "Just after they had gone into the house two sailors came out of it. ", Hillo," cried one, " here's Lanercost; let's have a peep at him," and he sprang up on the side of they van, while bis companion at. the same time diverted the attention of the man on guard. A moment afterwards ■ the first jumped down aeain, - and then the two disappeared in v*■ copse. It was all done bo quickly that the groom had no time to interpose, and before he could summon his mates the men were out of sight. When the race came on instead of achieving the victory, poor Lanercost ca:ne in last. In the course of the ensuing mouth ho entirely" change colour, and was never fit to ran again. There is do doubt that the pretended sailor bad contrived to administer some powerful drug to the animal duriag thofew seconds he hung over his box. . ■ _ Somewhere about the same time a norao named Marcus was the favourite for the St. Leeer. The day before tho race ; while be and some other horses were standing at the Poncaster Arms.an ill-lookingfellow entered the kitchen of that tavern and seated him self beside a boiler from which the stable . lads were every now and then drawing water for their charges. There was no one in the kitchen save a maid servant, whom the stranger sent out to bring him a pot of beer. When she returned the girl was going to fill her tea kettle from the boiler, but the fellow stopped her by Eaying, " I wouldn t take my tea water from there if I was you, it looks so yellow and greasy." "All right; I'll get it outside," she an swered. When she came back t«e second time the man had gone. £*&& The next morning two horses were lound. dead in their Btalls; -while Marcus, who was iust able to run, came in last, and also died . . during the day. Upon tho bodies being opened arsenic waß found in their stomachs. | . The girl then remembered the incident or :■■;'■--} the loafer, who had, no doubt, poisoned the water in the copper, and had she been aa , Btubborn as most of her kind, several human victims would have been added to ' the equine list. By the defeat of Marcus, tte owner of a horße named Chorister won £7,000.

A Favour Confessed.-The following,. which we find in a contemporary, may _be applied with equal truth to a;oertaia city " which fhall be nameless betwixfiisr^:— '•' Lost, Stolen, or Strayed, einee-3fl*«lary lasfc the Board of Health, supposed-ftijhaYa etr&Ved fram; their paths of duty_ thrtragh ignoraDcfittif.the magnitude of their reepon bibilia'es. f?l9tuy peraprn finding the :'sama^ and taking Mem to thoXown Hall will cpnjj^ fer a :grMt\^'P«r "oiKthoir humble^gnd i neKleoted'setvant, —--i«i,B«nitafy^lbßp«j. 'tor.'? ■ - •■'■ ; ■ . ' \ ■-'' ■■■:

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1887

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Womeu can stend tight shoes, tight gloyes and tight waists, but they very properly draw tha line at tight husbands. Seeds of perennials often gorminate slowly, and they should be sown where they can be ffen tiiily ft'nd tho soil be kept muist. - Aftor sowing "'and watering it .is well to give a mulch of short grass, which, will keep the soil- from drying out. SSovr the seeds in fins light soil, and, if. possible, in a place somewhat shaded. A cold frama. is best lot such sesda.