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SLAVES OF FATE. .
[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] SLAVES OF FATE. BY J. MONK FOSTER. Author of "For Love of a Lancashire Ls, or, Queen of the Factory," A Miner's Jinion," MA Pit Brow Lassie," "Passion's Aftermath,"&c. [ALL RIGHTS r.F.S KEYED. ] SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. PART I. THE VOW.—CHAPTERS I. TO III.—A raggod tramp, who calls himself Frederic Chilton, travels along the moor leading to the town of Hansford. He espies a light in a house near and asks for alms. Evidently affected by the position to which he has been reduced, ho faints away as tho door is opened by a young lady, Acmes Ellis. Her uncle and cousin, George and Roger Cumber- land, shortly afterwards arrive, and the elder interests himself in the stranger, whom, though he confesses to being a. tramp through his own ill-doing, he employs in his colliery. The younger Cumberland, however, is in love with Agnes, and ridicules the employment of the young man. As time goes on Chilton earns the esteem of his employer as well as the love of Agnes. Roger Cumberland, who is rejected by Aggies, resolves to ruin Chilion, bein convinced that he has a dark past which he has hitherto kept concealed. On the morning of the marriage of Chilton and Agnes, Roger bursts into the church, interrupts the ceremony, and denounces Chilton as Frank Chester, a convicted forger and thief. The accused doc-3 not deny it, and Agnes faints in hor uncle's arms. CHAP. IV. AND V.—The scene at the church over Mr George Cumberland writes to Chilton requesting an interview. This takes place, and Chilt a then explains that though he is a con- vict'id forger he was wrongfully con victed. Mr Ci mberland resolves to find out the mystery, and by dint of persevering inquiry he discovers that a junior clerk in the bank in which Chilton was employed was the real culprit. This clerk, Mather by name, is in prison on another charge of forgery, and he confesses to the forgery for which Chilton served twelve months. CHAPTERS VI. AND VTI. -Chester is soon made aware of the confession of Mather, who clears him of any charge with reference to the forgery. He and his sweetheart agree to be married the following week, and are full of joy at che prospect of their speedy union. As they are taking a walk in the country a noise as of distant thunder is heard, which turns out to be an explosion at the pit. Chester rushes to the scene and desencls the shaft, anxious to do what he can. in the way of rescue of the entombed miners. Roger Cumber- land follows him, and at his suggestion goes up a jig brow. A partial fall of roof has. taken place, and Chester at the instance of Roger passes over a mound of coal into the workings beyond. A diabolical thought enters Roger's mind. If he could only manage to disturb a quantity of coal which hung trembling in the balance Chester might be entombed and Agnes might still be his. Quick as though t he touches a cob of coal, and crashing down between him and Chester the coal in its fall fills up the cavity, and Chester is in a living tomb. At this moment Roger is found by some of the miners, and entreated to return. This he, with apparent reluctance, consents to do, and as they ascend to the pit mouth tremendous re- port shows that another explosion has taken place. CHAPTERS VIII. AND IX.—George Cumberland vas the first to rush to the pit bank and to miss Chester. Roger explained his absence, stating he had begged him to come up, but he had At this time the old miners declared ,here was no hope for those down the pit, after he second explosion. Still six; men descended \ie pit for the purpose of rescuing him, Roger wing amongst the number. In the meantime, Chester does his best to find his way out of his omb, but without avail, and he yields to a feeling il despair and weakness which creeps over him. CHAPTERS X. AND XI.—The search for Chester happily proves successful, and he is rescued, Shough much agasnst, Roger's secret wish. The pair are married, and live together until the death of the elder Mr Cumberland. Then Roger resolves to ruin both, and having the power in his hands, destroys a will in which the coal owner leaves the newly-married pair a competence, and adds to the injury hy discharging Ch]st'3r from his employ- ment. Chester and his wife, utterly ruined, leave he town of Hansford, their destination known to no living soul but themselves. PART II.—THE FULFILMENT. CHAPTER I.—MR CUMBERLAND FELL. A little more than two decades have slipped ♦way, and cnce again the sweet refreshing breath of a genial summer was swathing all the laughing land. In country places the landscape was ona broad unending sweep of fresh green living things— lush meadows, green grain fields, clear, tinkling brooks, wide limbed trees, with their grateful spaces of shade, and high, ragged, blossoming hedgerows. In city and town the heat was op- pressive, the dust and glare intolerable. The hot white pavments seemed to fling back the sun's rays, and the shady sides of the thoroughfares were crowded. Standing on the pavement near the Exchange end of Lord-street, Liverpool one afternoon was a, gentleman with whom the reader of this narrative is acquainted. This personage was Mr Cumberland Fell, otherwise Roger Cumberland. How the change of name came to pass will ba explained. Air Cumberland Fell—he was always entitled that—" Mr Cumberland or Mr Fell "—was that—" Mr Cumberland or Mr Fell "—was speaking in a somewhat eager manner to another gentleman who was not more than half his age. T11"n they shook hands, parted, and the former, Ki'tiny a passing hansom, told the cabby to drive him to Cressingham Park. Whilst Mr Cumberland Fell is being whirled homeward—for Cressingli&m Park is his home now—let us glance at him as he lies back on the cushions and see what changes 20 years have wrought in him-changes physical, mental, and financial. There was little change personally in Roger— in narrative let us revert to the familiar and easy cognomen by which he has hitherto been known in this story. The passage of a score of years has robbed him of none of his old good looks. He appeared younger than nlS forty-nine years, and i ir > flowing beard of brown that draped his chin WW cheeks totally buried his two worst features— his thin, cruel lips and heavy, resolute jaw. Of a vriy, my masters, there is much virtue in a goodly beard. There is in it an odour of reverence, an aspect of experience, a something that smacks of the fathers and patriarchal things. The most insignificant face becomes respectable when clothed with a quarter of a yard of hair, a good face appears to a thousandfold advantage when bearded like a pard. Every philosopher ought to cultivate his chin locks, and the State should compel every minister of the Established Church to grow a beard. That the Roman priesClcod should voluntarily resign the immenso dignity that beards confer upon their possessors pusscth the writer's understanding. In appearance, then, Roger, if anything, was changed for the better, and from a worldly point of view the transition was more favourable still. He was a rich man now—rumour said that he was one of Liverpool's richest citizens—but no longer a mine-owner. He had changed his voca- tion many years ago. The earliest points of his career since we left him at Hansford may bebrieSy told. A few months after Frank Chester and his wife disappeared from the town, Roger chanced to meet at the house of a friend in Liverpool a certain young lady named Millieent Fell Sho was a very handsome woman, a year or two be- yond her teens, and one of the richest heiresses in LancashÜ-e. Although Roger was not in any sense a vain man, he was quite conscious of his good looks, and before lie had known Miss Fell many woeks h realised that her beauty and fortune might be his for the asking. Ho was not in love with her he knew—at this period he told himself again and again that for him all love was pa.8t-tl she interested him very much. Perhaps it was her undeniable beauty, perhaps it WM her wealth—perchance both, that made him think of her as his wife. Roger had always possessed ambitions—later on his ambitions possessed him—and he thought of the future an alliance with Millieent Fell would open out to him. These thoughts grew strong to be resisted, he proposed, was accepted and was married in the name of Roger Cumberland Fell. Millieent's fortune had attached to it a stipulation that the man she married should adopt her father's surname, amI when this was mad known to her wooer he made no bother about the matter. His wife's fortune did not prove so magnificent M Roger had expected, still it was quite double his own. Soon after his marriage Roger ceased to live at Hansford. The Manor was sold, and he took up his residence at Cressingham Park, the fine mansion and estate on the bank of the Mersey which formed part of his wife's dowry. He did not dispose of the collieries, but he took no further interest in them save that of pocketing the profits they realised. Mr nd )1rs Cumber- land Fell spent th honeymoon in Rome, and it lasted over two years altogether. But they did not spend all that time in the shadow of the Eternal City. They rambled hither and thither at their plea- sure and whim, visiting all the places of note, and they even lingered a week at the little seasido place where George Cumberland had ended his days. For a heart-broken man Roger did not MI joy himself so badly, although he was con- tinually thinking that if he had only married the woman he had loved so devotedly his enjoyment would have been a thousandfold more sweet. The charming American novelist, Mr Henry James, somewhere remarks that the smiles of very pretty women and very ugly ones are impregnable. Now Mrs Cumberland Fell was very pretty and most amiable, with an abun- dance of smiles and laughter, which she lavished npon her intimate friends. She was a most simple and affectionate crea- ture, with her heart in the right p12CÐ, and, lonestly, Tliger could not easily have found a more suitable life-mate. But he did not think to for a moment. Having wed his wife without loving her, he was not the man to descend to love-making afterwards. They lived together comfortably enough, bub their companionship had about it none of that ecstatic rí1,ptnre 110wly-wpdded peeple are com- monly supposed to feel. And yet the wife was conscicns of no loss of affection. Her hnsband's lack of passion she conceived to be constitutional, and she soon grew accustomed to his habitual coldness. It was his way, she supposed, and dis- missed the matter from n-r thoughts. But Roger did not easily forget his former > passions. But his love for Agnes" Ellis and his natred for her husband were equally well remem- bered. They had dropped suddenly, totally out J of life, but in his heart and brain they were fre- quent dwellers still. Even now, as he reclined there in the hansom, he was wondering what had become of them. Whither had they gone when they disappeared from Hansford ? Were they dead ? Had they emigrated ? Was poverty still their portion if alive? Did they knew of his great wealth ? Thus ran Roger's reflection. Now to return to our sketch of his career. At length, after the lapse of two years, Mr and Mrs Cumberland Fell returned to their native country, and took up their residence at Cressing- ham Piirk, where, a few months afterwards, the lady was confined of a daughter, which lived and prospered and grew up into as handsome a girl as her mother had been. After this, several years of Roger's life passed uneventfully away—unless we chronicle as event- ful his attempts to win municipal honours. Being now one of Liverpool's most opulent citizens, ha conceived the idea of becoming one of her council- lors, and for the furtherance of this ambition he got himself nominated. But if nomination proved easy, election turned out rather difficult. Roger was defeated, and badly; he tried again with the same result after that he decided that municipal honours were sour grapes, and that he did not care to pluck them. The years sped on, and Mrs Cumberland Fell ha.d several other children. But save her firstborn nona of them lived to call her by the endearing name of "Mamma." As for Roger, another ambition now possessed him, namely, that of becoming the wealthiest man in Lancashire. To effect this end he becam« an originator and director of new companies of all kinds. Tramways for rising towns grew infc^ existence under his fingera; coal pits and copper mines were sunk hither and hither in England and Wales; gold mines were floated abroad, and every concern that Mr Cumberland Ffdl touched seemed to flourish. But it was in the years 1869 -72 that this shrewd speculator made the huge fortune he now pos- sessed. He saw that the coal trado was bound to go up by leaps and bounds, and shortly before the Franco-Prussian war, and whilst that terrible struggle was being waged, he invested every farthing of his available capital in collieries new and old. In two (.1' three years his fortune was trebled, and now as he lounged there in the hansom there was no disputing the fact that Mr Cumberland Fell was one of the great seaport's richest men. But Roger had no longer all his money invested in coal. He had really no interest in any colliery now savo that at Hansford. He foresaw tho relapse that was bound to follow the inflation, and he managed to realise before prices fell very much. This brings us to the present time—that is, the occasion on which we saw Roger riding homeward. At that very moment his mind was occupied with three great schemes. The first and greatest was one concerning his own election to Parliament the second in importance was that of marrying his daughter, who was now a beauti- ful girl of eighteen or nineteen and the third was that of floating a great copper mining com- pany in Wales. From Lord-street to Cressingham was a drive of five or six miles, and by the time the distance was accomplished Roger was feeling both hungry and thirsty, and quite ready for the dainty after- noon tea which he knew would be awaiting his appearance. As Mr and Mrs Cumberland Fell sat down to the afternoon meal together in one of tha splen- didly furnished rooms which faced the Mersey, and which one could see over a wide space of green sloping grass and through shady fresh- leaved beeches, the wife remarked in her low, pleasant voice. There's a letter for you, Roger, on the mantel. It came shortly after noon." Roger reached the missive, and, glancing at the post mark, aw it was from Bryulbidoch, Wales. Ho guessed that it was from some one who desired information about tho now Welsh Mining Com- pany. and tearing the envelope open he cast a hurried glance at the communication and the name appended. His hand clenched suddenly on the opened sheet of note paper, and his countenance assumed a new expression. Could it be the same he wondered ? No It seemed impossible. And yat it might be. He must make careful inquiry. Her husband's pre-occupied air and the grave look that had overspread his face attracted Mrs Cumberland Fell's notice, and she asked in a tone of concern "Bad news, dear?" Oh, no, Milly. Only a letter about the new venture in Wales." The look of perplexity fell from his face like a mask, and he pitched the letter back upon the mantel. Then he fell upon the viands and dis- cussed a dozen things with his wife. But all the same that letter and the name appended thereto never left his mind for a minute. When the meal was ended Roger remarked that he had better write, and withdrew to his private room. His wife, who was still a very handsome and pleasant-looking woman, went out for a walk in the grounds, wcndering how her daughter was enjoying her holiday with her Welsh friends. On reaching his own room Roger's first business was to sel>?ct and light a cigar. This done, he again opened out thu letter from Brynlhidoch, and read it carefully word by word. It ran :— Tudor House, Brynlhidoch. June 27th, 1375. ly dear LNIr Felli- I am sure you will pardon the liberty I am taking in writing to you when you learn the reason thereof. 1 see that your name figures as one of the directors of the Lladyllan Copper Mining Company, whose pro- spectus has just been issued and as I am desirous of investing several thousand pounds in some safe and profitable concern, I shall be glad to hear something from you regarding the company 1 have just alluded to. From what I have betm able to gather on tho spot—Lladyllan is only five miles from Brynlhi- doch—there seems every prospect of the com- pany prospering. But before talcing up any shares I should like to hear from you. People who claim tc know you tell mo that you are too honourable a gentleman to bring forward any unsound scheme, or float only the most solid company, and I shall await your reply with some anxiety. 1 may say that my few thousands have been scraped together with hard work and great difficulty, and I should like to invest them safely and well. Trusting to hear from you, I beg to remain, Yours faithfully, "FRANK CHESTER. "Cumberland Fell, Esq." Cae it be the same ?" Roger mused. It was hardly probable, for if this Frank Chester, whose letter he held there, was his foe, how was he to account for such a communication ? Was it likely that his rival would stoop to ask such advice from him? No it must be someone else. Unless—but that idea seemed preposterous. Could it be possible that this was the same Chester, and that he did not recognise him under the name of Cumberland Fell ? It might be so. If it were, then woe unto him! But no matter who the writer might be, his communication demanded an answer, and to such a letter only one reply was possible—tho reply any adroit director would make to a pro- Miective purchaser of shares. In a few minutes cger had written and despatched the following note Cressinghim Park, West Derby, Liverr)ool, June 28th, 1875. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge your communica- tion of yesterday's date, but eannot saddle my- self with the responsibility of advising you to invest in any company. All I will say is, that the company in question promises to become cne cf the richest and most profitable in your country. In less than a month's time, I undertake to say, that ev^ry share will bo at double the original price. But I do not advise you in any way. Do not even wish you to accept all or anything I may say. If you want to invest in the company go to the mines personally at Lladyllan and satisfy yourself that every statement made in the pros- pectus is correct. Yours obediently, CUMBERLAND FELL. "Frank Chester, Esq." Then Roger turned into thl" grounds after his wife to acquaint her cf the scheme he had con- ceived in regard to his daughter. That Mrs Cumberland Fell would aree with him ho felt nc denbt, for he knew her to be ambitious, and the alliance he had in his mind at that moment co'uld :nly h» designated as a n-ble one. ( CHAPTER II.—Tre CHESTER*. At tho foot of one of the greesi hills which face Cardigan Bay, between Towyn and Barmouth, I stands the pretty and picturesque village of Brynlhidoch. Seen from the sea the houses seem but dark boulders of rock that, havo rolled down the side of Cadir Idris, and half-buried themselves m the soil perched up so high among the mountains are they. Beyond the village and farther up the hillside ther*- stood a largish dwelling of stone. It was not in any way remarkable save from its situa- tion. From its front windows one could have pitched a stone into the middle of the mountain hamlet, and tho view of the sea and shore was simply magnificent from that point. Before one lay the wide sweep of curving const from far beyond Aberystwith to St. Ludwall's Island, with all its inlets and miniaturo pro- montories, little .towas, broad atretshea of glis- [ tening sand, and the ever shimmering and pulsing sea. Behind the houso lay all the glories of the .cader Idris range, the precipitous Craig-y-Deryn with its screaming dwellers—the cormorants, and the ruins of Casteil-y-Bere; all around it were mountain walks of the wildest beauty and I most romantic interest, waterfalls of the most rugged and picturesque kind, and lake scenery of the loveliest description. Hither it was that the Chesters, Frank, Agnes, and their only child, George—so callod in loving remembrance of the elder Cumberland—had come to live a couple of months ago. How have the fingers oi twenty fleeting years touched the faces and figures of this loving man and his wife ? Lightly and fondly as if they loved them. At forty-five or so Frank Chester I was bright-faced and happy hearted as when the 1 reader last' knew him, and his sweet wife was as fair now as when he first met her that bitter winter night they both remembered so well. And if Father Time had laid his load gently upon their shoulders, Fato also had dealt gener- ously by them. The record of their past twenty years was a tale of struggle certainly, jut suc- cess, the salt that flavours existence, had smiled I upon their labours, and now they possessed a little fortune which would keep them for the rest of their days. Their story and struggles may be sketched in a I very few words. After quitting Hansford, Frank and Agnea made towards Bolton. another Lancashire town, which lay about a score of miles distant. They had no notion thOT.of settling down there, think- ing it was much too near the place they had been driven from, and that the man whose deadly malice they had so much occasion to fear would discover them if they stayed thither, and again find means to disturb them. But it appeared that they were destined to re- pe main in Bolton for a few months at least. At the first time of asking, Frank was fortunate enough to obtain employment as a surface labourer at one of the adjacent collieries, and to have de- clined even such a place would have been to throw away a chance. Their stock of money was fast melting away. Agnes would become a mother in a little while, and another situation might bo difficult to obtain. The work to be done in the colliery yard was not over arduous, although it was of the roughest kind, and such as a man who had held Frank's various positions might have blushed to descend to. But he pocketed his repugnance for his wife's sake and became a common labourer, filling wagons with coal, using spade and riddle and barrow, and felt glad that he was a complete stranger to all of those among whom his lot was cast. But it was an easy matter for Frank's work- mates to see ho was far above them in every way save that of wielding their implements of toil. And the gentleman who managed the colliery was also struck to see this, and, fortunately for Chester, ho took an interest in the gentlemanly- looking and quiet well-spoken labourer. In a few weeks Frank was quill-driving once > mol' He was offered and accepted gratefully a vacant place in the weighing office, and in this situation he remained for a period of four months, at the end of which time fortune flung something better at his feet. Frank and the manager had become quite friendly, and one day the latter said that if Chester cared to leave and go to Barnsley, in Yorkshire, he could get him a better appoint- ment. It appeared that the firm for which Frank was then working had another colliery in the town named and that one cf the clerks there having died his place was vacant. Of course, Chester jumped at the chance, and to the Yorkshire mining town he, his wife, and child had gone, and in tho neighbourhood of Barnsley they had spent the rest of the twenty years. i Starting at the bottom of the ladder in the 1 office, Chester had patiently worked his way up I to the top. When he had been ten years in Yorkshire he was head cashier for the firm, and in this position he remained for five or six years longer, when the colliery was finished. By this time Frank had contrived to save several hundred pounds, and being out of a situation ho looked round him, as they say in Lancashire; and soon a new place for himself, and a fine opening for his capital came in his way. He and another friend joined their funds and took a lease of a small colliery in the district. The mine was an old-fashioned affair, worked by means of an adit, and had been closed for a dozen years. Frank had now gained a considerable knowledge of mining matters, and tho success of his venture and his friend's was of the most grati- fying kind. Frank and his partner opened their little col- liery just as the Golden Age of coal mining was setting in. Those readers who understand mining history will know to what period we refer. In four years—during which time coal was only another name for gold, so valuable had it become —Chester and his friend had exhausted the small mine, their lease had expired, and their fortunes were made. With between fourteen and fifteen thousand pounds in his possession now, Frank again looked round him. It will be remembered that this was in the early part of the year eighteen seventy- five. Already the coal trade was exhibiting many signs of a serious relapse, for all tho markets were overstocked, and prices were steadily falling. To re-invest his snug portion in coal was quite out of the question now, so he resolved to wait awhile before he did anything. At this time there was great talk about some very rich copper mines which had been discovered in North Wales, and with an eye to investment in copper Frank visited the Principality for a few days. j During his rambles he chanced to stop at the charming and picturesque village of Brynlhidoch, and the big stone house which stood alone further up the hill side so struck his fancy that he re- solved to make it his home henceforth if he could purchase or lease it, and Agnes was willing to make the change. He wrote at cnce for his wife to come to him. She came, and fell in love with the place as he had done. Frank had learned in the meantime that Tudor House was to be either let or sold. The price asked was low, so he became its purchaser. A weak the Chesters had moved their household to the green hills overlooking the Bay cf Cardigan, and their minds were fully made up that henceforth their home should be there. And now a word or two anent Frank Chester's son, George, who is to play a prominent part in this story. At the time all these changes took place he was just finishing his first term at Cam- bridge, and his father had written to him there apprising him cf what had been done. A few weeks later, when the summer vacation began, the young fellow made his appearance at the new home, and was as much charmed with it as his parents had been. George Chester had long cnerished a desire to make himself thoroughly acquainted with tho mountains and I valleys of wild Viall's, her rugged torrents and gloomy lakes, and now his home was in their very heart. His pleasure may be imagined; and one may picture also the long and pleasant rambles in which the young fellow indulged. Fresh from hard study his power of enjoying the beauty of the mountains and the neighbouring shore and sea was thereby greatly intensified. It was usual for George after an early break- fast to disappear until nightfall. He went every- where; each of the mountains within five miles of Brynlhidoch were scaled in turn, and there was scarcely a lake with ten miles into which he had not plunged. From all this it will be discerned that George Chester was no milk-sop. He was as big-limbed and deep-chested a youngster of twenty as you could have found in a day's walk, and whilst he inherited all his father's handsomeness of conn- tenrvnee, his nature was sweet and simple as his mother's. Yet, although George. Chester resembled his father very much he differed from him greatly. Like his parent, George was swarth of skin, dark- eyed and black-haired. But he was built on a larger plan, his mouth was firmer, his jaw much squarer and more resolute looking. A disciple of Lavater would have said of young Chester thai he would be a difficult man to excite, but a dangerous when once: lie became thoroughly aroused. From his great love of active pursuits one might have thought that George was a mere athlete. Such, however, was not the case. At times he loved his books as dearly as a long ramble over the bills, and he had already attracted some attention at this University. When ho took his d agree, which he expected to do in a year or two, he intended to adopt the law as his profession. All his dreams and hopes were centred on the Bar, and ho fvlt that he had within him the stuff out of which great barristers are fashioned. He felt that he had strength of will tc conquer all things that might come in his way, patience to wait, and firmness of purpose | to work himself steadily onward and upward. | George Chester knew the strange story of hist. father's oarly life. Half a yaar age, before going ) to Cambridge, tho son was takm into the parent's confidence, and tho nhr narrative to which Gecrgo Cumberland listened more th^n a score of years before was again rccited. With the deepest interest George listened to his father's words, a.nd tho recital of his remark- ablo history added a new bond to those which already existed between siro and son. The mystery surrounding his parent's origin touched one of the strongest chord.; in G cargo's character. I It appealed to the romantic side of his nature j and charged his mind with a host of thoughts. Without, the least reserve Chester told his son all he knew of his past. He had infinite trust in his lad's good sense, and this confidence was his way of expressing it. So George took it, and respected his father all the more for re- posing such trust in him. One question only did the son put to the sire when the latter had finished his tale. It was this:— Why did you not go, father, to George Far- leigh and ask him to clear up the mystery if he, could ?" "I did go, ten years since, but it was of no;, use. George Farleigh was abroad. The mystery will never be cleared up now. Farleigh knows nothing of it." So the lad thought, and the matter was per. mitted to drop. (To be Continued:)
HOME READING UNION.
HOME READING UNION. Letter from Lord Aberdara. TO THE EDITOR. Srn,-In an age fertile for schemes for intellec- tual self-improvement one of the best and mcst practical seems to me the National Home Reading Union. I have seen it at wirk, and hav9 observed how skilfully it has been devised te accomplish its end, which seems to me the im- provement of reading. I say "improvement" rather than "extension," for without affirming that the practice of reading might not advan- tageously bo carried further, the more crying need at present seems to me its improvement. In the clever parody of Byron's cynical vein, we read:—"Thinking is but an idle waste of thought." May we not say with- out cynicism, but in sad truth, that in very great part Reading is but an idle waste of books ?" And this not only when the books arc positively }'ad and immoral or of that neutral sort weak, washy, unreal, in which myriads indulge, not without some complacent belief that they are doing something meritorious. About these ther can be no question. I have moro especially in my mind tho waste of time and energy in reading books which might bo made the vehicle of convey- ing much solid instruction, or the instrument of strengthening and enlarging the mind. H-re scraps of knowledge are col- lected "as pigeons pick peasebut the benefits which might have been derived are frittered away for want of continuous systematic study, or, at any rate, some convergence to a common end. There is no digestion, no assimilation of the mental food. It is to remedy these evils that the Home Reading Union has been formed. Its objects are declared to be 1. To draw up and publish courses of reading adapted to the tastes and requirements of different classes of readers, especially (a) young people, (b) general readers. 2. To publish for each class of readers a monthly magazine giving introductjpns to the prescribed books, answers to questions, and other helps. 3. To issue certificates to those who have completed general courses of study, and to render such further assistance as experience shows to be practicable. 4. To organise summer assemblies at convenient centres, at which lectures will be delivered by experienced teachers, social gatherings held, and excursions arranged. A strong council has been formed in London, with Dr Percival, head master of Rugby School, for chairman, and our countryman, Sir Owen Roberts, as honorary treasurer. Local committees will be constituted whenever practicable, whosa duty it will be to promote the enrolment of members and formation of circles within their district. Any wishing to become members should send to the general secretary, Surrey House, Vietcria Embankment, London, W.C., for a form. Reading circles are then formed, and courses of reading adopted, suited to two great divisions, viz., tho young people's section and the general reader's section. Ccurses in history, sciencc, biography, political science, fic- tion and poetry, &c., adapted to these two sections will be followed—extending, in the case of young people, over three years in that of the general reader over four years. Fcr these courses certain books are required, others are only recommended, while a list of books of refer- ence is supplied. I believe that the first place in Glamorganshire, probably in Wales, which availed itself of this organisation was Swansea. I am proud to think that Mountain Ash was the second. Here no less than seven circles—three for general readers, four for children have been formed, each with its leader. It may, perhaps, interest your readers to know what are the subjects actually studied in these seven circles. Thoy are in the general section—Ifciglish history and literature, philosophy, political economy, and physical geography in the junior section. English history and botany. I understand that several persons at CardiS interested in education are now engaged in forming a branch of this Union. The chairman of the local council is Professor Vaughan, of the University College; and many others of the best-known leaders of thought in Cardiff are actually ensraged in promoting its success. With special regard to tho Principality it is hoped to arrange with the central council for a course of Welsh books, with a view of founding branches of the union in parts of Wales where it is desired to pursue the serious study of Welsh literature, hitherto so greatly neglected. I have been much struck by tbo eager interest displayed by the several centres at Mountain Ash in profiting by these opportunities of continuous and fruitful study. Quite unexpected literary ability and powers of thought have been evoked discussions follow, tending to secure accuracy ef thought, or to probe the weak points of each dis- putant. Altogether an amount of intellectual life has been stirred up by this institution, such as could havs been excited by no other means of which I am aware. If this is so at Mountain Ash, what may not be expected from a great town likt, Cardiff, where a very remarkable interest in mental culture has been developed, especially since the foundation of its University College ? I believe that all that is required is that the scheme should be known, and it is with this object that I venture to plead for a place in your columns, while I ask you to exsrt in its behalf ycur powerful advocacy, which has never been wanting tc education in all its variety of forms and aspects.—I am, &c., ABERDARE. Dutlryn, Dec. 4th, 1890.
DEATH OF AN INNKEEPER.
DEATH OF AN INNKEEPER. Strange Affair in Carmarthenshire. On Friday an inquest was held at tho New Shop, Velindra, Carmarthenshire, on the body of Rees Evan Jones, innkeeper, Rock Cottage Inn, Velindre, 22 years of age, who had died under somewhat peculiar circumstances. Deceased was a brother of the Rev James Evan Jones, Llanddewi Velfrey, Pembrokeshire. The evidence went to show that the deceased drove on Satur- day week to Liindyssul-the driver being a weaver's apprentice named George Hill, of Velindre. According to Hill near Plasparke Inn a Mr Watkins asked them to give a man a lift. Deceased was willing, and so the man got up into the vehicle, with Watkins assisting. The man then asked deceased to have something to drink, and he had a glass of whiskey. The man was drunk, became very noisy in the trap, and called for all kinds of drink. The landlord gave him a glass of beer. They then went along the road towards Llan- dyssil. On the way the man became very abusive, cursing and swearing, and pushed them about in the trap. Eventually he struck deceased twice in his face, and once cn his head. He was accusing deceased of having beaten him at Plasyparke, and so deceased drove very fast until they got to Pontwelly. When they arrived there, they put up at the Half Moon. Another boy and witness then went for the police. The man then bolted. The deceased drove them home that evening. Hq then made no complaint, except that his bp was bad. The deceased's cap fell off when the man struck him on the head. The deceased's lip was wollen but it did not bleed. By a Juryman Deceased did: not insult the man in any way.—Benjamin Jones, licensed victualler, Half Moon, Pontwelly, said that about seven or a quarter-past seven the deceased went into his house without his hat followed by a strange man. In reply to a question the deceased said the man nad struck him, and his hat fell oif. Witness told the stranger to pay for the hat, and the stranger threw down a shilling. Deceased was trembling as though from fear. -Dr Powell, New- castle Emlyn, said he was called to deceased's house, and attended him up to Tuesday. He was going to him on Wednesday, but he heard he was dead. Witness's diagnosis at the time was that death occurred from obstruction of bilo or obstruction of the bowels. From what he hea.rd afterwards he thought the immediate cause of death was syncope. The illness was compatible with natural causes. If deceased had been frightened it might have hastened death, but it was difficult to decide.—The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that the whole case rested on the medical testimony.—The room having been cleared of the general public, the jury considered their verdict. The first finding went to show that some of the jury thought that death might have been aggravated by the assault; but after furthferconsultation a verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned.—The result was l'eved with much satisfaction.
SARCASM OF THE STREET.
SARCASM OF THE STREET. BENEVBMN'T OLD LADY Dear dear Little boy, why do you sit on the curbstone eating those crusts ? SMALL Boy I'm doin* it for my health,, "gwp. j YQ}\.i,øpI;"M ht&D.ntS.. ,<'
A MINT OF MONEY, Or, NORMAN…
A MINT OF MONEY, Or, NORMAN GARTRAM'S HEIR. T- BY GEO* MANVILLE FENN, Author of "rp Master of the Ceremonies," "Black Blood, or the Lass that Loved a Soldier," "Hardtto Win," &c., &c. fALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER L'tv.WIMBLE SEIZES, THE CLUB. Love is blind," said Michael Wimble, with a piteous sigh. Yas love is blind." He had been a great many times past Mr3 Sarson's coctaga, always -,vitli stem determin- i ation in his breast, to treat her with distance and resentment as Duo who shunned him for tho sakf» of her lodger but bo sure as he caught a glimpse of the lady at door or window his h-avt softened. s*nd he knew that if she would only turn to him, there was forgiveness for her, and more. Upon the morning in question he had had his constitutional, and found a splendid specimen of an .uk, quite fresh, which he meant to stuff and add to has museum. An horor later a neat little servant-maid came to the doer with a parcol and a letter. With missus's compliments." Whimble took tho letter and parcel, his hands 'n trembling and a mist coming before his eyes, for it was Mrs Sarson's little maid. H I was aD wrong," he said, as he hurried in, his heart beating forgiveness, predominant hap- piness in store, and everything exactly as he wished. He turned back to the door, slipped the bolt, and then seated himself at the table with his back to the window, and cut the string of the parcel with a-razor. "She has relented, and it is a present," he said to himself, as lw-tingled with pleasure; "a present and a letter." He stopped with his fingers twitching ner- vously and his eyes going from parcel to note and back again. Which should he open fiz-st-no te or parcel ? He took the parcel, unfastened the paper, and found a neat cardboard box and he had only to take eff the lid to see its coaitents, but he held himself back from the fulfilment of his delight by taking up the note, opening it, and reading Mrs Sarson would be grer.tly obliged by Mr Wimble's attention to the enclosed at once. To be returned within a week." Attention — returned — a week faltered Wimble and with a sudden snatch he raised the lid, and sat staring dismally at its contents. "And me to have seen her all these times, and not to know that," he groaned, as ho rested his elbows on the table and his brow upon his hands, gazing the while dismally into tho box. Ah false one—false as false can be." "Why, I've gazed at her fondly hundreds of times, but love is blind, and—yes," he muttered as ho took the object from the box and rested it upon his closed fist in the position it would have occupied when in use, ther3 is some excuse. As good a skin parting as I ever saw. One of Ripton's, I suppose." There was a long and dismal silence-as Michael Wimble, feeling that he was thoroughly disillu- sionised, slowly replaced the object in its box. And me never to know that she wore a front How can a woman be so deceitful, and all for the sake of show." Ah, well he sighed. I can't touch it to- day," and rising slowly he replaced it in the box, drepped the note within, roughly secured the packet, and opened a drawer at the side. As he pulled the drawer sharply out something rolled from front to back, and then as the drawer was cut to its full extent rolled down. to the front. He'picked it out, dropped the cardboard box within, and shut it up, ignoring the bottle ho held in his hand as he walked away to slip the bolt back and throw open the door. I He was just in time to receive a customer in the shape of Dr Asher, who entered and nodded. "I want you, Wimble," he said. When can you come up. Beginning to look a little grey about the roots, am I not ?" Yes, sir,, vefy," said Wimble, as the doctor took off his hat, -,iid displayed his well-kept dark hair. When will you jome, then ?" When you like, sir," said Wimble, uncon- sciously rubbing rh end of his nose with the cork of the little bottle he held in his hand. "To-morrow afternoon, then," said the doctor, sharply, and you needn't shake the hair dye in my fic,. Beg pardon, sir -? Oh, I see. No, that's not hair dye, sir." What is it then ? New dodge fcr bringing hair on bald places ?/ He held out his hand for the bottle, and the barber passed it at oncc. Oh, no, sir," he said, "nothing of that kind." With the action born of long habit, the doctor took out the cork, sniffed, held tho bottle up to the light, shook it, applied a finger to the neck, shook the bottle again, tasted the drag at the end of his finger, and quickly spat it out. Why, Wimble," he said, with a curious look of inquiry, what the dickens are you doing with chloral ?" "Nothing, sir, nothing only an odd bottle." Throw it away then, "said the doctor, hastily. Don't take it. Very bad habit. Recollect that's how poor Mr Gartram came to his end. Good day. To-morrow, then, at three." Yes, sir, certainly sir; but you forgot to-" Oh, I beg pardon. Yes, of course," said the doctor, handing back the bottle, and then beating his leg with his right hand glove, he walked hastily out of the place. Wimble stood looking after the doctor till he was out of sight, and then walked slowly back into his museum to operate upon the dead bird, which lay where he had placed it. upon a shelf ready for skinning. "Ah," he said, mournfully, as he rubbed his nose slowly with the cork of the little bottle, what a world of deception it is. There's nothing homest. We're all more or less like specimens. A front, and me not to have known it all this time.' If she had taken me sooner into her confidence I wouldn't have eared. The doctor did. flah I wonder who ever suspected him, with his clear dark locks, as I krep so right. Yes, he's a deceiver, and without me what would he look like in a couple of months. Deceit, deceit, deceit. And I loved her so. A fraud. It's taking the advantage of a man." He tapped his teeth now with the bottom of the little bottle, and then turned it with a sud- den movement which he followed up by going to a shaving glass fixed against the wall into which he grinned and showed his tseth with the result that a tiny speck of gold on one side came into view against the gums, and he walked away with a sigh. We are none of us perfect," ho muttered "and I am forty-five. She knows, too, that I love her-and a front!" Well, it was a mark of confidence, and per- haps I have been all wrong. It shows she is wait- ing to trust me, and I ought to Well, we shall S60* Michael Whimble looked a. little brighter, and then his eyes fell upon the bottle, which he shook as the doctor had shaken it, took out the II cork, applied a finger to it, and tasted in the same way, quickly spitting it out as he became aware of the tagte. ? What did he say, chloral? Don't; take any of it. N e, I shan't do that." Wimble suddenly became thoughtful and dreamy as he replaced the cork, and he seemed to see the bright ray of light more on the dry patch of sand beyond where the tide had reacned. Then he thought about, Mr Gartram's death by chloral. "Might have been the same bottle," he said thoughtfully, took what he wanted and then threw it out of tb 3 window. He looked at the tiny drop in the bottom, turned it over and over, and his thoughts seemed to run riot in his brain, till le grew confused at their number. But after a time he followed the one theme again. What a piece of evidence to have brought up at the inquest. How important a witness I should have been. But- why should e have thrown tho bottle out of the wihdow ? He didn't poison him- self. He wasn't the man to do that. Thousands upon thousands money. -rything he could wish for. Regal a- king of the place. He wouldn't do that--he couldn't. Wimble stood with his brow wrinkled up, and then all at once, as if startled by the suddenness of a thought he dropped the bottle on the oil- cloth and drew 11aqk, gazing at it in a horrified way, his eyes dilating and the white showing all round. "Somebody must have gIvon it to him," he panted hoarsely! "Nc, no. They wouldn't do that; it would be murder. No one would try to liunder him." Ho passed his hd over his sorehead, and drew it away quite wet. "His money! he half whi-Irered. as tho thought seemed" cd grow and grow. They say he kept thousands up there- ;jOr someone who ;liated him, as Lotatof peoplo did. Wimble dropped into his f • ^mg chair, and sat with the botjfcle clasped ioms hand, thinking of the, numbers of workpeople" who had quarrelled with Gartram and, spoken threateningly but ho did not seem to^fefel that it was possible fur amy .•one of these af deed. "Someone wjjbo hated someone who 'wanted to gefe-idtj-of him—someone who, who— ■no, no, no, it's tooTiorrihle to think about; and I 'wouldn't know if I could." "Someone wjjbo hated him someone who wanted to gefe-idtj-of him—someone who, who- ■no, no, no, it's tooTiorrihle to think about; and I 'wouldn't know if I could." He jumped up and hurriedly went to the door, took the little bottle between his linger and thumb, and drew back, with his arm extended to the utmost to harl the bottle; across ths ro*d, and }riR.plli:W!y N:çts tÀe oea./ But he checked himself thoughtfully, drew back and went across his shop to the drawer. Here he stood, bottle in hand, thinking deeply before stood, bottle in hand, thinking deeply before slowly opening- the drawer and placing the bottle in a corner. "It would be very horrible," he said softly, if that was the bottle someone used to poÔ the old man and if it was, got a > specimen in my: Xiseum that would attract people half so much. The Danmouth murder; the bottle, that held the poison.' Why, they'd come in hundreds to see it." He took the bottle out again, for it seemed f» have a strange fascination for him, and aft or staring at it until his hands grew moist, he took out a pieco "f wliifco paper, carefully relied 1ibe bottle therein, and placed it in another draw cr, which he had to unlock, and re-locked afterwa; :ds with th", greatest care. "That bottle's worth at least a hundred pounds," he said huskily, as he put the keji-in hip pocket. "It will be quite a little fortune to lIne." "Somebody who hated him-somebcdy who wanted him out of tho way he whispered s s he tapped his teeth with tho key. "No, I <ian't think, and won't by any more. It's fancy. I'm not a detective, and I don't want to know." Someone who hated him and had quarrelled with him, and whe wanted him out of tho w ay." In spite of his determination not to think: any more of the subject, it came back persistently, and, at last, to clear his brain and drive awr ty the thoughts, took down his hat and deterTûllwd to let the museum take care of itself for a a hour while ho walked down along the beach. He knew, as he came to this determination, that he would go straight down beneath fhe Fort and look at the spot where he found the bottle but at the same time he felt that he must and, putting on his hat, he took the key out fi-om the inside of the door, and standing just inside tho shop, began to put the key into the outer open- ing of the lock. as the thought came again more strongly than ever. Someone who hated him and had quarrelled with him, and wanted him out of the way." He was in the act of closing his door after him as a quick step came along the path, and as the door closed a voice said :— How do, Wimble ?" and the speaker passod on with creel on back and salmon rod over 1 as shoulder. Wimble darted back into the museum, cloved the door, and stood trembling and white as a; dies in the middle of the place. Oh, my God he said in a hoarse whispe r, as the great drops stood out upon his brow. What did Rebble say no, no," he cried and then he shivered, jfnd his voipe dropped into a whisper. Mr Chris. Lisle. He was here that night." CHAPTER LV.—MR WIMBLE IS IN DOUBT. Want lodgings, sir ?" said Reuben Robbie, I tailing his short, black pipe from his lips, and gazing straight out tc sea. as if he thought there was plenty of room for a good long rest out there. Then straightening hims-lf from having a good, thoughtful lean on the cliff rail where ho had been having his evening's rest after the day's work done, ha turned, and, looking thoughtfully at a youngish man in tweeds, as if ho were a plant not glOwing quite so satisfactorily as could be wished, he said again in a tone of mild inquiry, Lodgings ?" Yes, lodgings," said tho new-comer, shortly. Well, I was trying to think of some, sir and I could have told you of the very thing if some- thing as I bad in hand had come up—I mean, ctt." Indeed!" "Yes, sir," said the gardener, thoughtfully. "I don't mind who knows it. I'd got as nice a little cottage in my eye as any man would wish to have in his eyd, th" money to buy the furni- ture, as much more as was wanted, theirs being very old and I could have said to you, 'There's a bedroom and a setten-room and the best of at- tendance.' But it is not in hand, eh ?" "In hand, sir. No, sir; nothing like in hand." How's that Ah, well, I care who knows it now, sir. Mebbe if she heared how it's talked about, and the man's disappointment, she may get better- and alter her mind." She? The lady?" Yes, sir the lady, as I may say as I engaged myself to but she's took bad and strange, and I suppose it's all off, as you may say." "Ah, well, sir, sorry to hear that," said the stranger, looking amused, and as if he thought the man he addressed was a little wanting in wisdom. Thank you, sir, kindly. Lodgings, no. You see this isn't a seaside place. Then what do you call it ?" said the stranger. Call it, sir ? Well, we alls it Danmouth, or, locally, Dan'orth, because you see it's shorter and more like one word." "Oh, yes, I know the name, but what do you call it if isn't a seaside pIacc- I calls it a port, sir, and .as good a little port as there is anywheres about this coast. Dinton and Bartoe and Minxton's seaside places, with lots of visitors and bathing machines, and bands, aud Punch and .J udies. Lodgini"-rs, eh ? L3t me see. Lodgings for a gentk-roan ? What do you say to the Harbour Inn ? They've got as good a drop of beer there as a man could wish to drink." No, no, I don't want to be at a public-house. I'm here for a fortnight's fishing, and I want nice, comfortable apartments." "And you want ccinfortable apartments," uaid Rebble thoughtfully, as he rubbed his sun-burned face with the stem of his pipe. "Fishing, eh? You mean pottering about with a. rod and lino not going with a boat and nets ? Quite right "I've got it," said the gardener. "MrsSarson; she lets lodgings. Step a moment. I'll take you on to the museum." "Museum! Hang it all, man, I'm not a specimen." Rftbble laughed for the first time for a month. "No, sir, you don't look as if you was stuffed. I was going to take you to our barber's. He knows everything; and hpll tell us whether Mrs Sarson can take you in." Is it far—the museum 3" Only yonder. Just where you see that man looking out of the door." Ah, yes," said the strainer, sharply. "Yours seems a busy place." I Tidy, sir, tidy." Whose castle's that ?" Mr Gartram's, sir. Leastwise it was. He's gone." I Oh Dead ?" Yes, sir. The worst and'tho best master as ever was. Some on us'll miss hnD, I expect." Curious kind of master, my lad, and likely to be missed. Gartram? Oh, yes, I know; "the stone quarry man. Mr Trevithick, in our town, has to do with his affairs." "If you talked all night, sir, you couldn't say a truer word than that. Mr Trevithick, sir, very big man, lawyer." I Yes thf-y call him Jumbo, our way." JKick Rebble burst cut into a. monosyllabic half I laugh, and then stopped short, as Wimble was I drawing back into his den to let them pass. Here, Mr Wimble, sir. This gent wants to ask something about Mrs Sarson." "Eh Yea said the barber, sharply; and the suspicious look which had been gathering of late in his face grew more intense. "Step in, sir, pray," he added, eagerly. "Oh, that's not worth while now," said tho stranger, passing his hp.nd over his chin. "Give you a look in to-morrow. My friend here thought you could tell me about Mrs Sarson's lodgings." "Yes," said Rebble; "this gent wants to go fishing, and Mr Lislo's always fishing." "Mr Lisle?" said the stranger. "Christopher Lirde That's the man, sir," said the barber sharply. "You know anything about him, sir?" Only that he has a good heavy account with our bank." Wimble looked sharply at the stranger with his head on one side and more than one eager ques- tion on his lips. But the latter felt that he had made a slip by talking too freely, and anticipated him by asking a question himself. Do you think Mrs Sarson could accommodate me ?" "No, sir," said Wimble, looking at him search- ingly. "No, she has no room I am sure. Take the gentleman up to Mrs Lampton's at the top of the cliff road. I daresay she could accommodate him." Why, of course," saoid Rebble; "the very place. I never thought of that." "No, Mr Rebble," said Wimble, patronisingly, as he looked longingly at the visitor with cross- examination in his breast. Say I recomended the gentleman, Mr Rebble." All right. Come along, sir, I'll show you and if you want a few worms for fishing, I'm your man." "Worms?" said the visitor, laughing. "I always use flies." "Most gents do sir. Mr Chris. Lisle does. But the way to get hold of a goodiish in a river is with a whacking great worm." Do you know Mr Lisle ?" Know him ? Poor young man, yes." "Poor? I don't call a gentleman who lately came in for big fortune poor." Big fortune, sir. Mr Chris. Lisle come in for a big fortune, sir ? Hurrah! Our young lady will be glad." Tho visitor was ready to pull himself up again sharp, for thw was another mistate. What a fool I am," he said to himself. Too much tongue. Never mind, no one will know," Young lady in the case, eh r ho said, insinuatingly. Yes, sir; we always thought he was to marry our young lady. They were boy and girl togther, yon see but master pitched him over when a, rich gent turned up. You see Mr Chris. Lisle was as poor as a. church mouse then." Oh, I see." I mean poor for a gentleman. I should have thought him rich. Up hero. Bit of a climb, but it's beautiful when you ar" up atop. View all over th. place. You can see my garden from tho windows." "Capital. So Mr Chris. Li slf. was thrown over, ch Y-S, sir but master's gene now, and I s'pose they'll do as thoy like, especially as he's rich now but, there, you never can understand a woman." No mamever could, my lad." "No, sir. Talk about th weather, why it don't change half so much as a woman does. You can pat up a bit cf shelter or cover things with a mat if you'ro dealing with your garden and the weather; but a woman, sir, it's all smiles one day and no thankye' to-morrow. But I dessay you know, sir, bettor than I can tell you. know, sir, better than I can tell you. Oh, yes, I know a thing or two," said the man, smiling conceitedly. "Dessay you'll run again Mr Lisle, when you're out fishing, sir. He's a regular dab with the rod and line. Always up the glen. So he's come in for a, fortiHW, Uaa he "I would't talk about it. Private matter, my lad." "You may trust me, sir and here you are." Rebble stopped, smiling, at a pretty cottage (where fuchsias and hydrangeas were blooming side by side with myrtle-s, and was going off, when the vsifes? him a shilling for his trouble. Thankye, sir aivJ I hops you'll be comfort- able," said the gardener, d«swses<Iuig the cliff patii. "Well, I am giad. Co Hie in sfes a large fortune. Now if I were him I'd just spon s<i3d Mr Glyddyr to the right about, and get the business, settled as soon as it seemed decent after master's I death. He is a good sort is Mr Lisle, and he's fond enough of her. Why, they'll Ixs married now, and keep up the old place jivst as it is and if I speak when W3 want more help, he isn't the gent to tell a hard-working man to get up a bit earlier and work a bit IfJter. Nt he. He mad* a friend of m3 when ho gave me that half-sov'rin, and I made a friend of him when I caught him. My what a lark it was when I dropped on to him and he thought it was the governor, I know he did." Reuben Rebble smiled as he had not smiled for days, and u minute or two later he grinned out- right, for from his p- int of 'vantage, high up the cliff side, he could see to the mouth of the glen, and there, to his ÜÜellsù delight, h? could just make out two figures in deep mourning, one tall and graceful, and the other short and her head low down between her shoulders, walking away from him in the distance, and not far behind them a sturdy-looking man in light brown tweeds with a fishing creel slung at his back, and a rod over his shoulder, trying hard to overtake the pair in front. Wouldn't give much for Mr Glyddyr's chance," thought Rebble, as he watohed the trio out of sight. "Been an awfully cloudy tim«, but the sun's coming strong now, and things '11 grow. What a fellow I am to give up because she was a bit off. Friends with tho new guv'nor means friends with the young missus, and as Sarah about worships her, do what sho tells her, why it '11 come right in the end." He walked on, building castles as he went, and in the height of his elation he said half aloud :— It's only six pounds a year, and I could let it till she said yes. Hang me if I don't take the cottage after all." Well, Mr Rebble," said a voice at his elbow, did Mrs Lampton take tho gentleman in ?" "Eh! Oh, I don't know, as I didn't stop to see, but she'd be sure to." "Did you tell her I recommended him ?" "Well, no. I didn't sea her; but it would be all right." Oh, yes, it will be all right," said Wimble. But you'll come in, Mr Rebble." "No. I think I'll get back now, and finish my pipe by HIA cliff." "With a beard like that, Mr Rebble? Better have it off." Eh ? No, it isn't shaving day." Your beard grows wonderfully fast, Mr Rebble, believe me, sir. I wonder at a young man like you being so carehfss of his personal appearance. You'll be wanting to marry some day, sir, and there's nothing goes farther with the ladies than seeing a man clean shaved." It was not quite a random shot, for Wimble had wheedled out a little resisting the gar- dener's future, and he had only to lure him with a smile for Rebble to follow him in, passing his hand thoughtfully over his chin, and wondering whether it had anything to do with tha very severe rebuff he bad more than once received. Onoe in the chair tied up in the cloth, and with his face lathered, he was at Wimble's mercy, and as the played about his nose and chin, giving a scraps hero and a scrape there, fhe barber cross-examined the gardener in a quiet, unconcerned way that would have been the envy of an Old Bailey counsel. In a very few minutes he had drawn out with clever leading questions, everything that the gardensr had learned, and so insidious were the operator's words that Rebble found himself unconsciously invent- ing and supplying particulars that the barker stowed up in his brain cell, ready for futuro use. "There, Mr Rebble," he said, after delivering the final upper strokes with a dexterity that was perfect, though thrilling from the danger they snggested, I think you will say, sir, that a good shave is not dear at the price." These last words were accompanied by little dabs with a wet sponge to remove soapy patches among the thick whiskers, and then the towel was handed, and Rebble walked to the glass. Yes, it does make a difference in a man," he said, as he dabbed and dried. "Difference, sir? It's a duty to boolean shaved. To a man, speaking from years of ex- perience, a beard is hair, natural hair. To a woman, sir, it is nothing of the kind. A woman cannot help it, sir; it is born in her, but to her. sir. a beard i, simply dirt." Hah ejaculated Rebble, and he thought deeply. sir; I've often heard them call it so. EVJII cn the properest man, it is in their eyes- dirt." Rebble paid and took his departure, while Wimble plunged at onco deep dtwn among his own dark thoughts. "That man is blind as a mole," he said, "and can see nothing which is not just before his eyes. He can dig a garden, but he cannot dig down into his own brain. How horrible how strange And how the blackest deeds will come out in a way nobody who is guilty suspects. Yesterday quite a poor man—co-day very rich—a heavy banking account—come in for a fortune. Yes, it's all plain enouh. Now ought I to do any- thing—and if so, w hat ? CHAPTER LV I. —A LOVERS' MKKTING. You'll never know my value, dear boy," said Oellow, coming from tho little oval porthole, glass in hand. What do you mean ?" said Glyddyr, sulkily. This is what I mean. Tako the glass, dear boy, and look up that path." He pointed towards the granite-paved way leading down from the Fort, and snatching the glass, Glyddyr focussed the glass impatiently and looked out, his hands trembling visibly the while, aed telling a sad story* of secret drinking. Gting out?" he said, huskily. "Yes, dear boy—for a walk—b^th of them." Where can they be going ?" muttered Glyddyr. Easily found out, dear boy; glorious evening for a constitutional. You shut ycurself up too much in this cabin, smoke too much, and—hum— well, we will net say what. Good walk will do you good." Glyddyr seemed to pay no heed, but watched the two dark figures moving slowly downward. It's all the same to me; legal, medical, paternal," continued Gellow bantcringly. I'm there. Now, then, that's your chance.; go ahead." "No, no," said Glyddyr, turning away from the port with sallow cheeks and a wild look in his eyes. "It would be intruding upon tho poor girl's sorrow." "Bosli! Come along. Two's company, three's none! I'll go with you and make two and two of it. Talk to little Judy." "No, no," said Glyddyr hoarsely. "You can- not go." "Ve—ry well; then go yourself." "I can't—to-night—I am not well." My dear boy, you'll make me ill if you go on like this. Why, what's the matter with you ? "Nothing, nothing. Only a bit cut of sorts," cried Glyddyr excitedly. Why, hang it, man! is this real or imitation ? You lcok like Matthias.in The Bells.' Haven't popped anybody into a limekiln, have you ? Glyddyr turned upon him as if lie would have sprung at his throat, and had difficulty in keep- ing himself back. Well, you are a pleasant party to be shut up with in a cabin, 'pon my soul. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if—yes, I've found it out, old chap." "Found—it—out—what?" panted Glyddyr hoarsely. Found you out," said Gellow coolly, keeping his eyes fixed upon his companion, who was gaz- ing at him wildly. You have got a liver." Pshaw Come, off you go and you'd better let ma walk with ycu make it easier for you." "No; if I go, I go alone," said Glyddyr, ex- citedly. Well, then, dear boy, you shall go alone. I've come down here to help you in the business. Now then, smarten up a bit, and go courting and court. Don't take no to mean .anything, because it don't. Now, then, shall I tell them to get the boat ready ?" "No," said Glyddyr, gloomily. "Look here, whispered Gellow, almost fiercely, are you going to throw all that away ?"_ Glyddyr sprung up as if goaded into action, and went into the inner cabin. "Bless you said Gellow to himself. "I shall have jolly well earned all I get out of this if I do get anything. Strikes me that if I don't look sharp it will be all loss. What has come to the man.. That evening, after a long stay within the walls of the fort, Claud" had yielded to her cousin's importunity, and gone out. She felt tho truth of the French saying before she had gone a hundred yards from her gates. It was only the first step that cost, for as she passed aicng the little row of houses facing the harbour, there was a smile from one, a look of glad recognition from another, and several of the rough fishermen who were hanging about waiting for signs of fish, doffed their hearts with a "How do, miss?" Claude felt a thrill of pleasure run through her, and a sensation as of awaking from a time of sloth, as she realised that life could not bo passed as a time f jr mourning. She turned to speak to Mary after another or two of these friendly salutation to the lady of the Fcrt, and was met by a smile and a nod. "There, I told you so, Claudie. It was quite time you came out. It was a duty." Claude felt her cheeks burn slightly as she noted the direction in which thoy were goin^r, but she kept on, knowing truly that she would have felt the same whichever direction they had taken. It was a. glorious evening, with the sun turn- ing tho whola of the western sky to orange and gold and as she breathed in the soft elastic air, watched th- brilliant shimmer of colour as of liquid flo/raes at sea, and listened to the murmurs of th- ripple among the boulders where the littlo river ran swiftly down from the glen, and the twitter of the "birds in birch and fir, the joyous sensation that filled her breast was painful even to draw tears. N It was to her like the first walk after a lcng illness, when there is a feeling akin to ecstacy, life seems never to have been so beautiful before. She could not speak, but wandered on beside her cousin over the bridge, where they paused togaze down at the golden amber water sparkling and foaming on its way to the sea. Ever onward and up the glen, but not far, before the sound of a large pebble, kicked by a hoavy_boot out in the rippling water, where it fell with a splash, told them that they were not alone, and tho next minute Chris, had overtaken thorn, and held oufi his hand. j There was a look almost of reproach in C as with quivering li# she laid her hand iXl, his, and yielded it as he gently and reverently carried it to his lips. "I have not been to ycu I have not written," he said in a deep voice. I felt that it was a duty to respcct your sorrow. I have felt for you none the loss deeply." She stood looking gravely in his eyes, and he went on ;— "Under the painful circumstances I could rrot come to you. I was driven from your side. But Claude dearest," he continued, with the passion vis&kin him making his words vibrate, as it ware, in fir breast, and her heart flutter as it had never beaten before, I love you more rly than ever, and listen, darling—I would not say it, but such cflmel words have been spoken about my mercenary thoughts." Don't, for pity's sake, don't," she cried. But me word, darling, for ycur sake." No, no," she cried piteously. Then for mine," he pleaded. What do you wish to say ?" "That I am no longer the poor œe-gar; I was called." Chi>is. "But comparatively rich, lovo. I only said this so that those who would see evil in my acts may have something to act as a shield to cast cff their malicious darts. No, no, don't withdraw your hand, dearest. I know«how you have suffered. I have suffered, too—swrrow for you—bitter jealousy of that man." Chris. she whispered, with a look of appeal, for pity's sake-and I am weak and ill-I cannot bear it." Forgive me," he cricd, "whataselnsabrutu I am There, I hold your dear hand once more, and I am satisfied. I will not say another word, only go and wait patiently. My Claudo cannot be anything but all that is kind and just to mo. I'll go and wait." She stood looking in his eyes, and he still clasped her hand while the soft ruddy glow which struck right up the glen seemed to bathe them both in its warm light. Her lips moved to speak, but no sound came, though her eyes were full of joy and pride in the brave manly young fellow whose words had thrilled her to the core If it could have been she felt. And then a pang of agony shot through her, and she shud- dered. How worn and thin you look, darling," he said tenderly. My poor, poor girl 1" This seemed to unloose the frown words within her, the tears gushed from her eyes, and she tried to withdraw her hand, but it was too tightly held. "Chris. she said at last, and she clung to his hand as she spoke, "I do not doubt you. I know all you say is the simplo truth, but it seems cruel to me now. Cruel! My darling, you cannot know me yet," he whispered. "Hush pray hush. It would cruel, too, in me to let you speak like this aljcut what can never, never be." CItul(,- What are you saying?" That I have my poor father's words still ring- ing in my ears. He forbade it, and I connot go in onposition to his wishes." My darling I cannot help it. It is better that the words should be spoken now, and the pain be over. Chris., when we meet again it must be as friends." "No," ho cried passionately, "you must meet me as my promised wife." "It is impossible," she said faintly, after a painful pause. "No," Chris., as my friend— brother if you wish, but that is at an end." But why-no, no don't answer me. You are ill and hysterical, dear. You think seriously of words that will grow fainter and of less im, post as the time goes cn. There, come. Let us put all this aside new. I am content that we have met, and you know the truth—that I have spoken out so plainly once again." "No; you must hear me now," she said with a sigh that seemed to ba torn from her breast. Well, then, speak," he said, with a smile full of pity. "Once more," she said, after a pause; "you l must never speak to me again as you have to- night." I lvhy "You know, Chris., my father's wish." "rflw result of a mistake. Claude, you lovo me." She made an effort once more to free herself, and stood with her eyes fixed upon the ground. "Claude he cried passionately, "you will t311 me that?" "I cannot," she said, firmly. He 1.1 her hand fall from between his, and a curiously heavy look came slowly into his face as the jealous anger within him seemed to seethe. "You cast at me your father's words," he said, hoarsely. I am obliged to remind you of his wish." "That you should marry this man, this Glyddyr. Claude, you cannot, you dare not tell me this." I do not tell you this," she said, quickly and excitedly. "No: that is impossible. I could not be his wife I must not be yours." "You are speaking in riddles," ho cried, angrily. "Riddles that you can easily read," she said, sadly. "Chris., my life is marked out for me. I have my duties waiting. I cannot, I will not marry a man I do not love, but I will not disobey my poor dead father and listen to you. Good- bye now, I can bear no more. Some day we may meeb again patiently and calmly, as in the happy old times." Yes," he said, with the angry feeling passing away, I shall wait contented, for you will not marry this man—you promise me that ?" Claude, dear Claude." They had neither of them given Mary a thought, and she had discreetly walked away, but to return now quickly, and as they raised their eyes it was to see her close at hand and some fifty yards away Parry Glyddyr advancing fast. (To be continued. J
IIABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.
II ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-—In the revised scheme for the reconstitu- tion of the University of London (adopted by the senate in March) powers are granted to the London Colleges (University and King's), which will practically enable them to control the management of the university, in addition to conducting certain of the university examina- tions themselves. No similar provision is made for the repre- sentation on the governing body of university colleges outside London, and a joint letter (see Nature," October 23rd) has been addressed to the Lord President of the Privy Council by the president of University College and the principal of King's College, in which it is stated that they consider that the nature of the case does not admit of a similar effective representation of institutions elsewhere." In view of the above facts, it appears desirable to draw public attention to the results of the recent degree examinations, and I request that you will be good enough to insert the following table, compiled from the university lists, in which the various colleges are placed in the order of the total number of passes m the recent B.A. and B.Sc. examinations, beginning with University College and ending with King's College :— B.A. B.Sc. T1. 1. University College, Tondon 3 14 22 2. University College, Aberystwyth 14 4 18 3 Owen's College, Manchester 5 8 13 4. Birkbeclc Institute, London 1 9 10 (5. Royal Holloway College 6 1 7 6. Mason College, Birmingham 6 1 7 7. University College, Cardiff 6 1 7 8. Yorkshire College, Leads 5 2 7 f 9. Normal School of Science. 0 6 6 10. L-,tdies' College, Cheltenham 6 0 6 /ll. King's College, London 2 3 5 <12. Bedford College, London 5 0 5 V13. St. Cuthbert's College, Uahaw 5 0 5 V13. St. Cuthbert's College, Uahaw 5 0 5 Inspection of the University Lists shows that several of the graduates from University College have received a portion of their tuition elsewhere, and it may not be unfair to point out that this college derives considerable assistance in its science work from the hospital associated with it. The table shows that King's College occupies the eleventh position on the list, so that its performance is excelled by that of nine other institutions which are not included among the constituent colleges of the university according to the new scheme. -I am, &c., D. E. JONES. University College, Aberystwyth, Dec. 3rd, 1890.
AN INDEFINITE TERM.
AN INDEFINITE TERM. VISITOR: How long are you in for, my poor man ? PRISONER Dunno, ma'am. VISITOR How can that be? PRISONER It's a life-sentence.
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IFACT AND FANCY.
I FACT AND FANCY. !n Unequal Proportions. The truest joy we have in life is in making others glad. It is the characteristic of folly to discern the faults of others, and to forget one's own. Truth is the most powerful thing in the world, since fiction can only please by itts resemblance to it. Tenderfoot: Say, Mister, how far tlaes your claim extend Squatter As fur as I Km shoot. Studetit (after delivering commencement option) Aha Only three bouquets, and I paid lor four. She Why do you call me your honey, Charlie ? Ho Because, my dear, you are made up of so many little sells. Customer That sugar of yours was dreacrfully adulterated. Grocer But, my dear sir, grew that way—sandy soil, you know. Nephew (with newspaper) They're bavin- a hard time trying to settle the Hungarian Diet question. Aunt Why don't they givs him just plain pork and beans ? OF COURSE.—"What kind of a dinner does Fritz give you for twenty-live cents ?" Oh a twenty-five cent dinner." Maiden (who has been reading of the French way of conducting matrimonial alliances) • Mamma, you knew para quite well before you married him, didn't you ? Mamma I thought I did. ° ■ "Is Mr Jones in asked the young man timidly. Yis, sorr; was the reply. Then please hand my card to Miss Jones, and tell her I'm sorry 8h3 is out," returned the bashful cailer scurrying away. "Help help shrieked a man who was struff- gling m the liver. Can t you swim ?' asked a sympathetic individual on the shore. "Yes I'm drowning just for fun," was the ironical reply. Mr B.: "1Vhat arc you laughing about, Jennie ? Mrs B. "I was just thinking what a fool you looked when you proposed to me." Mr B. (sighing) Yes and I was just as big a fool as I looked." Ho is an ungentlemanly fellow. When he rescued mo from drowning last summer, he hugged me, and I'd never met him before. "You wrong him, Ethel. He wasn't hugging you. He was only wringing you out." Winkle: I wonder whtt becomes of all the boys who leave the country and enter the great struggle of life in the city ?—Kinkle They make big fortunes, and then lie back in their easy- chairs and advise country boys to stick to the farm. Mamma If you are so naughty, Dorothy, no one will love you. Dorothy Yes, mamma; I know some one who will love me, and the badder I am the more he loves me. Mamma': Why, Dorothy, whom do you mean ? Dorothy The devil. Having observed Mr Wilson on several occa- sions come out of his door, with his clock, in a mysterious manner, we ventured to inquire into the matter, and received the following reply You see, dat clock of mine hez got a mighty loud strikah, so sometimes, when de baby's asfeep, I take it out de dco' an' let it strike, soze not to wake do chile." IN SUNNY ITALY.—Fair Tourist—"Ah, wha aa ideal life is that of the peasantry. In close cem- munion with nature no sordid cares, no dues to pay to the exactions of society." Practical Mam- ma—"Nor to the laundry." First patient Why are all the doctors, nurses, and officials taking so much care of that man who has just been brought in ? He doesn't seem to be hurt much. Second patient Dh, no But he's a. reporter who got hurt in order to get in and write the place up; and they're onto him. Somebody has said that a miss is as good as a mile," and the New York Herald comments "Yes, and a great deal better. You can't hug a mile." Can't he ? A Norristown young man, who was out driving with his best girl the other night, hugged twelve miles out of a possible dozen Just as it is not always easy to express our thoughts with simplicity and truth, and in suck language as shall convey their real meaning to others, so it is not always easy to translate our feelings correctly. Both must be the result of culture. If a box 6ft. deep were filled with sea water and allowed to evaporate under the sun there would be 2in. of salt on the bottom. Taking the average ckepth of the ocean to be three miles, there would be a layer of pure salt 230ft. thick on the bed of the Atlantic. A STRAIGHT VERDICT.—A coroner's jury reo turned a verdict to the effect that a certain prominent man had died of alcoholism. Your verdict is absurd," some one said to the coroner. "Why so?" "Because he was never known to drink." "That's a fact." He never went into a saloon." "You are right." "Then why do you say he died from the effects of alcoholism, when we all know that he was shot?" "That's all very true," the coroner replied, "but the man who shot him was drunk. Don't talk to me, if you please. I understand my business. Deceased was killed by whisky." THE GROUNDS AT CHAUTAUQUA.—Chautauqua is a village of tents and houses, Swiss chalets and board shanties, "halls," a hotel and an amphi- theatre which is a strange looking place when empty and a remarkable spectacle when filled. It is on a side hill, which has been excavated to form a hollow, which is lined with closely set tiers of benches, separated by paths which converge and slope down to the platform below the organ loft. The sides are open. The roof, which rises toward the centre, is a perfect sounding-board. The amphitheatre will seat about seven thousand persons. Its acoustics are admirable. When there is any entertainment in prospect people go there hours before the time appointed in order to secure scats. Men take books and papers and women read or work to while away the time of waiting. Those who arrive late form part of the crowd, sometimes eight or ten deep, standing around outside under the projecting roof, which forms a shelter. THI TELLER'S WINDOW.—It is a great deal easier to understand what is being said when we have some idea what the speaker is likely to say. Persons who are making their first visit to a bank and are unfamiliar with the directions which are apt to be given them sometimes hear very crookedly in their bewilderment. An' will ye tell me where is the cellar windy ?" inquired a woman of one of the officials in a Boston saving3 bank last week. The cellar window What do you want of the cell jr window ? There isn't any that I know of," replied the astonished gentleman. Well, I told the gentleman over there that I wanted ter lave my money here, an' he said, 'Take it ter the cellar windy, an' I' lookin' fur ill now." "Oh yes, I see; this next window here. That's the place you want," and the quick witted and experienced official pointed to the teller's window. Not long afterward the same gentleman' was approached with this inquiry Where's the telephone?" "We haven't got a telephone. Perhaps, if you go-" But I thought there was one here j I want to put my money in it. I was tole—" "Ah yes, I see, this next window is what you are looking for," and one more depositor was safely piloted to and made acquainted with the teller's window. A writer tells this anecdote of Lincoln The great public receptions, with their vast rushing multitudes pouring past him to shake hands, he rather enjoyed; they were not a disagreeable task to him, and he seemed surprised when people commiserated him upon them. He would shake hands with thousands of people seemingly unconscious of what he was doing, murmuring some monotonous salutation as they went by, his eye dim, his thoughts far withdrawn; then suddenly he would see some familiar face— his memory for faces was very good- and his eye would brighten and his whole form grow at- tentive he would gret the visitor with a hearty grasp and a ringing word, and.dismiss him with a cheery laugh. Many people armed themselves with an appropriate speech to be delivered on these occasions, and unless it was compressed into the smallest possible space it never got utterance; the crowd would jostle the peroration out of shape. If it were brief enough and hit the President's fancy it generally received a swift answer. One night an elderly gentleman, from Buffalo, said, Up our way, we believe in God and Abraham Lincoln.' To which the President replied, shoving him along the line: My friend. you are more than half right. AS A BELL IN A CHIMB, As a bell in a chime Sets its twin note a-ringinsf, As one poet's rhyme Wakes another to singing, So, once she has smiled, All your thoughts are beguiled, And flowers and song from yonr children arf bringing. Though moving through sorrow As a star through the night, She not to borrow, She lavishes light. The path of yon star Seemeth dark but afar Like hers it is sure, and like hers it is bright. Each grace is a jewel Would ranscm the town, Her speech has no cruel, Her praise is renown Tis in her as though Beauty, Resigning to Duty The sceptre, had still kept the purple and crown.
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