Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald and North and South Wales Independent

ABERGELE COUNTY SCHOOL. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION AND CONCERT. A GOOD YEAR'S RECORD. 1 The annual pnize distribution in connedioii wftfchj the Abergele County School took place on Thursday. The function, which was largely attended, was presided over by Professor Green, head of the Bangor UoarviemW Normal Depant- memt. I The Beadmaisiber (Mr Jeramiiaih Williams, I B.A.), in the course of his report, started that in the course of the last five terms, the number I of pupils in attendance had. practically doubled, while the percentage attendance had attained tOO hisph figure of 96.4 per cent.-the percentage nrttenidlaroce for the summer term 1902 being the highest in the county of Denbigh. The chiietf inspector of the Central Welsh Board bad visited the school in the summer term and had highly approved of the methodls of teadhing. He was also well pleased with the 1)tpid increase ri Jibe num- ber of pupils. As a result of Mr Owen's re- commendations, plns for the enlargement of the I buildrimgis had: been adopted by the Local Gov. ernors, and a temporary 'assistant teacher ap. pointed pending the appointment of a specialist J in commercial .subjecte. The school would thus slliortly be welil equipped for preparing pilpils dlor entrance into the Civil Service Examinations and business life. It had also been recognised as a science school by Ijxev Board of Education, and the result of the first year's work under the new regulations was a grahit of -over 2100. Dur- ing the year, six senior Welsh Board and nine junior Welefh Board (with numerous distinctions) had been gained, more than double that of any otner year in the history of the school (applause). Other .successes included passes at London Mat. riculation, WeTslh University Matrioula/tkm, medical preliminaries, Trinity College of Music, Pitman's Shorthand Institute, etc. Mr Wil- Jaims referred to the (acquisition of a playing field over three acres in extent, adjoining the school. The hockey team bad as yet never been beaten by that gf any other school. Mr WiL liams concluded an interesting report bypubliely thanking Mr Senior, Mr Evtans, and Miss Tasker. the assistants, for their self-sacrificing efforts ,on behiadf of the school. The prises and oertifioaites were then distri- buted by Miss Frances Hughes, of Kinmel Park, who referred to the interest which the Kinmel family had always felt in the soh-ool, and ex- pressed her intention of making a special con- tribution for second prizes next year. (Professor Green then delivered am. interesting address, in the course of whfch he emphasised the necessity of keening pupils in the County Schools for at 'least five years, i.e.. between the asres of 12 and 17. In tbis respectt England and Wales compared badly w.Í1tlh Germany, where le&viiinig certificates were not granted until pupils hnd aJtltendeda. secondary school for nine years. He also laid much stress upon the development btf chareuoter and powers of observation as pact of a. chi/ld's education. For the latter purnose he advocated the estiablfcfhmient of a, (Strong School reiference library, so that pupils might learn the wtay to make researches into tihe various suibjects which made for culture under ttheguid1;nlCe and supervision of their teachers. The 'Rev D. Jones, vicar off Abergele, pro- posed a vote of thanks to Mm Hughes and Prof. Green, which \)It Ellis seconded. Mr .Tchn Williams, Bromfelen. promised a vote of thanks to the members of tihe school staff, and remarked that the Local Governors, Could wide themselves ut-,on the knowledge that they possessed in their headmaster, Mr WtitHiams, and his assisfbanlta. Miss Tasker, Mr Senior, and Mr Evans, a. staff which, 'bv sheer determination, would mlake the school a, success. This Was seconded bv Mr Ffoulkes. the ex- ehaironari of tihe #overnars. and carried uiiani- mousJv. Afterwards. Mr Herbert Roberts. M.P., pre- sided over the concert. Mr Roberts, in a brief address, congr'aituiljated the school union its -,It prosper itv, and ur the peopte of Abeaige'.e to repft.rd the school as their own. and to take a livinsr interest in it. He would never, if he could help it. see the flaisr of tbe school aTaifn lowered. With refer- ence to tbe Education Bill, there was much mis- cooicentiion in the minds of some neovle as to the effecfts which certain clauses of that. much- delbafced bill' would have upon the County Schools. He could, assure the people of Aber- gele tfliat their school would not be in the least affected by the Will; let them, therefore, set aside all doubts, and set to with, a will to make their school the very bast in Wales. A miscellaneous programme of dance and music was then; gone through, which reflected much credit upon Miss Talker and Miss Pope, who had prepared the chifdren. A vote of thanks was passed to the dhainman on the motion of Mr Joseph Jones, J.P., chair- man of the Looal Governors,, seconded: by. Mr Willitaans, the headmaster* The follofwing is the prize list:- C-ertificates.-Lond,on Matriculation, Gwen Davies. Welsh Matriculation (4 subjects), Her- bert Jones. Senior Certificates, C.W.B., Nettie Armstrong, Annie Jones, Lizzie Jones, Herbert Jones, Bertie Trevor-Jones, David Samuel Owen. Junior Certificates, C.W.B., Maggie Davies, Mary Angharad Hughes, Mary Pritchard Jones, Kate Lilian Millward, Gwen Williams, Fergus Armstrong, James Hughes, Robert H. Milner, Carey M. Wynne. Medical Preliminary, Bertie Trevor-Jones. Trinity College of Music, Lon- don—Junior Honours Theory, Bessie Davies, Albert Evans-Hughes; Intermediate Practical, Wenna Roberts; Senior Pass Harmony, Wenna Roberts. Advanced Pitman's Shorthand, Bertie Trevor-Jones. Prizes.—Form V. Form Prize, Herbert Jones; English, D. S. Owen; History, Herbert Jones; Mathematics, Nettie Armstrong; Latin, Herbert Jones Welsh, Herbert Jones French, B. Trevor-Jones; Chemistry, B. Trevor-Jones. Form IV.: Form Prize, F. Armstrong; Eng- lish, Gwen Williams History, Maggie Davies; Mathematics, Mary A. Hughes Latin, F. Arm- strong Welsh, James Hughes; French, Robert Milner; Chemistry, F. Armstrong; Geography, F. Armstrong; Drawing, Maggie Davies. Form III. Form Prize, Gwen Beverley; English, R. P. Jones; History, Gwen Beverley; Arithmetic, Alma Jones; Mathematics, Willie Rhydderch French, Effie Bell. Form ll. Form Prize, John Larson; Scripture, Mignonne Bruce; English. J. Larson; History, Jennie Jones; Arithmetic, H. Amos; Mathematics, J. Larson; Latin, Bessie Davies; Welsh, Sarah J. Owen; French, Jennie Jones; Geography, Florrie Davies; Drawing, Robert Roberts. Cookery 1st, Gwen Beverley; 2nd, Mignonne Bruce. Needlework: Edna Adamson.

The Most Nutritious. EP PS'S Grateful-Comforting. COCOA Breakfast-Supper. ——.— .J-. CYHOEDDIADAU DIWEDBARAF ^ug\\c^ a'\ SJab, ^tftec^auu LL"Y"FB NYDD T Newydd ei Gyhoeddi. Llian, 3/6 4 o Ddarluniau, gyd" Do" Iun Mawr cyfaddM i'w J'fJaI8Ie. BYWYD A GWAITH Y DIWKDDAR HENRY RICHARD, A.& s Gan ELEAZAR ROBERTS, Liverpool. Thil work il a labour of love and we bope all our Welalk readers will procure U tùr themselves and friend. -Herald of Ptuu. PR15 PRESENOL Y Geiriadur Ysgrythyrol (Geiriadur Charles) MEWN DAU FATH 0 RWYMIAD. -H- Croen Llo Persian, LIawn, Ymylau Marbl. msr 20 Haner Croen Llo Persian, Ochrau LIian, Ymylau M." IT 17/6 Prislau Presenol yr Esboniad Poblogaidd, Y DEONGLYDD BERNIADOL Ar /r H £ H DESTAMENT o> HEWYDO: .Ð( Gan y Parch. JOHN JONES, (Idrisyn). XK. Yn gyflawn mewn cyfrol hwylns. Y 4 Cyfrol ar yr Hen Destamcnt Saner Rhwym (Croen Llo), Ymylau Marbl jEt ie • Croen Llo, Llawn, Ymylau Marul o » Y Oyfrol ar y Testament Newydd Haner Bhwym (Croen Llo), Ymylau Marbl £0.0 0 Uroen Llo, Llawn, Ymylau Marbl £0 .2 0 Newydd el gyhoeddi. 330 t.d. Yn Saesneg. Pris 316 THE CHRISTIAN CONSCIOUSNESS By the ReT. JOHN HUGHES, M.A., Liverpool. "DARHTH DAVIES" AM 1901. "TeimlWD fod y Ddarlith benigamp hon yn cyfreithlotrf. a mwy na chyfreithloni yr boll draul mewn cy»ylltia<l a r Ituvut Lecturt o'r dechreu hyd yn hyn."—Parch. J. CynuuyLtmuini, V.D., II" 11 Qoleuad. Pris 318 YR EGLWYS: Ei Sacramentau, a'i GweiniJogacth, GAN Y Parch. WILLIAM JAMES, M.A., D.D., Manchester. Pris 316 COFIANT t+- Y PARCH. HERBER EVANS, D.D. OAK R Parch. H. ELFED LEWIS, Llundaia. Pris 316 j Pregethau y diweddar Barch. Edward Morgan o'r Dyffryn. Cyf. II. Llwr da ar gyfer Møel Lin fur Uniieb Ysgolion Sabbothcl y Htthodittiaid Caljinaidd am 1002-1904. Plyg 8vo. Yawr, 375 o dudalenau, Mewn Llian, 316 (Piis Cyntefig, Swllt.) ESBQNiAD Elfenol ac Eglurhaol ar yr Epistol at 1 RHUFEIN/AID g Ynghyda Rhagdraeth ac Attodiad, Gan y Prifathraw LEWIS PROBERT, D.D. Y m1! yr awdwr yn yxgrifenu yn eglar. yn gryno, » bynnd chw.thus. HiiBaai yn <Ida. pe butsai genym wxith o'r uittiwidit hwn nr lioll lyfrau y Testament Newydd."— ¥ LladmerydkL Oyfros Lwyddianus Anarforotm Warn if RHWYMO YN ORWYCI. Rhwymiad Llian, UnfatJ LljthyrenaitAu» 1:(0 7 L SYFRES Y GOLEUNI. Llyfr I.—Gwyrthlau yr Arglwydd leall: Gan y Fareh. Owen Evans, D.D., Llundain. Ymdrinir ar 3S o Wyitb- iau, sef Yr oil a gofnodir. Llyfr II.— Oameffioa yr Arglwydd lesu: Gan Awdwi Ovtyrihiau yr Arglroydd lesu. Ceir yma wybodaeth faawi am 80 0 Dd.mhqioD. Llyfr III.-Oriau lean (Gyf. I.): Gan Awdwr T Qwyrthiou a'r Itam/ugUn. Person 7 Gwaiedwr" ydyw pwnc y gyfrol boa. Llyfr IV.-Orlau lun (Cyf. II.): Gan yr Awdwr. Brwyd y Swaredwr ydyw cynwys y gyfrol htm. LITh V.—Gelriau Olaf leau Grist: Gan yr un Awdwr. 18 o Ddarllthiau ar wahasol destynau, sylfaenedig as loan sir.—xvii. UTh VI.—Person Crist—Daw dyn: Gan y Pareh. Joka Owen, D.D., gynt Is-Ganghellydd Prif Ysgol Rhydyekem. Gyda BMfAI yr JLihrawiaeth gan Dr. Pope, a HoUatUtu mm Btrsen Crist gan Dr. EdwaYday Bala. Llyfr VII.—Cysondob y Pedatr Efengyl: Go y Parch. E. Robinson, D.D., ynghyda Thraetktncd irwiuM or Wrthryeh Hants a Baneswyr y fedair SftmgyJ, gan Dr. Kdwards y Bala, a Nodiadau Eglurhaol gan B. Oliver Baes. Llyfr VIII.—Myaeffalr Peter Williams: r Mynegair Tsfrythyrol adaabyddus. Ond coflo »nrfcyw air e adnod, gslltr cael hyd iddi drwy gymhorth y llyfr gwerthlawr hws. ——— CYNYOlAD AR*r_NIG.—Am Archeb (gyda P. O. am lOa.) 1 anfon GYFLAWN o 8 gyfrol, rbeddir fel Anriiag anrhyw lyfr a/6 o'n Rhestr a ddewisa'r ptynwr. CYMRU A BLWYDDYN Y CORONIAD. Addelr yn rhwydd fod y Genedl Gymreig 111 mhllthDalBaW IRwyaf Teynigarol a Deddfgadwol yr Ymherodraeth. A gellir hawlio fod hyn i'w brlodoli i'r addysg grefyddol a gyfrenir o Bwlpudau Cymrn, ac i'r byfforddiant yn y Gwii- ionedd a roddir yn ein Hysgollon Sul. Ac fel Cofcb Addas a Pharhaol o'r amgylchiad, detbolodd l Cyhoeddwyr y Gyfrol gynygir ganddynt mewn Rhwymiad Cryf at Arbenlg, am amser byr yn nnlg. Y Geiriadur Ysgrythyrol a Duwinyddol Gan., diweddar Barch. THOMAS THOMAS. Glda throi Dau Gant o Ddarluniau Eglurhaol, a Man Lliwiedig 0 Wlad Cvvn, iV Mae y Llyfr hwn yn mhlith y rhai mwraf poblogaidd a ddygwyd allan o'r Wasg Gymreig, hwn yw y 5*4 Argraffiad o hono. Nodweddion Neillduol yr Argraffiad hwn ydynt y rhai a ganlyn :— ■■I—Y Rhwymiad Cryf a Pharhaol. 3D-EI Brls Isel. CORON YN UNIO. jydd—Yn y Clawr ceir Cofnodlad o Geoadwrl w Brenln at ei bobl. Am y pris o UN QORON i'r Cymry sydd yn tow ya nea tuallan i G I mru. I sicrhau copi dylid anfon archeb ar unwaith, gan 104 Argraffiad 111 gyfyagedig. Iiir LLYPR DlaURO PEL ANRHEG. Dylai pob Bachgen a Geneth ei ddarilen. Pris 3/m mewn Llian orwycb. 7 o Ddarluniau Ysblenydd Tudalen Llawn. "VICTORIA: Ei Bywyd fiardd fel Gwraig, Mam a Brenhines. Gan GRIFFITH ELLIS, M.A., Bootle. "One of the handsomest volumes ever issued oat of Welsh office, and merits a wide circulation."—S*utK Wat- Daily News. Ffug-Chwedl Newydd 1 Gyda 4 o DdarlanlaM. Pris y GORCHEST GWILYM BEVAN Gan T. GWYNN-JONES, Awdwr "Qwtdi Brad a GojU." NOFEL I'R Meistr, Olowr, Amaethwr, Pregethwr, Chwarelwr, Crefftwr, Llafurwr, Qwrandawr. Ac i bob gradd a sefyllfa sydd am bUidio cyflawnder. Llyfr ar gyfer Arholladau yr Ysgolion Canolraddal am 1903. Dewisedlg gan y "Central Welsh Board." GEMAU CEIRIOG I BLANT: WKDI KU DETHOL OX1 EDMUND D. JONXg, M.A., Prif Athraw TsgolSir, Atsras*. Mewn Llian Hardd. 64 t.d. Pris Cfjm Detholedlg at Arholiad y "Central Welsh Board." DWY GAINC O'R "MABINOGION," Gan J. M. EDWARDS, B.A., Yol Sir, BhyL Llyfr I., gyda 4 0 Ddarluniau, Llian, 1/- Llyfr II „ 0' Llian, 1/- Newydd el Gyhoeddi. Mewn Lllan. 1/6 LLAWLYFR Y LLAIS: Gan D. W. LEWIS, F.T.S.C. ArffsttUd Nawydd Poblogaidd yn awr ya barod. Cyfarwyddiadau eglur a chryno at iawn d y llafs mewn ymaùrodd a chan, tri-ar-ddeg 0 ddarldúia.. pymtheg o benodau, ymarfepiadAU-yn y ddau uodiant. ro SECURE the GREATEST PUBLICITY i Car TOUT Announcements, APVKRH81 to *WEBALD,a*

"IN THE HEART OF THE SERPENT." BY LEILA GREGSON. [All Bights Reservod.] "A very sensible and business-like letter," remarked Mr Young as be passed the care- fully-written epistle over to his fiancee." "But I wish he had given us a full esti- mate of what all the repairs will really cost. The expense may be ruinous, and I know, Bertie, you can't afford to waste much over this whim of mine." The money will not be wasted, and you know I would spend my last sovereign to give you pleasure. When I heard that the place was for sale, I immediately went and bought it, because I knew that it had once belonged to your stepfather, that it bad been your home, and that you would like to go to live there. The house is in a neglected con- dition through having been unoccupied for many years. The relations of David Jones could not sell or let it while he was in the asylum, in case he might recover his reason and wish to return to it. However, he died, and the house is now ours, and as soon as I can spare a day off, you and I, darling, will go to Bron y Craig and look into the import ant business of inspecting the place, and planning any alterations that seem necessary to make comfortable our future home." The day came-it was only a fortnight be. fore the date fixed for their marriage-when Mr Young and his intended bride took their seats in a second-class compartment of an express train bound for North Wales via Chester. It was during the picturesque ride along the Welsh coast that the topic of their future home was again resumed-indeed this was a subject that had been fairly well dis- cussed by the engaged couple since Mr Young had purchased the property, but it appeared that the girl had still something more to say about it. You know, Herbert," she said, nearly all old houses have some curious story or legend attached to them, and perhaps you will remember that I once told you that Bron y Craig has had its romance. A long time ago, when David Jones bought the house, it was said that he became the pur- chaser because he believed that my step- father had not died a poor man, as it was supposed, but that owing to a bank failure through which he had lost a considerable amount of money, he had hidden the rest of his fortune in the north rooms that have now fallen into decay. Almost the last words David Jones said before he died were I Look for the bags of gold in the Ivy Room.' "The ravings of a madman, my dear," said Mr Young with an indulgent smile. But Norah shook her pretty head. I don't think so. He was sane enough at times. It was strange that when he escaped from the asylum that he at once made for that side of the house. He entered by a window, and hid himself in the Ivy | Boom. You see at one time he used to be I an intimate friend of my stepfather, then, after his death, he inherited a little money, and bought the house and the furniture at a valuation. My stepfather was quite a mis- anthropist, and lived like a miser. People used to say that he would die rich and leave me his heiress. But you know he did not. The house and furniture, when sold to David Jones, just realised enough money to cover the expenses of his funeral. So after all you see, Bertie, I shall come to you a portionless bride." You are a fortune in yourself, Norah. Men sometimes find when they marry rich girls that they're to got to pay dearly enough for them in the end. But now here we are at Llanrug station. We have a long walk before us, and rather a steep hill to climb. Take my arm, dear, and I'll help to pull you up if you ow tired." When they reached the house, Herbert 1 procured the keys, and they entered with I footsteps that were unconsciously hushed by I the strange silence that seemed to brood over the place. Mr Young looked about him I' with the critical eye of the purchaser, be stamped on the floor, knocked at the walls, scraped the brickwork, looked up the chim. j neys, and out of the windows, while Norah followed him silently with absorbing in. terest, viewing everything as if through the recollections of half a life time. How terribly cold and draughty it is here," she said, when they reached the north wing. I don't know what has Come to me-l had such a feurious feeling just now—a sort of presentiment that we shall see ghosts, make some strange discoveries, or find some hidden treasure in this room." Nonsense, it is the^phange of the atmo- sphere to the damp coolness of this place that is affecting you. For my part I am too anxious to know if the place is worth the money I gave for it to feel either heat or cold. As for that old delusion of mad David Jones, I attach no importance to it whatever, and surely, Norah, you are not so credulous as to believe that any money secreted there by your stepfather could have remained un- discovered all these years." He put his left hand out to hers, and laugh, ing drew her closer to him while with the fingers of his right hand he slowly turned the key in the lock. Norah dropped her head, too much abashed that he should ridicule her pro- phecies to make any further allusion to the subject. There was an instant—one breath- less instant often remembered in after years —of complete silence; then she heard the sharp cracking sound of the opening door. She felt herself drawn suddenly forward as Herbert's fingers closed more tightly over here, and then she knew that he and she were m the room, that she was waiting there I in silence with a vague, Uneasy feeling that something might rise visibly before her; that I something, strange and mysterious, might touch her suddenly from above, from below, or from distant corner of the room. For a few minutes she stood still, breath- lessly silent looking, with a curious gaze not unmixed with fear at the faded blue paper and the disordered furniture, but nothing happened, nothing appeared. The drowsy, silence, the forlorn solitude, the whole weird appearance of the place heightened her imagination, and strengthened in her miod the conviction that the room contained some mysterious secret. Were the ravings of mad David Jones no delusion after all ?—Were her own curious presentiments not idle fancies, but wonder- ful prophecies that were about to come true at last ? "Was she indeed at that moment on the brink of a great discovery? Well, what do you think of it, Norah ? Herbert said, advancing slowly as though he I doubted the safety of the floor. Do you see anything here to give you the impression of hidden valuables ? I see nothing but dust and dirt and de. solation," she replied, .1 but all the same I don't mean to relinquish ay intention to thoroughly explore every nook and corner of the place. I can't get over that idea—that my stepfather hid his money in this room after the failure of the bank in which he had deposited several hundred pounds." Perhaps that was the whole extent of his fortune. However, where do you intend to begin ? If there had been any gold or notes here David Jones would, I think, have found them. I admit he may have had cause to believe in their existence through some chance words that may have fallen from your stepfather." "I think I'll begin with the furniture," Norah answered thoughtfully. What shall it be first-the tall bookcase or tbe dingy old writing table beside the fireplace ? Bertie," she exclaimed suddenly, why don't you start exploring too—why do you leave all the work to me ? I'm afraid I've not your belief to inspire me to action," he said, I'll sit here, if you don't mind and watch you expend your ¡ superfluous energy over what I am afraid will prove a fruitless quest." He dusted a chair with his handkerchief as he spoke, and then sat down while Norah, after reproving him playfully for his laziness, vigorously commenced her investigations. The lower portion cltlle bookcases was divided into two cupboards. In the door I one of these the rusty key remained in the lock. Norah turned it with some difficulty and looked into the cupboard. At the back I of it was scattered a miscellaneous collec- tion of useless articles, but at the front of the shelves were several neatly bound books of poems. Norah, with flagging interest, took up one of these and listlessly opened it. A leaf had been turned down and a passage of interest strongly marked. She held the book open in both hands and read the lines more than once, at first in- differently, and then with increasing interest. Presently she lifted her head sharply and stared straight before her with a look of con- centration and deep thought upon her face. So strangely preoccupied she looked that Mr Youug, who was watching her with half. closed, sleepy eyes, made the hackeyed offer of a penny for her thoughts. She turned to him with a startle! air as though suddenly aroused from a reverie, and then swiftly crossed the room, and laid the book before him. Bertie," she said with suppresses excite- ment in her tones. I have found a clue. Bead that." She pointed with her finger to the marked passage, and Herbert, following the direction of her eyes with his own quickly scanned this sentenceOh, serpent heart hid by flowering face." "W ell, It he said, looking at her interroga- tively. "Weare no nearer the solution of the mystery. Where is the serpent heart ?" "Where!" she cried, excitedly pointing to the lower end of the room. Are you blind, Bertie? Haven't you noticed that table with the brass stand made in the form of serpent. If there is a fortune hidden in this room," she added emphatically, I be- lieve that it is there." She drew him quickly across to the window, where, half hidden by an old arm- chair was a small table of curious workman- ship. It had a thick mahogany top, and in lieu of legs it stood upon a massive stand of ornamental brass made in the form of a coiled serpent. There was a small incision in the wood on the surface about six inches in length and two inches in width, and in what appeared to be the front part of the table was a closely-fitting drawer. What's that hole on Phe top for ? asked Herbert, as Norah dragged the table out into the centre of the room. It used to be for a small hand sewing machine. I remember it quite well. It was my mother's. The machine had to be fixed on to the top by a screw from underneath. But it was a worthless little thing—chain stich and suitable only for very fragile work. _I I kaow I have often heard my mother say that she would rather have had a larger and stronger machine, and a less ornamental stand. In time it got detached from the I table amd became quite useless and rusty through not being used. The stand was f brought up here, and I firmly believe that it was those lines in that book that gave my stepfather the idea to hide his money in the recess made by the body of the serpent." Mr Young smiled. That vivid imagination of yours, Norah, takes strange flights of fancy sometimes," he said quietly. "It is no fancy—no imagination. Why should just those three words be specially marked—' hid serpent heart.' That is the key to the secret. I have found it. I- am cleverer than David Jones—he would never think of reading poetry—and now I mean to see if it is there." With a laugh of almost hysterical exulta- tion she retreated a step or two, and then throwing all the strength of her body into the action she sprang forward and flung the table to the floor. It swayed for a moment to one side, then fell and rolled over towards the window as heavily as if it had been the largest piece of furniture there—fell with a shock that rang through the house, and re- peated itself again and again in the echoes of hose quiet, lonesome rooms. t Norah," exclaimed Mr Young aghast. Bat this exclamation was followed almo 1,:u -1IL ,¡]I;8. immediately by another cry—a simultaneous cry from both. i The top of the table with the force of the fall had broken off, and out of the neck of the serpent rolled a continued flow of golden I coins—bright yellow sovereigns-ten, twenty, hundreds; they flew out with a musical I clink'ng in every direction, under the tables, under the chairs, towards the fire place, to the feet of the two astonished spectators, who stood, for a moment staring at each other in utter amazement, dumb with delight and wonder. At last Norah stocped and began to pick up the rolling coins with trembling fingers- hurriedly, feverishly, as though she feared that at any moment the floor might open and swallow up this vast long-hidden wealth. Bertie! Bertie I" she cried triumphantly. "Who was right—you or I? Didn't I tell you the gold would be there-in the heart of the serpent? She stopped suddenly and looked towards her "fiancee." He was still standing where she had left him, but now he held a large blue sheet of paper in his hand. He was reading it with absorbing and eager atten- tion. She spoke to him again, but he did not appear to hear her. She dropped the coins into the lap of her frock, and crossed swiftly over to his side. "Bertie, what is it ? What have you found?" At the sound of her voice he looked up. and his eyes as they met her's were full of love and gladness. It is all yours, Norah," he said. "It is your stepfather's will, and it is duly signed and witnessed. It must have fallen out with the gold. I picked it up from the floor just now. Bead it." She took it from him, but a sudden trembl- ing of the limbs impelled her to sink down into a chair. Line by line, word by word, she read the carefully-written document; her soft creamy complexion flushing and paling as she read. When she had come to the end of the page, the hand in which she held the paper dropped to her side, and she tamed her head slowly towards Herbert. A strange change had paseed over her features. No word escaped her lips, no movement varied the position in which she sat, yet tears dimmed her eyes. and her tender lips quivered with the conflicting thoughts that were passing in her mind. In that position for a few breathless seconds she sat silent, gazing steadfastly before her at the man whose wife she had promised to be. He was bending over the broken table, looking down into the hollow formed by the body of the brass serpent in which the gold had been I hidden. She noticed the streaks of grey in his dark I hair, the lines of care that had gathered on his strong kind face, and she knew that his endeavours to save enough money to buy back her childhood home for her had brought I them there. A feeliag of great love and thankfulness filled her heart. She rose slowly from her seat-she had forgotten the gold, and it fell again with a rattle to the floor-she slipped her hand into his, and looked up into his face through a blinding mist of tears. It is true—quite true, Herbert," she said, her voice tremulous with suppressed feeling, the money is legally mine. I can scarcely realise it yet. After all, you see, my step- father was just—he did not forget me. I am glad—so glad, for you have no idea how hard I felt it was that all the burden of life was laid upon you-that I could do nothing to break down the cruel barrier of poverty that stood between us and happiness. But now this house is yours, and all this wealth is mine. In a fortnight," she hesitated a moment, and then went on quickly-" when we are married, no one can say I come to you a portinnless bride." "Your fortune makes you no dearer to me," replied Mr Young grwely. "I only hope that it will prove a blessing, and not a curse to us. I don't want to be pessimistic, LM4 YOU HDCJYT triiis carexuuy nearaea goia did your stepfather no good. At any rate, I think he chose an appropriate place to hide it, for money, like the heart of the serpent, is, unfortunately, too often the root of all evil."

PETER THE GREAT ON SLEEP. I a for making my life as long as* I can," wrote Peter the Great, and therefore sleep as little as pussible "-a peculiar sentence, at once wise and foolish. That s man should endeavour to live as long as he can is his plain daty to his Creator and himself; bat just how he farthers that objeot by sleeping as little as possible the shipwright-Emperor af Russia has not explained. Though overmuch sleeping is a vaste of time. and never associated with intellectual brilliance, insufficient sleep gives rise to even worse ills. In this, as in all things else, it is the happy medium which should be sought. Had the great Muscovite to prolong his life by sleeping neither more nor less than is necessary he would have hit the mark at which he aimed. My life was absolutely wretched," wrote Mr Alfred Andrews, of Great Abingdon, Cambridgeshire, on 21st December, 1901; "I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, couldn't even smoke my pipe. Often at night 1 lay tossing for hours on the bed unable to sleep, and so nervous that the slightest noise msde me tremble." Mr Andrews then proceeds to describe the cause of his wretched condition, and how he was restored to health by Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup. "The first evidence of disorder," says Mr Andrews, was a dull aching pain in my left side. I took little notice of it, which was a mis- take, for one ailment followed another in quick succession until I was a physical wreck. A distressing, gnawing pain, and sense of sinking in the stomach, took all pleasure from my life. If I had fasted for a week I could not have felt pings of hunger more keenly; yet the sight of food almost made me sick. For months I was unable to digest anything solid but a plain bis- cuit, and lived on liquids. Anything else that I ate caused me infinite pain. In three months my weight deoreased twenty-one pounds. My tongue was thickly coated and my chest raw and tender. For three months I took the medi- cine prescribed by a first-class doctor, but steadily grew worse. A second and a third dootor were ecmallv. unantv. saful montns or indigestion and its complications I appeared as if in the last stage of consumption. As a final resource I resolved to take Mother appeared as if in the last stage of consumption. As a final resource I resolved to take Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup, which relieved me within three days. With power to digest food and to sleep soundly my recovery was assured. I was soon my old self again; and after taking the Syrup for some little time my care was ¡ complete and lasting."

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NORTH WALES. IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL "OSBORNE MORGAN" SCHOLARSHIPS. A meeting of the Council was held at the College on Wednesday. Mr P. F. Pennant, vice-chairman of the Council, occupied the chair in the absence through illness of the chairman, Mr H. Bulkeley Price. There were also present Dr W. Jones (Morris, Mr Henry Lewis, Rev Principal Silais Morris, Mr T. vG. Osbom, Professor R. W. Phillips, Dr E. O. Price, the Very Rev the Dean of Bangor, Prin- cipal' Reicbiel, Rev Daniel Rowlands, Lady Verney, Rev T. J. Wheldion, Rev Professor Hugh Williams, Mr W. Glymie Williams, and the Registrar. A vote of sympathy was passed with the chairman in his illness. It was an- nounced that a sum of L2500 was being handed over by Lady Osbome Morgan in order to found at the College scholarships in memory of the late Sir George Osborne Morgan, formerly a vice-president of the College. The scholarships will be termed "Osborne Morgan Studentships," will be of the minimum, annual vailue of JB40, and wiill be open to students who have been in residenoo oat the College for not less than three years. They will thus be of the nature of con- tinuation scholarships, land will be tenable either at the College or aA such other place of higher teaming as the Senate may approve. The first scholarship will be awarded in June, 1903. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr and Mrs F. Fletcher for their donation of 210 to be utilised as a Modem Language Exhibition during the next long vacation. Out of a number of candi- dates Mr Alexander Mackie, M.A., wa4s ap- pointed assistant lecturer in the day training department in succession to Mr Fletcher, who is taking up an -appointment at University Col- lege, Liverpool. Mr 'Mackie was educated at Edinburgh, where he oemed, as pupil-teacher and then proceeded to the Free Church Train- ing College and the University. He graduated1 with first-class honours ÓIn. mental philosophy, a-nd was awarded the Bruce of Grangehill and Falkland Prize. He was medallist in the class in political economy, and was awarded the Merchant Company's Prize for the most distin- guished student of the year. Sinoe leaving the University he 'has been engaged in teaching at the Broughton, Higher Grade School, Edinburgh, and has -acted, as class tutor to the Uniyesrity professors of logic and metaphysics. Upon the recommendation of the Executive Commit- tee of the building fund, Mr Lewis D. Jones (Llew Tegid), headmaster of the Garth Board Schools, Bangor, was unanimously appointed organising secretary to the fund for a period of five years. Mr Jones will enter upon his duties imrrwxliately, at the -office of the fund, 239, High-street, Bangor. The Senate were asked to consider in what way the services to the College of the late Mr William Rathbone could best be commemorated in connection with the new buildings. The Council confirmed the purchase made on its behalf of the portion of the Bi'shop's Park, amounting to about four acres, which lhad not been acquired by the Corporation. The land in question lies between Glain'rafon Hill, PenValt-road, the proposed new road and the boundary of the site which the Corporation is presenting to the College. It will thus form an extension of that site, and raises the total area to about fourteen acres. A vote of thanks was passed to the National Eiftoeddfod Committee for their donation of £ 30 to the fisheries department.