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Synopsis of Previous Chapters. ( CHAPTERS T. and II.—Dorothy Gilbert is walking in the convent garden with her friend Frances Vernon when she is sent for by Sisteif Celestine. Dorothy is introduced to a Mr George Emmett, a stout and dsagreeable person. He tells he'" that her father, on his death, nine months previously, had appointed him. her guardian, and he asks her to leave the convert at a few moments' notice. She docs BO, and hey take her away on his motor ear. They tout" through France together, she grow- mgto detesthim more day by day, and to wish herself back in the convent. Landing in EDg- land, Emmett takes Dorothy to a racing centre in the Midlands by rail. There'haviug taken apartments at the Bolton Arms Hotel," Emmett tells his ward that she will have to may hini. amI gives. her- a ring. Just then, he is told that a gentleman wishes to see him. He leave s the room, and in his absence Dorothy determines to rún away, She is ou the point of leaving when she hears footsteps approaching, and hides behind the curtains. CHAPTER III. The Coward. The curtains were so thick, and were drawn so close, that in the recess it was nearly pitch dark. Only -in one place did the lights of t.he room shine through. That was where the stuff had worn so thin that only a few threads re- mained. But for some seconds Dorothy was unconscious both of the darkness and the light—she was conscious of nothing She scarcely dared to breathe, she did not dare to move, though she trembled so that she had to lean against tbe side of the recess to keep her- self from collapsing in a heap upon the floor. Each moment sile expected that the curtains would be drawn aside and her luding-place discovered she felt sure that Mr Emmett's sharp eyes must have seen them moving as he entered the room. As the moments passed and the curtains remained untouched she began to wonder; Was he playing with her ? Knowing well wb(,1"e she wa.s" had he seated himself at the table, proposing to sit there drinking till she was tired of pretending to hide, or till It pleased him to drag her out ? She was suffi- ciently acquainted with his disposition to be aware that that kind of sport amused him. If he thought that she was shivering behind those curtains, he wcld let her go on shivering, even more and more, until it suited him to play ijome sudden trick which might cause her to tumble in. a nerveless heap on the floor. If he could sueceed in bringing her to that pitch his jense of humour would be tickled he would njoy the jo Re- Thinking that might be the meaning of his Bon-interterence, she had half made up her mind to re veal herself, and so spoil his sport, when, on a. udden. she became conscious that a voice-was speaking—a strange voice, which was not Mr -Emmett's. Then Mr Emmett spoke. Then the voice again. What did it mean ?,- She listened- It is a sufficient com- mentary upon her mental and physieallcondi- tion to tate that until that instant she had 'ard nothing. Yet, as soon as she began to jen, it became obvious that the speakers have been talking together for, at any ae little time, and that in tones which, nc east, were audible. tothy presumed that, after all. Mr Em- jfr had not noticed the quivering curtains, jd had taken her disappearance far granted. tf he had made a remark on it, it had been a passing one clearly she was not the snb- |ect of the conversation whicn he Was- carrying on with the stranger. What they were talking about she did not know, but it. became each second plainer that it was a matter on which they were both of them very much in earnest. If they were not actually quarrelling, they we1"e very near it. The language which was eingused on both sides was warm. The stranger was addressing- Mr Emmett in terms which were the reverse of complimentary, and which Mr Emmett was vigorously resent- ing. His resentment seemed to add flame to the stranger's anger. All at once there came something into his tone which struck the unseen listener's ear. She had become conscious of the ray of light which, penetrated her hiding-pace. Moving gjngejfyV'sfc as to avoid coming into contact vith the hangings, she approached her face to bi, worn place in the curtains. It Was worn so i that the few threads which re- mained formeo. "carcety any obstrnction to the view; she coo: -1 see through quite The scene on the oLjicr f'do ciearly re- vealed she saw the two actors in it as well as if the curtain had not been there. The stranger was a young man, possibly a year or two on the shady side of thirty. He was tall, and held himself straighter than some tall men are apt to do, His chest was broad, he held his shoulder9 well back, about thewboie man there was a suggestion of strength- His head was square, and was poised easily on a rounded throat. He had an odd, clever looking face, a. fine, open brow. His eyes, which were rather small, were wide" apart. His mouth was large, but his lips were- thin, and shut so closely that when. in silence, he looked at Mr Emmett, only a slender red line was visible to show that a mouth was there. His black hair, parted on one side, was a little in disorder some of it straggled over his forehead. Disorder, indeed, was the dominant note of the man. As she watched him the girl had a feeling that he was too much moved by some inward excite- ment to be over particular about the niceties of his attire. His tie was a little crooked his jacket had a lop-sided air. Ordinarily the expression of his queer-looking face was probably a pleasant one. There was that about it which hinted that, in a, general way,the man's outlook on to life was that of a Immorist. But there was little pleasant about itthen, or humourous either. It was not likely that his complexion ever was his strongest :1eature at that moment it-had a. peculiar .pallor which was singularly unattractive. Like '■many dark men, evidently nature had meant 1nm to have a strong beard- His cheeks and chin and upper lip wex&shaven, but apparently 'that day they had not known the raaor. In iconseqruence they were of a bluish tint, which in ghasfly harmony with the almost un- natural colour of his skin. The appearance of the man fascinated the girl who was peering at him from behind the curtain—as if he realised some picture which, in some occult, fashion, had unwittingly been present inlIer nrri-nd- of a man in a rage. His pose, his attitude, his disordered attire, something which looked out of his eyes, the obvious agitation which causedhis conn ten wear that singular hue, the gleam of which was all that marked his tightly doceu iuu 'th the ominous fashion in which, while gt^r.dTTfK (>arfectly still, he never took his glance from off the man in front of him— although she might not have been able to put 'the thing into words, everything about him spoke to the sensitive imagination of the girl of one- who, for a very little, would throw everything aside in the fuiness of his desire 'to gratify the lust of his rage. The man in front of him was angry too, but with him anger took a different form-his-was rather bad temper than genuine passion. It ;1:rad about it a suggeston of bluster, of effort, i P. if he would have liked to have be more ngry than he actually was. Beyond doubt he /as sufficiently annoyed with the stranger; > annoyed that he was quite willing to do im a mischief—to knock him down for in- staoce*even to throw him from the room. Yet, disposed as he evidently was to be as disagree- »able as he could be, his rage altogether lacked that quality of intensity, of white heat, which ^marked the other tbe something which caused the girl when she appreciated, though Umly vaguely, the scene which was being en- f acted before her, to feel that it would be well |that, at the earliest possible moment, she ishotid mafee her presence known for Mr Em- Jinett's protection. Therein those last four words was the bar- rier which held her back- Had it been borne an upon -her, even in the faintest degree, •that "for the stranger's sake it would J- well that she should step out from 'behind that screen, she might have *oone it- on the instant. But for Mr Emmett —no In soroe odd way the stranger's rage cc>pvrcft&iea%»d ife £ lf to ter. The terror with d1.r.rdianimbUed her began to change jinto resentment. AsShe observed the stranger ,3W! ftfiry firM hers. AS surely as she believed ■herself to have a "just cause for adger, so sorely 'was aJ&s' persuaded of the justice of the stran- -ger's anger also. She was convinced that JSmmettvwas in the wrong. Thafcjshe arrived iat this conclusion from very inadequate --es was nothing from what she had seen oi Mr Emmett she Was prepared to-assert, off- jhand, without knowing anything of the facts, that in nine disputes out of ten he was in the "wrong 1 that this was one of those nine she did not for an instant doubt. What they were talking about she did not 1 ■understand. When a he began really to listen there was nothing in their conversation to eher a definite chie; they had reached that fstage when,, like two dogs, they were disposed to do little hot bark at each other. The rstranger informed Mr Emmett, after a brief -pause, as if for reflection, that he was a thief. Mr Emmett paused in his turn then assailed Lthe stranger with a flood of vituperation which was characteristic of the man there was such a redundance of offensive-suggestions. ;,X>orothy felt as if each one of them had been almed at her with each her colour rose. just as she was sure the stranger's rose also. An uncanny desire came to the tips of her fingers to grip the speaker by the throat and choke. ■ an apology out of him. She would have liked to see the stranger do it: withal her might she longed to inspire him With her feeling. Presently she realised that he had it-on his -own account, without any urging from her. When Emijfffett had finished he remained still, mottonleas, never once removing his eyes from the other's inflamed features. -Then he said, more quietly than he had spoken before, there was something in his lowered tone which ^afiedtbe-g^rlbehttMl thecortain. c Would you mind repeating those obser vations ? Or, if that is not convenient, the substance of them ?" Dorothy heard the threat which the words conveyed more clearly than if he had yelled it out. It is possible, since be was not dull- witted, that Mr Emmett heard it too. If such was the case then it seemed that, at least, he Wa.5 no coward, for, with complete sincerity, he treated the other with contempt which was even more galling than words. Thrusting his hands into his trouser pockets, holding his great head a little on one side, looking at the other as if he were something altogether beneath his notice, laughing that brutal laugh of his, which had hurt the girl more than speech could do, he began at him again. He poured forth on him a stream of abusive epithets, with a lavish copiousness which showed how truly great was the wealth of his resources he surpassed himself. There was not a vice which he did not attribute both to him and his progenitors if the tenth of what he said was true, then this man was a wretch indeed. When he had finished, at least for a moment, he laughed, a second time. The laugh did what his insults had failed to do, it moved the other to action. He remained quiescent before the opprobrious torrent, but that lauphter surpassed the limit of his endurance. Still with his cyea fixed on the other's face he reached out towards the champagne bottle which stood beside him on the table. Mr Emmett, perceiving his intention, made haste to intercept it. He, too, moved towards the table. No, you don't he cried. But already the other's fingers were round the bottle's neck. "By you'll be sorry if you try that, you While he was still vomiting adjectives the bottle swung into the air. Dorothy saw that as it was turned upside down some of its con- tents went down the stranger's sleeve. Mr Emmett tried to stop it, and did—with his head. As he endeavoured to grab the other's arm, the stranger, swerving, brought the heavy bottle down upon his unprotected head with murderous force. The head and the bottle were smashed together. Even then Dorothy was struck by the d ifference there was be- twoon the two sounds, the breaking of the bottle, and the breaking of the bead. Mr Emmett and the bottle vanished together, with I something of the effect of a conjuring trick. Mr Emmett disappeared behind the table all that was left of the bottle-was an inch or two of splintered glass, which the stranger still gripped. The result seemed to surprise him. He looked down at the floor on the side of the table which was hidden from Dorothy, and continued to look as if be saw something there which was beyond his comprehension. Then be looked at the splinter of glass, which was all that was left at the bottle, approaching it to his face, as if to enable him to see it better. As he looked at it he smiled, and he said, as if speaking to himself, thoughjais- words weretdis- I tinctlv audible to Dorothy 7 "My word! if it hadn't smashed." His glance returned to the floor. He spoke again. "Emmett," None-replied. Romething in the silence seemed to tickle him, because he both smiled and spoke again. ft seems it held out long enough." He observed the broken splinter with what.appeared tobe-amused curi- osity. After seeming to hesitate what to do With it, he placed it carefully on the table, splintered end upwards. Then again spoke- Emmett When there was still no answer he bent over what besa.w lying on the floor. Presently he kneeled. Dorothy could not see what he was doing with his hands she did not need to see—she knew. When be rose it was with difficulty, his arms were about Mr Emmett he raised him with them. Å9.Mr Emmett did nothing to raise himself, since he was such a. heavy man, the stranger had not an easy task. When he had regained his own feet he was holding his burden closer to him than could have been quite convenient. It was with curious sensations that, the unseen witness observed how limp her guardian, was; his head waggled with the stranger's every move- ment, as if the muscles of the aeck refused to hold it up. Staggering forward the stranger deposited Mr Emmett on the chair on which he had been seated at dinner. The eCect was singular. It was A- old wooden arm-chair. with a capacious seat and a high back. Mr En-i mett co-nld. not be induced tosit up straight. The stranger made one or two well-meaning efforts, but the results were not so satisfactory his labours deserved.. Mr Emmett would persisi in assuming a| lop-sided attitude his chin on his chest, his body in a variety of curvcs, his arms hanging anyhow, Realising that it was futile to try to induce him to take up a more dignified position, apparently the stranger decided to let him stop as he was. He drew back a little as if the better to observe the effect. The spectacle he offered seemed to move him to reflection, and reflection to speech. He said outlood, If ever there was a scoundrel and then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished possibly recalling the old school tag, which recommends us-to say ob- jectionable things of our friends only while they are living. A cloth cap, a cane, and a pair of gloves were lying on a side table. Turning away, taking up these three articles, the stran- ger moved briskly-towards the dooc, and *oufc, The.girl continued to wateh from behind the curtain. I of the room, never once looking back at wharf; was in the chair. And Dorothy was left alone with bet guar- dian. CHAPTER IV. The Man in the Chair. It was only then that the full meaning of what had taken place began to dawn upon Dorothy- It W39 ontywhen the door had been. opened and shut, and the stranger was gone* that she commeneed to realise what kind of drania this was which had been enacted belom her eyes. That it was not a comedy, but a tragedy in which the most tragic part was probably still to coine. It was odd.how sflent* it was wtaeanthe stranger had gone. Unoon- sckmsly she had found comfort in his neigh*. bourhood--his presence. When that was with- drawn, only the unspeafcableremained. Not the least terrible part of it was that*, f so soon as it became clear to her that she really was aknke, she could not take her eyes off the fignrem the chair- She would, ha wo given mora than she bad ever had if Mr Emmett would only have moved if only he would make some effort to alter what must be-1 a position, of such obvious discomfort. Though she bad come to regard him almost as if he were the bad ogre of some fairy tak. at that moment she would rather he should do any- thing than keerpso still she was move afraid 1 of him dearl than alive, especially as each in- stant the feeling oppressed her more and more that he was dead because of her. Actually— practically—it was she who had killed him. If- she had only made her presence known if she had only moved, if she had only uttered a sound, the thing would not have been done which had been done—of that she was assured. That, pioray, she was an accomplice in this man's killing she knew, if no one else did. From the moment in which. she had discovered the stranger in the room, and had begun to watch, and to listen, she had seen the coming event casting its shadow before she knew that now, as she had known it then. Some instinct had told her that the fury which pos- sessed the stranger-was of the sort which, to use a phrwe-mnjrjes a man see red that beeause of him Mr Emmett was in danger-- although Mr Emmett himself had not sus- pected it, she knew. She had seen it in the stranger's face, in his manner, she had felt it in the air. Not only had she had, in a sense, the pro- phetic vision, she had rejoiced to have it. She herself had had such a loathing for the man, had stood in such terror of him, that when that queer instinctbegan to tell her that it was quite within the range of possibility that the stranger might act as executioner, the blood began to run pleasurabty faster through lior vcins. Expectation became desire she ai d eagerly for him to strike the blow ':11.i4: knowing, before it came, that it was coming. Was that not to be his accomplice ? Her hope had been that he would do what she felt he was about to do, although she might have I stayed him with the movement of a finger, she had given no sign. It was useless for her to tell herself that she bad not expected that he would actually kill him perhaps the stranger himself had not actually meant to kill him. She had foreseen that he would prob- ably assail him with violence and had been willing that he should use what violence he choose. A little more a little less-what did it matter ? Only in the event of the stranger getting the worst of it would she have interposed she would not have cared how much worsted Mr Emmett might have been. The proof that he had been worsted was there before her, in the chair. The result being, so far as she herself was con- I cferned, that, as has been said, she was more afraid of him dead than alive. How long, after she was left alone with her guardian, she remained motionless behind that curtain, she never knew. Before, while the drama was being acted, she would -not have revealed herself on any account, lest she should baulk the principal player now her capacity to do so seemed to have left her. It was sostill in the room that she dared not dis- turb the silence. She kept her eyes fastened to that bare place, looking at what she could not help but look motionless, scarcely breathing, as if some form of paralysis had riveted her in that one position. But, by degrees, in spite of the horror which held her, there did come to her some'dim appreci- ation of the fact that, she could not stay there all night, for ever. She would have to leave her hiding place some time, and show herself to the figure in the chair. The necessity was a terrible one, but it was a necessity; therefore, i the sooner she came out from behind that curtain, the sooner the ordeal would be over only let her be sure to go a.ssoftly as she could —so that, making no noise, none might hear her. With this idea, of moving quietly, she lifted her hand to part the curtains, and had just insinuated her fingers between them when the door was opened, and her hand fell back. Her first impression was, as she saw the door swinging back upon its hinges, that it was pro- bably the stranger who had come back to do she knew not what- But the person who actu- ally entered was the waiter. His appearance made her conscious of a sense of shock she began to shiver all over, though the strange thing was, not that he should come in when he did, but that he should not have come before. This was not one of your foreign waiters plainly he was English to the core. An elderly man, with grey hair, slight side-whiskers, a stoop, and that air of deprecation-which comas to some waiters possibly because they spend so much of their time in considering the wishes of others without reference to their own. A decorous person possibly one of the institu- tions of the house. His professional attire was in better condition than it is apt to be there was a suggestion about him of unusual clean- liness even his hands seemed decently kept, the napkin which he carried over his arm was spotless. Apparently he had taken it for granted that, since the meal must have been long since over, the diners bad departed, and that therefore it was not necessary to knock. He paused at the door for a moment to look about him. Mr Emmett was hidden by the broad high back of the chair on which he was sitting. After this momentary hesitation, seeing no one, the waiter moved forward with the peculiar gait which comes to waiters after performing, for many years, balancing feats with plates and dishes, He had not only reached the table, he had begun to gather to- gether the dessert plates, before he saw Mr Emmett ? in his surprise he nearly dropped a plate. I beg your pardon,sir, for not notJcingyou before, but rd no i" He stopped short, as if struck by the singularity of the gentle- man's attitude. I hope. sir, that nothing's happened-" Again he stopped, perceiving that something, indeed, had happened. His bearing changed, his voice dropped. I do believe- Leaving his sentences unfinished appeared with him to amount to a habit he stopped again. Raising his left hand with his fingers he rubbed his bristly chin, delivering himself of a complete sentence at last. Well I never dicl J" To. an outsider the words might not have conveyed much meaning they seemed to convey enough meaning to him. Then came the half of a query. Whatever is f" He got no farther, seeming to be in a states of such perturbation that, for the time, he had lost his wits. He stood staring at the man in the chair like an anxious rabbit might look at a fox which ibis not sure is dead. Suddenly he seemed to make up his mind what was the best thing for him to do. He went hustling towards the door when he reached it he checked himself, as if seized with an idea. what the idea was was made plain when he took the key out of the lock, opened the door, and, as Dorothy could hear, locked it again on the outeide. And again she was left alone with her guardian. This time her sensations were worse than before; she was being punished for her share in what had been done- She became awake to the fact that, with that door locked, and egress, therefore rendered impossible heirposition had become a most unpleasant one. No doubt the waiter, declining wisely enough to accept more responsibility than be could help, had gone to ten the news to someone- Soon that someone would come back with the waiter the news would be passed on. sooner or later, to the police. The girl had^-of course, no. actual knowledge of the procedure in such cases she knew more about French methods than English; butsbe had sufficient. intelligence to be aware that, ultimately, the police would apoear upon the scene. If she was unable to escape before they came, as, if each, time someone went out-of the-room, the door was locked, would be the case and the polize found her-them behind the curtain, whstwookl happen to her then t What conclusions-would they draw ? I The terror- afsuch-a prospect moved her to action or-at-leest, to attempted-action. Was. there no^ofeher-way of,getting out of the room except by-the door ? She turned to the window which was behind her. Drawing aside the blind she found that it was set with small panesof coloured glass. She was quick-witted enough to guess that that was probably be- cause it looked oxA upon a stable, or a yard, -or something equally agreeable, and therefore a good view was a thing not to be desired. If that were the case, then to attempt to escape that way would be to court discovery. Be- sides, she remembered that the room was on -tb,eflrA.flom; that the approach from the hall was up a flight of several stairs whatever might be on the other side of that window it was not likety that it would he easy to reach the ground- Was there no other way ant of the room. She thrust the curtains aside to look, and heard the key-being put into the lock of-the door. She was back again behind the curtain when the door re-opened, and thewaiter re-appeared with at his heels, dy who was-evidently a personage. A short, cobby man, middle- age, wearing a Gloire de Dijon rose in the battanrhtile of his frock-coat, about him a general air of being well groomed. The waiter moved quickly towards the table, the other following^ close behind him. Whentheyreached the chair the wmter said nothing—it was un- necessary the other saw- What he saw seemed to impress him with the sense of having been subjected to a personal affront*, He asked pettishly .-Wha.tls-tbe meaning of this r" Receiving no answer, the waiter was again stroking his bristly chin with the fingers of his left hand, with about him still that suggestion, of the ,anxious rabbd-he addressed himself to the figure in the chair. Mr Emmett Sir No notice being "taken, he repeated his former futile uMpnry- "What the deuce does this mean ?' Then he added, as if the notion had all at once occurred to him, H^dead J" '< I'm afraid he is, sir.1 The personage went- on -from AL-zovv-ryto discovery. '< He u)rln't have done it himself-look at his head-he couldn't have smashed it like that. Someone must have done it for him." Looks as if that were the-case, sir." M Then who can have-done it ? In my hotel —with the house full of people, in a private sitting-room, seated at his own dinner-table. What have you been doing ?" Several things. There have been a great many many things, sir, to do with the house so busy. I've seen and heard nothing of what was taking place in this room since I came to, say there was a gentleman wished to see him." 1 A gentleman ? What gentleman ?" That I couldn't sa r, sir. A message and a lote were brought to 1 'e, which I brought in., o Mr Emmett; and h 3 went out to see that. enttenjxan." r .J Went out, did he ? He didn't bring the gentleman in here ?" Not so far as I'm aware, sir. They ought to be able to tell you better about that down- stairs." The personage wa.s looldng about him. What's all this broken glass? And what's that ?" He was pointing to the splintered neck of the bgttle, which the stranger had left on the table. Seems, sir, as if a bottle had been broken." A champagne bottle, perhaps." The per- sonage looked at the waiter the waiter looked at him. Possibly it was because of what each saw in the other's eyes, that the speaker left his sentence unfinished. He broke into petu- lant anger. Nice thing this to happen in my house right at the beginning of the race week, about the only time in the year when one does have a chance of making little money. Goodness only knows what mischief it may do me when it gets known. Who's that at the door ? Shut it at once. You can't come in here It seemed that someone could come in, be- cause someone did-a woman. She was what is sometimes described as a fine woman, still in the prime of life, big and well covered she would probably have turned the scale at sixteen stone. She wore a black silk dress, which bad a generous train, her ample bust glittered with chains and gewgaws. Unmistakably this was the hostess—the personage's wife. She stood in the doorway. What's the matter ?" she asked, First of all, Mrs Elsey, be so good as to shut that door. Then, when you've done that, if you'll take the trouble to walk as far as this you will see what is the matter for yourself." Shutting the door, she walked to the table, and saw. Why whatever Good gracious Who's done it ?" Seems as if someone had-by the looks of him." Bob, what a sight hfe is Goodness knows he never was much in the way of looks but who'd have thought he ever could have looked like that ? Don't you know who did it ?" "I'd make it hot for him if I did. Doing a thing like this in my house in my busiest season." There i;<>nty who might have done it- plenty. Yo one ever had much love for him, and small birune to them. Why, I only heard, with my own oars, a man say to him this after- noon By God, Emmett, for two pins I'd have your life Sounded as if he meant it, too." Perhaps someone gave him the two pins." This was the waiter. Whether the remark was meant to be humorous, or merely a sug- gestion, was not clear. No one heeded him. The personage went on. What man was that ? Be careful what you say, Mrs Elsey." No need for you to tell me to bo-careful; I can be that without your telling me, as care- ful as any one- What I say I heard I did hear —I'm ready to swear to it anywhere, though who the man was I don't know. He was a. stranger to me, but I should know him again among a hundred. He was a smallish man, with a sharp, clean-shaven face, and-a. brown suit, and a white billycock which he wore a little on one side. He'd something to do with horses, of that Pm sure. But he's not the only one who had a grudge against George Emmett. Who, who that had anything to do with him had'xrt ? Why, if it comes to that,, we'd no cause to love him." Now, Mrs Elsey none of that sort of talk, if you please, that's a sort of talk I won't have. It doesn't follow that because a man has a grudge against another man that h6 wants to kill him Doesn't it ? It depends on the man. But whatever did he do it with ? I never saw such a. sight as be has made oi hnn." Seems as if be did it with a bottle—a champagne bottle." He must have hit him a crack to make a sight of him like that. Why his head's all smashed to pulp." "You can hit a man a crack with a cham- pagne bottle, if you mean business, and know how to. But this sort of thing won't do. The first thing we've got to do is to send for the doctor and the police, and till they've been nothing's to be touched. Let them find things just as we did then they'll be able to draw their own conclusions and blame no one. So out you go, Mrs Etaey, and you too, Timmins and 111 lock the door and keep it locked and, Timmins, you hang about and see that no one comes near, and, if you want to keep your place, mind you don't say as much as a syllable to anyone about what's in here tall I give you leave." It was not such an easy business as, possibly, that personage would have wished to induce his wife to leave the room. She evinced an, uncomfortable curiosity in the details of the scene of which the man in the chair was such a gruesome centre. Had she been left alone she might have pushed her curiosity beyond desirable limits. As itwas her husband had to put his arm through hers and posi- tively lead her from the room, she remonstrat- ing as she went. So-awn as she was out the door was slammed and the key turned on the other side. And once more, for the third time, Dorothy Gilbert was left alone with her guardian, from whom there seemed to be as littl- chance as ever of escaping It was aa if by some ironical stroke of fate that he ape peared to guard her better dead than. living. (To becontinued).
CRUEL HOAX ON ARTISANS.
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CRUEL HOAX ON ARTISANS. The whimsical and somewhat cruel humour of Theodore Hook was recalled-on Satnrday-by a practical joke in the West End. There appeared in a daily paper this advertise-, ment:— Pataters (good) wanted—-Apply at 19. Pal ace-gate, „Kensington,befcween lOandH." Bnt when workmen applied in person they were- informed that the people of the house had no knowledge of the advertisement,aaid that, in fact, they did not reouire painters. The family ordinarily in occupation of the house is out of town at present, but-some of these rvants remain. The housekeeper told a Press representative that a large number- of men had called at the house between the hours mentioned in the advertisement, and she had to-explain to them that neither she nor- anyone else in the house had advertised. I think I can see through it," she-added » it is a piece of spite because we were doing some-pasinting ourselves. We saw no harm in doing that, especially as we have just spent E400 or E500 in repairs. Some of the. applicants told me they had walked a long distance, but I have reason to believe that all, the callers were not as innocent as they pre- tended to be- Oii-Friday certain workmen were jeering at us for doing our own painting, and the annoyance has become so great that we shall notdo any more ourselves. We do notwantaciy further bother. Most-of the men came in a body, and I am told that one of them had his watch stolen in the crowd." The rnslteriha4 been.placed inthe«hands-of the police,
A PROTRACTED DUEL
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A PROTRACTED DUEL Naples, Satarclay.-As the result of a quarrel between two Neapolitan aristo- crats a duel was arranged to take placet the other day, but at the last moment. when the combatants were facing each other,, sword in hand, a reconciliation was.-effected.. and the two gentlemen, with their seconds., adjourned for refreshment. A fresh dispute arose, however, between Signor San Malato, one of the principals, a, noted fencer, and Signor Basilone, one of the seconds, with the result that a duel was ar- ranged between them to continue until one of them was incapacitated. The weapons were, to be pistols. Both parties, though famed as fencers, proved very bad shots, for at 65ft. dis- tance 41 shots were exchanged without the shedding of blood. At the forty-second shot, however, San Malato grazed his opponent's cheek, making a-slight abrasion. The seconds then intervened, hcmatcrwasde- clared satisfied, and the duellists embraced- each other. Both combatants were congratu- lated upon their coolness under this hail of bullets. The affair lasted exartly~thie&*aand-a-* half hours,—Laffan.
''-"STRANGE FATE OF DR. BAllOON
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"STRANGE FATE OF DR. BAllOON Dr. H- B. Baildon, lecturer on English lan- guage and literature at University College, Dundoc, and the author, in addition to many works of criticism and poetry, of a life study in criticism of Robert Louis Stevenson, was found dead on-Ratm-day under mysterious cir- cumstances at the bottom of a quarry near Dundee. Anxiety was first caused when a dog. which. bad-set out with Dr. Baildon for a walk, re- turned to his home alone. A search party was, organised, and the body was found during tha. afternoon. Behind the right ear, it is stated,, there-was the mark of a wound or braise. Dr. Baildon was married only recently "to. a. lady member of the Manchcster SchooL Boaad,
GENERAL BOOTH'S TOUR.
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GENERAL BOOTH'S TOUR. Probable Mating with Mr Roosevelt. General Booth will leave England on Sep- tember 14 to conduct an autumn campaign in America and Germany. Already, many-public bodies in America have asked the General to. address meetings, and in several places the Governors of the States have announced: their intention of presiding at his meetings. It is probable, too, that President Roosesseltscillj grant the General an interview.
HEREFORD WEDDING PARTY INJURED.
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HEREFORD WEDDING PARTY INJURED. A case involving a wedding party's painful experience was heard at the Hereford County Police Court on Saturday, add Reginald lloyd. of Bromyard, was fined ElOand costs, and had his licence suspended for six months, for recklessly driving a mctor-car. After de- fendant had taken a bridal party to and from the church in the neighbourhood of Mordi- ford, eleven persons boarded the car, and witnesses described the pace alone: a narrow road, notwithstanding a danger signal, at anything from 30 to 60 miles an hour. When a. corder was being rounded the car turned com- pletely over, and the whole of the occupants, ie bride and bridegroom included, were in- ■ed, several being takfii to the hospital. J e defence was that the e-ering^gfiar-faroka, it rol. r r ■' -«T V A-
. \, AT Y BEIRDD.
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AT Y BEIRDD. Fel arfer, y mae ol hen law ar englynion Tre- forfab. Difyr ddigon yw darlun cywir Dewi Llwyd o Bare Aberdar mae'r Pare yn haeddu can fel hon er's talm. Llineliau dyddorol anghyfiredin yw rhai Asaph Glyn Ebwy. Oes y byd iddo ef a'r Gymraeg. Melus yw Cwyno" Crwnfabond nid cystal ei .f Dd'wed Na.'
BARDDONIAETH.
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BARDDONIAETH. Y PRIF WEINIDOG A'l GYFRIN GYNGrHOIL Arwr Rhyddfrydiaeth eirian-encidiol Brif Weinidog cyfan; Heb an air mwys, Banner-man Arweinia a'i bur anian. Cangau ei enwog Gynghor—a noddant Seneddwyr anhebgor; Trwy'i weia da, y try ystor 0 ddyngaredd i'n goror. Hyf wyr iach, yn fyw i raid—a hawliau Hwylus y Prydeiniaid; Eu gwir pur gura heb baid, Y dirywiol Doriaid. Trcforfab.
CWYNO MAE DYN.
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CWYNO MAE DYN. Bvddin gref 0 orthrymderau Yn archolli ar bob pryd Sy'n amgylchu geirwon lwybrau Kin bywydau ar eu hyd; Ar raiuliroedd noethion prindcr, Mewn gwasgfeuon dyfnion blin, 0 dan galed law cyfyngder, Cwynn, cwyno ymae dyn. Os dawr boreu ft'j felusder 1 arlwyo melus wiedd, Gyda'r nos daw baich o bryder Heihio i ncwynu'n hecld Gwelwn lawer mwy o dduwch Nag o wyndcr, bob yr un; Ac yn nghanol aflonyddwch, Cwyno'n brysiir y mae-dyn. Chwythu mae croeswyntoedd adfyd Arnom, gan orlethu'n bran; Ni cha eur-delynau'n bywyd Ganu yn y cywair lion; Paid cwpanau llwydd a chynyd/l A rhoi'n ami in' eu gwin; Ac wrth ddrachtio chwcrmod aflwydd, Cwyno'n lleddf o hyd mae dyn. Cwch ein bywyd sydd yn morio Tua stormbyrth gwao o hyd; Ac ma,e'r tonan'n.grymus guro Ein calonau yn l!awn llid Gyrfa ha^vus heb hclyntion Ni chcir trwy yr anial bl in; Oaethferch gofld ynr-y galon: Cwyno'n boenus y mae dyn. erwlsfab.
BEDDROD FY MAM.
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BEDDROD FY MAM. Claddwvd fy mam anwyl yn mynwent Nebo, Glyn Ebwy, yn 1856. Hwy'n byw er's blynyddau ar lanau'r Tees gmf, Yn nghanol mwynderau a breintiau Cyfeillion mynwesol, gwlad dda, a hardd dref, A phobpeth sydd arflaf eu heisiau Er hyny, fy nghalonsy'n fynych yn wyw Am lana.u yr Ebwy raanantus, Le cefais fy magu ar liniau mam syw, Yn dyner, yn lan a thrwsiadns, A Ue y chwareuais yn nghanol y plant Yn hogyn ysgaindroed, caradwy, A'm calon gyn iached a dwfr y nant A redai gerUa.w tua r Ebwy Ond tynfaen fy serch at yr Ebwy yw, am Mai'n agog i'w rhediadmae beddrod fy mam. Hoff genyf oedd gweled yr Ebwy'n rhoi Ilam Dros greig a thrwy elltydd cauadfrig, Tra blodau amryliw mewn harddweh di-nam Addument ei glanau rhwygedig; Yragrymai rhai blodau i'w chwrdd, fel pe am Gael ganddi ei chusan 'madawol, Tra myrdd a'i hebryngent yn serchog bob cam Nes cyrhaedd ei chartref eigionol; O'r blodau gwnawn ambell flodeuglwm fai'n werth Ri roddi yn llaw ein Brenhines, Cynwysai holl liwian y gwlaw-fvra certh, A boddiai ffroen pob dyn a dynes Ond hoffaf yr Ebwy yn fwy níi,'r Tees, am Mai'n agos i'r Ebwymae beddrod fy mam. Ond nid yw yr Ebwy yn awr megys cynt Pan rodiwn ei glanau'n fachgenyn, A phan drwy ei choedydd yn 11 an ar fy hynt Y casglwn gnau, mwyar, ac eirin; Eisteddwn rai gweithiau yn ysgafn fy mron, I wrandaw prif ganwyr c6r Aniaim- Y fronfrarth, y mwyaJch, y llinos Ilwyd. lion, A'r 'hedydd bach fry wrtho'i hunan; Armhraethol hyfrydweh i*m calon wan, wech, Oedd clywed peroriaeth mor swynol: Eithr heddyw 'does yno i'w glywed ond 'sgrech Yr agerbeirianau syfrdanol: Er hyny yr Ebwy'n fawr garaf fl, am n agos iw rhediad mae beddrod fy mam. Yn afon yr Ebwy, tan bymtheg mlwydd oed, Y rhoddais ufudd -dod i fedydd 44 A'r gauaf ocdd hi serch hyny, erioed Ni thcimlais mor gynhcs a dedwydd; Tra'r dyrfa'a moliann ar ymyl y dwr Cyn rhoddi o honom ufudd-dod, Disgynai yr eira yn drwm ar bob gwr Pel petai yn dyst oddiuchod, Yn selio bod bedydd trwy drochiad yn ffftith, Hoi gair ac esiampl Messiah A'r ddaear henafol gysegrai y gwaith Mewn gwenwisg arddunol o eira: 'Rwy'n caru yr Ebwy am hyn fel ag am Mai'n agos i'w rhedlad mae beddrod fy mam. Bum unwaith yn ieeanc, ond 'nawr wyf hen wr, Yn brin fy ngwelecliad a byddar; Ac er yn dynesu at ochr y dwr, Wyf sythed fy nghefn a. phren poplar; Osnarl. wyf mor hoew 9, chynt ar fy nhroed A'm etuueau ychydig yn fyrach, Fy meddwl ymhoewa mor sionc ag erioed, A'm tafod mor ffraeth, os nad ffraethach: Ond anwyl wladgarwyr,mae'rdiwedd ger llaw, A'r bedd fydd yn fnan fy llety, Ue'n dawel yr huuaf. beb bryder na braw, Yn ymyi fy anwyl weaig Etty: Yn Stockton mae beddrod fy nhad-bedd di. nam, Tra'n sgos rr Ebwy mae beddrod fy mam. Asaph Glyn Ebwy.
D'WF,D " NA " WRTH BOB TEMTASIWN.
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D'WF,D NA WRTH BOB TEMTASIWN. (Buddugol.) Temtaaiynau'n fyddin sydd Beunydd yn canllawio'r Ilwybrau; At weithredoedd gwael, di-fudd, Y cymhellant ein serchiadau; Yn eu cysgoed fe ddaw brad I lychwino n purdeb, coflwn,- Os am fyw uwchlaw sarhad, Mynwn drechu pob temtasiwn. Gyfaill aiddgar, heddyw tydd Yn wir addurn i sancteiddrwydd, Beunydd mewn grymusol ffydd, Dal i mestyn at berffcithrwydd; Os yw*th serch ar ami i bryd Am ymraao â byddin annwn, Myn fiodeuo yn y byd: Dywed Na wrth bob temtasiwiu Paid a. rhoi dy galon lan Yn orsedrlfa. i anmhnreddl Cadw'th fywyd ar wahan I amheuon ac oferedd; Oter ofni rhwysg y nn- Beiddgar In tiriogaeth annwn ] Bydd yn wyn mewn anial dn: Dywed I IN,&" wrth bob temtasiwn. Os gan adyn wyt yn wawd, Yn dy Geidwad ymddirieda; Y ma.F.cadarn sail dy ffawd Ar y Graig sydd uwch nac ofna, Beunydd yn y Dwyfol rin. Er fod it' elynion fllrwn,— Cofla lwyr gysegru'th hun Dywed Na wrth bob temtasiwn. Llangennech. Crwnfab.
PARC CYHOEDDUS ABERDAR.
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PARC CYHOEDDUS ABERDAR. Tyred, nwrai fwyn, ddi-balog, Gyda gwawl y dydd, Tyred yn d y wisg oreurog Yn olygfa fiydd; Geiria lun y fangre #wynol j Calon pawb a'i cap, Paradw-ysaidd bare rhagorol Dyffryn Aberdar. Bro dedwyddwch annghydmarol Yw y llecyn hardd; Ar ei fynwes lan, gartrefol, Anian swynol chwaidd; Hoender bywyd sy'n ymbrancio Ar ei balmant gwyrdd, Dafl a blodan yu addurno Ei amrywiol ffyrdd. Tyf y goedwig hardd 6 gwmpas Y toreithiog fan, Chwifta/r gwyrddion ddail mewn urddas Ar y brigau b&n; Dawnsia'r llwyni ar ei fynwes Yn y boreu iach Vrr n ghyfeilfckch swyn dirodres Cerdd aderyn bach. Ger y fft-vvd a'i chelf-raladrau Gwol y blodau braf, A'u heneiniog beraroglau,— Tirfion fiodau baf; Haul y dydd a'i wenau serchog Ar ci urddol sedd Sy'n goreuro'u gruddiau lliwiog A'i belydrog wedd. Gv/el y Synon-fwyn ddi-hafal A'i grisialog rin Yn byrlymn yn ddi-attai I sychedigfin; Maen o farmor tlws addurna Ei choronog ben; A'i sirioldeb had gyfrana Fel angyles wen. Hardd yw'r llyn a'r badau gwibiog Ar ci lyfndeg fron, Alarch glan ei wisg odidog RhwygaY dawel don; Noddfa brydferth-balui iachusol- Yw'r yrodreclifa glyd: Ei ireiddfwvn ddyfroedd bywiol Sy'n glanhau o hyd. Mor ddymtmol yw ciStcddfa Dan fiodeuog Iwyn; Treulio enyd fach mewn odfa Gydn,'r awel fwyn; Troi yn mblith hapuaol dyrfa Ar y twmpath ban; O! mor bryd "erth yw'r olygfa- Pwy.ua char y fan? Trecymom. Llwydd .»,
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS,
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FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, The Vanishing of Rollo. BY S. L. HEWARD. "Something must be done with the impu- dent varlet," said the King, we cannot have him insnlting our subjects like this It'll have to be done jolly soon then," an- swered the Prime Minister crossly, or he'll be saying we haven't the pluck to do it." "Dave he cast such a slur upon our honour ?" asked the King majestically. Yos, he dare. Look here, Con, stop fool- iug, and let's settle what we are to do; the tea-bell will ring presently." Well," the King came off his pedestal. Y(n'd better all think hard for three min- utes and then givo in your suggestions. Mind it must be something pretty middling bad, something he will care for, you know," he sa,id,' addipg with a flourish." he must feel our power once for all." There was silence for a while among the four children gathered in the schoolroom, the silence of profound thought. Presently Bessie, who was nearest to the window, broke it. There he goes," she said. With one consent they moved to the window. A boy of about thirteen was passing in the street. He looked up at the window and made a grimace as be passed, the children replied in the same fashion, and Con said There's that horrid little puppy he always has with him, and makes such a fuss about." He's awfully fond of it," said little Muriel, flattening her nose against the window pane. The hoys looked at each other. That's it." exclaimed Con, hide the puppy It will make him wild enough, and we needn't let on that we have it until he's de- cent," responded Sidney. Right It will be easy enough to get the dog he always let's it run in the garden while he is out," said Con. When will you do it ?" asked Bessie, and where will you put him I should think we might manage it after tea," said Con. "He will go for a ride then, I expect he always docs. Then I'll slip over and entice the pup. He's a friendly little beggar, and we'll shut him up in the old tool- shed. Won't he cry ?" A bit, perhaps, but I don't suppose we shall have him there long," answered Con. Andsoit was decided, and the tea-bell ringing at that moment, they went happily off to tea. The cause of all this ill-feeling among the Bentieys was their new neighbour, a boy who had lately comc to live in the house next door, with his tutor and one or two servants. He seemed to be well off. which the Bentleys were not, and perhaps that made them think more of his unwillingness to be friendly. They fancied he sneered at their games, and lavished all his affection on a pup, which his father bad given him before lie went to India. How much of this was real and how much was fancy it would be hard to say, but open war was declared, and each side did its best to annoy the other, forgetting that to bear and forbear is necessary to friendship. The capturing of Rollo was successfully accomplished in the evening. As Alex did not come in until late he did not miss his favourite until the next morning, and the Bentieys chuckled as they heard him whistling and calling during breakfast. As they trooped out afterwards he hailed them from the wall, enmity forgotten for the mo- ment in his anxiety. "I say," he cried, pleasantly enough, have you seen Rollo anywhere ? I can't find him." Sorry-we can't help you," snapped Con. And wouldn't if we could," added Sidney. The boy slipped off the wall, and they al- most thought there were tears in his eyes. You might be decent to a chap when he is civil," he said hotly, and turned towards the house. Con made a sudden rush at the wall, and hung over it. "I say, -to shouted, it's all right; we took your puppy for a lark but you can-have him back if you'll always be decent to us, and stop making faces at the girls. We might have some jolly times, you know." Alex came back slowly. "'You'd no business to take the dog, but I don't mind if I do," he said, not very clearly, but the dog-stealers understood him. He was by no nreans anxious to go on with the war and sometimes at a loss for someone to play with. All right Hop over," said Con. Alex hopped over," a.nd was conducted in state to the tool-shed, where Sidney threw open the door. "Allow me, signor, to return your property," cried Con with a. flourish. But the speech fell tather flat as Alex stepped forward and whistled but no puppy came bundling ont. A thrill of terror ran through Sidney, but hq shook it off, saying confidently. He must be asleep," and they all crowded in to look. The shed was quite empty save for the gardening tools and flower pots. Alex turned on the boys passionately. un's all a do," he said, he never was here." He was, honour bright they cried, we put him in here last night he must have got out," added Con gloomily. A thorough hunt was immediately under- taken and a large hole was discovered on the side facing the road. This cleared up the mystery, Rollo had slipped through the hole, and-- Consternation fell upon the group; what should they do ? Suddenly Con put his hand on Alex's shoulder as he stood turned away from them with bis head down. Look here, don't you worry," he said kindly, it was beastly mean of us, but we never meant to lose him, you believe that, don't you ? And Sid and I will search all Alton, and well find him, never fear. He can't be gone far." He was a valuable dog," returned poor Alex in a muffled voice. I expect some tramp has thim." There was a tramp about here yesterday," remarked Bessie thoughtfully. Then he's pretty certain to have come across Pup for that hole would lead him right out on to the road," said Sid. "Let's cut round to the Hollow, and see if there's anyone there" he continued, feeling that something must be done. And off went the two helter-skelter. If we can't find him" panted Sid as they raced along, we shall have to tell dad." We won't do that if we can help it; he would think us such cads" answered his brother. The HoUowwas some distance from Alton, it was a dip in the grassy bank by the roadside, overshadowed by trees, forming an ideal re- treat for the brethren of the road- And here, sitting, smoking a dirty pipe they found a very ragged specimen of the brotherhood. He was watching the gambols of a pretty white and brown puppy, which he held by a string tied to its collar. The boys pounced upon it. "That dog belongs to a friend of ours; where did you get it ?" they cried accusingly. The tramp appeared a little startled at this sudden onslaught, but seeing that he had only two boys to deal with, he soon recovered himself, and said coollv, The dawg's mine. young gentlemen." He's not," cried Con hotly. You must give him up at once. He belongs to a friend of ours we shut him up for a lark, he got through our fence, and you must have found him in the road." I say he's mine," returned the tramp dog- gedly," 't any rate at present, and't ain't likely I'd give him up, when I don't know if your story's true." Then we shall tell our father, and he will have you taken up," said Sid. Maybe yer won't like to tell 'im as you've took-stole another feller's dawg," said the man impudently. The boys looked at each other, they cer- tainly were not prepared for-that, and there was an uncomfortable silence.. But the tramp, from where he sat, could see through an opening in the tret some people coming along the road, so he spoke in what he meant to be a friendly and. confi- dential tone. Well, look'ce 'ere. Just to show I'm a good-nater'd chap, an' is anxious ter meet yer, I'll say. as I've no particler use fe" the dawg, for a consideration I'll part with tim. Wat d'yer say to that ?" The brothers drew off a little way, and consulted. Theip stock of pocket money was limited, besides there was that air-gun they 'had been saving up for so long, the sum was just made up, but they decided that it would have to go, for they felt- sure that it was of no- use to offer the man less than five shillings. Con heaved a. sigh. „ „ It will have to be done, old fellow." I suppose so," answered Sid, with another sigh, serves us right for being such asses." After a little more bargaining the tramp gave up the pup on receipt of five shillings, a nd they returned triumphantly, Con carrying the prize. Alex's joy at recovering his pet may be better imagined than described, and the-hatchet was buriod, both parties being surprised to find how well they got on together after this. But the trouble was not yet quite over. The Bentleys were all in the garden after dinner, and Alex was hanging over the waJI, when Dad jCameout of the house. Boys," he said, with a smile and a nod to Alex, "Pm going into Lynetown this afternoon and if you like you may come with me to buy thai air-gun which has been under discussion so long." Iistead of the joyful response he had ex- pected, there was an uncomfortable silence, ;.while<Con,<uid Sid looked red and>coniused, ,¡o, r' •■" Thank you, dad, but we have changed ouv minds I don't think we want to buy it now." How is that ? Have you spent your money on something else ?" aAked Dad a trifle sternly, with visions of various explosives which might be hidden in dangerous corners. Yes," replied Con reluctantly. Why, you haven't spent it Con at leastl you haven't bought anything with it that we've seen," cried Bessie, in spite of Sid's nudges and signs to be silent, you were as keen on it au possible this morning." Alex had been looking quickly from one to the other and now struck in with Was it Hollo ? Did you have to pay to get him back ? Oh, you chaps needn't have done that I can pay for him quite well." It was our fault, we ought to pay," an- swered Con, rather sullenly. What is the meaning of this ?" demanded Dad, sitting down on the wall, and after a little pumping the whole story came out. He did not say much, but seemed to agree with the boys that Alex should not pay back the five shillings, which he was most anxious to do, and the matter dropped. But a month later there was a birthday, and Con'^vas made the happy possessor of a splen- did air-gun, by his father, and two days later another arrived from next door for Sidney. And then, where would you find three such ha.ppy boys in England as they turned out to deal destruction among the rabbits, and to teach Rollo to fetch and carry.
The Next Education Bill,
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The Next Education Bill, 8' STATEMENT BY MR MCKENNA. Mr McKenna, President of the Board of Education., writing to the Leicester Free Church Council in reply to a resolution, says I beg you will accept my assurance that notwithstanding the rejection of the Educa- tion Bill of last year by the House of Lords the Government will in the very next Session of Parliament press forward another Bill with all the resources at their command. Thus during two of the first three years of the life of the Government we shall have been engaged in the most-earnest endeavour to place our education system upon a satis- factory basis. Without an amendment of the law to which the consent of the Lords must be obtained, I have no power by administrative action, whether with or without a grant of public money, to settle the question. Much has been said as to my powers in this respect, but by persons who I can assure you have not made themselves sufficiently acquainted with the limitations placed upon me by the existing law. As I have now been enabled to give a definite pledge of a Bill next year embodying the fundamental principles upon which the Liberal party asked for the support of the electorate at the last election, it has been thought wiser not to proceed this Session with the Special Religious Instruction Bill. Certain Nonconformists have pointed out that if this Bill were allowed to pass by the Lords it would be used as an argument against a more comprehensive measure which alone could be satisfactory to us, and in this view of the case the larger and more deter- mined, though not so immediate., coursejias been adopted.
A TT ACKED BY A CAT.
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A TT ACKED BY A CAT. Fatal Fear of Hydrephobia. A remarkable case was investigated at the Hackney Coroner's Court on Saturday, when an inquest was held on the body of a carman named Walter Star. The widow stated that on Saturday week a cat flew over the garden wall a,nd appeared to have something tied round its neck. She asked the deceased if her husband could not get it off. The witness went to get a knife to cut the string or whatever it was, and when she returned she found the cat clung round her husband's arm, tearing at him. The witness screamed to him to let go, which he did, and the cat tore over the wall as if it were mad. Her husband's arm was badly scratched and bleeding, and she got him to well wash it, but he did not go to a doctor. She had nodoubt that the cat was mad. On the Monday morning he complained that the wounds smarted.but on Tuesday they were better, not so inflamed, and gave less pain. At 11.30 on Tuesday he went for some beer, and on coming back handed it to his daughter to carry upstairs, calling up as he did so, Mind. mummy, she don't fall." An hour after he was found dead hanging in the stable. The Coroner: Did he fear hydrophobia ?— He seemed to worry. He said he would rather have been kicked by a horse than scratched by a cat. The Coroner said that the only apparent reason for the man taking his life was the fear of dying a painful death from hydrophob He had heard of such cases- The jury returned a verdict of Suietda during temporary insanity
« I CAN'T LIVEwTTHOUT KATE,…
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« I CAN'T LIVEwTTHOUT KATE, 5 Cardiff Sailor's Strange Conduct. At Bristol Police Court on Saturday, Charles Harris (29) was charged, on remand, with threatening to commit suicide. Defendant is a sailor, formerly at Liverpool, and then at Cardiff. From Cardiff he came to Bristol and served for several weeks on the training ship Dfedalus. A week ago he presented himself to a police officer not far from that vessel, and announced that he had bought a revolver for the purpose of doing harm to himself or-to someone else. The constable secured the weapon and locked up the sailor. A paper was handed to the Bench, understood to be written by defendant, and it said, If I die, I will take Kate with me. J can't live without Kate. Kate, see me to-nfght.-Your loving sweet- heart, Charles." The magistrates' clerk asked the man why he behaved in that manner, and he replied that he was drunk and did not know anything about it. The Clerk You were not too drunk to-get the licence for the revolver. Defendants Someone got it for me, I believe, sir. The Clerk Does Kate live in Bristol 1 Defendant: Yes, sir.. The Clerk: What will you do if we dis- charge you ? Defendant: Go to Cardiff, sir. The Clerk: Will you take the woman with you ? Defendant: No, sir. I must have been drunk at the time. The Bench bound defendant over to be of good behaviour for twelve months in the sum of.£5, and advised him to go direct to Cardiff. They could not countenance persons roaming about Bristol with loaded revolvers in their possession.
"HEIR OF SNOWDON."
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"HEIR OF SNOWDON." The christening of the baby born on the sum- mit of Snowdon-the first of his years to attain that eminence—was a much quieter affair than was at one time intended. The parents are Mr and Mrs Evans, who are in charge of the Summit Hotel. When the interesting news be- came known it was suggested that no less a person than the Archdruid of the Principality should give the child his name, and that dignitary conferred upon him the imposing title of Aer Wyddfa," which, being interpreted, means Heir of Snowdon." The child's other name is the prosaic Roger," A proposal was also made that the bardic baby should be christened on the top of Snowdon in the presence of the members of the Gorsedd, arrayed in their historic and picturesque robes, but the father was averse to any such distinc. tion. In fact. he desired that the ceremony should be performed as quietly as possible, and steps were taken with that object in view. At it happened, however, there was a large crowd of visitors on tbe summit when the cere- mony took place, and they all witnessed it. Mr T, Gasquoine Creek, an old Cambridge Wrangler, who has climbed Snowdon as often. as anybody, acted as godfather, and the rector of Llanberis performed the ceremony.
LABOUR MEMBERS' HOLIDAY.
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LABOUR MEMBERS' HOLIDAY. Trip to Switzerland. The Committee of Inquiry into the Swiss military system, appointed at the instance ol the Labour group of members of the House 01 Commons, started on.Baturday from Charing Cross, in ideal holiday weather, for Switzer- land. During the ensuing week visits of inspection of rifle and artillery ranges, militaryworksbops, barracks, war store depots, schools, and train- ing establishments will be made at Basle, Berne, Thun, Freiburg, Zurich, and other military centres, for which the most complete arrangements have been made by the Federal authorities under the direction of Colonel Hans Pfyffer Von Althshoven. The party included the following M.P.1s.- Mr John Ward, Stoke-on-Trent; Mr J. R. Seddon, Newton, Lancashire Mr J. T. Mac- pherson, Preston Mr G. D. Kelly, South- west Manchester Mr W. Brace, South Glamorganshire and representatives of the various political parties in both Houses of Par- liament. Several important Labour organisa- tions sent representatives.
ORIGIN OF WELL-KNOWN HYMN.
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ORIGIN OF WELL-KNOWN HYMN. A correspondent of the u Daily Telegraph n gives the following story of the origin of th. beautiful hymn, Just as I am" :-A young girl was going to the town to choose a new dress for a ball to which she had been invited. On her way she met the priest, who asked where she was going. She told him, and be said that she ought not to go. However, she went on, got the dress, and went to the ball. The dear girl did not enjoy the evening at all, and went home miserable. Charlotte Elliott (fof that was her name) went to confess to her priest all about it, and asked what she ougM to do. He advised her to go home and teli Jesus all about it. Just as I am ?" she sai(L Yes, just as you are." She returned home, and on her knees composed that lovely, heart- stirring hymn, Just as I am."
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Builth Wells Urban District Council are in- viting 14 suitable persons to form a fire brigade for the town. The Council have resolved that the line of frontage for the new shops in Higbr street be set back in line with Broad-street, <