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Synopsis of Previous Chapters. CHAPTERS 1. and II.— The atorv opens >mong oicfaids, and the central figure is Sir Clement Frobisher, an orchid fancier. Hafid, itis manservant, announces Paul Lopez, who has drought Frobisher an exceeding) v rare orchid, which when strung in the orchid house bursts htto bloom. It is the Cardinal Moth. When Hafid sees it he is like one demented, and cries out to have it destroyed. Lopez bids Frobisher farewell as Hafid announces two more visitors, Count Lefroy aud his secretary, Manfred but Frobisher postpones their visit till luncheon next day. Angela Lyne, Sir Clement's ward and neice,comes to him fcr seme orchids. She attends Lady Marchgrave's charity concert, and is after- wards one of the dinner guests. Her dinner partner is George Arnott,a would-be suitor whose claims are favoured by Sir Clement. She meets there Harold Denvers, her lover, but there is no Engagement between them, only an understand- ing. He presents .her with a specimen of the Cardinal Moth. On her return home she lets berself in with-a latchkey. She sees a strange jaan creeping towards the conservatory, whither ihe wa3 taking her orchid. She follows quickly, but arrivine there she finds he has vanished. Hafid confronts her and begs her to Take and iurn it." CHAPTERS III. and IV.—Frobisher sees uount Lefroy and his secretary Manfred, Frobisher and Lefroy are fighting against each >ther to obtain some concessions from the-Sban of Koordstatf. Frobisher informs Lefroy that Uie Shan will dine with him to-night, which Le- froy determines to circumvent. Frobisher shows the Cardinal Moth to Lefroy, who is enraged be- cause he has lost it, and strikes Manfred on the mouth. Afterwards he reasons that his secretary eould not have betrayed him, and apologises. they go to Manfied's rooms to discuss a plan of action for the dinner. Manfred reads out an Account of the mysterious death of a man who was murdered in a greenhouse at Streatham while trying to obtain possession of some orchids. The 3han of Koordstan is sitting over his breakfast. The man ser/ant announces Harold Denvers. The Shan, who has a liking for him, informs him that Sir Clement intends to bestow Angela Lyne on George Arnott. He says Denvers cannot have the concessions, as he has pledged the Blue Scone of Ghan. Denvers says that he has ob- tained a specimen of the Cardinal Moth, and 4hat he has placed it in a nursery at Streatham. Oount Lefroy is announced. CHAPTER V. An Interrupted Feast. To Frobiaher's petit diner the same even- 1 'ng of that eventful day, ostensibly to meet the 3hah of Koordstan, Lefroy came large and flam- ouoyant, with a vivid riband across his dazzling axpanse of shift and a iewelledcoIlar under his tie. There was an extra gloss on his black mous- ;ache, his swagger was a little more pronounced iharii usual. He looked like what he was-a 3irong man weighed down by not too many 3cruples. There were less than a dozen men alto- gether—a conpleof well-known members of the Traveller's, a popular E.G., and a keen hatchet- !acea judge with a quiet manner and a marvel- tons faculty for telling dialect stories. The in- evitable politician and fashionable doctor com- pleted the party. As Lefroy and his secretary entered the drawing-room, most of the men were fcdmiring a. portfolio of Morlaad's drawings that Frobisher had picked up lately. Hafid stepped noiselessly across the floor with telegram on a salver. Frobisher read it with- fat the slightest sign of annoyance. The Shan is not coming," he said. "^Koord- i Han is indisposed." "Sol gathered when I called professionally this afternoon," Dr. Brownsmith said dryly. Champagne," Frobisher laughed whole- beartedly. All right, Sir James, I won't ques- I tion you too far. So white is not going to mate in three moves this evening, Lefroy ?" Lefroy shrugged his shoulders carelessly. The Shan of Koordstan was safe for the present. He had seen to that. Manfred bad dropped quietly into a chair with just the suggestion of pain on his face. A smooth-voiced butler announced that dinner was served. Where does Frobisher get his servants from, Jessop ?" Sir James Brownsmith asked the judge as the two strolled across the hall together. Now there's a model of a butler for you. His voice has a flavour of old nutty sherry about it. By Jove, what are those flowers ?" | There were floweraevery where,mostly arranged I by Frobisher himself. In the centre was a rough handful of green twigs bound together with a silver cord, and the whole surmounted by a coil I of the Dinky white orchid, with its fringe of tumbling red moths. "Orchids," said the politician. Something í fraeh, Frobisher? What do you call it ?" I The specimen is not named at present," Lefroy said, meaningly. Frobisher glanced at the speaker and smiled. Lefroy is quite right,he said. The speci- men lacks a. name. It came in the first place from Koordstan, and there were thiee spines of the original plant. It is a freak, there uever was. Lefroy suddenly dashed a glass in his faoe. anything like it before, and thera will probably never be one like it again. That self-same orchid was very near to being the price of a kingdom once upon a time." "Only it is unfortunately impossible to tell the story," Lefroy remarked. Once again Frobisher glanced at the speaker and smiled. Most of the guests by this time were busy over their soup. They were not the class of men to waste valuable sentiment over flowers. It was only Frobisher who glanced from time to time lovingly at the Cardinal Moth. Manfred seemed to avoid it altogether. He sat at the table eating nothing, and obviously out of sorts with his food. I've a bilious headache, Sir Clement," he explained. The mere sight of food and smell of cooking makes me sick to the soul. Would you mind if I sat in the drawing-room in the dark for a little time. I am confident that the attack will pass off presently." Anything you please, my dear fellow," Fro- bisher cried hospitably. A strong cup of tea a glass of champagne and a dry biscuit ? No ? If you ring the bell Hafid will attend to you." Hafid salaamed as he dexterously caught a meaning glance from Frobisher. Lefroy brutally proclaimed aloud that a good dinner was utterly wasted upon Manfred. Brownsmith, with his month fall of aspic, was understood to say some- thing anent the' virtues of bromide. So the dinner proceeded with pink lakes of light on the tabte, the flowers and the cut glass and quaint silver. And there were blossoms, blossoms every- where* ^thousands of them. Frobisher might have bein a great scoundrel; that he was a man of exquisite taste was beyond question. The elaborate dinner dragged smoothly along. Two hoars pis-d, a silver chime proclaimed eleven o'clock. The cloth vas drawn at length, as the host's whim was, the decanters and glistening glass stood on a browv glistening lake.of polished oak, with here aud there a dash of fruit to give a more vivid tonch of colour. Hafid handed round a silver cigarette box, a cedar cigar cabinette on wheels was pushed along the table. Over the shaded electric lights" a blue wreath of smoke hung. Thes ilver chime struck twelve. "Hatid, you have made Mr Manfred comfort- able ?" Frobisher asked, Hafid replied that he had done all that a man could do. Mr Manfred was reclining in the dark near an open window. All the other servants hot himself had retired. The butler had seen that everything necessary was laid out in the smoking-room.. Always send the servants to bed as soon as possible," Frobisher explained. What with the spread of modern journalism I find it neces- sary. Yqu never know nowadays how far one's butler is interested in the same stock that you are deeply dipped in and a long-eared footman has changed the course of diplomacy before now." If everybody pursued the same policy, George/' Baron Jessop murmured, I and my taarned friends of the Bench would have more or tees of a sinecure." "And Lord Saltani yonder would not have lost A beantiful wife," Lefroy said loudly. A sodden hush seemej to smite the table. Lord Saltaur whiteued to his lips under bis tan, his long, lean handa gripped the edge of the table passionately. His own domestic scandal had been ao new, so painful, that the whole party stood aghast at the brutality of the insult. Frobiaher," Saltaur said hoarsely. !l It is not pleasant to be insulted by a blackguard What was that word ?" Lefroy asked quite sweetly. My hearing may be a trifle deficient, but I fancied Jbis Lordship said something about a blackguard." I Frobisher interferad as in" duty bound. As a matter of fact he was enjoying the situation. Lefroy had drunk deeply, but then he had seen Lefroy a amazing prowess in that direction too many times for any fears as to his ultimate equilibrium. No, Lafroy was playing soma deep game. As yet, only the first card had been laid upon the table. "I think that the apology lies with you, Count." Frobisher said tentatively. A mere jest," Lefroy said, airily. A jeu d'eoprit. Lord Saltaur's wife." You hound," Saltaur cried, passionately. Whatever I have been, you might leave the name of a pure woman out of your filthy con- versation. If you don't apologise at once, I'll thrust your words down your throat for you." A contemptuous reply camefrom Lefroy. There was a flash of crystal and a glass shattered on th Ccunt's dark face. leaving a star-shaped wound on his cheek. A moment later and he and Saltaur were struggling together like wild animals. Frobisher had so far forgotten himself as to lean back in his chair as if this were a mere exhibition got up for his entertainment. Is this part of the evening's amusement, Sir Clement," the Judge asked coldly. Frobisher realised his responsibilities with a sigh for his interrupted pleasure. His civilisa- tion was the thinnest possible veneer, a shoddy thing like Tottenham Court-road furniture. Come, you chaps must drop it," he cried I can't have you fighting over my Smyrna carpet. Saltaur, you shall have your apology, Lefroy, do you hear me ?'' Strong arms interfered, and the two men were dragged apart. Lefroy's teeth glistened in a ghastly grin there was a sDeck of blood on his white sbirt front. Saltaur's laboured breath- ing could be heard all over the room. I take you all to witness that it was no seek- ing of mine," he cried. I was foully insulted. In a few days all the world will know that I have been made the victim of a discharged ser- vant's Derjury. Frobisher, I am ?till waiting for my apology." Lefroy paused and paased his handkerchief across his face. He seemed to have wiped the leering expression from it. He looked a per- fect picture of puzzled bewilderment. What have I done ?" he asked. What on earth have I said ?" Beautiful," Frobisher murmured. "Artis- tic to a fault. What is he driving at 7" Baron Jessop explainei clearly and judi- ciously. He was glad to have an opportunity of doing so. Viewing the thing dispassionately, he was bound to say that Count Lefroy had been guilty of a grave breach of good taste. But he was quite sure that under the circumstances-" On my honour, I haven't the slightest re- collection ef it," Lefroy cried. If thete is one ladyof my acquaintance I honour and respect it is Lady—the charming woman whom Lord Sal- taur calls bis wife. A sudden fit of mental aberration, my lord. An old wound in the head followed by a spell in the sunshine. This is the third time the thing has happened. The last time in Servia nearly cost me my life. My dear Saltaur, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart." Funniest case I ever heard of," the puzzled Saltaur murmured. All the same, I'm deuced sorry I threw that wine glass at you." Oh, so you chucked a wine glass at me I Laid my cheek open, too. Well. 1 should have done exactly the same thing under the same circum- stances. From this night I touch nothing stronger than claret. If I'd stuck to that, this wouldn't have happened." The good-humoured Saltaur muttered some- thing in reply, the threads of the dropped conver- sation were taken up again. Hafid, who had watched the sudden quarrel with Oriental indif- ference, had gone off to the conservatory for hot water to bathe Lefroy's damaged face. There was just a lull for a moment in the conversation, a sadden silence, and then the smash of a crystal vessel on a tiled floor and a strangled cry of terror from Hafid. He came headlong into the room, his eyes starting, his whole frame quiver- ing with an ungovernable terror. Mr Manfred," he yelled. "Lving on the floor in the conservatory, dead. Take it and burn it, and destroy it. Take it and burn it and destroy it. Take it Frobisher pounced upon the wailing speaker and clutched him by the throat. As the first hoarse words came from Hafid the rest of the party had rushed headlong into the orchid house. Frobisher shook his servant like a reed is shaken by a storm. Silence, you fool," he whispered. "You didn't kill the man, and I didn't kill the man. If he is dead he has not been murdered. And it is no fault of yours. Allah knows better," Hafid muttered, sulkily. You didn't kill him and I didn't kill him, but he is dead, and Allah will punish the guilty. Take it and burn it and "Idiot! Son of a pig, be silent. And mind, you are to know nothing. You went to get the hot water from the orchid house and saw Mr Manfred lying there. As soon as you did so you rushed in,to tell us. Now come along." The limp boay of Manfred had been partly raised, and his head rested on Sir James Brown- smith's knee. The others stood waiting for the verdict. The fellow is dead," the great doctor said. Murdered I should say, undoubtedly. He has been strangled by a coarse cloth twisted about bis throat—precisely the same way as that poor fellow was murdered at Streatham the night be- fore last." A solemn silence fell upon the group. Hafid stood behind, his lips moving in silent speech Take it and burn it, and destroy it. Take it and burn it, tand destroy it, "for there is blood, upon it now and ever." The drama was none the less moving because of its decorous silence. The great surgeon knelt on the white marble floor of the orchid house with Manfred's head on his knees. Though Sir James Brownsmith's hand was quite steady, his face was white as his own hair, or the face of the dead man staring dumbly up to the tangle of ropes and blossoms overhead. There the Car- dinal Moth was dancing and quivering as if exulting over the crime. A long trail of it had broken away, and one tiny cloud of blossom danced near the surgeon's ear, as if trying to tell him the tragedv and its story. A ghastly business," the judge murmured. How did the murderer get in here ?" How did he get out ?" Frobisher suggested. There is no exit from here at all. All the servants have been in bed long ago and the front door is generally secured, at least the latch is always down." "But what brought poor Manfred in here ?" Saltaur asked. "I understood from Hafid that he was lying down in the drawing-room. Oh, Hafid Wake up man Take it and burn it, and destroy it," Hafid said, mechanically^ Frobisher shook him savagely, shook the dreamy horror off him like a garment. He was sorry, he said, but he could tell the excellent company nothing. A quarter ot an hour before and Mr Manfred had appeared to be asleep on the drawing-room sofa. Hafid had asked him if he needed anything, and he had made no reply, Very strange," Sir James murmured, still diagnosing the cruel standard pattern about the dead man's throat. Perhaps Count Lefroy —where is the Count?" He went back into the dining room," said Saltaur. Frobisher brought his teeth together with a click. For a moment he had quite forgotten Count Lefroy. He passed from the library and into the dining room. Lefroy stood by the great shining table close against the fluttering pyramid of red moths, a thin bladed knife in his hands. And what might you be doing ?" Frobisher asked softly. Lefroy smiled somewhat bitterly. He was per- fectly self nossessed with the grip of the man who knows how to hold himself in hand. And he smiled none the less easily because there was murder raging in his heart. "1 am cutting my nails," he said. Oh, I'll cut your claws for you," Frobisher said. Don't do that, what wilt your manicure artist say ? And a social superiority (feminine) tells me that you have the finest hand of any man in London. You are unhinged, my dear Count. This little affair This cold-blooded murder you mean. Oh, you scoundrel Lefroy had dropped the mask for a moment, There were contempt, loathing, horror in the last few words. Frobisher, connting the nodding swarm of crimson moths, merely "miled. Twenty-oeven, thirty-one, thirty-nine," he said. You haven't stolen any <' my flowers yet. Not a bad idea of yours to purloin a cluster, and send it to our tin Solomon yonder, as an earnest of good intentions later on. And why do you call me scoundrel ?' You are the most infernal villain that ever breathed." Well, perhaps I am. It is very good of you to admit my superior claims, dear Lefroy. But I am getting old and you may live to take my place somesday. Why Why did you kill Manfred ?" My dear fellow. I didn't kill Manfred. Yon think he has been murderel in the ordinary sense of the word. Manfred has not been murdered and nobody will ever be hanged for the crime. That you may take my word for. It is the ven- geance of the Crimson Moth, death by visitation of God call it what yon will. And it might have been yourself. Frobisher's whole manner hadchanged, his eyes were gleaming evilly as he hissed the last words warningly in Lefroy a ears. The latter changed colour sligbtly. I don't understand what you mean," he stammered. And yet you are not usually slow at under- standing. I repeat that it might have been yourself. If you had attempted the raid of the Cardinal Moth, instead of Manfrea, you would have been lying at the present moment with your head on Brownsmith's knees, and the mark of the beast about your throat," And if I tell those fellows yonder what you say ?" Yoa are at liberty to say anything you please. But yon are not going to say anything, my dear Lefroy you are too fine a player for that. You are going to wait patiently for your next innings. Come back to the others. And perhaps I had better lock this door." Lefroy, like a wise man, accepted the in- evitable. Bnt the rest of the party were no longer in the orchid house. They had carried I the dead man to the back dining-room, where they had laid him out on a conch. Frobisher rang up the nearest police station on the tele. i phone with tha request that a innspector should be sent for at once. By Gael, this is a dreadful thing, don't you j know, Saltaur said with a shudder. Fancy [ that poor fellow being murdered whilst we were I wrangling in the dining-room. I suppose there I is no doubt that it is murder, doctor ?" Not the shadow of a doubt about it. Sir James recited. Poor Manfred must have been admiring the flowers when the assassin stepped behind him and threw that coarse cloth over his hea.d. A knee could be insetted on his spine, and 'the head forced backwards. The cloth must have been twisted with tremendous force. It is quite a novel kind of murder for England." Oh, then.you have heard of something, of the same kind before ?" Frobisher asked. In India, frequently I had a chance to examine more than one victim of Thugee,yonder. You remember what a scourge Thugism used to be in India some years ago. A Thug killed Man- fred, I have not tha slightest doubt about it." But there are no Thugs in England," the judge protested. Mv dear fellow, I have had an unfortunate demonstration to the contrary. And this crime is;not necessarily the work of a native. Thueee is not dead in India yet, and some white scoun- drel might have learnt the trick. Your own ser- vant, Hatid- 'I A robust bluebottle would make a formid- able antagonst for Hafid," Frobisher inter- rupted. "Ratid, somebody is ringing the bell. If it's a policeman, ask him in." Inspector Townshend came in, small,quiet,soft of manner, and undoubtedly dressed in Bond- street. He listened gravely to all that Frobisher and Brownsmith had to say, and then he asked permission to view the body, and subsequently examine the premises. A close search of the house only served to deepen the mystery. All the servants slept on the top floor, and that part of the house was bolted off every ilight after the domestic staff had retired. This was a whim of Sir Clement's, a whim likely to increase his unporularity in case of fire, but at present that was a secondary consideration. There was no exit from the orchid house. No windows had been left open, and despite the. fact that there were guests in the house, the front doorJatch had been dropped quite early in the evening. A rigid cross-examination of Hafid led to no satisfactory result. The man was almost congealed with terror and shock, but it was quite obvious that he knew nothing what- evar about the mystery. He was jaat about to cat a slip from the plant. I There will be an inquest to-morrow at twelve, Sir Clement," Townsend said. It will probably be a mere formal affair at which you gentlemen will be present. Good night, sirs." "We had better follow the inspector's example," Lefroy cried. Good night, Fro- bisher." My dear fellow, I wish yon a cordial adieu," Frobisher cried. And I can only regret that our pleasant evening has had so tragic a termina- tion. Townsend, you have locked up the back dining-room and taken the key. Good. I want no extra responsibility." The big hall door closed behind the last of them. Frobisher took Hafid firmly by the collar and led him into the orchid house. Now, you rascal," he said. What on earth do you mean by it ?" Take it and destroy it, and burn it," Hafid wailed, with a wriggling of his body. He seemed to be trying to shake off something loathesome. Oh, master, what is to become of us," You grovelling superstitious fool," Frobisher said, lightly. Nothing will become of us. Nobody knows anything, nobody will ever know anything as long as you remain silent. We haven't murdered anybody." Allah looking down from Paradise knows better than that, master." Well, he is not likely to be called in as a witness," Frobisher, muttered grimly. "I tell yon nothing has happened that the Jaw can take the least cognisance of. Mind you, I didn't know that things woald go quite so far. When I rang up the curtain it was comedy I looked for, not tragedy. Take the key and go into the dining- room. Remove those orchids and burn them, taking care that you destroy thirty-nine of the red flowers. Then you can go to bed." Hafid recoiled with unutterable loathing on his face. I couldn't do it," he whispered. I couldn't touch one of those accursed blossoms. Beat me. torture me, turn me into the street to starve, but don't ask me to do that, roaster. I dare not." He cowered abjectly at Frobisher's feet. With good humoured contempt the latter kicked him aside. Go to bed," he said. "YOtl are a gieater coward than even I imagined. Put the lights out and I'll go to bed also." The lights were carefully put out, except in the smoking room. where FrDbisher sat pondering over the strange events of the evening. He was not in the least put out or alarmei or distressed: on the contrary he looked like a man who had been considerably -pleased with an interesting entertainment. For Manfred he felt neither sorrow nor sympathy. He did not look fearfully round the room as if half expecting to see the shadow of Manfred's assassin creeping upon him. But he srpiled in his own peculiar fashion as the door opened and a white-robed figure came in. It was Angela with her fine hair about her shoulders and a look. of horror in her eyes. '1 So you've found out all about it," Sir Clem- ent said. I'm sorry, because it will spoil your rest. How did you come to make the discovery ?" I had just come in," Angela explained. I let myself in with my latchkey. 1 did not come I near you because I could hear that you were entertaining company, so I went straight to bed. Then I heard Hafid's cry and I came to the head of the struct, where I could hear everything." You mean to say tha.t you stood there and listened ?" '• I couldn't help it. So far as I could judge there was an assassin in the house. Just for the moment I was far too frightened to move. That raving madman might have come for me next." Well, you can make your mind quite easy on that score. As you know the whole house has been most thoroughly searched from top to bottom, and there Î" nobody here but the servants and ourselves now. If 1 were you I should keep out of it. Go to bed." Sir Clement barked out the last few words, but Angela did not move. There will be an inquest, of course," she asited. Oh, Lord, yes. The papers will reek of it, and half the reporters in London will look upon the place as a kind of public-house for the next week. Take my advice and keep out of it. You know nothing and you want to continue to know nothing, so to speak." But 1 am afraid that I know a great deal," Angela said, slowly. When I came in I was going into the conservatory to place a. flower that I had given me to-night. It is a flower that I am likely to be interested in another time. And there I saw a strange man walking swiftly the same way. From his air and manner he was obviously doing wrong. My idea was to follow and stop him. And when I reached the conserva- tory, to my intense surprise, he was nowhere to be seen." Frobisher bent down to fill his pipe. There was an evil diabolical grin so malignant, and yet so gleeful, as to render the face almost inhuman. It may be of importance later on," he said- Meanwhile I should keep the information to myself. Now go to bed and lock your door. I'm going to finish my pipe in my dressing-room." Frobisher snapped out the lights, leaving the house in darkness. For once in her life Angela- did lock her door. She could not sleep she had no desire for bed, and yet her eyes were heavy and tired. She pulled up the blind and opened the wrndow, out beyond the garden was flooded with moonlight. As Angela stood there she seemed to see a figure creeping from one bush to another. It is my fancy," she told herself. I could imagine anything to-night. And yet I could have been certain that I saw the figure of a man." Angela paused it was no fancy. A man crept over the grass and looked up at the window as if he were doing something strictly on the lines of conventionality. To her amazement Angela saw that the intruder was in evening dress, and that it was Harold Denveza. Harold," she whispered. M Whatever are you doing there ?" '• I came on t bechance," was the reply- "I- have beard strange things to-night, and there is something*that I must know at once. I was going to try and rouse you with some pebbles. Dare you go down to the garden room window and let me in ? Darling, it is a matteu. of life or death, or I would not ask." Angela slipped down the stairs noiselessly .and opened the window. (To be Continued,)
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Messrs Ben. Evans and Co. on Saturday re-opened the Temple-street section of their large establishment, after entirely remodelling it. I Now. instead of a seriea of shops with three separate entrances, there is a fine main entrance in Temple-stzxet, as 3s in the three other streets where the preaoeee extend. There is, moreover, a fine new front, and improved internal accom- modation and means of display, which will be mush apgCORHtlKl tfojpp, (
THE FARLLS AND A WOMAN.
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j Complete Story. ] THE FARLLS AND A WOMAN. BY ARNOLD BENNETT. Author of The Grand Babylon Hotsl," Love and Life," Anna of the Five Towns," "GatesoiWratb," &c., &c. "• i I. Your cousin Godfrey seriously ill think you should come. —Colptis, physician." When, one afternoon at the office of my paper. I received this telegram, I could not avoid the involuntary suspicion that the famous or in- famous Dr. Colpus had wormed himself into the affairs of my disunited and quarrelsome family for some nefarious purpose of his own. Colpus was not at that time so renowned as he after- wards became his plot with the beautiful Mrs Cavalosei to obtain the Peterson millions, for in- stance, had not even began but as a journalist, I had indirectly learned a good deal about him that was in no wise to his credit, p-ud despite his almost unrivalled skill in his profession (and out of it), 1 had classed him in my own mind as one of the two chief scoundrels—Roceo, the great chef of the Grand Babylon Hotel was the other—of bis generation. I knew that for some years he had been my cousin Godfrey's medical adviser. Had Godfrey been my friend I should have felt sorry for Godfrey, but as Godfrey had openly de- clared himself my enemy I kept my sorrow for more sympathetic and deserving objects. As for the telegram, of couuse I felt bound to obey its behests, and after dinner on that same evening I went to Cannon-street to see my cousin we had not spoken to each other for several years. Yop may, perhaps,think it strange that a sick man should be residing in Cannon- street, E.C. That merely shows either that you have never heard before of Godfrey Farll, or that you have forgotten his eccentric reputation. Godfrey was a financier of the shrewdest sort to be found in the City. His palatial suite of offices in Cannon-street was regarded withnearlv as much awe as those of l'i, M, Rothschild and Sons not many hundred yards away. My cousin had a genius for finance—all the Farlls had a genius for some one thing (of course, I ex- clude myself) he gave himself up entirely to finance-all the Farlls gave themselves up en- tirely to one thing Lord Farll, for example, my own and Godfrey's uncle, had given a life- time to the chemistry of the manufacture of steel and had thereby earned an immense fortune and a peerage. I myself, for another and less im- portant example, had given my life to the pursuit of journalism, and had earned—well, very little. Tothe practice of high finance Godfrey Farll apparently sacrificed all alse. He was so devoted to it that he insisted on living in a flat over his offices. For weeks together, so I have heard, he never left Cannon-street. He scorned physical exercise—said it was a fad. When people ex- pressed surprise that he could exist in so noisy a thoroughfare as Cannon-street, he would some- times invite them upstairs for a glass of sherry and a biscuit,and wonld display to them a few of the wonders of his flat. Not a sound from out- side could penetrate those rooms, for there were double windows everywhere, and the system of ventilation by means of shafts and fans was more perfect than anything to be found in Bel- gravia or Mayfair. The flat, in short, was a marvel of ingenious luxury it was said to be the most comfortable and quietest flat in London, and I believe it was. Eight o'clock was striking as I arrived the season was autumn, dark, depressing but there was no sign of this in the flat: warmed air, deli- cately shaded lights, thick carpets, rich curtains, noiseless menservants—all contributed to a sort of illusion that Godfrey's little world revolved quite independently of the seasons. Neverthe- less there was an atmosphere of dreaded expecta- tion in the place that proved tbat not even this self-contained microcosm with its double windows could keep out the fear of death. Dr. Colpus met ma in the ante-room. He ap- peared to have taken charge. I am glad you have come, Mr Frank, if I may use your Christian name—it saves confu- sion," he said suavely, as we shook hands. I bowed. Of course I had no hesitation whatever in coming," I replied. "Thete was no one else to whom I could send," he continued. Lord Farll is in London, is he not ?' I sug- gested. Your uncle is in London, but I regret to say that he also is very ill." I bad not heard of it," I said. Are you sure ?" "I have hacs private information,"he answered. A sudden seizure. Even journalists do not get wind of everything,' he smiled. But doubtless you will have news when you return to your office. The illness of a man of Lord Farll's reputation is bound to become public property without much delay." And what is the matter with my cousin, is it really serious ? It is very serious." said Dr. Colpus, with much calmness. "Mr Farll only sent for me three days ago. He should have sent sooner. It is a case of brain failure, not insanity, you understand. Brain failure, highly curious, and with a development alarmingly rapid. Your cousin is now snffering from Cheyne-Stokes breathing." What is tbat ?" Inquired. It is a symptom which is infallibly fatal;" said the doctor. "Pray come with me." I followed him into the principal bedroom— almost a state apartment—of the flat. My cousin, it seemed, was old-fashioned, and slept in a foun-poster, and this bed was situated be- tween the two large windows of the room. A single electric light burned to the left of the bed, shaded so as to leave the bed in gloom, and under this light sat a man who held fast my cousin's hand. You know your cousin's peculiarity," whis- pered the doctor. Of course, I was obliged to get mate nursea. He wouldn't have a woman in the place." It was a fact, as I knew, that no woman had ever been allowed to enter Godfrey's flat. He was reputed to hate the sex. This was his chief eccentricity, and personally I believed it to be nothing but a pose. He approached the bed. Godfrey lay perfectly quiet. He looked his age—forty-ifve—fifteen years more than mine he looked careworn, frightfully apprehensive, and bis face was flashed as if with exertion. He caught sight of me, and his dim eye brightened. "The vultures are gathering," he murmured thickly, with a bitter smile. Not in the least, Godfrey," I said, and turn- ing to Dr. Copus,I added in an undertone, He certainly looks ill, but his breathing ia like a. child's." Wait," said Copus, shortly. There was a slight catch in Godfrey's throat, the doctor took out bis watch, then gradually the patient's breathing became difficult, and more and more difficult, until he fought for it in a paroxysm of despair. The nurse by the bed kept firm hold of his hand, and tried to soothe him. But Godfrey could neither be soothed nor held still. He sprang up in bed in the effort to fetch his breath. "Frank," he cried out, in the accents of an excruciating appeal. I seized his left hand. "Iam here," I said, it's all right." Then slowly the difficulty of respiration passed away. In a brief space Godfrey was once more breathing like a child, and the nurse persuaded his grey lips to take a little brandy and milk. Then again there was a cateh in his breath, and the same awful straggle, and the same awful cry, and then calmness again. That crisis recurs every fifty seconds," the doctor murmured in my ear. This morning it was every seventy seconds. To-morrow he stopped and looked at me. And that is Cheyne-Stokes breathing ?" I said. Yes. It is usually the final stage of cerebral softening. I have never known a recovery. I need not tell you that the mental torture, to the patient is dnspeakable. It is worse than being hung every minute." I could say nothing. Pity for my cousin swamped all other feelings in my heart. So this was the end of financial greatness. And Lord Farll, that other magnate, ill, too. While I, the third and last member of the family, the despised one, the mad idealist, the pauper, en. joyed health and bodily vigour and the universal beauty of the world. May 1 trouble you to come into the drawing- room," said Dr. Colpus. ,I I wish to speak with you." His tons ha.d subtly changed. From the omniscient, calm physician, he had swiftly be- come the creature of intrigue whom I knew by repute. In leaving the room he gave a few brief instructions to the nurse. The drawing-room was at the other end of the corridor. As we entered, it was lighted only by the glow of the fire, but Dr. Colpus turned on the switches by the door jamb, and I saw in a sudden revelation the superb magnificence of the apartment. It had everything that a draw- ing room in Park-lane might have had, and in addition there .was a tape-machine enclosed in a marvellously carved oaken case. My cousin could not bear to be out of sight of a tape- maehine. Dr. Colpus shut the door carefnlly, and there stood with his back to the fire. I took an easy cbair. Mr Frank," said te. your cousin is dying." You say that professionally ? I I say it professionally." The tape machine began to chck; and Dr. Colons walked over to it. Pooh f" he ex- claimed. False alarm of fire at a music-hall two women hurt." He returned to the hearth. "You have not been on good terms with yonr consin foe some years, I believe ?' No, I caid briefly. Nor with Lord Farll ?" "No." I scanned the alight, upright form in front of me, the thin, pale, lined face, with its long grizzled moustache, the fine white hands. I wanted to know what these remarks ware lead- ing ap to. Bot I found no answer to my an. "spoken query in that inscrutable figure. You qoarrelled with your rich relatives about polities, "be said with a sobdned IlDeer, as I tbonght. I did, not quarrel," I rephed. "Mycoaain Goodfrey stood for a Metropolitan Division in Parliament. His politics, and those of Lord Farll, were not mine. I was editing an evening paper at that time. My cousin and my ancle < seemed to think that Iought to sink my political opinions oat of regard for family consideia- j tions. I declined to do a". My,paper went on its way as usual, and chiefly owing to the in-, j iluence of my paper Godfrey was handsomely defeated by the riyal candidate. Neitjber God- ficoy. hoc Lowt. t. You are mistaken," said the doctor," Lord; Farll forgave you, or at least partly forgave I you." He has given no indication of it," I said. Pardon me," said the Doctor. What indication has he given ?" He has made a will." Indeed I" I was one of the witnessses." P A will in my favour ?" In this way. Lord Farll leaves the whole of bis property—not far short of a million, I fancy —to your consin Godfrey absolutely, unless "Unless?" Unless Godfrey dies before him. If Godfrey predeceases Lord Farll the whole of the property comes to you—since there is no one else to leave it too." "Isee," I said. Your new paper, The Liberal,' is going on well, I trust ?" remarked the Doctor, as if changing the subject. Excellently," I said with enthusiasm. It will be a great success, only I hesitated there. Only what ?" .f Well, 1 nesd more capital." There was an awkward pause. "Your cousin Godfrey is dying," the Doctor resumed, in a voice that seemed to me to be very far off. "And Lord Farll is also dying." How do yoa know thatLord Farll is dying ?" I asked sharply. The tape machine clicked. The Doctor went overagain to msDect it. He read out: "Mr Balfour rose at 8.30 to resume the debateon the Irish estimates. Lord farll, the great steel magnate, was taken ill this morning. He is re-, ported to be slowly sinking. In reply to Mr Swift MacNeill's speech before dinner Mr Bal., four said that the Crimes Act——" That will do, I think. Doctor," I interrupted him. It is a question whether your uncle or yonr, cousin will die first," said the Doctor. Yes," I murmured mechanically. The point is important to you, Mr Frank," he pursued. It was. It was a Question whether I was to be a millionaire, or nearly so, and one of the most powerful influences in Fleet-street, or whether my paper, The Liberal," was to fail for want of capital. "I may tell you," the Doctor went on remorse- lessly, that your cousin Godfrey made his will a long time ago, and left the whole of his estate to various charities." Ah I" 1 reflected sarcastically, be was always charitable, was Godfrey." Therefore," said the Doctor, if Godfrey sunives your uncle not only his estate Dut your uncle's also will go to charities. And you will be left out in the cold." I tried to assume an attitude of nonchalance. How long will Godfrey live ?" I questioned. That depends. His case is hopeless. He suffers, as you have seen, appalling agony. The sooner he dies the better for him. He may die to-night if nature is left alone. I may be able to keep life in him a few days longer by in- jections of strychnine sulphate night and morn- ing. Strychnine regularises the action of the heart, you know." There was another dreadful pause. "But to what end," mumured Dr. Colpua. To what end ?" I stood up swiftly, "Doctor," I said. "No caaeia hopeless till the pattontis dead. Is it not your professional duty to inject strychnine ? Surely it is derigueur that you keep life in your patient as long as pos- sible, at no matter what cost of mental agony to the patient? Is not the withholding of strych. nine equivalent to kilhng Godfrey ?" You are a strange man," was aU his reply. I have known men more strange," I retorted. Answer me." A professional man must be guided by his own discretion. I may or may not consider the injection of strychnine a discreet proceeding. He spread cut his hands. Why do you tempt me ?" I said. Tempt you ? I tempt you ? My dear Mr Frank, I have merely placed the facts before you. I am a physician, but I am a man of the world. I do not line to see men behaving like fools. There is such a thing as commonsense, and it is greater than sentimentality." Why do you tempt me ?" I repeated. I do not tempt you," he said with un- diminished calmness. But—some day, if we understand each other, yon might be in a-position to do me a service." I walked to and fro in the room. The tape- machine was still olicking foolishly. I turned and faced my companion. Dr- Colpus, as Godfrey's near relative, I reouest you to administer strychnine to him at once—to do everything in your power to prolong his life. He may recover. iJlen have survived the death sentence of the most skilful physicians." The doctor sighed. As you wish:" he said. Pis eyes said "Ass I" Further," I went on, I will, if you please, see the strychnine administered." And I saw it administered. I shall stay the night here," I said after- wards to Dr. Colpus, as he was leaving the flat. II. I spent not only that night, but the two follow- ing in my cousin's flat. In the daytime, of course, I was engaged in the necessary conduct of my own affairs, and in particular I had to busy myself in the search for the capital which was to carry my paper to final and lasting success but. in this search my luck seemed to desert me. I found time to call at my uncle's house Lord Farll was unconscious and growing weaker hour by hour nothing could be done there. Almost the same might have been said of my cousin's case the injections of strychnine alone enabled the sufferer to maintain any sort of vitality. On the fourth night I had been dozing in the drawing-room for an hour or so when I was awakened by the consciousness of ar presence in the room. I opened ray eyes. A woman stood hefore me. She was a woman of thirty, tall, well-shaped, well-dressed on her left hand was a plain gold ling. Large soft masses of black hair framed her face. Her eyes were black and sparkling, her lips red, her cheeks full and rosy. She made a beautiful vision. "Who on earth are you?" I exclaimed without thinking, scarcely yet awake, 1 am his wife," she replied. "Whose wife ?" Godfrey's Impossible I" I jumped up. I think I shall be able to convince yon that I speak the truth, when the time comes," she said proudly. I was abashed. I beg your pardon," I stammered. But Godfrey has always been re- garded as-as a woman hater, a misogynist." Ah I" she murmured. I knew that. You are his cousin Frank 1" Then she told me that she had lived all her life in a remote village in Northamptonshire, that Godfrey had found her there, an orphan that she had loved him and they were quietly married that he had always insisted on her re- maining where he had found her, and called her his refuge from the world, and that it had pleased ner well to obey him that sometimes she did not see him for a fortnight together, but that the intervals of his absence were never longer that she knew bis health had been failing, bat had not suspected anything serious lastly that she bad no idea of his illnes3 until she saw it referred to in that morning's "Financial News," which she read daily, without understanding it because it often mentioned his name. She said that Godfrey seldom wrote to her. You have seen your husband ?" I asked. I have been with him this last hour," she said, "and now I some toyoufor all information. Is he really dying ? How long is it since the doctor was here He is really dying," I replied, and added. I am glad that there is one sool in the world to regret his loss." Why do you say that 1 she said quickly. Tell me, was he considered a hard man ? You are his wife I began, and stopped. Godfrey was the hardest man I ever knew. You are afraid to tell me," she cried. Yea. I knew he was hard. But not to me. Not to me." You have loved him." I have liked him very much." k silence fell. She was a strange and fascinating woman. The tape machine broke out into its clicking chatter, but I took no heed. And now he is dying," she said, staring at the fire. Tears stood in her eyes. Yes," I sighed. "And all his wealth and all yours cannot save him." Wealth," she said. turning her face away from the fire. A* fortnight ago my husband told me he was ruined, unless the shares of a certain company rose to a certain point. They have fallen instead of rising. For months he has kept a brave front, but when he is dead," her voice broke, the world will know that the great Godfrey Farll was not such a financier as peo- ple thought him," She spoke boldly. To hide my astounded face I walked across to the tape machine, and read Lord Farll died at his residence in Lowndes- square at 9 o'clock to-night." You are wrong, Mrs Farll," I said. Your husband will die ricb." A.nd I told her that Lord Farll was dead, and had left a will in Godfrey's favour. I made no mention of my- self. I must return to my husband," she remarked quietly, and was gone. Her entraace and her exit were equally so sudden and mysterious, and her news had been so startling that for a few moments I thought I must have been dream- ing. But a tiny lace handkerchief lay in a chair. It was hers, and quite sufficient evidence that I had not dreamed. I picked it up and put it in my pocket. That night, before dawn, my cousin Godfrey died. He had won his right to Lord Farirs for- tune, and I had lost the same fortune, by exactly six hoars. The next morning Godfrey's wifei bad vanished. m. The two male noises who had been watching my cousin left the fl*t at once. The blinds were drawn down. The vast offices on the ground floor were not opened. Death reigned where gold had once reigned. As the last surviving member of the family I stayed to arrange the personal affairs of the financier who had passed.: away, and I telegraphed to my late uncle's honse in Lowndes-sqoare tbat Iltbouldarrive; there in the afternoon. The pauper Telative of these two plutocrats had indeed enough to do that day. Daring the morning Dr. Oohms called in again. You ha»e lost aH," he said, and it ixyoan own fault." I have not lost my setf respect," I said. There is still time," he went on, as though I had not spoken. What do yoc mean, doefcor ?" I said roughty- Your cousin died at 3 o'clock this morning, but it will be quite Bimple to say tbat he died at 8 o'clock last night, an hour before your uncle. Merely a. ui»tter of Jonn. Nobody will be the worse off, save a few absurd charities. The nurses know me and can be trusted." I laughed, and wondared whether it was worth while to report the fellow to the Medical Council. There as another witness, besides your precious nurses," I said, to the fact that my cousin was alive after 9 o'clock last night." I was about to tell him of the mysterious ^feminine visitor when a servant entered the room. I expected the man to announce Mrs Farll," but it was onlyGodfrey's solicitor that he ushered in. Colpus had taken upon himself to send for the lawyer. This latter produced a will, executed five years before, which he read to us. The doctoi had told the truth. The entire estate went to chari- ties. It was Godfrev's last revenge against me. The solicitor also produced a codicil which left a legacy of 100 guineas to Dr. Colpus with the request that Dr. Colpus would therewith buy himself a chronometer as a memento of the testator. I think that is all," said the lawyer blandly. "I think it is not all," I said, with equal blandness. I very much doubt if that will is valid. Marriage invalidates a will, does it not ? I asked. Certainly marriage invalidates a will," the lawyer replied. But The door opened on those words, and my cousin's widow entered she was in mourning. I bad the melancholy pleasure of explaining the situation. My cousin's widow made good her promise to prove the fact of her marriage. Were YOll my husband's solicitor ? she asked the lawyer, coldly. I had that honour, madam but I fear I was not in his full confidence. "Perhaps not. But you can inform me; whether this document is in order She took a paper from her reticule. It was a will made by my cousin Godfrey three years ago, and a year after his marriage. It left half his property to his wife and half to his cousin Frank Farll. It is in order," said the solicitor. What induced your husband to relent to- wards me ? I asked Mrs Farll afterwards. "I induced him," she answered. But why ? You had never seen me. You had no interest in me I had an interest in my husband's honour. I admired you for sticking to your politics. I wished my husband to be a just man." She looked proudly in my face. "You were fit to be a king's wife," I ex- claimed. "Did I not say that my pjor Godfrey was not a hard man ?" she smiled sadly. And then, strangely enough, she began to cry. So it came to pass that I inherited half of Lord Farll's fortune. Two years later 1 found myself under the necessity of managing not only my own half, but the other half. I leave your shrewdness to guess by what means this occurred. The codicil bequeathing 100 guineas to Dr. Colpus was executed before Godfrey's marriage, and was therefore invalid. However. I bought a chronometer out of my own purse, had it en- graved, and presented-it.to him. The back of the watch bore this legend, Cheating nevar prospers." Oh, yes, it does," said the imperturbable Colpns when I gave him the watch.
A Good Reason-
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A Good Reason- It is said that when Mr Max Beerbohm suc- ceeded Mr George Bernard Shaw as dramatic critic of a well-known publication he was told by the manager what salary Shaw had received. "Of course.being comparatively inexperienced," the manager added, "you can scarcely expect so much. "Oh, yes, I shall," rejoined Mr Beer- bohm decisively—" indeed l shall' more! Yon see," he explained, "as Shaw knows the drama thoroughly, it :was perfectly easy for him to write about it. Now, as I. know nothing about it, it will be awfully hard work!" Through the Telephone. A story of Lord Roberts at Bisley suggests that something; similar has been recorded of Lord Cbarles Beresford. Bat the variant will bear repetition. The Commander was watching the firing, and noticed two or three mistakes on the part of the markers. So he went to the telephone on the firing line and rung up the officer in charge of the butts. The marking is very bad," said Lord Roberts. It's the best you'll get," retorted the officer. Do you know who I am ? "'sternly demanded Lord Roberts. No, I don't," I am Lord Roberts. Well, I'm Lord Wolseley." The butt officer afterwards explained that he thought someone was playing a joke on him. An Unhappy Remark. One day a, gentleman and his wile were stroll- ing over the grounds of a-certain college. They were admiring the buildings, some of which had been erected by wealthy alumni. Presently they came to a noble hall, built of stone, and occupy- ing a commanding site. Over the main entrance was a marble tablet which announced that the had been erected by "John C. Blank, as a Memorial to his Beloved Wife." The gentle- man stood for a moment and looked at the im- posing pile. Ah," said he with a sigh, that is what I should like to do for my college." And for the life of him he cannot understand why his wife should have looked so horrified. A Cincinnatus of the West. One of the old governors of the Carolinas, in the United States, was a man who had lived a farmer's life most of the time until he was elected, and his wife having never seen a steam- boat or a railroad, and having no wish to test either, refused to accompany her husband to the capital. Whan the governor reached his desti- nation he found that almost all the other officials were accompanied by their wives, and he sent an imperative message to his brother to fetch Melinda along." The brother telegraphed, She's afraid even to look at the engine." The governor read the message and pondered over it for a few moments. At the end of that time he sent off the following command Bill, you blindfold Melinda, and back her on to the train." Melinda arrived, at the capital withtthevic- torious Bill 24 hours later. What a Boy Knows. What a boy knows is thus summed up by by an exchange, the editor of which was evidently 60 years or more ago a boy himself. At 10 years of age a. boy thinks his father knows a great deal at 15 be knows as much as his father at 20 he knows twice as much at 30 he is willing to take advice at 40 he thinks his father knows something after all; at 50 he begins to seek advice and at 60, after his father is dead,he thinks him the smartest man that ever lived." .rhese estimates are pvobably given for the en- couragement and consolation of parents who are struggling to make obstreperous boys of the know- all age see things," but the awakening of the boys is postponed to a date so late that the most patient father and long-suffering mother can only sigh in contemplating it. Repairing a Blunder. After the services were over and the congrega- tion had been dismissed a stranger came forward 1 and spoka to the pastor. I beg your pardon," he said, but will you j please let me look over the morning collections ? By mistake I contributed a button, thinking it was a coin." Why, certainly, brother," replied the preacher, grasping his hand warmly. Wo are always glad when anybody wishes to correct a mistake of that kind." The baskets were brought and the stranger began an inspection of their contents. It was my Knights of Friendship button," he said, solid gold, and I wouldn't lose it for— ah. here it is! Thank you ever so much." And in his joy at recovering the emblem he forgot to replace it with a coin. Made a Difference. A hint at an explanation of the failure of Volunteers as route-keepers in a crowd is a$orded by an experience of a correspondent. He found a Volunteer endeavouring in vain to stop the encroachment of a stout gentleman. "I tell you I can't get back," said the tres- passer; "the crowd's pushing me forward." Then an officer came along. "Won't get back? Make him," said the officar- Put the butt of your rifle in hia chest. Don't tell me you can't; you are the stronger man." The private hesitated. "Yes, sir; I know I'm the stronger man, he said. Then desperately he addled, Bat he's the manager at our office. air." A well-known actor was once ahootingtwith a friend in Ireland. Thewhad very little sport, so Mr B. said, "PH ask this countryman whether there are any birds about here ?" No use to ask him," said the actor. He'll only tell you lies." I'll ask him at all events," said Mr B. My good man, are there any birds about here he inquired 1 "Lots of birds, yer honour." uTaH me what aoits of birda." "Went now, yer honour, there's gronaes, and woodcocks, and snipes, and ducks, and all" sorts of birds." Aak him," whispered the actor, whether there ars any thermometers." said Mr B., do yoa ever see any ^thermometers about here-?" Well, now, yer hononr," said the man, nothing daunted, if there was a nice sharp hoat the place woaM be alive with 'em."
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The MaBter of Bridgend Workhouse on Satur- day again reported to the guardiana on the over- crowded state of the house, stating that addi- tional male inmates could only be accommodated with beds in the Board room or the bathrooms. It was decided to ask the LlaneHy Guardians if they could accommodate aome of the inmates, and to instruct the master to report as to how many man with advantage could be seat. oat of the heww And jcetieved with 5a a week.
t\ [ ' J # F&iietiSr —** j…
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t\ [ J # F&iietiSr — A Commercial Traveller.—A merchant-vessel* Best expressed on tombstones—Grave send, ments. AFoithcoming E vent.—One that succeeds thre8 others. The first man who ever went ronnd the world I The man in the moon. Sidney Ability is a great element in fsoew success.—Rodney Yes a lack of sensibility- Husband (angrily) I never saw a woma,°«j2 hard to please as yon are.—Wife (calmly) dear, you forget that I married you. Mother Did yon enjoy your ice-cream sodat Dicky?—Dicky Yes, ma; they wujtseven oW boys lookin' in the winder at me. He.: That's absurd I Do you think I'mso a fool as I look ?—She I think that 1f yoø. aren't yoa have a great deal to be thankful for- "-Well, Johnny, how do you like Scotland?" Johnny: Very much, mamma; but I thoulY" from my map it was pinker. Rural Hospitality. Do take some MOre vegetables, Mr Jones," said the farmer's "They go to the pigs anyhow!" Pat, upon being told that the price of had fallen,-exclaimed, That is the first th"Off, ever rejoiced at the fall of my best friend." We prefer to live in a small town what the people sympathise with you in trouble, if you haven't any trouble will hunt up for you. Mistress Can you draw this fowl, Bridget Bridget (who has been brought up on praties bpttermilk) No, mum; Oi can't wroite, >" alone draw I Fuddy: Fanny that a carpenter ahoald go "0 the barber's to have his hair shitigled.-Duadl I No funnier than that the barber should Emdho boy to the carpenter for shavings. I can recommend this horse, sir," remark^ the dealer, confidentially, he is a very soanj* healthy beast." ^"Oh, he must be, or he^ vKf°* never have grown so old." First City Clerk Hallo, old chappie, yon fagged oat. What's the matter ?—Second Cw Clerk Oh, nothing. A week's rest will set Ole up. Just back from my holiday. Who originated the remark, It is always unexpected that happens ? "I don't kno*« said the Government official, but I suspect worked in the Meteorological Office "I suppose,said the sanctum visitor, "JtbSjJ? is nothing too small to escape your observation "No," replied the rural editor, "not even man who tries to get his paper for nothings" Defined. —" He's a penter," said a Sco^ hotel keeper on being interrogated about a scape painter staying in his house. "Bat a* no wan o' they kind that pants: housw-he Pevtj parks.'j He: Before we were married, bar, you used to get your little brothers to heJP entertain me ?—She Yes, I do.—But since riage you've been able to handle me witho" kida. You say his wife had him arrested for rePSO ing? I didn't know she took any interest io political elections." In political elections' Yes; didn't you say she accused him of repe6 ing ?" Yes—bigamy." A large safe was being hoisted through all office window, and as a precautionary measnte. sign had been placed on the sidewalk, reading Danger below 1" A wag passing wrote bene*1 —" Safe above I" Peace-loving Citizen But why do you try to reconstruct society by force ? Why not about your reforms by a resort to the ballot bo* —Fiery Agitator We've tried that, and out-voted as forty to one What do you think of my poems ?" asked tile young author. Well," answered Miss Cay they are betwixt and between. They're sensible for nonsense verses, and too nonsensic*1 for sensible verses." Elderly Sister Reallyi dear, you mustn't p0' "I remain ever your loving Nellie." Jon put "I remain your loying Nellie," if yon li* » but underline the remain. Father's been thro* ing ont hints about the long courtship, darling- Its Meaning.—"So this is to be a tour?" "It is," answered the prima don^j "Yoa mean to cease singing in public?" 11$40 at all. Merely that people are to holO another opportunity of saying farewell to tbeit money." Wederley My wife is one of the most tionate women I ever s&w.—Singleton Indeed —"Yes; no matter what honr of the day Of night I happen to come she always meets we the door with a kiss," "Pooh! That's affection; it's suspicion." They say," said Tommy's "mothu, as were watching the Armless Wonder" wind watch, write his name, and do other remarkao things with hid toes" that he can play the pia° ,< but I don't see how." That's easy, maDan: replied Tommy, he can play by ear." Grandfather (whe is rather corpulent): 13010, boys, yon shouldn't slide down those bannister" you never see me doing such a thing.—Grands^* (picking himself up from the floor) NQ; K1* father, you see, you couldn't. Have you anything to say," asked tueky Judge, "before sentence is pronounced No," replied the feudist; but you'll hear fro» £ my friends if the sentence you pronounce don givesatisfation." You wish to be relieved from jury duty. you haven't a good reason," said the J "It's public spirit," said the unwilling man, on the score of economy. I have aJ pepsia, m'lord, and I never agree with anyb°"i If I go on this jury there'll be a and the county will have to go to the a new trial." Excused," said the Judge. Lady: It has been scread about whole^*J^ that we are engaged, and now the papers » published the fable! Isn't it possible to rec the mistake?—Gentleman: Certainly—and 1 very simple way, without undeceiving so people. When Love Grows Cold." rs.) (A Story in six chapters.) é Chapter 1: First letter: Dear Miss Jin* Chapter 2: Second letter "Dear friend. Chapter 3: Third letter: "Darling." Chapter 4: Fourth letter "Miss Jinks. Chapter 5: Fifth Letter: "Madam." Chapter 6: Breach of promise suit. -<l« An excited, military-looking gentleman tared an editorial sanctum one afternoon, claiming, That notice of my death is f Be, You most apologise in your next issue." editor inserted the following the next dl''f ¡. We extremely regret to announce that paragraph iif yesterday's issue, which stated „ Major —— was dead, is without foundation. A Small Boys' Class in Natural Hist°*^fl Professor: Animals that have no feet along the ground are called reptiles. WW* p: give me an example of areptile?—Young Br ^t A worm.—Professor: Excellent. Now, wi''aeg '• boy think of another reptile?—Young Another worm.
CARDIFF "TURRET" STEAMErS
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CARDIFF "TURRET" STEAMErS A second Cardiff-owned turret been contracted for to the order of Mr & Nicholl, R.N.R.. Messrs Doxford, of Sunder" » being again the builders. The steamer v1 jj»l'j duplicate in all respects of t!?e the capital for which was over applied applicants who were not allotted shares latter will have a preference of allotment 00 former. The Duke of Westminster has g' assent to the new boat being styled Eaton tJ for The amount of the minimum subscript' which the company may proceed to a".°gde namely, £ 5,000, was promised before the lSrjtk|l'^ the prospectus. The cost of the Eatop £ 54,000—works oat at £ 5 9s per ton. As well known, the chief advantage of the type of steamer lies in the fact that an materially greater carrying capacity for »pi tonnage than boats of the ordinary bul* Eaton Hall is contracted to carry 2 70 ton weight per net register ton, her tonnag t", 2,405i She is to be ready for delivery by of August, 1904.
WOULD-BE GLOBE TROTTERS.
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WOULD-BE GLOBE TROTTERS. ^0^ Brussels, Friday.—Three boys, two 0 are brothers, named Mortier, 8 and 1 tively, and Kervens, aged 13, recently & Theatre de Galeries, and were so the adventures of Lovarele, the gioDo that they were seized with the desire to his prowegs. The youngsters pat toe together and resolved to quit „ly and go on a tour of the world.. |>y sons amongst them, they left the c ^0 • Faubourg de Molenbeek. Their & J thoroughly explore Flanders first, t travel by the coast,which their had told them was so beantiful. They day, and arrived at Ninoue at nigh*» and hungry. A police<*an, not 8*\ice their appearance,took them to the P° gg £ »- ZZjlt where they gave false addresses at telephonic communication with sions of the city soon brought an and the identity of the youthful g. yb having been established, their focmed of their wbereaHi *0 befO*- Ninoue and cbastipe^ thorn home.