The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

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I ACTION AGAINST THE MONT- GOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL. At the Caersws Petty Sessions on Monday the Montgomery County Council were prosecuted for a contravention of the Quarries Act, 1894, and the Metalliferous Mines Act,, 1872, as owners of Pen- strowed Quarry, near Newtown, and the county surveyor, Mr G. A. Hutchins, and the road foreman, Mr D. Evans, were summoned on the same count as agents. Mr Cartwright, Chester, appeared on behalf of Dr Neve Foster, inspector of mines, and Mr C P. Winnall represented the County Council.— Mr G. J. Williams, assistant inspector, said he visited the Penstrowed Quarry on November 5, 1897. He went, into the men's eating-bouse and made a seach. He found in a cask about eight or nine feet from the fire-place nine whole packages of gelignite, used for blasting purposes. The packages contained five pounds each of the explosive. One package had not even a cardboard covering, and the cask in which he found the gelignite had no proper covering. The total weight of gelignite in the cask was about 481b., together with a linen bag con- taining gunpowder. He spoke to Mr Evans about it, and he said it was a state of things that should not be permitted. If a spark from the fire reached the cask it would have blown up the whole place and killed everybody in the neighbourhood.—Mr Evans, in defence, said that he ordered some dynamite from a Newtown firm, and they sent 501b. up to the quarry instead of supplying them as they required it in small quantifies.—In answer to the Bench, the witness admitted that he was aware that if a spark reached the cask the whole place would have been blown up.—Mr Cartwright said he had received a letter from Mr Hutchins, the county surveyor, admitting that a technical offence" had been com- mitted. but he (Mr Cartwright,) considered it more than a technical offence.—Mr Winnstll on behalf of the County Council, admitted that there had been irregularities in the management of the quarry on the part of their agents and servants. The County Council had made rules and regulations, under which they were now being prosecuted, and trans- mitted them to the quarry for publication. The County Council had published the rules, and as far as they were concerned they never heard of these irregularities until after the 5th November.—The Bench retired, and after a brief deliberation the Chairman (Captain Adams) said the County Coun- cil and Mr Hutchins would be fined each 95, together with the costs, amounting to L3 17s 2d, and Mr Evans would be fined £ 3 and the costs. They considered there had been gross neglect on the. part of all parties concerned. They also thought if the county surveyor could not have personally attended he should at least have been represented The total fines and the costs amounted to 124 Us 6d. Oopong, a judicious blend of the choicest teas, 2s. per lb. Ceylon rt-H., pure, fragrant, and delicious, ls. 6d. per ib. 6 lbs. carriage paid to any address in the United Kingdom.—Barber & Co. (Established over a century), 67A, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 103. Market Street, Manchester. [Advt. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.— Approximate return of traffic receipts, for the week ending February 13th, 1898. Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs. and mails, 21,581; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ 2,297; total for the week, £ 3,878; aggregate from commencement of half-year, 1£25,201. Actual traffic receipts for the correspond- ing week last year Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &e.. £ 1,575; merchandise, minerals Ac., £ 2,280; total for the week, E3,855 aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 24,983. Increase for the week, passengers, parcels, &c., X6; increase, merchandise, minerals, &c., £ 17; total increase for the week, 223; aggregate increase, passengers, parcels, &c., X33; aggregate increase, merchandise, minerals, &c., £ 185; aggregate increase from commencement of half-year, X218.

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IN THE DAYS OF THE MUTINY: A MILITARY NOVEL. By G. A. HENTY, Author of The Curse of Carne's Hold," A Hidden Foe," Ac. lALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER X.—Continued. "That is so, Bathurst. I like her so much that I should be very sorry to see her throw herself away upon some empty-headed fool. I like her greatly, and I was convinced that you were just the man to make her happy, and as I knew that you had good prospects in England, I thought it would be a capital match for her, although you are but a young civilian, and I own that of late I have thought things were goiner ou very well." "Perhaps it might have been so, Doctor, had it not been for this coming trouble, which, if our fears are realised, will entirely put an end even to the possi- bility of what you are talking about. I shall be shown to be a coward, and I shall do my best to put Oiyself in the way of being killed. I should not like to blow my brains out, but if the worst comes to the worst, I will do that rather than go on living after I have again disgraced myself." You look at it too seriously, Bathurst." Not a bit of ir, Doctor, and you know it." "But if the Sepoys rise, Bathurst, why should they harm their officers ? They may be discoib- tented, they may have a grievance against the government, they may refuse to obey orders and ttwtny disband, but why on earth should they attack toen who have always been kind to them, whom they have followed in battle, and against whom they have not as much as a shadow of complaint ? I hope it may be so most sincerely," Bathurst saic]; but one never can say. I can hardly bring tttyself to believe that they will attack the officers, much less injure women and children. Still I have most uneasy foreboding of evil." u You have heard nothing from the natives as to any coming trouble ?" "Nothing at all, Doctor, and I am convinced that nothing is known among them, or at any rate by the great bulk of them. Only one person has ever said a word to me that could indicate a knowledge of coming trouble, and that was this juggler we saw to-night. I thought nothing of his words at the time. That picture he showed me of the attack by Sepoys first gave me an idea that his words might tnean something. flince then we have heard much Wore of thisdiscontent, and lam convinced now that the words bad a meaning; they were simple enough. It Was merely his assurance, two or three times repeated, that he would be ready to repay the Service I had rendered him with his life. It might have been a mere phrase, and so I thought at the time. But I think now he bad before him the possibility of some event occurring in which he might be able to repay the service I bad rendered hito." There may have been something in it and there may not," the Doctor said, but, at any rate, Bathurst, he ought to be a potent ally. There doesn't seem any limit to his powers, and he might, for aught one knows, be able to convey you away -8 he did his daughter." The Doctor spoke lightly and then added, But eriously, the man might be of service. These jugglers go among people of all classes. They are like the troubadours of the middle ages, welcomed everywhere; and they no doubt have every oppor- nity of learning what is going on, and it may be that he will be able to give you timely warning abonld there be any trouble at hand." That is possible enough," 'Bathurst agreed. t Well, Doctor, I shall be on horseback at six, so it 18 time for me to. turn in," and, taking his hat, talked across to his own bungalow. The Doctor sat for some time smoking before he turned into bed. He had, as he had said, heard rumours when Bathurst first came out that he had shown the white feather, but he had paid little attention to them at the time. They had been together at the first station to which Bathurst was appointed when he came out, and he had come to like him greatly, but his evident disinclination to join in any Society, his absorption in his work, and a certain air of gravity unnatural in a young man of twenty, bad Puzzled him. He had at the time come to the con- clusion that he must have had some unfortunate love affair, or have got into some very serious trouble at home. In time that impression had worn A young man speedily recovers from a blow, however heavy, but no change had taken place in Bathurst and the Doctor had in time become so Accustomed to his manner that he had ceased to Wonder over it. Now it was all explained. He sat thinking over it deeply for an hour, and then laid down his pipe." cc It is a terrible pity be came out here," he said, of course it is not his fault in the slightest degree. °e might as well blame a man for being born a Illknebback but if there should be a row out here it ?*. 1 be terrible for him. I can quite understand 18 Reeling about it. If I were placed as he is, and were called upon to fight, I should take a dose of Jessie acid at once. Men talk about'their civilisa- .l0U, but we are little better than savages in our Satinets. Courage is an almost useless virtue in a eivilised,rommunity, but if it is called for we despise man in whom it is wanting just as heartily as our tattooed ancestors did. Of course, in him it is a Purely constitutional failing, and I have no doubt Would be as brave as a lion in any other circum- t*Dces; in fact, the incident of his attacking the with that- dog whip of his shows that he is so; and yet, if he should fail when the lives of women re at stake, it would be a kindness to give him that of prussic acid, especially as Isobel Hannay be here. That is the hardest part of it to him, can see." Three days later the force at Deennugghur was lnoreased by the arrival of a troop of native cavalry, ^uder a Captain Forster, who had just returned from leave in England. Do you know Captain Forster, Doctor ?" Isobel Hannay asked on the afternoon of his arrival. "Uncle tells me heJscoming to dinner." Then you must look after your heart, my dear. is one of the best looking fellows out here, a J daahing soldier, and a devoted servant of the fair sex.), You don't like him, Doctor," Isobel said, quietly. I have not said so, my dear-far from it. I think I said a good deal for him." Yes, but you don't like him, Doctor. Why is that ?" I suppose because he is not my sort of man," he Doctor said. I have not seen him since his and ours were at Delhi together, and we 'd not see much of each other then. Our tastes did not lie in the same direction." Well, I know what your tastes are, Doctor; "hat are his ?" 1 I will leave you to find out my dear. He is all told you—a very handsome man, with, as is Perhaps natural, a very good opinion of himself, **id he distinguished himself more than once in the onjaub by acts of personal gallantry. I have no °nbt he thinks it an awful nuisance coming to a HDlet little station like this, and he will probably y to while away his time by making himself very able to you. But I don't think you need quite believe all that he says." r I have long ago got over the weakness of be. 16Ving people's flattery, Doctor. However, now You have forewarned me I am forearmed." The Doctor hesitated, and then said gravely, "It is not my habit to speak ill of people, my dear. You do me the justice to believe that?" I am sure it is not, Doctor." Well, child, in a station like this you must see a good deal of this man. He is a man who has *on many hearts, and thrown them away. Don't Jet him win yours. He is not a good man he has oeen mixed up in several grave scandals; he has been the ruin of more than one young man at cards **d billiards; he is in all respects a dangerous man. "•Uatomically I suppose he has a heart, morally he not a vestige of one. Whatever you do, child don't let him make you like him." 11 don't think there is much fear of that, doctor, ifter what you have said," she replied with a quiet »»ui]e, and I am obliged to you indeed for warning Uie." I know I am an old fool for meddling, but you *Qow, my dear, I feel a sort of personal relationship to you, after your having been in my charge for six ^onths, I don't know a single man in all India whom Would not rather see you fall in love with than Wlth Captain Forster." 11 I thought uncle did not seem particularly pleased "hen he came in to tiffin, and said there was a new arrival." "I should think not," the Doctor said the man 11; notoriously a dangerous fellow, and yet as he has ever actually out-stepped what are considered the °Unds which constitute an officer and a gentleman, 6 has retained his commission, but it has been a Pretty close shave once or twice. Your uncle must *^ow all about him, everyone does; but I don't IInppose the Major will open his mouth to you on subject, he is one of the chivalrous sort of who never think evil of anyone, unless he is O'bftllltely obliged to; but in a case like this I think is wrong at any rate. I have done what I con- Ier to be my duty in the matter. Now the matter j your hands. I am glad to see that you are poking quite yourself again, and got over your rating fit of the other night. I quite expected to \Se for- professionally the next morning." Oh, yes; I have quite got over it, Doctor;I T~oX-o l'or- T r"nn cr» pfv f*fl fnint. T never did such a thing before, but it was so strange and mysterious that I felt quite bewildered, and the picture quite frightened me, but I don't know why. This is the first ehauce I have had since of speaking to you alone. What do you think of it, and why should you be dressed up as a native ? and why should—?" She stopped with a heightened colour in her cheeks. Yon and Bathurst be dressed up too ? So you noticed your own likeness; nobody else but Bathurst and myself recognised the two figures that came out of the wood." Oh, you saw it too, Doctor. I thought I might have been mistaken, for, besides being stained, the face was all obscured somehow. Neither uncle, nor Mrs Hunter nor the girls, nor anyone else I have spoken to seem to have an idea it was me, though they all recognised you. What could it mean ?" I have not the slightest idea of the world," the Doctor said very likely it meant nothing. I cer- tainly should not think any more about it i these jugglers' tricks are curious and unaccountable; but it is no use our worrying ourselves about them. May be we are all going to get up private theatricals some day, and perform an Indian drama. I have never taken any part in tomfooleries of that sort so far, but there is no saying what I may come to." Are you going to dine here, Doctor ?" No, my dear; the Major asked me to come in, but I declined I told him frankly that I did not like Forster, and that the less I saw of him the better. I should be pleased." The other guests turned out to be Captain and Mrs Doolan and Mrs Congreave, one of the civilians at the station. The Doolans arrived first. You have not seen Captain Forster yet, Isobel," Mrs Doolan said, as they sat down for a chat together. I met him at Delhi soon after I came out. He is quite my beau ideal of a soldier in appearance, but I don't think he is nice, Isobel. I have heard all sorts of stories about him." "Is that meant as a warning for me, Mrs Doolan," Isobel asked, smiling. Well, yes, I think it is, if you don't mind my giving you one. There are some men one can flirt with as much as one likes and there are some men one can't; he is one of that sort. Privately, my dear, I don't mind telling you that at one time I did flirt with him—I had been accustomed to flirt in Ireland; we all flirt there, and mean nothing by it-but I had to give it up very suddenly. It wouldn't do, my dear, at all, his ideas of flirtation differed utterly from mine. I found I was playing with fire and was fortunate in getting off without singeing my wings, which is more than a good many others would have done." He must be a horrid sort of man," Isobel said, indignantly. Mrs Doolan laughed. I don't think you will find him so, certainly that is not the general opinion of women. However, you will see him for vourself in a few minutes." Isobel looked up with some curiosity when Captain Forster was announced, and at once ad- mitted to herself that the Doctor's report as to his personal appearance was fully justified. He stood over six feet high, with a powerful frame, and an easy careless bearing; his hair was cut rather close, he wore a long tawny moustache, his eyes were dark, his teeth very white and perfect. A momentary look of surprise came across his face as his eyes fell on Isobel. I had hardly expected," he said, as the Major introduced him to her, "to find no less than three unmarried ladies at Deennugghur. I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Miss Hunters this afternoon. How do you do Mrs Doolan ? I think it is four years since I had the pleasure of knowing you in Delhi." I believe that is the number, Captain Forster." It seems a very long time to me," he said. I thought you would sa. that," she laughed. It was quite the proper thing to say, Captain Forster; but I dare say it does seem longer to you than it does to me as you have been home since." We are all here," the Major broke in, Captain Forster, will you take my niece in ? I suppose you find this very dull after Cawn- pore, Miss Hannay ? Captain Forster asked. Indeed I do not," Isobel said. I like it better here, everything is sociable and pleasant, while at Cawnpore there was much more formality. Of course, there were lots of dinner parties but I don't care for large dinner parties at all, it is so hot and they last such a time. I think six is quite large enough. Then there is a general talk and everyone can join in just as much as they like, while at a large dinner, you have to rely entirely upon one person, and I think it is very hard work having to talk for an hour and a half to a stranger of whom you know nothing. Don't you agree with me?" Entirely, Miss Hannay, I am a pretty good hand at talking but at times I have found it very hard work, I can assure you, especially when you take down a stranger to the station, so that you have no mutual acquaintance to pull to pieces." The dinner was bright and pleasant and when the evening was over, Isobel said to her uncle, I think Captain Forster is very amusing, uncle." Yes," the Major agreed, he is a good talker, a regular society man he is no great favourite of mine; I think he will be a little too much for us in a small station like this." How do you mean too much, uncle ?" The Major hesitated. Well, he won't have much to do with his troop of horse, and time will hang heavy on his hands." Well, there is shooting, uncle." Yes, there is shooting, but I don't think that is much in his line. Tiffins and calls, and society generally, occupy most of his time, I fancy, and I think he is fonder of billiards and cards than is good for him or others. Of course, being here by him- self as he is we must do our best to be civil to him and that sort of thing, but if we were at Cawnpore he is a man I should not care about being intimate in the house." I understand, uncle; but certainly he is pleasant." Oh, yes, he is very pleasant," the Major said, drily, in a tone that seemed to express that Forster's power of making himself pleasant was by no means a recommendation in his eyes. But Captain Forster had apparently no idea what- ever that his society could be anything but welcome and called the next day after luncheon. I have been leaving my pasteboard at all the residents," he said, not a very large circle. Of course, I knew Mrs Rintoul at Delhi, as well as Mrs Doolan. I did not know any of the othsrs. They seem pleasant people." They are very pleasant," Isobel said. I left one for a man named Bathurst. He was out. Is that the Bathurst, Major Hannay, who was in a line regiment, I forget its number, and left very suddenly in the middle of the fighting in Punjaub ?" Yes. I believe Bathurst was in the army about that time," the Major said; but I don't know any- thing about the circumstances of his leaving." Had Captain Forster known the Major better, he would have been aware that what he meant to say was that he did not wish to know, but he did not deteot the objection, and went on- They say he showed the white feather. If it is the same man, I was at school with him, and un- less he has improved since then, I am sure I have no wish to renew his acquaintance." I like him very much," the Major said shortly, he is great friends with Dr Wade, who has the very highest opinion of him, and I believe he is generally considered to be one of the most rising young officers of his grade." Oh, I have nothing to say against him," Captain Forster said, but he was a poor creature at school, and I do not think that there was any love lost between us. Did you know him before you came here ?" I only met him at the last races in Cawnpore," the Major said, he was stopping with the Doctor." Quite a character, Wade." Isobel's tongue was untied now. I think he is one of the kindest and best gentle- men that ever I met," the girl said, hotly, he took care of me coming out here, and no one could have been kinder than he was." I have no doubt he is all that," Captain Forster said, gently, still he is a character, Miss Hannay, taking the term character to mean a person who differs widely from other people. I believe he is very skilful in his profession, but I take it he is a sort of Abernethy, and tells the most startling truths to his patients." That I can quite imagine," Isobel said, the Doctor hates humbug of all sorts, and I don't think I should like to call him in myself for an imaginary ailment." "I rather put my foot in it there," Captain Forster said to himself as he sauntered back to his tent. The Major didn't like my saying anything against Bathurst, and the girl did not like my remark about the Doctor. I wonder whether she objected also to what I said about that fellow Bathurst; a sneaking little hound he was, and there is no doubt about his showing the white feather in the Punjaub. However, I don't think that young lady is of the sort to care about a coward, and if she asks any questions, as I dare say she will after what I have said, she will find that the story is a true one. What a pretty little thing she is. I did not see a prettier face all the time I was at home. What with her and Mrs Doolan, time is not likely to hang so heavily here as I had expected." The Major, afraid that Isobel might ask him aome questions about this story of Bathurst leaving the army, went off hastily as soon as Captain Forster had left. Isobel sat impatiently tapping the floor with her foot, awaiting the Doctor, who usually came for half-an-hour's chat in the after- noon. Well, child, how did your dinner go off yesterday and what did you think of your new visitor? I saw him come away from here half-an-hour ago. I suppose he has been calling." I don't like him at all," Isobel said, decidedly. "No? Well, then, you are an exception to the general rule." "I thought him pleasant enough last night," Isobel said, frankly. He has a deferential sort of way about him when he speaks to one that one can hardly help liking. But he made me angry to- day. In the first place, Doctor, he said you were a character." The Doctor chuckled. Well, that is true enough, my dear. There was no harm in that." And then he said-" and she broke off-" he said what I feel sure cannot be true. He said that Mr Bathurst left the army because he showed the white feather. It is not true, is it ? I am sure it can't be true." The Doctor did not reply immediately. "It is an old story," he said, presently, and ought not to have been brought up again. I don't suppose Forster or anyone else knows the rights of the case. When a man leaves his regiment and retires when it is upon active service, there are sure to be spiteful stories getting about, often without the slightest foundation. But even if it had been true, it would hardly be to Bathurst's disadvantage now he is no longer in the army, and courage is not a vital necessity on the part of a civilian." You can't mean that, Doctor, surely, every man ought to be brave. Could anyone possibly respect a man who is a coward ? I don't believe it, Doctor, for a moment." Courage, my dear, is not a universal endow. ment, it is a physical as much as a moral virtue some people are physically brave, and morally cowards; others are exactly the reverse. Some people are constitutionally cowards all round, while in others cowardice shows itself only partially. I have known a man who is as brave as a lion in battle, who was terrified by a rat. I have known a man brave in other respects lose his nerve al- together in a thunder storm. In neither of these cases was it the man's own fault; it was con- stitutional, and by no effort could he conquer it. I consider Bathurst to be an exceptionally noble character.. I am sure that he is capable of acts of great bravery in some directions, but it is possible that he is, like the man I have spoken of, constitu- tionally weak in others." But the great thing is to be brave in battle, Doctor You would not call a man a coward simply because he was afraid of a rat. but you would call a man a coward who was afraid in battle. To be a coward there seems to me to be a coward all round. I have always thought the one virtue in man I really envied was bravery, and that a coward was the most despicable creature living. It might not be his actual fault, but one can't help that. It is not any- one's fault if he is fearfully ugly or born an idiot, for example. But cowardice seems somehow different. Not to be brave when he is strong seems to put a man below the level of a woman. I feel sure, Doctor, there must be some mistake, and that this story cannot be true. I have seen a good deal of Mr Bathurst since we have been here, and you have always spoken so wel of him, he is the last man I should have thought would qe-wonld be like that." I know the circumstances of the case, child. You can trust me when I say that there is nothing in Bathurst's conduct that diminishes my respect for him in the slightest degree, and that in some respects he is as brave a man as any I know." Yes, Doctor. all that may be; but you do not answer my question. Did Mr Bathurst leave the army because he showed cowardice ? If he did, and you knew it, why did you invite him here ? why did you always praise him ? Why did you not say, In other respects this man may be good and estimable, but he is that most despicable thing, a coward' ? There was such a passion of pain in her voice and face that the Doctor only said, quietly, I did not know it, my dear, or I should have told you at first that in this one point he was wanting. It is, I con- sider, the duty of those who know things to speak out. But he is certainly not what you say." Isobel tossed her head impatiently. We need not discuss it, Doctor. It is nothing to me whether Mr Bathurst is brave or not, only it is not quite pleasant to learn that you have been getting on friendly terms with a man who—" Don't say any more," the Doctor broke in. You might at least remember he is a friend of mine. There is no occasion for us to quarrel, my dear, and to prevent the possibility of such a thing I will be off at once." After he had left Isobel sat down to think over what had been said. He had not directly answered her questions, but he had not denied that the rumour that Bathurst bad retired from the army because he was wanting in courage, was well founded. Everything he had said, in fact, was an excuse rather than a denial. The Doctor was as staunch a friend as he was bitter as an opponent. Could he have denied it he would have done so strongly and indignantly. It was clear that, much as he liked Bathurst, he believed him wanting in physical courage. He had said, indeed, that he believed he was brave in some respects, and had asserted that he knew of one exceptional act of courage that he had performed; but what was that if a man had had to leave the army because he was a coward ? To Isobel it seemed that of all things it was most dreadful that a man should be wanting in courage. Tales of daring and bravery had always been her special delight, and, being full of life and spirit herself, it had not seemed even possible to her that a gentle- man could be a coward, and that Bathurst could be so, seemed to her well uigh incredible. It might as the Doctor had urged be in no way his fault, but this did not affect the fact. He might be more to be pitied than to be blamed, but pity of that kind so far from being akin to love was de- structive of it. Unconsciously she had raised Bathurst on a lofty pinnacle. The Doctor had spoken very highly of him. She had admired the energy with which, in- stead of caring as others did for pleasure, he devoted himself to his work. Older men than himself listened to his opinions. His quiet and somewhat restrained manner was in contrast to the careless fun and good humour of most of those with whom she came in contact. It had seemed to her that he was a strong man. One who could be relied upon implicitly at all times, and she had come in the few weeks she had been at Deennugghur to rely upon his opinion, and to look forward to his visits, and even to acknowledge to herself that he approached her ideal of what a man should be more than anyone else she had met. And now this was all shattered at a blow. He was wanting in man's first attribute. He bad left the army, if not in disgrace at least under a cloud, and even his warm friend the Doctor could net deny that the accusation of cowardness was well founded. The pain of the discovery opened her eyes to the fact which she had not before, even remotely, admitted to herself, that she was beginning to love him, and the discovery was a bitter one. I may thank Captain Forster for that at least," she said to herself, as she angrily wiped a tear from her cheek; "he has opened my eyes in time. What should I have felt if I had found too late that I had come to love a man who was a coward—who had left the army because he was afraid ? I should have despised myself as much as I should despise him. Well, that is my first lesson. I shall not trust in appearances again. Why I would rather marry a man like Captain Forster, even if everything they say about him is true, than a man who is a coward. At least he is brave, and has shown himself so." The Doctor had gone away in a state of extreme irritation. Confound the meddling scoundrel," he said to himself, as he surprised the horse with a sharp cut of the whip. Just as things are going on as I wished. I had quite set my mind on it, and though I am sure Bathurst would never have spoken to her till he bad told her himself about that unfortunate failing of his, it would have been altogether different ccming from his own lips just as he told it to me. Of course, my own lips were sealed and I could not put the case in the right light. I would give three months' pay for the satisfaction of horse-whipping that fellow Forster. Still, 1 can't say he did it maliciously for he could not have known Bathurst was intimate there or that there was anything between them. The question is, am I to tell Bathurst that she has beard about it ? I suppose I bad better. Ah, here is the Major," and he drew up his horse. Anything new, Major. You look put out." Yes, there is very bad news, Doctor. A Sowar has just brought a letter to me from the Colonel saying that the General has got a telegram that the 19th Native Infantry at Berhampore have refused to use the cartridges served out to them, and that yesterday a Sepoy of the 34th at Barrackpore raised seditious cries in front of the lines, and when Baugh, the adjutant, and the Sergeant-Major at- tempted to seize him he wounded them both, while the regiment stood by and refused to aid them. The 19th are to be disbanded, and no doubt the 34th will be too." That is bad news indeed, Major, and looks as if this talk about general disaffection were true. Had there been trouble but at one station it might have been the effect of some local grievance, but happen- ing at two places, it. looks a if it were part of a general plot. Well, we must hope it will go no further." It is very bad," said the Major "but at any rate we may hope we shall have no troubles here the regiment has always behaved well and I am sure they have no reason to complain of their treatment. If the Colonel has a fault it is that of over-leniency with the men." That is so," the Doctor agreed, "but the fact is, Major, we know really very little about the Hindoo mind. We can say with some sort of certainty what Europeans will do under given circumstances, but though I know the natives I think pretty nearly as well as most men, I feel that I really know nothing about them. They appear m ild and submissive, and have certainly proved faithful on a hundred battle- fields, but we don't know whether that is their real character. Their own history, before we stepped in and altered its current, shows them as faithless, blood-thirsty and cruel; whether they have changed their nature under our rule, or simply disguised it, Heaven only knows." "At any rate," the Major said, they have always shown themselves attached to their English officers. There are numberless instances where they have shown the utmost devotion for them, and although some scheming intriguers may have sown the seeds of discontent among them, and these lies about the cartridges may have excited their religious pre- judices and may even lead them to mutiny, I cannot believe for an instant that the Sepoys will lift their hands against their officers." "I hope not," the Doctor said, gravely. coA tiger's cub, when tamed, is one of the prettiest of play- things, but when it once tastes blood, it is as savage a beast as its mother was before it. Of course, I hope for the best, but if the Sepoys once break loose I would not answer for anything they might do. They have been pretty well spoilt, Major, till they have come to believe that it is they who conquered India and not we." (To be continued.) ♦-

THE USEFULNESS OF PAIN. It sounds ridiculous to say that pain is an advan- tage to the world rather than otherwise. Yet it is a fact. Not only is pain distinctly and beneficently nBeful, but is the faculty of feeling pain could be miraculously removed from the human body, with no other change in the organism, our race would inevitably become extinct in a very short time. Pain is a warning. The child that stretches out its baby fingers to the pretty light" of a candle would some day reach the candle or fire, and burn its unfeeling flesh to cinders. The pain of a knife- prick saves us from wounds that would often be dangerous—the hand is instinctively drawn away with swiftness at the first sting. Watchful, bene- ficient, kindly, warning pain saves the life of every one of us many times in every year. Who shall say it is not useful? Half the times one suffers pain, pain is a message, easily understood by the thoughful. After dinner, for instance, a sudden pain in the stomach, another pain in the head, a chest-ache, and a sensation (so uncomfortable as to be practically pain also) of being too full in the waist—these things taken to- gether convey a clear message: Your digestion is out of order. The last sort of pain—the full-waist sensation—often comes over and over again before its useful message is recognised. There was a case —fully verified—in the papers lately, of a man who was positively afraid to eat, owing to the pains of indigestion. This was Mr John William Spink, a mill employe, of 10, Providence-street, Batley, near Leeds, well-know locally as a terrible sufferer. I formerly suffered," said he, with terrible pains in my stomach. If I took the least solid food I was torn with pain. At last my food was con- fined to milk and tapioca. I lost two stone in weight. I felt I could lie down and die. When I had my dinner I went through agony. Now, how- ever, I can eat anything and suffer no discomfort at all. It's the talk of the neighbourhood and of all at the mill." Mrs Spink here explained, One day my brother said, Why doesn't Jack try Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People ? They cured me of the same complaint.' I went straight away and bought a box. It is a remarkable thing to say, but the pains dis- appeared at the first box. Mr Spink took five boxes in all, and is now sound and hearty, instead of a hopeless sufferer." RHEUMATIC PAINS ARE USEFUL also. But for them people would expose them- selves to risks of cold which would probably prove fatal, leading to rheumatio fever, and thence to the disease of the heart which nearly always follows rheumatic fever, and eventually causes death. The twinges of rheumatism make people careful. Pain nseful again! There is Mr Haigh, living at 53, Milton.avenue, East Ham, London who would probably be dead now, instead of well and flourishing, if rheumatism were painless. He was sixty-five lately and liable, of course, to the penalties of his age, having suffered from rheumatism for years, and had also had that deadly disease, rheumatio fever, which leaves heart disease behind it. In October, 1896, he caught a severe cold, accompanied by a cough, followed by a return of hia old malady, rheumatism. The first attack seems to have been similar to those which he had experienced before, the pain being confined to his limbs. Then it settled in his back; and," said Mr Haigh, I never remember having anything like it. The pains were at times so severe that I was forced to call out; I was scarcely able to do anything except crawl in my office, which is at the back of this house. I continued to get worse, and thought it was a case with me. I saw that some- thing must be done, and that very soon. I had heard of Dr W illiams' Pink Pills for Pale People and obtained a box. Knowing that my wife would laugh at me for trying a fresh medicine, I went into the office and took one of the Pills there. In an hour's time I felt a little better: could stand straight up and do my writing. I continued to take the Pills, and the next day the pain was gone out of my back in fact, I felt as well as ever. As far as my case is concerned the Pills were magical. I have not had any rheumatism since, although this is the time of the year when I am troubled with it: the Pills warded it off." Mr Haigh's trouble, which they cured, was of a kind that almost every man of his age suffers from, and Di Williams' Pink Pills have repeatedly cured cases which nothing else appeared to benefit. But it is important to obtain the genuine Pills: the sub- stitutes offered by some retailers, who care more for their own profit than the health or even the safety of their customers, are both useless and dangerous. People who will offer such things are best avoided, and in case of any doubt the Dr Williams' Medioine Company will supply the pills post free at 2s. 9d. for one box, 13s. 9d. for six boxes. But the Pills can be obtained at respect- able chemists, and their genuineness is assured if they bear the full name, Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. PAIN Is ABSOLUTELY DESIBABLE in some instances; we should be better off if we had a pain. Many people who are quickly tired, lack energy, feel weak in the back, are always wanting something to lean upon, do not care for their food, wish themselves dead, are too nervous to relish their work or their play, would look to the matter— which is serious—if only they had a little pain to s: ir them up. It is a tonic these people need. They are not actually ill, but on the high-road to a very dangerous illness. Pain would be directly bene- ficial here! Do you know what is the matter with these people! They have not got enough blood—they are anaemic. They are pale and weak; presently they catch a cold. It doesn't hurt; there is no useful, warning pain. Then comes influenza, perhaps, or a bad cough. That does hurt; but it is not easy to stop it. Then begin to spit blood, and we all know what that means. It means consumption. The first positive sign is the slight fever, profuse per- spiration at night, and wasting away. vfc one time this would mean certain death but now even people who belong to consumptive families get cured—by Dr Williams' Pink Pills. Mr F. Joyce, of 5, Brown's-buildings, West Pottergate-street, Norwich, had an iuteresting tale to tell, which was vouched for by his mother. His father had died ot consumption. Every morning Mr Joyce raised phlegm which was streaked with blood; he per- spired profusely at night; his face was blanched and he lost over a stone in weight. His breathing, too, was short and dot times painful, and there was every apparent justification, for the verdict of his friends that he was booked." This judgment Mr Joyce himself fully concurred in, his apprehension being increased by the fact of his father having died of consumption. He went to two doctors, and took physic. Then one morning," to use his own words, I saw in the Norwich Eastern Daily Press the case of a consump- tive young man who had been spitting up blood like myself, and having night sweats, who was cured and restored to robust health by Dr Williams' Pink Pills. I procured some for myself, with the result that after taking the contents of three boxes I felt as well as ever I did in my life. Mr Joyce, to satisfy himself that he was really cured, now obtained a recommendation and sub- mitted himself for examination at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The doctors of that great in- stitution declared him to be in a sound state of health, and refused to supply him withany medicine or enter him upbn the books. )

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