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""i AT iTj BIGHTS BESE5VKD*
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AT iTj BIGHTS BESE5VKD* I Kathleen Mavourneen. | $BT i, g F. FRANKFORT MOORE. | 1 0 Author of 0 THE JESSAMY BRIDE, Sec. 0 N>? 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o o o Q--I 6YXOPSIS OF PREVIOUS INSTALMENTS.—Major Ainlie has purchased a property in Ireland which has n sold by the mortgagees, and has gone to take possession of it with his friend, Algie St. Maur. 011 arrival at the Castle they find the place deserted, though their rooms and a luxurious meal have been prepared. After a h-Hty supper they are sitting emokjns when the door is suddenly flung open, a. band of men rush in, and they are covered by the g-uns of some of the intruders, who explain that they have come to prevent Ainlie from dispossessing the old family, thi) Mahonys. Things look very serious for Ainlie and his friend when, by a smart piect1 of stratagem, the tables are turned, and the moonlichters are at the mercy of the Knglishmeii. Simultaneously the police arrive, but Ainlie refuses to prosecute, contenting himself with giving the ringleader a severe thrashing with his most familiar weapc,n--a blackthorn. CHAPTER III. A FATEFUL MEETING. Mr. IT-agnire was the young man who had oted as agent for Major Ainlie in the pur- chase of Rathdearg Castle and all the fishing and shooting rights that went with the property. He had also engaged the servants and made rather hurried arrangements for the arrival of the mew owner and his friend. Captain St. Maur had become acquainted with Ma.guire during a previous visit to the neighbourhood, and had strongly recommended him to Ainlie as a meet com- petent man, and one who was very popular with all classes. recommended him to Ainlie as a meet com- petent man, and one who was very popular with all classes. He paid his promised visit to the Castle the next day, bringing with him Mr. Singer, the constabulary officer. Both these gentle- men were highly diverted by the shillelagh duel with Sulliva;n-whi,oh, by the way, they (had witnessed through one of the windows. My deair sir," said the officer, "you do mot suppose that I did not know that some- thing of that sort was in the air? I eaw by the look on your face when you told that Trasoai to remain that you meant to give him the finest hiding he ever had in his life, end as I've been longing for the past year to hide him myself the tempta,tion to watch the job being done was too much for me." I suppose that next to the pleasure of hiding: a rascal yourself is watching another JnajD. do it for yon," remarked St. Maur. "The most satisfactory reflection of all is that the rascall has had his hiding, no imatter who did it,' said Maguire. "ZSo one in the county is sorry (that Sullivan got his ibeauty spoilt. He is a pig buyer in a small 'way, and I know for certain that he is a money lender also on a small scele--that is to say, his loans are on a small scale, but aiot his interest. Yon hit the nail on the (head when you treated him as responsible for the whole business." I don't know about the 'nail, said Aindie. In the absence of the nail you were safe in. at Sullivan's," Baid St. Maux. The story of his licking will be all over the ocramttf" by this evening," said Maguire. "I doubil if the place wouldn't be made too hot to hoid him, even if yoai hadn't, bound him down to dear off without delay." Of course, it is not to be thought. of for a moment thai, Mr. Mahony would have any Byirtpathy "with those idiots who visited me to avenge the wrong I he done to him in buy- tog the OastLe from the people to whom he had mortgaged it," said Ainlie. He's a bit sore a/bout the sale of the old place, as you can, easily understand," said Magmire, "bmt yam may be perfectly certain that he would be stronger than, any man in the county in has aixuse of Sullivan and his gang for their outrage. I dmlt say, mind, that he doesn't look on you as an interloper; and I certainly wouldn't suggest that you need expect him to aak you to dinner all at once; but you may be sure that any resentment be may feed will stop there." But why should he bear any resentment against me?" asked "The place was bound to be sold, and why should the buyer be though,t an iiutecrloper? If you sail a dog- cart you don't have your back set up against the oha/p who buys it." I'm afraid tlbafc t-he Irish aire a bait UIIl- reaHonai*10 in tfoe master of tihe ssa.1e off their ajnoeetr»l bomes," said iMaguire. I suppose it is thai, all the confiscations of the past, canted by an ob-bging figure of speech 1 -n *setti<imeoits,' produced such an impression trpon the people tibait their descendants have oooae to lfíbink of a simple act of purchase of Property, Wben lit emfcaite the removal of a fajBily, 9* a. oonifV wia^axm. Mr. Mjaihonar is, I know a lataft touchy oax tale subject of ttoe tariecloc5U're OIl the He eeems to tlbink that the uisaraaioe ootmpamy who had tbam should have let them run on indefi- nitely without the payment of the interest." Poor old chapi Maybe be has had a large a.Dd expensive family," said St. Maur. He has a sou and daughter only; the exk;WW-O of the former was enough to account for the non-payment, of the mort- gage interest for a good many years," said Maguire. "He was one of those mosit hope- less peroorna-the man whose worst enemy te himself. What between the racehorses of the father and the senseless extravagance Of the soil, the marvel is that anything Whatever is left for the girl to live on." I suppose they left the neighbourhood "When the crash came," said Ainlie. Oh, dear, no!" replied Maguire. Mr. Mahony and his daughter live in a pic- turesque cottage at the head of the lough; the son. is, I believe, in Canada, and begin- thing to do yery well for himself, now that he has no one to supply him with ready cash. It would be a lonely- enough life for the girl were she not so great a friend of tihe Wellazide. &be occasionally pays them long visits, and they take her about." Do you mean the Wellands of Under- cliffe, in Dorset?" asked Ainlie. The same. They have been very kind to bA-z. I daresay you have come aoroeB them in London," sadd Maguire. I have met them several times. The last time was at Banelagh.' They had a party ait a table next to mine one Sunday last May," said Ainlie. The conversation then drifted into other topics, such as the likelihood of the birds turning out wild, and the possibility of the Bahnon river remaining unpoached for another month. But when his visitors had taken their departure, Harry Ainlie became thoughtful for some tdme, sitting in a chair at one of the windows in the Castle that commanded a magnificent view of the moun- tains that surrounded the still lake—of the distant lough with its splendid cliffs rising almost sheer from the water, which reflected -tbaugh. Ainlie was too far away to be e.ware of this-every peak and headland out to the Atlantic. It would have seemed to anyone wtho had seen him that he had fallen into a reverie over the Irish question, or some equally insoluble problem, so abstracted had he become while letting his eyes roam through all the wonders of the landscape. But no one was present to see him. St. Maur had gone off with the police officer to the village to interview an old man who had the reputation for making- a salmon fly that was practically irresistible 'to the fish in the river in the autumn so that no one saw how Ainlie had tiuriv-. to the solution of whatever sawh^L n&d in his mind; and no paying, lumped from his seat at last, "It would be .t.i The WellandsT^PpssiWe-quite impossible. they drive them by the 800rP- aI2td Eanelagh. I have Sunday- to dozen times. What J'h^ there half a because ■ • Well, if thmk that what would happen? Ah. --what would happen? QkrS )Vell, I'll jolly soon come to all there *8 to be known about the matter." He lit a fresh cig-ar, and his thouglhlts went back once more to the Sunday when, heh d dined at Ranelagh three months before. He had h;ad a small party with him, but a larger party was at the table next to his Wellands were well-known society People, who were invariably to be found taking pa.rt in any function that was really 'ashioua-ble. They were said to be enor- mously wealthy, and thus no one who knew anything was surprised when the heads of "tain great historic families "took them the duchesses—unless those who came the United States—have always shown themselves very liberal-minded in the J&atter of taking up young woanen whose withers esteem it a privilege to pay their Bridge debts, and it was rumoured that the Welleaid girls paid their gambling debts in "-QAsh, and, what was considered bettefr still, 'did not insist on the duchesses whom they visited doing the same. These were the people who had a party beside him on that fine Sunday in May, and ong the women portion there was a girl !*ho had attracted him greatly, not merely ij^oause she contrasted so greatly with the Wei land girls, who were quite commonplace, but because her face represented an ideal about which he had dreamed in his boy- hood, and to which he had been faithful ever since. She had dark hair, and the very darkest eyes be had ever seen, but they were not fiercely dark, like the eyes of a Spanish woman; they were, he thought, mournfully dark, with long lasihes. Her face had, indeed, more than a suggestion of mourn ful- ness in its expression, but occasionally it became illuminated, and for a short space it was even merry. He tihought he liked it leasfc at such times, though it was still more beantiful than any face he had seen. -Now, as he remained seated at the window of his Castle, he recalled how he had been so absorbed through watching that girl that he had become almostt, neglectful of the guests at his own table, and one of them--& lady-lia,d made a happy little jest of it. This had caused him to pull himself totgether for the rest, of the dinner; but he had not forgotten to follow the girl with his eyes when she rose with her friends and went outside to hear the band play. He had noticed that she was tall a.nd slender, thougii scarcely what one would call thin. Her figure was exquisite, and she moved like L% Young goddess, gracefully and easily. Thp lady beside him at his table had said, What a beautiful creature! I wonder where the Wellands picked her up." Someone else at the table mentioned that she was no newly-made discovery. She had been several times in their company during the season, and once at Prince's in the winter. Of course, he pretended to be only lan- guidly interested in the girl, and the con- \ersa.tion drifted off to such commonplace topics as the coming polo match and the Eton and Harrow crieket. But Ainlie had felt so greatly interested in the girl whom he had seen that he had in a confidential moment told his friend, Algy St. Maur, about her, and his friend had accepted his confidence in the usual spirit in which such confessions are received. He had Whistled like a starling, and had quoted (incor- rectly) a line or two of Byron; he bade Ainlie to choeir up; he even went so far as to promise to find out from one of the Wel- lands who this special girl was who bad been dinim,g with them at Banelagh- but when Ainlie asked him a fortnight later if he nad done so he found that St. Maair bad forgotten all about the matter. T,h'e.n ,lt so happened that Welland petre had died, and his family, of course, were in seclusion for the remainder of the season, so that St. Maur, even if he had remembered his promise, had no opportunity of keeping And now Harry Ainlie Slat by his window wondering if it could be possible that the daughter of the late owner of R<a £ hdea,rg Castle was the girl whoon he had seen during that memorable dian,er at Banelagh—tihe girl who nuigint Otfton have sat in the window where he sat, looking out upon the same landscape. The oonolueroms to which, he came, after giving the matter all his attention, were, first, tibat he was oertataly in love with that girl, and, seooimLly, tihat it was ridicu- lous to suppose that she should be identical wiitlh the diamghter of Mr. Maihioiny. The Wetlands had scores of girts staying with them im the course of a year; amd why sihouM he be foofflsii enough even to con- sider the possibility of the girl being Mis; Mahony? Miagudre, in referring to Mim Mahotay, had said nothing about her being beautiful; now, sufraly, if the on* on whom his thoughts were dwelling, the agc¡wt WOtÛ-d have s::Lid a;t least a word in praaea of her beaurty. He felt quite sentimentoi'lly mournful for a while over this oonoluaon, and he failed to crheer himself by the reflsetion tiha/t it was just as well that the young woana-n were not the same. Where should he be, he asked himself, if the girl of whoon he was tivinik- iDlg, and C'f whoun. itue felt he would jaever oease to fchiuk, tunned out to be the daughtesr of the (man woo bore a grudge againerf. him for having porohaeed the Castle? Yes, it was jUlOtt as wkII that the girls were soparate and distinct pcraoms. And then be I.aughe-d, thinking how amusing A would be if he were to find out that. the daughter of Mr. Mahorfy was a young lady of tlhirty-five or fouty enmumierB, witih ftaor- mxms foot 4bnd tha-n-ds, and. a fierore made to ZJJJa,tah He was still smiliDg when St. Malux re- turned. He had had a long etmll, he mid, to the villa,ge of ^^earg, and he had loiimd the man who made the celebrated aakrwm flies to be a. most interesting old fellow, with no end of stories of the height ^rh^teg-€llid8 of the Castle and legends tlmt a/f AiTL']ie aware, he asked, that he had puraha^cd with the Castle one of the active and faithful banshees known to fwme? Well, it was a faot. There were num- bers of excellent witnesses still alive who were ready to testify to the accuracy of the banshees warnings. Her wail had been heard T ^^L fatJlcr b&d died, and so it had been when any misfortune was aobut to fall on the family. to fall on the family. For instance, the purchase of the amces- trial home by a miserable Saxon with same money. suggested Ainlie. WeAl, she was heard to wail when the mortgages ftorecloeed," said St. Manr. "T suppose the bamshee goes with the pro- perity. We shall train her to wail for m juBt siie did for the ocrigdnal inhabitants." Ainlie. "Hang it all, man, yon don't buy a ten^ee as you woudd a watch-dog," said St. "I suppose not," said Ainlie. "Did von hear anything more of local interest?" Oh, yes; there is the legend fthe L-Ough," replied St. Maur. "I feel mo in the position of the operait-ic tenor coming forwajrc to the footl^hte to sing the Leg^ of the Lough, while the or-aheetaa makpa weird music and the violins go pizzicato. What ms the name of the Johnnie in 'Lohen- grin' who does something of the sort?,, hi* «« I fancy you are right. Never mind. The \!hm r,<xf+Jx>Ul8fl? according to Mr. Muldoon, the ealmon-fly maker, is as fol- that s the orchestra playing the prelude." Your imitation is marvellous! I faaucy that I hear Covent Giarden at its best." "lou c-an-wi-th imagination. Well, it h,ap,pen,ad albout a thousand years ago, more or less, when Ireland was the most highly civilised place in the world. Yes, it must have been quite a thousand years ago. Thare were princes in the land in those days and a castle or two. There was one here where this modern structure—it's only six hundred years old, Muldoon, says- stands at present; and another was built to command the one landing-place at the end thei £ T^°asrl1'- tor- 'a-c^ding to Muldoon, piracv off a trade done in puacy off the West Coast," linear iT!S,tlayT Ln Waitf fOT Atlantic a modern JgL that could make a ni,> h knew hie business boarding an Ate* r for bi™seif by New York with a clL T comrm« from "And you would suggest Th ^^f8' your Castle for the 8 *u™has* of against the victorious hordes' J™*? anySing"y°Ur WOttld cam^io •• Periiaps I am over ■ rMr nc„d. ^2, G £ £ Zo ?" come iQ- •'He came m at the head of hie clan who lived more or leas precariously in County Ga.lway, aud he landed at the end of Loueh Gharrib one line niglit, -d made an attemnt to take the Castle by storm, it seems that his clan had an anoient feud with the King of Mayo, and hoped to pay him out by cap- turing one stronghold after another. It so happened, however, that his first attempt was unfortunate. The garrison of the Castle on the cliffs above the lamdin^-pjace had their eyes open, and, seeing the galley of the young chief approaching, met him on the beach, and a brisk fight was the result. In spite of his impudence, which, of course, his friends and the bards who tell the taJe called bravery, he was taken, prisoner, and hes companions were driven back to their sihip, leaving the beach strewn with the bodies of the slain." There's not much that sounds &ttl-ti- in all this. I'd choose a lively musical comedy for preference any day." But I ve only given you the of the piece. The tenor hasn't had a chance yet, and what about the soprano?" That's just whart, I was asking myself. Well, they took the young desperado
NUN SUES A CONVENT.
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NUN SUES A CONVENT. An action, which will doubtless serve as a precedent, took place recently in Gratz, Hungary, brought by a nun named Benuventura, who had taken the vows in the Elisabeth Nunnery in that town. She had entered the nunnery as a novice in 1887, and in 1890 she took the veil with the usual vowe, and was ap-pointed sick nurse. She became ill through too much heavy work, and also suffered serious internal injuries from falling down with a heavy kettle. After several months in the convent hospital she resumed her labours, which I caused a return of her pain. Her complaints were disregarded or treated as acts of insubordination, for which she was ordered penances, such as standing with a rope round her neck, eating her food from the floor, and crawling under the table to kiss the sisters' feet. At length she wrote to her mother, and threw the letter out of the window. This letter some person found and Posted shortly afterwards. When this was discovered she was dismissed from the con- vent, but was not loosed from her vows. Through a lawyer she has now brought an action against the convent, which, according to the law, is bound to support those nuns for life who leave once they have taken the VOWB, and from which they have not been released by a decree from Rome. The Civil Court ordered the convent to pay 50s. monthly to the dismissed nun, and also to pay the costs of the trial.
fSNATCHER' DISAPPOINTED.
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fSNATCHER' DISAPPOINTED. A hardy-looking young man named Patrick Duggan, described as a fireman. of no fixed abode, was brought up in custody on remand at Absravoo on Monday charged with ( attempting to steal a watch and chain, valued £ 6. by violeaice from the person of William James Main waring, in Station-road, Port Talbot, on Wednesday night. 4 James Malnwaring, steelworker, said he was got; through Station-road in the direc- I tion of Aberavon on Wednesday night when he met the prisoner, who made a grab I at his watch-chain and broke it. Prisoner then rail away towards Port Talbot, leav- ing the chain hanging, and the medad, which was attache-cl on the ground. The Beoob sentenced prisoner to three j amtbal bard labour.
f OUR . - | I » SHORT STORIES.«…
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f OUR | I » SHORT STORIES.« | l t <> <> <*> By EMINENT AUTHORS. ❖ -6- PART OF A LIFE. —_ So you want my little girl for your wife, do you?" The speaker, from a glance of his snowy hair and moustaahe and sorrowful dark eyes, one would suppose to have been a. man well along in years, but on looking more closely at the well-knit, supple form reclin- ing at ease in the study chair it was di& covered to be an old head on young Moulders." His deep, muscular voice was half 6ad, haU tender as he continued to address the young man, who, standing before him, was nervously toying with a book that lay on the table at his right. "Perhaps, I'm not quite so surprised as you thought I would be. You have played together as little children, as ooy and girl you were companions, and now that you are a man and Maud is a woman your hearts naturally turn to each other, and I will see my dearest wish realised. The friendship that has existed between your father and myself for sixteen years will be augmented by the union of our only children. Your are a good, manly fellow. Hugh, but a trifle hot- headed and impulsive. Learn to control yourself, boy; learn to control yourself. You have muoh of my disposition, and I would save you from the rocks on whiich my happiness was wrecked—you and my little girl. Sit down, Hugh, here, near me, and I will tell you a story—an answer to the question you have so often had on the tip of your tongue to ask me, "What was it that turned the hair of such a comparatively YJung man white? Tush! boy, don't look confused—you couldn't help wondering. "Well. to begin with, twenty years ago I married one of the fairest, sweetest little women that ever won the love of man. I was a reporter on an evening paper, ambitious and struggling to rise in my profession. We rented a little house in the suburbs, and, although we had not much of this world's goods, our house was a very happy one for the first six or eight months. Then little bickerings and fault-findings bega. Bitter quarrels finally grew out of the most trivial things, and scarcely a. day passed that there had not been angi'y words spoken by one or the other. "We loved each other dearly, and we tried hard to avoid all this. We had resolved again and again in our moments of repentance tha.t we would treat each other with more consideration, be more forbearing, but it seemed useless—our trouble increased. "So it went on for months. I had become morose and gloomy, and Nora's poor little face had grown so pale and sad that the sight of it made my heart ache. "One lovely morning in early summer, when the resets that clambered over our cottago wa.Hs were in bloom and nodding their pretty heads at us through the windows, when the birds, newly mated, were singing their joy, and the air was heavy with the perfume of flowers and breathed only of love and peace, the crises came. While I was hurridly getting ready to go to the office some-thing occurred to detain me. I was annoyed and spoke sharply to Nora, She answered me in a taunting manner that always enraged moe. Our words grew bot.t0r and hotter and II1Qre extra va- gant. In my an-str I applied a shameful epithet to her. "'CX/ward!' she almost shrieked as she sprang towards me, her face distorted with rage and defiance. What devil possessed me I do not know, but quick as a. flash I raised my hand and struck her in the iaoe with all the force I could summon. She was such a slender little woman that 6he had not the strength to withstand my powerful blow. With a low, heartrending i cry she sank to the floor. Almost before she fell say senses returned. I realised what I had done, aud, falling on my knees be- side her, took her in my arms, and kissed her poor bleeding lips I bad so brutally < lacerated, and with my toa.rs dropping on her face implored her forgiveness. She seemed completely broken. Her anger was all gone, and there was a startled look in her eyes tha.t out me to the heart. "Sbe lay motionless in mlY arms while I begged her to forgive me. Then she said softly: It doesn't matter, dear. It was my fault as much as yours. We will never let it happen again. Now go to work-you are; late already.' "She &aid it 60 6trangely, with B'Ilc.h a queer look in her eyes. that I would not consent to leave her. But she insisted, and when j sihe bade me good-bye she said, takiaig my; face between her hands and drawing it towards her, 'I love you with all my heart, i my darling husband. I will love you ior ever and ever. Now, good-bye.' "What a long, long day that was! It; seemed as if my work never would be finished. My heart was eo full of love for Nora. "1 bought a bunch of Ja-ck roses on my! way home to remind her of our courtship, ■ when they were the flowers I always bought her. I did not enter the house by the front door, as usual, because I wanted to slip up behind her and surprise her with the flowers and a "Softly I opened the kitchen door. There j was no sign of any preparation for dinner—; everything was in order. 'Perhaps Nora has cried herself sicik,' I said to re-assure myself. I went to tbe be.droom-everything in order there, but the room was empty. Nervously j I hurried through every room, looked into evetry closet, went down the cellar, out to the coal-shed, up to the attic. I didn't expect to find her in any of these plaoes. I was sufe she had gone away, but I must look for her SOIlWW here. "I went back to the bedroom again, and there found the note she had left me pinned to my pillow. "Poor little tear-stained letter. Here it is, worn in the folds and yellow with age this is what she wrote. Don't think it is because I am angry at what you did this morning that I go. I I cannot stay, because I cannot make you happy. You will at least live in peace without me. I love you, my husband, and I a.lways will. Think of me sometimes and of how nutch I loved you. But, no; if it ■ makes you sad to think of me, forget mr God bless you, I love you. NORA "That was all. It gave no due. Was she living or dead? If living I was determined to find her. I searched for her everywhere, advertised. travelled—all in vain. Nearly three years passed and not a word had I heard from her. I had almost come to the conclusion that she was dead. During that time it was that my hair turned white. I was working as a reporter Oil a city morning paper, gathering news and search- ing for my wife. "One bitter cold night, the last week in January, I was sent to report a fire that had broken out in a large tenement house in one of the poorest quarters of the city. The greater part of the building was in flames when I arrived. The firemen saw that it would be useless to try to save it, and were directing their efforts to getting out the frightened inmates. I did what I could to assist them in rescuing the poor wretches. At last when we thought they were all out, the smoke cleared away from a part of the building, and by the light of the flames that leaped up we saw the figures of two women in a window. One of them had a bundle in her arms, and was preparing to leap to the ground. I motioned her back. In a moment the fireman moved a ladder to the place, ascended, and returned with one of the women, a little hunchback. The other the one with the bundle, clasped it con- vulsively, tottered, and would have fallen to the ground, but the fireman just reached her and quickly descended, bearing her un- conscious form. Gess she's about gone. Get a place ready for her, quick. Let me lay her down he shouted. "Off came my overcoat, and the fireman laid her on it. I stooped to see if she was badly burned, and also to see wha.t was in the bundle. A little child about two years old, round eyed, and frighteu d, looked at me from the wet steaming blanket that was wrapped around it. A pretty little thing I thought as I disengaged it from the blistered arms that clapped it. The woman was badly burned about the body I drew away the towel in at she had round her head, a.nd saw—my wife! pale and worn, but still the same features, the sa.me clustering brown curls on her fore- head. My wife given back to me like this! Frantically I called for help, for a doctor. There happened to be one in the orowd. He looked at Nora's burns and shook his head. There wae no hope. She would probably never open her eyes again. But sue did. The great dark eyes looked up at me, a.nd she murmured: Maudie—baby.' "I held the ba.by over her; she 6miled faintly and eaid: Maudie, perhaps—papa—will. Tell him— I—al ways—loved—I "But her eyee closed, and her head fell against my breast. She was dead. Did she recognise me in those few moments? God only knows. I could not tell." The crippled girl who waa with her in the window, and whom ahe insisted on the fire- man saving first, told me how she had met Nora in the hospital over two years before, when Maudie was born, of Note's kindness to her and of her weary struggle for bread, and she it was who found and gave to me her wedding ring and a tipy locket with my picture in it that was fastened around her neck when she died. She had never parted with them, no matter how great her poverty was." +
LOIE CLAIR'S ROMANCE.1
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LOIE CLAIR'S ROMANCE.1 Well, John Peyton, those children can be grateful that they have a friend like me. Oh, yes, you might laugh, but I am sure," and here Mrs. Peyton looked solemnly at her husband, that they will owe all their happiness to me." As she spoke she arose, and, going to the window that led upon a tiny piazza, called in a clear, pleasant voice, Loie, Loie, come here." In answer to her beckoning a graceful woman came slowly towards her. Soon John and Loie were engaged in a heated argument, she contending that one would do so much more in the morning, and he, for fun, that it was more healthy to stay in bed. Annie, seeing they were so interested, slipped away to her household duties. Mr. Peyton, being too good-natured or too indolent to tease Loie any more, gave in, and went to lie dreaming in the hammoctk. Loie looked at him disdainfully for a few minutes, then, taking her white skirts in one hand and her book in the other, stepped into the tiny arbour and began to read. For a time Ehe read very diligently, then half unconsciously let her book slip into her lap and sat musing. She was roused by Mrs. Peyton. "My dear, it is a pleasure to see you; you look so comfortable, my dear; it is 60 hot indoors." Do you know, I honestly think these mornings are not good for me, said Loie. I feel so indolent, as if all I wanted to do was to watch the flowers and birds." See here, Loie Clair, I didn't come out here to discuss the weather. No, indeed. I have something very important to tell you. A very distant cousin of mine is coming to see me. A young man, very handsome and very bright. Did you hear what I said?'' demanded Annie. A young man," Nil- phasising each word, for Loie did not seem much attested, and only murmured: "How nice," wearily. Annie regarded her yoong ward rather curiously. Loie's mother and father had been Mrs. Peyton's dearest friends. When she had promised to take care of their daughter, she was well acquainted with her whole life, excepting one episode. Mrs. Clair had told her: When Loie wants to tell you, Annie, do not prevent her. We have never spoken of 't since it happened, but she will think there is some cause to tell you if she does." Annie only knew what all the world did; namely, that Loie was happily engaged for six months, when, without any apparent cause, it was broken, and &he never referred to it again. See here, darling; this is the important letter," drawing it from her pocket and | handing it to Loie. "WhAt firm, graceful handwriting it is. but, thon, I always admire anything Will does, for he is my boy, you know. By the bye," she continued, here's j his photograph." Carelessly Loie took it; then, as she caught sight of the features, a puzzled look crept over her face, and she gazed at it long and earnestly. While Annie was talking in a seemingly careless way, yet she was watching Loie narrowly. As she saw the puzzled expression she smiled contentedly. When Loie loo-kcd up at last and caught Mrs. Peyton's eyes she flushed, aud nervously returned the portrait which bad been the eauso of her discomfort. The days passed quickly, until it was the;! week in which Will Fawcett was to, arrive. His room looked as well as it oouid, but yet Annie and Loie trotted to and fro unceasingly on some imaginary errand. By accident a tiny bunoh of passion floweris was laid on his dressing table, and Will emiied as he raised them and smoothed their leaves carefully. Loie was out when he arrived, but Mrs. Peyton's greeting could not have been warmer, as she whispered mysteriously: So far so good. Evt-rything is working finely, but now you are here you will uave to help. Fair play, you know." iilrs. Peyton's pride in her ward was very evident as she introduced her tew Fawoott. a gting to him was unconstrained and friendly, even though it was plain that! he watched her closely. As Will left them, Loie cibattered incessantly, teasing Annie by the careless manner in whioh she spoke cf oer boy." Do you think him handsome, and have I said too much about him?" inquired Annie, proudly. N," replied Loie, "I don't know. You see, I cannot judge so soon, and I always despise para gone." As a very distinct odour of burned cake pervaded the air, Annie's soul rebelled, and, hastily excusing herself, she trotted off- For quite a time there was an unbroken still- ness under a tree, which was finally dis- turbed by Will, who had returned, asking in a curious voice, Miss Clair, I depend upon you to tell me all the foolish speeches Annie has made about me. To her I am perfection, or as near it as I can be. I am afraid," he continued, rather regretfully, that you a-re prejudiced against me; you think me a conceited puppy. Come now, confess. Ah, ha! you don't need to; your face betrays you," smiling at her evident confusion. Well, since you axe so anxious to know," Loie answered, with height-ened colour, I was prejudiced. You see, I am such a contrary mortal that people's so-called idols are always my special detestation." "Please, don't say 'always,' Miss Loie," Will broke in, pleasantly, for in this case I intend to be an exception." The weeks passed away until it was within a few days of Will's departure. The day before he was to leave they were standing in the orchard, when he, not heeding Loie's remonstrances, climbed to the topmost limb for a dadnty pippin that had attracted her. GaiLy he threw it to her, and, standing on the lowest branch, was about to jump, when there was a. sharp crack, and before a word could be spoken he lay stunned on the ground. Loie's cries soon brought Mr. Peyton to be spot, and Will was tenderly carried to his room. The doctor, who was hastily summoned, pronounced it a slight sprain, but it was enough to keep him from walking for a. week. Loie was ignorant of how Will watched her as she sat in t-he twilight softly singing the airs that be loved. Unconsciously she was bringing him closer a.nd closer all the while by the charm of her voice. She was teaching bim to love her, but so unconsciously that it etartled them both when they discovered it. It came to her one day as tiey -at talking. Loie said, earnestly: You have made my summer so happy, brightened my life, as it were. How can I ihamk you or re-pay you?" In but one way. Will you do it? Do you I oare to? Shall I tell you how?" he cried as he shook both her hands. I Dimly realising what he meant, Loie wrenched her hands free and r-uehed to her room. That evening Mr. Peyton and his wife went out to make a call, and Loie and Will were left alone. Suddenly he exclaimed: Miss Lode, with your permission I will tell you a story." Loie simply nodded as she turned her face away. One summer, long ago, about ten years," here she started visibly, there was a young fellow at one of the prominent watering places. He was rather popular, having lots of money and being lavish with it. In that little place this man found his fate. Such a beauty she was, and as good and pure as she was beautiful. They were engaged for some months, and suddenly the girl returned his presents and the engage- ment was broken. He wandered until he met his fate in the same girl, but here, here my darling, and in you. Sweetheart, do you know me? Do yoa remember the young man Will Courtier in Will Fawcett? If so, tell me, Loie; lift up your bead." She had risen, and as he stretched out his arms she went to him without a murmur, and whispered: I do, I do; forgive me and forget." As they sat in the moonlight Will asked: Darling, I cannot understand how it is you never recognised me?" Loie opened a quaint locket she wore, a.nd. giving it to him, said: Look at this boy and compare it with the picture Annie has." Such a merry face that gazed at them. The boyish curi was there, but one could see the sensitive mouth and chin innocent of any bea.rd. Loie nestled close to him as she whispered: That picture was the only thing I kept. and when I heard you had renounced all drink for my sake I put it on and promised myself I would give it back as soon as I saw you. Can you forgive my father's doubt? Oan you forgive me?" Will took both hands and raised her face, and gave her a kiss on the forehead as she said, solemnly: There is nothing to forgive, nothing to forget, but plenty to remember." and he drew her towards him. Then, as Mr. and Mrs. Peyton were seem coming up the walk, he whispered, softly: Let me tell them." Merrily Annie chatted to Loie about her visit, and, turning to Loie, I do wish, my dear, you would sometimes overcome your prejudices, as to-night"— She did not finish, for Will drew Loie towards him with one hand, and her with the other, as be said: She has in truth to-night, dear Annie, for she has tccepted-a paragon." Annie kissed her lovingly as she exclaimed proudly: I know it. My boy oonfides in me, Loie. I :md I and the cake helped matters." not heeding the general laugh.
DRUCE DIARY DISAPPEARS
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DRUCE DIARY DISAPPEARS STOLEN IX THE STREET: OTHER PREVIOUS THEFTS OF EVIDENCE. To the many strange incidents which have occurred in connection with the amazing Druce case another sensation was added on Friday, for an important document—a diaxy-was stolen. In the evidence of Miss Mary Bobinson,who has come from New Zealand as witness on behalf of Mr. G. H. Druce in his charge of perjury against Mr. Herbert Druce, an old diary of the year 1860 played an extremely important part. This diary was stolen from Miss Bobinson as she was taking it to her solicitors. Miss .Robinson, who was introduced to the late mysterious Mr. T. C. Druce, alleged to have been the fifth Duke of Portland, by Charles Ddckens, eventually became Mr. Druce's secretary, and the missing diary is said to contain certain entries of vital importance. These entries, made nearly fifty years ago, would have confirmed evidence which Miss Robinson has come from New Zealand to give. On Wednesday Miss Bobinson, wishing to have the book to copy certain entries, took it away with her from the office of her solicitor, after giving a formal receipt. Miss Bobanson started from Battersea with, the diary in a hand-bag to return it to her soiitibors. On the way to the offices she stopped to look into the window of a shop. Whilst she was standing there a man at her side, who was also looking in the win- dow, suddenly turned, and, with an apology, said, Pardon me, madam, but there is a. spider on your neck." Miss Bobinson hurriedly put up her hand to brush the insect away; but she could not find the spider, and the next moment dis- covered that the polite stranger had dis- appeared, whilst her bag, with the precioos book and E5 in gold, was missing. Although the diary has been stolen, how- ever, copies of the important entries have, been made, and more tl-an one firm of solicitors can testify to the existence of the book. PEETTOTTS THEFTS. The present theft is made all the more remarkable by the fact that it has been pre- ceded by several others, namely:— Seven original letters of Charles Dickens and three of the fifth Duke of Portland* together with another diary stolen from Miss Robinson in February last during her voyage to England from New Zealand. Papers stolen on two separate occasions from Mr. George Hoilajmby Druce's apart- mentis; and Further papers, a will, and what wae known as the Druoe bag stolen from the office of Mr. Farmer, the solicitor for Mrs. Anna Maria Druce.
" CURED IN A NIGHT."
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CURED IN A NIGHT." SEVERE COUGH BANISHED BY VENO'S LIGHTNING roUGH CURE. The extraordinary rapidity with which Veno's Lightning Cough Cure will effectively cure a cough or oold is well exemplified ill the following letter:— Mr, E. Ooxhead, Mount Pleasant, Whattle-le- Woods, Ohorley. writ- My eldest boy, William, aged five years, suffered for two or three weeks with a very severe cough; he was worse during the night, coughing for several minutes at a. time. We tried all kinds of stuff, which did no good, until we tried Veno's Lightning Cough Cure. Be had two doses before retiring on Saturday night, and he did not cough once during that night, and he is now practically cared." Veno's Lightning Cough Cure is the purest, safest, and most reliable remedy extant for coughs and oolds, bronchitis, asthma. catarrh, sore throat, hoarseness, old-age coughs, children's coughs, and aJl cihest and lung troubles. P-nce 9iL, Is. lid, amd 2s. 9d., of all chemists and drug stores here. 7525
TWO MILLIONS IN BULLION.
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TWO MILLIONS IN BULLION. Two millions' sterling worth of bullion were carried by the Lusitania, which left for New York on Saturday. It was sent by the Bank of England to relieve the present scarcity of gold in New York, and is one of the largest cargoes of specie ever sent out of this country. The rate of insurance, ordinarily, is one shilling per cent., but, owing to the large quantity offered, a higher rate had to be paid before the bulk could be covered against loss.
LAUGH & GROW FAT * .
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LAUGH & GROW FAT HUMOROUS PARS FROM EVERYWHERE. "Ah, yes! said Mr. Goldbags; "I got my start in life by clerking in a humble grocery store at a-salary of 12s. a week, and managed to save money on that," But," replied the astute reporter, that of course, was before casih-registers were invented." "Hope you weren't riled because I told that capital story of yours, were you, eld fellow?" inquired a "funny" society man. It went down immense, didn't it? You don't mind?" Certainly net," replied the owner of the joke. "I told it myself just before you came in?" NOT TOO NEAR THE HEDGE, PLEASE! In a village of Picardy, after a long illness, a farmer's wife fell into a lethargy. Her husband was willing, good man, to believe her out of pain, and so, according to the custom of that country, she was wrapped in a sheet, and carried out to be buried. But, as ill-luck would have it, the bearers carried her so near a hedge that the thorns pierced the sheet, and waked the woman from her trance. Some years after she died in reality, and as the funeral passed along the husband would every now and then call out: LN<)t i' too near the hedge, neighbour!" PLENTY OF TIME. One day two ladies, one of whom carried a baby, entered a furniture store, and sig- nified their desire to look at some carpets. It was very warm, but the salesman cheer- fully showed roll after roil, until the per- spiration literally streamed from his every pore. Finally one of the ladies asked the other if she did not think it was time to go. "Not quite," was the answer of her oom- p-Miion; and then, in an undertone, she' added: "Baby likes to see him roir them out, and we've plenty of time to catch the train." STAYED AT IIOIIE. "My love," said Mr. Suffragette, "may I have a latch-key?'' I "Latch-key?" she exclaimed in tones of amazement. "What use can you have for a latoh-key when the 'Woman's Emancipation League' meets Monday night, the 'Ladies' Domestic Mission' Tuesday, the 'Sisters of Jericho' Wednesday, the 'Woman's Science; Circle' Thursday, the 'Daughters of Toil' Friday, and the 'Suffrage Band' on alternate night?? You stay at home and eee that the baby doesn't fa.!l out of the cradle." And he stayed. PEER AND PRISON EE. A well-known lord, a oharaeter in his woy, discovered a thief in his town house. Aided by the butler, he secured the man, then rang the bell. A servant appeared, whom the peer requested to go into the kitchen and bring UD a policeman or two." The domes-tic returned and said there were ek> policemen on the premises. no policemen on the premises. What, exclaimed his master, in incredulous tones. "do you mean to tell me that, with a cook, two scullery-maids, a kitchen-maid, and three housemaids in my employ, there is no policeman in my kitchen? It is indeed, a miracle, and our prisoner shall reap the benefit. Turner, let the mas go instantly!" A LIGHT MATTER. The little bugler wore a proud smile as he turned out on guard for the first time. Have you learnt all the calls yet, my boy?" asked the officer encouragingly. Nearly all, "sir." Do you know the sergeant's call?H Yes, sir." Do you know the assembly ?" Yes, sir." And the fire alarm?" N-no, sir." H'm; well, now what would you soond if a fire should break out?" The bugler thought. Er er, Lights out,' I suppose," he stammered. WAY OF ALL (TOUGH) FLESH. WilLie had beem invited to dine at a learned professor's house, and has mother was anxious for his good behaviour at table. She gave him elaborate instructions. "Well, Willie, how did you get on?" she afrked on his return. all right, ma." You are quite sure you didn't do any- thing impolite?" Well, no, ma—at least nothing to speak of." The mother's anxiety was aroused. Ah. then, there was something wrong. Now tell me all about it, Willie." "Oh, it wasn't much. You see, I was trying to cut my meat when it slipped off the plate on to the floor." Oh, my dear boy; whatever did you do?" I just said, sort of carelessly, That's always the way with tough meat,' and went on with my dinner." RESERVED FOR A SPURT. T A young lady arrived at Victoria Station, London, from Dover, with a little over 20 minutes to ca-teh a. train at Cannon-street. In ordinary circumstances she ought to have done the journey very comfortably had she taken a hansom; but, having some luggage, she selected a growler," and—as is often the case—the latter was behind a very poor horse. They had ba-rely covered a hundred yards before she Put her head out of t.he window, and requested the driver to whip the horse, otherwise she would j < miss the train. The cabby accordingly did so. A little further on, she repeated her re- quest. Can't you touch up that sleepy old horse of yours with the whip?" The cabby stopped the vehicle, and, looking at the young lady, exclaimed Well, Miss, I've hit .the hanimal all over his bloomin body, except his left ear, and I'm savin' that fer Ludgate Ill. SAVED HIM THE TROUBLE. ,An automobile dashed along the country road. Turning a. curve, it came suddenly upon a man with a gun on his shoulder, and a dog beside him. The dog was directly in the path of the motor-car. The chauffeur the path of the motor-car. The chauffeur sounded his horn. but the dog did not move —until he was struck. The automobile stopped, and one of the men got out and came forward. He had once paid a farmer 42 for killing a calf that belonged to another farmer. This time he was wary. Was that you dog?" Yes." "Looks as if we'd killed him." Certainly looks so." "Will si satisfy you?" "Yes." Well, then, here you are." He handed a. sovereign to the man with the gun, and added pleasantly, I'm sorry to have broken up your hunt." "I wasn't Koing hunting," replied the ather, as he pocketed the money. Not going hunting? Then, what were you ioing with the dog and the gun?" "Going down to the woods to shoot the log."
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Gwilyra Evans' Quinine Bitters, The Vegetable Tonic. rhis Preparation baa now a World-wide Sale, and 1* i ,he Best Remedy of the A«te for Weakness, Nervous- i aess, Indigestion, Sleeplessness, and Cliest Affections. J vim
Health and Strength Regained
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Health and Strength Regained 373, Poulton-road, I Seacombe. I think it is only right for me to tell you of the wonderful relief and benefit which I I MISS E. McCHESN-EY. ) have obtained from Iron-Ox Tablets. I have been adling for the last twelve years. I had to undergo an operation, and was in hospital for some time. Subsequently I suffered a great deal from indigestion and constipation and from weakness. At times I would be so weak and wrctcihed that I would fall down from sheer exhaustion. I had no appetite, and could get no unbroken eleep. I had come to the point of believing that there was no relief or cure for me when I was advised to take Iron-Ox Tablets. I am very thankful that I heard of your remedy because it 'has given me such wonderful relief. Both the indigestion and the consti- pation have disappeared. My appetite is very much better. I sleep quietly and naturally now. In addition to this, your tablets have toned up my whole system, and have made me very much stronger. My sister is now taking Iron-Ox Tablets, and has obtained a good deal of benefit from them already. (Signed) E. McCHEfiNmr. Yon have read what Miss McOhesney has to say about Iron-Ox Tablets—of the way in which they have cured her of indigestion, constipation, exhaustion, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite. Her case is one of peculiar interest. She had been ailing for 12 years, and indigestion and oomstLpation were the ba.ne of her existence. But Iron-Ox J. ablets cured her, just as they have done in thousands of other similar cases. If you are troubled with indigestion, constipation, or any of the accompanying symptoms, you should send without delay tc your chemist for Iron-Ox Tablets. Take them regularly, and in a very short time you will be as well and strong as you could wish.
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I Doctors know the value of I IRON-OX TABLETS in cases of indiges- tion and constipation. Write for copy of The Doctor's Word." A dainty Aluminium Pocket Packet of 60 Tabl»te for Is. If yoor chemist haa not got f thorn, they will be sent post free on receipt of One Shilling by the Iran-Ox Rf^^y Oo., I Ltd., ZO, Coctaspirr-etraet, London, S.W. | _8
""i AT iTj BIGHTS BESE5VKD*
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prisoner? That was a step in the right direction. They put out his eyes, I sup- pose. That was the first thing they did with their illustrious prisoners in those goad old days?" They did nothing of the sort. They only immured him—that's the right word, I bellev-imonlred him, in a Brazil room in the Castle and locked the door, leaving him to starve to death. It so happened, how- ever, that the young man was a lover, and, as is usual in that case, there was a beauti- ful young woman mixed up in the business. She was devoted to him, as he was to her; and, hearing of his xmsitoap and of the bene- volent indentions of his captors, she put off in a small boat one dark night, amd, single- handed, sailed up the lough, and landed unnoticed. by any one. Climbing up the steep rooks, she sang, after the good old fasihiori, a ballad of which her lover was passionately fond, beneath the iron-grated window of his dungeon. This attracted his attention." I had a notion that it would if she kept at it long enough. But how aloout the other people in the Castle? I wonder if their attention, would not also be attracted by the singing?" They would fancy it was the cry of a sembi,rd-th-ey ajways did in the beet legends. Anyhow, the young chief heard, and replied by singing the last verse, just to tell her that he was there. He came to the barred window and had a conversation with the girl. She had brought a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine with her, and, throwing a stone with a line attached through his window, he hauled up the lot. Every night for a week she did the same, and then it, occurred to her that if she could send him up a file he might contrive to cut through his iron bars and so escape. She did so. alnd they appointed a night when he was to leave his prison and join her. But, unhappily, their plan was frustrated by the Prince of Garrib, who was also in love with the girl. She arrived in her boat all right, and, climbing up the cliffs, gave the signal. She saw her lover appear in the moonlight at the dungeon window, and the bars had been removed. 'All is well,' she whispered, 'my boat will bear us to happiness.' Then her lover put his head out of the window, and his body followed. There fell at her fe-et the dead body of the young chief. He bad been slain by his enemies, who had learned of her devotion, and they had flung hie body out to her. With a shriek she fell trpon the body, and covered his face with kisses. But when the wicked prince appeared to witness the success of his grilli jest she rose, and suffered him to put an arm about her. Then, without a moment's warning, she flung him and herself over the cliffs. His mangled body was found the next day; here was never found, but it is said that on moonlight nights the spectre of a beautiful girl has been seen climbing the cliffs from a boait, beta,ring food for a spec- tral lover who awaits her coming." A perfect legend of the true Irish type," cried Ainlie. We'll take a etroil to the cliffs after dinner, and who knows what may happen." I'm your man," said St. Maur. It was in splendid moonlight that they started for the lough. The moun.tains stood out black against the background of the sky, which overflowed with silver light. The way to the termination of that long and marrow "H'eh! There's a boat landing below, and—" lough, which could be seen shining in the distance, was along by the bases of the hills. At one place the mountains put their shoulders so close together that the pass between them was not more than twenty feet wide, amd here, of course, the night was black. Emerging from this place of gloom, they walked beneath a towering hill-stope clad with email firs almost to the very sum- mit, and, rounding this, they found them- selves 100idtig down upon the moving wafers, with the sound of the Atlantic bil- lows in their eara. When they had waited on to the brink of the cliffs they looked over, and saJW the waves like molten silver two hundred feet below; but further away there was a broad piece of yellow beaoh and tiny natural har- bours. That must have been where too hapless girl landed," said St. Maur, "but how she found her way up them cliffs—" "H'&h!" said Ainlie, catching him by the arm. "H'ah! There's a boat la-nding below, 00" 81 By George, the girl is there, fcco," said St. Maur in a Whisper. They took a step into the shadow of a great crag, and peered over the brink of the ciiffs. A small boat lay moored to a rock in the natural harbour 'below, and out of it sprang a girl with a string of tiumt dang- ling f-rom one hand. She made her way quite easily up the narrow track that zig- zagged among the cliffs, sometimes disap- pearing behind the rugged face of a and then coming into view again on the track beyond. She reached tihe summit, and walked quickly away througSi the moonlight in the dirccfcixm of a small! honeewhioli they had passed on the roood a few minutes before. "The spectre! and what a spectre!" said St. Maur When, she was out of eight. Algy, that is the girl who was with the Wellands at Banelagh," said Ainlie. "Nonsense! Are you sure?" Sure?" Ainlie laughed in his own -Way. (To be continued.) r-