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THE BLACK RIBBON. BY L. T. M E A D E (AUTHOR OF "A WOJdAif IN GREY," &c.) ▼ifOPSTS OF PRECEDIXG INSTALMENTS.— Mmrice Delafield a vounp doctor of great promise, in lovo with his cousin, Helea Lumsdale, who, 3-fter a gix months' visit to Russia, has returned a. Physical wreck, but wU: not consent to see any "PfciaJist, and Maurice suspects that she is not as 51 as she appears Helen, after hinting at aon.o mysterious ork she has to perform, makes her COUllin promise his assistance through thick and thin. As roon as he hM given his word he learns that I Professor Kristofski, in whose household Helen staved Wfiiist in 8t. Petersburg, is to visit her on the morrow. Meanwhile Rupert, Helen's brother, in an tatm-iew with Kitty Pembridge, with whom be is deeply in love, has promised to do all in his poweT to render it easier for his sister to return to Bussia. The young man tells Maurice of this promise, winch ■dds'to the latter's sense of mystery, which a.r;a.1n ia greatly deepened by his seeing Helen during the tight walking in the garden, as though for exercise. touring a conversation between Helen and Krlstofski Kitty tries to extract a promise from Maurice of a. bturs similar to that he has already given to Helen, "iTing that they are in need of true young fnends. After a talk with the professor, Delafield confirms his suspicions that Helen is mixed up in some plot, Md, after trying to dissuade her, informs her that he intends to go to 8t. Petersburg with her to act U her protector. Helen's nurse, who is a tool. ot the professor's, informs her master of the growmg attachment of Heien and Maurice, but he Is very confident of his power over the girl, and co11.lders It would be e.isy to get Maurice out of the way •nouid occasion arise. In order to get her paren consent for Helen's return to Russia, the profeMOr tells them that she has been mesmerised there by a man who fell ill immediately afteT a seance, thus being prevented fron. waking the girl from her trance. He is now recovered, but cannot •°™e to Knsrland. Helen, therefore, to be completely restored to health, must go to him. Maurice, on learning the professor's plans, taxes Helen with shamming her Illness, and extracts a promise that she will not start on the journey unless he is with her. In epite of this promise, however, Helen, after an interview with Kristofski, uses every effort to persuade her cousin to allow her to leave for St. Petersburg without him. Maurice apparently consents, for he leaves the house the following morning. Squire Lumsdale makea & atrong effort to persuade Helen to forego her visit to Bnaeia, but without success. CHAPTER IX.—(Continued.) The rest of that long day of torture came to an end somehow. The evening stole softly Over the soene. Helen still lay on her rouch. She was quiet now from excess of emotion. She had refused to go into the house for dinner; it was brought out to her. and she pretended to eat it under the shade of the tree. She had kissed her mother several times before that good lady had gone into the house to dinner, and she had told her sisters not to come out again. And she had put her &lIDS round her father's neck, and said: "Don't forget that yon always loved Nell test, and "whatever Nell has been to you, Sever, never forget that once you loved her test." -u "And so I always will love you best, he had answered, and he strained her still more firmly to his heart, and went into the house feeling sad—he did not know why. "Where's Rupert?" he said to his wife in tie midst of the meal, which was eerved in all Stately decorum in the old dining-hall. And then Mrs. Lumsdale confessed that Rupert had sent her a telegram saying that he would not be back until late, and begged of her not to tell the squire; "I suppose there is something wrong," said Squire Lumsdale. "Why should you keep it a secret from me? I don't know what the boy means, but it seems to me that the whole •world is turning topsy-turvy." "Well, it was pretty right side up last night," said Anne, and she looked at Marjory, who sighed, for she remembered the happy time she had pacing up and down on the wonderful terraces at Mount Edge. The two girls, however, were a little orosa and tired from the excess of happiness of the night before. "We will go out into the garden," they said. "We will leave the dessert and wine to you and mother." They strolled off to find Helen, but her place Was empty. A minute afterwards Rawlinson appeared. "My mistress has a headache, and has gone to bed," she said. "She sends her affectionate love, but says she hopes she won't be dis- turbed. I am giving her a. soothing draught. and you must not see her, young ladies, until the morning." "Dear old Nell!" said Marjory. uGin her my love, please, Rawlinson." "And mine," echoed Anne. "And will you please tell Mrs. Lumsdale the master that Miss Lumsdale cannot See them to-night, but sends her affectionate ;cv<e?" said the woman "Yes, that we will; dear Nell! Tell her >e'll be as quiet as possible stealing past her floor by.and-bye," said Marjory. Rawlinson returned to the house. She entered Helen's room, locked the door, and drew a curtain across it. Helen Lumsdale Was not sitting on her bed; ehe was standing fully dressed by one of the windows. Her face WM white as death, her eyes were bright, her lips were compressed. "Have you told them?" she said, turning to Rawlinson. "Yes," said Rebecca; "those threads are snapped, thank the good God. Now, then, my lady, it only meajis a short time for darkness to settle over the land, and then you and I will set forth on OUT business." "But I shall be recognised going out?" "No, you won't. You might pass even Mr. Lumsdale, and he wouldn't know you. But you won't see him, nor any of the family, for ^e'li go down the back stairs. I have told the servants that my cousin, Maria. Collins, v'>as to call this evening to fit me for a new dress, a.nd I mentioned now that she was up- stairs. When they see us going down I will Just say to you, 'Keep to your left, Maria, for you are a bit blind.' That will be your warn- ing if there is any danger ahead. But there won't be. What do you think of this little bonnet? It Is a disguise worth remembering. Who would think to look into the face of the beautiful Miss Lumsdale beneath a bonnet of this type?" The bonnet in question was plain, made of black straw, and neatly trimmed with a little ruche of ribbon of the same colour. It had a narrow white cap inside, and over it was fastened a spotted net veil. Helen wore coloured glasses over her eyes, and one or two of her teeth were blackened in order to give her a look of age. On her shoulders Rawlin- son now placed a little cape, trimmed with old-fashioned bugle-work. On her hands she wore black cotton gloves. She had a bag, 1forn and commonplace, hanging at her side. This was fully furnished with her own really valuable jewels. Rawlinson, in her usual dress, sat down Bear her. "When are we to go?" said Helen. Rawlinson looked at the clock. "At nine," she said. "We shall meet the ea-b a.t twenty minutes past nine at the cross roads. We leave here sharp to the minute when the stable clock strikes." "Rawlinson, I don't think I ca-n bear it." "I have a. glass of port wine to give yon just before we start," said Rawlinson, "and try, if your spirits do flag and your oourage fails, to remember that young girl we sa.w in chains Pacing along the high road from St. Peters- burg to Moscow. Isn't that enough?" "Yes," said Helen. CHAPTER X. The good ship Arethusa was plying not only full steam, but also sail. She was going at a tremendous pace through the choppy sea. Some of the passengers, as is usually the case when a great ship, freighted with human beings, leaves the English shores, were suffer- ing from mal-de-mer, and were not visible on deck. The choppiness of the sea made this fact more observable as the hours ned on. Then darkness settled on the scene, and even I the most hardy sought refuge below. One of the very last to go was a tall, slender woman, who, in a black bonnet of old- fashioned shape, with a gauze veil over her face, had stood learning over the taffrail for long hours, gazing in the direction of the fast-rooeding English shores. It did not matter how the ship bent and bowed before the dancing waves, the woman kept invariably one position, never looking behind her, and eo apparently self-absorbed that the other Passengers, and moee were entirely of the I' sex, thought it best to leave her alone. At last, however, something in the ever- increasing darkness, and also in the warm splash of rain on her face, caused her to put tip her hand to feel her wet cheek, then to lift her gauze veil and walk towards the stairs which led to the ladies' saloon. She walked with a certain feebleness, which was soaroely due to the motion of the ship, and as she did so a man, one of the passengers, put out a strong hand for her to grasp. She accepted the prop, as she would naturally in a moment of peril, and passed on her way with a brief "thank con," without once glancing a.t the person who had rendered her this slight assistance. When she got downstairs the electric light Was so bright that for a time she was unable to find her bearings. Then a. neatly-dressed stewardess spoke to her. "What oaa I do for you, madam? Are you searching for anyone?" "I should like to go to my cabin." "What is the number of your cabin, 1m a.da.m.?" "No. 4." ''Oh, yours is one of the deck cabins. Oome this way. I am sorry to say your maid is very 111." The girl followed the stewardess. She had "ow quite recovered her balance, could see ( cltarly, and seamed to enjoy the motion of exercise. They paused before a door which slightly ajar. Tho girl pushed back a curtain and entered. The oabin in question one of the best on board, and only con- fined two berths, one exactly under the port- 2?1*. the other at the right aide of th« door. «!• dooTi of QanBM) ttcwl tbi pnUboiti (A, ] the opposite side to the other berth was a. locking-glass, with the usual washing appa- ratus beneath. On the berth facing the looking-glass a woman in a. dark dress was lying, giving vent to sundry groans of intense misery. The girl went up to her, knelt down by her side, and touched her on the shoulder. "Are you very bad, Rebeooc<1-?" she asked. "Can I do anything for you?" "I am eo bad that I wish I were dead," said the woman. "Sea sickness a-lways takes me in this fashion. My doctor once said that I might die in some of these spasms; he said that my heart was weak—one of the valves out of order, and that, oh, dear-oh. dear-" A groan concluded the sentence. The woman covered her face again. The girl seated herself on the floor, and laying her ha.nd, long, white, and beautifully formed, on the woman's shoulder, patted her gently. "You must bear up. You'll be better in the morning." "No, worse," said the woman. "We shall be in the North Sea. then, and I dread the North Sea." "Yes," said the girl, "but at this time of the year one seldom has a rough crossing, and once we come under the shores of Fin- land it will be like sailing on numerous lakes. "I can't think of that now," said the woman. "Oh, my God! how the pain clinches. I wish I hadn't come. Nothing in all the world is wcrth this torture." The girl gently forced the woman to turn round, so tha-t she could look into her face. It was ghastly, the heavy lines under the eyes being very nearly black. The lips xrro parched, the eyes were sunken, and me pupils much contracted. The girl rose softly. She went to the door, and called the stewardess. "Is there a ship's doctor on board?" she said. The woman shook her head. "There isn't a regular ship's doctor," she said. "It isn't worth it for these short trips, but there may possibly be one amongst the passengers." "I wish you would inquire," said the girl, "and, if there happens to bo one, bring him to No. 4. I don't like the condition of my maid. I should be glad, if possible, to have medical advice." As Helen Lumsdale spoke she thrust a small gold piece into the stewardess's hand. The magical touch had the desired effect, and in a very short time she heard a manly tread that in some curious way she seemed to recog- nise come along the passage. The next instant the stewardess drew aside the curtain. "Helen!" said a voice, and she found her two hands clasped in a mighty grasp, and Ma,urice Delafield stood before her. "How did you come here?" she said. "Never mind that now. What do you want? The stewardess said a lady was ill at No. 4. I could not guess tha.t it was you. But are yon ill, and do you need my help? Helen, you know-" "No; it isn't me. It is my maid, poor Raw- linson. She is very bad. Do something for her, Maurice, at once. She is faint and cold." said a. voice. And Maurice Delafield stood before her. 1 Even before the claims of love in a doctor's heart oomes first the great, wide claim of suffering humanity. In a moment Delafield forgot that he had ever had cause to dislike and distrust this woman; he would use his utmost skill for her benefit, and in a short time he had the satisfaction of knowing that she had dropped into a troubled clumber. "She will sleep for hours," he said, and th.a.t sleep will restore some of the lost balance. Hers is a curious and v*>ry severe case. There are seldom people so terribly prostrated by sickness as she is. But she is aJl right now. You do not need to stay in this oabin; come and walk up and down in the corridor." "No," said Helen suddenly. everyone else has gone to bed. I had better watch by her. I am quite well. "And the paralysis, Helen? "Gone with the necessity, was the brief response. Maurice felt the colour rush in a hot tide to his forehead. After a moment's silence he Baid; "I have come on board to protect yon, to watch over you, never to leave you. rnat woman is my enemy, but I will do my utmost to make her well. I am afraid of no one now that I am on board this vessel with you. My oabin is not far from youre—No. 6." "Yon hare taken a. deck cabin?" "Why not, Helen? Money is no object where you're concerned. Now, listen. We shall be watched, of course—that goes without saying —but I am not going to intrude myself. I am Bimply going to be present whenever it is necessary. I shall talk quite openly to the professor, who is on board, am'd to Mies Pem- bridge "Kitty! Kitty on board?" "She came on board with you. Haven't you seen either of them?" "No." "Yon will meet to-morrow. Your maid will be better then, but she is so ill What she will be obliged to remain in her cabin the greater part of the voyage. I do not think it neces- sary or good for yon that you should he with her after to-night. I would suggest that a nurse, whom I happen to have seen on board, should take your plaoe, and that you should go to the large ladies' cabin in the middle of the boat. You will have more air there, and be safer than quite alone with this woman. Now understand, Helen, if you do what I wish you to do, you will be positively out of danger; but, if you do not I shall make Bach a. row that you will regret very much not having obeyed me. I consider myself your master, Helen, for I love you, and I dare you to deny that you love me back again. The young man disappeared with the last words and Helen stood perfectly still where he had left her. Then she stooped and began to feel those limbs which had been so little used of late. She stretched out her 6hapely foot and looked at it. and swung it slowly backwards and forwards, just to ha.ve the consciousness that she could move like other people, and then she turned back into the ca-bin. Just for a moment a strange sickness, a mingling of home sickness and longing to be with Delafield, came over her, a-ad then she turned, to see the watchful eyes of Rebecca. Rawlinson fixed on her face. "Stoop down," said Rebecca in a coarse voioe. The girl did so. "Who was that man who gave me the drops? They ha-ve done ine good. I do not fe,¡,l to be sinking down below the deepest, deepest bottom of the deepest sea any longer. It is just all though I were held up and supported. [ feel now as though I were in a sort of swing made of the eoftest silk, and I do not mind t,he xrwtion. for my swing is strong, and I OxeAl not break it. But who was the maon? I heard his voice alar off in a drea,m." "He was the good doctor, Rebecca, who came to your aid, and did you service." "I will not forget it to him," said Rebecca. "I will not forget it to him. I am sleepy. Is the aea calmer? Shall we soon be in pottpl, "Dream it. Ecixwoa," 81144 the girl. "Ta&e toy hand and dxwua of port and wnooth wu." The woman took the soft hand, and pressed it against her cheek. "There arc some hearts worth keeping," she 'murmured, "and the good doctor who put me in the silken swing shall not be forgotten by Rebecca. Rawlinson." Towards morning the storm, which had increased steadily all night, rose to perfect hnrricrw^S- But Rebecca, under the influence of the potsnt drug, slept on. Helen, with con- summate care, had tied her tightly into her berth, otherwise she mi-rht have been hurled on the floor. Helen herself did not think of going to bed. and when the dawn really broke a woman in a nurse's cap put in her head at the door, aiid then staggered forward as best she could. "There is an awful storm, but the captain says that we shall soon be out of it onco we get well into the North Sea," said the woman. "I have come to help you." "Have you?" said Helen. "The doctor said I was to arrange every- thing for you, a.nd my name is Rose Merton. I am a.n English nurse, and am going to Petergrmrg to look aft-er a sister who is very ill. I hope to bring her back with me. I am glad to accept any services on board, for I am poor, and it is important for me to earn what money I can. Dr. Delafield. says, miss, that you are not strong and must not be worn out, and that the sick pereon is your maid. She do look bad, miss." This last remark was made as a sort of green light from the depths of the green and angry sea fell over the face of the sick woman. "It is touch and go with her, I'm thinking," said Nttrse Rose, and she dropped on. her knees and put her hand on the woman's damp forehead. "She wants rousing. I don't like her condition; I'd best bring the dc 'or," "I wish YOU would, if you really think so," said Helen. Delafield entered a minute later. He looked a.t Helen with discomposure, and yet with marked satisfaction, and then at his patient. The condition of the patient scarcely satisfied him. He consulted for a short time with the nurse, who staggered iit presently with some very hot water, in which she put the patient's --old hands, and then bathed her head. Hot water was also applied to her feet, and after a time she revived slightly, but was too ill to know anyone." "I will come in again in a few minutes. Do so-and-so and so-and-so," said Delafield to Nurse Rose. "And now, Helen," he con- tinued, "I am goiifb to take you into the breakfast saloon. Yon are looking very bad." "I will come in a minute or two, Maurice. Wait for me in the corridor," said Helen. The young man left her and stood outside. His heart was beating. "It would simplify matters," he said to him- self, "if that woman never got better. It is a. dreadful thing, even for me, to think of, but I dread her more than anyone. She is vindic- tive and cruel, and is in the pay of our worst enemy. Without her dangerous connivance I could help Helen, a,nd, perhaps, get her back could help Helen, and, perhaps, get her back home safely." He knew it would be easy to let the woman go. "It is only to withhold certain medicine which no one could suspect me of having on board," be thought. "I know perfectly well that the effect of that one drug would remove the lethargy, and, even if the sickness returns, her life will be in no danger. Shall I? Shall I I not? I love Helen, and I dread that woman. Shall I—shall I not?" Delafield covered his face for one brief I moment; his heart was throbbing with the strong throbs of manhood; he was fighting for the woman he worshipped, the woman I who was all his world-fighting against the machinations of the cruellest, most subtle foe in the world. What might not the hideous power of Russia effect if once he allowed Helen to set into its clutches? He had long dreaded Rawlinson, and now she was abso- lutely in his power- Eow feeble she was now, I but how potent would be her strength when once they got to Petersburg! He paused in. his thought, and then Helen, dressed as she used to be, simply, quietly, without the disguise which she had chosen to wear the night before, came out and touched him on the arm- Delafield looked at her neat white dress, at the bow of pink ribbon which she wore at her belt, at the hair clustering softly round her noble forehead, at the soft, sweet, lustrous dark eyes. "Helen." he eaid, "you would do right a4 any cost, wouldn't you, if you believed in i+ ?'* "Of course, M-aurice," she replied, looking at him in astonishment. "If you let go your anchorage of right, .you drift, Maurice, dear." "I know, I knew. Stay here for a minute. I'll be back in a flash." He rashed to his cabin, and took a little phial full of a colourless liquid from his medi- cine chest. He looked 'l\.t it for one minute, as though he longed to dash it away, and then he came back and stood by Helen. "I am very anxious about Rawlinson," eaid the girl. "You needn't be—I can save her." "Maurice, you don't look a bit well your- self." She noticed hcr,v white was his face, the beads of perspiration that stood on his fore- head. "I'm all right," he said with a. laugh. "But you are not to stand any more of this. The woman shall be saved, but not at the cost of your health. Oome; I f-eel bound to do my best for you for the sake of the squire and for your sweet mother, even if not for your- self. Sister Bo&c!" Sister Rose appeared. "I want a glass of water," said the doctor briefly. He put a few drops of the colourless liqtrld into the water which she brought him. "Give her this by teaspoonfnl every quarter of an hour," he said. "I will come back to see her in about an hour's time. Now, then, Helen." Delafield took her hand, and led her along the corridor, wkoh presently led them into the wide and comfortable saloon, in which about three passengers were doing 'their best to convey coffee and hot rolls to their lips. The fiddles were on, of course, and the whole place was made as tight and secure as the storm would permit. A dalrl, man, with a smooth, olive tinted face, was talking to a radiant and beautiful girl who sat close to him. Presently the girl sprang to her feet with a cry, and oame totteringly towards Helen. Professor Kristofski, for, of course, it was he, "also ex- claimed "My dear, dear Miss Lumsdale?" Then he sa.w Delafield—"How the devil-" he began. (To be continued.)

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD. Speaking on Monday at Anfield, Liverpool, the Rev. H. N. Thompson, vicar of Haven- street, Isle of Wight, stated that in the course of a four hours' conversation on prayers for the dead with the Archbishop of Canterbury the Primate, who was then Bishop of Win- chester, admitted in private that he himself said prayers for the dead with the late Queen. His only wish was that the arch- bishop would make such a declaration in public, because it would be the means of clearing away many of the difficulties with which members of the English Church Union had to contend.

SAD SUICIDE. FAMOUS SURGEON FOUND DEAD. Mr. Herbert William Aillngham, the famous surgeon of Grosvcnor-street, London, has been found dead in his room at the Hotel du Lonvre, Marseilles. He had arrived at Marseilles, and registered at the hotel with several friends, among whom was a well-known London specialist, I who was going to accompany him to Egypt. Mr. Ailing-ham dined with them, and appeared to be in the best of spirits. Indeed. liis hilarity struck his companions as being slightly forced. He retired to his room at late hoar, and it is supposed that he must J have had an attack of an old malady, which often left him in a very depressed condition for several hours. When the attendant knocked at the bed- room door nert morning he received no answer, a.nd so entered with the hot water. Mr. Aillngham lay on the bed in an atti- tude of repose, but a faint and peculiar odour caused the waiter to cross over to the bed, when he saw at once that Mr. Alling- ham was dead. On the table at the side of the bed was a small hypodermic syringe and threo tubes of compre«ed morphine. A note written in English and addressed to the manager of the hotel, was lying on the mantelpiece. It read as follows: — I am suffering from terrible and unbear- able oppression, and I cannot stand it any longer. I a.m sorry to put you to incon- venience. Please act for the best.—Yours truly, H. W. ALLINGHAM. P.S.—I have morphined myself. Tho British. Consul was immediately ad- vised, and be at once sent for Dr. Hawthorn, an English doctor practising in Marseilles, who pronounced Mr. AUingham to have been dead several hours, the cause of death being morphine poisoning. The unfortunate man had injected the whole of the two tubes and the greater part of the third tube in the right breast. The family were advised by telegram, and Mr. AUingham'g brother and brother-in-law arrived at Marseilles. They left with the body early next morning, travelling to London by way of Calais. Mr. Allingham was surgeon-in-ordinary to the Prince of Wales, and surgeon to his Majesty's household. His tragic death at Marseilles has not come as a great, surprise to his friends in London. For some time past, ever since the death of his wife, nearly a year ago, he had been subject to terrible fits of depression, as a result of which he feared he would lose his reason. He fre- quently told his intimates that rather than go mad he would put an end to himself. The fits of depression were aggravated by a disease which he contracted in the course of an operation. He cut hia finger, and through the small wound he became subject to a dis- tressing malady. The trip to Egypt, which has terminated so tragically, was undertaken for the benefit of his health. Mr. AUingham was 42 years of age, and for his years had risen higher than any man in his profession. He was the most expert operator in abdominal cases in this country, and since the retirement of Sir Frederick Treves he was looked upon as the coming man in appendicitis operations. His path was, perhaps, made easier by the fact that he succeeded to the practice of his father, himself a well-known surgeon, who has retired, but his great talents would have brought him success in any event. The first operation of note undertaken by Mr. AUingham was that on the late Duchess of Teck, for canoer. After that he rose step by step. He was one of the surgeons of St. George's Hospital, and held various posts at other hospitals. It was due to hie representations that Dr. Jameson was released from Holloway Gaol after the Raid. As a writer he was a prolific contributor to the medical presss Mr. AUingham had no children.

COUNCILLOR AND BABY. CHILD PURCHASED FOR HALF-A- CROWN. A councillor at Ashton-ynder-Lyne has added a new member to his household under amusing circumstances. Depressed by a Liberal victory, he and a brother councillor indulged in a Lancashire drive-a form of recreation which involves frequent calls at houses of entertainment. During one of tbe.se visits a poor woman, with a baby in her arms, came and begged for charity. In a jocular spirit one of the councillors offered 2s. for the ba.by, and the bargain was concluded for ha-lf-a-crown. Ostensibly for the purpose of drinking the' councillor's health, the woman retired into another room, but, when sought for, could not be found. Her identity being unknown, and no one being anxious to undertake the responsibility of the baby, tho councillor took his purchase home in a cab. His wife has taken kindly to the little stranger.

ROYAL ROMANCE. GRAND-DUKE & MORGANATIC WIFE. The Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria has ennobled tho morganatic wife cf the Grand Duke Paul of Russia, by bestowing on her the title and dignity of Countess of Hobeiv- febeu. Behind this announcement is an interesting Russian Court romance. The Grand Duke PM:1, the youngest son of the Czar Alexander II., is a, strikingly tall and handsome man of 45 years of age. He lost his first wife, Princess Maxie of Greece, in 1891. Two years ago he surprised his relatives by ma-rrying, at Leghorn, with the aid of a. Russian pope whom he had brought with him specially to perform the ceremony, Mme. Olga Vaierianovna Pistohlkoos. This lady, fire years bis junior. was one of tie most admired beauties of Court society in the Russian capital until her husband, a colonel in the Russian Army, divorced her, as it was then said, owing to the attentions pMd her by the Grand Duke Paul. In conformity with the strict, regulations laid down for the aJlia-nces of Russian Gra.nd Dukes and Grand Duchesses, the Grand Duke Paul's ma.rriage with Mme. Pistohlkoos was officially declared null, and he was deprived of all his military dignities. Until then he was lieutenant-general, adjutant- general, commander of Gardes du Corps, and chief of several smart Russian regiments. As the Cza.r Nicholas has given his express approval to the ennobling of Mme. Pistohl- koos, it is generally considered probable that he intends to recognise the marriage and to resume his former very friendly relations with his uncle.

CAPTAIN AS CONSTABLE. SEQUEL TO SUmiARY "ARREST." At Guildford Police-court Captain J. M. Benett-Stanford, J.P.. 9, Charles-street, Berke- ley square, W., was summoned for assaulting James Hunt. a carman, at Godalming en October 15. Hunt was summoned by Captain Benett-Stairfard for obstructing the highway. Mr. Jackson, for Hunt, said the man was driving a hc-rse and trolly from God aiming to Man-stead Rough, when defendant's motor- car pa-ased a.nd then it stopped in front of the cart. Captain Benett-Stanford got out a.nd demanded Hunt's name. He then pro- ceeded to pull him off the trolly, tearing his clothes in eo doing. The rope reins were removed from the horse, and the captain then proceeded to carry out the functions of the common hangman. Captain Benett-Stanford and hia chauffeur twisted the reins round. Hunt's neck, and whether they meant to! hang him or not was a question for the magistrates to decide. At any rate, when defendant left him to fetch a constable Hunt was bleeding at the neck and face. James Hunt said defendant and his man put the reins twice round his neck, and tried to tie him up and lash him to the car. For the defence, Mr. Mears said Hunt was driving on the wrong side of the road, and Captain Benet-Stanford, being unable to obtain his name and address, proceeded j under Section 78 of Highways Act, there being nj constable about, to summarily arrest him. No more violence was u&ed than was neces- sary. Captain Benett-Stanford said the motor-car had to be driven on the grass to get past the trolly. They took the reins off the horse with a view to securing Hunt, who was very violent, and struck witness with his whip- stock, breaking the skin of his nose. Witness placed the rope over Hunt's left wrist, and taking hold of his shoulder, said, Now, then, I have got you." The man twisted about in his struggles and got the rope round his neck. The Bench fined Captain Benett-Stanford £2 for the assault, and Hunt 10s. for obstruct- ing the highway. Captain Benett-Stanford paid Hunt's fine.

TWO IN THE PULPIT. DISORDERLY SCENE AT DALKEITH. More scenes" on Sunday disgraced the Evangelical Union Congregational Church at Dalkeith. resolution had been sent to the minister, the Rev. Robert Dermid Brown, that his pas- torate was terminated; and a young gentle- man from Edinburgh arrived that day to take the morning service. He had begun the devotion when Mr. Brown arrived. The latter walked up the pulpit steps and stood beside the visiting preacher. After the opening hymn was eung, Mr. Brown cried, "Now let us open our service by singing hymn 148," The verses were joined in by Mr. Brown's supporters; the other members of the congregation sat still. Then a Mr. William Stone aros« and inquired if Mr. Brown was a-waife that his pswftorate had terminated. "I have repeastedly called your attention, Mr. Stone," said Mr. Brown, "to the fact that on two different occasions you have been expelled by order of this Church." After further scenes, the Communion ser- vice, whioh was to have followed the worship, was abandoned.

FULFILMENT OF A DREAM. •Mr. Waghorne held an inquest at Church Farm, Ashchnrch, on the body of Mr. John Henry Matthews, farmer, who met with his death through falling from his horse when riding between Aston Cross and Teddinyton j Cross Hands on the previous Thursday even- ing. Elizabeth Matthews, daughter of the deceased, said she tried to persuade her father not to exercise the horse, as it was "wild," and that her father himself made the remark on mounting, "You won't hurt me, will you, Jenny?" Witness saw her fart/her ride round the paddock, heiwrd no more until eomeone came and asked for her brother. She at once knew that something bad happened, and asked, "Is he dead?" she having dreamed the night before that her father was dead. Newton Butler, landlord of the Ted- dington Cross Hands, and Samuel Davis, carter, of Tewkesbury, gave evidence as to finding the body in the middle of the road, faoe downwards. One of the deceased's dogs was lying near its master's head and the other at the feet, a.nd they would not allow anybody to touch the body for some little time. There was no indication of the horse having shied. A post-mortem examination made by Dr. M. Elder, of Tewkesbury, revealed a. contusion on the top of the head and a. broken neck, and Dr. Elder's opinion was that deceased had an atta<ck of syncope a.nd fell from his horse unconscious; in tact, be may have expired in the saddle. The jury returned a verdict of "AocidentaJ death."

SNAKES IN PARLIAMENT. Great alarm wae caused in the Portuguese i Upper House of Parliament at Lisbon by the discovery of a. nest of cobras. I They were disturbed by a secretary, who was removing some books, and scurried away in all directions. The secretary fled from the room, closing the door after him with a bang, and excitedly shouted to the attendants for help. It was some time before a man could be found bold enough to enter the place. Finally j a gendarme armed himself with a. club, and, j cautiously opening the door, stepped inside. He despatched four of the snakes, which had made themselves comfortable in various parts of the room, and a. careful search failed to discover more. Owing to the quantity of books and papers lying a.bout, the staff are not very con- fident that all were caught, a.nd are in a state bordering on terror lest they should be bitten by one of the venemous reptiles.

RUINED BY BRAVE RY. The pathetic story of Joseph Spencer, a man cf 43, described as a "labourer," was told to the Southwark magistrate. Spencer was once a. fisherman, employed in the Grimsby trawling fleet. He jumped overboard to save a. comrade's life, and was attacked by rheumatic fever in consequence of the immersion. He could not get re-employment on a trawler because of the fear that the fever would recur, and he came to London, vainly hoping to obtain other work. In the end, despairing and half-starved, he attempted hie life, and was now charged with trying to poison himself. The Magiatrate jrdered a. remand, and ex- pressed a hope that something might be done for the man whose bravery hao rained his life. A few hours later Spencer became so ill in his c&ll that he was removed to the infirmary, where he still lies.

A RUFFIAN PUNISHED. At Lancaster Assizes on Saturday Garreitt Kinsclla, 23. labourer, pleaded guilty to riotous conduct at Seathwa.ite on July 25. A riot arose through some nawiea being refused more drink at the New Field Inn, and much damage was done in the village. The occu- pants of the inn fired on the rioters, with the result that a man named Kavanagh was killed, and Kinsella a.nd a man named Foy were injured. Justice Phillimore said Foy and the prisoner had brought serious punishment upon themselves, and but for this he would have sent him to penal servitude. A sentence of Bin* months' hard labour -was pueed.

EXPRESS IN DANGER. SENSATIONAL STORY OF TRAIN WRECKERS. There has been a remarkable development in oonnectiüIl with It supposed attempt to wreck an express train near Manchester. The loneliness of tho eisMimaii in charge of an isolated cabin marking tibe junction of the Great Central and Midland lines at Charlton-cum-Hardy, throe miles from Man- chester, was disturbed the other night by a boy entering in breathless haste. In excited tones he declared that he hMi. just overheard two men discussing a plot to wreck the 7.45 Manchester to Sheffield express at a point half a mile distant. The signalman, accepting the story, felt himself powerless to avert a disaster, for, as the boy finished speaking, he could hear the sound of tho approaching express, for which he had signalled the lino clear. The next moment it had passed his box, travelling at the rats or fifty railes nn haur. Officials searched the line, and at the place indicated they found four sections cf telegraph poles, each 8ft. in length, in the four-foot way. They bore marks of having been struck by the iron guard in front of the engine. Next day the lad who brought the information, a boy of fourteen, named Aldcraft, was arrested owing to his inability 1.) give a satisfactory explanation of his presence near the scene. He was remanded by the magistrates, the evidence showing that his ha.nds and clothes were covered with tar simila.r to that on the poles.

MOTOR-CAR MISHAP. A BOY KILLED: ALLEGATIONS AGAINST RIDERS. A boy. named Thomas Overall, was knocked down by a motor-car at the village of Hurley, near Maidenhead, aaid died soon afterwards from the injuries sustained. Another boy who witnessed the occurrence declared (as already briefly reported) that the occupants of the car picked Overall up, placed him by the roadside, and then drove off Another account states that shortly after five o'clock the boy a.nd a companion notioed two dogs either fig-ht.ing or playing in the road, and Overall ran to them. Then the motor-car approached, and the lad sud- denly darted back across its track in a, vain endeavour to reach hia companion. He was knocked down. There were two men in the oar—father and son, the latter driving—and while slow- ing up. one of them looked round and called out. "What is the matter?" You've run over a. boy," shouted Over- all's companion. The motorists drove on, and a man whom they passed thought he heard them say that they would be back directly." ¡ Overall, unconscious, was carried to bis home, which was close at hand, and a. doc- tor was summoned. No attention, however, could save the boy's life. His head waa badly cut. and he died in four hours. The motorists did not return, and as soon as Sir Gilbert Clayton-Bast, who lives at Hurley, heard of the occurrence, he tele- phoned to Henley Police-station, and went personally to gh. information to the Maid- enhead police. The Rev. F. T. Wethered, vicar of Hurley, who is known ae an unbending enemy of the motor-ear, and recently described it as an "engine of Satan," also assisted the police to trace the miasing motorists. They were found at Henley, and both men were" greatly distressed when iaformed of the boy's deatfo. They expressed doep regret that they had not stopped the oar. They live in London, and had driven to Henley to spend the week-end in conveying golfers to the Huntercombe golf links.

THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER. FIREWORKS OUTRAGE AT BED- WORTH. An extraordinary outrage has been perpetrated at Bedworth in connection witji the 5tih of November celebrations, resulting in considerable damage to the Bull's Head Public-house, which stands in the centre of the town. About eight o'<flock a number of men visited the taproom of the inn, a'nd immediately tihey had left a. tremen- dous explosion startled the whole neighbour- hood. It transpired someone had very foolishly thrown into the taproom fire a detonator, used in collieries for dislodging coal, and the damage caused by the explo- sion was extensive. The windoWli overlook- ing the Market-place and Ohiircl>treet, to- gether with one in an inner passage, were blown out, the grate damaged, and the ash- pan twisted in indescribable fcmm. through being hurled against a table or the wall. Fort/arrartely, there was at the time no one in the room. The police are investigating the affair. ROZJESTVENSKY BURNED IN EFFIGY. "Guy Fawkes Day," 1904, will be long remembered for the unanimity with which effigies of Admiral Kozjestvensky, of the criminal Baltic Fleet, were hissed, execrated, and finally burnt in the streets. Never was there such an opportunity, and from Land's End to John 0' Groat's the country took full advantage of it. The beet show of all was a.t Harrow. The famous school rose to the occasion and gave a splendidly comprehensive performance. They erected a bonfire a.bont twenty feet high. On the top thwy placed a model of a Russian man-o'-war fifteen feet long by five feet wide, with no fewer than sixteen miniature guns. While the bonfire was being set alight each of ttteeo guns Maaed furiously at the North Sea fleet, and finally the eMp disappeared in a roaring mass of flames, 30 or 4D feet. high. Howls of execration greeted ita final collapse. A Knssian battleship was burnt at Lewes, and Admiral Koxjasrfcven&ky was paraded through the streets of Chelsea and finally burnt amid loud cheering. At Hoxton the effigy of the admiral was hauled through the 6treeta to the accompaniment of a running fire of jeers, hisses, and eggs. In Pitfield- etreet the procession ran across a rival "Guy," and a terrific bombardment followed. Finally the admiral's head was knocked off and used as the ball in a rough and tumble game of Rugby, to the huge amusement of the crowd.

PRI SON E R— DR A MA TIST. If you will take care of some manuscript plays I have written I will tell you how to find some of the pawntickets." This is said to have been the statement made by Richard Henry Ouxamings, under- going six months hard labour at Pentonville, when a detective called at the prison with a number of persons, aJl of whom are declared to have identified Cumming? in connection with other offeocflo. The officer gave the required promise, and found the pawntickets. As the sequel Cuminings was later on taken by warders from the prison to the Marlborougb-street Police-court, where four separate charges of obtaining by fraud food. lodging, a.nd jewellery were preferred against him. The prisoner has bean an army tutor," said Detective-sergeant Burton, and he has already been convicted four times. Four years a.go he was introduced to Mr. a millionaire, and through him got introduced to titied people, and went abroad with them. Since then it was alleged that he tried to blackmail people." In one of the new cases against him, Cuminings (otherwise Gibson) it a Herod to have obtained a seren-gainea gold cigarette case from Harrod's Stores by using the name of the millionaire referred to. In acotber it i* aagerted that he answered a.n advertisement by a woman who offered jewellery for sale, persuaded her to take the jewellery to his house, and then decamped with it while she was waiting in the parlour. Cxrmmirtgs, a man twenty-eight years old, of intelligent juppeerance, was remanded.

TOO MANY QUESTIONS. When George Evans, not being used to workhouse ways, called at "the house" and asked for lodgings, the usnal interrogatories addressed to him offended his dignity. He concluded some particularly pointed observations by undertaking to break every window in the "8bo. and intimating further that nothing would delight him more than to "do" six months for the master. "Well, they asked too many questions," said Evans later at Bow-street, in answer to a oharge of disorderly conduct. "They even wanted to know the number of the house I was born in. "Of course, I was there at the time, but I oollld not be expected tQ remember much about it, could I now?" "Wben I asked him the name of his parents," put in a. workhouse official, "he said, 'My name is Burnie. I suppose theirs was the sa.me:" The independent Evans was bound over.

POSTMISTRESS CHARGED. Elizabeth Butler, postmistress of Newport, County Tipperary, has been remanded on a. charge of embezzling several hnsdred pounds, the property of the Postmaster-General. It is alleged that the withdrew money from the Savings Bank in the names of various depositors, whose names were forged to receipts. As much ae £198 is alleged to have been withdrawn in one man's name.

WIDOW & WIDOWER. DISAGREE AND WANTED SEPARATION. Mr. and Mrs. Yaughan are getting an 18 life, for their ages are 68 and 61. Mr. Vaughan makes a. big income as a pack. ing-caee maker in the City, and Mrs. Yaughan ha-s £ 100 a year in her own right and a sum of £ 2.000 to draw interest on. Aud yet they were not happy, so Sir Fraacit Jouno dealt with their case on Friday. Mrs. Caroline Yaughac, who wae a widow before she married Mr. Vaughan, wanted t judicial separation. She said Mr. Yangbaa was cruel, but Mr. Vaughan said he was not. n"' Drunkenness, bad language, and violence was the subject of the lady's evidence in th witness-box, and she detailed a threat of hia. "I'll get rid of you, and m-arry my fourth. Sir Francis Jeune intervened. "Is it necessary to fight out this caøer- he a^ked counsel on either fliIre-Jlr. Barnard for the L-vdy, Mr. Bargrave Deane, K.G., for her husband. Mr. Barnard: I have had a conversation with my learned friend on the subject, but there seems no other way than to fight it oat. Mr. Deane: I'm afraid it's the old, old story, my lord! My client says it is trumped up from becinning to end, and that his wife's aim is to get a separation and an allowance. He has a host of evidence to disprove the charges. The President: But, surely, these people can't be happy together? Mr. Deane: I think my client is as anxious as his wife for a separation, but when these charges are made a-gainst him he must tight the case. Now, if they were withdrawn- His Lordship intervened: Would counsel see him in his room ? They saw him. When they returned, Mr. Barnard, on behalf of Mrs. Yaughan, said that the parties had come to terms, and that his client would withdraw her charges. The President congratula-ted both partieC on the conclusion of the case.

WEALTH GOING BEGGING. OLD LADY'S SEARCH FOR c0- HEIRS. An eccentric lady was found by policemen sleeping on a bench in the Rue de Luteoe. Paris. In response to their questions she asked them, in a sorrowful tone of voice, whether they were the heirs whom she had be^n seeking for a long time. She was taken to the police-station, and in the morning was brought before M. Briy, police commissary of the Notre Dame quartier. There she wm searched. To the magistrate's astonishment a packet containing titles worth £3,200 wsu found in her pockets. On her fingers wert magnificent rings, ajid her corsage was oraa mented with old jewels of great value. She gave her name as Mile. Marquiset. am said that she was very rich, but could no. dispose of her fortune, as there were co-heirs with whom she wished to sha.re it, and whom she had vainly sought. Further inquiries showed that for two years she had resided in a hotel in the Rue de Castiglione, but had been dismissed by the proprietor because she refused to pay her bill, alleging that she could not pay out money until she had can- sulted with her co-heirs. The hotel pro- prietor lost bis temper, and bade his client go and look for the people she wanted. Envelopes found in her possession showed that she had been addressed as Comtesse de Bismarck. Aeked for an explanation regard- ing her title, she declared that a long time ago she had been engaged to a Comte Bis- marck. As the rumour was circulated in Germany tha.t she was really married to him, she began, to receive letters addressed in that na.me. The truth is tbit the poor lady hae lost her reason. She was formerly engaged in* lace manufacture in Paris. She is now temporarily confined in the infirmary of the Depot, while her wealth has been confided to the care of the Prefecture of Police.

DRAMATIC AUTHOR'S FATE. FOUND BY HIS DAUGHTER: A LONELY DEATH. The death is announced of Mr. Frank Scudamore, the well-known dramatic author. Mr. Scudamore lived alone at Hammersmith, and on Sunday morning his daughter Daisy,, who is in the dramatic profession, called to see him according to custom, deceiving no response to her knock, Miss Scudamore caused the door to be forced, and was horri- fied to find her father lying dead upon the floor. A doctor was immediately called ix6 but appear aaices indicated that the unfor- tunate gentleman bad been dead several days.

SUICIDE AFTER OVER-STUDY Pinned on the wall of his bedroom Alexander Murray, a medical and literary student, of Park-lane, Tottenham, loft a note saying that he was suffering from internal troubles, which would end his life in a. few years, so he must go. However, he returned all right' at night. On another occasion he left the instruction "Cremate me" on an envelope. He also caused alarm by testing a pistol in his bedroom in order to see if the bullets would penetrate, a deal board. Later Murray was found dead on the sofa with a wound on his head and a pan by his side. At the inquest, when a verdict of "Suicide while suffering from delusions" was returned, it was suggested that over-study and morphia had unhinged his mind.

PICTURE PUZZLE SOLUTIONS TO HELP YOU WIN PRIZES WORTH THOUSANDS. ANSWERS. 5. 24A inches; 6, 24 inches; 7, 2% iilQhjea; 8, 38i inches. NUGGETS. No. 2: Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain. No. 3: Ex-President Kruger. SPARE MOMENTS. 7, Favourite; 8, Civilian; 9. Chaplain; 12, Crumpled; 14, Objection; 15, Contemplatoar. SMITH'S WEEKLY. 1, 10 inches; 2, 13i inches; 3, 5 inches; 4, Ili inches; 5, 15J inches; 6, 13 inches; V, 10 inches; 8, 15 inclies; 9, 3i inches; total. 102 inches. SUNOAY COMPANION. 1. Eden; 2. Abel; 3, Cadn; 4, Egypt; 5, Isaac; 6, Abraham. T.A.T. The letters: AAA A C C EE G GHIIKKMNNN OO XKSTY. The names: Aaron, Achan, Aeneas, Agrippa, Aliag, Amos, Amyas, Anson, Archi. bald, Archie, Armar, Asa, Asher, Athena, Austin, Bobby, Boniface, Caesar, Cain, Cat'), Oonway, Enoch, Enos, Eric, Ernest, Esmay, Esme, Gareth, George, Graham, Hago, Ham, Haman, Harno, Hans, Harry, Raym-an, Hector, Henry, Herman, Herod, Hiram, Homer, Horace, Ingram, Inigo, Innis, Isaac, Isidore, Kenelni, Kenneth, Kish, Mark, Mar- tin, Meyrio, Alicah, Morgan, Naaman, Nathan, Nero, Nestor, Nicanor, Nicholas, Noah, Nor- man, Oakley, Omri, Orlando, Oscar, Osman, Osric, Osyth, Otho, Ramet, Roger, Roland. Romeo, Rory, Seton, Simeon, Simon, Stair, Stephen, Theobald, Theodore, Thomas, Tom, Tony, Wallace, Walte,. Weedon. Agatha, Agnes, Agneta. Aimee, Aline, Amarantha, Amy, Anna, Annabel, Anno, Annioe, Annie, An the a, Actonia, Antonina, Bella., Belle, Bellina, Car ine, Carmen, Carrie, Cataiina, Catering, Catharine, Catherina, Catriona, Charity, Cherry, Cristabel, Cria- tina, Constance, Cora, Corinna, Daisy, Dora, Dorcas, Doreen, Doris, Dorothea, Dorothy, Esther, Georgiana, Georgina, Gertia, Grace, Graoie, Hangar, Harriet, Harriot, Hennia, Her- mionc, Hero, Hester, Honora, Ho rati a, Horteu?e, Imogen, In a, Iona, Irene, Iris, Isabel, Isbel, Isabel, Isolana, Kate, Katharina, Katie, Katrina, Katrine, Lily, Lucy, Mabel, Madalina, Madeline, Maggie, Maira, Maisie, Mareia, Marearet, Margery, Marguerite, Maria, Marian, Marie, Marion, Martha, Mary, Maud, Vay, Meg, Mercy, Mina, Minnie, Moini, Mima, Moniea, Myra, Mysie. Nancy, Nannie, XaoEii. Nea, Nesta. Nina, Noran, Norina, Olga., Rita.. Rosa, Rosabell, Roeanna, Rose, Rosie, Kosina, Sarah, Shireen, Stephana, Stephanie, Teresa, Theodora, Theresa, Tbomasine, Topsy, Violet. THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE. First List.-1. Manifold; 2, Possible; 3, Literary; 4, Liturgy; 5, Magazine; 6, House- hold. WEEKLY TELEGRAPH. (LAST LIST.) Z.—97, Dawn; 98. Keel; 99, Tailor; 100, Parity; 101, Archangel; 162, Vulcanize; 103, Tantamount; 104, Elbow; 105, Linen, IJv, Cockscomb; 107, Air-pump; 108, Pantry; 109, Harlequin; 110, Palsy; 111, Fertile; 11X, Pullot: 113, Trowel; 114, Ingot; 115, Sea-horse; 116, Ear-ring; 117, Buccaneer; 118, Toad-stool; 119. Occupant; 120, Catalogue. Poster Competition: 1, Romeo and Juliet; 2, Merry Wives of Windsor; 3. Thou art so near, and yet so fur—Waiting—Those even- ing Bells, or The Bell-ringer; 4. Tom Bow- ling; 5, TTnole Tom's Cabin; 6, Tom Brown's School Days; 7, Love's absence—Two's com- pany — Wa.tching — Sweethearts — In happy moments—Love's young dream—Listen to the voice of love—\Vbon the heart is young- Happiness—By the river, or By the watere. WOMAN'S LIFE. Fireworks: 1, Cracker; 2. Squib; 3, Rockst; 4, Starlight.—Name: Guy Fawkea. YES OR NO 1, No; 2. No; 3, Yee; 4, No-. 6, Tee; 6, YeN: 7. No: 8. No.

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POLICE SCANDAL. THE BIRCHING OF BOY PRISONERS. At a, special meeting of the Worcestershire Standing Joint Committee at Worcester on Saturday the police scandal, which resulted in the resignation of Superintendent Pitt for birching boy prisoners, was further investi gated. The Chief-constable, who at the last meeting defended the police against the report of the committee of inquiry, now reported that, being oonvinced by the con- fessions of his officers, he had dismissed Supe- rintendent Pitt and two subordinates, and reprimanded two others who were instrumen- tal in revealing the truth. The Chairman (Mr. Willis Bund) moved that the whole facts be laid before the Public Prosecutor, explaining that the officers did not give evidence on oath, and, therefore, could not be charged with perjury; they might be charged with conspiracy to defeat justice.—Mr. Amphlett, K.C. (chairman of the committee of inquiry) moved as an amend- ment that the committee's report should be formally adopted, and no further action taken. He expressed the opinion that the officers had been adequately punished by dis- missal.—Lord Cobban and other members Of the committee objected to the report because though birching was admitted, it was not proved that the object was to extort evidence. —Both proposition and amendment were defeated, and a sub-committee was appointed to prepare a general instruction to the police force as to their duties.

A VOICE FROM THE WATER A pathetic story of a widow, named Mrs. Frances Shipton. of Fulton-tquare, London, whose body was found in the Thames at Windsor, was told at the inquest. According to her sister, Mre. Shipton had often said that she could hear her husband's voioe in the water. On Wednesday last Mrs. Shipton went down to Windsor, and, sitting on the banks of the river, wrote tlie following note: — My dear Sister,—I have no doubt that when you receive this I shall be with my dear husband. I have heard Iris dear voice in my ears for some time, and I cannot bear it longer without responding. I hope God and all will forgive me, as I think it is best. Her body was found in the water later. "Suicide during temporary insanity" was the verdict.

BIGAMY AS A DEFENCE. Chaj-les Heath, an elderly man. was sum- moned by his wife at Stratford for desertion. The complainant, who is living at Leyton, said she married defendant in 1903. She was his third wife. He left her ten months after- wards. Defendant; I left her because I found my second wife was living. The Clerk: Can you bring witnesses to prove your second wife is alive? Defendant: Not yet. The Magistrate: I think we had better pro- secute this man for bigamy. Defenda-nt: All right-take me for bigamy. I'll stand it, I am willing to go through the trial. An order for separation was eventually made, defendaait to pay bis wife 3s. 6d. per week. Defendant: She will never get it. I will go to prison sooner.

It's. puro—that's sure. Gwftym Evins'a Quinine Bit tcrs is a purely vegetable tonic, containing each par ticular virtue found in garsaparill*, Burdock, Gentian Lavender, Saffron, Dandelion, with just the propei quantity of QutDfne to oompiete the triumph. Bottle* 8a. ad. tad 4a. 64. 4M17