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[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.]j
[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] THE lASS THAT LOVED A MINER. By J. MONK FOSTER, Anthorof "Slaves of Fate," "A Miner's Million," l "Tha Whit* Gipsy," "A Crimson Fortune," "A Pit Brow Lassie," &c., &c. "A Pit Brow Lassie," &c., &c. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] PART II. The Isle ot Gold. CHAPTER I. The Waikanoota Rush. "Sere we are, lads. Down with the traps, and Jet's mark out our claim The speaker was one of a party of three men who had just arrived at Wainkanoota Gully, a rock-bound valley lying about twenty miles eajt- ward of Hokitika, the capital of Westiand County, New Zealand. He and his companions were gold-diggers, and only that morning had they thrown up an old and unprofitable claim some miles away and joined in the rush to Waikanoota Gully, where, rumour said, gold was to be scooped up in buckets- ful. All right, Seph," one of the first speaker's ebums answered. Shall we unload tbe mule here ? What spot do you fancy, old man ? "Here-right here, Granby," the man ad- dressed as Seph replied, as he glanced around him. "This is right in the contre of the gulch, Mid the alluvial will be at its thickest hereabouts, OT else I know nothing of gold digging. Unload the mule, and in with the pegs at once." Seph' comrades needed no urging to do the work which lay immediately before them. During the past few months fortune had not looked favourably upon their endeavours after gold, and the prospect of a new, and, probably a rich claim, had an inspiring influence upon each member of the party at that moment. Besides, they knew that unless that particular spot was staked out forthwith some other crowd of wandering diggers might come up and interfere with the ground tweeted. So they all set to work to unload the animal Which bore their tools, tent, and other belongings, and while they are so employed a glance may be taken of their surroundings. Waikanoota Gully was a rook-bound valley half hundred yards wide, and about a mile and three-quarters long. Thousands of years before the stony gorge had been carved out by one or mother of Titan forces of nature. Along the gulch ran a narrow stream, crystally clear and icy cold, which was fed in equal pro- portions by the frequent rains and thick mists And the waters of the melting glaciers which tfjpthered eternally at the head of Mount Cook and brother mountains, and slid for ever at their feet. The sides of the gully were ilmost sheer walls 11 rock, which rose for hundreds of feet, ledge after ledge, like great steps that: led Ion the SIIIK- ttrit of snow-crowned giant?, whiclt reared them- selves in the centre of the island. Bub the rocky sides of the wild and weird- looking glen were not barren. Wherever a foot- hold could be found for vegetable life these plants flourished, and the steep walls of the gully pre- sented a long stretch of the most charming and vivid green and delicate greys to the eye. Here and there m boundless profusion lovely tree ferns and darker leaved shrubs luxuriated, Tanning up the sides of the precipices in long ttripa of i vegetation until lost to view in the silvery mists which hung about the shoulders of }be titanic hills. And here and there among the great masses of Seen feathery foliage the totara pines lifted their pering stems, draped with all manner of fantas- tically shaped festoons of grey lichen, which con- toasted prettily with the patches of black rock, the huge fern fronds, and scarlet blossoms of the rata which in places lit up the tangled growth of Xcwen with patches of intense colour. At the head of the gully a thin thread of silvery «ater leaped downward to feed the rivulet and beat itself with a musical murmur into spray on the rocks below, and at other points along the valley little cascades were tinkling down the lichen covered walls. Three weeks before a couple of miners out prospecting had discovered gold in the first panful of dirt they had washed in Waikanoota Gully, and subsequent washings at different points had given equally fruitful results. Then the blood-stirring news had been scattered about, and the rush to Waikanoota Gully began and in twenty-one days the quiet deserted gulch had been transformed into a small pandemonium composed of men of almost every nationality under the heavens, who were thirsting after the precious yellow metel. By the time our three friends reached the spot the place appeared like a small town or, perhaps better phrase, would be a large fair, for between a thousand and fifteen hundred men of all sorts and conditions had taken up their temporary quarters in the gully. The majority of these wanderers had housed themselves in canvas tents or rough huts of time ber, and a few boasted erections of light cor- rugated iron, while not a small number had nothing to shelter them save a shaggy well-worn and too often dirty blanket. Most of the miners who were then roughing it at Waikanoota had to travel thither on foot and carry their belongings on their backs, generally wrapped up in the ever-present blanket. DiggElfS can exist under almost any conditions, provided that they have a good stout rug in which to en- wrap themselves at night when they take their well-won sleep in the open beside a fire, and a pannikin and "billy" in which to boil their tea. The men at Waikanoota were a rough-and-ready lot, but not more rough and ready than one would expect to find at such a place. They worked hard in the daytime seeking the auriferous ore, and if they fouud it in any considerable quantity they wished themselves and their chums good luck in one or other of the drinking saloon*. Three weeks had transformed the deserted gulch into a town, with traders' stores, an hotel, a bank even, and whisky dens by the dozen. The finds of gold had been rather extraordinary, and the boom had attracted every iii-ner with a bad claim who Was within twenty miles. These men •DM still coming in by dozen", and in the course of a week or two every available inch of soil in Waikanoota Gully would be staked out. By the time .Seph Dennett, George Granby, and their remaining chum, Ike Shellcombe, had staked out their claim and erected their conical boose of canvas the evening was approaching. Behind the towering mountains the sun was alowly sinking, and the level red rays smote the glistening white-capped peaks and trackless Wastes of snow and ice below with a firo which Spotted and streaked them as if with blood. The three chums had just finished work, and were standing at the entrance to their tent. One of them, Ike Shellcombe, was speaking. "Well mates," he remarked, with the nasal peculiarity of the true Yankee, I guess we've abous finished that job, and that being so I vote that we lIquor up. What do you say, Seph, old snan 1 I was just thinking, Ike, of making a fire so that we could have a sope of tea," was the te»ly. Never mind the fire," Granby broke in at this point, at least not yet, Denneb. It's too early bjr a long way to turn in yet, and tea will keep. I m of Sheilcoinbe's way of thinking. Let us go and have a drink. I suppose there must be quite a Jot of fellows here that we know." Well, I don't mind," Seph responded, and tfiey an turned away from the tent and made their way towards the centre of the crowded settlement. ^Picking their way amid the multitude of and digger*, the trio sauntered along. Many of the miners w«re erasing operations for the day, and with some of these our friends paused now and again to chat about the claim?. Most of those to whom they spoke gave glowing accounts of their finds," and this seemed to augur well for the success of the ground they had taken up. t Tbe scene in the gully was of a lively and ail interesting nature. Half of the flat patch of alluvial land hemmed in by the cliffs was already cectipiea and being rifl-d of its yellow treasurae, ana the remainder would be taken up in the course of a week, for fresh batches of diggers were constantly arming in gangs of twos, threes, fours, and nan-dozens. Hero and there the rod shirted miners were standing about their holes, some of thorn winding op buckets laden with the gold-bearing dirt, others washing the last panful of gravel and Storing away the auriferous sand. At the mouth of many claim? a. small fling of red bunting w¡,;¡ flapping idly in the evening breeze, denoting that gold in paying quantities had been uneart hed at thos» particular spots. In and about the broken ground the new arrivals were thread. ine their way, taking eager inquiries of the workers. The tradesmen's stores were lit up Already, and don* a good business, and the saloons were driving a roaring trade in bad whisky and other liquor?, and English bottled ale and stout. "Here's the place, I guess," said Ike Shell- combe, and he and his claims came upon a large structure of corrugated iron, over the large open doorway of whicn ran the legend MoTaggart's "Hrst Class Hotel. Come a)ong, boys, and lot's "'¡e the Britisher'a poison." went inside together and found a motley Te gathered about the hog bar. They v :nks and stood ichattint; among them- -inll meanwhile hither and thitber k S .U„ about the place and making casual observations concerning the various diggers they know in the crowd. Presently George Granby nudged each of his cliums sharply in the ribs with his elbow, and said "Look over there at the further end of the room. There's that o'd batter' ag-Liia-Maori Dick, don't you call him ?" Seph's eyes and those of Ike were turned in the direction Granby had indicated, and they recog- nised at once the notorious character to whom their chum had alluded. Maori Dick was a gaunt fellow of forty-five or fifty, ill-clad, un- kempt, and of a generally uninviting aspect. To look at the wretched creature one would not have given a brass farthing for the man, either morally, physically, or intellectually. But Maori Dick was worth more than he appeared to be. When he spoke one could detect in his speech and manner traces of a refinement and education which testified that he had lived a higher life somewhere, and at some time not remotely distant. What the man's real name was no one in the island could tell, nor where he hailed from originally, for when sober he could never be got to speak of either himself or his past; and when drunk, which was often, he was not to be pumped by the most cunning digger in all New Zealand. For the last ten years the miserable fellow had been knocking about the various gold towns in Wesland County, and he was familiar as the sun to every old digger within forty miles. Once a week Maori Dick would turn up in one or other of the noted diggings, and after having had a big<ind deep drunk," would disappearfor a handful of days, to be seen no more of men and the world until the drinking fit was upon him again. But the strangest part of the business was this. Although no digger of all the thousands on the S iuth Island had ever seen Dick handle either a pick, shovel, or cradle, he was always flush of money when he freqeunted the common haunts of men. Where the man got his money from was a mystery to all, and not a few theories had been originated in order to explain the puzzle. Some believed that Maori Dick was a scapegrace member of an aristocratic family in old England, and that his relatives paid him handsomely to keep away from home while others there were who averred that Dick was simply an idle digger who had made his pile years ago, and was now spending it after the fashion which appeared best to himself and, again, not a few diggers hinted that the disreputable sot who threw his gold about so recklesssly when on the spree had struck a rich hole somewhere and was working ill secretly. When questioned on the point Dick would tug with a dirty hand at the ragged sheaf of grizzled hair at his chin and emit a low, dry, cynical chuckle. Most frequently that was his only answer, but occasionally he would remark, after asking his interlocutor to have a drink, that his pile was safe, and that he meant to blue it before he passed in his checks." Maori Dick was already half drunk, and he was pressing everyone about him to drain their cups and have another with him. Our three friends only escaped his invitation because they were out of the field of his obscured vision. There is something about that fellow I can- not fathom for the very life of me," George Granby muttered in a reflective way to his com- panions. That is so, boss," the Yankee drawled, in answer. I reckon, pard, that I can take the measure of most m*n, but Dick there I somehow can't get a grip of." One thing is certain about him, Shellcombe," Granby returned, in a positive tone. And what may that be, ole man ?" Ike queried, as be filled his lank, hairless jaws with a mammoth plug ot tobacco. ".He's a University man—a thousand pounds to a hayseed on that. He's of good birth, too. or I'm a Josser. Haven't you noticed at times how well modulated his voice is, and how correct is his English ? There's a mystery about Maori Dick that I'd give a trifle to get to the bottom of. What do you say, Seph ?" I'm with yuu thers," was Dennett's ready respond. That chap lias a story like most of us, I suppose, but what it is I cannot even imagine. But I do know that he is a very generous fellow in spite of his dirt, drink, and beastliness in general." How do you reckon that up, Britisher ?" asked the American. I guess that Dick's generosity runs to a liquor, as it does with the lot of US." Oh, no, Ike," Seph remonstrated. Wait till I tell you what happened two or three years ago, when I first met Dick at Hokitika. He had been on one of his great sprees there when I first ran against him, and had painted the whole town red, as you may read'i.y suppose. But hia drunk on that occasion had been a bigger and more lengthy one than usual even with him. "I was hanging around theplace doing nothing- in particular, having just finished a good paying hole up Kibonaga way, where the gold had given out, and was waiting for the next rush. "Being flush, I was taking things pretty easy, and while doing the rounds of the whisky helta, I came across D)ck there, and had not a few drinks with him. He's an awfully good-natmed fellow when in liquor, and he seemed to take to me somehow. At all events he wanted me to go on the rampage with him, and offered to find all the rhino for the fun. Of course I declined, for I wasn't without a nice little heap of dust of my own at that time, and Maori Dick continued to paint the town crimson on his own hook. One day when his dust had run out and the bar-tenders of the various saloons were refusing to give him a booze on tick, be met with an accident -got knocked out in the street by a passing cart, and had his leg broken. There the poor devil was stranded and help- less after running through forty or fifty pounds worth of dust in a dozen days or thereabouts. I found him lying in a den where he had been carried, and with no one near who cared a tinker's curse whether he rotted to death or not." And you, Seph," Granby asked as Dennett paused in his recital to wet his whistle with a drop of whisky. What did you do ?" "What did I do? What could I do? I had the wretched devil taken to the best hotel in all Hokitika a.nd placed under proper medical attend. ance and I gave the doctor to understand that I weuld pay for everything—in fact, I did pay in advance—and I told him to spare nothing." And then, Seph ?" asked Granby, who had become interested in the story, what happened afterwards ?" I left the town in a hurry to join in some gold rush then on up Taurangi way, and didn't see Dick until thirteen or fourteen months after- wards. And when we met again things were upside down with me, you can bet. 1 and a chum had been working like niggers for months in a god-forsaken hole at Taurangi and hadn't found enough gold in the cradles during all that time to keep us with dry tommy. And to make matters as infernally bad as they could be my old chum, Roger Wolfendale, took the fever and died. When I had buried him I was stone-broke both in pocket and in spirit— hadn't a copper to curse or bless myself with, and credit for neither a bite nor sup. I was just thinking of chucking digging there and then and for ever, and of begging my way to Otago, where I might turn labourlr at-h ve lxb a day, when who should I run against at the door of a saloon but Maori Dick. He was on the go,' as usual, but he was sober enough to recognise me at once, and to grip me fast. It didn't take me long to tell him how things stood with me, and before I knew what I was doing I wa3 inside the place, and had the best the saloon could offer in the way cf eatables and drinkables." Good old boss tot quoth the Yankee, with a sparkle in his smaH eyes. There's grit in the heathen after all. I reckon I owe that old fellow a drink." I But that wasn't all, Shellcombe," Seph went on. Birfore we parted Dick dropped five and twenty quid into my hands, and when I wanted to talk about repayment, or him wanting some of it, he simply ran away and Mt me. Since then I have met him many a time, and have offered him repayment. But I shall never do so again." "How's that, pard," the Yankee demanded somewhat sharply. "Because I do not want to inpult him," was Serb's reply. "Low as Maori Dick appears to have fallen, the heart of a man still beats in his breast, no matter how much he may try to hide the fact by making a beast of himself. The last time I ventured to speak to him about the money ha implored me with tears in his eyes—the first time I or anyoue else ever saw him betray any sign of fec-ling-never again to offer him that crowning insult after what I bad done for him in Hobitika." "I should like to shake tbe old vagabond by the hand Granby burst forth. There's better stuff in that old demoralised savape than all the gang he is treating there at the bar "I'm with you there, pard," drawled Ike, as he munched his mouthful of thick twist. "I cueas I shall have to make Maori Dick's acquaintance just for the sake of telling him that he's a darned heapbetier than I used to think him." Tnen you'll have a chance now, chums," Dennett cried suddenly, for Dick's coming ovor here, I can see. He's spotted me—here he comes." So it wag. Tti- tall, gaunt, neglected-looking fellow came across the place at a gallop-anf, was wringing Seph Dennett's fist in his own ere the Others scarcely realised it. How are you, Seph, my boy ?" thf; half-tipsy vagrant cried loudly. "All right, I can see. Yes; I'm on th", rampage again, and mean to do the thing well on this especial occasion. Maori Dick doesn't count the cost when he is out for a holiday. Are these friends of yours, Seph ? If they are, I should like to feel their hands." Seph presented his comrades in an off-hand way, anci the mysterious reveller continued, "Glad to meet you all, gentlemen-yoy • speoeially, Seph. I want to tell you something some day. But that's not the question now. It's my shout this time, so give your special poison a name." The drinks were ordered and supplied, and as they sipped them they engaged 10 conversation J respecting the gully and its denizuns. I "Been here long, gentlemen?" Maori Dick asked as he poised his tumbler of whisky and soda on high, and watched the sparkling effer- vescent bubbles with the glance of a connoisseur. "We only joined the rush this afternoon," said Dennett. Have you been here long?" "Just a few days only, and 1 was thinking of moving; but I shall stay a little longer now for the pleasure Qf your company. If yon gentlemen will only help me to melt the dust you will confer an inestimable benefit upon yours faithfully. What do-" Maori Dick's speech was broken off abruptly, and his face changed colour with the quickness of a lightning flash. His attention had been arrested be the voices of SOUle new arrivals, and at one of these, a dark-bearded, sturdily-formed man of fifty, he stared as if a ghost or devil were con- fronting him. Then without a word he turned, drained his glails to the dregs, and tried to shp out of the saloon. But he was not quick enough. Ere he reached the wide, gaping doorway a burly form dashed forward, and strong revengeful hands gripped him tightly. Maori Dick's assailant was the dark-bearded stranger at whom he had stared with fear and amaze, and the man's voice was ringing huskily, passionately, savagely, through the saloon. "You damnable hound!" the stranger hissed with his fingers at Dick's throat. At last I have found you Now I'll wipe out your sin with your life! Stir a foot if you dare, and I'll put a bullet through your infernal carcase In a moment all was clamour and confusion. The diggers rusbedl.in a crowd towards the struggling men, all-agog with wonder as to the cause of the sudden eh counter. (To Je continued).
CAN A KING FIGHT A DUELP
CAN A KING FIGHT A DUELP King Oscar's action in conferring upon the Norwegian author, playwright and politician, Bjornsen, whose name is so frequently mentioned as likely to become the first President of a new- fledged Norwegian republic. the grand cordon and star of the Ordor of St. Olaf marks the termination of a dispute between monarch and subject as to the origin of which considerable ignorance prevails. It may be said to have originated in a bit of literary jealousy and rivalry. King Oscar, as is we!! known, has literary pretensions of no mean order and has figured extensively as a poet, author and playwright, just in the same manner as Bjornsen. The latter, having learned that King Oscar had criticised in the most merciless and unsparing manner one of his plays, the same one which is now being per. formed at Pans under the title of La Fciillite, immediately flew into a great rage. Regarding it not in the light of an expression of opiuion of his sovereign, but merely as a piece ot envy on the part of a jealous and soured rival, he at once pro- ceeded to challenge King,0.scar to fight a duel and to grant him satisfaction on the field of honour. King Oscar is very democratic, simple, and unaffected, save in literary matters. But this, however, was more than he could stand, and accordingly he gave orders for the prosecution of Bjornsen on a charge of lese majeste—an offence which, as I have previously had occasion to relate in these columns, entails all sorts of terrible penal- ties, so much so that the irascible Norwegian playwright deemed it prudent to seek refuge in Germany. This took place in 1879, and it is only comparatively recently that he has ventured to return home. King Oscar's gift of the highly- prized Order of St. Olaf must, therefore, be re- garded a3 constituting a far more suitable, sensible and altogether royal method of granting satisfaction than that demanded by the poet in the shape of pistols for two. It is the first and only time on record that a reigning king has been challenged to mortal combat by one of his sub- jects, and had the combat taken place and terminated fatally for the king, it is difficult to see what penalty would have been meted out to his opponent.
THE HERRING FISHERY.
THE HERRING FISHERY. It is a remarkable fact (says a Welsh contem- porary) that while there has been almost a dearth of herrings off the coast of Pembrokeshire, the exact reverse condition of the fishery has existed off the Cornish coast, as will be seen by the fol- lowing announcement:—Last week herrings wore so plentiful a* St. Ives that they were selling in baskets of 180 at 10 for a penny. On Thursday 440 tons of herrings, hauled by eight locomotives, left St. Ives for populous towns. So much for Cornwall. The scarcity of herrings in South Wales has caused a large importation of fish from the more favoured fisheries, and in some cases large quantities of fish have been condemned. At Cardigan last week nearly a ton of stinking her- rings were condemned at the railway station by Drs. Phillips and Jones. They were despatched from Hull on Saturday and arrived at Cardigan on Monday morning en route to Fishguard. It is a positive fact that boxes of herrings, so-called fresh herrings, are hawked round that town daily as New Quay or Aberporth scadan, which leave behind them in passing a palpable odour which proves conclusively they have left their briny homes so far back in the past as to render their freshness more than open to doubt,
A CURIOSITY AT THE" ZOO."
A CURIOSITY AT THE" ZOO." Australia produces many curiosities in the animal line, but few are greater oddities in outward appearances than the Moloch lizard. A specimen has just arrived at the Zoo, where it can be seen when it condescends to stand freely in the open instead of skulking behind the shelter of a piece of cork. Nature has bestowed upon this reptile such a vaned assortment of knobs and spines that it can be handled only on the same terms as a hedgehog. The excres- cences, moreover, dc not produce an impression of much physical beauty. But if not perhaps ornamental, they are most clearly useful. It would be a bird of strong nerves who ventured upon any familiarities with the lizard but even if it were undaunted by its terrifying aspect, it seems impossible to conceive of an esophagus leathery enough to contain the reptile for any appreciable space of time. The Moloch is decidedly the most remarkable of recent addi. tioaa to the Reptile House.
UNWELCOME KISSES.
UNWELCOME KISSES. A case just settled on appeal in the Dutch Courts establishes the fact that according to the law of Holland a man cannot be punished for kissing a strange lady in the streets against her wish. A young man having assaulted a young woman in this way In the streets of a little village near Utrecht, the latter complained to the burgomaster, who instituted proceedings, de- manding that the offender should be fined one florin, or in default that he should be imprisoned for one day. The Utrecht Court first of all. and now the Appeal Court at Amsterdam, have dis- missed the case, the judges declaring that to kiss a person cannot be an offence, as it is in the naturs of a warm mark cf sympathy."
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Short Complete Tales by Renowned…
Short Complete Tales by Renowned Writers. À [COPYRIGHT J THE WAGES OF SIN. BY WALTER BRUCE. Author of "A Transvaal Tragedy," "A Dark Night on the .Rand," "Legends of the Veldt," In Search of a Wife," &o, CHAPTER L The Heart's Awaknening. A Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is wing'd Cnpid painted blind." Towards the end of May, a lover of the beauti. ful in Nature finds but little to gratify his senses as he traverses some of the outlying districts of the Newcastle Di.vision of Natal. The narrow, brown road, running up hill and down dale with a Roman disregard of engineering devices, is visible for miles ahead, and is enlivened only by an occasional ox-waggon, a spider, or a Cape cart which jolts unconcernedly along, while its luckless occupants apparently vainly endeavour to discover some posture which may give ease to their bruised and aching bones. As far as the eye can reach, on the right band and on the left, stretches the weldl, in places covered with low brush or scrub, where a few sheep and goats mysteriously contrive to extract a living and tbe unaccustomed traveller marvels at the temerity of the men who first pushed their way north and east from the Cape, and pitched their tents in the then wilderness. But, notwithstanding the general barrenness of the scene, he is constantly reminded that circum- stances are but as clay in the hands of the strong man, to be moulded to the strong man's will, for here and there he alights on a substantial Dutch- built farm house, with its dependent colony of outhouses and barns, surrounded by tall blue- gums and drooping willows, the shade of which tempers the fiercest summer heat, The great yard abounds with turkeys and geese feeding among a huge pile of fodder; fat oxen stand here placidly awaiting their next task dogs of divers shapes and sizes bark out suspicious inquiries at all new arrivals the trim gardens and enclosures sloping down to the river are bordered with quince and prickly pear apples, pears, and plums grow with luxuriance orange and lemon trees bear fruit in their season nor is the homestead without the thorny cacti and the graceful vine, Such in oasis in the desert was the farm at liger's Vlei, belonging to Mr John Dixon, whose father had settled there in the forties, and to whose care for posterity most of the trees which were the peculiar glory of the place owed their origin. On an afternoon towards the end of summer, some seven years ago. a young girl, modestly and plainly arrayed in a light dress and a straw hat, was standing on the step of the house, shading her eyes with her hands. She was tall beyond the height of even tall women, but so perfectly was her figure moulded and so graceful were her move- ments, that a sculptor would have hailed in her a fit model for a statue of Athene Loveliness Needs not the foreign aid of ornament But is, when unadorned, adorned the most." Her dark hair and eyes served to enhance the brilliant clearness of her complexion and the broad low forehead told of moral and mental strength. The veriest simpleton would not have taken Margaret Dixon for a cypher among women. Suddenly, she started forward, and hastened down the path leading to a clump of trees on the river bank, where she found herself face to face with a young man whose good looks equalled her own. Rupert Grey also was tall his features were regular and finely-formed, but the contrast of his coal-black hair with a tawny moustache gave him a somewhat uncommon appearance. So you have come J" he remarked, with a satisfied smile. I thought you would never be prosaic enough to let curtain-mending keep you from Shelley when we bad a chance of a quiet two hours." Don't flatter yourself that it is henceforth in your power to taunt me with having neglected curtains for poetry," she said, merrily. I mads Sally help me and all are finished." Well, it doesn't matter how your conscience views it so long as you are here. Come, and I will help you into your own seat." With his aid she scrambled up on to a low bough of a tree, and the young man stretched himself at her feet. I thought you were going to bring your easel instead of a book," she said. My dearest Margaret, how oan you expect me to study inanimate nature when I have such a charming specimen of womanhood for contempla- tion before me? If it were your portrait now." "That is a pretty compliment, but I want the picture finished. It is so delightful to think of its going home and setting everybody talking." Don't set your heart too much on its success, Maggie. The professional fellows who make their living in daubing always hate and, if pos- sible, balk an amateur of any talent." But Rupert, if It never gets any further they will not even have the chance of criticising it. You have hardly touched it for weeks." The sleepiness of the place is infectious," he replied. "Who can rouse himself to work when the chief mental excitement of the day is hearing the roosters crow? These farms in the veldt are the veritable land of the 'Lotu'eaters. She laughed. We colonist* learn to be active enough. I have been running about ever since six o'clock this morning." You are not a colonist, Margaret." "I assure you I feel a genuine Natalian by this time. It is nearly six years since mamma died and left me alone in the world, with neither friends nor money. I was staying at my old school when uncle's letter arrived, offering me a home here, and I remember the exciting discus- sions all the teachers aud girls had as to my prob- able experiences. Our ideas were chiefly drawn from missionary magazines." "What did you think of the place when you arrived ? After the novelty wore off I went nearly mad from loneliness. Uncle was kindness itself, but oh, how I grew to bate the very sighe of sheep and bush." Are you better now ? he asked softly, lifting his handsome hazel eyes to her face. Can you ask ?" she returned reproachfully. "IofU*n woiider why God has been so good to me. I remember," she went on, smiling, how vexed I was the day you came. Usually, I was only too glad when strangers dropped in for the night, for the sake of a new face, but I had just arranged to spwnd Christmas with Mrs Winter, and your advent upset all my plans." "And your temper was not improved when you learned that my brute of a horse had so injured my knees that I would be quartered on you for a couple cf months. At any rate the colony sets an example to the mother country in one respect. If a luckless stranger's steed brought him to grief there he would be promptly bundled off to an hotel, there to end or mend, as he preferred." "You see there are no hotels in the veldt to bundle him to, so we mustn't take too much credit for our hospitality but, Rupert, that day was the beginning of my life," and a luminous smile lit up her expressive face. Rupert gazed at her attentively. I wish I were a better man and more worthy of you," he said slowly. The girl slipped off her perch and knelt down beside him. You are all in all to me," she said, and I want no alteration. Pray heaven you say the same." He raised her hand to his lips. It I had known jou sooner my life would have been very different." Then he continued in a livelier tone. Do you remember what I told you yesterday ?" A rosy hue suffused her cheek. Of course I do. That I, Margaret Dixon, buried in the wilds cf Africa, have secured a most eligible parti for myself—no other than the son and heir ot Lord Frome." He glanced round uneasily. Don't speak so loud, Mag, I don't want the thing to get about, and some of tbe servants might hear. In England one can't help being perched upon a. sort of pedestal above other men, but when I came away to see the world, I deterruined to be plain Rupert Gray till I re. turned." Something in his manner jarrod on her, and she went on with a little efiort- "I want you to do something for me, Rupert." What you like, my lovo." Writo to your father, and offer to return home. Although you parted In anger bis heart must ache for yon." Suppose lie ordered me to give you up," he suggested, "and marry my rich cousin, Eveline? The tears rose to her eyes. Would he do that Y* she gasped. "It is exceedingly probable," he replied. No, my dove, we will get married first, and then you shall teach me to do as you think fit. That is the true mission of woman. We men cannot be ex- pected to run straight fclone." When shall we tell uncle t" she Asked. "Whenever you like, my dear so long as it is not just yet. Let us have a little quiet eujoy- ment before all the world comos fussing and con- gratulating us." There are not many people here to bother us, Rupert. You forget we are thirty-five miles from our nearest town." You see a good many people, for all that," be reiparked. Tiger's vlei is jost like a balf- way house for all passers-by. I am always wondering that some fine young Boer didn't sweep down and carry you off long ago." Young Boers did not attract me," she replied with a curl of her lip. Then you had suitors among them ? H A fcirl could hardly avoid that unless she positively squinted. But a man with no more idieas than one of his oxen—" She stopped, unable to finish the sentence to her satisfaction. None of them read Tennyson or Shelley to you, eh ? 3 I don't supple any of the farmers round ever heard of either Tennyson or Shelley—with one exception, perhaps," she returned. And who is this one ?" She hesitated. You have never seen bim he has been away for nearly six months in Bloem. fontein." "But what is the name of this • Beauclerc' among South African farmers ? I daresay he is a prig of the first water." "Frank Winter is a good, honest fellow," she said gravely, "anll his mother, who has managed for him during his absence, is my dearest friend. Their farm is Bavmn's Hoek, about six miles from here." An onlooker might have noticed that Grey started, but Margaret was looking straight before her over the river. And did this good, honest fellow make love to you ?" he asked, a little scoffing-Iv. No, no, you quite mistake me. Frank Winter's father settled out here by uncle's advice, and the households have always been friendly, but Frank never breathed a word of love to me in his life." Well, bencefcrward, Maggie, no fellow, however good and_honest, will have a chance with you. You are mine now, my darling." And as if moved by some sudden impulse, he took the beautiful girl in his arms, kissing her with pas- sionate fervour on lip3 and brow, while she, in the silent ecstasy of Love's young dream," thanked God for his goodness and worshipped Rupert Grey in her hearb. ? CHAPTER IL A Friend in Season. A friend—in truth a glorious word ll The hand ne'er grasped in vain, That gives thee hope, help, home, and hoard, And never asks again. And if thon'ldst have thy friendship stand And never find an end, Ask all things of thine own right hand And nothing bf thy friend. Meanwhile, two horsemen were approaching Tiger's Vlei. Behind them followed a third who was evidently a servant. You seem out of spirits as the result of your travels, Frank," Mmarked the elder, who was Mr Dixon. Come in and stay the night, and let Margaret give us some music. She has her new piano now, and a pretty business it was to get it up from Maritzbnrg." "Thank you," returned the other, without rousing himself from his depression. "I was hoping to find you alone when you overtook me. The truth is I have bad news." "Nothing wrong with your mother, I hope." She is well in health if you mean that. But. Dixon, I have behaved like a fool, and am now to pay the penalty." "Most of us do that at one time or another," observed Dixon, sententiously. "Luckily, most errors are retrievable." "Save when some scoundrel takes care they shall spell ruin." It is not as bad as that, I hope." It is indeed. I am a beggared man, Dixon." His companion gave a long whistle. Winter continued, "You know I spent a good lot of money over that bit of irrigation and in getting new stock from England." Dixon nodded. Well, I ran very short of cash, and as mother was getting next to no interest for her capital, we decided that I should go to Kimberley and look for a better investment." And you got bitten 2" Of course. I was an unmitigated fool. I feU in with-a man called Harris, very clever and go- ahead, and apparently very friendly, and who appeared to be thoroughly acquainted with markets and mines. Through him I heard that a Jew, named Isaacs, had discovered a gold reef, and was satisfied it would be a grand success. Harris swore he had examined the quartz with his own eyes, and was so convinced of its rich- ness that he was investing every farthing of his own property in the company Isaacs was floating. To make a long story short. I took shares." And it turned out a bubble affair ? "As far as I can learn no sod has ever been turned, and both Harris and Isaacs have dis- appeared." It's bad, of course. Still, matters might be worse. There is always the farm to fall back on- one of the best in the district." "It may well be that, considering that my father toiled on it early and late for twenty years, and that since his death I have spared neither thought nor labour. But you have not heard the full extent of my folly. Harris talked me over into mortgaging the farm so as to have more money to invest, and now, owing to the last drought, I cannot go on. The Standard Bank is going to foreclose." The friends rode on for some time in silence. What made you in such haste to be rich, Frank?" "Can't you guess 7" asked the young man, mournfully. "You don't mean to say my little girl had any- thing to do with it? My poor lad, this is indeed hard." I've got my deserte, too," returned Winter, bitterly. I've lost the farm my father and myself have worked on, like niggers, for thirty years I've lost the only chance of winning the only woman I ever cared for; I've turned my mother out of her home in her old age." "Your mother shall always have a home at the Vlei while I live." "Thanks, Dixon. It is like you to make such a generous offer. But if there is justice in heaven or earth I shall come face to face with that rascal, Harris, yet, out in the open veldt, with no one to interfere, and then let the Almighty defend the right. When I think of all his plausible ways, his elegant Euglish manners, all his circum- stantial lies and flattering confidences, my blood boils to square accounts." Do you know who he is ? '1 He seemed to mix with all the best Kimberley people, but Sam hints that he has been concerned in several shady transactions, but managed so cleverly that he escaped actual detection." Isn't Sam the man whose life you saved when the river came down ?" Yes, and therefore being of an inferior race be is grateful, and has firmlyattuched himself to me ever since. It seems that Harris meddled with a dusky love of his, and Sam hasn't for- gotten It-nor tb3 fact that Harris horae-wbipped him when he expostulated. Sam insinuates that the police would bo glad to get hold of Harris on two or three counts. Well, Dixon, I've had my say and your home is in sight. I'll not off-saddle, thanks. Believe me, I am very grateful for your kind sympathy." Poor lad, he doesn't want to meet Maggie," muttered the farmer, as he watched the retreating figure out of sight. Hallo, Sam, what is it ?" The man touched his hat. Master's gun is at Tiger's Vlei, and he wants me to get it," All right; ask my niece where it is." Followed by the man, Dixon rode up to the house, and found his niece and Rupert standing together on the stoep. "Getting cold weather for tenting out at nights," he said good-naturedly, as he shook hands with the latter. Isn't it about tune that that fine picture of yours was finished ?" Grey looked superior. Artistic work isn't like ploughing. One can t force it," he said rather pompously. "I expect this canvas to make my name, and therefore it would be folly to grudge time to it." "I wonder now," said Dixon simply, "that you don't find it pay better to paint something uearer home that people would recognise. Surely the fine folk in London won't care to have a picture of the Vlei with tho hills behind it." "Oh, uncle, you don't understand," interposed the girl, with her lover's kisses still hot on her brow. "It isn't the subject the people care about, it is the colour, and tone, and so forth." Whieh old fogies like me don't know anything about," said Dixon good-lnimouredly. Now, girlie, run In and hurry supper, and Grey will take a bite with us." It was past ten o'clock when Grey left his hosts to go to the tent in which he had lived since his recovery from his accident. Dixon had poiitely urged him to use the farm as his headquarters, till the picture which had been begun during his con- valescence was completed, but Rupert insisted on camping out on a convenient bit of ground near, where he could enjoy greater freedom and privacy, and unsophisticated as the farmer was, ha perceived that it was better not to throw Maggie too constantly into the company of his handsome young visitor. A day seldom passed, however, without Rupert taking one or more meate at the farm. As he sauntered down the beaten track, the wonderous beauty of th. South African night charmed him afresh. High overhead rode the peerless moon, but not even the brightness of her radiance could altogether dim the hundred thousand sparkling points of light which mark the glory of the southern hemisphere. The balmy night wind blew gently over the veldt, rustling lovingly among the bows of the taU gums, and wafting the heavy scent of the night flowers along the murmuring river. Rupert flung himself into a canvas chair standing at the door, and gave himself up to meditation as ho watched the smoke curling upwards from his pipe. Yes, he would makeanew start, and let bygones be bygones He had mever deemed himself an out. and-out bad character he had only drifted into troubled waters through the force of adverse circumstances. Now, in tbe light of Margaret's pure innocence, his past ill-life looked ugly and hateful, and he would cast it behind for ever. The farce about the picture, which had been his excust for lingering at Tiger's Vlei, should be given up, and he would ask Dixon for his nit-oe to-morrow. Then he would marry Maggie forth- with. and proceed to Australia, where ne could out himself off from the past and live with clean hands. What was the use of aU this scramble after money With Maggie at his sido a modest com- petence would suffice for happiness. Then his thoughts drifted on to tho time when he should have regained in the new country the reputation he had lost in the old and perhaps his mother, whose heart he had so sorely wrung, would hear how her scapegrace son was respects i and honoured, and would 1..am to think gently and kindly of him. There came to his heart in tho glorious autumn night tho lines of the Laureate:— I held it truth with him who sings To one clear harp in divers tones, That men may rise on steppmg.stonell Of their dead selves to higher things." He was so busily engaged with his own reflec- • fcloua that be did not obttro & dark figure puss from behind the tent, and stealthily approach him. Rupert started violently as Sum suddenly clutched his shoulder. "Whatdo you wtnt ?" he demanded. "You and I have several accounts to settle," replied the other. "Your hour is come; you shall nob cscape the reckoning." The speaker was a Cape coloured man, and his speech, like that of many half-castes, was intelligently, softlv, and clearly enunciated. Whete is Hettie ?" he asked, touching threateningly a pistol which projected from his breast. "You thought I decoyed the girl away ? No, my fine fellow; Hettie went after higher game, and gave you the go-by for a Frenchman. Pretty little thing she was, too." He spoke with such an air of conviction that Sam was momentarily shaken, but his resolute aspect soon returned. You lie, you lie, you skellum," he hissed. To such as you, lies are meat and drink, air and water. With my own eyes I saw you, with my own ears I hea.rd you, and now the hour of my revenge is come. No, I shall not kill you, here and now much sweater will it be to see you join your wretched accom- plices now wasting away in prison. All the world shall know, to-morrow, what I know." ¡ Rupert drew a hard breath, but entered the tent without speaking, closely followed by Sam. He thf-n struck a light and took a bottle of spirits from the shelf. Then be said in a manner that strove to be indifferent, You are armed and I have not a. weapon within reach. You are likewise twice as strong as I am. There would, therefore, be little chance of my escaping even if I cared to do so. It is late to rouse the neighbourhood to-night, and we are both weai ied. Suppose we agree to stay quietly here till morning, and then you can summon assistance if you choose. To-night you would have to deal with me single-handed." Drawing a chair to the table, he emptied a small quantity of the spirit into a glass, and taking up a book settled himself as if to read. Sam's eyes were fixed greedily on the bottle. Manfully he strove against the temptation, but each instant the attraotiou grew stronger and stronger, and the fumes mounting to his brain, momentarily weakened his resolution. Then he slowly reached out his hand and drew the poison towards him. Rupert steadily turned the pages of his book, but his whole being was absorbed in listening to the movements of his companion. When the glass touched the table again he drew a sigh of relief. Again and again his companion replenished his glas3, and in a short time he was sleeping heavily. Rupert had won the first point in the game, and had secured a respite. His brain whirled when he tried to think. Was escape impossible ? He had no horse, nor could he get one from the farm before morning. And then the half-caste, roused from his drunken sleep, would proclaim his identity with Harris far and wide, and he had only that day learned in what dangerous proximity his place of hiding had been to the home of one of. his victims. Even without the appearance of Sam, he dared not have remained longer at Tigers' Vlei, and risked winter's return. Dixon had been too grieved about his friend's misfortune to allude to his arrival, and Rupert was therefore ignorant that his enemy was al- ready at hand. He saw himself pursued and hunted, he heard the yells of triumph as his foes closed on him, and the veins stood out on his forehead in sheer flgony. If only Sam would die in his drunken sleep. A few day's start and he could bid defiance to Justice he had plenty of money, and no one save Sam knew his history. If only the brute would die. The thought hurried like lightning through his brain. He found himself half audibly repeating— "Hentustuotwake, he must not wake." Why did Heaven suffer hun to be so horribly tempted ? Suddenlyaplan, witheverydetail clear and precise, leaped to existence in his brain. The brute should not wake, neither would he leave Margaret to marry the man he had wronged and on whose spoils he had been living for months. One bold stroke nnd he would defeat Fate, would sever himself from the hateful past, and with Margaret at his side, she would begin life afresh on another continent. CHAPTER III. A Harvest of Wild Oats.' "Upon the valley's lap The liberal morning throws A thousand drops of dew To make a single rose. Thus often in the course Of life's few fleeting years A single pleasure costs The soul a thousand fears." About nine o'clock next morning, when Mar- garet was attending to her poultry, Rupert appeared in the farm-yard. "What on earth are yon doing out at this hour?" she asked, surprised, for early rising was not one of Rupert's virtues. "Come into the garden," he said; "I have something very special to say to you." Full of astonishment she led the way to the sheltered nook. He seized her hand passionately. Maggie, I am about to put your love to a cruel test. If you really care for me you will do as I ask. I am going to Australia will you come ?" "My place, of course, will be with you, wherever it may be," she said, innocently. ".But why do you say all this now You surely are not going to start at once ?" I have lingered too long already. By noon I ought to be far on the road. Your uncle will let me have a horae." "It is so sudden. You said nothing of this yesterday." I didn't want to spoil our last day, but I got letters in the morning which made this step necessary." Letters ? Who brought them t" she asked quickly. He eaw he had made a fake move. Well, that is nob exactly true, bub I must "tart at ouce, and wait for a vessel in Cape Town." I can't understand it," ejaculated the girl. "What is the use of waiting in Cape Town ? Everybody will think it so extraordinary." Listen, Maggie, You must be concent to trust me, just this once. I go on beforehand to wait for you. You must contrive to join me in a week's time." "Dearest, it is not possible. Uncle would never be able to arrange things for us so quickly." "Don't you understand?" he said, roughly. Not a soul must know a syllable of the whole business." The girl grew thoroughly alarmed, Rupert, you are concealing something from me. Your eyes are wild and bloodshot, and you don't speak or look a bit like yourself. Pray, tell me, what is the matter ? "f There is nothing the matter," he said, sullenly. "If you don't choose to come, there's an end of it, of course but I did not think you would give a fellow up at the first difficulty, and just, when lie-needs you most. But women never really know what love means Surely you would not have me steal away from the man who has been like a father to me, as if I were doing something wrong or disgraceful in giving myself to you." 44 It's easy to see the worth of your protesta. tions," he snefred. The matter lies in your own hands. Unless you follow me secretly within seven days, you will never set your eves on me again, and you will have the felicity of knowing that you have sent me to the Deuce double quick." I have no money for the journey," she faltered, eagerly laying hold of some practical difficulty. Get some," he said, coarsely. You keep the keys." Shedrewhack horrified, and his manner changed. He craved her pardon for having insulted her by such a suggestion, and he strove to take her in his arms, passionately imploring her to have pity on him in the crisis of hi* fate. But she answered him neither by word nor caress, seeming like one turned to stone. Hot tears dropping on her hand. roused tier. Rupert, if you cannot tell me what has happened because I am ignorant and un- learned in the ways of the world, do this thing at lezist-telt Frank Winter your trouble, and lab us both agree to follow his advice. He came home yesterday, and is as true a friend as ever breathed." He released her from his grasp. Fear for his own safety overcame every other feeling. Well, Margaret, you have chosen wisely— aftei the manner of your sex. Good-bye. We wili do our best to forget each other." In another moment he had disappeared. Maggie had no heart to return to the house. Her moral nature had undergone a shock like that of an earthquake, and she was trembling from head to foot. Which was the true Rupert ? The knight who had so suddenly come into her monotonous, level life, bringing with bun poetry and love, who had talked to ber of art and books, who had kept her enthralled for hours as she listened to his stirring tales of adventures by field and flood and fell ? Or the wild dishevelled man with bloodshot eyes, who had implored her to steal like a thiof from her nearest relative, and follow bim in dishonour? One thing alone she knew, Her idol was broken. Never could she now wed Rupert Grey, but oh the passionate pain at her hfcart, and the mad throbbing of her brows. As Moore so sadly sings— u Oh colder than the wind that freezes Founts, that but now in sunshine play'd, Is that congealing panl: which seizes The trusting bosom when betrayed." The sun was high in the heavens before she re turned to the Vlei. Where have you been Maggie ?" inquired her tinclo, somewhat, impatiently. Here's Frank come over for breakfast, and there is notbin# ready. Never mind, we shan't starve. But what's the matter, child ? Are you ill ?" Not very well," she faltered" Frank greeted her courteouslv, and then ex- plained the cause of his early visit. Sam's horse came homelasfc night without his < rider, and as I knew the poor fellow's failing for I judged it better to come and see what had happened. I am afraid he tried to ride when unfit, and hsis fallen off somewhere." We had bi-tter getGroy to help us search," remarked Dixon. If we three ride different ways we shall proba.bly light on his traces." Margaret watched them go towards the tent with a sinking heart. They entered, and m a few minutes Winter re-appeared, ges- ticulating and talking exoitedly. The servants gathered round and the littie crowd ob- scured her view. She could bear it no longer, and followed. When she came within earshot everyone was talking excitedly, and she could gather nothing clearly, but a load was raised from her breast when she discovered that at any rate, Rupert was not there. Presently Dixon came out. Go back, all of you, he said authoritatively, "except Timothy. Dan, you saddle Bess, and nde over immediately to Mr Browne and ask him to come at once." Then he causrht sight of his niece. "This is a pretty business," he said to her. "Frank de- claros that Grey must be the man who robbed him in Kimberley. He recognises several of his effects, and also the handwriting in his books, It must be cleared up at once." "Send your niece back to the house," said Frank, coining up quietly to Dixon. "I fear there is something worse behind," and he pointed with a horrified look to the dark stains on tho floor aud table. How that day passed Margaret never knew. The farm was strangely quiet, for most of the hands were aiding in the search. Towards six o'clock there was a noise outside. There more dead than alive, shaking with terror and'abject fear, all his beauty and his bravery gone from him, was Rupert Grey, being hauled by two men into the bouse. Her heart ached with pity. How she had loved him. The horses are dead beat, and we must wait till morning before sending him to Ladysmith," said Dixon. "Take him into the next room, tie his hands, after he has had something to eat, and two of you take it in turns to guard him through the night." Don't tell Miss Dixon the full extent of his guilt. It will be such a dreadful shock to her," said Frank in a low voice. "She is bound to hear it sooner or later," re- turned the farmer, somewhat irritably. You don't suppose the servants will hold their tongues ? But Maggie had already gathered the awful truth from the whispers of those round about her, and creeping aside into her room, lay weeping on her pillows. The day had been sultry for the time of the year, and towards midnight the storm broke. The rain came down in torrents. At intervals flashes of forked lightning illuminated the scene far and wide, while at intervals the thunder shook the old house to its very foundation. The spirits of the storm were abroad in seeming sympathy with human crime and remorse. Margaret could not rest. Dim phantoms flitted through her chamber, and she was oppressed with nervous fear. At length she resolved she would find Sally and bring her to sib out the time of waiting with her. Once outside her apartment, her feet, almost against her will, bore her to the door of the room where Rupert Grey was a prisoner. It was ajar, and a dim light was burning on the table. Rupert was sitting boit upright on a chair, his hands tied behind hun and his eyes staring in fixed terror out into the night. His guardian was dosing in such a position that the slightest struggle on the part ot his captive would wake him. Maggie softly entered. A sudden idea bad seized her and she felt neither doubt nor hesitancy. The gaoler had supped on bread and meat, and his knife was still at his side. Taking this, she approached Rupert and noiselessly severed his bonds. He gave no stgn that he was conscious of her presence till she was on the point of retreating, when he caught her hand and carried it silently to his lips. A flash of lightning at that moment filled the room, nearly blinding both. On her way tack to the chamber she quietly unbarred the front door and called the dogs inside. Then she returned to her window and watched. The storm had spent Its force, and the grey and troubled dawn was breaking when a man stole-stealthiiy across the farmyard and made for the river. She at once divined his purpose. He wa.s going to take the boat and seek concealment under the krantz he and she had discovered, aud where they had picnicked once or twice in tbe by- gone happy day?. No one would be likely to make immediate search for him theie. But, good heavens The boat had been carried from its moorings by the force of the water, to the other side, where it had caught in some bushes. She 8aw him take off his coat—would he venture to swim the now rushing torrent? Breathless she watched him plunge in, then she lost sight of him amid the dim waters. Could he survive? Sight and hearing were strained to the uttermost, when a faint scream fell on her cars, and she saw him throw up his hands. The household was roused by the sound of her falling, fainting, on the floor. Some weeks afterwards Winter and Dixon were sitting smoking on. the stoep at Tiger's Vlei. So Margaret's story about Grey being the son of Lord Frome turns out to be true, after all," said the latter. How some men waste their opportunities! Expelled from college, hurried from home in disgrace, involved in half the vil- lainies of Kimberley in less than a year after his arrival, and, finally, only to escape the gallows by being drowned like a kitten. And such a hand- some, pleasant-spoken fellow as he was ? Some of us have cause to remember his pleasant manners. Do you think Margaret will soon forget the scoundrel, and the heart-ache he caused her ? "Thiagirl is young, Frank, and will forget in time. Don't hurry matters. Have patience and you will win her yet. I didn't tell you," went on Dixon, with a smile, that I heard from the bank manager to day, and he agrees to my proposal, so Bavian's Hoek is still your own, my lad," "Thanks," replied Frank, simply, and his eloquent look of gratitude atoned for his lack of words. Frank and Maggie were married, and are living very happy. "Sow with a generous hand, OJ Pause not for toil or pain, Weary nnt through the heat of summer, Weary not through the cold spring raÍn; But wait till the autumn comes For the showers cf go!den grain," [THE END.] NEXT WEEK— "IN THIS WORLD ONE CAN NEVER TELL," By F. C. PHILIPS. "'1-
CYMMRODORiON CAtRDYDD.
CYMMRODORiON CAtRDYDD. A very successful meeting of the above society was held on Friday, at their rooms in St. John's- square, Cardiff. The Rev. T. T. Jones presided over a good attendance, despite the many counter- attractions which are in evidence at this interest- ing season of the year. Councillor E. Thomas (Cochfarf) read an excellent paper 03 tho Permanent Elements ill the Present Revival in Wales. The lecturer dealt in a masterly manner with those features in the present revival, which has been so marked during the last few years in Wales. Amongst many other things he pointed with justifiable pride to the fact that the great progress made in recent timea in the matter of education is now on the eve of being crowned by the realisationof the fond depire of the people of Wales by the establishment of a University in their midst. He alluded to the fact of Welshmen now attaining to positions and important appointments in various spheres in life from which formerly they were debarred owing to their scanty education and disadvan- tageous surroundings. Ho also paid a warm tribute to the religious element in the Welsh character as one which will continue to live, and wound up his discourse wit.h a glowing descrip- tion of Cymru Fydd." A cordial vute of thanks was moved by Principal Edwards, D.D., seconded by Mr John Jenkins. Songs were rendered by Mr T. J. Jones, accompanied by Miss Morfydd Williams. It was announced at the close that the sooial evening usually held on New Year's Eve will not this year take place as the date falls on a Sunday.
METHODIST BISHOPS,
METHODIST BISHOPS, The Scheme not Favoured. The Britith Weekly says:—"The proposed scheme for combining the districts and appoint- ing Methodist bishops, which was launched upon the Methodist connexion a fortnight ago under tho powerful advocacy of the RfV. Dr. Rigg, supported ly tho Rev. Hugh Prico Hughes, has found but little general advocacy outside the official pale, whilst thi- fool- ing against it is unmistakably rising. At the meeting at Wesley's Chapel in behalf of the R.v. Allen Rees's mission, Mr R. W. Perks, M.P., the ohairman, declared that in public and in private, on the platform and in conversation, in print and by voice, wherever he could find a platform, he should protest against the hideous and in every way objectionable proposal. The Rev. C. H. Kelly saying hear, hear," the chair- man bowed to him and hoped shat so true a Methodist would never allow himself to bf made on4 of the 13 bishops. At once the response came, 'Certainly not; I do not bcluvo 10 the proposals at 1\11.' Immediately after, the Rev. J. E. Clapham, secretary, of the homo missions committee, rosw and said that though the ohair- man might be surprised, nevertheless he endorsed every word ho had said, and was entirely opposed to the whole scheme. The opposition of these leading Methodists in itself will go far towards dfiBtpoyihg the whole proposal
SAD TALE OF THE SEA.
SAD TALE OF THE SEA. News has arrived atGenoaof the sad end of Cap- tain Bancalari. His vessel, the Quattro Fratelli, laden with timber, from the Baltic for Marseilles, met with contrary winds, and was so delayed that provisions began to run out. The captain appeared much affected by the situation. Calling his officers and men together, he announced his inten- tion of sacrificing his own life to prolong theirs, and before they could prevent him he had jumped overboard, and disapp ,ared in the waves. They stood by and searched for him in "In, and then proceeded on their voyage to Marseilles, where they itftre now wrived snfelf.
DEVELOPMENTS OF CARDIFF INDUSTRIES.
DEVELOPMENTS OF CARDIFF INDUSTRIES. Proposed Maritime, Industrial, and Art Exhibition. At a meeting of the Cardiff Free LibrAries Committee, held at the RJ'own»hall on Friday evening, the Mayor (Councillor W. J. Trounce) took tho opportunity of laying before tho committee his scheme for holding an indus- trial and art exhibition on somewhat similar lines to those on which the recent exhibition at Bristol was promoted and carried out. In referring to his scheme, the Mayor said he had brought it before the committee seeing that it was tho free library committee which had initiated the exhibi- tion which was so successfully held in C;wd;ff in the year 1881, and in which the chairman (Coun- cillor Shackell) and himself had taken an active part. He felt that the time had arrived when they ought to consider the desirability of holding another exhibition, as suggested, in a. town like Cardiff. In 1881 the population of the town wa3 but 82,000, whilst to-day it was 150,000, or, including Penarth and Llandaff, at least 200,000, and within 60 miles of Cardiff they had au immense population of one-and-a-half millions to two millioua. As they were aware, Cardiff was pre-eminent in its commercial and coal transactions, and its trade and industries were growing apace with the times, but yet he considared greater attention was needed to develop its industries and manufactories, in order that possibly other manufactures than at present existing might be established in our midst. For instance, the shipbuilding trade was not carried out in Cardiff as he would like to see it. They did not construct as many ships as they ought to do, seeing that every portion of a ship could be constructed here. There were other small worka they ought to encoumge, and their machinery and engineering establishments ought especially to be fostered in order that their young men might be strengthened with new ideas and enlightened in other respects for the future. There had been a most successful exhibition held in Bristol, and the secretaries had been down to see him within the last couple of days, and had given him an account of their operations at Bristol. The Bristol Exhibition had been highly successful both financially and otherwise. It resulted in a large number of people visiting Bristol, and, were a similar one held in Cardiff, they could depend upon it it would bring people into the town from all directions, aud whose money would be spent for the benefit of the ratepayers generally. He thought that besides being maritime aud in- dustrial, the proposed exhibition should include musical and art sections. Cardiff was not only the Metropolis of Wales, but it was the centre of their commerce and industry. He did not know that ho could make any further suggestions. He had with him the plans of tho Bristol Exhibition, and the secretaries had intimated that they would be glad to come to terms with regard to the disposal of their building. PersonaJly, he thought that if :they could obtain the South portion of the Cardiff Arms Park, that would be a most central position for holding such an exhibition, and the river bank could be utihsed as a promenade, which might lead up to the wairing of the Taff. There were many details to consider, and he would be glad if the committee could see their way to take it up in earnest and appoint a sub-committee to go into the question. It was not too late. On the last occasion they brought the matter forward on the 21st of February, and the exhibition was opened on the 29ch of July. In Bristol the exhibition was first mooted in February, and opened on the 1st of August. The exhibition of ]881 left them a profit of over £1,400 after paying all expenses. Of course one great advantage on the last occasion was that they had the drill-hall kindly lent for the occasion, and had therefore nothing to pay for the erection of a building or for rent. It was opened only for two months, which was bub a short period, and they would have to consider a much larger soheme to bring about the erection of a building adequate for their purpose. It was impossible for himself to do very much as an iudividal, but if the matter was taken up In a proper spirit, he felt sure the committee would show its sympathy with the movement. Several gentlemen had seen him with reference to the scheme, and had expressed their willingness to co-operate. One gentleman had offered to guarantee B100 ab once, and he felt sure that many others would follow. Councillor SHACKELL, chairman of the com- mittee, said they were much obliged for the trouble the mayor had taken to bring the matter before them, but he thought it would be abso- lutely necessary, before anything of the sort was done, that the mayor should face the fact that he would necessarily have to become chairman of the exhibition committee, so as to give it the prestige required and he thought there should be an entire freedom of responsibility so far as the free library committee was concerned. (Hear, hear.) The position they were m was one which re- quired them to be txtremely careful of their resources. They had enough, but none to spare; and he thought a guarantee fund should be pro- vided entirely outside the committee. All the members of the committee would be only too willing to assist in the promotion of the object apart from the financial guarantee. At the same time he was very much afraid and if they undertook it on the lines suggested by the mayor and erected a building, that instead of making a profit as they did tho last time they would incur a heavy loss. The money was usually swallowed up with the cost of putting up these buildings, when the exhibition was held at tho Drilf-hall. The reason they made a profit was because there was no rent to pay, and no building to erect. Another exhibition followed, which was held in a. 10-aere field, in a specially- erected building, yet although it was crowded with people daily, and a large number of exhi- bitors paid a heavy rent for space, there Was a heavy loss. At the same time, for a scheme such as the mayor proposed they required much larger space than the Drill-hall would provide. He suggested they should appoint a committee to consider the scheme. (Hear, hear.) Councillor MUNN said he understood the Bristol building cost £11,000, and that they would probably bo abla to acquire it at a much less price. Dr. VAOHIILT. inquired if there was any par- ticular object in holding the exhibition. The MAYOR said that one of the main objects was to educate the people in science and art and the various industries; and with regard to the financial surplus—he took it thero would be a surplus—he suggested the establishment of it labour exchange and free library and reading- room at the Docks. There were hundreds and thousands of man hanging about the docks all day long, waiting for employment, and a labour exchange, etc., would prove a great boon to them. At Bristol, he was told. they received £4,000 for spaces and about JB700 a week from visitors. Councillor BUAIN said they had to take into consideration that Bristol was the centre of a laTge number of manufacturing industries, whilst at Cardiff their principal trade was coal pure and simple, and unless they had exhibits from outside he did not know where they would get industries to fill up. They would have to go outside to get j attractions. He thought Cathnys Park would bo a suitable site, and contended that they would find a tremendous amount of opposition if they attempted to touch the Cardiff Arms Park, They were, of course, all anxious to bring Cardiff to the front, and he would be only too delighted to do anything he could towards furthering the object. He noticed the Bristol Exhibition had a large list of guarantors. The CHAIRMAN: They had a guarantee fund of £30,000 before they undertook to put up the building. I should be pleased to become a guarantor in an individual capacity, but not to pledge the credit of the committee. (Hear, hear.) Ultimately, on the motion of Mr MARCCS GUNN, a committee was formed to consider the scheme, consisting of the mayor, Councillor Shackell, Councillor E. Thomas Councillor Brain, Councillor Mumi, Mr Runnfeldc, the Rev. W. E. Winks, Mr M. Gann, and Mr J. L. Wheatley (town clerk).
DEFENCFOF PLUM PUDDING.
DEFENCFOF PLUM PUDDING. Merry-making is nno medicine. Nobody knows how many incipient illnesses are cut short, how many breakdowns of physiological energy are prevented by the brisk holiday, the good eating, the cheery fellowship, the go and abandon" of Christmastide. What the Jong, dreary English winter would be without it one can hardly picture. Some people complain that Christmas, which is a religious feast, is turned into an occasion^ of mere secular eating, drinking, and makmgmerrv. To our thinking, the mam idea of Christmas is that of joyfulues* and a people so physically robust as ourselves, so little metajjhysieal, must express their joy in their own way. Christmas cheer, nfter all, need not be made indigestible. When it is looked at a little in detail the analysis is decidedly reassrtiring. A fine plump turkey presents a noble figure, and two or three good slices from the breast aro almost as easy of digestion as an oyster or a sweetbread. Even tho goose, if he be well cooked, atoll eaten with apple sauce, can be dis- posed of without qualms by the fairly healthy stomach. As for the Roast Beef of Old England," the honourable and honoured" Sir Loin," the miserablesb anchorite aud dyspeptic iu, the world may warm tho poor fires of digestion with a slice from his incomparable upper cut. The very plum pudding of modern times, though not less "rich than that of our grandmothers" days, is so deftly compounded by the modern cook, and so thoroughly boiled, that dyspepsia itself may well be content to try a helping,—27te Hospital.
------OHARITY Of A CAFE SONGSTRESS.
OHARITY Of A CAFE SONGSTRESS. A pretty story is told by the Daily News of Yvette Guilbert, the French cafe songstress, who has made herself very pcpu'.a in Vienna by an act of charity which does her credit. On the day of her first appearance, a member of Monsieur Glaser's French troupe at the Carl Theatre, a girl of seventeen, was arrested because she stole another actress's purse with 250 francs. Yvette Guilbert went to the court and asked to see the president. Of him she begged the release of her country- woman, offering to pay the money she had stolen. When she was made to understand that the girl could not go unpunished after the fact had been proved, she asked to see her. The I young actress was fetched from her cell, and cried pitifully when Yvette had explained the purpose of her errand. Yvette deposited money enough to take back the girl to Paris when she had suffered her punishment, and paid for certain little comforts which are allowed in prison.
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THB editor of the Medical Annual atter a care- examinAtiou of Cadbury's Cocoa, pronounces it to be Oth a food and a beverage of the highest oualitr 141
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Art Nete. ] Chntnly What are you painting now 1 i Van Dauber I atn looking for a still W subject. Chumly j Why dou'b you go over to WaebiB# t ton and paint tho Senate ? Military Item. ji Birdio McGinnis IJov/ dreadful ib must be f ■ a soldier in the midst of life and health to be away by a cannon ball Private Bondclipper Ohf we get used to th* 5 sort of thing In a short timp. l < She Was ignorant. i) "Thooarisfniiof alumni," whispered M'* j;j Beaconstreet to her friend from the as tlisf j, were riding 111 a Boston street car, j "Yes," said the C'liesinto girl; "and hoWj» chokes one up. doesn't it? I Wondfttf ther don it open the ventilators." i. Second Nature. i Je'sie M;tx, are you sure that you nevef be' 1 fore loved a woman as you love me ? Max Sure As well ask me if I love idolatrous creeds of t he heathen well asl i pure religion of my fathers. Jessie How charmingly you say that. Mfix (absently) s I've safd ib often l» ray life to do it charmingly. 1 Changed His Mind. ] Johnnie Masher Remember me to I Changed His Mind. ] Johnnie Masher Remember me to sister, Bob, and ten her I have been too busy*" j pay my respects personally, i Bob Sister said I should ask some one wh* < was gocd for sore throat. Is ?he troubled that^ay ?' t Yes she can't Ring a note f" Ten her to try Blank's lozenges). By fcheW*^ I guess I will call tins evening. Transmutation of Metals. Where am yer darter, Matildy, hired no*?, asked an old negro woman meeting Uncle on one of the streets of Houston, TpXM. She am workin' for de tnos' Vneotahle, high4 toned folks in Houston, Dey am Well fixedf shore." Has dAY gob si I ber ware and sioh ?" I should say so. DpV has silber titt pans» ani de copper am pure gold. The Requisite Qualifications. ( Sis, I ttonkyon had better shine my ehoeft and wash the diehes," said a Wealthy Np;f Yorker to his sister, who moves in aristocratic oW cles. What do you mean by such nonsense asked. No, nonsense about it. I see you are flirtioff with an Italian count. If you are going to ØJI)tf1 him you ought to be fitting yourself for the tion." How Did He Know P Please, sir, give a few cents to a poor b1iød man." Are you entirely blind ?" "Yes, sir." Haven't got anything fcr you to-day." I' "I suppose you think because you wear tip] pants and have got your hair parted in themido" that you are somebody. You look like the watt who was electrocuted la^b week, you lon¡.lep;ged. red-headed galoot The Prize-Fighter Was Discouraged. What's do matter wid Blow°print," eaid the man w ith tbe polka-dot collar. De prize-ifghter ?" asked his friend with tW big diamond. „ Yas. He ain't bin sayin' a word for a week' Well, you see, it's dis way. He was in t»0 Senate the other day, fni* now he sez dat fur loflfc" distance talkin' he ain't in it, an' he's goin' tet giv up pugilism jes as soon as he kin gib a job ef deck hand, sea Y' Important to American Tourists. Were you not afra.id of losing your life wben you were climbing the Alps ? Thor. have beeJl so many accidents of late," said to a gentleman who had jush returned from EurOp0 and was telling about his climbing mountains 10 Switzerland. p I know but I always feel perfectly safe. replied the tourist. "I make it a point never.*0 pay the guide until we return. That makes biø take an interest in my safety which „h9 otherWi4* would not." A Proof of Sanity. In a court-room in Northern Texas a man ",as on trial for larceny. His sanity was doubted W some, and the District Attorney thought it besll to prove it, and put the following question to ope of the leading witnesses :— Do you think the prisoner can distinguish tween right and wrong—can tell tho difference' between good and bad ?'' "I think he can, sir, for I saw him take a of whisky and from the circumstances I sbouW infer that he could tell thedifterence between good and bad." The bar enjoyed a. hesrty lau?hover the novelty of the answer, in which the judge freely parti* pated, and the proot was accepted. At the Populist Picnic. Col. Windbagger (the orator of the day): And. ladies and gentlemen, I further charge the S"J'' Jocks and Gold-bugs of New York with having deliberately— Alkali Ike (in the audience): Whoop I Hi-ylP* hi yah Sock it to 'ein, Kernel I Hooraw Col. Wind bagger (to the chairtnan) CanOo* that. man be either silenced or reproved ? the fifth tirr.o he has interrupted me with "M yells. He is inebriated, and ought to bo taken 111 cbarpe by an officer.. Chairman You are mistaken. He cheers, bit' does not inebriate. That is Alkali Ike, the con* mittee on applause. Resembled His Father. He wi3 the son of a worthy Chicngoan, and ht had just returned from college. Tim father a brusque, matter-of-fact man, who had no liki"f for anything dudish, and be noticed with sorro* that his son returned with bangs and varioiit other insignia of dudetloin. The old gentleman surveyed him critically when he appeared in bit office, and then blurted out :— Young man, you look like a fool." Just at that moment, and before the young man had time to make t fitting reply, a frienl walked m. Why, hello, George, have you returned y* asked. Dyar me, how much you resemble jeif father "So he has just been teDingmp," replied th* youth. And from that day to this the old gentle man has found no fault with bangs. The Deacon's Philosophy. Whad yo' got :n dat bundle in yo* room 1 asked Deacon Randolph the other morning. "Igoterset ob boxin'-gloves an' er rowing machine. I need exercise," replied the be'*1 apparent.. Yo' need exercise, eh «a:d the deacort PVnps ef yo' 'tended t' yo' tit hles proper'! duran' de day yo' get exercise enough an' mo'tip*, How much wood yo' .smerl after hours fo* poor o'e fadder 1 Ddn' I lieah yo' poor 0 mndd"r ask yo' t' bring up a hod ob coal las' nigbj an'yo' sny y;►' t-.as too tirod ? Yo' too debihtat^jp t' saw wood, bring up coal, split kindiin's, or gæ1 t' pra'r-meetin', but yo' constitnsbun am strong enough fc' stay out ebery night till two o'ciock a0. drink rui an' fool wid boxin'-gloves an' ro\V111 machines. Go 'long wiv yo' Ef yo' brought hOtllJ yo; poor ole mndflnr a wringin'-machine or Y poor ole fadder a fish-line yo' show yo' oa.r'soJJ1tJ1 fin' fo' yo' parfuta but now I see yo' am tJi bettah dan a' aruichist I" Never Heard of the Instalment Plan. Darling, I lay my heart and life at your feet* Oi), George I love y< n sincerely, devotedly, ardent^ passionately—I love you more than I can tell. J3t, mine." George, I will." And you will engage yourself to me V I will." Bless you, my darling. I am the man in America to-night." There was a long, delicious pause while tV compact was being sealed. Then the maiden whispered,— > Am I to have an engagement ring, dearesb v George's face grew deadly pale, his lip quiver^* as he ¡-pl ied,- &I By-iind-bye, darling. I cannot give you 0Iá for a while." "You cannot? Why?" The palenws of his face was succeeded by deep flush, his face grew dark, and his boscrt* heaved as he hoarsely answered,— „ I'm just from the fair, and I'm dead broke. Manly Women. So MissfEmma Goldman has been found guil'^ of trying to incite a riot and will have to alaw-abidins citizen, so to speak, by abiding OJ penitentiary for It while.. j Very frequently a little disciptinaofthiekt" has a good effect. Jaebne, the convicted j York boodle alderman, tor instance, made a 11 exemplary convict, so it was not a bad idea, all, sending him to jail. He never made thntki1*^ of a citizen as long as he was on the outside. &f Tho woman who manages to get outside of h (ft womanly sphere 15 sure to c'mle 1.0 grief, sooner.b4 later. Lovely woman, «nd even the woni»° is not lovely, should refrain from monkeying vV politic. She should leave the ballot-box and be content with stuffing the band-box. As a great moral agent a w man is a yard and all wool, but when she plunges into jfo* she misses her vocation. She will be f¡tteu to" the rough and thorny walk of tho masculine V fessions when she has got a rough beard, a br front and a hard skin, not sooner. heiNf Women who think that they are not 8 to treated right in this country should move t!JØ Thibet, in Asia. There the women do .ISH ,,116 hard work, while the men do all the gossiping'. The men are very much over their down-trodden state, and are ID for a recovery of their rights.. tetf* After Miss Goldman has served out ne bo1 she should start for Thibet. The money^ her a. ticket cau be raised insid" of a few <'?"
ROMANCE OF A LOST LETTER.
ROMANCE OF A LOST LETTER. It is reported that several mislaid addressed newspapers have been discovered in the course of the alterations at the General Post-office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, which after 27 years of acci- dental detention have been sent to their destina- tions. Missives delayed by mischance for long periods have been occasional experiences in the history of the Post-office. Stories of the mischief occasioned by such delays have formed ground- work for sensational novelists. Stil!, despite the ingenuity of these authors, a story of a lost letter which went its rounds about 40 years ago was an apt illustration of the ancient adage that truth is stranger than fiction. A man who had fought at Waterloo bought his discharge immediately after the conclusion of the war, started business in London, and wrote to bis sweetheart asking her to come at once and marry him. This letter was forced between the defec- tive masonry and the woodwork of a postal-box. The woman, putting a false construction on her lover's silence, married somebody else, and the man, thinking be was jilted, remained single. In the middle of the fifties the box referred to was removed, the letter found, and sent to its des- tination. Its recipient was alive and hearty, and had been a widow for years. She replied, and her long-lost sweetheart, who bad never changed his address, was startled to thus receive news from the love of his youth. Marriage between the long-aeparatedlpair fitly concluded this romance of a lost letter.—Daily Chronicle.
STRANGE SCENE AT A THEATRE
STRANGE SCENE AT A THEATRE An incident, showing the extreme nervous tension which has existed among the Spanish public since tho bomb outrage at the Liceo Theatre ab Barcelona, occurred on Thursday week at the Royal Theatre, during the perform- ance of Wagner's Tarmhciiiser. The third act of the opera had just commenced when a man, dressed in a short jacket, and carrying an over- coat on his arm and low hat in his band, walked boldly into the house and took a seat in the sixth row of the dress circlc. Instead of listening to the opera, however, he beganstaringat the occupants of the boxes {and various galleries, and generally behaved in a suspicious manner. It was not long before his conduct attracted the attention of the audience, and hundreds of opera glasses were directed upon him. Ladies in the theatre showed great alarm, and everybody seemed anxious for tbe fall of the curtain. The excitement gradually became intense, and reached its height when the Civil Governor of Madrid was seen to approach the stranger. He called upon him to explain to the police inspector on duty the reason for his extraordinary conduct. The man explained that he was a cleaner in the San Francisco Church in this city, and having just received his wuges, he wished to treat himself to a visit to the opera. The explanation afforded great relief to the audience, and tha performance was continued. The police state that there is no proof whatever that the man is an Anarchist, but it is generally believed that his object in behaving as he did was to create a scare in the theatre.