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EZEBEL'S FRIENDS, .-
EZEBEL'S FRIENDS, A NOVEL, BY DORA RUSSELL, Author of "Footprints ia the Snow," "The i I Broken Saal," "Tha Track of the Storm," t etc., etc. (AU BIGHTS MSMTtDj SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTERS I. AJTD II.—Rath Forth, the second daughter of Colonel Forth, a retired officer, is seen at night time hurrying down a steep incline to the lea from the little town of Headfort. She carries with her a curious looking parcel, a box, covered with a cloak. In the darkness, lit up occasionally with Bashes of lightening, she digs a hole with a mall spade she carries, buries the box, and covering it up, leaves it hurriedly. She then leavw and hastens home, but not before she is aoticed by a male observer, who wonders at her presence, and declares he will be at the bottom et her escapade. Arriving home. she reaches her room, and is met by her elder sister Frances, who is deeply interested in the success of her mission. Alarmed and exhausted with her work, she discovers that she has left behind her the spade. Next day Colonel Forth is visited by Lieutenant Beaforth, who is in love with Ruth. The party an engaged to visit, the following day, Colonel Kenyon's. CHAZTBBS III. AND IV.—The sisters Frances tad Ruth Forth visit Colonel Kenyon's accom. panied by a brilliant garden party. Frances, a coquette, encourages the attentions of their host ana also of Arther Beaton, a young soldier who htt recently joined the army. Ruth, on the other band, ramains fond and true to Seaforth, much to the chagrin of Audley, who rows he will soon stop all this. CHAPTXM V. AND VI.—While Ruth and Sea- forth are happy in their love, Frances, the elder sister, coquettes with young Beaton and Colonel Kenyon, the elderly, though rich host of Sudley. Ultimately she consents to become the wife of the Colonel. CHAPTSBS VII. AND VIII.—Keuard Seaforth raeeives a letter from his parents distinctly disap- proving of his engagement with Ruth. His mother speakstof the elder Miss Forth as being the subject of a scandal along with Lord Walter Greville at Simla the previous year. Seaforth keeps the information to himself. On reaching home Ruth is handed a letter from Major Audley asking her to meet him at three o'clock the next day, as he has something to say which concerns the happiness ti her sister and herself. CHAPTER JX,-A TRYST. UTH turned faint and cold while she read Major Aadley's note, and as she finished it and then re-read it, she absolutely leaned S. UTH tamed faint and cold while re-read it, she absolutely leaned against the banister for support. What could be mean? How dare he write to her thus ? she asked herself quickened breath. Then suddenly a memory lashed across her brain, which sent a quick dart of violent pain and terror through her heart. She remembered on the night of the storm, as she bad struggled up the steep path from the bay, that when she had reached the highest step a vivid flash of lightning bad shown her for a moment the figure of a man approaching her, and that she had led on more quickly in consequence. Could this have lwn Major Audley? But no, no—and yet he tocst know something; and Ruth's knees shook beneath her as she carried his note upstairs to her nns bedroom, and sat down when she got there ike one who has received a sudden shock. And she remembered; too, with fresh fear, what Ie had said at Colonel Kenyon's garden party hat he had kept a secret for her, and therefore hat she should not have grudged him a rose. And here had been something in his manner, too, a bade of suppressed insolence, the very recollection I which now brought a burning blush to her pale beeks. Poor Ruth I She sat with clasped hands, full f chill dread. Below, in the drawing-room, ''ranees was sitting flashed and smiling, with 'olonel Kenyan by bar side, aDd on one of her tender fingers glittered' the "splendid diamond ngagement ring he had just placed there with any tender words. And there was no shadow to be seen on the fair face of his promised wife. Frances' hazel eyes were bright, and there was a bnght bloom on her cheeks. Colonel Kenyon was urging a speedy marriage, and Frances was coquettishly parrying this. Not that she intended to wait long. But it was her nature to play with men's feelings, as a child plays with its toys. She believed that uncertainty was a great incitant, and that a woman loses her power who loves too well. Frances Forth bad had some bitter experi ences, and she bad profited by them. She knew very well that Colonel Kenyon loved her—" for ,be sake of my handsome face," she had told Ruth -but she did not understand the fulness of that iove. How could she understand! Her nature was to his as the rippling stream to the deep sea. go, a man of high aims and pure life, was an unknown being to her, for she could not probe beyond her own depths. In Colonel Kenyon she merely saw the common spectacle of a middle- aged man in love with a handsome girl, and as such she treated him. She smiled on him and coquetted with him, and was pleased with the use and brilliance of the diamonds in her ring. She liked to hear of other diamonds, too—the diamonds that Colonel Kenyon's mother and grand-dame had worn, and which she was soon to wear. Hugh Kenyon told her of these, and praised the lovely tbroat they would soon encircle. "I wish my dear mother could have seen you, Frances," he said, fondly, and Frances smiled sweetly, and inwardly thanked Heaven that at least she would be spared a mother-in-law And while these two thus sat cooing and wooing, the pale girl upstairs was trembling, alike physically and mentally. And what should she do Ruth thought again and again, as she looked at Major Audley's hateful words. Go and meet bim, and Kenard Seaforth might hear or see This was the bitterest thought to Ruth, who bad given the good-looking soldier all her heart. But for Frances' sake," she reflected,dismally. Ab Frances had already cost her very dear, and yet Ruth loved her, bad always loved her, and resented her wrongs more bitterly than she would have resented her own. She would have done almost anything for this beautiful sister, and Frances, in her selfish fashion, was also fond of Ruth. These two were the friends in the little household, for neither gave any love to the bad tempered, fault-finding father. They estimated poor Colonel Forth very much at his true value. They knew that they were expected to get married, and that he would be glad to be rid of them. Ruth was more attentive to her father than Frances, but, all the same, she never felt to him like a loving child. They laughed at his faults and failings together, for as we give we mostly get. Colonel Forth was a very selfish man, and so his children regarded bim, for we cannot blind the eyes of those with whom we live. The Colonel perhaps vaguely felt this, and it only made him more disagreeable. If they had fondled him, and made much of him, it might bave softened his sour old heart. But he knew Frances scoffed at him, and that Ruth was greatly led by her sister. Still to a certain extent he was proud of their beauty. They were his children, and their appearance was a credit to himself. He was also no fool, and had long hoped that Frances would make a good marriage, so that some of the benefit of this might fall on him. And at last this bad actually happened. Almost for the first time in his life (certainly for many years) Colonel Forth felt absolutely elated at Colonel Kenyon's engagement to his eldest daughter. He- liked gaoyoa, and, as it had been related, had good eaase for this feeling. But if he personally liked bim, he liked his wealth and position better; certainly better when be regarded him in the ight of a future son-in-law. Frances would not only be off his hands, he reflected proodly, but would be an advantage and pleasure to himself. He was fond of shooting, was Tfair shot, and he thought of the coveys of cartridges, the pheasants and woodcock that were tobe found on Kenyon's land. In fact, he was delighted with the match, and went about telling the news to everyone he met. And Frances and Ruth quite understood the causes of his joy. I apect be will turn out quite an affectionate father to Mrs Kenyon,'aeoffed Frances. And Ruth, now sitting upstairs, thought ot au this pride and pleasure and moaned aloud. What if Major Audley meant to dash it, all into the dost I He must know something—some secret- and he might tell this to Colonel Kenyon, and end it all. As one miserable image after the ether passed throfjh her brain, she heard Colonel Kenyon. J^J'I the house, and a few moments later Frances f 'fiS Kal'y 'Dto room and held out her white « > slender blind as she approached Rufcb. "I' 1 See, my dear," she said, part of my price Then Ruth looked up and saw the glittering ring on the third finger in token of the troth- plight. "And I've been hearing," went on Frances airily, of other good things for which I am being sold, or am selling myself; of the diamond neck- lace and earrings that belonged to the dear late lamented mother and grandmother of my youthful Hugh I" Oh hush, hush, Frances," said Ruth rising; don't speak like that—don't speak so lightly "What on earth is the matter r' asked Frances as Ruth paused, now looking for the first time since she had entered the room at her young sister's pale and agitated face. But Ruth made no answer how could she tell her, she asked herself at this moment; change all this happy excitement into miserable doubts and fears ? Have you and Seafortb had a quarrel ?' now asked Frances. No, oh! no," said the poor girl, and she suddenly broke down; broke into choking sobs, which shook her slender frame, and seemed almost to rend her throat. Frances was genuinely sorry. You silly child," she said, kindly, don't you go and be breaking your heart for Seaforth or any young man. They are not worth it, my dear They are all very well in their way, but they are not worth a woman's tear, and it's the worst ones that have most shed for them. Come, Ruth, don't cry tell me what is the matter ? I suppose it really is that the young man's father and mother do not like it!" "I do not think they like it," sobbed poor Ruth. Wait a while, my dear," said Frances, scorn- fully ",wait until Mrs Kenyon, of Sudley Park, appears in all her glory, and you will find the reflection of it will do you a deal of good in the eyes of the old General and his wife. Everyone is the sane," she continued, bitterly I suppose they've heard we are poor, and-perhaps other things," and Frances frowned but it will be all right by-and-bye, and they will come and stay at Sudley and court poor me, and bestow their blessing on you and Kenard I" "I don't know." Oh J yes they will; now, dry your ayes like a good child, and let us talk sensibly. Well, my beloved is impatient to enter into his imaginary bliss, poor man, and wants to be married next month. What do you say I, of course, would not hear of it to-day, but I may to-morrow." It is very soon," said Ruth, trying to compose herself, and yet-" "Perhaps, considering all things, it is wise. Yes," added Frances, beginning to walk back- wards in her stately fashion, it is wise, and yet I am sorry for poor Beaton." You must never speak to him, or think of him now, Frances J" "May I not even pity him?" said Frances, smiling. Poor boy, it's a bitter pill to him, and yet he must swallow it—like we all do." He's young; he'll soon forget all about it." Flattering to my vanity, Miss Ruth!" said Frances with a shrug. "Yes, I dare say he will," she added, and changed the subject, for she knew that Ruth would not care to hear her talk of Arthur Beaton now. But she talked a good deal about her wedding, and Sudley, and the future gaieties to be held there. My old man," she said, "likes to have people about him, and especially young people, so there we shall agree. I think nothing could be imagined so dreadful as being shut up with one person all ycur life; though m your present state of mind I suppose, my dear, you would rather like it ?" Ruth tried to laugh, but it was a dismal failure. "I like Seaforth," went on Frances he's nice looking for one thing, and ugliness is so objection- able, and I think he's fond of you, Ruth Ruth showed symptoms of again bursting into tears. "Oh don't, please," 'said Frances; there and she kissed her sister, it will all come right, but wait till you are Mrs Kenard Seaforth, and I promise you will not cry about him then and she laughed and went away. And Ruth sat still and thought her bitter thoughts, tried to determine what to do, and could see no way out of her terrible dilemma. If she refused to meet Maicr Audley, she did not know what ill in his anger he might do and if she did meet him, Seaforth might hear of it and believe her to be both false and deceitful. But she was afraid of Audley, and dare not run the risk of offending him. At last she decided it was better she should hear what he had to say. And when the next morning dawned, after a restless and miserable night, she still kept to this resolution. Then the question ros4 her mind, should she leave any message with Frances or the maid if Seaforth should chance to call! She asked herself his again and again, and finally decided to leave t to chance. She had seen him yesterday, and they had not settled when they should meet again. Therefore, he probably would not come to-day and without saying anything to Frances, who would no doubt think she was going on some housekeeping business, she quietly left the house about a quarter to three o'clock, and soon found herself approaching the lane where but yesterday the had been so happy. Bat now she did not look at the fields of green waving corn, or the scarlet poppies she walked quickly on with bent head and fast beating heart, and presently on oqp of the gateways into the fields-she saw Major Andley sitting on the topmost rail of the gate, smoking a cigar. He threw this away, and jumped down immediately he saw her, and at once walked forward to meet her: Good morning," he said, with his hard smile, holding out his band. "You were surprised to get my letter, I dare say ?" be continued, as be joined her, and they walked on together. Yes," answered Ruth, in a low faltering tone. M But you will be more surprised when you bear what I have got to say," he went on, hitting out at the tall nettles which grew on the roadside with his stick in a manner which betrayed a certain nervousness very uausual to him. "I cannot conceive what you have got to say, nor why you should ask me to meet you here," said Ruth, plucking up some courage. Again Major Audley smiled his hard cold smile, but did not speak for a moment or two, as if he were considering what words he should use. "I shall begin then by asking you," be said quietly, "if you remember the storm last Tuesday night?" A burning scarlet blush instantly dyed Ruth's face. It—it was a bad storm," she said, in a strangely altered voice. "Very. I had been dining that evening with the Fords at Witham, and between half-past eleven and a quarter to twelve o'clock I was walking home by the cliff walk. The storm was then at its height, and the lightning extremely vivid and as I approached the steep path out through the rock down to the bay there was a tremendous flash, and this flash showed me very plainly the form and face of Miss Ruth Forth who was coming up the little path from the shore* Is this so r, "No, no," gasped Ruth, who bad listened to his words in momentarily increasing terror. Miss Ruth, it is useless to deny this; IBàw you as distinctly as I see you now, and I followed you home to make assurance doubly sure. And I saw you go into your garden, and steal into the' back entrance, by the house-and then I turned away—I wanted to know what you had been doing. I thought you had been meeting someone, and I went down to the cliff walk to see." No words came from Ruth's white parted lips. She ceased walking; her limbs seemed powerless, I went down," continued AudJey in a low concentrated voice, fixing his light full eyes on her quivering face, "and the lightning showed me the way. It was dangerous work, though, down those slippery steps, and you must have great courage but I got down all right, and I met no one; bat as I walked round the bay, close under the cliffs, I nearly stumbled and fell over something lying on the sand. Can you guess what that was, Misa Ruth?" Still Ruth did not speak; she stood as if turned to stone. I stooped down and picked it up, and again the lightning befriended me; it was the little spade I have seen in your garden the little spade that last Sunday afternoon Seaforth carved your name on. I have it now." Ruth started as if someone had struck her, and clasped both her hands on her breast. "You understand now why I asked you to come here," went on Audley, with hard determina- tion, and how, at least, you owe me something for having breathed this into no oue's ears but your own? But let me finish my story; I picked up the spade. aad I instantly understood you had taken it there on such a night for some purpose. I determined to find out what that purpose was, and I did." Something between a gasp and a cry now fell on his ears, but the man continued his tale, though he knew he was rending the girl's heart. I marked the spot with a stick where I had found the spade, and I carried the spade away with me up to the Fort, and when I got there I examined it again, and saw I had made no mistake. Then I got a lantern, and carried it and the spade back to the shore, and-shall I go on ? I dug up, Miss Ruth, what you had buried there. He stopped,.for Ruth had suddenly fallen forward, and he caught her in his arms. "Listen to me," he said, half sternly, half tenderly, and you need not be afraid." But Ruth in her horror and anguish began to stagger feebly on. "Help me," she murmured, hoarsely; "I cannot walk—help me to the gate." Then, as he looked on her white face, and at her wide-open, fear-dilated eyes, a sort of pity crept into his heart. "Lean on me," he said, as be held her tightly by the arm, "and do not suppose for a moment I suspect this sin, this foliv-whatever you chance to call it—was yours. You were a puppet in your sister's hands, and for her sake you have exposed yourself to great danger." By this time Ruth had struggled on to the gateway on which Audley had been sitting when she first saw him. She grasped it with both bauds, leaning on it absoluteiy to save herself from falling, and Audley also now leaned against it. Do you feel better ?" he asked. This must be a great shock to yau, I know, but on my honour you can trust me, Ruth," and he laid one of his hands on hers I have a motive for telling you this a motive for asking you to meet me here." He felt her hand quiver,'and that was all. They were'leaning with their faces to the uncut corn, which the summer wind was swaying into a green sea of waving grain, and all around them was the stillness and sweetness of the country scene. But the man'3 face was hard set and determined, and the womanta pallid and drawa with unutterable pain. "I asked you," continued Audley, unconsciously tightening his grasp on the small hand, to tell you that, all folly must end between you and Seaforth I won't have it, Ruth—you know very well I like you, and you must break with him entirely." She lifted her drooping head, and looked into his face with her fear-stricken eyes. Don't ask me this," she said, in the strange, boarse whisper which seemed all the voice left to her; you do not understand-I am engaged to him—I have promised to be his wife." Audley pave a harsh, short laugh. What 1 it's gone as far as that, has it?" he said contemptuously. Never mind, Ruth, it must go no further. You will never marry Seafortb." She gave a kind of cry. Oh, don't be so bard," she pleaded. Show a little pity, Major Audley, for God's sake." "On this I will show none. You foolish girl," he continued, with some sort of passion vibrating his voice, "do you think it this story were breathed to General SeAforth and his wife they would ever allow you to marry Kenaid ? Ay, and would Kenard himself marry you if he knew ?" "But—but need you tell him? Oh, Major Audley," and again she looked up into his face, think what this is to me. I love Kenard." "You use a bad argument," he said harshly; "if you love Kenard, you had better un love him as quickly as you can, and make up your mind to love me, for this is part of my bargain." What "Ruth, I may as well speak plainly, and not beat any longer about the bush, and there is but one way in which you can secure my lasting silence. 'Your sister is about tc marry an honourable man-Colonel Kenyon—it's a shame to let him do so, perhaps, but for your sake I will do this; for your sake I shall never breathe to a living soul what is hidden under the sand in Headfort Bay if you will be my wife?" "I cannot! I cannot Major Audley, I cannot "Bat you must said Audley passionately, almost roughly, and he grasped her arm as he spoke: "my bargain is this, and if you keep to your share of it, I sh&ll keep mine-mine is silence, yours is that you promise to be my wife." A moan broke from her lips, and her head fell low. -It's not a very hard bargain, after all," con- tinued Audley; poor Kenyon gets the worst of it in my opinion, but he's acting like a fool at any rate. Ruth, be a sensible girl," and he would have put his arm round her, but she shrank away. What it's too soon for that kind of thing, you think ? Well, perhaps you are right, so you need not be afraid of me. But, after all," be added bitterly, I suppose you would rather put up with me than all the shame, diegrace-ay danger -that this affair could bring upon you?" "What did you do?" said Ruth, now turning round and facing him with desperation in her face and eyes. "You say you dug up what I had. hidden." "I dug it up and opened the box,!Ruth, if you want all particulars, and then buried it again; but I carried something away with me besides the spade. In my barraclc-rootn, at this minute, there is a certain black gown Oh hush, hush cried Ruth, putting her hands to her ears; I can bear no more!" And I do not wish to say any more; but let us understand each other before we part. If you wish your sister's marriage with Colonel Kenyon to go on, if in fact you do not wish to bring great shame and danger to ber, and to yourself as well, marry me, and break with Seaforth. And you must do this at once." be continued, with a darkling brow; I'll have no tender scenes, no kisses, like you indulged in, Ruth, in Sudley Woods you must give me your kisses now." Ruth did not speak for a moment or two, and then she said in a low, faint voice: Let me go home, Major Audley; I cannot bear any more to day." Write me your decision, then, after yon go home; but remember my bargain, and nothing shall turn me away from it." He spoke no more to her on the subject, but walked almost in silence by her side, aa with feeble and faltering footsteps Ruth returned to the village. As they neared it, however, she stopped. Let us part here," she said, and he did not refuse her request, Very well," he answered; let me hear from you to-night, and if you act exactly as I wish, you may completely depend on me—in self-interest then I shall hold my tongue," And he clasped ber hand and left ber, CHAPTER X. FOR MY SAKE." Ruth hardly knew how she got home hardly knew how she had the strength to totter up the staircase to her own room, but when she got there she fell on her knees by the bedside, prostrate with despair. t 64 Oh my God, this is too much," she cried Oh let me die I She was utterly stricken down, and the anguish j of her heart was too great to tell. But even amid her overwhelming misery and shame, it seemed impossible to hdfr to accept the escape offered to her. To marry Audley She wrung her hands together, and repeated the very words the had said to him. I cannot, I cannot But even as she muttered this with her white and clammy lips, the door of the room opened, and Frances entered and Ruth started to her feet. "I thought I beard you come in began Frances, so I came to tell you Seaforth has been here, and was much disappointed not to see you; we bad a long chat, and he really seems awfully fond of you, Ruth." A moan broke from Ruth in reply. "Are you not well? What is the matter?" asked Frances sharply. Then Ruth staggered to the door and locked it, and having done this, turned her white despairing face to her sister. "Good heavens, Ruth, what is the matter!" cried Frances. Is It is all over," answered Ruth in the same hoarse tones with which she had spoken to Audley; Frances my poor, poor sister I" And she fell upon her neck and kissed her. "What do you mean?" And Frances grew pale. I went to meet Major Audley to-day," con- tinned Roth, forcing herself to speak; be wrote to uk me to go-Frances, he saw me-lalt J. uesday night—he followed me; he saw me come up from the bay. and he went down and—and he found thespade I bad left behind, and my name waa cut on It-Kenard had cut it I" II ,And he guessed I had hidden something,* ?ltkgaaping breath; he marked the spot where he bad found the spade—and—and he knows everything. Frances, there is nothing left for us exoept to die i, folly," said Frances, but her very lips had turned white. "He may fiP He offered not to tell." ansm^ ■Ruth sitting down on the bed and swinging herself to Md fro in ber great despair, ««if f would give up Kenard and marry bim; bat I cannot," You must J" said Frances, in a low fierce tone, and she grasped her sister's quivering arm "what is giving up a young man to this? Ruth, are you mad ?" I would rather die." But you will not die; you will bring disgrace and shame on ns both for the sake of Seaforth, who will throw you ovar if this were known, for he would do this, Ruth, I can swear IC I-I could give up Kenard," said Ruth in a low broken voice, though he is more to me than life-I should not, I know, have promised to marry him, but I loved him so well I could not bear to think that we should part—but marry the other is more than I can do." What folly!" cried Frances, impatiently. po you think I like to marry Colonel Kenyon, a man old enough to be my father? Do you think I love him better than you love Audley ? Not a bit, I can tell you. But because I know it is well that I should marry, because we are miserably poor, and because be can give us what we want, I am ready to sacrifice myself. And yet you hesitate in a matter that is absolutely life and death to us, for 1 shall kill myself if this is known Ruth made no answer; she clasped her hands over her face; there was black despair in her soul. t Oh! show some thought for me, Ruth," pleaded Frances, passionately, flinging herself down, and clasping her sister's knees you, who know all-all my bitter, bitter grief and shame Think for a moment what I have gone through, and you, who can save me—you who pretend to love me—refuse to stretch out your hand I would do anything—but this." But this is the one thing you can do. A selfish man wants to marry you-and they are all selfish —and he says if you will marry him, he will keep this secret, and for his own pake no doubt be would keep it, and yet you hesitate! How can you ?" I But think, Frances( what this man must be," said Ruth, after a moment's pause; "think of a man who would make such a bargain Who would trade on our misery take advantage of a helpless girl!" "He is only selfish; be is jealous of Kenard Seafortb, and so he forces-you to give bim up— hundreds of men would do the same." I pray God not." "But they would, indeed Oh, Ruth, for my sake bind this man to us. Make his interests ours, and you can .only do this hy marrying him." "And Colonel Kenyon?" "It will be all right with Colonel Kenyon, When did Audley require an answer?" "He said to-night." "Then he must have one to-night, Ruth. You do not want to make me kill myself, do you?" Ob, no, no 1" And Ruth shuddered. forth, and so he forces you to give him up— hundreds of men would do the same." I pray God not." "But they would, indeed Ob, Rutb, for my sake, bind this man to us. Make bis interests ours, and you can only do this by marrying him." And Colonel Keynon." "It will be all right with Colonel Keynon. When did Audley require an answer He said to-night." "Then he must have one to-night, Ruth. You do not want to make me kill myself, do you ?" Oh, no, no!" And Ruth shuddered. But I swear I will if this is ever breathed to mortal ears ] I would die before I would be flouted and sneered at hy everyone in Headfort; and another thing, Ruth, we might both be arrested. Do you think Seaforth would marry you then ?" I will give him up I will bring no shame to him cried Ruth in bitter agony. "Well dear, then why not marry Audley? Ob promise me to do this—you, my little sister." Frances put her arms round Ruth's slight form as she said this, and fondly kissed her. For my sake," she said again, and again kissed her; and Rutb, like one who is about to die, after a while raised her head, and looked at her sister with eyes from which all hope was gone. "For your Rake I will do it," she said, hoarsely but I pray God that I may die." But Frances having wrung this promise from her, insisted at once on its fulfilment. She brought paper to Ruth, and she made her write a few lines to Major Audley, to tell him she would be his wife, or rather that she accepted bis condi. tions. I ngree to do what you wish me to do," wrote Ruth, with shaking fingers, if what passed between ns to-day is kept for ever secret. I will write to K.S., and tell him I cannot be his wife, and ask him to go away for a while, and until he is goue I ask you to say nothing of our agreement. Do not ask to see me for a day or two, for all this has been a great shock to me. Ruth Forth." And as soon as these broken-hearted words were written, Frances at once sent them down to the Fort, ana when they arrived there, the hard, cynical man-to whom they were addressed read them with a smile and perhaps a shade of pity too, for a moment, passed through his selfish heart. Poor little Ruth," he thought, and then he smiled again. He had won, and he liked to win, and he felt what he called love for the fair-faced girl, of whom he was asking this bitter sacrifice. But he never contemplated for a moment not holding her to her word. His love was not a self- denying emotion, and he was pleased at the idea of triumphing over Seaforth. Ha began walking up and down his barrack-room, whistling softly as he weut. Poor Kenyon," he thought, presently, and he laughed it amused him to think of the, false idol to whom this kindly gentleman bad given bis heart. (To be continued.)
MERTHYR BOARD OF * GUARDIANS.
MERTHYR BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The guardians of the Merthyr Union met on Saturday, under the presidency of Mr William Jones, J.P. Mr D. P. Davies, J.P.,istated, in reference to the Aberdare Training Schools, that it had now been decided to take 10 children from Pontypridd ? but it was understood that the Pontypridd people wanted to send more there- he did not know how many.—It was agreed to receive additional children up to tbe number of 30, it being understood that the arrangement j would be subject to suitable notice of termination in the event of the board requiring the accommo- datiooforchildrenof the Mertbyr Union. Inacord- < ance with notice which he had given,the chairman moved that the resolution to increase the salaries of the master and matron, Mr and Mra Morgan, to jB90 and JB40 respectively, be confirmed, the board further recommending an additional J increase of J310 at the end of the next 12 months provided the officials mentioned bound them- i selves to remaiu in office for five years at tha j same salaries—such increases in their salaries to commence as from the 1st inst. In so doing, the chairman spoke very eulogistically of these servants of tbe board, and referred to the fact thatMr Morgan had now withdrawnhis application for the Holborn appointment. He had no hesitation in saying the present master had effected a great improvement in the arrangements and the I tone of the house.—Rev Aaron Davies under- I standing that the increased salaries would still be | below those of the former master and matron, seconded the motion.—Mr Joseph Owen rose to oppose this proceeding. He could not see any force in this great advance of j320 at once. He moved the previous question.—This was seconded by Dr C. M. Jones, Troedyrhiw, who thought it was wrong in the interests of the ratepayers that they should increase the salaries to such an extent. — Mr W. Smyth, J.P., and Mr David Davies, Glebeland, snpported the motion.— Mr D. P. Davies, J.P.. pointed out that the late master received jB125 a year j625 was in respect of duties at the Aberdare schools, and that ought to have been taken off during his last two years of office, but it was not. He thought the present master was entitled to an advance, but he did not agree with the recommendation as to the £10.-A division was taken, with the result that the motion was agreed to by a vote of ;24 against 2, Mr D. P. Davies remaining neutral.
THE SEE OF ST. ASAPH.
THE SEE OF ST. ASAPH. The Herald Cymreug of Monday,one of the most popular Welsh vernacular papers, hears on the best authority that Lord Salisbury is experiencing much difficulty in filling the see of St. Asaph, and has been in communication with one or two representatives of North Wales constituences on the matter. The difficulty is in securing a popular Welsh-speaking clergyman who is also a university man. The Herald Cymraeg adds that Lord Salisbury, after considering the matter very carefully, will offer the vacant see to Canon Howell, vicar of Wrexham, one of the late bishop s examining chaplains, and a residentiary Canon of St Asaph's Cathedral. Canon Howell is not a university graduate, but be is probably the most powerful preacher in the vernacular in North Wales, while he is a great organiser and worker. His acceptance of the see, which is worth £4,200 a year, would give satis- faction in the diocese. Much comment is pro- ceeding respecting the vacant deanery which Lord Salisbury bas to fill, but here there will be no difficulty in finding a fitting successor to Dr James.
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[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.]
[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] THE "UNDERGROUND l¡ WITCH: T A THBJTITJKG STORY OF MINING LIFE! .J. BY JOH, N PENDLETON. Author of A TEBRIBLE SECRET," IN DEADLY PERIL," THS MISER'S DREAM," IN THB JTC^ACK GLARE," &C. JTC^ACK GLARZ," &o. CHAPTER XI.-A WONDROUS HAZKIi BBANCH. MS n T midnight, while the Little Witch was -ab aft moving restlessly on her humble couch, the earth was shaken again by another explosion and smoke and flame leapt hideously to the pit mouth. I ben the watchers knew that everything with life bad been destroyed in the mine-not even the young engineer, whom the coiliers revered for his knowledge, and worshipped fcr his courage, had escaped. No man could 6ght the fire now, it would have been absurd to attempt it—as futile as trying to check a meteor iq its flight-and after consultation the shaft was sealed. But ths Little Witch, who, startled by the second explosion, bad hurried to the pit bank, could not rest. A curious notion, quite as ludicrous as any that had entered poor Crazy Cringe's head, had taken possession of her: mind. 11 It bad taken possession of her legs, too, for as soon as daylight came she strode down the shale bank-her white, haggard face, and anxious eyes calling forth many expressions of pity-and walked quickly in the direction of the wood that sheltered Tiger Harry's hut. Wildfirj Dick, having no further need to'stay on the pit bank, anxiously followed her over the bridge, and through the fields/and up the gorse slope. The girl, be was afraid, had gone mad with dismay and suspense, and perhaps intended to thrqw herself down some disused shaft. But though the Little Witch's conduct was erratic, tfiere was no foundation for this fear. Without hesitation she went down the narrow path known as Honeysuckle Walk, and dis- appeared in the depths of the wood. Was it her purpose to touch the crooked penny in her bosom, and so ask for Gipsy Jack's aid again ? No. Wildfire Dick, diving after her, was amazed, and had a narrow escape of breaking his neck, as he stumbled over a fallen oak, keeping his eyes meanwhile on the girl's movements. She stood beneath a hazel tM-e. At her lips was a quaint pocket knife. With a fervour that was pathetic she kissed the blade. Then a great sob shook her frame, and she murmured, I keeping her tear-ftained eyes on the gleaming knife— My love is fixt, I will not range, My choice is good, I will not change.* Now she grasped a forked branch of the hazel, J lifted her eyes through the tree boughs to Heaven. rnoyed her lips as if in prayer, and carefully cut )ff the branch in the form of the letter Y. j My God—it's Divinin' Rod Somebody'll be 1 laved yet," shouted Wildfire Dick, unable to keep in hiding, and rushing gladly towards the < Little Witch; The girl trembled with excitement, but there was renewed hope in her heart, and she smiled, though sadly, at Wildfire Dick's impetuosity. Who iver put it into thi head, lass V he asked in wonder, tears of delight coming into his own Bves. "Jesus," solemnly replied the Little Witch. Aye exclaimed Dick, in such astonishment that be could not utter another word. "Atltjast," continued the Little Witch, "I think it must have been Jesus. It came last night in my dream-a glorious figure clothed in white, with a branch in its right band. And the branch pointed I downwards, and I heard far beneath me a cry—a wild cry for help." II It's fate. lass—thah t a good witch," said Wildfire Dick with awe, taking off his cap reverently, and gazing at the girl with admira- tion, not unmixed with fear. You must btindfold me, Dick," went on the Little Witch eagerly, holding the hazel branch in heft hands and stepping into the path, "Blindfold thee, lass?" retorted Dick in amazement. h What for ? I remember in an old book of Joe Malkin's it says the dowserf must be blindfolded," remarked the Little Witch, impatient to begin her quest. Dick to&k off his woollen handkerchief, and blindfolded the girl, though he bungled over the knots in his nervousness. Quick, Dijck—lead me out of the wood," said the girl earnestly. The Little Witch, once through the narrow stile at the edge of the wood—strange as it may seem -no longer needed Dick's guidance. She trod confidently dowu the slope, turned into Deeprut- lane, passed the wayside inn, The Miner's Pick, and then went unerringly over a stretch of broken ground that bad got, through its lack of verdure, the name of the Rough Piece." Dick bad to step out to keep up with her, she walked so rapidly. The girl, he was sure, was possessed of some mysterious power—some strange witchery. After leaving the wood she did not utter a word; but with lips compressed made straight for Whin Hollow. As she neared the tiny gorse. covered ravy^thye divining rQd, which sbe held by the forks, twisted slowly downwards, turning irresistibly in her grasp, until the point hovered just above a tftft of coarse grass that had wriggied its way between two moss grown boulders. 7 t Dick gazed woaderingly at the marvellous hasel branch, and ratted. bis eyes to the face of the girl who held it. Then almost unconsciously he tcok in thi surrounding Country at a glance, and saw beyond the girl's head and the rough ground the gearing rising above the downcast shaft, a mile away. And mentally-you know how quickly the mind can work—he descended the shaft and sped along the travelling Opafi to the new level, and plunged through the fire, nast the benks, to a remote part of the pit. ™ j The roAdwtfjrg of the mine, by this mental process, were llhptassed on his mind so indelibly that he caught ^iffialf intuitively sketching them in the air with £ he forefinger of his right hand. M We shonlda'cf'be far from t' fault," he said earnestly, distmuQng his own power of indicating locality, and Y. thinking that he was, not very far out with hWlcalcuJation. ,lyon re right, Diek," boarsely whispered the Little Witch, ifrnfeting the divining rod point downwards intg tBfr tuft of grass, and trembling •o that she coutii scarcely Keep her limbs still. Dick was ex^tpff too. Though be hardly knew why, be felt thai bis heart would break unless he could shout orgjjb.t' the MtMemn in Weston Park there Is an old pocket knife of tilt; sixteenth century, with this quaint motto about tbe constancy of love on itiv t The persQn car||rii)g the divining coil. "The rod points to the high path near the little shaft," went on the Little Witch, solemnly, but in a atrained voice. "See I" she added, wildly clutching Dick's arm, it's bending towards the Demon Ladder! In God's mercy we must dig here-not for gold-but for lives It was impossible to deny it—whether by some occult power, or by the strength of the breeze (though Wildfire Dick afterwards said there was not a breath of air stirring) the forks of the hazel branch moved slightly towards the Little Witch, and the point, though embedded in the grass tuft, inclined a little away from her. Get off to the pit bank," she said to Dick, who bad not got over his amazement, and was gazing with wide-open eyes at the mysterious bough. "Aye, lass," he said vaguely, but be did not stir. He had seen the divining rod used when he was a lad to find a vertical seam of coal half a mile beyond Gorse Hollow, and the vein was struck not many yards away from the place where the Blind Pedlar (who held the dowser) halted. So be bad some faith in its power, but he began to wonder who was guiding it now, for the Little Witch and the hazel branch were both bewitched, and be, practical and self-reliant as he was, felt bewitched also. "For God's sake, go and fetch the men," pleaded the girl, as she shook him out of his semi- stupor, and then turned to roll the stones away from the tuit of grass. Wildfire Dick started at her touch as one awaking from sleep, and then strode swiftly away towards the pit bank. He had to go a little distance up Deeprut-lane, through the stile on the left, and then by a short cut at the back of the engine house, would soon have been on the shale bank. But when he got to the stile-he had his right foot on the worn wooden step-the rough land beyond was dotted with hurrying miners, carrying picks and shovels. And they were running to Whin Hollow, Wildfire Dick had no need to tell them about the divining rod, or the wondrous power of the Little Witch-they koew, they bad beard all about it. Who their informant was is to this day a mystery. Perhaps the angel who hovered about Silent Alice at her death had whispered it in their ears. Anyhow, there they were, racing and shouting as they ran towards Wildfire Dick. "Come on, lads, down t'deep rut's nearest," shouted Dick, and they surged into the lane, pell-mell, and hastened with him at their bead to the Hollow, where they threw down their picks and shovels with a clang and a clatter, aud gave the Little Witch a cheer that seemed almost to shake the ground. The girl bowed and smiled, though her face was wet with tears and she essayed to speak, but emotion choked her utterance. And instinctively there was an awed silence in the crowd. The Little Witch, going towards the divining rod, lifted it as though it were a sacred thing, and, stepping six feet outward from the grass tuft, began slowly to trace a circle twelve feet in diameter with the point of the divining rod, and as she did so she chanted the words When the Little Witch re-enters the pit. Then the woman's curse will flee from it. And another ringing cheer went up from the miners, and there were many shouts of God bless her." Even old Mark Bracebead, the bow-legged and wrinkled master-borer, who bad hastened to the place with his tools, hoping to sink a fathom or two at a good profit, seeia* as it wojf emergensi," got over his. disappointment when Wildfire Dick declined to engage him, cheered with the rest, and finally gave a band at the digging. The men worked-io little gauge, and with frequent relief, under the direction of Wildfire Dick. How splendidly they toiled with pick and shovel and barrow. Now a yard was holed, then two, then three. The work was slow, but methodical and persistent. The afternoon sun shed a rich glory over the barren ground, and sank behind the ridge beyond the pit shaft in a jolden and purple halo. Twilight came, and its mysterious shadow deepened into night. Huge Sres flared round the circle the Little Witch had drawn, and by their light the pitmen worked on, ?ang after gang stepping into the breach. The strata was, fortunately, not difficult to delve. It sonsisted of soil and clay and shale and sand- stone. Such a depth was reached at last that a windlass was fixed over the mouth of the rudely- made shaft, and a kibble used to hoist the rubbish to the surface. The deeper the sinkers descended the slower their progress became but at length, after many an anxious inquiry from the Little Witch and the distracted owner of the mine-who encouraged the men to work with supplies of bread and beef, and great flagons of beer, and princely offers of pecuniary reward— the ground began to give beneath the toilers' feet, and they clung to the kibble desperately, lest it should give way altogether, and they should be precipitated into some unknown depth of the pit. Amid the most intense excitement (after Bhaking the rope as a signal) they were drawn up the shaft, and around them clamoured all the colliers from the country side, eager to bear their report. Marmaduke Briggs, the grey-headed mining Bngineer (who had been appointed years ago by a confiding Government, not because he knew anything about mining, but because he was first cousin to a peer) spread out the plan of the workings on an upended corve, endeavoured to look very wise, and scornfully pooh-poohed the conviction of the foreman sinker that the roof of some underground road had been almost touched. In a condescending sort of way he wished to convince Wildfire Dick that his view was correct he had even calculated on a leaf of his pocket-book how many yards there were still to dig through before there was any likelihood of getting to the path at the summit of the Fault, supposing for a moment (though he did not believe it) that the shaft had been dug to a nicety over it. Wildfire Dick was a kindly man but if there was a person in the whole of the kig county that he held in contempt it was Marmaduke Briggs so he somewhat brusquely pushed past the theoretical Solon, left him bubbling, in fact, with indignatiot,. and argument, and stalked to the brink of the shaft. Linking his left arm in that of the foreman sinker, the two men walked slowly up the Whin together, and Dick learnt that the ground had undoubtedly shaken at the last blow of the pick -nay, one of the men swore that he heard a rumbling, ae if he were standing on the roof of, some vault or cavern. Close by the bead of the Whin, half-concealed with blackberry wires, was a heavy jagged stone-; and Dick, who had a marvellous knack of utilising everything about him for present necessity, shouted to Strong Ned's gany, and bade them roll the huge mass of rock to the edsre of the ehaft. The hollow sloped, luckily, but even after the willing miners had got the stone out of the ear-wig-hnunted bed in which it had stood perhaps for centurieo. they bad to strain and tug and puab mightily. Now, they had rolled it to the brink of tbe shaft. "Down with it, lads !» shouted Dick. mit-a-doten crowbars, and half-a-d ozem brawny shoulders, made the huge gritstone totter on the J0t aa. "wfcant J then it tilted over, and went down the n0wly.made shaft with a mighty crash that blanched the faces of the bravest, and then—the shaft was filled with threatening terrors »~*W'th awe-inspiring rnmbling, with the noise all of "tht rush of many waters," with echoes as of fiendish laughter, with moans and sigbs that crept tip the sides of the shaft, and ro £ j xu crowdl°R pitmen start back with fear and there was, too, a strange pissing, mingled now and then with what seemed a cry-a wail of despair t The largo rock bad crashed through the thin partition the sinkers bad left, and des.eer«ed into the pit, but into what part of the mine God only' knew. "Itls the mouth of hell, for sure," gasped O'Flanagan, the new wedger, crossing himself, and crawling from the edge of the shaft, down which he had been looking until bis long red beard was wet with the vapour that curled stealthily upwards. Wildfire Dick paid no heed to the remark. Had it actually been the mouth of Tartarus, with Lucifer glowering enraged in its portals, he would scarcely have hesitated still he was aware that to descend this chasm, that already bore the impress of subterranean fury, and the odour of death, was a madman's freak. Purposely he averted his gaze from the Little Witch, hoping that in her wildest imagining, in her poignant heart sickness at D'Arcy's fate, she had not thought of going down. Yet the Little Witch, though her face was white, and her hands trembled, had unslung her tea can from the thick leather belt about her waist, and was filling it with brandy from a wicker-cased stone bottle that Alice had fetched from the Elm Tree. Her intention was at all hazards to^iescend the mine.. "Are you ready, Dick?" she said,' suddenly confronting him, after she had fastened the can on her belt, and looked carefully at the wick of her Davy lamp., "Ready—what for?" asked Dick, with well simulated surprise. To go down," she remarked calmly, pointing to the newly-made shaft. "No, by exclaimed Wildfire Dick, ap- parently in a terrible rage, Thah must a gone daft at last." I may be daft," she replied with dignity, but I'm going into the pit." Not j»hile I'm gaffer," hotly said Dick. He was a skilful manager of the mine; but, bless you, ne did not know how tor manage a woman. Tears sprang to the Little Witch's eyes, her lips quivered, her bosom heaved—it was pitiful to see her misery. And Dick, inwardly calling himself a brute and a cruel wretch, relented. # The old bucket the pair had used for the descent of the downcast shaft was quickly brought to the now shaft, fastened to the windlass rope, and Wildfire Dick and tha Little Witch stepping into the frail vehicle, were slowly lowered into the abyss. The shaft by this time had cleared of vapour. The air was comparatively pure. As they reached the sandstone layer, and went through the jagged orifice the gritstone had made, there was quite a strong current blowing. But the darkness-it was chaotic, appalling. The rushing wind, that made their lamps flicker and struggle for life, seemed the hurrying messenger of a myriad wailing voices and far below the daring explorers, as it seemed deep down to the left of the shaft, there was a seething, hideous roar, that made even Wildfire Dick's equable pulse beat quicker, and brought a dull, aching pain to the Little Witch's breast. Now the bucket bumped on solid ground. Wildfire Dick, lowering his grasp of the rope, and bending downwards, waved bis lamp to and fro, and then ejaculated with delight, Well, I'm if it isn't Belgian Betty's track, and there's t'owld mare lying dead as a door nail. We're on t' top road o' t' Fault, sure enougb." The Little Witch, alternately laughing and crying with Joy, let go her grasp of the rope, stepped eageriy out of the bucket upon the corve track, and tried to thread her way past the heaps of coal and shatter 1 trucks, when her lamp sputtered feebly s,)-: >.?c:«t out. She stumbled. And putting out her right hand to,eave herself from falling, sprang back convulsively with terror. And a shriek, loud,long, piercing, rang through the dark ways of the pit. Oh, horror—! nr outstretched fingers HAD TOUCHED A DEAD MAN'S FACE. And Wildfire Dick, rushing madly towards the cry with his lamp, found that the Little Witch had swooned, and he noted, as she lay with her white upturned face, making a strange contrast to the coal dust on which she had fallen, that a convulsive shudder passed through her prostrate form. Then Wildfire Dick was seized with terror too for looking round, he saw the dear) man's face—A GHASTLY FACE-WITHOUT A BODY. a haunting remnant of the explosion's power. With feverish haste he covered the terrible looking thing with his jacket, and raising the Little Witch's head, unslung the can froui her waist, and poured brandy between her lips. She revived only slowly. When her mind reasserted herself she could not avoid shuddering again, and was singularly silent. This is no place for thee, lass," said Wildfire Dick, kindly; tbah'd better get into t daylight —tell 'em to send dahn some lamps wi Flanaghan and one or two ol t' lads." No, no, Dick, dou't send me away—I am brave and resolute-I must find D'Arcy," she said pathetically, with sobbing pauses between each word, and rising with desperate determination from her sitting posture against the upset corve near the little shaft, she took up Dick's lamp, and be,an her way alodg the horse track, "Where on earth ar thah going, lass?" asked Dick with perturbation, treading closely at her heels, longing, and yet not daring, to forcibly check her progress. "To THE DEMON LADDER," replied the girl, trying in vain to steady her voice. Dick groaned in dismny, (To be continued.)
THE TAFF VALE RAILWAY COMPANY.
THE TAFF VALE RAILWAY COMPANY. Half-yearly Report. The Taff Vale Railway Company have issued their 106th half-yearly report endiug December, 1888. The following extract indicates the result of the working of the half-year as compared with the corresponding period of 1887 :— Dec., 1888. Dec., 1887. Grossreceipts. £ 446,295 £ 406,177 Gross expenditure 224,301 210,045 Balance of revenue 221,994 196,132 Sundry Credits 4,77a 7725 Total net revenue 226,769 203,8o7 Less interest on debentures, <tc. 58,0.8 63,794 Balance available for dividend.. £ 168,671 £ 150.063 The balauce of the net revenue account enables the directors to recommend a dividend at the rate ot 10 per ceut. per annum and a bonus at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum (less income tax) on th9 ordinary stock and shares and on the preference stock No. 1. A balance of £2,045 183 6d remains to be carried forward to the current half-year. The capital expenditure of the past half-year amounted to £43,844 2i 61. The estimated exoeiditure for the half-year ending June 30th, 1889, is J363,500, of which £ 18,000 is absorbed by the lioath branch railway, L27,300 in increased station and siding accommodation, and £ 10,300in additional lines. The receipts from passengers were as follows First-class, £ 1 5b3 10-t Id second-class, £ 4,027 12,i Id third-cla<jS, je38,557 12s lid, or a total of £46,30353 1d as compared with £42.022 last year. The receipts for minerals were JE299,245 61 8d, as compared with £ 272,842. Notice is given that at a special meeting to be held at Bristol on February 6th, the following bills now before Par- liament will come up for discussion 1.—A bill for amalgamating with the undertaking of the Taff Vale Railway Company the undertakings of other companies leased to or worked by them, and for consolidating and re-arranging the capilal of the said company, and for other purposes. 2 -A bill to confirm an agreement between the Bute Docks Company and the Taff Vale Railway Company with respect to the mallltenanctl and working of th j Bute Docks undertaking, and for other purposes. I 3.—A bill to incorporate a company for the construc- tion of a railway between Cowbjidge and Aberthaw, and for other purposes.
RUFFIANLY CONDUCT AT CARDIFF.…
RUFFIANLY CONDUCT AT CARDIFF. 1 At the Cardiff police-court on Monday—before Dr H. J. Payne and Major Sloper-a. woman named Jane Bennett charged Thomas Stephens aged 32, with having assaulted her in the Cardi- gan Arms, Bute-stregt, on Saturday evening. She stated that, the prisoner wanted her 1 to live with him, and because she constantly refused bts solicitations he assaulted her and i kicked her violently, also giving her a black 1 eye. Prisoner denied the statement made, and said Bennett was drunk herself.—Sergeant Hayward then deposed that he arrested Stephens on a warrant in the Cardigan Arms, and the prisoner was very violent all the way to the police- station. After he had been searched and < WM being tolwn to the cells, he struck witness a heavy blow in the > face. It required three constables to get him locked up.—Stephens called another prisoner, who < was waiting his torn in tbe corridor beneath the < court, to ascend and give evidence as to the manner in which the police had treated i bim. This maID, who was named James Morgan, I aged 29, stated that the police used Stephens very badly, kicking and beating him unmerotfuUy.— i The magistrates did not lay any stress on "these allegations, particularly as Stephens was a bad character. Prisoner was sentenced, to three months' bard labour on the two charges.
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THE MINER'S DAUGHTER.
THE MINER'S DAUGHTER. Every morning when the miners employed in the mines at Berard assembled around the shaft to answer. to the roll call there could be seen, arriving last of all, a tall, sturdy-looking fellow, who led by the hand a little girl seven or eight years old. They were Michel Pierron and his daughter. Before setting foot upon the platform of the car to descend, the man took the child in his arms and kissed her, and then replaced her on the ground. The little one cried, Good-bye, papa! When she was on the car she gazed at him with two little anxions eyes, and repeated, "Good- bye, papa!" j When the signal for the descent was given, she clasped her hands and kept repeating the single word papa" until she was sure that papa could no longer hear her. Then she went on to the school.house close by, where she spent the day. When evening came she was always the first I at the opening of the shaft, and Michel Pierron was always the first man who came up. As at bis departure, be lifted the child in his arms, and she threw her arms around his neck, crying "papa The miners had heard her repeat these two syllables so often, and had been so struck by the strange passion which she put into them, that they gave her the name of Miss Papa. And certainly no name was ever more applic- able. Her father was everything to her. Her mother had been dead 80 long a time she had scarcely known her; she had only him. All the memories of her childhood were filled with him. To her his great rough hands had been as gentle as a woman's. For her his bard, grimy face always wore a. tender smile. For her this man bad become a woman and child at the same time. Ah, how she loved her father, and how terrified she was every morning when she saw him descend into that great black hole, of which no one could see the bottom. One day a miner held her over the mouth of the shaft, and sbe had gazed down into the dark depths. Uttering a cry of terror she drew back. Papa goes down there," she thought. Ob, if he should never come np T* And that day, when Michel took her in bis arms as usual and kissed her, she clung more tightly than ever to his neck, and said to him You wiil come up, won't you Of course, my little one." Is there any' danger, tell me, papa ?" Why, no, little coward." "Does anyone—can anyone—die down there ? Have no fear," replied Michel, laughing. I will not die without letting you know." "Ah Good-bye, papa." All that her father said was gospel truth to her, and she went to school completely reassured. But the memory of that black gult into which her eyes had plunged could not be effaced, and from that time she was afraid every morning and trembled every evening; she feared that her father would never return from those mysterious depths into which she had seen him descend. Was it a presentiment ? Who knows? One day the report suddenly spread that an explosion had occurred in the wine. In So moment's time a crowd had "gathered at the shaft. From all directions people, wild with terror, came flocking to the spot. Of all those buried far below how many would ever see the light again? Michel's daughter was at school. She knew nothing of it, and, besides if anyone had spoken of it before her would she have comprehended Could she know, poor little one, what an explosion was? No. But at her age one knows already what death is one understands, at her age, when one sees inanimate, mutilated bodies extended upon the ground and the approaches to the shaft were strewn with them when she arrived that evening to meet her father. > She was stupefied for a moment, and then the truth suddenly flashed upon her she had seen those men go down living, those men whom she knew well, who had kissed her many a time and now they were brought up-dead. Would they bring up her father like them ? This thought distracted her. She began to run wildly among the debris, which they had brought up from the mine, crying: P?pa papa p"n:t There were, it is true. many others who cried and who called Papa but not one in such desperate accents. The others they drove back, but no one could be found to push her away. They let her run, poor child* from one body to another, sometimes stopping before a disfigured face, hesitating for a moment, as if she feared that she might recognize her father. No, he was not among the dead. She grew calmer, and sought among the living. He was not there. She questioned everyone, but no one had seen him. Of the sixty miners who went down in the morning, forty-five had come up alive; fourteen were dead. There remained but one to be accounted for that one was Michel, She-had made them explain all that to her, and she understood. She clapped her hands joyously, as if they had said to her: "He is all right, you will me him again." Ah how she hoped to see ium. Thon she suddeuly recollected the morning on which her father had said ^o her: I will not die without letting you know." A child s faith is strong. It is not easy to drive out an idea which has once taken root in their minds. So, when the next morning—she had remained there all night—they tried to make her understand that there was no hope, that she would never see her father, that they bad explored all the galleries, searched every cotner-and-could not find him, she took her curly head and began to weep, saying, Seek for papa They paid little attention to her. For forty hours had they not exhausted every means ? Therr -'ns doubtless, something strange in this disappearance. Living or dead, Michel ought to have been found, and they had not found him. The chief engineer had himself directed the search, but all in vain. In the opinion of all nothing more could be done, and it was possible th»t by the force of the explosion the unfortunate man had been buried by the falling debris, and it Was impossible to tell where or how. Whence comes to the weak aud feeble such strength in the great crisis of hfe ? Ask God it is His secret. The third day the child was still at the shaft. "I must put an end to this, said the chief engineer, approaching her. Come, my little one, be reasonable." Papa! Seek for papa 1" Alas be is dead.' She uttered this no with such energy that the engineer was struck by it. Why do you say no ?'" he asked. 41 He would have told me." "Poor little one murmured tbe enigeer. And he made a sign to the men to take her away. But she clung desperately to him. crying Papa is not dead. I want to go down. I will find bi!n They bore her away and left her with the school teacher. An hour later she was back at the shaft, and, clinging to the engineer's knees, she kept repeating: I want to go down! I will find bim I" He was a tender-hearted man, tbat engineer, and he took pity ou her. „ t After all," he said to himself, that will, perhaps, be the best thing. When she has seen with her own eyes she will believe. TOIs excite- ment. if it lasts much longer, will kill her. And, taking her in his arms. he bore her to the car and gave the signal to descend. She shuddered when she felt beneath her that yawning pit from which arose a foul air which almost suffocated her. The engineer felt her little arms inclose his neck, and her curJy bead was pressed against his own. When tbey reached the bottom she disengaged herself, sprang to the ground, and rushed straight forward, calling-, "Papal Papa IV The engineer, who could hardly keep up with her, was tired of explaining to her twenty times what he had already explained—how the explosion had taken place, where it had occurred, and what they had done to find the victims, and the child kept questioning him and repeated :— He is living Seek for him She would have remained down there in the mine three days, as she had already done at the surface, if they had not taken her by force and carried her up. The engineer gave orders that she should be taken back to tbe school teacher, and also orders that if she re-appeared at the shaft she should be prevented from going into the mine. All his measures bad been carefully taken, and the next day, no longer thinking of her, he was inspecting one of the galleries when he felt himself seizfcd by the arm of bis coat. It was Miss Papa. She bad escaped from the school a second time. Repulsed at the shaft, she had slipped into an empty coal car and bad thus decended into the mine. She told all this to the engineer and obtained his pardon. Five minutes later she again began her search, stili full of undiminished faith. The miners followed her with pitying eyes, shrugging their shoulders, saying— Poor little Papa Little Papa kept on seeking with unabated jourage. Suddenly they saw her running toward them, pale and excited. Down there!" she gasped. If Down there Papa.' What! Down there 2" said a miner. His blouse I" "Bahl Where?" "Down there." In a moment every one had heard the news and the mine was in a tumult. The child declared that she had seen a piece of blue cloth in » hole, which she could not raise because it was held down by an enormous block of coal. Where?" they asked her again. She turned, followed by the crowd of miners, rhen she stopped and hesitated. She could not find tbe spot. All the blocks of :oai resembled each other all the cavities were alike, all the galleries were the same. And yet she was sure she had seen that piece of blue cloth. Where the blouse was tbe man must be, living no ioubt, and that man was her father, and she sould not find him. One by one. tired by the useless search, per. suaded that the poor little girl was crazed by itrief, the men withdrew and returned to their work. But tbey had hardly taken up their pick- Mces when a loud cry recalled them to the child. j "I have found it 1 I have found it 1" They pushed her asidgpnd looked. Yes, it was » piece of blue flannel I^t was a blouse! There ( was a man there They set t.o work with a will, and in the twinkling of an eye the wall was beaten down, "id,in a deep excavation they saw a man extended it was Michel Pierron. He had been there for i three days and four olghts. 1 Loud cries arose on all sides, and Singing loud 1 above all the others, a cry escaped from the lips 1 Jf the child. She threw iferself upon the body t 1 Hid clasped it In her arms/ half mad, weeping I j lond crying. ■ i? Papa Papa In He was nearly dead, poor Michel! Exhausted by lack of air and nourishment he recovered consciousness only to sink back'fainting but he was ali ve. Miss Papa had told the truth. The man would not die without telling his child, and the thought of her bad sustained him and given him the strength to conquer death. A week later he was out and ready to re-com* mence his work. On the evening of the day before that on which be was to return to the mine a grand banquet was given by all the miners to MisS Papa. The place of honour was reserved tot her. A loud hurrah and wild applause greeted her when she entered, holding on to Michel'. hand. There were kisses given, shouts of bravo t and wild huzzas in honour of the little queen. And do you know what she replied to all this. smiling and clappmg her little hands? She replied: "Papa." It would be difficult to describe bow and in what tones she uttered that one word. But all those brave fellows, whose eyes had hardly ever known a tear, will tell you that they wept that night.
THE PENARTH PIER COMPANY.
THE PENARTH PIER COMPANY. During the past week there has been some little unpleasantness in regard to the undertak- ing of the Penarth Promenade and Landing. pier Company.and much comment and gossip have been evoked thereby. Our representative has been informed by Mr Stevens, nephew of Mr P. H, Stevens, the contractor, that the incident alluded to has nothing whatever to do with the progress of the works. An official has left and bas been replaced by another gentleman, and the temporary hitch this caused has given rise to all sorts of unfounded rumours. The affair will, however, have no effect on the contract. Already a good deal has been accom- phshed. as 120 iron pillars bave been securely embedded in concrete foundations, and this portion of the undertaking is by far the most difficult and costly. The work of bracing the upper sections of the supports and forming the roadway will be comparatively rapid in its execution, and the contractor has no doubt of being able to complete the pier by the date fixed, namely, Easter Monday. Although the local public have not subscribed for shares all readily as was expected, Mr Stevens is fully determined to finish the promenade himself, and is prepared to lay down the whole of tpe capital, if necessary.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A LLANELLY…
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BY A LLANELLY CONSTABLE. Police. Constable Daniel Davies lies at the Llanelly hospital suffering from a sericus gash in the throat self-inflicted with a razor. Davies is a respectable middle-aged man, married, and living in Tunnel-road. He has been in the force for many years, but has lately become very much depressed in mind. This becoming known to his superiors he was moved from a lonely district to Llanelly, where it was hoped that the somewhat livelier surroundings would have a beneficial effect. But the excitement of the county council election affected the poor fellow badly, and it was then apparent, for the first iime, that the intellect was deranged. The day after the contest Davies cut his throat with a razor at his residence, and but for timely assistance would have bled to #atb. He lies in the hospital in a very critical state, and his bodily suffering is aggravated by intense mental disturbance. His recovery is problematic. I
MADAME PATTI AND THE POOR.
MADAME PATTI AND THE POOR. Demonstration at Ystalyfera. Saturday was quite a fetedayfortheinhabitanta of the industrial village at the top of the Swansea Valley. The stranger alighting at the Ystalyfera station was immediately struck with the gay appearance the place had assumed, and prompted to ask why the generally deserted street was so astir with life, and why bunting and other decorations relieved the mosotony of the scene, received the reply that Patti is coming to-dajt Yes, only the night before it was whispered in the place that Patti would, in accordance with her annual practice, distribute to the poor of the neighbourhood a large supply of winter comforts, and that Ystalyfera was the first place to be visited and no sooner was the news received than the people put their heads together, and, deciding to give some spontaneous expression of their gratitude to one who has been quite a Lady Bountiful to the poor af the Swansea Valley, all with one accord set about preparing a demonstration. lire the hour arrived for the visit of the Diva the whole place was gay with festive ornamentation. The streets were spanned with colour—with bunting, where possible—but as the time at the command of the good people was too short to enable tham to procure flags in sufficient profusion, they determined nevertheless to shew their appreciation of the generosity of Madame Patti, and chose the best substitutes possible; and thus it was that one detected amongst the bunting anything of brilliant colouring, from handsome shawls, red curtains, and gaudy table cloths to coloured skins of leather which an enterprising shoemaker stuck across the road. And a very pretty effect these novel and impromptu decorations had. Interspersed amid the flags were mottoes testifying to the feelings of the people. "May all Happiness follow our benefactress," He that Giveth to the Poor lendeth to the Lord," "Long Life to the Queen of Song," "She stretcheth out her Hand to the Poor," are specimens.. By two o'clock all the decorations bad received their finishing touches, and a lot of tidily dressed persons were seen wending their way to tho board school, which, under the superintendence of Mr J. Williams, aided by Mrs Davies and Miss Thomas, had been very tastefully decorated with ever- greens, mottoes, and bunting. Those who were to be recipients of the charity had been seated long before the appointed time. There they were, 250 or so did women, whose pinched faces and feeble gait amply testified to their poverty, and to the suffering they had undergone. The articles were in au ante-room—250 parcels some contain- ing wocl cloth blankets, others twilled sheets, others again black and white check real Welsh shirting flannel, and others scarlet aud black striped real Welsh flannel. All were done up into tidy parcels, and so marked that they could be selected at au instant's notice. They were supplied by Messrs B. Evans and Co., of Swansea, I the firm which originally furnished the castle, and has ever since supplied most ot the things required there. But the 250 parcels diu not represent all the charity Madame Patti was about to distribute. Altogether her bounty is to delight the hearts of 660 poor people, and the balance of the 250 distributed on Saturday will on Tuesday be given away at Ystradsgynlais, and on Wednesday at Abercravei In two and threes visitors arrived aud at last cheers aud the playing of the village band heralded the castle party. It consisted of the Diva, Signor Nicolini, Miss Kingston, Miss La Croix, and Mr Augustus Spalding. These were received at the entrance by three or four hundred school children, who, all waving many-coloured bannerette. accorded a boisterous greeting. Madame Patti was the first to enter the room, Signor Nicolini following, the rest of the party arriving later on. That the Diva was received with enthusiasm goes without saying.and that she appreciated the cordiality of the greeting was evident from the amile that wreathed her cheeks as she lightly stepped up to the platform and took her seat. Everything ready, the distribution commenced, the following geiulemeft, who took a leading part in perfecting the arrangements, assistingDr D. lhomas, the Revs D.Jones and D. Williams (curate), Mr B. Evans (Swansea), and Mr W. Heck (the castle steward). Each recipient handed to Mr Heck his tic set, and be in turn passed it to Madame Patti, wbo, in acknowledg- ment of the curtsey which followed the receipt of the parcel indicated on the ticket, gracefully* bowed to each one as he or she filed by. The presentation over, the school children all filed past the Diva. It was a pretty and interesting sight to witness so many children cheering and laughing, and waving their bannerettes, and Patti seemed so much delighted that when the band r,p, UP J* favourite old plantation song, 0 Old Folks at Home," it seemed as though we were to be favoured with a song. III fact, she aiu in her excitement and glee warblo a few notes or the affecting tune. then^ *aSt frooee<a8rs came to an end; and Dr. THOMAS advanced and said.Madame ueiina Patti-Nicolini,—It is the spontaneous of these poor people that I should offer you their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your great kindness to them this afternoon. By the W valuable gifts just distributed you have maeed conferred a very great boon ou them and I am sure it will be their privilege to their dying day to keep in loving remembrance the name of large-hearted and generous lady of Craig- y-JNos Castle. (Cheers.) But however much they j»ay be iu want of these body comforts (and you have seen how thoroughly they appreciate J.hein. 'hmk I may say I can assure you they valde tar more your kindness in coming here and gracing the distribution by your illustrious presence. cheers.) Ihe Rev D. WILLIAMS also spoke a fow words 10 support of those uttered by Dr Thomas, and the people present testified to their appreciation ot the sentiments expressed by hearty cheers a^a'n an(^ again. -Lhe castle party then rose. After the Diva had smilingly bowed her acknowledgments, they left the room, and walked to Dr Thomas's resilience, hers li^bt refreshment was partaken of before the return drive to the castle.
-------..-.-------PRIZE DAY…
PRIZE DAY AT TREDEGAR GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 911 Friday evening the second distribution of Prizes in connection with the Tredegar Grammar school took place. The schools have been established a little over 12 months. Professor Roberts, of the College, Cardiff, had kindly consented to distribute the prizes, which consisted of some handsomely-bound books by some of the best authors. The headmaster, Mr J. S. Grant, late of Jesus College, Oxford, presided, and was supported by Professor Roberts, there being m "Preaent Captain J. T. and Mrs Jenkins, Rev Aheophilus,vicar of Tredegar;!RevG. Kirkham. Blackwood Mr William and Miss Davies' ljondon House Mrs John Lewis, Tredegar Mr A. R. Fernsby, B.A., Oxford, the new assistant master, and others.—The Head Master first read 'Vs report, which stated that for a considerable J'me past the want of a middle-class school bad been felt, and in September, 1837 he, upon the aavica of a few friends—Mr J. Colquhoun, J.P., amongst others—consented to establish the grammar school. The steady increase of numbers from that time had amply proved that the parents highly appreciated higher education. Entrance scholarships had been awarded to J. Lee, B. Flummer. J. Wilcox, L. Williams (Ebbw Vale), and T. Francis (Brynmawr). At the recent examination for entrance scholarships at Christ College, Brecon, David Davie" succeeded in winning a scholarship of £20, tenabla for three years. (Applause.) The physical training of the boys had not been neglected, and cricket and football lovers had no ueed to be dis- satisfied with tfae result of the matches played. Professor Roberts said that this was his first visit to this part of the country. The headmaster watf an old friend of his, and a fellow student both at Aberystwyth and Oxford; and, from what ha knew of him, be (the speaker) was not surprised at the success which had attended bis efforts. Ha was a most suitable man to occupy the position he did, and his earnest hope was that the school rd0uUfiatiPon08PKr- Having referred to intermediate education, he contended that there was in Wales an enthusiasm for higher education. 'e prIzes were then distributed as follows:- 1st class-Latin, D. S. Richards French, A L Jones; history, H. Harris arithmetic, J. pfice Scripture, F. Hutchmgs grammar and geography, G. Theopbilus algebra and Euclid. A.. Morgan drawing, C. D. Lewis general Dro- ciency, E. T. Mcrgan. 2ud class—Arithmetic, A.liolmes grammar and geography, L. Lewis rrench, T. Davies; Scripture, O. Jones; history, y' Dayies j general proficiency, O. B. Steel,
QUITTING THE DOMINION FOR…
QUITTING THE DOMINION FOR THE STATES. The Toronto Mail views with concern the exodus of young men from the Dominion to Bngage in every variety of employment in the united States. It remarks Canada can ill afford to lose such a class, and attributes the cause to the blighting influence of the Dominion's pro- tective tariff upon productive industry, calling on the Government to reduce the burdensome iuties. -j"
[No title]
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