The Cardiff Times

[COPYRIGHT.] WHEN LIFE IS YOUNG. By SILAS K. HOCKING, iuthor of In Spite of Fate," The Heart of Man," God's Outcast," For Such is Life," One in Charity," Where Duty Lies," &c. w SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS. Douglas Wyburn, belated in a fog on Grimset HOOT, overhears the plans of two burglars to *Wer the houae of Dr. Upton, who lives at Deep- fog with his ward, Floss Gresham. Douglas Tarns the doctor. There is a scrimmage with the burglars, and Douglas is shot. During con- valescence he falls in love with Floss. She tells aim she is to be married in the spring. Over- come by the announcement he leaves the house, Returning to his avocation of money-lender's clerk. In the office he overheais Floss Gresham's lover making a revelation to the money-lender. CHAPTER VII. A Painful Dilemma. I" I must be prudent, And wait upon events:" Douglas had considerable difficulty in making anything like a coherent story out of the heated Ind more or less disjointed conversation to which be listened. Two or three things, however, were Plain enough. In the first place he was absolutely certain that Moses' visitor was the man who visited Newlands as Floss Gresham's accepted lover. What his name was he did not know, and he had never taken the trouble to aak. Neither did he know what he was like in appearance, for he had no chance of getting a peep at his face, but he got a suspicion of the reason why he re- fused to come into the dining-room a night or two before, when he brought Floss home from Tux- bury. In the second place it was clear enough too that he was heavily in Moses Schlingar's debt, and that he wanted a further advance in order to pur- chase the silence of someone until he was safely Tharried. And in the third place he was going to Oiarry someone he did not care for in the least, Bimply because she had a large fortune in her own right, which fortune he was quite certain he Would get the handling of; and which he would discharge his own financial obligations. But beyond these three points nothing was Quite clear. Douglas listened in vain for any toention of names. Moses was angry that arrears of interest were not paid, and threatened to Appeal to the young man's father. At which the young man laughed scornfully and told Moses that if he did he would lose not only interest but principal also. All of which Moses characterised as bluff." The interview- came to an end at length without anything definite being settled, and Moses pulled up his chair to his desk and Proceeded with his work. For the time he had Quite forgotten that his clerk was back again in fiis place, He remembered after awhile, and pro- ceeded to the inner office. Douglas was sitting With his head on his desk as if fast asleep. He did not hear Moses enter he was too deep in thought. Vot asleep in de middle off de day Moses 6*claimed, lifting his fat hands in apparent eon- Sternation. I beg pardon," Douglas replied, raising his head suddenly. I am only weak yet." Yell, I be not hard on you," Moses replied graciously. "Yen you have done those letters you may go." I have done them already," Douglas an. swered. Ach, you not understand. I mean dose I be Dow going to deektate to you." It had been dark several hours when Douglas dragged himself to his lodging, utterly spent both in mind and body. His fellow lodgers had been home and gone out again, for which he felt de- voutly thankful, as he could now have the room to himself, and he wanted to be alone, so that he might think out the problem that had been tor- menting him the greater part of the day. When he had finished his simple meal of bread told butter and marmalade he threw himself into the eaav chair before the fire and shut his eyes, OWd instantly the fair face of Floss Gresham came Up before him. How beautiful it was. To his love-steeped imagination there was not another face in the world that could be compared to it. What would he not give for one more smile from those sweet lips. What a fool he was to leave Newlands when they were so anxious that he Should stay. And yet had he not left when he did he might never have heard what he had been com- pelled to hear that day. But would he not have been happier if the secret had never come into his possession ? What was he to do with it now ? That was the question that had been vexing him 8ter since. Douglas could hear all their conversation. He was Moses Schlinger's confidential clerk, and had no right to divulge any business secret that might come to his knowledge. Where he to do So what would business men think of him gener- ally ? What would become of him ? Moses Would dismiss him at once, and the chances were nobody else would employ him. On the other band, was he justified in keeping Iilence ? Ought he to allow the girl that was more to him than life to stray blindfold into the Pit ? To be enticed into :b marriage with a con- temptible cub who wanted nohing but her money. This was the dilemma on which he was im- paled, and he saw no way of escape. To do a mean thing in order to do a right thing was not at all in harmony with his conceptions of honour. And yet to permit a wicked thing to be done out of deference to professional or business etiquette seemed just as bad, if not a good deal worse. If possible he must find out which was the lesser evil of the two and choose it. On that point he speedily arrived at the conclusion that meanness was not so bad as wickedness, and that to serve Floss Gresham would be nobler than to serve himself. But here another question presented itself. Would he be serving Floss Gresham by revealing what he knew ? If she loved the young man she Was about to marry, very possibly she would rather remain in ignorance. And if she knew, it would probably make no difference. Girls did Dot expect young men to be saints nowadays indeed, it was said they liked them all the better when they were the other thing. To put it vulgarly, he might blab, and all to no Purpose. She might refuse to believe him. Her lover could easily reassure her, and so, instead of her gratitude, he would earn her con- tempt he would be dismissed from his situation and send adrift upon the world more helpless and friendless than he was before. Moreover, if she had the smallest suspicion of bis love for her, she would assume at once that his conduct was not disinterested, and her con- tempt for him would be proportionately great. What could he do, therefore ? He sat the fire ont in debating the question, and then crept cold and miserable to bed. When he got up next morning he was as far off as ever from any solution of the problem. He had spent most of the night in a vain endeavour to see his way out of the difficulty, and even when he slept his dreams had revolved round the same distracting question. A modern humourist has said, When in doubt Speak the truth." Buc Douglas was not a humourist, and before the day was out he had arrived practically at the opposite conclusion. I can o no good by meddling," he said to himself, bitterly. I would save her if I could, but I can't. Contemptible as the cub is, perhaps, sbe would be happier with him than without him. Women are curious creatures they say, especially if they art: in love. It is hard not to be able to serve her, but she would not believe me, and he would easily persuade her that I was lying." So he kept his mouth shut, and tried to put the matter from his mind. He would not have minded sacrificing himself if he could have saved Floss Gresham thereby, but as there seemed not the Remotest chance of that he followed the only COnrse that seemed open to him. So two or three weeks passed away, during J*hich time he made fitful attempts to steel his and conquer his love for Floss Gresham. •t Was in the main a hopeless task. His heart had been wounded too deeply to be healed in a hionth or a year. Moreover, her very peril was a fan to the flame of his passion. He pictured her constantly walking blindfold towards her doom, and the pitiful thing was he had no power to save Every week drew the dreaded wedding-day PerceptIbly nearer, and the more imminent her the more his love seemed to increase and more ardently he longed to save her. On Saturday afternoon, when tbey closed early, Pe took long walks to the other end of the town the hope that he might see her. He knew it T**8 about the maddest thing that he could do— if he was to conquer his love he would have o keep away from her as far as possible—and t he walked deliberately towards Newlands, d almost prayed that by some chance he might her. But only once was his Drayer answered, as it happened, on New Year's Day. Tbey face to face suddenly. He would have her without recognition, for he had never "er in hat and coat and furs before, and she very different from what she did indoors. jj VT<i°d afternoon, Mr Wyburn, and a happy *ear to you ? started-as thouHh jbe had been shot, -then -Joshed like a schoolgirl. He.knew her voieedn.a andit touched biff heart like a peahn. Good afternoon, Miss Gresham; this is an un- expected pleasure," and their hands met and clasped and the heart of Douglas seemed to stand still for a moment. Were you going on to Newlands ? If so, I will turn back with you. We have been expect- ing you to call nearly every day. How wrong —I had nearly said cruel—of you to leave us so suddenly and unexpectedly." I wanted to get tfack to work—and—and—you were spoiling me with so much kindness." And you have gone back to business?" Yes and feel no worse for it." You look very well, indeed but you will go on to Newlands now you are so near. My uncle will be very pleased to see you." Thank you. I had no intention of calling. I simply came out for a walk." Never mind what your intention was," she said with a gay laugh. As yon left without permission, you will have to return under escort." I could not think of interfering with your en- gagements," he protested. You were gomg in the opposite direction." I have no engagement of any moment," she answered. So, please don't raise any more objections, or I shall think you have some grudge against us." Douglas made no further attempt to resist his fair charmer. He experienced a curious feeling of helplessness when in her presence. He knew that he would do anything she asked without demur, and fesl a pleasure in doing it." They walked away together towards Newlands, and he felt as though treading on air. For the moment he was in Paradise. He knew there was a bitter desert beyond, that be would have to pay dearly for this brief gleam of sunshine. He was the foolish moth over again, fascinated by the light; later he wouid be the helpless and smart- ing wings. But he did care. Future pain was nothing compared to present bliss. When pleasures were so few it would be folly to reject them when they did come. So he opened his heart to the strange and subtle influence that touched him. For the moment he was the happiest man on earth. Floss was as free and frank and gracious as it was her nature to be. She had quite reasoned herself out of the notion that he had ever fallen in love with her. It was all my vanity," she said to herself afterwards. He did not care a bit, and did not ask a single question about the matter." Girl-like, she was a little piqued at his apparent indifference. Moreover, she had never denied to herself that he was decidedly interest- ing. It was not simply that he was an exceedingly handsome young fellow, but he was so well-read and well-informed on all questions and then, in addition to this, both she and the doctor had come to the conclusion that, notwithstanding appearances, he was a gentleman. Ev dently he had come down in the world, or he would not have to get his living as a clerk. But nothing could hide the fact from those who had eyes to see that he had been used to something very different. His unconstrained manner, his easy grace, his unfailing courtesy in the house could not be suddenly acquired. He had been to the manner born. All this had great weight with the brusque old doctor, though it was counterbalanced by the fact that there was a mystery behind him. Dr. Upton hated mystery. Mystery, he believed, meant mis- chief, and often something worse. People whose lives were square did not want to hide anything. Hence, when people tried to hide the past, the inference was that there was something in it that would not bear the light. Floss was less suspicious but more curious. She was eager to uravel the socket of his past life. If I ever get the chance," she said to herself one day, I will coax him into telling me." And now it seemed to her the chance had come. She would have most of the afternoon in which to exercise her skill if he could be got to stay so long. Ten minutes after they had met they were in Dr. Upton's cosy drawing-room; and, as the doctor happened to be out, Floss proceeded with- out delay to exercise her skill. CHAPTER Yin. With Lovers' Eyes. The lie that has a chance Must start the race." Douglas found Floss perfectly irresistible, and gave himself up without a struggle to the witchery of her presence. She first entertained him with music, and under its spell nearly all reserve melted away and when at length she asked him to play for her he could not resist— and truly he never played better than he did that afternoon. He seemed to catch a new inspiration; an unexpected glow and fervour possessed him. All nervousness left him completely, and memory was quickened into her new life without conscious effort. Floss was entranced. She excelled in music herself but her art fell short of his, or else she was lacking in passion and enthusiasm. She had set herself to weave a spell round Douglas, and, lo I the spell was being woven round herself. For a brief spell those youngpeople wandered through Paradise, and heard the angels waking music with their harps. From music back to common speech. The transition was easy enough, for the charm of the music remained and touched to higher meanings I the simplest words. Where had he studied music ? It was the first direct question, and yet it grew so naturally out of their conversation that there was not the feeblest note of inquisitiveness in it. He coloured slightly, and found himself sud- denly thrust back from the world of romance to the world of reality. He had nothing to hide, he said to himself but the matter was of no interest to anybody. So he talked about his schooldays in a general offhand kind of way that left a de- lightful impression of frankness, but very little else. He bad been to school in Germany. He thought it did lads good to be sent away from home. He had always been fond of music, so he bad a year or so with Professor Von Buolienthal at Leipsig. The great German composers, were, perhaps, better interpreted by a German master. What did she think ? However, he had nearly forgot- ten all that he had ever learnt. It seemed a great pity that lads should so often waste toil- some years in studies that were not of the least value to them in afterlife. Slid, no one could forsee what a lad's future would be, or how cir- cumstances would often force him into a quite unexpected rut. So he talked on with charming freedom and frankness, and in the end Floss felt that he had (old her little or nothing what she most wanted to know. Afternoon tea was brought, and the doctor had not returned. Oh, it was delightful to sit opposite the brown-eyed maiden and watch the play of her features, and listen to the musical ripple of her laughter, and see the light shimmer in her wealth of hair. She seemed infinitely more beautiful than when he first saw hex. There was a brighter light in her eyes, a warmer glow upon her cheeks, a sweeter smile upon her lips. He lingered over his tea as a miser might in counting his gold. He knew that such a moment as this might not—and in all probability never would-come again, and he was determined to make the best of it. It might be quite true that he was the foolish moth siageing his wings at the candle but he could not help it. He was in that mood when pain was bliss, and when, alas also, all his bliss was pain. This beautiful maiden, with the sweet brown eyes, was not for him. This fact was forced home to him in constant stabs of exauisite torture. He could only worship her at a distance, love her in silence, and watch her tripping light-heartedly to the fate that was worse than death. He put these thoughts aside as bravely and as often as he could. Why spoil the summer by anticipating the winter ? Why miss the honey drop on the brim of the cup because he knew there was wormwood at the bottom ? She was racking her pretty head how best to arrange a further attack. Her feminine curiosity was not satisfied yet. How came this handsome, well-bred man to be a clerk in a noisy, dirty, manufacturing town like Deeping ? Was there something behind it all, as the doctor had so often suggested, that would not bear the light of day 1 No, she could not believe it. He might be no saint. He did not pretend to be one. But that he had done anything so bad that it could not be spoken about she could not bring herself to be- lieve. What brought you to Deeping, Mr tYyburn?" She was pouring out another cop of tea, and did not look np. It was such an innocent little ques- tion, such as only pretty women can ask. He looked at her for a moment, then she raised her face and their eyes met. He could not help smiling at her, and she returned his smile. There was no look of self-consciousness in her eyes. She was a true woman in that. He did not resent the questioner try toavoid it, so he answered, smiling as he did so— The chance of earning my own living, Miss Gresham." But surely with your education Then she hesitated and blushed. He came to her rescue in a moment. Unfor- tunately," he said gravely, in the rough and tumble of the world mere education, as it is called, counts for very little." No, surely ?" I said mere education. I mean by that edu- cation that is not allied to some profession or trade or handicraft. Unfortunately I have no trade in my fingers, and I have been trained to no profession." But yonr knowledge of music——" Music is only a hobby," he said with a laugh. At least it used to be. My hobby is now re- porting odds and ends for the newspapers." Realty ?" Well, there's a little money in it, yon see. Besides, it keeps me in practice, and may lead to something else in time. One has always to have his eye on the future." Yes, of course. Bat I should have thought, when your parents spent so much money on your education, that they would have directed it to- wards some definite end—that is, that they would have trained you for some profession." She felt that it was a bold thing to say, but she had braced herself to the taak, and was deter- mined to carry it through. He could so easily have foiled her had he been in the humour but he was not in the mood to deny her anything. He was instinctively reluc- tant to talk about himself, but since she wished to know he would tell her. Anything that would please her would be a joy to him. It was my parents' wish that I should take Orders," he said, and to that end I went to Cambridge. It was a great mistake on their part. They a.cted for the best, no doubt, but it could never be." Why, Mr Wvbnrn ? Itiewjinrely the highest of all professions." And for that reason I cooW not enter U." ""Could not?" No, I had no caN. Besides, I was never worthy." She looked at bun in 3ilence, with her hi ''1 locked across her knee. She did not understand him, and almost for the first time a vague suspi- cion crossed her mind. ,KIn_a worldly sense-it woaid have been tkgood thzBgrif T«oaia havegonertforwigb with it? he went on, for there was a comfortable living in Bucks that was being kept warm for me. How- ever, I believe a worthy man is in it now. And I am—well, I suppose where I deserve to be." She was quick to notice the change in his tone as he uttered the last dozen words, but she conld not understand what it meant. She had got her answer, but she was far from satisfied, He had been very frank with her, and still it seemed to her as if everything of importance had been left unsaid. He was a mystery still, and mystery engendered suspicion. She had lived with people all her life who had lived for worldly ends—whose only gospel was the gospel of getting on; who frankly and openly worshipped success. Not the success that brought no sheckels in its train, but the success that could be totted up by the banker's clerk and showed itself in a big house and plenty of style. Then why was this man such an egregious failure when undoubted success was once within his reach ? She refused to push her own question to what in her conception of life and men would I be its logical issue. Ha was so frank, so handsome, so well-bred, so cultured, that it seemed treason almost to think evil of him-but-but- She got up and rang the bell for the girl to come and fetch the tea things. Why should she trouble about the matter at all ? This man was nothing to her and never could be. They had been thrown together by the merest accident. He had done them a service as any other man would do in similar circumstances. They had shown their gratitude, and discharged as far as possible any obligation that might rest upon them. There the matter was bound to end. She had no right to feel any further interest in the man. Young ladies ought no to be interested in young men, particularly engaged young ladies. What would David say if he knew they were hav- ing a long tete-a-tete in the drawing-room ? David had very high notions, and was very proud. He belonged to the plutocracy of Deeping, and believed in people keeping their proper positions, and this man was only a clerk with perhaps a pound or thirty shillings a week to live on. I The time passed all too quickly. --p She blashed a little as these thoughts passed through her mind, for even she could not but admit that the clerk was much more of a gentle- man than the manufacturer's son. It seemed almost treason on her part to institute a compari- son, but she could not help it. In some respects she had never met anyone before that so completely realised her idea of a. gentleman. He was t well dressed, certainly. Indeed, there was no denying it, he was rather shabby. He was not particularly attentive or obliging either,and in comparison with the young swells of Deeping, he was not deferential. Then what was it ? That was a question she could not answer. He seemed to create a certain atmosphere that could not be put into words. Perhaps it was the absence of effort, of self-consciousness, that characterised all his movements. There was nothing obtrusive about him he was easy and graceful and natural. And all this while he was wondering what it was in Floss Gresham that had so captivated his imagination and completely won his heart. In some way she was different from all theother girls he had known. In reality she was not so very different; but love adds a. new lense to the eye that enables the lover to see qualities that are hidden from the gaze of the crowd. Every lover believes that he has won the sweetest g rl on earth and just be- cause Douglas loved Floss Gresham she stood out from among the women he had known the fairest and noblest of them all. The afternoon passed away like a dream. The girl came back and lighted the lamps and drew the blinds then Douglas rose to go. I am sorry you have missed seeing uncle," Floss said, but the housemaid tells me he has been called out to a consultation and he may not be back for some time." Some other time I wilFcall again if I may." "Yes, do. We shall be very pleased to see you." So he went out into the darkness with a strange thrill in his heart, which quickly died down into a dull ache of regret. Half an hour after he had left the doctor re- turned. Floss met him at the dooi. Who do you think has been here ?" she ques- tioned. Don't know," he said gruffly. Mr Wyburn. I met him in Thornwood- avenue and brought him home with me. He is coming again soon to see you." Is he ? Not if 1 know it." Why, uncle ? What has he done ?" If report speaks truly the man is a low, cun- ning scoundrel." Uncle," it was all she could say, but her eyes spoke volumes. I have had my suspicions from the first, as you know, but the worst of them have been con- firmed to-day." What have you heard ?" Her voice was very low, for it seemed as if all her faith in hnman kind had suddenly collapsed. Come into the drawing-room," he said harshly, .1 and I will tell you." (To be contimsed.)

MERTHYR COUNTYCOURT, An Arbitrator's Award. On Saturday (before his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams) Mr Sydney Simons, who appeared at a previous hearing for the complainants in the action of G. S. Kees and Another v. Mrs Thomas Rees, to recover for work done, now applied for a remission of the award to the arbitrator (Mr J. K. Smythe). He wanted to know the facts which the arbitrator had found against him, and said that he would propose to show that the arbitrator was wrong in point of law. His Honour ques- tioned whether he had power to interfere with an arbitrator who was properly empowered to give a decision upon fact and law, and in further dis- cussion his Honour said that when the award was made the judgment of the Court then Mr Simons might move that it be set aside. He really could not see that he could accede to this request, and he gave judgment for the defendant in accordance with the terms of the arbitrator's award. Mr Simons said he would give notice of application for the next court. A Friendly Action.—Elizabeth Evans and Others v. Catherine Harries. Mr Beddoe for plaintiffs and Mr Gwilym Thomas for defendant. This was a friendly action to recover the sum of EM 14s 2d, money in the hands of Mrs Harris, on behalf of the executors of the estate. Judgment was entered for plaintiffs. A Tipper's Claim.—F. Stroud v. Crawahay Brothers.—Mr D. W. Jones for plaintiff and Mr Charles (from Mr Gwilym James's office) for the defendant. The claim was for E2 19s 3d, balance due for one month's wages in lieu of notice. It was alleged that plaintiff was taken ill in December last and left his work. When he returned he was told he was not wanted. He was governed by the Sliding Scale arrangement aa a weekly wage- man, and he claimed for a month's money. On the other hand, it was contended plaintiff bad engaged himself in a better position in another colliery before the expiration of a month. Judg- ment was given for defendants, without costs for all witnesses in attendance. A Boundary Fence Question .-Protheroe v. Williams.—Mr Charles for plaintiff and Mr D. W. Jones for defendant. In this action damages were claimed for trespass by cattle. The parties live at Plymouth and their farm lands adjoin. In discussion it transpired taat a question was in- volved as to who should repair boundary fences, and his Honour expressed his unwillingness to try such an issue, as the fact was one which the landlords or their agents should be asked to establish. In Breconshire, which was a very litigious county, the farmers fought tremendously over this question, but he did object to try these cases, for he was not the proper person to decide the point referred to. Ultimately the application for an injunction was withdrawn, and it was decided that the whole question in dispute should be referred to an arbitrator to be fixed upon by the parties.

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[ALL, BIGHTS RESERVED,] During the Terreur. By P. DILLON, It was the hour of noon. The sun was flooding with cheerful rays the market-place of a quaint old Norman village, and lending a picturesque Charm to the groups of weather-beaten fiBh-wives congregated round a pile of rough planks, on which two people were standing. One, a thin, wiry old man, whose head was covered with the inevi- table bonnet rouge of the period the other, a strongly-built, vividly coloured peasant girl, dressed in the costume of her province, and hold- ing in her arms a sleeping child of about a year Curiosity a.nd excitement were depicted on the women's upturned faces. A drama was being acted before them, and in the year of grace, 1794, dramas, to be well received, needed to have a highly sensational if not a sanguinary flavour. In the absence of the guillotine, torture of any description might prove acceptable. This refined public taste was being fully gratified at that moment, for the handsome, blue- eyed woman was evidently passing through as severe an ordeal as if she hai been standing on the pillory. The old man, clawing nervously at her arm with one hand, whilst he extended the other in oratorical gesture, was screaming out in a shrill, cracked voice :— Citizens, I call upon you all to witness that I disown this girl. She is no longer my child. Let her not dare to inflict her shame on me. On me. A well-known patriot, who hopes for the honour of being chosen as your Maire.' With one vigorous effort, the girl could easily have shaken off the old man's puny grasp, yet she stood motionless by his side, allowing herself to be thus publicly disgraced without making any resistance. Eh, Pere Moreau, what has Toinette done to anger you so ?" asked a half-starved looking creature. We thought perhaps that she had made acquaintance with the guillotine, like the ci devant Duchesse, who took her to Paris. It's two good years since she left our village and what a fine grandson she brings you back. Quite a young aristocrat, too. Eh, bien, she played the Sainte Nitouche,' so well. See what comes of it. You must try, Pere Moreau, to make Ie petit' a better patriot than his mother—we want no trai- tors among us." La- miserable," whined Pare Moreau. Two years ago she abandoned her poor old father to follow a stranger, and now. See how she comes back to me. A child in hei arms that she calls her own, yet refusing to tell me the name of its father. And no weddingring on her finger. She may return to her friends, the aristocrats. She need never hope to shelter her shame under my honest roof." The Pere Morsan's virtues were chiefly remark- able by their "absence, and his cottage was far from being a saintly dwelling eo many a smile was exchanged at his expense, as he thus played the Spartan father. Toinette paid no heed to his words, indeed, she scarcely seemed to hear them, so unchanged remained the intent, preoaeupied expression of her countenance. Her deep-set eyes were rivetted on the blacken 3d towers of a ruined chateau, just visible from the place where she was standing. Once in an hour of dire need, she had found a refuge within its walls, but since then "Jacque Bonhomme had passed by, and left it fit to shelter wild birds and beasts of prey only. A few fishermen returning from mending their nets on the beach, strolled into the market place the foremost, a fine young fellow about thirty years of age, catching sight of Toinette, made an effort to push aside the crowd of women and to rush forward to greet her. Suddenly he stopped short, putting his hand to his breast as if he had just received a blow. The red-capped patriot was still holding forth about the dangers to which such misconduct on his daughter's part was likely to expose him. Seeing the young fisherman, he pointed one skinny finger at him and exclaimed Ah, here comes Jacques Duval to cry shame on thee, thou worthless creature. Look well at her, Jacques. Here she stands, a mother, yet no wife." The young mtt.n's bronzed ruddy face changed to a livid hue. With one long look of agony and reproach, he turned and fled down a side street. Toinette's blue eyes filled with tearB as she watched his retreating figure, her lips trembled, a wave of indecision troubled for a moment the firm expression of her countenance, then she glanced down at the sleeping child pressed tenderly to her heart and her gaze wandered back with re- newed resolution to the ruined chateau. As the drama seemed now complete, the women straggled off to their homes, to lay before the husbands the scanty fare with which all had to be content blaxsk bread, a few herbs, perhaps a cabbage soup with the butter sadly lacking. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity are fine words, but they had not as yet replenished French larders. Father and daughter were left alone. Father," said Toinette, her strong frame trembling with indignation and her dark eyes flashing with scorn and contempt; didst thou imagine for one second that I would have applied to thee for help ? When we met by chance an hour ago I was not going to thy home thou have known me better than to think such a thing possible. I have not such a short memory. Could I forget how thy cruelty broke my poor mother's heart—and how thou didst ill- treat me, thine only child, until Madame la Duchesse took me and gave me a happy home ? Go now, and do not ever fear that I will pollute thy roof. Thou hast seen me to-day for the last time." The old fellow cowered before the girl's indig- nant reproaches, and soon slank away, muttering something about dangerous times" and being rendered suspect the one great bugbear of his craven, ignoble life. Toinette turned towards the farthest comer of the market place. Thera, m a gap between the houses a flight of rough stone steps, cut in the cliffs, led down to a long, straggling street. On the top of the steps a group of children were amusing themselves with a few discarded fish. They gathered up their booty and scrambled off to let her pass. She walked slowly down into the street. The doors of most of the quaint, gabled houses stood open and revealed the women within, busy at their cooking, while the younger girls were engaged stringing the fish their fathers had just caught, and hanging them in long fes- toons to dry on the walls—some of the silvery scales, becoming detached in the process, clung to their brown fingers and glittered in tbeeun like jewelled rings. As Toinette passed on many of the women came out on their thresholds, forgetful of the half- cooked food within. The instinct, which of yore made the Athenians tire of bearing Aristides called The Just," was working strongly in each female bosom. There coming towards them was the girl whose virtue had won high praise from Monsieur Ie Cure" and Madame la Duchesse "when Cure and Duchess were yet powers in the land. Now she was thrown from her high estate, cast off by her own father, carry- ing in her aims the visible token of her fall. Tongues wagged, shrill voices hurled opprobrious epithets, men slunk out of sight, having learnt from experienoe that it behoves all discreet male creatures to efface themselves when female virtue celebrates its own mystic rites by throwing mud at a fallen sister. At one doorway a former friend of Toinette's, Jeannette G-antier, lingered with kindlier intent. Ii her arms she held an infant a few months old, whom she was suckling, and her face bad the brooding tenderness of expression so often seen in young mothers under suh circumstances. She had not witnessed the scene in the market-plae, but had heard of it from her husband, and now came forward, not to upbraid, but to offer pity and help. Seest thou, Andre," she said to her husband, if la pauvrette' is denied a shelter by her cruel father, some good soul must take pity on her and give her a meal and a bed for the love of——" Jeannette was about to say "God," but pulled herself up abruptly, for fear of annoying her hus- band—the Goddess of Reason being the acknow- ledged Deity of the passing hoar. She then con- tinued nervously, There is not a better heart in the village than thine own, Andre-—let me ask the poor thing in ?" Andre, busy swallowing large mouthfuk of soup, just nodded an assent, and JeannettÐ-stood watching Toinette's approaching figure. She came slowly on, neither bowed down by shame nor yet answering scorn by scorn, but as indiffer- ent to the jeering voices and scowling faces as the cheery brown sparrows twittering in the eaves above her head. An all-absorbing preoccupation rendered her impervious to outward impressions. In vain the viragoes, provoked by her impassi- bility, yelled, vociferated, thrust their ugly faces close up to hers they seemed to her but as the flitting figures of a panorama—she had seen scores of such faces lately—dancing in wild Bac- chanalian fury round the dreadful tumbrils; or jostling each other for good places at the foot of the guillotine, as she stood waiting for the fall of one dearly-loved head. Her nerves were steeled to repulsive sights, her proud young heart too brave to suffer the craven horrors of personalfear. On she walked, making her way, step by step, through the hissing fishwomen. until, as she reached the last house of the long street, Jean- nette Gautier came forward, and seizing her by the arm. whispered hurriedly— My poor Toinette. Come in and test awhile. I have been waiting for thee." With a quick glacne of recognition, Toinette followed her into the house. Andre stepped oat, closed the door tightly behind him, and succeeded, after some difficulty, in dispersing the axcited women. Tiens, let me have thy marmot," said Jean- nette, placing her own baby in the wooden cradle which stood by the fire. Thon must have need of rest and food." She came forward to take the little fellow from Toinette's arms. He opened wide his dark blue eyes, and after gazing at her for some seconds with the serious scrutiny of childhood, allowed her to take him. Toinette first stretched her arm out before her, then clasped her hands above her heacMis if to ease their aching whilst doing this she looked frankly at her companion. So thou art married, ma nrie, and hast a I child of thine own. Is thy man good to thee ? Art thou happy ?" Yes, yes, very happy," answered Jeannette I filling as she spoke a bowl full of soup and handing it to Toinette, who had seated herself wearily by the table; then drawing a low stool near the fire, the young woman proceeded to feed the ehild, uttering all the time exclamations of astonishment at his baaaty— What n, love. What a treasme.. HeU-be a. consolation to thee some day, my pxtt Toinette the sweet little innocent. God can't be angry with him, he has done no wrong. Well, we all have our temptations. But 1 thou hast suffered much, and for lore of titiis little angel will try to be wiser for tbe. Toinette sprang to her feet awl, fc»ck thst&Hd Eh, my good Jeanette; I can say no word to thee—my lips are seajed-but heaven will bless thee, thou good heart. Now I must be going, I dare not linger. Can'st thou not sleep here with me ?" said the young woman. Andre will be out at the fish- ing all night thou could'st share my bed." No, no," was the hurried answer I must be gone. But thou art a true friend, Jeannette. I shall not forget thy kindness. Prav for me and for the marmot to-night we shall need it badly," Women still know how to pray—God "be Jeannette,nodingthat it was useless to urge her further, let her depart with an affectionate embrace. Toinette passed oat of the cottage, and, with the sure, quick tread of one to whom every inch of thaground was familiar, walked rapidly towards the distant cliffs. The wind was rising and blew etrongly in her face, making it difficult at times for her to keep her footing on the uneven ground. The broken, narrow path led upwards to a rocky arch, from which she remembered that an uninterrupted view of the Channel could be ob- tained. Here she seated herself, and fixed her eyes on the distant horizon. At first the child laughed and crowed in her arms, stretching out his little bands to the sky as if to catch the fleecy clouds and make them his playthings, but soon the strong air tired him, and he fell fast asleep again. Toinette sat on, hour after hour, her intent gaze never wandering from the sea. The lines of anxiety were deepening across her forehead, and her ruddy colour was paling from the prolonged vigil, when she started to her feet with an excla- mation of relief—she had at last perceived some preconcerted signal for which she had been watching. Her lips emitted a curiously prolonged, far-reaching sound, like the cry of a sea-gun i then she turned towards an aperture in the side of the cliff, so nearly hidden by the luxuriant grasses that not one unacquainted with the place could have found it. Night was closing around her as she drew a silken scarf from her bosom, and with it bound the sleeping child firmly to her own body, then grasping a tuft of stout grass she cautionsly slipped one foot over the side of the cliff. Having secured a foothold, she proceeded to clamber down, step by step. Encumbered as she was by the child, it was a task of much difficnltv-some- times a chalk ledge afforded a momentary rest- ing place; at others, loose fragments, giving way beneath her feet, exposed her to the dangers of a fall. At last, panting and breathless, she gained the ground, and, with a sigh of relief, sat down and unbound the child, anxiously gazing into the little face to make sure he was unharmed by the perilous deseent. All through the long afternoon hoars Jacques Duval sat alone in his rough fisherman's hut, at some distance from the village. It was almost too wretched a place to be dignified by the name of home—piles of nets in one corner, a few broken articles of crockery, a worm-eaten old oaken rhest which served as a table, a truckle bed and a couple of wooden stools were the only furniture. Jacques had neither mother nor sister to prepare his meals and attend to his comforts, but, up to the present moment, he had felt no sense of want. Hope had oeen his constant companion — and where Hope sits whispering by the hearth it is wonderful how little effect sordid surroundings can have upon one's happiness. Jaeques was one of those men, to be found in every age and every class, for whom there exists and can exist but one woman upon earth. Toinette was his fate—he had loved her from the days of early childhood, when they scrambled about together barefooted on the reeks. He would love her to the very last hour of his ex- istence. Four years ago he had implored her to become his wife, and she had consented on condition that he would not urge her to leave the Duchess until the times were more settled but each month brought new disasters to the Noblesse, and when the Duchess travelled to Paris in order to be with her husband, Toinette accompanied her. much against Jacques' wish. Her aristocratic leanings annoyed him, as he was himself an advanced Re- publican yet he admired the loyalty of nature which bound her to her kind mistress, and lived on happy in the belief that some day Toinette would come to him and say, Now, Jacques, I am "ready to become thy wife." That hope was now dead. Not only would Toinette never be his wife, but worse, far worse, she had become unworthy of his love. The thought was torture to the miserable man. sitting with bowed head and tightly-clenched hands by the dying embers of the wood fire. The spirit within him was struggling in mortal combat with the hideous demon of despair. It would be im- possible to describe the anguish of his soul, but most men have experienced at some period of their lives a similar struggle. Drops of per- spiration streamed down his face groans, as of physical agony, burst at intervals from his lips. Toinette, oh Toinette," he cried aloud, how could'st thou betray me so 1" Suddenly a hand was laid on his shoulder, and Toinette's well-remembered voice sounded rti his ears. Jacques, confident in thy brave, true heart, I have travelled all the long, weary road from Paris to ask of thee a service. My life and the life of this poor little innocent are in danger thou cans't save them at the peril of thine own. Art willing to risk it ?" The room was quite in darkness. Jacques could barely distinguish the outline of Toinette's tall, steong figure, as she stood between him and the open door. Making a violent effort to master his agitation he replied in a voice rendered hoarse by re- strained emotion— What would'st thou that I should do, Toinette ? My life has always belonged to thee." Ab, I knew well Imight ever count on thee,' exclaimed Toinette in a tone of proud exultation,' the delicious pride of a woman who finds that her confidence has not been misplaced—that her idol is indeed of pure gold throughout. What would'st thou that I should do ?" asked Jacques, gloomily. It is but a little thing to give thee my life thou hast rendered it odious to me." Ah, my Jacques, say not that," pleaded Toinette. This is what I would have thee do. An English vessel lies waiting for me somewhere outside the harbour. I have no passport, no papers, but the night is black—there is no moon —thou, who knowest so well every turn of the coast, could'st take us to that ship in thy boat, it thou dost not fear the risk. It will be death for thee if thou are caught." An hour later Toinette stood in safety on the deck of an English vessel. As she turned to take the child from Jacques, who was carrying it for her up the ladder, a peal of soft laughter broke from her lips as she whispered in his ear— u Would'st thou not like to kiss the little Duo, Jacques ?—the poor Madame's only child ?" Back to your boat, man," cried a sailor. We must he off. There may be death in every moment's delay." Let the boat drift," cried out Jacques, joy- fnHy, as he threw his arm round Toinette's waist, I too shall sail for England to-night." Jacques and Toinette never returned to France. England gave them a happy home, safe from that crnel revolution, which, hke Saturn, was de- vouring its own children-" They paid their debt of gratitude to their adopted country by presenting her with healthy, handsome sons and daughters, who had inherited their mother's fearless loyalty and their father's single-minded fidelity. Such gifts are a nation's best wealth. Even in this year of grace 189— you may chance to remark upon the fair-haired, rosy-cheeked children playing on the beach of a Kentish village, some dark-haired lads and lassies, whose ruddy brown cheeks bloe eyes, sparkling under black lashes, mark them out as descend- ants of the Norman couple. II ■ —MM.

NEWPORT GUARDIANS. The weekly meeting of the Newport Board of ■ Guardians was held at the Town Hall on Satur- day, Councillor M.Wheeler presiding. Rev.W. H. Williams proposed that in future the master of the Workhouse should enter the names of all persons dying in the Worfrhouse, and the causes of death, in a book, which should be presented to the board meetin? and the weekly meeting of the Visiting Committee. Mr J. Broad seconded the motion, which was adopted. On the motion of Councillor T. Dutfield the board resolved to petition the House of Commons praying the House no' to pass the Rating of Machinery Bill, which is down for second rearding on the 17th prox. The Assessment Committee reported that Mr Balfour Browne, Q.c., to whom the question in dispute as to the rating of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Company had been referred by mutual consent, had decided in favour of the committee. The re^u1' of the reports of Messrs Hedley, Mason, and Hedley waa that an addition of had been made to the ratable valne of the Union. The assessable value of the union was now £547,789;-mcrease. £7,104. The Caerleon Schools Committee recommended that the system of industrial training should be ex- tended at the schools, so as to provide for train- ing of children after they had passed the fifth standard, or when they had reached the age of 14 years, such training to continue until the chil- dren reached the age of .16 years. The special training to be provided ism tailoring a.nd garden- ing. Mr J. Broad urged that if industrial train- ing was to be extended, the board should provide for teaching carpentry and sboemaking ami other trades. The report was adopted.

WONDERFUL ICE-BREAKING VESSEL. There have bean scenes of the greatest enthu- siasm at St. Petersburg on the arrival of the great ice-breaker Yermak. Thecorrespondent says that crowds collected at every point whence they could get a sight of this, to them, remark- able and quite astonishing boac, which, since it left Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth, and I Company's shipyard at Elswick, a month or more ago, has. been cutting through the thick ice of the Finnish Gulf a.s easilv as a hot knife goes through butter. The Yermak steamed up the sea canal from Kronstadt, dis- placing the ice without doing any damage to the banks, and on Sunday 3iternoolt made a little excursion dose into the town below bridges, where there is no longer any lee, to the great de- light and enthusiasm of ftte popnlace. Never be- fore has a boat built in England been received in Russia with snch honours. During ten days' cruising off Reval it has rescued 31 merchant ships from the ice, in which some of them had beettimbedded for several weeks. Cta Erramtadtfor the second ame it cut thmrrA34 foefrqf jWBwayrt aJStBg-owrgwgfciqf

The Prodigal's Return. He went away from home a spindly youth with shrunk shanks and a neck like a. Garcia camp follower. He came back a professional bicycle rider, with huge legs and muscles like iron. I see the prodigal has returned," said the next-door neighbour, Yes," replied the father thoughtfully, as he stared in amazement at the bulging hosiery of his hopeful. He seems to have returned and brought the fatted calf with him." An Embryonic Scheme. I have an idea," said the dentist's patient, as he put on his coat after making an appointment for two hours of anguish on the following Tues- day I have a plan for filling teeth. It needs a. little work in the arrangement of details, but I think it is a great scheme." What is it ?" asked the dentist. When teeth are to be filled, they should first be extracted; the filling could then be done without pain to the patient, and it would only be necessary to find some way to replace the teeth." The Last Stage. Mrs De Fashion My dear, late boars, late suppers, and general social dissipation have ruined your constitution. Miss De Fashion (belle of six sea.soms);: l-know t, ma. And your health is miserable." Yes, Ma." And you are losing your beauty. It's all gone, Ha." It really is; and so is your plumpness." I'm nothing but skin and bones." There's no denying it, my deaæ-you are a mere wreck of your former self." Too true." What are yon going to do about it ? Get married." Sound Advioe. An eminent lawyer of New York, when his son was about to enter the legal profession, thought it incumbent upon him to offer some advice born of his own experience. My son," said he, when- ever in trymg a case you find the law is in your favour but the facts against yon, come out strong on the law." Yes, father," said the attentive son. And if you find," resumed the adviser, that the facts are in your favour and the law against you, come out strong on the facts." The attorney in embryo meditated a moment, and then asked, hesitatingly, But suppose, father, the law and facts are both against me ? Oh, well," continued the parent, unctuously, in that case—talk around it." Boston Baseball Economy. Horry Pulliman, of the Louisville Baseball Club, told this story during the recent meeting at the expense of Soden and Conaiat, of the Boston Club:- You know those Boston triumvirs are good business men," said Pulliman, "and they have run their club with such broad-minded methods that they have made several fortunes out of base- vl ball. Last summer, while the Louisvilles were in Boston, I saw Soden and Conant lecturing the ground keeper in such a way that convinced me that he had made a terrible break. They shook their fists, waved their hands above their heads, and finally left in what appeared to be a white heat. They are finding fault with me because they say I paid too much for some nails.' was the reply. What did you pay for them ?" Five cents a pound, and they say I ought to have got them for two and a half cents.' How many pounds did you buy ?' Three,' answered the ground keeper as he went away to nail a board over a knothole in the fence." The Swede Scored. It was in a Duluth court, and the witness was a Swede who was perhaps not so stupid as he seemed to be. The cross-examining attorney was a smart young man whose object was to disconcert the witness and discredit his testimony. What did you say your name was ? was the firat question. Yahn "—very deliberately—" Petersen." John Petersen, eh ? Old man Peter's son, I suppose. Well, John,where do you live ? Where ah live ? In Duluf," Now, Petersen, answer this question care- fully, Are you a married man ? Ah tank so. Ah was married." So you think because you got married you are a married man, do you ? That's funny. Now, tell the gentlemen of this exceptionally intelligent jury who you married." Who ah married ? Ah married a woman." See, here, sir. Don't you know any better than to trifle with this court ? What do you mean, sir ? You married a woman. Of course you married a woman. Did you hear of anyone marrying a man ? Yas. Mah sister did." How She Saved Him. In the city of Denver lives a lady who is a pro fessional nurse. Her forte is the care of patients with three special diseases, viz., small-pox, diph- theria, and pneumonia and of these she has never lost a patient. She is naturally very proud of this distinction aDd of the standing which it gives her with the physicians. Net long since a gentleman was placed in her care who had been suddenly and violently seized with pneumonia. When the hospital physician made his visit about ten o'clock at night, he said, Miss D., I am afraid you are about to lose your patient. He cannot live through the night," An hour or two later, sure enough, the patient olosed his mouth and refused the medicine. Miss D. insisted, and he shook his head, whispering. No use." This alarmed his nurse who stood over him and cried out, Here, sir.Open your mouth and take ths medi- cine. If you die I'll kill you." It is pleasant to be able to say that Miss D.'s bull set the patient into a paroxysm of laugh- ing, which was the means of his recovery. Where She Excelled. Say," exclaimed the newly-married man, "I am awfully glad you have called. r have some- thing to show yon that will prove to an old cynic like you what a good thing it is to have a wife. Don t yon remember how I used to hanker for a good quilted smoking jacket and smoker's outfit. Every Christmas and birthday I used to wish that someone thought enough of me to make me a pre- sent of them, but they never came and now the very first year I am m&rried I get the whole out- fit as a birthday present from my wife. Just look at this jacket. Isn't it a beauty ? And aren't these pipes, tobacco pouches, and match safes all a man could wish for ?" Why, yes," said the cynical friend, they are simply out of sight. But it seems to me that, even beautiful as they are, a bachelor could buy them for himself if he really wanted them." I suppose he could, but no bachelor ever does." But," persisted the cynic, erven though your wife did buy these, didn't the bill for them come in to you f" Of course it did. But what does that &mount to when a fellow really has to pay it ? What I am thankful for is the nerve she had in buying all this stuff. Even though I had been wanting it all for the last ten years and could really afford it, I never had the nerve to go and get it all at once." Pat as Waiter. The native Irish wit is notoriously equal to any emergency. Not long ago one of the sensa- tion-mongers who pose as untamable men of the "Wild West," went into a cheap restaurant, and, depositing his sombrero on the table and shaking his long hair menacingly, called out, Waiter. BLyah, wai-te-e-e-rrr." A bald little Irishman wearing an apron tapped up. Yls, sorr, phwat will ye have, sorr ? Give me a. bear-steak, extra rare, and give it to me right auick. too." A bear-steak, is it, sorr ? faltered the little Irishman. Yes, a bea-a-arrrrrr-steak." Yis, sorr. An' phwat koind of a bear-steak wtfd ye have, sorr." What kind of a bear-steak T Yis, sorr. We have black bear, grizzly bear, cinnymin bear, brown bear, white or Polar bear, goggle-eyed bear, Irish bear, woolly beat, Wall- street bakr Hold on," said the imitation cowboy, in a rather low tone. Ef bear is as plenty round these parts as that, I'll be switched ef I want any. Ye can bring me a plate of pork an' beans." Retribution. Daring a blizzard in New York, when all man- ner of wagons were impressed into service for removing the snow, a plumber drove up to a saloon on the corner of Tenth-avenue and —th- street, and winding the reins loosely around the whip left his wagon and went in to get & drink. There were some twenty 01 thirty Italians busily engaged in shovelling the snow from the streets into carts, and no sooner had the saloon door closed on the plumber than the Italians began to fill his wagon with snow. When the owner of tbe wagon appeared, the sight of his vehicle nearly gave him apoplexy. On-. g ginal and striking were the oaths he used as he demanded that the Italians immediately unload the snow. The foreman of the snow-deanmg gang was appealed to, but he refused to allow his men to touch the load. A policeman was called, but he declared that if the plumber dumped the snow back into the street he would at once be arrested. The only thing for the driver to do was to drive to the dump and unload his wagon with the others into the river. Speechless with rage, the plumber dambaed, on to the wagon Beat. The foreman of the snow shovellers handed him a yellow ticket. What's this ?" demanded the plumber. Present that ticket at the Street-cleaning Department and you will get thirty cents." "Thirty cents? And I lose two boras' work just when everybody is calling wildly for 8.1 ptennbor. Well" whinnmg op his horse aoi' pnomng aa»y in tfee muSthu of tba ia*ar—

Dymnnir i'n Gohebwyx Cymreig gyfeirio eu g«- hebiaethau, llyfrau i'w hadolygu, &c., fel y canlyn; Dafydd Morganwg, Morganwg House, Llantwit-street, Cardiff."

MARWOLAELH T. E. ELLIS, A.S. O'i ogoniant rhy gynsr--ein Elia Noswyliodd or ddaear; Walia gu I dy anwyl g&r Tom Elis, dyma alar. Gwr cadarn ei farn a fo-yn noddwti Yn addurn i Gymru Yn awr mae swn galaru A'i dawel wlad 61 i'w duo Mor dawel yn mordwyo-i Cannes, Ac yna'n gobeithio Dychweliad iach, a'i wel'd o Yn heinif-marw yno! Y fo fu'n swyno y Senedd—a'i laia, Mor dawel yn gorwedd Draw gaiwyd o air gwaeledd, Adre aeth i Wlad yr Hedd Un mawr ei sel dros Gymru Sydd,—wedi Y madael a'i glenydd A mor o fawl Cymru Fydd I'r mawr hwn tra Meirionydd. Caerfyrddin. IOAN MYRDDIN.

■■ ■ YR EINGION. Stol ddur yw'r eingion i gnro—arni Gywreinedd i'w weithio; Mor gain mae'i sain yn seinio, Hulia gerdd morthwyl y go'. Eres eingion ddur eirian,—a tbrin gwaith Haiarn gof ei hamcan; Ar hon morthwylion a than Chwery fel clychau arian. Panderyu. RICHABD JCTNIS.

YR ARDD. Mae gerddi blodeoog A glynoedd dihalog Hen Walia ardderchog Yn anwyl i mi; Edmygaf eu swynion Pan gluda'r awelon Eu sawyr pereiddlon Yn ngherbyd eu su. Daw blagur a blodau Yn dryfrith o'u beddau, A genir y ffrwythau Yn ngerddi fy ngwlad; Cynyrchion y flwyddyn Maent egwan fel plentyn, Tra gwena y gwanwyn Ar orsedd mwynhad,' Rhydd adar yn hyfwyn Folawdau i'r gwanwyn, Telorant eu telyn 0 amgylch pob gardd Pan gyfyd yr huan O'i wely 0 arian, Cynhesa bedryfan, Daw natur yn hardd. Rhosynau edmygant Wres byw ei ogoniant, A buan y deaant I wenu mewn hedd; O'r blodau teleidion Daw'r ffrwythau melusion, A diwedd ell swynion I ddynion dry'n wledd, Bydd eirin a 'falau, Ac amryfal ffrwythau, Ar wyneb a changau Swynhudol yr ardd; Y werddl&s geninen A gyfyd yn llawen, Arwyada Geridwen, Gwlad anwyl y bardd. Daw llysiau man llesol I gyd yn dymhorol 0 ddwylaw r Anfeidrol, Er cysur i ddyn; Aberthwn y galon I Geidwad mor hylon, Mae'n porthi'r tylodion A'i roddion ei Hun. Mae'r gerddi daearol Yn gwywo'n gynarol, Ond gardd fawr y Nefol A erys o hyd Yn werddlas dan wenau Haul disglaer y bryniau, Mae'n orlawn o fiodau Sy'n wynion i gyd, Llundain. LLINOS WYRE.

CWYN COEDEN YN Y GAUAF. Yn Dgwisgoedd claer y gwanwyn cu Mor siriol oedd fy agwedd, A thlysion ddail fel glwyslan bin Yn chwareu rhwng fy mysedd. Hongianai'r gwlith fel gemau aur Wrth oareu'n ngwisg oleulan, Yn ngrisial wedd y tlvsau claer Canfyddwn lun fy hunan. Yr huan swil a'r wefus wen Gusanai'n ngrndd bob d'wrnod, A phlygwn inau 'nthluog ben Yn wylaidd i'w gydnabod. Fe gydnabyddai pawb yn rhwydd Na fu fy ngodidocach, Na neb er maint eu lies a'i llwydd, A'u ffryndian'n Iluosocach. Yr adar bach a'u can ddiail A gadwent ffwrdd bob soriant, Tra'r awel fwyn ar dannau'r dail Yn chwareu eu cyfeiMant. Yn daiogel dan fy mentyll clyd Eu nythau adeiliasent, A thrwy eu gofal mawr o hyd En cywion bach fagasent. Bob dydd fe ddeuai'r plant digiwy* I siglo ar fy ngbangan Mor falch o'wn i O'Q cwmni hwy, A hwy o'm nghwmni inau. Yr oenyn mwyn a'r wiwer gaed Yn llamu am y gorau, Y npin ar lawrlen werdd fy nhraed, A'r llall rhwng dail fy mrigau. Ond, ow! fe ddaeth y gallf du 1 chwythn'n greulawn arnsf, A syrthiodd fy sidanaidd blu Yn feirwon fyrdd o danaf. Pa le yu awr mae'r adar iach, Mor ffyddlon wnes gysgodi, Na thaenent 'nawr eu hedyn bach I guddio path o'm noetbni ? Pa le mae'r bechgyn bochgoch braf, Yr oenyn mwyn a'r wiwer ? ED cwmni hyfryd oni chaf Yn nghanol fy ngyryngder ? 0 holl felusder gwanwyn cu, Hwy gawsant bobo gyfran; Ond cbwerwder gauaf ro'wd i mi I'w yfed oil fy hunan. Ti, wridog blentyn ysgafn fron, Mwyn, a'th ieuenctyd glanfri, Tra'n amgylchynn'th fywyd lion Mae ceraint a rhieni. Ond cofia daw y gauaf du I wywo gwrid dy ruddiau, A-cholli gwmni'th geraint cu Pan fyddo lllWYa.'U heisiau. A chofia dithau, henwr, tra Yn byw dan bla diderfyn, Os wyt o braidd y Bugait Da, Try'th Ana' eto'n Wanwyn; Ar fyr fe ddaw yr engyl cu I'th gludo i'r gogoniant, Lie byth ni ddaw'r un Gauaf du I wywo dy ardduniant. Ffynnoncoranau. ASA.

Y TEMTIAD. Cawn ddarinn y Temtiad yn hongian o hyd Yn ngorsaf y Grawys yn nod addol fryd A llygad yr Eglwys trwy'r cyfnod hwn sydd At hyny'n cyfeirio wrth reol y ffydd. Y cyfrwys Archdemtiwr a.t Iesu a aeth. Tra'n ddarostyngedig i ddeddf ympryd caeth. Yn awr," meddai'r Diafol, os Mab Duw wyt ti, Amlyga dy wyrthiol awdurdod, er bri; Yn lie cospith natur, a ï cbadw dan dreth I newyn,—tro'r ceryg yn fara di-feth." "Na, nid ffrwyth da-esren dyr holl angen dyn," Medd Crist, ond trwy riniau a gair Duw sy'n nglyn." "Trwy'm dyfais yn Eden enillais fyd crwn." Medd Satan; ond methais yn a.wr drechu hwn; Ond eto, teyrn ydwyf ar dalaeth y llawr, A phawb imi'n ufudd o'r Cwymp hyd yn awr." Gwyrdroi y Gwirionedd yn awr wna.i'r dig fod, Mewn pryder ac awydd am gyrhaedd ei nod Anogai y Daw-ddyn i gellwair â thranc, Ac uwch dirfawr ddyfnder i wneyd enbyd 'stranc. Ar dir twyll resymu a rhyfyg yn awr Oa'dd Penaeth y Fagdiu ei osod i lawr. Ond eto, gwau dichell o'r newydd wnai ef, Er cwympo'r AU AIds,-prif nod Uffern gref. Ti, Anial Ymwelydd. ystyria'r waith hon, Mae mor o haelioni yn chwyddo fy raron; A'r crwnfyd yn gyfan a roddaf i Ti," Medd Satan, os syrthi a'm haddoli i." Ond eto'r du ellyll gyfarfu a. siom, A gordd yr Ysgrythjr fe ga'dd ergyd drom; Ac wrtho medd Iesu, "Och! ymaith a. thi, I Øtbwyd temtMiwn 'does dim ynof fi Porth. E. ODYKE^B EOWABPC.

Y WASG. ,V.-GEKIK^ un Eblill, 1899.—Mae yn hon dengon o amrywiaeth fel arfer, ac y mae ysgrif Spinther, ar La.nsanan a'i Henwogion, vn llawn fferth Y Prig ofynir am y" Geninen a gellir Sf PSF<ld yn Mhwlpud Cymru," Teyrnasy Bardd. *Y Duwinydda'u Derfynan," "Dyffryn Towi^a Dyffryn Teifi," yn ncirvd a lluaws o

Ihuintss :!bbTtsSt5. I "A Perfect Beverage.Medieal Annual. 8 PURE-SOLUBLE. i EASILY BIGESriEn-EXQUISIT9 FLAVOR. I Gram I "Yields a maximum proportion of B "the valuable food constituents. S| Easy of assimilation and digestion. B "Cheaper to use in the end."— B THE LANCET. B BEST & GOES FARTHEST. I

Maybe the new hen has arrived and expects the rooster to lay the eggs. Ifrnorant people are people who know less than we think we do. A place where jail-birds are caged should be called a knave-iary." She You are a conundrum.—He But I hope you haven't given me up yet. Mother (drilling Teddy for his first party) And now, darling, what is a greedy boy ?—Teddy A boy who wants everything I want. Mrs Newcash's 5 o'clock tea was too vulgar for anything." 'Was it?" "Yes. Why, she actually had a lot of things to eat." Mrs McBjide Harry, I was beside myself at the condition you came home in last night.— Harry Yes it seems to me I did see two of you. Dora must have suffered some terrible dis- appointment. One never sees her smile now. What is the matter ?" Two front teeth pulled." They tell-me, Grimley, that your daughter sings with great expression." "Greatest expres- sion you ever saw. Her own mother cannot recognise her face when she's singing." I want to see the lady of the house." I am she." "A thousand pardons. You look so happy and independent I felt sure you were the ¡ servant." I Did you ever remember a winter like this?" asked the farmer in the Peak district of Derby- shire, accosting another this week. Ah, last summer 1" Caller Excuse me, can I speak to your type- writer a moment ?—City Man Yon can't; she's j engagel.CaJler That's all right—I'm the fel- low." | Horrified Old Lady: Oh. kind sir, think of your | mother. Think of your mother Burglar (sternly): No use. lady I was brought up in i an in-rubator. Tom Why were you so determined to kiss that j homely cousin of yours ?—Pick I wanted to establish a precedent. She has two very pretty j sisters, you know. After he has tortured his wife into the blackest despair the jolly good fellow arouses the sympa- j thy of the bar-room by blubbering about the lack of sunshine in his home. Mrs Henpeck The papers are always telling about wives pulling their husbands' hair; I don't fipe where it comes in.—Mr H. It doesn't, my dear; it comes out. When a man strikes gold-bearing- ore which assays one hundred thousand dollars to the ton we should give that man credit for the greatest strike of tbe period. Jftkey Krouts: Vat vas a standing army, Fritz ?—Fritz Vy, dot vals an army dot vill shtan' mos' anyt'ings, vrom canned jassack to embalmed pig's ankle. First Tourist That Indian seems to have an awful load on.—Second Tourist: Yes. He has evidently followed Kipling's advice, and taken up the white man's burden. Grubb: I think your boy will become a very distinguished man, if he lives long enough..— "Yes? What do you think he will be distin- guished for?" "Longevity." And what did the doctor say was really the matter with you, Jerry?" Well, Miss, his very words were, You're a-sufferin' from a gmtar in the stomach, with a great want of tone." Calmly arising, as befitting a rising young attorney, the eloquent aadvocate fixed the jury with his magnetic eye. And yet he lost the case. For, indeed, an eye is a poor thing to fix a jury with. You can't spell long words like hippopota- mus and parallelogram,' said the little boy who wore spectacles and a sailor suit. Well," r answered the boy who was leading a dog by a » piece of rope, dat's where I'm lucky. I don't have to." I The Friend Ah, I had just as bad a tooth- ache as you yesterday and I went home. and my wife pitied me and kissed me, and made so much of me that the toothache disappeared. You take my tip.—The Achyne Is your wife at home do you think ? i First North Pole Explorer (elatedly): Hurrah! We have but to push on two days more, and the Pole is reached.—Second Explorer (thoughtfully): Yes; but time is precious. We had better turn back now, or I may have to cancel some of the dates of our lecturing tour. A beggar was coming out of a house, when another beggar met him at the garden gate, and asked what chance there was of getting anything. The people are not up to much. I have just had a peep through the window, and saw two ladies playing on the piano." An Angelica woman advertised for a husband, and got him, of coarse-you can get almost any- thing in this world by advertising-and then, when he left her. she went and banged herself. Poor, foolish woman. Why did she not try the little want ad. once again ? There's that handsome Miss Highfly," re- marked the youthful bride. She's posing as a society leader to-night." Humph." com- mented her better half as he noted the young lady's costume. Looks to me as if she was exposing as a society leader." A lady took her little daughter out to tea, and was much shocked to see her try to put a thin piece of bread and butter into her pocket.— Mother Whatever are you doing, Flossie?— Little Girl (aged five years) I thought I would take this home to nurse for a pattern. Mistress (finding visitor in kitchen) Who is this ?—Mary (confused) My brother, ma'am.— Mistress (suspiciously) You are not much alike. —Mary (stammering apologetically) We were. ma'am, but he's lust had his beard shaved off, and that makes him look different, ma'am. A Knowing Bird.—Servant-maid Please, ma'am, the parrot has been saying another lot of fresh words.—Mistress (to lady visitor) Yes my Jokko is veiy teachable it listens to every word my hnsband says to me- (To servant :) What did the creature say ?—Servant maid Shut up, yon old besom. A bicycle rider was bragging of the lightness of his machine, and added that he never carried an extra ounce of weight on it. not even a tool bag. A. friend present asked him wha; he woaid do if he had a breakdown on the road. and ha,; no toois. Oh," said he that's easily managed. I ea.ny my tools in my pocket." Mrs Minerva Jones What an absurd thing to announce the Mr before the Mrs Frederick. Surely it can't mean that that vain creature man" exalts himself above woman ?" —Mr Jones (with feebngj I don't think it means ^ear- I fthoold think it simply means that she follows him wherever he goes." An Irish lady, having had a few hot words with ber Msbana one day, bad occaeion, a, few moments after, to send her servant for S'OPIP for dinner. Bridget," said the nnstress." go down to the town at once and et ine a rndaae. an' I will, ma'am," said Bridget.. n' lmay as well get wan fOl' myself, for I mesettHA y«srtf." t

AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVES FOR BARRY. In the last issue of the ffechanical World the decision of the Barry Railway Company in order- ing locomotives from America is dealt with in its leaderette columns. A short time ago (it SP.VS) it was announced that the Midland tVail- way Company had been oblige d to order a num- ber of locomot;res fromfirms in the United States owing to the inability of the British makers to effect delivery in the stipulated time, consequent upon the accumulation work. This statement, which proved to be correct, caused considerable astonish- ment throughout the country, but the surprise became greater when it became known that the Great Northern Railway Company had been compelled to follow the example of the Midland Company. We believe it qurite correct to MY that in both these instances the question or speedy delivery determined the placing of f'1t, orders with the Baldwin and the Shenetody Locomoti ve Works, since the arrears of work dne to the dispute in the engmeering trades 18 months ago rendered it impossible for English and Scotch firms to complete the contracts in time. It ;-s doubtless for this reason that the Barry Dock and Hailway Company has now ordered severpd locc). motives from an American firm and three frrt. Belgian works, although the directors state t » saving of about JE500 on each locomotive will bs effected by the acceptance of the tender of the United States firm. This may perhaps be but it mast be remembered that the locomo ives will be of the American, and not of the British type. The fact must also not be overlooked that the Baldwin Company. the Shenetody Works, and the Pullman and the Wagner Companies have their own particular design, and when the nl railway companies buy engines or rolling stcck they accept the special types constructed by and made after the designs H patterns of the former. This system en- ables the builders in slack times to manufacture for tack, well knowing tba; t'he goods thus stored will readily find a market on the demand increasing. In tliis we have a v*jry feasible explanation of early delivery by American firms of a stock class of goods only waiting to be put together and trotted forth an example of American competition. We fail to see any competition in business of this nature, where the buyers are willing to accept any.hing offered by the sellers. The only wav to test the reality of American rivalry is for the U utted States builders to submit boua fide tenders for any one of the types of locomotives in general use on British railways. We should then see whether their prices would be asiaw and the deHvery as spaeay as in the classes referr. to, where they only have to bring out the various parts from the different shops for the purpose of being assembled in order to turn out the complete engine."

PONTYPRIDD COUNTY COURT, Interpleader Action,-Before his Honour Judge Gwilym Wi.liams, on Monday, Mrs Hannah M, Jones, International Grocery Stores, Ferndalc claimed goods of tbE value of £49, which had been distressed upon by Messrs Stuart and Young, wholesale provision dealers, Glasgow, the defendant being J. D. Jones, the claimant's husband. Mr D. Rees, solicitor, appeared for the claimant, and Mr C. Matthews, solicitor for the petitioning creditor. It was elicited that J. D. Jones, the defendant, had been manager of the International Grocery Stores at Ferndale for his father, who was a farm bailiff at Newcastle Emlyn, Last June the premises were destroyed by fire, ana at the recent assizes his father brought a claim against the insurance company in respect of the loBS. Mr Rees explained that he had not yet received any money from the com- pany, but as soon as he did it would be dis. tribated among his creditors. The debt for which execution had been levied upon the goods in the shop was incurred before the fire, subsequent to which Mrs Jones re-opened the business in her own name. A few days before then she was married to the defendant, and she placed her savings of SSO in the business, and also £40, which her father, a mechanic, living at Ponty- cymmer, lent her. She said she gave no wages to her husband, who simply managed the busi. ness Her husband, J, D. Jones, said he had carried on the business as J. D Jones and Co. before his father took it on, and in reply to his Honour he explained that he alone was Jones and Co.—His Honour Don't you think it was mis- representation to call yourself a "Co. when there was nobody else in the business with you ?-It was stated that Jones WM an undischarged bankrupt, and that the J. D. Jones who had incurred the debt in question was his father.—Mr Matthews suggested that the defendant still carried on the business, and that he had borrowed money for the par- pose.—His Honour, however, stated that he was bound to give judgment for plaintiff. Judgment was accordingly entered for her.

NEW C.M. CHAPEL AT MORRISTON. Nazareth new Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Morriston. which is pleasantly situated at the corner of Horeb-road and in close proxi- mity to Horeb Congregational Chapel, is now opened. It is built of native stone in the Norman style, and is one of the neatest and most compact edifices in the district. There is a lobby with a staircase leading to an octagonal gallery. There is also an organ gallery, and Messrs Connachec and Co.. Huddersfield, have erected a powerful organ. The most modern ventilating appliances have beeu introduced. The woodwork is of red pine with the exception of the pulpit, communion pew. and gallery front, which are of the best selected pitch pine. The chapel is 52ft. by 42ft., and has seating accommodation for 500 persons. The contractors were Messrs Thomas and Jones, of Morriston. and Mi W. W. Williams, Wind. street, Swansea, was the architect. The opening services took place on Sunday and Monday, when the Reve. Dr. Cynddylan Jones, Cardiff, and Peter Griffiths. Trevecca College. preached to large congregations. A full orchestral band accompanied the choir (conductor, Mr Trevor W iliiam.-) at the opening services, which were continued daring the week.

-_u_ THE BARRY RAILWAY FATALITY On Monday Mr E. B. Reeoe conducted an inquest at BareDock Police Court touching the death of Percy William Baynham (16), a coupler in the employ of the Bariy Railway Company, who was killed early on Saturday Deceased was on the footplate of an engine proceeding to No. 8 tip at Barry Dock. but while crossing some poirts another engine came up and a collision occurred. Baynham either attempted to jump off the engftie or was jerkeo off by the impact. He wa.s picked up in an unconscious condition from between the two engines, anci died within half an hour of admission to the Accident Hospital. It was stated in evidence by some of the witnesses that a danger was placed at the crossing, but those engaged upon the engine which deceased was riding maintained that they saw no light, .the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death, adding the opinion that considerable carelessness had been shown, but the evidence was not sufficiently conclusive to attribute this tc any particular person.

DIPHTHERIA AT SWANSEA. This question was raised on Monday at p meeting of the Management Committee of the Swansea School ooard by the Rev Daviea, and Alderman Harris added the further question whether it was right for schools of 20.000 children to be closed because of tbe prevalence of 20 or 30 cases of infectious disease. Tbe Chairman (Rev. J. Pollock) naturally explained that the board were powerless if the Sanitary Authority ,-sued its fiat, whereupon Alderman Harris said it was far better that such eases as existed should be isolated than that 20,000 children should be permitted to roam atxsat the streets. This ex. pression found favoui, and it is probable that Alderman Harris's SUGGESTION will be further heard of.

On Monday afternoon the four vear old son of Thomas Worth, of Brookdale, Neath, waa run ovf '\ne f Vaie oi Neath Brewery drars 3,ad kiited instantaneously. The child in gettaw 0,11 of tbe way of one dray got under the feeTof the horses of the other dray which vM HMIIIo iwg m.O direction.